Chenzhou, a city of minerals, boasts abundant resources and diverse minerals. Now, a total of 116 types of minerals have been discovered, with 61 confirmed reserves. Among them, tungsten, bismuth, tin, fluorite and other minerals have reserves that rank at forefront worldwide. The microcrystalline graphite reserves account for 70% of the world’s total, and the estimated reserves of lithium oxide metal exceed 10 million tons.

Chenzhou is known as the hometown of nonferrous metals in China, capital of microcrystalline graphite in China, capital of silver in China, city of ornamental stones and capital of mineral crystals in China. 

In recent years, Chenzhou has given full play to its advantages to develop the lithium new energy industry. 

The Lithium-ion battery industry

At the beginning of 2023, the lithium carbonate project with an annual production of 20,000 tons of Zhicun New Energy Company in Yizhang County was put into production, starting the journey for the high-quality development of the LiF industry.

Now, Yizhang County has introduced 15 fluorine lithium enterprises and established a complete industrial chain of mining, inorganic and organic battery, lithium battery. 

The launching ceremony of Longyuan TBM shield tunneling machine was held by Hunan Dazhonghe Lithium Mine Company in Linwu County on April 11 this year.

The TBM shield tunneling machine can increase the overall construction efficiency by over five times compared to traditional drilling and blasting methods. This new equipment will inject stronger momentum into the construction of a new energy lithium battery industrial chain in Linwu County. 

“We will complete the construction of the lithium containing polymetallic ore resource mining and selection project by the end of this year, enabling the company to have production capacity. We will also promote the construction of lithium carbonate processing and lithium battery production projects, and work to build a benchmark for the whole lithium battery industrial chain,” said Zhang Jie, general manager of the company. 

The confidence in development stems from the abundant resource reserves in Chenzhou. Since 2022, tens of millions of tons of lithium mines have been discovered in counties like Linwu, Guiyang and Yizhang. 

Confidence in development also comes from policy support. Recently, a series of measures and policies have been issued to promote the development of lithium battery new energy industry in Chenzhou. 

Joysun New Energy is one of the earliest lithium battery companies in Chenzhou. Leveraging Joysun’s influence in the industry, the local government organized an investment team to attract over 10 lithium battery companies like Hunan Worlds Power Technology and Senlinfeng.

Hunan Worlds Power Technology achieved trial production in less than five months. 

As the industrial chain forms a closed loop and upstream enterprises are put into operation, Hunan Worlds Power Technology can directly purchase raw materials for battery cells from within the park.  

Jiang Xiaohua, deputy general manager of Hunan Worlds Power Technology, said that over 10 million yuan in costs could be saved in a year if they directly purchase raw materials from the park, and the products produced can also be sold to downstream enterprises in the park such as Joysun New Energy. 

Chenzhou has introduced 154 lithium new energy projects in two years, covering the whole industrial chain of mining, comprehensive recovery and treatment of tailings, energy storage and battery manufacturing. It has also introduced 7 joint venture projects like Shanghai Ane, Dazhong Mining and Corun, with a total investment of over 140 billion yuan. 

The total output value of the battery industry is expected to reach 150 billion yuan within three years. Relying on its abundant lithium ore resources, Chenzhou is developing itself into a city of lithium battery. 

China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo

Hunan Museum of Geology, showcased 46 sets of spodumene mineral crystals at the 11th China (Hunan) International Mineral & Gem Expo (CMGE) held in Chenzhou on May 19 last year. It participated in the curation of the expo for the first time. 

The 12th CMGE will be kicked off on May 19, with the theme of “past and present of gems”. The five-day CMGE attracted over 600 domestic and foreign businessmen to sign up. 

During the expo, the CFPF will show the series of achievements in paleontological fossil research nationwide for the first time, and present 30 sets of mineral crystals and precious stones. 

Chenzhou has become the permanent host city of CMGE since 2015. Chenzhou is the stronghold of minerals and gems, a grand gathering of international cultural exchanges, a big platform for industrial cooperation and win-win results, and a big stage for achieving dreams. 

CMGE is a window for Chenzhou to build a new development pattern, a carrier to promote high-level openness, a channel to integrate with the international trade, and a bright brand to promote itself to the world. 

“Chenzhou has an advantageous location, making it convenient for people to come from all over the world. And I hope to use the CGME to promote better trade exchanges between China and Pakistan,” said the acting consul general of the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Guangzhou.

Bai Zhiqiang, vice chairman of CFPF and professor at Peking University, affirmed, “holding such a large-scale CMGE in Chenzhou will certainly drive the local economy.”

The president of Tironi in Switzerland said, “we should let more people know that there is such a beautiful mine fair in beautiful Chenzhou.”