Lithium Supply Is Diversifying, But China Controls the Value Chain
Global lithium output is expanding in Australia and Chile, but China dominates processing and battery exports, capturing most of the downstream value.
Global lithium output is expanding in Australia and Chile, but China dominates processing and battery exports, capturing most of the downstream value.
Global copper consumption continues to climb, and mine production expands slowly, while refining and demand remain heavily concentrated in China.
Upstream mineral supply is globally distributed, but China remains the dominant actor in the midstream and downstream battery ecosystem.
Copper and lithium led output gains in 2025, while the top three producers still control 70-90% of most key metals.
ANDAMAN PARTNERS reviews the complex, comprehensive and consequential role China plays in global resources.
China’s dominance in battery-grade processing and cell manufacturing leaves global EV production dependent on two stages of the supply chain.
Chinese mining M&A surged in 2019-2025, as China locked in supply-critical metals across Africa and Latin America.
China’s concentration of production, processing and exports has created structural dependencies with wide-ranging effects on critical industries.
ANDAMAN PARTNERS examines China's role in global resources, which is complex, comprehensive and consequential.