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.
China and the Global Critical Minerals and Battery Supply Chain Landscape
Upstream mineral supply is globally distributed, but China remains the dominant actor in the midstream and downstream battery ecosystem.
Transition Metal Supply Expanded in 2025, Control Remains Concentrated
Copper and lithium led output gains in 2025, while the top three producers still control 70-90% of most key metals.
Concentrated Processing, Dominant Manufacturing: China’s Dual Control of the EV Battery Value Chain
China’s dominance in battery-grade processing and cell manufacturing leaves global EV production dependent on two stages of the supply chain.
Zijin Mining: China’s Flagship Global Metals Firm
Rapid growth, astute deal-making and a widening footprint across strategic metals have transformed Zijin into a diversified, global mining firm.
Top 20 Global Mining Firms, 2015 vs. 2025: China’s Majors Have Become Global Heavyweights
Over the last decade, Chinese firms surged into the global mining elite, now accounting for 2 of the top 5.
Anchored in Asia: Australia’s Trade Has Become Regionally Centred
With Minerals & Fuels and Metals flowing out to Asia and manufactured goods flowing in, Australia’s trade profile is increasingly tied to China and Asian markets.
China’s Mining Hierarchy in 2025: The 10 Firms Shaping Energy and Metals Supply
Shenhua’s scale underscores China’s continued dependence on coal, while Zijin’s rise anchors China’s position in the global energy transition.
The Global Minerals Chain From Exporting Economies to Industrial Consumers
There are two distinct roles in the global minerals system: upstream exporters and downstream manufacturing hubs, whose demand for resources continues to rise.
Led by China, Asia Commands Global Industrial Commodity Imports
Asia’s share of global imports is dominant across key industrial commodities, with China driving regional demand and shaping global supply chains.