BUSINESS

CATL’s Yichun Lithium Mine Remains Shut as Restart Awaits Permits

Published: Aug. 8, 2026 1:04 a.m. GMT+8

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CATL’s Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, Jiangxi province. Photo: VCG

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL)’s key lithium mine in Yichun, Jiangxi province, remains shut for maintenance as the company works to secure the permits needed to restart operations.

The local environmental bureau in Yichun confirmed on Friday that the site remains idle with no active ore processing or transport. Operations at the facility have been halted since its initial mining license expired in August 2025.

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CATL's Jianxiawo mine halted since Aug 2025 due to expired license and new mineral classification rules.
Continued closure may tighten lithium supply and affect prices amid potential EV demand growth.
CATL awaits environmental permits; mine, world's largest lepidolite deposit, has 2.7 million tons lithium.

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Who’s Who

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) has its key lithium mine in Yichun shut for maintenance due to expired mining licenses. It is reapplying under new mineral classifications, while the closure risks tightening global lithium supplies and affecting prices.

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What Happened When

2022-04：: CATL won exploration rights to Jianxiawo for 865 million yuan ($128 million), with those rights valid through Aug. 9, 2025.

2025-07：: A revision to China's Mineral Resources Law took effect, leading to a nationwide regulatory crackdown on how strategic minerals were classified.

2025-08：: The mine's initial mining license expired, and operations were halted.

Before 2025-08：: The Jianxiawo mine operated under an initial mining license, but its lithium carbonate output fluctuated due to volatile lithium prices.

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