June 24, 2025 | Gerze County, Tibet, China — Zangge Mining Co., Ltd. has received official approval from the Tibet Autonomous Region’s Development and Reform Commission for its lithium‑boron mine development project at Mamicuo Salt Lake in Gerze County, Ngari Prefecture.
The project will be fully financed by Zangge Mining and its affiliated funds. The estimated total investment is ¥4.537 billion (approximately US $630 million). The phased initiative is designed to produce 50,000 metric tons of battery‑grade lithium carbonate annually, along with 17,000 tons of borax as a by‑product. It has been approved for a 33‑year production service period, in addition to a two‑year construction timeframe.
Located approximately 84 km north of Gerze, the project spans 115 km² of salt‑lake brine resources. The development plan includes infrastructure such as brine intake and return pipelines, adsorption pre‑treatment units, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis systems, bipolar membrane electrodialysis (MVR) facilities for lithium precipitation, storehouses for finished lithium carbonate, and supporting auxiliary structures.
The extraction process employs advanced technology, including continuous adsorption, membrane concentration, and single‑step lithium precipitation—a more efficient, weather‑independent method compared to traditional solar evaporation. Moreover, Zangge reports having trained over 100 technical specialists in anticipation of the project’s launch, ensuring workforce readiness.
The approval follows Zijin Mining’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Zangge earlier in May 2025. Zijin purchased a 24.98% stake for ¥13.729 billion, and together with associated parties now holds 26.18% of Zangge’s share capital, securing operational control.
Strategically, this project represents a significant expansion in China’s efforts to strengthen its domestic lithium supply chain amid burgeoning demand for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. With lithium home‑grown from brine now contributing directly to domestic battery production, China reduces its reliance on imports from corridors like Australia or South America.
However, high‑altitude logistics at an elevation of around 4,700 meters and underdeveloped road networks pose operational challenges. Nevertheless, the environmental and economic benefits of the membrane‑based, continuous adsorption extraction process—particularly its reduced energy use and year‑round output—are expected to offset difficulties posed by Tibet’s remote terrain.
This development signals a major step forward for both Zangge and Zijin Mining as they establish a stronger foothold in China’s new‑energy minerals sector—aligning with national priorities for strategic resource independence and clean‑tech leadership.