Rumor

CATL's Jianxiawo Lithium Mine Reportedly Fails December 5th Restart and Remains Closed

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 01:36 PM

The Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, owned by Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and responsible for a notable percentage of global lithium supply, allegedly remains closed due to an expired license after a planned December 5th restart did not occur, maintaining tight supply conditions in China.

Context

CATL's Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun, a significant source contributing approximately 3% of global lithium supply, reportedly failed to restart on December 5, 2025, and remains closed. Operations were initially suspended in early August 2025 due to an expired mining license, with regulatory approvals still pending. This prolonged closure has notably tightened lithium supply in China, creating market volatility. The continued halt at Jianxiawo has impacted lithium prices, which experienced a bump in August-September following the initial shutdown. Prices recently surged above RMB 100,000 per ton in November before a correction. This situation underscores critical supply chain vulnerabilities for battery materials. A restart is anticipated to ease prices, though the exact timeline for this remains uncertain.

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