[Zenergy's Phase I of 25GWh Automotive Lithium Power Battery Project Reaches Topping-Out Milestone] Zenergy announced on its official account that the topping-out ceremony for its 25GWh automotive lithium power battery project at the Yinhe B-Zone base in Changshu, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, was held on June 7, 2025. It is reported that the project has a total investment of 10 billion yuan, covers an area of approximately 741 mu, and has a construction area of 650,000 m². Phase I of the project is expected to commence production in Q4 of 2025. At that time, Zenergy will add multiple automated production lines for new-type lithium batteries and adopt a new generation of flexible, digital, and intelligent manufacturing systems to drive breakthroughs in mass production capacity while maintaining quality.

[The project for recycling and reusing 100,000 sets of retired vehicle-mounted lithium power battery packs is here] Recently, the Liaocheng Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau of Shandong Province issued the "Notice on the Proposed Approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment Document for the Second-life Application Project of Power Battery Recycling in Liaocheng High-tech Zone". This initiative has added a new highlight to the green development of the new energy industry in Shandong Province. The total investment of the project by Liaocheng High-tech Industrial Development Group Co., Ltd. is 120 million yuan. The company has leased the High-end Intelligent Equipment Industrial Park, setting up areas for battery pack dismantling, second-life application assembly, raw material storage, and finished products within the factory building, forming a scale capable of processing 100,000 sets of retired vehicle-mounted lithium power battery packs annually.

[15,000 mt Xunying New Energy Lithium Battery Comprehensive Utilisation Project to Be Implemented] Recently, the Suzhou Ecological Environment Bureau in Jiangsu Province has publicized the environmental impact assessment documents for the proposed approval of the new high-performance lithium battery materials recycling and new energy lithium battery comprehensive utilisation project. It is reported that the project's construction unit is Xunying New Energy (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. The project will process 15,000 mt of lithium power battery materials annually (producing 2,100 mt of copper particles, 900 mt of aluminium particles, and 7,200 mt of positive and negative electrode powder annually). The new energy lithium battery comprehensive utilisation project will comprehensively utilise 1.5 Gwh of power batteries annually.

[Lithium Battery Comprehensive Utilisation Project Lands in Changshu, Jiangsu] Recently, the Ecology and Environment Bureau of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, has publicised the environmental impact assessment document for the proposed approval decision on the "New High-Performance Lithium Battery Materials Recycling and New Energy Lithium Battery Comprehensive Utilisation Project". This news has attracted widespread attention in the new energy sector. The project, undertaken by Xunying New Energy (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., is located to the east of Guangming Road, north of Yangguang Avenue, and west of Wuxin Road in Changfu Street, Changshu City, Jiangsu Province, and is of great significance. It has an annual processing capacity of 15,000 mt of lithium power battery materials, capable of producing 2,100 mt of copper granules, 900 mt of aluminium granules, and 7,200 mt of positive and negative electrode powders. Meanwhile, the new energy lithium battery comprehensive utilisation project has an annual comprehensive utilisation capacity of 1.5 Gwh of power batteries.

[Codelco to Announce Partner for Maricunga Lithium Project by Month-End] Codelco will announce a partner for the Maricunga Salar lithium project by month-end, as part of Chile's efforts to strengthen national control over critical minerals. According to Chairman Máximo Pacheco, the state-owned copper giant is finalizing its selection after receiving dozens of proposals. Speaking at an industry conference, Pacheco confirmed that binding offers had been received and a shortlist had been established. The selected company will collaborate with Codelco to develop the lithium project located at the Maricunga Salar, which is Chile's second-largest lithium reserve site. The joint venture agreement will be formalized in the second half of the year. "This will involve negotiating contract terms, resolving specific conditions, and obtaining regulatory approvals in Chile and internationally (if required)," Pacheco said. Codelco is expected to commence construction of the project, named "Paloma" (Spanish for "dove"), in early 2027, with first production targeted for 2030. The initiative is part of President Gabriel Boric's strategy to strengthen national control over Chile's lithium industry while encouraging foreign investment. Under current policies, any project on strategic salars such as Atacama or Maricunga must be majority-owned by Codelco or the state-owned mining enterprise Enami. Codelco entered the lithium industry in early 2024 by acquiring Lithium Power International, giving it control over the Maricunga project, located on the same-named salar. This deal marked its first lithium asset in the country and expanded its portfolio into battery metals, a key focus for most global mining companies. As the world's second-largest lithium producer after Australia, Chile has opened up over 20 salars to private investment, aiming to increase local lithium production by 70% within a decade. Source: mining.com [Lake Resources Boosts Kachi Lithium Resource, Advances Sale Negotiations] Lake Resources (ASX: LKE) has expanded the lithium resource at its flagship Kachi project in Catamarca Province, Argentina, while considering strategic options that include the partial or full sale of assets or even the entire company. The updated resource estimate, based on drilling and testing work completed in early 2024, has increased the total lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) resource at the Kachi project to nearly 11.1 million mt. Of this, 8.2 million mt are classified as measured and indicated. In the previous estimate in November 2023, the total resource was 10.6 million mt, with 7.3 million mt classified as measured and indicated categories. Lake Resources (ASX: LKE) has expanded its lithium resources at its flagship Kachi project in Catamarca Province, Argentina, while considering strategic options that include the partial or full sale of assets or even the entire company. The updated resource estimate, based on drilling and testing work completed in early 2024, has increased the total lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) resource at the Kachi project to nearly 11.1 million mt. Of this, 8.2 million mt are classified as measured and indicated categories. In the previous estimate in November 2023, the total resource was 10.6 million mt, with 7.3 million mt classified as measured and indicated categories. The update comes amidst a flurry of activity in Argentina's lithium mining sector. Several companies with assets in the region have received takeover offers significantly above their market capitalization, while global miners such as Rio Tinto (ASX, LON: RIO) continue to ramp up their interest in South America's Lithium Triangle. This region, located in the southwestern corner of the Andes and straddling the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, holds approximately 60% of the world's lithium ore reserves. Source: mining.com [Patriot Unveils North America's Largest Immediately Mineable Lithium Resource in Quebec] Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: PMET; ASX: PMT) has increased the resource estimate for its Shaakichiuwaanaan project in Quebec ahead of a feasibility study scheduled for release in September. The company said in a statement after Monday's market close that, compared to estimates in August 2024, indicated resources in the Nova Zone (CV5) have increased by 30%, while those in the Vega Zone (CV13) have surged by 306%. The high-grade areas have now been fully reclassified as indicated resources and still hold growth potential, the company stated. Shaakichiuwaanaan is currently estimated to host 108 million mt of resources containing 1.4% lithium oxide, equivalent to 3.8 million mt of LCE. Additionally, there are inferred resources of 33.3 million mt containing 1.3% lithium oxide, equivalent to 1 million mt of LCE. Source: northernminer.com [Lion Rock Resources Reports High-Grade Lithium Results from Warnie Project in South Dakota] Lion Rock Resources is pleased to announce lithium detection results from its recent surface sampling program at the Warnie project in South Dakota. These results include lithium oxide contents of up to 5.3% in stockpiled material and 3.7% in pegmatite outcrops, extending the lithium-bearing pegmatite mineralization zone to an area of 1,000 meters by 500 meters. The Volney project, located in the Montenegro mining district 20 km southwest of Spearfish, is a previously producing polymetallic project with high-grade gold, lithium, and tin. Highlights: High-grade LCT pegmatite in outcrops – significant expansion potential: A total of 26 outcrop samples returned lithium oxide (Li₂O) grades exceeding 1.0%, confirming the presence of multiple high-grade lithium-bearing pegmatites over a 1,000 m × 500 m corridor, which remains open in all directions. Importantly, a new sampling outcrop 600 m from the historic Giant Volney pegmatite returned up to 3.7% Li₂O, underscoring the broader potential for high-grade lithium mineralization beyond the known area and emphasizing the opportunity to significantly expand the mineralized footprint. Validation of historic high-grade material: A total of 43 stockpiling and mill scrap samples returned Li₂O grades exceeding 1.0%, with a maximum of 5.3%. In the historic Giant Volney pit area, 26 stockpiling samples averaged 3.8% Li₂O, confirming the high-grade lithium values reported in historic bulk sampling. High-grade polymetallic potential includes high-grade gold and tin: In addition to lithium, a total of 13 stockpiling and mill scrap samples returned tin (Sn) grades exceeding 1.0% Sn, indicating significant potential for by-product recovery. The district also hosts high-grade gold mineralization, with historic grades of up to 8.0 g/t gold over 43.0 m and 18.2 g/t gold over 18.3 m. Private land – rapid permitting: The Volney project is situated on 142 hectares of private land with surface and mineral rights, enabling the rapid execution of drilling programs and accelerating the permitting process from exploration to production. Dale Ginn, President and CEO of Lion Rock, stated, "These robust lithium results confirm the high-grade potential of the Volney project. The combination of high-grade outcrop samples and historically mined material provides exciting opportunities for continued exploration, both at surface and through drilling. Our 142 hectares of private land allow us to advance permitting rapidly and move swiftly into the drill testing phase. We are also very encouraged by the polymetallic potential of the system, which includes high-grade gold and tin, and we look forward to expanding the known pegmatite extents through our upcoming exploration program." Source: junior mining network

BYD, which has long been eyeing the small-capacity power battery market, has finally accelerated its pace. According to industry news, BYD will host a global launch event for electric two-wheeler and three-wheeler batteries at its Shenzhen headquarters on May 17, and has proposed the slogan "Lead-acid out, LFP in." On May 13, an informed source confirmed the date of the event to a reporter from Cailian Press, but did not disclose further details. Rumors about BYD's entry into the e-bike market have been circulating in the industry for a long time. As early as October 2020, FinDreams Battery, a battery brand under BYD, held the first off-line ceremony for Didi Qingju batteries in Shenzhen. At that time, He Long, Vice President of BYD Group and Chairman of FinDreams Battery, said, "The product line of FinDreams Battery's two-wheeler batteries will grow at a rate of dozens of times in the future." However, compared to power and ESS batteries for NEVs, BYD's expansion in the small-capacity power battery sector targeting the e-bike market has been relatively cautious. It was not until February 25, 2024, that FinDreams Battery announced on its official WeChat account, "After discussion, it has been decided that FinDreams Battery will apply the R&D achievements of passenger vehicles to the two-wheeler sector, increase R&D investment in two-wheelers, collaborate with all parties to develop safe batteries that can be used in high-rise buildings." The major fire incident involving e-bikes at that time, which was caused by the thermal runaway of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, prompted BYD to make this decision. "After the incident, a special rectification campaign for electric vehicles was launched nationwide, and relevant departments also communicated with BYD, hoping that BYD would shoulder corporate responsibility at a critical moment and participate in the safety upgrade of electric vehicle batteries," an industry insider revealed some of the reasons to the reporter. In addition to the support from relevant departments, the small-capacity lithium power battery market for e-bikes is also relatively a "blue ocean." Compared with lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries have advantages such as long life, light weight, environmental protection, and high energy density, which have sparked a wave of "replacing lead-acid with lithium" in the e-bike sector. However, according to the reporter's understanding, currently constrained by safety and cost considerations, mid-to-low-end brands such as Yadea and AIMA have temporarily suspended their transition to lithium batteries and instead returned to lead-acid batteries, which offer higher safety, lower cost, but slightly insufficient driving range. It is understood that currently, only high-end brands such as Niu and Ninebot are still using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, but their selling prices are generally high. "Currently, the two major obstacles to the promotion of lithium batteries are cost and safety. BYD has advantages in both cost control and technological safety."Industry analysts believe that as more and more high-tech enterprises enter the e-bike industry, it will help the entire industry reduce costs and increase efficiency. In January 2024, LIMA EV launched the LIMA H5 third-generation long-range e-bike, equipped with a 46V, 120Ah BYD LFP blade battery, which is already on sale. After announcing its entry into the e-bike battery sector, BYD continued to "take orders". In October 2024, BYD and Jiangsu Zongshen Vehicle Industry announced the establishment of a lithium battery pack management advisory committee. Jiangsu Zongshen stated that the two parties will focus on innovative management, promote the integrated management planning and layout of lithium-ion products for vehicle-battery integration, and plan to form a feasible business model for lithium-ion products in 2025. In December of the same year, BYD signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Tailg Technology, with both parties announcing in-depth cooperation in the new energy two- and three-wheeler battery sector and jointly building a cloud-based big data platform for the "vehicle-battery-cloud safety system". Regarding whether BYD will directly participate in the production of e-bikes, the aforementioned industry analysts believe, "It's not impossible. Cars are large products involving tens of thousands of parts, but e-bikes have relatively fewer parts and their manufacturing processes are not overly complex." In their view, BYD's layout in the C-end e-bike market would face high store-opening costs. "If it can make breakthroughs in the B-end market, such as food delivery and express delivery, it would be a better choice."