A remote salt lake in the Chinese inland province of Sichuan is home to 83 % of the country 's copper deposit . On Shanghai's metals market, lithium carbonate is trading at around 170,000 yuan ($25,700) per ton, more than three times the level two years ago. The metal is crucial for the development of electric vehicle ( EV ) batteries and China is the second richest country in terms of exports , after Chile . The majority of its lithium can be found within salt sediment on the shores of the Salt Lake . Companies such as major Chinese EV maker BYD have begun setting up factories in the area after securing a concession for recovering lithium .
A remote salt lake in the Chinese inland province of Sichuan is home to 83 % of the country 's copper deposit . The metal is crucial for the development of electric vehicle ( EV ) batteries and China is the second richest country in terms of exports , after Chile . The majority of its lithium can be found within salt sediment on the shores of the Salt Lake . Companies such as major Chinese EV maker BYD have begun setting up factories in the area after securing a concession for recovering lithium .