Zoey Zuo

CATL can likely restart its Jianxiawo lepidolite lithium mine in Jiangxi, China after securing a safety production permit. Benchmark has seen a copy of the permit certificate, which was considered the last official hurdle CATL needed to overcome to resume production at the mine which has been idle since August 2025. Benchmark’s Q2 Lithium Forecast anticipates 37kt lithium carbonate equivalent to be mined from Jianxiawo in 2026 assuming a September restart, accounting for ~1.5% of global mined lithium supply. This production figure could increase if the mine is restarted earlier than expected, something that is increasingly likely given the rapid pace of approvals in the past week. The mine is anticipated to operate at its planned capacity of 150ktpa by 2029.

Yongxing and Canmax have announced plans to merge two adjacent lepidolite mines in Jiangxi, China's largest lithium-mica hub, in a deal Benchmark expects to delay fresh lithium supply in the near term even as it unlocks substantial output over the longer term. Under the deal, Canmax subsidiary Yichun Shengyuan Lithium will inject its Jinzifeng mine, valued at RMB 2.7 billion (~$396 million), into Yongxing's Huaqiao Mining in exchange for a 50% stake, with both parties then applying for a single unified mining right designed for 18 million tonnes of ore per year.

On 2nd April, Zimbabwe's Minister of Mines and Mining Development outlined the prerequisite conditions for lifting the country's ban on lithium concentrate exports, signalling a potential thaw in the export suspension imposed in February 2026. The move reflects the government's intent to unlock value from the sector while enforcing strict domestic beneficiation requirements and operational standards. The conditions, detailed in a letter to the Chamber of Mines, represent a high bar for operators and reveal significant friction points between Zimbabwe's policy ambitions and the economics facing miners and converters.