Unconditional Approval for Major Business Concentrations by State Administration for Market Regulation, Including CATL and China Southern Power Grid ESS

Developing local processing capacity is not simply a matter of building another plant next to a mine. It requires a country to simultaneously possess reliable energy supply, logistics infrastructure, chemical-industry capabilities, engineering expertise, customer qualification systems, access to financing, policy continuity and transparent pricing mechanisms. Resources can attract investment, but they cannot guarantee project success.

On June 3, the Yichang Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment issued a public notice soliciting comments on the draft environmental impact report for the 300,000-ton waste lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery recycling project of Yichang Brunp Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. This project is an expansion, with a total investment of 1,065.5119 million yuan. Upon completion, the project will have an annual processing capacity of 300,000 tons of waste LFP battery packs, including waste LFP power battery packs, battery modules, battery cells, battery powder, electrode sheet powder, and related materials.

After several months of technical issues and operational adjustments, the Ambatovy mining project in Madagascar has announced the gradual resumption of its nickel and cobalt production in Toamasina. As one of the largest foreign investments in the country, the project plays a significant role in the national economy. Its mining operations in the Moramanga region and processing activities in Toamasina make substantial contributions to exports and government revenues. The restart comes amid a gradual recovery in global demand for strategic metals such as nickel and cobalt, particularly driven by growing demand from the electric vehicle battery and energy storage sectors, creating new opportunities for Madagascar’s mining industry.