Chinese officials reportedly in Afghanistan to explore lithium projects

Officials representing several Chinese companies are in Afghanistan to conduct on-site inspections of potential lithium projects, Reuters reported.

Citing China’s Global Times, Reuters reported that representatives of five companies obtained special visas, arriving in Afghanistan in early November, via the China Arab Economic and Trade Promotion Committee in Kabul and Afghanistan’s mining ministry.

Ganfeng Lithium, China’s biggest lithium producer, told Reuters it was unaware of the trip.

Afghanistan is rich in resources ranging from copper, lead, zinc, gold, oil and gas, bauxite, coal, iron ore and rare earths. It also has large reserves of lithium, a key component used for the batteries of electric vehicles.

Chinese state media and industry sources have said China could contribute to post-war reconstruction and develop resource projects in Afghanistan, though the necessary infrastructure will take years to build and security issues may intervene.