What Sinomine Resource Group does

Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd. (中矿资源集团股份有限公司) is a vertically integrated Chinese mining and specialty metals company founded in 1999 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (002738) since 2014. The company operates three core business segments: (1) lithium battery new energy materials, encompassing hard-rock lithium mining, concentrate processing, and production of battery-grade lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium fluoride, with the latter product having entered the Tesla supply chain; (2) rare light metal (cesium and rubidium) resources, where Sinomine is a globally dominant producer of cesium formate drilling fluids used in high-temperature and deepwell oil and gas applications, and is one of the few vertically integrated cesium manufacturers with mining rights at Tanco (Canada) and Bikita (Zimbabwe); and (3) solid mineral exploration and mining rights development, providing geological survey and technical services globally across more than 40 countries.

The company's technology base centers on proprietary process chemistry, including a patented cesium extraction method from pollucite ore, a patented petalite lithium extraction process that extends raw material sources beyond conventional spodumene, and specialized Zimbabwe pegmatite flotation technology. Operations span approximately 4,000 employees across mining sites in Zimbabwe, Canada, Zambia, and Namibia, processing facilities in China's Jiangxi, Guizhou, and Inner Mongolia provinces, and sales/trading offices across Asia, Europe, and North America. Annual revenue is approximately 10 billion RMB (~$1.4B), with ~60,000 tpa lithium salt processing capacity and a 4 million ton/year Bikita lithium concentrator at full production since late 2023.

Sinomine generates revenue through direct enterprise sales of commodity and specialty metal products, long-term offtake agreements with battery manufacturers, specialty chemical producers, and oil & gas companies, plus technical services fees for geological surveys. Recent capital deployment has aggressively diversified the portfolio: a 2022 $180M acquisition of Bikita (Zimbabwe lithium) was followed by 2024 acquisitions of Zambia's Kitumba copper mine ($58.5M) and Namibia's Tsumeb Smelter ($49M), and a 2026 private placement targeting up to 5.2 billion CNY to fund further processing capacity. The company explicitly faces the challenge of Zimbabwe's 2026-2027 raw lithium concentrate export ban, which favors its integrated model but pressures its mine-to-port economics.

Name

Sinomine Resource Group

Legal name

中矿资源集团股份有限公司

Website

https://sinomine.cn

Company type

Public

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Sinomine Resource Group is a vertically integrated Chinese mining company producing battery-grade lithium compounds, cesium formate, rubidium, and specialty metals from owned mines in Zimbabwe, Canada, Zambia, and Namibia, serving battery, oil & gas, and electronics manufacturers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Integrated Mining and Specialty Metals Production

NAICS

Other Metal Ore Mining (212290), Chemical Manufacturing (325), Copper, Nickel, Lead, and Zinc Mining (212230)

SIC

Metal Mining (1000), Miscellaneous Metal Ores (1090)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery Raw Materials Mining & Refining (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Graphite) (EUAFABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI), Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction (IMAKAFAA), Exploration & Resource Development (Critical Minerals) (IMAKAFAL)

Keywords

• Lithium mining processing
• Battery-grade lithium compounds
• Cesium formate production
• Rare light metals
• Geological exploration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Haidian

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Lithium Compound Sales: Sale of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide produced from owned spodumene and petalite operations. Primary revenue driver as a vertically integrated lithium producer.
2. Rare Earth and Specialty Metals Sales: Sale of cesium formate, rubidium metal, rubidium carbonate, tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), and niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) produced from own mining assets. Long-term supply agreements with specialty chemical and electronics manufacturers.
3. Lithium Processing Services: Toll processing and refining services for third-party lithium raw materials at Chinese processing facilities. Capacity of approximately 60,000 tonnes per year of lithium salt equivalents.
4. Geological Survey and Exploration Services: Technical services including geological surveys, mineral analysis, and exploration support for external clients, leveraging proprietary exploration data and expertise developed over 25+ years.
5. Copper Production (Kitumba): Revenue from Kitumba copper mine development in Zambia, expected to add copper production as a new commodity revenue stream.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sinomine Resource Group is a vertically integrated mining and specialty chemicals company that mines, processes, and sells battery-grade lithium compounds (lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium fluoride), cesium and rubidium salts (including cesium formate drilling fluids), tantalum and niobium concentrates, and copper, supported by international mineral trading and geological exploration services. Its products are sold primarily to battery manufacturers, oil and gas companies, specialty chemical producers, and electronics manufacturers, with mining and processing operations in China, Zimbabwe, Canada, Zambia, and Namibia.

Product overview

Sinomine Resource Group is a mining conglomerate with full mineral resource industry chain capabilities. The company operates through three main business segments: (1) Lithium Battery New Energy Materials Development and Utilization - covering lithium mining, concentrate processing and lithium compound production including battery-grade lithium carbonate, battery-grade lithium hydroxide, and battery-grade lithium fluoride, with entry into Tesla's supply chain; (2) Rare Light Metal Resource Development and Utilization - focusing on cesium and rubidium with cesium formate as a major global producer and supplier with dominant market share; (3) Solid Mineral Exploration and Mining Rights Development - providing geological survey technical services globally. The company also operates international mineral product trading. The products and services span from upstream mining (Bikita mine in Zimbabwe, Tanco mine in Canada) to midstream processing (lithium salt production in Jiangxi) to downstream specialty chemicals (cesium/rubidium compounds).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate (电池级碳酸锂) Battery-grade lithium carbonate used as a key raw material for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, suitable for preparing cathode materials like LFP, LCO, LMO, and NMC. Sold to battery manufacturers.
• Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (电池级氢氧化锂) Battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate used as an important raw material for preparing cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Sold to battery cell manufacturers.
• Battery-Grade Lithium Fluoride (电池级氟化锂) Battery-grade lithium fluoride product with high quality and stable performance, with a high market share, successfully entering the Tesla supply chain system. Sold to lithium-ion battery electrolyte manufacturers.
• Cesium Salt Series (铯盐系列) Cesium-based fine chemical products, including cesium formate used as high-performance drilling fluids in oil and gas deepwater and HPHT drilling. Sinomine is a major global producer and supplier with absolute market share. Sold to oil service companies and specialty chemical manufacturers.
• Rubidium Salt Series (铷盐系列) Rubidium-based fine chemical products, including rubidium metal and rubidium carbonate, for various industrial applications including specialty chemicals and electronics. Sold to specialty chemical and electronics manufacturers.
• Lithium Battery New Energy Materials (锂电新能源原料) Integrated lithium mining, lithium concentrate processing and lithium compound production and sales, covering the entire supply chain from upstream mining (Bikita in Zimbabwe, Tanco in Canada) to midstream processing and downstream lithium compound sales. Sold to battery manufacturers.
• Industrial-Grade Lithium Carbonate (工业级碳酸锂) Industrial-grade lithium carbonate for various industrial applications such as glass, ceramics, and specialty chemicals. Sold to industrial buyers.
• Industrial-Grade Lithium Fluoride (工业级氟化锂) Industrial-grade lithium fluoride for industrial applications such as ceramics, metallurgy, and specialty chemical manufacturing. Sold to industrial buyers.
• High-Purity Lithium Carbonate (高纯度碳酸锂) High-purity lithium carbonate for specialized industrial applications requiring higher specification than industrial grade. Sold to specialty chemical and advanced materials manufacturers.
• 35,000-ton High-Purity Lithium Salt Project (3.5万吨高纯锂盐项目) 35,000-ton per year high-purity lithium salt production project at Jiangxi Chunpeng Lithium (now Sinomine (Jiangxi) Lithium), producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and battery-grade lithium hydroxide for lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturers.
• 30,000-ton High-Purity Lithium Salt Technical Upgrade Project (3万吨高纯锂盐技改项目) 30,000-ton per year high-purity lithium salt technical upgrade project at Sinomine (Jiangxi) Lithium using proprietary sulfuric acid process technology, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for battery manufacturers. Brings total group battery-grade lithium salt capacity to 71,000 tons per year.
• Bikita 2 million ton/year Petalite Expansion and 2 million ton/year Spodumene New Construction Projects (Bikita 200万吨/年透锂长石改扩建和200万吨/年锂辉石新建项目) 4 million ton/year combined petalite and spodumene lithium concentrate production capacity at Bikita mine in Zimbabwe, providing raw material feedstock for downstream battery-grade lithium salt production.
• Bikita 4 Million Ton/Year Lithium Concentrator Full Production (Bikita 400万吨/年锂矿选矿厂全线达产) Full production achievement of the 4 million ton/year Bikita lithium spodumene and petalite concentrator, providing complete upstream lithium raw material self-sufficiency for Sinomine's downstream battery-grade lithium salt operations.
• Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Services (固体矿产勘查技术服务) Geological survey, mineral resource/reserve estimation, production exploration, and mineral testing technical services provided to mining companies and government entities. Services delivered across 20+ countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
• International Mineral Product Trading (国际矿产品贸易) International mineral product trading of lithium, cesium, chromium, beryllium, and tantalum ores, with customized sourcing and full supply chain services to terminal customers. Operated through Beijing Sinomine International Trading and Singapore regional office.
• Copper Cathode Production (Kitumba Copper Mine) Copper cathode production from the Kitumba copper mine in Zambia (acquired 2024 for USD 58.5M), serving copper refiners and manufacturers for electrical wiring, power generation, and construction end-uses.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000 tpa lithium salt equivalent processing capacity
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PowerChina International (电建国际)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the SQI6 lithium mine open-pit mining project in Zimbabwe. PowerChina International serves as the EPC contractor for mine development, leveraging Sinomine's mining rights and PowerChina's construction expertise.
• Aoxing Company (奥信公司)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Blasting service contractor for Bikita lithium mine in Zimbabwe, providing specialized mining blasting services for pegmatite extraction operations.
• China Railway 9th Bureau (中铁九局)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Construction partner for Kitumba copper mine development in Zambia, responsible for underground mining infrastructure development and construction works.
• 15th Metallurgical Construction (十五冶)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2023Construction partner for Kitumba copper mine and other mining infrastructure projects, providing civil and mechanical construction services.
• Youyan Resources and Environment Technology Research Institute (有研资环院)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Strategic cooperation agreement for joint research and development in rare metal extraction and processing technologies, including cesium, rubidium, and rare earth elements.
• Government of the Republic of ZambiacoreOthers · 1 January 2023Framework agreements for Kitumba copper mine development including mining license, environmental approvals, and local community development commitments. Government partnership essential for mining license and operational permits.
• Government of the Republic of NamibiaminorOthers · 1 January 2023Tsumeb smelter acquisition and operation partnership with Namibian government, including environmental compliance and local economic development obligations.
• Government of ZimbabwecoreOthers · 1 January 2023Mining license agreements and ESG certification partnership for Bikita lithium mine operations, including local community development and environmental management commitments.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves16 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ganfeng Lithium: Leading Chinese integrated lithium company with global mining (Argentina, Australia, Africa) and downstream lithium battery materials. Closest peer to Sinomine given shared vertically integrated model and battery-grade chemicals focus.
• Tianqi Lithium: Major Chinese integrated lithium producer with hard rock (spodumene) mining at Greenbushes (Australia) and lithium hydroxide/carbonate processing. Most direct comparable to Sinomine in Chinese-listed lithium chemicals with battery-grade focus.
• Yahua Group: Chinese lithium chemicals producer focused on battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate with domestic spodumene supply. Comparable to Sinomine's Jiangxi lithium salt processing business and Chinese A-share listed lithium peers.
• SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera): Global lithium chemicals leader with brine-based production (Chile) and specialty chemicals (cesium, rubidium). Direct competitor in both lithium battery materials and cesium-rubidium specialty products where Sinomine claims dominant share.
• Livent Corporation: US-based lithium specialty chemicals producer focused on lithium hydroxide for high-performance EV batteries. Comparable to Sinomine's high-purity lithium salt business targeting premium battery-grade customers.
• Pilbara Minerals: Australian hard rock lithium concentrate producer (Pilgangoora) supplying spodumene to Chinese converters. Direct comparable to Sinomine's Bikita and Tanco hard rock mining operations targeting Chinese downstream markets.

Emerging players

• Mineral Resources Ltd: Australian diversified mining company with significant hard rock lithium (Mount Marion), iron ore, and mining services. Overlaps with Sinomine in hard rock lithium concentrate production and mining services to African/Asian markets.

Broad incumbents

• Albemarle Corporation: World's largest lithium producer with brine (Chile, US) and hard rock (Australia) resources, plus bromine and catalysts specialties. Competes with Sinomine in lithium battery materials at global scale; broader portfolio with established Western OEM relationships.
• Cabot Corporation: US specialty chemicals company producing cesium and rubidium compounds, battery materials (carbon black for batteries), and performance chemicals. Direct competitor in cesium-rubidium specialty chemicals segment where Sinomine claims global dominance.

Regional players

• First Quantum Minerals: Canadian-listed copper miner with major Zambian (Sentinel, Kansanshi) and other African copper operations. Most relevant peer for Sinomine's Kitumba copper mine development in Zambia, sharing similar operating geography and copper commodity exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sinomine Resource Group