EVE, based in Huizhou in southern China, said in an exchange filing it planned to take 28.1% equity in Jinkulun Lithium Industry Co, which makes lithium metal in China.

Many juniors are on the hunt for ‘technology metals,’ a broad category that includes cobalt, copper, nickel, platinum group elements, graphite, lithium, rare earth elements, and silver, among others.

A group backed by Daimler and Volkswagen has started a study into the environmental impact of lithium mining in Chile.

LG Energy Solution Co., SK Innovation Co. and Samsung SDI Co. will be key players.

The document approved a plant with capacity to produce 20,000 tonnes of lithium chloride annually.

A jump in demand for traditional lead-acid car batteries and lingering freight problems have created shortages that have been felt most acutely in the huge US automotive sector.