Asian Tech Press (SEP 15) -- Chinese battery manufacturer and technology company Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has made a secret C$377 million (US$298 million) bid for Canadian miner Millennial Lithium Corp., Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The bidding war between Chinese companies for Millennial has gradually intensified. Ganfeng Lithium announced in July that it would buy Millennial for C$3.60 per share, for a total consideration of about C$353 million. Millennial then said on Sept. 8 that it had received a non-binding offer of C$3.85 per share from a foreign lithium battery maker but did not specify the company's name. However, people familiar with the matter unveil that the mystery buyer is CATL.

Millennial's assets have also attracted the interest of China Molybdenum. China Molybdenum may consider a joint bid with CATL, one of the people familiar with the matter said. Negotiations are still ongoing and it is uncertain whether the buyers will continue to move forward with a binding takeover offer.

CATL has not yet officially responded in this regard.

Original title: CATL Said to Be Mystery Bidder for Canada’s Millennial Lithium