Abstract: With the rapid development of new energy vehicles, lithium as an energy metal is increasingly important in recent years. This paper briefly summarizes the progress of the lithium prospecting both in China and abroad between 2015 and 2016 and the development trend. The authors focus on the progress and prospecting of brine type, hard rock type and other types of lithium ore as well as the hot lithium prospecting areas in the world. Meanwhile, combined with the development of new industry and lithium resources utilization, some suggestions are made on prospecting and exploration of lithium resources in China. People should further understand lithium resources in China and strengthen the prospecting work in key areas so as to provide resources for the construction of large-scale lithium resources base. Geologists should not only focus on the brine type and hard rock type lithium mines but also pay attention to the prospecting for new types of lithium ore so as to improve resource utilization efficiency and promote the transformation and upgrading of related industries. Scientists should begin to study the recycling of lithium and the highend exploitation and utilization of lithium as an energy metal for occupying the technical key point to provide a scientific basis.