Benchmark begins public consultation on increasing publishing frequency of black mass grades to alternate Thursdays

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence announced today that it has started a formal public consultation on changes to its Black Mass Price Assessment Methodology.

Change in frequency of publication

Following feedback and discussion with a number of market participants, Benchmark proposes to change the frequency of itsBlack Mass Price Assessmentpublication from monthly to alternate Thursdays by 4pm (London). This is to better reflect the increasing liquidity observed in the black mass market over recent months, as well as to better align with the existing publishing schedules forBenchmark’s lithium, nickel and cobalt price assessments.

The proposed changes would impact these grades currently assessed by Benchmark:

EXW China, NCM Feedstock, Lithium Carbonate Equivalent, Payable %

EXW China, NCM Feedstock, Nickel Sulphate, Payable %

EXW China, NCM Feedstock, Cobalt Sulphate, Payable %

EXW China, LCO Feedstock, Lithium Carbonate Equivalent, Payable %

EXW China LCO Feedstock, Cobalt Sulphate, Payable %

EXW China, LFP Feedstock, Li Price per Percentage Point, Fixed Price

CIF Asia, NCM Feedstock, Nickel Metal, Payable %

CIF Asia, NCM Feedstock, Cobalt Metal, Payable %

CIF Asia, LCO Feedstock, Cobalt Metal, Payable %

EXW North America, NCM Feedstock, Nickel Metal, Payable %

EXW North America, NCM Feedstock, Cobalt Metal, Payable %

EXW North America, LCO Feedstock, Cobalt Metal, Payable %

As the lithium ion battery industry continues to develop, the frequency and volume of battery material and black mass trading is increasing. To give an accurate and comprehensive assessment of price movements, the frequency with which Benchmark publishes prices must also increase.

These changes will enable subscribers to more easily track and compare prices and trends across these key battery supply chain markets. Benchmark will continue to closely monitor the markets it assesses and move to adjust the frequency and scope of its price assessments in response to market feedback when liquidity allows.

Benchmark invites feedback from active market participants by the latest 27 March 2025. Comments are welcomed via submission to:prices@benchmarkminerals.com

Related Content

Q3 2025 Black Mass Price Review: China lifts black mass import restrictions

Black mass markets in Q3 2025 were largely shaped by China’s lifting of import restrictions on 1 August, which re‑routed trade flows. Outside of China, this has created a two-tier market divided by compliance with Chinese custom’s quality controls. Compliant material commanded high premiums (79%–84%), while producers of non‑compliant batches struggled to clear material, trading […]

Recycling Asia

How is the second life battery market playing out?

Since electric vehicles (EVs) began moving into mass adoption, questions have persisted about what happens to their batteries at the end of life (EoL). Recycling remains the obvious answer, but there is a growing interest exploring the intermediate step of giving used EV batteries a “second life” in stationary energy storage before they head to the […]

Batteries Second life

How battery technology supports mine decarbonisation

The mining industry accounted for ~5% of global carbon emissions last year, with roughly half originating from mining vehicles. Electrifying mine sites offers an opportunity for miners to cut emissions while also reducing costs. With 30%–50% of a mine’s energy costs attributed to diesel, replacing internal combustion fleets can deliver significant savings. “Mining electrification is […]

Batteries Data Visualisation

Benchmark begins public consultation on increasing frequency for rare earth prices to every two weeks and to update specification for CIF Europe & North America PrNd Oxide

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence announced today that it has started a formal public consultation on changes to its Rare Earths Price Assessment Methodology. Increased frequency Growing activity in the global rare earth market has led shorter‑term price fluctuations, created greater transparency in spot transactions and increased the availability of verifiable data to support more regular price […]

Critical Minerals Announcement

Price correction: Benchmark to continue publication of previous high-energy anode grades and launch new high-charging rate (for EV) variants, reversing 15 October change to specifications

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence will continue publication of its existing Synthetic Graphite Anode High Energy and Natural Graphite Anode High Energy price assessments, reversing the previously announced specification change which took effect on 15 October 2025. In compliance with IOSCO principles, this followed Benchmark’s public consultation on the proposed change on 8 September 2025. Following additional […]

Anode Announcement

Benchmark to increase publishing frequency of all black mass grades to every two weeks and launch EXW Europe grades

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence is pleased to announce it will now publish its Black Mass Price Assessment every two weeks on Thursdays, beginning 10 April 2025. This increased frequency includes all assessed grades, as well as two new EXW Europe black mass grades. All Black Mass grades to be assessed on alternate Thursdays The changes will […]

Recycling Announcement

Power bank recalls on the rise, what does this mean for the recycling industry?

Throughout June over two million power banks have been recalled worldwide after major cell supplier Amprius had its 3C (China Compulsory Certification) certification suspended by China’s “National Certification and Accreditation Administration”. The reason for the suspension remains undisclosed but the recalls cite risks of fire and burn hazards. With over two million power banks already […]

Batteries China

US targets copper and lithium under Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

The US Department of Homeland Security has designated copper and lithium imports from China for “high‑priority” enforcement under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), due to alleged human‑rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The enforcement plan sets sector‑specific requirements for traceability, documentation, and verification to prevent goods linked to forced labour in […]

Copper China