The lithium supply chain is experiencing structural dislocations, as concentrate (spodumene and mica) supply faces a shortfall of 60kt LCE this year, despite a 70kt LCE surplus in the broader chemical market, according to the latest edition of the Benchmark Lithium Forecast. Concentrate demand is projected to grow 34% year-on-year, owing to the expansion of […]
> In the third quarter of 2025, 18 of the largest 25 copper miners reported quarter-on-quarter decreases in their output, including the top four miners. The total Q3 copper production reported by the top 25 miners hit 3.72Mt. “In the third quarter, many companies saw lower production compared to the previous quarter. However, most did not […]
> Australian lithium miner Liontown Resources has raised AUD316 million (US$206 mn) in equity. This includes investments from the Australian government and major Chinese lithium chemical producer Canmax. The funds will support the ramp up of Liontown’s Kathleen Valley spodumene mine which began operations last year. This comes following a recovery in spodumene prices, which traded […]
> Spodumene prices are relatively high compared to lithium chemical prices, putting pressure on chemical producers, according to Benchmark’s Lithium Price Assessment. However, this week spodumene prices ticked down 2.3%, the second week of falling spodumene concentrate prices following a two-month period of no decline. Despite this correction, the ratio of spodumene prices to lithium chemical […]
> Lithium chemical prices spiked in China on Monday following a bullish speech by the chairman of Ganfeng – the world’s third-largest lithium producer – in which it was suggested that lithium demand growth could reach 30% in 2026. In a keynote speech on 16 November at the 10th International Summit on Power Battery Application in […]
> Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has secured re-election with a majority win, giving his Labor party a clear mandate to continue with plans to bolster Australia’s domestic critical mineral mining and processing potential. Last year, the Albanese government introduced a tax credit worth 10% for critical mineral processing and refining costs (at an estimated cost […]
> In 2024, the extended slump in lithium prices on the back of lower than expected electric vehicle demand growth led to a raft of cutbacks at operations tasked with meeting lithium’s future expansion requirements. This price environment, however, also primed the market for a series of mergers and acquisitions signalling belief in the long-term trajectory […]
> Indonesia has issued a ban on the issuance of new smelter permits for nickel matte, mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), and nickel pig iron (NPI), in a bid to curb overcapacity and incentivise value‑added investment in the battery supply chain. The policy marks the latest chapter in the Indonesian government’s strategic pivot in its nickel industrialisation […]
> Australian critical mineral producers will receive a tax credit worth 10% of their processing and refining costs between fiscal years 2027-2028 and 2039-2040, for up to ten years per project. The tax credits are part of the “Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Bill 2024” that passed through the Australian Senate […]