A number of lithium miners in Australia have made moves towards the midstream of lithium chemical production this month. Australia is forecast to produce two-fifths of the world’s mined lithium year, but only 1.2% of the lithium chemicals, according to Benchmark’s Lithium Forecast. Currently most lithium miners in Australia produce spodumene concentrate, a material with […]
> South Korean steel and chemicals giant POSCO has taken a 30% stake in Australia’s Mineral Resources’ (MinRes) 50% stakes in the Mt Marion and Wodgina mines for US$765 million. Structured as a joint venture, the deal would see MinRes and POSCO hold an overall 35% and 15% of the operations, as well as corresponding rights […]
> Around 15% of planned Australian mined lithium production has been cut from 2025 supply, owing to the continued low lithium price environment, according to an analysis by Benchmark based on company announcements. Spodumene prices are currently at $765 a tonne, 68% lower than they were this time 12 months ago, according to Benchmark’s Lithium Price […]
> South Korean battery maker SK On has secured a domestic source of lithium hydroxide from Posco Pilbara Lithium Solution. The deal is for up to 15,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide (13,200 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent) over the next three years with the option to extend this for another three years. Sourcing lithium chemicals locally […]
> 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 […]
> 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 […]
> Benchmark Mineral Intelligence announced today that it has started a formal consultation on changes to the sustainable lithium and sustainable nickel grades in its Lithium Price Assessment and Nickel Price Assessment Methodologies. Benchmark proposes to change the frequency of updates to its list of eligible producers, whose material can contribute to these grades, from quarterly […]
> 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 […]
> Albemarle, the world’s largest lithium producer, has withdrawn its A$6.6 billion ($4.18 billion) bid to acquire Australian lithium miner Liontown, after the Australian billionaire Gina Rinehart built a large stake in the company. US-based Albemarle cited ‘growing complexities’ linked to the deal as a reason for its decision to withdraw the company, which is developing […]