ENERGY MINERALS

Chinese lithium mines restart amid softer pricing

LITHIUM mines in Yichun, Jiangxi, which were halted last week amid governmental investigations into their permits, have since restarted, according to Chinese media.

Chinese lithium mines restart amid softer pricing

Chinese media outlet Calian reports that all mines that hold valid governmental permits have resumed production.

"The impact of the latest shutdowns in Jiangxi is overblown. The region will account for just circa 7% of lithium supply in 2023, but major mines were only shut for a few days," Cameron Perks, principal analyst at Benchmark Mining Intelligence said on social media platform Linkedin on Tuesday.

Tianqi Lithium and CATL are among the lithium companies exploiting the vast lepidolite reserves in the region, which account for around a third of China's reserves. According to the US Geological Survey, China holds reserves of 6.8Mt lithium.

Lithium prices

Lithium prices in China have slumped by almost a third in the past three months after weaker demand in the world's largest market for electric vehicles has punctured a two-year rally.

Prices dropped 29% from November highs to Rmb425,000 (US$61,795/t), according to pricing agency Fastmarkets, driven by concerns over the strength of EV demand in Asia's largest economy.

Hydroxide (CIF, Fastmarkets MB) closing price was at US$76,150/t for the front month yesterday.

"Bearish sentiment remains in control and Fastmarkets' analysts state in their most recent tracker to the market that they expect prices to soften further. However, they also note that the reasons for the weakness are "on balance likely temporary and will not linger," Peter Hannah, senior price development manager at the price reporting agency said.

This view is supported by Benchmark's Perks, who said "Lithium price declines have been a result of seasonally weak EV sales and lithium buying activity. Underlying fundamentals remain strong."

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.