Sharp Output Cuts Led to Lithium Ore Shortages, High Import Prices Drove Lithium Salt Producers to Shut Down

Published: May 10, 2023 16:45
Source: SMM
Lithium ore prices continued to stabilise last week. The current supply of lepidolite is still very limited. The mining volume has been reduced significantly, and the mining area has not been widened.

Lithium ore prices continued to stabilise last week. The current supply of lepidolite is still very limited. The mining volume has been reduced significantly, and the mining area has not been widened.

Leading mining companies such as Yichun Tantalum Niobium Mine are still in normal production, but the demand is so strong that these companies are about to stock out, which drove the mines to halt their sales. This increased inquiries under long-term contracts at other mining companies.

Import prices of spodumene remained high, and some lithium salt companies using imported cargoes continued to cut output or remained closed, or shifted their capacity into OEM capacity. Thanks to the stability of overseas prices under long-term contracts, production schedules of leading lithium salt enterprises will not be affected by the current prices of spodumene.

More popular news:

'Bond King' Jeffrey Gundlach Says Sharp Fed Rate Cuts By Year-End Will Push Up Gold Prices

US Treasury Bill Rates Soar to Record High on Debt Ceiling Jitters

Russia is Accelerating Technology to Become Top Liquefied Natural Gas Supplier by Tripling Exports By 2030

Rio Tinto Warns of Risks for Paying High Premiums for Lithium Mines after Plunging Lithium Prices Triggered Acquisition Rush

SMM Daily Comments (May 5): LME Base Metals Rose across the Board, SHFE Nickel Plunged

IMF Slashes Saudi Arabia GDP Growth 2023-2024, Saying the Country Can’t Achieve Budget Balance This Year unless International Oil Prices Surge to $81 per Barrel

JPMorgan Asset Management: US Treasury Bonds will Strengthen

JPMorgan: How to Invest Amid a Likely Recession? Investors are Turning to Gold and Tech Stocks

A Bull Gold Market Has Just Begun 

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
[Li-battery: Do-Fluoride to Inject RMB 210mn into Guangxi Ningfu for 20GWh Battery Project]
14 hours ago
[Li-battery: Do-Fluoride to Inject RMB 210mn into Guangxi Ningfu for 20GWh Battery Project]
Read More
[Li-battery: Do-Fluoride to Inject RMB 210mn into Guangxi Ningfu for 20GWh Battery Project]
[Li-battery: Do-Fluoride to Inject RMB 210mn into Guangxi Ningfu for 20GWh Battery Project]
Do-Fluoride announced on Sep 18 it plans to borrow up to RMB 210 million via a policy-backed financing instrument and subscribe RMB 210 million of new registered capital in subsidiary Guangxi Ningfu New Energy, lifting its stake from 77.45% to 78.54%. The funds will serve as capital for Ningfu's third plant, a 20GWh lithium battery project. Ningfu posted revenue of RMB 2.49 billion and net profit of RMB 121 million in H1 2026.
14 hours ago
Guibao Technology Subsidiary Completes 100 Million Yuan Capital Increase to Accelerate Implementation of Silicon Carbon Anode and Other Projects
15 hours ago
Guibao Technology Subsidiary Completes 100 Million Yuan Capital Increase to Accelerate Implementation of Silicon Carbon Anode and Other Projects
Read More
Guibao Technology Subsidiary Completes 100 Million Yuan Capital Increase to Accelerate Implementation of Silicon Carbon Anode and Other Projects
Guibao Technology Subsidiary Completes 100 Million Yuan Capital Increase to Accelerate Implementation of Silicon Carbon Anode and Other Projects
Recently, Guibao Technology (300019) announced that the company has completed a capital increase of 100 million yuan to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guibao (Meishan) New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Guibao New Energy"), and has completed the relevant industrial and commercial change registration procedures, obtaining the renewed Business License issued by the Market Supervision Administration of Pengshan District, Meishan City, Sichuan Province.
15 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] China's Cobalt Metal Imports Fell 4% MoM, Exports Rose 55% MoM in August 2026
15 hours ago
[SMM Analysis] China's Cobalt Metal Imports Fell 4% MoM, Exports Rose 55% MoM in August 2026
Read More
[SMM Analysis] China's Cobalt Metal Imports Fell 4% MoM, Exports Rose 55% MoM in August 2026
[SMM Analysis] China's Cobalt Metal Imports Fell 4% MoM, Exports Rose 55% MoM in August 2026
China's cobalt metal imports stood at around 1,011 mt in August 2026, down 4% MoM but up 134% YoY; exports were around 486 mt, up 55% MoM and up 18% YoY.
15 hours ago