[SMM Analysis] Lithium Ore Market Analysis for the Fourth Week of December

This week, spodumene prices remained stable MoM, while lepidolite prices saw a slight increase.

For spodumene, due to the relatively low inventory at overseas mines at this stage, overall shipment pressure is relatively small. Coupled with cost factors, suppliers continue to stand firm on quotes, with offers all at or above CIF $860/mt. Occasional transactions were also concluded at or above $820/mt, providing some support for higher quotes. Domestically, due to the current good operating rates of smelters on the demand side and previous high-level hedging activities, there is currently strong demand for high-grade spodumene. However, due to the limited circulation of spot lithium concentrate, domestic high-grade spot spodumene prices have not significantly declined along with lithium chemicals prices, remaining overall stable.

For lepidolite, as lepidolite concentrate is currently in an undersupply state in the market, some non-integrated lithium chemical producers continue to have purchasing demand. Therefore, suppliers maintain firm quotes even as lithium chemicals prices decline. Additionally, the relatively high auction transaction prices of major lepidolite suppliers recently have driven an upward trend in lepidolite prices in the market.

Based on the current circulation of lithium ore, lithium ore prices are expected to continue fluctuating within a range.