【SMM Weekly Review】Lithium Ore Market Trends from May 6 to May 8

This week, lithium ore prices continued to decline WoW.

For spodumene, on the supply side, overseas mines maintained a firm stance on quotes, with SC6 offered at CIF $750/mt and above. Traders, constrained by inventory pressure and capital turnover, lowered their quotes. On the demand side, given the sharp decline in current lithium carbonate futures and spot prices and the lack of significant improvement in losses, there was weak purchase willingness for lithium ore priced above CIF $730/mt. Coupled with the high inventory levels of lithium ore at ports, the prices of spodumene concentrates continued to fall.

For lepidolite, due to the continuous decline in lithium carbonate prices, the production enthusiasm of non-integrated lepidolite smelters in operation has weakened. The acceptable prices for lepidolite concentrates have continued to drop, driving market prices to decline further.