Last Week (10.13-10.17) Overseas Lithium Highlights [SMM New Energy Overseas Weekly Highlights]

[AMG Lithium and Beijing Easpring Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen European Battery Materials Value Chain]

AMG Lithium Ltd. ("AMG Lithium"), a subsidiary of AMG Critical Materials N.V. ("AMG"), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co., Ltd. ("Easpring") for the supply and procurement of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

AMG Lithium is Europe's first lithium refiner with a production facility in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. Easpring, a Chinese cathode active material (CAM) producer, is currently constructing a CAM production facility in Kotka, Finland.

The investments by AMG Lithium and Easpring in Europe demonstrate their shared commitment to localizing the battery supply chain. As a first step, the two companies will work closely to advance negotiations for a binding procurement agreement while ensuring the smooth qualification of AMG Lithium's plant.

Dr. Stefan Scherer, CEO of AMG Lithium, stated, "This collaboration is another important step towards building a strong and resilient European battery industry. We will further promote the use of recycled raw materials and are committed to improving the carbon footprint performance across the entire value chain. It is an honor to partner with an industry leader like Easpring."

Mr. Li Chengwei, Director of the Procurement Center at Easpring, said, "The cooperation between the two parties is expected to promote the development of Europe's new energy industry."

Source: amg-nv.com

[JPMorgan Chase Launches $1.5 Trillion Supply Chain Security Initiative, Focusing on Critical Minerals]

JPMorgan Chase announced on Monday the launch of the "Security and Resilience Initiative," committing up to $1.5 trillion over 10 years to strengthen U.S. supply chain security, with critical minerals identified as a core national security interest. Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon emphasized that critical minerals are vital to national security.

The initiative raises the previous $1 trillion target to $1.5 trillion, aiming to address geopolitical risks and vulnerabilities from over-reliance on foreign supplies. As part of the initiative, JPMorgan Chase will establish a $10 billion direct investment pool for equity investments and venture capital in domestic U.S. enterprises.

Dimon stated in a press release, "It is clear that the United States has become overly reliant on unreliable sources for critical minerals, products, and manufacturing that are essential to our national security."

The initiative covers 27 sub-sectors, including mining, refining, solar and nuclear energy, battery energy storage systems (ESS), and ammunition manufacturing. JPMorgan Chase will provide tailored financing, advisory services, and collaborate with industry partners to expand domestic capacity.

Dimon emphasized, "The new plan includes measures to ensure reliable access to... critical minerals, among other initiatives."

To implement the plan, the bank, which has assets of $4.6 trillion and shareholder equity of $570 billion, will hire industry experts, form an advisory board composed of business leaders, and promote streamlined permitting, reduced regulation, and less red tape—these have been major obstacles for new mining projects in the US.

Source: mining.com

[Argentina's Mining Export Value Rises About 33% in the First Nine Months of 2025]

Argentina's Mining Secretariat reported on Monday that the country's total mining export value reached $4.21 billion in the first nine months of 2025, up 32.9% YoY, setting a new record high for the same period.

The agency noted that part of this growth was due to the "outstanding" performance of international metal prices, such as gold and silver.

Argentina's main mining exports include gold, silver, and lithium—the latter being a key metal for battery production. Argentina is the world's fifth-largest lithium producer and holds the second-largest lithium reserves globally.

"Argentina's lithium industry is expanding (with seven projects currently in operation), and the increase in export value is closely linked to the rise in production," the agency added, without providing specific data on lithium export growth.

Additionally, Argentina has six world-class copper mine projects in advanced stages that are not yet in production.

Source: mining.com

[Vulcan Energy Signs Lithium Supply Agreement with Glencore]

Vulcan Energy announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with mining giant Glencore to supply lithium hydroxide monohydrate from its Lionheart project in Europe to Glencore.

Under the agreement, Vulcan will supply between 36,000 and 44,000 mt of lithium hydroxide monohydrate to Glencore over an initial eight-year period, accounting for about 20% of the company's current planned production.

The agreement with Glencore follows Vulcan's previous deals with automaker Stellantis, Umicore, and LG Energy Solution, and will serve as the final offtake agreement for the first-phase financing of the Lionheart project. Vulcan stated that it is also in talks with other European automakers.

Vulcan CEO and Managing Director Cris Moreno said, "Vulcan has now established a strong portfolio of offtake partners for its first-phase lithium production: including automakers, battery manufacturers, cathode material manufacturers, and commodity traders, all with a focus on the European market."

Vulcan revealed that the Lionheart project, located on the Franco-German border, is Europe's largest lithium resource base.

Source: mining.com

[Smackover Lithium Submits Final Feasibility Study Report for SWA Project, the Highest-Grade Lithium Brine Reserve Reported in North America]

Smackover Lithium announced today that the final feasibility study report for its South West Arkansas (SWA) project in southwestern Arkansas has been formally submitted.

The feasibility study plans for an annual production of 22,500 mt of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with a cumulative production of 447,000 mt LCE (proven reserves), accounting for 38% of the in-situ indicated resources of 1.177 million mt LCE. The average lithium concentration at project startup was 549 mg/L, and over the 20-year simulated operational period, 0.5 cubic kilometers of brine with an average lithium concentration of 442 mg/L will be processed.

Report highlights include an unleveraged pre-tax internal rate of return of 20.2%, an average cash operating cost of $4,516/mt over the operational period, and an all-in sustaining cost of $5,924/mt; total initial capital expenditure was $1.45 billion (including a 12.3% Monte Carlo risk contingency).

The project, strongly supported by the local community, the state of Arkansas, and the US federal government, will be the first commercial direct lithium extraction (DLE) facility in the US and the first lithium production from the Smackover Formation. The joint venture plans to use this project as a template for subsequent expansion within the Smackover Formation, including in East Texas.

The construction period is expected to take 34 months (from commencement to production). The main conclusion of the feasibility study is that the project is ready to enter the final investment decision (FID) stage. Construction is expected to commence following FID in 2026, with first production achieved in 2028.

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