China's spodumene concentrate imports in Jul rise in volume on lower prices  

SHANGHAI, Sep 9 (SMM) – China imported some 156,000 mt in physical content of spodumene concentrate in July, up 34.3% from a month ago, with the average import prices dipping 7.8% on the month to $635/mt, the latest customs data showed. 

Imports of spodumene raw ore, meanwhile, stood at 10,600 mt in physical content, with import prices averaging $81/mt. 

China's major lithium compounds producer Ganfeng Lithium accounted for the largest share of the concentrate imports in July, as it imported some 5,700 mt lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Average import price of the company was the cheapest, given its imports of 10,800 mt in physical content of concentrate with a grade of only 3.8% at an average price of $347/mt. 

In terms of import prices of spodumene concentrate, Tianqi Lithium topped the list of domestic importers in July as it purchased some 3,400 mt in physical content of materials with a grade no lower than 7% at a price above $1,000/mt. Such high-grade products are applied in the glass and ceramic industries.