Lithium ore prices have temporarily stabilized, but still under pressure 

Lepidolite prices stabilized in the week up to January 18. Demand side, Jiangxi smelters are cutting scheduled production. Some smelters have new lithium ore mining quotas, lessening reliance on external lepidolite. Others are shutting down or cutting output, and a few keep limited production for long-term deals, easing upstream demand. Supply side: Recently, high costs led many miners and traders to hold back from selling, cutting market supply. Some still produce lepidolite for downstream contracts. With stable lithium prices, low-priced lepidolite is unattractive, causing a split in price expectations and weak price stability short-term.
For the week ending January 18, CIF spodumene concentrate prices have stabilized, mirroring steady lithium prices. Australian mines report steady contract prices. Some domestic buyers expect a lithium price drop in February and March, pressuring negotiations. Sellers are reluctant to cut prices, dampening some lithium salt plants' interest in long-term contracts, slowing transactions. If post-Spring Festival lithium salt demand disappoints, leading to price drops, spodumene selling prices may also decrease.