Hyundai Motor Group Signs MOU with Huayou Recycling on EV Battery Circular Economy in Indonesia

On June 22, Core Lithium announced that the logistics chain at its Finniss Lithium Operation is now fully operational, with the first shipment of lithium fines and stockpiled spodumene concentrate successfully exported through Darwin Port. The company also reported progress at the BP33 underground project. Contractor Develop Global has mobilized to site, the BP33 portal cut has been completed, and underground decline development has officially commenced. According to Core, BP33 development will progress in parallel with mining activities at the Grants open pit. The Grants mine is expected to deliver up to approximately 134,000 tonnes of SC5 spodumene product, with ore processing scheduled to commence in the September quarter. Product shipments are expected to continue through 2027. SMM notes that these developments indicate Core Lithium is transitioning from stockpile monetization and logistics reactivation toward the practical restart of the Finniss operation. However, the material currently being shipped primarily originates from previously announced stockpile sales, including approximately 20,000 tonnes of lithium DSO fines and around 5,100 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate, rather than newly mined production. Going forward, the market will closely monitor the progress of ore processing at Grants, the pace of underground development at BP33, and the timing of the first shipments of newly produced SC5/SC6 spodumene products.

[SMM Analysis] China's Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Import and Export Data in May

In May 2026, China's total monthly sulphur imports were 268,380.951 mt, down 9.2% MoM and down 66.40% YoY. The main import sources were Oman, South Korea, Japan, the UAE, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, and Kazakhstan, among others; China's total monthly sulphur exports were 440 mt, down 36.37% MoM and down 19.56% YoY. The main export destinations were Myanmar, Vietnam, Fiji, Indonesia, Cambodia, and South Korea; China's total monthly sulphuric acid imports were 946.594 mt, down 94.46% MoM and down 90.05% YoY. The main import sources were Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the US; China's total monthly sulphuric acid exports were 116,703.096 mt, down 15.69% MoM and down 75.87% YoY. The main export destinations were Indonesia, Chile, Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore, among others.