Lithium Carbonate Prices Temporarily Stabilise after Crashing below 180,000 yuan/mt, Many Countries outside China Tighten Controls over Lithium Resources

After five consecutive months of drastic decline, battery-grade lithium carbonate prices have temporarily stabilised after plunging below 180,000 yuan/mt on April 20. SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate prices stabilised between 167,000-190,000 yuan/mt for two consecutive days as of April 22, with the average price at 178,500 yuan/mt.

According to the latest customs data, China's lithium carbonate imports in March 2023 were 17,400 mt, setting a new high since the second half of 2022. In the first quarter of 2023, the total import of lithium carbonate reached 39,000 mt, an increase of 41.8% over the same period in 2022. Among them, 88% came from Chile, with an average monthly import volume of 13,000 mt. In terms of import unit price, the average import price of lithium carbonate in March was 424,000 yuan/mt, a month-on-month decrease of 21.61%, and a year-on-year increase of 209.4%. In the first quarter of 2023, the average import price of lithium carbonate was 464,000 yuan/mt, a year-on-year increase of 319.1%.

Chinese Lithium Salt, Particularly Lithium Hydroxide Smelters Exploit Domestic-Overseas Price Spread For Lucrative Arbitrage to Cope With Plummeting Lithium Carbonate Prices in China

Recently, many overseas countries have announced important changes in lithium resources. From the perspective of the overall market trend, the control of lithium resources in overseas countries is increasing.

Japan will provide subsidies to key mineral projects such as lithium

Chile Introduces lithium mine nationalisation bill

Bolivia is seeking to participate in the commercial development of abundant lithium resources

Russia plans to start its own lithium mining project

Canada will not force Chinese companies to divest from 3 large mining companies

Iran discovers a large lithium mine with reserves of 8.5 million mt

India discovers lithium ore resources with reserves of about 5.9 million mt