The lithium market is at the heart of the global energy transition, driven by soaring demand for electric vehicles (EVs). However, meeting this demand is fraught with challenges, including a looming supply deficit and substantial investment needs. Here, we explore lithium’s supply, demand, and price dynamics, and the critical investments required to address the “great...
READ MORESaudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco and the country’s mining company Ma’aden have signed a non-binding term sheet to explore a joint venture focused on minerals exploration and mining. Announced during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, the venture would prioritize energy transition minerals, particularly lithium, and advance cost-effective direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies. Commercial...
READ MORERio Tinto’s fourth-quarter production results reflect steady operational progress alongside challenges in key areas. The company celebrated milestones such as the successful ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi underground copper mine in Mongolia and the commencement of lithium production at the Rincon project in Argentina, while overall commodity production displayed varied performance. Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm...
READ MOREChina’s Ministry of Natural Resources announced a substantial increase in the country’s measured and indicated lithium reserves, now accounting for 16.5% of global resources, up from 6%. This surge positions China as the world’s second-largest holder of lithium reserves, trailing only Chile. The significant rise stems from extensive discoveries along the 2,800-kilometer West Kunlun-Songpan-Ganzi lithium...
READ MORECruz Battery Metals Corp. will acquire the 580-acre Central Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project in Nevada, expanding its regional footprint to 820 acres. The $115,000 deal includes BLM fees and staking costs, plus seven million shares under a four-month hold, pending regulatory approval. The project, with 29 claims, is surrounded by SLB’s Clayton Valley lithium...
READ MOREChina’s Zijin Mining Group Co. is advancing its presence in the global lithium market with ongoing talks to acquire a stake in Zangge Mining Co. Ltd., a move that could lead to a full takeover. Zijin disclosed the potential deal in a statement to the Hong Kong Exchange, signaling its continued expansion strategy beyond copper...
READ MORELithium has emerged as a cornerstone in the transition to sustainable transportation, driven by the rapid global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). A recent report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), “A Global and Regional Battery Material Outlook,” emphasizes the increasing demand for lithium due to advancements in battery technology and the push...
READ MOREThe global lithium market experienced a sharp slowdown in 2024 following years of rapid growth, primarily due to underwhelming electric vehicle (EV) sales outside the Asia-Pacific region. While EV sales in Asia, especially China, remained strong, the Americas saw slowed growth, and Europe faced declining sales, significantly impacting lithium demand. Simultaneously, a surge in new...
READ MOREBolivia’s state-owned Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) announced that its Lithium Carbonate Industrial Plant in Uyuni, Potosí, is on track to boost production in 2025. The increase follows the stabilization of brine supply and auxiliary services at the facility, allowing for more consistent operations. YLB attributed this progress to ongoing stabilization and parameter adjustments, which...
READ MORECentral Puerto, a leading electricity generator in Argentina, has announced its entry into the mining sector with a 27.5% stake in the ‘3 Cruces’ lithium mining project in Catamarca province. This move marks the company’s strategic diversification into the rapidly growing lithium market, essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Located in Argentina’s highest-grade...
READ MOREMarubeni Corporation has completed a $5 million investment in Altilium Metals Ltd., a UK-based company focused on lithium-ion battery (LiB) recycling. The investment was made through a third-party allocation of new shares, positioning Marubeni as a strategic partner in Altilium’s expansion within the sustainable energy sector. Altilium currently operates a pilot plant in Plymouth, UK,...
READ MOREBlue Whale Materials (BWM), a leader in lithium-ion battery recycling, has been awarded a $55 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing Program, will support BWM’s $110 million expansion of its Bartlesville,...
READ MOREVancouver-based Sigma Lithium has announced it is on track to surpass its 2025 production targets following a strong performance in the final quarter of 2024. The company produced approximately 75,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate during the quarter, exceeding forecasts by 25% and bringing its annual total to 240,000 tonnes. Operating at the Grota do Cirilo...
READ MOREMore than two years after Mexico enacted a law nationalizing its lithium resources, uncertainty persists for companies holding concessions. A recent supreme court ruling has reaffirmed the state’s exclusive right to extract lithium, setting a challenging precedent for private entities. In early December, Mexico’s supreme court unanimously dismissed an appeal from Grupo Bararal, which sought...
READ MOREBradda Head Lithium is making strides at its San Domingo pegmatite project in Arizona, aiming to define a NI 43-101 compliant resource in 2024 and move toward production by late 2025 or early 2026, according to executive chairman Ian Stalker. The company has identified new targets within the project area, including Ruby Soho, Dragon, and...
READ MOREExport Development Canada (EDC) has committed up to C$100 million ($70 million) ($70 million) in financing for the development of the Seymour Lake lithium project in Ontario. This project, operated by Australia’s Green Technology Metals, is poised to become Ontario’s first lithium producer and a cornerstone of the province’s critical mineral supply chains for the...
READ MOREAs 2024 draws to a close, lithium prices have declined for the second consecutive year, marking a significant fall from their December 2022 peak of $85 per kilogram for lithium hydroxide. Prices have plunged nearly 90%, but recent signs indicate the sharpest phase of the decline may be over. Narrowing price drops and reduced discounts...
READ MOREChina’s Ganfeng Lithium has officially commenced operations at its Goulamina lithium mine in Mali, overcoming security concerns, a stringent new mining code, and a global lithium supply glut. Located in the southern Bougouni region, the mine’s first phase began production in mid-December 2024, with an annual capacity of 506,000 tonnes of lithium. The second phase...
READ MORELithium Americas has announced the completion of its joint venture (JV) with General Motors Holdings to fund, develop, construct, and operate the Thacker Pass lithium project in Humboldt County, Nevada. The project aims to supply battery-quality lithium carbonate for the North American critical minerals supply chain. Under the terms of the JV, Lithium Americas retains...
READ MORENegotiations for 2025 lithium supply agreements are underway, as producers seek better terms after another challenging year for the critical battery material. Lithium prices are on track for a second consecutive yearly decline, though the steep price rout that saw a near-90% slump from peak levels appears to have stabilized. Lithium refineries are pushing back...
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