Mei Ri Jing Ji Xin Wen·2025-09-01 11:52Core Viewpoint - The focus of the lithium mining industry is shifting towards securing low-cost salt lake resources, with leading companies emphasizing the importance of resource development and solid-state battery material research in their mid-year reports [1][3][4]. Industry Overview - The market capitalization of lithium mining stocks has diverged, with salt lake lithium extraction companies leading the market. Salt Lake Co. has surpassed 100 billion yuan in market capitalization, followed by Cangge Mining at nearly 90 billion yuan, and Ganfeng Lithium exceeding 80 billion yuan [1][3]. - The overall performance of the A-share lithium mining sector in the first half of 2025 showed slight improvement compared to the same period in 2024, with some companies reporting profits while others, like Ganfeng Lithium and Shengxin Lithium, remained in losses [1]. Price Trends - Lithium concentrate prices followed a downward trend in the first half of 2025, influenced by weakening lithium salt prices. Despite a brief recovery in early 2025, prices fell again due to rising inventories and lower-than-expected demand [2]. - By mid-June, lithium carbonate prices stabilized, leading to a rebound in lithium concentrate prices in July, driven by positive macroeconomic policies and supply disruptions [2]. Company Developments - Tianqi Lithium reported having 632,400 tons of lithium resources at the Yajiang Cuola lithium spodumene mine, with ongoing exploration and feasibility studies [3]. - Ganfeng Lithium aims to expand its lithium resource portfolio and plans to achieve an annual production capacity of no less than 600,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by 2030 [3][5]. - Cangge Mining plans to construct a lithium carbonate production capacity of 100,000 tons in two phases at the Mami Cuo salt lake, with the first phase expected to start construction in Q3 2025 [5]. Profitability Insights - Cangge Mining reported a net profit of 1.8 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, a 38.8% increase year-on-year, despite a slight decline in revenue [4]. - The average selling price of lithium carbonate for Cangge Mining was approximately 67,500 yuan per ton, with an average cost of 41,500 yuan per ton, indicating profitability even in a declining market [4].