GuoCheng Mining(SZ:000688) 3 6 Ke·2026-01-19 02:56Core Viewpoint - Despite a recent pullback in lithium carbonate futures prices, the overall increase in prices this year remains significant, with multiple main contracts showing a cumulative increase of over 20% since early 2026 [1][9]. Company Developments - Guocheng Lithium Industry, a subsidiary of Guocheng Mining, is progressing on its 20,000 tons/year lithium salt project, with the first phase expected to be completed by March 2026 and trial production starting in April 2026 [1][4][7]. - The project aims to achieve a total production capacity of 20,000 tons/year of lithium salt, with the first phase producing 6,000 tons/year of lithium carbonate [7][8]. - The project is set to become the largest single lithium salt production facility in China, capable of producing approximately 80,000 tons of lithium iron phosphate cathode materials, supporting the supply of over 5.5 million electric vehicles [7][9]. Industry Trends - The lithium battery sector is witnessing a surge in investment, with over 282 publicly announced projects in 2025, totaling more than 820 billion yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 74% [9]. - Companies like Fulin Precision, Dongfang Zirconium, Zhongkuang Resources, and New Zobang are actively announcing lithium battery project investments [3][9]. - The demand for battery-grade lithium carbonate is projected to grow by 30% in 2026, with expectations of a balanced supply-demand scenario, potentially leading to price increases [10][11]. Market Dynamics - The recent decline in electric vehicle sales, with a 38% drop in retail sales in early January 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, is contributing to the recent decrease in lithium carbonate prices [10]. - However, the demand in the energy storage sector, particularly in overseas markets, is anticipated to be a significant growth driver [10][11]. - The optimism surrounding solid-state batteries could lead to increased lithium carbonate usage, as it constitutes a substantial portion of the cost in liquid batteries [11].