国泰海通｜有色：降本大趋势，供给分化新平衡——2025年第一季度海外锂矿经营情况更新

Core Viewpoint - The overseas lithium market in Q1 2025 remains resilient under continuous price pressure, with Australian mining expansion slowing and South American salt lakes operating steadily due to cost advantages. The negative feedback from declining lithium prices on upstream supply is beginning to show [1] Group 1: Australian Lithium Mining - In Q1 2025, tracked Australian lithium mines produced approximately 732,000 tons of spodumene concentrate, a decrease of about 9% quarter-on-quarter [2] - Many Australian lithium mines adopted production cuts or slowed expansion to cope with high costs and low prices, leading to a significant decline in overall output [2] - The average FOB cost for sample mines decreased by 10% to $418 per ton, while the average realized price increased by 4.75% to $833 per ton, slightly alleviating profit pressure for producers [2] Group 2: South American Salt Lakes - South American salt lake companies demonstrated stronger operational resilience due to their cost advantages, with SQM achieving its highest Q1 sales of 55,000 tons of LCE [3] - Lithium Argentina's C-O salt lake operations met expectations, with Q1 lithium carbonate production increasing by 60% year-on-year to 7,200 tons [3] - South American salt lakes maintain considerable profitability and cash flow due to their significantly lower cost structure compared to hard rock lithium projects [3] Group 3: Supply and Demand Dynamics - The reduction in production from major overseas lithium mines has not fundamentally reversed the short-term oversupply situation, and inventory digestion will require time [3] - It is anticipated that downstream demand will seasonally recover in Q3 2025, which, along with the ongoing effects of production cuts, may support lithium prices in the second half of the year [3]