Core Viewpoint - Salt Lake Co. has successfully completed a new lithium salt production project, increasing its annual capacity to 80,000 tons, amidst a competitive domestic lithium salt market, while maintaining a gross profit margin of nearly 50% [1][3]. Group 1: Project Details - The newly constructed lithium salt project has a capacity of 40,000 tons per year, with the total production capacity of the company now reaching 80,000 tons per year [1][2]. - The project was initially announced in May 2022 with a total investment of 7.08 billion yuan and a construction period of 24 months, indicating a planned completion by 2024 [2][3]. - The project utilizes old brine from potassium fertilizer production as raw material, and the technology has improved lithium recovery rates by 25.63%, achieving a total recovery rate of 82.4% [3]. Group 2: Cost and Profitability - The estimated cost of lithium salt production for the new project is expected to be below 40,000 yuan per ton, with estimates around 30,000 yuan per ton [3]. - Prior to the new project, the company's existing lithium salt production cost was approximately 36,500 yuan per ton, based on last year's financial data [3]. - Despite fluctuations in lithium carbonate prices between 60,000 to 80,000 yuan per ton in the first half of 2025, the company has maintained a gross profit margin close to 50% [3]. Group 3: Future Expansion Plans - The company aims to reach a lithium salt production capacity of 200,000 tons per year by 2030, indicating a significant expansion strategy [4]. - Currently, the lithium resources in Qinghai, including major salt lakes, are primarily developed, and the company may consider mergers and acquisitions to increase production capacity [5].