Core Insights - The Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission has approved a 2.5% royalty rate for lithium extraction from brine, marking a significant milestone for lithium development in Arkansas [1][2][3] Company Overview - Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on sustainable lithium-brine properties in the U.S., particularly in Arkansas and Texas [4] - The company aims for commercial-scale lithium production using a Direct Lithium Extraction process [4] - Standard Lithium is partnered with Equinor to advance the South West Arkansas project, which is a greenfield initiative [4][6] Project Details - The Reynolds Unit of the South West Arkansas Project is expected to have a production capacity of 22,500 tonnes per year of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with full commercial production anticipated by 2028 [3] - The total proposed royalty compensation for brine owners, including the brine fee, is approximately 3% based on current lithium prices [2] Industry Context - The approval of the royalty rate establishes a precedent for other lithium development companies operating in Arkansas, potentially encouraging further investment in the sector [1][3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company achieved the highest first quarter lithium sales volumes in its history, with a 20% year-on-year increase, driven by strong demand from the electric vehicle market in China and Europe [6][8] - Average realized prices for lithium in Q2 2025 are expected to be lower than in Q1 due to recent price declines [7][59] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Lithium sales volumes increased significantly, while iodine prices reached record averages amid tight supply and steady demand, particularly for X-ray contrast media applications [6][8] - Specialty Plant Nutrition (SPN) sales volumes grew healthily, with an upward trend in prices due to strong demand for potassium chloride and supply disruptions [9] - Potassium business volumes were significantly lower compared to the same period last year as part of a strategy to prioritize high lithium content brines [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company maintains a view that global lithium demand will grow by 17% in 2025, with SQM's sales expected to grow by 15% year-on-year, although this forecast remains unchanged amid current market conditions [29][64] - The lithium market is currently oversupplied, with prices under pressure, particularly in China [71][90] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding lithium production capacity to 240,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate and 100,000 metric tons of lithium hydroxide [8] - Investment in operational efficiencies and capacity expansions is ongoing, with a commitment to sustainable high-quality growth [11] - The company is confident in its strategy and ability to generate cash flow despite current pricing pressures [17][88] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes the current low price environment is unsustainable and expects prices to improve in the future [88][90] - The company is well-prepared to take advantage of market recovery due to its strong position as a low-cost producer [88][90] - There is optimism regarding long-term demand growth, particularly in the electric vehicle sector [64][90] Other Important Information - The company is advancing its seawater pipeline construction to expand iodine production capacity [8] - The dividend policy established a distribution of 30% of net income for 2025, with no interim dividends planned for the first quarter [48] Q&A Session Summary Question: Will operating cash flow be breakeven or positive per metric ton in lithium in Q2? - Management indicated they are far from breakeven costs and expect to be significantly above that in Q2 [14][15] Question: How will lower lithium prices affect capital structure and funding for future projects? - Management stated that the company has a strong balance sheet and cash generation capacity from other business lines, which will not constrain future projects [16][18] Question: What is the status of the Codelco joint venture in Chile? - Management described the situation as "noise" due to election year discussions but confirmed that the transaction is progressing as planned [20][26] Question: Will SQM's lithium sales grow by 15% this year? - Management has not updated the annual volume forecast but expects similar or slightly lower volumes in Q2 compared to Q1 [29] Question: How is SQM handling pricing dynamics in China? - Management noted that pricing mechanisms with customers are confidential and cannot provide specifics [36] Question: What is the outlook for Mt. Holland production? - Management confirmed that Mt. Holland is cash positive and ramping up as planned, despite facing higher costs during the ramp-up phase [84][97] Question: What is the company's dividend policy? - The company will distribute 30% of its net income for 2025, with no interim dividends planned for the first quarter [48]

Share price increased by 264% from April 7, 2025 (non-compliance notice) to US$2.60 by May 22, 2025 (compliance achieved) indicating strong market sentiment and investor confidence in Foremost’s business strategy VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foremost Clean Energy Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMST) (CSE: FAT) (“Foremost” or the “Company”) an emerging North American uranium and lithium exploration company, today announced that on May 23, 2025, it received written notice (the “Compliance Noti ...

Report Summary 1. Report Industry Investment Rating No information provided. 2. Core Viewpoints - The oversupply pattern in the lithium carbonate market is expected to continue in Q2, with no significant growth in demand-side production scheduling. The supply side shows no obvious improvement, and both lithium ore and lithium salt inventories face great pressure, with a slow de-stocking process. The main market contradiction is that the pressure of lithium salt production capacity clearance is gradually spreading to the upstream ore end, and the loosening of ore prices will further drive down lithium salt prices. There is a risk of a spiral decline in ore and lithium salt prices [3]. - The fundamentals remain weak, but as the lithium carbonate price continues to decline, the probability of supply-side disturbances will increase. Be vigilant against sharp fluctuations caused by short covering. The short-term strong resistance level is 63,000 - 65,000 [4]. 3. Summary by Relevant Catalogs 3.1 Futures Price and Volatility - The pressure level of the lithium carbonate main contract is 65,000, the current volatility (20 - day rolling) is 25.3%, and the current volatility historical percentile (3 - year) is 30.1% [2]. 3.2 Risk Management Strategies - **Inventory Management**: For companies with high product inventories and inventory impairment risks, strategies include shorting lithium carbonate futures (using LC2508, selling, 60% hedging ratio, strategy level 2), selling call options (using over - the - counter/on - exchange options, selling, 60% hedging ratio, strategy level 3), and buying out - of - the - money put options (using on - exchange/over - the - counter options, buying, strategy level 2) [2]. - **Procurement Management**: For companies with future production plans and the risk of rising raw material prices, strategies include selling put options (using on - exchange/over - the - counter options, selling, hedging ratio based on procurement plan, strategy level 1 - 3), buying long - term lithium carbonate contracts (using far - month lithium carbonate contracts, buying, hedging ratio based on procurement plan), and buying out - of - the - money call options (using on - exchange/over - the - counter options, buying, hedging ratio based on procurement plan, strategy level 1) [2]. 3.3 Market News - It is rumored that several lithium salt plants plan to conduct maintenance in June, which is expected to affect the monthly lithium salt output by about 3,000 tons. Combined with last Thursday's shutdown, it is expected to affect the future monthly output by 4,500 tons, but it has little impact on the current lithium carbonate market [4]. 3.4利多 and利空 Factors - **利多 Factors**: Positive macro - policies may stimulate power demand growth; the probability of upstream ore and lithium salt plant shutdowns and maintenance increases as prices fall; there is an expectation of "90 - day" export rush due to the easing of Sino - US game, leading to passive de - stocking; high open interest may cause a rebound in the market due to short profit - taking [5][6]. - **利空 Factors**: There are still many future lithium ore production expectations, and high inventories suppress ore prices, which may drag down lithium carbonate costs; both lithium ore and lithium salt inventories are high and still in the process of inventory accumulation; industrial technology upgrades delay the clearance of high - cost production capacity [6]. 3.5 Price and Spread Data - **Futures Price Changes**: The closing price of the lithium carbonate futures main contract is 60,920, with a daily increase of 820 (1.36%), and a year - on - year decrease of 42.64%. The trading volume of the main contract is 392,469, with a daily increase of 130,487 (49.81%), and a year - on - year increase of 309.68%. The open interest of the futures main contract is 293,695, with a daily decrease of 32,777 (-10.04%), and a year - on - year increase of 71.11% [8]. - **Spot Price Changes**: The SMM average price of battery - grade lithium carbonate is 62,500, down 550 (-0.87%); the SMM average price of industrial - grade lithium carbonate is 60,900, down 550 (-0.9%); the SMM average price of battery - grade lithium hydroxide is 64,420, down 300 (-0.46%); the SMM average price of industrial - grade lithium hydroxide is 58,400, down 260 (-0.44%); the SMM average price of battery - grade lithium hydroxide CIF in China, Japan, and South Korea is 8.4 dollars/kg, down 0.05 (-0.59%); the fastmarkets average price of battery - grade lithium hydroxide CIF in China, Japan, and South Korea is 8.4 dollars/kg, with no change [10]. - **Lithium Carbonate Brand Basis**: The basis quotes of various lithium carbonate brands remain unchanged compared to the previous day [10][11]. - **Lithium Carbonate Month - to - Month Spread**: The spreads of LC07 - 08, LC08 - 11, LC11 - 12, and LC12 - 03 have different degrees of change compared to the previous period, with significant year - on - year changes [13]. - **Lithium Industry Chain Spread**: The difference between electric and industrial carbonates is 1,600 (no change); the difference between battery - grade carbonate and hydroxide is 1,920, up 250 (14.97%); the difference between battery - grade lithium hydroxide CIF in China, Japan, and South Korea and the domestic price is -4,080.28, down 131.83 (3.34%) [18]. - **Lithium Ore and Shipping Cost**: The average price of lithium mica (2% - 2.5%) is 1,260, down 20 (-1.56%); the average price of lithium spodumene concentrate (6%, CIF China) is 688 dollars/ton, down 2 (-0.29%); the fastmarkets price of lithium spodumene (6%) is 645 dollars/ton (no change); the price of lithium spodumene concentrate (6%, Zimbabwe) is 635 dollars/ton, down 15 (-2%) [20]. 3.6 Warehouse Receipt Data - The total number of lithium carbonate warehouse receipts is 34,154, a daily decrease of 825. Different warehouses have different changes in warehouse receipt quantities [23][24].

CALGARY, Alberta, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volt Lithium Corp. (TSXV: VLT | OTCQB: VLTLF | FSE: I2D) (“Volt” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Marty Scase, Volt’s co-founder and Board member, has agreed to join the Volt management team as Executive Chairman. This leadership enhancement, combined with recent operational milestones, supports the Company's strategy to expand growth and commercial opportunities within the U.S. critical minerals sector. Volt also announces details of its upcom ...

| | | | 碳 锌 8 详20250522:国内碳酸锂5月供给预期偏松,国内碳酸锂社会库存量环比增加 | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | 交易日期(日) | 2025-05-21 | 2025-05-20 | 2025-05-15 | 较昨日变化 | 近两周走势 | | | 近月合约 | 收盘价 | 61180.00 | 60960.00 | 64200.00 | 220.00 | | | | 连一合约 | 收盘价 | 61100.00 | 60860.00 | 64140.00 | 240.00 | | | | 连二合约 | 收盘价 | 62360.00 | 62100.00 | 64120.00 | 260.00 | | | | 连三合约 | 收盘价 | 62360.00 | 62100.00 | 65220.00 | 260.00 | | | | | 收盘价 | 61100.00 | 60860.00 | 64120.00 | 240.00 | | | 砖酸但期货 | 活跃合约 | 成交堂(手) | 27 ...

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:LI | OTCQX:AMLIF | Frankfurt:5LA1) announces with deep sorrow the passing of Carsten Korch, esteemed Independent Director and valued member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Korch joined the Board of Directors on October 3, 2022, bringing over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience across various sectors. Based in Peru, he helped to guide the Company's strategic initiatives, particular ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for Rio Tinto Ltd. with a 12-month price target of A$140.80, indicating an upside potential of 18.1% from the current price of A$119.22 [17]. Core Insights - Rio Tinto has entered a joint venture with Codelco to develop the Maricunga lithium project in Chile, which aligns with its growth and value creation strategy [1][4]. - The Maricunga project is expected to enhance Rio Tinto's lithium production significantly, potentially increasing its equity share to over 250ktpa by 2035 [10]. - The company is leveraging its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, which offers higher lithium recoveries and lower capital expenditures compared to conventional methods [8][9]. Summary by Sections Joint Venture and Project Development - Rio Tinto will acquire a 49.99% interest in the Maricunga project for a total of US$900 million, with initial funding for studies and construction costs [2]. - The project aims for first production by the end of the decade, with potential additional payments contingent on production milestones [2]. Financial Projections and Valuation - The report forecasts that lithium will contribute approximately 6% of Rio Tinto's EBITDA by 2030, driven by the Rincon lithium project and the Maricunga joint venture [10]. - The company is expected to achieve a free cash flow yield of around 6% in 2025 and 7% in 2026, supported by bullish projections for copper and aluminum prices [16]. Production and Growth Outlook - Rio Tinto's copper equivalent production is projected to grow by approximately 20% and EBITDA by over 30% by 2030, primarily due to the ramp-up of the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine and improved productivity in the Pilbara region [16]. - The Pilbara region is anticipated to contribute significantly to the company's free cash flow improvements from 2025 to 2027 [16]. Market Position and Competitive Advantage - The report highlights Rio Tinto's strong market position, trading at approximately 0.7x NAV, which is competitive compared to peers [16]. - The company is recognized for its high-margin, low-emission aluminum production, which is powered by hydroelectric energy [16].

Investment Rating - The report upgrades Emerging Market (EM) equities to Overweight (OW) while maintaining a cautious stance on the energy sector [4][7]. Core Insights - Nippon Steel plans to invest an additional $14 billion in U.S. Steel, with $11 billion allocated for infrastructure through 2028, raising concerns about financial health due to increased debt levels [7][10]. - Rio Tinto has formed a joint venture with Codelco to develop a lithium project in Chile, which is expected to expand its lithium strategy without impacting earnings forecasts until 2029 [6][10]. - Hindalco's upcoming report is anticipated to focus on EBITDA per tonne, with expectations of a 6% growth in Q4 compared to Q3, driven by alumina expansion [9][10]. Summary by Sections Nippon Steel - Plans to invest $14 billion in U.S. Steel, including $4 billion for a new steel mill, contingent on regulatory approval [7]. - Concerns about financial health as debt-to-equity ratio could rise to 1.1x if the deal is fully debt-financed [7]. Rio Tinto - Joint venture with Codelco for lithium project in Salar de Maricunga, with initial funding of $350 million and potential construction costs of $500 million [6][10]. - Current lithium output forecast to grow from 75,000 tons per annum in 2024 to 460,000 tons per annum by 2029-2033 [6][10]. Hindalco - Focus on EBITDA per tonne in the upcoming report, with a forecasted 6% growth in Q4 [9][10]. - Concerns about alumina exposure, but analysis suggests limited impact on share prices [10].

VANCOUVER, BC, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMERICAN SALARS LITHIUM INC. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: ASALF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY) announces the addition of Dr. Mark King PhD, PGeo, FGC, a world-renowned lithium brine expert, as a Technical Advisor and Qualified Person. Dr. King is a hydrogeologist with 30+ years of international experience in groundwater modeling and geochemistry. For the past 15 years, he has specialized in exploration and evaluation of lithium brine projec ...