Accessible version Basic Materials - China Copper & Gold Rebound; Aluminum Margins Improve; Lithium Strong Industry Overview Metals: Aluminum Margins Improve; Gold Rebounds This week, market attention centered on the end of the U.S. government shutdown, which eased risk-off sentiment and supported copper prices. LME copper rose 1.5% WoW to US$10,856/t, while China price gained 1.3% WoW to RMB87,200/t. LME aluminum slipped 0.2% WoW to US$2,830/t, whereas China aluminum price increased 1.7% WoW to RMB21,910/t ...

LithiumBank to Acquire Second Well for Re-entry and Unlock Era Funding at Boardwalk Lithium ProjectNovember 20, 2025 7:21 AM EST | Source: LithiumBank Resources Corp.Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 20, 2025) - LithiumBank Resources Corp. (TSXV: LBNK) (OTCQX: LBNKF) ("LithiumBank'' or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated July 17, 2025, the Company started a comprehensive work program to unlock CAD $3.9 million in funding from the Province of ...

Core Viewpoint - The lithium mining sector has experienced a significant surge, driven by strong demand for energy storage and steady growth in the electric vehicle market, with lithium carbonate futures reaching a new high since June 2024 [1] Group 1: Market Performance - As of the latest trading session, companies such as ZG Co., Ltd. and JY Co., Ltd. have hit the daily limit up, with ZG Co., Ltd. rising by 20% and JY Co., Ltd. achieving a four-day consecutive limit up [1] - Other companies like Shengxin Lithium Energy and Dazhong Mining also reached their daily limit up, while Ganfeng Lithium and Salt Lake Co. saw increases of over 4% [1] Group 2: Lithium Carbonate Price Dynamics - The main contract for lithium carbonate futures has surpassed 100,000 yuan per ton, marking a new high since June 2024 [1] - Analysts attribute the recent price surge to optimistic market expectations regarding energy storage demand for the upcoming year, alongside the steady growth of the electric vehicle market [1] Group 3: Energy Storage Market Insights - The strategic cooperation agreement between Haibo Shichuang and CATL involves a commitment to purchase no less than 200 GWh of electricity from 2026 to 2028, indicating a robust outlook for the energy storage market [1] - The domestic energy storage industry is expected to see a cumulative demand exceeding 2,000 GWh, with an average annual demand reaching around 100 GWh [1] - The energy storage sector in China is projected to have a sustained growth cycle of 3 to 5 years, driven by the transition in energy structure and the rapid rise of independent energy storage solutions [1] Group 4: Future Growth Drivers - The demand for energy storage is anticipated to grow significantly due to the explosive growth of AI-driven data centers, which require high power and have substantial fluctuations, necessitating energy storage for grid stability [1] - The overseas energy storage market is expected to see an annual growth rate of 40% to 50% over the next two to three years, becoming a primary driver for lithium carbonate demand [1]

19 November 2025 | 3:35PM AEDT Equity Research Global Metals & Mining: China M&M Field Trip: Strong steel exports & mill restocking to support Fe; Al/Cu/RE markets robust, Li improving We recently traveled to China with a group of international investors where we visited companies in Beijing, Shandong, Ningbo and Shanghai across the steel/iron ore, coal (metallurgical), copper, aluminium, rare earths, lithium, equipment, property and construction sectors. We came away from the trip with the following conclu ...

Seldon Capital purchased about 6.1 million shares of Lithium Argentina.Seldon Capital LP disclosed a new position in Lithium Argentina AG (NYSE: LAR) on Nov. 14, with a value of $6.1 million at quarter end.Initiated new holding of 1.8 million shares worth $6.1 million as of Sept. 30.Position represents 2.1% of 13F reportable assets under managementIt's not among the fund’s top five holdings by valueWhat happenedSeldon Capital LP filed its quarterly Form 13F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission o ...

Summary of Conference Call on China Battery Materials Industry Overview - The lithium market is experiencing volatility due to potential supply disruptions from lepidolite mine suspensions and a stronger-than-expected battery production pipeline [1][2] - A demand-driven landscape is emerging, with expectations of a price and margin recovery in battery materials extending into 2026-27 [1] Key Insights - **Demand Growth Forecast**: Battery demand is projected to grow by 31% YoY in 2026, with Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) demand expected to increase by 45% YoY and 26% YoY, respectively [2][9] - **Destocking Trends**: Lithium destocking is estimated at ~15,000 tons during November 2025, with expectations that this trend will continue, favoring average selling price (ASP) increases and margin recovery in the lithium sector [3][19] - **Price Projections**: Forecasts for lithium prices (including VAT) are set at Rmb85,000/ton and US$890/ton during FY26 [3] Company-Specific Updates Ganfeng Lithium - **Rating Upgrade**: Ganfeng Lithium's stock rating has been upgraded to Buy, with a target price of Rmb85.51, reflecting a strong outlook due to robust battery demand and improving cost competitiveness from low-cost upstream resources [4][26][28] - **Financial Model Update**: FY25 EPS has been revised down by 16%, while FY26-27 EPS is revised up by 17% and 20%, respectively, indicating a positive outlook for the company's performance [27][34] Tianqi Lithium - **Rating Upgrade**: Tianqi Lithium's stock rating has also been upgraded to Buy, with a target price of Rmb71.69, supported by anticipated ASP and margin recovery due to strong battery demand [37][39] - **Financial Model Update**: FY25 EPS has been revised down by 29%, while FY26-27 EPS is revised up by 2% and 14%, respectively, reflecting a cautious yet optimistic outlook [38][45] Market Dynamics - **Supply Concerns**: The JXW mine's suspension has led to a decrease in lithium carbonate supply, but the resumption of operations is not expected to significantly alter the current destocking pattern [22][23] - **Backward Integration**: Battery manufacturers are increasingly integrating backward into lithium supply chains, indicating a potential upcycle in the lithium market [25] Additional Considerations - **Economic Factors**: The improving economics of ESS, particularly in China, are expected to support demand growth, with ESS projected to account for ~30% of total battery demand by 2030 [9][11] - **Investor Sentiment**: There are concerns regarding the sustainability of ESS demand growth, but industry checks suggest robust demand is likely to continue, driven by significant capacity expansions from major battery manufacturers [16][17] Conclusion - The lithium market is poised for recovery, driven by strong demand from the battery sector, particularly in ESS and EVs. Both Ganfeng and Tianqi Lithium are well-positioned to benefit from these trends, with upgraded ratings reflecting positive market sentiment and financial outlooks.

Core Insights - The inclusion of boron in the 2025 U.S. Critical Minerals List enhances the Bonnie Claire Lithium Project's potential to generate revenue from both lithium and boron, which are critical to U.S. government interests [1][2][5] - The project is also exploring the recovery of cesium and rubidium, which could further increase profitability and align with U.S. government supply chain interests [2][9] Group 1: Project Overview - The Bonnie Claire Lithium Project is 100% owned by Nevada Lithium and is located in Nevada, hosting the largest boron resource in the state [1][28] - The project is projected to produce over 62,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate and 129,000 tonnes of boron annually over a 61-year mine life [6][29] - The current boron resource estimate includes 85.654 million tonnes of boric acid equivalent (Inferred) and 16.973 million tonnes (Indicated) in the high-grade Lower Zone [10] Group 2: Economic Implications - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 authorizes $5 billion for investments in critical minerals supply chains and up to $100 billion in loans for related projects, which could benefit Nevada Lithium [4] - The production of boric acid is expected to reduce production costs of lithium carbonate by $1,973 per tonne, enhancing the project's economic viability [7][29] Group 3: Mineral Recovery Potential - The coexistence of high-grade lithium, boron, cesium, and rubidium in the Lower Zone presents opportunities for additional mineral recovery [8][17] - Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) indicates a strong correlation between cesium, rubidium, lithium, and boron grades, suggesting efficient recovery potential [22][23] Group 4: Future Prospects - The company is actively working to determine the recoverability of cesium and rubidium, which could lead to new supply chains of interest to the U.S. government [9][29] - The Bonnie Claire property remains largely unexplored, with significant potential for resource expansion in three directions [29]

Core Insights - Nevada Lithium Resources Inc. has announced that boron has been added to the U.S. Critical Minerals List for 2025, alongside lithium, enhancing the significance of its Bonnie Claire Lithium Project [1][3] - The Bonnie Claire Project is expected to generate revenue from both lithium and boron, with additional potential for cesium and rubidium recovery [2][6] - The inclusion of boron on the Critical Minerals List opens opportunities for Nevada Lithium to access U.S. government funding programs aimed at critical minerals development [3][4] Group 1: Project Overview - The Bonnie Claire Lithium Project is projected to produce over 62,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate and 129,000 tonnes of boron annually over a 61-year mine life [6][29] - The project has a significant boron resource estimate of 85.654 million tonnes (Inferred) and 16.973 million tonnes (Indicated) of boric acid equivalent in the high-grade Lower Zone [10][13] - The production of boric acid is expected to reduce lithium carbonate production costs by $1,973 per tonne [7] Group 2: Financial and Economic Aspects - The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 has authorized $5 billion for investments in critical minerals supply chains and up to $100 billion in loans for related projects [4] - Bonnie Claire's investment metrics indicate a 32.3% internal rate of return (IRR) and a capital payback period of 2.8 years [29] - The project benefits from a $1,973 per tonne boric acid by-product credit, which contributes to a $6,777 per tonne operating cost for lithium carbonate [29] Group 3: Additional Mineral Recovery Potential - The company is exploring the recoverability of cesium and rubidium, which coexist with lithium and boron in the Lower Zone [9][19] - The correlation between cesium, rubidium, lithium, and boron grades has been established, indicating potential for enhanced profitability [22][23] - The presence of cesium and rubidium could lead to the establishment of new supply chains that align with U.S. government interests [9]

Core Viewpoint - Standard Lithium Ltd. has reported significant progress in its projects, including the release of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the South West Arkansas (SWA) Project and a Maiden Inferred Resource for the Franklin Project in East Texas, indicating strong potential for future lithium production [2][5][8]. Financial and Operational Highlights - The SWA Project is projected to have an initial production capacity of 22,500 tonnes per annum of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with proven reserves of 447,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) [4]. - The DFS for the SWA Project indicates a 20.2% unlevered pre-tax internal rate of return (IRR) and competitive average cash operating costs of $4,516 per tonne, with all-in costs estimated at $5,924 per tonne [8]. - The company completed a $130 million follow-on equity offering, which was oversubscribed, demonstrating strong institutional investor demand [6][5]. Project Developments - The SWA Project has received unanimous approval from the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission (AOGC) for its Integration Application, which is crucial for the project's development [5]. - The Franklin Project in East Texas has reported some of the highest lithium-in-brine grades in North America, with an inferred resource of 2.2 million tonnes of LCE at an average lithium grade of 668 mg/L [11]. - The company aims to reach a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the SWA Project and begin construction in 2026, with first production targeted for 2028 [2][8]. Future Outlook - The company plans to provide multiple updates in the coming months regarding project financing, customer offtake processes, and vendor selection for the SWA Project [2]. - The company is focused on sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production through a fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction process [12].

Core Viewpoint - Lithium Argentina AG and Ganfeng Lithium Group have announced the results of the Scoping Study for the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes lithium brine project, highlighting a significant partnership aimed at advancing lithium production in Argentina [1][4]. Project Overview - The PPG Project integrates three projects owned by Ganfeng and Lithium Argentina, with Ganfeng holding a 67% stake and Lithium Argentina holding 33% [1][14]. - The project is located in Salta Province, Argentina, and is designed to produce primarily lithium carbonate, with flexibility for lithium hydroxide and lithium chloride [12][9]. Environmental Approval - The Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) for Stage 1 of the PPG Project was issued by the Secretariat of Mining and Energy of Salta Province after a 14-month review [2][5]. Scoping Study Results - The Scoping Study indicates an annual production capacity of 150,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) over a 30-year project life, with Stage 1 targeting 50,000 tpa [6][7]. - The project has a measured and indicated resource of 15.1 million tonnes (Mt) of LCE, making it one of the largest undeveloped lithium brine resources globally [7]. Economic Metrics - The estimated initial capital cost for Stage 1 is $1.1 billion, with a total capital cost of $3.3 billion over the project's life [8][22]. - At a lithium carbonate price of $18,000 per tonne, the after-tax NPV at an 8% discount rate is projected to be $8.1 billion, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 33% [8][27]. Operating Costs - The operating cash cost is estimated at $5,027 per tonne, with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $5,351 per tonne over the project's life [7][38]. - For Stage 1, the projected operating cash cost is $5,344 per tonne [20][38]. Financing and Development - The company is exploring financing options, including debt, offtake agreements, and minority equity investments to support Stage 1 development [35][36]. - The project aims to leverage Argentina's Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (RIGI) framework to enhance long-term competitiveness and improve after-tax cash flow [21]. Next Steps - The RIGI application is expected to be submitted in the first half of 2026, following the receipt of the environmental permit [35][21]. - A technical report compliant with NI 43-101 standards will be filed within 45 days of the announcement [5][40].