India approves $297m incentive policy for lithium, nickel processing

India‘s cabinet approved on Wednesday an incentive policy worth 28.14-billion rupees ($297-million) to boost domestic processing of lithium and nickel, the government said in a statement, in a move aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on supply chains dominated by China. India has a high import dependence on critical minerals such as lithium, and tighter conditions following export controls by …

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Citi slashes lithium price forecast by 40% on lower demand

Citigroup has lowered its lithium price forecast for the next two years by as much as 40%, citing slower battery demand growth and increased trade uncertainty, among other broader economic reasons. Citi lowered its lithium carbonate and hydroxide price targets to $12,000 per tonne from $20,000 and 17,000 respectively. It also reduced its spodumene outlook from $2,000 to $1,200.  “With supply …

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China’s Battery Factories May Sit Atop Lithium Resources

The world’s largest battery maker and user, the country that dominates all alternative energy technology, is about to find out whether it could also boost its already dominant presence in a critical battery metal: lithium. China, according to a new study, could have significant, untapped resources of lithium right underneath its battery factories. The possibility was detailed in a recent …

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Lithium, cobalt markets cautious on China’s demand

LME Week, an annual gathering of the metals industry, took place in Mayfair, London, over October 19-23. Prices of both battery metals edged down in recent months from peak levels reported in spring, with demand from the consumer electronics sector weighing on the cobalt market and demand from energy storage systems (ESS) pressing on lithium prices. Cobalt market awaits potential …

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Lithium’s $100B question: Who will build 134 new mines?

Global lithium demand is expected to more than triple by 2050, requiring the equivalent of 134 new mines and more than $100 billion in investment as electric vehicle adoption accelerates, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. The London-based research firm forecasts consumption will climb to nearly 7 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) by mid-century from 2.11 million tonnes this …

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Lithium Prices Plunge as EU-China Trade Deal Sparks Demand Fears

Lithium prices have slumped, following a deal between the European Union and China that will cut Chinese hybrid car exports to the bloc. Since the start of the week, China’s most actively traded lithium futures contract has dropped by 14%, Bloomberg reported earlier today. The oil crisis caused by the war in the Middle East had sparked hopes that battery …

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China to bring solid-state batteries to mass production by 2030

China presents a new five-year plan for the battery industry. By 2030, solid-state batteries are to be used on a larger scale for the first time, while Beijing also targets sodium-ion batteries, fast charging, recycling, and industry consolidation. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in collaboration with six other authorities — including the National Development and Reform Commission …

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UK battery industry secures more than £7bn investment

The UK’s EV Battery Economy: A strategic review of the UK’s battery manufacturing sector, was produced by transport research group New AutoMotive and is billed as the most comprehensive audit of the sector to date. It lists more than 14 major projects, spanning lithium extraction, chemical refining, gigafactories and recycling. Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive, said: “The UK …

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Brazil needs price floors to back processing for rare earths and lithium

Brazil is on the cusp of a new policy to fund domestic refining for lithium and the world’s second-largest rare earth reserves, but miners say it lacks U.S.-style metal price guarantees to fight Chinese domination. The R$7-billion (US$1.4-billion) funding bill could become law this month after clearing Congress on Sept. 2. It offers financing and tax credits for processing plants, …

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China’s biggest lithium mine loses licence

CATL’s Jianxiawo lithium mine, China’s largest by capacity, is back in care and maintenance after regulators revoked its environmental approval, delaying a meaningful return of supply to a tightening market. Benchmark Mineral Intelligence cut its 2026 mined output forecast for Jianxiawo to 32,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) from 62,500 tonnes. Its 2027 forecast remains unchanged at about 99,000 tonnes. The …

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