Eye on Lithium: Lithium chemical prices dip on extended Chinese holiday

• Patriot Battery Metals appoints Mélissa Desrochers to the board as non-executive chair
• Pilbara Minerals appoints John Stanning to the newly-created position of chief development officer
• Global Lithium continues commercial discussions with OEMs, battery and chemical companies as Manna Lithium feasibility work advances

All your lithium news, Friday January 27.

The Benchmark Lithium Price Index decreased by 4.8% during January 11 – 25 as Chinese lithium chemical prices stabilised, and trading activity waned during the Spring Festival.

Lithium carbonate spot prices in Europe and North America also started to soften in a lagged response to falling prices in China across December and January, which Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) senior price analyst Daisy Jennings-Gray says is largely due to demand.

“A lot of the reason why prices are softening has to do with the Spring Festival in China- which is very early this year as well.

“We are seeing demand from the downstream wane as a lot of cathode and EV operations go on holiday – we also generally see weaker demand in the EV industry in January and February after strong performances in November and December typically.

“Not too much has changed on the supply side, most of this is in response to short term disruptions in demand but none the less, there has been quite a change in direction of lithium prices over the last month.”

BMI says prices for lithium chemicals in the Chinese market have only softened in 2023 after a record-breaking 700% increase over the past two years.

The medium-term outlook remains positive with Shaw and Partners claiming China’s reopening is bullish for consumption. 

“Lithium markets and equities have traded in anticipation of a demand ‘air pocket’ whereby supply would catch up to slower demand in Europe and China,” they wrote.

“But with rapid COVID reopening in China and growing expectations for a sales rebound post Chinese New Year, we refresh our outlook.

“We believe lithium markets will remain in deficit for the near and medium term before moving to structural deficit long term.

“This needs a demand rationing price, for which we have seen no evidence in the past 12 months despite record-high prices that are orders of magnitude above costs.”

Here’s how ASX lithium stocks are tracking:

A total of 56 stocks finished in the green, another 39 fell flat and 42 ended the day in the red.

Who’s got news out?

PATRIOT BATTERY METALS (ASX:PMT)

PMT has appointed Mélissa Desrochers to the board as non-executive chair.

Desrochers is an experienced consultant with a background in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement for major and complex projects within the Quebec mining industry.

The company also announces the resignation of Director, Jon Christan Evensen.

PMT non-executive chair Ken Brinsden says the company is very pleased to welcome Mélissa to the Patriot Battery Metals team.

“Further, and on behalf of the entire company, I would like to sincerely thank JC for his contributions over the last year and wish him well as he pursues his expanded personal interests,” Brinsden says.

PILBARA MINERALS (ASX:PLS)

PLS has appointed John Stanning to the newly-created position of chief development officer to oversee Pilbara Minerals’ corporate development, growth and exploration functions.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the natural resources sector as an investment banker, PLS believes Stanning brings deep lithium sector relationships and a proven track record of assisting battery materials companies.

He completed his first lithium sector transaction more than a decade ago and has advised on 15 announced transactions in the lithium sector, along with a significant number of additional transactions across the broader market.

“While Pilbara Minerals’ focus remains firmly on maximising value from our Pilgangoora project including the scaling-up of our operations, we are delighted to have secured John’s services to lead a dedicated function,” PLS MD Dale Henderson says.

GLOBAL LITHIUM RESOURCES (ASX:GL1)

GL1 says commercial discussions with a range of OEMs, battery and chemical companies continue to gather momentum as the company looks ahead to a busy 2023.

“This is highlighted by the planned feasibility study and project approvals/permits at Manna as well as ongoing drilling programs at both lithium projects,” MD Ron Mitchell says.

“This is set to be another transitional year for the company, and we look forward to updating shareholders with results from these programs as they become available.”

During the quarter, GL1 completed the acquisition of the underlying Manna lithium project tenements in conjunction with the remaining 20% interest in exploration and future mining rights to lithium and lithium associated co-mineral rights in the tenements from Breaker Resources NL (BRB).

With the launch of a $121.5mn equity raising , GL1 expects to be fully funded through to the completion of a feasibility study for Manna (currently scheduled for the second half of 2023).

The completion of this equity raising will also provide Global Lithium with balance sheet strength and flexibility to execute its corporate strategy during the critical project growth and study phase.

GIBB RIVER DIAMONDS (ASX:GIB)

GIB believes the Mica Well project holds future exploration potential with the project currently being held under review whilst ongoing lithium exploration work continues over other areas.

Field trips are planned to the Mount Magnet West project which has not yet been assessed and follow-up trips to the Forrestania and Mukinbudin projects.

Recent very severe flooding in the Kimberley Region of WA has temporarily prevented access to GIB’s tenements in that area and fieldwork is hoped to begin once access options become clearer.