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May 06, 2024
Premier1 Lithium Limited (ASX:PLC) (“Premier1” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Jason Froud as Managing Director effective 1 June 2024. This appointment following an extensive executive search process marks an important milestone in the transition of Premier1 into a significant junior lithium explorer.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Highly experienced lithium professional Jason Froud appointed as Managing Director
- Former Business Development Manager of Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR)
- Over 25 years experience in the resources sector focusing on lithium and battery metals
- Appointment will drive exploration and further growth of Permier1 Lithium’s portfolio
Mr Jason Froud is a geologist with over 25 years of experience in the resources sector working for major mining companies including Newcrest and WMC as well as global consultancies with experience across the mining cycle and numerous commodities. He was recently responsible for business development at Liontown Resources including the generation of new lithium and battery metals projects of Tier 1 potential including the execution of various farms-ins and joint ventures across Australia. With his wide range of experience including commercial and stakeholder engagement, Jason is ideally suited to drive PLC’s growth and success into the future.
Premier1’s Non-Executive Director Anja Ehser commented:
“We are delighted to appoint Jason as Managing Director. Jason is the former Business Development Manager of Liontown Resources where he has played a leading role in generating a pipeline of new major lithium and battery metals projects in Australia. He brings tremendous experience and expertise in assessing and valuing lithium assets that will assist Premier1’s growth using our unique lithium data sets.
On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Jason to our Company. We look forward to working closely with him to create shareholder value through continued development of our existing exploration assets and further project opportunities.”
Incoming Managing Director Jason Froud said:
"l am excited to accept the role of Managing Director at Premier1. The Company has the vision, commitment and importantly, the backing to build Premier1 into a successful junior explorer and maximise the chance of exploration success with its industry leading machine learning technology.
I am impressed at the rigour and diligence the team has applied in assembling the current exploration package and look forward to the opportunity to fully test this and enhance it with further organic growth or M&A activity. Recent months have been challenging for battery minerals but I am confident in the underlying demand for EV metals and strong recovery in the sector.
I look forward to working closely with Premier1's Board and shareholders, and to delivering value for all stakeholders.’
The Board and entire team of PLC again would like to thank Richard Taylor, the current CEO, for his contribution and commitment during the past transition of PLC and is pleased to have him remain part of the Company as non-executive Director from June onwards.
In addition to the management, further additions are planned to be made to the leadership team at PLC to align with the new strategy.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Premier1 Lithium, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
PLC:AU
10h
Lithium Market Update: Q1 2025 in Review
The global lithium market experienced a significant downturn during the first quarter of 2025, with some price segments falling to four year lows. Persistent oversupply and weaker-than-anticipated demand, particularly from the electric vehicle (EV) sector, prevented any market gains over the three month period.
After starting the year at a steady pace, the lithium carbonate CIF North Asia price fell below US$9,550 per metric ton in February, its lowest point since 2021. Its downward trend has triggered more production cuts and project delays among major producers, especially in Australia and China, as companies seek to balance the market.
With prices well off highs seen in 2021 and 2022, analysts are suggesting that these adjustments may signal a market bottom, with projections indicating a potential shift to a lithium supply deficit as early as 2026.
Lithium market continuing to rebalance
Over the last five years, annual global lithium carbonate production has ballooned, rising from 82,000 metric tons in 2020 to 240,000 metric tons in 2024, representing a 192 percent increase.
As output more than doubled, demand failed to keep pace, leading to massive market oversupply.
In a February report, Fastmarkets analysts note that the lithium market saw an estimated surplus of 175,000 metric tons in 2023 and 154,000 metric tons in 2024.
The firm expects this surplus to continue contracting in 2025, with experts anticipating a much tighter balance ahead. They see a surplus of just 10,000 metric tons in 2025 followed by a 1,500 metric ton deficit in 2026.
This sentiment was echoed by Adam Webb, head of battery raw materials at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, during a market overview at the Benchmark Summit, held in Toronto in early March.
“We're expecting this year for the market to remain in surplus,” he said. A 2025 surplus paired with high inventory levels from the previous two years is expected to impede price movement.
“Our expectation for this year is that lithium carbonate prices will remain about where they are, US$10,400 per metric ton,” Webb told attendees. “But if we look further ahead, from 2026 onwards, that market is switching into the deficit, albeit quite small to start with, and that will end up being supportive of prices.”
As Webb explained, prices need to find some support because current levels are unsustainable.
“I think we've more or less hit the bottom,” he said told the audience while pointing to a chart showcasing the all-in sustaining cost curve for lithium in 2025. Webb added that at the current price level of US$10,400 per metric ton, "about a third of the industry currently is not profitable. So prices can't move much lower, because that's going to put even more production under pressure, and you can see more supply come offline."
Stifled, stranded and shuttered supply
The sharp decline in lithium prices has already compelled various lithium-mining companies to curtail production, delay expansion plans and implement workforce reductions.
In August 2024, Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS,OTC Pink:PILBF) reported an 89 percent year-on-year drop in annual net income and deferred plans to create the world's largest lithium mine. The company also said it would reduce its capital expenditures to between AU$615 million and AU$685 million for the current financial year.
This past February, Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) halted expansion plans for its Kemerton plant in Western Australia and mothballed its Chengdu lithium hydroxide plant in China, citing prolonged low prices. The company also reduced its 2025 capital expenditure forecast by US$100 million, to US$700 million to US$800 million.
Additionally, Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF) mothballed its Bald Hill operations in December, and Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) has scaled back its production targets for the Kathleen Valley lithium project in response to prolonged low lithium prices. The company now plans to reach a production rate of 2.8 million metric tons per year by the end of its 2027 fiscal year — pushing back its earlier goal of hitting 3 million metric tons by Q1 2025.
The broad market weakness in the lithium sector has also led to some deals.
In early March, mining major Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) completed its US$6.7 billion purchase of Arcadium Lithium. Through the deal, Rio Tinto has acquired several lithium carbonate projects in Argentina, as well as lithium hydroxide production capacity in the US, Japan and China. The company is aiming to increase its lithium carbonate equivalent production capacity to over 200,000 metric tons annually by 2028.
Also in March, Lithium Americas (TSX:LAC,NYSE:LAC) secured a US$250 million investment from Orion Resource Partners to support the development and construction of Phase 1 of its Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada.
The funding package is expected to fully cover project and corporate costs through the construction phase, with completion of Phase 1 targeted for late 2027.
Earlier in the quarter, Standard Lithium (TSXV:SLI,NYSE:A:SLI) and Equinor (NYSE:EQNR) announced that their joint venture, SWA Lithium, had received a US$225 million grant from the US Department of Energy. The funding is earmarked for the construction of Phase 1 of the South West Arkansas lithium project.
Battery sector growth key to long-term lithium recovery
The largest factor behind lithium market oversupply has been the gap between projected and actual EV demand. Ambitious projections about EV adoption through the 2020s led producers to ramp up lithium output in anticipation of a surge in EV sales; however, EV adoption has been slower than expected, leading to excess supply.
“(In 2024), EV growth was slower than had been expected, but actually it still grew significantly globally,” said Webb. “But there were really important regional differences in that growth.” He went on to explain that China’s EV market saw a 36 percent year-on-year increase, with plug-in hybrids making up 40 percent of sales.
In contrast, EV sales in Europe declined by 4 percent, largely due to subsidy cuts in Germany. North America experienced 8 percent growth, albeit from a smaller base, Webb added.
“China will remain the biggest growth market (over the next decade),” he said. “But in the EU we're expecting six times the number of sales in 10 years, and here in North America seven times.”
The lithium market is also expected to benefit from higher energy storage system demand, which is set to increase from US$251.14 billion in 2024 to US$271.73 billion in 2025. In 2024, the energy storage system segment contributed to a 28 percent year-on-year increase in battery demand, according to the Benchmark analyst.
“Looking out 10 years, it's still quite a rosy picture, really — a 15 percent CAGR out to 2035 — and that translates to more demand for the raw materials that go into these batteries,” said Webb.
Additionally, this expansion has been impacted by economies of scale, which have sent battery cell prices to record lows — they averaged US$73 per kilowatt-hour in 2023 and hit US$63.50 kilowatt-hour in December.
Reduced battery costs could offer long-term support to the demand narrative by helping to drive down the cost of EVs and energy storage systems.
Energy storage demand a potential major catalyst
The rapid growth in energy storage was also underscored by Ernis Ortiz, president and CEO of Lithium Royalty (TSX:LIRC,OTC Pink:LITRF) and a panelist at the Benchmark Summit.
When asked if there will be enough future supply to meet demand projections, Ortiz was optimistic.
“I do think there will be enough supply, but at a price,” he said.
“So you need prices to rise in order to incentivize that new supply response.”
He went on to explain that in 2025, lithium supply growth is projected at approximately 17 percent, but with energy storage demand potentially doubling, that sector alone could absorb the expected supply increase. When combined with rising EV demand, much of the additional supply may be consumed, potentially reducing inventory levels by year end.
“Then you probably incentivize some of the care-and-maintenance assets,” said Ortiz. “But then you look at 2026 and 2027, and there's a very limited investment for greenfield assets.”
Long-term lithium price outlook
Benchmark has pegged the CAGR of the lithium market at 12 percent over the next 10 years, although this could be impeded due to the amount of project delays and shutterings. In the long term, the metals consultancy and pricing firm is also projecting a significant gap between projected demand and currently financed supply.
Webb explained that unfunded projects and future yet-to-be-identified greenfield developments together represent 1.3 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent that the market will need.
“For those projects to be incentivized, prices have to rise,” said Webb. “Our long-term incentive price for lithium is US$21,000 per metric ton. So prices will have to rise in the longer term for lithium.”
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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04 April
CEOL Application Process Update
CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM: CTL), a lithium exploration and development company operating in Chile, further to its announcement on 15 January 2025 ("Application RNS"), provides an update regarding the Special Lithium Operating Contract ("CEOL") application process for the Laguna Verde project.
As outlined in the Application RNS, the Company expected the simplified procedure for the CEOL Award Mechanism to be as follows: Submission of applications closed on 31 January 2025 following which the Ministry IT and legal departments had 5 business days to register and organise the submittal. The Ministry´s Lithium and Salar Unit then has 45 business days to review and analyse the request. Once this analysis is completed and the Lithium and Salar Unit verifies that all the information and documents needed to enter the simplified procedure have been submitted then an administrative act to accept the application will be made.
This timetable indicated that an update from the Government was expected at the beginning of April confirming which applicants will enter direct negotiation on the CEOL with the Ministry. So far, no such update has been made and following recent discussions between CleanTech Lithium and the Ministry, the Company understands that the administration process is still progressing for all applicants. The Company will inform the market as soon as official communication is received.
Steve Kesler, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO, CleanTech Lithium said:
"Clearly, the process is taking a little longer than we had initially anticipated but we look forward to the response when the Ministry has completed its review process."
For further information contact: | |
CleanTech Lithium PLC | |
Steve Kesler/Gordon Stein/Nick Baxter | Jersey office: +44 (0) 1534 668 321 Chile office: +562-32239222 |
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish/Asia Szusciak | +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
Fox-Davies Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Daniel Fox-Davies | +44 (0) 20 3884 8450 |
Canaccord Genuity (Joint Broker) James Asensio | +44 (0) 20 7523 4680 |
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
Notes
CleanTech Lithium (AIM:CTL) is an exploration and development company advancing lithium projects in Chile for the clean energy transition. Committed to net-zero, CleanTech Lithium's mission is to scale battery grade lithium at its flagship project, Laguna Verde, using Direct Lithium Extraction technology powered by renewable energy.
CleanTech Lithium is committed to utilising Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") with reinjection of spent brine resulting in no aquifer depletion. Direct Lithium Extraction is a transformative technology which removes lithium from brine with higher recoveries, short development lead times and no extensive evaporation pond construction. For more information, please visit: www.ctlithium.com
Click here for the full release
This article includes content from Cleantech Lithium PLC, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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04 April
Galan Declines AU$240M Bid for Argentina Projects
Galan Lithium (ASX:GLN) has rejected a US$150 million (AU$240 million) cash bid from China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co and France’s Renault Group to acquire its Hombre Muerto West and Candelas lithium brine projects in Argentina, The West Australian reports.
Described as unsolicited, conditional, and non-binding, the offer from battery materials giant Zhejiang Huayou and EV manufacturer Renault was deemed “opportunistic” and “undervalued,” the report noted.
Galan and its advisors refused the offer, asserting confidence in the long-term value of its flagship Hombre Muerto West project, which is nearing production of 5,400 tonnes per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent. They believe the project holds greater potential to deliver superior returns for shareholders.
Click here to connect with Galan Lithium (ASX:GLN) for an Investor Presentation
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03 April
Top 7 Global Lithium Stocks in 2025
The lithium market faced continued pressure in Q1 2025 as oversupply and weaker-than-expected demand pushed prices to a four-year low, with the lithium carbonate CIF North Asia price dipping below US$9,550 per metric ton.
The broad market decline led many analysts to speculate that the market had bottomed and a rebound was imminent. This was further supported by production cuts in China and Australia aimed at stabilizing supply.
Despite near-term challenges, long-term prospects remain strong, highlighted by Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) AU$6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, the company formed by the merger of Allkem and Livent.
The major is also reportedly in talks to develop the Roche Dure lithium deposit in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Long term electric vehicle (EV) market growth and a projected draw down in excess supply has prompted Benchmark Intelligence researchers to forecast a 12 percent compound annual growth rate for the lithium market over the next 10 years.
Even against this tumultuous backdrop, some lithium stocks listed in Canada, Australia and the United States performed strongly. Below the Investing News Network has gathered the top gaining lithium companies year-to-date using TradingView’s stock screener.
All lithium stocks listed had market caps above $20 million in their respective currencies when data was gathered. Data for Canadian stocks was collected on March 25, 2025, data for Australian stocks was gathered on March 27, 2025, and data for US stocks was gathered on March 31, 2025.
1. Power Metals (TSXV:PWM)
Year-to-date gain: 163.04 percent
Market cap: C$196.57 million
Share price: C$1.21
Exploration company Power Metals holds a portfolio of diversified assets in Ontario and Québec, Canada. The company’s flagship Case Lake project in Ontario hosts spodumene-bearing lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites.
In November 2024, Power Metals identified a new pegmatite zone at Case Lake through soil sampling. The samples from the zone, located north-northwest of its West Joe prospect, revealed anomalous levels of cesium, tantalum, lithium and rubidium, which the company said "affirmed prospective drill targets" for its winter exploration program.
On February 10, Power Metals announced the beginning of work associated with the maiden mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment for Case Lake, which it expected to release in Q1 and Q2 of 2025 respectively.
Days later, on February 14, the company followed that announcement by releasing the final assays from its Phase 3 drilling at Case Lake, including “exceptional cesium oxide and tantalum intercepts” from the West Joe prospect. Power Metals stated it planned to begin its 2025 Phase 1 drilling sometime after early March.
The company's share price rose in the weeks following the pair of announcements to reach a Q1 high of C$1.46 on February 25.
2. NOA Lithium Brines (TSXV:NOAL)
Year-to-date gain: 41.18 percent
Market cap: C$46.99 million
Share price: C$0.36
NOA is a lithium exploration and development company with three projects in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle region. The company’s flagship Rio Grande project and prospective Arizaro and Salinas Grandes land packages total more than 140,000 hectares.
In late January, NOA reported its completion of 28 vertical electrical sounding geophysics tests at the Rio Grande project as part of its 2025 exploration program.
The recent testing expands on past studies and will aid NOA's water exploration program, refining one of three identified potential water sources.
In a subsequent corporate update on February 7, NOA outlined its plans for Q1 2025, which largely focused on the advancement of the Rio Grande project through geophysical evaluation and water exploration drilling. The company also plans to review engineering proposals for preliminary economic assessment work.
The company's share price began climbing in early February and reached a Q1 high of C$0.37 on March 13.
The high came days after a Simply Wall Street report highlighted insider buying at the company, a signal of strong internal confidence.
According to the report, NOA insiders invested C$862,600 over the prior six months, with C$358,000 of that coming in a single transaction by CEO and Director Gabriel Rubacha. Additionally, they had not sold any shares in the prior 12 months.
3. Frontier Lithium (TSXV:FL)
Year-to-date gain: 35.56 percent
Market cap: C$141.38 million
Share price: C$0.61
Pre-production mining company Frontier Lithium aims to be a strategic and integrated supplier of premium spodumene concentrates as well as battery-grade lithium salts in North America.
The Company's flagship PAK lithium project, which is a joint venture with Mitsubishi (TSE:8058), holds the “largest land position and resource” in a premium lithium mineral district located in the Great Lakes region of Ontario, Canada. Frontier also owns the Spark deposit, located northwest of the PAK project.
Shares of Frontier Lithium reached a Q1 high of C$0.79 on March 4. After already trending upwards through February, its share price peaked alongside news that the Government of Canada and the Ontario Government supported the company's plans to build a critical minerals refinery in Northern Ontario.
Once complete the proposed lithium conversion facility will process lithium from PAK into around 20,000 metric tons (MT) of lithium salts per year. “This expected capacity would support the production of batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles per year,” Frontier's statement reads.
1. Tyranna Resources (ASX:TYX)
Year-to-date gain: 40 percent
Market cap: AU$23.02 million
Share price: AU$0.007
Africa-focused explorer Tyranna Resources is currently focused on its flagship Muvero lithium project in Angola.
In a January 30 update, Tyranna reported it completed a drill program totalling 11 diamond drill holes spanning 817 meters. Initial results from drilling at the Muvero and Loop prospects confirmed visible spodumene-bearing pegmatite. Additionally, core from the Muvero prospect will be used for metallurgical testing and structural data.
The company is also pursuing and evaluating additional projects that align with its strategy of focusing on in-demand metals, and had applied for one licence at that time.
Shares of Tyranna reached a quarterly high of AU$0.007 several times over the three month period.
2. Liontown Resources (LTR:AU)
Year-to-date gain: 24.53 percent
Market cap: AU$1.58 billion
Share price: AU$0.66
Liontown Resources has two assets in Western Australia, including the producing Kathleen Valley mine, which entered production during the second half of 2024 and transitioned to commercial production in January 2025.
The company's Buldania project in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Western Australia has an initial mineral resource of 15 million MT at 1.0 percent lithium oxide.
In its fiscal H1 2025 financial update, Liontown reported that over 100,000 wet metric tons of spodumene concentrate had been shipped from Kathleen Valley between July and the end of December.
Liontown’s shares rose to a Q1 high of AU$0.735 on March 19, 2025, shortly after the release of the half year results.
3. Delta Lithium (ASX:DLI)
Year-to-date gain: 9.09 percent
Market cap: AU$125.39 million
Share price: AU$0.18
Delta Lithium is a diversified exploration and development company focused on discovering high quality, lithium bearing pegmatite deposits in Western Australia.
Currently, Delta is developing the Mount Ida gold and lithium project, which reportedly has a JORC-compliant resource of 14.6 million MT grading 1.2 percent. Additionally, the company is exploring its Yinnetharra lithium project, including the Malinda deposit, in the Upper Gascoyne Region.
Company shares registered a Q1 high of AU$0.20 on January 14.
On January 21, Delta released an exploration update for Yinnetharra that highlighted drilling and metallurgical results from the M1 pegmatite at the Malinda deposit.
“The program has realised highly positive metallurgical results, with pilot plant spodumene recoveries exceeding our Internal financial modelling and proving the whole-of-ore flotation flowsheet as suitable for the M1 mineralogy,” Managing Director James Croser said.
In a subsequent financial statement, Delta noted the submission of the mining lease application for the Malinda mining area and the commencement of Native Title negotiations. The company is also advancing its environmental permitting process at Malinda.
Top US Lithium Stocks
1. SQM (NYSE:SQM)
Year-to-date gain: 9.29 percent
Market cap: AU$11.36 billion
Share price: US$40.23
SQM is one of the world’s largest lithium producers with projects in South America and China, outputting both lithium carbonate and hydroxide.
In 2024, SQM produced approximately 210,000 MT of lithium, with about 180,000 MT sourced from its chemical plant in northern Chile and an additional 30,000 MT processed in China.
The lithium major also saw lithium sales increase 21 percent year-over-year to nearly 205,000 MT of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
“However, the increase in volume was not enough to offset the continuous decline in prices, a trend we have been observing since early 2023,” the 2024 earnings report noted. “As a result, our average realized price dropped by more than 64 percent, from US$30,467 per ton in 2023 to US$10,936 per ton in 2024.”
Shares of SQM reached a Q1 high of US$45.61 on March 17, 2025.
In late February, SQM’s US$7 million investment in Andrada Mining’s (LSE:ATM,OTCQB:ATMTF)Lithium Ridge project received final approval from the Namibian government. The deal will see SQM obtain a 30 percent stake in the project with an option to increase to 50 percent.
FAQs for investing in lithium
How much lithium is on Earth?
While we don't know how much total lithium is on Earth, the US Geological Survey estimates that global reserves of lithium stand at 22 billion metric tons. Of that, 9.2 billion MT are located in Chile, and 5.7 billion MT are in Australia.
Where is lithium mined?
Lithium is mined throughout the world, but the two countries that produce the most are Australia and Chile. Australia's lithium comes from primarily hard-rock deposits, while Chile's comes from lithium brines. Chile is part of the Lithium Triangle alongside Argentina and Bolivia, although those two countries have a lower annual output.
Rounding out the top five lithium-producing countries behind Australia and Chile are China, Argentina and Brazil.
What is lithium used for?
Lithium has many uses, including the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles, smartphones and other tech, as well as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, grease, lubricants and heat-resistant glass. Still, it is largely the electric vehicle industry that is boosting demand.
How to invest in lithium?
Those looking to get into the lithium market have many options when it comes to how to invest in lithium.
Lithium stocks like those mentioned above could be a good option for investors interested in the space. If you’re looking to diversify instead of focusing on one stock, there is the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (NYSE:LIT), an exchange-traded fund (ETF) focused on the metal. Experienced investors can also look at lithium futures.
Unlike many commodities, investors cannot physically hold lithium due to its dangerous properties.
How to buy lithium stocks?
Through the use of a broker or an investing service such as an app, investors can purchase lithium stocks and ETFs that match their investing outlook.
Before buying a lithium stock, potential investors should take time to research the companies they’re considering; they should also decide how many shares will be purchased, and what price they are willing to pay. With many options on the market, it's critical to complete due diligence before making any investment decisions.
It's also important for investors to keep their goals in mind when choosing their investing method. There are many factors to consider when choosing a broker, as well as when looking at investing apps — a few of these include the broker or app's reputation, their fee structure and investment style.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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03 April
Livium to Advance Battery Recycling with AU$850,000 Government Grant
Livium (ASX:LIT) subsidiary Envirostream Australia said on Wednesday (April 2) that it has executed an AU$850,000 grant funding agreement with the Western Australian government.
The grant will partially fund the development of Envirostream’s battery-recycling facility in Western Australia.
The money is being provided via an electronic waste (e-waste) infrastructure grants program, an initiative designed to support a statewide ban on sending e-waste to landfills that began on July 1, 2024.
Livium first announced the grant in November 2024, saying that the recycling facility will collect, sort, discharge and store batteries to establish integrated end-of-life battery processing domestically.
The facility forms part of Envirostream’s efforts to build a nationwide solution for e-waste management.
“This funding agreement with the WA Government represents another significant step forward in our mission to establish a sustainable national battery recycling ecosystem,” said Livium Managing Director and CEO Simon Linge.
“The company’s long-term recycling strategy also involves the development of battery processing capabilities in WA and other states once minimum collection volumes are met," he added.
According to Livium, the grant is part of a recently announced additional AU$5.4 million in support for e-waste recycling initiatives in Western Australia. This amount is on top of AU$10 million in government grants to date.
Envirostream was launched in 2017 and is the first onshore company to offer lithium and mixed battery recycling in Australia. Its goal is to provide solutions for lithium-ion battery recycling.
Livium has been strengthening its position in the battery-recycling industry over the years.
On March 24, the company signed an exclusive recycling agreement with leading power tool manufacturer Hilti. Livium will exclusively recycle Hilti Fleet Management batteries over an initial period of three years.
The deal officially commenced on Tuesday (April 1).
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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01 April
4 Best-performing ASX Lithium Stocks of 2025
Global demand for lithium presents a significant opportunity for Australia, which is home to many ASX lithium mining stocks as the world's top lithium producer.
Australia’s abundant lithium reserves and strong mining sector, position the country as a key player in the battery value chain into the 2030s. However, rapid electric vehicle (EV) market growth projections drove increased lithium mining rates, leading to a global surplus.
Against that backdrop, Australia’s lithium sector faced headwinds in Q1 2025 due to falling global lithium prices and continued market oversupply.
As profit margins across the sector tightened, mining companies implemented production cuts, shuttered projects and cancelled expansion plans. Additionally, some refining operations were put on hold amid the unfavourable economic conditions.
The challenges that have plagued the lithium market over the past year have prompted speculation that the market has bottomed and prices will begin to recover by year’s end.
Despite the current downturn the lithium market long term outlook remains bright. The closing of Rio Tinto’s (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO)AU$6.7 billion acquisition of Arcadium Lithium underscores the long-term potential that major miners see in the lithium sector. Rio Tinto also made headlines in late March with reports that it was engaged in preliminary talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo about developing the massive Roche Dure lithium deposit.
Below the Investing News Network looks at the top four ASX-listed lithium companies by year-to-date gains.
The list below was generated using TradingView’s stock screener on March 27, 2025, and Australian lithium companies with market caps above AU$10 million at that time were considered for inclusion.
1. Tyranna Resources (ASX:TYX)
Year-to-date gain: 40 percent
Market cap: AU$23.02 million
Share price: AU$0.007
Africa-focused explorer Tyranna Resources is currently focused on its flagship Muvero lithium project in Angola.
In a January 30 update, Tyranna reported it completed a drill program totalling 11 diamond drill holes spanning 817 meters. Initial results from drilling at the Muvero and Loop prospects confirmed visible spodumene-bearing pegmatite. Additionally, core from the Muvero prospect will be used for metallurgical testing and structural data.
The company is also pursuing and evaluating additional projects that align with its strategy of focusing on in-demand metals, and had applied for one licence at that time.
Shares of Tyranna reached a quarterly high of AU$0.007 several times over the three month period.
2. Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR)
Year-to-date gain: 24.53 percent
Market cap: AU$1.58 billion
Share price: AU$0.66
Liontown Resources has two assets in Western Australia, including the producing Kathleen Valley mine, which entered production during the second half of 2024 and transitioned to commercial production in January 2025.
The company's Buldania project in the Eastern Goldfields Province of Western Australia has an initial mineral resource of 15 million tonnes at 1.0 percent lithium oxide.
In its fiscal H1 2025 financial update, Liontown reported that over 100,000 wet metric tons of spodumene concentrate had been shipped from Kathleen Valley between July and the end of December.
Liontown’s shares rose to a Q1 high of AU$0.735 on March 19, 2025, shortly after the release of the half year results.
3. Delta Lithium (ASX:DLI)
Year-to-date gain: 9.09 percent
Market cap: AU$125.39 million
Share price: AU$0.18
Delta Lithium is a diversified exploration and development company focused on discovering high quality, lithium bearing pegmatite deposits in Western Australia.
Currently, Delta is developing the Mount Ida gold and lithium project, which reportedly has a JORC-compliant resource of 14.6 million tonnes grading 1.2 percent. Additionally, the company is exploring its Yinnetharra lithium project, including the Malinda deposit, in the Upper Gascoyne Region.
Company shares registered a Q1 high of AU$0.20 on January 14.
On January 21, Delta released an exploration update for Yinnetharra that highlighted drilling and metallurgical results from the M1 pegmatite at the Malinda deposit.
“The program has realised highly positive metallurgical results, with pilot plant spodumene recoveries exceeding our Internal financial modelling and proving the whole-of-ore flotation flowsheet as suitable for the M1 mineralogy,” Managing Director James Croser said.
In a subsequent financial statement, Delta noted the submission of the mining lease application for the Malinda mining area and the commencement of Native Title negotiations. The company is also advancing its environmental permitting process at Malinda.
4. Future Battery Minerals (ASX:FBM)
Year-to-date gain: 5.56 percent
Market cap: AU$12.64 million
Share price: AU$0.019
Explorer and developer Future Battery Minerals (FBM) is advancing its flagship Coolgardie lithium project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields region.
The project includes FBM's wholly owned Kangaroo Hills lithium project and the 85 percent-owned Miriam lithium project.
Shares of FBM marked a Q1 high of AU$0.028 on January 9, 2025.
On January 22, FBM announced the expansion of the Coolgardie project footprint through the application for new tenements near the asset.
In its report for the quarter ended in December 2024, released in late January, FBM outlined near-term plans for the Coolgardie project, including completing its ground gravity survey. The company also reported that initial drilling of high-priority lithium targets at the Miriam project remains on track for H1 2025, while the mining lease application for Kangaroo Hills is advancing.
4. Future Battery Minerals (ASX:FBM)
Year-to-date gain: 5.56 percent
Market cap: AU$12.64 million
Share price: AU$0.019
Explorer and developer Future Battery Minerals (FBM) is advancing its flagship Coolgardie lithium project in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields region.
The project includes FBM's wholly owned Kangaroo Hills lithium project and the 85 percent-owned Miriam lithium project.
Shares of FBM marked a Q1 high of AU$0.028 on January 9, 2025.
On January 22, FBM announced the expansion of the Coolgardie project footprint through the application for new tenements near the asset.
In its report for the quarter ended in December 2024, released in late January, FBM outlined near-term plans for the Coolgardie project, including completing its ground gravity survey. The company also reported that initial drilling of high-priority lithium targets at the Miriam project remains on track for H1 2025, while the mining lease application for Kangaroo Hills is advancing.
FAQs for investing in lithium
What is lithium?
Lithium is the lightest metal on the periodic table, and it is used in a wide variety of applications, including lithium-ion batteries, pharmaceuticals and industrial applications like glass and steel.
How do lithium-ion batteries work?
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries work by using the flow of lithium ions in the battery's cell to power a device.
A lithium-ion battery has one or more cells, depending on the amount of energy storage it is capable of, and each cell has a positive electrode and negative electrode with an electrolyte separating them. When the battery is in use, lithium ions flow from the negative electrode to the positive electrode, running out of power once all have transferred. When the battery is charging, ions flow the opposite way.
Where is lithium mined?
Lithium is mined from two types of deposits, hard rock and evaporated brines. Most of the world's lithium production comes out of Australia, which hosts the Greenbushes hard-rock lithium mine. The next-largest producing country is Chile, which like Argentina and Bolivia is located in South America's Lithium Triangle.
Lithium in this famed area comes from evaporated brines, including the Salar de Atacama. Lithium can also be found in sedimentary deposits, but currently none are producing.
Where is lithium found in Australia?
Australia is the world’s top producer of lithium, and its lithium mines are all located in Western Australia except for one, which is Core Lithium’s (ASX:CXO,OTC Pink:CXOXF) Finniss mine in the Northern Territory. Western Australia accounts for around half of global lithium production, and the state is looking to become a hub for critical elements.
Who owns lithium mines in Australia?
Several companies own lithium mines in Australia, including some of the biggest ASX lithium stocks. In addition to the entities discussed above, others include: Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS,OTC Pink:PILBF) with its Pilgangoora operations; Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium (HKEX:0358), which owns the Mount Marion mine alongside Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF); and Tianqi Lithium (SZSE:002466), which is a partial owner of Greenbushes via its stake in operator Talison Lithium.
Who is Australia’s largest lithium producer?
Australia’s largest lithium producer is Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), which has interests in both the Greenbushes and Wodgina hard-rock lithium mines. Greenbushes is the world’s largest lithium mine, and Albemarle holds 49 percent ownership of operator Talison Lithium’s parent company.
Albermarle also has 60 percent ownership of Mineral Resources’ Wodgina mine, and owns the Kemerton lithium production facility as part of a 60/40 joint venture with Mineral Resources.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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