
February 01, 2023
Battery and critical metals explorer and developer Pan Asia Metals Limited (ASX: PAM) (‘PAM’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to provide an update for eighteen (18) more drill holes completed at the Reung Kiet lithium prospect. Results continue to support thegeological model of extensive lithium mineralisation hosted in lepidolite rich pegmatite dykes-veins and adjacent metasediments. The mineralised zone is currently defined over a strike length of plus 1km and remains open along strike to the north and south, and at depth especially in the south.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Assay results for eighteen (18) holes (RKDD073-091 and RKDD032) completed at the Reung Kiet Lithium Project in southern Thailand have been received.
- Step out drilling demonstrates extensions at depth and along strike of the existing Mineral Resource.
- Infill drilling supports geological interpretation of existing Mineral Resource.
- Assay results include:
- Infill and extensional drilling is ongoing, currently drilling hole RKDD101.
- Drilling planned at the Bang I Tum lithium prospect 8km to the north of Reung Kiet to evaluate recently reported Exploration Target and adjacent target zones.
Pan Asia Metals Managing Director Paul Lock said: “We near the end of the drilling program at the Reung Kiet Lithium Prospect and the results remain very positive with the step out drilling continuing to demonstrate extensions at depth and along strike of the existing Mineral Resource and the infill drilling supporting and enhancing the existing Mineral Resource. The results at the southern end of the prospect are particularly good. Final assays required for the updated Mineral Resource will be received shortly and then CSA Global will start the required modelling and estimation work. A move to Bang I Tum is imminent and then we can start our diamond drilling program there to test the Exploration Target as well as the extension zone as previously reported. We are quite excited about this program; non-selective rock chip and channel assays were some of the highest received at Reung Kiet, with 44 of 64 samples average 1.56% Li2O at a 0.30% Li2O cutoff, 35 samples were greater than 1.00% Li2O, 12 samples greater than 2.00% Li2O and the maximum grade was 2.62% Li2O.”
The Reung Kiet Lithium Project (RKLP) is one of PAM’s key assets. RKLP is a hard rock lithium project with lithium hosted in lepidolite/mica rich pegmatites chiefly composed of quartz, albite, lepidolite and muscovite, with minor cassiterite and tantalite as well as other accessory minerals. Previous open pit mining extracting tin from the weathered pegmatites was conducted into the early 1970’s.
PAM’s objective has been to continue drilling with the aim of increasing and upgrading the existing Mineral Resource, which will then be used as part of a Pre-Feasibility Study that will consider various options to determine the technical and economic viability of the project including the production profile of lithium carbonate and or lithium hydroxide and associated by-products. PAM is focusing on lepidolite as a source of lithium as peer group studies indicate that lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide projects using lepidolite as their plant feedstock have the potential to be placed near the bottom of the cost curve. Lepidolite has also been demonstrated to have a lower carbon emission intensity than other lithium sources.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Pan Asia Metals Limited, 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.
PAM:AU
The Conversation (0)
09 July 2023
Pan Asia Metals
Overview
Pan Asia Metals (ASX: PAM) is the only publicly traded battery metals company with advanced lithium projects in South-East Asia, strategically located in Thailand – the largest vehicle producer in the region. With Asia accounting for more than half of the global annual vehicle production, PAM is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the soaring demand for battery minerals in the region. PAM's dedication to producing innovative, high-value products with a minimal carbon footprint makes us an ideal partner for meeting our needs in both battery chemicals and sustainable energy. PAM is also a respected local company, with a strategy focused on developing an integrated supply chain to cost-effectively deliver relevant and in-demand products to the Li-ion battery market. PAM is rapidly advancing its Reung Kiet lithium project through pre-feasibility studies and plans to expand its global lithium resource sustainably through the Kata Thong project, also located in Thailand, and other potential low-cost projects globally.
The move toward a green economy is in full swing as automakers and world governments shift focus to electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean technologies in a global push to achieve carbon-reduction targets. Asia is at the forefront of this transition, both in terms of adoption and opportunities, and the ASEAN countries to the south are following suit with Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia positioning to attract battery and EV manufacturers.
EV adoption in mature Asian markets ranged between 1.2 percent and 16.1 percent in 2021, but emerging markets are also making strides. Thailand topped emerging market adoption at 0.7 percent in 2021. Governments are ramping up EV and emissions regulations, including China, South Korea, and Japan. Thailand’s 3030 EV Policy aims to reach 30 percent of domestic EV vehicle production by 2030. Miners within the region are poised for significant growth as Asia embraces clean technology with a focus on developing a domestic supply chain of battery metals.
Pan Asia Metals’ lithium and tungsten assets in Thailand are currently the only advanced lithium projects in Southeast Asia, creating a unique value proposition for low-cost operation and a significant opportunity to value-add its production. Pan Asia Metals is currently the only lithium explorer in Southeast Asia. The company is led by an experienced management team with direct experience in and a deep understanding of the geopolitical environment in Southeast Asia.
The company operates three projects in Thailand, with 100 percent ownership in each. The Reung Kiet Lithium Project (RKLP), the company’s flagship asset, comprises the aptly named Reung Kiet Prospect (RK) and the Bang I Tum (BIT) prospect. RK contains a JORC-compliant 10.4 million tonnes of lithium oxide at 0.44 percent, and PAM is completing the drill program for a resource upgrade in both tonnes and JORC category. The company is about to start drilling at BIT, which has a drill-supported JORC-compliant 8 to 14 million tonnes of 0.5-0.8 percent lithium oxide. Recent ore sorting of RK samples saw an upgrade in the feed to 1 percent lithium oxide whilst removing over 60 percent of the waste material. Recent rock chip assays at BIT increased the target area of mineralization by over 200 percent with 44 of the 64-rock chip and channel samples averaging 1.56 percent lithium oxide and over 70 percent of these >1.0 percent lithium oxide and over 25 percent >2.0 percent lithium oxide.
The secondary Kata Thong lithium project is Pan Asia Metal’s second project which contains five application areas with a combination of historic hard rock tin mines and geothermal fields, which are believed to be rich in lithium. The area has produced rock chip assays up to 0.27 percent lithium. Pan Asia Metals’ third asset, Khao Soon, contains tungsten deposits, a metal critical to industrial activity.
A strategic goal of Pan Asia Metals is to ‘move beyond the mine gate’ by adding more value that extends through the supply chain. The company plans to not only explore and develop assets but will also take on processing and refinement to create a final product that is ready for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries. This strategic focus enables the company to provide more immediate value by delivering a high-grade product rather than raw lithium.
Pan Asia Metals is located near the largest manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. Three of the top Asian auto manufacturers are within Thailand and accessible by all modes of transport. Additional industrial centers are nearby in Malaysia and Singapore. The proximity of these manufacturers allows Pan Asia Metals to further reduce its costs and carbon footprint. Thailand is a low-cost environment with an advanced industrial economy, creating numerous opportunities for cost savings.
A team of experienced managers and explorers leads the company toward its goals of developing and refining critical minerals for manufacturing. In addition to directly applicable experience in the mining industry, leadership members also deeply understand the local business environment offering confidence in its ability to fully capitalize on its assets.
Company Highlights
- Pan Asia Metals is an exploration and development company with assets in Southeast Asia focusing on the critical minerals necessary for clean energy transformation.
- Beyond developing highly prolific deposits, the company wants to move beyond the mine gate by refining and processing a high-grade product ready for cathode manufacturing.
- Pan Asia Metals operates three 100-percent-owned projects in Thailand targeting lithium and tungsten deposits.
- The Reung Kiet flagship project has a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 10.4 million tonnes of lithium at 0.44 percent, with a resource expansion due soon.
- Pan Asia Metals operates two additional assets with significant hard rock lithium and tungsten deposits for future development.
- An experienced managed team with a deep understanding of the Southeast Asian market and the mining industry leads the company towards fully developing its assets.
- The company executed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with VinES Energy Solutions Joint Stock Company for the evaluation of a standalone lithium conversion facility in Vietnam for an initial annual capacity of 20-25,000tpa of lithium carbonate and / or lithium hydroxide.
- Pan Asian Metals discovered new pegmatite zones at the Bang I Tum Lithium Prospect located about eight kilometers north of the Reung Kiet Lithium Prospect in southern Thailand.
et access to more exclusive Lithium Investing Stock profiles here
Keep reading...Show less
First-mover Advantage in Critical Metals for Southeast Asia Market
2h
Landsat Data Shapes Lithium Mining Plans at Nevada’s Thacker Pass
A Nevada lithium project central to US efforts to secure domestic mineral supply is leaning on a half-century-old satellite program for modern answers.
The Geological Survey’s Landsat program, managed with NASA, has provided continuous Earth observations since 1972. Its freely available images allow scientists and industry leaders to measure landscape changes with precision.
In northern Nevada, those insights are proving crucial as Lithium Americas works to advance Thacker Pass in a way that meets strict environmental and land-use standards.
“Landsat imagery is valuable for critical minerals project development because it provides consistent, long-term data that document land use changes and geological features, assess environmental receptors and support planning decisions,” said Alexi Zawadzki, president of North American operations for Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC), in a USGS report.
When planning began, Landsat data revealed that the original mine site overlapped with important sage-grouse habitat.
Although the bird is not a protected species, its sharp population decline since the 1960s has made it an indicator of ecosystem health in Nevada’s rangelands. The finding prompted developers to shift the project six miles south, away from prime territory.
Water use is another critical challenge faced by the project. Landsat data has been paired with field checks to estimate groundwater levels, using differences in vegetation to infer depth.
With this data, the Thacker Pass project aims to recycle processed water up to seven times and to operate as a “zero liquid discharge facility.”
Unlike traditional lithium brine operations, the project will extract lithium from clay deposits. Tailings will be stored in dry facilities and later reused for reclamation work.
Economic promise
Lithium Americas estimates construction of Thacker Pass could generate more than US$700 million annually and support 1,800 jobs. Once operational, economic activity linked to the mine could average US$2.1 billion per year, according to a University of Nevada, Reno study.
Lithium is a cornerstone of batteries that power smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The US ranks third globally in known lithium resources but remains dependent on imports.
Due to the resource’ growing importance, developing domestic supply has become a matter of both industrial policy and national security.
Landsat’s value, is hardly confined to mining. A 2023 economic analysis placed its annual contributions to US industries at US$25.6 billion, spanning everything from gold exploration to reduced insurance costs for farmers.
For Thacker Pass, the test will come as mining gets underway. But for now, the view from space has already reshaped how the project is planned and envisioned moving forward.
By applying Landsat data, planners hope to show that resource extraction and environmental stewardship can advance together.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Keep reading...Show less
19h
Livium Expands Clean Energy Waste Recycling Capabilities
19h
Green Technology Metals: Delivering the Next Lithium Hub in North America
Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) is progressing Ontario’s first integrated lithium business, anchored by its Seymour, Root, and Junior projects, with plans to supply a proposed lithium hydroxide facility in Thunder Bay.
GT1 is leveraging Canadian policy support for critical minerals, with Ontario’s Building More Mines Act and federal programs. The company has secured conditional approval for C$5.5M from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) for Seymour infrastructure, a C$100M financing LOI from Export Development Canada, and has pending applications with SIF/NRCan and CMIF Round 2, including C$5M tied to Root. These mechanisms help de-risk financing and advance development.
GT1’s three-phase strategy starts with Seymour production using a DMS concentrator, followed by construction of the Thunder Bay lithium hydroxide facility with EcoPro Innovation, and finally, development of Root as a larger, long-life mining hub feeding Thunder Bay.
Company Highlights
- Integrated strategy in Ontario: The Seymour and Root projects form the foundation for a vertically integrated lithium business, supported by a proposed lithium hydroxide plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with rail, port, power, gas and water access.
- Marketing and offtake secured: LG Energy Solution has a binding offtake for 25 percent of Seymour concentrate and has invested directly into the company, demonstrating strong downstream demand.
- Strategic process partner: EcoPro Innovation is co-developing the conversion facility. Pilot work has already produced battery-grade lithium hydroxide with high recoveries.
- Government backing: GT1 has secured conditional approval for significant funding programs, including C$5.5 million for road upgrades, a C$100 million project financing support LOI from EDC, and additional CMIF and SIF applications.
- Resource base: A combined inventory of over 30 Mt @ ~1.2 percent lithium oxide across Seymour and Root, providing both near-term production and long-life scale.
- By-product upside: Seymour hosts a significant rubidium resource in mica streams that could be recovered alongside lithium, creating an additional revenue line.
This Green Technology Metals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Click here to connect with Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) to receive an Investor Presentation
Keep reading...Show less
23h
Green Technology Metals
Investor Insight
Green Technology Metals aims to build Ontario’s first integrated lithium business, developing two mining hubs and a downstream conversion facility to supply North America’s fast-growing EV and battery industry. The company’s approach is straightforward: bring Seymour into production, secure the downstream footprint at Thunder Bay with EcoPro, and then layer in Root as a long-life second feed. The plan is underpinned by offtake agreements, government funding and a management team with direct experience building lithium mines.
Overview
Green Technology Metals (ASX:GT1) is building Ontario, Canada’s first integrated lithium business, anchored by three upstream assets and a planned downstream conversion facility. The portfolio consists of the flagship Seymour project, the large-scale Root lithium project, and the Junior exploration project, which together provide a clear pipeline of feed into a proposed lithium hydroxide facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The company is actively leveraging Canadian policy support for critical minerals development and supporting a growing number of EV and battery manufacturers in Ontario. The province’s Building More Mines Act, alongside several federal programs, is creating a supportive funding environment for new projects. GT1 has already received conditional approval for C$5.5 million from the Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF) to support road and infrastructure upgrades at Seymour. In addition, the company has received a letter of intent for a C$100-million project financing support from Export Development Canada, and has pending applications with SIF/NRCan and CMIF Round 2, including a C$5-million submission tied to the Root project. These mechanisms substantially de-risk the financing path and provide tangible momentum toward development.
The strategy is being executed in three phases. First, Seymour will be brought into production with a concentrator based on a dense media separation flowsheet, taking advantage of coarse spodumene mineralogy and proven metallurgical performance. Second, GT1 will construct the Thunder Bay lithium conversion facility in partnership with EcoPro Innovation, replicating proven hydrometallurgical technology to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Finally, Root will be developed as the company’s second, larger mining hub, designed to provide long-life scale and additional feed into the Thunder Bay facility.
Pilot processing of 600 kg of Seymour concentrate produced exceptional overall recoveries averaging >94 percent.
Strategic partnerships reinforce this integrated model. LG Energy Solution has secured a binding offtake for a portion of Seymour’s concentrate production and has invested directly into GT1, providing early validation of the project’s place in the EV supply chain. EcoPro Innovation, as the company’s technical partner on the Thunder Bay facility, has already piloted Seymour concentrate into high-purity lithium hydroxide.
Company Highlights
- Integrated strategy in Ontario: The Seymour and Root projects form the foundation for a vertically integrated lithium business, supported by a proposed lithium hydroxide plant in Thunder Bay, Ontario, with rail, port, power, gas and water access.
- Marketing and offtake secured: LG Energy Solution has a binding offtake for 25 percent of Seymour concentrate and has invested directly into the company, demonstrating strong downstream demand.
- Strategic process partner: EcoPro Innovation is co-developing the conversion facility. Pilot work has already produced battery-grade lithium hydroxide with high recoveries.
- Government backing: GT1 has secured conditional approval for significant funding programs, including C$5.5 million for road upgrades, a C$100 million project financing support LOI from EDC, and additional CMIF and SIF applications.
- Resource base: A combined inventory of over 30 Mt @ ~1.2 percent lithium oxide across Seymour and Root, providing both near-term production and long-life scale.
- By-product upside: Seymour hosts a significant rubidium resource in mica streams that could be recovered alongside lithium, creating an additional revenue line.
Key Projects
Seymour Lithium Project
The Seymour lithium project, near Armstrong, Ontario, contains a total resource of 10.3 million tonnes (Mt) @ 1.03 percent lithium oxide, including 6.1 Mt indicated @ 1.25 percent lithium oxide. Mineralization is hosted in the North and South Aubry pegmatites, which remain open along strike and at depth. An optimized preliminary economic assessment (PEA) demonstrated strong project economics based on a DMS-only concentrator producing 130 ktpa. Key numbers include a C1 cash cost of US$680/t, an after-tax NPV of US$251 million, an IRR of 33 percent, and a three-and-a-half-year payback.
The project benefits from existing road and rail access, low strip ratios, and simple metallurgy with coarse spodumene that responds well to dense medium separation (DMS). Mining leases were granted in August 2025, the environmental assessment submission has been lodged, and the closure plan is nearing completion.
An offtake agreement with LG Energy Solution secures sales for 25 percent of initial concentrate production. Seymour also includes a maiden rubidium resource (8.3 Mt @ 0.27 percent rubidium oxide, with a 3.4 Mt high-grade core at 0.40 percent), which can be recovered from mica streams already separated in the flow sheet, creating potential for a by-product circuit.
Thunder Bay Lithium Conversion Facility
GT1 and EcoPro Innovation are developing a lithium hydroxide monohydrate facility in Thunder Bay. The selected site is fully serviced with rail access, 44 kV power, municipal water and gas, and port facilities. The plant will replicate EcoPro’s operating hydromet trains, with two parallel ~13 ktpa back-end lines designed to scale with Seymour and Root concentrate supply.
Pilot-scale processing of 600 kg of Seymour concentrate at EcoPro’s Pohang facility achieved battery-grade lithium hydroxide, meeting downstream specifications with >94 percent overall recovery. This demonstration significantly de-risks the conversion step and supports ongoing financing discussions with Invest Ontario, SIF and EDC. The project is being advanced through PFS-level engineering, with permitting and JV structuring underway.
Root Lithium Project
Located in Northwestern Ontario, Root is GT1’s scale project, hosting 14.6 Mt @ 1.21 percent lithium oxide (10.0 Mt Indicated @ 1.32 percent). The April 2025 optimized PEA outlined a combined open-pit and underground mining scenario producing ~213 ktpa. The project carries a C1 cost of ~US$677/t, an after-tax NPV of US$668 million, an IRR of 53.5 percent, and a three-year payback.Root enjoys outstanding infrastructure advantages: road and rail access, proximity to port, and most critically, grid hydro power delivered by the Watay transmission line, reducing both operating costs and upfront capex for power infrastructure. Drilling has confirmed stacked pegmatite bodies that remain open along strike and down dip, leaving scope for significant resource expansion. A bulk sample has been completed, with further testwork and pilot runs at EcoPro planned. Permitting is in its early stages, with a PFS targeted for 2026 and potential construction by late 2027.
Junior Lithium Project
The Junior project is located near Seymour and contains three drill-ready targets. Its proximity to the planned Seymour concentrator makes it a strategic satellite project, with the potential to extend Seymour’s mine life and provide incremental feed. Drilling is expected to test these targets in upcoming campaigns, potentially increasing the overall feed available for the Seymour hub.
Management Team
John Young – Non-executive Chairman
John Young co-founded Pilbara Minerals and played a key role in transforming it into a multi-billion-dollar lithium producer. His background as a geologist spans more than three decades, with significant contributions across discovery, development and financing of lithium and gold projects. At GT1, Young provides strategic oversight and proven operational expertise to scale a lithium developer into a fully integrated producer.
Cameron Henry – Managing Director
Cameron Henry was appointed managing director in June 2024, stepping up from his earlier role as executive director. A founder and substantial shareholder of GT1, Henry has over 20 years’ experience in minerals processing and project delivery. Prior to GT1, he built Primero Group into a respected global leader in lithium infrastructure EPC, successfully executing major projects in Australia and globally. His role is to drive Seymour into production and to lead the execution of the Thunder Bay downstream strategy.
Patrick Murphy – Non-executive Director
Patrick Murphy brings nearly two decades of experience in resource sector investment and deal-making. He has held senior positions at Macquarie and AMCI Group, with expertise in capital deployment, project financing and strategic partnerships. His presence on GT1’s board ensures strong connectivity to the financial community and a disciplined approach to structuring project funding.
Robin Longley – Non-executive Director
With more than 30 years of experience in exploration and project evaluation, Robin Longley is a seasoned geologist who has led successful exploration and development programs across lithium, gold and other critical minerals in Australia, Canada and Africa. His practical technical knowledge and management experience strengthen GT1’s ability to evaluate and expand its Ontario portfolio.
Han Seung Cho – Non-executive Director
Representing EcoPro Innovation, Han Seung Cho serves as a direct link between GT1 and its strategic partner on the Thunder Bay conversion facility. As general manager of EcoPro’s strategic business team, he brings decades of experience in lithium procurement, downstream offtake structuring, and project development for LHM plants. His position ensures that GT1’s downstream ambitions remain closely aligned with end-user requirements in the battery sector.
Keep reading...Show less
17 September
Livium Signs Binding Term Sheet with Iondrive related to DES Technology for Clean Energy Waste Recycling
Livium Ltd (ASX: LIT) ("Livium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a binding term sheet (“Term Sheet”) with Iondrive Limited (ASX: ION) (“Iondrive”), an Australian company developing an innovative metal extraction process using Deep Eutectic Solvent technology (DES), via their subsidiary Iondrive AU Pty Ltd.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Livium has signed a binding Term Sheet with Iondrive to advance the recycling of clean energy waste using Iondrive’s innovative Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) technology
- Livium will supply Iondrive with end-of-life solar panels, lithium-ion battery black mass, rare earth element (REE) magnets, to support evaluation of Iondrive's high-recovery DES process
- Partnership combines Livium’s customer and feedstock access with Iondrive’s novel technology, positioning both to become leaders in Australian clean energy waste processing
- Partnership compliments the recently announced collaboration with the University of Melbourne1, which also relies on the sourcing of waste by Livium
- This significant step further advances Livium’s strategic aim of deploying its recycling capabilities into broader waste markets
In accordance with the Term Sheet, Livium will supply Iondrive with a range of end-of-life materials, including solar panels, lithium-ion battery black mass, rare earth magnets, and other samples. This collaboration will support the continuous development and commercialisation of Iondrive’s DES process, which already demonstrates over 95% recovery rates in testing and offers a sustainable, closed-loop alternative to conventional methods2.
This deal, which follows the recently announced partnership with the University of Melbourne, is a significant step in strengthening the Company’s recycling capabilities across a range of adjacent market opportunities. The results of these programs will inform techno-economic assessments and pave the way for future commercial supply and co-location agreements.
Summary of Key Terms:
- Livium will provide Iondrive with defined waste streams of solar panels, lithium-ion battery black mass, rare earth magnets, and other samples.
- Iondrive will apply its DES processes to evaluate recovery pathways and commercial scalability.
- Iondrive will retain ownership of all DES intellectual property (IP) and results, Livium retains IP in Sample generation.
- Both parties will use their best endeavours to commence negotiations of binding commercial agreements for supply and co-location of DES processing units within 21 months.
- The Term Sheet includes limited exclusivity provisions in Australia during the evaluation period.
- Either party may terminate the agreement on 30 days’ notice, subject to customary conditions.
Adjacent Market Opportunities
Australia's transition to a clean energy future is creating a wealth of adjacent market opportunities in e-waste recycling, with the country's early adoption of renewable technology now generating a substantial and growing stream of end-of-life products.
The most prominent of these is solar panel (PV) recycling, where an estimated 100,000 tonnes of PV waste is projected annually by 20303, creating a significant feedstock opportunity for a nascent industry. Australia stands to unlock over A$1 billion in recoverable materials from end-of-life solar panels by 20354. Capturing this market domestically presents a major opportunity to secure a local supply of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
The market for lithium-ion battery black mass recycling also represents a major growth opportunity within the circular economy. As a key component of end-of-life batteries, black mass is rich in critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. The global market, valued at US$14.4 billion in 2024, is projected to surge to US$51.7 billion by 20325, driven by the explosive adoption of electric vehicles and a global push for sustainable supply chains.
Beyond solar and batteries, the growing e-waste stream is also creating a business case for rare earth element (REE) recycling. While the global REE recycling market is still relatively small, valued at around US$248 million in 2021, it is projected to surpass US$422 million by 20266. This growth is driven by the demand for magnets in EVs and wind turbines, coupled with a global push to reduce reliance on primary REE mining and strengthen supply chain security. Despite low current recycling rates of less than 1%, the high value and critical importance of REE elements create a strong commercial incentive to develop innovative recycling solutions in Australia, ultimately helping to close the loop on the nation's strategic mineral supply.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Livium Ltd, 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.
Keep reading...Show less
10 September
CATL Mine Restart Pressures Australian Lithium Market
Australia’s lithium sector is facing pressure on the back of news that Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) (SZSE:300750,HKEX:3750) is expected to resume production at its Jianxiawo mine.
Operations were halted in August when the mine’s licence expired, with the suspension expected to last three months.
Located in Yichun, Jiangxi province, Jianxiawo produces about 65,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually, roughly 6 to 8 percent of global supply. It is the largest mine in Yichun, often referred to as China’s “lithium capital.”
The restart is expected to tighten competition for Australian producers, which had briefly benefited from the closure and from renewed interest in non-Chinese supply following tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.
ASX lithium stocks take a hit
ASX lithium stocks saw share price declines after news of the CATL restart hit, with Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) falling nearly 17 percent and losing more than half of what it gained after the mine was suspended.
Even mining giants BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) succumbed to the situation, with both seeing 1.7 percent drops on Wednesday (September 10).
Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS,OTC Pink:PILBF) saw a significant decrease as well, dropping 15 percent. MarketScreener states that this was the company’s worst daily performance since June 1, 2022.
Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF) also experienced a drop, falling 8 percent.
These miners have been making strategic moves toward addressing lithium demand.
Rio Tinto acquired Arcadium Lithium in March and is progressing its Rincon project in Argentina.
In August, Mineral Resourced entered into a joint venture with Livium (ASX:LIT) to commercialise the LieNA lithium-processing technology, which is designed to recover lithium from spodumene.
In its latest financial report, Pilbara Minerals underlined progress at its Colina project, which it secured through its acquisition of Latin Resources. As of 2025, Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora mine has dethroned the Greenbushes mine in terms of resource size, at 446 million tonnes at 1.28 percent lithium oxide.
For its part, Liontown commenced commercial production at its Kathleen Valley plant in January. Kathleen Valley produced over 300,000 wet metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate during its first 11 months of operation.
Australia taking steps to support lithium
While the lithium sector remains susceptible to market changes, the Australian government has been making an effort to help mining companies move their projects forward.
Among these is the Battery Breakthrough Initiative, announced in the 2024/2025 federal budget. It seeks to provide AU$500 million in funding to promote the development of battery-manufacturing capabilities in Australia.
The Battery Breakthrough Initiative forms part of the Future Made in Australia agenda, and may provide funding through capital grants, production incentives and the like.
Western Australia has an incentive of its own called the Lithium Support Program, aiming to provide AU$150 million in lithium support via a loan facility for miners and the waiving of port charges and mining tenement fees.
A recent study from the Geological Survey of Western Australia, Curtin University and the University of Western Australia states that Western Australia supplies around 35 percent of the world's lithium, highlighting its potential.
The federal government also passed the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive in February to provide a 10 percent tax break on processing and refining costs for critical minerals, including lithium.
“The incentives are valued at AU$7 billion over the decade,” said Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King, calling the legislation a “historic moment” for the industry.
The incentive is applicable from 2028 to 2040, for up to 10 years per project.
There’s also the National Reconstruction Fund (NRF) and Critical Minerals Facility. The latter’s initial AU$2 billion amount has been doubled to AU$4 billion, plus new investments through the NRF.
Included in the NRF’s recent investments is AU$50 million to support Liontown’s Kathleen Valley.
Fastmarkets was optimistic about the lithium landscape in a February report, projecting that the surplus will shrink to 10,000 tonnes in 2025. After that, it anticipates a deficit of 1,500 tonnes in 2026.
“We’re expecting a rebalancing of market dynamics over the next few years,” a producer told the firm.
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.
Keep reading...Show less
Latest News
Latest Press Releases
Related News
TOP STOCKS
American Battery4.030.24
Aion Therapeutic0.10-0.01
Cybin Corp2.140.00