The Conversation (0)
July 05, 2023
Balkan Mining and Minerals Ltd (“BMM” or “the Company”) (ASX: BMM) is pleased to announce the preliminary results of its recently completed sampling program at the Gorge Lithium Project located in Ontario, Canada (the “Gorge Lithium Project” or the “Project”). This announcement follows on from the successful 2022 channel sampling program, which included 1.8m @ 3.75% Li2O, further confirming significant potential of this project (see ASX Announcement dated 16 December 2022).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Preliminary focused soil sampling results from the Koshman and Nelson occurrences return strong anomalous Li, Cs, and Ta results identifying numerous priority target areas highly prospective for multiple lithium bearing pegmatites.
- Soil sampling data has been integrated with previous exploration results (including rock chip and pegmatite channelling programs) confirming multiple targets for drill testing.
- Assay results for the larger 5km2 grid sampling area pending.
The results of the preliminary sampling program have successfully identified additional lithium anomalies at both the Koshman and Nelson occurrences for follow up testing, whilst further supporting historical geochemical data.
This preliminary sampling program was designed to further enhance extensions of previously identified and outcropping lithium–bearing pegmatites at the Koshman and Nelson occurrences and provide supporting data to tailor the Company’s planned drilling programs. A total of 379 samples were collected from a focused 20x50m grid pattern around these occurrences to test north-northeast trending structures in a 0.25km2 area. Multiple lithium anomalies have been found at both occurrences, providing further support of favourable conditions for LCT pegmatites. These results are detailed below.
Following the completion of this targeted program, the sampling program was stepped out to a wider area at a 100x100m grid pattern, covering a total regional area of approximately 5km2. The assay results from the wider program are pending (refer to Figure 5).
Figure 1 – Lithium (Li) and Cesium (Cs) anomaly at Koshman shows strong positive correlation
Figure 2 – Tantalum (Ta) and Tim (Sn) anomaly at Koshman shows positive correlation
Balkan Mining and Minerals, Managing Director, Ross Cotton commented:
“We are encouraged by these results which further support the success of the channel sampling program conducted in late 2022, reinforcing our confidence in the Gorge Project’s potential. Our technical team have integrated this data to refine priority targets for drill testing as we build on the momentum of our 2023 field season, not only at Gorge but also in particular our Ontario Project portfolio.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Balkan Mining and Minerals, 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.
BMM:AU
19 January
Further Exploration Targets Identified at Bayan Springs
Bayan Mining and Minerals (BMM:AU) has announced Further Exploration Targets Identified at Bayan Springs
31 October 2024
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
06 August
Top 9 Global Lithium Stocks of 2025
Lithium prices continued their downward trajectory in Q2 2025, with battery-grade lithium carbonate hitting a four-year low of US$8,329 per metric ton in late June.
Lithium hydroxide followed suit, as oversupply and bearish sentiment weighed on the market.
Despite strong electric vehicle (EV) demand, mined supply — driven largely by China, Australia, Argentina and emerging African producers — has outpaced consumption, with Fastmarkets forecasting a 260,000 metric ton surplus for 2025.
“The industry is navigating a period of complexity,” said Paul Lusty, head of battery raw materials at Fastmarkets, speaking at the firm’s June lithium conference.
Still, he emphasized that long-term fundamentals remain “anchored in mega trends,” including the global energy transition, AI expansion and climate change mitigation.
In China, production ramp-ups and new fair competition rules have added volatility, while US policy uncertainty under the Trump administration has dampened investor sentiment. Brief price rebounds in July, spurred by speculation over supply cuts, were short-lived, reflecting the market’s sensitivity to rumors over fundamentals.
Even with near-term headwinds, analysts say the structural case for lithium is solid, offering opportunities for long-term-focused investors.
Against this backdrop, some lithium stocks are seeing share price gains. Below, we profile the lithium stocks in Canada, Australia and the US that have performed the best so far in 2025, updating investors on the lithium companies' news and activities.
This list of the top-gaining lithium companies is based on year-to-date as per TradingView’s stock screener. Data for Canadian stocks and US stocks was collected on July 22, 2025, and data for Australian stocks was gathered on July 23, 2025. Lithium stocks with market caps above $10 million in their respective currencies were considered.
1. NOA Lithium Brines (TSXV:NOAL)
Year-to-date gain: 58.82 percent
Market cap: C$77.55 million
Share price: C$0.35
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.
As NOA works to advance its flagship asset, the company brought on Hatch in April to lead the preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
The PEA will evaluate the project's economic and development potential with a target production of 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually, with a scalable plant design that could double capacity to 40,000 metric tons per year.
NOA has also been working to secure a water source in the arid region through a drilling program targeting fresh water. In late June, the company discovered a fresh water source at the project, located near high-grade lithium zones in the project's northeast area. According to the company, the location means the water source could support future production facilities or evaporation ponds.
The well, drilled to 190 meters in the northern part of the property, is being tested and developed.
Shares of NOA reached a year-to-date high C$0.425 on July 17, 2025.
2. Wealth Minerals (TSXV:WML)
Year-to-date gain: 40 percent
Market cap: C$23.93 million
Share price: C$0.07
Wealth Minerals is focused on the acquisition and development of lithium projects in Chile, including the Yapuckuta project in Chile’s Salar de Atacama, as well as the Kuska Salar and Pabellón projects near the Salar de Ollagüe.
Wealth Minerals’ shares spiked to a year-to-date high of C$0.095 on February 9, 2025, following the company’s acquisition of the Pabellón project.
According to Wealth, Pabellón has been shortlisted by Chile’s Ministry of Mining as a potential site for a Special Lithium Operation Contract based on its geological and environmental suitability. Located in Northern Chile near the Bolivia border, the project spans 7,600 hectares across 26 exploration licenses about 70 kilometers south of the Salar de Ollagüe.
In May, Wealth formed a joint venture with the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe to advance the Kuska project. The new entity, Kuska Minerals SpA, is 95 percent owned by Wealth and 5 percent by the community, which also holds anti-dilution rights and a seat on the five-member board.
3. Avalon Advanced Materials (TSX:AVL)
Year-to-date gain: 37.5 percent
Market cap: C$38.26 million
Share price: C$0.055
Avalon Advanced Materials is a Canadian mineral development company focusing on integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain. Avalon is developing the Separation Rapids and Snowbank lithium projects near Kenora, Ontario, and the Lilypad lithium-cesium project near Fort Hope, Ontario.
Separation Rapids and Lilypad are part of a 40/60 joint venture between Avalon and SCR Sibelco, with Sibelco serving as the operator.
Avalon started the year with a revised mineral resource estimate for the Separation Rapids project, which boosted resources in the measured and indicated category by 28 percent.
Company shares rose to C$0.07, a year-to-date high, on July 15, the day after Avalon released its results for its fiscal quarter ended May 31.
A week later, Avalon announced an additional C$1.3 million in funding through its C$15 million convertible security agreement with Lind Global Fund II. The drawdown, expected to close within two weeks, will support project development and general corporate needs, according to the company.
Top US lithium stocks
1. Sociedad Química y Minera (NYSE:SQM)
Year-to-date gain: 10.43 percent
Market cap: US$10.82 billion
Share price: US$40.64
SQM is a major global lithium producer, with operations centered in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. The company extracts lithium from brine and produces lithium carbonate and hydroxide for use in batteries.
SQM is expanding production and holds interests in projects in Australia and China.
Shares of SQM reached a year-to-date high of US$45.61 on March 17, 2025. The spike occurred a few weeks after the company released its 2024 earnings report, which highlighted record sales volumes in the lithium and iodine segments. However, low lithium prices weighed on revenue from the segment, and the company's reported net profit was pulled down significantly due to a large accounting adjustment related to income tax.
In late April, Chile’s competition watchdog approved the partnership agreement between SQM and state-owned copper giant Codelco aimed at boosting output at the Atacama salt flat. The deal, first announced in 2024, reached another milestone when it secured approval for an additional lithium quota from Chile's nuclear energy regulator CChEN.
Weak lithium prices continued to weigh on profits, with the company reporting a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in total revenues for Q1 2025.
2. Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC)
Year-to-date gain: 9.67 percent
Market cap: US$719.1 million
Share price: US$3.29
Lithium Americas is developing its flagship Thacker Pass project in Northern Nevada, US. The project is a joint venture between Lithium Americas at 62 percent and General Motors (NYSE:GM) at 38 percent.
According to the firm, Thacker Pass is the “largest known measured lithium resource and reserve in the world.”
Early in the year, Lithium Americas saw its share rally to a year-to-date high of US$3.49 on January 16, coinciding with a brief rally in lithium carbonate prices.
In March, Lithium Americas secured US$250 million from Orion Resource Partners to advance Phase 1 construction of Thacker Pass. The funding is expected to fully cover development costs through the construction phase. On April 1, the joint venture partners made a final investment decision for the project, with completion targeted for late 2027.
Other notable announcements this year included a new at-the-market equity program, allowing the company to sell up to US$100 million in common shares.
3. Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR)
Year-to-date gain: 8.46 percent
Market cap: US$467.28 million
Share price: US$2.90
Lithium Argentina produces lithium carbonate from its Caucharí-Olaroz brine project in Argentina, developed with Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,HKEX:1772).
The company is also advancing additional regional lithium assets to support EV and battery demand.
Previously named Lithium Americas (Argentina), the company was spun out from Lithium Americas in October 2023.
While shares of Lithium Argentina spiked in early January to a year-to-date high of US$3.10, the share price has been trending higher since June 19 to its current US$2.90 value.
Notable news from the company this year includes its name and ticker change and corporate migration to Switzerland in late January and the release of the full-year 2024 results in March.
In mid-April, Lithium Argentina executed a letter of intent with Ganfeng Lithium to jointly advance development across the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes basins in Argentina. The plan includes a project fully owned by Ganfeng as well as two jointly held assets majority-owned by Lithium Argentina.
The company released its Q1 results on May 15, reporting a 15 percent quarter-over-quarter production reduction, which it attributed to planned shutdowns aimed at increasing recoveries and reducing costs.
Overall, the production guidance for 2025 is forecasted at 30,000 to 35,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, reflecting higher expected production volumes in the second half of the year.
1. Jindalee Lithium (ASX:JLL)
Year-to-date gain: 123.26 percent
Market cap: AU$35.94 million
Share price: AU$0.48
Perth-based Jindalee Lithium is currently focused on its McDermitt lithium project, which it regards as a potential low-cost and long-life lithium source for North America.
On April 22, McDermitt was declared among the US Trump administration's first 10 resource projects designated as Fast-41 Transparency Projects, which is intended to fast track resource projects important to the US's critical minerals supply chain. The designation secures publicly accessible permitting timelines and enhances interagency cooperation for the project.
Shares of Jindalee Lithium spiked to a year-to-date high of AU$0.565 April 30, the day after Jindalee released its March 2025 quarterly activities report.
On July 10, Jindalee announced a memorandum of understanding with US-based LiChem Operations, which is developing its lithium refining process for battery grade lithium. Jindalee will initially supply LiChem with 100 kilograms of ore from McDermitt for testwork.
If both companies are satisfied with the result, Jindalee will provide up to 20 metric tons of further ore to LiChem in stages. There is also potential for Jindalee to negotiate for a license to use LiChem's process in place of the sulfuric acid flowsheet from its prefeasibility study.
2. Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR)
Year-to-date gain: 75.47 percent
Market cap: AU$2.34 billion
Share price: AU$0.93
Liontown Resources has two assets in Western Australia, including the producing Kathleen Valley mine and processing plant. The mine entered open-pit production during the second half of 2024, and the plant reached commercial production in January 2025.
The company is currently transitioning from open-pit to underground mining operations at Kathleen Valley. Underground production stoping kicked off in April of this year, making Kathleen Valley Western Australia’s first underground lithium mine.
Liontown also owns the Buldania lithium project in the Eastern Goldfields province of Western Australia. The project has an initial mineral resource of 15 million metric tons at 1.0 percent lithium oxide.
On June 30, Liontown announced executive leadership changes, appointing Graeme Pettit as interim chief financial officer and Ryan Hair as chief operating officer after CFO Jon Latto and COO Adam Smits decided to step down from the positions.
The company released its fiscal 2025 results on July 29, reporting that Kathleen Valley produced over 300,000 wet metric metric tons of spodumene concentrate during its first 11 months of operations.
Shares of Liontown Resources reached a year-to-date high of AU$1.03 on July 21.
3. Anson Resources (ASX:ASN)
Year-to-date gain: 57.14 percent
Market cap: AU$145.61 million
Share price: AU$0.11
Newport Beach-based Anson Resources is advancing development of its flagship Paradox lithium project and its Green River lithium project, both located the Paradox Basin of Utah, US. It plans to produce lithium from the projects using direct lithium extraction (DLE).
Anson Resources has shared significant developments at Green River this year. According to its March quarterly activities report, the company completed a DLE pilot program with Koch Technology Solutions, producing 43,000 gallons of lithium chloride eluate with an average lithium recovery of 98 percent from brine extracted from Green River's Bosydaba #1 well.
A June maiden JORC mineral resource for Green River estimated 103,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent based solely on drilling at the Bosydaba #1 well. The prior month, the company negotiated a lower royalty rate agreement with the Utah government.
On July 1, the company announced it signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with POSCO Holdings (NYSE:PKX,KRX:005490) to co-develop a DLE demonstration plant at Green River, which POSCO will fully fund.
Anson Resources' share price spiked in mid-July, ultimately climbing to a year-to-date high of AU$0.11 on July 21, following a pair of announcements.
On July 14, Anson reported it shipped about 2 tons of lithium brine to POSCO in South Korea for test work and due diligence. Two days later, it announced that its polishing system, which is installed at Green River, successfully reduced the minor contaminants from the lithium chloride eluate produced in the KOCH DLE pilot program.
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.
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Jindalee Lithium is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
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06 August
5 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 remains the world’s largest lithium miner, supplying nearly 30 percent of global production in 2024, though its dominance is gradually waning as other lithium-producing countries such as Zimbabwe, Argentina and Brazil scale up output.
As a result, oversupply has pushed lithium prices to multiyear lows, with battery-grade spodumene trading under US$800/tonne — pressuring even efficient Australian producers to trim output or delay projects.
Still, demand fundamentals remain intact. In 2024, global lithium demand jumped nearly 30 percent to 220,000 tonnes, driven by soaring EV sales up 35 percent.
Markets expect a gradual price rebound as high-cost supply exits and demand catches up, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) projects spodumene prices rising toward US$1,150/tonne by 2027, and long-term deficits emerging by the end of the decade.
For investors eyeing top ASX lithium stocks, the current environment offers abundant production capacity at discounted valuations, though profitability remains tied to a recovery in global lithium prices.
Below the Investing News Network looks at the top five Australian lithium companies by year-to-date gains. The list below was generated using TradingView’s stock screener on July 23, 2025, and ASX lithium companies with market caps above AU$10 million at that time were considered for inclusion.
1. Jindalee Lithium (ASX:JLL)
Year-to-date gain: 123.26 percent
Market cap: AU$35.94 million
Share price: AU$0.48
Perth-based Jindalee Lithium is currently focused on its McDermitt lithium project, which it regards as a potential low-cost and long-life lithium source for North America.
On April 22, McDermitt was declared among the US Trump administration's first 10 resource projects designated as Fast-41 Transparency Projects, which is intended to fast track resource projects important to the US's critical minerals supply chain. The designation secures publicly accessible permitting timelines and enhances interagency cooperation for the project.
Shares of Jindalee Lithium spiked to a year-to-date high of AU$0.565 April 30, the day after Jindalee released its March 2025 quarterly activities report.
On July 10, Jindalee announced a memorandum of understanding with US-based LiChem Operations, which is developing its lithium refining process for battery grade lithium. Jindalee will initially supply LiChem with 100 kilograms of ore from McDermitt for testwork.
If both companies are satisfied with the result, Jindalee will provide up to 20 tonnes of further ore to LiChem in stages. There is also potential for Jindalee to negotiate for a licence to use LiChem's process in place of the sulphuric acid flowsheet from its prefeasibility study.
2. Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR)
Year-to-date gain: 75.47 percent
Market cap: AU$2.34 billion
Share price: AU$0.93
Liontown Resources has two assets in Western Australia, including the producing Kathleen Valley mine and processing plant. The mine entered open-pit production during the second half of 2024, and the plant reached commercial production in January 2025.
The company is currently transitioning from open-pit to underground mining operations at Kathleen Valley. Underground production stoping kicked off in April of this year, making Kathleen Valley Western Australia’s first underground lithium mine.
Liontown also owns the Buldania lithium project in the Eastern Goldfields province of Western Australia. The project has an initial mineral resource of 15 million tonnes at 1.0 percent lithium oxide.
On June 30, Liontown announced executive leadership changes, appointing Graeme Pettit as interim chief financial officer and Ryan Hair as chief operating officer after CFO Jon Latto and COO Adam Smits decided to step down from the positions.
The company released its fiscal 2025 results on July 29, reporting that Kathleen Valley produced over 300,000 wet metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate during its first 11 months of operations.
Shares of Liontown Resources reached a year-to-date high of AU$1.03 on July 21.
3. Anson Resources (ASX:ASN)
Year-to-date gain: 57.14 percent
Market cap: AU$145.61 million
Share price: AU$0.11
Newport Beach-based Anson Resources is advancing development of its flagship Paradox lithium project and its Green River lithium project, both located the Paradox Basin of Utah, US. It plans to produce lithium from the projects using direct lithium extraction (DLE).
Anson Resources has shared significant developments at Green River this year. According to its March quarterly activities report, the company completed a DLE pilot program with Koch Technology Solutions, producing 43,000 gallons of lithium chloride eluate with an average lithium recovery of 98 percent from brine extracted from Green River's Bosydaba #1 well.
A June maiden JORC mineral resource for Green River estimated 103,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent based solely on drilling at the Bosydaba #1 well. The prior month, the company negotiated a lower royalty rate agreement with the Utah government.
On July 1, the company announced it signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with POSCO Holdings (NYSE:PKX,KRX:005490) to co-develop a DLE demonstration plant at Green River, which POSCO will fully fund.
Anson Resources' share price spiked in mid-July, ultimately climbing to a year-to-date high of AU$0.11 on July 21, following a pair of announcements.
On July 14, Anson reported it shipped about 2 tons of lithium brine to POSCO in South Korea for test work and due diligence. Two days later, it announced that its polishing system, which is installed at Green River, successfully reduced the minor contaminants from the lithium chloride eluate produced in the KOCH DLE pilot program.
4. Future Battery Minerals (ASX:FBM)
Year-to-date gain: 22.22 percent
Market cap: AU$14.81 million
Share price: AU$0.022
Future Battery Minerals' portfolio includes its flagship Kangaroo Hills lithium project and Miriam lithium-gold project, which are part of its Coolgardie lithium projects in Western Australia's Goldfields region. It is also exploring its Coolgardie gold projects: Kal North, Burbanks East and Nepean South.
The company said in a March quarterly activities update that it received a program of works for a maiden Phase 1 drilling program at the Miriam project, with one in place for future drilling at Kangaroo Hills. It plans to schedule exploration drilling at the Coolgardie lithium projects once the metal reaches more favourable market conditions.
"In the interim, FBM is focussed on low-cost preservation of the underlying value that exists within its Kangaroo Hills and Miriam lithium tenure,” the company stated.
On May 19, the company confirmed it acquired the remaining 15 percent interest in the lithium rights at Miriam, as well as all gold and base metal rights.
In its June quarterly report released July 24, Future Battery Minerals discussed its current focus on gold exploration, stating that a gold-focused review of historical drill data at Miriam "highlighted consistent and continuous gold mineralisation ... over more than 600 metres at the Forrest prospect."
The company completed its gold-focused Phase 1 reverse circulation drill program at Miriam's Forrest and Canyon prospects on July 22.
Shares of Future Battery Minerals reached a year-to-date high of AU$0.029 on July 25.
5. Argosy Minerals (ASX:AGY)
Year-to-date gain: 17.86 percent
Market cap: AU$46.08 million
Share price: AU$0.033
Argosy Minerals is currently focused on advancing its Rincon lithium project in Salta Province, Argentina. The project spans 2,794 hectares within the Lithium Triangle. Argosy currently holds a 77.5 percent interest in Rincon, with plans to increase to 90 percent through its earn-in agreement.
It entered production of battery-grade lithium carbonate in 2024 at its 2,000 tonne per year demonstration facility, but has since suspended operations due to the low lithium price environment. The company continues to advance feasibility for its 12,000 tonne per year expansion.
According to Argosy, the project currently holds a JORC total mineral resource estimate of 686,875 tonnes of lithium carbonate.
On June 27, the company announced a lithium carbonate spot sales contract with a Hong Kong-based chemical company for 60 tonnes of 99.5 percent lithium carbonate.
Shares of Argosy surged 79 percent on July 3 to AU$0.034, a move the company attributed in part to the sales contract news as well as to increasing positive sentiment in the sector.
On July 11, Argosy announced that detailed engineering and feasibility works to develop a 7 kilometre electric transmission line able to supply up to 40 megawatts of energy to Rincon are underway.
Shares of Argosy reached a year-to-date high of AU$0.035 on July 24.
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's lithium mines are all located in Western Australia except for one, Core Lithium’s (ASX:CXO,OTC Pink:CXOXF) Finniss mine in the Northern Territory.
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); 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 a 49 percent interest in the mine through the Talison Lithium joint venture.
Albermarle also has 50 percent ownership in the Wodgina mine alongside operator Mineral Resources, and wholly owns the Kemerton lithium hydroxide production facility.
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.
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Jindalee Lithium is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
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01 August
Albemarle Swings to Profit, Lowers Spending Amid Prolonged Lithium Slump
Albemarle (NYSE:ALB) is cutting costs and investment plans as it adjusts to lithium price weakness, even as demand from the electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage sectors holds up better than expected.
The major lithium miner reported a Q2 profit of US$22.9 million, a significant turnaround from the US$188.2 million loss it posted a year ago. While total revenue fell 7 percent to US$1.33 billion, the figure still came in ahead of Wall Street’s US$1.22 billion estimate, buoyed by cost management and stronger-than-expected results in its specialties division.
“Our job is just to keep working on the things that are in our control, because we don’t really have a clear line of sight to where pricing is going,” CFO Neal Sheorey told investors on Thursday (July 31).
Sheorey said Albemarle has reached its US $400 million annualized cost-savings and productivity target, citing measures such as supply chain restructuring and improved operations at lithium conversion and mining sites.
The company now expects to spend between US$650 million and US$700 million in capital expenditures for the full year, narrowing its previous guidance of US$700 million to US$800 million.
With lower spending and continued operational execution, Albemarle said it expects to achieve positive free cash flow for 2025 — so long as current lithium prices, which have hovered around US$9 per kilogram, persist.
Lithium prices down, but demand remains resilient
Lithium prices have come off historic highs seen from 2021 to 2022.
But that surge spurred rapid supply growth, and by late 2022, the market entered a surplus. Prices have since declined sharply and now sit near levels that are not considered economically viable for many new or greenfield projects.
Despite the pricing downturn, Sheorey emphasized that demand for lithium has not collapsed.
During the company’s earnings call, he maintained that demand has held up better than expected this year, pointing to robust growth in China and Europe that is offsetting a more subdued US market.
“The outlook in North America is less certain, particularly in the United States due to the potential impact of tariffs and the removal of the 30D tax credit in September,” Sheorey said.
He added that the US accounts for only about 10 percent of global EV sales.
In contrast, EV sales in China rose 41 percent year-to-date, including a 44 percent jump in battery EVs spurred by recent subsidies, while Europe also showed double-digit growth.
Still, Sheorey cautioned that pricing remains under pressure. “We continue to expect the full-year EBITDA margin [for energy storage] to average in the mid-20 percent range assuming our $9 per kilogram price scenario,”
According to Albemarle’s internal analysis, the market could return to balance as early as next year if current price levels persist. “New project development has begun to slow, while demand continues to be robust,” the company said. It estimates that demand growth could outstrip supply growth by up to 10 percent per year between 2024 and 2030.
Much of the company’s current optimism stems from performance at its integrated production and processing facilities, particularly due to strong volumes from Albemarle’s Wodgina mine and the Salar yield improvement project.
With lithium demand expected to more than double by 2030, Albemarle is betting that its investments in operational excellence and global reach will pay off once the market stabilizes.
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.
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30 July
Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B
29 July
Top 5 Canadian Lithium Stocks of 2025
As the global push toward electrification accelerates, lithium remains a critical piece of the energy transition.
Continued oversupply remained a persistent headwind for lithium prices through the first half of 2025. Demand for the battery metal jumped 29 percent year-over-year in 2024, fueled by surging electric vehicle sales and rising power needs from sectors like data centers and heavy industry.
Fastmarket’s analysts expect lithium demand to grow 12 percent annually through 2030, supported by structural trends such as renewable energy integration and battery energy storage.
However, a rapid increase in global supply — particularly from China, Australia and South America — has driven prices to multi-year lows, raising concerns about project economics and the sustainability of new production.
Against this backdrop, Canadian lithium stocks are gaining attention as investors look for companies positioned to benefit from long-term demand growth while navigating short-term price pressure.
The Investing News Network breaks down the top-performing Canadian lithium stocks of 2025 for investors below. This list was created on July 22, 2025, using TradingView's stock screener, and all data was current at that time. Only companies with market caps above C$10 million for the TSX and TSXV and above C$5 million for the CSE are included.
1. NOA Lithium Brines (TSXV:NOAL)
Year-to-date gain: 58.82 percent
Market cap: C$77.55 million
Share price: C$0.35
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.
As NOA works to advance its flagship asset, the company brought on Hatch in April to lead the preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
The PEA will evaluate the project's economic and development potential with a target production of 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually, with a scalable plant design that could double capacity to 40,000 metric tons per year.
NOA has also been working to secure a water source in the arid region through a drilling program targeting fresh water. In late June, the company discovered a fresh water source at the project, located near high-grade lithium zones in the project's northeast area. According to the company, the location means the water source could support future production facilities or evaporation ponds.
The well, drilled to 190 meters in the northern part of the property, is being tested and developed.
Shares of NOA reached a year-to-date high C$0.425 on July 17, 2025.
2. Wealth Minerals (TSXV:WML)
Year-to-date gain: 40 percent
Market cap: C$23.93 million
Share price: C$0.07
Wealth Minerals is focused on the acquisition and development of lithium projects in Chile, including the Yapuckuta project in Chile’s Salar de Atacama, as well as the Kuska Salar and Pabellón projects near the Salar de Ollagüe.
Wealth Minerals’ shares spiked to a year-to-date high of C$0.095 on February 9, 2025, following the company’s acquisition of the Pabellón project.
According to Wealth, Pabellón has been shortlisted by Chile’s Ministry of Mining as a potential site for a Special Lithium Operation Contract based on its geological and environmental suitability. Located in Northern Chile near the Bolivia border, the project spans 7,600 hectares across 26 exploration licenses about 70 kilometers south of the Salar de Ollagüe.
In May, Wealth formed a joint venture with the Quechua Indigenous Community of Ollagüe to advance the Kuska project. The new entity, Kuska Minerals SpA, is 95 percent owned by Wealth and 5 percent by the community, which also holds anti-dilution rights and a seat on the five-member board.
3. Avalon Advanced Materials (TSX:AVL)
Year-to-date gain: 37.5 percent
Market cap: C$38.26 million
Share price: C$0.055
Avalon Advanced Materials is a Canadian mineral development company focusing on integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain. Avalon is developing the Separation Rapids and Snowbank lithium projects near Kenora, Ontario, and the Lilypad lithium-cesium project near Fort Hope, Ontario.
Separation Rapids and Lilypad are part of a 40/60 joint venture between Avalon and SCR Sibelco, with Sibelco serving as the operator.
Avalon started the year with a revised mineral resource estimate for the Separation Rapids project, which boosted resources in the measured and indicated category by 28 percent.
Company shares rose to C$0.07, a year-to-date high, on July 15, the day after Avalon released its results for its fiscal quarter ended May 31.
A week later, Avalon announced an additional C$1.3 million in funding through its C$15 million convertible security agreement with Lind Global Fund II. The drawdown, expected to close within two weeks, will support project development and general corporate needs, according to the company.
4. Frontier Lithium (TSXV:FL)
Year-to-date gain: 20 percent
Market cap: C$125.41 million
Share price: C$0.54
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 year-to-date high of C$0.79 on March 4. The stock uptick coincided with a government release reporting the federal and provincial governments 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 the PAK mine project into approximately 20,000 metric tons of lithium salts per year.
In late May, Frontier released a definitive feasibility study for the mine and mill segment of its PAK project. The study outlines a 31 year mine life with average production of 200,000 metric tons of spodumene concentrate. As for the economics, it projects net revenue of C$11 billion, an after-tax NPV of C$932 million and a 17.9 percent internal rate of return.
5. Century Lithium (TSXV:LCE)
Year-to-date gain: 17.31 percent
Market cap: C$51.58 million
Share price: C$0.30
US-focused Century Lithium is currently advancing its Angel Island lithium project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The company is also engaged in the pilot testing phase at its on-site lithium extraction facility, which will process material from the lithium-bearing claystone deposit.
On May 6, Century Lithium announced the successful completion of testwork on the direct lithium extraction (DLE) process at its demonstration plant.
The results exceeded expectations, showing 91.6 percent lithium recovery and an eluate grade of 575 milligrams per liter (mg/L) from a 328 mg/L lithium concentrate feed. The company says these improvements could significantly reduce capital and operating costs at its Angel Island project.
Shares of Century Lithium registered a year-to-date high of C$0.49 on May 19.
Recently, the company participated in First Phosphate’s (CSE:PHOS,OTCQB:FRSPF) successful production of commercial-grade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 18650 battery cells.
As noted in the press release, the cells were made using North America-sourced materials, including lithium carbonate from Century’s Angel Island project in Nevada that was processed at its demonstration plant alongside high-purity phosphoric acid and iron from First Phosphate’s Bégin-Lamarche project in Québec, Canada.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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24 July
Top 3 US Lithium Stocks of 2025
As the global economy shifts toward electrification and clean energy, lithium has emerged as a cornerstone of the energy transition, and the US is racing to secure its place in the supply chain.
Lithium-ion batteries are no longer just critical to electric vehicles (EVs); they're becoming vital across sectors to stabilize power systems, particularly amid growing reliance on intermittent renewables.
According to Fastmarkets, demand for battery energy storage systems (BESS) is accelerating, driven by data centers, which have seen electricity consumption grow 12 percent annually since 2017.
In the US, where data infrastructure is heavily clustered, BESS demand from data centers alone could make up a third of the market by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 35 percent.
As the US works to expand domestic production and reduce import dependence, policy uncertainty, including potential rollbacks of EV tax credits and clean energy incentives, clouds the investment outlook.
Against this backdrop, the Investing News Network has created an overview of the top-performing US lithium stocks on the NYSE and NASDAQ. This list was created on July 22, 2025, using TradingView's stock screener, and all data was current at that time. Only companies with market caps above C$10 million were considered.
1. Sociedad Química y Minera (NYSE:SQM)
Year-to-date gain: 10.43 percent
Market cap: US$10.82 billion
Share price: US$40.64
SQM is a major global lithium producer, with operations centered in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. The company extracts lithium from brine and produces lithium carbonate and hydroxide for use in batteries.
SQM is expanding production and holds interests in projects in Australia and China.
Shares of SQM reached a year-to-date high of US$45.61 on March 17, 2025. The spike occurred a few weeks after the company released its 2024 earnings report, which highlighted record sales volumes in the lithium and iodine segments. However, low lithium prices weighed on revenue from the segment, and the company's reported net profit was pulled down significantly due to a large accounting adjustment related to income tax.
In late April, Chile’s competition watchdog approved the partnership agreement between SQM and state-owned copper giant Codelco aimed at boosting output at the Atacama salt flat. The deal, first announced in 2024, reached another milestone when it secured approval for an additional lithium quota from Chile's nuclear energy regulator CChEN.
Weak lithium prices continued to weigh on profits, with the company reporting a 4 percent year-over-year decrease in total revenues for Q1 2025.
2. Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC)
Year-to-date gain: 9.67 percent
Market cap: US$719.1 million
Share price: US$3.29
Lithium Americas is developing its flagship Thacker Pass project in Northern Nevada, US. The project is a joint venture between Lithium Americas at 62 percent and General Motors (NYSE:GM) at 38 percent.
According to the firm, Thacker Pass is the “largest known measured lithium resource and reserve in the world.”
Early in the year, Lithium Americas saw its share rally to a year-to-date high of US$3.49 on January 16, coinciding with a brief rally in lithium carbonate prices.
In March, Lithium Americas secured US$250 million from Orion Resource Partners to advance Phase 1 construction of Thacker Pass. The funding is expected to fully cover development costs through the construction phase. On April 1, the joint venture partners made a final investment decision for the project, with completion targeted for late 2027.
Other notable announcements this year included a new at-the-market equity program, allowing the company to sell up to US$100 million in common shares.
3. Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR)
Year-to-date gain: 8.46 percent
Market cap: US$467.28 million
Share price: US$2.90
Lithium Argentina produces lithium carbonate from its Caucharí-Olaroz brine project in Argentina, developed with Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,HKEX:1772).
The company is also advancing additional regional lithium assets to support EV and battery demand.
Previously named Lithium Americas (Argentina), the company was spun out from Lithium Americas in October 2023.
While shares of Lithium Argentina spiked in early January to a year-to-date high of US$3.10, the share price has been trending higher since June 19 to its current US$2.90 value.
Notable news from the company this year includes its name and ticker change and corporate migration to Switzerland in late January and the release of the full-year 2024 results in March.
In mid-April, Lithium Argentina executed a letter of intent with Ganfeng Lithium to jointly advance development across the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes basins in Argentina. The plan includes a project fully owned by Ganfeng as well as two jointly held assets majority-owned by Lithium Argentina.
The company released its Q1 results on May 15, reporting a 15 percent quarter-over-quarter production reduction, which it attributed to planned shutdowns aimed at increasing recoveries and reducing costs.
Overall, the production guidance for 2025 is forecasted at 30,000 to 35,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate, reflecting higher expected production volumes in the second half of the year.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource 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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