Lithium carbonate in China drops to near one-month low

Lithium carbonate prices in China fell to CNY 147,000 per tonne in September, the lowest in nearly one month, as expectations of higher output in Australia outweighed supply uncertainty in China. Industry participants said major producers are still expected to keep supply ample and maintain the current surplus through the next decade. The supply outlook was shaped by Australian producers, including Mineral Resources, which restarted its Bald Hill lithium mine after an 18-month suspension, and Core Lithium, which restarted its Finniss project.

Further losses were limited by additional disruption at CATL's Jianxiawo mine, China's largest by capacity and a source of 4% of global supply. Chinese authorities revoked environmental approvals for the mine, extending permit hurdles for more than one year amid Beijing's anti-involution campaign and efforts to curb producer overcapacity.