...why wouldn't the Chinese buy more from Africa if they could and when they become more available
....lithium hodlers would have you believe grade matters. It does but not if the price difference is stark. If China can use lower grade African lithium after having invested billions there, don't be so naive to believe they (Chinese) can't use them - they already have been.
....this thread had warned that our lithium producers would soon have to compete against cheaper African sources. We can never produce any cheaper, only dearer as time progresses.
....as more African sources of lithium becomes available to the marketplace, the upside price for lithium would be capped by the prices buyers can get in Africa.
Price similarities & differences among #lithium concentrate imports to China in Jun 2024.
1) Australia, Canada & Brazil reflect an average price of $1,050/mt.
2) $428/mt is the # for Nigeria & Rwanda.
3) Zimbabwe exhibits a value of $684/mt.
4) Differences may be related to grade
