Understanding lithium demand, page-1262

Interesting to know WA's Spodumene exports

October 05, 2020
https://do not advertise external sites/Article/3954467/Demand-pick-up-halts-spodumene-price-fall.html
(Extract from article 2mths old)

Spodumene export growth
Data released by the Western Australia Southern Ports Authority show total spodumene concentrate shipped from Western Australia ports stood at 1,227,089 tonnes for financial year 2020 ended June 30, up around 4% year on year despite challenging market conditions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The biggest jump in spodumene exports was recorded in financial year 2019 when new miners commenced operations.

“It looks like many aspects of the lithium market are bottoming out and with spot prices well into the marginal cost curve, the low prices are unsustainable. Surplus spodumene stocks in China are likely to cap prices for a while longer, but given a recovery in demand for EVs in China and strong growth in Europe, combined with EV manufacturers increasing production rates, all suggests that demand will recover quickly, which is something the market has badly needed," William Adams, head of battery raw materials research at Fastmarkets, said.
“This demand recovery may encourage consumers to run with more stock and in addition, as EV production numbers increase, the middle part of the supply chain will need to start new production lines and that will require a build-up of working stock,” he added.