Lithium carbonate prices fell to CNY 154,000 in mid-July, touching their lowest level since March, as emerging signs of increased supply outweighed continued strong demand. CATL’s Jianxiawo mine, one of the world’s largest, secured safety approvals to resume operations after an extended shutdown. Additionally, the rise in lithium prices since the beginning of the year prompted Australian producers to restart previously idled capacity. Mineral Resources will bring its Bald Hill lithium mine back online after an 18‑month suspension, while Core Lithium has restarted its Finniss project, helping to ease supply tightness elsewhere.
Despite these supply gains, industry reports from China indicate that intense competition among EV battery manufacturers to defend market share has led firms to raise production schedules, boosting their lithium procurement. At the same time, rapidly growing demand for energy storage systems is amplifying lithium consumption, even as EV order growth in China shows signs of slowing.
