SHANGHAI, Aug 22 (SMM) – In the week ending August 17, lepidolite prices fell further, with low supply and transaction volumes. Upstream and downstream can't agree on pricing. Downstream enterprises reduced prices to cut costs, but mines resisted due to the already declining lepidolite prices. Most trades were long-term orders. Lepidolite prices are expected to remain low in the near future.
Spodumene concentrate prices dropped in the week ending August 17. Lithium salt factories purchasing foreign ores now face production costs exceeding their selling prices, leading to scant spodumene trades and a prevailing wait-and-see attitude. Some beneficiation plants wish to buy from ports below market rates. However, with selling prices nearing import costs, reluctance to sell at ports grew. Given recent views of stabilising lithium carbonate prices, spot transactions became even more scarce. Still, spodumene concentrate prices are anticipated to drop alongside lithium carbonate in the short term.
