SMM Clarification Statement SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SMM" or "the Company"), as a professional spot market price reporting agency and information provider, has recently noticed the circulation of false information regarding the fairness of SMM's price assessment. To avoid market misunderstandings, maintain a healthy and transparent market environment, and protect the Company's legitimate rights and interests, SMM hereby makes the following solemn clarification and statement: I. The Difference Between Spot Prices and Futures Prices is a Normal Reflection of Market Mechanisms According to basic economic principles, spot prices reflect the immediate supply-demand relationship and deliverable transaction conditions of the underlying asset, while futures prices reflect market expectations for future supply and demand, including factors such as capital cost and carrying costs. Both follow the principle of "convergence at maturity," meaning that futures prices gradually converge towards spot prices as the contract expiration date approaches. Therefore, during the life of the contract, the difference between spot prices and futures prices, especially with far-month contracts, is a normal phenomenon under the market pricing mechanism. II. Historical Data Proves the Rationality of the Price Spread Structure To objectively present the facts, SMM has made a price spread analysis chart based on publicly available market data: The chart clearly shows that from September 2023 to 2025, the monthly price spread between the SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate average price and the GFEX lithium carbonate futures contract prices fluctuated between positive and negative territory, always remaining within a reasonable range, and exhibited a significant convergence trend as the contract expiration date approached. This fully aligns with the market rule of futures and spot price convergence. Comparing a certain periods' futures prices (especially those of far-month most-traded contracts) with spot assessment prices and concluding that there is a "consistent significant deviation" is fundamentally flawed in methodology and can easily mislead market judgment. Any behavior that selectively highlights short-term trends in the price spread without considering the broader context is partial and irresponsible, failing to reflect the overall market situation. III. Recent Market Risk Control Measures Recently, to maintain the stable operation of the lithium carbonate futures market and prevent potential risks, the Guangzhou Futures Exchange, in accordance with its risk management rules, issued multiple notifications consecutively between November and December 2025, implementing a series of risk control measures for relevant contracts, including adjustments to transaction fee standards and trading limits. These measures represent the exchange's commitment to fulfill its self-regulatory duties in accordance with the law during specific market periods, aiming to promote the steady development of the market. IV. The Emergence, Nature, and Harm of False Information It is noteworthy that during this sensitive period, when the aforementioned risk control measures were being intensively implemented, a significant amount of false information began circulating on the Internet. While such information varies in content, it shares an identical core narrative: False claims have been made that SMM’s prices "consistently and significantly deviate from fair value and futures prices" and that "there are illegal benefit-related connections with certain institutions". These claims are entirely groundless. The timing and manner of their dissemination indicate that their purpose is not professional discussion but rather an attempt to exert improper pressure on SMM by confusing the price logic of spot and futures markets, interfere with the neutrality of spot price assessments, and consequently potentially mislead market expectations and disrupt the normal relationship between futures and spot prices. SMM hereby solemnly declares that SMM is always committed to price discovery in the spot market, does not participate in any futures market trading operations, and resolutely maintains market order. V. The Compliance, Neutrality, and Supervision Mechanisms of SMM's Price Assessment As a professional market price assessment agency, SMM always adheres to the principles of neutrality, objectivity, and fairness. SMM's price assessment methodology strictly follows the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) "Principles for Financial Benchmarks" and is subject to audits by independent third-party audit firms. In terms of internal governance, SMM has established a comprehensive firewall system to ensure that personnel and management involved in the price assessment process do not hold any related futures or spot positions, thereby eliminating conflicts of interest at an institutional level. SMM also has no history of any penalties from securities regulatory authorities for violations. We consistently maintain an open attitude towards market supervision based on facts. VI. Appeal to the Public SMM strongly condemns the recent malicious fabrication and dissemination of false information in the market, which damages SMM's commercial reputation and attempts to disrupt the order of the futures and spot markets, and has initiated legal proceedings to protect its rights. Currently, SMM is comprehensively and continuously collecting and preserving evidence related to the infringements. For suspected infringing acts, the Company will take all legal measures, including but not limited to reporting to relevant regulatory authorities and filing complaints with relevant online platforms, to resolutely pursue the legal liability of the infringing parties. SMM reserves the right to pursue all legal consequences against the relevant responsible parties. We once again call on all market participants to enhance their legal awareness and professional discernment capabilities, obtain information from authoritative channels, analyze the market rationally, resolutely resist and refuse to spread any unverified and unfounded rumors, and jointly maintain a fair, orderly, and healthy development environment for the industry chain. SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. Dec 26, 2025

Dear User: Hello! In recent years, China has formed multiple consumption centers for spot aluminum ingot trading. With the development of the aluminum industry chain in the Southwest region, market attention to the Southwest region has gradually increased. Among them, Guangyuan is an important hub for aluminum trading in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Chongqing, and is also the location of the designated settlement warehouse for aluminum futures of the Shanghai Futures Exchange , where aluminum product trading has become increasingly frequent. Therefore, there is an urgent need to compile and release a price index that can fully reflect the spot price of A00 aluminum ingots in the Guangyuan region of our country, so as to objectively, truthfully, and timely reflect the supply and demand situation of the A00 aluminum ingot Spot Market in our country. Based on this, SMM will start to newly release the SMM A00 Aluminum (Guangyuan) and Premium Spot Price Points from November 20, 2025. 1. General Principles of SMM Price Methodology Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as SMM) is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any substantial transactions. Instead, it maintains close communication with the buyers or sellers of transactions as a market observer or organizer and provides relevant services to the market. SMM continuously formulates, reviews, and revises its methodology through communication with industry insiders, adopts the most common product specifications, trade terms, and trade conditions in the industry, and equally values normal transactions that meet the specification standards. SMM reserves the right to exclude any price information deemed to be of poor reliability or unrepresentative from its quotation judgment. SMM publishes daily metal spot prices (or price indices, including those for the Chinese market, markets outside China, and the global market), commonly referred to as SMM Prices. SMM has developed corresponding methodologies for all published SMM Prices (which will be published on SMM's official website www.smm.cn for reference), and the methodologies specify the methods and procedures for the generation and publication of SMM Prices, with SMM Prices being generated and published strictly in accordance with the provisions of the methodologies. To align with the actual situation of the Spot Market, SMM will make necessary revisions to the SMM Price Methodology and announce them on the SMM official website prior to formal implementation. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding SMM prices and their methodology, please contact SMM Client Server staff (please check the contact information on the SMM official website www.smm.cn). 2. Formation of the Spot Price Point of SMM A00 (Guangyuan) 2.1 Definitions The SMM A00 (Guangyuan) Spot Price is an indicative price generated and published by SMM in accordance with this methodology, which can be adopted by both trading parties as a reference basis for the settlement of spot trade of A00 aluminum ingots in the Guangyuan region. This price reflects the most likely range of spot transaction prices before the release time of the SMM A00 aluminum ingot spot quotation on each complete working day. This price is based on the trading conditions in the Guangyuan region on the day, and other regions can adjust the actual settlement price during trading based on the market correlation between different regions on the basis of this price. 2.2 Price Generation Method SMM obtains information on the spot price of local A00 aluminum ingots in Guangyuan through standard price benchmarking methods, including the indicative transaction price provided by the price benchmarking unit, the existing transaction spot premium or discount, and the indicative transaction spot premium or discount, etc. 2.3 Product Standards A00 Aluminum Ingot: Complies with the requirements for the "Al99.70" grade in GB/T 1196-2023 Aluminum Ingots for Remelting. 2.4 Pricing Unit and Presentation Form Unit: (Renminbi) Yuan/ton. Presented in interval form, it is a tax-inclusive price (including 13% Value Added Tax) Daily quotations include the highest, lowest, and average prices of SMM A00 Aluminum (Guangyuan) and its premium or discount. 2.5 Delivery Method Same-day delivery, pick up by the buyer at Guangyuan Warehouse 2.6 Release Time 10:15 AM every working day (excluding legal holidays and weekends) 3. Methodology Changes All markets are changing, and SMM has the responsibility to ensure that the methodology for market reports changes in tandem with the market. Therefore, SMM will conduct internal reviews of the appropriateness of the methodology on a regular basis based on industry feedback. For all potential modifications that are substantial but not urgent, SMM will follow the formal external consultation process. Then, significant changes will be announced, with a notice period of at least 28 days provided to invite industry professionals to comment, unless special circumstances, especially force majeure (natural disasters, wars, exchange bankruptcies, etc.), result in a shortened notice period. SMM commits to carefully reviewing all comments regarding the proposed methodological changes, but in some cases, may have to make changes to the methodology against the wishes of some market participants. In addition, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM commits to conducting a formal consultation on the A00 aluminum quotation once every year. The date of the last consultation and the deadline for SMM's commitment to hold the next consultation are located at the top of the methodology document. In addition, SMM has a formal methodology consultation process. SMM is committed to serving enterprises in the aluminum industry chain and reducing their transaction costs. The newly added price points will be updated at 10:15 a.m. every working day. Please stay tuned. If you have any feedback, please send it to 021-51595811 (Howard Yang). Shanghai Nonferrous Metals Network Information Technology Joint Stock Company Aluminum Business Unit 2025.11.14

Indonesia holds over 60% of the world's nickel reserves and plays a central role in nickel resource supply and processing. In 2023, Indonesia achieved a breakthrough in refined nickel exports, increasing from zero to substantial volumes, with exports reaching 43,600 mt in 2024. New refined nickel projects are currently under construction, and Indonesia's refined nickel capacity is expected to increase to 180,000 mt by 2026. Future exports are anticipated to expand further, making Indonesia's refined nickel price trends significantly influential in the global nickel market. To actively respond to changes in the Indonesian refined nickel market, meet the urgent needs of users for Indonesian refined nickel FOB prices, and enhance market information transparency, SMM has decided: Starting from September 19, 2025, to publish the‘SMM Indonesia Refined Nickel, FOB Indonesia, USD/tonne’price Price details are as follows: Description: SMM Indonesia Refined Nickel, FOB Indonesia, USD/tonne Quality: Ni 99.80% min Definition: FOB Indonesia main ports Unit: USD/tonne Quantity: Min 30 tonnes Timing: 1-3 months Payment Terms: L/C/TT at sight in USD , or other payment terms normalized Publication: Weekly, Friday 10:30 AM Jakarta Time

Against this backdrop, SMM will begin publishing the US Midwest DDP aluminum premium starting February 27, 2026. Through daily market communication, SMM will introduce ......

Dear Valued Customers, Due to an error on our part, there was a mistake in recording the SMM #0 Hu zinc prices from November 24 to November 27, 2025. We now need to correct the absolute prices as follows: - November 24: from 22,380 to 23,380 - November 25: from 22,400 to 23,400 - November 26: from 22,500 to 23,500 - November 27: from 22,550 to 23,550 We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and disruption this may have caused and will strive to prevent such errors in our future work.

Dear User, Hello! With the evolution of global PV trade, N-type 210R wafers, as a core product from China, are being exported to global PV markets including India. To facilitate upstream and downstream enterprises in the PV industry chain to better understand the global market conditions for PV wafers, grasp real-time international spot price dynamics, and convey more comprehensive and diverse price information to the market, thereby reducing transaction risks and costs in overseas trade. After a period of consolidation and market surveys, SMM plans to officially add the "N-type 210R Wafer — India CIF" product price as a reference for market transactions starting from December 29, 2025. The published prices are all CIF prices for major Indian ports. The specific specifications and descriptions are as follows: Price Point Name: N-type 210R Wafer — India CIF Price Description: Product Specification: 210R Tax Standard: Excluding VAT Definition: CIF price for major Indian ports Unit: US dollar/piece Mainstream Brands: TCL Zhonghuan, Gokin Solar, Shuangliang, Adani Minimum Trading Volume: 100,000 pieces Update Frequency: Daily Maintenance Time: 11:20 BJT (8:50 IST) Payment Terms: Cash, and other payment methods standardized to cash SMM PV Research Team December 19, 2025

Dear Valued Customers, Due to an error in our work, the SMM A00 aluminum (Foshan) price recorded on January 20, 2026, was incorrect. The absolute price of SMM A00 aluminum (Foshan) has now been revised from 23,840 to 23,720. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and disruption this may have caused, and we will strive to prevent such errors in our future work.

Dear User, During the development of the automotive steel market, changes have occurred in some mainstream brands, materials, and specifications. As a result, certain prices in the SMM Automotive Section currently deviate from the actual market situation. SMM has decided to discontinue the price points for certain materials/specifications of alloy structural steel, spring steel, cold heading steel, carbon round steel, and mold steel, effective from February 13, 2026. Customers who use the relevant prices for settlement should pay attention to the time period and adjust their price usage promptly to avoid any impact on your business due to the discontinuation of these price updates. A total of 10 price points are being discontinued, with details as follows: Spring Steel 65Mn Φ6.5-20 (Nationwide) Cold Heading Steel 35K Φ6.5-20 (Nationwide) Alloy Structural Steel 20CrMo Φ16-200 (Nationwide) Alloy Structural Steel 35CrMo Φ16-200 (Nationwide) Alloy Structural Steel 40MnBH Φ29-250 (Nationwide) Carbon Round Steel 45# Φ16-18 (Nationwide) Carbon Round Steel 45# Φ131-180 (Nationwide) Mold Steel 1.2311 21-120*1800-2200 (Nationwide) Mold Steel 4Cr13 Φ20-130 (Nationwide) Mold Steel W6Mo5Cr4V2Co5/M35 Φ20-80 (Nationwide) https://car.smm.cn/price Recommended new prices for use are as follows: Specialty Wire Rod: https://car.smm.cn/price?type_id=19&item_id=115&goods_id=0 Specialty Bar: https://car.smm.cn/price?type_id=19&item_id=114&goods_id=0 Mold Steel: https://car.smm.cn/price?type_id=19&item_id=117&goods_id=0

To better serve industrial clients and stay closer to the market, SMM is adding 6 new scrap copper price assessments for Japan/US regions, officially launching on 16/1/2026. 1. New Price Points Copper Scrap - East Asia - Japan Millberry CIF China - Japan Millberry CIF China Taiwan - Japan Millberry CIF Korea Copper Scrap - America - United States Millberry CIF Japan - United States No.1 Copper Material CIF Japan - United States No.2 Copper Material CIF Japan 2. SMM Price Methodology General Principles Shanghai Metals Market (hereinafter referred to as "SMM") is a completely independent third-party service provider that does not participate in any actual transactions. Instead, SMM maintains close communication with buyers and sellers as a market observer or organizer and provides related services to the market. This document sets forth the standards for SMM's East Asia and US scrap copper price assessments. The purpose of establishing these standards is to create a transparent and verifiable SMM price formation mechanism. 3. Formation of SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessments 3.1 Significance of the Assessments In recent years, Japan and the United States have continued to play important roles in the global scrap copper trading system. Their export prices for berry copper and copper scrap hold strong reference value for major Asian consumer markets. Due to differences in origin quality structure, trade flows, and regional demand, actual transaction prices vary across different destinations. To more accurately reflect the true price levels of Japanese and US scrap copper in cross-regional circulation, reduce information asymmetry risks, and help upstream and downstream enterprises more reasonably evaluate procurement costs and formulate trading strategies, SMM plans to add price points including Japan Berry Copper CIF China, Japan Berry Copper CIF South Korea, Japan Berry Copper CIF Taiwan China, US Berry Copper CIF Japan, US No.1 Copper CIF Japan, and US No.2 Copper CIF Japan. These will be collected according to a unified methodology and publicly released to the market for industry reference. SMM price members will be able to access relevant historical price data simultaneously. 3.2 SMM East Asia and US Scrap Copper Price Assessment Methodology 3.2.1 Product Specifications and Standards Currently, scrap copper reference standards follow ISRI standards. If changes occur, SMM will revise accordingly based on actual circumstances. 3.2.2 Price Terms Prices are CIF indicative prices, expressed as a coefficient (%) unit. 3.2.3 Payment Terms Prices reflect payment conditions including TT or other conventional payment methods. 3.2.4 Quote Format and Timing Quoted prices are in range format, showing minimum and maximum prices. For example: Japan Millberry CIF China: 97.5%-98%. New price points will be assessed weekly. SMM will publish prices on the website front page at 3:30 PM on the last day of each working week. 3.2.5 Data Collection Method According to the data collection confirmation agreement, SMM price analysts will regularly collect price information from scrap copper industry contacts in Japan through telephone, WeChat, email, and other methods. This price information includes completed transaction prices and the most likely anticipated transaction prices expected by the enterprise. All instant messaging content and any face-to-face communication records will be archived telephone communication details will be recorded and entered into the database. SMM analysts must comply with the Compliance System when reporting to their supervisors any coerced or threatened communications from market participants, or any inducements attempting to influence assessments. After price publication, SMM will not make corrections or adjustments on that day. 3.2.6 Data Standardization Although SMM has standardized definitions for our prices, market transactions exist in various forms. Each transaction price is influenced by numerous factors, including order size, material brand, delivery time, payment terms, etc. SMM will comprehensively consider market quotes, bids, and transaction information and align them with our standards. We welcome more relevant enterprises along the industry chain to participate in and support SMM in better serving scrap copper industry-related enterprises. For any questions, please contact us. Shanghai Metal Market Copper Department - Aw Yong Yi Cheong Contact: +6011-25798397 Email add: awyong.yicheong@smm.cn

SMM is delisting 11 price points for various automotive steels, effective February 6, 2026, due to market changes.