[Sinomine Resource Group Engages with the Zimbabwean Government to Restart Its Lithium Export Business] Sinomine Resource Group confirmed that, after this African country recently suspended shipments of lithium concentrates, the company had been actively engaging with Zimbabwean government authorities to restart its lithium export business. The Chinese miner disclosed this development on Friday in response to an investor inquiry via the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s official interactive platform. These talks came at a critical time for both Sinomine Resource Group and Zimbabwe. Lithium remained a sought-after mineral because of its essential role in producing batteries used in EVs and renewable energy storage systems. Zimbabwe, which holds substantial lithium reserves, had continued tightening its regulatory framework to ensure more value addition remained in China, rather than allowing the export of raw ore or materials that had undergone only preliminary processing. Sinomine Resource Group said in a statement that it was currently working closely with Zimbabwean government authorities on a new export approval application. The company stressed that the dialogue remained ongoing and formed part of its broader efforts to align with the country’s latest policies and compliance requirements. Although there was no clear timetable yet for when exports would resume, the engagement sent a positive signal that efforts were being made to resolve the issue. Source: https://www.chemanalyst.com/ [Vulcan Energy Achieves Drilling and Permitting Milestones at Its Geothermal Lithium Project in Germany] The company had officially broken ground at the Trappelberg drilling site in the Rohrbach area near Landau. This was Vulcan’s second drilling site after Schleidberg, where the company had completed the drilling and testing of its first geothermal well. Preparatory work at Trappelberg had begun to support the start of drilling in H2 2026. At present, a deep groundwater monitoring well had been completed to ensure the protection of near-surface aquifers during construction and drilling operations. Schleidberg and Trappelberg were 2 of the 5 new drilling sites that Vulcan would develop in the region. Thorsten Weimann, Chief Development Officer and Managing Director of Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony at Trappelberg marks an important step forward in the further development of our Lionheart project. With this new drilling site, we are further developing the geothermal reservoir and laying the foundation for climate-neutral heating in the region and sustainable lithium production in Europe.” Source: https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/ [Core Lithium’s Finniss Project Secures a Strategic Financing Package of AUD 290 million] The fundamentals of global battery demand were reshaping investment strategies in the critical minerals sector, placing Australia’s lithium industry at a critical turning point. The combined effects of supply chain diversification needs, advances in energy storage technology, and geopolitical factors have created an environment in which strategic positioning determines the long-term value creation potential of mining. In addition, the restart of Core Lithium's Finniss project, backed by A$290 million, demonstrates how well-developed critical minerals strategies can unlock previously stalled projects through innovative financing structures. Against this backdrop, complex financing structures and operational optimization approaches have become key differentiators for projects seeking to capture the evolving market dynamics of the current lithium investment cycle. The sophisticated financing structure underpinning the restart of Core Lithium's Finniss project shows that contemporary mining finance has evolved beyond traditional debt-and-equity models into a strategic consortium model that disperses risk while maximizing operational synergies. Moreover, this financing approach reflects a broader trend across the mining sector. Source: https://discoveryalert.com.au/ [Copper, Cobalt, and Lithium Mines: US Critical Minerals Growth] In early 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with senior US officials including Vice President JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, received representatives from 54 countries and the European Commission at the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting. The US announced new bilateral frameworks, financing initiatives exceeding $30 billion, and launched the Forum for Resource and Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE), aimed at building secure, diversified, and resilient critical minerals supply chains. Initiatives such as the Orion-Glencore memorandum of understanding and "Project Vault" indicate the US government's commitment to incentivizing private-sector investment and ensuring a stable and reliable supply of cobalt, copper, and other strategic materials, including those from the DRC. Source: https://miningdigital.com/ [Atlantic Lithium's Ewoyaa Project Financing Secures a Strategic Investment of $16.4 million] The global critical minerals landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation, and institutional capital allocation strategies have moved beyond traditional mining investment models. Pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and strategic investors now require more sophisticated financing structures to align long-term capital commitments with project de-risking milestones. This shift indicates the growing maturity of financing in the resources sector, which is moving away from speculative early-stage funding toward a more infrastructure-like investment approach that places greater emphasis on predictable returns rather than commodity price speculation. Contemporary lithium project development reflects this evolution, with financing solutions from diversified funding sources incorporating conditional capital structures, local ownership requirements, and ESG compliance frameworks. The combination of milestone-based warrant instruments, strategic partnership agreements, and domestic exchange listings has created an integrated financing ecosystem that balances capital efficiency with political and economic considerations. In addition, these innovations in the lithium industry are continuing to reshape the investment landscape. Source: https://discoveryalert.com.au/

The company is advancing the Phase III 'High-Grade Lithium Battery New Energy Materials Production Line Construction Project' of Ya'an Lithium Industry. In 2024, it completed the construction and commissioning of a 30,000 mt lithium carbonate production line. Currently, it is constructing a 30,000 mt lithium hydroxide production line. It is expected that by the end of 2025, the company's comprehensive capacity for lithium chemicals will reach nearly 130,000 mt," Yahua Group revealed recently when accepting a survey from investment institutions.

[5.14 Lithium Battery News] ►Tinci Materials: Currently, the company is promoting localized capacity construction in the US and Morocco. ►Yahua Group: Terminates lithium concentrate off-take agreement with Core Lithium. ►General Motors and LG Energy Solution collaborate to develop new-type LMR prismatic batteries. ►BTR: All solid-state battery materials have met the technical conditions for mass production. ►Honda delays its EV investment plan in Canada by about two years due to the current slowdown in EV demand. ►Mazda delays the announcement of its FY2025 outlook due to US automotive tariffs.

【A1 Lithium and KOCH Achieve Industry-Leading Results in Direct Lithium Extraction】 Recently, Anson Resources Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Anson" or "the Company") announced through its wholly-owned US subsidiary, A1 Lithium Inc (A1 Lithium), the successful completion of a pilot project in collaboration with KOCH Technology Solutions ("KTS"). The project, conducted at the Green River lithium project site in southeastern Utah, utilized Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology to produce high-concentration and high-purity lithium chloride eluate from newly extracted lithium-rich brine, fully meeting the technical specifications. KTS's DLE process demonstrated outstanding performance, achieving an average lithium recovery rate of 98% and a contaminant removal rate exceeding 99%. Additionally, the average lithium-to-total dissolved solids (Li:TDS) ratio was 0.125, 57% higher than the industry standard Li:TDS ratio of 0.08 required for downstream processing, which will significantly reduce the processing costs of the lithium carbonate the company plans to produce. With these excellent results, KTS will provide Anson/A1 Lithium with a "process guarantee" for a commercial-scale plant with an annual production capacity of 10,000 mt of lithium carbonate. Furthermore, KTS's DLE plant successfully produced 43,500 gallons (165,000 liters) of high-quality eluate at the Green River site in Utah, which has been properly stored and is ready for downstream processing. Source: Public Information 【Maxell to Cease Production of Prismatic Lithium-Ion Batteries】 Recently, Japanese battery manufacturer Maxell announced that it will discontinue the production of prismatic lithium-ion batteries by May 2025, marking the end of its nearly three-decade manufacturing history. Since 1996, these batteries have been widely used in devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and portable gaming consoles. Due to declining profitability and the increasing dominance of laminated lithium-ion batteries in the market, Maxell will also dissolve its Chinese subsidiary, Maxell Energy (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., which is responsible for prismatic battery production. Maxell stated that it will shift its focus and resources to the R&D of solid-state batteries, leveraging the technology's advantages in safety, performance, and lifespan. The next generation of solid-state batteries is expected to play a key role in industrial equipment, electric mobility, and medical devices, which demand high energy density, thermal stability, and long cycle life. Source: Battery News 【European Metals' Cinovec Lithium Project Receives EU Critical Raw Materials Act Strategic Certification】 Recently, European Metals made significant progress in its plan to develop the large Cinovec lithium mine in the Czech Republic—the EU officially designated it as a "strategic project." As the largest hard-rock lithium resource deposit in Europe, Cinovec has been recognized by the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act (CRM) as having the potential to become a key supplier to the European EV market. The "strategic project" status means the project will receive explicit support from European institutions, including financial institutions, and will expedite the approval process within the timeline set by the Critical Raw Materials Act. Executive Chairman Keith Coughlan stated: "This recognition is a major milestone in the project's development, marking its entry into an advanced stage. Previously, the Czech government officially listed Cinovec as a strategic deposit, and this growing official support provides greater confidence for the project's future approvals and financing. In short, this brings Cinovec one step closer to its goal of producing battery-grade lithium compounds." Under the Critical Raw Materials Act, lithium has been identified as a critical raw material for the transition to a modern low-carbon economy, essential for the development of the automotive industry and the modernization of the power sector. The Act aims to strengthen the security of critical raw material supply chains, reduce dependence on imports from third countries, and support innovation in the sustainable extraction of mineral resources. Projects with strategic status must have a credible timetable and achieve mass production targets with the highest ESG standards, as they are seen as key to the green and digital transformation and the resilience of the defense and aerospace sectors. It is worth noting that earlier this month, the Cinovec deposit was listed as a strategic deposit under the Czech Building Code. This designation allows developers to obtain specific permits and take measures to ensure the project's development is not delayed. The final feasibility study for Cinovec is progressing as planned and is expected to be completed by mid-2025, with the company aiming to complete the environmental impact assessment and submit it for approval by the end of 2025. Source: Trading View 【Standard Lithium Advances Arkansas Lithium Project】 Standard Lithium Ltd., focused on lithium resource development, recently announced significant progress in its Southwest Arkansas (SWA) lithium project, officially initiating the financing and offtake process for a project with an annual production capacity of 22,500 mt of battery-grade lithium carbonate. Despite a 12.6% decline in its stock price year-to-date to $1.37, InvestingPro analysis indicates that its current valuation is undervalued, with strong financial health (current ratio of 4.37, Altman Z-score of 10.65) and a solid project execution foundation. Meanwhile, Smackover Lithium, a joint venture with Equinor, is accelerating the expansion of lithium resources in eastern Texas, with the leased area now expanded to 185,000 acres, including a 67,000-acre exploration area in Franklin County where brine lithium content reaches up to 806 mg/L. The company plans to conduct re-sampling of existing wells in Q2 and Q3 and expects to release an inferred resource report in Q3. Analysts note that with robust financial metrics and the parallel advancement of two core projects, the company is well-positioned to play a more strategic role in the North American lithium battery supply chain. Source: Public Information 【Core Lithium Pushes for Finniss Restart】 Recently, Core Lithium has been actively advancing the restart study for its Finniss lithium project in the Northern Territory, which is scheduled for completion in the June quarter of 2025. At the end of 2023, Core suspended early work on the BP33 underground mine project at Finniss due to difficulties in mining and construction during the rainy season and the company's renewed focus on cost reduction. Subsequently, in January 2024, citing a weak lithium market primarily driven by supply surplus and increased lithium production in countries like China, the company also suspended mining operations at the Grants open-pit mine, part of the Finniss startup project, to "preserve corporate value." Core stated: "The Finniss project has already invested over A$250 million in construction, with well-established and well-maintained infrastructure. The restart study focuses on optimizing existing facilities and streamlining future mining and processing procedures to improve production efficiency, and the work conducted so far further confirms the development potential of the Finniss project." As part of the restart study, the company is optimizing the mining plan for the BP33 ore body, a large near-vertical pegmatite with a strike length of approximately 350 meters and a true thickness of 40 meters. In September 2024, the BP33 ore resource increased significantly by 223%, now reaching 8.7 million mt with a lithium oxide grade of 1.38%. "The ore body's morphology is suitable for longitudinal sublevel open stoping," Core noted, "and compared to the original mining plan, we have identified several opportunities to increase productivity and reduce operating costs, which are being implemented. At the same time, we are conducting metallurgical test work to improve the recovery rate, production, and processing capacity of the future dense media separation (DMS) plant. Current work indicates that process optimization can be achieved without installing a flotation circuit." Additionally, Core has terminated all remaining contracts during the Finniss mine's operational period. The company also added that full ownership of all site infrastructure lays the groundwork for adopting a new operational model in the future. Source: Australian Mining

Core Lithium announced smooth progress in the restart study of the Finniss lithium mine project. On March 27, local time, Core Lithium Ltd announced that the restart study of its Finniss lithium mine project is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed in Q2 2025. The company has terminated the last operating contract during the Finniss operation, fulfilling all obligations to third parties, including site withdrawal. These measures have enabled Core to obtain 100% ownership of all infrastructure, reduce current maintenance costs, and are expected to lower future operating costs under the new operating model.

Toyota, Nissan, and Other Companies Will Jointly Invest 1 Trillion Yen to Increase Japan's Energy Storage Battery Production Capacity by 50%" Toyota Motor, Nissan Motor, and other companies will jointly invest 1 trillion yen to increase Japan's energy storage battery production capacity by approximately 50%. The investment will primarily focus on automotive battery production, which is expected to boost Japan's energy storage battery capacity from 80 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 120 GWh. Toyota will expand battery production at two of its subsidiaries, with an estimated total investment of approximately 250 billion yen. Nissan plans to invest around 150 billion yen in the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries for automobiles, with a target to start supply in 2028. Panasonic Holdings Corporation will produce core lithium-ion battery components for Subaru and Mazda, investing approximately 550 billion yen. (Nikkei News)

Toyota, Nissan, and Other Companies to Jointly Invest 1 Trillion Yen to Boost Japan's Energy Storage Battery Production Capacity by 50%" Toyota Motor, Nissan Motor, and other companies will jointly invest 1 trillion yen to expand Japan's energy storage battery production capacity by approximately 50%. The investment will primarily focus on automotive battery production, which is expected to increase Japan's energy storage battery capacity from 80 gigawatt-hours to 120 gigawatt-hours. Toyota will expand battery production at two of its subsidiaries, with an estimated total investment of approximately 250 billion yen. Nissan plans to invest approximately 150 billion yen in the production of lithium iron phosphate batteries for automotive use, with the goal of commencing supply by 2028. Panasonic Holdings Corporation will produce core lithium-ion battery components for Subaru and Mazda, with an investment of approximately 550 billion yen.

With current lithium prices hovering near a three-year low and short-term market sentiment remaining sluggish, market attention is gradually shifting from end-user demand to whether upstream suppliers will proactively reduce the production and supply of lithium salts and lithium ores.

Core Lithium has reported its preliminary production results and financial position for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Australian lithium producer Core Lithium released the half year financial report and the step down of CEO on 12 March. Disclosures point to multiple challenges ahead, including financial loss, inability to fulfill offtake agreements, and management executives reshuffle due to the downturn in lithium prices.