Well, folks, let’s talk about a bumpy ride that lithium companies have been on lately. I mean, it’s been tough out there, especially in the past six months, with the last month really giving us a roller coaster to remember.
Remember the old saying, “Politicians can make or repeal any kind of law but one: the law of supply and demand.” I couldn’t agree more with JLS when it comes to the current state of affairs in the lithium market.
It’s been quite a show as new players and the veterans of the industry dive headfirst into ramping up lithium production worldwide. But here’s the plot twist: just as this new supply starts rolling in, a couple of curveballs have been thrown our way. First, Chinese auto sales took a hit after the government dialed back some of those sweet subsidies. On top of that, semiconductor shortages put the brakes on EV sales in Europe and the U.S. To make matters more complicated, China cut back on subsidies for green energy, triggering a domino effect across related industries.
The outcome of this equation is simple: more supply coupled with less demand leads to a downward spiral in lithium prices.
So, here we are today, witnessing a decline in lithium prices that’s raising eyebrows. Some are even speculating whether this marks the beginning of the end for lithium, or if it’s just a temporary panic. My bet is on the latter, with potential recovery not far behind.
But it’s not just lithium prices that have been getting people’s attention. The electric vehicle (EV) industry is like a house of cards; a minor wobble can send everyone into a frenzy. Take, for instance, the case of Beam Global (BEEM), a provider of EV charging equipment. They reported some impressive Q2 results with sales skyrocketing around 380% compared to last year. Yet, despite this, the stock didn’t fare so well in the market.
Then we have big names like General Motors (GM) and Ford (F) experiencing sales hiccups in the EV sector. But hey, let’s not get carried away – one quarter’s data isn’t a crystal ball for the future. And let’s be honest, just because there’s a momentary dip in demand doesn’t mean the pursuit of new lithium sources will slow down. Nope, innovation in the lithium space will persist, and new technologies will likely come to the rescue.
So, what’s the deal with this lithium extraction business? Well, the first step in making those snazzy Li-Ion batteries we adore is obtaining lithium. And boy, do we have some interesting places where it’s found.
Let’s talk about brines – lithium-rich liquids found in places like salt flats and salt lakes. They account for about two-thirds of global lithium resources, with the most famous deposits located in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. Oh, and don’t forget Australia, which is crushing it as the world’s top lithium producer.
Now, about those pegmatite deposits. Think of these as coarse-grained rocks that come from solidified magma. They’re a bit like treasure chests, often containing lithium, tin, tantalum, and niobium. Australia is the poster child for mining lithium from pegmatites, but countries like Canada, the US, and even Finland and Ireland are in the game.
And then there are sedimentary deposits, nestled in clay and lacustrine evaporites (fancy words for sediment formed in ancient lakes). For instance, Serbia’s Jadar Valley is home to a massive lithium deposit owned by Rio Tinto (RIO), and there’s buzz about geothermal brine deposits in places like Chile, New Zealand, and Iceland.
Now, where do lithium prices go from here? That’s the million-dollar question. I won’t pretend to predict what’ll happen in the next week or month – China’s EV sales slump and all that jazz. But hey, remember this: if supply constraints and increased demand intersect, lithium company shares might just shoot back up.
Patience is key, my friends. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment when the stars will align for a lithium resurgence, but I’m convinced it will happen. Take the story of Lithium Americas, for example. They faced legal hurdles left and right, but they managed to clear the path for potential future successes.
So, hang tight. When the lithium dance resumes, those who are bailing out now might just be the ones clamoring to hop back on the bandwagon. After all, the wheel of fortune has a way of turning in unexpected directions.