On Wednesday, lithium mining stocks saw broad gains in premarket trading, with Sigma Lithium Corporation (SGML.US) rising over 8%. Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile (SQM.US) and Albemarle Corporation (ALB.US) climbed more than 4%, while Lithium Americas (LAC.US) advanced 2%.
The rally follows reports that multiple lithium iron phosphate (LFP) producers have begun negotiating price increases with customers since early December. Some leading companies have proposed hikes ranging between 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per ton, with expectations that the upward trend may persist until Q4 next year.
The price adjustments are driven by rising demand from sectors like energy storage, as well as higher raw material costs, including lithium carbonate. Analysts note that for every 10,000 yuan per ton increase in lithium carbonate—a key ingredient in LFP cathode materials—production costs rise by approximately 2,300–2,500 yuan per ton.
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