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2026 SMM Australia Metals & Mining Investment Seminar

2026 SMM London Metals Forum

2026 SMM AICE Asia Aluminum Conference

ASEAN Solar Storage Summit 2026

SMM CCAE 2026 15th COPPER INDUSTRY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2027

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

SMM (11th) Annual Nickel Conference 2026 - Ni Cr Mn Stainless Steel Event

Indonesia Nickel & Cobalt & EV Industry Conference 2024

CLNB 2024 9TH CHINA NEW ENERGY EXPO

Polymer Solid-State Battery Layout at “Wuhan Speed”: A Comprehensive Analysis of Ion Energy’s Layout

Aug battery material import/export data released, spodumene imports in physical content hit another record high, what about other segments? [SMM Special]

Today, SMM battery-grade lithium carbonate spot prices continued to edge up slightly from the previous trading day. The lithium carbonate 2701 contract opened higher today at 132,500 yuan/mt. After the open, bears briefly held the advantage, and prices consolidated lower, hitting a low of 130,200 yuan/mt. Subsequently, bargain hunting emerged at lows, and prices gradually rebounded. Around midday, bulls concentrated their efforts, and prices shot up rapidly to the day's high of 135,300 yuan/mt. In the afternoon, prices consolidated at highs, fluctuating repeatedly around 134,000 yuan/mt. Near the close, prices pulled back slightly, ultimately closing up 2.53% at 134,400 yuan/mt. Open interest was basically flat (up slightly by 84 lots).

In the spot market, downstream buyers continued to purchase as needed at lows, but as prices drifted higher, buying enthusiasm turned more cautious. Upstream lithium chemical plants maintained their stance of holding prices firm and holding back from selling for spot orders. Overall, both market inquiries and actual transaction pace slowed down. On the news and sentiment front, the continued destocking of warrants, combined with confidence in short-term demand resilience, shifted sentiment from earlier pessimism to a slightly more positive tone, driving prices to drift higher.

SMM Daily Review: Spot lithium carbonate prices continued to edge up slightly on September 22

【Argentina's Mining Exports Hit Record USD 4.74 Billion in H1 2026, Lithium Accounts for Nearly One Quarter】Argentina's mining exports reached a record USD 4.742 billion in the first half of 2026, up nearly 75% year on year and accounting for approximately 10% of the country's total exports. Gold accounted for 61% of mining exports, while lithium represented nearly one quarter, making it the second-largest mineral export. Argentina's lithium export volumes increased by approximately 68% year on year in H1 2026. The country currently has seven lithium projects in operation and five under construction, with two additional projects at the feasibility stage.

Argentina's Mining Exports Hit Record USD 4.74 Billion in H1 2026, Lithium Accounts for Nearly One Quarter

【Huayou Cobalt Issues RMB 1 Billion Green Sci-Tech Innovation Bond for Battery Recycling and Lithium Salt Procurement】Huayou Cobalt announced that it has completed the issuance of its 11th green sci-tech innovation bond for 2026, “26 Huayou Cobalt GN011,” with an issuance size of RMB 1 billion, a two-year maturity and a coupon rate of 2.20%. The proceeds will be used to replace expenditures incurred by subsidiaries within the previous three months for the recycling of waste power batteries and their dismantled materials, as well as raw material purchases for battery-grade lithium salt manufacturing.

Huayou Cobalt Issues RMB 1 Billion Green Sci-Tech Innovation Bond for Battery Recycling and Lithium Salt Procurement

【Tengyuan Cobalt Plans to Redirect RMB 949 Million of IPO Proceeds to DRC Lufupa Hydropower Project】Tengyuan Cobalt's 2026 first extraordinary general meeting approved a proposal to change part of its IPO-funded projects. The company plans to reduce the planned capacity of its ternary precursor project from 80,000 mt/year to 20,000 mt/year, releasing RMB 948.75 million in proceeds, equivalent to 18.23% of its net IPO proceeds. The funds will be redirected to the Lufupa hydropower project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which will be implemented by its wholly owned subsidiary.

【SMM Flash】Tengyuan Cobalt Plans to Redirect RMB 949 Million of IPO Proceeds to DRC Lufupa Hydropower Project

【Liqi Intelligent Signs RMB 2 Billion Investment Agreement for Lithium Battery Equipment Manufacturing Base】Liqi Intelligent announced that it officially signed an investment cooperation agreement with Wuxi Wanshanhu Industrial Development Co., Ltd. on September 21, 2026, for the construction of a lithium battery equipment intelligent manufacturing base and R&D center. The project has a total investment of RMB 2 billion, with the main terms consistent with those previously disclosed by the company.

【SMM Flash】Liqi Intelligent Signs RMB 2 Billion Investment Agreement for Lithium Battery Equipment Manufacturing Base

【Keda Industrial Group Plans RMB 4.5 Billion Investment in 500,000 mt/year Graphite Anode Material Project】Keda Industrial Group said its subsidiary Fujian Keda New Energy plans to sign an investment cooperation agreement with Tumed Right Banner government and invest approximately RMB 4.5 billion, including working capital, to build an integrated graphite anode material project with annual capacity of 500,000 mt in Baotou, Inner Mongolia. The project will cover approximately 1,000 mu and is expected to start construction in October 2026, with a construction period of 10-12 months. The company currently has approximately 150,000 mt/year of integrated artificial graphite capacity, which is expected to increase to 180,000 mt/year after capacity upgrades in 2026. The project is currently in the preliminary preparation stage and remains subject to relevant filings and approvals.

Keda Industrial Group Plans RMB 4.5 Billion Investment in 500,000 mt/year Graphite Anode Material Project

The Future of Indonesia NPI and Asian Stainless Steel

Indonesia ESDM New HPM Formula & Nickel Market Updates

2025-2026 Global PV Market Review & Outlook: Navigating Geopolitics and Policy Shifts

SMM FREE WEBINAR: Sulfur Market: 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

Impact of Iran Situation on Aluminum & Zinc Chains: A China-Based Market Outlook

SMM Africa Webinar: Strategic Sharing & Insights of Copper, Aluminium, New Energy, and Iron Ore Market

Lithium Is Moving Again — What It Really Means for BESS Costs and Procurement Strategy

Asia Copper and Aluminum Scrap 2025 Market Review and 2026 Outlook

SMM Aluminium Year-End Review: Indonesia 's Value Chain Acceleration - Tighter Quotas, Refinery Ramps & the Path to Aluminum Powerhouse Status

SMM Online Webinar: Nickel in Turmoil - Decoding Indonesia’s Policy Evolution & The Future of Global Supply

Category	Price Description	Change	Date
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate USD/tonne	+22.65	Sep 22
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	+237.35	Sep 22
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+7.45	Sep 22
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Sep 22
Electrolyte	Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+13.58	Sep 22
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	+3.22	Sep 22

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