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ASEAN Solar Storage Summit 2026

SMM CCAE 2026 15th COPPER INDSTRY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

ASCC 2026 SMM 8th Automotive Supply Chain Conference & Industry Collaboration Forum

2026 SMM (3rd) South China Non-Ferrous Metals Annual Conference

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Indonesia Critical Minerals Conference & Expo 2027

Shanghai Metals Expo 2026

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

Australia's PLS Group is bullish on the lithium price outlook and is nearing a Final Investment Decision on doubling capacity at its Pilgangoora spodumene operation in Western Australia. CEO Dale Henderson said the P2000 expansion study will be released in the quarter ending December, targeting a doubling of output to 2.0 million tons per year. PLS posted a full-year net profit of A$526 million (US$377 million) for the 12 months to June 30, reversing a prior-year loss, though the result fell short of expectations. Henderson described the current environment as "the next part of the cycle," citing strong demand against constrained supply. Shares rose as much as 8.1% in Sydney on the results. The company said organic expansion remains the priority over dealmaking for now.
SMM View: A confirmed FID on P2000 would mark one of the clearest supply-side signals of this cycle, and its downstream effect on grade differentials is the part the earnings release doesn't cover. As SC6 volumes potentially double out of Western Australia, the pricing relationship between Australian and African concentrate SC5.5 and SC5.0 grades moving CIF into China is where the real adjustment will show up first, likely well ahead of any public data catching up. SMM continues to track how offtake counterparties are positioning ahead of this decision and welcomes perspective from traders and converters active in these corridors.

[SMM News Flash] PLS Group Turns Bullish on Lithium Cycle, Nears FID on Pilgangoora Capacity Doubling

Zimbabwe's lithium concentrate export ban takes effect 1 January 2027, and only one of the country's sulphate plants is complete Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe's $400 million facility at Arcadia. Sinomine's $500 million facility at Bikita and Yahua's plant at Kamativi remain under construction, while a state-owned project at Sandawana is still at feasibility stage. Producers have requested a deadline extension to mid-2027; government has not confirmed either way. Zimbabwe and Zambia meet in Livingstone in November, six weeks before the deadline.
SMM View: Whether the extension is granted is the question every producer in the country is now pricing and it's not one the public record will answer first. Reliable CIF pricing and construction-progress detail out of Bikita and Kamativi remain hard to come by outside direct market contact.

Zimbabwe's Lithium Export Ban Looms, Only One Plant Ready as Producers Seek Deadline Extension

SMM August 24: Lithium Argentina AG (TSX/NYSE: LAR) and Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. have finalized agreements to consolidate their Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes ("PPG") projects in Salta Province, Argentina, into a single joint venture, alongside a $180 million strategic investment by Ganfeng into Lithium Argentina.
The PPG JV combines Ganfeng's Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes project with Lithium Argentina's Pastos Grandes and Sal de la Puna projects, targeting 150,000 tpa of lithium carbonate equivalent capacity across three phases. Ganfeng holds 67% and will operate the JV; Lithium Argentina holds 33%. Combined historical investment stands at $1.8 billion, with completion expected in September 2026 under new Dutch holding entity Millennial Lithium B.V.
Separately, Ganfeng will subscribe to a $180 million unsecured convertible note, carrying a 4.0% coupon, six-year term, and $12.50 conversion price  a roughly 96% premium to Lithium Argentina's five-day VWAP through August 21. Proceeds will retire the company's $259 million convertible debt due January 2027. Upon full conversion, Ganfeng's stake in Lithium Argentina would rise from 9.6% to approximately 16.1%.
The deal deepens a partnership already anchoring Cauchari-Olaroz, Argentina's largest lithium brine operation, where Lithium Argentina holds 44.8% and Ganfeng 46.7%.
SMM View: The transaction extends Chinese capital's growing footprint in South American brine assets, echoing the consolidation already seen across African spodumene supply. It de-risks Lithium Argentina's near-term maturities while adding fresh LCE capacity to global project pipelines, with implications for offtake competition and CIF China pricing across both brine and hard-rock lithium chains.

[SMM News] Lithium Argentina, Ganfeng  Finalize PPG Joint Venture; Ganfeng to Invest $180 Million in Lithium Argentina

【Tengyuan Cobalt's H1 Net Profit Rises 87.82%, Black Mass Feed Intake Up 94.22%】 Tengyuan Cobalt reported operating revenue of RMB 6.089 billion in the first half of 2026, up 72.36% year-on-year, while net profit attributable to shareholders rose 87.82% to RMB 881 million. During the period, black mass feed intake at its Ganzhou facility increased 94.22% year-on-year, with significant growth in recovered cobalt, nickel and lithium output. The company's annual black mass processing capacity has reached 50,000 tonnes, supporting its integrated recycling, purification and battery-materials value chain。

Tengyuan Cobalt's H1 Net Profit Rises 87.82%, Black Mass Feed Intake Up 94.22%

【DRIVN and Tata Motors Sign MoU to Explore Leasing and Financing Solutions for Electric Commercial Vehicles】 Indian EV leasing platform DRIVN and Tata Motors have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore leasing and financing solutions for electric commercial vehicles in India. Under the agreement, DRIVN will offer customized leasing solutions for Tata Motors' electric commercial vehicle portfolio, aiming to simplify financing and leasing for fleet operators and accelerate the adoption of electric commercial vehicles.

DRIVN and Tata Motors Sign MoU to Explore Leasing and Financing Solutions for Electric Commercial Vehicles

【India's EzyFleet Raises INR 32 Million in Seed Funding to Expand EV Fleet】 Mumbai-based electric fleet management company EzyFleet has raised INR 32 million in seed funding from Canada-based investment firm Saffron Maple Ventures. The company currently operates more than 150 electric three-wheelers and four-wheelers across 10 cities in India. The funding will be used to expand its EV fleet, geographic presence and operations.

India's EzyFleet Raises INR 32 Million in Seed Funding to Expand EV Fleet

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	+1231.7	Aug 24
Raw Materials	Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide (Coarse Particles) USD/tonne	+1156.94	Aug 24
Cathode material	China Lithium Ferrous Phosphate (Powder Compact Density 2.50g/cm³ min) USD/tonne	+315.89	Aug 24
Battery separator	China 9μm Wet-process Separator USD/m²	0	Aug 24
Electrolyte	China Lithium Hexafluorophosphate USD/tonne	+228.03	Aug 24
Electrolyte	China Electrolyte (for LFP Battery) USD/tonne	+1.34	Aug 24

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