Factbox: Lithium mines that have cutback output due to low prices

Argosy Minerals

10/12/2024 04:00

Dec 10 (Reuters) - Some mines that produce lithium, used
in electric vehicle batteries, have curtailed operations or
delayed expansions after a 90% drop in prices over the last two
years.
    Other loss-making mines have maintained production, largely
because they have the support of Chinese battery-makers that can
increase their profits when the raw materials in their supply
chains are cheaper. 
    Below are details of mines that have temporarily halted
operations or postponed expansions. Consultancy CRU said the
total impact would be 100,000 metric tons less output this year
and 228,000 tons in 2025.
    
    MINERAL RESOURCES  MIN.AX 
    In November, the company said it would put its Bald Hill
mine in Western Australia under care and maintenance. It left
its other two jointly-owned mines in operation at lower levels. 
    
    LIONTOWN RESOURCES  LTR.AX 
    In November, the company trimmed production plans for its
new Kathleen Valley lithium mine during its ramp-up.
    
    PILBARA MINERALS  PLS.AX 
    The company said in October it would put one of its two
processing plants in care and maintenance at the beginning of
December, trimming output by the company.
    
    ARCADIUM  ALTM.N 
    In September, the company said it put its Mt. Cattlin mine
in Western Australia in care and maintenance by the end of the
first half of 2025. In August, it also announced a delay to
expansion plans at its Feniz operation in Argentina and said it
would pause development of its Galaxy project in Canada.
    In October,  Rio Tinto  RIO.AX   RIO.L  agreed to buy
Arcadium for $6.7 billion.

    CATL  300750.SZ 
    Chinese battery giant CATL said in September it would adjust
lithium production at its Jianxiawo mine. It did not say how
much output would be affected, but UBS estimated it would be
15,000 tons for about three months.
    
    ARGOSY MINERALS  AGY.AX 
    In July, the company suspended operations at a lithium
carbonate production facility at its Rincon project in
Argentina.
        
    IGO  IGO.AX 
    The company in January trimmed its 2024 production forecast
for its Greenbushes mine by 7%.
    
    CORE LITHIUM  CXO.AX 
    In January, the company suspended operations at its Finniss
project in Australia's Northern Territory.

 (Reporting by Eric Onstad; editing by Barbara Lewis)
 ((eric.onstad@thomsonreuters.com; +44 20 7542 7093; Twitter https://twitter.com/reutersEricO;
 Reuters Messaging: eric.onstad.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))