Lithium

Pilbara Minerals spodumene auction hits record US$5,650 amid slump in lithium prices

Thu 28 Apr 22, 10:00am (AEDT)
Lithium 4

Key Points

  • Pilbara Minerals fourth spodumene auction sold for a record price of US$5,650/dmt
  • Chinese lithium participants are bullish going into May
  • Pilbara Minerals' March quarter metrics were in-line with guidance

Pilbara Minerals (ASX: PLS) could bolster local lithium names after the company’s fourth spodumene auction locked in prices of US$5,650/dmt.

Last October, Pilbara held its third spodumene auction, which achieved a bid of US$2,350/dmt, meaning prices have increased 140% in just 7 months. 

Industry players told S&P Global Platts various views about the current pricing environment, including: 

  • “There is still enough margin for lithium converters,” said an international trader

  • “There is a risk that you could be losing money when you sell the product later on if prices keep dropping,” said a Japanese lithium converter

  • “Shanghai may come out of lockdown in May. There may be pent up demand,” a trader said

Pilbara Minerals said that it expects to hold auctions on a more regular basis as the Ngungaju project ramps up production and more uncommitted tonnes become available.

It was noted that selling into the spot market is advantageous compared to "typically longer-dated offtake sales arrangements". Pilbara Minerals said this could help it outperform fellow peers in respect to sales prices.

Pilbara Minerals March Quarterly

March quarter metrics were in-line with the company’s guidance - and rightfully so after three production downgrades since last August.

Average spodumene prices achieved in the March quarter was US$2,650/dmt, in-line with the prior guidance range between US$2,600 to US$3,000 dmt. 

Pilbara Minerals reaffirmed its FY22 annualised production guidance of 340,000 to 380,000 dmt, though flagged that any continuing covid impacts could see production land in the lower half of the guidance range.

The Pilgan Plant Improvement Project was successfully commissioned, re-rating its production capacity from 330,000 tpa to 360-380,000 tpa of spodumene concentrate.

The restart of production from the Ngungaju Plant (acquired from Altura Resources in Dec 2020) was going according to plan, targeting 180-200,000 tpa in production by the September quarter.

Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX PLS) Share Price - Market Index
Pilbara Minerals 12-month price chart

 

Written By

Kerry Sun

Content Strategist

Kerry holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University. He is an avid swing trader, focused on technical set ups and breakouts. Outside of writing and trading, Kerry is a big UFC fan, loves poker and training Muay Thai. Connect via LinkedIn or email.

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