SQM forecasts a “very tight market” for lithium in the years ahead.

Investing in mineral-rich countries would be easier than building new mines in the US, said Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Executive Editor Henry Sanderson in an interview.

Nornickel plans to increase the equity holdings of employees and other individuals to collectively comprise 25% of the company, up from 10% now.

"It makes us the largest collector, packager and processor of both end of life batteries and battery manufacturing scrap in North America,” says CEO David Klanecky.

Lithium carbonate hit a fresh record of 500,500 yuan ($71,315) a tonne in China.

Battery-metals park that will process metals including lithium, platinum, and nickel, its latest plan to revive its moribund economy.