New study shows a $1.1 billion drop in gold exploration budgets this year as juniors struggle to raise capital, but the precious metal still accounts for 46% of the total.

The US lithium giant controls about 13% of the global market this year, while Chinese producers have grown their share to 63%.

Investment bank Barclays and financial consultancy Barrenjoey hired to identify best partners for Savannah's Barroso lithium project in Portugal.