Dundee Capital Market's coverage of Lithium America's suggests the potential for the company to be one of the lowest costs lithium carbonate producers in the world.
The company disclosed that demand in the lithium market remained robust for the period as “improved economic conditions continue to provide a firm foundation for market growth. Important improvement in demand for batteries, the historical demand driver for the lithium market, continued to support demand growth for this market."
Performance of the lithium business beat original company expectations for 2010, and the segment posted record sales volumes. The lithium market improved strikingly over 2009 lows, and the company estimates that total demand for lithium in 2010 was greater than in 2008, the previous record year for demand.
The 3rd Annual Lithium Supply and Markets Conference was hosted by Metal Bulletin last week at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. One of the keynote speakers at the event, Edward R Anderson, president of lithium consultants TRU Group Inc., indicated some bearish sentiments for lithium pipeline projects.
The limited number of publicly traded companies engaged in lithium exploration and production is even more concentrated than the geographical extent of operations; however, the dynamic industry experienced some important developments which grabbed investors attention this year.
Revenues for lithium showed a considerable relative improvement recording an increase of 47.6 percent compared with last year. This demonstrates that the lithium market has improved considerably compared to the market conditions observed during 2009.
SQM saw its share price climb over 6 percent on Tuesday after Potash Corp, said its board rejected an unsolicited $39 billion offer from miner BHP Billiton. Lithium investors will remain very interested in this development as BHP said it continues to review its options and will make a further announcement in due course.
An industrial mineral commodity conference in Las Vegas showcased how corporates are warming up to lithium.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011