Planned production at its flagship Kachi lithium brine project will be set at 50,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate.

Erin O’Toole has asked the government to conduct a national security review of the proposed takeover of Canada’s Neo Lithium by China’s Zijin Mining.

The turmoil is the latest example of acute supply stress in global metals markets, and represents the third time in 12 months that the LME has stepped in to increase monitoring.

Lithium prices are set to surge again in the June half, spurred by a jump in China's production of electric vehicle batteries.

The mine has faced opposition from environmental activists and local communities over concerns of environmental damage.

The company is purchasing the Lac des Iles mine and mill in Quebec and all the outstanding shares of Imerys Group.

With electric cars accounting for about one in every five automobile sales last month, China’s EV market is entering a maturation phase.

“The mining industry needs to do a better job of utilizing innovative technologies as a way of looking to clean up environmental liabilities.”