INTELLIGENCE REPORT
BUYER: DEFENSIVE

Lithium Intelligence Report

June 29, 2026 · Intelligence Report · Lithium Carbonate (LTHM) · SMM China spot

Market diagnosis: The lithium carbonate correction has deepened further — SMM China spot dropped to 151,750 CNY/T (June 29, 2026), a -3.3% decline in the week since the last report and a -24.3% fall from the May 13 peak of 200,500 CNY/T. The correction now extends beyond a quarter of peak value. The new catalyst is restart speculation at CATL's Jianxiawo mine (Jiangxi Province), which passed a land pre-approval on June 17, 2026 — triggering a -10% crash over two trading sessions. This 46,000 t/yr mine (~3% of global supply) has been closed since August 2025. The structural deficit thesis (Fastmarkets: deficit in 2026, $23.80/kg forecast) remains intact but near-term momentum is decisively negative. Prices remain +150% above June 2025 lows (~60,700 CNY/T). The divergence between bearish near-term momentum and bullish medium-term fundamentals is the widest since the 2025 bear market bottom. For procurement: the 140,000 CNY/T level (Jan open) is the critical support; below that, 130,000 is the next floor.

SMM China Spot
151,750
CNY/T · June 29, 2026
US$ Equivalent
~$23,700
USD/t at 1 CNY=0.1563 USD
Week Change
-3.3%
from 157,000 CNY/T Jun 22
From May Peak
-24.3%
from 200,500 CNY/T May 13 high
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Full report loaded below — charts, decision matrix, and procurement recommendations. Label count: Verified 8 / Estimated 10 / Speculation 0.