Lithium Ore (Spodumene)

Spodumene is the most important hard-rock lithium mineral, containing up to 8% Li2O. It is converted into lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate for use in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage. Australian spodumene concentrates (SC6, ~6% Li2O) dominate seaborne trade.

Start Trading Lithium Ore (Spodumene)
SC6 (6% Li2O)SC5.5Technical GradeChemical GradeFOBCIFCFR
Quick Facts

Lithium Ore (Spodumene) at a Glance

Common Origins
AustraliaBrazilZimbabweCanadaPortugal
Common Destinations
ChinaSouth KoreaJapanUnited StatesEurope
Grades & Specifications
SC6 (6% Li2O)SC5.5Technical GradeChemical Grade
INCOTERMS
FOBCIFCFR
Unit of Measure
Dry Metric Tons
Price Drivers

What Moves Lithium Ore (Spodumene) Pricing

Spodumene 6% Li2O is the dominant hard-rock lithium feedstock, priced FOB Australia. Prices collapsed 80% from late 2022 peak through 2024 as supply caught up; the SC6 benchmark assesses weekly via Fastmarkets and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Demand is almost entirely battery-driven — EV adoption rate, grid storage deployment, and Chinese cathode mill utilization. The spodumene-to-carbonate-to-cathode chain has 4-6 month lag, which causes whip-saw price moves.

Contract Structure

How Lithium Ore (Spodumene) Cargoes Are Priced and Settled

Cargoes are 5,000-30,000 tonnes panamax or capesize. Pricing has shifted away from quarterly fixed contracts toward index-linked formulas (M-1 or M-1/M average against SC6 CIF China). Lithium content payability is contractual — typically 95-98% of the contained lithium at LME or industry-quoted Li2O pricing, less converter charges.

Quality & Disputes

Lithium Ore (Spodumene) Specifications and Dispute Practice

Specs cover Li2O grade (5.5-6.0% chemical-grade), iron oxide (Fe2O3 max), and physical form. Disputes commonly involve actual delivered Li2O versus contract minimum, with payable formula adjustments. Mica and feldspar contamination can downgrade material from chemical-grade to ceramic-grade pricing — a $400-600/tonne hit.

Trade Flows

Where Lithium Ore (Spodumene) Comes From and Where It Goes

Australia (Pilbara, Greenbushes, Wodgina, Mt Marion, Mt Cattlin) supplies over half of global spodumene, almost entirely shipped to Chinese converters. Brazil (Sigma, AMG), Canada (Sayona, NAL), and Zimbabwe are growing. Africa is the swing volume. China remains the dominant converter; US Inflation Reduction Act is incentivizing North American conversion capacity but slowly.

Trade Lithium Ore (Spodumene) on CommodityTradeX

More in Ores & Minerals

Iron Ore Fines

Iron ore fines are the most traded seaborne iron ore product, with particle sizes below 6.3mm. They are sintered before being charged into blast furnaces for pig iron production. The benchmark Platts IODEX (62% Fe CFR China) is the global reference price for iron ore fines.

Iron Ore Lump

Iron ore lump is a directly chargeable blast furnace feed with particle sizes between 6.3mm and 31.5mm. It commands a lump premium over fines because it does not require sintering, saving energy and capex for steelmakers. Australian Pilbara lump is the most widely traded grade.

Iron Ore Pellets

Iron ore pellets are spherical agglomerates of fine ore concentrate, hardened in kilns at 1,200-1,350 degrees Celsius. They offer superior blast furnace performance with higher iron content (65-67% Fe), better reducibility, and uniform size. DR-grade pellets feed direct reduction plants for DRI/HBI production.

Bauxite

Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminum, processed through the Bayer process to produce alumina, which is then smelted into aluminum. Guinea and Australia hold the largest reserves. Bauxite quality is determined by available alumina content, reactive silica, and moisture levels.

Chrome Ore

Chrome ore (chromite) is the sole commercial source of chromium, essential for stainless steel production via ferro chrome. South Africa controls over 70% of global chromite reserves. Ore grades are classified by Cr2O3 content, with metallurgical grade (40%+ Cr2O3) commanding the highest prices.

Cobalt

Cobalt is a critical metal for lithium-ion battery cathodes (NMC, NCA chemistries) and superalloy applications in jet engines. The Democratic Republic of Congo produces over 70% of global cobalt, raising ethical sourcing concerns. LME and Fastmarkets MB provide benchmark pricing.

Ready to Trade Lithium Ore (Spodumene)?

Join commodity traders already using CommodityTradeX to find verified counterparties and manage deals end-to-end.

Create Your Free Account

No credit card required. Free tier includes unlimited listings.