Concept tracking of Hong Kong stocks | Global demand for lithium batteries continues to grow in 2025 Australia's lithium mine shutdowns boost lithium prices rebound (with concept stocks)

In November 2024, MIN announced that due to the continuous depression of lithium spodumene prices, the company will transition the Bald Hill lithium mine to a maintenance state starting from the week of November 13. Mining operations will cease from November 13, and the company expects the lithium spodumene beneficiation plant to suspend operations in December 2024. The shutdown of lithium spodumene mines in Australia is a significant event indicating industry supply clearing. With current low lithium prices, industry capital expenditure is scarce, and high-cost lithium resources in production will continue to reduce and shut down. China Securities Co., Ltd. released a research report stating that the lithium battery industry is expected to see the first reversal in supply and demand situation in three years in Q2 2025. In terms of electric vehicles, domestic demand is better than expected, with an estimated wholesale volume in China of 13 million units in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 36%. With subsidies for trading in old for new vehicles driving sales, China Securities Co., Ltd. predicts domestic electric vehicle sales to reach 15.6 million units in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 20%; the United States is expected to sell 1.6 million units in 2024, an 8% increase, and the policy outlook for 2025 is currently unclear, with the possibility of maintaining stability in the US market in 2025. Haitong issued a research report indicating optimism for lithium mining and lithium salt prices to rebound amid the backdrop of improved business conditions in the downstream new energy vehicle and power battery industries. Companies in the lithium mining sector: Tianqi Lithium Corporation (09696), Ganfeng Lithium Group (01772).