Lithium carbonate prices fluctuate at high levels, experts call for a return to a reasonable range

```htmlAccording to Golden Ten Data on May 22, Zhou Bo, Secretary-General of the Lithium Iron Phosphate Materials Branch of China Chemical and Physical Power Industry Association, stated that "the profits from the increase in lithium carbonate prices are mostly being earned by overseas mining companies." Currently, China mainly relies on imported lithium ore. With the rise in lithium carbonate prices, domestic refineries only make a meager processing fee, while the majority of profits remain with lithium mining companies from Chile and Australia. In addition, experts from the new energy vehicle, energy storage, and lithium iron phosphate industries all unanimously believe that high-priced lithium carbonate has already impacted the development of the sector, calling for lithium carbonate prices to return to a reasonable range. Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of the Passenger Car Market Information Joint Committee of the China Automobile Dealers Association, said: "At present, the price of lithium carbonate per ton is around 180,000–190,000 yuan, which is not driven by real downstream car purchase demand. Upstream suppliers proactively reduce production to support prices, the shutdown of Jiangxi lithium mines leads to tightened supply, and combined with the market’s excessive overestimation of energy storage growth expectations, capital speculation is pushing prices higher. However, actual demand from the real economy provides limited support."```