Top Performing ASX Lithium Shares in the Year 2025
In the world of lithium mining, there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank, has predicted a significant rise in lithium prices by 2027.
According to their latest report, spodumene lithium prices are expected to approach approximately $1,150 per tonne by the end of the decade. This forecast comes amid a period of oversupply and price weakness seen through 2024 and 2025, with spodumene prices trading under $800/tonne in 2025, despite a nearly 30% jump in global lithium demand in 2024 driven primarily by electric vehicle sales.
The rise in prices is attributed to high-cost supply exiting the market and demand growth catching up. Goldman Sachs anticipates a gradual price recovery continuing into the mid and late decade as market fundamentals tighten.
It's important to note that earlier Goldman Sachs forecasts for battery-grade lithium carbonate prices indicated a rise to $11,000/mt in 2025 and $13,250/mt in 2026. However, these figures focus on carbonate rather than spodumene concentrate prices, which the 2027 spodumene price target specifically addresses.
Meanwhile, in the Australian lithium industry, several companies are making strides in their projects. Argosy Minerals is currently focused on advancing its Rincon lithium project in Salta Province, Argentina. The project currently holds a JORC total mineral resource estimate of 686,875 tonnes of lithium carbonate. Argosy Minerals currently holds a 77.5 percent interest in Rincon, with plans to increase to 90 percent through its earn-in agreement.
On June 27, the company announced a lithium carbonate spot sales contract with a Hong Kong-based chemical company for 60 tonnes of 99.5 percent lithium carbonate.
Another Australian company, Anson Resources, has completed a DLE pilot program with Koch Technology Solutions, producing 43,000 gallons of lithium chloride eluate with an average lithium recovery of 98 percent from brine extracted from Green River's Bosydaba #1 well.
In the gold mining sector, Future Battery Minerals completed its gold-focused Phase 1 reverse circulation drill program at Miriam's Forrest and Canyon prospects on July 22. The company reached a year-to-date high of AU$0.029 on July 25.
The world's largest lithium miner, Australia, supplied nearly 30 percent of global production in 2024. Jindalee Lithium, for instance, has a year-to-date gain of 123.26 percent and a market cap of AU$35.94 million. Jindalee Lithium's McDermitt project was declared among the US Trump administration's first 10 resource projects designated as Fast-41 Transparency Projects.
Liontown Resources, currently transitioning from open-pit to underground mining operations at Kathleen Valley, has a year-to-date gain of 75.47 percent and a market cap of AU$2.34 billion.
With these developments, the future of the lithium industry in Australia seems promising, as companies continue to make strides in their projects and the market prepares for a potential price rebound.
The thus projected rise in lithium prices could potentially attract more investments in the finance sector, especially in the lithium industry. Goldman Sachs' forecast of spodumene lithium prices approaching $1,150 per tonne by 2027 might stimulate interest in energy-related investment, considering its flux in the global energy market.
