Australian hard rock lithium producers are gearing up to boost supply as spodumene prices have more than tripled since early December.

Lithium prices in China surged on Wednesday after the natural resource authority of the country’s main lithium-producing hub said it would revoke 27 mining licences.

Australian mining firm Ioneer is interested in bidding on a bundle of Rio Tinto Group’s US assets that produce boron, a critical mineral used in fertilizer, according to its top executive.

Liontown has secured another major customer for its Kathleen Valley lithium project, signing a binding offtake agreement with China’s Canmax Technologies for the supply of 150 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate over 2027 and 2028.

The Cinovec lithium project has been awarded a €360-million grant by Czech Republic, project owner European Metals announced on Friday.

Andrada Mining has reported improved operational and financial performance for the six months ended August 31, with higher production, increased revenue and a reduced operating loss for the first half of its 2026 financial year.

Liontown Resources said on Thursday its first online auction for spodumene concentrate from its flagship Kathleen Valley project fetched a price far above prevailing spot levels.

Frontier Lithium has published the findings of an independent socioeconomic assessment for its proposed PAK lithium project in north-western Ontario, detailing the long-term economic contribution expected from the mine, mill and associated conversion facility.

Albemarle reported a smaller-than-expected loss for the third quarter on Wednesday, as the lithium producer's tight leash on costs and resilient sales volumes softened the squeeze from persistently low prices for the metal.

Prairie Lithium has started construction of its lithium extraction facility at Pad #1 in Saskatchewan.