据了解，力拓一直在寻求扩大其锂矿开采业务，尤其是在塞尔维亚政府反对下，其在塞尔维亚的Jadar矿场(原本有望成为世界上最大的锂矿之一)无限期停产后。Rio Tinto's acquisition of Arcadium Lithium has triggered excitement in the lithium industry market, leading to a surge in the stock prices of related lithium companies.
According to Hotung Inv app, Rio Tinto (RIO.US) acquisition of Arcadium Lithium (ALTM.US) has sparked excitement in the lithium industry market, causing a surge in the stock prices of related lithium companies. This deal will make Rio Tinto the world's third largest lithium producer, behind only Albemarle and SQM. The acquisition strategy has also fueled optimism in the market that small lithium producers could become acquisition targets, driving up the stocks of Liontown Resources Ltd., Sayona Mining Ltd, and Lithium Americas (LAC.US) by over 10%, while the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF in New York has also risen by over 5%.
Analyst Pavel Molchanov from Raymond James & Associates Inc. pointed out that the depressed lithium prices have led to lower company valuations, increasing the interest of potential buyers. He emphasized that a large mining group is interested in a multi-billion dollar acquisition, which is a positive signal for the entire lithium industry.
It is understood that Rio Tinto has been seeking to expand its lithium mining business, especially after its indefinite suspension of operations at the Jadar mine in Serbia, originally expected to become one of the world's largest lithium mines, due to opposition from the Serbian government.
However, Arcadium has extensive lithium reserves across four continents, focusing solely on lithium rather than other products like fertilizers, making it an attractive acquisition target for Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto's significant balance sheet will help in developing these lithium assets promptly to meet the expected growth in global demand over the next decade.
Through the acquisition of Arcadium, Rio Tinto will gain lithium mines, processing facilities, and deposits in Argentina, Australia, Canada, and the USA, driving its growth for decades and expanding its customer base including Tesla, Ford, BMW, and General Motors.
Analysts at Canaccord also expect that by 2030, the merged group may account for around 10% of the global lithium chemicals supply.
Although the financial details of the trade have not been disclosed, Arcadium's stock price has fallen by more than 50% since January, mainly due to the lithium inventory crisis caused by oversupply and weak demand for key battery metals in electric vehicles. The spot price of lithium carbonate in China has dropped by more than 85% from its peak in 2022.
On Monday, Arcadium's stock surged by 46% in Australia and soared by 35% on the US market, while Rio Tinto's stock price fell by 2%.