Albemarle cuts back lithium processing in Australia amid price slump

Move deals another blow to country's critical mineral ambitions

20240801 Albemarle

Lithium giant Albemarle is cutting back operations at its lithium processing plant in Australia.(Source photos by Reuters and Albemarle)

SHAUN TURTON, Nikkei staff writer

SYDNEY -- U.S. lithium giant Albemarle will scale back operations at its lithium processing plant in Australia and halt expansion of the facility due to the prolonged downturn in prices for the metal.

The North Carolina-based company announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday in the U.S., saying it had launched a "comprehensive review" of its cost and operating structure to "preserve long-term competitiveness" in the face of "ongoing industry headwinds."

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