Port Hedland lithium exports decline in September

Lithium concentrate (spodumene) exports from Port Hedland in Western Australia fell to 26,647 dry metric tonnes (dmt) in September from 49,225 dmt in August, according to monthly data from the Pilbara Ports Authority.

There were three shipments to China in September, three in August and two in July (22,300 dmt).

Lithium concentrate exports totalled 251,259 dmt in the first nine months of 2020 compared to 200,272 dmt a year earlier.

Exports of copper concentrate rose to 21,814t in September, with one shipment each to China and South Korea, up from 6,700t in August that comprised one shipment to Japan. There was one manganese ore shipment of 103,000t to China in September, after there were no shipments in August.

Copper concentrate exports totalled 232,050t in the first nine months of 2020 while manganese ore exports totalled 858,813.

By Angus Macmillan