Port Hedland lithium exports fall in July

Lithium exports from the West Australian port of Port Hedland fell sharply to 198,016t in July from 427,614t in June.

Two direct shipping ore shipments were made to China in July compared with four in June, monthly data from the Pilbara Port Authority show.

Exports have been volatile in the first seven months of the year with three months above 420,000t and two months below 200,000t. The highest month was March with exports of 444,517t and the lowest was May with exports of 114,062t.

Direct shipping ore exports come mainly from Mineral Resources' Wodgina mine and more recently from Pilbara Minerals' Pilgangoora project.

Lithium concentrate exports are set to rise in the second half of this year as Altura Mining and Pilbara Minerals begin offtake shipments to China. The Wodgina mine will later this year and in the first half of next year reduce its direct shipping ore shipments as it converts to producing higher margin lithium concentrate.