Distributed on behalf of E3 Lithium.
Lithium prices have rebounded sharply this year—rising from about $17,200 in January to roughly $25,301. The main catalyst is simple: demand is growing faster than supply, with the latter struggling to keep pace.
Unfortunately, without significant investments in lithium mining, the world could quickly see supply deficits as early as 2028, according to Wood Mackenzie’s Energy Transition Outlook for Lithium. All of which creates substantial opportunity for lithium companies, such as E3 Lithium Ltd. (TSXV: ETL) (OTCQX: EEMMF), which ATB Cormark Capital Markets’ analyst MacMurray Whale just initiated an outperform rating on April 21, with a price target of $3.25 a share, implying potential upside of 160%, Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), Lithium Americas (NYSE: LAC) (TSX: LAC), Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ: SGML) (TSXV: SGML), and Standard Lithium (NYSE: SLI) (TSXV: SLI).
Major players like Albemarle expect strong growth ahead. The company recently increased its 2030 global lithium demand forecast by 10%, and sees demand growing as much as 40% in 2026 alone. Meanwhile, firms like Morgan Stanley and UBS are already warning of supply deficits this year. In fact, Morgan Stanley forecasts a deficit of 80,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate for the year. UBS says we could see a deficit of 22,000 tons, compared with an expected surplus of 61,000 tons in 2025, as noted by Mining.com.
In addition, as noted by Mining Visuals, “Morgan Stanley's aggressive 80,000-tonne deficit projection accounts for the reality that complex mine restarts often require two to five years to fully integrate back into the global supply chain.”
E3 Lithium Ltd. (TSXV: ETL) (OTCQX: EEMMF) Demonstrating Commerciality of Producing Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate.
On April 20, 2026, E3 Lithium, a leader in Canadian lithium development announced that it completed well development and pump installation and is now ready to begin operations for Phase 2 of its Demonstration Facility. The Company has developed a three-phase plan with multiple goals at each phase to demonstrate commerciality of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate.
As outlined on March 9, 2026, the two main goals of Phase 2 are to complete a reservoir production test to further delineate flow through the Leduc Reservoir and to collect water and gas chemistry data. The reservoir test will inform the Reservoir Development Plan (RDP) that is currently being completed and will result in a well and pipeline network design that informs well and pipeline permitting. Brine and gas data collected will inform the design of the inlet and gas separation for the commercial facility. Information collected from this work is some of the last technical data required for the Feasibility Study that E3 is working through for the Clearwater Project. As is standard in the industry, the Company submitted the Directive 51 application that occurs once the wells are completed. Upon receipt of its licence, the site will begin operations, which are expected to run for 8-12 weeks before moving to Demo Phase 3. Work completed at the Demonstration Facility to-date has been supported in part by the $5 million in funding provided by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA).
In parallel with Phase 2 operations, the team at E3 will be setting up for Phase 3 of its demonstration, which focusses primarily on the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) testing, and is the final phase of E3’s Demonstration Facility. Phase 3 consists of both the operation of the 30-column DLE, paired with the purification/carbonation equipment, that was successfully commissioned during Phase 1, and the construction and operation of a full commercial size single DLE column.
Over the course of the summer, E3 will procure the equipment for, and build out the single column unit, supported through the Government of Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative (GPI) $36.5 million conditionally approved funding announced on March 2, 2026 (E3 Lithium – News Releases).
While Phase 2 of the Demonstration Facility focusses on acquiring necessary engineering data, Phase 3 provides a real-world proof of concept for brine to battery-grade lithium carbonate production. Phase 3 of the Demo will produce nearly 100 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in lithium chloride that the company will use to further its offtake discussions.
Operating the DLE technology at 1:1 scale to a commercial system, with brine moving “live” through the process, validates the key parameters to financial institutions, strategic partners, off-takers and the government. This will form a critical component to secure project financing for the construction of the Clearwater Project’s first phase which will produce 12,000 tonnes per year of lithium carbonate.
Other related developments from around the markets include:
Albemarle, a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, will release its first quarter 2026 earnins on Wednesday, May 6. For the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. "Our results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025 are a testament to our team's focus on execution amid dynamic market conditions. Albemarle achieved year-over-year sales growth of more than 15% in the fourth quarter, as well as strong full-year cash flow generation and significant cost and productivity improvements," said Kent Masters, Chairman and CEO. "The steps we have taken to optimize our asset portfolio, reduce costs and strengthen our financial flexibility have improved our competitive position. Even as market conditions improve, we continue to drive cost reduction and productivity actions to enable long-term growth, powered by our world-class resources."
Lithium Americas providesd a project update for the year ended December 31, 2025, 2026 capital expenditure guidance and 2026 project development milestones for its Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County, Nevada. “2025 was a pivotal year for Lithium Americas and the Thacker Pass Project with Phase 1 construction well underway,” said Jonathan Evans, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lithium Americas. “Safety remains our top priority, processing facilities are rising and critical equipment and materials are arriving daily. As planned, we expect to reach peak construction employment of roughly 1,800 skilled craftspeople by year-end. Lithium market conditions are strengthening just as the project prepares to come online in late 2027, with full ramp-up through 2028.” Mr. Evans added, “Thacker Pass represents a unique opportunity to build a secure, resilient North American lithium supply chain. We value our partnership with the federal government and the support of local, state and federal leaders who share our commitment to strengthening America’s energy future.”
Sigma Lithium, the largest producer of lithium oxide concentrate in the Americas¹ and dedicated to industrializing socially and environmentally sustainable lithium materials to supply global producers of batteries for energy security, announces the Company’s results for the three months and the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and provided an update on recent developments. In 4Q25, the Company generated cash from operations of US$31 million, comprising inflows of US$41 million less cash operating costs of US$10 million. At the end of 4Q25, the Company’s had cash and cash equivalents of US$6.2 million, which was up slightly from US$6.1 million at the end of 3Q25, as the company used a substantial amount of the cash generated for debt repayment. In 1Q26, cash inflows were US$35 million, primarily from sales of high-purity lithium oxide fines, and cash and equivalents as of March 30, 2026 were US$12 million. In 2Q26, Sigma Lithium’s expected cash inflows are US$96 million, including US$83 million from the Company’s two offtake agreements and US$14 million in proceeds from sales of high-purity lithium oxide fines made in 1Q26.
Standard Lithium Ltd., a leading near-commercial lithium company, announced its financial and operating results for the three-month and full year periods ended December 31, 2025. “We had a busy and productive fourth quarter as we advanced and completed multiple important milestones and deliverables for the Company,” said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. “We filed a positive Definitive Feasibility Study for the SWA Project, and a Maiden Inferred Resource for our first project in East Texas, the Franklin Project. We received a key final regulatory approval for the SWA Project from the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. And we continued to strengthen and de-risk our own financial position, while progressing the Export Credit Agency led project financing for the SWA Project.” In addition, “To begin this year, we have been working diligently to advance the remaining workstreams required to reach FID for the SWA Project. We have made meaningful progress on all fronts, including the signing of our first binding commercial offtake agreement with Trafigura. We will continue to provide project updates as we conclude this work. Our plan for 2026 is to approve FID and begin construction at the SWA Project, and to continue to improve the definition of our position and expand our leasehold footprint in East Texas.”
Legal Disclaimer / Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this article contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Winning Media is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Winning Media is only compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation. Pursuant to an agreement Winning Media has been paid three thousand five hundred dollars for advertising and marketing services for E3 Lithium Ltd. by E3 Lithium Ltd. We own ZERO shares of E3 Lithium Ltd. Please click here for full disclaimer.
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