A1 Lithium, a US-based critical minerals company, is positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly growing lithium market in North America. Through a key partnership with Fastmarkets, A1 Lithium is gaining the tools and insights necessary to adapt to market changes, make informed decisions, and secure its place in a competitive and evolving sector.
The company
Originally founded in 2009 in Perth, Australia, A1 Lithium (a subsidiary of Anson Resources) focuses on the exploration and extraction of critical minerals. The company’s portfolio includes lithium, bromine, boron, iodine, and uranium resources, with a primary emphasis on its flagship development, the Paradox Lithium Project in Utah, US. This project spans two sites near Moab and Green River, where drilling has confirmed significant brine lithium deposits.
With lithium projected to power the electric vehicle revolution, A1 Lithium’s mission aligns with the global push for battery manufacturing independence, particularly in the US market. Its operations have gained momentum in recent years, thanks in part to the Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative (SCRI) by EXIM Bank, which prioritizes the development of domestic supply chains for critical minerals, a hallmark of the current US Administration.
A1 Lithium’s relationship with Fastmarkets began as the company sought data-driven strategies to meet the demands of this highly dynamic market.
I can tell you that you [Fastmarkets] are considered the gold standard in the indices market for critical minerals
A1 Lithium
Market foresight and competitive pricing
A significant challenge for A1 Lithium lies in the volatility of lithium prices and demand. “The price of lithium went from $6,000 per tonne to $90,000 in a short span, and now it’s settled around $10,000 to $12,000 per tonne,” explains A1 Lithium’s commercial head Flemming Bjoernslev. To manage this unpredictability, A1 Lithium relies on Fastmarkets’ pricing indices and forecasts, including the North American lithium price indicator introduced in April last year.
“Our recent negotiations with a US automotive OEM were supported by introducing this North American lithium index as a benchmark,” says Bjoernslev. Fastmarkets’ insight helped A1 Lithium position its product competitively while addressing regional pricing discrepancies, which can sometimes see North American indices 15-20% higher than their Asian counterparts.
An example of our lithium prices is illustrated below:
Planning for market volatility
Fastmarkets’ short- and long-term forecasts have proven instrumental for A1 Lithium in shaping the company’s development timeline. “The forecasts predict a potential upswing in prices to around $20,000-$25,000 per tonne in the years to come,” notes Bjoernslev. Armed with this data, A1 Lithium is staying on course with its production plans while anticipating future demand upticks and avoiding the pitfalls of market overcorrections.
This level of preparedness is essential for a company striving to meet escalating domestic demand. “We’re building capacity at a time when EV adoption is gaining traction. Governments in markets like Norway are moving away from combustion engines, and those trends will inevitably spill over to the US,” Bjoernslev adds. Fastmarkets equips A1 Lithium with data that both validates its development strategy and de-risks its long-term investments.
Navigating geopolitical challenges
A1 Lithium faces complex supply chain realities. While lithium is a critical component of EV batteries, 80% of today’s global lithium supply is sourced from China. The US, with its drive toward self-sufficiency, is increasing tariffs and regulatory hurdles for Chinese imports, shaping the need for reliable domestic supply.
Fastmarkets’ analyses extend beyond pricing; our data highlights material flows across markets and regions. This insight underscores the seismic shifts likely to arise as trade patterns evolve. “Fastmarkets has helped us map out probable alternatives, including sourcing from South America and other countries in Southeast Asia, which have more favorable trade agreements,” explains Bjoernslev.
Strategic partnership for actionable insights
Fastmarkets’ team engages deeply with A1 Lithium, providing customized intelligence and tailored solutions. “We recently worked with Fastmarkets to strengthen assessments for cathode active material capacities in North America,” shares Bjoernslev. This midstream segment of the battery supply chain, often overlooked in federal policy, provides critical links between raw material extraction and end-market production.
“The collaboration isn’t one-sided,” adds Bjoernslev. “We also challenge Fastmarkets’ datasets at times to ensure they align with what we’re experiencing in the field. It’s all part of what makes them a valuable partner.”
Results and future outlook
With Fastmarkets as its trusted partner, A1 Lithium is steadily progressing toward becoming a domestic lithium supplier of choice. The company’s ability to integrate Fastmarkets’ insights into its day-to-day decisions allows it to:
- Negotiate and close commercial contracts based on regionally relevant indices.
- Strategically phase capacity growth based on future market outlooks.
- Anticipate challenges from global supply chain changes and adapt accordingly.
Looking ahead, A1 Lithium remains committed to developing its Utah lithium project and scaling production in response to market demand. The company also sees opportunities to diversify into the extraction of bromine, boron, and uranium, further strengthening its portfolio of critical minerals.
“Our work with Fastmarkets has given us market visibility and confidence,” concludes Bjoernslev. “It’s a partnership that reinforces our position to act boldly in a rapidly evolving industry and meet the energy transition head-on.”
Through their collaboration, Fastmarkets and A1 Lithium are shaping not just the future of a single company, but the broader transformation of the critical minerals supply chain in North America.
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