Lithium prices have soared after Zimbabwe, one of the world’s top producers of the battery material, suspended exports, fanning concerns of a supply crunch as demand booms. Zimbabwe – which accounted for 10 per cent of production last year and is a key supplier to China – is halting exports of lithium concentrate to promote domestic processing and curtail illegal shipments. Lithium refineries in China have been securing supplies and their stockpiles will last until mid-to-late April, according to Mysteel, a metals data agency. However, the country’s production will be hit from May, given the average time to ship the ... (full story)