How many critical minerals do the largest energy storage project consume?
An interesting case study for lithium, iron, phosphate, graphite anode, copper & aluminium demand
Using Saudis Arabia’s 2.6GWh KSA Bisha Project
@benchmarkmin
Let’s talk energy storage in more detail - @benchmarkmin Webinar.
The rise of lithium ion batteries in energy storage ESS / BESS on 2 December 2025.
Join here:
https://t.co/0VXqJJLOll
Lithium prices on the move up, and spodumene prices at their highest in 15 months.
Battery‑grade lithium carbonate rose 3.3% w‑o‑w to RMB 78,200–84,500/tonne ($11,025–11,925/tonne), while technical‑grade prices were unchanged - Benchmark @benchmarkmin
It’s important to revisit some fundamentals as we prep for 2026: lithium and copper are at the core of the next commodity super cycle.
Lithium stores energy, copper moves it. All other critical minerals orbit around them.
This is the crux of the energy storage revolution tha has been talked about so much for so long.
We have seen the beginnings of this with EVs over the last decade, but it’s crucial to remember: this is just the beginning.
Energy storage #ESS #BESS holds the potential to make electric vehicles look like a tiny market. LFP is the technology that unlocks this at low cost - presently sub-$50/kWh thanks to low lithium prices.
But this only works if lithium prices stay low. That isn’t going to happen for long. They have been artificially held down in China for a number of years.
Energy storage is now 20% of a huge 1,700GWh battery market. A few years ago it was a single digit fraction.
The energy storage break out is just beginning, lithium prices and supply availability will be the determining factor of how quick this can go.
The domination of energy storage in the fund raising scene right now.
Only a snapshot for October 2025 but a telling one. ESS is raising 10x that of the upstream - battery minerals mining.
@benchmarkmin
A seriously significant and sad moment for the UK motoring world on the passing of Quentin Wilson.
A giant of our world and a huge supporter of the electric vehicle and building a supply chain from mine to battery here in the UK and Europe.
Shocking and saddening. It’s very hard one to come to terms with.
Team Benchmark’s condolences to everyone - this will impact a lot.
A new serious market has emerged for lithium ion batteries: energy storage #BESS
2025 will see it become 20% of a huge 1,700GWh battery market. That’s bigger than the entire battery market in 2020/2021.
And main drivers growth isn’t just about China, it’s in the US as well.
It’s not just about EVs any more…
@benchmarkmin
A pleasure to keynote to Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit 2025 to see first hand a new Smackover production hub rising.
It’s clear lithium should be a top national security policy for the US just as China made it so a decade ago. @SenTomCotton has called for this.
Economic security = energy security = national security.
Gov. @SarahHuckabee has built a state that is in lock step with industry - a very rare feat - and one that truly gets the #lithium potential on the horizon.
The new US-China rare earths deal is a pause on a chokehold - it buys time not independence.
It’s the same lesson for lithium - the only solution being to build in the USA.
@StandardLithium@exxonmobil@Chevron@ArkansasEDC@AR_Commerce
https://t.co/bNvd0KyhrK
Six years ago Simon Moores @sdmoores , CEO @benchmarkmin shook the world in a now legendary testimony in front of the US Senate. Then, Simon predicted the exponential growth of batteries and the control that China was starting to exert of the supply chains.
Fast forward today, we bring in Caspar Rawles @CDMRawles , Simon’s trusted lieutenant, and COO of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence to assess how Simon’s predictions panned out. What was prophetic and what never materialized.
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a London-based Price Reporting Agency (PRA) founded in 2014, specializes in lithium-ion battery and EV supply chains, offering IOSCO-accredited price assessments, supply-demand forecasts, ESG analytics, consultancy, global events, and policy influence. It focuses on critical minerals and recently expanded with @rhomotion , valued at $500M.
Caspar talks about the growth of BMI, about the importance of its agreement with ICE, and how he sees the future.
@gerardreid14 and I conclude on #Lithium and #RareEarths .
Not really what you expect.
We’re excited to have you, Simon!
Arkansas lithium is key for our country to compete with China in the 21st century economy. And my administration is ready to make it happen.
#Lithium rising in Arkansas!
China’s dominance in critical minerals was laid out in stark detail at @benchmarkmin’s Washington DC event.
Arkansas is becoming the launchpad for a US critical minerals response. Benchmark has been there since the start - @StandardLithium@EquinorASA@exxonmobil@SmackoverLi
Nobel Laureate, Prof Sir Stanley Whittingham - founding father of the lithium ion battery - even mentioned Benchmark x Arkansas in his opening speech.
I am very excited and honoured to be asked to keynote the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit 2025!!
@SenTomCotton@SarahHuckabee@JohnBoozman@RepWesterman@ArkansasEDC are laying serious geopolitical foundations for our industry.
Plus the man that connects all the dots @jesse_edmondson
Senator Cotton at Benchmark’s Giga USA 2025:
“When on active duty and down range and you had a couple minutes to rest, you were told to do 3 things: eat, sleep, and charge your batteries.” - @SenTomCotton
A real pleasure to have the Senator speak at the world’s leading lithium and critical minerals event - ‘Benchmark Week’ in Washington DC
Chinas strangle hold on the critical minerals supply chains is at the top of the geopolitical agenda.
@benchmarkmin@amiller_bmi@GOP@SenateGOP
Introducing Giga Africa 🌍 Marrakech, 22-24 September 2025
Benchmark is proud to launch #GigaAfrica 2025 in Morocco – the latest addition to the globally renowned Giga conference series.
This landmark event will spotlight Africa’s accelerating role in the global #battery supply chain, with Morocco emerging as a strategic hub connecting Western, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets.
As supply chain investment surges across the region, Giga Africa will offer unmatched analysis, market insight and networking opportunities – bringing together leaders from government, finance and industry to catalyse new partnerships and unlock regional potential in the #energystorage revolution.
📍 Four Seasons Resort, Marrakech
📆 22-24 September 2025
Register your interest to secure your place at Benchmark's inaugural Giga Africa ➡️ https://t.co/BjVWANlNrm
A new exchange traded era for #lithium is here ⚡
Benchmark (BMI) has announced partnership with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to develop futures contracts for lithium:
Lithium Carbonate CIF Asia (BMI) Future
Lithium Hydroxide CIF Asia (BMI) Future
Spodumene Concentrate FOB Australia (BMI) Future
The breakthrough deal brings confidence, not just futures contracts, to the lithium trading world.
Join our webinar on Wednesday 30th April (13:00 GMT+1) for expert guidance on how trading BMI lithium futures mitigates exposure to price risk.
Register now ▶️ https://t.co/Jpj64DbTM4