Critical minerals and minerals
H1.2026 update
42 Lists of global critical minerals (30.Jun.2026)
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Important minerals and minerals H1.2026
After the sharp decline in prices in 2024 and 2025, Lithium hydroxide (LiOH.H₂O) Prices rose during the first half of 2026 as raw material supply chains tightened, refining costs increased and purchasing cycles for battery materials front-loaded. The growth in grid-scale energy storage applications has accelerated demand Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅).
Performance leaders
| H1.2026 | Units | ||
| Energy minerals | Lithium hydroxide (LiOH.H₂O) | +46.8% | USD/lb |
| Energy minerals | Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) | +43.4% | USD/lb |
Retractions
| H1.2026 | Units | ||
| PGM | Palladium (Pd) | -25.2% | US$/oz |
| PGM | Platinum (PT) | -24.9% | US$/oz |
Platinum (point) and Palladium (PD) Prices fell in the first half of 2026 mainly as a result of easing US trade tariff imbalances and weak demand for cars with internal combustion engines.
Important minerals and minerals H1.2026
| ∆% | 30 Jun 26 | 31 Dec 25 | |||
| Precious metals | |||||
| Gold (Australia) | US$/oz | -7.9% | $3,978 | $4,318 | |
| Platinum (PT) | US$/oz | -24.9% | $1,541 | $2,053 | |
| Palladium (Pd) | US$/oz | -25.2% | $1,203 | $1,607 | |
| Silver (Ag) | US$/oz | -19.4% | $57.72 | $71.63 | |
| Energy minerals | |||||
| Cathode | |||||
| >99% | lithium metal (Li) | USD/lb | 32.2% | $10.17 | $7.69 |
| >99.5% | Lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) | USD/lb | -7.2% | $4.76 | $5.13 |
| >56.5% | Lithium hydroxide (LiOH.H₂O) | USD/lb | 46.8% | $10.61 | $7.22 |
| >99.8% | Cobalt(Co) | USD/lb | 2.5% | $25.53 | $24.90 |
| 98% FOB China | Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) | USD/lb | 13.8% | $4.86 | $4.27 |
| 98% FOB Europe | Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) | USD/lb | 43.4% | $6.01 | $4.19 |
| Nickel oxide (NiO) | USD/lb | 7.2% | $7.15 | $6.67 | |
| Nickel sulfate (NiSO₄) | USD/lb | -29.7 | $1.23 | $1.75 | |
| Nickel chloride (NiCl₂) | USD/lb | -3.4 | $2.25 | $2.33 | |
| Cadmium (cadmium) | USD/lb | 0.9% | $2.20 | $2.18 | |
| Anode | |||||
| FOB North America | Natural graphite (c) | USD/lb | 2.9% | $0.63 | $0.61 |
| Uranium (U₃O₈) | USD/lb | 4.7% | $85.50 | $81.65 | |
| Basic minerals | |||||
| tin (tooth) | USD/lb | 22.7% | $23.16 | $18.87 | |
| nickel (by) | USD/lb | -1.3% | $7.38 | $7.48 | |
| copper (with) | USD/lb | 6.7% | $6.05 | $5.67 | |
| Zinc (Zn) | USD/lb | 16.4% | $1.62 | $1.39 | |
| Aluminum (Al) | USD/lb | 19.0% | $1.42 | $1.19 | |
| lead (lead) | USD/lb | -38.3% | $0.84 | $1.36 | |
| Platinum group metals | |||||
| Rhodium (Rh) | US$/oz | -19.3% | $7,750 | $9600 | |
| iridium(ir) | US$/oz | 11.5% | $7,250 | $6500 | |
| Platinum (PT) | US$/oz | -24.9% | $1,541 | $2,053 | |
| Palladium (Pd) | US$/oz | -25.2% | $1,203 | $1,607 | |
| Osmium(Os) | US$/oz | 4.0% | $1,621 | $1,558 | |
| Ruthenium(Ru) | US$/oz | 20.0% | $1500 | $1,250 | |
| Heavy rare earths | |||||
| Light rare earths | |||||
| Simple metals |
42 Lists of critical minerals (Jun. 2026)
Notes:
Reported by: Christopher J. Berlite BA (Mining), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Supported by: Khadija Al-Samnani, analyst
For more information please contact:
(416) 525 – 6869
(email protected)
Live prices in real time, Latest news A complete list of precious metals, battery metals, platinum group metals, base metals, rare earths, secondary metals and critical metals for all jurisdictions can be reviewed at: https://mineralprices.com
Lists of critical minerals include: USA (3 lists), NATO, EU, Japan, UK, Canada, Australia (2 lists), South Korea, New Zealand, China (Imperial Minerals, Deficient Minerals, IREA List), India and Russian Federation (Strategic and Deficient, Strategic Non-Deficient, Non-Strategic Deficient). https://mineralprices.com/critical-minerals/
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