Allkem (ASX:AKE) today announced June qtr price for carbonate from their Olarez facility is expected to be $35k/t  - up 28.5% over the March qtr. No doubt these prices will be much higher by years end.

Note that Allkem are known to produce a mix of high grade (battery quality) and lower grade (industrial) product, although in this market there probably isn't much difference in pricing between the two.

To put these prices into context, the capital cost for CO is about $20k/t of capacity.  The payback period (after operating costs) is about 8 months (and falling) at full/stabilised production. Simply amazing!

Lithium stocks all trading higher in Australia this morning.