en.Wedoany.com Reported - Atlas Lithium Corp. (ATLX:NASDAQ) CEO Marc Fogassa delivered a keynote speech titled "Brazil's Growing Role of Critical Minerals in Securing Global Supply" at the Benchmark Giga USA 2026 conference held in Washington, D.C. The conference was hosted by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence from June 9 to 10, 2026. In his speech, Fogassa highlighted how Brazilian lithium production contributes to the global supply chain for electrification, energy security, and defense-related materials.
Fogassa stated in a company press release that Brazil is a very important component of the global critical minerals equation. He added that Atlas Lithium's Neves Project demonstrates how near-surface hard rock lithium, suitable for open-pit mining, can contribute new high-quality supply to the global lithium chain. Atlas Lithium said it controls approximately 557 square kilometers of lithium mineral rights in Brazil's Lithium Valley, which the company claims is the largest lithium exploration portfolio among publicly listed companies in the region. The company stated that its flagship Neves Project is advancing toward production and has obtained key permits. Atlas Lithium also noted that the project's definitive feasibility study indicates an internal rate of return of 145% and a payback period of 11 months.
The company said its modular lithium processing plant has arrived in Brazil and is ready for assembly at the Neves Project site. Atlas Lithium also highlighted a $30 million investment from Mitsui & Co., one of the world's largest conglomerates, with Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway as its largest shareholder. In addition to lithium assets, Atlas Lithium reported that it holds approximately a 20% equity stake in Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (NASDAQ: ATCX), providing exposure to rare earth, graphite, titanium, and uranium projects.
Regarding lithium market conditions, according to a May 29 report from Mining.com.au, spodumene concentrate prices have rebounded significantly from year-ago levels. The publication reported that a surge in large-scale battery installations, driven by artificial intelligence capital expenditure to stabilize renewable energy and support the rapid expansion of data centers, has led to a demand spike, helping absorb the supply overhang that plagued the lithium market between 2023 and 2025. The report also noted that supply-side factors have impacted market conditions. Mining.com.au wrote that environmental restrictions in China and export controls in Zimbabwe have impacted the supply side, while many mining companies have announced expansions, mine restarts, and new production plans in response to improved price conditions.
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, cited in the report, said the May rally brought lithium prices to Benchmark's CIF Asia assessment of $24,000 per tonne and China EXW of 193,000 yuan per tonne. Benchmark reported that its market balance shows a deficit equivalent to approximately 3% of the market in 2026, followed by a return to a moderate surplus from 2027 onward. The company added that the question is how quickly supply responses translate into actual delivered tonnage. Benchmark also observed that new supply sources are emerging from a wider range of jurisdictions. According to the report, frontier supply is entering the market, with more lithium projects being developed across multiple regions outside traditional production hubs.
Fastmarkets provided additional commentary on lithium demand trends in an interview published on June 9. Ian Rodger, CEO of Elemental USA, told the outlet that demand growth continues to outpace the development of new supply chains. Rodger said the underlying demand story is very, very strong. He added that lithium demand is expected to grow by approximately 20% annually over the coming decades. Rodger identified electric vehicles as the largest source of lithium demand, stating that the single biggest demand driver is global electric vehicles. He also pointed to growth in the energy storage market, telling Fastmarkets that very strong battery energy storage demand growth has offset weakness in other end markets. According to Rodger, battery energy storage is the second-largest driver of global lithium demand.
Fastmarkets reported that supply growth remains challenging because starting large lithium projects is truly difficult, especially when expanding the market by such a large margin annually. Rodger said the supply-demand balance will largely depend on how much new capacity can come online. IndexBox provided further insights into battery-related lithium demand in a market report on the global lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate additive market published on June 11. According to the report, the industry is supported by the accelerated adoption of high-voltage lithium-ion battery chemistries requiring advanced electrolyte formulations. On June 11, IndexBox stated that the global lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate additive market is entering a sustained expansion phase, driven by battery technologies aimed at achieving higher energy density and faster charging performance.
The report noted that demand is supported by the global electrification of transportation and the expansion of stationary energy storage systems. The study estimates that electric vehicle batteries account for the largest share of additive demand, representing approximately 55% of global consumption, while energy storage systems account for about 20%. IndexBox wrote that utility-scale energy storage installations require batteries with long cycle life and thermal stability, and the additive's ability to improve battery performance makes it increasingly important in these applications. According to IndexBox, demand growth is also supported by battery manufacturers seeking voltage stability above 4.5 volts, as well as the continued expansion of energy storage systems for grid balancing and renewable energy integration. The report concluded that demand is increasingly concentrated in the Asia-Pacific market, which is estimated to account for over 60% of global consumption by 2035.
In terms of analyst reports, H.C. Wainwright analyst Heiko F. Ihle, CFA maintained a Buy rating on Atlas Lithium in a research report dated March 17, raising the company's price target from $12.00 to $12.50. According to the report, the higher target reflects ongoing progress at the Neves Project and the company's expected operating cost structure. The report identified 2026 as a pivotal year for the company's move toward production. H.C. Wainwright also reviewed the economics of the Neves Project, highlighting an estimated operating cost of $489 per tonne. The report stated that the project benefits from near-surface mineralization, dry-stack processing, and its location in Brazil's Lithium Valley.
The company's valuation is based on a discounted cash flow analysis, yielding a current value estimate of $350.8 million, or $12.66 per share. H.C. Wainwright rounded this figure to its $12.50 price target. The report also noted that commodity price volatility, resource definition, and construction costs for the Neves Project are key risks considered in the analysis. Regarding ownership and equity structure, management holds approximately 24% of Atlas Lithium's common shares. Strategic partner Mitsui & Co., Ltd. holds 7%. Numerous institutions hold 18%. Retail investors hold the remaining shares. Atlas Lithium has 30 million shares outstanding. Its market capitalization is approximately $110 million. Its 52-week stock price range is $3.32 to $8.25 per share.
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