Reading through threads of different companies, many people are...

Reading through threads of different companies, many people are still clueless about pricing. The journalists reports are as clueless as HC readers. The banks growth prediction arms contradict their mineral team over demand. They are as clueless as HC posters. Their reports serve their shorting position of the industry.
There are two pricings.
China spot is 5% of world market.
World contract price is 95% of world market.
Contract prices have grown not fallen
Spot price took off and have now come back towards the contract price.
The growth mining of lithium is for battery materials. Non battery grade prices are getting low prices not battery grade.

Low grade diamond is cheap. High grade diamond is expensive. Same same similar.

Oversupply has nothing to do with pricing. Auto makers are having to hold back orders due to not enough supply of quality LCE.
Contract prices have a matrix. If the spot price is included in the matrix, the contract price will drop by the percentage the spot price represent only. If the spot price represent 10% of the contract and it falls 50% (half) , the contract price will still retain 95% of its value plus supply tightness. The contract price doesn't fall by the same percentage as the spot.
The pricing is also determined by purity of meeting specifications. Above spec the price is higher and drop if lower. If spod is 7% and spec of purity is garbage, the spod is garbage. This purity quality also apply to carbonate.
Eg. ORE carbonate $9k/t for technical grade and $14k/t for battery grade. Big difference all due to specifications.
The internet articles take numbers from companies reports and twist to sell news.

Battery cost have reach $100/kwh to produce. This is parity to cost of buying an ICE. The average is $176/kwh at end of 2018 and still falling. Within two years the average will be around $100/kw. Cheaper to own an Electric than an petrol/ diesel. The only thing slowling change is supply of LCE. People are dying from heat/drought, cold/freezing and flood all because banks are shorting lithium companies, devoiding the funds for new mines. All to keep their jobs and make a profit.
By 2nd half LCE supply will be short. Retailers will wakeup after the news come out. Short sellers are trying to hold onto the fear they have created. Demand usage is outpacing supply.