(Reuters) – Lithium is shaping up to be The Next Big Thing.Prices are going stratospheric, junior miners are rushing to stake claims on future supply and investment websites are glowing red hot with speculation about the metal’s prospects.The Global X lithium fund, one of the very few ways to get in on the action, has gained 25% over the past three months with assets under management leaping from $41 million to $68 million since the start of the year. Source: Lithium: What Price For the Metal of the Future? – Fortune

Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) has expanded its lithium holdings throughout Western Australia with the acquisition of additional acreage in the prospective Gasgoyne region. The three new prospects have been acquired by the 100 per cent takeover of private company Lithophile. The prospects are all located within a recognised area of high lithium potential in the Gasgoyne Complex located 750 kilometres north of Perth. Shares in Lithium Australia are trading up 2 per cent at $0.26. Source: News Item : Staples surge: Aus shares 0.57% higher at noon

As per the research groups listed in Thomson Reuters survey, FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC), the stock can touch mean price target of $47.60 in coming period. This price target highlights the recommendations of leading experts in the market. Source: Buzzing Stock: FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC)

Ardiden confirms that the next phase of its planned exploration program at the Root Lake Project is currently underway with geological teams on site. This phase of exploration is expected to take approximately three weeks to complete. This program is being undertaken in conjunction with a further in-depth analysis of the current and historical drill and sampling data from the project. The current exploration program includes detailed geological and structural mapping in order to develop a better understanding of the known pegmatites and the influence of the surrounding structures at the Root Lake Project. Source: Ardiden Ltd (ASX:ADV) New Lithium Exploration Programs Commence at Root Lake

Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX:GXY) (Galaxy) and General Mining Corporation Limited (ASX:GMM) (General Mining) have entered into a definitive Takeover Bid Implementation Agreement (Implementation Agreement) to merge the two companies. It is proposed that Galaxy will acquire all of the issued shares of General Mining that it does not already own in a share based transaction by way of an off-market takeover offer (Offer). Source: Galaxy Resources and General Mining to Merge Creating Leading Diversified Global Lithium Producer

If you look at the latest operational report out this week from global mining major Rio Tinto, it lists its Jadar lithium and borates project in Serbia as being one of its slate of early-stage projects. Indeed, the coverage of the report by the Australian Financial Review concluded with the remark that, of all Rio’s new project line-up, Jadar was far and away the most exciting… Source: Iron giants go separate lithium ways | InvestorIntel

Poseidon Nickel Limited (ASX:POS or the Company) is pleased to update the market on the Lake Johnston Lithium Project latest developments. Poseidon Nickel Chairman, Mr Chris Indermaur said, “Our existing plant, substantial infrastructure and technical team give Poseidon an important advantage in potential speed to market. The Company plans to utilise this significant advantage to become the first hard rock lithium producer in the Lake Johnston region establishing a central lithium processing hub.” Source: Poseidon Nickel : Update on Lake Johnston Lithium Project | 4-Traders

A deal between SQM and Albemarle, the world’s two largest producers of lithium from brine, will see the companies work together on an environmental programme in Chile’s Atacama Desert, with SQM dropping its environmental complaints against Albemarle’s ramp up plans. Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Quimica y Minera SA (SQM) will not pursue a legal challenge against a production increase due to be carried out by its competitor and neighbour, Albemarle Corp.In a joint announcement made by the rival producers, which both produce lithium products in the… Source: SQM drops objections to Albemarle’s Atacama expansion | Industrial Minerals

COULD the lightest metal on the planet do some heavy ­lifting within the Far North’s economy?Lithium Australia has ­applied to the State Government for several permits to ­explore Cape York for lithium, including two permits covering land near Laura. Source: Miner eyes Cape York for Lithium exploration | Cairns Post

SummaryIn this piece, I comment on Joe Lowry’s recent Financial Post podcast.The podcast covers a number of issues about the lithium market that require further scrutiny.So I take up these topics one at a time, disentangling their most important aspects to provide a hands-on approach to the lithium market as I see it today.Based on the previous analysis, I suggest a possible scenario of the lithium carbonate incremental market for Li-ion batteries in the world in 2020.This should be taken as a ground base on which to build further analyses on one of the most dynamic markets nowadays. Source: A Possible Scenario Of The Lithium Carbonate Incremental Market In The World In 2020 – Global X Lithium ETF (NYSEARCA:LIT) | Seeking Alpha