SHANGHAI, Nov 17 (Reuters) - China's lithium price

surged on Monday after the chairman of major Chinese producer

Ganfeng Lithium Group Co forecast demand growth of 30% or even

40% for the battery metal in 2026.

The most-traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou

Futures Exchange rose 9% to close to an upper limit at 95,200

yuan ($13,401.28) per metric ton, its highest since June 2024.

The peak came after local media outlet Cailian reported the

comments made by Li Liangbin in a conference speech.

Li also said demand growth could drive the lithium carbonate

price above 150,000 yuan a ton, or even to 200,000 yuan.

Lithium carbonate prices have been rising recently in China,

with a more than 17% rally this month, as investors predict

booming demand from the energy storage sector.

Supply concerns related to the delayed reopening of CATL's

flagship Jianxiawo lithium mine in Yichun city, Jiangxi Province

is also supporting the rise.

Reuters previous reported that CATL continued to

tap external supplies of lithium ore to make lithium carbonate

in November as the Jianxiawo mine remained closed.

Ganfeng Lithium's shares rose 7.48%, Chengxin

lithium stock was up 10.01%, and Tianqi Lithium

increased by 9.87%.

($1 = 7.1038 Chinese yuan renminbi)