The most-traded GFEX (Guangzhou Futures Exchange) lithium carbonate futures contract broke the previous rangebound and created a new year-to-date high as of Friday May 8, with the settlement price recording an uptick of around 6.59% against the pre-holiday level, data showed. On the spot market, the lithium ore sector remained active still, with traders' marketable lithium ore inventory reducing again. In addition, Mysteel's observation indicated that some lithium refineries purchased actively when lithium carbonate prices were below Yuan 195,000/tonne, and some even started to secure cargoes for the third quarter.