Shareholders in Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) had a rollercoaster ride in May.
After opening the month at around $8.29, shares in the lithium producer dipped to $6.36 before recovering to finish the month relatively flat.
Let's take a look at what's been driving the Vulcan share price this past month.
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What's happening with the Vulcan share price?
Vulcan shares had an astonishing April, jumping 32% for the month. However, May proved to be far more volatile.
The 1 May price of $8.29 tumbled to a low of $6.36 by mid-May. During this period, the company didn't release any price-sensitive news that could explain the decline.
However, at the end of April, Vulcan announced the acquisition of German geothermal surface consultancy company Global Engineering and Consulting (Geo-Co). The purchase, which came at a cost of 325,000 fully paid ordinary shares in Vulcan, may explain the share price drop as investors mulled the decision.
Other factors could include a weaker spot-lithium price and investors rotating out of the resource sector.
By late May, the Vulcan share price was lifted out of its lull after the company announced another key milestone for its Zero Carbon Lithium project.
In a market update, Vulcan announced it had achieved target specification for a direct lithium extraction (DLE) feed into its pilot plant. The company noted its team was able to recover more than 90% for lithium chloride from brine in the Upper Rhine Valley.
Vulcan's management lauded the result and noted intentions to scale up lithium extraction processes. It also highlighted the company's Zero Carbon Lithium project and its strategy to supply the European battery market for electric vehicles.
Snapshot of the Vulcan share price
Vulcan is a lithium developer with its flagship Zero Carbon Lithium project located in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. The company has the ambitious aim of becoming the world's first lithium producer with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Its Zero Carbon Lithium project aims to produce battery-quality lithium products from its combined geothermal energy and lithium resource.
The Vulcan share price also reflects demand for lithium and the growing electric vehicle market. After opening the year at $2.77, shares in Vulcan flew to an all-time high of $14.20 in early January.
Since then, the Vulcan share price has waned and remained relatively flat. Despite the subdued price action, shares in Vulcan are up more than 185% year to date.
