Orocobre and Galaxy Resources investors are betting on a rising lithium price today

The lithium price is never certain as it's not exchange traded.

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The Orocobre Ltd (ASX: ORE) and Galaxy Resources Ltd (ASX: GXY) share prices are pacing the S&P/ ASX200 (ASX: XJO) higher today to be up 9.3% and 4.2% respectively in early afternoon trade.

The lithium miners have not released any specific news to the market since before Christmas, but are probably climbing today on investor expectations that lithium prices could rise in 2019.

The lithium price outlook sharply divides the bulls and bears as both global supply and demand are hard to get an accurate forecast on due to the complex nature of operators on both side of the equation.

Adding to the opaqueness is the fact that neither lithium spot or futures prices are openly traded on an exchange or similar public price-fixing mechanism such as gold, oil, copper, or silver prices for example.

In fact investors are reliant on the prices reported by the miners like Orocobre themselves to get a gauge on where prices sit.

In the absence of any other news it's likely that the lithium miners are heading higher today on some strong prices being privately reported by miners or industry players.

Around 60% of total lithium produced globally comes from the "lithium triangle" in the region where Chile, Argentina and Bolivia meet and prices achieved in this area generally drive expectations for futures prices.

Motley Fool contributor Tom Richardson has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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