As most market watchers have worked out, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is home to multitudes of listed mining and resource shares.
To mark the end of the 2021 financial year, we'll take a look at which ones performed best through the period. And you don't have to put your glasses on to see a theme – ASX lithium shares have cleaned out the rest in FY21. No wonder, as lithium prices continue to rally amidst global demand for renewable energy storage and electric vehicles.
If you held shares in these 5 ASX mining and resource companies throughout the 2021 financial year, pat yourself on the back because you picked a winner.
The 5 best performing mining and resource shares in FY21
Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)
Coming in first place is fan favourite, Vulcan.
The Vulcan share price is finishing the 2021 financial year a whopping 1,275% higher than when it started. Those interesting in buying into the company will now need to fork out $7.70 per share. This time last year, the price was 58 cents. Vulcan's best month was January – it gained 249% in the first 20 days of the month.
Vulcan aims to become the world's first zero-carbon lithium producer for the electric vehicle industry. Its operations are in Germany and Norway.
Vulcan has a market capitalisation of around $818 million, with approximately 107 million shares outstanding.
Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX: PLL)
Coming in a close second is Piedmont Lithium – its share price gained 1,181% over the 2021 financial year. Shares in the company are currently swapping hands for $1.02 apiece, up from 8 cents just 12 months ago.
Piedmont lithium is a United States-based lithium producer. It has a focus on producing lithium for lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and everyday consumer and industrial products.
Over the last 12 months, Piedmont shares have rallied at news of the company's decision to re-domicile and – most recently – its plans to create an integrated lithium hydroxide business.
The company has a market capitalisation of around $593 million, with approximately 1.5 billion shares outstanding.
Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR)
Shares in Liontown gained 672% in the 2021 financial year.
Right now, one share in Liontown will set an investor back 85 cents, up from 11 cents a year ago. The company is another lithium producer, this time with projects in Australia and Tanzania.
It has a market capitalisation of around $1.4 billion, with approximately 1.8 billion shares outstanding.
Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN)
The Chalice Mining share price gained 657% over the 12-months ended 30 June 2021.
You can currently buy a share in the company for $7.42, up from 92 cents in July 2020.
Chalice Mining focuses on mining precious and base metals. Its notable products include gold, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
The company has a market capitalisation of around $2.4 billion, with approximately 346 million shares outstanding.
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
Last, but certainly not least, is the Pilbara Minerals share price, which gained 480% in the 2021 financial year.
Right now, interested investors can buy into the company for $1.45 per share. Pilbara shares were trading for 25 cents apiece 12 months ago. The Pilbara share price rallied over the last 30 days, and its efforts paid off to become one of the ASX's best performing miners for the 2021 financial year.
Pilbara Minerals is yet another lithium producer. However, it also mines tantalum. It's operations are based in Australia.
The company has a market capitalisation of around $4.1 billion, with approximately 2.9 billion shares outstanding.
