Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares enjoyed a tremendous run in September.
Shares in the embattled All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) lithium stock ended the day on 30 August trading for 9 cents. At the closing bell on 30 September, shares were changing hands for 13 cents apiece, up a whopping 44.4%.
For some context, the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) gained 2.7% over the month.
Despite that stellar run, Core Lithium shares remain deep in the red over the past year.
Trading at 12 cents apiece at time of writing today, shares in the ASX lithium stock are down 71% over 12 months.
But you won't hear investors who bought shares at the end of August complaining.
Here's what spurred investor interest in September.
What sent Core Lithium shares flying higher?
Core Lithium shares surged higher over the month following a series of announcements that could lead to future growth.
On 2 September, the miner released an update on its uranium exploration campaign at its Napperby uranium project, located in the Northern Territory.
Core Lithium said the approvals process for resource extension drilling at Napperby was underway.
Core Lithium CEO Paul Brown noted, "Napperby is one of the few uranium projects with an existing Mineral Resource located in a jurisdiction favourable to uranium mining in Australia."
On 9 September, Core Lithium shares closed higher after releasing two new announcements.
The miner reported that it had entered into an agreement with Lithium Australia Ltd (ASX: LIT) to acquire a 9.8% stake in Charger Metals NL (ASX: CHR) from shares held by Lithium Australia.
Core Lithium also reported it had agreed to buy Lithium Australia's 30% interest in the Bynoe Project, near its Finniss Project, for $500,000.
One of the biggest daily gains of the month for Core Lithium shares came on 11 September, when the stock closed up 13.6%.
There were no price-sensitive announcements on 11 September. But as Motley Fool analyst Sebastian Bowen noted on the day:
Reports are circulating that a Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturer, CATL, has suspended production at two of its lepidolite lithium mines.
If this proves to be the case, the closure of Chinese lithium mines would be good news for ASX lithium shares, as it would probably result in a reduction in supply and subsequently push up prices.
A week later, on 18 September, Core Lithium shares closed up 5.3% after the miner reported on promising gold exploration results at Shoobridge Project in the Northern Territory.
"Shoobridge is a prime example of the multi-commodity potential that exists across our Northern Territory exploration project," Brown said.
And Core Lithium ended the month with a bang, with shares closing up 30% on 30 September on no fresh news.
Now what?
After dipping to 12 cents a share at time of writing today, will Core Lithium shares continue to outperform?
Well, a lot of that is going to depend on how the miner's exploration pans out for gold and potentially for uranium. As for lithium, Core has mothballed Finniss production until the oversupply situation in the lithium market comes back into balance.
Several leading brokers believe the stock could fall from current levels.
In September, Ord Minnett had a sell rating on Core Lithium shares with a price target of 9 cents. Goldman Sachs has a neutral rating but with a price target of only 8 cents.
