Investing.com -- Mining giant Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) has made an approach to purchase lithium producer Arcadium Lithium (NYSE:ALTM), the companies announced in separate statements on Monday.

Both groups said the approach was "non-binding," adding that they would divulge more about a potential deal when they had "news to share."

Should it be completed, the agreement would make Rio Tinto one of the world's biggest producers of lithium, the ultralight metal essential in powering electric vehicle batteries and power storage. Prior to the announcement, media reports had speculated that Rio may pursue a bid following months of slumping lithium prices due in part to oversupply in China and weaker EV demand.

"[Rio] has growth aspirations in lithium and acquiring [Arcadium] would give it instant scale, expertise and more growth optionality," analysts at Bank of America Securities said in a note to clients.

No financial details were provided, but Arcadium has a market capitalization of around $3.3 billion. Shares in the Philadelphia-based firm surged by more than 24% in premarket trading.

"Given the early nature of the proposal, it is difficult to be conclusive on a transaction; however, we see significant alignment on the direction in which [Rio] wants to take its lithium business and [Arcadium]’s asset base, technology and growth," analysts at RBC Capital Markets said in a note.

They added that both Rio and Arcadium have operations in Argentina and Canada and "aligning lithium brine technologies."

"These are likely to present operational synergies," the analysts said.

Reuters previously reported the discussions on Friday, saying that Arcadium could be valued at between $4 billion to $6 billion or higher. Meanwhile, Arcadium shareholder Blackwattle Investment Partners has reportedly stated that any offer between $4 billion and $6 billion would undervalue the business.

(Ambar Warrick contributed reporting.)

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