Is there any hope for Core Lithium shares?

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares may not be set to return to their glory days of 2022.

But is there any hope for the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) lithium stock?

Let's dig in.

Core Lithium shares still losing ground

11 November 2022 was a great day to own Core Lithium shares.

And a great day to unload them.

The ASX lithium stock closed the day trading for $1.67 a share, having gained 183% over the prior 12 months.

That high water mark was achieved amid all-time high lithium prices, following a period of surging demand and limited new supplies of the battery-critical metal.

Then, as you're likely aware, lithium prices crashed by some 80% over the following year.

And while lithium bearing spodumene prices have moved higher over the past few months, most analysts don't expect them to come back anywhere close to the 2022 highs. In fact, many analysts forecast a further retrace if lithium miners opt to ramp up production.

All told this has seen Core Lithium shares tumble to just 15 cents a share today, having kicked off 2024 trading for 24 cents a share.

With Core Lithium's market cap now down to $321 million, the miner was also removed from the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) last month as part of the regular quarterly rebalance. That will throw up another headwind for the stock, as many fund managers are restricted to trading on the ASX 200.

2024 also saw Core suspend mining operations at its Finniss project in the Northern Territory, as the company awaits stronger market conditions.

It's quite unclear when those better conditions may arrive, however, and management has not yet decided on when lithium mining might recommence at Finniss.

Last month, Core Lithium shares came under renewed pressure following the release of the company's half-year results and the abrupt departure of CEO Gareth Manderson.

With a 75% fall in its spodumene concentrate realised price over the six months, the miner reported an after-tax loss of $167.6 million.

All up this doesn't bode well for the medium-term outlook.

Indeed, of the eight analysts covered by CommSec, six rate Core Lithium stock as a strong sell and two rate it as a moderate sell. No one appears eager to recommend the company as buy today.

And Goldman Sachs believes the miner is more likely to lose share price than gain it. The broker has a 12-cent price target on Core Lithium shares, some 20% below current levels.

Morphing into an ASX uranium share?

There could be some hope for Core Lithium shares in other metals, like gold and uranium, both of which have seen strong gains over the last year.

Outside of its Finniss project near Darwin, Core owns a number of mining assets across Australia.

When reporting its half-year results, management noted:

The Core exploration team is reviewing the local and regional prospectivity of the company's lithium tenements and the potential of the company's 100% owned gold, uranium and base metal projects.

The company has received multiple inbound enquiries about the Napperby and Fitton Uranium Projects. Updates will be provided as the review continues and the exploration plan is finalised.

In my opinion, if there is any medium-term hope for Core Lithium shares, it could well come on the back of promising uranium news.