Storage of Electricity – #Batteries & BIG imageThis discussion provides the current and future of of Li, G, NAM; H2O and more…
After Fukushima REBECCA JOHNSON 24 March 2011 https://www.opendemocracy.net/5050/rebecca-johnson/after-fukushima
LONG TSX-V: GGG $0.25 OTCQB: $GPHBF $0.19, July 28, 2016 Graphene 3D Lab Introduces New Type of Single Layer Graphene Material:
http://www.graphene3dlab.com/s/news.asp?ReportID=757543&_Type=News&_Title=Graphene-3D-Lab-Introduces-New-Type-of-Single-Layer-Graphene-Material
$GLFN – http://galenfeha.com/ and #Gummune
…
Author: arch1 Comment: http://www.stockgumshoe.com/2016/03/microblog-club-house-for-the-discussion-of-religion-politics-and-other-unmentionables-volume-5/comment-page-17/#comment-4886050 New development for battery research to make electric vehicles practical and cost competitive…
Best2You ~ Benjamin @H0U3
This is a discussion topic or guest posting submitted by a Stock Gumshoe reader. The content has not been edited or reviewed by Stock Gumshoe, and any opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
$VRB
VanadiumCorp Resource Inc. (TSX-V: “VRB”) (the “Company”) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Ultra Power Systems Limited (“Ultra”) of the United Kingdom to pursue the joint interest of commercializing and deploying Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) for microgrid applications.
http://www.vanadiumcorp.com/news/releases/1338-vanadiumcorp-signs-letter-of-intent-with-ultra-power-systems-ltd
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/02/27/apples-surprising-cobalt-move-signals-its-a-good-time-to-buy-metals.html
Apple’s surprising cobalt move signals a controversial buy on metal commodities
Guest Contributor | Mitch Goldberg | @Mitch_Goldberg
Published 11:53 AM ET Tue, 27 Feb 2018 Updated 12:18 PM ET Tue, 27 Feb 2018
CNBC.com
Apple took markets by surprise when the iPhone maker said it would try to directly buy cobalt from suppliers.
Cobalt is one of the most important metals in battery production.
Investors can read the Apple move as a sign that commodities remains one of the financial markets better trades.
But there’s a non-financial price that investors must be willing to pay.
If you have not seen Black Panther yet, I’m not giving anything away by telling you that Wakanda, the make-believe country in Africa where it is set, sits in a mountainous region where the imaginary metal vibranium is plentiful. This metal is both very rare and special, and it has allowed Wakanda to develop into a hidden, technologically advanced society. Aside from its deep social undertones — colonialism, oppression, slavery, nationalism and, most importantly, that a black child could see a superhero who looks like him or her — the movie got some play in financial press when Apple announced last week it had entered into talks directly with miners of cobalt.
Cobalt is super-important in the production of batteries for cellphones and electric vehicles. If Apple or one of its competitors couldn’t get it, it would be at a major disadvantage — no more batteries to power their products. Hence, cobalt has gone mainstream as an investment opportunity, despite its substantial rise in price over the years. Roughly half of cobalt’s production comes from the wartorn northwest corner of Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country with severe human rights violations, dangerous mining operations and terrible child labor conditions.
Gold and other mineral deposits, which are numerous in the volatile northeast of The Democratic Republic of Congo, have become a catalyst to much of the conflict there. Numerous militias and warlords have vied for control of the mineral-rich eastern Congo for decades, creating instability and continued bloodshed.
Apple is looking to lock in supplies, as well as buy from suppliers that are less controversial, but as an investment professional, I have to tell you that the Apple headline also sends an amoral message to those trying to figure out what securities in this market still have room to run: global commodities.
Another metal used in batteries for cellphones and EVs is lithium, the lightest of metals. Too bad it isn’t very stable and can burn. This is where metals like nickel — one of the main sources of cobalt — comes in. Quality batteries for portable devices is about finding the right mix of metals and chemicals that optimize both holding a charge and stability. Cobalt affects the time it takes to charge a battery, its energy density, stability, and it is the main component of the battery cathode. Cobalt is the primary material in the cathode, the most expensive part of the battery, and also where experts believe there is the greatest potential for battery improvements.
Top nations by cobalt production and reserves
Country
Production 2016 (metric tons)
Production 2017 (metric tons)
Reserves (metric tons)
Democratic Republic of the Congo 64,000 64,000 3,500,000
Russia 5,500 5,600 250,000
Australia 5,500 5000 1,200,000
Canada 4,250 4,300 250,000
Cuba 4,200 4,200 500,000
Philippines 4,100 4000 280,000
US (for comparison purposes) 690 650 23,000
United States Geological Survey
Betting on any commodity has risks, particularly volatility. Nowhere in market is the supply-vs.-demand rule more pronounced than in this asset class. Fortunes are made and lost, and long-standing industries rise and fall.
Due to bone-crushing drops in the price of gold, silver, oil and other commodities in the ’80s and ’90s, mining companies either underinvested in new production or shut down mines altogether. For a long while, this left the world with supply constraints. The mining industry, after years of running full-out to increase production, has caught up to demand with many major commodities. Oil is an especially key example, via shale production.
Lithium and cobalt may be “new school commodities” but they are no different than other commodities in being subject to the laws of supply and demand. What could change its current condition of tight supply and strong demand? New mines in friendlier places could be discovered. Chemists could come up with replacements for cobalt or at least find ways to use less of it. But those two things look a long way off.
The handful of ETFs that track the stocks of metals and rare earth metals are near their 52-week highs — the VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF, Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF, iShares Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF and SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF.
Major metals ETFs one-year return
REMX 54.00%
LIT 46%
PICK 27.00%
XME 16%
XTF.com, data through Feb. 23, 2017
Trading on Tuesday after the first testimony from new Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell dinged metals ETFs, but these new-school metals trades are based on the long-term growth trend of electrification of mobile devices and automobiles. Even robotics will need more and that is what I’d consider an industry of the future. It’s clear that investors are optimistic about the sector. But investors need to go into any market position with eyes wide open: There has never been a time in recorded history when production doesn’t eventually catch up with demand. So watch the earnings reports from mining companies; that will be your “canary in the coal mine” early warning system.
Right now, these ETFs aren’t the only bullish call on commodities. “Bond king” Jeff Gundlach has said on several occasions in recent months that commodities are the best bet in the financial markets.
On Apple, cobalt and socially responsible investing
Making investment recommendations isn’t my overarching goal in writing. It’s to educate investors and help raise their potential to reach financial goals. But one thing my posts can’t do is to make you feel good every week, as much as I’d like to. Investing is about compromising between potential reward and risk.
I applaud Apple for making the choice to go for more humanely sourced cobalt, even if it may be for optics, and the truth is more about locking up vital supplies for the future. And I hope more companies follow its path. The Apple products in my pocket, my kids’ pockets and in my home are ubiquitous parts of our lives. Maybe yours, too.
This conflict — between the Apple products we love and wartorn regions that help produce them — is obviously much harder to make sense of than the reward vs. risk of investing in commodities. It is becoming equally compelling to many investors.
In the past week alone, similar headlines show that the social consequences of investing are only going to increase. In addition to Apple’s news, we had major asset managers like BlackRock saying they will begin a dialogue with gunmakers in which they own stock, because of the latest school shooting, and Warren Buffett being asked on CNBC whether he supported the decision by many corporations to discontinue discounts given to members of the National Rifle Association. Buffett does not support “imposing my own views on 370,000 employees and a million shareholders.”
The Wakandans of Black Panther, as it turned out, discovered conflicts that they didn’t even know they had. But they moved to remedy them, which is what superhero movies are all about.
You can invest today in commodities, and relative to other spots in the market right now, I think, have a decent chance of realizing financial gains. Beyond that, though, you are on your own. And that’s the way it should be. An investment advisor should be able to find investments that suit your portfolio if you want it to have a socially responsible component, but they can’t be the one to define that responsibility for you.
I’ll leave off with a quote that I wish was from a fantasy movie but was actually from an exposé about cobalt mining in DRC by The Washington Post.
“He sat next to a series of small food stalls, stout squares of discarded mining sacks stretched over sticks, where a digger could buy a bread roll for 100 Congolese francs, equal to about 10 cents. The bread came with a free cup of water. ‘You eat what you make,’ Mboma said finally. And eating would have to wait.”
— By Mitch Goldberg, president of ClientFirst Strategy
#Li > Tease text : #Lithium Needs Are on the Rise
https://www.angelnexus.com/o/web/153218
$SPMTF – Spearmint’s management will be presenting at the PDAC International Convention, Trade Show & Investors Exchange in Toronto March 4-5 at booth 3044. Please feel free to come by the booth and speak directly to management.
Spearmint Intersects Targeted Clay Formation on its Clayton Valley #Lithium Prospect
Spearmint Resources Inc. (“SRJ” or the “Company”) (SRJ—TSX.V) (SPMTF—OTCBB) (A2AHL5–FSE) is wishes to announce that the first drill hole has been completed, reverse circulation hole, SMR-1. The hole was TD’ed at 340 feet and penetrated a thick section, approximately 250 feet, of the targeted clay. Samples from SMR-1 were rushed to Reno for immediate assaying. Drilling now continues on hole 2. Spearmint’s Lithium Project drilling calls for 3 wells testing the green clay formation and 1 deep well testing the deep brine target located less than 1/2 mile east of a Pure Energy Minerals exploration hole that was completed as a production well.
James Nelson, President of Spearmint states, “We are pleased that the first hole has intersected the targeted lithium bearing clays. We look forward to what the assay results will return and look forward to next 3 holes.”
Clayton Valley Drilling Program:
Spearmint’s current projects include a portfolio of lithium prospects. The ‘Clayton Valley Lithium Prospects’ in Nevada comprise of two claim blocks totalling 800-acres bordering Pure Energy Minerals (PE.v) & Cypress Development Corp. (CYP.v). Spearmint also has three lithium projects in Quebec, including the 4,485-acre ‘Pressiac Lithium Prospect’, the 524-acre ‘Whabouchi Lakes Lithium Prospect’, and the 2,636-acre ‘Whabouchi Lakes West Lithium Prospect’ in the vicinity of Nemaska Lithium Inc. (NMX.t) & Critical Elements Corp. (CRE.v).
Spearmint’s ‘Chibougamau Vanadium Prospects’ comprise of five separate claim blocks totalling 9,735-acres bordering, or in the direct vicinity of, the vanadium deposit of BlackRock Metal’s (private) Ilmenite vanadium project, Vanadiumcorp Resource Inc. (VRB.v) and Vanadium One Energy Corp. (VONE.v).
Spearmint’s current projects also include three areas of focus on gold in British Columbia; the ‘Golden Triangle Gold Prospects’ comprising of four separate claim blocks totaling 4,095-acres bordering GT Gold Corp (GTT.v), the ‘Gold Mountain Prospects’ comprising of three separate claim blocks totaling 1,245-acres bordering Barkerville Gold Mines (BGM.v), and the 3,052 acre ‘Neba Prospect’ bordering Aben Resources Ltd (ABN.v). Spearmint’s 8,482 acre ‘EL North’ Nickel-Copper Prospect is a contiguous land package that includes the ‘EL North, EL North 2 and the BUDDY claims’ in the Eskay Creek Camp bordering Garibaldi Resources Corp (GGI.v). Spearmint’s 1,500 acre ‘WHY WEST’ Magnesium project near Rossland, BC directly borders West High Yield Resources (WHY.v).
If you would like to be added to Spearmint’s news distribution list, please send your email address to info@spearmintresources.ca.
Contact Information
Tel: 1604646-6903
http://www.spearmintresources.ca
“James Nelson”
President
Spearmint Resources Inc.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
$PLS.asx – This is great. So, let me get this straight… @PilbaraMinerals sells DSO to @Atlas_Iron. Atlas Iron then sells said DSO to Sinosteel. And finally, Sinosteel sells said DSO to Jiujiang’s Tinci. Sounds legit and not overly complicated at all! #lithium TY https://twitter.com/CoryGroshek/status/970087621455220736
Upcoming turnaround in mining stocks
http://moneytalks.net/article-and-commentary/todays-best-money-making-ideas/timing/21417-upcoming-turnaround-in-mining-stocks.html
HT #ThankYOU Lulu 😉
March 6-9, 18 #RECAM conference > Now to #Panama for @RECAMnews #CleanEnergy Conference – can’t wait to see what #CentraAmerica is doing for the #cleantech industry! | Thank You https://twitter.com/jellsmoor/status/970396342911750149
Diesel Ban in Stuttgart: Beginning of the End? #lithium
https://twitter.com/HC_Haplo/status/970195914601070594
$DHR.asx $DRG.asx, $TAW.asx …- #DHR (@ASX_DHR) Dark Horse Resource, UP +21%
Ann: Argentinean Lithium and Gold Project Update
Best Lithium Stocks: #TAW #BGS #DHR
#Lithium #EV $ORE $GXY $LIT $MCT $UTR $RMX $TAW $NMT $AJM $AGY $PLS $KDR $PSC $SYA $GSC $EMH $LPI $LIT $ASN $ADV $MTC $PNN $LAC $ALB $SQM $SYR
https://twitter.com/SwissEtage/status/970590021685334025
#HappyMonday! Have a gr8 week and beyond all!
Dyson to recruit 300 engineers to speed-up EV development
https://www.am-online.com/news/car-manufacturer-news/2018/03/05/dyson-to-recruit-300-engineers-to-speed-up-ev-development
$ARTH vow – Arch Therapeutics to Provide Corporate Update at the 30th Annual Roth Conference on March 12, 2018 http://bit.ly/2FThAjO
https://twitter.com/ARTHinc/status/970642610908991488
$FYI – IRS rules energy storage upgrade to solar ITC eligible
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/03/05/irs-rules-energy-storage-upgrade-to-solar-itc-eligible/
“The IRS published a Private Letter Ruling last Friday, responding to a request to determine whether, the cost of installing energy storage to be integrated into a residential PV system would qualify as a “qualified solar electric property expenditure” eligible for the Investment Tax Credit (ITC).”
$MGXMF – MGX Minerals Announces Positive PEA for Driftwood Creek Magnesium; Pre-Tax NPV of C$529.8 Million and 24.5% IRR
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA / March 6, 2018 / MGX Minerals Inc. (“MGX” or the “Company”) (CSE: XMG / OTCQB: MGXMF / FKT: 1MG) is pleased to report results of an independent technical report prepared in accordance with CIM guidelines and National Instrument 43-101 definition of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) on its Driftwood Creek Magnesium Project (“Driftwood Creek” or the “Project”).
HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of the PEA include the following:
Pre-tax NPV@5% of $529.8 million, IRR of 24.5% with a 3.5-year payback
Post-tax NPV@5% of $316.7million, IRR of 19.3% with a 4.0-year payback
Initial capital costs of $235.9 million (Total life-of mine (“LOM”) – $239.8 includes sustaining/closure costs of $3.9 million and contingency costs of $40.0 million)
Conventional quarry pit mine with a 1200 tonne per day (“tpd”) process plant using conventional crushing, grinding, flotation upgrading, calcination, and sintering to produce a saleable DBM product
Cash costs of $350/tonne MgO
All-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) of $351/tonne MgO
Average annual MgO production of 169,700 tonnes during an 19 year mine life
LOM average head grades of 43.27% MgO
LOM MgO recoveries of 90%
LOM strip ratio of 2.4 to 1 of rock to mineralized material
“We are extremely pleased with results of the PEA, which display Driftwood’s ability to become a high-margin, low-cost producer of magnesium oxide in a politically secure jurisdiction,” stated MGX President and CEO Jared Lazerson. “We believe this significant milestone outlines a clear path forward and provides numerous opportunities to further enhance the economics of the Project with a pre-feasibility study.”
PEA SUMMARY OF RESULTS…
$MGXMF About MGX Minerals
MGX Minerals is a diversified Canadian resource company with interests in advanced material and energy assets throughout North America. Learn more at http://www.mgxminerals.com. Full press release: https://www.mgxminerals.com/investors/news/2018/330-mgx-minerals-announces-positive-pea-for-driftwood-creek-magnesium-pre-tax-npv-of-c-529-8-million-and-24-5-irr.html?utm_source=newsletter_124&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mgx-minerals-announces-positive-pea-for-driftwood-creek-magnesium-pre-tax-npv-of-c-529-8-million-and-24-5-irr #Best2ALL!
$MGXMF…long…oooh. Now I have a magnesium position I didn’t know about.
$FYI – U.S. energy storage begins to take off
https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2018/03/06/u-s-energy-storage-begins-to-take-off/
$NIOBF np #Lithium Dissecteted by Travis – https://www.stockgumshoe.com/reviews/cutting-edge-the/charged-ore-and-the-tiny-1-stock-with-a-monopoly-on-americas-only-domestic-source-of-this-metal/ #ThankYOU Travis! #Best2ALL!
$CLQ $CTEQF…this info is the CLQ website; but what is noteworthy is
that IT IS NOW ON THE MULTOTEC WEBSITE.
Mutotec is promoting and selling CLQ technology to its customers.
From the Multotec services tab, “Clean iX for Metal Extraction”:
“Clean-iX can be used to recover:
Precious Metals
Gold
Silver
Platinum Group Metals
Platinum
Palladium
Rhodium
Iridium
Base Metals
Copper
Nickel
Cobalt
Zinc
Rare Earth Elements
Light (LRE)
Medium (MRE)
Heavy (HRE)
Speciality Metals
Scandium
Vanadium
Niobium
Tantalum
Uranium
Titanium
Zirconium”
Long Clean Teq
$NCZ.ASX – https://www.instagram.com/p/BgANSFqnopV/
ty https://twitter.com/KumovaTolga/status/971192967045287937
$NCZ An excellent video to understand just how large this is with all details covered.
http://bulk.reflections.com.au/downloads/nczn2prh6tez/New_Century_Zinc_201803_1920x1080p_7680kbps.mp4 … Thx Tolga
$NCZ.asx promotional 3D video on youtube…. Thx Evan: https://youtu.be/cNYkXfUXVDU
$GE sp – Wondering when this would happen…
GE wants to be a player in battery storage of solar and wind-turbine energy with launch of GE Reservoir platform https://twitter.com/WSJ/status/971366122363740160
$AVZ.asx – As the Orange Trumpkin would say…This is uge. #Lithium $AVZ
@ML_SuperNinja will silence the haters. ty https://twitter.com/ScartWilliams/status/971528611093127168
This image highlights why you need to own $LPI. Its simple. Flat ground and grade in the Maricunga Salar. A complete no brainer. Media beat up has created a great entry point #lithium #electricvehicles | TY https://twitter.com/43Gleeso/status/971644158686371840