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written by reader Scandium, Cobalt, and Water Purification: Clean Teq Holdings,Volume 2, 2018

By hendrixnuzzles, January 31, 2018

2017 was a year of tremendous accomplishment for Clean Teq Holdings in every respect.

We saw remarkable achievements in mine construction, in finance, and in market development, with landmark contracts in every business segment;

We saw a complex business appear as if by magic, including business offices on four continents, and the launch of business website in the water division;

We were informed of superb existing and newly-formed strategic partnerships,
with the likes of Airbus, Peng-Xin Mining, Chinese state and power entities, Chinalco, and Multotec;

We were witness to a major off-take agreement with a leading battery manufacture;

We learned of an astute acquisition of a controlling interest in a VRB business by Mr. Friedland;

We learned of deep and valuable research and development support at prestigious universities and manufacturers;
and we became sure of unseen low-cost manufacturing contacts and alliances.

And oh-by-the-way, we got a listing on the TSX.

The company inspires confidence and optimism. Robert Friedland has a deep long-term strategy, and he knows what he is doing.
I am not sure what is more impressive: His strategic vision, or his managerial talent in executing it.

Clean Teq is a company that is worth following. It is by far my largest position.
There are a lot of companies with good concepts. But Clean Teq has a deep and brilliant strategic concept which is at the heart of major world trends; a revolutionary technology; and a management that executes flawlessly.
**
GOING FORWARD: SUITABLE TOPICS FOR THIS THREAD

1. CLEAN TEQ HOLDINGS, CLEAN TEQ WATER, and their interests, or related companies.

2. Miners and producers of COBALT, VANADIUM, SCANDIUM; also nickel, zinc, graphite, lithium, rare earths, silica, and manganese.

3. WATER PURIFICATION, especially when tied into mineral extraction therefrom.

4. “TECHNO MINERS” and other innovators in mining and material extraction

See notes below on thread and topic overlaps, which are unavoidable.
**
One year ago this week, I wrote an article on Clean Teq Holdings. It was a speculative company, but
one with a visionary and proven leader, dramatic potential in specific, attractive commodities,
innovative methods and IP for mineral extraction, and big ambitions in water purification.

Clean Teq Holdings defied easy categorization, and continues to do so.
One year later, Clean Teq has not disappointed. Clean Teq has exceeded all reasonable expectations.
**
If you need background on Clean Teq, I refer you to the predecessor of this thread: “Scandium, Cobalt,
and Water Purification: Clean Teq Holdings”, where you will also find the guidelines and rules for this
thread; and to the Clean Teq and Clean Teq Water websites, which warrant close examination.

OUR BIAS AND BASIC VIEW
This thread is for those who believe in the coming EV wave, light weighting of transport, and most importantly,
in the importance of energy storage and batteries of all scales;
and also, it is for those who believe that the disruptions caused thereby will be rapid.

Because of this opinion, it follows that the existing viable battery technologies and the materials needed
for them are important. We anticipate rapid change; we subscribe to the Tony Seba “Disruption Scenario”,
that suggests disruptiv changes are occuring faster.
If you disagree with the Disruption Scenario, or the eventual proliferation of EVs,
that is fine; but please do not debate it on this thread. The thread is for those who believe in the future of battery power,
and in the immediate opporunities in commodities related to batteries and energy storage.
We will be able to see in shortly whether we are right or wrong in this belief.
If it takes longer than we think, we will complain about ”being early.”

My perspective is for the next five years. That is “long term”. This is not a trading thread.
Occasionally short-term opportunities are appropriate to call out,
but short-term trading is not the emphasis here.

On the other hand should restrain ourselves from too much attention
to developments and materials for technologies that are likely to take longer than five years to have an impact.
We are looking for investable ideas, not 10 year forecasts on the Future of Civilization.
So let’s keep it down on hydrogen fuel cells and molten salt batteries for a couple of months.
**
NOTES ON THREAD AND TOPIC OVERLAPS
Our assumption is that Li-NCM, VRB’s, and zinc batteries are going to be the main battery formats purchased,
installed or contracted for in the near-term, hence the commodities needed for them are of interest.

New battery technologies are better discussed on the #batteries thread ,
unless they involve a vertical commodity/battery producer.
We are interested in what is going to have an impact in five years.

For example, if you are convinced that Google is about to conquer the world with a molten salt battery,
then come on over here and recommend Morton Salt as a buy-out candidate.

But debate whether molten salt batteries have a future, and when, on the #batteries thread.

News that shows increasing penetration on solar are relevant,
as they confirm the importance of large-scale energy storage.
But we would like to know who is getting the contracts and what type of battery they are using.

There is going to be some unavoidable overlap. Nickel and manganese sources are swing metals,
sometimes they may be better discussed on the Hard Asset thread as base metals.

If you make a post on the wrong thread, don’t worry too much, there are
no fines or jail time. I do it myself all the time and I understand it can be confusing.
You can also use Travis’ new cross-reference gizmo.

Long $CTEQF $CLQ Clean Teq Holdings

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.

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Griffin
Griffin
February 13, 2018 9:23 pm

$ECSIF – eCobalt Announces C$26 Million Bought Deal Financing

http://www.ecobalt.com/news/news-releases/ecobalt-announces-ccad26-million-bought-deal-financing

IMO the shares and warrants didn’t go cheap.

$ECSIF long

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SoGiAm
February 13, 2018 11:01 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

$AUZ.asx – request for suspension until the 16th: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180214/pdf/43rkkxnjct776b.pdf

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renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 11:55 am

Nickel took a quick dip, looks like all that did was tighten the rubber band, now it seems poised to make a run at $7. Very bullish for this sector, though the stock prices aren’t responding to these dramatic cobalt/nickel price increases quite as dramatically as I would have liked. Last 8 month nickel price increase is equivalent to gold spiking to $2000, what would that do to the gold stocks? It isn’t like these stocks haven’t moved at all, most of them are up sharply over the last year, but at the same time, they are not presently sitting at their recent highs, despite the cobalt/nickel prices both sitting at multi-year highs and rising. If the trend continues though, its just a matter of time, getting to production is a slow laborious process, but value goes up at each stage of de-risking.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 14, 2018 7:09 pm

We’re all waiting…….. to find out what’s going on with AUZ.

Well, at least Clean TeQ and Ardea are up slightly on the ASX at the moment.

Long $CTEQF, $ARRRF

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Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 14, 2018 7:34 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Yea well anything is possible but we’ll know soon. IMO it’s going to great! But I’m holding large…

Remember BB who is a straight forward honest bloke said he had lots of offers but was looking for a *partner* for the right deal to move this forward and had 9 potentials from the last few months raise. This bloke is smart IMO, note IR answered your email immediately hn as he is always available and sees the company shareholders as part of the team. I like that a lot.

Now I hold both CLQ and AUZ in substantial numbers and am very happy with both.

CLQ is more advanced for sure and I cannot fault in any way their business model. They are a technology mining company, the new breed out there.

GLTA on whoever you hold.

Wifi not working so sent from phone and type hard to read so exscuse any errors.

Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 14, 2018 8:23 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Yea good one hn, all makes sense but Friedland might have other deals pending. All is good with AUZ, time will tell.

No need for any competition between the two as both can win here. To me BB is honorable in his actions so far and deserves success. Has the goods in tbe 3 grounds. CLQ has a great team and building fast. I hope AUZ follow. Big difference in their SP’s remember….

renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 9:51 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

They don’t need to beat anybody’s deals. That Clean TeQ will have off-takes for most of their product by the time they dig it up is already a forgone conclusion. They can sit back, and see who wants it the most, and who brings the most to the table. I assume they will get a big batch of money from someone to finish the mine financing in exchange for a percentage of the company and its salt.

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renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 10:06 pm
Reply to  renbycage

The AUZ guy supposedly has said he had something like 9 offers, and they were holding out for the best deal. I think it would go without saying that all 9 also would be talking to CTEQF, and probably more. One of the reasons I’m fat with CTEQF and ARRRF is I know the product they are making is like pizza. You can sell as many as you can make, and looks like the town is going to get progressively short on pizza, and so we will find out just how much someone is willing to pay for a pizza when they all are fighting for the last pie.

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renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 10:12 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Look for the AUZ announcement after the close in AUZland. If not, you are right, something is wrong, and the AUZ people will be screaming, crying, and spontaneously combusting. Waiting with bated breath to see what happens.

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renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 10:25 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Statements from BMW suggest they want to lock up 10 years supply. If that becomes a contract, that would be precedent setting, if you want a deal with Clean TeQ, that would be the minimum length of commitment, but they could be looking for deals that are “life of mine”..

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 14, 2018 8:08 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Yes Who knows, some thing wrong?? Who knows again. I said before would be very surprised if it’s BMW. That’s just Internet Chinese Whispers. I have no. idea who? BB has been road showing HK etc etc and my guess FWIW is leading Asia way. I’d add that I’ve not seen any suggestions from AUZ it might be anywhere let alone BMW No leaky ships on this one….

Great Times for all in this sector IMO.

Lets focus on the vanadium plays now.

I mentioned previously i now hold speculative Longs positions on AEE, KRC and SRI.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 2:25 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

I would just note that if an off-take agreement is on the point of being signed involving AUZ then this is almost certainly before the partner has received any samples of purified Cobalt and Nickel (II) Sulphates from the miner. There is nothing on AUZ’s website to indicate that they have definitely been sent out yet. I thought such samples would have to be sent out to potential off-take partners for assay, before binding commitments were entered into. Am I wrong?

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 11:55 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Hi HN, Yes, I know about their processing plant and reported my attempt to estimate the length of their autoclave in this thread. AUZ reports being on schedule with the January commissioning of the plant and plans to deliver samples to potential off-takers this month.

https://australianmines.com.au/application/third_party/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Off-take-samples-on-track-for-delivery-in-February-from-demonstration-plant.pdf

I have not seen a definitive statement that such samples have been delivered. Also, I thought that potential customers would wish to have their samples assayed to determine their purity before entering into a binding off-take agreement. I have checked for press releases. Perhaps I missed one.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 2:08 am
Reply to  eagerbeaver

Negotiations must have been going on with SK for at least a month so I’m beginning to think that SK was satisfied with having some Sconi ore samples to analyze instead of purified Cobalt and Nickel (II) Sulphates.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 9:57 am
Reply to  eagerbeaver

Sorry, I meant to say pilot or demonstration plant above. But, it is clear from AUZ’s website that they intend to have their full processing or production plant also near Perth in Western Australia so they will have to truck their ore completely across country from their mines in Queensland and New South Wales.

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SoGiAm
February 14, 2018 9:46 pm

$ARL.asz – Drilling confirms continuity of cobalt and nickel
https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180215/pdf/43rlh2gnhpnrjk.pdf

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SoGiAm
February 14, 2018 9:54 pm

$NCZ.asx halt ’til 20180219 pending material supply contract #Zn: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180215/pdf/43rlpqpq594767.pdf

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 1:55 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Yes, and that would be great HN if we already hold strong positions in the companies affected.

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renbycage
renbycage
February 14, 2018 10:49 pm

if you go to page 6 of Ardea’s 12/17 quarterly report, it gives you a diagram of the flow sheet. Its an HPAL set up, and they remove the scandium first using…. ion exchange.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 1:39 pm
Reply to  renbycage

Yes, it’s interesting Renby that Ardea’s Scandium circuit is optional, and presumably dependent up0n demand for it at the time. And unlike Clean TeQ, they don’t show ion-exchange as their means of concentrating and purifying their Cobalt and Nickel salts.

https://ardearesources.com.au/downloads/reports/arl_qa201712.pdf

Long $CTEQF, $ARRRF

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renbycage
renbycage
February 15, 2018 4:04 pm
Reply to  eagerbeaver

Beaver, you are correct, their present circuit uses tried and true methods from 3rd and 4th generation HPAL operations for the cobalt and nickel. They are looking at their options for by-products, which include high purity alumina, platinum, manganese, and a couple of other goodies, I think with their acid leach process they might be able to get them all.

Long $CTEQF, $ARRRF

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Cowboy
Cowboy
February 15, 2018 3:23 pm
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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 6:03 pm

I just noticed this on Hot Copper but I don’t have a link to the original report.

“Australian Mines gets South Korean giant onside.
by Stuart McKinnon.
The binding deal covers 12,000tpa of cobalt sulphate and 60,000tpa of nickel sulphate with prices to be linked to London Metal Exchange.
The West understands the agreement provides an option for SK to buy 19.9% stake in Australian Mines for an investment of 65 Million dollars.
Auz products destined for SK’s newly developed electric vehicle plants in Hungary and Korea.”

The “West” here probably refers to The West Australian.

Apologies if this info turns out to be incorrect.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 6:20 pm
Reply to  eagerbeaver

Stuart McKinnon is a mining reporter for The West Australian. We’ll probably have more info soon. Details of the deal may be being checked out by ASX and authorities.

Here is the newspaper report.

https://hotcopper.com.au/threads/auz-announcement.4021921/page-146?post_id=31098958#.WoYg0iOZNsM

SK Innovation is the South Korean partner. They are a chemical company and a refiner, which raises the possibility that AUZ’s soft ore could be sent directly to them for refining. This is just speculation on my part.

http://eng.skinnovation.com

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Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 19, 2018 12:57 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

“The deal is good for AUZ but my god the frenzy around the thing is off the charts.”

To me sounds like good PR, but then again I’m far from certain any of it was planned. Sometimes things unfold and you wing it from there. I’m just going with the flow, letting it unfold.

I think it’s good news for CLQ and other mines, after the DRC which few companies will really put their business through as to unreliable now, never mind later. So best to lock in supply now while you can.

CLQ has its own plans for the future and its not in doubt it’ll be very successful.

The insane comments of the last few days are mind boggling amusing and tonight will be no doubt be no exception!

GLTA.

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renbycage
renbycage
February 15, 2018 7:35 pm

For a year I’ve been saying anybody in Australia producing nickel and cobalt sulphate will basically sell out the stuff long before the first salt precipitates out from their mud circuits. Now you have a company selling out 7 years in advance who haven’t even started building their mine. LOL. That’s why 3/4 of my portfolio is in clean teq and ardea. If you just project the numbers, what the market cap of these stocks are vs the value of what they have in the ground, under conditions of exponentially increasing demand starting about…… now.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 7:47 pm
Reply to  renbycage

Yes, and what do you think of the idea of AUZ selling their soft ore directly. It is certainly very easy to dig up judging from their photo of operations at their aptly-named Sconi Project.

https://australianmines.com.au/sconi

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 1:22 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

I think you’re right HN as long as the situation in the DRC doesn’t get completely out of hand. If there is a serious disruption in cobalt sourced from the DRC, then automakers and battery companies would need to greatly accelerate the flow of battery metal compounds from non-DRC suppliers, perhaps by refining the ore in their own jurisdictions, especially if it is friable and easy to manipulate.

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pieter132
pieter132
February 24, 2018 3:16 pm
Reply to  eagerbeaver

& eagerbeaver just don,t believe for a minute DRC will stop exporting its Oil, Cobalt, Copper etc. Having worked all over africa that is just not a realistic scenario. Even during the Biafra war( Nigeria) the oilbusiness continued to work. The military are not a fools they will protect their assets and the flow of income you can be sure. Btw there is no subsitute for DRC Cobalt they have already cornered this market by the size of cobalt deposits where they are sitting up.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 15, 2018 11:27 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

“Introduction to SK Innovation – AUZ’s partner in Sconi Project”

This has now been posted for investors on AUZ’s website.

https://australianmines.com.au/application/third_party/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Introduction%20to%20SK%20Innovation.pdf

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renbycage
renbycage
February 16, 2018 12:58 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

It was for 100% of their product for 7 years at the going product price [and with an option to renew]. 20% buy in option for something reasonably close to 20% of present market cap value. In other words, Sconi is now off the table for anyone else, closed for business til 2025, and 2032 if they pick up their option. So the music is playing, one seat has now been taken, I don’t know how many seats are left, but there seem to be a lot more car and battery companies then significant cobalt suppliers.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 10:55 am
Reply to  renbycage

I’m so impressed with the simplicity of AUZ’s Sconi operation.
https://australianmines.com.au/sconi

1. Dig up rich, orange-brown Queensland earth.
2. Load into hopper.
3. Fill bag at base of hopper.
4. Load onto truck.
5. Repeat multiple times.
6. Drive off.

Now the question is where to? It is not clear where AUZ’s full production plant will be built but it will certainly take years to complete and they may have to truck their ore long distances to be processed. Meanwhile, they could head to the nearest port and a South Korean bulk carrier. Either way, they have hit paydirt.

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SoGiAm
February 16, 2018 11:15 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

$AUZ.asx $CLQ.asx etc. #Autoclaves
Don’t you think these multi-BILLION dollar automobile and or battery companies can come up with a used autoclave and have it sent where they want it, when they want it?

Yep, in answer to HN below. 😉

There is no need for them at this time.
This whole tsunami is just beginning, imho.

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 16, 2018 12:17 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Now I know nothing about autoclaves but found this interesting –

Fabrication of the first Autoclave was completed in the record time of 5 months and the second followed 3 months later

http://www.accesspetrotec.com/2017-kwinana-nickel-refinery-nickel-reduction-autoclaves/

If you have enough muscle you can move mountains, this all of course assuming the SK innovations deal is a done deal.

SK innovations is a 120 billion company with even bigger ambitions.

http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/industry/19978-ready-competing-global-players-sk-innovation-invest-1-trillion-won-ev-battery

Long AUZ.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 1:45 pm
Reply to  secretsquirrel

Great info. Access Petrotec gives a road map of how to get decent-sized stainless steel autoclaves fabricated in a hurry.

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Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 16, 2018 4:42 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

The autoclaves are a very valid point hn, maybe they can use the CLQ on the weekends or ship the raw ingredients. Seriously if SK wants the goods it surely would help in getting them.That or BB already has them ordered as a priority from Korea/China or are there perhaps others around like CLQ got through I believe RF’s network.

You got to think this is being dealt with, would it not be addressed in the O/T deal?

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 27, 2018 2:44 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Thanks hn, appreciated and know you mean it.

With the help of SK I think AUZ should be a good one. Locking down supply will be the issue with others now in safe territories.

I have my cobalt covered and moved onto vanadium with AEE and KRC, both on the ASX. Lots of info on HC for anyone interested. Of note was KRC just came out of a halt and jumped afterwards by 28%.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 5:21 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

HN, The two autoclaves in question were ordered for BHP Billiton’s Kwinana Nickel Refinery that refines Nickel Matte from their Kalgoorlie Smelter. The Kwinana plant uses an ammonia-leach process and has a capacity to manufacture 65,000 tonnes of nickel metal a year.

I’m assuming that someone has done the Math to determine the ideal size of an autoclave for a particular project, in order to maximize the overall efficiency of the operation. It may be the case that an autoclave could be either too small or possibly too big for a particular project. Does anyone have figures for this?

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 7:40 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

HN. I was referring to the two autoclaves fabricated in India in a rush order by Access Petrotec for BHP Billiton’s Kwinana Nickel Refinery. Sorry, I should have been clearer.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 17, 2018 1:16 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

HN.. It would be good if there was a simple formula for determining autoclave size needed for a particular project. Perhaps there is one. The Kwinana Refinery has the capacity to manufacture 65,000 tonnes of nickel a year but they may have more than the two relatively small autoclaves operating and the processing of nickel from nickel matte may be fairly straightforward. With respect to very soft ores that are basically earths, the extraction of salts by HPAL may proceed faster that it would from ground rock. So autoclave through-puts could vary considerably depending upon the nature of the ore and the minerals to be extracted. Now if the ore at Syerston is relatively soft, Clean TeQ’s enormous autoclaves may be able to process it easily and be idle the rest of the time unless their capacity is rented out. I’m sure RF has a very good idea of how they will perform. Hopefully someone long in AUZ will ask the pointed questions about their plans re autoclaves and other heavy equipment.

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 16, 2018 3:08 pm
Reply to  secretsquirrel

One thing I read about SK Innovations is that they have their own investment bank, whatever that means? Also I imagine any financing is within reach. AUZ’s BB was looking for partners, he stated that clearly, to take not just Sconi initially but the other 2 areas all the way in due course.

On the personal level of seeing how BB has conducted him self to shareholders he replies quickly and is viewed in very high regard. I think his demeanour would have helped getting the deal in place.

We dont know the actual deal details yet or how the market will respond but I’m very positive about this deal going forward and wont be selling any shares for a quite a time yet.

Funny think is I bought into this for a number of reasons which looking back barely add up. Namely I liked the name, seemed simple and the biggest with Australia as the country and Mines as what it is. It was very cheap 1.639 cents AU which meant I could buy millions of shares instead of one or two hundred thousand or less usually. And finally it was next to bordering on CLQ which could only be a good sign and hold that as my main long term conviction.

Both companies have great futures, CLQ is a very unique class act for sure with AUZ the new kids on the block so to speak….

Long CLQ.
Long AUZ.

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Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 16, 2018 5:16 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Thanks appreciate your response, with the autoclaves being essential would not SK be aware of this and not do a deal unless AUZ /BB had satisfied them or SK knew a way round this issue, assuming they cannot wait up to 3 years which seems very unlikely.

To me if I was doing the deal the lack of the autoclaves being sorted is a deal breaker unless I’m missing something here?

SoGiAm
February 16, 2018 5:38 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

#Autoclaves – I took your suggestion to go autoclave shopping in the summer. Even “spoke” with Arch1 a couple of times about it. Had two companies writing asking for dimensions, uses, etc. There are many such devices in all shapes and sizes. Have a look.

Bet there may be several in the DRC, of all places, that may be sitting idle for the time being. 🙂 Have a great weekend and beyond ALL! 🙂

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SoGiAm
February 16, 2018 10:45 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

What are the advantages / disadvantages of processing in small vs. large batches?
Obviously the ore can be processed in a device the size of a microwave oven for samples…

Long both $CLQ.asx and $AUZ.asx

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 17, 2018 6:08 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Flippa01 on HC is a very knowledgeable bloke in this area. 2 v recent post regards autoclaves.

Including delivery time it would normally take 18 months min from design and ordering and 8-10 months to install and connect to systems.
There is a “but” with that timeframe, SK is as many people are saying is a massive conglomerate. Part of this conglomerate has a construction arm that I would say may be able to build this autoclave/s. SK did all the pre-fab steam pipework and boiler build for the Inpex power station in Darwin. I dare say take they would get the whip out and give a push, S Koreans are fully aware of the standards that equip like this are to be built too. They have massive module yards everywhere.
Part of the reason I was saying earlier in a post that I was waiting to see the details of the OT/partnership was to see if SK would be the EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management) of this project. When Gina Rheinhart was putting funding together for Roy Hill Iron Ore project ,Posco (another S Korean conglomerate) became 15% partner and were originally going to be the EPCM of project before Samsung C&T undercut them in the tender process.
I have seen your posts on the CLQ site regarding this clave lead time issue, CLQ did hit lotto getting those claves for the price they got but it also forces their hand in designing, these are big claves for the stated throughput in the PFS (2.5MT/yr). Also the IX system they are using for extraction is a major procure and build, much more time to construct this than the CCD’s that AUZ will be using. At Goro the longest timeframe in construction was the refinery area using Resin in Pulp (IX) the claves and acid plants were ready before refinery.
Both of these plants will not be in production before 2020 I would say towards the end of the year.
But this is not a competition in timeframe, both companies will be fully aware of detail and time these complex plants take to design, construct, commission and put into production and so would their prospective customers.

###

As I stated in my post neither plant would be in production until 2020 probably towards the end of the year.
As to compression well how long is a piece of string for the clave to be expedited. But the lead time is no problem with the HPAL circuit as there is massive amounts of prep work to do first. Site offices to be set-up, land to be cleared and levelled, underground services to be installed (sewerage,water,power), civils to be constructed ,which is all the grano work (concrete) for structures to be built on. Just in concrete work there is thousands of cubic metres of reinforced concrete to prepare and pour. The civils component of construction is the longest part of job.
The peripheral/associated part of the HPAL circuit can be built while waiting for claves. Just the refractory work in the flash tanks takes a few months to install and cure once flash tanks are built.
CLQ has as I already stated has a longer construction time due to the use of IX instead of CCD’s. Also the added burden of having the huge associated Hydrochloric acid tanks that the IX columns use to flush and also the HCL reclaiming circuit, as the HCL can be reclaimed to save money on reagents. The sulphuric acid in HPAL cannot be reclaimed so is neutralized.
Once again there is not a hope in hell either plant will be ready before 2020.

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hedy1234
hedy1234
February 28, 2018 11:39 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Any chance his opinions had a direct effect on recent downward pressure?

SoGiAm
March 1, 2018 12:40 am
Reply to  hedy1234

$XYZ please mister xyz police! 🙂 Ha, TIA
$CLQ up 15.88% at 1.35AUD 23:40 🙂

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Gr8Full!
February 15, 2018 8:16 pm

$JRV.asx – Nico Young Infill Drilling Commences
https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180216/pdf/43rmljxgrrtfmz.pdf
#Best2ALL!

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John
Guest
John
February 16, 2018 6:43 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

HotCopper is full of people spruiking that CLQ and AUZ have similar deposits. Don’t they do any research in Aussieland?

secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 16, 2018 6:52 pm
Reply to  John

No reason they both cannot be winners, both are in the right place regardless of me holding both. There will be comparisons towards CLQ as it is ahead, fine by me and in some ways it’s very healthy competition….

GLTA who hold either.

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 16, 2018 8:09 pm
Reply to  secretsquirrel

I forgot to mention yesterday that AUZ had hired Medea Natural Resources, now also Medea Capital Partners, of London, UK, to assist with and possibly head up the negotiations with SK and any other parties interested in doing an off-take. Apparently, Medea has a good reputation..

http://medea-nr.com/experience/

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John
Guest
John
February 19, 2018 12:34 am
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Looks like AUZ just released their ‘non binding’ binding offtake announcement.

Glad I’m with CLQ!

Management is everything.

eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 19, 2018 1:37 am
Reply to  John

AUZ announcement released by ASX , Feb. 19, 2018.

Off-take agreement term sheet with SK Innovation for 100% cobalt and nickel production from the Sconi project.

https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20180219/pdf/43rppmdhc3bbnh.pdf

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 16, 2018 9:58 pm

Monash University/CLQ.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/02/180209170720.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

Science Newsfrom research organizations
Water filtration breakthrough using metal-organic frameworks

Researchers discover efficient and sustainable way to filter salt and metal ions from water

Date: February 9, 2018
Source: Monash University

Summary:

With two billion people worldwide lacking access to clean and safe drinking water, new research may offer a breakthrough solution. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a next-generation material with the largest internal surface area of any known substance, can be used to capture, store and release chemical compounds — in this case, the salt and ions in sea water.

FULL STORY

With two billion people worldwide lacking access to clean and safe drinking water, joint research by Monash University, CSIRO and the University of Texas at Austin published today in Sciences Advances may offer a breakthrough new solution.

It all comes down to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), an amazing next generation material that have the largest internal surface area of any known substance. The sponge like crystals can be used to capture, store and release chemical compounds. In this case, the salt and ions in sea water.

Dr Huacheng Zhang, Professor Huanting Wang and Associate Professor Zhe Liu and their team in the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, in collaboration with Dr Anita Hill of CSIRO and Professor Benny Freeman of the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, have recently discovered that MOF membranes can mimic the filtering function, or ‘ion selectivity’, of organic cell membranes.

With further development, these membranes have significant potential to perform the dual functions of removing salts from seawater and separating metal ions in a highly efficient and cost effective manner, offering a revolutionary new technological approach for the water and mining industries.

Currently, reverse osmosis membranes are responsible for more than half of the world’s desalination capacity, and the last stage of most water treatment processes, yet these membranes have room for improvement by a factor of 2 to 3 in energy consumption. They do not operate on the principles of dehydration of ions, or selective ion transport in biological channels, the subject of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Roderick MacKinnon and Peter Agre, and therefore have significant limitations.

In the mining industry, membrane processes are being developed to reduce water pollution, as well as for recovering valuable metals. For example, lithium-ion batteries are now the most popular power source for mobile electronic devices, however at current rates of consumption, there is rising demand likely to require lithium production from non-traditional sources, such as recovery from salt water and waste process streams. If economically and technologically feasible, direct extraction and purification of lithium from such a complex liquid system would have profound economic impacts.

These innovations are now possible thanks to this new research. Monash University’s Professor Huanting Wang said, “We can use our findings to address the challenges of water desalination. Instead of relying on the current costly and energy intensive processes, this research opens up the potential for removing salt ions from water in a far more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable way.”

“Also, this is just the start of the potential for this phenomenon. We’ll continue researching how the lithium ion selectivity of these membranes can be further applied. Lithium ions are abundant in seawater, so this has implications for the mining industry who current use inefficient chemical treatments to extract lithium from rocks and brines. Global demand for lithium required for electronics and batteries is very high. These membranes offer the potential for a very effective way to extract lithium ions from seawater, a plentiful and easily accessible resource.”

Building on the growing scientific understanding of MOFs, CSIRO’s Dr Anita Hill said the research offers another potential real-world use for the next-generation material. “The prospect of using MOFs for sustainable water filtration is incredibly exciting from a public good perspective, while delivering a better way of extracting lithium ions to meet global demand could create new industries for Australia,” Dr Hill said.

The University of Texas in Austin Professor Benny Freeman says, “Produced water from shale gas fields in Texas is rich in lithium. Advanced separation materials concepts, such as this, could potentially turn this waste stream into a resource recovery opportunity. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with these distinguished colleagues from Monash and CSIRO via the Australian-American Fulbright Commission for the U.S. Fulbright Distinguished Chair in Science, Technology and Innovation sponsored by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO).”

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Griffin
Griffin
February 16, 2018 11:45 pm
Reply to  secretsquirrel

Thanks for posting SS. Another new tech for mining and water purification. This makes about 4-6 new techniques for mining and purification of which none are currently being used that I know of. They all seem to be using membranes or ion to remove unwanted or wanted material from water. It will probably take a few years for one of these these new techs to shake out as being the better.

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 2:26 am

“I refer to the #Fosters write-up (attached) & West Australian article on $AUZ & note a variation. The agreement announced today is for SK Innovation to acquire 669m shares at 0.12 per share. Therefore $80.2m for 19.9%. Thus valuing AUZ at $403m or 15c per share or >4 x $JRV #ASX ” ty https://twitter.com/alexlewit/status/965479428162662400

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williamstown
Irregular
February 19, 2018 6:21 am
Reply to  SoGiAm

JRV ASX, Ben does this mean that compared to AUZ it’s undervalued ?
As these deals happen in the future, valuations will fluctuate considerably, depending upon the terms of the deal.
Interesting times ahead, just imagine what FR will negotiate – with his contacts – for CLQ, your mind boggles.

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 10:53 am
Reply to  williamstown

$JRV.asx np – That is my interpretation, Williamtown.
Shall put some more recent links up today for others to assist in DD.

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 11:08 am

$JRV.asx, $CLQ.asx, $PGM.asx, $AUZ.asx…

comment image

Few graphs comparing AUSTRALIAN #Cobalt plays

Cheapest to most expensive as listed on above graph

$WCN- NO JORC
$CGM- Cheapest with JORC
$N27- NO JORC
$CNJ
$BAR
$PGM
$CLL
$GME- Probably Cheapest per lb Co JORC
$JRV
$AUZ
$MLX
$CLQ
ty https://twitter.com/sstraussss/status/963577354969690112

20180124 – $Jrv sitting at a market capitalisation of $118m with their Nico young project holding 167.8Mt @ 0.59% Ni and 0.06% Co.

$Clq Sunrise holding 101Mt @0.59% No and 0.13% Co.

JRV is planning an infill drilling program during 2018 to focus on upgrading resource.

1+1 = 2? ty https://twitter.com/Pete_Angelo92/status/956428973407313920

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d.mounts
d.mounts
February 19, 2018 11:27 am
Reply to  SoGiAm

$ARRRF/$ARL Long. Where does Ardea fit in?

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eagerbeaver
eagerbeaver
February 19, 2018 11:47 am
Reply to  d.mounts

Ardea is fourth from the right on the graph, between JRV and AUZ.

Long $ARRRF, $CTEQF Maybe I should look into GME and JRV also.

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d.mounts
d.mounts
February 19, 2018 1:11 pm
Reply to  eagerbeaver

eb, thanks. Not sure why I missed it.

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 12:06 pm
Reply to  SoGiAm

20180214 $JRV.asx $EUC.asx – Replying to @AsennaWealth
It’s funny that the underlying commodity is flying yet sp of some fell hard. $JRV under 56c issue price for recent placement. Seriously cashed up! $EUC sounds like adit refurb almost completed & will see the real value when they can start drilling from underground with $21m cash
ty https://twitter.com/EvanCranston/status/963896864406777857

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renbycage
renbycage
February 19, 2018 1:47 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

It would be a ridiculous time to consider buying into AUZ now, IMO. What do you think their upside is after they already sold 100%?

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 1:59 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

#InteractiveBrokers – HN, is your account ready to go now?
Current #AU positions because Dr. Hardin asked… PIL, CLQ, EUC, FZO, COB, AUZ, ARL PGM.

$AUZ projects: https://australianmines.com.au/project

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SoGiAm
February 19, 2018 12:32 pm
Reply to  SoGiAm

Very sound logic. Management at $JRV extremely capable in a sector where true understanding by management within sector remains scant. Let’s not forget the royalties, equity holdings and cash backing. Could emerge as a sector leader. Watch this space. #cobalt #EVJulian Babarczy added,
Carlo Chiodo


Replying to @Pete_Angelo92 @0
And management of the same high calibre as CLQ after the appointment of Bryce Crocker and the two guys he subsequently brought in.
ty https://twitter.com/BabarczyJulian/status/956463497809821696

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williamstown
Irregular
February 19, 2018 3:21 pm
Reply to  SoGiAm

JRV ASX, Ben I own and topped up in the fall recently.
2018 should be a good year, undervalued IMO, does have good management

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John
Guest
John
February 19, 2018 7:20 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

CLQ release binding deals – others release fluff.

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John
Guest
John
February 19, 2018 9:19 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

PR stocks are best avoided HN. Obviously you can see through the smokescreen.

Long CLQ

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John
Guest
John
February 19, 2018 10:22 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

I don’t see any ‘deal’. It’s a non binding term sheet of which CLQ would have plenty, but DO NOT release.

Chalk and cheese.

Secret Squirrel
Secret Squirrel
February 19, 2018 10:33 pm
Reply to  John

Think you’ll see it in a very short time, CLEARLY you are someone with little faith. fair enough. Put simply SKI are serious as are AUZ, it’ll work out UNLESS AUZ ground is kangaroo sand.

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 19, 2018 9:46 pm
Reply to  John

John, Love CLQ, BIG Long holder, before getting into AUZ. AUZ is just fine, usual hype expected re SKI. Does not make it far from a dud, far from it as stated by many including hn. Absolutely NO reason why both will not succeed, in fact they will, final SP irrelevant.

The market takes a view, you know what? it doesn’t interest me at all even when selling. In the case of these 2 it’s hold long time obviously, just look at the EV market. Btw management on both are great imo, both are trying their best to bring all potentials to fruition EOM.

Side note: hn over the last few days has analysed this deal more than most have appreciated (elsewhere). Not easy by anymeans but serious respect is due. We here are gifted…!!

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Lulu
February 20, 2018 11:35 pm
Reply to  hendrixnuzzles

Sounds like American politics…

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pieter132
pieter132
February 19, 2018 2:06 pm

This is though not very actual news still intresting for those intrested in Cleanteq,
water waste management is a huge global industry

http://www.ionicindustries.com.au/ionic-features-in-cleanteq-annual-report/

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secretsquirrel
secretsquirrel
February 19, 2018 4:38 pm

If posted apologies:

CLQ and AUZ lead the way, with lots of room for others….

http://www.mining.com/web/future-automobile-innovation/

Story by Jeff Desjardins

Courtesy of: Visual Capitalist
Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, there have been many incredible innovations made in the auto industry.

Manufacturers created new body styles and market segments, automatic transmissions and power steering were introduced, and safety features such as airbags made passengers much safer. Computers were even added into cars to optimize performance and provide GPS for navigation purposes.

In short, vehicles got cheaper, lighter, stronger, safer, cleaner, faster, and more luxurious.

But despite this, there is a strong case that the biggest innovations in the auto industry are yet to come.

A new era of automotive innovation

Today’s infographic comes to us from Evolve ETFs and it explains the many forces shaping the future of automotive innovation.

Unlike past periods of innovation in the industry, the coming years will be particularly interesting because many of the changes will come from outside of the traditional workings of a car.
Automation and the shared economy will change how the entire commuting model works. Meanwhile, an increased penetration of EVs will have an impact well beyond the engine, as charging infrastructure needs to be added, battery supply chains need to be created, and as legacy auto parts become obsolete.

While these transitional changes take place, the auto market is expected to jump from $3.5 trillion (2015) to $6.7 trillion (2030) in total size – and a whopping 30% of the revenue will come from new services that don’t even exist today.

The aces framework

The future of automotive innovation will hinge on four major technologies: automation, connectivity, electric power, and the shared economy.

This can be simplified into the acronym “ACES”:

A: Automation
Perhaps the most obvious and fundamental change facing the auto sector is the rise of autonomous cars.
Not only does this technology have implications on major manufacturers and suppliers to the auto sector, but giving the cars the ability to self-drive will have an impact that extends well beyond it, as well.

The passenger economy, which will come from relieving people from the driver’s seat, is expected to be a $7 trillion industry alone by 2050.

C: Connected
New cars are already taking advantage of increased connectivity today, and it will soon be the norm even in lower-end vehicles. This added networking unlocks new features such as infotainment, enhanced safety features, and diagnostics and analytical tools.

E: Electric
In just seven years since its IPO, Tesla was able to leapfrog Ford in market valuation. Yet, this is still the very beginning of the EV revolution.

Many countries have announced regulations to curb gas or diesel fueled vehicles, and EVs are expected to hit 41 million global sales by 2040.

S: Shared
The shared economy is the result of technological factors, but also societal ones. However, when combined with automation, sharing presents a fundamental shift to how commuting and transportation will work in the future.

With autonomous and shared cars, current commuter inconveniences such as traffic and parking will be reduced considerably – and it’ll make catching a ride to your destination far cheaper, as well.

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