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#Platinum 2020 ‘Supply Deficit’ on ‘Solid’ #Auto Demand #PGM $NAM.ca $LIC.ca $LIX.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:09 PM on Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
  • DEMAND for platinum-group metals from their No.1 use – autocatalysts to reduce harmful engine emissions
  • looks solid for the next 15 years even as sales of electric vehicles grow, the bullion market’s premier industry event was told last month.
Platinum mining supply, in contrast, is set to fall the London Bullion Market Association’s annual conference – held for 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts – also heard.
Speaking on Day 1 of the LBMA Boston 2018 event, Dr.Rahul Mital – technical specialist for diesel after-treatment at US auto giant General Motors (NYSE: GM) – forecast that more than 85% of new passenger cars sold in 2030 “are expected to have internal combustion engines with [catalytic] converters,” because all-electric cars won’t sell as strongly as hybrid vehicles using both technologies.
With environmental regulations growing tighter, hybrid electric vehicles are “typically be certified to lower emission levels,” Mital explained to the LBMA conference, so the quantity of platinum-group metals (PGM) loaded into the catalytic converter for their internal combustion engines “is not expected to decrease.”
Sales of Fuel Cell cars – a competitor green technology to electric vehicles, powered by energy made from mixing hydrogen and oxygen over a platinum catalyst – will meantime grow to perhaps 1 million units worldwide, Mital said.
That would prove enough to make a notable impact on auto-sector platinum demand, he said.
Noting there are “many different forecasts” analysts should consider, Mital said that on his assumptions global PGM usage by the auto sector “is expected to stay stable or decrease [only] marginally by 2030…with diesel sales [needing platinum catalysts] in the heavy-duty industry expected to stay steady with no change or [even a] slight increase in PGM usage as tougher regulations come into play.”
On the supply side meantime, 71% of global platinum-output comes from miners in South Africa, says a note from specialist consultants Metals Focus. So “with 90% of their costs in local currency terms, it is important to view prices in Rand terms,” and with the currency falling hard in 2018 “the Rand-denominated PGM basket price [for platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold] is up 11% for the year.”
That’s now “providing some relief to South African platinum producers,” Metals Focus says. More globally, and on an all-in sustaining costs basis for the first half of 2018, “24% of the industry is loss making, a marked improvement from 57% in H1 ’17.”
South Africa’s output of platinum-group metals rose in September, new data showed last week, beating a 1.8% total drop in all mineral production and a near one-fifth decline in gold output with 7.2% year-on-year growth.
Further ahead however, “Supply driven deficits [are] on the horizon” for platinum worldwide reckons Justin Froneman, chief financial officer for the US at gold and platinum-group miner Sibanye-Stillwater (JSE: SGL), also speaking at the LBMA event in Boston last month.
Since the global financial crisis of 2008 and the following drop in platinum prices, “Capital investment in South Africa has been insufficient to replace current production levels.”
“Without incentive-driven price growth, new supply coming on-stream seems unlikely or delayed,” Froneman went on, forecasting that South Africa’s primary platinum production will drop to 3.9 million ounces in 2025, down more than 25% from the 5.3moz produced in the peak year of 2006.
“The Western Limb [of South Africa’s giant Bushveld mineral complex] currently represents more than 70% of South African supply. No new production is expected from the Western Limb without a real basket price escalation exceeding 20-25%.”
All told, “Platinum is likely to remain in marginal surplus for the remainder of this decade,” Froneman concluded, “before reverting to increasing deficits as primary production from South Africa contracts.”
Platinum’s No.1 industrial use – greater than chemical, electrical, petroleum, medical and all other productive uses combined – autocatalyst demand  may slip 6% this year worldwide, buoyed by growing emerging-market usage but dented by the sharp fall in diesel passenger-vehicle sales seen in Europe since the emissions-test cheating scandal broke at VW and other leading manufacturers.

 

 

Adrian Ash is director of research at BullionVault, the physical gold and silver market for private investors online. Formerly head of editorial at London’s top publisher of private-investment advice, he was City correspondent for The Daily Reckoning from 2003 to 2008, and is now a regular contributor to many leading analysis sites including Forbes and a regular guest on BBC national and international radio and television news. Adrian’s views on the gold market have been sought by the Financial Times and Economist magazine in London; CNBC, Bloomberg and TheStreet.com in New York; Germany’s Der Stern; Italy’s Il Sole 24 Ore, and many other respected finance publications.

Source: https://www.bullionvault.com/gold-news/platinum-supply-demand-111420183

#Solar ‘charging ahead’ but ‘unprecedented’ investment action required, IEA warns $HPQ.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:15 AM on Wednesday, November 14th, 2018
  • Solar PV is “charging ahead” across the world as it outpaces other renewables, but far more significant action is required if a climate crisis is to be averted, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned
  • This morning the IEA has released this year’s edition of its World Energy Outlook (WEO), including a mix of worldwide energy trends and forecasts under different models and scenarios.

By Liam Stoker

Solar PV, the IEA has said, is “charging ahead” of other renewables in numerous markets and, alongside gas, is “re-shaping” the power sector entirely. IEA forecasts that solar PV capacity will overtake wind by 2025 and coal in the mid-2030s to become the second largest generation technology, behind only gas.

Such a surge in installed capacity is likely to have significant impacts on global generation mixes and, in turn, the entire power sector, thrusting huge importance on flexibility which the IEA has labelled the “new cornerstone” of electricity security.

The IEA has gone so far as to state that changes to the power mix will need to be addressed with “growing urgency” across the global, which will, in turn, require market reforms, more significant investments in national grids and more prolific adoption of demand-side response, smart metering and energy storage technologies.

But of a far starker nature are the agency’s warnings surrounding the pace of clean energy adoption, specifically if the world remains committed to limiting global warming to within two degrees.

In charting projections for electricity generation capacities and demand, the IEA has suggested there remains a significant gap between its forecasts and staying within those climate targets, requiring what the IEA has termed as a “systematic preference” for investments in sustainable energy technologies.

In simple terms, both developing and advanced economies can no longer invest in carbon-emitting power stations if the effects of climate change are to be limited to limited within two degrees.

Fatih Birol, executive director at the IEA, noted that with more than 70% of global energy investments set to be government-driven, the “world’s energy destiny” is intertwined with global politics.

“Crafting the right policies and proper incentives will be critical to meeting our common goals of securing energy supplies, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality in urban centres, and expanding basic access to energy in Africa and elsewhere,” he said.

While the IEA’s absolute figures for solar power deployment have proven far too conservative in the past, the body has the ear of OECD governments adding weight to its overall message..

Source: https://www.pv-tech.org/news/solar-charging-ahead-but-unprecedented-investment-action-required-iea-warns

New Age Metals $NAM.ca Announces Detailed Mapping and Sampling Program has Returns Values up to 4.1% Li2O and 6.1% Rb2O at the Silverleaf Pegmatite, Lithium One Project, SE Manitoba $LIC.ca $LIX.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:37 AM on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018

New age large

  • New Age Metals has an Option/Joint-Venture agreement with partner Azincourt Energy Corp (AAZ) on its eight pegmatite hosted Lithium Projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, located in SE Manitoba- Exploration in southeast Manitoba is focused on Lithium-bearing pegmatites and other rare metals.- Rubidium Oxide is a highly insoluble thermally stable Rubidium source suitable for glass, optic and ceramic applications. Rubidium is recovered commercially from Lepidolite as a by-product of lithium extraction.
  • Mapping and sampling at the Silverleaf Pegmatite on the Lithium One Project returned numerous samples of strong lithium mineralization with assays up to 4.1% Li2O and Rubidium up to 6.1% Rb2O on the Silverleaf Pegmatite.
  • Drill permits have been applied for on the Lithium Two and Lithium One Projects and the company is awaiting approval from the province
  • The company recently signed an Exploration Agreement with the Sagkeeng First Nation, see news release dated October 25, 2018.

November 13th, 2018 / Rockport, Canada – New Age Metals Inc. (NAM) (TSX.V: NAM; OTCQB: NMTLF; FSE: P7J.F) New Age Metals is pleased to provide an update on the current surface exploration program on the company’s Lithium One Project. The company’s Lithium Division, Lithium Canada Development, has an aggressive exploration program for 2018. The Joint Venture with New Age Metals and Azincourt Energy, has eight Lithium Projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, located in SE Manitoba (Figure 1).

Lithium One Project

A field crew was active in the late summer and early fall exploring on the Lithium One Project. The reported results are from the Silverleaf Pegmatite (Figure 2). The Annie and other pegmatites from the Lithium One Project have been assayed and assay results are pending.

The Lithium One Project is located 125 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba and is geologically characterized as being a part of the Cat Lake-Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field.

 


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Figure 1: Claim Map of the Bird River Area Showing the Joint Venture Project Locations

This Pegmatite Field is host to the world-class Tanco Pegmatite, which has been mined since 1969 for Tantalum, Cesium, and Spodumene (a Lithium bearing ore). Historically the Lithium One Project area is known for the presence of numerous surface Pegmatites of various dimensions and compositions (see Figure 3).

The Silverleaf Pegmatite (Figure 4) is a zoned complex Lithium-bearing Pegmatite with a surface exposure of approximately 80 metres x 45 metres. The Pegmatite is exposed in the northeast and strikes under cover to the southwest. Samples taken from the Lepidolite-Spodumene Zone yielded assays from 1.81% to 4.09% Li2O and 0.63% to 6.11% Rb2O.

.


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Figure 2: Historical Pegmatite Location Map – Northern Portion, Lithium One Project

This zone is approximately 50 metres x 20 metres in size and extends into a historic excavated open pit. The historic open pit area originates from the late 1920s, when a bulk sample of Spodumene was mined from the southwest side of the Silverleaf Pegmatite. Large scale mining operations were not undertaken at that time. The area has seen sporadic exploration activity with focus on base metals and tantalum with minor exploration for Lithium.

In an effort to check the purity of the Spodumene, a sample of Spodumene blades was sampled from the Silverleaf Pegmatite. This sample yielded an assay of 8.76 % Li2O. A review of Spodumene mineral data at the Webmineral website indicates that Spodumene crystal can

(https://webmineral.com/data/Spodumene.shtml#.W-ShltVKipo) have a Lithium content from 3.73 to 8.03% Li2O. This would tend to indicate that the Spodumene crystals present at the Silverleaf Pegmatite are of a very high Lithium content.

The Spodumene blades at the surface of the Silverleaf Pegmatite can reach a length of up to 40 centimeters and a width of 10 centimeters (see Figure 5 and 6). The Spodumene blades are surrounded by Lithium bearing purple micas (Lepidolite).


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Figure 3: Pegmatite map of the Lithium One Project

Table 1: 2018 Samples from the Silverleaf Pegmatite

 


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Figure 4: Geological mapping of the Silverleaf Pegmatite, Lithium One Project

In geological terms, the Silverleaf Pegmatites encountered on the Lithium One Project is a LCT Type (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) Pegmatites

QA/QC Protocol

All samples were analyzed at the Activation Laboratories facility, in Ancaster, Ontario. Samples were prepared, using the lab’s Code RX1 procedure. Samples are crushed, up to 95% passing through a 10 mesh, riffle split, and then pulverized, with mild steel, to 95%, passing 105 ?m. Analyses were completed, using the lab’s Ultratrace 7 Package; a Sodium Peroxide Fusion which allows for total metal recovery and is effective for analysis of Sulphides and refractory minerals. Assay analyses are carried out, using ICP-OES and ICP-MS instrumentation. New Age Metals implemented a QA/QC field program with insertion of blanks at regular intervals. Activation Laboratories has their own internal QA/QC procedures that it carries out for all sample batches.

 


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Figure 5: Spodumene – Lepidolite Zone, Silverleaf Pegmatite, Lithium One Project

 


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Figure 6: Spodumene Blades – Lithium One Project – Silverleaf Pegmatite

Option/Joint Venture Agreement

In January of 2018, NAM announced a signed final agreement with Azincourt Energy Corp. (TSX.V: AAZ) for the Manitoba Lithium Projects. (News Release: January 15th, 2018) This Pegmatite Field hosts the world class Tanco Pegmatite that has been mined for Tantalum, Cesium and Spodumene (one of the primary Lithium ore minerals) in varying capacities, since 1969. NAM’s Lithium Projects are strategically situated in this prolific Pegmatite Field. Presently, NAM, under its subsidiary Lithium Canada Developments, is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field for Lithium. Azincourt Energy Corp. as our option/joint venture is financed for and has committed to a minimum of $600,000 to be expended on exploration in Manitoba for 2018. See news release dated Janurary 15, 2018.

OPT-IN LIST

If you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on our website (www.newagemetals.com) to receive our updated news.

ABOUT NAM’S PGM DIVISION

NAM’s flagship project is its 100% owned River Valley PGM Project (NAM Website – River Valley Project) in the Sudbury Mining District of Northern Ontario (100 km east of Sudbury, Ontario). See results from the most recent NI 43-101 resource update below in Table 1. NAM management and consultants are currently designing a complete drill program to be executed in 2019 for the River Valley Project. This plan will consider previously proposed drill parameters and will be based on the most recent geophysical assessment and consultant expertise. The projects first economic study, a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) is underway and is being overseen by Mr. Michael Neumann, P.Eng., a veteran mining engineer and one of NAM’s directors. See the most recent press releases for the River Valley Project PEA which detail the appointment of P&E Mining Consultants and DRA Americas to jointly conduct the study, dated July 25, 2018 and August 1, 2018 respectively. Our new Fall Chairman’s message can be accessed at our website (www.newagemetals.com) .

On April 4th, 2018, NAM signed an agreement with one of Alaska’s top geological consulting companies. The companies stated objective is to acquire additional PGM and Rare Metal projects in Alaska. On April 18th, 2018, NAM announced the right to purchase 100% of the Genesis PGM Project, NAM’s first Alaskan PGM acquisition related to the April 4th agreement. The Genesis PGM Project is a road accessible, under explored, highly prospective, multi-prospect drill ready Palladium (Pd)- Platinum (Pt)- Nickel (Ni)- Copper (Cu) property. A comprehensive report on previous exploration and future phases of work was completed by Avalon Development of Fairbanks Alaska in August 2018 on Genesis. A full sampling program will be conducted to continue to outline additional mineralization along the 800-meter by 40-meter mineralized zone

On August 29, the Avalon report was submitted to NAM, management is actively seeking an option/joint-venture partner for this road accessible PGM and Multiple Element Project using the Prospector Generator business model.

The results of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate for NAM’s flagship River Valley PGM Project are tabulated in Table 1 below (0.4 g/t PdEq cut-off).

Class Tonnes

‘,000

Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Rh (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ni (%) Co (%) PdEq (g/t)
Measured 62,877.5 0.49 0.19 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.99
Indicated 97,855.2 0.40 0.16 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.83
Meas +Ind 160,732.7 0.44 0.17 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.90
Inferred 127,662.0 0.27 0.12 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.002 0.66
Class PGM + Au (oz) PdEq (oz) PtEq (oz) AuEq (oz)
Measured 1,440,200 1,999,600 1,999,600 1,136,900
Indicated 1,856,900 2,626,700 2,626,700 1,463,800
Meas +Ind 3,297,200 4,626,300 4,626,300 2,600,700
Inferred 1,578,400 2,713,900 2,713,900 1,323,800

Notes:

  1. A.CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimation.
  2. B.The 2018 Mineral Resource models used Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids.
  3. C.A base cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t PdEq was used for reporting Mineral Resources.
  4. D.Palladium Equivalent (PdEq) calculated using (US$): $1,000/oz Pd, $1,000/oz Pt, $1,350/oz Au, $1750/oz Rh, $3.20/lb Cu, $5.50/lb Ni, $36/lb Co.
  5. E.Numbers may not add exactly due to rounding.
  6. F.Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have economic viability.
  7. G. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence that that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The contents contained herein that relate to Exploration Results or Mineral Resources is based on information compiled, reviewed or prepared by Carey Galeschuk, a consulting geoscientist for New Age Metals. Mr. Galeschuk is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Harry Barr”

Harry G. Barr

Chairman and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as “continue”, “efforts”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “confident”, “intend”, “strategy”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “project”, “goal”, “target”, “prospects”, “optimistic” or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Company’s ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

CLIENT FEATURE: Tartisan Nickel $TN.ca Kenbridge Property Hosts M&I Resource of 7.14 Million Tonnes at 0.62% Nickel, 0.33% Copper $ROX.ca $FF.ca $EDG.ca $AGL.ca $ANZ.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:16 PM on Monday, November 12th, 2018

Investment Highlights

  • Kenbridge property has a measured and indicated resource of 7.14 million tonnes at 0.62% nickel, 0.33% copper
  • 17.5 (21.8 fully diluted) percent equity stake in Eloro Resources and 2 percent NSR in their La Victoria property

Kenbridge Ni Project (ON, Canada)

  • Advanced  stage  deposit  remains open  in  three  directions,  is  equipped with a 623m  deep  shaft  and  has  never  been  mined.
  • Preliminary  Economic Assessment completed and updated returned robust project
    economics and operating costs including  a  NPV  of  C$253M  and  cash costs of US$3.47/lb of nickel net of
    copper credits.
  • Plans for Kenbridge include updating PEA, advancing the project through to feasibility and exploring the open mineralization at depth

FULL DISCLOSURE: Tartisan Nickel Corp. is an advertising client of AGORA Internet Relations Corp.

Keep Your Eye on Raw Materials: A Bull Market Could Be Coming $LBSR $NAM.ca $TN.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 1:49 PM on Wednesday, November 7th, 2018

As one bull market appears to be nearing its end, another may soon be on the horizon. Following years of underinvestment and tepid growth, raw materials in the form of copper, aluminum and nickel could be poised for a dramatic rebound.

The Next Bull Market?

Stocks, cryptocurrencies and even energy have taken the shine away from primary metals in recent years, but that could be about to change as investors look for new market-beating revenue streams. According to The Wall Street Journal, prices of copper, aluminum and nickel could rise more than 40% in the coming years as markets grapple with a severe supply crunch following a prolonged period of underinvestment.

This year, spending among global mining companies is expected to fall to less than a third of 2013 levels, when investment in new mines topped $121 billion. The year before, spending reached $144.05 billion, according to data from Wood Mackenzie. In 2018, total spend on new mining projects is expected to reach $35.4 billion. For many analysts, this means a major supply crunch is on the horizon.

Demand Drivers

On the demand side, the growth and widespread adoption of electric vehicles will only exacerbate the supply gap as manufacturers raise order books for copper and aluminum. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of electric vehicles on the road is forecast to reach 125 million by 2030 compared with just 3.1 million in 2017. The surge in electric vehicles also means higher demand for lithium and cobalt, two key components in electric-car batteries.

A growing global economy also playing into the hands of raw materials. Although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is forecasting slower growth over the next two years, the downbeat view is largely tied to U.S.-China trade relations. Emerging-market growth remains an important driver for commodities.

Assets to Consider

Market participants wishing to gain exposure to raw materials have several options to choose from. In addition to trading futures contracts, resource-rich exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are an easy way to play the market, especially for the long haul. Some of the most notable are SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME), Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT), iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK) and Global X Copper Miners ETF (COPX). The SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF (GNR) is also an option for those looking for a higher concentration of energy companies.

In terms of individual stocks, large miners such as Glencore Plc (GLEN), Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) and Vale SA (VALE 3) also provide a good option for diversifying into the sector. In addition to being global mining heavyweights, these companies share something else in common: they have significantly reduced capital expenditure in recent years (once again, this plays into the narrative that supply constraints will drive up the value of raw materials).

Investors betting big on the electric-car revolution have no doubt placed Tesla Inc. (TSLA) on their radar. For all its recent troubles, Elon Musk’s company recently reported a massive earnings beat, including a return to profitability for the first time since Q3 2016.

In addition to Tesla, automotive suppliers are also poised for a major breakout should the electric-car revolution play out as expected. Some companies to put on the short list are Aptiv PLC (APTV), Delphi Technologies PLC (DLPH), Magna International Inc. (MGA) and TE Connectivity Ltd. (TEL).

Source: https://hacked.com/keep-your-eye-on-raw-materials-a-bull-market-could-be-coming/

#Lithium Market Expected To Struggle To Meet Demand Through 2025 $NAM.ca $LIC.ca $LIX.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:14 PM on Monday, November 5th, 2018
  • For lithium producers, the inability to lift output fast enough to meet the demand for the most coveted material, essential for producing electric vehicle batteries, will undoubtedly cause some problems in the forthcoming years.
  • This was revealed earlier this week by the sector’s newest public company, Livent Corp who have expressed their worries about the greater risks imposed in the near future, thanks to the consistent deficit on the market.

OCT 24 2018 BY VANJA KLJAIC 

The production of the material that are essential in making batteries for electric vehicles will impact the market in the forthcoming years.

For lithium producers, the inability to lift output fast enough to meet the demand for the most coveted material, essential for producing electric vehicle batteries, will undoubtedly cause some problems in the forthcoming years. This was revealed earlier this week by the sector’s newest public company, Livent Corp who have expressed their worries about the greater risks imposed in the near future, thanks to the consistent deficit on the market.

“We think demand is going to grow almost five times larger in 2025 than it was in 2017,” CEO Paul Graves said in an interview Thursday in New York, as the supplier made its trading debut. “Our biggest challenge is producing enough to meet the demand — there’s a much greater risk that this market is consistently in a deficit in the near future.”

The long-term outlook considering the lithium demand from Livent, a spinoff from chemical maker FMC Corp., is shared by their competitors, like the Chinese-based company Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., which this week sold shares in Hong Kong for the first time. However, it seems that the investors haven’t been immediately swayed, focusing instead on concerns new supply may flood the market in the short term. Furthermore, the potential decline, coming after a rally that tripled prices in the three years through 2017, also causes concern for potential investors.

Hence, the shares of the Philadelphia-based Livent closed little changed Thursday, while Ganfeng plunged 29 percent on its Hong Kong debut.

“The poor performance reflects lack of confidence in the near-term lithium market,” Argonaut Securities (Asia) Ltd. analysts including Helen Lau said in a Friday note. “We think markets have indeed over-reacted to the current price performance and overlooked the demand growth prospects.”

There are several reasons behind the inability for these companies to lift output fast enough to meet the demand set forth by the world car industry. For some, it’s the capital they’re unable to raise that would fuel their expansion. Some others are faced with face regulatory hurdles, dimming the supply outlook. For Livent’s Graves, 47, who was FMC’s CFO and worked at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. for 12 years, including as co-head of natural resources in Asia, expansion into other countries is needed in order to meet the ever increasing demand for this material.

“Our next priority is to expand our Argentina production as quickly as we can to meet that downstream need,” he said.

Even more, according to Ganfeng’s Vice Chairman Wang Xiaoshen, giving an interview Tuesday, there is a potential risk of a lithium shortage longer term, particularly from around 2023 to 2024, when production of electric vehicles is set to accelerate even further. And that could cause additional problems. The world is gearing up for an electric revolution, but it seems that the lithium industry – the one supplying its core materials – may not yet be ready for it.

Source: https://insideevs.com/lithium-market-struggle-meet-demand-through-2025/

CLIENT FEATURE: Labrador Gold’s Shaw Ryan Targeting the Under Explored Gold Potential of the Province

Posted by AGORACOM at 7:30 AM on Thursday, November 1st, 2018

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.agoracom.com/public/companies/logos/564640/hub/Small-Logo-Labrador-GOLD.jpg

    • Led by Shawn Ryan, who’s prospecting and soil geochemistry work led to the discovery of  White Gold, Coffee, and QV projects for a total of 7.5M ounces Au
    • White Gold’s geochemical sampling program led to successful drill program
    • Exploration has already outlined district scale soil anomalies on two projects in Labrador
    • Hopedale property contains the Florence Lake greenstone belt and the Hunt River, both of which are under-explored for gold
    • Florence Lake greenstone belt has a 40 KM strike length
    •  Ppreliminary soil geochemical results show arsenic anomalies in several areas
    • Arsenic is a pathfinder element when exploring for gold

LAB Agoracom Hub

FULL DISCLOSURE: Labrador Gold is an advertising client of AGORA Internet Relations Corp.

#Gold industry sees prices rising to $1,532/oz over 12 months $AMK.ca $EXS.ca $MQR.ca $GDX.ca $ECR.ca $MZZ.ca $QMX.ca $IMG.ca $IAG $MUX

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:47 AM on Wednesday, October 31st, 2018
  • The price of gold is expected to rise to $1,532 an ounce by October next year, delegates to the London Bullion Market Association’s annual gathering predicted on Tuesday
  • A poll of delegates at the LBMA conference in Boston also predicted higher prices in a year’s time for silver, platinum and palladium.

BOSTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) – The price of gold is expected to rise to $1,532 an ounce by October next year, delegates to the London Bullion Market Association’s annual gathering predicted on Tuesday.

A poll of delegates at the LBMA conference in Boston also predicted higher prices in a year’s time for silver, platinum and palladium.

Spot gold has had a difficult few months, falling from a high of $1,366.07 in January to as low as $1,159.96 in August as the dollar strengthened and the U.S. Federal Reserve pushed ahead with interest rate rises.

But it has since clawed back to around $1,225 an ounce as volatility on global stock markets revived interest in bullion as a safe place to store assets.

A stronger dollar hurts gold prices by making it more expensive for buyers with other currencies. Higher interest rates make gold, which offers no yield, less attractive.

The poll also showed that delegates expect silver prices to rise to $15 an ounce by the end of October 2019 from around $14.50 on Tuesday.

Platinum prices were forecast to increase to $1,010 an ounce over the next year from around $835 on Tuesday and palladium was expected to rise to $1,195 from around $1,075.

Analysts and traders polled by Reuters this month said they expected gold prices to average $1,300 an ounce in 2019, silver to average $16.40, platinum to average $875 and palladium to average $1,025.

Source: https://uk.reuters.com/article/gold-lbma-price/gold-industry-sees-prices-rising-to-1532-oz-over-12-months-idUKL8N1X55VR

How #China Is Shaping #Copper Markets $LBSR $TMBXF $MIN.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:21 PM on Tuesday, October 30th, 2018
  • Electric cars, renewable energy will drive demand in the decade ahead, says report.
  • When searching the global markets battlefield for potential casualties of the United States trade war with China, two of the more obvious are the rnminbi (RMB) and copper.
  • But the rapid adoption of renewables and electric cars are long-term secular trends that may ultimately prove more important drivers than tariffs and trade wars.

By:CME Group

Indeed, their twin fortunes have been intimately intertwined since the summer when sabre rattling was matched with action.

There are a number of reasons for this closer-than-usual relationship. The corollary of a weak RMB is a strong dollar and dollar strength and commodity price weakness often go hand in hand. The second is China’s crucial role in the world economy. In 2016, China accounted for 40 percent of the entirety of global growth, according to the World Economic Forum. Similarly, a one percent decline in global trade has historically led to four percent decline in copper prices.

Growth Tied to China

Both copper and China are bellwethers for the global economy and the ratcheting up of tariffs and rhetoric is unnerving investors. The September Bank of America Merrill Lynch Fund Manager Survey revealed that 24 percent of investors expect global growth to slow in the next year, up from net 7 percent in August. The surveyed investors are gloomier about the prospects for the global economy than at any time since December 2011.

As well as indirect links through trade, there is a direct relationship between the red metal and the People’s Republic: China consumes 40 percent of global copper supply. China’s economy is showing signs of slowing. The Caixin China General Manufacturing PMI fell to a 14-month low of 50.6 in August. GDP growth slowed slightly to 6.5 percent in the third quarter.

Copper demand appears to be robust. Chinese copper inventories have declined to levels last seen in 2017 when prices were over $7,000/ metric ton, in spite of refined copper imports hitting a series of seasonally adjusted record highs. This suggests those imports are being consumed.

Electric Revolution

China’s shift to clean energy is not just a policy goal, it is an environmental and health necessity. According to one 2015 study published by climate research organization Berkeley Earth, 1.6 million Chinese die each year as a result of air pollution. The electricity sector globally accounts for 65 percent of all copper demand, photovoltaic cells depend on copper and a typical wind turbine uses one metric ton of the metal.

Beyond electricity generation and transmission and renewable energy, the next biggest uses of copper are in construction and transport. An average electric car uses six kilometers of copper wire in the batteries and rotors of their engines. Demand for copper from manufacturers of electric is forecast to increase nine-fold by 2027, according to consultancy firm IDTechEx in a report published this year.

Against this backdrop, Citigroup analysts issued a report in July entitled “Prepare for a decade of Dr. Copper on steroids.” Chinese copper demand and global trade are undoubtedly important for copper prices. But the rapid adoption of renewables and electric cars are long-term secular trends that may ultimately prove more important drivers than tariffs and trade wars.

Source: https://www.thestreet.com/markets/how-china-is-shaping-copper-markets-14761310

New Age Metals $NAM.ca and Azincourt Energy Lithium Joint Venture Extends the Eagle Pegmatite to the West with Phase Two Sampling Returning Values up to 3.8% $GLEN $LIC.ca $LIX.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:25 AM on Tuesday, October 30th, 2018

New age large

  • Mapping has extended the Eagle Pegmatite approximately 300 meters to the west of the company claim boundary
  • A second phase of surface sampling at the Eagle Pegmatite has returned assays up to 3.8% Li2O.
  • New Age Metals along with Option/Joint-Venture Partner Azincourt Energy Corp have 100% ownership of eight pegmatite hosted Lithium Projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, located in southeast (SE) Manitoba
  • Exploration in SE Manitoba is focused on Lithium-bearing pegmatites.
  • The eight projects are strategically situated within the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, which hosts the world-class Tanco Pegmatite that has been mined for Tantalum, Cesium and Spodumene (one of the primary Lithium minerals) in varying capacities, since 1969.
  • Present exploration is being conducted on the Lithium One Project.
  • Drill permits have been applied for on the Lithium Two and Lithium One Projects and the company is awaiting approval from the province.

October 30th, 2018 / Rockport, Canada – New Age Metals Inc. (NAM) (TSX.V: NAM; OTCQB: NMTLF; FSE: P7J.F) New Age Metals is pleased to provide an update on the present exploration program with regards to the company’s Manitoba Lithium Projects. The company’s Lithium Division, Lithium Canada Development, has an aggressive exploration plan for 2018. The Joint Venture with New Age Metals and Azincourt Energy, has eight Lithium Projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, located in SE Manitoba (Figure 1).

Lithium Two Project

Two phases of surface exploration were carried out on the Lithium Two Project during the summer. Grab samples, channel samples and fractionation samples were collected. Fractionation samples will give an indication of the degree of fractionation of sampled pegmatites. Fractionated pegmatites are more conducive to containing Lithium and Rare Metal minerals.


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Figure 1: Manitoba Lithium Projects 2018 – New Age Metals/Azincourt Energy Joint Venture

The Lithium Two Project has several historically known Spodumene bearing pegmatites (see Figure 2). The Eagle Pegmatite was drilled in 1947 with a historic (non 43-101 compliant) tonnage estimate of 544,460 tonnes with a grade of 1.4% Li2O to the 61-meter level. The deposit remains open to depth. The FD5 Pegmatite, located east of the Eagle Pegmatite has never been drilled. Historic assessment reports revealed a Spodumene bearing pegmatite drilled in the late 1940’s, located approximately 500 meters southeast of the Eagle Pegmatite but not exposed on surface. No grades were provided in the report. This pegmatite as well as the Eagle and FD5 will be tested during the upcoming drill program. Drill work permits have been applied for and the company is waiting for approval from the province.


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Figure 2: Lithium Assays at the Lithium Two Project, SE Manitoba

A Phase One surface exploration program was carried out earlier in the summer (see News Release: August 16th, 2018). Follow up sampling was carried out during the Phase Two surface exploration program on the FD5 Pegmatite (see Table 1) and the Eagle Pegmatite (see Table 2). The Lithium grades at the FD5 did not change as samples were collected for fractionation but there was an increase in Lithium assays at the Eagle Pegmatite with assays up to 3.8% Li2O. The field program focussed on more detailed structural geological mapping and mapping of the westward extent of the Eagle Pegmatite.

The company entered into an agreement (News Release: July 11th, 2018) with Grid Metals (formerly Mustang Minerals) for the rights to explore for Lithium and Rare Metals on the claim directly adjacent to the west of the Lithium Two Project. During the Phase Two surface exploration the westward extension was mapped for approximately 300 meters into the westward claim. Detailed mapping has extended the length of the Eagle Pegmatite to approximately 900 meters that has been examined in the field from surface outcrop exposures. The pegmatite remains open along strike where it goes under overburden. Samples on the west side of the Eagle Pegmatite returned only weak Lithium mineralization on surface (see Table 3) but contained a larger proportion of Lepidolite (a Lithium Mica) and therefore elevated Rubidium values.

Even though Lithium is the main focus of the exploration it should be noted that the pegmatites also show elevated Tantalum values that may be of an economic interest. Pegmatites elsewhere on the project did not reveal significant Lithium mineralization; however, several were elevated in Tantalum. Fractionation assays are presently being reviewed by the company’s geological consultants. Results will be reported at a later date when a review of the feldspar and mica fractionation results for the summer pegmatite exploration is undertaken.


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Table 1: FD5 Pegmatite – 2018 Assays

In an effort to check the purity of the Spodumene, a sample of Spodumene blades was sampled from the FD5 Pegmatite. This sample yielded an assay of 7.62% Li2O. A review of Spodumene Mineral Data (https://webmineral.com/data/Spodumene) indicates that Spodumene can have a Li2O content from 3.73 to 8.03% Li2O. This would tend to indicate that the Spodumene present in the pegmatites dykes on the project is of a high purity.

In geological terms, the pegmatites encountered on the Lithium Two Project are LCT Type (Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum) Pegmatites and are in the Albite-Spodumene Subgroup. Spodumene is expressed in the pegmatites as small green blades up to 3 centimeters in length. The Eagle Pegmatite is a west-northwest to west-striking, vertically dipping, lenticular pegmatite dyke intruded into mafic volcanics. The widths of the pegmatite have been measured to be between 2 to 10 meters. The Eagle Pegmatite system appears to be a swarm of closely spaced pegmatite bodies.

Table 2:Eagle Pegmatite – 2018 Assays

Table 3: West Eagle Pegmatite – 2018 Assays


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QA/QC Protocol

All samples were analyzed at the Activation Laboratories facility, in Ancaster, Ontario. Samples were prepared, using the lab’s Code RX1 procedure. Samples are crushed, up to 95% passing through a 10 mesh, riffle split, and then pulverized, with mild steel, to 95%, passing 105 ?m. Analyses were completed, using the lab’s Ultratrace 7 Package; a Sodium Peroxide Fusion which allows for total metal recovery and is effective for analysis of Sulphides and refractory minerals. Assay analyses are carried out, using ICP-OES and ICP-MS instrumentation. New Age Metals implemented a QA/QC field program with insertion of blanks at regular intervals. Activation Laboratories has their own internal QA/QC procedures that it carries out for all sample batches.

Stock Option Grant

In addition, the Company announces that it has granted 300,000 incentive stock options to consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.12 per share for a period of five (5) years from the date of grant in accordance with the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The Stock Options granted will be subject to vesting restrictions, acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange and will be subject to regulatory hold periods in accordance with applicable Canadian Securities Laws.

Joint Venture Agreement

In January of 2018, NAM announced a signed final agreement with Azincourt Energy Corp. (TSX.V: AAZ) for the Manitoba Lithium Projects. (News Release: January 15th, 2018) This Pegmatite Field hosts the world class Tanco Pegmatite that has been mined for Tantalum, Cesium and Spodumene (one of the primary Lithium ore minerals) in varying capacities, since 1969. NAM’s Lithium Projects are strategically situated in this prolific Pegmatite Field. Presently, NAM, under its subsidiary Lithium Canada Developments, is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field for Lithium. Azincourt Energy Corp. as our option/joint venture is financed for and has committed to a minimum of $600,000 to be expended on exploration in Manitoba for 2018.

OPT-IN LIST

If you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on our website (www.newagemetals.com) to receive our updated news.

ABOUT NAM’S PGM DIVISION

NAM’s flagship project is its 100% owned River Valley PGM Project (NAM Website – River Valley Project) in the Sudbury Mining District of Northern Ontario (100 km east of Sudbury, Ontario). See results from the most recent NI 43-101 resource update below in Table 4. NAM is currently conducting Phase 4 of their proposed 2018 exploration and development program. This program is based on recommendations of previous geophysical studies completed in 2017 and 2018. Mr. Michael Neumann, P.Eng., a veteran mining engineer and one of NAM’s directors, will oversee the completion of the PEA. See the most recent press releases for the River Valley Project PEA which detail the appointment of P&E Mining Consultants and DRA Americas to jointly conduct the study, dated July 25, 2018 and August 1, 2018 respectively. Our new Fall Chairman’s message can be accessed at our website (www.newagemetals.com).

On April 4th, 2018, NAM signed an agreement with one of Alaska’s top geological consulting companies. The companies stated objective is to acquire additional PGM and Rare Metal projects in Alaska. On April 18th, 2018, NAM announced the right to purchase 100% of the Genesis PGM Project, NAM’s first Alaskan PGM acquisition related to the April 4th agreement. The Genesis PGM Project is a road accessible, under explored, highly prospective, multi-prospect drill ready Palladium (Pd)- Platinum (Pt)- Nickel (Ni)- Copper (Cu) property. A comprehensive report on previous exploration and future phases of work was completed by Avalon Development of Fairbanks Alaska in August 2018 on Genesis. A full sampling program will be conducted to continue to outline additional mineralization along the 800-meter by 40-meter mineralized zone

On August 29, the Avalon report was submitted to NAM, management is actively seeking an option/joint-venture partner for this road accessible PGM and Multiple Element Project using the Prospector Generator business model.

Table 2: Results of the Mineral Resource Estimate for NAM’s flagship River Valley PGM Project (0.4 g/t PdEq cut-off)

Class Tonnes

‘,000

Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Rh (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ni (%) Co (%) PdEq (g/t)
Measured 62,877.5 0.49 0.19 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.99
Indicated 97,855.2 0.40 0.16 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.83
Meas +Ind 160,732.7 0.44 0.17 0.02 0.03 0.05 0.01 0.002 0.90
Inferred 127,662.0 0.27 0.12 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.002 0.66
Class PGM + Au (oz) PdEq (oz) PtEq (oz) AuEq (oz)
Measured 1,440,200 1,999,600 1,999,600 1,136,900
Indicated 1,856,900 2,626,700 2,626,700 1,463,800
Meas +Ind 3,297,200 4,626,300 4,626,300 2,600,700
Inferred 1,578,400 2,713,900 2,713,900 1,323,800

Notes:

  1. A.CIM definition standards were followed for the resource estimation.
  2. B.The 2018 Mineral Resource models used Ordinary Kriging grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids.
  3. C.A base cut-off grade of 0.4 g/t PdEq was used for reporting Mineral Resources.
  4. D.Palladium Equivalent (PdEq) calculated using (US$): $1,000/oz Pd, $1,000/oz Pt, $1,350/oz Au, $1750/oz Rh, $3.20/lb Cu, $5.50/lb Ni, $36/lb Co.
  5. E.Numbers may not add exactly due to rounding.
  6. F.Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have economic viability.
  7. G. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence that that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The contents contained herein that relate to Exploration Results or Mineral Resources is based on information compiled, reviewed or prepared by Carey Galeschuk, a consulting geoscientist for New Age Metals. Mr. Galeschuk is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Harry Barr”

Harry G. Barr

Chairman and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as “continue”, “efforts”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “confident”, “intend”, “strategy”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “project”, “goal”, “target”, “prospects”, “optimistic” or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Company’s ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.