Although the price of lithium, the key battery metal, has experienced a significant drop, Rio Tinto's commitment to investing in this resource indicates that the outlook may not be as bleak as it seems. At the Rincon Mine, Rio Tinto aims to build a processing facility with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons of lithium carbonate. For Rio Tinto, lithium is a cornerstone of its resource portfolio. In October, the company already reached an agreement to acquire the U.S. mining operation Arcadium Lithium. Additionally, Rio Tinto is exploring opportunities for lithium mines in Chile and Serbia. The Rincon Mine is located in the renowned South American Lithium Triangle.
However, lithium is not exclusive to South America. In Nevada, Century Lithium - https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/century-lithium-corp/ - is producing lithium carbonate with a purity of 99.5% at its pilot plant.
According to forecasts, the lithium market will face a surplus until around 2027. Nearly a dozen lithium producers have reduced production, delayed expansions, or even temporarily shut down mines. Yet, with global lithium demand on the rise, a tipping point could come when prices recover. When electric vehicle sales surged in 2021, lithium prices skyrocketed. A similar scenario could unfold again, potentially after 2027.
Beyond lithium, materials like cobalt and nickel are also crucial for electric mobility, energy storage, and portable devices. For rechargeable batteries, no viable substitutes for lithium and cobalt are expected in the near future. Between 2016 and 2024, cobalt prices experienced significant fluctuations. Cobalt sourced outside the problematic Congo region is likely to be particularly sought after.
In Canada, the Canada Nickel Company - https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/canada-nickel-company-inc/ - owns cobalt and nickel resources. Its flagship Crawford project is 100% owned by the company.
For the latest company updates and press releases, visit Canada Nickel Company (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/de/unternehmen/canada-nickel-company-inc/ -) and Century Lithium (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/de/unternehmen/century-lithium-corp/ -).
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