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A request from me to all of you on the Lithium space

Cory
April 19, 2017

Over the past at least 4 months I have been approached by a number of lithium companies. I have been asking my network for any insights into the lithium space and now I am coming to all of you. Please email me with any analysts, articles, thoughts and opinions on the sector. I would like to get a better understanding of the sector and be able to filter through the companies more comfortably.

Thanks in advance for all of your help! My email address is Fleck[at]kereport.com.

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Discussion
152 Comments
    CFS
    Apr 19, 2017 19:35 AM

    The only lithium stock I own is LACDF, lithium americas.

      CFS
      Apr 19, 2017 19:50 AM

      I forgot, I aso hold some LIT in an IRA account.

          Apr 20, 2017 20:57 AM

          CFS – Good article and I had posted it down below as well. Here’s another from the same author that covers most of the same companies that I’ve pounded the table on for years, and they are also echoed by Joe Lowry, Chris Berry, the other industry pundits in their articles. The universe of “Real” Lithium companies is not very large and is very similar to Uranium. There are about a dozen legit companies, about a dozen that are still finding their place but could work out, and the other 8 dozen are garbage.

          Also notice that he recommends building his own Lithium ETF over using the standard ETF (LIT) due to it’s problematic and unrelated holdings. I agree with with investors building their own Lithium and Uranium ETFs as they can beat those indexes pretty easy by putting companies with better exposure to the production and development in their portfolio. [actually I believe better ETFs can be built in Gold and Silver as well, but we already covered that in the weekend show and earlier this week pretty heavily]

          ______________________________________________________________________

          Top 12 Lithium Miners To Create Your Own Lithium ETF
          Jan. 5, 2017 – Matt Bohlsen

          * Summary

          The lithium X ETF is not really a “lithium miners” ETF, and has no pure play lithium miners.

          My top twelve lithium miners to include in your own lithium ETF.

          A brief discussion of the top twelve lithium miners.

          https://seekingalpha.com/article/4034589-top-12-lithium-miners-create-lithium-etf

            Apr 20, 2017 20:12 AM

            Here were Matt’s Top 12 Lithium Miners (see if any match up with comments posted down below from the KER since last October). That’s as far as went back in my search on this site, but I’ve actually been posting on some of those LI companies on here since 2012, but in 2015 got much more vocal about a number of these….before the bubble started.

            Hopefully a few investors got with the trend back in 2015 and early 2016 before the bubble inflated and made some cheddar in this sector. If not the market is offering a second chance.

            Here is the good news — Most of the quality Lithium companies have pulled back sharply since the middle of 2016 (like the PM stocks) and they are offering another great place to get positioned for the longer term.

            Personally, I’ve been starting to buy back into positions in the producers and near term producers that have been cut in half as the froth came out of the sector (and rightly so) in the 2nd Half of 2016 and early 2017. When a sector corrects everything gets thrown out in the wash….

            However, these quality companies will be generating revenue and cash-flow (not marketing hype), are improving chemistry on their hard-rock or brine projects, and many will get acquired by the bigger fish and be cannibalized in takeovers in 2-3 years. It is a good time to grab a few of these quality names for investors that want exposure to a few Lithium companies for the longer term trends in Electronic Vehicles and Battery Storage.

            ______________________________________________________________________

            Stock Current price Stage Market cap (US$)

            Albemarle US $90.70 Producer 10.2b
            SQM US $29.40 Producer 8b
            FMC Corp US $58.21 Producer 7.8b
            Galaxy Resources AU $0.575 Producer 790m
            Orocobre AU $4.24 Producer 669m
            Pilbara Minerals AU $0.535 Near term producer (~late 2017) 507m
            Nemaska Lithium CA $1.28 Near term producer (~2018/2019) 315m
            Lithium Americas CA $0.79 Near term producer (~2019) 179m
            Altura Mining AU $0.135 Near term producer (~late 2017) 125m
            Lithium X CA $2.30 Near term producer (~2019) 116m
            Critical Elements CA $0.485 Near term producer (~2019) 53m
            Neo Lithium CA $1.08 Explorer, ~2020/2021 producer 53m

            Apr 20, 2017 20:25 AM

            Matt Bohlsen left off the Producers – NeoMetals & Mineral Resources in their Mt Marion JV with Ganfeng (the Asian consortium) and I’d probably have swapped those out on that top 12 list for Lithium X.

            I’ve always had mixed feelings about Lithium X, which is Frank Giustra’s baby, but has been all hype no results for the last 3 years and they struck out on their first 2 projects. (what a surprise……)

            The share price of Lithium X was ridiculously over-priced in 2016 and did a lot to fuel to craze and bubble in Lithium stocks, but I was extremely vocal in 2015 and 2016 that it’s valuation had skyrocketed up on nothing but “The management team”, while companies with real “Projects” like Galaxy, Lithium Americas, NeoMetals, Nemaska, Orocobre, Pilbara etc… were being overlooked because they didn’t have the flashy names. This is a prime example of where great projects trumped the management teams, and those teams will move from B teams to the A teams now that they have delivered.

            Well, 2 years later – Orocobre made it to production, Galaxy made it to production, NeoMetals made it to production, Lithium Americas is in development with their JV partner SQM (one of the big 3), Nemaska has nearly finished permitting and has been commissioning their pilot plant, and Pilbara is in development on track to move towards production.

            Just sayin’……

            Apr 20, 2017 20:42 AM

            Even though I’ve been critical of Lithium X for the last few years, I will throw them a bone and mention that it may be 3 times a charm for them as their Argentina brine assets may end up working out.

            However, they had no business trading up at the premiums the did the last few years in comparison to their peers that actually did have something substantial.

            Apr 20, 2017 20:44 AM

            Also, regarding Neo Lithium, I’ve been hearing good things from other serious Lithium investors, and several geos have parsed their exploration work and have been impressed so it one not discussed down below very often but may be one to follow up on.

            Apr 20, 2017 20:51 AM

            With regards to the new producers NeoMetals and Mineral Resources, their JV with Ganfeng at Mt Marion is impressive and is producing, but the real value for both companies is really in other areas.

            For Mineral Resources (MIN.AX), they have another flagship Wodgina that looks even more prospective, and then they have 3 other Iron ore projects.

            NeoMetals was the original company on the Mt Marion project but partnered with Mineral Resources and Ganfeng to get the finances necessary to put that project into production, but really their expertise and value is in the “Down-stream” Lithium processing and separation and chemistry. This downstream part of their business will prove to be much more valuable than just the Lithium mine, and it is very likely one of the larger chemical conglomerates or Asian consortiums will gobble them up for these proprietary processes. They also have a very interesting Titanium project as a kicker.

            Apr 20, 2017 20:00 AM

            Wow – I just went to NeoMetals site to get their corporate presentation, and saw the news release where they have sold their remaining stake in the Mt Marion mine to do exactly what was mentioned above….. Focus on their downstream chemistry, processing, and proprietary processes. (ding ding ding).

            _____________________________________________________________________

            Mt Marion anticipated sale provides a firm foundation for an Electric Future
            April 7, 2017

            “The Board has resolved to divest Neometals’ residual 13.8% interest in the Mt Marion Lithium Project, for approximately US$96 million (c. A$125 million) with contractual completion potentially early May 2017, assuming that the Company’s Mt Marion partners exercise their pre‐emptive rights to acquire the Neometals’ shareholding.”

            “Although fully committed to the ongoing strength of the lithium mineral cycle, leveraging against the continuing unprecedented demand for battery storage minerals, it is timely for Neometals to re‐direct its capital and energies to higher margin downstream opportunities, as well as the Company’s titanium assets, where the Company’s proprietary technologies can add extra value.”

            * ELi Process™  

            Our fully‐patented ELi Process (ELi) provides hard‐rock and brine lithium producers a solution to convert their feedstocks into lithium hydroxide (LiOH) at highly competitive operating and capital costs. Neometals intends to exploit the technology as principal, partner or by licensing this technology to producers in return for a royalty stream. Neometals owns 70% of the intellectual property.

            ** Lithium Battery Recycling

            Neometals has co‐developed a technology which has outstanding potential to cost effectively recover cobalt from spent lithium batteries. A Scoping Study completed in 2016 demonstrated the technology can potentially extract cobalt at a very low operating cost, with potential for further cost reductions through the recovery of lithium, nickel and copper co‐products. Neometals expects to complete mini‐pilot plant testwork at its R&D facility in Montreal, Canada in this September quarter.

            *** Barrambie Titanium

            The wholly‐owned Barrambie deposit is the second highest grade hard rock titanium deposit globally. Neometals controls the global rights to the Neomet Process (see below), a patented technology that delivers high purity titanium pigment feedstock at lowest quartile costs, as indicated in a pre‐feasibility study.  Neometals is in the process of generating samples for both the pilot plant testing of Barrambie feedstocks at the Montreal facility, and for evaluation by customers as a feedstock into existing titanium pigment plants in China. Titanium feedstock prices have more than doubled in the past year.

            ****Neomet Process

            The Company is advancing the commercialisation of the Neomet Process with leading Australian engineering company, Sedgman Ltd, part of CIMIC Group.  The test work on third‐party orebodies continues as part of the business plan to licence the technology and share royalties collected with the Canadian owners of the intellectual property

            http://www.neometals.com.au/reports/707-MM070417let.pdf

      Apr 19, 2017 19:52 AM

      Good call. I own 1/2 million shares of LACDF and also some SQM. Those two are going to be world giants within three years.

        Apr 20, 2017 20:26 AM

        M. Williams – There is a whole section on Lithium Americas down below (right under the Galaxy Resources section), as well as, a number of articles from both Chris Berry and Joe Lowry that repeatedly mention (LAC) (LACDF) as one of the top development projects on the planet with their world class JV partner (SQM)

        It’s going to be interesting to watch this project’s success unfold. Cheers!

    CFS
    Apr 19, 2017 19:39 AM

    I will buy NMKEF if/wehen it drops to 0.7 or thereabouts.

      Apr 20, 2017 20:27 AM

      CFS – There is also a section on Nemaska Lithium down below with a few news releases, and their most up to date Corporate Presentations. I agree that it is one of the stand out names in the Lithium space. Ever Upward!

    b
    Apr 19, 2017 19:43 AM

    Try contacting Mickey Fulp.
    Welcome to Mercenary Geologist
    http://www.goldgeologist.com/mercenary_geologist_contact.htm

    Apr 19, 2017 19:43 AM

    The only two I follow are Bacanora – which apparently was going to promise so much but seems to have been up, dow, up, down, up in a range for 2 years – and Lomin…. but that is a platinum miner so ignore that 🙂

    Apr 19, 2017 19:54 AM

    i bought FMC 20 months ago to participant in Lithium
    it is up nicely but is far from a pure play

    Apr 19, 2017 19:04 AM

    Cinovec is a European mine in early stages in Czech Republic I believe. I think it is a joint UK/Aussie venture. I think European Metal Holdings (EMH.L) own it.

    Here is the UK chat forum on it:

    http://www.lse.co.uk/ShareChat.asp?ShareTicker=EMH&share=europe_met

    This is an article today about the quality of the ore at the site:

    http://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/stocktube/7298/european-metals-keith-coughlan-comforted-by-cinovec-pre-feasibility-study-7298.html

    Apr 19, 2017 19:46 AM

    miners getting torched on a relative and absolute basis today. Gotta love it.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:52 AM

    Silver miners are on the edge of a cliff right now. In the short run, they can and will take them anywhere they want. Think of the most absurd number you can for a miner and it will probably get hit and exceeded. Happens every single time.

    And god and silver haven’t even corrected. They are long overdue to roll over from a cycles perspective. Kiss the miners good bye when they do.

    If 1.40 on AXU breaks, for example, which lets be honest looks almost guaranteed at this point, it is going to eventually tag the 100 WMA, currently at 1.08.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:54 AM

    Sam Broom from Sprott believes that Cobalt, not Lithium, is the best way to play the battery boom. Have you thought about having him on the show to share his research + insights, Corey?

    If you are not familiar with his point of view, a link to a fairly recent youtube video of his is below.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVt8kfhqGEk&feature=youtu.be

      Apr 20, 2017 20:33 AM

      Cobalt and Copper and Manganese and Nickel are definitely other important battery components.

      Dick Tracy, JohnK, Wolfster, and I shared some interesting macro thoughts on the Cobalt Sector and many of the related stocks.

      The Cobalt info is about mid-way down the blog and then further down again in another section near the bottom:

      http://www.kereport.com/2017/02/04/economic-data-points-gold-investing-including-stocks/

        Apr 20, 2017 20:40 AM

        DT & I had another good Cobalt thread on this KER blog about 1/2 way down when he brings up Cobaltech:

        http://www.kereport.com/2017/02/04/economic-data-points-gold-investing-including-stocks/

          Apr 20, 2017 20:59 AM

          There is no doubt that with people like Robert Friedland and Rick Rule and Palisade Research and Investor News Network and Chris Berry all mentioning the importance of Cobalt, it has been on the move and started to get frothy.

          Just like with Lithium most of the Cobalt companies are absolute garbage, and nothing more than marketing campaigns designed to mine investors pockets. Having said that, there are some legitimate companies (outside of the Congo) in Australia, Canada, the US and few other remote lands and islands. This is just the latest craze in battery metals, but investors need to be very selective and not fall for the hype. I’ve been honed in on it for only about 6 months and see a few interesting stories unfolding and have some exposure, but have been more wary of a number of the companies.

          At the bottom of this KER editorial with Rick Ackerman, there is a ton of info and posts on Cobalt at the bottom of that blog. Lots of companies to follow up on, Cobalt chat rooms, and many Cobalt articles and interviews for any investors interested in the next bubble (although it is well underway already).

          ** Just hit (Control – F ) on this blog and search for the word “Cobalt” and there are 48 word hits:

          http://www.kereport.com/2017/03/09/technical-outlooks-gold-oil/

    Apr 19, 2017 19:59 AM

    Another hideous outside day down candle on GCC. Commodities are also on the edge of a cliff. If 19 breaks, it’s headed to 18. The odds of a lower 45+ year low look more and more likely.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:44 PM

    On pondering where to begin on the Lithium discussion, because there have been so many posts here on the KER – it seems easiest to just aggregate some of those. Here are the last few months of posts with a few prior rants, articles, news, and thoughts.

    _____________________________________________________________________

    > On October 16, 2016 at 6:38 am,
    Excelsior says:

    As for Lithium I’ve recommended for over a year the exact same companies and after following the space very heavily since 2012, it is my strategy to go with the most “Conservative” names in the space – [ie…. the companies that made to production, or are near term development companies]. The swath of 80+ companies jumping on the LI bandwagon and staking ground like crazy in Nevada and South America, are the marketing fluff that I would avoid, and they need to be separated from real companies that have been pursuing Lithium production for years not months. The other thing is that the larger companies have made some great acquisitions in the past to consolidate multiple projects and several smaller companies into one. This is a distinct advantage to have several flagships in one.

    For clarity in the Lithium Miners beyond the 4 largest companies (FMC, Albemarle, SQM, and Talison)…..

    Again, these are a FUNDAMENTAL reasons and after following them for years, not based on TECHNICAL charts. The technical indicators should be used on when to get positioned in these companies. I’m just highlighting the “real” Lithium players as opposed to the “froth” garbage.

    Here are the 3 producers. They are my top holdings in this space because they are not a “scam” or “marketing fluff” – They freakin’ made it to production and are emerging into competition with the big 4 companies. I rarely hear Metals Experts” sight the successes of these companies over the last 2 years when they rip on the Lithium sector. That is because they are not fully informed and haven’t kept up with the legitimate progress in the sector.

    1) Orocobre (OROCF) – First company after Talison to make into LI Production
    2) Galaxy Resources (GALXF) (they also built the most advanced Battery plant in the past and processed the Talison ore, but sold it to an Asian conglomerate to focus on mining)
    3) JV with Mineral Resources (MALRF)/Ganfeng Lithium (Asian consortium)/NeoMetals (RRSSF) – the most recent company ramping up into LI production
    __________________________________________________________________
    As for Development Stage Companies that actually have a shot Production:
    4) Lithium Americas Corp (LACDF) [Formerly Western Lithium before their big merger] – They have an organoclay plant that they built and is in production. The big story is that (SQM) [one of the big 3 producers] chose to be their 50/50 JV parter in South America and they will likely get bought out and into production (regardless of what monthly charts show now)
    5) Nemaska Lithium (NMKEF) – They have an advanced deposit, have permitting well down the road, and were busy far before the recent LI boom. As a result they have a developing path towards production
    6) Pilbara Minerals (PILBF) – They also have an advanced stage asset, the permitting moving down the road, and they will likely get their project into production next year.
    As for remaining Lithium projects that may have a chance:
    7) Pure Energy Minerals (PEMIF) – they have a nice start to a deposit, and an off-take agreement, but ran into snags in their exploration program. I’m still watching them with interest but would hold off until they define their asset better.
    8) Bacanora Minerals (BCRMF) – they are moving their resource along, and currently there is a company trying a hostile takeover. It’s interesting to see how this is going to shake out, but their deposit is real.
    9) Dajin Resources (DJIFF) – They have 3 different N. American projects, and a S. American project that many geologist have been excited about in the past, but they can’t seem to get traction or financing at the right times and their share price has suffered. Still many have commented that their resources have merit. They may be a sleeper stock.
    10) Critical Elements Corp (CRECF) – They have a large Lithium/Tantalum project that has a PEA and looks like it is moving into development. There has been a fair bit of interest in their project again this year of course.
    11) Kidman Resources (KDR.AX) – they have found one of the larger hard rock deposits in Australia but also have very nice Gold resources. They are looking towards development of their Lithium project, and I wonder if they may spin out the Gold assets or spin out the lithium assets separately. Skeeta could tell you more on this one.
    12) Frontier Lithium (formerly Houston Lake Mining) – They have a nice deposit shaping up, and have recently improved their pegmatite hard rock resource to be one of the highest grade LI deposits in N. America. I believe Chris Temple has followed them in the past and may be more up to speed.

    [I should have also included Birimian Resources (BGS.AX) in this list]

    **Anyway, there are other companies investors are watching that seem like more fluff than substance at present. It has taken years to develop the list of real companies up above, and I keep the door open for the fact that some of the newer companies jumping into the scene may still dig up a few interesting projects.

    My point is simply that I feel this is an INCREDIBLY RISKY sector, but that there are safer bets in the companies that made it to production first, or that have advanced deposits, understanding of processing, PEAs, or Feasibility Studies, and the permitting process started. Most of the explorers, that may be more exciting and have crazier share performance, are nothing more than land and marketing and epitimize the bubble. I’m just betting more conservative in this sector personally.

      Apr 19, 2017 19:45 PM

      > On October 16, 2016 at 5:37 pm,
      Excelsior says:

      Nemaska is the most speculative of the ones I hold just for clarity and in 5th position in my holdings.

      My primary 4 positions are:

      The 3 new producers: Orocobre (OROCF) , Galaxy Resources (GALXF), and NeoMetals (RRSSF). [I should point out that Mineral Resources (MALRF) actually has twice the stake in the JV than NeoMetals, but I like the secondary Titanium project that NeoMetals has, so that is why I went with them).
      The 4th position is in Lithium Americas Corp (LACDF) as the most advanced development company. Nemaska Lithium (NMKEF) is bring up the caboose.

      ** [as an update I still hold all those companies except Orocobre (OROCF) that I swapped out with Pilbara (PLS.AX) (PILBF)] **

        Apr 19, 2017 19:46 PM

        > On October 15, 2016 at 2:47 pm,
        Excelsior says:

        Yes, I think that they are a little different in that the Rare Earth story was predicated about the need for them in tech & renewable energy applications and about China’s strangle-hold on them. Eventually pricing cratered and collapsed that bubble. The only companies with advanced deposits in production and processing of the Rare Earths Molycorp, Lynas, and Great Western Minerals all bit the dust. It should be noted that there are still a few legitimate companies mining specialty metals, but most of the sector was and remains garbage or at least remains uneconomical at today’s prices.

        In a similar vein, most of the Lithium exploration companies are also garbage and nothing more than marketing fluff. However, the fact that the electrification of the world through both an increase in the energy grid, and the growing Battery and Back-up Battery market is a bit of a horse of a different color.

        There are some real Lithium production success stories like Orocobre, Galaxy Resources, and the latest into production the JV with Mineral Resources/Ganfeng Lithium/NeoMetals. It is important to note that these producers are not without risk, but that they have achieve the production milestone; which is more than most mining companies (especially Lithium companies) will ever be able to say.

        There are also a few legitimate development stage companies like $LACDF Lithium Americas Corp (because they are clearly moving towards the path to development with their JV partner $SQM who is one of the Big 3 Lithium producers). In addition, Lithium Americas Corp, has already proven that they can take an idea to fruition and have made it into production with their Organoclay mine and production facility (a unique other revenue stream).

        $NMKEF Nemaska Lithium is another development stage LI company that is much further along in their permitting and resource development than most of the other fluff marketing stories parading around the #Lithium space.

        $PILBF Pilbara Minerals is anotheras they are on track to also make it to production in the not so distant future.

        Earlier in the year I remained encouraged by the off-take agreement and success that Pure Energy Minerals (PEMIF) was having, but then as they attempted to expand their resources, the drill results were a dud.

        Other companies that show promise are $CRECF Critical Elements Corp, $DJIFF Dajin Resources, $BCRMF Bacanor minerals, and $KDR.AX Kidman Resources.
        These are my thoughts on the Lithium sector and I’ve been following it closely since 2012 (and didn’t just jump on the hype this year like many investors that don’t know how to separate the winners from the marketing nonsense).

        It has been fascinating to watch the marketing fluff stories in the Lithium sector shoot up much higher than some of these real companies on a share-price basis, but they’ll also come crashing back down in the future when the marketplace comes to it’s senses and realizes the we really don’t need 80+ more Lithium companies. If a company has not defined their resources, moved the permitting process along, and honed in on development and production then they are late to this party.

        The 4 largest companies Albemarle, FMC, SQM, and Talison can also raise up their production levels for decades to mop up some of the excess demand. That is why I feel most comfortable owning the select companies that have already proved they can make it to production or that are moving into the development phase at present. People betting on pure exploration are simply fueling the bubble.

          Apr 19, 2017 19:47 PM

          > On October 15, 2016 at 3:42 pm,
          Excelsior says:

          Thanks Big Al. There really isn’t much to discuss as far as the quality miners that wasn’t highlighted up above.

          The rest of the sector is a train wreck waiting to happen, and all those exploration stocks investors have bid up to nose bleed valuations on simply a land staking in Nevada or the Lithium Triangle in South America are just marketing stories.

          The other thing is that most analysts are simply too dismissive of all companies (which is correct either), or they don’t understand the fundamental demand drivers in Lithium and INCORRECTLY think it is just about Tesla or Electric Cars.

          One of the best blogs we had on Lithium was the Gwen Preston interview you guys did a while back.
          *Here is a link back to that show for those that may have missed it:

          THE RESOURCE MAVEN GWEN PRESTON – TUE 19 APR, 2016
          BE SELECTIVE IN THE LITHIUM SPACE

          http://www.kereport.com/2016/04/19/selective-lithium-space/

            Apr 19, 2017 19:49 PM

            > On January 15, 2017 at 3:55 am,
            Excelsior says:

            I posted these thoughts on Lithium stocks earlier in the week to another investor on ceo, and figured I’d share it here as well:
            ______________________________________________________________________

            “Yes I’ve traded (DJI) (PE) in the past [and have traded in and out of a position in (LAC) for years – Since the Western Lithium days], however I don’t know as much about (ILC). I have it on my watch-list and must have done some homework on it at one point, but I’ll need to revisit it and didn’t realize they had a deal with Ganfeng.

            My primary #Lithium positions are in (GXY.AX) (NMX) (NMT.AX) (PLS.AX) and (LAC) . I used to hold (ORL) , because I liked the security of a #producer, but it just wasn’t moving so I swapped it out with the #development play (PLS.AX). If I picked up another it would be (AJM.AX) because their project is moving forward and has the likelihood of making it into #production. I’ve also considered getting a position in (MIN.AX) – for a larger exposure of the JV with (NMT.AX) and Ganfeng.”
            – from #LAC, 13 Jan 2017

    Apr 19, 2017 19:49 PM

    > On January 15, 2017 at 4:02 am,
    Excelsior says:

    Here is a Line Chart going all the way back to the summer of 2014 when the Lithium boom just started to get some wind in it’s sails.

    $GXY.AX Galaxy and $NMX Nemaska have had such huge runs up to over 800% over the last few years that it may be time to allocate funds to a few of the up and coming names (for larger percentage gains moving forward, but both are solid companies in the sector, and will likely stay that way.

    http://stockcharts.com/freecharts/perf.php?ORL.TO,GALXF,LAC.TO,NMX.TO,PE.V,DJI.V,CRE.V,BCN.L,FL.V,LIT&p=6&O=011000

      Apr 19, 2017 19:51 PM

      > On December 7, 2016 at 7:57 am,
      Excelsior says:

      I’m going to post a response back to the CEO of Lomiko Metals (a Graphite & Lithium company) today where he voiced his concerns about there being limited demand for the Jr Lithium companies because of the Big 3 – SQM, Albamarle, and FMC ramping up their LI production and picking off some of the low-lying fruit:
      _________________________________________________________________________

      @Excelsior – “To: A. Paul Gill – Yes I agree the big players like $SQM, $ALB Albemarle, and $FMC are going to be looking for market share and picking off some of the low-lying fruit.

      That is EXACTLY why I want to own the Jr Lithium companies already in Production or in Development. The companies that are just now staking claims, or exploring for more LI are so far behind the curve that there is little hope for most of them. #forgetaboutit

      However, if there is any validity at all to narrative for a substantial increase in demand for #Lithium worldwide over the next 3-5 year, then there is likely only room for a handful of Jrs.

      $ORL $OROCF Orocobre, $GXY.AX $GXY $GALXF Galaxy Resource, (see their press relase today and the JV with $NMT.AX $RRSSF NeoMetals / $MIN.AX Mineral Resources and Ganfeng are all first to production, and have crossed that finish line. Most #Lithium or Mining companies never will.

      There are only a few more LI companies really needed to mop up the rest and so advanced stage development companies like $LAC Lithium Americas Corp (with a 50/50 JV with $SQM = takeout candidate) and $NMX $NMKEF Nemaska Lithium and $PLS.AX $PILBF Pilbara Minerals will likely fill most of the remaining demand equation.

      It’s possible companies like $CRE Critical Elements Corp $PE Pure Energy Minerals $DJI Dajin Resources or $KDR.AX Kidman Resources may have a chance as well; but if you’re worried there won’t be enough fruit for Galaxy, Orocobre, and NeoMetals / Mineral Resources, then what in the world are the other 70-80 Jrs going to eat? = Dust….. nada…

      That is precisely why the vast majority not in production or development are chasing a dream…

        Apr 19, 2017 19:52 PM

        > On December 3, 2016 at 10:35 am,
        Excelsior says:

        ** Unlike most of the #LithiumMarketingFluffTrash being peddled to investors in the LI frenzy, Neometals and their partners are a real company. Like I mentioned a while back $GXY.AX $GALXF Galaxy Resources would be next into production (and they were) behind $ORL $OROCF Orocobre, and then the JV with $NMT.AX $RRSSF NeoMetals/Ganfeng/ and $MIN.AX $MALRF Mineral Resources would be next (and now they are).

        Regardless of what happens to the 80-90 other deal jumper “Lithium” companies that converted over from Gold, Uranium, and Rare Earths, these companies have actually been working on their projects for some time and their success on making it into production should be noted. There aren’t that many more Lithium projects that are really needed, but the next projects in line to be developed are $NMX $NMKEF Nemaska Lithium, $LAC $LACDF Lithium Americas Corp, and $PLS.AX $PILBF Pilbara Minerals.

        There are definitely a few other interesting exploration projects coming up ( $DJI $DJIFF Dajin Frontier $CRE $CRECF Crital Elements or $PE $PEMIF Pure Energy Minerals etc….,) but those are the main players that are either in production or developing into production.

        We don’t need 80 more companies to supply the Lithium demand for the next decade.

          Apr 19, 2017 19:53 PM

          > On October 16, 2016 at 5:21 pm,
          Excelsior says:

          Good thoughts GH. Yes, I believe the Lithium prices will come down, and make most of the marketing fluff exploration companies go bye-bye. Only a handful of the more solid companies will survive (the producers and near term development companies) that have large enough deposits, low enough costs, off-take agreements, processing agreements, and an experienced team that can navigate through the roller coaster.

          As for the ETF (LIT) I’m not really a fan. Much of the makeup is the “Big 3” larger chemical conglomerates (like FMC, Albemarle, and SQM) and companies like “Panasonic” just because they make many batteries. There are better smaller companies with more oomph that don’t make TVs, Radios, etc….
          Personally, just like with Gold or Silver or Uranium…… I’d rather identify a group of solid companies that I feel will be out-performers and build my own ETF.

          By building my own ETF, it enables me to exit positions when I want to jetison a company, or adjust the weighting how I see fit.

          Up above I named a dozen companies that seem like they have the best potential in this sector, but only 2 or 3 of them is even in the ETF (LIT). Personally, I hold positions in 5 of them., and I may add 2-3 more and call it a day in the LI sector.

          > On October 16, 2016 at 6:21 pm,
          Excelsior says:

          The only companies I want to own out of there are Orocobre, Galaxy Resources, Lithium Americas (and maybe Bacanora). Why the hell would someone want the 3 largest producers [which are mostly CHEMICAL companies], Panasonic, Samsung, Tesla, LG Chem, and the other lessor known MANUFACTURING companies for LITHIUM MINING exposure?

          Again, if people want a good exposure to strictly Lithium mining, then the 12 companies mentioned down below is a much better list in my opinion. Just my 2 cents.

            Apr 19, 2017 19:55 PM

            > On February 28, 2017 at 11:57 am,
            Excelsior says:

            Yes, I’ve been trading (GALXF) since 2012, but picked up most of my position over a period of time between 2013-2014 in the range of ($.03-$.08) and it got up near $.50 this January, and has pulled back some, currently trading at $.38.

            They are one of the few real Lithium companies out there, are in production, have 3 large projects all moving forward (2 hard rock, 1 huge brine deposit), and previously built a world class battery factory in Asia that they used to process the Talison Lithium ore at, but sold it to an asian consortium.

            Galaxy understands the whole process from discovery, to mining, to processing, to battery and are one of the few Lithium only producers. Outside of the larger chemical conglomerates (ALB, FMC, and SQM), There have only been 2 other companies to emerge as producers before them. 1) Talison who was taken over by Tianqui & Albemarle, and 2) Orocobre, who have ran into all kinds of production challenges with their Lithium brine project.

            Galaxy has stepped out above the rest as the best Jr Producer, and they will likely grow through a few more acquisitions in the space over the next few years. They’ll need help partnering to finance their Sal de Vida brine project, but they just did a huge capital raise to fund the start of it along with more exploration at James Bay , and expansion of their production at Mt Cattlin.
            _________________

            For clarity there has been a 4th/5th producer to emerge just recently in the JV between Neometals and Mineral Resources (along with a 3rd partner Ganfeng – another asian consortium). Neometals is really more of a play on their unique Lithium processing technology and processing plant, and Titanium/Vanadium assets in symphony with their partial stake in the new production from Mt Marion.
            Mineral Resources also has another prospective hard rock deposit outside their partial stake in Mt Marion.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:56 PM

    > On December 3, 2016 at 10:06 am,
    Excelsior says:

    I also own Galaxy Resources and NeoMetals LTD for Australian Lithium producers.

    Galaxy is now ramping up its production and processing centers and I believe it will appreciate nicely from here:

    Galaxy Resources Corporate Presentation –
    Swiss Mining Institute – Nov 2016

    http://www.galaxylithium.com/media/announcements/43d3nqm3nkrf24.pdf

      Apr 19, 2017 19:57 PM

      LITHIUM Production $GXY.AX $GALXF Galaxy Resources
      Mt Cattling Begins 24 Hour Production and Trucking to Esperance Port

      #NiceMilestone

      http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20161207/pdf/43djrqw331k65v.pdf

      Apr 19, 2017 19:57 PM

      Here is a link to info on Galaxy’s producing Mt Cattlin asset:

      http://www.galaxyresources.com.au/projects/mt-cattlin

      Apr 19, 2017 19:00 PM

      > On February 11, 2017 at 2:51 pm,
      Excelsior says:

      *Mt Cattlin #Production Update

      “Galaxy $GXY.AX $GALXF is pleased to announce it has successfully reached 90% of nameplate #throughput with peak feed rate at 95% of design. During February, the Mt Cattlin Operations will continue to increase its throughput and is expected to reach the nameplate design of 210tph within the next week.

      The Company has scheduled its second #lithium concentrate shipment for late February, with the vessel MV Blessing SW called for an estimated berth on or around 24 February. The #shipment will contain an anticipated 15,000 WMT (plus or minus 10%) with product grade averaging 5.5% Li2O and a low 2% mica concentration.

      Recent feed grades of 1.1-1.3% are in line with reserve modelled grades. Ore BCM is currently exceeding short term schedule with a ramp up of mining equipment in February to maintain the long term schedule.”

      http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20170210/pdf/43fx527hpsln9f.pdf

        Apr 19, 2017 19:00 PM

        > On November 25, 2016 at 9:30 pm,
        Excelsior says:

        For investors following the companies that have made it to production in the Lithium space…. here is the (GALXF) (GXY.AX) Galaxy Resources Corporate Slideshow from the Swiss Mining Institute Conference in Nov 2016.

        http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20161123/pdf/43d3nqm3nkrf24.pdf

          Apr 19, 2017 19:02 PM

          > On November 29, 2016 at 8:38 am,
          Excelsior says:

          (GALXF) GALAXY RESOURCES NOMINATES FIRST VESSEL

          Production Update

          “With commissioning of Mt Cattlin progressing as planned, trucking of lithium concentrate production to Esperance port is expected to commence by the end of this week with the first shipment to customers anticipated by the end of December 2016.

          “Galaxy has given formal instruction to Mitsubishi Corporation to nominate the vessel, for its first shipment of final product from the port of Esperance….”

          http://www.galaxyresources.com.au/media/announcements/43d96ljzpx1907.pdf

            Apr 19, 2017 19:03 PM

            > On November 29, 2016 at 9:00 am,
            Excelsior says:

            Unlike most Lithium fluff, Galaxy is a company really doing something and hitting a production milestone. After following the company, posting on it here, and trading in and out of their stock for years, it is nice to see the company stepping into the big leagues as a LI Producer. Well done.

      Apr 19, 2017 19:01 PM

      The “unstoppable” Galaxy Resources, bullish about global Lithium demand
      LARA SMITH | FEBRUARY 27, 2017

      “An outstretched hand is often bitten; unless that hand belongs to Galaxy Resources Limited (ASX: GXY) (GALXF), in which case it apparently gets filled with cash. Since the first lithium shipment left its Mt. Cattlin spodumene project only last month, Galaxy has moved to advance its South-American brine deposits, raising A$61m in a massive show of confidence…”

      https://investorintel.com/market-analysis/market-analysis-intel/unstoppable-galaxy-lithium/

    Apr 19, 2017 19:04 PM

    > On October 15, 2016 at 2:53 pm,
    Excelsior says:

    I agree with Jon Hykawy that Lithium Americas with their JV partner SQM is one of the more solid names in the space and mentioned that in the longer Lithium miners summary up above. I also agree with his premise that most of the 80+ marketing fluff stories are in in for a “traumatic letdown”.

    As mentioned above the new producers and development stage companies with permitting and advanced deposits in place are the only ones I would touch.
    Thanks Paul W.

    – It’s interesting that Jon Hykawy also mentioned Nemaska Lithium as another quality company, and that was also mentioned in my review of the quality Lithium miners up above.

    – If you check out the Chris Berry interviews posted below he also sees value in Lithium Americas corp. So that’s 3 different people giving (LACDF) the nod.
    Just sayin’……

    Apr 19, 2017 19:12 PM

    > On October 17, 2016 at 8:26 am,
    Excelsior says:

    Canaccord Genuity initiates coverage on four lithium names Monday in a new report titled “Lithium 2.0: The Second Coming”

    Critical Elements $CRE is the top pick in the group with a Spec Buy rating and C$0.80 target. “Its Rose mineral project in low sovereign risk Québec offers production by 2021 and a solid after-tax IRR. German chemical distributor HELM is a strong partner. The company trades at a sizeable discount relative to peers on EV/t and P/NAV(5%) bases.”

    Lithium Americas $LAC gets a spec buy rating and C$1.10 target. “On our price deck, the Cauchari-Olaroz brine project generates a 40% after-tax IRR.”

    Lithium X Energy $LIX gets a spec buy rating and C$2.50 target. “Minimizing upfront capital and focusing on production of an intermediate product at its Sal de los Angeles brine project, Lithium X may generate a peer-leading 69% after-tax IRR.”

    Nemaska Lithium $NMX gets a spec buy rating and C$1.90 target. “Higher capex is borne by higher value products, generating a respectable 34% after-tax IRR.”

    The report also covers Neo Lithium $NLC’s new discovery, but the company is not officially under coverage.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:15 PM

    > On December 3, 2016 at 10:12 am,
    Excelsior says:

    Neometals and its JV partners have commenced production at the jointly owned Mt Marion lithium mine and are focused on developing the Kalgoorlie lithium hydroxide facility.

    Neometals is planning to exploit one of the world’s highest grade hard rock titanium deposits by employing a proprietary acid leach process to produce high purity TiO2, Fe2O3 and V2O5 from the Barrambie deposit. (nice Vanadium kicker)

    NeoMetals – Annual General Meeting Presentation
    November 2016 – ASX Code: NMT

    http://www.neometals.com.au/reports/691-1621482.pdf

      Apr 19, 2017 19:16 PM

      > On December 3, 2016 at 10:13 am,
      Excelsior says:

      NeoMetals Mt Marion Lithium Plant Commissioning VIDEO
      November 2016

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0SIYCDum3s

        Apr 19, 2017 19:17 PM

        Mt Marion delivers first Lithium shipment to China
        February 8, 2017 – (NMT.AX) (RRSSF) (MIN.AX) (MALRF)

        “The shipment follows the project’s successful commissioning and ramp up of production, set to produce 400,000tpa at full capacity.

        – Neometals managing director Chris Reed said the project’s first shipment was a milestone for its company and partners.
        – Mineral Resources managing director Chris Ellison said the inaugural shipment from the project “is the outcome of hard work and dedication by the construction and operations teams of MRL (Mineral Resources)”.

        “I also congratulate our Mt Marion partners on this important project milestone and thank them for their continued trust and support,” Ellison added.

        https://www.australianmining.com.au/news/mt-marion-delivers-first-lithium-shipment-to-china/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

          Apr 19, 2017 19:17 PM

          Joe Lowry ‏@globallithium Feb 8

          “Congrats to #Ganfeng #Lithium & $NMT.AX ! Mt Marion ships spodumene concentrate for the first time.”

          https://twitter.com/search?q=%24NMT&src=ctag

            Apr 20, 2017 20:04 AM

            NeoMetals – Corporate Presentation

            Notice that their real value is in the Downstream Processing of Lithium, separation, proprietary chemistry with their Eli Process and NeoMet process, and battery recycling. They also have a Titanium/Vanadium project, but that may eventually get spun out to another company IMO.

            http://www.neometals.com.au/reports/703-PRES23022017.pdf

    Apr 19, 2017 19:18 PM

    > On November 25, 2016 at 10:26 am,
    Excelsior says:

    (AAL) (AVLIF) Advantage Lithium to acquire up to 75% of (ORL( (OROCF) Orocobre’s Cauchari project #Lithium
    Trish Saywell – NOVEMBER 24, 2016

    “One of the reasons we chose to approach Orocobre is their community relations with locals and the ones they have built up over the last decade with government have been really positive. They have no permitting issues, they have been very judicious with their environmental impact studies, and are well respected, so that’s been a plus for us to dovetail in their decade-long relationship building.”
    Sidoo also noted that the government “is very open to opening up this industry to development and they want joint-ventures rather than a lot of small companies running around the countryside.”

    http://www.northernminer.com/news/advantage-lithium-acquire-75-orocobres-cauchari-project/1003781118/

    Apr 19, 2017 19:18 PM

    Lithium: A Sneak Peek at the Future?? – The “Big Five”
    Published on February 11, 2017

    Joe Lowry – One of the World’s Leading Lithium Market Experts

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lithium-sneak-peek-future-joe-lowry

      Apr 19, 2017 19:19 PM

      Lithium – the Next Chapter
      Jan 17, 2017 – Joe Lowry

      $SQM $ALBALLBANC SPLIT BANC CORP II $GXY.AX $ORL $LAC

      https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lithium-next-chapter-joe-lowry

        Apr 19, 2017 19:20 PM

        > On October 19, 2016 at 9:20 am,
        Excelsior says:

        Joe Lowry Interview Part Two: Global Lithium Price and Junior Lithium Picks

        http://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/lithium-investing/joe-lowry-interview-part-two-global-lithium-price-and-junior-lithium-picks/

          Apr 19, 2017 19:21 PM

          Joe Lowry: Argentina Will Produce More Lithium than Chile
          Jocelyn Aspa • March 14, 2017

          “Although Argentina doesn’t have the lowest-cost brine, it has a greater diversity of resources. So my expectation is, in addition to $FMC FMC and $ORL Orocobre, who are now producing, within four or five years, you’re going to have two other world-class assets developed. That would be Cauchari, which is the $SQM SQM / $LAC $Lithium Americas [joint venture], and then you will also see $GXY.AX Galaxy Resources develop Sal de Vida.”
          – Joe Lowry

          INN: I’ve read that cobalt may garner more attention than lithium in 2017. What are your thoughts on that?

          Joe Lowry: “I hope Cobalt gets a lot of attention, because honestly I’m in the Lithium space, but too many people are talking about lithium. There’s too much talk and too little action. So I’d like to see more production come online, and less talk about “lithium’s the next big thing” — lithium’s had its 15 minutes of fame, let’s put operations into production and move forward with real assets producing real product rather than talk, and let cobalt be the darling of the media in 2017.”

          http://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/lithium-investing/joe-lowry-argentina-chile-pdac-2017/

            Apr 19, 2017 19:28 PM

            > On January 2, 2017 at 12:26 am,
            Excelsior says:

            • Joe Lowry had some interesting recent tweets recently on Lithium stocks, and he is one of the more informed voices in the space.
            • Here is a link to Joe’s thoughts on that Chris Berry article above (as they are good buddies), along with the main Lithium stocks and that he likes moving into 2017:

            • $GXY $GALXF Galaxy Resources $LAC $LACDF Lithium Americas Corp
            https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C1IyH82WIAArLOU.jpg:large

    Apr 19, 2017 19:22 PM

    > On December 17, 2016 at 7:16 am,
    Excelsior says:

    Lithium’s Boom Year: 2016 in Review
    2016 was a big year for the lithium sector. Here’s what three analysts had to say about the lithium market in 2016.

    http://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/lithium-investing/lithium-overview/?mqsc=E3862461

    Apr 19, 2017 19:24 PM

    5 Basic Lithium Facts
    Here’s a look at five basic Lithium Facts Investors should know.
    Investing News Network • September 12, 2016

    http://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/lithium-investing/five-basic-facts-about-lithium/?nameplate_category=Lithium%20Investing

    Apr 19, 2017 19:26 PM

    Lithium in 2017: Quacking Ducks, Execution, and Continuation of the Secular Bull
    December 30, 2016 – Chris Berry

    “In 2016, the ducks quacked loud and continually for lithium, and rightfully so. The price of lithium chemicals rose dramatically and almost all publicly traded lithium juniors rose as well with some well into the triple digits. Other than zinc or iron ore, lithium was a star performer in 2016.

    As I said in June, managing risk and profit taking in the face of lithium’s impressive strength and secular bull market seemed to be the prudent strategy. My warning turned out to be accurate as many of the high flyers in the lithium space ran out of steam.”

    http://www.discoveryinvesting.com/blog/2016/12/30/lithium-in-2017-quacking-ducks-execution-and-continuation-of-the-secular-bull

    GH
    Apr 19, 2017 19:29 PM

    You rock Excelsior!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfRtrqaKb4E

    What goes on in my mind… 😐

      Apr 19, 2017 19:30 PM

      Thanks GH – 😮

    Apr 19, 2017 19:31 PM

    That was a little bit over the top….

    The lithium pump totally reminds me of the rare earth and graphene pump a few years ago. How did that work out? I will buy lithium stocks when Rick Rule says it is OK.

    http://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/base-metals-investing/copper-investing/rick-rule-junior-resource-market-2017/

    INN: 2016 was many things, but I would think it would be hard to dispute it was the year of the lithium junior. Any specific resource that you think will heat up like that? I mean, cobalt seems to be coming on strong, so the energy metals seem to be getting a lot of interest, I think, from millennials. What are your thoughts?

    RR: You know, these boomlets that you see from time to time sort of remind me of the old small town circuses, lots of flash and dazzle and no substance. As an example the lithium ion battery which has spawned all this interest in lithium is about three and a half percent lithium. If you believe that there’s going to be billions and billions and billions and billions of lithium ion batteries that makes you a nickel and copper investor because that’s what the lithium ion battery is for, it’s full of nickel and copper. You might look to cobalt, the problem is that you wouldn’t look to Canadian cobalt which makes you feel warm and fuzzy because Canada doesn’t have much cobalt. If you want to be in the cobalt business, if you like that sexy story, the pretty girl in the booth with the electric car, you have to go to Congo and Uganda where the cobalt is.

    The truth is that one of the things that works in the market is not arithmetic, but rather, a narrative, and there’s always a sexy narrative. There was rare earths, the problem was, that they weren’t rare. We hadn’t found them in North America because there were too cheap in China to bother looking for them. When we went out to find them, we found them in abundance. Now, we found out in terms of the stock market, that the three most evident rare earths in the world were fraudium, storium and scamium and now we’ve moved on from there to lithium.

    The problem with lithium is that the world has too much lithium, demand for lithium increased faster than the four big lithium producers could increase their production. But the truth is that we believe, in terms of resources and reserves, the four big lithium producers have about a hundred years reserves at current rates of consumption.
    Shortage? No. An interesting story? Yes. If you are talented enough to trade the impact of a narrative on a market, these miner boomlets can always work for you, provided that you’re mature enough to understand that your trading a story, not reality.

      Apr 19, 2017 19:47 PM

      Paul W. As mentioned up above there are many (in fact most) Lithium companies pumping something similar to the Rare Earth, Graphite, Iron Ore, or the current Cobalt and Manganese… pumps. Absolutely.

      Personally, I’ve followed the sector since 2011 and traded in the stocks since 2012, and have researched it every week for over 6 years, so I’ve got a pretty good handle on which companies are legitimate producers or development stage companies and which ones are not.

      The post above started with some past posts with a general breakdowns of the legitimate companies

      ***(many of these real companies had 500-2000% returns from 2014- 2016 BTW) so hopefully returns like that don’t bother anyone. I know I did quite well with Galaxy , Lithium Americas, Orocobre, Nemaska, etc… and the gains seemed well worth it.

      The next wave of posts was from different industry experts that know much more about the supply demand metrics than Rick Rule does. Sorry I love Rick Rule, and enjoy hearing his thoughts on Gold/Silver/Uranium or Copper…. but I’m going with Joe Lowry, Chris Berry, and other industry experts that understand this sector.

      It is interesting those experts discarded 90% of Lithium companies as well and ended up with the same list of names I’ve been posting on for years here on the KER. Again, many of these companies had returns the dwarfed many of the stocks that Sprott was invested in during 2015/2016, so it is dangerous to only take one guys word for anything, even if it is someone as well liked and respected as RR.

      >> If you really take the time to read all the articles, watch all the videos, review the press releases, and digest the information above, then you’d realize the trend is much different, much longer term and more real than that many of the past commodity bubbles, but it is a bubble nonetheless. Again, most of the companies are complete garbage and should be avoided like the plague and will end in tears. There are legitimate companies though and I did my best to highlight those up above.

      Cheers!

        Apr 19, 2017 19:58 PM

        Since most of Lithium Producers and Advanced Developers are well on their way to being able to absorb most of the demand estimates over the next few years, there is really only room for about a dozen smaller companies, beyond the big 3 (ALB, FMC, SQM) the 4th Tianqui (Talison Lithiums operation) and the 5th Ganfeng (Asian consortium invested in a number of projects worldwide).

        So beyond those 5 we have:

        6) Orocobre – In production (real company)
        7) Galaxy Resources – In production (real company)
        8) NeoMetals/Ganfeng/Mineral Resources – In production (real companies 3 way JV)

        9) Lithium America (partnered with SQM – one of the big 3) – in Development
        10) Nemaska Lithum – has advanced permit status, off take agreements, Pilot plant, moving towards production
        11) Pilbara Minerals – Large advanced asset moving towards production
        12) Altura Mining – Advanced deposit moving towards production
        13) Bacanora – Advanced deposit moving towards production
        14) Birimian – advance Lithium and Gold deposits, the Lithium is being optioned
        15) Kidman Resources – large hardrock asset
        16) Critical Elements corp – advanced deposit and proximity to others (maybe?)

        _____________________________

        How many more do we actually need? Those companies likely have it covered.

        If there is a new explorer that drifted over from Uranium, Rare Earths, Weed, Graphite, Gold/Silver and suddenly got into Lithium, then they are probably a non starter at this point.

    Apr 19, 2017 19:01 PM

    I would never discount anything Rick Rule says. If you have had such a good run with your lithium stocks you might be running the end of a wave. I think the large players could turn on the taps any time they want. Go to the 12 minute mark.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y-BQ6sY9TI

      Apr 19, 2017 19:10 PM

      Like I said I have all the respect in the world for RR, and have listened to the audio before and actually posted it on here twice in the past. He doesn’t have nearly the same grasp on the fundamentals that Joe Lowry or Chris Berry do on the Lithium space. He is more a Gold/Copper/Uranium guy.

      To say the big guys can turn on the taps at any time to meet the supply just illustrates the lack of knowledge and understanding of the supply demand metrics. Go back up and read some of those articles where the companies he hypothesizes can “turn on the taps” are saying they can’t possibly meet the demand. Why do you thing Albamerle and Tianqui bought Talison? Why do you think SQM bought half of Lithium Americas? Why do you think Ganfeng bought up 40% of Mt Marion from NeoMetals and Mineral Resources, and has expressed interest in partnering with Galaxy Resources? Here a clue, because they need to replace their reserves and need a much bigger production profile. Many of these companies may end up getting acquired to keep up. Orocobre is ramping up production still, and even if Galaxy’s other projects and Nemaska’s project comes on line we’ll still need a few more to meet the forecasts (again many of which are covered up above… not in a RR off the hip interview).

      Proper Due Diligence on an entire sector isn’t watching one credit analyst sound off – no matter who they are. Sorry, that wouldn’t cut in Gold, Silver, Oil, or anything

        Apr 19, 2017 19:28 PM

        Here is Joe Lowry’s resume for clarity on why I think he may just have a clue on the fundamental drivers in the Lithium Sector:

        _________________________________________________________________

        Joe Lowry
        One of the World’s Leading Lithium Market Experts

        * President – Global Lithium LLC
        November 2012 – Present (4 years 6 months)

        Global Lithium LLC provides advisory and consulting services to lithium producers, lithium users, green energy companies, investment houses and hedge funds on four continents. Areas of focus are: industry and market analysis, strategy development, marketing and sales support, sourcing, cross cultural training, valuations, recruiting and negotiations.

        * President – Asia Lithium
        2004 – October 2012 (8 years)Japan

        Leading supplier of downstream lithium products in Japan. Led restructuring of manufacturing operations that led to increased profit at both the joint venture and parent company. Helped the local partner adapt to the globalization of the Japan market which required optimization of operations and supply chain. Company remained highly profitable despite increased competition in the sector due to a large expansion of industry capacity.

        * Global Sales and Business Development Director – Lithium FMC Corp (FMC)
        July 1989 – October 2012 (23 years 4 months)

        Held a number of increasingly responsble positions in 20+ years at FMC Lithium. Led global sales activity and business development for a $250 million lithium business, Served as President and Director of two highly profitable Asia based Lithium companies with different target markets. Drove FMC’s rapid growth in the green energy sector focused on lithium ion battery materials.

        Representative Director and President – FMC Zhangjiagang Specialty Chemicals
        January 2007 – September 2012 (5 years 9 months)

        Venture Manager for a project to build FMC’s first wholly owned manufacturing plant in China – established a legal entity (WOFE), secured land and managed the team responsible for construction of an organolithium plant. Became the representative director when the WOFE was formed. Plant has been operational since 2009 and is the largest plant of its kind in the world.

        * President – Honjo FMC Energy Systems
        February 2000 – September 2002 (2 years 8 months)Osaka, Japan

        Lithium ion battery material supplier to leading names in the industry.

        ______________________________________________________________________

        So do you think Joe may have a handle on the sector?

        https://www.linkedin.com/in/jplowry

        Apr 19, 2017 19:39 PM

        Here is a helpful table from that Chris Berry article showing the performance of the universe of stocks he’s following in this sector as one of the best minds in the sector>

        ** See if you recognize any of the companies at the top that are Producers are Advanced Developers and then go back up to the top of this blog and see if you notice a trend on who the main players are in this sector:

        https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52efc154e4b0c6787ab52ec3/t/58dd3a67bf629a5508647f26/1490893429919/?format=1000w

    Apr 20, 2017 20:44 AM

    H.R.1407 — 115th Congress (2017-2018)

    “To establish a strategic materials investment fund, and for other purposes.”

    “STRATEGIC AND CRITICAL MATERIALS.—The term “strategic and critical materials” means—”

    (A) the lanthanide elements, yttrium, and scandium;
    (B) titanium and titanium alloys;
    (C) magnesium;
    (D) antimony;
    (E) tungsten;
    (F) uranium;
    (G) tantalum;
    (H) fluorspar;
    (I) lithium;
    (J) strontium;
    (K) vanadium;
    (L) steel—
    (M) zirconium and zirconium base alloys;
    (N) metal alloys consisting of nickel, iron-nickel, and cobalt base alloys containing a total of other alloying metals (except iron) in excess of 10 percent;
    (O) thorium; and
    (P) any other materials determined to be materials critical to national security by the Strategic Materials Protection Board established under section 187 of title 10, United States Code.

    https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1407/text

    Apr 23, 2017 23:14 PM

    Marin Katusa mentioned recently that he owns Neo Lithium