Member Info for BenAlder

Good ilmenite. Vanadium grades low.

6 years ago this share was getting pumped to the high heavens on the basis of VRFB's. I was hooked for a while. Still seems to be some belief or blind faith that this tech will take off. Any defenders? Very quiet. Alfacomp the expert? I'd be (slightly) interested to hear his current bushveld perspective. Has he just moved the projected dates out a bit? Manana, manana!

Not sure if it was MN and FM that converted Vanitec or the other way round, but Vanitec is an industry body trying to self promote its own interests, vanadium. I think they are largely responsible for promoting VFRB's and manufacturing all those future projections. Heavily biased.

The chap has a point even if perhaps delivered to provoke a reaction.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/business/china-sodium-batteries.html

https://www.ft.com/content/826fb9bb-b27f-4c68-ad4b-a54ad74713c9

https://northvolt.com/articles/northvolt-sodium-ion/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/12/231213112602.htm

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/tesla-masterminds-sodium-tech-and-the-little-known-welsh-car-battery-maker/ar-AA1lDgfK?cvid=c14a4f93963347a0a425993d72867980&ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&ei=9

I've watched the VRFB market over the last 6 years and I've seen very few installations and hardly any growth at all. Some may want to cite China, but even they are giving this sodium tech a go. 16 out of 20 factories in the World are in China. Its reminiscent of recent V electrolyte production growth, but bigger and faster.

Cost is always the driver. If not sodium, then it will be something else. VRFB's are too expensive for mass take up, and their window of opportunity is closing as far as I can see. Niche as I've said before, but you can always hope.

Wake up and smell the coffee!

Off to the pub. Catch you later. ATB!

Because BMN are paying 7.5% commission to Wogan. It is a saving, and more control/profit to SPR.

CC -Like Vanitec? They had a rule never to discuss prices. I sure it goes on to some extent, but price fixing is illegal is it not, with the exception of OPEC.

The metal traders like it the way it is, as they effectively control the prices. Steel producers will/can cut their prices to kill the primary producers. And there more of them.

Low steel production means low consumption means low prices. Economics.

You cant really set prices when there are enough producers to create a market. The US etc, would soon put a stop to your price fixing.

Your imagination is running amok now you have your rose tints on. But we all love a good ramp!

That sounds like a cartel.

Establishing a futures market would make pricing more transparent and less volatile, perhaps, same as they did for nickel. Mind you has its downsides.

42. LOL. I just got that. Good one!

New broom, new players, same old story. V price. When that hits $40+ you may get your return.

Again market reaction is subdued. Not buying the jam tomorrow speech. Maybe after the rogues put out their notes on the new model they will bite.

I like what he is doing. With the exception of Tanya, which was a bonus, he's made every move I've suggested except for the 26% buyout. Class. I didnt think that was allowed, else why not before now! Still not ruling him out as a SPR plant. lol. What is his salary?

Well kiln 3 capacity was supposed to take the company to 5000-5400T pa . Higher grade required perhaps. Vametco was slowly slipping. Needing attention. 5000T potential? Plus 1500T pa from Kiln 1 or 2 if re-built.

When could Vanchem be locally supplied with s lag? A gamechanger.

"SPR will provide a medium-term trade finance working capital facility to the Company, totalling ~US$25-30 million."

So I assume they build up debt in that account. For a while.

"A potential future commitment by SPR of an investment of US$7-10 million in Vanchem for the recommissioning of Kiln 1."

That seems like half the cost quoted last FM project expansion cost plans. If so how is the difference being funded?

Pray V rises in the new year or otherwise its same old story of servicing debt. Good times to pay for bad times.

I'll give credit to Craig. Turned out to be the ruthless type I described he could be when he came in. Would of died without him. This will be as lean as it can be, operationally, in 2025. Perhaps ripe for a take over. lol.

And what are the terms of the debt funding for the next two years.

Are we shrinking by asset or dilution or a new creditor? All or any of the three potentially, to SPR, I suppose.

Cheers George. Was there any mention if kiln 1 or 2 will be rebuilt in 2024 and how that will be funded. Was that part of the deal with SPR?

Yes, but you'd think the receivers would have been called in by now if there was no negotiating going on with a resolution in sight. Still could happen but last news was positive and I'm taking 'no news is good news' at the moment.

Thought their AI was supposed to speed up the exploration decision making process. lol.

Yes agreed. So its about where to drill. extra drills?, which personnel, equipment etc, which they must have some very good ideas after studying all the data and having done it once before. It will top brass, in my mind, humming on spending minimum or to go big again with all these targets. Getting it all together is just the logistics, which they have time for, and to firm up the drill sites/options further between now and summer when they get there. I dont see them cutting it fine. Just no rush to tell us when they are starting.

Faramog, thanks for the review. The lining is the heat insulation material. Usually bricks/slabs or fabric material. Suggests inferior or badly fitted. Possible the silicon build up affected it somehow. But usual to expect a few years use at least imo (but not an expert).

Https://www.google.com/

On the bright side. Chance of good news flow next year when people come back to the market, and (with luck) this will fly.

Peace and a Merry Xmas to you all.