Roundtable Discussion; The Future of Mineral Sands. Watch the video here.
There were hopes at the time(couple of years ago) when the refinery was due to be closed, that it would be repurposed towards a lithium refinery. Seem to remember the local council killing that idea with it being veered towards something green / ecological and Galp / Northvolt’s Aurora then announced their site further south.
The article seems to report the impact for the workers, finally. Maybe they should look to make sure they use their votes wisely to impress on their elected politicians that paid employment has a value to be measured against dolphins, however cute they may be.
Init, no need to apologise. I did wonder whether I had misspoken at some stage and am never 100% sure whether the last remaining grey cell is shrinking.
I have two sons and it has been interesting to watch as they transition from boys to men, taking their own decisions and responsibilities. I see some similar traits with SAV as they look to develop relationships and look to find suitable partners for the longer term development not just of the current BLP, but perhaps a wider portfolio. I certainly hope the new CEO can see the opportunity for his place in his country’s economic future. Maybe one glass of ribiero del duero over the norm, but not far from the truth.
Init, would agree. Didn’t realise that I had said or intimated otherwise
Terry, they need to upgrade the current resource Jorc to get it of bankable standard and suitable for the DFA and FiD. if they can move some of the current exploration target into the lowest Jorc resource and maybe able to extend the exploration target beyond 50 from the current total of about 46, then even better to my mind, so it’s a small investment whilst the equipment and people are there rather than burning money
Not wanting to steal TCs thunder but they already have Jorc’d measured / indicated and inferred totalling 28m withe exploration target of a further 18m. All previous exploration targets have transferred seamlessly across into the Progressive Jorc track so no reason to think otherwise. That is without furthe drilling or the additional areas applied for, so 50m is on the cards
TC, they seemed to blend the objectives for the two phases but I hope that you are right that the first phase gets us closer towards the 50 Not Out mark.
Meanwhile as per the article yesterday “ we are now reinforcing our engagement with other key local and national stakeholders including the relevant government ministries and agencies.” which does seem to hint that the pack are starting to get behind the ball, with both these strands due to report / complete in time for the Christmas break.
“It will also include, by invitation and according to the matters under discussion, representatives of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), the Institute of Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF), the Northern Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N), the Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (IAPMEI), the Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade of Portugal (AICEP) and the National Innovation Agency (ANI).
Members do not receive any remuneration or allowance for the performance of their duties.
The working group shall submit a report with the conclusions and recommendations regarding the mission and objectives of the research centre, organisation model and financing options, to the Secretary of State, within 40 continuous days from today, the date from which the order takes effect.
The Barroso mine, which the Savannah company wants to exploit, has an estimated duration of 17 years, the planned concession area is 593 hectares and is contested by local associations, environmentalists and the Chamber of Boticas.”
Signs that Government would seem to be mobilising its agencies finally to make sure that all is done to ensure that promises made are promises kept (and no doubt subject to continual, verified assessment). I see that they want the outline in 40 continuous days, not working days, so a firm timetable before Christmas but one might hope that any solution will help placate and diffuse tensions
Master of Interesting Information, Prof lucker, has pointed towards an interesting announcement yesterday
“ The Portuguese Environment Agency decided to make the exploitation of lithium in the Barroso mine environmentally viable by issuing a favourable Environmental Impact Statement (DIA), but which integrates a "broad set of constraints"
An Innovation Centre for the Valorisation of Lithium (CIVaL) will be created in Boticas to enhance development and innovation along the lithium value chain, according to an order published in Diário da República.
The order, published on Friday and signed by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate, Ana Cláudia Fontoura Gouveia, defines the working group for the creation of this innovation centre in the municipality of Boticas, district of Vila Real, where, in May, the Barroso lithium mine of the Savannah company obtained the green light from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
The APA decided to environmentally enable the exploitation of lithium in the Barroso mine by issuing a favourable Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA), but which integrates a "broad set of constraints".
The creation of a CIVaL will, according to the order, "enhance development and innovation along the lithium value chain, promoting the continuous valorisation of the resource in an environmentally and socially sustainable way and affirming Portugal's leadership in this field".
"The valorisation should be based on the materialisation of benefits for local communities and for the cohesion and competitiveness of the territories," says the order.
According to the document, "lithium plays a key role in the global energy transition, and Portugal - holder of the largest lithium reserves in Europe - aims to consolidate itself as a strategic centre for the valorisation of this critical raw material, along the entire value chain, based on the highest environmental and social standards".
It is also stressed that "research and innovation play an essential role in strengthening this trajectory and promoting the continuous valorisation of lithium, in an environmentally and socially sustainable way".
The working group created by the order will be responsible for "proposing the mission and objectives to be pursued by CIVaL", "evaluating and proposing the model of organisation, composition, governance and activity of the centre, including the definition of its structure and the needs of human and technical resources" and "evaluating the financing options of the CIVaL activity, including in the European framework".
The working group will be coordinated by the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG) and consists of representatives of the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG), the Mining Development Company (EDM) and the Energy Agency (ADENE).
Thanks.
Opposition for opposition sake?
And in Boticas? Forgive my ignorance, but is that the same?
Will this increase the value of the auction areas with the golden tickets or reduce interest with a fear of being wrapped up for years. Interesting that Fortescue preach green hydrogen but are still scouting lithium. Smoke screen?
Just listened to the first section of this, all about LTR / ALB and GR. not that t affects SAV but it does raise flags regards choice of partners effectively parking their tanks or being cuckoos. Quite an entertaining delivery backed with some good understanding of how things can play.
https://youtu.be/T_Lr8aVJq6U?si=kYYE3NXDup_bdqZO
If you look at page 20 of the recent SAV presentation / post DFS, it shows what an outlier Liontown is/was within the peer group and I do wonder the impact it has on the overall average. Its potential obviously captured the attention of two well funded parties and the added downstream potential for refining was no doubt an attraction.
Not sure that the current scale of SAV would attract the scale of Liontown s premium but with an increase in current resource and increase in possibilities from the proposed auctions / revision of old tenements could amplify options tremendously and make it a suitable target for the bigger groups to flex their wallets. Strikes me there is a need to ensure the development and keep options open.
As a one off, as folk have said, these two purchases may seem inconsequential.
I would be interested to see whether the same happens next month and the month after.
Yesterday CEO
Today, NED monthly retainer fee, maybe.
One month in…..1st pay cheque? Maybe.
General commentary would. Seem to indicate that the slide in Li spot prices is about done and these have been well below longer term supply contracts.
Should this prove to be the bottom, the assumptions made in the scoping study have not been breached by quite some margin, confirming resilience in these numbers and expectations, despite the rather sickly current price.
Root a little deeper on the Umicore website / sustainability/ responsible sourcing and you get this extract
“ Battery materials like cobalt, lithium and nickel, play a crucial role in the green energy transition by powering electromobility and storing energy from renewable sources. At Umicore, we are committed to providing sustainable energy solutions that positively impact people's lives and the planet.
We are committed to responsibly sourcing our battery materials, paying special attention to the conditions under which raw materials are extracted and processed.”
Is there a communal quote library for copywriters these days? Sure I have seen a similar message in more than one or two websites. You might have thought that they would at least have been in touch as one of the 60. Who knows.
Https://www.umicore.com/en/newsroom/umicore-and-powerco-proudly-present-ionway/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ionway%3A%3ACOR_company+news_information_corporate+_investor+relations_global
Announced on Friday….VW and Umicore partnership. European entity may be looking for European supplies if they can find them.
Prepare to be even more puzzled. 2x 10m+ trades from earlier on just posted.
Time for some comment one might have thought on the basis of unusual activity rather than price.
Https://eco.sapo.pt/entrevista/savannah-identifica-60-potenciais-parceiros-de-negocio-para-a-exploracao-de-litio-em-portugal/
Yes you will need to translate but that’s relatively simple and quick.
Just good to see some sort of response. In addition he says that the Expressionsvof Interest (60 so far and counting) needed to be in by October so they can start evaluating and presumably ranking. An interesting interview.