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Showing posts with label Rare Earth Metals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rare Earth Metals. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Electric Cars: Chevy Releases Volt Specs TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, LI.v, WLC.v, SQM, ROC, FMC, F, GM, DAI, BMW, AAPL, NSANY, BYDDY, RNO, GOOG, HEV,
0 comments Posted by andre at 1:18 PMChevy Releases Volt Specs
Monday, March 29, 2010 2:59PM - By Chris Weiss
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Lithium Demand: The total Li-Ion battery market demand in 2020 will require about 200 GWh capacity TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, WLC.v, LI.v, SQM, FMC -
0 comments Posted by andre at 7:32 PMRecent market reports have predicted that the global market for large format lithium-ion batteries—such as those used in plug-in vehicle applications—will see a substantial overcapacity in the coming years, with some predicting an excess of more than 100% in 2015. (Earlier post.) However, Oliver Hazimeh, Director and Head of Global E-Mobility Practice at global management consulting firm PRTM, asserts that the notion of overcapacity is largely unfounded, and that, in fact, significant additional capacity may be needed to support the long-term growth of the electric transportation market. PRTM’s assessment, based on what it called a thorough review of the operational market dynamics, found the following: Under a “Most Probable” scenario, battery manufacturing capacity will hit a shortfall by 2016. Additional capacity investments beyond those recently announced by battery manufacturers will be required to avoid a Li-Ion battery shortfall of 30% by 2017. The total Li-Ion battery market demand in 2020 will require about 200 GWh capacity, which is 4x the 50 GWh capacity that has been announced to date. A global footprint assessment of top battery manufacturers suggests that the United States and Europe are facing a shortfall in cell manufacturing capacity—the largest value-added step in battery production and a rapidly increasing source of global competitive advantage. Approximately 70% of the value of a Li-Ion battery pack resides in the Li-Ion cells, and low labor needs make manufacturing investments strategically sound. Asia has been the center for consumer electronics-based Li-Ion battery manufacturing to date. As many countries worldwide consider building out automotive cell manufacturing to meet rising demand in the electric transportation sector, Asia is positioned to remain a leading net exporter of automotive battery cells under their current level of investment. Under-investments in cell manufacturing in the US and Europe to date—while offshore investments continue to rise—have wide-ranging consequences in global competitiveness. These outcomes include an inability to capitalize on an automotive battery market estimated to be $60 billion in 2020. The risks also include missing high-quality job creation opportunities in this sector. PRTM’s assessment includes the following key aspects: All manufacturers will base future capacity investment on market demand. While battery companies are making initial investments slightly ahead of the market to optimize cost and scale, future investments will be made only when the market conditions justify such an investment. Capacity expansions will not take place in one tranche—they will be rolled out in several phases, through 2015 and beyond. Many companies plan to build large facilities capable of supporting future volume, but initial machinery capex will remain relatively small. Companies funded through US DOE stimulus may be incented to build ahead of the market, however stimulus-funded investment represents only 1/3rd of planned global capacity expansion—the remaining 2/3rds will remain driven purely by market demand. Previous reports matching market growth to planned capacity were relatively bullish on capacity expansion while being bearish on market growth. Moreover, large format cells can also be used in utility applications, which are not included in most market growth forecasts. This combination almost definitely would lead to an overcapacity projection. There are only a handful of capable and qualified suppliers of the capital equipment required for a Li-ion battery manufacturing facility. PRTM believes that lead-times are currently in the range of 18-30 months, significantly impacting the rate at which capacity can be installed. PRTM analysis finds that EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) could account for nearly 10% of the global market by 2020, assuming significant barriers are addressed first.As usual, there will be more talks than action in the beginning. Then we will have an equipment supply lead time up to 30 months, add here technology development, project management and ISO certification. We are looking at least 5 years out into any meaningful Li-ion batteries production on a mass scale. Another surprise will come when new coming battery producers will be scrambling for Lithium supply to keep their production lines running. In brine production lead time can be up to 4-5 years and in hard rock mining 5-7 years. It is time now to move aggressively into Lithium supply chain.
PRTM Analysis Finds Li-ion Battery Overcapacity Estimates Largely Unfounded, with Potential Shortfalls Looming; Total Market Demand in 2020 Will Require 4x Capacity Announced To Date
22 March 2010
PRTM concludes that the large format Li-ion battery market could be under-supplied by nearly 10% by 2016. Click to enlarge. PRTM finds that the US and Europe have under-invested in cell manufacturing capacity, which could lead to a potential shortfall in domestic Li-Ion cell supply. Click to enlarge.
Monday, March 22, 2010
EVs mass market: Chrysler announces electric Fiat 500 for the U.S. in 2012 TNR.v, CZX.v, LMR.v, RM.v, WLC.v, LI.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, HEV, AONE, F, NSANY
0 comments Posted by andre at 7:39 PM""The Fiat 500 is a small, lightweight platform perfect for integrating electric-vehicle technology," said Scott Kunselman, senior vice president of engineering for Chrysler. Chrysler had planned to market three electric vehicles before Fiat became the controlling owner during its bankruptcy reorganization last year. Fiat shelved those plans, but today's announcement makes it clear that electric cars are clearly in Chrysler's future. Why?: The great thing about electric vehicles is that they really aren't that complicated: The Fiat 500EV powertrain consists of a high-power electric motor, advanced lithium-ion battery and an EV control unit to manage power flows. The problem is usually cost, especially for the batteries. Though the Fiat is an Italian car, all of the powertrain engineering and vehicle development will take place at Chrysler Group headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but Chrysler vows it will be competitive with similar electric vehicles in the market. The gasoline version of the 500 is due in the U.S. at the end of the year. Chrysler already has a head start on electric vehicle development. It has 140 plug-in electric Ram pickups for a three-year demonstration project that includes various geographic and climatic locations across the USA."One more model of electric car will be coming on the roads in 2012, today it is EV Fiat 500. It is with lithium based battery and our iPod moment in Electric Cars is coming fast. With every new model and announced production decision strategic value of Lithium and REE will be coming on the radar screens of investors.
"Washington is slowly getting into the Lithium and REE issues. TREM 2010 which held its place in the capital has provided an alarming set of facts to the government authorities and has issued a set of recommendations for implementation. Will there be any action taken? - you never know with politicians, but this move is a first sign of recognising the importance of secure strategic supply of materials for the new economy based on clean tech, electric cars and smart grid systems. Question is rather simple in nature: who will finance companies involved in Lithium and REE supply chain like International Lithium Corp and TNR Gold American companies, Japanese, Koreans or Chinese? Only one North American company - Canadian Magna has been involved in strategic Lithium deal in Argentina recently in a sharp contrast to aggressive move of Chinese companies in Australia and even more aggressive approach of Japanese Trading Houses in Argentina, Canada and Nevada".Chrysler announces electric Fiat 500 for the U.S. in 2012
Chrysler plans to develop an electric vehicle for the U.S. starting in 2012 based on its Fiat 500 small car, it announced today. It will look pretty much like the Fiat 500EV that it showed off at the big auto show in Detroit in January.By Jim Frenak
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Electric Cars 101: How the Volt Works TNR.v, CZX.v, LI.v, RM.v, LMR.v, WLC.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, NSANY, F, BYDDY, TTM, TM, BMW, RNO, DAI, HEV, AONE, VLNC,
0 comments Posted by andre at 3:07 PM
We will post a few videos to address a general need for market education on Electric Cars 101: technology, lithium batteries, their safety, reliability and experience of electric drive. The main message is that you do not have to compromise on comfort and safety in order to be green, if your car is produced like GM Volt on the following Videos. There are models of Electric Cars from different automakers with different level of comfort and price to be paid for it.
The first battle for market place is open: GM is positioning its Volt as "a better Electric Car" - we guess better than Nissan Leaf - pure EV, because GM Volt has a range extender (CE powered generator) to address "Range Anxiety". It will be interesting to see Nissan Leaf reply in its AD campaign. We think that both concepts will have its space in the market place, at first GM Volt will be more appealing in US and Canada with its vast distances vs Nissan Leaf adoption in more compact urban space of Europe, later with further development of the lithium batteries pure EVs like Nissan Leaf will start to take over, due to cheaper (when powerful lithium battery will cost less that EC generator pack) and more reliable composition. Our investment thesis Electric Cars Value Chain will benefit with all these concepts on the roads.
Get connected to the Electrification in action Videos on all aspects of GM Volt Technology and Lithium battery:
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Lithium and REE: The Electric Car Revolution Will Soon Take to the Streets TNR.v, CZX.v, WLC.v, LI.v, RM.v, LMR.v, AVL.to, RES.v, QUC.v, BYDDY, NSANY
0 comments Posted by andre at 12:41 PMCS. Obama has told you about our Investment Thesis in three short sentences. We are not so smart and we do not have such an authority - we need to bring reason to decompound his message. Time for us to drop couple of lines about Middle-class and our Christmas wish.YALE Environment 360:
21 JAN 2010: REPORT
For years, the promise and hype surrounding electric cars failed to materialize. But as this year’s Detroit auto show demonstrated, major car companies and well-funded startups — fueled by federal clean-energy funding and rapid improvement in lithium-ion batteries — are now producing electric vehicles that will soon be in showrooms.
Electric cars are a green movement that is finally moving. Shunted to the side as the public indulged its love affair with gas-guzzling SUVs and four-wheel-drive trucks, history has finally caught up with the plug-in vehicle.
The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the domestic auto industry’s biggest annual showcase, and the new models have traditionally been brought out in a son et lumière of dancing girls, deafening music, and dry ice smoke. The few green cars that made it this far were usually for display only — very few actually made it to showrooms.
Getty Images
The Tesla Model S electric vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
But not this year. It’s become a race to market for green cars, and soon you’ll be able to buy many of the electric vehicles that were on display last week in Detroit. The auto show featured one hybrid and battery electric car introduction after another. Although the only truly road-worthy, plug-in electric vehicle you can buy today is the $109,000 Tesla Roadster, by the end of 2010 it will be joined by such contenders as the Nissan Leaf, Coda sedan, and the Think City.
Indeed, the entire auto industry — from giants such as Ford, GM, and Renault-Nissan to startups such as Fisker Automotive — has joined the movement to build and market affordable electric vehicles.
There’s a reason the automakers in Detroit are finally plugging in as something more than a greenwashing exercise. Spurring them forward is a historic confluence of events. Chief among them are Obama administration green initiatives, including Department of Energy (DOE) loans and grants, as well as economic stimulus funds that provide $30 billion for green energy programs, tax credits for companies that invest in advanced batteries, and $2.4 billion in strategic grants to speed the adoption of new batteries. (Much of that money is going to Michigan, which despite record unemployment is emerging as something of a green jobs center.)
Other factors behind the push to manufacture electric vehicles are a federal mandate to improve fuel efficiency to an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, concerns about global warming and peak oil, and sheer technological progress building better batteries.
Even without federal largesse, some companies are moving aggressively into the electric vehicle market. A prime example: Coda Automotive, a
A key factor in making electric vehicles possible is the rapid development of lithium-ion batteries.
southern California start-up, has raised an impressive $74 million in three rounds of private funding. CEO and President Kevin Czinger is a former Goldman Sachs executive, as is co-chairman Steven Heller. Among the company’s investors are Henry M. Paulson, who was Goldman Sachs’ chairman and Treasury Secretary under the second President Bush. Clearly, these former investment bankers see electric cars as a good bet.
A key factor in making today’s electric vehicles possible is the rapid development of the energy-dense lithium-ion battery. William Clay Ford Jr., the executive chairman of the company that bears his name, told me in Detroit, “Five years ago, battery development had hit a wall, and we were pushing hydrogen hard. But now so much money and brainpower has been thrown at electrification that we’re starting to see significant improvements in batteries in a way we hadn’t anticipated. Now we have the confidence that the customer can have a good experience with batteries.”
Drawing a huge crowd, Tesla Motors Chairman and CEO Elon Musk showed off his company’s 1,000th electric Roadster at the auto show. “For a little company, it’s a huge milestone,” he told me. “A year ago, we had built only 150 cars. We had two stores then, and now it’s a dozen.”
For a major automaker, 1,000 cars would not be much to show for a year, but electric vehicles are still in their infancy. And since the electric car’s
An e360 discussion with Tesla's Elon Musk.
first swan song in the 1920s — when the widespread availability of petroleum ushered in the era of the gasoline-powered car — very few start-up companies have reached the milestone of making green vehicles, especially battery-powered ones.
Here’s a look at some of the prime contenders bringing battery cars and plug-in hybrids to market:
- Renault-Nissan Alliance. This is the one automaker with a truly global plug-in strategy and the means to carry it out. Under the Nissan banner, the company will deploy the Leaf battery sedan, with 100-mile, all-electric range. Nissan isn’t just dumping its sleek entry into the market — it’s also building a home charger with new partner AeroVironment and partnering with local, state and federal governments — both in the U.S. and abroad — on public charging stations. In partnership with Better Place, the company will deploy a second Renault electric vehicle as part of its plan to wire up Israel with charging stations for electric cars. Renault-Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn predicts that electric vehicles could constitute 10 percent of world car sales by 2020.
- Ford Motor Company. Ford’s green strategy includes a plug-in version of the new Focus for 2011 and a “next-generation” hybrid — based on its global compact-car platform, or C-platform — in 2012. The company announced in Detroit that it would invest $450 million in Michigan as part of its electrification strategy. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm told me at the auto show that until recently the state “wasn’t sure it had a viable auto industry.” Today, she said, the state is enjoying $1 billion in new auto-related investment, much of it jump-started by a combination of federal funding and state tax credits.
- General Motors. GM’s big news is the Chevrolet Volt, which has definitely helped the company’s image. The Volt, which uses a small gas engine to generate electricity for its electric motor, is a lot of fun to drive if the version I drove recently in Michigan is any indication. Until now, GM has stumbled in its hybrid strategy, and it really needs this car — which will go on sale at the end of the year for a hefty $40,000 — to be a hit. But success may be more a matter of perception than actual sales. “In terms of numbers, the Volt will be pretty small for the first couple of years,” says product chief Bob Lutz. A Cadillac version of the Volt is also a possibility.
- Tesla Motors. This California start-up launched at the top of the market with its $109,000 Roadster, which combines sexy looks with supercar performance (zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds). The company is on something of a roll, having sold 10 percent of itself to Daimler for $50 million, and landed $465 million in DOE funding for its forthcoming Model S sedan — a Maserati-like, more practical version of the Roadster. Tesla’s Musk says that the company’s strategy has always been to use its sale of performance cars to finance its third vehicle, a mass-market electric vehicle. The company is currently looking at California locations for a Model S factory.
- Fisker Automotive. Perhaps Tesla’s closest competitor when it comes to glamour electric vehicles, Fisker – whose CEO is Danish-born automotive designer Henrik Fisker — is preparing to debut a high-performance plug-in hybrid (zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, with 67 mpg fuel efficiency) known as the Karma at the end of the year. Al Gore is on the waiting list. Fisker also has a lower-cost car in the wings, called Project Nina. Fisker won $528 million from the DOE to build the Nina in a former GM factory in Delaware.
- Coda Automotive. This start-up will deliver, in late 2010, a small battery-powered sedan with batteries from its own joint venture in China. The car is based on the Saibao, a Chinese car, but Coda has put a host of western companies to work honing an
Electric vehicles will be built in hard-hit Elkhart, Indiana, once the ‘the RV Capital of the World.’
electric drivetrain for it. “A large part of our mission is to accelerate adoption of all-electric vehicles,” Coda CEO Kevin Czinger told me. “We have put together a core group of auto and battery engineers, and are leveraging specialty automotive firms that we think can get us to the right price point.” Coda will launch with an Internet marketing strategy in California only, but it will have the capacity to produce 20,000 cars a year. - Think Global. Think is a survivor, with perhaps the longest and most colorful history among green automakers. It is a Norwegian company that attracted Ford Motor Company investment in the late 1990s with its plastic-bodied City commuter car. Ford sold the company in 2003 and it went through bankruptcy proceedings in late 2008. It has since emerged under the partial ownership of U.S. battery company Ener1, which snagged $118 million in DOE funding to expand its battery production in Indiana. Think electric vehicles will also be built there starting in 2011, in hard-hit Elkhart — once proudly known as the “RV Capital of the World” — and now suffering the effects of the recession. The two-seat Think City (with approximately 100-mile range on lithium-ion batteries) will sell for less than $20,000 in the U.S., but that price does not include the leased battery pack and includes the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles.
The list of players in the electric vehicle race goes on. Toyota is building
MORE FROM YALE E360
The potential for electric vehicles has been talked about for decades. But a former Israeli software entrepreneur is developing a game-changing infrastructure that could finally make them feasible.
After years of false starts and failures, the electric car may finally be poised to go big-time. With automakers from GM to Chrysler to Nissan preparing to roll out new plug-in hybrids or all-electric models, it looks like the transition from gasoline to electricity is now irreversible.
plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles, and showed off a small cousin of the Prius in Detroit. Chrysler has an ambitious electric vehicle rollout that’s been stalled by the company’s bankruptcy and merger with Fiat. Honda continues to deploy clever hybrid cars, including the upcoming two-seat CR-Z it showed in Detroit. BMW has electrified the Mini for a test program, and has similar intentions for the Concept ActiveE, a plug-in version of the Series 1 BMW coupe. And Audi has shown sudden interest in this segment, debuting the second of its electric e-tron vehicles.
By this time next year, electric cars will no longer be just on auto show stands, but will have arrived in showrooms at last.
POSTED ON 21 JAN 2010 IN BUSINESS & INNOVATION ENERGY OCEANS POLICY & POLITICS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SUSTAINABILITY NORTH AMERICA NORTH AMERICA
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Lithium: Magna buys stake in small lithium miner TNR.v, CZX.v, WLC.v, LI.V, RM.v, LMR.v, LAT.v, CLQ.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, BYDDY, HEV, AONE, NSANY, NEC, F
0 comments Posted by andre at 4:08 AM
" As we have mentioned in our Macro View on Micro Caps - total market value of annual Lithium Carbonate sales is 800 million dollars with usage for batteries a little bit over 20%. There is no Electric Cars' batteries in this amount as there is no EVs on the streets in any meaningful number yet. This is the place where growth will be explosive should our scenario for EV mobility revolution materialise. Driving force will be consolidation between auto makers and battery makers with rising Lithium prices to secure supply. Price of Lithium content in the battery cost is below 3-4%, it can rise 2-3 times before affecting the cost structure. We are interested here in a highly leveraged focused junior mining Lithium exploration and development plays."
Our driving force in Lithium and REE sector is out in the market. Consolidation is under way and deals are in the air. All Lithium sector is on the move recently: Western Lithium WLC.v hit 2.0CAD and TNR Gold / International Lithium TNR.v is breaking out of 0.3CAD range. Our consolidation stage could be over with Detroit auto show in the spotlight: industry insiders are taking positions now - automakers are coming into our Lithium game with further consolidation to secure supply.
Globe and Mail:
Magna buys stake in small lithium miner
As the U.S. tightens fuel economy standards, auto makers are looking at lithium-ion battery technology. That has led the Canadian auto parts company to eye a supplier of the metal
Andy Hoffman and Greg Keenan
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Canadian car parts giant Magna International Inc. is jumping into the mining sector with a strategic investment in a privately held lithium firm that it hopes will provide a secure supply of the metal used to make batteries for electric vehicles, according to sources.
Magna is understood to have participated in a $10.5-million equity financing by Toronto-based Lithium Americas Corp. that was completed Dec. 23. The equity deal gives Magna the right to acquire a percentage of any lithium produced by the mining company in exchange for an interest-free loan for some of the money needed to develop the project in Argentina.
Although Magna's initial investment is small, it underscores the Aurora, Ont.-based company's commitment to producing components for electric-powered vehicles that will run on lithium-ion battery technology. “They are all coming downstream. Lithium is going to be big and they better have supply,” said a source close to the deal.
Environmental technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, are a potentially huge growth area for Magna as auto makers race to bring hybrid-electric and battery-powered cars to market to meet new fuel economy standards being put in place in the U.S.
Magna developed a battery-powered version of the Focus compact car for Ford Motor Co., which was unveiled a year ago (and now stars nightly on The Jay Leno Show ).
But Magna is also trying to expand that expertise to other auto makers.
Ford and its rivals are seeking financially strong suppliers to help them develop these new technologies, which involve investments of tens of billions of dollars.
Magna is among the most well positioned to do that because of a cash hoard of about $1-billion (U.S.) and expertise in a broad range of auto components, including complete vehicle assembly on a contract basis for several auto makers.
Magna chairman and founder Frank Stronach said last year that he would like to see the batteries assembled in Canada and that governments want Magna to assemble batteries here.
Tracy Fuerst, a spokeswoman for Magna, would not comment.
Lithium Americas is just one of scores of junior mining firms with lithium development projects that have sprouted recently to take advantage of the sudden investor interest in the commodity.
The company hopes to produce lithium from brine lakes, which it says is cheaper than extracting the mineral from rocks.
Although lithium has been used for years in cellphones, high-tech alloys and by the pharmaceutical industry, the prospect of soaring demand from the auto sector has made it the metal of the moment in the junior mining sector.
Industry analysts estimate that if hybrid and electric vehicles reach 10 per cent of total vehicle sales, the market for lithium-ion and other advanced batteries could grow to between $10-billion (U.S.) by 2015 and $15-billion by 2020. Currently, the lead-acid battery market is worth between $7-billion and $10-billion.
Lithium Americas was created last summer as a spinoff of Latin American Minerals Inc., which trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and still holds a 17-per-cent stake.
Boasting lithium development projects in the Argentine provinces of Jujuy and Salta, the privately held Lithium Americas is expected to conduct a public stock offering within the next year that could raise between $25-million (Canadian) and $50-million.
Raymond Mitchell, chief financial officer of both Lithium Americas and Latin American Minerals, would not comment. “I can't comment on who our investors are,” he said."
Andy Hoffman and Greg Keenan
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Canadian car parts giant Magna International Inc. is jumping into the mining sector with a strategic investment in a privately held lithium firm that it hopes will provide a secure supply of the metal used to make batteries for electric vehicles, according to sources.
Magna is understood to have participated in a $10.5-million equity financing by Toronto-based Lithium Americas Corp. that was completed Dec. 23. The equity deal gives Magna the right to acquire a percentage of any lithium produced by the mining company in exchange for an interest-free loan for some of the money needed to develop the project in Argentina.
Although Magna's initial investment is small, it underscores the Aurora, Ont.-based company's commitment to producing components for electric-powered vehicles that will run on lithium-ion battery technology. “They are all coming downstream. Lithium is going to be big and they better have supply,” said a source close to the deal.
Environmental technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, are a potentially huge growth area for Magna as auto makers race to bring hybrid-electric and battery-powered cars to market to meet new fuel economy standards being put in place in the U.S.
Magna developed a battery-powered version of the Focus compact car for Ford Motor Co., which was unveiled a year ago (and now stars nightly on The Jay Leno Show ).
But Magna is also trying to expand that expertise to other auto makers.
Ford and its rivals are seeking financially strong suppliers to help them develop these new technologies, which involve investments of tens of billions of dollars.
Magna is among the most well positioned to do that because of a cash hoard of about $1-billion (U.S.) and expertise in a broad range of auto components, including complete vehicle assembly on a contract basis for several auto makers.
Magna chairman and founder Frank Stronach said last year that he would like to see the batteries assembled in Canada and that governments want Magna to assemble batteries here.
Tracy Fuerst, a spokeswoman for Magna, would not comment.
Lithium Americas is just one of scores of junior mining firms with lithium development projects that have sprouted recently to take advantage of the sudden investor interest in the commodity.
The company hopes to produce lithium from brine lakes, which it says is cheaper than extracting the mineral from rocks.
Although lithium has been used for years in cellphones, high-tech alloys and by the pharmaceutical industry, the prospect of soaring demand from the auto sector has made it the metal of the moment in the junior mining sector.
Industry analysts estimate that if hybrid and electric vehicles reach 10 per cent of total vehicle sales, the market for lithium-ion and other advanced batteries could grow to between $10-billion (U.S.) by 2015 and $15-billion by 2020. Currently, the lead-acid battery market is worth between $7-billion and $10-billion.
Lithium Americas was created last summer as a spinoff of Latin American Minerals Inc., which trades on the TSX Venture Exchange and still holds a 17-per-cent stake.
Boasting lithium development projects in the Argentine provinces of Jujuy and Salta, the privately held Lithium Americas is expected to conduct a public stock offering within the next year that could raise between $25-million (Canadian) and $50-million.
Raymond Mitchell, chief financial officer of both Lithium Americas and Latin American Minerals, would not comment. “I can't comment on who our investors are,” he said."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Rare Metals: Tantalum market uncertainty as serious shortages loom TNR.v, CZX.v, CCE.v, WLC.v, RM.v, LI.v, CLQ.v, FMC, SQM, ROC, HEV, AONE, VLNC, SNE,
0 comments Posted by andre at 12:22 PM
With this company we will have to study all Periodic Table of the Elements all over again. Back to school. We need to have our homework right in order to stay in this game, like Jay Taylor does when he looks at the companies. Today we will look again at Tantalum market. First, lets remind ourselves about Tantalum as an element and its use.
"About Tantalum
Tantalum is an element found in many ways in our everyday lives, improving technology and material performance. Its many applications include uses in electronics, medicine, engineering and energy generation. Tantalum was discovered by Anders Gustaf Ekenberg, a Swedish chemist, in 1802 in minerals obtained from Ytterby, Sweden. Many scientists believed that he had only discovered an allotrope of niobium, an element that is chemically similar to tantalum. The issue was finally settled in 1866 when, Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac, a Swiss chemist, proved that tantalum and niobium were two distinct elements. The first relatively pure samples of tantalum were first produced in 1907. Today, tantalum is primarily obtained from the minerals columbite ((Fe, Mn, Mg)(Nb, Ta)2O6), tantalite ((Fe, Mn)(Ta, Nb)2O6) and euxenite ((Y, Ca, Er, La, Ce, U, Th)(Nb, Ta, Ti)2O6).Tantalum has unique attributes that make it suitable for several specific purposes. It has an exceedingly high melting point (about 3,000° C), is highly corrosion-resistant, alloys well with other metals, is superconductive for electricity and, most importantly, has an excellent capacity to store and release an electrical charge. Uses for TantalumAbout half of the tantalum consumed each year is used in the electronics industry, mainly as powder and wire for capacitors, owing to tantalum's particular ability to store and release electrical energy. This allows components to be exceptionally small and they are therefore favoured in space-sensitive high-end applications in telecommunications, data storage and implantable medical devices. Tantalum is also used for electronic sound filters and as a barrier against copper diffusion in semi-conductors. Tantalum carbide's hardness makes it ideal for cutting tools.
Tantalum metal and tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), one of tantalum's compounds, are mainly used in electronics to make a part called a capacitor. It allows the capacitors to be very small and is ideal for high technology uses including digital cameras and video cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, LCD/Plasma televisions, and data storage devices. While the bulk of demand for tantalum capacitors comes from the handheld and gaming markets, as designers cram greater functionality into these ever-shrinking devices, there has also been quite a bit of activity in high reliability markets including military, automotive and medical that require higher performance components. Tantalum capacitors are also in car electronics such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), navigation systems, wheel traction control, airbag inflation, engine management and fuel economy. Medical uses include heart pacemakers, implanted auto-defibrillators and hearing aids.Tantalum is a strong, ductile metal that is nearly immune to chemical attack at room temperatures. It can be drawn into a fine wire that is used to evaporate metals, such as aluminum. It has a high melting point and is frequently used as a substitute for platinum, which is more expensive. Tantalum is used to make components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes and missiles. Tantalum does not react with bodily fluids and is used to make surgical equipment. Tantalum also does not irritate the body and is used to make surgical sutures as well as implants, such as artificial joints and cranial plates. Tantalum is alloyed with steel to increase steel's ductility, strength and melting point.It is also used to make a glass with a high index of refraction that is used in camera lenses. A composite consisting of tantalum carbide (TaC) and graphite is one of the hardest materials known and is used on the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools.
Tantalum metal and tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5), one of tantalum's compounds, are mainly used in electronics to make a part called a capacitor. It allows the capacitors to be very small and is ideal for high technology uses including digital cameras and video cameras, mobile phones, laptop computers, LCD/Plasma televisions, and data storage devices. While the bulk of demand for tantalum capacitors comes from the handheld and gaming markets, as designers cram greater functionality into these ever-shrinking devices, there has also been quite a bit of activity in high reliability markets including military, automotive and medical that require higher performance components. Tantalum capacitors are also in car electronics such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), navigation systems, wheel traction control, airbag inflation, engine management and fuel economy. Medical uses include heart pacemakers, implanted auto-defibrillators and hearing aids.Tantalum is a strong, ductile metal that is nearly immune to chemical attack at room temperatures. It can be drawn into a fine wire that is used to evaporate metals, such as aluminum. It has a high melting point and is frequently used as a substitute for platinum, which is more expensive. Tantalum is used to make components for chemical plants, nuclear power plants, airplanes and missiles. Tantalum does not react with bodily fluids and is used to make surgical equipment. Tantalum also does not irritate the body and is used to make surgical sutures as well as implants, such as artificial joints and cranial plates. Tantalum is alloyed with steel to increase steel's ductility, strength and melting point.It is also used to make a glass with a high index of refraction that is used in camera lenses. A composite consisting of tantalum carbide (TaC) and graphite is one of the hardest materials known and is used on the cutting edges of high-speed machine tools.
World's Consumption of Tantalum
The two main buyers of tantalum raw materials are the processors HC Starck GmbH and Cabot Corp. Other processors include those located in China (Ningxia Non-ferrous Metals Import and Export Corp., Jiujiang Tanbre Smelter, Jiujiang Jinxin Non-ferrous Metals Co Ltd.), Estonia (AS Silmet), Japan (Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co Ltd.), Kazakhstan (NAC Kazatomprom) and Russia (Solikamsk Magnesium Works).
Main Sources of Tantalum Raw Materials
Tantalum ores are found primarily in Australia, Canada, Brazil, and central Africa, with some additional quantities originating in southeast Asia. The average yearly growth rate of about 8% to 12% in tantalum demand since about 1995 has caused a significant increase in exploration for this element. Tantalum minerals of the greatest economic importance are tantalite, microlite, and wodginite; however, it is common practice to name any tantalum-containing mineral concentrate as 'tantalite' primarily because it will be processed for the tantalum values and is sold on that basis. Tantalum mineral concentrates may contain from two to more than five different tantalum-bearing minerals from the same mining area. The sale of tantalum mineral concentrates is based on a certified analysis for the tantalum oxide they contain, with a range from 10% or 15% to over 60% depending on the mine source. The single largest source of tantalum mineral concentrates is the production by Talison Minerals Pty Ltd. from its mine in Western Australia. They produce between 25% and 35% of the world's supply, with production reported at approximately 1.4 million pounds Ta2O5. Additional operating mines are the Tanco Mine (Cabot) in Manitoba, Canada, the Kenticha Mine (Ethiopia Minerals Development Authority) in Ethiopia, the Yichun Mine in China, and the Pitinga Mine (Paranapanema) and Mibra Mine (Metallurg) in Brazil. Additional quantities are available from Brazil through the processing of small alluvial deposits by prospectors and in numerous countries in Africa such as Rwanda, Namibia, Uganda, DRC, Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, and Burundi. Due to political instability and associated risk, mining investment in Africa has been significantly curtailed. The central African countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC-Kinshasa) and Rwanda and their neighbors in the past had been the source of significant tonnages. Civil war, plundering of national parks and exporting of minerals, diamonds and other natural resources to provide funding of militias has caused the organizations such as the Tantalum-Niobium International Study Center to call on its members to take care to obtain their raw materials from lawful sources. Members are strongly encouraged to refrain from purchasing materials from regions where either human welfare or wildlife are threatened.
Price of Tantalum
Unlike other metals, tantalum does not trade as a commodity in recognized metal markets. Consequently, tantalum trades in negotiated markets. This leaves considerable power with suppliers particularly during an up market.
Worldwide Companies Using Tantalum
Tantalum capacitors are used by many large international corporations:
Wireless Users:
Sony Corporation
Nokia
Motorola Inc.
Panasonic Infrastructure Users:
Cisco Systems Inc.
Nortel Networks Corporation Computer Hardware Users:
Intel Corporation
Hewlett-Packard Company
IBM
Dell Computer Corporation
Compaq Computer Corporation
Seagate Technology Inc."
Wireless Users:
Sony Corporation
Nokia
Motorola Inc.
Panasonic Infrastructure Users:
Cisco Systems Inc.
Nortel Networks Corporation Computer Hardware Users:
Intel Corporation
Hewlett-Packard Company
IBM
Dell Computer Corporation
Compaq Computer Corporation
Seagate Technology Inc."
We will add, that with Electrification and Electric Cars in their mass market phase Demand for Tantalum will increase with all high tech gadgets implemenmted in EVs and smart grid technology with Solar and wind Power energy control systems applications.
MineWeb
The western world could be facing a severe shortage of tantalum over the next few years according to a recent study from Roskill Information Services in the UK.
Author: Lawrence Williams Posted: Wednesday , 23 Sep 2009
LONDON -
According to a new special study report from UK metals research consultancy, Roskill Information Services, there are fears in the tantalum market that serious shortages are looming. Weak recent demand has kept prices low. As a consequence primary output has been cut dramatically and processors are increasingly relying on stock drawdowns to make up the shortfall. If there is even a modest recovery in demand for tantalum in the near future, the market faces a difficult period.
Tantalum's major usage at present is in the production of electronic components, mainly capacitors and some high-power resistors. Because of the size and weight advantages, tantalum capacitors are attractive for mobile telephones, personal computers, and automotive electronics. Tantalum is also used to produce a variety of alloys that have high melting points, are strong and have good ductility. Alloyed with other metals, it is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, and for the military. Due to the fact that it resists attack by body fluids and is nonirritating, tantalum is widely used in making surgical instruments and implants. For example, porous tantalum coatings are used in the construction of orthopaedic implants due to the metal's ability to form a direct bond to hard tissue.
A key issue in the tantalum market, says Roskill, has been the continuing supply of low-cost columbite-tantalite (coltan) mined in Central Africa, in the DRC and Rwanda, mostly illegally, and sold to fund rebel militias. The major processors will not knowingly buy such material and almost all of it goes to China. The availability of large and growing quantities of cheap tantalum, at a time when global demand for consumer electronics is down and processors are holding substantial raw material stocks, has, however, placed the conventional tantalum industry under great pressure. Unable to win the large increase in prices it needed to be economic, the world's largest primary producer, Talison in Australia, suspended mining operations in late 2008. It was soon followed by two others. Within the space of a few months, close to 40% of global primary tantalum capacity was taken out of the market. There are no guarantees as to when, or even if, it will be brought back into production.
However, Roskill reckons that the market remains well-supplied in the immediate short term. A key characteristic of the tantalum industry in recent years has been that supply has nearly always been greater than demand. As a result, large inventories have been built up at most levels of the supply chain. Those stocks are not inexhaustible. In addition, the US strategic stockpile has gone for good and there are questions as how long tin slags can continue to constitute an important tantalum feedstock.
As has been the case in the past, processors are increasingly turning to scrap and other forms of secondary tantalum. Their receipts of secondary material grew by 70% in 2007 and by a further 25% in 2008. The growing use of scrap is evident in trade data.
The tantalum processing industry is attempting to develop systems to keep coltan out of the market by providing ways to physically indentify it before it is processed and becomes untraceable. Some processors are more committed to this than others, and the system is not yet fully in place, but the industry in general is facing mounting pressure from capacitor manufacturers and OEMs to ensure that coltan is not used. It is quite likely that the supply of coltan to the market will fall sharply over the next year or two.
What will compensate for the likely supply shortfall? Production is being expanded in several countries but probably not by enough to replace the coltan. Numerous new tantalum-niobium projects are in the pipeline and several would be very large producers. The big question is when they will come on-stream. Of the three mega-projects, one was originally planned to come into production in 2006, while another has been held up for over two years by red tape. The third may come into production in 2011.
The global economic downturn had a very marked effect on the tantalum supply/demand balance. Demand in 2009 will very probably prove to be 40% down on 2008, but Roskill considers it will fully recover by 2012, although much will obviously depend on the continuing strength of any global economic revival. Whether or not sufficient supply will be in place to meet that demand recovery is another issue entirely.
As Roskill summarises, a large part of the primary supply chain is not producing in 2009 and there are no clear indications as to when, or if, it will come back to the market. Inventories are running down, scrap is in shorter supply because of a fall in capacitor manufacture and it is quite possible that legislation under consideration in the USA could severely restrict or even halt the supply of tantalum from Central Africa.
It is almost certain therefore, Roskill reckons, that a tantalum supply squeeze is approaching. If demand picks up faster than expected, a spike in spot prices seems inevitable. Stability will probably not return to the market until the new projects come on-stream, or consumers accept contract prices at a level sufficient for Australia's Talison to reopen its mining operation.
For full details of the Roskill report go to www.roskill.com/reports/tantalum"
According to a new special study report from UK metals research consultancy, Roskill Information Services, there are fears in the tantalum market that serious shortages are looming. Weak recent demand has kept prices low. As a consequence primary output has been cut dramatically and processors are increasingly relying on stock drawdowns to make up the shortfall. If there is even a modest recovery in demand for tantalum in the near future, the market faces a difficult period.
Tantalum's major usage at present is in the production of electronic components, mainly capacitors and some high-power resistors. Because of the size and weight advantages, tantalum capacitors are attractive for mobile telephones, personal computers, and automotive electronics. Tantalum is also used to produce a variety of alloys that have high melting points, are strong and have good ductility. Alloyed with other metals, it is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components, chemical process equipment, nuclear reactors, and for the military. Due to the fact that it resists attack by body fluids and is nonirritating, tantalum is widely used in making surgical instruments and implants. For example, porous tantalum coatings are used in the construction of orthopaedic implants due to the metal's ability to form a direct bond to hard tissue.
A key issue in the tantalum market, says Roskill, has been the continuing supply of low-cost columbite-tantalite (coltan) mined in Central Africa, in the DRC and Rwanda, mostly illegally, and sold to fund rebel militias. The major processors will not knowingly buy such material and almost all of it goes to China. The availability of large and growing quantities of cheap tantalum, at a time when global demand for consumer electronics is down and processors are holding substantial raw material stocks, has, however, placed the conventional tantalum industry under great pressure. Unable to win the large increase in prices it needed to be economic, the world's largest primary producer, Talison in Australia, suspended mining operations in late 2008. It was soon followed by two others. Within the space of a few months, close to 40% of global primary tantalum capacity was taken out of the market. There are no guarantees as to when, or even if, it will be brought back into production.
However, Roskill reckons that the market remains well-supplied in the immediate short term. A key characteristic of the tantalum industry in recent years has been that supply has nearly always been greater than demand. As a result, large inventories have been built up at most levels of the supply chain. Those stocks are not inexhaustible. In addition, the US strategic stockpile has gone for good and there are questions as how long tin slags can continue to constitute an important tantalum feedstock.
As has been the case in the past, processors are increasingly turning to scrap and other forms of secondary tantalum. Their receipts of secondary material grew by 70% in 2007 and by a further 25% in 2008. The growing use of scrap is evident in trade data.
The tantalum processing industry is attempting to develop systems to keep coltan out of the market by providing ways to physically indentify it before it is processed and becomes untraceable. Some processors are more committed to this than others, and the system is not yet fully in place, but the industry in general is facing mounting pressure from capacitor manufacturers and OEMs to ensure that coltan is not used. It is quite likely that the supply of coltan to the market will fall sharply over the next year or two.
What will compensate for the likely supply shortfall? Production is being expanded in several countries but probably not by enough to replace the coltan. Numerous new tantalum-niobium projects are in the pipeline and several would be very large producers. The big question is when they will come on-stream. Of the three mega-projects, one was originally planned to come into production in 2006, while another has been held up for over two years by red tape. The third may come into production in 2011.
The global economic downturn had a very marked effect on the tantalum supply/demand balance. Demand in 2009 will very probably prove to be 40% down on 2008, but Roskill considers it will fully recover by 2012, although much will obviously depend on the continuing strength of any global economic revival. Whether or not sufficient supply will be in place to meet that demand recovery is another issue entirely.
As Roskill summarises, a large part of the primary supply chain is not producing in 2009 and there are no clear indications as to when, or if, it will come back to the market. Inventories are running down, scrap is in shorter supply because of a fall in capacitor manufacture and it is quite possible that legislation under consideration in the USA could severely restrict or even halt the supply of tantalum from Central Africa.
It is almost certain therefore, Roskill reckons, that a tantalum supply squeeze is approaching. If demand picks up faster than expected, a spike in spot prices seems inevitable. Stability will probably not return to the market until the new projects come on-stream, or consumers accept contract prices at a level sufficient for Australia's Talison to reopen its mining operation.
For full details of the Roskill report go to www.roskill.com/reports/tantalum"
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
TNR Gold/International Lithium Reports Significant Tantalum Mineralization at the Rare Metals Mavis Lake Project, Ont TNR.v, CZX.v, ABX, NG.to, WLC.v,
0 comments Posted by andre at 3:23 PM
"The Electrification Roadmap presents a bold and specific vision: By 2040, 75 percent of light-duty vehicle miles traveled in the United States should be electric miles. As a result, oil consumption in the light-duty fleet would be reduced by more than 75 percent, and U.S. crude oil imports could effectively be reduced to zero."
TNR Gold reports another significant success of International Lithium Corp. exploration program on Mavis Lake, Ontario. Jay Taylor does his homework right and now we can see why he has suggested recently:
Our main take out from the news:
"We are observing both high-grade well-evolved Lithium and Tantalum zonation as well as significant levels of Cesium and Rubidium on the Mavis Lake property," states Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of TNR Gold, and continues, "The project is clearly emerging as a premier multi-element rare metals project and warrants a major exploration program in 2010."
Dr. Frederick Breaks, Special Advisor for TNR Gold, stated, "The peak tantalum values observed are amongst the highest reported in north western Ontario and when taken in conjunction with the strong widespread nature of the mineralization, this indicates significant exploration potential at the Mavis Lake property."
Now we have a hint where will be exploration efforts of TNR Gold in 2010 in hard rock lithium part of its portfolio.
Mavis Lake Rare Metals project is growing from staking stage into significant exploration target. Hard rock lithium mining, as you remember, includes the crucial element of necessary credit from other metals and minerals, which could make the potential deposit economical even with recent level of prices for lithium.
These discoveries of high Tantalum values, presence of Cesium and Rubidium are making this property a valuable exploration target.
Values of lithium and tantalum and types of minerals found on the property are similar to two producing mines: Tanco mine and Wodgina mine.
Next step will be to confirm exploration model by drilling program on the property in order to find available tonnage of mineralised material and its grade, which will define economics of potential deposit.
There is another significant indication of potential for Mavis Lake property: next to it on the left side on the map is located a historical resource with 500k tones of 1% Li2O in the same geological setting. Size of the property is not limiting exploration potential for economic tonnage to be discovered by further exploration. Tantalum enrichement zone defined by this exploration program is located to the right side of the property after known Lithium enrichment zone.
Mavis Lake project enjoys easy access and infrastracture availible for further development in the area.
"We are observing both high-grade well-evolved Lithium and Tantalum zonation as well as significant levels of Cesium and Rubidium on the Mavis Lake property," states Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of TNR Gold, and continues, "The project is clearly emerging as a premier multi-element rare metals project and warrants a major exploration program in 2010."
Dr. Frederick Breaks, Special Advisor for TNR Gold, stated, "The peak tantalum values observed are amongst the highest reported in north western Ontario and when taken in conjunction with the strong widespread nature of the mineralization, this indicates significant exploration potential at the Mavis Lake property."
Now we have a hint where will be exploration efforts of TNR Gold in 2010 in hard rock lithium part of its portfolio.
Mavis Lake Rare Metals project is growing from staking stage into significant exploration target. Hard rock lithium mining, as you remember, includes the crucial element of necessary credit from other metals and minerals, which could make the potential deposit economical even with recent level of prices for lithium.
These discoveries of high Tantalum values, presence of Cesium and Rubidium are making this property a valuable exploration target.
Values of lithium and tantalum and types of minerals found on the property are similar to two producing mines: Tanco mine and Wodgina mine.
Next step will be to confirm exploration model by drilling program on the property in order to find available tonnage of mineralised material and its grade, which will define economics of potential deposit.
There is another significant indication of potential for Mavis Lake property: next to it on the left side on the map is located a historical resource with 500k tones of 1% Li2O in the same geological setting. Size of the property is not limiting exploration potential for economic tonnage to be discovered by further exploration. Tantalum enrichement zone defined by this exploration program is located to the right side of the property after known Lithium enrichment zone.
Mavis Lake project enjoys easy access and infrastracture availible for further development in the area.
We own shares of this company, biased and nothing should be taken as an investment advise on this blog as usual: just enjoy our travel notes "On the way to the Green Future."
TNR Gold/International Lithium Reports Significant Tantalum Mineralization at the Rare Metals Mavis Lake Project, Ont
Press Release
Press Release
Source: TNR Gold Corp.
On 6:20 pm EST, Wednesday December 9, 2009
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 9, 2009) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TNR - News; "TNR" or the "Company") and wholly-owned International Lithium Corp. ("ILC") are pleased to announce results of the 2009 fall field program demonstrating strong and widespread tantalum mineralization on its 100% owned Mavis Lake property located 15km northeast of Dryden in northwestern Ontario.
On 6:20 pm EST, Wednesday December 9, 2009
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 9, 2009) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TNR - News; "TNR" or the "Company") and wholly-owned International Lithium Corp. ("ILC") are pleased to announce results of the 2009 fall field program demonstrating strong and widespread tantalum mineralization on its 100% owned Mavis Lake property located 15km northeast of Dryden in northwestern Ontario.
Key Point Summary:
- 38% or 78 of 204 grab and channel samples returned assay values greater than 150 ppm Ta2O5;
- 1349 ppm and 1246 ppm Ta2O5 from 2 grab samples, amongst highest reported in NW Ontario;
- Highly evolved lithium-tantalum zonation identified similar to producing Tanco mine; and
- Underexplored tantalum zone is significant exploration target.
"We are observing both high-grade well-evolved Lithium and Tantalum zonation as well as significant levels of Cesium and Rubidium on the Mavis Lake property," states Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of TNR Gold, and continues, "The project is clearly emerging as a premier multi-element rare metals project and warrants a major exploration program in 2010."
2009 Sampling Programs
Two field programs were undertaken in 2009 to assess the lithium (Li), tantalum (Ta) and other rare metals potential of the Mavis Lake property. The initial field program consisted of reconnaissance prospecting and sampling. Samples collected from Pegmatite 18 returned strong results for both Ta and Li with peak assay values of 3.61 Wt% Li2O (lithium oxide) in a grab sample and 1.24 Wt% Li2O over 5.3 metres in a composite channel sample (Company News Release - October 5th 2009).
The follow-up program consisted of detailed mapping and sampling of the known pegmatite occurrences that returned high grade lithium values up to 2.1 wt% Li2O in grab sample and 1.4 wt% Li2O over a 4.7 metre composite channel sample. In addition, a lithogeochemical survey over a 1200m by 900m grid extended the lithium dispersion anomaly (greater than 50 ppm Li) by 1.1kms to 4.5kms in total length (Company News Release - November 19th, 2009). Of special note, 38% (78 of 204 samples) graded better than 150 ppm Ta2O5 (tantalum oxide) demonstrating strong and widespread highly anomalous Tantalum mineralization.
The highest tantalum values came from Pegmatites 13, 14 and 16 which occur within an area of 500 by 800 metres that represents the known southeastern exploration limit for rare metal mineralization on the property. This highly prospective area of elevated tantalum values is underexplored and completely open to the east and southeast and will be the major subject of field investigation in 2010. Samples from this area returned peak Ta2O5 values of 1349 ppm (0.135%) and 1246 ppm (0.125%) from the No.16 and No.14 pegmatites, respectively.
Dr. Frederick Breaks, Special Advisor for TNR Gold, stated, "The peak tantalum values observed are amongst the highest reported in north western Ontario and when taken in conjunction with the strong widespread nature of the mineralization, this indicates significant exploration potential at the Mavis Lake property."
Other highlights include Ta2O5 values of 723 ppm, 614 ppm and 593 ppm from the No.13, No.17 and No.19 pegmatites, respectively (see Table 1).
Samples with very high tantalum values tend to have low lithium values as is typical of sodic aplite and albitite-rock units that represent important host-rocks for tantalum mineralization as exemplified by the Tanco Mine in Manitoba and the Wodgina and Greenbushes Mines of Western Australia. However, there are samples with very high lithium values that also carry strongly anomalous tantalum. Examples of this strong multi-element signature can be found in both grab samples in Table 1 and channel samples of Table 2.
Tantalum mineralization occurs as fine-grained tantalite-columbite group minerals that are hosted primarily in sodic aplite and related albitite (greater than 8 wt% Na2O). Other tantalum-rich minerals may also be present as previous work confirmed wodginite associated with tantalite, columbite, lithium tourmaline and montebrasite at pegmatite 19 (Ontario Geological Survey, 2000 Miscellaneous Release Data 127).
Wodginite is the chief ore mineral for tantalum at the Tanco and Wodgina mines. The Tanco Mine had a historical reserve estimate of 1,879,000 tons grading 0.216% Ta2O5 and has proven to be a world class producer of tantalum, lithium, cesium and rubidium. The Wodgina mine has proven historical reserves of 0.4 million tonnes grading 0.128% Ta2O5. The high-tonnage low-grade Greenbushes mine contains proven and probable reserves of 88.6 million tonnes @ 0.022% Ta2O5.
To view Figure 1 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tnr1209.jpg
Mavis Lake Property
The Mavis Lake property is located 15 km Northeast of Dryden, Ontario. It is easily accessed via the Trans-Canada Highway and a series of logging roads. The claim block comprises a total of 2,544 ha and covers several known rare metal pegmatites.
Regional pegmatite mineralization is directly associated with the strongly peraluminous Ghost Lake pluton and related pegmatitic granite dykes. Rare metal mineralization in the Mavis Lake area occurs in zoned pegmatites hosted by mafic metavolcanic rocks. Rare metal mineralization has been noted to occur in four zones: internal beryl zone within the parent of the Ghost Lake pluton that evolves into external zones of beryl-columbite, spodumene-beryl-tantalite and albite-type pegmatites.
The known pegmatite dykes on the Mavis Lake property comprise spodumene-beryl-tantalite, albite-type or a combination of both. The adjacent Fairservice property is dominated by east trending spodumene-beryl-tantalite-type pegmatites, considered to be part of the same dyke swarm as on the Mavis Lake claim block, and has a historical (non NI 43-101 compliant) resource of 500,000 tons at 1.0% Li2O.
Ike Osmani, P.Geo, is the company's qualified person on the project as required under NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information contained in this press release. To help understand the technical aspects of Lithium and other Rare Metals please visit TNR's website at www.tnrgoldcorp.com.
Tantalum mineralization occurs as fine-grained tantalite-columbite group minerals that are hosted primarily in sodic aplite and related albitite (greater than 8 wt% Na2O). Other tantalum-rich minerals may also be present as previous work confirmed wodginite associated with tantalite, columbite, lithium tourmaline and montebrasite at pegmatite 19 (Ontario Geological Survey, 2000 Miscellaneous Release Data 127).
Wodginite is the chief ore mineral for tantalum at the Tanco and Wodgina mines. The Tanco Mine had a historical reserve estimate of 1,879,000 tons grading 0.216% Ta2O5 and has proven to be a world class producer of tantalum, lithium, cesium and rubidium. The Wodgina mine has proven historical reserves of 0.4 million tonnes grading 0.128% Ta2O5. The high-tonnage low-grade Greenbushes mine contains proven and probable reserves of 88.6 million tonnes @ 0.022% Ta2O5.
To view Figure 1 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tnr1209.jpg
Mavis Lake Property
The Mavis Lake property is located 15 km Northeast of Dryden, Ontario. It is easily accessed via the Trans-Canada Highway and a series of logging roads. The claim block comprises a total of 2,544 ha and covers several known rare metal pegmatites.
Regional pegmatite mineralization is directly associated with the strongly peraluminous Ghost Lake pluton and related pegmatitic granite dykes. Rare metal mineralization in the Mavis Lake area occurs in zoned pegmatites hosted by mafic metavolcanic rocks. Rare metal mineralization has been noted to occur in four zones: internal beryl zone within the parent of the Ghost Lake pluton that evolves into external zones of beryl-columbite, spodumene-beryl-tantalite and albite-type pegmatites.
The known pegmatite dykes on the Mavis Lake property comprise spodumene-beryl-tantalite, albite-type or a combination of both. The adjacent Fairservice property is dominated by east trending spodumene-beryl-tantalite-type pegmatites, considered to be part of the same dyke swarm as on the Mavis Lake claim block, and has a historical (non NI 43-101 compliant) resource of 500,000 tons at 1.0% Li2O.
Ike Osmani, P.Geo, is the company's qualified person on the project as required under NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information contained in this press release. To help understand the technical aspects of Lithium and other Rare Metals please visit TNR's website at www.tnrgoldcorp.com.
TNR is a diversified metals exploration company focused on exploring existing properties and identifying new prospective projects globally. TNR has a total portfolio of 33 properties, of which 16 will be included in the proposed spin-off of International Lithium Corp.
It is anticipated that TNR shareholders of record will receive up to one share and one full tradable warrant of International Lithium Corp. for every 4 shares of TNR held as of the yet determined record date. This will result in TNR shareholders owning shares in both TNR and International Lithium. For further details of the spin-off please refer to TNR's April 27, 2009 news release or visit http://www.internationallithium.com.
The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the company's commitment to generating projects , diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President"
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