Just to quote that article again:
"While cobalt
currently sells for about $10 a pound, the price peaked at over $50 a pound before the 2008 crash and
could easily surpass record levels over the next two years.. "
And that guy has done loads of research
That peak in the Cobalt price coincided with BAR share price high of 74c ......
Sure could be fun for BARbarians if this cobalt deficit plays out like many analysts predict....and this project is actually quite advanced.
"Metallurgical test work, initiated in 2012 was conducted to assess the viability of leaching the Mt Thirsty oxide resource using sodium metabisulphite.
Consultants RMDSTEM completed the metallurgical testwork and research to establish the lowest capital and operating cost process which also delivered maximum metal recoveries.
Preliminary leaching tests using sodium metabisulphite via the proprietary INNOVAT continuous vat leaching (CVL) process were encouraging.
More extensive testwork in 2013 resulted in modification to the INNOVAT – CVL process and
major developments include the use of the cheaper and more efficient option of sulphur dioxide (SO2) rather than metabisulphite as the main leaching agent. Also, the conclusion that an agitated leach process is a more practical and economic alternative to continuous vat leaching."
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It was these metallurgy improvements that lowed the capex from some $400m to approximately $65-70 million (including 30% contingencies on plant and equipment and $20 million for site infrastructure)
