|i|i|i day, page-64

I'll pick 1 narrative from the Elon's announcements today - That is, if he wants lithium miners (yes plural) to go crazy, that a signal/shot across the bow for upstream to expand, and expand quickly so he can meet his 10 year targets. As late as yesterday, he said he sees a shortage by 2022 (yes in 15 months), and we all know what that means to Tesla.

To truly think that a new extraction method will solve shortages in 15 months or in 5 years, well what can I say. On that note, I am hoping new extraction methods are commercialized, particularly for brine based production, as those tried and tested extraction methods are definitely inefficient and therefore unsustainable. Efficiency gains will help reduce pending deficits, thus allow for a much smoother transition....

Once again this is a shot across the bow, thus expect to see cell makers securing upstream materials thick and fast from hereon, though 3twh of capacity by 2030 is just (fantasy). If doable, both economic and less-economic projects (clay) would need to come on line over that period, and hey, if the less-economic projects get a gig (financed), that's a clear indication of a looming shortage, thus higher lithium prices needed to justify the capex/opex, etc, etc.