The big run has started, page-114

Cobalt Blue chief exec Joe Kaderavek says three big news stories for cobalt – and by extension the EV sector – over the past year have been COVID, Durban Port, and the Suez Canal blockage.It has been these sorts of issues that have prompted battery makers to ask the question – how do I shorten and de-risk my supply chain?“[Shortening the supply chain] means that a kilogram of cobalt doesn’t go around the world three times,” Kaderavek told *.“It can effectively go from the mine to an intermediate processing facility — which may/may not be on site — then into a refining process which can be ultimately located [alongside] an upstream battery facility.“It’s about battery makers getting greater visibility of the supply chain and [product quality].”For near term producers like Cobalt Blue the most important thing for future success is to know, and keep pace with, this rapidly evolving market.“We have about 30 partners – the cream of the global battery industry. Not just EV players, but consumer electronics, and a few metallurgical cobalt customers as well,” he says.“Firstly, the key here is to open the door with the quality of the product.“Secondly, to nail a commercial agreement on the back of our much larger demonstration plant, which is due for operation in the next six months.“There is a big difference between a small sample and a sample big enough to allow you to prequalify as a supplier to that particular battery maker.“That’s where we will be in six months.” QUOTE
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