Here is one interpretation of the growth rate of Niobium use in the world.. 9.92%/yr from 2025 to 2030. From 117,500 tonnes to 188,470 tonnes/yr. An increase of 71,000 tonnes/yr.
Considering we will not have a functioning mine for 3-5 years, then just a section of this growth will be taken by WA1, which means plenty of growing income for the other producers. CBMM would be welcoming our mine as it gives confidence in consistent diversified supply to those wanting to use Niobium in whatever types of products.
I would be very surprised if CBMM were not in contact and discussions with WA1 about future planning. It's in no-ones interest to have a price war, but everyone's interest to have a decent constant supply without huge price spikes like what happened to Lithium a few years ago.
IMHO up to 30,000 tonnes/yr size is easily possible with cooperation or partnership in some way with CBMM and industries planning to grow Niobium use, over the next few years.
It works for CBMM as well, as their next large capital expense for expanding their mine can be put back for a few years allowing greater profit accumulation in the interim and conserving their high grade portion of their resource for longer.
In my view the perfect set up for all including all industrial users of Niobium, would be for our mine to be established at decent size, followed up by CBMM expansion a few years after we start mining, followed by our mine expansion a few years later as demand keeps growing..
WA1 Price at posting:
$15.16 Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
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