One proven supply route for Co is as a byproduct of treating Ni/Co ores. There is a substantial amount of these ores in sulphide and lateritic forms.
The issue is that generally the ratio of Ni to Co in the ore is around 10:1 say a laterite with an analysis of 1.2% Ni will have 0.12% Co.
Thus if one wishes to meet the VW tender one could produce 20,000 tonnes of Co but also has 200,000 tonnes of Ni production.
As Ni has a world production of 1.4 million tonnes this extra 200,000 tonnes would drive the Ni price down making the overall economics unviable. Remember this is to supply one carmaker so on an industry basis the Ni production via this route is impractical.
Thus the search must be for cobalt rich ores and a price point where treating those ores becomes feasible.
COB Price at posting:
33.8¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
