HIG chart starting to look interesting: Its easy to see why RRS...

HIG chart starting to look interesting:

Its easy to see why RRS set a target price at 22 cents.

Nickel, Cobalt up again overnight.

Cobalt along with Nickel is listed as CRITICAL for Lithium Ion battery technology.

Cobalt makes up 40% of rechargeable battery market today and will grow to 55% by 2019.

A supply deficit is emerging and TESLSA are working on supply agreements.

Cobalt price 6 x the price of Nickel.

This will force battery developers to look closely at the metallic composition of the battery cathodes to maintain supply and keep costs down.

Nickel is being investigated as a possible primary metal to use more in batteries.


RAMU at record production Nickel and Cobalt  Both essential metals in Li-Ion Batteries. And HIG will double their stake over time. Why wouldn't they.

Taking a peek at Lithium-Ion batteries its interesting to see how much of each metal goes into making a Lithium Battery which is set to grow in demand rapidly this year globally.

Lithium- Ion Battery technology options:   Metals %  by composition+ Lithium

Tesla Model S:   LiNiCoAlO2: 15% Cobalt 80% Nickel 5% Al.

Apple iphone: LCoO2:    100% Cobalt +  Lithium balance

Nissan Leaf:    LiMn2 O4: 100% Manganese Lithium balance  

Tesla Powerwall:  LiNiMnCoO2  33% Cobalt 33%  Mn 33%  Nickel

Typical 60:20:20:    60% Nickel 20% manganese 20% Cobalt

New 80:10:10 80%  Nickel 10%  Manganese 10%  Cobalt



Cathode 34%

Lithium:  About 2% of the total volume of the battery.  was 50% of the cost of the Cathode:   14% by weight in a TESLA  Model S battery pack.

Nickel:   Stoichiometric ratio to Lithium (between 0.8 and 0.3)

Cobalt   " 1/3 to 1/6

Anode  10%

Graphite technology.  plus Silicon Oxide.

In summary, Nickel, Cobalt and manganese are critical components of lithium Ion batteries and demand will continue to grow putting pressure on new technologies, more efficient batteries and recycling of used batteries.

I notice Australian Manganese mining company shares have already shot up (DYOR) in the past 6 months. (may have missed the boat there i think).

Interesting to see what happens in the next 6 months to Nickel and Cobalt mining companies.

GLTAH