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13/08/17
03:48
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Originally posted by bobsacramento
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Blackrock mining trust half year report
BATTERY MATERIALS
Whilst we live in an age of disruption, few industries have the potential to change as much as the automotive sector over the next decade. The rise of the electrified vehicle (EV) appears to have reached critical mass in terms of consumer preference, government incentive, technological capability and model launches from the automakers. Companies and countries alike are announcing goals on an almost monthly basis: Volvo has promised 100% electric drive trains by 2019 and China is targeting five million EVs and Hybrids on the road by 2020. Whilst the success of these goals will be proved over the coming years, the investments needed to meet them are being made now.
One of the keys to meeting this future demand will be the supply of raw materials particularly for the battery. Increases in demand for several metals including lithium, cobalt and nickel is widely anticipated and this means new mines must be incentivised to produce the additional volume of these metals through higher prices. The Company has invested in several companies with exposure to this theme and at various stages of maturity. The most significant of these is Albemarle (1.1% of the portfolio), an established lithium carbonate producer with arguably the two lowest cost production assets in the world, the Talison mine and the Atacama Salar. Its current dominant position, tier one assets with expansion plans and strong balance sheet, leave it uniquely placed to drive shareholder returns in the coming years. Galaxy Resources (0.4%) is an emerging lithium producer in the unique position of having both cash generation from the producing Mt Cattlin mine in Australia, and one of the most promising exploration salars in Sal De Vida.
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Although I think they might have increased their investment as well, remember this is just the mining trust. Their total investment is roughly 27 mil, if they control 6.9% of the company.