Looking like the recent JRV stock price lows and above average...

Looking like the recent JRV stock price lows and above average trading volumes might have been the final capitulation for some family office or institutional holders / or simply stop losses triggered on larger holdings (or more likely a combination of both) after the quarterly report and fears the creditors would take the company and/or we run out of cash? IMO it looks like a new base has set in and buyer confidence returning/selling pressure has eased off. Not out of the wooded just yet...

However, after the US tariffs, and 8-9 yr cobalt price lows what's next to come? Market participants have their opinions regarding the near term and long term supply/demand and price direction.

But on the back of the 8-9 yr cobalt price lows the build up of reserves, national stockpiles and the setting of floor price for non-China producers looks more likely to me? (read: just your average mum/dad punter).

Here's a couple more recent articles I've picked up through my desk-top research efforts...

https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/a-roundup-of-the-30th-cobalt-conference/

https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/us-committee-recommends-creation-of-critical-mineral-reserve/

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And 'hot off the press' is an example of what is happening else where in the critical minerals space...

South Korea building national lithium reserves
The South Korea government has started to build up a national stockpile of lithium reserves through the state-owned Korea Mine Rehabilitation & Mineral Resources Corp (KOMIR), Fastmarkets was told on Tuesday May 21

https://www.fastmarkets.com/insights/south-korea-building-national-lithium-reserves/

Quotes:

'One reason for South Korea to stockpile of lithium carbonate is that it has a longer shelf life and it’s easier to store than lithium hydroxide, which is considered a hazardous good, the source said'.

'The other key reason is that South Korea aims to develop its mid-nickel nickel cobalt manganese battery supply chain, the source added'.

'Other market participants said that the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was the key reason why only Chilean lithium carbonate was eligible for South Korea’s stockpile because, starting from 2025, any clean vehicle eligible for the tax incentives under the IRA may not contain any critical minerals that are extracted, processed, or recycled by a “foreign entity of concern,” and that includes companies based in China, Russia, North Korea and Iran'.

'Due to the strong ties between South Korean battery makers and US car producers, the South Korean companies have been trying to diversify their lithium supplies and move away from their current heavy reliance on Chinese lithium and thereby ensure that they qualify for tax incentives under IRA'.

mmmmgus