@nytryda
NTU had a Webinar early this month and spelt out the HRE (heavy rare earths) demand situation as follows:
1. 20 million EVs to be built by 2020 (conservative imho provided Li, Co etc supplies suffice)
2. Each EV requires 100 grams Dysprosium (Dy) >> so demand is 2 million Kg Dy = 2,000 tonnes
3. Pilot Plant currently under construction to produce 50 tonnes so 4o pilots would be needed to meet global demand
4. Chinese supply is curbed by environmental and geopol. factors. RoW supply inadequate
5. Current NTU SPP aimed at cap raise to fund mine life expansion from current 11 years to 20 to meet stated needs of markets elsewhere in Europe, USA and Northern Asia.
NB: all of the above addresses EVs only. HRE demand exists in other sectors.
Dysprosium price is depressed at current $188/Kg but downstream manufacturers say an EV can afford a Dy price of up to $1500/Kg. A reasonable expectation is that the market can afford Dy price to double (or more) and that makes the NTU plans economic. After further research, the final product is ultimately intended to be Dy metal (or DyO) as downstream purification of the plant's intended initial carbonate product is blueprinted.
At the 2011 RE bubble peak, Dy was selling at $4ooo per Kg. That won't be seen again if the NTU scale up is promptly realised.
Some NTU charts to follow soon.
