Was reading through the 2019 Tesla Impact report and found this bit highly interesting. We all know that Tesla is doing all it can to move away from environmentally damaging materials and this further highlights that and the need for a better option - possibly DPMG (yet to be seen).
(Source: 2019 Tesla Impact Report, Cobalt Sourcing - page 36)'Tesla’s batteries use nickel-rich cathode materials which contain less cobalt than other widely used cathode chemistries in the
industry,
with our ultimate goal being to eliminate cobalt completely from our cells. For portions of our battery cell sourcing,
we procure cobalt materials directly from producers that are verified as compliant with Tesla’s Code. We work with
participants along the value chain to shorten the supply chain by eliminating third-party cobalt refiners and by ensuring that
Tesla’s material is stored in clearly marked and segregated areas of the plant and is toll processed on dedicated lines for
Tesla’s production. For other parts of our supply chain where Tesla does not directly procure cobalt materials, cobalt may be
sourced from many different countries, including the DRC. For material originating from the DRC, Tesla’s battery cell supplier
and sub-suppliers are required to purchase refined cobalt material exclusively from qualified conformant cobalt refiners as
per the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process standards set forth by the RMI.'
Now the recent NVX webinar has clearly stated the DPMG process as one way for 'Optimizing conditions for different particles (to be), high nickel and Cobalt free..' - See below extract.
(Source: June 2020 Novonix Webinar Presentation)
The 2019 Tesla report also recognises the ethical responsibilities of moving away from Cobalt Sourcing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), see extract below:
(Source: 2019 Tesla Impact Report, Cobalt Sourcing - page 35)
In order to further increase the transparency of our cobalt supply chain, we collect detailed data from relevant suppliers
using the Responsible Minerals Initiative’s (“RMI”) Cobalt Reporting Template.
Because Tesla recognizes the higher risks of
human rights issues within cobalt supply chains, particularly for child labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”),
we have made a significant effort to establish processes to remove these risks from our supply chain. We also recognize that
mining conducted in a responsible and ethical manner is an important part of the economic and social well-being of those
communities. We review all information provided by our suppliers for red flags and risks associated with ethical sourcing.
Where we can be assured that minerals, including cobalt, are coming from mines that meet our social and environmental
standards, we will continue to support sourcing from the DRC and other regions
So what other options do Tesla really have in creating an environmentally friendly battery?
Surely Hydrogen Fuel Cells are out of the question and quality effectiveness of using Silicon in the long term is not as viable.
(20min delay)