I'd agree re established producers, if it wasn't for the problem...

I'd agree re established producers, if it wasn't for the problem that there's likely not enough ethical cobalt producers with available supply in the world to meet those quantities.

Re: fixed price Vs premium price, my gut tells me that if our (conservative, dot-the-i's, cross-the-t's) JV can lock-in a life-of-mine off-take deal to a reputable company at long-term average prices they'd do it. Their big fears for building a mine will be, whole-market downturns and unreliable off-take partners.

The 2010 Mt Thirsty plan was 4000tpa, 2o13's was 900tpa. But now of course the resource could grow significantly (we guess) and cobalt demand is looking massive, but who knows for how long. A big part of the SS delay has probably been the JV trying to work out just how big the resource actually is (we guess with new drilling and next door), and from this how large a mine they can risk building to best meet the next five to ten years of predicted massive cobalt demand BEFORE new battery tec comes along. And if the JV think they are be in the running for a solid long-term off-take with the likes of VW, I recon they could again be looking at options much larger than 900tpa. After all, making processing equip 4x as big doesn't quadruple the price.

Bring on the Scoping Study!

Solarbat