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FCC, Cobalt & Mystery metals set to shine ever brighter


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FCC, Cobalt & Mystery metals set to shine ever brighter

(reviving old Frizzers thread)

 

Commodities face rising demand and tightening supply – and that’s not about to change soon. Tim Bennett and Eoin Gleeson look at ten minor metals that could give you anything but minor returns

Regular MoneyWeek readers will know that we are big fans of commodities in general and precious metals in particular. But while investor interest in gold, silver and even platinum is growing steadily – witness the launch of a batch of preciousmetal-tracking exchange-traded funds last week – some of the biggest profits of the next few years could be made in metals you’ve probably never even heard of. The so-called minor metals do not enjoy the same profile as their more glamorous cousins, but they have been huge beneficiaries of the commodities supercycle – some have seen their prices jump more than tenfold in recent years. Most have a variety of uses, but the drivers are rising demand for electronic goods from Asia’s emerging middle class; the upsurge in ‘green’ technologies; China’s insatiable demand for steel; and the need for industrial users to find substitutes as more commonly used metals such as nickel also soar in price. With growth in Asia, and China in particular, showing no signs of slowing, these forces seem unlikely to diminish in the near future. Here are ten minor metals we think you should know more about, with tips on how you can profit from them.

Cobalt (Co) Atomic number 27 One beneficiary of the drive to go green is this silvery metal. In the past three years, cobalt use in rechargeable batteries has risen by 284%, the fastest-growing segment of which is hybrid electric vehicles (like Toyota’s Prius), which cut air pollution and fuel consumption by at least 50% compared with an ordinary car. Most such vehicles now use nickelhydride batteries, which contain about three to five pounds of cobalt, but use of more sophisticated lithium-ion batteries is set to rise – and the good news for cobalt producers is that these contain five to seven pounds of the metal. Another big use is in mobile phones and jet engines, where despite rising prices, engine makers have difficulty in finding substitute metals once a product has been designed and tested. In the past decade, consumption of the metal has grown at an average annual rate of 12.9%. Credit Suisse reckons the price could spike from the current $30 a pound to $40 by the end of the year, driven by “new demand from emerging markets such as China and India, where the launch of low-cost airlines in air travel and mobile phone usage are set to multiply among an expanding middle class”. US government stockpiles of the metal and lower-grade material from the former Soviet Union are now largely depleted, leaving little inventory to draw on. “Once the market becomes more educated about cobalt, watch a flood of capital flow towards the very few publicly traded primary cobalt companies available to investors,” says Richard Reinhard for Growth Stocks Weekly. He likes Formation Capital Corporation (TSX:FCO), which after 10 years of exploration and development is about to see its cobalt project in Idaho come on line; and Geovic Mining (TSX: GMC) another cobalt-focused miner, which is still developing its open pit cobalt-nickel deposits in Cameroon.

 

Rhodium (Rh) Atomic number 45 Another metal benefiting from green concerns is rhodium, a silvery-white byproduct of platinum production. Its key use – accounting for more than 80% of demand – is in diesel catalytic converters, which cut exhaust emissions. Global demand is soaring as governments tighten laws on vehicle emissions, particularly in Europe – and even though you don’t need much, John Lewins of Platinum Australia says: “There isn’t a substitute. You have to put rhodium into those catalytic converters.” Standard Chartered’s metal analyst Tariq Salaria says: “In recent years, supply has not been capable of matching the increase in demand,” which has seen rhodium rise 14-fold in the past four years to $5,700 an ounce. Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan Chase expect it to rise another 25% this year. Merrill likes Anglo Platinum (JSE:AMSJ), the main producer. You might also look at Norilsk Nickel (OTC:NILSY), which has just received a new licence from the Russian government to ship rhodium and other platinum group metals.

Ruthenium (Ru) Atomic number 44 Ruthenium, a fellow platinum group metal, has seen its price soar from $35 per ounce four years ago to more than $600 – and 350% of that gain has occurred since September 2006. Analysts attribute the recent price surge to the metal’s new role in increasing hard disk capacity – a tiny layer of the metal (what IBM scientists call “pixie dust”) allows a computer memory to hold at least four times the amount of information. But ruthenium is a versatile metal – it’s also crucial to higher-capacity mobile phones, while titanium (see below) becomes 100 times more corrosion resistant with the addition of just 0.1% ruthenium. Produced primarily in South Africa, its market is illiquid and prices volatile. But new applications are being discovered all the time – biotech group Medical Marketing International (LSE:MMG) is using it to develop lung, colon and ovarian cancer treatments. Investment bank UBS says: “Although supply will increase in the next few years as South African platinum group mines increase output and recoveries of ruthenium, the market looks set to remain tight.” Business Day tips Anglo Platinum and Implats (JSE: IMP), another South African platinum miner.

Indium (In) Atomic number 49 This soft silvery white element, with the unnerving characteristic of producing a sound like a scream when bent, is built into “a billion consumer devices a year”, says New Scientist. The metal is used to create thin-film coatings for the LCD screens used in flat-screen monitors and televisions. These are all seeing strong sales growth as Asia’s developing middle class buys more consumer goods – according to market research firm iSuppli the global electronics manufacturing industry is set to grow in value from $147bn last year to $183bn by 2009. Supply is tight – mine reserves are limited to a few plants in Belgium, Japan and the US, and some estimates suggest these could run out within five years. Demand outstrips mine production and capacity, says Luke Burgess of Goldworld.com, which explains why in the past five years indium’s price has jumped ninefold. He suggests taking a look at small-cap indium explorers Avalon Ventures (TSX: AVL) and Niblack Mining (TSX: NIB).

Tantalum (Ta) Atomic number 73 What do capacitors for mobile phones, laptops and playstations, pacemakers, hearing aids and bone replacements all have in common? The answer is tantalum. While young consumers snap up electronic goods, their elderly peers need more and more medical devices, which means demand, expected to grow by about 7% a year, according to the US Geological Survey, is solidly underpinned. Meanwhile, the US Defence and Logistics Agency, which was selling about 500,000lbs of tantalum a year from Cold War stockpiles, sold the last of its reserves in December. Global supply is now dominated by three countries: Australia (62%), Mozambique (14%) and Brazil (11%) and hampered by cutbacks at the biggest producer, Sons of Gwalia (ASX:AGW), which accounts for more than half of global production. Investors keen to get exposure to the metal could look at Aim-listed Gippsland (LSE:GIP). Resource Investor reckons that the potential from its stake in the Egyptian Abu Dabbab mine has been significantly underestimated and that the stock could double in price. Another Aim firm, Noventa (LSE:NVTA), has seen its share price rise by around 25% since listing earlier this year. It has promising opportunities in Mozambique and is headed by ex-Bateman Holdings chief executive John Herselman.

Chromium (Cr) Atomic number 24 Nickel is a key ingredient of stainless steel – but finding a substitute has become a concern for steelmakers. The price of the metal has hit record highs, trading at around$47,000 per metric tonne, amid soaring demand for steel to fuel China’s building boom. With recent estimates from metals research group Roskill suggesting that global steel output will rise by 25%by 2010, there’s little sign of relief in sight. Posco, the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker, aims to boost output of nickelfree steel fivefold next year, using chromium, which trades at $7,650 per metric tonne. David Fuller of Fullermoney says: “If chromium is a realistic substitute, the strength of nickel could help to push it to higher levels.” However, there are few pure plays on the metal – Brazil’s FrebasaFerro Ligas Bahia looks the best, but is not easily available to UK investors. However, Xstrata is a big producer of the metal (for more, see box overleaf).

Bismuth (Bi) Atomic number 83 Another metal that has left producers struggling with rising costs is zinc, which has hit $1.69 a pound in recent months – good news for bismuth producers. Using a tiny amount of the metal in galvanising can reduce the amount of zinc needed for the process by 30%-50%. Another factor driving the price higher is its use in leadfree solder, which is gaining ground as European regulations eliminate lead from electronics solders. Supply has also been squeezed, after China imposed export tariffs due to its own rising need for the metal. That has pushed the price to $10.85 a pound, twice the level of six months ago – but if zinc remains at current levels, the price of bismuth could go much further. Canada’s Fortune Miners (TSX:FT)has discovered sizeable reserves of bismuth at its NICO project in the Northwest Territories.

Molybdenum (Mo) Atomic number 42 “Moly” as miners call it, is the “wonder metal of the oil, gas, nuclear, coal and desalination industries”, says The Daily Telegraph. Prices have jumped tenfold in just a few years, but could have much further to go. That’s because moly is an important ingredient of high-strength, erosion-resistant steel used for missiles, aircraft parts, and – in particular – pipelines. Projects that look set to keep demand rising at a projected 6% a year include 100,000km of oil and gas pipelines waiting to be be built across the Baltics, Russia, China and Canada, plus huge pipeline replacement programs, like BP’s in Alaska. On top of this, nuclear reactors need 7% moly in the core, while corrosion-resistant pipes for desalination plants need 6%. There is plenty of moly ore around but Resource Investor estimates that global smelting and refining capacity is almost fully utilised. In the US, production has been hit by the environmental lobby, while China’s share of global moly output has fallen from 29% to 17% after a crackdown on pollution. Small wonder Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in The Telegraph reckons you should “pack a little moly into your pension fund”. Moly miners don’t come bigger than Blue Pearl Mining (TSE: BLE). With 5% of global output it is the “world’s largest publicly traded moly pure play” and looks reasonably priced on a p/e of 10. Canada’s Sprott Asset Management has launched a moly ETF, Sprott Molybdenum Participation (TSX: MLY), invested 75% in moly shares and 25% in the metal itself.

Titanium (Ti) Atomic number 22 Light, strong and corrosion resistant, titanium is a darling of the aerospace industry as airlines seek to cut fuel consumption. Demand from these users coupled with capacity constraints at the crucial melting stage of production have seen prices near-double in the past two years, while recent estimates from Macquarie Bank suggest titanium alloy consumption will double in the next 10 years. As a result, Bank of America sees the earning power of suppliers being boosted for another three years with “little investment into increasing supply”. Chris Olin at Longbow Securities believes the price will also be supported by “huge penetration into the oil and natural gas market”. Deep water platforms require a metal that is weather resistant and durable, making titanium an increasingly attractive alternative to steel. Mirabaud Securities tips Kenmare Resources (LSE: KMR), which accounts for 6% of titanium dioxide output (one source of titanium) from its Moma mine in Mozambique. Analyst Kuni Chen favours Titanium Metals (NYSE: TM)– less than half of forward sales are tied to fixed-price contracts, giving it more scope to profit from rising prices. Olin likes RTI Metals (NYSE:RTI), a titanium producer and component maker.

Vanadium (V) Atomic number 23 “Every human on the planet uses vanadium in their everyday life but few investors are familiar with it,” says Resource Investor. The metal is used to strengthen steel, create the best titanium alloys and to develop plastics, glass and dyes. Demand has risen by around 6% a year over the past three years. Crucially, the Chinese only use the metal at 50% of the intensity of western producers, which should help drive growth. Combine that with the fact that primary production in South Africa is close to capacity and the outlook for prices is good. Broker Patersons likes Precious Metals Australia (ASX:PMA), which controls the 5,000tonne capacity Windimurra mine. Its estimated long-run production cost of about $8.60 per kg leaves plenty of profit potential at current prices, which are expected to stabilise above $20. Casey Research prefers the combined vanadium and uranium producers such as Uranium Power Corporation (TSX:UPC) or Energy Metals Corporation (TSX: EMC). China’s construction boom will be good for metals “Pack a little moly into your pension fund” ©BLOOMBERG

 

The most sensible way to invest in a volatile sector

With the exception of molybdenum, for which an ETF is available (see overleaf), minor metals are not easy to invest in directly. Markets are often small and illiquid, with deals done directly between miners and users, which means prices are volatile and not always straightforward to monitor. It’s also important to remember that unlike precious metals, such as gold and silver, the prices for the likes of cobalt and bismuth are dictated mainly by industrial rather than investment demand, which means they are also more vulnerable to a downturn in the global economy. This risk can be offset to a certain extent by looking at the range of applications for a metal. For example, many of the metals listed here, including chromium and molybdenum, depend greatly on a healthy steel industry – so problems in that notoriously cyclical industry are likely to hammer prices. On the other hand, metals with a wider range of applications, such as tantalum, should be better placed to weather changes in the economic environment, even if one sector runs into problems. Substitution is another factor to be aware of – if nickel or zinc prices fall, then chromium and bismuth may not look as attractive to users. Metals which cannot be easily substituted, such as cobalt and ruthenium, are less likely to find themselves obsolete or overpriced. Perhaps the most sensible thing for investors to do is to diversify their exposure to minor metals. David Fuller of Fullermoney, for example, prefers the less-direct exposure offered by the likes of AAnnttooffaaggaassttaa ((LLSSEE:: AANNTTOO)), AAnngglloo--AAmmeerriiccaann ((LLSSEE:: AAAALL)) and XXssttrraattaa ((LLSSEE:: XXTTAA)). Xstrata in particular gives solid exposure to a number of the metals in this feature – it accounts for a third of global vanadium production; chromium is its fifthlargest metal by production; and it also has some exposure to molybdenum. Trading on a forward p/e of 8.7, it looks good value to us. Fuller also tips the MMeerrrriillll LLyynncchh WWoorrlldd MMiinniinngg TTrruusstt ((MMLLWW))as a solid diversified bet. It offers some molybdenum exposure, but without the volatility. The trust currently trades at a 9% discount.

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(these might be worth a look):

Indium (In)

-used in flat-screen monitors and televisions.

Luke Burgess of Goldworld.com, which explains why in the past five years indium’s price has jumped ninefold. He suggests taking a look at small-cap indium explorers

 

Avalon Ventures (TSX: AVL) and

Niblack Mining (TSX: NIB).

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  • 13 years later...

First Cobalt news

FCC.t / First Cobalt ... 10yr: 5yr-L: 3yr-L: 1yr: 10d/ Last: $0.215 + 0.075, +53%, Day.H: $0.27

V83BQZ6.gif

=== NEWS

Date ET Symbol Price Type Headline
2020-12-16 C:FCC 0.14 News Release First Cobalt receives $10M funding from Cdn gov't
2020-12-16 C:FCC 0.14 Resume Trading First Cobalt to resume at 9:30 a.m. PT
2020-12-15 C:FCC 0.14 Halt Trading First Cobalt halted at 7:29 a.m. PT
2020-11-30 C:FCC 0.125 SEDAR Interim Financial Statements SEDAR Interim Financial Statements
2020-11-30 C:FCC 0.125 SEDAR MD & A SEDAR MD & A
2020-11-30 C:FCC 0.125 News Release First Cobalt begins geophysics survey
2020-11-27 C:FCC 0.125 News Release First Cobalt files final prospectus for securities
2020-11-26 11:57 C:FCC 0.125 SEDAR Final Short Form Prospectus SEDAR Final Short Form Prospectus
2020-11-23 C:FCC 0.13 News Release First Cobalt files preliminary base shelf prospectus
2020-11-20 C:FCC 0.135 SEDAR Audited Annual Financial Statements SEDAR Audited Annual Financial Statements
2020-11-20 C:FCC 0.135 SEDAR Interim Financial Statements SEDAR Interim Financial Statements
2020-11-20 C:FCC 0.135 SEDAR Interim Financial Statements SEDAR Interim Financial Statements
2020-11-20 C:FCC 0.135 SEDAR MD & A SEDAR MD & A

===

First Cobalt shares skyrocket on $10 million government investment news

First Cobalt (TSX-V: FCC; OTCQX: FTSSF) today announced that it has signed contribution agreements and will be the recipient of $10 million in public funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

According to the company’s statement, this critical funding will allow First Cobalt to accelerate the commissioning and expansion of its refinery in Northern Ontario, attract new investment, and execute against its strategic business plan.

The Government of Canada will provide $5 million interest-free loan, through the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario. The Government of Ontario will provide $5 million non-repayable grant, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. This combined strategic investment, totaling $10 million, will enable First Cobalt to recommission and expand its cobalt refinery north of Toronto

Once complete, the facility will be the first of its kind in North America, capable of producing 25,000 tonnes of battery-grade cobalt sulfate annually, which could represent five percent of the global market for refined cobalt.

First Cobalt shares went up 50% this morning and upward trajectory continues.

 

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CCAT02331 WT FIRST COBALT 33L 05FEB22 Maturity Date: 02/05/2022

First Cobalt Announces Private Placement

TORONTO, ON — (January 22, 2020) – First Cobalt Corp. (TSX-V: FCC; OTCQX: FTSSF) (the “Company”) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of up to 10,715,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company at a price of $0.14 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the “Offering”). The Company has received a commitment from a strategic investor to subscribe for $750,000 of the Units in the Offering. 

Each Unit issued pursuant to the Offering will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional Common Share at a price of $0.21 for a period of two years. The Warrants are subject to accelerated expiry if the closing price of the common shares of the Company is equal to or greater than $0.37 per share for a period of ten consecutive trading days, in which case the Company will have the option, but not the obligation, to accelerate the expiry to 20 calendar days from the date of notice.

> source: https://www.firstcobalt.com/news/news/first-cobalt-announces-private-placement

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