Battery minerals are the current commodity darlings of the mining industry with the hype regarding predicted demand (and associated pricing) reaching new heights in 2017 and 2018. This hype is largely driven by the nascent electric vehicle market and the expectation that electric vehicles, powered by lithium ion batteries, will replace the existing hydrocarbon-based transportation market. Based on these expectations, developers are now constructing new mines around the world with further investment flooding into early stage exploration and development projects.
How real are these estimates of future demand and is the hype justified? This presentation evaluates potential demand scenarios for lithium ion batteries, including the potential impact of electric vehicles. It will cover the key commodities that are utilized in these batteries, with a focus on lithium and cobalt, and implications for future demand, supply and prices.
