Cobalt Demand Projected to Increase Due to Growing Demand for Rechargeable Batteries

NEW YORK, September 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The lithium ion battery market is expected to grow in value over the coming years. Cobalt is one of the main compounds implemented into rechargeable batteries, and it is a market that is facing a supply shortage. According to a report by Transparency Market Research, the growth of the global cobalt market can be attributed to the rising demand for lightweight electric cars, which are becoming more popular and reliable. A research by Markets and Markets projects that the lithium ion battery market is expected to be valued at USD 68.97 Billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 16.6% between 2016 and 2022. LiCo Energy Metals Inc (OTC: WCTXF), eCobalt Solutions Inc. (OTC: ECSIF), First Cobalt Corp (OTC: FTSSF), Glencore PLC (OTC: GLNCY), Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF)

Consultants CRU Group Senior Consultant, Edward Spencer explained, "In terms of overall demand, EVs (electric vehicles) only consumed around 6.5 percent of refined cobalt in 2016. This will increase to 16.9 percent in 2021 helping lift demand to nearly 130,000 tonnes. We expect a deficit in the region of 900 tonnes this year. However, a far larger deficit could open quickly if mine and refinery capacity growth fails to keep pace," Reuters reported. Analysts at Macquarie Research estimated significant cobalt deficits by the end of the decade - 3,205 tonnes in 2019 and 5,340 tonnes in 2020. "Cobalt has limited new supply projects coming through. Meanwhile refined output in key supply countries such as Australia, Russia and Zambia are well down on levels seen a decade ago," Macquarie analyst, Colin Hamilton said according to Reuters.

LiCo Energy Metals Inc (OTCQB: WCTXF) is also listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker 'LIC'. Earlier today announced that, "it has entered into a property Purchase Agreement effective August 31st, 2017 with Glencore Canada Corporation (subsidiary of Glencore plc) ("Glencore") of Baar Switzerland, LSE: GLEN to acquire a 100% interest in mining rights patent #585 (the "Glencore property") situated in Bucke Township, 6 km east-northeast of Cobalt, Ontario. The Purchase Agreement includes a back-in provision, production royalty and an off-take agreement in favor of Glencore." 

Glencore is one of the world's largest producers of cobalt as a result of by-products created from its copper assets in the DRC and nickel assets in Australia, Canada and Norway. "We are very excited to acquire this strategic Canadian property from Glencore. The property is conveniently located adjacent to our current Teledyne Cobalt property, and this purchase agreement allows LiCo to expand upon one of Glencore's longstanding Canadian cobalt assets. If all goes as planned, we could be selling all our cobalt produced back to Glencore in the future. It is a property sale, but we have also found a significant future customer," states Tim Fernback, LiCo's President & CEO. 

Strategically, the Glencore property consists of 16.2 hectares and sits along the west boundary of LiCo's Teledyne Cobalt Project that covers the southern extension of the former producing 15 Vein on the past-producing Agaunico Mine Property. Historically, the Agaunico Mine produced 4,350,000 lbs. of cobalt and 980,000 oz. of silver during the mining boom of the early 1900's (Cunningham-Dunlop, 1979). 

In the early 80's the Glencore property was explored by 36 surface diamond drill holes totaling 3,323 m. The drilling program outlined two separate vein systems hosting significant cobalt and silver values. The two zones are known as the Main Zone, measuring 152.4 m in length, and the Northwest Zone, measuring 70.0 m in length. The Main Zone had a north-south strike, which is hypothesized as the southern extension of the #3 vein from the Cobalt Contact Mine located immediately to the north of lease #585 (Bresee, 1982). Additional work was recommended but never completed due to a downturn in cobalt prices at the time.

"We are delighted to add this Glencore property to our land position in Canada. By adding drill indicated cobalt mineralization from the Glencore property with similar mineralization as that found at our nearby Teledyne property, we have greatly enhanced LiCo's potential for finding an economic cobalt deposit. I am looking forward with great interest to seeing the results of the upcoming drill programs scheduled for both the Glencore and Teledyne properties this fall," commented Mr. Dwayne Melrose, Director and Head of the Technical Advisory Board of LiCo."

eCobalt Solutions Inc. (OTCQB: ECSIF) is committed to providing ethically produced and environmentally sound battery grade cobalt salts, essential for the rapidly growing rechargeable battery and renewable energy sectors, made safely, responsibly, and transparently in the United States. On August 09, 2017, the company provided an update on its Feasibility Study and recently initiated pre-construction activities on its 100% owned Idaho Cobalt Project in anticipation of final FS receipt expected later in September. Paul Farquharson, President & CEO of eCobalt commented, "We are encouraged by the recent progress and preliminary results of the Feasibility Study. As we anticipate results to be filed in September, we are fast tracking key pre-construction activities at the mine site this fall in preparation for the expected recommencement of construction in 2018 after project financing is completed." He continued, "The recent addition of Floyd Varley, COO, and LLee Chapman, VP Administration has proven instrumental in the advancement of the Idaho Cobalt Project towards these pivotal goals."

First Cobalt Corp (OTC: FTSSF) is focused on building a diversified global portfolio of assets that are highly leveraged to the cobalt market. Recently, the company announced the addition of Jason Rickard, MSc., P.Geo. to the new position of Exploration Manager for the Ontario Cobalt Camp. Jason was previously a Senior Geologist for Goldcorp Inc., managing a 100,000+ metre drill program at their Borden Project in Ontario and leading the regional exploration program. This is a key addition to the exploration team as the merger transactions with Cobalt One and CobalTech will give First Cobalt a dominant land position in the Cobalt Camp and provide several additional targets for follow up.

Glencore PLC (OTC: GLNCY) is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 90 commodities. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites, oil production assets and agricultural facilities. Recently, the company announced the 2017 Half-Year Report. Glencore's Chief Executive Officer, Ivan Glasenberg, commented, "As we look forward, the potential large-scale roll out of electric vehicles and energy storage systems looks set to unlock material new sources of demand for enabling underlying commodities, including copper, cobalt, zinc and nickel. Our portfolio of Tier 1 commodities underpins our ambition to create significant long-term value for Glencore shareholders."

Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) operates a large-scale copper-cobalt mine complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo through two joint ventures, Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and DRC Copper and Cobalt Project (DCP). KCC and DCP operate on adjacent properties in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are working to create a major single-site copper and cobalt operation. KCC and DCP are engaged in the exploration, refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Kamoto/Dima mining complex and the KOV copper and cobalt mine, respectively in the DRC. All assets and operations of Katanga Mining Limited are located in the Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a vast country with immense economic resources, including an estimated 10% of the world's copper and 50% of its cobalt.

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