| Click on blue article title to read full story. | | | | Cobalt | | | | Metal Bulletin - January 26, 2018 The following Metal Bulletin minor metals prices changed on Friday January 26: Minor metals Bismuth MB China domestic, yuan/tonne: 70,500-71,000 yuan per tonne from 69,000-71,000 yuan Cobalt MB free market high grade, $ Cobalt MB free market high grade, $/lb: $37.20-38.40 per lb from $37-38.05 | | Morningstar - January 29, 2018 By Myra P. Saefong, MarketWatch The two metals face long-term supply constraints as batteries for smartphones and electric vehicles boom... vehicles boom The outlook for lithium continues to shine, even as lithium-related stocks started off the year on a sour note.Cobalt Cobalt should also benefit. Both metals are key components in lithium-ion batteries, used in everything from electric vehicles to cell phones and laptops. With electric vehicle sales “growing at double-digit compound growth rates and the costs of renewable energy continuing its deflationary cost crash, the raw materials critical for the lithium-ion battery are in the early stages of a growth cycle that may continue well into the next decade,” says Chris Berry…MEANWHILE, COBALT suffers from a much tighter supply situation than lithium. Cobalt is at risk of “tipping into the totally unavailable category, such as cannot-get-it-for-love-or-money,” says Hallgarten mining strategist Christopher Ecclestone…Lithium-ion batteries account for more than 50% of annual global production of cobalt and are forecast to exceed 60% by 2020…In China, prices for cobalt sulphate, a major feedstock for the battery industry, rose 78% in 2017, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence analyst Caspar Rawles. “As with lithium, the price rises in cobalt have been driven by a lack of raw materials,” he says. “We are still really in the early stages of this growth in battery demand.” | | Unknown - January 29, 2018 The once-obscure material is valued for its ability to withstand the heat generated by lithium-ion batteries …to take advantage of a surge in cobalt demand largely fueled by auto makers trying to lock down supplies of an essential ingredient for their coming electric-vehicle fleets…Glencore Chief Executive Ivan Glasenberg says he believes there will ultimately be a shortage of cobalt as electric vehicles become more widely adopted unless a major new supply is discovered. The world’s biggest car makers are plowing cash into EVs. Ford Motor Co. recently said it plans to spend $11 billion on EVs by 2022. General Motors Co., Toyota Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG, among others, are aggressively ramping up their spending on EVs…“Our cobalt trader is very much in demand right now,” Mr. Glasenberg told reporters in December. | | | | | Congo | | | | The East African - January 27, 2018 DR Congo President Joseph Kabila has stood by the timetable for delayed elections despite demands that he step down ahead of the poll. "We...... issues new call for peace in DR Congo UN pushes DRC to investigate crackdown on protesters DR Congo opposition now wants interim govt before During the rare two-hour press conference, in which Kabila made an opening statement then answered questions, he did not respond specifically when asked if he plans to stand for a third term in office — something that is outlawed by the constitution…The authorities late last year postponed the election until December 23, 2018, citing what they said were logistical problems in preparing for the vote. Since then, there has been a string of rallies demanding his departure, each of which has been repressed by the security forces…Kabila said he would soon introduce a law to "reframe" the right to protest for "those who wish to express themselves."…Kabila said Friday the relationship between the government and the UN mission was troubled by a "misunderstanding." | | Mondiaal Nieuws - January 26, 2018 Kris Berwouts presented “Congo’s violent peace”, a lecture, at IOB Conference “Pathways to peace and drivers of democracy in the DRC” –... laws and programmes for more controls on mining to prevent the trade in conflictminerals from the DRC. Of course, the 1990s did not create Many countries are very concerned about the impact of a possible implosion of Congo on their own national stability and on the larger continental situation…Important developments are taking place in Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa, the three most loyal partners of Kabila until not so long ago. It is a bit early for an exact understanding of the consequences of these current events…I have absolutely no talent for pessimism but at this moment it is not easy to keep my natural optimism: Congo remains and will continue to be a roller coaster of events and emotions where one should always expect the unexpected. The peace process and the Third Republic installed institutions which were not very operational but gave some structure to the state. Outside the major cities, however, the state does not have the capability of addressing the old issues of identity and land, and cannot react effectively to the increasing incidents and tensions. The immediate future looks bleak for Congo. But I refuse fatalism. I am convinced there are enough responsible, competent and committed leaders in the different corners of Congo’s political landscape who have essential contributions to make in the difference in a process towards stability and governance, despite the current depressing dominance of mediocrity, opportunism and maintained kleptocracy. I continue to hope they will find each other and set an agenda for change. | | | | |