Cobalt occurs as a metal mining byproduct - mainly copper, zinc, etc. -, 80% of the world production is centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - which is neither democratic nor a republic, or a state. (It's claim to fame is perpetual genocides, an endless civil war, accompanied with abject poverty.)
70% of cobalt refining capacity accompanied with worldwide cobalt mining interests is held by China. In short, the DRC has the cobalt and China owns the DRC.
The market recently became awash with the metal and prices promptly collapsed to multi-year lows. However, ...
... what about the "EV revolution"? ... (Which, I contend, is pure fiction on the scale as it is being imagined or rather, fantasized. But that's a longer story.)
The fundamental factors - i.e. the physics/chemistry - remain the same;
Lithium, the main component in almost every kind of electricity storage apparatus - i.e. batteries - is one of the least energy dense metal in the periodic table of elements. (Look at it's electron configuration and it will be immediately clear.) A pure lithium battery would be as effective as pissing into the wind. I.e. Lithium must be alloyed with something, most commonly with cobalt.
Long story short, there are two (2) potential plays here;
1) Glencore (OTC:GLNCY) - Long; The main chart; Watch for that Double-top at $14, though!
2) China Molybdenum (OTC:CMCLF) - Long; Should one trust the Chinese? ... (Might care to factor that in!)
70% of cobalt refining capacity accompanied with worldwide cobalt mining interests is held by China. In short, the DRC has the cobalt and China owns the DRC.
The market recently became awash with the metal and prices promptly collapsed to multi-year lows. However, ...
... what about the "EV revolution"? ... (Which, I contend, is pure fiction on the scale as it is being imagined or rather, fantasized. But that's a longer story.)
The fundamental factors - i.e. the physics/chemistry - remain the same;
Lithium, the main component in almost every kind of electricity storage apparatus - i.e. batteries - is one of the least energy dense metal in the periodic table of elements. (Look at it's electron configuration and it will be immediately clear.) A pure lithium battery would be as effective as pissing into the wind. I.e. Lithium must be alloyed with something, most commonly with cobalt.
Long story short, there are two (2) potential plays here;
1) Glencore (OTC:GLNCY) - Long; The main chart; Watch for that Double-top at $14, though!
2) China Molybdenum (OTC:CMCLF) - Long; Should one trust the Chinese? ... (Might care to factor that in!)