In a recent Investor.Coffee interview conducted by Tracy Weslosky, Ian Fraser, CEO, VP Exploration, and Director of Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI | OTCQB: FNICF) discusses the growing interest from the market in both Fathom and nickel as a critical mineral.

Despite minor delays due to unusual weather conditions, Fathom Nickel is optimistic about their winter exploration program and the commencement of their drilling schedule. The company has initiated geophysical studies to refine their drilling targets, focusing on areas near the historic Rottenstone mine and the potential for discovering mineralization zones.

Ian also discussed the global nickel market, noting the challenges faced by junior nickel explorers in the latter part of 2023. However, he remains positive about the shift towards nickel sourced from safe jurisdictions, emphasizing the environmental issues associated with laterite nickel deposits. Ian mentioned the growing interest in Fathom Nickel’s exploration activities, bolstered by community engagement and investor inquiries. The company aims to continue spreading their story globally, leveraging the momentum from their drilling program to attract further attention. Lastly, Ian confirmed Fathom Nickel’s participation in upcoming industry events, including PDAC, highlighting the team’s proactive approach to sharing their progress and engaging with the broader mining community. To access the complete interview, click here

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About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market.

The Company now has a portfolio of two high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan: 1) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone deposit (produced high-grade Ni-Cu+PGE, 1965-1969), and 2) the 22,000+ hectare Gochager Lake Project that is host to a historic, NI43-101 non-compliant open pit resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu².

1 – The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID#0950) Tremblay-Olson Ni-Cu Deposit or Showing.

2 – The Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index (SMID#0880) reports drill indicated reserves at the historic Gochager Lake Deposit of 4,262,400 tons grading 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu mineable by open pit. Fathom cannot confirm the resource estimate, nor the parameters and methods used to prepare the reserve estimate. The estimate is not considered NI43-101 compliant and further work is required to verify this historical drill indicated reserve.

To know more about Fathom Nickel Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Fathom Nickel Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

In a recent interview on Investor.Coffee with host Tracy Weslosky, Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel Inc. (TSXV: PNPN | OTCQB: PNPNF), shared insights into the company’s ambitious 2024 drilling program at the Nisk Project in Nemaska, Quebec. Terry highlighted the use of Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) in generating actionable data for identifying potential resource-rich nickel targets. This innovative method has led to the identification of four distinct areas with ANT signatures similar to the Nisk Main target, bolstering the company’s potential to discover additional nickel sulfide deposits.

Nisk, which stands out for its high-grade nickel-copper sulphide deposit, is enriched with multiple critical minerals including Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Palladium, and Platinum. Power Nickel is making strides to increase its ownership stake in the Nisk project, with a goal to elevate its stake from 50% to 80% through their option plan. This significant move was facilitated by the recent delivery of the NI 43-101 report, marking a pivotal development in the project’s advancement.

Terry also discussed Power Nickel’s collaboration with CVMR in conducting a feasibility study on the Nisk Project. This partnership aims to achieve significantly higher metal recoveries, potentially up to 90%, surpassing the typical industry benchmark of 70%. CVMR’s unique approach also turns iron, usually deemed as waste, into a valuable iron powder product, thereby improving the project’s economic viability.

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About Power Nickel Inc.

Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nickel Nisk project into Canada’s first Carbon Neutral nickel mine.

On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE: TSXV). Subsequently, Power Nickel has exercised its option to acquire 50% of the Nisk Project and delivered notice to Critical Elements that it intends to exercise its second option to bring its ownership to 80%. The last remaining commitment to activate this exercise is delivering a NI 43-101 Technical Report, which is anticipated to completed in January.

The NISK property comprises a significant land position (20 kilometers of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the historical high-grade nickel-copper PGM mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential Nickel deposits.

In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related public vehicle through a plan of arrangement.

Power Nickel announced on June 8, 2021, that an agreement had been made to complete the 100% acquisition of its Golden Ivan project in the heart of the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle has reported mineral resources (past production and current resources) in 130 million ounces of gold, 800 million ounces of silver, and 40 billion pounds of copper (Resource World). This property hosts two known mineral showings (Gold Ore and Magee) and a portion of the past-producing Silverado mine, reportedly exploited between 1921 and 1939. These mineral showings are Polymetallic veins containing quantities of silver, lead, zinc, plus/minus gold, plus/minus copper.

Power Nickel is also 100% owner of five properties comprising over 50,000 acres strategically located in the prolific iron-oxide-copper-gold belt of northern Chile. It also owns a 3-per-cent NSR royalty interest on any future production from the Copaquire copper-molybdenum deposit sold to a subsidiary of Teck Resources Inc. Under the terms of the sale agreement, Teck has the right to acquire one-third of the 3-per-cent NSR for $3 million at any time. The Copaquire property borders Teck’s producing Quebrada Blanca copper mine in Chile’s first region.

To learn more about Power Nickel Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Power Nickel Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

The recent Future Minerals Forum (FMF) event in Riyadh has been a groundbreaking affair, especially through the lens of Christopher Ecclestone from Hallgarten + Company, a seasoned speaker at this event for the past three years. Ecclestone’s depiction of the event as “epic” captures both its grand scale and the significant shift in its thematic focus towards more sustainable and strategic practices. This year, the event diverged from its traditional path, emphasizing a nuanced approach that Ecclestone described as a movement from quantity to “quality over quantity.”

The Financial Landscape: Big Moves and Strategic Investments

A pivotal aspect of the event, as highlighted by Ecclestone, was its financial dynamics. He recalled last year’s significant investment in Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (NYSE American: IE | TSX: IE) and drew attention to this year’s major development involving Surefire Resources NL (ASX: SRN), an Australian vanadium developer. This announcement is particularly noteworthy, marking Surefire’s plan to ship its Victory Bore vanadium-titanium magnetite concentrate to Saudi Arabia for refining. The arrangement with the Saudi-based Ajlan & Bros Mining and Metals Company not only signifies an investment into Victory Bore but also underlines the strategic collaboration aimed at joint development and downstream processing. This deal is a testament to the robust and dynamic investment landscape within the mining sector, indicating a strategic shift towards partnerships that leverage regional advantages and technological advancements.

Saudi Arabia’s Cautious Foray into Mining

Ecclestone shed light on Saudi Arabia’s growing engagement in the mining sector. The country is cautiously yet strategically approaching large-scale mining ventures. This deliberate and calculated approach is evidenced by the activities of Ma’aden, the largest mining company in Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1997, Ma’aden exemplifies the nation’s ambition in harnessing its mineral resources. The company’s significant ventures, such as the $10.8 billion aluminum complex agreement with Alcoa, showcase its expansive capabilities and strategic intent in the global mining arena. Ma’aden’s focus, which initially centered on gold mining, has diversified into multiple minerals, reflecting the kingdom’s broader vision for its mining sector.

Shifting Focus: Battery Metals and Green Transition

Ecclestone noted a marked shift in the event’s focus towards battery metals and the green transition, more pronounced this year than in previous events. However, there was a notable avoidance of geopolitical discussions, suggesting a strategic decision to focus on industry growth and sustainability rather than delve into contentious global politics.

Skepticism and Realism in Valuation

In his assessment of the Saudi mining sector, Ecclestone expressed skepticism regarding the high valuation of unexplored resources. This cautious stance introduces a realistic perspective to the generally optimistic industry outlook.

In Conclusion

The Future Minerals Forum event in Riyadh stands as a harbinger of change in the mining and investment sectors. Christopher Ecclestone’s insights paint a picture of an industry at a crossroads, embracing strategic growth and sustainable practices while remaining mindful of the challenges ahead. The event not only reflects the current state of the mining world but also signals the direction of its future development.

Edison Lithium Corp. (TSXV: EDDY | OTCQB: EDDYF), a forward-looking player in the evolving battery metals market, is pivoting towards Sodium-Ion battery technology, as detailed in a comprehensive report by Hallgarten + Company. This strategic shift comes amidst a surge in demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) and a heightened focus on sustainable and efficient energy storage solutions.

In 2021, Edison Lithium expanded into the Lithium salares in Argentina, a move aligning with the country’s emergence as a major lithium producer, often referred to as the “Saudi Arabia of Lithium.” This venture proved lucrative when Edison sold 80% of its Lithium package for triple the purchase price, while retaining key assets. The sale aligns with the company’s strategic pivot towards sodium-ion technology and the broader market trend of seeking alternatives to lithium-ion formulations, driven by concerns over the environmental impact and long-term viability of lithium-based batteries.

The report emphasizes the increasing interest in sodium-ion batteries, partly due to their potential for reducing the carbon footprint compared to lithium-ion batteries. Edison Lithium’s recent endeavors include acquiring concessions for sodium sulphate in Saskatchewan, Canada, through a deal with Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. This acquisition positions Edison at the forefront of the sodium-ion battery supply chain.

Sodium-ion batteries, while not new, have gained renewed interest due to the rising costs and environmental concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries. These batteries use sodium ions as charge carriers and offer advantages like lower production costs and abundance of sodium, especially from brines. However, challenges such as lower energy density and limited charge-discharge cycles hinder their mass adoption.

Major industry players like Northvolt AB, Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA), China’s BYD Co. Ltd. (OTC: BYDDF), and startups like Peak Energy are exploring sodium-ion technologies, primarily for stationary applications. Northvolt, for instance, has developed a sodium-ion cell with energy density comparable to lithium iron phosphate cells, indicating potential for broader applications in the future.

The report highlights the geological and historical context of sodium sulphate mining in Saskatchewan, which dates back to 1918. The region’s unique geology, featuring shallow hypersaline lakes and extensive sedimentary rock formations, has facilitated the accumulation of sodium sulphate deposits. These natural resources could play a pivotal role in Edison Lithium’s pursuit of sodium-ion battery technology.

In summary, Edison Lithium’s strategic shift towards sodium-ion battery technology represents a significant move in the evolving landscape of battery metals. This pivot not only aligns with global trends towards more sustainable energy solutions but also positions the company to capitalize on the abundant resources and growing market interest in sodium-ion technologies. The Hallgarten + Company report underscores Edison Lithium’s proactive approach to adapting to changing market dynamics, ensuring its relevance and competitiveness in the burgeoning field of battery technology.

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (OTC: BMWYY)), the prominent German automaker, is currently investigating a Moroccan cobalt supplier, Managem, following a report that raised serious concerns over labor and environmental violations at a cobalt mine in Morocco. The report, which surfaced in the German daily newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, in collaboration with broadcasters NDR and WDR, alleged that the mining operations at Bou Azzer, southern Morocco, were releasing excessive arsenic levels into the environment. This revelation has significant implications given the critical role of cobalt in manufacturing electric car batteries, a market in which BMW is a key player.

The primary issue highlighted in the report is the alarming levels of arsenic detected in water samples from the vicinity of the mine. This finding is concerning, as arsenic, a naturally occurring element, is known for its toxic properties. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe health issues, including chronic poisoning, skin lesions, and cancer, as per the World Health Organization. Additionally, there were claims of Managem not adhering to international standards for worker protection and its actions against critical trade unions. These allegations contradict Managem’s stance, which asserts adherence to high environmental and labor standards.

Responding to these allegations, BMW has taken immediate steps to seek clarity and has initiated investigations. A spokesperson for BMW mentioned that they had contacted Managem, requesting additional information and emphasizing the need for corrective action if any misconduct was found. BMW’s approach underscores the increasing scrutiny by major corporations on their supply chains, especially concerning environmental and labor practices.

This situation is not isolated to BMW or Managem. The global cobalt supply chain has faced ongoing challenges. A large portion of the world’s cobalt reserves are in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the mining sector has been plagued by issues of child labor and poor working conditions. In a bid to adhere to higher ethical standards, BMW has stopped sourcing cobalt from Congo and now relies on supplies from Morocco and Australia. The company has also planned audits at the Bou Azzer mine to assess social and environmental standards, which will guide their future decisions on the partnership.

Managem, a company majority-owned by the Moroccan monarchy and operating in several African countries, has refuted the allegations. It stated that an audit of its water supplies showed no irregularities and emphasized its commitment to the highest industry standards in terms of quality, safety, and environmental respect. The company also highlighted the absence of arsenic-related illnesses in the mine area, further backing its claims of compliance.

The automotive industry, particularly in the electric vehicle segment, is undergoing a significant transformation. Automakers like BMW are vying to secure supplies of critical minerals like cobalt while also ensuring that their supply chains adhere to stringent labor and environmental standards. This incident with Managem not only highlights the complexities involved in ethical sourcing but also the increasing pressure on multinational corporations to ensure responsible practices throughout their supply chains. As the demand for electric vehicles grows, so does the need for transparency and sustainability in the procurement of essential raw materials.

Lithium demand continues to surge each year, despite some year on year (“YoY’) volatility in demand and prices. In 2021 the IEA forecast lithium demand to increase from 13x to 42x from 2020 to 2040. Trend Investing forecasts lithium demand to increase 35x from 2020 to 2037 as we move to a 100% electric vehicle world. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO | LSE: RIO) forecasts that the world will need 60 new lithium mines the size of Jadar. BMI forecasts that we will need 78 new lithium mines from 2022 to 2035.

The massive demand wave coming for lithium makes for a perfect royalty play in the sector. The key advantage of royalty companies is broad exposure to many companies’ potential revenue streams. Today’s company gives investors exposure to 32 royalties across 7 countries.

Lithium Royalty Corp. (TSX: LIRC) (“LRC”)

LRC is a pure-play battery metal royalty company with a focus on lithium royalties. LRC has been steadily acquiring royalties since 2018 with a focus on safe mining jurisdictions. The large majority are lithium royalties in mines/projects located in South America, Canada, and Australia (see charts below).

Lithium Royalty Corp. (“LRC”) global portfolio of 32 royalties with a focus on lithium

LRC lithium royalty revenues with more set to potentially come online in the near term

Looking at the list in the chart above we see that LRC already has several revenue streams from key lithium producers including Allkem Limited‘s (ASX: AKE | TSX: AKE) Mt Cattlin Mine, Core Lithium Limited‘s (ASX: CXO) Finniss Mine, and SIGMA Lithium Corporation‘s (NASDAQ: SGML | TSXV: SGML) Grota do Cirilo Mine plus others potentially to follow in the near term including Zijin Mining Group‘s Tres Quebradas Project, Ganfeng Lithium Group‘s Mariana Project, and Delta Lithium Limited‘s (ASX: DLI) Yinnetharra Project.

Also, all going well, by ~2027 Winsome Resources Ltd.‘s (ASX: WR1) Cancet and Adina Projects (potential ~50Mt resource in the making) look very promising based on drill results so far, as does Sayona Mining Limited‘s (ASX: SYA | OTCQB: SYAXF) Moblan JV which already has a Total Resource of 51.4Mt @ 1.31% Li2O. Both projects are in Canada.

LRC’s portfolio is advancing well with 20% in production

LRC’s portfolio has grown since 2018 to now include 32 royalties.

Country exposure of the LRC portfolio is South America (42%), Canada (30%), Australia (14%), USA (9%), and Europe (4%). This would be considered a safe mix of countries, noting the South America exposure is mostly Argentina and Brazil.

Portfolio value is nicely diversified with 42% of the portfolio in the others category. The largest holding by value is the Zijin Mining’s Tres Quebradas Project (25%); however, the next largest is only at 11%.

LRC’s royalty portfolio has good long-life assets averaging 19 years.

Hard rock spodumene assets dominate the portfolio at 52% which is seen as a positive considering they are usually faster and cheaper to bring into production than other lithium projects.

20% of the LRC royalty portfolio is already in production, 35% are in the construction stage, and 45% are in the development stage.

The overall quality of the portfolio looks solid with most companies standing a good chance at being producers by 2030.

A summary of LRC’s royalty portfolio characteristics

Source: LRC company presentation

Some advantages of royalty companies include – Diversification across a large portfolio is much lower risk than just owning a few lithium miners and exposure to the underlying commodity price (lithium) with minimal project execution risk.

LRC’s Q2, 2023 financial results

LRC announced Q2, 2023 results on August 14, 2023, which included royalty revenue up 98%, gross profit up 280%, and a small loss of C$0.02 per basic share. LRC’s royalty income for Q2 was C$838k. The announcement gives a lot more details on their royalty portfolio, including the newer acquisitions, and mentions a new credit agreement with the National Bank of Canada for C$25 million.

Closing remarks

The lithium boom looks to be very well established and still has about 2 decades to run as the world transitions to sustainable energy (energy storage with Li-ion batteries) and electric vehicles.

Buying a lithium royalty portfolio is a safer way to gain broad exposure to a number of companies. The main risk is that if the royalty portfolio companies don’t make it to production. Valuation is not an easy task so investors may need to rely on analyst’s price targets.

Lithium Royalty Corp. trades on a market cap of C$688 million. The August 2023 company presentation stated LRC’s net asset value at C$1,061 million.

LRC looks like a good quality royalty play on lithium. The key will be lithium prices and how the underlying portfolio of companies perform. Stay tuned.

In this InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky talks with CBLT Inc.’s (TSXV: CBLT) CEO, President, and Director Peter Clausi to discuss the critical minerals sector, and Tracy secures an update on how CBLT’s ongoing M&A strategy is progressing.

In this interview, Peters starts with an update on the Big Duck Lake property, an area, traditionally explored for gold, is currently being tested for the presence of zinc. He then offers an update on CBLT’s recent acquisition of the formerly producing Falcon Gold Mine in Sudbury, Ontario. The Falcon Gold Mine is located adjacent to two sections of CBLT’s Copper Prince property claims, meaning CBLT has reunited title to the Garson Fault.

Other highlights included the recent dividends paid to CBLT shareholders from Ciscom Corp. shares, Peter finishes the conversation offering an update on its Shatford Lake lithium project that it is exploring.

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About CBLT Inc.

CBLT Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a proven leadership team, targeting lithium, cobalt, and gold in reliable mining jurisdictions. CBLT is well-poised to deliver real value to its shareholders.

To learn more about CBLT Inc., click here

Disclaimer: CBLT Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions about the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].

During an interview between Troy Grant, Founder, CEO and Director of Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. (TSXV: ERA), and Tracy Weslosky from InvestorIntel, several key points were discussed surrounding Elcora’s manganese and vanadium milestones towards production. Troy confirmed that Elcora is currently selling manganese and has successfully shipped trial shipments to two customers. Preparing for shipments to four additional customers, Elcora’s ultimate goal is to become a fully vertically integrated battery material supplier.

Troy emphasized the importance of their manganese assets in Morocco and their aim to generate cash flow from them. The demand for manganese is strong, and they are focused on meeting that demand as quickly as possible. He explained that the percentage of manganese in the product determines its pricing, with higher percentages commanding higher prices. Elcora’s target is to build a production plant capable of producing 20,000 tons of manganese per month. They estimate that it will take 8 to 12 months to reach this level of production.

The discussion also touched upon Elcora’s vanadium production. Troy mentioned that they have been working with Dr. Ian Flint to complete a preliminary assessment on their vanadium assets in Morocco. The initial test results for their vanadium concentrate product are positive, and they are currently testing it with smelters in Europe and Asia. If the results are encouraging, they could start generating cash flow from vanadium production within six months.

Troy expressed optimism about the future, stating that they expect encouraging news regarding vanadium production and the commissioning of the manganese production plant in the next quarter. Overall, Troy’s update showcased Elcora’s progress and their focus on meeting the demand for manganese and exploring the potential of vanadium production for the Company.

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About Elcora Advanced Materials Corp.

Elcora was founded in 2011 and has been structured to become a vertically integrated battery material company. Elcora can process, refine, and produce battery related minerals and metals. As part of the vertical integration strategy Elcora has developed a cost-effective process to purify high-quality battery metals and minerals that are commercially scalable. This combination means that Elcora has the tools and resources for vertical integration of the battery minerals and metals industry.

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Disclaimer: Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp. (IIC) does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken,  as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

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In an interview with Tracy Weslosky from InvestorIntel, Ian Fraser, P.Geo, CEO, VP Exploration and Director of Fathom Nickel Inc. (CSE: FNI | OTCQB: FNICF), discussed the promising prospects of their two key nickel projects located in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Albert Lake project and the Gochager Lake project are seen as equal opportunities in terms of potential grade.

Fraser detailed ongoing geophysics work at the Gochager Lake project where the recent BHEM surveys yielded positive results. The current activity marks the second round of Borehole Electromagnetic (BHEM) methods, following some “remarkable responses” during their first drilling. Fathom Nickel is now deploying an advanced level of equipment and methodology to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the geometry of the massive and semi-massive sulfide lenses detected in the drill holes.

The CEO also underscored the strategic value of operating in Saskatchewan, a province consistently ranked by the Fraser Institute among the top three jurisdictions globally for exploration. The province is underexplored for nickel, copper, and platinum group elements (PGEs), opening up exciting opportunities for Fathom Nickel.

Lastly, Fraser emphasized that Fathom Nickel is actively looking to capitalize on the benefits of investing in the critical minerals sector. The company’s vision is to demonstrate the potential of their projects to develop into significant nickel camps akin to those like Thompson in Manitoba and the Ragland Belt in northern Quebec.

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About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom is an exploration company that is targeting magmatic nickel sulphide discoveries to support the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market.

The Company now has a portfolio of two high-quality exploration projects located in the prolific Trans Hudson Corridor in Saskatchewan: 1) the Albert Lake Project, a 90,000+ hectare project that was host to the historic and past producing Rottenstone deposit (produced high-grade Ni-Cu+PGE, 1965-1969), and 2) the Gochager Lake Project hectare project that is host to a historic, NI43-101 non-compliant open pit resource consisting of 4.3M tons at 0.295% Ni and 0.081% Cu².

To know more about Fathom Nickel Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Fathom Nickel Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

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Manganese is becoming a key part of the lithium-ion battery market, traditionally used in nickel, manganese, cobalt (“NCM”) batteries; but now it is also used in lithium manganese iron phosphate (“LMFP”) batteries. This new battery type offers greater energy density (and hence EV range) than the standard LFP battery. Manganese is still largely used in steel, but the battery demand looks set to grow much faster. Overall the global manganese market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2027.

LMFP batteries containing manganese are the latest development to improve lithium-ion batteries

As announced last month Gotion High-tech Co Ltd. (SHE: 002074) has developed a breakthrough LMFP battery that offers a “range of up to 1,000kms for a single charge and could last two million kms”. Their new battery pack will go into mass production in 2024.

In 2022 it was reported that “CATL will soon mass produce LMFP batteries”. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (SHE: 300750) (“CATL”) is the world’s largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer by far with 37% market share and is a leading supplier of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA). At Tesla Battery Day in 2020, Elon Musk pointed out that Tesla targets to use manganese in its batteries for long-range electric cars.

At Tesla Battery Day 2020, Tesla targets to use nickel and ‘manganese’ batteries for long range vehicles where vehicle mass is not too large

Source: Tesla Battery Day video 2020

Note: Red oval done by the author to highlight manganese

Today’s company made a key announcement this week regarding commencement of manganese ore sales.

Elcora Advanced Materials Corp.

Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. (TSXV: ERA | OTCQB: ECORF) (“Elcora”) is working towards becoming a vertically integrated battery material company. Elcora has developed a cost-effective process to purify high-quality battery metals and minerals that are commercially scalable.

Elcora’s key projects have graphite, manganese, and vanadium. Elcora also has exposure to anode materials and graphene.

As announced on June 12 Elcora

“has received its first monthly order for 1000 metric tons of 37% + manganese ore. The delivery of the first part of the order is scheduled before the end of June 2023. The order was placed by a leading European customer looking for a long-term supply relationship and marks a significant milestone for Elcora’s mining division.“

The order is not large but it marks the beginning of what can be a good business for Elcora if they can achieve large-scale production. Manganese ore (37% Mn grade) currently trades at about US$3.13/ dmtu (Dry Metric Tonne Unit) FOB Port Elizabeth.

Elcora states:

“The recurrence of orders is expected to generate significant revenue for Elcora Advanced Materials Corp, further strengthening its position in the industry. With the increasing demand for manganese ore, the company is well-positioned to meet the needs of its customers...Elcora Advanced Materials Corp is well-positioned to benefit from this growing demand, and this order is just the beginning of its journey in the manganese market.”

Elcora’s Atlas Fox Project in Morocco – Beni Mellal Manganese Deposit/Mine and the Ouarzazate Project (including the Omar Mine)

Elcora’s Atlas Fox Project in Morocco is rich in manganese. It is comprised of the Beni Mellal Manganese Deposit/Mine and the Ouarzazate Project (including the Omar Mine).

At the Beni Mellal concessions, Elcora has a 10-year Exploitation License. This manganese concession contains a surface deposit mine that operated during French colonial times. Elcora plans to leverage on-site infrastructure with ore ready for processing. In Q4 2023 Elcora plan to build a gravimetric concentrator to upgrade raw ore content (30% Mn) to 50% Mn and increase mine production to 2,500 to 3,000 t/month of 50% Mn concentrate.

At the Ouarzazate Project Omar Mine, Elcora has acquired exclusive mining rights and an option to purchase the 16 km² manganese mining concession. The concession contains both a surface deposit and underground mine. Elcora is leveraging on-site infrastructure and has existing manganese ore piles of approximately 6,000 tonnes that are ready for processing. Elcora plans to ramp up mining production to 2,500 tons per month at the Omar Mine.

Elcora’s overall manganese ore production capacity is targeted to be more than 5,000 metric tonnes per month from the above concessions.

Atlas Lion Vanadium Project in Morocco

Elcora owns the Atlas Lion Vanadium Project (304 Km²) concessions in Morocco. Elcora plans to further explore and develop these concessions with the goal of producing vanadium.

Elcora’s next steps for mining manganese and vanadium in Morocco

Source: Elcora company presentation

Closing remarks

In total, Elcora currently owns seventeen polymetallic (vanadium, lead, other), one manganese (and one option to purchase) and one copper licences/concessions in Morocco. 

Elcora is making strong progress on its goal to become an integrated battery metals producer. The Company already has the technology and facilities to purify high-quality battery metals (notably spherical graphite, graphene, and anode powder) and is now working on the mining side with manganese and vanadium (noting they already have a graphite mine). The Atlas Fox Project in Morocco has commenced stockpiled manganese ore sales and plans to ramp up manganese ore production from its concessions to 5,000/t per month. Following this will be development work and potentially production from the Atlas Lion Vanadium Project, also in Morocco.

Elcora Advanced Materials Corp. trades on a market cap of only C$18 million, suggesting this may potentially be just the beginning for Elcora.