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Lithium (Li) is used in everything from smart phones to laptops, and is now found in advanced battery technologies that power electric vehicles and store energy generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind.

Lithium producers could be set to reap huge gains in the coming years as the demand for lithium continues to soar, and as we continue to reduce greenhouse emissions and move to an electric powered future.

The lithium investment opportunity currently at hand is huge, and investors should act now to stake their claim in this fast-moving evolving space.

Read on to learn more about lithium and the forces that are driving this metal to record valuations.

Where Does Lithium Come From?

Putting Mexico on the Map

Bacanora Minerals (recently taken over by Chinese company Ganfeng) recently discovered what they are calling “the largest lithium deposit” in the world in northwestern Mexico. The deposit has estimated reserves of 243 million tons of lithium embedded in rock and clay.

Bacanora announced a 50-year concession with the Mexican government for mining rights and will pour about $2 billion dollars into developing the reserve. The company is set to commence operations in 2023.[1]

The discovery and subsequent operations could put Mexico on the map as a major world lithium producer. Something to keep an eye on for future investment opportunities.

Lithium is a soft, silver-white metal. It is the lightest known metal and lightest solid element. The metal is highly reactive and flammable when exposed to air.

Lithium is used in several industrial applications such as heat-resistant glass and ceramics, lubricants, flux additives for iron, steel and aluminum production, as a medical supplement to treat various mental illnesses, and, of course, lithium rechargeable batteries.

Most of the world’s lithium reserves are concentrated in just a few countries. Chile claims to hold over half of the world’s lithium reserves. Australia, Argentina and China are the next largest holders of lithium reserves.

Currently, the biggest lithium producers in order of production are Australia, Chile, Argentina and China.

The largest lithium importers are China, Japan, South Korea and the United States.[2]

3 Ways Lithium Is Produced

Lithium hard rock mining operations

Lithium is mined in three different ways:

  • Hard rock mining
  • Brine deposits
  • Geothermal water extraction

Lithium mined from spodumene can be turned into both lithium carbonate and the highly valued lithium hydroxide used in lithium battery production. Australia lithium production is primarily from hard rock spodumene mines.

A second extraction method comes from brine operations which is produced much like sea salt mines. The brine is held in large holding ponds where it is dried out by the sun. Once the water has evaporated the salt is then collected and lithium carbonate salt is extracted from the mixture.

Lithium hydroxide is created from a secondary chemical reaction with the lithium carbonate. Brine production is mainly concentrated in South America.

A third lithium extraction method, geothermal water, is in its early stages of development but promises to be a much more sustainable and commercially viable option. This method uses geothermal wells to extract lithium rich water. The lithium is extracted as both the more valued lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate.

Which Mining Method Is Greener?

From a green energy perspective, both hard rock mining and brine deposits extraction methods have their drawbacks.

Green Lithium Mining in Germany

Vulcan Energy Resources (OTC US: VULNF / ASX: VUL) is currently exploring the use of geothermal water extraction at its main site located in the Rhine Valley, Germany. They announced significant reserves with lithium concentrations of 181mg/liter of water. Full commercial production is set to commence in 2023–2024.

Vulcan’s chief executive Francis Wedin told an industry conference, “We have a resource which is large enough to satisfy a very substantial amount of the demand in the European markets here for many, many years to come.”[3]

Hard rock lithium is extracted from open pit mines which scars the landscape and uses fossil fuels to heat the rock during the extraction process.

Brine operations use a large of amount of water and are often located where water is scarce, leading to another set of environmental problems.[4]

Of the three extraction methods, geothermal promises to be the greenest as it emits zero carbon and uses very little water and land.

Something to consider as an investor as the world moves to a carbon-free economy and more and more investors demand zero-carbon and environmentally sound lithium investment opportunities.

The consultancy Minviro found that geothermal lithium extraction by a method used at the firm Vulcan Energy Resources had less environmental impact (Credit: Leonardo Soares/BBC)

EVs Driving Explosive Demand

By far, EVs (Electric Vehicles) are the biggest driving force of lithium production bar none.

In 2020, EVs used about 39% of production. Estimates see that demand rising to more than 60% by 2025. The remaining demand comes from consumer demand surrounding electronics batteries, energy storage batteries and other industrial uses.[5]

Sales of EVs will continue to grow rapidly as world governments continue to embrace this EV movement and  offer further incentives to consumers.

Sales of new EVs grew significantly leading up to 2019, when the market experienced a temporary slowdown to 2.1 million vehicles due to the COVID pandemic.

“EVs have lithium booming — and this time, there is no bust in sight. Demand is expected to outstrip metal production for at least the next five years with few new mining projects on the horizon.”

— Bloomberg News, October 2021[6]

In 2020, however, existing policies and targeted stimulus responses spurred demand, increasing by 40% to over 3 million vehicles or 4% market share of new car sales.

By early 2021, estimates of passenger EVs around the world was more than 10 million vehicles.[7]

The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that by 2030 this number may be a whopping 125 million vehicles as world governments adopt increasingly aggressive policies to curb carbon emissions.

Estimates go as high as 220 million vehicles in this timeframe.[8]

Estimates for growth in lithium demand vary with no clear consensus on a baseline. Needless to say, all the estimates for growth in demand that I found in my research were huge.

  • BNP Paribas is estimating that demand for lithium is expected to grow by 130% by 2025 from 2020.[9]
  • Bacanora Lithium PLC expects lithium demand to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% through 2023 from 2020 levels.[10]
  • According to the government of Chile, the global demand for “white gold” is set to grow by 80% by 2030.[11]
  • The "Lithium Mining Market — Global Industry Analysis (2017–2020) — Growth Trends and Market Forecast (2021–2025)" report found that the global market for lithium mining is poised for considerable expansion at more than 26% CAGR over the period of 2021–2025. The global valuation of the lithium mining market will reach over US$1 billion towards the end of the forecast period.[12]

My guess why these estimates vary so widely stems from a lack of historical precedent. The world is quite literally at a watershed moment where our entire civilization as we know it is retooling from a fossil fuel-based energy platform to one of solar, wind and other renewable sources of energy that have a low or zero carbon footprint.

Nothing like this has occurred in the course of human history.

This is why I believe that investing in lithium now is a generational investment opportunity. We are in the beginning stages of a new energy era where lithium is central to energy usage &  storage.

Current lithium mining operations are insufficient to keep up with expected demand. That means lithium prices will continue to go parabolic, and lithium miners and producers could see their stock prices explode.

Benchmark Mineral Intelligence sees global deficits in lithium supplies surging more than 60 times to 950,000 tons in 2030 driven by increased sales of EVs.[13]

China Gobbling Up Global Reserves

As demand skyrockets, China is snatching up mining rights to lithium reserves around the world, essentially putting a noose on lithium supply.

The effect of this Chinese land grab has exacerbated global lithium shortages and prices have surged for the critical metal.

In 2021 alone, China acquired 6.4 million tons of lithium in reserves and resources. That is about the same amount that was acquired by ALL companies globally in 2020.[14]

Currently, Chinese companies own about 90% of the world’s rare earth mines and manufacture 80% of the lithium batteries.[15]

“Chinese companies have done the math and realized how much lithium they're going to need to meet either battery or EV growth plans and have decided to try to secure that by going after some of the most promising junior projects in development"[16]

— Seth Goldstein, senior equity analyst at Morningstar

The lithium market used to be dominated by just three companies — Albemarle (NYSE: ALB), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: SQM) and FMC Corp (NYSE: FMC) — which used to account for 85% of market share.

This has changed dramatically as Chinese companies such as Tianqi Lithium (SZ: 002466) and Ganfeng Lithium (OTC US: GNENF) have become significant players.[17]

Tight supply coupled with intense demand has pushed lithium prices to near-historic levels.

Historically, lithium reached an all-time high of $31,519/ton in November of 2021.

3 Hot Lithium Stocks to Fuel Your Portfolio

In my research I found three lithium producers that look to be the best in the field. Of course, you will have to do your own research, but this should be a good starting point.

Note: all charts are for the past 6 months from the publishing date of this article.

1. Alpha Lithium Corporation (OTC: APHLF / TSX-V: ALLI)

Alpha Lithium is a junior mining play located in the famed lithium-rich region of the “Lithium Triangle” in Argentina. The company holds 100% ownership of almost 68,000 acres surrounded by other multibillion-dollar lithium assets. They also own over 12,000 acres in the lithium-producing region known as Hombre Muerto, also located in Argentina.

The company is currently testing their proprietary extraction process to increase lithium extraction with a lower impurity ratio.

Alpha Lithium recently announced they secured $30 million dollars in investment from Uranium One. The funds will go to further development of their holdings.[18]

In addition, the company also announced it closed an oversubscribed $25 million bought deal offering conducted by Echelon Markets. The net proceeds will be used to fund strategic acquisitions, exploration and general working capital.[19]

By all indications, this company could be positioned to become a major player in the lithium mining world. Definitely one to keep on the radar.

2. Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE: LAC / TSX: LAC)

Lithium Americas is currently in the exploration phase and is confirmed to begin production in mid-2022. Their goal is to be producing 40k tons of lithium carbonate equivalent.

The company has holdings in the US and Argentina and has recently partnered with Ganfeng Lithium, working on a brine project in Argentina.

Recently, the company announced that the initial purchasers of convertible senior notes due in 2027 have exercised their option to purchase an additional $33,750,000 aggregate principal amount of notes.

“With the Offering complete and our US$205 million senior secured facility fully repaid, we have significantly enhanced our balance sheet while minimizing potential dilution to shareholders and reducing interest cost.”

— Jon Evans, President and CEO[20]

In addition to repaying the loan, the company intends to use the remainder of the proceeds to repay other indebtedness, further enhancing the company balance sheet.

Lithium Americas currently has a reported $480 million in cash.

Additionally, management is very strong with deep experience in lithium mining and production.

Don’t miss adding this onto your radar and potential trading list.

3. American Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LIACF / TSX-V: LI)

American Lithium is an exploration-stage company currently exploring and developing lithium brine deposits in Nevada and hard rock lithium in Peru. In addition, the company is developing a uranium reserve also located in Peru.

The Nevada property is located in the same region as Albemarle’s (NYSE: ALB) Silver Peak lithium mine and several other advanced-stage lithium projects. It is also located near the Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) Gigafactory.

Their Peruvian hard rock lithium deposit is touted as the world’s 6th largest deposit.

Echelon Capital Markets recently initiated coverage of the company with a speculative buy rating and 12-month target price of $6.48/share. Roth Capital has called for $5.93/share and VSA Capital projects $5.50/share.

The stock is deemed a speculative buy and investors should be aware of the risks when investing in any exploration-stage company, however... overall, American Lithium has performed well. I believe there is more to go!

Lithium: Smart Investors Already Know

Renewable investments & technology is growing rapidly and the key element to power this tech, right now, is lithium.

Without a doubt, lithium metals should be in every intelligent investor’s portfolio.

Demand is already outstripping supply. Countries like China are putting further pressure on supply by buying up known reserves around the world.

I see a great opportunity in the space for the next few years as world governments continue to move their economies into a carbon free economy.

MF Williams, Contributor
for Investors News Service

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DISCLAIMER: Investing in any securities is highly speculative. Please be sure to always do your own due diligence before making any investment decisions. Read our full disclaimer here.


Published December 2021


Sources:

[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-mining-lithium-exclusive-idUSKCN2E52FN

[2] https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/lithium

[3] https://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/vulcan-energy-produces-battery-grade-lithium-from-geothermal/

[4] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20201124-how-geothermal-lithium-could-revolutionise-green-energy

[5] https://investors-corner.bnpparibas-am.com/investing/what-you-need-to-know-about-lithium/

[6] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-27/lithium-s-rally-isn-t-slowing-as-costs-rise-for-electric-vehicles-batteries?sref=SAPiUD9B

[7] https://www.ig.com/uk/trading-strategies/what-are-the-best-lithium-stocks-to-watch--200824#information-banner-dismiss

[8] https://www.ig.com/uk/trading-strategies/what-are-the-best-lithium-stocks-to-watch--200824#information-banner-dismiss

[9] https://investors-corner.bnpparibas-am.com/investing/what-you-need-to-know-about-lithium/

[10] https://www.marketwatch.com/story/lithium-demand-to-grow-at-average-annual-rate-of-30-in-2021-23-bacanora-says-commodity-comment-271631179864

[11] https://english.elpais.com/usa/2021-10-21/the-white-gold-dream-why-mexico-wants-to-control-lithium-exploitation.html

[12] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-lithium-mining-market-industry-104300637.html

[13] https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/china-mining-battery-companies-sweep-up-lithium-supplies-in-acquisition-blitz-67205411

[14] https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/china-mining-battery-companies-sweep-up-lithium-supplies-in-acquisition-blitz-67205411

[15] https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/block-chinese-takeover-of-lithium-miner-ministers-told/ar-AARx6a1

[16] https://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/news-insights/latest-news-headlines/china-mining-battery-companies-sweep-up-lithium-supplies-in-acquisition-blitz-67205411

[17] https://www.ig.com/uk/trading-strategies/what-are-the-best-lithium-stocks-to-watch--200824#information-banner-dismiss

[18] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/investmentpitch-media-video-discusses-alpha-080500942.html

[19] https://alphalithium.com/alpha-lithium-closes-oversubscribed-25-million-bought-deal-offering/

[20] Ibid.

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