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Critical Elements

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Demand for critical elements (lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, copper and lanthanide 'rare earths') is expected to increase dramatically over the next 10-20 years, as a result of electrification.  

 

Fossil fuels have supplied most of the energy consumed since the start of the Industrial Revolution 200+ years ago.  Coal-fired steam engines powered the 19th century, and hydrocarbons came to the fore during the 20 century ... with great benefit to society at large.  However, fossil fuel consumption by internal combustion engines (ICE) involves CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change.  Atmospheric CO2 has increased from 280-420 ppm since 1800.

 

Policy directives and tax incentives are driving decarbonization into the 21st century.  Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources will require energy storage.  In the realm of vehicular transport, a shift from ICE to electric motors (commonly termed electric vehicles, or EVs) will greatly increase demand for lithium-ion batteries.  Stationary storage will increase the market penetration of intermittent renewable power sources.  High-performance magnets increase the efficiency of wind turbines.  

 

Supply chain and geopolitical considerations dictate that critical elements be sourced domestically, or from a wide range of foreign suppliers. 

APEX Subsurface Consulting can help!

 

The founder is a well-rounded geologist and member of the mining-oriented Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).  The founder's MS thesis was focused on the world-class Grasberg copper-gold orebody in Irian Jaya, Indonesia. 

Top - Bottom: Salton Sea CA (lithium brine), Grasberg Mine Indonesia (copper), Blackbird Mine ID (cobalt)
Clients' Subsurface Needs

 

  • Competitive intelligence for new entrants; what are the geologic settings for each critical mineral, what are the mining strategies deployed, what are the benchmarks for successful mines?

  • Assessment of resource prospectivity at regional/local scales

  • Data acquisition programs for claims/leases in exploration/appraisal

  • Recommendations to optimize development, based on detailed understanding of orebody geometry, extraction/processing technique, and economics data (NPV/IRR with sensitivities) 

The Offering

 

✅     Geologic play-mapping for exploration

✅     Competitive intelligence

✅     Benchmarking of existing and proposed projects

✅     Guidance through concept select and execution                phases, tapping into founder's extensive                              network in the commercial space.

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