Researchers say Fuel Cell Using Cobalt Could Bring Down Cost Dramatically
LOS ANGELES, January 29, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
FN Media Group Presents USA News Group News Commentary
Driven by the lithium battery revolution, researchers are looking at every alternative and may have a breakthrough using cobalt in fuel cells.
Cobalt focused companies moving to increase raw supplies of cobalt include Cruz Cobalt Corp. (OTC: BKTPF) (TSX-V: CUZ), Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) (TSX: KAT), Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX), and China Molybdenum (OTC: CMCLF).
As the race to replace combustion vehicles on the roads with electric cars picks up pace, one of the remaining impediments is battery efficiency and cost. The existing EV technology is reliant on lithium-ion batteries, but manufacturers are constantly looking to develop more efficient and cheaper alternatives.
Researchers at the University of California have announced the invention of a new type of fuel cell that uses a cheap catalyst known as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A key element of the cell's efficiency is cobalt replacing more expensive catalysts currently used.
Select companies are working to provide socially responsible cobalt, including Canadian junior miner Cruz Cobalt Corp. (OTC: BKTPF) (TSX-V: CUZ). The company is invested in cobalt resources from new prospects located entirely in North America.
Other mining companies are also focusing on expanding supplies of cobalt to meet the increase in demand including Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) (TSX: KAT), Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX), and China Molybdenum (OTC: CMCLF).
THE NEW FUEL CELLS
Researchers at the University of California have opened a whole new horizon with the invention of a new type of fuel cell that uses a cheap catalyst known as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).
Fuel cells turn the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical power. Like batteries, fuel cells using positive and negative electrodes that interact with an electrolyte to produce electricity.
Hydrogen is injected onto the anode and through the action of a catalyst, hydrogen atoms are broken into protons and electrons. The electrons are directed through an external circuit as electricity before being rejoined with positively charged hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water.
Fuel cells are however exceedingly expensive because they rely on a platinum catalyst.
By replacing the platinum catalyst with a porous carbon nanofiber embedded in cobalt, which costs just 1% of the price of platinum, the researchers expect the price to come down significantly.
The UC researchers relied on a technique known as electrospinning; developing a thin carbon nanofiber containing metal ions. Through heating, the metal ions were transformed into ultrafine metal nanoparticles, which in turn stimulated the formation of high-performance graphitic carbon.
As the metal nanoparticles and residual non-graphitic carbon were oxidized metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a network of graphite.
The new system was shown to work at the same level of efficiency as the platinum-carbon standard, while taking up a fraction of the cost to manufacture.
FUEL CELLS WILL NEED THE LIKES OF CRUZ COBALT
In spite of the efforts by the industry to keep up with soaring demand, events like a new push toward fuel cells using cobalt will add even further to future demand.
Currently, the Democratic Republic of Congo produces about two-thirds of the world's cobalt supply, and the region is plagued with political complaints over human rights violations - even extending to child labor in mining.
Forward-looking companies, like junior miner Cruz Cobalt, however are moving ahead of the curve to ensure new sources.
Cruz Cobalt has strategically acquired 7 cobalt projects in Canada (BC and Ontario), one in Idaho, USA, and another in Montana, USA-all of which are very mining-friendly jurisdictions, with no mining issues regarding human rights or other stumbling blocks.
On its four Ontario cobalt prospects, Cruz recently engaged airborne surveys, which amassed additional data to uncover new cobalt targets. In total, the four prospects cover 8,725 acres, all of which are near the city of Cobalt, Ontario.
Cruz has commenced work programs on its Idaho Star Cobalt Prospect in Idaho, as well as its Chicken Hawk Cobalt Prospect in Montana-both 100%-owned by Cruz.
The company's War Eagle Cobalt Prospect in British Columbia, Canada spans 4,935 acres, and covers a past producing mine. Cruz has plans to start operations on the project shortly.
Cruz Cobalt is perfectly timed to become a developer of responsible cobalt and stands to profit handsomely from its early mover position.
Cobalt has nearly tripled in price during 2017.
Although fuel cells are still in their infancy, some car makers are already using them and more are expected to take up the call - especially if these new developments by researchers can be cheaply incorporated.
Clearly fuel cells are attractive since they have a much higher efficiency than combustion technologies and their only byproduct is water.
With this new technology adding to the numerous alternatives that rely on cobalt to some extent, cobalt will certainly be in high demand in the near future.
Junior and major mining companies alike will have to look to new, ethical areas of exploration if the demand is to be met.
POTENTIAL COMPARABLES
Katanga Mining Limited (OTC: KATFF) (TSX: KAT)
Katanga Mining Limited, through its subsidiary, Kamoto Copper Company SA, engages in the copper and cobalt mining and related activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is involved in the exploration, mining, refurbishment, rehabilitation, development, and operation of the Kamoto/Mashamba East mining complex; the Kamoto Oliveira Virgule copper and cobalt mine; T17 open pit and T17 underground mines; various oxide open pit resources; the Kamoto concentrator; and the Luilu metallurgical plant. The company is based in Whitehorse, Canada. Katanga Mining Limited is a subsidiary of Glencore International AG.
Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX)
Freeport-McMoRan Inc. engages in the mining of mineral properties in the United States, Indonesia, Peru, and Chile. It primarily explores for copper concentrate, copper cathode, copper rod, gold, molybdenum, silver, and other metals, as well as oil and gas. The company's portfolio of assets include the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia; Morenci, Bagdad, Safford, Sierrita, and Miami in Arizona; Tyrone and Chino in New Mexico; and Henderson and Climax in Colorado, North America, as well as Cerro Verde and El Abra mines in South America. The company was formerly known as Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. and changed its name to Freeport-McMoRan Inc. in July 2014. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.
China Molybdenum (OTC: CMCLF)
China Molybdenum Co., Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining and processing, smelting, deep processing, and scientific research of molybdenum, tungsten, copper, cobalt, niobium, phosphorus, and other base and precious metals in the China, Japan, Brazil, Switzerland, Singapore, Finland, Korea, and internationally. The company provides molybdenum oxide, ferromolybdenum, molybdenum and tungsten concentrates, copper concentrate, electrolytic copper, cobalt hydroxide, ferroniobium, phosphate fertilizer, gold and silver, and sulfuric acid. The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Luoyang, the People's Republic of China.
For a more in-depth look into CUZ you can view the in-depth report at USA News Group: http://usanewsgroup.com/2017/12/18/bmw-throws-fuel-on-cobalt-price-fire-well-need-10x-as-much/
Article Source:
USA News Group
Legal Disclaimer/Disclosure: This piece is an advertorial and has been paid for. This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. No information in this Report should be construed as individualized investment advice. A licensed financial advisor should be consulted prior to making any investment decision. We make no guarantee, representation or warranty and accept no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of USA News Group only and are subject to change without notice. USA News Group assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, we assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or, in particular, for lost profit, which you may incur as a result of the use and existence of the information, provided within this Report.
DISCLAIMER: USA News Group is Source of all content listed above. FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.
FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.
Media Contact Information:
FN Media Group, LLC
Media Contact e-mail:
editor@financialnewsmedia.com
U.S. Phone: +1(954)345-0611
Share this article