The International Lithium Global Material “Battery Grade” Producer Ganfeng Advantage.

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium To Increase Equity Ownership In International Lithium.

“I am very pleased that Ganfeng Lithium is reinforcing its strategic stake in International Lithium. Ganfeng is a worldwide leader in lithium materials production based in China. They provide not only the capital to advance our joint venture projects in Argentina and Ireland, but technology to facilitate potential production to their particular needs as a lithium end-user. Ganfeng holds 19 patents and is the only company producing lithium chemicals both from brine and hard rock spodumene sources” states Kirill Klip, President of the Company.

Lithium Boom Continues To Fuel Chinese Majors.

  

  Industrial Minerals reports about Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi Lithium from China and their incredible growth confirming my observations.  Read more.

Infographic:

"Lithium: Goldman Sachs estimates that a Tesla Model S with a 70kWh battery uses 63 kilograms of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) – more than the amount of lithium in 10,000 cell phones.
Further, for every 1% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) market penetration, there is an increase in lithium demand by around 70,000 tonnes LCE/year."

The Centre Of Lithium Universe: China Is Pushing For ZEV Mandate: 8% Of New Cars To Be Electric By 2018, 12% By 2020.

"China is The Center Of Lithium Universe, links below will provide you with more information why it is really happening so fast. China is already the largest market for electric cars, BYD backed by Warren Buffet is the largest EV manufacturer in the world and Chinese companies are producing the largest amount of lithium chemicals for the batteries. There are 25 companies which are making 51 models of electric cars in China now. This year we will see over 500,000 EVs sold in China. It took GM 7 years to sell 100,000 Chevy Volts from 2009. BYD will sell 100,000 EVs this year alone!

  Now Electrek reports that China is pushing for the very aggressive ZEV mandate: "8% Of New Cars To Be Electric By 2018, 12% By 2020." I will translate: this year we are getting just over 1% of new cars sales in China. By 2018 they are talking about a factor of 8 and by 2020 about the 12 times that amount! Digest. Maybe the Orange is the new Black, but economics has still the same language, money talks. And Green is the color of money these days. BYD estimates its profit up 84% this year after triple digits growth before! Read more."

Mr. Li Chairman of Ganfeng Lithium and Mr. Klip President of International Lithium Corp.

International Lithium and Ganfeng: Major Catalyst For Electric rEVolution And Security Of Lithium Supply.

International Lithium – The Chinese Bet On Salares.

Mr. Wang Vice-Chairman of Ganfeng Lithium and Mr. Klip President of International Lithium Corp. with Ganfeng and ILC Team members in China.

International Lithium:

Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium to Increase Equity Ownership in International Lithium

Vancouver, B.C. November 24, 2016, International Lithium Corp. (the “Company” or “ILC”) (TSX Venture:ILC.V) is pleased to announce that Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. (“Ganfeng Lithium”), a leading China based multi-product lithium manufacturer will increase, through a third party share purchase arrangement with TNR Gold Corp., its equity stake in ILC by 2.3% to 18.1% on a non-diluted basis.

Key Highlights:

• Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium increases ownership in ILC to 18.1%;
• US12 million budget at Mariana lithium brine project aggressively implemented with maiden resource drilling nearing completion and pump tests commencing in the New Year.
• The Company is working with Ganfeng Lithium to secure an effective long-term exploration and development plan for Avalonia, Ireland.

“I am very pleased that Ganfeng Lithium is reinforcing its strategic stake in International Lithium. Ganfeng is a worldwide leader in lithium materials production based in China. They provide not only the capital to advance our joint venture projects in Argentina and Ireland, but technology to facilitate potential production to their particular needs as a lithium end-user. Ganfeng holds 19 patents and is the only company producing lithium chemicals both from brine and hard rock spodumene sources” states Kirill Klip, President of the Company.

Ganfeng Lithium has agreed to purchase, 2 million equity shares of International Lithium from a third party, TNR Gold Corp., at $0.153 per share.  The purchase price equates to a 10% discount to the thirty day average trading price of $0.17 per share.  This brings Ganfeng Lithium’s equity ownership in the Company to 15.4 million shares or 18.1% on a non-diluted basis.

Consequently, TNR Gold Corp.’s equity ownership in the Company is reduced to 16 million shares or 18.7% on a non-diluted basis.

Ganfeng Lithium Strategic Partner

In joint venture partnership with Ganfeng Lithium, the Company is advancing two projects, the Mariana lithium-potassium brine project in Argentina and the Avalonia hard rock lithium rare metals pegmatite project in Ireland.

Earlier this year (Company news release dated July, 18, 2016) Ganfeng Lithium and ILC approved an aggressive US$12 million budget over an 18 month period at Mariana to advance the project through a maiden resource, short and long term pump tests and complete all pertinent definitive technical studies to satisfy the requirements for the filing of environmental permit applications in order to initiate pilot scale operations.

“The resource definition drilling is nearing completion and we are looking forward to the commencement of the pump tests in the New Year to improve our level of confidence in the Project by confirming the potential flow rates from the basin’s aquifers”, states International Lithium CEO, Gary Schellenberg.

Mr. Li Chairman And Mr. Wang Vice-Chairman of Ganfeng Lithium and International Lithium Team at Mariana, Argentina.

This past year, US$ 1 million was allocated to exploration by Ganfeng Lithium at the Avalonia lithium pegmatite project in Ireland.  To date, the strategic partnership has expended US$2 million in exploration that has significantly added to the understanding and has wholly reinforced the exploration potential of the 42 km long Avalonia lithium pegmatite belt.  The Company’s objective is to continue to develop the better known occurrences while systematically testing the multitude of targets previously identified, but yet to have a concerted exploration effort applied to them.  As such, the Company is working with Ganfeng Lithium to secure an effective long-term exploration and development plan for Avalonia.

Currently the Company is awaiting permits to commence trenching at the high-grade lithium Moylisha target area at Avalonia.  The Moylisha target area contains extensive pegmatite boulder trains returning grab samples assaying up to 4.59% Li2O*, a grade representing a spodumene content of greater than 50%.  These high grade lithium boulders have yet to be traced back to source.    Upon the completion of the trenching program, the Company intends to drill test this high priority area.

* Previously reported grab sample in Company news release dated January 31, 2012.  Grab samples are by definition selective and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.

Mr. Klip President of International Lithium corp. in Ireland.

About International Lithium Corp.

International Lithium Corp. is an exploration company with an outstanding portfolio of projects, strong management ownership, robust financial support and a strategic partner and keystone investor Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., a leading China based lithium product manufacturer.

The Company’s primary focus is the Mariana lithium-potash brine project, a joint venture with Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. within the renowned South American “Lithium Belt” that is the host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. The Mariana project strategically encompasses an entire mineral rich evaporate basin, totalling 160 square kilometres, that ranks as one of the more prospective salars or ‘salt lakes’ in the region.

Complementing the Company’s lithium brine project are three rare metals pegmatite properties in Canada known as the Mavis, Raleigh, and Forgan projects; and one project in Ireland (Avalonia project) that encompasses an extensive 50km long pegmatite belt.  The Avalonia project is under option to strategic partner Ganfeng Lithium and the Mavis and Raleigh projects with strategic partner Pioneer Resources Limited (PIO:ASX).  The Mavis, Raleigh and Forgan projects together form the basis of the Company’s newly created Upper Canada Lithium Pool designated to focus on acquiring numerous prospects with previously reported high concentrations of lithium in close proximity to existing infrastructure.

With the increasing demand for high tech rechargeable batteries used in vehicle propulsion technologies and portable electronics, lithium is paramount to tomorrow’s “green-tech”, sustainable economy. By positioning itself with solid development partners and acquiring high quality grass roots projects at an early stage of exploration, ILC aims to be the resource explorer of choice for investors in green tech and build value for its shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip 

President, International Lithium Corp.

For further details please contact Caroline Klukowski, Investor Relations at ir@internationallithium.com

or call 604.687.7551.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, historical estimates should not be relied upon, including statements relating to the Company’s future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. News release contains certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Reds Go Green In Lithium Race: The Electric Car Spearheading China's Anti-Pollution Campaign.

  It is a very old video, almost like another era in our Lithium Race. Now you can better appreciate how far China has moved in the fast lane for EVs. This video represents very well what we are talking here about: New Energy Plan in China. Now BYD backed by Warren Buffet and their technology for electric cars are at the next level. BYD is the largest electric vehicle maker in the world. Lithium is a magic metal at the very heart of this Energy rEVolution. All the rest is summarised in the tweet below and on the links for your kind attention.

The Centre Of Lithium Universe: China Is Pushing For ZEV Mandate: 8% Of New Cars To Be Electric By 2018, 12% By 2020.

Lithium Race: Which Will Be The First Country To Ban Fuel-Burning Cars: Norway, Netherlands, Germany, India or China?

  "Dr. Joe Romm provides us with more information on the recent decision of German Bundesrat to ban fuel-burning cars. This tipping point for electric cars to become the fast growing mass market is the result of the technological advance called "The Learning Curve" when doubling of production brings on average 26% in cost reduction. It is true for the price of Solar PV, it is even faster for the chip makers and for Lithium Batteries Bloomberg reports about 14-19% cost reduction every year.

  Now we are in the fast lane approaching this transition with first electric cars priced below $40k and with a range of over 200 miles coming to the market: GM Bolt and Tesla Model 3. BMW i3 with the new larger battery, Renault Zoe with 400 km range and Nissan Leaf with upgraded battery are driving the sales in Europe and China stands on its own with 25 companies making 51 models of electric cars. 

  Lithium Technology is here and the best electric cars will become only cheaper and better. Bloomberg estimates 2022 - 2026 when EVs will reach parity with ICE on capital cost alone. I will translate: depending on the country from 2022 electric cars will become cheaper to buy than comparable ICE ones. They will provide much better performance, safety and fraction of running cost to operate. This progress is inevitable and Tesla shows what is coming with Tesla Model S outselling ALL luxury sedan brands in the U.S. and Western Europe by a very wide margin. In the Q3 of this year, Tesla Model S sales were almost double of Mercedes S-Class and more than double of BMW 7!  

  And, finally, as Dr. Joe Romm is pointing out that governments start to wake up to the horrible cancer hazard air pollution on our streets from fuel-burning cars and voices for the ban of such cars are louder and louder.  We can already add Netherlands to his list of countries and I have put China there as well. Masters of the asymmetric warfare Chinese will definitely capitalize on the advance they have managed to gain with their New Energy Plan at the right time. China has the largest EVs market in the world, Warren Buffett-backed BYD is the largest manufacturer of electric cars, Chinese companies are the largest lithium chemicals producers for the lithium batteries already. Lithium Megafactories are rising with billions of dollars in investments and they are buying the best lithium projects to secure supply of this critical metal.
  If and when China will ban fuel-burning cars remains the speculation at this moment, but it will change the geopolitical landscape overnight making many Trillions of dollars in assets in the West worthless and some major companies literally shrinking in size within a year or two. We will have more Chinese names at the top of the World's largest companies for sure and size of the Chinese economy will jump reflecting the new growth based on the manufacturing base of the 21st century. This Energy rEVolution will be very fast and brutal to those unprepared. It is time to check your portfolios in order not to get caught in "The Death Spiral" - like Fitch is predicting for the oil companies. And whoever would like to start new trade wars should be thinking twice and long term in advance, like China is doing building secure lithium supply to power new Energy Plan and Electric rEVolution. With the diminishing role of Oil as the only source of Energy, will our world be able to have a peaceful transition to the new order? I will leave these worries to our brave politicians, you should think about your investments and on which side of the history you would like to be to make the difference. You can find my chronicles of this Energy rEVolution on this blog and below are some links for your own research including the Dr. Joe Romm article. Read more."

Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium To Increase Equity Ownership In International Lithium.

“I am very pleased that Ganfeng Lithium is reinforcing its strategic stake in International Lithium. Ganfeng is a worldwide leader in lithium materials production based in China. They provide not only the capital to advance our joint venture projects in Argentina and Ireland, but technology to facilitate potential production to their particular needs as a lithium end-user. Ganfeng holds 19 patents and is the only company producing lithium chemicals both from brine and hard rock spodumene sources” states Kirill Klip, President of the Company.

Lithium Boom Continues To Fuel Chinese Majors.

Before The Flood: Elon Musk - We Need 100 Tesla Lithium Gigafacatories To Save The World.

  Today we can hear the Grand Vision of Elon Musk again. We need 100 Tesla Gigafactories to Switch all Energy production in the World to Renewables. As you remember, we are talking here about $14 Trillion industries being disrupted: Transportation and Energy. And it is happening already. We are proud to be part of The Solution with International Lithium and our Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium.

Strategic Partner Ganfeng Lithium To Increase Equity Ownership In International Lithium.

“I am very pleased that Ganfeng Lithium is reinforcing its strategic stake in International Lithium. Ganfeng is a worldwide leader in lithium materials production based in China. They provide not only the capital to advance our joint venture projects in Argentina and Ireland, but technology to facilitate potential production to their particular needs as a lithium end-user. Ganfeng holds 19 patents and is the only company producing lithium chemicals both from brine and hard rock spodumene sources” states Kirill Klip, President of the Company. Read more."

Lithium Boom Continues To Fuel Chinese Majors.

  

  Industrial Minerals reports about Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi Lithium from China and their incredible growth confirming my observations.  Read more.

Infographic:

"Lithium: Goldman Sachs estimates that a Tesla Model S with a 70kWh battery uses 63 kilograms of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) – more than the amount of lithium in 10,000 cell phones.
Further, for every 1% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) market penetration, there is an increase in lithium demand by around 70,000 tonnes LCE/year."

The Centre Of Lithium Universe: China Is Pushing For ZEV Mandate: 8% Of New Cars To Be Electric By 2018, 12% By 2020.

"China is The Center Of Lithium Universe, links below will provide you with more information why it is really happening so fast. China is already the largest market for electric cars, BYD backed by Warren Buffet is the largest EV manufacturer in the world and Chinese companies are producing the largest amount of lithium chemicals for the batteries. There are 25 companies which are making 51 models of electric cars in China now. This year we will see over 500,000 EVs sold in China. It took GM 7 years to sell 100,000 Chevy Volts from 2009. BYD will sell 100,000 EVs this year alone!

  Now Electrek reports that China is pushing for the very aggressive ZEV mandate: "8% Of New Cars To Be Electric By 2018, 12% By 2020." I will translate: this year we are getting just over 1% of new cars sales in China. By 2018 they are talking about a factor of 8 and by 2020 about the 12 times that amount! Digest. Maybe the Orange is the new Black, but economics has still the same language, money talks. And Green is the color of money these days. BYD estimates its profit up 84% this year after triple digits growth before! Read more."

Energy rEVolution: Lithium Ion Batteries Account for 83 Percent of Newly Announced Energy Storage System Capacity.

  

  "We have another confirmation that lithium technology is disrupting the energy and utility business and became the  technology of choice for the Energy Storage industry. According to Navigant Research, nearly 2 GW of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) have been announced in 2016 so far. Lithium batteries remain the leading energy storage technology for new projects worldwide (excluding pumped hydro storage), accounting for 83% of newly announced ESS capacity through 3Q 2016.

  Now we can put my previous post about China Energy Storage development in the context of this new research. For everybody concerned with Donald Trump bringing us back into The ICE Age, I do not worry about it. Nothing will be easy but his own success as The Disruptor in Chief of the establishment will prevent him from going backward. He is a businessman after all. We are moving into the age of common sense as I see it. You cannot get there with The Steam Engine. Even if China will become not only the Center of Lithium Universe but the driving force for climate change actions in general with its New Energy Plan, I do expect the U.S. to benefit from a pro-business approach. 

  We will have maybe more insults, but less nonsense hopefully. This Energy rEVolution tide is unstoppable now. EVs and Solar are here to stay and "The learning Curve" has brought us to the stage when electric cars are just better and becoming cheaper than the ICE ones. Solar power generation is beating records every month becoming cheaper and cheaper as well. EVs and Solar are becoming economically better for business. Better and more efficient business means growth and only growth can make America great again. Below you can find my thoughts confirming these conclusions. Read more."

International Lithium and Ganfeng: Major Catalyst For Electric rEVolution And Security Of Lithium Supply.

  We have discussed before the fast changing geopolitical landscape in the world and why New Energy Plan in China can change the balance in our world's economic system just in a few very short years. For more than 100 years oil was our only major source of energy powering the economic growth. Oil means power and power means oil - this sentence can determine the politics of all 20th century. But not anymore. We are just at the tipping point of the major tectonic shift from the centralized energy systems to the distributed electricity  generation and its consumption when we want it. Electricity is the most efficient form of energy known to us. Now, thanks to "The Learning Curve", we can produce it very cheap with solar and wind and we can store it very efficiently using lithium batteries. Cheap lithium batteries change everything here. We are in the catalyst stage of moving from 2 to 7000. 2 is the number of batteries in your farther's first remote control, 7000 is the number of lithium batteries in Tesla Model S. 

  Tesla is making the headlines demonstrating the potential of lithium technology. Elon Musk has proved that electric cars are just better. Here comes the China's New Energy Plan in the picture as the major driving force for The Switch with its state-level military style planning and execution - you can find more details about it in my previous posts. 

  Two major Chinese companies Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi are part of this state-level plan to build the Electric rEvolution from top to bottom, including the secure supply chain for the critical metal Lithium which is at the very heart of this technology. This year they have broken "The Old Lithium Big 3" and now we have "The New Lithium Top 5". Albemarle is in the first place and SQM is holding now to the second. Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi have pushed FMC into the 5th place and are chasing each other between 3rd and 4th. Ganfeng Lithium is a $4.5 Billion MC company and strategic partner of International Lithium. We were very fortunate after two years of due diligence to strike the major deal with Ganfeng for International Lithium in 2011. This business demands a long term planning and stamina just to stay with the game. This year, after 7 years of building our business, we are celebrating with Ganfeng the 5th anniversary International Lithium's IPO. Read more.

International Lithium At Wentworth 2016 Presentation.

TNR Gold And McEwen Mining Los Azules: Argentina And Copper Are Back.

Now you can hear about Los Azules Copper from Rob McEwen himself, from 5' if you are in a hurry.

TNR Gold and McEwen Mining Los Azules: Copper Explodes Above $6,000 With Prices Set For Best Week Ever.

  

  Dr. Copper is getting excited with the prospect of the returned growth in China and "The Wall" being built. Can you imagine how much copper do we need for all that security lighting on that Wall? Copper means infrastructure and we need a lot of it now. Everybody is searching for the new drivers for GDP growth as central banksters are getting out of favor and cannot really deliver anything more. 2% of GDP growth with the real Inflation hitting over 5% - it is called Deflation. All commodities have been indicating exactly that during last few years of the meltdown. But not anymore, a new phase will come with the Energy rEVolution manufacturing infrastructure being put in place now. China is leading the world here, but nobody can allow being left behind. It is all about business now after all. 

  First Rio Tinto went positive on China and copper respectively a few weeks ago and later BHP was talking about the electrification of transportation as the major driving trend for the demand of industrial metals going forward. Now we have the most important part of this development - real capital is flowing into the sector.

  TNR Gold is sitting tight with its assets in Los Azules giant copper project in Argentina managed by McEwen Mining. We had a change of the government over there this year with the new pro-business mining friendly policies being implemented. Now we have Dr. Copper supporting our case for the growth. Los Azules copper project is very highly leveraged to the copper price and McEwen Mining, according to the reported news, is conducting its new PEA reflecting the reduced CAPEX and start with a high-grade operation to advance the project faster. 

  Please carefully read my legal disclaimer and you can find all latest financial information about TNR Gold and International Lithium on SEDAR and SEDI. Please never make any investment decisions without consulting with your preferred qualified financial adviser.

TNR Gold And McEwen Mining Los Azules Copper: Rio Turns China Optimist, Sees Copper’s ‘Twilight Zone’ Exit.

    

  

  "China is turning the corner advancing its strategic plan for the new economic growth based on the New Energy Plan.  Copper and Lithium are part of this plan to secure the supply of the strategic commodities for the years ahead.  Now it is time to check out our Los Azules Copper story again. Rio Tinto is talking about China, Growth and Copper in one sentence, confirming my personal observations.   Los Azules Copper is now under McEwen Mining operation and Rob McEwen is working on the new PEA reflecting the low CAPEX to start high-grade operations first on the project. Please read my legal disclaimer and below you can find more information about one of the largest copper projects in the world and TNR Gold Royalty. Read more."

TNR Gold And McEwen Mining's Los Azules In Argentina - Copper Miners Pin Hopes On Electric Cars After Tesla's Success.

  

  "Timing is everything. And you will never have the perfect one, once decided - just be there. And if you managed to survive "the wrong timing" and can even add to your position, just do it. This is the only advice I can share. 

  Argentina is changing very fast now under the new leadership and we can stretch our imagination that one day it will not only export its commodities like Copper and Lithium, but actually will become the power force behind the Energy rEVolution. Elon Musk with 325,000 orders for Tesla Model 3 has confirmed that consumers are ready to buy the best electric cars. Now Financial Times spells you the connection between The Next Industrial Energy rEVolution and Green Energy Metal - Copper. Copper goes everywhere in the 21st century: you will find it in electric motors, in new charging stations and wiring, in Wind and Solar installations with Smart Grids. China has a military plan to acquire and build its own resource base for strategic commodities like Lithium and Copper. Argentina can do much better than just supply the Hungry Red Dragon, it can produce lithium batteries and electric cars at least for South America one day. It is not such a stretch in the end: Chinese BYD backed by Warren Buffett is building its lithium batteries Megafactory in Brazil next door; and electric buses and lithium batteries plants in Argentina. International Lithium and TNR Gold are very well positioned in the creation of the secure supply chain for strategic commodities for Energy rEVolution with Lithium and Copper. Read more."

TNR Gold and McEwen Mining: Los Azules Copper - China Wants To Buy More Copper Mines To Secure Its Supply.

  

  "Collapse in commodity prices has come with China economy downturn and will go with its transition to the internal consumption - security of supply for strategic commodities will always stay. China is moving very fast into the Next Industrial Energy rEVolution. Electric cars and Solar Energy are the new strategic industries and part of the 5-year plan. To secure the raw materials for this leapfrog jump directly into the post-carbon economy there is the military plan in action. China is already the center of Lithium Universe and controls 75% of Lithium Hydroxide which goes into Tesla Batteries. Now it is the follow-up plan to secure the Copper supply when asset prices are depressed. Las Bambas was the first step and now next projects will follow. Los Azules giant copper project in Argentina is very well positioned for TNR Gold and McEwen Mining for these developments. Read more."

Energy Metals Royalty Company: TNR Gold Strengthens Its Board Of Directors.

  "We are strengthening our Board at TNR Gold and I welcome our new Directors to the exciting future of building Energy Metals Royalty Company.  Our very talented technical Team headed by Gary Schellenberg has advanced International Lithium projects all across the globe with the new strategic partnerships. Now it is time to translate this success into TNR Gold's story. We are talking here about the megatrends in the electrification of $12 Trillion Energy and Transportation industries and whole countries changing dramatically their business landscape like in case with the proud people of Argentina. Read more."

Presentation: TNR Gold Shotgun Project, Alaska.

TNR Gold And International Lithium: Argentina Fever Is Back For Investors Who've Waited 14 Years.

 I hope that this excitement will get to our companies as well one day! We are ready, we have not only saved our assets but built a new business in Argentina with Ganfeng Lithium - $4.5 Billon market cap giant from China, which is financing International Lithium Mariana J/V project in Argentina.

  TNR Gold holds:

1. Royalty in giant Los Azules copper project with McEwen Mining and 1% on Sale of this project;

2. Royalty on Batidero Copper and Gold Project with Lucas Lundin's NGeX Resources; 

3. Stake in International Lithium, which develops J/V Mariana Lithium project in Argentina being financed by a giant from China - Ganfeng Lithium. 

4. Royalty on Mariana Lithium project in Argentina with International Lithium and Ganfeng.

5. Shotgun Gold project in Alaska.

  Please carefully read my legal disclaimer and you can find all latest financial information about TNR Gold and International Lithium on SEDAR. Please never make any investment decisions without consulting with your preferred qualified financial adviser. Read more.

The Globe And Mail.

Copper explodes above $6,000 with prices set for best week ever

KEVIN CROWLEY AND EDDIE VAN DER WALT

Bloomberg News

Copper briefly surpassed $6,000 a ton and headed for the biggest weekly rally ever as the metal became the target of Chinese speculators and bets that Donald Trump will pour money into U.S. infrastructure.

Copper rose as much as 7.6 percent to $6,025.50, the biggest intraday increase since 2009. Prices were at $5,915 as of 12:17 p.m. in London. For the week, the metal is up 19 per cent, the most in records stretching back to 1986.

The rally, which started three weeks ago, has been fueled by speculative trading in China, which will cool later this year, Citigroup Inc. said in a note. As the most-traded base metal and a barometer of economic growth, copper is also a proxy for investors’ views that Trump’s presidency will boost government spending on bridges, roads and airports.

“It’s going crazy,” Robin Bhar, an analyst at Societe Generale SA, said by phone. “This is spillover buying from what’s happening in China.”

The rally has been overdone, but he’s recommending that clients wait before making bets that prices will fall. Copper’s 14-day relative strength index was at 92, the highest recorded. A reading above 70 suggests an asset is overbought.

“It’s too early to get short. Don’t stand in front of a speeding train,” Bhar said. “Prices are going to come down at some stage.”

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analysts including Max Layton and Jeff Currie said in a research note that copper’s rally could reverse abruptly in the first quarter on a pickup in supply and slowing demand and credit growth in China. The bank favors zinc and nickel in 2017, which are either in deficit or more directly exposed to U.S. stimulus, it said.

On the Comex in New York, about 104,000 contracts changed hands on Friday, about four times the average for the time of day, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Other bullish factors include falling stockpiles and optimism following LME Week. Hedge funds and other large speculators boosted their long positions by 20 percent to a record 67,806 U.S. copper futures and options contracts in the week ended Nov. 1, according to Commodity Futures Trading Commission data released Friday.

Stockpiles on the LME have fallen steadily since the end of September, declining 29 per cent to 270,850 tons. Antofagasta Plc’s top executive said he was less pessimistic on copper after meeting customers and traders during LME Week.

China Fever

An increase in trading fees and margins on Chinese commodities exchanges is prompting speculators to trade copper on the LME, Citigroup analysts including David Wilson wrote in an e-mailed note.

The Shanghai Futures Exchange on Thursday raised margin requirements for aluminum and other metals, after trading terms for iron ore, coal and other commodities were tightened by Chinese bourses.

While the surge “appears premature” and prices may fall toward the end of the year, stronger-than-expected Chinese factory data, falling global inventories, and additional spending by China on its power network all point to higher prices in the medium term, according to Citigroup.

“Fundamentals haven’t changed,” Mikinobu Ogata, senior managing executive officer of Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., said in Tokyo on Friday. “I don’t think there’s any change in supply and demand.”

Mining stocks were muted. Chilean copper producer Antofagasta Plc advanced 0.6 per cent after soaring 11 per cent yesterday. Glencore Plc, Anglo American Plc and Rio Tinto Group declined slightly.

Other industrial metals also climbed, with nickel up 2 per cent and zinc 0.9 per cent higher. Nickel gained 13 per cent this week, the most since 2009."