Thursday, 25 May 2017

Green Energy Metals Royalty Company TNR Gold Appoints John Wisbey Deputy Chairman And Provides Los Azules Copper Update.

Kirill Klip, the Company’s Executive Chairman commented, “TNR Gold is moving to the next stage as a public company and will advance strategic market opportunities for its royalty holdings in McEwen Mining’s Los Azules Copper project in Argentina as well as other royalties and strategic stakes in its investment projects. The Company will be expanding its reach in overseas markets such as London in order to facilitate the active management of its projects portfolio.”

Green Energy Metals Royalty Company TNR Gold Provides Los Azules Copper Royalty And Corporate Update.

TNR Gold:

TNR Gold Appoints Deputy Chairman And Provides Los Azules Update.

Vancouver, B. C. May 25, 2017: TNR Gold Corp. (TSXV: TNR) (“TNR” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce the appointment of John Wisbey as Deputy Chairman. Mr. Wisbey has been a Director of the Company since July 2016, and an investor since 2015.

Mr. Wisbey is a technology entrepreneur and ex-banker. He founded two London AIM listed companies; IDOX plc, which provides software for Local Authority planning applications, and Lombard Risk Management plc, which creates software for risk management and regulation. He also recently established Convendia Ltd., an early stage private company which specializes in cashflow management and contingent cashflow evaluation. He was formerly a banker at Kleinwort Benson, where he held various roles, including a Director in the Derivatives Group, Head of Options and corporate lending. Mr. Wisbey has acted as a public company Chairman, CEO or Director for seventeen years. He is a graduate of Cambridge University.

Mr. Wisbey will oversee the Company’s capital market operations and strategic transactions.

Los Azules Project, Argentina

In a news release dated May 4, 2017, McEwen Mining Inc. (“MM”) reported on its 100% owned Los Azules copper project, located in San Juan province, Argentina. MM reported, “we spent $6.3 million at the Los Azules project on a combination of infill and exploration drilling, significant advances were made in determining the best logistics, power and infrastructure options and further economic and engineering modeling of the production. Results from the drilling campaign are expected to be finalised during the second half of 2017.”

TNR holds a 0.36% Net Smelter Returns Royalty (“NSR”) on the Los Azules project.

Information on MM, including news releases, is available under the MM profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the MM website, where further details of the Los Azules project can be found.

Other News

The Company announces that Patricia Fong has resigned as Chief Financial Officer for personal reasons. She will continue to assist the Company on a part-time basis in a non-executive role.

In a news release dated April 7, 2017 the Company listed its ownership of a NSR royalty in the Mariana project, a joint venture between Ganfeng Lithium International Co. Ltd. and International Lithium Corp., to be 2% whereas the royalty interest is 1.8%.

ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.

Over the past twenty-two years, TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high quality exploration projects around the globe. With the Company’s expertise, resources and industry network, it identified the potential of the Los Azules copper project in Argentina and now holds a 0.36% NSR on the prospect.

TNR is also a major shareholder of International Lithium Corp. (TSX:ILC) (“ILC”), with current holdings of approximately 15% of the outstanding shares of ILC. ILC holds interests in lithium projects in Argentina, Ireland and Canada.

TNR retains a 1.8% NSR on ILC’s Mariana property in Argentina. ILC maintains a right to repurchase 1.0% of the NSR on the Mariana property of which 0.9% relates to the Company’s NSR interest. The Company would receive $900,000 on execution of the repurchase. The project is currently being advanced in a joint venture between ILC and Ganfeng Lithium International Co. Ltd.

At its core, TNR provides significant exposure to gold and copper through its holdings in Alaska (the Shotgun gold porphyry project) and Argentina, and is committed to continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman
www.tnrgoldcorp.com

For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912

Neither 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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “will”, “could” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “could” occur. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. While our management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.

International Lithium Appoints John Wisbey Deputy Chairman.

Kirill Klip, the Company’s Executive Chairman commented, “As International Lithium moves to the next stage as a public company, and progressively finances its participation in the Mariana project in Argentina and other projects, it is very important that the Company adds familiarity with fundraising in overseas markets such as London to its key skill set, so that the Company is always able to meet its obligations and its proposed investment plans.”

International Lithium And Ganfeng Mariana Lithium JV Exploration Target And Indicated Resource Of 1.25 M T of LCE.

Exploration target at Mariana Lithium, Argentina.

International Lithium NI 43-101 report.

Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC stated, "We are very pleased with the results of the maiden resource estimation at the Mariana lithium potash brine project, together with our strategic partner Ganfeng Lithium. This project is now moving from an early exploration stage to an advanced exploration stage where it will be more easily compared to other lithium brine projects in Argentina. We are looking forward to follow up with Ganfeng Lithium on the recommendations of this report in order to ensure the rapid advancement of the project towards the pilot stage and to conduct further feasibility studies that will investigate the economic viability of the Mariana project."

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

International Lithium:

International Lithium Appoints Deputy Chairman

Vancouver, B.C. May 25, 2017: International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC) (the “Company” or “ILC“) is pleased to announce the Appointment of John Wisbey as Deputy Chairman. Mr. Wisbey has been a Director of the Company and Corporate Secretary since January 2017, and an investor since 2015.

Mr. Wisbey will oversee the Company’s capital market operations in conjunction with the Chairman and the Board of Directors.

Other News

The Company announces that Patricia Fong, CPA, CMA, has resigned as Chief Financial Officer for personal reasons. She will continue to assist the Company on a part-time basis in a non-executive role.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip
Executive Chairman

For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Energy rEVolution And Lithium Race: International Lithium Presentation May 2017.

International Lithium And Ganfeng Mariana Lithium JV Exploration Target And Indicated Resource Of 1.25 M T of LCE.

Exploration target at Mariana Lithium, Argentina.

International Lithium NI 43-101 report.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

International Lithium Announces Multiple High-Grade Lithium Pegmatites Intersected at Mavis Lake Project, Ontario, Canada

“We are very pleased with the results Pioneer have achieved at Mavis and look forward to continued exploration success,” stated Kirill Klip, CEO of ILC. “Our concept of the Upper Canada Lithium Pool is moving forward and ILC has another lithium project in its portfolio moving toward a more advanced exploration stage. This success supports our strategy utilizing strategic partnerships to advance projects with the ultimate goal to secure lithium supply for the ongoing electrification of our transportation and energy storage applications.”

The Switch And Lithium Race: World Economic Forum - India Will Sell Only Electric Cars Within The Next 13 Years.

Now World Economic Forum is talking about India's plans to allow only electric cars to be sold by 2030! This message will make its way finally to the Bloomberg terminals and in the models of Lithium Supply and Demand. We will have the very important moment this summer with Tesla starting production of Model 3 and launch of 4 major Lithium Megafactories in China. These events and lithium price which is already pushing in Shanghai USD $20,000 per LCE T will bring lithium supply in the headlines of the mainstream media.

It will be interesting to see when the UK will be able finally to break the spell of the Oil industry and DIEsel automakers and follow India. Meanwhile, Lithium Megafactories are rising all around the world and map below shows you the exponential growth of the New Energy rEvolution.

Lithium is the magic metal at the very heart of this Energy rEVolution and International Lithium is Lithium Strategic Investments and Royalty Company which is plugged-in the most dynamic EV and Energy Storage markets in China with partners like a giant from China Ganfeng Lithium. Read more.

Lithium Race: India Unveils Ambitious Plan To Have Only Electric Cars By 2030.

It looks like we have a competition now among the countries which are trying to ban cancer hazard polluting ICE cars first! This a great sign of times and shows that The Switch is approaching very fast. Now we can throw all demand estimations for lithium out of the window. We are moving from the question of the price for lithium to the question who has lithium. Watch video.

International Lithium And Ganfeng Mariana Lithium JV Exploration Target And Indicated Resource Of 1.25 M T of LCE.

Exploration target at Mariana Lithium, Argentina.

International Lithium NI 43-101 report.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

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.

World Economic Forum:

India will sell only electric cars within the next 13 years

"Every car sold in India from 2030 will be electric, under new government plans that have delighted environmentalists and dismayed the oil industry.

It’s hoped that by ridding India’s roads of petrol and diesel cars in the years ahead, the country will be able to reduce the harmful levels of air pollution that contribute to a staggering 1.2 million deaths per year.

India’s booming economy has seen it become the world’s third-largest oil importer, shelling out $150 billion annually for the resource – so a switch to electric-powered vehicles would put a sizable dent in demand for oil. It’s been calculated that the revolutionary move would save the country $60 billion in energy costs by 2030, while also reducing running costs for millions of Indian car owners.

India’s Energy Minister Piyush Goyal says the government will financially support the initiative for the first two or three years, but the production of electric vehicles will be “driven by demand and not subsidy” after that.

Air pollution a big problem in India

More than a million people die in India every year as a result of breathing in toxic fumes, with an investigation by Greenpeace finding that the number of deaths caused by air pollution is only a fraction less than the number of smoking-related deaths.

The investigation also found that 3% of the country's gross domestic product was lost due to the levels of toxic smog.

In 2014, the World Health Organization determined that out of the 20 global cities with the most air pollution, 13 are in India.

Efforts have been made by the country’s leaders to to improve air quality, with one example coming in January 2016 when New Delhi’s government mandatedthat men could only drive their cars on alternate days depending on whether their registration plate ended with an odd or even number (single women were permitted to drive every day).

While such interventions have enjoyed modest success, switching to a fleet of purely electric cars would have a much greater environmental impact.

Indeed, it’s been calculated that the gradual switch to electric vehicles across India would decrease carbon emissions by 37% by 2030.

Oil firms facing uncertain future

As India’s ambitious electric vehicle plans begin to take shape, oil exporters will be frantically revising their calculations for oil demand in the region.

In its report into the impact of electric cars on oil demand, oil and gas giant BP forecast that the global fleet of petrol and diesel cars would almost double from about 900 million in 2015 to 1.7 billion by 2035.

Almost 90% of that growth was estimated to come from countries that are not members of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), such as India and China.

China is also gearing up for a move away from gas-guzzling cars.

Last month, the Chinese confirmed they intend to push ahead with plans that will see alternative fuel vehicles account for at least one-fifth of the 35 million annual vehicle sales projected, by 2025.

Oil bosses claim it’s too early to tell what the implications of a move away from petrol and diesel cars will be. However, Asia has long been the main driver of future oil demand and so developments in India and China will be watched extremely closely."

Friday, 12 May 2017

The Switch And Lithium Race: China, India Plans For Electric Cars Threaten To Cut Gasoline Demand.

Now it is getting interesting. Reuters reports about the coming tide of electric cars and China raises the stakes again. Now China wants "at least" 20% of all auto sales or 7 million of New Energy Vehicles to be sold annually by 2025! And India is talking more and more seriously about only electric cars being sold by 2030.

Tesla Officials Visit Argentina’s Governor Of Salta For Solar And Storage Projects And Sourcing Lithium.

ElectTrek reports that "salt on the salad'": this is how Elon Musk has described lithium before - must be very important for Tesla's digestive system after all. I am writing here extensively about the coming control of the Lithium supply by Chinese companies who are very aggressively buying all the best lithium projects worldwide. It is very difficult to pretend anymore that any lithium will be coming from any signed by Tesla agreements with some junior miners in the nearest future. Lithium cathode is still produced by Panasonic for Tesla Gigafactory. Read more.

Another part of this story is the rising price of lithium in China again. Last year we have seen only 14% rise in lithium supply and prices have increased by 74%. In December, Benchmark Minerals has reported that LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent) was priced below $15k/T and Lithium Hydroxide (the particular lithium based chemical which is used in Tesla batteries) was around $18k/T. Last week I have received reports that in Shanghai LCE was priced at $18k/T and Lithium Hydroxide was at $22k/T. Today there are reports that LCE is already pushing $19k/T. It is all happening just before 4 major Lithium batteries Megafactories will be coming online in China this year and Tesla will move into the mass market stage with the production launch of Tesla Model 3 in July.

As you know, I have been preaching for years that security of lithium supply will be the most important factor determining the competitive advantage among different producers of critical raw materials for the Energy rEVolution. This Lithium Race will have the very far-reaching geopolitical implications. Now it looks like that Tesla is realizing that there is no secure supply of lithium for its massive expansion of operations from the underneath of Gigafactory floor in Nevada. Even if Panasonic is producing cathode for lithium cells which are made at Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada the supply chain is going all over the globe and back to China.

The real test to the market and supply chains for Energy rEVolution will come with the coming tide of Electric Cars and the following tsunami of Energy Storage. Bloomberg has recently reported that there will be more than 120 models of electric cars by 2020 and you should not be surprised as we have discussed here before that there are more than 70 models of electric cars on sale in China already. The next few years will determine who will have the keys to the new Energy rEVolution and control the supply chains. Hungry Dragons are flying high already and mostly in China, the question remains who and how will feed them without fear of being burnt in the process.

International Lithium And Ganfeng Mariana Lithium JV Exploration Target And Indicated Resource Of 1.25 M T of LCE.

Exploration target at Mariana Lithium, Argentina.

International Lithium NI 43-101 report.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Reuters:

China, India plans for electric cars threaten to cut gasoline demand

By Seng Li Peng and Florence Tan | SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR

Demand for gasoline in Asia may peak much earlier than expected as millions of people in China and India buy electric vehicles over the next decade, threatening wrenching change for the oil industry, oil and auto company executives warned.

They said refiners should prepare for a future in which gasoline, their biggest source of revenue, will be much less of a cash cow.

Change is being prompted by policy moves in India and China, where governments are trying to rein in rampant pollution, cut oil imports, and compete for a slice of the fast-growing green car market.

In its "road map", released in April, China said it wants alternative fuel vehicles to account for at least one-fifth of the 35 million annual vehicle sales projected by 2025.

India is considering even more radical action, with an influential government think-tank drafting plans in support of electrifying all vehicles in the country by 2032, according to government and industry sources interviewed by Reuters late last week.

"We will see a clear shift to electric cars. It's driven by legislation so electric cars are coming, it's not a niche anymore," Wilco Stark, vice president for strategy and product planning at German car maker Daimler (DAIGn.DE), told Reuters.

Stark and other executives were interviewed during the Asia Oil & Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur this week.

Daimler sees electric vehicles contributing 15-20 percent of its overall sales by 2025 and at least an additional 10 percent of sales coming from hybrids, he said.

Electric cars currently make up less than 2 percent of the global car fleet, and any faster-than-expected growth in that percentage will materially impact oil demand and the refining business.

"Technology is moving fast. In 10-15 years... our gasoline market might not be the same as it is today," said Dawood Nassif, board director at the state-owned oil company Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).

With gasoline responsible for up to 45 percent of refinery output, and one of the highest profit-margin fuels, a slowdown or fall in demand will have far reaching implications.

Credit agency Moody's says that the fast pace of technological development makes accurate predictions difficult, but warned that direct financial effects from falling oil demand, including gasoline, "could be material by the 2020s."

The changes are so big that the influential International Energy Agency (IEA) plans to revisit its analysis of electric vehicle trends and oil demand.

"The choices made by China and India are obviously most relevant for the possible future peak in passenger car oil demand," an IEA spokesman told Reuters.

In its current policies scenario, last updated in November 2016, the IEA still expects oil demand from vehicle use to rise until 2040.

It's not just China and India that are changing fast.

Asia's major car makers, Japan and South Korea, already sell significant volumes of hybrid vehicles - which operate off gasoline and electricity - while fuel efficiency gains will continue to cut gasoline consumption for standard vehicles.

There will, though, be some major hurdles before a country like India goes mostly electric. High battery costs would push up car prices and a lack of charging stations and other infrastructure in India means car makers may hesitate to make the necessary investment in the technology.

NEED TO ADAPT

Asia has long been the main driver of future oil demand thanks to supercharged growth in sales of autos.

China sells more than 2 million new cars a month aCNDSLSAUT and is challenging the United States as the world's biggest oil consumer. India now is the world's third-biggest oil importer, ahead of Japan.

More than a third of the world's refineries are in Asia, up from just 18 percent in 1990.

For refiners, the growth of vehicles that run on electricity and other alternative fuels is a wake-up call. They can tweak the products they make from crude oil to an extent, but still mostly rely on gasoline consumption for revenue.

"Rising pressure on margins and cash flows will potentially lead to stranded assets," Moody's warned, using a term for assets that no longer provide an economic return because of changes in the market or regulatory environment.

The oil industry is taking note.

Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) said this week that it "is looking into ... the potential to introduce electric vehicle charging points at our retail sites in several countries."

Oil executives say it is still premature to expect overall oil demand to fall soon.

"Our industry will not disappear," said Abdulaziz al Judaimi, senior vice president for downstream at Saudi Aramco, the world's biggest oil export company.

They are envisaging a shift towards producing more petrochemicals like plastics or household chemicals, areas where consumption is soaring.

Saudi Aramco is jointly developing the huge Malaysian RAPID refinery and petrochemical complex with state-owned Petronas, and the two said this week they are exploring an expansion of its petrochemical capacity.

Exxon Mobil (XOM.N) this week said it would buy a petrochemical plant in Singapore.

Refiners also still see strong oil demand from heavy industry.

"Refiners may shift their focus from gasoline to middle distillates," said KY Lin of Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical (6505.TW), a major Asian refiner. "Gasoil is used widely, including in farming/industrial equipment... and also as a marine fuel."

(Reporting by Seng Li Peng in SINGAPORE, Florence Tan in KUALA LUMPUR and Jane Chung in SEOUL; Writing by Henning Gloystein; Editing by Richard Pullin and Martin Howell)"