The Gold Report: In a recent Benchmark Mineral Intelligence report, “Mineral Supply Chain Visibility: Impact of Disruptive Technologies on Critical Raw Materials,” you make the case that supply chain visibility will become increasingly important in the critical minerals space. Please briefly explain why.
Simon Moores: We’ve noticed that during the rare earth element bubble in 2010–2011, people didn’t know what these niche minerals that go into everyday critical technologies were or where they were sourced. We’ve seen that knowledge grow in the last five years and downstream companies like Apple Inc. (AAPL:NASDAQ) and Tesla Motors Inc. (TSLA:NASDAQ) are now aware of what the raw materials are and where they come from.
“Mason Graphite Inc. CEO Benoît Gascon knows what it takes to develop specialist products.”
Awareness in these niche minerals of growing importance, such as graphite, lithium and cobalt, is now occurring throughout the supply chain and not just in the upstream portion with the mining or processing companies. The downstream companies are paying attention and they buy the raw materials to manufacture these disruptive technologies. Supply chain visibility is rising.
Andrew Miller: Supply chains are going to become increasingly important. As these new technologies rapidly develop, both traditional industrial end users and newer high-tech buyers of these raw materials need to know more about the global supply pattern—factors that can impact their business. It’s basic risk management in today’s world.
They can’t just rely on their traders or distributors for intelligence. End users are now aware of the need for a more global, independent picture on supply, demand and prices.
TGR: Is that happening?
SM: We haven’t seen companies completely change their raw materials buying patterns yet, but some are preparing for it. In the U.S., the Conflict Minerals Act was the first time specific …read more