Metals
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Radioactivity of materials: energy, Rare Earths and nuclear?
This data-file captures the radioactivity of materials: ranging from 10Bq/kg in sea-water, to 100Bq/kg in humans, to 300Bq/kg in Brazil nuts (the most radioactivity food), to 1,000Bq/kg in coal ash, 2,000Bq/kg in copper tailings, 0.5-1MBq/kg in Rare Earth concentrates and tailings, to 4M Bq/kg in uranium ore, 0.2 bn Bq/kg in nuclear fuel and 10-100…
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Solvent extraction: Rare Earth separations?
How are Rare Earths separated and concentrated? The process uses solvent extraction in mixer-settlers. It will typically cost over $10/kg, and possibly in the hundreds of dollars per kg. Solvent extraction costs are highly variable and can be stress-tested in this data-file.
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Global commodity trade: by product by region?
Commodities comprise over $6trn of of the world’s $33trn pa in global trade, or around 20%, alongside $10trn in services, $2trn of electronic goods, $1trn in cars, $1trn in mechanical capital goods. This data-file breaks down global commodity imports and exports, by country and by region.
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Conveyor costs: economics of moving bulk material?
Conveyors are often the most economical way to move bulk materials over long distances, e.g., from a mine to a processing plant, with an economic cost of $0.1/ton-km, in order to generate a 10% IRR on capex, opex and other costs. These costs are c30% lower than for heavy trucks, opex is at least 60%…
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Howmet: turbine blade breakthroughs?
Howmet is an engineered metals company, and the world’s #1 supplier of blades and vanes for jet engines and gas turbines. It has claimed an edge in direct-casting cooling channels (rather than drilling them) and bond coats that improve the adherence of Thermal Barrier Coatings. Our Howmet gas turbine technology review found support for these…
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Aluminium production: energy economics?
This data-file captures the energy economics of aluminium production via electrolysis, breaking down the costs line-by-line. The overall process emits 10kg of CO2 per kg of aluminium. 10% IRRs are achievable at recent prices of $2.3/kg. But challenges are illustrated for environmental policy.
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Lithium mining and upgrading: the economics?
This data-file quantifies the economics of producing lithium carbonate from spodumene in mined pegmatites. We estimate a price of $12,500/ton lithium carbonate price is likely needed for a 10% IRR in today’s China-heavy value chain, which emits 50kg of CO2 per kg of lithium.
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Going platinum: PGMs in energy transition?
Could PGMs experience another up-cycle through 2030, on more muted EV sales growth in 2025-30, and rising catalyst loadings per ICE vehicle? This 16-page note explores global supply chains for platinum and palladium, the long-term demand drivers for PGMs in energy transition, and profiles leading PGM producers.
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Lithium ion battery costs: materials and manufacturing?
Lithium ion battery costs range from $40-140/kWh, depending on the chemistry (LFP vs NMC), geography (China vs the West) and cost basis (cash cost, marginal cost and actual pricing). This data-file is a breakdown of lithium ion battery costs, across c15 materials and c20 manufacturing stages, so input assumptions can be stress-tested.
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Leading PGM producers: mining, refining and recycling?
This data-file is a screen of leading PGM producers and recyclers. Eight companies control 90% of global production. Most are mid-caps. Four have primary listings in South Africa. Three are listed in Europe and the UK. Ore grades average 4 grams/ton, and recovery requires 60GWH/ton of energy, emitting 40kT/ton of CO2. But do recent company…
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