Global Frenzy for Green Metals: CHRG⚡ Weekly

The frenzy to secure access to green metals continued this week globally. On a seemingly daily basis we hear announcements of global car manufacturers securing deals with miners for access to materials like Lithium and Copper needed for electric vehicles (EV). 

This week, Ford announced deals with miners Albemarle and EnergySource Minerals as they compete to increase their share of the EV market. Ford vice president Lisa Drake said the deal "helps us fortify and de-risk our plans for sourcing the key minerals we need to make EVs more accessible for our customers longer-term." Exxon also announced plans to drill for something other than oil, lithium, betting big on the EV boom. 

Earlier in the month, Tesla broke ground on a Lithium refinery in Texas as these manufacturers continue to recognize their biggest hurdle will be supply to these key green metals.

With Lithium dubbed as the “new oil” by Elon Musk and Copper the “new gold rush”, global governments are forming alliances to secure access. As noted in the NY Times “Biden officials agree that obtaining a secure supply of the minerals needed to power electric vehicle batteries is one of their most pressing challenges. U.S. officials say that the global supply of lithium alone needs to increase by 42 times by 2050 to meet the rising demand for electric vehicles.”

China continues to lead the charge with warning bells sounding for the US as China forms alliances with other mineral rich countries like the Congo and signs of a potential OPEC like coalition forming. Our team continues to monitor this major supply / demand dislocation to provide investors active exposure to this global economic shift. 

Can the World Make an Electric Car Battery Without China?

It is one of the defining competitions of our age: The countries that can make batteries for electric cars will reap decades of economic and geopolitical advantages. The only winner so far is China.

The U.S. Needs Minerals for Electric Cars. Everyone Else Wants Them Too

The United States is entering an array of agreements to secure the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition, but it’s not clear which of the arrangements can succeed.

Congo President heads to China amid mining contract negotiations

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi will visit China next week as the two nations look to conclude the re-negotiation of a $6.2 billion mineral-for-infrastructure deal, people with direct knowledge of the trip said.

Copper Rush? 2023 M&A Coming in Hot After Busy 2022

M&A activity in the mining sector remained strong last year overall, but copper deals took the top spot by value at US$14.24 billion, outpacing gold as all eyes turned to the red metal’s key role in the energy transition.

Tesla Lithium Refinery Groundbreaking

Tesla broke ground on their in-house lithium refinery, located in the greater Corpus Christi area of Texas. Once complete, the facility will represent an investment of >$1B in Southwest Texas.

Ford seeks to reassure investors with EV, cost cut plans

Ford Motor Co on Monday unveiled an ambitious strategy to profitably ramp up electric vehicle sales but faces a challenge to slash $7 billion in costs and regain credibility on Wall Street.

Exxon Joins Hunt for Lithium in Bet on EV Boom

Be the first to hear your selection of CHRG Updates, Industry News, and Research

CHRG: A Battery Commodities ETF (NYSE)

Invest in the commodities powering the electric future.