According to MiningNews.net, as the lithium market faces a downturn, Canadian lithium exploration company Patriot Battery Metals aims to enhance the value of its Shaakichiuwaanaan lithium mine in Quebec by confirming a "large, high-grade" cesium discovery to attract investors.
The company believes cesium is a high-value commodity widely used in industrial and specialized fields, including drilling fluids, atomic clocks, and medicine.
Data from Canaccord Genuity shows that the cesium market is relatively small, with Canada's Tanco mine accounting for over 90% of global production.
Canaccord Genuity notes that the cesium market is opaque, lacking a ready index or spot price, and products are generally supplied under contracts.
"Based on USGS data, we estimate cesium carbonate prices typically range from $60-100/kg."
Due to the wide price range, the company questions the stability of cesium prices and expresses uncertainty about its impact on the project's economics.
Nevertheless, the project remains promising.
"Cesium deposits of this scale and grade, combined with high-grade lithium and tantalum, are rare globally, indicating the Shaakichiuwaanaan mineral system's significant critical mineral potential."
The company states that cesium could become an important by-product of future lithium production.
A scoping study completed last year shows the project could produce spodumene concentrates of 800,000 mt annually for at least 24 years.
Investment and operating costs are $962 million and $560/mt, respectively, with the final feasibility study expected to be completed next quarter.
In January, the company secured a strategic investment of C$69 million from Volkswagen.
