SMM3, 27 Feb: according to foreign media reports, Australia's Gerworth Mining said last Thursday that it expected to select a joint venture partner by the end of the year to help develop its nickel-cobalt battery material project in New South Wales.
The management of Gerworth Mining, made up of former Glencore executives, is currently developing Nico Young deposits in southeastern Australia and is expected to see a sharp rise in demand for metals used in rechargeable batteries.
Bryce Crocker (Bryce Crocker), chief executive, said the company was negotiating a 20-40 per cent joint venture agreement with a range of potential partners. These include mining companies, battery makers and original equipment manufacturers from China, Japan and South Korea.
The Division expects to issue a project pre-feasibility study within a few months. "We are trying to find a partner, but we are in no hurry to make a decision right away," Mr Crocker said.
At least four nickel mine projects in Australia are preparing to supply chemicals for the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles at different stages of planning. BHP Billiton Group (BHP Group) this year will transform its western nickel business to produce nickel sulfate. Australia has the second largest cobalt deposit in the world.
Amnesty International has attacked the electric car industry, accusing it of using polluting fossil fuels and unethical minerals in the production of batteries, but claiming to be environmentally friendly.
In January, Scotland agreed to buy a Canadian cobalt exploration company with operations in Uganda.
Crocker and Peter Johnston, chairman, previously worked for Glencore, a global commodities trader and mining company.
