An esteemed panel of investors and analysts provide insights about how crucial exploration stage projects and investment is at this point in the metals bull market. We hear how the new capital is especially connected to the battery materials space, but there is a preference for lower risk near production assets of which there are relatively few. So what is holding back exploration dollars?
Establishing social license to operate is given as the significant challenge for an exploration community that previously hasn’t had to focus on this aspect as much in previous mining cycles.
The investors give advice to explorers to really focus in on the economics and quality at a very early stage – rather than allocating too much focus on creating scale.
And we learn how the majors have been absent from the market and moved out of exploration many years ago and are struggling to switch skills and focus to the growing battery materials sector.
On the focus of battery metals, the panel agreed there simply isn’t enough supply for the industrial and OEM demands so downstream companies will have to start owning the mines then start earning the exploration projects, because there just isn’t enough supply. All leading to a very exciting time for the industry.
Moderator:
Charles Bond, Partner & Head of Natural Resources – UK, Gowling WLG
Panellists:
John Meyer, Partner & Head of Research, SP Angel
Willem Middelkoop, Chairman, Commodity Discovery Fund
Paul Quirk, Co-Founder & Partner, Lionhead Capital
Amanda Van Dyke, Managing Director, ARCH Emerging Markets Partners
Luke Alexander, President, CEO & Director, Newcore Gold
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