Period ending 30 September 2023
Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX: AVL, the Company or AVL) is pleased to present the company's quarterly activities report for the period ending 30 September 2023.
Proposed merger with Technology Metals Australia
Australian Vanadium Project
Vanadium in energy storage
Corporate
Management Comment
CEO, Graham Arvidson comments, “The last quarter has been particularly busy for AVL from both a project and corporate perspective. We announced the proposed combination of Australian Vanadium and Technology Metals Australia which, if successful, would be transformational for both companies and the wider Australian vanadium landscape. The companies recognise that the consolidation of AVL and TMT’s adjoining projects with a contiguous orebody provides a unique opportunity for the combined group to realise material operational and corporate synergies which will be advantageous for both sets of shareholders. An integration team consisting of members of AVL and TMT has been formed to assess the optimal development and processing pathway and the transaction will create the leading ASX listed vanadium developer and a world-class asset of scale, located in a tier-1 mining jurisdiction.
In conjunction with the proposed merger, AVL completed a $15.7 million institutional placement and we were pleased with the strong support shown from both existing and new institutional investors, including major shareholder Resource Capital Funds. The support highlights the growing investor interest in the vanadium sector, with AVL well positioned to benefit from the clean energy transition and ongoing electrification of energy supplies requiring storage solutions. The placement ensures that the combined group will be well-funded to progress its integration strategy, as well as its go- forward development.
During the quarter we also announced commencement of construction of AVL’s first vanadium electrolyte facility. AVL aims to become a trusted supplier of vanadium electrolyte within Australia and the electrolyte plant provides an ideal opportunity for the Company to test and further mature its systems and processes that will ultimately underpin the larger Australian Vanadium Project. We look forward to providing further updates to shareholders as activities progress.”
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This article includes content from Australian Vanadium, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Vincent Algar to retire from the AVL Board of Directors
Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX: AVL, “the Company” or “AVL”) announces that Managing Director, Mr Vincent Algar, will retire from the Board of the Company on 14 July 2023. He will continue in a transition role for the next few months, as the Company continues to develop the Australian Vanadium Project (“the Project”).
Chair of the Board, Cliff Lawrenson comments, “Under Vincent’s outstanding leadership, AVL has progressed the Project successfully through the exploration and study phases, which has provided the Company with an exceptionally deep technical understanding of what it will take to liberate and deliver product in an efficient and sustainable manner. The outlook for vanadium in both the steel and energy storage markets appears increasingly compelling as global decarbonisation becomes the single biggest priority for the world.
“Vincent’s retirement completes the management transition which began with the appointment of Graham Arvidson as Chief Executive Officer1. The changes we have made to the Board and the management transition are integral to ensuring we have the skills and experience in place across the Company for the construction and operation of the Project under the Chief Executive Officer’s leadership.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Vincent for his vision and enormous contribution to AVL and look forward to remaining close friends as the Company continues to advance this exceptional opportunity.”
Mr Algar comments, “Since joining AVL nearly nine years ago, the Company’s focus has been on successfully advancing the Project through the resource development and feasibility phases and developing downstream opportunities. We have defined a robust project and assembled a team with deep expertise across the vanadium industry value chain. I am very proud of our achievements and excited by the bright future of AVL as an integral part of a successful vanadium industry in Western Australia. I look forward to finalising the leadership transition over the next few months as Graham and the team continue the AVL journey.”
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This article includes content from Australian Vanadium Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL, FRA:JT71, OTC:ATVVF), FRA:JT71, OTC:ATVVF) holds one of the most advanced high-grade vanadium deposits in the world and now focuses significantly on developing its Australian Vanadium project, a high-grade vanadium, titanium and iron resource situated roughly 43 kilometers south of the mining town of Meekatharra in Western Australia.
The company's wholly-owned subsidiary VSUN Energy has current projects including the installation of a VRFB to power an industrial chlorinator, as a standalone power system for a bore pump at a major nickel project, and to power the systems at an orchard in Victoria. VSUN Energy is also consulting with several major mining clients as the demand for vanadium is expected to double by 2032, with 90 percent of this demand driven by VRFBs.
The major component of a VRFB is vanadium electrolyte. This solution of vanadium mixed with acid and water will be manufactured by AVL at a facility being constructed in the Perth region.
Both VSUN Energy and the AVL are part of Australian Vanadium's vertically integrated strategy, through which it intends to support every stage of VRFB production. This will, the company maintains, give it the ability to not only produce the world's highest-quality vanadium, but also tailor that vanadium to its customers’ needs.
This Australian Vanadium profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Collaboration grant agreement to support the development of the Australian Vanadium Project.
Further to the Company’s announcement on 16 March 20221, Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX: AVL, “the Company” or “AVL”) is pleased to advise that AVL and the Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, have executed a Commonwealth Grant Agreement (“the Agreement”) as part of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative - Manufacturing Collaboration Stream (“the Grant”).
KEY POINTS
The Grant provides up to $49 million in funding support for the Australian Vanadium Project (“the Project”) to assist the Company, in collaboration with industry partners, to create an Australian vanadium battery industry. The Grant funds eligible activities to construct and commission a concentrator and high-purity vanadium processing facility capable of using green hydrogen as part of the extraction process for the Project. This critical mineral extraction process is a key precursor for vanadium electrolyte manufacturing. The scope of the Grant encompasses support for all stages of the vanadium production value chain, from mining and concentrating to vanadium processing for use in electrolyte production, a key enabler for the Australian vanadium redox flow battery industry. As part of the activities under the Grant, AVL will also collaborate with Bryah Resources Limited (ASX: BYH) to explore options to extract cobalt, nickel, copper and gold economically from the Project.3 Broader activities needed to realise the overall Project, such as development of the mine and supporting infrastructure, will be funded from sources other than the Grant.
CEO, Graham Arvidson comments, “AVL has been working closely with the Australian Government and we are pleased to announce execution of the Agreement. The Grant will be of great benefit to AVL as we seek to optimise and finalise our financing and offtake arrangements and continue to move the Project forward for the benefit of the mid-west region of Western Australia, and Australia more broadly. We are very grateful to the Australian Government and the grant team who worked tirelessly to finalise this important outcome.”
The Agreement has a commencement date of 29 May 2023 and ends on 31 July 2026.
The Grant will be be paid progressively over the term of the Agreement, subject to milestones and compliance by the Company with its obligations under the Agreement. An initial payment of $9.8 million is scheduled to be received by the Company in June 2023, followed by three further payments, with the final payment scheduled for August 2025.
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This article includes content from Australian Vanadium Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Highly experienced financial professional to drive financial outcomes
Australian Vanadium Limited (ASX: AVL, “the Company” or “AVL”) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr Tom Plant as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company with effect from 6th June 2023.
KEY POINTS
Incoming CFO, Tom Plant comments, “I am excited to be joining AVL at a pivotal time for both the Company and the vanadium industry more broadly. The energy transition is accelerating and sufficient large-scale battery storage is a critical supporting element in this process. The Company’s world-class Australian Vanadium Project is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the expected significant role vanadium redox flow batteries will play in delivering the required battery storage capacity.”
Mr Plant is a seasoned finance executive, with almost 30 years of experience in various corporate and commercial roles. He has a strong background in debt and equity funding solutions, investment evaluation and corporate transactions. Mr Plant’s experience in these areas will complement the existing capabilities in the AVL team as it progresses the Australian Vanadium Project.
Mr Plant most recently served as interim CFO at Leo Lithium Limited (ASX: LLL), the developer of the Goulamina Lithium Project in Mali and prior to that, CFO of Firefinch Limited (ASX: FFX). Previous roles have included ten years at global mineral sands and rare earths producer Iluka Resources (ASX: ILU) and various positions in investment banking and professional services with Macquarie Group, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein and Arthur Andersen.
Mr Plant is a Chartered Accountant (CAANZ) and holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MSc (Mineral Economics) from Curtin University, a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance and Risk Management from the Governance Institute of Australia.
Interim CFO, Ms Liesl Strachan, will continue to work within the Company on the development of the finance function. We thank her for her leadership in this role.
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The vanadium market is set to shift in 2025, driven by demand from the energy storage and steel sectors.
Energy storage systems that utilize vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are gaining traction as renewable energy deployment accelerates, boosting demand for high-purity vanadium. However, global supply remains constrained due to limited mining projects and geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in China and Russia, key producers.
Environmental regulations and advances in recycling technology may also influence supply dynamics, and market observers are watching potential price volatility tied to steel demand, the largest end use of vanadium globally.
In September 2024, China introduced new rebar standards that are anticipated to boost high-quality vanadium demand.
“Production of rebar with the new standards will increase per annum vanadium nitrogen consumption by roughly 15 percent,” a July Fastmarkets report notes. “That calculation is based on China’s 2023 rebar production volume.”
“Vanadium demand in steel alloys will rise in 2025 due to change in Chinese rebar standards. However, expected demand rise in steel will not be as high as estimated from battery manufacturing in the medium term due to slowdown in the Chinese construction industry,” said Piyush Goel, commodities consultant at CRU Group, via email.
“Vanadium demand in batteries is estimated to rise rapidly; this rise in demand will primarily come from China due to targeted government policies towards VRFBs," he told the Investing News Network (INN).
China, which is the leading producer of vanadium, is also expected to drive global demand in the year ahead.
“Rise in vanadium demand in the medium term (til 2029) is estimated to be heavily concentrated in China, because we estimate VRFB demand to pick up faster in China compared to other regions,” he said. “Similarly, Chinese rebar standards also changed — requiring higher-vanadium-intensity steel. Due to the rapid rise in domestic vanadium demand, China is likely to become a net importer of vanadium as the Chinese market goes into deficit from surplus.”
Even though Fastmarkets is calling for a 15 percent uptick in vanadium demand for rebar, this will only bring demand back up to previous levels. As Erik Sardain, principal analyst for Project Blue, explained, China’s weak construction market has caused a 15 percent year-on-year decline in domestic rebar construction.
Despite positivity in the VRFB space, Sardain doesn’t expect this to offset lower rebar demand.
“No, no, no, no, absolutely not. If you want to look worldwide, you can say that steel in general is something like 90 percent (of vanadium demand),” Sardain said in a December interview with INN.
The expert went on to point out that quantifying the amount of vanadium used in batteries and energy storage is challenging. He also questioned demand trend forecasts from the battery segment.
“I think the market got it wrong for one main reason, because the market is assuming that the vanadium redox battery for the storage system is going to be something worldwide,” he said.
“And at Project Blue, we don't think it's going to be global. We think it's going to be primarily China.”
He attributes this to the types of installations utilizing VRFB energy storage systems, telling INN that China is using the technology to power grids, while other countries are using it for small-scale applications.
Taking a more optimistic and long-term view, CRU’s Goel sees more viability in the battery and energy storage segments.
“VRFBs will have a considerable impact on the vanadium industry through the next two decades, but will play a minor role in the energy storage space — accounting for only 3.5 percent of total battery energy storage installations by 2035,” said Goel. “Although VRFBs will make up a small portion of total energy storage, they are significant consumers of vanadium and will consume the majority of global vanadium in 2035, compared to ~6 percent in 2024."
As the Russia-Ukraine war continues and tensions between the US and China grow, many metals have faced volatility. These disruptions have impacted global markets, spurring policymakers to fast track new supply chains.
China’s restrictions on gallium and germanium exports in August 2023 escalated to a complete ban on shipments to the US in December 2024, intensifying global supply concerns.
Potential export caps and tariffs threaten to disrupt already fragile supply chains; however, Goel told INN that he doesn’t foresee these issues impacting the vanadium market.
“Similar trade restrictions are unlikely in vanadium, as most of the recent rise in vanadium demand is coming from China, which means China is likely to become a net importer if no new capacity is opened,” he said.
“This also means that should China become import reliant for a meaningful share of vanadium, which is to be used in two significant national industries (steel and energy storage), vanadium will move up in criticality matrices for China — moving nearer to materials like iron ore, potash and high-purity quartz.”
As demand in China picks up, Sardain anticipates the Asian nation will ramp up production. “With the current geopolitical environment, there is absolutely no way that China is going to rely on imports of vanadium,” he noted.
According to Goel, China isn’t the only country that is looking to be less reliant on imports. “Governments worldwide have recognized vanadium as a critical mineral, leading to increased support for emerging vanadium projects,” he said.
He referenced Australian company Vecco Group, which received an AU$3.8 million grant to advance the feasibility and design of a high-purity vanadium project in Brisbane.
“However, such grants are not enough to bring a project from conception to production. The current low vanadium pricing environment is a barrier to increasing ex-China capacity,” he added.
While China will dominate the vanadium narrative in 2025, Australia is positioning to become a production hub.
In addition to getting its AU$3.8 million grant, Vecco’s project was granted coordinated project status by the Queensland government this past July. The status designation streamlines approvals for major developments with significant impacts, centralizing assessments and enabling public consultation.
In late December, explorer and developer QEM (ASX:QEM) also received coordinated project status from Queensland for its Julia Creek vanadium and energy project. According to a July release, a scoping study completed for Julia Creek affirms the company’s aim to produce approximately 10,571 metric tons of 99.95 percent pure vanadium pentoxide and 313 million liters of transport fuel annually over a 30 year mine life.
In mid-January, Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL,OTC Pink:ATVVF) was granted environmental approval for its Gabanintha vanadium project in Western Australia. The approval covers a mine, concentrator, processing plant and supporting infrastructure, including a bore field and camp. The company is updating its optimized feasibility study to integrate Gabanintha into its Australian Vanadium project, one of the largest and highest-grade vanadium deposits.
Underscoring the weakness in the vanadium market, Sardain recounted factors impeding price growth.
He explained that despite several elements that should have boosted demand, the market remains surprisingly weak. Chinese monetary stimulus measures and stricter rebar standard enforcement failed to drive prices higher.
Russian vanadium pentoxide exports to China have dried up, and supply uncertainties persist in South Africa.
These conditions, which typically would have supported price increases for the battery metal, have instead had little impact, highlighting the subdued demand, especially in China.
“To be really honest, I was expecting the market to pick up in the second half of 2024,” he said.
“I was expecting this to happen, because I was looking at the interest rate in Europe, the (European Central Bank) cutting interest rates. I was expecting some kind of recovery for the European economy. I was expecting the Chinese government to be more proactive. I was expecting the property market in China to stabilize. So I was expecting some kind of rebound in the second half, which didn't take place," Sardain explained to INN.
Although the market didn’t perform to expectations in 2024, he sees promise in the months ahead.
“I think that the market is currently bottoming out. I believe that we are very close to the stabilization of the property market in China. Whether it's going to happen in Q1 or Q2 I don't know, but maybe (there will be) some kind of very, very, very mild recovery in the second half (of the year),” he said.
Highlighting the market’s positive fundamentals, CRU’s Goel said he sees a price rebound in 2025.
“We are estimating a global supply deficit in 2025 due to change in rebar standards and rise in vanadium battery demand, causing vanadium prices to rise,” said Goel. “As more supply comes online in 2026 and 2027, by 2027 vanadium prices will come down when compared to 2025 prices, but crucially remain higher than the pricing in the last 12 months.”
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL,OTC Pink:ATVVF) announced on Monday (January 13) that its Gabanintha vanadium project has received environmental approval from the Western Australian government.
The company said that Reece Whitby, the state's environment minister, has approved the implementation of Gabanintha under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (WA).
“This approval marks a major milestone for the Company, advancing the project towards construction and production while strengthening our confidence in securing the remaining approvals needed to move forward with the consolidated Australian Vanadium Project,” said Australian Vanadium CEO Graham Arvidson in a release.
The approval encompasses a mine, concentrator, processing plant and other key infrastructure, including a bore field and camp. The company is working on optimised feasibility study (OFS) to incorporate Gabanintha into its Australian Vanadium project, which says is among the largest and highest-grade vanadium deposits.
Australian Vanadium intends to produce vanadium concentrate at Gabanintha, with high-purity vanadium oxides and an iron concentrate co-product produced at a planned processing plant in Tenindewa.
Located in the Murchison province approximately 43 kilometres south of Meekatharra in Western Australia, the Australian Vanadium project holds 395.4 million tonnes at 0.77 percent vanadium pentoxide.
The OFS will outline the potential economic benefits of an integrated project. It will be informed by preceding trade-off studies to determine the preferred project development pathway, mine scheduling and processing plant location.
The company notes that its strategy fits in with the Australian government's Future Made in Australia plan, which is geared at supporting Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy and increasing Australian manufacturing.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Explorer and developer QEM (ASX:QEM) said on Monday (December 23) that its Julia Creek vanadium and energy project has received coordinated project status from Queensland’s Office of the Coordinator-General.
According to QEM, the declaration will allow the office to facilitate regulatory approvals.
The company has been working for the last 24 months on environmental baselines needed for Julia Creek's environmental impact statement (EIS), and will now start preparing draft terms of reference for the EIS.
“Coordinated Project status is another major milestone for QEM and I welcome the ongoing support from the Queensland Government for new and expanded mining opportunities and high-value industries, particularly in regional Queensland,” said QEM Chairman Tim Wall in the company's press release.
Jarrod Bleiji, deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure and planning, said the declaration “is another example of how Queensland is now open for business under the Crisafulli LNP Government.”
Julia Creek is located in Northwest Queensland, where it covers 250 square kilometres. QEM says the asset is “one of the single largest vanadium deposits in the world today.”
Its resource currently stands at 2,870 million tonnes at 0.31 percent vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), with 461 million tonnes at 0.28 percent V2O5 in the indicated category and 2,406 million tonnes at 0.31 percent V2O5 in the inferred category.
A scoping study released on August 27 reveals that the project aims to produce approximately 10,571 tonnes of 99.95 percent pure V2O5 and 313 million litres of transport fuel annually over a 30 year mine life.
The company has said Julia Creek has the potential to create up to 600 jobs over a two year construction period and approximately 588 permanent jobs during its operational phase.
“The dual-commodity nature of our project seeks to address two urgent needs: long-duration energy storage and domestic fuel security,” commented QEM Managing Director Gavin Loyden on Monday.
“The adoption of vanadium flow batteries is accelerating around the world, and Queensland is uniquely positioned to establish a ‘pit to battery’ manufacturing value chain. QEM will expand its participation in this value chain by processing its vanadium pentoxide into vanadium electrolyte for long-duration batteries,” he furthered.
QEM completed a AU$2.76 million capital raise for the project on October 26, with new shares and options issued to support progress on a prefeasibility study.
Construction is slated for early 2028, while a commissioning and operational phase is set for late 2029.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Australian Vanadium (ASX:AVL,OTC Pink:ATVVF) announced on Tuesday (August 13) that it has received AU$2.63 million by way of the Australian government’s Research & Development (R&D) Tax Incentive Scheme.
The refund amount was granted for R&D completed in the 2022/2023 tax year by Australian Vanadium and Technology Metals Australia, with AU$1.79 million and AU$0.84 million coming from their respective submissions.
The two companies announced plans to merge in 2023, and completed the transaction earlier this year.
Australian Vanadium is currently advancing its Western Australia-based Australian Vanadium project, which it says is one of the most advanced vanadium projects globally. It also has a wholly owned subsidiary called VSUN, whose efforts are centred on developing the Australian market for vanadium flow batteries for long-duration energy storage.
In its latest quarterly activities report, released on July 31, Australian Vanadium said the first phase of an optimised feasibility study for the Australian Vanadium project has been completed. With the second stage now in progress, the company's goals include finalising a detailed mine plan and optimising project infrastructure.
Australian Vanadium is also looking to complete layout and design criteria for an upstream crushing, milling and beneficiation plant at Gabanintha and a downstream processing plant at Tenindewa.
Earlier this month, on August 6, the City of Greater Geraldton's council lent its support to a local planning scheme amendment that proposes to rezone the site of Australian Vanadium's Tenindewa facility.
“Obtaining support from the Council advances our efforts to finalise approvals of our project and serves as a strong endorsement of the Company’s plan to become a fully integrated vanadium flow battery provider, from vanadium products and electrolyte manufacturing to the batteries themselves, all within Western Australia,” the company said.
The Australian government's R&D Tax Incentive Scheme is described as a self-assessment that “encourages companies to engage in R&D benefiting Australia by providing a tax offset for eligible activities.”
Included in the scheme’s requirements are AU$20,000 in notional deductions this income year.
“If your eligible R&D expenditure is less than AU$20,000, you can still apply for the offset. However, you must use a registered Research Service Provider to conduct your R&D,” an online explainer reads.
“For R&D entities with aggregated turnover of less than AU$20 million, the refundable R&D tax offset is your corporate tax rate plus an 18.5 percent premium."
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Vanadium saw a price bump in January on hopes that China's property sector would prop up demand, but that positivity began to erode during the first half of the year as consumption remained weak.
Willis Thomas, head of CRU+, said that in January prices were 5 percent higher than December’s average, reaching 91,167 renminbi per metric ton (MT) delivered at place (DAP), or US$12,766.16.
“However, since this pre-New Year’s bump, policies introduced this year have so far failed to revive demand in the property sector, and the downward trend on pricing has continued along with structurally weak demand for finished long steel products,” he told the Investing News Network (INN) via email.
By June, a sharper-than-expected drop in China's rebar production, which fell by 12 percent year-on-year in Q1 and 13 percent year-on-year in Q2, had exacerbated vanadium's price declines. Growing battery-related demand wasn't enough to offset the losses experienced in steel applications, which make up nearly 90 percent of vanadium usage.
“Generally, the price of vanadium is very low compared to recent historical periods,” said Thomas.
By June, Chinese vanadium pentoxide was averaging just 82,312 renminbi DAP (US$11,526.19).
Global vanadium production contracted slightly in 2023, slipping from 102,000 MT in 2022 to come in at 100,000 MT, according to the US Geological Survey's latest information on the critical metal.
The report states that vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are becoming increasingly significant for large-scale energy storage, particularly in supporting renewable energy projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Global installations of VRFB projects are on the rise, with analysts predicting that the VRFB market will account for about 17 percent of vanadium consumption by 2033, up from just 3 percent in 2021.
However, while the VRFB market's growing need for vanadium will be helpful in the future, Thomas said weak demand in the steelmaking sector, where vanadium is used as a strengthener, is weighing on the metal now.
“It was not surprising to see rebar production numbers fall in China, but it was surprising by how much," he said, noting that back in December declines for Q1 and Q2 were projected at 6 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Vanadium prices could improve in H2 as China's new rebar standards go into effect in September.
“The new regulations will shift standards from recommendatory to mandatory. They will also adjust standards of tolerance, smelting, properties, package and implement stricter requirements on rebar quality,” states a July report from Fastmarkets. The firm said the regulations are expected to lead to increased demand for vanadium nitrogen and silicomanganese amid a push for developing high-quality steel.
“For example, the tolerance for rebar with diameters of 6-12 millimeters (mm) is 5.5 percent in 2024 standards, compared with 6 percent in the 2018 version. The tolerance for rebar with diameter of 14-20 mm is 4.5 percent, compared with 5 percent in the 2018 version,” the firm continues in the article.
During the first half of 2024, Chinese rebar consumption slipped to 102.35 million MT, an 11.7 percent decline from the same period in 2023, when 115.92 million tonnes were used.
While battery demand growth is seen supporting vanadium prices in the coming years, some of that potential may be eroded as different battery chemistries vie for dominance in the market.
According to the International Energy Agency's 2024 Global Critical Metals Outlook, the battery storage market experienced significant growth in 2023, with global installed capacity surpassing 85 gigawatts. This growth was driven mainly by China, the EU and the US, which together accounted for nearly 90 percent of capacity additions.
China led the market, making up 55 percent of the new global additions, primarily through utility-scale projects paired with solar and wind. The majority of the US’ new capacity was made up of utility-scale systems, while the EU saw rapid growth in behind-the-meter storage, especially in Germany and Italy.
Of this new capacity, lithium-ion batteries — particularly lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, known as LFP — make up the largest share, representing 80 percent of storage systems. This dominance reflects their increasing use due to lower costs and better performance for frequent charging and discharging.
The report goes on to note that lithium-ion batteries remain key for short-duration storage, while alternative technologies like vanadium flow batteries are being developed to diversify energy storage solutions.
“Lithium-ion batteries’ role in fuelling the growth of the EV industry remains unchallenged in the near term,” the International Energy Agency explains. “Alternative technologies such as sodium-ion batteries and vanadium flow batteries begin to take some shares from lithium-ion batteries in low-range vehicles and storage markets, but they do not materially alter the prospects for lithium demand in climate-driven scenarios.”
Thomas also expects to see continued growth in the energy storage sector, which will benefit vanadium.
“Battery-related demand has seen increases, with 2024 looking to be another record-breaking year for this sector — but growth in this sector has not offset the loss of steel-related demand," he emphasized.
If forecasts for increased rebar demand and energy storage applications are correct, the vanadium market will need to increase production, a point the US Geological Survey makes in its vanadium overview.
However, escalating tensions between the west and China, as well as Russia, could impact access to supply. China and Russia are the first and second largest producers of vanadium globally.
“New supplies of high-purity vanadium pentoxide needed for VRFBs are expected to come from existing producers or early-stage development projects,” the organization's report on the battery metal states.
As the US looks to build its domestic supply chains for critical minerals, the country could look to the Gibellini vanadium project in Nevada. The site is owned by Nevada Vanadium, a subsidiary of Silver Elephant Mining (TSX:ELEF,OTCQB:SILEF), and has garnered attention from the Biden administration.
“The Gibellini project, located in Eureka County, Nevada, will help provide the critical mineral vanadium, which is an important component in lightweight steel and has the potential to increase the life and reduce the cost of batteries when used in utility-scale wind and solar projects,” an April press release from the White House states.
“This was the first primary vanadium mine to be permitted in the United States.”
Elsewhere, fresh supply could come from an unexpected source.
In June, Kazakhstan began producing mixed vanadium oxides, aiming to supply the growing battery market and support green energy efforts. A facility in the Kyzylorda region is reportedly able to produce over 30 MT of the material on a monthly basis using local raw materials and advanced technologies.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education is said to be exploring partnerships with battery producers VRB Energy and Invinity Energy Systems (LSE:IES,OTCQX:IESVF). These moves are part of a broader strategy to leverage the nation’s critical raw materials, including vanadium and lithium, for the green energy transition.
Despite the potential growth the vanadium sector is expecting over the next decade, Thomas warned that there is still plenty of volatility in the market. In his view, it's not yet clear if the bottom is in.
“Vanadium capacity is being curtailed currently, but there may still be some room left for prices to fall. If steel-related demand continues to fall, as expected in Q3, then vanadium prices are likely to be flat to negative," he said.
Chinese rebar production is projected to see a 5 percent year-on-year increase in Q4, “which along with continued battery related demand may support prices near the end of the year,” Thomas said.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
Exploration-stage Velox Energy Materials (TSXV:VLX) publicized plans to dual list on the ASX in a press release shared on August 2, saying it's aiming to raise AU$8 million to AU$10 million in the process.
The vanadium-focused company also said it has secured a "cornerstone investment" commitment from the QIC Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund, which is managed and administered by QIC.
“With our flagship North Queensland Vanadium Project (NQVP) and Kotai Hydrogen Project both based in Australia, it is logical that we would seek to gain further exposure to Australian investors via a proposed dual listing on the ASX,” Simon Coyle, president and CEO of Velox, commented in last week's announcement. “We are extremely excited to have a QIC-managed fund as a cornerstone investor in the proposed dual listing capital raise.”
QIC is owned by the Queensland government and is one of the largest institutional investment managers in Australia. Its investment will come to AU$4 million to AU$5 million and will be used to help progress the NQVP.
“Up to two million tonnes of vanadium is required for battery storage to decarbonise industries and communities globally under 2050 net zero targets, while total global production in 2023 represented approximately five percent of this figure,” noted Allison Hill, QIC's state chief investment officer. She added that this deficit showcases the opportunity that companies like Velox have in harnessing in the next critical minerals boom in Queensland.
Should Velox receive in-principle approval from the ASX, it intends to lodge a prospectus with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in the third quarter of this year.
The planned AU$8 million to AU$10 million in funds will be used to further feasibility studies and pre-production activities for the NQVP, and for continued investment and support of the Kotai hydrogen project.
The NQVP covers 1,246 square kilometers in Northwest Queensland. It is located along the Flinders Highway between Julia Creek and Richmond, where vanadium exploration has been receiving strong support from the government.
At Kotai, Velox is working with experts from Perth's Curtin University to investigate the feasibility of using sodium borohydride as "a 'safe carrier' of hydrogen that can be deployed on demand wherever it is required.”
Velox also holds the Lake Pierre lithium project in Eastern Québec, Canada.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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