Goro: Tesla on the trail of Caledonian nickel and cobalt for its Berlin plant
TESLA GIGA BERLIN RENDERING.
Two main players are currently in negotiations with Vale-NC for its South Plant, New Century Resources, from Australia and Korea Zinc, associated with SOFINOR-SMSP, a Caledonian public actor and mining arm of the North Province. The management of Vale’s nickel subsidiary in Toronto and the management of the Caledonian factory, Vale-NC, are still in exclusive talks with the Australian mining group New Century Resources, supported by a consortium of Japanese, Australian and French banks. The price of the Caledonian complex is estimated between US$ 200 and US$ 400 million.
A source close to Vale in Toronto explained on condition of anonymity that Tesla would use the Caledonian nickel-cobalt from Goro for its European factory in Berlin-Brandenburg, currently under construction. By purchasing nickel and cobalt in New Caledonia for its electric batteries, Tesla will meet future requirements from the European Union. From 2022, metals imported into Europe will require ethical, societal and environmental production standards.
Nickel prices slightly fell on Wednesday, after increasing 1.6% the previous day having reached US$ 13,730, its highest price since January 22.
The Shanghai metals market review (SMM) forecasts that the Chinese nickel market will be in excess of 94,600 tonnes in 2020.
Nickel price at the LME in London on 3/15/2020 at 4:30 p.m. GMT is US$ 13,470 per tonne, -0.92%.