The indefatigable genius, Craig Tindale, has done it once again with a deep-dive analysis on the supply crunch of the chemicals needed to make the world go round.
The situation the world finds itself in has never before been articulated as clearly as Craig has analysed it here… All those that care how our world is changing, with absurdly profound consequences, should IMMEDIATELY READ his analysis.
@ctindale explains how chemical reagents have overtaken geology as THE main bottleneck impacting the global supply chain of metals.
An unprecedented shock has been created in the supply of sulphur and sulphuric acid. Initially, this was caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz… and further exasperated by subsequent export restrictions imposed by other major exporters of sulphur and sulphuric acid as they protect thier own industries.
As Craig points out, sulphuric acid is essential in the production of critical metals, such as copper, nickel, cobalt, uranium and rare earths… He goes into detail on how the growing contraction in the supply of acid is already impacting the production of critical metals in Chile, Africa, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
Not to be forgotten is that over 50% of the world’s sulphuric acid is used in the production of fertilizer. The supply shock is also having a significant impact on the security of food supply. Governments have a priority to ensure their populations have enough food to eat at a price they can afford to eat it at….leading to further export restrictions.
Craig forecasts:
1) vertical integration and “reagent security” will become essential to metals producers,
2) the supply of chemical reagents will be weaponized, and
3) technological substitution will accelerate as we seek alternatives to solve our dependency.
Craig’s incredibly insightful analysis even includes a handy Reagent Brittleness Index (RBI), which he artfully uses to create a Sulphur & Acid Supply Risk Dashboard for Critical Mining Assets.
Spoiler: Craig notes that the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC emerges as a mining operation least at risk to chemical supply shocks, as our new on-site copper smelter becomes a major sulphuric acid PRODUCER for the region.
We are genuinely alarmed by the consequences of the new reality the world finds itself in… take an hour out of your weekend and carefully read it for yourself.
🇦🇺Craig Tindale@ctindale
English
