To get more insight on what’s been happening in the lithium sector, the Investing News Network (INN) caught up with Howard Klein, founder of RK Equity, publisher of the Lithium-ion Bull newsletter and host of the Lithium-ion Rocks! podcast, at this year’s Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) convention in Toronto.
Speaking about the main trends he has seen in the space this year, Klein highlighted the demand forecasts from majors, including Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), Livent (NYSE:LTHM) and SQM (NYSE:SQM).
“Demand forecasts are going up,” he said. “They are all at about 1 million tonnes estimates by 2025.”
Looking over to supply, Klein pointed to the challenges production has faced so far this year, including rain in South America, impacting producers such as Orocobre (ASX:ORE,TSX:ORL,OTC Pink:OROCF).
“Demand is higher than supply and that translates into higher prices, in my opinion, sometime soon,” he added.
The expert also shared his thoughts on top lithium producers, including Albemarle and Livent.
“I am bullish on Albemarle, despite all the negative talk in the past years,” said Klein, adding that he likes how aggressive the company has been with its growth strategy.
About Livent, Klein said he is waiting to see if it can grow its production as much as it says it will.
Klein also shared his thoughts on Nemaska Lithium (TSX:NMX,OTCQX:NMKEF) and what he thinks will happen to lithium juniors’ financing in the coming years.
“Costs overruns even by proven operators happen all the time,” he said, adding that nobody questions that Nemaska’s Whabouchi mine is a good asset. “It will be needed in the global lithium supply mix.”
Klein also shared with INN why he decided to start a podcast with co-host Rodney Hooper this year and what his audience can expect going forward.
Watch the video above to find out more about Klein’s thoughts on lithium majors, junior miners and what’s ahead for the sector this year. You can also check out our other PDAC 2019 interviews here.