As the automotive industry transitions to electric vehicles (EVs), the need for battery minerals has skyrocketed. The International Energy Association (IEA), projects the 2040 demand for lithium to grow over 12 times the 2020 demand. EVs and battery storage are now the largest consumers of lithium, putting miners in a race to produce battery-grade lithium products.
Pan Asia Metals, commonly referred to as PAM within the industry, is prepared. The ASX-listed explorer already has lithium chemical production initiatives underway in two countries. CEO and Managing Director, Paul Lock, says no company is better placed to capitalize on the growth potential for South-East Asia and to do it in a sustainable and ethical way.
“We have projects in Thailand where we plan to produce lithium carbonate and then cathode active materials,” Paul says. “We’ve just signed a strategic MOU with VinES in Vietnam to conduct a feasibility study for a standalone Lithium Conversion Facility that will have a 20,000 to 25,000 tpa capacity. VinES is positioning itself as a transformational energy solutions provider, offering cost-competitive but high-quality energy solutions, and that makes them a perfect partner for PAM since our focus is on securing low-cost projects and maximizing value throughout the lithium chemical supply chain, doing so with priority for the communities where we operate.”
Strategy to build sustainable communities
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals guide PAM’s sustainability strategy which is designed to achieve both a financial and humanitarian balance. Operating in a way that delivers positive, inclusive outcomes for the communities where PAM operates is factored into every move PAM makes.
“South-East Asia has 640 million people with a large skilled labour pool and a very young population,” Paul says. “These countries are all interested in developing large middle-class economies, and PAM wants to contribute to these burgeoning middle-class communities and include them in our own success. If local communities thrive, so do we.”
PAM’s primary focus lies in three areas where they aim to make an immediate and consistent impact. Complementing their dedication to education and community development, PAM has established The Village Scientist initiative, an early-stage venture where PAM wants to empower children with essential tools and opportunities for quality education. Additionally, they are actively involved in several ongoing CSR projects in the Phang Nga region of Phuket, Thailand, including the notable Project Oxygen Bank, the key three focus areas are:
- Quality education: Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
- Gender equality: Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
- Responsible consumption and production: Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Supporting green initiatives
One of the ironies of renewable energy is it requires massive disruption of the natural world to produce. Being a good steward of the earth’s resources is also part of PAM’s strategy. That includes building strong regional partnerships with battery and EV producers while deriving more value from each stage of the EV supply chain.
“Traditional mining sector participants focus on exploration and extraction,” Paul says. “We are moving beyond the mine gate and positioning for downstream lithium chemical and other advanced lithium product processing opportunities. Because we’re operating in close proximity to the largest motor vehicle production hub in Southeast Asia, because we are on the grid with hydropower and because we have ample room for solar, we have the potential to do it with a zero-carbon footprint. We plan to be involved at every stage from exploration through to lithium chemical manufacturing – one of the key ingredients for batteries – and in the future, we may be able to leverage ourselves into lithium battery recycling.”
Exploring a better future with Pan Asia Metals
Most mining companies are limited in their revenue and profit because they are constrained to selling the raw commodity they pull from the ground. PAM believes they have an advantage over every other lithium producer in South-East Asia due to:
- Proximity of their projects to key automotive manufacturers
- Timing of EV and lithium-ion battery manufacturing in the region
- Potential to contribute to multiple stages of the lithium mining value chain.
Being in Southeast Asia competitively positions PAM to produce lithium chemicals. These countries also have large, skilled talent pools that aspire to the middle class, which means steady underlying economic growth. Add in healthy EV manufacturing industries and government support for green initiatives and PAM is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the growth opportunities for the battery industry.
For more information
Get in touch with us if you’d like to know more about the PAM Advantage, lithium development, and battery mineral processing projects.
