Algae for Biofuels

Source: Ron Kolb, Energy Biosciences Institute (11/3/10)

"Moving from promise to reality; but how fast?"

A new Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) report projects development of cost-competitive algae biofuel production will require more long-term research, development and demonstration. Meanwhile, several non-fuel applications of algae could serve to advance the nascent industry.

"Even with relatively favorable and forward-looking process assumptions (from cultivation to harvesting to processing), algae oil production with microalgae cultures will be expensive and, at least in the near-to mid-term, will require additional income streams to be economically viable," according to the report.

These conclusions stem from a detailed techno-economic analysis of algal biofuels production. The project is one of the over 70 studies on bioenergy now being pursued by the EBI and its scientists at UC Berkeley, the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and Berkeley Lab.

The algae biofuels industry is still in its early gestation stage. While over 100 companies in the U.S. and abroad are now working to produce algal biomass and oil for transportation fuels, most are small and none has yet operated a pilot plant with multiple acres of algae production systems. However, several companies recently initiated such scale-up projects, including numerous major oil companies like Exxon Mobil (which, a year ago, committed $600M to algae biofuels technology), Shell (with the Cellana JV project in Hawaii) and Eni (Italian oil company with a pre-pilot plant in Sicily). The U.S. DOE has funded several R&D consortia, pilot projects and one 300-acre demonstration project in New Mexico. The Defense Department is supporting several fast-track projects. In the UK, the Carbon Trust initiated a 10-year effort to develop algae oil production, engaging 12 universities and research laboratories and the EU recently funded three 25-acre pilot projects. These projects hope to show it's possible to mass culture algae with current or near-term technology within the technical and economic constraints required for biofuel production.

Announcing Streetwise Live! Events
Source: Streetwise Reports (07/13/2020)

Streetwise Reports is offering 100 investors—at no charge—the opportunity to meet via Zoom with executives of precious metals companies as they discuss recent developments at their companies and upcoming catalysts.

"China's export quota could be opportunity for Canadian miners"

Latin America: Six Gold Juniors Amass 100M+ Ounces
Source: Marc Davis, BNW News (05/25/2010)

Latin America, the world's last great mineral frontier for prolific gold discoveries, is proving a godsend for some lucky investors.

Mexico: Gold's Next Powerhouse Player
Source: Marc Davis, BNW News (11/03/2009)

As the world's key gold producing nations struggle mostly in vain to replenish dwindling below-ground supplies, Mexico is bucking the trend in a big way.

Where Have All the Gold Mines Gone?
Source: Brent Cook, Exploration Insights (04/14/2009)

Given the declining global gold production, mining companies’ demand for reserve replacement and the acute dearth of new gold discoveries, there is no doubt that real economic discoveries will be exceptionally valuable. . .the opportunity for stellar profits is the best it has probably ever been. Identifying the few successes, however, will require vigilant and constant technical assessment of geology and drill results, always with an eye to mine economics.

Congo Completes Mining Review, Says Majors Quit Talks
Source: Reuters (12/20/2008)

"Review process is extended an additional 45 days to allow six companies to return to the negotiating table for direct talks with government ministers."

I haven’t spoken to my old mining stock friend, noted and universally respected gold stock guru, Bob Bishop, about Rare Element in a year, but I hear he is still a supporter and very large shareholder. I don’t believe he will hold it against me to remind you that this was one of his favorite holdings when he left the newsletter writing business. . .

It's Only the Beginning for Uranium
Source: www.financialinsights.com (06/03/2005)

Dr. Richard S. Appel, author of Financial Insights, first became bullish on uranium in mid-2003, when it appeared obvious that its supply versus demand equation was fated to seriously drive higher its price. Since then, a series of events in the uranium industry has led Appel to believe that uranium prices will reach never before seen levels.

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