There are a lot of incoming emails hitting our office with PDAC around the corner in 5 days and counting, but my favorite is the email series on whether or not Jack Lifton is the Advisor to the President. Presently I do not have confirmation, and on some level – I do not want to know.
The New Straits Times published on February 24th: “Kuala Lumpur — Advisor on rare earth to the White House Jack Lifton will be among the international speakers who will be presenting papers and sharing their views on this hotly debated issue of rare earths when they attend the international seminar on rare earth in Kuantan next week.”
With hushed phone calls I have listened over the years as the illustrious Mr. Lifton has been credited with all kinds of comments equally complimentary and disparaging stemming from his opinions and positions he has taken in the strategic material sector. Having taken the heat a time or two for publishing his lengthy writings; I have consistently published him when he has requested this from me. After all, I find him quite respectful and passionate in his interest at tracking down his truth. After all, every journalist and writer relates to this commitment as we all strive to be true to our innner voice in our own writing.
This is how I see Jack: as a writer. Do I think he is a great writer? Yes, and let me explain why…
Being a writer does not mean that you are right, nor that your reality reflects that of others; it simply means that you are committed to expressing your understanding through the written word. It’s like a painter. The greatest artist is not the one whose painting captures reality with meticulous precision, but whose interpretation conjures thought, imagination and debate.
Yes, I understand that one must be factual and responsible when representing public markets. This said the present day news release writing, the announcements and legal drafts that we often cite and read all day long often simply…lack soul.
On a final note, as we prepare for the Technology Metals Summit April 21-22 in Toronto, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jack for coining the term ‘technology metals’* and perhaps to congratulate him on his new position?
[*We had this debate several years ago when touring Ucore's property in Alaska, and his answer to the replacement of the term 'rare earths', as many are not 'rare' was to call them 'technology metals'.]
Jack Lifton is a national resource in the area of technology metals.
I have yet to talk to anyone with his breadth and depth of understanding from the front end to the back end of the technology minerals and metals businesses.
And a nice guy as well!!!
“”Being a writer does not mean that you are right, nor that your reality reflects that of others; it simply means that you are committed to expressing your understanding through the written word. It’s like a painter. The greatest artist is not the one whose painting captures reality with meticulous precision, but whose interpretation conjures thought, imagination and debate.”"
>>Very astute comment Tracy; …I’ll add to that, if I may;…
- What Bill Nye was to Pre-Teen Science;
- What Bob McDonald is to Adult-Science;
- What Dr Oz is to Medical-Science;
- Jack Lifton is to Technology-Metals Science; …All the above individuals embellish that intuitive passion for engaging their audiences; … Stimulating their thought processes; …And in making some Sense, out of Science. ~
u4eah
Jack Lifton
Yes
What about Jack bringing ethereal issues to a reality understandable to the masses?
Like Jack stating that the environs of the Lynas Maylasian LAMP is indeed safer that Kuala Lumpur.
That is real life understanding, simply put!
if its true Jack then congrates
if its not then i will place another candle on the cake for your next wish
The true test of any “experts” commentary is how it stands the test of time and in our RE universe that pretty much translates to pre Bubble, Bubble and post Bubble. Jack is the only commentator that I have been able to find that was anywhere near accurate across all three phases (post Bubble still in play of course).
Go back and read some of his pieces from 2009/10, he was amazingly accurate in so many respects, and revisiting several of them has contributed considerably to my current understanding.
Credit where credit is due.
One thing I have appreciated about this blog
over the past few years is that it has established
a platform for opinionated discourse. Which is
good… as it stimulates your “lateral thinking” and
leads you down other paths of thought.
It also allows an old curmudgeon like me to
occasionally vent on “off topic” subjects.
Now back to differing opinions. I received an
Investors News Release from Lynas this morning.
advising that they produced their first “Rare Earth”
product for customers.
So…after many years they have reached full integration.
I know…they still have some legal,environmental,& technical
hurdles left to overcome.
Any speculation/opinions out there as to their future
profitabilty?
Nevada, let me give you a lift over here. It is a small article but the topic is Lynas and their product headed through the door.
http://www.proedgewire.com/rare-earth-news/lynas-corporation-operations-update/
Nevada,
One of the more respected analysts that have followed Lynas closely are forecasting FY14 18kt production x $27kg realised price – $16kg total costs = $465M revenue = EPS 5c & FY15 22kt x $30kg – $16kg = $673 = 11c. Consensus of 8 analysts is roughly 10% higher.
While 70% of total production is presold under LT offtake agreements Lynas will need to demonstrate that this demand is solid thru the next 12 months and that the remaining 30% can be placed after that. If so, they should move to cash flow positive second half and report same Feb 14. As Jack Lifton has reported previously, and will hopefully update after his current visit, much of Stage 1 production is being produced specific to customers needs.
A cash flow positive LAMP will form a baseline for Lynas with further growth already in the pipeline with the extraordinary potential of Duncan http://www.lynascorp.com/Announcements/2012/Duncan_Update_Clean_FINAL_140612_1119182.pdf
and the “mine to magnet” Siemens JV http://www.lynascorp.com/Announcements/2011/Lynas_Vulcan_Announcement_070711_995624.pdf
already in the planning stages.
Beauty of the Mt Weld suite is it’s balance, including Duncan, it has the potential 8000tpa Nd/2000tpa Pr/320tpa Dy = magnets & 262tpa Eu/83tpa Tb/1,180tpa Y = phosphors. Not aware of any other RE company, in or out of China, with anything even close to that potential.
Hopefully Lynas’s first year of production will help support ROW RE demand getting back on it’s feet and develop as a key resource in future years.
Tim
I appreciate your detailed post.
I have been “all in” on Lynas
for a few years and I am looking
for some daylight on this one and other
REE,Uranium, & Precious Metals projects.
Ucore took a hit today…maybe REE
speculators that are into frequency trading
dumped Ucore and invested in Lynas
hoping for a quick pop.
I am riding it all out…trying to make it to the bell.
Mr President, two words, ‘Bokan Mountain’.
Jack has now addressed and dismissed this rumor in his comment at http://www.proedgewire.com/rare-earth-intel/lynas-first-production-batch-at-lamp-is-ready-for-shipment/#comment-68836 .
Thanks Jack for clarifying that.