Episode 83: A nickel for your electric car ft. Hard-Line

This week we're digging deeper into our commodity retrospective and outlooks for 2018. Matt talks the most recent news and notes, including the impact of the 11th-hour rewrite of the US Tax Code on Saturday (4:00), and why base metals were tracking lower to start the week. We circle back on our coverage of London Metals Exchange (LME) Week to explore a presentation from Dr. Guy Wolf, global head of market analytics at commodity broker Marex Spectron. (6:50) We discuss the importance of narratives and sentiment vis-à-vis bull and bear markets. Dr. Wolf outlines his opinion on quantitative nickel trades and sheds some light on the fundamental impact of the electric-vehicle markets. Matt reflects on copper, zinc, and nickel markets heading into the new year. (14:05) Meanwhile, Lesley sits down with Julianne (Jules) and Ryan Miles in Beaver Creek, Co., to talk about their first children's novel, The Mineral Maniacs and the Magic Hard Hat. (19:20) The eventual children’s book series is set to "explore the exciting and educational world of mining, geology, and engineering." We discuss the important of education and how Jules and Ryan came up with the concept. Finally, Matt is joined by Walter Siggelkow, the president of Sudbury-based Hard-Line Solutions, during the Sponsor Spotlight to chat about recent innovations in automation and technology at global mines. (39:55) Walter recounts some of the challenges and successes he's had while working to implement new technologies at legacy mine sites. Articles referenced: Copper, nickel outlooks dominate LME Week: http://www.northernminer.com/news/copper-nickel-outlooks-dominate-lme-week/1003791928/ Jeffrey Christian on bitcoin and ‘runaway’ gold price: http://www.northernminer.com/people-in-mining/cpm-groups-jeffrey-christian-looks-ahead-2018/1003791836/ Facts ‘n’ figures: ICSG says copper production declining: www.northernminer.com/commodities-ma…ng/1003789486/ Video: Progressive Mine Forum 2017: www.northernminer.com/news/progressi…am/1003790631/ Music Credits: "Jingle Bells" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ "Deck the Halls" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/