The Business Strategy
- NewEra's business plan is focussed on the exploration and development of natural resources which provide the investment community with direct exposure to clean energy and energy storage markets, including critical metals which are key commodities in the "energy transition" now underway.
- The Company's Argentine projects target uranium (nuclear power) , vanadium (battery storage) and hydrogen sectors, through 100% ownership of 100,000 hectares in the prospective under explored Neuquen Basin of central Argentina.
- In Spain, through its 100% owned subsidiary Europa Exploraciones y Recursos Mineros SL the company is focused on copper exploration.
Critical metals
Today’s supply and investment plans for many critical metals are far short of what is needed to support an accelerated deployment of solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles.
The importance of critical metals
- Critical metals are technologically vital to the functionality of various emerging and clean energy technologies.
- These technologies include renewable power, nuclear power, electricity networks (transmission and distribution), electric vehicles, battery storage and hydrogen (electrolysis and fuel cells).
- Critical metals include cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, rare earth elements (REEs) and vanadium amongst others.
- The status of critical metals strongly connects to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Energy and energy storage
Global energy demand has multiplied since the late 1980s and will multiply again in the coming decades, while at the same time energy generation is set to become more climate friendly.
The global energy system is in the midst of a major transition.
The energy transition
- Nuclear power - the increasing demand for a reduction in CO2 emissions and the ongoing “electro revolution” will lead to a huge surge in demand for clean energy. Nuclear power’s greatest asset is its base load capability, i.e., the ability of a power plant to provide continuous, reliable electrical power.
- Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) - while solar and wind energy cannot continuously provide the amount of required energy without electricity storage facilities, VRFBs are very well suited to grid level storage.
- Hydrogen - very important as a future clean energy source and a versatile energy carrier. Hydrogen can be converted into ammonia for ease of transportation, and at its destination it can be converted back into hydrogen, or used directly as a fuel for cleaner power generation.
- Ammonia / methanol - in addition to energy, hydrogen can be converted into ammonia or methanol. Ammonia has much value in the agriculture (fertilisers) and shipping sectors.