• Petroteq set to begin production in weeks, reaching 1,000 barrels per day in Utah in the third quarter of this year
• Utah mineral lease expected to yield about 86 million barrels of oil equivalent over its lifetime
• Company president foresees significant profit pathway as oil costs approach $80 per barrel

Oil and gas industry technology developer Petroteq Energy Inc. (TSX.V: PQE) (OTCQX: PQEFF) is fueling rising expectations regarding its resource potential as its oil sands extraction project in Utah continues to evolve.

Petroteq announced at the beginning of the month that it is on track to initiate operations prior to the end of the second quarter of 2018, and the full financial benefit of 1000 bbl/d production is on track to be realized in the second half of 2018.  The company has been testing its extraction process to increase North American production on a 3,000-acre bituminous mineral lease that’s expected to yield about 86 million barrels of oil equivalent.

“Petroteq’s project is going exceedingly well, notwithstanding minor logistical issues have created a slight schedule push the facility should be in full commissioning and start-up operations in the second and third week of June,” Petroteq CEO David Sealock stated in a news release about the process (http://ibn.fm/f8J62). “This is a momentous event in the evolution of Petroteq as a Company. I am also extremely pleased with the vendor partnerships Petroteq has with the oil field construction and service companies we have on site, and their efforts are greatly appreciated.  The pre-operations site inspection by the Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining was extremely helpful, and the knowledge and acumen of the inspection team provided some tangible benefits to our current and future operations.”

Petroteq has been developing its United States and Canada-patented technology at the Asphalt Ridge site with the aim of finalizing a process that boosts North American oil production through the distillation of oil-rich sands. The emphasis on environmental impact has created a process that is cost effective, produces no greenhouse gases and leaves no waste once the “cleaned up” sands are returned to the ground and the proprietary solvent solution involved in the extraction is recycled. Utah contains about 55 percent of the total oil sands deposits in America, and Petroteq plans to add to its Asphalt Ridge operation with construction of a new plant on its Temple Mountain lease next year.

While commercial production will initially begin with 1,000 barrels of oil per day, the company has a goal of 3,000 barrels per day by 2020. President R. Gerald Bailey told Fox Business that he anticipates the current trend in rising petroleum prices could lead to $80 per barrel figures this year and perhaps reach $100 per barrel in the near future, allowing the company to deliver a significant profit from its $25 – $30 per barrel reclamation process (http://ibn.fm/MLKsF). “It’ll make money and it’s good for the country,” Bailey said in the inteview.

Petroteq is completing the final stages of facility construction activities at Asphalt Ridge, and it is completing the final topography survey and mining plan for the mining site operations. It is also preparing its operations and mining teams to receive all required certifications and training, as the handoff of equipment processes to the commissioning and start-up team takes place.

The company also has a joint venture with Recruiter.com and Oilprice.com to provide job placement and industry career services that focus on the increasingly specialized needs of the energy sector, and the company has a minority stake in exploration for heavy oil reserves in southwest Texas through Accord GR Energy Inc.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Petroteq.energy

• Automakers signing deals to secure future lithium supply
• At present, most lithium comes from costly “hard rock” sources
• Lithium Chile offers low cost output from salars and lagunas
• Company holds largest privately owned lithium claims in Chile

As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand, battery manufacturers and automakers are attempting to assuage their anxiety about future supplies of lithium by signing long-term contracts. In June, Tesla declared that it had struck a deal with Kidman Resources of Australia. Meanwhile, Volkswagen already has agreements in place, to the tune of 40 billion euros ($48 billion), to purchase lithium batteries. However, the lithium referenced in these contracts is still buried in the ground or swimming in salars, and it won’t be available for many, many months. Kidman, for one, does not expect its processing plant to come on line until 2021. The concerns about future supply are likely to spark similar deals, driving nervous suitors to court lithium miners. If so, Lithium Chile Inc. (TSX.V: LITH) (OTC: LTMCF) stands ready. The company’s properties, ranging over 152,900 hectares, are the largest privately owned lithium claims in Chile. Remarkably, although acquired at low cost (0.2% of current market prices), they have proven to be of high quality (1,000 mg/liter), a combination that is likely to attract many overtures.

There’s no doubt that the dearth of lithium stock is causing concern. Tesla’s deal, ‘which is for an initial three-year term on a “fixed-price take-or-pay basis” from the first product delivery, features two three-year term options’ (http://ibn.fm/UEgyx). The poster child of the EV industry is making sure that planned production of 5,000 vehicles a week does not stall for want of lithium. Volkswagen’s angst is on a much larger scale. Every week, the German giant makes about twice as many cars as Tesla does in a year, which is why it has spent 40 billion euros ($48 billion), most of it within the last year, on supply contracts. In 2017, German automaker announced plans ‘to spend up to 70 billion euros (~$84 billion USD) in order to bring 300 electric vehicle models to market by 2030… most of the investment 50 billion euros (~$60 billion) will be in battery production’ (http://ibn.fm/HavvK). These developments show that reports of a lithium oversupply, a la Morgan Stanley, appear to have been greatly exaggerated, and, as the Tesla deal indicates, agreements may be signed far in advance of initial production dates.

Despite Australia’s dominance as a producer, there’s no better place than Chile for lithium production. Australian lithium is mined from ‘hard rock’ spodumene by a process than is about three times as costly as Chilean production from salars. Brine production costs in Chile are about $1,500-$1,800 per ton, while hard rock mining costs $5,000 per ton. Adding to this general cost advantage is one that is peculiar to Lithium Chile. The company was able to acquire its claims at very low cost before interest in lithium intensified. Acquisition price averaged $3 per hectare, a steal of a deal compared to current prices of $1,500 per hectare. Lithium Chile now has the largest land package, extending over about 140,000 hectares (540 square miles), acquired at very low cost, of any private lithium miner.

Lithium Chile’s claims extend over 14 salars (mineral salt flats), as well as one laguna complex (inland salt lakes). Its portfolio includes 66 square kilometers (25.5 square miles) on Chile’s largest mineral salt flat, the Salar de Atacama, which has some of the world’s highest concentrations of lithium brines. At present, Lithium Chile is focused on its projects at Atacama, Coipasa, Helados, Ollague Turi and Talar, because they promise ease of recovery, as well as high-grade salts. At the 2,200 hectare Ollague, for example, the water table is just 40-50 cm deep, and samples of 1,400 mg per liter of lithium have been obtained. Overall, the company is getting some of the highest sample grades recorded in Chile, with grades of 1,000 mg per liter of lithium reported consistently.  This compares very favorably with production grade lithium in the U.S., which is typically just 190-200 mg per liter of lithium.

Lithium Chile is now quoted on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol LTMCF. Being listed on the OTCQB gives Lithium Chile access to a diverse network of broker dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. In addition, the company has been made eligible for Depository Trust Company electronic settlement and transfer of its common shares in the United States.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/LTMCF

CryptoCurrencyWire (“CCW”) today announces its official launch of www.CryptoCurrencyWire.com, a specialized information service delivering comprehensive corporate communications solutions to the multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency space and its nascent brand holders.

As a unique financial news and content distribution syndicate, CCW employs a powerful combination of decades-long expertise in media relations, market know-how, and an unmatched ability to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CCW provides the corporate communications solutions needed to demystify today’s fast-moving global cryptocurrency market and deliver unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness to its clients.

The Team behind CCW has helped hundreds of public companies, start-ups, family businesses, private firms and pre-IPO companies find their voice and build the type of market buzz that matters. CCW leverages this team of professionals to distribute and optimize social media campaigns, raise brand awareness, disseminate news to a network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets, and provide press release enhancement and general communications support.

To view CCW’s full list of Corporate Solutions, visit: http://CCW.fm/Solutions

The global cryptocurrency market continues to fluctuate as market dynamics evolve. CCW’s mission is to utilize its innovative communications model to deliver optimal visibility, recognition, and content for every segment of the crypto space, triggering interest and building brand loyalty.

Special Discount to Blockchain World Conference

CCW is the Official NewsWire and Media Sponsor for the Blockchain World Conference taking place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, July 11 – 13. To save 10% on any ticket, including VIP and Live Stream, visit 10% OFF Blockchain World Conference (or enter the promo code CRYPTOBWC on checkout).

• Proprietary CapitalCube AI financial portal performs more than 100 billion computations daily, translating big data into actionable information
• Comprehensive analysis generated on more than 50,000 globally-listed stocks and ETFs
• On-demand research, evaluations, real-time fintech tools provide investors with powerful ally
• Revenue for global big data market projected to grow from $42 billion in 2018 to $84 billion by 2024

Artificial intelligence company AnalytixInsight Inc.’s (TSX.V: ALY) (OTCQB: ATIXF) proprietary machine-learning financial portal, CapitalCube.com, generates narratives, develops in-depth predictive analytics and transforms real-time data into actionable knowledge for investors. As the flagship product of AnalytixInsight, CapitalCube utilizes artificial intelligence with a strategic eye on more than 50,000 globally listed stocks and North American ETFs (exchange-traded funds), producing 100 billion daily computations. CapitalCube’s online portal is designed to empower investment ideas by providing deep analysis dedicated to improving risk balance in a rapidly evolving world that is increasingly dependent on big data and business analytics (http://ibn.fm/TqJIR).

CapitalCube’s strategic initiatives include peer-to-peer group analysis, natural language reports that generate numerical data into more than 3,000 daily articles and predictive analytics and forecasting. CapitalCube’s AI platform delivers a unique performance scoring system for fundamentals, earnings and dividends, with forecasts that predict the likelihood of dividend action through a 10-point condition test. The probability of a share buyback is similarly analyzed and forecast, along with an analytical review of a company’s ability to either make acquisitions or be acquired within its peer group.

Investors wanting to make the most of their money will find additional merit in CapitalCube’s recently added ability to generate numerical narratives based on a companies’ working capital, as well as enterprise value. Shrinking working capital is certainly something an investor wants to keep an eye on while tracking a company’s current total worth in the marketplace, while determining a company’s enterprise value can signal a theoretical purchase price that’s worth noting. CapitalCube’s AI-based analysis platform allows investors to maintain their desired risk profile based on real-time data and personal portfolio analysis (http://ibn.fm/8Ncbv).

As a developer of an AI-based fintech platform, AnalytixInsight licenses its proprietary solutions with leading financial news agencies, web portals and stock exchanges. Content providers include Euronext NV, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo Finance, Africa Investor and a recently signed distribution agreement with Thomson Reuters (TSX: TRI) (NYSE: TRI). The agreement provides Thomson Reuters with a license to distribute financial research reports created by AnalytixInsight’s artificial intelligence platform to customers on its financial desktop applications, Eikon and Thomson One (http://ibn.fm/baZ0x). The agreement allows Thomson Reuters to offer unique AI-based financial research and increased content coverage of publicly traded issuers. As part of the agreement, Thomson Reuters will also supply financial data to AnalytixInsight and distribute content generated by AnalytixInsight’s machine-learning platform to both clients and third parties.

An increasing interest in AI platforms that are able to deep dive into the vast amounts of data generated in the world’s fintech markets illustrates the significance of CapitalCube as an AI-driven, fintech research and content platform for serious investors. Worldwide revenues for big data and business analytics are expected to double from $42 billion in 2018 to $84 billion by 2024, according to a report from Statista on the global big data industry (http://ibn.fm/xJbIG).

AnalytixInsight’s sophisticated, proprietary artificial intelligence machine-learning platform turns big data into useful information designed for maximum performance. The company’s technology is scalable and applicable to virtually any data-driven industry burdened with big numbers, overwhelming amounts of data and the need for intelligent solutions.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.AnalytixInsight.com

• Virtual Crypto Technologies signs agreement with first commercial customer
• Company’s NetoBit Pay allows instantaneous cryptocurrency payments
• Israel-based Lincoln Billiards believes that cryptocurrency payments will give it an edge in entertainment industry

Virtual Crypto Technologies Inc. (OTCQB: VRCP), a company established to bring cryptocurrency transactions into the mainstream, has signed a deal that will allow Lincoln Billiards, Israel’s leading billiards club, to accept payments in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies (http://ibn.fm/GmX07). This is the first commercial contract for Virtual Crypto, whose goal is to make cryptocurrencies more available to the public by combining application programming interfaces (API) and mobile applications to develop payment solutions that can be used in ATMs, PCs, tablets and other handheld devices.

Cryptocurrency transactions typically take from 10 minutes to 24 hours to confirm, which is a major drawback for consumers who want to use them in mainstream sales operations, since exchange rates will change over the course of a long transaction period. With Virtual Crypto’s proprietary NetoBit Pay technology, users can complete their cryptocurrency deals without waiting for the final confirmation from the blockchain, decreasing checkout time to seconds. NetoBit Pay clients/operators are able to immediately and securely, through user-friendly platforms, receive payments without being exposed to price fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market. NetoBit Pay provides the best exchange rate through simultaneous comparison of multiple crypto exchanges, enabling the best sale price at point of trade and resolving one of cryptocurrency’s main hurdles.

In addition, there is a distinct advantage for businesses using NetoBit Pay as a platform to receive crypto payments: Netobit Pay businesses will receive access to a client management system (back-office) that provides wide options to oversee and manage incomes and offers exportable financial reporting detailing trades, plus a notification and alert mechanism.

Virtual Crypto’s groundbreaking new agreement will start with cryptocurrency being accepted in one of Lincoln Billiard’s six venues in Israel. Following this initial phase, Virtual Crypto will roll out its payment system into the remaining billiard locations.

In a news release, Alon Dayan, CEO of Virtual Crypto Technologies Ltd., said, “This is an important milestone for the company. To date, we have been working primarily with cryptocurrency service providers and industry insiders, but this is our first foray into the commercial sector. Lincoln Billiards is a very popular venue across Israel, and this agreement gives us direct contact with a receptive, tech-savvy consumer group. We look forward to introducing them to the benefits of cryptocurrency.”

A representative of Lincoln Billiards said that accepting transactions in cryptocurrency would give their venues the edge in a very competitive entertainment market. “While we are by far the largest billiards club operator in the country, we are competing with other entertainment options. As a result, we are always looking for ways to make it easy for our customers to enjoy their experience with us. The ability to accept cryptocurrency is something we have been toying with for some time, and Virtual Crypto’s platform allows us to do that without exposing ourselves to the exchange rate volatility and related financial risk associated with other unsecured systems. I expect this capability will be very attractive to many of our customers.”

Industry analysts expect the cryptocurrency ATM market to exceed $285 million in less than a decade (http://ibn.fm/4ljcO). Virtual Crypto’s innovations in two-way transactions represent a major advance in making cryptocurrency accessible to the mainstream market.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Virtual-Crypto.com

• LTMCF’s subsidiary, Kairos Metals, will assume ownership of the company’s copper/gold/silver portfolio
• Lithium Chile owns properties in 14 salars and one laguna complex, covering 152,900 hectares
• Salar de Atacama is the source of 35 percent of global lithium production
• Global demand for lithium-ion batteries is forecast to surpass $53 billion by 2024

Lithium Chile Inc. (TSX.V: LITH) (OTC: LTMCF), a Canada-based company focused primarily on advancing its lithium property portfolio, announced on May 9, 2018, that it had completed the “spin out” transaction of its subsidiary, Kairos Metals Corporation. Kairos Metals will operate as a stand-alone company with ownership of the copper/gold/silver property portfolio previously held within Lithium Chile (http://ibn.fm/aeSpn).

In terms of the transaction arrangement, each Lithium Chile shareholder will receive one common share of Kairos Metals for every four common shares of Lithium Chile held on May 7, 2018. This arrangement remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Resulting from this arrangement, Kairos Metals is now a reporting issuer pursuant to applicable securities laws, and it will be focused on advancing a copper/gold/silver portfolio of 28,184 hectares over six projects in Chile.

Shareholders whose Lithium Chile shares are held by a broker or any other intermediary should contact their intermediaries to process application for their Kairos Metals shares pursuant to the arrangement. Registered Lithium Chile shareholders will receive confirmation of a book-entry deposit of their Kairos Metals shares directly from the Kairos Metals transfer agent.

Following the announcement, Steve Cochrane, president and CEO of Lithium Chile, said, “We are pleased with the closing of this transaction. It creates two distinct resource companies that can now focus their energies and resources on developing their respective assets for the benefit of Lithium Chile shareholders.”

Lithium Chile is advancing one of the largest lithium-rich exploration portfolios in Chile, consisting of over 152,900 hectares covering 14 salars, or mineral salt flats, and one laguna complex. These wholly owned properties include 66 square kilometers on the Salar de Atacama. The largest of Chile’s mineral salt flats, it hosts the world’s highest concentration of lithium brine production and is currently the source of around 35 percent of the world’s lithium production.

The company’s portfolio includes properties in other lithium-rich Chilean salars, including Salar de Coipasa, Salar de Helados, Salar de Turi, Salar de Ollague and Salar de Talar. Exploratory surface and near-surface salt and brine sampling programs have been completed on all of Lithium Chile’s properties. These show excellent chemistry of lithium to potassium and lithium to magnesium ratios, which is important for the reduction of overall production cost.

Lithium Chile has identified multiple high-priority brine target areas at its Atacama and Ollague lithium project areas. Salar de Atacama is home to the world’s largest and highest-grade lithium brine producers. It spans an area of 1,200 square miles and is the world’s third largest salt flat after Salinas Grandes, Argentina and El Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia. The company is planning exploration drilling and resource definition drilling programs for 2018.

There has been a surge in global demand for lithium-ion batteries, a market that’s projected to surpass $53 billion by 2024 as governments around the world aggressively seek to ban fossil fuel-powered vehicles (http://ibn.fm/GYGok). This has impelled major automotive manufacturers to invest billions in new technology and electric vehicles powered by these batteries. Chile’s mining-friendly jurisdiction offers Lithium Chile a streamlined permitting process and highly cost-effective lithium production of about $1,800 per ton, as compared to $5,000 per ton in Australia.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/LTMCF

• The company was formed to be an intermediary between U.S. equity markets and foremost enterprises in Switzerland and Northern Europe
• American-Swiss Capital has identified several distressed properties in Montenegro

American-Swiss Capital, Inc. looks for premier quality yet undervalued real estate investment opportunities designed to produce a high rate of return. A private development-stage company, it formed with the vision of becoming an intermediary between U.S. equity markets and foremost enterprises in Switzerland and Northern Europe. Established in 2015, American-Swiss Capital has its corporate office in Miami, Florida.

American-Swiss Capital has identified several distressed properties in Montenegro in southeastern Europe. Montenegro has a population of less than one million people, with a seaside location that shows considerable economic potential, especially from its tourism industry (http://ibn.fm/U5BJY).

Real estate prices have increased appreciably in Montenegro in the last decade. In the last few years, the nation’s real estate market has experienced robust growth. This growth has been significantly stronger than in bordering Adriatic countries (http://ibn.fm/vTf9Z).

In Montenegro, American-Swiss Capital is concentrating on real estate development with properties that include an 18-unit beachfront apartment development. The company is now in negotiations to buy this property. This development is in the Boka Bay community of Tivat, which is a very popular tourist destination. The property features a private beach with a fixed pontoon boat berth near the full-service marina of Porto Montenegro.

The port and marina offer substantial upside to American-Swiss Capital as a selling point for its apartment development close by. In 2016, Porto Montenegro was acquired by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). ICD is the main investment division of the Government of Dubai. It has investments covering financial services, transportation, energy and industries, real estate and leisure and retail (http://ibn.fm/4PoEQ).

Another project of American-Swiss Capital is the Kovac Gated Community in Tivat, Montenegro. Kovac is situated right on Tivat Bay and features views of the renowned St. Marko Island. The company’s plan is to construct a 30-villa gated community. This project offers an opportunity to purchase high quality villas ranging from 250 square meters to 400 square meters in size.

Regarding its promising business opportunities in Europe, the company is looking to raise $5 million through the sale of five million new, fully tradable shares, or through a Convertible Note with a 10 percent per annum yield with an option to convert to equity at a pre-determined strike price. American-Swiss Capital has filed an S1 Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This fund is fully audited every three months in accordance with SEC Regulations.

Montenegro has beautiful beaches and attractive coastal communities, and these are increasingly beckoning tourists. Along with growing tourism, American-Swiss Capital sees promise in Montenegro as the country is on a path to join the European Union (EU). American-Swiss Capital is an early mover in this nation, which is ready to thrust itself more boldly onto the world stage.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.AS-Capital.com

• New restrictive tax regime in DRC makes North American cobalt more attractive
• Efforts to secure supplies turns attention to cobalt juniors
• First Cobalt is now the world’s largest pure play cobalt explorer

With production of electric vehicles (EVs) set to increase, “at least 90,000 tonnes of additional cobalt will be needed by 2025 to meet demand”, according to a May research note from the Swiss bank, UBS (http://ibn.fm/Zc7XA). The bank’s brokerage arm expects global market penetration of EVs to rise to 16 percent by then, from its current one percent, sparking fears of a cobalt shortage as early as 2022. Naturally, this has created a degree of anxiety in the battery manufacturing community, which was very evident at the recent Cobalt Institute Conference in Las Vegas. This dynamic is driving “lots of discussion,” says Peter Campbell, vice president of business development at First Cobalt Corp. (TSX.V: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF). The pure play cobalt explorer is currently expanding its portfolio of properties with an ongoing series of mergers that includes CobalTech Mining Inc., Cobalt One and, most recently, US Cobalt Inc. The final entity will carry the name First Cobalt and should have a market cap of around C$400 million ($311 million) (http://ibn.fm/nxKbL).

At present, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the world’s top producer of cobalt. The central African country produces about 60 percent of global cobalt supply, a leading position that it may retain for at least a decade. However, challenges to that dominance are emerging, as concerns about human rights and related issues multiply. The industry has been accused of widespread abuse, in particular, the employment of child labor. Moreover, about 20 percent of DRC cobalt output is mined by artisanal miners, or creuseurs, under conditions that pose great risk to their health and safety.

The Congolese government has moved to address some of these issues. In March 2018, it revised the country’s 2002 mining code in an attempt to improve the working environment and increase benefits for employees. It also implemented measures to gain greater control of the industry and take a larger slice of the pie. Henceforth, the state’s “free share” in mining projects will increase to 10 percent, up from five percent, and the period after which future contracts can be renegotiated will fall from 10 years to five years. In addition, a “super profits” tax of 50 percent has been introduced, and royalties are to rise to 3.5 percent from two percent; they may reach five percent, if the DRC decides to name cobalt a “strategic substance” (http://ibn.fm/hXoUf).

These developments are causing battery manufacturers and automakers to break out in a cold sweat. Cobalt has become a highly prized commodity, used alongside lithium in a growing number of rechargeable battery technologies. A shortage of the metal has been apparent since 2016, when prices were $22,000 a tonne. Now, spot cobalt is trading at around $90,000 a tonne on the London Metal Exchange.

First Cobalt is focused on North America. As a result of a merger with Cobalt One in December 2017, First Cobalt is now the largest landowner in Canada’s Cobalt Camp, a region that includes the historically significant Kerr Lake, Drummond and Bellellen mines. The company now controls over 10,000 hectares of prospective land and 50 historic mines, as well as a mill and the only permitted cobalt refinery in North America capable of producing battery materials. Around the same time, First Cobalt completed its merger with CobalTech Mining.

Most recently, First Cobalt has completed the acquisition of US Cobalt to add the Iron Creek Project in the prolific Idaho Cobalt Belt to its portfolio of assets. The Iron Creek Project boasts a historic estimate (non-compliant with NI 43-101 standards) of 1.3 million tons of 0.59 percent cobalt, which the company is now in the process of confirming with a mineral resource estimate that’s expected in September. First Cobalt’s recent M&A activity reflects its new tactical direction and dynamism, noted by one analyst who remarked that the company has ‘been moving very fast under CEO Tent Mell.’

First Cobalt recently announced the results of drilling that has extended the strike length of the mineralized zone in the Kerr area to over 350 meters. Results to date from this recently-identified mineralized zone located south of Kerr Lake in the Cobalt North area of the Canadian Cobalt Camp confirm that the area hosts a near-surface network of cobalt veins and disseminated mineralization associated with silver and nickel, as well as copper, zinc and lead (http://ibn.fm/dwL76). Results like those are getting First Cobalt some attention. According to Campbell, “Companies looking to secure supplies, in a sign of their need, were talking to junior miners as much as six years away from production”.

For more information, visit the company’s website at http://ibn.fm/FTSSF

• Pierre Brondeau, CEO, chairman and president of FMC, predicts that global lithium demand will rise fivefold by 2025
• Bloomberg sees IPO as first major lithium pure play in the U.S.
• FMC plans IPO for up to 20 percent of its lithium assets, would then provide remaining shares to company investors

FMC Corporation’s (NYSE: FMC) planned 2H2018 IPO for its lithium business is being closely watched as a pure play that will help value the metal on the market (http://ibn.fm/orSh9). FMC has announced the IPO for a percentage of up to 20 percent of its lithium assets, with Pierre Brondeau, CEO, chairman and president of FMC, also serving as chairman of the new publicly listed company (http://ibn.fm/MzWXN).

Philadelphia-based FMC is a global agricultural, industrial and consumer company operating its business in two parts: FMC Agricultural Solutions and FMC Lithium. Its lithium products are used in specialty polymers, energy storage and pharmaceutical synthesis. The company’s lithium segment recorded EBITDA of $50 million in 1Q2018, a 95 percent increase from its comparable number in 1Q2017 (http://ibn.fm/iRxsB).

Bloomberg reported that the scheduled IPO would be the first U.S. IPO of a lithium pure play, making it closely watched for its valuation of the metal. Earlier this year on an earnings call, Brondeau predicted that demand for lithium will rise fivefold by 2025 (http://ibn.fm/Ue3vt). The important factor today is that the metal is used in rechargeable batteries that power electric vehicles. Bloomberg added that FMC’s IPO could trigger other lithium pure play offerings by competitors.

Lithium represented about 12 percent of FMC’s total sales in 2017, totaling $347 million in revenue in 2017, a 32 percent increase from the prior year’s segment sales (http://ibn.fm/JQHVO). An article by The Motley Fool notes, “FMC’s lithium business could be a potentially attractive pure play on the ‘white oil’ that’s powering the electric vehicle revolution, but we’ll have to wait and see how shares are priced.” (http://ibn.fm/g6dIY).

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.FMC.com

• Mastering the art of sound through groundbreaking digital audio technology
• Now available in consumer hardware products and in streaming media applications
• Company announces the engagement of NetworkNewsWire to raise brand awareness

Aftermaster, Inc. (OTCQB: AFTM) is an award winning, leading edge audio technology company specializing in the development of proprietary and groundbreaking technologies and products. The company is dedicated to “Mastering the Art of Sound” through the expertise of a group of world-class audio engineers and music industry veterans.

After thousands of hours, the experts at Aftermaster Audio Labs, a subsidiary of AFTM, developed Aftermaster® – a technology with the potential to transform the music and consumer electronics industries. This technology has given the company bragging rights to more hit records than any other audio technology company in the world. The highly sophisticated process was developed by challenging listening standards for digital audio and demanding more. Platinum records, numerous strategic partnerships and overwhelming industry support speaks to the effectiveness of this groundbreaking, revolutionary audio tech, which boasts implications beyond the music and audio industries.

AFTM is designing cutting-edge products that can be deployed in both consumer hardware products and streaming media applications. Headphones, televisions, stereos and computers can now benefit from Aftermaster audio. Through a partnership with ON Semiconductor, AFTM now has DSP microchips available to consumers. This product offers highly customized tuning for specific devices and can overcome many of the limits of small or even rear/downward facing speakers common in flat screen televisions. In addition to DSP microchips, this proprietary Aftermaster algorithm is available as a software-only product. This software can be injected into existing microprocessors or into computer-based applications. By challenging the norm of audio technology and demanding better, AFTM is making audio sound substantially better for the consumer electronics industry.

In a strategic move to generate brand awareness for its groundbreaking technology, AFTM recently announced that it has engaged the services of NetworkNewsWire (NNW). NNW will leverage its distribution network of over 5,000 key syndication outlets, various newsletters, social media channels, blogs and other outreach tools to support the company’s vision while keeping the investment community up-to-date on AFTM’s operations and technology.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.Aftermaster.com