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Element 25 Limited (E25 or Company) (ASX: E25; OTCQX: ELMTF) is pleased to advise it has entered into a binding term sheet (TS) with Veolia North America (Veolia) to secure a site for E25’s planned high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM) refinery in Louisiana, USA (Project).
HIGHLIGHTS
- The greenfield site in Burnside, Ascension Parish, Louisiana, is located adjacent to an existing sulphuric acid production and regeneration facility owned and operated by Veolia.
- E25 secures a ~35-acre (14 ha) parcel of land at prevailing market rates from Veolia.
- Sulphuric acid, natural gas, water and return water agreements to be established in parallel with the land purchase agreement.
- Sulphuric acid to be supplied at agreed contract rates over a 20-year term via pipeline from the Veolia facility.
- Signing of a binding term sheet represents a significant step forward for the Louisiana HPMSM Project.
- Completion of the transactions contemplated by the TS are conditional on:
- Execution of definitive agreements by 30 June 2024.
- E25 obtaining project finance and reaching a final investment decision (FID) prior to 30 August 2024.
- E25 and Veolia to work closely to execute definitive agreements within the agreed timelines.
- The TS also includes provision for E25 to lease a temporary laydown area from Veolia during Project construction.
- The next anticipated milestone is the granting of the air permit, a key construction permit required for the Project.
Element 25 Managing Director Justin Brown said:
“E25 aims to be a leading source of high quality, vertically integrated, traceable and ESG and IRA-compliant battery material to the global electric vehicle industry. Construction of our HPMSM facility in the USA – the first of its kind there – requires a project site with the necessary services and utilities and access to sulphuric acid as a key reagent, to allow the Project to proceed. The Veolia site meets these requirements, and we are pleased to have signed this TS with Veolia as an important step forward in Project execution.”
The TS contemplates several parallel definitive agreements and completion is conditional on execution of these contract documents as well as securing project financing and E25’s Board reaching FID before 30 August 2024 (or such later date as the parties may agree).
The definitive agreements to be executed no later than 30 June 2024 in the TS include:
1. the Land Purchase Agreement;
2. the Sulphuric Acid Supply Agreement;
3. the Road Easement Agreement; and
4. the Utilities and Services Agreement and Temporary Lease Agreement.
Veolia North America CEO of Sustainable Energy Solutions Stu Thomas said:
“As part of our Green Up strategy, we are pleased to contribute to the vehicle electrification value chain alongside Element 25. This operation will be complementary to our Burnside facility, bringing positive economic impact to Ascension Parish, and also have a long-term societal benefit to the energy transition.”
E25’s civil engineering works for the HPMSM project have to date been based on the Veolia site. It brings together a number of important synergies to support the long-term competitiveness of the E25 facility. Under the Sulphuric Acid Supply Agreement, Veolia will provide long-term secure sulphuric acid supply and agreed tariffs.
E25’s application for an Air Permit, expected to be granted in the coming weeks, used the Veolia site as the Project location in terms of the approval process. The signing of the TS is an integral step in bringing these threads together to optimise the overall Project schedule.
Securing a Project site is a significant milestone in E25’s agreements with General Motors (GM), one of E25’s partners in the HPMSM project. GM have committed U$85M in senior secured debt funding to the Louisiana Project1. GM’s investment is in parallel to the investment by E25’s second offtake and funding partner Stellantis N.V. (Stellantis).
Project financing activities and detailed engineering are ongoing as the HPMSM team progresses the Project closer to FID and commencement of Project delivery. The Company looks forward to bringing further updates as these milestones are achieved.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Element 25 Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
E25:AU
Electric Metals Announces Positive PEA for the 100% US Domestic North Star Manganese Project Providing 100% U.S. Domestic Supply of HPMSM, Post-Tax NPV10% of US$1.39 Billion, IRR of 43.5%, and 23-Month Payback
Electric Metals (USA) Limited ("EML" or the "Company") (TSXV:EML)(OTCQB:EMUSF) is pleased to announce the results of its Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the 100% owned North Star Manganese Project ("North Star" or the "Project") in Emily, Minnesota, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects by Forte Dynamics, Inc. ("Forte"), Fort Collins, Colorado.
The PEA demonstrates robust economics, confirming North Star's potential to become the first fully U.S. domestic producer of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate ("HPMSM"), a critical material for lithium-ion batteries. As the U.S. remains 100% import-reliant on manganese, the Project also supports the Presidential Executive Orders on Critical Minerals, reinforcing the strategic importance of EML and its flagship Emily Manganese Deposit in Minnesota-the highest-grade manganese deposit in North America and a vital potential domestic source for EV batteries, energy storage, steelmaking, and defense.
The PEA highlights a post-tax NPV10% of US$1.390 billion, an after-tax IRR of 43.5%, and a rapid payback of only 23 months from the start of production operations.
PEA Highlights - Base Case
- Base Case Economics: After-tax NPV10% of US$1.390 billion, after-tax IRR of 43.5%, and average annual after-tax cash flow of US$249.6 million.
- Updated Resource Estimate: Based on a 10% manganese cut-off, the Project reports 7.6 million tonnes of Inferred Resources at 19.1% Mn and 3.7 million tonnes of Indicated Resources at 17.0% Mn.
- Ore Grades: Average manganese grade of 18.9% during the first 5 years of production, with a Life-of-Project average grade of 17.4% (10% cut-off).
- Project Life: 25-year Base Case, producing 4.3 million tonnes of battery-grade HPMSM. The Project may be extended through additional drilling of known mineralized zones that were originally drilled in the 1940s and 1950s and/or by utilizing lower-grade material.
- Capital Expenditures: US$474.8 million initial capital for mine and processing facilities, US$150.0 million for a processing plant expansion, and US$276.0 million for sustaining and closure costs.
- Ore Production: Average annual mined ore of 368 thousand tonnes, with a nominal mining capacity of 400 thousand tonnes per year.
- HPMSM Production: Average annual production after expansion of 180,331 tonnes of HPMSM, with a nominal after expansion plant capacity of 200 thousand tonnes per year, based on a overall recovery of manganese to product of 90%.
- Pricing Assumption: Base Case assumes US$2,500 per tonne of HPMSM held constant for LOP.
- Project Timeline: Total project life of 25 years from the start of capital spending, including a 2-year construction period. Mine and processing operations extend 23 years, incorporating a 3-year ramp-up to full production for both mine and the processing plant expansion.
- Optimization Opportunities: Potential upside exists in geology and exploration, mining, concentration, transport, and processing.
Brian Savage, CEO of Electric Metals, commented: "The results of this PEA confirm that the North Star Manganese Project has the potential to become the first fully domestic source of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate in the United States. With robust economics-including an after-tax NPV of US$1.39 billion, IRR of 43.5%, and a payback period of under two years-North Star represents a strategically significant opportunity not only for our shareholders, but also for the U.S. as it seeks secure, low-carbon supplies of critical battery materials. This milestone underscores the importance of the Emily Manganese Deposit in supporting the clean energy transition, U.S. manufacturing, and national security."
Technical Summary:
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate | ||||
Resource Category | Thousand Tonnes | Mn Grade % | Fe Grade % | Si Grade % |
Indicated Resource | 7,600.4 | 19.07 | 22.33 | 30.94 |
Inferred Resource | 3,725.3 | 17.04 | 19.04 | 30.03 |
Mineable Resource Estimate | ||||
North Star Mn Project | Thousand Tonnes | Mn Grade % | Fe Grade % | Si Grade % |
Mined / Shipped Ore | 8,826.2 | 17.43% | 19.84% | 37.24% |
Operating Cost | Per Tonne of Ore | Per Tonne of HPMSM | LOP Operating Cost |
Mining | $94.30 | $192.31 | $832.31 M |
Transport | $90.55 | $184.66 | $799.21 M |
Processing | $200.00 | $407.87 | $1,765.24 M |
G & A | $15.00 | $30.59 | $132.39 M |
TOTAL | $399.85 | $815.44 | $3,529.15 M |
Capital Expenditures | Life of Project |
Initial Capital Expenditures (inc 25% capital contingency) | $474.81 M |
Processing Plant Expansion (inc 25% capital contingency) | $150.00 M |
Sustaining Capital & Closing Costs | $276.03 M |
Working Capital | $10.00 M |
Mining Operations (tonnes) | HPMSM Plant Operations (tonnes) | ||||
Total Production | Annual Production | Daily Production | Total Production | Annual Production | Daily Production |
8,826,000 | 368,000 | 1,143 | 4,328,000 | 180,000 | 174 |
Project Sensitivities
Sensitivity Study on NPV 10% After-Tax (- or + against the Base Case) | |||
Percent of Base Case | -25% | Base Case | +25% |
HPMSM Price | $712.03 M | $1,390.15 M | $2,062.66 M |
Capital Cost | $1,531.93 M | $1,390.15 M | $1,248.37 M |
Operating Cost | $1,591.38 M | $1,390.15 M | $1,188.60 M |
Sensitivity Study on IRR After-Tax (- or + against the Base Case) | |||
Percent of Base Case | -25% | Base Case | +25% |
HPMSM Price | 28.4% | 43.5% | 57.4% |
Capital Cost | 57.5% | 43.5% | 34.8% |
Operating Cost | 47.6% | 43.5% | 39.3% |
Project Summary
EML's North Star Manganese Project involves the mining of high-grade manganiferous iron ore from the Emily Manganese Deposit in Emily, Minnesota, and the production of high-purity manganese sulphate monohydrate (HPMSM), a critical input for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and advanced electronics. All operations will be based in the United States, providing an entirely domestic supply chain for U.S. battery manufacturers.
The Emily Manganese Deposit is located in the Emily District of the Cuyuna Iron Range in central Minnesota, approximately 230 km (143 miles) north of Minneapolis. The district is part of the Superior-type banded iron formations of the Lake Superior region, which also include the Marquette, Gogebic, Mesabi, and Gunflint Iron Ranges.
Iron-bearing deposits in the Cuyuna Range were discovered in 1904. Mining of iron and manganiferous ores occurred from 1911 to 1967, with manganese recovered as part of iron ore extraction. Although significant manganese resources were identified at the Emily Deposit as early as the 1940s by Pickands Mather Mining Company and expanded by U.S. Steel in the 1950s, the deposit itself was never mined. Later confirmation came from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, the Minnesota Geological Survey, and multiple companies up to 2020, when Electric Metals consolidated the land position.
From April to July 2023, Electric Metals engaged Big Rock Exploration of Stillwater, Minnesota, to conduct a combined confirmation and step-out drilling program. A total of 29 PQ and HQ diamond drill core holes were completed for 3,995 meters (13,107 feet). The resulting geological and assay data, validated by Forte Dynamics, were used in the PEA's Mineral Resource Estimate.
The mineralized horizons consist of manganese and iron oxides, silica, residual clays, and cherts. The deposit includes five layered to massive iron-manganese zones, containing higher-grade and lower-grade manganese oxide and manganese carbonate mineralization.
The PEA mine plan assumes mechanized underhand cut-and-fill mining, with access via two vertical shafts: an 18 foot (5.5 meters) diameter production shaft capable of hoisting 1,500 tonnes of ore and 250 tonnes of waste per day, and a spiral ramp providing access every 98 feet (30 meters) vertically. Mining targets 400,000 tonnes per year of ore.
Ore will be transported by truck and rail to an HPMSM processing facility. EML is evaluating multiple candidate sites based on chemical input costs, power rates, transport logistics, permitting, workforce availability, incentives, and proximity to U.S. battery manufacturers.
Metallurgical test work performed by Kemetco Research in Richmond, British Columbia, recovered 95% to 98% of manganese into solution. For the PEA, a conservative overall recovery rate of 90% to final product was assumed. The conceptual flowsheet envisions phased development: an initial 100,000 tpa throughput, expanding to 200,000 tpa by Year 5. Final HPMSM product (99% purity) will be delivered to customers via truck and/or rail in containerized shipments.
Pricing assumptions for HPMSM are based on independent market analysis by CPM Group (New York), with a base case long-term price of US$2,500 per tonne, held constant for the life of the Project.
North Star Manganese Project - Strategic Significance
- First HPMSM project produced entirely in the U.S.
- Aligns with U.S. national energy security and clean energy transition goals.
- Secure, low-carbon domestic source of critical manganese chemicals and metals for EVs, energy storage, defense, and advanced technologies.
- Supported by strong government policy momentum favoring domestic critical mineral supply chains.
Next Steps
- Proceed to Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Study activities in 2026.
- Collaborate with local communities, native tribes, and regional businesses on Project issues.
- Advance permitting with the State of Minnesota regulators and U.S. federal agencies.
- Engage with Tier-1 EV and battery manufacturers for offtake agreements.
- Optimize extraction and processing systems, and evaluate expansion opportunities.
A National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Electric Metals' North Star Manganese Project, Crow Wing County, Minnesota, USA" with an effective date of August 15, 2025 will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile within 45 days of this news release.
Qualified Persons
The PEA was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 by Forte Dynamics, Inc. The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Donald Hulse, SME-RM and Deepak Malhotra, SME-RM, of Forte Dynamics, Inc., each of whom is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.
About Electric Metals (USA) Limited
Electric Metals (USA) Limited (TSXV: EML; OTCQB: EMUSF) is a U.S.-based critical minerals company advancing manganese and silver projects that support the clean energy transition. The Company's principal asset is the North Star Manganese Project in Minnesota, the highest-grade manganese deposit in North America. The Project has been the subject of extensive technical work, including a Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Electric Metals' mission is to establish a fully domestic U.S. supply of high-purity manganese chemical and metal products for the North American electric vehicle battery, technology, and industrial markets. With manganese playing an increasingly important role in lithium-ion battery formulations, and with no current domestic production in North America, the development of the North Star Manganese Project represents a strategic opportunity for the United States, the State of Minnesota, and the Company's shareholders.
For further information, please contact:
Electric Metals (USA) Limited
Brian Savage
CEO & Director
(303) 656-9197
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions.
Such statements in this news release include, without limitation: the Company's mission to become a domestic U.S. producer of high-value, high-purity manganese products for the North American electric vehicle battery, technology and industrial markets; that manganese will continue to play a critical role in lithium-ion battery formulations; that with no current domestic supply or active mines for manganese in North America, the development of the North Star Manganese Project represents a significant opportunity for America, Minnesota and for the Company's shareholders; and planned or potential developments in ongoing work by Electric Metals.
Forward-looking information also includes statements with respect to the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), including but not limited to estimates of NPV, IRR, capital and operating costs, mine life, production, recovery rates, timelines, and pricing assumptions. The reader is cautioned that the PEA is preliminary in nature, includes Inferred Mineral Resources, and is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred Resources are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized.
These statements address future events and conditions and involve inherent risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those estimated or anticipated. Such risks include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain all necessary stock exchange, regulatory, environmental and governmental approvals; risks relating to the accuracy of resource estimates; the speculative nature of Inferred Resources; risks relating to metallurgical test work, recoveries and process design; delays in or failure to advance to more detailed studies, including a Feasibility Study; the ability to secure project financing on reasonable terms; risks relating to construction, cost overruns and schedule delays; risks related to securing offtake agreements; risks relating to the availability and cost of infrastructure, reagents, power, labor and transportation; fluctuations in commodity prices and exchange rates; potential changes to U.S. government policy or support for domestic critical mineral development; general market conditions and investor appetite; and risks associated with exploration, development and mining activities.
Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, updated conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
