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![Jindalee Lithium](https://investingnews.com/media-library/jindalee-lithium.png?id=50862791&width=1200&height=800)
Jindalee Secures Up to $6.7M in Funding to Advance McDermitt Lithium Project
Jindalee Lithium Limited (Jindalee, the Company) is pleased to announce that it is seeking to raise up to $6.7 million (Capital Raise), with total firm commitments of $4.1 million, to allow Jindalee to progress work at the Company’s McDermitt Lithium Project (McDermitt, Project), which hosts the largest lithium deposit in the USA1 (Table 1).
- Jindalee is seeking to raise $6.7 million, through a combination of a Placement, Entitlement Issue and Convertible Notes, with the potential to raise up to a further $9.0 million in Convertible Notes. Total firm commitments of $4.1 million
- Firm commitments for a Placement to raise gross proceeds of approximately $0.6 million from institutional investors, directors and management, at an issue price of $0.30 per share, including a $0.5 million commitment from Mercer Street Global Opportunity Fund II, LP and other funds managed by US-based C/M Capital Partners, LP (Mercer Street)
- Opportunity for eligible shareholders to participate via a non-renounceable Entitlement Issue on a 1 for 6 basis to raise up to approximately A$3.1 million on the same terms as the Placement
- Strong support indicated from directors and management in the Entitlement Issue with pre- commitments received for approximately A$0.5 million
- Every two shares under the Placement and Entitlement Issue will be accompanied by two free- attaching options in total (one ‘Short Term Option’ and one ‘Long Term Option’), with Placement options subject to shareholder approval
- Funding facility of up to $12 million via Convertible Securities received from Mercer Street with an initial tranche of $3.0 million ($1.5 million of which is subject to shareholder approval) and additional potential funding of up to $9.0 million by mutual agreement
- Funds to be directed to deliver value optimisation opportunities in the McDermitt PFS, which are expected to improve capital intensity and operating costs (versus initial PFS scope) and provide runway to achieve several key value catalysts in H2 2024, including the optimised PFS and potential for non-dilutive US government grant funding
- a placement of approximately $0.6 million to institutional investors, directors and management at $0.30 per fully paid ordinary share (Share) with Attaching Options (Placement);
- a non-renounceable rights issue to existing shareholders on a 1 for 6 basis at $0.30 per Share with Attaching Options pursuant to a prospectus (Prospectus), to raise up to approximately $3.1 million (Entitlement Issue); and
- a funding facility including:
- $3.0 million investment for Convertible Notes, with $1.5m advanced on closing with a further $1.5 million investment subject to shareholder approval
- Additional potential funding of up to $9 million for Convertible Notes
Further details in relation to the Placement, Entitlement Issue and Convertible Notes are available in Schedules 2 and 3.
Support from US Institutional Investors, Board and management
US-based fund manager C/M Capital Partners LP, as manager of Mercer Street Global Opportunity Fund II, LP and other funds (together, Mercer Street) have agreed to provide the Company with a $0.5 million equity investment via the Placement.
The Company has also entered into a funding facility with Mercer Street of up to $12 million. Mercer Street will fund an initial Convertible Note tranche of $3.0 million ($1.5 million of which is subject to shareholder approval). In addition, Mercer Street may fund optional further tranches of up to $9.0 million by mutual agreement and subject to shareholder approval or the Company having available placement capacity, demonstrating the value Mercer Street sees in the long-term prospects of Jindalee and its flagship McDermitt Lithium Project.
Furthermore, Jindalee has secured formal commitments from directors and management, including from Mr Lindsay Dudfield (Executive Director and largest shareholder), totalling minimum subscriptions of approximately $0.6 million in the Placement and Entitlement Issue. Director participation in the Placement will be subject to shareholder approval.
Use of Proceeds
Funds raised pursuant to the Capital Raise, will be applied as follows:
- Completion of the McDermitt Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) with the incorporation of new value optimisation opportunities, which are expected to improve capital intensity, operating costs and production outcomes vs the initial scope of PFS (see Schedule 1 for further details);
- Continuing US activities including baseline studies, permitting and stakeholder engagement; and
- Corporate costs, general working capital and costs associated with the Capital Raise.
Upcoming Value Catalysts
Jindalee has continued to progress McDermitt throughout 2024, with the Capital Raise to allow the Company to execute on several potential value catalysts in the second half of CY2024. These include:
- Tribal Agreements (Q3)
- US Government technical cooperation agreement (Q3)
- Production of battery grade lithium carbonate from test work (Q3)
- Update on POSCO test work currently underway in Korea (Q3)
- Completion of optimised McDermitt PFS (Q4)
- Potential award decision for non-dilutive US Government grant funding (Q3/Q4)
- Commence strategic partnership/investment process (Q4)
Jindalee’s CEO Ian Rodger commented:
“We are very pleased to have secured the support of Mercer Street as a long-term funding partner, alongside the continued backing of our existing shareholders. We firmly believe that the funding initiatives announced today will support Jindalee’s work programs for the foreseeable future. This funding will enable us to deliver several key value catalysts in the second half of 2024, including the optimised McDermitt PFS and a potential award decision for US Government grant funding.
Additionally, we are excited by the value optimisation opportunities at McDermitt, which are underpinned by our recent metallurgical test-work which yielded better than expected results. Our goal is to reduce capital intensity and operating costs, thereby improving early returns while still delivering a multi-decade production outlook for battery-grade carbonate, from what we believe is an emerging top-tier, generational asset. We are committed to incorporating these opportunities into the PFS and look forward to sharing the outcomes later this year.”
Mercer Street’s Managing Partner Jonathan Juchno added:
“Mercer Street is pleased to support Jindalee Lithium. We see a significant value disconnect between Jindalee's current market valuation and the strategic potential of the McDermitt Lithium Project. With strong long-term prospects for the lithium market as the US builds out its battery value chain, we are confident in the Jindalee team's ability to advance the Project through key milestones expected in the coming months."
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Jindalee Lithium 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.
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Jindalee Lithium
Investor Insight
Jindalee Lithium’s flagship McDermitt Lithium Project (McDermitt) offers investors exposure to a generational, high-margin critical minerals asset. The recently completed Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) demonstrates robust economics, positioning McDermitt as a key enabler of North America's clean energy transition and a cornerstone of the US critical minerals strategy to de-risk supply chains through increased domestic production.
Overview
Jindalee Lithium (ASX:JLL,OTCQX:JNDAF) is a pure-play lithium company with a strategic focus on the United States. Its 100 percent-owned McDermitt Lithium Project is the largest lithium deposit in the US, boasting a resource of 21.5 million tons (Mt) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).
Backed by a recently released (November 2024) Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) demonstrating very compelling economics, McDermitt is poised to play a crucial role in meeting North America’s growing lithium demand for battery materials.
As the US continues to transition to clean energy, demand for lithium is expected to exponentially increase. Jindalee’s McDermitt project, located in southeast Oregon, is a game-changer for North American lithium supply, critical for meeting the demands of a fast-growing electric vehicle and renewable energy industries with specific emphasis on developing and de-risking domestic supply chains.
McDermitt also stands to significantly benefit from the US government’s policies and incentives to boost domestic supply of critical resources. In fact, in a move that signifies the US government's support of the McDermitt Project, the US Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Jindalee's subsidiary HiTech Minerals to develop cutting-edge extraction methods for McDermitt. Under this agreement the US Department of Energy (DOE) will fund work aimed at reducing costs and improving sustainability outcomes for the Project. The Ames National Laboratory spearheads the DOE's Critical Materials Innovation Hub. Jindalee is also advancing an application for a grant from the US Department of Defense, which has the potential to co-fund a feasibility study and associated work programs at McDermitt.
Key milestones in the US lithium resource space also provide significant insights into the future prospects for McDermitt. Lithium Americas’ (TSX:LAC), has received a US$945 million commitment from General Motors, to fund the development, construction and operation of the Thacker Pass project in Humboldt County, Nevada, located 30km away from and in the same geological formation as Jindalee’s McDermitt Lithium Project. LAC has also closed a $2.3 billion US Department of Energy loan in late 2024 to fund approximately 75 percent of the construction capital cost (US$2.93B).
Another lithium resource developer in Nevada, Australia-based Ioneer (ASX:INR) is expected to receive a total investment of US$700 million through a new joint venture with Sibanye Stillwater, in addition to a conditional loan commitment of US$650 million from the US Department of Energy, both acting to strengthen the development of its flagship Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project.
In late 2024, ASX-listed company Patriot Battery Metals Inc (ASX:PMT) announced a C$69 million investment, strategic partnership and offtake agreement with global automotive group Volkswagen which aims underpin the development of Patriot’s upstream lithium project in Quebec, Canada.
These are just a few examples of current market dynamics that point to rapidly accelerating lithium resource development in the US and Canada demonstrating the investment appetite of strategic partners, as well as support from the US government via low-cost concessional debt funding.
An experienced management team, with the right blend of experience and expertise in project development, corporate administration and international finance provides Jindalee with the leadership to fully capitalise on the potential of its assets.
Company Highlights
- Jindalee Lithium is focused on its wholly owned flagship McDermitt Lithium Project, currently the largest lithium deposit in the US
- A PFS for McDermitt – delivered in November 2024 - supports very strong project economics, including a US$3.23 post-tax NPV and a 5 year capital payback period over a 63 year project life
- Jindalee’s McDermitt Lithium Project seeks to assist in the development of US critical minerals supply chains to enable America to meet its energy security and electrification goals
- Jindalee’s wholly owned US subsidiary HiTech Minerals has executed a strategic Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the DOE’s Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub
- McDermitt is located in the same geological formation and is of similar size and scale to Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass Project, which is backed by major investments from General Motors and the US Department of Energy and is currently under construction
- McDermitt is eligible for a wide range of government incentives including tax credits, grants and concessional loans. Jindalee is currently progressing a grant application with the Department of Defense to potentially co-fund a feasibility study at McDermitt
- In collaboration with lead engineer Fluor, Jindalee has produced battery grade lithium carbonate from McDermitt’s lithium bearing ore in metallurgical testwork.
- Experienced management team is focused on maximising the potential of Jindalee’s assets.
Key Project
McDermitt Lithium Project Economics
The economic metrics revealed in the PFS paint a compelling picture of the McDermitt Lithium Project's potential:
Production Capacity: The Project is set to produce 1.8 Mt of battery-grade lithium carbonate over its first 40 years, with an annual output forecast of 47,500 tonnes per annum (tpa) in the initial 10 years, and averaging 44,300 tpa over the first 40 years.
Financial Metrics: The Project boasts a post-tax net present value (NPV) of US$3.23 billion at an 8 percent discount rate, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 17.9 percent. These figures underscore the Project's strong economic viability.
Payback Period: Investors can expect a payback period of less than five years, a relatively short timeframe for a project of this magnitude.
Robust margins: Exceptional EBITDA margins of 66 percent over the first 10 years of operations, with C1 costs in the bottom half of industry and 17 percent pre-tax net operating cashflow margins (including sustaining capital) at current bottom of the cycle spot prices (October 2024 spot of US$10,888/t of lithium carbonate)
Significant future upside. Several opportunities identified in the PFS have potential to significantly enhance returns, which includes process optimisation to reduce opex/capex as well as potential for production of by-products. Additionally, there remains significant optionality to further exploit the ore body, with only ~15 percent of the current resource included in the PFS schedule (on contained metal basis).
The PFS estimates a total project cost of US$3.02 billion, which includes a conservative 21 percent contingency provision estimated on P70 basis (70 percent probability total capital cost will be lower), prepared by US headquartered global engineering and construction firm, Fluor Corporation. This substantial investment is expected to provide the platform for a long life, stable supply of domestically sourced battery grade lithium chemicals, which is expected to be highly attractive to partners in the battery value chain.
Project Overview
The McDermitt Project is located in Malheur County on the Oregon-Nevada border and is approximately 35 kilometres west of the town of McDermitt. The 100-percent-owned asset covers 54.6 square kilometres of claims at the northern end of the McDermitt volcanic caldera.
The Project is characterised by its unique sedimentary lithium deposits, primarily composed of lithium-bearing clays, a geological formation that sets McDermitt apart from many other lithium projects worldwide. This sedimentary nature of the deposit offers several advantages, including:
- Consistent grade distribution throughout the ore body
- Potential for large-scale, low-cost mining operations
- Amenability to environmentally friendly extraction methods
The lithium-rich clays at McDermitt are part of a broader geological context that includes volcanic tuffs and sedimentary rocks. This geological setting is indicative of a complex depositional history, which has resulted in the concentration of lithium in economically viable quantities.
The 2023 mineral resources estimate (MRE) for McDermitt contains a combined indicated and inferred mineral resource inventory of 3 billion tonnes at 1,340 parts per million (ppm) lithium for a total of 21.5 Mt LCE at 1,000 ppm cut-off grade. As part of the PFS, a maiden ore reserve estimate was declared of 251 @1,761 ppm Lithium for 2.34 Mt LCE (representing only ~11 percent of MRE)
Project Highlights:
- Rare Sediment-hosted Lithium Deposits: The McDermitt asset supports low-cost mining operations due to its flat-lying sediments. This type of lithium deposit is amenable to low-cost mining operations, while still producing excellent metallurgical results.
- Low cost mining. Ore is soft, free-digging material, located at surface with a strip ratio of only 1.3 over project life. As a result mining costs are relatively low.
- Fluor recommended processing route: In March 2023, US engineering group Fluor reviewed all testwork undertaken at McDermitt and recommended beneficiation and acid leaching as the optimal processing route (similar to that used by more advanced peers in the region).
- Battery-grade lithium carbonate successfully produced: Process flowsheet was validated through PFS test work program, which produced battery grade lithium carbonate in July 2024. This is an important milestone validating all steps of the processing flowsheet for the Project from ore beneficiation and leaching to purification and production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
- High metallurgical recovery. PFS test work demonstrated exceptional recoveries through beneficiation and acid leaching steps, with an average metallurgical recovery of 84.4 percent over first 40 years, comparing favourably to industry peers.
Management Team
Ian Rodger - Chief Executive Officer
Ian Rodger is a qualified mining business executive with almost 15 years of experience in various roles including as a mining engineer for Rio Tinto across two large greenfield mine developments, before successfully transitioning into mining corporate finance where he held Executive and Director positions at RFC Ambrian overseeing origination and management of numerous mandates across a range of corporate advisory roles. Ian was the project director for Oz Minerals (ASX:OZL) where he made significant contributions to successfully define the value potential of the West Musgrave nickel/copper province through the delivery of a portfolio of growth studies. Most notably, he led technical, market and partnership development workstreams, successfully confirming value potential for producing an intermediate Nickel product for the battery value chain.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from the University of Queensland, a Masters of Mineral Economics from Curtin University and is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Lindsay Dudfield - Executive Director
Lindsay Dudfield is a geologist with over 40 years of experience in multi-commodity exploration, primarily within Australia. He held senior positions with the mineral divisions of Amoco and Exxon. In 1987, he became a founding director of Dalrymple Resources NL and spent the following eight years helping acquire and explore Dalrymple’s properties, leading to several greenfield discoveries. In late 1994, Lindsay joined the board of Horizon Mining NL (Jindalee Lithium’s predecessor) and has been responsible for managing Jindalee Lithium since inception. Lindsay is a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, the Geological Society of Australia and the Society of Economic Geologists. He is also a non-executive director of Jindalee spin-out companies Energy Metals (ASX:EME), Dynamic Metals (ASX:DYM) and Alchemy Resources (ASX:ALY).
Wayne Zekulich - Non-executive Chair
Wayne Zekulich was appointed to the board as Chair on 1 February 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Business and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Zekulich is a consultant and non-executive director who has substantial experience in advising, structuring and financing transactions in the infrastructure and resources sectors. He was previously the head of Rothschild in Perth, chief financial officer of Gindalbie Metals Limited, chief development officer of Oakajee Port and Rail and a consultant to a global investment bank. Currently, he is chair of Pantoro (ASX:PNR) and non-executive director of the Western Australian Treasury Corporation. In the not-for-profit sector, he is the past chair of the Lester Prize and is a mentor in the Kilfinan program.
Darren Wates - Non-executive Director
Darren Wates is a corporate lawyer with over 23 years of experience in equity capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, resources, project acquisitions/divestments and corporate governance gained through private practice and in-house roles in Western Australia. Darren is the founder and principal of Corpex Legal, a Perth-based legal practice providing corporate, commercial and resources related legal services, primarily to small and mid-cap ASX listed companies. In this role, he has provided consulting general counsel services to ASX listed company Neometals (ASX:NMT) since 2016, having previously been employed as legal counsel of Neometals. Darren holds Bachelor's degrees in Law and Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.
Paul Brown - Non-executive Director
Paul Brown has over 23 years of experience in the mining industry, most recently with Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) where he was chief executive – lithium, and chief executive – commodities. Paul has held senior operating roles with Leighton, HWE and Fortescue (ASX:FMG) and has a strong track record in technical leadership, project/studies management, and mine planning and management. Paul is currently CEO of Core Lithium Limited (ASX:CXO). He holds a Master in Mine Engineering.
Brett Marsh - VP Geology and Development (US)
Brett Marsh is an AIPG certified professional geologist and a registered member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) with over 25 years of diverse mining and geological experience. He has worked for and held senior leadership roles for Kastan Mining, Luna Gold, Kiska Metals, Newmont, Freeport-McMoRan, Phelps Dodge, ASARCO and consulted to deliver numerous NI 43-101 technical reports. Brett has demonstrated the ability to deliver results in culturally diverse and geographically difficult environments, such as Brazil, Peru, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, Indonesia, Australia, and has also worked in remote areas of Alaska. He has managed all phases of the mining lifecycle including greenfield and brownfield exploration, project development (including preliminary economic assessments, pre-feasibility and feasibility), project construction, mine operations, and environmental. He successfully led multi-cultural teams to develop business processes and implementation plans for many mine development and operational projects.Quarterly Cashflow Report - December 2024
Quarterly Activities Report - December 2024
LU7 Announces Strategic Partnership with Polyechnique Montréal
Lithium Universe Limited (referred to as "Lithium Universe" or the "Company," ASX: "LU7”) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with La Corporation de l’École Polytechnique de Montréal (Polytechnique Montréal). Lithium Universe Limited and Polytechnique Montréal have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at advancing lithium processing technologies and strengthening the local supply chain for critical battery materials in Canada. The collaboration, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding, seeks to enhance education, research, and innovation in areas of mutual interest, with a primary focus on building Canadian expertise in the lithium battery sector.
Highlights
- Collaboration in lithium processing with renowned local University
- Build local Canadian expertise in battery materials
- Enhance education, training, and research in critical mineral industry in Canada
- Drive innovation in engineering solutions for sustainability
- Promote student and faculty practical experience in lithium industry
- Support the onshoring of the lithium battery supply chain in Canada
About Polytechnique Montréal
Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada’s leading engineering schools, renowned for its research and innovation in applied sciences and technology. Located in Montréal, Quebec, it is affiliated with the Université de Montréal and serves as a hub for multidisciplinary research and development. Polytechnique's commitment to addressing global challenges, including sustainability and energy transition, aligns closely with LU7’s mission to support the advancement of critical materials for clean energy. With a focus on academic excellence and technological innovation, Polytechnique provides a dynamic environment for students, researchers, and industry partners to collaborate and drive impactful solutions.
Key Objectives of the Partnership
The primary aim of the partnership is to enhance local expertise and innovation in Canada. This involves developing and strengthening capabilities in lithium processing through various initiatives such as joint research, innovation projects, and educational programs. Specifically, the focus will be on building local expertise in lithium processing tailored for the battery industry and conducting research to innovate in lithium processing technologies.
Another crucial objective is education and talent development. The partnership seeks to foster educational growth by offering numerous opportunities including internships, fellowships, co-ops, and joint academic projects. This effort is geared towards supporting diversity, encouraging entrepreneurship, and incubating start- ups within the lithium battery sector.
Furthermore, strategic educational partnerships will be established to facilitate collaboration in the development and delivery of postgraduate and short courses. These partnerships will also encompass student placements and co-developed research projects, enhancing the educational landscape and practical experience in the field.
Lastly, the partnership underscores the importance of sustainability and commercialization. It aims to drive sustainable practices within the industry while also supporting the commercialization of new technologies. This initiative will help bolster Canada's role in the global energy transition by turning innovative research into market- ready solutions.
This partnership is set to last for an initial term of five years, with the possibility for further collaboration through additional project agreements.
Lithium Universe Chairman, Iggy Tan said, "It is a privilege to partner with this prestigious university as we ignite innovation and cultivate a thriving lithium battery industry in Canada. Together, we are committed to educational excellence and sustainable industry growth, shaping a future where Canadian expertise leads the global stage.”
Polytechnique Director of the Office of Partnerships and Research Infrastructure, Augustin Brais said, “We are enthusiastic about this new, synergetic and innovative partnership that will enhance our educational and research mission towards a greener and more sustainable societal electrical energy future."
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Lithium Universe, 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.
Arizona Lithium Updates Development Plan for Prairie DLE Facility, Outlines Modular Approach
Arizona Lithium (ASX:AZL,OTCQB:AZLAF) provided an update on development plans for its Prairie lithium brine project, saying the Saskatchewan-based asset will be brought into production in three phases.
The company said on February 6 that Phase I will involve the start of production at Pad #1. It will use a commercial-scale direct lithium extraction (DLE) unit that can produce 150 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually.
The goal is to process brine at about 1,000 cubic meters a day to ensure the system works under real conditions. Arizona Lithium said it will use the resulting product to de-risk end market opportunities.
"2025 will be a year of facility construction and commissioning Phase I at Pad #1. Our phased development plan clearly articulates how we will continue to de-risk and develop the project," said Managing Director Paul Lloyd
"Modularisation allows rapid and cost-effective scale-up to increase production in Phase II and III.”
Construction work at Pad #1 is due to start in the second quarter, with CAPEX for Phase I set at AU$35 million. According to Arizona Lithium, Phase I will create one of the world's largest DLE facilities.
Upon achieving commissioning and operating targets, the company will proceed to Phase II of Prairie’s development, which will expand Pad #1's output with the addition of commercial-scale DLE units at the site.
During Phase III, the company will replicate its pad design across Pad #2 and Pad #3.
Lloyd also outlined the work that has led the company to this point at Prairie, saying that a prefeasibility study was released in 2023, while in 2024 Arizona Lithium partnered with three landowners to secure pad locations.
Additional pad locations are currently being finalised by the company.
Aside from Prairie, the company holds the Big Sandy sedimentary lithium project in Arizona.
Only 4 percent of the property has been explored to date, but work at the site is currently on hold.
In August 2024, the Hualapai Tribe sued the US Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management over Big Sandy, citing risks to Ha’Kamwe’, a sacred spring, and other cultural sites.
According to a November release from Arizona Lithium, the US District Court for the District of Arizona favoured the tribe, granting the project a preliminary injunction and halting drilling until the case is resolved.
Arizona Lithium said that Big Sandy remains one of its core projects.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Chariot Corporation
Investor Insights
Chariot Corporation presents a unique value proposition for seasoned investors, with its strategic ownership of the largest land package for lithium exploration in the US and a portfolio of non-core assets providing significant revenue opportunities.
Overview
Chariot Corporation (ASX:CC9) is the largest landholder for lithium exploration in the US. It has a strategy to target both hardrock lithium in Wyoming and claystone lithium in Nevada and Oregon. The flagship Black Mountain project in Wyoming has shown significant mineralization with grades of up to 6.68 percent Li2O from rock chip samples. Chariot’s six other hard rock projects in Wyoming span 443 claims covering 3,585 hectares.
The second flagship project, Resurgent, has the second largest land position in the McDermitt Caldera, which hosts the two largest lithium resources discovered to date (Thacker Pass with 44.5 million tons (Mt) lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and McDermitt at 21.5 Mt LCE). The recent $955-million investment in Thacker Pass by General Motors indicates interest from automakers looking to secure a supply of battery raw materials. The McDermitt Caldera’s size and scale potential present an opportunity for Automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers and others to obtain large-scale supply to meet their growth plans.
As the world's demand for lithium continues to grow, Chariot's exploration and development efforts in the US are well-timed and offer investors exposure to the rapidly growing lithium market.
The company believes its two core projects, Black Mountain and Resurgent, represent early, prospective lithium opportunities in the United States. Chariot has completed its phase 1 drill program at the Black Mountain project consisting of nine shallow holes, drilled from a total of 1,132 metres. Phase 2 drilling has commenced, which includes up to 18 drill holes targeting a high-grade spodumene resource to support the establishment of a pilot mine.
Chariot Corporation announced a revised strategy for the Black Mountain hard rock lithium project to establish a small-scale “pilot mine”. Chariot aims to supply spodumene concentrate to several lithium hydroxide refineries under construction in the southwestern United States. Strategically located in Wyoming, Chariot can leverage Wyoming’s small-mine permit system to provide short-term cash flow and potentially optimize the development of larger-scale mining operations in the future.
Chariot boasts a world-class team with strong track records in mining, exploration and the financial services sectors. The management has significant corporate and investment banking experience. CEO, Shanthar Pathmanathan was an oil and investment banker with Macquarie and Deutsche Bank. On the geological side, Neil Stuart who is a non-executive director is a lithium industry veteran having previously founded Orocobre Ltd (which merged with Galaxy Resources and later with Livent) to form Arcadium Lithium, one of the largest lithium producers in the world which has recently been acquired by Rio Tinto. The exploration team is led by Dr. Edward Max Baker, a geologist with over 40 years of experience and several discoveries. He was the chief geologist at Newcrest Mining, MIM Holdings, Rennison Goldfields and Mount Isa Mines. The collective experience of the management team, from investment banking (with fundraising and M&A experience) to resource discoveries, will be useful in advancing the company’s core projects.
Company Highlights
- Chariot Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and developing high-grade and near-surface lithium opportunities in the US.
- Chariot holds the largest land position for lithium exploration in the US with hard rock lithium and claystone hosted lithium exploration assets.
- The company commenced trading on the ASX in October 2023 after closing a highly sought-after and oversubscribed AU$9 million initial public offering (which is in addition to AU$14.8 million being raised privately to assemble the portfolio).
- It is currently focused on its two core projects in the US: (1) the Black Mountain project, a hard rock lithium project located in Wyoming; and (2) the Resurgent project, a claystone lithium project located in Oregon and Nevada.
- Chariot also holds an exploration pipeline of six projects in Wyoming including Copper Mountain, South Pass, Tin Cup, Barlow Gap, Pathfinder and JC projects. These projects are prospective for hard rock lithium.
- Through the company’s interest in Mustang Lithium, Chariot also has exposure to two claystone projects where substantial initial drilling has been completed - Horizon Lithium and Halo Lithium. Horizon Lithium has a lithium resource estimate of 1.3 million tonnes indicated LCE and 8.8 million tonnes LCE inferred.
- Chariot recently announced a revised strategy for the Black Mountain hard rock lithium project to develop a small-scale “pilot mine” to supply spodumene concentrate to several lithium hydroxide refineries under construction in the southwestern United States.
- Chariot also holds interests in several projects that have been either sold or conditionally divested through option agreements to publicly listed companies. A publicly listed counterparty operates each of the divested projects and depending upon the particular transaction, the projects generate additional revenue for Chariot in the form of future payments and royalties.
- Chariot offers investors exposure to the nascent and rapidly growing US lithium market.
Key Projects
Black Mountain Project, Wyoming
The Black Mountain project is Chariot’s flagship hard rock lithium project located in Natrona County, approximately midway between Casper and Riverton, Wyoming. Chariot initially held a 91.9 percent stake in the project with 134 mining claims covering 878 hectares. In 2024, the company expanded the project with 218 contiguous claims resulting in a 206 percent increase in project tenure area. Black Mountain now comprises 352 claims covering 2,686 hectares of tenure which subsequently increased Chariot's ownership interests in its Wyoming lithium portfolio to 93.9 percent.
The project is well-serviced by existing roads and infrastructure. The claim area was acquired via claim staking of public land administered by the US Bureau of Land Management.
The project features large pegmatite outcrops at the surface with spodumene and tantalum mineralisation. Surface rock chip samples returned assays of up to 6.38 percent lithium oxide.
Black Mountain may represent a significant hard rock lithium opportunity in a tier-1 mining jurisdiction in the US. The asset features an excellent combination of geological factors, and a supportive regulatory regime and is located in a largely unpopulated part of Wyoming.
In connection to the company’s shift to establishing a pilot mine, the following factors relating to the Black Mountain Project render it particularly suitable for this goal:
- Indications of near-surface lithium mineralization at Black Mountain make it suitable for a shallow, open-pit pilot mine.
- Wyoming’s advantageous small-mine permit system offers a pathway for small mine permits that does not impose limits on the mineral volume which can be extracted but rather places annual limits on the mining activities to 10 acres (4.05 hectares) of disturbance and 35,000 cubic yards (26,760 cubic metres) of overburden removal (refer Part 3 of this announcement).
- Black Mountain’s proximity to US lithium hydroxide refineries currently under construction in the southwestern United States is expected to provide a geographic advantage in marketing product extracted from the mine.
Resurgent Project, Nevada and Oregon
The Resurgent project is a claystone-hosted lithium project located in the McDermitt Caldera in Oregon and Nevada. The company owns a 79.4 percent stake in this project. The Resurgent project comprises 1,450 claims covering 12,128 hectares and is further subdivided into two principal claim areas, identified as ‘Resurgent North’ and ‘Resurgent East.’ Chariot has the second-largest land position in the McDermitt Caldera, which hosts two of the largest lithium mineral resources in North America, with a combined mineral resource estimate of over 40 Mt LCE - Thacker Pass at 19.1 Mt LCE and McDermitt at 21.5 Mt LCE.
The Resurgent North project targets the same sedimentary units that host Jindalee Resources' (ASX:JRL) McDermitt project with a mineral resource estimate of 21.5 Mt LCE. A surface sampling campaign at Resurgent North conducted in 2021 involving 289 samples returned values as high as 3,865 ppm lithium (over three times typical lithium claystone MRE cut-off grade). Of the 289 samples, 70 samples returned values greater than 100 ppm lithium, 20 samples returned values greater than 1,000 ppm lithium and 10 samples returned values greater than 2,000 ppm lithium.
The Resurgent East project targets the same sedimentary units that host Lithium Americas’ (NYSE:LAC) Thacker Pass lithium deposit (MRE at 19.1 Mt LCE). The similarity in geological characteristics with the two largest lithium deposits in the US further validates the potential for a large-scale high-grade lithium discovery at Resurgent.
Exploration Pipeline Projects
Besides the two core projects, the company has a pipeline of six lithium exploration projects comprising 443 claims and covering 3,585 hectares. Each of them is described below:
- Copper Mountain Project: The project is located ~80 kilometres northwest of Black Mountain in Fremont County, Wyoming. It comprises 83 mining claims covering 648 hectares. Copper Mountain has a long history of prospecting and artisanal-scale production having been historically mined for mica, feldspar, beryl, lepidolite and tantalite. The company has already identified multiple pegmatite target areas and has plans for a geochemical and ground magnetics survey in addition to geological mapping.
- South Pass Project: The project is located in Fremont County, Wyoming, and comprises 214 mining claims covering 1,750 hectares. This is a large and highly prospective project with an abundance of outcropping pegmatites that occur in swarms. The company notes the individual pegmatites at the project could range up to several hundred metres wide and several thousand metres long. There has been no prior exploration for hard rock lithium in the South Pass project area.
- Regional Wyoming Exploration Pipeline Projects: It comprises four hard rock lithium mining projects namely Tin Cup, Pathfinder, Barlow Gap and JC, comprising 146 mining claims covering 1,146 hectares.
- Barlow Gap Project: This project is located in Natrona County, Wyoming, and comprises 60 mining claims covering 501 hectares. This is an early-stage hard rock lithium exploration project with outcropping pegmatites on a northeast trend.
- Tin Cup Project: The project is located in Fremont County, Wyoming, and comprises 45 mining claims covering 376 hectares. There is a long history of exploration at The Tin Cup mining district dating back to 1907. The region has been known for small-scale mining for gold, copper and various gemstones including red jasper, ruby and jade. This is an early-stage hard rock lithium exploration project with outcropping pegmatites.
- Pathfinder Project: This is an early-stage hard rock lithium project located in Natrona County, and comprises 32 mining claims covering 234 hectares.
- JC Project: Located in Fremont County, Wyoming, the project comprises nine mining claim blocks spanning 75 hectares. This is an early-stage hard rock lithium exploration project that features several small excavation pits and outcropping pegmatite dykes.
Divestment Projects
Chariot has been actively focused on creating value via divestment of selected lithium assets in its portfolio, which include the following assets: Lithic & Mustang (ownership 21.4 percent) and the WA Lithium portfolio (Chariot was the 100 percent owner of this property prior to the sale to St George Mining Ltd). In addition, Chariot through its interest in Mustang Lithium has exposure to the Horizon and Halo claystone lithium projects in Nevada, USA. Both projects have completed drilling campaigns and Horizon announced a resource of 1.3 million tonnes LCE and 8.8 million tonnes LCE inferred. These divestments and interests have the potential to generate more gross proceeds (cash and stock-based consideration) for Chariot in addition to future royalty payments.
The company has identified four more projects for divestment: Lida project (Nevada), Amargosa project (Nevada), Nyamukono project (Zimbabwe), and Mardabilla project (Western Australia).
Management Team
Shanthar Pathmanathan – Managing Director
Shanthar Pathmanathan has 14 years of investment banking experience in the metals and mining, oil and gas and chemicals sectors. He was the CEO and managing director of Lithium Consolidated, an ASX-listed company, which had one of the largest portfolios of hard rock lithium exploration assets, globally. Before that, he held various investment roles with Deutsche Bank and Macquarie Group. He has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia.
Frederick Forni – Executive Director
Frederick Forni is a senior finance professional with over 25 years of investment banking experience. He was a former senior managing director of Macquarie Holdings (USA) and held non-executive director roles with numerous Macquarie Group entities and GLI Finance. He holds a B.A. in economics from Connecticut College, a J.D., awarded cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center and an LL.M. in taxation from New York University Law School.
Neil Stuart – Non-executive Director
Neil Stuart is an exploration geologist with over 40 years' of experience and is a member of The Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He was a founding director of Orocobre Limited, now Alkem (ASX:AKE). He has considerable experience across several commodities and was heavily involved in project delineation and acquisition in Australia, Mexico and Argentina. Over the last 20 years, he was involved with the exploration and commercial development of lithium projects. Stuart is on the board of numerous ASX-listed companies and is a graduate of the University of Melbourne (BSc.) and James Cook University (MSc.).
Dr. Edward Max Baker – Geological Consultant
Dr. Edward Max Baker is a Ph.D. geologist and a fellow of AusIMM. Baker has over 40 years of experience and has made several discoveries. Baker was chief geologist for Newcrest Mining, MIM Holdings, Rennison Goldfields and Mount Isa Mines. Baker was co-founder and previously a vice-president of exploration at New York Stock Exchange-listed Integra Resources (NYSE:ITRG).
Ramesh Chakrapani – Chief Strategy Officer
Ramesh Chakrapani has over 20 years of experience in the investment banking and alternative asset investing space. Of which, over 15 years were spent at The Blackstone Group where he was a managing director and a member of the Hedge Fund Solutions Special Situations Investing Group. Chakrapani has invested across a diverse set of industries, asset classes, geographies and liquidity profiles, and has represented The Blackstone Group on the boards of selected investments. He has a B.A. from Yale University.
David Bethke – Exploration Geologist
David Bethke is an exploration geologist with 6 years of experience working primarily in the Mountain West and Alaska regions of the United States, specializing in both gold and lithium deposits. During his career, he has worked closely with companies such as Jindalee and United Lithium to explore, sample, drill, and map lithium deposits hosted in both hard rock and claystone. In Alaska, he has worked in production for multiple well-known gold mining companies, including Coeur Mining and Northern Star Resources. David graduated cum laude from the University of Idaho with degrees in geology and Spanish.
Stardust Power Signs Lithium Offtake Deal with Sumitomo Corporation
Stardust Power (NASDAQ:SDST) has signed a non-binding offtake agreement with Sumitomo Corporation, a major trading company headquartered in Japan, for up to 20,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium carbonate.
“This is a huge milestone for our company, having an offtake partner such as Sumitomo, a very credible and prestigious organization,” said Roshan Pujari, founder and CEO of Stardust Power. “And they can provide a lot of value add other than just acquiring the product — they can help with our marketing efforts.”
Under the agreement, Sumitomo will have the option to buy up to 20,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium annually, which represents 80 percent of Phase 1 and 40 percent of the total annual capacity of Stardust’s planned lithium refinery.
Stardust Power is constructing one of the largest lithium refineries in the US, designed to produce up to 50,000 metric tons annually. It is located in Muskogee, Oklahoma, with easy access to road, rail and rivers, and a highly skilled workforce.
The refinery will be built in two phases, with each phase capable of producing up to 25,000 metric tons of refined battery-grade lithium per year. The company celebrated breaking ground at the site in January 2025, signaling a milestone in the refinery’s construction progress.
“Next, we'll be finishing our level three engineering study, which is really the last large gating item, from an engineering perspective, to start major construction. And so we are moving the project forward in a really quick time, and we're excited to start major construction later this year,” Pujari said.
Watch the full interview with Roshan Pujari, founder and CEO of Stardust Power, above.
Disclaimer: This interview is sponsored by Stardust Power (NASDAQ:SDST). This interview provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by Stardust Power in order to help investors learn more about the company. Stardust Power is a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this interview.
INN does not provide investment advice and the information on this profile should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. INN does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company profiled.
The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with Stardust Power and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
This interview may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The issuer relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Investing in companies comes with uncertainties as market values can fluctuate.
Rio Tinto, Eurodia Team Up for Argentina Lithium Extraction
Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) has selected French engineering firm Eurodia to supply the industrial extraction unit for its Argentine lithium subsidiary Rincon, which holds the Rincon lithium project.
Rio acquired the Rincon asset from Rincon Mining in March 2022. The property is located in the Lithium Triangle in Argentina’s Salta province, which hosts more than half of the world’s lithium reserves.
According to an initial mineral resources and ore reserves report, released in December, Rincon's mineral resources, inclusive of ore reserves, stand at 1.54 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the measured category, with 7.75 million tonnes in the indicated category and 2.29 million tonnes in the inferred category.
Eurodia is a global specialist in custom-designed, eco-efficient liquid purification processes. The company develops and implements innovative solutions for industries driving the eco-energy transition.
In a Monday (February 3) release announcing its deal with Rio Tinto, Eurodia said Rincon is "a breakthrough moment for lithium processing, proving that innovation and responsibility can come together to meet the demands of the future.”
Rincon has an expected annual capacity of 53,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate over a 40 year mine life, although Rio Tinto plans to expand production at the site to 60,000 tonnes per year.
“Eurodia’s contribution is central to this vision, delivering a tailored, high-performance industrial lithium extraction unit that maximizes lithium yield while minimizing environmental impact,” Eurodia said.
“The project combines precision engineering with process efficiency, ensuring that Rio Tinto’s lithium ambitions are realized with both economic and sustainability objectives in mind.”
Rincon is Rio Tinto's first commercial-scale lithium operation. The major miner announced a US$2.5 billion investment to expand the project this past December, and first lithium was produced at a starter plant the previous month.
A pilot battery-grade lithium carbonate plant is in development at the site and scheduled for completion in H1 2025.
On the exploration side, Rio Tinto is collaborating at Rincon with private company Fleet Space Technologies.
Rio Tinto will use ExoSphere, an exploration solution developed by Fleet Space, to create 3D subsurface maps of the reservoir, basement-depth and brine-influencing structures at Rincon's salt flat and nearby subvolcanic structures.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Stardust Power Shares Boosted by Sumitomo Lithium Offtake Deal
Stardust Power (NASDAQ:SDST) shares rose as high as US$1.20 on Monday (February 3) after the announcement of a non-binding offtake agreement with Sumitomo Corporation of Americas.
It outlines a potential long-term supply deal for lithium carbonate from Stardust’s refinery in Oklahoma, US.
According to a Form 8-K filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the companies have signed a letter of intent for the supply of 20,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate annually from Stardust’s first production line.
There is the possibility to increase the amount to 25,000 metric tons.
Under the proposed terms, Sumitomo would commit to purchasing lithium carbonate at prices based on market rates published by Fastmarkets, or another mutually recognized price-reporting agency. The deal also includes provisions that would allow the parties to adjust pricing as necessary to accommodate specific customers.
The agreement is structured for an initial term of 10 years, with an option to extend for an additional five years.
Additionally, before Stardust’s lithium product reaches battery-grade qualification for end users, Sumitomo would purchase technical-grade lithium at agreed annual volumes or in amounts equivalent to Stardust’s production capacity.
These purchases would also be priced according to prevailing market rates.
The agreement further outlines joint marketing efforts to promote Stardust’s lithium carbonate. Sumitomo has committed to conducting minimum marketing activities, with specific obligations to be determined in the final contract.
The transaction remains non-binding, with both parties working toward a definitive offtake agreement. The agreement comes as Stardust advances construction of its US$1.2 billion lithium refinery at the Southside Industrial Park.
The company recently broke ground on the facility, which will be among the largest lithium-refining operations in the US.
Once operational, the refinery’s first production line will have the capacity to produce 25,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate per year, with a planned second line doubling capacity to 50,000 metric tons. Output is expected to support growing demand for lithium in battery manufacturing, particularly for electric vehicles and energy storage.
Stardust acquired the 66 acre site near the Port of Muskogee in December 2024. The company selected the location following an independent environmental assessment in 2023, which determined the site’s suitability for lithium refining.
The project has received support from local and state officials, who view it as a key part of the region’s economic development strategy.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Stardust Power is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
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