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MLS Continues to Advance and Expand its Flagship Lac Carheil Graphite Project Towards PFS
– Lac Carheil’s strategic value also stands to be significantly enhanced by Canadian Government moves to potentially impose tariffs on Chinese critical mineral imports
Metals Australia Ltd (ASX: MLS) continues to make significant progress advancing its flagship Lac Carheil high-grade flake-graphite development project in the Tier 1 global mining province of Quebec, including:
- Comprehensive metallurgical testwork1 confirming higher quantities of higher-value coarse flake graphite in the Northwest zone of the Mineral Resource2 (Figure 1 & Table 1), with average mass recoveries of 32.4% in the + 100# product fraction (+149 micron), compared to ~ 25.5% in the Southeast portion of the resource. This represents a 27% increase in the proportion of coarse flake graphite in this zone of the resource where coarse flake attracts premium pricing, as outlined in our scoping study3.
- Enhanced processing capability achieved in design updates to the flake graphite concentrator flowsheet4 to maximise recovery of coarse flake and optimise production efficiency - at an initial production rate of 100,000 tonnes per annum of concentrate (+95% Graphitic Carbon - Cg) (Figure 2).
- Land holding at Lac Carheil increased by 62% to 11,905 hectares through pegging of further claims covering potential southeast extensions of the existing resource and for placement of key infrastructure.
- Downstream design work4 set to commence to test and select the preferred graphite purification technology, conduct a plant site location study and develop a Project Economic Assessment (PEA) for the downstream Battery Anode Material (BAM) refinery, with a bulk concentrate sample being generated by SGS Canada for shipment to Dorfner Anzaplan facilities in Germany.
- Applications lodged with Government agencies to access grants under various funding programs, with further submissions planned, to advance Pre-Feasibility Study.
- Extensive local consultation and engagement with consultants, contractors, government and First Nations organisations, including the economic development arm of the Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam, in line with the Company’s commitment to establish a socially acceptable project for all stakeholders.
- Contract award readiness for additional work scopes integral to the broader PFS study following approval of a drilling permit, including Mineral Resource Estimation, mining design and scheduling and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies.
In addition to the advancements being made by the Company, the strategic value of the Lac Carheil high- grade flake-graphite project stands to be significantly enhanced from the outcome of a 30-day consultation period announced by the Canadian Government on August 26th 2024 (September 10 to October 10, 2024) seeking inputs on the potential application of a surtax on a range of Chinese imports related to critical manufacturing sectors, including critical minerals.
This follows the imposition of a 100% surtax on Chinese-made EVs due to come into effect on October 1, 2024, and a 25% surtax on imports of steel and aluminium from China, effective October 15, 2024. Lac Carheil’s strategic significance is also linked directly to, and referenced in, Quebec’s Plan for The Development of Strategic Minerals5 (2020-2025).
Based on its reviews of the projects outlined in the above plan, Metals Australia is unaware of any graphite projects actively progressing in Canada that have both the resource grade and upside potential that Lac Carheil exhibits.
Figure 1 - Lac Carheil Graphite Project – Existing Mineral Resource Locations2 (grey shading / black hole positions) & planned resource extension and infill drilling (blue holes). Location of Quebec Hydro High Voltage Powerline Corridor (dashed line) & general topography.
Metals Australia CEO Paul Ferguson commented:
“We are delighted to report progress on multiple fronts at Lac Carheil as we continue to advance our flagship high- grade flake-graphite project in Quebec to Pre-Feasibility Study status.
This progress comes as we wrap up our phase one field exploration program at our Corvette River project in Canada, where we expect to receive assay results later this month, and the recent launch of aggressive exploration programs across our three Australian gold and critical minerals projects – Warrambie, Big Bell North and Warrego East.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have had the pleasure of engaging in person with a broad range of stakeholders on country in Ontario and Quebec regarding the development of Lac Carheil. The very clear message from those discussions is that our project is rapidly developing a profile as one of the best graphite projects advancing in North America today.
Earlier this week, the Lac Carheil project received a further potential tailwind when Canada’s Department of Finance launched a 30-day consultation process on a range of potential new surtaxes, including on critical minerals, in response to what it claimed were unfair Chinese trade practices. The Government has already shown its teeth on this issue by imposing a 100% surtax on all Chinese-made EVs, effective October 1, 2024, and a 25% surtax on imports of steel and aluminium, effective October 15, 2024.
Our project can contribute to forecasted shortfalls of graphite required to meet national and homeland security requirements across North America. This future stands in stark contrast to the state of domestic market supply for graphite in North America today. There is extremely limited onshore production of graphite in North America. Nearly all graphite used in the growing North American battery industry is sourced from offshore jurisdictions. This places Lac Carheil as a project of strategic importance for a domestic supply of high-quality graphite. This is essential for securing the supply chain certainty required for the clean energy transition.
The work we committed to completing as part of our planned PFS is rapidly advancing. Comprehensive metallurgical test work for the PFS level flowsheet design of the planned 100,000 tonnes per annum concentrate plant is well progressed – as are the plant designs for the concentrate plant. We are very close to dispatching the bulk concentrate sample to Germany that will launch the downstream design phase of the project, on schedule.
The design work to date has also given rise to a prioritised list of follow-up projects that we intend to further refine and progress as we move from PFS level studies and into the Feasibility Study design. We have held discussions related to grant funding avenues in Canada, including in Quebec, and in the USA, with funding applications made and more to follow. The work we are proposing is innovative and the solutions to be generated match well with the criteria set by governments for grant funding.
While our recent endeavours have focused heavily on the engineering and scientific elements of design, we are cognizant of our need to engage broadly with stakeholders and communities to ensure we understand their concerns, identify solutions as we look to establish enduring partnerships with those communities and stakeholders.
In that regard, a large focus of my recent trip was spent engaging with government at the provincial and local levels and speaking with stakeholders, including existing and prospective service providers, First Nations economic development groups and to seek further meetings with governments and First Nations communities. I was appreciative of the many groups we were able to speak with face to face and to those who have committed to follow up discussions.
As a board and management team, we remain dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders to develop this strategically significant project for the betterment of all.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Metals Australia Ltd, 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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Metals Australia
Overview
Metals Australia (ASX:MLS) is a mineral exploration company with a high-quality portfolio of advanced battery minerals and metals projects in Tier 1 mining jurisdictions of Western Australia and Canada. The portfolio comprises two critical minerals projects in Quebec, Canada — the Lac Carheil flake graphite project and the Corvette River lithium (and gold) project. The Australian portfolio comprises four projects: Tennant Creek (copper-gold) in the Northern Territory and Warrambie (lithium, nickel-copper, gold), Murchison (gold) and Manindi (lithium, vanadium-titanium, zinc) – all in Western Australia.
The push for net zero targets and the call from policymakers to transition to cleaner energy has intensified the focus on electric vehicles (EVs) and battery storage. The EV automakers and battery manufacturers, rely on essential materials such as graphite and metals, including lithium, nickel, copper and cobalt, to manufacture the batteries that are used in these vehicles and storage batteries generally. This has driven carmakers and battery manufacturers to partner with battery material suppliers under direct off-take agreements. Further, some automakers/battery manufacturers are buying equity stakes in miners, involving them directly in financing decisions for the development of mining projects. This is encouraging for companies such as Metals Australia as it actively advances its projects towards development.
Figure 2 – Graphite is a Critical Mineral required for the mass electrification of auto transportation.
Metals Australia is focused on progressing its flagship Lac Carheil flake graphite project in Quebec, Canada. The project is well-positioned to supply high quality graphite products, including battery-grade graphite to the North American market – including for lithium-ion and EV battery production in the future. The company announced positive sampling results across a 36-km strike length of identified graphite trends at Lac Carheil, including many values over 20% Cg and an exceptionally high-grade sample containing over 63% Cg. The company has planned a drilling program to test new high-grade zones identified from the sampling program, which will form the basis for upgrading the existing Lac Carheil Mineral Resource. An application for the drilling program is progressing with the Quebec regulator. Additionally, the company has recently commenced a Flake Graphite concentrate prefeasibility study with Lycopodium in Ontario and a downstream battery anode plant design with ANZAPLAN in Germany.
Metals Australia is also advancing its lithium, gold and silver exploration project at Corvette River, which is adjacent to Patriot Battery Metals’ world-class lithium project. Further, the company carries out aggressive exploration programs at its other projects, including Manindi, Warrambie & the Murchison in Western Australia and Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory region of Australia.
Metals Australia is well-funded to complete all its planned exploration and project studies. The cash position at the end of Q1 2024 was AU$17.86 million, which we note was higher than the company’s market capital at current share price. Metals Australia benefits from a team of professionals boasting extensive expertise in geology and mining. The appointment of experienced mining executive Paul Ferguson as the CEO is positive for the company. Since joining in January 2024, he has significantly advanced planning and preparation for the exploration, metallurgical test work programs, and design studies required to move its flagship Lac Carheil high-grade graphite project towards development. The Corvette Project has also completed exploration planning and is now fully permitted for drilling and trenching work during the northern hemisphere summer.
Company Highlights
- Metals Australia is rapidly advancing its flag ship Lac Carheil Graphite Project in Quebec, Canada. In addition, the company has a suite of high-quality exploration projects – including Lithium, Gold and Silver in Quebec, Canada and Lithium, Gold, Copper & Vanadium in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern Territory (NT).
- All projects are in Tier-1 mining jurisdictions (Canada and Australia) with world-class prospectivity and stable geo-politically.
- The company has six key exploration and development projects:
- two in Canada: the Lac Carheil high-grade flake graphite project and the Corvette River lithium and gold-silver-copper exploration project, and,
- four in Australia: Warrambie (lithium, nickel-copper, gold), Murchison (gold) and Manindi (lithium, vanadium-titanium, zinc-silver) in WA, and Tennant Creek (Warrego East copper-gold) in the NT.
- The focus is to rapidly advance its flagship Lac Carheil Graphite Project towards development. A drilling program is already contracted to substantially increase the existing JORC 2012 Mineral Resource of 13.3 Mt @ 11.5 percent graphitic carbon (Cg) and test the potential of the many other identified high-grade graphite trends.
- The 2020 Scoping Study on Lac Carheil based on the existing resource, representing only 1km of drilling out of the total 36kms of identified graphite trends, indicates a 14-year mine life with a production of 100,000 tons per annum and a pre-tax NPV @ 8 percent of US$123 million (~AUD$190 million).
- There are multiple catalysts at Lac Carheil in the near term including a pre-feasibility study (PFS) (underway), a scoping study on downstream battery (anode) - grade graphite production, and planned drilling aiming to at least double the resource as well as test other identified high-grade graphite trends.
- Furthermore, other projects in Canada including the Corvette River lithium and gold targets, and exploration in Australia at Manindi, Warrambie, Murchison and Warrego – are all seeing active progress.
- The company is well-funded to complete all its planned exploration and project studies. The cash position at the end of Q1 2024 was AU$17.86 million.
- Metals Australia is led by a seasoned board and management team possessing extensive mining sector experience and a proven track record of successful discoveries and project developments. With funding in place, the company is well-positioned to capitalise on growth prospects.
Key Projects
Canada
Lac Carheil Flake Graphite Project (MLS 100%)
Conceptual 3D Mining layout from February 2021 Scoping Study (Lac Carheil Project formerly named Lac Rainy Project)
The Lac Carheil Graphite Project is located in eastern Quebec, Canada, a tier 1 mining jurisdiction with access to excellent infrastructure, including hydroelectric power facilities. The project hosts an existing JORC 2012 mineral resource of 13.3 million tons (Mt) @ 11.5 percent graphitic carbon, which was announced in 2020 and a scoping study was completed and reported on in early 2021. Battery test work followed, in Germany, and this demonstrated the Lac Carheil Graphite concentrate could be shaped, purified, coated and used in battery applications with excellent results. Given the above work, the company carried out further field work, recently announcing exceptionally high-grade sampling results from 80 samples on 10 identified graphitic trends across the property. This included a sample containing 63 percent graphitic carbon, and 10 samples containing over 20% Cg. The average grade of the sampling was 11% Cg, which is comparable to the current high-grade resource. The combined strike length of the identified high-grade graphitic zones is over 36 kms. This compares to just 1 km of drilling on 1.6 kms of graphite trend that was utilised to obtain the existing resource. The potential for expanding and upgrading the existing resource remains enormous.
Figure 4 –Lac Carheil Graphite Project - Electromagnetic imagery outlining graphite trends and the resource
Additional drilling and development studies are either planned or are already underway, including a pre-feasibility study for a high grade Flake graphite concentrate product – which has commenced and a downstream purification options assessment and a scoping study for a battery anode facility in North America, which has been contracted. The company also announced it is contract ready for its planned drilling program and will fast-track the program as soon as permits are received from the Quebec regulator.
Corvette River Lithium Project (MLS 100%)
Corvette River Lithium, gold and silver Project is located in Quebec’s James Bay region Metals Australia recently announced that it is fully permitted to advance an extensive field exploration program across its holdings which include the wholly owned East Pontois, Felicie and West Pontois projects, situated within Patriot Battery Metals' (ASX:PMT) CV Lithium Trend, as well as tenements at West and East Eade in the company's parallel Corvette River South Trend. A field mapping and sampling program concluded last year and identified large, potentially lithium-bearing pegmatites immediately along strike from Patriot Battery Metals’ world-class lithium pegmatite discoveries. Additionally, the company has flagged significant gold and silver samples from its review of work previously completed across the field as is illustrated in the diagram below.Figure 5 – The Corvette Projects in the James Bay region of Canada. Prospective for Lithium, Gold & Silver
Australian Projects
Warrambie Project (MLS 80%)
The Warrambie project is located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It is 20 kms west of the Andover Lithium discovery (Azure Minerals (ASX:AZS). Metals Australia has completed geophysical surveys across the area and is identifying targets for further field exploration and drilling.
Warrego East Project (MLS 80%)
Metals Australia acquired the tenements as part of a package purchased from Payne Gully Gold in 2022. The company’s tenements include a granted exploration license (E32725) directly along strike to the east of the Warrego copper-gold deposit, which has a production of 1.45 Million Ounces of gold at 8 grams per tonne and over 90,000 tonnes of Copper at 2%. The Warrego mine operated from the late 1950’s through until 1989. It was found under sedimentary cover. The area and this land package is under detailed review utilizing available geophysical surveys. The company aims to identify further targets hidden under shallow sediment cover.
Big Bell North Project (MLS 80%)
The Murchison tenements were also acquired as part of the Payne Gully Gold transaction. Metals Australia owns exploration licenses at the Murchison gold project, which is adjacent to the >5 million ounces (Moz) Big Bell gold deposit. The company plans to conduct detailed magnetics and gravity surveys to test for extensions and repeats of high-grade gold deposits.
Manindi Project (MLS 80%)
The Manindi project is located in the Murchison District, approximately 500 kms northeast of Perth in Western Australia. The project comprises three mining leases and has an established high-grade zinc mineral resource. The metallurgical test work has located spodumene in samples from a high-grade lithium intersection of 12m @ 1.38 percent lithium oxide, including 3m @ 2.12 percent lithium oxide. The company also made a new vanadium-titanium discovery at the Manindi project.Management Team
Paul Ferguson – Chief Executive Officer
A Mining Engineer, Paul Ferguson has over three decades of experience in the resources and energy sectors across North America, Asia and Australia. He has extensive project development and operational experience working in Canada. He has worked in oil & gas major ExxonMobil across project stages, including feasibility, design, construction, and operation. He has worked in Executive level roles within Australia, including at GMA Garnet and held increasingly more senior roles with BHP (Iron Ore & Coking Coal) and then with Exxon Coal Minerals and Mobil Oil Australia during the early stages of his career.
Tanya Newby – CFO and Joint Company Secretary
Tanya Newby is a finance and governance professional with over 20 years experience in various corporate and commercial roles. She has a strong background in the resources sector and has provided financial advice and assistance to a number of publicly listed entities through exploration, project development through to the production stage. Tanya is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Member of the Governance Institute of Australia and a Graduate Member of the Institute of Company Directors.
Michael Muhling – Joint Company Secretary
Michael Muhling has over two decades of experience in the resources, including 15 years in senior roles with ASX-listed companies. He is a fellow of CPA Australia, The Chartered Governance Institute, and the Governance Institute of Australia.
John Dugdale – Technical Advisor
John Dugdale is a geologist with over 35 years of experience in the discovery and development of graphite, lithium, gold, nickel and copper projects. His corporate experience includes serving as a director and CEO of several junior resource companies focused on nickel-cobalt, graphite and copper-gold projects. Additionally, he has experience in funds management with Lion Selection Group.
Chris Ramsay – General Manager Geology
Chris Ramsay is a geologist and project manager with over 25 years of experience in the global mining industry. He has been involved in exploration, mine development and operations for mining projects in Australasia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa and North America.
Board
Michael Scivolo – Non-executive Chairman
Michael Scivolo has extensive accounting and taxation experience for corporate and non-corporate entities. He was a partner/director at a CPA firm until 2011 and has since been consulting in accounting and taxation. Scivolo is on the boards of several ASX-listed mining companies, including Sabre Resources, Golden Deeps and Tennant Minerals Ltd.
Alexander Biggs – Non-executive Director
Alexander Biggs has over 20 years of experience in the mining and engineering sector. During his career, he has been involved in various activities, including operations, consulting, finance and capital raising. He is currently the managing director of Lightning Minerals (ASX) and was previously the managing director of Critical Resources (ASX:CRR). Biggs is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a graduate of the Western Australian School of Mines.
Rachelle Domansky – Non-executive Director
Rachelle Domansky is an ESG specialist and a consulting psychologist for businesses, governments and educational institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition to Metals Australia, Rachelle holds non-executive board positions at Quebec Lithium and Access Plus WA Deaf.
Basil Conti – Non-executive Director
Basil Conti has been associated with the mining industry for over 25 years. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & NZ and was a partner/director of a chartered accounting firm in West Perth until 2015.
Results of Placing, PDMR Dealing and Total Voting Rights
CleanTech Lithium PLC ("CTL", "CleanTech Lithium" or the "Company"), an exploration and development company advancing lithium projects in Chile for the clean energy transition, is pleased to announce the results of the Placing announced on 8 October 2024, which was oversubscribed and scaled back.
Results of the Placing
The Placing raised gross proceeds of £2.5 million through the issue of 22,727,266 new ordinary shares ("Placing Shares") at an Issue Price of 11 pence per share. The net proceeds from the Placing will be applied to CTL's flagship project, Laguna Verde, and critical work programmes to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate for potential strategic partners to test, and for general working capital requirements.
The Placing Shares represent approximately 13.54 per cent. of the Company's enlarged ordinary share capital following the Admission of the Placing Shares to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM"). This has been a necessary interim fundraising as the Company pursues its dual listing on the Australian Securities Exchange ("ASX").
Related Party
As a part of the Placing and on the same terms as all other placees, Regal Funds1, which is currently interested in approximately 15 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital and therefore a Related Party under the AIM Rules, has agreed to subscribe for 1,727,272 Placing Shares. As such, Regal Funds participation is a Related Party Transaction for the purposes of Rule 13 of the AIM Rules. Accordingly, the Directors of the Company, all independent, consider, having consulted with Beaumont Cornish Limited, the Company's Nominated Adviser, that the terms of the subscription by Regal Funds are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned.
1Regal Funds comprising Regal Funds Management Pty Limited and its associates (including Regal Partners Limited, of which Regal Funds Management Pty Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary) which act as trustee and investment advisor for certain funds
Directors Participation
Furthermore, Tommy McKeith, a director of the Company, has participated in the Placing by subscribing for 454,545 Placing Shares for an aggregate value of £50,000. Accordingly, Tommy McKeith is now interested in 909,091 Ordinary Shares representing 0.54 per cent. of the Company's enlarged ordinary share capital following the Admission of the Placing Shares.
Broker Warrants
In connection with the Placing 1,389,388 Broker Warrants have been issued exercisable at a price equal to the Issue Price up until five years from their date of grant, being the date of completion of the Placing.
Admission and Trading
The Placing remains conditional on the admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective ("Admission"). It is expected that Admission will occur at 8.00 a.m. on 14 October 2024.
Total voting rights
Following Admission, the Company will have a total of 167,889,592 Ordinary Shares in issue. With effect from Admission, this figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company, under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority. Words and expressions defined in the Company's announcement of 8 October 2024 shall have the same meaning in this announcement.
Steve Kesler, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of CleanTech Lithium Plc, commented:
"Thank you to all the investors that have supported CleanTech Lithium in the latest Placing. We are delighted to see the return of existing shareholders and welcome new shareholders who have shown, despite difficult market conditions, their confidence in the Company as we develop responsibly sourced lithium in Chile via Direct Lithium Extraction.
The new funds will be focused on the Laguna Verde project and producing battery-grade lithium carbonate for potential strategic partners as well as maintaining our active engagement with indigenous communities whilst we pursue the dual listing in Australia.
Investors will know we have been one of the most active companies in Chile using DLE to establish ourselves as a leading lithium explorer and developer. We are completely aligned to Chile's National Lithium Strategy which aims to forge public-private partnerships with sustainable technologies leading the way for lithium extraction in the country.
Our Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all the investors for providing the funding for the Company to meet our planned milestones over the coming months and so deliver value to all our stakeholders."
For further information contact: | |
CleanTech Lithium PLC | |
Steve Kesler/Gordon Stein/Nick Baxter | Jersey office: +44 (0) 1534 668 321 Chile office: +562-32239222 |
Or via Celicourt | |
Celicourt Communications Felicity Winkles/Philip Dennis/Ali AlQahtani | +44 (0) 20 7770 6424 |
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish/Asia Szusciak | +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
Fox-Davies Capital Limited (Sole Broker and Bookrunner) | +44 (0) 20 3884 8450 |
Daniel Fox-Davies |
CleanTech Lithium:
CleanTech Lithium (AIM:CTL, Frankfurt:T2N, OTCQX:CTLHF) is an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile for the clean energy transition. Committed to net-zero, CleanTech Lithium's mission is to produce material quantities of sustainable battery grade lithium products using Direct Lithium Extraction technology powered by renewable energy. The Company plans to be a leading supplier of 'green' lithium to the EV and battery manufacturing market.
CleanTech Lithium has two key lithium projects in Chile, Laguna Verde and Viento Andino, and hold licences in Llamara and Salar de Atacama, located in the lithium triangle, a leading centre for battery grade lithium production. The two major projects: Laguna Verde and Viento Andino are situated within basins controlled by the Company, which affords significant potential development and operational advantages. All four projects have direct access to existing infrastructure and renewable power.
CleanTech Lithium is committed to using renewable power for processing and reducing the environmental impact of its lithium production by utilising Direct Lithium Extraction with reinjection of spent brine. Direct Lithium Extraction is a transformative technology which removes lithium from brine, with higher recoveries than conventional extraction processes. The method offers short development lead times with no extensive site construction or evaporation pond development so there is minimal water depletion from the aquifer. www.ctlithium.com
Rio Tinto to Acquire Arcadium for US$6.7 Billion in Major Lithium Push
In a landmark move, Rio Tinto ( ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) has sealed an all-cash deal to acquire US-based Arcadium Lithium (NYSE:ALTM,ASX:LTM) for US$6.7 billion. If successful, the deal will catapult Rio Tinto to become the third-largest lithium producer worldwide.
Following rumors that both companies were in talks for a possible acquisition, Rio Tinto announced that it is going all-in on the multi-billion sale. The deal, which is expected to close in mid-2025 pending approval by Arcadium's shareholders, values Arcadium at US$5.85 per share, 90 percent higher than its October 4 closing price of US$3.08.
Arcadium was established earlier this year following a US$10.6 billion merger between lithium majors Allkem and Livent, forming a vertically integrated company with global lithium operations spanning hard-rock mining, lithium brine extraction and chemical processing.
The company’s broad resource base, with assets across Argentina, Australia, Canada and the United States, made the acquisition a highly attractive prospect for Rio Tinto, as the purchase now positions the company for strategic growth in the case of an anticipated price rebound.
Arcadium’s shares surged in price by more than 40 percent after the rumors started, triggering gains in other lithium-focused stocks. It moved even higher following confirmation of the acquisition, and the company closed at US$5.55 on October 9 — now up 80 percent compared to its October 4 close.
The deal has been unanimously approved by the boards of both companies.
M&A ramping up in the lithium industry
Rio Tinto’s move to acquire Arcadium reflects broader consolidation trends in the lithium industry, as major players seek to strengthen their market positions in anticipation of a ramping market geared towards the future.
Just this August, Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS,OTC Pink:PILBF), an Australia-based lithium company, announced plans to acquire Latin Resources (ASX:LRS,OTC Pink:LRSRF) in a deal valued at AU$560 million.
This acquisition would give Pilbara access to Latin Resources’ flagship Salinas lithium project in Brazil, diversifying its portfolio beyond its Pilgangoora operation in Western Australia.
Additionally, Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) continued its growth in the sector in late 2023 by acquiring the Bald Hill lithium mine, which saw its first full production quarter in 2024.
MinRes is part of several lithium joint venture operations in Australia, including the Wodgina lithium mine, which it owns alongside Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), the world’s largest lithium producer.
Mergers and acquisitions have been a recurring theme in the lithium sector this year, as companies prepare for a future where demand for electric vehicles, and consequently lithium, will skyrocket.
Experts anticipate several more deals to take shape as companies seek to strengthen their footholds in key regions.
Lithium prices expected to recover from temporary slump
Overall, the lithium market has experienced significant volatility, with prices falling from their record highs seen in 2022. Analysts attribute this downturn to oversupply in the market, as well as macroeconomic factors such as high interest rates and slower-than-expected EV sales growth.
However, most experts believe the price slump is temporary, with demand for lithium set to rebound as EV adoption accelerates globally.
Rio Tinto’s interest in Arcadium follows continued downward price momentum for lithium this year.
Industry analysts view the timing of the potential acquisition as strategic, allowing Rio to capitalize on the downturn while positioning itself for future growth as demand for lithium is expected to rise significantly in the next decade.
Lithium-ion batteries are integral to the EV industry and demand is projected to increase as major automakers ramp up production of electric vehicles.
If successful, the acquisition would propel Rio Tinto into a leading position in the global lithium market, trailing only Albemarle and SQM in production capacity.
Analysts from Canaccord also estimate that a combined Rio Tinto-Arcadium entity could supply around 10 percent of the global lithium chemicals market by 2030.
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.
Drilling to Commence at Big Bell North Gold Project
- 4,500m drilling program to test priority targets on prospective greenstone-splay faults along strike from major gold deposits in one of Australia’s most prolific gold provinces
Metals Australia Ltd (ASX: MLS) (“Metals Australia” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that drilling is set to commence to test priority targets identified at the Company’s Big Bell North tenements (EL51/2058 and EL51/2059) in Western Australia’s world-class Murchison Gold Province. The tenements lie within the regional structural corridor which hosts major gold deposits including the Meekatharra and Mt Magnet gold mining centres (Figure 2).
- Up to 4,500m aircore drilling program set to commence testing priority greenstone-splay, fault-hosted gold targets interpreted under cover at Big Bell North, along strike from the 5Moz Big Bell Mine and Garden Gully Projects in Western Australia’s world-class Murchison Gold Province.
- The Big Bell North tenements cover an extensive 337km2 area where little previous exploration has been carried out due to extensive regional soil cover and the historic lack of recognition of greenstone lithologies.
- Interpretation of recently completed aeromagnetic and gravity surveys has defined greenstone-splay fault priority drilling targets on both the eastern and western zones of the Big Bell North tenements.
- Drilling will initially focus on the Eastern Zone over a 9km north-south trend interpreted to be a faulted greenstone corridor (interpreted to be 700-1,400m wide) splaying from the regional scale Chunderloo Shear Zone. This setting is identical to the Garden Gully highgrade gold project, immediately along strike to the northeast, held by Ora Gold Ltd (OAU).
- The Eastern Zone drill targets have been further refined to align magnetic lows from the aeromagnetic survey with strong positive gravity survey responses, indicative of denser greenstones (dominated by prospective mafic rocks) in the interpreted shear zone. Shear zones associated with magnetic lows commonly coincide with quartz veining/alteration2.
- Soil sampling is also underway across the Western Zone target. Subject to results, a drilling program will follow to test bedrock targets for buried gold deposits at the Western Zone, where shallower cover exists.
- Anomalous gold results in the aircore drilling programs will be followed up with deeper RC drilling to test across the gold-anomalous structures.
Figure 1: Metals Australia - Critical Minerals and gold exploration projects in world-class mineral terranes (adapted from Geoscience Australia, Australian Mineral Deposits)
Metals Australia Ltd CEO Paul Ferguson commented:
“The drilling program we are set to commence at our highly prospective Big Bell North gold project in Western Australia’s prolific Murchison Gold Province is the latest step in the Company’s aggressive push to unlock value from our suite of gold and critical mineral projects, which are all located in wellestablished mining regions in Australia and Canada.”
Our Big Bell North project, where there has been no modern-day exploration, has advanced rapidly during 2024 on the back of a methodical, phased exploration approach from our geological team. This started with an extensive fixed wing aeromagnetic survey covering over 5,200-line km which yielded two interpreted shear zones of significance.
We followed this up with detailed gravity survey work, which revealed the likelihood of greenstones within the shear zones. This is significant because gold mineralisation within the Murchison domain is often concentrated within such greenstone belts and is structurally controlled, thus enhancing the potential of the targets we are now set to drill.
In addition to Big Bell North, we continue to advance plans for an extensive soil survey and follow-on drilling program at the Warrego East copper-gold project in the Northern Territory, which is on track to commence later this year, ahead of the wet season, once permitting and land access arrangements are finalised.
We are also awaiting results and interpretation from two other recently completed exploration programs at Warrambie in the Pilbara, where our aircore drilling program has been completed; and our Corvette River project in Quebec’s James Bay region in Canada, where assay results from the phase one field program are imminent. Exploration at Corvette River is extensively focused on gold, silver, base metals (Cu-Pb-Zn) and lithium.
At our flagship Lac Carheil high-grade flake graphite project in Quebec, positive dialogue continues as we seek to build alignment on the project’s benefits with all stakeholders. Our significant cash reserves leave us well-placed to accelerate our various exploration programs as we continue striving to unlock the true value of our suite of projects in Australia and Canada.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Metals Australia, 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.
Stardust Power Secures Exclusivity to Negotiate Licensing Arrangement for Lithium Brine Concentration Technology from KMX Technologies
Stardust Power Inc. (NASDAQ: SDST)(“Stardust Power” or the “Company”), an American developer of battery-grade lithium products, and KMX Technologies, Inc. (“KMX”) announced that it has entered into a 90-day exclusivity period during which Stardust Power and KMX will negotiate the terms and conditions related to Stardust Power’s exclusive use of lithium brine concentration technology from KMX (the “Licensing Arrangement”). The transaction is subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive documentation and the parties’ mutual board approvals.
This important technology would allow Stardust Power to potentially lower operating costs and capital expenditures across its supply chain, including at its 50,000 metric tons per annum battery-grade lithium refinery under development in Muskogee, Oklahoma, while also potentially reducing the energy and carbon intensity of the refining process. A definitive agreement could give Stardust Power exclusive use of the technology for lithium in the United States and Canada, as well as certain other jurisdictions around the world.
Stardust Power remains focused on increasing its sustainability and recycling water following commencement of its operations. KMX’s unique technology, known as vacuum membrane distillation (“VMD”), uses hydrophobic membranes to separate lithium while creating a high quality water as its byproduct. This process is less costly and potentially less energy-intensive than many competing solutions. The distilled quality water can also be used by lithium project developers as part of their direct lithium extraction washing process, in lieu of tapping sparse local freshwater resources and other uses.
Stardust Power’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Roshan Pujari, commented: “Creating battery-grade lithium requires energy and water, and KMX’s technology is highly efficient on both fronts. Their VMD technology produces an extremely high-quality concentrate with significantly improved water recycling. Following the execution of definitive documentation, Stardust Power would intend to deploy this technology across the supply chain at its Oklahoma refinery, when it is put into operation, and at upstream sites. This is another step forward for Stardust Power, leading at the forefront of sustainability within the U.S. lithium supply chain.”
Zachary Sadow, KMX Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are proud to partner with Stardust Power, pioneers in the critical mineral industry, as they build out the North American lithium supply chain.”
KMX’s lithium concentration technology has been publicly validated by the Canadian government, showing its ability to concentrate lithium without significant losses, generating substantially enhanced project economics.
About Stardust Power Inc.
Stardust Power is a developer of battery-grade lithium products designed to supply the electric vehicle (EV) industry and bolster America’s energy leadership by building resilient supply chains. Stardust Power is developing a strategically central lithium refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma with the anticipated capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons per annum of battery-grade lithium. The company is committed to sustainability at each point in the process. Stardust Power trades on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SDST.” For more information, visit www.stardust-power.com
Stardust Power Contacts
For Investors:
Johanna Gonzalez
investor.relations@stardust-power.com
For Media:
Michael Thompson
media@stardust-power.com
About KMX Technologies
KMX Technologies is solving the most critical environmental and energy challenges of the 21st century. Through its proprietary membrane distillation technology, the company sustainably sources critical minerals necessary for next generation supply chains and infrastructure, is advancing wastewater treatment, and is accelerating energy storage with its direct lithium recovery enhancement processes.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecasted,” “projected,” “potential,” “seem,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or otherwise indicate statements that are not of historical matters, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the negotiation and execution of definitive documentation regarding the Licensing Arrangement, the ability of Stardust Power to realize the anticipated benefits of KMX’s technology, the ability of Stardust Power to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain key relationships and retain its management and key employees; risks related to the uncertainty of the projected financial information with respect to Stardust Power; risks related to the price of Stardust Power’s securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Stardust Power plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Stardust Power’s business and changes in the combined capital structure; and risks related to the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional opportunities. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
Stockholders and prospective investors should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in documents filed by Stardust Power from time to time with the SEC.
Stockholders and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only speak as of the date made, are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, assumptions and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Stardust Power. Stardust Power expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the expectations of Stardust Power with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.
Grant of Mine Operating Permit
Ewoyaa Lithium Project granted final regulatory approval in the permitting process for the Project
Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM: ALL, ASX: A11, OTCQX: ALLIF, “Atlantic Lithium” or the “Company”), the Africa-focused lithium exploration and development company targeting the delivery of Ghana's first lithium mine, is pleased to announce that the Minerals Commission of Ghana has issued a Mine Operating Permit in respect of the Company’s flagship Ewoyaa Lithium Project (“Ewoyaa” or the “Project”).
The Mine Operating Permit serves as the final regulatory approval required by the Company ahead of commencing construction of the Project, comprising the Ewoyaa Lithium Mine and Processing Plant, and represents an important milestone towards reaching a Final Investment Decision.
The Company currently awaits the ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease by Ghana’s parliament. The Company understands that parliament will resume sitting on 15 October 2024 and will provide further updates to shareholders as appropriate.
Commenting, Neil Herbert, Executive Chairman of Atlantic Lithium, said:
“Representing the final regulatory approval required by the Company before we can commence construction, the issuance of the Mine Operating Permit marks a critical milestone in the permitting process for the Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
“With our sights set on achieving first production of lithium in Ghana, we now eagerly await parliamentary ratification of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease. We hope that ratification can occur in the coming sitting, expected to resume on the 15th of this month, which would set us on the path towards construction and operation of this globally significant lithium project.”
Authorised for release by Amanda Harsas, Finance Director and Company Secretary, Atlantic Lithium Limited.Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Atlantic Lithium, 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.
Infill Soil Sampling at Dundas to Further Define Lithium Drill Targets
Lightning Minerals (L1M or the Company) is pleased to announce the start of a targeted infill soil sampling program at its Dundas lithium project in Western Australia. The program is designed to infill the existing geochemistry program which was completed on a grid spacing of 400m x 400m and will consist of approximately 500 samples.
A number of areas of interest were identified in the previously completed regional soil sampling program, particularly on Dundas North tenements E28/3027 and E28/3028 where broad lithium in soil anomalism was identified across an area of 35km2 and up to 147ppm Li1.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Infill soil sampling program of ~500 samples to further test previously identified lithium in soil anomalism of up to 147ppm Li1
- Dundas North tenements to be tested across three large lithium targets up to 35km2, as identified in March 2023. Sampling to be completed down to granularity of 200m x 100m in some areas
- On-ground works at the Company’s Brazil lithium projects in Lithium Valley is in progress with results expected imminently
Lightning Minerals Managing Director Alex Biggs said, “It’s good to be getting back to our works at Dundas following a period of review. We are focusing on areas of interest that have been previously identified as containing lithium in soil anomalism. Our work program is focused and targeted and will allow us to identify appropriate drill targets for a future exploration program. The infill soil sampling on our Dundas North tenements is of particular interest as it allows for us to develop higher confidence drill targets across the project areas. As much as our focus is on Brazil and our accelerated exploration on those projects it is important that we further our efforts at Dundas also particularly as we have gained significant knowledge of the region since our works began there in 2022. The Company now possesses lithium exploration potential in three of the strongest jurisdictions globally for the commodity which sets us up well for success as we move forwards.”
Dundas North Infill Soil Sampling
Phase 1 soil sampling was completed during Q1 and Q2 of CY2023 with samples collected on a nominal 400m x 400m grid across the tenements, with analysis completed by LabWest Minerals Analysis (LabWest). Analysis utilised the Ultrafine + (UFF+) method with chemical analysis for a suite of 62 elements including lithium and associated pathfinders typically used for identification of lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) mineralisation.
The tenor of background lithium level within the project area and the Mt Belches lithological unit appears to be approximately 40-60ppm lithium. The elevated zones returning multiple samples with values above 80ppm lithium and up to a peak result of 147ppm lithium. Results are thought to provide sound vectors toward potential mineralisation as the elevations are clustered and are proximal to suitable granitic protoliths within the ‘goldilocks zone’ for LCT pegmatite mineralisation. The ‘goldilocks zone’ is typically estimated to be between 2km and 10km from the source granitic body.
This geological setting therefore requires follow up exploration works to ascertain the source of the anomalies and forms the basis of the infill soil sampling program as shown in Figure 1. Infill sampling will be completed down to a granularity of 200m x 100m.
Figure 1: Lightning Minerals - Dundas North tenure showing UFF+ lithium soil geochemistry results (as reported 01 May 2023) and planned areas of infill soil sampling as highlighted in yellow polygons on geophysical aeromagnetic analytic signal image.
Dundas South Infill Soil Sampling
Soil sampling will also be undertaken at the Dundas South project area following up zones of interest identified by the regional soil program. Grids of differing resolutions will be completed across tenements E63/2028, E63,1932, E15/1748 and E63/1993 down to a minimum of 200m x 200m. Targeting criteria in these areas focus mainly on existing results for lithium and its pathfinder elements identified during the reginal program (as reported in ASX Announcement 23 March 2023), but also aim to assess gold/nickel potential as the genetic models can share attributes regarding lithologies, geochemistry and rheology. The planned sites are shown on Figure 2 below, modifications may be undertaken in the field as guided by the supervising geologist.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Lightning Minerals, 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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