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The positive funding environment follows an increased focus by EV makers on supply chain sustainability, mandated by European Union regulations, and a requirement for high quality, battery-grade product.
In March 2021, Lake appointed SD Capital Advisory Limited and GKB Ventures Limited to arrange project finance, with a focus on ECAs (refer ASX release 3 March 2021). These financial advisers have actively engaged with Lake and the technical advisers at Hatch. They have conducted an in-depth analysis of Kachi’s Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and sourcing funding opportunities. Environmental study consultant, Knight Piesold, is undertaking the environmental and social impact study (EISA), to prepare the project for permitting under global standards.
Initial outcomes are the potential for a significantly lower cost of capital to be applied to the Kachi project principally as a result of longer dated, lower cost ECA-led debt. The targeted level of financing support would be approximately 70% of the total funding required. The ‘sweet spot’ for ECA debt repayments is between 5 to 8 years post construction and build-out, implying total debt finance duration of up to 10 years. A number of sourcing opportunities have been identified where minimum export content thresholds can be met, making this project eligible for ECA support.
The financial advisers have highlighted the technical and commercial attractiveness of the Kachi project and its contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the potential for a production expansion pending a planned resource upgrade and completion of further studies.
In a joint statement, David Buckle, of SD Capital and Gabriel Buck, of GKB Ventures respectively said: “We are greatly encouraged by the progress being made and the early positive response from the project finance banks.”
The potential size and duration of the debt funding will be provided in the coming months, after expressions of interest are received from potential Export Credit Agencies. Importantly, Lake is well funded through to the final investment decision (FID) on construction finance for Kachi, anticipated in mid-2022, with A$24 million in the bank at the end of the March quarter 2021.
Feedback from the recent Benchmark Mineral Intelligence “EV Fest” has further highlighted the lack of supply of battery-quality lithium and also the need for a sustainably produced product, given the potential financial penalties facing EV makers in Europe concerning the minimization of their carbon footprint and satisfying EU import regulations.
Lake’s Managing Director, Steve Promnitz commented: “Export credit agencies and the project finance banks are committed to the new energy transition and to projects with an ESG benefit that include Sustainable Development Goals. As a company focused on the sustainable, direct extraction of lithium to produce a high- quality, battery-grade product, Lake is ideally positioned to contribute to the achievement of these goals.
“We look forward to advancing these talks further, together with potential international off-takers, as we progress the Kachi definitive feasibility study towards a successful outcome.”
Meanwhile, Lake has welcomed further support from Acuity Capital, which has agreed to increase the size of its Controlled Placement Agreement (CPA). The facility has been increased to $30 million to better reflect Lake’s higher market capitalisation since the CPA was first established in July 2018 (see announcements, including 31 July 2018 and 27 November 2020).
As previously announced, the Company has utilised the CPA to raise a total of $4,775,000 (see announcements on 1 September 2020, 22 September 2020 and 19 January 2021 for further details). The remaining standby equity capital available under the CPA is approximately $25 million with an expiry date of 31 January 2023.
There is no requirement on Lake to utilise the CPA and there were no fees or costs associated with the increase to the CPA limit. Further, no additional security has been provided or required in relation to the increased CPA limit.
The financing progress follows a new drill testing program at Kachi, with Lake aiming to support an expansion of future production (refer ASX release 19 May 2021). Lake recently upgraded Kachi’s estimated NPV to US$1.6 billion, based on the production of 25,500 tpa and on projected higher lithium prices, as it moves to increase its reserve base across its portfolio of projects in the ‘Lithium Triangle.’
About Lake Resources NL:
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising clean, direct extraction technology for the development of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project, as well as three other lithium brine projects in Argentina. The projects are in a prime location within the Lithium Triangle, where 40% of the world’s lithium is produced at the lowest cost.
This method will enable Lake Resources to be an efficient, responsibly-sourced, environmentally friendly and cost competitive supplier of high-purity lithium, which is readily scalable, and in demand from Tier 1 electric vehicle makers and battery makers.
Source:
Lake Resources NL
Contact:
Steve Promnitz
Managing Director
+61 2 9188 7864
steve@lakeresources.com.au
Anthony Fensom
Republic PR
+61 (0) 407 112 623
anthony@republicpr.com.au
Henry Jordan
Six Degrees Investor Relations
+61 (0) 431 271 538
Table 1: Summary of projects within the Premier1 portfolio