PEA Delivers Outstanding Project 
Economics for Battery-grade Lithium Carbonate Operation at Rincon Salar

PEA Delivers Outstanding Project Economics for Battery-grade Lithium Carbonate Operation at Rincon Salar

Lithium exploration and development company Power Minerals Limited (ASX: PNN) (Power or the Company) is pleased to announce positive results from a Preliminary Economic Assessment( PEA) completed for the Rincon salar, a key part of its Salta Lithium Project in the lithium triangle of Argentina.


  • Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) confirms the Rincon salar’s potential to produce high-purity, battery-grade lithium carbonate
  • PEA completed to Scoping Study-level delivers a robust, low�cost operation with US$194.8m annual revenue forecast over an initial 14-year operation
  • Annual production of 7,061 tonnes high purity lithium carbonate based on existing JORC Mineral Resource of 292,564 tonne LCE. Strong expansion potential for future Mineral Resource upgrades
  • Pre-tax NPV of US$501.82m with strong forecast margins, payback period of 3 years and pre-tax IRR of 42%
  • Estimated capital expenditure of US$216.55 million, based on lithium carbonate plant utilising Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology
  • Power will now move into feasibility study phase for Rincon.

The PEA results provide initial formal confirmation of the Rincon salar’s excellent potential to become a significant long-life supplier of high purity, battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), producing 7,061 tonnes of LCE per annum over an initial project life of 14 years.

The PEA forecasts a pre-tax NPV of US$501.85 million, with payback period of 3 years, and pre-tax IRR of 42%.

The PEA is based on the recently reported JORC 2012 Mineral Resource at the Rincon salar, of 292,564 tonnes LCE (ASX announcements, 1 and 2 November 2023). Potential to further increase the production profile contemplated in the PEA may exist based on future Mineral Resource upgrades at Rincon.

The PEA was conducted to Scoping Study level by global engineering and mining consultant Golder Associates (Golder), a division of WSP Global. Golder worked in conjunction with Power’s Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) partner Sunresin New Materials Co. Ltd (Sunresin) to deliver the PEA at Rincon. Golder has current, relevant experience working with tier-1 lithium-brine companies, including Ganfeng and Tibet Summit Resources, which are using Sunresin DLE technology.

The PEA assessed production and life-of-mine profile, along with engineering and process costs, plus capital costs and operating costs for a potential high-quality LCE producing operation at Rincon.

A detailed summary of the Rincon Salar PEA is appended to this announcement.

Key outcomes and parameters of the PEA are presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Rincon salar PEA key parameters and outcomes

See Figure 1 for conceptual location Plan for proposed Rincon DLE development and Figure 2 for Salta Lithium Project location map.

“We are extremely encouraged by the outcomes of this Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Rincon salar, a priority development asset within our Salta Lithium Project in Argentina. The PEA provides initial formal confirmation of the technical and financial viability of the potential to develop Rincon into a new, long-life source of high purity lithium carbonate. The outcome of the PEA is outstanding validation of our demonstrated commitment to the rapid development of the Salta Lithium Project. Having commenced a major Resource expansion drilling campaign at Salta late last year, Power has delivered a substantial JORC Mineral Resource upgrade, and is now engaged in development-phase programs at its priority Rincon and Incahuasi salares.”

Power Minerals Managing Director Mena Habib


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Altech Batteries Ltd  CERENERGY Battery Project Funding Update

Altech Batteries Ltd CERENERGY Battery Project Funding Update

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) - Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) is pleased to announce an update on funding of the CERENERGY(R) sodium-chloride solid-state battery project in Saxony, Germany.

Highlights

- Financing plan and target structure in place

- Funding investment teaser documents and data room established

- Reach out to 10 commercial banks and 2 venture debt funds - all positive interests

- Shortlisting potential lead bank

- Equity Funding - potential sale of minority interest of the project to realise capital and strategic value

- Discussions and draft term sheets shared with investors

- Offtake agreement LOI signed with ZISP

On 14 June 2024, the Company, through its Germany subsidiary Altech Batteries GmbH ("ABG"), announced the appointment of global big four professional services firm ("funding adviser") to assist in securing finance for the construction of Altech's 120MWh CERENERGY(R) battery manufacturing plant in Germany. The project's financing strategy is structured across three key areas: debt, equity, and grants.

These sources will cover not only the capital expenditures but also financing costs, working capital, debt service coverage, and an additional contingency for potential business interruptions, See Figure 1*.

DEBT PROCESS

A funding invitation document (investment teaser) has been finalised and distributed to various financial institutions for debt funding in the project. The Group has engaged ten commercial banks and two venture debt funds in a first market round, receiving predominantly positive initial feedback. Several of these institutions have expressed strong interest in participating in the financing. The Group is now in the process of shortlisting potential lenders to identify the most suitable financial partners for the project. To support a thorough due diligence process, a secure data room has been set up, providing detailed project information to interested financiers and ensuring full transparency. The DFS financial model has been adjusted to stress-test various funding scenarios tailored to the lending institutions ABG has engaged with. Further steps involve determining the most suitable banks to form a syndicate and appointing a lead bank to guide the lending process. This syndicate will play a crucial role in structuring the financing arrangement to meet the project's requirements.

EQUITY FUNDING

In addition to ongoing debt financing efforts, the Group has engaged several equity advisers to support the equity component of the project's funding package. As part of this strategy, the Altech Group plans to divest a minority interest in the project to one or two strategic investors. This partial divestment aims to attract investors who can bring not only capital, but also strategic value to the project, aligning with the CERENERGY(R) project's long-term growth and sustainability objectives.

The Group is specifically targeting large utility groups, data centre operators, investment funds and corporations that are heavily involved in the green energy transition. These entities are seen as ideal partners due to their strong alignment with the project's focus on sustainable energy solutions, as well as their capacity to provide substantial financial backing.

To date, significant progress has been made in these equity discussions. Several Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) have been signed, allowing for deeper engagement with prospective investors. Altech has also circulated draft term sheets to a number of interested parties, outlining the proposed terms and conditions for investment. These documents serve as a starting point for negotiations, paving the way for more detailed discussions regarding the potential equity stake and partnership structure.

The strategic decision to divest a portion of the project is aimed at reducing the overall financial burden on the Company while bringing in experienced partners who can contribute to the project's success. By securing both the equity and debt components, the Company aims to finalise the full financing package, ensuring the timely construction and commissioning of the CERENERGY(R) battery plant. The next steps will focus on advancing these discussions and converting interest into formal commitments, which are crucial for moving forward with the project.

OFFTAKE ARRANGEMENTS

On 13 September 24, Altech announced the execution of an Offtake Letter of Intent between Zweckverband Industriepark Schwarze Pumpe (ZISP) and Altech Batteries GmbH. Under this Offtake Letter of Intent (LOI), ZISP will purchase 30 MWh of energy storage capacity annually, consisting of 1MWh GridPacks, for the first five years of production. The price of these batteries has been agreed and aligns with the sales price contained within Altech's Definitive Feasibility Study. The purchase of these batteries is subject to performance tests, battery specifications and the batteries meeting customer requirements. This offtake LOI constitutes an important aspect of the financing process. This lays the foundation for additional offtake arrangements, which are currently in progress. These agreements are vital for advancing our financing and construction timelines for the CERENERGY(R) project.

CEO and MD Mr Iggy Tan stated "The funding stage of any project is the most complex and challenging process of any project. Securing a big four funding adviser with expertise and a global network is a major step in our financing efforts. Altech is advancing both debt and equity discussions, along with offtake agreements, to fully fund the CERENERGY(R) project. We are seeing strong interest, especially from European banks and potential equity partners".

*To view tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/PO741A78

To view MD Iggy Tan explain the Funding, please visit:
https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/23705649



About Altech Batteries Ltd:  

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS ("Fraunhofer") to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech's land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.

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An aggregate of 3,150,000 units (the " Units") of the Company were issued in the third and final tranche at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $157,500, each Unit being comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one-half common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), each Warrant entitling its holder thereof to acquire one additional common share (each a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for a period of 60 months from the closing date. (the "Offering").

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