The offtake agreement is referenced to the market price for 6% Li2O spodumene concentrate, adjusted for actual Li2O content, with a price floor
Core Lithium announces binding offtake agreement and A$34m equity investment with Ganfeng Lithium. (Credit: Ganfeng Lithium Co.,Ltd.)
Advanced Northern Territory lithium developer, Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) (Core or Company), is pleased to announce that it has executed a binding offtake agreement (Offtake) with a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd (Ganfeng), one of the world’s largest lithium producers by production capacity, for 75,000 tonnes per annum over 4 years. In addition, Ganfeng has agreed to a A$34 million equity investment into Core at a 10% premium to the 10-day VWAP, equating to an issue price of 33.8 cents per share (Equity Investment).
Following the recent release of the Company’s robust Stage 1 Definitive Feasibility Study and associated scoping studies (see announcements of 26 July 2021), the Offtake Agreement and Equity Investment are a proactive initiative that provides certainty of offtake and funding, to meet the previously stated timeline of construction commencement at the Finniss Lithium Project (Finniss or the Project) in 2H 2021.
Core’s Managing Director, Mr Stephen Biggins, commented:
“The Offtake and Equity Investment by Ganfeng represents a transformational moment for Core. Ganfeng has a proven track record of investing in high-quality lithium projects across the world and of being a strong and supportive offtake partner. We welcome Ganfeng’s participation with Core, and look forward to developing a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationship with them.”
Offtake
The Offtake is for the supply and delivery of 300,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate at 75,000tpa from the Finniss Project over 4 years.
The Offtake provides for pricing referenced to the market price for 6.0% Li2O spodumene concentrate, adjusted for actual Li2O content, and includes an agreed floor price.
The Offtake adds to the previously announced binding offtake agreement with Yahua for 75,000tpa over 4 years. Together, these agreements account for approximately 80% of the Project’s production over the first 4 years of mine life.
The Offtake commences on the effective date of commercial production. The Offtake will cease on the date that is 4 years after commencement of supply. The Offtake can be terminated by Ganfeng if the effective date of commercial production does not occur by 1 December 2023.
Conditions precedent to the Offtake include the receipt of the Equity Investment and the conditions precedent of the Equity Investment (see further below). The Offtake otherwise contains provisions considered standard for agreements of this nature.
Equity Investment
Ganfeng and Core have entered into a subscription agreement whereby Ganfeng has agreed to make an Equity Investment of A$34 million into Core, as a contribution towards the development costs of Stage 1 of the Finniss Lithium Project and bringing Core into production.
The Equity Investment is to be made at a price of 33.8 cents per share, representing a 10% premium to the 10-day volume weighted average price of Core shares up to and including Friday 6 August 2021.
The Equity Investment is subject to conditions precedent (Equity Conditions), including:
- Chinese regulatory approvals;
- Approval by Core shareholders; and
- Core entering binding arrangements for a minimum total financing (inclusive of the Equity Investment by Ganfeng) of no less than A$80 million.
The Equity Conditions must be satisfied or waived by 31 October 2021, or else the subscription agreement terminates. Following satisfaction or waiver of the Equity Conditions, on receipt of the proceeds, Core will issue 100,591,715 fully paid ordinary shares to Ganfeng.
Core’s financial adviser on this transaction is Jett Capital Advisors LLC. Its legal advisers are Allens and Azure Capital is corporate adviser to the Company.
Source: Company Press Release