Kidman Resources has entered into a binding heads of agreement with Mitsui for the supply of lithium hydroxide.
Image: Kidman Resources signs lithium hydroxide supply agreement with Mitsui. Photo: courtesy of rawpixel/Unsplash.com.
The Heads of Agreement is for an initial term of two years, plus 2 further two-year extension options. Agreed volumes to be supplied by Kidman will gradually increase and equate to less than 15% of Kidman’s share of nameplate production from the Refinery of 22.6kt per annum. Pricing will be variable and based on the price Mitsui achieves from its customers and prevailing international prices.
There is a floor price for the duration of the initial term and any extension terms. The Heads of Agreement covers the essential commercial elements of the arrangements and is binding. The obligation of Kidman to supply under the Heads of Agreement is subject to two conditions precedent, being the finalisation of product specifications and the lithium hydroxide produced by the Mt Holland Lithium Project being qualified for use by Mitsui customers.
The parties have agreed to enter into a definitive supply agreement by 30 June 2019. If a definitive supply agreement is not executed by that date either party will have the option to terminate the Heads of Agreement based on pre-agreed conditions
The parties have also agreed to progress discussions in relation to a potential spodumene offtake agreement covering any excess spodumene concentrate produced from the Mt Holland Lithium Project that is not required for the Refinery.
Kidman’s CEO and managing director Martin Donohue, said: “We are pleased to be announcing this agreement with Mitsui. This follows the announcement in May 2018 of our offtake agreement with Tesla and is further evidence of the demand for the high-quality lithium hydroxide to be produced from the Mt Holland Lithium Project.
“Kidman continues to progress its strategy of entering into a limited number of significant offtake agreements to develop long term customer relationships and support its proposed debt financing, while leaving a minority portion of its future supply uncontracted.”
Kidman is continuing discussions in relation to further offtake agreements with high quality counterparties, with the aim of securing further binding contracts that will in total cover approximately 75% of Kidman’s share of production in the early years of the project. Kidman will provide further updates to the market in due course.
Source: Company Press Release