Lithium Demand Driving New Procurement Strategies

NetworkNewsWire Editorial Coverage: The key component in making the indispensable lithium-ion battery is in exceedingly short supply, and competition to obtain the mineral has heated up. The race to acquire reliable, long-term lithium feedstocks has sparked a worldwide shift in procurement strategy. EV makers, battery producers, and strategic investment companies are now joint venturing, buying in or looking to acquire lithium miners. At least 12 lithium transactions have been closed between downstream manufacturers and mining companies since 2016, and in the years to come ever more supply agreements between manufacturers and miners are expected (http://nnw.fm/3ZUgR). Lithium mining stocks, especially junior miners, are liable to become outsized beneficiaries of the investment and acquisition spree that’s underway. Prospective junior miner, Lithium Chile (TSX-V: LITH) (OTCQB: LTMCF) (LTMCF Profile), which owns vast tracks of indicated lithium assets, is positioned to potentially be one of the largest beneficiaries in the space. Some look to the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (NYSE: LIT), but direct exposure junior miners is limited. Other lithium miners in the mix include American Lithium (TSX-V: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF), Nemaska Lithium, Inc. (TSX: NMX) and Orocobre Ltd. (ASX: ORE) (TSX: ORL).

Epicenter Chile

Holding the world’s largest lithium reserves, Chile has become a hotbed of acquisition activity (http://nnw.fm/oPB9K). High-quality proven reserves, established infrastructure, a mining-friendly government, and the lowest production costs on the planet have lured lithium seekers from around the globe (http://nnw.fm/Ee1mV) and massive deals are underway.

Chilean development agency Corfo recently increased lithium production quotas to meet Tesla’s current needs and is discussing further quota increases and potential investments in Chile by the automaker (http://nnw.fm/LHg7t). China’s unprecedented push into EVs has them bidding for a stake in the world’s second-largest lithium producer. Chile asked its antitrust regulators to block the sale claiming it would give China an unfair advantage in the global race to secure critical lithium resources. However, sources say a deal is near for a $4.3 billion transaction, a 22 percent premium to market (http://nnw.fm/y9ViY).

There’s such a significant wave of raw material supply insecurity, mainly from Asia, that it should easily spur even more lithium miner/manufacturer deals well into the next decade. The lithium quest isn’t happening in the future – it is happening now – and more money keeps pouring into lithium miners to lock in future feedstocks.

Just the Beginning  

On the cusp of unearthing what may become a bonanza of lithium riches, Lithium Chile (TSX-V: LITH) (OTC: LTMCF) just announced a Memorandum of Understanding to enter a memorandum of understanding (http://nnw.fm/2iHK6) with Hong Kong-based investment company, Prosper One International Holdings Company Limited. Over the last few years, Lithium Chile has quietly and strategically amassed 152,900 hectares (over 590 square miles) of lithium-rich indicated properties, and suitors are starting to line up. The proposed transaction with Prosper One requires them to spend C$3 million to earn a 55% interest in just one of Lithium Chile’s 15 properties, namely its Norte project. Prosper One will invest the C$3 million in staged exploration expenditures on the Norte project on or before December 31, 2021, and will make a C$1 million equity investment in Lithium Chile at a minimum of $1 CAD per share.

The MOU designates Lithium Chile the operator on the Norte exploration programs and it will receive a management fee from Prosper One equal to 17.5% of the funds expended on the Norte exploration programs. In testament to the seriousness of intent, Prosper One must pay Lithium Chile a C$250,000 break fee if a definitive agreement isn’t signed.

Steve Cochrane, president and CEO, of Lithium Chile, commented, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Prosper One which accelerates our ability to unlock the potential of our dominant land package in Chile.  Essentially, we are combining our technical expertise and Chilean experience with Prosper One’s financial acumen and support to explore our highly prospective Pintadas Norte project in the coastal region of Chile. We look forward to a mutually rewarding working relationship.”

This is likely just the beginning for Lithium Chile. Located smack in the middle of the world’s foremost lithium reserves, the company’s holdings represent the largest wholly owned lithium land package of any private operating company in all of Chile. The portfolio includes projects with high-grade lithium brines and excellent chemistry, at shallow depths – all of which have good access to infrastructure. Lithium Chile also owns (and plans to spin out to shareholders) a significant copper, gold and silver property portfolio consisting of 28,184 hectares over six different properties (http://nnw.fm/j2kpG).

In addition to the Norte project, Lithium Chile’s assets include 66 square kilometers directly on the Salar de Atacama, Chile’s largest mineral salt flat and home to over 30 percent of the world’s lithium production. The Salar de Atacama offers multiple competitive advantages in lithium production including good infrastructure, high concentrations of salar brines, low processing costs, superior evaporation rates, and favorable year-round weather.

Results of field tests announced in April identified multiple high-priority target areas at both Lithium Chile’s Salar De Atacama and Salar Ollague properties. Large, multiple lithium brine targets of 20 to 25 square kilometers were discovered at both properties. The Atacama property contains near-surface lithium brine values up to 1330 mg/L of lithium and the Ollague Property contains near-surface Li brine values up to 1140 mg/L of lithium.

Lithium Chile has also identified a 58+ square kilometer high priority lithium brine target area at its Coipasa project. Results of field tests in May (http://nnw.fm/UPX8j) returned lithium values in near-surface brines ranging from 310 mg/L to 1410 mg/L. Strikingly, this zone displays the same geophysical characteristics as the lithium-rich aquifers at Salar de Atacama, home to the world’s largest and highest-grade lithium brine producers. By comparison, typical lithium concentration needed for production in the United States is between 190 to 200 milligrams of lithium per liter.

Commenting on the recent filed tests Steve Cochrane stated, “These strong survey results at our Coipasa project follow similarly impressive results at our Atacama, Ollague and Helados projects. It’s also important to note that we are the only major landholder in the Salar de Coipasa and we control the bulk of its footprint in Chile. This property will be included in our upcoming, multi-project drill program and we look forward to sharing the results.”

Inexpensive Invaluable Assets

Astonishingly, Lithium Chile acquired all its potentially invaluable assets for only around $3 per hectare. Land prices in lithium-rich Chile are currently pegged around $1,500 per hectare. Over the last three years, Lithium Chile accumulated large tracts of prime lithium bearing properties utilizing the vast in-country experience and skills of Terry Walker, VP of Exploration and chief geologist. Using a 1970’s French technical report overlaid on a national database of water well hydrology and water chemistry, Walker meticulously matched that information with an extensive lands claim database. Lithium Chile subsequently acquired the best salars in proximity to the highest lithium concentrations and closest to needed infrastructure such as roads and power.  The result may turn out to be the most promising lithium rich land package in all of Chile.

 The Take Away

As drill dates draw nearer, and especially if reserves are proved, Lithium Chile is likely to receive more offers to purchase, option or joint venture key projects at prices far exceeding earlier costs. Once the company shows the surface lithium brine already encountered is contained in subsurface aquifers, deal values will skyrocket, and a bidding war could easily ensue.

Major deals at significant market premiums are underway around the world as downstream global manufacturers scramble to secure reliable, long term sources of lithium feedstocks. Demand isn’t about to dry up anytime soon and it seems to reason that junior miners with significant lithium bearing assets are in position to potentially reap immense rewards.

In the Mix

Other lithium companies having differing degrees of skin in the game. Focused on the Americas, American Lithium (TSX-V: LI) (OTCQB: LIACF) currently holds more than 18,000 acres at its FLV Project in Nevada, located less than four hours from the Tesla Gigafactory and roughly 20 miles from Albemarle Corporation’s Silver Peak project, currently the oldest and largest lithium producer in America.

Based in Quebec, Canada, Nemaska Lithium (TSX: NMX) is an exploration-stage miner looking to supply lithium through exploration and development of hard rock lithium mining and processing lithium compounds using its proprietary process to produce lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. Orocobre (ASX: ORE) (TSX: ORL) is a global lithium carbonate supplier and an established producer of boron. Orocobre plans to expand production at its Olaroz Lithium Facility in Northern Argentina. The company also owns Borax Argentina, an established Argentine boron minerals and refined chemicals producer and a 29% interest in Advantage Lithium.

Pure play lithium miners have historically been and should continue to be the best way to profit from burgeoning lithium demand, market imbalances and the new acquisition/investment flurry. However, to cover the full spectrum of the sector from raw resource to battery production, look at Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (NYSE: LIT) which invests in the full lithium cycle.

A tsunami of transactions between lithium miners and manufacturers is underway to lock in long-term supply agreements. The real winners in this global bidding war will more than likely be the lithium miners and their shareholders.

For more information on Lithium Chile visit Lithium Chile (TSX.V: LITH) (OTC: LTMCF)

About NetworkNewsWire

NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is a financial news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via NetworkWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with NNW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, NNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, NNW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. NNW is where news, content and information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.NetworkNewsWire.com

NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
Editor@NetworkNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the NetworkNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by NNW, wherever published or re-published: http://NNW.fm/Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: NetworkNewsWire (NNW) is the source of the Article and content set forth above. References to any issuer other than the profiled issuer are intended solely to identify industry participants and do not constitute an endorsement of any issuer and do not constitute a comparison to the profiled issuer. The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by NNW are solely those of NNW. Readers of this Article and content agree that they cannot and will not seek to hold liable NNW for any investment decisions by their readers or subscribers. NNW is a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT registered broker-dealers/analysts/investment advisers, hold no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.

The Article and content related to the profiled company represent the personal and subjective views of the Author, and are subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided in the Article and the content has been obtained from sources which the Author believes to be reliable. However, the Author has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of the Author, NNW, or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. This Article and content are not, and should not be regarded as investment advice or as a recommendation regarding any particular security or course of action; readers are strongly urged to speak with their own investment advisor and review all of the profiled issuer’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission before making any investment decisions and should understand the risks associated with an investment in the profiled issuer’s securities, including, but not limited to, the complete loss of your investment.

NNW HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements.  The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and NNW undertakes no obligation to update such statements.