Kachi PFS refreshed with US$1.6Bn value
Brisbane, Mar 17, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Clean lithium developer Lake Resources NL (
ASX:LKE) (LK1:FRA) (LLKKF:OTCMKTS) has refreshed the Company's flagship Kachi Lithium Brine Project Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) based on revised lithium price estimates which has increased the project value NPV8 to US$1.6 billion (A$2.1 billion). Lake is assessing a potential expansion to production of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) from Kachi.
The Kachi Lithium Brine Project Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) (refer ASX announcement 30 April 2020) of 25,500 tpa of lithium carbonate was refreshed with an updated lithium price forecast of US$15,500/tonne for high purity battery grade lithium carbonate (CIF Asia), without changing other parameters. This demonstrates a more robust financial outcome than the original conservative PFS price assumptions.
The refreshed PFS produced a project value, measured as unlevered post-tax NPV8, of US$1.58 billion (A$2.1 billion), an increase of ~110% from the PFS NPV8 of US$748 million. The IRR increases to 35%; with annual operating cashflow (EBITDA) of US$260 million (A$350m) (refer project details Tables 1, 2 and 3*).
An expansion of production at the Kachi project is being assessed as part of Lake's aspirational target to become a large producer of high purity sustainable lithium. There is an option to expand with either lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate. This is amid projections of a growing supply deficit for high purity battery-grade product.
Planned Kachi lithium production will have a smaller environmental footprint than conventional methods, with significantly reduced water usage, land use and carbon footprint - and these ESG benefits are increasingly sought after by electric vehicle makers (OEM's).
Expanded production at a significant and relevant scale for the battery supply chain, which could take place after full capacity has been achieved from initial production, would be expected to lower total operating costs and deliver economies of scale in capital cost savings, while delivering high quality product. Potential for further cost reductions would come through the use of solar hybrid power, which would also lower the project's total carbon dioxide footprint.
The updated lithium carbonate price used to refresh the PFS, was based on ongoing discussions with potential off takers for high purity lithium carbonate and recent projections from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
The original PFS (refer ASX announcement 30 April 2020) was based on a conservative flat price of US$11,000/tonne lithium carbonate (CIF Asia) for 25 years. Apart from revised lithium price estimates, all material assumptions in the refreshed PFS are unchanged from the original PFS including the assumptions upon which the production target is based and the forecast financial information, as set out in Tables 1, 2 and 3*, with related commentary.
Since the original PFS was released, high purity 99.97% lithium carbonate has been produced from Kachi brine from direct lithium extraction in pilot modules (ASX announcement 20 October 2020). Recently, the high purity of the Kachi lithium carbonate was demonstrated by Novonix which showed it functions well in a NMC622 battery half-cell (ASX announcement 2 March 2021), which may deliver improved performance over Tier 1 lithium carbonate readily available in the market.
These results have increased the appeal of the Kachi Project for project finance. Joint financial advisors have been appointed to structure and arrange project finance, with a focus on Export Credit Agencies, for the development of the Kachi Lithium Brine Project (ASX announcement 3 March 2021).
Detailed technical and financial studies will be undertaken by independent third-party assessors regarding the expansion options. Additional drilling will be undertaken to support an expansion case to allow for the conversion of Inferred Resources into the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource category. This is anticipated to occur during the Definitive Feasibility Study, and will result in the conversion of Resources to Reserves.
Lake's Managing Director, Steve Promnitz commented: "Updated lithium prices demonstrate just how financially robust the Kachi project is, which could potentially be enhanced with a production expansion. Significant new production is required to meet the forecast growth in demand from EVs and energy storage over the next 10 years. The Kachi project remains highly scalable and the Company is working towards an expansion which would make it globally significant in terms of high purity lithium carbonate production, and well positioned to supply the expected deficit in battery grade product over the next few years.
This is an important differentiator of Lake as it continues to engage with major participants in the battery materials supply chain and electric vehicle makers. These participants are seeking high purity product, that can be scaled up to meet demand and has a measurable ESG benefit. Lake ticks all those boxes."
*To view the full announcement with tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/3637XT35
About Lake Resources NL
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) (OTCMKTS:LLKKF) is a clean lithium developer utilising state-of-the-art ion exchange extraction technology for production of sustainable, high purity lithium from its flagship Kachi Project in Catamarca Province within the Lithium Triangle in Argentina among three other projects covering 220,000 ha.
This ion exchange extraction technology delivers a solution for two rising demands - high purity battery materials to avoid performance issues, and more sustainable, responsibly sourced materials with low carbon footprint and significant ESG benefits.
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