31 January 2024
Quarterly Activities and Cash
Flow Report
for the quarter
ended 31 December 2023
Atlantic
Lithium takes major stride towards production with grant of
historic Mining Lease
in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium
Project
The Board of Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM:
ALL, ASX: A11, OTCQX: ALLIF, "Atlantic Lithium" or the "Company"),
the African-focused lithium exploration and development company
targeting to deliver Ghana's first lithium mine, is pleased to
present its Quarterly Activities and Cash Flow Report for the
period ended 31 December 2023.
Highlights from the Reporting Period:
Project Development:
- Historic
Mining Lease, the first for a lithium project in Ghana, granted in
respect of the Company's flagship Ewoyaa Lithium Project ("Ewoyaa"
or the "Project").
· Grant of the
Mining Lease represents a major endorsement from the Government of
Ghana and serves as a significant de-risking milestone for the
advancement of the Project towards production.
· The agreed terms
of the Mining Lease position Ewoyaa as one of the lowest capital
and operating cost hard rock lithium projects globally and indicate
the Project's strong commercial viability and exceptional
profitability for a 2.7Mtpa steady state operation, producing a
total of 3.6Mt of spodumene concentrate (approximately 350,000tpa)
over a 12-year mine life1:
o Ewoyaa to
become one of the top 10 largest spodumene concentrate
producers1;
o Payback period
of main processing plant of 9.5 months;
o C1 cash
operating costs of US$377/t of concentrate Free-On-Board ("FOB")
Ghana Port, after by-product credits, All in Sustaining Cost
("AISC") of US$675/t;
o Development
cost estimate of US$185m; to be substantially funded by Piedmont
Lithium Inc. ("Piedmont") and planned investment by Ghana's
sovereign wealth fund, the Minerals Income Investment Fund
("MIIF");
o Post-tax
NPV8 of US$1.3bn, with free cash flow of US$2.1bn from
Life of Mine ("LOM") revenues of US$6.6bn, considering a US$1,410/t
long-term concentrate price, FOB Ghana.
- Completion
of the Flotation Scoping Study which confirms the viability of the
inclusion of a flotation circuit downstream and running
independently from the DMS-only processing plant at Ewoyaa for
future value addition.
- Environmental Protection Agency authorisation
granted to divert two transmission lines that currently traverse
planned mining areas of the Mankessim licence, which contains the
Ewoyaa Mining Lease area.
- Awarded
Bulk Customer Permit in respect of the electricity requirements of
the Project, expected to deliver a 30-50% overall power cost
reduction for the Project.
Exploration:
- Maiden JORC
(2012) compliant 15.7Mt at 40.2% Feldspar Mineral Resource Estimate
(MRE) reported for the Project, including 13.7Mt (87%) in the
Measured and Indicated categories, based on approximately the first
five years of planned production from the Project, as detailed in
the Ewoyaa DFS for the Project.
· Feldspar MRE
enables the potential inclusion of feldspar by-product credits in
future revisions of the Ewoyaa feasibility studies, believed to
drive down operating costs and further enhance the value of the
Project.
· Indicates the
possibility for Ewoyaa to become a major producer of domestic
feldspar in Ghana, which the Company intends to supply into the
local Ghanaian ceramics market.
- Multiple
broad intervals of visible spodumene and 106m continuous pegmatite
interval, the longest continuous pegmatite interval reported in the
2023 drilling programme to date, observed from drilling outside of
the current Mineral Resource Estimate1 (MRE).
- Ongoing
2023 drilling programme increased from a planned 18,500m to
26,500m.
· Further assay
results received for 2,362m of resource and metallurgical reverse
circulation ("RC") and diamond core ("DD") drilling completed at
Ewoyaa as part of the enhanced 2023 programme.
· Post-period end,
increased the planned programme by an additional 3,000m of site
sterilisation drilling, taking the total planned programme to
29,500m, intended to support mine construction.
- Grant of
highly prospective, undrilled Bewadze and Senya Beraku prospecting
licences in the eastern portion of the Company's Cape Coast Lithium
Portfolio in Ghana.
· Grant of the
licences indicates the Government's support of the Company's
efforts to grow its lithium resources in Ghana.
Corporate:
- Successful
Equity Placing raising A$8m, enabling the completion of the
activities agreed under the grant of the Mining Lease for the
Project, key items of early works and permitting-related Project
expenditure, further extensional drilling, and for working capital
purposes.
- Rejection
of two conditional and non-binding offers from the Company's
largest shareholder Assore International Holdings Limited
("Assore") to acquire all the shares in the Company that it does
not already own at an offer price of £0.33 per share (A$0.63);
offers rejected on the basis that they undervalued the Company and
that they were not in the best interests of
shareholders.
- Appointment of four General Managers as the Company looks to
strengthen its leadership team as it transitions towards mine
construction and operation.
- Appointment of highly regarded mining executive Jonathan Henry
to the Company's Board of Directors as Independent Non-Executive
Director.
- Cash on
hand at end of quarter was A$9.8m.
Post-period end:
- Completion of the Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana's
("MIIF") Subscription for 19,245,574 Atlantic Lithium shares for a
value of US$5m; part of MIIF's agreed total US$32.9m Strategic
Investment in the Company and its Ghanaian subsidiaries to expedite
the development of the Project.
- Completion
of Stage 1 of the Company's competitive offtake partnering process
to secure funding for a portion of the remaining 50% available
feedstock from Ewoyaa to expedite the development of the
Project.
- Largest
shareholder Assore increased its stake in the Company to 28.4%
through the purchase of shares from strategic funding partner
Piedmont at a premium to the current share price.
Sustainability:
- Awarded
Best Performer in Exploration Award (Junior Category) at the Ghana
Mining Industry Awards for a second consecutive year.
- Inaugural
Community Consultative Committee meeting, comprising
representatives of the Project's local communities, including
chiefs and elders, held in Saltpond and attended by members of the
Atlantic Lithium team.
- Publication
of "Driving Generational Change
for Ghana" key stakeholder video, highlighting significant
local support for the Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
Commenting, Neil Herbert, Executive Chairman of Atlantic
Lithium, said:
"The grant of the Mining Lease during the quarter ended 31
December 2023 represents the most significant milestone for the
Ewoyaa Lithium Project to-date. Under the terms agreed, the Mining
Lease indicates that Ewoyaa remains one of the lowest capital and
operating cost hard rock lithium
projects globally, with strong
commercial viability and exceptional profitability
potential.
"Against a challenging market backdrop for lithium projects,
we believe Ewoyaa's underlying fundamentals, notably its proximity
to existing infrastructure and the favourable nature of the
deposit, as well as the impressive economic outputs indicated by
the DFS, put the Project in good stead versus its peers. Serving as
a clear indication of the government of Ghana's belief in the
Company to lead the country's lithium production objectives, the
Mining Lease now enables us to set our sights on progressing the
Project towards construction.
"In
doing so, we remain focused on de-risking and adding value to the
Project. To this end, we have been pleased to deliver the maiden
Feldspar Mineral Resource Estimate and results of the Flotation
Scoping Study.
"In
addition, our exploration efforts have continued to deliver
promising results during the period. We are pleased to have
observed multiple broad intervals of visible spodumene and a
continuous pegmatite interval of 106m outside of the current MRE
footprint, providing us with confidence in significant potential
resource growth at Ewoyaa. Through the ongoing enhanced 2023
drilling programme, we aim to deliver an increased MRE later this
year.
"As
the Company continues to transition towards near-term lithium
producer, we have bolstered our leadership team with several
strategic hires, including four General Managers and the
appointment of Jonathan Henry as Independent Non-Executive
Director. We also expect the imminent appointment of a
representative of MIIF to the Company's Board following the
completion of MIIF's US$5m Subscription. Through these
appointments, we bring valuable mining experience to the Company,
placing Atlantic Lithium in a strong position as we target mine
build, construction and operation.
"At
the same time, I would like to thank Patrick Brindle for his
valuable contribution as he steps down from his role on the Board.
On behalf of the Atlantic Lithium team, I wish him every success in
his future endeavours.
"With the permitting phase progressing well, 2024 is set to be
an exciting year for the Company. In the first few weeks, we have
already welcomed Ghana's mineral sovereign wealth fund as a new,
major shareholder, and have completed the first stage of our
competitive offtake partnering process. We look forward to sharing
further developments with the market in due
course."
This announcement contains inside
information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("MAR"), and is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under
Article 17 of MAR.
Figures and Tables referred
to in this release can be viewed in the PDF version available via
this link:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5021B_1-2024-1-31.pdf
Ewoyaa Lithium Project, Ghana, West
Africa
Ewoyaa is the Company's flagship project,
targeted to become Ghana's first lithium-producing mine.
The Project has secured project development
funding via a partnership agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc.
(NASDAQ: PLL; ASX: PLL, "Piedmont", refer announcement of
31 August
2021). The Project, located in Ghana, West
Africa, approximately 100km southwest of the capital of Accra,
comprises eight main deposits, including Ewoyaa, Okwesi, Anokyi,
Grasscutter, Abonko, Kaampakrom, Sill and Bypass. The Project is
well located being adjacent to operational infrastructure including
within 1km of the Takoradi - Accra N1 highway, 110km from the
Takoradi deep-sea port and adjacent to grid power, within the
pro-mining jurisdiction of Ghana (refer Figure
1).
Figure
1:
Location of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project
Interest in
Tenements
At the end of the quarter ending 31 December 2023, the Company had
an interest in the following tenements:
Tenement
Number
|
Tenement
Name
|
Principal
Holder
|
Grant Date/
Application Date
|
Expiry Date
|
Term
|
Change during
Quarter
|
Ghana
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PL3/67
|
Apam
East
|
Obotan
Minerals Company Limited
(JV MODA Minerals Limited)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
Renewed
|
PL3/92
|
Apam
West
|
Obotan
Minerals Company Limited
(JV MODA Minerals Limited)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
Renewed
|
RL
3/55
|
Mankessim
|
Barari DV
Ghana Limited
(90% Atlantic)
|
27.07.21
|
26.07.24
|
3
years
|
None
|
PL3/102
|
Saltpond
|
Joy
Transporters Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
Renewed
|
PL3/109
|
Mankessim
South
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
Renewed
|
PL3/106
|
Cape
Coast
|
Joy
Transporters Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
15.11.21
|
14.11.24
|
3
years
|
None
|
RML-N-3/181
|
Senya
Beraku
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited (100% Atlantic)
|
09.11.23
|
08.11.26
|
3
years
|
Granted
|
PL-I-3/15
|
Bewadze
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
09.11.23
|
08.11.26
|
3
years
|
Granted
|
ML-3/239
|
Mankessim
Mining Lease
|
Barari DV
Ghana Limited (90% Atlantic)
|
20.10.23
|
19.10.38
|
15
years
|
Granted
|
|
Ekrubaadze
PL
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
03.10.23
|
|
|
New
Application
|
|
Asebu
(Winneba North)
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited (100% Atlantic)
|
28.06.21
|
Application
|
|
None
|
|
Mankwadze
(Winneba South)
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited (100% Atlantic)
|
28.06.21
|
Application
|
|
None
|
|
Mankwadzi
|
Obotan
Minerals Company Limited
(JV MODA Minerals Limited)
|
15.03.18
|
Application
|
|
None
|
|
Onyadze
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
23.08.21
|
Application
|
|
None
|
Ivory Coast
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PR695
|
Rubino
|
Khaleesi
Resources SARL
(100% Atlantic)
|
20.10.16
|
Application
|
|
None
|
PR694
|
Agboville
|
Khaleesi
Resources SARL
(100% Atlantic)
|
20.10.16
|
Application
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December Quarter
Activities
Project Development
Ewoyaa Lithium Project Mining
Lease
On 20 October 2023, the Company announced that
Ghana's Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources had granted a
Mining Lease in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project,
comprising the proposed Ewoyaa Lithium Mine and
Processing Plant.
The Mining Lease, the first to be issued for
lithium in Ghana, grants the Company exclusive rights to work,
develop and produce lithium (and other associated minerals) over
the entirety of the 42.63 km2 area ("Lease Area") within
the Mankessim licence, held by the Company's subsidiary Barari DV
Ghana Limited ("Barari") and containing the Ewoyaa Project, for an
initial period of 15 years.
The grant of the Mining Lease
represents a major de-risking milestone for the Project and
indicates the Government of Ghana's underlying support for the
advancement of the Project. Ewoyaa is now on track to
become a top 10 hard rock spodumene concentrate
mine1.
The agreed terms, which align with the
Government's new Green Minerals Policy, reaffirm the Project's
strong commercial viability and exceptional profitability potential
for a 2.7Mtpa steady state operation, producing a total of 3.6Mt of
spodumene concentrate (approximately 350,000tpa) over a 12-year
mine life1:
·
Payback period of main processing plant of 9.5
months;
·
C1 cash operating costs of US$377/t of concentrate
Free-On-Board ("FOB") Ghana Port, after by-product credits, All in
Sustaining Cost ("AISC") of US$675/t;
·
Development cost estimate of US$185m;
·
Post-tax NPV8 of US$1.3bn, with free
cash flow of US$2.1bn from Life of Mine ("LOM") revenues of
US$6.6bn, considering a US$1,410/t long-term concentrate price, FOB
Ghana.
Summary of Key Terms
Under the terms of the Mining Lease, the Government of Ghana will
be entitled to a 13% free carried interest in the Project and a 10%
royalty rate once in production.
Table 1 below is a table of key Project
metrics, using the parameters as defined in the DFS for the Project
and incorporating the agreed terms of the Mining
Lease1.
The full Project metrics can be found in Table 3
in the Appendix of the announcement dated 20 October 2023.
Table 1: Summary of Ewoyaa Key
Metrics - Mining Lease Terms (100% Project
Basis2)
Item
|
Units
|
Mining
Lease
|
Revenue (all products)
|
US$M
|
6,566
|
LOM Concentrate Pricing, FOB
Ghana
|
US$/t
|
1,587
|
Post-tax IRR
|
%
|
94
|
C1 Cash Cost, after secondary product
credits
|
US$/t
|
377
|
All In Sustaining Cost
(AISC)
|
US$/t
|
675
|
Surplus Cashflow, Post
Tax
|
US$M
|
2,091
|
NPV8 Post
Tax
|
US$M
|
1,301
|
Payback - Combined
|
Months
|
17
|
Payback - Main Plant
|
Months
|
9.5
|
Payback - Modular DMS
Unit
|
Months
|
3
|
EBITDA
|
US$M
|
3,365
|
EBIT
|
US$M
|
3,022
|
NPAT, LOM
|
US$M
|
2,004
|
2 Whilst the asset is currently
wholly owned by Atlantic Lithium Ltd, Piedmont Lithium Inc. can
earn up to half of the Company's ownership
in the Project through its funding agreement whereby Piedmont will
sole fund the first US$70m, and 50% of additional costs thereafter,
of the total US$185m development expenditure indicated in the DFS
for the Project. The Government of Ghana has the right to a 13%
free carry once in production and the Minerals Income Investment
Fund has agreed Heads of Terms with the Company, which will see it
earn a 6% contributing interest in the Project.
3 Mr S. Searle of Ashmore Advisory Pty Ltd is the Competent
Persons for Mineral Resources and Mr H. Warries of Mining Focus
Consultants Pty Ltd for Ore Reserves. For full Competent Persons
statements, refer to the Competent Persons section later in this
announcement.
NOTE: Mineral
Resources are inclusive of the Ore Reserves.
Under the terms of the Mining Lease, the
Company has agreed to undertake a Definitive Feasibility Study
("Feldspar Study") to assess the viability of producing and
processing feldspar feedstock as by-product of spodumene
concentrate production at the Project (refer announcement of 15 August 2023). The Feldspar
Study is nearing completion and remains on track for delivery
before the end of Q1 2024.
The Company also agreed to conduct a scoping
study ("Downstream Conversion Study") to evaluate the economic
benefits and viability of downstream lithium conversion in
Ghana.
The Downstream Conversion Study remains on
track for delivery before the end of Q1 2024.
Furthermore, in accordance with Ghana's Local
Content Regulations, the Company has committed to establishing a
path for the Company to list on the Ghana Stock
Exchange.
The Company is currently compiling the
necessary documents to lodge its application to list the Company's
shares to trading on the Ghana Stock Exchange. Further updates on
this process will be announced by the Company in due
course.
Project Funding
Under the Project's current funding arrangements
and considering a total development expenditure of US$185m for the
Project, as indicated in the DFS, Piedmont are required to
contribute the first US$70m of development expenditure as sole
funding.
The Company is currently in discussions with
Piedmont in relation to outstanding development expenditure
obligations for the period October to December 2023 of US$1.2m. In
the event that payment is not received, there is an established
process for resolution.
Atlantic Lithium looks forward to
collaboratively resolving this matter and to the continued
advancement of the Project.
The Company is currently undertaking a
competitive offtake partnering process that is intended to attract
funding offers which would cover the Company's allocation of
development expenditure for the Project. The Company announced
post-period end that it had completed Stage 1 of the process and
was moving to a more detailed Stage 2 due diligence
phase.
Further details on the ongoing process can be
found in the Corporate section of this announcement.
The Company has also agreed Heads of Terms with
the Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana ("MIIF") to invest a
total of US$32.9m to support the development of the Ewoyaa Lithium
Project and broader Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio in Ghana
("Strategic Investment", refer
announcement of 8 September
2023).
In line with the first stage of the Strategic
Investment, post-period end, MIIF subscribed for
shares in Atlantic Lithium for a total consideration of US$5m,
which will be used towards Project development funding.
In line with the second stage of the total
planned investment, MIIF has also agreed non-binding Heads of Terms
to invest US$27.9m in the Company's Ghanaian subsidiaries which
hold the Company's lithium assets in Ghana ("Ghana Portfolio") to
acquire a 6% contributing interest in the Ghana Portfolio,
inclusive of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project. Both the US$27.9m
investment in the Ghana Portfolio and the contributing interest
will take the form of funding of development, exploration and
studies expenditure to support the advancement of the
Project.
Further details on the MIIF's Strategic
Investment can be found in the Corporate section of this
announcement.
Flotation Scoping Study
During the period, the Company announced the
completion of a Scoping Study undertaken in partnership with DRA
Global Limited (ASX: DRA, JSE: DRA) to assess the viability of
including a flotation circuit downstream from the DMS-only plant at
Ewoyaa ("Flotation Scoping Study", refer announcement of 22 November 2023).
As the Company anticipated, the results of the
Study confirm the viability of beneficiating the 4.7Mt of 1.2%
Li2O naturally-occurring fines material1,
outlined in the DFS for the Project to be intended to be sold as a
low-grade lithium secondary product (refer announcement of 29 June 2023), as feedstock for
the flotation circuit. The Company intends that the higher value,
lower volume flotation concentrate product would replace the
secondary product, reducing its exposure to the low-grade
lithium-bearing products market in the event that the market is
adversely affected in the near-to-medium term.
The results of the Study also corroborate the
Company's intention to process the DMS processing plant middlings,
which were not previously considered a saleable product from
Ewoyaa, through the flotation circuit to achieve >5%
Li2O concentrate grades. Repeatability testwork is
required to determine the volume and grade that can be achieved to
evaluate the potential enhancement to the value of the
Project.
In addition, the results of the Study confirm
the significant (circa fourfold) improvement of metal recovery of
the finer-grained P2 spodumene-bearing pegmatite material through
the flotation circuit versus when it is processed through the main
DMS plant alone.
Results of the Study support the case for the
inclusion of a flotation circuit as a value-addition proposition at
the Project.
The Company intends to commence construction and
the staged integration of the flotation circuit once the main plant
consistently delivers its intended nameplate throughput of 2.7Mt
per annum.
EPA Approval to Divert Mankessim Transmission
Lines
Representing an important step towards shovel
readiness at Ewoyaa, Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
authorisation was granted during the period for Ghana Grid Company
Ltd ("GRIDCo") to carry out the diversion of two transmission
lines, which currently traverse planned mining areas within the
Lease Area, to the northern border of the Company's Mankessim
licence (refer announcement of
10 October
2023).
The Company remains on track to award the
contract for the diversion work in Q2 2024 to ensure alignment with
the critical path for the Project.
Bulk Consumer Permit
During the period, a Bulk Customer Permit was
awarded by Ghana's Energy Commission in respect of the Project. The
permit, which is valid for one year and renewable before its
expiration, classifies the Project as a bulk consumer of
electricity and allows the Company to enter into a competitive bid
process with various bulk energy suppliers in Ghana. The process is
expected to enable the Company to secure a 30-50% reduction in the
Project's overall power cost. An overall operating cost reduction
for the Project is intended to be recalculated once an agreement
with the Company's preferred bulk supplier has been
finalised.
EPCM Contract
The Company
has engaged a reputable engineering house to finalise the tender
document for the execution of the Project on an EPCM basis, which
remains targeted for award in the first half of 2024.
Exploration
Maiden Feldspar Mineral Resource
Estimate
Having been identified as a by-product of
spodumene concentrate operations at Ewoyaa, on 12 December 2023,
the Company reported a maiden JORC (2012)
compliant Mineral Resource Estimate of 15.7Mt at 40.2%
feldspar ("Feldspar MRE") for the Project.
The Feldspar MRE is based on the same
geological model that delivered the 35.3Mt MRE1 for the
Project, as announced in February 2023, and is confined to the
Ewoyaa Main, Ewoyaa Northeast, Ewoyaa South-1 and Ewoyaa South-2
deposits, which represent approximately the first five years of
planned production from the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, as detailed in
the DFS for the Project.
The Feldspar MRE includes a total of 3.5Mt at
39.7% feldspar in the Measured category, 10.2Mt at 40.5% feldspar
in the Indicated category and 2Mt at 40.1% feldspar in the Inferred
category. In addition to the feldspar, further by-products of
quartz and muscovite were estimated and included (refer Table
2).
Table 2: Ewoyaa Lithium
Project Feldspar Mineral Resource Estimate (0.5% Li2O
Cut-off)
|
|
Measured Mineral
Resource
|
|
Deposit
|
Tonnage
|
Feldspar
|
Quartz
|
Muscovite
|
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
|
Ewoyaa
Main
|
3.5
|
39.7
|
1.37
|
31.8
|
1.10
|
11.5
|
0.40
|
|
Total
|
3.5*
|
39.7
|
1.37
|
31.8
|
1.10
|
11.5
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated Mineral
Resource
|
|
Deposit
|
Tonnage
|
Feldspar
|
Quartz
|
Muscovite
|
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
|
Ewoyaa
Main
|
6.5
|
40.8
|
2.66
|
31.6
|
2.06
|
11.9
|
0.78
|
|
Ewoyaa
Northeast
|
3.1
|
39.4
|
1.23
|
29.6
|
0.93
|
11.1
|
0.35
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 1
|
0.4
|
42.1
|
0.16
|
29.3
|
0.11
|
11.7
|
0.04
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 2
|
0.2
|
41.9
|
0.07
|
25.2
|
0.04
|
13.0
|
0.02
|
|
Total
|
10.2*
|
40.5
|
4.13
|
30.8
|
3.14
|
11.7
|
1.19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inferred Mineral
Resource
|
|
Deposit
|
Tonnage
|
Feldspar
|
Quartz
|
Muscovite
|
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
|
Ewoyaa
Main
|
0.6
|
41.8
|
0.23
|
30.6
|
0.17
|
11.5
|
0.06
|
|
Ewoyaa
Northeast
|
0.4
|
39.5
|
0.15
|
30.5
|
0.11
|
13.0
|
0.05
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 1
|
0.4
|
40.4
|
0.16
|
32.6
|
0.13
|
12.8
|
0.05
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 2
|
0.7
|
38.8
|
0.27
|
31.7
|
0.22
|
12.6
|
0.09
|
|
Total
|
2.0*
|
40.1
|
0.81
|
31.4
|
0.63
|
12.4
|
0.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mineral
Resource
|
|
Deposit
|
Tonnage
|
Feldspar
|
Quartz
|
Muscovite
|
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
|
Ewoyaa
Main
|
10.5
|
40.5
|
4.27
|
31.6
|
3.33
|
11.7
|
1.24
|
|
Ewoyaa
Northeast
|
3.5
|
39.4
|
1.38
|
29.7
|
1.04
|
11.3
|
0.40
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 1
|
0.8
|
41.3
|
0.32
|
31.0
|
0.24
|
12.2
|
0.09
|
|
Ewoyaa
South 2
|
0.9
|
39.4
|
0.35
|
30.4
|
0.27
|
12.7
|
0.11
|
|
Total
|
15.7*
|
40.2
|
6.31
|
31.1
|
4.87
|
11.7
|
1.84
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Based on the lithium Mineral Resource Estimate1
reported for the Project in February 2023 and confined to the
Ewoyaa Main, Ewoyaa Northeast, Ewoyaa South-1 and Ewoyaa South-2
deposits. Total tonnage figures do not include tonnage of spodumene
as indicated in the February 2023 Mineral Resource
Estimate1 for the Project, nor minor accessory
minerals.
The
Feldspar MRE has been compiled under the supervision of Mr. Shaun
Searle who is a director of Ashmore Advisory Pty Ltd and a
Registered Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr.
Searle has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the
activity that he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as
defined in the JORC Code and a Qualified Person under the AIM Rules
for Companies. Mr Searle consents to the inclusion of the
information in relation to the Mineral Resource in the form and
context in which it appears.
All
Mineral Resources figures reported in the table above represent
estimates at December 2023. Mineral Resource estimates are not
precise calculations, being dependent on the interpretation of
limited information on the location, shape and continuity of the
occurrence and on the available sampling results. The totals
contained in the above table have been rounded to reflect the
relative uncertainty of the estimate. Rounding may cause some
computational discrepancies.
Mineral Resources are reported in accordance with the
Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves (The Joint Ore Reserves Committee Code -
JORC 2012 Edition).
The Company believes that Ewoyaa represents a
major source of domestic feldspar in Ghana, which is widely used in
the ceramics industry. As a potentially considerable contributor to
the growth of local businesses and economy, the Company intends to
supply the feldspar produced at Ewoyaa into the local Ghanaian
ceramics market.
Delivery of the Feldspar MRE
enables the potential inclusion of feldspar by-product
credits in future revisions of the Ewoyaa feasibility studies,
expected by the Company to drive down operating costs and further
enhance the value of the Project.
The Company intends to conduct further sodium
assay analysis and normative mineralogical calculations for the
remaining historic and current drill campaigns outside the Ewoyaa
Main, Ewoyaa Northeast, Ewoyaa South-1 and Ewoyaa South-2 deposits,
with the aim of increasing the current Feldspar MRE.
Initial test work of the feldspar produced at
Ewoyaa assessed the quality of two size fractions derived from
dense media separation ("DMS"); 2.6 SG oversize fraction with high
total alkalis ("O/F") and 2.6 SG undersize fraction with lower
alkalis ("U/F") but significant Li2O at approximately
0.70%, which is a strong flux.
Following examination of chemical and
mineralogical composition, ceramic application trials were
undertaken in Stoke-on-Trent (The Potteries) in the UK for vitreous
hotelware, high-end earthenware and floor tiles. Samples were wet
ground to the required particle size and incorporated into
commercial recipes, substituting for standard feldspars and
nepheline syenite. Each prepared body was factory fired and, in the
case of vitreous hotelware and high-end earthenware, biscuit (not
glazed), glazed and decorated pieces were produced.
In all cases, the trial firings produced
acceptable ware, comparable to industry standards in all aspects,
including contraction, water absorption, density, porosity, shape,
colour and appearance. Good results were delivered at the vitreous
hotelware factory (a world leading manufacturer of tableware for
the international hospitality industry), where the Ewoyaa feldspars
were substituted for Forshammer feldspar (produced in Sweden by
Sibelco) (refer Figure 2).
Figure
2:
Trial-fired ceramic plates and bowls, manufactured
in biscuit (unglazed), glazed and decorated forms (left to right),
comprising of trial standard, O/F sample and U/F sample (top to
bottom). The trials, which deemed that no visual differences were
detected between the trial standard and sample plates, successfully
produced industry-accepted standard of ware across all
aspects.
The Feldspar MRE will be incorporated into the
Feldspar Definitive Feasibility Study ("Feldspar Study"), which is
due for completion by the end of Q1 2024, undertaken to assess the
viability and prospective market conditions for the production of
feldspar at Ewoyaa (refer
announcement of 15 August
2023).
2023 Drilling Programme
During the reporting period, the Company
continued to advance the exploration and resource drilling
programme across the Project and the Company's Cape Coast Lithium
Portfolio which commenced in Q1 2023 (refer announcement of 20 March 2023).
In November 2023, the Company announced the
addition of 8,000m of extensional resource drilling targeting
resource growth to the programme, increasing the planned 18,500m
programme by 43% to a total of 26,500m (refer announcement of 07 November 2023).
The additional 8,000m of RC drilling is planned
for resource depth and strike extensions at the
Okwesikrom, Anokyi, Grasscutter, Ewoyaa North-West and Ewoyaa
South-2 deposits (refer
Figure
3).
Figure
3:
Expanded resource extension programme with newly
planned holes highlighted in pink and deposit areas
named
Post-period end, the Company extended the
26,500m programme by an additional 3,000m of plant site
sterilisation drilling (taking the total planned programme to
29,500m), intended to support the mine construction. Plant site
sterilisation drilling is expected to commence during Q1 2024 and
will be prioritised over the remaining planned deep resource
extension drilling. The Company intends to re-assess resource
drilling plans in Q2 2024, whilst reviewing all completed resource
drilling during 2023 once remaining assay results are
received.
During the period, the Company also reported
further assay results received for 2,362m of resource
and metallurgical reverse circulation ("RC") and diamond core
("DD") drilling completed at Ewoyaa, which returned high-grade
infill and extensional drill intersections at the
Ewoyaa Main, Anokyi and Ewoyaa South-2
deposits.
Assay results reported in hole
GDD0093 extend the mineralisation at the Ewoyaa Main
deposit outside of the current 35.3Mt @ 1.25% Li2O MRE
footprint1, while shallow high-grade and broad infill
drill intersections were returned at Ewoyaa Main,
Anokyi and Ewoyaa South-2, including 47.6m at 1.25% Li2O
from 65.7m and 28.7m at 1.51% Li2O from 79.3m
(refer Table
3).
Table 3: Drill intersection
highlights at greater than 10 Li x m, reported at a 0.4% Li2O
cut-off and maximum of 4m of internal dilution
Hole_ID
|
From_m
|
To_m
|
Interval_m
|
Hole
depth_m
|
Li2O%
|
Intersection
|
Comment
|
metal content Li x
m
|
Hole
Purpose
|
Deposit
|
GDD0105
|
65.7
|
113.3
|
47.6
|
150
|
1.25
|
GDD0105:
47.6m at 1.25% Li2O from 65.7m
|
|
59.42
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Main
|
GDD0107C
|
30
|
83
|
53
|
100
|
0.93
|
GDD0107C:
53m at 0.93% Li2O from 30m
|
|
49.29
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Main
|
GDD0109
|
79.3
|
108
|
28.7
|
180
|
1.51
|
GDD0109:
28.7m at 1.51% Li2O from 79.3m
|
|
43.24
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
AKY
|
GDD0104
|
81.2
|
109.4
|
28.2
|
150
|
1.23
|
GDD0104:
28.2m at 1.23% Li2O from 81.2m
|
|
34.45
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Main
|
GDD0106
|
34
|
56.4
|
22.4
|
90
|
1.07
|
GDD0106:
22.4m at 1.07% Li2O from 34m
|
|
23.80
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Main
|
GDD0110
|
33
|
47
|
14
|
180
|
1.46
|
GDD0110:
14m at 1.46% Li2O from 33m
|
|
20.42
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
AKY
|
GDD0108
|
83.9
|
106.4
|
16.1
|
140
|
1.04
|
GDD0108:
16.1m at 1.04% Li2O from 83.9m
|
|
16.74
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Sth2
|
GDD0093
|
182.7
|
198.2
|
15.5
|
300
|
0.83
|
GDD0093:
15.5m at 0.83% Li2O from 182.7m
|
|
12.83
|
Resource
Drilling
|
EWY_Main
|
GDD0108
|
111.6
|
120
|
8.4
|
140
|
1.28
|
GDD0108:
8.4m at 1.28% Li2O from 111.6m
|
|
10.69
|
Metallurgical Studies
|
EWY_Sth2
|
Note:
Metal content is
based on intercept rather than estimated true
width
On 28 November 2023, the Company announced the
observation of multiple broad intervals of pegmatite, including
multiple broad intervals of coarse-grained
visible spodumene, in drilling at the Dog Leg prospect
extension target on the northern tip of the Ewoyaa Main deposit,
outside of the current 35.3Mt @ 1.25% Li2O
MRE1 for the Project.
Included within the observations, the Company
reported the longest reported continuous pegmatite interval in the
2023 drilling programme to date of 106m in hole GRC1020 from 6m at
the Dog-Leg target.
Highlight logged pegmatite intervals with
visible estimates of spodumene modal abundance in RC drill chips
are summarised in Table
4 below, with all logged intervals and collar details
reported in Table
2 and Table
3 of the announcement dated 28 November 2023.
Table 4: Highlight visual estimations of spodumene abundance in logged
pegmatite intervals in new reported drilling
Hole_ID
|
Depth
From_m
|
Depth
To_m
|
Interval m
|
Lithology
|
Visible estimate Spodumene abundance
%
|
Downhole length vs true
width
|
GRC1017
|
83
|
134
|
51
|
Pegmatite
|
25-30
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1018
|
154
|
157
|
3
|
Pegmatite
|
5
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1018
|
160
|
170
|
10
|
Pegmatite
|
5
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1020
|
6
|
38
|
32
|
Pegmatite
|
5-10
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1020
|
39
|
113
|
74
|
Pegmatite
|
20-25
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1020
|
116
|
122
|
6
|
Pegmatite
|
10-15
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1020
|
137
|
178
|
41
|
Pegmatite
|
20-25
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1021
|
93
|
117
|
24
|
Pegmatite
|
15-20
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1022
|
130
|
152
|
22
|
Pegmatite
|
20-25
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1022
|
158
|
187
|
29
|
Pegmatite
|
20-25
|
true width not
known
|
GRC1023
|
139
|
147
|
8
|
Pegmatite
|
5-10
|
true width not
known
|
NOTE:
Visual estimates
of mineral abundance should never be considered a proxy or
substitute for laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades
are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual estimates
also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or
deleterious physical properties relevant to
valuations.
Coarse-grained, P1-type spodumene pegmatite, as
observed in the reported drilling, is preferred for the Dense Media
Separation ("DMS") process flowsheet considered in the DFS for the
Project.
Remaining assay results from the 2023 resource
drilling programme are expected during Q1 2024 and will be reported
to market as soon as they are received and pass internal
QAQC.
Grant of Bewadze and Senya Beraku prospecting
licences
During the period, the Company's wholly-owned
Ghanaian subsidiary Green Metals Resources Limited ("GMR") was
granted the Bewadze and Senya Beraku prospecting licences
in the eastern portion of the Company's Cape Coast Lithium
Portfolio in Ghana (refer
Figure
4).
The award of the licences provides the Company
exclusive access to explore new, undrilled tenure,
covering 6.93km2 and 82.11km2,
respectively, offering significant potential to
further enhance the Project and demonstrating the Government of
Ghana's alignment with the Company's lithium exploration
efforts.
Little/no modern previous exploration has been
completed across the newly-granted licence areas,
which are well serviced by existing infrastructure,
including high-voltage transmission lines traversing
the licences and the adjacent N1 Accra-Takoradi highway.
The Bewadze licence had been previously noted
as of particular interest by the Company, being located along
strike and within 300m of the historic Egyasimanku Hill occurrence,
where spodumene pegmatites have been observed, making it highly
prospective for lithium discovery.
The Company has planned extensive work
programmes to evaluate the potential for lithium and associated
minerals at the newly-granted tenure, aiming to grow its lithium
reserves in Ghana.
Figure
4:
Newly-granted Bewadze and Senya Beraku licences in
relation to Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio and Ewoyaa Project with
geology background and rubidium in soils geochemistry anomalism
images.
Corporate
A$8 million Equity Placing
On 15 December 2023, the Company announced that
it had successfully completed an institutional placement ("Equity
Placing"), raising A$8.0m (equivalent to approximately
£4.2m) at a price of A$0.44 (23.35 pence) per New Share ("Issue
Price").
The Equity Placing was undertaken in order to
strengthen the Company's cash balance and to facilitate key work to
progress the Project in line with the development
schedule.
Proceeds of the fundraise are intended to
enable the completion of activities agreed under the grant of the
Mining Lease for the Project, key items of early works and
permitting-related Project expenditure, for further extensional
drilling, and for working capital purposes.
In parallel to the Company's current funding
arrangements for the advancement of the Project, which comprise
Piedmont's staged earn-in agreement, the agreed non-binding Heads
of Terms with the Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana ("MIIF")
and the ongoing competitive partnering process for a portion of the
remaining available offtake at Ewoyaa, the completion of the Equity
Placing represents a major milestone towards fully de-risking the
funding for the Project.
Rejection of Non-binding Indicative Offers
On 15 November 2023, the Company announced the
rejection of two conditional and non-binding offers, on 7 November
and an earlier offer on 2 October 2023, from its largest
shareholder Assore to acquire all the shares in the Company that it
does not already own at an offer price of £0.33 per share
(A$0.63).
After careful consideration, the offers were
rejected by the Atlantic Lithium independent board committee, which
was established to consider the approaches from Assore, as they
were deemed to undervalue the Company and not in the best interests
of shareholders.
There is no certainty that a further proposal
will be received (from Assore or any other third party). The
Company remains focused on progressing its activities to maximise
value for all shareholders.
Appointment of General Managers
During the period, among a number of recent
strategic hires, the Company announced the appointment of three
highly experienced General Managers, bringing considerable
expertise from the mining industry to the Company at a pivotal time
in the Company's progression.
Ahmed-Salim Adam, an accomplished mining General
Manager with over 15 years' experience leading various large-scale
projects in Ghana, across all stages of mine
development, production and closure, joins the Company
as General Manager, Operations.
Andrew Henry joins as General Manager,
Commercial and Finance, bringing to the Company significant
commercial and finance management experience, including expertise
on strategy, planning and analysis, contracts, and large-scale
project development.
Simone Horsfall, a senior human resources
professional with a focus on the mining sector, marks the third of
the three General Managers, joining the Company as General Manager,
People. Simone's appointment aims to support the Company's
successful transition towards becoming a globally significant
lithium producer.
Post-period end, having joined the Company as
Financial Reporting Manager in June 2023, Belinda Gethin was
promoted to General Manager, Corporate - Finance and Company
Secretary. Belinda brings a wealth of experience in all aspects of
statutory, financial and corporate reporting.
The Company continues to recruit actively for
positions that support its objectives. In line with the growth of
the Company's Project development team, Atlantic Lithium also
signed a 5-year lease for an office in West Perth, Australia during
the period.
Appointment of Independent Non-Executive
Director
On 20 December 2023, the Company was pleased to
announce the appointment of Jonathan Henry to the Board of
Directors as Independent Non-Executive Director.
Jonathan is a senior executive with significant,
global listed company experience, primarily in the mining industry,
having held various leadership and Board roles for nearly two
decades. During this time, Jonathan has been heavily involved in
the strategic management and leadership of projects towards
production, commercialisation and, ultimately, the realisation of
shareholder value.
In line with his appointment, Len Kolff stepped
down from his role on the Board, although maintaining his role as
Head of Business Development and Chief Geologist, where he will
continue to play a huge part in the continued success in the
Company's growth, to which he has contributed significantly
to-date.
Post-period end
Completion of US$5m MIIF Subscription
Further to the Company's announcement on 8
September 2023, post-period end, the Company announced the
completion of a subscription undertaken by the Minerals Income
Investment Fund of Ghana ("MIIF") for 19,245,574
Atlantic Lithium shares ("Subscription") at a price of US$0.2598
(A$0.39 / £0.20) per share ("Subscription Shares"), for a value of
US$5m (refer announcement
of 24 January
2024).
The US$5m consideration is intended by the
Company to be used towards Project development
funding.
The Subscription forms the first stage of MIIF's
proposed total US$32.9m investment in the Company and its Ghanaian
Subsidiaries to expedite the development of the Project and the
broader Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio in Ghana ("Ghana Portfolio")
towards production.
MIIF's proposed Strategic Investment
demonstrates MIIF's strong support as a key local stakeholder in
the advancement of the Project towards production.
Under the agreed terms of the Subscription, MIIF
is entitled to nominate one person to the Company's Board of
Directors and will be granted 9,622,787 warrants at a price of
US$0.3637.
Following the completion of the Subscription,
the Company welcomes MIIF as a new major, strategic shareholder and
funding partner.
In line with the second stage of the Strategic
Investment, subject to the Company reaching a binding agreement
with MIIF, MIIF has agreed to invest a further US$27.9m in the
Company's Ghanaian subsidiaries that hold the Company's lithium
interests in Ghana ("Ghana Portfolio"), to acquire a
6% contributing interest in the Company's Ghana Portfolio,
inclusive of the Project.
Both the US$27.9m investment in the Ghana
Portfolio and the contributing interest will take the form of
funding of development, exploration and studies expenditure to
support the advancement of the Project.
Completion of Stage 1 Offtake Partnering
Process
Post-period end, the Company completed Stage 1
of the competitive offtake partnering process being led by
Macquarie, to secure funding for a portion of the remaining 50%
available feedstock from Ewoyaa.
The objective of the process is to attract
funding offers to sufficiently cover the Company's allocation of
development expenditure for the Project, to expedite and de-risk
the development of the Project, realise attractive terms for any
offtake contracted and secure a well credentialled partner that
will support the Company's and Ghana's objectives of supplying
lithium into the global electric vehicle market.
Following the completion of Stage 1, the Company
now moves to a more detailed Stage 2 due diligence phase with the
remaining preferred parties.
Assore Share Purchase
The Company's largest shareholder Assore
increased its stake in the Company to 28.4% through the purchase of
shares from strategic funding partner Piedmont at a premium to the
current share price. Piedmont's holding current sits at
5.2% following the share transaction.
The Company believes that Assore's
purchase of Atlantic Lithium shares at a premium reflects their
belief in the Company's substantial value to be
unlocked.
Board Change
In line with Piedmont's sale of the
Company's shares to Assore (refer
announcement of 23 January
2024) and its holding in Atlantic Lithium falling
below 9%, Piedmont has relinquished its right to position on the
Company's Board of Directors. Accordingly, on Monday, 29 January,
Patrick Brindle submitted his resignation in respect of his role on
the Board with immediate effect.
The Atlantic Lithium Board of
Directors and management team wish to express their thanks to
Patrick for his valued contribution to the Company during his
tenure and wish him every success going forward.
Conferences Attended
The Company attended the following conferences
and events during the period:
- 121 Mining
Investment Conference, Sydney (17-18 October)
- Noosa
Mining Investment Conference, Queensland (15-17
November)
-
ShareCafé Hidden Gems webinar (17
November)
- 121 Mining
Investment Conference, London (20-21 November)
- Proactive
One2One Mining Investor Forum, London (23 November)
- Macquarie
Western Australia Forum, Perth (28 November)
- Swiss
Mining Institute, Zurich (29-30 November)
Investor Meet Company Webinar
The Company intends to host its next investor
webinar on the Investor Meet Company platform at 9:00 am London
time (8:00 pm Sydney time) on Thursday, 1 February 2024. Investors
can sign up to Investor Meet Company to watch the Company's
previous webinars and be notified of upcoming events via the
following link:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/atlantic-lithium-limited/register-investor
Sustainability
For a second consecutive year, Atlantic Lithium
was proud to be awarded the Best Performer in Exploration Award
(Junior Category) at the Ghana Mining Industry Awards ("GMIA"), an
annual event which honours individuals and organisations that have
contributed exceptionally to the growth and development of the
mining industry in Ghana. Atlantic Lithium's receipt of the award
demonstrates the Company's sustained exploration success in Ghana
and the significant role the Company holds in leading the country's
long-term lithium production ambitions.
Figure
5:
Key members of the Atlantic Lithium team in Ghana
present to receive the Best Performer in Exploration
Award
Inaugural Community Consultative Committee
("CCC") meeting
The Company announced during the period that, in
October 2023, it had held its inaugural meeting for the Community
Consultative Committee ("CCC"), which comprises
representatives of the communities surrounding the Project
area, in Saltpond, Ghana's Mfantseman
Municipality.
The CCC was established to enable
transparent discussion to maximise the value of the Project for the
local population. The meeting provided an occasion for the local
community to express its ongoing support for the
Project.
Figure 6: Inaugural meeting of the
Community Consultative Committee, held in Saltpond
Ewoyaa Lithium Project Key Stakeholder
Documentary
During the period, the Company was pleased to
release a stakeholder documentary entitled, "Driving Generational Change for
Ghana", in which a number of representatives of the
communities living within close proximity to the Project voiced
their support for the advancement of the Project, highlighting the
significant benefits that Ewoyaa is expected to bring to the
Central Region and to Ghana.
The video can be found on the Company's website
or via its social media channels, including on YouTube via the
following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9KfP-rca5E
Figure
7:
Stakeholder documentary interviewees Hon. Ike Lord
Enu, Mfanseman Municipal Chief Executive (left) Francis Odoom,
Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (right), who presented the
Company with a certificate of appreciation for its contribution
towards the 2023 Central Region May Day celebrations in
Saltpond
Share Capital Changes - Ordinary Shares,
Options and Performance Rights
On 15 December 2023, A$8.0m was raised from an institutional share placement at a
price of A$0.44 per new share. A total of 18,181,819 new fully paid
ordinary shares of no-par value each in the Company was
issued.
On 27 December 2023, 9,298,935
performance rights over new ordinary shares of no-par value each
were issued to directors and executives of the
Company.
On 24 January 2024, 19,245,574 fully paid
ordinary shares of US$0.2598 (A$0.39) were issued as a result of a
subscription for shares by the Minerals Income Investment Fund of
Ghana.
On 24 January 2024, 9,622,787 unlisted options
were granted to Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana with an
exercise price of US$0.3637 and an
expiry date of 23 July 2025.
A summary of movement and balances of equity
securities between 1 October 2023 and the date of this report is as
follows:
|
Ordinary Shares
|
Unquoted Options
|
Unquoted performance
rights
|
On issue at
start of Quarter
|
612,241,660
|
32,650,000
|
-
|
Shares
issued - Institutional placement
(15 December 2023)
|
18,181,819
|
|
|
Shares
issued to Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana (24 January
2024)
|
19,245,574
|
|
|
Unlisted options issued to
Minerals Income Investment Fund of Ghana (24 January
2024)
|
|
9,622,787
|
|
Performance
Rights Granted (27 December 2023)
|
|
|
9,298,935
|
Total Securities on issue at
date of this report
|
649,669,053
|
42,272,787
|
9,298,935
|
Compliance
During the quarter, the Company spent A$7.4m on
its exploration, feasibility, and development activities for its
Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana. In accordance with the agreement
announced on 1 July 2021, exploration and feasibility activities
are 50% funded by Piedmont, with Piedmont sole funding the first
US$70m towards the total US$185m of development expenditure
forecasted in the DFS for the Project. Funding is shared equally
thereafter.
Appendix 5B expenditure disclosure
As at end 31 December 2023, the Company had cash
resources of A$9.8m and no debt. Exploration and evaluation
cash expenditure on the Project during the quarter was A$7.4m.
Piedmont Lithium Inc. funded A$3.9m in the quarter.
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity or
oil and gas exploration entity
quarterly cash flow report
Name of
entity
|
ATLANTIC LITHIUM
LIMITED
|
ABN
|
|
Quarter
ended ("current quarter")
|
17 127 215
132
|
|
31 December
2023
|
Consolidated statement of cash
flows
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Year to date (6 months)
$A'000
|
1.
|
Cash flows
from operating activities
|
-
|
-
|
1.1
|
Receipts from
customers
|
1.2
|
Payments
for
|
-
|
-
|
|
(a)
exploration & evaluation
|
|
(b)
development
|
-
|
-
|
|
(c)
production
|
-
|
-
|
|
(d) staff
costs
|
(1,728)
|
(2,117)
|
|
(e)
administration and corporate costs
|
(2,740)
|
(4,327)
|
1.3
|
Dividends received
(see note 3)
|
-
|
-
|
1.4
|
Interest
received
|
-
|
-
|
1.5
|
Interest and other
costs of finance paid
|
-
|
-
|
1.6
|
Income taxes
paid
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
Government grants and
tax incentives
|
-
|
-
|
1.8
|
Other
|
-
|
-
|
1.9
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities
|
(4,468)
|
(6,444)
|
|
2.
|
Cash flows from investing
activities
|
-
|
-
|
2.1
|
Payments to acquire or
for:
|
|
(a)
entities
|
|
(b)
tenements
|
-
|
-
|
|
(c)
property, plant and equipment
|
(157)
|
(290)
|
|
(d)
exploration & evaluation
|
(7,360)
|
(13,314)
|
|
(e)
investments
|
-
|
-
|
|
(f)
other non-current assets
|
-
|
-
|
2.2
|
Proceeds from the
disposal of:
|
-
|
-
|
|
(a)
entities
|
|
(b)
tenements
|
10
|
10
|
|
(c)
property, plant and equipment
|
-
|
-
|
|
(d)
investments
|
-
|
-
|
|
(e) other
non-current assets
|
-
|
-
|
2.3
|
Cash flows from loans
to other entities
|
-
|
-
|
2.4
|
Dividends received
(see note 3)
|
-
|
|
2.5
|
Other - Piedmont
Contributions from farm-in arrangement
|
3,889
|
6,884
|
2.6
|
Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities
|
(3,618)
|
(6,710)
|
|
3.
|
Cash flows from financing
activities
|
8,000
|
8,000
|
3.1
|
Proceeds from issues
of equity securities (excluding convertible debt
securities)
|
3.2
|
Proceeds from issue of
convertible debt securities
|
-
|
-
|
3.3
|
Proceeds from exercise
of options
|
-
|
-
|
3.4
|
Transaction costs
related to issues of equity securities or convertible debt
securities
|
(476)
|
(476)
|
3.5
|
Proceeds from
borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
3.6
|
Repayment of
borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
3.7
|
Transaction costs
related to loans and borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
3.8
|
Dividends
paid
|
-
|
-
|
3.9
|
Other (provide details
if material)
|
-
|
-
|
3.10
|
Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities
|
7,524
|
7,524
|
|
4.
|
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents for the period
|
|
|
4.1
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at beginning of period
|
10,565
|
15,346
|
4.2
|
Net cash from / (used
in) operating activities (item 1.9 above)
|
(4,468)
|
(6,444)
|
4.3
|
Net cash from / (used
in) investing activities (item 2.6 above)
|
(3,618)
|
(6,710)
|
4.4
|
Net cash from / (used
in) financing activities (item 3.10 above)
|
7,524
|
7,524
|
4.5
|
Effect of movement in
exchange rates on cash held
|
(185)
|
102
|
4.6
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period
|
9,818
|
9,818
|
5.
|
Reconciliation of cash and cash
equivalents at the end of the quarter (as
shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the related
items in the accounts
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Previous quarter
$A'000
|
5.1
|
Bank
balances
|
9,815
|
10,561
|
5.2
|
Call
deposits
|
-
|
-
|
5.3
|
Bank
overdrafts
|
-
|
-
|
5.4
|
Other - Petty
Cash
|
3
|
4
|
5.5
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
quarter (should equal item 4.6 above)
|
9,818
|
10,565
|
6.
|
Payments to related parties of the
entity and their associates
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
6.1
|
Aggregate amount of
payments to related parties and their associates included in
item 1
|
2,483
|
6.2
|
Aggregate amount of
payments to related parties and their associates included in
item 2
|
438
|
6.1 & 6.2 are payments of
salaries/bonuses/fees (including superannuation) to related
parties.
|
7.
|
Financing
facilities
NOTE: the term "facility'
includes all forms of financing arrangements available to the
entity.
Add notes as necessary for
an understanding of the sources of finance available to the
entity.
|
Total facility amount at quarter end
$A'000
|
Amount drawn at quarter end
$A'000
|
7.1
|
Loan
facilities
|
-
|
-
|
7.2
|
Credit standby
arrangements
|
-
|
-
|
7.3
|
Other
|
-
|
-
|
7.4
|
Total financing
facilities
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
Unused
financing facilities available at quarter end
|
-
|
7.6
|
Include in the box
below a description of each facility above, including the lender,
interest rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or
unsecured. If any additional financing facilities have been entered
into or are proposed to be entered into after quarter end, include
a note providing details of those facilities as well.
|
|
8.
|
Estimated cash
available for future operating activities
|
$A'000
|
8.1
|
Net cash from / (used
in) operating activities (item 1.9)
|
(4,468)
|
8.2
|
(Payments for
exploration & evaluation classified as investing
activities) (item 2.1(d))
|
(7,360)
|
8.3
|
Total relevant
outgoings (item 8.1 + item 8.2)
|
(11,828)
|
8.4
|
Cash and cash
equivalents at quarter end (item 4.6)
|
9,818
|
8.5
|
Unused finance
facilities available at quarter end (item 7.5)
|
-
|
8.6
|
Total available
funding (item 8.4 +
item 8.5)
|
9,818
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
Estimated quarters of funding available
(item 8.6 divided by item 8.3)
|
0.8
|
NOTE:
if the entity has reported positive relevant outgoings (ie a net
cash inflow) in item 8.3, answer item 8.7 as "N/A".
Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of funding available
must be included in item 8.7.
|
8.8
|
If item 8.7 is
less than 2 quarters, please provide answers to the following
questions:
|
|
8.8.1 Does the entity expect
that it will continue to have the current level of net operating
cash flows for the time being and, if not, why not?
|
|
Answer: No, for the March quarter steps have
been undertaken for capital preservation so that to continue the
development of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project at a reduced rate of
forecast expenditure whilst not jeopardising timelines towards
production.
|
|
8.8.2 Has the entity taken any
steps, or does it propose to take any steps, to raise further cash
to fund its operations and, if so, what are those steps and how
likely does it believe that they will be successful?
|
|
Answer:
· MIIF
has subscribed for 19,245,574 shares in Atlantic for consideration
of US$5m on 24 January 2024.
· Atlantic Lithium Ltd is funded under a co-development
agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc.
· At
the end of December 2023, owing by Piedmont was US$3.1m. During
January 2024, Piedmont contributed a total of US$2.96m under the
co-development agreement.
· In
addition to the MIIF investment above, Atlantic Lithium has agreed
non-binding Heads of Terms with the Minerals Income Investment Fund
of Ghana ("MIIF") to invest in its Ghana subsidiaries. The
proposed investment will support the development of the Project and
the broader Cape Coast Lithium Portfolio in Ghana. Under the terms
of the non-binding agreement, MIIF intends to invest an initial
US$27.9m to acquire a 6% contributing interest in the Company's
Ghana Portfolio and will make ongoing contributions through monthly
cash calls as the Project develops.
|
|
8.8.3 Does the entity expect to
be able to continue its operations and to meet its business
objectives and, if so, on what basis?
|
|
Answer: Yes. The
company has funding available (see 8.8.2).
|
|
NOTE:
where item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, all of questions
8.8.1, 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 above must be answered.
|
Compliance
statement
1 This
statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards
and policies which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This
statement gives a true and fair view of the matters
disclosed.
Date:
31 January 2024
Authorised
by: Authorised by the Board of Atlantic Lithium
Limited
Notes
1.
This quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity
report provide a basis for informing the market about the entity's
activities for the past quarter, how they have been financed and
the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes
to disclose additional information over and above the minimum
required under the Listing Rules is encouraged to do so.
2.
If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance
with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and
provisions of, AASB 6:
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and
AASB 107: Statement of Cash
Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow
report has been prepared in accordance with other accounting
standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the
corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3.
Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from
operating activities or cash flows from investing activities,
depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4.
If this report has been authorised for release to the market by
your board of directors, you can insert here: "By the board". If it
has been authorised for release to the market by a committee of
your board of directors, you can insert here: "By the [name of board committee - eg Audit and Risk Committee]". If it
has been authorised for release to the market by a disclosure
committee, you can insert here: "By the Disclosure
Committee".
5.
If this report has been authorised for release to the market by
your board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as
complying with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate
Governance Council's Corporate
Governance Principles and Recommendations, the board should
have received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their
opinion, the financial records of the entity have been properly
maintained, that this report complies with the appropriate
accounting standards and gives a true and fair view of the cash
flows of the entity, and that their opinion has been formed on the
basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control
which is operating effectively.
End note
1 Ore Reserves, Mineral
Resources and Production Targets
The information in this announcement
that relates to Ore Reserves, Mineral Resources and Production
Targets complies with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves (JORC Code). The information in this announcement relating
to Ore Reserves of 25.6Mt @ 1.22% Li2O and Production
Targets is extracted from the Ewoyaa Lithium Project Definitive
Feasibility Study ("DFS"), announced by the Company on 29 June
2023, and information in this announcement relating to the Mineral
Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 35.3Mt @ 1.25% Li2O for
Ewoyaa is extracted from the Company's announcement dated 1
February 2023, both of which are available at
atlanticlithium.com.au.
The MRE includes a total of 3.5Mt @ 1.37% Li2O in the
Measured category, 24.5Mt @ 1.25% Li2O in the Indicated
category and 7.4Mt @ 1.16% Li2O in the Inferred
category. The Company confirms that all material assumptions and
technical parameters underpinning the MRE and DFS continue to
apply. Material assumptions for the Project have been revised on
grant of the Mining Lease for the Project, announced by the Company
on 20 October 2023. The Company is not aware of any new information
or data that materially affects the information included in this
announcement or the announcements dated 1 February 2023, 29 June
2023 and 20 October 2023.
1 Ewoyaa to become one of
the top 10 largest spodumene concentrate producers globally - Based
on a comparison of targeted spodumene concentrate production
capacity (ktpa, 100% basis) of select hard rock spodumene projects
globally (refer Company
presentation dated 8 September
2023).
Competent Persons
Information in this report relating
to the exploration results is based on data reviewed by Mr Lennard
Kolff (MEcon. Geol., BSc. Hons ARSM), Chief Geologist of the
Company. Mr Kolff is a Member of the Australian Institute of
Geoscientists who has in excess of 20 years' experience in mineral
exploration and is a Qualified Person under the AIM Rules. Mr Kolff
consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and
context in which it appears.
Information in this report relating
to Mineral Resources was compiled by Shaun Searle, a Member of the
Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Searle has
sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the
activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as
defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting
of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' and is
a Qualified Person under the AIM Rules. Mr Searle is a director of
Ashmore. Ashmore and the Competent Person are independent of the
Company and other than being paid fees for services in compiling
this report, neither has any financial interest (direct or
contingent) in the Company. Mr Searle consents to the inclusion in
the report of the matters based upon the information in the form
and context in which it appears.
The reported Ore Reserves have been
compiled by Mr Harry Warries. Mr Warries is a Fellow of the
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and an employee of
Mining Focus Consultants Pty Ltd. He has sufficient
experience, relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking,
to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 'Australasian
Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' of
December 2012 ("JORC Code") as prepared by the Joint Ore Reserves
Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and the Minerals Council
of Australia and is a Qualified Person
under the AIM Rules. Mr Warries gives Atlantic Lithium
Limited consent to use this reserve estimate in reports.
For any further information, please
contact:
Atlantic Lithium Limited
Neil Herbert (Executive Chairman)
Amanda Harsas (Finance Director and Company
Secretary)
|
www.atlanticlithium.com.au
|
|
IR@atlanticlithium.com.au
|
|
Tel: +61 2 8072
0640
|
SP
Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Nominated Adviser
Jeff Keating
Charlie Bouverat
Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470
|
Yellow Jersey PR
Limited
Charles
Goodwin
Bessie
Elliot atlantic@yellowjerseypr.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 3004
9512
|
Canaccord Genuity
Limited
Financial
Adviser:
Raj Khatri (UK)
/
Duncan St John,
Christian Calabrese (Australia)
Corporate
Broking:
James
Asensio
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523
4500
|
|
Notes to Editors:
About Atlantic
Lithium
www.atlanticlithium.com.au
Atlantic Lithium is an AIM and ASX-listed
lithium company advancing a portfolio of lithium projects in Ghana
and Côte d'Ivoire through to production.
The Company's flagship project, the Ewoyaa
Project in Ghana, is a significant lithium spodumene pegmatite
discovery on track to become Ghana's first lithium-producing
mine.
The Definitive Feasibility Study for the Project
indicates the production of 3.6Mt of spodumene concentrate over a
12-year mine life, making it one of the top 10 largest spodumene
concentrate mines in the world.
The Project, which was awarded a Mining Lease in
October 2023, is being developed under a funding agreement with
Piedmont Lithium Inc.
Atlantic Lithium holds 509km2 and
774km2 of tenure across Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire
respectively, comprising significantly under-explored, highly
prospective licences.