2 May 2024
Atlantic Lithium is Approved
to List on the Ghana Stock Exchange
Atlantic Lithium receives approval
for listing by introduction
on the Main Market of the Ghana Stock Exchange
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
announce that it has received approval from the Ghana Stock
Exchange's ("GSE") Listing Committee and Ghana's Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") to list the Company's ordinary shares
("Ordinary Shares") by introduction on the Main Market of the GSE
("Admission").
As the country's first near-term lithium
producer to list on the GSE, the Company believes that Admission to
trading reflects Ghana's pioneering approach to establishing a
route to the long-term supply of lithium to support the
electrification transition and to meet global climate change
objectives.
Company Overview
Atlantic Lithium is a responsible, modern
mining company, advancing its flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium
Project ("Ewoyaa" or the "Project"), a globally significant hard
rock spodumene deposit in Ghana's Central Region, towards
production as the country's first lithium mine.
According to the June 2023 Definitive
Feasibility Study for the Project, Ewoyaa is expected to produce a
steady state of 365,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate per
annum1, making it one of the largest spodumene mines in
the world.2
On 20 October 2023, the Company announced that
Ghana's Minister of Lands and Natural Resources had granted a
Mining Lease in respect of the Project, comprising the proposed
Ewoyaa Lithium Mine and Processing Plant, enabling the advancement
of the Project towards commercial production.
The Company welcomed Ghana's mineral sovereign
wealth fund ("MIIF") as a new major, strategic shareholder on 24
January 2024 following a US$5m investment in Atlantic Lithium by
way of a share subscription. The investment, which formed the
first stage of MIIF's proposed total US$32.9m investment in the
Company and its Ghanaian Subsidiaries ("Strategic Investment"),
demonstrates the Ghanaian government's significant support for the
advancement of the Project.
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 Ghana Portfolio, inclusive of the
Project.
MIIF recommends and supports all mining
companies in which it has equity investments to list on the GSE,
which it sees as giving Ghanaians the opportunity to invest in such
a strategically important sector for the country. Atlantic Lithium
is, therefore, proud to have worked closely with both MIIF and the
GSE to enable its listing during a milestone year for the
Company.
The Company currently awaits parliamentary
ratification of the Mining Lease in respect of the Project and,
concurrently, is advancing the necessary permitting steps, with the
intention of breaking ground at Ewoyaa in H2 2024.
The Project is set to achieve nameplate
capacity in 2026, against a backdrop of increasing global electric
vehicle demand.
Having been operating in Ghana since 2016, the
Company is now a leading employer and taxpayer in the Central
Region. Atlantic Lithium is proud that its in-country team is
entirely Ghanaian; with many from the communities that surround the
Project. Through the development of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, the
Company recognises and embraces its role in representing Ghana and
supporting the enrichment of the lives of its local
stakeholders.
As the government of Ghana's partner of choice,
the Company is committed to supporting the country's green minerals
objectives and cementing Ghana's status as a leading mining
investment jurisdiction.
Reason for Application
Admission of the Company's shares to trading on
the GSE is expected to broaden the Company's investor base and
increase the Company's visibility both within Ghana and
globally.
As Ewoyaa nears construction and production,
the Company believes that Admission will also provide greater
wealth creation opportunities for Ghanaians and financial
institutions in Ghana, more closely aligning Atlantic Lithium with
its Ghanaian stakeholders.
The Company believes that the GSE listing
further demonstrates its firm commitment to the long-term
development of the Ghanaian economy, enabling Ghanaians to share
ownership in the country's critical mineral production
objectives.
The Company will not place or issue any new
Atlantic Lithium shares in connection with its listing on the GSE.
The GSE listing will have no impact on the Company's listings on
AIM or the Australian Securities Exchange.
The date for listing will be advised in due
course.
A copy of the Company's GSE prospectus can be
found via the following link:
https://www.atlanticlithium.com.au/s/Atlantic-Lithium-Limited-Prospectus-April-2024.pdf.
Black Star Brokerage Limited ("Black Star") is
acting as Transaction Advisor, Sponsoring Broker and Arranger to
the Company's listing.
Commenting, Neil Herbert, Executive Chairman of Atlantic
Lithium, said:
"As
the first lithium company to commence trading on the Ghana Stock
Exchange, Atlantic Lithium's Admission represents a new chapter in
the country's esteemed mining history.
"By
offering Atlantic Lithium shares on the GSE, we aim to maximise
local participation in the Project and more closely align our
Ghanaian stakeholders with the long-term success of the Company. In
addition, we believe we provide the opportunity for Ghanaian
investors to contribute towards and share ownership in the
advancement of Ghana's first lithium mine and the emergence of its
promising green minerals industry.
"Atlantic Lithium's GSE listing comes at an exciting juncture
in the development of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project. Over the next
couple of months, we expect to complete several major events that
will significantly progress the Project towards mine construction.
This includes the conclusion of the competitive offtake partnering
process, the ratification of the Mining Lease by parliament, and
the grant of the final permits required by the Company to start
construction at Ewoyaa.
"We
are proud to be driving the country's lithium production ambitions
and, ultimately, delivering generational benefits to Ghana and
Ghanaians.
"The Company is proud to have been operating in Ghana since
2016, when it began initial exploration activities. As such,
listing on the GSE represents a major milestone in the Company's
journey in Ghana."
End Notes
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 production targets for Ewoyaa is extracted from the Ewoyaa
Lithium Project Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS"), announced by
the Company on 29 June 2023, which is available
at atlanticlithium.com.au.
The Company confirms that all technical parameters underpinning the
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 29 June 2023 and 20 October 2023.
2 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).
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.
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 its flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium
Project, a significant lithium spodumene pegmatite discovery in
Ghana, through to production to become the country'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 largest spodumene
concentrate mines in the world.
The Project, which was awarded a Mining Lease in
October 2023, is being developed under an earn-in agreement with
Piedmont Lithium Inc.
Atlantic Lithium holds a portfolio of lithium
projects within 509km2 and 774km2 of granted
and under-application tenure across Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire
respectively, which, in addition to the Project, comprises
significantly under-explored, highly prospective
licences.