Altura Earn In Agreement Boosts Sayonas Aust Lithium Assets
Brisbane, Aug 8, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium miner Sayona Mining Limited (
ASX:SYA) (DML:FRA) (DMNXF:OTCMKTS)announced today an Earn-in Agreement with leading lithium producer Altura Mining Limited (ASX:AJM), which will help maximise the value of Sayona's Western Australian lithium portfolio in the world-class Pilgangoora lithium district.
Under the agreement, Altura will spend $1.5 million on exploration across the project portfolio over three years to earn a 51% interest, with Sayona retaining the remaining project interest. Sayona retains the right to contribute to project evaluation and development in the future to participate in the upside potential.
Sayona's current WA lithium portfolio comprises some 1,806 square kilometres, with its tenure in close proximity to other spodumene deposits, including Altura's Pilgangoora mine which commenced commercial production in March 2019.
Welcoming the agreement, Sayona's Managing Director, Mr Lynch said Altura was the perfect partner to crystallise value for shareholders from the Company's Australian lithium assets.
"Altura has a highly experienced in-house team that successfully led the financing, construction and commissioning of its spodumene mine at Pilgangoora," Mr Lynch said.
"It is this expertise that will ensure we derive maximum value from our exploration assets in WA."
Altura's Managing Director, James Brown (also a Director of Sayona) said the agreement was a win-win deal for both companies.
"Our common directors and shared experiences have given us a mutual understanding that will allow the potential of Sayona's Australian exploration tenements to be fully explored," he said.
"For Altura, having access to Sayona's exploration portfolio provides enormous upside in terms of our project pipeline and we are determined to advance exploration activity as quickly as possible for the benefit of all."
In addition to Mr Brown, Sayona's Non-Executive Directors Allan Buckler and Dan O'Neill are also directors of Altura.
Earn-In Agreement Terms
The Earn-In Agreement terms are as follows:
- Altura to spend $1.5 million on exploration within three years to earn a 51% stake in the tenements;
- Should it wish to withdraw, Altura must spend at least$500,000 on exploration expenditure , including at least 2,500 metres of drilling on the Mallina project and 1,000m on the Tabba Tabba project; and
- Sayona to retain a 49% stake, subject to possible future potential dilution in line with any increased spending by Altura, should Sayona not wish to participate.
Sayona's Mr Lynch added: "It is rare for such a close alignment of two companies, but this deal is truly one that benefits both, particularly given our priority on advancing our flagship Authier Lithium Project in Quebec.
"We can now ensure that our funds are maximised towards the highest likelihood of increased shareholder returns, with the added upside of any potential new discoveries in Australia."
About Elevra Lithium Limited
Elevra Lithium Limited (ASX:ELV) (NASDAQ:ELVR) is North America's largest hard-rock lithium producer with a diversified portfolio of high-quality assets across Quebec Canada, the United States, Ghana and Western Australia.
Our flagship operation, the North American Lithium (NAL) mine in Quebec, Canada has successfully ramped up production of spodumene concentrate, supported by ongoing operational enhancements to increase recovery rates, throughput, and mill utilisation. Following a Mineral Resource upgrade, Elevra completed a Scoping Study for a brownfield expansion to increase NAL's annual spodumene concentrate production and reduce unit operating costs.
Complementing NAL, the Moblan Lithium Project in northern Quebec represents one of the largest undeveloped spodumene resources in North America, with a Mineral Resource of 121 Mt @ 1.19% Li2O.
Development activities are progressing with feasibility studies targeting a large-scale, long-life operation capable of supplying both domestic and international markets.
In Western Australia, Elevra holds an extensive portfolio of lithium and gold tenements, where exploration programs are advancing to unlock additional growth opportunities. Meanwhile, in the United States, our Carolina Lithium Project offers a strategic foothold in the downstream lithium chemicals market and our project in Ghana provides a further option for future growth.
Looking ahead, Elevra is focused on strategic downstream partnerships to enable further value-added lithium production, positioning the Company to deliver a secure, sustainable supply of critical minerals to global customers. Together, these assets establish Elevra as a growth-focused supplier supporting the global energy transition.
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