REG - Atlantic Lithium Ltd - A$7 million Equity Placing

Atlantic LithiumAnnouncement

14/12/2023 17:00

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20231214:nRSN8892Wa&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 8892W  Atlantic Lithium Limited  14 December 2023

 

 

14 December 2023

A$7 million Equity Placing

to contribute to the funding of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project

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 the launch of an institutional placement ("Equity Placing") of new
fully paid ordinary shares of no par value each in the Company ("New Shares")
at an offer price of A$0.44 (equivalent to 23.35 pence) per New Share ("Issue
Price").

Highlights of the Equity Placing

-       The Equity Placing will be undertaken by an institutional
placement of New Shares to raise approximately A$7.0 million (£3.7 million),
utilising the Company's existing share authorities, launching today. As part
of the Equity Placing, the Company reserves the ability to accept
oversubscriptions for up to A$2.0 million (£1.0 million).

 

-       Proceeds from the Equity Placing will be used to contribute to
the funding of the Company's flagship Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana (the
"Project") and provide additional working capital for the Company.

 

-       The Equity Placing will be undertaken at a fixed issue price of
A$0.44 (equivalent to 23.35 pence) per New Share, which, as at the last
trading day of 14 December 2023 on the ASX, represents a:

o  10.2% discount to the last closing price of A$0.490; and

o  11.9% discount to the 5-day volume weight average price of A$0.499.

 

-       Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited has been appointed as Lead
Manager ("Lead Manager") in connection with the Equity Placing. Wilsons
Advisory & Stockbroking is acting as Co-Manager ("Co-Manager").

 

Proposed Use of Proceeds

-       Mining Lease requirements

o  Expenditure associated with the Feldspar Definitive Feasibility Study;

o  Downstream Conversion Study to determine viability of downstream lithium
conversion in Ghana and related factors required;

o  Listing by introduction on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

 

-       Project Expenditure

o  EPA permitting process, land acquisition, relocation of powerline and
engineering works;

o  Atlantic Lithium's share of the Project's overall development expenditure
is approximately US$38 million, which is expected to be fully funded through
(i) this Equity Placing (once completed), (ii) the completion of the agreed,
non-binding investment in the Company from the Minerals Income Investment Fund
of Ghana ("MIIF") and (iii) the ongoing off-take financing process, due to
complete in Q1 2024.

 

-       Exploration

o  Additional extensional drilling announced over and above the ongoing 2023
drilling programme.

 

-       Working capital

o  Working capital to ramp up the operational readiness team, relevant
production processes and systems and associated costs.

 

Commenting, Neil Herbert, Executive Chairman of Atlantic Lithium, said:

"Under Ewoyaa's current funding arrangements, which comprise Piedmont's staged
earn-in agreement, the agreed, non-binding Heads of Terms with the Minerals
Income Investment Fund of Ghana for its investment in the Company and the
process that is underway to secure a partner for a portion of the available
off-take, we are in an excellent position to fully fund the Company's share of
the development expenditure for the Project.

 "While we await the completion and receipt of the funds from MIIF's
investment, expected in Q1 2024, and the completion of the offtake process in
late Q1 2024, we are undertaking this institutional placing in order to
strengthen the Company's cash balance, notably in light of recent takeover
offers from the Company's largest shareholder, Assore, and to ensure the
advancement of Project in line with the current development schedule.

"Funds will be allocated towards advancing the activities agreed under the
grant of the Mining Lease and for further drilling following the report of a
106m continuous pegmatite interval and broad intersections of visible
spodumene outside of the current MRE. This drilling will contribute to the
Company delivering an upgraded Mineral Resource Estimate for the Project in Q3
2024.

"We look forward to the completion of the placing, which we believe represents
a major milestone towards fully de-risking the funding of the Project."

 

Background to the Equity Placing

On 29 June 2023, the Company published a Definitive Feasibility Study of the
Ewoyaa Project ("DFS") which highlighted economic outcomes placing the Project
as an industry-leading asset with a steady state production rate of 365,000
tonnes per annum ("ktpa") over a 12-year Life of Mine, an All-in Sustaining
Cost of US$675/tonne and an NPV(8) of US$1.3bn.

The total development expenditure for the Project is estimated to be US$185
million, of which the Company's partner, Piedmont Lithium, will sole fund the
initial US$70 million, and 50% thereafter. As previously disclosed, MIIF and
the Company have entered into a non-binding financing arrangement for US$32.9
million which is currently in the process of completing. Following MIIF's
investment, the Company's development expenditure requirement for Ewoyaa
equates to US$38 million.

In parallel, the Company is undertaking a process to seek an off-take partner
for a portion of the available off-take from Ewoyaa, which is expected to
provide upfront capital. This process is expected to complete in Q1 2024.
Together, the Equity Placing, the off-take financing and MIIF's intended
investment are expected to fully fund the development expenditure for the
Project and provide additional capital for the Company to continue its
exploration plans for 2024 and broader corporate requirements.

Advisers

Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited is acting as Lead Manager to the Equity
Placement. Wilsons Advisory & Stockbroking is acting as Co-Manager.

Expected Timetable of Principal Events

The times and dates set out below are subject to change and may be adjusted by
the Company in consultation with the Lead Manager. In the event of any
significant changes from the below expected timetable, details of the new
times and dates will be notified to Company shareholders by an announcement on
a Regulatory Information Service.

                                                              AIM               ASX
 Announcement of the Equity Placing and ASX Trading Halt      14 December 2023  15 December 2023
 Announcement of results of the Equity Placing                15 December 2023  15 December 2023
 Trading Halt lifted and shares recommence trading on ASX      -                18 December 2023
 Allotment and trading of new securities under the placement  22 December 2023  22 December 2023

The timetable is subject to modification at the Lead Manager's discretion.

Allotment and trading

Allotment for New Shares (ASX and AIM) and admission to trading on AIM is
expected to take place on or around 22 December 2023.

The New Shares will be issued fully paid and will rank pari passu in all
respects with the Company's existing Ordinary Shares, including the right to
receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the
date of issue.

Additional Information

The content of this Announcement has not been approved by an authorised person
within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended
("FSMA"). Reliance on this Announcement for the purpose of engaging in any
investment activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing
all of the property or other assets invested. The price of shares and any
income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get
back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares. Past performance is
no guide to future performance, and persons needing advice should consult an
appropriate independent financial adviser.

Nothing contained in this announcement constitutes investment, legal, tax or
other advice. You should seek appropriate professional advice before making
any investment decision.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to,
or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted
by the Company, the Lead Manager or the Co-Manager, or by any of their
affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of
this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to
or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any
liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.

No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or
estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean
that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial
years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per
share of the Company.

The New Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to
trading on any stock exchange other than the ASX and AIM.

Neither the content of the Company's website nor any website accessible by
hyperlinks on the Company's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this
Announcement.

Disclaimer

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the market abuse regulation
(EU) no. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law pursuant to the European
Union (withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. Upon the publication of this
announcement via a regulatory information service, this information is
considered to be in the public domain.

This announcement and the information contained herein, is restricted and is
not for publication, release or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole
or in part, in or into the United States, Canada, Japan, the Republic of South
Africa or New Zealand or any other jurisdiction in which it would be unlawful
to do so.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not itself
constitute an offer for sale or subscription of any securities in the
Company.  This announcement does not constitute or contain any invitation,
solicitation, recommendation, offer or advice to any person to subscribe for,
otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of Atlantic Lithium Limited in
any jurisdiction in which any such offer or solicitation would be unlawful.

Cautionary Statement about Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains certain "forward-looking statements" including
statements regarding our intent, belief, or current expectations with respect
to Atlantic's business and operations, market conditions, results of
operations and financial condition, and risk management practices. The words
"likely", "expect", "aim", "should", "could", "may", "anticipate", "predict",
"believe", "plan", "forecast" and other similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Indications of, and guidance on, future
earnings, anticipated production, life of mine and financial position and
performance are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause Atlantic's actual results, performance and achievements or
industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance or
achievements, or industry results, expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Relevant factors may include (but are not limited
to) changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations and general
economic conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the
speculative nature of exploration and project development, including the risks
of obtaining necessary licences and permits and diminishing quantities or
grades of reserves, political and social risks, changes to the regulatory
framework within which Atlantic operates or may in the future operate,
environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, recruitment and
retention of personnel, industrial relations issues and litigation.

Forward-looking statements are based on Atlantic's good faith assumptions as
to the financial, market, regulatory and other relevant environments that will
exist and affect Atlantic's business and operations in the future. Atlantic
does not give any assurance that the assumptions will prove to be correct.
There may be other factors that could cause actual results or events not to be
as anticipated, and many events are beyond the reasonable control of Atlantic.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, particularly in the current economic climate with the significant
volatility, uncertainty and disruption. Forward-looking statements in this
document speak only at the date of issue. Except as required by applicable
laws or regulations, Atlantic does not undertake any obligation to publicly
update or revise any of the forward-looking statements or to advise of any
change in assumptions on which any such statement is based. Except for
statutory liability which cannot be excluded, each of Atlantic, its officers,
employees and advisors expressly disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy
or completeness of the material contained in these forward-looking statements
and excludes all liability whatsoever (including in negligence) for any loss
or damage which may be suffered by any person as a consequence of any
information in forward-looking statements or any error or omission.

Overseas investors

The New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act" or with any
securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the
United States and may not be offered, sold, pledged, taken up, exercised,
resold, renounced, transferred or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or
into the United States absent registration under the Securities Act, except
pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any
applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United
States. The Placing Shares not been approved, disapproved or recommended by
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission
in the United States or any other U.S. regulatory authority, nor have any of
the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering
of the Placing Shares. Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred
to herein may not be offered or sold in the United States, Canada, Japan, New
Zealand, the Republic of South Africa or to, or for the account or benefit of,
any national, resident or citizen of the United States, Canada, Japan, New
Zealand or the Republic of South Africa.

The relevant clearances have not been, nor will they be, obtained from the
securities commission of any province or territory of Canada; no prospectus
has been lodged with, or registered by, the Financial Markets Authority of New
Zealand or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; the relevant clearances have not
been, and will not be, obtained from the South Africa Reserve Bank or any
other applicable body in the Republic of South Africa in relation to the New
Shares; and the New Shares have not been, and nor will they be, registered
under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province
or territory of Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South Africa.
Accordingly, the New Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant
securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly
or indirectly, in or into Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the Republic of South
Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom or to, or for the
account or benefit of any national, resident or citizen of Japan, New Zealand
or the Republic of South Africa or to any investor located or resident in
Canada.

No public offer or prospectus

No public offering of the New Shares is being made in the United States,
Australia, the United Kingdom or elsewhere. This announcement is for
information purposes and is not a prospectus, product disclosure statement or
any other offering document under Australian law or the law of any other
jurisdiction (and will not be lodged with the Australian Securities and
Investments Commission ("ASIC") or any foreign regulator).

All offers of the New Shares will be made in the European Economic Area or the
United Kingdom pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to produce a
prospectus under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and
Council of 14 June 2017 and any relevant implementing measures in any Member
State of the European Economic Area (the "EU Prospectus Regulation"), or
pursuant to the UK version of the EU Prospectus Regulation, which is part of
UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (the
"UK Prospectus Regulation") (as the case may be).

No prospectus will be made available in connection with the matters contained
in this Announcement and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with
the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation, as the case may
be) to be published.

This Announcement is being distributed to persons in the United Kingdom only
in circumstances in which section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply.

This Announcement is for information purposes only and is directed only at
persons who are: (a) persons in Australia to whom an offer of securities may
be made without a disclosure document (as defined in the Australian
Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ("Corporations Act") on the basis that such
persons are exempt from the disclosure requirements of Part 6D.2 in accordance
with Section 708(8) or 708(11) of the Corporations Act; (b) persons in Member
States (of the European Economic Area) who are Qualified Investors (as defined
in the EU Prospectus Regulation); and (c) in the United Kingdom, Qualified
Investors (as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation) who are persons who (i)
have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within
the definition of "investment professionals" in article 19(5) of the Financial
Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended
(the "Order"); (ii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high
net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc") of the Order; or (iii)
are persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated; (all such
persons together being referred to as relevant persons").

This Announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not
relevant persons. Persons distributing this Announcement must satisfy
themselves that it is lawful to do so. Any investment or investment activity
to which this Announcement is available only to relevant persons and will be
engaged in only with relevant persons.

 

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      Yellow Jersey PR Limited      Canaccord Genuity Limited

 Nominated Adviser                   Charles Goodwin               Financial Adviser:

 Jeff Keating                        Bessie Elliot                 Raj Khatri (UK) /

                                   atlantic@yellowjerseypr.com

 Charlie Bouverat
                             Duncan St John, Christian Calabrese (Australia)

                                   Tel: +44 (0)20 3004 9512

 Tel: +44 (0)20 3470 0470

                                                                   Corporate Broking:

                                                                   James Asensio, Harry Rees

                                                                   Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 4500

 
Notes to Editors:

 

About Atlantic Lithium

www.atlanticlithium.com.au (http://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 509km(2) and 774km(2) of tenure across Ghana and Côte
d'Ivoire respectively, comprising significantly under-explored, highly
prospective licences.

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  MSCFZMMZVDMGFZM