30 January 2025
Quarterly Activities and Cash
Flow Report
for the quarter ended 31
December 2024
Atlantic Lithium achieves key milestones in the
Ewoyaa Lithium Project permitting process
Atlantic Lithium Limited (AIM: ALL, ASX: A11, GSE: ALLGH, 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 release
its Quarterly Activities and Cash Flow Report for the period ended
31 December 2024.
Highlights
Project Development:
- Mine
Operating Permit granted in respect of the Company's flagship
Ewoyaa Lithium Project ("Ewoyaa" or "the Project") in Ghana,
representing the final regulatory approval required prior to the
commencement of construction of the Project.
-
Land
Use Certificate issued by the Spatial Planning Committee of the
Mfantseman Municipal Assembly, marking the approval for the land
within the Project's Mining Area to be rezoned for mining purposes,
as required prior to commencing construction and mining
activities.
-
Post-period
end, the Project has been granted a Water Use Permit by the Water
Resources Commission, serving as the Commission's authorisation of
the extraction of water from the Ochi-Amissah River for use at the
Project.
Exploration:
- Post-period
end, reported an updated JORC (2012) compliant Mineral Resource
Estimate of 36.8Mt at 41.9% feldspar ("Feldspar MRE") in respect of
the Project.
-
The
Feldspar MRE considers the mine plan over the Life of Mine of the
Project, as detailed in the Ewoyaa Definitive Feasibility Study
("DFS") and reaffirms the Company's belief that Ewoyaa represents a
major source of feldspar in Ghana, which it intends to supply to
the local Ghanaian ceramics market.
-
Completion
of soil geochemical sampling programme over the Agboville
exploration licence in Côte d'Ivoire, with 1,594 samples collected
from planned 1,620 sites.
-
Soil
geochemical survey currently underway over the Rubino exploration
licence in Côte d'Ivoire.
Corporate:
- Completion
of successful A$10m Equity Placing to contribute to funding the
advancement of the Project through key activities towards Final
Investment Decision ("Project FID").
-
Equity
Placing led by the Company's largest shareholder, Assore
International Holdings Limited ("Assore"), and supported by
Atlantic Lithium Executive Chairman Neil Herbert and Chief
Executive Officer ("CEO") Keith Muller, as well as existing and new
institutional shareholders.
- Commitment
from the intended CEO and Managing Director of the enlarged company
following the proposed merger of the Company's strategic funding
partner for the Project, Piedmont Lithium Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL, ASX:
PLL, "Piedmont"), and Sayona Mining (ASX: SYA; OTCQB: SYAXF,
"Sayona"), in respect of the development of the Project.
-
Cash
on hand at end of quarter was A$11.8m.
Commenting, Neil Herbert, Executive Chairman of Atlantic
Lithium, said:
"Atlantic Lithium
continues to make impressive progress towards the completion of the
permitting process in respect of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project,
receiving three key Project approvals through the December quarter
and into January: the Mine Operating Permit, the Land Use
Certificate and the Water Use Permit. These achievements reflect
the unwavering hard work of our team to deliver on the permitting
milestones in a timely fashion as we await the ratification of the
Mining Lease by Ghana's parliament.
"Having completed a
A$10m Equity Placing during the period, we continue to undertake
activities that are critical to the advancement of the Project
towards Final Investment Decision.
"We look forward to
providing further updates in due course."
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/2657V_1-2025-1-30.pdf
Authorised for release by Amanda Harsas, Finance
Director and Company Secretary, Atlantic Lithium Limited.
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.
Ewoyaa Lithium Project, Ghana, West
Africa
During the period, the Company continued to advance
its flagship project, the Ewoyaa Lithium Project, through the
permitting phase towards production. The Project is on track to
become Ghana's first operating lithium mine and one of the largest
hard rock spodumene concentrate mines globally.2 The
Definitive Feasibility Study for Ewoyaa outlines a low capital and
operating cost profile, with globally significant, near-term
production potential.
Ewoyaa, located in the pro-mining jurisdiction of
Ghana, West Africa, approximately 100km southwest of the capital of
Accra, comprises eight main deposits, including Ewoyaa, Okwesikrom,
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 (refer Figure 1).
Figure
1: Location of the
Ewoyaa Lithium Project, Ghana
Interest in
Tenements
At the end of the quarter ending 31 December 2024, 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
|
None
|
PL3/92
|
Apam
West
|
Obotan
Minerals Company Limited
(JV MODA Minerals Limited)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
None
|
RL
3/55
|
Mankessim
|
Barari DV
Ghana Limited
(90% Atlantic)
|
27.07.21
|
26.07.24*
|
3
years
|
Renewal
submitted
|
PL3/102
|
Saltpond
|
Joy
Transporters Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
None
|
PL3/109
|
Mankessim
South
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
06.11.23
|
05.11.26
|
3
years
|
None
|
PL3/106
|
Cape
Coast
|
Joy
Transporters Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
15.11.21
|
14.11.24*
|
3
years
|
Renewal
submitted
|
RML-N-3/181
|
Senya
Beraku
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited (100% Atlantic)
|
09.11.23
|
08.11.26
|
3
years
|
None
|
PL-I-3/15
|
Bewadze
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
09.11.23
|
08.11.26
|
3
years
|
None
|
ML-3/239
|
Mankessim
Mining Lease
|
Barari DV
Ghana Limited (90% Atlantic)
|
20.10.23
|
19.10.38
|
15
years
|
None
|
|
Ekrubaadze
PL
|
Green
Metals Resources Limited
(100% Atlantic)
|
03.10.23
|
Application
|
|
None
|
|
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)
|
22.05.24
|
21.05.28
|
4
years
|
None
|
PR694
|
Agboville
|
Khaleesi
Resources SARL
(100% Atlantic)
|
08.05.24
|
07.05.28
|
4
years
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* A renewal application has been
submitted to the relevant Government mining department and the
Group has no reason to believe the renewal will not be
granted.
December Quarter
Activities
Project Development
Permitting
Representing the final regulatory approval required by
the Company ahead of commencing construction, the Project was
granted a Mine Operating Permit by the Minerals Commission of Ghana
during the period. The grant of the Mine Operating Permit
constitutes a major de-risking milestone for the Project and a key
step in moving Ewoyaa towards Project FID.
In addition, the Project was issued a Land Use
Certificate by the Spatial Planning Committee of the Mfantseman
Municipal Assembly. The certificate details the approval of the
land contained within the Project's Mining Area (as set out in the
Ewoyaa Mining Lease) to be rezoned for mining purposes, as required
prior to commencing construction and mining activities at
Ewoyaa.
Post-period end, the Company also received
notification from the Water Resources Commission of the grant of a
Water Use Permit in respect of the Project. The permit authorises
the Company to extract raw water from the Ochi-Amissah River for
use at the Project for the purposes detailed in the Definitive
Feasibility Study ("DFS"; refer
announcement of 29 June 2023) and serves as a critical
milestone to enable the successful operation of the Project.
Having secured all of the permits required to begin
construction, the Company currently awaits the ratification of the
Ewoyaa Mining Lease by Ghana's parliament.
Ewoyaa Mining Lease
The Company notes the completion of the democratic
presidential and parliamentary elections held in Ghana in December
2024 and the peaceful transition of power that has followed. Firmly
believing that the advancement of the Project is in the best
interests of the residents of the Ewoyaa catchment area, the
Central Region and Ghana more broadly, the Company remains
confident that ratification of the Mining Lease will be forthcoming
in accordance with due parliamentary process.
Project Engineering
The Company has completed the technical refinement of
the Ewoyaa DFS undertaken with lithium Dense Media Separation
specialists DRA Projects through the completion of a Front-End
Loading ("FEL") engineering package, whereby the plant design has
been further optimised and greater clarity added to the Project's
capital expenditure and sustaining capital considerations.
The optimisation work has demonstrated the suitability
of the Project's tailings material to be filtered and dry stacked,
de-risking the Project by removing the need for a Tailings Storage
Facility.
The Project team is currently validating the technical
work completed, as well as preparing the documentation to support
the Board in its Project FID, including the drafting of contracts
for all major services.
Exploration
Feldspar MRE
Post-period end, the Company reported an updated JORC
(2012) compliant Mineral Resource Estimate of 36.8Mt at 41.9%
feldspar ("Feldspar MRE") in respect of the Project (refer announcement of 30 January 2025).
The Feldspar MRE is based on the same geological model
that resulted in the 36.8Mt at 1.24% Li2O Mineral
Resource Estimate1 for the Project ("Lithium MRE"), as
announced by the Company on 30 July 2024, and considers the mine
plan in respect of the Project's Life of Mine spodumene concentrate
production, as detailed in the Ewoyaa Definitive Feasibility Study
("DFS", refer announcement
of 29 June
2023).
The Feldspar MRE includes 29.8Mt (81%) in the Measured
and Indicated categories, comprising a total of 3.7Mt at 40.2%
feldspar in the Measured category, 26.1Mt at 42.1% feldspar in the
Indicated category and 7.0Mt at 42.4% feldspar in the Inferred
category. In addition to the feldspar, quartz and muscovite were
also estimated and included as potential by-products of spodumene
concentrate production at Ewoyaa (refer Table 1).
The Company previously reported a Maiden Feldspar MRE
for the Project (refer
announcement of 12 December
2023), confined to the Ewoyaa Main, Ewoyaa Northeast,
Ewoyaa South-1 and Ewoyaa South-2 deposits, which constituted
approximately the first five years of spodumene production. The
upgraded Feldspar MRE now represents all the spodumene pegmatites
drilled at Ewoyaa, with the normative mineralogy calculated from
total fusion X-ray fluorescence (XRF) major element data using a
least squares method.
The Feldspar MRE enables the Company to include Life
of Mine production of feldspar in future revisions of the Ewoyaa
feasibility studies, expected to drive down operating costs for the
Project, and in its strategy to bring the feldspar to market.
The Company believes that Ewoyaa could represent a
major domestic producer of feldspar, which it intends to supply to
the local Ghanaian ceramics market.
Metallurgical test work and ceramic application trials
undertaken using feldspar samples from Ewoyaa for vitreous
hotelware, high-end earthenware and floor tiles produced acceptable
ware, comparable to industry standards in all aspects, including
contraction, water absorption, density, porosity, shape, colour and
appearance (refer announcement
of 12 December
2023).
Table 1: Ewoyaa Feldspar MRE (0.5%
Li2O Cut-off)
|
Measured Mineral
Resource
|
Type
|
Tonnage
|
Quartz
|
Quartz
|
Feldspar
|
Feldspar
|
Musc.
|
Musc.
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
Primary
|
3.7
|
32.6
|
1.20
|
40.2
|
1.48
|
7.2
|
0.27
|
Total
|
3.7
|
32.6
|
1.20
|
40.2
|
1.48
|
7.2
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indicated Mineral
Resource
|
Type
|
Tonnage
|
Quartz
|
Quartz
|
Feldspar
|
Feldspar
|
Musc.
|
Musc.
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
Weathered
|
0.5
|
34.5
|
0.16
|
37.6
|
0.17
|
8.4
|
0.04
|
Primary
|
25.6
|
31.8
|
8.14
|
42.1
|
10.80
|
6.3
|
1.61
|
Total
|
26.1
|
31.8
|
8.30
|
42.1
|
10.98
|
6.3
|
1.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inferred Mineral
Resource
|
Type
|
Tonnage
|
Quartz
|
Quartz
|
Feldspar
|
Feldspar
|
Musc.
|
Musc.
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
Weathered
|
1.8
|
36.0
|
0.65
|
41.3
|
0.75
|
6.3
|
0.11
|
Primary
|
5.2
|
32.2
|
1.67
|
42.8
|
2.22
|
6.1
|
0.32
|
Total
|
7.0
|
33.2
|
2.32
|
42.4
|
2.97
|
6.2
|
0.43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mineral
Resource
|
Type
|
Tonnage
|
Quartz
|
Quartz
|
Feldspar
|
Feldspar
|
Musc.
|
Musc.
|
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
%
|
Mt
|
Weathered
|
2.3
|
35.7
|
0.81
|
40.6
|
0.92
|
6.7
|
0.15
|
Primary
|
34.5
|
31.9
|
11.02
|
42.0
|
14.51
|
6.4
|
2.20
|
Total
|
36.8
|
32.2
|
11.83
|
41.9
|
15.43
|
6.4
|
2.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
The Mineral Resource 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.
All Mineral Resources figures reported in the table above
represent estimates at January 2025. 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 Feldspar MRE is based on the Lithium MRE reported by the
Company in July 2024.
Côte d'Ivoire
The Company's soil geochemical sampling programme over
the Agboville exploration licence in Côte d'Ivoire concluded during
the quarter, with 1,594 samples collected from 1,620 planned sites.
Processing of the samples is underway in Côte d'Ivoire ahead of the
samples being transported to the Company's Mankessim site for
in-house analysis to identify anomalies for follow-up ground
evaluation and possible drilling.
The Company's geologists and geological contractor
(SEMS) commenced a soil geochemical survey over the Rubino
exploration licence post-period end, with 958 samples collected
from 1,641 planned sites (as of 26 January 2025).
Traverse mapping also continues across both the
Agboville and Rubino licences in conjunction with the soil sampling
programme.
The Company believes that its licences in Côte
d'Ivoire, which is ranked in the top five for African jurisdictions
for mining investment (according to the Fraser Institute Annual
Survey of Mining Companies, 2023), represent highly prospective
tenure for lithium discovery.
Senya Beraku and Cape Coast
The Company's geologists are continuing the follow-up
mapping across the Senya Beraku and Cape Coast licences in Ghana,
with the aim of ground-truthing soil geochemical anomalies
identified.
Corporate
Successful A$10m Equity Placing
Through an institutional placement ("Equity Placing")
led by the Company's largest shareholder, Assore International
Holdings Limited ("Assore"), the Company successfully raised a
total of A$10m (£5.1m/US$6.7m) at a price of A$0.23 (equivalent to
11.73 pence) per New Share ("Issue Price").
As part of the Equity Placing, Assore subscribed for
US$5m (A$7.5m/£3.9m) through the allotment of 32,775,013 New Shares
at the Issue Price. Atlantic Lithium Executive Chairman Neil
Herbert, Chief Executive Officer Keith Muller and former
Non-executive Director Edward Koranteng, who resigned from his role
on the Board post-period end, (together the "Participating
Directors") also subscribed for 1,260,870 New Shares at the Issue
Price, equating to an aggregate of A$290,000.
The proceeds of the Equity Placing are to be used to
enable the continued advancement of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project
towards Project FID, including the completion of an optimisation
and technical refinement of the Ewoyaa DFS, necessary work to
ensure that all permitting and operating requirements are met prior
to breaking ground at the Project, and for working capital
purposes.
At such a critical period in the development of the
Project, the Company believes that the participation in the Equity
Placing of Assore and the Participating Directors highlights the
unwavering belief of the Company's partners and leadership team in
achieving commercial production of spodumene concentrate at
Ewoyaa.
Proposed Merger of Piedmont Lithium and Sayona
Mining
Following the announcements made by Piedmont Lithium
Inc. (Nasdaq: PLL, ASX: PLL, "Piedmont"), the Company's strategic
funding partner at Ewoyaa, and North American Lithium producer
Sayona Mining (ASX: SYA; OTCQB: SYAXF, "Sayona") on 19 November
2024 regarding the proposed merger of Piedmont and Sayona, with
Sayona being the ultimate parent entity ("MergeCo"), Atlantic
Lithium welcomes the commitment made by Lucas Dow, the intended CEO
and MD of MergeCo, in respect of the continued development of the
Project towards production.
The Company believes that the Proposed Merger will
significantly de-risk the funding of the Project and enhance the
Project's exposure globally, including to potential offtakers, and
will providing opportunities for Atlantic Lithium staff members to
leverage MergeCo's considerable expertise in large-scale mine
development, operation and lithium production.
Upon completion of the Proposed Merger, MergeCo will
assume Piedmont's prior obligations, as detailed under the terms of
Atlantic Lithium's co-funding agreement with Piedmont in respect of
the Project. Accordingly, MergeCo will be required to sole fund
US$70m towards the development expenditure for the Project, with
any cost overruns shared equally between the Company and MergeCo,
to earn up to 50% of the Company's interest in the Project and for
the right to an offtake agreement for 50% of the Project's
spodumene concentrate production at market rates.
The Company looks forward to working alongside the
team at MergeCo to deliver upon its shared goals at Ewoyaa.
Available Offtake
Atlantic Lithium continues to receive significant
interest for its lithium products, noting it is one of a limited
number of hard rock projects globally that is well placed to
quickly enter production. As a result of the delays to ratification
of the Ewoyaa Mining Lease and the subdued lithium market
environment, the Company has elected to pause its advisor-led
offtake partnering process and will continue to engage directly
with interested parties across the battery metals supply chain who
express inbound interest for offtake. The Company remains confident
that it will secure favourable offtake terms that ensure maximum
value for the Company's shareholders.
Project Funding
The optimisation and technical refinement of the DFS
will provide the Company with additional information relating to
the funding required to meet forecasted Project development and
working capital demands to achieve Project commercial production
and the generation of positive operating cashflows.
Under the Project's current funding and joint venture
arrangements, Piedmont Lithium ("Piedmont") is required to
contribute the first US$70m of development expenditure as sole
funding to complete its earn-in to 50% of the Company's Project
ownership, with all development expenditure and other Project
expenditure equally shared by both the Company and Piedmont
thereafter.
Activities associated with pursuing financing options
to support the Company's Project development obligations have been
impacted by the delay in the parliamentary ratification of the
Ewoyaa Mining Lease. Activities remain ongoing and are expected to
be further advanced following the ratification of the Mining Lease.
Updates relating to Project funding will be provided in due
course.
Current expenditure relating to the Project is being
jointly funded by Atlantic Lithium and Piedmont. A portion of
Piedmont's expenditure obligations across certain categories of
development expenditure relating to the Project remains outstanding
(US$6.0m for the period from October 2023 to December 2024).
Piedmont has contributed 50% of the development expenditure across
these categories for the same period. The Company remains engaged
in discussions with Piedmont concerning these amounts and an
established process exists for resolution.
Exploration and studies activities are currently
jointly funded by the Company and Piedmont, with neither party
having any outstanding expenditure obligations.
During the period of October to December 2024,
Piedmont contributed a total of US$0.5m (A$0.75m) towards the
funding of the Project.
Cash Flow
Figure
2:
Net cash flows
for December 2024 quarter
(AUD)
MIIF Project-level Investment
The Company continues to work with the Minerals Income
Investment Fund ("MIIF") to finalise MIIF's US$27.9m investment in
the Company's Ghanaian subsidiaries to acquire a 6% contributing
interest in the Ghana Portfolio, inclusive of the Project, which
constitutes Stage 2 of its Strategic Investment in the Company.
This follows the completion of Stage 1, comprising
MIIF's subscription for 19,245,574 Atlantic Lithium shares for a
value of US$5m, in January 2024.
Board Change
Post-period end, Edward Nana Yaw Koranteng resigned
from his position as Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the
Remuneration and Nomination Committee of the Board. Mr. Koranteng
held the position of Non-Executive Director in accordance with
MIIF's entitlement to appoint a nominee director to the Company's
Board, as agreed under the terms of MIIF's US$5m subscription in
the Company (refer announcement
of 24 January
2024), and his resignation follows his departure from MIIF
earlier in the month.
Stakeholder Engagement
The Company attended the following conferences and
industry events during the period:
-
Ghana Mining Industry Awards, Accra
(22 November)
-
Swiss Mining Institute, Zurich
(19-22 November)
-
121 Mining Investment, London (14-15
November)
-
AFSIC - Investing in Africa, London
(8 October)
-
West Africa Mining Security (WAMS)
Conference, Accra (1-2 October)
Sustainability
Ghana Mining Industry Awards
At the Ghana Mining Industry Awards, held by the Ghana
Chamber of Mines in Accra, members of the Atlantic Lithium team
were proud to join Ghanaian geologist Mrs. Alexandra Amoako-Mensah
on stage to collect an honorary award for her outstanding
contributions to the mining industry. The award recognised Mrs.
Amoako-Mensah's trailblazing role for women in the sector across
her impressive 40-year career, which includes the important part
she played in unearthing Ghana's lithium production potential
through the publication of her 1971 thesis on the potential for the
discovery of spodumene pegmatites in Saltpond, which led to the
discovery of the Ewoyaa Lithium Project.
West Africa Mining Security
Conference
Atlantic Lithium was pleased to support the West
Africa Mining Security Conference ("WAMS") which took place in
Accra in October 2024. The event, which is run by the Australian
High Commission in Ghana in conjunction with MS Risk and
Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group (AAMEG), welcomes
sector participants and experts to discuss regional security trends
and operational challenges, and share relevant information on
recent developments to inform security and investment decisions in
West Africa.
Share Capital Changes - Ordinary Shares,
Options and Performance Rights
Between 1 October 2024 and the date of this
report, A$10.3m was raised from an institutional share
placement at a price of A$0.23 per new share. A total of 43,478,620
new fully paid ordinary shares of no-par value each in the Company
were issued.
Between 1 October and the date of this report, a total
of 4,000,000 options, that had been granted under the Company's
Employee Share Option Plan, lapsed unexercised.
On 23 December 2024, 6,971,049
performance rights over new ordinary shares of no-par value each
were issued to certain senior employees and executive directors of
the Company. In the same month, 2,113,862 performance rights over
new ordinary shares of no-par value each lapsed.
A summary of movement and balances of equity
securities between 1 October 2024 and the date of this report is as
follows:
|
Ordinary Shares
|
Unquoted Options
|
Unquoted performance rights
|
On issue at
start of Quarter
|
649,669,053
|
22,722,787
|
10,701,427
|
Shares
issued-Institutional placement (30 Oct 2024)
|
9,442,378
|
|
|
Performance
Rights lapsed (9 Dec 2024)
|
|
|
(1,728,842)
|
Performance
Rights lapsed (10 Dec 2024)
|
|
|
(385,020)
|
Shares
issued-Institutional placement (11 Dec 2024)
|
34,035,882
|
|
|
Employee
Share Options lapsed (11 Dec
2024)
|
|
(4,000,000)
|
|
Performance
Rights Granted (23 Dec 2024)
|
|
|
6,971,049
|
Total Securities on issue at
date of this report
|
693,147,313
|
18,722,787
|
15,558,614
|
Compliance
During the quarter, the Company spent A$6.2m 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 of Project development expenditure. Funding is shared
equally thereafter.
Payments to Related Parties of the Entity and
their Associates
Appendix 5B includes amounts
in items 6.1 and 6.2. The amounts represent salaries and bonuses
(including superannuation) and fees paid to directors.
Appendix 5B expenditure disclosure
As at 31 December 2024, the Company had cash resources
of A$11.8m and no debt. Exploration, feasibility, and development
activities cash expenditure on the Project during the quarter was
A$6.2m. Piedmont Lithium Inc. funded A$0.7m 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:
17 127 215
132
|
|
Quarter
ended ("current quarter"): 31 December
2024
|
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
|
(300)
|
(638)
|
|
(e)
administration and corporate costs
|
(854)
|
(2,492)
|
1.3
|
Dividends received (see
note 3)
|
-
|
-
|
1.4
|
Interest received
|
8
|
8
|
1.5
|
Interest and other costs of
finance paid
|
(6)
|
(8)
|
1.6
|
Income taxes paid
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
Government grants and tax
incentives
|
-
|
-
|
1.8
|
Other Income
|
-
|
-
|
1.9
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities
|
(1,152)
|
(3,130)
|
|
2.
|
Cash flows from investing
activities
|
-
|
-
|
2.1
|
Payments to acquire or
for:
|
|
(a)
entities
|
|
(b)
tenements
|
-
|
-
|
|
(c)
property, plant and equipment
|
(19)
|
(101)
|
|
(d) exploration,
feasibility, and development
|
(6,172)
|
(12,359)
|
|
(e)
investments
|
-
|
-
|
|
(f) other
non-current assets
|
-
|
-
|
2.2
|
Proceeds from the disposal
of:
|
-
|
-
|
|
(a)
entities
|
|
(b)
tenements
|
-
|
-
|
|
(c)
property, plant and equipment
|
-
|
-
|
|
(d)
investments
|
-
|
-
|
|
(e) other
non-current assets
|
1
|
1
|
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
|
746
|
3,843
|
2.6
|
Other - Contribution from
lessor for Lease Fit Out
|
-
|
182
|
2.7
|
Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities
|
(5,444)
|
(8,434)
|
|
3.
|
Cash flows from financing
activities
|
10,269
|
10,269
|
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
|
(217)
|
(217)
|
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
|
10,052
|
10,052
|
|
4.
|
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents for the period
|
|
|
4.1
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
7,471
|
12,679
|
4.2
|
Net cash from / (used in)
operating activities (item 1.9 above)
|
(1,152)
|
(3,130)
|
4.3
|
Net cash from / (used in)
investing activities (item 2.7 above)
|
(5,444)
|
(8,434)
|
4.4
|
Net cash from / (used in)
financing activities (item 3.10 above)
|
10,052
|
10,052
|
4.5
|
Effect of movement in
exchange rates on cash held
|
883
|
643
|
4.6
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period
|
11,810
|
11,810
|
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
|
11,796
|
7,464
|
5.2
|
Call deposits
|
-
|
-
|
5.3
|
Bank overdrafts
|
-
|
-
|
5.4
|
Other - Petty Cash
|
14
|
7
|
5.5
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter
(should equal item 4.6 above)
|
11,810
|
7,471
|
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
|
214
|
6.2
|
Aggregate amount of payments
to related parties and their associates included in item 2
|
371
|
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)
|
(1,152)
|
8.2
|
(Payments for exploration
& evaluation classified as investing activities) (item
2.1(d))
|
(6,172)
|
8.3
|
Total relevant outgoings
(item 8.1 + item 8.2)
|
(7,324)
|
8.4
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
quarter end (item 4.6)
|
11,810
|
8.5
|
Unused finance facilities
available at quarter end (item 7.5)
|
-
|
8.6
|
Total available funding
(item 8.4 + item 8.5)
|
11,810
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
Estimated quarters of funding available
(item 8.6 divided by item 8.3)
|
1.6
|
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: Yes
|
|
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:
· Atlantic Lithium Ltd is
funded under a co-development agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc.
Piedmont continues to contribute on a monthly basis under the
co-development agreement.
· 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.
·
The Company has implemented further cost-cutting
measures during the December 2024 quarter. Additionally, the
Company will continue to closely monitor its available cash and
adjusting operating expenditure as required.
|
|
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). The Company has its remaining LR7.1 capacity if required.
The Company has a strong track record of being able to raise funds
if required.
|
|
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:
30
January
2025
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.
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, ASX, GSE
and OTCQX-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.1 2
The Project was awarded a Mining
Lease in October 2023, an Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
Permit in September 2024, and a Mine Operating Permit in October
2024 and is being developed under an earn-in agreement with
Piedmont Lithium Inc.
The Ewoyaa Mineral Resource Estimate
(JORC) totals 36.8Mt at 1.24% Li2O and includes 3.7Mt at
1.37% Li₂O in the Measured category, 26.1Mt at 1.24% Li₂O in the
Indicated category and 7.0Mt at 1.15% Li₂O in the Inferred
category.1 Ore Reserves (Probable) of 25.6Mt at 1.22%
Li2O have been reported for the
Project.1
Atlantic Lithium holds a portfolio of
lithium projects within 509km2 and 771km2 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.
End Note
1 Ore Reserves, Mineral
Resources and Production Targets
The information in this report that
relates to Exploration Results, 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
report relating to the Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 36.8Mt
at 1.24% Li₂O for
the Ewoyaa Lithium Project ("Ewoyaa" or the "Project") is extracted
from the Company's announcement entitled "New Dog-Leg Target Delivers Increase to Ewoyaa
MRE", dated 30 July 2024. The MRE includes
a total of 3.7Mt at 1.37% Li₂O in the Measured category, 26.1Mt at
1.24% Li₂O in the
Indicated category and 7.0Mt at 1.15% Li₂O in the Inferred category. The
information in this report relating to the Feldspar Mineral
Resource Estimate ("Feldspar MRE") of 36.8Mt at 41.9% feldspar for
the Project is extracted from the Company's announcement
entitled "Updated Feldspar Resource
Estimate", dated 30 January 2025. The MRE
includes a total of 3.7Mt at 40.2% feldspar in the Measured
category, 26.1Mt at 42.1% feldspar in the Indicated category and
7.0Mt at 42.4% feldspar in the Inferred category. The information
in this report relating to Ore Reserves (Probable) of 25.6Mt at
1.22% Li2O and the Production Target of 3.6Mt of
spodumene concentrate over a 12-year mine life is extracted from
the Company's announcement entitled "Ewoyaa
Lithium Project Definitive Feasibility Study", dated 29 June 2023. The Company confirms, in the case of
Mineral Resources, Ore Reserves and Production Targets, that all
material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the
estimates 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 in the announcement
entitled, "Mining Lease Granted for Ewoyaa
Lithium Project". The Company is not aware
of any new information or data that materially affects the
information included in this report or the announcements dated 30
January 2025, 30 July 2024, 20 October 2023 and 29 June 2023, which
are available at www.atlanticlithium.com.au.
2 Ewoyaa to become one of the 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 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
this report of the matters based upon the information in the form
and context in which it appears.
Information in this report relating
to Ore Reserves was compiled by Mr Harry Warries. All stated Ore
Reserves are completely included within the quoted Mineral
Resources and are quoted in dry tonnes. 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.
Mr Warries gives Atlantic Lithium Limited consent to use this
reserve estimate in reports.
The Company confirms that the form
and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented
have not been materially modified from the original market
announcement.