(MENAFN- ABN Newswire)
Lake Resources NL (ASX:LKE) is pleased to announce that it has secured commitments for $2.4 million before costs through the placement of approximately 27 million ordinary shares at $0.09 per share in a private placement to offshore and local sophisticated and professional investors. Every two new shares have one attaching option exercisable at $0.10 cents per share expiring in July 2021.
- New funds raised deliver the financial flexibility to aggressively accelerate drilling at Cauchari and continue immediately to the equally prospective Olaroz.
- High fluid flows of conductive brines recently intercepted with results due next week at Cauchari Lithium Brine Project - follows results with strong lithium values of 480 mg/L.
- The target in the current hole at Cauchari is a ~350-450m deep sand horizon which has recorded higher lithium values and fluid flows in the adjoining project.
The placement has been conducted using the existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A. The attaching options will require shareholder approval and it is the company's intention to seek listing of the options, subject to ASX approval.
The Company is delighted with the support from new and existing shareholders and the new funds raised will be used to accelerate drilling at Lake's 100% owned Cauchari Lithium Brine Project in Argentina, and then immediately commence drilling at the equally prospective Olaroz project (see Figures 1, 4 in link below). Funds will also be used for the PFS and pilot plant at Kachi and for additional working capital.
These new funds give Lake the necessary financial flexibility to aggressively accelerate drilling and keep the driller engaged at both Cauchari and Olaroz. Recently, conductive brines with high fluid flows under pressure were intercepted at a depth of 261m, with results due next week. Results were recently reported with strong lithium values up to 480 mg/L from 186m depth (Refer LKE ASX announcements 28 May and 31 May 2019).
These results echo similar lithium brine horizons in the upper sections of drill holes reported from the adjoining pre-production area of Ganfeng/Lithium Americas (LAC) and Advantage Lithium (AAL)/ Orocobre joint venture. Lake is drilling in the same basin with similar brines and better results are anticipated at depth.
The drill hole is targeting a sand horizon between 350-450m which has recorded higher lithium values and fluid flows in the adjoining project. Current drilling aims to unlock value from this rapidly emerging project, immediately adjacent to a world-class brine project in pre-production in the Lithium Triangle, approximately 500m from the Ganfeng/Lithium Americas Cauchari project. Lake is targeting the same sand horizons.
Commenting on the latest update, Lake's Managing Director Steve Promnitz said: "Lake has proven that the same sand horizons in our 100% -owned leases extend from what is the largest defined lithium brine resource on the planet ~350 metres from our drill hole. We look forward to reporting conclusive first assays next week and more information of flow rates. Lake is in great shape and the progress is very encouraging."
Some offshore investors were not able to participate in the timeline provided but their support is welcomed."
To view figures, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/MBAK3778
Lake Resources NL( ASX:LKE ) is a lithium exploration and development company focused on developing its three lithium brine projects and hard rock project in Argentina, all owned 100%. The leases are in a prime location among the lithium sector's largest players within the Lithium Triangle, where half of the world's lithium is produced. Lake holds one of the largest lithium tenement packages in Argentina (~200,000Ha) secured in 2016 prior to a significant 'rush' by major companies. The large holdings provide the potential to provide consistent security of supply demanded by battery makers and electric vehicle manufacturers.
The Kachi project covers 69,000 ha over a salt lake south of FMC's lithium operation and near Albemarle's Antofalla project in Catamarca Province. Drilling at Kachi has confirmed a large lithium brine bearing basin over 20km long, 15km wide and 400m to 800m deep. Drilling over Kachi (currently 16 drill holes, 3100m) has produced a maiden indicated and inferred resource of 4.4 Mt LCE (Indicated 1.0Mt and Inferred 3.4Mt) within a 8-17 Mt LCE exploration target (refer ASX announcement 27 November 2018).
A direct extraction technique is being tested in partnership with Lilac Solutions, which has shown 80-90% recoveries and lithium brine concentrations in excess of 3000 mg/L lithium and is planned to be trialled on site in tandem with conventional methods as part of a PFS to follow the resource statement. Scope exists to unlock considerable value through partnerships and corporate deals in the near term.
The Olaroz-Cauchari and Paso brine projects are located adjacent to major world class brine projects either in production or being developed in the highly prospective Jujuy Province. The Olaroz-Cauchari project is located in the same basin as Orocobre's Olaroz lithium production and adjoins Ganfeng Lithium/Lithium Americas Cauchari project, with high grade lithium (600 mg/L) with high flow rates drilled immediately across the lease boundary.
Two drill rigs are currently drilling at Cauchari with results anticipated to extend the proven resources in adjoining properties into LKE's area with results anticipated from November into December 2018. This will be followed by drilling extensions to the Olaroz area in LKE's 100% owned Olaroz leases.
Significant corporate transactions continue in adjacent leases with development of Ganfeng Lithium/Lithium Americas Cauchari project with Ganfeng announcing a US$237 million for 37% of the Cauchari project previously held by SQM. Nearby projects of Lithium X were acquired via a takeover offer of C$265 million completed March 2018. The northern half of Galaxy's Sal de Vida resource was purchased for US$280 million by POSCO in June 2018. These transactions imply an acquisition cost of US$55-110 million per 1 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) in resources.
The demand for lithium continues to be strong for lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles, according to recent data from the leading independent battery minerals consultant, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Supply continues to be constrained suggesting good opportunities for upstream lithium companies.
Steve PromnitzManaging DirectorLake Resources N.L.T: +61-2-9188-7864E:
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