American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”)
(TSX-V:LI | NASDAQ:AMLI | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to announce
the results of its maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”)
for the Tonopah Lithium Claims (“TLC”) project located in the
Esmerelda lithium district northwest of Tonopah, Nevada. This
independent PEA was completed jointly by DRA Global and Stantec
Consulting Ltd. (“Stantec”) and demonstrates that the TLC project
has the potential to become a substantial, long-life producer of
low-cost lithium carbonate (“LCE” or “Li2CO3”) with the potential
to produce either battery grade LCE or lithium hydroxide (“LiOH”).
The PEA base case envisions an initial 4.4 Million tonnes per annum
(“Mtpa”) processing throughput expanding to 8.8Mtpa. The PEA
alternative case is identical, but with added production of high
purity magnesium sulfate as a by-product over life of operations.
Unless otherwise stated, all dollar figures are in US currency.
TLC PEA Highlights (Base Case – Ramp-up
Production Li only production):
- Pre-tax Net Present Value
(“NPV”)8% $3.64 billion at $20,000/tonne
(“t”) LCE
- After-tax
NPV8% $3.26 billion at $20,000/t LCE
- Pre-tax Internal Rate of
Return (“IRR”) of 28.8%
- After-tax IRR of
27.5%
- PEA mine and processing plan
produces 1.46 Mt LCE LOM over 40
years
- Pre-tax initial capital
payback period 3.6 years; after-tax
payback 3.8 years
- Average LOM annual pre-tax
cash flow: $435 million; annual after tax cash
flow: $396 million
- Initial Capital Costs
(“Capex”) estimated at $819 million
- Total Capex
estimated at $1,431 million; Sustaining Capital
estimated at $792 million
- Operating cost
(“Opex”) estimated at $7443/t LCE inclusive of power
credits
Simon Clarke, CEO of American Lithium, states,
“We are extremely pleased to announce a very robust maiden PEA for
TLC. Our team has worked hard and spent considerable time getting
an in-depth understanding of TLC mineralization and the best way to
recover high purity lithium utilizing conventional processing
methods with the latest techniques and best in class plant and
equipment. A significant portion of the processing work has been
done to pre-feasibility levels as we believe this will help us move
quickly through the next phases of development. At 99.4% LCE
purity, TLC offers the capability to produce either battery grade
lithium carbonate or hydroxide with minimal additional
refining.
In this PEA, we showcase a long mine-life
utilizing only the highest-grade sections of the deposit, with the
potential for additional production ramp-up and mine life utilizing
our mid-grade and lower grade sections. Not only are the economics
very strong for high purity lithium production, but TLC also has
the potential to produce high purity magnesium sulfates as
by-products for agriculture and other end uses. As shown in the
PEA, even assuming conservative pricing, these by-products can add
significant economic value. At the same time, we have focused our
work on ensuring we continue to minimize environmental impacts and
water usage in the mining, processing and production of lithium
from TLC.”
TLC PEA Highlights (Alternate Case –
Ramp-Up Production Li + Magnesium Sulfate
production):
- Identical LCE
production scenario, but with added LOM average production of
1,681,856 tpa of magnesium sulfate (“MgSO4” - monohydrate and
heptahydrate) by-products;
- Pre-tax Net Present Value
(“NPV”)8% $6.06 billion at $20,000/t LCE
& $150/t MgSO4;
- After-tax
NPV8% $5.16 billion at $20,000/t LCE
& $150/t MgSO4;
- Pre-tax Internal Rate of
Return (“IRR”) of 38.6%
- After-tax IRR of
36.0%
- Pre-tax initial capital
payback period 3.5 years; after-tax
payback 3.7 years
- Average LOM pre-tax annual
cash flow: $684 million; annual after tax cash
flow: $591 million
- Initial Capital Costs
(“Capex”) estimated at $827 million
- Total Capex
estimated at $1439 million; Sustaining Capital
estimated at $763 million
- Operating cost
(“Opex”) estimated at $7443/t LCE inclusive of power
credits
- Operating cost
(“Opex”) estimated at $817/t LCE, inclusive of power &
MgSO4 credits
- PEA mine plan
produces 1.46 Mt LCE and 64.9 Mt
MgSO4 LOM over 40
years
Mine Life & Production
- Simple truck and
shovel open pit mining of the shallow resource underpins the
scalable, long-life, lithium project producing approximately 24,000
tpa LCE over Years 1-6 expanding to 48,000 tpa LCE production for
Years 7-19 years when mining ceases. Rehandling of the >1,000
parts per million (“ppm”) stockpile allows production to continue
for Years 20-40.
- Average LOM
Production of approximately 38,000 tpa LCE for 40 years.
- Targeted 1,400
ppm Li average feed grade pit-constrained resource supports mining
for 19 years and processing >1,000 ppm Li stockpile for an
additional 21 years.
- 1,400 ppm feed
material beneficiation increases the head grade to leaching to
2,000 ppm Li.
- LOM Strip Ratio
(Waste:Ore) of 0.93:1 with a maximum final pit depth of ~325-350’,
well above the water table depth.
- Where possible
progressive reclamation of mining areas is planned along with
in-pit back-filling of waste rock and filtered tailings.
- Sulfuric acid
leaching using industry standard techniques and flowsheet produces
high purity lithium carbonate to enable the production of battery
grade LCE or LiOH.
- PEA study
estimates that for an additional $100M (Installed) Capex, and
$406/t LCE Opex, a final conversion and refining processing step
will enable the production of battery grade LiOH; or
- End users have
the flexibility of acquiring high purity LCE from TLC and
converting it themselves to whichever product is required.
- Magnesium
sulphate (monohydrate) is an increasingly important fertilizer
add-on product with a large and growing global market. High-purity
hydrated products (heptahydrate & epsom salts) are used in the
food, personal care and water quality industries.
Table 1 – TLC Project PEA Key Highlights
Description |
Units |
Base Case |
Alternate Case |
LCE Selling Price |
$/tonne |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
Life of Mine |
years |
40 |
40 |
Processing Rate P1 / P21 |
ROM Mtpa |
4.4 / 8.8 |
4.4 / 8.8 |
Average Throughput (LOM) |
tpa |
8,112,415 |
8,112,415 |
LCEProduced (average LOM)1 |
tpa |
38,157 |
38,157 |
P1 LCE Production (steady state) |
tpa |
24,000 |
24,000 |
P2 LCE Production (steady state) |
tpa |
48,000 |
48,000 |
LCE Produced (total LOM)1 |
tonnes |
1,462,913 |
1,462,913 |
Unit Operating Cost (OPEX) LOM2 |
$/LCE tonne |
7,443 |
817 |
MgSO4 Produced (average LOM)1 |
tpa |
n/a |
1,663,213 |
MgSO4 Selling Price |
$/tonne |
n/a |
150 |
Gross Revenue incl. Power & MgSO4 Credits |
$ B |
29.7 |
39.4 |
Capital Cost (CAPEX)3 P1 |
$ M |
819 |
827 |
Capital Cost (CAPEX)3 LOM |
$ M |
1,431 |
1,439 |
Sustaining Capital Costs (undiscounted) |
$ M |
792 |
763 |
Project Economics |
Pre-tax: |
Net Present Value (NPV) (8%) |
U$ M |
3,642 |
6,056 |
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) |
% |
28.8 |
38.6 |
Initial Payback Period (undiscounted) |
years |
3.6 |
3.6 |
Average Annual Cash Flow (LOM) |
$ M |
435 |
684 |
Cumulative Cash Flow (undiscounted) |
$ M |
16,147 |
25,860 |
After-tax:4 |
Net Present Value (NPV)8%) Post-Tax |
$ M |
3,261 |
5,157 |
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Post-Tax |
% |
27.5 |
36.0 |
Payback Period (undiscounted) |
years |
3.8 |
3.7 |
Average Annual Cash Flow (LOM) |
$ M |
396 |
591 |
Cumulative Cash Flow (undiscounted) |
$ M |
14,617 |
22,219 |
Notes:
- Production: base case is 2 phases,
4.4Mtpa and 8.8Mtpa throughput; alternative case is identical, but
with production of magnesium sulfate co-product over life of
operations.
- Includes all operating expenditures
with credit for excess power and revenue from MgSO4 production as
offset to Unit LCE Opex, the estimate is expected to fall within an
accuracy level of ±30%.
- Includes 10% contingency on process
plant capital costs, 10% contingency is included in the tailings
and infrastructure costs, and closure costs (LOM).
- Tax calculation estimates were
completed by Mining Tax Plan LLP, and include Federal Taxes, all
Nevada State taxes and royalties and Nye County Property tax
estimates, and available producer tax credits.
Sensitivities
The project is most sensitive to LCE price and process costs,
but relatively far less sensitive to capital costs and mining
costs, in descending order of affect (see Table 2, and Figures 1
and 2, below).
Table 2 - TLC Project Metal Pricing
NPV8% and IRR
Sensitivity
Sensitivity ($)/t |
-30% |
-20% |
-10% |
Base Case$20,000/t |
10% |
20% |
30% |
Pre-tax NPV8% (millions) |
$1,243 |
$2,042 |
$2,842 |
$3,641 |
$4,441 |
$5,240 |
$6,040 |
Pre-tax IRR (%) |
16.3 |
20.7 |
24.9 |
28.8 |
32.5 |
36.0 |
39.4 |
Figure 1 - Base Case Pre-Tax NPV8 Sensitivity
Graph
Figure 2 - Base Case Pre-Tax IRR Sensitivity
Graph
Mining
Based on the analysis completed by Stantec, the
TLC Project is highly amenable for development by conventional open
pit truck and shovel operation. The Base Case and Alternative Case
have identical LOM production plans and schedules.
Table 3
- Mining Rates
Parameter |
Unit |
Value |
Mine Production Life |
Years |
40 (includes 2-year production ramp up)1 |
Material mined |
Mt |
607 |
ROM head grade to beneficiation |
ppm Li |
1400 |
Head Grade to Leach |
ppm Li |
2000 |
Recovered LCE |
LOM Mt |
1.41 |
Waste |
LOM Mt |
292.5 |
Total Mineralize Material throughput |
LOM Mt |
315.3 |
Strip Ratio (LOM) |
(tw:to) |
0.93 |
- 2 years construction, including 1
year Capitalized pre-production mining; 2-year production ramp-up
with 75% nameplate in Year 2.
Table 4 - Detailed Capital Cost Estimates:
Capital Costs |
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
LOM |
($ millions) |
Mining (pre-strip and capital) |
56.3 |
- |
56.3 |
Processing plant - Direct costs |
424.5 |
228.8 |
653.3 |
Processing plant/mine – Infrastructure |
45.9 |
sustaining |
45.9 |
Tailings & bulk infrastructure1 |
49.8 |
sustaining |
49.8 |
Total Direct Costs |
576.5 |
228.8 |
805.3 |
Total Indirect Costs (Process Plant)2 |
181.9 |
316.8 |
498.7 |
Contingency (Process Plant)10% |
60.6 |
54.7 |
115.3 |
Closure Costs (captured in sustaining) |
- |
- |
25 |
TOTAL – Li Only Base Case |
819.0 |
600.3 |
1,431 |
Added Plant Capex for MgSO4 Production |
23.8 |
23.8 |
47.6 |
TOTAL – Li + MgSO4 (includes
tailings savings) |
827.0 |
|
1,439 |
Sustaining Capital Costs – Li only |
- |
- |
765.5 |
Sustaining Capital Costs – Li +
MgSO4 |
- |
- |
735.9 |
- Tailings built in phases and
included in P1 capital cost estimate and sustaining capital for
remaining LOM
- Includes EPCM, spares, insurances,
owners’ team.
Flat 24,000 t LCE Production Scenarios
As part of the PEA modeling and design work, DRA
Global and Stantec were also requested to evaluate flat 24,000
t/year LCE production scenarios without any production ramp-up
using the identical 1,400 ppm Li feed scenario. The flat scenarios
both have 20 years of mining followed by processing of stockpiled
material for Years 21 to 36.
The two additional scenarios are as follows:
- Case 3: Flat 24 kt/a LCE –
Stand-alone Li-only production
- Case 4: Flat 24 kt/a LCE – Li and
Magnesium Sulfate co-production
Table 5 – Capital and Operating Cost
Estimates |
Case |
Initial Capital(millions US$) |
LOM Capital(millions US$) |
US$/t LCE withpower
credit |
US$/t LCE
withMgSO4
credit |
Base Case |
819 |
1431 |
7429 |
- |
Alternate Case |
827 |
1439 |
7429 |
843 |
Case 3 |
813 |
813 |
7543 |
- |
Case 4 |
822 |
822 |
7543 |
1,330 |
Table 6 – Financial Model Estimate
Results Comparison
|
Recovered LCE |
RecoveredMgSO4 |
Pre-TaxComparison |
Case |
t/a average |
kt/a average |
NPV (M US$) |
IRR (%) |
Base Case |
38,157 |
0 |
$3,629 |
28.8% |
Alternate Case |
38,157 |
1,681 |
$6,030 |
38.6% |
Case 3 |
21,930 |
0 |
$2,136 |
27.5% |
Case 4 |
21,930 |
909 |
$3,592 |
38.2% |
Qualified PersonsJoan Kester,
PG and Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Ltd.,
Independent Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument
43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”),
have prepared or supervised the preparation of, or have reviewed
and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining to the
Mineral Resource estimates contained in this release.
Satjeet Pander, P.Eng. and Sean Ennis, P.Eng of
Stantec Consulting Ltd., Independent Qualified Persons as defined
by NI 43-101, have prepared or supervised the preparation of, or
have reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data
pertaining to mining, mine scheduling, and tailings management
contained in this release.
John Joseph Riordan, BSc, CEng, FAuslMM,
MIChemE, RPEQ, of DRA Pacific (Pty) Ltd., and Valentine Eugene
Coetzee, BEng, Meng, P.Eng. of DRA Projects SA Pty Ltd.,
Independent Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101, have
prepared or supervised the preparation of, or have reviewed and
approved the scientific and technical metallurgical information and
financial modelling results contained in this news release.
Mr. Ted O’Connor, P.Geo., Executive Vice
President of American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, has also reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information contained in this news release.
In accordance with NI 43-101, the Company
intends to file the completed technical report on the PEA under the
Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's
website within 45 days from the date of this news release.
About DRA Global Limited (ASX:
DRA | JSE: DRA), as lead engineer, is a diversified global
engineering, project delivery and operations management group
headquartered in Perth, Australia, with an impressive track record
completing over 300 unique projects worldwide spanning more than
three decades. Known for its collaborative approach and extensive
experience in project development and delivery, as well as turnkey
operations and maintenance services, DRA Global delivers optimal
solutions that are tailored to meet clients’ needs. DRA Global,
through its subsidiary, DRA Met-Chem, has a team of lithium process
and metallurgical experts that identify the process requirements
through flowsheet development and process equipment is selected to
minimize costs and ensure plant efficiency.
About Stantec Consulting
Ltd., a full-service engineering and
consulting firm, has extensive experience in surface mineable
stratiform deposits in North American and internationally. Stantec
has been involved in the evaluation and design of several lithium
projects with services spanning from environmental studies,
geological modeling, resource and reserve estimates, mining
engineering, hydrology and hydrogeology, geotechnical engineering,
and tailings, waste, and water management facility design. The
company specializes in helping mining companies to reach their net
zero mining goals.
About Mining Tax Plan LLP.
Mining Tax Plan LLC specializes in U.S. federal and state income
taxation including foreign income taxation of precious metal,
non-metallic ores, coal and quarry mining companies. They have
extensive experience with extractive and natural resource
industries and have provided consulting services to clients in such
areas as mergers and acquisitions, corporate distributions,
restructuring and foreign investment. In addition, they specialize
in state mineral property and severance taxes in Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada and Utah.
About American
LithiumAmerican Lithium, a member of the TSX Venture 50,
is actively engaged in the development of large-scale lithium
projects within mining-friendly jurisdictions throughout the
Americas. The Company is currently focused on enabling the shift to
the new energy paradigm through the continued development of its
strategically located TLC lithium claystone project in the richly
mineralized Esmeralda lithium district in Nevada, as well as
continuing to advance its Falchani lithium and Macusani uranium
development-stage projects in southeastern Peru. Both Falchani and
Macusani have been through robust preliminary economic assessments,
exhibit strong significant expansion potential and enjoy strong
community support. Pre-feasibility work has now commenced at
Falchani.
The TSX Venture 50 is a ranking of the top
performers in each of 5 industry sectors in the TSX Venture
Exchange over the last year.
For more information, please contact the Company
at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website
at www.americanlithiumcorp.com for project update videos and
related background information.
Follow us
on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
American Lithium Corp.
“Simon Clarke”
CEO & Director
Tel: 604 428 6128
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward
Looking InformationThis news release contains certain
forward-looking information and forward-looking statements
(collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding the ability to appeal the
judicial ruling, and any other statements regarding the business
plans, expectations and objectives of American Lithium.
Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words
as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate",
"intend", “indicate”, “scheduled”, “target”, “goal”, “potential”,
“subject”, “efforts”, “option” and similar words, or the negative
connotations thereof, referring to future events and results.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and
expectations of management are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of
future results or events. Although American Lithium believes that
the current opinions and expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable based on information
available at the time, undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements since American Lithium can provide no
assurance that such opinions and expectations will prove to be
correct. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain
and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties,
including risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to: American
Lithium’s ability to achieve its stated goals; risks and
uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the extent and
manner to which measures taken by governments and their agencies,
American Lithium or others to attempt to reduce the spread of
COVID-19 could affect American Lithium, which could have a material
adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithium’s businesses
including but not limited to: the ability to access mineral
properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the
employees or consultants resulting in delays or diminished
capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn
could impact American Lithium’s ability to maintain the continuity
of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced
availability or failures of various local administration and
critical infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithium’s
potential products, availability of materials, global travel
restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated
costs; the judicial appeal process in Peru, and any and all future
remedies pursued by American Lithium and its subsidiary Macusani to
resolve the title for 32 of its concessions; the ongoing ability to
work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to
local communities and all levels of government; the potential for
delays in exploration or development activities due to the COVID-19
pandemic; the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade
and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that any future
exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent
with our expectations; risks that permits will not be obtained as
planned or delays in obtaining permits; mining and development
risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns,
labour disputes (including work stoppages, strikes and loss of
personnel) or other unanticipated difficulties with or
interruptions in exploration and development; risks related to
commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations; risks
related to foreign operations; the cyclical nature of the industry
in which American Lithium operates; risks related to failure to
obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms
or delays in obtaining governmental approvals; risks related to
environmental regulation and liability; political and regulatory
risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the
uncertain global economic environment and the effects upon the
global market generally, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic measures
taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19, any of which could continue
to negatively affect global financial markets, including the
trading price of American Lithium’s shares and could negatively
affect American Lithium’s ability to raise capital and may also
result in additional and unknown risks or liabilities to American
Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties related to prospects,
properties and business strategy of American Lithium are identified
in the “Risk Factors” section of American Lithium’s Management’s
Discussion and Analysis filed on June 28, 2022, and in recent
securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or
results may differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required
by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani
ConcessionsThirty-two of the 169 concessions held by
American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani, are currently subject to
Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the “Processes”)
in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining
Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively,
which declared Macusani’s title to 32 of the concessions invalid
due to late receipt of the annual validity payments. In November
2019, Macusani applied for injunctive relief on 32 concessions in a
Court in Lima, Peru and was successful in obtaining such an
injunction on 17 of the concessions including three of the four
concessions included in the Macusani Uranium Project PEA. The grant
of the Precautionary Measure (Medida Cautelar) has restored the
title, rights and validity of those 17 concessions to Macusani
until a final decision is obtained at the last stage of the
judicial process. A Precautionary Measure application was made at
the same time for the remaining 15 concessions and was ultimately
granted by a Court in Lima, Peru on March 2, 2021 which has also
restored the title, rights and validity of those 15 remaining
concessions to Macusani, with the result being that all 32
concessions are now protected by Precautionary Measure (Medida
Cautelar) until a final decision on this matter is obtained at the
last stage of the judicial process. The favourable judge’s ruling
confirming title to all 32 concessions from November 3, 2021
represents the final stage of the current judicial process.
However, this ruling has recently been appealed by MINEM and
INGEMMET. American Lithium has no assurance that the outcome of
these appeals will be in the Company’s favour.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9ed7d028-d591-4c00-a9f2-e73a92af734f
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