SYDNEY, Nov. 29, 2023 – Lake Resources (ASX: LKE; OTC: LLKKF) (“Lake” or the “Company”) announced today that the operating entity of Lake’s flagship Kachi lithium brine project (“Kachi”) has retained Goldman Sachs as financial adviser in connection with exploring a potential strategic partnership for Kachi.
Lake currently owns 80% of Kachi, and ion exchange DLE technology provider, Lilac Solutions owns a 20% stake. Kachi plans to consider a range of funding alternatives, including, but not limited to, the introduction of a strategic partner, project finance, pre-payments from potential customers, and royalties. In particular, the strategic partner process will enable Kachi to widen the aperture of funding opportunities beyond the current Conditional Framework Agreements. This approach will allow Kachi to better optimize the economics of its offtake, in accordance with what has been seen in the market over the past year.
“As our Phase 1 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for Kachi is targeted for completion next month, we are shifting our focus to the strategic delivery of this project”, said Lake CEO David Dickson. “With delivery of Phase 1 of our proposed approach to project execution and the construction and delivery of a plant with a total capacity of 25,000 tpa of battery grade lithium carbonate in 20271, Kachi has the potential to be an important contributor to the world’s lithium supply, bringing significant environmental benefits compared with other projects that employ hard rock and evaporation ponds.”
The process for identifying a strategic partner will begin after the completion of the Phase 1 DFS for Kachi, which is still expected in December 2023. Kachi will look to select a strategic partner that can provide equity capital, as well as assist in mobilizing third-party project financing to fund the development capital expenditures for Kachi.
