American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”)
(TSX-V:LI | NASDAQ:AMLI | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to announce
the results of its updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”)
for the Falchani Lithium (“Falchani”) project located in Puno,
southwestern Peru. This independent, updated PEA was completed by
DRA Global following the updated mineral resource estimate recently
completed by Stantec Consulting Services Ltd. (“Stantec” - see news
release dated December 15, 2023).
The updated PEA demonstrates that with low
initial capex, the Falchani project has the potential to become a
substantial, low-cost, long-life producer of high purity Lithium
Carbonate (“LCE” or “Li2CO3”) with the potential to also produce
Sulfate of Potash (“SOP”) and Cesium Sulfate (“CsS” or “Cs2SO4”)
by-products alongside LCE. The PEA base case envisions 32 years of
mining followed by 11 years of stockpile processing over the
potential life of mine (“LOM”). The PEA alternative case is
identical, but with added production of high purity SOP and Cesium
sulfate as by-products from Years 6-43 alongside the initial
expansion. All dollar figures are in US currency.
Falchani PEA Highlights (Base Case – LCE
only production):
- Pre-tax Net Present Value
(“NPV”)8% $8.41 billion at $22,500/tonne
(“t”) LCE
- After-tax
NPV8% $5.11 billion at $22,500/t LCE
- NPV has
tripled versus 2019 PEA After-tax
NPV8% $1.5 billion at $12,000/t
LCE
- Pre-tax Internal Rate of
Return (“IRR”) of 40.7%
- After-tax IRR of
32.0%
- Pre-tax initial capital
payback period 2.5 years; after-tax
payback 3.0 years
- Average LOM annual pre-tax
cash flow: $1,019 million; annual after-tax cash
flow: $ 644 million
- Initial Capital Costs
(“Capex”) estimated at $681 million
- Total Capex
LOM estimated at $2,565 million;
Sustaining Capital estimated at $236 million
- Operating cost
(“Opex”) estimated at $5,092/t LCE
- PEA mine and processing plan
produces 2.64 Mt LCE LOM over 43 years
- Steady-state Ave. of 23,145
tpa LCE Phase 1; 45,084 tpa Phase 2; and 72,624 tpa Phase
3
Simon Clarke, CEO of American Lithium states,
“The very large increase in NPV combined with a low initial capex
and robust economics in the updated PEA for Falchani are the
culmination of successful work programs at site and flow sheet
optimization over the last couple of years combined with an
improved lithium pricing environment. We are also extremely pleased
to now include the compelling strategic and economic value
proposition of adding SOP fertilizer and cesium sulfate by-products
to the robust economic potential of core, high purity lithium
production at Falchani. This PEA update is a major step towards
completion of pre-feasibility work.
In this PEA, we showcase the existing potential
for high annual production and long mine-life at Falchani, yet the
deposit resource currently remains open to the north and west with
the potential for further resource / mine-life expansion. The low
operating cost potential at Falchani with costs of less than
$5,100/t LC, puts it among the lowest cost next-tier lithium
projects under development globally. With the potential to also
supply significant amounts of SOP to the Peruvian agricultural
sector, the project has the unique characteristic of having major
positive strategic implications for two key sectors of the Peruvian
economy.”
Falchani PEA Highlights Alternate Case –
LCE-only in Phase 1; SOP +
Cs2SO4
added from Phase 2:
- Identical LCE
production scenario, but with added average production of 81,556
tpa of SOP and 3,796 tpa of
Cs2SO4
from Years 6-43
- Pre-tax
NPV8% $9.25 billion at $22,500/t LCE,
$1,000/t SOP & $58,000/t Cs2SO4
- After-tax
NPV8% $5.58 billion at $22,500/t LCE,
$1,000/t SOP & $58,000/t Cs2SO4
- Pre-tax Internal Rate of
Return (“IRR”) of 38.5%
- After-tax IRR of
29.9%
- Pre-tax initial capital
payback period 2.5 years; after-tax
payback 3.0 years
- Average LOM pre-tax annual
cash flow (excluding initial capital): $1,227 million;
annual after-tax cash flow: $ 774 million
- Initial Capital Costs
(“Capex”) estimated at $681 million
- Total Capex
estimated at $3,466 million; Sustaining Capital
estimated at $260 million
- Opex estimated at
$5,705/t LCE (for all products)
- Opex estimated at
$1,361/t LCE, inclusive of SOP & Cs2SO4 credits
- PEA mine plan
produces 2.64 Mt LCE and 3.10 Mt
SOP and 144,247 t
Cs2SO4
LOM over 43 years
Mine Life & Production
- Simple drill,
blast, truck and shovel open pit mining of the near-surface,
high-grade (>2,700 ppm Li) resource the scalable, long-life,
lithium project producing approximately 23 ktpa LCE over Years 1-5,
expanding to 45 ktpa LCE production for Years 6-10 years followed
by Phase 3 expansion producing ~84 ktpa for Years 11-32 when mining
ceases. Rehandling of the <2,700 ppm Li stockpile allows
production to continue for Years 33-43, averaging 44.8 ktpa over
this period.
- Average LOM
Production of approximately 61,400 tpa of 99.5% LCE for 43
years.
- Targeted
>2,700 ppm Li grade pit-constrained resource supports mining for
32 years and processing <2,700 ppm Li stockpile for an
additional 11 years.
- LOM Strip Ratio
(Waste:Ore) of 0.60:1 after accounting for processed stockpile
material
- Sulfuric acid
leaching using industry standard techniques and flowsheet produces
high purity lithium carbonate to enable the production of battery
grade LC.
- Sulfate of
Potash is an important fertilizer product for specialty crops,
especially those grown in Peru (ex. avocado, blueberries, grapes
& coffee) with a growing global market. SOP production from
Falchani has the potential to satisfy Peru’s domestic needs with
additional export possibility.
- Cesium is used
in high-pressure, high-temperature offshore oil and gas drilling
and is used in infrared detectors, optics, photoelectrical cells,
scintillation counters and spectrometers. Isotopes of cesium are
atomic clocks necessary for aircraft guidance systems, global
positioning satellites, and internet and cell phone applications.
Cesium sulfate produced at Falchani can be further refined by third
parties into desired end-products.
Table 1 – Falchani Project PEA Key
Highlights
Description |
Units |
Base Case |
Alternate Case |
LCE Selling Price |
$/tonne |
$22,500 |
$22,500 |
Life of Mine |
years |
43 |
43 |
Processing Rate P1 / P2 / P31 |
ROM Mtpa |
1.5/3.0/6.0 |
1.5/3.0/6.0 |
Average Throughput (LOM) |
tpa |
4,946,898 |
4,946,898 |
LCE Produced (average LOM)1 |
tpa |
61,386 |
61,386 |
P1 LCE Production (Yr 1-5 steady state) |
tpa |
23,000 |
23,000 |
P2 LCE Production (Yr 6-10 steady state) |
tpa |
45,000 |
45,000 |
P3 LCE Production (Yr 11-32 steady state) |
tpa |
84,000 |
84,000 |
P3 LCE Production (Yr 33-43 stockpile) |
tpa |
44,800 |
44,800 |
LCE Produced (total LOM)1 |
tonnes |
2,639,610 |
2,639,610 |
Unit Operating Cost (OPEX) LOM2 |
$/LCE tonne |
5,092 |
1,361 |
SOP Produced (average LOM)1 |
tpa |
n/a |
81,556 |
SOP Selling Price |
$/tonne |
n/a |
1,000 |
Cs2SO4 Produced (average LOM)1 |
tpa |
n/a |
3,796 |
Cs2SO4 Selling Price |
$/tonne |
n/a |
58,000 |
Capital Cost (CAPEX)3 P1 |
$ M |
681 |
681 |
Capital Cost (CAPEX)3 LOM |
$ M |
2,565 |
3,466 |
Sustaining Capital Costs (undiscounted) |
$ M |
236 |
260 |
Project Economics |
Pre-tax: |
Net Present Value (NPV) (8%) |
U$ M |
8,411 |
9,251 |
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) |
% |
40.7 |
38.5 |
Initial Payback Period (undiscounted) |
years |
2.5 |
2.5 |
Average Annual Cash Flow (LOM) |
$ M |
1,019 |
1,227 |
Cumulative Cash Flow (undiscounted) |
$ M |
43,150 |
52,072 |
After-tax:4 |
Net Present Value (NPV)8%) Post-Tax |
$ M |
5,109 |
5,585 |
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) Post-Tax |
% |
32.0 |
29.9 |
Payback Period (undiscounted) |
years |
3.0 |
3.0 |
Average Annual Cash Flow (LOM) |
$ M |
644 |
774 |
Cumulative Cash Flow (undiscounted) |
$ M |
27,011 |
32,597 |
Notes:
- Production: base case is 3 phases,
1.5Mtpa, 3.0Mtpa and 6.0Mtpa throughput; alternative case is
identical with production of LCE-only in Phase 1, but with SOP and
Cs2SO4 co-products from Phase 2 expansion onward (Years 6-43).
- Includes all operating expenditures
with credit for SOP and Cs2SO4 production as offset to Unit LCE
Opex, the estimate is expected to fall within an accuracy level of
±30%.
- Includes an 11% design development
allowance (DDA) on process plant capital costs.
- Tax calculation is preliminary with
estimates considering current applicable taxes and include:
Depreciation; Workers’ Participation Tax; Mining Pension Fund;
Modified Mining Royalty Tax; and Federal Income Taxes.
Sensitivities (Base Case)
The NPV for the project is most sensitive to LCE/metal selling
price, but relatively far less sensitive to operating costs,
capital costs and main reagent costs. IRR is most sensitive to
capital costs and LCE/metal selling price (Figures 1 and 2,
below).
Figure 1 - Base Case Post-Tax NPV8 Sensitivity
Graph
Figure 2 - Base Case Post-Tax IRR Sensitivity
Graph
Mining
Based on the analysis completed by DRA Global,
the Falchani Project is highly amenable for development by
conventional open pit, drill-blast, truck and shovel operation. The
Base Case and Alternative Case have identical LOM production plans
and schedules.
Table 3
– Mining/Processing Rates
Parameter |
Unit |
Value |
Production Life |
Years |
43 (includes 2-year production ramp up)1 |
Material mined |
Mt |
339.7 |
ROM head grade to leach (Years 1-32) |
ppm Li |
3,382 |
ROM head grade to leach (Years 33-43) |
ppm Li |
1,841 |
Recovered LCE |
LOM Mt |
2.63 |
Waste |
LOM Mt |
127.0 |
Total Mineralized Material throughput |
LOM Mt |
212.7 |
Strip Ratio (LOM) |
(tw:to) |
0.60 |
- 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 |
Phase 3 |
LOM |
($ millions) |
|
|
|
|
Mining (pre-strip and capital) |
10.3 |
10.3 |
20.6 |
41.2 |
Processing plant - Direct costs |
399.9 |
359.9 |
720.5 |
1480.3 |
Processing plant/mine – Infrastructure |
36.3 |
32.7 |
65.5 |
134.5 |
Bulk infrastructure1 |
35.1 |
17.6 |
35.2 |
87.9 |
Tailings2 |
29.2 |
- |
127.4 |
156.6 |
Total Direct Costs |
510.8 |
420.5 |
969.1 |
1900.4 |
Total Indirect Costs (Process Plant)2 |
109.7 |
98.7 |
197.4 |
405.8 |
Contingency/DDA (Process Plant)11% |
60.1 |
54.1 |
108.2 |
222.4 |
Closure Costs (captured in sustaining) |
- |
- |
- |
36.0 |
TOTAL – Li Only Base Case |
680.6 |
573.3 |
1274.7 |
2,564.6 |
Added Plant Capex for Cs2SO4 + SOP |
- |
417 |
395 |
812 |
Added Contingency for Cs2SO4 + SOP |
- |
45.9 |
43.5 |
89.4 |
TOTAL – Li +
Cs2SO4
+ SOP |
680.6 |
1,036.3 |
1713.2 |
3,466.0 |
Sustaining Capital Costs – Li only |
- |
- |
- |
235.6 |
Sustaining Capital Costs – Li +
Cs2SO4
+ SOP |
- |
- |
- |
259.9 |
- Tailings built in phases and
included in P1 capital cost estimate and sustaining capital for
remaining LOM
- Includes EPCM, spares, insurances,
owners’ team.
The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes
inferred resources that are considered too speculative to have the
economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to
be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty the
estimates presented in the PEA will be realized.
Qualified PersonsDavid Alan
Thompson B-Tech, Pr Cert Eng, SACMA of DRA Projects SA Pty, an
Independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has prepared
or supervised the preparation of, or has reviewed and approved the
scientific and technical information pertaining to mining, mine
scheduling and optimization contained in this news release.
John Joseph Riordan, BSc, CEng, FAuslMM,
MIChemE, RPEQ, of DRA Pacific (Pty) Ltd., and Aveshan Naidoo MBA,
BSc, PrEng, MSAIMM 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.
The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes
inferred resources that are considered too speculative to have the
economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to
be categorized as mineral reserves and there is no certainty the
estimates presented in the PEA will be realized.
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.sedarplus.ca) 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.
About American
LithiumAmerican Lithium 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
project (“TLC”) in the richly mineralized Esmeralda lithium
district in Nevada, as well as continuing to advance its Falchani
lithium (“Falchani”) and Macusani uranium (“Macusani”)
development-stage projects in southeastern Peru. All three
projects, TLC, Falchani and Macusani have been through robust
preliminary economic assessments, exhibit strong significant
expansion potential and enjoy strong community support.
Pre-feasibility is advancing well TLC and Falchani.
For more information, please contact the Company
at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website
at www.americanlithiumcorp.com
Follow us
on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
American Lithium Corp.
“Simon Clarke”CEO & DirectorTel: 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 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 and 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;, 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 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; 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, 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 October 16, 2023, and in recent securities
filings available at www.sedarplus.ca. 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.
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