dasD schreef op 12 december 2017 18:08:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Approves Expansion of Lithium and Tantalum Operations in Brazil
Amsterdam, 12 December 2017 (Regulated Information) --- AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. ("AMG", EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: "AMG") is pleased to announce that the Supervisory Board of AMG has approved the construction of a second lithium concentrate plant at the Mibra mine in Brazil, with an annual production capacity of 90,000 tons.
AMG expects to complete the planned expansion by the end of 2019, and the total capital investment is approximately $110 million. Once completed, total annual production capacity from AMG's Mibra mine will increase to 180,000 tons of lithium concentrate and 600,000 lbs of tantalum concentrate. As part of the investment, AMG will also expand and develop the existing mining infrastructure to support the expanded lithium and tantalum operations. Construction permits for the new lithium concentrate and tantalum concentrate plants have already been secured.
In conjunction with this investment, AMG has mandated HSBC and Citi to raise $500 million in new credit facilities, comprised of a $300 million seven-year Term Loan B and a $200 million undrawn Revolving Credit facility. The new facilities are intended to refinance AMG's existing term loan as well as fund incremental capital expenditures. AMG expects to finalize the new facility in the first quarter of 2018.
The construction of AMG's first lithium concentrate plant is proceeding on time and on budget, with production start-up scheduled for June 2018.
The previously published Technical Report on Mineral Resources states that AMG's Mibra mine has 20.3 million tons of measured and indicated resources, including tantalum, niobium, tin and lithium. Based upon the expanded production level of 180,000 tons of lithium concentrate from 2020 onwards, AMG estimates that the current life of the mineral resource is approximately 20 years.