Bacanora Minerals Ltd Sonora Feasibility Study: USD1.25BN NPV & 26% IRR (1545Z)

TIDMBCN

RNS Number : 1545Z

Bacanora Minerals Ltd

13 December 2017

Bacanora Minerals Ltd ('Bacanora' or the 'Company')

Feasibility Study Estimates Net Present Value of US$1.25 billion and Internal Rate of Return of 26% for the Sonora Lithium Project

Bacanora Minerals Ltd., the London and Canadian listed lithium company, is pleased to announce that the results of the Feasibility Study ('FS') for the Sonora Lithium Project(1) in Mexico ('Sonora' or 'the Project') confirm the positive economics and favourable operating costs of a 35,000 tonnes per annum ('tpa') battery grade Li(2) CO(3) operation. The FS estimates a pre-tax project Net Present Value ('NPV') of US$1.253 billion at an 8% discount rate and an Internal Rate of Return ('IRR') of 26.1%, and Life of Mine ('LOM') operating costs of US$3,910/t of lithium carbonate ('Li(2) CO(3) ').

Highlights

Strong economic potential of two stage open-pit operation at Sonora: Stage 1 - 17,500 tpa for 4 years; Stage 2 - 35,000 tpa

-- Estimated Project pre-tax IRR of 26.1%; NPV of US$1.253 billion (at 8% discount rate) with a simple Stage 1 project payback of four years. Revenues are based on a flat US$11,000/t for battery grade Li(2) CO(3) over LOM, significantly below the current Li(2) CO(3) price range of US$12,000 - 20,000/t(2) ,(3)

-- Low estimated LOM operating costs of US$3,910/t of Li(2) CO(3) - lower than the new lithium brine operations being reported in Argentina(3)

-- Average LOM annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation ('EBITDA') estimated at US$229 million per annum

Sonora: a large lithium deposit

-- Measured plus Indicated Mineral Resource estimate of over 5 million tonnes ('Mt') (comprising 1.9 Mt of Measured Resources and 3.1Mt of Indicated Resources) of lithium carbonate equivalent ('LCE')(4) and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.7 Mt of LCE

-- Low stripping ratio: open-pit mine design indicates a total of 37.1 Mt of ore to be mined over the planned 19-year mine life with an average stripping ratio of approximately 3.4:1 over LOM

Conventional flow sheet: uses established sulphate route processing technology

-- Integrated plant designed to initially process 1.1Mt of ore per year during Stage 1, subsequently increasing to 2.2 Mt per year for Stage 2

-- Stage 1 capital cost estimate of US$420 million includes - mining, processing plant, infrastructure, construction of Tailings Management Facility ('TMF'), general administration costs as well as the requisite contingencies

-- Potential to sell up to 30,000 tpa of potassium sulphate ('SOP', 'K(2) SO(4) ') for sale to the Mexican fertiliser industry

Next Steps: advance Sonora towards production to satisfy expected continuing growth in demand for lithium driven by growing sectors such as electric vehicles and energy storage

Subject to Board approvals and other key milestone events, project detailed design is expected to commence in late Q1, 2018.

Peter Secker, CEO of Bacanora, commented, "The FS confirms the Company's long held view that Sonora has the potential to become a significant supplier of battery grade lithium to growing industries, such as electric vehicles and energy storage, and at the same time to generate positive value for shareholders. The numbers speak for themselves: a US$1.25 billion Pre-Tax NPV, a 26% IRR and, at a US$3,910/t operating cost, a favourable position on the global industry cost curve, which puts Sonora on a par with the lower cost brine operations.

"Thanks to the work we carried out in parallel with the FS, notably the securing of a long term off-take agreement and strategic partnership with leading Japanese trading house Hanwa, the issuance of an environmental permit, and the acquisition of surface rights, we are in a position to commence the development phase of Sonora. Our objective is to transform Bacanora into the next significant producer of lithium carbonate and in Sonora we have the asset that we expect to enable us to do so. Bacanora is entering a new and exciting stage in its development and I look forward to providing further updates on our progress in due course."

Key Elements of the Feasibility Study

Project Introduction

The Sonora Lithium Project is located in northern Sonora State, Mexico, approximately three hours drive north east of the state capital of Hermosillo, a city of over one million people. Access to the site is by road from either Hermosillo or the US border town of Agua Prieta. The Project has access to significant support infrastructure including paved roads, process water and local labour.

The FS demonstrates the attractive economics of Sonora and key findings are shown in table below:

Table 1:

 
 Feasibility Study Key Indicators                                       Value 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Pre-tax Net Present Value ($ 000)                                  1,253,027 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Pre-tax IRR (%)                                                        26.1% 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Simple Payback Stage 1 (years)                                             4 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Initial Construction Capital Cost Stage 1 ($ 000)                    419,616 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Construction Capital Cost Stage 2 ($ 000)                            380,262 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Av. LOM operating costs ($/t Li(2) CO(3) )                             3,910 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Av. operating costs ($/t Li(2) CO(3) net of K(2) SO(4) credits)        3,418 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Post-tax NPV (at 8% discount) ($ 000)                                802,464 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Post-tax IRR (%)                                                       21.2% 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Av. annual EBITDA with co-products ($ 000)                           229,362 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Annual Li(2) CO(3) production capacity Stage 1                      17,500 t 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Annual Li(2) CO(3) production capacity Stage 2                      35,000 t 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Annual K(2) SO(4) production capacity Stage 2                       30,000 t 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 

(* All costs are in US dollars)

The Sonora lithium property hosts a large lithium deposit. The polylithionite mineralisation is hosted within shallow dipping sequences, outcropping on surface. As part of the FS, a Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited ('SRK') in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ('NI 43-101'). The following tables present the summary of current lithium resources for the Project, these Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves.

Table 2: Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources

 
  Category     Cut-off    Tonnes (000t)   Li (ppm)   K (%)   LCE (000t)    LCE attributable 
               (Li ppm)                                                    to Bacanora (000t) 
-----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
  Measured      1,000           103,000      3,480     1.5        1,910                 1,776 
-----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 Indicated      1,000           188,000      3,120     1.3        3,130                 2,345 
-----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
   Total        1,000           291,000      3,250     1.4        5,038                 4,119 
-----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 

Table 3: Inferred Mineral Resources

 
 Category     Cut-off    Tonnes (000t)   Li (ppm)   K (%)   LCE (000t)    LCE attributable 
              (Li ppm)                                                    to Bacanora (000t) 
----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 Inferred      1,000           268,000      2,650     1.2        3,779                 3,220 
----------  ----------  --------------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 

Notes: (i) Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

(ii) Tonnes rounded to the nearest thousand.

(iii) LCE is the industry standard terminology for, and is equivalent to, Li(2) CO(3) . 1 ppm Li metal is equivalent to 5.323 ppm LCE / Li(2) CO(3) . Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and assumes complete conversion of lithium in clays with no recovery or process losses.

(iv) Reported from a block model above 1000 ppm Li and above a simple open pit shell generated using the technical and economic parameters established during the FS, with the exception of the LCE selling price of US$ 14,300 (which represents a 30% premium on top of the US$11,000 used for the Mineral Reserve estimate).

Mining Operations

The mining operation for the Project is planned as an open-pit development using a combination of continuous miners to mine the ore zones and a truck/shovel fleet to remove the waste material. Mining operations will be augmented with an ancillary fleet of dozers, graders and water trucks. The Mineral Reserve estimate was prepared by Independent Mining Consultants Inc. ('IMC') in Tucson, Arizona. The Mineral Reserve estimate includes an ore recovery factor of 100% and mining dilution of 100 mm at the top and bottom of the mineralized beds, with the grades of the elements in the adjacent lithologies.

Table 4: Mineral Reserves: (Cut-off grade of 1,500 ppm Li)

 
 Category    Tonnes Ore   Li (ppm)   K (%)   LCE (000t)    LCE attributable 
               (000t)                                      to Bacanora (000t) 
----------  -----------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 Proven        80,146      3,905     1.64      1,666             1,550 
----------  -----------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 Probable     163,662      3,271     1.36      2,849             2,126 
----------  -----------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 Total        243,808      3,480     1.45      4,515             3,676 
----------  -----------  ---------  ------  -----------  -------------------- 
 

Notes: (i) Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

(ii) Tonnes rounded to the nearest thousand.

(iii) LCE is the industry standard terminology for, and is equivalent to, Li(2) CO(3) . 1 ppm Li metal is equivalent to 5.323 ppm LCE / Li(2) CO(3) . Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and assumes complete conversion of lithium in clays with no recovery or process losses

During the initial 19-year mine life, 37,058,000 tonnes of ore with a Li grade of 4,151 ppm will be mined and processed with a stripping ratio of 3.4:1.

Processing

Metallurgical testwork for the FS was carried out at SGS Laboratories ('SGS') in Perth, WA, and ANSTO Laboratories ('ANSTO') in Sydney, NSW, Australia. The process engineering and design for the process plants and infrastructure was completed by Ausenco Pty Ltd ('Ausenco'). The process plant design comprises a pre-concentration stage to produce an initial concentrate prior to roasting. The concentrate is subsequently heated in a kiln, at approximately 950 degrees Celsius, in combination with re-cycled sodium sulphate ('Na(2) SO(4) '), which is a by-product produced from the Sonora lithium plant, to produce an intermediate lithium sulphate ('Li(2) SO(4) ') product. This sulphate material then undergoes hydrometallurgical treatment, filtration, cleaning, precipitation and packaging, to produce a >99.5% Li(2) CO(3) final battery grade product. The integrated plant has been designed to initially process 1.1 Mt of ore per year, during Stage 1 of the Project, subsequently increasing to some 2.2 Mt per year at Stage 2, producing 17,500 tpa and 35,000 tpa of lithium carbonate, respectively.

The plant design also includes a circuit to produce up to 30,000 tpa of K(2) SO(4) /SOP product through a series of evaporation and precipitation stages.

Capital Costs

The initial mining fleet, comprises a continuous miner to excavate the ore zones and a front end loader and a 90 tonne haul truck fleet to remove the non-mineralised waste material. In addition, there is an ancillary mobile fleet including dozers, graders and front end loaders, which will also be purchased. The initial capital cost for the mining operation is estimated to be US$17.6 million.

The metallurgical processing facility capital cost estimate is based on an on-site processing plant comprising all new equipment, to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The capital cost estimates for the process plant, infrastructure, Tailings Management Facility ('TMF') construction, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management ('EPCM') fees, and general and administration costs were compiled by Ausenco.

Table 5: Construction Capital Costs

 
 Category                    Estimate Stage   Estimate Stage 
                               1 (US$000)       2 (US$000) 
--------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Mining                              17,611           17,614 
 Beneficiation plant                 18,483           18,483 
 Lithium processing 
  plant                             158,288          158,285 
 Plant Services                      55,334           55,334 
 Infrastructure                      58,841           23,581 
 EPCM/Owner cost/Indirect            72,912           72,393 
 Contingency                         38,147           34,569 
--------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 Total                              419,616          380,262 
--------------------------  ---------------  --------------- 
 

The LOM sustaining mining and processing capital requirement is approximately US$140.6 million.

Energy

Energy has been a significant focus of the FS and the Company has received a number of proposals for the supply of both natural gas (via pipeline) and LNG to the Project. There is a significant operating cost saving in using natural gas rather than LNG and the Company is currently working with a shortlist of potential pipeline and natural gas suppliers to ensure that natural gas supplies from Agua Prieta to the project site are available in time for the commissioning Stage 1 of the Project. In addition to supplying natural gas for the kiln circuit, the energy supply package would include the installation of a gas turbine combined cycle plant on site to produce high voltage electricity for the processing plants.

Operating Cost Estimate

The mining and processing operating costs are for an operation achieving average annual production of approximately 17,500 rising to 35,000 tonnes of battery-grade, 99.5% Li(2) CO(3) . The estimated average operating cost for the mine, primary and secondary processing facilities are as follows:

Table 6: Project Operating Costs

 
 Category         Stage 1         Stage 2       Average LOM 
                (US$/t Li(2)    (US$/t Li(2)    (US$/t Li(2) 
                   CO(3) )         CO(3) )         CO(3) ) 
------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 Mining                  295             499             490 
 Processing            3,093           3,266           3,198 
 G&A                     263             209             222 
 Total                 3,651           3,974           3,910 
------------  --------------  --------------  -------------- 
 

Cash Flow Analysis

The Project is currently estimated to have a payback period of four years. Cash flows are based on a 100% equity funding basis and the economic analysis indicates a pre-tax Net Present Value, discounted at 8%, of approximately US$1.25 billion as shown below, and IRR of approximately 26.1%. Post tax the NPV is approximately US$803 million and the IRR 21.2%.

Table 7: Sensitivity Analysis (Discount Rate)

 
 Discount Rate   Base Case Pre      Base Case Post 
                  Tax NPV (US$   Tax NPV (US$ million) 
                    million) 
--------------  --------------  ---------------------- 
 0%                    3,425.1                 2,371.4 
 2%                    2,644.3                 1,808.0 
 4%                    2,054.0                 1,381.7 
 6%                    1,602.4                 1,055.2 
 8%                    1,253.0                   802.5 
--------------  --------------  ---------------------- 
 

Table 8: Sensitivity Analysis (Li(2) CO(3) Selling Price)

 
 Selling Price              Pre Tax NPV    Pre Tax IRR 
                            (US$ million) 
------------------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 -20%                               638.6        18.1% 
 -10%                               945.8        22.2% 
 Base Case (US$11,000/t)          1,253.0        26.1% 
 +10%                             1,560.2        29.8% 
 +20%                             1,876.5        33.2% 
------------------------  ---------------  ----------- 
 

Base case LOM total revenue is estimated at US$6.9 billion, with an EBITDA of approximately US$4.4 billion.

Market Review and Lithium Pricing

SignumBox (Chile) has provided the Company with their detailed 20 year analysis of the global lithium market, summarised as follows:

-- By 2037, SignumBox anticipate global demand for lithium chemicals to reach about 1,700,000 tonnes of LCE in their base scenario, compared to the current 190,000 tonnes in 2017, equating to an average annual growth rate of about 11.5% over the next 20 years.

-- SignumBox estimates that the battery segment of the market will continue to grow strongly and by 2037 it would represent 84% of total lithium demand, compared to the current 35% in 2017.

-- When considering various pricing scenarios, SignumBox estimates that the lithium carbonate (battery grade) long term price (2030) would range between US$13,700/t to US$20,600/t.

For the FS cashflow analysis, the Company has taken a more conservative approach to pricing and is using a flat price of US$11,000/t for battery grade lithium carbonate over the 20 year LOM. The cashflow analysis was prepared by the Company's financial consultants.

Lithium Off-take

The Company's lithium pilot plant in Hermosillo continues to produce high quality battery grade lithium carbonate samples for distribution to potential customers in Asia. In April 2017, the Company signed a long term lithium off-take with the Hanwa Co., Ltd. of Japan up to 100% of the Stage 1 lithium carbonate production from Sonora. In addition, Hanwa became a cornerstone 10% shareholder in Bacanora via a private placement at the then current share price of 82.5 pence per share on 2 May 2017.

Community and Environment

As part of the Company's Environmental Management Programs ('EMP'), the Manifestacion de Impacto Ambiental ('MIA'), was lodged with the government authorities in May, 2017. Approval for the MIA was received in October, 2017.

Land access agreements were signed in October 2017 securing access and surface rights mainly relating to the land area covering mineral resources contained within the La Ventana, Fleur and El Sauz areas. Bacanora has entered into binding agreements to acquire the freehold to two parcels of land which will provide the Company with unrestricted access to develop the Project and operate it for the initial life of mine.

In addition, the Company has commenced an active programme to engage with the local communities within the Project area.

Project Timetable

Subject to Bacanora's Board of Directors ('Board') approvals, project financing and general lithium market conditions, the Company will continue to progress the Sonora Lithium Project through the project development stages over the next 24 months. Subsequent to a Board approval in Q1, 2018 to develop the project, the detailed design engineering phase of the project is currently scheduled for late Q1, 2018. During this stage a definitive schedule for the project development will be completed and presented to the Board for final approval. Regular updates on the project progress will be provided throughout the Project schedule.

Report Filing

A technical report on this Feasibility Study, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and at www.bacanoraminerals.com within forty-five (45) days of the date of this news release.

Qualified Persons

Each of the qualified persons below has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this press release and are independent of the Company. The qualified persons are:

Greg Lane, FAusIMM., of Ausenco, is the qualified person responsible for the process engineering, infrastructure, capital cost and operating cost estimates, and the overall preparation of the report.

The Mineral Resource estimate was prepared by Mr. Martin Pittuck of SRK, who is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

The Ore Reserve estimate and mine plan was prepared by Mr. Herb Welhener of Independent Mining Consultants Inc. who is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

The Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates in this press release were prepared in accordance with the CIM "Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" adopted by the CIM Council on May 10, 2014, and the CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines," adopted by CIM Council on Nov. 23, 2003, in compliance with NI 43-101 guidelines.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to: the estimation of resources and reserves and the filing of a technical report in connection therewith; estimated operating and capital costs, estimated IRR and NPV (in addition to other financial analysis and estimates), potential future production rates, estimated commodity prices, commencement of detailed design engineering and overall going forward project development. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: commodity price volatility; general economic conditions in Canada, the United States, Mexico and globally; industry conditions, governmental regulation, including environmental regulation; unanticipated operating events or performance; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, capital, skilled personnel and supplies; changes in tax laws; and the other risk factors disclosed under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

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 release.

*ENDS**

For further information, please contact:

 
 Bacanora Minerals Ltd.      Peter Secker, CEO                  [e-mail] 
--------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 Cairn Financial Advisers                                                 [phone] 
  LLP, Nomad                 Sandy Jamieson / Liam Murray                            0880 
--------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 Canaccord Genuity,                                                       [phone] 
  Broker                     Martin Davison / James Asensio                          8000 
--------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 St Brides Partners,                                                      [phone] 
  Financial PR Adviser       Hugo de Salis / Frank Buhagiar                          1177 
--------------------------  --------------------------------  --------------------------- 
 

ABOUT BACANORA:

Bacanora is a Canadian and London listed lithium exploration and development company (TSX-V: BCN and AIM: BCN). The Company is exploring for, and developing a pipeline of international lithium projects, with a primary focus on the Sonora Lithium Project. The Company's operations are based in Hermosillo in northern Mexico. The Company is led by a team with lithium expertise and proven mine development, construction and operations experience.

The Sonora Lithium Project, which consists of ten mining concession areas covering approximately 100 thousand hectares in the northeast of Sonora State. The Company, through drilling and exploration work to date, has established a Measured plus Indicated Mineral Resource estimate of over 5 Mt (comprising 1.9Mt of Measured Resources and 3.1Mt of Indicated Resources) of LCE and an additional Inferred Mineral Resource of 3.7 Mt of LCE. The Feasibility Study discussed herein has established Proven Mineral Reserves (in accordance with NI 43-101) of 1.67 MT and Probable Mineral Reserves of 2.85 Mt LCE and confirmed the economics associated with becoming a 35,000 tpa lithium carbonate and 50,000 tpa SOP producer in Mexico.In addition to the Sonora Lithium Project, the Company also has a 50% interest in the Zinnwald Lithium Project in southern Saxony, Germany. The Zinnwald Lithium Project is located in a granite hosted Sn/W/Li belt that has been mined historically for tin, tungsten and lithium at different times over the past 300 years. The strategic location of the Zinnwald Lithium Project allows immediate access to the German automotive and downstream lithium chemical industries.

1 The Sonora Lithium Project is comprised of the following lithium properties: La Ventana lithium concession, which is 100 percent owned by Bacanora and El Sauz and Fleur concessions, which are held by Mexilit S.A. de C.V. ('Mexilit') which is owned 70 percent by Bacanora and 30 percent by Cadence Minerals Plc.

2 https://seekingalpha.com/article/4109856-lithium-miners-news-month-september-2017

3 http://www.orocobre.com/investor-centre/quarterly-reports/

4 LCE = lithium carbonate (Li(2) CO(3) ) equivalent; determined by multiplying Li value in percent by 5.324 to get an equivalent Li(2) CO(3) value in per cent. Use of LCE is to provide data comparable with industry reports and assumes complete conversion of lithium in clays with no recovery or process losses.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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December 13, 2017 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)