Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Presentation title here
Presenter name
date
Lithium Project Overview
Tim Goldsmith (President and CEO)
May 2018
The pathway to large, low cost, industry changing
lithium production
Forward looking statements
Forward Looking StatementsThis presentation contains forward-looking statements about Rincon Ltd. (“Rincon” or the “Company”) and its lithium project at the Salar delRincon (“Rincon Project”). Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on certain assumptions relating,but not limited to: resource and reserve estimates, anticipated mining and processing methods for the Rincon Project, anticipated lithiumrecoveries, production and plant capacity rates, lithium grades, estimated capital costs, operating cash costs and total production costs,construction and supply of the necessary energy required, planned additional processing work and permitting, the timing for construction ofphases of the commercial, type of lithium end product, and timing and availability of future funding. While the Company considers theseassumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking statements in thispresentation are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results or achievements to differmaterially from those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, withoutlimitation, risks related to uncertainty in the demand for lithium and pricing assumptions; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing tofund the project in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; thepossibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company’s properties; uncertainties involved inthe estimation of lithium reserves and resources; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; thepossibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated and may preclude commercial development or renderoperations uneconomic; the possibility that the estimated recovery rates may not be achieved; risks related to the deployment of a new lithiumprocessing technology; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; thepossibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; and risks related to projected project economics, recovery rates, andestimated NPV and anticipated IRR and other factors.
These factors may cause the actual results of Rincon to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and there can beno assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by management will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they willhave the expected results on Rincon. Undue importance should not be placed on forward-looking information nor should reliance be placed uponthis information. Rincon makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to or endorsement of the accuracy or completeness of anyinformation, statements or representations contained in this presentation. As a private company, Rincon is under no obligation and does notundertake to update this information at any particular time.
Qualified PersonsThe mineral resource estimates, mineral reserve estimates and recovery rates are derived from the Company’s definitive feasibility study on theRincon project prepared under NI 41-101 dated June 3, 2016 and with an effective date of February 24, 2016 (“2016 DFS”). The 2016 DFS wasauthored by Qualified Persons Mr. Jerry Aiken, Registered SME, Senior Associate Geologist, SRK; Mr. Terry Braun, P.E., Principal Consultant, SRK;Mr. Tyler Cluff, P.G., Senior Hydrogeologist, SWS; Mr. Douglas Collier, Fellow AusIMM, Principal Engineer, ANSTO, Hugh D Thompson, B. Eng.(Mining), FAusIMM, Prudentia Process Consulting and Mr. Jeff Osborn, BEng Mining, MMSAQP, SRK.
Cautionary Note on Cost EstimationsCapex and opex estimates of the Phase I commercial plant remain subject to confirmation in an updated NI 43-101 Definitive Feasibility Study onthe Rincon project, which is expected to be completed in Q3, 2018.
2
Overview
• Rincon
• Sentient Equity Partners Company
• Salar del Rincon overview
• Key statistics and technology
• Community engagement and sustainability
Project
• Path to production
• Key milestones and summary Next steps
• Reserve and resourceAdditional information
3
Company overview
• Rincon Ltd is 100% managed by Sentient Equity Partners (SEP)
• SEP is a development investor, its ultimate objective is to participate directly in
underlying metal or mineral projects with the aim of building new businesses
• The Rincon Executive management team is based in Melbourne, Australia and
is responsible for developing the Rincon Lithium project in Argentina
• The Rincon Lithium project, Salar del Rincon is 100% owned by Rincon Ltd
Sentient Equity Partners
Rincon Ltd – A Leader In Producing Lithium Products Directly From Raw Brine.
4
Rincon Lithium project overview – Location
Salta Office
• Located in Argentina the pro-mining province of Salta
• Rincon owns 98% of tenements available on productive halitic core of the Salar
5
Rincon Lithium project overview - Geophysical characteristics
Main zones of Salar del Rincón
• Catchment basin (2,767 km2)
• Alluvial fan (fresh water)
• Salar boundary (435 km2)
• Saline Mudflat (soft and flooded area), between
the “halitic core” and the Salar boundary
• Lithium Brine bearing Halitic Core / Fractured
Halite Brine Aquifer, hosting the lithium (232
km2)
• Excellent transmissivity – capable of sustaining
long term grades of 371 mg/L at volume
• Coverage over the Halitic Core of 98%.
• Probable Mineral Reserve of ~1.2m tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)1
• Measured & Indicated Resource of ~3.5 million tonnes LCE & Inferred Resource of 4.8 million tonnes LCE1
• Making this one of the worlds largest 100% owned near term, undeveloped resources
1NI 43-101 Resources and Reserve Estimate completed by SRK Consulting (USA) in February 2016 complete tables contained in additional information
6
Rincon Lithium project overview – Extraction technology development
BASIC FLOW SHEET
Raw brine
Pumped from salar
Brine Treatment
Up to 75% recovery Li
Removes Mg and Ca
Precipitation Circuit
Precipitates Lithium Compounds
Regenerates reagents
Carbonation Circuit
Produces Lithium Carbonate
Rincon has developed proprietary extraction technology which
addresses high Mg:Li ratios and medium grade of Brine
(~380mg/L)
US$30M spent validating technology with ANSTO Minerals, an
Australian Government Science Organisation, and building and
operating full demonstration plant at Salar del Rincon
2014: Lithium Compound precipitation circuit built and
successfully demonstrated at ANSTO Minerals, Lucas Heights
2015-2016: Membrane nano-filtration circuit trialled and installed
at Salar del Rincon
2016-2017: Membrane circuit successfully operated at Salar del
Rincon for 18 months, delivering recovery rates of up to 75%
(industry standard previously 55%)
2017: Lithium precipitation and carbonation circuits installed at
Salar del Rincon and integrated with membrane circuits and
successfully producing battery grade lithium carbonate (up to
500kgs/day)
7
Demonstration Plant, Salar del Rincon, Argentina
Direct extraction from raw brine in less than 24 hours
Flexibility to produce lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide
Regenerates reagents
Unit costs forecast at sub US$4,000/tonne LCE
Lower environmental impact due to removal of evaporation
ponds
8
Rincon Lithium project overview – Key extraction advantages
8
Rincon Lithium project overview – Forecast cost curve position
• Rincon LCE units costs sub US$4,000/t
• Phase 1: 25 ktpa LCE (2022)
• Phase 2: 25 ktpa LiOH (2025)
Rincon’s proprietary extraction technology is forecast to produce LCE at 1st quartile unit costs
Forecast 1st quartile unit costs9
Rincon Lithium project overview – Path to production
Pre feasibility study
Completed
Pilot plant constructed Completed
Finalise DFS on 25ktpa LCE
Q3 2018
Permitting finalised Q3 2018
Commence negotiations on lump sum EPC
Q3 2018
Execute EPC contract &
Finalise funding Q1 2019
Commence construction
Q2 2019
25k tpa Plant commissioning
Q3 2021
First full year of production
~15,000 tpa LCE Q3 2022
10
Rincon Lithium project overview – Strong community engagement
Rincon has successfully engaged with local communities to foster understanding of its corporate
objectives and has developed a strong social licence to operate
• Rincon currently employs approximately 120 people across its Salta office and at the Salar del Rincon
• To date over US$200 million has been spent on project development
• Rincon has been an employer of choice since 2009
• Support for local communities to build businesses around the Rincon operation (catering, transport etc.)
• Rincon has wide community support in which it operates in
• Good relations and wide support from both the Salta Provincial and Argentine Federal Governments
• Our direct extraction process has a lower environmental impact than traditional evaporation methods
11
Rincon Lithium project overview – Project summary
Ownership of project 100%
Mineral reserve ~1.2m tonnes of LCE
Mineral resource ~3.5m/4.8m tonnes of LCE
Project development spend to date Over US$200m
Estimated development costs ~US$650m
Estimated annual production - Lithium Carbonate Up to 25ktpa
Estimated unit costs ~US$4,000/tonne LCE
Mine life ~30 years
Community engagement Strong and welcoming – 120+ employees
Sustainability Advantageous extraction method – no ponds
12
Rincon Ltd
Level 1, Building 10,
658 Church Street
Richmond
VIC, Australia
3121
W | rinconltd.com
Rincon Ltd
Ben McCormick
Level 1, Building 10,
658 Church Street
Richmond
VIC, Australia
3121
Additional information
Resource & Reserve (Full disclosure)
15
Stratigraphic UnitAverage Lithium
Grade (mg/L)
Average Specific
Yield1
Average
Thickness2 (m)
Total Brine Volume3,4
(000’s m3)
Lithium as Metal
(tonnes)
LCE5
(tonnes)
Upper Fractured Halite
Measured 395 0.119 16.4 521,489 205,988 1,099,977
Indicated - - - - - -
Inferred - - - - - -
Clastics
Measured - - - - - -
Indicated 343 0.041 21.0 149,071 51,131 273,041
Inferred 235 0.023 21.0 22 5 28
Mixed Halite and Clastics
Measured - - - - - -
Indicated 384 0.021 10.4 88,531 33,996 181,538
Inferred 381 0.091 10.4 261 99 531
Black Sands
Measured - - - - - -
Indicated 400 0.101 72.5 933,133 373,253 1,993,171
Inferred 393 0.086 72.5 947,295 372,287 1,988,011
Massive Halite
Inferred 415 0.018 273.5 1,275,223 529,218 2,826,022
Totals
Measured 395 0.12 521,489 205,988 1,099,977
Indicated 392 0.09 1,170,734 458,380 2,447,750
Inferred 406 0.05 2,222,801 901,609 4,814,592
Measured + Indicated 393 0.10 1,692,223 664,368 3,547,728
Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate, Recoverable Lithium as Metal, effective January 13, 2016
Resource & Reserve (Full disclosure)
16
2016 Rincón Probable Reserve Estimate
Brine Beneficiation Recovery Factor1 90.8%
Process Plant Recovery2 74%
Average Lithium Grade (mg/L) 371
Stratigraphic unit Lithium
Grade (mg/L)
Brine Volume
(000s m3)
Lithium Resource
as Metal (tonnes)
In Situ
Recovery
Factor
Total Recovery
Factor
Lithium Reserve as
Metal (tonnes)
LCE (tonnes)
Upper Fractured Halite3 395 521,489 205,988 88% 59% 121,391 648,226
Clastics4 343 149,071 51,131 33% 22% 11,338 60,542
Mixed Halite and
Clastics5
384 88,531 33,996 33% 22% 7,538 40,253
Black Sands6 400 933,133 373,253 31.5% 21% 79,091 422,347
Massive Halite7 - 0 0 20% 13% 0 0
Totals: 1,692,224 664,368 219,357 1,171,369
Table 2 - Salar del Rincón Lithium Reserve Estimate, Effective Date February 24, 2016
Resource Average Lithium Grade (mg/L)LCE5
(tonnes)
Measured 395 1,099,977
Indicated 392 2,447,750
Inferred 406 4,814,592
*Measured + Indicated 393 3,547,728
Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate, Recoverable Lithium as Metal, effective January 13, 2016
2016 Rincón Probable Reserve Estimate
Stratigraphic unit Lithium Grade (mg/L) Lithium Reserve as Metal
(tonnes)
LCE (tonnes)
Upper Fractured Halite3 395 121,391 648,226
Clastics4 343 11,338 60,542
Mixed Halite and
Clastics5
384 7,538 40,253
Black Sands6 400 79,091 422,347
Massive Halite7 - 0 0
Totals: 219,357 1,171,369
Table 2 - Salar del Rincón Lithium Reserve Estimate, Effective Date February 24, 2016
*Mineral resources estimate comprised of 5 stratigraphic units: Upper fractured Halite, clastic, mixed halite and clastics,
black sands
**See appendix for footnotes and additional information and Massive Halite
**See appendix for footnotes and additional information
Brine Beneficiation Recovery
Factor1
90.8%
Process Plant Recovery2 74%
Average Lithium Grade (mg/L) 371
Resource & Reserve (short version)
17
Appendix Resource & Reserve reference
Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate, Recoverable Lithium as Metal, effective January 13, 2016
(1) Average specific yield is approximated by the weighted average of individual lithologic specific yield estimates for each stratigraphic unit. Each estimate of specific yield is based on
physical testing of representative core samples, short-term (e.g., 1 to 3 days) and/or long-term (30 days) brine extraction tests.
(2) Average thickness identified for entire stratigraphic unit, not redefined by depth boundaries of measured, indicated, or inferred resource.
(3) Assigned cut-off grade for the brine process is 200 mg/L as lithium.
(4) Total brine volume is not equivalent to the total extractable brine volume. Brine extraction via engineered production wells is a function of the hydraulic properties (e.g.,
conductivity, saturated thickness and continuity) of each stratigraphic unit within the brine resource areas as well as the overall water balance for the hydrogeologic basin. These
properties are simulated in a 3-dimensional numerical model which allows estimation of the extractable brine resource as declared in the mineral reserve statement.
(5) LCE calculated as a multiple (5.34) of the estimated lithium as metal value.
General
(a) All mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves.
(b) Mr. Jerry Aiken, P.G., R-SME, is an associate of SRK. He is an independent Qualified Person for purposes of NI 43-101 and he supervised the preparation of and verified the
above mineral resource estimate, including the underlying sampling, analytical, test and production data. Data was verified by, among other things, multiple site visits and data
audits.
(c) Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have a demonstrated economic viability as of the effective date of the 2016 NI 43-101 Technical Report.
(d) Table entries are rounded to reflect the precision of the estimate and differences may occur due to this rounding. Tonnes refers to metric tonnes.
Table 2 - Salar del Rincón Lithium Reserve Estimate, Effective Date February 24, 2016
(1) Estimated by 23% rejection rate of lithium mass during brine beneficiation, and subsequent 60% re-capture of re-infiltrated lithium in reject brine. 77%+(23% x 60%).
(2) Recovery estimate provided by ANSTO.
(3) In situ recovery factor estimated by drawdown calculated by the Dynamic Model. High transmissivity and bowl shaped geometry are conducive to dewatering the unit.
(4) In situ recovery factor estimated by drawdown calculated by the Dynamic Model. Production from Black Sand units enhance drainage from overlying units.
(5) In situ recovery factor estimated according to Houston, 2011.
(6) In situ recovery factor estimated by analytical solution for wellfield using Black Sand-series aquifer parameters.
(7) Massive halite unit is defined entirely as an inferred resource. Production potential from the unit is low, owing to its competent crystalline matrix and low permeability.
General
a) Assigned cutoff grade of 200 mg/L lithium.
b) The cut-off grade at which lithium extraction is no longer economic is varied based on a number of recovery and cost factors including the geologic formation from which the
extraction is occurring, the concentration of deleterious elements such as magnesium in the raw brine, raw brine pumping/processing capacity in the lithium plant and the lithium
pricing assumptions.
c) Mr. Tyler Cluff, P.G., is an employee of SWS. He is an independent Qualified Person for purposes of NI 43-101 and he supervised the preparation of and verified the above
mineral reserve figures, including the underlying sampling, analytical, test, and production data. Data was verified by among other things, a site visit.
d) Table entries are rounded to reflect the precision of the estimate and differences may occur due to this rounding. Tonnes refers to metric tonnes.
18