M&A

POSCO board approves Galaxy deal

GALAXY Resources is set to pocket US$280 million in cash after the board of diversified South Korean conglomerate POSCO approved the cash purchase of a package of tenements on the northern basin of Salar del Hombre Muerto in Argentina.

 Galaxy's Anthony Tse and Martin Rowley with POSCO's Seong Yu and Dr Hyeon Park.

Galaxy's Anthony Tse and Martin Rowley with POSCO's Seong Yu and Dr Hyeon Park.

Once the deal settles, expected before the end of the year, Galaxy will use the cash to help advance its adjacent Sal de Vida (Salt of Life) project in the south of the basin.
 
Salar Del Hombre Muerto (Dead Man's Salt) contains an estimated 1.58 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent in measured and indicated resources and 2.54Mt of resources while Sal de Vida contains an estimated 4.09Mt measured and indicated resources and 1.14Mt reserves.
 
The pair will enter into cooperation agreements intended to "maximise potential development, operational, infrastructure and logistical synergies for their respective projects".
 
Galaxy is looking at a 40-year lithium brine operation producing the equivalent of 25,000tpa of battery grade lithium carbonate.
 
A feasibility study was updated in May, and Galaxy is working with JP Morgan to evaluate strategic partners.
 
Galaxy chairman Martin Rowley said the cash injection from POSCO would provide Galaxy maximum flexibility in assessing its options for the development, which would be its second lithium development after the successful start-up of the Mount Cattlin hard rock lithium mine in Western Australia, which is ramping up to 220,000-240,000tpa.
 
The company has almost A$70 million in cash and securities and is debt-free. 
 
Shares in Galaxy rose some 9% in morning trade to $3.02, capitalising the company at $1.23 billion.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.