CAPITAL MARKETS

Pilbara to raise another $92M

Fresh from a bond issue, Pilbara launches raising to complete Pilgangoora funding

Kristie Batten
Pilbara to raise another $92M

The company plans to issue up to 220 million shares at 35c apiece, a 10.9% discount to the five-day volume-weighted average price, to institutional and sophisticated investors to raise $50 million.

Major shareholder Mineral Resources plans to participate in the offer.

A previously announced US$20 million placement to offtake partner Ganfeng Lithium will also be completed.

The placement will be conducted in two tranches, with the second tranche of A$10.5 million requiring shareholder approval, which will be sought at a meeting in late July.

Pilbara will also conduct a share purchase plan at the same price to raise up to $15 million.

It is proposed that up to 262.9 million shares will be issued to raise a total of up to $92 million.

Earlier this week, Pilbara raised US$100 million via the issue of five-year senior secured bonds carrying a 12% coupon rate.

When combined with existing cash of A$51 million, a previously announced $18 million investment from offtake partner General Lithium, the bond issue and raising will give Pilbara available cash of $293 million.

Early works have been underway at Pilgangoora since November and remaining capital costs are $207 million.

Pilbara plans to use $16 million for corporate and exploration, $16 million for interest costs, $19 million for funding costs and working capital, and retain $35 million for management and liquidity reserves.

Pilgangoora remains on track for commissioning in the first quarter of 2018, subject to a final investment decision, which is expected any day now.

Long-lead items will start to arrive on site from July for the start of plant construction.

Average annual production over Pilgangoora’s 36-year life is set to be 314,000 tonnes of 6% spodumene concentrate and 321,000 pounds of tantalite at cash operating costs of US$196 per tonne CFR in the first 15 years, and $207/t over the life of the mine.

Under the base case 2Mtpa production rate and assuming an average sales price of $537/t, Pilgangoora has a post-tax net present value of A$709 million, at a 10% discount rate, with a 2.7-year payback period and internal rate of return of 38.1%.

More recently, Galaxy Resources has settled 2017 contracts at a price of US$905/t of spodumene.

The company will also considering doubling production early in the project life, with capital costs estimated at $128 million.

Pilbara shares last traded at 37.5c, but will remain in a trading halt until Monday while the placement is being completed.

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

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

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