Kicking off June Mineral Resources announced that it was increasing its stake in the Mount Marion lithium project. For US$19.65 million Mineral Resources increased its shareholding 13.1 per cent to 43.1 per cent. One of China’s largest lithium producers, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium, also holds 43.1 per cent while Neometals holds the remaining 13.8 per cent.
Just two days earlier Mineral Resources announced it had successfully expanded its lithium offtake agreement with Ganfeng – it will now take an additional 120,000 tonnes per annum of raw lithium ingredients (spodumene) making its total offtake 200,000 tpa.
Later in the month Mineral Resources announced a foray into the oil and gas sector. For $8.9 million Minerals Resources snared a 19.36 per cent share in Empire Oil and Gas – a company focused on locating and developing assets in the Perth Basin. Managing Director Chris Ellison didn’t share a lot about the company’s strategy when the announcement was made, simply stating Mineral Resources was pleased to be associated with Empire and looked forward to “supporting the growth of its oil and gas business in conjunction with developing the power supply element of MRL’s mining services business.”
Less than a fortnight after the Empire announcement was made Mineral Resources disclosed its agreement with Global Advanced Metals for the purchase of its Wodgina mine assets.
The purchase, while subject to conditions, includes the purchase of mining tenements, and infrastructure including a 13MW gas fired power station, 387 bed camp and mineral processing assets.
Finally, rounding out the month of June and wrapping up the financial year, Mineral Resources announced it had agreed to fund Empire Oil and Gas’ debt obligation to former shareholder ERM Power. The refinancing deal of the $15m debt gives Mineral Resources 7.5 million unlisted options over new unissued shares with an exercise price of A$0.50 – a 36 per cent premium on the current price.
In the midst of all Mineral Resources’ activity during June shareholders have remained subdued. While activity related to Mount Marion prompted interest, the company’s share price settled towards the end of the month ending June at $8.3 per share.
