The Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) share price will be on watch after it announced a conditional agreement to acquire the operations of fellow lithium miner Altura Mining Limited (ASX: AJM).
What was announced?
Altura Mining recently fell into receivership after a collapse in lithium prices weighed on its operations and an attempt to recapitalise failed to gain support. This led to the company appointing KordaMentha as its receiver on 26 October.
After the market close on Wednesday, Pilbara Minerals revealed that it has entered into an implementation deed with the senior secured loan noteholders of Altura, which provides it with a path to potentially acquire the Altura Lithium Project through the purchase of the shares in Altura Lithium Operations for approximately US$175 million. This is subject to completion of the receivership process.
According to the release, loan noteholders have agreed to vote in favour of the Pilbara Minerals sponsored deed of company arrangement should the acquisition proceed.
Furthermore, Pilbara Minerals has the right to match any competing proposal offered for the Altura Project, and has secured payment of a break fee in the event that the receiver accepts a competing proposal, or the loan noteholders fail to vote in favour of the deed.
The upfront cash consideration of US$155 million will be predominantly funded through a future equity capital raising, which is being supported by binding equity funding commitments from both AustralianSuper and Resource Capital Fund of AS$240 million.
What is the Altura Lithium Project?
The Altura Project is a producing hard rock spodumene concentrate operation. It is located on an adjoining tenement package immediately to the west of Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora Lithium-Tantalum Project.
Management notes that the operation is part of the same mineralised system that underpins the Pilgangoora Project and uses similar open-pit mining methods, processing flowsheets, and mining equipment.
It feels the combination of these factors, along with the proximity of both operations, provides a unique opportunity for Pilbara Minerals to realise tangible synergies, both immediately following the acquisition and over time.
Forget what just happened. We think this stock could be Australia’s next MONSTER IPO…
One little-known Australian IPO has doubled in value since January, and renowned Australian Moonshot stock picker Anirban Mahanti sees a potential millionaire-maker in waiting…
Because ‘Doc’ Mahanti believes this fast-growing company has all the hallmarks of genuine Moonshot potential, forget ‘buy now pay later’, this stock could be the next hot stock on the ASX.
See how you can find out the name of this stock
Returns as of 6th October 2020
More reading
- Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to sell today
- Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) share price edges higher on operational update
- 3 reasons why ASX lithium shares can surge in 2021
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
The post Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) share price on watch after announcing Altura Mining acquisition plan appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.
from Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/31T2arX
Leave a Reply