Bell Potter Conference Presentation
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
Bell Potter Unearthed 2024
Investor Presentation
14 February 2024
Disclaimer
General Statement and Cautionary Statement
This presentation has been prepared by Lake Resources N.L. (Lake) for information purposes and not any particular party. The information in this presentation is based upon public information and internally developed data and
reflects prevailing conditions and views as of this date, all of which are accordingly subject to change. The information contained in this presentation is of general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any
particular individual or entity. There is no guarantee that the information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No warranties or representations can be made as to the origin,
validity, accuracy, completeness, currency or reliability of the information. No one should act upon such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation. Lake Resources NL
accepts no responsibility or liability to any party in connection with this information or views and Lake disclaims and excludes all liability (to the extent permitted by law) for losses, claims, damages, demands, costs and expenses of
whatever nature arising in any way out of or in connection with the information, its accuracy, completeness or by reason of reliance by any person on any of it. The information regarding projects described in this presentation are
based on exploration targets, apart from the Kachi project’s resource statement. The potential quantity and grade of an exploration target is conceptual in nature, with insufficient exploration to determine a mineral resource and
there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of mineral resources or that potentially economic quantities of lithium will be discovered. Some leases are located within and around the Orocobre,
Orocobre/Advantage Lithium and Ganfeng/Lithium Americas projects and although data is limited within the properties, the leases may cover potential extensions to the Cauchari/Olaroz projects with potential extensions to aquifers,
although this provides no assurance that any resource will be identified on the Lake leases. The lithium pegmatite leases occur adjacent to pastproducers of spodumene but no potential extension to any mineralisation can be assured.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this presentation, including information as to the future financial performance of the projects, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statementsare necessarily based upon a number
of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Lake Resources N.L. are inherently subject to significanttechnical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies; involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results, expressed or implied, reflected in such forward-looking
statements; and may include, among other things, statementsregarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of production and prices, operating costs and results, capital expenditures, reserves and resources and
anticipated flow rates, and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions and affected by the risk of further changes in government regulations,
policies or legislation and that further funding may be required, but unavailable, for the ongoing development of Lake’s projects. Lake Resources N.L. disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”,“indicate”,“contemplate”,“target”, “plan”, “intends”,“continue”,“budget”, “estimate”,“may”, “will”,
“schedule” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made in this announcement are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Lake does not undertake to update any
forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Compliance Statement
The information contained in this presentation relating to financial forecasts, production targets, exploration results, Measured, Indicated and Inferred resource estimates, project execution, infrastructure and testing work, has been
derived from the information in Lake’s Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study Results and Lake's Ore Reserve Statement both announced on ASX on 19 December 2023 and mineral resource update announced on ASX on 22
November 2023. Lake confirms that it is not aware of any information that materially affects the information included in Lake’s Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study Results and Lake's Ore Reserve Statement both
announced on ASX on 19 December 2023 and mineral resource update announced on ASX on 22 November 2023 and all material assumptions contained in that announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. On this
basis, Lake confirms that the Competent Person’s findings in Lake’s Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study Results and Lake's Ore Reserve Statement both announced on ASX on 19 December 2023 and, in respect of Lake’s
mineral resource, in the mineral resource update announced on ASX on 22 November 2023, have not changed nor been modified in any material respects since those announcements.
2
Key Investment Highlights
1
World Class 25ktpa Battery Grade Lithium Project
2
Globally Significant 10.6Mt LCE Resource Facilitates Potential Further Expansion
3
4
5
Proven Ion-Exchange DLE Technology Increases Process Efficiency and Reduces
Environmental Footprint
Advanced Technical Work Proven Out in December 2023 DFS
Strategic Partnering Process Broadens the Menu of Available Funding Opportunities and
Enables Kachi to Better Optimise Offtake Economics
3
Developing a Critical Global Asset in Argentina
Kachi – Lake’s Flagship Project
Recently completed Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study 1 (“DFS”)
Located in Catamarca region, within the Lithium Triangle which holds ~56% of the
world’s lithium reserves2
Using ion exchange DLE technology to optimize lithium extraction results from
Kachi brine
Higher lithium recovery: DLE has shown average recovery rates of 80%+ compared
with 40- 60% for traditional methods (hard rock, evaporation ponds)
Less impact on environment: lower water usage, lower land usage, less waste
volume
Lithium chemical manufacturing yields proven, repeatable results of high purity, high
quality lithium carbonate
Experienced team from oil and gas industry bring expertise in developing large capital
projects and driving project efficiencies
Notes:
1. Refer to LKE ASX Announcement dated December 19, 2023.
2. US Geological Survey (USGS).
4
Strategic Delivery of Kachi
Pursuing strategic partnership for Kachi
Lake and Lilac are considering a range of funding alternatives including, but not limited to, a
strategic partnership, project finance, pre-payments from potential customers, and royalties
Expected to provide additional capital to fund activities prior to Final Investment Decision and
ultimately project development
Continued support from Citibank and J.P. Morgan, joint coordinators for the proposed debt financing for Kachi
and from export credit agencies to provide backing to Kachi’s overall debt structure
Lake held cash of A$31.3 million (~US$21.3 million) at 31 December 2023 with no debt
Expect a 40% reduction in expenses in First Quarter 2024 compared to Fourth Quarter 2023
Continue to focus on expense reduction quarter to quarter to extend runway
Lake is considering all other financing alternatives, consistent with its capital management policies, which may
include future equity offerings as required to fund costs whilst strategic discussions remain ongoing
5
Exceptional Financial Results
Targeted project financial results1 ($USD)
Phase One DFS Financial Outputs
Phase One – 25 ktpa LCE
Production Target2
$827M
Annual Lithium
Carbonate Revenues
$635M
Annual Average
EBITDA3
25 years
Life of Mine
$2.3B
Post-Tax NPV8
$3.9B
Pre-Tax NPV8
$1.38B
Capital Cost
20.9%
Post-Tax IRR
25.4%
Pre-Tax IRR
$6.05/kg
Run Rate Operating
Cost
Units
Period
DFS Result
Lithium Carbonate Revenue
$M
Life of Mine
20,700
Lithium Carbonate Revenue
$M
Annual Average
827
EBITDA2
$M
Life of Mine
15,870
EBITDA2
$M
Annual Average
635
EBITDA Margin
%
Run Rate
76%
Net Profit After Tax
$M
Life of Mine
8,959
Average Opex
$/t
Run Rate
6,047
Total Capex
$M
1,376
NPV8 Post-Tax
$M
2,333
NPV8 Pre-Tax
$M
3,854
IRR Post-Tax
%
20.91
IRR Pre-Tax
%
25.35
Total Free Cashflows
$M
Payback Period
Years
Life of Mine
9,310
4.25
1. Economics based on average price of $33,000 per tonne LCE over the LoM, derived from forward price projection provided in a bespoke study commissioned by the Kachi project with Wood Mackenzie and delivered in December 2023.
Operating costs include labor, maintenance, materials, supplies, raw materials, outside services, among others.
2. See the Company’s JORC technical report dated effective December 19, 2023, “Kachi Lithium Brine Definitive Feasibility Study” for full details regarding material assumptions relied upon. Lake confirms the material assumptions in that
announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
3. Please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in the appendix.
6
Sensitivity Analysis
The Kachi Project is resilient to Opex and Capex factors
Post-Tax NPV8 Sensitivities Chart (-15% / +15%; Base $2,333M)
($USD)
Lithium Price
($28.1k - $33.0k - $38.0k)
28.0%
27.8%
Post-Tax IRR Sensitivities Chart (-15% / +15%; Base 20.9%)
($USD)
Lithium Price
($28.1k - $33.0k - $38.0k)
Capital Expenditure
($1.58B - $1.38B - $1.17B)
6.7% 6.7%
Capital Expenditure
($1.58B - $1.38B - $1.17B)
Operating Expenditure
($6,954/t - $6,047/t - $5,140/t)
6.1% 6.1%
Operating Expenditure
($6,954/t - $6,047/t - $5,140/t)
14.4%
12.8%
9.2%
11.4%
3.4% 3.3%
7
Next Twelve Months
Strategic Partner Process
for Kachi Project
Process initiated, led by Goldman Sachs
Offtake
Commencement of negotiations to secure binding offtake agreements, in tandem with
EIA
The submission of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“EIA”) in early 2024, in
FEED/EPCM
Selection of FEED/EPCM contractor for the Process Plant
Power
Selection of an Independent Power Producer (“IPP”) for the Power Purchase Agreement
Project Financing
Continued support of Export Credit Agencies and Citibank and J.P. Morgan as joint
strategic partnering process
support of the Catamarca Province development permit application
(“PPA”)
coordinators for the proposed debt financing for Kachi
8
Appendix A –
Supporting
Materials
>10.6 million tonnes LCE Mineral Resource
Kachi M&I resource
estimate increased
250% since June 2023
10.6
8.1
3.3
5.3
4.4
5.2
7.3
3.1
Resource expansion from
June 2023 update1:
■ Measured resource has
increased from 2.2 to 3.0
million tonnes LCE
■ Indicated resource has
increased from 0.72 to 4.3
million tonnes LCE
■ Inferred resource has decreased
from
5.2 to 3.3 million tonnes LCE
Exploration Target1:
3.4
1
2018
2.2
2.9
Jan-23
Jun-23
Measured & Indicated
■ High: 14.8 million tonnes LCE;
Nov-23
Low: 3.7 million tonnes LCE
Inferred
Resources in Million Tonnes LCE
1 Numbers are based on information in Lake’s JORC
9
update announced on 22 November 2023. Refer to the
Appendix for details of individual categories of the
mineral resource. All material assumptions contained in
that announcement continue to apply and have not
materially changed
Note: The potential quantity and grade of an
exploration target is conceptual in nature, there has
been insufficient exploration to determine a mineral
resource and there is no certainty that further
exploration work will result in the determination of
mineral resources or that the exploration target itself
will be realized.
10
Maiden Ore Reserve Statement
Reserve
Category
Years
Lithium
(Tonnes)
LCE
(Tonnes)
Average
Lithium
(mg/l)
Proved
1
3,600
18,900
259
Proved
2-7
28,500
151,400
257
Probable
8-25
85,400
454,100
245
Total
1-25
117,400
624,400
■ Globally Significant Resource: The mine plan produces 806k tonnes LCE (allowing
for a factor of safety), this is less than 12% of the Measured and Indicated
Resource
■ High level of confidence: More than 85% of production is derived from Measured
Resource, remainder from Indicated
■ Wellfield layout (16 Production Wells and 21 Injection Wells) designed to:
■ Maximize lithium grade recovered;
■ Maximize Proved Ore Reserve; and
■ Minimize environmental impacts
■ Modelling supports reinjection strategy; maintaining reservoir pressures and
minimizing potential environmental impacts
Ore Reserve constrained by plant capacity
11
Phase One DFS Demo Scope – Ready for Deployment
DLE – Lilac Solutions Ion Exchange
•
On-site demo plant operated in campaigns from October 2022 to
November 2023
o Over 5.2 million litres of Kachi brine successfully processed
o During continuous operations >90% uptime
•
o 200,000 litres of lithium chloride eluate produced (~2,280 mg/L)
Independent witness & validation reviews completed for DFS data
12
Phase One DFS Demo Scope – Battery Grade by Design
Balance of Plant – Saltworks Technologies
•
120,000 litres processed in 3 batches in Canada
o All batches achieved battery grade lithium purity target (>99.5%)
o Up to 99.9% purity achieved
o Independent validation of results
o Data produced to support DFS completion
o >1,300 kg of samples created for offtake testing
13
Scope of the Phase One DFS
Work Completed
Basis of Design
Conservative assumptions (205 mg/L vs. 245
mg/L minimum average)
Heat & Material Balance (HMB)
Confirmed >75% lithium recovery
Process flowsheet
Process plant 3-D model
Wellfield layout and well design
Numerical reservoir model
Power transmission system
Process validation reports
Logistics & transportation assessment
AACE1 Class 3 estimate (+/- 15%)
1. Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering
14
Strong Community and Government Engagement
Looking forward to building relationship with recently
elected Federal government.
Continued strong relationship with Catamarca
government.
Monthly meetings with local government and community
to provide status updates of Kachi Project.
Emphasis on training directly related to the future
construction phase.
Creating Scholarship Program, inclusive of financial aid,
for students of tertiary and university level in El Peñón
and Antofagasta de la Sierra.
Educational activities in primary and secondary schools
related to Kachi Project.
Providing assistance to community with access to diesel,
water and other necessary items, as well as improving
communications and access to information.
15
Positioned for Success
Credible, Achievable and De-risked
Robust and competitive NPV and IRR
Compelling Project Economics
Completion of Phase One DFS allows Lake to open a data room and engage with
strategic investors, potential offtakers, and debt providers
Ore Reserve constrained by plant capacity
Globally Significant Resource
Mine Plan represents less than 12% of Measured and Indicated Resource over the 25year Life of Mine
Opportunities for increasing Capex and Opex efficiencies between now and start of
Further Optimization
production, targeted for 2027
Optimization opportunities already identified
16
Note: This table has been directly
extracted from the JORC update
announced on 22 November 2023. Lake
Resources N.L. confirms that it is not
aware of any information that materially
affects the information included in
Lake’s JORC update announced on ASX
on 22 November 2023 and all material
assumptions contained in that
announcement continue to apply and
have not materially changed.
17
Lithium Market Balance
While the lithium market as a whole may not reach sustained deficit until 2031, the
battery grade market is anticipated to be significantly tighter
Deficits could emerge in the near term, and extend to ~1Mt LCE by 2040, with Kachi’s anticipated
~25Ktpa of Phase One battery grade carbonate production likely to have sufficient demand headroom in
the long-term
Source: Wood Mackenzie
Only Wood Mackenzie assumptions for Kachi Phase One volumes are referenced. Refer to Lake’s Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study Results announced on ASX on 19 December 2023.
18
Lithium Price Forecast
Wood Mackenzie Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate Price ($USD/tonne)
Wood Mackenzie Annual Price Forecast for Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate
Near Term Average Price
Forecast Period Average Price
$40,000
$35,000
$31,253
$30,000
$25,000
$20,427
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
Source: Wood Mackenzie. Refer to Lake’s Kachi Project Phase One Definitive Feasibility Study Results announced on ASX on 19 December 2023. Weighted average for DFS Phase One model $33,000 / tonne over the LoM,
19
Kachi Development Timeline
20
Lake Resources Leadership Team
Experienced, well-credentialed and highly
motivated management team ready to
deliver on Lake’s strategy
David Dickson, ManagingDirector / CEO
Our Leadership Team
Scott Munro
SVP, Technology,
Strategy and Risk
Sean Miller
SVP, Field Development
and Evaluation
Amalia Saenz
SVP, Argentina
Corporate Affairs
Don Miller
Chief Financial Officer
Karen Greene
SVP, Investor Relations
and Communications
MarkAnning
Head of Legal, Australia
and Company Secretary
John Freeman
Chief Legal Officer
and General Counsel
Gentry Brann
Chief People and
Administration Officer
Executive
experience
acquired across
technical, financial
and project execution
21
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Definitions
Note: These financial definitions are alternative performance measures that are not defined or specified under
IFRS or AASC standards and for which there are no generally accepted reporting formats
EBITDA = Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
IRR = Internal Rate of Return
NPV8 = Net Present Value calculated using 8% WACC
WACC = Weighted Average Cost of Capital
This presentation includes certain non-GAAP financial measures or ratios, including the average annual EBITDA regarding the results of the internal preliminary analysis.
These measures have no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures used by other issuers. The Company believes these measures
and ratios provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the Company's prospects, and in particular, the Kachi Project. As the Kachi Project is not in production,
the prospective non-GAAP financial measures or ratios presented may not be reconciled to the nearest comparable measure under IFRS and the equivalent historical nonGAAP financial measure for the prospective non-GAAP financial measures or ratios discussed herein is nil.
22
Bell Potter Unearthed 2024
Investor Presentation
14 February 2024
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