American Battery Technology Company Publishes Updated Initial Assessment and Economic Analysis for its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project for One of the Largest Identified Lithium Resources in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

American Battery Technology Company has published an updated Initial Assessment for its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, featuring a commercialization plan focusing on Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. The project metrics show a reduction in claystone processed, an increase in average grade, a decrease in production costs, and an increase in net present value. The company's CEO led a virtual walkthrough of the lithium deposits, highlighting key project updates and next steps.

Positive

• The updated Initial Assessment for the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project focuses on utilizing Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources for the commercial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery.
• The project metrics show a 7% reduction in total claystone processed, an 8% increase in average grade, a 7% decrease in production costs, and a 6% increase in net present value at a 10% discount rate.
• ABTC's CEO conducted a virtual walkthrough of the lithium deposits with Vrify CEO, discussing Drill Program results, the lithium hydroxide pilot plant, and recommended next steps for the project.
• The company received support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the commercialization of its technologies for battery grade lithium hydroxide manufacturing from Nevada-based claystone resources.
• The Amended Initial Assessment supersedes all previously published reports as of April 5, 2024.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Mining and Metals Analyst

The revised assessment for the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project significantly enhances the project's economic viability by concentrating on Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, which are more reliable categories for resource estimation than Inferred Mineral Resources. Adjustments indicating a 7% reduction in overall extracted claystone and an 8% increase in average lithium grade suggest optimized resource extraction and improved production efficiency.

From a financial perspective, the increase in Net Present Value (NPV) to $4.67 billion underpins the project's enhanced profitability, though it is important for investors to understand that NPV is contingent on various factors including lithium market prices, operational costs and discount rates applied. The announcement also mentions the completion of a demonstration facility, which is vital for transitioning from theoretical resource estimates to tangible production capacities.

Energy Sector Analyst

ABTC's focus on lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) refinery development is timely, as lithium is a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and demand is surging in the clean energy sector. The shift to a detailed commercialization plan for only Measured and Indicated Resources aligns with industry best practices, minimizing the risk associated with reliance on less certain Inferred Resources.

Furthermore, the support from U.S. Department of Energy grants underscores the strategic importance of domestic lithium production in reducing reliance on foreign supply amid geopolitical uncertainties. Investors should note, however, that grant funding is subject to policy changes and is not a guaranteed source of capital.

Environmental and Regulatory Analyst

An aspect for consideration is the environmental and regulatory landscape. The extraction of lithium, particularly from claystone, is subject to stringent environmental reviews and permitting processes. This can influence the project timeline and, consequently, when investors can expect the project to start contributing to the company's financial results. Stakeholders should assess the company's ability to navigate these requirements, as delays or increased compliance costs could affect the projected economics.

In light of increasing environmental awareness, ABTC's technological advancements in mineral processing may offer competitive advantages in terms of reduced environmental impact. This could facilitate smoother regulatory approvals and potentially attract environmentally conscious investors.

ABTC CEO leads virtual walkthrough of one of the largest known lithium deposits in the United States with Vrify CEO Stephen De Jong 

RENO, Nev, April 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) (NASDAQ: ABAT), an integrated critical battery materials company that is commercializing its technologies for both primary battery minerals manufacturing and secondary minerals lithium-ion battery recycling, has published an amended Initial Assessment for its Tonopah Flats Lithium Project (TFLP).

The TFLP is one of the largest identified lithium resources in the U.S., and while initial pit designs and economic analyses in previous assessments evaluated the full resource, this updated Initial Assessment utilizes a commercialization pathway with a more rigorous mine plan that contemplates utilization of only Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, and excludes Inferred Mineral Resources, to supply the planned commercial-scale lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) refinery.

This commercialization pathway allows for an engineered phased development, with improved access to the higher quality portions of the resource, and at improved project economics.  ABTC recently completed construction of its multi-ton per day integrated demonstration facility for the processing of its lithium-bearing claystone material into lithium products. Updated project metrics for ABTC's TFLP resource utilizing its internally-developed and demonstrated processing technologies include:

• While the prior Initial Assessments included Inferred Mineral Resources, which are more speculative, this most recent Initial Assessment details a commercialization plan where only Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources would be utilized to service the lithium hydroxide refinery
• Total amount of claystone processed over life of mine reduced 7%, to 597 million tons
• Average grade over life of mine increased by 8%, to 4,111 ppm LHM
• Average production costs over life of mine decreased by 7%, to $4,302/ton LHM
• Net present value at 10% discount rate (NPV-10) increased by 6%, to $4.67 billion

ABTC published the TFLP Initial Assessment in December 2023 and updated it in January 2024. ABTC is publishing this Amended Resource Estimate and Initial Assessment with Project Economics for the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, Esmeralda and Nye Counties, Nevada, USA  (Amended Initial Assessment), that includes these changes and other updates. The Amended Initial Assessment remains preliminary in nature, and there is no certainty that this economic assessment will be realized. Mineral Resources, including Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, are too speculative geologically to be considered Probable or Proven Reserves.

To describe and walkthrough this updated commercialization plan and project scale-up, ABTC CEO Ryan Melsert was interviewed by Vrify CEO Stephen De Jong to talk through these highlights with visual graphics of the TFLP and its related infrastructure. 

The interview highlights:

• Drill Program II location and assay results
• Updated Drill Program III locations and assay results
• ABTC's lithium hydroxide pilot plant and commercial-scale refinery
• Recommended next steps for the project

To view the interview, click here.
To view the interactive 3D Model used during the interview, click here.

 American Battery Technology Company's Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Lithium Mineral Resource

Resource Classification		Total kTons							Average ppm Li			Li kTons				LHM kTons
Measured			721,000						702				510				3,060
Indicated			2,439,000						565				1,380				8,340
Measured + Indicated			3,160,000						596				1,890				11,400
Inferred			2,931,000						550				1,610				9,750
Total			6,091,000						574				3,500				21,150

ABTC received support for the commercialization of these internally-developed technologies for the manufacturing of battery grade lithium hydroxide from Nevada-based claystone resources from an initial U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant toward the $4.5M construction and operation of a multi-ton per day integrated pilot plant, and from a second DOE grant toward the $115M construction and commissioning of the first phase of a commercial scale lithium hydroxide refinery.

The Amended Initial Assessment supersedes all previously published reports effective as of April 5, 2024. To read the full Amended Initial Assessment, view updated 3D interactive resource graphics, and learn more about the ABTC Tonopah Flats Lithium Project, visit: www.americanbatterytechnology.com.  

Qualified Person 
The mineral resource estimates presented in the ABTC Tonopah Flats Initial Assessment were performed by third-party, qualified person RESPEC, LLC and were classified by geological and quantitative confidence in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-K 1300.

Initial Assessment
Initial Assessment is a preliminary technical and economic study of the economic potential of all or parts of mineralization to support the disclosure of mineral resources. The Initial Assessment must be prepared by a qualified person and must include appropriate assessments of reasonably assumed technical and economic factors, together with any other relevant operational factors, that are necessary to demonstrate at the time of reporting that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction. An Initial Assessment is required for disclosure of mineral resources but cannot be used as the basis for disclosure of mineral reserves. An Initial Assessment is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied that would enable them to be classified as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the economic results of an Initial Assessment will be realized.

Inferred Resource
Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological uncertainty associated with an Inferred Mineral Resource is too high to apply relevant technical and economic factors likely to influence the prospects of economic extraction in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability. Because an Inferred Mineral Resource has the lowest level of geological confidence of all mineral resources, which prevents the application of the modifying factors in a manner useful for evaluation of economic viability, an Inferred Mineral Resource may not be considered when assessing the economic viability of a mining project, and may not be converted to a mineral reserve. 

Indicated Resource
Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of adequate geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with an Indicated Mineral Resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because an Indicated Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than the level of confidence of a Measured Mineral Resource, an Indicated Mineral Resource may only be converted to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

Measured Resource
Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of conclusive geological evidence and sampling. The level of geological certainty associated with a Measured Mineral Resource is sufficient to allow a qualified person to apply modifying factors, as defined in this section, in sufficient detail to support detailed mine planning and final evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Because a Measured Mineral Resource has a higher level of confidence than the level of confidence of either an Indicated Mineral Resource or an Inferred Mineral Resource, a Measured Mineral Resource may be converted to a Proven Mineral Reserve or to a Probable Mineral Reserve.

Probable Mineral Reserve
Probable Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated and, in some cases, a Measured Mineral Resource.

Proven Mineral Reserve
Proven Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource and can only result from conversion of a Measured Mineral Resource.

Pre-Feasibility Study
A Preliminary Feasibility Study (or Pre-Feasibility Study) is a comprehensive study of a range of options for the technical and economic viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where a qualified person has determined (in the case of underground mining) a preferred mining method, or (in the case of surface mining) a pit configuration, and in all cases has determined an effective method of mineral processing and an effective plan to sell the product. A Pre-Feasibility Study includes a financial analysis based on reasonable assumptions, based on appropriate testing, about the modifying factors and the evaluation of any other relevant factors that are sufficient for a qualified person to determine if all or part of the Indicated and Measured Mineral Resources may be converted to mineral reserves at the time of reporting. The financial analysis must have the level of detail necessary to demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that extraction is economically viable. A Pre-Feasibility Study is less comprehensive and results in a lower confidence level than a feasibility study. A Pre-Feasibility study is more comprehensive and results in a higher confidence level than an Initial Assessment.

About American Battery Technology Company
American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), headquartered in Reno, Nevada, has pioneered first-of-kind technologies to unlock domestically manufactured and recycled battery metals critically needed to help meet the significant demand from the electric vehicle, stationary storage, and consumer electronics industries. Committed to a circular supply chain for battery metals, ABTC works to continually innovate and master new battery metals technologies that power a global transition to electrification and the future of sustainable energy.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements." Although the American Battery Technology Company's (the "Company") management believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations are, or will be, correct. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from those anticipated. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; interpretations or reinterpretations of geologic information, unfavorable exploration results, inability to obtain permits required for future exploration, development or production, general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates; the uncertainty of regulatory requirements and approvals; fluctuating mineral and commodity prices, final investment approval and the ability to obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms or at all. Additional information regarding the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023. The Company assumes no obligation to update any of the information contained or referenced in this press release.

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SOURCE American Battery Technology Company

FAQ

What is the focus of the updated Initial Assessment by American Battery Technology Company?

The updated Initial Assessment focuses on utilizing Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources for the commercial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery.

What changes were observed in the project metrics of the Tonopah Flats Lithium Project?

The project metrics show a 7% reduction in total claystone processed, an 8% increase in average grade, a 7% decrease in production costs, and a 6% increase in net present value at a 10% discount rate.

Who conducted a virtual walkthrough of the lithium deposits for ABTC?

ABTC's CEO conducted a virtual walkthrough with Vrify CEO, discussing Drill Program results, the lithium hydroxide pilot plant, and recommended next steps for the project.

What support did ABTC receive for its lithium hydroxide manufacturing technologies?

The company received support from the U.S. Department of Energy for the commercialization of its technologies for battery grade lithium hydroxide manufacturing from Nevada-based claystone resources.

When does the Amended Initial Assessment by ABTC supersede previously published reports?

The Amended Initial Assessment supersedes all previously published reports as of April 5, 2024.