Critical Metals Corp. Receives BMW Pre-Payment for the Wolfsberg Lithium Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Critical Metals Corp (Nasdaq: CRML) has announced a $15 million pre-payment from BMW for battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) from the Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria. The funds have been transferred to ECM Lithium AT GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Critical Metals Corp. This pre-payment is part of an offtake agreement aimed at supporting BMW's electric vehicle production in Europe, contributing to a sustainable and domestic battery supply chain. CEO Tony Sage highlighted that this transaction will bolster the company's balance sheet and aid in advancing its development strategy.

Positive

• Critical Metals Corp received a $15 million pre-payment from BMW.
• The payment supports the Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria.
• Funds will strengthen the balance sheet of Critical Metals Corp.
• The partnership with BMW aids in sustainable domestic battery supply chains.
• The payment facilitates the advancement of Critical Metals Corp’s development strategy.

Negative

• The $15 million pre-payment might indicate reliance on external funding.
• Potential risk if the Wolfsberg Lithium Project faces delays or fails to deliver.

Financial Analyst

The pre-payment of $15 million from BMW to Critical Metals Corp. signifies a robust endorsement of the Wolfsberg Lithium Project’s potential. Such a pre-payment agreement often indicates confidence in the project's future output and viability. Financially, this upfront cash injection bolsters Critical Metals' balance sheet, enhancing liquidity and lowering immediate financial risks. This deal also provides assurance of future revenue through the secure offtake agreement with a major player in the automotive industry. For retail investors, this partnership with BMW offers a signal of stability and growth potential, though they should remain aware of the long-term development timelines and potential fluctuations in lithium market prices.

Market Research Analyst

The collaboration between Critical Metals Corp. and BMW aligns with the increasing trend in the automotive industry towards securing supply chains for critical minerals, particularly for electric vehicle (EV) production. This strategic alliance not only emphasizes the industry's pivot towards sustainability but also highlights Critical Metals' critical role in the EV supply chain. Investors should note that such partnerships often lead to increased market interest and potentially higher stock valuations, assuming successful project progression and market conditions that favor electric vehicles. Additionally, this pre-payment may encourage other automakers to seek similar agreements with Critical Metals, further solidifying their market position.

Industry Analyst

The agreement between BMW and Critical Metals Corp. is a notable example of vertical integration within the EV industry. By securing lithium supply through pre-payment, BMW ensures a steady and reliable source of a critical component, mitigating risks associated with supply chain disruptions. For Critical Metals, this agreement helps in project de-risking and provides a significant vote of confidence in their mining capabilities and lithium output quality. This move could potentially set a precedent for other automakers and battery manufacturers, increasing demand for similar offtake agreements and enhancing Critical Metals' reputation within the industry.

Critical Metals Corp receives $15 million pre-payment from BMW

NEW YORK, June 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Critical Metals Corp. (Nasdaq: CRML) (“Critical Metals Corp”), a leading mining development company focused on critical metals and minerals for the green energy transition, today announced that Bayerische Motoren Werkte Aktiengesellschaft (BMW) has transferred funds of US$15 million to ECM Lithium AT GmbH (ECM), a wholly owned subsidiary of Critical Metals Corp. This payment is in relation to the offtake of battery grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) from the Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria which is to be offset against lithium hydroxide delivered to BMW.

“We are pleased to move our partnership with BMW forward and look forward to supporting the production of their electric vehicles in Europe in the years to come, contributing to a more sustainable and domestic battery supply chain,” said Tony Sage, CEO and Executive Chairman of Critical Metals Corp. “This pre-payment further strengthens our balance sheet and will allow us to further advance our development strategy.”

About Critical Metals Corp.
Critical Metals Corp (Nasdaq: CRML) is a leading mining development company focused on critical metals and minerals, and producing strategic products essential to electrification and next generation technologies for Europe and its partners. Its initial flagship asset is the Wolfsberg Lithium Project located in Carinthia, 270 km south of Vienna, Austria. The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is the first fully permitted mine in Europe and is strategically located with access to established road and rail infrastructure and is expected to be the next major producer of key lithium products to support the European market. Wolfsberg is well positioned with offtake and downstream partners to become a unique and valuable building block in an expanding geostrategic critical metals portfolio. The Company has a long-term offtake with a leading global automaker based in Europe and is expected to benefit from European Lithium’s JV with Obeikan Group. In addition, Critical Metals Corp owns a 20% interest in prospective Austrian mineral projects previously held by European Lithium Ltd (ASX: EUR).

For more information, please visit https://criticalmetalscorp.com/.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, financial performance, business strategy, expectations of our business and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this news release, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “designed to” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical facts. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements may include statements, among other things, relating to:

• general economic conditions and conditions affecting the industries in which the Company operates;
• expansion and other plans and opportunities, including expansion into other strategic assets; and
• other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions.
  

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Shell Company Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 3, 2024 and in the Company’s proxy statement/prospectus, dated December 27, 2023, as supplemented by that proxy statement/prospectus supplement No. 1, dated February 15, 2024, forming a part of Registration Statement on Form F-4 (File No. 333-268970), as amended, which was declared effective on December 27, 2023. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this news release, and expectations, forecasts and assumptions as of that date, involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Critical Metals Corp.

Investor Relations: ir@criticalmetalscorp.com

Media: pr@criticalmetalscorp.com

FAQ

What is the recent financial transaction between BMW and Critical Metals Corp?

BMW has made a $15 million pre-payment to Critical Metals Corp for battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH) from the Wolfsberg Lithium Project.

How will the $15 million pre-payment from BMW affect Critical Metals Corp’s finances?

The $15 million pre-payment is expected to strengthen Critical Metals Corp’s balance sheet.

What is the purpose of BMW’s $15 million pre-payment to Critical Metals Corp?

The pre-payment is part of an offtake agreement for lithium hydroxide to support BMW's electric vehicle production.

Which project is associated with the $15 million pre-payment from BMW to Critical Metals Corp?

The pre-payment is associated with the Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria.

How will the partnership with BMW benefit Critical Metals Corp?

The partnership with BMW will contribute to a sustainable and domestic battery supply chain and advance Critical Metals Corp’s development strategy.