Electra Announces Agreement Regarding Outstanding Convertible Notes Interest and Filing of Second Quarter 2024 Financial Reports

Rhea-AI Summary

Electra Battery Materials (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) has reached an agreement with holders of US$51 million in convertible notes to pay accrued interest through August 15, 2024, in-kind rather than cash. This results in additional notes worth US$6.5 million. The company also filed its Q2 2024 financial results.

Key points:

• Agreement preserves liquidity for cobalt refinery project
• Canadian Refinery is the primary focus, aiming to resume construction after securing funding
• Government of Canada provided $5 million for battery recycling program
• Global EV demand expected to increase by 22% in 2024
• Partnerships with ERG and Glencore secure feed material for full refinery capacity
• LG Energy Solutions has secured up to 80% of production
• Cash balance at quarter-end: C$4.8M

Positive

• Agreement to pay convertible notes interest in-kind, preserving US$6.5 million in cash
• $5 million funding agreement with Canadian government for battery recycling program
• Secured feed material for full refinery capacity through partnerships with ERG and Glencore
• LG Energy Solutions has secured up to 80% of cobalt sulfate production
• Global EV demand expected to increase by 22% in 2024, supporting market outlook

Negative

• Company requires approximately US$60 million to complete refinery construction
• Cash balance at quarter-end was only C$4.8 million
• Construction of cobalt refinery project still pending funding

Insights

Financial Analyst

The agreement to pay interest in-kind rather than cash is a positive development for Electra's liquidity. By issuing US$6.5 million in additional notes instead of cash payments, the company preserves capital for its core project. This flexibility from lenders signals confidence in Electra's vision.

However, the C$4.8 million cash balance is concerning, highlighting the urgent need for the US$60 million in funding to complete the refinery. The strategic importance of the project and strong customer demand are encouraging, but securing financing quickly is important for Electra's success.

Battery Industry Analyst

Electra's position in the North American EV supply chain is strategically significant. With 90% of cobalt chemical production currently in China, Electra's refinery could play a important role in supply chain diversification. The 22% projected growth in global EV demand for 2024 underscores the market potential.

Partnerships with ERG and Glencore for feed material and the agreement with LG Energy Solutions for up to 80% of production, demonstrate strong industry backing. The addition of battery recycling capabilities further enhances Electra's value proposition in the evolving EV ecosystem.

Environmental Policy Expert

Electra's focus on creating a North American battery supply chain aligns with growing governmental push for onshoring critical industries. The $5 million funding from the Canadian government for battery recycling underscores this trend. Electra's low-carbon hydrometallurgical process also addresses environmental concerns in battery material production.

The company's multi-phase vision, including recycling and potential expansion to nickel sulfate production, positions it well in the circular economy for EV batteries. This approach could provide a competitive edge as sustainability becomes increasingly important in the EV supply chain.

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) (“Electra” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Company and the holders of US$51 million principal amount of 8.99% senior secured convertible notes have agreed that all accrued interest owing to August 15, 2024, on the convertible notes will be “paid-in-kind,” not in cash, and added to the outstanding principal amount of the notes. As a result of this agreement, the Company will issue additional notes in the principal amount of US$6.5 million. The Company also announces the filing of its second quarter financial results.

David Allen, Electra’s CFO, said regarding the noteholder agreement, “We are grateful for our lenders’ continued support of our vision and business plan. This agreement allows us to preserve liquidity and allocate capital towards funding the completion of the cobalt refinery project rather than paying interest in cash.”

Electra’s CEO, Trent Mell, said “The cobalt refinery continues to be our primary focus, with the objective of resuming construction shortly after funding is secured. We have maintained rigorous management of our financial resources throughout the quarter and the recent agreement with our lenders further reflects this rigor. The Canadian Refinery is our flagship asset and will be the first of its kind in North America. Beyond refining cobalt hydroxide to produce cobalt sulfate for the battery market, we are exploring battery recycling to close the loop within the supply chain. In June, the Government of Canada entered a $5 million funding agreement with Electra to support the next phase of our battery recycling program. This continued support demonstrates a recognized importance of onshoring the battery supply chain and reducing reliance on China.

“Recent market reports have alluded to a slowing of EV growth rates for some EV manufacturers, but the outlook remains exceptionally strong,” Mell continued. “With global demand for EVs expected to increase by 22% in 2024, according to Rho Motion, and more than 90% of cobalt chemical, the material used for batteries, coming from refineries in China, the urgency to diversify the supply chain to meet the growth challenges ahead is becoming more pressing.

Mell concluded, “Through our partnerships with ERG and Glencore, we have secured feed material to meet the full capacity of our refinery. Customer demand for our cobalt sulfate production far exceeds our production capacity and LG Energy Solutions has already secured up to 80% of our production. We are strategically positioned to be a foundational component of the North American battery supply chain.”

The 8.99% senior secured convertible notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated February 13, 2023, entered into among the Company, GLAS Trust Company LLC, as trustee for the notes and the noteholders. A supplemental indenture to the note indenture will be entered into which will govern the additional notes, a copy of which will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and with on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

The payment in kind and the issuance of additional notes is subject to certain conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Company’s cash balance at the end of the quarter was C$4.8M. The Company’s second quarter 2024 financial reports are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) and the Company’s website (www.ElectraBMC.com).

Electra’s is recommissioning and expanding its refinery, and its long-term vision includes additional phases to potentially provide recycled battery materials and battery grade nickel to the North American and global electric vehicle battery market:

1. Completion of the recommissioning of the refinery to produce at an initial rate of 5,000 tonnes per annum of battery cobalt contained in cobalt sulfate from cobalt hydroxide.
2. 12-month permit amendment process and expansion of certain circuits to increase cobalt production to 6,500 tonnes per annum of battery grade cobalt sulfate, reaching the nameplate capacity of the crystallization circuit.
3. Recycling of black mass, recovering lithium, nickel, cobalt and other critical metals, supported by a planned joint venture with the Three Fires Group to collaborate to source battery waste and produce black mass for refining at Electra’s refinery.
4. Expansion to a second cobalt sulfate facility in Bécancour, Quebec and a strategically located North American nickel sulfate refinery.

Throughout 2023, Electra operated a plant scale battery recycling trial at its refinery, processing more than 40 tonnes of black mass material to recover valuable elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and copper. The goal was to make high-quality nickel, cobalt, and lithium products. While the current phase of the recycling project is now largely complete, ongoing work aims to unlock additional value from the final saleable products and completed advanced engineering studies.

Electra’s low carbon hydrometallurgical refinery in Canada is permitted and has an estimated current replacement value of approximately US$200 million. The Company requires approximately US$60 million to complete construction. The cobalt refinery project continues to be derisked through the on-site receipt of most long lead-time equipment and by the 2023 commissioning of the legacy refinery operations for the black mass demonstration plant.

About Electra Battery Materials

Electra is a processor of low-carbon, ethically-sourced battery materials. Currently focused on developing North America’s only cobalt sulfate refinery, Electra is executing a phased strategy to onshore the electric vehicle supply chain and provide a North American solution for EV battery materials refining. Keys to its strategy are integrating black mass recycling, expanding cobalt sulfate processing into Bécancour, Quebec, and exploring nickel sulfate production potential within North America. For more information, please visit www.ElectraBMC.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “plans”, “expects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding completion of the issuance of the Interest Notes and the approval of the TSXV. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Among the bases for assumptions with respect to the potential for additional government funding are discussions and indications of support from government actors based on certain milestones being achieved. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are set forth in the management discussion and analysis and other disclosures of risk factors for Electra Battery Materials Corporation, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and with on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Other factors that could lead actual results to differ materially include changes with respect to government or investor expectations or actions as compared to communicated intentions, and general macroeconomic and other trends that can affect levels of government or private investment. Although the Company believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240814641668/en/

Heather Smiles

Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Electra Battery Materials

info@ElectraBMC.com

1.416.900.3891

Source: Electra Battery Materials Corporation

FAQ

What agreement did Electra Battery Materials (ELBM) reach regarding its convertible notes?

Electra agreed with holders of US$51 million in convertible notes to pay accrued interest through August 15, 2024, in-kind rather than cash, resulting in additional notes worth US$6.5 million.

How much funding does Electra Battery Materials (ELBM) need to complete its cobalt refinery construction?

Electra requires approximately US$60 million to complete construction of its cobalt refinery project.

What is the expected increase in global EV demand for 2024, according to Electra's CEO?

According to Rho Motion, as cited by Electra's CEO, global demand for EVs is expected to increase by 22% in 2024.

How much of Electra Battery Materials' (ELBM) cobalt sulfate production has LG Energy Solutions secured?

LG Energy Solutions has secured up to 80% of Electra's cobalt sulfate production.

What was Electra Battery Materials' (ELBM) cash balance at the end of Q2 2024?

Electra's cash balance at the end of Q2 2024 was C$4.8 million.