Electra Increases Capacity of its Canadian Battery Materials Refinery

Rhea-AI Summary

Electra Battery Materials Corporation (OTCQX: FTSSF) has announced a 30% increase in the design capacity of its cobalt refinery in Canada, raising annual production to 6,500 tonnes. The commissioning of the refinery is on schedule for Q4 2022, with a project budget of US$67 million, funded from company treasury. This expansion aims to meet strong demand in the North American electric vehicle market. Contracts for key components have been secured, and the company expects to produce 100% of North American cobalt supply. Current working capital stands at approximately US$54 million.

Positive

• 30% increase in cobalt refinery capacity to 6,500 tonnes annually.
• Commissioning of the refinery remains on schedule for Q4 2022.
• Strong customer demand supports capacity expansion.
• Contracts totaling US$22 million have been secured for project components.

Negative

• Capital costs increased by US$7 million to a total of US$67 million.
• The project requires an additional US$59 million in cash before commissioning.

Provides Update on Phase 1 of Battery Materials Park

TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Electra Battery Materials Corporation (TSXV: FCC) (OTCQX: FTSSF) (the "Company") provided an update on the expansion and recommissioning of its hydrometallurgical refinery in Canada, announcing a 30% increase in the design capacity of its cobalt refinery. First production is scheduled for Q4 2022, as part of a phased approach to create the only battery materials park in North America, providing automakers with direct access to battery-grade nickel and cobalt, recycled battery material and precursor material.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In response to strong customer demand, Electra will invest in additional capacity for its crystallizer circuit, which will result in installed capacity of 6,500 tonnes of annual cobalt production, a 30% capacity increase from the feasibility study design of 5,000 tonnes
• Commissioning of the cobalt refinery remains on schedule for Q4 2022
• Project control budget for the larger circuit is US$67 million, which can be funded from treasury, compared to a feasibility study estimate for a smaller plant of US$60 million
• Ground excavation has commenced for a new solvent extraction facility and contracts have been awarded for the foundations and building construction
• Previously announced MoU with IXM SA for cobalt hydroxide feed material has been formalized as an executed contract
• Replay of November 8 investor call discussing new corporate strategy and name change from First Cobalt to Electra Battery Materials is now available on the Company's website

Due to client feedback and a strong demand outlook for battery-grade cobalt, Electra Battery Materials will increase its investment in its low carbon Canadian hydrometallurgical refinery and expand nameplate capacity of its crystallizer circuit to 6,500 tonnes of annual cobalt production. This represents a 30% capacity increase from the design rate of 5,000 tonnes per year. The facility will produce 100% of North American supply and 26% of supply sourced outside of China.

Construction remains on schedule to commission the refinery in Q4 2022 and initially ramp up to 5,000 tonnes per year. Permit amendments will be sought for the incremental capacity to permit the facility to ramp up from 5,000 to 6,500 tonnes.

"The strength of the North American electric vehicle market year to date and the growth forecasts of automakers informed our decision to invest in additional capacity even before the initial capacity has been brought online. Likewise, our decision to pursue a more ambitious strategy of producing precursor material, nickel and cobalt, and to recycle batteries is motivated by insights shared by battery cell manufacturers and automotive companies," said Trent Mell, President & Chief Executive Officer.

The Company has signed contracts and purchase orders with commitments totaling US$22 million. Contracts have been awarded for the two most expensive components of the refinery – the cobalt crystallizer and the solvent extraction plant. A number of smaller contracts have also been awarded, including solvent extraction plant earthworks, foundations and exterior building construction.

The capital budget is currently estimated at US$67 million, including a contingency amount of US$3.9 million. This represents a $7 million or 11.67% increase from the previously announced capital cost estimate of US$60 million. Part of the additional cost is related to the decision to increase production by 30% as well as changes in foreign exchange and increased construction material costs compared to the original engineering study. Detailed engineering is now significantly more advanced and numerous contracts and equipment orders have been finalized, resulting in a new capital budget that is more defined and representative of the advancement of the project. With the increased project definition, the formal project control budget has now been internally approved.

The project capital table is provided below:

From the revised project capital budget, approximately US$5 million has been spent to date, primarily on equipment deposits. Cash requirement for the refinery expansion from today through to commissioning is estimated at US$59 million. A further US$3 million is not expected to be paid until early 2023, based on anticipated payment terms. 

The Company's current working capital on hand is approximately US$54 million (after previously paying for the first $5 million in project expenditures).  Additionally, the committed funding from the Governments of Ontario and Canada will provide a further US$8 million (C$10 million), which gives overall liquidity of approximately US$62 million to use moving forward.

Given the number of items already under contract and a strong internal controls framework, the Company believes that the contingency amount of US$3.9 million included in the capital budget will not be required in full, and that a significant portion will be applied to increase the Company's excess cash on hand.

The Company has also formalized its previously announced long-term cobalt hydroxide feed arrangement with IXM SA, a fully owned subsidiary of CMOC, to supply cobalt from its Tenke Fungurume mining operation, which complements the existing cobalt hydroxide supply agreement the Company has in place with Glencore. The Company plans to source the remaining feed opportunistically at a later date.

November 8 Investor Call Replay

Electra hosted a live investor call on Monday, November 8, unveiling the Company's new brand and shift in corporate strategy to building North America's only fully integrated, localized and environmentally sustainable battery materials park. A replay is now available for viewing, here: https://www.firstcobalt.com/investors/media-gallery/videos/

About Electra Battery Materials

Electra is building North America's only fully integrated, localized and environmentally sustainable battery materials park. Leveraging the company's own mining assets and business partners, the Electra Battery Materials Park will host cobalt and nickel sulfate production plants, a large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility, and battery precursor materials production, which will serve both North American and global customers. Electra Battery Materials is an integral part of the North American battery supply chain, providing low-carbon, sustainable and traceable raw materials for the region's fast growing electric vehicle industry.

On behalf of Electra Battery Materials.

Trent Mell
President & Chief Executive Officer

Neither 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". Forward-looking statements 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. 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, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Electra 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, Electra disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

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SOURCE Electra Battery Materials Corporation

FAQ

What is the new capacity of Electra Battery Materials' cobalt refinery?

The cobalt refinery's capacity has been increased to 6,500 tonnes per year.

When is the commissioning of the cobalt refinery scheduled?

The commissioning is scheduled for Q4 2022.

What is the updated capital budget for the refinery project?

The updated capital budget is US$67 million.

How much working capital does Electra Battery Materials currently have?

Electra Battery Materials currently has approximately US$54 million in working capital.

What is the significance of the capacity increase for Electra Battery Materials?

The increase supports strong demand from the North American electric vehicle market.