Lithium Argentina to Establish Corporate Domicile in Switzerland
Lithium Argentina (TSX/NYSE: LAAC) announced plans to establish corporate domicile in Switzerland, rebranding as Lithium Argentina AG in early 2025. The strategic move requires shareholder, stock exchange, and court approval. The company will maintain its TSX and NYSE listings under the new symbol 'LAR' and continue operating under North American securities laws. The operational headquarters will relocate to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The company's partner, Ganfeng, has agreed to a three-year standstill agreement preventing acquisition of controlling interest. A special shareholder meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2025, to approve the continuation.
Lithium Argentina (TSX/NYSE: LAAC) ha annunciato piani per stabilire la propria sede legale in Svizzera, rinominandosi Lithium Argentina AG all'inizio del 2025. Questa mossa strategica richiede l'approvazione da parte degli azionisti, della borsa valori e del tribunale. L'azienda manterrà le sue quotazioni TSX e NYSE con il nuovo simbolo 'LAR' e continuerà a operare secondo le leggi sui titoli delle Americhe. La sede operativa sarà trasferita a Buenos Aires, Argentina. Il partner dell'azienda, Ganfeng, ha accettato un accordo di standstill di tre anni che impedisce l'acquisizione di una partecipazione di controllo. Un'assemblea speciale degli azionisti è programmata per il 17 gennaio 2025, per approvare la continuazione.
Lithium Argentina (TSX/NYSE: LAAC) anunció planes para establecer su domicilio corporativo en Suiza, rebautizándose como Lithium Argentina AG a principios de 2025. Este movimiento estratégico requiere aprobación de los accionistas, de la bolsa de valores y del tribunal. La compañía mantendrá sus listados en TSX y NYSE bajo el nuevo símbolo 'LAR' y continuará operando bajo las leyes de valores de América del Norte. La sede operativa se trasladará a Buenos Aires, Argentina. El socio de la compañía, Ganfeng, ha acordado un acuerdo de paralización de tres años que impide la adquisición de un interés de control. Se ha programado una reunión especial de accionistas para el 17 de enero de 2025, para aprobar la continuación.
리튬 아르헨티나 (TSX/NYSE: LAAC)는 스위스에 본사를 두고, 2025년 초에 리튬 아르헨티나 AG로 브랜드를 변경할 계획을 발표했습니다. 이 전략적 이동은 주주, 증권 거래소 및 법원의 승인을 필요로 합니다. 회사는 새로운 심볼 'LAR'로 TSX 및 NYSE 상장 지위를 유지하며, 북미 증권법 하에서 계속 운영할 것입니다. 운영 본부는 아르헨티나 부에노스아이레스로 이전될 예정입니다. 회사의 파트너인 Ganfeng은 지배권을 획득하는 것을 방지하는 3년 동안의 정지 합의에 동의했습니다. 주주 특별 회의는 2025년 1월 17일에 예정되어 있으며, 계속 운영하기 위한 승인을 받을 것입니다.
Lithium Argentina (TSX/NYSE: LAAC) a annoncé des plans pour établir son siège social en Suisse, se renommant en Lithium Argentina AG début 2025. Ce mouvement stratégique nécessite l'approbation des actionnaires, de la bourse et du tribunal. L'entreprise conservera ses inscriptions TSX et NYSE sous le nouveau symbole 'LAR' et continuera à opérer sous les lois canadiennes sur les valeurs mobilières. Le siège opérationnel sera relocalisé à Buenos Aires, en Argentine. Le partenaire de l'entreprise, Ganfeng, a accepté un accord d'arrêt de trois ans pour empêcher l'acquisition d'un intérêt de contrôle. Une assemblée spéciale des actionnaires est prévue pour le 17 janvier 2025, afin d'approuver la continuité.
Lithium Argentina (TSX/NYSE: LAAC) gab bekannt, dass das Unternehmen plant, seinen rechtlichen Sitz in die Schweiz zu verlegen und sich Anfang 2025 in Lithium Argentina AG umzubenennen. Dieser strategische Schritt erfordert die Genehmigung von Aktionären, der Börse und des Gerichts. Das Unternehmen wird seine Listings an der TSX und NYSE unter dem neuen Symbol 'LAR' beibehalten und weiterhin nach nordamerikanischen Wertpapierrechtsvorschriften operieren. Der Betriebsstandort wird nach Buenos Aires, Argentinien, verlegt. Der Partner des Unternehmens, Ganfeng, hat einer dreijährigen Stillhaltevereinbarung zugestimmt, die den Erwerb einer Kontrollbeteiligung verhindert. Eine spezielle Aktionärsversammlung ist für den 17. Januar 2025 angesetzt, um die Fortsetzung zu genehmigen.
- Strategic relocation to Switzerland provides expanded financing flexibility
- Maintains dual listing on major exchanges (TSX/NYSE)
- Three-year protection against takeover through Ganfeng standstill agreement
- No material changes expected to operations or financial results
- None.
Insights
This corporate redomiciliation to Switzerland represents a strategic repositioning that could enhance Lithium Argentina's global operations and financial flexibility. The Canton of Zug is known for its business-friendly environment and established commodities trading hub status. The move offers several key advantages:
- Enhanced access to European markets and customers in the growing EV supply chain
- Potential tax benefits and regulatory advantages in Switzerland's established commodities sector
- Maintained North American market access through dual TSX/NYSE listings
- Protection from potential hostile takeovers through Ganfeng's three-year standstill agreement
The decision to maintain operational headquarters in Buenos Aires while establishing corporate domicile in Switzerland creates a balanced structure that could optimize both operational efficiency and corporate advantages. The continued North American listing ensures shareholder liquidity while gaining European strategic benefits.
The redomiciliation structure through a plan of arrangement provides a clear legal framework for this corporate transformation. Key legal considerations include:
- Maintained compliance with both Canadian and U.S. securities regulations
- Shareholder protections through required approvals and voting process
- Strategic protection via the legally binding standstill agreement with Ganfeng
The Swiss legal framework offers robust corporate governance structures and established precedents for international mining companies. The continuation process, while complex, provides appropriate shareholder safeguards while enabling strategic flexibility.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lithium Americas (Argentina) Corp. (“Lithium Argentina” or the “Company”) (TSX: LAAC) (NYSE: LAAC) today announced its intention to establish corporate domicile in Switzerland under the new name, Lithium Argentina AG. The move, which requires shareholder, stock exchange and court approval, is expected to occur in early 2025.
Lithium Argentina has performed an extensive review of its businesses and corporate structure. Switzerland, was determined to be the best jurisdiction from a strategic, commercial and legal perspective. The move is expected to provide expanded financing flexibility and support the Company’s current business and long-term growth plans through access to various markets, proximity to European customers and an attractive framework for existing shareholders and future investment.
The redomiciling of the Company is proposed to be effected by way of plan of arrangement whereby the Company will be continued from the Province of British Columbia, Canada into the jurisdiction of the Canton of Zug, Switzerland. The operational headquarters of the Lithium Argentina group of companies will become Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Lithium Argentina does not anticipate any material change to its operations or financial results as a result of the change of domicile. As part of the new corporate domicile, the Company plans to change its name to Lithium Argentina AG and continue the listing of its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the new symbol ”LAR”, which will continue to provide shareholders with the convenience of owning North American listed stock and avoids any disruption related to changing the listing to other capital markets. By continuing to trade on North American markets, the Company will continue to be subject to the public company reporting requirements under Canadian and U.S. securities laws.
The Company’s partner in the Caucharí-Olaroz project, GFL International Co. Ltd. (“Ganfeng”), has entered into a three year standstill agreement with Lithium Argentina pursuant to which Ganfeng has agreed that it will not, directly or indirectly, acquire or facilitate the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company (subject to customary exceptions).
The continuation is subject to administrative approvals and the Company is planning to call and hold a special meeting of shareholders on January 17, 2025 to approve the continuation and ancillary matters. A management information circular along with other meeting materials containing detailed information with respect to the continuation transaction will be made available to shareholders and filed on SEDAR+ and EDGAR in December.
ABOUT LITHIUM ARGENTINA
Lithium Argentina is an emerging producer of lithium carbonate for use primarily in lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles. The Company, in partnership with Ganfeng is ramping up production of the Caucharí-Olaroz lithium brine operation in Argentina and advancing development of additional lithium resources in the region. Lithium Argentina currently trades on the TSX and on the NYSE.
For further information contact:
Investor Relations
Telephone: +1 778-653-8092
Email: Kelly.obrien@lithium-argentina.com
Website: www.lithium-argentina.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as “forward-looking information”). These statements relate to future events or the Company’s future performance. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by the use of words such as “seek,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “targeting,” “intend,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe” and similar expressions. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.
In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information, including, without limitation, with respect to the following matters or the Company’s expectations relating to matters such as the intention to establish corporate domicile in Switzerland, the anticipated benefits of the redomicile, the approval of the redomicile, the holding of a special meeting of shareholders, trading of our shares on the TSX and the NYSE, impacts on operations and financial results, impacts on day-to-day operations and the continued conduct of our business.
Forward-looking information does not take into account the effect of transactions or other items announced or occurring after the statements are made. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon a number of expectations and assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those related to: uncertainties with respect to obtaining all applicable shareholder, court and regulatory approvals or satisfying other requirements necessity or desirability of permitting or facilitating the completion of the transaction; the continued listing on the TSX and NYSE, being subject to satisfying all conditions prescribed by the exchanges; there being no guarantee that the redomiciling will procure the anticipated benefits nor that the expected impacts will materialize as expected; potential adverse tax consequences resulting from the transaction; discretion of the Company to implement the redomicile or not; risks associated with the Company being governed under a different corporate legal regime post continuation; change in the rights of shareholders as a result of the continuation; unforeseen events that could prevent, delay in or increase in cost of completing the continuation; uncertainties inherent to feasibility studies and mineral resource and reserve estimates; global financial markets, general economic conditions, competitive business environments, and other factors that may negatively impact the Company’s financial condition; the inability of the Company to secure sufficient additional financing to develop the Company’s mineral projects; and all the other risk factors identified herein and in the Company’s latest annual information form and in other continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Readers are cautioned that the actual results achieved will vary from the information provided herein and that such variations may be material. Consequently, there are no representations by the Company that actual results achieved will be the same in whole or in part as those set out in the forward-looking statements.
This press release does not constitute a solicitation of any proxy nor the offering of any securities of the Company.
FAQ
When will Lithium Argentina (LAAC) change its domicile to Switzerland?
What will be the new stock symbol for Lithium Argentina (LAAC) after redomiciling?
When is Lithium Argentina's (LAAC) special shareholder meeting for the continuation approval?
Where will Lithium Argentina's operational headquarters be located after the move?
