Rio Tinto to Invest $40.4 Million in Sovereign, Becoming a 15% Strategic Investor Sovereign Metals Limited

Rio Tinto to Invest $40.4 Million in Sovereign, Becoming a 15% Strategic Investor

Post image

Rio Tinto has announced a significant investment of A$40. 4 million in Sovereign, resulting in an initial 15% shareholding in the company. The investment will be used to advance the Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project in Malawi.

This investment is a significant step towards unlocking a new supply of low-CO2-footprint natural rutile and flake graphite. Rio Tinto will also provide assistance and advice on technical and marketing aspects of Kasiya, including Sovereign's graphite co-product, with a primary focus on spherical purified graphite for the lithium-ion battery anode market.

Under the Investment Agreement, Rio Tinto will issue 83,095,592 new shares of Sovereign at a price of A$0. 486 per share, representing a 10% premium to the 45-day volume weighted average price on the ASX as at close 14th July 2023.

Story Continues.. after this ad because we need some dollarydoos



Rio Tinto will also receive 34,549,598 options to increase its shareholding by an additional 4. 99% to potentially 19. 99% of Sovereign within 12 months. These options have an exercise price of A$0. 535 per share, representing a 21% premium to the 45-day volume weighted average price on the ASX as at close 14th July 2023, for additional proceeds of up to $18. 5 million if all options are exercised.

Sovereign's Chairman Ben Stoikovich has welcomed Rio Tinto's investment, commenting that it is a landmark agreement with one of the world's largest and most accomplished global mining companies. The experience and expertise that Rio Tinto brings will truly set Kasiya apart as a potentially globally significant supply of two critical minerals and take us all a step closer to achieving net-zero. Furthermore, this investment is yet another step towards unlocking significant benefits from development of the Kasiya project for Malawi.

Promote your business on our growing investor platform: Advertise With Us

Lykshares 1y

#ASX:ASN Is Anson Resources’ US$330M Financing Deal the Key to Unlocking Utah’s Lithium Potential?

Is Anson Resources’ US$330M Financing Deal the Key to Unlocking Utah’s Lithium Potential?
Lykshares 1y

#ASX:AZL Could the Dawson Bay Formation Unlock Arizona Lithium’s Full Potential?

Could the Dawson Bay Formation Unlock Arizona Lithium’s Full Potential?
Lykshares 1y

#ASX:CXO Is Core Lithium’s Finniss Project Poised for a Long-Term Comeback?

Is Core Lithium’s Finniss Project Poised for a Long-Term Comeback?
Lykshares 1y

#ASX:ENR Can Encounter Resources’ West Arunta Project Become Australia’s Next Major Niobium Discovery?

Can Encounter Resources’ West Arunta Project Become Australia’s Next Major Niobium Discovery?
Lykshares 1y

#ASX:RDN Can Raiden’s Latest Hires Unlock the Full Potential of the Andover Complex?

Can Raiden’s Latest Hires Unlock the Full Potential of the Andover Complex?
Lykshares 1y

#ASX:RDN Can Raiden’s New Drilling Program Unlock High-Grade Lithium at Andover South?

Can Raiden’s New Drilling Program Unlock High-Grade Lithium at Andover South?

Lykshares 1y

#ASX:ASN How Will Anson Resources' Green River Lithium Project Shape the Future of Sustainable Mining?

How Will Anson Resources' Green River Lithium Project Shape the Future of Sustainable Mining?