Africa has become the ideal jurisdiction for exploration and development driven by its compelling geology
$17m
Spent on exploration in Africa in 2021 (7% of global)
10%
Spent ($25M) on grassroot exploration
5
Projects in Africa with over $1M in exploration budgets (2021)
Exploration focus has
been on pegmatites
(ex-tantalum mines) in Australia and large lithium salars in South America
Globally, there are a limited number of large scale, undeveloped lithium deposits
Greenstone belts across Africa present an attractive jurisdiction for new investment
African hardrock Li sources offer the potential for low capex, rapid permitting and simple processing when compared to Salars, Brines and Clay resources in the western world
AFRICAN DEVELOPERS attracting asian capital
Africa has seen an exponential increase in Lithium exploration efforts and is set to become a substantial new source of supply. Lithium Africa has an early mover advantage and seeks to play a major role in the shifting global supply chain for this chemical
Recent Chinese investments into African lithium projects:
June 2021
Ganfeng Lithium US $130M investment to form 50/50 JV with FFX on the Goulamina project in Mali
Sept 2021
CATH (CATL JV) project level investment into ManonoDRC US $240M for 24%
Dec 2021
Haoyou International Mining acquisition of 100% of Arcadia project(Prospect Resources) in Zimbabwe for $422M
Jan 2023
Hainan will acquire 51% in Kodal’s newly incorporated UK subsidiary, Kodal Mining UK for $100 M commitment
Mar 2024
Leo Lithium’s previously announced agreement to sell an additional 5% of MLBV to Ganfeng for $65-million
AFRICA’S POTENTIAL
Bikita in Zimbabwe is one of the world’s largest lithium mines, anchoring Zimbabwe’s position as the 4th largest lithium-producing country globally
Unexplored Investment
Low Exploration Costs
Infrastructure
Established Infrastructure in Key Jurisdictions
Right Geology
Archean and Paleoproterozoic Greenstone Belts and Basins
Limited Alternatives
Large brines are known and have been consolidated, limited opportunities in Australia and North America without high technical risk