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Atlas Lithium (ATLX) - 2022 Q4 - Annual Report
ATLXAtlas Lithium (ATLX)2023-03-29 16:00

Lithium Projects and Exploration - The company is planning to develop a plant with an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons of lithium concentrate, although there are no guarantees that this facility will be completed or meet production expectations[15]. - A non-binding MOU was signed with Mitsui for potential funding of up to 65million,contingentonachievingspecificmilestones,whichwouldallowMitsuitopurchaseupto10065 million, contingent on achieving specific milestones, which would allow Mitsui to purchase up to 100% of the company's production from the planned plant[16]. - The company's mineral rights portfolio includes approximately 75,040 acres for lithium, 54,950 acres for nickel, 30,054 acres for rare earths, 22,050 acres for titanium, and 13,766 acres for graphite, all located in Brazil[17]. - The Minas Gerais Lithium Project is the company's largest endeavor, located in a region known for its commercial lithium production and mineral reserves[18]. - Exploration at the Neves Lithium Project has confirmed the presence of hardrock lithium-bearing pegmatites, with 81 diamond drill holes totaling 9,285 meters completed from August 2021 to March 2023[26]. - Significant lithium assay results from recent drilling at Neves include 1.72% Li2O over 3.5 meters and 1.00% Li2O over 21.2 meters, indicating high-grade lithium mineralization[29]. - A new target named "Anitta" was identified, extending the Neves trend ore body to approximately 1.1 kilometers, with initial drilling showing pegmatite intervals containing 4.40% Li2O[30]. - The company has initiated soil geochemistry campaigns to identify lithium anomalies, with the first campaign conducted in November 2022 and a second campaign completed in early March 2023[37]. - Comprehensive metallurgical testing of ore samples from the Neves Project has shown easy separation of lithium and low impurities, with results expected to be finalized in April 2023[57]. - The company plans to continue exploration and metallurgical testing to delineate potential lithium mineral resources across its property portfolio[58]. Market Trends and Demand - The global lithium market was valued at USD 4,650 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2023 to 2028[59]. - Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) increased by nearly 50% in 2020 and almost doubled to about seven million units in 2021, driving lithium demand[60]. - Lithium prices surged by approximately 550% in one year, with lithium carbonate exceeding USD 75,000 per metric ton and lithium hydroxide surpassing USD 65,000 per metric ton by March 2022[60]. - Benchmark Mineral Intelligence predicts a six-fold increase in demand for lithium-ion batteries by 2032, necessitating 74 new lithium mines averaging 45,000 tonnes each by 2035[68]. - California plans to ban the sale of new gas-only vehicles by 2035, potentially increasing lithium demand in the U.S.[64]. - The European Union voted to ban the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars starting in 2035, which may also boost lithium demand[66]. - The price of spodumene concentrate was 6,300 per ton on January 13, 2023, and decreased to 4,750byMarch27,2023,indicatingpricevolatility[66].OtherMineralRightsandProjectsThecompanyowns15mineralrightsfornickel,totalingapproximately54,950acres,whicharecriticalforEVbatteryproduction[72].Thecompanyhassevenmineralrightsforrareearthelementstotalingapproximately30,054acres,essentialforvarioushightechapplications[78].Thecompanyssubsidiary,ApolloResources,isadvancingtheRioPiracicabaProject,expectedtobeginironminingoperationsin2024[85].ApolloResourceshas1004,750 by March 27, 2023, indicating price volatility[66]. Other Mineral Rights and Projects - The company owns 15 mineral rights for nickel, totaling approximately 54,950 acres, which are critical for EV battery production[72]. - The company has seven mineral rights for rare earth elements totaling approximately 30,054 acres, essential for various high-tech applications[78]. - The company’s subsidiary, Apollo Resources, is advancing the Rio Piracicaba Project, expected to begin iron mining operations in 2024[85]. - Apollo Resources has 100% ownership of the Rio Piracicaba Project, with indicated resources of 2,646,141 tons at a grade of 33.74% iron and inferred resources of 5,206,771 tons at a grade of 30.40% iron[89]. - The mineral resources are estimated using a long-term iron ore price of US90 per dry metric tonne and a US/BRLexchangerateof5.25[90].InOctober2022,ApolloResourcesreceivedaninitialpermitfromANMtocommerciallyminetheRioPiracicabaProject[92].Theoperationallicensingstudiesfortheironminewerecompletedin2021andpartof2022,withthepermitapplicationsubmittedtoSUPRAM,whichmaytakeanadditional12monthsforanalysis[94].JupiterGold,asubsidiaryofApolloResources,identifiedaquartzitedepositinMinasGeraisandreceivedanoperationallicenseforitsquartzitemineinDecember2022,planningtostartoperationsin2023[98].JupiterGoldanticipatesquartzitepricesrangingfrom/BRL exchange rate of 5.25[90]. - In October 2022, Apollo Resources received an initial permit from ANM to commercially mine the Rio Piracicaba Project[92]. - The operational licensing studies for the iron mine were completed in 2021 and part of 2022, with the permit application submitted to SUPRAM, which may take an additional 12 months for analysis[94]. - Jupiter Gold, a subsidiary of Apollo Resources, identified a quartzite deposit in Minas Gerais and received an operational license for its quartzite mine in December 2022, planning to start operations in 2023[98]. - Jupiter Gold anticipates quartzite prices ranging from 1,200 to 2,000percubicmeterfortheminedproduct[98].ApolloResourcesowns28.722,000 per cubic meter for the mined product[98]. - Apollo Resources owns 28.72% of Jupiter Gold, which has 142,017 acres of mineral rights for gold distributed across seven projects[100]. - The Alpha Project, part of Jupiter Gold, encompasses 31,650 acres and has undergone preliminary research towards development as a gold mine[101]. Financial Performance and Risks - The company has an accumulated deficit of approximately 58.7 million as of December 31, 2022, and expects to continue incurring losses until commercial production is achieved[124]. - The company has generated limited revenues from operations and has financed cash flow needs primarily through debt or equity[122]. - The company raised an aggregate of $4 million in gross proceeds from the sale of its common stock on January 30, 2023[137]. - The company has a history of losses and negative cash flow from operating activities, with expectations to continue this trend in the future[123]. - The company's long-term success depends on achieving and maintaining profitability and developing positive cash flow from mining activities[135]. - The company relies on access to capital markets for funding ongoing operations and future growth, with no assurance that additional funding will be available on satisfactory terms[136]. - The company is an exploration stage company with no guarantees of commercial extraction of mineral deposits from its properties[126]. - The company faces significant risks related to mining, exploration, and mine construction, which may impact profitability[132]. - The company’s stock price has been volatile, and future equity offerings may dilute existing shareholders' ownership[120]. - The company’s ability to implement its business plan is dependent on generating cash from operations and obtaining additional financing[125]. - The company faces significant risks due to global economic decline, geopolitical instability, and macroeconomic factors, which could adversely affect its ability to raise capital and fund operations[138]. - Future operating and financial results are expected to fluctuate significantly, influenced by exploration activities and external factors such as equipment malfunctions and regulatory delays[139]. - The company's growth will depend on successfully completing exploration activities, identifying new projects, and maintaining relationships with project partners[141]. - The company relies heavily on its CEO, Marc Fogassa, and his loss could materially impact business operations and financial condition[143]. - Recruiting and retaining skilled personnel is critical for the company's performance, and failure to do so may slow down exploration and development programs[144]. - The company is subject to extensive regulations in Brazil, which could lead to significant compliance costs and operational delays[154]. - Environmental regulations may require substantial expenditures and could lead to legal liabilities that adversely affect financial condition[159]. - The price of minerals is subject to unpredictable fluctuations, influenced by various external factors, which could impact the economic viability of exploration properties[166]. - The company's operations are impacted by Brazil's political environment and potential changes in mining legislation, which could alter business prospects[167]. - The volatility of the company's common stock price is expected to continue, influenced by exploration results and profitability[170]. - The company has never paid a dividend and does not plan to do so in the foreseeable future, requiring stockholders to rely solely on stock price appreciation for investment gains[172]. - The company may seek to raise additional funds through equity securities, which could dilute existing stockholders' ownership and potentially reduce the market price of its common stock[173]. - The Chief Executive Officer, Marc Fogassa, controls over 50% of the company's voting securities, classifying the company as a "controlled company" under Nasdaq rules[176]. Recent Acquisitions and Developments - The company's lithium projects include the Minas Gerais Lithium Project (23,785 hectares) and the Northeastern Brazil Lithium Project (6,583 hectares), with ongoing exploratory drilling campaigns planned[190][192]. - An acquisition of five lithium mineral rights totaling 1,090.88 hectares (~2,696 acres) was completed on January 19, 2023, in the "Lithium Valley" region of Minas Gerais, Brazil[193]. - The company has significant mineral rights in other critical minerals, including nickel (22,238 hectares), rare earths (12,162 hectares), titanium (8,923 hectares), and graphite (5,571 hectares), but has focused resources primarily on lithium projects[195]. - The company faces potential volatility in its stock price due to various factors, including exploration results, competitive pressures, and economic conditions, particularly in Brazil[178]. - Future equity offerings may lead to substantial dilution for existing stockholders, impacting their ownership and potentially delaying changes in control[181]. - The company incurs significant costs associated with being a public entity, including compliance with regulations, which may affect financial performance[184]. - There are concerns regarding the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting, which could impact investor confidence and the market price of its common stock[186].