Ashurst has advised Vulcan Energy Resources Limited (Vulcan) on its A$220 million capital raising.
On 14 September, Vulcan announced the launch of a fully underwritten placement of new fully paid ordinary shares in Vulcan (Shares) to sophisticated, professional and institutional investors to raise A$200 million (Placement), and a non-underwritten share purchase plan to raise up to A$20 million (SPP) (Equity Raising). Successful completion of the Placement was announced on 16 September.
The Equity Raising is an important step in Vulcan’s pursuit to become the world’s first lithium producer with net zero greenhouse gas emissions, through planned co-generation of geothermal energy to power lithium extraction, without the use of fossil fuels, mining or evaporation ponds.
Proceeds from the Equity Raising will be used to accelerate exploration initiatives and expand Vulcan’s dual renewable energy and lithium development strategy, with proceeds being applied to:
- Targeted acquisition and refurbishment of exploration equipment;
- Targeted acquisition and upgrade of existing brownfield energy and brine infrastructure;
- Expanded project development; and
- General working capital and costs of the Offer.
The Equity Raising coincides with Vulcan’s inclusion in the S&P/ASX 300 index, which is set to occur on 17 September 2021.
The Ashurst transaction team comprised Partner Roger Davies, Senior Associate Ben Stewart and lawyers Toby Newnes and Cairo Leicester.
Roger Davies, comments: “We are delighted to be acting for Vulcan on this significant equity raising, the proceeds from which will be used to accelerate Vulcan’s dual renewable energy and lithium development strategy.
Vulcan’s goal is to become the world’s first Zero Carbon Lithium TM producer, with phase 1 production targeted for CY2024, and we look forward to supporting them through this and future important transactions in its pursuit of that goal.”
