Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF, FRA:B9S) has appointed leading independent advisors to arrange debt financing for the development of its vertically integrated Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE (platinum group elements) Project and Downstream Refinery Project in Vietnam.
The company will act jointly and in collaboration with the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and BurnVoir Corporate Finance to secure an attractive, flexible funding package for the development of the project.
“Integrated development strategy”
Blackstone Minerals managing director Scott Williamson said: “KDB and BurnVoir bring their respective strengths across the lithium-ion battery value chain, including strong relationships with potential customers of the Ta Khoa Downstream Refinery.
“Both KDB and BurnVoir have extensive experience in arranging development funding for quality projects, and their involvement in the Ta Khoa Project is an endorsement of Blackstone’s strategy and ability to execute.
“KDB and BurnVoir will work closely with Blackstone to arrange finance on competitive terms to support our integrated development strategy.
“Both KDB and BurnVoir will work collaboratively with Blackstone to ensure that ongoing feasibility work is completed to the highest standard and withstands the rigour of independent due diligence.
“Importantly, financing will be achieved with alignment to the standards set within the Equator Principals and Blackstone’s own sustainability objectives.”
About debt advisors
Korea Development Bank is a 100% government-owned policy bank providing strong financial support to clients developing infrastructure projects.
KDB has strong relationships and co-works with major global project finance institutions including multilateral agencies, ECA’s and peers, having provided project finance services to international developers including Hyundai, Samsung, SK, Posco and Hanwha.
BurnVoir is a leading independent Australian investment and advisory house with extensive experience and a strong track record in arranging finance across the energy, resources and infrastructure sectors.
Promisingly, BurnVoir has arranged finance for several battery metals projects in recent years, including for Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS)’s Pilgangoora Lithium Project and A$1.1 billion in debt facilities for IGO Ltd’s recent acquisition of an interest in the Greenbushes Lithium Mine and the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Refinery.
About Blackstone
Blackstone is focused on building an integrated upstream and downstream battery metals processing business in Vietnam that produces Nickel:Cobalt:Manganese (NCM) precursor products for Asia’s growing Lithium-ion battery industry.
Ta Khoa Project snapshot.
The company owns a 90% interest in the Ta Khoa Nickel-Copper-PGE Project 160 kilometres west of Hanoi in the Son La Province of Vietnam and includes an existing modern nickel mine built to Australian standards which are currently under care and maintenance.
- Ephrems Joseph