Another Lithium Company Heads to Africa! Canmax Plans to Invest 1.4 Billion to Develop a Lithium Mine in Nigeria

Following the "trend," Canmax (300390.SZ) plans to invest in the development of African lithium resources.

Canmax announced today that the company has signed the "Kebbi State Lithium Resource Development Investment Agreement" with the Kebbi State Government of Nigeria and Three Crown Mines Limited (hereinafter referred to as "Three Crown Mines"). The parties intend to jointly invest in, develop, and operate the targeted mining rights. Canmax will hold an 85% stake in the joint venture, while Three Crown Mines will hold 15%. The company expects to invest over $200 million (approximately 1.457 billion yuan) in Kebbi State.

Through the joint venture, Canmax will establish a modernized plant in Nigeria for lithium ore mining, beneficiation, and tailings processing, and will be responsible for its management and operations. During the project's life cycle, the company will underwrite all products of the joint venture.

According to the announcement, Three Crown Mines is a Nigerian mining company whose lithium ore exploration work has been largely completed. Drilling results indicate promising prospects for lithium resource development, necessitating the introduction of strategic investors for joint development.

Canmax primarily engages in the lithium battery materials business, with its main products being battery-grade lithium hydroxide and battery-grade lithium carbonate. In H1 2024, this segment accounted for 89.29% of the company's revenue.

In terms of lithium carbonate raw material sourcing, Canmax relies heavily on long-term offtake agreements with upstream suppliers, such as Pilgangoora, AMG, AVZ, and Global Lithium Resources.

This investment in Kebbi State, Nigeria, will also mark Canmax's first overseas plant for lithium ore resources. Canmax's "thirst" for lithium ore resources has long been evident.

Previously, Canmax had repeatedly participated in domestic lithium ore resource auctions. For instance, in 2022, it announced its participation in the auction for Snowway's equity, which owns the Dechenongba lithium mine. In 2023, it participated in the auction for the exploration rights of the "sky-high-priced" Markang Gada lithium mine. In 2024, it bid for the highly sought-after exploration rights of the Maijitan lithium mine in Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province, but none were successful.

However, in November last year, Canmax's wholly-owned subsidiary successfully acquired the Yichun porcelain clay (lithium-containing) mine for 2.51 billion yuan. Reportedly, the mine contains 2.06257 billion mt of porcelain clay (lithium-containing) ore within the open-pit mining boundary, with an associated Li2O content of 638,769 mt and an average grade of 0.31%.

In recent years, Africa, with its abundant lithium ore resources, has become a popular investment destination for Chinese lithium companies. Publicly listed firms such as Sinomine Resource Group (002738.SZ), Chengxin Lithium (002240.SZ), and Yahua Group (002497.SZ) have all ventured into Africa to invest in lithium ore projects.

Canmax's 2023 annual report disclosed that, in response to the "Belt and Road" initiative, the Chinese government encourages domestic enterprises to adopt a dual approach of trade and development to participate in the exploration and development of overseas lithium resources in regions such as Africa and South America. Africa, with its abundant lithium ore resources and favorable investment environment, has seen significant growth in lithium ore production as three major mines operated by Chinese enterprises in Africa commenced or expanded production in 2023. It is estimated that African lithium ore production will reach 285,000 mt LCE by 2025.