Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO) has signed agreements with Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc. to form a strategic partnership to develop the company’s Florence Copper project in Arizona, USA.
Mitsui has committed to an initial investment of US$50 million, with proceeds to be used for construction of the commercial production facility. The initial investment will be in the form of a copper stream agreement on 2.67% of the copper produced at Florence Copper.
In addition, Mitsui has the option to invest an additional US$50 million (for a total investment of US$100 million) for a 10% equity interest in Florence Copper. The Equity Option is exercisable by Mitsui within a three-year period following completion of construction of the commercial production facility. If Mitsui elects to exercise its Equity Option the Copper Stream will terminate.
As part of the arrangement, Taseko and Mitsui have entered into an offtake contract for 81% of the copper cathode produced at Florence during the initial years of production. The parties intend to use this period to develop premium sales channels for ‘green copper’ in the United States, leveraging Mitsui’s existing US cathode trading business and the unique environmental benefits of Florence Copper, which is expected to be the lowest carbon- and energy-intensity copper producer in North America.
“This agreement with Mitsui establishes a strategic partnership with a leading international company,” Taseko President and CEO, Stuart McDonald, said.
“Mitsui’s investment will complement Taseko’s financing requirements and construction timeline and advance our goal of ensuring the copper produced at Florence is recognised for its unique low-carbon profile that will advantage US manufacturers and consumers.
“In the future, Taseko and Mitsui will collectively evaluate additional investments toward establishing Florence Copper as a zero-carbon copper producer (Scope 1 and 2).”
Sayu Ueno, President and CEO of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), said that when in production, Florence Copper will significantly expand his company’s US cathode trading business, while providing an environmentally sound, domestically produced product that can be marketed on the basis of its low-carbon advantages.
“We believe Florence Copper will be a preferred source of ‘made-in-the-US’ copper for many end users in North America.”
Transaction Details
Under the terms of the initial US$50 million Copper Stream agreement, Mitsui’s first deposit payment of US$10 million will be available for drawdown after receipt of Florence Copper’s Underground Injection Control permit, with additional US$10 million instalments available each quarter thereafter to fund project construction. Mitsui will receive 2.67% of the copper metal produced at Florence and pay a delivery price equal to 25% of the market price of copper delivered under the contract.
If Mitsui elects to exercise its Equity Option and invest an additional US$50 million in the Project, these additional funds and the Copper Stream will be converted into a 10% equity interest in Florence Copper. At that time, the initial offtake agreement will cease and be replaced with a marketing agency agreement.
If the Copper Stream is not converted into an equity interest Taseko will have the right to buy-back 100% of the Copper Stream, otherwise, it will terminate when 40 million pounds of copper have been delivered under the agreement. Mitsui’s offtake entitlement would also reduce to 30% until the Copper Stream deposit has been reduced to nil.
About Mitsui & Co.
With a long history in the United States, Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment, and service enterprises in the world.
About Taseko
Taseko is focused on the operation and development of copper mines in North America. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Taseko is the owner (75%) and operator of the Gibraltar Mine, the second largest open pit copper mine in Canada. Taseko’s Florence Copper Project in Arizona is a near-term growth project, which will nearly double the Company’s annual copper production.
Construction of Florence Copper is expected to commence in 2023. Taseko’s Yellowhead Copper Project, New Prosperity Gold-Copper Project and Aley Niobium Project are all advanced staged projects which provide the Company with a diverse commodity pipeline.
For further information please visit: https://www.tasekomines.com/
