European Lithium Limited (ASX:EUR) (FRA:PF8) (NEX:EUR) (VSE:ELI) has completed a A$2.1 million share placement to progress its Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria.

The placement was strongly supported by a number of existing shareholders and new sophisticated and professional investors and investment funds.

Funds raised will be applied to metallurgical test-work of bulk samples from Wolfsberg to qualify product specifications for offtake partners and end-use applications in support of EURs definitive feasibility study (DFS).

Action plan on critical raw materials

EURs strategy to serve Europes pursuit of a cleaner and greener energy future has been enhanced by a strategic engagement with Talaxis Limited and subsequent appointment of Kimon Gkomozias as executive director to lead its development strategy in Europe.

This will assist EUR tap into the European Battery Alliance network, which is estimated to be worth EU250 billion from 2025 onwards.

Gkomozias said: “The European Union (EU) has commenced an ambitious plan to build and reshape its battery supply chain.

“The European Commissions recently announced Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials, is looking at the current and future challenges and actions to reduce Europe's dependency on third world countries, diversifying supply from both primary and secondary sources and improving resource efficiency while promoting responsible sourcing worldwide.

“It contains 30 critical raw materials. Lithium, which is essential for a shift to e-mobility, has been added to the list for the first time.

“EUR is well-timed and well-positioned to benefit from Europes unprecedented need for lithium, contributing to the European integration of the lithium supply chain and capitalizing on the resulting growth of the regional lithium ecosystem.”

Placement details and notes redemption

EURs A$2.1 million share placement at 4.5 cents per share includes a 1 for 4 free attaching unlisted option exercisable at 5 cents on or before July 31, 2022.

In conjunction with the placement, EUR has redeemed 500 convertible notes issued to Winance using A$636,364 from the placement proceeds.

These notes were part of 2,000 convertible notes issued to Winance in March 2020, each with a face value of A$1,000.

More lithium needed by 2030

European Commission vice president (Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight) Maroš Šefčovič has said that a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials is a prerequisite for a resilient economy.

He added: “For e-car batteries and energy storage alone, Europe will for instance need up to 18 times more lithium by 2030 and up to 60 times more by 2050.

“As our foresight shows, we cannot allow to replace current reliance on fossil fuels with dependency on critical raw materials.

“This has been magnified by the coronavirus disruptions in our strategic value chains.

“We will therefore build a strong alliance to collectively shift from high dependency to diversified, sustaiRead More – Source

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Vital Metals Ltd (ASX:VML) has signed a binding term sheet with Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to negotiate definitive agreements for the construction and operation of a rare earth extraction plant in Saskatoon, Canada, to produce mixed rare earth carbonate products.

Last month, the government of Saskatchewan and the SRC announced a C$31 million funding package for the construction of Canadas first rare earth processing and separating facility in Saskatoon.

Vitals proposed rare-earth extraction plant is planned to be adjacent to SRCs separation plant, which will convert mixed rare earth carbonate to commercial grade-separated rare earth oxides

SRCs facility will require mixed rare earth carbonate product for separation making Vital a likely customer.

Important milestone

Vital Metals managing director Geoff Atkins said: “The signing of this term sheet with SRC marks an important milestone for Vital and the development of the Nechalacho project.

“Whilst the definitive agreements continue to be finalised in line with the term sheet, the company is excited about the prospect of the construction and operation of a rare earth demonstration extraction plant, as well as it being co-located with SRCs recently announced rare earth separation plant.

“Being the only rare earth project in Canada with near-term production capability, co-located with Canadas only separation facility, provides Vital the opportunity to be a cornerstone of the North America Critical Minerals Strategy.”

SRC facility

The SRC rare earth processing facility will include the construction and operation of a rare-earth separation plant, which will convert mixed rare earth carbonate feedstock into commercial grade-separated rare earth oxides.

Construction is anticipated to start in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the plant is expected to be fully operational in late 2022.

Rare earth extraction plant

Vital has signed the binding term with SRC through its 100% subsidiary Cheetah Resources.

The capital cost of the proposed rare earth extraction plant bRead More – Source

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archTIS Ltd (ASX:AR9) is set to establish itself as a global-leading information security company in 2021 after a transformational year in 2020 with the launch of its Kojensi software platform.

Described as a “defining year” focused on establishing product-market fit and associated sales opportunities, the company has been extremely busy with the launch of the highly secure and trusted platform for sharing sensitive and classified files and document collaboration.

Opportunities for continued growth

Chairman Miles Jakeman said: “With product-market fit now being established and the veracity of the underlying technology proven, there are many opportunities to continue growing the archTIS business in public and private markets.

“We expect growth to be organic and from selected merger and acquisition opportunities should they arise.”

Solid sales pipeline

The Kojensi software platform has made inroads into the target government market, with high-profile client wins include the Commonwealth Attorney Generals Department, Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Agency.

It also moved into industries servicing the government which also need to share sensitive and classified information, culminating in wins in the education and space sector with Curtin University and the defence industry sector with Northrup Grumman.

The Curtin University opportunity also provided product development opportunities in securing Big Data analytics.

These sales have not only secured annual recurring revenue but this is expected to grow as clients continue to use Kojensi to share their trusted information with external parties.

This has validated Kojensis market demand, Jakeman said, adding that the archTIS was continuing to refine and add features to the core product to offer customers an enhanced experience in the cloud and on-premise.

In certain cases, this additional research and development effort was part-funded by customers.

The company has now established a solid sales pipeline to be further executed over the next 12 months.

It has seen just under $5.2 million in contract renewals and new wins in the first quarter of this financial year – more than double the entire prior year.

Its activities have generated a sales pipeline of over $15 million of opportunities to be executed in the 2021 financial year.

Chief executive officer Daniel Lai said: “This has come at a time when the Australian Prime Minister has announced a significant increase in targeted cyber-attacks across the country against government institutions, industry and businesses.

"This was followed by the announcement of a $1.67 billion investment into Cyber Security by the Morrison government and a further $15 billion investment to deal with the information and cybersecurity needs within the Australian Department of Defence across the next 10 years.

“archTIS is in a strong position to capitalise on this large market opportunity, “ Lai added.

Key partnership with DXC Technologies

archTIS also signed a key partnership agreement with DXC Technologies during the year to further expose the Kojensi platform to the market and increase sales opportunities.

Under the deal, DXC will offer Kojensi as a managed service to their National Security Community clients opening significant growth opportunities for Kojensi sales and a pathway to access up to 7,000 users in the Australian National InRead More – Source

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