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Rincon Lithium Project Overview
Tim Goldsmith (President and CEO)
February 2019
The pathway to long life, low cost, industry
changing lithium production
Forward looking statements
Forward Looking StatementsThis presentation contains forward-looking statements about Rincon Ltd. (“Rincon” or the “Company”) and its lithium project at the Salar del Rincon (“RinconProject”). Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on certain assumptions relating, but not limited to: resourceand reserve estimates, anticipated mining and processing methods for the Rincon Project, anticipated lithium recoveries, production and plant capacity rates,lithium grades, estimated capital costs, operating cash costs and total production costs, construction and supply of the necessary energy required, plannedadditional processing work and permitting, the timing for construction of phases of the commercial, type of lithium end product, and timing and availability offuture funding. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect.The forward-looking statements in this presentation are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results orachievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include,without limitation, risks related to uncertainty in the demand for lithium and pricing assumptions; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund theproject in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results ofwork will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company’s properties; uncertainties involved in the estimation of lithium reservesand resources; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; the possibility that capital and operating costs may behigher than currently estimated and may preclude commercial development or render operations uneconomic; the possibility that the estimated recovery ratesmay not be achieved; risks related to the deployment of a new lithium processing technology; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labor disputes orother unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; and risks related to projectedproject economics, recovery rates, and estimated NPV and anticipated IRR and other factors.
These factors may cause the actual results of Rincon to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and there can be no assurancethat the actual results or developments anticipated by management will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected results onRincon. Undue importance should not be placed on forward-looking information nor should reliance be placed upon this information. Rincon makes norepresentation or warranty, express or implied, as to or endorsement of the accuracy or completeness of any information, statements or representationscontained in this presentation. As a private company, Rincon is under no obligation and does not undertake to update this information at any particular time.
Qualified PersonsThe mineral resource estimates, mineral reserve estimates and recovery rates are derived from the Company’s definitive feasibility study on the Rincon projectprepared under NI 43-101 dated September 25, 2018 and with an effective date of September 2, 2018 (“2018 DFS”). The 2018 DFS was authored by QualifiedPersons Jerry L. Aiken, B.S. Geology, Registered SME, Senior Associate Geologist, SRK Consulting; Terry Braun, P.E., M.S., Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting;Tyler Cluff, P.G. M.S., Senior Hydrogeologist, Piteau Associates; Douglas Collier, Fellow AusIMM, Principal Engineer, ANSTO; Hugh D Thompson, B. Eng. (Mining),FAusIMM, Prudentia Process Consulting; Jeff Osborn, BEng Mining, MMSAQP, Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting.
Cautionary Note on Cost EstimationsCapex and opex estimates are in accordance with NI 43-101 standards at the time of reporting.
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Company overview
• Rincon Ltd is 100% owned by funds managed by Sentient Equity Partners (SEP)
• Rincon Ltd owns the following assets;
• Rincon Lithium brine project in Argentina
• Natural Soda, Bicarbonate of Soda producer in Colorado, USA
• Turnkey Engineering in Sydney, Australia
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Rincon Lithium project overview – Location
Salta Office
• Located in the Lithium triangle - in the pro-mining province of Salta, Argentina
• Rincon owns 98% of tenements available on productive halitic core of the Salar del Rincon
• Recently completed compliant technical report NI 43-101 in September 2018 with SRK
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Rincon Lithium project overview - Characteristics
Main attributes of Salar del Rincón
• Catchment basin (2,767 km2)
• Alluvial fan (fresh water)
• Salar boundary (435 km2)
• Halitic core (232km2) has excellent transmissivity –
capable of sustaining long term grades of approx. 400
mg/L at volume
Infrastructure – well serviced
• Sealed highways
• Railroad
• High voltage power line
• Gas pipeline
• Sufficient water
• Probable Mineral Reserve of ~1.1m tonnes Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE)
• Measured & Indicated Resource of ~3.6 million tonnes LCE & Inferred Resource of~ 4.3 million tonnes LCE
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Rincon Lithium project overview – Direct extraction technology
BASIC FLOW SHEET
Raw brine
Directly pumped from salar
Brine Treatment
Up to 76% recovery of Li
Removes impurities
Precipitation Circuit
Precipitates Lithium Compounds
Regenerates reagents
Carbonation Circuit
Produces Lithium Carbonate
Rincon has developed with ANSTO Minerals, an Australian
Government Science Organisation, proprietary extraction technology
which addresses high Mg:Li ratios and medium grade of Lithium in
brine (~380mg/L)
US$30M spent validating technology and building and operating a
demonstration plant at Salar del Rincon
2014: Lithium Compound precipitation circuit built and successfully
demonstrated at ANSTO Minerals, Lucas Heights
2015-2016: Membrane nano-filtration circuit trialled and installed at
Salar del Rincon
2016-2017: Membrane circuit successfully operated at Salar del
Rincon for 18 months, delivering recovery rates of up to 75%
(industry standard previously 55%)
2017: Demonstration plant installed at Salar del Rincon and
successfully producing battery grade lithium carbonate
2018: Certification of process technology and assumptions by ANSTO
Completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) & Technical
report NI43-101 in September 2018 with SRK
2019: EIS for Commercial Plant approved by Salta’s Mining Authority6
Demonstration Plant, Salar del Rincon, Argentina
Direct extraction from raw brine in less than 24 hours
Consistent quality of battery grade lithium carbonate
Opportunity for future expansion to also produce high quality
lithium hydroxide
Regenerates reagents
Unit costs estimated at sub US$3,000/tonne LCE
Lower environmental impact - no evaporation ponds
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Rincon Lithium project overview – Key extraction advantages
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Rincon Lithium project overview – Forecast cost curve position
Lithium Cash Cost Curve (US$/t LCE)1
• Rincon LCE units costs forecast sub US$3,000/t
• Production capacity of approximately 28 ktpa LCE p.a.
Rincon’s proprietary extraction technology is forecast to produce LCE at 1st quartile unit costs
Forecast 1st quartile unit costsSource CIBC
Rincon Lithium project overview – Strong community support
Rincon has successfully engaged with local communities to foster understanding of its corporate
objectives and has developed a strong social licence to operate
• Rincon currently employs approximately 120 people across its Salta office and at the Salar del Rincon
• Rincon has been an employer of choice since 2009
• Support for local communities to build businesses around the Rincon operation (catering, transportation etc.)
• Rincon has wide community support
• Good relations and wide support from both the Salta Provincial and Argentine Federal Governments
• Our direct extraction process has a lower environmental impact than traditional evaporation methods
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Rincon Lithium project overview – Investment highlights
Ownership of project 100%
Mineral reserve (probable) ~1.1m tonnes of LCE
Mineral resource (measured and indicated/inferred) ~3.6m/~4.3m tonnes of LCE
Project development to date Demonstration plant commissioned and operational
Project documentation stage DFS & Technical report NI 43-101 completed
Estimated all in development costs ~US$600m (excluding w/c & on costs)
Estimated annual production lithium carbonate Up to 28ktpa of battery grade LCE
Estimated unit costs Less than US$3,000/t of LCE
Mine life ~30 years
Community engagement Strong and welcoming – 120+ employees
Sustainability Advantageous extraction method - lower impact
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Rincon Ltd
Rincon Ltd.Melbourne Office
Level 2 15 – 19 Claremont Street
South YarraVIC Australia 3121
E | [email protected] | rinconltd.com
Rincon Ltd
Ben McCormick
Level 1, Building 10,
658 Church Street
Richmond
VIC, Australia
3121
Additional information
Resource & Reserve (Full disclosure)
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Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate, Recoverable Lithium as Metal, effective September 2, 2018
See appendix for footnotes and additional information
Resource & Reserve (Full disclosure)
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Table 2 - Salar del Rincón Lithium Reserve Estimate, Effective Date September 2, 2018
See appendix for footnotes and additional information
Appendix Resource & Reserve reference
Table 1 – Mineral Resource Estimate, Recoverable Lithium as Metal, effective September 2, 2018
(1) Average specific yield is approximated by the weighted average of individual lithologic specific yield estimates for each stratigraphic unit. Each estimate of specific yield is based on
physical testing of representative core samples, short-term (e.g., 1 to 3 days) and/or long-term (30 days) brine extraction tests.
(2) Average thickness identified for entire stratigraphic unit, not redefined by depth boundaries of Measured, Indicated, or Inferred Resource.
(3) Assigned cut-off grade for the brine process is 200 mg/L.
(4) Total brine volume is not equivalent to the total extractable brine volume. Brine extraction via engineered production wells is a function of the hydraulic properties (e.g.,
conductivity, saturated thickness and continuity) of each stratigraphic unit within the brine resource areas as well as the overall water balance for the hydrogeologic basin. These
properties are simulated in a 3-dimensional numerical model which allows estimation of the extractable brine resource as declared in the Mineral Reserve Statement.
(5) LCE calculated as a multiple (5.34) of the estimated lithium as metal value.
(6) All mineral resources are inclusive of mineral reserves.
(7) Mr. Jerry Aiken, P.G., R-SME, is an associate of SRK. He is an independent “Qualified Person” for purposes of NI 43-101 and he supervised the preparation of and verified the
above Mineral Resource Estimate, including the underlying sampling, analytical, test and production data. Data was verified by, among other things, multiple site visits and data
audits.
(8) Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have a demonstrated economic viability as of the date of this Technical Report.
(9) Table entries are rounded to reflect the precision of the estimate and differences may occur due to this rounding.
Table 2 - Salar del Rincón Lithium Reserve Estimate, Effective Date September 2, 2018
(1) Estimated by 46% rejection rate of lithium mass during brine beneficiation, and subsequent 60% re-capture of re-infiltrated lithium in reject brine. 54%+(46% x 60%).
(2) Recovery estimate provided by Turnkey.
(3) In situ recovery factor estimated by drawdown calculated by the dynamic model. High transmissivity and bowl-shaped geometry are conducive to dewatering the unit.
(4) In situ recovery factor estimated by drawdown calculated by the dynamic model. Production from black sand units enhance drainage from overlying units.
(5) In situ recovery factor estimated according to Houston, 2011.
(6) In situ recovery factor estimated by analytical solution for wellfield using BS-Series aquifer parameters.
(7) Massive halite unit is defined entirely as an Inferred resource. Production potential from the unit is low, owing to its competent crystalline matrix and low permeability.
General
a) Assigned cutoff grade of 200 mg/L Li.
b) The cut-off grade at which Li extraction is no longer economic is varied based on a number of recovery and cost factors including the geologic formation from which the extraction
is occurring, the concentration of deleterious elements such as magnesium in the raw brine, raw brine pumping/processing capacity in the lithium plant and the lithium pricing
assumptions.
c) Mr. Tyler Cluff, P.G., is an employee of Piteau Associates. He is an independent “Qualified Person” for purposes of NI 43-101 and he supervised the preparation of and verified the
above Mineral Reserve figures, including the underlying sampling, analytical, test, and production data. Data was verified by among other things, a site visit.
d) Table entries are rounded to reflect the precision of the estimate and differences may occur due to this rounding.
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