Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc (QB)【JORFF】株式ニュース

Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. Signs Letter of Intent with SOQUEM to Earn up to 80% Interest in the Kwyjibo Rare Earth Project, Québec
06:30 AM CDT, August 27, 2025
TORONTO, Aug. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. (TSXV: CLM | FRA: Z36) (“CLM” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (“LOI”) effective July 31, 2025, with SOQUEM Inc. (“SOQUEM”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Investissement Québec, pursuant to which (subject to completion of several conditions precedent) the Company may acquire an option to earn up to an 80% interest in the Kwyjibo Rare Earth Project (the “Project”), located 125 km northeast of the city of Sept-Îles, in the Côte-Nord region of Québec (the “Proposed Transaction”).

Proposed Transaction Summary

Phase I – CLM to acquire a 60% undivided interest in Project

Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, CLM may earn a 60% interest in the Project and be appointed as its operator in exchange for payments and issuances of common shares of the Company totalling an aggregate of C$23.15m within five years following the closing date of the Proposed Transaction (the “Phase I Term”), allocated as follows (in each case subject to and in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”)):

C$5.65m in cash to SOQUEM;
C$5.50m payable to SOQUEM in common shares of the Company, at a deemed price per share to be mutually agreed by the parties; and
C$12.00m invested in the Project to advance the following key stages of the Project's development:

Negotiation and ratification of an impacts and benefits agreement with the Innu of Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam;

Metallurgical study to confirm environmental viability of extraction and processing of rare earth in the region of the Project;
Environmental permitting from the Bureau d'accélération de projets;
Initiation of at least a 5,000m drilling campaign for potential expansion of Project’s resources; and
Initiation of a bankable feasibility study to evaluate the technical and economic viability of the Project (the “Feasibility Study”).

Phase II – CLM to acquire an additional 20% undivided interest in the Project, for a total of 80%

Following completion of Phase I, CLM may earn an additional 20% interest in the Project (for a total of 80%) in exchange for payments or issuances of common shares of the Company totalling an aggregate of an additional C$22.00m within three years following completion of the Phase I Term, allocated as follows (in each case subject to and in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSXV):

C$4.50m in cash to SOQUEM;
C$4.50m payable to SOQUEM in common shares of the Company, at a deemed price per share to be mutually agreed by the parties; and
C$13.00m invested in the Project to advance the following Project milestones:

Completion of the Feasibility Study;

Access road construction;
Electrical transmission line construction;
Underground mine construction; and
Processing Facility construction.

The LOI also contemplates the following:

SOQUEM has granted CLM a legally binding exclusivity period respecting the Project, ending on October 31, 2025;
CLM shall be entitled to enter into discussions with SOQUEM and Investissement Québec to acquire the remaining 20% interest in the Project; and
CLM anticipates financing the Proposed Transaction through a combination of internal and external project financing resources, the support of existing shareholders, and the assistance of financial advisors.

Throughout Phases I and II, CLM expects to act as Project operator in collaboration with SOQUEM. CLM anticipates that the definitive agreement respecting the Proposed Transaction (the “Definitive Agreement”) shall be negotiated and executed on or before the end of the Exclusivity Period, being October 31, 2025.

About the Project

The Project consists of mining claims, applications, leases or other forms of mineral rights hosting an Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG)-style mineral system with significant rare earth enrichment, particularly neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy), Yttrium (Y) and terbium (Tb).

The Project is located near established infrastructure, including the QNS&L rail line and the Port of Sept-Îles, and the Company believes it can benefit from access to Québec’s hydroelectric power grid.

SOQUEM has conducted extensive exploration, geophysics, and metallurgical test work to date, which the Company believes establishes a foundation for the advancement towards feasibility.

Management Commentary

Richard Quesnel, CEO of CLM, commented:

“This LOI with SOQUEM represents a unique opportunity to potentially partner with a Québec government-backed entity on what we believe to be one of the province’s most strategically important rare earth assets. With a forecasted demand increase for NdPr and heavy rare earths, we anticipate that the Project positions CLM as a potential key supplier to North American and European supply chains. The phased earn-in structure described in the LOI ensures disciplined capital allocation as we advance this Project toward development.”

The Proposed Transaction is an arm’s length transaction for the purposes of the policies of the TSXV and remains subject to several closing conditions including, without limitation, (a) execution of a Definitive Agreement between the parties, (b) the receipt by the Company of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, (c) each party's representations and warranties in the Definitive Agreement being true and correct in all aspects as of the closing date, and (d) each party satisfying its covenants and obligations as contained in the Definitive Agreement. There can be no guarantees that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as contemplated or at all. The Proposed Transaction is anticipated to close on or before October 31, 2025.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained herein has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Jean Lafleur, P. Geo./ géo. (OGQ, #833), Technical Advisor to the Company, who is a “Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc.

Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol “CLM” on the TSX Venture Exchange and “Z36” on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the exploration and development of critical mineral projects in stable jurisdictions. The Company is committed to supporting the energy transition through the responsible development of critical mineral supply chains.

About SOQUEM

SOQUEM, a subsidiary of Investissement Québec, is dedicated to exploring, discovering and developing mining properties in Québec. SOQUEM also contributes to maintaining strong local economies. Proud partner and ambassador for the development of Québec’s mineral wealth, SOQUEM relies on innovation, research, and strategic minerals to be well positioned for the future.