Lepidico
Company overview
We are a vertically-integrated lithium developer with a patented set of clean technologies that also produce other critical metals from mica minerals.
Given there is doubt as to whether lithium’s structural supply deficit can be solved this decade, or even next, Lepidico’s purpose is to help sustainably fuel growth in lithium-ion battery production and deliver other critical metals, whilst having a positive net impact on society and the environment.
Our mission is to build significant scale and deliver enhanced returns via our own projects and the licensing of our technologies. And to continue to increase our positive net impacts.
Lepidico's core values are:
We operate with Integrity - we are accountable and own the responsibility to do the right thing always.
We Collaborate - through leadership and teamwork we forge partnerships for a greater good.
We are Resilient - we are determined to thrive and deliver the best results.
Key objectives
Objective 1
Fast-track the business to free cash flow generation by delivering the integrated Phase 1 Project.
Objective 2
Demonstrate the commercial application of our proprietary L‑Max® and LOH‑Max® technologies.
Objective 3
Become a sustainable, globally significant alkali metals chemicals producer with industry-leading ESG credentials.
From mine to market
Where do we fit in to the lithium market?
Ore from the brownfield open-pit Karibib mines in Namibia is processed using conventional flotation technology. The lepidolite-rich concentrate is transported to the UAE for conversion using our patented technologies. The lithium hydroxide is then shipped to customers under a binding offtake agreement with Traxys.
Our Phase 1 Project
KEZAD chemical plant schematic looking north based on latest FEED data
Development timeline
Operations in Namibia
- Brown field re-development of Rubicon & Helikon mines; Ore Reserve 9.4Mt @ 0.43% Li2O, 278ppm Cs, 2.00% K and 0.21% Rb.
- Ore will be transported to run-of mine crusher stockpiles, with various grades of ore requiring individual stockpiles. The rehandling of ore from stockpiles is required to balance the feed grade to the concentrator. A fleet of one 50-tonne excavator and four 35 tonne trucks can adequately support the mining schedule for the first half of the mine life.
- Fully permitted: Granted 68 km2 Mining Licence.
- Construction of 60,000 tpa concentrator.
- Access to excellent existing regional infrastructure; 27 km power line spur required.
- Water rights in place to support 2x expansion.
- Large ground position prospective for lithium, caesium & gold.
- Mine closure plan will allow these previously abandoned mine sites to be rehabilitated and returned to agricultural use.
- The lithium principally occurs in lepidolite, amblygonite and lithium muscovite although zinnwaldite can also be recovered through the froth flotation process. The overall recovery of lithium to the lithium concentrate is 75-88%, at a concentrate grade of 2.5%-3.9% Li2O. These values vary according to the mineralogy.
- The mineral concentrator will use conventional crushing, grinding, desliming and froth flotation processes followed by dewatering of concentrate and tailings streams, to maximise water recycling.
Operations in UAE
- Located in Khalifa Economic Free Trade Zone, Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) - no corporate tax and duties; 100% foreign ownership allowed.
- 25-year land lease agreement signed 2021
- Abu Dhabi ESIA complete; Environmental Permit to Construct and Detailed Planning Approval in place.
- Exceptional existing shared infrastructure through "plug and play" approach.
- Stable and affordable energy, with other bulk consumables contracted or locally available.
- Commercial green H2 and ammonia supply being fast-tracked for c.2026.
Beyond Phase 1
We are already planning a 2-4x scale-up for a Phase 2 project, with concentrate supply from our own assets as well as third-party mines.
Karibib Mineral Resources located within the awarded Mining License area total 11.9 M tonnes grading 0.45% Li2O.
Excellent established infrastructure and water permit in place for 2x expansion.
Capital efficient Karibib concentrator expansion leverages Phase 1 investment.
Globally, 20 lithium mica & phosphate deposits have been successfully tested for L‑Max® amenability.
Royalty revenues from licensing of our proprietary tech to partners. One of these deals has already been completed.
Meet the team
Board of Directors
Executives & Key Management
Corporate Governance
Responsibilites and functions
The Directors monitor the business affairs of the Company on behalf of Shareholders and have formally adopted a corporate governance plan which is designed to promote accountability, risk management and ethical conduct.
The Board is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the Company, and it recognises the need for the highest standards of behaviour and accountability. The Board regularly reviews strategic objectives, risks and opportunities, and monitors performance against those objectives.
Current policies and charters
The Board has adopted a corporate governance plan which incorporates Policies and Charters consistent - where considered appropriate having regard to the Company’s current size and structure - with the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s “Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations” (Recommendations). Policies include, but are not limited to, the:
- Board Charter
- Diversity policy
- Corporate Code of Conduct
- Disclosure- Continuous Disclosure
- Sustainability Policy and Risk
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy
- Whistleblower Protection Policy & Procedure
- Disclosure - Performance Evaluation
- Climate Change Policy
- Human Rights Policy
- People Policy
- Audit, Risk & Sustainability Committee Charter
- People Committee: Nomination, Remuneration & Diversity Charter
Lepidico wants to make sure it is always conducting its businesses in a legal, ethical and sustainable manner. We want people who are concerned about improper conduct to feel comfortable reporting that conduct.
Speak Up
Any stakeholder can make a disclosure in any of the following ways:
- Via email at [email protected]
- Anonymous web reporting via Speeki at Speeki-Lepidico
- Using the following QR Code
- Via the Speeki app which can be downloaded from the Apple store or Google Play for use on an iPhone or Android Phones (search for “Lepidico” in the app)
- Speak with an officer, director, the company secretary or a member of the executive team at Lepidico
- You must act honestly and reasonably in making the disclosure, with a genuine belief that the improper conduct has occurred.
In accordance with the Listing Rules the Company has established Guidelines for Buying and Selling Securities.
The Board also recognises its duty to ensure that its Shareholders and other stakeholders are informed of all major developments affecting the Company’s state of affairs.
As the Company’s activities develop in size, nature and scope, the implementation of additional corporate governance structures will be given further consideration.
Lepidico Timeline