ioneer Ltd 6-K, filed Sep 19, 2024
ioneer Ltd (IONR)
6-K
2024-09-19
For: 2024-09-19
View Original
Added on
April 05, 2026
About this 6-K
ioneer Ltd filed this 6-K on September 19, 2024.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of September 2024
Commission File Number: 001-41412
ioneer Ltd
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
Suite 5.03, Level 5, 140 Arthur Street
North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
|
Form 20-F ☒
|
Form 40-F ☐
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 6-K:
|
Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
|
Press Release
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
|
ioneer Ltd
|
|||
|
(registrant)
|
|||
|
Date: September 19, 2024
|
By:
|
/s/ Ian Bucknell |
|
|
Name: Ian Bucknell
|
|||
|
Title: Chief Financial Officer & Company Secretary
|
|||
Exhibit 99.1
NORTH SYDNEY, Australia – 19 September 2024 – Ioneer Ltd (“Ioneer”) (ASX: INR, NASDAQ: IONR) moved one step closer toward construction at its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project following announced
publication by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Rhyolite Ridge, which will create hundreds of good-paying jobs in rural Esmeralda County, Nevada, becomes the first lithium project to reach this advanced stage of the
environmental permitting review process under the Biden Administration as part of its efforts to accelerate U.S. lithium production.
Rhyolite Ridge is set to quadruple the nation’s lithium supply, reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and processors, and develop a domestic source of urgently needed
materials in the U.S. electric vehicle battery production supply chain. The Final EIS incorporates feedback received during the earlier public comment period and provides decision-makers and the public with detailed information related to the
project, including its on-site processing facility. Issuance of the Final EIS is the result of years of effective collaboration between Ioneer and federal, state and local agencies and Tribal Nations.
“Since Ioneer’s work at Rhyolite Ridge began in 2016, we have listened to members of the community and adapted our plans to maximize the project’s many economic benefits
while minimizing indirect impacts to the community and environment. Rhyolite Ridge is stronger because of the extensive collaboration and input from all involved stakeholders,” said Bernard Rowe, Managing Director, Ioneer. “Today’s issuance not only advances the Rhyolite Ridge project but brings the United States closer to a more secure and sustainable source of domestic critical minerals.”
“The publication of the Final EIS is a significant milestone for Rhyolite Ridge. This achievement underscores our company’s unwavering commitment to environmental
stewardship and sustainable development,” said James Calaway, Executive Chairman, Ioneer. “We look forward to the conclusion of the 30-day statutory waiting period and
timely issuance of the Record of Decision to advance Rhyolite Ridge into construction. We are eager to get to work in contributing to the domestic supply of critical materials essential for the transition to a clean energy future.”
Following its formal publication in tomorrow’s Federal Register, the Final EIS is
subject to a statutory waiting period through Monday, October 21, after which a Record of Decision (ROD) can be issued.
Reaching the final stage of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) permitting process reflects federal inter-agency collaboration and agreement that environmental
impacts have been fully analysed and evaluated.
The BLM is expected to issue a ROD in October 2024. Upon issuance of a positive ROD, construction at Rhyolite Ridge can begin following a Final Investment Decision (FID).
Based on that timeline, Ioneer anticipates production to commence in 2028.
|
Ioneer Ltd. (ASX: INR, NASDAQ:
IONR) Suite 16.01, 213 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060 T: +61 2 9922 5800 W: Ioneer.com ABN: 76 098 564 606
|
Estimated Project Timeline
Ioneer’s estimated timing* for the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project is as follows:
|
Milestone
|
Targeted timing
|
Note
|
|||
|
Anticipated ROD
|
October 2024
|
Based on the current BLM timeline.
|
|||
|
Anticipated FID
|
December 2024
|
Based on current management estimates.
|
|||
|
Construction
|
24-36 months
|
Includes supply of long-lead items and construction. Subject to lead times and when orders are placed.
|
|||
|
Anticipated Commercial Production and Delivery to Partners
|
2028
|
Produce and process high-grade lithium and boron on-site at Rhyolite Ridge.
|
*As of September 2024, and subject to change.
This ASX release has been authorised by Ioneer Managing Director, Bernard Rowe.
About Ioneer
Ioneer Ltd is an emerging lithium–boron producer and the 100% owner of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project located in Nevada, USA. Rhyolite Ridge is the only known
lithium-boron deposit in North America and one of only two known such deposits in the world. Once operational, the low-cost, world-class project is expected to power upward of 50 million electric vehicles and will instantly become a globally
significant source of critical materials vital to the clean energy transition.
In September 2021, Ioneer entered into an agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater where, following the satisfaction of conditions precedent, Sibanye-Stillwater will acquire a 50%
interest in the Project, with Ioneer maintaining a 50% interest and retaining the operational management responsibility for the joint venture. In January 2023, Ioneer received a conditional commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs
Office for up to $700 million of debt financing.
Ioneer signed separate offtake agreements with Ford Motor Company and PPES (joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic) in 2022 and Korea’s EcoPro Innovation in 2021.
To learn more about Ioneer, visit www.Ioneer.com/investors.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains certain forward-looking statements and comments about future events, including Ioneer’s expectations about the Project and the performance of its
businesses. Forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as ‘expect’, ‘anticipate’, ‘likely’, ‘intend’, ‘should’, ‘could’, ‘may’, ‘predict’, ‘plan’, ‘propose’, ‘will’, ‘believe’, ‘forecast’,
‘estimate’, ‘target’ and other similar expressions within the meaning of securities laws of applicable jurisdictions. Indications of, and guidance on, the Conditional Commitment, financing plans, future earnings or financial position or performance
are also forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there is a risk that such predictions, forecasts, projections and other
forward-looking statements will not be achieved. Forward-looking statements are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied on as an indication or guarantee of future performance. Forward looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainty and other factors which can cause Ioneer’s actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates, and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements and many of these factors are outside
the control of Ioneer. Such risks include, among others, uncertainties related to the finalisation, execution, and funding of the DOE financing, including our ability to successfully negotiate definitive agreements and to satisfy any funding
conditions, as well as other uncertainties and risk factors set out in filings made from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Australian Securities Exchange. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on any
forward-looking statement. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance and no representation or warranty is made by any person as to the likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of any forward-looking statements, forecast
financial information or other forecast. Nothing contained in this announcement, nor any information made available to you is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise, representation, warranty or guarantee as to the past, present or the future
performance of Ioneer.
Except as required by law or the ASX Listing Rules, Ioneer assumes no obligation to provide any additional or updated information or to update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise.
Contacts
United States Investor Relations
Chad Yeftich
E: ir@ioneer.com
Media Relations (USA)
Daniel Francis, FGS Global
E: daniel.francis@fgsglobal.com
Australia Investor Relations
Ian Bucknell
E: ir@ioneer.com
Media Relations (Australia)
Peter Taylor, NWR Communications
peter@nwrcommunications.com.au
