Sangdong Mine Completion Ceremony Marks a Defining Milestone for Almonty
The completion of the Sangdong Mine marks a defining milestone for Almonty and a major step in restoring a globally significant tungsten asset to production.
Execution Of Project Financing Loan Agreements and Project Guarantee Documents for the Sangdong Mine In South Korea
Last Updated, December 7, 2020
Written by Lewis Black
“After 4 years and 12 days, we have finally concluded the exhaustive and forensic process to secure a sub 3% variable rate financing pegged to libor for the build of the world’s flagship Tungsten project. I believe that the addition of the extra US$20 million COG guarantee ensures an even higher degree of security in successfully completing the build and further significantly reduces the risk profile for all shareholders. And just as importantly, the US$9.8m DSRA Guarantee is a non-dilutive and non-obligatory instrument which again is extremely important to retain shareholder value.
The benefits to the Company and all the shareholders of these guarantees outweigh the personal cost of these guarantees. In short, the bigger picture is a bright value add future with our primary customer now joining the Board, committing a further US$29.8 million toward the build with these guarantees on top of the 15 year offtake agreement with a minimum CAD$750 million of value hard floor. This was an extraordinarily complex financing involving multiple parties that included KfW- IPEX Bank, OeKB, the Plansee Group and Global Tungsten & Powders and is, we understand, quite unique in its construction. Given our more than 70 years of Tungsten high grade reserves and resources in Korea it was important to get this financing right and that current and future shareholders would be richly rewarded for both their patience and commitment.
We have now given ourselves the best possible platform to work from as we now transition from junior to mid-sized mining company. As previously stated, we have already commenced construction at site with the Monty B portal now finished, the next 600m of mine development about to commence, the office lab due for completion in 12 days and Metso and the EPC now beginning their scheduling. Drawdown will occur once the equity/hybrid of US$14.1m is met and news on this is forthcoming now that we have the Facility Agreement and Completion Agreement executed.”
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Toronto – December 07, 2020 – Almonty Industries Inc. (“Almonty” or the “Company”) (TSX: AII / OTCQX: ALMTF / Frankfurt: 1MR) is pleased to announce the execution of the Facility Agreement (loan agreement) and the Completion Agreement with KfW-IPEX Bank GmbH for the US$75.1 million project financing for its wholly-owned Sangdong Mine located in South Korea.
In addition, the Company also announces the execution of a US$20 million Cost Overrun (“COG”) guarantee and the US$9.8 million Debt Service Reserve Account (“DSRA”) guarantee as required for the completion of the project financing and both provided by the Plansee Group. The US$20 million COG guarantee is an instrument in case of any cost overrun during the build and is in addition to the contingency already contained within the project finance budget. The US$9.8 million DSRA guarantee covers part of the required US$24 million equity raise required by the Company, leaving US$14.1 million of equity to be raised by the Company as the final material Conditions Precedent.
The condition of the Plansee Group providing the COG and the DSRA guarantees to the Company, and in order to become the largest shareholder, Plansee Group will acquire a portion of Lewis Black’s stock in Almonty, as well as join the board of directors of the Company.
The Company will now move to the closing of the Project Financing issuance of drawdown.
Almonty Industries Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results
Almonty today announced its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025.
Almonty Completes Phase 1 of Sangdong Tungsten Mine in South Korea
Almonty today announced the completion of Phase 1 commissioning at its Sangdong Tungsten Mine in Gangwon Province, South Korea – marking the return to production after more than 30 years.
About Almonty
Almonty (NASDAQ: ALM) (TSX: AII) (ASX: AII) (FSE: ALI1) is a leading supplier of conflict free tungsten – a strategic metal critical to the defense and advanced technology sectors. As geopolitical tensions heighten, tungsten has become essential for armor, munitions, and electronics manufacturing. Almonty’s flagship Sangdong Tungsten Mine in South Korea, historically one of the world’s largest and highest-grade tungsten deposits, is expected to supply over 80% of global non-China tungsten production upon reaching full capacity, directly addressing critical supply vulnerabilities highlighted by recent U.S. defense procurement bans and export restrictions by China. With established operations in Portugal and additional projects in Spain, Almonty is strategically aligned to meet rapidly rising demand from Western allies committed to supply-chain security and defense readiness. To learn more, please visit almonty.com.
Legal Notice
The release, publication, or distribution of this announcement in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law and therefore persons in such jurisdictions into which this announcement is released, published, or distributed should inform themselves about and observe such restrictions. Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
All statements, other than statements of present or historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “plan”, “development”, “growth”, “continued”, “intentions”, “expectations”, “emerging”, “evolving”, “strategy”, “opportunities”, “anticipated”, “trends”, “potential”, “outlook”, “ability”, “additional”, “on track”, “prospects”, “viability”, “estimated”, “reaches”, “enhancing”, “strengthen”, “target”, “believes”, “next steps” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the completion of the Offering, the Company’s redomiciling initiatives, the Company’s position as a leading supplier of tungsten to the U.S. and its allies, the timing of any listing of the Common Shares on the Nasdaq, the continued listing of the Common Shares on the TSX and the ASX and trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the use of proceeds of the Offering.
Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause actual results to be materially different from future results expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Key assumptions upon which the Company’s forward-looking information is based include, without limitation, the absence of market conditions that could adversely impact the Offering or the intended listing of the Common Shares on the Nasdaq; the satisfaction of all listing requirements of the Nasdaq and continued listing requirements of the TSX and ASX; the achievement of any closing conditions to the Offering; and the absence of material adverse changes in the Company’s industry or the global economy including interest rates, inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and commodity market volatility.
Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties facing the Company’s business, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties identified in the Registration Statement; risks relating to the Offering not being completed in a timely manner or at all, including due to unfavourable market or other conditions or factors; the possibility that the required approvals for or conditions to the Offering will not be received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all; changes in the anticipated timing for closing the Offering; business disruption during the pendency of or following the Offering; diversion of management time on Offering-related issues; the ability to retain members of Almonty’s management team; the impact of the Offering on relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other business counterparties; risks related to the reaction of customers, shareholders and members of the public to the Offering; and other events that could adversely impact the completion of the Offering, including industry or economic conditions outside of Almonty’s control. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Readers should consider reviewing the detailed risk discussion in the Company’s Registration Statement, the most recent Annual Information Form and the amended Management Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 filed on SEDAR+, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company’s business and operations.
Although Almonty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results, level of activity, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and even if events or results described in the forward-looking statements are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, Almonty. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and are cautioned that actual outcomes may vary.
Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. Almonty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Almonty’s forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Almonty has also assumed that material factors will not cause any forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.
THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ALMONTY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD- LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE ALMONTY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME, WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
For further information, please contact:
Lewis Black
Chairman, President and CEO
Telephone: +1 647-438-9766
Email: [email protected]