Sunday, 31 December 2017

Chronicles of Energy rEVolution: Roskill Triples Its Base Case For Lithium Demand To Soar From 200,000 T To 1 Million T Of LCE By 2026.

(Please note that colour on the graph with a key "Glass and Ceramics" must be attributed to "Batteries")

Our industry is waking up to the ongoing Energy rEVolution and start producing more realistic scenarios for unprecedented demand for lithium which is coming in the next decade. As you remember, any lithium production start-up needs not only capital but time: 3-5 years for brine and even longer for hard rock mining operations. Lithium - The Perfect Storm With Unprecedented Demand Profile is just upon us.

Roskill triples its base case for lithium demand to soar to 1,009,000 T of LCE per year by 2026. And here a reminder about the starting point will be timely: 200,000 T of lithium LCE was produced in 2016.

Our Lithium inverted pyramid for disruption of $12 T Transportation and Energy Industries is in action and prices in China are already going through the roof. Now brave forecast by Mike Beck that Lithium Hydroxide prices can soar as much as $100,000 per T can be at least mentioned on my blog. And my totally outrages forecast just a few months ago that we have to produce 36 Million T of lithium LCE by 2040 looks very conservative. Should I dust off my own brave prediction that we will need to produce 100 Million T of lithium LCE by 2050 now?

International Lithium is now moving full speed ahead with our JV partner Ganfeng Lithium after the reached settlement agreement that confirmed our 27% plus stake in Mariana Lithium JV in Argentina (including 10% back-in right). Ganfeng Lithium is the largest integrated lithium material producer in China and Mariana Lithium JV is shaping up as the very important lithium brine system in the world. My friends from VSA Capital in London are calling it number 6 in the world and I was always conservative with my "among the top 10 in the world".

Slowly but surely our dreams are coming to the materialisation after very hard work. The new ILC Team have been working tirelessly in order to protect our Company and our assets for all stakeholders at International Lithium. And Mariana JV project is showing finally the magnitude of its potential. In April we have reported NI 43-101 a very impressive 1.25 M T of LCE equivalent in indicated resources and our exploration target is almost 5 Million T.

In September, we have received "Proof of Concept Study - Lithium Recovery Using Membrane Separation":

"Results from the Study indicate that the selective recovery of lithium directly from raw (filtered) brine, with the simultaneous rejection of other cation and anion species, using a proprietary lithium selective separation process (the “technology”) is possible. Lithium was selectively recovered from the raw brine to produce lithium hydroxide (“LiOH”), a high value ingredient used directly in lithium battery manufacturing, as a final product."

In December, we have received another confirmation of Mariana Lithium JV potential. Pump Test results have demonstrated very high continuous pumping rates:

"This aquifer system has a very high transmissivity, high hydraulic conductivity and a significant storativity.

“The ongoing confirmation that the aquifers at Salar de Llullaillaco can sustain extending pumping are complementary to our goals of achieving a positive production decision through upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment and Feasibility Studies,” commented Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC, “These tests pave the way for us to determine the best technology and economic scenario to advance our Mariana Lithium joint venture project.”

In my recent videos, I was trying my best to translate into Canadian and explain what it all really means. But now even Mr Market is finally helping me - we are finishing this year on a very strong note with International Lithium share price. Below you can find more on the call from UBS on Lithium Demand To Jump 2,898% and our Company news. I would like to use this opportunity and extend our warmest Holiday wishes from all our Team at ILC and TNR Gold and wish you Happy New Year 2018!

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

Please Note that International Lithium Qualified Person - as it is defined by NI 43-101, was NOT able to Verify and Confirm Any Provided Information by The Third Parties in the Articles, News Releases or on the Links embedded in this post; you must NOT rely in any sense on any of this information in order to make any Resource or Value Calculation, or attribute any particular Value or Price Target to any Discussed Securities.

Chronicles Of Energy rEVolution: Kirill Klip On The 2,898% Jump In Global Demand For Lithium.

I would like to start today with one, but the very important number – 2,898%. This is the jump in demand for lithium, which UBS estimates will happen in 100% EV world – 2,898%. Electric cars are coming at a much faster pace than a lot of people are anticipating it. For years I have been writing my blog about this electric future, now it is here. Iconic London cab is going electric.

This is a statement and s sign of our times. It is very symbolic. I am meeting investment bankers in London and they are driving electric cars. Investors are driving Teslas and Electric Black Cabs - there is nothing to prove anymore. Electric cars are here and all cars will be electric.

Sales of electric cars jumped to 2.4% in November in the UK. And you know what is the secret? There are no best affordable electric cars in the UK yet. We had the best electric cars like Tesla Model S and X and we had affordable cars. Now we have the best and affordable electric car - Just wait for Tesla Model 3 to hit our street in numbers. And Bloomberg is talking that more than 200 EV models to chose from are coming by 2020.

UBS made a report earlier this year that EVs will be cheaper to own in 2018. Last month we had a report that EVs are cheaper to own already after 4 years in the UK, US, Japan and other countries. The switch is here. Millions of people are ready to switch and buy electric cars.

It took us all human history to get to 1st million of EVs by 2015, then less than two years to 2 million EVs by 2017. I expect that EV sales will be over 1 million units in 2018 alone. This the exponential Stage of S-curve for adoption rate of EVs.

Lithium is the magic metal at the very heart of this energy rEVolution. I am not surprised that UBS is advising their wealthy clients that Lithium demand will jump by more than 2,898% in the 100% EV world.

IEA reports that in order to keep the temperature increase below 2% we must have 600 Million EVs by 2040. It means that we have to produce 36 Million tonnes of lithium LCE by 2040. Our starting point is 200,000 t of Lithium LCE produced in 2016.

International Lithium Reaches Settlement Agreement With Ganfeng Lithium On Mariana JV, Argentina.

I would like to thank all our ILC Team who have been working tirelessly in order to protect our Company and our assets for all stakeholders at International Lithium. We have now confirmed with Ganfeng Lithium our rights to 27% plus stake in Mariana Lithium JV in Argentina (including our 10% back in right) - Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC.

“We are finishing our transition year at International Lithium on a very positive note. Our new ILC team has settled all outstanding issues with our Mariana JV partner. MLC and ILC have agreed that they will act in good faith and in the best interests of the Mariana JV. Now we can focus our efforts on Mariana JV development and maximize its value for our shareholders,” commented Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

International Lithium CEO Kirill Klip Talks With Matt Bohlsen Of Trend Investing.

Thursday, 28 December 2017

Chronicles Of Energy rEVolution: Kirill Klip On The 2,898% Jump In Global Demand For Lithium.

International Lithium Reaches Settlement Agreement With Ganfeng Lithium On Mariana JV, Argentina.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

International Lithium CEO Kirill Klip Talks With Matt Bohlsen Of Trend Investing.

International Lithium Reaches Settlement Agreement With Ganfeng Lithium On Mariana JV, Argentina.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

International Lithium CEO Kirill Klip Talks With Matt Bohlsen Of Trend Investing.

International Lithium:

International Lithium Reaches Settlement Agreement With Ganfeng Lithium on Mariana JV, Argentina

Vancouver, B.C. December 28, 2017: International Lithium Corp. (the “Company” or “ILC”) (TSX VENTURE: ILC) is pleased to announce a settlement agreement between the Company and its joint venture partner, Mariana Lithium Co. Ltd. ((“MLC”), a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. (“Ganfeng”)) regarding the Mariana Lithium JV brine project (the “Mariana JV”) in Salta, Argentina.

As it was reported in Company’s MD&A, in January 2017, during the transition from the former management of ILC to the current management, it is acknowledged that Ganfeng and MLC considered that ILC failed to meet a cash call in respect of the Mariana JV and that as a result, ILC could have been diluted to a 14.492% share of the project. ILC considered that the cash call notification was made improperly at a time that the relevant officers of ILC involved in preparing the cash call were in transition to becoming employees or consultants of the Mariana JV as consultants to Ganfeng’s operations and that ILC’s share should, therefore, have remained at 20%. Neither side accepted the position of the other.

ILC and Ganfeng have now reached a settlement agreement on the matter whereby:

Outstanding management fee and a settlement amount totalling US$84,706 are to be paid to ILC by MLC;
The double dilution for ILC’s purported default in meeting the January 2017 cash call, resulting in an ownership percentage of 14.492% for ILC, is to be calculated as a single dilution amount resulting in an ownership of 17.246% in the Mariana project for ILC;
ILC will maintain its status as having zero defaults as defined in the joint venture agreement;
ILC will pay to MLC US$206,294 which is the difference of its underpayment of the cash calls up to and including the November 28, 2017 cash call paid, representing cash calls at the 14.492% level now revised to 17.246%; and
US$15,698 to be paid to ILC by MLC for various project-related costs.

In accordance with the settlement agreement, MLC and ILC agree to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Mariana JV. Both ILC and MLC and, where appropriate, their subsidiaries and/or parents and/or affiliates will in good faith review the Mariana Joint Venture Agreement in the first quarter of 2018 with a view to resolving any issues in which there are genuine commercial or documentation concerns by either party or a perceived lack of clarity, whether due to poor drafting or any other reason.

About International Lithium Corp.

International Lithium Corp. has a significant portfolio of projects, strong management, robust financial support, and a strategic partner and keystone investor, Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., a leading China-based lithium product manufacturer.

The Company’s primary focus is the strategic stake in the Mariana lithium-potash brine project located within the renowned South American “Lithium Belt” that is the host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. The Mariana project strategically encompasses an entire mineral rich evaporite basin, totalling 160 square kilometres that ranks as one of the more prospective salars or ‘salt lakes’ in the region. Current ownership of the project is through a joint venture company, Litio Minera Argentina S. A. (“Litio”), a private company registered in Argentina. As a result of the December 2017 settlement agreement, ownership of Litio will be revised to 82.754% by Mariana Lithium Co. Ltd. (“MLC”), and 17.246% by ILC in early 2018. In addition, ILC has an option to acquire 10% in the Mariana project through a back-in right.

Complementing the Company’s lithium brine project in Argentina are three rare metals pegmatite properties in Canada known as the Mavis, Raleigh, and Forgan projects, and the Avalonia project in Ireland, which encompasses an extensive 50km-long pegmatite belt. The Avalonia project is under option to strategic partner Ganfeng, who currently owns 55% of the project. The Mavis and Raleigh projects are under option to strategic partner Pioneer Resources Limited (ASX: PIO) pursuant to which Pioneer can acquire up to a 51% interest in the projects.

The Mavis, Raleigh and Forgan projects together form the basis of the Company’s newly created Upper Canada Lithium Pool designated to focus on acquiring numerous prospects with previously reported high concentrations of lithium in close proximity to existing infrastructure.

With the increasing demand for high tech rechargeable batteries used in vehicle propulsion technologies and portable electronics, lithium is paramount to tomorrow’s “green-tech”, sustainable economy. By positioning itself with solid strategic partners and acquiring high-quality assets for the Energy rEVolution supply chain, ILC aims to be the partner of choice for investors in green-tech and to continue to build value for its shareholders.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Kirill Klip

Executive Chairman

www.internationallithium.com

For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-700-8912

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release include: the timing and anticipated results of environmental impact studies, timing of preliminary economic studies on the Mariana project, the expectation of feasibility studies, lithium recoveries, modelling of capital and operating costs, and continued agreement between the Company and Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. regarding the Company’s percentage interest in the Mariana JV. Such forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled “Risks” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. While management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.

Saturday, 23 December 2017

International Lithium CEO Kirill Klip Talks With Matt Bohlsen Of Trend Investing.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

Please read legal disclaimer. There is no investment advice on this blog. Always consult a qualified financial adviser before any investment decisions. DYOR.

International Lithium CEO Kirill Klip Talks With Matt Bohlsen Of Trend Investing

Nov. 27, 2017 3:56 AM ET

About: International Lithium Corp. (ILHMF)

Summary

· Mr Klip shares his views on lithium supply and demand, as well as his thoughts on the lithium sector as a whole.· Mr Klip gives an update on International Lithium as well as his 5-year outlook for the company.
· The Company’s primary focus is their stake in the Mariana lithium-potash brine project in Argentina, partnered with Chinese giant Ganfeng Lithium.

Kirill Klip is CEO of International Lithium Corp. [TSXV: ILC] (OTCPK: ILHMF)

Mr Kirill Klip graduated with a degree in Management from St. Petersburg State University of Railways, later obtaining a degree in Economics from the International Business School in Moscow and a degree in MBA in Finance from both the International Business School in Moscow and Guildhall University in London. He has extensive expertise in banking, transportation, mining, telecommunications and internet industries. Kirill Klip served as the First Vice President and Member of the Board of TransCreditBank (Moscow), Member of the Board of TransTeleCom (Moscow) and Member of the Board of Dry Bulk Terminal (Tallinn). He also acted as the Adviser on Finance for the Minister of Russian Railway System (Moscow). From 2008 Kirill Klip has acted as Non-Executive Chairman and member of the Board of TNR Gold Corp. (International Lithium’s parent company through a Plan of Arrangement and spin-out) and an Adviser to the Board of Canada Zinc Metals. In addition to years of entrepreneurial and corporate stewardship, he also manages a portfolio of global assets and brings a robust financial network to the group.

International Lithium Corp. (“ILC”) is a “Clean Tech” lithium resource developer for “Energy rEVolution” with a global portfolio of lithium assets. ILC currently holds highly prospective projects in the most prolific areas of the world for lithium and rare metals. International Lithium’s Joint Ventures with Ganfeng Lithium in Argentina and Ireland is an entry point to a vertically integrated lithium business with the largest lithium materials producer from China. ILC’s strategy is to build its venture capital in a number of M&A transactions realising the intrinsic value of assets in its portfolio. Construction of International Lithium Royalty Portfolio is our underlining business model. The Company’s primary focus is the stake in Mariana lithium-potash brine project in Argentina within the renowned South American ‘Lithium Belt’ that is host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. The 160 square kilometre Mariana project strategically encompasses an entire mineral rich evaporite basin that ranks as one of the more prospective salars, or ‘salt lakes’ in the region. Mariana is being developed in Joint Venture with Ganfeng Lithium. Complementing the Company’s lithium brine projects are rare metals pegmatite properties in Canada and Ireland that have revealed through recent highly positive results a clear potential that the Company will advance with the support of its Joint Venture partner Ganfeng Lithium and Joint Venture alliance with Pioneer Resources.

Location map - Mariana project

What are your current views on the lithium industry? Can you please give your views on supply and demand issues, industry consolidation, and on current and future lithium pricing.

I am a very strong believer in the ongoing fundamental shift in technology which is happening these days. We are entering the era of Post Carbon Economy. The Oil ICE Age is over: for centuries we were burning things just to get the energy and it was mostly oil lately, but now we can produce electricity by using Solar and Wind Power Generation.

Electricity is the best and the most efficient form of energy known to us and now we can store it and use it when we really needed it. Cheap lithium batteries change everything. Electric Cars will become cheaper to own than comparable models of fuel-powered cars next year according to UBS. Tesla Model 3 with more than 400,000 reservations is starting the real mass market for electric cars, now Bloomberg estimates that more than 200 models of electric cars will be available by 2020.

We are at the tipping point for the mass market of electric cars. It took us all human history to get to 1 million electric cars on the roads by 2015 and then less than a couple of years to double this EV fleet. I expect that in 2018 worldwide sales of EVs will overtake 1 million units per year.

We are in the exponential stage of the adoption rate for electric cars, but most of the investment banks who are following lithium batteries supply chains are still estimating 5% - 10% of the electric cars being sold in the next 5 years. I have a different view: that all cars will be electric mush faster than a lot of people are anticipating. We are talking here about the disruption of $4 trillion Transportation and $8 Trillion Energy industries.

Energy storage for Solar and Wind power generation will be consuming, even more, lithium batteries than transportation in the future. Disruption of $12 Trillion industries is based on the lithium market which was last year around 200,000 T of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") in production terms. In monetary value, it was close only to $2.5 Billion dollars in sales even after the dramatic increase in lithium prices.

This is why we are witnessing very strong prices this year, when spot prices in Shanghai are above $20,000 for both LCE and Lithium Hydroxide and long-term prices are reaching $15,000 per LCE T. This view of the ongoing fundamental shift and that The Switch is already happening when millions of people will be buying electric cars now is finally making its way in the mainstream of government agencies and major financial institutions.

IMF and World Bank are among those who see "electric cars can replace motor vehicles in the next 10 to 25 years" and a very dramatic 1,000% increase in demand for lithium respectively. Analysing only EV demand for Lithium, UBS is putting the mind-blowing number of increase in demand by 2,898% in a 100% EV world! The views on the rate of adoption for electric cars can be different, but industry trends are already supporting this very bullish case for lithium. "Old Lithium Big Three": Albemarle, SQM and FMC "had to accept" the new aggressive players: Ganfeng Lithium and Tianqi from China. "The New Lithium Top Five" now looks more like: Albermarle, SQM, Ganfeng Lithium, Tianqi and FMC. But if we will be talking about lithium supply chain in terms of lithium chemical products used in lithium batteries, China is already in the lead and controls close to 75% of supply. For example, Tesla Gigafactory lithium supply chain goes all around the globe and back to China as well.

We are already witnessing the wave of consolidation in the sector in order to secure the supply of lithium as raw material, which is becoming critical. SQM is diversifying this year from brine lithium operations into hard rock lithium mining with its JV partner Kidman Resources in Australia following Albemarle. Tianqi bought 51% in Talison Lithium in Australia with Rockwood holding 49% in 2014 and after that Albemarle has acquired Rockwood and this way becoming partners with Tianqi.

Ganfeng Lithium, the largest integrated lithium producer from China, was very early in securing the supply chain for lithium raw materials. Ganfeng has acquired the strategic stake in International Lithium IPO in 2011 and now operates two JVs with ILC: Mariana lithium brine project in Argentina and Avalonia with lithium hard rock exploration in Ireland. Ganfeng has bought a stake in Neometals and in its lithium hard rock mining operations at Mt Marion lithium project in Australia in 2015. This year Ganfeng has bought a stake in Lithium Americas and its JV developing lithium brine operations with SQM in Argentina. And after that last spring, Ganfeng acquired another stake in Australian lithium developer Pilbara Minerals, this time 5% stake has shown that Ganfeng is really after the security of supply. The main part of the deal is the off-take agreement for 160,000 T of lithium concentrate.

But M&A in the lithium sector can only redistribute the existing known resources of lithium. The next phase of the game to secure supply for the Energy rEVolution is the advanced exploration and new technologies to recover lithium. We are talking a lot about the new groundbreaking technologies for electric cars and lithium batteries. Now it is time to consider the most advanced technologies for the production of lithium as a raw material. The increasing usage of lithium batteries is driving the demand for lithium as a raw material and new extraction technologies will provide the technological advantage to the most progressive companies investing in the future.

My lower estimate for future demand is that 36 million tonnes of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent) must be produced by 2040 in order to meet the IEA's target for the 600 million electric cars necessary to keep global temperature increase below 2%. However, over 100 million tonnes of LCE will be needed if all new cars are to be electric by 2040, this being one of IMF's scenarios for the future. Now let's just start adding here the Energy Storage for Solar and Wind Power Generation.

Our starting point for electric cars is just over 1% of total auto sales in the world and only 200,000 tonnes of LCE produced in 2016. The dramatic increase in demand for lithium will require accelerated production from all known reserves of lithium and new resources will need to be found and put into production, this being crucial to the Energy rEVolution.

At International Lithium, we are very interested in processes developed for the recovery of Lithium Hydroxide directly from brine. Lithium Hydroxide is the highly sought strategic commodity which is used in lithium batteries as Tesla and Panasonic are doing for example at Tesla Gigafactory.

What is International Lithium currently working on in regards to each of your lithium projects?

This year we have announced a very significant resource at Mariana Lithium JV with Ganfeng lithium in March. In April our 43-101 report was filed with Indicated Resource Estimate of 1.25 Million Tonnes LCE at the Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina. The exploration target at our salar is identified as almost 5 Million Tonnes LCE. Some analysts are already talking about Mariana Lithium as one of the top 10 lithium brine salar systems in the world.

Report Highlights – Mariana Lithium Brine Project, Argentina

The following highlights taken from the Technical Report, and set out below, should be considered in the context of the detailed information given there.

• The indicated resource contains an estimated 1,248,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), previously reported with at a 60% recovery rate to be 747,000 tonnes LCE which is now calculated as 749,000 tonnes of LCE.

• The inferred resource contains an estimated 618,000 tonnes of LCE.

• The indicated resource is estimated at 765 billion litres of brine grading 306 mg/L lithium (“Li”) and 9,457 mg/L potassium (“K”).

• The inferred resource is estimated at 361 billion litres of brine grading 322 mg/L lithium (“Li”) and 10,316 mg/L potassium (“K”).

• Brine resources are tabulated and reported for average specific yield (SY) of 15% and a cut-off value of 230 mg/L Li. The effective date for this resource estimate is January 20, 2017.

The preliminary estimates for lithium brine are in the upper end of the Companies’ expectations.

In September International Lithium has announced that it has received a final report, "Proof of Concept Study — Lithium Recovery Using Membrane Separation" (the "Study") prepared by Synexus Limited of South Africa ("Synexus"). The Study was conducted utilizing (filtered) raw brine from the Salar de Llullaillaico, location of the Mariana lithium brine joint venture project ("Mariana") in Salta, Argentina. Results from the Study indicate that the selective recovery of lithium directly from raw (filtered) brine, with the simultaneous rejection of other cation and anion species, using a proprietary lithium selective separation process (the "technology") is possible. Lithium was selectively recovered from the raw brine to produce lithium hydroxide ("LiOH"), a high-value ingredient used directly in lithium battery manufacturing, as a final product.

Summary of Study Results:

• The use of the technology presents a possible alternative to the natural evaporation process currently proposed at Mariana.

• The technology could provide a process route to produce lithium hydroxide directly from the raw brine without the need to remove contaminants like magnesium by liming, as would be required in the natural evaporation process.

• Based on initial estimates, the technology can achieve higher recoveries than natural evaporation even with relatively low concentrations of lithium.

• Use of technology has the potential to enable a considerable increase in production rate compared to evaporative ponds. Lithium is directly removed from the brine and the (spent) brine can be returned to the basin with little effect on the water balance.

• With further refining, the technology could also permit the recovery of potassium and other cations if desired.

"We consider this report very encouraging news for the advancement of our Mariana Lithium JV Project," commented Kirill Klip, Executive Chairman of ILC.

Now Mariana JV partners Ganfeng Lithium and International Lithium are studying the results of this report and the best way to incorporate the advanced lithium extraction technologies into Mariana Lithium development phase leading to Preliminary economic Assessment and Pre Feasibility studies of the project.

The next very important stages will include Preliminary Economic Assessment and Pre Feasibility studies. It will be major milestones identifying economic potential of our Mariana Lithium JV project with Ganfeng. Now JV partners are working on the next budget for 2018 in order to achieve these very ambitious targets.

In Ireland the new budget is being prepared now as well, we have identified 23 targets to advance our exploration after very encouraging results. Here our JV partner Ganfeng has to spend $10 million dollars to earn 79% in the project.

In Canada, we had very impressive results from our JV operations with Pioneer Resources from Australia. We have two projects under JV development with Pioneer in Ontario now: Mavis Lake and Raleigh Lake. Exploration results have confirmed historical mineralisation at Mavis and spend the new exploration potential at depth and in a stepping out zones.

Our 3rd project in Canada - Forgan Lake is being studied for further potential JV operations as well now.

What do you see as the main catalysts for International Lithium going forward, and where do you see your company being in one year?

The main catalyst will come to International Lithium in Argentina with Mariana Lithium JV operated by Ganfeng Lithium moving towards potential production studies and completing Preliminary Economic Assessment and Pre Feasibility studies next year. It will put Mariana Lithium among the near production projects potentially on a worldwide scale and Ganfeng Lithium, the largest integrated lithium materials producer from China, will bring the necessary technological expertise and market recognition to International Lithium JV operations.

In Ireland, at Avalonia JV operations we expect with Ganfeng Lithium further confirmation of our exploration models and work aimed at identification of the initial resource and defining the new generalised zones.

In Canada, we have just announced our exploration strategy. Pioneer Resources has raised capital and we are looking forward towards very busy drilling season expanding the high-grade targets at Mavis Lake.

Mavis Lake 2017 drilling program

Where do you see your company and the stock price being in 5 years? When do you forecast to be in production and with which projects, and with what volumes?

Here I must warn our audience to read our legal disclaimers about forward-looking statements and do not take anything as an investment advice. They should never make any investment decisions without consulting a qualified financial adviser. I can tell you why I am personally a significant shareholder in International Lithium and have invested very significant amount again in ILC convertible debt offering this year. After all necessary confirmations including by PEA and Pre Feasibility studies, Mariana Lithium can be potentially in production within next 3-5 years. Membrane report has provided us with initial analysis and confirmation that Lithium Hydroxide can be produced directly from Mariana Lithium brine. It is possible to envision the potential of such production at the level of 25,000 tonnes of Lithium Hydroxide per year. This will make our stake in Mariana Lithium JV very valuable asset.

Do you think International Lithium is currently fairly valued, undervalued or overvalued by the market? Can you please discuss your partnerships (including Ganfeng Lithium) and how that can benefit shareholders?

I cannot discuss any valuations of our company but will mention that ILC convertible debt was recently closed with insiders taking the majority of the offering. Particularly, I would like to mention that after strategic changes announced earlier this year I have built a very strong and deep Team at ILC.

Our Board is representing a number of successful serial entrepreneurs with backgrounds in mining, banking, marketing and high tech industries, which are followed by very strong management covering all aspects of technical and financial activities. Among my partners at ILC is Deputy Chairman John Wisbey, he brings a few dozens of years of technological entrepreneurship in banking, very deep understanding of risk and its management in a commercial enterprise during different stages of its lifecycle and an access to the capital markets on an international level.

I am happy to report to our shareholders that after very detailed Due Diligence phase at our company, we have revamped all our management systems including establishing of very strong operation controls and John became the leading investor in the recent offering by ILC and all our directors have joined him and myself in our private placement. Another director, Maurice Brooks is a professional auditor and covering for us all aspects of strategic risk management at ILC Board level. One more partner comes from the marketing and promotion sector. Our director Ross Thompson is a unique specialist in behavioural marketing with global operations. Our COO Anthony Kovacs brings years of the unique global mining and project developments skills to ILC team.

Ganfeng Lithium brings to our JV operations the necessary scale of the largest integrated lithium materials producer from China and access to the technology and capital to develop our projects. International Lithium is very well positioned to benefit from our JV projects with Ganfeng Lithium and Pioneer Resources. Mariana lithium brine project in Argentina will be generating critical milestones next year on the way of its development to the potential production. Our access to the capital will be crucial in order to keep our stake in Mariana JV without any further dilution and fully participate in the economic potential of this very exciting lithium project.

ILC has diversified lithium portfolio which is very well balanced geographically and between brine and hard rock lithium projects. We have major lithium producers as our partners. Our very talented team at ILC is managing our operations, we have established a very strong shareholder base and are working to build the necessary access to the international level of capital for our future development matching our JV partners in order to maximise the return on investment for our shareholders.

Would you like to add anything that you think investors should know about International Lithium?

We are building International Lithium as a future Lithium Royalty Company and our main projects are operated by one of the largest lithium materials producer in the world - Ganfeng Lithium from China.

International Lithium Corp. (“ILC”) is a “Clean Tech” lithium resource developer for “Energy rEVolution” with a global portfolio of lithium assets. TNR Gold Corp (TSXV: TNR) is holding a Strategic Stake in ILC.

ILC currently holds highly prospective projects in the most prolific areas of the world for lithium and rare metals. International Lithium’s Joint Ventures with Ganfeng Lithium in Argentina and Ireland is an entry point to a vertically integrated lithium business with the largest lithium materials producer from China.

ILC’s strategy is to build its venture capital in a number of M&A transactions realising the intrinsic value of assets in its portfolio. Construction of International Lithium Royalty Portfolio is our underlining business model.

Please refer to the published financial reports by International Lithium in order to make a proper due diligence of our operations, assets and potential risks.

Conclusion

I would sincerely like to thank Mr Kirill Klip for giving freely of his time and for sharing his views on the lithium sector and on International Lithium. It is always great to get some insight from an industry insider.

Investors can view the latest company presentation here, or my article "International Lithium Is Partnered To Succeed."

As usual, all comments are welcome.

Disclosure: I am/we are long International Lithium Corp (TSXV: ILC).

I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosure: The information in this article is general in nature and should not be relied upon as personal financial advice.