I have read that article - anyone care to comment of the rather sizeable "ifs" as well?
I have read the "... join the dots to Gangfeng and Tesla" pointless stuff.
If there is a lithium thread on HC that does not contain the words "Gangfeng" or "Tesla" I would like to see it! My observation is that particular line has become a mantra for every junior lithium explorer under the sun.
The "ifs";
Pioneer may earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by expending CAN$1.25 million on exploration activities within three years and paying to ILC a total of CAN$250,000 in cash and shares 50/50 over the same three years (the "First Earn-in").
1. "may earn" not "will earn"
2. Will need another 1.25m - CR?
3. Additional payment of 125k - taking the total spend to 1.5m (cash and shares) - they only raised that in the last SPP.
Following the First Earn-in, ILC will be granted a 1.5% Net Smelter Return royalty ("NSR"), purchasable at any time for CAN$1.5 million.
1. The NSR is not even able to be calculated. Although PIO could buy it for $1.5m
Pioneer will then be granted, if ILC elects not to participate and if Pioneer elects to pursue, an option where Pioneer can earn an additional 29%, for a total 80% interest, by sole funding exploration expenditures and the production of a pre-feasibility technical report within 6 years from the completion of the First Earn-In. Thereafter the Parties will contribute on a pro-rata basis. If either Party dilutes to 15% Project Equity, their interest is converted to a 1.5% NSR.
"... if ILC elects not to participate" I wonder who has the "whip hand" in this relationship? The extra 29% will be given if ILC see nothing in it - that much is clear. Seriously, who gives up a 29% interest if the value of this project is as some of the 'positive' posters would have us believe - is realised. The terms noted in this paragraph, if as presented, are far more complex (commercial realities) than is presented and much can happen in the interim.
Well ... it's not bad news but it is nothing to get overly excited about.
I think many choose to focus on the 80% increase figure and ignore the rest (i.e. the commercial reality).
Lastly, the time frames of this last paragraph are too far out to make any real assessment.
Frankly, all that article seems to do is confirm the cash burning qualities of all junior explorers. Some of it is PR fluff in my view. If everything as rosy as presented by some on this thread and the PIO PR announcements then the SP would be 50c and large investment groups would be all over it - it is not and they are not.