Now that we're at the pointy end of things we have finally arrived at the biggest hurdle for all start ups, finance, not so much about getting it, but at terms best for the long term future of LPD. Its easy to get a poor deal .
DFC funding is relatively straight forward, they aren't wanting a piece of you, they are there to provide development funding at lower interest rates and if you meet their requirements they either give it to you or they don't and all indications are they will.
Finance from other sources isn't that straight forward, they usually want a piece of the action be it through a share of WI or a strategic investment and we're basically asking them to finance something that hasn't been proven at scale ,only at pilot plant level.
So its a big challenge to get the best outcome, but we have two very important things going in our favour, a product in increasing demand , a price that is in record territory and a cleaner process.. There has never been a better time to negotiate and the only potential problem that creates is bringing more players to the party, not a bad problem to have although it can extend negotiations.
The very fact they have Sept targeted for a FID means they are very advanced in negotiations and probably have a good idea of where the money is coming from , its more a matter of getting multiple parties lined up.
Will they make it by the end of this month, I haven't a clue but getting the best deal possible is better than making a specific time line for me , this project will go on for years so everything gained in terms of negotiations has potentially huge implications further down the track...
We are looking at expansion well beyond 5000tpa so tying up with a strong and supportive partner to help us finance that will be playing a big part in negotiations IMO.
Cheers Whisky
