That's Awesome !!!
I guess it's fair to say that we now should have a better handle on the ' Private Capital ' funding side of things ....or at least part of it....now that we know it is Ezio Iannarino (and his Team ) who they are thanking at the bottom of that tweet.
And you can prove out all this by simply going to Ezio's Linkedin page where you will see ALL his recent activity and where you will see that while he hasn't specifically communicated , he has LIKED e ALL those to do with Sayona Mining , and which then follow to another one which showcases Le Fonds de Solidarite.
From there you can do a bit of searching where you will find all the Following info and as much as you care to unravel ;-
You searches will see that he actually worked as an ' Expert ' for Rio back between 20111 and 2103 where as per his Linkedin resume he was responsible for the following tasks :-
- Overlooked and managed Rio Tinto's Project Execution and Construction Management activities
- Managed projects and construction sites ensuring that all projects were compliant and governed according to Rio Tinto's corporate policies and procedures were delivered safely within the approved budget and schedule
- Managed and supported different studies and gate review processes for funding approval. Ensured that the quality of project management and construction related activities were compliant and in line with Rio Tinto’s project execution standards and corporate standards
He also did very senior 3 year ' stint ' at Worley Parsons as Vice President - Project Delivery so he is definitely a significant Mining Industry ' Influencer ' with plenty of Mining Project Management experience and ' Contacts ' .....
And of the many Companies that he follows ( 488 in total ) , I am most intrigued by the fact that Sayona Mining is one of his more recent , but also follows Piedmont , RIO , and Jourdan Resources .........
So here is the flow of interest and BIT's I like most in regards to the Le Fonds de Solidarite :-
Le Fonds de Solidarite FTQ (FONDS), known in English as Solidarity Fund FTQ, is a development capital fund based in Quebec, Canada. It manages net assets of $16.7 billion Canadian (approximately $12.6 billion USD) and is partnered with 3,126 companies
About the Fonds
Created in 1983, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a development capital fund that calls upon the solidarity and savings of Quebecers to help fulfill its mission to contribute to Québec's economic growth by creating, maintain or protecting jobs through investments in small and medium-sized businesses in all spheres of activity. The Fonds also seeks to encourage Quebecers to save for retirement and to offer its over half a million shareholders-savers a reasonable return over and above the outstanding tax benefits they receive by purchasing Fonds shares.
The largest development capital network in the province,the Fonds de solidarité FTQ was created on the initiative of the FTQ, Québec’s largest central labour body. Through its governance and codes of ethics, the Fonds is a socially responsible investor committed to sustainable economic development where people come first. Aside from investing capital, the Fonds is committed to supporting the growth of its partner companies by offering value-added services such as economic training.
With net assets of $18.3 billionas at November 30, 2021, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ has become a hub of knowledge and resources for Québec businesses and a key player in the local economy.
And from another Article Directly from EDC ( Export Development Canada ) from back in November 5th 2021 :-
" The Fonds de solidarité FTQ invests to build a better society by channelling the savings of its 723,501 shareholders into development and risk capital investments to help Québec transition to a green economy, to a human-centred world of work, and to a healthier society. The Fonds offers businesses unsecured financing and strategic support. With $17.2 billion in net assets as at May 31, 2021, the Fonds has supported 3,437 partner companies and 247,612 jobs. "
Note that's just about a $ BILLION in net assets put on in the 6 months from May 2021 to November 2021.....so 5% not a bad return for 6 months work for its stakeholders. SO one would think that they MUST be seriously looking at Sayona and running their investment ' slide rule ' over the prospects from around the time when it ( Sayona ) starts considering its ' Lithium Chemicals ' conversion strategies in the 4th QTR of 2022......
And it appears they have various Committee's of which preside over different levels of Authority over direct investments and ' Private ' funding as follows :-
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE – MINING SECTOR
This committee monitors mining sector investment files (mines, energy and environment).
It therefore approves investments under its authority up to an initial threshold of $15 million, and then, for additional investments, up to $25 million, $35 million and $50 million, respectively.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE – DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL
This committee monitors development capital investment files (industries, aerospace, infrastructure and transportation, entertainment and consumer goods, services, agri-foo; and health) as well as files that are not under the authority of other Investment Committees.
It therefore approves investments under its authority up to an initial threshold of $35 million, and then, for additional investments, up to $50 million, $75 million and $100 million, respectively.
Of course you can search up some of the Funding that has come through Fonds de Solidarite in BOTH the Abitibi region as well as the Nord du Quebec from their Website . But for me , most notable names popping up are the ones like Azimut Explorations who have been involved with SOQUEM and I.Q as well as Troilus Gold as per the below excerpt of previous funding.
But the BIG one for me is the $1.1 Billion ' Transformative ' transaction for Orion Mine Finance Groups portfolio and metals offtakes streams valued at $1.125 billon and where BOTH the CDPQ ( Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ) and the Fonds de Solidarite help finance the deal by subscribing for $200 million and $75 million ( respectfully ) in Osiko common shares .
Toronto, Ontario - July 15, 2021 – Troilus Gold Corp. (TSX:TLG; OTCQX:CHXMF; FRA: CM5R) (“Troilus” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered Private Placement for proceeds of approximately $11.15 million with the government of Québec, through Investissement Québec (“IQ”) via Fonds Capital Ressources Naturelles et Énergie and Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs du Québec (F.T.Q.) (“the Fonds”) and Fonds régionaux de solidarité FTQ, S.E.C. (“the Fonds Régional”) (the “Offering”). The pricing terms of the Offering are the same as the Company’s recently closed bought deal prospectus offering (see news release dated June 30, 2021). IQ, the Fonds and the Fonds Régional have purchased an aggregate of 10,136,359 units (the “Units”) at a price of C$1.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately $11,150,000. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a “Common Share”) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each full warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 for a period of 24 months following the closing of the Offering, being until July 15, 2023.