Pilbara Minerals Enters Agreement on Pre-Auction Offer for Spodumene Shipment

Pilbara Minerals Limited, traded under the ticker symbol ASX: PLS and commonly known as Pilbara Minerals, is pleased to announce its recent acceptance of a pre-auction offer for a consignment of lithium spodumene concentrate. This decision was made ahead of the scheduled digital auction on the Battery Material Exchange (BMX), signaling the company's proactive approach to managing its lithium resources and engaging with market opportunities.

Anticipating the BMX auction slated for March 18, 2024, Pilbara Minerals took the initiative to offer a shipment comprising 5,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt) for potential sale to registered BMX participants. This strategic move aimed to optimize the company's position in the lithium market and ensure timely transactions aligned with its business objectives. Subsequently, Pilbara Minerals received multiple pre-auction proposals and conducted thorough evaluations to determine the most favorable offer.

After careful consideration, the company decided to accept an offer of US$1,106 per dmt on a SC5.5 CIF China basis. This decision reflects Pilbara Minerals' commitment to securing competitive pricing for its lithium products while also honoring its contractual obligations to stakeholders. Following the acceptance of the offer, Pilbara Minerals promptly executed a formal sales contract with the buyer, solidifying the transaction and paving the way for future collaborations.

Upon meticulous analysis and adjustment for lithia content, as well as the inclusion of freight costs, the accepted offer translates to an approximate price of US$1,200 per dmt on a SC6.0 CIF China equivalent basis. This calculation underscores the company's dedication to transparent pricing practices and ensuring fair value for its products. Furthermore, the scheduled shipment is contracted for the December 2024 quarter, strategically aligning with Pilbara Minerals' existing offtake commitments and production forecasts.

With the company's current offtake arrangements in place, the forecasted production volumes for the entirety of the calendar year 2024 are predominantly accounted for. As a result, the likelihood of regular future spot sales via the BMX platform throughout the remainder of 2024 may be diminished. However, Pilbara Minerals remains committed to maintaining an agile and responsive approach to market dynamics. In anticipation of any forthcoming unallocated production, the company pledges to continuously evaluate a range of potential sales avenues, including offtake contracts, closed tenders, auctions, and other commercial opportunities. This proactive stance reflects Pilbara Minerals' commitment to maximizing value creation for its shareholders and stakeholders.

Beyond its recent transactional activities, Pilbara Minerals holds a prominent position as the leading lithium company listed on the ASX. The company boasts full ownership of the world's largest independent hard-rock lithium operation, situated in the resource-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia. The Pilgangoora Operation serves as the cornerstone of Pilbara Minerals' business, specializing in the production of spodumene and tantalite concentrates. Renowned for its significant scale and exceptional product quality, the operation has attracted the interest of a consortium comprising esteemed global partners, including POSCO, Ganfeng Lithium, General Lithium, Yibin Tianyi, Chengxin Lithium, and Yahua.