- UNSAM engaged to implement sustainable mining protocols for
operation
- Golder engaged to assist the project in demonstrating strong
ESG commitment
- Golder also will study the CO2 footprint of the
3Q Project for the DFS
- Neo Lithium has followed the ESG structure since its early
exploration and development phases through e3 Plus framework and is
now working in implementing sustainable mining protocols
TORONTO, April 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Neo Lithium Corp. ("Neo
Lithium" or the "Company") (TSXV: NLC) (OTCQX: NTTHF)
(FSE:NE2), is pleased to announce that it has engaged Golder
Associates Ltd. ("Golder") and the Argentinean National University of San Martin ("UNSAM"),
to assist with the Environmental, Social and Governance
("ESG") program for its Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS")
and in preparation for future construction and operation of the 3Q
project.
Neo Lithium through its wholly owned Argentinean subsidiary,
Liex SA, began the process of preparation, training, and
implementation of a ESG system for its 3Q Project since the early
stages of exploration in 2016. The Company hired multiple
international consultants, including late Emeritus Scientist Dr.
Johannes Boon, who set the Company's
3Q Project program following e3 Plus1
framework. Since that time, the Company has continued to operate
and enhance these processes. As part of the DFS work conducted by
Worley, the Company has started to solidify its operational and
technical teams as well as its systems towards a full long-term
sustainable future.
"We have been working since the very beginning of the project
following the highest standards. We now bring Golder to work
cooperatively with UNSAM and our team to upgrade the standards to
be applied even further to future construction and production of
the 3Q Project," said Waldo Perez,
CEO of Neo Lithium Corp. "We take very seriously our compromise
with all of our stakeholders and future generations, which in large
part includes all aspects of ESG."
____________________
|
1 e3
Plus is a framework for responsible exploration which has been
developed for mineral exploration companies by the Prospectors and
Developers Association of Canada.
|
UNSAM Engagement
In order to get ready to indicate pond construction the Company
has engaged the UNSAM to design the Towards Sustainable Mining
(TSM)2 protocols adapted in Argentina under Acronym HMS in collaboration
of all mining producers of Argentina with the Mining Association of
Canada (MAC). UNSAM will complete
the protocols and organize the implementation of the ESG system and
prepare a comprehensive regional diagnosis of relevant social
issues that will allow the development of a longer-term strategy
during the life of mine of the 3Q Project. This work is expected to
be finalized during 2021 together with the DFS work.
___________________
|
2 Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) is
a commitment by the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) to
responsible mining. It is a set of tools and indicators to drive
performance and ensure that mining risks are managed responsibly at
its members' facilities.
|
Golder Engagement
Neo Lithium has engaged Golder to review and guide the ESG
protocols designed by the UNSAM for the 3Q project. The scope of
work from Golder includes:
- Review project information to match ESG standards that apply to
the Company and the 3Q Project based on ESG requirements of
potential investors.
- Estimate the project carbon footprint and benchmark the carbon
intensity and other key ESG metrics against similar projects.
Lower CO2 intensity
In support to key parameters of ESG: "Climate Action and
Affordable Clean energy" and based on relevant industry
standards Neo Lithium plans to be at the low end of the
CO2 emission footprint when compared to any other brine
asset worldwide. As stated on Roskill's "Lithium: Sustainability
Monitor, 1st Edition" CO2 intensity from the production
of lithium in brine and mineral industries (hard rock lithium
production via spodumene concentrate) show a sharp contrast when
examining their CO2 footprints. Brine operations
produced refined lithium at a weighted average carbon intensity of
2.8t CO2/t LCE, whereas the mineral industry has an
average intensity of 9.6t CO2/t LCE.
CSR Program in Argentina
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program for the 3Q
project was designed following e3 Plus framework which encompassed
programs such as: Hiring Local manpower
(Liex SA has close to 80% local employment in the 3Q Project, and
is the main private employer in the local community),
Approaching the Community communication program (includes an
open door policy, permanent radio, tv and social media information,
visits to the project sponsored by Liex SA among other
communication tools), Stakeholder Mapping and Monitoring
program, Buy Local program as well as a permanent Fiambalá
community office with an exclusive local operations team. Liex SA
has also focused on empowering the community by providing training
courses related to wellbeing, health issues, technical programs as
well as providing information on the lithium industry, environment
and the 3Q Project. For further information on our programs please
visit the following informational links from Liex SA:
Website page
(www.liex.com.ar)
YouTube channel
(www.youtube.com/channel/UC7aXW7zoKLJ52NKhfByPqOA)
Facebook page (www.facebook.com/liexargentina)
Linkedin page
(www.linkedin.com/company/liex-s.a./)
Instagram
page (www.instagram.com/litioargentina/)
Grant of Options
Neo Lithium has granted to directors, officers and consultants
of the Company stock options (the "Options") to purchase a total of
3,200,000 common shares at a price of $3.05 per common share. The Options are
exercisable for a period of 5 years and have been granted in
accordance with the terms of the Company's current stock option
plan.
About Neo Lithium Corp.
Neo Lithium Corp. has quickly become a prominent new name in
lithium brine development by virtue of its high quality 3Q Project
and experienced team. Neo Lithium is rapidly advancing its 100%
owned 3Q Project - a unique high-grade lithium brine lake and salar
complex in Latin America's
"Lithium Triangle".
The 3Q Project is located in the Catamarca Province, the largest
lithium producing area in Argentina covering approximately 35,000 ha
including a salar complex of approximately 16,000 ha.
Additional information regarding Neo Lithium Corp. is available
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and at its
website at www.neolithium.ca, including various pictures of ongoing
work at the project.
Neither the 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 press release.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements - Certain information set forth in this
news release may contain forward-looking statements. Such
statements include but are not limited to, statements concerning
the Sidecar Placement and the Brokered Offering, the intended use
of proceeds therefrom, the Closing Date and receipt of regulatory
approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. Generally,
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words
such as "plans", "expects" or "is expected", "scheduled",
"estimates" "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of
such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events
or results "can", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or
"will", occur or be achieved, or the negative connotations thereof.
These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the
Company, which could cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from the
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such statements. These risks include, without limitation, risks
related to failure to obtain regulatory approval for the Sidecar
Placement, failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis
and on acceptable terms, political and regulatory risks associated
with mining and exploration activities, including environmental
regulation, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation
of drill and sample results, risks related to the uncertainty of
cost and time estimation and the potential for unexpected delays,
costs and expenses, risks related to metal price fluctuations, the
market for lithium products, and other risks and uncertainties
related to the Company's prospects, properties and business
detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Although the
Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable
assumptions and has attempted to identify important factors that
could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially
from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be
other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended and undue reliance should not be
placed on forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Neo Lithium Corp.