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Firefinch partners with Chinese battery giant for US$194m investment
Gilbert + Tobin has advised on a joint venture for an investment into a lithium deposit in Mali worth US$194 million.
Lauren Croft
Firm: Gilbert + Tobin (Firefinch Limited)
Value: US$194 million
Area: Energy, corporate
Key players: The G+T team was led by energy and resources partner Michael Blakiston, with support from lawyer Amelia Arndt.
Deal significance: The deal will see Ganfeng provide funding of up to US$194 million in return for a 50 per cent stake in the Goulamina project and means that the Goulamina project is almost fully funded and is set to become the world’s next big lithium development.
Firefinch and Ganfeng have established an equal split joint venture for the project. G+T continues to advise Firefinch on the negotiations and drafting of the full form transaction documents.
Mr Blakiston commented: “It continues to be a privilege to be advising Dr Alistair Cowden and his team as they continue the fantastic transformation of Firefinch from a junior explorer firstly into a gold producer and as a result of this recently announced transaction, potentially a significant world lithium producer.
“Firefinch has focussed its endeavours in Mali and has shown great maturity in being able to work with the Malian government which has been in a period of transition.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
