Ecora Resources PLC (LSE:ECOR, TSX:ECOR, OTCQX:ECRAF) CEO Marc Bishop Lafleche joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with details of the company's first venture into the rare earths market.
Ecora Resources has made an $8.5 million investment for a 0.85% gross revenue royalty in the Phalaborwa project, located in South Africa and majority owned by Rainbow Rare Earths. Additionally, Ecora has subscribed for 1.5 million shares in Rainbow Rare Earths.
Lafleche highlighted the significance of this deal, stating, "From our perspective, this is one of the, if not the best rare earths development project globally. It ticks all the boxes for us." The project promises low-cost, high-margin production with strong cash flow potential through commodity price cycles, making it an attractive entry point for Ecora's first rare earths exposure.
The Phalaborwa project stands out due to its unique approach of reprocessing existing stacks, which historically produced fertiliser, thus avoiding traditional mining costs. This method not only reduces capital and operational costs but also enhances the project's sustainability credentials.
In discussing the broader portfolio, Lafleche mentioned significant milestones for Ecora, including advancements in the Voisey's Bay project and upcoming feasibility studies for the Santo Domingo and West Musgrave projects.
