Orocobre, Galaxy to merge, creating world’s 5th largest lithium chemical company

Australian lithium miners Galaxy Resources and Orocobre have entered into a binding merger implementation deed that will see the latter acquire 100% of the fully paid ordinary shares in the former, the companies announced on Monday April 19.

The A$4 billion ($3.1 billion) merger will create the world’s fifth-largest lithium chemicals company, according to the announcement.

Under the agreement, Galaxy shareholders would receive 0.569 Orocobre shares for each Galaxy share, the companies said. Orocobre shareholders will ultimately own 54.2% of the fully diluted share capital of the combined entity and Galaxy shareholders will own the remaining 45.8%.

Martin Rowley, current chairman of Galaxy, would become non-executive chairman of the merged entity, while Robert Hubbard, current chairman of Orocobre, would become deputy chairman. Martín Pérez de Solay, current chief executive officer and managing director of Orocobre, would remain in these roles at the merged entity.

A new name for the merged entity will be selected in due course, both companies said.

“This transaction has the potential to be a significant value-creating opportunity for Galaxy and Orocobre shareholders. The merged entity’s growth opportunities in both brine and hard rock position it uniquely to take advantage of expected rising EV demand for lithium,” Rowley said.

“The logic of this merger is compelling. Both Orocobre and Galaxy shareholders, will benefit from the diversification, growth and scale of a top 5 global lithium chemicals company,” Hubbard stated.

“The merger consolidates the combined group’s position in Argentina and will give us significant operational, technical and financial flexibility to deliver the full value of our combined portfolio,” Pérez de Solay said.

What to read next
Critical metal refiner Nth Cycle became the first company in the US to produce premium nickel-cobalt mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) this week, when it began commercial-scale operations on Monday September 9
Spodumene prices rose on Wednesday September 11 after reports of a potential production suspension in China’s Jiangxi province drove up lithium carbonate futures prices on China’s Guangzhou Futures Exchange (GFEX).
Read Fastmarkets' monthly battery raw materials market update for September 2024, focusing on raw materials including lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite and more
Get the key takeaways from our recent webinar on Argentina's role in the energy transition as a powerhouse in copper and lithium production.
As we approach the end of the first quarter after the termination of the quarterly European ferro-chrome benchmark, Fastmarkets looks at what has happened since the benchmark ended – and what could happen next.
China’s lithium carbonate prices fell in the week to Thursday August 29, amid volatility in futures prices. Hydroxide prices also softened on the back of muted spot demand.