Wyloo Consolidated Investments Pty Ltd, the Perth-based private investment firm, has made a strategic move by forming an Unincorporated Joint Venture (UJV) with Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (Hastings) for the Yangibana Rare Earths and Niobium Project. Additionally, Wyloo has acquired a 19.99% equity interest in TSX-listed Neo Performance Materials Inc. (Neo), becoming its largest shareholder. These moves align with Wyloo's investment philosophy, focusing on stability, predictability, and consistent growth.
The UJV Agreement and other binding transaction documentation are expected to be completed by the end of March 2025, subject to customary regulatory approval. Wyloo will hold a 60% participating interest in the UJV and be the UJV Manager and Operator, while Hastings' wholly owned subsidiary, Yangibana Jubilee Pty Ltd, will hold a 40% participating interest. Wyloo also has an option to increase its participating interest in the UJV to 70%.
The UJV includes both Stage 1 of the Yangibana Rare Earths and Niobium Project and Stage 2 Hydrometallurgical Plant. The balance of the Exchangeable Notes will be cancelled upon the formation of the UJV, and Hastings' settlement of the value of the remaining shares it holds in Neo via a cash payment to Wyloo.
Wyloo CEO Luca Giacovazzi expressed his enthusiasm for the new UJV, stating, "This is an exciting time to be a major partner in a multi-decade critical minerals project such as Yangibana." He highlighted the project's advanced stage and its potential as a globally significant source of NdPr, a critical component in the manufacture of permanent magnets, as well as a producer of Niobium and other by-products critical to the energy transition.
Wyloo's acquisition of a 19.99% equity stake in Neo, a leading global rare earths processing and advanced permanent magnets producer, further strengthens its position in the critical minerals market. Neo's strategic importance lies in its role as the only industrial-scale, commercially operating rare earth separation facility in the Western hemisphere, providing access to critical infrastructure and enhancing Wyloo's position in the market.
In conclusion, Wyloo's strategic moves to form the Yangibana Joint Venture with Hastings and become the largest shareholder in Neo Performance Materials align with its focus on stability, predictability, and consistent growth. By gaining access to critical minerals, vertical integration, and strategic partnerships, Wyloo is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for rare earths and critical minerals in the energy transition and other industries.
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