MinRes, POSCO form joint venture for lithium business

Mineral Resources Limited Corporation (ASX: MIN) has signed a binding agreement with POSCO Holdings Inc. for a strategic lithium partnership. POSCO Holdings will acquire a 30% interest in a new joint venture holding MinRes’ existing 50% ownership of the Wodgina and Mt Marion lithium mines for US$765 million. MinRes will retain a 70% interest in the JV and remain operator of both mines, with proceeds from the transaction earmarked to strengthen MinRes’ balance sheet and fund future growth. POSCO Holdings will secure offtake rights proportional to its equity, underpinning future downstream investments. #lithium Read more: https://lnkd.in/dB5NJWJb

Mineral Resources Limited (ASX:MIN) will sell a 30% stake in a new lithium joint venture to POSCO HOLDINGS for US$765 million. The JV will hold MinRes’ existing 50% interests in the Wodgina and Mt Marion operations, giving POSCO an indirect 15% interest in each. MinRes will remain the operator under current partnership agreements.    Proceeds are earmarked to strengthen the balance sheet after heavy spend on growth projects and a softer lithium price environment. The market response was immediate, with MinRes shares jumping to a one-year high on the announcement. POSCO, which already partners with Pilbara Minerals on downstream conversion in South Korea, gains its first direct foothold in Australian lithium mining.    This deal links two tier-one spodumene hubs to a large Asian converter, improves funding flexibility for MinRes, and sets a clear offtake path while prices reset. For POSCO, it secures long-life supply from Western Australia and tightens integration with its growing battery materials platform. The JV format also preserves operating continuity at Wodgina and Mt Marion, which is useful for near-term planning and partner alignment.    (via MINING.com – Mineral Resources to sell 30% lithium JV stake to POSCO for $765M)    #Lithium  #WesternAustralia  #Wodgina  #MtMarion  #BatteryMaterials  #ASX #MIN 

Australia's lithium sector just witnessed a $765 million deal that could reshape how battery supply chains operate globally. 🔋 POSCO's Strategic Investment Details: $765M for 30% stake in MinRes lithium joint venture. Indirect 15% interest in both Wodgina and Mt Marion operations. MinRes maintains 70% ownership and operational control. Direct supply access to two of Western Australia's premier lithium projects. Why This Partnership Matters: The deal creates a vertically integrated supply chain connecting Australian hard-rock deposits directly to South Korean battery manufacturing. POSCO secures guaranteed spodumene concentrate allocation while MinRes gains immediate liquidity without equity dilution. This structure eliminates spot market volatility exposure for POSCO whilst providing MinRes with capital for debt reduction and growth initiatives. Market Implications: Battery manufacturers are increasingly investing directly in upstream mining operations rather than relying on trading intermediaries. The transaction reflects premium valuations for high-quality Australian lithium assets as global EV adoption accelerates. Geographic diversification strategies are intensifying as manufacturers reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains. Timeline Forward: FIRB approval expected during H1 2026, with operational integration following transaction closure. Both Wodgina and Mt Marion will continue existing partnerships with Albemarle and Ganfeng Lithium respectively. Enjoy this summary? Hit the 'like' button to let us know and follow this page to stay up to date on critical minerals partnerships. Read the complete financial analysis and strategic implications: https://lnkd.in/gwzCyqs8 #lithium #battery #EV #Australia #mining

Big news this morning: Mineral Resources Limited and POSCO HOLDINGS will form a landmark joint venture that will support the growth of MinRes’ world‑class lithium business. Together, MinRes and POSCO will enhance the ability for Wodgina and Mt Marion to respond to increasing demand for Australian lithium - affirming the quality of MinRes’ lithium portfolio and supporting POSCO’s ambitions in downstream battery chemicals supply.   MinRes Chair Malcolm Bundey said the first-of-its-kind investment by a major Korean company into Australian lithium is a milestone for the industry.   “It signals the growing global demand for Tier 1 hard rock lithium assets and the confidence international partners have in Australia’s ability to meet that demand,” Mr Bundey said. Read a bit more about today’s announcement at https://lnkd.in/g8fFYejU 

Korean manufacturing giant POSCO Holdings is investing US$765 million for a 30% stake in Mineral Resources' lithium operations. This represents the first major Korean direct investment in Australian hard rock lithium assets. The Deal Structure: POSCO acquires 30% of MinRes's lithium business. MinRes retains 70% control and operational management. Values combined Wodgina and Mt Marion assets at $3.9 billion. Completion expected in first half of 2026. Strategic Significance: The partnership provides POSCO with direct access to Australian spodumene concentrate, reducing dependency on Chinese processing intermediaries. For MinRes, the capital injection strengthens balance sheet capabilities whilst maintaining operational control. Market Context: This alliance addresses critical supply chain diversification as battery manufacturers seek direct control over lithium sources. The partnership also enhances compliance with US Inflation Reduction Act requirements for non-Chinese mineral sourcing. Operations Impact: Both Wodgina and Mt Marion continue existing partnerships with Albemarle and Jiangxi Ganfeng respectively. MinRes remains the designated operator, preserving institutional knowledge and operational expertise. This transaction establishes new benchmarks for international mining investment structures, combining equity participation with integrated offtake arrangements. The hybrid ownership model may influence investment patterns across Australia's critical minerals sector. Enjoy this summary? Hit the 'like' button to let us know. Stay up to date with lithium investments by following this page. Read the full analysis of how this partnership reshapes global lithium supply chains: https://lnkd.in/gDWxKse5 #Lithium #Mining #Investment

POSCO is investing $817 million to secure lithium, a key raw material for EV batteries, from mines in Australia and Argentina.   POSCO HOLDINGS #POSCO #lithium #Australia #Argentina Mineral Resources, Inc. Mineral Resources Limited #MinRes #Wodgina #MtMarion #ChrisEllison Lithium South Development Corporation #LIS #HombreMuertosaltlake #ChangInhwa   https://lnkd.in/eJs7c7ke

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫! 🚀 POSCO Holdings is acquiring a 30% stake in Mineral Resources’ operational lithium business for US$765 million, forming a joint venture that will manage MinRes' 50% interests in the Wodgina and Mt Marion lithium mines in Western Australia. This deal values those assets at nearly $4 billion and marks POSCO’s significant entry into Australian mining. For MinRes, the transaction provides critical funding to reduce AU$5.3 billion in debt and strengthen its balance sheet, positioning the company for future growth. Meanwhile, POSCO secures reliable access to 270,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually, supporting its expansion into downstream lithium processing. The timing couldn’t be better—with lithium prices rebounding, this partnership fuels supply security and unlocks new opportunities as electric vehicle demand rises. #Lithium #Mining #EV #Australia #POSCO #MinRes #StrategicPartnership #Sustainability

MinRes has signed a binding agreement with POSCO Holdings to form a new incorporated joint venture that will support the continued growth of our world‑class lithium business. The new entity will hold MinRes’ existing 50% interests in the Wodgina and Mt Marion lithium operations and assets, of which POSCO Holdings will acquire a 30% interest for US$765 million. Under the terms of the agreement, MinRes will continue to operate both mines in line with current joint venture arrangements with Albemarle Corporation at Wodgina and Ganfeng Lithium at Mt Marion. This partnership affirms the quality of our lithium portfolio and supports POSCO Holdings’ ambitions in downstream battery chemicals supply. Full details are available at our website. Link in the comments.

We advised POSCO HOLDINGS on its USD765 million acquisition of a 30% stake in Mineral Resources Limited’s (MinRes) operational lithium business. The deal creates a new lithium joint venture between POSCO and MinRes, which will hold MinRes’ existing interests in the Wodgina and Mt Marion lithium mines in Western Australia, giving POSCO an indirect 15% interest in each mine. This is a significant milestone in a landmark transaction for Korean investment in Australia and marks a significant step in strengthening POSCO’s position in the global lithium supply chain. Led by Matthew Watkins, our cross-practice team advising POSCO included Matthew Nowotny-Walsh, Alex Jones, Matthew Roberts, Owen Alcorn, Sharon Carey, Simon Uthmeyer and Kade Sheely. 🔗 Read more about this transaction: http://spr.ly/60487X3Hi #EnergyTransition #CriticalMinerals #Resources #Lithium #MakingBusinessBetter

Proud to have led the DLA Piper team advising POSCO Holdings on its USD765 million lithium joint venture with Mineral Resources, which will result in it securing a 15% interest in each of the Wodgina and Mt Marion mines as well as long term spodumene supply. The deal remains subject to conditions but this represents a significant milestone in a landmark transaction for both Korean investment in Australia and the lithium sector generally. Special thanks to the DLA Piper team mentioned below for their excellent work. #MergersAndAcquisitions #Mining #Lithium #EnergyTransition #DLAPiper