IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) is an established ASX listed company with mining, processing and exploration assets. Prior to the 49% acquisition of Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, IGO’s major assets comprised the high quality Nova nickel project (100%) and the Tropicana gold project (30%) operated by AngloGold Ashanti.  

Over 2020-21 BurnVoir Corporate Finance acted as financial adviser to IGO to arrange A$1,100 million of senior secured underwritten debt facilities to fund the acquisition of a 49% non-controlling interest in Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia. The acquisition provided IGO with a 24.99% indirect interest in the world-class Greenbushes lithium project, and a 49% indirect interest in the Kwinana Lithium Hydroxide Plant, both located in Western Australia.  

With total consideration of US$1.4 billion, the acquisition was amongst the largest acquisition finance transactions in recent years. The transformational acquisition established IGO as a globally relevant supplier of energy transition metals. Following the acquisition, IGO’s high quality portfolio comprised lithium, nickel, copper and cobalt. 

BurnVoir managed all debt arranging, structuring and execution tasks in relation to the senior secured underwritten acquisition debt facilities.