Westwater Resources announces strategic update
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Westwater secures $55 million in capital funding since mid-2025
Special to the News
Westwater Resources Inc., an energy technology and critical minerals company that is focused on developing battery-grade natural graphite, recently announced a strategic update.
On November 3, FCA US LLC, which is a subsidiary of Stellantis N.V., unexpectedly terminated its Binding Offtake Agreement with Westwater dated July 17, 2024. Stellantis was one of three companies, including SK On and Hiller Carbon, with existing offtake agreements with Westwater.
“Collectively, our offtake agreements with Stellantis, SK On and Hiller Carbon supported our ongoing debt syndication,” said Terence Cryan, executive chair of Westwater Resources. “However, due to Stellantis’s unexpected termination, the debt syndication is now paused, although our engagement with EXIM and other government agencies regarding financing opportunities is ongoing. In response to these developments, we are focused on optimizing the Kellyton Plant to meet our current offtake commitments, which should reduce the total capital needed to complete Phase I.”
Efforts are now underway to optimize capital investment for Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The intention is to adjust processing capacity to match the existing offtake agreements and available financing in this initial phase.
This strategy is expected to lower the plant’s initial capacity and, in turn, decrease the total capital and reduce the time needed to reach commercial production. Westwater expects to complete this optimization evaluation by the end of the year and plans to provide an update to the market in early 2026.
Both of the offtake agreements with SK On and Hiller Carbon remain in effect. While FCA has indicated they are open to reconsidering a new arrangement with the company, any future agreement would be based on current market conditions. Westwater continues to explore additional offtake opportunities with other prospective customers and is providing them with samples as part of its ongoing engagement.
Financing Update
Since June 30, Westwater has raised approximately $55 million through its at-the-market (ATM) program and a series of convertible note offerings, with a current cash balance of approximately $53 million as of November 5. Substantially all of the funds were raised through the ATM before the company filed to increase the size of its ATM program to $75 million on October 17.
“As fellow stockholders, we are mindful of dilution while recognizing the importance of maintaining sufficient liquidity to advance our strategic initiatives,” said Steve Cates, chief financial officer of Westwater Resources. “The additional liquidity we raised after June 30 was driven by strong investor interest in critical minerals and Westwater’s positioning as one of the most advanced U.S.-based natural graphite developers with early market mover advantages.”
The additional liquidity will allow the company to navigate its optimization of Phase I of the Kellyton Plant, fund additional equipment purchases, support ongoing permitting activities at its Coosa Graphite Deposit, and continue evaluation of potential government funding.
As previously announced, Westwater filed an application with the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) related to the Kellyton Plan, which started EXIM’s due diligence process. This process continued during the third quarter, but has since been delayed because of the recent U.S. government shutdown.
In addition to the EXIM loan application, Westwater has engaged advisors to support ongoing efforts to secure other sources of government funding that may be available to the company.
Cryan concluded, “We are focused on completing our evaluation of optimizing Phase I of the Kellyton Plant in light of our existing offtake agreements and available financing. That said, we remain actively engaged with interested customers for potential additional offtake opportunities and continue to push forward on permitting activities for the Coosa deposit. The U.S. domestic battery materials sector is still in its infancy, and we are at its forefront, navigating the challenges that come with developing an industry at this early stage. Fundamentally, we’re confident in our ability to adapt and move forward effectively.”
