|
Michael Kaplan
+1 212 450 4111
michael.kaplan@davispolk.com
|
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
davispolk.com
|
CONFIDENTIAL
|
|
November 15, 2023
|
|
|
Re:
|
Allkem Livent plc (n/k/a Arcadium Lithium plc)
Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 Filed October 30, 2023 File No. 333-273360 |
|
1.
|
We note your revised disclosure in response to our prior comment 2, which we reissue in part. Please expand your disclosure to discuss the basis and reasons underlying Livent management’s determination that
the other potential target was “not comparable” to Allkem.
|
|
2.
|
We acknowledge your revised disclosure in response to our prior comment 6, which we reissue in part. Please revise to quantify the changes to the projections and, to the extent the changes affect particular
points in time, identify the timing. If you do not wish to provide additional details, please revise to disclose the initial projections.
|
|
3.
|
We note your response to comment 9. Please revise the disclosure at the bottom of page 113 to identify the jurisdictions and clarify the characteristics that make them favorable from a tax or operational
viewpoint.
|
|
4.
|
Given that goodwill is a residual asset, it remains unclear why a substantially greater portion of the reduction in estimated purchase price between your July 21, 2023 and September 27, 2023 filings was not
recognized as a reduction in your measurement of goodwill. Regarding the 38% reduction in your fair value estimate for the acquired mineral rights, the only causal factor appears to be a change in the applicable discount rate between July
and September. In order for us to better understand this decline in fair value from $5.1 billion to $3.17 billion, please give us the calculations that show how you derived the discount rates you used to calculate the mineral property fair
value estimates at each date. Explain how you derived the inputs for these calculations and identify any market measures that you used including your risk-free rate assumption. Any material unexplained disparities between your discount rate
assumptions and the corresponding rates on pages 104-105 should be clarified in your response. Provide us also with your fair value calculations supporting the $5.1 billion and the $3.17 billion amounts. Tell us whether the underlying
undiscounted cash flow assumptions materially changed between periods. Based on the corresponding two month change in 10 year Treasury and 30 year mortgage rates, it is not clear whether "rising interest rates" fully explain the 38%
reduction in fair value. Any other material causal factors should also be clearly disclosed. We may have further comment.
|
|
5.
|
Your purchase price allocation is based on Livent's $20 stock price on September 15th instead of on their $14 stock price on October 30th. Consequently, it appears that pro forma total assets may be materially
overstated. Please revise pursuant to Article 11-02(a)(6)(i)(A) of Regulation S-X.
|
|
6.
|
We note your response to Comment 20 with your discussion of the cutoff grade calculation and input parameters. One of these factors, the average lithium concentration is input to determine the break even or
marginal cutoff grade, but has no relevance to this calculation. A back calculation does not confirm your estimate. Please review and revise your calculation and text as necessary.
|
|
7.
|
We note your response to comment 24 stating your equity interest in the Nemaska Lithium Inc was not material as this property did not have mining operations or report resources or reserves. However, the
carrying amount of your investment in Nemaska Lithium appears to be significant when compared to the total assets of Livent as of December 31, 2022. Please explain how this property would not be regarded as a material property in light of
your investment and the subsequent construction and development activities on the property.
|
|
(1) Consider both quantitative and qualitative factors, assessed in the context of the registrant's overall business and financial condition;
|
|
(2) Aggregate mining operations on all of its mining properties, regardless of the stage of the mining property, and size or type of commodity produced, including coal, metalliferous
minerals, industrial materials, and mineral brines; and
|
|
(3) Include, for each property, as applicable, all related activities from exploration through extraction to the first point of material external sale, including processing, transportation,
and warehousing.
|
|
8.
|
We note your response to comments 25 through 30 indicating you will file an amended TRS for the Salar del Hombre Muerto property after the completion of the review of this registration statement. As this
registration statement/prospectus incorporates by reference the Livent Form 10-K and all associated documents including the technical reports, this review cannot be completed without these amended filings. Please amend your filings to
address comments 25 through 30.
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 25 (example calculation with parameters and units used to calculate cutoff grade): page 12-11;
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 26 (annual numerical values and totals for life of mine production): pages 13-2 through 13-5;
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 27 (QP’s opinion as to the adequacy of current plans for environmental compliance, permitting, and addressing issues with local individuals or groups): page 17-1;
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 28 (definition of the accuracy of capital and operating costs estimates): page 18-1;
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 29 (revised capital expenditures table with closing/reclamation costs): page 18-1; and
|
|
•
|
Comment no. 30 (revised summary economic analysis tables and complete annual economic analysis of reserves): pages 19-2 through 19-4.
|
|
9.
|
Please modify your filings and insure you have provided at least one stratigraphic column and one cross-section of the local geology as required by Item 601(b)(96)(iii)(B)(6)(iii) of Regulation S-K.
|
|
10.
|
We reviewed the Environmental Studies, Permitting, And Plans, Negotiations, Or Agreements with Local Individuals or Groups section of your TRS. Please modify your filing and include the QP’s opinion as to the
adequacy of current plans for environmental compliance, permitting, and addressing issues with local individuals or groups required by Item 601(b)(96)(iii)(B)(17)(vi) of Regulation S-K.
|
|
11.
|
We note you provided a cash flow summary for your mining project’s reserves. Please provide an annual cash flow based on your annual production schedule for the life of your project’s open pit and underground
reserves with appropriate line items, such as your production and grades, revenues, operating costs, capital expenditures, reclamation, royalties, taxes, DD&A, and other line items necessary to define your annual after-tax cash flow
with totals. See Item 601(b)(96)(iii)(B)(19)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
|
| cc: |
Paul W. Graves, President and Chief Executive Officer of Livent Corporation
Peter Coleman, Chairman of Allkem Limited Sara Ponessa, General Counsel of Livent Corporation John Sanders, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary of Allkem Limited William H. Aaronson, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP |