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Anson Resources, an Australia-listed mining company, has received approval for a revised royalty structure on its lithium lease in Utah, a move expected to significantly enhance the economics of its U.S.-based subsidiary, A1 Lithium.

Utah鈥檚 School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) has approved changes to lease ML5440, which covers approximately 2,705 hectares of land considered highly prospective for lithium-rich brines. The updated royalty framework replaces the previous flat 5% rate with a sliding scale that ranges from 1% to 5%, based on lithium market prices.

At current market prices, Anson will pay a 1% royalty. The rate increases to 2.5% when prices exceed $12 per kilogram and escalates by 0.5% for every $10 increment above $15 per kilogram, with a cap at 5%. This structure is designed to reduce costs during low-price periods while ensuring the state benefits from higher returns when market conditions are strong.

The company said the revised royalty terms will give A1 Lithium increased financial flexibility and improve investor confidence by providing downside protection. 鈥淭he progressive royalty allows greater margins when prices are low and shares the upside when prices are high,鈥� Anson said in a statement.

Anson emphasized Utah鈥檚 favorable regulatory environment compared to other jurisdictions. 鈥淭his is yet another reason why Utah is considered the best jurisdiction for mining globally,鈥� the company stated, pointing to royalty disputes in states like Arkansas, where landowners often demand up to 12.5%.

A1 Lithium worked closely with Utah state officials on both the royalty revision and broader regulatory reforms. The company was instrumental in the development and passage of the Brine Conservation Act, signed into law in February. This legislation establishes a legal and regulatory framework for lithium brine development, aimed at boosting investment confidence and sustainable resource extraction.

鈥淭his royalty ruling by SITLA, along with Utah鈥檚 landmark Brine Conservation Act, provides investors with regulatory surety for investment,鈥� said Anson chair and CEO Bruce Richardson. 鈥淭he legislation enhances legal and regulatory certainty for investors and paves the way for responsible, forward-looking development of Utah鈥檚 lithium-rich brine resources.鈥�

Richardson also noted that A1 Lithium has served as 鈥渁 proactive thought leader鈥� in shaping state policy and that the company鈥檚 Utah project is among the most advanced lithium developments in the United States. The company remains actively engaged at the state, county and local levels as it progresses the project.