Stardust Power Inc., the Connecticut company developing a lithium refinery in Muskogee has named a Senior Advisor to help with guiding the company through its critical next stages including fundraising.
The firm named Carlos Urquiaga who will report directly to Stardust Power founder and CEO Roshan Pujari. He is said to be a highly accomplished financier with more than 30 years of experience in the metals and mining, energy, and infrastructure sectors. He has specialized in capital raising and financial advisory services. The Stardust announcement said Urquiaga has successfully delivered more than $40 billion in financing and advisory transactions during his career.
Mr. Urquiaga’s distinguished career includes senior leadership roles at BNP Paribas, Citi and Appian Capital, where he was instrumental in executing high-value transactions, including financing for major projects such as Teck’s Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project funding and Freeport’s Cerro Verde expansion. His work has earned numerous accolades, including “Deal of the Year” awards for his role in financing and strategic advisory efforts.
As Senior Advisor at Stardust Power, Mr. Urquiaga will focus on guiding the Company through its critical next stages, particularly leading efforts to achieve Final Investment Decision (FID) and supporting the Company’s capital raising activities, both through debt and equity financing. He will also assist in advancing the Company’s strategic initiatives to scale its lithium production and capitalize on the increasing demand for battery-grade materials.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carlos to Stardust Power,” said Roshan Pujari, Founder and CEO of Stardust Power. “His expertise in structuring complex financing transactions and his deep understanding of the metals and mining sector, particularly in the EV battery supply chain, will be invaluable as we move forward. Carlos will play a crucial role in helping us in reaching FID, secure the necessary capital for growth, and position Stardust Power as a leader in the battery-grade lithium space. His experience in critical minerals and capital markets will be a tremendous asset as we continue to scale and execute our strategic objectives.”
“The demand for battery-grade lithium is rapidly increasing, and Stardust Power is well-positioned to be a key player in this space. I look forward to working with Roshan and the wider team at Stardust Power to support the Company’s efforts in securing the capital and strategic partnerships necessary to drive its growth and deliver long-term value to shareholders,” said Carlos Urquiaga.
Stardust Power announced the acquisition of the Muskogee site last December and broke ground on construction in January. It plans on capacity of producing up to 50,000 metric tons a year of battery-grade lithium.
