Core Lithium (ASX:CXO) said it has signed a share sale agreement with Axiant Resources for the sale of all shares in two wholly owned subsidiaries holding its gold and non-lithium tenements, according to a Friday Australian bourse filing.

The company said it will retain exposure to the assets and gold price through ownership of 20 million ordinary shares in Axiant and up to 20 million performance rights as consideration for the acquisition, enabling Core to focus on the Finniss lithium project and the exploration and development of its other lithium assets.

Axiant's board will include retiring Core Chair Greg English as non-executive chairman and Dan Travers as chief financial officer, with Axiant intending to undertake an initial public offering to raise between AU$8 million and AU$10 million before costs, with eligible Core shareholders entitled to participate in a priority offer, the filing added.