#SVML Sovereign Metals LTD – Holding(s) in Company
13th March 2025 / Leave a comment
NOTICE OF CHANGE OF INTERESTS OF SUBSTANTIAL HOLDER
Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM; AIM:SVML; OTCQX: SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) advises that it was notified today via the filing of a Form 604 with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that Sprott Inc. and each of its controlled bodies (Sprott) provided a notice of change of interests of substantial holder (as defined by the Corporations Act 2001) of the Company as of 6 March 2025, having increased its shareholding in the Company from 40,033,294 ordinary shares, representing 6.70% of the Company’s issued share capital, to 46,266,677 ordinary shares, representing 7.71% of the Company’s issued share capital, via on market trades between 6 September 2024 – 6 March 2025.
The Form 604 can be viewed in full via the below link.
https://api.investi.com.au/api/announcements/svm/49ae30cc-639.pdf
Enquiries |
Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO South Africa / Malawi +27 21 065 1890
Sapan Ghai, CCO London +44 207 478 3900 |
Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 20 3470 0470 |
Ewan Leggat Charlie Bouverat |
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Joint Brokers |
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Stifel |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
Varun Talwar |
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Ashton Clanfield |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Buchanan |
+ 44 20 7466 5000 |
#GRX GreenX Metals LTD – Half-year Report
12th March 2025 / Leave a comment
DIRECTORS: Mr Dylan Browne Company Secretary PRINCIPAL OFFICES: Tel: +44 207 487 3900
Australia (Registered Office):
SOLICITORS:
AUDITOR: UHY ECA – Poland |
BANKERS: National Australia Bank Ltd
SHARE REGISTRIES:
United Kingdom:
Poland:
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS: Australia:
United Kingdom:
Poland:
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CONTENTS |
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Directors’ Report |
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Directors’ Declaration |
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Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income |
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Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity |
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |
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Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements |
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Auditor’s Independence Declaration |
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Independent Auditor’s Review Report |
DIRECTORS REPORT
The Directors of GreenX Metals Limited present their report on the Consolidated Entity consisting of GreenX Metals Limited (Company or GreenX) and the entities it controlled during the half-year ended 31 December 2024 (Consolidated Entity or Group).
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
Operations
Highlights during and subsequent to the half year end include:
· German Project – Tannenberg Copper Project
o In January 2025, GreenX was selected as as one of eight exploration companies to participate in BHP’s 2025 Xplor program.
o BHP Xplor will provide GreenX with approximately US$500,000 in non-dilutive funding to support and accelerate its exploration plans at the Tannenberg Copper Project (Tannenberg) during the 6-month period of the program.
o BHP Xplor is expected to accelerate the geological concept build-out and exploration timeframe at Tannenberg.
· Greenland Projects
o The Company notes the recent U.S. strategic interest in Greenland including Greenland Prime Minister publicly stating that he is open to discussions with the U.S.
o Greenland is endowed with an abundance of critical minerals which are essential for batteries, technology and defence.
o The Company is well placed to capitalise on the increased interest in Greenland with two large scale, strategic projects prospective for critical minerals located in Greenland.
· Eleonore North Project
o During the period, GreenX received outstanding antimony results at the Eleonore North project in Greenland (Eleonore North or ELN).
o Antimony price now US$49,000/t from historical prices of ~US$5,000 to 10,000/t.
o Critical mineral crisis escalating – China has now restricted export of critical and strategic antimony, graphite, gallium, germanium, tungsten, titanium and rare earths.
o Antimony has been designated as a “Critical Mineral” by the U.S. and the EU, with NATO designating tungsten as defence-critical for the Allied defence industry.
o Historical results from fieldwork at ELN include grab samples from outcropping mineralised veins with individual specimens grading up to 23% antimony (Sb), and other samples up to 4g/t gold (Au).
o Antimony mineralisation has been identified along a ~4km trend in veins and structures, that broadly aligns with previously identified gold veining at surface within a 15km trend.
o Review and verification of new historical data, including radiometric data, at ELN underway.
· Arctic Rift Copper Project
o The Company is targeting large scale copper in multiple settings across a 5,774 km2 licence at the Arctic Rift Copper Project (ARC).
o Further analysis on remote-sensing options underway which aims to improve understanding of the known copper mineralisation and to plan the next exploration program at the project.
· Arbitration Award
o During the period, GreenX was awarded up to £252 million (A$510 million / PLN 1.3 billion) in compensation (Award) from the successful outcome of the international arbitration claims against the Republic of Poland (Poland) under both the Australia-Poland Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).
o Interest income of ~£14 million (A$28 million / PLN 70 million) per annum is currently accruing to GreenX. Against this, interest expense of ~£2.7 million (A$5.5 million / PLN 13.5 million) per annum is accruing on the US$11.3 million of litigation funding utilised.
o Upon satisfaction of the Award, it is GreenX’s intention to return the majority of the available cash to shareholders.
o Since the Award was made, Poland has lodged a request to set-aside the award with the courts of England and Wales in relation to the BIT award and the courts of Singapore in relation to the ECT award. Poland is challenging jurisdictional aspects of both awards and alleging procedural unfairness, including in the Tribunal’s decision on damages.
o The Company is strongly defending the set-aside motions
Tannenberg Copper Project (Germany)
Subsequent to the period end, the Company announced that following a rigorous selection process, it has been selected as one of eight exploration companies to participate in BHP’s 2025 Xplor program in relation to Tannenberg.
The Xplor program was established in 2023 to support promising minerals explorers to accelerate the exploration needed to support the energy transition. Over a six-month program period, BHP Xplor targets development of technical, business and operational excellence within participating companies.
As a 2025 BHP Xplor cohort company, GreenX will receive a non-dilutive grant of up to US$500,000 (US$250,000 as first instalment received in January 2025), and in-kind services, mentorship, and networking opportunities with BHP and other industry experts and investors.
It is expected GreenX’s participation in Xplor will expedite the build-out of geological concepts and the exploration timeframe at Tannenberg. GreenX intends to use the grant to conduct geophysics programs over the Tannenberg licence area.
Figure 1: Tannenberg is located in the industrial centre of Europe
GREENLAND PROJETCS
Eleonore North Project
During the period, GreenX announced that high grade antimony mineralisation had been identified at its Eleonore North project in Greenland, based on historical results recently released by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). The historical results indicate the potential for a high-grade antimony-gold mineral system at ELN. Antimony prices have been on a rapid uptrend since China announced antimony export controls from 15 September 2024, with antimony prices in the US having rocketed to over US$49,000/t from US$18,300/t2.
Figure 2: Newly released GEUS assay results show evidence for high-grade antimony and gold mineralisation above the interpreted Noa Pluton.
Previously reported historical data confirmed the presence of gold and high-grade antimony in outcropping veins at ELN including:
· 14m long chip sample grading 7.2% Sb and 0.53g/t Au3
· 40 m chip line with a length weighed average of 0.78g/t Au3
Significantly, GEUS geologist’s identified stibnite (Sb2S3) as the antimony mineral. Stibnite is well-understood and the predominant ore mineral for commercial antimony production.
Antimony is designated a Critical Raw Material by both the EU and the U.S., with China being the world’s major antimony ore producer and major exporter of refined antimony oxides and metallic antimony.
Global strategic interest in antimony has significantly increased in 2024 due to several factors:
· China controls ~50% of global antimony mining, most downstream processing and 32% of global resources according to the Lowy Institute.
· China’s recent export ban on antimony, effective from 15 September 2024, has caused market disruption4.
· Antimony is a crucial material in the defence supply chain, used in various military applications including ammunition, flame retardants, and smart weaponry.
· Antimony is essential in renewable energy technologies including more-energy-efficient solar panel glass and in preventing thermal runaway in batteries.
The antimony market is expected to grow by 65% between 2024 and 20325. However, the supply side, declining antimony grades and depleting resources for existing mines are becoming increasingly relevant.
To aid the Company’s exploration targeting and fieldwork planning for ELN, GreenX’s technical team intend to locate, analyse, and study further historical samples and data within GEUS’s archives.
ANTIMONY RESULTS FROM NEWLY PUBLISHED GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ARCHIVE MATERIAL
GEUS’s archives host an extensive collection of rock samples (with and without assays), maps, as well as government and company reports going back many decades. A sub-set of the archive material is available in digital format. GEUS is continuously digitising and publishing its archive material. The newly released data covers 2008 field work at the Noa Dal valley within the Company’s ELN project. Government geologists collected mineralised samples from outcropping veins and scree near to the interpreted Noa Pluton. Selected highlights are presented in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Selected antimony and gold results from 2008 GEUS fieldwork |
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Sample # |
Sb (%) |
Au (g/t) |
Field description |
469506 |
23.40 |
0.00 |
Quartz vein with stibnite. Sample from boulder or scree |
496901 |
22.20 |
0.44 |
Massive stibnite from mineralised zone |
496918 |
15.10 |
0.54 |
Quartz vein + galena + chalcopyrite |
469504 |
6.65 |
0.83 |
Shale with stibnite |
496912 |
0.10 |
4.10 |
Clay alteration: hanging wall |
496904 |
0.11 |
4.70 |
Clay alteration: footwall |
496910 |
0.04 |
2.20 |
Intense clay alteration |
These newly released results conform with previously released historical results from the Noa Dal area (previously reported in ASX announcement dated 10 July 2023).
GEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ANTIMONY
GreenX is targeting Reduced Intrusion-related Gold Systems (RIRGS) at ELN. The hypothesised blind-to-the-surface Noa Pluton forms the basis for the RIRGS exploration model. Antimony-gold veins at surface were considered to be supporting evidence for RIRGS at ELN. With the favourable shift in the antimony market, the outcropping veins have become a potentially viable and attractive target.
The antimony-gold mineralisation at ELN could be analogous to Perpetua Resources’ Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, USA. There, RIRGS and orogenic gold mineralisation styles overprint each other. Prior to the RIRGS model at ELN, the gold-bearing veins at Noa Dal were thought to be of orogenic origin. It is relatively common in gold deposits which are proximal to intrusions to feature characteristics of RIRGS and orogenic gold mineralisation styles.
The scale and potential of the antimony-gold veins will be evaluated with a follow-up investigation in the next phase of fieldwork.
GEUS is in the process of releasing results from regional mapping and sampling surveys from field seasons in 2022 and 2023 across East Greenland. GreenX plans to use the soon-to-be-released data as part of ongoing evaluation of the antimony and gold potential at ELN and the region.
Given recent developments in the antimony market, GreenX’s exploration strategy at the ELN project in East Greenland will continue with a renewed focus on the known Sb-Au mineral systems at the Noa pluton.
GreenX has been able to access further historical data for ELN with a review currently underway. Following completion of this review further updates will be made.
Arctic Rift Copper Project
ARC in Greenland is an exploration joint venture between GreenX and Greenfields Pty Ltd (Greenfields). GreenX can earn-in up to 80% in ARC with the Company currently owning a 51% interest in the project. The project is targeting large scale copper in multiple settings across a 5,774 km2 Special Exploration Licence in eastern North Greenland. The area has been historically underexplored yet is prospective for copper, forming part of the newly identified Kiffaanngissuseq metallogenic province.
The results of work program announced previously have demonstrated the high-grade nature of the known copper sulphide mineralisation and wider copper mineralization in fault hosted Black Earth zones and adjacent sandstone units. The exact position of a native copper fissure at the Neergaard Dal prospect was also identified.
The Company is in the process of analysing further remote-sensing options for ARC, which would be used to enhance current understanding of the known copper sulphide mineralisation and refine plans for the next exploration program.
Successful Arbitration Outcome in Dispute with Polish Government
In October 2024, GreenX reported a successful outcome of the international arbitration claims (Claim) against Republic of Poland (Poland or Respondent) under both the BIT and the ECT (together the Treaties).
The Company was awarded:
· Up to £252m (A$510m / PLN1.3bn) in compensation by the Tribunal under the BIT (BIT Award) which includes interest compounded at Sterling Over-Night Interbank Average (SONIA) plus one percentage point (+1%) compounded annually from 31 December 2019 to the date of the Award (7 October 2024).
· ~ £183m (A$355m / PLN 941m) in compensation by the Tribunal under the ECT (ECT Award), which includes interest compounded at the SONIA overnight rate +1% compounded annually from 31 December 2019. Interest will continue to accrue at SONIA +1% compounded annually until full and final payment by the Respondent.
· Additional Interest of ~ £6 million (A$12 million / PLN 30 million) has accrued since the Award to the date of this report and will continue to compound annually until full and final payment by the Respondent.
· Interest income of ~£14 million (A$28 million / PLN 70 million) per annum is currently accruing to GreenX. However, interest expense of only ~£2.7 million (A$5.5 million / PLN 13.5 million) per annum is accruing on the US$11.3 million of litigation funding utilised.
· Both Awards are subject to any payments made by the Respondent to the Claimant in the other arbitration such that the Claimant is not entitled to double compensation i.e., any amount paid by Poland in one arbitration (i.e., ECT) is set off against Poland’s liability in the other arbitration (i.e., BIT).
The compensation is denominated in British pound sterling. No hedging is in place for the compensation and accordingly is subject to fluctuations in foreign currency.
During the period, the Polish Prime Minister, Mr Donald Tusk, stated in a press conference that:
“The case is rather hopeless, because a lost arbitration is a lost arbitration. We have two big cases on our shoulders. The PiS government blew this issue.
The Australians, as you know, were promised that their mine would be built there. For years they were misled and later the commitment was withdrawn. It was quite obvious that they would go to arbitration, and it was rather obvious that they would win this arbitration.
Speaking frankly, I would most likely, and I cannot exclude that it will go this way, to find the person directly responsible for Poland now having to pay well over a billion zloty if we do not find a legal solution – which I think has very little probability to set aside the award in this arbitration. So, speaking the truth, I will expect my officers to inform the public in the coming days who made a decision or refrained from making a decision with the consequence of these gigantic losses, that is the compensation that we as the Polish State must pay to the Australians.” 1
Since the Award was made, Poland has lodged a request to set-aside the Award with the courts of England and Wales in relation to the BIT Award and the courts of Singapore in relation to the ECT Award. Poland is challenging jurisdictional aspects of both Awards and alleging procedural unfairness, including in the Tribunal’s decision on damages.
The threshold to succeed on a set-aside motion in either the English or Singapore courts is very high, with the courts rejecting set-aside applications in the vast majority of cases.
It is important to note that a “set-aside” motion is different from a general “appeal” since a set-aside motion can in general only relate to a lack of jurisdiction on the part of the Tribunal or procedural unfairness. Under both set-aside motions, the actual merits of the Claim cannot be revisited by the courts.
The Company is strongly defending the set-aside motions and will update the market, if required, in line with its continuous disclosure requirements.
All of GreenX’s costs associated with the Claim were funded on a limited basis from Litigation Capital Management (LCM). To date, GreenX has drawn down US$11.3 million from LCM. Once the Award compensation is received from Poland, LCM will be entitled to be paid back the US$11.3 million, a multiple of five times of the US$11.3 million and, from 1 January 2025, interest on the US$11.3 million at a rate of 30% per annum, compounding monthly (which equates to interest of approximately US$3.4 million (£2.7 million / A$5.5 million / PLN 13.5 million) per annum).
Further information on the Claim and Award can be found in the Company’s announcements dated 8 October 2024, 17 October 2024, 11 November 2024 and 22 January 2025.
Corporate
At 31 December 2024, GreenX had a cash balance of A$4.8 million allowing further exploration to be conducted at the Company’s projects and to strongly defend the set-aside motions.
Directors
The names and details of the Company’s Directors in office at any time during the half-year and until the date of this report are:
Directors:
Mr Ian Middlemas Chairman
Mr Benjamin Stoikovich Director and CEO
Mr Garry Hemming Non-Executive Director
Mr Mark Pearce Non-Executive Director
Unless otherwise shown, all Directors were in office from the beginning of the half-year until the date of this report.
Results of Operations
The net loss of the Consolidated Entity for the half-year ended 31 December 2024 was $2,092,947 (31 December 2023: $1,997,911 ). Significant items contributing to the current half-year loss and the substantial differences from the previous half-year include to the following:
(i) Arbitration related expenses of $723,787 (31 December 2023: $594,802) relating to the Claim against the Republic of Poland including set-aside defence costs (which are currently unfunded). This has been offset by the arbitration funding income of $251,593 (31 December 2023: $404,858);
(ii) Exploration and evaluation expenses of $338,762 (31 December 2023: $466,094), which is attributable to the Group’s accounting policy of expensing exploration and evaluation expenditure incurred by the Group subsequent to the acquisition of rights to explore and up to the commencement of a bankable feasibility study for each separate area of interest;
(iii) Business development expenses of $314,855 (31 December 2023: $195,882) which includes expenses relating to the Group’s review of new business and project opportunities; including business development costs for the Tannenberg transaction in the period, plus also investor relations activities during the six months to 31 December 2024 including public relations, digital marketing, and business development consultant costs; and
(iv) Interest income of $141,391 (31 December 2023: $252,221) earned on cash and cash equivalents held by the Group.
Financial Position
At 31 December 2024, the Group had cash reserves of $4,831,121 (30 June 2024: $7,170,793) placing it in a good financial position strongly defend the set-aside motions and continue with exploration activities at its projects.
At 31 December 2024, the Company had net assets of $13,724,522 (30 June 2024: $15,149,710) a decrease of approximately 10% compared with 30 June 2024. This is largely attributable to the decrease in cash, which has been offset by the increase in exploration and evaluation assets which amounts to A$10,268,308 (30 June 2024: $9,372,906).
Selected Financial Data (Converted into PLN And EUR)
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Half-Year Ended |
Half-Year Ended |
Half-Year Ended |
Half-Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
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Arbitration finance facility income |
657,804 |
1,088,623 |
153,070 |
244,981 |
Gas and property lease revenue |
– |
7,193 |
– |
1,619 |
Exploration and evaluation expenses |
(885,710) |
(1,253,279) |
(206,103) |
(282,035) |
Arbitration related expenses |
(1,892,377) |
(1,599,361) |
(440,352) |
(359,916) |
Net loss for the period |
(5,472,116) |
(5,372,179) |
(1,273,350) |
(1,208,943) |
Net cash flows from operating activities |
(4,906,747) |
(3,885,394) |
(1,141,790) |
(874,360) |
Net cash flows from investing activities |
(505,887) |
(4,737,288) |
(117,719) |
(1,066,068) |
Net cash flows from financing activities |
(704,556) |
(429,445) |
(163,949) |
(96,641) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(6,117,190) |
(9,052,127) |
(1,423,458) |
(2,037,070) |
Basic and diluted loss per share (Grosz/EUR cents per share) |
(1.95) |
(1.97) |
(0.45) |
(0.44) |
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31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
12,321,290 |
19,203,384 |
2,883,522 |
4,452,442 |
Total Assets |
40,663,983 |
46,078,351 |
9,516,495 |
10,683,596 |
Total Liabilities |
(5,660,965) |
(5,507,428) |
(1,324,822) |
(1,276,937) |
Net Assets |
35,003,018 |
40,570,922 |
8,191,673 |
9,406,659 |
Contributed equity |
236,963,294 |
240,800,894 |
55,140,870 |
55,831,415 |
Figures of the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and consolidated statement of cash flows have been converted into PLN and EUR by applying the arithmetic average for the final day of each month for the reporting period, as published by the National Bank of Poland (NBP). These exchange rates were 2.6146 AUD:PLN and 4.2974 PLN:EUR for the six months ended 31 December 2024, and 2.6889 AUD:PLN and 4.4437 PLN:EUR for the six months ended 31 December 2023.
Assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position have been converted into PLN and EUR by applying the exchange rate on the final day of each respective reporting period as published by the NBP. These exchange rates were: 2.5504 AUD:PLN and 4.2730 PLN:EUR on 31 December 2024, and 2.6780 AUD:PLN and 4.3130 PLN:EUR on 30 June 2024.
Business Strategies and Prospects for Future Financial Years
GreenX’s strategy is to create long-term shareholder value through the discovery, exploration, development and acquisition of technically and economically viable mineral deposits. This also includes enforcing the Award in relation to the Claim against Poland in the short to medium term.
To date, the Group has not commenced production of any minerals, nor has it identified any ore reserves in accordance with the JORC Code. To achieve its objective, the Group currently has the following business strategies and prospects over the medium to long term:
· Continue to enforce the Award against Poland and defend its rights in relation to the Claim and set-aside motions;
· Use Xplor funding at Tannenberg to accelerate the geological concept build-out and exploration timeframe plus extend the exploration licence prior to its expiry;
· Continue with exploration activities in Greenland; and
· Identify and assess other suitable business opportunities in the resources sector.
All of these activities are inherently risky and the Board is unable to provide certainty of the expected results of these activities, or that any or all of these likely activities will be achieved. Furthermore, GreenX will continue to take all necessary actions to preserve the Company’s rights and protect its investments in Poland, if and as required. The material business risks faced by the Group that could have an effect on the Group’s future prospects, and how the Group manages these risks, include the following:
· Litigation risk – All industries, including the mining industry, are subject to legal and arbitration claims. Specifically, and as noted above, the Company was successful in its Claim against Poland and has been awarded £252m in compensation for breach of Poland’s obligations under the Treaties. Subsequently, in November 2024, Poland lodged a request to set-aside the BIT Award in the courts of England and Wales and in January 2025 Poland lodged it’s request to set-aside the ECT Award in the courts of Singapore. The Company will strongly defend the set-aside motions in the relevant courts. Whilst the Company is extremely confident in the strength of the Award, as reflected in the unanimous Tribunal decision, there is no certainty that the set-aside motions or that a correction of damages filings made by Poland will be rejected. If these motions are not rejected, and the Award is not upheld or the damages amount is lowered compared to original amount awarded, then this may have a material impact on the value of the Company’s securities.
· Earn-in and joint venture contractual risk – The Company’s earn-in right to Tannenberg and ARC are subject to separate earn-in agreements. The Company’s ability to achieve its objectives is dependent on it and other parties complying with their obligations under these agreements. Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the Company not obtaining further interests in the projects and being unable to achieve its commercial objectives, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the performance and value of the Shares. There is also the risk of disputes arising with the Company’s joint venture partners, the resolution of which could lead to delays in the Company’s proposed development activities or financial loss. The nature of the joint ventures may change in future, including the ownership structure and voting rights, which may have an effect on the ability of the Company to influence decisions on the projects.
· Operations in overseas jurisdictions risk – The Company’s exploration projects are located overseas, in Germany and Greenland, and as such, the operations of the Company will be exposed to related risks and uncertainties associated with overseas country, regional and local jurisdictions. Opposition to the projects, or changes in local community support for the projects, along with any changes in mining or investment policies or in political attitude in Germany or Greenland and, in particular to the mining, processing or use of copper or gold, may adversely affect the operations, delay or impact the approval process or conditions imposed, increase exploration and development costs, or reduce profitability of the Company. Moreover, logistical difficulties may arise due to the assets being located overseas such as the incurring of additional costs with respect to overseeing and managing the projects, including expenses associated with taking advice in relation to the application of local laws as well as the cost of establishing a local presence in Greenland. Fluctuations in the currency of Germany or Greenland may also affect the dealings and operations of the Company.
Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices relating to mineral rights applications and tenure, could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of entitlements, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests. Further, the outcomes in courts in Germany or Greenland may be less predictable than in Australia, which could affect the enforceability of contracts entered into by the Company.
The Greenland projects are remotely located in an area that has an arctic climate and that is categorised as an arctic desert, and as such, the operations of the Company will be exposed to related risks and uncertainties of arctic exploration, including adverse weather or ice conditions which may and has prevented access to the projects, which can impact exploration and field activities or generate unexpected costs. It is not possible for the Company to predict or protect the Company against all such risks.
The Company also had previous operations in Poland which may be subject to regulations concerning protection of the environment, including at the Debiensko and Kaczyce projects which have both been relinquished by the Company. As with all exploration projects and mining operations, activities will have an impact on the environment including the possible requirement to make good any disturbed or damaged land.
Existing and possible future environmental protection legislation, regulations and actions could cause additional expense, capital expenditures and restrictions, the extent of which cannot be predicted which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
· The Group’s exploration and development activities will require further capital – The exploration and any development of the Company’s exploration properties will require substantial additional financing. Failure to obtain sufficient financing may result in delaying or indefinite postponement of exploration and any development of the Company’s properties or even a loss of property interest. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favourable to the Company.
· The Group’s exploration properties may never be brought into production – The exploration for, and development of, mineral deposits involves a high degree of risk. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. To mitigate this risk, the Company will undertake systematic and staged exploration and testing programs on its mineral properties and, subject to the results of these exploration programs, the Company will then progressively undertake a number of technical and economic studies with respect to its projects prior to making a decision to mine. However, there can be no guarantee that the studies will confirm the technical and economic viability of the Company’s mineral properties or that the properties will be successfully brought into production.
· The Group may be adversely affected by fluctuations in gold and copper prices – The price of gold and copper fluctuates widely and is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Group. Future production, if any, from the Group’s mineral properties will be dependent upon gold and copper prices being adequate to make these properties economic. The Group currently does not engage in any hedging or derivative transactions to manage commodity price risk. As the Group’s operations change, this policy will be reviewed periodically going forward.
· The Group may be adversely affected by competition within the gold and copper industry – The Group competes with other domestic and international copper companies, some of whom have larger financial and operating resources. Increased competition could lead to higher supply or lower overall pricing. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be materially impacted by increased competition. In addition, the Group is continuing to secure additional surface and mineral rights, however there can be no guarantee that the Group will secure additional surface and mineral rights, which could impact on the results of the Group’s operations.
· The Company may be adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign exchange – Current and planned activities are predominantly denominated in Sterling, Danish krone and/or Euros and the Company’s ability to fund these activates may be adversely affected if the Australian dollar continues to fall against these currencies. The Company currently does not engage in any hedging or derivative transactions to manage foreign exchange risk. As the Company’s operations change, this policy will be reviewed periodically going forward.
RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURE
Balances and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties to the Company, have been eliminated on consolidation. There have been no other transactions with related parties during the half-year ended 31 December 2024, other than remuneration for Key Management Personnel and payments of $156,000 (31 December 2023: $170,000) to Apollo Group Pty Ltd, a Company of which Mr Mark Pearce is a Director and beneficial shareholder, for the provision of serviced office facilities and administration services. The amount is based on a monthly retainer due and payable in advance, with no fixed term, and is able to be terminated by either party with one month’s notice. This item has been recognised as an expense in the Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income.
SUBSTANTIAL SHAREHOLDERS (shareholder with voting power of at least 5%)
Substantial Shareholder notices have been received by the following:
Substantial Shareholder |
Number of Shares/Votes |
Voting Power |
CD Capital Natural Resources Fund III LP |
50,487,925 |
18.04% |
ORDINARY SHARES HELD BY DIRECTORS’
|
At the Date of this Report |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
Mr Ian Middlemas |
11,660,000 |
11,660,000 |
11,660,000 |
Mr Benjamin Stoikovich |
819,406 |
819,406 |
819,406 |
Mr Garry Hemming |
– |
– |
– |
Mr Mark Pearce |
2,850,000 |
2,850,000 |
2,850,000 |
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
(i) On 6 January 2025, GreenX was selected as one of eight exploration companies to participate in BHP’s 2025 Xplor program and will receive a one-off, non-dilutive grant of up to US$500,000 (US$250,000 received to date).
(ii) On 22 January 2025, GreenX advised that further to Poland’s set-aside motion in relation to the BIT Award, it had lodged a request to set-aside the ECT Award with the courts of Singapore.
Other than as disclosed above, there were no significant events occurring after balance date requiring disclosure.
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 requires our auditors, UHY Haines Norton, to provide the Directors of GreenX Metals Limited with an Independence Declaration in relation to the review of the half-year financial report. This Independence Declaration is on page 21 and forms part of this Directors’ Report.
Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.
BEN STOIKOVICH
Director
11 March 2025
Competent Persons Statement
The information in this report that relates to exploration results were extracted from the ASX announcement dated 15 July 2024, 2 August 2024 and 27 November 2024 which are available to view at www.greenxmetals.com.
GreenX confirms that (a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement; (b) all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the content in the relevant announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed; and (c) the form and context in which the Competent Person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original announcement.
Forward Looking Statements
This release may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on GreenX’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of GreenX, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. GreenX makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.
Sources:
1 https://www.gov.pl/web/premier/wsparcie-dla-rodzicow-wczesniakow (refer to the video (29:45-32:00)),
2 SP Angel 22/11/24 & asianmetals.com.
3 Previously reported – refer to ASX announcement dated 10 July 2023.
5 https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/antimony-market-104295.
DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION
In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of GreenX Metals Limited, I state that:
In the reasonable opinion of the Directors and to the best of their knowledge:
(a) the attached financial statements and notes thereto for the period ended 31 December 2024 are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:
(i) complying with Accounting Standard AASB 134 Interim Financial Reporting and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and
(ii) giving a true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2024 and of its performance for the half-year ended on that date; and
(b) The Directors Report, which includes the Operating and Financial Review, includes a fair review of:
(i) important events during the first six months of the current financial year and their impact on the half-year financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
(ii) related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Group during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could have such a material effect; and
(c) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
On behalf of the Board
BEN STOIKOVICH
Director
11 March 2025
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
|
Note |
Half-Year Ended |
Half-Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
Interest Income |
|
141,391 |
252,221 |
Other income |
4(a) |
260,104 |
404,858 |
Exploration and evaluation expenses |
|
(338,762) |
(466,094) |
Employment expenses |
|
(524,939) |
(660,233) |
Administration and corporate expenses |
|
(300,693) |
(263,358) |
Occupancy expenses |
(210,406) |
(432,280) |
|
Share-based payment expense |
(81,000) |
(42,341) |
|
Business development expenses |
(314,855) |
(195,882) |
|
Arbitration related expenses |
(723,787) |
(594,802) |
|
Loss before income tax |
|
(2,092,947) |
(1,997,911) |
Income tax expense |
|
– |
– |
Net loss for the period |
|
(2,092,947) |
(1,997,911) |
|
|||
Other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: |
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
|
(46,593) |
(7,127) |
Total other comprehensive loss for the period |
|
(46,593) |
(7,127) |
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
|
(2,139,540) |
(2,005,038) |
|
|
|
|
Net loss attributable to: |
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
(2,087,681) |
(1,997,911) |
Non-controlling interests |
|
(5,266) |
– |
|
|
(2,092,947) |
(1,997,911) |
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax attributable to: |
|
|
|
Owners of the parent |
|
(2,134,274) |
(2,005,038) |
Non-controlling interests |
|
(5,266) |
– |
|
(2,139,540) |
(2,005,038) |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share (cents per share) |
|
(0.75) |
(0.73) |
The above Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income should
be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Note |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 $ |
|
ASSETS |
|||
Current Assets |
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
4,831,121 |
7,170,793 |
|
Trade and other receivables |
5(a) |
693,193 |
186,563 |
Total Current Assets |
5,524,314 |
7,357,356 |
|
|
|||
Non-Current Assets |
|
||
Exploration and evaluation assets |
6 |
10,268,308 |
9,372,906 |
Property, plant and equipment |
7 |
151,538 |
282,461 |
Other |
5(b) |
– |
193,532 |
Total Non-Current Assets |
|
10,419,846 |
9,848,899 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
15,944,160 |
17,206,255 |
|
|||
LIABILITIES |
|
||
Current Liabilities |
|
||
Trade and other payables |
|
1,012,805 |
719,393 |
Other financial liabilities |
8(a) |
162,323 |
299,385 |
Provisions |
9(a) |
771,302 |
760,341 |
Total Current Liabilities |
1,946,430 |
1,779,119 |
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
Other financial liabilities |
8(b) |
3,409 |
3,195 |
Provisions |
9(b) |
269,799 |
274,231 |
Total Non-Current Liabilities |
|
273,208 |
277,426 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
2,219,638 |
2,056,545 |
|
|||
NET ASSETS |
13,724,522 |
15,149,710 |
|
|
|||
EQUITY |
|
||
Contributed equity |
10 |
90,632,535 |
89,918,183 |
Reserves |
11 |
10,911,456 |
10,958,049 |
Accumulated losses |
(87,816,065) |
(85,728,384) |
|
Equity Attributable to Members of GreenX Metals Limited |
|
13,727,926 |
15,147,848 |
Non-controlling interests |
|
(3,404) |
1,862 |
TOTAL EQUITY |
|
13,724,522 |
15,149,710 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should
be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
|
Equity Attributable to Members of GreenX Metals Limited |
|
|
|||||
|
Contributed Equity
|
Share-based Payments Reserve |
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve |
Other Equity |
Accumulated Losses |
Total |
Non-controlling interest |
Total |
|
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Balance at 1 July 2024 |
89,918,183 |
4,560,793 |
185,998 |
6,211,258 |
(85,728,384) |
15,147,848 |
1,862 |
15,149,710 |
Net loss for the period |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(2,087,681) |
(2,087,681) |
(5,266) |
(2,092,947) |
Other comprehensive income for the half-year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
– |
– |
(46,593) |
– |
– |
(46,593) |
– |
(46,593) |
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
– |
– |
(46,593) |
– |
(2,087,681) |
(2,134,274) |
(5,266) |
(2,139,540) |
Issue of shares |
786,000 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
786,000 |
– |
786,000 |
Share issue costs |
(71,648) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(71,648) |
– |
(71,648) |
Balance at 31 December 2024 |
90,632,535 |
4,560,793 |
139,405 |
6,211,258 |
(87,816,065) |
13,727,926 |
(3,404) |
13,724,522 |
|
||||||||
Balance at 1 July 2023 |
85,917,513 |
4,583,192 |
189,517 |
6,207,493 |
(81,176,205) |
15,721,510 |
– |
15,721,510 |
Net loss for the period |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(1,997,911) |
(1,997,911) |
– |
(1,997,911) |
Other comprehensive income for the half-year |
||||||||
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations |
– |
– |
(7,127) |
– |
– |
(7,127) |
– |
(7,127) |
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
– |
– |
(7,127) |
– |
(1,997,911) |
(2,005,038) |
– |
(2,005,038) |
Issue of shares |
4,163,600 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
4,163,600 |
– |
4,163,600 |
Share issue costs |
(176,509) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(176,509) |
– |
(176,509) |
Transfer from share-based payment reserve |
64,740 |
(64,740) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Recognition of share-based payments |
– |
42,341 |
– |
– |
– |
42,341 |
– |
42,341 |
Balance at 31 December 2023 |
89,969,344 |
4,560,793 |
182,390 |
6,207,493 |
(83,174,116) |
17,745,904 |
– |
17,745,904 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
|
|
Half-Year Ended |
Half-Year Ended |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||
Payments to suppliers and employees |
|
(1,614,265) |
(1,892,029) |
Proceeds from property lease and gas sales |
|
– |
2,675 |
Interest revenue from third parties |
|
142,387 |
254,435 |
Payments for exploration and expenditure |
|
(404,829) |
(247,161) |
Net cash outflow from operating activities |
|
(1,876,707) |
(1,882,080) |
|
|
||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
|
Payments for property, plant and equipment |
|
(3,087) |
(2,244) |
Payments for exploration and expenditure |
|
(190,403) |
(1,322,446) |
Net cash outflow from investing activities |
|
(193,490) |
(1,324,690) |
|
|
||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
Proceeds from issue of shares |
|
– |
4,163,600 |
Payments for share issue costs |
|
(110,532) |
(153,528) |
Payments for lease liabilities |
|
(158,943) |
(159,710) |
Net cash (outflow) / inflow from financing activities |
|
(269,475) |
3,850,362 |
|
|
||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(2,339,672) |
643,592 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
|
7,170,793 |
8,674,728 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
|
4,831,121 |
9,318,320 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONDENSED NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE HALF-YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. SUMMARY OF MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Statement of Compliance
The interim consolidated financial statements of the Group for the half-year ended 31 December 2024 were authorised for issue in accordance with the resolution of the Directors.
This general purpose financial report for the interim half-year reporting period ended 31 December 2024 has been prepared in accordance with Accounting Standard AASB 134 Interim Financial Reporting and the Corporations Act 2001.
This interim financial report does not include all the notes of the type normally included in an annual financial report. Accordingly, this report is to be read in conjunction with the annual report of GreenX Metals Limited for the year ended 30 June 2024 and any public announcements made by the Company and its controlled entities during the interim reporting period in accordance with the continuous disclosure requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
2. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND CHANGES TO THE GROUP’S ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of Preparation of Half-Year Financial Report
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars. The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of normal business activity and the realisation of assets and the settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business.
(b) New Standards, interpretations and amendments thereof, adopted by the Group
The accounting policies and methods of computation adopted in the preparation of the consolidated half-year financial report are consistent with those adopted and disclosed in the company’s annual financial report for the year ended 30 June 2024 and the comparative interim period, other than as detailed below.
In the current period, the Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (the AASB) that are relevant to its operations and effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2024.
New and revised Standards and amendments thereof and Interpretations effective for the current half-year that are relevant to the Group include:
AASB 2020-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current The Group has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.
(c) Issued standards and interpretations not early adopted
Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effective have not been adopted by the Company for the reporting period ended 31 December 2024. Those which may be relevant to the Company are set out in the table below, but these are not expected to have any significant impact on the Company’s financial statements:
Standard/Interpretation |
Application Date of Standard |
Application Date for Company |
AASB 2023-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Lack of Exchangeability |
1 January 2025 |
1 July 2025 |
AASB 2024-2 Amendments to AASs – Classification and Measurement of Financial Instruments |
1 January 2026 |
1 July 2026 |
AASB 2024-3 Amendments to AASs – Annual Improvements Volume II. Amendments to AASB 1, AASB 7, AASB 9, AASB 10 and AASB 107 |
1 January 2026 |
1 July 2026 |
AASB 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements |
1 January 2027 |
1 July 2027 |
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
AASB 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Consolidated Entity that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to the segment and to assess its performance.
The Consolidated Entity operates in one segment, being mineral exploration. This is the basis on which internal reports are provided to the Chief Executive Officer for assessing performance and determining the allocation of resources within the Consolidated Entity.
|
|
Half-Year ended 31 December 2024 |
Half-Year ended |
4. REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME |
|
||
(a) Other income |
|
|
|
Arbitration finance facility income |
|
251,593 |
404,858 |
Other |
|
8,511 |
– |
|
260,104 |
404,858 |
|
|
|
||
|
|
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
5. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES |
|||
(a) Current |
|||
Trade receivables |
|
285,481 |
13,652 |
Interest receivable |
|
11,792 |
12,450 |
Deposits/prepayments |
|
208,808 |
24,442 |
GST and other receivables |
|
187,112 |
136,019 |
|
|
693,193 |
186,563 |
|
|
|
|
(b) Non-Current |
|
|
|
Deposits/prepayments |
|
– |
193,532 |
|
Arctic Rift Copper Project |
Eleonore North Project |
Tannenberg Project |
Total |
6. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS |
||||
Carrying amount at 1 July 2024 |
7,770,000 |
1,602,906 |
– |
9,372,906 |
ELN acquisition consideration: Issue of 382,636 Ordinary Shares to GEX (Note 10)2 |
– |
300,000 |
– |
300,000 |
Tannenberg Minimum Commitment expenditure3 |
– |
– |
190,402 |
190,402 |
Tannenberg acquisition consideration: Issue of 500,000 Ordinary Shares (Note 10) |
– |
– |
405,000 |
405,000 |
Carrying amount at 31 December 20241 |
7,770,000 |
1,902,906 |
595,402 |
10,268,308 |
Note:
1 The ultimate recoupment of costs carried forward for exploration and evaluation is dependent on the successful development and commercial exploitation or sale of the respective areas of interest.
2 In July 2024 GreenX entered into a revised agreement with Greenfields to acquire 100% of the Eleonore North project. The transfer of the licence into the Group’s name was completed on 18 October 2024. Other key terms of the transaction are included in the 2024 annual report.
3 In August 2024, GreenX entered into an earn-in agreement (Tannenberg Agreement) through which GreenX can earn a 90% interest in Tannenberg. GreenX will fund a work program up to €500,000 (Minimum Commitment). Once this Minimum Commitment has been discharged, GreenX can elect to acquire 90% of Tannenberg on or before 31 December 2025.
|
Plant and |
Right-of-use assets |
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
|
|
|
Carrying amount at 1 July 2024 |
8,349 |
274,112 |
282,461 |
Additions |
3,087 |
– |
3,087 |
Depreciation and amortisation |
(2,820) |
(131,190) |
(134,010) |
Carrying amount at 31 December 2024 |
8,616 |
142,922 |
151,538 |
– at cost |
811,533 |
1,487,519 |
2,299,052 |
– accumulated depreciation and amortisation |
(802,917) |
(1,344,597) |
(2,147,514) |
|
|
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
8. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES |
|||
(a) Current: |
|
|
|
Lease liability1 |
|
162,323 |
299,385 |
|
|
||
(b) Non-Current: |
|
|
|
Other |
|
3,409 |
3,195 |
Note:
1 The Company has a lease agreement for the rental of a property. Refer to Note 7 for the carrying amount of the right of use asset relating to the lease. The following are amounts recognised in the Statement of Profit and Loss: (i) amortisation expense of right of use asset $131,190 (31 December 2023: $131,190); (ii) interest expense on lease liabilities of $9,125 (31 December 2023: $18,594); and (iii) rent expense of $32,713 (31 December 2023: $116,504).
|
|
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
9. PROVISIONS |
|||
(a) Current Provisions: |
|
||
Provisions for the protection against mining damage at Debiensko1 |
|
736,737 |
724,174 |
Provision for closure of gas project2 |
|
28,315 |
26,982 |
Annual leave provision |
|
6,250 |
9,185 |
|
771,302 |
760,341 |
|
|
|
||
(b) Non-Current Provisions: |
|
|
|
Provisions for the protection against mining damage at Debiensko1 |
|
269,799 |
274,231 |
|
|
269,799 |
274,231 |
Note:
1 As Debiensko was previously an operating mine, the Group has provided for the pay out of mining land damages to surrounding land owners who have made a legitimate legal claim under Polish law.
2 In the prior period, the Company completed the sale of the Kaczyce 1 licence infrastructure to a third party following the expiry of the licence.
Note |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
10. CONTRIBUTED EQUITY |
|||
(a) Issued and Unissued Capital |
|||
279,883,668 (30 June 2024: 278,901,032) fully paid ordinary shares |
10(b) |
90,632,535 |
89,918,183 |
Total Contributed Equity |
|
90,632,535 |
89,918,183 |
(b) Movements in fully paid ordinary shares during the past six months
Date |
Details |
Number of Ordinary Shares |
$ |
1 Jul 24 |
Opening balance |
278,901,032 |
89,918,183 |
2 Aug 24 |
Issue of Tannenberg consideration (Note 6) |
500,000 |
405,000 |
2 Aug 24 |
Issue of shares to a consultant |
100,000 |
81,000 |
18 Oct 24 |
Issue of ELN consideration (Note 6) |
382,636 |
300,000 |
Jul 24 to Dec 24 |
Share issue costs |
– |
(71,648) |
31 Dec 24 |
Closing balance |
279,883,668 |
90,632,535 |
Note |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
11. RESERVES |
|||
Share-based payments reserve |
11(a) |
4,560,793 |
4,560,793 |
Foreign currency translation reserve |
|
139,405 |
185,998 |
Other equity reserve |
|
6,211,258 |
6,211,258 |
|
|
10,911,456 |
10,958,049 |
(a) Movements in share-based payments reserve during the past six months
There were no movements in the share-based payments reserve in the past six months.
12. CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Arbitration Award
In October 2024, the Tribunal unanimously held that Poland had breached its obligations under the Treaties in relation to the Jan Karski project, entitling GreenX to compensation. The Company has been awarded a total of up to £252m (A$495m / PLN1.3bn) in compensation by the Tribunal, plus interest of approximately six per cent per annum based on today’s rates (SONIA plus one per cent) until full and final satisfaction of the Award by Poland.
All of GreenX’s costs associated with the Claim were funded on a limited basis from LCM. To date, GreenX has drawn down US$11.3 million from LCM. Once the Award compensation is received from Poland, LCM will be entitled to be paid back the US$11.3 million, a multiple of five times of the US$11.3 million and, from 1 January 2025, interest on the US$11.3 million at a rate of 30% per annum, compounding monthly (which equates to interest of approximately US$3.4 million (£2.7 million / A$5.5 million / PLN 13.5 million) per annum). Net of the payments to LCM, GreenX will pay six per cent of the balance of the Award compensation to key management directly involved in the case (as previously approved by shareholders on 20 January 2021) and three per cent to key legal advisers who assisted with the case on a reduced and fixed fee.
In November 2024, Poland lodged a request to set-aside the BIT Award in the courts of England and Wales and in January 2025 Poland has lodged a request to set-aside the ECT award in the courts of Singapore. The Company is currently strongly defending the set-aside motions.
Whilst the Company is extremely confident in the strength of the Award, as reflected in the unanimous Tribunal decision, the Company has not recognised an asset or any corresponding liabilities in relation to the Award at 31 December 2024 while the set-aside motions are ongoing and the outcome is not yet known. Accordingly, the final outcome of Award is not virtually certain which does not meet the recognition requirements for AASB 137, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. The Award has therefore been classified as a contingent asset.
12. CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Continued)
Tannenberg
On 2 August 2024, GreenX entered into the Tannenberg Agreement through which GreenX can earn a 90% interest in the project. Under the terms of the Tannenberg Agreement, GreenX will fund the Minimum Commitment which will be sufficient to satisfy requirements for the grant of an extension of the exploration license. Once the Minimum Commitment has been discharged, GreenX can elect to acquire 90% of Tannenberg on or before 31 December 2025 in return for GreenX paying A$3,000,000 to the vendor in GreenX ordinary shares (based on the higher of the 10-day VWAP or A$0.30 per Share). Further, if a scoping study is published by GreenX on the ASX regarding the Tannenberg license area (or area of influence) on or before 1 August 2029, GreenX will issue the vendor 5 million Shares on the completion of the first such scoping study. As there is a possible obligation that will only be confirmed by uncertain future events the deferred share payment has been classified as a contingent liability.
ELN
In July 2024, following renegotiation with GEX, GreenX entered into a revised agreement to acquire 100% of ELN. Under the terms of the revised agreement, if GreenX elects to retain ELN after 31 December 2025 subsequent to having completed further exploration work, the Company will make a deferred payment of A$1,000,000 to GEX in cash or GreenX ordinary shares (with a floor price of A$0.30), at the Company’s election. As there is a possible obligation that will only be confirmed by uncertain future events, the deferred payment has been classified as a contingent liability.
13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Group’s financial assets and liabilities, which comprise of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade and other payables and other financial liabilities, may be impacted by foreign exchange movements. At 31 December 2024 and 30 June 2024, the carrying value of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair value.
14. DIVIDENDS PAID OR PROVIDED FOR
No dividend has been paid or provided for during the half-year (31 December 2023: nil).
15. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
(i) On 6 January 2025 GreenX was selected as one of eight exploration companies to participate in BHP’s 2025 Xplor program and will receive a one-off, non-dilutive grant of up to US$500,000 (US$250,000 received to date).
(ii) On 22 January 2025 GreenX advises that further to Poland’s set-aside motion in relation to the BIT Award, it has now lodged a request to set-aside the ECT Award with the courts of Singapore.
Other than as disclosed above, there were no significant events occurring after balance date requiring disclosure.
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REVIEW REPORT
#SVML Sovereign Metals LTD – Outstanding Graphite Purification Results
10th March 2025 / Leave a comment
OUTSTANDING GRAPHITE PURIFICATION RESULTS
Testwork Demonstrates Potential Benefits of Using Kasiya Coarse Flake Graphite for Future Downstream Customers
· Testwork confirms Kasiya coarse flake graphite can be purified to:
o 99.95% using acid purification
o 99.98% using alkaline purification
· Suitable for use in high margin applications including powder metallurgy, isostatically pressed refractory products, and high-grade expanded graphite products such as foils or sheets
· Successful purification of Kasiya’s coarse flake graphite via two methods showcases potential for future downstream customers to reduce reagent consumption and waste generation
Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM; AIM:SVML; OTCQX: SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) is pleased to announce the results of purification testing of coarse flake graphite concentrate from the Company’s Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project (Kasiya or the Project) for applications requiring a higher-grade product, such as powder metallurgy, isostatically-pressed refractory products and high-grade expandables (e.g. flame retardants). These applications typically require less than one percent ash in coarse flake graphite, i.e. a loss of ignition (LOI) purity of more than 99%.
Sovereign engaged ProGraphite GmbH (ProGraphite) to conduct the testwork using coarse (>180-micron) flake graphite from Kasiya and to investigate acid and alkaline purification alternatives under conditions typically used to achieve the +99% LOI target. Purification of Kasiya coarse flake achieved 99.95% LOI purity using acid purification and 99.98% LOI purity using alkaline purification, which is significantly higher than the >99.0% target.
Managing Director and CEO Frank Eagar commented: “These are truly outstanding results – effectively achieving battery grade purities of +99% and less than 0.05% ash under conditions that typically result in under 1% ash. For our future customers, this has the potential to significantly reduce reagent consumption and waste generation in the production of high-purity flake or targeted high-end applications.
This is yet further confirmation that Kasiya graphite concentrate is a premium graphite suitable for the anode, refractory, expandables and now also the high-purity powder metallurgy markets. We are delighted with the significant commercial optionality it brings to the Kasiya Rutile and Graphite Project.”
High-Purity Coarse Flake Graphite
High-quality coarse flake graphite can achieve grades of 97%-98% in minerals processing. However, specific coarse flake applications require less than 1% ash content in the flake, i.e. a LOI purity of more than 99%.
To achieve this target, the coarse flake is typically purified using either:
· acid purification, using hydrofluoric (HF) acid as the primary acid to remove silicates and other impurities; or
· alkaline purification, where HF is replaced with sodium hydroxide (NaOH), i.e. caustic soda, to remove silicates before being washed and then acid leached to remove residual metals.
The conditions required to achieve a >99% purity are less aggressive than those needed to achieve battery grades (>99.95%). ProGraphite targeted the purification of coarse (>180 microns) Kasiya flake under conditions typically used to meet the >99% target. The LOI purity and residual impurities are summarised in Table 1, with all other elements below 1ppm or below the detection limit.
Table 1: LOI and Residual Impurities Analysis of Purified Kasiya >180-micron flake |
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Acid Purification |
Alkaline Purification |
LOI Purity |
% |
99.95% |
99.98% |
Ash |
% |
0.05% |
0.02% |
Si |
ppm |
65 |
<2.8 |
Fe |
ppm |
23.6 |
10.1 |
Al |
ppm |
55.6 |
3.88 |
Ba |
ppm |
21 |
6.45 |
Ca |
ppm |
18.6 |
0.98 |
K |
Ppm |
<2.2 |
<2.1 |
Mg |
ppm |
10.7 |
1.63 |
Mn |
ppm |
1.26 |
6.15 |
P |
ppm |
1.85 |
0.97 |
Na |
ppm |
<1.5 |
40.8 |
Ti |
ppm |
15.8 |
0.56 |
Zr |
ppm |
6.54 |
0.74 |
Testing on Kasiya coarse flake effectively achieved battery-grade purities (≥99.95%) using a single-stage HF purification and an exceptional 99.98% purity with alkaline purification under standard conditions that typically reach a >99% target. HF (a high-cost toxic reagent that requires careful management) is normally required to remove residual silicates in natural graphite. However, these results indicate that the saprolite-hosted Kasiya graphite is amenable to alkaline purification. This will provide downstream customers with process flexibility.
The results indicate potential for customers to reduce reagents consumption to produce standard products (>99%) purity, or, subject to market demand, produce very high-purity coarse flake. Typical uses for high-purity coarse flake include powder metallurgy, isostatically pressed refractory products, and high-purity expandables.
Enquires |
Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO South Africa / Malawi +27 21 140 3190
Sapan Ghai, CCO London +44 207 478 3900 |
Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 20 3470 0470 |
Ewan Leggat Charlie Bouverat |
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Joint Brokers |
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Stifel |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
Varun Talwar |
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Ashton Clanfield |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Buchanan |
+ 44 20 7466 5000 |
Competent Person Statement
The information in this report that relates to Metallurgical Testwork is based on information compiled by Dr Surinder Ghag, PhD., B. Eng, MBA, M.Sc., who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (MAusIMM). Dr Ghag is engaged as a consultant by Sovereign Metals Limited. Dr Ghag has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking, to qualify as a Competent Person (and a Qualified Person under the AIM Rules)as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Dr Ghag consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
The information in this report that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Mr Malcolm Titley, a Competent Person who is a member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Titley consults to Sovereign Metals Limited and is a holder of ordinary shares and unlisted performance rights in Sovereign Metals Limited. Mr Titley has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person (and a Qualified Person under the AIM Rules)as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Titley consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
The information in this announcement that relates to operating costs and graphite marketing is extracted from an announcement dated 22 January 2025, which is available to view at www.sovereignmetals.com.au. Sovereign confirms that: a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement; b) all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Production Target, and related forecast financial information derived from the Production Target included in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the relevant Competent Persons’ findings are presented in this presentation have not been materially modified from the original announcement.
Forward Looking Statement
This release may include forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, “plans”, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on Sovereign’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Sovereign, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Sovereign makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (‘MAR’). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service (‘RIS’), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Appendix 1: JORC CODE, 2012 EDITION – TABLE 1
SECTION 1 – SAMPLING TECHNIQUES AND DATA
Criteria |
JORC Code explanation |
Commentary |
Sampling Techniques |
Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.
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Metallurgical Composite Sample: The sample was a composite of multiple hand anger drill samples drilled in 2022 and 2023. Dilling of these samples was within the Kingfisher pit. Clusters of holes were drilled in eight locations. Block 15 Site 1 – PT15BLK00143 – PT15BLK00152 (Hole ID: NSPT0017 – refer ASX Announcement dated 15/03/2022) Block 15 Site 2 – PT15BLK00125 – PT15BLK00142 (Hole ID: KYAC0149 – refer ASX Announcement dated 30/01/2023) Block 15 Site 3 – PT15BLK00103 – PT15BLK00124 (Hole ID: KYAC0142 – refer ASX Announcement dated 30/01/2023) Block 15 Site 4 – PT15BLK00075 – PT15BLK00094, PT15BLK00124, PT15BLK00134 (Hole ID: KYAC0025 – refer ASX Announcement dated 8/09/2022) Block 15 Site 5 – PT15BLK00061 – PT15BLK00074, PT15BLK00099 – PT15BLK00102, PT15BLK00106 – PT15BLK00108 (Hole ID: KYAC0088 – refer ASX Announcement dated 26/10/2022) Block 15 Site 6 – PT15BLK00035 – PT15BLK00060, PT15BLK00076 – PT15BLK00077, PT15BLK00095 – PT15BLK00098, PT15BLK00114 – PT15BLK00117 (Hole ID: KYAC0090 – refer ASX Announcement dated 26/10/2022) Block 15 Site 7 – PT15BLK00013 – PT15BLK00014, PT15BLK00022 – PT15BLK00034 (Hole ID: KYAC0091 – refer ASX Announcement dated 26/10/2022) Block 14 Site 8 – PT15BLK00003 – PT15BLK00012, PT15BLK00015 – PT15BLK00021, PT15BLK00036 – PT15BLK00039 (Hole ID: KYAC0079 – refer ASX Announcement dated 26/10/2022) All samples within the pit shell were added to the composite resulting in a sample of 15,766kg. Samples were processed separately for the eight locations through Sovereign’s Malawi metallurgical laboratory. The following workflow was used to generate a pre-concentrate graphite feed: · Wet screen at 2mm to remove oversize · Dry screen at 1mm to remove oversize · Wet screen at 600µm · Wet screen at 45µm to remove -45µm material · Pass +45µm -600µm (fine sand) fraction over laboratory wet shaking table to produce a heavy mineral concentrate, light middling and wet table tailings which is the graphite concentrate. · The +45µm -600µm (fine sand) graphite concentrate and <1000µm >600µm screen fraction were combined to provide flotation feed. The >1000µm fraction was not included. · Flotation was performed at Maelgwyn in Johannesburg. · Fine and coarse gravity tailing samples contain approximately 75%-80% of the graphite present in the feed sample. The majority of the graphite lost is contained in the -45µm fines. |
Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.
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Placer Consulting (Placer) Resource Geologists have reviewed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the collection of HA and Push Tube (PT) drill samples and found them to be fit for purpose. Drilling and sampling activities are supervised by a suitably qualified Company geologist who is present at all times. All bulk 1-metre drill samples are geologically logged by the geologist at the drill site. The primary metallurgical composite sample is considered representative for this style of mineralisation. |
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Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.
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HA drilling was used to obtain samples. The bulk metallurgical sample was a composite of selected samples from routine resource drilling. Existing rutile and graphite exploration results were used to determine the 1-metre intervals suitable to contribute to the two bulk sample composites. |
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Drilling Techniques |
Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open‐hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face‐sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc).
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Hand-auger drilling is completed with 75mm diameter enclosed spiral bits with 1-metrelong steel rods. Each 1m of drill sample is collected into separate sample bags and set aside. The auger bits and flights are cleaned between each metre of sampling to avoid contamination. Placer has reviewed SOPs for hand-auger drilling and found them to be fit for purpose and support the resource classifications as applied to the MRE. |
Drill Sample Recovery |
Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.
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The configuration of drilling and nature of materials encountered results in negligible sample loss or contamination. Samples are assessed visually for recoveries. Overall, recovery is good. Drilling is ceased when recoveries become poor generally once the water table has been encountered. Auger drilling samples are actively assessed by the geologist onsite for recoveries and contamination. |
Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.
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The Company’s trained geologists supervise auger drilling on a 1 team 1 geologist basis and are responsible for monitoring all aspects of the drilling and sampling process.
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Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.
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No bias related to preferential loss or gain of different materials has occurred. |
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Logging |
Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation mining studies and metallurgical studies.
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All individual 1-metre auger intervals are geologically logged, recording relevant data to a set template using company codes.
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Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography.
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All logging includes lithological features and estimates of basic mineralogy. Logging is generally qualitative. |
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The total length and percentage of the relevant intersection logged
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100% of samples are geologically logged. |
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Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation |
If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.
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Not applicable – no core drilling conducted.
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If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry. |
Primary individual 1-metre samples from all HA and PT holes drilled are sun dried, homogenised and riffle split.
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For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.
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Metallurgical Composite Sample: Full length of the Hand Auger (HA) Holes were processed in total 15,767kg. Graphite concentrate sent to Maelgwyn was ~4800kg |
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Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.
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The sample preparation techniques and QA/QC protocols are considered appropriate for the nature of this test-work.
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Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.
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The sampling best represents the material in situ. |
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Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.
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The sample size is considered appropriate for the nature of the test-work. |
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Quality of assay data and laboratory tests |
The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total. |
Metallurgical Composite Sample: The following workflow was used to generate a graphite product; · Rougher graphite flotation · Polishing grind of rougher graphite concentrate · Primary cleaner flotation milled rougher concentrate · Attrition milling of primary cleaner concentrate · Secondary cleaning of attritioned primary cleaner concentrate · Attrition milling of secondary cleaner concentrate · Tertiary cleaner flotation of attritioned secondary cleaner concentrate · Final concentrate dewatering, drying and sizing |
For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.
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Acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been established. No handheld methods are used for quantitative determination.
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Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicate, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established.
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Acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been established in the preparation of the bulk sample composites. |
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Verification of sampling & assaying |
The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.
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No drilling intersections are being reported. |
The use of twinned holes.
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No twin holes completed in this program.
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Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols. |
All data was collected initially on paper logging sheets and codified to the Company’s templates. This data was hand entered to spreadsheets and validated by Company geologists.
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Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
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No adjustment to assay data has been made.
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Location of data points |
Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.
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A Trimble R2 Differential GPS is used to pick up the collars. Daily capture at a registered reference marker ensures equipment remains in calibration. No downhole surveying is completed. Given the vertical nature and shallow depths of the holes, drill hole deviation is not considered to significantly affect the downhole location of samples. |
Specification of the grid system used. |
WGS84 UTM Zone 36 South. |
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Quality and adequacy of topographic control. |
DGPS pickups are considered to be high quality topographic control measures. |
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Data spacing & distribution |
Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. |
Metallurgical Composite Sample: The hand-auger holes contributing to this metallurgical were selected from pit area Kingfisher and broadly represent early years of mining as contemplated in the OPFS (Approximately the first three years).
It is deemed that these holes should be broadly representative of the mineralisation style in the general area.
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Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied. |
Not applicable, no Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve estimations are covered by new data in this report. |
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Whether sample compositing has been applied. |
Metallurgical Composite Sample: The sample was composited as described under Sampling Techniques in this Table 1.
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Orientation of data in relation to geological structure |
Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known considering the deposit type
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No bias attributable to orientation of sampling has been identified. |
If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.
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All holes were drilled vertically as the nature of the mineralisation is horizontal. No bias attributable to orientation of drilling has been identified. |
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Sample security |
The measures taken to ensure sample security |
Samples are stored in secure storage from the time of drilling, through gathering, compositing and analysis. The samples are sealed as soon as site preparation is complete.
A reputable international transport company with shipment tracking enables a chain of custody to be maintained while the samples move from Malawi to Johannesburg. Samples are again securely stored once they arrive and are processed at Maelgwyn.
Graphite concentrate samples were shipped to German laboratories using a reputable international transport company with shipment tracking to enable a chain of custody to be maintained while the samples moved from Johannesburg to Germany. Concentrate samples are securely stored once they arrive and are processed in Germany.
At each point of the sample workflow the samples are inspected by a company representative to monitor sample condition. Each laboratory confirms the integrity of the samples upon receipt. |
Audits or reviews |
The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data
|
It is considered by the Company that industry best practice methods have been employed at all stages of the exploration.
Malawi Field and Laboratory visits have been completed by Richard Stockwell in May 2022. A high standard of operation, procedure and personnel was observed and reported.
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SECTION 2 – REPORTING OF EXPLORATION RESULTS
Criteria |
Explanation |
Commentary |
Mineral tenement & land tenure status |
Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environment settings. |
The Company owns 100% of the following Exploration Licences (ELs) under the Mines and Minerals Act 2019 (Malawi), held in the Company’s wholly-owned, Malawi-registered subsidiaries: EL0609, EL0582, EL0492, EL0528, EL0545, EL0561, EL0657 and EL0710.
A 5% royalty is payable to the government upon mining and a 2% of net profit royalty is payable to the original project vendor.
No significant native vegetation or reserves exist in the area. The region is intensively cultivated for agricultural crops. |
The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. |
The tenements are in good standing and no known impediments to exploration or mining exist. |
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Exploration done by other parties
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Acknowledgement and appraisal of exploration by other parties. |
Sovereign Metals Ltd is a first-mover in the discovery and definition of residual rutile and graphite deposits in Malawi. |
Geology |
Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation |
The rutile deposit type is considered a residual placer formed by the intense weathering of rutile-rich basement paragneisses and variable enrichment by eluvial processes.
Rutile occurs in a mostly topographically flat area west of Malawi’s capital, known as the Lilongwe Plain, where a deep tropical weathering profile is preserved. A typical profile from top to base is generally soil (“SOIL” 0-1m) ferruginous pedolith (“FERP”, 1-4m), mottled zone (“MOTT”, 4-7m), pallid saprolite (“PSAP”, 7-9m), saprolite (“SAPL”, 9-25m), saprock (“SAPR”, 25-35m) and fresh rock (“FRESH” >35m).
The low-grade graphite mineralisation occurs as multiple bands of graphite gneisses, hosted within a broader Proterozoic paragneiss package. In the Kasiya areas specifically, the preserved weathering profile hosts significant vertical thicknesses from near surface of graphite mineralisation. |
Drill hole information |
A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northings of the drill hole collar; elevation or RL (Reduced Level-elevation above sea level in metres of the drill hole collar); dip and azimuth of the hole; down hole length and interception depth; and hole length |
All intercepts relating to the Kasiya Deposit have been included in public releases during each phase of exploration and in this report. Releases included all collar and composite data and these can be viewed on the Company website. There are no further drill hole results that are considered material to the understanding of the exploration results. Identification of the broad zone of mineralisation is made via multiple intersections of drill holes and to list them all would not give the reader any further clarification of the distribution of mineralisation throughout the deposit. |
If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case |
No information has been excluded. |
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Data aggregation methods |
In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high-grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated. |
No data aggregation was required. |
Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail. |
No data aggregation was required. |
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The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. |
Not applicable |
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Relationship between mineralisation widths & intercept lengths |
These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. |
The mineralisation has been released by weathering of the underlying, layered gneissic bedrock that broadly trends NE-SW at Kasiya North and N-S at Kasiya South. It lies in a laterally extensive superficial blanket with high-grade zones reflecting the broad bedrock strike orientation of ~045° in the North of Kasiya and 360° in the South of Kasiya. No drilling intercepts are being reported in this announcement. |
If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported. |
The mineralisation is laterally extensive where the entire weathering profile is preserved and not significantly eroded. Minor removal of the mineralised profile has occurred where alluvial channels cut the surface of the deposit. These areas are adequately defined by the drilling pattern and topographical control for the resource estimate. |
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If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g. ‘down hole length, true width not known’. |
No drilling intercepts are being reported. |
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Diagrams |
Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of the drill collar locations and appropriate sectional views. |
The original exploration results and plan view of the drill holes for the samples used in relation to the metallurgical composite test work conducted in this announcement, are included in Sovereign’s announcements dated 15 March 2022, 8 September 2022, 26 October 2022 and 30 January 2023.
These announcements are accessible on the Company and ASX websites. |
Balanced reporting |
Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high-grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of exploration results. |
All results are included in this report and in previous releases. These are accessible on the Company’s webpage. |
Other substantive exploration data |
Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to: geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. |
Limited lateritic duricrust has been variably developed at Kasiya, as is customary in tropical highland areas subjected to seasonal wet/dry cycles. Lithological logs record drilling refusal in just under 2% of the HA/PT drill database. No drilling refusal was recorded above the saprock interface by AC drilling. Sample quality (representivity) is established by geostatistical analysis of comparable sample intervals.
|
Further work |
The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. test for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling). |
Having recently completed an OPFS, the Company is working towards completing a definitive feasibility study. |
Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. |
Refer to diagrams and plan views disclosed in previous announcements. These are accessible on the Company’s website as discussed above. |
Quoted Micro 10 March 2025
9th March 2025 / Leave a comment
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
EDX Medical (EDX) has signed a master service agreement with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, which includes an eminent cancer hospital. EDX Medical will supply diagnostics services to the NHS trust.
Marula Mining (MARU) has signed an agency framework contract with Baosteel Resources South Africa, a subsidiary of the world’s largest steel producer, for purchase and sale of manganese from the Kilifi manganese plant in Kenya. The contract lasts five years and there will be an initial delivery of 5,000 tonnes of manganese ore by the end of April. From then on, the delivery will be 10,000 tonnes/month for 12-months and then increase the following year. The open pit mining operations have been extended at the Kinusi copper mine in Tanzania. The first copper sales are imminent.
Zentra Group (ZNT) has entered into a conditional contract to acquire land at Old Mill Street in Manchester for £1.425m. The plan is to develop residential apartments for urban professionals. The site has been used as a car park and there are plans for a six-storey block with 40 residential units and commercial space on the ground floor. Zentra has signed a 12-month extension to a £500,000 unsecured loan and the annual interest charge will be reduced from 8% to 6%.
Investment company Macaulay Capital (MCAP) reported an increase in loss from £76,000 to £500,000 in 2024. That was partly down to a lack of performance exit fees, which were £212,000 in 2023 due to the sale of Qualification Check Ltd. Net assets were £2.14m at the end of 2024. The company has seven portfolio investments, with three core investments. Two potential investments did not complete.
Trading in ChallengerX (CXS) shares resumed after First Sentinel was reappointed as corporate adviser. Shareholders have agreed to the acquisition of three gaming services and technology businesses and 510 million shares will be issued on completion which is likely to be 11 March. A fundraising has generated £83,000 at 0.2p/share and there is a commitment for a further £50,000. There have been 145.8 million shares to satisfy debt.
KR1 (KR1) owns 25.45 million RED tokens for RedStone, which provides fast and secure data feeds for the digital asset industry. It intends to commence staking activities for RedStone as the RED tokens are unlocked.
SuperSeed Capital (WWW) increased its NAV by 10p/share to 121p/share at the end of 2024p. The company’s AI/SaaS-focused investment fund is expecting to make four-seven new investments in 2025.
Richard Leaver has stepped down as chief executive of Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) and Paul Mathieson has retaken the position. Glendys Aquilera has replaced Bob Mennie as finance director.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has entered into a strategic advisory services agreement with Context Protocol, a Layer 1 blockchain designed to enable verified AI Domains for trusted data exchange. Coinsilium will provide guidance on tokenomics and market positioning.
Crushmetric Group (CUSH) has raised £324,000 at 12.5p/share to Miss Cai Li. This will be used for working capital.
Valereum (VLRM) has still managed to complete the fundraising with Valereum Inc and an institutional investor. Completion was anticipated by 4 March.
Max Capital Ltd no longer has any shares in WeCap (WCAP) and Woodland Capital has taken a 3.7% stake. Ananda Pharma (ANA) chief executive Melissa Sturgess bought 20 million shares at 0.46p each.
MaxRets Ventures (MAX) shareholders have voted to leave the Aquis Stock Exchange on 18 March.
JP JENKINS
Hotel chain operator Studio Stays Hotel Group (SSHG) completed its admission to JP Jenkins on 4 March. It raised £50,000 at 0.5p/share. The plan is to develop a business that generates income from hotels and AIRBNB.
Former AIM company Eurovestech (EVT) joined JP Jenkins on 5 March. The venture capital firm focuses on early-stage software and technology investments.
AIM
Offshore energy products and services provider Tekmar Group (TGP) has a three-year strategy to grow the business. New chief executive Richard Turner has 15 years of experience in the offshore services market, so he is in a strong position to refire growth at the company. In the year to September 2024, revenues dipped from £35.6m to £32.8m, but gross margin improved from 23% to 32%. The underlying loss reduced from £1.8m to £600,000, partly due to a higher depreciation charge. Net debt was £1.6m at the end of September 2024. This fell to £400,000 by the end of January 2025. There was a credit provision of £500,000 relating to a debt in China, but management is confident that this will be paid. The order book was worth £16.4m at the end of September 2024, but more contracts have been won since.
An acceleration by Google of the move from Adsense for Domains (AFD), set for 19 March, is going to hit revenues of Team Internet Group (TIG). The uncertainty has also led to Verdane deciding not to make an offer for the company. AFD is an important contributor to the search business and the company guides a reduction in the division’s EBITDA from $57m to $20m-$25m in 2025 as it adjusts to the switch to Related Search on Content (RSOC). Management believes that it can rebuild profitability as clients switch and it learns how to optimise results. The rest of the business continues to grow so the 2025 EBITDA guidance is a fall from $92m to $60m-$65m.
APQ Global (APQ) is asking for shareholder agreement for its departure from AIM. The book value was 17.9p/share at the end of November 2024. There have been five trades today with a total value of just over £230. Lack of liquidity and the cost of the quotation are the reasons for leaving. There are also plans to change the convertible unsecured loan notes settlement date to the end of 2025. The interest rate will increase from 6% to 10% between the end of March and the end of December 2025. The company is trying to refinance the £26m plus owed.
Avacta (AVCT) says its lead peptide drug conjugate (PDC) AVA6000 has completed phase 1a dose escalation with encouraging data in patients with salivary gland cancers. There were no observed events of severe cardiac toxicity. Enrolment in phase 1b has commenced. Avacta has agreed to sell Launch Diagnostics for £12.9m to Duomed Belgium NV. This will provide enough cash until the first quarter of 2026.
Building services provider Northern Bear (NTBR) has benefited from relatively mild and dry weather during the winter. There has also been growth in the fire protection business and new contracts won. This means that operating profit for the year to March 2025 will exceed previous forecasts and be in the range of £3.15m-£3.45m. The cost of closing the company’s fit-out business is included in the guidance.
Battery technology developer Ilika (IKA) has produced a successful prototype of a 50Ah Goliath electric vehicle battery. This is the minimum viable product for electric vehicles. The Goliath should reduce battery costs and increase range. Production for pilot testing should start later this year.
Escape rooms and bars operator XP Factory (XPF) held a capital markets day last week setting out how it can achieve its three-year strategy. This is to generate revenues of £90m and EBITDA of £13m by 2028. Management has refined its requirements for sites using the data it has collected from existing outlets. The focus for Boom Battle Bars is larger cities, while Escape Hunt works well in smaller towns. Up to ten Escape Hunts and up to four Boom Battle Bars could be opened each year funded by cash generation and debt.
Legal services provider Knights Group Holdings (KGH) is acquiring IBB Law for up to £30m. This increases the coverage of south east England (Uxbridge, Reading, Beaconsfield and Ascot). The focus is corporate, property and wealth management. It also brings franchising expertise. The plan is to offload the crime business. Total revenues were £23m in 2023-24.
Nativo Resources (NTVO) has secured an option to evaluate the potential to reprocess the Toma la Mano tailing deposit and there are other potential tailings projects in Peru. The agreement is via the local, 50%-owned partner Boku Resources, which has three-years to produce a technical evaluation. The nearby mine produced silver, copper, lead and zinc. Nativo Resources would process the tailings and help to remove the environmental liability. Nativo Resources could do further deals for other tailings deposits in Peru, where the local communities can generate income and get rid of a potentially costly environmental liability.
A trading updated from clod-based data analytics company Rosslyn Data Technologies (RDT) reveals delays to the roll out of its technology with a major client. This means that some of the revenues will not be recognised in the year to April 2025. Forecast revenues have been cut from £4m to £3.3m. The loss estimate has been increased to £2.3m. Net cash is expected to be £1.7m at the end of April 2025.
Financial services provider Team (TEAM) is raising £569,000 at 10p/share. The new strategic investors are VT EPIC MA Growth Fund and VT EPIC Wealth Fund. In the year to September 2024, revenues rose from £5.3m to £10.3m. The loss increased from £443,000 to £2.92m, including an impairment charge of £600,000. The business has been split into three divisions: investment management, advisory and international. Assets under management are £325m, while assets under administration are £836m. Inflows are increasing this year and new product launches are planned. NAV was £9.95m.
Broadband provider Bigblu Broadband (BBB) is launching a tender offer of up to £6.1m at 40p/share. It is expected to close on 22 April. Net debt was £6.6m and the sale of the Australian business has brought in more cash to repay that debt.
MAIN MARKET
Helium and hydrogen explorer Georgina Energy (LON: GEX) says that the Environmental Impact Report for EP513 Hussar has been completed, but the additional development opportunities mean that the report has to be extended to cover the area. The extended report should be finished by May.
North Sea oil and gas producer Serica Energy (SQZ) is in talks about a potential reverse takeover of EnQuest (ENQ). This will increase the scale of the business and is an alternative to Serica Energy moving to the Main Market.
Cybersecurity company Narf Industries (NARF) has confirmed that it has won a $6.8m contract with DARPA in the US. This is the company’s largest ever deal. This helps to increase visibility of revenues to $5m for 2024-25 and $8m for 2025-26.
BATM Advanced Communications (LON: BVC) has sold its 51% stake in diagnostic tests distributor Progenetics for $2m. Other eco-med related businesses will be sold or closed. The 2024 group revenues were flat at $117m, while EBITDA dropped from $9.9m to $8m. A non-cash write-down of around $22m is expected. There is cash of $31.6m at the end of 2024. Demand for networking products is recovering, while the cyber division continues to gain business.
Andrew Hore
Stockbox podcast with Alan Green, Mark Fairbairn and Dan Flynn covers #MARU #REE #ECR #BTC
9th March 2025 / Leave a comment
On this week’s Stockbox podcast with Alan Green, Mark Fairbairn and Dan Flynn, we discuss:
Marula Mining #MARU
Altona Rare Earths #REE
ECR Minerals #ECR
Vinanz #BTC
#SVML Sovereign Metals LTD – Half-year Report
7th March 2025 / Leave a comment
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED
31 DECEMBER 2024
abn 71 120 833 427
ASX: SVM; aim:SVML; OTCQX: SVMlf
CORPORATE DIRECTORY
Directors Mr Frank Eagar Managing Director and CEO Mr Ian Middlemas Non-Executive Director Dr Julian Stephens Non-Executive Director Mr Mark Pearce Non-Executive Director Mr Nigel Jones Non-Executive Director
CFO and Company Secretary
London Office
Cape Town Office Ground Floor, Block C, Telephone: +27 21 065 1890
Operations Office Area 4 Lilongwe Malawi
Registered and Principal Office
Stock Exchange Listings Australian Securities Exchange
United Kingdom London Stock Exchange (AIM) AIM Code: SVML – Depository Interests
Quotations United States OTCQX Best Market OTCQX code: SVMLF |
Nominated Advisor & Broker SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Prince Frederick House 35-39 Maddox Street London W1S 2PP, United Kingdom Brokers Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited London EC2V 6ET United Kingdom T: +44 20 7710 7600
Berenberg, Gossler & Co, KG, London Branch
Share Register Computershare Investor Services Pty Ltd
United Kingdom Computershare Investor Services PLC
Solicitors Simmons & Simmons
Auditor
Bankers Malawi – Standard Bank |
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CONTENTS |
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Directors’ Report |
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Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income |
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Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity |
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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows |
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Notes to the Financial Statements |
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Directors’ Declaration |
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Competent Person Statement |
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Auditor’s Independence Declaration |
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Independent Auditor’s Review Report |
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DIRECTORS’ REPORT
The Directors of Sovereign Metals Limited present their report on Sovereign Metals Limited (Sovereign or the Company or Parent) and the entities it controlled at the end of, or during, the half year ended 31 December 2024 (Consolidated Entity or Group).
REVIEW AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
KASIYA RUTILE-GRAPHITE PROJECT
Sovereign is focused on the development of its Kasiya rutile-graphite project (Kasiya or the Project) in Malawi. The recently completed Optimised Pre-Feasibility Study (OPFS) confirmed Kasiya as a potentially major critical minerals project delivering industry-leading economic returns and sustainability metrics.
The Company’s objective is to develop a large-scale, long life rutile-graphite operation, focusing on developing an environmentally and socially responsible, sustainable operation.
Figure 1: Kasiya Regional Project Location
HIGHLIGHTS DURING AND SUBSEQUENT TO PERIOD END
Optimised PFS Results Reaffirm Kasiya’s Globally Strategic Significance
· In January 2025, the OPFS was completed with oversight from Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee
· Results of the OPFS reaffirm Kasiya’s potential to become the largest and lowest-cost producer of natural rutile and natural flake graphite while generating exceptional economics
· Various optimisations have led to superior project delivery, operational flexibility, environmental and social outcomes compared to the 2023 Prefeasibility Study (PFS)
Pilot Phase Advanced to Rehabilitation Stage following Mining Trials and Backfilling
· In December 2024, material mined and stockpiled during the Pilot Mining and Land Rehabilitation (Pilot Phase) was placed back in the test pit, filling it to its original ground level
· On-site soil remediation and land rehabilitation activities are underway, testing Sovereign’s proposed rehabilitation approach and demonstrating how mined land can support sustainable farming post-closure
Rio Tinto Invests Additional A$19m Increasing Shareholding to 19.9%
· In July 2024, Rio Tinto invested a further A$18.5 million via the exercise of options to increase its shareholding in Sovereign. To date Rio Tinto has invested A$60 million for 19.9% of Sovereign
Positive Test Results for Use of Kasiya Graphite
· Very high quality Coated Spherical Purified Graphite (CSPG) anode material produced from Kasiya graphite concentrate with performance characteristics comparable to highest quality natural graphite battery material produced by dominant Chinese anode manufacturers
· In November 2024, Sovereign announced that preliminary tests confirmed that graphite concentrate produced from Kasiya exhibits prerequisite characteristics for selling graphite to the refractory materials sector
· In February 2025, further test work confirmed Kasiya’s graphite also has the key characteristics required for use in expandable (fire retardant) and expanded (gaskets, seals, and brake lining) applications
Infill Drilling Program Complete
· In October 2024, Sovereign announced the completion of an infill drilling program designed to upgrade Kasiya’s Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and to facilitate conversion of Ore Reserves from Probable to Proven category, with the upgrade due in the coming months
Next Steps
· Sovereign will continue to advance the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), provide updates on the rehabilitation component of the Pilot Phase, publish an upgrade to the MRE, continue with further graphite testwork to support potential offtake discussions and further its community and social development programs in Malawi
Figure 2: Pilot Phase test pit during mining trials (left) and subsequently backfilled and rehabilitated (right)
Optimised PFS Results Reaffirm Kasiya’s Globally Strategic Significance
Subsequent to the half year, the Company announced the results of an OPFS for Kasiya which was undertaken following a strategic investment by Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited (Rio Tinto) in 2023. Under the Investment Agreement, a joint Technical Committee was established to oversee the development of Kasiya; the OPFS was conducted with oversight from the Sovereign-Rio Tinto Technical Committee.
Following input from various organisations, including internationally recognised, independent consultancies, the Company’s owner’s team, and subject matter experts from Rio Tinto, the OPFS has reconfirmed Kasiya as a leading global future supplier of strategic critical minerals outside of China.
The OPFS proposes a large-scale, long-life operation to deliver substantial volumes of natural rutile and graphite while generating significant returns. Table 1 below summarises the key findings from the OPFS and includes a comparison to the PFS results released 16 months ago, in September 2023. It is important to note that the results for the 2023 PFS in Table 1 have not been updated or adjusted for inflation since their release.
TABLE 1: KEY OPFS METRICS |
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|
|
Units |
OPFS Results Jan 25 |
2023 PFS Sep 23 |
Production |
|
|
|
Initial Mine Life |
Years |
25 |
25 |
Plant Throughput (Stage 1: Years 1-4) |
Mtpa |
12 |
12 |
Plant Throughput (Stage 2: Years 5-25) |
Mtpa |
24 |
24 |
Average Annual Rutile Produced (95%+TiO2) |
ktpa |
222 |
222 |
Annual Average Graphite Produced (96% TGC)* |
ktpa |
233 |
244 |
Operating and Capital Expenditure |
|
|
|
Capex to First Production (Stage 1) |
US$M |
665 |
597 |
Total LOM Development Capex |
US$M |
1,127 |
1,250 |
Total LOM Sustaining Capex |
US$M |
397 |
470 |
Operating Costs (FOB Nacala) |
US$/t product |
423 |
404 |
Financial Performance |
|
|
|
Total Revenue* |
US$M |
16,367 |
16,121 |
Annual Revenue (Average LOM) |
US$M |
640 |
645 |
Annual EBITDA (Average LOM) |
US$M |
409 |
415 |
NPV8 (real, pre-tax) |
US$M |
2,322 |
2,419 |
IRR (pre-tax) |
% |
27% |
32% |
Revenue to Cost Ratio |
x |
2.8 |
2.8 |
*Annual average graphite produced includes 292kt of graphite processed and sold in two years post cessation of active ore mining. Average graphite produced during the 25-year initial mine life only is 240ktpa; total revenue during the same period is US$15,990 million. All rutile is produced and sold during the 25-year initial mine life. Note: All cashflows and costs are presented in US$ real January 2025 terms unless otherwise stated. Operating costs exclude mineral royalties and community development support costs.
Summary of Optimisations
The OPFS optimises seven key areas compared to the 2023 PFS, as summarised below.
Mining Method
The PFS proposed a 25-year initial LOM based on a hydraulic mining process where slurry material would be screened and pumped overland to the processing plants.
Based on findings from the mining trials undertaken as part of the Pilot Phase, the OPFS proposes a large-scale open-pit dry mining operation using draglines and trucking of material to the processing plants. The change in mining method has not changed the initial mine life of 25 years.
Operating Model
The 2023 PFS envisaged mining would take place on a contractor basis.
During the OPFS, Sovereign undertook a trade-off analysis between the following operating options:
· Fully owner-operated mine with draglines and trucks purchased by the owner
· Owner-operated mine with draglines and trucks leased by the owner
· Mining contractor operation using excavators and trucks
Due to the preference for draglines and benefit of flexibility, an owner-operated mine with leased equipment is selected as the preferred operating model.
Plant Configuration
Dry mining Kasiya means the material received at the plant is not pre-wet and pre-scrubbed. Therefore, the OPFS proposes a process plant front end consisting of two scrubbers and two oversize screens per 12Mt plant. No further changes are proposed to the processing plant flowsheet.
Plant Location
Per the 2023 PFS, mining would commence in the southern area of the Kasiya deposit, ramping up to 12Mt per annum (Mtpa) and then scaling up to 24Mtpa in Year 5 by constructing a second plant module in the same area, reaching nameplate capacity by the end of that year.
In Year 10 of production, another new 12Mtpa plant module would be built and commissioned in the northern area of Kasiya, supported by the relocation to the north of one of the southern plants to maintain a steady state of 24Mtpa.
However, the OPFS has determined the most efficient plant locations to be an initial 12Mtpa South Kasiya plant followed by the construction of another 12Mtpa North Kasiya plant in year 5 of production, negating any relocation requirements in later years.
The OPFS maintains the ROM schedule with operations commencing with 12Mtpa of throughput during the first four years of production (Stage 1) and expanding to 24Mtpa in year 5, with full capacity reached by end of year 5 (Stage 2).
Tailings Management
Per the PFS, a conventional process would be used to produce rutile and graphite concentrate with tailings in separate sand and fines streams being pumped to a conventional TSF. Mined out pit areas would be backfilled as part of a rehabilitation process.
The OPFS proposes maximising backfilling of pits as undertaken during the Pilot Phase and the introduction of mud farming on the TSF to accelerate dewatering. This approach has reduced tailings volumes in the TSF by 44% from 187 Mm³ to 105 Mm³.
Mud farming is a technique used by Rio Tinto at operations such as its 100%-owned Weipa bauxite operations in Queensland, Australia, which has been in production since 1963 and produced 35.1Mt of bauxite in 2023.
Water Management
The PFS proposed that the primary water supply for the Kasiya mining complex would be created by building a water storage dam and collecting run-off water from the greater catchment area. Following the introduction of dry mining and mud farming, the size of the water storage dam proposed in the PFS has been significantly reduced, with less process water required and more process water recovered.
The OPFS mining trials and material deposition tests indicated a water demand of 10.2 Mm³ per annum, almost a 40% decrease in water requirement from the PFS (16.7 Mm³). The effect on the water storage dam wall could be a reduction in volume from 0.79 Mm³ to 0.57 Mm³ and a reduction in dam wall height from 20 metres to 17 metres.
Power
The 2023 PFS envisaged a hybrid hydro-generated grid power plus solar power system solution.
The Malawi grid reliability has improved since completion of the PFS and is expected to further improve considerably with the commissioning of the country’s first HV transmission interconnector to Mozambique in Q2 2025.
This will provide the Project with sufficient power and therefore the OPFS proposes to connect the Project’s power system to the hydro-sourced grid network only. This mitigates any risks associated with commissioning a new solar power project and reducing the overall power tariff by eliminating the need for an Independent Power Producer as per the 2023 PFS.
Pilot Phase Advanced to Rehabilitation Stage Following Mining Trials and Backfilling
In December 2024, the Company announced that the test pit mined during the Pilot Phase at the Kasiya Project had been successfully backfilled. This allowed Sovereign to commence on-site soil remediation and land rehabilitation activities, testing our proposed rehabilitation approach and demonstrating that the mined land can support sustainable farming post-closure.
During the Pilot Phase mining trials, 170,000m3 was mined using a conventional excavator fleet. The fleet was used to place mined material back into the pit, filling the pit to the original ground level in less than two months and ahead of schedule.
In March 2025, the Company announced the success of the rehabilitation program with landowners given immediate access to land to start maize crop farming without missing a planting season.
Positive Test Results for Use of Kasiya Graphite in Refractory and Expandable Markets
The Company has announced that downstream testwork targeting the traditional graphite market, conducted at leading independent consultancies ProGraphite GmbH (ProGraphite) and Dorfner Anzaplan (DorfnerA) in Germany, have delivered very positive test results, which will be used for customer engagement and potential offtake discussions.
Preliminary tests confirmed that graphite concentrate produced from Kasiya in Malawi exhibits prerequisite characteristics required for graphite sales into the refractory materials sector and for use in expandable (fire retardant) and expanded (gaskets, seals, and brake lining) applications.
Traditional demand for natural graphite is primarily tied to the steel industry where it is used as a component in bricks that line both blast and electric arc furnaces (“refractories”) and as a liner for ladles and crucibles. It is used in brake linings, gaskets and clutch materials in the automotive industry. Graphite has many other industrial uses in lubricants, carbon brushes for electric motors, fire retardants, and insulation and reinforcement products.
Graphite’s key properties for use in refractory applications are its resistance to oxidation, chemical inertness and good thermal conductivity.
A key use for expandable graphite is as a flame retardant. Growth for expandable graphite flame retardants, is driven by concerns over halogen-based flame retardants, which include brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. Many of these chemicals are now recognised as global contaminants and are associated with adverse health effects in animals and humans, including endocrine and thyroid disruption, immunotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and cancer (National Institute of Health).
Expanded graphite is used in gaskets, seals, brake linings, bi-polar plates for fuel cells, and thermal management in electronic devices, where the inherent properties of graphite are combined with the flexibility of expanded graphite.
Figure 3: Natural graphite market per application (Benchmark Minerals Intelligence, 2025)
Infill Drilling Program Complete
In October 2024, the Company announced the completion of an infill drilling program at Kasiya to support an upgrade of the MRE.
Aircore drilling, supported by hand auger, push tube and diamond core drilling, was completed in the southern part of Kasiya. The drilling was focused on the designated pits proposed to provide ore feed in the first eight years of the Project’s production schedule. Ore Reserves in these areas are expected to convert from the Probable to Proven category with an upgrade of the current MRE from Indicated to the Measured category under the JORC (2012) Code.
Offsite laboratories in South Africa and Australia will assay all samples for rutile and graphite. The drilling program’s results and subsequent Resource upgrade are expected in early 2025.
Kasiya is already the world’s largest rutile deposit and second-largest flake graphite deposit, with over 66% of the current MRE in the Indicated category.
Corporate Update
Sovereign remains in a strong financial position with cash at bank of approximately A$34 million and no debt.
Next Steps
The Company plans to update the market on the following progress in the coming months:
· Planned MRE upgrade
· Further graphite test work results as the Company continues to advance the qualification of its graphite product for the lithium-ion battery and traditional graphite sectors
· Progress in discussions with future potential end-users of rutile and graphite
· Updates on community and social development programs
· Further rehabilitation aspects of the Pilot Phase
· Progress of the DFS, which is targeted for completion in Q4, 2025
DIRECTORS
The names of Directors in office at any time during the financial period or since the end of the financial period are:
Mr Benjamin Stoikovich Chairman
Mr Frank Eagar Managing Director and CEO
Mr Ian Middlemas Non-Executive Director
Dr Julian Stephens Non-Executive Director
Mr Mark Pearce Non-Executive Director
Mr Nigel Jones Non-Executive Director
All Directors were in office from 1 July 2024 until the date of this report, unless otherwise noted.
OPERATING RESULTS
The net operating loss after tax for the half year ended 31 December 2024 was $19,546,116 (2023: $6,976,503) which is attributable to:
(i) Interest income of $1,025,751 (2023: $938,402) earned on cash term deposits held by the Group;
(ii) exploration and evaluation expenditure of $16,495,513 (2023: $5,027,397) in relation to the Kasiya Project. This is attributable to the Group’s accounting policy of expensing exploration and evaluation expenditure incurred by the Group subsequent to acquisition of the rights to explore and up to the completion of feasibility studies; and
(iii) non-cash share based payment expenses of $1,904,852 (2023: $1,089,974) relating to performance rights. The fair value of incentive options and rights is measured at grant date and recognised over the period during which the performance rights holders become unconditionally entitled to the incentive securities.
FINANCIAL POSITION
At 31 December 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $33,531,689 (30 June 2024: $31,564,130) and no debt (30 June 2024: nil). The Company had net assets of $35,927,994 (30 June 2024: $34,358,774), an increase of $1,569,220 or approximately 4% compared with the prior period. This is largely attributable to the increase in cash reserves following the investment made by Rio Tinto in the period offset by exploration and evaluation spend on the project to complete the Pilot Phase and OPFS.
SIGNIFICANT POST BALANCE DATE EVENTS
On 22 January 2025, the Company announced the results of an OPFS for Kasiya which reaffirm Kasiya’s potential to become the largest and lowest-cost producer of natural rutile and natural flake graphite while generating exceptional economics.
Other than the above, there are no matters or circumstances which have arisen since 31 December 2024 that have significantly affected or may significantly affect:
· the operations, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group;
· the results of those operations, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group; or
· the state of affairs, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group.
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 requires our auditors, Ernst & Young, to provide the directors of Sovereign Metals Limited with an Independence Declaration in relation to the review of the half year financial report. This Independence Declaration is on page 17 and forms part of this Directors’ Report.
This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the directors made pursuant to section 306(3) of the Corporations Act 2001.
For and on behalf of the Directors
Frank Eagar
Managing Director and CEO
7 March 2025
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Notes |
Half Year Ended |
Half Year Ended |
|
Interest income |
1,025,751 |
938,402 |
|
Exploration and evaluation expenses |
(16,495,513) |
(5,027,397) |
|
Corporate and administrative expenses |
(779,930) |
(572,119) |
|
Business development expenses |
(1,004,695) |
(996,548) |
|
Share based payment expense |
9(a) |
(1,904,852) |
(1,089,974) |
Other expenses |
3 |
(386,877) |
(173,386) |
Demerger expenses |
– |
(55,481) |
|
Loss before income tax |
|
(19,546,116) |
(6,976,503) |
Income tax expense |
– |
– |
|
Loss for the period |
|
(19,546,116) |
(6,976,503) |
|
|||
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax: |
|||
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss |
|||
Exchange differences on foreign entities |
80,624 |
3,530 |
|
Other comprehensive income for the period, net of income tax |
80,624 |
3,530 |
|
Total comprehensive loss for the period |
|
(19,465,492) |
(6,972,973) |
Loss attributable to members of Sovereign Metals Limited |
|
(19,465,492) |
(6,972,973) |
|
|||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to members of Sovereign Metals Limited |
|
(19,465,492) |
(6,972,973) |
|
|||
Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations (cents per share) |
(3.3) |
(1.1) |
The above Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Notes |
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
ASSETS |
|||
Current Assets |
|||
Cash and cash equivalents |
33,531,689 |
31,564,130 |
|
Other receivables |
4 |
506,258 |
315,597 |
Other financial assets |
|
175,000 |
560,000 |
Total Current Assets |
|
34,212,947 |
32,439,727 |
|
|
|
|
Non-current Assets |
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment |
5 |
2,009,700 |
1,149,771 |
Exploration and evaluation assets |
6 |
5,086,129 |
5,086,129 |
Total Non-current Assets |
|
7,095,829 |
6,235,900 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
41,308,776 |
38,675,627 |
|
|
||
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
|
5,184,642 |
4,138,353 |
Provisions |
|
86,849 |
56,782 |
Other financial liabilities |
7(a) |
41,378 |
35,288 |
Total Current Liabilities |
|
5,312,869 |
4,230,423 |
|
|
|
|
Non-Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
Other financial liabilities |
7(b) |
67,913 |
86,430 |
Total Non-Current Liabilities |
|
67,913 |
86,430 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES |
|
5,380,782 |
4,316,853 |
NET ASSETS |
|
35,927,994 |
34,358,774 |
|
|
||
EQUITY |
|
|
|
Issued capital |
8 |
136,965,491 |
117,835,631 |
Reserves |
9 |
(1,374,794) |
(3,360,270) |
Accumulated losses |
(99,662,703) |
(80,116,587) |
|
TOTAL EQUITY |
35,927,994 |
34,358,774 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Issued Capital |
Share Based Payment Reserve |
Demerger Reserve $ |
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve $ |
Accumulated Losses |
Total Equity |
|
Balance at 1 July 2024 |
117,835,631 |
3,605,751 |
(7,336,678) |
370,657 |
(80,116,587) |
34,358,774 |
Net loss for the period |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(19,546,116) |
(19,546,116) |
Other comprehensive income |
– |
– |
– |
80,624 |
– |
80,624 |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period |
– |
– |
– |
80,624 |
(19,546,116) |
(19,465,492) |
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue of placement shares |
19,174,395 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
19,174,395 |
Cancelation of unvested performance rights |
– |
(22,754) |
– |
– |
– |
(22,754) |
Share based payment expense |
– |
1,927,606 |
– |
– |
– |
1,927,606 |
Share issue costs |
(44,535) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(44,535) |
Balance at 31 December 2024 |
136,965,491 |
5,510,603 |
(7,336,678) |
451,281 |
(99,662,703) |
35,927,994 |
Balance at 1 July 2023 |
74,508,488 |
4,155,950 |
(7,336,678) |
(139,498) |
(61,515,693) |
9,672,569 |
Net loss for the period |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(6,976,503) |
(6,976,503) |
Other comprehensive income |
– |
– |
– |
3,530 |
– |
3,530 |
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period |
– |
– |
– |
3,530 |
(6,976,503) |
(6,972,973) |
Transactions with owners, recorded directly in equity |
||||||
Issue of placement shares |
40,598,258 |
– |
– |
– |
– |
40,598,258 |
Transfer from SBP reserve upon conversion of performance rights |
2,853,400 |
(2,853,400) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
Share based payment expense |
– |
1,089,974 |
– |
– |
– |
1,089,974 |
Share issue costs |
(124,515) |
– |
– |
– |
– |
(124,515) |
Balance at 31 December 2023 |
117,835,631 |
2,392,524 |
(7,336,678) |
(135,968) |
(68,492,196) |
44,263,313 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Half Year Ended |
Half Year Ended |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
||
Payments to suppliers and employees – exploration and evaluation |
(15,479,030) |
(5,433,663) |
Payments to suppliers and employees – other |
(1,764,767) |
(1,616,960) |
Interest received |
1,031,209 |
744,942 |
Net cash used in operating activities |
(16,212,588) |
(6,305,681) |
|
||
Cash flows from investing activities |
|
|
Payments for purchase of plant and equipment |
(916,061) |
(205,902) |
Repayment of loan receivable from NGX Limited |
– |
34,434 |
Net cash used in investing activities |
(916,061) |
(171,468) |
|
||
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
Proceeds from issue of shares |
19,174,395 |
40,598,258 |
Payments for share issue costs |
(44,535) |
(248,778) |
Payments for finance lease |
(31,777) |
– |
Net cash from financing activities |
19,098,083 |
40,349,480 |
|
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,969,434 |
33,872,331 |
Net foreign exchange differences |
(1,875) |
– |
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period |
31,564,130 |
5,564,376 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period |
33,531,689 |
39,436,707 |
The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICY INFORMATION
Sovereign Metals Limited (the “Company”) is a for profit company limited by shares and incorporated in Australia, whose shares are publicly traded on the Australian Securities Exchange, the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange and a Quotation on OTCQX in the U.S. The consolidated interim financial statements of the Company as at and for the period from 1 July 2024 to 31 December 2024 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the “Group”). The nature of the operations and principal activities of the Group are as described in the Directors’ Report.
This interim financial report does not include all the notes of the type normally included in an annual financial report. Accordingly, this report is to be read in conjunction with the audited annual report of Sovereign for the year ended 30 June 2024 (where comparative amounts have been extracted from) and any public announcements made by the Group during the interim reporting period in accordance with the continuous disclosure requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.
(a) Basis of Preparation of Half Year Financial Report
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments. Cost is based on the fair values of the consideration given in exchange for assets. All amounts are presented in Australian dollars, unless otherwise stated. There have been no changes in the critical accounting judgements or key sources of estimation since 30 June 2024.
(b) Statement of Compliance
The consolidated interim financial report complies with Australian Accounting Standards, including AASB 134 which ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standard (“IFRS”) IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the half-year financial report are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Group’s annual financial report for the year ended 30 June 2024, except for new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations effective 1 July 2024. In the current half year, the Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and Interpretations issued by the AASB that are relevant to its operations and effective for the current annual reporting period. The adoption resulted in no material impact.
(c) Issued standards and interpretations not early adopted
Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations that have recently been issued or amended but are not yet effective have not been adopted by the Group for the reporting period ended 31 December 2024. Those which may be relevant to the Group are set out in the table below. The impact of these standards are still being assessed.
Standard/Interpretation |
Application Date of Standard |
Application Date for Group |
AASB 2014-10 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture |
1 January 2025 |
1 July 2025 |
AASB 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements |
1 January 2027 |
1 July 2027 |
2. SEGMENT INFORMATION
AASB 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Consolidated Entity that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources to the segment and to assess its performance. The Consolidated Entity has one operating segment, being exploration in Malawi.
3. OTHER EXPENSES
31 December 2024 |
31 December 2023 |
|
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain |
(1,877) |
1,614 |
Fair value movements in other financial assets |
(385,000) |
(175,000) |
|
(386,877) |
(173,386) |
4. CURRENT ASSETS – OTHER RECEIVABLES
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
Accrued interest |
140,454 |
145,913 |
GST receivable |
95,664 |
81,051 |
Prepayments |
203,559 |
52,655 |
Other |
66,581 |
35,978 |
|
506,258 |
315,597 |
5. NON-CURRENT ASSETS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Office Furniture and Equipment $ |
Computer Equipment $ |
Plant & Equipment $ |
Right of use $ |
Assets under construction $ |
Total $ |
|
Carrying amount at |
152,163 |
68,566 |
496,953 |
116,447 |
315,642 |
1,149,771 |
Additions |
31,758 |
30,516 |
768,298 |
– |
73,062 |
903,634 |
Depreciation charge |
(15,546) |
(17,761) |
(64,801) |
(21,663) |
– |
(119,771) |
Foreign exchange differences |
10,217 |
3,557 |
33,604 |
4,257 |
24,431 |
76,066 |
Carrying amount at |
178,592 |
84,878 |
1,234,054 |
99,041 |
413,135 |
2,009,700 |
At cost |
227,879 |
153,292 |
1,803,664 |
134,091 |
388,704 |
2,707,630 |
Accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment |
(49,287) |
(68,414) |
(569,610) |
(35,050) |
24,431 |
(697,930) |
6. EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS
31 December 2024 |
|
(a) Movement in Exploration and Evaluation Assets |
|
Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project: |
|
Carrying amount as at 1 July 2024 |
5,086,129 |
Carrying amount at 31 December 2024(i) |
5,086,129 |
Note:
(i) The ultimate recoupment of costs carried forward for exploration and evaluation is dependent on the successful development and commercial exploitation or sale of the respective areas of interest.
7. OTHER FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
(a) Current liabilities |
||
Lease Liability(i) |
41,378 |
35,288 |
(b) Non-Current liabilities |
|
|
Lease Liability(i) |
67,913 |
86,430 |
Note:
(i) The Company has a lease agreement for the rental of a property. Refer to Note 5 for the carrying amount of the right of use asset relating to the lease. The following are amounts recognised in the Statement of Profit and Loss: (i) amortisation expense of right of use asset $21,663 (30 June 2024: $17,454); (ii) interest expense on lease liabilities of $14,311 (30 June 2024: $12,961); and (iii) rent expense of $5,660 (30 June 2024: $7,922).
8. CONTRIBUTED EQUITY
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
(a) Issued and Paid Up Capital |
||
599,879,879 (30 June 2024: 563,003,401) fully paid ordinary shares (Note 8(b)) |
136,965,491 |
117,835,631 |
(b) Movements in Ordinary Share Capital were as follows:
Date |
Details |
Number of Shares |
|
1 Jul 24 |
Opening balance |
563,003,401 |
117,835,631 |
4 Jul 24 |
Issue of ordinary shares on exercise of Rio Tinto Options |
34,549,598 |
18,484,035 |
13 Sep 24 |
Issue of ordinary shares to Rio Tinto |
1,290,392 |
690,360 |
13 Sep 24 |
Issue of advisory fee shares |
1,036,488 |
– |
31 Dec 24 |
Share issue costs |
– |
(44,535) |
31 Dec 24 |
Closing balance |
599,879,879 |
136,965,491 |
9. RESERVES
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
|
Share-based Payments Reserve (Note 9(a)) |
5,510,603 |
3,605,751 |
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve – exchange differences |
451,281 |
370,657 |
Demerger Reserve |
(7,336,678) |
(7,336,678) |
|
(1,374,794) |
(3,360,270) |
(a) Movements in Options and Performance Rights were as follows:
Date |
Details |
Number of Unlisted Performance Rights |
|
1 Jul 2024 |
Opening balance |
17,860,000 |
3,605,751 |
Various |
Issue of performance rights |
4,725,000 |
– |
31 Dec 2024 |
Cancelation of unvested performance rights |
(425,000) |
(22,754) |
31 Dec 2024 |
Share based payment expense |
– |
1,927,606 |
31 Dec 2024 |
Closing balance |
22,160,000 |
5,510,603 |
Note
(i) The value of performance rights granted during the period is estimated as at the grant date based on the underlying share price with the expense recognised over the vesting period in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Commitments
|
31 December 2024 |
30 June 2024 |
Exploration Commitments – Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project: |
||
Within one year |
201,477 |
107,155 |
After one year but not more than five years |
82,043 |
46,705 |
|
283,520 |
153,860 |
As a condition of retaining the current rights to tenure to exploration tenements, the Group is required to pay an annual rental charge and meet minimum expenditure requirements for each tenement. These obligations are not provided for in the financial statements and are at the sole discretion of the Group. The majority of the remaining exploration commitments relate to licences with a term greater than one year. For the purposes of disclosure, the Group has apportioned the remaining commitments on an equal monthly basis over the remaining term of the exploration licences.
(b) Contingencies
At the last annual reporting date, the Consolidated Entity did not have any material contingent liabilities. There has been no material change in contingent assets and liabilities of the Consolidated Entity during the half year.
11. DIVIDENDS PAID OR PROVIDED FOR
No dividend has been paid or provided for during the half year (2023: nil).
12. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The net fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities approximates their carrying value.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS AFTER BALANCE DATE
On 22 January 2025, the Company announced the results of an OPFS for Kasiya which reaffirm Kasiya potential to become the largest and lowest-cost producer of natural rutile and natural flake graphite while generating exceptional economics.
Other than the above, there are no matters or circumstances which have arisen since 31 December 2024 that have significantly affected or may significantly affect:
· the operations, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group;
· the results of those operations, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group; or
· the state of affairs, in periods subsequent to 31 December 2024, of the Group.
DIRECTORS’ DECLARATION
In accordance with a resolution of the Directors of Sovereign Metals Limited, I state that:
In the opinion of the Directors:
(a) the financial statements and notes thereto are in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including:
(i) complying with Accounting Standard AASB 134: Interim Financial Reporting and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and
(ii) giving a true and fair view of the consolidated entity’s financial position as at 31 December 2024 and of its performance for the half year ended on that date.
(b) there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.
This declaration is signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors made pursuant to section 303(5) of the Corporations Act 2001.
On behalf of the Board
Frank Eagar
Managing Director and CEO
7 March 2025
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to Production Targets, Ore Reserves, Processing, Infrastructure and Capital and Operating Costs is extracted from an announcement dated 22 January 2025, which is available to view at www.sovereignmetals.com.au. Sovereign confirms that: a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement; b) all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Production Target, and related forecast financial information derived from the Production Target included in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the relevant Competent Persons’ findings are presented in this presentation have not been materially modified from the original announcement.
The information in this announcement that relates to the Exploration Results (metallurgy – rutile and graphite) is extracted from announcements dated 8 May 2024, 15 May 2024, 4 September 2024, 21 November 2024, 19 February 2025 and 26 February 2025 which are available to view at www.sovereignmetals.com.au. Sovereign confirms that a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement; b) all material assumptions included in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the relevant Competent Persons’ findings are presented in this report have not been materially changed from the announcement.
The information in this announcement that relates to the Mineral Resource Estimate is extracted from Sovereign’s 2024 Annual Report and is based on, and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Richard Stockwell, a Competent Person, who is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Stockwell is a principal of Placer Consulting Pty Ltd, an independent consulting company. Sovereign confirms that a) it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement; b) all material assumptions included in the 2024 Annual Report continue to apply and have not materially changed; and c) the form and context in which the relevant Competent Persons’ findings are presented in 2024 Annual Report have not been materially changed from the disclosure in the 2024 Annual Report.
Ore Reserve for the Kasiya Deposit |
|
||||||
Classification |
Tonnes |
Rutile Grade |
Contained Rutile |
Graphite Grade (TGC) (%) |
Contained Graphite |
RutEq. Grade* |
|
Proved |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
|
Probable |
538 |
1.03% |
5.5 |
1.66% |
8.9 |
2.00% |
|
Total |
538 |
1.03% |
5.5 |
1.66% |
8.9 |
2.00% |
|
* RutEq. Formula: Rutile Grade x Recovery (100%) x Rutile Price (US$1,484/t) + Graphite Grade x Recovery (67.5%) x Graphite Price (US$1,290/t) / Rutile Price (US$1,484/t). All assumptions are from the Kasiya PFS ** Any minor summation inconsistencies are due to rounding
Kasiya Total Indicated + Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at 0.7% rutile cut-off grade (inclusive of Ore Reserves) |
|||||
Classification |
Resource |
Rutile Grade |
Contained Rutile |
Graphite Grade (TGC) (%) |
Contained Graphite |
Indicated |
1,200 |
1.0% |
12.2 |
1.5% |
18.0 |
Inferred |
609 |
0.9% |
5.7 |
1.1% |
6.5 |
Total |
1,809 |
1.0% |
17.9 |
1.4% |
24.4 |
Forward Looking Statement
This release may include forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “projects”, “plans”, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on Sovereign’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Sovereign, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Sovereign makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.
AUDITOR’S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REVIEW REPORT
ECR Minerals #ECR – Receipt of A$225,000 cash in relation to sale of surplus land
5th March 2025 / Leave a comment
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce that it has received ahead of schedule A$225,000 cash consideration in relation to the completion of the sale of the Company’s surplus land at Brewing Lane in Victoria, Australia (“Brewing Lane”).
The sale of Brewing Lane aligns with ECR’s ongoing strategy to optimise its asset portfolio, focusing capital and exploration efforts on its high priority gold projects, including Blue Mountain and Lolworth in Australia and following the announcement of its proposed acquisition of Maximus Minerals Ltd on 3 March 2025, potential additional opportunities in Canada. The divestment of Brewing Lane strengthens the Company’s balance sheet, providing additional immediate funds for targeted exploration and production programs.
ECR remains focused on advancing its core exploration projects in Victoria and Queensland, in particular planning for bringing Blue Mountain into production. The Company will continue to provide further updates as its activities progress.
Mike Whitlow, ECR’s Managing Director, said: “The successful completion of the Brewing Lane sale is a positive step for ECR, reinforcing our commitment to unlock value from our portfolio. The sale provides immediate financial benefit without affecting our mineral rights ownership at the Creswick project. With a strengthened balance sheet, we look forward to accelerating our exploration efforts across our flagship assets.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
ECR Minerals Plc |
Tel: +44 (0) 1738 317 693 |
||
Nick Tulloch, Chairman Andrew Scott, Director |
|||
Email: info@ecrminerals.com |
|||
Website: www.ecrminerals.com |
|||
Allenby Capital Limited |
|
Tel: +44 (0) 3328 5656 |
|
Nominated Adviser Nick Naylor / Alex Brearley / Vivek Bhardwaj |
|
||
Axis Capital Markets Limited |
Tel: +44 (0) 203 026 0320 |
||
Broker |
|||
Lewis Jones |
|||
|
|||
SI Capital Ltd |
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 |
||
Broker |
|||
Nick Emerson
|
|||
Brand Communications |
Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 |
||
Public & Investor Relations |
|||
Alan Green |
ABOUT ECR MINERALS PLC
ECR Minerals is a mineral exploration and development company. ECR’s wholly owned Australian subsidiary Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”) has 100% ownership of the Bailieston and Creswick gold projects in central Victoria, Australia, has six licence applications outstanding which includes one licence application lodged in eastern Victoria (Tambo gold project).
ECR also owns 100% of an Australian subsidiary LUX Exploration Pty Ltd (“LUX”) which has three approved exploration permits covering 946 km2 over a relatively unexplored area in Lolworth Range, Queensland, Australia. The Company has also submitted a license application at Kondaparinga which is approximately 120km2 in area and located within the Hodgkinson Gold Province, 80km NW of Mareeba, North Queensland.
Following the sale of the Avoca, Moormbool and Timor gold projects in Victoria, Australia to Fosterville South Exploration Ltd (TSX-V: FSX) and the subsequent spin-out of the Avoca and Timor projects to Leviathan Gold Ltd (TSX-V: LVX), MGA has the right to receive up to A$2 million in payments subject to future resource estimation or production from projects sold to Fosterville South Exploration Limited.
MGA also has approximately A$75 million of unutilised tax losses incurred during previous operations.
ECR is also in exclusive negotiations to acquire Maximus Minerals Ltd for £500,000 along with exercising that company’s option over the Cat Key advanced gold project for C$600,000. The consideration, if the proposed transactions complete, will be settled entirely via new ECR shares, issued at no less than 0.33 pence per share.
#SVML Sovereign Metals LTD – Successful Rehabilitation of Kasiya Test Pit
5th March 2025 / Leave a comment
SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION OF KASIYA TEST PIT
· |
Kasiya Rehabilitation Program provides landowners with immediate access to land to start maize crop farming without missing a planting season |
· |
Site backfill completed; soil improvement and planting of rehabilitation crops commenced in December 2024 |
· |
Sovereign continues to provide support and training to landowners to improve crop yields, including introducing conservation farming techniques, which have already resulted in a tripling of crop yields |
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Significant variety of rehabilitation crops, including giant bamboo, sunhemp, groundnuts and mung beans, are being tested alongside staple maize crops |
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Rehabilitation Program successfully demonstrates how mined land can be quickly and efficiently returned to productive agriculture during future full-scale operations |
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Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM; AIM:SVML; OTCQX: SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) is pleased to announce that rehabilitation of the land at the test pit site mined during the Pilot Mining and Land Rehabilitation Program (Pilot Phase) at its Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project (Kasiya or the Project) in Malawi has been substantially progressed. Soils remediation work was concluded in December 2024 with landowners accessing the site between December 2024 and January 2025 to plant and cultivate crops without missing a planting season.
Managing Director and CEO Frank Eagar commented: “The successful return of farmers to their land within such a short time and without missing a single planting season after mining and backfilling 170,000m3 is an excellent outcome. This demonstration of responsible mining and land rehabilitation will build on our positive community relationships. The pilot phase of 90 farmers selected for our Conservation Farming program has been increased to 350 for this season. Early indications are that the second season of this program will exceed the 300% yield increases achieved in the pilot phase. The empirical data collected from these trials will feed directly into our Definitive Feasibility Study designs for mine closure and land rehabilitation.“
Figures 1 & 2: Maize and bamboo intercrop with different levels of maturity (February 2025)
All soil remediation works as well as planting was done by hand with the use of a grader and tractor to prepare the soils. Sovereign appointed the local landowners to work with us in both the soil remediation and planting work, so they were able to directly experience and learn about our rehabilitation work on their land.
Sovereign is working closely with the landowners to ensure that the crops provide a good yield in 2025, while simultaneously testing a variety of rehabilitation crops. This includes the intercropping of giant bamboo with maize, which will be retained by the landowners.
Sovereign is committed to ensuring that all mined-out land is appropriately rehabilitated to support sustainable farming practices after closure. The soil remediation methods aim to revitalise the soils within a two-to-three-year timeframe and to ensure that soils can be sustainably farmed in the long term. The remediation of soil to a depth of 1 metre from surface, will ensure the land can support small-scale or full-commercial farming operations.
As part of the Pilot Phase, the Company has constructed small rehabilitation demonstration pits that will be used to illustrate multiple and ongoing rehabilitation processes.
Rehabilitation Approach
The rehabilitation approach has been based on agronomic principles, including promoting sustainable farming practices and providing various land uses post mining activities.
Rehabilitation is underway through a five-step process:
Step 1: Introduce Lime (Complete)
The soil remediation commenced with the application and incorporation of locally sourced dolomitic lime (calcium and calcium-magnesium-carbonate) to improve naturally low PH levels.
Step 2: Introduce Carbon and Basic Nutrients (Complete)
Sovereign augmented the mined area with organic carbon and basic nutrients. Tests include the application of biochar (to provide carbon) and fertiliser (in the form of potash (MOP), phosphate (MAP) and a blend of nitrogen, potash and sulphur (NPK) 15:23:16).
Step 3: Grading, Ripping and Discing (Complete)
Lime, biochar, and fertiliser were incorporated into the soil through grading, ripping, and discing using graders and locally sourced farming equipment. This ensured that the land was level along with safe working conditions.
Step 4: Planting of Rehabilitation Crops (In Progress)
Since December 2024, Sovereign has progressively been planting various rehabilitation crops to maximise the benefit of the coming summer rainfall. Giant bamboo has been introduced in 4 by 8-metre blocks, which will act as the primary crop to enhance carbon and bio-activity in the remediated soils. Maize and other cover crops have been intercropped between the giant bamboo within re-organised farm blocks.
Step 5: Monitoring and Evaluation (In Progress)
Sovereign continues to monitor soil remediation, plant growth and crop yields. As part of stakeholder engagement, the Company is working with local farmers to improve results through conservation farming, composting operations, testing new seed varieties and establishing an indigenous, fruit and farming nursery. This is serving as a live demonstration of rehabilitation and timely return of land to a pre-mining state.
Enquires |
Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO South Africa / Malawi +27 21 140 3190
Sapan Ghai, CCO London +44 207 478 3900 |
Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 20 3470 0470 |
Ewan Leggat Charlie Bouverat |
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Joint Brokers |
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Stifel |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
Varun Talwar |
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Ashton Clanfield |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Buchanan |
+ 44 20 7466 5000 |
#FCM First Class Metals – Board Changes
3rd March 2025 / Leave a comment
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals,” “FCM,” or the “Company”), (LSE: FCM, FWB: WN9), the Ontario focused gold and critical metals explorer is pleased to announce the following changes to the board with immediate effect:
i) David Webster has been appointed as a director of the Company and Non-Executive Chairman;
ii) James Knowles is stepping down from his role as Chairman to become Managing Director; and
iii) Marc Sale has ceased to be a director of the Company but retains the role of CEO.
David Webster is Chairman of The 79th GRP Limited (“79th GRP”, “The Seventy Ninth Group”), overseeing its direction and growth. He has over 27 years of experience in the property sector as both a developer and a landlord and has previously built significant personal and corporate portfolios, consisting of developments in excess of £500 million of both residential and commercial property. He has spearheaded 79th GRP’s expansion into natural resources markets.
David’s appointment follows completion of the initial subscription by The Seventy Ninth Group into FCM of 78,552,084 new ordinary shares at 1.7 pence per share, which represents 41.0% of the enlarged share capital. A further subscription by The Seventy Ninth Group, which will result in its holding increasing to 51.2%, is subject to the Company having the necessary shareholder authorities to issue further shares, including disapplication of pre-emption rights and the approval by independent shareholders of a waiver in accordance with Rule 9 of the Takeover Code. A circular convening a general meeting of the Company at which the necessary resolutions will be proposed, will be sent to shareholders in due course.
Dave Webster Non-Executive Chairman First Class Metals PLC Commented-
“I am honoured to take on the role of Director and Non-Executive Chairman of First Class Metals. I would like to thank Marc for his continued leadership as CEO and for his valuable contributions as a director, which have helped position the Company for success. I look forward to working closely with James, Marc, and the wider team to build on this strong foundation. With my experience and the team’s extensive knowledge, I am confident that we can drive the Company forward and deliver real value to our shareholders.”
James Knowles, Managing Director First Class Metals PLC Commented-
“Since our IPO in July 2022, it has been a privilege to lead First Class Metals through a period of significant growth and achievement. I am immensely proud of the progress we have made in advancing our exploration projects and strengthening our position within the Ontario gold and critical metals sector. As I transition into the role of Managing Director, I look forward to continuing this momentum and contributing to the Company’s next phase of development.
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Marc Sale’s invaluable contribution as a director. While Marc has stepped down from the board, I am pleased that he will continue to lead the Company as CEO, ensuring continuity in our strategic vision and operational activities. With Dave Webster’s appointment as Non-Executive Chairman, I am confident that First Class Metals is poised for continued success. I am excited to work closely with Dave, Marc, and the team as we build on our accomplishments and pursue the opportunities ahead.”
For Further Information:
Engage with us by asking questions, watching video summaries, and seeing what other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor hub here:
https://firstclassmetalsplc.com/auth/signup
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive Chair
Email: JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07488 362641
Marc J Sale, CEO
Email: MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07711 093532
Novum Securities Limited (Financial Adviser)
David Coffman / Daniel Harris
Website: www.novumsecurities.com
Tel: (0)20 7399 9400
Axis Capital Markets (Broker)
Lewis Jones / Ben Tadd
Website: Axcap247.com
Tel: (0)203 026 0449
BlytheRay (Financial PR)
Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren
Tel: +44 (0) 207 138 3204
Email: 79thresources@blytheray.com
#SVML Sovereign Metals Ltd – Graphite By-Product Strategy Update Presentation
3rd March 2025 / Leave a comment
Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM; AIM:SVML; OTCQX: SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) is pleased to announce that a new Corporate Presentation titled “Graphite By-Product Strategy Update” has been published on ASX and the Company’s website.
Investors can view the new presentation via the following link or below:
https://sovereignmetals.com.au/presentations/
Investors can view the presentation from Sovereign’s Chairman, Mr Ben Stoikovich, here: https://youtu.be/X6A30NaccDY.
Enquires |
Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO South Africa / Malawi +27 21 065 1890
Sapan Ghai, CCO London +44 207 478 3900 |
Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 20 3470 0470 |
Ewan Leggat Charlie Bouverat |
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Joint Brokers |
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Stifel |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
Varun Talwar |
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Ashton Clanfield |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Buchanan |
+ 44 20 7466 5000 |