#BRES Blencowe Resources PLC – BookBuild Retail Offer and Capital Raise of £1.5m
The Board of Blencowe Resources PLC is pleased to announce a retail offer via BookBuild (the “Retail Offer”) of new ordinary shares (“Ordinary Shares”) of ORD 0.5P each in the capital of the Company (the “Retail Offer Shares”) up to the value of £195,000 at an issue price of 4 pence per New Ordinary Share (as defined below) (the “Issue Price”).
This Retail Offer follows a recent successful fundraise of £1.5 million, as announced separately. The proceeds from the Retail Offer and the earlier fundraise will support the completion of a 6,000m drilling programme and the advancement of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda, as well as provide general working capital. For the avoidance of doubt, the Retail Offer is not part of the Placing.
Executive Chairman, Cameron Pearce, commented:
“We are pleased to offer retail investors the opportunity to participate in Blencowe’s growth journey at an attractive 4p entry price, aligned with the discount to recent trading levels from our recently announced fundraise. This Retail Offer, combined with the successful £1.5 million fundraise, July Fee Shares and Subscription Shares, and the remaining DFC Grant, will enable us to close the remaining financing gap and be well-capitalised to complete the Orom-Cross DFS.”
“We believe this support and overdue clarity on DFS financing will lead to a significant uplift in project value as we move through the final stages of the study. Orom-Cross is strategically positioned to meet the growing demand for graphite in the energy transition, and completing the DFS will put Blencowe in an excellent position to deliver substantial long-term value for our shareholders.“
Retail Offer Overview
In addition to the Retail Offer, the Company is also conducting a placing of new ordinary shares (the “Placing Shares” and together with the Retail Offer Shares, the “New Ordinary Shares”) at the Issue Price (the “Placing” and together with the Retail Offer, the “Issue”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Retail Offer is not part of the Placing.
The Retail Offer is conditional on the New Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Retail Offer being listed on the Equity Shares (Transition) category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (“Admission”). Admission of the New Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Retail Offer is expected to take place at 8.00am on 12/11/2024. Completion of the Retail Offer is conditional, inter alia, upon the completion of the Placing.
Expected Timetable in relation to the Retail Offer
|
Retail Offer opens |
06/11/2024, 07:05 |
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Latest time and date for commitments under the Retail Offer |
06/11/2024, 17:00 |
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Results of the Retail Offer announced |
7/11/2024, 7.00 |
|
Admission and dealings in New Ordinary Shares issued |
12/11/2024 |
Any changes to the expected timetable set out above will be notified by the Company through a Regulatory Information Service. References to times are to London times unless otherwise stated.
Dealing Codes
|
Ticker |
BRES |
|
ISIN for the Ordinary Shares |
GB00BFCMVS34 |
|
SEDOL for the Ordinary Shares |
BFCMVS3 |
Retail Offer
The Company values its retail shareholder base, which has supported the Company alongside institutional investors since IPO in April 2019. Given the support of retail shareholders, the Company believes that it is appropriate to provide its retail shareholders in the United Kingdom the opportunity to participate in the Retail Offer. The Company is therefore making the Retail Offer available in the United Kingdom through the financial intermediaries which will be listed, subject to certain access restrictions, on the following website: https://www.bookbuild.live/deals/614RM1/authorised-intermediaries
Tavira Financial Limited will be acting as retail offer coordinator in relation to this Retail Offer (the “Retail Offer Coordinator”).
Existing retail shareholders can contact their broker or wealth manager (“Intermediary”) to participate in the Retail Offer. In order to participate in the Retail Offer, each Intermediary must be on-boarded onto the BookBuild platform and agree to the final terms and the Retail Offer terms and conditions, which regulate, inter alia, the conduct of the Retail Offer on market standard terms and provide for the payment of commission to any intermediary that elects to receive a commission and/or fee (to the extent permitted by the FCA Handbook Rules) from the Retail Offer Coordinator (on behalf of the Company).
Any expenses incurred by any Intermediary are for its own account. Investors should confirm separately with any Intermediary whether there are any commissions, fees or expenses that will be applied by such Intermediary in connection with any application made through that Intermediary pursuant to the Retail Offer.
The Retail Offer will be open to eligible investors in the United Kingdom at 7:05am on 06/11/2024. The Retail Offer is expected to close at 5:00pm on 06/11/2024. Investors should note that financial Intermediaries may have earlier closing times. The Retail Offer may close early if it is oversubscribed.
If any Intermediary has any questions about how to participate in the Retail Offer on behalf of existing retail shareholders, please contact the Retail Offer Coordinator, Jonathan Evans (jonathan.evans@tavira.group) or BookBuild at email: support@bookbuild.live.
The Retail Offer will only be made to, directed at and may only be acted upon by those persons who are, shareholders in the Company. To be eligible to participate in the Retail Offer, applicants must meet the following criteria before they can submit an order for Retail Offer Shares: (i) be a customer of one of the participating Intermediaries listed on the above website; (ii) be resident in the United Kingdom and (iii) be a shareholder in the Company (which may include individuals aged 18 years or over, companies and other bodies corporate, partnerships, trusts, associations and other unincorporated organisations and includes persons who hold their shares in the Company directly or indirectly through a participating Intermediary). For the avoidance of doubt, persons who only hold CFDs, Spreadbets and/or similar derivative instruments in relation to shares in the Company are not eligible to participate in the Retail Offer.
The Company reserves the right to scale back any order at its discretion. The Company reserves the right to reject any application for subscription under the Retail Offer without giving any reason for such rejection.
It is vital to note that once an application for Retail Offer Shares has been made and accepted via an Intermediary, it cannot be withdrawn.
The New Ordinary Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with existing Ordinary Shares including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after their date of issue.
The Retail Offer is an offer to subscribe for transferable securities, the terms of which ensure that the Company is exempt from the requirement to issue a prospectus under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. It is a term of the Retail Offer that the aggregate total consideration payable for the Retail Offer Shares will not exceed £195,000.00 (or the equivalent in Euros). The exemption from the requirement to publish a prospectus, set out in section 86(1)(e) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended), will apply to the Retail Offer.
The Retail Offer is not being made into any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or to US Persons (as defined in Regulation S of the US Securities Act 1933, as amended).
No offering document, prospectus or admission document has been or will be prepared or submitted to be approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (or any other authority) in relation to the Retail Offer, and investors’ commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this announcement and information that has been published by or on behalf of the Company prior to the date of this announcement by notification to a Regulatory Information Service in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules and the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation No. 596/2014) (“MAR”) as it forms part of United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended).
There is a minimum subscription of £250.00 per investor under the terms of the Retail Offer which is open to investors in the United Kingdom subscribing via the intermediaries which will be listed, subject to certain access restrictions, on the following website: https://www.bookbuild.live/deals/614RM1/authorised-intermediaries
There is no maximum application amount to apply in the Retail Offer. The terms and conditions on which investors subscribe will be provided by the relevant financial Intermediaries including relevant commission or fee charges.
Investors should make their own investigations into the merits of an investment in the Company. Nothing in this announcement amounts to a recommendation to invest in the Company or amounts to investment, taxation or legal advice.
It should be noted that a subscription for Retail Offer Shares and investment in the Company carries a number of risks. Investors should take independent advice from a person experienced in advising on investment in securities such as the Retail Offer Shares if they are in any doubt.
For further information, please contact:
Jonathan Evans (jonathan.evans@tavira.group)
Further information on the Company can be found on its website at: https://blencoweresourcesplc.com
The Company’s LEI is 213800UXIHBIRK36GG11
This announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, the information in the “Important Notices” section of the announcement should be read and understood.
Important Notices
The Retail Offer is only open to investors in the United Kingdom who fall within Article 43 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (which includes an existing member of the Company).
This announcement and the information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into or from the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia (the “United States” or “US”)), Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, any member state of the EEA or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction.
The Retail Offer Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “US Securities Act”) or under the applicable state securities laws of the United States and may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in or into the United States or to or for the account or benefit of any US person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the US Securities Act) (a “US Person”). No public offering of the Retail Offer Shares is being made in the United States. The Retail Offer Shares are being offered and sold outside the United States in “offshore transactions”, as defined in, and in compliance with, Regulation S under the US Securities Act. In addition, the Company has not been, and will not be, registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for Retail Offer Shares in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, any member state of the EEA or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is or may be unlawful. No public offer of the securities referred to herein is being made in any such jurisdiction.
The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.
Tavira Financial Limited (“Tavira” or the “Broker”) is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for the Company and for no-one else and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as its client in relation to the Retail Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients, nor for providing advice in connection with the Retail Offer, Admission and the other arrangements referred to in this announcement.
The value of Ordinary Shares and the income from them is not guaranteed and can fall as well as rise due to stock market and currency movements. When you sell your investment, you may get back less than you originally invested. Figures refer to past performance and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements which are based on the Company’s expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements, which may use words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate”, “expect” and words of similar meaning, include all matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and dividend policy and the development of the industries in which the Company’s businesses operate to differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given those risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement and cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Each of the Company and Tavira expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect actual results or any change in the assumptions, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based unless required to do so by the Financial Conduct Authority, the London Stock Exchange or applicable law.
The information in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. None of Tavira or any of its respective affiliates, accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to this announcement, including the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the Company or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of the announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Each of the Tavira and its respective affiliates, accordingly disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise which it might otherwise be found to have in respect of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith.
Any indication in this announcement of the price at which the Ordinary Share have been bought or sold in the past cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings or target dividend per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or dividends per share of the Company.
Neither the content of the Company’s website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into or forms part of this announcement. The Retail Offer Shares to be issued or sold pursuant to the Retail Offer will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange.
UK Product Governance Requirements
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “UK MiFIR Product Governance Requirements”), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the UK MiFIR Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Retail Offer Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Retail Offer Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.6 of COBS; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the “Target Market Assessment”). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Retail Offer Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Retail Offer Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Retail Offer Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Retail Offer.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapters 9A or 10A respectively of COBS; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Retail Offer Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Retail Offer Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
EU Product Governance Requirements
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II”); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements”), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Retail Offer Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Retail Offer Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “EU Target Market Assessment”). Notwithstanding the EU Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the Retail Offer Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Retail Offer Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the Retail Offer Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The EU Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Retail Offer.
For the avoidance of doubt, the EU Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Retail Offer Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Retail Offer Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES), is pleased to announce that it has successfully raised a total of £1,500,000 through the issue of 37,500,000 new ordinary shares at 4 pence per share (“Fundraise”). These funds will be directed primarily towards completing the Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) to completion, including a 6,000m drilling programme to enhance the existing JORC Resource of 24.5Mt @ 6.0% for the Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda.
Fundraise Overview
The Fundraise comprises a £1 million placing of 25,000,000 new ordinary shares (“Firm Placing”) arranged through its broker Tavira Financial (“Tavira”) and a conditional £500,000 subscription for 12,500,000 new ordinary shares from senior management (“Conditional Subscription”). The Conditional Subscription is subject to FCA approval of a Prospectus by the Company.
Investor Warrants
Investors in the Fundraise will be issued 1 warrant per 1 Placing Share (“Investor Warrants”), exercisable at 6p for a 3-year period from Admission. Therefore, the Company will issue an aggregate of 37,500,000 warrants, which if fully exercised, would result in gross proceeds of £2.25 million in additional funding.
Use of Funds
The net proceeds of the Fundraise will primarily fund a 6,000m drill programme designed to significantly increase the existing 24.5Mt @ 6.0% JORC Resource, one of the final major workstreams under the DFS, as well as general working capital.
Related Party Participation
Major shareholder RAB Capital participated in the Firm Placing. As their current shareholding is more than 5%, RAB Capital’s participation in the Firm Placing is deemed a related party transaction as defined under DTR 7.3. Following advice from its financial adviser Tavira (given the Board does not have an independent director) the Board considers RAB Capital’s participation in the Placing fair and reasonable for shareholders.
Senior Management and Consultant Participation
The Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Iain Wearing, and its external Sales and Marketing Advisor, Joel Chong, have each subscribed in the Conditional Subscription for £250,000 each.
|
|
Current Holding |
Conditional Placing Shares |
Holding following the issue of the Prospectus |
% Holding following the issue of the Prospectus * |
|
Iain Wearing |
408,333 |
6,250,000 |
6,658,333 |
2.3 |
|
Joel Chong |
Nil |
6,250,000 |
6,250,000 |
2.1 |
*The enlarged share capital following the issue of the Prospectus will be 292,820,980 (including the enlarged share capital on Admission, the July 2024 Subscription and the Fee Shares as noted below).
DFC Grant Funding
A further US$500,000 is expected shortly from the Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”) as part of its ongoing phased $5 million grant funding. This will bring total receipts received under the DFC grant to US$4,000,000, with the final US$1,000,000 scheduled to be received in 2025.
Admission of Firm Placing Shares
An application has been made for 25,000,000 new ordinary shares relating to the Firm Placing to be admitted to trading on the official list of the London Stock Exchange from 8.00 a.m. on 12 November 2024 (“Admission”).
Prospectus
As previously announced, the Company is in an advanced stage of seeking FCA approval to publish a Prospectus for issuance of 12,500,000 new ordinary shares for the Conditional Subscription, 3,181,260 new ordinary shares in relation to the July 2024 Subscription to raise gross proceeds of £159,063 and 25,721,250 Fee Shares in relation to services provided by key DFS contractors and other service providers to the value of £1,286,062.
The issue of the Fee Shares has materially reduced the capital required to complete the DFS, and most particularly for drilling. The Company will be seeking to publish the Prospectus imminently and will advise on the publication date in due course.
Total Funding
With the Fundraise, Fee Shares, July Subscription, and DFC Grant, Blencowe has access to approximately £4 million and is well-capitalised to target DFS completion in H1 2025.
Cameron Pearce, Executive Chairman commented;
“Blencowe is pleased to announce this Fundraise alongside other funding initiatives to progress the DFS to completion. This combined support from shareholders, strategic service providers, and senior management enables a key inflection point in the Company’s history – completing the DFS and subsequent project financing – which will position Orom-Cross for substantial de-risking and value creation.”
“The phased DFC grant further reinforces our working capital position to finalise the DFS. Orom-Cross’s exceptional low-cost, high-quality characteristics combined with the key relationships we have formed, including both DFC and the recent Minerals Security Partnership accreditation, plus our in-country downstream processing strategy, continue to uniquely position Blencowe within the graphite sector. As the global energy transition accelerates, Orom-Cross is set to play role in supplying essential materials for the green economy.”
Total Voting Rights
In accordance with the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the Company confirms that following Admission, the Company’s enlarged issued ordinary share capital will comprise 251,418,470 Ordinary Shares. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in Treasury. Therefore, following Admission, the above figure may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations to determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company, under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
For further information please contact:
|
Blencowe Resources Plc Sam Quinn |
www.blencoweresourcesplc.com Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
|
|
Investor Relations Sasha Sethi |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441
|
|
Tavira Financial Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733
|
Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/72382491/admin/
Mendell Helium #MDH – M3 Helium signs exclusive farm-in agreement for Hugoton field with Scout Energy
Mendell Helium is pleased to announce that M3 Helium Corp. (“M3 Helium”) has signed an exclusive farm in and fixed price helium agreement with Scout Energy Partners (“Scout Energy”) over 161,280 acres of the Hugoton gas field (“Leases”), one of the largest natural gas fields in North America.As announced on 27 June 2024, the Company has an option to acquire M3 Helium Corp., a producer of helium which is based in Kansas and holds an interest in six wells. There is no certainty that the Company’s option to acquire M3 Helium will be exercised, nor that the enlarged group will successfully complete its re-admission to trading on the AQSE Growth Market.
Highlights:
- Farm in covers 161,280 acres (252 square miles) of the Hugoton gas field
- Minimum target of 25 new wells but estimated by M3 Helium’s management to be a potential 100 – 200 well opportunity
- All production delivered to Scout Energy’s gathering system and the Jayhawk processing facility
- Fixed helium price with an annual price escalator based on the consumer price index from 1 January 2026 through to the end of 2029
- Discounted royalties and operating expenses agreed with Scout Energy
- Gathering and processing tariffs waived by Scout Energy in return for methane from the new wells
- Exclusive agreement with Scout Energy includes a right of first refusal over any other farm outs in Scout Energy’s Kansas acreage
- US$1 million due from M3 Helium when drilling commences or by 31 March 2025 (whichever is the earlier). In the event that M3 does not proceed with the agreement no fee will become payable.
Overview of the Farm In Agreement
With a term ending on 31 March 2027, the farm in agreement covers seven townships in the Hugoton gas field, with each township being 36 square miles (23,040 acres). The townships are in south-west Kansas, within Scout Energy’s gathering system and proximate to the Jayhawk gas processing plant which is estimated to process around 4% of the world’s helium, processing approximately 700,000 cubic feet per day of crude helium. Scout Energy is the second biggest producer of helium in the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, M3 Helium is entitled to nominate drilling locations of its choice subject only to maintaining a distance of 1,500 feet from any existing well operated by Scout Energy. The M3 Helium management team estimate potential for not less than 100 wells within the allocated area and up to 200 wells. The agreement has a minimum commitment of 25 wells by 31 March 2026. The wells are permitted to access the Chase and Council Grove gas formations, being around 3,000 feet deep. M3 Helium management estimate that a conventional oil & gas lease over land of the type included in the farm in agreement would be in the region of US$50 per acre. This implies an indicative farm acreage value of over US$8 million.
M3 Helium has no obligation to make any payment to Scout Energy until the first well is commenced (which must be by 31 March 2025). At that time, a one-off fee of US$1 million is due. Should M3 Helium decide not to proceed with the farm in agreement, then it has no financial liability to Scout. If the fee is not received by Scout Energy on or before 31 March 2025, the agreement will be terminated with no further action required by M3 Helium or Scout Energy.
Each well drilled will be connected to Scout Energy’s gathering system. Scout Energy will manage the operations of the wells and the parties have agreed a discounted rate, reflecting the nature of their partnership. Likewise, royalty payments on production have been reduced by a third to support M3 Helium’s expansion plans.
M3 Helium is able to drill both vertical and horizontal wells under the farm in agreement.
If M3 Helium completes and connects at least 25 wells on or before 31 March 2026, M3 Helium shall have the right, but not the obligation, to continue to drill wells and earn wellbore assignments pursuant to the agreement until 31 March 2027.
In the event that M3 Helium fails to drill a minimum of 25 wells prior to 31 March 2026, it may extend the drilling period for a further 12 months to 31 March 2027 by making a further payment (by 31 March 2026) of an amount equal to the shortfall from the 25 wells multiplied by US$50,000. There are no other payments due to Scout Energy, aside from operating expenses, for the remainder of the agreement.
Provided that M3 Helium remains in compliance with the terms of the farm in agreement, its right to drill wells over the acreage specified in the agreement is exclusive. More importantly, the agreement provides M3 Helium with a right of first refusal should Scout Energy be approached by any third parties to farm into its Kansas lands which, in aggregate, amount to over 1 million acres.
Overview of the Hugoton gas field
The Hugoton gas field, located primarily in southwestern Kansas, western Oklahoma, and the Texas panhandle, is one of the largest natural gas fields in North America, deriving its name from the town of Hugoton, Kansas. Discovered in 1927, this field which covers around 8,500 square miles has significantly contributed to the natural gas supply in the United States. Over its long history, more than 12,000 wells have been drilled in the Hugoton field.
The field’s cumulative production is substantial, with over 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas produced since being discovered. Additionally, it has yielded substantial quantities of natural gas liquids and helium. The natural gas in the Hugoton field of Kansas and Oklahoma, plus the Panhandle Field of Texas, contains unusually high concentrations of helium, ranging between 0.3% to 1.9%. Because of the large size of these fields, they contain the largest reserves of helium in the United States.
Natural gas is produced from several different rock layers and many individual fields. Most of the gas is produced from two rock units, the Chase and Council Grove groups, that were deposited during the Permian Period, about 280 million years ago.
M3 Helium’s farm in acreage covers an area where production to date has indicated a helium content of around 0.6%. M3 Helium estimates that the average life of vertical wells in the Hugoton gas field is around 30 years and management models an 8% annual decline. Drilling costs are expected to be under $300,000 per well with the possibility of cost savings if several wells are drilled in succession. Tie and frack costs are expected to amount to less than $200,000 with the exact cost being dependent on the size of frack proposed.
Overview of Scout Energy
Scout Energy is a private energy investment manager focused on the acquisition, operation and improvement of upstream energy assets and associated midstream energy infrastructure throughout the contiguous United States. Scout Energy’s portfolio currently consists of over 60 assets currently producing over 110,000 BOEPD from over 22,000 wellbores across more than 4 million acres in eight states: Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, and Montana.
Management changes at M3 Helium
Nick Tulloch, CEO of Mendell Helium, has been appointed as Chairman of the board of M3 Helium as the two companies work closely together to execute the farm in agreement and finalise the exercise of the Company’s option to acquire M3 Helium. A new COO has also recently been appointed by M3 Helium to oversee the company’s portfolio of projects.
Nick Tulloch, Chief Executive Officer of Mendell Helium, said: “This agreement with Scout Energy is the culmination of several months of research of suitable opportunities within the Hugoton gas field and discussions with the Scout Energy team.
“M3 Helium now has low cost access to some of the world’s most prospective acreage for helium extraction. Furthermore, its partnership with Scout Energy guarantees an offtake of all of its production at pre-determined price levels and low operating costs. Natural resources exploration is inherently uncertain but M3 Helium’s agreement provides a level of predictability that many companies in this sector may never achieve.
“We said at the time of our proposed acquisition of M3 Helium that we would demonstrate a scalable business plan. The framework set out in this farm-in agreement establishes that plan and does so on very advantageous terms.
“To put the financial terms of this agreement in context, M3 Helium’s management estimates that a conventional oil & gas lease over land of the type included in the farm in agreement could be at least US$50 per acre implying an indicative value of the farm in acreage of over US$8 million. The US$1 million fee M3 Helium will pay on commencement of drilling represents just 12% of that, plus M3 Helium also receives access to established infrastructure and processing facilities as part of the arrangements.
“Global demand for helium has naturally generated investor interest in the sector. Across UK quoted companies alone, there are a number of different strategies. Ours is straightforward. We have the right to drill new wells in a proven helium producing region. We have a low cost model, partnered with the biggest operator in the region. And we have access to nearby infrastructure and processing.”
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Enquiries:
| Mendell Helium plc
Nick Tulloch, CEO
|
Tel: +44 (0) 1738 317 693
|
| Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (AQSE Corporate Adviser)
Ludovico Lazzaretti/Liam Murray
|
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 |
| SI Capital Limited (Broker)
Nick Emerson |
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 |
|
Stanford Capital Partners Ltd (Broker)
Patrick Claridge/Bob Pountney
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Tel: +44 (0) 203 3650 3650/51
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| Brand Communications (Public & Investor Relations)
Alan Green
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Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 |
Overview of M3 Helium
Mendell Helium, formerly Voyager Life plc, announced on 27 June 2024 that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of M3 Helium through the issue of 57,611,552 new ordinary shares in Mendell Helium to M3 Helium’s shareholders. The exercise of the option will constitute a reverse takeover pursuant to AQSE Rule 3.6 of the Access Rule Book and is subject to, inter alia, publication of an admission document.
M3 Helium has interests in six wells in South-Western Kansas of which three (Peyton, Smith and Nilson) are in production. Five of the company’s wells are within the Hugoton gas field, one of the largest natural gas fields in North America. Significantly these wells are in the proximity of a gathering network and the Jayhawk gas processing plant meaning that producing wells can quickly be tied into the infrastructure.
The sixth well is in Fort Dodge and was tested in July 2024 as containing 5.1% helium composition. Although not within direct access to the gathering network, M3 Helium owns a mobile Pressure Swing Adsorption production plant which could be used to purify the helium on site.
M3 Helium has also signed a farm in agreement with Scout Energy Partners over 161,280 acres of the Hugoton gas field giving it the potential to drill between 100 – 200 new wells. All production will be handled by Scout Energy’s gathering network and the Jayhawk gas processing plant.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement includes “forward-looking statements” which include all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company’s financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations, or any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “similar” expressions or negatives thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law.
Quoted Micro 4 November 2024
AQUIS STOCK EXCHANGE
Rebel shareholders failed to win any of their three resolutions, including the removal of the chief executive, at the requisitioned general meeting of ProBiotix Health (PBX). Broker Peterhouse said that major shareholder OptiBiotix Health (OPTI) was not allowed to vote its shares at the meeting because of the relationship agreement from the flotation of the probiotics developer. OptiBiotix Health owns 53.5 million shares, and the votes were lost by less than 36 million shares.
Surgical treatments provider One Health Group (OHGR) interim revenues were more than one-fifth higher at £13.4m. New patients increased by 29%. The second half is likely to better than expected. That means that full year EBITDA should be higher than £1.9bn. There was cash of £4.9m at the end of September 2024. A move to AIM is being considered.
Aquis Exchange (AQX) and Cboe Europe are assessing a joint bid to provide an EU consolidated tape of stock trades. The European Commission has decided to create a single entity to operate a real-time, trade consolidated tape. The European Securities and Market Authority will select the business to take on the role. The plan is for the two companies to set up a joint venture called SimpliCT, which will be based in the Netherlands, to bid for the role of equity consolidated tape provider.
Luxury prize draw organiser Good Life Plus (GDLF) has achieved £330,000 in monthly recurring revenues. There are more than 40,000 subscribers and churn has been reduced. In the six months to July 2024, revenues were £1.69m. There was a £2.21m cash outflow from operating activities. There was a fundraising after the balance sheet date. Richard Johnston has been appointed as finance director.
Macaulay Capital (MCAP) investee company Vale Foods has repaid a £125,000 loan and this has been reinvested in shares in the latest fundraising of £430,000. A £100,000 loan has been made to another investee company.
Health IT provider DXS International (DXSP) has won its first NHS commercial contract for its AI ExpertCare Clinical Decision Support product. In the year to April 2024, revenues were 2% ahead at £3.31m, There was an impairment charge of £4.38m. Even without that write-down the company fell into loss. Chairman Bob Sutcliffe bought 50,000 shares at 1p each and 133,333 shares at 1.5p each. He owns 1.74% of the company.
KR1 (KR1) had net assets of 62.15p/share at the end of September 2024. The income from digital assets was £592,000 during September.
Social commerce platform investor WeCap (WCAP) says WeShop is considering a listing. If its convertible loans are converted into shares WeCap would own 16% of WeShop. The investment in Bio2pure of £100,000 has been written down to nil. At the end of April cash was £49,000 and net assets were £7.39m.
Rogue Baron (SHNJ) says Sinju Japanese Whisky will be available in the US in the third week of November. The latest shipment of 800 cases has been presold.
Marula Mining (MARU) is stockpiling ore at the Kinusi copper mine. Samples have been sent to South Africa for test work and the results will help to design the first phase of the processing facilities. Three trial shipments are about to be sold.
Fenikso (FNK) is launching a share buyback of up to 49.3 million shares. A further $404,000 has been received in loan repayments. The remaining loan is worth nearly $39m.
Chris Akers’ stake in Oscillate (MUSH) has been reduced from 5.94% to less than 3%. Peterhouse Capital has also reduced its stake below 3%. Jonathan Neame has bought 7,000 Shepherd Neame (SHEP) shares at 569.5p each.
Investment Evolution Credit (IEC) raised £475,000 at 1p each and there is a broker option to issue up to three million more shares.
Unigel Group (UNX) is paying an interim dividend of 1.5p/share on 22 November.
First Sentinel has resigned as corporate adviser of Vulcan Industries (VULC).
AIM
Energy supplier and energy efficiency services provider Good Energy (GOOD) received an unsolicited bid from Dubai-based Esyasoft Holding Ltd. Esyasoft offers a range of products. They include the Smart Grid Suite, which is a cloud-based integration platform that manages workflow and communications between utilities and meters and an energy mobility business.
Payments technology developer Eckoh (ECK) is recommending a 54p/share bid from funds managed by Bridgepoint Advisers II. The bid values Eckoh at £169.3m. The share price has not been at that level since the end of 2022, but it is the price indicated back in August. The bid values Eckoh at 20 times prospective 2025-26 earnings.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) is spending some of its cash pile on Coleman Construction & Utilities, which is involved in civil engineering for water and marine sectors. This diversifies the business away from housebuilding infrastructure. The purchase will cost up to £4.4m and be immediately earnings enhancing – EBITDA was £700,000 last year. Trading is in line with expectations and the loss should be halved to £2.4m in the year to September 2024. A small loss is still expected this year.
Emmerson (LON: EML) says it filed an appeal against the unfavourable recommendation for its ESIA application for the Moroccan potash project, but the regional authorities say that they cannot examine the ESIA submission again. Emmerson subsequently notified the Moroccan government of an investment dispute and argues that the government is violating an agreement between the UK and Morocco. The dispute can be submitted to the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. Prior to this, the company is seeking cash compensation from the government. Emmerson is trying to reduce its cash burn, but that will mean that there will be no progress with the development of the project. Two non-executive directors are stepping down and the two remaining non-executives will take fees in shares, while the chief executives pay will be reduced by two-fifths.
Construction dispute and expert witness services provider Diales (DIAL) says that there will be a small improvement in revenues and profit in the year to September 2024. Pre-tax profit will be at least £1.1m, up from £1m. The cost base has been reduced. Net cash is £4.3m. Diales is pulling out of the US. It will still have a Canadian operation, and South America is handled from Spain.
MicroSalt (SALT) has received an initial purchase order for 50,000lbs of low-sodium salt from a major food and drink manufacturer for one of its product lines. Annualised volumes should be 200,000lbs and there could be orders for two other products. There is also a follow-on order from a B2B customer and the 63,860lbs will be delivered in January. Two other B2B orders have been won.
Tlou Energy (TLOU) is seeking shareholder approval at its AGM to leave AIM. The shares will still be traded on the ASX and the Botswana Stock Exchange. Interest in the company has dwindled and the departure will save money. UK shareholders are offered the chance to transfer their holding to the ASX depositary in exchange for ASX-listed shares at no cost. Tlou Energy released a first quarter update indicating progress with the Lesedi CBM gas-to-power project in Botswana. First electricity sales are expected in the middle of next year. There was an operating cash outflow of A$800,000, plus A$1.7m of capital investment in the period.
Cleaning services provider React (REAT) has made the earnings enhancing acquisition of 24hr Aquaflow Services for £5m plus contingent payments of up to £2.4m. It will still be enhancing after a £1.1m placing at 81p/share. 24hr Aquaflow Services is a drainage and plumbing services provider. This adds to group services.
Shield Therapeutics (STX) generated $7.2m from 43,500 ACCRUFeR prescriptions in the third quarter, which was slightly lower than forecast. The average net selling price is $167, and this could rise to $192 in the fourth quarter. Total nine-month revenues are $20m and the 2024 figure should hit $31.5m. Management admits that more cash will be required, and costs are being reduced. Sallyport is providing a $15m facility, up from $10m previously, and AOP Health has agreed to subscribe $10m for shares at 4p each.
Prospex Energy (PXEN) says third quarter gas production of its Italian interests, where it has a 37% stake, was 76,910scm/day. Prospex Energy’s net revenues for the quarter were €1m, which is a record. There should be a further increase in gas production in the fourth quarter.
Deltic Energy (DELT) says wireline logging and fluid sampling confirm the gas discovery at Selene in the North Sea, where it has a 25% working interest. The reservoir quality is better than expected, but it is deeper than anticipated which means that recoverable gas volumes of 131bcf are lower than previous estimates of 320bcf. This should still be economically viable. Further work is required, though.
Transport technology services provider Microlise Group (SAAS) has been hit by a cyber security incident. This has disrupted services, and they are currently inactive. Cyber security specialists have been appointed.
MAIN MARKET
Tin projects developer First Tin (1SN) has raised £8m at 6p/share. The cash will go towards the Taronga project in Australia and funding the enhancements highlighted in the definitive feasibility study. This could increase the project NPV to A$400m. The environmental impact statement will be completed so that initial project work can commence. There will also be cash to progress permitting at the Tellerhauser project in Germany.
Mears (MER) says trading is strong and margins are improving. The 2024 figures will be better than expected with revenues of £1.13bn and pre-tax profit of at least £60m.
A general meeting has been requisitioned at nanomaterials developer Nanoco (NANO) by Milwood Fund, which wants two of its employees to be given board seats. It appears Milkwood may want to sell assets and turn Nanoco into a shell.
Motor dealer Caffyns (CFYN) is selling its freehold premises in Lewis to Lidl for £4.65m, which is equal to book value. The pension fund will receive £2.4m and the rest will reduce debt. The Lotus dealership will be relocated.
Critical Minerals (CRTM) is making progress with the Molulu copper cobalt project in the DRC and is on course to start delivering ore. Two additional mineralised zones have been identified. Terms of a new offtake agreement have been secured with OM Metals following good copper grades from ore testing. Since the balance sheet there has been a £455,000 investment by NIU Invest.
Andrew Hore
Alan Green covers Rome Resources #RMR, MetalNRG #MNRG & Guardian Metal Resources #GMET on this week’s Stockbox Research Talks
Alan Green covers Rome Resources #RMR, MetalNRG #MNRG & Guardian Metal Resources #GMET on this week’s Stockbox Research Talks
#ECR ECR Minerals -Exclusivity agreement relating to non core assets
ECR Minerals plc (LON: ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exclusivity agreement (the “Exclusivity Agreement”) with one of the companies that previously signed a non-disclosure agreement for the potential sale of ECR’s subsidiary, Mercator Gold Australia Pty Ltd (“MGA”), a non-core asset within the Company’s portfolio in Victoria. The potential sale would include the Company’s circa A$75 million of tax losses. This follows the Company’s announcement of 2 July 2024 and subsequent announcements in relation to the potential sale of the Company’s tax losses.
A deposit has been received as part of the terms and conditions of the Exclusivity Agreement. The value of the potential sale, as well as the structure of the sale, will be determined in forthcoming negotiations but discussions so far indicate that the potential sale, if realised, would be for a material cash consideration.
Notwithstanding this positive progress, discussions remain at an early-stage and, save for exclusivity provisions, other aspects of the Exclusivity Agreement are not binding and there can be no certainty that final binding terms will be agreed, nor as to the timings or final terms or quantum of consideration for the potential disposal of MGA.
Under the terms of the Exclusivity Agreement, the interested party has until the end of 28 November 2024 to negotiate the terms of the potential acquisition of MGA. The potential sale may therefore necessitate a restructuring of MGA such that it comprises only non-core assets.
Depending on the final terms that are agreed for any transaction to realise the tax losses, as well as the structure of the transaction, it is possible, but not guaranteed, that the potential disposal of MGA may be deemed a fundamental change of business pursuant to Rule 15 of the AIM Rules for Companies. If applicable, this would require, amongst other items, the transaction to be conditional on the consent of shareholders being given in a general meeting; a shareholders circular detailing the terms of the transaction and certain other disclosures as set out in the AIM Rules. Further updates on the way forward will be provided as matters are progressed.
Background to the tax losses
As announced on 2 July 2024, ECR’s circa A$75 million of tax losses are held within MGA and were incurred in the period since 2006 to date. Activities undertaken by the Company in this period were predominantly exploration for gold in originally Western Australia and thereafter Victoria over a series of projects. Australian rules on transferring tax losses changed in 2015, the main change being that the “similar” business test replaced the “same” business test. As over 80 per cent. of MGA’s losses predate 2015, any buyer will need to comply with the tighter historic rules.
Mike Whitlow, ECR’s Managing Director said: “This potential transaction, if concluded, represents a very significant step for ECR having the potential to deliver significant funds to the Company. It aligns with our strategic focus on our core exploration activities and supports our objective of delivering long-term value to our shareholders. We look forward to working closely with them through the remainder of this process.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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ECR Minerals Plc |
Tel: +44 (0) 1738 317 693 |
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Nick Tulloch, Chairman Andrew Scott, Director |
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Email: info@ecrminerals.com |
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Allenby Capital Limited |
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Tel: +44 (0) 3328 5656 |
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Nominated Adviser Nick Naylor / Alex Brearley / Vivek Bhardwaj |
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Axis Capital Markets Limited |
Tel: +44 (0) 203 026 0320 |
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Ben Tadd / Lewis Jones |
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SI Capital Ltd |
Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 |
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Nick Emerson
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Brand Communications |
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Public & Investor Relations |
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Alan Green |
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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. ECR also holds a royalty on the SLM gold project in La Rioja Province, Argentina.
MGA also has approximately A$75 million of unutilised tax losses incurred during previous operations.
#FCM First Class Metals PLC – Total Voting Rights
In accordance with the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, as at 31 October 2024, the Company’s issued share capital consists of 100,819,240 Ordinary Shares of £0.001, each with one voting right. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in treasury. Therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 100,819,240.
The above figure of 100,819,240 should be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
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: Home | First Class Metals (firstclassmetalsplc.com)
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 / George Duxberry
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
#SVML Sovereign Metals LTD – September 2024 Quarterly Report
SEPTEMBER 2024 QUARTERLY REPORT
Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM, AIM:SVML, OTCQX:SVMLF) (Sovereign or the Company) is pleased to provide its quarterly report for the period ended 30 September 2024.
HIGHLIGHTS DURING AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE QUARTER
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 19.76%
· In September 2024, Rio Tinto made an additional investment of A$0.7 million to increase its shareholding to 19.9% pursuant to Rio Tinto’s first right of refusal on equity issues up to a maximum of 19.9%
Sovereign Presents at Minerals Security Partnership Event During UN General Assembly
· In September 2024, Sovereign presented at the inaugural 2024 MSP Finance Meeting during the UN General Assembly in New York following an invitation from the U.S. Department of State and SAFE Center for Critical Minerals
· Panel discussion titled “Mining Titans and New Horizons” took place between Rio Tinto CEO, Mr Jakob Stausholm, and Sovereign Chair, Mr Ben Stoikovich
Spiral Plant Successfully Installed for Graphite Offtake Discussions
· Industrial scale spiral concentrator plant successfully installed and commissioned at Sovereign’s expanded laboratory and testing facility in Lilongwe, Malawi
· Graphite pre-concentrate from spiral plant will facilitate ongoing testwork and offtake discussions with lithium-ion battery makers and traditional graphite markets
Hydraulic Mining Trial Commenced Following Successful Dry Mining Trial
· In July 2024, dry mining trial confirms Kasiya can be efficiently mined using standard mobile excavators and trucks, demonstrating operational alternatives
· In August 2024, hydraulic mining trial commenced at Kasiya Pilot Site test pit as part of ongoing PFS Optimisation Study
Outstanding Battery Anode Material Produced from 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
· Outstanding results are attributed to unique geological setting of highly weathered Kasiya orebody compared to fresh rock hosted graphite deposits including very low levels of sulphur and other impurities
Infill Drilling Program to Upgrade Kasiya Resource
· During the quarter, Sovereign undertook an infill drilling program designed to upgrade Kasiya’s Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and facilitate conversion of Ore Reserves from Probable to Proven category for upcoming study phase
· Program focused on southern Kasiya, which is the area intended to supply ore feed for first eight years of production; all planned drilling was completed subsequent to the quarter
Corporate Update
· Following increased U.S. investor and strategic interest in Kasiya, Sovereign commenced trading on OTCQX Market in the quarter providing access to broader eligible U.S. investor base
· Following the additional A$19 million invested by Rio Tinto, Sovereign remains in a strong financial position with cash at bank of approximately A$41 million and no debt
Classification 2.2: This announcement includes Inside Information
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Enquires |
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Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO South Africa / Malawi +27 21 065 1890 |
Sapan Ghai, CCO London +44 207 478 3900 |
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Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP |
+44 20 3470 0470 |
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Ewan Leggat Charlie Bouverat |
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Stifel |
+44 20 7710 7600 |
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Varun Talwar |
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Ashton Clanfield |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
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Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Buchanan |
+ 44 20 7466 5000 |
Rio Tinto Invests Additional A$19 million Increasing Shareholding to 19.9%
In July 2024, Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited (Rio Tinto) exercised all its share options for proceeds of A$18.5 million (before costs) to increase its shareholding in Sovereign to 19.76%.
In September 2024 and following the exercise of its options, Rio Tinto made an additional investment of A$0.7 million in Sovereign increasing its shareholding in Sovereign to 19.9%. Pursuant to the Investment Agreement between Rio Tinto and Sovereign, Rio Tinto has a first right of refusal on equity issues up to 19.9%
The Company will use the proceeds from Rio Tinto’s additional strategic investments to continue advancing Sovereign’s Tier 1 Kasiya Rutile-Graphite Project (Kasiya or the Project) in Malawi. This includes progressing the current PFS Optimisation Study for Kasiya which is focused on the development of a world-class mine capable of supplying critical minerals to the titanium pigment, titanium metal and lithium-ion battery industries. Under the Investment Agreement between Sovereign and Rio Tinto, Rio Tinto continues to provide assistance and advice on technical and marketing aspects of Kasiya.
Sovereign Presents at Minerals Security Partnership Event During UN General Assembly
In September 2024, Sovereign was invited to and participated in a panel discussion at the inaugural 2024 MINVEST / Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) Finance Meeting (Meeting) in New York, U.S., during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The panel titled “Mining Titans and New Horizons” was moderated by Dr Zainab Usman, Senior Fellow and Director, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and participants were Mr Jakob Stausholm, CEO, Rio Tinto, and Mr Ben Stoikovich, Chair, Sovereign.
The discussion highlighted factors that attract major mining companies and investment, exploring how initiatives like the MSP can support investment flow into resource-rich countries, while spurring economic development.
Speaking at the Meeting on its importance, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, The Hon. Kurt Campbell, commented: “If we are going to be successful ultimately not only in the clean energy revolution but generally in technology, it will be because of this pursuit.”
Figure 1 (Left to Right): Dr Zainab Usman, Senior Fellow and Director, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm, Sovereign Chair Mr Ben Stoikovich at the MSP Finance Meeting in New York
Sovereign attended the Meeting following an invitation to present, alongside Rio Tinto CEO Mr Jakob Stausholm, by the Minerals Investment Network for Vital Energy Security and Transition (MINVEST), a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and SAFE Center for Critical Minerals. The Meeting took place during UNGA in New York, presenting an opportunity for convergence of several MSP government officials, as well as representatives from their development finance institutions, and export credit agencies.
About the MSP
In June 2022, the U.S. Government and key partner countries announced the establishment of the MSP – a collaboration of 14 countries and the EU to catalyse public and private investment in responsible critical minerals supply chains globally.
About MINVEST
MINVEST is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and The Center for Critical Minerals Strategy (SAFE) to promote public-private dialogue and spur investment in strategic mining, processing, and recycling opportunities that adhere to high environmental, social, and governance standards.
Spiral Plant Successfully Installed for Graphite Offtake Discussions
During the quarter, the Company successfully installed and commissioned an industrial-scale spiral concentrator plant at the Company’s laboratory and testing facility in Lilongwe, Malawi. The plant enables Sovereign to process material from the test pit mined as part of the ongoing Pilot Mining and Land Rehabilitation (Pilot Phase) at Kasiya.
Figure 2: Spiral Plant installed at Sovereign’s Lilongwe facility
The spiral plant will prepare a graphite gravity concentrate from the Pilot Phase test pit’s run of mine at a bulk scale. The concentrate will then be sent to specialised laboratories where flotation, purification, spheronisation and coating testwork for the battery anode segment in line with Sovereign’s strategy to commercialise Kasiya’s graphite by-product. Graphite concentrate will also be provided to traditional industrial graphite users, including refractories and foundries, expandable graphite, graphite foil, brake lining pads, and lubrication.
Hydraulic Mining Trial Commenced Following Successful Dry Mining Trial
In July 2024, Sovereign announced that as part of the Pilot Phase, the dry mining trial concluded with a test pit successfully excavated at the Pilot site. The test pit covered the planned area of 120 metres by 110 metres and was excavated to a depth of 20 metres through the weathered ore at Kasiya. The dry mining trial confirmed that Kasiya ore can be efficiently mined using conventional dry-mining techniques and a simple mobile excavator fleet. The dry mining fleet consisted of four excavators, 20 trucks and a support fleet including two bulldozers and a motor grader. Approximately 170,000 bench cubic metres of material was dry mined during the trial. Steady-state operations envisage 24 million tonnes of material being mined annually.
The saprolite-hosted mineralisation at Kasiya is largely homogenous and has relatively consistent physical properties throughout the 1.8 billion tonnes MRE that is reported in accordance with JORC (2012). Data collected from the pilot phase confirmed that no drilling, blasting, crushing, grinding or milling will be required prior to stockpiling material for processing into rutile and graphite products; an indication of potentially lower mining costs and a lower carbon footprint comparable to hard rock deposits.
Figure 3: Kasiya Pilot Phase Test Pit mined to 20 metres depth
Figure 4: Kasiya mining and front-end processing vs. hard rock peers
Subsequently, in August 2024, the Company commenced a hydraulic mining trial at the test pit. The temporary water storage pond, constructed and sealed with natural clay from excavated material, was filled with six million litres of groundwater, predominantly from eight water boreholes on site.
This water was used during the hydraulic mining trial and continuously recycled from the constructed holding cells, where sand and fine fractions are stored respectively prior to the planned deposition and rehabilitation testwork.
Figure 5: Hydraulic mined material (slurry) flowing freely to the collection point in the bottom of the sump
Outstanding Battery Anode Material Produced from Kasiya Graphite
In September 2024, Sovereign announced an update on the downstream testwork conducted at leading independent consultancy ProGraphite GmbH (ProGraphite) in Germany.
The test work program demonstrated that CSPG produced from Kasiya natural flake graphite has performance characteristics comparable to the leading Chinese natural graphite anode materials manufacturers such as BTR New Material Group (BTR). Electrochemical testing of the CSPG samples at a leading German institute achieved first cycle efficiencies (FCE) of 94.2% to 95.8%, with results above 95% a key specification for highest quality natural graphite anode materials under the Chinese standard.
Following spheronisation and purification testwork which produced spherical graphite with very high purities of 99.99%, the purified spherical graphite (PSG) samples were pitch coated and carbonised to produce CSPG.
The coating process produced CSPG with very low BET (low specific surface area) specific surface area of 2.0m2/g and lower and high tap densities of 1.11-1.18g/cm3 (Table 1). A low specific surface area is required for anode materials to minimise the loss of lithium in forming a secondary protective coating on the anode material known as the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI). The pitch coating process also assists in increasing the density of the anode material as measured by the tap density – a higher density assists in storing more electrical energy in the lithium-ion battery.
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Table 1: CSPG Results |
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CSPG Sample |
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Sample |
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2 |
3 |
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D10 |
µm |
11.05 |
11.08 |
14.86 |
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D50 |
µm |
17.46 |
17.27 |
23.71 |
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D90 |
µm |
26.75 |
27.5 |
36.72 |
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Tap Density |
g/cm3 |
1.11 |
1.12 |
1.18 |
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BET (low specific surface area) |
m2/g |
1.6 |
2.0 |
1.4 |
Electrochemical testing of the CSPG samples at a leading German institute achieved FCE of 94.2% to 95.8%, with results above 95% a key specification for highest quality natural graphite anode materials under the Chinese standard. A very high FCE minimises lithium losses in the initial formation cycles of a lithium-ion battery, supporting battery life. Kasiya CSPG also met the criteria for an initial discharge capacity of more than 360mAh/g (ampere-hours per gram) for highest quality anode materials, with initial capacities of 362-366mAh/g. These results will be used to fast-track discussions with potential offtakers.
|
Table 2: Electrochemical Results – China CSPG Standard |
||||||||||||||
|
|
CSPG Sample |
China Standard GB/T-24533-2019
|
||||||||||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
Grade I |
Grade II |
Grade III |
|||||||||
|
First Cycle Efficiency |
% |
95.8 |
94.2 |
95.8 |
≥95 |
≥93 |
≥91 |
|
||||||
|
Initial Capacity |
mAh/g |
362 |
364 |
366 |
≥360 |
≥360 |
≥345 |
|
||||||
Furthermore, the testwork demonstrated that CSPG produced from Kasiya natural flake graphite has initial performance characteristics comparable to the leading Chinese natural graphite anode materials manufacturers such as BTR. BTR has a 20-year track record in the production of lithium-ion battery anode materials, is a dominant player in the market and has recently concluded anode material offtake agreements with global automotive companies including Ford. BTR’s highest specification CSPG materials, that have low swelling, long cycle life, good processability and outstanding electrochemical performance include their GSN17 and LSG17 products (with D50 of 17.0+/- 1.5μm).
|
Table 3: Electrochemical Results – BTR CSPG products |
||||||||||
|
|
CSPG Sample |
BTR3
|
||||||||
|
1 |
2 |
GSN 17 |
LSG 17 |
|||||||
|
First Cycle Efficiency |
% |
95.8 |
94.2 |
≥95 |
≥94 |
|
||||
|
Initial Capacity |
mAh/g |
362 |
364 |
≥360 |
≥355 |
|
||||
|
D50 |
μm |
17.5 |
17.3 |
17.0+/- 1.5 |
17.0+/- 1.5 |
|
||||
Infill Drilling Program to Upgrade Kasiya Resource
An infill drilling program to infill the southern part of Kasiya commenced during the quarter and was completed in October 2024. 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.
An offset 200×200 metre program was designed, resulting in an average drill spacing of 142 metres. The offset spacing had the advantage of allowing analysis of geology and grade continuity in both orthogonal and diagonal directions.
The drilling program consisted of:
1. 281 aircore holes drilled over 5,607m, with an average depth of 20 metres
2. 309 hand auger holes drilled over 1,280m, with an average depth of 4 metres
3. 30 push tube and diamond core holes drilled over 663m, providing samples for verification twinning and geotechnical sampling with an average depth of 22 metres
The current MRE identifies broad and continuous high-grade rutile and graphite zones, extending over a vast area of more than 201 km². Rutile mineralisation is concentrated in laterally extensive, near-surface, flat “blanket” deposits in areas where the weathering profile remains intact and largely uneroded. Graphite is largely depleted near the surface, with grades generally improving at depths greater than 4 metres, down to the base of the saprolite zone, which averages around 22 metres.
Corporate Update
During the quarter, Sovereign’s shares commenced trading on the OTCQX® Best Market (OTCQX) under the ticker symbol SVMLF. The OTCQX is the highest market tier of OTC Markets on which over 12,000 U.S. and global securities trade. Sovereign previously traded on the OTC Pink Market and has been upgraded to the OTCQX as it meets high financial standards, follows best-practice corporate governance and has demonstrated compliance with applicable securities laws. Trading on OTCQX began on 5 July 2024 and will enhance the visibility and accessibility of Sovereign to U.S. investors.
Next Steps
Sovereign is currently conducting a PFS Optimisation Study, including the Pilot Phase, prior to advancing to the DFS. The Company aims to become the world’s largest, lowest cost and lowest-emissions producer of two critical minerals – titanium (rutile) and graphite. The Company plans to update the market on the progress of the following in coming months.
· Ongoing progression of the Pilot Phase, including:
o Completion of hydraulic mining trials;
o preparation of additional bulk samples for product qualification; and
o backfilling of test pits and soil rehabilitation.
· Further graphite testwork results as the Company continues to advance the qualification of its graphite product for the lithium-ion battery and traditional graphite sectors;
· Progress on the optimisation work streams alongside Rio Tinto via the project Technical Committee;
· MRE upgrade in early 2025; and
· Additional community and social development programs.
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to the Exploration Results is extracted from announcements dated 8 May 2024, 15 May 2024 and 4 September 2024, 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.
The information in this announcement that relates to Ore Reserves is extracted from Sovereign’s 2024 Annual Report. 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 |
|||||
|
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.
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: SUMMARY OF MINING TENEMENTS
As at 30 September 2024, the Company had an interest in the following tenements:
|
Licence |
Holding Entity |
Interest |
Type |
Licence Renewal Date |
Expiry Term Date1 |
Licence Area (km2) |
Status |
|
EL0609 |
MML |
100% |
Exploration |
25/09/2026 |
25/09/2028 |
219.5 |
Granted |
|
EL0582 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
15/09/2025 |
15/09/2027 |
141.3 |
Granted |
|
EL0492 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
29/01/2025 |
29/01/2025 |
454.9 |
Granted |
|
EL0528 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
27/11/2025 |
27/11/2025 |
16.2 |
Granted |
|
EL0545 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
12/05/2026 |
12/05/2026 |
24.2 |
Granted |
|
EL0561 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
15/09/2025 |
15/09/2027 |
61.9 |
Granted |
|
EL0657 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
3/10/2025 |
3/10/2029 |
2.3 |
Granted |
|
EL0710 |
SSL |
100% |
Exploration |
1/02/2027 |
1/02/2031 |
38.4 |
Granted |
Notes:
SSL: Sovereign Services Limited, MML: McCourt Mining Limited
1 An exploration licence (EL) covering a preliminary period in accordance with the Malawi Mines and Minerals Act (No 8. Of 2019) (2019 Mines Act) is granted for a period not exceeding three (3) years. Thereafter two successive periods of renewal may be granted, but each must not exceed two (2) years. This means that an EL has a potential life span of seven (7) years. ELs that have come to the end of their term can be converted by the EL holder into a retention licence (RL) for a term of up to 5 years subject to meeting certain criteria. On 28 June 2024, the Mines and Minerals Act (2023) (New Act) was gazetted and came into force. As previously disclosed, The New Act introduces amendments to improve transparency and governance of the mining industry in Malawi. Sovereign notes the following updates in the New Act which may affect the Company going forward: (i) ELs will now be granted for an initial period of 5 years with the ability to extend by 3 years on two occasions (total 11 years); (ii) the Malawian Government maintains a right to free equity ownership for large-scale mining licences but the New Act has removed the automatic free government equity ownership with the right to be a negotiation matter; and (iii) A new Mining and Regulatory Authority will be responsible for implementing the objectives of the New Act.
APPENDIX 2: RELATED PARTY PAYMENTS
During the quarter ended 30 September 2024, the Company made payments of A$310,000 to related parties and their associates. These payments relate to existing remuneration arrangements (executive salaries, director fees, superannuation and bonuses (A$212,000)) and provision of serviced office facilities, company secretarial services and administration services (A$98,000).
APPENDIX 3: MINING EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES
During the quarter, the Company made the following payments in relation to mining exploration activities:
|
Activity |
A$’000 |
|
Optimisation, Pilot Phase, Reserve/Resource Estimation |
4,245 |
|
Drilling related |
602 |
|
Assaying and Metallurgical Test-work |
310 |
|
ESG related |
905 |
|
Malawi Operations – Site Office, Personnel, Field Supplies, Equipment, Vehicles and Travel |
1,684 |
|
Total as reported in Appendix 5B |
7,746 |
There were no mining or production activities and expenses incurred during the quarter ended 30 September 2024.
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity or oil and gas exploration entity
quarterly cash flow report
Name of entity |
||
|
Sovereign Metals Limited |
||
ABN |
|
Quarter ended (“current quarter”) |
|
71 120 833 427 |
30 September 2024 |
|
Consolidated statement of cash flows |
Current quarter |
Year to date |
|
|
1. |
Cash flows from operating activities |
– |
– |
|
1.1 |
Receipts from customers |
||
|
1.2 |
Payments for |
(7,746) |
(7,746) |
|
(a) exploration & evaluation |
|||
|
(b) development |
– |
– |
|
|
(c) production |
– |
– |
|
|
(d) staff costs |
(276) |
(276) |
|
|
(e) administration and corporate costs |
(644) |
(644) |
|
|
1.3 |
Dividends received (see note 3) |
– |
– |
|
1.4 |
Interest received |
381 |
381 |
|
1.5 |
Interest and other costs of finance paid |
– |
– |
|
1.6 |
Income taxes paid |
– |
– |
|
1.7 |
Government grants and tax incentives |
– |
– |
|
1.8 |
Other – Business Development |
(489) |
(489) |
|
1.9 |
Net cash from / (used in) operating activities |
(8,774) |
(8,774) |
|
2. |
Cash flows from investing activities |
– |
– |
|
2.1 |
Payments to acquire or for: |
||
|
(a) entities |
|||
|
(b) tenements |
– |
– |
|
|
(c) property, plant and equipment |
(736) |
(736) |
|
|
(d) exploration & evaluation |
– |
– |
|
|
(e) investments |
– |
– |
|
|
(f) other non-current assets |
– |
– |
|
|
2.2 |
Proceeds from the disposal of: |
– |
– |
|
(a) entities |
|||
|
(b) tenements |
– |
– |
|
|
(c) property, plant and equipment |
– |
– |
|
|
(d) investments |
– |
– |
|
|
(e) other non-current assets |
– |
– |
|
|
2.3 |
Cash flows from loans to other entities |
– |
– |
|
2.4 |
Dividends received (see note 3) |
– |
– |
|
2.5 |
Other (provide details if material) |
– |
– |
|
2.6 |
Net cash from / (used in) investing activities |
(736) |
(736) |
|
3. |
Cash flows from financing activities |
19,174 |
19,174 |
|
3.1 |
Proceeds from issues of equity securities (excluding convertible debt securities) |
||
|
3.2 |
Proceeds from issue of convertible debt securities |
– |
– |
|
3.3 |
Proceeds from exercise of options |
– |
– |
|
3.4 |
Transaction costs related to issues of equity securities or convertible debt securities |
(37) |
(37) |
|
3.5 |
Proceeds from borrowings |
– |
– |
|
3.6 |
Repayment of borrowings |
– |
– |
|
3.7 |
Transaction costs related to loans and borrowings |
– |
– |
|
3.8 |
Dividends paid |
– |
– |
|
3.9 |
Other (provide details if material) |
– |
– |
|
3.10 |
Net cash from / (used in) financing activities |
19,137 |
19,137 |
|
4. |
Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period |
||
|
4.1 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
31,562 |
31,562 |
|
4.2 |
Net cash from / (used in) operating activities (item 1.9 above) |
(8,774) |
(8,774) |
|
4.3 |
Net cash from / (used in) investing activities (item 2.6 above) |
(736) |
(736) |
|
4.4 |
Net cash from / (used in) financing activities (item 3.10 above) |
19,137 |
19,137 |
|
4.5 |
Effect of movement in exchange rates on cash held |
4 |
4 |
|
4.6 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
41,193 |
41,193 |
|
5. |
Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
|
Current quarter |
Previous quarter |
|
5.1 |
Bank balances |
4,153 |
253 |
|
5.2 |
Call deposits |
37,040 |
31,309 |
|
5.3 |
Bank overdrafts |
– |
– |
|
5.4 |
Other (provide details) |
– |
– |
|
5.5 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter (should equal item 4.6 above) |
41,193 |
31,562 |
|
6. |
Payments to related parties of the entity and their associates |
Current quarter |
|
6.1 |
Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their associates included in item 1 |
(310) |
|
6.2 |
Aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their associates included in item 2 |
– |
|
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your quarterly activity report must include a description of, and an explanation for, such payments. |
||
|
7. |
Financing facilities
|
Total facility amount at quarter end |
Amount drawn at quarter end |
|
7.1 |
Loan facilities |
– |
– |
|
7.2 |
Credit standby arrangements |
– |
– |
|
7.3 |
Other (please specify) |
– |
– |
|
7.4 |
Total financing facilities |
– |
– |
|
|
|||
|
7.5 |
Unused financing facilities available at quarter end |
– |
|
|
7.6 |
Include in the box below a description of each facility above, including the lender, interest rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or unsecured. If any additional financing facilities have been entered into or are proposed to be entered into after quarter end, include a note providing details of those facilities as well. |
||
|
8. |
Estimated cash available for future operating activities |
$A’000 |
|
8.1 |
Net cash from / (used in) operating activities (item 1.9) |
(8,774) |
|
8.2 |
(Payments for exploration & evaluation classified as investing activities) (item 2.1(d)) |
– |
|
8.3 |
Total relevant outgoings (item 8.1 + item 8.2) |
(8,774) |
|
8.4 |
Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end (item 4.6) |
41,193 |
|
8.5 |
Unused finance facilities available at quarter end (item 7.5) |
– |
|
8.6 |
Total available funding (item 8.4 + item 8.5) |
41,193 |
|
8.7 |
Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.6 divided by item 8.3) |
5 |
|
Note: if the entity has reported positive relevant outgoings (ie a net cash inflow) in item 8.3, answer item 8.7 as “N/A”. Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of funding available must be included in item 8.7. |
||
|
8.8 |
If item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, please provide answers to the following questions: |
|
|
8.8.1 Does the entity expect that it will continue to have the current level of net operating cash flows for the time being and, if not, why not? |
||
|
Answer: Not applicable |
||
|
8.8.2 Has the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take any steps, to raise further cash to fund its operations and, if so, what are those steps and how likely does it believe that they will be successful? |
||
|
Answer: Not applicable |
||
|
8.8.3 Does the entity expect to be able to continue its operations and to meet its business objectives and, if so, on what basis? |
||
|
Answer: Not applicable |
||
|
Note: where item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, all of questions 8.8.1, 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 above must be answered. |
||
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This statement gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date: 30 October 2024
Authorised by: Company Secretary
(Name of body or officer authorising release – see note 4)
Notes
1. This quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report provide a basis for informing the market about the entity’s activities for the past quarter, how they have been financed and the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes to disclose additional information over and above the minimum required under the Listing Rules is encouraged to do so.
2. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 6: Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and AASB 107: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance with other accounting standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3. Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities, depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the board”. If it has been authorised for release to the market by a committee of your board of directors, you can insert here: “By the [name of board committee – eg Audit and Risk Committee]”. If it has been authorised for release to the market by a disclosure committee, you can insert here: “By the Disclosure Committee”.
5. If this report has been authorised for release to the market by your board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as complying with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, the board should have received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion, the financial records of the entity have been properly maintained, that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and that their opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system of risk management and internal control which is operating effectively.
Anglesey Mining #AYM – Information received from statutory and specialist consultees regarding the Parys Mountain Mine Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report
Further to the Company’s announcement on 16 August 2024, Anglesey Mining plc (AIM:AYM), is pleased to announce that it has recently received reports from statutory and specialist consultees in response to the Parys Mountain Mine Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report. The Company is pleased to note that the responses received are broadly in line with the company’s expectations.
The responses from the statutory consultees will be taken into account by the North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service, who assess mineral planning applications on behalf of the Isle of Anglesey County Council, for the purposes of their formal Scoping Opinion which the Company expects to be released in due course.
As previously noted, the Anglesey Mining team are committed to close collaboration with stakeholders, communities, industry and supply chain, particularly around minimising potential environmental impacts and maximising economic development opportunities for local communities.
The Scoping Report and appendices can be accessed and downloaded from the Parys Mountain section of our web site by clicking this link:
https://www.angleseymining.co.uk/environmental-impact-assessment-eia-scoping-report/
or from the Anglesey County Council and North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service websites by clicking the following link:
If you wish to submit comments through the formal scoping processes, please send your comments directly to the North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service.
In the meantime, if you wish to provide comments regarding the proposal to the Anglesey Mining Team directly, please address them to mail@angleseymining.co.uk with the subject “Scoping Report Comments.”
Rob Marsden, CEO of Anglesey Mining, commented: “We encourage stakeholders to comment and ask questions, so that a highly considered EIA submission can be made. [We also welcome the opportunity to engage constructively with the North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service as it progresses with the Scoping Opinion.] The objective of Anglesey Mining is to make a planning application, that when enacted, will be seen to provide economic returns to investors, job opportunities, mitigation of the impacts to the environment and enhanced respect for, and appreciation of, the mining heritage of Parys Mountain, thus earning us a social licence to operate.”
About Anglesey Mining plc:
Anglesey Mining is traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and currently has 461,593,017 ordinary shares in issue.
Anglesey is developing the 100% owned Parys Mountain Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au VMS deposit in North Wales, UK with a reported resource of 5.3 million tonnes at over 4.0% combined base metals in the Measured and Indicated categories and 10.8 million tonnes at over 2.5% combined base metals in the Inferred category.
Anglesey also holds a 49.75% interest in the Grängesberg iron ore project in Sweden and 12% of Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited, which through its 52% owned subsidiaries, is engaged in the exploration and development of direct shipping iron ore deposits in Labrador and Quebec.
For further information, please contact:
Anglesey Mining plc
Rob Marsden, Chief Executive Officer – Tel: +44 (0)7531 475111
Andrew King, Interim-Chairman – Tel: +44 (0)7825 963700
Davy
Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker
Brian Garrahy / Daragh O’Reilly – Tel: +353 1 679 6363
Zeus Capital Limited
Joint Corporate Broker
Katy Mitchell / Harry Ansell – Tel: +44 (0)161 831 1512
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – EverGreen – Spodumene Discovery at Bynoe Project
Cadence Minerals (AIM: KDNC) is pleased to announce the discovery of spodumene-bearing pegmatites at the Bynoe Project by ASX-listed Evergreen Lithium Limited (“EverGreen”) (ASX: EG1). Cadence is an 8.74% shareholder in EverGreen. Link here to view the full Evergreen ASX announcement
Highlights:
• Initial results from the ongoing AC drilling program along Line 6 on the western flank have confirmed multiple intersections of spodumene-bearing pegmatites
• The pegmatite intersections have initially been confirmed in four drill holes – 349, 350, 351, and 352 – with downhole intervals of up to 10m
• Sporadic spodumene crystals were observed in air-core chips within the oxidised and leached pegmatites
• Initial interpretation indicates multiple stacked, shallow-dipping pegmatites, like lithium-bearing systems like Hang Gong and Lees Booth
• Ongoing pegmatite analysis will guide exploration strategies, including deeper RC drilling and optimal drill hole orientation and spacing
EverGreen announced significant progress in its ongoing exploration program at the Bynoe Project, located 50km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory. Preliminary results from air-core drilling along Line 6 on the western side of Evergreen’s Bynoe project have confirmed multiple spodumene bearing pegmatite intersections, demonstrating Bynoe project’s lithium potential.
Evergreen Exploration Manager Andrew Harwood commented: “The recent drilling results along Line 6 are very promising, strengthening our confidence in the lithium potential at the Bynoe Project. It’s exciting to have encountered blind pegmatites early in our reconnaissance air-core drilling program. With numerous targets still to explore, we anticipate more significant discoveries. Our geological team is diligently analysing the data to enhance our understanding of the pegmatite system. Comparisons with nearby prospects, such as Hang Gong, highlight the potential scale of Bynoe’s system. We are planning deeper RC drilling and optimising our air-core program to fully assess these promising targets.”
Figure 1: Bynoe Project, showing new discovery zone and areas of planned drilling
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For further information contact:
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Cadence Minerals plc |
+44 (0) 20 3582 6636 |
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Andrew Suckling |
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Kiran Morzaria |
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Zeus Capital Limited (NOMAD & Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3829 5000 |
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James Joyce |
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Darshan Patel Isaac Hooper |
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Fortified Securities – Joint Broker |
+44 (0) 20 3411 7773 |
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Guy Wheatley |
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Brand Communications |
+44 (0) 7976 431608 |
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Public & Investor Relations |
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Alan Green |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “believe”, “could”, “should”, “envisage”, “estimate”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “will”, or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the company’s future growth results of operations performance, future capital, and other expenditures (including the amount, nature, and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the company to constitute Inside Information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (E.U.) No. 596/2014, as it forms part of U.K. domestic law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. Upon the publication of this announcement via a regulatory information service, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
Seed Capital Solutions #SCSP – Annual Financial Report for financial year ended 30 June 2024
Seed Capital Solutions plc (LON: SCSP), a Company formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, is pleased to announce its audited annual financial results for the financial year ended 30 June 2024.
The Company was incorporated on 18 December 2017. At the date of preparation of these accounts, the Company does not have any current operations / principal activities, no products are sold or services performed by the Company, the Company does not operate or compete in any specific market, and the Company has no subsidiaries. The Company has been formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that display strong environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) credentials, thereby benefitting from the current trend of superior performance aligned with increased investor appetite. The Company is not geographically focused on any one or specific country or region, but rather opportunity focused hence any potential acquisition opportunities will not be limited by jurisdiction or geography.
The Company has yet to commence any commercial activities, so as a result its key performance indicators are limited to cash balances and expenses incurred, measured as loss before taxation as follows in £ (GBP):
30 June 2024 30 June 2023
Cash Balances 518,144 517,279
Loss Before Taxation (262,412) (174,781)
The Board continued to review a number of potential acquisition opportunities across the sector but none of which met the necessary criteria for selection as at the end of the year.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| Seed Capital Solutions plc | ||||
| Chairman Damion Greef
Website: https://seedcapitalsolutionsplc.com/
Brand Communications |
Tel: +44 (0)1535 647 479
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| Public & Investor Relations | Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 | |||
| Alan Green | ||||
ABOUT SEED CAPITAL SOLUTIONS PLC
Seed Capital Solutions Plc (LON: SCSP) has been formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, thereby benefitting from the current trend of superior performance and increased investor appetite.
Link here to view the full report and financial statements.