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#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

 

Enquires

 

 

 

Frank Eagar, Managing Director & CEO

South Africa / Malawi

+27 21 065 1890

Sapan Ghai, CCO

London

+44 207 478 3900

 

Nominated Adviser on AIM and Joint Broker

 

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

+44 20 3470 0470

Ewan Leggat

Charlie Bouverat

 

 

Joint Brokers

 

Stifel

+44 20 7710 7600

Varun Talwar

 

Ashton Clanfield

 

 

 

Berenberg

+44 20 3207 7800

Matthew Armitt

 

Jennifer Lee

 

 

 

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.”

 

A group of people sitting in a room Description automatically generated

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.

 

A building with a green and yellow metal structure Description automatically generated

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.

A large open pit with many layers of dirt Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Figure 3: Kasiya Pilot Phase Test Pit mined to 20 metres depth

A screenshot of a video game Description automatically generated

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.

A large open pit with a water pipe Description automatically generated with medium confidence

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.

 

Table 1: CSPG Results

CSPG Sample

Sample

Units

1

2

3

D10

µm

11.05

11.08

14.86

D50

µm

17.46

17.27

23.71

D90

µm

26.75

27.5

36.72

Tap Density

g/cm3

1.11

1.12

1.18

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:

Completion of hydraulic mining trials;

preparation of additional bulk samples for product qualification; and

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
(Mt)

Rutile Grade
(%)

Contained Rutile
(Mt)

Graphite Grade (TGC) (%)

Contained Graphite
(Mt)

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
(Mt)

Rutile Grade
(%)

Contained Rutile
(Mt)

Graphite Grade (TGC) (%)

Contained Graphite
(Mt)

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
$A’000

Year to date
(3 months)
$A’000

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
at the end of the quarter (as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the related items in the accounts

Current quarter
$A’000

Previous quarter
$A’000

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
$A’000

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
Note: the term “facility’ includes all forms of financing arrangements available to the entity.

Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the sources of finance available to the entity.

Total facility amount at quarter end
$A’000

Amount drawn at quarter end
$A’000

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.

 

#AYM Anglesey Mining PLC – Annual Report 2024

Anglesey Mining plc is a UK company engaged in the development of owned and managed mining projects.

 

Parys Mountain: 100% ownership of the Parys Mountain underground copper-zinc-lead-silver-gold deposit in North Wales, UK where an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment dated January 2021 included a financial model for a 3,000 tpd mining operation with a pre-tax NPV10% of US$120 million, (£96 million), 26% IRR and 12-year mine life.

 

Grängesberg: 49.75% interest in the Grängesberg iron ore project in Sweden where Anglesey has management rights.

An independent Pre-Feasibility Study announced on 19 July 2022 demonstrated Probable Ore Reserves of 82.4 million tonnes supporting a 16-year mine life with annual production of 2.5 million tonnes of high-grade concentrate grading 70% iron ore and a post-tax NPV8% of US$688 million with an IRR of 25.9% after tax.

 

Labrador Iron Mines: 11.9% shareholding in Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited which holds Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) deposits of iron in Canada where an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment of its Houston project published in 2021 showed potential for production of 2 million tonnes of DSO per year, with an initial 12-year mine life, for total production of 23.4 million tonnes of product at 62.2% Fe over the life of the mine.

 

 

The AGM will be held at the Geological Society, Burlington House,
Piccadilly, London W1J 0BG on 8 November 2024 at 11 am

 

 

Chairman’s statement

To Anglesey Shareholders

The 2023-24 financial year was another challenging year for Anglesey Mining plc which saw a number of board and management changes but also the ongoing advancement of the Parys Mountain project.

Board changes

At the 2023 Annual General Meeting long-time Chairman of Anglesey Mining, John Kearney, was not re-elected to the Board and as a result I was appointed into the role of Interim Chairman of your company. John had been Chairman for nearly 29 years, having been appointed in November 1994. On behalf of the Board and the shareholders I would like to thank John for his service to Anglesey Mining over the period of his tenure.

On 14th November 2023 the Board accepted the resignation of Danesh Varma. Danesh, like John, joined the Board in November 1994. It is with sadness that I report to you the death of Danesh on 8th August 2024.

Jo Battershill stepped down as Chief executive effective 31st December 2023 to take up a new executive role in Australia but remained on the board as a non-executive director.  I would like to thank Jo for all his effort during his time as Chief executive and his ongoing support of Anglesey Mining.

We were also sorry also to accept the resignation of Namrata Verma as a non-executive director on 6th September 2024 but understand her reasons for leaving and wish her every success in the future.

Parys Mountain

Important geological work has continued throughout the year at Parys Mountain with new exploration drilling into the Northern Copper Zone. We are very encouraged by the results and further work is continuing. We would like to firm up our knowledge and increase the tonnage of the declared geological resource, thus improving the business case for developing a long term mining operation at Parys Mountain.

Grängesberg and Labrador Iron Mines Holdings

During the financial year we maintained our shareholding in Grängesberg AB in Sweden and Labrador Iron Mines Holdings in Canada and continue to explore alternatives to optimise and realise value for Anglesey Mining’s interest in these assets.

Appreciation

I wish to recognise the dedication and enthusiasm of our small management team, led by Jo Battershill. After the financial year end, in May 2024, we were delighted to welcome Rob Marsden as our company’s CEO. I would also like to thank our board of directors for their leadership, as well as consultants and advisors for their contribution. Finally, I should welcome our new shareholders and thank them, and all our shareholders, for their continued support.

Andrew King

Interim Chairman

27 September 2024

 

 Strategic report – Operations

As the newly appointed Chief executive of Anglesey Mining it is my pleasure to report to you the activities that have been undertaken in the 2023-24 financial year; in doing so I must thank my predecessor Jo Battershill for providing a strong basis from which to build. It is to his immense credit that the first drilling campaign since 2012 into the Northern Copper Zone was able to be undertaken during the back half of the financial year with the assay results reported during the first half of calendar year 2024.

Under Jo’s direction the great bulk of the EIA scoping document was completed. I was grateful for the opportunity to review it and submit it to the planning authorities in the first weeks of my tenure. It is a detailed, robust assessment of the likely impacts that underground mining and processing of minerals on Parys Mountain will have. It is an essential report to guide the strategies which will be put in place to avoid, mitigate and where required, compensate for those impacts.

The geological resources form the basis for every other subsequent aspect in the planning and evaluation phase, from the mine design through to metallurgy and management of tailings. In addition to the new drilling into the Northern Copper Zone which I have already mentioned, new resource estimates were made of the White Rock and Engine Zones at Parys Mountain allowing the first inclusion of tonnes in the measured category of mineral resource reporting.

The combined mineral resource estimate for the White Rock and Engine Zones is now reported at 5.72Mt grading 0.36% Cu, 2.30% Zn, 1.24% Pb, 28/t Ag and 0.28g/t Au or 2.0% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) / 5.6% Zinc Equivalent (ZnEq). All the resources were reported above a cut-off based on a net smelter revenue of US$45.15/t, including 1.6Mt at 2.5% CuEq in the Engine Zone. The White Rock and Engine Zones have 5.28Mt (92%) of the resource now reporting to the Measured and Indicated categories with 23% Measured and 70% Indicated.

The overall mineral resource estimate for Parys Mountain, including the Northern Copper Zone, is reported at 16.1Mt grading 1.0% Cu, 1.3% Zn, 0.7% Pb, 15g/t Ag and 0.2g/t Au. (1.9% CuEq or 5.3% ZnEq) containing 486,000t of combined Zn/Pb/Cu, 7.9Moz silver and 86koz gold.

These two programs of work highlighted the outstanding exploration potential of the project. Several zones have been identified where mineralisation could potentially extend beyond the resource boundary, indicating that once mining commences at Parys Mountain the probability of finding more ore zones is very high, as with many volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits.

In May 2023, an equity placing and subscription raised gross proceeds of £1m and following this in July 2023, a further placing raised gross proceeds of £0.5m.

In December 2023 we reported the results of metallurgical test work carried out on a 340kg sample of White Rock and Engine Zone material, which, as it is shaft adjacent, is very likely to be among the first mineralisation to be mined at Parys Mountain. The highlight of this work was the demonstration that a successful pre-concentration stage would be applicable. Tests of two pre-concentration methods were conducted – Dense Media Separation (DMS) undertaken by Pesco and X-Ray Transmission sorting (XRT) completed by TOMRA. These showed the overall base metals only head-grade increasing from 7.5% ZnEq to 11.4% ZnEq from the DMS (+52%) with 35% mass rejection and metal loss of 5.2% and 11.7% ZnEq from the XRT (+55%) with 29% mass rejection and metal loss of 3.0%.

 

Licence to operate

It is well understood at Anglesey Mining that it is ultimately a combination of economic, regulatory, environmental and social aspects of developing and operating a mining operation that will provide us with a licence to operate, which is the enabler of realising a return on investment.

The group has publicly committed to updating the existing planning permissions that it holds for Parys Mountain and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been allowed for in the planning submission process. Work has been undertaken throughout the year to progress both the planning application and the EIA.

At the beginning of the financial year in April 2023 a pre-application consultation was held on the Parys Mountain site and in the town of Amlwch with a number of statutory consultees including Natural Resources Wales, Cadw, Anglesey County Council Departments (including Environmental Health, Highways & Transportation, Ecology & Environment and Heritage), Archaeological Planning Services, local councillors and members of both Westminster and Welsh governments.

Throughout the year, baseline surveys and ecological studies have continued, the results from which, taken together with the feedback from all stakeholders, enabled the EIA Scoping Report to be submitted to the North Wales Minerals and Waste Planning Service which assesses mineral planning applications on behalf of the Isle of Anglesey County Council and other county councils within the North Wales region.

The Scoping Report forms part of our first stage in the EIA process and comes after almost 2-years of extensive studies and work by the team on site. Cumulative expenditure on the EIA process in that timeframe is in excess of £300,000. The report sets out all the project’s perceived impacts, specifically identifying any crucial and significant factors which will be assessed as part of the final EIA report, the compilation of which will require further environmental and ecological work.  At this EIA Scoping stage, the project description remains indicative and will be refined following ongoing mining engineering studies, economic analysis and discussions with neighbours, the wider community and other stakeholders.

Preservation of existing heritage areas, sites of special scientific interest (SSSI’s) and scheduled historic monuments and buildings have been a major factor in determining the location of new proposed surface infrastructure and similarly other environmental and social considerations. The EIA Scoping Report considers how measures to avoid, mitigate or compensate would be identified to address the impacts of the project.

Grängesberg

The Grängesberg project is a substantial iron ore asset with an estimate of 82.4Mtpa of Probable Ore Reserves located in a very favourable jurisdiction. During the 1980s the mine, located about 200 kilometres north-west of Stockholm, had produced around 180Mt of iron ore and current plans envisage the production of high-grade ore at or above 70% Fe.  The group holds a direct 49.75% interest in the Grängesberg project, together with management rights.

Labrador

Anglesey Mining has a 11.9% holding in the OTC listed Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited (“LIMH”), which through its 52% owned subsidiaries Labrador Iron Mines Limited (“LIM”) and Schefferville Mines Inc. (“SMI”), is engaged in the exploration and development of iron ore projects in the central part of the Labrador Trough region, one of the major iron ore producing regions in the world, situated in the Menihek area in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and in the Province of Quebec, centred near the town of Schefferville, Quebec.

 

Financial results and position

There are no revenues from the operation of the properties.

The loss before other comprehensive income for the year ended 31 March 2024 after tax was £1,213,279 compared to a loss of £961,288 in the 2023 fiscal year. The administrative and other costs excluding investment income and finance charges were £839,424 compared to £696,545 in the previous year. Higher salaries and corporate advisor charges accounted for a significant part of this increase. Some was due to one-off charges for Grängesberg expenses in respect of prior periods. There were also share based payments charges representing the value of warrants granted to subscribers to the group’s placings and subscriptions during the year, compared to none last year.

The value of the group’s holding in LIM is reported in other comprehensive income and effectively is based on its share price. This year there is a loss of £0.63 million as the share price declined. The outcome for the group is a total comprehensive loss for the year of £1,859,181, compared to a loss of £1,462,670 in the previous year.

During the year there were no additions to fixed assets (2023 – nil) and £679,475 (2023 – £460,118) was capitalised in respect of the Parys Mountain property, as the programme of geological and environmental work as well as drilling continued as described in this Strategic report.

At 31 March 2024 the mineral property exploration and evaluation assets had a carrying value of £16.9 (2023 – £16.2) million. These carrying values are supported by the results of the 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Parys Mountain project.

At the reporting date, as detailed in note 10, the directors considered the carrying value of the Parys Mountain exploration and evaluation assets to determine whether specific facts and circumstances suggest there is any indication of impairment. They carefully considered the positive results of the resource update completed in March 2023, the independent PEA and the plans for moving the project forward. Consequently, the directors concluded that there were no facts and circumstances which materially changed during the year which might trigger an impairment review and that there are no indicators of impairment.

In May and July 2023 £1.5 million was raised by means of investor placings. Directors participated in these placings and warrants were issued to subscribers. Further details are included in the directors’ report and note 20. Subsequent to the year-end, on 28 June 2024 and 25 September 2024, placings of equity were completed raising £415,000 and £220,000 gross. See note 29.

The cash balance at 31 March 2024 was £219,685, compared to £247,134 at 31 March 2023. At 17 September 2024 the group had cash resources of £113,602.

At 31 March 2024 there were 420,093,017 ordinary shares in issue (2023 – 295,220,548), the increase being due to the financing events referred to above. At 17 September 2024 there were 461,593,017 ordinary shares in issue.

 

Outlook

In the current year, we are:

  • Developing strategies to enable investment in the development of Parys Mountain to be, so far as practicable, incremental, thus allowing risks to be mitigated in stages, before considering the options for the next step of development.
  • Progressing the re-permitting of Parys Mountain, the key aspect of which is the assessment of environmental and social impacts. We are developing action plans to avoid, mitigate and where necessary compensate for the adverse impacts of the future mining and processing operations, communicating and setting these out publicly and responding to comments and questions. We are collaborating closely with stakeholders, communities, industry and supply chain participants, particularly around minimising potential environmental impacts and maximising economic development opportunities for local communities.
  • Consolidating and cross-referencing the plethora of data about the geology of Parys Mountain and the mineralisation occurrences within, that has been observed, measured and collected since the 1960s. Re-sampling and re-logging, and in some cases first time sampling, of exploration drill core obtained in pervious drilling campaigns. Re-examining the important work that was done mapping and sampling of the geology exposed in the excavated 280m (below surface) level in the modern underground mine when it was open in 1990.
  • Engaging with a range of potential partners to progress the development of the Grängesberg mine in Sweden which if successful will allow our management more time to focus on Parys Mountain.

 

Development of a new mine at Parys Mountain, producing copper, zinc and lead with gold and silver credits, can deliver economic growth in the UK, regional jobs for the community and business opportunities for local service providers. Importantly, these critical and strategic metals, essential for the decarbonisation of the economy, are primarily imported into the UK currently. This creates a unique and timely opportunity, both for Anglesey Mining and for the UK, to develop a new, modern, mine at Parys Mountain in an environmentally sustainable manner.

 

This report was approved by the board of directors on 27 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

 

Rob Marsden

 

Chief Executive

 

 

 

The full annual report is avalable on the company’s website at www.angleseymining.co.uk

 

CONTACT: For further information, please contact:

Anglesey Mining plc

Rob Marsden, Chief Executive – Tel: +44 (0)7531 475111

Davy

Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker

Brian Garrahy / Daragh O’Reilly – Tel: +353 1 679 6363

WH Ireland

Joint Corporate Broker

Katy Mitchell / Harry Ansell – Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666

LEI: 213800X8BO8EK2B4HQ71


#BRES Blencowe Resources PLC – MoU signed for Graphite Beneficiation in Uganda

Blencowe Resources (LSE: BRES.L) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Singaporean graphite sales and marketing specialist Triessence Limited (“Triessence”) and a leading Asian SPG and Anode material producer (“SPG Partner”). This partnership aims to establish Joint Venture (JV) for a graphite beneficiation facility in Uganda producing 99.95% purified graphite for lithium-ion batteries. This venture will set Blencowe apart from competitors focused solely on producing graphite concentrate and provides a life-of-mine offtake partner near the Orom-Cross Project, offering significant additional commercial advantages.

With this JV, Blencowe’s has strategically aligned with two highly experienced Asian graphite specialists to ensure successful delivery.

Highlights:

·      JV Formation: Blencowe and Triessence will each hold a 50% stake in in the SPG facility, with the SPG Partner providing operational expertise. Blencowe retains 100% ownership of Orom-Cross.

·      Value Addition: Upgrading 96% graphite concentrate to high-value battery ready 99.95% uncoated SPG significantly enhances commercial returns compared to selling concentrate.

·      Risk Mitigation: Partnering with graphite industry experts mitigates operational risk.

·      Capital Investment:  Triessence will fund 50% of capital costs for the SPG facility.

·      SPG Offtake Secured: Triessence will purchase all end product, ensuring consistent revenue and premium pricing for some of the first 99.95% SPG produced ex-China.

·      Non-China Focus: SPG product ultimately to be sold to OEMs outside China via Triessence, providing strong political, commercial and funding advantages.

·      Next steps:  Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the SPG facility will be integrated with Orom-Cross DFS for a comprehensive development strategy.

 

Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce commented:

Blencowe has long recognised the substantial advantages downstream upgrading of graphite in-country can offer and securing experienced partners who have the expertise to help us deliver successful SPG production was essential.  I am delighted to say that this MOU is another significant milestone in enhancing both the value and distinctiveness for our Company.”

“Our JV team will now focus on the SPG facility feasibility study and integrating it with the Orom-Cross DFS, providing a comprehensive solution that adds considerable value.  We anticipate minimal additional costs for this study as we are utilising our partners’ existing vast experience for all costings and design work, and no further bulk sample testing or further resource drilling is needed.”

 

In-Country SPG Strategy

Selling 99.95% uncoated SPG (spheronised purified graphite) unlocks significantly higher returns than small flake 96% concentrate, leveraging the value from additional processing. Providing high-value SPG products into world markets, and particularly products generated outside of China, addresses a significant market gap, especially if China restricts purified graphite exports.

Blencowe’s exclusive sale of Orom-Cross concentrate to the proposed SPG facility ensures a life-of-mine offtake partner, whilst also allowing the Company to benefit by participating in the downstream sale of higher-value 99.95% uncoated SPG products.  As one of the only ex-China producers of uncoated SPG this facility will likely command premium prices from OEMs seeking to diversify their SPG supply chains outside of China.

This downstream SPG strategy focuses only on upgrading the lower value small flake concentrate, which is roughly half of Orom-Cross’s output, while the more valuable large flake concentrate will continue to be sold into traditional graphite markets as concentrate.  Blencowe recently announced its first MOU for sale of 15,000tpa large flake concentrate.

 

SPG Joint Venture

A new Ugandan company will be established for the JV to develop the SPG facility.

A feasibility study for the SPG facility, using Orom-Cross concentrate, will be initiated and will leverage the SPG Partner’s experience for costing and design work, with Blencowe handling in-country requirements.  With the upgrade of substantial Orom-Cross concentrate to uncoated SPG as part of the 600-tonne bulk sample test process, a key part of the technical DFS has already been completed and paid for.  This SPG study will later integrate into the broader Orom-Cross DFS, aligning both projects.  Triessence will finance 50% of construction and handle international SPG sales.  The SPG Partner, a global leader and one of the largest graphite companies in the world currently producing around 100,000tpa of uncoated SPG, will oversee operations under a management contract.

The SPG facility’s proximity to the Orom-Cross mine considerably reduces logistics costs for Blencowe and access to low-cost Ugandan hydropower supports a premium grade green 99.95% SPG product.

Commercial Advantages

By channelling Orom-Cross small flake concentrate into the nearby JV SPG facility Blencowe bypasses pricing pressures that other graphite peers will face selling their concentrate into competitive Asian markets.  This will secure both sales volumes and favourable market pricing for Orom-Cross.

With a 50% stake in the SPG facility, Blencowe will further benefit from selling uncoated 99.95% SPG at a higher ~US$2,000 per tonne compared to ~US$500 per tonne for 96% concentrate. Proximity to the SPG facility will materially lower Orom-Cross current logistics and operating costs, enhancing overall project economics.

This downstream processing strategy, backed by experienced partners, may attract additional funding options from entities who recognise this long-term value opportunity.  The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) remains the preferred funding partner for Orom-Cross and supports this strategy, as does the Ugandan Government.  Both offer valuable backing.

 

For further information please contact:

  Blencowe Resources Plc

 Sam Quinn

 

www.blencoweresourcesplc.com

Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250

info@blencoweresourcesplc.com

Investor Relations

Sasha Sethi

Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441

sasha@flowcomms.com

Tavira Financial

Jonathan Evans

Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733

jonathan.evans@tavira.group

#GRX GreenX Metals LTD – Acquiring Large Scale Copper Project in Germany

GREENX TO ACQUIRE LARGE SCALE SEDIMENT-HOSTED COPPER PROJECT IN CENTRAL GERMANY

GreenX Metals Limited (“GreenX” or “Company”) is pleased to advise that it has entered into an Earn-in Agreement through which GreenX can earn a 90% interest in Group 11 Exploration GmbH, a private German company which holds the Tannenberg exploration licence (“Project”) and is highly prospective for sediment-hosted (Kupferschiefer type) copper deposits.

The Project

·      The Tannenberg exploration licence covers 272 km2 in the State of Hesse in central Germany, encompassing the historical “Richelsdorf” copper – silver mines.

·      Prior to closure in the 1950’s, the Richelsdorf mines produced 416,500 t of copper and 33.7 Moz of silver from Kupferschiefer type deposits. These historic mines consisted of shallow underground workings originally accessed from surface outcrops.

·      The Project also contains multiple drill intercepts over the high priority 14 km-long Richelsdorf Dome target, including:

2.1 m at 2.7% Cu and 48g/t Ag from 365.48 m; 1.5 m at 3.7% Cu and 33 g/t Ag from 209.50 m; 2.5 m at 1.8% Cu and 19 g/t Ag from 339.5 m in the southwest of the license area.

2.0 m at 1.6% Cu and 19 g/t Ag from 268 m in the north-east of the license area.

Figure 1: The Project is located in the industrial centre of Europe.

·      Kupferschiefer style deposits are a well-known and prolific subtype of sediment-hosted copper deposit that:

are the second most prevalent source of copper production and reserves in the world; and

have been historically mined in Germany and are still mined in Poland where KGHM produced 592 kt of electrolytic copper in 2023.

·      Excellent potential for new discoveries of shallow (50 m to 500 m), large scale and high grade Kupferschiefer style copper and silver mineralisation, with much of licence area remaining untested by modern exploration whereby thicker sections of footwall/ hanging wall mineralisation will be targeted.

·      Modern understanding of Kupferschiefer mineralisation from prolific mining in Poland places new emphasis on hanging wall and footwall mineralisation, structural controls and metal zonation.

In Polish Kupferschiefer mines, mineralisation typically forms within the Kupferschiefer shale and in strata up to 60 m below and 30 m above the shale. E.g., KGHM’s Rudna Mine in Poland, where footwall sandstone hosts 80% of the total copper resource, hanging wall limestone hosts 15%, and Kupferschiefer shale hosts only 5%.

GERMANY & EU MINING INDUSTRY

·      Germany has been a significant mining jurisdiction in the past and continues its mining tradition, including:

The K+S potash mines which operate 4 km away from the license area and are located in the State of Hesse.

Anglo American are actively exploring the Löwenstern and Leine-Kupfer copper projects nearby. Löwenstern is 25 km away to the south in the German state of Thüringia, where drilling targeting the Kupferschiefer commenced in 2023. Leine-Kupfer was granted in January 2024 and is 60 km away to the north in the state of Lower Saxony.

AMG Graphite operates a graphite mining and processing complex at Kropfmühl near Passau, Bavaria

Vulcan Energy is successfully permitting lithium brine and geothermal power projects in the German states of Rheinland-Pfalz, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.

·      Copper is a designated a Strategic Raw Material (“SRM”) under the EU’s Critical Raw Material Act, that entered into force on 23 May 2024. The CRMA signals the EU’s political commitment to strengthen EU supply of SRM’s (including copper) by giving the European Commission the power to designate Strategic Projects that will benefit from easier access to financing, expedited permitting processes and matchmaking with off-takers.

·      The manufacturing sector, including the automotive, mechanical engineering, chemical and electrical industries, accounts for over 25% of Germany’s economic output, and 18% of GDP; these figures are significantly higher than in most other advanced economies

The manufacturing sector provides 16% of national employment, some 8 million jobs, with mechanical engineering being the largest segment and dominated by SMEs.

The automotive sector is a key industry and with around four million automobiles produced in 2023. Electric Vehicles are being adopted in Germany with numerous OEM’s investing in new production facilities and supply chains, such as Volkswagen’s Battery and Electric Drive production facilities and Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory.

Many of these industries are reliant on critical raw materials such as copper.

·      German government recently announced creation of a EUR 1.1 billion (A$1.8 billion) investment fund to fortify Germany’s access to SRM’s (including copper) essential for high-tech and green projects. The fund will be managed by the state-owned KfW Development Bank.

GreenX Metals’ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ben Stoikovich, commented:

“We are very excited to be adding the Tannenberg project to our exploration portfolio. Kupferschiefer style deposits are widely acknowledged as the most prolific source of modern-day copper production, with copper mining from the Polish Kupferschiefer deposits (KGHM) presently being Europe’s largest domestic source of strategic copper supply. We believe that Tanneberg has the potential to host large scale and high-grade copper deposits located in the heartland of German industry in the vicinity of major OEM’s such as Volkswagen’s Battery and Electric Drive production facilities and Tesla’s Berlin Gigafactory.

Copper is officially recognised by the EU as a strategic raw material for European industry and ongoing decarbonisation in Europe. This acquisition comes at a time when the German government and the EU have recently announced major policy initiatives to enhance security of supply of strategic raw materials such as copper by facilitating expedited permitting processes and access to project development funding. Germany, and in particular the State of Hesse, has a well-established mining industry with practical and efficient mine permitting processes. Furthermore, we anticipate increased political support for new copper projects in accordance with Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action critical raw materials policies and the EU’s newly introduced Critical Raw Material Act.

Tannenberg is complementary to our Arctic Rift Copper project in Greenland and provides GreenX shareholders with enhanced exposure to strategic raw materials that are now a policy priority in both Germany and the wider EU. We are looking forward to updating shareholders over the coming months as we commence our exploration activities in Germany.”

Classification:   2.2 Inside Information

2.5 Total number of voting rights and capital

ENQUIRIES

Ben Stoikovich
Chief Executive Officer

+44 207 478 3900

 

Sapan Ghai
Business Development

+44 207 478 3900

 

SUMMARY OF TERMS

GreenX has entered into an Earn-in Agreement (“Agreement”) through which GreenX can earn a 90% interest in Group 11 Exploration GmbH (“Group 11”). Key terms of the Agreement are as follows:

·      GreenX to issue the vendor 500,000 fully paid ordinary shares (“Shares”) upfront.

·      GreenX will fund a Work Program up to EUR 500,000 by 31 December 2025 (“Minimum Commitment”). The Work Program will be sufficient to satisfy requirements for the grant of an extension of the exploration license.

·      Once the Minimum Commitment has been discharged, GreenX can elect to acquire 90% of the fully diluted share capital of Group 11 on or before 31 December 2025 in return for:

GreenX paying A$3,000,000 to the vendor in Shares (based on the higher of the 10-day VWAP or A$0.30 per Share).

The vendors’ 10% interest in Group 11 will then be free carried until completion of a feasibility study by Group 11 or GreenX.

The Agreement also includes usual drag along and tag along rights, and an Area of Influence provision.

Once GreenX has earned its 90% interest, the vendor may elect to exchange their remaining 10% interest in return for a 0.5% Net Smelter Royalty.

·      If a Scoping Study is published by GreenX on the ASX regarding the license area or any area within the Area of Influence within 5 years of execution of the Agreement, GreenX will issue the vendor 5 million Shares on the completion of the first such Scoping Study.

·      GreenX will act as the project manager.

Project Geology

Historical drilling and mine workings confirm the widespread presence of the crucial Kupferschiefer sequence within the Tannenberg licence (Figure 2). The sedimentary sequence forms a broad dome that outcrops near the centre of the licence area and extends down to approximately 500 m at the periphery (Figure 3). Regional and small-scale faults cut the licence area with the dominant orientation trending northwest-southeast, perpendicular to the Variscan Orogen. Zones of copper enrichment within the licence area correspond to fault intersections. Structure is a key targeting consideration at the Project.

Figure 2: The Kupferschiefer is gently folded to form the Richelsdorf Dome that extends from surface down to 500 m depth within the licence area. Historical mining around Richelsdorf exploited mineralisation near the surface. Historical drilling intercepted mineralised Kupferschiefer down to 436 m. Much of the Kupferschiefer between 50 to 500 m remains untested.

 

Figure 3: Interpreted cross-section through Tannenberg exploration licence with simplified stratigraphy. The historical Richelsdorf District is located at the apex of a large-scale anticline, the Richelsdorf Dome. The approximate extent of historical mining is shown. The cross-section passes between drill holes Ro23 and Ro45.

 

In the south of the licence area near the town of Ronshausen, drill holes intersected mineralised Kupferschiefer sequence at depths ranging from 211 to 368 m below the surface (e.g., Ro18 and Ro23). Near the town of Nentershausen in the north, an isolated drill hole intersected 2 m at 1.6% Cu (Ro45).

Table 1: Selected Drill Holes.

Locality

Hole ID

Intersect (m)

Cu (%)

From

To

Interval

Ronshausen

Ro23

365.48

367.58

2.10

2.7

Ro18

209.50

211.00

1.50

3.7

Ro19

339.50

342.00

2.50

1.7

Ro15

285.86

289.31

3.45

1.0

Nentershausen

Ro45

268.00

269.63

2.00

1.6

 

Historical exploration and sampling might have been too focussed on the Kupferschiefer shale horizon. For example, in Ro45, the isolated drill hit near Nentershausen, the last sample from the footwall assayed at 1% Cu (Figure 4). In bothRo45 and Ro23 shown in Figure 4, the historical sampling only covers one mineralised interval. Drilling at the Rudna Mining in Poland shows that copper mineralisation can occur in multiple intervals, above and below the Kupferschiefer shale. 

Figure 4: Selected historical drill results from the Richelsdorf Dome target with comparison to drilling at the Rudna Mine, Poland. Sample coverage did not typically extend much above or below the shale unit. 

 

Kupferschiefer copper deposits feature a distinct metal zonation pattern. The zonation transitions from iron, to copper, lead then zinc (Figure 5). Adjacent to every known copper deposit is the iron rich zone known as “Rote Fäule”, or “red rot” in English. Within the Tannenberg licence, a distinct zone of red rot has been identified in the south near Ronshausen. As well as the copper, historical drill core was also assayed for lead and zinc. This data will allow the Company to identify important metal zonations in the Project area.   

A diagram of a red and blue color scheme Description automatically generated

Figure 5: Metal zonation pattern associated with Kupferschiefer type copper deposits. The zonation cuts across stratigraphy and progresses from iron to copper, lead, then zinc. Note: hem = hematite, cc = chalcocite, bo = bornite, cpy = chalcopyrite, ga = galena, sph = sphalerite, py = pyrite. Modified from Borg, 2017.

 

GreenX’s exploration hypothesis for the Project is that historical exploration was mainly based on an outdated deposit model that focussed on the 30-60 cm-thick Kupferschiefer shale horizon. Modern understanding of the Kupferschiefer deposit model now shows that up to 95% of mineable copper can be hosted in the footwall sandstone and hanging wall limestone.

Project History

Pre-industrial mining in central Germany dates back to the 12th Century. Copper was exploited from the Kupferschiefer in the Mansfield, Sangerhausen, and Richelsdorf mining districts. Most of the historical copper mining in central Germany was prior to the Industrial Revolution and well-before mechanised mining technology was widely available. Once surface accessible deposits were depleted, adits and shallow shafts were used to access deeper underground Kupferschiefer copper ores (Figure 6).

In the Richelsdorf district, historical production is estimated at 416,500 t of copper and 1,050 t (33.7 Moz) of silver. Production commenced in the 13th Century and ceased in 1955.

The Project area remains ostensibly undeveloped, comprised predominantly of small-holding farmland and woodland, since it was located in the Cold-War border zone between West and East Germany. During the Cold War (1947-1991), the Richelsdorf district sat within the strategically-important Fulda Gap. The Fulda Gap hosts two lowland corridors through which NATO military planners believed the Soviet Union could launch a land attack. The US military observation post “Romeo” was active at the Hesse-Thuringia border in the vicinity of the Project area during the Cold War and was only disbanded in 1991.

Between 1980 and 1987, St Joes Exploration GmbH (“St Joes Exploration”) were active in the region. St Joes Exploration’s drilling campaigns identified Kupferschiefer mineralisation near the towns of Ronshausen and Nentershausen (Appendix 1, Table 2).  

The major mining activity in Hesse is potash mining operated by K+S Group, an international fertiliser company with production sites in Europe and North America. The major potash mining complex “Werra” has been operating for over 100 years and produces some 19 Mtpa of crude salt from underground workings between 700 – 1000m depth. K+S Group’s Werra plant is recognised as an important pillar for the economic and demographic development of the region.

In 2021, Anglo American’s ‘Kupfer Copper Germany GmbH’ (“Anglo”) began exploration activities in Thuringia, 25 km from the Tannenberg licence. There, historical drilling intercepted 0.5 m at 1.4% Cu from 761.9 m. Anglo initiated seismic, gravity, and magnetic surveys in 2021 and exploratory drilling in 2023.

 

Figure 6: Left: Underground extraction of the Kupferschiefer shale at the Wolfsberg mine in 1954. Miners laid on their sides to excavate the ore-bearing material. Right: Schematic of pre-industrial underground mining in Germany.

Modified from Zientek et al., 2015.

 

EU CrITICAl RAW MATERIAL ACT

On 23 May 2024, the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”), published as Regulation (EU) 2024/1252, entered into force following its adoption by the Council of the EU and European Parliament. The main objective of the CRMA is to maintain and establish a secure and sustainable supply of Critical Raw Materials to the EU. The CRMA lists Strategic Raw Materials (SRM’s), which are those most crucial for strategic technologies used for the green, digital, defence and aerospace applications. Copper is a designated a Strategic Raw Material (SRM’s) under the act

The CRMA sets benchmarks for domestic capacities along the strategic raw material supply chain and for diversifying EU supply by 2030:

·      EU extraction capacity of at least 10% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials;

·      EU processing capacity of at least 40% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials;

·      EU recycling capacity of at least 25% of the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials; and

·      Not more than 65% of the Union’s annual consumption of each strategic raw material relies on a single third country for any relevant stage of the value chain.

The CRMA further demonstrates the EU’s political commitment to strengthening supply of SRM’s (including copper) by giving the European Commission the power to designate Strategic Projects that will benefit from easier access to financing, expedited permitting processes and matchmaking with off-takers.

In terms of permitting processes, under the CRMA EU Member States will be required to give priority to Strategic Projects in their administrative processes. The Act sets clear timelines for decisions to be taken on permitting applications linked to Strategic Projects. i.e., for Strategic Projects, the total duration of the permit granting process should not exceed 27 months for extraction projects or 15 months for processing and recycling projects.

To help companies through permitting, Member States are also required to designate single points of contact for critical raw materials projects. The single point of contact will provide guidance to project promoters on administrative issues and will serve as the sole contact point throughout the permit granting process.

Exploration Targeting Model

The Project is prospective for Kupferschiefer style copper-silver mineralisation. Kupferschiefer is a subtype of the sediment-hosted copper deposit model. Mineralisation typically forms around the Kupferschiefer shale, but is known to occur up to 60 m below and 30 m above the shale in Poland (Figure 7). In KGHM’s Rudna Mine in Poland, footwall sandstone hosts 80% of the total resource, hanging wall limestone hosts 15%, and Kupferschiefer shale hosts only 5%. Modern insights from mining the Kupferschiefer in Poland will be applied to our exploration strategy in Germany.

A diagram of copper mines Description automatically generated

Figure 7: Comparison of current-day Kupferschiefer mining in Poland with historical mining in Germany.

Note: Modified from Zientek et al., 2015.

 

Historical mining and exploration in Germany mainly focussed on the Kupferschiefer shale unit (Figure 6 & 7). The Company’s exploration hypothesis is that as in Poland, significant footwall and hanging wall accumulations of Kupferschiefer copper are potentially present at the Project.

The historical thinking about Kupferschiefer deposits in Germany was that mineralisation was syngenetic with the sediments. Meaning that the copper was deposited at the same time as the shale. Accordingly, historical mining and exploration was highly focussed on the shale. Modern mining and research challenges the historical deposit model. In Poland, copper is being mined up to 60 m below and 30 m above the Kupferschiefer shale.

The modern understanding of Kupferschiefer mineralisation recognises epigenetic deposition. This means that the copper mineralisation came after the sediments were deposited (Figure 8). Modern Kupferschiefer mining recognises the importance of structures, metal zonation patterns, and footwall and hanging wall host rocks.

A diagram of a soil layer Description automatically generated

Figure 8: Deposit model of Kupferschiefer mineralisation and alteration. Note: Compared to pre-industrial times, copper mineralisation is now known to extend from the hanging wall limestone, through the Kupferschiefer shale, and well into the footwall sandstone. Source: Zientek et al., 2015.

Regional Geological Setting

The Project is hosted in the Southern Permian Basin (“SPB”) of Europe. The SPB is an intracontinental basin that developed on the northern foreland of the Variscan Orogen. Two Groups make up the SPB, the Rotliegend and the Zechstein (Figure 9). The Lower Rotliegend Group marks the boundary between the Permian and Carboniferous and is comprised of bi-modal volcanics with interbedded sedimentary rocks. After a 20- to 30-million-year-long- hiatus, the Upper Rotliegend Group was deposited towards the end of the Permian. The Upper Rotliegend Group strata transitions from terrestrial to a shallow marine environment.

The Zechstein Group formed in the late Permian when the Barents Sea flooded the continental SPB. The organic-rich reduced Kupferschiefer shale marks the base of the Zechstein Group. “Kupferschiefer” is German for “Copper Shale” and is also called “T1” by geologists. The shale is typically 30-60 cm thick but can also be missing from the stratigraphy.

Very high-grade copper mineralisation is generally associated with the Kupferschiefer shale unit. However, minable copper mineralisation also occurs in the footwall sandstone and hanging wall limestone units in Poland. Mineralisation can also be offset from the shale by up to 30 m above and 60 m below. Pre-industrial mining in Germany focussed on the high-grade but thin shale. Modern mining in Poland extracts copper from the footwall sandstone, shale, and hanging wall limestone. Mining intervals at the Rudna mine is 3 m on average but reach over 12 m in places.

A diagram of a geological structure Description automatically generated

Figure 9: Generalised Kupferschiefer stratigraphic sequence from Germany and Poland. Mineralisation can extend below and above the T1 shale. Source: Borg, 2017.

 

In Poland, copper deposits are hosted in the Fore-Sudetic Monocline, a sub-basin of the SPB. KGHM’s current mining operations take place over multiple adjacent deposits at depths ranging from 844 m to 1,385 m below ground. In 2023, KGHM’s Polish operations produced 592 kt of electrolytic copper and 1,403 t of silver (45.8 Moz).

Upcoming Work Programs

Future work programs at the Project will aid drill targeting. Initially, an in-country search for additional historical drilling and mining records will be undertaken. Geophysical methods such as seismic and magnetic surveys will be evaluated for their effectiveness in delineating subsurface structures at the high-priority Richelsdorf Dome target. Historical drill assays will be used to identify metal zonation patterns useful for exploration targeting. The area of primary interest covers 14 km-long stretch of the Richelsdorf Dome where Kupferschiefer strata outcrop at surface in the centre and extend down to approximately 500 m at the periphery.

A European based technical team will be assembled to manage exploration activities at the Project.

Risk Factors

Whilst GreenX has undertaken a due diligence process (including title and other risks) with respect to the Project, it should be noted that the usual risks associated with companies undertaking exploration and development activities of projects in Germany will remain at completion of the acquisition.

A number of additional risk factors specific to the Project and associated activities have also been identified, including, but not limited to:

(a)        The Project is located in Germany, and as such, the operations of the Company will be exposed to related risks and uncertainties associated with the country, regional and local jurisdictions. Opposition to the Project, or changes in local community support for the Project, along with any changes in mining or investment policies or in political attitude in Germany and, in particular to the mining, processing or use of copper, may adversely affect the operations, delay or impact the approval process or conditions imposed, increase exploration and development costs, or reduce profitability of the Company.

(b)        The Company’s exploration and any future mining activities are dependent upon the grant, maintenance and/or renewal from time to time of the appropriate title interests, licences, concessions, leases, claims, permits and regulatory consents which may be withdrawn or made subject to new limitations. Maintaining title interests or obtaining renewals of or getting the grant of title interests often depends on the Company being successful in obtaining and maintaining required statutory approvals for its proposed activities (including a licence for mining operations) and that the title interests, licences, concessions leases, claims, permits or regulatory consents it holds will be maintained and when required renewed.

There is no assurance that such title interests, licences, concessions, leases, claims, permits or regulatory consents will be granted, or even if granted, not be revoked, significantly altered or granted on terms or with conditions not acceptable to the Company, or not renewed to the detriment of the Company or that the renewals thereof will be successful.

Shareholders should note that some of the risks may be mitigated by the use of appropriate safeguards and systems, whilst others are outside the control of the Company and cannot be mitigated. Should any of the risks eventuate, then it may have a material adverse impact on the financial performance of the Project, the Company and the value of the Company’s securities.

TENEMENT INFORMATION

Table 2: Tenement information.

Licence Name

Commodities

Area (km2)

Issue Date

Expiry Date

Tannenberg

 

1copper, silver

2antimony, arsenic, lead, gallium, germanium, gold, indium, cadmium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, selenium, thallium, vanadium, bismuth, and zinc

271.92

07.06.2022

07.06.2025

Notes

1 Target commodities

2 Commodities included in the licence

 

ISSUE OF SHARES

GreenX Metals Limited has today issued 600,000 Shares in relation to the Agreement.

An application will be made for admission of the Shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the FCA (Official List) and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange for listed securities (LSE Admission). LSE Admission is expected to take place on or before 9 August 2024.

 

For the purposes of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTRs), following LSE Admission, the Company’s issued ordinary share capital will be 279,501,032 ordinary shares. The above figure of 279,501,032 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they can determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company following LSE Admission

 

Following the issue of Shares, GreenX has the following securities on issue:

·      279,501,032 ordinary fully paid shares;

·      4,775,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.45 each on or before 30 November 2025;

·      5,525,000 unlisted options exercisable at A$0.55 each on or before 30 November 2026; and

·      11,000,000 performance rights that have an expiry date 8 October 2026.

 

-ENDS-

Competent Persons Statement

Information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results is based on information compiled by Mr Thomas Woolrych, a Competent Person who is a Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Woolrych is a Director Group 11 Exploration GmbH and will hold an indirect interest in GreenX shares and deferred consideration for the Project. Mr Woolrych has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Woolrych consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Forward Looking Statements

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 GreenX’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of GreenX, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. GreenX makes no undertaking to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this release, to reflect the circumstances or events after the date of that release.

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

1 Production numbers sourced from Zientek et al., 2015, Table 4.

Appendix 1: Exploration Results and JORC Tables

Table 1: Historical drill hole information

Hole ID

Easting

Northing

Elevation

(m MSL)

Dip (°)

Depth (m)

Assay available

Bebra-1

4346428

5649690

n/a

90

n/a

No

C/77-B10

4353728

5660165

235

90

68.2

No

Cornberg

4349990

5658105

302

90

151.6

No

Iba-1

4349160

5650548

n/a

90

n/a

No

Iba-3

4349120

5649684

n/a

90

n/a

No

Iba-4

4348366

5649523

n/a

90

n/a

No

KB1

4356129

5659867

288.83

90

15

No

Nesselroeden-1

4368324

5655767

252

90

193.7

No

Obergude

4339370

5662062

308.88

90

200.2

Yes

Ro1

4349714

5649065

n/a

90

n/a

No

Ro3

4348224

5648740

n/a

90

n/a

No

Ro6

4348997

5648337

n/a

90

n/a

No

Ro8

4348234

5648558

n/a

90

n/a

No

Ro10

4347033

5647996

n/a

90

n/a

No

Ro15

4348595

5647200

255

90

351

Yes

Ro18

4348389

5647549

235

90

227

Yes

Ro19

4349107

5647350

280

90

360.5

Yes

Ro21

4348105

5647941

203

90

211

Yes

Ro23

4347684

5647433

300

90

380

Yes

Ro26

4347272

5647775

270

90

400

Yes

Ro27

4346047

5649652

215

90

432

Yes

Ro30

4347604

5647936

240

90

292.3

Yes

Ro31

4346844

5651396

217

90

159.2

Yes

Ro33

4347521

5648340

205

90

251.9

Yes

Ro34

4347363

5651850

220

90

244.75

Yes

Ro36

4347359

5650524

310

90

320.45

Yes

Ro39

4358152

5656842

200

90

197.2

Yes

Ro41

4346982

5647411

250

90

426.2

Yes

Ro42

4348170

5647070

249

90

307

Yes

Ro45

4356946

5656716

407

90

289

Yes

Ro46

4358278

5658088

200

90

228

No

Note: Coordinates are DHDN / 3-degree Gauss-Kruger zone 4.

Table 2: Historical drill hole assays

Hole

ID

Intersect (m)

Cu

(%)

Ag

(ppm)

From

To

Interval

Ro15

285.857

286.018

0.161

0.532

10

Ro15

286.018

286.068

0.05

0.846

15

Ro15

286.068

286.243

0.175

0.72

13

Ro15

286.243

286.288

0.045

0.919

16

Ro15

286.288

286.388

0.1

0.638

12

Ro15

286.388

286.438

0.05

0.681

13

Ro15

286.438

286.532

0.094

0.59

12

Ro15

286.532

286.619

0.087

0.562

11

Ro15

286.619

286.695

0.076

0.64

12

Ro15

286.695

286.812

0.117

0.707

13

Ro15

286.812

286.942

0.13

0.811

13

Ro15

286.942

287.043

0.101

0.737

11

Ro15

287.043

287.17

0.127

1.6

21

Ro15

287.17

287.272

0.102

1.437

19

Ro15

287.272

287.372

0.1

0.835

13

Ro15

287.372

287.463

0.091

0.499

11

Ro15

288.021

288.093

0.072

0.313

4

Ro15

288.151

288.206

0.055

0.441

5

Ro15

288.206

288.261

0.055

0.651

5

Ro15

288.261

288.281

0.02

0.506

5

Ro15

288.281

288.323

0.042

0.642

6

Ro15

288.323

288.388

0.065

1.573

12

Ro15

288.388

288.472

0.084

4.708

28

Ro15

288.472

288.51

0.038

3.837

24

Ro15

288.559

288.588

0.029

8.823

57

Ro15

288.588

288.623

0.035

4.774

30

Ro15

288.623

288.651

0.028

4.382

32

Ro15

288.651

288.721

0.07

3.554

98

Ro15

288.721

288.763

0.042

3.511

32

Ro15

288.763

288.793

0.03

2.814

28

Ro15

288.793

288.823

0.03

1.573

11

Ro15

288.823

288.865

0.042

2.313

17

Ro15

288.865

288.883

0.018

0.567

7

Ro15

288.883

288.901

0.018

0.469

7

Ro15

288.901

288.972

0.071

0.645

10

Ro15

288.972

289.004

0.032

0.617

8

Ro15

289.004

289.057

0.053

0.641

9

Ro15

289.057

289.117

0.06

0.523

9

Ro15

289.117

289.129

0.012

0.349

0

Ro15

289.151

289.159

0.008

1.033

18

Ro15

289.159

289.169

0.01

0.641

14

Ro15

289.169

289.179

0.01

0.477

15

Ro15

289.179

289.235

0.056

0.817

10

Ro15

289.235

289.257

0.022

0.312

4

Ro15

289.257

289.312

0.055

0.321

4

Ro18

209.5

210

0.5

0.9

20

Ro18

210

210.25

0.25

7.2

70

Ro18

210.25

210.53

0.28

8.6

50

Ro18

210.53

210.76

0.23

3.3

35

Ro18

210.76

211

0.24

0.3

-2

Ro19

339.5

339.71

0.21

7.6

80

Ro19

339.71

340

0.29

2.5

30

Ro19

340

340.5

0.5

1.5

15

Ro19

340.5

341

0.5

1

10

Ro19

341

341.5

0.5

1.3

10

Ro19

341.5

342

0.5

0.43

10

Ro21

199

199.18

0.18

0.94

10

Ro21

199.18

199.4

0.22

0.49

6

Ro23

365.48

366

0.52

2

21

Ro23

366

366.45

0.45

0.88

17

Ro23

366.45

367

0.55

3.2

78

Ro23

367

367.49

0.49

5

80

Ro23

367.49

367.58

0.09

0.97

12

Ro26

388.3

388.48

0.18

2.1

Ro26

388.48

388.72

0.24

0.88

Ro26

388.72

389

0.28

0.74

Ro33

242.5

243.1

0.6

1.2

35

Ro33

243.1

243.5

0.4

0.31

10

Ro34

196.75

197

0.25

0.45

10

Ro41

414.35

414.85

0.5

0.45

10

Ro45

268

268.5

0.5

0.35

2

Ro45

268.5

269

0.5

2.3

25

Ro45

269

269.28

0.28

4.8

75

Ro45

269.28

269.63

0.35

0.59

3

Ro45

269.63

270

0.37

1

5

Note: Only assay results equal to or greater than 0.3% copper are reported.

 

JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1 Report

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

(Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections.)

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Sampling techniques

Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Due to the historic nature of the drilling results reported herein, it is not possible to comment on the quality of the sampling used to produce the results described. It is known from historic reports that the drill core was sawn. Sampling of ¼ core was conducted during multiple exploration phases between 1980 and 1987 within the licence area by St Joes Exploration GmbH (“St Joes Exploration”). The information shown here was collated from scans of hard copy reports from that era and a State Survey Database. Assays, geological logging and gamma ray logs were conducted by St Joes Exploration.

 

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

No QAQC was reported.

 

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report. In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.

Work was not conducted to modern industry standards.

Drilling techniques

Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc).

St Joes Exploration

·          10 cm drill cores were collected, further specifications are not known.

State Survey Database

·          Unknown drilling techniques.

Drill sample recovery

Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

 

Due to the historic nature of the drilling results reported herein, it is not possible to comment on the recoveries achieved at the time.

 

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Not reported.

 

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.

Not reported.

Logging

Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Information available is not appropriate for a Mineral Resource estimate.

 

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

Available logs are qualitative only.

 

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.

The entire hole was logged, the target zone is typically 2 m thick.

Sub-sampling techniques

If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

A reference to ¼ core is reported by St Joes Exploration however this is not specific to every hole/phase.

and sample preparation

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

N/A

 

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

N/A

 

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

N/A

 

 

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

N/A

 

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.

N/A

Quality of assay data and laboratory tests

The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

A St Joes Exploration reference reports that geochemical analysis was carried out by Robertson Research Ltd, Wales, however it is not specified if this was for each hole/phase.

 

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

N/A

 

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established.

N/A

Verification of sampling and assaying

The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

 

No verification carried out.

 

The use of twinned holes.

No twinned holes.

 

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Limited data is available via hard copy reports. Data was digitised by Group 11 Exploration and merged with State/Federal databases.

 

Discuss any adjustment to assay data.

N/A

Location of data points

Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Location accuracy is unknown. The location of holes drilled by St Joes Exploration comes from collar tables in historical reports.  All other collar locations come from State/Federal databases.

 

Specification of the grid system used.

Latitude and Longitude in degree, minutes and seconds were provided by St Joes Exploration. All drill collar coordinates are reported here in the DHDN / 3-degree Gauss-Kruger zone 4 grid system.

 

Quality and adequacy of topographic control.

N/A

Data spacing and distribution

Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Drillholes within the Ronshausen mineralised area are spaced between 400 – 700m. Outside of this area the drilling is sparce.

 

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Not sufficient for the establishment of a JORC compliant resource.

 

Whether sample compositing has been applied.

N/A

Orientation of data in relation to geological structure

Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

The target Kupferschiefer layer is flat to slightly dipping, vertical drilling therefore intercepts at right angles and is appropriate.

 

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.

No sampling bias.

Sample security

The measures taken to ensure sample security.

N/A

Audits or reviews

The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.

N/A

 

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

(Criteria in the preceding section also apply to this section.)

Criteria

JORC Code explanation

Commentary

Mineral tenement and land tenure status

Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The “Tannenberg” exploration licence is held 100% by Group 11 Exploration GmbH. The licence was granted on the 7th of June 2022 and is valid for 3 years. The licence is free from overriding royalties and native titles interests. There are historical mine workings within the licence area, but no known historical sites of cultural significance outside of mining.

Within and surrounding the licence area, there are environmental protections zones with differing levels of protections. There are small areas identified as Natura 2000 Fauna Flora Habitat Areas and Bird Sanctuaries. Other environmental protection designated areas include Nature Reserves, National Natural Monuments, Landscape Protection Area, and Natural Parks. Based on due diligence and discussions with various stakeholders and consultants, the presence of environmental protection areas does not preclude exploration or eventual mining if conducted in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.

The landform across the license area comprises mostly of farmland, forested areas, and small towns and villages.

 

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area.

The licence is in good standing.

Exploration done by other parties

Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.

Exploration was carried out by St Joes Exploration (in JV with the Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd later BHP-Utah) between 1980 and 1987. Two projects were undertaken. The Richelsdorf project within the licence area as well as the Spessart-Rhoen project 85 km to the south. Hole IDs starting with ‘Ro’ were drilled by St Joes Exploration.

All other drill holes come from State Survey databases with unknown history.

Historical mining took place within the licence area. Mining activities ceased in the 1950’s. Comprehensive records of all mine workings are not available to the Company (and may not exist).

Geology

Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.

Mineralisation is of the classic Kupferschiefer type (copper slate) within the Permian Zechstein Basin of Germany and Poland.

The Zechstein Basin is hosted within the Southern Permian Basin (“SPB”) of Europe. The SPB is an intracontinental basin that developed on the northern foreland of the Variscan Orogen.

Very high-grade copper mineralisation is generally associated with the Kupferschiefer shale unit. However, minable copper mineralisation also occurs in the footwall sandstone and hanging wall limestone units in Poland. Mineralisation can be offset from the shale by up to 30 m above and 60 m below.

Drill hole Information

A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:

easting and northing of the drill hole collar

elevation or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar

dip and azimuth of the hole

down hole length and interception depth

hole length.

Appendix 1 contains all relevant drillhole information.

 

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case.

All available drill collars are provided. The availability of historical assay results are listed in Appendix 1 Table 1.  Assay results less than 0.3% Cu are not reported.

Data aggregation methods

In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

N/A

 

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

N/A

 

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated.

N/A

Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths

These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results. If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

Drilling is perpendicular to mineralisation. Detailed sampling was done to lithological contacts on a range of scales from 1-50cm.

 

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg ‘down hole length, true width not known’).

Intercepts are true width.

Diagrams

Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.

Appropriate diagrams, including a maps, cross sections, and tables are included in the main body of this announcement.

Balanced reporting

Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.

All available results are reported. Only assays above or equal to 0.4% Cu are reported for practical reasons.

Other substantive exploration data

Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances.

All substantive results are reported. Geological logs and downhole gamma logs are not reported here.

Further work

The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Infill and step out drilling required to assess the full potential of mineralisation near Ronshausen is planned. The search for additional archive material and historical records will continue. Desktop analysis and drill targeting will be conducted in consultation with subject-matter experts. Geophysical methods (such as seismic, magnetic, electrical, and gravity) will be evaluated and used if deemed appropriate for the project.

 

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive.

These diagrams are included in the main body of this release.

 

#BRES Blencowe Resources PLC – DFC Grant Completed

Orom-Cross is the first pre-production graphite project to achieve support from the Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”), a USA government backed finance provider

DFC to co-fund the Definitive Feasibility Study (“DFS”) and also be lead partner for the project financing of the Orom-Cross into production

Highlights:

  • Ground-breaking technical assistance agreement signed with tier one financial institution to provide Blencowe with significant funding for DFS programme.
  • US$5 million to be input by the DFC as a grant, with a 20% upfront contribution (US$1 million) to be paid immediately.
  • Further DFC payments will be made upon as-agreed feasibility study milestones being achieved.
  • DFC is the United States of America’s (“US”) leading development finance institution that partners with the private sector to provide finance solutions for project development in markets deemed as critical to US interests.
  • DFC is geared to provide funding assistance for Orom-Cross as part of the US Government’s strategic drive to secure a reliable supply chain of critical minerals and metals, within its wider US$1 trillion Biden-renewables strategy.
  • As part of the US$5 million Technical Assistance Grant (“TAG”) the DFC has a right of first refusal on commercial terms to arrange project financing for the Orom-Cross project, which may deliver Blencowe with a potential full funded solution to bring Orom-Cross into production with support from the tier 1 major financial institution.
  • The DFC partnership opens up the potential for Blencowe to consider a larger scale project with potentially far greater returns within the DFS. This will have material ramifications on overall Orom-Cross project value ahead.

 

Blencowe Resources Plc (“Blencowe” or the “Company”) (LSE: BRES) is pleased to announce it has signed a US$5 million agreement with the DFC in order to provide substantial funding for the Orom Cross DFS programme, via a Technical Assistance Grant.  The DFC is a proxy for the US Government which funds the organisation and ultimately sets its vision, parameters and funding distribution.

Cameron Pearce, Executive Chairman commented;

“This funding relationship with the DFC is a unique and game-changing event for Blencowe. To the best of our knowledge there has been no other graphite project worldwide that has received a similar type grant to date from the DFC.  We appreciate and we value this support and we will do everything we can to build their trust within this relationship, to ensure we deliver a high quality project together.

 

We believe that that having DFC as our strategic project partner substantially de-risks Orom-Cross and provides us with the means to deliver a world class project from here.  Blencowe presented an excellent US$482 million NPV for Orom-Cross within the Pre-Feasibility Study last year but we are now optimistic that we can deliver an even greater value NPV within the Definitive Feasibility Study as we can expand the project horizons. 

 

With the support of the DFC, we can address one of the major challenges and risks to any mining being the clear pathway to fund the project into production. We now have the opportunity to build the Orom-Cross project into a world class project with the comfort of a world class strategic partner.

 

Graphite demand is rising fast and will continue to do so.  It is one of the under-rated but key components of the lithium-ion battery and it is irreplaceable in this regard.  As such any future anticipated surge in demand for these batteries, not just for electric vehicles but for energy storage in all other renewable capacities, will continue to accelerate demand for graphite.  We now have the means to deliver one of the leading graphite projects in the world and a highly incentivised tier one strategic partner with whom we will work with to do that.”

 

DFC Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

This is an innovative funding mechanism for the DFC to become involved at an early stage with key projects that they consider to be within their direct scope and strategy.  As Orom-Cross contains an estimated 2-3 billion tonnes of graphite and is one of the largest, high quality deposits worldwide it has considerable long term appeal to the DFC.  Graphite remains high on the US Government critical metals and minerals list, hence this relationship with Blencowe opens a potential supply chain for high value end-product over a very long life of mine.

DFC has been working closely with Blencowe through this TAG process and both the Company and the Orom-Cross project have been subjected to all necessary due diligence in order to progress DFC interest into this monetised initial funding solution.  Both parties see considerable long term value in their association with one another and Blencowe is confident this relationship will assist to provide a larger project funding solution ahead.  One of the key terms within the TAG Agreement is for DFC to be mandated to provide financing for the full Orom-Cross project on commercial terms.

Prospective new graphite producers need to think outside the box to find innovative funding solutions in order to deliver their projects and the DFC relationship provides this for Orom-Cross.  Not only does the US$5 million grant cover a significant portion of the DFS costs, which materially reduces the dilutionary impact to Blencowe of funding the full DFS itself, but it also provides a highly motivated full mine implementation funding partner ahead.  Furthermore, the credibility associated with partnering one of the leading tier one financial institutions worldwide will open a variety of other relationships ahead as key players in the graphite market (including end user OEMs) can see a new high quality graphite project emerging that now has a more certain pathway to production.

Blencowe will immediately request the upfront payment of the initial 20% of the TAG (US$1 million), which together with the Company’s existing funds provides the means to continue DFS work underway and deliver the next as-agreed milestone payment with DFC.  Once this next milestone is achieved further DFC funds are unlocked and so on, until the full grant is utilised and ultimately the DFS is completed.

One substantial advantage that now comes into play with the DFC relationship is that Blencowe is able to consider a larger-scale production strategy than it could do under the base-case scenario that the Company was considering whilst funding solo.  The implications of this are enormous and the Company will provide a further update on this once the revised strategy is finalised.  The expectation would be for a larger project from day one with a downstream processing facility built in-country to produce an uncoated battery-ready 99.95% SPG product.  These factors above will ultimately deliver a considerably higher Net Present Value than the US$482 million NPV achieved within the 2022 Pre-Feasibility Study.

About International Development Finance Corporation

The DFC is the primary US Government finance institution set up to provide financially sound funding solutions for private-sector initiatives pertaining to critical challenges facing the world, in this case the drive towards increased sustainability across the planet.  It is an agency of the United States federal government and represents US interests.

DFC’s lending capacity is used to provide loans, guarantees, equity investments and political-risk insurance for private-sector led development projects, feasibility studies and technical assistance.  DFC invests across several sectors with stated goals of empowerment, innovation, investment into Africa, green energy and climate change.

Orom-Cross is directly linked with several of these goals.  This project may ultimately become one of the largest graphite producing operations in the world over a very long mine life, delivering an end-product in a sustainable manner which is a non-replaceable input component to lithium-ion batteries.  Demand for graphite is accelerating at a rate where it is doubling every few years, and is expected to continue growing exponentially into the future.  Graphite is therefore high on the US Government critical metals and minerals list and assisting to open up long term supply chain of graphite is a key strategy.

Orom-Cross will also deliver a ‘green’ graphite product through a variety of production initiatives, including the use of hydro-electric power for all mining and processing energy requirements.  Orom-Cross aims to become one of the leading sustainable mining projects worldwide and this is a very important component of the DFC charter and critical within a rapidly changing landscape where every participant along the EV supply chain will be audited on their sustainability credentials by OEMs.

Orom-Cross’s potential ability to aid in the further development of the Ugandan economy, empowering its population and driving investment and future development has also proved attractive to the DFC.

 

For further information please contact:

 

 

  Blencowe Resources Plc

Sam Quinn

 

www.blencoweresourcesplc.com

Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250

info@blencoweresourcesplc.com

 

Investor Relations

Sasha Sethi

Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441

sasha@flowcomms.com

 

Tavira Financial

Jonathan Evans

Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733

jonathan.evans@tavira.group

 

First Equity Limited

Jason Robertson

Tel: +44(0)20 7330 1833

jasonrobertson@firstequitylimited.com

 

Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/72382491/admin/

 

 

 

Background

Orom-Cross Graphite Project

Orom-Cross is a potential world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger coarse flakes within the deposit.

A 21-year Mining Licence for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 following extensive historical work on the deposit.  Blencowe completed a successful Pre-Feasibility Study on the Project in July 2022 and is now within the Definitive Feasibility Study phase as it drives towards first production.

Orom-Cross presents as a large, shallow open-pitable deposit, with an initial JORC Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource of 24.5Mt @ 6.0% TGC (Total Graphite Content). This Resource has been defined from only ~2% of the total tenement area which presents considerable upside potential ahead.  Development of the resource is expected to benefit from a low strip ratio and free dig operations together with abundant inexpensive hydro-electric power off the national grid, thereby ensuring low operating costs.  With all major infrastructure available at or near to site the capital costs will also be relatively low in comparison to most graphite peers.

#TEK TekCapital PLC investee Co. #BELL Belluscura PLC – Belluscura begins manufacturing in China

LONDON, U.K. AND PLANO, TX, U.S. (3 April 2023). Belluscura plc (AIM: BELL), a leading medical device developer focused on lightweight and portable oxygen concentrator (“POC”) technology, provides an update on recent progress.

 

Manufacturing in China

Belluscura has commenced manufacturing in China of its X-PLORTM portable oxygen concentrator.

 

This follows the manufacturing agreement announced in March 2022 with InnoMax Medical Technology, Ltd to manufacture the X-PLOR portable POC in China, enabling the Company to accelerate its international expansion by opening up markets in Asia and beyond. Regulatory approval and distribution within China are expected over the summer.

 

Strong growth is expected in the Asia Pacific market, with the medical oxygen concentrator industry expected to reach $1 bn by 20271 and nearly 100 million people in China with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”)2.

 

Medtrade Award

Belluscura is proud to announce that having debuted the DISCOV-R™ portable oxygen concentrator at Medtrade between the 29-30 March this year, it was awarded the Silver Award in the Best New Product category.

 

Held since 1979, Medtrade is the largest home medical equipment (“HME”) trade show and conference in the US, with hundreds of HME manufacturers exhibiting and thousands of HME providers attending the conference each year for the largest annual sourcing opportunity for home medical equipment.

 

The DISCOV-R, which is scheduled to launch in the US this summer, was described by numerous attendees as ‘transformational’ to the supplemental oxygen industry, given its amazing weight of only c.6.5 lbs, ability to produce 2,000ml of pulse and continuous flow oxygen, and its Nomad BiometricTM App that can connect via Bluetooth® to smartphones, wearable fitness devices and other monitors.

 

The U.S. home medical equipment market generated $12.07 billion in 2021 and is estimated to reach $19.89 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2031, according to research from Allied Market Research published in February 20233.

 

Continued progress across the business

Orders of the X-PLOR portable concentrator continue to grow, as new distributors are brought on board, and are in line with company expectations.

 

We continue to move forward with the CE and UK CA mark registration processes, with a number of approvals anticipated later this year.

 

Robert Rauker, Chief Executive Officer, Belluscura plc, commented:

We continue to make good progress, with manufacturing in China commencing, increased orders for X-PLOR and the tremendous reception of DISCOV-R by the industry at Medtrade.

 

1 Source: Coherent Market Insights – https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/oxygen-concentrators-market-198

2 Source: ScienceDaily – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180409185331.htm

3 Source: Allied Market Research – https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/us-home-medical-equipment-market-A11059

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Belluscura plc

www.belluscura.com

Robert Rauker, Chief Executive Officer

via MHP

Anthony Dyer, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (NOMAD)

Tel: +44 (0)20 3368 3550

Neil Baldwin

 

 

Dowgate Capital Limited (Broker)

Tel: +44 (0)20 3903 7715

James Serjeant / Nicholas Chambers

MHP (Financial PR and Investor Relations)

Tel: +44 (0)20 3128 8100

Katie Hunt / Pete Lambie / Matthew Taylor

Email: belluscura@mhpgroup.com

#MSMN Mosman Oil and Gas – Winters-2 update

Mosman Oil and Gas Limited (AIM: MSMN) the oil exploration, development, and production company, announces an update to the Winters-2 well, where Mosman owns a c23% Working Interest.

As previously announced, the well was recompleted in the Wilcox sand at a depth of 6,695-6,700 feet.

The well has now been flow tested with an adjustable choke and flowed at rates of 576-624 mcfd (gross) over an 8 hour period on an 8/64 choke

The well will be put on production once installation of gas infrastructure is completed, anticipated to be later this quarter. The initial production rate is expected to be in this 576-624 mscfd (gross) range (110 to 120 boepd), subject to operational considerations.

John W Barr, Chairman, said “I am pleased to be able to report the successful test of Winters-2. As highlighted in the recent production update Mosman continues to build the Company’s production base and we look forward to providing further updates in due course.”

 

Mosman Oil & Gas Limited John W Barr, Executive Chairman Andy Carroll, Technical Director

jwbarr@mosmanoilandgas.com acarroll@mosmanoilandgas.com

NOMAD and Joint Broker

SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP

Stuart Gledhill / Richard Hail / Adam Cowl

+44 (0) 20 3470 0470

Alma PR

Justine James / Joe Pederzolli

+44 (0) 20 3405 0205

+44 (0) 7525 324431

mosman@almapr.co.uk

Joint Broker

Monecor (London) Ltd trading as ETX Capital Thomas Smith

020 7392 1432

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