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Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Update on Yangibana Rare Earth Project and Joint Venture Partner Funding to Accelerate Construction.
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has received commitments to raise $100.7 million through an equity placement. The placement’s net proceeds will be used to advance development of the Yangibana Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia.
Relevance to Cadence Minerals Holdings in the Yangibana Project:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Project, Hastings holds owns 70% of these leases and licenses.
The definitive feasibility study published in 2017, modelled two production scenarios the second of which had included within it 808,000 tonnes of plant feed from one of our joint venture areas (Yangibana) in year 6. This production target and additional production target from the definitive feasibility study indicates that 11% of the plant feed will come from our joint venture area.
The funding announced by Hastings represents the large majority of the equity component required to commence the development of the Yangibana Project, which includes the mining and of our joint venture areas.
The economic model contemplated by Hastings assumes Cadence through its subsidiary will participate in the and mining of the deposits held 70% by Hastings and 30% by Cadence. Assuming there is a development of the mine by the joint venture a new Mining Joint Venture Agreement will need to be agreed and put in place to replace the existing joint venture documentation and regulate the arrangements between the participants for the mine development. No costs or revenue ascribed to 30% interest in the deposits held by Cadence were reported in the financial modelling published by Hastings.
Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
Highlights:
- Hastings has received commitments to raise $100.7 million (before costs) through a two-tranche placement priced at $0.19 per share.
- Placement funds will be used to advance development of the world-class Yangibana Rare Earths Project.
- Strong institutional demand reinforces confidence that Yangibana will become Australia’s next rare earths producer.
- Upon settlement of both tranches of the Placement, the Company will have a cash balance of approximately $120 million (before costs).
As previously announced to the ASX, the equity component of the Yangibana Project’s capital cost is $124 million.
The full HAS release can be found at: https://investi.com.au/api/announcements/has/8a07d081-700.pdf
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership of the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture area (Yangibana) in year 6. The production target and additional production target from the definitive feasibility study (November 2017) indicates that 11% of the plant feed will come from the joint venture area license of Yangibana.
Cadence CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “We are delighted to see the strong financial support shown by institutional, sophisticated and professional investors in the Hastings placing. This development will accelerate project construction and provides a positive read-over into the value and future potential of two of the Cadence joint venture area of Yangibana and Yangibana North”
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For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-lookingstatements.
Progress at Yangibana Rare Earths project reflects well on Cadence Minerals Joint Venture
Shares in Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY), the AIM listed investor into mineral resources discovery and development, have enjoyed a solid start to the start of 2021. Buoyed by the progress of the company’s flagship Amapa project in Brazil, the growth in Cadence value can also be attributed to the portfolio of strategic investments, including a 15% stake in European Metals (AIM: EMH), owner of Cinovec lithium and tin project, soon to be a cornerstone lithium supply hub for the electric vehicle (EV) industry.
In addition to this, progress has been reported this week at the Australian Rare Earths Project at Yangibana, one of the early stage investments made by Cadence which is owned and operated by ASX listed Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS). Located in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia and covering some 650 sq km, the project contains substantial Neodymium and Praseodymium resources, vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets. These of course are used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including EV’s, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others.
Hastings announced drill results from the Bald Hill deposit as part of its drilling programme across Yangibana. Bald Hill is the largest Yangibana deposit in terms of estimated Mineral Resources and calculated Ore Reserves and forms a key component to the overall Yangibana project. As a result, key project infrastructure, including the beneficiation plant and tailings storage facilities, have been placed in close proximity to this deposit.
Results from the extension drilling program at Bald Hill, the largest deposit at the Yangibana Rare Earths Project, confirm continuation of mineralisation along strike to the south connecting to the 4km long Simon’s Find – Frasers trend, with a best 3.26% total rare earth oxides (TREO) occurring across a 4m sample from a 63m shallow intersection.
The Bald Hill Resource Estimate will be updated during Q1 2021. Hastings COO Andrew Reid said the results provided “further confirmation that the unique geology at Yangibana is capable of underpinning a high-quality, long-life operation.”
“These drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential scale and quality not just of Bald Hill but other Yangibana deposits and we estimate that the project has additional growth potential..” he added.
Hastings has signed a long term binding Master Agreement with German Automotive Tier 1 supplier, Schaeffler Technologies AG, with obligation to supply a substantial volume of MREC over an initial period of 10 years
At Yangibana, Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences while operator Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% of the joint venture areas, and the rest of the project.
While the Bald Hill deposit doesn’t form part of the Yangibana joint venture area, there is nonetheless a positive read-over for the Cadence JV territories. Of course any yield from the Cadence JV areas will be processed at the beneficiation plant and tailings storage facilities, located in close proximity to the Bald Hill deposit.
Cadence CEO Kiran Morzaria emphasised this point: “Bald Hill is key to the Yangibana project, and as Andrew points out the drilling results continue to demonstrate the potential scale and quality not just of Bald Hill but the other deposits and overall project growth potential.”
“While our interests lie to the west of Bald Hill, for Cadence there is a really positive read-over into the value and future potential of our joint venture with Hastings,” Morzaria added.
Probable Ore Reserves within the tenements 30% held by Cadence are just over 2m tonnes with TREO of 1.66%. The current mine plan anticipates production to start from the joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13).
More info, including a breakdown of the probable ore reserves can be found here: https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) – Yangibana Drilling Confirms Significant Mineralisation Extension Now Up To 8km Long.
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has announced further significant results for the Simon’s Find deposit as part of the 2020 exploration drilling program for the Yangibana Rare Earths Project in Western Australia.
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences, which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70%. While the announcement today involves territory not covered by the JV license areas, the developments are nonetheless positive indicators for the future of the joint venture. Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report.
Highlights:
- Results from drilling at Simon’s Find confirm a major 2km long zone of economic mineralisation, significantly expanding the existing resource base across the Yangibana Rare Earths Project.
- Simon’s Find and the recently announced Fraser’s North and South drill results form a continuous zone of economic mineralisation 4km long.
- The Fraser’s – Simon’s Find – Bald Hill trend now forms an 8km-long economic mineralised corridor.
- Simon’s Find results contain world-beating quantities of neodymium (Nd2O3) and praseodymium (Pr6O11) that, when combined, total 52% of the TREO (total rare earth oxides) values. These results are significantly higher than the 40-41% values recorded from the nearby Bald Hill and Frasers deposits.
- High-grade and shallow intersections from Simon’s Find include:
- 2m @ 2.78% TREO from 46m
- 6m @ 1.20% TREO from 43m
- including 4m @ 1.61% TREO
- 4m @ 1.21% TREO from 46m
- 15m @ 0.72% TREO from 37m
- including 6m @ 1.11% TREO
- 2m @ 1.38% TREO from 67m
- 7m @ 0.89% TREO from 31m
- including 2m @ 1.76% TREO
- 3m @ 1.40% TREO from 11m
- 6m @ 0.75% TREO from 39m
- including 2m @ 1.51% TREO
- 83 out of 96 holes (~86%) reported significant intercepts of grades
Simon’s Find – Major Mineralised Trend Defined
Hastings can now report that it has successfully delineated, as a minimum, approximately 2km of economic mineralisation, forming the Simon’s Find resource area through the completion of close-spaced reverse circulation (RC) drilling.
Recent drilling to target ironstone rocks hosting rare earths has returned consistent grades and widths of mineralisation over a 2km-long zone, which remains open along strike and down dip. Results have also confirmed that Simon’s Find includes exceptionally high quantities of neodymium and praseodymium, widely recognised as the two most important rare earths elements required over the next decades to satisfy global demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy projects and industrial automation.
From the results underlying this announcement for Simon’s Find, neodymium and praseodymium (together, “NdPr”) represent approximately 52% of the total rare earths content. This is at least 25% higher than existing results from the nearby Bald Hill and Frasers deposits, which have a NdPr:TREO ratio of approximately 40-41% of total rare earths.
A 40-41% ratio is widely acknowledged as world leading when compared to other known rare earths deposits, which typically report ratios in the 15-25% range. The 52% recorded at Simon’s Find confirms the special and unique geological properties of Yangibana and further underpins Hastings’ accelerated march to becoming Australia’s next rare earths producer.
These new results are expected to substantially add to the 20.86Mt mineral resource1 (see ASX announcement dated 25 February 2020) already confirmed at Yangibana, with a new mineral resource and mining reserve estimate expected to be completed over the coming months.
Simon’s Find is located in close proximity to the site of Yangibana’s proposed processing plant. The nature of Simon’s Find’s softer geological host rocks means this deposit is expected to play an important role during the production start-up phase of Yangibana.
Frasers – Simon’s Find Trend
Drill results released during the year have confirmed that Simon’s Find forms the northern portion of a defined and continuous 4km-long zone of economic mineralisation when including the recently released Fraser’s South and Fraser’s North drilling results.
Frasers – Simon’s Find – Bald Hill Trend
Hastings has now defined a single, largely coherent zone of mineralisation commencing at Fraser’s South and finishing at Bald Hill (the largest of Yangibana’s rare earths deposits) that is approximately 8km in length.
Substantial potential exists for continued exploration throughout this zone, which has demonstrated significant capacity to host rare earths, while opening up enormous opportunities for mineral resource expansions and extensions to Yangibana’s mine life within close proximity of the processing plant location.
This zone has been lightly drilled and, on average, only between 40-70m below the surface. Additional opportunities to the north and south of this trend have been identified by geophysics and ground mapping. Down-dip extensions remain open along the entire 8km of defined mineralisation.
Exploring and delineating the mineralisation in this zone was a key objective of the 2020 exploration drilling program, which has been successfully delivered.
In fact, the 2020 exploration drilling program has been so successful that the vast majority of holes reported to date have delivered intercepts of TREO considered to be economic by the Company.
The full HAS release including detailed tables and graphics can be found at: https://www.investi.com.au/api/announcements/has/986a8ebc-c66.pdf
Hastings Executive Chairman, Charles Lew commented: “Hastings has delivered and exceeded all of its key objectives for the 2020 exploration drilling program. The results from drilling over the past several months have shown the magnitude of the resource potential that exists at Yangibana.”
“Hastings has now defined and delivered a single coherent zone of economic mineralisation trending more than 8km in length from Fraser’s through to Simon’s Find and Bald Hill, with further upside in all areas along this zone to the north, south and at depth.”
“Additionally, the ability to replicate the results from the past few months into other areas of the tenement package remains high, with similar known geological structures demanding additional work.”
“While the average head grades at Simon’s Find results may be lower than at Yangibana’s other deposits, what is important and makes this deposit such a stand-out – in global terms – are the very high levels of neodymium and praseodymium – at 52% of total rare earths reported.”
“Hastings will now start the process of collating the drilling information to define a new mineral resource for Simon’s Find.
“The success at Simon’s Find comes amid a busy period for Hastings as we advance Yangibana’s development by concluding more offtake contracts and settling on a coastal site for our project’s hydrometallurgical plant.”
Cadence Minerals CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “As Hastings Chairman Charles Lew says, the results from drilling over the past several months have shown the magnitude of the resource potential that exists at Yangibana, and in particular the very high levels of neodymium and praseodymium reported from Simon’s Find.”
“Although the announcement today involves territory not covered by the JV license areas, the developments are nonetheless positive indicators for the future of the joint venture and provides additional validation for our investment strategy into this project. We look forward to further developments.”
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For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-lookingstatements.
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) Reports Outstanding Rare Earth Oxide Grades from Frasers North and South Drilling.
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has announced further drill results as part of the 2020 Exploration Drilling Program, for the Fraser’s North and South areas.
The Company has so far received assay results for 30 RC drill holes in these areas since drilling commenced in early June. Numerous significant potentially economic results have been received from 29 out of the 30 holes which include some of the highest grade results yet returned from any drilling at the Yangibana project since 2014.
Highlights:
· Outstanding rare earth oxide grades received from 29 out of 30 drill holes from Fraser’s North and South sampling.
· High‐grade and shallow intersections from Fraser’s North and South drilling include:
o 3m @ 7.28% TREO from 8m,
§ Including 1m @ 18.57% TREO from 8m,
o 8m @ 3.51% TREO from 31m,
o 2m @ 1.67% TREO from 31m,
o 6m @ 1.42% TREO from 8m, and
o 4m @ 1.36% TREO from 17m.
· Highest grade intersections occur south of the current Fraser’s Open Pit (mineral resource of 1.32 million tonnes grading 1.35% TREO including 0.56% Nd2O3+Pr6O111) and extend mineralisation up to 450m in a south easterly direction.
· Drilling results from the North now confirm contiguous new mineralisation up to 250m from the Fraser’s Pit limit.
· In the South, all mineralisation remains open down dip and along strike, with surface ironstone outcrops being tracked for up to 1‐ kilometre past last drill locations.
· New results record highest grades to date from Yangibana project, with 1m samples returning grades of up to 18.57% TREO.
· Results from the South come from largely untested areas, highlighting the potential for them to merge into a single large 1.4km long Fraser’s Open Pit.
· Results will be included in an updated Fraser’s Mineral Resource estimate scheduled for year‐end completion
2020 Exploration Program
Hasting’s commenced the 2020 drilling program with a Reverse‐Circulation (RC) drilling rig mobilised to site in mid‐June. The program will continue until 4Q 2020 and has been designed to achieve three goals:
· Validate the existing Bald Hill Mineral Resource Estimates with close spaced grade control drilling;
· Increase the Yangibana Project’s Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource; and
· Obtain core samples for additional metallurgical test work and ore characterization studies.
The Company’s geological interpretation suggests that there is substantial opportunity to add additional Mineral Resource tonnages in the area Bald Hill ‐ Simon’s Find – Fraser’s trend. This trend presents the highest opportunity to add Mineral Resources within close proximity to the Processing Plant.
Existing results support and warrant additional drilling, where near‐surface extensions to known mineralisation can be traced and identified. Observations from field mapping continue to provide new insights into the local geology and its structural settings, which conceptually offer the greatest opportunity to host additional resources.
The full HAS release can be found at: https://www.investi.com.au/api/announcements/has/1d62d67f-04b.pdf
Hastings COO Andrew Reid said: “These fantastic results have again exceeded our expectations for the Company’s 20,000m 2020 exploration drill program, with almost every drill hole announced today intersecting rare earth grades which Hastings believe could be economic and mineable.
The exceptionally high grades from Fraser’s South (up to 18.57%) gives us a lot of confidence that we are in a rare earth zone richly endowed with huge potential, particularly given how little exploration it has seen.
Hastings is now well on its way to achieving its goal of extending mine life through testing our existing geological understanding of the Fraser’s deposit. We are now intersecting consistent mineralisation over a wide area and there remains plenty of opportunity to significantly expand the Mineral Resource in the future with open mineralisation along strike and down‐dip requiring further drilling in the future.
The entire Fraser’s North to South mineralised trend is emerging as a large consistent zone which is characterised by thick near surface intercepts with grades that would potentially support a large open pit operation”.
The drilling at Fraser’s South has intercepted the predicted ironstone positions and returned consistent mineralisation results, with some of the best TREO results ever received from Yangibana. Hastings remains confident that this mineralised trend will continue in a south‐easterly direction based on surface mapping and points to the potential of further development of the Mineral Resource within the Fraser’s South corridor.
Additional future work will include step out exploration drilling along strike and drilling down dip, where the mineralisation to date has only been tested to 40m below the surface.”
Cadence CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “We are pleased to note today’s exceptional set of drilling results from Fraser North and South. These results provide a positive read-over into the value and future potential of our joint venture with Hastings. We look forward to further developments.”
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report
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For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) – Excellent Drill Results Confirm High Grade Extensions To Frasers Open Pit
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has announced the first set of results from the 2020 Exploration Drilling Program, concentrated in the Fraser’s area.
Highlights:
- First 9 holes from 2020 Exploration Drilling Program all hit economic mineralisation.
- High-grade and shallow intersections from Yangibana’s highest grade deposit (Fraser’s) extensional drilling included:
- 4m @ 1.31% TREO % TREO from 4m
- 4m @ 1.24% TREO from 11m, and
- 5m @ 1.28% TREO from 52m.
- Significant increase in (Nd2O3+Pr6O11 as % of TREO) from the 9 holes averaging 48% compared to 41% for the Frasers mineral resource.
- New intersections sit outside but proximal to the current mineral resource at Fraser’s of 1.32 million tonnes grading 1.35% TREO including 0.56% Nd2O3+Pr6O11 highlighting the outstanding potential to increase both the size and tonnages at Fraser’s.
- Mineralisation continues to remain open to the north and south and down dip.
- Further assays remain pending from multiple holes in this area.
- New results have provided important information for additional discoveries with high-grade strike extensions to these results now interpreted. Drilling to the north is linking the Fraser’s and Simon’s Find mineralised trends.
- Drilling density is sufficient to allow future mineral resource estimation into measured and indicated JORC categories allowing for possible mine life extensions to be calculated.
Drilling results have confirmed the Company’s conceptual modelling for a large coherent zone extending from Fraser’s in the south to Bald Hill in the north, a distance of 7-8 kilometres, with efforts to rapidly expand and define mineralisation in the newly interpreted and discovered mineralised zones.
The very shallow depths of the mineralised intercepts and proximity to the existing Fraser’s Open Pit demonstrate the high probability for mine life extension at Fraser’s with excellent grades and thickness encountered in every hole of assays received. Fraser’s currently has the highest NdPr (Nd2O3+Pr6O11) grades at 0.56% of any of the Yangibana defined deposits.
The high NdPr grades and corresponding Nd2O3+Pr6O11:TREO ratios are a unique feature not found in any other rare earth project, except for Yangibana.
The Fraser’s Mineral Resource has a calculated Nd2O3+Pr6O11:TREO ratio of 41% (see announcement 18% Increase in Ore Reserve Mine Life Extended by 2 years to 13 years, November 2019), however assays received forming this announcement had Nd2O3+Pr6O11:TREO ratios ranging from 44 – 50%, representing a substantial increase over existing results from Frasers.
Samples were sent to Genalysis Intertek in Perth for analysis using techniques considered appropriate for the style of mineralisation. Samples were analysed for the range of rare earths, rare metals (Nb, Ta, Zr), thorium and uranium and a range of common rock-forming elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, S, Si, Sr).
The full HAS release including detailed tables and graphics can be found at: https://www.investi.com.au/api/announcements/has/841a448e-dbc.pdf
Hastings COO, Andrew Reid commented: “These results have exceeded our expectations, which are an excellent first step in defining what appears to be a significant new zone of mineralisation. With this initial shallow program, we have confirmed the presence of broad mineralised widths and extended known extents of Mineral Resources. All the deepest holes confirm mineralisation continues at depth.”
Cadence Minerals CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “These excellent early results and high grades from Hastings drilling programme potentially bode well for the Yangibana and Yangibana North joint venture areas, and once again provide additional validation for our investment strategy into this project. We look forward to further developments.”
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report
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For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Interim Results
Cadence Minerals plc (AIM/NEX: KDNC), is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been deep and fundamental. The pandemic has driven huge changes in the way we work and live the long-term effects of which are hard to predict with any great degree of accuracy. The reaction by governments around the world has for the large part involved economic stimuli with central banks cutting interests and the launch of huge quantitative easing schemes.
It is the latter, and in particular, the stimulus packages in China that have been beneficial to our investment portfolio. . China’s impact in relation to the rapid increase in iron ore prices has been clear. It is still the world’s biggest buyer of industrial commodities, and the vast majority seaborne trade in iron ore goes there. Indeed, in the first week of June, China’s steel blast furnaces were operating at 92% of capacity, which is above the 80-85% rates considered normal. Currently, indicators of construction activity look strong and a pipeline of orders had already been building before the pandemic struck. In its aftermath, construction has been given an extra push by the Chinese Government’s stimulus package.[1]
With this macroeconomic background, the directors believe that the Company’s investments have performed well. A detailed review of which was recently published in the annual report released in June 2020 and in further announcements subsequent to this date. We have provided some of the highlights from our investments over the period below.
The Company also raised £1.25 million of new funds (before expenses) from new and existing investors as announced on 21st August. These funds were raised for general working capital and to provide flexibility to the Company to repay loan notes from cash reserves rather than from its holdings in quoted investments.
HIGHLIGHTS
Amapa, Iron Ore Mine (“Amapa”)
· Amapa was owned by Anglo American plc and Cliffs Natural Resources and consists of a large-scale iron ore mine, beneficiation plant, railway, and private port. In 2012 the operation produced 6.1 Mt of iron ore concentrate and reported operating profits from their 70% ownership in the Amapá Project of US$120 million (100% – US$171 million). Before its sale in 2012, Anglo American valued its 70% stake at US$462m in its 2012 Annual Report (100% – US$600m).
· The remaining major precondition for Cadence to make its initial investment into Amapa requires DEV Mineraço S.A’s (“DEV”) to reach a settlement agreement with the secured bank creditors (“Bank Creditors”). On completion of the conditions and the release of the Cadence escrow monies, Cadence will become a 20% shareholder in Amapa via our joint venture company which will own 99.9% of DEV.
· DEV, Cadence and Indo Sino Pty Ltd (“the Investors”) have continued a constructive dialogue with the secured the Bank Creditors, and the parties are currently negotiating the settlement terms as proposed by the Bank Creditors.
· Iron Ore Stockpile Shipment – as announced on the 21 August – Companhia Docas de Santana (“CDSA”), a public (municipal) company and the port operator requested some additional non-statutory contractual requirements and undertakings. DEV has provided the requested documentation and continues to liaise with the State of Amapa and SEMA (Secretaria de Estado de Meio Ambiente). Cadence understands that SEMA will provide the required documentation imminently. Cadence will provide an update once the first shipment is underway.
European Metals Holdings Limited (“EMH”)
· In late April 2020, EMH advised that shareholders had approved the investment of EUR 29.1 million by CEZ a.s. (“CEZ”) for a 51% equity interest in Geomet, EMH’s Czech subsidiary and holder of the Cinovec licenses at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 23 April 2020. The investment of EUR 29.1 million will see the Cinovec project fully funded to the decision to construct.
· In June 2020, EMH European Metals advised that the Czech Ministry of the Environment had granted Geomet an updated Preliminary Mining Permit related to the Eastern part of the Cinovec deposit. The permit was issued for a period of 8 years. A Preliminary Mining Permit is a necessary legal pre-qualification before obtaining a Final Mining Permit and guarantees EMH the priority right to apply for and obtain a Final Mining Area and a Final Mining Permit.
Macarthur Minerals (“Macarthur”)
· Announced Moonshine Magnetite Mineral Resource upgrade
· RCR Mining Technologies appointed to examine rail unloading infrastructure solution at Esperance Port
· Proposal for development of a Commercial Track Access Agreement received from Arc Infrastructure
· lodgement of applications for land access to develop a 93km haul road from its Lake Giles Iron Project to a proposed rail siding adjacent to the Perth to Kalgoorlie rail line
· Finalisation of land tenure agreement for the development of its proposed Magnetite processing plant at Lake Giles
Bacanora Lithium Plc (“Bacanora”)
· Cadence owns a 30% stake in the Mexalit S.A. de CV (“Mexalit”) joint venture which forms part of the Sonora Lithium Project in Northern Mexico.
· In late May 2020, Bacanora provided an update which included. The Sonora government continues to maintain measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 which meant Bacanora’s Hermosillo pilot plant was placed in care and maintenance in late March 2020 after shipping samples to its engineering partners in order to maintain the Front End Engineering Design schedule. The pilot plant will remain closed until conditions are considered safe, and the Government lifts its restrictions.
· As a result of the return to work in China in late April 2020, the Ganfeng lithium test plant and project team resumed work on the Sonora flowsheet optimisation and process engineering. After the completion of the flow sheet engineering Ganfeng will provide Bacanora with an Engineering, Procurement and Construction style engineering proposal to produce downstream battery-grade lithium products from the Sonora Lithium Project.
Yangibana Rare Earth Project
· Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70%.
· Hasting’s signed long term binding Master Agreement with German Automotive Tier 1 supplier, Schaeffler technologies AG. Hasting’s obligation is to supply a substantial volume of MREC over an initial period of 10 years
· Total Yangibana Project CAPEX revised to A$449m from A$517mresulting in 13% or A$68M reduction in CAPEX based on Hydrometallurgical Plant relocation to the Pilbara
FINANCIAL RESULTS:
During the period the Group made a loss before taxation of £1.26 million (6 months ended 30 June 2019: £0.29 million year ended 31 December 2019: £2.27 million). There was a weighted basic loss per share of 1.336p (30 June 2019: 0.331p, 31 December 2018: 2.544p). As a result of unrealised foreign exchange differences, comprehensive loss for the period was £1.42 million (30 June 2019: £0.24 million, 31 December 2019: £2.04 million).
The total assets of the group decreased from £18.77 million at 31 December 2019 to £17.89 million. Of this amount £0.37 million represent the market value of our investments at the period end. Borrowings were reduced from £2.98m at 31 December 2019 to £2.08m at 30 June 2020.
During the period our net cash outflow from operating activities was £0.67 million, and our net cash position was up £0.12 million at £2.38 million.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.
For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Link here for the group financial statements
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) oversubscribed placement raises $14.6m, plus a further $6.1m will be raised.
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has received firm commitments to raise $14.6 million (before costs) at $0.125 per share (Placement). An additional $3.1 million will also be raised via a Conditional Placement and a further $3.0 million will be raised from a fully underwritten Share Purchase Plan (SPP).
Strong interest has been received from existing shareholders and new institutional and sophisticated investors, resulting in a significantly over subscribed Placement. Hastings Executive Chairman, Mr Charles Lew, will participate in the raise for an amount of $0.5 million, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting in November 2020. Total funds raised under the Placement, SPP and Conditional Placement are expected to total approximately $20.7 million.
Funds raised will be used to:
· Procure equipment arising from the decoupling of the beneficiation plant and the hydrometallurgy plant;
· Further engineering design;
· Grade and resource drilling to increase mining reserves;
· Mine site works;
· Working capital.
The full HAS release can be found at: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200826/pdf/44lxkj9nw2b91q.pdf
Hastings Executive Chairman, Charles Lew said: “It is gratifying to see the strong interest from new investors in the Hastings story and testament to the hard work done by the Company’s management team in recent months to advance our world-class Yangibana rare earths project from a technical, financial, regulatory and customer point of view. I welcome the new investors onto the Hastings register and look forward to offering the same terms to our existing loyal shareholder base through the SPP and Conditional Placement. The funds from the capital raising will enable us to continue to drive the Yangibana rare earths project forward alongside our target to begin construction next year.”
Cadence CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “We are pleased to note that strong interest in Hastings Technology Metals and the Yangibana project has resulted in an oversubscribed placing. These funds, along with the prospect of commencement of mine construction next year provide a positive read-over into the value and future potential of our joint venture with Hastings. We look forward to further developments.”
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report
– Ends –
For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX-HAS) – Yangibana Project Capital Cost Estimate Reduced by A$68m or 13%
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that, further to the Hydromet Plant relocation announcement, Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has updated its Capital expenditure requirements previously estimated at approximately AUD$517m (ASX Investor Presentation 2 December 2019), which included a 114km gas pipeline and 14Mw gas fired power station.
Highlights:
- Total CAPEX revised to A$449m from A$517m
- $68m or 13% reduction in CAPEX based on Hydrometallurgical Plant relocation;
o $79m saving by removal gas pipeline and 3rd party power offtake for Yangibana
o $8m saving in Accommodation facility, Airstrip, Road access and Process building construction
o $1m saving in Tailings Storage Facility construction
o $3m saving in mining pre-strip volume reduction
o $14m addition in Process Plant equipment and additional storage/handling facilities for relocated Hydrometallurgical Plant
o $8m addition for indirect (EPCM) related costs
- New CAPEX leverages heavily to accessible services in the Pilbara with available gas, power, water and telecommunications.
- CAPEX reduction is major step towards achieving Hastings objective of becoming a significant new mid-tier Australian NdPr rare earth producer, positioned to take advantage of the strong market outlook.
- Capital cost reduction strategies are being advanced with possibilities of additional savings in final costing which will be presented during 4Q 2020.
Capital estimates have been revised based on the recently announced decoupling and relocation of the Hydrometallurgical plant to the Pilbara Region.
The revised capital estimate is now approximately $449m (exclusive of contingencies), being $68m or 13% lower than that previously announced.
The overall project capital cost estimate was developed by DRA Global and Hastings technical personnel based on an Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management (EPCM) approach for the process plant and infrastructure. The estimate includes all the necessary costs associated with engineering, drafting, procurement, construction, construction management, commissioning of the processing facility and associated infrastructure, mining infrastructure, first fills of plant reagents, consumables and spare parts
Estimate Structure
The estimate is based upon preliminary engineering, material take-offs and budget price quotations for major equipment and bulk commodities. Unit rates for installation were based on market enquiries specific to the material requirements planning (MRP).
The estimate pricing was obtained predominantly during quarter one 2019 (1Q19) and is in Australian dollars (A$), with new and updated pricing being included from quarter one 2020 (1Q20) and quarter two 2020 (2Q20) for those items which have been altered due to the Hydrometallurgical plant relocation. The overall capital estimate has an estimated accuracy of ±15 to 20%. This will be refined over the next few months prior to a final cost estimate release during 4Q 2020.
The capital estimate was prepared using a project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), which delineates the various areas of the project. Individual estimates were prepared for each area covering all engineering disciplines. The capital estimate has been structured into the following major categories:
- Direct costs;
- Indirect costs;
- Owner’s Costs; and
- Contingency.
The full HAS release including detailed capital comparisons can be found at: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200729/pdf/44kyjnpw4ljpd0.pdf
Charles Lew, Hastings Executive Chairman, said: “This new CAPEX clearly demonstrates the robust nature of the Yangibana Project and the options that it presents. Significant optimisations in project construction capital, mining and processing are starting to show the true value of the Yangibana Project to Hastings and its shareholders. We will now push ahead with re-defining operational costs to reflect the capital changes taking place and to delivering the final results to the market shortly and getting on with the job of building the project as quickly as we can. Lenders are encouraged by the Capex reduction during this challenging period for debt and equity capital market currently affecting small companies and greenfield projects.”
Cadence Minerals CEO Kiran Morzaria commented: “Securing a 13% reduction in CAPEX costs at this relatively advanced stage is a testament to the value, opportunities and potential on offer at Yangibana, and provides additional validation for our investment into this project. We look forward to further developments.”
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report
– Ends –
For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
Cadence Minerals #KDNC – Hastings Technology Metals (ASX: HAS) To Deliver A$68m Capex Reduction Through Relocation of Yangibana HydroMetallurgical Processing Plant
Cadence Minerals (AIM/NEX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that Hastings Technology Metals (ASX:HAS) (“Hastings”), Cadence’s joint venture partner at the Yangibana Rare Earth Project in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia (“Yangibana” “Yangibana Project”), has progressed an agreement for a coastal location within the Pilbara region of Western Australia for the Yangibana Rare Earth Project’s Hydrometallurgical cracking and leaching plant.
Hasting’s proposal to decouple the Yangibana processing facility and relocate the Hydrometallurgical plant to a coastal location will add substantial value to the Yangibana Project in the near term, through reductions in required upfront capital financing. The long-term benefits include greater opportunities to optimise operating expenditure through project risk mitigation.
Hasting’s assessed a number of fully serviced locations along the coast from Port Hedland to Geraldton. The new plant location, which is being evaluated, will significantly reduce on-site capex because of the presence of existing and accessible services such as gas, water, mains power and telecommunications infrastructure.
Highlights:
- Hastings to pursue a decoupled processing strategy and relocate Yangibana’s Hydrometallurgical plant to the Pilbara region of Western Australia
- Decoupling strategy can reduce Yangibana’s project capex by approximately $68m:
o reduction in on-site CAPEX associated with eliminating the need for a 114km gas pipeline
o 40% reduction in onsite water abstraction and power requirements results in further savings in upfront Capital
o Additional CAPEX savings through 50km reduction in access road distances
- Proposed location has established gas, water, power, and telecommunications and is close to Port handling facilities
- Beneficiated Rare Earth Concentrate to be trucked by road to new location for cracking and leaching at the Hydrometallurgical plant
- Mining and Concentrate production to remain at Yangibana.
Access to gas is particularly important because the centrepiece of the hydrometallurgical plant is the acid-baked kiln. The kiln is a large consumer of gas and thus the relocation of the hydrometallurgical plant will eliminate the need to construct a 114km gas pipeline from the Dampier-to-Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline (DBNGP) to the Yangibana mine site which is the single largest capex item.
Other major benefits of the Yangibana processing decoupling strategy include:
- Reduces Yangibana on-site power requirements by 40% allowing the introduction of a smaller modular power station, which can then be provided as a build/own/operate power offtake contract with an established 3rd party provider;
- Reducing the scale of on-site water and associated infrastructure facilities by 40% providing further expected capex savings; and
- Providing close proximity to port facilities for importation of construction materials and export of product, thus reducing Yangibana’s transport costs.
In addition, the proposal to locate the hydrometallurgical plant at a coastal location in the Pilbara will enable Hastings to:
- Leverage existing chemical storage facilities in an established regional centre, significantly reducing the need for onsite storage and expensive transportation of reagents;
- Benefit from a greater availability of large local service providers and skilled personnel;
- Reduce the number of onsite personnel at Yangibana by 30%, lowering FIFO costs in manning and transportation; and
- Promote residential employment positions in the new coastal location.
Detailed capital and logistic studies of the location have commenced. There will be a need for some additional costs through duplication of equipment and services for the new location. Transportation of a beneficiated concentrate will be required from the Yangibana mine site to the new location. However, this transport cost is offset by eliminating the need to transport large volumes of sulphuric acid, caustic soda and other chemical reagents to the Yangibana mine site.
The proposed hydrometallurgical plant location has an already established Native Title Agreement, which does not impact any cultural Heritage Sites.
Hastings will continue to work with the local Shire and the communities while completing the remaining technical, environmental and regulatory reviews for the approval processes. Hasting’s decision to relocate the hydrometallurgical plant has been boosted by the support it has received to date from all levels of government and the community because of the jobs and economic benefits that the plant will bring to the region.
The full HAS release can be found at: https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200729/pdf/44ky17dd4gw4hs.pdf
Charles Lew, Hastings Executive Chairman, said: “The Yangibana rare earths project is proving to be an economically strong project even in this challenging COVID-19 environment. In line with our pursuit of continuous improvement in the project’s robustness, the Hastings leadership saw an opportunity to optimise and improve the proposed Yangibana project layout and further reduce the required capital expenditure. The decision to consider a de-coupling of Yangibana’s processing set-up not only allows us to reduce the overall project’s capex but deliver significant benefits including streamlining operating expenditure associated with logistics arrangements and other associated infrastructure costs, alongside creating significant residential job opportunities in regional Western Australia.”
Cadence Minerals Yangibana Holding:
Cadence owns 30% of 3 Mining Leases, 6 Exploration Licences which form part of the Yangibana Rare Earth Deposit. Hastings Technology Metals owns the remaining 70% (“Hastings”). Further details of our ownership the mineral resources and reserves on our jointly held leases can be found at:
https://www.cadenceminerals.com/projects/yangibana-rare-earth-project-2/
The current mine plan anticipates production to start from our joint venture areas (Yangibana and Yangibana North) in year 6 and continue to the end of mine life (year 13). Further details can be found in the Hastings 2019 Annual Report
– Ends –
For further information:
| Cadence Minerals plc | +44 (0) 7879 584153 |
| Andrew Suckling | |
| Kiran Morzaria | |
| WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0) 207 220 1666 |
| James Joyce | |
| James Sinclair-Ford | |
| Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 (0) 207 399 9400 |
| Jon Belliss |
Qualified Person
Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’ ‘‘could’’ “should” ‘‘envisage’’ ‘‘estimate’’ ‘‘intend’’ ‘‘may’’ ‘‘plan’’ ‘‘will’’ or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.