TIDMSGZ
RNS Number : 6154Z
Scotgold Resources Ltd
15 March 2017
1.1.1 Wednesday 15 March 2017
SCOTGOLD RESOURCES LIMITED
(The "Company" or "Scotgold")
Correction
The announcement of 14 March 2017 contained an incorrect figure in the first bullet point
in financial comparison. A corrected version is below.
-- "Although the TSF capital cost was reduced
significantly to GBP404,206, operating cost was
increased from GBP327/Au equivalent oz in the BFS to
GBP379/Au equivalent oz in the phased approach, as
most of the TSF cost is now an on-going operating
cost. The total capital cost of the processing plant
increased from GBP7.2 million to GBP8.04 million in
the phased approach. This was due to the need to
install an interim reduced capacity plant for Phase
1. However, we believe that there are further cost
savings possible in the final plant which have yet to
be identified fully.
Update to the Cononish Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) and Short Term Funding Plan
HIGHLIGHTS
* An update to the Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS")
for the Cononish Gold and Silver Project dated August
2015 has been completed by Bara Consulting Limited,
which principally evaluates the economic impact of a
range of technical development options and the
current economic environment. As a result the "Phased
Project" development option has been selected as the
most favourable overall, which incorporates the
following key changes:
o Improved economic returns due to both the change in TSF design and higher assumed gold price
of GBP920/oz ($1,150/oz) (previously $1,100/oz).
* The peak funding requirement reduced from GBP18.5m to
GBP7.4 million;
* Life of Mine EBITDA increased from GBP67m to GBP100m
* Pre tax NPV (10%) of GBP23m increased to NPV (10%)
GBP43m
o The development schedule is now designed in two phases. The first phase at 3,000 tonnes
per month (tpm), the second phase at 6,000 tpm;
o The Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) is now designed using a "Dry Stack" system;
* A new planning application will be required for the
revised development plan and the Company has
commenced the "Pre Application Consultation" process
with the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Planning Authority. It is anticipated that the full
planning process should be completed by the end of
2017.
* The Company has been granted an extension to the Bulk
Processing Trial (BPT), as previously reported, and
it is anticipated that this will continue to
contribute to the Company's working capital
requirements through 2017.
* The Company has also agreed a GBP1 million loan
facility with its Chairman, Nat le Roux (net
approximately GBP0.7m after repayment of the existing
GBP0.3m facility currently in place with Nat le Roux)
which it is anticipated will provide sufficient
working capital for the Company to complete the
planning application process and, subject to a
positive planning decision, implement a funding plan
for the development of Cononish Gold and Silver
project commencing in Q1 2018.
UPDATE TO THE BANKABLE FEASIBILITY STUDY
The Company is pleased to announce the results of a recently completed update to the Bankable
Feasibility Study, completed in August 2015. We have completed a review of our development
strategy and we have, after considering a number of alternative production schedules, selected
the Phased Project scenario as the most favourable overall under current economic conditions.
While undertaking this work we have also taken advantage of revising the TSF resulting in
a more practical, lower capex (albeit a higher opex) and reduced environmental impact dry
stack design. This has resulted in a much reduced peak funding requirement.
The necessary revisions to the permitting requirements are underway and we expect final permission
for underground development work to be granted by Q1 2018. Subject to permitting and securing
the necessary finance, we expect to commence work underground in Q2 2018 and to reach a sustainable
First Phase 3,000 tpm by early 2019. The Second Phase increase to 6,000 tpm will be self-funded
and is scheduled to be achieved by Q3 2021.
Options Considered in the Update to the BFS
Various scenarios were considered in the update. These
included:
1. A revised BFS using an updated gold price.
2. A full scale case based on the BFS but using the modified TSF.
3. A full scale case but also assuming access to a cyanidation
plant within Scotland. Note this is the only option which
considered cyanidation as opposed to the currently envisaged
sulphide concentrate sale.
4. A half scale case processing at 3,000 tpm for the life of the mine.
5. A phased project where build-up to 6,000 tpm is funded from
the first phase of 3,000 tpm. The future development of the mine is
now based on this scenario.
The table below shows the assumptions used for each
scenario:
Description Units Original New Options Evaluated
Base
Case
(BFS)
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------------------------------------------------
Revised Full Full Half Phased
Base Scale Scale Scale Project
Case with
(BFS) Offsite
CN
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Physicals
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
3 000
Production Rate tpm 6 000 6 000 6 000 6 000 3 000 / 6 000
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Overall Recovery % 93 93 93 93 93 93
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Dore Recovery % 25 25 25 25 25 25
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
177 177 176 176 175
Total Au Sold oz 666 666 074 074 567 175 762
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Tailings Storage type Valley Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Stack
Facility Type Fill Stack Stack Stack Stack
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Stockpile Depleted t - - 7 000 7 000 7 000 7 000
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Construction
Period months 16 16 16 16 16 16
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Life of Mine
(Including Construction) Years 9 9 9 9 17 10
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Economics
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Gold Price $/oz 1 100 1 150 1 150 1 150 1 150 1 150
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Silver Price $/oz 15 16 16 16 16 16
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
USD/GBP Exchange
Rate $/GBP 1.60 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Scottish Gold
Sold % 25 25 6.6 6.6 7.4 7.4
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Scottish Gold
Premium % 0 0 10 10 10 0
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Discount Rate % 10 10 10 10 10 10
--------------------------- -------- --------- -------- ------- --------- ------- ----------
Technical Comparison of BFS and Phased Project
-- The Resource and Reserve estimates remain as previously published.
-- The mining methodology of Long Hole Open Stoping (LHOS) remains as is;
-- Some minor revision to the development design on the 400 m
adit level has been undertaken to reduce initial development
requirements;
-- The development scheduled is now designed in two phases. The
first phase at 3,000 tonnes per month (tpm), the second phase at
6,000 tpm;
-- The process route remains as is. A simplified basic design
will be used for the first phase and the full scale design as per
the BFS will be used for the second phase. Whilst elements of the
first phase may be reused, this has not been assumed in the capital
estimation.
-- The timing of the second phase is assumed to occur after 2.5
years of phase 1 production, once sufficient cashflow reserves have
been accumulated and the project can self-fund the required second
phase capital.
-- The conventional valley fill TSF in the BFS has been replaced
by a "Dry Stack" TSF, comprising 11 individual stacks constructed
sequentially over the life of mine. This requires an additional
dewatering circuit within the processing plant but obviates the
high capex requirement of a TSF impoundment dam and associated
civil works. The financial impact of this is therefore an overall
reduction of capital but increase in operating cost.
-- The dry stack TSF calls for waste rock throughout the life of
mine in the construction of each stack, so waste is no longer
required to be stored underground. Whilst some waste may still be
stored underground, this provides significantly improved
operational flexibility.
-- The dry stack TSF has been designed using landscape
architectural consultants to specifically address the environmental
impacts which are of concern to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Parks Planning Authority ("LLTNPPA") and has several
significant environmental advantages in comparison to the already
permitted TSF.
Financial Comparison of BFS and Phased Project
-- Although the TSF capital cost was reduced significantly to
GBP404,206, operating cost was increased from GBP327/Au equivalent
oz in the BFS to GBP379/Au equivalent oz in the phased approach, as
most of the TSF cost is now an on-going operating cost. The total
capital cost of the processing plant increased from GBP7.2 million
to GBP8.04 million in the phased approach. This was due to the need
to install an interim reduced capacity plant for Phase 1. However,
we believe that there are further cost savings possible in the
final plant which have yet to be identified fully.
-- Total all in cash costs (capital, operating and royalty) per
Au equivalent oz is GBP487/oz for the phased approach compared to
GBP455/oz for the original BFS.
-- The table below shows the results for the original BFS and the Phased Project:
FINANCIAL RESULTS COMPARISON
--------------------------------------------------------
Financial Metric BFS Aug'15 Phased Project
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
67 427
EBITDA (GBP) 626 100,040,640
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
43 403
Gross Cashflow (GBP) 552 79,943,378
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
35 725
Net Cashflow (GBP) 551 67,375,514
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
22 945
Pre-Tax NPV @ 10% (GBP) 889 42,891,326
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Pre-Tax IRR (%) 45 80
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
18 515
Post-Tax NPV @ 10% (GBP) 172 36,117,874
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Post-Tax IRR (%) 41 75
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Operating Margin (%) 53 59
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Life of Mine (years) 8 9
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Payback Period (months) 19 13
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
18 452
Peak Funding Req. (GBP) 183 7,419,340
-------------------------- ----------- ---------------
Competent Persons Statement
The information in this report that relates to the 2015
Feasibility Study for Cononish Gold Project and the revised
development plan (Phased Project) is based on information compiled
by Pat Willis, a Competent Person who is registered as a
Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) with the Engineering Council for
South Africa (ECSA) and a Fellow in good standing and Past
President of the Southern Africa Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(FSAIMM). Mr Willis is employed by Bara Consulting Limited, an
independent consulting company. Mr Willis has sufficient experience
which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is
undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2014
Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Willis consents to
the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information
in the form and context in which it appears.
SHORT TERM LOAN FUNDING PLAN
The Company has entered into a short term loan agreement with
Nat le Roux, the Company's major shareholder and non executive
Chairman. The key terms of the agreement are as follows:
-- Principal: GBP1,000,000.
-- Term: 1 year from execution (14 March 2017).
-- Interest rate: 10% per annum.
-- Repayment: Principal and interest repayable on expiry of term.
-- Security: A security agreement placing a charge over all the Company's assets is included.
-- Use of Funds: Working capital requirements and the redemption
of the existing GBP300,000 loan facility and accrued interest (6%
pa) provided by Nat le Roux.
-- Redemption: The Company may elect to redeem the loan at any
point during its term without penalty.
The short-term loan agreement with Mr Nat Le Roux constitutes a
related party transaction under Rule 13 of the AIM Rules.
Accordingly, the board of Scotgold, excluding Nat Le Roux who is
precluded from opining, consisting of Richard Gray, David Swan,
Christopher Sangster, Philip Jackson and Gabriel Chiappini, having
consulted with Stockdale Securities Limited, the Company's
nominated adviser, consider that the terms of the Transaction are
fair and reasonable insofar as its shareholders are concerned.
Nat le Roux commented "Whilst the Company has a demonstrably
viable project in the Cononish Gold Mine, we have struggled since
the completion of the BFS in August 2015 to secure a funding
package on terms acceptable to shareholders. The revised
development plan now completed significantly lowers the financing
hurdle and improves the economic returns, with significant further
enhancement from the current Pound Sterling price of gold. It does
however mean the Company requires further working capital to
complete the permitting process and I have therefore agreed to
offer a loan facility to the Company as a mechanism to bridge this
gap."
Scotgold CEO, Richard Gray said "It is extremely gratifying that
we have managed to use the experience of the BPT to re-engineer
aspects of Cononish and add significant value. With our improved
economic returns and short term funding secured which avoids undue
dilution for the existing shareholders, we now look forward to
securing an attractive full financing package and subject to
permitting, putting our mine into production at the earliest
opportunity".
For further information please contact:
Scotgold Resources Stockdale Securities Capital Markets Smaller Company
Limited Limited Consultants Capital
Ltd
------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Richard Gray Robert Finlay/ Simon Rothschild Rupert Williams
- CEO Ed Thomas
------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Tel: +44 (0)1838 Tel: +44 (0)20 Tel +44 (0)7703 Tel: +44
400 306 7601 6100 167 065 (0)20 3651
2911
------------------- --------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Forward Looking Statement
Statements regarding plans with respect to the Company's mineral
properties are forward-looking statements. There can be no
assurance that the Company's plans for development of its mineral
properties will proceed as currently expected. There can also be no
assurance that the Company will be able to confirm the presence of
additional mineral deposits, that any mineralisation will prove to
be economic or that a mine will successfully be developed on any of
the Company's mineral properties.
Appendix A: Glossary of technical terms
Term Description
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
GBP or GBP Pound Sterling
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
$ or USD United States of America Dollar
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
% Percent
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Adit Underground mining tunnel, for mining,
drainage, access
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Ag Silver, atomic number: 47. Measured
in parts per million (grams per tonnes)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Au Gold, atomic number: 79. Measured
in parts per million (grams per tonnes)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
CAPEX Capital Costs (short for Capital Expenditure).
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
CP Competent Person
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Dry Stack A TSF using de-watered tailings.
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
g Gram
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
g/t Grams per tonne (equal to parts per
million)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
LHOS Long Hole Open Stoping. Underground
mining technique that involves vertical
mining in a large, open stope between
sub levels. Typically blast holes
are drilled between sublevels using
a mechanised long hole drill rig.
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
m metre
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
M Million
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Measured that part of a Mineral Resource for
Resource which tonnage, densities, shape, physical
characteristics, grade and mineral
content can be estimated with a high
level of confidence. It is based on
exploration, sampling and testing
information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as
outcrops, trenches, pits, workings
and drill holes. The locations are
appropriately spaced to confirm geological
and/or grade continuity to a high
confidence
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Mineral A concentration or occurrence of material
Resource of intrinsic economic interest in
or on the Earth's crust in such form,
quality and quantity that there are
reasonable prospects for eventual
economic extraction. The location,
quantity, grade, geological characteristics
and continuity of a Mineral Resource
are known, estimated or interpreted
from specific geological evidence
and knowledge. Mineral Resources are
sub-divided, in order of increasing
geological confidence, into Inferred,
Indicated and Measured categories
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
mm millimetre
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
MRE Mineral Resource Estimate
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Mt million tonnes
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Mtpa Million tonnes per annum
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
OPEX Operating Costs
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
oz. Troy ounce (31.1034768 grams)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Pre-feasibility A comprehensive study of the viability
study (PFS) of a mineral project that has advanced
to a stage where the mining method,
in the case of underground mining,
or the pit configuration, in the case
of an open pit, has been established,
and which, if an effective method
of mineral processing has been determined,
includes a financial analysis based
on reasonable assumptions of technical,
engineering, operating and economic
factors and the evaluation of other
relevant factors which are sufficient
for a qualified person, acting reasonably,
to determine if all or part of the
mineral resource may be classified
as a mineral reserve
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
ppm Parts per million
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Probable A 'Probable Ore Reserve' is the economically
Ore Reserve mineable part of an Indicated, and
in some circumstances, a Measured
Mineral Resource. The confidence in
the Modifying Factors applying to
a Probable Ore Reserve is lower than
that applying to a Proved Ore Reserve.
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Proved Ore A 'Proved Ore Reserve' is the economically
Reserve mineable part of a Measured Mineral
Resource. A Proved Ore Reserve implies
a high degree of confidence in the
Modifying Factors.
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Pyrite An iron sulphide with the chemical
composition of FeS(2)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Reserves Mineable geological resources
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Resources Geological resources (both mineable
and un-mineable)
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
ROM Run of Mine
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Silver Precious metal (Ag), atomic number:
47
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Sub-level Underground mining technique that
stoping involves vertical mining in a large,
open stope
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Sulphides A mineral group that contains sulphur
as the major anion
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
TSF Tailings Storage Facility
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
tpm Tonnes per month
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Valley Fill A TSF requiring an impoundment dam
to retain wet tailings typically in
a valley.
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
Waste Un-mineralised rock, or rock that
is uneconomic to extract/process
---------------- -----------------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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