TIDMKP2
RNS Number : 3234X
Kore Potash PLC
29 April 2019
29 April 2019
Kore Potash Plc
("Kore Potash" or the "Company")
Review of Operations for the Quarter Ended 31 March 2019
Kore Potash, the potash exploration and development company
whose flagship asset is the 97%-owned Sintoukola Potash Project
("Kola" or the "Project"), located within the Republic of Congo
("RoC"), provides the following quarterly update, for the period to
31 March 2019 (the "Quarter").
Highlights
-- The Company completed its review of the Kola Definitive
Feasibility Study ("DFS") and released a summary of results to
Shareholders on 29 January 2019.
-- The Company received an Engineering, Procurement and
Construction ("EPC") proposal for its Kola Project from the French
Consortium ("FC") of Engineering Companies on 23 March 2019.
-- A Scoping Study for a low capital cost, high cash margin
potash project at Dougou Extension ("DX") was completed and
indicates that following a 2-year construction period DX can
produce 400 ktpa MoP for 17 years at an operating cost of US$ 83/t
FOB.
-- The Regulator reviewing the amended Kola environmental and
social impact assessment (the "ESIA") requested the submission be
reformatted into separate volumes. The re-submission is planned to
occur during Quarter 2 of 2019.
-- At the end of the Quarter the Company held USD 4.0 million cash at bank.
Operational activities
The Kola Potash Project
-- The Company completed its review of the Kola DFS and released
a summary of results to Shareholders on 29 January 2019.
-- As part of the DFS, Ore Reserves were estimated for the Kola
sylvinite Deposit. The combined total Ore Reserves are 152 Mt of
sylvinite grading 32.5% KCl (Table 1.), hosted within 3 layers
('seams'). Details of the Ore Reserve estimate are provided in the
market announcement dated 29 January 2019.
-- The Company received the EPC proposal from the FC on 23 March
2019 and the Company immediately commenced discussions with the FC
towards formation of an EPC contract.
-- The Company commenced discussions with the FC to explore
options to optimise the capital cost and construction schedule for
Kola.
Dougou Extension Sylvinite Scoping Study
-- A Scoping Study on the potential for a low capital cost, high
cash margin potash project at the DX sylvinite deposit was
completed.
-- The Scoping Study considers the extraction of sylvinite from
DX by a solution mining method over an initial life of 17 years
that depletes 43% of the Indicated Mineral Resources at DX.
-- The full details of the Scoping Study were released on 26 April 2019 and highlights include:
-- Attractive life-of-mine cost of sales, free on board (FOB) of approximately US$82.74/t MoP
-- Estimated base case initial capital cost of approximately
US$327 million (real 2019) to produce approximately 400 ktpa white
granular MoP
-- Estimated two-year construction period provides the company
with near term production options.
-- Base case real ungeared IRR of approximately 19.3% and base
case post-tax ungeared NPV10 (real) of approximately US$221 million
on an attributable basis at life-of-mine average MoP price for
granular product of US$360/t
-- Average base case annual post construction, post-tax, free
cash flow of approximately US$74 million and approximately 4.25
years post-tax payback period from first production
-- Infrastructure overlaps with the Kola sylvinite and Dougou
carnallite projects will have a positive impact on the future
development costs and construction timeframes of those two
projects
-- The Company has commenced planning for a 2D seismic survey
and a 4 hole diamond drill hole programme and a series of technical
studies that collectively are expected to satisfy the requirements
for a pre-feasibility study.
Environmental and social impact assessment for Kola ("ESIA")
-- In December 2018, the amended Kola ESIA was submitted to the
regulator for their review, prior to the Minister of Environment's
final approval.
-- The regulator has indicated that the ESIA is acceptable
technically and has requested the Company to resubmit the document
as separate volumes. The Company plans to re-submit the for final
approval in Q2 2019.
Mining Convention and Research Convention
-- The Company continues to engage with the RoC Government on
the implementation of commitments contained within the Mining
Convention. This includes the intra-group transfer of the Dougou
Mining License from Sintoukola Potash S.A. to the operating entity
Dougou Potash Mining S.A. and the transfer of a 10% shareholding in
Kola Potash Mining S.A. and Dougou Potash Mining S.A. to the
State.
-- The Company further progressed discussion with the Government
on terms and conditions for a mining research convention covering
the Sintoukola 2 exploration license. This convention is required
to be negotiated in advance of any exploration activity.
Exploration activity
-- No field-work exploration activities were undertaken during the period.
Cash Balances
-- At 31 March 2019, the company held USD 4.002 million cash at bank.
For further information, please visit www.korepotash.com or
contact:
Kore Potash Tel: +27 11 469 9140
Brad Sampson - CEO bsampson@korepotash.com
Tavistock Communications Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150
Jos Simson jos.simson@tavistock.co.uk
Edward Lee edward.lee@tavistock.co.uk
Canaccord Genuity - Nomad and Broker Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 4600
Martin Davison MDavison@canaccordgenuity.com
James Asensio jasensio@canaccordgenuity.com
-S-
Tenement Details and Ownership
The Company is incorporated and registered in England and Wales
and wholly owns Kore Potash Limited of Australia. Kore Potash
Limited has a 97% holding in SPSA in the RoC. SPSA is the 100%
owner of Dougou Potash Mining S.A. which will hold the Dougou
Mining Lease (Figure 2) upon the transfer from SPSA to Dougou
Potash Mining S.A. through the issue of a Presidential Decree. In
addition, SPSA were recently awarded the Sintoukola 2 Exploration
Permit. The Kola Deposit is located within the Kola Mining Lease.
The Dougou Mining lease hosts the Dougou Deposit and the Dougou
Extension Deposit.
Table 1: Schedule of mining tenements (Republic of Congo)
Project & Type Tenement Company Interest Title Registered
to
Kola - Mining Decree 2013-412 100% potassium Kola Potash Mining
of 9 August 2013 rights only S.A.
------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
Dougou - Mining Decree 2017-139 100% potassium Sintoukola Potash
of 9 May 2017 rights only S.A.
------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
Sintoukola 2 Decree 2018-34 100% potassium Sintoukola Potash
- Exploration of 9 February rights only S.A.
2018
------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
About Kore Potash's Projects
Kore Potash is an advanced stage mineral exploration and
development company whose primary asset is 97%-owned interest in
the Sintoukola project, a potash project located in the Republic of
Congo. The Sintoukola project comprises the Kola sylvinite and
carnallite Deposits, the Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposit and the
Dougou carnallite Deposit (Table 2). These deposits are within the
Kola and Dougou Mining Licenses. The Sintoukola project also
includes the Sintoukola 2 Exploration License.
Sintoukola is located approximately 80 km to the north of the
city of Pointe Noire which has a major port facility, and within 30
km of the Atlantic coast. Sintoukola has the potential to be among
the world's lowest-cost potash producers and its location near the
coast offers a transport cost advantage to global fertilizer
markets.
The Kola sylvinite Deposit has a Measured and Indicated
sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate of 508 million tonnes grading
35.4 % KCl. The results of a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS")
were announced on 29 January 2019, which determined Ore Reserves of
152.4 Mt with an average grade of 32.5% KCl. The deposit is open
laterally; an Exploration Target for the Southward extension of
sylvinite was announced on the 21 November 2018.
The Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposit contains a total
sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate of 232 Mt grading 38.1% KCl,
hosted by two seams. The Mineral Resource includes 67 Mt grading
60.1 % KCl. Dougou Extension is located 15 km southwest of Kola.
The deposit is open laterally; an Exploration Target for the
northward extension of sylvinite was announced on the 21 November
2018.
The Kola and Dougou Extension sylvinite Deposits are considered
high grade relative to most potash deposits globally and have the
advantage of having very low content of insoluble material, less
than 0.3% which provides a further processing advantage.
The Dougou carnallite Deposit has a Measured and Indicated
Potash Mineral Resource of 1.1 billion tonnes grading 20.6% KCl (at
a depth of between 400 and 600 metres) hosted by 35-40 metres of
carnallitite within 4 flat-lying seams. A Scoping Study was
completed in February 2015. This Study indicated that a Life of
Mine operating cost of US$68 per tonne MoP was achievable.
-- Muriate of Potash (MoP) is the saleable form of potassium
chloride (KCl), comprising of a minimum 95% KCl.
-- Sylvinite is a rock type comprised predominantly of the
potash mineral sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl).
-- Carnallitite is a rock type comprised predominantly of the
potash mineral carnallite (KMgCl(3) --6H(2) O) and halite
(NaCl).
Table 2: Kore's Potash Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves,
provided as Gross and Net Attributable (to Kore's 97% holding),
prepared and reported according to the JORC Code, 2012 edition.
SYLVINITE DEPOSITS
KOLA SYLVINITE DEPOSIT
Gross Net Attributable (97%)
-------------------------------
Mineral Resource Category Million Grade Contained Million Grade Contained
Tonnes KCl KCl million Tonnes KCl KCl million
% tonnes % tonnes
-------- ------ -------------
Measured 216 34.9 75 209 34.9 73
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Indicated 292 35.7 104 283 35.7 101
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Sub-Total Measured
+ Indicated 508 35.4 180 492 35.4 174
Inferred 340 34.0 116 330 34.0 112
--------
TOTAL 848 34.8 295 822 34.8 286
-------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Gross Net Attributable (97%)
-------------------------------
Ore Reserve Category Million Grade Contained Million Grade Contained
Tonnes KCl KCl million Tonnes KCl KCl million
% tonnes % tonnes
-------- ------ -------------
Proved 62 32.1 20 60 32.1 19
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Probable 91 32.8 30 88 32.8 29
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
TOTAL 152 32.5 50 148 32.5 48
-------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Ore Reserves are not in addition to Mineral Resources but
are derived from them by the application of modifying factors
DOUGOU EXTENSION SYLVINITE DEPOSIT
Gross Net Attributable (97%)
-------------------------------
Mineral Resource Category Million Grade Contained Million Grade Contained
Tonnes KCl KCl million Tonnes KCl KCl million
% tonnes % tonnes
------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Measured - - - - - -
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Indicated 111 37.2 41 108 37.2 40
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Sub-Total Measured
+ Indicated 111 37.2 41 108 37.2 40
--------------------------- ------ ------------- ------ -------------
Inferred 121 38.9 47 117 38.9 46
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
TOTAL 232 38.1 88 225 38.1 86
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
DOUGOU CARNALLITE DEPOSIT
Gross Net Attributable
-------------------------------
Mineral Resource Category Million Grade Contained Million Grade Contained
Tonnes KCl KCl million Tonnes KCl KCl million
% tonnes % tonnes
-------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Measured 148 20.1 30 144 20.1 29
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Indicated 920 20.7 190 892 20.7 185
-------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Sub-Total Measured
+ Indicated 1,068 20.6 220 1,036 20.6 214
-------- ------ ------------- ------
Inferred 1,988 20.8 414 1,928 20.8 401
-------- ------ ------------- --------
TOTAL 3,056 20.7 634 2,964 20.7 615
-------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
KOLA CARNALLITE DEPOSIT
Gross Net Attributable
-------------------------------
Mineral Resource Category Million Grade Contained Million Grade Contained
Tonnes KCl KCl million Tonnes KCl KCl million
% tonnes % tonnes
------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Measured 341 17.4 59 331 17.4 58
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Indicated 441 18.7 83 428 18.7 80
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- -------------
Sub-Total Measured
+ Indicated 783 18.1 142 760 18.1 138
Inferred 1,266 18.7 236 1,228 18.7 229
--------
TOTAL 2,049 18.5 378 1,988 18.5 367
--------------------------- ------ ------------- -------- ------ -------------
Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains statements that are "forward-looking".
Generally, the words "expect," "potential", "intend, " "estimate,"
"will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
By their very nature and whilst there is a reasonable basis for
making such statements regarding the proposed placement described
herein; forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown
risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results,
performance or achievements, to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any of our forward-looking statements,
which are not guarantees of future performance. Statements in this
report regarding the Company's business or proposed business, which
are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, such as resource estimates and
statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or
goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management
expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since
forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by
their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
Actual results in each case could differ materially from those
currently anticipated in such statements.
Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they
are made.
Competent Person Statement
The information relating to Exploration Targets, Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in this report is based
on, or extracted from previous reports referred to herein, and
available to view on the Company's website www.korepotash.com The
Kola Mineral Resource Estimate was reported 6 July 2017 in an
announcement titled 'Updated Mineral Resource for the High Grade
Kola Deposit'. It was prepared by Competent Person Mr. Garth
Kirkham, P.Geo., of Met-Chem division of DRA Americas Inc., a
subsidiary of the DRA Group, and a member of the Association of
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. The
Ore Reserve Estimate for sylvinite at Kola was first reported 29
January 2019 in an announcement titled 'Kola Definitive Feasibility
Study' and was prepared by Met-Chem; the Competent Person for the
estimate is Mr. Molavi, member of good standing of Engineers and
Geoscientists of British Columbia. The Dougou carnallite Mineral
Resource Estimate was reported 9 February 2015 in an announcement
titled 'Elemental Minerals Announces Large Mineral Resource
Expansion and Upgrade for the Dougou Potash Deposit'. It was
prepared by Competent Persons Dr. Sebastiaan van der Klauw and Ms.
Jana Neubert, senior geologists and employees of ERCOSPLAN
Ingenieurgesellschaft Geotechnik und Bergbau mbH and members of
good standing of the European Federation of Geologists. The
Dougou
Extension sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate was reported 20
August 2018 in an announcement titled 'Maiden Sylvinite Mineral
Resource at Dougou Extension'. It was prepared by Competent Person
Mr. Andrew Pedley a full-time employee of Kore Potash, a registered
professional natural scientist with the South African Council for
Natural Scientific Professions and member of the Geological Society
of South Africa. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any
new information or data that materially affects the information
included in the original market announcements and, in the case of
estimates of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves that all material
assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in
the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not
materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context
in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not
been materially modified from the original market announcement.
+ Rule 5.5
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity and oil and gas exploration entity
quarterly report
Introduced 01/07/96 Origin Appendix 8 Amended 01/07/97,
01/07/98, 30/09/01, 01/06/10, 17/12/10, 01/05/13, 01/09/16
Name of entity
--------------------------------------------------
KORE POTASH plc
ARBN Quarter ended ("current quarter")
------------ ----------------------------------
621 843 614 31 MARCH 2019
----------------------------------
Consolidated statement of cash Current quarter Year to date
flows $US'000
(3 months)
$US'000
1. Cash flows from operating
activities
1.1 Receipts from customers -) -)
1.2 Payments for
(a) exploration and evaluation (926) (926)
(b) development -) -)
(c) production -) -)
(d) staff costs (550) (550)
(e) administration and corporate
costs (678) (678)
1.3 Dividends received (see note -) -)
3)
1.4 Interest received 18) 18)
1.5 Interest and other costs of -) -)
finance paid
1.6 Income taxes paid (21)) (21))
1.7 Research and development refunds -) -)
1.8 Other (provide details if -) -)
material)
---------------- ----------------
Net cash from / (used in)
1.9 operating activities (2,157) (2,157)
----- ------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
2. Cash flows from investing
activities
2.1 Payments to acquire:
(a) property, plant and equipment (11) (11)
(b) tenements (see item 10) -) -)
(c) investments -) -)
(d) other non-current assets -) -)
2.2 Proceeds from the disposal
of:
(a) property, plant and equipment -) -)
(b) tenements (see item 10) -) -)
(c) investments -) -)
(d) 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)
---------------- ----------------
Net cash from / (used in)
2.6 investing activities (11) (11)
------- ----------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
3. Cash flows from financing
activities
3.1 Proceeds from issues of shares -) -)
3.2 Proceeds from issue of convertible -) -)
notes
3.3 Proceeds from exercise of -) -)
share options
3.4 Transaction costs related -) -)
to issues of shares, convertible
notes or options
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
------- ----------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
4. Net increase / (decrease)
in cash and cash equivalents
for the period
Cash and cash equivalents
4.1 at beginning of period 6,187) 6,187)
Net cash from / (used in)
operating activities (item
4.2 1.9 above) (2,157) (2,157)
Net cash from / (used in)
investing activities (item
4.3 2.6 above) (11) (11)
4.4 Net cash from / (used in) - -
financing activities (item
3.10 above)
Effect of movement in exchange
4.5 rates on cash held (17) (17)
---------------- ----------------
Cash and cash equivalents
4.6 at end of period 4,002 4,002
------- ----------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
5. Reconciliation of cash and Current quarter Previous quarter
cash equivalents $US'000 $US'000
at the end of the quarter
(as shown in the consolidated
statement of cash flows) to
the related items in the accounts
5.1 Bank balances 4,002) 6,187
5.2 Call deposits -) -)
5.3 Bank overdrafts -) -)
5.4 Other (provide details) -) -)
---------------- -----------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of quarter (should
5.5 equal item 4.6 above) 4,002) 6,187
---- ----------------------------------- ---------------- -----------------
6. Payments to directors of the entity and Current quarter
their associates $US'000
Aggregate amount of payments to these parties
6.1 included in item 1.2 256
----------------
6.2 Aggregate amount of cash flow from loans -
to these parties included in item 2.3
----------------
6.3 Include below any explanation necessary to understand
the transactions included in items 6.1 and 6.2
------ -----------------------------------------------------------------
All transactions included in item 6.1 are for payment of directors
fees.
7. Payments to related entities of the entity Current quarter
and their associates $US'000
7.1 Aggregate amount of payments to these parties -
included in item 1.2
----------------
7.2 Aggregate amount of cash flow from loans -
to these parties included in item 2.3
----------------
7.3 Include below any explanation necessary to understand
the transactions included in items 7.1 and 7.2
---- ----------------------------------------------------------------
8. Financing facilities available Total facility Amount drawn
Add notes as necessary for amount at quarter at quarter end
an understanding of the position end $US'000
$US'000
8.1 Loan facilities - -
------------------- ----------------
8.2 Credit standby arrangements - -
------------------- ----------------
8.3 Other (please specify) - -
------------------- ----------------
8.4 Include below a description of each facility above, including
the lender, interest rate and whether it is secured or
unsecured. If any additional facilities have been entered
into or are proposed to be entered into after quarter
end, include details of those facilities as well.
---- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Estimated cash outflows for next $US'000
quarter
9.1 Exploration and evaluation 1,317
9.2 Development -
9.3 Production -
9.4 Staff costs 523
9.5 Administration and corporate costs 523
9.6 Other (provide details if material) -
--------
9.7 Total estimated cash outflows 2,363
---- ------------------------------------ --------
10. Changes in tenements Tenement Nature of interest Interest Interest
(items 2.1(b) reference at beginning at end
and 2.2(b) above) and location of quarter of quarter
10.1 Interests in - - - -
mining tenements
and petroleum
tenements lapsed,
relinquished
or reduced
----- --------------------- -------------- ------------------- -------------- ------------
10.2 Interests in - - - -
mining tenements
and petroleum
tenements acquired
or increased
----- --------------------- -------------- ------------------- -------------- ------------
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.
Sign here: ........(signed electronically)
........................... Date: April 2019
Joint Company Secretary
Print name: Henko Vos.
Notes
1. The quarterly report provides a basis for informing the
market how the entity's activities have been financed for the past
quarter and the effect on its cash position. An entity that wishes
to disclose additional information is encouraged to do so, in a
note or notes included in or attached to this report.
2. If this quarterly 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 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.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
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END
UPDZMGZDGRDGLZZ
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