Lemur Resources Q1 Operational Update

RNS Number : 9478J

Bushveld Minerals Limited

05 April 2018

 

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

5 April 2018

Bushveld Minerals Limited

("Bushveld" or the "Company")

Lemur Resources Q1 Operational Update

Bushveld Minerals, the AIM-listed integrated vanadium producer with additional investments in coal, power and tin, is pleased to provide an operational update in respect of Lemur Holdings Limited ("Lemur"), Bushveld's coal and energy subsidiary that is developing an integrated thermal coal mining and independent power project in Madagascar.

Highlights:  

·      Load, demand and transmission routing studies completed

·      Discussions with Madagascan government regarding Concession initiated

·      Social and Environmental Impact Assessment ("SEIA") commenced

·      Consultants appointed to support engagement with financial institutions for project financing

Fortune Mojapelo, CEO of Bushveld Minerals Limited, commented:

 "Notwithstanding Bushveld Minerals' focus on its flagship vanadium platform, the Company is committed to progressing the Lemur project as an integrated coal mining and power project, a configuration that it believes is key to unlocking the significant value inherent in the project. We believe the Imaloto Power Project is key for the southwestern region of Madagascar. The design and location of the Project would immediately increase the country's baseload power supply by approximately 15 per cent, with the option to scale up to supply more power to new electricity users in the region in the longer term."

"I am therefore pleased to see significant progress made on the project - particularly now that it is in process of completing a bankable feasibility study.  Moreover, I am delighted to note the positive cooperation with the Madagascan government as we advance discussions on the concession for the power project alongside the various studies that are an important part of the bankable feasibility study."

Prince Nyati, CEO of Lemur Resources Limited, commented:

"Lemur is focused on building on the achievements made in 2017, key among these was the signing of a 30 year PPA with JIRAMA which is a statutory precondition to receiving a concession for the Power Project from the government. The process to obtain the concession is underway and is a top priority for 2018. Likewise, Lemur will focus on completing the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment. These approvals will be pursued together with the Bankable Feasibility Study and discussions with potential partners for project financing.

"A key strategy for Lemur is for the asset to supply sustainable and affordable baseload power by using locally produced fuel to provide power to the southwestern region of Madagascar. This is critical for local industry, manufacturing and economic development in the region."

Lemur, through its Madagascan subsidiary Imaloto Power Project SARL. executed in November 2017 a binding Power Purchase Agreement ("PPA") with state-owned utility, Jiro sy Rano Malagasy ("JIRAMA") as part of the Imaloto Power Project. The power plant will be located at the mine-mouth of Lemur's coal deposit, which has a JORC compliant resource of approximately 136 million tonnes of coal. The addition of a power component will support Lemur's plans to unlock the value of the coal asset, while at the same time secure a reliable electricity off-take backed by a government entity for the people of Madagascar.

The load, demand and transmission routing study primarily focussed on understanding the load demand in the catchment area as well as to align the design and phasing of the power plant capacity and transmission with actual demand in the catchment area. These studies are critical to concluding the bankable feasibility study ("BFS") of the Project.

Discussions with the Government of Madagascar on obtaining a Concession for the Project are at an advanced stage, with the Concession Agreement currently under legal review by the parties' respective legal teams.

We have commenced the SEIA which is supported by Worley Parsons/Advisian. The advisers are currently preparing the formal submission to the Environmental Ministry. We have conducted procurement of financial advisory consultants to support engagement with financial institutions for project financing. The financial advisers will among other things, prepare the financial modelling and structuring. They will also assist with the credit enhancement and risk management.

Figure 1: Imaloto Power Project Timeline

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9478J_-2018-4-5.pdf 

Objectives for 2018:

·      Obtain the concession for the Project

·      Conclude the SEIA Study

·      Pursue funding and credit enhancement options for the Project, which have already been initiated

·      Secure additional offtakes above the current demand from JIRAMA

·      Seek to conclude coal offtakes with third parties - the coal mine is viable with only supplying coal to the Power Project. Notwithstanding, supplying coal to third parties provides early cashflows prior to commissioning of the power plant

·      Further explore strategic partnerships for the Project (technical, commercial and financial)

·      The projected power project commissioning date is 2021

Enquiries: [e-mail]

Bushveld Minerals	[phone]
Fortune Mojapelo, Chief Executive Officer
Chika Edeh, Head of Investor Relations
Lemur Resources Limited Prince Nyati, Chief Executive Officer, Lemur Resources Limited	[phone]
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP	[phone]
Nominated Adviser & Broker
Ewan Leggat
Richard Morrison
Alternative Resource Capital	[phone]
Joint Broker
Alex Wood
Blytheweigh
Financial PR
Tim Blythe / Nick Elwes	[phone]
Gabriella von Ille	[phone]

ABOUT BUSHVELD MINERALS LIMITED

Bushveld Minerals is an AIM listed integrated vanadium producer with additional investments in coal, power and tin. 

The Company's flagship vanadium platform includes a 59.1 per cent controlling interest in Bushveld Vametco Alloys (Pty) Ltd a primary vanadium mining and processing company; the Mokopane Vanadium Project and the Brits Vanadium Project. The coal platform comprises the wholly-owned Imaloto Coal Project, which is being developed as one of Madagascar's leading independent power producers. The Company's tin interests are held through its shareholding in AIM listed AfriTin Mining Limited.

Bushveld's vision is to become a significant, low cost, integrated primary vanadium producer through owned high grade assets. This incorporates development and promotion of the role of vanadium in the growing global energy storage market through Bushveld Energy, the Company's energy storage solutions provider. Whilst the demand for vanadium remains largely anchored in the steel industry, Bushveld Minerals believes there is strong potential for an imminent and significant global vanadium demand surge from the fast-growing energy storage market, particularly through the use and adoption of Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

The Company's approach to project development recognises that, whilst attractive project economics are imperative, they are insufficient to secure capital to bring them to account. A clear path to production within a visible timeframe, low capital expenditure requirements and scalability are important factors in ensuring a positive return on investment. This philosophy is core to the Company's strategy in developing projects.

Detailed information on the Company and progress to date can be accessed on the website: www.bushveldminerals.com.

About Lemur Resources Limited

Lemur Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bushveld Minerals and is the company's coal and power platform. The Imaloto Project is located in the southwest of Madagascar and consists of a 136 million tonne coal resource (90 per cent of which is of JORC compliant Measured and Indicated). The Project also includes an initial 60MW mine mouth coal power plant as well as over 200km of new transmission lines, developed in parallel as one of Madagascar's leading independent power producers.

 

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