Update on Yangibana and JV Partner Funding

RNS Number : 2265Q

Cadence Minerals PLC

24 February 2021

 

Cadence Minerals Plc

("Cadence Minerals", "Cadence" or "the Company")

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[1].

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[2] 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"

- Ends -

For further information:

Cadence Minerals plc	[phone]
Andrew Suckling
Kiran Morzaria
WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker)	[phone]
James Joyce
James Sinclair-Ford
Novum Securities Limited (Joint Broker)	[phone]
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.

 

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[1] Hastings Technology Metals Limited (2017) Yangibana Project Definitive Feasibility Study, Executive Summary. pp 58-60.

[2] Hastings Technology Metals Limited (2020) Annual Report 2020. pp 21

 

 

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