Gladstone Pac Share Discussion Threads

[daviddunne82] 23/2/2007 09:56

This is a long term play - and it is gonna get squeezed both ways. Sticking this one in the back pocket and leaving it

I believe that RAB Special Sits has this in their top 5 holdings - gives me a lot of comfort

[cagr] 22/2/2007 19:45

300k sell well below the bid, somebodys desperate to offload a few!

[daviddunne82] 16/2/2007 10:32

I think that this is a squeezy stock but the next level that i think will be tested is the 240 - this is double the IPO and fairly logical

However, long term i htink that there is a fantastic story here. The fact that there are proven and probable reserves provides a very solid foundation for the company, regardless of the short term share price.

The announcement of the DFS will be key, following which i expect the company to arrange some project financing with a couple of big boys securing the rest, or by taking taking a chuck of the equity - aka impala in APP. I think the end result for GPN could be that of APP!

[graphit] 20/1/2007 20:13

I have been lurking with a small holding. I am disappointed that there are not more, useful contributions. I am sure that over time the market cap of 57m must increase substantially, but why the recent rapid rise? How likely is a 20% fall from here?

[cagr] 20/1/2007 18:07

in your dreams Aerotus. GPN is in Australia and bagged the backing of the Aussie govnt within months. TMC on the other hand is at the mercy of a corrupt govnt and leading officials. GPNs reserve is also greater.

[aerotus] 20/1/2007 13:33

I'm expecting TMC to follow in GPN's shareprice footsteps over the following 12 months.

[cagr] 19/1/2007 21:44

ZERO discussion on a bulletin board = minimal private investor following, zero volume and the stock still goes up! Trying to time an entry into this is a fools game ;-(

[wassapper] 23/10/2006 21:41

Mention in Minesite weekly round up this week - routine stuff re Nickel price effect!

[mister x] 24/9/2006 10:54

Major backing from the Australian govnt...

Major projects in Gladstone region underline dynamic Qld economy
Joint Statement:
Premier of Queensland
The Honourable Peter Beattie

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation
The Honourable Anna Bligh

28/07/2006

Queensland is the midst of its greatest ever construction boom, said Premier Peter Beattie.

Mr Beattie said according to the Government's Projects Queensland 2005-06 report, 773 major projects over $10 million each were being currently undertaken or planned right across the State, covering mining and minerals processing, public transport, roads, rail, energy, ports, water infrastructure, tourism facilities, schools and hospitals.

He said the Government was driving much this development via its $66 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan as well as its 10 year Blueprint for the Bush which maps out $36 billion of public and private investment already being undertaken or under active consideration to sustain and grow rural and regional communities.

"Queensland is experiencing the most sustained period of growth and prosperity ever recorded in the State's history - stronger than any other state in Australia. As a result, business confidence in the State is high and we're attracting strong investment across all industrial sectors, from our traditional industries like mining to our emerging industries like aviation and aerospace," Mr Beattie said.

"What's driving our economic success story are: our growing population and the economic opportunities that are coming with that, the boom in the mining sector, especially the coal industry, and the Government's Smart State strategy which is setting up the State beautifully for the next 20 years of economic and social development.

"And all this in turn is driving a huge amount of construction activity throughout Queensland.

"You only had to look at what was happening in Gladstone City and Calliope Shire to see the level of economic activity in Queensland these days," Deputy Premer, Treasurer, and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation, Anna Bligh said.

Some of the major State, Federal and local government and private sector projects currently under construction or on the drawing board in the Gladstone region are the:

$2.5 billion Gladstone Pacific Nickel Project (with a total estimated development cost of $4 billion) is currently in the environmental impact study stage. Gladstone Pacific Nickel is completing a feasibility study for the establishment of a laterite nickel and cobalt mine at Marlborough and refinery on the Gladstone State Development Area;
Wiggins Island Coal Terminal has an estimated total development cost of $1.8 billion, $600 million of which is for stage one. It is expected to create 500 construction jobs and 125 operational jobs. The terminal would service the new and expanded coal mines in the southern Bowen Basin, as well as potential mine developments in the Surat Basin;
Up to $1.4 billion has been proposed for the stage two development of Comalco alumina refinery;
$420 million Gladstone Port Coal Terminal Expansion is expected to be completed in March 2007. The project will generate 400 construction jobs and more than 60 operational jobs;
The $161 million Fisherman's Landing port expansion in Calliope is in stage one of development;
The Central Queensland Gas Pipeline - from the Bowen Basin to the Gladstone area -
is presently under review with an estimated cost of $200 million. It involves constructing, owning and operating a 240 km high pressure transmission coal seam gas pipeline which could result in 300 construction jobs and 10 operational jobs;
$125 million for the proposed Fitzroy River Pipeline from Rockhampton to Gladstone to enhance security of water supply to Gladstone industry;
$35 million Emmadale Estate, touted as one of Gladstone's most prestigious residential developments, is under construction and will comprise 750 lots;
$21 million Kirkwood Road Project is underway.
Ms Bligh said this drive to greater economic development was not without its challenges, especially on the issues of water supply and the skills shortage that were not only affecting Queensland, but all of Australia.

She said the Government had committed more than $600 million in new water infrastructure projects alone for South East Queensland for 2006/07 and significant water infrastructure projects worth $990 million were under consideration for other parts of the State.

"We're also responding to the skills shortage with a range of initiatives, including the $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan we launched in March this year and which provides for a 17,000 new trades training places by 2010 and Engineer Your Future whereby we're actively working with industry and our tertiary institutions to encourage and support our young people to follow engineering as a career," she said.

Media Contacts:

Premier's Office -
Deputy Premier's Office - Steve Keating 3224 4379 or Chris Taylor 3224 5982

[shiny1000] 18/9/2006 22:00

Thanks Mister X, I bow to your greater knowledge, are you a mining expert?

Yes with GPN being under the radar it seems plausible that when it erupts it will be very high on the richter scale however with the DFS being put back to 2007, I concur with your sentiments that this will take place next year, that is the awakening in it's shareprice. I do beleive RAB are involved which is always a good sign as they know how to pick these upstarts.

[mister x] 18/9/2006 21:22

Shiny--> GPN have various diffences imo to TMC, hence why its a much larger portion of my own portfolio.

- GPN is in a regionally safe haven, free from corruption, mining lobbyists and major red tape, unlike TMC.

- The free stock float is much less liquid and more tightly held, any buying in quantity would move the price with ease.

- It remains under the radar of the market, both the private investor and the institutions, so far.

- The reserve is of a higher quality and extractable ratio than Berong

- GPN has a greater cash cushion at present than TMC

- The project has the 100% backing of the Australian govnt, something TMC evidently doesnt have given its failure to date to secure major permits, despite continuous promises. Its been given the highest priority status by the Australian govnt agency and even has the capital backing of Govnt department agency - "Invest Australia". Nothing it seems, at present stands in its way.

I've believe given the above, GPN imo is a much more attractive and safer option than TMC with greater upside also. The only negative in comparison is, should TMC attain their MPSA then they will be on stream and producing sooner than GPN. However, I'm patient and hope to benefit from both, in the longer term i believe GPN will offer me more though.

[shiny1000] 18/9/2006 19:53

How do you compare TMC to GPN Mister X, are TMC onto become the 3rd largest?

[mister x] 18/9/2006 17:56

LONDON (AFX) - Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd reported a swing to profit in the year to end-June after a gain on the sale of Weda Bay Minerals Inc of 4.3 mln aud.

The group reported a pretax profit of 3.6 mln aud, up from a loss of 622,614 aud.

The company built up a stake in Weda Bay as part of a strategy to work together for mutual benefit and it said it sold the stake once it became clear that the Weda Bay management were not interested in progressing discussions.

Gladstone also announced today that has signed a binding Heads of Agreement that secures substantial long-term limonite nickel ore supply from New Caledonia.

GPNL has entered into the heads of agreement with Societe des Mines de la Tontouta ("SMT"), a company that owns nickel ore mines and numerous nickel ore tenements on the east coast of New Caledonia.

As well as its obligation to purchase set amounts of nickel ore per annum, Gladstone will participate in the development of a new mine to provide for a substantial increase in ore supply that will be required for the proposed high-pressure acid leach ("HPAL") plant.

SMT will hold 51 pct of the equity in the capital of a new company to be set up to operate the mine with GPNL providing all development costs and start-up costs through shareholder loans.

Gladstone Pacific will be required, at its own option, to pay a minimum of around 11 mln usd in developing the mine over the option period.

Gladstone said it has extended the current definitive feasibility study completion date. This additional work will be completed by mid 2007 at which time the environment issues study (EIS) will also be complete and through the public review process.

The group said it expects the final capital costs to be generated by the DFS will rise from those quoted in the prospectus.

Given the capital cost increases recently announced on these projects, the group said it will do all that is possible whilst evaluating the DFS to optimise the final project capital costs. However the company expects the capital costs to be well in excess of 2 bln usd for the 60,000 tpa nickel production case.

[e-mail] sl

[mister x] 18/9/2006 17:46

If you have a long term (2yr+) time horizon and a bullish view on Nickel, I have, then yes. The project is immense in size, has the full backing from the Australian government and is in a 100% safe economic region with full pro mining backing. Exceptional risk/reward attractiveness.

With the potential to create the worlds 4th largest Nickel mine and a £30mln mkt cap, it looks very attractive. Easily a target for a major once the "dirty" work is complete. stock also very tightly held.

[shiny1000] 18/9/2006 15:58

So what do you reckon Mister X, still a good investment?

[mister x] 18/9/2006 13:35

18 September 2006: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2006
Gladstone Pacific Nickel Limited (ACN 104 261 887) ("GPNL" or the "Company")

The results for this year have been affected mainly by the profit on the sale of Weda Bay Minerals Inc. ("Weda Bay") shares of A$4,272,089. The Company built up a stake in Weda Bay as part of a strategy to work together for mutual benefit. The stake was sold once it became clear that the Weda Bay management were not interested in progressing discussions.

Including the proceeds of the sale of the Weda Bay shareholding, the Company made an overall profit of A$2,434,452, compared to a loss of A$440,550 for the prior year. The loss before tax (excluding the profit from the sale of the Weda Bay shares) is A$674,970 (2005: A$622,614). Earnings per share were A$0.081 (2005: a loss of A$0.0267). A$12,559,145 (2005: A$1,786,439) was spent on evaluation and exploration expenditure during the year, together with A$1,891,444 (2005: A$280,762) on general and administration expenditure.

This increase in the level of expenditure reflects the progress the Company has been making in its activities during the current year and is commented on in more detail below.

In my interim report the company reported on the completion of its initial drill program at Marlborough and the increase in the resource base by 22% and that the beneficiation testwork on HPAL feed material indicated an average upgrade of 28% at a 64% mass recovery (ie. 81% of the Nickel is recoverable into 64% of the mass).

These developments have been complemented in the second half with the announcement that the Company has reached a binding heads of agreement to purchase 4 mining leases adjacent to and south west of Marlborough and that the first Stage of the Gladstone Nickel Project (GNP) has been granted Major Project Facilitation (MPF) status by the Federal Government of Australia. As a result, the Australian government's inward investment agency, Invest Australia, will assist the Company to gain all necessary government, environmental and community approvals for the first stage of the GNP which should prove a major benefit to the Company. Invest Australia will also identify relevant government programs that may assist the Project.

The Central Queensland Port Authority (CQPA) are proceeding with the Final Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for the development of the new Wiggins Island export/import terminal in Gladstone, which has encouraged the Company to accelerate its plans to process a blend of New Caledonian high grade ore and Marlborough ore from "day one" of its production plan. The feasibility study and associated EIS are well advanced and running in parallel with GPNL's revised study.

I would draw shareholders attention to the announcement today that the Company has signed binding Heads of Agreement with Société des Mines de la Tontouta ("SMT"), a company that owns nickel ore mines and numerous nickel ore tenements on the east coast of New Caledonia. This secures substantial long-term limonite nickel ore supply from New Caledonia. Further details on this will be announced on the signing of a formal contract in due course.

The combination of this decision with the outcome of the Company's metallurgical test program results shows that an increased production rate of up to 60,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) nickel metal and 4,800 tpa cobalt (out of the same two autoclaves) should be achievable by the completion of the ramp up period after commissioning starts in 2010.


DEFINITIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY
In light of the above developments, the Company has extended the current DFS completion date. This additional work will be completed by mid 2007 at which time the EIS will also be complete and through the public review process.

Positive outcomes of the DFS to date include:

• Environmental issues are well understood with a draft EIS to be available for public display prior to the end of the year.

• The Residue Storage Area will be sufficient to provide a minimum of 25 years storage volume at a production rate of 120,000 tonnes of nickel per year covering the first two stages of the Project.

• The Company is in final negotiations with the Queensland State Yarwun Refinery site and associated Residue Storage Facilities at Aldoga (both in the Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA).

• The Pipeline corridor route has been defined after detailed discussions with landowners and environmental and constructability reviews.

• The metallurgical test programmes have demonstrated substantial improvements in nickel recoveries by utilisation of sea water rather than fresh water. In addition, a significant opportunity to reduce residence time in the autoclave was highlighted resulting in increased design autoclave throughput rates.

• The continuing good working relationship with the Traditional Owners in the vicinity of the Marlborough mine.

CAPITAL COSTS

It is anticipated that the final capital costs to be generated by the DFS will rise from those quoted in the Prospectus (for effectively Stages1 & 2). Not only a doubling of the production rate of nickel and cobalt, but also additional capital costs associated with mining and loading of imported ore, and the current worldwide pressure on engineering resources coupled with the high commodity price environment will contribute to the increase.

The Company has observed the effect of current market conditions and developments on other major projects such as BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe in Australia and Inco's Goro in New Caledonia nickel projects, both of which will produce approximately 60,000 tpa of nickel each and should be completed by the end of next year, making them good benchmarks for our project.

Given the capital cost increases recently announced on these projects, GPNL will do all that is possible (including offshore modularisation) whilst evaluating the DFS to optimise the final project capital costs. However the Company expects the capital costs to be well in excess of US$2 billion for the 60,000 tpa nickel production case.

OUTLOOK

The Company has made substantial progress through the year. Although the increase in capital costs is painful to swallow, it was inevitable given the worldwide pressures commented on above. However this is more than compensated by the success of our metallurgical testwork, the high price of nickel and the improved outlook for nickel pricing long term. Whereas our original base case economics were based on a nickel price of US$3.75/lb and cobalt price of US$10.00/lb , current prices in excess of $13.00/lb of nickel and US$19.00/lb of cobalt mean that a higher base case price is sensible.The Company has a potentially highly lucrative project which will make even better economic sense in the current environment than was originally planned.

Robert Pearce
Chairman

[mister x] 18/9/2006 08:27

Delays and cost over runs announced in the release this morning ;-(

[madmanc] 17/8/2006 00:28

ooohhhh lols!:-)

[mister x] 16/8/2006 22:28

daz2004

It does indeed, plenty of smart money backing the company too with major holdings of capital - Rab etc. Economically safe region and a pro govnt eager to increase the commodity production within the country. All in all, a tad sight more attractive than some, Phili for example ;-)

[daz2004] 16/8/2006 22:09

Looks very attractive....especially being in oz...could easily see a rio tinto or bhp bid?

[madmanc] 16/8/2006 22:08

Mr X

You forgot to apologise to BPRG holders for calling it so wrong 2 days ago! lols:-)

I was correct in my opinion of you it seems.

[mister x] 16/8/2006 21:43

view from Hardman & Co...

"This project has the potential to be amongst the largest in the world
producing over 150,000 tpa nickel – equivalent to around 10% of world
demand. Watch this space......."