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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kore Potash Plc | LSE:KP2 | London | Ordinary Share | GB00BYP2QJ94 | ORD USD0.001 |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00% | 0.515 | 0.50 | 0.53 | 0.515 | 0.515 | 0.515 | 2,857,589 | 07:38:04 |
| Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024
TIDMKP2
RNS Number : 3229X
Kore Potash PLC
29 April 2019
This Announcement contains inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 ("MAR"). Upon the publication of this Announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
29 April 2019
Kore Potash Plc
("Kore Potash" or the "Company")
Dougou Extension Solution Mining Project Scoping Study
Kore Potash, the potash development company whose flagship asset is the 97%-owned Sintoukola Potash Project in the Republic of Congo, is pleased to announce the results of a Scoping Study undertaken to assess the viability of producing 400 thousand tonnes per annum (ktpa) of Muriate of Potash (MoP) from a portion of the sylvinite in the Dougou Extension (DX) Deposit by a solution mining method (all together the "Scoping Study"). The Scoping Study supports a low opex and strong cash generative operation with attractive estimated base case up-front capital costs of US$327 million. The DX Deposit is located within the Company's Dougou mining permit, southwest of the Company's flagship Kola sylvinite Deposit, which would be a separate development.
Highlights
-- Scoping Study demonstrates low technical risk and attractive economics for DX Project
-- Utilises a highly efficient potash extraction method that is well understood and is in use across multiple potash operations globally
-- Attractive life-of-mine cost of sales, free on board (FOB) of approximately US$82.74/t MoP
-- Mine life of approximately 17 years based on solution mining of 52 million tonnes of Indicated Mineral Resource @ 43.1% KCl from a total Indicated Mineral Resource base of 111 million tonnes @ 37.2% KCl
-- 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
-- Several areas of the Scoping Study were completed to a higher level of confidence than is normal for a scoping study. As a result, the work required to complete a PFS, once commenced, is estimated to require only 9 months, with the drilling of an additional 4 diamond drill holes being the item currently controlling the overall timeframe
Table 1: Key Project Metric Estimates (real 2019 basis):
Hot Features
Premium
Approximate project physicals Units
-------
Total MoP production Mt 7,074
MoP granular product grade
(K60) %KCl 95%
Average annual MoP production ktpa 400
Average annual mining rate ktpa 404
------------------------------- ------- ---------
Approximate capital cost
------------------------------- ------- ---------
Pre-production capital cost
(-15-+30%) $M 278-425
Capital intensity $/tpa 695-1063
------------------------------- ------- ---------
Approximate operating costs
------------------------------- ------- ---------
Operating Cost (CFR Africa) $/t 108
------------------------------- ------- ---------
Approximate project financials Units
Total revenue US$M 2,547
Average annual revenue US$M 134
Average annual EBIDTA US$M 90
EBITDA margin % 67.1%
Ave. post tax annual free
cash flow US$M 74-75
Free cashflow margin % 55.4-55.7%
Total post tax free cash
flow US$M 993-1132
Post tax, un-geared NPV
(10% real) US$M 128-267
Post tax, un-geared IRR % 14.3-22.9%
Payback period from first years 3.35-5.25
production
Average forecast MoP granular
price $/t $360
-------------------------------- ------- -----------
Brad Sampson, CEO of Kore, commented:
"The completion of the Dougou Extension Solution Mining Project Scoping Study confirms the district scale development potential of this world-class potash basin. We are incredibly excited at the prospect of accelerating the Company into production and cashflow generation via the DX project while we continue to optimise the flagship Tier-1 Kola sylvinite project.
"We believe that the US$327 million capital cost estimate to construct the DX Project makes the project attractive from a capital perspective and the successful completion of the Scoping Study allows the Company to rapidly progress to pre-feasibility study, which will further define and de-risk the project.
"The development of the DX Project will give advantages in terms of overlapping infrastructure reducing the future capital cost of Kola."
For further information, please visit www.korepotash.com or contact:
Kore Potash Tel: +27 11 469 9140 Brad Sampson - CEO info@korepotash.com Tavistock Communications Tel: +44 (0) 20 7920 3150 Jos Simson kore@tavistock.co.uk Edward Lee Canaccord Genuity - Nomad and Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 4600 Broker korepotash@canaccordgenuity.com Martin Davison James Asensio
Cautionary Statement
-- The Scoping Study referred to in this announcement has been undertaken to investigate the potential for a new potash development in the Republic of Congo.
-- The Scoping Study is a preliminary technical and economic study of the potential viability of the DX project and is based on low level technical and economic assessments (-15% and +30% accuracy) that are not sufficient to support the estimation of Ore Reserves. Further evaluation work and appropriate studies are required before the Company will be in a position to estimate any Ore Reserves or to provide any assurance of an economic development case.
-- The Scoping Study is based on the material assumptions outlined in this announcement and Appendix B. These include assumptions on availability of funding. While the Company considers all of the material assumptions to be based on reasonable grounds, there is no certainty that they will prove to be correct or that the range of outcomes indicated by the Scoping Study will be achieved.
-- To achieve the range of outcomes indicated in the Scoping Study, base case funding in the order of US$327 million will likely be required. Investors should note that there is no certainty that the Company will be able to raise that amount of funding when needed. It is also possible that such funding may only be available on terms that may be dilutive to or otherwise affect the value of the Company's existing shares.
-- It is also possible that the Company could pursue other 'value realisation' strategies such as a sale, partial sale or joint venture of the project. If it does, this could materially reduce the Company's proportionate ownership of the project.
-- Given the uncertainties involved, investors should not make any investment decisions based solely on the results of the Scoping Study.
-- Of the Mineral Resources scheduled for extraction in the Scoping Study production plan, 100% are Indicated Mineral Resources. While modifying factors were sufficiently advanced and applied to the Indicated Mineral Resources, there is no certainty of eventual conversion to Ore Reserves or that the production target itself will be realised.
-- The Mineral Resources underpinning the production targets and forecast financial information in this combined AIM/JSE/ASX Release were prepared by a competent person in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code (2012).
Forward-Looking Statements
-- This release contains a series of forward-looking statements. Generally, the words "expect," "potential", "intend," "estimate," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. By their very nature 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 release regarding the Company's business or proposed business, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as Mineral Resource estimates, market prices of potash, capital and operating costs, changes in project parametres as plans continue to be evaluated, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, 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.
-- The Company has concluded that it has a reasonable basis for providing these forward-looking statements and the forecast financial information included in this release. This includes a reasonable basis to expect that it will be able to fund the development of the DX project upon successful delivery of key development milestones and when required. The detailed reasons for these conclusions are outlined throughout this release (including Section 16) and in Appendix B.
-- No Ore Reserve has been declared. This combined AIM/JSE/ASX Release has been prepared in compliance with the current JORC Code (2012) and the ASX Listing Rules. All material assumptions, including enough progression of all JORC modifying factors, on which the production target and forecast financial information are based have been included in this release.
1. Introduction and Project Overview
Kore remains committed to the development of its flagship Kola project and is concurrently investigating the potential for a new reduced-scale potash development in the Republic of Congo. The Company anticipates being in position to update investors on its review of the Kola EPC proposal within the next two months.
Following a review of the strategic options within the Sintoukola District, the Company has formed the view that a reduced-scale potash development has strong potential to expedite the Company's path to cash flow generation and consequently, accelerate the development of the Kola project.
The DX Solution Mining Project (the Project) provides a more rapid path to production with a significantly smaller capital cost than required for the Kola project. Development of this project will establish Kore Potash as the first potash producer in the Republic of Congo in over 40 years. The smaller scale of the Project comes with relatively low operational and financial risks.
Development of the Project is expected to create a very low-cost potash operation producing approximately 400,000 tonnes of K60 MoP annually. The mining target is the Dougou Extension Sylvinite Mineral Resource, where current geological data suggests a continuous sylvinite deposit with exceptionally high KCl grade. Selective solution mining and processing technology will be employed, resulting in minimal waste brine which will be disposed underground. Solution mining is the most effective means of exploiting an underground potash resource at a reduced scale, and the method is proven across other operations globally.
The Project is located (Figure 1) within 20km of the Company's flagship Kola project and closer to the coast; it will have some infrastructure overlap with the Kola project, and the development of the Project is expected to have a positive impact on the costs and timeline associated with the development of Kola.
Figure 1: Location Map showing Dougou Extension Deposit
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
2. Study Team
The Scoping Study was conducted by a team composed of Kore Potash staff, contractors to Kore Potash and Innovare Technologies, a specialist solution mining technology consultancy.
Innovare Technologies was responsible for the mining, drilling methodology and process design. The solution mine design and trade-offs were carried out by Max Ramey, a qualified and experienced solution mining expert with almost 30 years of experience in solution mining around the world. The drilling methodology work was done by Sandy Debusschere, an experienced driller in both the energy and potash sectors, with experience covering over 400 potash wells. The process design was undertaken by John McEwan, a chemical engineer with over 40 years of experience in chemical plants, including 13 years specifically in potash projects. The infrastructure design and trade-offs were executed by Kore through the consulting services of Ryan Leland, an independent consulting project manager and mechanical engineer with 20 years of experience in the potash industry gained in both process and mining operational roles.
3. Production Capacity
The Scoping Study considered a range of project capacities from 200 ktpa up to 400 ktpa. To test the flexibility and scalability of the project, capital and operational cost estimates were completed for all options and then tested in the economic evaluation. Based on the economic evaluation (Table1), this document talks to the selected option of 400 ktpa.
A summary of the outcomes for a capacity of 250 ktpa are presented in comparison to the selected 400 ktpa case in Table 1.
Table 1: Economic Evaluation of Plant Capacities
Capacity Initial Opex NPV(10) IRR (%)
Capex
ktpa US$'000 US$/t MoP US$'000 %
--------- -------- ---------- --------
250 242,755 121.27 108,069 15.19%
-------- ---------- -------- --------
400 326,724 107.74 220,875 19.32%
-------- ---------- -------- --------
4. Geology and Mineral Resource Estimate
The "Maiden Sylvinite Mineral Resource at Dougou Extension" announcement by Kore Potash dated 20(th) August 2018 provides a description of the geology and Mineral Resource Estimate (Table 2) for Dougou Extension (prepared in accordance with the JORC 2012 Code).
The sylvinite at Dougou Extension is hosted by two flat-lying or gently dipping 'seams' at a depth of approximately 400-450 metres below surface and separated by 8 to 15 metres of rock-salt. The uppermost seam is the Top Seam (TS) and the lowermost is the Hanging Wall Seam (HWS). These seams may be of sylvinite or carnallitite. However, these potash types are never mixed in the same location and carnallitite, if present, always occurs below the sylvinite. The Dougou Extension Mineral Resource Estimate was for the sylvinite only and is the basis of this Scoping Study.
The Scoping Study considers the exploitation of a portion of the Indicated Mineral Resource, where sylvinite of the HWS and TS is best developed, comprising 52.5 Mt of sylvinite at an average grade of 43.1% KCl. The average thickness and grade of sylvinite modelled for the seams is:
-- TS: thickness 5.2m grading 31.7% KCl -- HWS: thickness 3.6m grading 60.1% KCl.
In some areas, both seams are present as sylvinite, in other areas only one is present as sylvinite.
Table 2: Mineral Resource Estimate for Dougou Extension
Gross Net Attributable (97%)
------------------------------------------------
Mineral Resource Million Tonnes Grade KCl % Contained KCl Million Tonnes Grade KCl % Contained KCl
Category million tonnes million 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
------------------ ------------ ----------------- --------------- ------------ -----------------
Notes: First reported 20 August 2018, in an announcement titled "Maiden Sylvinite Mineral Resource at Dougou Extension" in accordance with the JORC Code, using a minimum cut-off-grade of 15% KCl. Rounding errors may occur. Average density of the TS of 2.11 t/m(3) and HWS of 2.03 t/m(3) .
The seams are overlain and underlain by massive halite (rock-salt). The interval of rock-salt above the seams and the overlying Anhydrite Member (an Aquitard) is between 5 and 80 metres.
The Scoping Study considers exploitation of 52 Mt of Indicated Mineral Resource only. The remaining 179.5 Mt of sylvinite Mineral Resource at Dougou Extension present potential to increase the life of the project or the scale or both.
5. Geotechnical and Hydrogeology
For the Scoping Study, a minimum 5 metre 'salt-back' (rock-salt between the cavern and the top of the Salt Member) is planned, and in most areas, this will be between 10 and 30 metres thick. In addition to this, there is a 10 to 16-metre-thick Anhydrite Member (comprised mostly anhydrite and clay) above the salt-back, separating it from the water-bearing sediments of the 'cover rocks'. This unit has been shown by test work at the nearby Kola deposit to be a very effective aquitard, having extremely low permeability.
There is currently insufficient data to accurately quantify the expected subsidence and cavern stability, and further geotechnical study is required in pre-feasibility study to provide a basis for cavern design and layout. 3D Seismic data is not available, so the presence of fractures or faults is not currently understood. For the Scoping Study, it was assumed that the anhydrite member has adequate inherent rock strength to remain intact during solution mining.
Cavern extraction ratio is limited to 30% for the Scoping Study. This is considered a conservative assumption as existing solution mining operations routinely extract 35% or more. It is assumed that caverns can be operated to balance brine inflows and outflows, as is common industry practice. For this Scoping Study no modelling of subsidence has been done. Subsidence assumptions have been based on depth, grade, total extraction, and subsidence data from past projects and operations.
6. Mining Method and Schedule
A trade-off of mining and drilling methods was completed by Innovare and the decision made to proceed with a selective dissolution mining method utilising vertically drilled dual well caverns.
The dual well method is simply two single well caverns that are solution mined until the caverns merge. Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrate the method.
Figure 2: Sump development Phase
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
Figure 3: Cavern Connection and roof development Phase
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
The solution mining plan for the dual well method is to create a sump in the NaCl under the HWS, with the top of the sump at the base of the HWS, for two wells located about 80 m apart. It is estimated that it will take approximately 6 months to solution mine the sumps to connection.
Upon connection of the two sumps, brine is injected down one well and produced from the other. This process is continued for another 6 months to develop extended surface area for the solution mining. Upon completion of the cavern development, the HWS is then selectively mined with a nearly saturated NaCl injection fluid. As the solution mining of the HWS is complete, the process is repeated for the TS.
The sylvinite HWS is uniformly between 50 and 65% sylvite (KCl) throughout with the remainder comprised of rock-salt (halite with minor anhydrite and insoluble material). The selective solution mining method will use a brine saturated with halite (NaCl) so that only the sylvite is dissolved; the undissolved interstitial rock-salt will 'settle' out so that the cavern is expected to develop laterally very effectively. The uniformly high KCl grade is advantageous in this regard. The sylvinite TS is lower grade being comprised of sub-layers of sylvinite of 30 to 67% sylvite content, separated by halite 'inter-layers' of between 0.5 and 2.5 m thickness. Cavern development may deploy a roof blanket and use of freshwater to selectively dissolve the halite layers first, then switch to an NaCl saturated brine to dissolve the remaining sylvite. As per the HWS, the purity of the individual sylvinite sub-layers is an advantage. It is likely that the rock-salt and then sylvinite dissolution will lead to collapse of the remaining layers, increasing permeability of the remaining material and further aiding the selective dissolution of the last of the sylvite.
Successful application of the selective dissolution method requires maintenance of adequate permeability through the potash zone during operation. Our experts have advised that a rule of thumb is a minimum grade of 30% KCl are sufficient to create adequate permeability for the economic selective solution mining process to be sustained. The average grade of the Dougou Extension mine plan is 43.1% KCl, and the lowest grade in the top seam 31.3% both of which meet this criterion.
Approximately 43% of the Indicated Mineral Resource was utilised for the Scoping Study, with the grade and tonnes of each of the two seams planned for extraction shown in Table 3. Within the planned extraction area, additional drilling and seismic survey information is required to improve confidence, and to delineate features that may impact on the solution mining.
Table 3: Sylvinite Resource Distribution
Area Cavern type Seam KCl Sylvinite Contained KCl production
(seams extracted) (%) tonnage KCl (Mt) target
(Mt) (Mt)
1 HWS and TS HWS 58.5 16.8 16.1 4.83
------------------- ----- ----- ---------- ---------- ---------------
TS 31.3 20.1
------------------- ----- ----- ---------- ---------- ---------------
2 HWS only HWS 58.7 5.8 3.4 1.02
------------------- ----- ----- ---------- ---------- ---------------
3 TS only TS 31.4 9.8 3.1 0.93
------------------- ----- ----- ---------- ---------- ---------------
Average/Total --- --- 43.1 52.5 22.6 6.78
------------------- ----- ----- ---------- ---------- ---------------
Current potash solution mining operations and projects in Canada that are deeper than the Dougou Extension and thus operate in higher stress regimes, are managed such that approximately 65% of the Mineral Resource are left in place to provide pillar support for stabilization of the solution mining caverns and to reduce the surface subsidence rate. The Scoping Study assumes a conservative estimate of 70% of the KCl Mineral Resource (Table 4) is to be left in place.
Allowance has been made for areas of the deposit affected by localised negative geological features such as structures, areas of undulation of the seam and areas with basal carnallitite. Surface topographical features such as drainage and steep sided valleys which affect positioning of wells on surface have also been considered in the mine layout.
Table 4: Dougou Extension Production plan
Estimated Estimated
Required Annual Number of Estimated Estimated Average
Annual KCL per Operating KCl per Total KCl Life of Total Caverns
From To KCl Cavern Caverns Cavern production caverns Caverns per
Seams (yr) (yr) (tpa) (tpa) (at one time) (t) (t) (yrs) (#) Year
HWS
and
TS 0 11.5 404,000 25,250 16 151,333 4,830,000 6.0 32 2.8
----- ------ --------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
HWS 11.5 14 404,000 25,250 16 79,749 1,020,000 3.2 13 5.4
----- ------ --------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
TS 14 17 404,000 25,250 16 71,584 930,000 2.8 13 5.9
----- ------ --------- ---------- -------------- ---------- ----------- -------- ---------- --------
To achieve a 30% extraction ratio, the solution mining cavern density is designed at approximately 15 solution caverns per square kilometre.
The solution mining operation requires 16 dual-well caverns to achieve design capacity, for a total of 32 vertical wells. Therefore, initially 32 well pads will be constructed, along with associated access. Once the planned drilling is complete at each well, a wellhead will be established consisting of piping, valving, and instrumentation to properly control each well.
The wellheads will be connected into the wellfield pipeline system, which will run from the wellfield to the process plant. A series of pipes is used to carry brine, water, and blanket fluid to each wellhead. The wellfield pipeline loops back to the process plant, where mine brine is introduced to the plant for KCl extraction, and then recirculated back to the wellfield for reuse. All wellfield pumps are located near the wellfield, and all instrumentation from the wellfield will be fed back to the plant control system.
The make-up water for the process plant is planned to be sourced from boreholes to be drilled into the upper aquifer.
During the development of the sumps, the brine contains primarily NaCl. A portion of this brine is used as process brine for mining of the caverns. The remainder will be disposed of through a disposal well into a local saline aquifer.
Although no specific testing has been carried out to verify the expected solution mining production for the Dougou Extension resource, K2P believes it has a reasonable basis for believing that the production target of 400,000 tpa can be achieved with the selected method, for the following reasons:
-- Innovare as potash solution mining experts have assessed and recommended the proposed mining method based on their combined years of experience including experience with the application of this method in similar styles of potash deposits.
-- The assumed rate of dissolution was selected by Innovare based on past operational experience, and dissolution testing in other sylvinite projects. The rate of dissolution is one factor determining the number of caverns required to achieve the targeted production rate. The number of caverns required will be further investigated during feasibility studies and following dissolution test work.
7. Processing
Plant and Flowsheet: The process plant will be located east of the Dougou Extension resource, (Figure 4) with a minimum buffer distance of 500m. The site perimetre fencing will be 400m x 250m, and the process plant platform will be 230m x 150m. The process plant building is 20m wide x 160m long, and 36m high. The process plant building will house all processing equipment, along with associated electrical and instrumentation. The control room will be located in the process plant building. The building will have no exterior walls, and a simple roof will be installed to keep rain off the personnel and equipment.
Figure 4: Plant Location in Relation to Wellfield
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
The process design shown in Figure 5 below consists of the following industry standard process steps:
-- Injection and solution recovery: Return brine from processing will be heated to 100degC and pumped to the wellfield for re-injection into the mine caverns for dissolution and recovery of potassium chloride (KCl) from the underground Sylvinite ore deposit containing both KCl and sodium chloride (NaCl) minerals. The KCl mineral will be selectively dissolved from the ore due to the almost saturated NaCl and under saturated KCl in the return brine.
-- Cooling and crystallisation: From the crystalliser feed tank, the brine will be pumped to the vacuum crystalliser for pre-cooling to approximately 47degC and then pumped to the surface crystallizers. In the four-stage surface cooled crystallisers, the mother liquor will be cooled to an end point of 10degC resulting in KCl solids precipitation. Spent brine from the 4th stage crystallizer will be pumped to the concentrate tank for return to the wellfield.
-- KCl de-brining: Slurry containing KCl solids from the surface crystallizers will be pumped to the drum filter. A liquid ring vacuum pump will pull through the filter cake to promote water removal from the filter cake.
-- KCl drying: A rotary drum dryer will be used to dry most of the residual moisture from the potash product.
-- Compaction: Dried product will be conveyed to a twin-screw feeder for feed to a double-roll compactor where it will be compacted. The flakes exiting the compactor will be broken by a flake breaker followed by a cage mill for further size reduction. Granular product will be sent for post-processing, while oversize and undersize material will be recirculated through compaction. Post-processing for product includes drying, cooling and glazing to harden the granular material.
-- Product Load Out: Anti-caking agent and de-dusting oil will be added to the final cooled granular potash product.
Figure 5: Process Flow Diagram
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
The long, narrow plant design, (Figure 6) makes it possible to position the mechanical equipment more densely than usual plant designs. Maintenance access is convenient from both sides of the building, so no service aisles will be included in the building interior. All removal of equipment will either be through the sides, or through the roof of the building. Elevated grated floors will be constructed for personnel access to all equipment, and several maintenance access lanes will be created for removal of some large components.
A covered loadout area 20m x 24m x 20m high will be located at the end of the process plant, where trailers will be directly loaded with product. A 50m x 50m x 28m high Utilities Building will be positioned adjacent to the process plant, housing the boiler, power infrastructure, and other utilities. The maintenance and warehouse facility will be 24m x 40m x 28m high, and also close to the process plant. The Administration Building will contain the security area, office space, and lab facilities for the operation.
Although no specific testing has been carried out to verify the expected process plant production for the Dougou Extension resource, K2P believes it has a reasonable basis for a production target of 400,000 tpa to be achieved with this method for the following reasons:
-- During the Scoping Study, a potash process technology specialist, Whiting Equipment Canada, provided the Swenson process design, equipment list and estimated equipment costs relating to the crystallization process. The same Swenson process technology is successfully used at other global potash operations over a large range of plant capacities.
-- The proposed methods are commonly used in potash solution mining operations, including large scale production facilities. Although these methods can be more energy-intensive than the conventional flotation methods commonly used in conjunction with conventional underground mining, they are known to typically yield higher KCl recovery and higher recovered KCl grade.
-- It is possible that pockets of carnalite within the sylvinite may be encountered during mining that will input MgCl(2) into the brine. The risk of this occurring including its effect on KCl recovery has been considered in the Scoping Study. Mg content in brine is planned to be managed by bleeding out brine from the process stream without material impact on plant performance.
Figure 6: Process Plant Layout
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
8. Infrastructure
This Scoping Study included investigation of the options available for location and methodology of the various infrastructure requirements, including:
-- Method of Natural Gas Supply -- Process Plant location -- Method of MoP ground transport and storage -- Method of ship loading -- Location of marine infrastructure -- Road requirements
Based on the trade-off analysis, a combination of new and re-habilitated roads will be used for the hauling of gas (Figure 7) and product (Figure 8).
Figure 7: Gas Transport Route
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
Figure 8: Product Transport Route
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
Upgrading of sections existing roadway to improve access to site for a product transport route has been planned. Road maintenance equipment has been included in the capital cost estimate to allow maintenance of roadways to be done by Kore. A marine trestle to facilitate trans-shipment of product will be used to load ships off the economic development zone near Pointe Indienne, utilising trucks to transport (Figure 8) product from site to a storage facility at the economic development zone.
9. Water, Gas and Power Supply
All process water requirements for processing and mining will be supplied from new water wells. Pump testing of aquifers was carried out at both the process plant and mine site in the Kola Definitive Feasibility Study and these indicated capacity in the aquifers to supply water at the required rate.
Gas will be trucked in using pressurised gas transport trailers. Power will be supplied from the CEC power station at Pointe Noire via an overhead power line.
10. Social and Environmental
The existing ESIA for the Dougou license area was approved in 2016. The company believes that a revised ESIA incorporating the Dougou Extension requirements for the sylvinite process plant and solution mine wellfield will be required.
The revised ESIA will utilise existing baseline documentation of both the Dougou ESIA and the Kola ESIA completed in 2018. The existing baseline information on the Dougou Extension area is believed to be adequate for the revised ESIA to be prepared and submitted for approval within 12 months.
A Decree D'Utilité Publique (DUP) and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) will be required to be developed for Longo-Bondi and possibly Youngou villages. It is unlikely that physical resettlement of any people from these villages will be required.
The mining licence for Dougou was approved on 9(th) May 2017 and is valid for 25 years, with an option to extend it by 15 years at that point. This mining licence covers the DX project area.
11. Operating Costs
The operating cost forecast for the Project (Table 5) has been estimated to an accuracy of approximately -15% +30%.
Table 5: Dougou Extension Project Operating Cost Estimates (CFR Africa)
Cost Category (real Total unit
2019) Cost
----------------------
(US$/t)
---------------------- -----------
Opex
Solution mining and
wellfield 5.25
Process Plant 53.79
Maintenance 4.04
Offsite 13.57
Land Transport 3.89
General and Admin 2.21
FOB 82.74
Marine Transport 25.00
Total Operating cost
(CFR Africa) 107.74
----------------------- -----------
The Scoping Study confirms that the operating cost of DX is highly competitive. The mine gate operating cost is estimated at US$78.85/t and the export (FOB) cost is estimated at US$82.74/t. This ranks DX costs in the lowest quartile of producers when compared to existing producers and 'committed' projects. The forecast CFR operating cost of $107.74 is based on shipping to African destinations. The operating cost estimates excludes sustaining capital.
12. Capital Costs
A capital cost estimate was factored from recent Innovare Technologies in-house data escalated to 2019, with an accuracy of -15% +30%.
The summary of the capital cost estimate (CAPEX) is shown in Table 6.
Table 6: Capital Cost estimate (real 2019)
Description Initial Capex Deferred Capex LoM Capex
(kUSD) (kUSD)
------------------------ ------------------------- -----------------------------
(kUSD)
------------------------ ------------------------- ----------------------------- ---------------------
Solution mining
and wellfield 53,963 10,884 64,847
Process Plant 122,404 18,870 141,274
Offsite infrastructure 35,649 6,196 41,844
Sub-total Direct
Costs 212,016 35,950 247,966
Field Construction
Indirect 11,914 - 11,914
Other Indirect Costs 8,051 - 8,051
Owner's Costs 8,481 - 8,481
EPCM 22,677 - 22,677
Contingency 58,421 - 58,421
Escalation 5,164 - 5,164
Total Capital Costs 326,724 35,950 362,674
------------------------- -----------------------------
The pre-production capital cost of US$326 million equates to a pre-production capital intensity of US$815/t MoP annual capacity.
Sustaining capital of US$153 million over the 17 years life of mine, and deferred capital of US$36 million relating to road construction, transport equipment and drill equipment, have also been allowed.
13. Financial Analysis
The base case economic evaluation delivers a real post-tax, ungeared IRR of approximately 19.3% and NPV10(real) of approximately US$221M on an attributable basis. The evaluation is based on a granular MoP price of US$360/t MoP CFR Africa (real 2019).
The key assumptions underpinning the base case economic evaluation are as follows:
-- 17-year initial project life from first production based on depletion of the sylvinite; -- Approximately 400 ktpa average production of MoP; -- Granular MoP represents 100% of total MoP production and sales; -- All cashflows (Figure 9) are on a real 2019 basis;
NPVs are ungeared and calculated after-tax applying a real discount rate of 10% (based on a review of 7 recent potash projects, 4 of which were in Africa).
Figure 9: Estimated Annual Cash Flow over life of project (real 2019)
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
Table 7: NPV 10 real Sensitivities
NPV 10 (real) USDm
Sensitivity Range -10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
----- ----- -------- ----
Price 134 177 221 264 308
Sensitivity Range -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
----- ----- -------- ----
Opex 300 261 221 181 141
Initial Capex 312 266 221 175 130
Sustaining Capex 237 229 221 213 205
24
Sensitivity Range (months) -6 -3 (base) +3 +6
----- ----- -------- ----
Construction period 335 274 221 205 192
----------------------------- ----- ----- -------- ---- ----
Table 8: Real IRR Sensitivities
IRR (%)
Sensitivity Range -10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
------ ------ --------- ------
Price 15.8% 17.6% 19.3% 21.0% 22.7%
Sensitivity Range -30% -15% 0% 15% 30%
------ ------ --------- ------
Opex 22.4% 20.9% 19.3% 17.7% 16.1%
Initial Capex 27.5% 22.8% 19.3% 16.6% 14.4%
Sustaining Capex 19.9% 19.6% 19.3% 19.0% 18.7%
Sensitivity Range 24
(months) -6 -3 (base) +3 +6
------ ------ --------- ------
Construction period 29.4% 23.2% 19.3% 18.2% 17.4%
---------------------- ------ ------ --------- ------ ------
Further analysis to determine effect of gearing was done and is reflected in Table 9.
Table 9: Impact of Gearing Options on Financial Indicators
Gearing 0% 40% 50% 60%
------ ------ ------
NPV (10 real) 221 225 227 228
IRR (Real) 19.3% 22.1% 23.1% 24.4%
--------------- ------ ------ ------ ------
14. Product Marketing
MoP produced from the Project is planned to be marketed into Africa to feed expected demand growth and displace higher cost MoP. The key targeted destination countries and their current demand for granular MoP are:
-- South Africa 100,000 ktpa (100 GrMOP) -- Nigeria 400,000 ktpa (GrMOP/Blenders) -- Other West Africa 200,000 ktpa (GrMOP/ Blenders)
Note: Nigerian demand has been based on estimated demand supplied by our marketing consultant, WABCO.
15. Development Schedule
The development schedule has been based on an EPCM execution strategy with an overall execution schedule (Figure 10) of approximately 2 years from final investment decision.
Figure 10: Proposed Execution Schedule
(image available at www.korepotash.com)
16. Reasonable Basis for Funding Assumption
The Directors of Kore Potash have formed the view that there is a reasonable basis to believe that requisite future debt and equity funding for development of the DX Project will be available when required. Kore shareholders should be aware of the risk that future funding for development of the DX Project may dilute their ownership of the Company or Kore's economic interest in the Project (or the DX Project).
There are several grounds on which this reasonable basis is held:
-- Kore Potash has two large strategic shareholders:
-- SQM (18%): a Chilean company with a market capitalisation in excess of US$11B that is an integrated producer and distributor of specialty plant nutrients, including having an established business in the global potash market; and
-- SGRF (19%): the sovereign wealth fund of Oman, which holds a range of natural resource investments, including on the African continent.
-- These two groups invested a total of US$40 million into Kore Potash in late 2016. They collectively bring a considerable and highly relevant combination of substantial financial capacity, specific potash experience, Latin American, Middle Eastern and African operating experience, and financing expertise.
-- The Scoping Study has been completed by a team of world-class solution mining experts in Innovare Technologies. The Scoping Study meets the expected level of detail required for a Scoping Study.
-- The technical and financial parametres detailed in the Scoping Study are highly robust and economically attractive. Further improvements will be investigated in the pre-feasibility study phase of project.
-- The funding for the construction of the Project would be required in approximately 2021 after completion of a further drilling and seismic investigation, and pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. The consensus around price forecasts for MoP in 2023 supports the use of a MoP granular price of US$360/t MoP granular CFR.
-- Kore's options for raising the required funding may include selling down part of its interest in the Dougou Extension Solution Mining Project to a third party to form a joint venture. Introduction of a joint venture partner may also provide further comfort for potential debt project financiers and could reduce Kore's share of the equity funding requirements for the project. Kore shareholders should be aware that any sale of a joint venture interest in the project to a third party would most likely dilute Kore's economic ownership of the project.
-- The Kore Potash Board and management team is highly experienced in the broader resources industry. They have played leading roles previously in the exploration and development of several large and diverse mining projects in Africa. In this regard, key Kore personnel have a demonstrated track record of success in identifying, acquiring, defining, funding, developing and operating quality mineral assets of significant scale.
17. Key Risks and Opportunities
Some key risks in the Scoping Study, which will be areas of focus in the pre-feasibility study, are:
-- Geology: Resource may contain lower KCl quantity or grade than expected or higher than expected presence of carnallite. An additional drilling campaign and a 2D seismic investigation to improve confidence in the resource and better define sylvinite/carnallitite interfaces will be required in pre-feasibility study.
-- Geotechnical: Cavern stability and surface subsidence will require geo-technical modelling in pre-feasibility study.
-- Mining: The mine design in the Scoping Study was based on assumptions around normal dissolution rates applicable to the potash industry for selective dissolution and these will require test work to confirm the assumptions in the pre-feasibility study.
-- Execution: The current execution schedule is a Level 1 schedule and will need to be further detailed in pre-feasibility study to ensure impacts and long lead items are detailed in the next level of schedule.
18. Next Steps
Work on the optimisation of Kola continues with the French Consortium and the company expects to update shareholders further within the next 2 months.
Kore also intends to progress work to define the technical and commercial feasibility of solution mining of the DX deposit.
The next planned phases of work on the DX project which are expected to take place over a 9-month duration from commencement include:
-- A 2-dimensional seismic survey campaign primarily designed to improve delineation of the sylvinite /carnallitite interface within the two seams.
-- A diamond drill hole programme to drill 4 holes to improve overall understanding of the Deposit.
-- Studies required to achieve pre-feasibility level assessment of: -- Marine loading and transport options. -- Cavern formation.
-- Test work to improve understanding on the operational control of dissolution in the DX seams.
Work is underway to prepare for commencement of the seismic surveys and drilling which will account for the bulk of the spend in the planned work programme. The Company intends to commence these works as soon as possible.
The Company believes that successful completion of these work streams will provide sufficient basis for a pre-feasibility level assessment of DX solution mining.
-S -
Jos Simson / Martin Davison / James
Brad Sampson Edward Lee Asensio
Tavistock (UK Canaccord Genuity (Nomad
Chief Executive Officer media enquiries) & Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) Tel: +44 (0) 207 523 4600
Tel: +27 11 469 9144 207 920 3150
info@korepotash.com kore@tavistock.co.uk korepotash@canaccordgenuity.com
------------------------ --------------------- --------------------------------
www.korepotash.com
Appendix A: Competent Persons Statement
The information relating to Exploration Results and Mineral Resources 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 Dougou Extension sylvinite Mineral Resource Estimate was reported on 20 August 2018 in an announcement titled 'Maiden Sylvinite Mineral Resource at Dougou Extension'. Kore Potash confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that would materially affect the information included in that announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parametres underpinning the Mineral Resource estimates in that 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 in this report have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.
Innovare Technologies, John Mc Ewan, Sandy Debusschere, and Max Ramey are not associates or affiliates of Kore Potash or any of its affiliates. Innovare Technologies will receive a fee for the preparation of the Report in accordance with normal professional consulting practices. This fee is not contingent on the conclusions of the Report and Innovare Technologies, John McEwan, Sandy Debusschere, and Max Ramey will receive no other benefit for the preparation of the Report. John McEwan, Sandy Debusschere, and Max Ramey do not have any pecuniary or other interests that could reasonably be regarded as capable of affecting their ability to provide an unbiased opinion in relation to the Dougou Extension Potash Project. Innovare Technologies does not have, at the date of the Report, and has not had within the previous years, any shareholding in or other relationship with Kore Potash or the Dougou Extension Potash Project and consequently considers itself to be independent of Kore Potash.
Max Ramey is a registered member in good standing (Member # 2632850RM) of Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) which is recognised and accepted under the JORC Code. John McEwan is a senior member in good standing (Member # 900062459) of American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). John McEwan and Max Ramey both have sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the JORC Code. Sandy Debusschere has over 40 years of drilling experience. John McEwan, Sandy Debusschere, and Max Ramey consent to the inclusion in the Report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
Appendix B: Material Assumptions
No Ore Reserve has been declared. This combined AIM/JSE/ASX release has been prepared in compliance with the current JORC Code (2012) and the ASX Listing Rules. All material assumptions, including consideration of the "modifying factors" under the JORC Code, on which the Scoping Study production target estimates and forecast financial information are based have been included in this release and are disclosed in the table below.
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
=============== ============================================================ ===============================================================
Mineral
Resource * Description of the Mineral Resource estimate used as * The production target is based entirely on Indicated
estimate a basis for the conversion to an Ore Reserve. Mineral Resource of 52.5 Mt with an average grade of
for conversion 43.1% KCl, hosted by two seams. This is a portion of
to Ore the total Indicated Mineral Resource first announced
Reserves * Clear statement as to whether the Mineral Resources on 20 August 2018. Appendix 1 of that announcement
are reported additional to, or inclusive of, the Ore provides the Table 1 checklist as required by the
Reserves. JORC Code (2012 edition).
* No Ore Reserve has been declared.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Site visits
* Comment on any site visits undertaken by the * The Competent Person for the Mineral Resource
Competent Person and the outcome of those visits. Estimate has visited the site on several occasions to
observe all exploration procedures and found them to
be acceptable.
* If no site visits have been undertaken indicate why
this is the case.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Study status
* The type and level of study undertaken to enable * The study is at scoping level. There has been
Mineral Resources to be converted to Ore Reserves. insufficient work on the modifying factors to support
an Ore Reserve Estimate.
* The Code requires that a study to at least
Pre-Feasibility Study level has been undertaken to
convert Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves. Such
studies will have been carried out and will have
determined a mine plan that is technically achievable
and economically viable, and that material Modifying
Factors have been considered.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Cut-off
parametres * The basis of the cut-off grade(s) or quality * For the Mineral Resource estimate a 15% cut-off-grade
parametres applied. (COG) was used. For the production plan this was
unchanged. Due to the high grade of the sylvinite and
the abrupt contacts, all of the considered material
is well above the COG.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Mining factors
or assumptions * The method and assumptions used as reported in the * No Ore Reserve has been declared.
Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility Study to convert the
Mineral Resource to an Ore Reserve (i.e. either by
application of appropriate factors by optimisation or * For the Scoping Study, the planned mining method is
by preliminary or detailed design). solution mining, using 'dual-well' method and
'selective extraction' of the KCl.
* The choice, nature and appropriateness of the
selected mining method(s) and other mining parametres * Dissolution Testing will be performed to assess the
including associated design issues such as pre-strip, dissolution characteristics of the resource by
access, etc. laboratory testing of core samples from the Dougou
Extension resource.
* The assumptions made regarding geotechnical
parametres (e.g. pit slopes, stope sizes, etc.), * The following preliminary assessment of modifying
grade control and pre-production drilling. factors was made for the production plan:
* The major assumptions made and Mineral Resource model * Topographic exclusions such as steep slopes and
used for pit and stope optimisation (if appropriate). drainages
* The mining dilution factors used. * 'pillars' between caverns
* The mining recovery factors used. * Losses due to areas of unfavorable geology; areas
with basal carnallitite, areas with structures, areas
of steep dip and/or undulation of the sylvinite
* Any minimum mining widths used.
* The overall extraction ratio of 30% also considers
* The manner in which Inferred Mineral Resources are mining recovery losses
utilised in mining studies and the sensitivity of the
outcome to their inclusion.
* A minimum mining height was not applied as within the
area of interest the thickness is expected to be
* The infrastructure requirements of the selected above the minimum. For the Scoping Study, an average
mining methods. of 5.2 m for the TS and 3.6 m for the HWS was used,
based on the Mineral Resource e
* estimate.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Metallurgical The selective mining process
factors * The metallurgical process proposed and the is expected to yield brine
or assumptions appropriateness of that process to the style of composed primarily of NaCl
mineralisation. and KCl in solution, and
small amounts of Mg are
also possible due to the
* Whether the metallurgical process is well-tested potential presence of carnallite.
technology or novel in nature. The crystallization process
is well-established method
for separation of KCl and
* The nature, amount and representativeness of NaCl and is well proven
metallurgical test work undertaken, the nature of the in operations.
metallurgical domaining applied and the corresponding The process utilizes the
metallurgical recovery factors applied. solubility characteristics
of KCl: KCl solubility
is highly dependent on
* Any assumptions or allowances made for deleterious temperature, where NaCl
elements. solubility has little dependency
on temperature. Cooling
the hot brine from the
* The existence of any bulk sample or pilot scale test mine results in KCl crystallization,
work and the degree to which such samples are while NaCl remains in solution.
considered representative of the orebody as a whole. In this process, Mg is
considered a deleterious,
since Mg is preferentially
* For minerals that are defined by a specification, has soluble to both KCl and
the ore reserve estimation been based on the NaCl. Therefore, levels
appropriate mineralogy to meet the specifications? of Mg in the brine must
be managed to prevent Mg
from displacing KCl.
* Therefore, a Mg purge stream is included in the
design to manage the Mg content in the brine. The
purge stream is considered waste and disposed using a
disposal well. The Mg purge stream maintains the
brine at a manageable Mg content but causes a
reduction of KCl recovery. Based on work at the
nearby Kola deposit and observations of the core from
holes at Dougou Extension, within the sylvinite the
only potash mineral is sylvite. The gangue minerals
comprise halite (NaCl) and minor (
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental
* The status of studies of potential environmental * An amended ESIA will need to be prepared in the
impacts of the mining and processing operation. feasibility study that addresses areas that lack some
Details of waste rock characterisation and the detail from the approved ESIA for Dougou. The
consideration of potential sites, status of design baseline information from both the completed Dougou
options considered and, where applicable, the status and Kola ESIA's will inform the amended ESIA. No
of approvals for process residue storage and waste waste rock, process residue or waste dumps will be
dumps should be reported. required. Additional work will be required on the
NaCl brine disposal with two options (aquifer and
ocean disposal) to be addressed in feasibility phase.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Infrastructure
* The existence of appropriate infrastructure: * Exclusive land acquisition rights have been granted
availability of land for plant development, power, to the Project company for plant development through
water, transportation (particularly for bulk ministerial order gazetted on 30 August 2018 (the
commodities), labour, accommodation; or the ease with "Déclaration d'Utilité Publique" or "DUP")
which the infrastructure can be provided, or valid for three years and renewable once for a
accessed. two-year period.
* A infrastructure trade-off has been completed and the
findings of this are, gas is available and will need
to be transported by road, product transport to
marine facility will be via existing roads with an
allowance to upgrade some roads included and an
allowance to upgrade roads has been made, local
contractors would be used for construction, the
existing exploration camp can cater for accommodation
during construction.
* Power can be supplied via overhead lines from the
power station at Pointe Noire.
* Potable and process water will be obtained through
boreholes. Results from pump tests on aquifers in the
area done on a previous project indicate enough water
available in local aquifers.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Costs Capital Cost Estimate has
* The derivation of, or assumptions made, regarding been developed for each
projected capital costs in the study. scope area, expressed in
United States dollars (USD)
and based on March 2019
* The methodology used to estimate operating costs. prices.
Currency Exchange Rates
are sourced from Oanda
* Allowances made for the content of deleterious (www.oanda.com) spot rates
elements. (September 2017). Forecast
exchange rates were based
on World Bank.
* The derivation of assumptions made for metal or Capital Cost estimate (+/-
commodity price(s), for the principal minerals and 15-30%) is based on:
co-products. o Mechanical Equipment
material costs benchmarked
based on Innovare's in-house
* The source of exchange rates used in the study. data.
o Mechanical Labour was
applied as a ratio to materials,
* Derivation of transportation charges. benchmarked from past projects,
and based on Innovare's
in-house data.
* The basis for forecasting or source of treatment and o Material Costs and Labour
refining charges, penalties for failure to meet for other disciplines were
specification, etc. factored at ratios from
past benchmarked projects.
o Selected quotations were
* The allowances made for royalties payable, both obtained.
Government and private. An annual escalation of
1.50% applied.
Contingency has been set
to 22% for the overall
Capital cost estimate.
Contingency is an amount
of costs included to avoid
the risk of cost over-run
to a pre-determined acceptable
level, since it aims to
cover for expected risks
that may occur.
Capital Cost estimates
are based on a 24 months'
execution schedule,
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue
factors * The derivation of, or assumptions made regarding * Commodity prices were informed by the recent spot
revenue factors including head grade, metal or price for MoP granular product, based on a K60
commodity price(s) exchange rates, transportation and specification, which means the MoP product has a
treatment charges, penalties, net smelter returns, minimum K2O content of 60%, corresponding to a KCl
etc. content of 95%. Product will be sampled regularly on
site and tested in a site-based laboratory to ensure
product grade is consistently met. Product that does
* The derivation of assumptions made of metal or not satisfy grade will be removed from the product
commodity price(s), for the principal metals, stream and reprocessed.
minerals and co-products.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Market The entire 400 ktpa of
assessment * The demand, supply and stock situation for the granular MoP will be marketed
particular commodity, consumption trends and factors into Africa, where the
likely to affect supply and demand into the future. market is growing faster
than the rest of the world.
The targeted countries
* A customer and competitor analysis along with the and their estimated consumptions
identification of likely market windows for the are:
product. o South Africa 100,000
ktpa (100 GrMOP)
o Nigeria 400,000 ktpa
* Price and volume forecasts and the basis for these (GrMOP/Blenders)
forecasts. o Other West Africa 200,000
ktpa (GrMOP/ Blenders)
* For industrial minerals the customer specification,
testing and acceptance requirements prior to a supply
contract.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Economic Base case key valuation
* The inputs to the economic analysis to produce the assumptions and sources:
net present value (NPV) in the study, the source and Production - LoM of 17
confidence of these economic inputs including years at nominal 400 ktpa
estimated inflation, discount rate, etc. MoP production,
Single product type - Granular
Average LoM CFR price of
* NPV ranges and sensitivity to variations in the USD360/MoP t
significant assumptions and inputs. On-mine LoM average operating
cost US$ 78.85/MoP t, Real
(scoping estimate)
LoM Shipping (trans-shipment
and sea freight) of US$25/MoP
t (scoping estimate) and
UD$ 3.89 for road-based
transport (scoping estimate).
Project capital period
24 months, deferred capital
period 84 months, sustaining
capital 204 months (Scoping
Study)
Total Real Project Capital
USD327 Mn (scoping estimate)
Deferred Capital USD36
million (scoping estimate)
Sustaining Capital USD
21,59/MoP t, Real (scoping
estimate)
Fiscal parametres: Company
tax rate (15%), tax holidays
(5 years at 0% + 5 years
at 7.5%) (Mining Convention)
Royalties 3% (Mining Convention)
Government free carry (10%)
(Mining Convention)
Other minor duties and
taxes (Mining Convention)
The base case DFS real
NPV at real discount rate
of 10% is approximately
USD221 million (as at the
date just prior to construction
in 2019 money terms), and
base case real IRR is approximately
19.3%
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Social The Dougou Mining License,
* The status of agreements with key stakeholders and which includes the area
matters leading to social license to operate. of the Dougou Extension
Project, is held within
a subsidiary which will
be owned 10% by the ROC
government.
Socio-economic, cultural
heritage, archaeological
and livelihood baseline
reports have been prepared
and approved as part of
the ESIA baseline process.
Sintoukola Potash has implemented
a Stakeholder Engagement
Process and is actively
engaging with a wide range
of project stakeholders,
including conservation
NGO's, adjacent National
Parks, the regulator and
communities.
For each corridor a declaration
d'utilite publique (DUP)
has been declared by the
Ministry of Land Affairs,
a review of each corridor
will be required
A review of the Resettlement
Action Plan (RAP) for the
Service Corridor will be
required
Physical displacement is
minimal with most actions
requiring livelihood restoration
There are believed to be
no social related issues
that do not have a reasonable
likelihood of being resolved.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Other Dougou Extension is currently
* To the extent relevant, the impact of the following compliant with all legal
on the project and/or on the estimation and and regulatory requirements.
classification of the Ore Reserves: An amended ESIA will be
required.
A mining convention entered
* Any identified material naturally occurring risks. into between the RoC government
and the Companies on 8
June 2017 and gazetted
* The status of material legal agreements and marketing into law on 29 November
arrangements. 2018 concludes the framework
envisaged in the 25-year
renewable Dougou Mining
* The status of governmental agreements and approvals License granted in August
critical to the viability of the project, such as 2013. The Mining Convention
mineral tenement status, and government and statutory provides certainty and
approvals. There must be reasonable grounds to expect enforceability of the key
that all necessary Government approvals will be fiscal arrangements for
received within the timeframes anticipated in the the development and operation
Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility study. Highlight and of Dougou Mining Licenses,
discuss the materiality of any unresolved matter that which amongst other items
is dependent on a third party on which extraction of include import duty and
the reserve is contingent. VAT exemptions and agreed
tax rates during mine operations.
The Mining Convention provides
strengthened legal protection
of the Company's investments
in the Republic of Congo
through the settlement
of disputes by international
arbitration.
To the best of the Company's
knowledge there is no reason
to assume any government
permits and licenses or
statutory approvals will
not be granted. There are
no unresolved matters upon
which extraction is contingent.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Classification
* The basis for the classification of the Ore Reserves * No Ore Reserve has been declared.
into varying confidence categories.
* Whether the result appropriately reflects the
Competent Person's view of the deposit.
* The proportion of Probable Ore Reserves that have
been derived from Measured Mineral Resources (if
any).
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Audits or
reviews * The results of any audits or reviews of Ore Reserve * No Ore Reserve has been declared.
estimates.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion
of relative * Where appropriate a statement of the relative * No Ore Reserve has been declared.
accuracy/ accuracy and confidence level in the Ore Reserve
confidence estimate using an approach or procedure deemed
appropriate by the Competent Person. For example, the * The production target is based on the preliminary
application of statistical or geostatistical application of modifying factors and is consistent
procedures to quantify the relative accuracy of the with scoping level; that is +/- 30%
reserve within stated confidence limits, or, if such
an approach is not deemed appropriate, a qualitative
discussion of the factors which could affect the * Additional drilling and seismic surveying are
relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate. required for the detailed assessment of modifying
factors enough to support a PFS or FS, along with
more detailed assessment of the following including
* The statement should specify whether it relates to project specific test-work:
global or local estimates, and, if local, state the
relevant tonnages, which should be relevant to
technical and economic evaluation. Documentation * Geotechnical modelling
should include assumptions made and the procedures
used.
* Hydrogeological modelling
* Accuracy and confidence discussions should extend to
specific discussions of any applied Modifying Factors * Dissolution test work
that may have a material impact on Ore Reserve
viability, or for which there are remaining areas of
uncertainty at the current study stage. * Mineralogical studies
* It is recognised that this may not be possible or * Cavern development/KCl extraction modelling, process
appropriate in all circumstances. These statements of test work.
relative accuracy and confidence of the estimate
should be compared with production data, where
available.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------------
GLOSSARY
Acronym Stands For / Meaning Definition and/or Additional
/ Term Information
$ Denotes USD or United The USD is the functional
States dollars. and presentation currency
of the Company and the Group.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
AIM Alternative Investment AIM (formerly the Alternative
Market Investment Market) is a sub-market
of the LSE.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
AACE American Association Association upon which the
of Cost Engineers estimation procedure of capital
expenditure was based.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
anhydrite Calcium sulphate mineral Anhydrite Member refers here
(CaSO4) forming to a rock-type comprised largely
of anhydrite that forms a
layer at the top of the Salt
Member.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
ASX Australian Stock Exchange
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
aquifer A water bearing geological
unit
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Board The board of directors
of Kore Potash plc
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
brine A solution of salts and Brine can be a solution of
water various salts including normal
salt (NaCl) and KCl.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Capex Capital cost estimate Estimated cost to construct
facilities to mine and process
potash
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Carnallite A hydrated potassium
magnesium chloride mineral
(KMgCl3--6H2O)
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Carnallitite A rock type comprised Carnallitite may be replaced
predominantly of the by the word carnallite for
potash mineral carnallite simplicity.
(KMgCl3--6H2O) and halite
(NaCl).
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CEO Chief Executive Officer As listed on page 18 of the
2018 Annual Report.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CFR Cost and Freight "Cost and Freight" means that
the seller must pay the costs
and freight necessary to bring
the goods to the named port
of destination but the risk
of loss of or damage to the
goods, as well as any additional
costs due to events occurring
after the time the goods have
been delivered on board the
vessel is transferred from
the seller to the buyer when
the goods pass the ship's
rail in the port of shipment.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Compaction Refers to the compaction
of the MoP
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Company Kore Potash plc Kore Potash plc is public
company incorporated and registered
in England and Wales (registered
number 10933682).
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Cut-off-grade The minimum grade of Abbreviated to COG
material (in this case
sylvinite) that can be
mined without incurring
losses
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
CRU Commodity Research Unit
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
DFS Definitive Feasibility The third and final study
Study stage in the evaluation lifecycle
of a project
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
Dougou Denotes the Dougou Project The Dougou Project (including
the Dougou Extension Project)
is part of the Sintoukola
Potash Project.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
DUP Déclaration d'Utilité A DUP, or, translated as a
Publique "declaration of public utility",
is a formal recognition in
Congolese law that a proposed
project has public benefits.
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
EBITDA Earnings Before Interest,
Taxes, Depreciation and
Amortization
-------------------------------- -------------------------------------
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
DRLUWARRKVASUUR
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 29, 2019 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)
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