Xtract Resources plc Chilibwe Licence - decision to commence drilling

RNS Number : 4033L

Xtract Resources plc

07 November 2024

 

 

 

7 November 2024

 

Xtract Resources Plc

("Xtract" or the "Company")

Chilibwe Licence, Zambia - Decision to Commence Drilling

 

The Board of Xtract Resources Plc ("Xtract" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has approved the commencement of preliminary reconnaissance diamond drilling on the Chilibwe large scale exploration licence 22118-HQ-LEL in Zambia (the "Licence"), funded by Xtract as a loan to Chilibwe under the terms of Xtract's collaboration agreement with Chilibwe Mining as set out further below.

 

Colin Bird, Executive Chairman of Xtract, commented: "All of our historic data compilation and recent field work suggests there are drill-ready targets on the Licence, and we intend to start drilling within the next 7 days. A rig and drilling contractor have been assigned to the Chilibwe Project and the drilling team is in transit to site. We look forward to providing the Market with updates once drilling generates material results".

 

 

Licence Information

As set out in the Zambia Mining Cadastre on 7 October 2024, Licence 22118-HQ-LEL is a large-scale exploration licence covering 27,203ha in the name of Chilibwe Mining Limited ("Chilibwe"). The Licence was granted on 7 February 2018 and has an expiry date of 6 February 2025. The Licence is for cobalt, copper, gold and nickel.

 

The Licence is currently subject to Zambian Court proceedings in respect of a dispute between Chilibwe and its previous joint venture partner which has restricted Chilibwe to date from developing the Project (the "Existing Joint Venture"). Chilibwe has lodged a case with the High Court for Zambia to have the Existing Joint Venture terminated such that it would retain a 100% interest in the Licence. The Licence may nevertheless in the future be subject to further or new challenges or other disagreements.

 

The Licence is located in the North Central province of Zambia and is located to the northwest of Eurasian Resources Group's Frontier mine which is situated on the Zambian-DRC border and to the southeast of the historic Mufulira copper mine. There has been historic exploration and Xtract is continuing to assess the data currently available and assessing in-country archives.

 

Chilibwe Mining exclusive collaboration agreement

On 10 October 2024 Xtract entered into an exclusive collaboration agreement with Chilibwe in relation to large scale exploration licence 22118-HQ-LEL in Zambia to prepare a work programme and budget for the exploration and development of the Licence and assist in obtaining funding for the Project ("Agreement").

 

The Agreement allows Xtract to further its exploration and development strategy, without any funding commitment. The key commercial terms of the Agreement are as follows:

 

Services to be provided by Xtract

Xtract has been appointed to assist Chilibwe on an exclusive basis for 24 months in preparing a work programme and budget for the exploration and development of the Licence and management of the subsequent exploration programme or any renewal of the Licence with a view to obtaining a mining licence (the "Project") and in obtaining funding for the Project (the "Business") (the "Services").

 

Xtract are to commence the Services within 15 days of the Agreement. Commencement is defined as both physical activity within the Licence boundaries and desktop studies related to the Services which will include technical, financial and legal due diligence in relation to a project of this nature.

 

The fee for the Services payable to Xtract is as follows:

i)          a 25% shareholding in Chilibwe and / or 25% interest in the Business ("Xtract Fee Shares"), and in the event of a Trigger Event will be due to be issued early as set out further below; and

ii)         25% of any dividends due to be paid by Chilibwe in relation to the Business (the "Fees")

 

Trigger Event for payment of the Xtract Fee Shares

In the event of (i) the completion of funding for the Project; or (ii) a proposed change of control of Chilibwe and or sale of equity in Chilibwe; or (iii) Chilibwe entering into a joint venture or similar arrangement in relation to the Licence, Business or Project (a "Trigger Event"), then Xtract has the right to be immediately issued the Xtract Fee Shares which will represent 25% of Chilibwe's fully diluted issued share capital (as enlarged by the issue of the Xtract Fee Shares and assuming the exercise of all other  options or other rights to subscribe for Chilibwe shares).

 

 No commitment to obtain financing

Xtract has made no commitment to provide any funding itself to the Project pursuant to the Agreement. Furthermore, Xtract has made no representation or commitment that it will be able to obtain funding for the Project. Any funds provided to Chilibwe by Xtract or spent on the project by Xtract ("Xtract Loan") can at Xtract's election be converted into shares in Chilibwe based on the funds provided by Xtract and by Chilibwe ("Loan Conversion Shares").

 

Exclusivity & break fee

Chilibwe has appointed Xtract as its sole and exclusive agent for 24 months in relation to the Services (the "Exclusivity Period"). If Chilibwe accepts funding from another party in the Exclusivity Period then it shall within 7 days: (i) pay a break fee to Xtract of US$500,000 (the "Break Fee"); (ii) issue the Xtract Fee shares (if not already issued); and (iii) issue any Loan Conversion Shares / or make any Xtract Loan repayments.

 

 

Information on Chilibwe Mining

Chilibwe Mining Limited was registered on 17 August 2005 in Zambia with company number 120050059656 and its main activity is the Chilibwe Project. The executive director of Chilibwe Mining is Lukonde Makungu who is also an executive director and shareholder of Cooperlemon Consultancy Limited which is a private Zambian based mining consultancy firm.

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").

The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Colin Bird, Executive Chairman and Director.

 

 

Xtract Resources Plc	Colin Bird, Executive Chairman	[phone] www.xtractresources.com
Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker	Roland Cornish Michael Cornish Felicity Geidt	[phone] www.beaumontcornish.co.uk
Novum Securities Limited Joint Broker	Jon Bellis Colin Rowbury	[phone] www.novumsecurities.com

 

 

Qualified Person:

Colin Bird: The technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Colin Bird, C.Eng, FIMMM, South African and UK Certified Mine Manager and Director of Xtract Resources plc, with more than 40 years' experience mainly in hard rock mining.

 

Important Notice:

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish"), which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in connection with this announcement and will not regard any other person as its client and will not be responsible to anyone else for providing the protections afforded to the clients of Beaumont Cornish or for providing advice in relation to such proposals. Beaumont Cornish has not authorised the contents of, or any part of, this document and no liability whatsoever is accepted by Beaumont Cornish for the accuracy of any information, or opinions contained in this document or for the omission of any information. Beaumont Cornish as nominated adviser to the Company owes certain responsibilities to the London Stock Exchange which are not owed to the Company, the Directors, Shareholders, or any other person.

 

 

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