Zanaga Iron Ore Company Ltd Feasibility Study Update

RNS Number : 4919M

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Ltd

30 April 2024

 

30 April 2024

Feasibility Study update

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited ("ZIOC" or the "Company") (AIM: ZIOC), is pleased to announce the results of the Company's 2024 Feasibility Study update process ("2024 FS update").

Highlights

Positive results received from the 2024 FS cost update study further underlines the robust economics of the Company's 30 Mtpa staged development Zanaga Iron Ore Project:

·    12Mtpa Stage One

o  Capital investment of US$ 1.94 billlion

o  Operating cost of US$ 31.5 / dmt FOB

o  Net Present Value of US$ 3.68 billion

o  Internal Rate of Return of 26.2%

·    18Mtpa Stage Two optional expansion

o  Capital investment of US$ 1.87 billion

o  Operating cost of US$ 24.9 / dmt FOB

o  Total combined Net Present Value of US$ 7.36 billion

o  Internal Rate of Return of 28.2%

2024 FS update study results

In 2023 the Company partnered with a Chinese iron ore technical expert engineering firm ("Chinese EPC Partner") as part of a process to update the economic evaluation of the Zanaga 30 Mtpa staged development project.

Using the 2014 Feasibility Study's ("2014 FS") infrastructure designs, flowsheets and material take off lists, direct and indirect cost estimates were updated to current market pricing using Chinese major equipment and contractor pricing for both phases of 12 Mtpa Stage One haematite ("Stage One"), plus 18 Mtpa Stage Two magnetite expansion ("Stage Two") projects, inclusive of buried concentrate pipeline and port infrastructure.

2024 FS update results

	Unit	Stage One 12Mtpa	Stage Two +18Mtpa (30Mtpa Total)
Capital Cost	US$ m	1,935	1,871
Operating Cost (Average, Life of Mine)	US$ /dmt	31.5	24.9
Net Present Value	US$ m	3,681	7,357
Internal Rate of Return	%	26.2	28.2

Note: Iron ore prices based on AME Group's long term real iron ore price forecast for 65% Fe IODEX. Operating costs exclude royalties payable.

These results compare favourably against the previous 2014 FS capital and operating costs estimates, as outlined below;

	Unit	Stage One 12Mtpa	Stage Two +18Mtpa (30Mtpa Total)
Capital Cost	US$ m	2,219	2,489
Operating Cost (Average, Life of Mine)	US$ /dmt	32.1	25.7

 

Since 2014, the Company has conducted a number of technical and economic review exercises using third party western technical consulting firms, which resulted in high level estimations of the costs to develop the project at that time, but only to a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) or Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) level of definition. Today's 2024 FS update has been concluded to a higher degree (+/- 20% accuracy) full feasibility study level of definition. In addition, the results provided by ZIOC's Chinese EPC Partner have been independently reviewed and validated by a third-party technical consulting firm.

The Company believes these positive results provide much greater confidence in the Project's economic feasibility in today's market and cost environment, and with this, provides a key catalyst for potential strategic investors to consider funding of the next logical Project phase, being the front end engineering and design (FEED) program to further define the Project's physical elements and risk abatement strategies.

Other ongoing investigations into the establishment of hydro-electric power assets and mineral port and their respective third-party investments are on schedule and their results will be incorporated into the FEED program.

 

Marty Knauth, CEO commented:

"A large volume of work has been completed during the recent six months by ZIOC, MPD Congo and our consulting Partners, which I am very satisfied with. This detailed re-costing study further demonstrates that the Zanaga Project provides extremely robust returns for investors and significant infrastructure assets and positive legacies for the Government and people of the RoC. During recent engagements with RoC Ministries, communities and potential strategic investors, the burden of being the first mover in the region of high grade, low impurity iron concentrates for green steel production, is strongly supported and makes for an exciting future for Zanaga.

From this foundation, the upcoming FEED phase will not only seek to validate and enhance our technical confidence but critically, develop Zanaga's management plans around environment, community, training, health, water, mine wastes and ultimate closure. We believe these are equally as important as safe and reliable engineering, and financial viability."

 

Clifford Elphick, Chairman of ZIOC commented:

"I am delighted with the results of our 2024 Feasibility Study update, demonstrating the attractive economics of the Zanaga Iron Ore Project in today's market environment. It is exciting to have secured updated pricing for the development costs of the project from experienced Chinese partners with extensive experience in iron ore process plant and slurry pipeline design and engineering.

We look forward to presenting these results to the various strategic partners we have been engaging with and advancing our discussions further with them as we look to progress towards front end engineering and design of the project"

 

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR 

 

The Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited LEI number is 21380085XNXEX6NL6L23.

For further information, please contact:

Zanaga Iron Ore

Corporate Development and                         Andrew Trahar

Investor Relations Manager                           [phone]

Liberum Capital Limited

Nominated Adviser                                            Scott Mathieson, John More

and Corporate Broker                                       [phone]

Shard Capital Partners LLP

Corporate Broker                                                Damon Heath

                                                                                   [phone]

 

About us:

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (AIM ticker: ZIOC) is an iron ore exploration and development company, with the Company's flagship asset being its 100% owned Zanaga Iron Ore Project located in the Republic of Congo, for which the Government Mining Licence, Environmental Permit and Mining Convention are all in place.

A major Project update has recently been concluded to freshen historical studies in light of changes in the world's economy and growing demand for low-carbon steel production, for which the Zanaga resource is highly suited, with the potential to become one of the largest producers of high grade premium pellet feed iron ore.

 

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