TIDMBKY
RNS Number : 5976C
Berkeley Energia Limited
23 January 2018
BERKELEY ENERGIA LIMITED
NEWS RELEASE | 23 January 2018 | AIM/ASX: BKY
Quarterly Report December 2017
Berkeley Energia finalising arrangements for the commencement of
construction
Final detailed project reviews are underway as the Company
counts down to the commencement of construction at the Salamanca
mine.
At the same time production cuts are being announced at some of
the world's largest uranium mines, which are likely to result in a
12% reduction in primary mine production this year.
The Salamanca mine, the only major uranium mine in construction
in the world this year, is scheduled to reach production as the
market enters the long awaited supply/demand deficit that industry
experts have called both fundamental and unavoidable.
The project continues to receive strong support among key
stakeholders in Spain, reflecting the growing awareness of the
benefits the investment will bring to a community that is
experiencing some of the highest levels of unemployment in the
European Union.
Highlights:
-- Berkeley Energia completes strategic investment of up to
US$120m with the Oman sovereign wealth fund:
o Shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the strategic
investment and the Company received the initial US$65 million
tranche of funding in November 2017 which funds the capital costs
for production;
o Mr Deepankar Panigrahi, Investment Manager in the Private
Equity division of the fund has joined the Board as a Non-Executive
Director.
-- Construction preparation continues:
o Following the receipt of funding, the Company is filling key
management positions and finalising capital and operating
costs;
o As part of its commitment to develop the project in
partnership with Spanish engineering excellence, Sanchez y Lago,
one of Spain's major construction companies and contract mining
firms has been selected as the preferred mining contractor.
-- Strong support from key stakeholders:
o AENOR, the Spanish Association for Standardisation and
Certification, recently re awarded the Company certificates in
Sustainable Mining and Environmental Excellence;
o As part of its commitment to reduce unemployment in the
region, the majority of new staff required for the first phase of
construction activity will be recruited from the local villages of
Retortillo and Villavieja.
Uranium market:
o Cameco's recently announced suspension of operations at its
low cost McArthur River mine along with cuts announced by Areva and
Kazatomprom, is expected to remove 17Mlb U(3) O(8) from the market
this year (12Mlb attributable to Cameco alone), representing 12% of
primary mine supply;
o The Company has 2.75 million pounds of U(3) O(8) under
contract for the first six years, with a further 1.25 million
pounds of optional volume, at an average price above US$42,
compared with a spot price of $24 per pound;
o The Company will continue to progressively build its offtake
book and has granted the Oman sovereign wealth fund the right to
match any future long term offtake transactions.
-- Exploration:
o Exploration focused on identifying additional targets with
similar characteristics to Zona 7 continued during the quarter;
o Over 2,200 samples were collected during the first phase of
the geochemical sampling programme and twelve potential uranium
targets have been identified using a combination of Ionic Leach(TM)
analysis and other methods.
The Company is in a strong financial position with US$82.2
million in cash.
Managing Director, Paul Atherley, commented:
"Having completed the financing, we are finalising the selection
of contractors and are undertaking detailed final reviews to ensure
that we have the very best possible capital and operating
costs.
Our investment has strong stakeholder support from a community
which is experiencing some of the highest levels of unemployment in
the European Union.
We have engaged the University of Salamanca to study the
positive impact the investment will have on the local community.
Previous studies have shown that there is a multiplier of 5.1
indirect jobs for every direct job we are creating.
The benefits go well beyond employment. Evidence elsewhere in
Spain has shown that local business, tourism and agriculture will
all receive a big boost.
The local housing market is expected to react positively to the
investment, as evidenced by the almost 800% increase in the value
of real estate surrounding the Aguas Teñidas mine in
Andalucía."
For further information please contact:
Berkeley Energia Limited +44 20 7478 3900
Paul Atherley, Managing Director info@berkeleyenergia.com
WH Ireland Limited (Nominated
Adviser) +44 20 7220 1683
Tim Feather, Director
Jessica Cave, Assistant Director
Alex Bond, Executive
Peel Hunt LLP (Joint Broker) +44 20 7418 8900
Ross Allister
Chris Burrows
Buchanan +44 207 466 5000
Bobby Morse, Senior Partner BKY@buchanan.uk.com
Anna Michniewicz, Account
Director
Berkeley Energia completed strategic investment of up to US$120m
with Oman sovereign wealth fund
During the quarter, shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve
the strategic investment agreement with the Oman sovereign wealth
fund.
All Conditions Precedent were met and the Company received the
initial US$65 million tranche of funding in November 2017.
The investment comprises an interest-free and unsecured
convertible loan note of US$65 million which can be converted into
ordinary shares at 50 pence per share upon commissioning of the
mine, as well as an options package exercisable at an average price
of 85 pence per share contributing an additional US$55 million if
exercised.
Mr Deepankar Panigrahi, Investment Manager in the Private Equity
division of the Oman sovereign wealth fund has now joined the Board
as a Non-Executive Director.
Mr Panigrahi has extensive experience across a variety of
sectors and geographies covering all stages of the private equity
process, including post investment management. Mr Panigrahi holds
an Undergraduate and Master's degree in Economics with Distinction
and Honours from the University of Michigan followed by an MBA from
Cambridge University.
With funding in place, Berkeley takes final steps to prepare for
full construction
The Company is now focused on awarding major contracts, filling
key management positions and conducting detailed reviews focused on
ensuring that the very best capital and operating costs are
achieved.
The competitive quotes received which have driven capital and
operating costs down have in some cases been offset by the
appreciation of the Euro and higher than expected indirect
costs.
In addition to the selection of contractors the Company is
making key appointments to the owner's team having recently
appointed Mr Sergio Arenas as Plant Manager. Mr Arenas has over a
decade of international operating experience.
Berkeley Energia awarded the Corporate Development Award at the
London Mines and Money Awards Dinner
The progress made at the Salamanca mine over the past year was
recognised when Berkeley Energia was awarded the London Mines and
Money Corporate Development Award in December 2017.
The Company was selected from a group of finalists that included
Rio Tinto, Ivanhoe Mines and Endeavour Mining.
The award recognized the Company's efforts in permitting,
financing and commencing development of the only major uranium mine
in the world today, located in the heart of the European Union, at
a time when prices are at twelve-year lows.
Employment and training
The project is located in an area that has suffered badly from
intergenerational unemployment and rural desertification.
To date, the Company has received over 7,000 job applications
just from residents of the Salamanca region, 400 of those come from
villages surrounding the project and of those, over 110 from
Villavieja alone.
The University of Salamanca has estimated that for this type of
business there will be a multiplier factor of 5.1 indirect jobs for
every direct job created, resulting in over 2,500 direct and
indirect jobs being created as a consequence of the Company's
investment in the area.
To date, over 120 locals have attended courses organised by the
Company and 25% of residents from the local area have applied for
jobs. The Company currently has a work force of nearly 70 people
and over a quarter of these have been recruited from towns in the
immediate vicinity.
Training programmes, which have been historically well attended
and oversubscribed, will continue to run throughout the year
ensuring that sufficient people from the local communities are
qualified for jobs created during the construction and mining
phases.
As part of its commitment to reduce unemployment in the region,
the majority of new staff required to carry out upcoming work
programmes will be recruited from the local villages of Retortillo
and Villavieja.
Commitment to the community
The Company has invested more than EUR70 million developing the
project over the past decade and plans to invest an additional
EUR250 million over the life of the project.
The Company has signed Cooperation Agreements with the highly
supportive local municipalities, demonstrating its commitment to
fostering positive relationships with these communities.
To date, through these agreements, the Company has provided Wifi
networks for local villages, built play areas for children,
repaired sewage water plants, upgraded sports facilities, and
sponsored various sporting events and local festivals.
Following consultations with the residents of the local
community a number of infrastructure improvements to neighbouring
villages have been identified, which the Company is looking to
progress in the coming months.
The Company has worked tirelessly over the past decade to
develop positive and mutually beneficial relationships with the
local communities and will continue to do so as construction ramps
up.
Committed to the highest environmental standards
The Salamanca mine is being developed to the highest
international standards and the Company's commitment to the
environment remains a priority. It holds certificates in
Sustainable Mining and Environmental Excellence which were awarded
by AENOR, an independent Spanish government agency. The Company was
re-awarded both certificates in November 2017 following a week long
consultation process with the agency.
The mine has been designed according to the very latest thinking
on sustainable mining. The extraction and treatment areas will be
continuously rehabilitated as operations progress and with minimum
disturbance during operations. Once operations are complete, all
areas utilised by the Company will be fully restored to an
increased agricultural value.
As part of the Environmental Licence and the Environmental
Measures Plan over 30,000 young oak trees will be planted over an
area of 75 to 100 hectares. The first 20,000 of these will be
planted in the nearby municipality of Vitigudino over an area of
more than 500 hectares currently used by cattle farmers, despite
its deteriorating ecological value.
Offtake programme and notable increase in public tender
activity
The Company currently has 2.75 million pounds of U(3) O(8)
concentrate under long term contracts over the first six years of
production. Potential exists to increase annual contracted volumes
further as well as extend the contracts by a total of 1.25 million
pounds.
The Company has maintained its preference to combine fixed and
market related pricing across its contracts in order to secure
positive margins in the early years of production whilst ensuring
the Company remains exposed to potentially higher prices in the
future.
Across the portfolio, the average fixed price per pound of
contracted and optional volumes is above US$42 per pound. This
compares favourably with the current spot price of around US$24 per
pound.
The investment agreement signed with the Oman sovereign wealth
fund grants the fund the right to match future long term uranium
offtake transactions. This right to match is subject to an annual
cap (on a rolling 12-month basis) which cannot exceed the greater
of 1 million pounds of U(3) O(8) concentrate per annum or 20% of
annual production.
With the financing agreement signed, the Company intends to
increase its offtaking activity this year once full construction of
the mine is underway, and will participate in public and private
offtake opportunities with global utilities, reporting regularly on
progress.
The Company's view is that the recent production cuts by Tier 1
producers, Cameco and KazAtomProm, could be a turning point in the
uranium market. Cameco's suspension of production, the latest in a
long line of production cuts, brings the total volume of uranium
removed from the market in 2018 to 17 million pounds, about 12% of
primary mine supply.
The Salamanca mine is scheduled to reach production as the
market enters a supply/demand deficit that industry experts have
called both fundamental and unavoidable. US utilities looking to
re-contract will be competing with Chinese and Japanese reactor
demand, which may lead to higher spot and term contract prices.
Exploration programme expanded targeting Zona 7 style
deposits
A major soil sampling programme was completed during the quarter
focusing on identifying additional targets with similar
characteristics to the Zona 7 and Retortillo deposits.
Over 2,200 samples were collected across 46km(2) area in both
Salamanca I and Salamanca II (see Figure 1 on the website) and
analysed using Ionic Leach(TM) which allows for very high levels of
detection of uranium and other economic minerals.
The process involved developing a fingerprint of the Zona 7
discovery (where a low radiometric anomaly existed) and the
Retortillo deposit and looking for repetitions of these unique
signatures in other areas of interest and then matching these with
co-incident radon and geochemical anomalies and finally placed in a
geological and structural setting.
The first phase of the survey of the Salamanca I area defined
nine uranium anomalies, which have been divided into four high and
five lower priority areas that have a combination of elevated
uranium levels along with supporting multi-element signatures.
The survey of the Salamanca II area defined three anomalous
areas for uranium, divided into two high priority areas and one
lower priority area, all of which have a combination of elevated
uranium levels and supporting multi-element signatures.
These twelve uranium anomalous areas are currently being
followed up to generate high priority drill targets.
Permitting update
There is strong support for the Salamanca mine throughout all
levels of government. To date, the Company has received more than
110 favourable reports and permits for the development of the
mine.
The Urbanism Commission of Salamanca gave an Express Resolution
for the granting of the Authorisation of Exceptional Land Use.
With the Mining Licence, Environmental Licence and the
Authorization of Exceptional Land Use the next major approval is
the Construction Authorization by the Ministry of Industry, Energy
and Tourism for the treatment plant as a radioactive facility.
Approvals for the Zona 7 deposit are progressing well, the
Exploitation Plan, the Reclamation and Closure Plan, the
Environmental Impact Assessment and the Initial Authorization are
complete and have all now been submitted to the relevant
authorities. The final approval is expected during 2019 as
previously announced.
To view this announcement in full including all illustrations
and figures, please refer to the Company's website at
www.berkeleyenergia.com/investor-relations/company-reports/
Forward Looking Statements
Statements regarding plans with respect to Berkeley's mineral
properties are forward-looking statements. There can be no
assurance that Berkeley's plans for development of its mineral
properties will proceed as currently expected. There can also be no
assurance that Berkeley will be able to confirm the presence of
additional mineral deposits, that any mineralisation will prove to
be economic or that a mine will successfully be developed on any of
Berkeley mineral properties. These forward-looking statements are
based on Berkeley's expectations and beliefs concerning future
events. Forward looking statements are necessarily subject to
risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside
the control of Berkeley, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from such statements. Berkeley makes no undertaking to
subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made
in this announcement, to reflect the circumstances or events after
the date of that announcement.
Appendix 1: Summary of Mining Tenements
As at 31 December 2017, the Company had an interest in the
following tenements:
Location Tenement Name Percentage Status
Interest
------------- ------------------------- ----------- --------
Spain
Salamanca D.S.R Salamanca 100% Granted
28 (Alameda)
D.S.R Salamanca 100% Granted
29 (Villar)
E.C. Retortillo-Santidad 100% Granted
E.C. Lucero 100% Pending
I.P. Abedules 100% Granted
I.P. Abetos 100% Granted
I.P. Alcornoques 100% Granted
I.P. Alisos 100% Granted
I.P. Bardal 100% Granted
I.P. Barquilla 100% Granted
I.P. Berzosa 100% Granted
I.P. Campillo 100% Granted
I.P. Castaños 100% Granted
2
I.P. Ciervo 100% Granted
I.P. Dehesa 100% Granted
I.P. El Águlia 100% Granted
I.P. Espinera 100% Granted
I.P.Halcón 100% Granted
I.P. Horcajada 100% Granted
I.P. Mailleras 100% Granted
I.P. Mimbre 100% Granted
I.P. Oñoro 100% Granted
I.P. Pedreras 100% Granted
I.P. El Vaqueril 100% Pending
I.P. Calixto 100% Pending
I.P. Melibea 100% Pending
I.P. Clerecía 100% Pending
I.P. Clavero 100% Pending
I.P. Conchas 100% Pending
I.P. Lis 100% Pending
E.P. Herradura 100% Pending
------------- ------------------------- ----------- --------
Cáceres I.P. Almendro 100% Granted
I.P. Ibor 100% Granted
I.P. Olmos 100% Granted
Badajoz I.P. Don Benito 100% Granted
Este
I.P. Don Benito 100% Granted
Oeste
Ciudad Real I.P. Damkina 100% Granted
Fraccion 1
I.P. Damkina 100% Granted
Fraccion 2
I.P. Damkina 100% Granted
Fraccion 3
No tenements were acquired or disposed of during the quarter
ended 31 December 2017. There were no changes to beneficial
interest in any mining tenements due to Farm-in or Farm-out
agreements. No beneficial interest in Farm-in or Farm-out
agreements were acquired or disposed during the quarter.
+Rule 5.5
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity and oil and gas exploration entity
quarterly report
Introduced 01/07/96 Origin Appendix 8 Amended 01/07/97,
01/07/98, 30/09/01, 01/06/10, 17/12/10, 01/05/13, 01/09/16
Name of entity
-------------------------------------------
Berkeley Energia Limited
-------------------------------------------
ABN Quarter ended ("current
quarter")
--------------- ------------------------
40 052 468 569 31 December 2017
--------------- ------------------------
Consolidated statement Current quarter Year to date
of cash flows $A'000
(6 months)
$A'000
--------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------
1. Cash flows from operating
activities
1.1 Receipts from customers - -
1.2 Payments for
(a) exploration & evaluation (1,989) (4,807)
(b) development - -
(c) production - -
(d) staff costs (2,336) (3,547)
(e) administration
and corporate costs (419) (817)
1.3 Dividends received - -
(see note 3)
1.4 Interest received 71 147
1.5 Interest and other - -
costs of finance paid
1.6 Income taxes paid - -
1.7 Research and development - -
refunds
Other (provide details
1.8 if material):
- Business Development (265) (443)
- Prepaid Deposits - (101)
---------------- -------------
Net cash from / (used
1.9 in) operating activities (4,938) (9,568)
----- -------------------------------- ---------------- -------------
2. Cash flows from investing
activities
2.1 Payments to acquire:
(a) property, plant
and equipment (406) (1,266)
(b) tenements (see - -
item 10)
(c) investments - -
(d) other non-current - -
assets
2.2 Proceeds from the disposal
of:
(a) property, plant
and equipment - -
(b) tenements (see - -
item 10)
(c) investments - -
(d) other non-current - -
assets
2.3 Cash flows from loans - -
to other entities
2.4 Dividends received - -
(see note 3)
2.5 Other (provide details
if material): - -
---------------- -------------
Net cash from / (used
2.6 in) investing activities (406) (1,266)
------- ------------------------------ ---------------- -------------
3. Cash flows from financing
activities
3.1 Proceeds from issues
of shares - -
Proceeds from issue
3.2 of convertible notes 85,824 85,824
3.3 Proceeds from exercise - -
of share options
Transaction costs related
to issues of shares,
convertible notes or
3.4 options (2,434) (2,525)
3.5 Proceeds from borrowings - -
3.6 Repayment of borrowings - -
3.7 Transaction costs related
to loans and borrowings - -
3.8 Dividends paid - -
3.9 Other (provide details - -
if material)
---------------- -------------
Net cash from / (used
3.10 in) financing activities 83,390 83,299
------- ------------------------------ ---------------- -------------
4. Net increase / (decrease)
in cash and cash equivalents
for the period
Cash and cash equivalents
4.1 at beginning of period 29,383 34,814
Net cash from / (used
in) operating activities
4.2 (item 1.9 above) (4,938) (9,568)
Net cash from / (used
in) investing activities
4.3 (item 2.6 above) (406) (1,266)
Net cash from / (used
in) financing activities
4.4 (item 3.10 above) 83,390 83,299
Effect of movement
in exchange rates on
4.5 cash held (2,062) (1,912)
---------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
4.6 at end of period 105,367 105,367
------- ------------------------------ ---------------- -------------
5. Reconciliation of cash Current quarter Previous
and cash equivalents $A'000 quarter
at the end of the quarter $A'000
(as shown in the consolidated
statement of cash flows)
to the related items
in the accounts
---- ------------------------------- ---------------- ---------
5.1 Bank balances 24,429 29,383
5.2 Call deposits 80,938 -
5.3 Bank overdrafts - -
5.4 Other (provide details) - -
---------------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of quarter (should
5.5 equal item 4.6 above) 105,367 29,383
---- ------------------------------- ---------------- ---------
6. Payments to directors of the entity Current quarter
and their associates $A'000
----------------
Aggregate amount of payments to
these parties included in item
6.1 1.2 (600)
----------------
6.2 Aggregate amount of cash flow
from loans to these parties included
in item 2.3 -
----------------
6.3 Include below any explanation necessary
to understand the transactions included
in items 6.1 and 6.2
---- --------------------------------------------------------
Payments include directors' fees, superannuation,
bonuses and consulting fees.
--------------------------------------------------------------
7. Payments to related entities of Current quarter
the entity and their associates $A'000
----------------
7.1 Aggregate amount of payments to -
these parties included in item
1.2
----------------
7.2 Aggregate amount of cash flow
from loans to these parties included
in item 2.3 -
----------------
7.3 Include below any explanation necessary
to understand the transactions included
in items 7.1 and 7.2
---- --------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
--------------------------------------------------------------
8. Financing facilities Total facility Amount drawn
available amount at at quarter
Add notes as necessary quarter end end
for an understanding $A'000 $A'000
of the position
--------------- -------------
8.1 Loan facilities - -
--------------- -------------
8.2 Credit standby arrangements - -
--------------- -------------
8.3 Other (please specify) - -
--------------- -------------
8.4 Include below a description of each facility
above, including the lender, interest rate
and whether it is secured or unsecured.
If any additional facilities have been entered
into or are proposed to be entered into
after quarter end, include details of those
facilities as well.
---- ------------------------------------------------------------
Not applicable.
------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Estimated cash outflows $A'000
for next quarter
---- ------------------------------ --------
9.1 Exploration and evaluation (2,000)
9.2 Development -
9.3 Production -
9.4 Staff costs (1,000)
Administration and corporate
9.5 costs (200)
9.6 Other (provide details if -
material)
--------
9.7 Total estimated cash outflows (3,200)
---- ------------------------------ --------
10. Changes in Tenement Nature Interest Interest
tenements reference of interest at beginning at end
(items 2.1(b) and location of quarter of quarter
and 2.2(b)
above)
----- ---------------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------
10.1 Interests - - - -
in mining
tenements
and petroleum
tenements
lapsed, relinquished
or reduced
----- ---------------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------
10.2 Interests - - - -
in mining
tenements
and petroleum
tenements
acquired
or increased
----- ---------------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- ------------
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared in accordance with accounting
standards and policies which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This statement gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
[lodged electronically without signature]
Sign here:
............................................................ Date:
23 January 2018
(Director/Company secretary)
Print name: Dylan Browne
Notes
1. The quarterly report provides a basis for informing the
market how the entity's activities have been financed for the past
quarter and the effect on its cash position. An entity that wishes
to disclose additional information is encouraged to do so, in a
note or notes included in or attached to this report.
2. If this quarterly report has been prepared in accordance with
Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and provisions
of, AASB 6: Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and
AASB 107: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report. If this
quarterly report has been prepared in accordance with other
accounting standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A,
the corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3. Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows
from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities,
depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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