KDNC Cadence Minerals Plc

27 September 2024

Cadence Minerals plc

("Cadence Minerals", "Cadence", or "the Company")

Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2024

Cadence Minerals plc (AIM/AQX: KDNC) is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2024.

Despite the poor commodity and macro backdrop, our primary investment, the Amapá Iron Ore Project, has progressed well. The three targets we set for the year are either completed or scheduled to be completed by year-end.

Highlights for Amapá Project progress made in the period and post-period end include:

·      The completion of optimisation studies resulting in a 20% increase of Post-tax Net Present Value ("NPV") to US$1.14 billion, with profit after tax of US$3.14 billion over the Life of Mine

·      A 10% increase in average production after ramp-up to 5.82 million dry metric tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") of Fe concentrate, consisting of 4.81 Mtpa at 65.4% Fe and 1.01 Mtpa at 62% Fe concentrate.

·      A 6% decrease in Free on Board C1 Cash Costs to US$33.5/dry metric tonne.

·      The submission of required environmental studies and applications for the grant of the installation licenses at the Amapá Project.

·      The completion of the design of a 67% iron ore concentrate flow sheet, with testing of the design currently underway.

The immediate focus of the Amapá Project is financing the next stage of development, a goal to which all the partners are fully dedicated. We believe this should be done via a trade sale or a joint venture with a highly experienced mining operator.

We are actively working towards this goal and are currently discussing with potential joint venture partners. These processes take time with extensive due diligence and contract negotiations, and we know that shareholders want to be informed about the detailed progress; however, for commercial reasons and listing rule requirements, we will only announce once a material contract has been executed.

Our other main investments are in the lithium sector. With lithium prices down some 80% over the last twelve months, we have seen a reduction in lithium equities, with the average producer down some 38% during the current year. As our investments are in either early-stage exploration or development assets, the decrease in equity price was the primary driver of our losses during the period.

Nonetheless, we see positive indications in the lithium market, with market commentators forecasting improvements in 2025 and supply shortfalls in the 2030s. However, it should be noted that we should not expect lithium prices to return to levels seen in 2022 in the short to medium term. Lithium demand is still growing significantly, so prices should improve over the coming year.

Investment Review

Cadence operates an investment strategy in which we invest in private projects via a private and public equity model. In both investment classes, we take either an active or passive role. We have reported in these segments below.

Private Investments, Active

The Amapá Iron Ore Project, Brazil ("Amapá" or "Project")
Interest - 33.12% at 31/12/2023 and 34.14% at 30/06/2024

The Amapá Project is a large-scale iron ore mine with associated rail, port, and beneficiation facilities. It began operations in December 2007 but ceased in 2014 due to a geotechnical failure at the port facility, which limited iron ore export. Before closing, the Project made an underlying profit of US$54 million in 2012 and US$120 million in 2011. In 2008, the Project produced 712 thousand tonnes of iron ore concentrate, and production increased to 4.8 million tonnes in 2011 and 6.1 million tonnes in 2012.

Investment

In 2019, Cadence entered into a binding investment agreement to invest in and acquire up to 27% of the Amapá iron ore mine, beneficiation plant, railway, and private port owned by DEV Mineração S.A. ("DEV"). The agreement also gave Cadence a first right of refusal to increase its stake to 49%.

To acquire its 27% interest, Cadence invested US$6 million over two stages in a joint venture company, Pedra and Branca Alliance ("PBA"). This investment was completed in the first quarter of 2022. Since then, Cadence has invested another US$7.29 million for a further 7.14% equity. At the end of the period, Cadence Minerals had invested some US$13.8 million for 34.14% in the Project.

Operations Review

During the reporting period, we continued to develop the Amapá Project. Our main operational goals for this year were to complete our environmental applications, reduce capital expenditure, improve Project economics, and resume testing to produce a high-grade 67% iron ore concentrate.

These targets had been mainly achieved at the time of writing. Subsequently, we reported on capital costs and increased mining during the period, which delivered a 20% increase in the Project's Net Present Value. We also submitted all the required environmental license applications, which should be granted by the end of 2024.

We have started testing the flow sheet design we developed during the period, which we expect to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.

Updated Pre Feasibility Study ("PFS")-level economic study

In March this year, the Amapá Project announced the results of the optimisation study, which delivered material capital savings to the Project. The Amapá Project carried out an updated PFS-level economic analysis based on these results.

Updated Mining Schedule

As part of the optimisation work, engineering consultants identified higher availability at the processing plant, which increased the annual run-of-mine feed rate to the processing plant. As a result, the mining and other related engineering disciplines had to be re-examined, and in particular, the mine schedule had to be recalculated to optimise the Project's NPV.

As a result, a new life of mine production plan was scheduled. This revised schedule allows for 15 years of production with the current economic values and a cut-off of 25% Fe. The resultant life of the mine strip ratio is approximately 0.4:1 (tonnes waste: tonnes ore), and the average ore mine delivered to the plant is 13 million metric tonnes per annum.

 Project Financial Analysis

An updated PFS financial model, which included the updated mining schedule, lower capex, and lower operational costs, was developed to evaluate the Project's economics. All other aspects of the financial analysis remained the same as per the PFS published in January 2023. Summary results from the economic model outputs are presented in the table below. The financial model considers 100% equity funding for the Project, although the financing of the Project will be a mix of debt and equity. A summary of the key financial information is presented below, alongside the 2023 PFS data.

Table 1.1 Key Project Metrics (100% Project basis)

Project Permitting

As announced in September 2023 (News Release Here), the Amapá Project has agreed with the Amapá State Environmental Agency ("SEMA") to an expedited environmental licensing process, given that the Project was previously operating and had been granted all required licenses.

The Amapá Project owns the required Mining Concessions; however, it must obtain a Mine Extraction and Processing Permit ("Mining Permit") to begin operation. To obtain this permit, the Amapá Project must obtain an Installation License ("LI") to begin construction and, when constructed, an Operational License ("LO"). An LI and LO are also required to build and operate the railway and port.

In April, the Amapá Project submitted the required environmental studies and applications for the Amapá mine and railway. This application was in the form of the Environmental Control Plan, "PCA" (Plano de Controle Ambiental), and an Environmental Control Report, "RCA" (Relatório de Controle Ambiental). This was followed in early September when

The Project submitted the required environmental studies and application for the LI grant for the iron ore port.

Our joint venture has continued engaging with SEMA and other relevant authorities, who have indicated that the LI for the rail and mine remain on schedule for the grant this year. Given the impact that the railway's restart will make on local communities, the installation license for the railway is anticipated to have some conditions precedent. This is expected in any project of this nature. The Amapá Project management team always anticipated this as part of the required licensing requirements to redevelop the Amapá Iron Ore Project. Our understanding from SEMA is that, based on the current timeline, all the LIs will be granted by the end of 2024.

Secured Bank Settlement Iron Ore Shipments

As per the settlement agreement announced in December 2021 here, the net proceeds of the one shipment carried out in 2022, along with approximately half of the net proceeds from the shipments in 2021, have been used to pay the secured bank creditors.

In early 2024, we reached an in-principle agreement on a one-time settlement amount with the secured creditors and had a financing solution to make this payment. However, we could not crystallise the financing due to a longer-than-expected approval process from the secured creditors and unfavourable iron ore prices. We remain optimistic that as the iron ore price improves, we will be able to secure the funding needed to make this one-time payment.

Development Plan for the Amapá Project

The goal is to bring this Project back into production. Based on the positive results derived from the updated economic assessment at a PFS level, we are now testing the 67% iron ore concentrate product flow sheet. Once the flow sheet is proven to the PFS level, this revised flow sheet will form the basis of an amended economic assessment of the Project.

Alongside this, and based on discussion with SEMA, we expect the grant of the LIs by the end of the year, allowing the commencement of construction and the recommissioning of the Project in 2025. Of course, this will be subject to the Project securing appropriate debt and equity financing.

Cadence, along with its joint venture partner, has agreed that the lowest risk and currently the best commercial approach for our investment in the Project should be either a trade sale or a joint venture with a highly experienced mining operator. We are actively working towards this goal and discussing it with potential joint venture partners. The funding of debt and equity for the recommissioning and construction of the Project is anticipated to occur at the asset or joint venture level.

Private Investments, Passive

Ferro Verde Iron Ore, Brazil

Interest - 1% on 31/12/2023 and 30/06/2024

In 2022, Cadence invested a small amount (£0.21 million) in an advanced iron ore deposit in Brazil the previous year. The Ferro Verde Deposit is in the southern portion of the state of Bahia, in the northeastern region of Brazil, next to the town of Urandi, some 700 km southwest of Salvador, the state of Bahia. The project is currently progressing with its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). It has a historic inferred resource of 284 million tonnes of iron ore at 31% Fe. The intent is to produce 4.5 Mtpa of 67% Fe. Our intended exit strategy is either when the asset is listed or the owners carry out a trade sale.

Private investments, Passive

Sonora Lithium Project, Mexico

Interest - 30% on 31/12/2023 and 30/06/2024

Cadence holds an interest in the Sonora Lithium Project through a 30% stake in the joint venture interests in Mexalit S.A. de CV ("Mexalit") and Megalit S.A. de CV ("Megalit).

In April 2022 and May 2023, the Mexican Government made changes to its Mining Law, which included prohibiting lithium concessions, declaring lithium a strategic sector, and giving a state-owned entity exclusive rights for lithium mining operations. Despite existing concessions, including those held by Mexilit and Megalit, being supposedly unaffected, the General Directorate of Mines ("DGM") started reviewing nine lithium concessions held by Mexican subsidiaries. Mexilit and Megalit submitted evidence of compliance with minimum investment obligations, but these concessions were still cancelled.

Ganfeng and Cadence believe the cancellations violate Mexican and international law and have filed administrative review recourses. Cadence also issued a Request for Consultations and Negotiations to the Government of Mexico under the United Kingdom-Mexico Bilateral Investment Treaty regarding the revocation of mining concessions for the Sonora Lithium Project.

In their Request, Cadence and REMML have identified various BIT obligations that Mexico has breached, including Mexico's obligation not to unlawfully expropriate the investments of UK investors such as Cadence and REMML and its obligation to treat such investments fairly and equitably.

In accordance with Article 10 of the BIT, Cadence and REMML have requested consultations and negotiations with Mexico to resolve the dispute amicably. The BIT provides for disputes to be resolved by international arbitration if they cannot be resolved through consultation and negotiation.

The affected concessions include those granted to Mexilit S.A. de CV ("Mexilit") and Minera Megalit S.A. de CV ("Megalit"), which are joint venture companies in which Cadence holds a 30% stake through REMML.

Public Investments

The public equity investment segment is composed of passive investment. The trading portfolio consists of investments in listed mining entities that the board believes possess attractive underlying assets. The focus is to invest in mining companies that are significantly undervalued by the market and where there is substantial upside potential through exploration success and/or the development of mining projects for commercial production. Ultimately, the aim is to make capital gains in the short to medium term. Investments are considered individually based on various criteria and are typically traded on the TSX, ASX, AIM or LSE.

The movement in public portfolio values during the year is summarised below.

As of 30 June 2024, our public equity stakes consisted of the following:

Public Equity, Passive

European Metals Holdings Limited ("European Metals")
Interest - 7.0% at 31/12/2023 and 2.96% on 30/06/2024

European Metals owns 49% of Geomet s.r.o. with 51% owned by České Energetické Závody, a.s. ("CEZ"). Geomet s.r.o. owns 100% of the Cinovec lithium deposit, which hosts a globally significant hard-rock lithium deposit with a total Indicated Mineral Resource of 372.4Mt at 0.45% Li2O and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 323.5Mt at 0.39% Li2O. This is a combined resource of 7.22 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent. The Cinovec lithium deposit contains a Probable Ore Reserve of 34.5Mt at 0.65% Li2O, which covers the first 20 years of mining at an output of 22,500tpa of battery-grade lithium carbonate.22,500tpa of Lithium Carbonate).

The Cinovec lithium project has achieved key milestones, including the successful production of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide from the pilot programme - both to battery grade, the granting of extensions to our exploration licenses, and the selection of a significantly superior site for the lithium processing plant. It's important to note that there have been delays in the definitive feasibility study. However, EMH's work on important processing enhancements is expected to improve the project's economics significantly.

Public Equity, Passive

Evergreen Lithium Limited ("Evergreen")
Interest - 8.74% at 31/12/2023 and 8.74% on 30/06/2024

In 2023, Evergreen was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, and Cadence's equity stake in Evergreen was reduced to 8.74% from 13.16% due to the IPO and associated fundraising. Further shares in Evergreen are due to Cadence upon achieving certain performance milestones.

Evergreen is the 100% owner of three exploration tenements, including the Bynoe Lithium Project, Fortune Lithium Project, and Kenny Lithium Project. The Bynoe Lithium Project, located contiguous to Core Lithium's Finnis hard rock lithium project, is considered Evergreen's flagship prospect, offering significant exploration potential.

During the period Evergreen continued its exploration of the Byone projects, the main highlights included approving the mine management plan, which enabled drilling to commence. This was announced in July 2024, with an auger sampling program drilling short holes over areas identified as high-priority targets. Samples generated from this program will be analysed at an offsite laboratory. Results from this work will be used in conjunction with surface soil sample results to target LCT pegmatites in the future.  In addition, RAB/Air Core drilling began, testing geochemical, geophysical and other targets identified in the previous exploration programmes. This drilling programme has intersected shallow pegmatites along strike from Core Lithium's BP33 deposit. Given the early success of the current air-core drill program, RC drill planning is currently underway. RC drilling will be used to test pegmatites at depth and along strike.

FINANCIAL RESULTS:

During the period, the Group made a loss before taxation of £2.53 million (6 months ended 30 June 2023:  £1.95 million, year ended 31 December 2023: £3.02 million). There was a weighted basic loss per share of 1.392p (30 June 2023: 1.163p, 31 December 2023: 1.762p). The total assets of the group decreased from £19.97 million at 31 December 2022 to £17.79 million.

During the period, our net cash outflow from operating activities was £0.32 million, and we raised gross proceeds of £0.47m via the issue of shares and a further £1.33m from the sale of our investments. Most of the capital raised was reinvested (£1.01m), with £0.55m used to pay down existing debt. As a result, our net cash position was reduced from £0.22 million to £0.13 million.

Kiran Morzaria

Director

26 September 2024

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are or may be considered forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe", "could", "should", "envisage", "estimate", "intend", "may", "plan", "will", or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the company's future growth results of operations performance, future capital, and other expenditures (including the amount, nature, and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.  Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities, the availability of capital markets reliance on crucial personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the company. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. The company cannot assure investors that results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.

The company deems the information contained within this announcement to constitute Inside Information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (E.U.) No. 596/2014, as it forms part of U.K. domestic law under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. Upon the publication of this announcement via a regulatory information service, this information is considered to be in the public domain.

CADENCE MINERALS PLC

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2024