PRG Paragon Diamnd

Paragon Diamonds Limited / Index: AIM / Epic: PRG / Sector: Resources

30 September 2015                                                                                                                    

Paragon Diamonds Limited (‘Paragon’, the ‘Group’ or the ‘Company’)

Interim Results

Paragon Diamonds Limited, the AIM quoted vertically integrated diamond development company in Lesotho, Africa, is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2015.

Overview

• Substantial progress made towards building a leading vertically integrated diamond company – retaining ownership of the journey of a stone from the ground to the high street to ensure value is retained for shareholders
• MOU signed to acquire the 39Mt large/high value diamond Mothae Kimberlite mine (‘Mothae’) in Lesotho from Lucara Diamond Corporation
  • 5 km from the world class Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho which is located within a cluster of kimberlites, including Paragon’s Lemphane Kimberlite Pipe Project (‘Lemphane’)
  • Mothae has the potential to hold 100+ carat stones – to date a 56.5 carat diamond has been valued at over US$31,000 per carat and a 28.9 carat stone has achieved US$42,000 per carat in December 2011
  • Initial 25Mt mine plan at Mothae with a minimum in-situ value of US$867m, and is forecast to generate US$60m+ annual revenues over a minimum 12 years of full production

Post Period

• Formal approval of acquisition of Mothae received from the Government of Lesotho
• Independent study on Mothae exceeds management’s initial expectations, and confirms that it represents a low cost opportunity to generate significant value through the potential recovery of large high value diamonds
  • an improved strip ratio of <1:1 compared to initial estimates of <1.5:1 and the potential for average diamond values up to c. US$2,000/ct
  • several mining scenarios exceeding 20Mt at US$40+/t ore value in a low operating cost mine
• Aiming for first production at Mothae six months after completion of the acquisition followed by Lemphane in 1H 2016 - targeting combined revenues of approximately US$36 million during the first full year of production from both assets

Chairman’s statement

I am delighted to report on the substantial progress we have made during 2015 as we deliver on our objective to transform Paragon into a leading vertically integrated diamond house.  We shortly expect to have two potentially large stone and high value diamond assets located in Lesotho within our portfolio: our existing flagship project, the 48Mt Lemphane Kimberlite Pipe Project (‘Lemphane’); along with signed contracts and approval from the Government of Lesotho to acquire the 39Mt Mothae Kimberlite Pipe Project (‘Mothae’) from Lucara Diamond Corporation (‘Lucara’), which we expect to complete following finalisation of funding.’

We are not just building a diamond production company.  Our vision greatly exceeds this as we are looking to become a leading international diamond company, which retains ownership of a diamond from the mine (source) through the manufacturing phase all the way to the sale of diamonds downstream to the consumer and investment markets.  We are adopting this approach to ensure as much value as possible is retained for Paragon and its shareholders.  With this in mind, once Paragon has moved into first production at Mothae and secondly at Lemphane, we will move forward with our vertically integrated business model through the use of vehicles such as JVs, SPVs and offtake agreements with suitable partners.  In addition to integrating vertically, there are also a number of lateral opportunities which could potentially be very profitable for Paragon in the future which we will look to explore.  For example diamond investment vehicles for investors looking for exposure to hard assets and commodity currencies. Lastly, should another exciting near-term production asset become available with the right large stone/high value economics, we could add further to our existing asset base.

As I have previously cited, the rationale for our vertically integrated business model is supported by our belief in diamonds as the optimal monetary investment choice and portable store of wealth.  Investment grade diamonds are increasingly replacing gold and silver, real estate, art and cars as the monetary commodity asset and store of value providing safety against the risks associated with geopolitical crises, accelerating paper currency debasement, deteriorating global government fiscal balances, rising wealth taxes and negative bond yields.  One of diamonds’ USPs is that they are portable, are outside of any banking system and are internationally tradeable with any currency.  Moreover the structural change taking place in the diamond sales market, specifically in terms of price transparency as a result of wider electronic transmission and the use of tenders, auctions and private placement is forcing transactions to migrate away from centres such as Antwerp. These two factors in my mind creates a significant opportunity for a vertically integrated company whilst exploiting an ongoing secular shift within the diamond sector, which is changing the distribution and retail landscape along with the geography of diamond sales.

Operations

Mothae

In May 2015, we signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (‘MOU’) with Lucara to acquire a 75% equity stake in the Mothae Kimberlite mine.  Mothae is only 5 km from the world class Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho that is located within a cluster of kimberlites, including Paragon’s Lemphane Kimberlite Pipe Project (‘Lemphane’). This is a transformational deal that will increase our diamond producing capabilities to over 100,000cts when at full production with an average value over US$1,500/ct (at recent prices) and indeed should re-rate our business model and valuation in the market.

We have approval from the Government of Lesotho in hand and we are just waiting to finalise the acquisition with Lucara, which has granted an extension of seven days on the original 30 September deadline to enable the conclusion of the transaction.

Mothae has a NI 43-101 compliant 39Mt Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate with a 2.72 cpht grade and value of US$1,034/ct. The mine has the potential to hold 100+ carat stones, and our current mine plan for an initial 25 million tonne mine includes a minimum in-situ value of US$867m from the potential US$1,097m available; an initial NPV of US$115m (discounted at 12%), is forecast to generate US$60+million annual revenues over a minimum 12 years of full production, based on management’s preliminary internal model.  The project already has extensive infrastructure in place, including a nominal 75tph (0.5Mt/yr) processing plant, workshops, diesel-generated power supply, accommodation camp, offices, water dams and TSF exists on site and forms part of the acquisition.

It is our intention to fast-track Mothae into substantial production by using and upgrading the existing 75 tonne per hour trial mining plant. Production can be re-established at minimal cost within a four to six month period, at a rate exceeding 100tph and once established, development will commence on a full-scale 300tph+ long-term main production facility which is earmarked to be operational and producing within 18 months of initiation. Production will initially be concentrated on the most economic higher-grade/higher-value, low waste: ore ratio Southwest/Southcentral resource, which is believed to exceed 25Mt and over 0.7Mcts.

Furthermore, this portion of the resource follows a large diamond/high grade mine model and has the potential to host circa 15% of carats as diamonds in excess of 10 carats, and 2% of carats in diamonds in excess of 100 carats.  The highest value diamond recovered from Mothae to date has been a 56.5 carat diamond valued at over US$37,000 per carat in December 2011, and the single highest diamond value achieved was US$57,000 per carat for a 28.9 carat stone also in December 2011.

In September 2015 results from technical studies undertaken on the Mothae resource by the Company’s consultants exceeded our initial expectations, and confirm that it represents a low cost opportunity for Paragon to generate significant value for shareholders through the potential recovery of large high value diamonds.  The reports show an improved strip ratio of <1:1 compared to initial estimates of <1.5:1 and the potential for average diamond values up to c. US$2,000/ct.  There are several mining scenarios exceeding 20Mt at US$40+/t ore value in a low operating cost mine.

Lemphane

As I discussed in my last Chairman’s statement in June 2015, Lemphane, where we hold an 80% interest in the project with the Government of Lesotho holding the remaining 20% will be developed concurrently with Mothae with a view of first production after Mothae in  2016.

The current 48Mt kimberlite deposit where we have a Mining Lease secured, development and production will be staged in two phases. Stage 1 being a two-year mine plan processing 1Mt of kimberlite targeting 20,000 carats (2,500 carats per quarter) with an average value forecast to be US$930-US$1,025 per carat, generating individual annual revenues of approximately US$9m-US$10m for the Company. This will then be followed by an eight year Stage 2 mine plan of approximately 3,000,000 tonnes per annum for an initial open pit life of fifteen years with peak production of 65,000 carats per year.

We believe Lemphane is potentially a similar large high value deposit as Gem Diamond’s Letšeng Mine with the potential for at least one +100 carat diamond to be discovered per 1Mt of kimberlite processed with forecast diamond values of between US$930/carat and US$1,025/carat. Size frequency indicates 12% of carats of diamonds could potentially exceed 9 carats.  Based on these results, Stage 1 production is currently forecast to recover in excess of 100 diamonds larger than 9 carats, including some stones up to 100 carats in size.  Over the entire 48.6Mt of kimberlite delineated by drilling to date, our forecasts predict approximately 50 diamonds in excess of 100 carats and 175 diamonds in excess of 50 carats (i.e. two to three a year and one a month respectively if mined at 3Mt/yr), including diamonds of over 300 carats in size, being recovered.

We already have the design and order plans for a state of the art 75 tonne per hour (0.5Mt/yr.) processing plant at Lemphane which will use the latest X-Ray Transmission (XRT) diamond recovery technology.  This will reduce both capital and operating costs at Lemphane, improve diamond recovery, and as a result significantly enhance the project’s economics.  During the period under review we began to order the long-lead items such as scrubbers, crushers, x-ray transmission recovery machines and water recovery thickeners for the plant.  We have also finalised provisional tailings storage facilities (TSF) designs with our civil engineers, and the terms for contract mining for Stage 1. Site clearance for the new plant has also been undertaken.  Discussions have also been held with the national power company's main contractor, for access to the privately funded open-access power line (presently nearing completion) for electrical supply to the mine and with the providers of camp accommodation and services, and security.

We have begun sourcing and construction of primary crushers, pre-treatment (scrubbing/screening) section, coarse diamond recovery section including XRT and secondary crushing, DMS, Final recovery building, thickeners and we can now commence the civil construction activities.

Funding update

The Company is concluding funding for both of the diamond projects for stage one production, which is expected to be announced as soon as practicable. In addition, and in a very positive statement of confidence in the value of our assets, the Company has also received a formal letter of commitment from a separate investment partner for the majority of the stage two financing requirement for both projects on attractive terms. The Company will update shareholders as appropriate.

To remove any concerns amongst shareholders, the Company has agreed an extension of the £500,000 loan facility due on 30 September until the 7 October (with the option to extend until 14 October) to ensure that financing contracts can be properly concluded over the coming days, if necessary.  Lucara have also confirmed their intention to extend the exclusivity period until 7 October to enable the successful completion of the acquisition of Mothae.

Financial Results

The group has focussed on completing funding to advance Lemphane and acquire and advance Mothae over the period and updates will be made as soon as further progress has been made.

The Group generated a loss after tax of £0.5 million during the first half (H1 2014: loss of £0.5 million). In order to ensure as much funds as possible are invested in the ground, administration costs continue to be tightly controlled and amounted to £0.3 million during the six months under review (H1 2014: £0.4 million).

The Group held cash of £0.4 million as at 30 June 2015 (H1 2014: £0.1 million).

The Group had net assets of £23.3 million as at 30 June 2015, (2014: £29.9 million) and intangible exploration assets are carried at £32.6 million (2014: £39.6 million).  Group borrowings totalled £3.2 million at 30 June 2015 (2014: £2.1 million).

Overview

I am optimistic about the future of the investment grade diamond sector and strongly believe that, with the addition of Mothae to our existing Lemphane kimberlite project, we are very well positioned to benefit from all the macro fundamentals affecting the diamond industry that are moving in our favour. This includes the anticipated supply constraint, increase in appetite for the larger investment grade stones, which we will be focusing predominantly on, constant advances in technology, lower capital costs and operation synergies from being last mover in an established diamond district, Lesotho.  With near-term production, these are exciting times ahead for the Company.

Finally I would like to thank the Board, management and staff, for their hard work not just over the last six months but for the progress we have made in bringing two potentially high-margin assets into production.  I would also like to thank shareholders for their patience.  It has not been easy to navigate a funding requirement in the depressed emerging market, commodity and mining sectors. I look forward to working with the Paragon team during what promises to be an exciting period for Paragon Diamonds, and with the Government of Lesotho, who consistently evidence their support to us, as we look to deliver on our objectives and generate value for all our shareholders.

Philip Falzon Sant Manduca

Executive Chairman

29 September 2015 

Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income

The loss in the current period arises from the Group’s continuing operations.

Condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

Approved by the board and authorised for issue on 28 September 2015

Philip Falzon Saint Manduca                                                                       Simon Retter

Executive Chairman                                                                                        Finance Director

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.paragondiamonds.com or contact: