Microsoft Word - AFR Quarterly Report
31 October 2014
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2014
HIGHLIGHTS
During October, African Energy Resources Limited ("AFR" or "the "Company") executed a binding Heads of Agreement with First Quantum Minerals Limited ("FQM") under which FQM can earn a joint venture interest in the Sese Integrated Power Project ("Sese Project"). This is conditional upon completion of due diligence and execution of a binding Shareholder Agreement.
FQM can earn a 75% interest in the Sese Project through investment of A$20m and arranging finance as a loan carry for AFR's 25% interest in the Project.
A$8m of the funds invested by FQM in the Project will be returned to AFR as repayment of parent company loans. The remaining A$12m will be used for predevelopment funding of the Sese Project.
Capital raisings totalling A$7.3m were announced in October. A private placement to FQM was completed in October to raise A$3.8m and the Company has initiated an underwritten non‐ renounceable rights issue to raise a further A$3.5m.
Upon completion of the rights issue and FQM joint venture investment, AFR will be debt free, with approximately A$10m working capital and with a 25% carried interest in new power projects to be developed at Sese.
Botswana's Department of Environmental Affairs approved the Environmental Impact Assessment for the Sese Integrated Power Project, comprising a 1.6Mtpa coal mine, coal handling and processing plant, 300MW power station, water pipeline, access road, transmission grid connection, construction camp, and an ash disposal facility.
A letter of intent was received from ZESCO, the electricity utility in Zambia, confirming ZESCO's interest in receiving 300MW of power from African Energy's Sese project.
Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa was commissioned to undertake a Transmission Study to evaluate the transmission route and connection options between the Sese Project and ZESCO's grid in southern Zambia.
African Energy submitted multiple project registrations (300MW at Sese, 600MW at Mmamantswe)
into South Africa's Department of Energy request for registration to developers of projects for their
2,500MW coal baseload IPP procurement programme.
The Environmental Impact Assessment for the Mmamabula West export coal project was submitted.
OUTLOOK FOR NEXT QUARTER
Sese Coal & Power Project
Completion of the due diligence and execution of the shareholder agreement with First Quantum to finalise the joint venture investment in the Sese Project.
Completion of the study to evaluate the transmission route and connection options for the Sese
Project into southern Zambia.
Advance other power supply opportunities in the southern African region.
Mmamabula West Coal Project
Continue assessment of export infrastructure options (rail, port, off‐take) and potential project development partnerships.
Mmamantswe Coal Project
Potential release of the formal Request for Proposals (RFP) from South Africa's Dept. of Energy for the 2,500MW coal baseload IPP procurement programme.
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 2
PROJECTS
1 Sese Coal and Power Project, Botswana
1.1 Background
The Sese Integrated Power Project will comprise one or more 300MW power stations, each with a dedicated ~1.5mtpa coal mine plus all related infrastructure required to deliver electricity into the Southern African Power Pool grid.
Coal for the power stations will be provided from Sese Block‐C which currently contains 330Mt of coal in measured resources and is thus capable of supporting multiple power projects of this size.
1.2 Joint Venture Investment by First Quantum Minerals (FQM)
FQM and AFR have executed a binding Heads of Agreement (HOA) under which FQM will make a Joint Venture Investment to acquire a majority interest in African Energy Holdings SRL once certain conditions precedent have been satisfied.
African Energy Holdings SRL is the wholly owned Barbados project entity which owns African Energy Resources Botswana (Pty) Ltd, the holder of the Sese and Sese West coal prospecting licences, the Foley North industrial minerals prospecting licence, the approved EIA, surface rights and water allocation.
The key conditions precedent requiring satisfaction within 30 days of signing the HOA are:
1. Completion of due diligence by FQM on African Energy Holdings SRL and African Energy
Resources Botswana and their assets
2. Execution of a Shareholders Agreement
3. Consent of Macquarie Bank for the transaction (if required)
4. Approval for the transaction by the Botswana Minister for Minerals Energy and Water
Resources (if required)
Once the conditions precedent are met, FQM will invest A$8m for a 51% stake in African Energy Holdings SRL. This A$8m will be used to repay outstanding project loans between African Energy Holdings SRL and AFR (increasing AFR's working capital to A$10m).
FQM will invest a further A$12m over up to 18 months to increase its project interest to 75%. These funds will remain in the project entity to fund future pre‐development activities.
Upon reaching a majority interest, FQM will be the project manager and the Joint Venture will be managed as per the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement.
AFR's 25% interest in all projects undertaken in African Energy Holdings SRL and its subsidiaries will be loan carried through to commercial operation, with its share of debt to be priced on the same terms as FQM's, and repaid from its share of operating cashflow.
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1.3 Permitting
The Tonota Sub Land Board has informed the Company that its application for a Surface Rights Lease covering a portion of Block C, surrounding areas and an access corridor between the project and the A1 Highway has been approved. A formal Lease Agreement will now be drawn up.
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Sese Integrated Power Project has been approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). This covers a 300MW power station, associated coal mine and related infrastructure and an access corridor to the main A1 highway and regional transmisison grid.
1.4 Botswana 300MW Greenfield Tender Opportunity
No further information on the bid process and timeframe was announced during the quarter.
1.5 Additional Power Opportunities for Sese
African Energy Resources Limited entered into a non‐binding Memorandum of Understanding with Zambia's electricity utility ZESCO Limited to explore the potential for the delivery of 300MW of base‐load electrical power from Sese into ZESCO's grid in southern Zambia.
ZESCO has also sent a Letter of Intent to African Energy expressing interest in buying up to 300MW
of power from the Sese Project.
African Energy has engaged Parsons Brinckerhoff Africa to undertake a Transmission Study to evaluate the transmission route and connection options between the Sese Project and ZESCO's grid in southern Zambia. The scope of this study was agreed in conjunction with ZESCO and Botswana Power Corporation.
African Energy and ACWA Power International have submitted a joint registration for a 300MW
power project at Sese for South Africa's 2,500MW coal baseload IPP procurement programme.
2 Sese West Coal Project, Botswana (100% AFR)
The Sese West project contains an inferred resource of 2.5Bt of thermal coal.
The Botswana Department of Mines has issued an interim six‐month extension of the prospecting licence to the end of March 2015 whilst a two‐year PL extension submisison is being evaluated.
3 Mmamantswe Coal Project, Botswana (100% AFR)
The Mmamantswe Coal Project comprises a Measured and Indicated Resource of approximately
1.24 billion tonnes of thermal coal less than 20km from the border with South Africa.
The Company has submitted an application for a 2‐year extension to the prospecting license over
Mmamantswe (PL69/2007) under Section 17 (6) of the Mines and Minerals Act, 1999.
South Africa's Department of Energy has issued a request for registration ("RFR") to developers of projects for their 2,500MW coal baseload IPP procurement programme.
African Energy has submitted registrations for a 600MW projects at Mmamantswe in response to the South African RFR.
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 4
The Ministry of Minerals Energy and Water Resources in Botswana has issu ed a Letter of Support for these project submissions.
The Department of Energy intends to release a Request for Proposals ("RFP ") in regards to the coal baseload IPP procurement programme in due course.
4 Mmamabula West Coal Project, Botswana (100% AFR)
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for a potential 4.4 Mtpa underground coal mine in the preferred mining area has been submitted to the Department of Envi ronmental Affairs.
ASX RELEAS
| PAGE 5
5 Global Coal Resources for African Energy's Coal Projects in Botswana
Sese Project: Resource Summary (Raw coal on an air‐dried basis)
|
Resource Zone
|
In‐Situ Tonnes*
|
CV (MJ/kg)
|
CV (kcal/kg)
|
Ash %
|
IM%
|
VM%
|
FC%
|
S %
|
MEASURED (Bk‐C)
|
333 Mt
|
17.6
|
4,200
|
30.2
|
7.9
|
20.6
|
41.4
|
2.1
|
MEASURED (Bk‐B)
|
318 Mt
|
16.0
|
3,820
|
34.8
|
7.4
|
20.4
|
37.4
|
1.7
|
INDICATED
|
1,714 Mt
|
15.3
|
3,650
|
38.9
|
6.6
|
18.7
|
35.8
|
2.0
|
INFERRED
|
152 Mt
|
15.0
|
3,600
|
39.1
|
6.4
|
19.5
|
34.9
|
2.2
|
TOTAL 2,517 Mt
Sese West Project: Resource Summary (Raw coal on an air‐dried basis)
|
Resource Zone
|
In‐Situ Tonnes*
|
CV (MJ/kg)
|
CV (kcal/kg)
|
Ash %
|
IM%
|
VM%
|
FC%
|
S %
|
INFERRED
|
2,501 Mt
|
14.6
|
3,500
|
40.2
|
6.1
|
19.8
|
31.9
|
2.0
|
TOTAL 2,501 Mt
Mmamabula West Project: Resource Summary (Raw coal on an air‐dried basis)
|
Resource Zone
|
In‐Situ Tonnes*
|
CV (MJ/kg)
|
CV (kcal/kg)
|
Ash %
|
IM%
|
VM%
|
FC%
|
S %
|
INDICATED
|
892 Mt
|
20.2
|
4,825
|
25.5
|
6.0
|
26.0
|
41.0
|
1.5
|
INFERRED
|
1,541 Mt
|
20.0
|
4,775
|
25.5
|
5.7
|
25.9
|
41.2
|
1.7
|
TOTAL 2,433 Mt
Mmamantswe Project: Resource Summary (Raw coal on an air‐dried basis)
|
Resource Zone
|
In‐Situ Tonnes*
|
CV (MJ/kg)
|
CV (kcal/kg)
|
Ash %
|
IM%
|
VM%
|
FC%
|
S %
|
MEASURED
|
978 Mt
|
9.5
|
2,270
|
56.5
|
3.9
|
15.8
|
21.8
|
2.0
|
INDICATED
|
265 Mt
|
7.9
|
1,890
|
62.3
|
3.3
|
14.2
|
18.1
|
2.1
|
INFERRED
|
N/A
|
TOTAL 1,243 Mt
GRAND TOTAL 8,694 Mt
* In‐Situ tonnes have been derived by removing volumes for modelled intrusions, burnt coal and weathered coal and then applying geological loss factors to the remaining Gross In‐Situ Tonnes
The Coal Resources quoted for the Sese, Mmamabula West and Mmamantswe Projects in the table above have been defined in accordance with the practices recommended by the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (2004 edition of the JORC Code). Sese West is reported as per the 2012 edition. There have been no material changes to any of the resources since they were first announced.
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6 Mining tenements held at the end of each quarter and their location
Interest at
beginning of quarter
|
Interest at end of quarter
|
Location
|
PL 96/2005 (Sese) PL197/2007 (Sese West) PL004/2013 (Foley North) PL069/2007 (Mmamantswe) PL056/2005 (Mmamabula West)
18176‐HQ‐LPL (Mulipo)
13764‐HQ‐LPL (Nangandwe)
12634‐HQ‐LML (Chirundu ML)
13265‐HQ‐LPL (Chirundu PL)
13642‐HQ‐LPL (Munyumbwe)
13646‐HQ‐LPL (Sinazongwe East)
17732‐HQ‐LPL (Sinazongwe West)
16556‐HQ‐LPL (Sinazongwe Central)
16775‐HQ‐LPL (Sinazongwe South)
|
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
|
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
‐
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
‐
100%
100%
|
Botswana Botswana Botswana Botswana Botswana Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia Zambia
|
Dr. Frazer Tabeart
Managing Director
Full details for all projects including location maps, tenement schedules and technical descriptions may be found on the African Energy Resources website at: www.africanenergyresources.com
The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the 'JORC Code') sets out minimum standards, recommendations and guidelines for Public Reporting in Australasia of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The information contained in this announcement was prepared under the JORC Code 2012. References to "Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources" are to those terms as defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition).
Information in this report relating to Exploration results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information compiled by Dr Frazer Tabeart (an employee and the Managing Director of African Energy Resources Limited) who is a member of The Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Dr Tabeart has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity that he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person under the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Dr Tabeart consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.
For any queries please contact the Company Secretary, Mr Daniel Davis on +61 8 6465 5500
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 7
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Name of entity
African Energy Resources Limited
ARBN Quarter ended ("Current Quarter")
123 316 781 30 September 2014
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Cash flows related to operating activities
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 8
1.13 Total operating and investing cash flows (carried forward)
Payments to directors of the entity and associates of the directors
Payments to related entities of the entity and associates of the related entities.
Current quarter
$US'000
1.23 Aggregate amount of payments to the parties included in item 1.2 235
1.24 Aggregate amount of loans to the parties included in item 1.10 ‐
1.25 Explanation necessary for an understanding of the transactions
US$128,362 - director remuneration payments
US$106,192 - payments for administrative staff, technical staff and provision of a fully serviced office
Non‐cash financing and investing activities
2.1 Details of financing and investing transactions which have had a material effect on consolidated assets and liabilities but did not involve cash flows
Nil
2.2 Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase their share in projects in which the reporting entity has an interest
Nil
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 9
Financing facilities available
Amount available
$US'000
|
Amount used
$US'000
|
3.1 Loan facilities
3.2 Credit standby arrangements
|
5,000
|
5,000
|
3.1 Loan facilities
3.2 Credit standby arrangements
|
‐
|
‐
|
Estimated cash outflows for next quarter
$US'000
|
4.1 Exploration and evaluation
4.2 Development
4.3 Production
4.4 Administration
|
260
|
4.1 Exploration and evaluation
4.2 Development
4.3 Production
4.4 Administration
|
‐
|
4.1 Exploration and evaluation
4.2 Development
4.3 Production
4.4 Administration
|
‐
|
4.1 Exploration and evaluation
4.2 Development
4.3 Production
4.4 Administration
|
372
|
Total
|
632
|
Reconciliation of cash
Reconciliation of cash at the end of the quarter (as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the related items in the accounts is as follows.
Changes in interests in mining tenements
6.1 Interests in mining tenements relinquished, reduced or lapsed
6.2 Interests in mining tenements acquired or increased
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 10
Issued and quoted securities at end of current quarter
No. of options
|
Strike Price
|
Expiry Date
|
782,499
|
AUD $0.625
|
25‐July‐14
|
7.12 Unsecured notes (totals only)
ASX RELEASE | PAGE 11
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared under accounting policies which comply with accounting standards as defined in the Corporations Act or other standards acceptable to ASX (see note 4).
2 This statement does give a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Mr Daniel Davis Company Secretary Date: 31 October 2014
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 wanting to disclose additional information is encouraged to do so, in a note or notes attached to this report.
2 The "Nature of interest" (items 6.1 and 6.2) includes options in respect of interests in mining tenements acquired, exercised or lapsed during the reporting period. If the entity is involved in a joint venture agreement and there are conditions precedent which will change its percentage interest in a mining tenement, it should disclose the change of percentage interest and conditions precedent in the list required for items 6.1 and 6.2.
3 Issued and quoted securities The issue price and amount paid up is not required in items 7.1 and 7.3 for fully paid securities.
4 The definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 1022: Accounting for Extractive Industries and AASB 1026:
Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report.
5 Accounting Standards ASX will accept, for example, the use of International Accounting Standards for foreign entities. If the standards used do not address a topic, the Australian standard on that topic (if any) must be complied with.
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