Microsoft Word - Quarterly Activities Report Sep 2015.doc
REPORT TO AUSTRALIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE
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AMEX RESOURCES LIMITED (ASX: AXZ) QUARTERLY REPORT
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The Manager - Company Announcements Office 30 October, 2015 Australian Securities Exchange
Exchange Centre
4th Floor, 20 Bridge Street Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Sir,
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015
Amex Resources Limited (Amex) is pleased to update shareholders and investors on the Company's activities during the quarter. Highlights are as follows:
MBA DELTA IRONSANDS PROJECT - FIJI
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Port Facilities and Mining Fleet Design-Build Contract Signed Today
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US$80 Million Funding Facility Executed
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Dispute Adjudication Board Finding in Favour of Amex
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Transit Base Sublease Scheme Approved
Contract Signing Ceremony
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MBA DELTA IRONSANDS PROJECT - FIJI
Plant and Design Build Contract
Following extensive negotiations during the year, Amex today has executed a US$76.3 million FIDIC contract for design, procurement and construction of the Mba Delta marine operations fleet and Lautoka port facilities with CCCC First Harbor Consultants Co., Ltd (FHC).
The Contractor is a highly regarded international port infrastructure specialist, with previous experience in Fiji and knowledge of the Mba Delta project.
Bulk Handing Port Facility, China - Design/Build by FHC
The design/procure/construct period will be 18 months from mobilisation to taking over, and is scheduled for completion by 30 June, 2017. Building of the port infrastructure comprising workshop/stores, administration building, training facility, laboratory/ control room and support facilities will commence from the end of March 2016, with construction of the wharf and fully enclosed storage shed following two months later from the beginning of June.
Shipbuilding of the operations fleet - dredge, processing plant, work boat and pusher tug - will be carried out by FHC under the contract, with sea trials scheduled for completion in February 2017. Amex will provide support vessels to the fleet including four transport barges, and will also commission construction in Fiji of a refuelling/service vessel and a crew transfer boat.
FHC has agreed to provide a bank guarantee for US$15.5 million, within two weeks of today's signing date. Amex will then make an advance payment for that amount, within two days. The contract payment schedule provides for the final payment of US$15 million to be delayed until the 12 month defects period has been completed.
Ironsands Project Update and Contract Status
Amex will produce magnetite concentrate from its 220 million tonne ironsands resource at the Mba Delta over a 20 year mine-life, by dredge operation and magnetic separation on the adjacent floating process plant. The product will be transported daily by barge to Amex's nearby Lautoka port site which will comprise an unloading facility, washing plant to remove sea salt, enclosed stockpile shed, ship loading infrastructure, a dedicated export berth for vessels of up to 60,000t capacity, workshops and offices.
Projected operating costs are very low, currently assessed as US$20-22/t, based on the Bankable Feasibility Study and subsequent movements in exchange rates and fuel prices. The Board is confident that Amex is well-positioned to take advantage of iron ore prices recovering in the lead up to production and over the planned long mine-life. Research and testwork into establishment of additional high value markets for some of the ironsands product is underway, with encouraging results to date.
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015
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Further works in preparation for dredging required to deepen the berth and access channel at Amex's Lautoka port site have been carried out, and budget quotes have been sought. Several detailed plans of stormwater drainage flows onto and through the site have been located and incorporated into construction schedules.
Planning for additional staff employment was continued at the Lautoka office during the period, together with development of procedures, safety and health manuals in anticipation of finalising contract negotiations.
The Company was advised in September that the scheme for subleasing of part of the Government's dredge facility on the Ba River at Nailaga to Amex, for use as a transit base and crew transfer station, has been approved by the Department of Town and Country Planning. This will provide a secure jetty/mooring basin ideally located close to the regional town of Ba, on the main national highway.
On the Mba Delta, the Lands & Water Research Management Division of the Ministry of Agriculture will commission a programme of dredging to re-establish a channel from the mouth of the Ba River into the lagoon. The primarily objective of the dredging is for potential flood remediation by removal of a build up of sediments which are partially blocking the river mouth. These sediments form a small part of the overall ironsands resource, and the Company is deeply appreciative of the cooperation of the Fijian Government in seeking input from Amex to ensure that their forthcoming works do not sterilise or deplete any part of the Mba Delta orebody.
CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Funding
As recently advised, the Company executed an US$80 million funding agreement during September for development of its Mba Delta ironsands project. The facility comprises a US$30 million loan and an underwriting agreement for a further US$50 million during the 18 month construction period.
The funds will be applied primarily to progress the contract which has been signed today with FHC, and two short term unsecured loans have been settled. Throughout the course of this year Amex has disclosed its ongoing negotiations for a new contract, after terminating an earlier arrangement with MCCO due to that contractor's wilful non-performance.
Material terms and conditions of the agreement are as follows:
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US$30 million loan -the Company has drawn down in full the US$30 millon loan at an interest rate of 18% per annum. The loan is for a 12 month term, with a further 12 month option at Amex's discretion. Interest for the initial term has been paid upfront. In addition, subject to shareholder approval the Company will issue 10,000,000 fully paid ordinary shares and 10,000,000 unlisted options at an exercise price of $0.80 with a three year term.
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US$ 50 million underwriting agreement - the underwriting term is two years and the interest rate is 18% per annum. Should alternative finance be sourced by the Company during the term, no break fees will be incurred for the underwriting amount.
The funding agreement provides an obligation by the Company to give a fixed and floating charge over all Amex's property and assets in Fiji. In addition it provides an undertaking by both parties to enter into a priority and subordination agreement should alternative funding for the underwriting amount be obtained.
The Company intends to pursue a share placement to provide additional working capital in the near future. A Notice of Meeting has been issued, advising of a General Meeting of shareholders on 16 November, 2015 and also seeking approval of this capital raising.
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015
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December 2013 MCCO Contract - Dispute Adjudication Board
Amex terminated its December 2013 US$100 million FIDIC Contract with MCC Overseas Ltd (MCCO) in January this year and made a claim against that Contractor for losses arising from MCCO's failure to perform the Contract throughout 2014. MCCO rejected Amex's claim and challenged the validity of the Contract.
A Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB) consisting of three members - two retired English High Court Judges and one Chinese arbitrator - was established under the Contract on 29 May, 2015. The DAB process is a private dispute resolution process which is binding on the parties unless and until overturned in any subsequent arbitration.
Following a four day hearing in Singapore during August, 2015 the Dispute Adjudication Board, by majority, made a decision in favour of Amex. It determined that:
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the Contract between Amex and MCCO was valid and binding;
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MCCO had deliberately defaulted in its performance of its obligations under the Contract;
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Amex was entitled to terminate the Contract;
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Amex was entitled to all its losses arising from MCCO's default, which it assessed in the amounts of AU$879,669, US$2,956,233 and FJ$ 535,000.
As MCCO has refused to make payment as required under the DAB determination, Amex has issued a notice of dissatisfaction and the dispute will proceed to international arbitration.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PROJECTS
Amex holds a 10% interest in E69/2747 in the Musgrave region of WA, with Traka Resources Limited (ASX: TKL) as operator and registered holder of the remaining interest. Amex is free carried for the first
$1m of exploration on E69/2747.
Traka has reported that the electromagnetic anomaly at Finlay on the JV ground is detailed enough for drilling and follow up is merited. No field work was reported during the September quarter.
On the nearby West Musgrave project area of Cassini Resources Limited (ASX: CZI), Diamond drilling has extended the continuous body of mineralization more than 1,000m down plunge at the advanced Succoth copper prospect. Further details of CZI's exploration and pre-feasibility study for the Nebo-Babel Ni-Cu project are available on its website at www.cassiniresources.com.au or the ASX website.
CONCLUSION
The Company is pleased to have arranged a US$80 million funding facility during the quarter and subsequently executed a new contract to expedite construction of Amex's 100% owned Mba Delta Ironsands Project.
We look forward to continue updating shareholders on further progress over the coming quarter. Yours faithfully,
Matthew Collard
Managing Director
Amex Resources Limited
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2015