Announcement re board changeover
ASX RELEASE - 26 OCTOBER 2015
BC Iron and Fortescue Agree to vary the NJV Rail and Port Tariff
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Trial arrangement whereby rail and port tariff paid to Fortescue varies according to the iron ore price for the next three months
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Tariff decreases / (increases) by ~US$0.50/wmt for each US$1/dmt change in the US$ CFR 62% Fe price below / (above) US$56/dmt1
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Subject to a US$ CFR 62% Fe floor price of US$40/dmt1 and cap price of US$70/dmt1
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Based on current spot prices and normal production rates the new arrangement is expected to achieve cost savings of ~ A$2.3m2 for the three month period
BC Iron Limited (ASX:BCI) ('BC Iron' or 'the Company') advises that the Nullagine Joint Venture ('NJV'), a 75:25 joint venture between BC Iron and Fortescue Metals Group Limited ('Fortescue'), has agreed to a three month trial to vary the terms of the rail and port services agreement between the NJV and Fortescue's subsidiary, The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd ('TPI').
The parties have agreed to a new tariff mechanism that will vary the amount paid by the NJV to TPI according to iron ore prices, for a period of three months commencing 1 November 2015 extendable by mutual agreement. The rail and port tariff, which represents a material component of the NJV's C1 cash costs, will reduce at lower iron ore prices and increase at higher iron ore prices.
The new tariff mechanism agreement is subject to the usual termination provisions.
BC Iron Managing Director, Morgan Ball, said, 'This is a positive outcome for BC Iron and reflects a co- operative approach between Fortescue and BC Iron given the current market environment. The variation to rail and port charges will have the effect of lowering the iron ore price at which BC Iron can continue to generate positive cash flows from the NJV. Although the tariff does increase at higher iron ore prices, BC Iron still retains some exposure to this upside.'
Fortescue Chief Executive Officer, Nev Power, said, 'We have a strong, long term relationship with BC Iron and welcome the opportunity to trial this innovative new tariff mechanism, which we believe serves both parties well. Today's announcement is a further example of Fortescue's willingness to provide access to its world class infrastructure on commercial terms, strengthening our collaborative approach to working with our partners in the Pilbara region.'
Variation Terms
The rail and port tariff will vary according to iron ore prices, such that it will reduce for months where the average US$ CFR 62% Fe price is less than US$56/dmt1 and increase for months where the average US$ CFR 62% Fe price is above US$56/dmt1. For each US$1/dmt change in the US$ CFR 62% Fe price1, the tariff will vary by ~US$0.50/wmt.
BC Iron Limited ABN 21 120 646 924
Level 1, 15 Rheola Street West Perth WA 6005
GPO Box 2811
West Perth WA 6872
T +61 8 6311 3400
F +61 8 6311 3449
E [email protected] W www.bciron.com.au
The new tariff mechanism is subject to floor and cap US$ CFR 62% Fe prices of US$40/dmt1 and US$70/dmt1 respectively, with the tariff remaining at the level prevailing at the floor or cap price level (as relevant) outside this range.
The table3 below illustrates the impact of the new three month agreement on C1 cash costs and the cost change in A$m at selected CFR 62% price scenarios.
New three month agreement
Current
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CFR 62%
US$ 52.30/dmt1
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CFR 62%
US$ 50/dmt1
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CFR 62%
US$ 60/dmt1
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C1 Cash Costs (FOB)
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A$42 - 45/wmt
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~ A$39 - 42/wmt
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~ A$38 - 41/wmt
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~ A$45 - 48/wmt
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Cost change (BCI share)
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n/a
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~ Decrease A$2.3m
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~ Decrease A$3.8m
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~ Increase A$2.5m
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Footnotes:
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US$ CFR 62% Fe price includes the Pilbara to China cape size freight rate of US$5.1/wmt converted at 5.5% product moisture.
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Based on a US$ CFR 62% price of US$52.30/dmt, freight rate of US$5.1/wmt, AUD:USD 0.72 and sales tonnages (wet) of ~ 950kt (BC Iron's share).
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Based on a freight rate of US$5.1/wmt, AUD:USD 0.72 and sales tonnages (wet) of ~ 950kt (BC Iron's share).
- ENDS -
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
MORGAN BALL / CHRIS HUNT DAVID TASKER /JAMES HARRIS
MANAGING DIRECTOR / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS
BC IRON LIMITED TELEPHONE: +61 8 9388 0944
TELEPHONE: +61 8 6311 3400
ABOUT BC IRON LIMITED
BC Iron is an iron ore mining and development company with assets in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, including the Nullagine Joint Venture ('NJV'), Iron Valley and Buckland. BC Iron is listed on the ASX under the code 'BCI'.
The NJV is an unincorporated 75:25 joint venture with Fortescue Metals Group Limited ('Fortescue'), which commenced exports in February 2011. The NJV utilises Fortescue's infrastructure at Christmas Creek, 50km south of the Nullagine mine, to rail up to 6Mtpa of ore to Port Hedland from where it is shipped directly to customers overseas.
Iron Valley is being operated by Mineral Resources Limited ('MIN') under an iron ore sale agreement. MIN operates the mine at its cost and purchases Iron Valley product from BC Iron at a price linked to MIN's realised sale price. MIN is currently evaluating a range of initiatives that have the potential to improve the long term viability of Iron Valley and its value to both parties.
Buckland is a development project located in the West Pilbara region. It has Ore Reserves of 134.3 Mt at 57.6% Fe, a completed and announced feasibility study, its own proposed infrastructure solution comprising a haul road and transhipment port at Cape Preston East, and all primary tenure and licences secured. BC Iron is currently evaluating all options to determine the optimal development and financing path for Buckland.
BC Iron also has an interest in a number of other exploration stage projects in the Pilbara and potential royalties over the Koodaideri South and North Marillana tenements.
KEY STATISTICS
Shares on issue:
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196.2 million
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Cash and cash equivalents:
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A$71.8 million
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as at 30 September 2015
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Board:
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Tony Kiernan Morgan Ball Martin Bryant Andy Haslam Brian O'Donnell
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Chairman and Non-Executive Director Managing Director
Non-Executive Director Non-Executive Director Non-Executive Director
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Hayley McNamara
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Company Secretary
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Major shareholders:
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Wroxby Pty Ltd
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19.0%
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Website: www.bciron.com.au