Wrap Text
Rukwa Coal to Power Project – Positive Integrated Pre-Feasibility Study Report
Kibo Mining Plc (Incorporated in Ireland)
(Registration Number: 451931)
(External registration number: 2011/007371/10)
Share code on the JSE Limited: KBO
Share code on the AIM: KIBO
ISIN: IE00B97C031
("Kibo" or "the Company")
Dated: 10 March 2015
Rukwa Coal to Power Project - Positive Integrated Pre-Feasibility Study Report
Kibo Mining plc ("Kibo" or the "Company") (AIM: KIBO; AltX: KBO), the Tanzania focussed
mineral exploration and development company is pleased to announce positive findings from the
Integrated Pre-Feasibility Study Report ("IPFS") for the Rukwa Coal to Power Project ("RCPP").
Highlights:
* Coal Mining and Power Generation technical reports now consolidated into single project
report for the RCPP;
* RCPP demonstrated to be robust at key consolidated financial, technical and operational
levels;
* Significant upward scalability in respect of power station size and life as well as additional
coal use opportunities;
* The IPFS report completes this key technical stage in the ongoing feasibility work on the
RCPP, with confirmation of the indicative commercial value of the project.
Louis Coetzee, CEO of Kibo Mining plc said "Completion of the IPFS marks a significant stage
for the RCPP, drawing together the technical findings from the Coal Mining and Power
Generation elements, into a consolidated report. The IPFS provides a further, more in-depth
technical review stage, with the results once again confirming the robust nature of the RCPP
and enabling the project to pass yet another milestone with flying colours.
With the validation of RCPP fundamentals the IPFS substantially increases confidence in the
project, to the benefit of the Company and relevant third parties. Completion of this stage of the
RCPP feasibility work considerably enhances the inherent value of the RCPP and is an
important factor in finalizing commercial partner discussions.
We would reaffirm to investors that our commercial negotiations continue actively. We are
managing this process carefully, with our main focus being the conclusion of a joint
development agreement at the earliest possible opportunity. In this regard the Company recently
held separate project site visits at the RCPP, with prospective partners. Further updates will
follow."
IPFS Summary:
The IPFS draws together the findings of the coal mining and power generation technical reports,
into a consolidated technical report covering the entire RCPP project. This stage of the technical
review aims at demonstrating whether the project is viable at the consolidated level, rather than
purely at the coal mining or power generation stages of the RCPP.
The IPFS report utilised: the Power Pre-Feasibility report prepared by Aurecon (inclusive of a pre-
feasibility level environmental impact assessment study); the Concept Study report of the
Definitive Mining Feasibility Study, prepared by Minxcon; and the internal financial model for the
RCPP, based on the findings and results from the aforementioned feasibility reports and developed
in conjunction with the Company's financial advisors.
The IPFS confirmed the fundamentals of the consolidated RCPP, demonstrating the viability of
the project overall and thereby substantially increasing confidence levels in the ability to
successfully develop and deliver the project.
Specifically, the IPFS has considered, validated and confirmed the following consolidated project
fundamentals as previously announced by Kibo:
* The RCPP is robust at financial, technical and operational levels with four alternative
development options identified and investigated for the RCPP, with all four development
options proving to be financially, technically and operationally feasible;
* Indicative RCPP revenue range over an assumed 25 year life of project of approximately
US$8 to US$8.5 billion;
* Indicative pre-tax equity IRR above 23%;
* Indicative post-tax payback, excluding any mitigation from potential Government
concessions and incentives, of approximately 7.5 to 9 years for RCPP;
* Indicative project NPV range at a 15% discount rate of US$250 to US$280 million;
* Sufficient additional coal resources available from Rukwa, to potentially expand the power
station to more than double the current design size and plant life and / or to be used in
alternate energy conversion technologies such as coal to liquids;
* Technical and environmental risk assessment did not identify any high risk concerns and
unanimously recommended further development of the project via feasibility analysis;
* The RCPP can be successfully constructed and commissioned within the current projected
timelines for completion;
* Feasibility work done to date already covers a significant amount of work beyond the
standard industry scope, required for pre-feasibility compliance.
Important Notes for Readers
Readers are referred to our Definitive Mining Feasibility Study announcement of 11th December
2014, our announcement on the Power Pre-Feasibility Study, dated 18 December 2014 as well
related supporting data and information published on our website.
We would ask readers to note that the Company is still engaged in highly confidential discussions
with various parties, including regulatory authorities, for whom the release of certain detailed
financial information may cause a breach of confidentiality and normal commercial sensitivity and
may therefore harm the Company's ability to successfully complete negotiations on the best terms
for shareholders.
The specific financial information provided is an extract from an early stage economic assessment
of the RCPP made for the purposes of deciding whether to extend the study work undertaken on
the RCPP to date. The economic assessment is based on input assumptions which will be the
subject of further rigorous evaluation and testing during the remaining feasibility study work and
are likely to undergo further change as the feasibility study process progresses.
Contacts
Louis Coetzee
+27 (0) 83 2606126
Kibo Mining plc
Chief Executive Officer
Andreas Lianos
+27 (0) 83 4408365
River Group
Corporate Adviser and Designated Adviser on JSE
Jon Belliss
Abigail Wayne
+44 (0) 20 3693 1470
Hume Capital Securities Plc
Broker
Oliver Morse and Trinity McIntyre
+61 8 9480 2500
RFC Ambrian Limited
Nominated Adviser on AIM
Daniel Thöle
Lucinda Alderson
+44 (0) 203 772 2500
Bell Pottinger
Investor and Media Relations
Kibo Mining - Notes to editors
Kibo Mining is listed on the AIM market in London and the AltX in Johannesburg. The
Company is focused on exploration and development of mineral projects in Tanzania, and
controls one of Tanzania's largest mineral right portfolios. Tanzania provides a secure and
stable operating environment for the mineral resource industry and Kibo Mining therein.
Kibo Mining holds a thermal coal deposit at Rukwa, which has a significant JORC compliant
defined resource (See Table 1 below), and is developing a 250-350MW mouth-of-mine thermal
power station with an established management team that includes Standard Bank as Financial
Advisor. Kibo is undertaking a Coal Mining Definitive Feasibility Study and a Power Pre-
Feasibility Study for Rukwa with initial findings to be released in the near term.
The Company also has extensive gold focused interests including Lake Victoria Goldfields and
Morogoro projects. At Lake Victoria, the Company has projects with a 550,000oz JORC
compliant gold Mineral Resource at Imweru Project (See Table 2 below) and a 168,000oz NI
43-101 compliant gold Mineral Resource at Lubando Project (See Table 3 below) in which the
Company holds a 90% attributable interest. The Company is currently undertaking a Definitive
Feasibility Study on its Imweru Project, with Preliminary Economic Assessment study findings
to be released in the near term.
Kibo also holds the Haneti Nickel Project on which the latest technical report confirms
prospectivity for nickel, PGMs, gold and strategic metals including Lithium.
Kibo Mining also holds the Pinewood (coal & uranium) project where the company has signed
a MOU to enter into a 50/50 Exploration Joint Venture with Metal Tiger PLC.
The Company's projects are located in the established and gold prolific Lake Victoria
Goldfields, the emerging goldfields of eastern Tanzania and the Mtwara Corridor in southern
Tanzania where the Government has prioritised infrastructural development attracting
significant recent investment in coal and uranium. The Company has a positive working
relationship with the Tanzanian government at local, regional and national levels and works
hard to maintain positive relationships with all communities where company interests are held.
The Company recognises the potential to enhance the quality of life and opportunity for
Tanzanian citizens through careful development of its projects.
Updates on the Company's activities are regularly posted on its website www.kibomining.com
Technical data
Rukwa Mineral Resource
Table 1 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Rukwa Coal Project. The
table is taken from an NI 43 101-Compliant Report by GEMECS (Pty) Ltd dated April 2012.
Table 1
RUKWA COAL RESOURCE SUMMARY- GEMECS (Pty) Ltd
SEAM NI 43-101 IN SITU
SEAM THICKNESS CLASS MILLION TONS
S4 1.14 Indicated 2.17
S3U 2.04 Indicated 6.92
S3L 2.3 Indicated 12.63
S2 3.45 Indicated 23.43
S1U 2.48 Indicated 7.34
S1L 2.92 Indicated 17.4
S0 1.08 Indicated 1.44
Total Indicated Resources 71.34
S4 1.31 Inferred 1.38
S3U 2.24 Inferred 2.94
S3L 2.27 Inferred 3.86
S2 3.42 Inferred 7.94
S1U 2.05 Inferred 6.5
S1L 3.15 Inferred 12.83
S0 1.06 Inferred 2.6
Total Inferred Resources 38.05
TOTAL RESOURCES *109.39
*Kibo holds 100% of the Rukwa Mineral Resource
Imweru Mineral Resource
Table 2 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Imweru Project at a
base case economic cut-off grade for the reporting of the resource of 0.4 g/t. The table is taken from a
JORC-Compliant Report by Tetra Tech EBA dated February 2014.
Table 2
Area Material Classification Cut-off Specific Metric Short Tons Gold Contained Gold
Type (g/t) Gravity Tonnes (t) Grade
(g/t) Ounces (troy)
Central
Laterite Indicated 0.40 2.50 131,000 144,000 1.785 8,000
Saprolite Indicated 0.40 2.50 706,000 778,000 1.387 32,000
Bedrock Indicated 0.40 2.89 1,895,000 2,089,000 1.043 64,000
Total Indicated 0.40 2.77 2,732,000 3,012,000 1.168 103,000
Laterite Inferred 0.40 2.50 685,000 755,000 1.317 29,000
Saprolite Inferred 0.40 2.50 1,047,000 1,154,000 1.040 35,000
Bedrock Inferred 0.40 2.89 7,838,000 8,640,000 1.029 259,000
Total Inferred 0.40 2.82 9,569,000 10,548,000 1.051 323,000
East Total Inferred 0.40 2.70 2,653,000 2,925,000 1.449 124,000
Imweru Property Total
Indicated 0.4 2.77 2,732,000 3,012,000 1.168 103,000
Inferred 0.4 2.79 12,222,000 13,473,000 1.137 447,000
Combined
(inf+ind) 0.4 2.79 14,954,000 16,485,000 1.143 550,000
*Kibo holds 90% of the Imweru mineral resource
* Total estimates are rounded, based on composites capped at 26 g/t gold at Imweru Central and 25 g/t at Imweru East, the cut-off grade is
based on a gold price of US$1,200 and a 90% metallurgical recovery is assumed in calculation of cut-off grade. A base case of 0.40 g/t
has been selected.
** Classification of Mineral Resources incorporates the terms and definitions from the Australian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code) published by the Joint Ore Reserve Committee (JORC)
Lubando Mineral Resource
Table 3 below presents a table showing the Mineral Resource estimate for the Lubando Project at a base
case economic cut-off grade for the reporting of the resource of 0.5 g/t Au. The table is taken from an
NI 43 101-Compliant Report by EBA Engineering Consultants Limited (now part Tetra Tech EBA)
dated August 2009.
TABLE3: LUBANDO MINERAL RESOURCE SUMMARY - BASECASE*
Category West Zone East Zone South East Zone Mid East Zone North Total
Measured Resource
Measured Resource(t) 107,900 4,880 16,900 54,440 184,150
Grade(g/t) 1.6 2.52 1.72 2.48 1.95
Total Gold(oz) 5,900 400 950 4,340 11,500
Indicated Resource
Indicated Resource(t) 280,710 18,330 61,000 149,350 509,420
Grade(g/t) 1.6 2.23 1.89 2.73 1.99
Total Gold(oz) 14,500 1,300 3,700 13,120 32,600
Inferred Resource
Total Resource(t) 1,090,000 65,470 209,340 535,330 1,900,140
Grade(g/t) 1.2 1.56 3.34 3.13 2.03
Total Gold(oz) 44,550 3,300 22,500 53,900 124,200
* Kibo holds 90% of the Lubando mineral Resource
* Numbers are rounded. Composites capped at 10.85g/t gold. Cut-off grade of 0.5 g/t gold based on a gold price of US$850/oz
and assumed 100% metallurgical recovery.CIM definitions were followed for Mineral Resources.
Pursuant to the terms of an inherited agreement with Barrick East Africa Exploration LTD (BEAL), Kibo
currently has an effective 90% interest in the Imweru and Lubando Project (and thus a 90% attributable
interest in the Imweru and Lubando Mineral Resources shown in Table 2 and 3 above), with Barrick having
a 10% carried interest up to a decision to mine at which point they have to contribute or be diluted to a 2%
net smelter royalty. BEAL also has a first right of refusal pursuant to which they can buy the 90% interest
in the project at an agreed market related value after completion of a Bankable Feasibility Study. Kibo
remains the operator of the project.
Review by Qualified Persons
The information in this announcement that relates to the Rukwa Coal Mineral Resource is taken from a
report titled "Independent Technical Report for the Rukwa Coal Project, Mbeya Region, United Republic
of Tanzania" dated 19th April 2012 by CD van Niekerk Director and Principal Geologist with the firm
GEMECS (Pty) Ltd. Mr van Niekerk is a Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for
Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), Registration No. 400066/98 and a Fellow Member of the
Geological Society of South Africa. He has relevant experience and technical qualifications to be a
"Qualified Person" for reporting coal resources to the NI 43-101 Standard
Information in this announcement that relates to the Imweru Mineral Resource is taken from the report
titled "Resource Update for the Imweru Property Geita Region Northern, Tanzania, JORC Competent
Persons Report" dated February 17th 2014 (the "Report"). The Report states a JORC-compliant Mineral
Resource estimate and was prepared for Kibo Mining plc by James Barr P.Geo. and Darryn Hitchcock
P.Geo. Senior Geologist and Geologist respectively with TetraTech EBA Ltd. Both Mr. Barr and Mr.
Hitchcock are registered as Certified Professional Geologists with Association of Professional Engineers
and Geoscientists of British Columbia a recognised professional organisation. Mr Barr as principal author
responsible for the Report has experience in the evaluation and reporting of Archaean Gold projects and is
a "Qualified Person" for reporting gold resources to the JORC Standard. He consents to the inclusion in
this document of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which they appears.
The information in this announcement that relates to the Lubando Mineral Resources is taken from a report
titled "Technical Report on the Lubando property, Mwanza, Tanzania" dated 31st August 2009" (the
"Report") The Report is NI 43-101 compliant and was prepared for Great Basin Gold Rusaf Gold Limited
by Nathan Eric Fier C.P.G., P.Eng. Market Director for EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd and a Senior
Mining Consultant. Mr. Fieris registered as a Certified Professional Geologist with the American Institute
of Professional Geologists, Registration No 10062, and a professional Engineer in British Columbia,
Canada Registration No. 135165. He has extensive experience in the evaluation and reporting of Archaean
Gold projects.
The Company's Exploration Director, Noel O'Keeffe has reviewed the resource reports and the references
to them in this announcement.
Johannesburg
10 March 2015
Corporate and Designated Adviser
River Group
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