Black Angel Off-Take & Working Capital Financing Agreements with MRI
Off-take Agreement
A&R announces that it has today entered into a life of mine off-take agreement with MRI to sell its expected production of zinc and lead concentrates from its Black Angel mine in Greenland.
The selling price will be based on the LME Settlement Price, as published in the Metal Bulletin, and adjusted for treatment charges, with appropriate penalties and premiums. The market value of the concentrates is financed as they are produced, even though shipment may not be possible for several months due to climatic conditions.
Ore Processing Developments
A&R has been working with MRI for several months to improve the operational performance as set out in the Bankable Feasibility Study. To this end a number of additional studies were undertaken by SGS Mineral Services and Wardrop Engineering to determine the most efficient way for a concentrate to be produced on site at Maarmorilik. The outcome of this work is the design of a mill, to be built inside the mine, using optical ore sorting to separate the ore from the host rock followed by conventional froth flotation to produce saleable Zinc and Lead concentrates.
This change to the operational plan increases the need for capital expenditure by approximately US$10m but significantly reduces the operating cost, to the extent that it is now expected that, during Phase 1, the average production cost of a tonne of Zinc or Lead will enable Black Angel to be a low quartile producer.
Financing Plan
The Company is still in discussions with Cyrus Capital Partners Europe LLP (Cyrus) regarding a possible restructuring of the US$12.5m loan and it is hoped that an announcement will be made shortly. Cyrus has indicated that it is supportive of the Company and its management team's efforts and intentions to develop the Black Angel project and see the Company develop into a successful international mining business.
Funding for capital expenditure and mine development costs is likely to be met by a mixture of bank based term loan and convertible loan stock.
Future Prospects
Once the project finance is fully available it will take approximately 18 months to build the mine and its processing plant and the first shipment of concentrate could be achieved during 2011.
The Demand for Zinc
During recent months many Zinc mines have been closed, placed on care and maintenance or significantly reduced their rate of production and yet the LME spot price of the metal has continued to fall. Octagon Capital Corporation stated in December "..a careful analysis of the fundamentals of the Zinc market leads us to believe that not only will demand continue to increase over the long term, due to China's insatiable appetite for resources, but supply will fall far short of expectations in 2009, resulting in a Zinc deficit this year". This leads Octagon to believe that zinc prices will increase progressively throughout 2009.
CEO Nicholas Hall commented:
"The signing of this agreement with MRI is the first step towards the transformation of Angus & Ross into a fully operational mining company. Our team has developed an operating plan which will make the Black Angel a low cost, high quality Zinc and Lead concentrate producer.
MRI is the ideal trading partner for A&R as it is able to ensure that we achieve the premium value of the Black Angel concentrate; MRI is also providing our working capital finance, through the pre-selling of concentrate, before shipment, at a very competitive interest rate. The contract recognises the exceptionally high quality of the Black Angel concentrates such that a premium will be paid over and above the publicly quoted benchmark Treatment Charge.
The prospect of a firmer zinc market will be a considerable help in completing the funding package and the continued support of Cyrus provides the Company with a firm base from which to develop the Black Angel.
We are starting the New Year with renewed enthusiasm"
About MRI
MRI Trading AG is a top-tier trader of concentrates and other non-ferrous raw materials. It is part of the MRI Group of companies, a leading investment and trading group in the commodities arena. The Group has a global presence through its offices in Beijing and Shanghai, Lubumbashi, Johannesburg, New Delhi, Brisbane and Santiago de Chile.
About Octagon
Octagon Capital Corporation is a Toronto based investment bank.