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![Firebird Metals](https://investingnews.com/media-library/firebird-metals.png?id=49799979&width=1200&height=799)
China-Based Battery Grade High-Purity Manganese Production Strategy
Investor Site Visit Presentation - April 2024
BUILDING A LOW-COST HIGH-PURITY MANGANESE SULPHATE PLANT
Unique, Low-Cost, Speed-to-Market Strategy
Successfully executing a high-purity manganese sulphate strategy to supply into the rapidly expanding LMFP battery market . Investor Site visit in China to demonstrate the compelling opportunity for Firebird to establish itself as a key, low-cost, near-term producer
Sustainable Economics and Perfect Timing
Firebird to become of one of the lowest-cost battery grade MnSO4 producers, placing the Company in a competitive position in all market environments, at a time when the LMFP market is forecasted for exponential growth and become a >US$20 billion market by 2030
Management, Board and In-Country Team with Sector Leading Credentials
Led by a Board and Management team with proven abilities of building companies through the lifecycle and into production. Assembled a proven and high-quality team in China, who are leaders in the development and production of high-purity manganese
Well-Funded and Supported
Strong cash position of $7.36m (as of 31 Dec 2023) to fund key workstreams across China strategy and at Oakover. Firebird has attracted a strong investor register supported by a highly-reputable investor Canmax Technologies Co., Ltd with a 9.7% holding
DEVELOPMENT PROGRESS IN CHINA CONTINUING AS PLANNED
- Preliminary design work, R&D centre, equipment supplier due diligence & project permitting are all being progressed at full speed
- Estimated permitting & design on track for completion by late Q3 2024
- European customer site visits & off-take discussions commenced with excellent feedback
- Formal advice from Jinshi Government & relevant departments on process to repatriate profits and capital from operations
- As further proof of the strong levels of support in-country, Firebird will also receive a preferential tax rebate for 6 years
- Australian investor & broker site visit to key areas in China, including Jinshi High-Tech Industrial Park, Pilot Plant and Jinshi Port to take place on April 23
- Oakover project development continues as planned and forms an integral part of Firebird’s long term manganese battery materials strategy
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Firebird Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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Firebird Metals
Overview
Firebird Metals (ASX:FRB) is an Australian mining company that’s well-positioned to develop a new manganese mining operation in Western Australia with a strategy to become a global battery cathode producer supporting a rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.
Batteries currently represent the largest non-alloy market for manganese, accounting for roughly 3 percent of global annual manganese consumption. The metal has a long history of being used as a cathode material in batteries, both in its natural form and in the form of electrolytic manganese dioxide. That includes modern lithium-ion batteries, the supply and manufacturing chain for which could potentially grow by over 30 percent annually from now through 2030.
Manganese-rich batteries are increasingly being held up as an alternative to standard lithium-ion batteries, leading to an expected exponential demand for the mineral. Tesla alone has already committed to producing manganese-based batteries for two thirds of its supply, owing to the metal's relative abundance and lower cost compared to nickel and cobalt.
Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) represents one of the most prominent phosphate battery configurations. In recent years, however, the business case for using manganese as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries, known as lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP), has become stronger. LMFP not only improves the battery’s energy density, but also increases capacity by up to 20 percent. LMFP batteries also perform better in low-temperature environments.
As LFP rapidly nears its theoretical energy density capacity, the rise of LMFP batteries as a replacement is all but inevitable as the world continues its slow march towards electrification and sustainable energy. Consequently, this means that demand for battery-grade manganese is set to explode in the coming years. And Firebird Metals is more than ready to step in and provide some much-needed supply.
Firebird maintains ownership over a massive manganese resource in Western Australia's Pilbara region in the form of its flagship Oakover project. Characterised by near-surface mineralisation, Oakover houses an estimated 176.65 million tons (Mt) of manganese across several different targets. Because of Oakover's favourable geology, Firebird can potentially leverage Oakover to supply not just the battery market but also multiple other industries, such as steel, all through a low-cost, simple mining operation.
The end result? Significant returns for investors — a projection only further emphasised by the impressive results returned by a recent concentrate scoping study on the project. Firebird maintains several other projects in Australia as well, including the Oakover-like Hill 616 and the exploration-focused Wadanya.
Firebird's long-term strategy reaches far beyond Australia's borders, however. From mining to downstream processing, the company's vision is to become a global cathode producer. For that, Firebird is looking to China, which to date accounts for roughly 90 percent of global manganese sulphate demand.
In early September 2023, the company announced its plans to establish a processing plant in China, noting to investors that an in-house scoping study was already well underway. According to Firebird's managing director Peter Allen, the construction of this plant represents the next phase of major growth for Firebird. As with the rest of Firebird's operations, this new plant will be constructed with the company's ESG methodology front of mind, ensuring transparency and accountability in addition to human welfare, support for local communities and environmental sustainability.
This plan, should it proceed apace, has the potential to make an enormous impact on global manganese supply — all while positioning Firebird as a cost-competitive player in the manganese sulphate market and a promising investment opportunity.
Company Highlights
- An Australian junior exploration company, Firebird Resources is well-positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for manganese as the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market and global electrification continue to ramp up.
- Firebird maintains ownership of a massive manganese resource in Australia with significant growth potential.
- A recent concentrate scoping study confirmed the potential and profitability of the company's flagship project, Oakover, situated in Western Australia's Pilbara region.
- Firebird's long-term goal involves leveraging its manganese resource to position itself as a leading global producer of manganese sulphate for the battery industry.
- The company is currently embarking on a scoping study with plans to build a manganese sulphate plant in China. This will allow it to gain a foothold in the Chinese market, which currently accounts for 90 percent of global manganese sulphate demand.
- This study represents the next phase of major growth for Firebird, and is a significant part of the company's overall strategy to establish itself as a near-term producer of battery-grade high-purity manganese sulphate.
Key Projects
Oakover
Situated 85 kilometres East of Newman in Western Australia's East Pilbara Manganese Province, Firebird's flagship Oakover project is characterised by favourable near-surface and shallow-dipping mineralisation. The project's favourable geology provides Firebird with multiple processing options, with the company currently targeting production of manganese concentrate and high-purity manganese sulphate. Oakover has, over the course of its history, been subject to extensive modern and historic exploration.
The most recent exploration program, completed by Firebird, resulted in a mineral resource estimate of 176.65 Mt at 9.9 percent manganese, including 105.8Mt at 10.1 percent manganese in the indicated resource category.
Project Highlights:
- Confirmed Potential: Firebird recently achieved a major milestone at Oakover with the completion of a concentrate scoping study which confirmed the project's outstanding long-term potential as a manganese hub. Highlights of the study include:
- Potential 18-year mine life.
- 1.2 Mt per annum with low strip ratio (0.45:1) and mining costs.
- Upfront capital investment of A$124 million with low capex optionality.
- A$741.3 million NPV and IRR of 73.1 percent.
- Indicated material accounts for 99.2 percent of material processed.
- 80 percent uplift in indicated resource at Oakover to 105.8 Mt.
- Metallurgical Results: Firebird has undertaken extensive metallurgical and hydrometallurgical testwork at Oakover, with results providing the company with a high level of confidence in its growth and profit potential. Notable highlights are as follows:
- Achievable 30 to 32 percent manganese concentrate saleable product
- Achievable battery-grade manganese sulphate
- Current Plans: Firebird's concentrate scoping study assessed two production scenarios, each utilising simple processing, crush, screen, scrub and DMS beneficiation. It has chosen to pursue full production from startup with ~4 Mtpa processing and ~1.2 Mtpa of 30 to 32 percent manganese concentrate.
Hill 616
Located 35 kilometres south of the Oakover project, Hill 616 shares highly similar geological characteristics to Firebird's flagship, with shallow, gently dipping geology. Covering approximately 15.7 square kilometres within the Peak Hill Mineral Field, Hill 616 has to date undergone extensive historical drilling, with 116 holes for 4,900 metres over a 2.2-kilometre strike.
This drilling has resulted in an inferred mineral resource of 57.5 Mt at 12.2 percent manganese.
Wandanya
Wandanya is a recently established exploration-focused project situated 50 kilometres southwest of the world-class Woodie Woodie Manganese Mine. Its close proximity to Port Hedland affords it considerable direct shipping ore potential. Rock chip results indicate that Wandanya's deposits are also exceptionally high grade, returning results up to 64.9 percent and 55.2 percent manganese.
Management Team
Evan Cranston — Chairperson
Evan Cranston is an experienced mining executive with a background in corporate and mining law. He is the principal of corporate advisory and administration firm Konkera Corporate and has extensive experience in the areas of equity capital markets, corporate finance, structuring, asset acquisition, corporate governance and external stakeholder relations.
Cranston holds both a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia. He is currently the non-executive chairman of African Gold (ASX:A1G) and Benz Mining (TSXV:BZ, ASX:BNZ).
Peter Allen — Managing Director
Peter Allen is a mining executive with more than 20 years of experience in marketing of manganese, lithium and a range of other commodities. He was previously the managing director of marketing for Consolidated Minerals Limited, which operates Woodie Woodie mine in WA and the Nsuta Manganese mine in Ghana.
Allen assisted manganese-focused explorer Element 25 (ASX:E25) and Gulf Manganese Corporation (ASX:GMC) with PFS and product marketing. More recently, he was the marketing manager for AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ), a company focussed on the Manono lithium project.
Wei Li — Executive Director & CFO
Wei Li is a chartered accountant with extensive professional experience across several key sectors which include the resource industry, international trade, capital markets, project management of IPOs and spin-outs, and financial accounting. His experience includes being employed by and acting as director and CFO of several companies, predominantly in the resource sector. Prior to these roles, he managed a private base metal exploration company in the NT of Australia and assisted in commissioning an AU$150-million electrolytic manganese dioxide plant in Hunan China.
Li is currently a non-executive director of Macro Metals.
Ashley Pattison — Non-executive Director
Ashley Pattison brings over 20 years of experience in the resources sector across corporate finance and operational roles. Qualified as chartered accountant, he has extensive experience in operations, finance, strategy and corporate finance. Pattison has been the managing director of a number of listed and private mining companies over the past 10 years and also CEO of a listed mining service company.
Pattinson is currently the executive chairman of PC Gold and a non-executive director of Industrial Minerals (ASX:IND) and Macro Metals.
Brett Grosvenor — Non-executive Director
Brett Grosvenor is an experienced mining executive with over 25 years of experience in the mining and power industries. He holds a dual tertiary qualification in engineering and a master’s in business.
Jeffreys Find Gold Mine Toll Milling of 150,000 Tonnes Commenced, Second 2024 Campaign
Auric Mining Limited (ASX: AWJ) (Auric or the Company) is pleased to announce the second gold milling campaign for 2024 of 150,000 dry metric tonnes from the Jeffreys Find Gold Mine (the Project) near Norseman, WA, commenced on 24 July 2024.
- Processing of 150,000 tonnes commenced at Greenfields Mill.
- 75,600 tonnes on ROM Pad at Greenfields as of 23 July 2024.
- Second campaign expected to finish early September 2024.
- On target to process 300,000 tonnes at Greenfields Mill in 2024/2025.
- BML expects to mine well in excess of 300,000 tonnes in 2024/2025.
- First cash distributions to Auric this quarter.
MANAGEMENT COMMENT
Managing Director, Mark English, said: “We have the good fortune of pouring gold just as the price firms. It happened last year when the price went to $3,000 an ounce, this year it’s around $3,600 an ounce.
“The ever increasing gold price will result in Auric and our joint venture partner generating cash surpluses well in excess of what we had budgeted and anticipated.
“150,000 tonnes is a sizeable parcel of ore for this campaign. While it will take six weeks or so to mill, we expect it to generate well in excess of $25 million through gold sales for the joint venture.
“The mill contract is to process 300,000 tonnes in 2024. This 150,000 tonnes parcel will be the largest for Stage 2 of mining of Jeffreys Find. That leaves an additional 120,000 tonnes for milling at Greenfields towards the end of 2024.
“Jeffreys Find will be a substantial cash producer for Auric in 2024. We are on target to receive our first distribution within about a month.” said Mr English.
The Jeffreys Find Pit as of 16 July 2024
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Auric Mining, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Viani - Low Sulphidation Epithermal Gold Project License Renewed
Advanced gold and copper explorer, Alice Queen Limited (ASX:AQX) (Alice Queen or the Company), is pleased to advise that it has received notification from the Mineral Resources Department (MRD) of Fiji that its highly prospective low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) gold project, Viani (SPL1513) located on the Pacific Rim of Fire, on Fiji’s second biggest island Vanua Levu, has been renewed for a further three years, commencing on 3 July 2024.
Highlights
- MRD notified Alice Queen on Friday 19 July 2024 via email that its Viani license (SPL1513) has been renewed for a further three years with effect from Wednesday 3 July 2024.
- Viani, located on the Pacific Rim of Fire on Vanua Levu in Fiji, covers an area greater than 200km2 and is largely under explored (see Figures 1 and 2).
- The Dakuniba prospect within Viani has been previously sampled where epithermal gold mineralisation has been recorded in outcrop samples over a >3km strike length.
- Multiple epithermal veins within the Dakuniba prospect area, 5km by 1.5km surface gold-in- soil geochemical anomaly - the footprint of the epithermal mineralisation is comparable to other economically productive gold epithermal deposits globally.
- Previous drilling by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 1997 focused on a small, shallow part of the overall system and intersected high grade epithermal gold mineralisation.
- (Hole MJFV-5 (see Figure 3) over 6 vein zones at 50 to 100m below surface with best results, 0.6m @ 27.6 g/t Au & 900 g/t Ag and 0.4m @ 11.7 g/t Au1 and remains open in all directions.
- The JICA drilling was limited to only 600m of strike-length of the 5km long gold-in-soil anomaly (>10ppb Au) supported by epithermal geochemistry i.e., Ag and As.
- Based on discovery knowledge from epithermal systems worldwide, it is apparent the historical drilling was an inadequate test of the Viani gold system.
Alice Queen’s Managing Director, Andrew Buxton said,
We are delighted the SPL1513 license has been renewed for a further three years and look forward to continuing to work alongside the Fiji Mineral Resources Department as we commence our next phase of exploration activities. The Viani Gold Project is a tremendous prospect which has demonstrated it has the potential to become a significant epithermal system. With the license now renewed and the Company fully funded for its Fiji exploration plans, Alice Queen will continue the systematic exploration of the Viani Gold Project with the Company having commenced planning for its upcoming exploration programs.
Viani
Figure 1. Fiji Project locations.
Figure 2. Location of the Dakuniba Prospect in relation with SPL1513.
The Viani project (SPL1513) covers an area greater than 200km2 on the Caukadrove Peninsula on the Pacific Rim of Fire, Vanua Levu, Fiji. It is well serviced from Savu Savu on Vanua Levu and is highly prospective for a high-grade LSE gold system (see ASX releases 2 December 2022, “VIANI UPDATE” and 6 March 2023, “ALICE QUEEN UPGRADES VIANI EPITHERMAL PROJECT”.
Following a renewal process for Viani (SPL1513) which the Company commenced earlier this year (including as announced in the Quarterly Activities Report released to ASX on 23 April 2024), MRD notified Alice Queen on Friday 19 July 2024 that the license had been renewed with effect from Wednesday 3 July 2024 for a further three years. The renewed license includes typical terms for a license of this nature, including minimum work program and expenditure requirements.
Whilst the greater project area remains under explored, extensive sampling, trenching and (historic) limited drilling of the Dakuniba prospect area has been previously completed.
Previous drilling by JICA in 1997 returned multiple epithermal gold intersections in shallow drilling. Hole MJFV-5 (see Figure 2) intersected 6 vein zones at 50 to 100m below surface (best results include 0.6m @ 27.6ppm Au & 900ppm Ag, 0.4m @ 11.7ppm Au & 4.3ppm Ag)1. The JICA drilling was limited to only 600m of strike-length of the 5km long gold-in-soil anomaly (>10ppb Au) supported by epithermal geochemistry i.e., Ag and As.
Further details in relation to upcoming exploration plans at Viani will be announced in due course.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Alice Queen Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
$215 Million Debt Finance for the Waroona Renewable Energy Project
Frontier Energy Limited (ASX: FHE; OTCQB: FRHYF) (Frontier or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has signed a senior debt mandate with Infradebt Pty Limited (Infradebt), an Australian specialist infrastructure fund, for Infradebt to provide senior project finance debt for the construction and operation of Stage One of Frontier’s Waroona Renewable Energy Project (Waroona Project). Stage One of the Waroona Project comprises a 120MWdc solar facility and an 80MW/360MWh DC coupled battery energy storage system.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Infradebt to provide up to $215 million senior project finance debt for the Stage One development of its Waroona Project
- Key terms include a debt tenor of 17 years and an innovative repayment structure that allows the Project to maximise exposure to its attractive economics
- The deal includes a long-term partnership for Infradebt to finance further battery projects developed by Frontier, including Stage Two of the Waroona Project
- Infradebt is an Australian based infrastructure financing specialist and is a significant lender to multiple renewable energy projects in Australia
- Infradebt’s Energy Transition Fund (ETF) is dedicated to financing grid scale batteries. Existing investments include Genex Power’s 50MW/100MWh Bouldercombe Battery in Queensland and Neoen’s 100MW/200MWh Capital Battery in the ACT
- The Infradebt Ethical Fund (IEF), Australia’s first ethically screened infrastructure debt fund, has a number of existing Western Australian exposures including the 180MW Warradarge Wind Farm, 40MW Greenough Solar Farm and 35MW Albany Grasmere Wind Farm
- Infradebt investors include Australian superannuation funds and family offices
- Long-form facility agreement and security documentation are expected to be executed in September 2024
- The Company continues to pursue potential investment by a strategic partner
CEO Adam Kiley commented: “The Company is delighted to mandate Infradebt, an Australian based infrastructure specialist, to provide debt financing of up to $215 million for the development of Stage One of our Waroona Project.
The Company received multiple credit endorsed proposals as part of the debt financing process from several major financial institutions, however, the Infradebt offer was superior, with a highly attractive tenor and interest rate, whilst also providing greater flexibility compared to alternatives. Infradebt’s proposal is also for 100% of the debt financing, meaning the Company will only deal with a single party compared to a syndicate solution.”
Frontier mandates specialised infrastructure financier
Following the release of the Stage One Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in February 2024, a debt financing process commenced, led by debt advisory firm Leeuwin Capital Partners. Following receipt of multiple proposals, the Company has mandated Infradebt (Mandate) to provide debt financing for up to $215 million (Project Finance). The DFS estimated the total capital cost for Stage One at $304 million1.
The Project Finance will be funded by discretionary funds managed by Infradebt and co- investors advised by Infradebt. Infradebt has confirmed that it has committed funds for the purpose of providing the Project Finance. The majority of the Project Finance will be funded by the Infradebt Energy Transition Fund, a senior debt fund mandated specifically to provide debt finance to utility-scale battery projects in Australia.
The Mandate sets out the Project Finance terms, an indicative timetable for completion of the arrangements under which the Project Finance would be provided and other provisions that are expected to be included in long-form Project Finance documentation.
The facility has a base rate (a combination of three-month BBSY and the 12-year Swap Rate) plus a margin. The facility tenor is 17 years, including the two-year construction period.
A long-form facility agreement and security documentation are expected to be executed in September 2024.
The final debt quantum will be determined after confirmation of the Reserve Capacity Price from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in late September 2024. The Benchmark Reserve Capacity Price of $230,000 for the 2026/27 capacity year has already been published2.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Frontier Energy, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
June 2024 Quarter - Activities Report
Rimfire Pacific Mining (ASX: RIM, “Rimfire” or “the Company”) is an ASX-listed Critical Minerals exploration company which is advancing a portfolio of projects within the highly prospective Lachlan Orogen (“LO") and Broken Hill (“BH”) districts of New South Wales (Figures 1, 2 and 4).
Highlights
- Multiple work programs focused on high-value critical minerals – scandium, cobalt, and copper across Rimfire’s NSW projects
- Thick zones of strong scandium anomalism from surface across multiple locations across the 20km² Murga Intrusive Complex;
- 22m @ 273ppm Sc from surface incl 12m @ 353ppm Sc
- 22m @ 172ppm Sc from 2m incl 5m @ 226ppm Sc
- 28m @ 158ppm Sc from 4m incl 6m @ 320ppm Sc
- 25m @ 163ppm Sc from 2m incl 5m @ 242ppm Sc
- 27m @ 162ppm Sc from 3m incl 4m @ 270ppm Sc
- Further Melrose leaching test work generates up to 90% scandium recoveries at atmospheric pressures
- Estimation of a combined JORC Mineral Resource for both Murga North and Melrose Scandium Prospects (Fifield and Avondale Earn-In Projects) underway ahead of completion within the coming weeks subject to receiving outstanding drill assays from the laboratory
- Drilling programs are planned for September 2024 Quarter designed to test copper cobalt targets at Broken Hill and scandium targets at Fifield
- Rimfire completes a placement to raise $1.15M post end of Quarter
Commenting on the Quarterly Activities report, Rimfire’s Managing Director Mr David Hutton said: “Rimfire continues to explore for and discover the critical minerals that are associated with global decarbonisation strategies. We are leveraged to and provide unique ASX investment exposure to scandium – an extremely valuable metal.
Buoyed by the success of our scandium drilling and metallurgical studies carried out during the Quarter we have made the decision to estimate a maiden JORC Mineral Resource for both the Melrose and Murga North Prospects with the work underway.
We expect to announce both resources in the coming weeks with just some Melrose drilling assays awaited on to complete the estimation process.
Looking ahead, the September 2024 Quarter will be pivotal for Rimfire and its shareholders with maiden scandium resources, further scandium drilling and the resumption of copper-cobalt drilling at Broken Hill”.
Introduction and Operational Summary
During the June 2024 Quarter (the “Quarter”), Rimfire’s exploration activities were focused on advancing the Murga and Melrose Scandium Prospects (Fifield and Avondale Earn In Project) with 100 aircore holes (2,664 metres) drilled.
The drilling successfully intersected strongly anomalous scandium at multiple locations across the Murga Intrusive Complex with subsequent re-assaying of anomalous drill samples demonstrating a significant increase in grade.
Buoyed by the success of the drilling, Rimfire has commenced the estimation of a combined JORC Mineral Resource for both the Murga North and Melrose Scandium Prospects.
Also, two further sighter leach tests focused on maximising scandium recovery at atmospheric pressures from Melrose laterite-hosted mineralisation returned recoveries of 62.6% and 90.1% scandium respectively. The latest results represent a significant improvement on previous best scandium recovery of 40% and can be attributed to increased acidity (sulphuric acid) and addition of reagents (NaCl).
To guide the Company’s future metallurgical studies, Rimfire also engaged highly experienced hydrometallugist Mr Boyd Willis as Process Consultant.
The exploration activities at the Fifield and Avondale are funded by Rimfire’s exploration partner
- Golden Plains Resources (GPR) and looking ahead to the September 2024 Quarter, Rimfire will complete the estimate of the combined JORC Mineral Resource for the Murga North and Melrose Scandium Prospects, as well as undertaking further aircore and diamond drilling at Murga to build on the initial resource.
Separately on its 100% - owned projects, Rimfire is preparing to carry out a further round of diamond drilling at its Bald Hill Copper Cobalt prospect commencing in August 2024.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Rimfire Pacific Mining Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Firebird Executes Farm-Out Agreement with Macro Metals on Non-Core Manganese Tenements
HIGHLIGHTS
- Firebird executes farm-out agreement for Macro Metals Ltd (ASX:M4M) to acquire an 80% interest in the Wandanya, Disraeli and Midgengadge Manganese tenements
- Macro will invest an initial $150,000 within the first 12 months and undertake a 10-hole RC drill program with a minimum of 100m to be drilled on each of the four tenements
- Firebird will retain a free-carried 20% interest in the Projects until decision to mine
- Firebird to earn 1% sales commission (based on FOB revenue)
- Agreement enables Firebird to focus on the development of the Oakover Project and the Company’s Chinese manganese sulphate plant
- Agreement gives Firebird exposure to upside from future development of the tenements
- Macro has proven and strong management in the exploration and development of greenfield projects
Firebird Managing Director Mr Peter Allen commented: “This agreement allows Firebird to continue its strategic focus on the Oakover Project and our Chinese LMFP strategy. By partnering with Macro, we leverage their expertise and resources to drive the development of these tenements, which not only ensures that they receive the necessary investment and development attention but also allows Firebird to benefit from potential production and value growth without immediate capital outlay.
“We are confident that this collaboration will unlock value for our shareholders and look forward to a prosperous collaboration with Macro.”
Key Agreement Terms
Firebird has signed a binding Heads of Agreement with Macro Metals Ltd (“Macro”), an unrelated party, whereby Macro has the exclusive right to earn 80% in four tenements (E46/1456, E46/1457, E46/1389 and E45/5906) (Tenements) by committing to spend $150,000 in exploration and development expenditure on the Tenements within 12 months (Agreement).
This expenditure must include at least 10 RC holes, for a minimum total of 100 metres drilled on each of the four tenements. Macro will assume full responsibility for the Tenements over this earn-in period.
Firebird’s 20% interest will be free carried until such time Macro makes a decision to mine, at which point Macro and Firebird will enter into an incorporated joint venture (“SPV”). The SPV will enter into a life of mine, mining services contract with Macro’s wholly owned, mining services subsidiary, Macro Mining Services Pty Ltd, for the provision of all services across the entire pit to customer supply chain on a commercial, arms’ length schedule of rates. Firebird retains the ability to transfer its 20% interest into a 1% royalty. The Agreement also allows for Firebird to earn 1% sales commission (based on Free on Board (FOB) revenue).
Completion of the transaction is conditional upon due diligence to the absolute satisfaction of Macro and any necessary regulatory or third-party consents or approvals required before close of business on 30 September 2024 (or such time as otherwise agreed).
The Agreement otherwise contains terms and conditions considered standard for agreements of this nature.
The Company notes that Mr Evan Cranston is a Director of both Firebird and Macro, however, this Transaction has been approved by the independent Directors of Firebird.
Firebird’s original agreement for the acquisition of the Wandanya tenements was established with Mining Equities Pty Ltd in 2022. Under this agreement, a total shipment milestone consideration of up to $500,000 was to be paid to Mining Equities Pty Ltd in instalments based on export shipments or mine gate sales. Upon reaching the maximum milestone consideration, a 1% royalty would be payable on an FOB basis for export shipments or a mine gate basis for domestic sales. Mining Equities Pty Ltd has agreed to amend the original terms by removing the $500,000 payable with the 1% royalty now payable on all export shipments and domestic sales.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Firebird Metals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Auric Buys Specific Mineral Rights and Related Assets from WIN Metals for $1.2M
Auric Mining Limited (ASX: AWJ) (Auric) together with WIN Metals Ltd (ASX: WIN) (WIN Metals or WIN) are pleased to announce that the two parties have successfully executed a Binding Term Sheet on 22 July 2024 for the partial purchase of WIN’s nickel and lithium rights within the Munda Gold Project area, water access rights and other related assets, to Auric.
- Binding Term Sheet executed on 22 July 2024.
- Milestone agreement improves pathway to mining a trial pit at Munda Gold Project, potentially in Q1 2025.
- Auric now owns all mineral rights, down to 235m RL, (approximately 150m below surface) over planned mining area.
- Purchase price totals $1.2 Million, including $1.00 Million, for the nickel rights.
- Binding Term Sheet includes sole access to stored water in the 132 North pit by Auric for 3 years from settlement date and shared access for a further 5 years.
- Acquisition includes 7 tenements or applications.
- $100,000 deposit paid to WIN. Additional $600,000 payable at settlement. Further payments totalling $500,000 to be paid over next 12 months.
MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
Auric Mining. Managing Director, Mark English, said: “We now have greater control over our destiny for open pit gold mining at the Munda Gold Project.
“Buying the nickel and lithium rights from WIN Metals down to the 235m RL (which is approximately 150m below surface) and having sole rights to an agreed area means we have now taken another major step forward to commencing a trial pit at Munda.
“There’s not much water around Widgiemooltha, so as part of this transaction we are acquiring access to stored water in the 132 North pit from WIN, removing a significant obstacle for us.
“WIN Metals has been pragmatic about the negotiation. We have reached a highly satisfactory agreement for Auric shareholders.
“We’ve moved Munda along rapidly this year and this hurdle has been removed. We are planning to mine a trial pit in Q1 2025,” said Mr English.
WIN Metals. Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Steve Norregaard, said:
“We wish Auric well in its ambition to mine at Munda Gold Project.
“We have no intention of standing in their way and have reached an equitable agreement to sell our nickel and lithium rights, within a specified area, at the Munda Gold Project and minor non-core assets.
“It’s a great result for both companies,” said Mr Norregaard.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Auric Mining, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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