31 July 2015
QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT - PERIOD ENDING 30 JUNE 2015
Highlights:
Balama Graphite Project Feasibility Study finalised; confirms Balama as a project with low capital intensity, low technical risk and attractive returns
Environmental Licence and Land Access (DUAT) Licence granted by the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER)
Commenced Front End Engineering and Design to further optimise and de-risk the development plan for the Balama Graphite Project and bring greater certainty to the timing of procurement of key capital equipment
Internal Economic Assessment on the economics of a proposed Spherical Graphite Facility in the
United States completed
Changed the Company's financial year end from 30 June to 31 December, effective from 1 July
2015
SUMMARY
During the quarter, Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR) successfully finalised the Feasibility Study and received key regulatory approvals for its graphite project in Mozambique (Balama Project). These achievements represent significant milestones in Syrah's progression to becoming one of the leading suppliers of high quality graphite to key industrial and technology markets.
In addition, Syrah believes that targeting high margin, processed graphite products will be a highly value accretive strategy. Accordingly, Syrah has completed an Internal Economic Assessment (IEA) on the world's largest Coated Spherical Graphite Facility in the United States.
Finally, Syrah has also resolved to change the Company's financial year from 30 June to 31 December effective from 1 July 2015 in order to align its financial year with its wholly owned subsidiary, Twigg Exploration and Mining Limitada (TEML), which holds the Balama Project in Mozambique.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
BALAMA GRAPHITE PROJECT (100%) Feasibility Study
During May 2015, the Feasibility Study for the Balama Project was finalised. The author and key contributor of the Feasibility Study was Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, with input from technical specialists including China Aluminum International Engineering Corporation Limited (Chalieco); Changsha Engineering and Research Institute Ltd of Nonferrous Metallurgy, Coastal & Environmental Services, Knight Piesold; SRK Consulting, Intech Engineers and Digby Wells.
The Feasibility Study highlights the low technical risk and attractive economic returns of the Balama
Project. The key results of the Feasibility Study for the Project are summarized in the following table:
Operational metrics Unit Financial metrics Unit
Operational period years 42 Total initial capital expenditure US$ m 138
Plant feed rate tpa 2,000,000 Weighted average basket graphite price US$/t (FOB) 1 1,000
Average strip ratio (life of mine) ratio 0.04 Average operating cash costs over life of mine 2 US$/t product (FOB) 1 286
Average head grade (life of mine) % 16.2 Average annual unlevered project free cash flow 3 US$ m 158
Average recovery (life of mine) % 92.5 Post-tax NPV (10% discount rate) US$ m 1,125
Average production (life of mine) - 95% TGC tpa 313,000 Internal rate of return (IRR) % 71
Payback period years
Note 1: FOB from the Port of Nacala
Note 2: Excluding royalties and taxes
Note 3: Over first 10 years at full production
Table 1 - Key operational and financial metrics of the Balama Graphite Feasibility Study
As part of the Feasibility Study, a JORC 2012 compliant Proved and Probable graphite Ore Reserve was also declared, comprising of 81.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 16.2% total graphitic carbon (TGC) (using a 9% TGC cut-off grade). This Ore Reserve constitutes 13.2 million tonnes of contained flake graphite, making the Balama Project the world's largest reserve of flake graphite. This Ore Reserve provides sufficient inventory to support operations (after project ramp up) for over 40 years. Refer ASX announcement dated 29 May 2015 for further details on the Balama Feasibility Study and Ore Reserve
and Page 6 of this announcement.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
Regulatory approvals
During the quarter, the Environmental Licence and Land Access (DUAT) Licence for the Balama Project were granted by the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER). Key regulatory approvals that have been received now include:
Mining Concession (granted on 6 December 2013 for a period of years and is renewable for a further 25 years)
Water Licence
Environmental Licence
Land Access (DUAT) Licence.
With the granting of the DUAT, Syrah can now proceed its farmland relocation plans in order to commence the clearing of land for mine development including mine pits, haul roads, run-of-mine pad, tailings storage facility, plant area and supporting infrastructure as well as the accommodation camp. Clearing of the processing plant site for the Balama Project was completed during July 2015.
Internal Economic Assessment for coated spherical graphite
Syrah also completed during the quarter an Internal Economic Assessment (IEA) on a proposed Coated Spherical Graphite Facility in the United States. The Spherical Graphite IEA incorporates a 25,000 tpa Coated Spherical Graphite Facility, requiring 50,000 tpa of -100 US mesh graphite as feed. The size of such a facility would make it larger than any currently in existence. In addition, 25,000 tpa of 95% TGC recarburiser by-product will also be produced as part of the spheroidisation process. The key results of
the IEA are summarized in the following table:
Operational metrics Unit Financial metrics Unit
Raw material (-100 US mesh graphite) Total initial capital expenditure
For 23 micron spherical graphite tpa 25,000 23, 16 & 10 micron coated spherical graphite US$ m 73
For 16 & 10 micron spherical graphite tpa 25,000 95% TGC recarburiser US$ m 7
80
Recov ery Price assumptions (coated spherical graphite)
d50 23 micron spherical graphite (99.95% C) tpa 50.0% d50 23 micron (99.95% C) US$/t (FOB) 7,000 d50 16 micron spherical graphite (99.95% C) tpa 37.5% d50 16 micron (99.95% C) US$/t (FOB) 7,000 d50 10 micron spherical graphite (99.95% C) tpa 12.5% d50 10 micron (99.95% C) US$/t (FOB) 8,000
Coated spherical graphite product Operating cash costs 1
d50 23 micron (99.95% C) tpa 12,500 d50 23, 16 & 10 micron spherical graphite US$/t product (FOB) 3,200 d50 16 micron (99.95% C) tpa 9,375 By-product credits - 95% TGC recarburiser 2 US$/t product (FOB) (465) d50 10 micron (99.95% C) tpa 3,125 2,735
95% TGC recarburiser by-product tpa 25,000 Annual unlev ered pre-tax project free cash flow US$ m 104
Note 1: Includes raw material input costs at an assumed market price of US$800/t (FOB Port of Nacala) from the Balama Project.
Note 2: A selling price of US$1,000/t FOB has been assumed for 95% TGC recarburiser.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
Table 2 - Key operational and financial metrics of the Coated Spherical Graphite IEA
The IEA considers the production of three different coated spherical graphite specifications in order to target the grid storage, hybrid/electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets which are forecast to drive graphite demand growth,
In addition, residual raw material (-100 US mesh graphite) from the spheroidisation process will be turned into high quality recarburiser briquettes that will be marketed to regional iron and steel producers. Refer ASX announcement dated 18 June 2015 for further details on the Spherical Graphite IEA.
Funding
The Company is well advanced in its discussions in relation to proposed financing for the Balama Project and expects to commence the development phase during the September 2015 quarter subject to the necessary financing arrangements being put in place. The Company requested an immediate trading halt of its securities on 31 July 2015 pending the release of an announcement in relation to a potential material capital raising. Further details regarding the proposed financing arrangements will be announced shortly.
Change in financial year
Syrah has also resolved to change the Company's financial year from 30 June to 31 December , effective from 1 July 2015, in order to align its financial year with its wholly owned subsidiary, TEML, which holds the Balama Project in Mozambique.
The Company's current financial year will end on 30 June 2015 and there will be a six month transitional financial year beginning on 1 July 2015 and ending on 31 December 2015. Syrah will thereafter revert to
a twelve month financial year, commencing on 1 January and ending on 31 December.
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
Licences
The following table lists current licenses held by Syrah Resources and its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2015:
Project
|
License
Number
|
License Type
|
Country
|
Interest
acquired/farm- in during the quarter
|
Interest
disposed/farm- out during the quarter
|
Balama
Balama1
Botswana Botswana Botswana Botswana Mount
Lyndhurst2
Mount Lyndhurst
South2
Sasare North
|
6432C
5684L
347/2014
348/2014
349/2014
350/2014
EL 4790
EL 4791
17904-HQ-LPL
|
Mining Concession Prospecting Licence Prospecting Licence Prospecting Licence Prospecting Licence Prospecting Licence
Exploration Licence
Exploration Licence
Large Scale
|
Mozambique Mozambique Botswana Botswana Botswana Botswana
Australia
Australia
Zambia
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
Note 1: Syrah has entered into a tenement sale agreement (TSA) for the acquisition of a tenement (Tenement) in Balama from a third party (Seller).Under the TSA, Syrah may be required to issue to the Seller, as part of the contingent consideration for the acquisition of the Tenement, up to US$2.0 million of fully paid ordinary shares (Sale Shares) in various tranches, with the number of Sale Shares under each tranche to be calculated based on the 30 day volume weighted average price of Syrah shares prior to the issue date. The Sale Shares (if issued) will rank equally with Syrah's existing shares, and will not be issued to an existing class of security holders in Syrah. It is not expected that security holder approval will be required for the issue of Sale Shares.
Note 2: The Mount Lyndhurst licences are 50% owned by Syrah Resources Limited and 50% owned by the Joint Venture Partner
(Zurich Resources Pty Ltd). All other licences are owned by wholly owned subsidiaries of Syrah Resources Limited.
Tolga Kumova
Managing Director
Syrah Resources Limited
Office Contact - +61 3 9670 7264
Mobile Contact - +61 421 707 155
Email - [email protected]
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
About Syrah Resources
Syrah Resources (ASX code: SYR) is an Australian resource company that is rapidly progressing its flagship Balama Graphite and Vanadium Project in Mozambique to production. The Project hosts the largest graphite ore reserves in the world with an Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) compliant Ore Reserve of 81.4 Mt at 16.2% total graphitic carbon. Balama is a 110 km2 granted Mining Concession located within the Cabo Delgado province in the district of Namuno in northern Mozambique. The Project is approximately 260 km by road west of Pemba and is accessible by a sealed, main road, running directly from Pemba Airport. The Port of Nacala is approximately 490 km by road south east of the Project and is the deepest port in Southern Africa.
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves is extracted from the report titled "Syrah finalises Balama Graphite study and declared maiden ore reserve" released to the ASX on 29 May 2015 and available to view at www.syrahresources.com.au and for which Competent Person's consents were obtained. The Competent Person's consents remain in place for subsequent releases by the Company of the same information in the same form and context, until the consent is withdrawn or replaced by a subsequent report and accompanying consent.
The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original ASX announcement released on 29 May 2015, and in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original ASX announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original ASX announcement.
Full details are contained in the ASX release dated 29 May 2015 "Syrah finalises Balama Graphite study and declared maiden ore reserve" available at www.syrahresources.com.au
Syrah Resources Ltd (ABN 77 125 242 284). Level 9/356 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia Ph: 03 96707264
Appendix 5B Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Introduced 1/7/96. Origin: Appendix 8. Amended 1/7/97, 1/7/98, 30/9/2001.
Name of entity
SYRAH RESOURCES LIMITED
Rule 5.3
ABN Quarter ended ("current quarter")
77 125 242 284 30 JUNE 2015
Consolidated statement of cash flows
Cash flows related to operating activities
1.1 Receipts from product sales and related debtors
1.2 Payments for
(a) exploration and evaluation
(b) development
(c) production
(d) administration *
1.3 Dividends received
1.4 Interest and other items of a similar nature received
1.5 Interest and other costs of finance paid
1.6 Income taxes paid
1.7 Other
Net Operating Cash Flows
* The major administration costs during the quarter included general corporate costs, salaries and wages, accounting fees, legal fees and travel expenses.
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
30/06/2015 Appendix 5B Page 1
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
1.13 Total operating and investing cash flows (brought
forward)
|
(5,947,183)
|
(25,176,896)
|
Cash flows related to financing activities
1.14 Proceeds from issues of shares and exercise of options
1.15 Proceeds from sale of forfeited shares
1.16 Proceeds from borrowings
1.17 Repayment of borrowings
1.18 Dividends paid
1.19 Other - Capital raising costs
Net financing cash flows
|
-
-
-
-
-
-
|
4,320,714
-
-
-
- (12,876)
|
Cash flows related to financing activities
1.14 Proceeds from issues of shares and exercise of options
1.15 Proceeds from sale of forfeited shares
1.16 Proceeds from borrowings
1.17 Repayment of borrowings
1.18 Dividends paid
1.19 Other - Capital raising costs
Net financing cash flows
|
-
|
4,307,838
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash held
1.20 Cash at beginning of quarter/year to date
1.21 Demerger of Jacana Minerals Limited
1.22 Exchange rate adjustments to item 1.20
1.22 Cash at end of quarter
|
(5,947,183)
14,978,106
- (99,748)
|
(20,869,058)
29,007,250 (61,553)
854,536
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash held
1.20 Cash at beginning of quarter/year to date
1.21 Demerger of Jacana Minerals Limited
1.22 Exchange rate adjustments to item 1.20
1.22 Cash at end of quarter
|
8,931,175
|
8,931,175
|
Payments to directors of the entity and associates of the directors
Payments to related entities of the entity and associates of the related entities
Current quarter
$A
1.23 Aggregate amount of payments to the parties included in item 1.2 $336,915
1.24 Aggregate amount of loans to the parties included in item 1.10 -
1.25 Explanation necessary for an understanding of the transactions
The above related party payments include Salaries and Superannuation paid to directors and/or director related entities during the June 2015 quarter.
Non-cash financing and investing activities
2.1 Details of financing and investing transactions which have had a material effect on consolidated assets and liabilities but did not involve cash flows
Nil
2.2 Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase their share in projects in which the reporting entity has an interest
Nil
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
Appendix 5B Page 2 30/06/2015
Financing facilities available
Add notes as necessary for an understanding of the position.
Appendix 5B Mining exploration entity quarterly report
3.1 Loan facilities
3.2 Credit standby arrangements
Estimated cash outflows for next quarter*
4.1 Exploration and evaluation
4.2 Development
4.3 Production
4.4 Administration
* The Company expects to commence the development phase of the Balama Graphite Project during the September 2015 quarter, and the estimated cash outflows are subject to the necessary financing arrangements being put in place. The Company requested an immediate trading halt of its securities on 31
July 2015 pending the release of an announcement in relation to a potential material capital raising. Further details regarding the proposed financing arrangements will be announced shortly.
Reconciliation of cash
Reconciliation of cash at the end of the quarter (as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the related items in the accounts is as follows.
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
30/06/2015 Appendix 5B Page 3
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Changes in interests in mining tenements
6.1 Interests in mining tenements relinquished, reduced or lapsed
6.2 Interests in mining tenements acquired or increased
Issued and quoted securities at end of current quarter
Description includes rate of interest and any redemption or conversion rights together with prices and dates.
Total number
|
Number quoted
|
Issue price per
security (see note
3) (cents)
|
Amount paid up per
security (see note 3) (cents)
|
7.1 Preference
+securities
(description)
7.2 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues (b) Decreases
through returns of capital, buy-backs, redemptions
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7.1 Preference
+securities
(description)
7.2 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues (b) Decreases
through returns of capital, buy-backs, redemptions
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7.3 +Ordinary securities
7.4 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues (b) Decreases
through returns of capital, buy-backs
|
165,223,076
|
165,223,076
|
Fully Paid
|
Fully Paid
|
7.3 +Ordinary securities
7.4 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues (b) Decreases
through returns of capital, buy-backs
|
7.5 +Convertible debt securities
(description)
7.6 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues
(b) Decreases through securities matured, converted
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7.5 +Convertible debt securities
(description)
7.6 Changes during quarter
(a) Increases through issues
(b) Decreases through securities matured, converted
|
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
Appendix 5B Page 4 30/06/2015
7.12 Unsecured notes
(totals only)
Appendix 5B Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Compliance statement
1 This statement has been prepared under accounting policies which comply with accounting standards as defined in the Corporations Act or other standards acceptable to ASX (see note 4).
2 This statement does give a true and fair view of the matters disclosed. Sign here:
Company Secretary
Print name: MELANIE LEYDIN
Date: 31 July 2015
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
30/06/2015 Appendix 5B Page 5
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity quarterly report
Notes
1 The quarterly report provides a basis for informing the market how the entity's activities have been financed for the past quarter and the effect on its cash position. An entity wanting to disclose additional information is encouraged to do so, in a note or notes attached to this report.
2 The "Nature of interest" (items 6.1 and 6.2) includes options in respect of interests in mining tenements acquired, exercised or lapsed during the reporting period. If the entity is involved in a joint venture agreement and there are conditions precedent which will change its percentage interest in a mining tenement, it should disclose the change of percentage interest and conditions precedent in the list required for items
6.1 and 6.2.
3 Issued and quoted securities. The issue price and amount paid up is not required in items 7.1 and 7.3 for fully paid securities.
4 The definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 1022: Accounting for Extractive
Industries and AASB 1026: Statement of Cash Flows apply to this report.
5 Accounting Standards ASX will accept, for example, the use of International Accounting Standards for foreign entities. If the standards used do not address a topic, the Australian standard on that topic (if any) must be complied with.
== == == == ==
+ See chapter 19 for defined terms.
Appendix 5B Page 6 30/06/2015