Cokal updates C. Kalimantan coal project
Wednesday, April 30 2014 - 07:09 AM WIB
EXPLORATION
Bumi Barito Mineral (BBM) Project
BBM?s Production IUP covers an area of 14,980 hectares (ha), immediately adjacent to BHP Billiton?s Juloi tenement, straddling the Barito River and has numerous outcrops of bright coal.
BBM?s technical team have updated the JORC Resource Statement and completed the requirements to meet full compliance with the 2012 version of the JORC Code. The results were independently verified by SRK Consulting which confirmed the BBM Resource Statement met the requirements of the 2012 JORC Code.
Based on the exploration data collected, and a minimum seam thickness cut-off of 0.6m, a total Coal Resource of 261Mt of B, C, D and J Seams have been estimated in accordance with the JORC Code. Of that, 10.5Mt is deemed Measured Resources and 13.5Mt is Indicated Resources. Both Measured and Indicated Resources have been estimated for the J seam only which has been confirmed as a coking coal from analyses conducted in an Australian laboratory. A portion of the B, C and D Seams also produces a premium PCI product such that the overall proportion of PCI: Coking coal is 10:90 for the total Coal Resource.
The area covered by the current Coal Resource estimate is 30% of the total area of the BBM Production IUP tenement license.
During the Quarterly period, Cokal?s geologists conducted a detailed mapping survey in and around the initial openpit area as defined by the Feasibility Study. The survey results included a total of 73 coal outcrops discovered, with thickness ranging from 0.20 ? 1.80 m.
Tambang Benua Alam Raya (TBAR) Project
Cokal is acquiring 75% of the TBAR Exploration Licence that covers an area of 18,850ha, normal Government approvals are now being obtained for the acquisition. TBAR is listed on the Central Government?s ?Clean and Clear? (CNC) List. TBAR adjoins the southern and eastern boundaries of BBM, and consists of the same coal-bearing Haloq Sandstone Formation.
Geological mapping of TBAR continued, with about 75% of the area completed in detail. This work has delineated 70 coal outcrops to date indicating the potential to define a significant shallow opencut coal project.
Geological interpretation of the outcrop mapping indicates that the seams are dipping at a low angle over a strike length of at least 15 kms. This indicates the potential to prove a significant volume of low-cost, opencut coking coal, which could demand a premium price due to its unique and sort-after quality.
The laboratory results indicate an extensive zone of medium Volatile Matter in the 20 to 22% range located in the southern portion of the TBAR tenement. The coals also exhibit low impurities including Inherent Moisture, Ash, Sulphur and ultra-low Phosphorus. This type of coal is considered as a premium quality in the Asian steel markets.
The proposed next phase of exploration will involve drilling shallow boreholes nearby the outcrops to confirm the coking properties from fresh drill core samples. As well, deep stratigraphic boreholes will be drilled to identify the number of coal seams in TBAR as well as to determine the full stratigraphic sequence of the coal seams. The results of this drilling program will provide an initial Coal Resource in accordance with the JORC Code for this green-fields project.
Borneo Bara Prima (BBP) Project
No exploration activity was conducted on BBP during this period as all drilling and exploration resources have been deployed to BBM to assist in the delineation of the coal seam in the KLM area.
Anugerah Alam Katingan (AAK) and Anugerah Alam Manuhing (AAM) Projects
Cokal has a 75% share of Anugerah Alam Katingan (AAK) and Anugerah Alam Manuhing (AAM) projects also located in Central, Kalimantan, Indonesia. The AAK project area comprises of 5,000ha and the AAM project comprises of 10,000ha. Applications for the Forestry permit (IPPKH) continue to be processed. Drilling is planned to commence once the Forestry permit for exploration activity is issued.
Silangkop Nusa Raya (SNR) Project
Applications for the Forestry permit (IPPKH) continue to be processed. Drilling is planned to commence once the Forestry permit for exploration activity is issued.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
BBM DEFINITIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY COMPLETED
The BBM Project Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) was completed during the quarter. The DFS is focused on the initial 2 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) start-up phase. All approvals and government processes have been submitted to allow development of an operation of up to 6Mtpa capacity.
The Study has confirmed that the BBM coal mine and associated transport system can be developed as a low capital cost operation with moderate to medium range operating cost. The DFS has identified that BBM?s relatively low ash, low volatile, low sulphur, low phosphorus coking coal would command a high value as a blending feed in the premium coking coal market.
No risks were identified that would prevent the construction and operation of the mine, supporting facilities and transport chain.
The DCF financial model, developed by Cokal using the independent Study costs, gives an indicative valuation using an average long-term price received for all products of approximately US$155/tonne (real), starting with average price in year one of approximately US$141/tonne
Based on mining 20.8Mt (run of mine) over 10 years, of Cokal?s 261Mt Coal Resource (10.5Mt Measured, 13.5Mt Indicated and 237Mt Inferred Resource) gives a US$366 Million Net Present Value (?NPV?), after tax using a 10% discount rate (100% basis) with a Payback Period of less than 2 years.
The BBM project has a very low capital cost requirements (including contract mining and barging) of US$75M with low cash operating costs (excluding royalties of 7%) of an average US$82/product tonne for the first 5 years and a life of mine average US$97/product tonne.
The production and investment profiles are recommended to be phased for an initial start-up capital US$50M and a post start up enhancement capital of US$25M for expand blending operations at the Intermediate port of Kelanis and an increased coal handling capability to handle higher ash pits.
MINE DESIGN
Detailed mine design and costing which were commenced in late Q3 2013 have been completed and incorporated into the DFS. The design focused on a detail mine plan based on the J Seam outcrop area, the KLM area and the BCD seams near the Barito River.
Detailed discussions are continuing with several reputable mining contractors for the initial 2Mtpa direct shipping operation. A formal site visit has been carried out to inspect both the Haul Road and proposed mining areas with a positive from all groups reflecting contactor?s spare capacity due to the softness of the thermal coal market.
HAUL ROAD
Based on the detailed design of the entire haul road route from the BBM mine site to the Purnama Barge loading jetty including the final bridge designs, all cut and fill quantities and identification of certain selected naturally occurring building materials along the route a Request For Quotation (RFQ) was issued to three respected contractors. Response has been strong and positive again reflecting a soft contracting and construction market
BARGE LOADING FACILITY
Initial earthworks for the Purnama Barge Loading Facility has been included in the Haul Road Construction RFQ in order to achieve earthwork and construction material synergies. A number of high quality basalt sources have been identified within 10 kilometres of the Barge Loading Facility and extraction licences are currently being processed by the local government.
RIVER BARGING
Detailed design has been completed and based on these designs suitably experienced and capable ship yards have been identified both in Indonesia and China. This ?short list? of shipyards appear to be capable of providing both the barges and tug units within programme and budget. Our barging joint venture partner MDM Meratus Line has had considerable previous experience with all shortlisted shipyards both in Indonesia and China
The Local Government has approved the location of the barge loading facility, with the Environmental Approval allowing 6Mtpa throughput.
RIVER TRANSLOADING STATION
Detailed design and costing are completed on the river based transloading station to transfer coal from the river barging system for the upper Barito, to ocean going barges for delivery to offshore customer vessels via floating crane transhipping systems.
Final selection of the site of the transloading stockpile facility is currently being carried out and near completion with a number of potential sites available.
ENVIRONMENTAL REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation of sites disturbed by geological investigation and drilling has been commenced and is expected to be completed within the June Quarter 2014 including the establishment of a riverside buffer zone. Other opportunistic rehabilitation sites have been identified and work commenced during this quarter.
Not applicable this quarter
Beneficial percentage interests held in farm-in or farm-out agreements at end of the quarter and beneficial percentage interests in in farm-in or farm-out agreements acquired or disposed of during the quarter
APPROVALS & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
BBM PRODUCTION APPROVAL ADVANCES ? UPDATE
Cokal has applied to the National Forestry Department to upgrade the BBM Forest Utilisation Approval permit (exploration stage) (Ijin Pinjam Pakai Kawasan Hutan or IPPKH) to Forest Rent Use Permit (Operation / Production stage) for its BBM Coal Project. During the last quarter Cokal received full written approval from the Governor of the Central Kalimantan Government and the National Mines Department. Written advice has been received from the Forestry Department that the necessary technical requirements have been met for the IPPKH to be granted. The recent release of new Regulations regarding the issuing of the IPPKH has resulted in some additional work and the IPPKH Exploitation is expected in the June Quarter.
Once granted, the upgraded forestry permit will enable construction of the BBM coking coal project to commence. In line with the integrated development of the BBM project, the application to upgrade the forestry permit includes the forestry areas associated with the development of the BBM mine, haul road and river barging terminal.
Approval has been obtained from the Regency government mines inspector for the design of both the explosives magazine and fuel storage facilities.
Cokal has received full approval for the BBM river barge loading facility location from the National Transport Minister. Approval of the facility design will continue into the June Quarter 2014.
BBP PRODUCTION APPROVAL ADVANCES - UPDATE
The finalization of the upgrade of the IUP exploration to an IUP production / operation (Mining Lease), by the Murung Raya Regency Government, commenced in the March Quarter 2014.
Cokal expected to have the upgraded IUP for BBP from the Regency Government in the March 2014 but this has now been pushed back to the June Quarter 2014.
Cokal has submitted its application for the CNC Certificate Exploration from the Director General of the National Mines Department formalising the previous award of CNC status. Granting of the certificate was expected in the March 2014; however, workloads in the Mines Department have resulted in delays to the award of the CNC Certificate. Cokal now expects the granting of the certificate to occur in the June Quarter 2014.
TBAR EXPLORATION FORESTRY PERMIT
Cokal has commenced the process of obtaining the exploration forestry permit. Cokal is continuing its progress with the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government.
CORPORATE
US$150M FUNDING PACKAGE
Cokal has accepted a proposal for a funding package of up to US$150 Million from Platinum Partners.
The total amount of the initial facility is being finalised but will be in the order of US$80M to $100M. It also includes a US$3.5M bridging loan to provide funding to progress the BBM Project while the facility is being finalised, which has been drawn down. The bridging loan can be rolled into the facility once it is in place.
The facility will be sufficient to fund construction and commissioning and general working capital requirements during this phase of development.
The key terms of the proposed project finance facility are:
- Committed facility of US$80M to $100M, with a higher commitment subject to further discussions
- Availability period 2 of years from signing of definitive agreements
- While the final repayment schedule is to be agreed the repayment period being discussed is 2 to 3 years after drawdown
- 13% interest rate plus fees
- Subject to shareholder approval, 100 million warrants with an exercise price of A$0.20 for 4 years
- Marketing fee of 3% of gross sales, over coal produced from BBMProject
- Royalty of 1% of gross sales from the BBM Project
- Security customary for a major project financing in Indonesia
- Provision of short term USD$3.5 million Bridge loan repayable in 6 months for general working capital purposes, subject to the execution of definitive legal documents
Closing is conditional on satisfaction of various conditions within 6 months including diligence, there being no material adverse changes, execution of definitive legal agreements reflecting the commercial terms, all project approvals being in place and other usual and customary terms for major project financing in Indonesia.
Cokal has agreed an exclusivity period of 14 weeks from the drawdown of the bridging loan to finalise the funding arrangements. A break fee of 1.5% of the minimum commitment is payable if the arrangements do not close within this exclusivity period.
In addition to the above financing, Cokal as part of the 50:50 river Barging Joint Venture with Meratus Advance Maritime (MDM) plans to raise bank financing for its share of the barging fleet (approximately US$15M). The Platinum facility will provide the equity funding for Cokal share of the Barging Joint Venture. (end of excerpt)