Orsu Metals Corporation ("Orsu" or the "Company") the dual listed
(TSX:OSU)(AIM:OSU) London-based base and precious metals exploration and
development company today reports its audited annual results for the year ended
December 31, 2012.
The Company's principal and most advanced project is the property, within the
Republic of Kazakhstan (or "Kazakhstan"), comprising a license area in eastern
Kazakhstan containing the Karchiga volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposit
which is part of the Rudny Altai polymetallic belt (the "Karchiga Project"). In
addition the Company continues to seek to acquire new exploration license areas
within Kazakhstan. The Company also holds exploration licenses within the Kyrgyz
Republic (or "Kyrgyzstan").
A full Management's Discussion and Analysis of the results for the year ended
December 31, 2012 ("MD&A") and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements
("Financials") will soon be available on the Company's profile on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com) or on the Company's website (www.orsumetals.com). Copies of the
MD&A and Financials can be also be obtained upon request to the Company
Secretary.
The Financials for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
All amounts are reported in United States Dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Canadian Dollars are referred to herein as CAD$ and British Pounds Sterling are
referred to as GBP.
The following information has been extracted from the MD&A and the Financials.
Reference should be made to the complete text of the MD&A and the Financials.
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
From the start of 2012 the primary objective that I and the management team of
Orsu, with the full support of the Board of Directors, have worked towards has
been the planning of and the securing of project finance for, the construction
of a mine and processing facilities at Orsu's most advanced project, the
Karchiga Project. Despite the continued uncertainty in the global economy during
2012, with external elements continuing to challenge the Company's ability to
raise funds through equity on the capital markets as well as through debt from
banks, the Company was nevertheless able to make significant progress towards
securing project finance for the Karchiga Project. In 2012 the Company took a
number of steps to divest of its Kyrgyz exploration interests with a view to
raising additional funding for its exploration and development activities,
including its expenditure obligations under the Balkhash Agreement (defined
below), the acquisition of new mineral exploration properties, its corporate and
administrative expenditures requirements and potential contributions towards
project finance, if and when arranged, in relation to the Karchiga Project
should the Company determine necessary. Finally, as part of the Company's
continuing objective to potentially acquire new exploration mineral properties,
in November 2012, Orsu entered into the Balkhash Agreement to jointly explore
the East Balkhash 2 license area (defined below) in Kazakhstan.
A key milestone in the development of Orsu was the filing in March 2012 of the
NI 43-101 compliant Karchiga DFS Report (defined below) which reported a total
probable mineral reserve estimate of 10 million tonnes of sulphide and oxide ore
containing a total of 166.6Kt copper at an overall average grade of 1.67%
copper, of which 145.2Kt is amenable to flotation and 21.4Kt is amenable to heap
leaching. The key economic indicators of the Karchiga Project show an initial
capital expenditure requirement of $115 million, with a post tax net present
value ("NPV") of $150 million, an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 30%,
payback of less than 3 years and a mine life of 11.5 years, based on 100% equity
financing and a copper price of $3.25/lb. The filing of the Karchiga DFS Report
validated the technical and economic viability of the Karchiga Project from
which the Company initiated a number of key steps towards securing finance for
the construction of mine and processing facilities at the Karchiga Project. The
first of these was the appointment of Barclays and UniCredit (both defined
below) in July 2012 (collectively referred to as the "Mandated Lead Arrangers"),
to use commercially reasonable efforts to secure a project debt finance facility
of up to $90 million, subject to commercially acceptable terms for the facility
being agreed with Orsu and the Mandated Lead Arrangers obtaining all of their
necessary internal approvals. In relation to the planning for the construction
of the mine and processing facilities at the Karchiga Project, in August 2012
the Company received the Approval from the MINT (defined below) for the Karchiga
Technical Project (defined below) which along with receipt of the remaining
local regulatory approvals, estimated to be received during the second quarter
of 2013, will permit the Company to commence construction of mine and processing
facilities at the Karchiga Project.
In July 2012 the Company completed the Sale to Gold Fields (defined below) of
its 40% interest in the Talas Project its principal exploration asset in
Kyrgyzstan for a cash consideration of $10 million. In addition as a separate
agreement, Gold Fields agreed to the Subscription (defined below) of 25 million
Common Shares and 12.5 million Warrants for total gross proceeds of CAD$10
million to be received by the Company which is currently held in escrow until
such time as the Company is able to complete the Kazakh Formal Waiver (defined
below).
In relation to the Company's other exploration interests in Kyrgyzstan, the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project, following the Company's decision in the fourth quarter
of 2011 that the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project would no longer be a core asset and as
such was made available for sale, during 2012 the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project
continued to be made available for sale and in November 2012 the Company
announced that it had entered into the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement
with David-Invest (defined below) for the potential acquisition of the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project for a consideration of $4.5 million. Under the terms of
the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement David-Invest agreed to fund
exploration work during an Exclusivity Period up to September 1, 2013 in return
for which David-Invest was granted the exclusive right to acquire the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project for $4.5 million. As a requirement of the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement in December 2012 the Company successfully
extended the exploration licenses for the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project for a further
three years to December 31, 2015. In the event of any sale of the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project the Company will have divested its remaining
exploration interests in Kyrgyzstan.
Finally, in November 2012 as part the Company's continued commitment to acquire
new exploration mineral properties it entered into the Balkhash Agreement to
jointly explore the East Balkhash 2 licence area of approximately 6,000km2, in
eastern Kazakhstan, which is host to a 30km long Dzharyk-Taisogan cluster of
copper-polymetallic occurrences. Under the terms of the Balkhash Agreement, the
Company agreed to fund exploration work for 175 days ending in April 2013
(subject to extension by mutual agreement) for an approximate total of $0.9
million which the Company achieved during the first quarter of 2013.
In relation to the financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012 the
Company reported a net loss of $2.4 million and net assets of $29.8 million of
which $9.8 million comprised of cash.
The Board of Directors and I believe that in 2012 Orsu made significant progress
on work in relation to new exploration opportunities in Kazakhstan with the
potential to develop into major projects as well continuing to develop the
Karchiga Project. I would like to thank the Orsu staff, management, consultants
and advisors for their hard work, dedication and drive in a challenging economic
environment, and believe Orsu is now well positioned to fully develop new
exploration projects which will realise their full potential and drive future
growth of the Company.
Dr Sergey V Kurzin
Executive Chairman
March 27, 2013
2012 HIGHLIGHTS
-- February 2012 - the Company announced the positive results of a
definitive feasibility study for the Karchiga Project (the "Karchiga
DFS") for the Karchiga Project completed by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited
("SRK"), which reported for the Karchiga Project a total production of
149kt (328 Mlb) of copper over a mine life of 11.5 years, and post tax
NPV of $150 million and IRR of 30% based on 100% equity financing and a
copper price of $3.25/lb Cu. In addition, the Company announced a
probable mineral reserve estimate of 8.5 million tonnes of sulphide ore
in the central and north east pits containing 145,227t (320 Mlb) of
copper at an average grade of 1.71% Cu to be amenable to flotation
("FL") and additional 1.5 million tonnes of ore in the central pit
containing 21,399t (47.2 Mlb) of copper at an average grade of 1.43% Cu
to be amenable to heap leaching ("HL") (the "2012 Mineral Reserve
Estimates"). Please see "Operational Review - Karchiga Copper Project,
Kazakhstan" for further information.
-- March 2012 - in relation to the Karchiga DFS the Company announced the
filing of the NI 43-101 compliant Karchiga Definitive Feasibility Study
Report (the "Karchiga DFS Report") on www.sedar.com.
-- May 2012 - the Company announced the appointment of Mr Kevin Denham as
Chief Financial Officer effective May 1, 2012 replacing Mr Petro
Mychalkiw who stepped down to pursue other business interests.
-- May 2012 - the Company announced the expiry of 62.7 million share
purchase warrants (originally issued in April 2010).
-- May 2012 - the Company announced that in relation to the Talas Project
it had agreed a 6,000 meter drilling programme with Gold Fields.
-- June 2012 - the Company announced the extension of its financial
advisory services agreement with Endeavour Financial Limited
("Endeavour") with the aim of securing debt finance for the Karchiga
Project.
-- July 2012 - the Company announced that it had agreed to sell its 40%
interest in the Talas Project to Gold Fields Limited ("Gold Fields" or
collectively with certain of its subsidiaries, the "Gold Fields Group")
for cash consideration of $10 million (the "Sale") and that the Gold
Fields Group had also agreed to subscribe for 25 million units of the
Company (each a "Unit") at a price of CAD$0.40 per Unit for gross
proceeds of CAD$10 million (the "Subscription"), with each Unit
consisting of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one
half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a
"Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of three years
from the date of issue to acquire one Common Share at a price of
CAD$0.50. Completion of the Subscription is conditional on the Company
obtaining a formal waiver of the Kazakh Government's pre-emptive right
and requirement for consent for the issuance of Common Shares pursuant
to the Subscription (the "Kazakh Formal Waiver"), the application for
which was submitted in September 2012. In addition, the Company
announced that it was in advanced negotiations with major banks to
provide project finance for the Karchiga Project, principally in the
form of secured debt.
-- July 2012 - the Company announced the completion of the Sale and receipt
of $10 million cash consideration. In addition, the Gold Fields Group
advanced into escrow the gross proceeds of the Subscription of CAD$10
million cash. Completion of the Subscription remains conditional upon
the Company obtaining the Kazakh Formal Waiver and the gross proceeds of
the Subscription will remain in escrow pending the Company's receipt of
the Kazakh Formal Waiver or Gold Fields waiver of such conditions. Upon
completion of the Subscription, the Gold Fields Group will own
26,134,919 Common Shares and 12,500,000 Warrants. All shares issued
pursuant to the Subscription or any subsequent exercise of the Warrants
within 4 months of the Unit issuance date will be subject to a hold
restriction for 4 months after the date the Units are issued.
-- July 2012 - the Company announced that it appointed the Mandated Lead
Arrangers to use commercially reasonable efforts to secure a project
debt finance facility of up to $90 million to finance the Karchiga
Project, subject to commercially acceptable terms for the facility being
agreed and the Mandated Lead Arrangers obtaining all necessary internal
approvals. The Company also announced that it was continuing discussions
with a number of potential debt providers to participate in the debt
financing alongside the Mandated Lead Arrangers.
-- August 2012 - the Company announced that it had received from the
relevant Kazakh authorities an approval (the "Approval") for the
Karchiga technical project ("Karchiga Technical Project") relating to
the development of a mining and processing complex at the Karchiga
Project. The Approval was granted by the Central Commission for
Exploration and Mining of Mineral Resources at the MINT and is the
principal document which confirms the compliance of the Karchiga
Technical Project with technical, economic and environmental standards
of Kazakhstan. The grant of the Approval allows for an amendment to the
Karchiga Project Contract (as defined below) to permit the Company to
commence construction and mining at the Karchiga Project.
-- November 2012 - the Company announced that it had entered into an
exclusivity agreement with David-Invest with a view to the potential
sale of the Company's interest in the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project (the
"Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement"). Pursuant to the Akdjol-
Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement, David-Invest was granted the exclusive
right until September 1, 2013 (the "Exclusivity Period") to acquire,
subject to the renewal of the relevant exploration licenses expiring on
December 31, 2012 (which have been renewed to December 31, 2015), the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project for consideration of $4.5 million through the
acquisition of Orsu's wholly-owned subsidiary, Tournon Finance Limited
("Tournon"), which indirectly owns the gold exploration licenses for the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project through its 100% ownership interest in Oriel in
Kyrgyzstan LLC ("OiK LLC"). In return for being granted such exclusivity
right, David-Invest agreed to fund exploration work on a non-refundable
basis for the remainder of 2012 and, following the renewal of the
licenses, for the remainder of the Exclusivity Period. (See "Operational
Review - Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project, Kyrgyzstan").
-- November 2012 - the Company announced that it had entered into an
exclusivity agreement (the "Balkhash Agreement") with Asem Tas to
jointly explore the East Balkhash 2 license area at the Balkhash
Project. Asem Tas is a privately owned Kazakh registered company and the
owner of the subsoil use contract for the Balkhash Project. Under the
terms of the Balkhash Agreement, the Company will fund exploration work
for the Balkhash Project for 175 days ending in April 2013 (subject to
extension by mutual agreement) totalling approximately $0.9 million (the
"Initial Working Programme"). In return, the Company has been granted
the exclusive right to participate in the Balkhash Project during such
time. The Balkhash Agreement provides that, subject to the completion of
satisfactory due diligence by Orsu, Asem Tas will apply to transfer the
license for the East Balkhash 2 license area to a newly formed Kazakh
legal entity jointly owned by Orsu and Asem Tas (the "Balkhash Joint
Venture Company"), with Orsu holding an effective 55% interest. A
transfer of the exploration license to the Balkhash Joint Venture
Company will be conditional upon obtaining a formal waiver of the
Kazakhstan Government's pre-emptive right. Where the approval of the
relevant authorities for the transfer of the exploration license is not
received due to a breach by Asem Tas, or the Kazakh Government exercises
its pre-emptive right to acquire the license during the transfer
process, Asem Tas is required to refund Orsu for its expenditures in
connection with the Initial Working Programme. Further to the terms of
the Balkhash Agreement, upon the successful transfer of the license for
the East Balkhash 2 license area to the Balkhash Joint Venture Company,
Orsu will pay up to $1.5 million to Asem Tas to compensate Asem Tas for
historical exploration costs incurred prior to 2012 (excluding any costs
funded by Orsu). In addition, Orsu has agreed to pay: (a) $20 per tonne
of economically extractable copper equivalent, up to a maximum of $10
million (less any amount paid by Orsu to Asem Tas to compensate Asem Tas
for historical exploration costs), on completion of a positive
preliminary economic assessment study; and (b) $20 per additional tonne
of economically extractable copper equivalent, up to a maximum of $15
million (less any amounts paid by Orsu to Asem Tas to compensate Asem
Tas for historical exploration costs and/or pursuant to (a) above) on
completion of a positive definitive feasibility study. In addition,
under the terms of the Balkhash Agreement, Orsu will be responsible for
funding all exploration work for the Balkhash Project up to and
including the successful completion of a positive feasibility study.
Under the terms of the Balkhash Agreement, Orsu will have the right to
buy-out all or part of the interest of Asem Tas in the Balkhash Joint
Venture Company, for cash or shares, at a price determined by an
independent expert.
-- November 2012 - the Company announced that it signed a non-binding term
sheet with RK Mine Finance (Master) Fund II LP ("RK Mine Finance"), a
part of the Red Kite Group. The principal terms of which include,
subject to certain conditions, the provision of sub-ordinated secured
debt finance facilities of up to $25 million for the Karchiga Project
comprising a $15 million sub-ordinated loan and a sub-ordinated standby
facility of up to $10 million, as well as an off-take agreement for 100%
of any future annual production of copper concentrate at the Karchiga
Project, for the life of the mine. However, in the first quarter of
2013, the Company and RK Mine Finance by mutual agreement decided not to
progress this non-binding term sheet for the sub-ordinated debt loan and
sub-ordinated standby facility and off take agreement.
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company continued to work primarily
on planning as well as obtaining the necessary approvals for the construction of
a mine and processing facility for the Karchiga Project, its most advanced
project.
The Company's other exploration interests in Kyrgyzstan consist of the Akdjol
and Tokhtazan exploration licenses (or the "Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project") located
approximately 100km to the south west of the Talas Project.
KARCHIGA COPPER PROJECT, KAZAKHSTAN
Karchiga DFS
In September 2010, the Company commenced the Karchiga DFS. During the process of
completing and fulfilling the requirements of the Karchiga DFS the Company
undertook associated exploration and test work programmes, the highlights of
which include:
-- In-fill resource drilling program 2010 (see the Company's press release
dated December 7, 2010 available on the Company's website at
www.orsumetals.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com);
-- Metallurgical test work April 2011 (see the Company's press release
dated April 28, 2011 available on the Company's website at
www.orsumetals.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com);
-- Pit constrained mineral resource estimates announced in May 2011 and the
December 2011 Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource Estimates (see the
Company's press releases dated May 11, 2011 and December 8, 2011
available on the Company's website at www.orsumetals.com or SEDAR at
www.sedar.com); and
-- Karchiga DFS and the 2012 Mineral Reserve Estimates.
In February 2012, SRK completed the Karchiga DFS, using only the indicated
mineral resource estimates forming part of the December 2011 Pit-Constrained
Mineral Resource Estimates, the Karchiga DFS Report reported the 2012 Mineral
Reserve Estimates, being a probable mineral reserve estimate of 8.5 million
tonnes of sulphide ore in the central and north east pits containing 145,227t
(320 Mlb) of copper at an average grade of 1.71% Cu to be amenable to FL and
additional 1.5 million tonnes of ore in the central pit containing 21,399t (47.2
Mlb) of copper at an average grade of 1.43% Cu to be amenable to HL.
Table 2. Probable Mineral Reserves Estimates as of February 18, 2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cu Cu Au
Ore Tonnes Au Metal Metal Metal
Orebody Type (Mt) Cu % g/t (kt) (Mlb) (Koz)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central HL 1.5 1.43 0.06 21.4 47.2 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central FL 3.8 1.78 0.12 68.2 150.2 15.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
North East FL 4.7 1.64 0.18 77.0 169.8 27.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 10.0 1.67 0.14 166.6 367.2 45.6
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All figures are on a 100% ownership basis
Pit designs and the final NI 43-101 mineral reserve estimates dated February 18,
2012 were completed using two types of software; Whittle 4X optimisation
software was used to generate optimal pit shells which were designed in detail
using Vulcan software.
Key optimisation parameters are presented in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Whittle Input Parameters
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OVERALL SLOPE ANGLES PARAMETER
CENTRAL PIT
HANGING WALL 49 degrees
FOOTWALL 47 degrees
NORTH-EASTERN PIT
HANGING WALL 51 degrees
FOOTWALL 45 degrees
NORTHERN WALL 47 degrees
MINING & PROCESSING
MINING RECOVERY 95%
MINING DILUTION 5%
FRESH CU PROCESSING RECOVERY 94.0%
OXIDE CU PROCESSING RECOVERY 55.0%
COSTS
MINING COST
ORE 1.80 $/t
OXIDE 1.30 $/t
WASTE 1.60 $/t
FRESH PROCESSING COST 9.00 $/t ore
OXIDE PROCESSING COST 22.57 $/t ore
GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE COST 5.00 $/t ore
ROYALTY 5.7% of RoM Metal Value (above 0.7%
Cu head grade)
PRICE
CU SELLING PRICE 6,600 $/t Cu
NSR 83% (For Fresh Rock only)
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Capital Expenditure
The estimated total project capital expenditure ("CAPEX") over the mine life of
$147 million, including the solvent extraction with electro winning ("SXEW")
plant to treat the oxide ores, is made up as follows:
-- $21.5 million for mining equipment
-- $40.1 million for copper in concentrate processing plant and equipment
-- $26.3 million for SXEW plant
-- $21.7 million for mine site facilities and infrastructure
-- $26.3 million for sustaining capital & closure costs
-- $11.3 million for contingency
The estimated initial CAPEX is $115 million, which excludes the SXEW plant,
sustaining capital & closure costs but includes pre-production development
costs.
The Company estimates that a 12 to 15 month period is sufficient for the
construction of the processing facilities and pre-production development at the
Karchiga Project.
Mine Plan
The open pit mining schedule produced by SRK calculated a producing mine life of
11.5 years. The mining schedule envisages the mining of 10 Mt of sulphide and
oxide ore and 124 Mt of waste with a stripping ratio of 1:12.4 over the mine
life. The average mining rate of the operation is 750kt per annum.
For the first 2.25 years of the mine life, the mining schedule includes open pit
mining of the Central sulphide ore body alone in order to maximise the sulphide
copper grade and hence sulphide copper recovery. The optimised mine schedule has
been developed to minimise the stripping ratio in the initial three years of the
mine life. In addition, the use of stockpiling has enabled the Company to
increase the processed ore grade. From Year 4 until Year 7, sulphide ore will be
mined from both the Central and North East open pits. From Year 8 until the end
of mine life in Year 12, all mining will continue in the North East pit.
The average mining cost over the mine life is $1.7 per tonne of material moved.
Processing Plan and Economic Model
The plant is designed to process approximately 750,000 tonnes per annum of
sulphide ore. A conventional processing route was chosen using relatively fine
grinding and selective sulphide flotation to produce a 27.9% bulk concentrate.
The Company is currently seeking to secure finance for the Karchiga Project, and
the timing for the start of construction is dependent thereon.
Copper from the oxide ore will be extracted using SXEW process. The oxides will
be treated over a period of 4.5 years starting in 2020 at an annual production
rate of 360,000 tonnes and is expected to produce an average of 2.8kt (6.22Mlb)
of copper cathode per annum over that period. Production of cathode copper will
continue until 2024.
In order to reduce the initial capital expenditure, the SXEW plant construction
has been delayed until after the initial capital expenditure payback period
(which is anticipated to be 2.75 years). The plant has been designed to treat an
average of 30,000 tonnes of leachable oxide ore per month.
The results of the Karchiga DFS demonstrate that economically the best option is
to delay the SXEW construction until after the initial capital expenditure
payback period of 2.75 years, allowing the cost of construction to be financed
from the revenue generated by the sulphide ore treatment.
The project key performance indicators are shown in Table 4 below.
Table 4. Key Performance Indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Performance
Parameter Units Indicator
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual mining rate Tonnes 750,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average mining cost $/t of ore 22.99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual processing rate (FL) Tonnes 750,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mine life (FL) Years 11.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processing cost (FL) $/t of ore 8.91
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metallurgical recovery (FL) % 93.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual copper production, over
11.5 years (FL) '000 tonnes 11.82
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual copper production (FL) Mlb 26.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual processing rate (HL) Tonnes 360,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mine life (HL) Years 4.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processing cost (HL) $/t of ore 18.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metallurgical recovery (HL) % 61.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual copper production, over
4.5 years (HL) '000 tonnes 2.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average annual copper production (HL) Mlb 6.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash operating cost over the mine life
(pre tax) $/lb Cu 1.47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The mine is expected to produce a total of 149kt (328 Mlb) of payable copper,
with an average of 12,957t (28.57 Mlb) of copper production per annum.
The Karchiga Project site is located 10 km from the main road and a 110 kV
national power grid and is expected to be connected to the same as part of
construction. An adequate supply of water can be sourced from the River Kalzhir
as well as from aquifers in the immediate vicinity of the designed project
facilities.
The project key economic indicators are shown in Table 5 below.
Table 5. Key Economic Indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key Economic
Parameter Units Indicator
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total project CAPEX $m 147
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial CAPEX $m 115
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Net Smelter Revenue $m 971
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sulphide and Oxide Case @ $3.25/lb Cu:
- Post-Tax NPV7.5 $m 150
- Post-Tax IRR % 30
- Payback period Years 2.75
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sulphide and Oxide Case @ $3.00/lb Cu:
- Post-Tax NPV7.5 $m 113
- Post-Tax IRR % 25
- Payback period Years 3.0
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All figures are on a 100% ownership basis
The figures for NPV, IRR and payback in Table 5 assume 100% equity financing for
the Karchiga Project and a discount rate of 7.55% was used to derive the NPV.
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment study for the Karchiga Project
was successfully completed by WAI on January 31, 2012. In the normal course of
applying for the necessary construction permitting approvals and delays in the
timings thereof from the Kazakh authorities, the Company now expects to receive
the remaining necessary construction permitting approvals from the local Kazakh
authorities during the second quarter of 2013 having obtained the Approval from
the MINT in the third quarter of 2012. As at March 26, 2013 the copper price (as
quoted on the London Metal Exchange) was $3.45/lb, which if used in the above
scenarios may be expected to improve the economic results of the Karchiga
Project.
Karchiga DFS Expenditure
The Company originally estimated expenditure on the Karchiga DFS of $6.6
million, but due to increased resource drilling work covering an additional
oxide and sulphide drilling programme, the Company now expects to incur
expenditure of $9.2 million, which it expects to fund from its available cash.
As at March 31, 2012, the Company had incurred cumulative expenditure of $8.6
million relating to the Karchiga DFS since August 2010. The work undertaken
since April 2012 to date relates to the future construction of the mine at the
Karchiga Project.
Other matters
Following the completion of the Karchiga DFS the Company began the process of
identifying companies and contractors to complete the detailed design work going
forward into the start of construction. In addition the Company continues to
identify potential off-takers for the copper concentrate internationally,
including amongst others, the People's Republic of China ("China") and
Kazakhstan. The Karchiga Project is favourably located approximately 220 km
south east of the regional centre, Ust-Kamenogorsk, and approximately 40 km from
the Chinese border to the east. The nearest copper mining operation in China at
the Ashele VMS deposit, containing 1 million tonnes of copper, is located
approximately 85 km east-southeast from the Karchiga Project.
TALAS COPPER-GOLD-MOLYBDENUM PROJECT, KYRGYZSTAN
Licence information
Until its sale on July 23, 2012, the Company's material property in Kyrgyzstan
was the Talas Project.
The licences in the Talas Project were held by Talas Copper Gold LLC ("TCG"),
which became a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Gold Fields following the
completion of the Sale on July 23, 2012.
Prior to the completion of the Sale, the Company had been conducting exploration
and development activities with respect to the Talas Project through its
interest in the JV Company (as defined below), the direct holder of TCG.
Joint Venture with Gold Fields
Until the completion of the Sale, the Talas Project was subject to the joint
venture agreement dated December 3, 2008, as amended on August 14, 2009, between
the Company, the Gold Fields Group, Lero, Kami Associates Limited (the "JV
Company") and TCG (the "JV Agreement").
Pursuant to the terms of the JV Agreement the Gold Fields Group had earned a 60%
interest in the JV Company in January 2010, with the Company then retaining a
40% interest in the JV Company.
The Sale
On July 23, 2012, the Company completed the Sale to the Gold Fields Group for
$10 million cash. The Company was also refunded its aggregate contributions of
$240,089 to the 2012 Talas Project exploration programme. Following the
completion of the Sale, the Gold Fields Group now owns a 100% interest in the
Talas Project and the Company's joint venture with Gold Fields in relation to
the Talas Project was terminated.
In addition to acquiring Orsu's 40% interest in the Talas Project, the Gold
Fields Group also agreed to the Subscription by subscribing for 25 million Units
at a price of CAD$0.40 per Unit for gross proceeds of CAD$10 million. Each Unit
is to consist of one Common Share and one half of one Warrant. Each Warrant will
be exercisable for a period of three years from the date of issue to acquire one
Common Share at a price of CAD$0.50. The gross proceeds of CAD$10 million cash
are being held in escrow pending the Company's receipt of the Kazakh Formal
Waiver or Gold Fields waiver of such condition. The Units will not be issued to
the Gold Fields Group until such condition has been satisfied or waived by the
Gold Fields Group. Upon completion of the Subscription, the Gold Fields Group
will own 26,134,919 Common Shares and 12,500,000 Warrants. All Common Shares
issued pursuant to the Subscription or any subsequent exercise of the Warrants
(within 4 months of the Unit issuance date) will be subject to a hold
restriction for 4 months after the date the Units are issued.
AKDJOL-TOKHTAZAN PROJECT, KYRGYZSTAN
Licence Information
The Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project contains the Akdjol (108km2) and Tokhtazan (4km2)
exploration licences, both of which are held by OiK LLC, in which the Company
holds an indirect 100% interest through its wholly owned subsidiary, Tournon.
In December 2012, the Akdjol and Tokhtazan licences were extended until December
31, 2015 by the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic
(which replaced the former Ministry of Natural Resources between the fourth
quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012).
The exploration licences can be further extended by agreement of a work program
with the Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The expenditure obligations on the Tokhtazan and Akdjol licences are shown below:
Table 15: Tokhtazan and Akdjol licence obligations (2013-2015)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tokhtazan Licence Akdjol Licence
Year Obligations Obligations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 $ 583,500 $ 1,340,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014 $ 1,215,000 $ 993,400
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 $ 300,000 $ 416,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential disposal of the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project
In November 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity Agreement with David-Invest, which was subject to
the Company renewing the exploration licenses and which was successfully
achieved in December 2012. The key terms of the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity
Agreement are that:
-- During the term of the Exclusivity Period, David-Invest has been granted
the exclusive right to purchase the Company's interest in the Akdjol-
Tokhtazan Project for consideration of $4.5 million, and
-- In return for being granted exclusivity, David-Invest will fund the
exploration programme for the Akdjol and Tokhtazan licences on a non-
refundable basis during the Exclusivity Period.
FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012
For the year ended December 31, 2012 the Company reported a net loss on
continuing operations of $2.4 million.
As at December 31, 2012 the Company had net assets of $29.8 million of which
$9.8 million were cash and cash equivalents and a $7.3 million receivable asset
representing the fair value of the CAD$10 million Subscription entered into by
Gold Fields which is subject to the Company obtaining the Kazakh Formal Waiver.
The net loss for 2012 of $2.4 million consisted of: administrative costs of $4.2
million, legal and professional costs of $1.4 million, exploration costs of $1.6
million, a stock-based compensation charge of $0.1 million, the Company's share
of the Talas Project losses of $0.8 million, a net loss from the disposal group
asset held for sale of $1.7 million and a derivative loss of $0.4 million in
relation the fair value of the Subscription. The 2012 losses were partially
offset by a net after tax gain on the Sale of $7.6 million, $0.1 million net
foreign exchange gains and interest income of $0.1 million.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2012 were $9.8
million compared to $10.3 million as at December 31, 2011, representing a
decrease of $0.5 million. The decrease was due primarily to corporate and
exploration expenditure of $6.7 million, the expenditure on property, plant and
equipment of $2.4 million, deferred finance costs of $0.9 million and Orsu's 40%
funding of the Talas Project of $0.3 million. This was partially offset by net
proceeds, after the legal and professional fees, from the Sale of $9.8 million.
After the completion of the Karchiga DFS in March 2012 the Company considered
both the technical feasibility and economic viability of the Karchiga Project to
be validated. As a result expenditure incurred from April 2012 onwards, in
relation to the construction of a mining and processing facility for the
Karchiga Project, was considered by the Company to be development expenditure,
or pre-production expenditure, and recorded as property, plant and machinery. In
the period from April to December 31, 2012 the Company incurred $2.3 million of
development expenditure. In addition, the Company began the process of seeking
to secure project financing for the Karchiga Project and incurred financial
advisory costs of $0.9 million in the period up to December 31, 2012, which the
Company considers to be borrowing costs directly related to the raising of debt
finance for the Karchiga Project and have been capitalised as deferred finance
costs in the audited consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2012.
In July 2012, the Company completed the Sale of the Talas Project to the Gold
Fields Group for total consideration of $10 million. In addition, the Gold
Fields Group also entered into an agreement for the Subscription for gross
proceeds of CAD$10 million which have been advanced into escrow until completion
which is subject to the Company obtaining the Kazakh Formal Waiver. Until
completion of the Subscription the Company considers the Subscription to be a
derivative instrument and has recorded a derivative receivable after measuring
an initial fair value of $7.6 million, being the excess of the expected gross
proceeds from the Subscription, CAD$10 million, over the fair value of the
Common Shares and Warrants. In total as at December 31, 2012 including the
consideration from the Sale of $10 million and an initial fair value of the
Subscription of $7.6 million the Company recorded a net gain on Sale of $7.7
million after deducting the cost of equity investment in the Talas Project, tax
and legal and professional fees in relation to the Sale (see section "Sale of
equity investment in Talas Project" below). In relation to the Subscription the
Company subsequently re-measured the fair value of the Subscription as at
December 31, 2012 resulting in a derivative loss of $0.4 million for the year.
In November 2012 the Company entered into the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Exclusivity
Agreement with David-Invest. As at December 31, 2012 the Company considers that
this asset continues to meet the criteria to be classified as "held for sale"
and as a result of re-measuring the fair value less costs to sell of the
disposal group, recognized an impairment loss of $1.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2012.
Also in November 2012, the Company announced that, as part of its ongoing
objective to seek to acquire new exploration licenses in Kazakhstan, it had
entered into the Balkhash Agreement ending in April 2013 (subject to extension)
to jointly explore the Balkhash Project. As a result, in the fourth quarter of
2012 the Company funded exploration work totalling $0.8 million which has been
recorded as exploration expenditure for the year ended December 31, 2012.
SALE OF EQUITY INVESTMENT IN THE TALAS PROJECT
The net gain on the Sale of the Talas Project as at December 31, 2012 is shown
below:
July 13,
2012
$000
Cash proceeds received 10,000
Fair value of Subscription proceeds held in escrow 7,638
---------
Total sale consideration 17,638
Less:
Equity investment in Talas Project as at January 1, 2012 10,111
Funding provided by the Company during the period, net of
recovery of $240,089 288
Less: Company's 40% share of operating losses to date of
disposal (783)
----------
Equity investment in Talas Project disposed of (9,616)
Legal and professional fees (202)
---------
Gain before tax on disposal of Talas Project as at July
13, 2012 7,820
---------
---------
Capital gains taxable payable on disposal of Talas
Project (195)
---------
Net gain on disposal of Talas Project as at July 13, 2012 7,625
---------
---------
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As at December 31, 2012 the Company's main source of liquidity was unrestricted
cash and cash equivalents of $9.8 million, compared with $10.3 million as at
December 31, 2011.
The Company measures its consolidated working capital as comprising free cash,
accounts receivable, prepayments and other receivables, less accounts payable
and accrued liabilities. As at December 31, 2012, the Company's consolidated
working capital was $9.3 million (compared with a consolidated working capital
of $10.6 million as at December 31, 2011).
The Company's working capital needs as at December 31, 2012 included the
maintenance of funding for its exploration and development activities, including
its expenditure obligations under the Balkhash Agreement, the acquisition of new
mineral exploration properties, its corporate and administrative expenditures
requirements and potential contributions towards project finance, if and when
arranged, in relation to the Karchiga Project, as deemed appropriate. The
Company expects to fund its working capital requirements for 2013, other than as
set out below, and be able to contribute towards the pursuit of future growth
opportunities (which may include acquiring one or more additional assets), if
and when such opportunities arise, from its unrestricted cash of $9.8 million as
at December 31, 2012 and potential net proceeds, if any, from the sale of the
Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project. In the Company's view, the consolidated working
capital as at December 31, 2012 is sufficient to satisfy its working capital
needs, other than as described below, for at least the next twelve months.
The construction of mining facilities and commencement of mining operations at
the Karchiga Project, if any, will require an estimated initial capital
expenditure of $115 million (see "Operational review - Karchiga copper project,
Kazakhstan") for which the Company will be required to raise additional
financing in the future. In July 2012, the Company appointed Barclays and
UniCredit as the Mandated Lead Arrangers to use commercially reasonable efforts
to secure project debt financing. If the Company secures the required debt
financing on acceptable commercial terms, and receives the final local
regulatory approvals for the Karchiga Project, then it may apply also apply a
proportion of the Sale proceeds and, if released from escrow, Subscription
proceeds towards the project financing requirements as the Company determines
necessary. Whilst the Company has been successful in raising debt and other
financing in the past, the Company's ability to raise additional debt and other
financing as well as receiving the Kazakh Formal Waiver for the Subscription may
be affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including, but not
limited to, adverse market conditions and/or commodity price changes and
economic downturn and those other factors that are listed under "Risks and
Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A.
Consolidated statement of net loss and comprehensive loss
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(Prepared in accordance with IFRS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 2011
$000 $000
Operating expenses
Administration (4,171) (3,746)
Legal and professional (1,411) (1,328)
Exploration (1,618) (4,991)
Stock based compensation (127) (701)
Stock based compensation - non employees (7) (36)
Company's share of Talas Project losses (783) (948)
Foreign exchange gains 102 49
------------------------
(8,015) (11,701)
Gain on sale of Talas Project 7,820 -
Loss on derivative receivable (368) -
Net loss from disposal group asset held for sale (1,733) -
Finance income 47 63
Impairment loss for asset held for sale - (331)
Derivative gains share purchase warrants - 6,245
Deferred consideration income - 1,908
Net gain on settlement of oil interests - 2,028
------------------------
Net loss for the year before income tax (2,249) (1,788)
------------------------
------------------------
Tax charge for the year (195) -
------------------------
Net loss and total comprehensive loss (2,444) (1,788)
------------------------
------------------------
Net (loss)/income attributable to:
Owners of the parent (2,350) (2,458)
Non-controlling interest (94) 670
------------------------
(2,444) (1,788)
------------------------
------------------------
Losses per share
Basic $ (0.02) $ (0.01)
Diluted $ (0.02) $ (0.01)
Weighted average number of common shares (in
thousands) 157,696 157,696
Consolidated balance sheet
As at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(Prepared in accordance with IFRS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 2011
Assets $000 $000
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 9,771 10,319
Prepaid and receivables 870 737
Assets of Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project held for sale 4,508 6,116
Derivative receivable 7,270 -
--------------------
22,419 17,172
Non-current assets
Deferred finance costs 939 -
Property, plant and equipment 7,076 353
Exploration properties - 4,404
Equity investment in Talas Project - 10,111
Other assets 879 657
--------------------
8,894 15,525
--------------------
Total assets 31,313 32,697
--------------------
--------------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,360 448
Liabilities of Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project held for sale 80 66
--------------------
1,440 514
Non-current liabilities
Other liabilities 120 120
--------------------
1,560 634
Equity
Share capital 380,145 380,145
Share purchase warrants - 1,131
Share purchase options 5,887 6,062
Contributed surplus 28,268 26,828
Non-controlling interest (348) (254)
Deficit (384,199) (381,849)
--------------------
29,753 32,063
--------------------
Total equity and liabilities 31,313 32,697
--------------------
--------------------
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(Prepared in accordance with IFRS)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 2011
$000 $000
Cash flows used by operating activities
Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year (2,444) (1,788)
Items not affecting cash:
Company share of Talas Project losses 783 948
Gain on sale of investment in Talas Project (7,820) -
Tax charge on sale of Talas Project 195 -
Depreciation and amortization 103 123
Impairment of asset held for sale 1,331 331
Loss on derivative receivable 368 -
Share-based payments 134 737
Foreign exchange losses 12 23
Gain on settlement of oil interests - (2,028)
Deferred consideration - (1,908)
Derivative gains share purchase warrants - (6,246)
--------------------
(7,338) (9,808)
Changes in non-cash working capital:
Accounts receivable and other assets (75) (758)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 722 (171)
--------------------
Net cash used by operating activities (6,691) (10,737)
Cash flows from/(used by) investing activities
Expenditures on property, plant and equipment (2,421) (74)
Funding of investment in Talas Project (288) (838)
Cash proceeds from sale of Talas Project, net of legal
and professional fees 9,798 -
Deferred consideration received - 7,000
Proceeds from net investment in residual oil and gas
interests - 2,668
Acquisition of Eildon minority interest - (6,188)
--------------------
Net cash from investing activities 7,089 2,568
Cash flows used for financing activities
Deferred finance costs (939) -
Distribution to non-controlling interest - (1,086)
--------------------
Net cash used for financing activities (939) (1,086)
--------------------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the year (541) (9,255)
--------------------
Cash and cash equivalents - Beginning of the year 10,341 19,596
--------------------
Cash and cash equivalents - End of the year 9,800 10,341
--------------------
--------------------
Cash and cash equivalents per the consolidated balance
sheets 9,771 10,319
Included in the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project classified held
for sale 29 22
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release and the Company's MD&A contain or refer to forward-looking
information. All information, other than information regarding historical fact
that addresses activities, events or developments that the Company believes,
expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future is forward-looking
information. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation,
statements relating to: the continued and future maintenance, exploration and
development, as applicable, of the Karchiga Project and the Balkhash Project and
the timing related thereto; development and operational plans and objectives,
including the Company's expectations relating to the development of the Karchiga
Project and its acquisition and development of new mineral exploration licenses,
properties and projects; the Company's ability to satisfy certain future
expenditure obligations; mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates;
estimated project economics, cash flow, costs, expenditures, revenue, capital
payback, performance and economic indicators and sources of funding; the use and
sufficiency of the Company's working capital for the next twelve months; the
anticipated arranging of a debt facility by the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the
potential participation by other debt providers; the anticipated receipt by the
Company of the proceeds of the Subscription and the value attributed thereto and
the Company's expected uses thereof and the proceeds from the Sale;
the potential raising of additional funding through the disposition of the
Company's Kyrgyz assets and the proposed uses thereof; the estimated mine life,
NPV and IRR for, and forecasts relating to tonnages and amounts to be mined
from, and processing and expected recoveries and grades at, the Karchiga Project
as well as the other forecasts, estimates and expectations relating to the
Karchiga DFS Report; the expected effect of copper prices on the economic
results of the Karchiga Project; the mine design and plan for the Karchiga
Project, including mining at, and production from, the Karchiga Project, as well
as the expected timing and the Company's ability to receive the remaining local
approvals in connection therewith related thereto; the estimated holdings of the
Gold Fields Group in the Common Shares and Warrants following the completion of
the Subscription; the anticipated sale of the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project
(including the valuation attributed to the expected proceeds thereon); the
future political and legal regimes and regulatory environments relating to the
mining industry in Kazakhstan and/or Kyrgyzstan; the Company's expectations and
beliefs with respect to the waiver of the State's pre-emptive right with respect
to the Karchiga Project and the past placements of the Common Shares being
covered thereby; receipt of the Kazakh Formal Waiver or the waiver thereof by
Gold Fields as a condition to the completion of the Subscription; the
significance of any individual claims by non-Ontario residents with respect to
the Claim; and the Company's future growth (including new opportunities and
acquisitions) and its ability to raise or secure new funding.
The forward-looking information in this press release and the Company's MD&A
reflects the current expectations, assumptions or beliefs of the Company based
on information currently available to the Company. With respect to
forward-looking information contained in this press release and the Company's
MD&A, the Company has made assumptions regarding, among other things, the
Company's ability to generate sufficient funds from debt sources and/or capital
markets to meet its future expected obligations and planned activities
(including the ability of the Mandated Lead Arrangers to secure a project debt
finance facility on terms acceptable to the Company), the Company's business
(including the continued exploration and development of, as applicable, the
Karchiga Project and the Balkhash Project and the timing and methods to be
employed with respect to same), the estimation of mineral resources and mineral
reserves, the parameters and assumptions employed in the Karchiga DFS Report,
the economy and the mineral exploration and extraction industry in general, the
political environments and the regulatory frameworks in Kazakhstan and
Kyrgyzstan with respect to, among other things, the mining industry generally,
royalties, taxes, environmental matters and the Company's ability to obtain,
maintain, renew and/or extend required permits, licenses, authorisations and/or
approvals from the appropriate local regulatory authorities, including the
receipt of the necessary construction and development permits and local
regulatory approvals required to develop the Karchiga Project as anticipated as
well as the Kazakh Formal Waiver and that the previous waiver granted by the
Competent Authority covers any pre-emptive right that the Competent Authority or
State has in respect of any past placements, future capital, operating and
production costs and cash flow discounts, anticipated mining and processing
rates, the Company's ability to continue to obtain qualified staff and equipment
in a timely and cost-efficient manner, assumptions relating to the Company's
critical accounting policies, and has also assumed that no unusual geological or
technical problems occur, and that equipment works as anticipated, no material
adverse change in the price of copper, gold or molybdenum occurs and no
significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business.
Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties
that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results
are realised or substantially realised, there can be no assurance that they will
have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations include, but are not limited to: risks normally incidental to
exploration and development of mineral properties and operating hazards;
uncertainties in the interpretation of results from drilling and metallurgical
test work; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining
results will not be consistent with expectations; uncertainty of mineral
resource and mineral reserve estimates; technical and design factors;
uncertainty of capital and operating costs, production and economic returns;
uncertainties relating to the estimates and assumptions used, and risks in the
methodologies employed, in the Karchiga DFS Report; adverse changes in commodity
prices; the inability of the Company to obtain required financing on favourable
terms or at all (including with respect to the debt financing expected to be
secured by the Mandated Lead Arrangers) or to complete the Subscription or the
disposition of the Akdjol-Tokhtazan Project; the Company's inability to obtain,
maintain, renew and/or extend required licenses, permits, authorizations and/or
approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities, including (without
limitation) the Company's inability to obtain (or a delay in obtaining) the
necessary construction and development permits and local regulatory approvals
for the Karchiga Project or the Kazakh Formal Waiver, and other risks relating
to the regulatory frameworks in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; adverse changes in
the political environments in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the laws governing
the Company, its subsidiaries and their respective business activities;
inflation; changes in exchange and interest rates; adverse general market
conditions; lack of availability, at a reasonable cost or at all, of equipment
or labour; the inability to attract and retain key management and personnel; the
possibility of non-resident class members commencing individual claims in
connection with the Claim; the Company's inability to delineate additional
mineral resources and mineral reserves; and future unforeseen liabilities and
other factors including, but not limited to, those listed under "Risk and
Uncertainties" in the Company's MD&A.
Any mineral resource and mineral reserve figures referred to in this press
release and the Company's MD&A are estimates and no assurances can be given that
the indicated levels of minerals will be produced. Such estimates are
expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of
drilling results and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time
may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the
Company believes that the mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates in
respect of its properties are well established, by their nature mineral resource
and mineral reserve estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent,
upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such
mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in
the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company. Due to the
uncertainty that may be attached to inferred mineral resources, it cannot be
assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to
an indicated or measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated
economic viability.
Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made
and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company
disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information,
whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the
forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a
guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put
on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Orsu Metals Corporation
Kevin Denham
Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
+44 (0) 20 7518 3999
+44 (0)20 7518 3998 (FAX)
info@orsumetals.com
www.orsumetals.com
Canaccord Genuity Limited
Ryan Gaffney
+44 (0) 20 7523 8000
Canaccord Genuity Limited
Andrew Chubb
+44 (0) 20 7523 8000
Vanguard Shareholder Solutions
+1 604 608 0824
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