Potential acquisition11 May 2024 16:38
Zinc is currently the fourth most widely consumed metal in the world after iron, aluminium, and copper. It has strong anticorrosive properties and bonds well with other metals. Consequently, about one-half of the zinc that is produced is used in zinc galvanizing, which is the process of adding thin layers of zinc to iron or steel to prevent rusting.
The next leading use of zinc is as an alloy; the zinc is combined with copper (to form brass) and with other metals to form materials that are used in automobiles, electrical components, and household fixtures. A third significant use of zinc is in the production of zinc oxide (the most important zinc chemical by production volume), which is used in rubber manufacturing and as a protective skin ointment.
The price of zinc has been rising fast this year.
Namib Lead and Zinc looks to be an ideal acquisition for Unicorn, as it would produce the same mineral - zinc - that the company already has a resource for in Ireland. One thing the company needs is revenue from a second or even third resource to provide funds for financing their Irish operation, which could prove valuable based on the results from the work that they have already carried out there and the excellent results from nearby projects.
Namib Lead and Zinc has a full mining licence, 2 exploration permits and the necessary environmental permits. It also has 56 potential targets for mineral deposits discovered from a survey carried out in 2022.
It has been under care and maintenance since 2022.
In summary, Namib Lead Zinc Mine is a low-cost, high-grade, fully permitted, construction production ready project with near-mine Resource expansion upside. It is located 30 km from the town of Swakopmund and 75km from the port of Walvis Bay with fully established infrastructure to re-start mining operations.
Historic production of narrow zones from 1968 to 1991 has transitioned to modern bulk mining and a newly constructed processing and flotation plant. Production after restart in 2019 achieved levels up to 19,000 ore tonnes per month and 2,000 tonnes of contained metal per month.
This is the sort of near revenue producing asset which is the type that Jason Brewer looks for.
Unicorn's current mcap is just £3.22m and a low free-float with the Chairman and Board having a decent level of shares in the company.