AGM14 Jun 2019 14:05
Good to meet Fastjet, Fosters and Ironman yesterday. I am sure other BB members were around.
Generally a professional and very informative AGM, but would echo the opinions that some of the board might have at least looked more interested. Maybe they were tired after all the recent efforts, but I have been involved in such meetings at a corporate level and without exception always found a greater enthusiasm and energy from all, not just those speaking.
Directly from my notes:
Great contribution to the UK economy with over £355m spent and £200m of this locally in the region
900 employees directly involved in project, another 245 indirectly
Approx. 80,000 shareholders ( hoping we might have enough members attending next year to hold AGM in York Barbican………hint hint to bod )
Target is late 2021 for first production, with incentives for all to achieve March 2021, but without indication that I can recall, that they are any reasonable distance ahead of timescales. Too early for that, but see next note.
Redcar Mudstone is where the TBM is operating through. They are finding a straightforward operation due to this type of rock and as such should help in achieving good progress ahead of target production. Local Boulby mine had significant excavation of similar stone and apparently they managed without lining the shafts? Not sure whether not needing to ‘grout’ was mentioned ( perhaps Myo can elaborate on this )
Worldwide distribution network, tailored/relevant to local conditions( eg Brazil, India 55m farmers!! )
Potential to combine with other existing competitor’s products for their enhancement. I expect announcements of this perhaps in the coming months.
2021-2023 CF perhaps to move on and hand over to a mine “operator” as CEO
Confirmed that IPA was a major hurdle before Stage 2 deal. Sirius could not wait for our beloved politicians ( my words ) otherwise the mine progress would have ground to a halt ( and perhaps govt have decided to limit support to the Northern Powerhouse, to putting USB points in the old steam trains up here ). Quoting “If government had acted in an honest way”……whatever that means from CF??
Slide 17 a good illustration of funding………..with contingency of $1bn. I am hopeful that the board with the support of its contractors can minimise the use of this and certainly not overspend to the same degree as our aforementioned politicos/government depts.
Another quote which interested me was that the SP is……… “So far from fundamental value”. Having attended the meeting I am more confident in the progress of our company. The board seem to be very professional and approachable, but some need to be more of a board than bored.
Finally Fastjet, I believe the surname was Warters not Lotus………………8.38 Friday morning post.
Best wishes to all investors!