newcrest only own 40% no offer until stage 3 completed ?25 Apr 2020 17:47
Highlights of the Farm-In Agreement
· Newcrest has the right to acquire up to a 70% interest in 12 blocks within E45/4701 that cover the Havieron target (the "Tenement Blocks") by spending up to US$65m (roughly £50m or AUD$90m) and completing a series of exploration and development milestones in a four-stage Farm-in over six years.
· After meeting the milestones in the four-stage Farm-in (set out below), Newcrest has the option to acquire an additional 5% interest at fair market value taking Newcrest's interest in the Farm-in to 75%.
· Newcrest will have the right but not the obligation to acquire up to an initial 70% Farm-in Interest in the Tenement Blocks in accordance with the following four-stage farm-in procedure:
o Stage 1: Newcrest incurs US$10 million in expenditure (inclusive of the Minimum Commitment of US$5 million) in relation to the Tenement Blocks (the "Stage 1 Commitment") within a period of 12 months;
o Stage 2: If Newcrest incurs an additional US$10 million in expenditure in relation to the Tenement Blocks (the "Stage 2 Commitment") within a period of 12 months from the date following satisfaction of the Stage 1 Commitment, Newcrest will earn a 40% Farm-in interest;
o Stage 3: If Newcrest incurs an additional US$25 million in expenditure in relation to the Tenement Blocks and delivers a Pre-Feasibility Study for a project on the Tenement Blocks (the "Stage 3 Commitment") within a period of 24 months from the date following satisfaction of the Stage 2 Commitment, Newcrest will earn an additional 20% Farm-in Interest (cumulative 60% Farm-in interest);
o Stage 4: If Newcrest completes and delivers, or incurs no less than US$20 million in expenditure toward the carrying out of, a Feasibility Study for a project on the Tenement Blocks (the "Stage 4 Commitment") within a period of 24 months from the date following satisfaction of the Stage 3 Commitment, Newcrest will earn an additional 10% Farm-in Interest (cumulative 70% Farm-in interest).
· Newcrest must incur US$5m in expenditure within 12 months of the Farm-in commencing (the "Minimum Commitment").
· Newcrest will act as Manager during the Farm-in period and it is expected that drilling at Havieron will recommence in April 2019, under Newcrest's management and at Newcrest's expense, and subject to Newcrest receiving all required regulatory and heritage approvals.
· The current intention of both parties is that, subject to a positive Feasibility Study outcome, the ore from the proposed Havieron Joint Venture will be toll processed at Newcrest's Telfer Gold Mine ("Telfer"), which sits approximately 45km to the west of Havieron, delivering material economic and operational benefits for both parties. These include:
o lower upfront capital costs (no requirement to build a new processing plant);
o ability to leverage all existing infrastructure at Telfer (roads, airport, power, water);
o reduced time to production and fi