Kabwe - the Prize11 May 2025 21:36
13 December 2024 RNS -
Independent Competent Person Report commissioned by the Company has reconfirmed sizeable remaining non JORC compliant resources of 5.723Mt, containing approx. 700kt of zinc and 100kt of lead, with current in situ value of +US$2 billion
RNS 19 March 2025 -
The results received confirm our initial field observations regarding the world famous Kabwe Mine in Zambia. The results were even better than we expected. In the modern day, where the need for critical
minerals such as Gallium, Vanadium and Yttrium is ever important, it is exciting that the Kabwe mine contains these valuable elements, as well as the main Zinc and Lead mineralization.
The results obtained confirm the extremely high-grade nature of the at surface deposit
· The presence of valuable Critical Minerals and Metals such as Cesium (Cs), Cerium (Ce), Gallium (Ga), Molybdenum (Mo), Rubidium (Rb), Scandium (Sc), Vanadium (V) and Yttrium (Y) were also identified, having not previously been considered for exploitation at Kabwe
· Zinc grades returned in the range from 7.5% Zn in the overburden, 14-16% Zn in the Pit 2 outcrops and 20-27% in the washed material from artisanal worked areas in Pit 5.
· Two samples returned values of greater than 30% Zn (the normal lab detection limits) and will be sent to ALS Vancouver for further analysis.
· Lead grades above lab detection limits were also returned from 8 of the 10 samples and have been re-submitted for "Overlimit" testing with results pending.
· Silver (Ag) grades of 1-7g/t were also encountered and are expected to provide a further revenue stream in the future.
Funding - in addition to funds so far provided by GMI interest free, this was stated by Richard Lloyd in the RNS of 4 April 2025 - “It is reassuring that AUO continue to support us financially and share the vision of the 'new Shuka' and continue to support us in our growth and aspirations. The extension to both the availability and repayment of the CLN provides a funding solution OVER and ABOVE the required cash consideration in the SPA for the Leopard and Kabwe transaction." The capitalisation of the words OVER and ABOVE are mine to highlight them.
Agreement was reached with Leopard for completion by 11 June - one month to go. Hopefully the deal can be completed by then. Waiting on approval from Zambia perhaps as no announcement has been made further on that, although that wouldn’t necessarily have been RNSd. I would expect completion to be further extended if need be, but hopefully it will not need to be.
GL all you patient shareholders.
Note the last part of the final paragraph - “over and above the required cash consideration in the SPA for the Leopard and Kabwe transaction”