Member Info for SussexEngineer

NICODEMUS63

I am not a geologist but I have been to a number of phosphate plants, non of which are processing their gypsum (calcium sulphate) piles. Phosphates and calcites (calcium carbonates) are both sedimentary deposits, so are often found in the same region. The first stage, after crushing the ore is to react it with excess sulphuric acid. This produces phosphoric acid and gypsum. The phosphoric acid can then be used in other tail end production processes. The insoluble gypsum is separated out, generally as a waste product and piled up. The key question is, are there rare earth elements also within the insoluble gypsum? I am guessing, based on the phosphate plants I have been to, generally not in sufficient quantity to justify further separation.

As the RNS has stated, on South Africa, there is. Having removed the phosphate (P2O5) fraction (I am guessing 20 - 30%), the concentration within the gypsum pile is now greater. In addition the site have separated out the phosphate fraction leaving it easier and less costly to further concentrate the rare earth elements.

It is sitting on the US float money and funds by not paying a final dividend because it has core objectives. I topped up at 1250, in October, regretted it for a week or two and then have seen it rise and steady, which is something I wish GSK had done. You can't be successful all the time and you can't always time it correctly.

Alba is a long term play. Extracting gold, in the case of the Welsh assets, in meaningful amounts, will take years and money. This pilot plant separation plant, is just that. It is for small scale production but at this stage assaying. Once a more complete picture of the deposits is gleaned, then a plan of action can be mounted by the geologist and BOD.

I have been critical of how the BOD have gone about getting additional funds but not that they need funds. Yes it has affected sentiment and sentiment drives the SP. Giving money back is not the right move atm. Alba management have been open, more open than most. Let them get on with the work and see where this journey takes us. All the indicators are positive, except the SP. The SP will move when sentiment returns and more positive news cannot be resisted for ever.

Very few AIM companies do it but a shareholder rights issue, especially for such a relatively small sum, would have been the more accepted approach. LTH already know the company, have a stake in the company and do not want their investment diluted. The company needs the money, it is a rare win win outcome. However going behind shareholders backs, with the RNS placement, undermined confidence. Hopefully it will be temporary.

They had yesterdays date, so reasonable assumption. Must have taken time to fill.

Bishop_Basher, did it say "Groups will attack in packs if not towing the line"? :)

7 million shares sold within 12 minutes of the perceived excellent RNS yesterday, almost as though the sellers knew this was the correct option. I like many topped up, at a time when this selling was being filled, behind the scenes. To say I am annoyed is an understatement, with todays money raising effort. Why did they not try a shareholder rights issue at 0.37p? At least then shareholders would have the ability to raise their value in the company.

Interesting that 7 million shares sold within 12 minutes of the RNS. It took a few hours for these to fill, meaning that purchasers did not drive the price up, as would be expected.