RE: Great entry point4 Sep 2019 13:47
This project equity proposal reflects KEFI's commitment to maximum feasible "Ethiopianisation" at every level of its activities in the country. The Federal Ethiopian and Regional Oromia Governments have publicly declared that mining is a top priority and Tulu Kapi is the most advanced modern mining project in the Oromia region and in Ethiopia generally. The Project, which is designed to comply with national and international environmental and social standards (in particular Equator Principles and World Bank IFC Standards), will be directly employing and training over 1,000 people by the end of 2019 if all goes according to plan, and would generate significant indirect benefits to local and regional stakeholders for the long term, in addition to export revenues of approximately US$200 million per annum.
In related developments last week, the Tulu Kapi local government community compensation committee commenced the process of allocating the proposed compensation payments to the individual households to be resettled. TKGM also re-affirmed its commitment to the livelihood restoration program for resettled households, its commitment to the community development program set out as part of its mining licence approvals and appointed its senior site services manager to oversee the Company's social performance team for community programs as part of the role.
Harry Adams, Chairman of KEFI Minerals commented:
"We are delighted to have agreed terms with the Ethiopian investment syndicate, which further strengthens our alignment with local stakeholders for our Tulu Kapi project. Their investment on roughly the same terms as the Ethiopian Government means that c.46% of the Project equity will now be held by the Ethiopian Government and local investors to complement the other benefits.
"KEFI's remaining c.54% beneficial interest in the Project, along the lines previously foreshadowed, gives the Company an implied valuation of US$66 million based on these transaction metrics, whilst not including any value for the Tulu Kapi underground deposit or the exploration prospects in Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, the largest countries within the highly prospective Arabian Nubian Shield where KEFI is focused.
"KEFI has now assembled the proposed full project funding consortium, including contractors, equity and non-equity capital and is expected to move towards full financial close later this year by closing out the remaining Ethiopian Government processes and approvals, along with completion of due diligence and formal documentation. The Company looks forward to updating shareholders on its progress over the coming months."