RE: Great entry point4 Sep 2019 11:40
· TKGM has initiated currency conversion processes with the Ethiopian central bank for an agreed part of the funds provided by ANS Mining's equity subscription to be used to meet planned hard currency expenditures for project development; and
· The overall Project development plan has been re-sequenced after consultations with principal construction contractor Lycopodium to keep the start of production date at mid-2021, whilst giving more time for the first phase of community resettlement. There is expected to be no change to the start of production target date as long as the first phase community resettlement is triggered in September 2019 for completion in November 2019, which the Company believes is reasonable given that the community is supportive, the resettlement plans are ready and the authorities are very responsive and determined.
As previously stated, the terms for the ANS Mining investment have already been agreed by the other partners in TKGM (KEFI and the Government-sector partner) and the conditions precedent for closing the Project equity instalment were in hand. The requirement for an updated report by independent experts as regards security, community and local government readiness is a new development, but one that is understandable in the current climate. Whilst the recent security concerns in Ethiopia have therefore delayed the triggering of ANS Mining's first equity subscription into TKGM, given the collaborative atmosphere at site and work undertaken to date, these updates are expected to be received in a timely fashion and the Directors of KEFI and TKGM believe that the overall development plan and initial production date are unaffected.
These elevated security precautions are normal responses to the situation and merely reflect TKGM partners' commitment to this exciting first-mover mining project for Ethiopia. Likewise, KEFI considers that Ethiopia's own elevated security responses in this past week reflect its commitment to remain on track as Africa's highest growth country as well as with its overwhelmingly positive reforms.
All parties also recognise that keeping the Project schedule on track is now also important for the added reason of coinciding with the current gold price upswing so as to minimise financial risk and maximise economic benefits for all stakeholders.
At a gold price of US1,400/oz the following are the estimates for the open pit only:
· Project export revenues are projected at c. US$200 million per annum which would likely make it the country's largest single-enterprise export generator;
· TKGM NPV on start of production in 2021 is estimated at £196 million (US$249 million). And from KEFI's viewpoint, the Company's planned 45% beneficial interest in the Project NPV at start of production would be £88 million (US$112 million);
· Today, at start of construction, KEFI's planned beneficial interest in the NPV is estimated at £59 million ($74 million); and
· Project