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Quarterly Report

28 Apr 2017 07:19

Aura Energy Limited - Quarterly Report

Aura Energy Limited - Quarterly Report

PR Newswire

London, April 28

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

29th APRIL 2017

AURA ENERGY LIMITED(“Aura” or the “Company”)

MARCH QUARTERLY REPORT

KEY POINTS:

TIRIS PROJECT (Mauritania)

· Tiris Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) has progressed strongly in all areas

· Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) largely complete

· Tiris Shareholders Agreement with Mauritanian Government currently under negotiation

· Tiris Project Water Study approaching drill testing phase

· Tiris Resource Upgrade drilling to commence in May

· Metallurgical test work to commence in June

· Mining Lease Application to be lodged in May

TASIAST SOUTH GOLD PROJECT (Mauritania)

· Planning continued for exploration of Aura’s gold tenements

· Strong regional drill results continue by Algold Resources (TSX)

· Finalisation exploration permits expected soon

· Cobalt and other base metal potential reviewed

AMARE LITHIUM AND SODA ASH PROJECT (Mauritania)

· Results from initial sampling are being analysed to determine next steps

HÄGGÅN PROJECT (Sweden)

· Diamond drilling program was undertaken on two areas aimed at establishing a Measured Resource in this area

· Work continues on the Community Engagement brief

· Desktop study of Häggån metal content undertaken to highlight the significant polymetallic potential of the project

CORPORATE

· Key shareholders exercised unlisted options early unlocking $1.84M for the company which will be used to explore the gold and base metal prospects

· Aura instituted a Sale Facility for shareholders who hold unmarketable parcels of shares in the Company

Quarterly Overview

During the March Quarter Aura Energy focussed significant effort on advancing the Tiris Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) with strong progress achieved across many areas. Aura continues to maintain that its ability to get Tiris into production is the main near-term driver of shareholder returns.

Work on the Tiris DFS centred around the submission for the Mining Lease Application which entails a range of other activities to be completed. Substantial work on the EISA was completed including the Flora, Fauna and Archaeology Studies etc and community consultation meetings are scheduled to occur in early May. Other areas including resource drilling and upgrade, water search and metallurgical test work progressed past the planning phase.

Aura also maintained a strong focus on exploration on planning for exploration on its significant Tasiast South gold and base metal prospects whilst noting further gold drill results on the adjacent tenements of Algold Resources (TSX). Final granting of the permits to allow commencement of field exploration has been slower than expected however this is expected shortly.

Drilling was undertaken at two resource areas on the Häggån Project in Sweden and discussion on the Community Engagement Program has continued. Significantly Aura has conducted a desktop review of the polymetallic aspects of the project which has highlighted possible project upside given the recent increase in base metal prices.

The commodity backdrop in uranium continues to be buoyant for the term uranium price series and the sentiment in the sector is solid. The company remains in a well-funded position.

Tiris Project, MAURITANIA (Aura 100%)Tiris Project Overview

Aura is conducting a Feasibility Study on its 100% owned 49 million pound U?O? calcrete uranium project in Mauritania (See Figure 1). The project has low operating costs and low development capital with strong financial returns under long-term pricing scenarios.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

 

Figure 1: Location of Aura’s Tiris Project Uranium Resources

Tiris Project Definitive Feasibility Study Update

The DFS for the Tiris Uranium Project in Mauritania recommenced in late 2016 following a successful funding and listing of the company on the London AIM market. The critical areas of the Tiris project study have been;

· The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)

· Preparation for the Mining Lease Application

· Resource validation mainly on Hippolyte

· Resource evaluation for the Resource upgrade to Measured and Indicated category

· Detailed planning for the metallurgical test work

· Water Study including geophysics, geological reconnaissance and drilling of targets

· Negotiation of the Tiris Shareholders Agreement – 10% Government interest

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has been a major area of work and its main component parts have been;

· Scoping Report and Terms of Reference for the ESIA

· Review of Technical Studies

· Air quality, noise and vibration study

· Surface water and groundwater study

· Soils and geomorphology study

· Waste rock and tailings geochemical assessment

· Ecology and biodiversity study – Flora and Fauna

· Socio-economic study

· Archaeology and cultural heritage study

· Transportation route study

· Health impact assessment

· Management Plans

· Environmental and Social Monitoring and Management Plan (ESMMP)

· Rehabilitation and Conceptual Mine Closure Plan (RCMCP)

· Radiation Management Plan (RMP)

· Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)

· Impact Assessment

· Community and Government consultation

· Assessment of Project alternatives

· Impact assessment

· Cumulative impact assessment

Much of this work is now complete with no major issues identified. An important intermediate step was the acceptance by the Government and associated Environmental Departments of Aura’s EISA Terms of Reference. Public Consultation Meetings are to be held in early May for completion of the process.

The Mining Lease Application for all the key project areas is due to be submitted in the coming weeks and all materials are in the process of being finalised for this documentation.

As highlighted in a market release on the 19th April (Strong Hippolyte South Uranium Survey) Aura has conducted important Hippolyte Resource Validation work and enabled greater understanding of the mineralisation. This is a key step towards the upgrade of the Tiris Resource.

The process of drilling, sampling and downhole gamma logging of the Hippolyte mineralisation to upgrade the Mineral Resource to the Measured and Indicated categories is expected to commence in the next 2 weeks, with the sourcing of a specialist rig for triple tube drilling finally achieved. This will also involve an additional series of disequilibrium measurements across the orebody.

Disequilibrium is an imbalance between the uranium content and the radioactivity emitted by a given volume of mineralized rock. This imbalance is caused by either differential mobilization of the more soluble uranium from the deposition site, relative to its daughter isotopes, or by a lack of time for the accumulation of the daughter isotopes to reach a state of equilibrium after the uranium has been deposited. Hence in a geologically young environment, a deficiency of daughters relative to uranium will cause an underestimation of uranium content based on radiometric methods. This will be an important factor in the final Mineral Resource estimate for Tiris.

As a prudent cost/capital efficiency measure Aura will progressively convert the Tiris Resource to the Measured and Indicated category with an initial target for approximately 5 years of production. This will be sufficient for the DFS and the associated financial study. During operation, using cashflow it is envisaged the remainder of the Mineral Resource will be converted to the Measured and Indicated category.

The Metallurgical Test Work program will commence in June 2017 when sufficient material has been generated from the planned drill campaign. The program which will be conducted principally by ANSTO Laboratories and will focus on the various mineralised domains to further assess;

1. Beneficiation response

2. Leaching response

3. Solid liquid separation and

4. Impurity issues, including effect of recirculating load on metal recovery.

This test work is a critical path item and is targeted for completion in January 2018; however, it is expected to generate sufficient information to allow the majority of engineering to be complete in 2017.

An extensive Tiris Project Water Study has been underway for over 3 months including a program of water geophysics focussing principally on the basal sedimentary units of the Taoudeni Basin to the south of the Tiris project area. These basal units are known to host substantial water supplies elsewhere in the region. A few favourable sites on Reguibat Shield rocks, closer to the project site will also be tested in this program. The geophysics is now complete and has been reviewed with site reconnaissance underway to assess the target sites before final drill testing of the targets is undertaken. Drill testing is expected before mid-year.

The negotiation of the Tiris Shareholders Agreement, which covers the 10% Government interest in the Project, has been drafted and is currently under negotiation with the Government. Finalisation of this agreement is required for the Mining Lease application and is expected to be completed in May 2017.

Other areas that will be commenced following the submission of the Mining Lease Application include;

· Mining Study

· Detailed Engineering included package cost estimates

· Infrastructure Study

These areas are expected to be completed before calendar year end.

Aura continues to target the end of 2017 for the completion of the majority of the Tiris DFS, however, it envisages some elements of the Tiris DFS will still be outstanding at this point. As such, the full DFS is likely to be completed early in 2018. This slight delay is not expected to impact project implementation and financing, as a number of parallel activities are planned to be conducted near the end of the Tiris DFS.

Tiris Resource Upgrade Drilling and Validation

As part of the program to increase the proportion of Indicated and Measured Resource ultra-detailed ground radiometric surveying was conducted over the key resource zones to establish more precisely the outlines of, and zonation within, mineralisation across the major resources. This also added considerably the understanding of geological controls over the mineralisation.

Detailed ground radiometric survey work was continued over the Hippolyte South prospect, currently under application, which hosts extensive and strong radiometric anomalies south of the main Hippolyte resource. The survey clearly defined several strongly mineralised zones and will greatly assist in defining drill targets for future resource drilling on this very prospective target.

Hippolyte Downhole Logging Success

Additionally, a program of downhole gamma logging was conducted on 63 drillholes in the key Tiris Resource zone, Hippolyte Zone 1 and has validated previous drilling and sampling of the project. This coverage is shown in Figure 2.

The downhole gamma logging indicated U3O8 grades that compare well with grades determined by chemical assay. Aura will proceed to utilise downhole gamma logging in its next resource upgrade drilling which will commence next month aimed at converting more of the Tiris Resource into Measured and Indicated categories.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 2: Hippolyte Zone 1 showing drillholes logged

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 3: Hippolyte Zone 1 showing detailed ground radiometric survey results

Hippolyte South Ultra-Detailed Ground Radiometric Survey

In May 2015 Aura announced that it had made an application for a mineral exploration permit over an area of 224 km2 adjoining to the south of its important Hippolyte uranium resource.

The Hippolyte South permit area had indicated strong uranium responses in regional airborne radiometric data, similar in strength and size to those over Aura's nearby resources. The anomalies within this new tenement extend for more than 15 km and cover an area of approximately 10 km2.

In 2011, Aura carried out a brief reconnaissance drilling programme over these radiometric highs as part of a possible JV arrangement over the area. This drilling was broadly spaced with holes 200 metres apart on lines 800 metres or more apart.

More than 25% of these reconnaissance holes intersected ore-grade mineralisation (i.e. at least one metre at 100 ppm U3O8 or greater) with values ranging up to 646 ppm U3O8 (see Figure 5). Details of results are set out in Table 1.

This latest survey is the first more detailed testing of the broad mineralised zones following the initial reconnaissance drilling and has confirmed the confidence in the prospect and indicated large zones of continuous uranium bearing mineralisation with strong similarities to Aura’s key Hippolyte uranium deposit.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 5: Hippolyte South area showing reconnaissance drill results.Background image shows airborne radiometric response.

Figure 6: Location of Hippolyte South ground radiometric surveys in relation to the Hippolyte resources 

Figure 7: Ground radiometric anomalies at Hippolyte South.

In the Hippolyte Resource 6 km to the north, 1 km2 of mineralisation contains on average 3.2 million lbs U3O8 in Inferred Resource.

Tasiast South gold Project, MAURITANIA (Aura 100%)

Aura Energy Limited announced in late 2016 that it has secured rights to acquire 175 km2 covering two under-explored mineralised greenstone belts in Mauritania (See Figure 8). The areas lie along strike from Kinross’ giant Tasiast Gold Mine and from Algold's Tijirit gold deposits. The two areas are currently held under exploration permit applications and are expected to be granted in the near future.

These highly prospective gold areas represent an excellent opportunity in lightly explored Archean greenstone belts and will leverage Aura's extensive operating experience in this part of the world. The project is favourably located 200 km from Aura’s Nouakchott office, 60 km from the coast, and can be managed efficiently within the company’s existing management resources without distraction from Aura's core uranium focus.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 8: Location of Aura areas in relation to known mineralisation

Future Work Program and Other Opportunities

Next steps envisaged at Tasiast South are;

· Ground electrical geophysics to locate the strongest zones of disseminated sulphide development for drill targeting

· Additional bedrock sampling by air-core or auger-drilling to better define the high nickel ultramafics and zones of copper/nickel for follow up drilling

· Deep drill testing (RC and DD) of gold and nickel/copper targets defined

Aura’s timing for this work is dependent on granting of the permits. Final granting of the permits to allow commencement of field exploration has been slower than expected due to departmental procedures in the Mines Ministry however this is expected shortly.

Cobalt Values in Tasiast south Prospects

During the quarter a review of the base metal potential on these tenements has highlighted several significant cobalt drilling results. The best results included:

· 1 metre at 0.58% Co

· 4 metres at 0.48% Co

· 1 metre at 0.46% Co

The Tasiast South project tenements are highly prospective for gold but previous work also indicated anomalous occurrences of nickel and copper. In a review of two prospects, Bella and Taet, the elevated cobalt values were identified.

Importantly sampling for cobalt was sporadic and only 1 in 10 samples assayed for cobalt. Of the high Co values 14 samples exceeded 0.1% Co, 6 samples exceeded 0.25% Co and 3 samples near or above 0.5% Co. These results found over a 1.6 km long drill line (Bella) and with strong nickel and copper values in ultramafic rocks within 30 metres of the surface, and at Taet where the high copper values are possibly indicative of sulphides. Drilling to date has tested only a small part of the ultramafic body and the drill lines were possibly parallel to strike.

The base metal targets have been considered as secondary targets in the Tasiast South and very little targeted or comprehensive base metal exploration has been carried out in these areas. However, considering the range of metals encountered, the broad areas covered by the base metals and the fact that these having largely been incidental results achieved via gold exploration Aura now considers these areas to be highly prospective for base metals.

The range of cobalt values is shown below however it should be reiterated that cobalt has not been targeted or broadly assayed for and as such Aura will be reviewing where re-assays for cobalt can be conducted on previously drill holes. The results are as follows;

Prospect NameHole IDEasting NorthingDepth From Depth ToIntervalCo_%Ni_ppmCu_ppm
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC03146669722192037810.5815300488
TOUERIG TAIEUH12TGAC1984453782219429242840.4849140400
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC0304665982219199161710.4454190259
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC0304665982219199171810.3573840259
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC033466900221920391010.2733010247
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC0334669002219203101110.2605250270
TOUERIG TAIEUH11TGAC0134447002218702343510.2185650354
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC03146669722192036710.1503090276
HADEBET BELAA12HBRC0074673732219200222310.1496530114
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC0304665982219199181910.1427770238
HADEBET BELAA12HBAC07346343222172124840.1281528.4
TOUERIG TAIEUH11TGAC0334310002212800525310.11138120
TOUERIG TAIEUH11TGAC0534309972210803535410.1031131
HADEBET BELAA11HBAC0334669002219203111210.1025110208

AMARE LITHIUM AND SODA ASH PROJECT (Mauritania)

Aura sampled and assayed the two large Sabkhas (salt pans) in the region of its Tiris Uranium Project with a view to a source of soda ash for the Tiris Project and other minerals.

Soda ash is the leach agent proposed for Tiris and if the source were confirmed it would provide significant benefits to the Tiris Project economics.

The Sabkha’s which are 165 km from Hippolyte are large on a relative basis covering an area of over 85 km2 (See Figure 9). Sabkha is an Arabic name for a salt-flat that has come into general use in sedimentology. They are also known as “Salars” in South America and generically as salt pans or flats. The valuable salts can occur in the Sabkha environment either in clays at or near surface or in brine reservoirs deeper in the lake sediments.

The location of the Sabkha between Aura’s Tiris Project East and West tenements provide a favourable location should a source of soda ash (Na2CO3) be identified.

Initial sampling of the Amare lithium and soda ash prospect was undertaken late last year and the results are now being assembled and analysed to assist planning the next phase of work in this area.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 9: Location of the Sabkha targets relative to the Aura Uranium Exploration Licences

HÄGGÅN PROJECT, SWEDEN (AURA 100%)Häggån Exploration

Three diamond drill holes totalling 570 metres were completed during the period. 

Two of the holes were within the Häggån Resource within a pattern of closely spaced holes (100 metres x 100 metres) aimed at establishing a Measured Resource in this area. As expected mineralised Alum Shale was intersected at shallow depth in both holes (18 metres and 29 metres)

One hole was drilled into the Marby Permit aimed at establishing the extent of mineralised Alum Shale in this area.

Assays for all holes are awaited.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 10: Location of drilling at Häggån

Häggån Development

The Häggån Project has an Inferred Resource of 803 million pounds of U3O8. Scoping studies previously completed by Aura have indicated that the Häggån Project has the potential be a very large low cost uranium producer.

Work and discussions with relevant Swedish groups continued regarding a community engagement program for the Häggån Project.

The key aspects of the community liaison program are twofold;

· Recruitment of an appropriate representative

· Further the education and understanding of Aura’s project in those areas

· Completion of an economic development study to outline the benefits of the project in terms of direct and indirect jobs, capital outlay and broader contribution to the local and regional economy

Aura continues to press the Häggån project as a unique and strategic energy source in Europe which the European nuclear energy sector is beginning to realise can play an important role as a uranium source in the future.

Aura believes Häggån is a 5-7 year proposition as a development project and is scoping it work program around that time frame.

Häggån Polymetallic Attributes

Aura has commenced a desktop study of Häggån metal content to highlight the significant polymetallic potential of the project and to illustrate the balance of this base metal value of the deposit against the uranium value.

External interest has been expressed in Häggån as a polymetallic deposit and the recent rise in the prices of the base metal suite has highlighted the shift of Häggån to a polymetallic with uranium as opposed to mainly uranium.

The potential for base metal streaming from this deposit to aid the development is under review and a future development focussed on the benefits of the base metal production from Häggån. This approach allows a broader appeal of the project in Sweden with strong industrial spin-off benefits for the local community such as local manufacturing and valued added metal work industries.

This work will continue over 2017.

URANIUM SECTOR AND PRICE

The price of uranium has recovered from its recent lows however since the recent improved sentiment the spot price has remained volatile. The current price series is as follows:

· Spot Price - US$22.85 /lb

· Mid Term - US$27.25 /lb

· Long Term - US$35.00 /lb

Key points of interest to note from the uranium sector have been:

· The spot price in Aura’s opinion is largely irrelevant and is a thinly traded series not indicative of the real market

· The mid and long-term price series recovered well at the beginning of 2017 and despite the volatility in the spot price both the mid and long price series have remained stable

· The stability in these series is indicative of building interest in utilities looking to fix material on term contracts

· Over the next 2-3 years, many of the long-term supply contracts will expire requiring renegotiation at prices unlikely to be done at current midterm or long-term pricing

A key point worth repeating and highlighting is the lack of term contracting in 2013, 14 and 15 as shown in the chart below. This remains a key risk for utilities going forward and will need to be filled at some stage. This contracting phase will strongly impact the Long-Term price as evidenced in the chart below between 2004 and 2007.

To view this release as a .pdf complete with referenced images please click the following link:

 http://www.auraenergy.com.au/announcements-2017.html

Figure 11: Spot vs Long Term pricing

CORPORATE

Strategy Update

Aura’s clear strategy was again outlined in a recent Hong Kong Conference and is restated here and is as follows;

- Tiris Uranium Project into production 2018/19

- Gold and base metals exploration to bridge Tiris development phase

- Success in gold and metals exploration to assist Tiris development funding

- Häggån Uranium Project study work over next 2 years

- Potential to create significant uranium price option value

- All against the background of rising uranium price 2018 and beyond

- Aura’s Position in 2019/20;

- Cashflow from Tiris as uranium price recovers

- Exploration success aiding funding and growth

- Create new gold/ base metal projects

- Häggån work program adds significant asset value

Conversion of Options – Gold Exploration Funding

A key group of shareholders have opted for early exercise of unlisted options unlocking $1.84M for the company which will be dedicated to the exploration of these gold and base metal prospects. As such this exploration project is now well funded and the company will soon begin an aggressive drilling program.

Unmarketable Parcel Sale Process

Aura instituted a Sale Facility for shareholders who hold unmarketable parcels of shares in the Company.

Under ASX Listing Rules an unmarketable parcel is defined as:

(i) a shareholding with a market value of less than A$500, and therefore

(ii) any shareholding of 13,513 shares or less based on the closing share price of 3.7 cents on the Record Date (6 February 2017) is an unmarketable parcel

The Company has 528 shareholders with unmarketable parcels with the total number of shares impacted being 2,715,812. These shares will be sold shortly.

Aura Energy Directory

ASX Code:AEE
AIM Code:AURA
Shares on issue: 716,401,571
Options on issue:185,643,069

Board of Directors:

Peter ReeveExecutive Chairman
Bob BeesonNon-Executive Board Member
Brett FraserNon-Executive Board Member
Jules PerkinsNon-Executive Board Member

Website: www.auraenergy.com.au

For further information contact:

Aura Energy Limited Peter Reeve (Executive Chairman and CEO)Telephone: +61 (3) 9516 6500 Email: info@auraenergy.com.au
WH Ireland Limited Adrian Hadden James BavisterTelephone: +44 (0) 207 220 1666
Yellow Jersey PR Limited Felicity Winkles Joe BurgessTelephone:  +44 (0) 7748 843 871 +44 (0) 7769 325 254

Competent Persons

The Competent Person for the Tiris Metallurgical Testwork is Dr Will Goodall.

The information in the report to which this statement is attached that relates to the testwork is based on information compiled by Dr Will Goodall. Dr Goodall has sufficient experience that is relevant to the testwork program and to the activity which he is undertaking. This qualifies Dr Goodall as a Competent Personas defined in the 2012 edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Dr Goodall is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Dr Goodall consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The Competent Person for the Tiris and Häggån Resources is Mr Neil Clifford.

The information in the report to which this statement is attached that relates to the resource is based on information compiled by Mr Neil Clifford. Mr Clifford has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking. This qualifies Mr Clifford as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Mr Clifford is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Clifford consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

Top 20 Shareholders26 April 2017
RankNameUnits% of Units
1.COMPUTERSHARE CLEARING PTY LTD 245,012,30630.90
2.HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED98,750,51812.46
3.CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED64,094,1428.08
4.PRE-EMPTIVE TRADING PTY LTD36,250,0004.57
5.SAMBOLD PTY LTD 15,364,8951.94
6.BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 13,939,2581.76
7.PASAGEAN PTY LIMITED13,094,5581.65
8.MR MARTY HENG LAU10,000,0001.26
9.MR PETER DESMOND REEVE9,718,3041.23
10.BUSHELL NOMINEES PTY LTD 6,292,5420.79
11.MR PIETER HOEKSTRA + MRS RUTH HOEKSTRA 5,300,0000.67
12.YARANDI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 4,754,7930.60
13.MS MICHELLE ANNE PAINE4,700,0000.59
14.MRS KERRYN PATRICIA DELEN4,358,8400.55
15.MS CHUI YING CHAN3,600,0000.45
16.MR LUKE PETER DALE + MRS MARIEANNE ERIKA DALE3,496,6590.44
17.M & K KORKIDAS PTY LTD 3,400,0000.43
18.MR HENDRIK JACOBUS DELEN + MRS KERRYN PATRICIA DELEN 3,179,1420.40
19.DR ROBERT BEESON3,129,0710.39
20.MRS JENNY LEE BUSHELL3,091,1820.39
Total Top 20 Shareholders 551,526,21069.57
Remaining Shareholders241,281,914 30.43
GRAND TOTAL792,808,124100.00

Top 20 Shareholders30 January 2017
RankNameUnits% of Units
1.COMPUTERSHARE CLEARING PTY LTD 263,692,30936.81
2.BNP PARIBAS NOMINEES PTY LTD 59,514,2688.31
3.HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED58,785,0608.21
4.PRE-EMPTIVE TRADING PTY LTD35,900,0005.01
5.ABN AMRO CLEARING SYDNEY NOMINEES PTY LTD 14,063,0921.96
6.SAMBOLD PTY LTD 13,764,8951.92
7.PASAGEAN PTY LIMITED12,313,9461.72
8.MR PETER DESMOND REEVE9,718,3041.36
9.MR MICHAEL BUSHELL5,474,9030.76
10.CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED5,296,8520.74
11.MR PIETER HOEKSTRA + MRS RUTH HOEKSTRA 4,800,0000.67
12.YARANDI INVESTMENTS PTY LTD 4,754,7930.66
13.MS MICHELLE ANNE PAINE4,150,0000.58
14.MRS KERRYN PATRICIA DELEN3,333,8400.47
15.MRS LINDA YE + MR DAVID XIAO DONG YE3,160,0000.44
16.DR ROBERT BEESON3,129,0710.44
17.MRS JENNY LEE BUSHELL3,091,1820.43
18.MR PETER ROBERT OTTON + MRS CAROLE ANNE OTTON 3,000,0000.42
19.MR HENDRIK JACOBUS DELEN + MRS KERRYN PATRICIA DELEN 2,914,4920.41
20.MR JULIAN CHRISTOPHER PERKINS + MS MARGARET SU-PING FONG 2,861,9900.40
Total Top 20 Shareholders 513,718,997 71.71
Remaining Shareholders202,682,57428.29
GRAND TOTAL716,401,571100.00

About Aura Energy’s Projects

Tiris Project, MAURITANIA (Aura 100%)

The Tiris Uranium Project is based on a major greenfields uranium discovery in Mauritania, with 49 Mlb U3O8 in current resources(1) from 66 million tonnes @ 334 ppm U3O8. The project has several natural attributes which result in low capital and operating costs. These attributes are:

· Shallow flat-lying surface mineralisation (only 1-5 metres deep) within unconsolidated gravels

· Low cost mining with no blasting and negligible overburden

· Uranium ore can be simply (wash and screen) upgraded by up to 700%; from 335 ppm to 2500ppm

· Leads to a very small plant, small footprint and minimal supporting infrastructure

· Leach feed grade 2,000-2,500 ppm U3O8 with 94% leaching recovery in 4 hours

The conceptual 1 Mtpa mine and plant project described in the Scoping Study(2) was designed to take full advantage of these unusual characteristics, whilst providing a low capital cost and rapid project development and construction. Significantly, a water study by Golders has indicated that potential sources of water in the immediate vicinity will satisfy the demands of the project.

The Study, which indicates 11 million pounds of uranium will be produced over an initial mine life of 15 years, only utilises 20% of the known Global Mineral Resource resulted in the following outputs;

· Low capital cost – US$45 million

· Low operating cost – A$30/lb

· Easily scalable

· Mining at ~120 tph (1.0 Mtpa)

· Small 25 tph leach facility

· Mined grade >420ppm U3O8 for 15 years

· Produce 0.7-1.1 Mlbs U3O8 per year

· Expand project from cashflow

HÄGGÅN PROJECT, SWEDEN (AURA 100%)

Häggån is located in central Sweden and is one of the largest undeveloped uranium projects in the world. The project has a resource of 803 million pounds(3) uranium with significant base metal by-products.

Sweden remains a nuclear friendly jurisdiction with 10 operating nuclear power reactors. In 2013, Sweden generated 152.5 TWh, of which 65.8 TWh (43%) was from nuclear and 61.3 TWh (40%) from hydro. Sweden imports most of its nuclear fuel, including all enrichment. It is one of the few countries that has the opportunity, within its sovereign borders, to be vertically integrated from nuclear power generation down to the U3O8 fuel source. Public opinion polls in the last few years had shown steady majority (over two-thirds) support for nuclear power(4).

The Häggån project is located in a sparsely populated area of swamp and forest used mainly for commercial forestry. Sweden’s has a current and active mining industry, with a clear regulatory position and a well-established path from exploration to production.

A Scoping Study(5) suggests that the Häggån Project has excellent potential to become a major, low cost producer of uranium, with by-product nickel and other metals. Aura’s discovery that the mineralisation is ideally suited to bioleach metal extraction was the major breakthrough to creating a robust and economic project. Bioleaching, including bioheap leaching, is a proven technology widely used in copper and gold industries with some application to the uranium industry.

The Häggån Inferred Resource contains 2.35 billion tonnes at the grades shown in the table below. Metal content is also shown.

MetalGrade (ppm)Content (Mlbs)
U3O8155803
Ni3161640
Zn4312230
Mo2071070
V15197870

The project contemplated in the Scoping Study was a large-scale heap leach with recovery of base metals as separate and high purity sulphide precipitates. The Scoping Study outcomes were as follows;

· Capital cost – US$540 million

· Low operating cost – A$13.50/lb U3O8

· Mining rate 30 Mtpa

· Mined grade 160 ppm U3O8 for 30 years

· Production 7.8 Mlbs U3O8 per year

NOTES TO PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

(1) There is a low level of geological confidence associated with inferred mineral resource and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of indicated measured resource or that the production target will be realised.

(2) The Company released to the ASX the Tiris Project Scoping Study on 16 July 2014 and the Company believes that no material change to forecast capital and operating costs and forecast production rates have occurred since the release.

(3) There is a low level of geological confidence associated with inferred mineral resource and there is no certainty that further exploration work will result in the determination of indicated measured resource or that the production target will be realised.

(4) http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-O-S/Sweden

(5) The Company released to the ASX the Haggan Project Scoping Study on 7 February 2012 and an updated study on 29 May 2014. The Company believes no material change to forecast capital and operating costs and forecast production rates have occurred since the releases.

Date   Source Headline
28th Mar 20247:06 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
26th Mar 20247:00 amRNSAppointment of Chief Financial Officer
25th Mar 20249:33 amRNSCompletion of Tranche 1 Placement Shares - Replace
25th Mar 20247:00 amRNSCompletion of Tranche 1 Placement Shares
20th Mar 202410:16 amRNSIssue of Equity
18th Mar 202410:44 amRNSAppendix 3B
18th Mar 20247:22 amRNSA$16 million placement to advance Tiris Project
18th Mar 20247:00 amRNSRelease of Unlisted Options from Escrow
18th Mar 20247:00 amRNSHalf-year Report
15th Mar 20247:00 amRNSASX Trading Halt
12th Mar 20247:29 amRNSExtensive new uranium mineralisation
6th Mar 20247:35 amRNSIssue of Equity
5th Mar 202411:53 amRNSCancellation of Securities
1st Mar 202412:13 pmRNSRe-weighting of ASX Indices
29th Feb 20247:00 amRNSTiris Project FEED Study Webinar
29th Feb 20247:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
28th Feb 20247:02 amRNSFEED study confirms excellent economics for Tiris
26th Feb 20247:11 amRNSSwedish Government inquiry to overturn uranium ban
19th Feb 20247:21 amRNSIssue of Equity
5th Feb 20247:00 amRNSAppendix 3X & Appendix 3Z
5th Feb 20247:00 amRNSIssue of Equity
1st Feb 20247:24 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
30th Jan 20248:58 amRNSQuarterly Report for the Period Ending 31 Dec 23
30th Jan 20247:00 amRNSAura appoints New Managing Director
25th Jan 20247:00 amRNSOption funding agreements secure A$4.3m for Tiris
22nd Jan 20248:33 amRNSIssue of Equity
12th Jan 20247:21 amRNSIssue of Equity
9th Jan 20247:48 amRNSCancellation of securities
5th Jan 20247:00 amRNSExtensional drilling program at Tiris
4th Jan 202412:07 pmRNSIssue of Equity
4th Jan 202411:56 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
22nd Dec 202310:00 amRNSIssue of Equity
20th Dec 202311:43 amRNSIssue of Equity
12th Dec 20237:26 amRNSIssue of Equity
1st Dec 20238:48 amRNSResults of Annual General Meeting - Addendum
30th Nov 20237:00 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
29th Nov 20238:50 amRNSResult of AGM
29th Nov 20237:00 amRNSNew Tiris Project Tenements Applications
21st Nov 20237:27 amRNSIssue of Equity
16th Nov 20238:20 amRNSIssue of Equity
10th Nov 20237:25 amRNSIssue of Equity
10th Nov 20237:21 amRNSNew Corporate Presentation
3rd Nov 20238:10 amRNSTotal Voting Rights
1st Nov 20237:55 amRNSNew Corporate Presentation
31st Oct 20237:51 amRNSAnnual Report & Notice of Annual General Meeting
30th Oct 20237:49 amRNSQuarterly Report for Period Ending 30 September 23
30th Oct 20237:41 amRNSIssue of Equity
17th Oct 20237:00 amRNSNew Uranium Exploration Target
13th Oct 20238:35 amRNSIssue of Equity
11th Oct 20238:05 amRNSIssue of Equity

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