Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksFML.L Regulatory News (FML)

  • There is currently no data for FML

AGM Statement & Operations Update

11 Dec 2013 07:00

RNS Number : 2147V
Frontier Mining Ltd
11 December 2013
 



 

 

 

FRONTIER MINING LTD

("Frontier" or "the Company")

 

AGM Statement and Operations Update

 

 

Frontier Mining (AIM:FML), the AIM listed copper production, exploration and development company focused on Kazakhstan, provides the following operational and corporate updates ahead of its AGM later today.

 

Operational Update

Highlights:

· 1,386 tonnes produced from 01 January 2013 to 31 October 2013 at Benkala

· Average preliminary cash cost of $3,724 per tonne

· Average sales price of $6,979 per tonne

· Sales revenue now sufficient to cover Benkala production costs and Company overheads

· Exploration programs continue at Benkala, South Benkala and Baitemir

 

Update

Since the interim results were published, production rates at Benkala have steadily improved as the operational enhancements and refinements identified, have subsequently been implemented by the Kazcopper operational team.

 

Crushing and stacking is now occurring at a record rate with Pad 3 now providing Pregnant Leach Solution (PLS) for processing in the SX-EW plant, and Pad 4 is being stacked to 6 meters with irrigation underway.

 

Issues affecting percolation of the pads have now been identified and in some cases rectified via the mixing of different permeability ores, with further enhancements to take effect on an on-going basis. Sections of Pad 4 have been fitted with a forced aeration circuit which should further enhance the effectiveness of the ferric bacterial agents and should improve the overall recovery of the pad. A final improvement in the agglomeration step with the introduction of an organic agent will be implemented in 2014 to allow peak permeability of future pads. Construction work has begun on the bases for Pads 5 and 6 and further updates will be made in 2014 as the work progresses.

 

919 tonnes of LME Grade A copper cathode have been produced between 01 July 2013 and 31 October 2013, with 780 tonnes shipped, bringing the total production up to 31 October 2013 to 1,386 tonnes and on target to meet 2013 forecasts.

 

With more than $10 million cash generated from copper cathode sales in 2013, revenue at Benkala is currently covering both operational and fixed costs. Further operational parameters for the period to 30 November 2013 are included below.

 

Table 1 - 2013 Benkala Operational Figures

 

 

01.01.13 - 30.06.13

01.07.13 - 30.11.13

Quantity

Average grade

Quantity

Average grade

Mined ore (t)

16 124

0.73%

280 296

1.05%

Contained Copper (t)

118.3

-

2942.3

-

Stripping completed (m3)

400 689

-

262 732

-

Stacked ore (t)

16 642

0.76%

337 059

0.91%

Contained Copper (t)

127.0

-

3069.8

-

Stockpile (t)

116 398

1.21%

59 635

0.85%

 

 

The exploration programs continue at all of the Company's projects, with more than 6,100 meters drilled and 19 061 m3 of trenching completed in 2013. Recent geophysical studies completed at Benkala and South Benkala confirmed previous estimates and indicated potential growth in South Benkala resources. Additional progress was made at Baitemir-Beschoku gold-copper prospect, with drilling grid narrowed to 100x50 and 100x25 meters, and separate assays from certain sections of Beschoku show significant levels of other minerals including gold. Findings of Frontier exploration team are currently being formalized into reports that will be submitted for approval to the Kazakhstan State Commission on Mineral Reserves.

 

Adam Moroney has spent much of the last three months identifying best practice for freezing weather heap leaching, from around the world and has now compiled an operational guide that has been translated and is being ratified for use on site. Included in this guide will be methods for continuous mining and stacking operations, best method of application of leach solution to heaps in extremely low temperatures and the necessary measuring and monitoring to successfully implement and optimise forced aeration during this period. Previous experiments in stacking the pads to six metres have been successful and will now contribute to optimising performance and heat retention during winter.

 

Adam Moroney, Consultant of Cu Ni Co hydrometallurgy, stated: "It will be necessary for Benkala to implement the best-practice operating procedures that are being provided for the freezing conditions that prevail during their wintertime. I see the 2013/2014 winter season as probably the most important production-testing period for Benkala; the opportunities to learn from this season can be taken to optimise ongoing year-round operating practices."

 

Corporate Update

Highlights:

· Cost management at Benkala allows for optimized cash flow from operations

o Staff headcount at Benkala reduced by 27% in 2013

o Electricity supply for 2014 secured at 20% cost reduction

· Sberbank agree the deferral of capital repayments until Autumn 2014

· Educational Funds signed agreements for the rollover of Loan Notes until Q2 2014

· Red Kite agrees to a scheduled repayment of its Loan Note until the end of 2014 as operations progressively improve

 

Update

This year Frontier Mining has been going through a number of cost management initiatives, including sulphuric acid supplies at less than 75% of the pricing levels of 2012, reduction in number of employees by 27% since the beginning of 2013 and securing electricity supply for 2014 at 20% reduced price per kW. As a result of these cost savings and with more than $10 million cash generated from copper cathode sales in 2013, copper production at Benkala is now cash generative to a point that allows self-sufficiency of operations for the first time in the company's history.

 

Frontier has been in discussions with its lenders which have resulted in the certain variations and deferments of the original agreements. Sberbank has agreed to defer the commencement of capital repayments on its debt facility to September 2014. In addition, the Educational Funds (CAES and NNEF) and EXP T1 RK Mine Finance Trust 1, part of the Red Kite Group of Investment Funds, have agreed to extend the term of their Loan Notes.

 

While working on re-negotiation of the Company's existing debts, Frontier Mining continues its efforts to find longer term financing options, as well as increasing production and removing bottlenecks from production, as discussed above.

 

As announced on 29 November 2013 dealings in the Company's shares commenced on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange satisfying the demands of the regulatory requirements of the National Bank of Kazakhstan Rules 2012.

-END-

 

 

For further details please contact: 

Frontier Mining Ltd

Yerlan Minavar

+44 (0) 20 7898 9019

Libertas Capital (NOMAD)

Sandy Jamieson

Richard Morrison

+44 (0) 20 3697 9495

RFC Ambrian (Broker)

John Harrison

Jen Boorer

 

+44 (0) 20 3440 6800

Walbrook PR and IR

 

Paul Cornelius

Guy McDougall

 

+44 (0) 20 7933 8780

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
AGMNKKDBOBDDDBD
Date   Source Headline
30th Sep 20102:30 pmRNSHalf Yearly Report (Replacement)
29th Sep 201012:00 pmRNSHalf Yearly Report
17th Sep 20103:05 pmRNSGold Production Update
26th Jul 20107:00 amRNSGold Production Update
14th Jul 20107:00 amRNSGold Production Update
5th Jul 20102:10 pmRNSIntention to Re-domicile
28th Jun 201012:35 pmRNSAnnual Financial Report
24th Jun 20107:00 amRNSBenkala Project Update
21st Jun 20107:00 amRNSTechnical Design Contract
17th Jun 20107:00 amRNSFinal Results
16th Jun 20107:00 amRNSCompletion of Independent Technical Review
10th May 20107:00 amRNSDrilling Update
29th Mar 20107:00 amRNSInfill Drillng Update
22nd Mar 20107:00 amRNSLicence Update
16th Feb 201010:14 amRNSBoard appointment
16th Feb 201010:12 amRNSMerger discussions
18th Jan 20108:19 amRNSExercise of Warants
14th Dec 20097:00 amRNSPre-close Operational Update
30th Sep 20097:00 amRNSHalf Yearly Report
18th Sep 20094:30 pmRNSIssue of Equity
28th Aug 20094:30 pmRNSIssue of Equity
25th Aug 20093:45 pmRNSFrontier Secures Additional ?5m Funding
31st Jul 20094:10 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
30th Jun 20093:03 pmRNSPublication of Audited Accounts 2008
30th Jun 20091:21 pmRNSFinal Results
23rd Jun 200911:44 amRNSNaimanjal Gold Production Update
16th Jun 20097:00 amRNSBenkala Licence and Operations Update
2nd Jun 20093:58 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
2nd Jun 20099:40 amRNSNaimanjal License Update
30th Apr 20095:46 pmRNSCompletion of $14 million Financing
22nd Apr 20095:45 pmRNSStatement re: Share Price Rise
15th Apr 20094:29 pmRNSLoan Note Deferral
13th Mar 200910:09 amRNSUpdate on Loan Note Deferral
10th Mar 20094:17 pmRNSAppointment of New CEO
23rd Feb 20097:00 amRNSUpdate on Convertible Loan Note
16th Feb 20093:48 pmRNSNew financing arrangements
16th Feb 20093:47 pmRNSDirectorate Change
11th Feb 200910:40 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
9th Feb 20099:06 amRNSDirectorate Change
26th Jan 20097:00 amRNSFurther update on Proposed Financing
19th Jan 200911:49 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
19th Jan 20097:00 amRNSUpdate on Proposed Financing
12th Jan 20093:46 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
22nd Dec 20087:00 amRNSProposed Financing & Director Appointments
22nd Dec 20087:00 amRNSChange of Adviser
18th Dec 20087:25 amRNSUpdate on Deferral of Loan Note
10th Dec 20087:00 amRNSTest Results at Benkala
14th Nov 200810:17 amRNSDeferral of Loan Note
30th Sep 20087:00 amRNSInterim Results
22nd Sep 20087:00 amRNSBenkala Operations Update

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.