Tlou Energy
Limited
("Tlou"
or "the Company")
Quarterly Activities Report
for the quarter ended 30 June 2024
Highlights
Ø Work at Lesedi progressing to
plan and targeting first power generation later this
year
Ø Lesedi electrical
substation is
~64% complete with expected completion in 3Q
2024
Ø Gas flowing at Lesedi 6
production pod, work-over completed on the Lesedi 4
pod
Ø Power generation setup and
installation options being agreed with suppliers
Lesedi
Project
Lesedi is Tlou's most advanced
project. Work has been ongoing at Lesedi for some time with the
project targeting first power generation later this
year.
Lesedi remains at the forefront of
Botswana's gas to power sector, making substantial progress in the
development of the proposed 10MW gas-to-power project.
The Lesedi development involves the
following key elements:
·
Gas production
·
Electricity generation
·
Substation construction
·
Transmission and sale of electricity
The status of each of the above at
the end of the reporting quarter is outlined below.
Gas
production
Coalbed methane gas from the
Company's gas field in central Botswana will be used for power
generation.
To produce gas, the Company drills
dual lateral production wells referred to as "pods" which consist
of a vertical production well and two lateral wells that intersect
the production well. The Company currently has two production pods,
Lesedi 4 and Lesedi 6. Both pods have produced gas for a sustained
period. Lesedi 6 remains in production while Lesedi 4 has been
flushed clean of coal fines that periodically build-up and brought
back into production post quarter end.
Lesedi 4 and Lesedi 6 will provide
the initial gas for power generation. Further pods are planned to
be drilled once funding is in place, with discussions ongoing with
debt providers during the quarter. Preparatory work for the next
drilling campaign has already begun. Additional pods will provide
further gas allowing the Company to scale up in a stepwise manner
using gas production to expand electricity generation and
associated revenue.
Once drilled, a pod needs to be
dewatered which involves removing water from the target coal seam
and thereafter gas flow increases. As more and more pods are
drilled the coal will get progressively dewatered which should aid
future gas production.
Lesedi 4 vertical production
well - July 2024
Electricity Generation
Electricity will be generated on
site and sold into the national power grid in Botswana. Power will
be sold to Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) under an agreed 10MW
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
The project is planned to grow
incrementally to satisfy the 10MW PPA and then expand further.
First generation will be from gas produced at Lesedi 4 and Lesedi 6
with further generation units planned to be added as additional gas
is produced.
During the quarter the Company has
been working with suppliers in relation to the final design, site
setup and delivery options for the initial generators which are
planned to arrive in the coming months.
Gas produced from each pod is
gathered and piped to the power generators. Work on the gas
gathering network began in the previous quarter and continued into
this reporting period. The gas gathering lines can be finalised
once the generators are onsite.
Substation Construction
Electricity produced by the
generators will be fed into the electrical substation which is
under construction at the Lesedi site.
The substation is approximately 64%
complete and has been designed to support over 20MW of power. The
substation is scheduled for completion in September
2024.
Control room and transformer
plinth construction at the Lesedi substation - July
2024
Transmission
Line Construction
To connect to the national grid, the
Company constructed a 100km 66kV transmission line that will tie
into the substation at Lesedi and join the existing power grid at
the town of Serowe.
As previously reported, construction
of the transmission line has been completed with minor finishing
works and the addition of switchgear at the Serowe end to be done
prior to the line being energized. The line remains under care and
maintenance until energization.
A 66kV line is capable of carrying
~25MW of power. This would allow the company to rapidly expand
beyond 10MW.
Lesedi project licences
The project area has four
Prospecting Licenses (PL) and a Production Licence which is the
focus area for the development of Tlou's independently certified
gas reserves and contingent resources. The table below summarises
the status of the Lesedi licences:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
Production Licence
2017/18L
|
Aug-42
|
Current
|
PL001/2004
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
PL003/2004
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
PL035/2000
|
Mar-25
|
Current
|
PL037/2000
|
Mar-25
|
Current
|
****
Other Project Areas
In addition to the Lesedi project
the company has two other areas of interest adjacent to Lesedi
known as the Mamba and Boomslang projects.
Mamba
Project
The Mamba project is in the
exploration and evaluation phase with further operations required
on the licences. It consists of five Prospecting Licences covering
an area of approximately 4,500 Km2. In the event of
successful drilling results at Mamba, it is envisioned that this
area would be developed as a separate project from Lesedi. The
Mamba area provides the Company with flexibility and optionality.
The status of the Mamba licences are as follows:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
PL 237/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 238/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 239/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 240/2014
|
Dec-25
|
Current
|
PL 241/2014
|
Mar-26
|
Current
|
Further work on the Mamba project is
proposed once the Lesedi project is in production with initial work
likely to include a seismic survey and the drilling of
core-holes.
Boomslang
Project
Prospecting Licence, PL011/2019
designated "Boomslang", is approximately 1,000 Km2. To
date, the Company has not carried out ground operations in the
Boomslang area. Like the Mamba project the first stage of
operations is likely to include a seismic survey following by
core-hole drilling.
The status of the Boomslang licence
is as follows:
Licence
|
Expiry
|
Status
|
PL 011/2019
|
Jun-26
|
Current
|
PL renewal applications are
submitted three months prior to expiration.
****
Cash Position
At the end of the quarter the
Company had ~A$2.52m cash on hand (unaudited). The aggregate value
of payments to related parties and their associates of A$340k for
the quarter (shown in item 6.1 of the Quarterly Cashflow Report)
relates to directors' salaries and fees (including tax and
superannuation payments made on their behalf) and office
rent.
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as
stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law
by virtue of the European Union (withdrawal) Act 2018. The
information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's
obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of
this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be
in the public domain.
By
Authority of the Board of Directors
Mr. Anthony Gilby
Managing Director
****
For further information regarding
this announcement please contact:
Tlou Energy
Limited
|
+61 7 3040
9084
|
Tony Gilby,
Managing Director
|
|
Solomon
Rowland, General Manager
|
|
|
|
Grant
Thornton (Nominated Adviser)
|
+44 (0)20
7383 5100
|
Harrison
Clarke, Colin Aaronson,
Elliot Peters
|
|
|
|
Zeus Capital (UK
Broker)
|
+44 (0)20
3829 5000
|
Simon Johnson
|
|
|
|
Investor Relations
|
|
Ashley Seller (Australia)
|
+61 418 556
875
|
FlowComms Ltd - Sasha Sethi
(UK)
|
+44 (0)
7891 677 441
|
About Tlou
Tlou is developing energy solutions
in Sub-Saharan Africa through gas-fired power and ancillary
projects. The Company is listed on the ASX (Australia), AIM (UK)
and the BSE (Botswana). The Lesedi Gas-to-Power Project ("Lesedi")
is 100% owned and is the Company's most advanced project. Tlou's
competitive advantages include the ability to drill cost
effectively for gas, operational experience and Lesedi's strategic
location in relation to energy customers. All major government
approvals have been achieved.
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement may contain
certain forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and
uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. No
representation is made that any of those statements or forecasts
will come to pass or that any forecast results will be achieved.
You are cautioned not to place any reliance on such statements or
forecasts. Those forward-looking and other statements speak only as
at the date of this announcement. Save as required by any
applicable law or regulation, Tlou Energy Limited undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Appendix 5B
Mining exploration entity or oil and gas
exploration entity
quarterly cash flow report
Name of entity
|
Tlou Energy Limited
|
ABN
|
|
Quarter ended ("current
quarter")
|
79 136 739 967
|
|
30 June 2024
|
Consolidated statement of cash
flows
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Year to date (12 months)
$A'000
|
1.
|
Cash flows from operating
activities
|
|
|
1.1
|
Receipts from customers
|
1.2
|
Payments for
|
|
|
|
(a) exploration &
evaluation
|
|
(b)
development
|
|
|
|
(c)
production
|
|
|
|
(d) staff
costs
|
(434)
|
(1,220)
|
|
(e) administration and
corporate costs
|
(703)
|
(1,867)
|
1.3
|
Dividends received (see
note 3)
|
|
|
1.4
|
Interest received
|
1
|
13
|
1.5
|
Interest and other costs of finance
paid
|
|
|
1.6
|
Income taxes paid
|
|
|
1.7
|
Government grants and tax
incentives
|
|
|
1.8
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
15
|
129
|
1.9
|
Net
cash from / (used in) operating activities
|
(1,120)
|
(2,945)
|
|
2.
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
2.1
|
Payments to acquire or
for:
|
|
(a) entities
|
|
(b) tenements
|
|
|
|
(c) property, plant and
equipment
|
401
|
(709)
|
|
(d) exploration &
evaluation
|
(3,316)
|
(12,606)
|
|
(e)
investments
|
|
|
|
(f) other
non-current assets
|
|
|
2.2
|
Proceeds from the disposal
of:
|
|
|
|
(a) entities
|
|
(b) tenements
|
|
|
|
(c) property, plant and
equipment
|
|
|
|
(d)
investments
|
|
|
|
(e) other non-current
assets
|
|
|
2.3
|
Cash flows from loans to other
entities
|
|
|
2.4
|
Dividends received (see
note 3)
|
|
|
2.5
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
|
|
2.6
|
Net
cash from / (used in) investing activities
|
(2,915)
|
(13,315)
|
|
3.
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
560
|
8,480
|
3.1
|
Proceeds from issues of equity
securities (excluding convertible debt securities)
|
3.2
|
Proceeds from issue of convertible
debt securities
|
|
|
3.3
|
Proceeds from exercise of
options
|
|
|
3.4
|
Transaction costs related to issues
of equity securities or convertible debt securities
|
(11)
|
(88)
|
3.5
|
Proceeds from borrowings
|
|
3,570
|
3.6
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
|
|
3.7
|
Transaction costs related to loans
and borrowings
|
|
|
3.8
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
3.9
|
Other (provide details if
material)
|
(5)
|
(19)
|
3.10
|
Net
cash from / (used in) financing activities
|
545
|
11,944
|
|
4.
|
Net
increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the
period
|
|
|
4.1
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
5,976
|
6,851
|
4.2
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9 above)
|
(1,120)
|
(2,945)
|
4.3
|
Net cash from / (used in) investing
activities (item 2.6 above)
|
(2,915)
|
(13,315)
|
4.4
|
Net cash from / (used in) financing
activities (item 3.10 above)
|
545
|
11,944
|
4.5
|
Effect of movement in exchange rates
on cash held
|
31
|
(19)
|
4.6
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
2,517
|
2,517
|
5.
|
Reconciliation of cash and cash
equivalents at the end of the quarter
(as shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows) to the
related items in the accounts
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
Previous quarter
$A'000
|
5.1
|
Bank balances
|
2,517
|
5,976
|
5.2
|
Call deposits
|
|
|
5.3
|
Bank overdrafts
|
|
|
5.4
|
Other (provide details)
|
|
|
5.5
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter (should equal
item 4.6 above)
|
2,517
|
5,976
|
6.
|
Payments to related parties of the
entity and their associates
|
Current quarter
$A'000
|
6.1
|
Aggregate amount of payments to
related parties and their associates included in
item 1
|
340
|
6.2
|
Aggregate amount of payments to
related parties and their associates included in
item 2
|
|
Note: if any amounts are shown in items 6.1 or 6.2, your
quarterly activity report must include a description of, and an
explanation for, such payments.
|
7.
|
Financing facilities Note: the term "facility' includes all forms of financing
arrangements available to the entity.
Add notes as necessary for an
understanding of the sources of finance available to the
entity.
|
Total facility amount at quarter
end
$A'000
|
Amount drawn at quarter end
$A'000
|
7.1
|
Loan facilities
|
1,000
|
480
|
7.2
|
Credit standby
arrangements
|
|
|
7.3
|
Other (please specify)
|
|
|
7.4
|
Total financing facilities
|
1,000
|
480
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
Unused financing facilities available at quarter
end
|
520
|
7.6
|
Include in the box below a
description of each facility above, including the lender, interest
rate, maturity date and whether it is secured or unsecured. If any
additional financing facilities have been entered into or are
proposed to be entered into after quarter end, include a note
providing details of those facilities as well.
|
ILC BC Pty Ltd (the "Financier") has
provided an unsecured loan facility that enables Tlou Energy
Limited (the "Borrower") to seek advances from time to time from
the Financier up to a maximum amount of A$1 million or such higher
amount as the Financier might in future agree in writing. Interest
is charged at 10% per annum on amounts drawn down. The loan is
repayable 10 Business Days after the Financier requests payment of
all outstanding amounts from the Borrower or when the Borrower
elects to repay the Financier all outstanding amounts.
|
8.
|
Estimated cash available for future
operating activities
|
$A'000
|
8.1
|
Net cash from / (used in) operating
activities (item 1.9)
|
1,120
|
8.2
|
(Payments for exploration & evaluation classified as investing
activities) (item 2.1(d))
|
3,316
|
8.3
|
Total relevant outgoings
(item 8.1 + item 8.2)
|
4,436
|
8.4
|
Cash and cash equivalents at quarter
end (item 4.6)
|
2,516
|
8.5
|
Unused finance facilities available
at quarter end (item 7.5)
|
520
|
8.6
|
Total available funding
(item 8.4 + item 8.5)
|
3,036
|
|
|
|
8.7
|
Estimated quarters of funding available (item 8.6 divided
by item 8.3)
|
0.7
|
Note: if the entity has reported positive relevant outgoings
(ie a net cash inflow) in item 8.3, answer item 8.7 as
"N/A". Otherwise, a figure for the estimated quarters of funding
available must be included in item 8.7.
|
8.8
|
If item 8.7 is less than
2 quarters, please provide answers to the following
questions:
|
|
8.8.1 Does
the entity expect that it will continue to have the current level
of net operating cash flows for the time being and, if not, why
not?
|
|
Answer: The net operating cash flow
can fluctuate depending on operational requirements in a specific
quarter. Is it expected that the next quarter will be similar to
the level of net operating cash flows in this reporting
period.
|
|
8.8.2 Has
the entity taken any steps, or does it propose to take any steps,
to raise further cash to fund its operations and, if so, what are
those steps and how likely does it believe that they will be
successful?
|
|
Answer: The company is working on
raising additional capital in the near term. Discussions are
ongoing with debt providers looking at providing sufficient capital
for the company to achieve its stated target of getting connected
to the power grid in Botswana and selling electricity. The debt
providers will need to complete their internal due diligence on the
company prior to allocation of funds. Subject to the results of
this due diligence, funds from one or more of these groups is
expected in Q3 2024. In addition, the company may raise equity
capital via a placement in advance of receiving debt funding if
necessary. While indications from the debt
providers and discussions with potential equity investors have been
positive, the company cannot guarantee that sufficient capital will
be raised either from debt providers or from a potential
placement.
|
|
8.8.3 Does
the entity expect to be able to continue its operations and to meet
its business objectives and, if so, on what basis?
|
|
Answer: The company expects to be
able to continue operations and meet business objectives should
sufficient funds be received from the ongoing discussions. If not
the company may need to delay or postpone planned activities until
sufficient capital becomes available.
|
|
Note: where item 8.7 is less than 2 quarters, all of
questions 8.8.1, 8.8.2 and 8.8.3 above must be
answered.
|
Compliance statement
1 This statement has
been prepared in accordance with accounting standards and policies
which comply with Listing Rule 19.11A.
2 This statement
gives a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Date:
.....26/07/2024...............................................................
Authorised by: ....By the
Board.............................................................
(Name of body or officer authorising
release - see note 4)
Notes
1. This
quarterly cash flow report and the accompanying activity report
provide a basis for informing the market about the entity's
activities for the past quarter, how they have been financed and
the effect this has had on its cash position. An entity that wishes
to disclose additional information over and above the minimum
required under the Listing Rules is encouraged to do so.
2. If
this quarterly cash flow report has been prepared in accordance
with Australian Accounting Standards, the definitions in, and
provisions of, AASB 6:
Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and
AASB 107: Statement of Cash
Flows apply to this report. If this quarterly cash flow
report has been prepared in accordance with other accounting
standards agreed by ASX pursuant to Listing Rule 19.11A, the
corresponding equivalent standards apply to this report.
3.
Dividends received may be classified either as cash flows from
operating activities or cash flows from investing activities,
depending on the accounting policy of the entity.
4. If
this report has been authorised for release to the market by your
board of directors, you can insert here: "By the board". If it has
been authorised for release to the market by a committee of your
board of directors, you can insert here: "By the [name of board committee - eg Audit and Risk Committee]". If it
has been authorised for release to the market by a disclosure
committee, you can insert here: "By the Disclosure
Committee".
5. If
this report has been authorised for release to the market by your
board of directors and you wish to hold yourself out as complying
with recommendation 4.2 of the ASX Corporate Governance
Council's Corporate Governance
Principles and Recommendations, the board should have
received a declaration from its CEO and CFO that, in their opinion,
the financial records of the entity have been properly maintained,
that this report complies with the appropriate accounting standards
and gives a true and fair view of the cash flows of the entity, and
that their opinion has been formed on the basis of a sound system
of risk management and internal control which is operating
effectively.