7
November 2024
Xtract Resources
Plc
("Xtract" or the
"Company")
Chilibwe Licence, Zambia -
Decision to Commence Drilling
The Board of Xtract Resources Plc
("Xtract" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has
approved the commencement of preliminary reconnaissance diamond
drilling on the Chilibwe large scale exploration licence
22118-HQ-LEL in Zambia (the "Licence"), funded by Xtract as a
loan to Chilibwe under the terms of Xtract's collaboration
agreement with Chilibwe Mining as set out further below.
Colin Bird, Executive Chairman of Xtract,
commented: "All of our historic data
compilation and recent field work suggests there are drill-ready
targets on the Licence, and we intend to start drilling within the
next 7 days. A rig and drilling contractor have been assigned to
the Chilibwe Project and the drilling team is in transit to site.
We look forward to providing the Market with updates once drilling
generates material results".
Licence Information
As set out in the Zambia Mining
Cadastre on 7 October 2024, Licence 22118-HQ-LEL is a
large-scale exploration licence covering 27,203ha in the name of
Chilibwe Mining Limited ("Chilibwe"). The Licence was granted on 7
February 2018 and has an expiry date of 6 February 2025. The
Licence is for cobalt, copper, gold and nickel.
The Licence is currently subject to
Zambian Court proceedings in respect of a dispute between Chilibwe
and its previous joint venture partner which has restricted
Chilibwe to date from developing the Project (the "Existing
Joint Venture"). Chilibwe has lodged a case with the High Court for
Zambia to have the Existing Joint Venture terminated such that it
would retain a 100% interest in the Licence. The Licence may
nevertheless in the future be subject to further or new challenges
or other disagreements.
The Licence is located in the North
Central province of Zambia and is located to the northwest of
Eurasian Resources Group's Frontier mine which is situated on the
Zambian-DRC border and to the southeast of the historic Mufulira
copper mine. There has been historic exploration and Xtract is
continuing to assess the data currently available and assessing
in-country archives.
Chilibwe Mining exclusive collaboration
agreement
On 10 October 2024 Xtract entered
into an exclusive collaboration agreement with Chilibwe in
relation to large scale exploration licence 22118-HQ-LEL in Zambia
to prepare a work programme and budget for the exploration and
development of the Licence and assist in obtaining funding for the
Project ("Agreement").
The Agreement allows Xtract to
further its exploration and development strategy, without any
funding commitment. The key commercial terms of the Agreement
are as follows:
Services to be provided by
Xtract
Xtract has been appointed to
assist Chilibwe on an exclusive basis for 24 months in preparing a
work programme and budget for the exploration and development of
the Licence and management of the subsequent exploration programme
or any renewal of the Licence with a view to obtaining a mining
licence (the "Project") and in obtaining funding for the Project
(the "Business") (the "Services").
Xtract are to commence the Services
within 15 days of the Agreement. Commencement is defined as both
physical activity within the Licence boundaries and desktop studies
related to the Services which will include technical, financial and
legal due diligence in relation to a project of this
nature.
The fee for the Services payable to
Xtract is as follows:
i) a 25%
shareholding in Chilibwe and / or 25% interest in the Business
("Xtract Fee Shares"), and in the event of a Trigger Event will be
due to be issued early as set out further below; and
ii) 25% of any
dividends due to be paid by Chilibwe in relation to the Business
(the "Fees")
Trigger Event for payment of
the Xtract Fee Shares
In the event of (i) the completion
of funding for the Project; or (ii) a proposed change of control of
Chilibwe and or sale of equity in Chilibwe; or (iii) Chilibwe
entering into a joint venture or similar arrangement in relation to
the Licence, Business or Project (a "Trigger Event"), then
Xtract has the right to be immediately issued the Xtract Fee Shares
which will represent 25% of Chilibwe's fully diluted issued share
capital (as enlarged by the issue of the Xtract Fee Shares and
assuming the exercise of all other options or other rights to
subscribe for Chilibwe shares).
No commitment to obtain
financing
Xtract has made no commitment to
provide any funding itself to the Project pursuant to the
Agreement. Furthermore, Xtract has made no representation or
commitment that it will be able to obtain funding for the Project.
Any funds provided to Chilibwe by Xtract or spent on the project by
Xtract ("Xtract Loan") can at Xtract's election be converted into
shares in Chilibwe based on the funds provided by Xtract and by
Chilibwe ("Loan Conversion Shares").
Exclusivity & break
fee
Chilibwe has appointed Xtract
as its sole and exclusive agent for 24 months in relation to the
Services (the "Exclusivity Period"). If Chilibwe accepts funding
from another party in the Exclusivity Period then it shall within 7
days: (i) pay a break fee to Xtract of US$500,000 (the "Break
Fee"); (ii) issue the Xtract Fee shares (if not already issued);
and (iii) issue any Loan Conversion Shares / or make any Xtract
Loan repayments.
Information on Chilibwe Mining
Chilibwe Mining Limited was
registered on 17 August 2005 in Zambia with company number
120050059656 and its main activity is the Chilibwe Project. The
executive director of Chilibwe Mining is Lukonde Makungu who is
also an executive director and shareholder of Cooperlemon
Consultancy Limited which is a private Zambian based mining
consultancy firm.
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU)
No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").
The person who arranged for the
release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Colin
Bird, Executive Chairman and Director.
Xtract Resources Plc
|
Colin Bird,
Executive Chairman
|
+44 (0)20 3416 6471
www.xtractresources.com
|
Beaumont Cornish Limited
Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
|
Roland Cornish
Michael Cornish
Felicity Geidt
|
+44 (0)207628 3369
www.beaumontcornish.co.uk
|
Novum Securities Limited
Joint Broker
|
Jon Bellis
Colin Rowbury
|
+44 (0)207
399 9427
www.novumsecurities.com
|
Qualified Person:
Colin Bird: The technical
information contained in this announcement has been reviewed,
verified, and approved by Colin Bird, C.Eng, FIMMM, South African
and UK Certified Mine Manager and Director of Xtract Resources plc,
with more than 40 years' experience mainly in hard rock
mining.
Important Notice:
Beaumont Cornish
Limited ("Beaumont Cornish"), which is authorised and
regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct
Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in
connection with this announcement and will not regard any other
person as its client and will not be responsible to anyone else for
providing the protections afforded to the clients of Beaumont
Cornish or for providing advice in relation to such proposals.
Beaumont Cornish has not authorised the contents of, or any part
of, this document and no liability whatsoever is accepted by
Beaumont Cornish for the accuracy of any information, or opinions
contained in this document or for the omission of any information.
Beaumont Cornish as nominated adviser to the Company owes certain
responsibilities to the London Stock Exchange which are
not owed to the Company, the Directors, Shareholders, or any other
person.