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MC Mining Limited (JSE:MCZ) News - Activities Report for the Quarter ended 31 March 2022
MC Mining Limited
Previously Coal of Africa Limited
(Incorporated and registered in Australia)
Registration number ABN 008 905 388
ISIN AU000000MCM9
JSE share code: MCZ
ASX/AIM code: MCM
29 April 2022
ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 FOR
MC MINING LIMITED (“MC Mining” or the “Company”) AND ITS SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
HIGHLIGHTS
Operations
- Health and safety remains a priority and three lost-time injuries (LTI) were recorded during the
quarter (FY2022 Q2: one LTI);
- Measures previously implemented to restrict the spread of the COVID-19 virus at the various group
workplaces remain in place. During the quarter, one employee (FY2022 Q2: three employees) at
the high grade Uitkomst metallurgical and thermal coal mine (Uitkomst Colliery or Uitkomst)
contracted the virus;
- A COVID-19 vaccination programme previously implemented at Uitkomst has resulted in 82% of
Uitkomst’s employees being fully vaccinated and a vaccine booster programme has begun;
- Run-of-mine (ROM) coal production at Uitkomst was 7% higher than the March 2021 quarter at
124,144 tonnes (t) (FY2021 Q3: 115,944t);
- The Company recorded 71,361t of coal sales during the quarter (FY2021 Q3: 62,301t), comprising
62,751t (FY2021 Q3: 53,512t) of high grade metallurgical and thermal coal and 8,610t (FY2021 Q3:
8,789t) of lower grade middlings coal;
- Revenue per tonne increased to $110/t (FY2021 Q3: $72/t) due to the much higher API4 coal
prices recorded during the quarter;
- The Integrated Water Use Licence (IWUL) applications lodged with the Department of Water &
Sanitation (DWS) in Q4 CY2020 for the Uitkomst Colliery and nearby Wykom siding were granted
in April 2022;
- Limited activities were undertaken at the Company’s Makhado hard coking coal project (Makhado
Project or Makhado), Vele semi-soft coking and thermal coal colliery (Vele Colliery or Vele) and
Greater Soutpansberg Projects (GSP) during the quarter;
Corporate
- MC Mining entered into a staged R86,036,691 (approximately $5.7 million) Convertible Advance
and Subscription Agreement (the Agreement) with South African based mining group, Senosi
Group Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited (SGIH) and under the terms of the Agreement,
received R46,036,691 (approximately $3.0 million) during the quarter;
- Subsequent to the end of the quarter and in terms of the Agreement, 38,363,909 ordinary shares
were issued to SGIH for R46,036,691 (approximately $3.0 million), resulting in SGIH owning 19.9%
of the Company;
- The final instalment of ZAR35 million (approximately $2.3 million) for the key Lukin and Salaita
properties required for the Makhado Project was paid during the quarter;
- The Makhado Project’s Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) was completed subsequent to the end of
the quarter confirming the project’s robust economic fundamentals, it is a key input in the due
diligence process for potential funders;
- The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC) repayment date for the
existing R160 million (approximately $10.7 million) loan plus accrued interest was deferred from
31 January 2022 to 30 November 2022;
- The terminal drawdown date of the additional R245 million ($16.3 million) IDC term loan for the
development of Makhado was extended from 31 January 2022 to 30 November 2022, with the
drawdown remaining subject to the IDC re-affirming its due diligence;
- Resignation of long standing non-executive Chairman Bernard Pryor in March 2022 and the
appointment of Mr Nhlanhla Nene as non-executive director and Chairman in April 2022;
- Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Sam Randazzo resigned as director and interim Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) and Mr Godfrey Gomwe was appointed as CEO and Managing Director;
- The appointment of Matthews Senosi as a director of the Company on 28 April 2022;
- Available cash and facilities at quarter-end was $3.0 million ($3.2 million at 31 December 2021)
and restricted cash was $0.03 million.
COMMENTARY
The completion of the Makhado BFS is a significant milestone and confirms the project’s robust
economics. The BFS is based on the project plan with the lowest capital cost options and results in
Makhado’s ROM coal being transported to the Vele Colliery for processing for the entire life of mine.
The forecast hard coking coal (HCC) and thermal coal prices used in the BFS were sourced from
independent advisors and are considerably lower than current index prices, reflecting Makhado’s
significant upside. The BFS is a key milestone in the funding process and the Company is progressing
several alternative strategies to raise the required funding with a target date to complete the financing
during Q3 CY2022 (for further details refer announcement made 13 April 2022).
Uitkomst Colliery – Utrecht Coalfields (70% owned)
One LTI recorded during the quarter (FY2022 Q2: one LTI).
The Uitkomst Colliery generated 124,144t of ROM coal during the quarter, an increase of 7% (Q3
FY2021: 115,944t). Sales of high-grade peas and duff of 62,751t were recorded (Q3 FY2021: 53,512t).
The sales were augmented by the sale of coal carried over from Q2 FY2022 and the two pre-sale
contracts outstanding at the end of December 2021, which were completed during the quarter. In
addition, the colliery also sold 8,610t of high ash middlings coal during the quarter (FY2021 Q3:
8,789t). Uitkomst had 8,373t of high-grade duff and peas coal on hand at the end of the quarter
compared to 10,909t at the beginning of the quarter.
Russia is a significant producer of coal globally and the invasion of Ukraine resulted in prices of thermal
coal attaining record highs. However, these elevated prices are not being accepted in the South
African domestic coal market and the Company is assessing alternative coal marketing strategies,
including the potential production of higher quality coal for the international pulverized coal injection
(PCI) market.
Average API4 prices for the three months to 31 March 2022 were $238/t, being 162% higher than
FY2021 Q3, being $91/t but the composition of Uitkomst’s sales mix results in average revenue per
tonne increasing by just 53% to $110/t (FY2021 Q3: $72/t). Uitkomst’s sales include lower value
middlings coal as well as sales under fixed price arrangements. Production costs per saleable tonne
were marginally higher than the comparative period (FY2022 Q3: $74/t vs. FY2021 Q3: $73/t).
Quarter to Quarter to
end-Mar end-Mar
2022 2021 %
Production tonnages
Uitkomst ROM (t) 124,144 115,944 7%
Sales tonnages
High quality duff and peas (t) 62,751 53,512 17%
Middlings sales (t) 8,610 8,789 (2%)
71,361 62,301 15%
Quarter financial metrics
Revenue/t ($) 110 72 53%
Revenue/t (ZAR) 1,677 1,073 56%
Production cost/saleable tonnes ($)^ 74 73 2%
^ costs are all South African Rand based
Makhado Hard Coking Coal Project – Soutpansberg Coalfield (67% owned post Black Economic
Empowerment transaction)
The fully permitted Makhado Project recorded no LTIs (FY2022 Q2: nil) during the quarter.
The IDC, which holds a 6.7% equity interest in Baobab Mining & Exploration (Pty) Ltd (Baobab), the
Company’s subsidiary that owns Makhado, remains committed to the Company’s growth. During the
quarter, the IDC agreed to extend the date for repayment of the existing R160 million (approximately
$10.7 million) loan plus interest as well as to extend the terminal draw down date in respect of the
conditional R245 million (approximately $16.3 million) term loan facility for the development of the
Makhado Project to 30 November 2022. In the event the Company does not repay the existing loan
by the repayment date, the financing documentation allows for the debt to be converted into equity.
Baobab also completed the acquisition of the Lukin and Salaita properties, key surface rights for the
Makhado Project, with the balance of the purchase price of R35 million (approximately $2.3 million)
(plus interest) paid during the quarter.
MC Mining’s flagship Makhado Project’s favourable economics were confirmed in the BFS completed
by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd subsequent to the end of the quarter. The development of Makhado is expected
to deliver positive returns for shareholders and will position the Company as South Africa’s pre-
eminent HCC producer. The project has an estimated capital cost (including contingencies) of R625
million (approximately $41.7 million), a peak funding requirement of R727 million (approximately
$48.5 million), and is expected to create an estimated 650 permanent employment positions
(including contractors) when at steady state production. The BFS confirmed that Makhado has a short
construction period of 12 months, positioning the project to take advantage of the current higher
global coal prices.
Vele Semi-Soft Coking and Thermal Coal Colliery – Limpopo (Tuli) Coalfield (100% owned)
The Vele Colliery remained on care and maintenance during the quarter and recorded two LTIs during
the period (FY2022 Q2: nil) when staff members were involved in a traffic accident on a national road.
The Vele processing plant is to be refurbished and recommissioned as part of the development of the
Makhado Project.
Greater Soutpansberg Project (GSP)– Soutpansberg Coalfield (74% owned)
GSP recorded no LTIs (FY2022 Q2: nil) during the quarter and no reportable activities occurred during
the period.
SGIH investment
MC Mining entered a staged R86,036,691 (approximately $5.7 million) funding agreement with SGIH
during the quarter, in terms of which, SGIH invested R46,036,691 (approximately $3.1 million) in the
Company. In April 2022 following receipt of Reserve Bank approval, MC Mining issued 38,363,909 new
ordinary shares, resulting in SGIH owning a 19.9% interest in the Company.
SGIH has also conditionally agreed to subscribe for a second tranche of 33,333,333 new ordinary
shares (Second Tranche Shares), raising the balance of R40,000,000 (approximately $2.7 million),
subject to the receipt of all required approvals prior to 30 June 2022. This will result in SGIH holding
an aggregate interest in the Company’s enlarged share capital of approximately 31.71% (assuming no
further shares are issued in the interim). The issue of the Second Tranche Shares requires the prior
approval of Company’s shareholders and a report from an independent expert on whether the issue
of the shares is fair and reasonable to non-associated shareholders.
Appendix 5B – Quarterly Cash Flow Report
The Company’s cash balance as at 31 March 2022 was $3.0 million with available facilities overdraft
facilities fully utilised. The aggregate amount of payments to related parties and their associates, as
disclosed at item 6.1 of the December quarter Appendix 5B was $129k, comprising executive director
remuneration.
To meet its working capital requirements, the Group is exploring and progressing several alternative
strategies to raise additional funding including, but not limited to:
- the issue of new equity for cash in the Company to current and new shareholders, of which the
MC Mining Group has a demonstrated history of success;
- the issue of new equity for cash in subsidiary companies which own the Makhado Project;
- further debt funding;
- further contractor BOOT (build, own, operate, transfer) funding arrangements; and
- the sale of a minority stake in the subsidiary companies holding the Makhado Project.
The Group also has the capacity if necessary to reduce its operating cost structure in order to minimise
its working capital requirements and defer the timing of any future capital raising. The conclusion of
the debt and equity raise is by its nature an involved process and is subject to successful negotiations
with the external funders and shareholders. Any equity raise is likely to be subject to a due diligence
process. The Group has a history of successful capital raisings to meet the Group's funding
requirements.
Godfrey Gomwe
Chief Executive Officer
This announcement has been approved by the Company’s Disclosure Committee.
All figures are in South African rand or United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
For more information contact:
Tony Bevan Company Endeavour Corporate +61 08 9316
Secretary Services 9100
Company advisors:
James Harris / James Nominated Strand Hanson +44 20 7409
Dance Adviser Limited 3494
Rory Scott Broker (AIM) Tennyson Securities +44 20 7186
9031
James Duncan Financial PR R&A Strategic +27 11 880
(South Africa) Communications 3924
Investec Bank Limited is the nominated JSE Sponsor
About MC Mining Limited:
MC Mining is an AIM/ASX/JSE-listed coal exploration, development and mining company operating in South Africa.
MC Mining’s key projects include the Uitkomst Colliery (metallurgical and thermal coal), Makhado Project (hard
coking coal), Vele Colliery (semi-soft coking and thermal coal), and the Greater Soutpansberg Projects (coking and
thermal coal).
All figures are denominated in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. Safety metrics are compared to the
preceding quarter while financial and operational metrics are measured against the comparable period in the
previous financial year. A copy of this report is available on the Company's website, www.mcmining.co.za.
Forward-looking statements
This Announcement, including information included or incorporated by reference in this Announcement, may
contain "forward-looking statements" concerning MC Mining that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally,
the words "will", "may", "should", "continue", "believes", "expects", "intends", "anticipates" or similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks
and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond MC Mining’s ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future
market conditions, changes in regulatory environment and the behaviour of other market participants. MC Mining
cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. MC Mining assumes no obligation and
does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements set out herein,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.
Statements of intention
Statements of intention are statements of current intentions only, which may change as new information becomes
available or circumstances change.
MC Mining has ensured that the mineral resources quoted are subject to good governance arrangements and
internal control. The Company has engaged external independent consultants to update the mineral resource in
accordance with the JORC Code 2012 and SAMREC 2016. The units of measure in this report are metric, with Tonnes
(t) = 1,000kg. Technical information that requires subsequent calculations to derive subtotals, totals and weighted
averages may involve a degree of rounding and consequently introduce an error. Where such errors occur MC Mining
does not consider them to be material.
Tenements held by MC Mining and its Controlled Entities
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Chapudi Albert 686 MS Limpopo~ 74%
Project*
Bergwater 712 MS 74%
Remaining Extent and Portion 2 of 74%
Bergwater 697 MS
Blackstone Edge 705 MS 74%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Bluebell 480 MS
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Bushy Rise 702 MS
Castle Koppies 652 MS 74%
Chapudi 752 MS 74%
Remaining Extent, Portions 1, 3 & 4 74%
of Coniston 699 MS
Driehoek 631 MS 74%
Remaining Extent of Dorps-rivier 74%
696 MS
Enfield 512 MS (consolidation of 74%
Remaining Extent of Enfield 474
MS, Brosdoorn 682 MS &
Remaining Extent of Grootvlei
684 MS)
Remaining Extent and Portion 1 of 74%
Grootboomen 476 MS 74%
Grootvlei 684 MS 74%
Kalkbult 709 MS 74%
Remaining Extent, Remaining 74%
Extent of Portion 2, Remaining
Extent of Portion 3, Portions 1,
4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 of Kliprivier 692
MS
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Remaining Extent of Koodoobult 74%
664 MS
Koschade 657 MS (Was Mapani Kop 74%
656 MS)
Malapchani 659 MS 74%
Mapani Ridge 660 MS 74%
Melrose 469 MS 74%
Middelfontein 683 MS 74%
Mountain View 706 MS 74%
M'tamba Vlei 654 MS 74%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Pienaar 635 MS
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Prince's Hill 704 MS
Qualipan 655 MS 74%
Queensdale 707 MS 74%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Ridge End 662 MS
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Rochdale 700 MS
Sandilands 708 MS 74%
Portions 1 & 2 of Sandpan 687 MS 74%
Sandstone Edge 658 MS 74%
Remaining Extent of Portions 2 & 3 74%
of Sterkstroom 689 MS
Sutherland 693 MS 74%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Varkfontein 671 MS
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Remaining Extent, Portion 2, 74%
Remaining Extent of Portion 1 of
Vastval 477 MS
Vleifontein 691 MS 74%
Ptn 3, 4, 5 & 6 of Waterpoort 695 74%
MS
Wildebeesthoek 661 MS 74%
Woodlands 701 MS 74%
Kanowna M27/41 Coolgardie^ Royalty
West &
M27/47 Royalty
Kalbara
M27/59 Royalty
M27/72,27/73 Royalty
M27/114 Royalty
M27/196 Royalty
M27/181 6.79%
M27/414,27/415 Royalty
P27/1826-1829 Royalty
P27/1830-1842 Royalty
P27/1887 Royalty
Abbotshall ML63/409,410 Norseman^ Royalty
Royalty
Kookynie ML40/061 Leonora^ Royalty
Royalty
ML40/135,136 Royalty
Makhado Fripp 645 MS Limpopo~ 69%#
Project
Lukin 643 MS 69%#
Mutamba 668 MS 69%#
Salaita 188 MT 69%#
Tanga 849 MS 69%#
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Daru 889 MS 69%#
Windhoek 900 MS 69%#
Generaal Beck 568 MS Limpopo~ 74%
Project*
Bekaf 650 MS 74%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Boas 642 MS-
Chase 576 MS 74%
Coen Britz 646 MS 74%
Fanie 578 MS 74%
Portions 1, 2 and Remaining Extent 74%
of Generaal 587 MS
Joffre 584 MS 74%
Juliana 647 MS 74%
Kleinenberg 636 MS 74%
Remaining Extent of Maseri Pan 74%
520 MS
Remaining Extent and Portion 2 of 100%
Mount Stuart 153 MT
Nakab 184 MT 100%
Phantom 640 MS 74%
Riet 182 MT 100%
Rissik 637 MS 100%
Schuitdrift 179 MT 100%
Septimus 156 MT 100%
Solitude 111 MT 74%
Stayt 183 MT 100%
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 100%
Terblanche 155 MT
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Van Deventer 641 MS 74%
Wildgoose 577 MS 74%
Mopane Ancaster 501 MS Limpopo~ 100%
Project*
Banff 502 MS 74%
Bierman 599 MS 74%
Cavan 508 MS 100%
Cohen 591 MS 100%
Remaining Extent, Portions 1 & 2 of 74%
Delft 499 MS
Dreyer 526 MS 74%
Remaining Extent of Du Toit 563 74%
MS
Faure 562 MS 74%
Remaining Extent and Portion 1 of 74%
Goosen 530 MS
Hermanus 533 MS 74%
Jutland 536 MS 100%
Krige 495 MS 74%
Mons 557 MS 100%
Remaining Extent of Otto 560 MS 74%
(Now Honeymoon)
Remaining Extent & Portion 1 of 74%
Pretorius 531 MS
Schalk 542 MS 74%
Stubbs 558 MS 100%
Ursa Minor 551 MS 74%
Van Heerden 519 MS 74%
Portions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 74%
Remaining Extent of Portion 10,
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Portions 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29,
30, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 44,
45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 & 54 of
Vera 815 MS
Remaining Extent of Verdun 535 74%
MS
Voorburg 503 MS 100%
Scheveningen 500 MS 74%
Uitkomst Portion 3 (of 2) of Kweekspruit No. KwaZulu- 70%
Colliery 22 Natal~
and
Portion 8 (of 1) of Kweekspruit No. 70%
prospects
22
Remainder of Portion 1 of Uitkomst 70%
No. 95
Portion 5 (of 2) of Uitkomst No. 95 70%
Remainder Portion1 of Vaalbank 70%
No. 103
Portion 4 (of 1) of Vaalbank No. 103 70%
Portion 5 (of 1) of Vaalbank No. 103 70%
Remainder of Portion 1 of 70%
Rustverwacht No. 151
Remainder of Portion 2 of 70%
Rustverwacht No. 151
Remainder of Portion 3 (of 1) of 70%
Rustverwacht No. 151
Portion 4 (of 1) Rustverwacht 70%
No.151
Portion 5 (of 1) Rustverwacht No. 70%
151
Remainder of Portion 6 (of 1) of 70%
Rustverwacht No. 151
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Portion 7 (of 1) of Rustverwacht No. 70%
151
Portion 8 (of 2) of Rustverwacht No. 70%
151
Remainder of Portion 9 (of 2) of 70%
Rustverwacht No. 151
Portion 11 (of 6) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 12 (of 9) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 13 (of 2) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 14 (of 2) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 15 (of 3) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 16 (of 3) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 17 (of 2) of Rustverwacht 70%
No. 151
Portion 18 (of 3) of Waterval No. 70%
157
Remainder of Portion 1 of Klipspruit 70%
No. 178
Remainder of Portion 4 of Klipspruit 70%
No. 178
Remainder of Portion 5 of Klipspruit 70%
No. 178
Portion 6 of Klipspruit No. 178 70%
Portion 7 (of 1) of Klipspruit No. 70%
178
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Portion 8 (of 1 )of Klipspruit No. 70%
178
Portion 9 of Klipspruit No. 178 70%
Remainder of Portion 10 (of 5) of 70%
Klipspruit No. 178
Portion 11 (of 5) of Klipspruit No. 70%
178
Portion 13 (of 4) of Klipspruit No. 70%
178
Remainder of Portion 14 of 70%
Klipspruit No. 178
Portion 16 (of 14) of Klipspruit No. 70%
178
Portion 18 of Klipspruit No. 178 70%
Portion 23 of Klipspruit No. 178 70%
Remainder of Portion 1 of 70%
Jackalsdraai No. 299
Remainder of Jericho B No. 400 70%
Portion 1 of Jericho B No. 400 70%
Portion 2 of Jericho B No. 400 70%
Portion 3 of Jericho B No. 400 70%
Remainder of Jericho C No. 413 70%
Portion 1 of Jericho C No. 413 70%
Remainder of Portion 1 of Jericho A 70%
No. 414
Remainder of Portion 2 (of 1) of 70%
Jericho A No. 414
Portion 3 (of 1) of Jericho A No. 414 70%
Portion 4 (of 1) of Jericho A No. 414 70%
Portion 5 (of 2) of Jericho A No. 414 70%
Change
Project during
Name Tenement Number Location Interest quarter
Portion 6 (of 1) of Jericho A No. 414 70%
Margin No. 420 70%
Vele Portions of Overvlakte 125 MS Limpopo~ 100%
Colliery (Remaining Extent, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13,
and 14)
prospects
Bergen Op Zoom 124 MS 100%
Semple 155 MS 100%
Voorspoed 836 MS 100%
Alyth 837 MS 100%
Tshikunda Certain portions of Unsurveyed Limpopo~ 60%
State Land known as Mutale
* Form part of the Greater Soutpansberg Projects
~ Tenement located in the Republic of South Africa
^ Tenement located in Australia
#
MC Mining’s interest will reduce to 67% on completion of the 26% Broad Based Black Economic
Empowerment (BBBEE) transaction
net smelter royalty of 0.5%
Date: 29-04-2022 09:00:00
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