Update on Jupiter Mines and Resource Star

RNS Number : 4574Q

Red Rock Resources plc

01 September 2014

 

Red Rock Resources Plc

("Red Rock" or the "Company")

Update on Jupiter Mines and Resource Star

1 September 2014

Red Rock Resources plc ("Red Rock"), the mining and exploration company with gold interests in Colombia, Kenya, and Ivory Coast, is pleased to announce an update in relation to Jupiter Mines Limited ("JMS"), in which it holds 27,324,375 shares (1.20%), following JMS's annual meeting in Perth.

Highlights

·     1m ton Mn initial year production from 49% owned Tshipi Borwa mine

·     2m ton target for current year (over 1m tons in first 5 ½ months)

·     Potentially scalable to 3.6m tons

·     Tshipi EBITDA forecast to rise from $23m to $49m (at $4.50 DMTU CIF¹ price)

·     12% market share in China seaborne Mn trade

·     Very low cost producer

·     Independent valuation of JMS Tshipi equity share of A$460m

·     JMS's Mt Mason haematite project on timeline to June 2017 production

¹  Dry metric tonne unit - Cost, insurance & Freight

At the annual meeting a presentation was given (http://www.jupitermines.com/images/jupiter---ailahquoim.pdf) with an accompanying video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiSCheSBYXM&feature=youtu.be).

In its first year of operation to 28 February 2014 JMS's 49% owned and managed Tshipi Borwa Manganese mine achieved above-target production of 1,055,087 tons of Mn, and projects 2,000,693 tons for the current year. To mid-August, production has already exceeded 1m tons. Recent lower Mn prices were partially compensated for by achieving lower operating costs, which may now be the lowest in the industry at around $2.60 DMTU FOB. Thus the operations are still profitable even at recent low market prices of $3.30 DMTU FOB. 

Nearly 80% of Tshipi sales have been into China, where the market share achieved in Chinese seaborne Mn trade after just over a year of operation is estimated at 12%.

The operations enjoy some key advantages, including a 60 year planned life, low cost, open pit which is easily scalable, and a rail load-out station that can load a train in 4 to 5 hours.

At the Mt Mason DSO haematite project in Western Australia, JMS has been working to optimise the capital and operating costs of the project as the slowdown in the resources industry has created cost saving opportunities. At present the timeline to production, based on the development schedule of the Esperance Port Expansion Project, is June 2017.

A valuation of the Tshipi Mine by consultants Venmyn Deloitte values JMS's equity stake at A$460m on the preferred valuation. It is noted that the valuation is sensitive to initial Mn price assumptions and has been made at a period when prices have been relatively depressed. JMS also has loans to Tshipi Borwa.

Resource Star Ltd

Further to the announcement of 1 August 2014, Resource Star Limited, the Australian listed (ASX:RSL) company in which Red Rock has 65.3m shares (a 20.94% holding) and 5.21m options exercisable at $0.004, continues due diligence on Australian cloud computing service and infrastructure provider Cloud Lands Digital Fortress Pty Ltd, and has announced a General Meeting to take place on 16 September 2014 to approve placements of shares  to raise up to A$ 452,000.

Red Rock Chairman Andrew Bell comments:

"Jupiter Mines' Tshipi Borwa mine has performed exceptionally well in a challenging market, exceeding planned production volumes, seizing a substantial share of the Chinese market, and achieving a low cost of production.

There is scope for further progress, including production expansion at Tshipi, which is proving itself to be a world class mining property.

Mt Mason and the magnetite resource at Mt Ida continue to be a focus for discussion at JMS. It is likely Mt Mason can be brought into production from existing financial resources, and the financial and operational strength of the JMS shareholders enables JMS to influence the course of events in the Yilgarn."

For further information contact:

Red Rock Resources plc

Andrew Bell, Chairman                                                  0207 747 9990 or 0776 647 4849   

Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser)

Rosalind Hill Abrahams

Roland Cornish                                                              0207 628 3396

Dowgate Capital Stockbrokers Ltd (Broker)

Jason Robertson                                                            01293 517744                                  

MHP Communications (Media Relations)

Rupert Trefgarne                                                           0203 128 8817                        

 

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