Kibo Signs MOU with TANESCO on MCPP

RNS Number : 8727E

Kibo Mining Plc

14 February 2018

 

 

Kibo Mining Plc (Incorporated in Ireland) (Registration Number: 451931)

(External registration number: 2011/007371/10) Share code on the JSE Limited: KBO

Share code on the AIM: KIBO ISIN: IE00B97C0C31

('Kibo' or 'the Company')

Dated: 14 February 2018

Kibo Mining Plc ('Kibo' or the 'Company')

KIBO SIGNS MOU WITH TANESCO ON MBEYA COAL TO POWER PROJECT

Kibo Mining Plc (AIM:KIBO; AltX:KBO), the multi-asset Africa-focused energy and resource company, is pleased to announce that the Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU') with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company ('TANESCO') today, for the Power Purchase Agreement ('PPA') of the Company's flagship 300MW Mbeya Coal to Power Project ('MCPP'). The MOU constitutes the precursor to the finalisation of the PPA with TANESCO which is expected to be finalized as early as the end of Q1 2018, in accordance with the timeline previously agreed with TANESCO and the Ministry of Energy ('the Ministry').

In accordance with a pre-agreed commercial / technical / legal framework, the MOU sets out clear guidelines, deliverables and timelines for the conclusion of the PPA. The PPA will enable Kibo to move towards execution and conclusion of the final development phase of the MCPP, i.e. construction and commissioning. The Company hopes to complete funding arrangements for the construction and commissioning of the MCPP during H2 2018, after which Kibo believes it can be in production in 36 months, i.e. first electricity into the grid. Signing the MOU started an expedited PPA process that was previously agreed between TANESCO and the Ministry and reconfirmed during a meeting with the Hon. Minister for Energy on 02 February 2018.    

MCPP is Kibo's flagship project based in Tanzania, where the Company aims to build a 300MW mine-mouth power station to alleviate the acute energy deficiency in the country. The nationally important power project partners with global powerhouses like General Electric and the China-based Engineering Procurement and Construction ('EPC') partner SEPCO III.

Kibo's CEO Louis Coetzee said: "This is a seminal moment for Kibo as a signed MOU signals the official engagement by TANESCO and the Ministry in the formal implementation of the MCPP and moves us to just one step away from finalizing the PPA. During the meeting with the Hon. Minister for Energy referred to above, the strategic national importance of the project was reiterated as well as the critical importance of seeing the project completed in less than 36 months if achievable. The Hon Minister also informed the Company that the Ministry is taking proactive steps to ensure an expedited PPA process.

This welcome news follows a month of hard work by Kibo, who have made sure that all relevant stakeholders, especially our development partners, will be ready and in place to immediately commence with this final critical phase of the PPA process. We will continue to work closely with all the relevant parties and remain positive that the Ministry will honour its commitment to deliver a signed PPA by the end of Q1."

**ENDS**

For further information please visit www.kibomining.com or contact:

Louis Coetzee	[e-mail]	Kibo Mining Plc	Chief Executive Officer
Andreas Lianos	[phone]	River Group	Corporate Adviser and Designated Adviser on JSE
Jon Belliss	[phone]	Beaufort Securities Limited	Broker
Andrew Thomson	[phone]	RFC Ambrian Limited	NOMAD on AIM
Isabel de Salis / Priit Piip	[phone]	St Brides Partners Ltd	Investor and Media Relations Adviser

This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations

(EU) no. 596/2014 ("MAR").

Notes to editors

The Mbeya Coal to Power Project ('MCPP'), comprises the development of the Mbeya Coal Mine, a 1.5Mt p/a mining operation and the Mbeya Power Plant, a 300 MW mine-mouth thermal power station. 

The Mbeya Coal Mine has a defined 120.8 Mt NI 43 101 thermal coal resource.  A Definitive Feasibility Study has been conducted on the project which underpins its value with an indicated IRR of 69.2%.  The 300 MW mouth-of-mine thermal power station has long term scalability to 1000MW, with a full Power Feasibility Study that has been completed, highlighting an annual power output target of 1.8 GW based on annual average coal consumption of 1.5 Mt.  An Integrated Bankable Feasibility Study report for the entire project indicated total potential revenues of US$ 7.5-8.5 billion over an initial 25-year mine life, post tax equity IRR between 21-22%, debt pay-back period of 11-12 years and a construction period of 36 months. 

To assist in the execution of this critical power project of the MCPP, Kibo has assembled an international team of advisors and partners including Engineering Procurement and Construction ('EPC') contractors and financial teams that are assisting in the advancement and development of the MCPP.  These include ABSA/Barclays as Financial Advisor, China based EPC contractor SEPCO III, General Electric, Tractebel Engineering (Power), Minxcon Consulting (Mining) and legal advisors Norton Rose Fulbright.

Johannesburg

14 February 2018

Corporate and Designated Adviser

River Group

 

END

 

 

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