AusQuest Limited (ASX: AQD) has agreed with South32 to extend the SAA between the two companies which has been successfully operating since its inception on February 17, 2017. The SAA has been extended for a further two years to December 31, 2023, subject to further extension.
The SAA established an innovative framework under which AusQuest could use its extensive expertise to target new deposits and mineral provinces with major ore potential, to generate and secure prospective early-stage exploration opportunities which are offered exclusively to South32. The two companies have developed a strong working relationship over the past five years and will continue to work together to develop a pipeline of high-potential exploration opportunities both in Australia and internationally.
Targeted commodities in Australia, Peru and other agreed jurisdictions include copper, zinc and nickel with potential for associated gold, silver and lead credits. The possibility of expanding this list of commodities is always open for discussion.
Under the SAA, projects secured by AusQuest and offered exclusively to and accepted by South32, undergo a staged evaluation process which sees projects classified as either Exploration Opportunities or Drill-Ready Opportunities. If a project is rejected twice by South32, at either the Exploration or Drill-Ready Opportunity stage, it becomes a rejected property and will no longer be the subject of the SAA.
For Exploration Opportunities, work programs and budgets to advance each project to a drill-ready stage are agreed by the parties with South32 providing the necessary funds to complete the programs. All funding to advance projects to a drill-ready stage form part of the total earn-in expenditure of US$4.5M for South32 to acquire a 70% interest in each project.
Once a project is accepted by South32 as a Drill-Ready Opportunity, South32 can elect to earn a 70% interest in the project. AusQuest must prepare a drill program and budget of at least US$500,000 in value and following agreement on the program, a joint venture may be established, and a Joint Venture Agreement entered into on the key terms and conditions set out in the SAA. A summary of the key joint venture terms and conditions is appended at the end of this announcement. AusQuest will continue to be the initial operator for each joint venture.
Under the agreed joint venture terms, South32 must contribute a total US$4.5M to earn a 70% joint venture interest and can earn an 80% interest in each project by completing a pre-feasibility study.
Six of AusQuest’s projects are currently Exploration Opportunities under the SAA (three in Australia and three in Peru).
- Four have been the subject of initial drill testing of targets (Balladonia in Western Australia, Hamilton in Queensland, and the Cerro de Fierro and Parcoy Projects in Peru) with follow-up drilling to come;
- one will be the subject of a maiden drilling program scheduled for December of this year (Los Otros in Peru); and
- one is being advanced towards drilling (Morrisey in Western Australia).
The SAA also includes an arrangement to incentivise AusQuest’s project generation activities, with South32 agreeing to pay AusQuest a US$300,000 Bonus Generation Fee in the event that at least two Exploration Opportunities are accepted by South32 in a calendar year.
Managing Director, Graeme Drew, said AusQuest will also receive an administration fee equal to 15% of monies expended on all projects under the SAA to help cover company overhead expenses and assist with the ongoing requirements for project generation studies.
“This is a great outcome for our shareholders with South32 backing the AusQuest team for a further two-year period under the Strategic Alliance, which has functioned extremely well since its inception in February 2017. The agreement is structured to provide AusQuest with the financial capability to identify and evaluate opportunities as well as rewarding the Company for success along the way,” Mr Drew said.
This second extension of the SAA is clear recognition from South32 about the importance of the relationship with AusQuest and the value it creates for their shareholders.
It also represents a strong endorsement of AusQuest’s credentials and technical skills and is a vindication of the quality and scale of the projects we have been able to consistently bring to the table both in Australia and Peru over the past five years.
We are excited about the future and look forward to continuing to work closely with South32 to build a quality pipeline of exploration opportunities which we hope will deliver significant benefits for both companies, and in particular, to reward our shareholders for their ongoing support.”
For further information please visit: http://www.ausquest.com.au/
