02 Jun 2022
Edenville
Energy Plc (AIM: EDL) announces an update with respect to the
operation of the Company's Rukwa Coal Project in Tanzania.
As
announced on 18 May 2022 the Company was in
discussions with Nextgen Coalmine Limited ('Nextgen') to
vary the contract for the operation of the Company's Rukwa Coal
Project, entered into on 3 February 2022 (the
'Contract'). The Company is pleased to confirm it has reached an agreement with
NextGen to terminate the Contract and has subsequently resumed full control of
the site and mining operations.
Following
the termination of the Contract all mining equipment has been brought back into
service by the Company, whilst an additional pre-strip excavator has been added
to the fleet. Up to three additional trucks are also being sourced to rapidly
scale production. The Company's initial goal is to satisfy existing demand from
local customers of 1,500 tonnes of washed lump coal product and 500 tonnes of
coal fines in the immediate future, targeting sales of 5,000 tonnes per month
of washed coal late in Q3 2022, with coal fines sales also expected to continue
and possibly expand. The Company believes there is sufficient demand based on
its existing order book and recent discussions with potential customers to sell
any coal that is produced at Rukwa.
Additionally,
further to the announcement on 18 May 2022 that Upendo
Group Ltd.'s current 10% economic interest in the joint venture, which
holds the licences governing the Rukwa Project, had been
transferred to a 10% direct holding on the principal production licence, the
Company remains in discussions with its legal advisers regarding the validity
of the transfer and consequences thereof.
Alistair Muir, CEO of Edenville, commented: 'The
agreed termination of the agreement with Nextgen will enable the Company to
take advantage of the recent macro changes that have made the economics of our
Rukwa project considerably more attractive. The Company is determined to
maximise cash returns in the current global coal environment, especially given
the attractive pricing forecast over the coming years. To this end Edenville
has already started applying a modest proportion of its existing cash resources
towards expanding the Rukwa operations to meet this heightened demand. I look
forward to making further announcements in due course.'