Kopane is a diamond producer, development and explorer with core projects at Liqhobong in Lestho, Southern Africa.
The Liqhobong Satellite plant is now producing at a rate approaching 180,000 carats per annum. A Definitive Feasibility Study “DFS” has commenced on the Liqhobong Main Pipe which should confirm a viable project, capable of producing up to one million carats per annum. Kopane is also committed to bringing its exploration assets in Finland to full value.
Two adjacent producing kimberlites at Liqhobong in Lesotho - Satellite Pipe - resource of 1 million carats - Main Pipe - Kopane's long term future - resource of 11.5 million carats (75% owned KDD) Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") in progress (results 4Q '08)
Liqhobong Plant - currently producing at 160,000 carats/year using feed from Satellite and Main Pipes
Joint Venture exploration project in Finland managed by Mantle Diamonds Limited
Current Operations
Lesotho Project: Liqhobong Production and Development Project
Located 120 kilometres ENE of capital Maseru at the Head of the Liqhobong Valley.
Easily accessible from South Africa (360km to Johannesburg)
390 hectare mining lease containing five kimberlites (three yet to be extensively explored)
Current operations: - Satellite Pipe, surface area of 1.0 ha, grade 68 cpht, average value ~$40/carat - Liqhobong Plant currently producing at a rate of 160,000 carats/year - Main Pipe, surface area of 8.6ha, Pre Feasibility Study ("PFS") complete, Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") now underway with updated resource statement expected Q3 2008 and full study Q4 2008
Agreement with BHP Billiton to market Liqhobong diamonds (approx 10 tenders/annum)
20 year full mining license for Main Pipe already secured
Kopane owns 75% interest in Liqhobong Mining Development Company ("LMDC") the local operator and license holder. The remaining 25% is owned by the GoL.
Finnish JV Project: Mantle Diamonds Ltd Joint Venture Kopane has signed a definitive Joint Venture agreement with Mantle Diamonds Ltd ("Mantle") under which, Mantle will acquire up to 70% of the Finnish assets by:
Spending $5 million on exploration and evaluation of the properties;
Concluding a Definitive Feasibility Study on the Lahtojoki Project;
Issuing Kopane with £2 million of Mantle shares.
Lahtojoki Project: The Lahtojoki project is located 50km from Kuopio in central Finland and benefits from excellent infrastructure. The claim covers a diamondiferous kimberlite, approximately two hectares in area (250 by 100 meters).
Since the formation of the Joint Venture, Mantle Diamonds has progressed the Lahtojoki project. Preparations for the extraction of a representative 5,500 tonne bulk sample are complete and Mantle will commence the bulk sampling programme once an environmental permit is issued. This permit is required by law and is expected to be issued mid year. The bulk sample will comprise approximately 3,500 tonnes of surface excavated ore and 2,000 tonnes of ore recovered from a large diameter Bauer drilling rig. Mantle has recently commissioned the construction of a 10 tonnes per hour mobile DMS plant in South Africa. This plant will be transported to Finland to process the bulk sample towards the end of the year.
Geographical Spread
Finland
Lesotho
Board of Directors and Key Management
Francesco Scolaro
Non-Executive Chairman
Michael John Carter Wittet
Chief Executive Officer
James Seymour Cable
Finance Director
Andrew Campbell Birnie
Technical Director
Timothy Philip Read
Non-Executive Director
Buddy James Doyle
Non-Executive Director
Edward Marlow
Non-Executive Director
Company Address
Carlyle House
235 - 237 Vauxhall Bridge Road London, United Kingdom SW1V 1EJ
February 01, 2009
The authorised share capital of the Company consists of 400,000,000 ordinary shares of 1p each.
The Company's capital structure as of the date above consists of:
Issued share capital 169,611,283
Warrants outstanding, subscribe to equivalent of ordinary shares
35,246,489
Share options outstanding 11,064,902
Fully diluted 215,922,674
Annual General Meeting
December
Year End
30th June
Nominated Brokers
Canaccord Adams Limited
Nominated Advisors
Canaccord Adams Limited
Major Shareholders
December 31, 2008
The Company's major shareholders as of the date above are
Obtala Resources Plc 28.07%
HSBC Holdings Plc, (through its subsidiary companies) 12.24%
JPMorgan Asset Management (UK) Limited 7.72%
Generali Ambition 6.49%
Mantle Diamonds 3.19%
Dragon Equities Ltd 3.10%
In accordance with the AIM Rules (Rule 26), in so far as the Company is aware, the percentage of the Company's issued share capital that is not in public hands is 4.54%