Heron Res. - 5.größtes Nickeldeposit der Welt - 500 Beiträge pro Seite

[MFC500]

Insgesamt verfügt das Unternehmen über Gesamtressourcen von über 1,1 Mrd t @ 0,73% Ni und 0,05% Co, d.h. 7,8 Mio t Ni.

Projekte

Flaggschiff ist das Kalgoorlie Nickel Project (KNP) mit einer Gesamtressource (indicated & inferred) von

989 Mio t @ 0,73 Ni und 0,047 Co

Im Februar 2009 wurde eine Vor-Machbarkeitsstudie veröffentlicht. Die wichtigsten Punkte:

• Produktion von bis zu 36.000 t Ni p.a. bei einem Minenleben von 34 Jahren
• Cash operating cost werden auf U$4,42/lb Ni geschätzt (incl. Co als Nebenprodukt)
• Investitionskosten werden auf U$1,5 Mrd geschätzt
• Es wurden nur 4 der 14 Deposits bei der PFS berücksichtigt
• Die Kosten der bankfähigen Machbarkeitsstudie (BFS) werden auf U$51 Mio geschätzt

Der bisherige Partner, Vale Inco, eine 100%-Tochter von Vale, hat die Option des JV Agreements, 60% an KNP zu erhalten für die Fianzierung aller Machbarkeitsstudien sowie der Sicherung der Projektfinanzierung, nicht ausgeübt. Damit gehören Heron 100% des Projektes. Mehr dazu: http://www.heronresources.com.au/knp.php

Am 14.10. hat Heron angekündigt, sich nach China zu begeben, um einen JV Parter für KNP zu finden. (http://nz.biz.yahoo.com/091014/9/f3ug.html)


Daneben verfolgt Heron das deutlich kleinere Yerilla-Projekt mit einer Gesamtressource (measured, indicated & inferred) von

135 Mio t @ 0,77 Ni und 0,052 Co

Hier werden die Cash operating cost auf U$5,70/lb Ni geschätzt (incl. Co als Nebenprodukt), die Investitionskosten sollen U$1,2 Mrd betragen. Mehr dazu: http://www.heronresources.com.au/yerilla.php

Im Mai 09 wurde ein bindendes Framework Agreement mit Ningbo Shanshan Yerilla betreffend bekanntgegeben. Auszug:

"The Agreement provides for Shanshan to undertake a feasibility study into treating ore from Yerilla utilising technology being provided by Shanshan, to produce a Ni and Co concentrate for further processing in China. Shanshan is one of world’s largest producers of materials for Lithium ion battery manufacture and as such is a significant end user of Ni and Co.

Shanshan is currently constructing a pilot plant at its facilities in China to test the compatibility of Yerilla ore with its processing technology. A 40 t bulk sample has been shipped for this test work. Heron will work with Shanshan during the pilot process to collect critical data for Australian project approvals. Subsequent to a positive feasibility study outcome, Shanshan may earn 70% in Yerilla by sole funding construction and commissioning of the project to an agreed capacity. The Agreement is subject to Chinese and Australian regulatory approvals.

As part of the transaction Shanshan has subscribed for 12 Mio shares or 4,99% at a 20% premium, subject to Shanshan Board approval if required and Chinese Commerce Department’s Approval. Shanshan also has the option to subscribe for 2 further tranches shares; each equivalent to 5% of Heron, at a price 10% above the 15 day VWAP upon a decision to commence construction and upon completion of construction respectively. " (vollständige Mitteilung: http://www.heronresources.com.au/downloads/asx/2009/hrr20090…

Zusätzliche Phantasie ergibt sich aus einer Option zum erwerb der früheren A1 Gold Mine in Eastern Victoria. Details: http://www.heronresources.com.au/downloads/asx/2009/hrr20090…


Bewertung

Stand 02.10.09 waren 253 Mio Aktien ausstehend zzgl 40 Mio Optionen. Die Marktkapitalisierung (basic), basierend auf dem gestrigen Schlusskurs in Australien, beträgt somit knapp A$66 Mio. Die finanzielle Lage ist sehr solide; Heron verfügte zum 30.06.09 über mehr als $29 Mio Cash und ist frei von Finanzschulden. Die gesamten Verbindlichkeiten liegen bei etwa A$1,1 Mio. Zudem unterbreitete kürzlich Mineral Resources ein Übernahmeangebot für Polaris Metals, an der Heron 19,9% hält. Dieser Anteil hat aktuell einen Börsenwert von über A$25 Mio.


Fazit

Die vorhandene Liquidität und die Polaris-Beteiligung decken bereits rund 82% der Marktkapitalisierung ab. Eine wahrhaft riesige Nickelressource gäbe es somit für A$12 Mio, wobei die vorhandene Liquidität natürlich nicht als fix betrachtet werden kann. Die beträchtlichen Investitionskosten werden außerdem nur mit einem Partner zu bewältigen sein. Alles in allem ein Unternehmen, daß sich im Auge zu behalten lohnen dürfte.

Quellen / weiterführende Informationen:

Homepage http://www.heronresources.com.au

Präsentation http://www.heronresources.com.au/downloads/presentations/200…

Unternehmensmeldungen http://www.asx.com.au/asx/research/companyInfo.do?by=asxCode…

Aktueller Geschäftsbericht http://www.heronresources.com.au/downloads/reports/annual/hr…

[Coxos]

der nickelmarkt sieht nicht gut aus
keine ahnung wie es weiter geht
und ob da fette gewinne lauern
ein haufen buden haben produktion zurückgefahren
neue minen machen verspätet oder mit weniger produktion auf
andere wieder schliesen nach 1 jahr betrieb
hier mal ein überblick
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pSvrnHoPCA_n1LxRkQQup…

[MFC500]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 38.249.142 von Coxos am 25.10.09 18:42:31

interessante Aufstellung, allerdings unvollständig, da man der Neuproduktion den Wegfall bisheriger Produktion (erschöpfte Mine usw) gegenüber stellen muß. Aber klar, kurz-/mittelfristig sieht der Nickelmarkt schon aufgrund der Wirtschaftskrise nicht so berauschend aus.

[MFC500]

Quartalsbericht zum 30.09.
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20091029/pdf/31lprp4mnttygn.pdf

[MFC500]

Nov. 4 2009

Heron Resources Ltd., planning to build a $1.5 billion nickel mine in Australia, has held initial talks with groups in China, Japan and South Korea as well as global mining companies to help fund development.

“Initial contact and discussions have been fairly positive,” Managing Director Mathew Longworth said today in an interview in Melbourne. Heron is seeking to agree terms with a new partner within 6 to 12 months, he said.

Heron, 15.6 percent owned by BHP Billiton Ltd., last month said it had hired China-based Satori Investments and KPMG to find an investment partner for its Kalgoorlie nickel project after Brazil’s Vale SA withdrew in May. The company aims to open a so-called data room soon, Longworth said.

Heron declined 1.8 percent to 27.5 cents at the 4:10 p.m. Sydney time close on the Australian stock exchange. The stock has gained 77 percent this year.

The project, in Western Australia state, has a resource of about 1 billion metric tons of nickel and a 30 year lifespan, according to the company. It estimates production at as much as 36,000 tons of nickel a year. The price of nickel for three month delivery on the London Metal Exchange has jumped 55 percent this year as demand from steelmakers rebounds.

BHP closed its $2.2 billion Ravensthorpe nickel operation this year and Bank of America Corp.-Merrill Lynch & Co. is helping the company study options for the mine. China Metallurgical Group and Minara Resources Ltd. are seeking to buy the mine, the Australian Financial Review reported Nov. 2.

“We are watching Ravensthorpe with interest,” Longworth said. Groups involved in any potential bidding process for the mine may also be interested in Heron’s project, he said. “If someone comes into Ravensthorpe and makes it work, it can only be positive for the sector.”

The company is “not against” the possibility of selling new shares to a new partner, he said. Vale, the world’s largest iron ore exporter, owns 13.5 percent.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=aNkrOF_y…

[MFC500]

Heron Resources is pleased to announce commencement of site works at the A1 Gold Mine in eastern Victoria. Department of Primary Industry Victoria and Mansfield Shire approvals have been received to commence site works required as part of the evaluation program for the A1 Gold Mine. Initial works will involve the setting up of a site office, workshops and ancillary buildings to support mining activities. Community consultation meetings were commenced in September, these are an ongoing part of the evaluation and will continue through the life of the operation.

Establishment of the decline portal is expected during November, while dewatering and underground drilling are expected to commence in the New Year when final approvals are received. The A1 Mine has historically produced in excess of 450,000 ounces of gold and was one of Australia’s longest operating mines having been worked from 1861 through to 1992.

The A1 Gold Mine is a low cost entry for Heron to a near production asset that can be evaluated and quickly brought to production within the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalent reserves. It has low capital costs with high potential margins and low operating costs due to the presence of gravity recoverable gold, existing development access and the high grade nature of the ore.

The A1 Gold Mine is very different to most other Victorian gold mines, being hosted in the mafic dyke rather than structurally controlled in sediments. As such the mineralisation is less complex and more continuous. There are real opportunities for small scale mechanised mining. Development will focus on mining quality, keeping production expectations in line with the natural capabilities of the ore body. Historical mining extended to 521m (23 Level) below the surface adit entry (7 Level). Heron’s initial exploration and production targets are mainly stockworks systems between the 7 and 14 Levels.
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4679…

[MFC500]

Updated Mineral Resource Estimates for KNP
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4693…

[MFC500]

AMEC Presentation to Zhejiang Delegation
http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20091124/pdf/31m87zq51n8tgg.pdf

[MFC500]

02.12.09

Heron Resources sold 34,982,651 Polaris Metals shares as part of the takeover offer by Mineral Resources on November 30, decreasing from 39,243,244 shares (22.34%) to 4,260,593 shares (2.43%).
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Heron-sel…

[MFC500]

04.12.09

Heron is pleased to confirm the settlement of the committed 19.9% stake in Polaris Metals NL under the accelerated settlement terms of the improved share offer by Mineral Resources Limited (MIN) , which the Board of Polaris has recommended in the absence of a superior offer.

Under the terms of the recommended offer , Heron has received ten cents cash for each Polaris share and one MIN share for every 10 Polaris shares. This equates to $3,498,265.10 cash and 3,498,265 fully paid ordinary shares in MIN which based on the closing price of MIN on 3 December 2009 of $6.78, have a value of $23,718,236.70. Notwithstanding that settlement has occurred for Heron's 19.9% stake in Polaris, Heron will still receive the full benefit of any further increase in the MIN share offer for this stake.

Heron still controls 4,260,593 Polaris shares and 14,000,000 options in Polaris exerciseable at $0.281. These shares and options are not committed to either the Lion or MIN takeover offers.

Heron's cash balance is now $29.5 million further strengthening its position to deliver its projects and continue to grow through exploration and acquisition.
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4729…

[MFC500]

08.12.09

Heron is pleased to announce commencement of the decline at the A1 Gold Mine in eastern Victoria, with site infrastructure works 80% complete and the 7 Level Adit portal refurbished and accessed. The establishment of the decline portal commenced with the first blast completed Monday 7 December 2009. The decline will be driven to the 14 Level over the next 24 months, a vertical distance of 289 metres and a total of 2000 metres of development. The decline will provide access to historic workings for evaluation of mineralisation and bulk sampling. The decline also provides drill access to historic workings and decline drill sites.

Final approvals were received to commence dewatering of the historic workings. Dewatering will commence in the New Year and reduce the water levels ahead of decline advance. The water in the historic workings is of drinking water quality.

The 7 Level Adit has been refurbished and provides initial access to the underground workings and a second means of egress from the decline once breakthrough is accomplished on the 8 Level.

The A1 Gold Mine has historically produced in excess of 450,000 ounces of gold and was one of Australia’s longest operating mines having been worked from 1861 through to 1992. The A1 Gold Mine is a low cost entry for Heron to a near production asset that can be evaluated and quickly brought to production within the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalent reserves. It has low capital costs with high potential margins. It also has potential low operating costs due to the presence of gravity recoverable gold, existing development access and the high grade nature of the ore.

The A1 Gold Mine is very different to most other Victorian gold mines, being hosted in a 10-50m wide mafic dyke rather than structurally controlled in sediments. As such the mineralisation is less complex and more continuous. Heron is targeting small scale mechanised mining, as opposed to the former rail and shaft system that severely restricted the historical tonnages mined. Development will focus on mining quality, keeping production expectations in line with the natural capabilities of the ore body. Historical mining extended to 521m (23 Level) below the surface adit entry (7 Level). Heron’s initial exploration and production targets are mainly stockworks systems between the 7 and 14 Levels.
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4733…

[MFC500]

09.12.09

EXPLORATION UPDATE NICKEL SULPHIDE PROJECTS

Highlights
· Disseminated nickel sulphides intersected at both Kalpini and Avoca Downs.
· 16 metres at 0.32% nickel and 0.05% copper from 246 metres in Hole KPD001 at Kalpini.
· Petrology and geochemistry confirm magmatic source for Kalpini and Avoca Downs nickel sulphides
· Further EM and drilling planned to follow up
· Helicopter VTEM survey planned for Rocky Gully in January

ausführlich: http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4735…


in Ergänzung zu #5: BHP hat seine Ravensthorpe Nickelmine nun für U$340 Mio verkauft. (http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1151544) Das ist insofern interessant, als potentielle Käufer, die hier nicht zum Zug gekommen sind, eventuell ein Auge auf Heron werfen könnten. Außerdem sind die Größenordnungen der avisiertenn Produktionsmengen ähnlich.

- Heron bis zu 36.000 t Ni p.a. bei einem Minenleben von 34 Jahren
- Ravensthorpe 28.000 t Ni p.a. bei einem Minenleben von 32 Jahren

Allerdings sind die Kapitalkosten für Ravensthorpe deutlich geringer, da es sich hierbei um eine Wieder-Inbetriebnahme handelt. Das würde sich entsprechend im Kaufpreis widerspiegeln.

[MFC500]

Heron Resources is pleased to announce that following the exercise of all of its 14,000,000 options in Polaris Metals NL, Heron has accepted the Mineral Resources Limited (MIN) share offer for all of the remaining Polaris securities under its control being 18,260,593 shares.

Following settlement of these acceptances in accordance with the terms of the MIN share offer, Heron will receive $1,826,059.30 and 1,826,059 fully paid ordinary MIN shares. This means Heron will be the registered holder of 5,324,324 fully paid ordinary MIN shares following the recent issue of the 3,498,265 fully paid ordinary MIN shares to Heron for settlement of the acceptance related to the 19.9% of Polaris that Heron committed to MIN to initiate this transaction. Based on MIN's share price today, this holding in MIN is worth in excess of $37,000,000.

The Company considers that MIN’s acquisition of Polaris represents an excellent outcome for Heron shareholders and
congratulates MIN on successfully implementing this transaction.
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4740…

[MFC500]

18.01.10

Heron has finalised the sale of 5,324,324 shares in Mineral Resources Limited (MIN), being Heron's entire shareholding in MIN that Heron received as part consideration for the sale of its stake in Polaris Metals NL to MIN as part of MIN's successful takeover of Polaris (Takeover). The sale was completed at a price of $7.15 resulting in net proceeds to Heron of $37.9 million.

After adding the cash component of the Takeover consideration Heron received in excess of $40 million for its stake in Polaris Metals NL. The carrying value recorded in Heron's accounts as at 30 June 2009 was $6.5 million. Heron’s Managing Director Mathew Longworth said that the Board was pleased with the price realised for the shares, completing an orderly exit and monetizing the MIN investment.

“The cash realised means that Heron now has in excess of $60 million cash at bank. This strong financial position will enable Heron to complete the assessment of the A1 Gold project, and if warranted, commission a mining operation. Significantly, Heron is now well positioned to pursue additional resource business opportunities. “
http://www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=HRR&E=ASX&N=4769…

[recession]

Ist jemand hier investiert? Nicklel Preiss in Zukunft sieht nicht so rosig aus. Base metal bubble wird wohl in diesem Jahr platzen. Man sollte auf diesem erreigniss vorbereitet sein. Nicht wahr?

[MFC500]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 38.761.007 von recession am 19.01.10 00:25:59

Nicklel Preiss in Zukunft sieht nicht so rosig aus

"Zukunft" ist etwas schwammig - auf Sicht von einem Jahr? Oder zwei? Aber ich denke auch, daß der Nickelpreis höher und v.a. die wirtschaftlichen Gesamtperspektiven klarer sein müssen, bevor es Heron gelingt, einen Partern zu finden. Der entscheidende Vorteil von Heron liegt darin, daß sie mit nunmehr 60 Mio Cash (rund 78% der Marktkapitalisierung) abwarten können, ohne insolvenzgefährdet oder zu Aktienverkäufen auf niedrigem Niveau gezwungen zu sein. Zudem bietet sich die Möglichkeit, was auch angedeutet wurde, mit dieser komfortablen Liquidität andere Optionen wahrzunehmen.