Investor Presentation • Feb 2, 2023
Investor Presentation
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Company update and contemplated equity financing
2 February 2023
This extended company presentation (the "Presentation") has been prepared by Nordic Mining ASA ("Nordic Mining" or the "Company") with the assistance of Clarksons Securities AS and SpareBank 1 Markets AS (the "Financial Advisors"), solely for use at the presentation of Nordic Mining's Company update. The Presentation does not in any way constitute an offer to purchase shares in the Company.
The information contained in this Presentation is solely based on information provided by the Company and its subsidiaries, including Nordic Rutile AS (the "Group"). The information in this Presentation has not been verified by the Financial Advisors. None of the Financial Advisors, the Group or subsidiary undertakings or affiliates, or any directors, officers, employees, advisors or representatives of any of the aforementioned (collectively the "Representatives") make any representation or warranty (express or implied) whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or sufficiency of any information contained herein, and nothing contained in this Presentation is or can be relied upon as a promise or representation by the Financial Advisors, the Group or any of their Representatives.
None of the Financial Advisors, the Group or any of their Representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) arising directly or indirectly from the use of this Presentation or its contents or otherwise arising in a future investment in the Company, including but not limited to any liability for errors, inaccuracies, omissions or misleading statements in this Presentation.
Neither the Financial Advisors, nor the Group, have authorized any other person to provide any other information related to the Group and neither the Financial Advisors nor the Group will assume any responsibility for any information other persons may provide.
This Presentation speaks as at the date set out on its front page. Neither the delivery of this Presentation nor any further discussions of the Group with any of investors shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Group since such date. Neither the Financial Advisors nor the Group assume any obligation to update or revise the Presentation or disclose any changes or revisions to the information contained in the Presentation (including in relation to forward-looking statements).
The contents of this Presentation shall not be construed as financial, legal, business, investment, tax or other professional advice. Clarksons Securities and SpareBank 1 Markets is acting exclusively for the Company and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to clients of Clarksons Securities and Sparebank 1 Markets for providing advice.
This Presentation contains certain forward-looking statements relating to inter alia the business, financial performance and results of the Group and the industry in which it operates. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts, sometimes identified by the words "believes", "expects", "predicts", "intends", "projects", "plans", "estimates", "aims", "foresees", "anticipates", "targets", and similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements contained in this Presentation, including assumptions, opinions and views of the Financial Advisor or the Group or cited from third party sources, are solely opinions and forecasts and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. None of the Financial Advisors, the Group or any of their Representatives provides any assurance that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor do any of them accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of opinions expressed in this Presentation or the actual occurrence of forecasted developments. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the Financial Advisors and certain of their respective affiliates have engaged, and will continue to engage, in investment and commercial banking transactions with the Group.
This Presentation is not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity that is a citizen or resident located in any state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would require registration of licensing within such jurisdiction.
Any potential future offer of securities in the Company will be offered and sold in the United States only to QIBs and outside the United States to persons other than U.S. persons or non-U.S. purchasers in reliance upon Regulation S. The shares of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold, resold, pledged, delivered, distributed or transferred, directly or indirectly, into or within the United States unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act or in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or jurisdiction of the United States. There will be no public offering of the securities of the Company in the United States. In the United States, these materials are directed only at persons reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional buyers" ("QIB") as defined under the Securities Act. Any person who is not a Relevant Person or QIB should not accept these materials, not act or rely on these materials. These materials are not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local laws or regulations. The Company does not accept any liability to any person in relation to the distribution or possession of these materials in or from any jurisdiction.
This Presentation is subject to Norwegian law, and any dispute arising in respect of this Presentation is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Norwegian courts.
- The Project is a large scale complex industrial project and will be subject to all the risks inherent in a new mineral mining project.
- The Issuer is dependent upon the continued services and performance of its senior management and other key personnel and consultants.
Due to among other the limited market cap , the low trading volumes and other factors, the price of the shares may be highly volatile.
Pre-emptive rights to participate in the issuance of new shares may not be available to all holders of shares.
The Issuer does not expect to pay any dividends in the near future.
Transfer of shares is subject to restrictions under the securities laws of the United States and other jurisdictions.
Shareholders outside Norway are subject to exchange risk as the shares are priced in NOK and any future dividends on the shares will be paid in NOK.
4
| Construction on track for production in 2024 |
• Project construction commenced in April 2022, with around USD 33m spent towards pre-production capital expenditures as of year-end 2022 Low-risk project with around 70% of capital expenditure committed on lump-sum contracts, with additional contingencies • and reserves |
|---|---|
| 76% of funding secured – final equity to be raised |
~76% of total project financing secured from large financial and strategic partners • Extensive due diligence carried out by a number of independent technical, legal and financial advisors • • Remaining USD 66m in equity to be raised in a Private Placement |
| Sustainable industrial minerals producer for the next 40 years |
• Ramp-up of commercial production expected from H2-2024 • Among the largest high grade rutile resources globally • Significant political and regulatory support in favor of the mineral extraction across EEA and US |
| Attractive economics and significant revenue and cash flow generation |
• Strong economics – USD 491m post-tax NPV8 and 26% unlevered post-tax IRR • Expected to generate avg. EBITDA of USD 57m and free cash flow of USD 47m p.a. in the period 2025-30 Outlook for material and competitive shareholder distributions • |
| Industry-leading ESG profile | Engebø rutile documented as the world's most climate friendly titanium feedstock • Electrical dryers make the process plant free of CO emissions and reduce operating costs • 2 • Renewable hydroelectric power and development of electric vehicles and technology will enable fossil-free mining |
| Process for an equity private placement with total gross • proceeds of at least NOK 900m announced |
Indicative timeline | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemplated | ~NOK 241m in pre-commitments, with ~NOK 659m or • USD 66m to be raised |
2-Feb | Call for EGF and announcement of equity financing |
|
| equity financing | To be carried out as a Private Placement • |
|||
| • Price and specific terms will be explored with potential investors over the coming weeks during February |
7-Feb | 4th quarter results |
||
| • Material pre commitments |
Material pre-commitments from off-take partner Iwatani | Investor meetings to explore specific terms | ||
| Corporation and leading mining investment resource firm Orion Resource Partners1 • Iwatani: NOK 192m |
February | Possible launch of contemplated Private Placement |
||
| from strategic partners |
• Orion: ~ NOK 49m • Subscription price to be the same as set in the Private Placement |
3 March | EGM to approve equity financing | |
| 9 March | Long-stop date on bond | |||
| Use of proceeds | • Proceeds will be sufficient to fully fund the Engebø Project and satisfy all relevant financing conditions |
March / April | Potential subsequent offering |
1) As previously announced, Iwatani Corporation will, subject to certain conditions, participate in the Private Placement with approximately NOK 192 million. Orion Resource Partners will participate with USD 5 million, subject to the parties signing binding agreements and the satisfaction of certain conditions and approvals
1) Royalty Agreement with Orion is conditional and subject to subject to formalization of final documentation 2) Funds from Iwatani at relevant foreign exchange rate at date of report, 2) Additional consideration from local investor group including EPC convertible loan spent in H1 2022 (See press release 11 January 2022 for more information)
Defines realistic and conservative way to production Initial DFS announced in 2020 and updated in 2021
Managers' Independent Technical Engineer
Provided a technical due diligence and second opinion of geology and resource, engineering, hydrology, mining, processing, infrastructure, environmental, economic assessment/financial modelling, management structure/team and material contracts
Orion's Independent Technical Engineer
Independent technical review of the UDFS focusing on overall viability and maturity level, including construction readiness, geotechnical design, flow-sheet, metallurgical viability and environmental impact
Orions's and Managers' Market Due Diligence
TiPMC have provided market report on rutile and Peter Harben Inc. on garnet Both reports evaluate the global market for the products current and future supply/demand estimates with perspectives regarding the Engebø Project
Kvale Advokatfirma DA has acted as legal advisor to the Issuer Norton Rose Fulbright acted as legal counsel on the Royalty and Intercreditor Agreement
TZMI's projected industry curve in 2024 (2021 UDFS)
| ー | ||
|---|---|---|
Global TiO2 Partner
Binding offtake agreement signed in June 2022 Binding offtake signed October 2022
Agreement with major pigment producer
Terms are confidential and not to be disclosed by Nordic Mining
This agreement, combined with the Iwatani agreement secures sales for up to the full annual production of rutile the first 5 years
Global Partner on Garnet
Binding offtake agreement signed January 2023
Leading international distributor of industrial abrasives
Globally exclusive agreement for the full planned garnet production from Engebø for the first 5 years
Minimum «Committed» offtake of 762,500 metric tonnes and "Best Effort" of up to 785,000 metric tonnes
Take or pay commitment with pre-agreed price schedule
Mutual renewal/extension of cooperation
Iwatani Corporation
• Engaged in the provision of gas and energy
5-year agreement From commencement of production 20,000mt per year
Take-or-Pay commitment
Price determined from TZMI index
Mutual renewal of 3 years With 15 months notice Equity investment of USD 20m From Iwatani in construction financing
• Headquartered in Osaka, Japan
• Founded 1945
• TYO listed (8088) • ∼USD 2.5bln MCAP
services
Potential for strong cash flow generation (cumulative unlevered)12
1) Forecasted realized sales for rutile based on price forecasts from TZMI, including any corrections for rutile offtake agreements, and for garnet pre-agreed price schedule, up to 2029, and after offtake agreements forecasts from TiPMC and Peter Harben Inc. (real 2023 USD), 2) Free cash flow takes into account royalty payment and cost but excludes Nordic Bond facility
Project economics continues to improve as project progresses towards production
1) Resource estimates (June 2018) completed by Competent Person Adam Wheeler, corresponding to the guidelines of the JORC Code (2012 edition) 2) Post-tax NPV8 and IRR based on the same production and cost profile as UDFS from 2021 taking account into investments made in 2022 and updated forecasted sales prices and FX 3) EBITDA and FCF accounts for 11% of revenue being paid as royalty to Orion
1) Forecasted realized sales prices for rutile based on forecasts from TZMI, including any corrections for rutile offtake agreements, and for garnet pre-agreed price schedule, up to 2029, and after offtake agreements forecasts from TiPMC and Peter Harben Inc. (real 2023 USD), 2) EBITDA assumes USDNOK of 9.96 and accounts for 11% of revenue being paid as royalty to Orion
2. Company update – Engebø Project
Fully permitted high-quality asset with low cost and industry-leading ESG profile
Engebø Rutile and Garnet project in Norway to produce for 40 years
Broad push from Norwegian industry, politicians and local communities for the sector – Engebø project will create more than 250 jobs1
The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), and the Norwegian Mineral Industry and Confederation
Strong political drive in the EU and Western world to increase security of supply
EU has released the Critical Raw Materials Act (Sep-22), and intends to establish Strategic Partnership with Norway on raw materials and batteries
Nordic Mining aims to build a Norwegian industrial company by developing a green and sustainable value chain to deliver critical minerals to Europe and international markets
2006: Acquired rights to the Engebø deposit
Project initiated Studies, regulatory, permits and stakeholders Construction and long-term value-creation
2009: Scoping Study completed
2021: Updated DFS ("UDFS") with improved economics and ESG footprint
Defining project and securing regulatory and environmental permits under some of the strictest standards globally
2022: Final approval of Operational License
2022: Keliber stake sold for EUR 46.9 million
2022: Royalty Agreement with Orion Resource Partners
2022: New USD 100 million senior secure bond issued
2022: Nordic Mining wins over AMR in the appeal court (won two instances with expenses)
2022: Full production of rutile and garnet sold for the first 5 years of production
USD 211 million funding secured – positioned for ~40 years of production and value-creation
Minerals for a sustainable future
Nordic Mining is strategically positioned in the growing USD 17bn TiO2 market
• Garnet is the only viable mineral for industrial waterjet cutting – solid demand growth expected for the next decade
Nordic Mining will be the first producer of high-quality garnet in Europe
Compared with major operational and planned rutile resources (MI)
Indicative rutile grades (TiO2 ) for current producers and planned projects (MI&I)
| West Balranald, Australia | 3.68% | |
|---|---|---|
| Engebø, Norway | 3.27% | |
| Vilnohirsk, Ukraine | 1.50% | |
| Akonolinga, Cameroon | 1.15% | |
| Sembehun, Sierra Leone | 1.09% | |
| Kasiya, Malawi | 1.01% | |
| WIM150, Australia | 0.45% | |
| Atlas-Campaspe, Australia | 0.38% | |
| Donald, Australia | 0.37% | |
| Mission, USA | 0.36% | |
| Port Durnford, South Africa | 0.24% | |
| Dongara, Australia | 0.23% | |
| Kwale; Kenya | 0.22% | |
| Boonanarring, Australia | 0.21% | |
| Cataby, Australia | 0.17% | |
| RBM, South Africa | 0.16% | |
| Namakwa, South Africa | 0.11% | |
| Jacinth Ambrosia, Australia | 0.10% | |
| Fairbreeze, South Africa | 0.07% | |
| Ranobe, Madagascar | 0.04% | |
| Grande Cote, Senegal | 0.04% |
1) Nordic Mining Mineral Resource estimates (June 2018) completed by Competent Person Adam Wheeler, 2) Sovereign Metals webpage, Kasiya Expanded Scoping Study Presentation June '22, 3) Sierra Rutile Demerger Booklet, June '22, 4) Iluka Summary Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources 2021 and 5) Base Resources, 2022 Annual Report to shareholders
| Direct costs | USDm |
|---|---|
| EPC1 (Sitewide Earthworks and Underground Infrastructure) | 16.0 |
| EPC2 (Civil and Buildings) | 14.9 |
| EPC3 (Structural, Mechanical, Pipework and Plating) | 56.6 |
| EPC4 (Electrical, Control and Instrumentation) | 15.1 |
| Mechanical Process Equipment | 30.2 |
| Mechanical Systems | 6.0 |
| Operational Equipment and Systems | 2.6 |
| Indirect costs | |
| Owner's cost | 10.5 |
| Consultants | 0.4 |
| Provisions | |
| Project contingency | 24.5 |
| Total | 176.9 |
| Expansionary CAPEX – OBSL |
|
| Landowners | - |
| Power (Construction Contribution) | 0.9 |
| Road (Construction Contribution) | 4.0 |
| Total | 181.9 |
| Other pre-production costs | |
| Pre-Production capitalized operating costs (incl. Corporate Overheads)2 | 4.1 |
| Sustaining CAPEX through 2024 | 1.2 |
| Total | 187.1 |
Detail Engineering
Detail Engineering and/or construction at site
Construction on track for production in 2024
76% of funding secured final equity to be raised
5 -year offtake agreements for full production of rutile and garnet
Industry -leading ESG profile, minerals producer for the next 40 years
Attractive economics and significant revenue and cash flow generation
32
| Fully-permitted project – early construction works ongoing |
Key project metrics |
|---|---|
| Location Attractively located in Western Norway – a country with stable and • supportive policies towards mining operations • Favorable location by the sea with ice-free, deep-sea quay – ensuring |
|
| attractive shipping logistics to Europe | |
| Resource | |
| 2.5 km eclogite ore body outcropping at surface • 133.2Mt measured and indicated mineral resources1 • 3.51% TiO grade and 44.0% garnet grade1 • |
|
| 2 ~39-year life of mine with 1.5 Mtpa ore feed to plant • • Inferred resource 254Mt for future resource drilling |
|
| Infrastructure • Renewable hydroelectric power |
|
| • Region of skilled, industrial labor with maintenance and service vendors available |
|
| 40 minutes from regional centre and two local airports • |
|
| Project Readiness • Detailed Engineering + Early construction works ongoing • Fully permitted • UDFS confirming strong project fundamentals May 2021 • Highly efficient project and design solutions, fully de-risked Extensive test work on industrial scalable equipment for critical process • |
Extensive environmental impact assessments carried out
1) Resource estimates (June 2018) completed by Competent Person Adam Wheeler, corresponding to the guidelines of the JORC Code (2012 edition)
| Key metrics | Value |
|---|---|
| Life of mine | 39 years |
| Annual rutile production initial years ('25-'30) | 36 ktpa |
| Annual garnet production initial years ('25-'30) | 175 ktpa |
| Remaining Pre-production CAPEX2 | USD 187m |
| Average annual EBITDA initial years ('25-'30) | USD 57m |
| Average annual free cash flow to the firm initial years ('25-'30) | USD 47m |
| Average annual sustaining CAPEX | USD 1.2m |
| NPV8 - unlevered post tax3 |
USD 491m |
| IRR - unlevered post tax3 |
25.9% |
33
| Tonnes (Mt) | TiO2 grade (%) |
Garnet grade (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measured (M) | 29.2 | 3.60 | 44.5 |
| Indicated (I) | 104.0 | 3.48 | 43.9 |
| Total M&I | 133.2 | 3.51 | 44.0 |
| Inferred | 254.1 | 3.15 | 41.3 |
| Tonnes (Mt) | TiO2 grade (%) |
Garnet grade (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Pit | |||
| Proven (P) | 19.33 | 3.56 | 44.25 |
| Probable (Pr) | 10.33 | 3.29 | 44.45 |
| Total P⪻ | 29.65 | 3.47 | 44.32 |
| Underground | |||
| Proven (P) | 2.55 | 3.78 | 44.92 |
| Probable (Pr) | 24.75 | 3.66 | 44.42 |
| Total P⪻ | 27.30 | 3.68 | 44.47 |
/
| Plant feed grade | 3.85% TiO 2 45.44% Garnet |
|---|---|
| Life | 15 years |
| Underground | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ore to plant | 27.42 Mt | |
| Ore to stockpile | 0.00 Mt | |
| Plant feed grade | 3.69% TiO / 2 44.49% Garnet |
|
| Life | 18 years |
| Stockpile to plant | 9.26 Mt |
|---|---|
| Plant feed grade | 2.70% TiO / 41.84% 2 Garnet |
| Life | 6 years |
a) Engebø Rutile and Garnet b) Market overview
c) Project Financials
d) Appendix
• TiO2 consumption is closely linked to GDP and income growth as it is an essential component of basic consumer products such as housing, motor vehicles etc.
• Urban population trends in combination with GDP and income growth have historically the primary drivers of long-term demand
• The waterjet technology has revolutionized the production processes for e.g., cars and aircrafts
Market drivers
Properties
Source: TZMI. 1: The chart reflects the surplus/deficit position in a given year, and does not take into consideration stocks build/drawdown from previous years. - Output from possible new projects are probability weighted.
| Feedstock Product | TiO content 2 |
Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Natural rutile | 95-96% | Chloride pigment, metal, welding electrodes |
| Upgraded slag | 95% | Chloride pigment, metal |
| Synthetic rutile | 91-93% | Chloride pigment, metal |
| Chloride fines | 86-92% | Sulfate pigment |
| Chloride-grade slag | 86-92% | Chloride pigment, metal |
| Leucoxene | 65-90% | Chloride pigment, welding |
| Sulfate-grade slag | 75-80% | Sulfate pigment |
| Chloride-grade ilmenite |
58-64% | Chloride pigment, SR manufacture, slag manufacture |
| Sulfate-grade ilmenite |
44-56% | Sulfate pigment, welding electrodes, slag manufacture |
Rutile has the highest grade of titanium feedstocks and improves efficiency and reduces waste and climate footprint
Company update – Engebø Project
a) Engebø Rutile and Garnet b) Market overview c) Project Financials d) Appendix
1) Forecasted realized sales prices for rutile based on forecasts from TZMI, including any corrections for rutile offtake agreements, and for garnet pre-agreed price schedule, up to 2029, and after offtake agreements forecasts from TiPMC and Peter Harben Inc. (real 2023 USD), 2) Mining cash cost excludes ore to stockpile
1) Forecasted realized sales prices for rutile based on forecasts from TZMI, including any corrections for rutile offtake agreements, and for garnet pre-agreed price schedule, up to 2029, and after offtake agreements forecasts from TiPMC and Peter Harben Inc. (real 2023 USD)
| Key terms | Comments | |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty provider | Orion Resource Partners LLP | • Orion Resource Partners is a global natural resource investment firm with approx. USD 8bn under management1. The fund specializes in mining investments and have a robust insight into the industry and market |
| Purchase price | USD 50m | Orion to provide a total of USD 55m in funding for the project split • between prepayment and equity |
| Equity contribution | USD 5m | • Royalty payments of 11% calculated on a gross revenue basis on the received payments to NOM for sale of Garnet and Rutile without |
| Use of proceeds | Project development and construction | deductions for selling costs Royalty to hold second priority lien on bondholder security package • |
| Royalty rate of gross revenue | 11.00 % | • Intercreditor Agreement ("ICA") to be entered into between royalty holder and Bond Trustee. ICA principles found as Schedule 4 to the Term sheet |
| Royalty term | Life of Mine | • The ICA agreement will grant the royalty provider with certain senior rights, including a survival clause |
| Payment schedule | Quarterly |
a) Engebø Rutile and Garnet
| Financial overview1,2,3 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USDm | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
| Revenue | - | 11 | 73 | 84 | 85 | 87 | 92 | 96 |
| Revenue from royalty | 50 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Operating Costs and Expenses | - | (6) | (29) | (30) | (30) | (29) | (30) | (30) |
| EBITDA | 50 | 5 | 44 | 54 | 55 | 58 | 62 | 50 |
| WC and Other adjustments | - | 2 | (4) | (4) | (3) | (2) | (3) | (3) |
| Payable Tax | - | - | - | - | - | (6) | (11) | (12) |
| Cash Flow from Operations | 50 | 7 | 40 | 50 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 51 |
| Development Capital | (135) | (51) | (4) | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sustaining Capital | - | (1) | (1) | (0) | (0) | (2) | (2) | (0) |
| Cash Flow from Investing | (135) | (53) | (5) | (0) | (0) | (2) | (2) | (0) |
| Free cash flow to company | (85) | (46) | 34 | 50 | 52 | 48 | 47 | 50 |
| Cash Flow from Financing | 73 | (12) | (12) | (12) | (111) | - | - | - |
| Net cash flow | (12) | (58) | 22 | 37 | (59) | 48 | 47 | 50 |
55 1) Forecasted realized sales prices for rutile based on forecasts from TZMI, including any corrections for rutile offtake agreements, and for garnet pre-agreed price schedule, up to 2029, and after offtake agreements forecasts from TiPMC and Peter Harben Inc. (real 2023 USD), 2) Operating Costs and Expenses accounts for 11% of revenue being paid as royalty to Orion, 3) FX assumptions: USDNOK 9.9585, EURUSD 1.0723, AUDUSD 0.6867
| Environmental and Regulatory | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||
| Seabed Tailings Deposition |
High | While STD (seabed tailings deposition) has permits, it will cause some negative ecological effects. STD is not considered good international industry practice. STD is controversial globally and nationally and will likely encounter criticism and generate concerns among stakeholders in the future. NR has stated it will adhere to a comprehensive monitoring program as well as careful planning and dutiful implementation of the deposition, and maintenance of the equipment. |
Careful planning and implementation of the deposition equipment and operation, dutiful maintenance. Monitoring to ensure particle dispersal will remain localized as predicted by modelling. Biodiversity offsets are strongly recommended. Good international industry practice requires no net loss offsetting for natural habitats, and net positive offsetting for critical habitats. |
Moderate | ||
| Use of xanthate |
Moderate | Sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) is used in flotation, and some is released into the Fjord with the tailings. SIBX is toxic to the aquatic environment. While current projections predict no harmful concentrations will occur in the STD, it is extremely important to minimize the release of SIBX. Assuming careful control and optimization of dosing and releases, risk can be considered moderate based on the modelling results. |
Careful optimization of dosing of SIBX, and prudent control and maintenance of the dosing equipment will help avoid releases of extra SIBX with the tailings. Alternative chemicals must be actively investigated and SIBX substituted for a less harmful option asap. |
Low | ||
| Closure solution |
Moderate | The current closure plan is not considered adequate. At minimum, thicker layer of topsoil and assisted revegetation is expected to be required. Closure is likely to become more expensive than currently projected, however the increased cost is realized at the end of the project. Progressive closure currently deemed unfeasible. However progressive closure during operations is good practice. For masses intended for alternative uses, no progressive closure is required. |
Prepare a closure plan corresponding to good practice requirements(c.f. EU's MWEI BREF, ICMM Closure Handbook), with sufficient costing corresponding to appropriate solution. NR has indicated such closure plan is being prepared. Post-closure land use to be developed in dialogue with stakeholder sand a sustainable after use selected. |
Very low |
||
| Opposition to Project |
High | The opposition among some of the locals as well as NGO:s is likely to continue. Protests may lead to bad publicity, security concerns during construction and delays. Some landowners not willing to sell their land. Expropriation is possible if no agreement is reached. Some of the opposition is based to real or perceive interest conflicts. Certain groups oppose mining and/or STD in general for reasons of ideology. |
Open communication, provide information, participation. Find solutions to remaining interest conflicts. Plan and implement all operations with minimum harmful environmental impact. Carry out diligent monitoring to be able to demonstrate realized impacts. Ensure safety and security of all persons even during protests. Golder considers it likely that some opposition will remainnotwithstanding any measures Nordic Rutile can take. |
Moderate |
| Environmental and Regulatory | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||
| Future permitting needs |
High | The Project currently has required permits in place. Legislation changes in the future, including EU legislation, will likely cause need to renew and / or modify the permits over the LOM of several decades. The controversy related to STD is expected to create challenges in future permitting. |
Plan and implement all operations with minimum harmful environmental impact. Substitute xanthate with less harmful alternative. Carry out diligent monitoring to be able to demonstrate realized impacts. |
Moderate | ||
| Water management |
Moderate | No water management plan, surface water management structures and sedimentation dam not designed or permitted yet. Unclear how climate change adaptation has been taken into consideration. |
Prepare comprehensive water management plan. Increased rainfall due to climate change must be taken into account inall surface water design. Runoff diverting structures and sedimentation dam to be designed by skilled professionals and built with due care. |
Very Low |
||
| Landscape: visual impact |
Low | Stakeholders have voiced concern over visual impacts. Screening vegetation will help towards E, N and W but cannot be used towards. Industrial area will be clearly visible to the Fjord and Askvoll on the southern side, including areas popular for recreation. Planning under way to minimize visualimpact. |
Screening vegetation (park belt). Final design of industrial area must take visual impact into account (e.g. colouring choices, height of structures). Such planning is under way. |
Very Low |
| Geology and Resources | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
|
| Sample weighting |
Moderate | 5-m drill hole composite samples given the same weightingas individual surface samples during estimation process. |
Use sample length weighting during estimation process and SMUblock regularization for Reserves. |
Very Low |
| Geotechnical | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||
| Too optimistic pit design parameters Stability problems/delays/ rock falls/change of pit design |
High | - | Special attention to blasting in order to minimize crest loss and formation of hard toe. Pre-splitting or good quality limit blasting. In order to maximize berm retention, all berms must be kept clean and free of loose blocks (SRK 2019) |
Moderate | ||
| Road tunnel Interruptions for traffic, expensive repairs |
Moderate | Underground mining is considered, however the distance between mining and road tunnel need to be safe |
Perform dynamic analyze about effect of blasting vibrations for tunnel. Estimate stress field changes for tunnel and displacement. Analyze safe distance between road tunnel and stopes. During operation monitor blasting vibration in tunnel and inspect tunnel after blasting. If needed have also displacement monitoring in tunnel. |
Low |
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Significantly underestimate flowrates to excavations. |
Low | Weak hydrogeological conceptual model significantly lowers accuracy of inflow rates into excavations. |
Undertaking pump tests on existing and/or planned wells. |
Low |
| Unknown flow pathways within rock mass. |
Low | Without understanding the flow regimes and interconnectivities there isa chance of contamination or an underestimation of flow rates to excavation. |
Undertake site investigations to measure groundwater level over time. Include additional wells to better understand flow behavior. |
Low |
| Incomplete understanding of groundwater behavior in underground excavations. |
Low | Calculations for dewatering and groundwater affects in underground mining production unknown and risks unassessed. |
Undertake assessment of the impact of groundwater tounderground mining operations. |
Very Low |
| Settling pond capacity undesigned. |
Low | The extent and capacity for settling ponds is yet to be determined inany detail. |
Determine inflow / outflow rates for designing settling pond volumes and capacities. |
Very Low |
| Mining | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
|||
| Ore pass limiting production |
Moderate | The grizzly set-up will have to be uninstall, drill and blast should occur 8times on 10m bench, loading and hauling, bolting and reinstallation of grizzly. This operation should occur 8 times and will definitely impact the production and may block the ore pass. |
Careful consideration must be taken to avoid the ore pass from becoming blocked. This needs to be captured in the operational procedures. Design of grizzly area at Feasibility Study area and develop operational methodology. Review ramp design according to unloading area design. Review costing. |
Low | |||
| More external dilution than expected |
Very Low |
Internal dilution is considered in the block model. External dilution and ore loss are considered in regularized block model. We understand that the impact will be limited due to grade in considered waste layer. Final operational and unexpected waste dilution should be considered when the pushback 2 will start being operated as some ore will drop into the lower benches, it will also block the main ramp from time to time. Waste could be send to ore pass accidently |
Considering unexpected ore losses and dilution. |
N/A | |||
| Explosive for pre splitting not considered |
Low | Powder factor is well calculated in ore and waste and results in 0.28kg/t and 0.26kg/t. Difference are in drilling pattern and material density. There is no allowance for emulsion loss in operation. It is on the low range for hard rock. There is no explosive for pre-splitting. |
Powder factor is part of contractor services. Includes pre-splitting explosive (Det Cord.). |
Very Low |
|||
| Not enough drilling and auxiliary equipment |
Moderate | Auxiliary equipment fleet is not enough to support properly the operation. One drill is not enough. Client provide information that local contractor can supply additional equipment easily and it will be part of the contract. |
Adding: -One dozer for waste dump area -One boom truck -One drill that can do pre-splitting and used as a back-up for production drilling |
Very low |
|||
| Waste dump design not at FS level |
Moderate | Waste dump design parameters are reasonable with 1:1.5 slope ratio and 20m high between bench. However, stability assessment should be performed. |
Perform stability assessment to ensure ground condition are acceptable and that the design could reach the FS level with a good safety factor. Review design, if required. |
Very low |
| Processing | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||||
| No stand-by (spare)pumps will lead to lower plant availability than expected. |
Moderate | Flowsheet does not take advantage of gravity and most transfers are done via pumps. Dedicated Stand-by pumps are not included in the design, even in high wear areas where pumps require regular maintenance. Stand-by pumps are available in each wet process area, allowing to pump to tailings in case of failure. However, this does not allow to maintain normal operation when a critical pump fails. Plant availability will be lower than 90% due to frequent plant stoppages. |
Add stand-by pumps wherever required. Show planned stand-by pumps in engineering documents. |
Low | ||||
| Garnet and rutile annual production not supported by process design values in engineering documents |
Low | Rutile and garnet recoveries in BCFMare calculated based on recovery models from metallurgical testwork programmes. The nominal and design throughputs indicated in the stream tables do not reflect the garnet production in the BCFM. The rutile nominal throughput as indicated in the stream tables requires rework and is currently being updated. Inconsistencies in the engineering documents prevent proper validation of equipment capacities. The engineering documents are being updated to reflect correct values. |
Complete mass balance and equipment sizing update to confirm production numbers are achievable with selected equipment and feedthrough put. |
Low |
| Management Structure, Management Team, Material Contracts, Human Resources, Health and Safety | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||
| Lack of control and follow-up on the engineering part |
Low | Since engineering and the construction work is delivered by EPCs, the technical part must be challengedfrequently. |
Hiring a technical manager at the first stages of the executionphase will mitigate this risk. |
Very low |
||
| Responsibilities not clear at overlapping tasks between EPCs, especially EPC 1 and 2 |
Low | Without understanding the interconnections between packages, misunderstandings and omissions could occur. |
Project Coordinators are included in the Owners' cost. Riskis minimal. | Very low |
||
| Inadequately communicated work and coordination between EPCs |
Low | Interface issues between EPC groups could occur. |
Project Coordinators are included in the Owners' cost. Riskis minimal. | Very low |
||
| Lack of specialized manpower |
Moderate | Specialized manpower as engineers, geologists, mechanics, electricians are vital for a mining operation. Recruiting and retaining skilled workers may be a challenge for HR staffing. |
Recruit in other regions or another industry basin of workers. Utilize incentive/perks approach to keep skilled workers at Engebø. |
Low | ||
| Lack of operating manpower |
Moderate | Recruiting locally and providing training will be a good approach in the start. |
Consider providing incentives to personnel regarding training programs on other equipment, or rotation programs, to keep skilled manpower interested and present. |
Low | ||
| Not recruiting more specialized staff or maintenance operators |
Moderate | A mining operation of this size will require robust staffing to deliver the targeted production rate. |
Add these key players to HR strategy. Offer incentives bonuses to keep turnover low. |
Low |
| Management Structure, Management Team, Material Contracts, Human Resources, Health and Safety | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risk | Rating | Comment | Mitigation | Residual Risk Rating (Post-Mitigation) |
||
| Time risk allowance not adequate |
Moderate | Allowances for debugging bottlenecks must be added to the schedule, otherwise strategic decisions may be made on the initial schedule rather than the final schedule. |
Develop a risk analysis on the critical path and specially on the long lead equipment. Allow more contingencies after phases construction for testing. |
Low | ||
| Ramp-up duration |
Low | Ramp-up related to mining operation efficiency of 7 months and plant feed ramp-up of 9 months is included inBCFM. |
Considerable allowance for ramp-up is included in financial considerations. |
Very low |
||
| General execution strategies |
Low | Execution strategies must be adapted to lessen the impact to Project profitability since a general approach may not consider Project challenges |
Develop more adapted strategies before the next phase. Proof testing is strongly recommended at this stage. |
Very low |
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