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___________________________________________________________________ Eco Investor Update A Weekly News Update for Environmental Investors 23
April 2012 - No 77
Southern Crown Resources has accepted an offer from the original vendors of Rare Earth International (REI) to acquire REI and all of the company's rare earth projects including the Nkombwa Project in Zambia and the Xiluvo Project in Mozambique. The agreement will be put to shareholders in late May. If passed, Southern Crown will revert to a company with copper and gold exploration projects in North Queensland and NSW and $2.4 million in cash, said chairman, Rhod Grivas. (ASX: SWR)
ASX 100 APA Group APA has restructured itself and appointed additional executives to its senior leadership team. Following the reorganization, APA has three core business divisions: Transmission that operates APA’s gas pipelines and storage facilities; Networks that operates APA’s investments in natural gas distribution networks; and Strategy and Development to develop and operate complementary and new energy assets. Two new divisions will oversee APA’s capital works: Infrastructure Development is responsible for engineering services and infrastructure expansion projects; and Strategic Projects manages major capital works projects such as the Mondarra Gas Storage Facility expansion and the Diamantina Power Station development. The Finance, Human Resources and Company Secretariat are unchanged. Managing director Mick McCormack said the new organisational structure brings together the revenue and cost sides of each core business and improves the company’s ability to provide services and respond to customers. “It also better aligns the business with our strategy, with a focus on our organic infrastructure expansion projects and complementary power generation investments,” he said. The changes have created five new leadership roles and two new appointments to the senior leadership team, Rob Wheals and John Ferguson, who will head the Transmission and Networks businesses. (ASX: APA) ASX 200 Hastings Diversified Utilities
Fund ASX 300 Tox Free Solutions
ASX 300 Infigen Energy “It is simply untrue that people suffer adverse health effects as a direct result of wind turbines,” he told a PwC Executive Business Breakfast. “This industry has been in operation for decades with over 100,000 wind turbines installed globally in countries far more densely populated than Australia. With this degree of successful global adoption there is ample evidence to substantiate the industry’s position that wind energy generation technology is safe, and that there are no adverse health effects.” Yet this misconception has led to restrictive planning guidelines and regulations that have the potential to cripple the industry. Mr George said it is also untrue that the variable nature of renewable energy requires new generation capacity from fossil fuel sources. “Wind energy now comprises over 20 per cent of South Australia’s installed generation capacity and electricity production, and at times supplies over 50 percent of its electricity demand. All of this wind energy capacity was installed over the last decade but during that time no extra peaking capacity was commissioned for the purpose of supporting this deployment. Not one megawatt. The lights have not gone out, and electricity price movements have been largely similar to other states,” he said. Mr George said the renewable energy industry is targeted for criticism every time an electricity price rise is announced. “The reality is that according to IPART the LRET currently costs the average household $19 per year. This represents less than 1 per cent of the average household electricity bill. I’m sure you agree that this is a small price to pay to diversify and secure our energy future.” (ASX: IFN) Emerging Companies Clean TeQ Holdings Executive chairman Greg Toll said the company is now focused on taking its competitive range of technologies in the Air, Water and Mining sectors to the marketplace in partnerships with companies that have global market reach and/or delivery capabilities. So far this financial year, the Air and Water Divisions have been awarded $16 million in new contracts. Some will be completed this financial year and some next financial year. “The current year’s performance is a large turn-around from the previous difficult financial year and this year has seen sustained activity in the marketplace for our Air and Water technologies. We have targeted our resources into building revenue and margins in our Air and Water Divisions. To be able to deliver the contracted Air and Water projects in this year, the business has up scaled which has had a short term impact on working capital,” said the company. (ASX: CLQ) CO2 Group In Queensland it is partnering with Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, which brews the well known Bundaberg Ginger Beer, to develop a carbon offset project at Moura, 300 kilometres west of Bundaberg. The project will allow Bundaberg Brewed Drinks to reduce its carbon footprint, and is being developed with the support of the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), which has provided advice and resources including seed from elite provenances. The project will also be used as a resource for research and development activities. Chief executive officer Andrew Grant said “This is an excellent opportunity for CO2 Group as it allows for the ongoing diversification of the range of forest carbon projects that we are offering and the range of landscapes over which we can offer them. It’s particularly positive for us because it means we are now operating on-the-ground in Queensland, a state that offers enormous potential for carbon projects across a broad range of industries. “Traditionally, mallee eucalypts have been used in Australian-based carbon sink plantings and now we are introducing a new species of eucalypt into our planting mix that’s best suited to the Queensland landscape.” CO2 Group’s access to an Australian Financial Services Licence is through it becoming a corporate authorised representative of Valuestream Investment Management Limited, which provides independent responsible entity and trustee services to fund managers in Australia. The licence means CO2 can deal in derivatives in Australia’s carbon trading markets. New legislation passed last year classifies emissions units or carbon credits as financial products, and from 1 July trading in the derivatives of carbon credits or the provision of financial advice on investment in carbon projects requires an Australian Financial Services Licence. CO2 said the licence enhances its capacity to provide carbon management services and enables it and its subsidiary, Carbon Banc Ltd, to provide investment advice and carbon trading services to companies. When its methodology is approved, CO2 Group will be able to create Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) credits through its tree planting projects and the licence will allow it to trade these credits in Australia’s carbon markets. Mr Grant said “This Agreement will enable CO2 Group to enter into forward contracts for the purchase or sale of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) and other carbon instruments created under the Carbon Farming Initiative. “It gives us the ability to provide a full range of products and services for Australian companies seeking to reduce costs associated with the upcoming carbon pricing legislation.” (ASX: COZ) DoloMatrix International Energy Developments The $50 million will form part of and is on the same terms as the $375 million secured, syndicated, multi-currency corporate debt facility announced on 7 July 2011, and increase it to $425 million. (ASX: ENE) Hydromet Corporation Mr Henry is a professional investor and currently owns 24.86 per cent of the company. He said that Hydromet’s revenue has grown strongly, but its profit and dividend history has been volatile while total remuneration for directors has grown. Hydromet is considering the offer and recommends that shareholders take no action at this stage. However, director Jeffrey Chen has indirectly sold 44.9 million shares held by Jiangsu New Chunxing Resource Recycling Co in an off market trade worth $2.1 million. The buyer is not stated but a media report said it was Mr Henry. Mr Chen retains 5 million shares. (ASX: HMC)
Micro Cap Companies Australian Renewable Fuels Carbon Polymers Clean Seas Tuna Director and former chief executive, Clifford Ashby, has resigned. The new director is Nick Burrows, a former senior executive and chief financial officer of Tassal aquaculture group, where he spent 21 years. The main trouble is ongoing heath issues with the Yellowtail Kingfish. A strategic review coordinated by recently appointed chief executive, Dr Craig Foster, with input from specialist external aquaculture consultants, is determining the cause and formulating a response. The gut enteritis health issue announced in February continues to lead to unacceptable mortality rates and poor growth. Losses of Kingfish juveniles to date are at 35 per cent and the rate of mortality has increased to three per cent per week. It is also affecting the profitability of the operation. “Harvesting of the 2011 year class continues, even though our harvest size is less than we anticipated, and we are pleased that our sales prices are the highest that we have seen,” said chairman John Ellice-Flint. “We will begin assessing the remaining Kingfish juveniles and culling the stock that we do not consider to be viable for profitable on-growing. At this stage we anticipate stocking a reduced number of Kingfish fingerlings in November 2012.” The review is also looking at the tuna commercialization and propagation strategy. An interim report has confirmed that the Southern Bluefin Tuna propagation is encouraging. About 100 tuna are schooling and feeding well, with the weight of each juvenile over 100 grams. The company is exploring better ways of holding tuna onshore, including covering and maintaining a higher temperature in the pond to accelerate growth in anticipation of reasonable quantities of juveniles in 2013. While Clean Seas expects its 2011-12 trading results to be in line with previous forecasts, the final findings of the Strategic Review may require it consider writing down the carrying value of specific Kingfish assets. (ASX: CSS) Mission NewEnergy Mission has until 15 October to regain compliance, which will be regained if Mission's share price closes above US$1 or more for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. (ASX: MBT) Phoslock Water Solutions Po Valley Energy The company said that compared to the Reserves and Resources in the 2010 Annual Report, 2P (Proved and Probable) gas reserves are estimated to be 8.9 billion cubic feet (bcf) compared to 11.8 bcf in 2010. The decline is due in part to 1 bcf produced in 2011 and the previously announced expected decrease in reserves in the Castello field. 2C (best estimate of Contingent( gas is 44.1 bcf, more than double compared to 21.6 bcf in 2010, mainly attributable to the Canolo/Zini and Carola/Irma projects. 2C oil is 10 million barrels (mmbbls) contained in two onshore discoveries, Bagnolo in Piano and Ravizza. “Overall the Proved Reserves have decreased slightly, due in part to Sillaro production in 2011. Estimated total 2C Contingent Resources of gas contained in the balance of our portfolio has increased significantly, with variations in individual fields. The increase is largely due to upgraded estimates of our Canolo/Zini and our offshore Carola/Irma projects. We now have two onshore oil discoveries with 2C estimate of 10 million barrels,” said Giovanni Catalano, Po Valley Energy's chief executive. “The management and board are committed to unlocking value through rigorous application of E&P industry best practices,” said Mr Catalano. (ASX: PVE) RedFlow Based on a strategic review, RedFlow will focus on two activities: fast-tracking the outsourcing of its ZBM battery production and installing additional demonstration projects as forerunners to commercial sales in its target markets. But the company will significantly scale back its Brisbane operations to optimize productivity and minimize its cash burn. The outsourcing of component production and the extension of the demonstration phase will see local staff numbers reduced by just over 50 per cent. RedFlow recently entered the US market, which it says is larger than it anticipated. However it also found that each potential customer will undertake their own product trials before placing commercial orders. This will lead to slower growth in commercial sales than initially expected, and will absorb all of RedFlow’s production capacity over the next 12 to 24 months. RedFlow says these trials require a significant combined engineering effort from RedFlow and the customers. The level of available funds means the company will concentrate on a limited number of the most attractive opportunities. As part of the restructure, Phil Hutchings has resigned as chief executive and director. Founder and current chief technology officer, Chris Winter, has been appointed chief executive officer to implement the restructure. His remuneration as CEO will remain unchanged. The strategic review found that outsourcing commercial production must be accelerated, and that scaling up the non-automated Brisbane pilot production facility is less efficient and more costly. Scaled back production will meet demonstration phase needs, and reduce costly production errors which have been experienced. The strategic review says larger demonstration projects are needed to unlock commercial sales. “The level of interest is significant with a number of multi-national companies prepared to commence the trial process. These companies have confirmed that commercial sales will only occur following the successful completion of these 1-2 year demonstration projects.” “RedFlow recognise this may mean that the continuing low volumes through the demonstration phase could be insufficient for the Jabil Singapore plant and we are in a continuing dialogue with them about this issue. Jabil will provide most value for RedFlow at mass manufacture post this demonstration phase.” Meanwhile, the company will continue to develop its core Gen3 ZBM technology, and expand the Long Term Testing Program, including with third parties, to establish ZBM life and performance characteristics under a full range of conditions. Over the next 12 months RedFlow aims to: * Deploy the first M-class containerized battery system to support a large solar PV array at the University of Queensland in Q2 2012. * Put in place an agreement to install a US or Asia based M-class demonstration project. * Strike an agreement to develop
systems with two major system integrators and * Commence testing the Gen3 ZBM prototype by the end of 2012. * Demonstrate long-term testing of over 1000 cycles from the ZBM by the end of 2012. RedFlow will also seek further equity during the next 12 months. (ASX: RFX) Refresh Group New data shows that fewer Australians are drinking bottled water. In 2007, 26 per cent of the population consumed bottled water compared to 23 per cent in 2011, according to the Roy Morgan Research Non-Alcoholic Drinks Survey, which also included soft drinks, juices, energy drinks, sports drinks and others. Some say the decline is due to local and international efforts to curb consumption for environmental reasons. Bottled water is banned in the NSW town of Bundanoon, the University of Canberra, the Southbank campus of the Victorian College of Arts and the Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College in Sydney. Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director, Roy Morgan Research, says “With continuing campaigning against bottled water sales by activist groups such as DoSomething!, as well as the possibility of bans and restrictions increasing, we may see greater declines in bottled water consumption in the coming years.” The largest declines were in the 25-34 year age group (36 per cent in 2007 to 29 per cent in 2011) and the 14-25 year age group (35 per cent down to 31 per cent). There were smaller declines in older age groups where there are fewer bottled water drinkers. The Roy Morgan consumer data comes from part of an ongoing nationwide Single Source survey of over 50,000 Australians each year. (ASX: RGP) Style In its December half report, the company said it had formalized a working capital loan for a minimum of $1.3 million. However, the contribution from an overseas lender has not been fulfilled, and the company is in the process of securing alternative financing. It is also proceeding with legal action against the overseas lender. (ASX: SYP) WestSide Corporation March production was 305,019 GJ, up from 249,089 GJ in March 2011. The upward trend continued in the first week of April when the Meridian field achieved an average gross production rate of 12.2 Terajoules a day (TJ/d). (ASX: WCL) Chief executive officer Dr Julie Beeby said she expects to see production continue to build as 10 new wells ramp up over coming months. (ASX: WCL)
AnaeCo The $10 million facility is with CF2 Pty Ltd as trustee for the CF Trust (CF2). AnaeCo will initially draw down $3 million in $1 million lots, and can then request further draw downs until 30 June 2013. The proposed $15 million raising is by a placement to institutional and sophisticated investors. Corporate advisors have been engaged and due diligence has commenced. Under the Loan Agreement, CF2 will be required to submit a conversion notice for the first two draw downs plus the establishment fee on completion of the capital raising and convert this amount into shares. After the capital raising, any further draw downs may be repaid at any time or if a conversion notice is submitted by CF2 they will be converted into shares. Any principal amount outstanding by 30 June 2013 will automatically convert into shares in full satisfaction of the loan. The loan is a standby line of credit. Draw downs beyond the initial $3 million will largely depend on the success of the capital raising. If $15 million is raised, “it is unlikely that the company will need to make further draw downs beyond the initial $3 million (and thereby issue more Shares to CF2 by way of conversion of the Loan),” said AnaeCo. Managing director and chief executive officer, Patrick Kedemos, said the facility is a strong vote of confidence by Mr Campbell. “This $10 million facility strengthens the balance sheet and underpins our capability to complete our main business objectives. The interests of all shareholders are protected in that the conversion mechanism includes a floor price of 4.5 cents, whilst the upside of a rising share price can minimize dilution. Therefore the price payable by Ian Campbell rises as the share price rises.” “This Loan facility also allows us to undertake a capital raising in an orderly market, when the conditions are right. We are looking to complete this over the next 2 -3 months.” The establishment fee is 5 per cent, $500,000, which will be paid by shares. The interest rate is 12 per cent on all drawn funds and 2 per cent on undrawn funds. (ASX: ANQ) Blue Energy ANZ’s interest has fallen from 15.73 to 10.43 per cent, although its holding has gone up by half a million shares. (ASX: BUL) BluGlass The private tax ruling means BluGlass is eligible to seek a significant tax credit for research and development expenditure in its 51 per cent joint venture company, EpiBlu Technologies Pty Ltd. EpiBlu’s deductible R&D expenditure for 2011-12 is forecast to be $5.5 million. The estimated cash return ranges from $2 million to $2.4 million and should be received in the August to October period as EpiBlu will lodge its tax return early in the new financial year. BluGlass is developing a Remote Plasma Chemical Vapour Deposition (RPCVD) based process to grow semiconductor materials for high efficiency LEDs and solar cells. EpiBlu is jointly owned with global semiconductor equipment company SPTS to bring RPCVD to market. The R&D Tax Credit cash will be directed to the remaining technical developments required to prove the commercial potential of the breakthrough technology as rapidly as possible, said BluGlass chief executive officer, Giles Bourne. On the technical side, BluGlass said it has produced high quality crystalline gallium nitride at low temperature on a commercial metal-organic vapour deposition GaN template. An independent expert report has confirmed “a radical improvement in film quality”. This has potential to offer significant advantages for device performance and low cost manufacturing, said Mr Bourne. (ASX: BLG) Earth Heat Resources The third party participants are evaluating their trip to make a decision on progressing with Earth Heat on the project, and discussions continue in earnest, said the company. (ASX: EHR) Eden Energy Panax Geothermal Managing director Kerry Parker has acquired 1.6 million shares at an average price of 1.265 cents. (ASX: PAX) Papyrus Australia This is a significant milestone for Papyrus Egypt, said chairman Ted Byrt. “We have now satisfied the Egyptian Government’s development expectations when it granted Papyrus Egypt (PPYEg) the land in Sohag. EBFC has also lodged applications with the Egyptian Government’s Social Development Fund (SDF) for ‘soft loans’ totaling 6 million Egyptian Pounds; the funds will be contributed as capital to PPYEg for purchasing essential banana veneering and fibre production machinery from the Papyrus Australia subsidiary Australian Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AAMC). “We have been informed by the SDF processing officers that the loan applications have satisfied all preliminary requirements and now the applications are being assessed by the SDF Board.,” he said. The 50 per cent owned Yellow Pallet BV joint venture in Holland is to commence the final phase of the feasibility study to design and build a ‘banana fibre pallet’ production machine. “Funding requirements are being negotiated and we expect the feasibility study to be fully funded by soft loans amounting to Euro 2 million from Dutch venture capital entities PPM OOST and the Dutch Green Technology Fund,” said Mr Byrt. Papyrus Australia’s commercialization strategy is to license its banana tree trunk processing technology to manufacturing partners in countries where banana is grown. Revenue will be generated from licencing fees, and machinery sales and support services. Papyrus Australia may also take equity positions in early adopter ventures, as it has done with Papyrus Egypt and Yellow Pallet BV, he said. (ASX: PPY) Eco Investor Update
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