|
|
|
|
||||||
|
___________________________________________________________________ Eco Investor Update A Weekly News Update for Environmental Investors 27 August
2012 - No 95
____ Core Securities ____ ASX 100 APA Group Hastings Funds Management's independent directors have withdrawn their recommendation that security holders accept Pipeline Partners Australia’s earlier offer after PPA declined to match APA Group’s new offer. HDF is now liable to pay PPA a break fee of $12.3 million. HDF’s independent director who hold securities will accept APA’s offer if a superior offer does not arise. APA’s offer is open until 4 September unless extended. APA had a successful 2011-12. Its profit after tax and minorities including significant items was up 20.4 per cent to $130.6 million; although revenue was down 3.8 per cent to $1.06 billion. The company said the strong performance was due to a full year contribution from asset expansions such as the Young Wagga lateral and the Moomba Sydney Pipeline; tariff increases across most assets; increased contributions from Energy Investments which includes Envestra, Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund and GDI (EII); earnings contributions from Emu Downs wind farm and the Amadeus Gas Pipeline; and lower borrowing costs following the sale of Allgas and a reduction in the average interest rate. These gains were offset by reduced annual revenue due to Allgas, and reduced customer contribution from its asset management services. APA will pay a final distribution of 18 cents per security, bringing the full year distribution to 35 cents, up on the 34.4 cents for 2010-11. The payout ratio is 67 per cent of operating cash flow. The 2012-13 distribution guidance is at least equal to 2011-12 and will be unchanged if the HDF takeover proceeds. Chairman Len Bleasel said APA had achieved another solid result, reflecting the continued profitable growth and earnings stability of the business, and it remains well positioned to grow sustainably and responsibly. (ASX: APA) DUET Group The proceeds will refinance part of UE’s $260 million short term debt facility, which is drawn to $92 million and matures in April 2014. UE chief executive, Hugh Gleeson, said “This deal came about as a result of investor enquiries into our medium term note program. We are pleased with this continued investor confidence in UE.” (ASX: DUE) Sims Metal Management The net profit on an underlying basis was $77 million, a decrease of 58 per cent on 2010-11. Underlying earnings per share was 37 cents, down 58 per cent. Earnings (EBITDA) were $253 million, a decrease of 39 per cent on the previous year. The final dividend is 10 cents per share unfranked. Total scrap intake and shipments were 14.4 million tonnes and 14.5 million tonnes respectively. Scrap intake and shipments increased 1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively on the prior year. Group chief executive officer Daniel W. Dienst said “The prolonged global economic malaise continues to impact developed and emerging economies, and adversely affected our business during Fiscal 2012. We were impacted most significantly by extreme volatility in both product pricing and demand, decreased commodity prices, diminished supply of feedstock, tepid ferrous trading conditions particularly at the end of the first and second halves, and reduced metal spreads. “There were also a number of significant items recorded in Fiscal 2012 including $614 million of non cash goodwill impairment and impairment of goodwill in a joint venture. “Despite these tough conditions, we focused on aspects of our business within our control, such as operating costs and capital deployment. We aggressively rationalized our traditional metals business in North America during the second half of Fiscal 2012 and are currently implementing a rationalization plan in the U.K. “Despite these rationalizations, we are not backing away from our plan to advance our strategy on source control and also seeking to improve gross margins. To this point, we invested in our business aggressively through CAPEX and acquisitions, investing nearly $243 million into our business in Fiscal 2012. Additionally, we returned capital to our shareholders through dividends and our on market share buy back during Fiscal 2012.” Sims completed eleven acquisitions in metals recycling and two in electronics recycling. “We also continued to implement technology at our shredding facilities and constructed a significant plastics recycling center in the UK. Our SRS [Sims Recycling Solutions] business accomplished sales of $1 billion for the first time in Fiscal 2012, representing growth of 29 per cent on the prior corresponding period. “Because of our targeted investment and expansion strategies combined with the necessary restructuring that we have implemented in our business to reduce costs, most significantly in North America, we believe that we are well positioned for 2013 and the future,” said Mr Dienst. (ASX: SGM) ASX 200 Envestra Operating costs were up 3 per cent due mostly to marketing to increase customer connections and long term gas volume growth. Gearing at 30 June was 64 per cent, down from 68 per cent. Net finance costs fell 2 per cent to $171.2 million despite net debt increasing by $35 million. The volume of gas delivered to residential and small industrial and commercial consumers fell 6 per cent to 50 petajoules, due largely to warmer weather including the 2011 winter. Envestra increased its capital expenditure by 36 per cent to $176.1 million, mostly on network extensions and upgrades, and expects to spend around $230 million on capital works. It laid 260 kilometres of mains, primarily in new subdivisions, and replaced 331 kilometres of old mains. It now has 23,600 kilometres of networks and pipelines and over 1.1 million consumers. The final dividend will be maintained at 2.9 cents and is unfranked. The dividend rate for 2013 will be reviewed after the release of the Australian Energy Regulator’s decision on the Victorian Access Arrangement. Envestra said it expects further growth in profitability in 2012 13 based on increases in regulated tariffs and anticipated reductions in finance costs in the second half. A profit after tax of around $100 million is forecast. (ASX: ENV) Hastings Diversified Utilities
Fund Hastings Funds Management independent directors have withdrawn their recommendation that security holders accept Pipeline Partners Australia’s earlier offer after PPA declined to match APA Group’s new offer. HDF is now liable to pay PPA a break fee of $12.3 million. HDF’s independent director who hold HDF securities will accept APA’s offer if a superior does not arise. APA’s offer is open until 4 September unless extended. (ASX: HDF) ASX 300 Tassal Group The move reflects the company’s growing cash flows, strong balance sheet and growth outlook, said directors. However, they expect that dividend payments for 2012-13 will remain unfranked. Tassal’s statutory net profit after tax was $28.1 million, in line with expectations but down 7.2 per cent on the $30.3 million in 2010-11. Revenue was up 16 per cent to $261.7 million. Although there was weakness in export prices, Australian sales revenue and volume grew by 23 and 25 per cent respectively. Gearing or net debt to equity fell from 31.8 per cent to 25.6 per cent. Managing director and chief executive, Mark Ryan, said “Tassal’s focus on the Australian market has produced growth in revenue in both the retail and wholesale segments over the past twelve months. Our strategy of maximizing per capita consumption of salmon in Australia is clearly producing results, with market penetration levels continuing to improve. “However, the performance in the domestic market was impacted by a volatile export market performance due to global oversupply of salmon reducing prices. With export returns not expected to improve over the short to medium term, this reaffirms our focus on Australian market growth. “Tassal’s investment in infrastructure has produced world class hatching, growing and processing facilities, together with providing appropriate risk mitigation measures against agricultural risk. This has allowed us to sustainably grow harvest tonnes over the past 12 months through a combination of larger fish and greater harvest numbers, ensuring supply as we continue to grow in the Australian market,” he said. Priorities for this year include: increasing salmon awareness and consumption through marketing; further sustainability initiatives; moving towards global best practice cost in growing fish; and diversifying into sales of other sustainable seafood. (ASX: TGR) Tox Free Solutions Revenue was up 45 per cent to $207.9 million. The company said the integration and earnings from the DoloMatrix businesses it acquired during the year are on plan. Net debt to equity is 30 per cent. The final dividend was increased to 4 cents per share fully franked, up from 3 cents. Tox Free expects continued growth in the solid waste sector as it expands its services into new geographic areas of Australia. The hazardous waste business should benefit as “There are additional hazardous chemicals listed in the Stockholm convention that are expected to result in new markets for our destruction technologies when these chemicals are removed from the environment,” says Tox. “The Carbon Tax is also likely to drive the requirement for the capture and removal of Halon and refrigerants from the environment to reduce industries’ carbon footprint.” (ASX: TOX) Emerging Companies Gale Pacific Revenue rose 16 per cent to $110.5 million. It includes full year contributions from the Zone Hardware and Riva Window Fashions businesses. The rise was despite the impact of unfavourable foreign currency movements due to the strong Australian dollar. Sales revenues in local currencies grew by 10 per cent in the US and 27 per cent in the Middle East. Other international market sales were up 104 per cent to $10.4 million driven by increases in Japan, South Africa and Europe. But sales were lower in Australia due to weak consumer demand, competition, the strong dollar which lead to price deflation, and a poor summer in most parts of the country. Sales were down by 13 per cent in New Zealand due to weak consumer demand and a poor agricultural season. The final dividend is up slightly to 1.25 cents per share fully franked. The full year dividend is 2.45 cents per share on diluted earnings of 2.86 cents per share. This is an 11 per cent increase on 2010-11. Gale Pacific said it expects trading conditions to remain challenging with consumer and business confidence levels low in most markets. Retail conditions in Australia are difficult, but it expects good conditions in the agricultural market for the coming season and there are predictions of a return to more normal summer weather. “Further sales expansion of Coolaroo, Zone, Riva and Synthesis branded products is expected to deliver another solid financial result in 2012-13 in what is expected to be a volatile global market environment,” said managing director and chief executive officer, Peter McDonald. “Gale continues to generate strong positive cash flows and operates with a solid balance sheet with the capacity to support further growth opportunities which we continue to explore.” (ASX: GAP) Gerard Lighting The profit is down $1.9 million compared to 2010-11, and revenue of $389.3 million was down 3.7 per cent. Managing director, Simon Gerard said “Over the past twelve months, the Australian lighting market has been impacted by a downturn in residential building consents and continued soft levels of approval for commercial and retail construction. “Further, our ability to expand margins was impacted by a competitive landscape influenced by the strong Australian dollar, resulting in increased price competition from our competitors who import the majority of their product. “Despite these headwinds, as a Group we experienced modest growth in the specific categories of roadway, infrastructure, mining and healthcare. We continued to invest in new technology and have recently released a world leading 1,000 lumen fully dimmable LED downlight and several outdoor LED fixtures which will provide energy efficient alternatives to the traditional halogen fittings,” (ASX: GLG) SteriHealth Revenue from continuing operations was up 63 per cent to $52.5 million. The growth was almost entirely organic, with the biggest increase from Daniels Sharpsmart and the extension of the underlying technology into Clinismart services. “While these service lines have achieved double digit growth, SteriHealth retained or improved its market share in the private and public hospital clinical waste market despite ongoing regional margin pressures,” said the company. The final dividend was maintained at 7 cents per share fully franked. (ASX: STP) Unlisted Share Funds Climate Advocacy Fund Since inception the index fund has returned minus 0.4 per cent per annum compared to minus 0.9 per cent for the Index.
ASX 200 Energy World Corporation Qube Logistics Revenue from external customers rose to $781.7 million from $278.6 million. The fully franked final dividend rose to 2.1 cents per share from 1.9 cents. The company said it had record financial results across both operating divisions, Ports & Bulk Division and Logistics Division. Managing director Maurice James said “2012 was a transformational year for Qube which has established the foundations for continued long term growth.” “These are very strong results which have been achieved despite a sometimes difficult external environment. Both operating divisions have performed well overcoming the impacts of a difficult domestic retail environment and an uncertain global economic outlook. “We have undertaken capital investment and made strategic acquisitions which will underpin revenue and earnings growth over the medium term and Qube is now more diversified by customers, products and geographical locations.” In 2012-13, Qube will focus on consolidating and extracting synergies from its recent acquisitions, and invest further in facilities and equipment. Through organic growth and the full year contribution from acquisitions and investments it expects to deliver underlying revenue and earnings growth but at a lower growth rate than 2011-12. Qube intends to change its name to Qube Holdings Ltd to differentiate the corporate entity from the Qube Logistics operating division. (ASX: QUB) Transpacific Industries
Group Directors said that if some items are excluded, the underlying result a more closely aligned with ongoing operations shows a profit after tax of $58 million, a 33 per cent increase over 2010-11. These adjustments include settlement and legal costs associated with shareholder actions of $37.9 million, restructuring and redundancy costs of $11.5 million, and the net gain on disposal of investments and properties of $7.4 million. Group revenue was up 4.8 per cent to $2.28 billion. “The Australian resources and oil and gas markets generated growth however this was largely offset by lower demand from the Australian manufacturing sector, lower activity in the metropolitan markets of Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and reduced emergency response work,” said the company. The Waste Management businesses grew revenue by 2.2 per cent, and the Commercial Vehicles division by 21 per cent. However, revenue from the Manufacturing division fell 20.5 per cent and the division is likely to be sold. “The improvement plans instigated last year within the Manufacturing division have shown positive results as the losses recorded in FY11 were greatly reduced. Negotiations are underway with several prospective purchasers of the Manufacturing businesses and the Company is targeting to complete divestments during the current financial year,” said the company. Also important, gross debt was reduced by $378 million to $1.13 billion. To help reduce debt further, there will again be no dividend. During the year Transpacific realized $12 million on the sale of its shares in DoloMatrix and CMA Corporation. (ASX: TPI) Emerging Companies Energy Action Revenue was $17.4 million, up 24 per cent. Energy Action said its solid results were driven by a continuing trend among businesses to outsource their energy procurement and management functions. The company ran over 2,400 auction scenarios on its Australian Energy Exchange in 2011-12. Energy Action has over 8,000 sites under active or future energy contracts. It procured $720 million in energy contracts in the year, bringing the total amount it has procured since 2006 to $3.5 billion. Earnings per share were 15.13 cents, up 8 per cent. The final dividend is 3.72 cents per share fully franked, bringing the 2012 dividend to 7.2 cents per share. Energy Action said it finished the year with a robust cash position and no debt, giving it financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities. It is expanding its geographical footprint by establishing a sales office in WA, which is a key growth market. Chief executive, Valerie Duncan said the company’s first full year as a listed company were in line with prospectus forecasts. “The business is well placed to deliver continued profit growth in FY2013,” she said. (ASX: EAX) Energy Developments Specific items of $19.1 million after tax included impairment charges of $18.8 million against green credit inventory in Australia from the cessation of the NSW GGAS scheme on 1 July 2012, and acquisition and integration costs of $6 million after tax. Revenue grew to $311 million from $249.3 million. Managing director Greg Pritchard
said “We anticipate the company will continue its growth momentum
with a full year contribution during 2013 from projects just completed,
and the significant pipeline of committed projects currently underway. “The company is well placed for continued growth.” he said. In Australia, the regulatory environment for existing Waste Coal Mine Gas (WCMG) power stations remains positive. It includes ENE's German Creek and Moranbah North power stations as a capped addition to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) until 31 December 2020. This “recognizes the valuable contribution of these power stations to clean energy generation and the abatement of greenhouse gas,” he said. However the news is not as positive on the Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) front. In April the company welcomed the passage of the CFI legislation and expected all of its landfill gas (LFG) projects would be eligible to obtain accreditation under the program. “However, these expectations for a positive regulatory environment via the CFI are yet to be fully delivered by the Government. A recent determination this month by the Federal Government indicates that ENE will need to enter further dialogue with regulators to ensure the inclusion of some 12 of its landfill sites, so called ‘Category A’ sites, that have initially been excluded from recognition under the CFI.” Category A projects comprise 40 per cent of the landfill gas abatement projects in Australia, including 49 MW of ENE's LFG portfolio. These are some of the oldest and largest abatement projects in Australia and abate 1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions per year. The 11 MW Clayton landfill gas power project in Victoria is one such project excluded under the recent determination, even though it was the venue selected by the Government to announce passage of the CFI Legislation last December, said Mr Pritchard. “ENE remains disappointed at what is a last minute policy change that imposes a new regulatory hurdle to recognition of these sites for the critical task of carbon abatement. ENE will continue to engage with the Federal Government on this matter.” The company is implementing an on market buy back for up to $5 million of its capital over 12 months. This is so it can repurchase shares on an opportunistic basis, particularly in times of market or share price volatility. However, the company’s largest shareholder, Greenspark Power Holdings Limited which currently owns 80 per cent of the company, does not intend to participate in the buy back. Mr Pritchard said ENE’s outlook remains positive, underpinned by expected earnings from new projects, completion of committed projects and ongoing efficiency initiatives. (ASX: ENE) ERM Power The underlying net profit was $30.3 million and the underlying earnings per share were 18.4 cents. It has forecast underlying net profit for 2012-13 of between $22 million and $26 million. Factors in the result were strong growth in electricity sales, a gain from the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Oakey power station in Queensland and consolidation of Oakey’s contribution. The fully franked final dividend is 4.5 cents per share, up from 3.5 cents. The full year dividend is 8.5 cents compared to 3.5 cents the previous year. Managing director and CEO Philip St Baker said ERM Power performed strongly in financial and operational terms to exceed prospectus forecasts for revenue despite challenging conditions including floods and industrial action which affected customer consumption and weaker electricity demand forecasts which affected generation development. “A major driver of the result was our electricity sales business,” Mr St Baker said. “We expect high growth rates to continue for many years as we consolidate our position in the large commercial and industrial customer segment across Australia and then go deeper into the market by expanding into the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) customer segment in 2013. “The other major driver of the result is our generation business where our assets performed above expectation and where we acquired a controlling interest in the Oakey power station at a significant discount. We expect our generation business to continue to perform strongly over the long term.” “We are well positioned for development opportunities in the medium term that we anticipate in Queensland and Western Australia driven by electricity demand from LNG and mining projects.” (ASX: EPW) Unlisted Balanced Funds August Investments Unlisted Share Funds Australian Ethical Smaller
Companies Trust Unlisted International Share Funds Australian Ethical International
Equities Trust
ASX 300 Ceramic Fuel Cells Adding to its many awards, the company has won the “Australasian Industrial Research Group Medal for Australasian SME Technological Innovation” for 2012. The AIRG Medal is awarded for the most outstanding contribution to industrial research in the previous year. (ASX: CFU) Micro Cap Companies Carbon Conscious Cardia Bioplastics The new consumer product is expected to go to market in November. The Cardia Compostable bags will be used in conjunction with a specific product line to encourage environmentally friendly waste disposal practices. The relationship has the potential to expand into other product channels, and provides Cardia with exposure to the client’s extensive retail channels. Managing director Dr Frank Glatz said “Cardia has entered an exciting period of business development, transitioning from product development to global commercialization. This latest contract win with the consumer goods major is further commercial validation of our resin technologies and the significant role they can play in helping companies to reduce their carbon footprint.” (ASX: CNN) Nanosonics Pacific Energy Revenue was $31.9 million, an annual increase of 19 per cent. Earnings (EBITDA) from its Kalgoorlie Power Systems (KPS) and hydro electric businesses rose 23 per cent to $21.5 million, a record. Managing director Adam Boyd said “Pacific Energy has delivered excellent organic earnings growth, resulting in another record result for the period. This was largely due to the exceptional performance of the Kalgoorlie Power Systems business which has secured new contract capacity of approximately 100 MW since 1 July 2011. “This result confirms the growing reputation of KPS as the most reliable, fuel efficient and cost competitive electricity supplier to the Australian resources sector and will underpin further record earnings results in both the 2013 and 2014 financial years. “The cost competitiveness of the KPS electricity infrastructure solutions, high fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility capability is resonating with a broader resources sector audience. This was demonstrated by the 15 year contract award to build, own and maintain the 44 MW Tropicana Gold Project power station for AngloGold Ashanti Australia Ltd (70 per cent owner and joint venture manager) and Independence Group NL (30 per cent owner). This is our largest electricity supply contract to date and was secured after a comprehensive and highly competitive tender process.” KPS is now moving to construct and commission 92 MW of new generation capacity at nine power stations in 2012-13. The construction and retro fit of waste heat recovery systems across 20 MW of the power fleet is well advanced and will deliver a significant reduction in fuel consumption by KPS power stations at Regis Resources’ gold processing operations. Pacific Energy has approved the development of a new KPS workshop facility in Perth as the company expands its footprint beyond the WA Goldfields. Establishing a Perth workshop will reduce the costs of installing and maintaining new power stations outside the Goldfields and increase the availability of professional tradespeople. A 20 hectare site has been acquired 30 kilometres from the Perth CBD. (ASX: PEA) Po Valley Energy Vmoto
ASX 300 Companies Dart Energy The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that residents from Fullerton Cove are blockading a Dart Energy coal seam gas test drilling site. “The Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, said police were going to move in to stop protesters preventing drilling taking place. Five people were issued with fines, but about 50 people were still at the site stopping drilling activities. “Dart Energy intends to drill four wells there,” wrote the Herald. The Australian Financial Review has reported that the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group is mounting a legal case to stop the drilling. (ASX: DTE) Micro Cap Companies Eden Energy The offer is partially underwritten by RM Corporate Finance Pty Ltd to $1.5 million and subunderwritten to $1.5 million by Noble Energy Pty Ltd, Eden's largest shareholder. Hythane Company, Eden Energy’s US subsidiary, has seen US OptiBlend sales exceed quarterly projections due to new and repeat orders. Hythane Company recently received an order for six OptiBlend units from a new customer for landbased shale gas drilling and hydraulic fracking operations. Follow up orders are anticipated once the initial units are installed. Eden said a typical hydraulic fracking site has 4 to 12 pumping units, and each requires one OptiBlend unit per pumping unit. Given the thousands of operational and yet to be-deployed rigs and fracking pumps in the US shale gas exploration market, Hythane Company is only starting to realize its potential with OptiBlend sales, said Eden chairman, Gregory Solomon. Hythane Company is well positioned compared with its competition to take advantage of this market due to the reported superior performance of the OptiBlend units compared to the other dual fuel systems, he said. Based on feedback from multiple oilfield and drilling customers, the OptiBlend system out performs competitors’ dual fuel systems with faster engine response times. Engine performance is crucial in the oilfields because of the large variances in load demand, and the importance of continuous drilling and pumping. “These requirements make oilfield drilling and hydraulic fracking an excellent application for the OptiBlend units, which is underscored by recent demand. Most importantly, using dual fuel greatly reduces both operating expenses for drilling companies and emissions, adding to the appeal of the OptiBlend system.” With the dramatic increase in shale gas exploration not only the US but also in many other parts of the world, the potential for dual fuel applications in this market segment is seen as significant, said Mr Solomon. (ASX: EDE) Geodynamics Origin said the “joint venture activities have not met expectations for a timely and commercial development of the geothermal resources”. In 2010-11 Origin impaired $202 million in relation to its 30 per cent interest in the Innamincka Joint Venture with Geodynamics. (ASX: GDY) Kimberley Rare Earths The base case concept is for straightforward open pit mining and concentration at the site; then downstream processing into five separate rare earth products at a coastal port such as Broome, Derby, Wyndham or Darwin, The principal market is Asia. A 16 year mine life is possible at a production rate of 3,000 tonnes per annum total rare earth oxide (TREO). The next steps are to identify and investigate strategies for downstream processing before proceeding with further engineering or exploration. (ASX: KRE) Metgasco Orocobre The business has annual revenue of US$23 million and annual production of 35,000 tonnes of boron based products and mineral concentrates. Borax Argentina operates three open pit mines in Tincalayu, Sijes, and Porvenir, concentration plants in Tincalayu, Sijes and Porvenir (currently unused), and refinery facilities in Campo Quijano. Deposits at Diablillos and Ratones are undeveloped. The refinery produces a variety of boron chemical products including boric acid, borax decahydrate, borax pentahydrate, anhydrous borax and boroglas from concentrates and ulexite minerals from the mines and concentrators. The mine and concentrator at Sijes produce mineral concentrates for direct sale. Orocobre said Borax Argentina owns one of only a few important borate deposits globally that are in production. “The purchase of Borax Argentina provides an opportunity to acquire this significant quantity of historically estimated boron mineralization at an attractive valuation,” it said. “Borax Argentina has a high profile in Argentina and particularly in Salta province. It has excellent environmental and safety records, and healthy community relations.” It also has long term relationships with many of its key South American customers in the industrial and agricultural sectors.” Boron compounds are used in hundreds of applications such as insulation; agricultural nutrients; high tech glass products and coatings in computers, LEDs, plasma screens, circuit boards and solar panels; flame retardant properties in textiles; enhanced efficiency in industrial manufacturing processes; and fungicides and insecticides. An estimated 80 per cent of global demand is from the glass, ceramics and agricultural sectors. This is for refined borates or boric acid, and borate minerals and chemicals are traded internationally. Regional and global demand for boron products is strong, says Orocobre, “Boron minerals and chemicals production complements Orocobre’s core lithium developments with synergies in potential future boron chemicals production from brines at Olaroz and elsewhere,” it said. “Borax Argentina also owns the tenure on all or parts of the lithium projects being progressed by other lithium exploration companies, including Lithium Americas Corporation Ltd (TSX:LAC) at Salar de Cauchari, Rodinia Lithium Ltd (TSX V: RM) at Diablillos, and Galaxy Resources Ltd (ASX: GXY) at Sal de Vida (formerly Lithium One’s project). As one of the conditions to extract brines, these companies are required to make payments to Borax Argentina either as fixed annual payments or a royalty related to production. ‘The acquisition of Borax Argentina is a logical fit with Orocobre’s salar based industrial mineral strategy and primary focus on lithium production. Boric acid is a potentially valuable product to be extracted from brines such as the lithium potash boron brines at the Olaroz and Cauchari projects. Borax Argentina’s experience as a producer and marketer of boric acid will serve to augment operational and commercial insight related to potential future volumes of boric acid from the Company’s brine projects. “The purchase aligns with Orocobre’s salar focused industrial minerals development strategy, whilst maintaining Jujuy and Salta provinces in Argentina as the areas of activities. The purchase provides well established regional operating presence, experience and management skills which will complement existing management.” “Although Borax Argentina is currently only a relatively small and marginally profitable producer, it is asset rich in terms of mines, plant and human resources and has potential to materially improve performance based on processing recovery improvements and plant utilization,” said Orocobre. The consideration for the purchase is US$8.5 million, of which US$5.5 million has been paid and US$1 million will be paid annually over three years. The consideration comprises US$3.7 million for all of the shares of Borax Argentina and US$4.8 million to Borax Europe Ltd, a Rio Tinto PLC company as consideration for the assignment of a loan made by it to Borax Argentina. “Outside the attributes of the assets acquired, the attraction of the purchase for Orocobre is that it provides a growth opportunity within the Company’s salar focused industrial mineral development strategy. In addition, its operations are within Orocobre’s current geographical area of activities and will enhance Orocobre’s management capabilities.” (ASX: ORE) International Pre-Revenue Companies Ocean Power Technologies The company said this is the first FERC license for a wave power station issued in the United States and is an important regulatory approval for the deployment of up to 10 OPT devices generating enough electricity for about 1,000 homes. Construction of the initial PowerBuoy is near completion and should be ready for deployment about 2.5 miles off the Reedsport coast later this year. OPT has received funding for the first system from the US Department of Energy, with the support of the Oregon Congressional delegation, and from PNGC Power, an Oregon based electric power cooperative. The FERC has granted a 35 year license for grid connected, wave energy production. This follows extensive environment assessment, notifications to the public, assessment of Federal and State regulations, and consideration of an array of comments, recommendations and terms and conditions. Charles F. Dunleavy, chief executive officer of OPT, said “The issuance of this license by FERC is an important milestone for the US wave energy industry as well as for OPT.” After the initial PowerBuoy is deployed, OPT plans to construct the rest of the wave power stations - up to nine PowerBuoys and grid connection infrastructure, subject to receipt of additional funding and regulatory approvals. (Nasdaq: OPTT) Eco Investor Update
|
|
Search Eco Investor |
