My opinion only is that they tried to keep under that 500,000,000 shares mark! (491 mil currently) might just be coincidence? So got the $20ish million only and hopefully debt the rest???? Maybe the offtake partner will front them some cash to get the plant up and going?
Lanfranchi looms as linchpin in Kambalda nickel consolidation
Josh ChiatKalgoorlie Miner
Thursday, 3 May 2018 12:50PM
PCF Capital Group managing director Liam Twigger.Picture: Megan Powell
Leading Perth corporate adviser Liam Twigger says Panoramic Resources’ decision to invite offers for its mothballed Lanfranchi nickel operations could open the door to the consolidation of the historic Kambalda nickel district.
Panoramic announced in its quarterly report this week that it had appointed Hartleys as an adviser on the mine, which had been in care and maintenance since late 2015, a move which came hot on the heels of RNC Minerals placing a for sale sign on the Beta Hunt gold and nickel mine.
A rising nickel price has prompted renewed interest in Kambalda’s nickel assets, which are ageing but have historically produced high-grade nickel sulphides expected to be treasured by battery makers as nickel producers eye an emerging growth market supplying the electric vehicle space.
Mr Twigger, whose firm PCF Capital Group is one of the parties appointed to run the Beta Hunt sale, said the mines were a more attractive opportunity if they could be consolidated, calling Lanfranchi a “key asset”.
“I think it’s a key asset and there are a number of those in that neck of the woods that we’ve seen this improvement in sentiment literally in the last six to 12 months, and parties that hold assets around that Kambalda region are now realising there is an opportunity,” he said.
“It’s nice to see Panoramic moving, we’re aware that Beta Hunt is up for sale and I think there will be further opportunities in the district.
“There’s still some exploration to be undertaken with some fabulous targets there but I think if they could be consolidated that’s the best outcome.
“In a perfect world I think the assets there if you combine them are world class.”
The various Kambalda nickel mines were all in the hands of Western Mining Corporation, but were divvied up between a slew of junior producers in the early 2000s and reopened after being placed on care and maintenance.
Another mine in the district is set to enter care and maintenance soon, with Independence Group to shut the almost four decades old Long nickel mine by the end of May. Despite nickel prices being greatly improved over the past two years, Long is coming to the end of its reserve life.
Independence Group will host a community information session in Kambalda next Wednesday to discuss the impending closure of the operations.
PAN Price at posting:
54.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
(20min delay)