REG - Capital Metals PLC - Project Updates

Capital MetalsAnnouncement

18/09/2025 07:45

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RNS Number : 8578Z  Capital Metals PLC  18 September 2025

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK
VERSION OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO 596/2014 WHICH IS PART OF ENGLISH
LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. ON
PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS
INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

 

18 September 2025

 

Capital Metals PLC

 

("Capital Metals" or the "Company")

 

Project Updates:

Significant Progress Towards Project Development

 

Capital Metals (AIM: CMET), a mineral sands company approaching Final
Investment Decision ("FID") which requires all studies to be complete and
Project approvals and funding in place in order to commence construction at
the high-grade Taprobane Minerals Project in Sri Lanka (the "Project"), is
pleased to provide the following Project updates.

 

Highlights

 

·    Substantial Engineering/Studies Progress Towards FID:

o  Process Flow Diagram for Wet Concentrator Plant ("WCP") completed

o  WCP process design criteria established for a range of throughput
scenarios

o  3D model and general arrangement drawings for WCP completed (Figure 1)

o  Mechanical equipment list and electrical load demand compiled

o  Improved capex precision and schedules

o  Logistics study for road haulage and export shipments completed

o  Hydrogeology field activities completed (reporting in progress)

 

·    Two Key Pending Approvals: Positive discussions ongoing regarding
the:

o  Additional adjacent Industrial Mining Licence ("IML") to expand initial
mining area

o  Ability to export Heavy Mineral Concentrate in Stage 1

 

·    Project Funding Advancing: Ongoing discussions for debt/equity as
well as expressions of interest from strategic industry investors and
offtakers

 

·    Building Community Support: Proactive and focussed community
educational initiatives continue to strengthen the Company's social licence to
operate

 

·    Growing Sri Lanka Team: In-country team expanded with key technical
hires and recruitment underway for senior roles, alongside new training
programmes and upgraded office facilities

 

·    Improved Economics: Updated internal financial model adjusted for
reduced capex, more advanced technical studies, greater capacity, and expected
increase in total resources:

o  Base case NPV(8) of $180 million with an IRR of 73%, a significant
increase on the previously reported (2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment)
$155m and 56%

o  Upside case NPV(8) of $289 million with an IRR of 98% (previously $235
million and 73%)

o  Updated NPV(8) per share of 27p and 44p for Base and Upside cases,
respectively

 

·    Fully Funded through FID: The recently completed strategic Ambeon
Capital PLC investment, together with the ongoing support from Sheffield
Resources (ASX: SFX) and other existing shareholders, sees the Company
comfortably funded through and beyond FID

 

 

Technical Progress to FID

 

The Company is pleased to advise that engineering, studies and Project
activities with Mineral Technologies and Access Group are progressing in line
with expectations, with substantial progress made towards FID. Recent key
outcomes include:

·    Completion of the Process Flow Diagram for the WCP

·    Establishment of WCP process design criteria, following modelling,
for low (150 tph), base (175 tph) and high (200 tph) throughput scenarios to
accommodate variable feed grades as mining progresses

·    Completion of 3D model and general arrangement drawings for the WCP
(Figure 1)

·    Compilation of mechanical equipment list and electrical load demand
for the WCP

·    Improved capex precision and schedules following completion of
engineering studies

·    Completion of logistics study for road haulage and export shipments,
with further work continuing to assess the preferred site access route

·    Completion of hydrogeology field activities, with reporting currently
in progress

·    Assessment of heavy mobile equipment requirements

 

Capital Metals has engaged local and international experts to complete two
critical studies in logistics and hydrogeology. The logistics study, covering
transport within Sri Lanka and export options, has been completed, with
further assessment underway on the preferred access route to the initial
mining area. The logistics study has confirmed that containerised exports via
Colombo Port represents the most economical and practical solution for the
Project. Colombo offers the scale, efficiency, and infrastructure needed to
support export volumes reliably. Other Sri Lankan ports, including Oluvil,
will continue to be reviewed for potential future economic viability as the
Project scales and logistics options evolve.

 

The hydrogeology study is in its final stages, with a formal report expected
by the end of September. This study will inform the Company's water management
strategy for the proposed mining method.

 

The Company has entered into the next stage of service agreements with Mineral
Technologies and Access Group. Both partners will continue to support the
engineering and study works required to achieve FID. Under the agreement,
Mineral Technologies will provide a fixed price for the fabrication and supply
of key Stage 1 equipment, including the pre-designed Flex-Series WCP, feed
hopper and screening unit.

 

The flowsheet remains a simple three-stage spiral plant with feed hopper,
vibrating screen and ancillary equipment, as illustrated from the 3D model in
Figure 1 below.

 

Figure 1: 3D model

 

 

Advancing Two Main Approvals Required for FID

 

The Company is participating in positive discussions with all relevant
ministries and departments to create a framework for the mining sector - and
mineral sands sector in particular - to be a focus for new foreign direct
investment. As such, the Company is awaiting the publication a new National
Minerals Policy which is expected to provide a path to guidance on the export
of Heavy Mineral Concentrate, as envisaged in Stage 1.

 

Capital Metals is also seeking an additional IML adjacent to the two existing
approved IMLs in order to expand the initial mining area for Stage 1.

 

Given its connections in Sri Lanka, the Company's largest shareholder, Ambeon
Capital PLC ("Ambeon"), is already assisting in improving the speed and flow
of information and communication with national stakeholders on matters which
are required for FID.

 

Funding Plans for FID

 

Capital Metals is in ongoing discussions with banks and other investors to
provide project debt and equity. The Company is also engaged in active
discussions with preferred potential offtakers, with a focus on those that may
also provide project equity or working capital funding. The recognised high
quality of the Project's mineral products has attracted broad market interest,
and counterparties have expressed positive interest in long-term supply
arrangements. The Company is prioritising offtakers prepared to provide
upfront investment in equity or prepayments on offtake as an alternative
source of funding.

 

Following further discussions on a possible listing of the Project-holding
entity on the Colombo Stock Exchange, the Board and Ambeon will continue these
discussions but will not rely on this for FID funding given the potential for
delays, and are holding numerous alternate discussions for funding the Project
equity requirement, in which case the listing will still be considered
value-adding at a later stage.

 

In support of Project financing and other pre-FID workstreams, the Company has
engaged Nord Commodities Limited ("Nord") to provide consulting and advisory
services. Nord's principals are well connected within Sri Lanka's financial
services sector and are connected with a shareholder of Ambeon.

 

Building Trust Through Action in Local Communities

 

The Company continues to prioritise strong relationships with host communities
in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. Recent initiatives include sponsorship of
spiritual events, fishing societies, sporting associations, local schools and
A-Level education programmes, as well as the installation of community
suggestion boxes to encourage open dialogue and support for environmental
activities such as coastal beach clean-ups.

In addition, a Reverse Osmosis plant at Thirukkovil Hospital, funded by the
Company, is nearing completion and will provide safe drinking water for
patients, staff and the local community. The Company has also helped women's
groups and small-scale agricultural projects to support local livelihoods.
These activities reflect Capital Metals' commitment to delivering sustainable,
long-term benefits for local stakeholders alongside the advancement of the
Taprobane Minerals Project.

Mineral sands, and mining more broadly, are not common industries in Sri
Lanka, particularly in the Project area. This presents challenges in terms of
awareness and understanding of the Company's proposed activities. The Company
therefore continues to prioritise education and awareness programmes, both
locally within the Project area and more broadly across the country,
recognising that education is key to building long-term understanding and
support.

Capital Metals is also working to establish a Coastal Rehabilitation Centre,
which will serve a dual purpose of supporting research and future
rehabilitation, while also providing a platform for students and the wider
public to learn more about the Company's environmental practices.

 

In-Country Team Expansion and Capacity Building

The Company continues to strengthen its in-country capability as it advances
towards the development stage of the Project. Recent appointments include a
Mining Engineer, Project Manager and Processing Specialist, the latter having
more than 20 years of valuable experience with Lanka Mineral Sands.

Recruitment is ongoing for a Financial Controller to expand financial and
operational expertise within Sri Lanka, and for a Manager of Environment to
lead the development of the operational Environmental Management Plan and
detailed rehabilitation plans in coordination with the mine engineering team.

The team is also developing a heavy equipment training programme to upskill
local employees and build long-term operational capacity. In addition,
upgraded offices are being prepared in both Colombo and at site. The Colombo
office relocation to the same building as Ambeon will position the Company
closer to Ambeon and facilitate strategic synergies.

 

Updated Financial Model and Increase in NPV

With support from Mineral Technologies, the Company has developed a new
financial model. The key upgrade is the application of a first principles
approach specific to the Project, rather than reliance on industry ratios.
This has significantly improved the accuracy and robustness of the financial
outcomes.

Key updates in the model include:

·    Reduced Stage 1 capex of $20.9 million, consistent with prior market
guidance

·    Refinement of heavy equipment requirements using a first-principles
approach

·    Detailed build-up of mining and processing operating costs

·    Updated logistics costs following completion of logistics studies

·    Resource increase to reflect indications from recent drilling
results, with Base and Upside case resources modelled at 1.33x and 1.67x the
existing MRE respectively

·    Updated increased corporate tax and royalty assumptions

 

Updated Project economics:

·    Base case NPV(8) (post tax) has increased to $180m compared to $155m

·    Upside case NPV(8) (post tax) has increased to $289m compared to
$235m

·    Base case IRR (post tax) has increased to 73% compared to 56%

·    Upside case IRR (post tax) has increased to 98% compared to 73%

·    Base case payback period has remained steady at 3.9 years compared to
3.7 years

·    Upside case payback period has remained steady at 2.8 years compared
to 3.2 years

·    Updated NPV(8) per share of 27p and 44p for Base and Upside cases,
respectively

 

Premium Garnet Quality Confirmed by Independent Testing

Since the 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment, the Company has commissioned
an independent expert study on its garnet product. The results confirm that
the garnet is of a more premium quality than previously thought and suitable
for use as an industrial abrasive. Key outcomes from the assessment include:
premium quality confirmed; clean mineralogy; favourable particle size,
hardness and distribution for premium end-uses; and favourable proximity to
key end-user markets.

 

The assessment supports the Company's expectation that it will be able to
attract premium prices for garnet produced from the deposit and it is now in
discussions with a leading global garnet distributor regarding a potential
offtake agreement.

 

FID

The Company continues to work towards achieving FID by 31 December 2025 in
order to commence construction, with an expected 9-12-month construction
period until first production.

 

Greg Martyr, Executive Chairman of Capital Metals, commented:

 

"I'm delighted with the progress being made together with our consultants on
technical, engineering and logistics aspects required for FID. This work,
alongside the recent successful drilling, is contributing to more favourable
financial modelling as we get closer to development.  I would like to commend
Stuart Forrester and our growing team in Sri Lanka for the excellent community
work they are doing which is so important for the Company's social licence to
operate. With project funding and approvals discussions also advancing, we are
doing everything in Capital Metals' control to position the Company to achieve
FID this year."

 

Investor Webinar

 

Capital Metals announces that the Company's Executive Chairman, Greg Martyr,
will host a webcast and Q&A for investors to discuss these Project
Updates. The webcast will be conducted via the Investor Meet Company platform
on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 at 10 a.m. BST. A recording of the webcast,
along with the latest investor presentation to be given, will be made
available on the Company's website later that day.

 

Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add Capital Metals
in order to attend the webcast via:
https://www.investormeetcompany.com/capital-metals-plc/register-investor
(https://www.investormeetcompany.com/capital-metals-plc/register-investor) .

 

Investors who already follow Capital Metals on the Investor Meet Company
platform will automatically be invited. Questions can be submitted pre-event
via the Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9 a.m. BST on 22 September
2025, or at any time during the live presentation. No material new financial
or other information will be provided.

 

For further information, please visit www.capitalmetals.com
(http://www.capitalmetals.com) or contact:

 

 Capital Metals plc                                      Via Vigo Consulting

 Greg Martyr (Executive Chairman)
 Vigo Consulting (Investor Relations)                    +44 (0)20 7390 0234

 Ben Simons / Peter Jacob                                capitalmetals@vigoconsulting.com (mailto:capitalmetals@vigoconsulting.com)
 Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Adviser)               +44 (0) 20 7409 3494

 Ritchie Balmer / Christopher Raggett / David Asquith
 Hannam & Partners (Broker & Financial Adviser)          +44 (0)20 7907 8500
 Andrew Chubb / Leif Powis

 

About Capital Metals

 

Capital Metals is a UK company listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIM:
CMET). We are developing the Taprobane Minerals Project in Sri Lanka,
approximately 220km east of Colombo, containing industrial minerals including
ilmenite, rutile, zircon, and garnet. The Project is one of the highest-grade
mineral sands projects globally, with potential for further grade and resource
expansion. In 2022, a third-party Preliminary Economic Assessment provided a
Project NPV of US$155-235m based on existing resources, with further
identified optimisation potential. We are committed to applying modern mining
practices and bringing significant positive benefits to Sri Lanka and the
local community. We expect over 300 direct new jobs to be created and over
US$150m in direct government royalties and taxes to be paid.

 

Visit our website:

www.capitalmetals.com (http://www.capitalmetals.com)

 

Follow us on social media:

 

X: @MetalsCapital (https://twitter.com/MetalsCapital)

LinkedIn: @Capital Metals plc (https://uk.linkedin.com/company/capitalmetals)

 

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