REG - Kazera Global PLC - Kazera Wins US$11.9m Ruling in Aftan Arbitration

Kazera GlobalAnnouncement

07/05/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 5755H  Kazera Global PLC  07 May 2025

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inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

7 May 2025

Kazera Global plc

("Kazera", "the Group" or "the Company")

 

Kazera Wins US$11.9 million Ruling in Aftan Arbitration

 

Kazera Global plc (AIM: KZG), the AIM-quoted investment company, is delighted
to announce that, further to its announcement of 24 September 2024, it has now
received a comprehensive and favourable ruling in binding arbitration
proceedings against the Namibian company, Hebei Xinjian Construction CC
("Hebei"), with a total award of c.US$11.9 million plus costs.

 

ARBITRATION OUTCOME

The binding arbitration proceedings, held in Windhoek, Namibia and governed by
the dispute resolution provisions of a December 2022 sale agreement, concluded
that Hebei had breached its contractual obligations by failing to make full
and timely payment to Kazera for the acquisition of Kazera's interest in
African Tantalum (Pty) Ltd ("Aftan").

 

Hebei has been ordered by the Arbitrator to pay to Kazera:

·    An amount of US$9.2 million

·    Interest in the amount of US$1.6 million accrued up to 8 October 2024

·    Interest at the rate of 20% per annum on the amount of US$9.2 from 9
October 2024 to date of payment (being US$1.1 million as at 6 May 2025)

·    Full legal and arbitration costs

 

As at 6 May 2025, the total amount accrued was therefore, US$11.9 million plus
costs.

 

The ruling validates Kazera's consistent position and brings clarity to a
complex and long-running contractual dispute.

 

BACKGROUND

As announced on 20 December 2022, Kazera entered into an agreement with Hebei
for the sale of its entire interest in Aftan, including the transfer of
related shareholder loans, for a total consideration of approximately US$13
million, with Kazera retaining 100% of the issued shares in Aftan as security
until the consideration is paid in full. Hebei made only partial payments
totalling US$4.1 million and, having failed to meet the balance of its
obligations despite formal written demand, was in breach of the agreement.

 

The agreement included binding arbitration in the event of a dispute and
Kazera commenced proceedings in September 2024 after repeated attempts to
resolve the matter amicably failed.

 

Dennis Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer of Kazera Global plc commented: "We've
always believed in the strength and fairness of our case, and this ruling
confirms that. It is therefore a welcome outcome that protects shareholder
interests and draws a line under a long-running issue. While the arbitration
process hasn't held us back operationally, it has been an unhelpful
distraction. We can now move forward with greater clarity and remain focused
on unlocking value across the rest of the portfolio. We will now take the
necessary steps to recover the full amount we are owed."

 

NEXT STEPS

Kazera is now assessing the most effective legal and commercially beneficial
avenues to enforce the award and recover the full amount due. The Company will
update shareholders in due course.

 

**ENDS**

 

For further information, please visit the Company's website at
www.kazeraglobal.com (http://www.kazeraglobal.com) or contact:

 Kazera Global plc                                                     kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk

 Dennis Edmonds, CEO
 Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated & Financial Adviser and Broker)      Tel: +44 (0)207 409 3494

 Christopher Raggett / Ritchie Balmer / Imogen Ellis
 St Brides Partners (Financial PR)                                     kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk (mailto:kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk)

 Paul Dulieu / Isabel de Salis

 

 

About Kazera Global plc

Kazera is a global investment company focused on leveraging the skills and
expertise of its Board of Directors to develop early-stage mineral exploration
and development assets towards meaningful cashflow and production. Its three
principal investments are as follows:

 

Alluvial diamond mining through Deep Blue Minerals (Pty) Ltd, Alexander Bay,
South Africa

Kazera currently has a 100% direct interest in Deep Blue Minerals, of which
74% is held beneficially by Kazera and 26% is held on behalf of Black Economic
Empowerment partners.

 

Heavy Mineral Sands mining (including ilmenite, monazite, rutile, and
zircon)  through Whale Head Minerals (Pty) Ltd, Alexander Bay, South Africa.

Kazera currently has a 70% direct beneficial interest in Whale Head Minerals
together with the benefit of a loan facility entitling it to receive
approximately £38m out of dividends from the other shareholders.

 

Tantalite mining in South-East Namibia (divestment in progress)

As announced on 20 December 2022, Kazera agreed to dispose of African Tantalum
(Pty) Ltd ("Aftan") for a cash consideration of US$13 million plus a debenture
payment of 2.5% of the gross sales of produced lithium and tantalum for
life-of-mine. Completion of the sale was subject to receipt of full
consideration proceeds. Aftan was deconsolidated from the Company's financial
statements with effect from 4 January 2023 because, in accordance with the
terms of the sale agreement, it relinquished control of Aftan in favour of the
purchaser, Hebei Xinjian Construction Close Corp ("Hebei") with effect from
that date. Kazera retained the right to cancel the transaction and retain all
amounts paid to date in the event of default by Hebei Xinjian. Following
default by Hebei, Kazera initiated legal proceedings in September 2024, which
have now concluded in Kazera's favour with an arbitration award exceeding
US$11.9 million, including interest, plus coverage of legal costs. Kazera is
now assessing the most effective legal and commercially beneficial avenues to
enforce the award and recover the full amount due.

 

The Company will consider additional investment opportunities as appropriate,
having regard to the Group's future cash flow requirements.

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