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RNS Number : 9941B Kazera Global PLC 27 April 2026
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute
inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the
Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK
law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the
UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is
now considered to be in the public domain.
27 April 2026
Kazera Global plc
("Kazera" or the "Company")
Strategic and Operational Update
Kazera Global plc (AIM: KZG), the AIM-quoted investment company, is pleased to
provide a strategic and operational update highlighting recent progress across
its South African heavy mineral sands ("HMS") operations and broader project
portfolio.
HIGHLIGHTS
· 2A Mining Right progressing through final stages, with enhanced local
engagement to support the regulatory process
· Strategic partner discussions progressing to support the transition
to scaled, sustainable commercial HMS production at globally acceptable
industry grades
· Independent bulk sample test work confirms upgradeability of HMS
product to c.41% TiO₂, with clear potential for further optimisation
· Operational reset implemented, sharpening focus on core HMS
activities and cost discipline
· Immediate actions taken to reduce the cost base and improve
operational efficiency, including Director salary deferrals
· Clear pathway established towards sustainable, cash-generative
operations
· Further engagement with Hebei Xinjian with a view to exploring a
workable settlement of the outstanding African Tantalum debt liability due to
Kazera. Other third party preliminary expressions of interest.
2A Mining Right - Final Stage Progress
The Company continues to engage with the relevant regulatory authorities
within South Africa in relation to the award of the 2A Mining Right at
Alexander Bay, a key milestone in unlocking the next phase of scale within the
HMS operations.
To support this process, the Company has entered into an arrangement with a
locally based stakeholder to support the final stages of the regulatory
process. The Board believes this will provide additional in-country support to
help facilitate accelerated progress through the final stages of the
application.
While the timing of the award continues to remain subject to regulatory
processes and is outside the Company's direct control, the Board is focused on
supporting the process where appropriate and positioning the asset for
expedited development immediately upon grant and benefitting the local
Richtersveld community.
Whale Head Minerals (HMS) - Positioning for Scaled Production
Kazera has continued to advance discussions with a preferred potential
strategic partner in relation to its HMS operations at Whale Head Minerals.
These discussions are centred on establishing a framework to:
· optimise processing operations
· increase throughput volumes
· deliver higher-grade, marketable concentrate
Recent test work has been undertaken on a bulk sample of mineral sands by an
independent processor to assess the potential for upgrading the Company's
heavy mineral sands product. Initial processing of sample material has
demonstrated that the in-situ product is capable of being upgraded through
conventional processing routes, with test work achieving concentrate grades of
approximately 41% TiO₂, with the potential for further optimisation.
The Board believes these results demonstrate the upgradeability of the
material and provide increased confidence in achieving higher-grade,
marketable concentrate. The work also highlights the importance of optimising
processing at site to minimise double handling and associated costs, with
ongoing discussions with strategic partners focused on delivering this
capability.
The objective is to introduce additional capital without recourse to Kazera
shareholders, together with on-the-ground technical capability to accelerate
the transition towards a scalable, commercially robust operation.
Alongside this, the Company is developing a clearer and more detailed
understanding of the cost base, including production costs per tonne and
future equipment requirements, providing a stronger foundation for operational
planning and growth.
The Company is in discussions with Fujax International with a view to aligning
both parties interests on a more secure and commercial footing and will update
the market in this regard in the near term.
Deep Blue Minerals (Diamonds) Operational Reset - Focus on Value and
Efficiency
Following a comprehensive operational review, the Company has implemented a
more focused and disciplined approach to the Project's activities. In
particular:
· Inland diamond mining activities have been put on hold due to diesel
fuel shortages and extremely high prices.
· Diamond mining operations now focused on recovering diamonds from
beach and marine gravels derived from the HMS mining process.
· The Company believes that this strategy will yield significant cost
savings.
· A review of equipment and site infrastructure is underway, including
the identification of non-core assets for potential disposal
These actions are expected to materially reduce the cost base while aligning
operations more closely with the Company's core HMS strategy.
African Tantalum (Lithium/Tantalum) - Strong Position with Accelerated Value
Pathways
The Company continues to maintain a strong legal position in respect of its
African Tantalum Project, with the arbitration award currently subject to
review in the Namibian Supreme Court. The Company remains confident in its
position and continues to monitor the process pending judgement.
In parallel, the Company is actively progressing discussions with the existing
counterparty, Hebei Xinjian, in relation to exploring a potential commercial
outcome for the project that may provide a near-term pathway to either cash
generation and recovering the majority of the outstanding debt or an
accelerated pathway to monetising the asset.
Separately, the Company has received preliminary expressions of interest in
Aftan from third parties and is also actively progressing these avenues.
Outlook and Near-Term Priorities
The Board is focused on delivering a number of clearly defined near-term
priorities as it progresses the Company towards a more stable and scalable
operating platform:
· Supporting the regulatory process in relation to the 2A Mining Right
and positioning the asset for development upon grant
· Advancing strategic partner discussions to support the transition to
scaled, commercial HMS production
· Increasing HMS production volumes and improving concentrate quality
to achieve consistent, marketable product
· Continuing to optimise the diamond operations, focused on the
recovery of diamonds from beach and marine gravels in support of the HMS
mining process
· Continuing to reduce the operational cost base and embed financial
discipline across the South African operations
· Progressing discussions across the Company's broader project
portfolio, including African Tantalum, with a focus on near-term value
realisation
The Board believes that successful execution across these areas, alongside
continued operational and commercial progress, will support the transition to
a sustainable and cash-generative business.
Working Capital
As part of this transition, the Company has identified a requirement for
additional short-term working capital to support operations over the coming
months as production is optimised and revenues increase.
The Company is actively addressing this requirement and is in discussions with
its existing lenders and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate funding is
in place to support near-term activities.
In addition, the Board has agreed that, in order to support the Company as it
progresses towards a more stable and cash-generative footing, all Directors
are deferring the receipt of their fees until 31 August 2026. Such fees will
continue to accrue during this period.
This includes Richard Jennings, who has agreed a salary of £5,000 per annum
in his capacity as a Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer of the
Company; it has further been agreed that, upon stepping down as Interim Chief
Executive Officer, the Company will make a donation of £20,000 to charitable
causes of Mr Jennings' choosing.
Summary
The Board believes that, after many years of frustration, the Company has now
finally entered a pivotal phase, with a clearer strategic focus, improving
operational visibility, complete alignment across all parties and tangible
progress across its core assets over recent weeks.
With multiple workstreams advancing in parallel, the Company is increasingly
well positioned to deliver on its objective of building a sustainable,
cash-generative business.
Richard Jennings, Interim CEO commented: "In the very short period since my
appointment, I have been in country in South Africa meeting with the key
counterparts in each of our projects. As illustrated through my nominal salary
award, my focus is singular - addressing the operational challenges at asset
level and improving alignment between operational performance, the Company's
perception of its underlying asset values and the current market perception.
"Over the past three weeks, with the appointment of new Board members with
complementary experience together with renewed engagement with parties in both
South Africa and Namibia, I am optimistic that a line has been drawn under the
past and the Company is now moving forward with a much clearer focus. I look
forward to updating shareholders in the weeks ahead with hoped for tangible
progress on all fronts."
ENDS
For further information, visit www.kazeraglobal.com
(http://www.kazeraglobal.com) or contact:
Kazera Global plc kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk (mailto:kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk)
Geoff Eyre, Non-Executive Chairman
Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated, Financial Adviser and Broker) Tel: +44 (0)207 409 3494
Christopher Raggett / Ritchie Balmer
Zeus Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Tel: +44 (0)203 829 5000
Harry Ansell / Simon Johnson / Katy Mitchell
St Brides Partners Limited (Financial PR) kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk (mailto:kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk)
Isabel de Salis / Charlotte Page
Notes
Kazera Global plc (LON:KZG) is a diversified commodity investment company
focused on unlocking value through production growth and disciplined portfolio
management. While production builds at its Whale Head Minerals (Heavy Mineral
Sands) and Deep Blue Minerals (diamond) assets in South Africa's Northern Cape
province, the Company also continues to assess new opportunities to expand its
growth pipeline and deliver sustainable returns.
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