REG - Kefi Gold and Copper - Operational Update

KEFI Gold and CopperAnnouncement

26/11/2021 07:00

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RNS Number : 6554T  Kefi Gold and Copper PLC  26 November 2021

26 November 2021

KEFI Gold and Copper plc

("KEFI" or the "Company")

Operational Update

KEFI Gold and Copper (AIM: KEFI), the gold exploration and development company
with projects in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, is pleased to provide an operational update.

Ethiopia

KEFI's subsidiary Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Company ("TKGM") has completed
its recent incident management and investigations and is now preparing for the
launch of the Tulu Kapi Gold Project (the "Project").  Members of KEFI's
senior management team are based in Ethiopia supporting the various Project
teams, including those at the Tulu Kapi site, which remains quiet despite the
security situation elsewhere in the country, with the closest conflicts
several hundred kilometres from TKGM's sites.

Since the Company's most recent update on the Project, announced on 16
November 2021, there has been a significant escalation of efforts, both
domestically and internationally, to bring to an end Ethiopia's internal
conflicts, caused by rebels pressuring for a change of the recently elected
Government. Recent developments include the commencement of mediation and a
significant Ethiopian Government military offensive to push back the rebels.

The Company remains optimistic these efforts will result in a positive
resolution to the dispute and preparations continue for Project launch, with
TKGM's current focus on satisfying all technical conditions precedent by the
end of January 2022 and preparing the community.

Saudi Arabia

KEFI-operated joint venture company Gold and Minerals Limited ("G&M")
continues on track to update and upgrade the Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE")
at its Hawiah Copper-Gold Project before the end of 2021.  This update will
incorporate the additional resources defined from the results of its
successful 29,814 metre Phase 3 and Phase 4 drilling programmes, completed
recently, and post the Maiden MRE of 19.3Mt @ 1.9% Cu equivalent announced in
August 2020.  The Company believes, tonnage, grade and resource
classification are all expected to increase.

We are also pleased to report that communications with the regulatory
authorities in Saudi Arabia have led us to expect clarification of Mining
Licence tenure at The Company's Jibal Qutman Gold Project in 2022.

Enquiries

 KEFI Gold and Copper plc
 Harry Anagnostaras-Adams (Executive Chairman)                         +357 994 57843
 John Leach (Finance Director)                                         +357 992 08130

 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)   +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
 Jeff Keating, Adam Cowl

 Brandon Hill Capital Ltd (Joint Broker)                               +44 (0) 20 7936 5200
 Oliver Stansfield, Jonathan Evans

 IFC Advisory Ltd (Financial PR and IR)                                +44 (0) 20 3934 6630
 Tim Metcalfe, Florence Chandler

Further information can be viewed at www.kefi-goldandcopper.com
(http://www.kefi-goldandcopper.com)

Notes to Editor

KEFI Gold and Copper plc

KEFI is focused primarily on the advanced Tulu Kapi Gold Project development
project in Ethiopia, along with its pipeline of other projects within the
highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield. KEFI targets that production at Tulu
Kapi generates cash flows for capital repayments, further exploration and
expansion as warranted and, when appropriate, dividends to shareholders.

KEFI in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has for some years been undergoing a remarkable transformation both
politically and economically. However, 2021 has been a turbulent year for the
country due to internal conflict due to military challenges to the Federal
Government from rebel minorities.

The Tulu Kapi gold project in western Ethiopia has however continued
progressing towards development, following a grant of a Mining Licence in
April 2015.

The Company has refined contractual terms for project construction and
operation, together with having assembled the full funding consortium and set
the conditional terms for the development funding package of c.US$356 million,
to be triggered as soon as normal conditions are satisfied including security.

Estimates include gold production of c.190,000oz pa. All-in Sustaining Costs
(including operating, sustaining capital and closure but not including leasing
and other financing charges) remain US$800-900/oz, depending on the gold price
impact on the royalty payable. Tulu Kapi's Ore Reserve estimate totals 15.4Mt
at 2.1g/t gold, containing 1.1Moz.

All aspects of the Tulu Kapi (open pit) gold project have been reported in
compliance with the JORC Code (2012) and subjected to reviews by appropriate
independent experts.

A Preliminary Economic Assessment has been published that indicates the
economic attractiveness of mining the underground deposit adjacent to the Tulu
Kapi open pit, after the start-up of the open pit and after positive cash
flows have begun to repay project debts. An area of over 1,000 square
kilometres adjacent to Tulu Kapi has been reserved for exploration by KEFI
upon commencement of development, with a view to adding satellite deposits to
development and production plans.

KEFI in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

In 2009, KEFI formed Gold & Minerals Limited ("G&M") in Saudi Arabia
with local Saudi partner, ARTAR, to explore for gold and associated metals in
the Arabian-Nubian Shield. KEFI has a 34% interest in G&M and is the
operating partner.

ARTAR, on behalf of G&M, holds over 16 Exploration Licence (ELA)
applications pending the introduction of the new Mining Law. ELs are renewable
for up to three years and bestow the exclusive right to explore and to obtain
a 30-year exploitation (mining) lease within the area.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced policies to encourage mineral
exploration and development, and KEFI Minerals supports this priority by
serving as the technical partner within G&M. ARTAR also serves this
government policy as the major partner in G&M, which is one of the early
movers in the modern resurgence of the Kingdom's minerals sector.

 

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