Overview
Avanti has acquired an undivided 100% direct interest in the past producing Kitsault Molybdenum mine in Northern British Columbia. A recently released Preliminary Feasibility Study estimated operating costs of $4.43/lb of moly and undiscounted net cashflow of $1.5 billion. Avanti intends to develop this mine in a manner acceptable to First Nations and all stakeholders involved.
What we like about Avanti
- Past producing moly mine with proven management team
- Pre-Feasibility Study showing 15 year mine life producing 368 million pounds of moly
- High grade Molybdenum Resource of 096%
- Discounted NPV of $2.25 per share
- Rapid Development Plan
Chief Property
Kitsault
On November 16, 2009, Avanti announced a NI 43-101 compliant Pre-Feasibility Study for the Kitsault Project. The study includes a mine plan which calls for a total of 215.3 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves grading 0.085% molybdenum to be mined over a 15 – year mine life, producing 368 million pounds of molybdenum. The discounted net present value of the project represents value of over $2.25 per issued share of Avanti.
The deposit was first staked in 1911. At that time, the major focus was a polymetallic vein with silver values, located southeast of the Molybdenum deposit. Kennco Exploration (Western) Ltd. commenced a program of diamond drilling in 1959 and announced the presence of an ore body in late 1964, containing 36 million tonnes averaging 0.138% Mo (0.23% MoS2). Between January 1968 and April 1972, approximately 9.3 million tonnes of ore were produced with about 22.9 million pounds of Molybdenum recovered.
Since Avanti annouced the positive Pre-Feasibility Study, they have begun moving forward on several fronts, engaging a bank to work on debt financing for mine construction, starting marketing efforts targeting off take agreements with end users of molybdenum and a search for strategic investors. Avanti has also started working towards a full Feasibility Study and permitting in order to advanace the project to a construction decision targeted for Q4, 2010. Avanti has also started working with local communities and governments, including First Nations, so that input from local stakeholders can be included in the process.
Mineral Reserves by Class for the Kitsault Molybdenum Deposit — Pre-Feasibility Study, December 15, 2009
| By Class |
Cut-off Grade
(Mo%) |
Quanity
(Mt) |
Mo Grade
(Mo%) |
Contained
Metal (Mlb) |
| Proven |
0.036 |
55.7 |
0.0109 |
12.35 |
| |
0.027 |
3.8 |
0.031 |
2.35 |
| Total |
|
59.5 |
0.0104 |
123.7 |
| Probable |
0.036 |
134.5 |
0.086 |
231.08 |
| |
0.027 |
21.2 |
0.031 |
13.13 |
| Total |
|
155.7 |
0.079 |
244.21 |
| Total Proven & Probable |
215.3 |
0.085 |
367.91 |
- Initial capital costs are estimated at $641 million;
- Cash operating costs are estimated to be $4.43/lb of accountable molybdenum (recovered molybdenum less 1% deductions);
- The average life of mine (LOM) price of molybdenum for base case scenario is computed by using the CPM Group projections and it is $15.88/lb.
- The base case after-tax NPV(8%) is $551 million, with an IRR of 20.6%
- Projected undiscounted net cash flow (after-tax) is $1.56 billion;
- Annual metal production for the mine life averages 24.5 million pounds of molybdenum with the first five years averaging 29.2 million pounds per year;
- The mine has certain infrastructure in place with road and ocean freight access to the mine site and will be serviced by the BC Hydro transmission grid;
- Develop a Run-of-River Hydro-electric project, by taking advantage of the site water diversion design in managing runoff from the average 2 meters of precipitation.
- The Hydroelectric project may represent a long lived project asset with implications for project reclamation financing.
- The reopening of the mine is projected to create over 330 jobs in addition to 250 construction jobs over that 3 year period.
- The mines existing M-10 permit can be amended under the BC Mines Act process or a voluntary BC Environmental Assessment Act “opt-in” process.
Management
- Craig J. Nelsen – President, CEO, and Director. Mr. Nelsen is the President, CEO, and Director of Avanti, and he currently serves as a Director of New Gold Inc. (since June 2008). He was the founder and Chairman of Metallica Resources Inc. (from 1994 to 2008). He previously served as Chief Executive Officer of that company from 1994 to 1999. In June 2008, a three-company merger between Metallica, Peak Gold, and New Gold Inc. was finalized, forming the new, larger gold producer known as New Gold Inc., listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange. Mr. Nelsen served as the Executive Vice-President, Exploration, for Gold Fields Limited (from 1999 to June 2007), one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange in South Africa and also on the New York Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, Euronext in Paris and Brussels and the SWX Swiss Exchange. Mr. Nelsen holds a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geology from the University of Montana.
- Peter D. Barnes – Director. Mr. Barnes is a Director of Avanti and currently the President and Chief Executive officer (since April 2006) and the founder, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (from 2004 to 2006) of Silver Wheaton Corp., a public company listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. He currently serves as a Director of Golden Oasis Exploration Corp. (since 2005) and American Copper Corp. (since 2006), both public companies listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Barnes was previously Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Goldcorp Inc. (from 2005 to 2006) and Chief Financial Officer of Wheaton River Minerals Inc., which merged with Goldcorp. Inc. (from 2003 to 2005). Mr. Barnes is a Chartered Accountant and received his B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Hull, England.
- Robert Cross – Director. Mr. Cross is a Director of Avanti and also the Founder, Chairman and a Director of Bankers Petroleum Ltd. (since 2004), a public company listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. He was the Chairman and a Director of Northern Orion Resources Inc. (from 2001 to 2007), prior to it being acquired by Yamana Gold Inc. In 2002, Mr. Cross was Chairman of EAGC Ventures Corp., a TSX Venture Exchange company which was subsequently sold to Bema Gold Corporation. Between 1996 and 1998, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yorkton Securities Inc., and from 1987 to 1994 he was a Partner-Investment Banking of Gordon Capital Corporation in Toronto. Mr. Cross has an Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo and received his Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.
- Ryan T. Bennett – Director. Mr. Bennett is a Director of Avanti and currently a Partner with Resource Capital Funds (since 1998), a private equity group of funds that invests in development and growth stage mining companies. From 1992 to 1998, Mr. Bennett held various positions within NM Rothschild & Sons in Denver and Rothschild Australia Limited in Sydney, where he was principally responsible for the technical analysis of mining projects seeking debt finance. Prior to joining Rothschilds, he worked as a geologist for the United States Bureau of Mines and a private exploration company focused on Alaska, as well as a mining engineering consultant for Caterpillar. Mr. Bennett has a Masters’ of Science degree in Mining Engineering from Colorado School of Mines and a Bachelors of Science degree in Geological Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
- James R. Arnold – Director. Mr. Arnold is a Director of Avanti and is also currently the Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and board Member of Romarco Minerals, a junior gold mining company focused on the construction and commissioning of the Haile Mine in South Carolina. Prior to joining Romarco Mr. Arnold was the Sr. Vice President of Colorado Operations for Climax Molybdenum, a division of Freeport McMoRan, overseeing the Henderson Mine and the Climax project. Henderson Mine is the world’s largest molybdenum mine and the world’s lowest cost underground mine. In addition, he has held various high ranking positions with Coeur d’Alene Mines, Knight Piesold, Kinross, and Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corp. Mr. Arnold became President of the Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration (SME) in 2007. Mr. Arnold holds a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Idaho and an M.S. in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri.
- Mark A. Smith – Director. Mr. Smith is a Director for Avanti is currently Chief Executive Officer, member of the Board of Directors and a shareholder of Molycorp Minerals, LLC. Molycorp Minerals is headquartered in Greenwood Village, Colorado and owns and operates a rare earth mine and processing facilities in Mountain Pass, California, where it produces various forms of rare earth products for sale. Molycorp Minerals is also engaged in technology development concerning rare earth applications and has several patents in this regard. Prior to Molycorp Minerals, Mr. Smith was the president and Chief Executive Officer of Chevron Mining Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation. Mr. Smith was appointed president and Chief Executive Officer in April 2006. Chevron Mining Inc. operated five mines and was engaged in a joint venture with CONSOL Energy Inc to develop the Youngs Creek Mine, a surface coal mine in Wyoming. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Smith was a Vice President for Unocal Corporation, where he was responsible for managing the real estate, remediation, mining and carbon divisions. Mr. Smith worked for Unocal for over 22 years. Mr. Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering from Colorado State University in 1981 and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Western State University, College of Law, in 1990. He is a registered professional engineer and an active member of the State Bar of California and Colorado.
- Amjad J. (”AJ”) Ali – Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Ali is the Chief Financial Officer of Avanti. He is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years experience in the mining industry. Most recently, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Centenario Copper Corporation, a company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Previously, Mr. Ali was the Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of EuroZinc Mining Corporation (2004 to 2006), a public company listed on both the Toronto and American Stock Exchanges. Mr. Ali was the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Resource 21 (1998 to 2003), a subsidiary of Boeing, formed to produce satellite-based imaging data and information services primarily for the agricultural industry. Mr. Ali was the Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Vista Gold Corp. (1992 to 1998), a public company listed on the Toronto and American Stock Exchanges. He is a director of Centenario Copper Corporation. Prior to the merger of Peak Gold, Metallica Resources and New Gold Inc., Mr. Ali served as the Director and the chair of the Audit Committee of Metallica Resources Inc. Mr. Ali is also a member of the Financial Executives International and the Institute of Corporate Directors.
- Kenneth W. Collison – Senior Vice President – Project Development. Mr. Collison is the Senior Vice President, Project Development for Avanti. Mr. Collison has over 30 years of experience in the mining industry. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Thompson Creek Metals, which included the responsibility for the operations of the Endako and Thompson Creek molybdenum mines. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Collison worked for the State of Alaska managing construction of sewer and water systems for rural Alaska with extensive dealings with rural populations including first nation communities. In addition, he has held various high ranking positions with Coeur d’Alene Mines and Rio Algom Limited. Mr. Collison has served as a director of the Mining Associations of Canada and BC as well as president and director of the Nova Scotia Chamber of Mineral Resources. Mr. Collison holds a B. Sc. in Mining Engineering and a Masters of Engineering in Mining; he received both from University of Saskatchewan.
- Robert G. Blair – Vice-President, Exploration. Mr. Blair is the Vice-President, Exploration for Avanti. From 1989-1999 he was Chief Geologist for Cyprus Amax Inc. Since 1999, he has been a consulting economic geologist. Prior to 1989, Mr. Blair was Chief Geologist for Coeur d’Alene Mines and Geology Superintendent at the Coeur Rochester Mine. Before 1986, Mr. Blair was Senior Technical Specialist for the Getty Minerals Division of Getty Oil; Consulting Geologist for Perry, Knox, Kaufman; and Chief Geologist for Oceanic Oil. From 1961 to 1969 he was a geologist at the Climax mine and then Senior and Resident Geologist for the Urad-Henderson operations of the Climax Molybdenum Division of Amax Inc. Mr. Blair was one member of the team of three geologists directly responsible for the discovery of the world-class Henderson molybdenum mine at Red Mountain, Empire, CO. He has more than 35 years of experience directly devoted to the exploration and discovery of porphyry molybdenum and copper deposits.
- Thomas J. Gunthardt – Project Manager. Mr. Gunthardt is the Project Manager for Avanti. Mr. Gunthardt has extensive international experience in managing the execution of natural resource development projects, ranging from prefeasibility studies to construction. His project management skill set includes strategic project execution planning as well as management of environmental and community relations issues. He worked for Newmont Mining Corporation from 1996 to 2009 and filled various roles, most recently as Project Manager of an iron ore prefeasibility study in Guinea. Prior to Newmont, he held various Engineering posts at Bechtel Corporation, Kilborn International, and Minproc Engineers.
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Share Structure
| Shares Outstanding: |
268,268,158 |
| Options: |
7,210,000 |
| Warrants: |
38,759,940 |
| Fully Diluted: |
314,238,098 |
| Current Cash: |
~$3.1 million |
| Stock Exchange: |
TSX-V: ATV |
|
Wed, Jan 6, 2010
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