Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
Summary
- Viridis Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX: VMM) provided an update for the quarter ending 30 June 2024.
- The company reported a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Colossus project of 201Mt @ 2,590ppm TREO at a 1,000ppm TREO cut-off, including 668ppm MREO.
- Only 7% of the Colossus project area is included in the maiden MRE.
- Cupim South has an initial resource of 28Mt @ 3,061ppm TREO, representing only 13% of the Cupim South area.
- Metallurgical testing at Colossus showed high ionic recoveries, with a 79% average recovery across four concessions in a 30-minute leach cycle.
- A joint venture (JV) was signed with Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) for exclusive global rights (excluding Asia and Uganda) to commercialize SST for downstream processing and exclusive rights to commercialize IXRs Rare Earth Recycling Technology in Brazil.
- Viridis completed a successful placement to raise A$8 million through an equity issue of approximately 6.4 million shares at $1.25.
- Cupim South Mining Licenses and Centro Sul Exploration Licenses have been granted to Viridis.
- Exploration expenditure for the reporting period was $2,606k.
- Payments of approximately $132k were made to related parties for executive remuneration and non-executive director fees.
Sentiment
Score: 8
Explanation: The report is highly positive due to the significant maiden resource estimate, strong metallurgical results, and strategic joint venture. The successful capital raising further strengthens the company's position. However, the lack of current revenue and ongoing exploration expenditure temper the sentiment slightly.
Positives
- The maiden MRE for the Colossus project is a significant milestone, indicating a substantial resource base.
- High metallurgical recoveries suggest a potentially efficient and cost-effective extraction process.
- The joint venture with Ionic Rare Earths provides access to advanced processing technologies and recycling opportunities.
- Successful capital raising strengthens the company's financial position and allows for accelerated exploration and development.
- Granting of mining and exploration licenses de-risks the project and paves the way for future development.
- New discoveries and drilling results indicate further resource expansion potential.
- Stakeholder engagement with local and state governments is positive for project permitting and development.
Negatives
- The company is currently not generating revenue and relies on financing activities.
- Exploration expenditure was significant at $2,606k for the quarter.
- Payments to related parties totaled approximately $132k.
Risks
- Future exploration and development activities are subject to permitting and regulatory approvals.
- Commodity price fluctuations could impact the economic viability of the project.
- The company's ability to secure future funding is not guaranteed.
- Operational risks associated with mining and processing activities.
Future Outlook
The company intends to continue exploration and development activities at the Colossus project, focusing on resource expansion and advancing metallurgical testing. The joint venture with Ionic Rare Earths is expected to contribute to downstream processing capabilities. Further exploration will be focused on the northern portion of the Centro Sul concession.
Management Comments
- Viridis commitment to ambitious exploration plans has underpinned numerous discoveries, improved geological understanding and driven value for shareholders.
Industry Context
The announcement is relevant to the rare earth elements (REE) sector, particularly ionic adsorption clay (IAC) deposits. The Colossus project is positioned as a premier development IAC REE project. The JV with Ionic Rare Earths is aligned with the industry trend towards securing downstream processing capabilities and recycling technologies.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- The Colossus project's MREO content of 668ppm is considered high globally.
- The metallurgical recoveries achieved at Colossus are among the highest publicly known for bulk composite sample leaching.
- Cupim South is ranked as one of the highest-grade individual deposits on the globe.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Positive impact due to increased resource base, potential for future revenue generation, and strategic partnerships.
- Employees: Positive impact due to job creation and career opportunities.
- Customers: Potential future access to a reliable supply of rare earth elements.
- Suppliers: Potential for increased business opportunities.
- Creditors: Reduced risk due to strengthened financial position.
Next Steps
- Continue exploration and development activities at the Colossus project.
- Focus on resource expansion and upgrading resource categories.
- Advance metallurgical testing and process optimization.
- Progress the joint venture with Ionic Rare Earths.
- Undertake a complete reassessment of data for the Poochera Project before further field work commences.
Key Dates
- 16 April 2024: Extraordinary general meeting (EGM) was held where shareholders approved the participation of Directors in the February 2024 placement and the issue of options to a Director.
- 14 June 2024: Viridis announced the appointment of RSM Australia Partners as the Company's auditor.
- 30 June 2024: End of the reporting quarter.
- 22 August 2024: Extend the drilling permit for the Poochera Project.
- 31 July 2024: ASX Release date of the Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B.
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Operational Update
- Viridis and Viridion are well-placed to capitalize on significant funding opportunities provided by two FINEP / BNDES Public Calls, which total R$8 Billion (approximately US $1.4 Billion) for strategic mineral transformation and R&D centers.
- The potential funding available will fast-track the Colossus and Viridion development timelines, indicating a future capital injection to accelerate project progress.
Operational Update
- The document highlights 'exceptional project economics even at todays cyclical low rare earth prices', indicating strong performance despite challenging market conditions.
- The successful delivery of the first locally sourced rare earth oxides to Latin America's only magnet manufacturer is described as a 'significant milestone', surpassing typical expectations for project development.
- The unique positioning of Viridion as the 'only local source of oxides to Brazil and broader Latin America' provides a strategic advantage that exceeds standard market positioning.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Colossus Project increased by 140%, reaching 493Mt @ 2,508ppm TREO and 601ppm MREO, which is better than previous estimates.
Interim Financial Report
- The company completed a $3.5 million placement on February 4, 2025, at $0.33 per share.
- The company completed a placement to raise A$4 million through an equity issue at $0.52 per share in October 2024.
Interim Financial Report
- The company's net loss after tax decreased compared to the previous year, indicating improved financial performance.
Scoping Study Announcement
- The Colossus project's economics, including a pre-tax NPV8 of US$1.43 billion and an IRR of 43%, suggest better than expected results.
Project Update
- The Colossus project boasts the largest and highest-grade MREO Measured & Indicated IAC resource globally.
- Metallurgical testing shows industry-leading MREO recoveries of 76-78% using a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly process.
Reinstatement Announcement
- The reinstatement of trading is directly linked to an announcement regarding a capital raising.
- The company is expected to announce details of the capital raising soon.
Trading Halt Request
- The company has requested a trading halt pending an announcement regarding a capital raising.
Environmental and Regulatory Update
- The company is continuing to focus on project financing discussions.
Resource Upgrade Announcement
- The resource size increased by 140%, which is significantly better than expected.
- The Measured & Indicated resource is now the largest and highest grade globally, which is better than industry standards.
Exploration Update
- The resource estimate has increased by 140%, which is better than expected.
- The project has the largest and highest-grade MREO resource in the Measured & Indicated categories globally, which is better than expected.
- Metallurgical recoveries are industry-leading, which is better than expected.
Exploration Update
- The results are better than expected due to the industry-leading 78% MREO recoveries, which exceed typical recoveries in similar projects.
- The low impurity level of approximately 0.7% is significantly better than global benchmarks for public IAC projects.
- The high TREO content of 58% in the final MREC product, along with a 38% MREO/TREO ratio, surpasses expected values and indicates a high-quality deposit.
Exploration Update
- The drill results were significantly better than expected due to the discovery of multiple exceptionally thick and high-grade rare earth intercepts, exceeding previous expectations for both grade and width.
Annual General Meeting Results
- Approval of a 10% placement facility was granted.
- Ratification of prior share issues (April and October placements) was approved.
Investor Presentation
- The high-grade nature of the MRE, exceeding expectations, and the exceptional metallurgical recoveries are significantly better than anticipated.
Investor Presentation
- $4 million capital raise completed on 14 October 2024
Metallurgical Test Results
- The ionic recoveries achieved at the Southern Complex significantly exceeded expectations, surpassing all previous results at the Colossus project and demonstrating a superior economic profile.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- Resolution 4 seeks shareholder approval for a 10% placement facility, potentially raising additional capital.
- Resolution 10 seeks approval to issue 1,712,308 October Placement Shares to Tranche 2 participants, potentially raising approximately $0.9 million.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results significantly exceeded expectations, with multiple intersections revealing exceptionally high grades and thicknesses of rare earth elements, particularly MREOs, far surpassing previous models.
Capital Raise Announcement
- The successful A$4 million placement exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the company and its Colossus project.
- The exceptional maiden MREC results from the Colossus project significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing superior economics and potential to disrupt the industry.
Trading Halt Announcement
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
Annual Report
- The company's ability to issue additional shares under the Corporation Act 2001 to raise further capital. The Group has a history of successfully raising funds from equity raisings in the past
Annual Report
- The company reported a significant net loss after tax of $8,314,168 for FY2024, substantially exceeding the previous year's loss of $814,226, indicating worse than expected financial performance.
Exploration Update
- The company acquired new tenements at a low cost, expanding its landholding in key prospects.
- Drilling results indicate high-grade mineralisation in the Cupim South Extension.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The company announced a globally significant maiden MRE for the Colossus IAC Project of 201Mt @ 2,590ppm TREO with 668ppm MREO.
- Metallurgical test work at the Colossus IAC Project achieved high bulk composite sample recoveries globally, averaging 79% recovery in a 30-minute leach cycle.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results are better than expected due to the high TREO grades and MREO concentrations discovered at the Cupim South extension.
- The infill drilling at the Northern Concessions returned grades over twice the block model estimates, indicating a significant improvement in the resource potential.
Missing type for ID: 2009
- ASX:VMM announces better than expected results.
Missing type for ID: 3480
- ASX:VMM announces worse than expected results.
Market Announcement
- The granting of the Cupim South mining licenses and Centro Sul exploration licenses is better than expected as it secures critical tenements for the company's development strategy.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results have exceeded expectations by discovering higher grades and extending the mineralized zones beyond the previously known resource area.
Mineral Resource Estimate
- The Colossus project has a high MREO content compared to its peers.
Investor Presentation
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high grades of rare earth elements found near the surface.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high recoveries achieved in initial metallurgical testing.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the strategic partnerships and government support secured.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results at Ribeirao encountered significantly higher grades than previously anticipated, improving the potential resource estimate.
- The mineralized footprint at Cupim South has doubled, indicating a larger resource potential than initially expected.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The drilling results exceeded expectations with high-grade zones and new discoveries.
- Metallurgical testing showed exceptional ionic adsorption recoveries.
- The company secured additional mining rights and expanded its land position.
Trading Halt Request
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
- The details of the capital raising will be released in a subsequent announcement.
Metallurgical Test Results Announcement
- The maiden bulk met test work completed at Colossus exceeded expectations.
- The average ionic recoveries of magnet rare earth elements (MREE), including Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy), and Terbium (Tb), outperformed every publicly known IAC prospect and deposit globally.
Exploration Update
- The discovery of the highest peak grade publicly reported by any company within the entire Complex of 27,087ppm TREO is better than expected.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The Parties acknowledge and agree that on and from the Commencement Date (being the date the JV Co is incorporated), a detailed budget and funding model will be developed to inform future funding requirements, which must be agreed by both Parties.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The joint venture aims to be the first producer of refined Rare Earth Oxides (REO) in Brazil, utilizing innovative separation and recycling technologies, which is better than the current industry standard.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.