The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as incorporated into UK law by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

 

29 February 2024

Beowulf Mining plc

("Beowulf" or the "Company")

Unaudited Preliminary Financial Results for the year ended 31 December 2023

 

Beowulf (AIM: BEM; Spotlight: BEO), the mineral exploration and development company, announces its unaudited preliminary financial results for the year ended 31 December 2023 (the "Period").

Activities in the Period

 

Sweden

 

·      Following the announcement of the Scoping Study for Kallak North, part of the Kallak Iron Ore Project ("Kallak"), in January 2023, the Company, through its 100 per cent owned subsidiary Jokkmokk Iron Mines AB ("Jokkmokk Iron"), continued to engage with key stakeholders and advance numerous work streams. A strategic review for the project, focused on optimising the development and ultimate value of the asset, was advanced during the Period.

·      Environmental baseline studies progressed in preparation for the completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA"). These studies included monitoring and assessment of nature values, sound and vibration, hydrology, and cultural heritage.

·      The Pre-feasibility Study ("PFS") for Kallak was initiated with the appointment of SLR Consultant Limited ("SLR") as lead consultant in October 2023. In addition, samples were selected for metallurgical test work and the preliminary roadmap for the next phase of the project's development was defined.

·      A formal recruitment process was initiated for a high-calibre individual to lead the further development of the project.

·      Various public meetings with local stakeholders, including four meetings with the Sami villages and meetings with residents of the villages closest to the project, were held.

·      On the 19 and 20 September 2023, the Supreme Administrative Court held an oral hearing at which the appeal by two Sami villages, Jåhkågasska tjiellde and Sirges, and Naturskyddsföreningen, the associations for the protection of the environment, at municipality, county, and country level (together the "Applicant"), against the awarding of the Exploitation Concession by the Government of Sweden (the "Government"), was heard.  Following the oral hearing, the Applicant filed a further submission to the Court to which the Court invited the Government to respond in January 2024. The Government responded post Period (highlighted below).

 

Finland

 

·      During the year, Beowulf, through its wholly-owned Finnish subsidiary Grafintec Oy ("Grafintec"), completed the PFS for the establishment of the final Coating stage of a Graphite Anode Materials Plant ("GAMP") located in the GigaVaasa area, in the municipality of Korsholm on the west coast of Finland. This initial PFS demonstrated very positive initial economics with a post-tax net present value (using an 8 per cent discount rate) of US$242 million and an internal rate of return of 39 per cent.

·      The study, prepared by the engineering consultancy RB Plant Construction Ltd ("RB Plant"), is based on an industrial plant importing spherical graphite, coating this to produce a total of 20,000 tonnes per annum of Coated Spherical Graphite ("CSPG") over an initial 10-year period and with initial capital expenditure of US$117 million.

·      The EIA for the GAMP was progressed during the year.

·      Following the conclusion of the PFS, bench-scale test work was initiated.

 

Kosovo

·      On 12 January 2023, Beowulf invested £250,000 in Vardar Minerals. The investment increased the Company's ownership in Vardar from 59.5 per cent to approximately 61.1 per cent. In addition, Beowulf provided loans amounting to ?75,000 between October and December 2023 to Vardar Minerals to support ongoing exploration activity.

·      Vardar Minerals undertook further low-cost field work including mapping, soil and grab sampling and reconnaissance work across its tenement package during the three months ended 31 December 2023.

·      The focus of the activity during the first half of the year was on the Shala Central area where the Company undertook mapping, surface sampling and a drone magnetic survey.

·      Reconnaissance work was undertaken in the second half of the year on the Shala East and Shala West licences which was followed up with a systematic mapping and sampling programme.

 

Corporate

·       On 28 February 2023, Beowulf announced the outcome of the Company's capital raise. In total, Beowulf received approximately SEK 80.8 million (approximately £6.4 million) (gross). Net proceeds from the capital raise were used to repay bridge loan financing.

·       On 10 July 2023, Mikael Schauman was appointed as Non-Executive Director.

·       On 27 July 2023, the settlement in relation to Kurt Budge's resignation was agreed and paid.

·       On 7 August 2023, Ed Bowie joined the Company as Chief Executive Officer and Director.

·       On 16 August 2023, Ulla Sandborgh stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Jokkmokk Iron.

·       On 28 December 2023, Alternative Resource Capital was appointed as Joint UK Broker to the Company. Alternative Resource Capital is a trading name of Shard Capital Partners LLP, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

Financial

·      The consolidated loss for 2023 of £2,931,295 was higher than 2022 of £2,041,452. This increase is due to increased administrative expenses of £2,494,650 compared to £1,806,582 for 2022. The increase in administrative expenses was due to the following: share-based payment expenses of £387,668 (2022: £240,537); professional fees of £696,247 (2022: £433,157); foreign currency loss of £150,224 (2022: £36,321); salary costs of £483,221 (2022: £317,717); audit and accountancy fees of £122,174 (2022: £86,240).

·      The administration expenses of the company of £2,778,142 in 2023 exceeded 2022 of £1,090,254. This increase is primarily due to the expected credit loss on the intercompany loans of £1,001,537 (2022: £5,336), share-based payment expenses of £321,534 (2022: £173,345), salary costs of £481,903 (2022: £250,406), professional fees of £420,536 (2022: £290,760), P.R. services of £97,515 (2022: £46,493) and legal fees of £83,226 (2022: £24,238). Professional and legal fees increased primarily due to non-recurring advisor fees in relation to the group directorship changes within the Period. The expected credit loss increased due to the impairment of Ågåsjiegge and Åtvidaberg in the year and a reassessment of expected recoverability of the loans to the subsidiaries.

·      Consolidated basic and diluted loss per share for the quarter ended 31 December 2023 was 0.05 pence (Q4 2022: loss of 0.09 pence).

·      £905,555 in cash was held at 31 December 2023 (31 December 2022: £1,776,556).

·      Exploration assets increased to £14,797,833 at 31 December 2023 compared to £13,002,465 at 31 December 2022.

·      The cumulative foreign exchange translation losses held in equity increased year ended 31 December 2023 to £1,464,486 (31 December 2022: loss of £1,289,415). Much of the Company's exploration costs are in Swedish Krona which has weakened against the pound since 31 December 2022.

·      At 31 December 2023, there were 922,337,110 Swedish Depository Receipts in issue representing 79.71 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company. The remaining issued share capital of the Company is held in the UK as AIM securities.

 

Post Period Activities

Corporate

·       On 16 February 2024, Beowulf announced its intention to conduct a preferential rights issue of SDRs in Sweden (the "Rights Issue") and a UK retail offer of ordinary shares and partially secured capital raise (the "Capital Raise") up to approximately SEK 100 million (approximately £7.5 million). The Rights Issue is underwritten to a maximum value of SEK 50 million, subject to customary adjustments. The main purpose of the Rights Issue will be to finance the continued development of Kallak, including completion of the ongoing PFS and environmental studies in preparation for the EIA and subsequent application for the environmental permit for Kallak, and the completion of the ongoing PFS and EIA for the GAMP.

·       In conjunction with the Rights Issue, the Company has entered into a short-term loan agreement with the Underwriters to provide SEK 10 million (approximately £0.75 million) to ensure the Company has sufficient financial resources to continue advancing its projects over the coming weeks. The loan carries an interest charge of 1.5 per cent per month and has a commitment fee of 5.0 per cent. The loan and accrued interest is repayable at any time prior to the maturity date, being 31 May 2024. If the loan and accrued interest is not repaid by the maturity date, at the latest, the creditors have the right to offset a minimum of SEK 1 million at the time of the loan and accrued interest into SDRs at a price per SDR calculated with a 15 per cent discount on the volume weighted average price of the SDR during the preceding 5 trading days to the conversion decision. In case of default, the loan will accrue additional default interest of 2.5 per cent per month.

Sweden

·       On 18 January 2024, the Government formally responded to the submission. In a comprehensive response the Government endorsed the original decision to award the Exploitation Concession. The Government further emphasised their support for the project, stating that the Kallak Project is of national interest (Beowulf announcement dated 22 January 2024).

·       On 5 February 2024, the Company announced that a Project Director had been appointed to oversee the ongoing studies and development of Kallak.

Finland

·       On 17 January 2024, the Company announced an updated strategy to fast-track the full GAMP process, capturing more of the anode material production value-chain and providing greater supply-chain security following the export controls imposed by China on graphite materials in December 2023. The full GAMP process consists of Spheronisation, Purification and Coating to produce CSPG for sale to anode manufacturers. The PFS completed on the Coating stage of the process in July 2023 will be enhanced to incorporate the full process and is expected to be completed during 2024.

Kosovo

·       In January and February 2024, the Company provided additional loans to Vardar Minerals amounting to ?40,000 to support ongoing exploration activity.

·      The original Mitrovica, Viti North and Viti East licences expired on 24 January 2024. Following dialogue with Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals ("ICMM"), applications for new licences were submitted and formal confirmation of receipt was provided by the ICMM in Kosovo on 22 February 2024. Exploration licence applications are reviewed by the ICMM in Kosovo and ultimately granted by the Board of ICMM. The Government disbanded the Board of ICMM in October 2023, thus the licence applications remain pending until the new Board is appointed. As these applications are for new licences rather than extensions to the original licence, they will be valid for an initial three-year period from the date of granting, after which they may be extended twice for two-year periods with a reduction in the land holding of 50% on each occasion.

 

Ed Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of Beowulf, commented:

"The Company is making excellent progress across its three business units.

 

"At Kallak, we have initiated the PFS and are completing metallurgical test-work to confirm that the project will produce a market leading iron ore concentrate. Stakeholder consultations and environmental studies are continuing in preparation for the EIA and Environmental Permit application. The Company remains focused on developing a world-class sustainable mining operation at Kallak and the appointment of the Project Director is a key step in delivering this.

 

"In Finland, we delivered the PFS for the Coating phase of the GAMP demonstrating very robust economics. Following the Chinese export controls introduced in December 2023, the Company has modified its strategy and is now focused on developing the full process route. Test-work is ongoing and the PFS will be completed during 2024. This fast-track development will not only capture more of the value-chain for the production of anode material but also offers greater supply-chain security.

 

"In Kosovo, the detailed mapping and sampling undertaken by Vadar Minerals has highlighted a number of high-priority targets across the Shala licence package. Further analysis and interpretation is ongoing as assay results are beginning to be returned. In addition, assay results from a lithium target on the Viti North licence are pending.

 

          "The Company's portfolio is well-placed in tier-one jurisdictions, with strategic commodities that support the Green Transition and will benefit from the increasing emphasis on resource and supply chain security. We continue to review opportunities to optimise each project, enhancing the value and de-risking the future development, whilst reviewing funding opportunities and strategic partnerships both at the project and corporate level."   

 

 

Enquiries:

Beowulf Mining plc
Ed Bowie, Chief Executive Officer	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7583 8304
SP Angel (Nominated Adviser & Broker)
Ewan Leggat / Stuart Gledhill / Adam Cowl	Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
Alternative Resource Capital (Joint Broker)
Alex Wood	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7186 9004
BlytheRay
Tim Blythe / Megan Ray	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7138 3204

 

Cautionary Statement

Statements and assumptions made in this document with respect to the Company's current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs, and other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Beowulf. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those using words such as "may", "might", "seeks", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "believes", "projects", "plans", strategy", "forecast" and similar expressions. These statements reflect management's expectations and assumptions in light of currently available information. They are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to , (i) changes in the economic, regulatory and political environments in the countries where Beowulf operates; (ii) changes relating to the geological information available in respect of the various projects undertaken; (iii) Beowulf's continued ability to secure enough financing to carry on its operations as a going concern; (iv) the success of its potential joint ventures and alliances, if any; (v) metal prices, particularly as regards iron ore. In the light of the many risks and uncertainties surrounding any mineral project at an early stage of its development, the actual results could differ materially from those presented and forecast in this document. Beowulf assumes no unconditional obligation to immediately update any such statements and/or forecasts.

About Beowulf Mining plc

Beowulf Mining plc ("Beowulf" or the "Company") is an exploration and development company, listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and the Spotlight Exchange in Sweden. The Company listed in Sweden in 2008 and, as at 31 December 2023, was 79.71 per cent owned by Swedish shareholders.

Beowulf's purpose is to be a responsible and innovative company that creates value for its shareholders, wider society and the environment, through sustainably producing critical raw materials needed for the transition to a Green Economy.

The Company has an attractive portfolio of assets, including commodities such as iron ore, graphite, base and precious metals, with activities in exploration, the development of mines and downstream production in Sweden, Finland and Kosovo.

The Company's most advanced project is the Kallak iron ore asset in northern Sweden from which test work has produced a 'market leading' magnetite concentrate of 71.5 per cent iron content.  In the Kallak area, 389 million tonnes of iron mineralisation has been estimated, a potential source of high quality iron ore for fossil-free steel making in the Nordic region for decades to come.

In Finland, Grafintec, a wholly-owned subsidiary, is developing a resource footprint of natural flake graphite and the capability to serve the anode manufacturing. Grafintec is working towards creating a sustainable value chain in Finland from high quality natural flake graphite resources to anode material production, leveraging renewable power, targeting Net Zero CO₂ emissions across the supply chain.

In Kosovo, the Company owns approximately 61.1 per cent of Vardar Minerals ("Vardar"), which is focused on exploration in the Tethyan Belt, a major orogenic metallogenic province for gold and base metals.  Vardar is delivering exciting results for its Mitrovica licence which has several exploration targets, including lead, zinc, copper and gold. It also has the Viti licence which is showing potential for copper-gold porphyry mineralisation.

Kallak is the foundation asset of the Company, and, with Grafintec and Vardar, each business area displays strong prospects, presents opportunities to grow, with near-term and longer-term value-inflection points.

Beowulf wants to be recognised for living its values of Respect, Partnership and Responsibility. The Company's ESG Policy is available on the website following the link below:

https://beowulfmining.com/about-us/esg-policy/ 

 

BEOWULF MINING PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2023 AND THE THREE MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2023

	Notes	(Unaudited) 3 months ended 31 December  2023     £	(Unaudited) 3 months ended 31 December 2022     £	(Unaudited) 12 months ended 31 December 2023     £	(Audited)    12 months ended 31 December 2022     £
Continuing operations
Administrative expenses		(222,974)	(605,777)	(2,494,650)	(1,806,582)
Impairment of exploration assets	7	(341,926)	(36,988)	(350,158)	(36,988)
Operating loss		(564,900)	(642,765)	(2,844,808)	(1,843,570)
Gain on disposal of investment		-	21,951	-	21,951
Finance costs	3	(1,823)	(158,559)	(197,724)	(304,806)
Finance income		1,813	127	7,924	176
Grant income		12,795	14,579	96,750	84,797
Fair value gain on investment		6,563	-	6,563	-
Loss before and after taxation		(545,552)	(764,667)	(2,931,295)	(2,041,452)
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent		(528,676)	(723,801)	(2,857,345)	(1,948,459)
Non-controlling interests		(16,876)	(40,866)	(73,950)	(92,993)
		(545,552)	(764,667)	(2,931,295)	(2,041,452)
Loss per share attributable to the owners of the parent:
Basic and diluted (pence)	4	(0.05)	(0.09)	(0.26)	(0.23)