ASANKO GOLD INC.
ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
DATED AS OF MARCH 16, 2015
700 – 1199 WEST HASTINGS STREET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
V6E 3T5
1. COVER PAGE
Page | 1
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
4. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
7. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
12. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
14. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Page | 2
PRELIMINARY NOTES
In this Annual Information Form (the “AIF”), (i) references to “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” or “Asanko” mean Asanko Gold Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise; (ii) we use the United States dollar as our reporting currency and, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars and references to “$” mean United States dollar and references to “C$” mean Canadian dollar; and (iii) our financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).
All information in this AIF is at December 31, 2014, unless otherwise indicated.
The number, headings and orderings of items included in this AIF reflect the guidelines in Form 51-102F2. In accordance with the instrument, headings or numbers which were not applicable were omitted, as were negative answers in most cases.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Asanko cautions readers regarding forward looking statements found in this document and in any other statement made by, or on the behalf of the Company. Such statements may constitute “forward looking information” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future price of gold, the estimation of Mineral Reserves (as defined below) and Mineral Resources (as defined below), the realization of Mineral Reserve estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, hedging practices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, timing and possible outcome of pending litigation, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage.
Forward-looking statements are statements not based on historical information and which relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Forward looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions, which are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond Asanko’s control and many of which, regarding future business decisions, are subject to change. These uncertainties and contingencies can affect actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements made by or on the Company’s behalf. Although Asanko has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. All factors including the risk factors contained in this AIF and the documents incorporated by reference herein should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on Asanko’s forward-looking statements. Examples of such forward-looking statements within this AIF include statements relating to: the future price of minerals, future capital expenditures, success of exploration activities, mining or processing issues, government regulation of mining operations and environmental risks. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “expects”, “estimates”, “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “might” or “occur”. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions and are given only as of the date of this AIF. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as may be required by applicable law.
The Company’s management periodically reviews information reflected in forward-looking statements. The Company has and continues to disclose in its management’s discussion and analysis and other
Page | 3
publicly filed documents, changes to material factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements and to the validity of the statements themselves, in the period the changes occur.
Forward-looking statements reflect Asanko’s current views with respect to expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the Company’s business and the industry and markets in which the Company operates. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict. Assumptions underlying the Company’s expectations regarding forward-looking statements or information contained in this AIF include, among others, the Company’s ability to comply with applicable governmental regulations and standards, the Company’s success in implementing its strategies and achieving its business objectives, the Company’s ability to raise sufficient funds from equity financings in future to support its operations, and general business and economic conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are only predictions, and that the Company’s actual future results or performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including but not limited to:
·
risks inherent in project developments, especially in a developing economy such as Ghana’s including the risk of cost overruns, the inherent uncertainty of feasibility studies, the actual performance of production and recovery equipment deviating from expectations;
·
developing economy risks including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to the taxation and royalty regimes, the recovery of value-added taxes, security of title/tenure regime, labour laws, foreign ownership restrictions, foreign exchange and capital repatriation restrictions and indigenous population concerns;
·
operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing including experiencing lower grades than estimated, lower metal recoveries than projected, lower metals prices than anticipated, health, safety and environmental risks;
·
development and operational risks that may result in financial losses and the need to seek additional capital which may result in dilution to shareholders or the application of funds to debt repayment;
·
general mining risks include environmental liability claims, risk of accident, unexpected ground conditions, and other risks for which insurance may not be available or affordable; and
·
the risk factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in, or incorporated by reference in, this AIF.
3. CORPORATE STRUCTURE
3.1 Name, Address and Incorporation
The Company was incorporated on September 23, 1999 as a British Columbia corporation and has operated under other names (most prominently Keegan Resources Inc. from 2008 to early 2013) but since March 1, 2013 it has traded as Asanko Gold Inc (symbol AKG) on the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE MKT.
On February 6, 2014 we completed the acquisition of publicly traded PMI Gold Inc. further described herein which was a transformational event in that allowed the combination of the Company’s Esasse Gold Project in Ghana with PMI’s Obotan Gold Project in the same area (which are now the “Asanko Gold Mine”).
Page | 4
The Company’s registered and records office is located at 1500 Royal Centre, 1055 West Georgia Street, P.O. Box 11117, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 4N7. The Company’s head office is located at Suite 700-1199 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3T5. Asanko is a reporting issuer in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. The Company also reports annually in the United States under form 40F (available at www.SEC.gov).
3.2 Inter-corporate Relationships
The Company has the following Inter-corporate Relationships:
Subsidiary name | Jurisdiction | Ownership |
Keegan Resources Ghana Limited | Ghana | 90% (10% owned by Ghanaian Gov’t) |
Asanko Resources South Africa (PTY) Ltd. | South Africa | 100% |
Asanko International (Barbados) Inc. | Barbados | 100% |
Asanko Gold (Barbados) Inc. | Barbados | 100% |
PMI Gold Corporation | Canada | 100% |
Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited Asanko Gold Exploration (Ghana) Limited | Ghana Ghana | 100% 100% |
Page | 5
Figure 3.1: Asanko intercompany relationships
![[exhibit995002.gif]](exhibit995002.gif)
4. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
4.1 Three Year History
Fiscal 2012 (12 months ending March 31, 2012)
The Company’s primary focus during fiscal 2012 was advancing its Esaase Gold Project in Ghana through exploration, engineering and financing. For financing, in February 2011, the Company closed a bought deal share offering of 28,405,000 common shares at an issue price of C$7.50 per share for gross proceeds of $213,037,500.
Exploration activity and engineering studies were advanced during the year.
9 Month Transition Year (April 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012)
In 2012, the Company re-focused its development plan for Esaase looking at a staged development concept for the project, which could include:
-
an improved mine plan featuring higher grade feed to the processing plant and a lower strip ratio in the early years of the mine life, and
-
an initial processing plant with a reduced capacity and improved process design to substantially reduce the upfront capital requirements for the project.
Page | 6
The Company engaged Minxcon and DRA, both South African based consultancy firms, to review the mine plan and processing plant design, respectively. At the start of the Transition Year, the Company put all exploration activity on-hold while it evaluated options for development at Esaase.
In October 2012 the Company announced the results of a revised mineral resource estimate for its Esaase Project (“2012 Resource Update”). The 2012 Resource Update was based upon all exploration drilling results carried out at Esaase (approximately 200,000 metres of RC drilling and 78,000 meters of diamond drilling over a five year period). The revised mineral resource estimate consisted of:
·
Measured and Indicated Resources of 94.63 Mt at 1.45 g/t gold for 4.41 million ounces of gold contained; and
·
Inferred Mineral Resources of 33.59 Mt at 1.40 g/t gold for 1.51 million ounces of gold contained.
The 2012 Resource Update was based on a cut-off grade of 0.6 g/t gold and was prepared using the same information used to compile the previous resource estimate for Esaase. The purpose of revising the resource was to serve as a basis for a preliminary feasibility study which would incorporate a more selective open-pit mining method.
Following the completion of the 2012 Resource Update, the Company made a number of changes to its management team, including forming a strategic relationship and a financing with Highland Park. In October 2012, Mr. Peter Breese was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Company, bringing with him a number of experienced mine building professionals. The Company established a project office in Johannesburg to oversee engineering and development of the Esaase Project and reduced its Vancouver office presence to only a few key staff members.
As part of the strategic relationship, the Company completed a private placement equity financing of 9,443,500 equity units at C$3.44 per unit, resulting in a total of C$32.5 million being raised. Each unit consisted of a common share plus a warrant to purchase a common share in the Company at C$4.00 per share, expiring in October 2014.
The Company also settled an ongoing lawsuit over the mineral title to the Esaase Gold Project in November 2012 when we completed a final out-of-court settlement of the litigation in which the Company was named jointly with the Ghana Minerals Commission as a co-defendant in a lawsuit initiated by Sametro Co Ltd. (“Sametro”), a predecessor in title to the Esaase gold property. Sametro had alleged irregularities in the execution of a 2007 agreement by which the Company obtained title to the Esaase concessions. All litigants executed a definitive Deed of Settlement which includes a consent case dismissal, mutual releases, an indemnity for the Company as well as a retraction by Sametro of certain allegations of wrongdoing that it had made in connection with the dispute.
In December 2012 the Company changed its year end from March 31 to December 31.
Fiscal 2013 (12 months ending December 31, 2013)
In May 2013, the Company released a revised pre-feasibility study (the “2013 PFS”) with
highlights of the 2013 PFS (based on $1,400 per ounce gold price) are, as follows:
·
Proven reserves of 1.05 million ounces of gold at 1.43 g/t Probable Mineral Reserves of 1.32 million ounces of gold at 1.40 g/t (total 2.37 million ounces of gold at 1.41 g/t.)
·
Robust project economics with an after-tax IRR of 23.2% and an NPV (5%) of $354.7 million.
·
Strong cash flow generation with average annual free cash flow of $87 million.
Page | 7
·
Mine life (‘LOM’) in excess of 10 years with strong potential to increase.
·
Average annual gold production of 200,000 ounces from a 5 million tonne per annum (‘Mtpa’) operation at a fully diluted LOM average plant feed grade of 1.41g/t and a LOM strip ratio (waste:ore) of 4.28:1.
·
Installation capital of $286.4 million, including all associated infrastructure and a 10% contingency.
·
LOM cash operating costs of $736/oz with steady state cash operating costs of $724/oz.
A definitive feasibility study was commenced immediately upon completion of the 2013 PFS however as a result of the acquisition of PMI described herein, the focus of that new report has changed from the Esaase project only to integrating PMI’s Obotan project into a coordinated operation. This integration work is further described below.
The Company also sought additional financing for the Esaase Project and in October 2013 entered into a Definitive Senior Facilities Agreement (the “Agreement or DSFA”) with a special purpose vehicle of RK Mine Finance Trust I (“Red Kite”) to provide a secured project debt facility for a total of $150 million. With its then cash on-hand of $185 million combined with the project debt facility, the Esaase Project would thus be fully financed to production. An initial facility fee having been paid to Red Kite, the facility is not otherwise binding on the Company unless and until it is drawn upon.
The project debt facility was agreed to be used for the development, construction and working capital requirements of the Esaase Gold Project as the PMI acquisition was not then on the horizon. There are no gold hedging provisions, cash sweep requirements or restrictions usually associated with traditional project finance facilities of this nature that prevent the Company from pursuing its growth strategy. Prior to the execution of the Agreement, Red Kite conducted substantial technical and legal due diligence and as such, the DSFA is not subject to further due diligence on the part of Red Kite.
The DSFA provides for two term loan facilities: a $130 million term loan facility (the “Project Facility”) and a $20 million cost overrun facility (the “Overrun facility”). The Overrun facility is provided as an option available to the Company, should it be required. Performance under the DSFA is fully secured by the assets of the Company’s current subsidiaries and guaranteed by the Company until project completion.
In addition to the DSFA, Asanko and Red Kite have also entered into an Offtake Agreement under which the Company has agreed to sell the gold from Esaase for the life of the mine to Red Kite at spot prices during a nine day quotational period following shipment.
2013 Acquisition of PMI Gold Inc. (“PMI”)
In December 2013, the Company negotiated a business combination with PMI Gold Corp and entered into an arrangement agreement (“PMI Arrangement”) whereby Asanko would acquire all of the common shares of PMI on the same basis as ha d been attempted in 2012. The 2012 Arrangement failed to clear PMI shareholder approval by the requisite special majority. However, since that time, Asanko had revised the mine and metallurgical models of the Esaase Project which resulted in a more robust Pre-Feasibility Study and had arranged US$150 million in project financing from Red Kite as described above.
Following successful shareholder votes, the PMI Arrangement was completed, effective at 12:01 a.m. on February 6, 2014, Pursuant to the Arrangement, Asanko acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of PMI (“PMI Shares”), such that PMI became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Asanko, for consideration consisting of 0.21 common shares of Asanko (“Asanko Shares”) for each outstanding PMI
Page | 8
Share (the “Exchange Ratio”). Additionally, outstanding options and warrants to acquire PMI Shares have been exchanged for options (“Replacement Options”) and warrants (“Replacement Warrants”), as the case may be, of Asanko that will entitle the holder to receive, upon exercise thereof, Asanko Shares based upon the Exchange Ratio and otherwise on the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such PMI options and warrants immediately before the effective time of the PMI Arrangement.
To give effect to the PMI Arrangement, Asanko issued 87,149,914 Asanko Shares, 3,237,491 Replacement Options and 126,000 Replacement Warrants and reserved for issuance of 117,158 Asanko Shares issuable in lieu of PMI Shares upon vesting of outstanding performance rights of PMI. Following the completion of the PMI Arrangement, PMI and Asanko shareholders held approximately 50% each of the combined company.
Fiscal 2014 (12 months ending December 31, 2014)
In early 2014 following the completion of the Arrangement of PMI which owned the Obotan gold project (“Obotan” or “Obotan Project”), located near the Company’s existing Esaase gold project (“Esaase” or “Esaase Project” the Company combined the two projects to create the “Asanko Gold Mine” or “Project” or “AGM”). Asanko is intending to develop the AGM in two phases, with Phase 1 being largely based on the Obotan Project as initiated by PMI. It is envisioned by the Company that the Esaase pit will be assessed for development in a second phase of which is the subject of a follow-on Pre-Feasibility Study (Phase 2 PFS) expected to be complete in March 2015. The Phase 2 PFS will be premised on processing ore from Esaase in an expanded Phase 1 processing facility and utilising much of the infrastructure of Phase 1.
During 2014, the Company focused on the development of Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine, which entails the development and construction of the Obotan Project to achieve commercial mining operations at a steady state of 190,000 ounces of gold per annum with the first gold pour in Q1 2016 at an initial capital cost of approximately US$295 million (US$40 million spent as at December 31, 2014). Phase 1 of the commercial production plan is fully permitted and under construction.
In September 2014, the Company announced a revised Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for Phase 1 of the Project, including a maiden resource for the newly discovered Dynamite Hill deposit. This followed the decision by Asanko to do a comprehensive review of the original May 2012 MRE1 for the four main deposits which comprise Phase 1 - Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore and Asuadai - that were acquired from PMI. The original MRE was not deemed to be a suitable input for the detailed mine planning required to commence the mining operations of Phase 1. The results of the new MRE for Phase 1, detailed herein, were not materially different to the 2012 MRE and therefore confirmed the validity of the previous estimate. Importantly, however, the new MRE more precisely represents grade distribution and continuity within the deposits, and, as a result, the model now supports the ability to plan the mine with the selectivity required to manage grade control and volumes.
On November 13, 2014 the Company announced an optimized mine plan and associated operating costs for Phase 1 of the Project, which confirmed the robustness of the Project's economics. These, together with the updated capital cost estimate and an updated MRE, collectively form the "Definitive Project Plan" ("DPP") for Phase 1 of the Project. Definitive Project Plan Highlights:
·
Life of Mine ("LoM") gold production of 2.33 million ounces over a 12 year life of mine.
·
Capital cost of U$295 million, including all associated infrastructure and allowances for contingencies.
·
Lowest quartile All-In-Sustaining-Costs1 of US$781/oz; competitive operating cash costs of US$645/oz.
·
First gold targeted during Q1 2016 and steady-state production in Q2 2016.
Page | 9
Phase 1 of the Project was 24% completed as of the end of December 2014 and is on schedule for its first gold pour in Q1 2016. Critical path schedule items continue to be installation of the two mills, tailings storage facility infrastructure and installation of the 30km long 161 kV power line to the project site. Concrete pouring was progressed substantially during December and has resumed in January. Importantly, the semi-autonomous grinding (“SAG”) and ball mill bases have been completed and the handover for the mill installation is on schedule. Pouring the foundations of the Carbon-in-Leach ("CIL") circuit bases and the pre-leach thickener bases have commenced and are on target to be finished by the end of Q2 2015. The CIL tanks have been delivered to the site in preparation for site erection. Steel installation is expected to commence in early February with the contractor now mobilizing to site.
Earthworks for the run-of-mine tip wall, crusher and primary stockpile tunnel have been completed and handed over to the civil contractor. Progress on the preparation of the tailings storage facility is advancing according to schedule, the HDPE liner has been shipped to site and laydown of the HDPE liner is expected to start in March 2015. Construction of the contractor camp housing is complete and work on all the essential services; water, power and sewage is underway and due for completion by the end January 2015. There are now 503 contractors on site, with the full complement of 820 contractors expected by the end of Q3 2015.
The Company is in the process of negotiating a definitive power supply agreement, which is expected to be finalized by the end of Q1 2015. Power will be sourced from the national grid with the power supplied from either the state owned power generation company or an independent power producer.
The main mineral resource for Phase 1 is the Nkran pit, located immediately adjacent to the plant site. The first stages of pre-stripping have commenced and de-watering of the Nkran pit which commenced in December 2014 is expected to take up to 10 months to complete. As at the end of December, 2014 the water level in the Nkran pit had already reduced by approximately 2 metres. The dewatering will continue throughout the year and will occur in parallel with pre-stripping operation and is proceeding on schedule.
Procurement for Phase 1 of the Project is 68% complete and proceeding on schedule with approximately $170 million currently committed in orders and contracts and $40 million already spent, as at December 31, 2014. Equipment and materials deliveries, none of which are on the project critical path, remain on schedule. Importantly, with two-thirds of the capital expenditures of the project now committed and the Mining Contract (as defined below) having been awarded (together a total of $170 million), the Project is expected to be completed within the $295 million capital expenditure budget.
The Company has sufficient cash on hand and draw down capacity under its Debt Facilities to complete the construction, start-up and commissioning of Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine. The Company expects to achieve steady state production in the second quarter of 2016, to become cash flow positive. The Company had approximately $230 million in cash on-hand as at December 31, 2014 and undrawn project debt facilities of $70 million plus a $20 million cost-overrun facility for total available funding of approximately $320 million. Asanko has also filled the majority of the key operating positions at the Asanko Gold Mine in readiness for the commencement of ore mining operations and plant commissioning later this year.
In connection with the Asanko Gold Mine operations, the Company is required to relocate a portion of the Nkran village, consisting of 88 building structures, ahead of commencing ore mining operations. The Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP") report for the partial resettlement has been completed and submitted to the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) for review. The site for the relocation has been selected by the Relocation Negotiation Committee and has been approved by the Ghanaian Lands Commission. Site preparation for the resettlement site was completed in December 2014 and construction is due to commence in February 2015. The partial relocation is expected to be completed by the end of Q3 2015.
Page | 10
On August 26, 2014 the Company entered into a settlement agreement with a private Ghanaian company, Goknet Mining Company ("Goknet"), to eliminate Goknet's claim for a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty on Phase 1 of the Project. The only material royalty now applicable to Phase 1 of the Project is the Government of Ghana's 5% NSR royalty. The financial terms of the agreement involved $1 million cash, one million Asanko shares and the transfer to Goknet of two non-material exploration projects, Kubi and Diaso. Included in the agreement the Company will retain a right to match any future offer made to Goknet with respect to a disposal of the Diaso Project concessions.
4.2 Significant Acquisitions
The only significant acquisition made by the Company in the previous three years is the above described acquisition of PMI. The Company filed a Business Acquisition Report, form 51-102F4 at www.sedar.com , in conjunction with the acquisition on February 17, 2014.
5. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
5.1 General
Summary
Asanko’s vision is to become a mid-tier gold producer. In achieving this goal it will continue its emphasis on prudent deployment of capital and a sharp focus on operating costs. This vision will be achieved through:
·
The phased development of the Asanko Gold Mine, with the fully funded and under construction Phase 1 expected to produce a steady state average of 190,000 ounces per year commencing in Q2 2016 and a Phase 2 potentially adding up to 200,000 additional ounces per year by 2018;
·
Organic growth via near-mine exploration and judicious regional exploration on its existing exploration projects in Ghana, and
·
Pursuing growth via merger and acquisition opportunities as they arise.
Production and Services
The Company proposes to become a mid tier mining company as a producer of gold via open pit mining and conventional processing of gold ores mined from its Asanko Gold Mine in Ghana, West Africa.
(c) Specialized Skill and Knowledge
Various aspects of the Company’s mining business require specialized skills and knowledge, including skills and knowledge in the areas of permitting, geology, drilling, metallurgy, logistical planning, mine design, engineering, construction and implementation of exploration programs as well as finance and accounting. Much of the specialized skill and knowledge is provided by the Company’s management and operations team. The Company also retains outside consultants as additional specialized skills and knowledge are required. However, it is possible that delays and increased costs may be experienced by the Company in locating and/or retaining skilled and knowledgeable employees and consultants in order to proceed with its planned exploration and development at its mineral properties.
Competitive Conditions
Asanko competes with other mineral resource exploration companies for financing, for the acquisition of new mineral properties and for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel.
Page | 11
Many of the mineral resource exploration and development companies with which Asanko competes have greater financial and technical resources. Accordingly, these competitors may be able to spend greater amounts on acquisitions of mineral properties of merit, on exploration of their mineral properties and on development of their mineral properties. In addition, they may be able to afford more geological expertise in the targeting and exploration of mineral properties. This competition could result in competitors having mineral properties of greater quality and interest to prospective investors who may finance additional exploration and development.
Cycles
The mining business is subject to mineral price cycles. The marketability of minerals and mineral concentrates is also affected by worldwide economic cycles. At the present time, the significant demand for minerals in many countries is driving commodity prices, but it is difficult to assess how long such demand may continue. Fluctuations in supply and demand in various regions throughout the world are common.
As Asanko’s operations and exploration business is in the development stage, Asanko’s revenues, if any, are not currently significantly affected by changes in commodity demand and prices. As the Company does not carry on production activities, Asanko’s ability to fund ongoing exploration and development is affected by the availability of financing which, in turn, is affected by the strength of the economy and other general economic factors.
Economic Dependence
As a planned producer of gold, the Company is not dependent on any particular customer as the market for gold is deep and worldwide. The Company could be considered to be significantly dependent upon its debt facilities contracts with Red Kite, as well as key operational contracts awarded to DRA Global and PW Mining International although it is possible each these debt and supplier arrangements could be if necessary likely replaced by other lenders or suppliers. These debt and supplier arrangements are currently as follows:
Debt Facilities with Red Kite
In July, 2014 the Company amended its previously entered into debt facility agreement with RK Mine Finance Trust I (“Red Kite”) an affiliate of Red Kite group mining funds. The Red Kite agreement provides for two loan facilities: a $130 million loan facility (the “Project Facility”) and a $20 million cost overrun facility (the “Overrun Facility”, together with the Project Facility, the “Debt Facilities”), the details of which are outlined below. Performance under the Debt Facilities are fully secured by the assets of the Company’s Ghanaian subsidiaries and guaranteed by the Company until Project completion. There are no gold hedging provisions, cash sweep requirements or other restrictions usually associated with traditional project finance facilities of this nature, and Asanko will not be restricted under the terms of the Debt Facilities from pursuing its growth strategy.
Project Facility ($130 million)
The interest rate on the Project Facility is LIBOR + 6% with a one percentage minimum LIBOR rate. There is a further 1.5% fee payable on drawdowns. The facility is to be repaid based upon quarterly repayment schedule over four years or early repayment at any time without penalty. To date US$60 million of the facility has been drawn down.
Page | 12
Overrun Facility ($20 million)
The Overrun Facility has an interest rate of LIBOR +10% with a one percentage minimum LIBOR rate. There is a 3% fee payable on drawdowns. The Overrun Facility is repayable quarterly over three years with an option for early repayment at any time without penalty. The conditions precedent to drawdown are that the Project Facility is fully drawn, confirmation that the Company has sufficient funds with the Overrun Facility to complete Phase 1 of the Project, and the issuance of 4,000,000 Asanko share warrants to Red Kite. The warrants will be priced at a 25% premium to the 20 day volume weighted average price of the Common Shares at the time of issuance and have a 2.5 year term to expiry.
Offtake Agreement
In October, 2013, the Company entered into an offtake agreement with Red Kite in connection with the Debt Facilities, as amended in July, 2014 (the “Offtake Agreement”), pursuant to which Red Kite is entitled to purchase at market, 100% of the future gold production from Phase 1 of the Project to a maximum of 2.22 million ounces. The gold sale price will be a spot price selected during a nine day quotational period following shipment. A provisional payment of 90% of the estimated value of the gold will be made one business day after shipment, with the remaining balance payable 10 business days after shipment. The Company can terminate the Offtake Agreement prior to satisfaction of the conditions precedent for the Project Facility by repaying all amounts outstanding under the Debt Facilities, subject to the payment of a termination fee in an amount dependent upon the total funds drawn under the Debt Facilities as well as the amount of gold delivered under the Offtake Agreement at the time of termination.
Phase 1 Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management Contract
In April, 2014, the Company appointed DRA Global (“DRA”) as the EPCM for the design and construction of Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine, following a competitive bidding process.
The EPCM contract for the execution of Phase 1 of the Project was executed in January 2015. For operational and management convenience, the off shore engineering and procurement (“EP Contract”) aspects of the services and the Ghanaian construction management (“CM Contract”) aspects of the services will be conducted under separate and distinct contracts. The overall agreement is reflected in an umbrella agreement covering all EPCM activity. DRA has entered into the EP Contract and has agreed to guarantee the obligations of the CM contractor under the terms of the CM Contract.
Compensation under the EPCM contract is payable according to an agreed fee schedule tied to project milestones in conjunction with the schedule outlined in the 2015 Asanko Project Plan (as defined below). Fees under the contract have a capped amount of approximately ZAR 140 million and certain lump sum payments may be earned by the contractor for performance against schedule and project costs. The other terms of the EPCM contract, including termination and force majeure clauses, are usual and customary for agreements of this nature.
Phase 1 Mining Contract
In November, 2014 the Company completed a rigorous tendering process to select the mining contractor and has awarded the contract for the Nkran pre-strip plus the first year of mining operations (the “Mining Contract”) to PW Ghana Ltd (“PW”), a subsidiary of PW Mining International Ltd of Accra, Ghana, with extensive experience in West Africa.
The Company has nearly finalized negotiations of the remaining terms of the Mining Contract. The contract term is from January 2, 2015 through until December 31, 2018 and contemplates completion of all pre-stripping and mining activity in accordance with the 2015 Asanko Project Plan. The Mining Contract is a schedule of rates contract with payment to be made according to the rates and prices
Page | 13
contained within the agreement. Agreed rates in the Mining Contract include fixed mobilization costs, a fixed monthly cost and unit rates (per tonne of ore or waste) for drilling, blasting, loading, hauling, grade control and ore re-handling. Rates and prices include all things necessary to carry out the work as defined in the Mining Contract. PW will supply fuel and tires for the operations, but the Company has reserved the right to free issue either when it deems fit. At March 6, 2014, the Mining Contract had yet to be signed.
Monthly payments in the Mining Contract are adjusted by an amount to allow for the increase or decrease in PW’s costs at the Project for labour, parts and services, and the monthly fixed cost (rise and fall). Except with respect to labour cost, the variables in the rise and fall formula will be adjusted quarterly. This adjusted formula shall then be applicable for the forthcoming quarter (i.e. no retrospective rise and fall will apply). With respect to labour, rise and fall will apply when the salary/wage adjustments occur. The other terms of the Mining Contract, including penalty, termination and force majeure clauses are usual and customary for agreements of this nature.
Changes to Contracts
Asanko does not anticipate that it will be affected in the current financial year by renegotiation or termination of contracts that could materially affect the Company’s business plan.
Environmental Protection
The Company’s properties are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing environmental quality. Such laws and regulations can increase the cost of planning, designing, installing and operating facilities on our properties. However, it is anticipated that, absent the occurrence of an extraordinary event, compliance with existing laws and regulations governing the release of materials in the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, will not have a material effect upon the Company’s current operations, capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
Employees
At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 175 full-time employees, 12 temporary workers and 776 construction contractors employed across its site operations and corporate and regional offices.
Foreign Operations
Substantially all of the Company’s material mine development operations are currently conducted in a foreign jurisdiction, Ghana, and, as such, the Company’s operations are exposed to various levels of political, economic and other such risks and uncertainties as: military repression; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates; high rates of inflation; labour unrest; war or civil unrest; expropriation and nationalization; renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts; illegal mining; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and changing political conditions, currency controls and governmental regulations that favour or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction.
In the past, Ghana has been subject to political instability, changes and uncertainties, which may cause changes to existing governmental regulations affecting mineral exploration and mining activities. Ghana’s
Page | 14
status as a developing country may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain any required financing for its projects.
Asanko’s operations and properties are subject to a variety of governmental regulations governing worker health and safety, employment standards, waste disposal, protection of historic and archaeological sites, mine development, protection of endangered and protected species and other matters.
Asanko’s mineral exploration and development activities in Ghana may be adversely affected in varying degrees by changing government regulations relating to the mining industry or shifts in political conditions that increase the costs related to the Company’s activities or the maintenance of its properties.
Changes, if any, in mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition. Operations may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, income and other taxes, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety.
Failure to comply strictly with applicable laws, regulations and local practices relating to mineral right applications and tenure could result in loss, reduction or expropriation of entitlements, or the imposition of additional local or foreign parties as joint venture partners with carried or other interests.
The occurrence of these various factors and uncertainties cannot be accurately predicted and could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial condition. Future changes in applicable laws and regulations or changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could negatively impact current or planned exploration and development activities on the Asanko Gold Mine or in respect of any other projects in which the Company becomes involved. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations, even if inadvertent, could result in the interruption of exploration and development operations or material fines, penalties or other liabilities.
Free carried interest to the Ghanaian government
Section 43.1 of the Ghanaian Minerals and Mining Act of 2006, (Government Participation in Mining Lease) provides: Where a mineral right is for mining or exploitation, the Government shall acquire a ten percent free carried interest in the rights and obligations of the mineral operations in respect of which financial contribution shall not be paid by Government.
In order to achieve this legislative objective, 10% of the common shares of the Company’s Ghanaian subsidiary which owns the Esaase concession have been issued into the name of the Government of Ghana. The government has a nominee on the board of this subsidiary. There is no shareholders agreement between the Company as the 90% shareholder and the Government of Ghana as the 10% shareholder and the 10% ownership stake represents a non-participating interest where the Ghanaian Government is entitled to 10% of declared dividends from the net profit of Asanko Ghana but does not have to contribute to its capital investment. The Obotan property which became indirectly owned by the Company in 2014 upon completion of its acquisition of PMI Gold Inc (described above) is also subject to the 10% free carried interest obligation in favour of the Ghanaian government. It is possible that the Company may also seek to settle this obligation with an issuance of 10% of the shares of the Ghanaian subsidiary that holds the Obotan project so that the free carried interest obligation is the same for both Esaase and Obotan
Ghanaian mining royalties and taxes
On March 19, 2010, the government of Ghana amended section 25 of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006 (Act 703) which stipulates the royalty rates on mineral extraction payable by mining companies in
Page | 15
Ghana. The Act now requires the holder of a mining lease, restricted mining lease, or small scale mining license to pay a royalty in respect of minerals obtained from its mining operations to Ghana at the rate of 5% of the total revenue earned from minerals obtained by the holder.
Changes to the Ghanaian tax system were announced and substantively enacted during the year ended March 31, 2012. Corporate tax rates rose from 25% to 35% and capital deductions were reduced from an 80% deduction in year one to a straight-line depreciation of 20% per year over 5 years. A 10% windfall profit tax has been proposed but to date has not been enacted. The windfall profit tax was proposed to be calculated based on taxable income less taxes paid, capital expenditures incurred, additions to inventory and various other deductions and additions. The Company now believes it is unlikely that a windfall profit tax will be implemented in the near future.
5.1.3 Reorganizations
The Company has initiated a corporate restructuring for housekeeping purposes following the PMI acquisition. The Company intends to transfer all mining leases and concessions held by Adansi gold Limited into Keegan Resources Ghana Ltd. In addition, Keegan Resources Ghana Ltd will transfer the Asumura exploration concessions to a new subsidiary, Asanko Gold Exploration Ltd. Asanko Gold Exploration Ltd. will become the company’s exploration vehicle in Ghana and continue to be owned 100% by Asanko Gold Barbados Inc.
Following the re-organization, Keegan Resources Ghana Ltd will be renamed Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd and will be the Company’s operating entity in Ghana, holding all of the assets of the Asanko Gold Mine. Asanko Gold Ghana Ltd will be 90% owned by Asanko Gold Barbados Inc. and the Government of Ghana will have a 10% free-carried interest. In the future, the Company intends on winding up Adansi Gold Limited and PMI Gold Corp.
On August 15, 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with a private company in which former insiders of PMI had an interest, Goknet, to eliminate Goknets’s claim for a 2% NSR royalty on Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine Project. The settlement involves cash, one million Asanko shares and the transfer to Goknet of two exploration projects, Kubi and Diaso. Included in the agreement the Company retains a right to match any future offer made to Goknet with respect to a disposal of the Diaso Project concessions. As a consequence on August 26, 2014 the Company divested two subsidiaries of PMI Gold Inc., PMI Gold Kubi (Barbados) Inc. and Kubi Gold Company (Ghana) Limited as part of the settlement agreement.
5.1.4 Social and Environmental Policies
Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) Policy
Asanko believes that corporate social responsibility is integral to meeting our strategic objectives as it will ensure we maintain our social license to operate, enhance our reputation with all our stakeholders, improve our risk management, reduce our cost of production and both directly and indirectly benefit the communities we operate in beyond the life of our mines.
The Company’s approach to CSR is based on the following principles:
i.
Complying with our corporate governance principles, national and international laws, industry codes and being a responsible corporate citizen
Page | 16
ii.
Mitigating our impact on the environment
iii.
Maintaining a high level Health and Safety performance
iv.
Actively identifying opportunities to make a positive and meaningful contribution to the communities we operate in beyond the life of our mines
v.
Contributing to the economic and social development of our host countries
vi.
Developing our employees
vii.
Adhering to our values and demonstrating them in our behaviour
Asanko follow these guidelines in our CSR conduct:
i.
We embrace the objectives of the African Mining Vision and are guided by the Global Reporting Initiative in our CSR reporting
ii.
We regularly engage with our stakeholders and take into consideration their perspectives, concerns, customs and cultural heritage before we act
iii.
We work closely with landowners prior to commencing activities on the ground, and negotiate fair compensation for such activities where appropriate
iv.
We hire local, regional and national residents and use goods and services from our local communities wherever possible, without compromising our quality and efficiency standards
v.
We uphold fundamental human rights and do not interfere or take sides in politics or social issues
vi.
We work with unified local committees to identify and prioritize community development projects intended to promote long-lasting livelihood improvements
vii.
We do not tolerate any unethical behaviour by any stakeholder involved in our business.
Environmental Policy
Asanko aspires to provide safe, responsible and profitable operations whilst ensuring sustainable natural resources development for the benefit of our employees, shareholders and host communities. We will endeavour to protect and conserve the natural environment for future generations.
In adopting the following principles, Asanko intends to drive continuous improvement and excellence in environmental performance.
i.
Asanko will communicate its commitment to excellence in environmental performance to our employees, contractors, government agencies and the community.
ii.
Asanko will comply with host country laws and regulations, and will augment these with appropriate international guidelines and best practice environmental management.
Page | 17
iii.
Asanko will allocate the necessary resources to ensure we meet our reclamation and environmental obligations.
iv.
Asanko will strive to prevent pollution of air, land and water, and will implement appropriate waste management practices.
v.
Asanko will strive to be energy efficient in everything we do.
vi.
Asanko will explore opportunities with government agencies and communities to remediate and mitigate historic mining impacts on acquired properties.
vii.
Asanko will develop and utilize an Environmental Management System that ensures prioritization, planning, implementation, monitoring, review and transparent reporting.
viii.
Asanko will routinely set and review environmental targets and performance for each project and report on progress to our employees, shareholders, government agencies and the community.
5.2 Risk Factors
There are a number of risks that may have a material and adverse impact on the future operating and financial performance of Asanko that could cause its operating and financial performance to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company. These include widespread risks associated with any form of business and specific risks associated with Asanko’s business and its involvement in the gold exploration and development industry.
An investment in the securities of Asanko is considered speculative and involves a high degree of risk due to, among other things, the nature of Asanko’s business and the present stage of its development. A prospective investor should carefully consider the risk factors set out below along with the other matters set out or incorporated by reference in this AIF. The operations of the Company are speculative due to the high risk nature of its business which is the operation, exploration and development of mineral properties. The Company has identified the following non-exhaustive list of inherent risks and uncertainties that it considers to be relevant to its operations and business plans. In addition to information set out elsewhere in this AIF, for the financial year ended December 31, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this AIF, investors should carefully consider the following risk factors. Such risk factors could materially affect the Company’s future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company.
A summary of the principal risks we face are as follows:
·
the value of our reserves and the outlook for profitable mining from our operations is dependent on continuing strong gold prices, achieving our planned production rates and life-of-mine costs per ounce to mine and produce gold. Gold prices are historically volatile and gold can be subject to long periods of depressed prices;
·
the estimation of mineral resources and reserves is a subjective process, the accuracy of which is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and the assumptions made and judgments used in the engineering and geological interpretation of that data and such assumptions and judgment, which may prove un-reliable or mistaken. Our estimates of resources and reserves may be subject to revision based on various factors, some of which are beyond our control;
·
mining risks which affect all companies in our industry to different degrees include impact and cost of compliance with environmental regulations and the actions of mining opposition groups, adverse changes in mining and reclamation laws and compliance with increasingly complex health and safety rules; and
Page | 18
·
other general and specific risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s quarterly filings, annual information forms, annual reports and annual filings with Canadian securities regulators and those which are discussed below.
Key assumptions upon which the Company’s forward-looking statements are based include the following:
·
that the price of gold will neither fall significantly nor for a lengthy period in the foreseeable future;
·
that there will be no significant changes to Ghana’s mining or tax laws, or the imposition of exchange controls in Ghana that materially adversely affect the Company’s operations or changes in laws that could affect title to its Asanko Gold Mine;
·
that no significant impediments develop in respect of the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements;
·
that there will be no further material upheavals in world financial markets and that interest and exchange rates will remain relatively stable; and
·
that key personnel will continue their employment with the Company.
5.2.1 Risks Associated with the Company
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks
Mineral resource exploration is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk. We have completed feasibility study work which outlines mineral reserves at the Asanko Gold Mine. The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Although the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few explored properties are ultimately developed into producing mines. Significant expenditures may be required to locate and establish ore reserves, to develop metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. It is impossible to ensure that the current exploration programs planned by us will result in a profitable commercial mining operation. Significant capital investment is required to achieve commercial production from successful exploration efforts.
The commercial viability of a mineral deposit is dependent upon a number of factors. These include deposit attributes such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, current and future metal prices (which can be cyclical), and government regulations, including those relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and necessary supplies and environmental protection. The complete effect of these factors, either alone or in combination, cannot be entirely predicted, and their impact may result in us not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
The figures for mineral reserves and resources included herein are estimates and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of recovery will be realized. Market fluctuations and the prices of metals may render resources uneconomic. Moreover, short-term operating factors relating to the mineral deposits, such as the need for orderly development of the deposits or the processing of new or different grades of ore, may cause a mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period. In addition, we may not be able to secure drilling contractors, rigs and personnel during our desired time periods and at our expected costs.
Page | 19
The estimates of mineral resources is a subjective process, the accuracy of which is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and the assumptions made and judgment used in the engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove un-reliable, and may be subject to revision based on various factors.
There is no assurance that any anticipated level of recovery of gold reserves will be realized or will ever qualify as commercially mineable (or viable) ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. Estimates of reserves, resources, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. Material changes in ore reserves, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project.
Exploration and development projects are uncertain and consequently it is possible that actual cash operating costs and economic return will differ significantly from those estimated for a project prior to production
Mineral resource exploration and development is a highly speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits that, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production.
Development projects are subject to the completion of successful feasibility studies and environmental assessments, issuance of necessary governmental permits and receipt of adequate financing. They typically require a number of years and significant expenditures during the development phase before production is possible. The economic feasibility of development projects is based on many factors such as:
·
estimation of reserves;
·
anticipated metallurgical recoveries;
·
environmental considerations and permitting;
·
future gold prices; and
·
anticipated capital and operating costs.
Our projects have very limited operating history upon which to base estimates of future cash operating costs.
Estimates of mineral resources and reserves and cash operating costs are, to a large extent, based upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies which derive estimates of cash operating costs based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, estimated operating costs, anticipated climatic conditions and other factors. As a result, it is possible that actual cash operating costs and economic returns will differ significantly from those currently estimated for a project prior to production.
Any of the following events, among others, could affect the profitability or economic feasibility of a project:
·
unanticipated changes in grade and tonnage of ore to be mined and processed;
Page | 20
·
unanticipated adverse geotechnical conditions;
·
incorrect data on which engineering assumptions are made;
·
costs of constructing and operating a mine in a specific environment;
·
availability and costs of processing and refining facilities;
·
availability of economic sources of power;
·
adequacy of water supply;
·
adequate access to the site, including competing land uses (such as agriculture);
·
unanticipated transportation costs;
·
government regulations (including regulations regarding prices, royalties, duties, taxes, permitting, restrictions on production, quotas on exportation of minerals, as well as the costs of protection of the environment and agricultural lands);
·
title claims, including aboriginal land claims;
·
fluctuations in prices of precious metals; and
·
accidents, labour actions and force majeure events.
It is not unusual in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase, and delays often can occur in the commencement of production.
No history of mining operations or profitability
The Company’s principal properties are in the mine construction stage. As a result, Asanko is subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations including: the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities; the availability and costs of skilled labour and mining equipment; the availability and costs of appropriate smelting and/or refining arrangements; the need to obtain necessary environmental and other governmental approvals and permits, and the timing of those approvals and permits; and, the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems and delays during construction, development, and mine start-up. Such operations are subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration for, and development and production of gold and other precious or base metals, including unusual and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, fires, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material as well as industrial accidents, labour force disruptions, fall of ground accidents in underground operations, and force majeure factors, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to person or property, environmental damage, delays, increased production costs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Milling operations are subject to hazards such as equipment failure or failure of retaining dams around tailings disposal areas, which may result in environmental pollution and consequent liability. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often occur.
Page | 21
The Company requires various permits in order to conduct its current and anticipated future operations, and delays or a failure to obtain such permits, or a failure to comply with the terms of any such permits that the Company has obtained, could have a material adverse impact on the Company
The Company’s current and anticipated future operations, including further exploration, development activities and commencement of production on the Company’s properties, require permits from various national and local governmental authorities. Although the Company currently holds all material approvals which it requires in order to carry out its current program on the Asanko Gold Mine, the Company cannot be certain that it will receive the necessary permits on acceptable terms to conduct further exploration and to develop such property. In particular, the Company has been granted the material permits to construct the Phase 1 Project. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations at its projects, on reasonable terms or at all. Delays or a failure to obtain such licenses and permits, or a failure to comply with the terms of any such licenses and permits that the Company does obtain, could increase the Company’s costs and delay its activities, and could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
A substantial or extended decline in gold prices would have a material adverse effect on our business
Our business is dependent on the price of gold, which is affected by numerous factors beyond our control. Factors tending to put downward pressure on the price of gold include:
·
sales or leasing of gold by governments and central banks;
·
strengthening of the US dollar;
·
global or regional recession or reduced economic activity;
·
speculative trading;
·
decreased demand for industrial uses, use in jewellery or investment;
·
high supply of gold from production, disinvestment and scrap;
·
interest rates;
·
sales by gold producers in forward transactions and other hedging;
·
the production and cost levels for gold in major gold-producing nations; and
·
the cost level (in local currencies) for gold in major consuming nations.
Any substantial drop in the price of gold would adversely impact our future revenues, profits and cash flows. In addition, sustained low gold prices can:
·
reduce revenues further as a result of production cutbacks due to cessation of the mining of deposits or portions of deposits that have become uneconomic at the then-prevailing gold price;
·
halt or delay the development of new projects; and
·
reduce funds available for exploration, with the result that depleted minerals are not replaced.
Page | 22
If gold prices were to decline significantly for an extended period of time, we might be unable to continue with the exploration and development of our properties or fulfill our obligations under our agreements or under our permits or licenses. As a result, we could lose our interest in or be forced to sell some of our properties.
The Company may be unable to repay its Indebtedness
The Company has debt and undrawn credit facilities which it may need to draw down. Should the Company be unable to repay these loans when due, the Company could face legal action by debt holders who can realize on the Company’s assets, resulting in a seizure and sale with loss to the Company. Debt holders may obtain judgments and ultimately realize against the Company’s assets if the Company defaults in respect of the debenture obligations.
We cannot provide assurance that we have been or will be at all time in complete compliance with environmental, health and safety laws or that the cost of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws will not materially adversely affect our future cash flow, results of operations and financial condition
Our activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental protection and employee health and safety. We must obtain governmental permits and provide associated financial assurance to carry on certain activities. We are also subject to various reclamation-related conditions imposed under federal or state air, water quality and mine reclamation rules and permits.
Failure to comply with applicable environmental, health and safety laws can result in injunctions, damages, suspension or revocation of permits and imposition of penalties. There can be no assurance that we have been or will be at all time in complete compliance with such laws or permits or that the costs of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws and permits will not materially adversely affect our future cash flow, results of operations and financial condition.
Mining is inherently dangerous and subject to conditions or events beyond the Company’s control, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business
Hazards such as fire, explosion, floods, structural collapses, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, ground control problems, power outages, inclement weather, seismic activity, cave-ins and mechanical equipment failure are inherent risks in the Company’s exploration, development and mining operations. These and other hazards may cause injuries or death to employees, contractors or other persons at the Company’s mineral properties, severe damage to and destruction of the Company’s property, plant and equipment and mineral properties, and contamination of, or damage to, the environment, and may result in the suspension of the Company’s exploration and development activities and any future production activities. Safety measures implemented by the Company may not be successful in preventing or mitigating future accidents.
It is not always possible to obtain insurance against all such hazards and the Company may decide not to insure against certain risks because of high premiums or other reasons. Moreover, insurance against environmental pollution or other hazards as a result of exploration and production is not generally available to the Company, or to other companies in the mining industry, on acceptable terms. Although the Company maintains insurance to protect against certain hazards in such amounts as it considers reasonable, its insurance will not cover all potential hazards associated with its operations, and insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Should such liabilities arise, they could reduce or eliminate any further profitability and result in increasing costs and a decline in the value of the securities of the Company.
Page | 23
In addition, from time to time the Company may be subject to governmental investigations and claims and litigation filed on behalf of persons who are harmed while at its properties or otherwise in connection with the Company’s operations. To the extent that the Company is subject to personal injury or other claims or lawsuits in the future, it may not be possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these claims and lawsuits due to the nature of personal injury litigation. Similarly, if the Company is subject to governmental investigations or proceedings, the Company may incur significant penalties and fines, and enforcement actions against it could result in the closing of certain of the Company’s mining operations. If claims and lawsuits or governmental investigations or proceedings are finally resolved against the Company, the Company’s financial performance, financial position and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Failure to finalize mining contractor agreements for Phase 1 could delay construction
While the Company completed a tendering process to select the mining contractor for Phase 1 and has awarded the contract to PW Ghana Ltd. and settled the material terms, it has not yet executed an agreement and certain terms are presently being negotiated. Failure to finalize an agreement with the selected contractor would result in a dispute or require the Company to seek a new contractor, which could delay or increase the cost of construction set for Phase 1.
Uncertainty of acquiring additional mineral rights
The Company’s future growth and productivity will depend, in part, on its ability to identify and acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights, and on the costs and results of continued exploration and development programs. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature and is frequently non-productive. Substantial expenditures are required to: establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques; determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore; and construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities. In addition, if the Company discovers ore, it would take several years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible. During this time, the economic feasibility of production may change. There can be no assurance that the Company will in future successfully acquire additional commercially mineable (or viable) mineral rights.
The Risks of Ebola in Ghana
The Company is aware of the regional threat of the Ebola Virus on its operations. While the affected countries include Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, there are no known cases of Ebola currently reported in Ghana. An outbreak of Ebola in Ghana may have a material impact on the Company and its contractors and employees, including the temporary suspension of operations.
5.2.2 Risks Relating to the Value of Securities
Our Common Shares may experience price and volume volatility
In recent years, the securities markets have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies has experienced wide fluctuations, which have not necessarily been related to the operating performance, underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that such fluctuations will not affect the price of our securities, and the price may decline below their acquisition cost. As a result of this volatility, you may not be able to sell your securities at or above their acquisition cost.
Securities of mining companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include
Page | 24
macroeconomic developments in the countries where we carry on business and globally, and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. The price of securities of the Company is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in commodity prices, other precious metal prices or other mineral prices, currency exchange fluctuation and the political environment in the countries in which we do business and globally.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, shareholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm our profitability and reputation.
Negative operating cash flow
The Company has had negative operating cash flow for all of its existence years, including 2014 its last financial year for which audited financial statements are available, and may continue to have negative operating cash flow in the future despite management’s estimates that 2016 will see the start of net positive cash flow.
If any of the foregoing events, or other risk factor events not described herein occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer. In that event, the market price of our securities would likely, absent positive catalysts, decline and investors could lose part or even of their investment.
5.3 Asset-backed Securities Outstanding
The Company has no asset-backed securities outstanding.
5.4 Mineral Properties
The following is a summary description of the development stage project known as the Asanko Gold Mine and is a direct extract and reproduction of the summary, without material modification, contained in the technical report entitled “Asanko Gold Mine – Phase 1 Definitive Project Plan National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report” dated effective December 17, 2014, as amended and restated January 26, 2015, authored by Glenn Bezuidenhout, National Diploma (Extractive Metallurgy), FSIAMM, Doug Heher, B.Sc Eng (Mechanical), Pr Eng., Thomas Kwabena Obiri-Yeboah, B. Sc Eng (Mining), Pr Eng, John Stanbury, B Sc Eng (Industrial), Pr Eng., Charles J. Muller, B. Sc. Hons (Geology), B. Sc. Hons (Geology) Pr. Sci. Nat. and David Morgan, M.Sc. Eng (Civil), CP Eng, each of whom is an independent Qualified Person (herein the “2015 Asanko Project Plan”).
All defined terms used in the summary below have the meaning ascribed to them in the 2015 Asanko Project Plan, and as a result may differ from the defined terms used elsewhere throughout this AIF. The below summary is subject to all the assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2015 Asanko Project Plan and is qualified in its entirety with reference to the full text of the 2015 Asanko Project Plan, which has been filed under the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com and is incorporated by reference herein.
Following the acquisition of PMI Gold Inc. in early 2014, Asanko combined its Esaase Gold Project with PMI’s Obotan Gold Project to form the Asanko Gold Mine. Asanko is intending to develop the AGM in two phases, with Phase 1 being largely based on the Obotan Project as initiated by PMI. It is envisioned by the Company that the Esaase pit will be assessed for development in a second phase of which is the subject of a follow-on Pre-Feasibility Study (Phase 2 PFS) expected to be complete in March 2015. The Phase 2 PFS will be premised on processing ore from Esaase in an expanded Phase 1 processing facility, utilising much of the infrastructure of Phase 1.
Page | 25
Phase 1 of the AGM has been under development by the Company since August 2014 and the Company anticipates gold production to commence in Q1 2016.
Asanko contracted DRA Projects (Pty) Ltd (“DRA”), Cresco Project Finance (Pty) Ltd (“Cresco”) and CJM Consulting (CJM) to prepare this feasibility study which is called a Definitive Project Plan (“DPP”) for the Asanko Gold Mine Phase 1 (herein the “Phase 1 Project” and sometimes “Obotan”). The work and conclusions of the DPP are disclosed in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”. This DPP supersedes in its entirety the prior version of this DPP filed on SEDAR on December 17, 2014 after amendment to reflect comments received from technical staff at the British Columbia Securities Commission.
5.4.1 Project Description and Location
The AGM concessions are located in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region of Ghana (Figure 5.1). The Project concessions are owned 100% by Adansi Gold Company Ghana (“Adansi”), a 100% owned Ghanaian subsidiary of Asanko. The government of Ghana retains the right to take a 10% free carried interest in the Project under Section 8 of the Ghanaian Mining Act. The Esaase concessions are 90% owned by Keegan Resources Ghana Limited (“KRGL”) a 100% owned Ghanaian subsidiary of Asanko, with the Government of Ghana owning 10% reflecting its free carried interest.
Asanko holds four mining leases (Table 5.1) as well as prospecting and reconnaissance licenses which collectively make up the AGM and span 30 km strike length of the Asankrangwa Gold Belt. These concessions cover an area of approximately 309.61 km2, between latitudes 6° 11' 54.985" N and 6° 35' 33.074" N, and longitudes 2° 4' 59.195" W and 1° 51' 25.040" W.
The Esaase, Abore, Abirem, and Adubea Mining Leases contain all of the resources defined to date. All other concessions held by Asanko in the area contain exploration potential defined to date and in some instances locations for infrastructure. The EPA grants permits on a perennial basis to conduct exploration. On advice from Asanko, with respect to the Project areas, all permitting within the afore-mentioned governmental permitting structure is up to date and accounted for.
![[exhibit995003.jpg]](exhibit995003.jpg)
![[exhibit995005.gif]](exhibit995005.gif)
Page | 26
Figure 5-1: The Asanko Gold Mine Location
Table 5-1: The Asanko Gold Mine Mining Licences
Tenement name | 100% owned title holder | Minerals Commission file | Current grant date | Current expiry date | Status of license |
Esaase | KRGL | EPA/PR/PN/804 | 04/09/1990 | 03/09/2028 | Mining area applied for |
Abore | Adansi | PL 6/303 | 02/11/2012 | 01/11/2017 | Valid |
Abirem | Adansi | PL 6/303 | 28/03/2013 | 27/03/2026 | Valid |
Adubea | Adansi | PL 6/310 | 02/11/2012 | 01/11/2018 | Valid |
All concessions carry a 10% free carried interest in favour of the Ghanaian government. The government interest is reflected in a 10% ownership of the operating company, and the government has a right to 10% of any intercompany dividends paid by the subsidiary. The leases are also subject to a 5% royalty payable to the government of Ghana. In addition, the Adubea concession is also subject to an additional 0.5% royalty to the original concession owner. The Esaase mining lease is also subject to an additional 0.5% royalty to the Bonte Liquidation Committee.
On advice from Asanko, under the current ownership arrangement and status of holdings, there is no environmental liability held over Asanko for any of the AGM concessions relating to Phase 1 with the exception of project works to date. There is a potential environmental liability on the Company’s Jeni River concessions which was inherited with the acquisition of the concessions and is not material to the Company, but is reported in its recent financial statements as an Asset Retirement Obligation.
5.4.2 Accessibility, Climate, Infrastructure and Physiography
The AGM concessions are located in the Amansie West district of the Ashanti region of Ghana, approximately 250 km northwest of the capital Accra, and about 50 to 80 km southwest of the regional capital of Kumasi. There are several local villages near the AGM site, the closest to the plant site is the Manso Nkran village, while the villages of Tetrem and Esaase are in close proximity to the Esaase deposit.
Mining personnel are readily available in Ghana with a highly skilled workforce and numerous mining operations in the country.
There are daily flights from Accra to Kumsi flown by several different airlines. In addition, there is a small airstrip located adjacent to the Phase 1 infrastructure west of the Nkran village. Existing road access to the site is available from the west, south and east, but the main access used will be from the ports of Tema and Takoradi to the south via Kumasi, or Obuasi. Total distance from Tema to the project site, via Kumasi is approximately 400 km.
The AGM is located in hilly terrain dissected by broad, flat drainages that typically form swamps in the wet season between May and late October. Hill tops are generally at very similar elevations, reflecting the elevation of a previous erosional peneplane that is now extensively eroded. Maximum elevations are around 80 metres above sea level, but the areas impacted by the AGM deposits generally lie at less than
Page | 27
50 metres elevation. Despite the subdued topography, hill slopes are typically steep. Ecologically the AGM area is situated in the Wet Evergreen Forest Zone.
The Project is currently under construction and infrastructure is progressing. Current site infrastructure consists of:
·
An exploration office, core storage area and accommodation facility located just west of the village of Nkran.
·
An exploration office, core storage area and accommodation facility located just north of the village of Tetrem.
·
Infrastructure remaining from the operations of Amansie Resources Limited consisting of administrative buildings (fully renovated), a mine village equipped with a water treatment plant, that is partially habitable and a 33 kV power supply from the ECG sub-station at Gyagyatreso.
·
Communications currently available at the site are good. Vodafone has recently completed the installation of communication towers which have significantly improved network coverage on site.
·
The section of the haul road between the Nkran Pit and Abore Pit south of the tar road, has been upgraded to serve as the main access road to the mine. This is a private (mine road) and does not pass through any minor village.
·
Power supply infrastructure has suitable capacity to support the operation during construction.
The power supply for operations will be via a new 161 kV power line from Asawinso to site. The construction of this line is underway, including:
·
Installation of a 161 kV power line from the GridCo sub-station at Asawinso to the site
·
Transformers on site to provide 11 kV to the plant
·
Transformers on site to step up 11 kV to feed existing 33 kV circuits
Water is readily available in the AGM area. A ground water assessment of the planned Nkran and Adubiaso Pits was conducted based on an investigation that took place from April to June 2012 and included the drilling of eight investigation holes and the pump testing of six bores.
The results of this program indicates that the base load process raw water requirement of 7 litres per second could be supplied by two of the bores operating on a duty and standby basis with a third equipped as a spare.
Potable water is available at both of the accommodation camps (Phase 1 and Esaase) and is more than adequate to provide potable water needs to the work force.
5.4.3 History
Nkran Area
Nkran appears to be quite important from the viewpoint of historical artisanal gold mining that dates back many generations and remains quite extensive to the present day.
Page | 28
In the late 1980s, this prospect attracted the attention of consultant Dr. Alex Barko who recommended the area to one of his local Client groups and Obotan Minerals subsequently applied and received a prospecting concession covering about 106 km2 over the general area. A minor amount of prospecting was carried out in the early stages. Some attention was paid to the alluvial gold potential because of the extensive gold in the nearby Offin River (held by Dunkwa Goldfields), as well as the alluvial gold project being developed at the time, a little further north in the Bonte area. In the early 1990s, the Obotan concession was examined by American consultant Al Perry who was working on behalf of two related Australian juniors, Associated Gold Fields NL and Kiwi International Resources Limited.
By early 1995, resource estimates (measured, indicated and inferred) were reported as 4.8 Mt grading about 3.7 g/t for an in-situ gold content of close to 600,000 oz. A feasibility study was completed and a mining lease was granted in late 1995. In May 1996 the combined interests of Kiwi and Associated Gold Fields were bought out by Resolute Limited who immediately reviewed and expanded the scope of the project. This was achieved mainly by conducting further RC diamond drilling to increase resources to a depth of 150 m at Nkran and to further assess the known mineralization at nearby Adubiaso.
A revised mine development plan was completed by the end of July 1996 and a decision was made to proceed into production at a rate of 1.4 Mtpa. Initial mining was started early in 1997 and by May 1997, the first gold was poured. Mining operations ceased in 2002 due to low gold prices and the concessions were reclaimed and returned the Government of Ghana.
Abore Area
The Abore area was covered in a prospecting concession granted to the Oda River Gold small scale mining licence (Asuadai prospect) at Adubea in 1991.
In the mid-1990’s, Mutual Resources of Vancouver, Canada, in partnership with Leo Shield Exploration of Perth, Australia, completed a joint venture with the Oda River group and commenced a regional exploration program on the concession (covering approximately 73 km2). Prospecting in the area north of Abore revealed extensive old and very recent artisanal mining in alluvial areas as well as many old Ashanti pits in the saprolite along a low hill immediately adjacent to the alluvial workings.
Soil geochemistry revealed a strong north-north-east trending gold anomaly over the area of artisanal mining (bedrock areas); the anomaly is several hundred metres wide and traceable along strike for about 3 km, well beyond the area of old workings. Extensive trenching in the area confirmed continuous bedrock mineralization over a distance of at least 1,000 m with widths in the range 50 - 100 m. The mineralization consists of a broad quartz stock work system hosted mainly by a north-north-east trending intermediate granitoid intrusion. The early artisanal pitting was focused mainly on narrow quartz veins associated with the stock work system. Extensive drilling in the area (mainly RC, but considerable diamond drilling as well) has outlined a sizeable resource (now known as the Abore north prospect)
In the late 1990’s, Mutual’s interest in the project was bought out by Leo Shield, (now Shield Resources). In early 2001, an agreement was reached with Resolute whereby ore was trucked from Abore north to the Nkran plant for treatment.
Adubiaso Area
During the late 1990’s, the Nkran plant started to process oxide ores from the Adubiaso gold deposit, located about 7.5 km north-north-west of Nkran. There were no known historical workings on this area.
Page | 29
Asuadai Area
The Asuadai prospect has predominantly been worked by local artisanal miners who have undertaken minor pitting in the region down to 5 to 10 m through the oxide material to expose these stock work vein sets. There were no known formal historical mining workings on this area.
Dynamite Hill Area
There was no historical exploration or mining activity known at Dynamite Hill.
Esaase Area
Artisanal mining has a long history in the Bonte Area, associated with the Ashanti Kingdom. Evidence exists of adits driven by European settlers, between the period 1900 to 1939, however, no documented records remain of their activity. Drilling was conducted on the Bonte River valley alluvial sediments during 1966 and 1967 to determine alluvial gold potential.
In 1990, the Bonte mining lease was granted to Akrokerri-Ashanti Gold Mines (“AAGM”) and was later transferred to Bonte Gold Mining (“BGM”), a local subsidiary of AAGM. BGM had reportedly recovered an estimated 200,000 oz of alluvial gold on the Esaase concession and another 300,000 oz downstream on the Jeni River concession, prior to entering into receivership in 2002. It should be noted that previous placer gold production is of no relevance to Asanko’s development program, which is entirely focused on the development of hard rock resources.
The Esaase mining concession, including the camp facilities at Tetrem, was bought from the Bonte Liquidation Committee by Sametro Company Limited, a private Ghanaian company. In May, 2006, Asanko, then called Keegan Resources, signed a letter of agreement with Sametro to earn 100% of the Esaase mining concession over a three year period of work commitments and option payments.
5.4.4 Geological Setting
The geology of economic interest in Ghana is comprised predominantly of rocks of the Birimian and to a lesser extent of units belonging to the Tarkwaian. The Birimian consists of narrow greenstone (volcanic) belts, which are traceable for hundreds of kilometres along strike, but are usually only 20 to 60 km wide. The greenstone belts are separated by wider basins of mainly marine clastic sediments. The margins of the belts commonly exhibit faulting on local and regional scales. These structures are fundamentally important in the development of gold deposits, for which the region is well known, and often result in systems of gold-bearing quartz veins within the tightly folded Birimian-age sedimentary rocks.
The AGM concessions are located in the centre of the Kumasi basin, nearly equidistant between the north-west flank of the Ashanti Belt and the south-east flank of the Sefwi-Bibiani Belt, (Figure 5.2), and form part of the Asankrangwa Gold Belt, a complex northeast trending shear system, situated along the central axis of the Kumasi Basin, bearing quartz reefs and granitic intrusives, within a zone that is about 15 km wide, and may be traced for a northeast-southwest distance of some 150 km.
Page | 30
![[exhibit995007.gif]](exhibit995007.gif)
Figure 5-2: The Location of the Asankrangwa Gold Belt in relation to the Ashanti and Sefwi Gold Belts
5.4.5 Exploration
Asanko has undertaken extensive geophysical surveys (both ground and airborne), surface mapping and reconnaissance, data accumulation, reverse circulation drilling, diamond drilling and validation over the Abore, Asuadai, Adubiaso, Dynamite Hill, Nkran and Esaase concessions.
5.4.6 Mineralisation
Gold mineralisation in the AGM area is hosted in Birimian metasediments and basin-type granites and is associated with major northeast striking, 5 to 40 m wide graphite-chlorite-sericite fault zones. In particular, gold mineralisation is developed where the northeast fault zones intersect major east- to northeast striking fault zones, and especially where they are recognised to have influenced granite emplacement, alteration and Au geochemical trends.
The AGM area contains six major systems of gold-bearing quartz veins hosted by tightly folded and foliated Birimian-age altered sedimentary rocks, and basin-type granites within several well defined parallel structural corridors. The host rock package includes shale, siltstones, granites, and lesser feldspathic sandstones. The sedimentary packages are moderately to strongly folded and foliated with shale generally displaying better development of foliation than siltstone. The intrusive packages generally display less strain than the sedimentary packages. The mineralised quartz veins are syn- to post-kinematic, and generally form sets of sub-vertical to gently dipping veins, with the syn-kinematic veins folded about the dominant axial plane cleavage. The overall trend of the mineralised bodies is northeast
Page | 31
with a moderate dip to the west. The vein arrays within these bodies have various orientations. The most common orientations are north striking with vertical dips.
5.4.7 Drilling
Phase 1 Deposits
Drill traverses for all Phase 1 project areas are generally aligned perpendicular to the local NE-SW mineralised trends.
To date, a total of 1,947 holes have been drilled in the four deposits (Nkran 877, Adubiaso 327, Asuadai 143, Abore 463, and Dynamite Hill 137).
The resource drill hole spacing varies between the projects, from as small as 10 to 15 m across strike, and 15 to 50 m along strike (to define near mine surface projections of mineralisation). Drill coverage at depth is variable approaching the maximum drilled depth of 590 m from surface in drill hole RCD802A at the Nkran deposit.
The drilling density is considered appropriate to define the geometry and extent of the mineralisation for the purpose of estimating gold resources, given the understanding of the local project geology, structure and confining formations.
Esaase
The drilling program conducted at the Esaase deposit focused mainly on the northwest striking gold bearing structures in the Esaase concession but in addition, targets on the Jeni, Dawohodo and Mpatoam concessions were drilled. The drilling program entailed both surface reverse circulation (“RC”) and diamond core (“DC”) drilling methods focused on the targets identified by soil sampling, trenching and geophysical interpretations.
A total of 1,496 drillholes were completed on the Esaase area. The vast majority of the drillholes into the west dipping mineralisation were collared at an orientation of approximately 100º (UTM). A small number of drillholes were drilled towards approximately 300º. Of these, 1,187 drill holes in the currently defined resource area were used for the resource estimation study.
5.4.8 Sampling and Analysis
Phase 1 Deposits
RC samples were riffle split using a three tier Jones riffle splitter. A final sample of approximately 3 kg was collected for submission to the laboratory for analysis. All 1m interval samples were analysed. RC chip trays were systematically compiled and logged with all bulk rejects stored at the project site.
For diamond drill core, after geological and structural logging, sampling was routinely taken at 2 m intervals downhole or to geological contacts, and 1 m samples are taken in the mineralised zones. Given familiarity with the mineralised zones at Nkran, routine 2 m sampling outside of the mineralised zones was replaced with sampling 5 m either side of the main mineralised zone, and where occasional alteration and veining are recognised.
Core was routinely photographed prior to cutting, then laid in single trays and labelled. Once logged, the core is marked for sampling and cut using a diamond blade saw. Core is handled by several trained technicians during the cutting process.
Page | 32
After the core is half-cut, it is carefully placed in plastic bags marked with a unique sample number. A piece of flagging tape with the sample number was inserted into the bag for further reference and security. Individually bagged core and RC drilling samples were packed in polyweave, or heavy plastic sacks (i.e. 5-10 samples per sack), tied with binding wire and prepared for transport to the laboratory. Sample bags are stapled before being dispatched. All samples were firmly secured and locked in a designated sample room at PMI’s field office. The company geologist, responsible for core logging and RC sampling, held the only key to the room where samples were secured. The geologist was responsible at all times for their secure shipment to the laboratory. The sample preparation, security and analytical procedures adopted by PMI provide an adequate basis for the current mineral resource estimates.
PMI typically inserted random blank samples into the assay stream. These blanks consistently returned very low assays. Additionally, any samples in which visible gold was noted, during the logging or in the case of panning RC drill chips, or any samples which returned high gold grades, were routinely submitted for either screened metallic, or a bulk cyanide leach assay. In addition, random pulps and rejects were submitted to other certified labs for checking or confirmation purposes.
Comparison of the results from the various different assays and laboratories utilised, indicates a high measure of confidence in the assay data. The assay labs utilised by PMI utilised their own in-house QC programs. These included standards, replicas, duplicates and blanks. In general, every batch of 50 solutions contained two standards positioned randomly; two replicates positioned at the end of the rack; two duplicates selected randomly and positioned immediately under the original and one blank positioned randomly.
All sampling was carried out under the direct supervision of PMI senior personnel, either the president, VP of exploration, project manager, or the chief geologist. All drill cores from the concessions were geologically and structurally logged, split (sawn), photographed and stored at PMI’s field offices or sampling and storage facility in Nkran. All core samples were submitted to SGS in Tarkwa and check samples to ALS Commercial Laboratory in Kumasi. All samples were analysed for gold, either by 50 g Fire Assay or Screen Metallic Fire Assay with AA Finish (AA26); or for cyanide leach, depending on peculiar features and characteristics of the rock or the drill cuttings. Screen metallic fire assaying is often used for samples suspected of being high grade where coarse gold is anticipated. Remaining samples, expected to represent “waste” or non-ore mineralised are analysed using straight fire assay.
The technical report authors are of the opinion that the QAQC undertaken by the three companies, RSG, PMI and Asanko, is adequate and that the current QAQC systems in place at Obotan to monitor the precision and accuracy of the sampling and assaying are adequate and should continue to be implemented.
Inspections of the Company’s drilling techniques, sampling, logging procedures, density measurements, exploration data, resources review, geochemical sampling, data QAQC, data entry, and laboratory have been conducted, as well as site and assay laboratory inspections, with no serious issues with regard to any of the data identified. In addition, the database was reviewed and validated prior to commencing the 2015 Asanko Project Plan. The conclusion was that the application of the surface drill hole data is adequate for the geostatistical estimation processes employed on the various tenements of the Project, and the geological logging, sample preparation and analytical procedures conform to industry standards and are therefore adequate for use in geological modelling and geostatistical estimation.
Esaase
The drill chips from the RC drilling program were collected in 1m intervals downhole via a cyclone which discharged into PVC bags. The collected samples were weighed prior to splitting and then were riffle split using a three tier Jones riffle splitter. A final sample of approximately 3kg was collected for submission to the laboratory for analysis. The RC chip material was stored in trays which were
Page | 33
systematically compiled and logged with all bulk rejects stored at the Asanko Gold’s exploration camp in the village of Tetrem. All 1m interval samples were submitted for analysis.
For diamond drilling, the sampling of the core was subject to the discretion of the geologist completing the geological logging. Early in the exploration, nominal 2m intervals samples were taken unless otherwise dictated by geological or structural features. After December 2006, the sample interval was 1m intervals with the majority (90.7%) of samples submitted to the laboratory as half core and the remaining submitted as whole or quarter core.
The sampling intervals are significantly smaller than the true width of overall mineralised zones, which is variable throughout the deposit, but is typically in excess of 30m.
The required interval was marked on the core and the sample cut in half by electric diamond blade core saw. The standard protocol is that the cut is made 1cm to the right in a downhole direction of the orientation line, with the left side being retained and the other half broken up for assay. In the upper oxide zone, where the core was too friable for diamond saw cutting, the procedure was to dry cut or cleave the core.
The structure orientations noted in the core were routinely recorded to assist in determining the controls on mineralisation, in establishing a reliable geological model for resource estimation, and to provide additional geotechnical information to determine likely blast fragmentation and pit stability characteristics. The core was transferred from the trays and pieced together on a V-rail (angle iron) rack. The orientation line (bottom of hole), determined by the orientation tool recorded during drilling, was drawn along the entire length of the assembled core.
Geotechnical logging has recorded percentage core recovery, lithology, weathering and oxidation, rock strength, RQD percentage and rock defects including frequency, orientation, type and characteristics. A set of metallurgical drillholes of approximately 28 oriented HQ3 core drillholes were drilled radially outward from within the deposit through depths beyond an assortment of potential pit wall limits.
The sample recovery for the RC drilling averages approximately 34kg per metre drilled. Bulk sample weights (on a per metre basis) have been recorded in the database for approximately two thirds of all RC samples drilled. Sample recovery in DC drillholes was good although in the moderate to highly weathered saprolite and highly fractured and brecciated zones poor recoveries were experienced. Asanko Gold began utilising HQ3 drilling to minimise the core loss in the weathered and transition zones after July 2008.
Recovery factors are unlikely to materially affect the accuracy and reliability of the results.
The Asanko sampling procedures adopted for the drilling programmes are consistent with current industry best practise. Samples collected by DC drilling within the highly weathered zones are of moderate quality, with the remainder being of good quality. Sample recoveries and quality for the RC drilling are high with drilling switching to diamond core once wet samples were noted.
A quality control twin drillhole exercise was undertaken to determine if any negative bias resulted in the DC drilling due to the use of water. A number of the DC drillholes had poor recovery in the highly weathered zone and potential exists to wash out fine gold and therefore underestimate the gold content. Four DC and RC drillhole pairs were suitable for comparison and results indicate comparable intervals of mineralisation with broadly equivalent grades between DC and RC drilling.
Page | 34
5.4.9 Security of Samples
Phase 1 Deposits
Individually bagged core and RC drilling samples were packed in polyweave, or heavy plastic sacks (i.e. 5-10 samples per sack), tied with binding wire and prepared for transport to the laboratory. All samples were firmly secured and locked in a designated sample room at PMI’s field office. The company geologist, responsible for core logging and RC sampling, held the only key to the room where samples were secured. The geologist was responsible at all times for their secure shipment to the laboratory.
Esaase
Asanko sampling protocols required samples to be collected in staple-closed bags, transported to the exploration camp to be collected by the laboratory vehicle, at which point the laboratory assumed responsibility and transported the consignment to the laboratory directly. The samples submission procedures were supervised by Asanko technical staff and the rapid submission of samples provided little opportunity for sample tampering. Equally, given the umpire assaying via an external international laboratory and the regular ‘blind’ submission of international standards to both the primary and umpire assay facilities, any misleading analytical data would have been readily recognised and investigated.
5.4.10 Mineral Resources and Reserve Estimates
The total Mineral Resources for the AGM are shown in Table 5.2. For the Phase 1 Mineral Resources (Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill and Asuadai deposits) a 0.8 g/t cut-off was used. For Phase 2 Mineral Resources (Esaase) a 0.6 g/t cut-off was used.
Cautionary Note About Mineral Resources:
Mineral Resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral resource estimates do not account for mineability, selectivity, mining loss and dilution. These mineral resource estimates include inferred mineral resources that are normally considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is also no certainty that these inferred mineral resources will be converted to measured and indicated categories through further drilling, or into mineral reserves, once economic considerations are applied. The Company advises investors that while the term “inferred mineral resources” is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of economic studies, and they have not been used in this Definitive Project Plan to estimate Mineral Reserves. Readers are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
Page | 35
Table 5-2: Asanko Gold Mine Mineral Resources as at April 2014
The AGM Phase 1 Definitive Project Plan meets the customary industry criteria for a definitive feasibility study as well as those of the Canadian Institute of Mines, Metallurgy and Petroleum whose criteria are incorporated as the standard under NI 43-101. This DPP reports a Mineral Reserve for the Project based on the associated Mineral Resource estimation, dated September 2014 by CJM. While reserves were previously estimated for the Esaase project in 2012 when it was a stand-alone project no Mineral Reserves are currently assigned to the Esaase deposit because it is the subject of the Phase 2 PFS and until that feasibility work supports a reserve estimate none will be made.
DRA generated optimised pit shells for the Project based on the material reported as Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources only. Metallurgical recoveries have been provided by DRA based on analysis of past test work, operational results and more recent test work. Five separate pit designs were developed from the optimised pit shells, Nkran, Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill and Asuadai.
Table 5-3 summarises the ore reserve statement based on the work undertaken as part of this Definitive Project Plan. The reported numbers are based on an assumed long term gold price of $1,300/oz.
The grades and tonnes reported have been modified by applying mining recovery and dilution based on orebody geometry and mining methodology. This equates to both a mining dilution as well as an ore loss of 5%.
Page | 36
Table 51-3: Summary of Asanko Gold Mine – Phase 1 Ore Reserve Statement
5.4.11 Mining Operations
Mining
The Project is based on an open pit contractor mining operation and a 3 Mtpa processing plant using conventional carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) technology. The primary source of feed material for the CIL plant is the Nkran pit, with satellite pits at Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill and Asuadai providing additional feed.
A detailed life of mine (“LoM”) plan was developed for Phase 1 using the CJM technical report as of September 30, 2014 filed on SEDAR October 24, 2014 comprising 3.54 Moz of gold in the Measured and Indicated category with an average grade of 2.2 g/t gold at a 0.8 g/t gold cut-off.
All Phase 1 deposits will be mined utilising conventional truck and shovel method. Ore and waste will be drilled and blasted, then loaded and hauled to either the Nkran ROM pad, direct tip into the crushing facility at Nkran, placed on pit rim stockpiles for the remote deposits, or placed on waste rock storage facility with 90 tonne haul trucks. A single fleet of mining equipment will be shared between all deposits. The project is to be mined utilising modern technology with proven success, with no requirement for untried, or untested technology. For the pits Adubiaso, Abore, Dynamite Hill and Asuadai, a fleet of road trucks will be utilised to haul ore from the respective pit rim stockpiles to the central processing facility at Nkran.
Nkran will commence production first. This will assist in keeping the pre-stripping volumes low and delivering higher mill feed grades early in the project life.
Approximately one year of waste stripping will be required to expose sufficient ore to maintain a constant ore feed rate of 3 Mtpa once the mill has been commissioned. During this first year, ore that is mined will
Page | 37
be stockpiled. This material has been utilised in the production schedule, however it is expected once the processing facility is constructed this material will be utilised as commissioning material.
The mining of all five Phase 1 deposits runs for a period of approximately 12.5 years based on the current production schedule. The peak production requirements are 26 Mtpa (total material movement).
It is envisioned that if proved feasible, Esaase will also be mined as an open pit operation. The Phase 2 PFS is investigating optimum transportation methods for mineralized material.
Metallurgical Test Work
Metallurgical test work on Phase 1 deposits was initially carried out by AMMTEC Pty Ltd, AMDEL Ltd, Supaflo Technologies Pty Ltd, Analabs Pty Ltd and METCON Research Inc. The test work program was conducted on composite samples of drill core and reverse circulation drill chips from Nkran oxide and primary ore ores to obtain design comminution, gravity and leaching parameters.
A new metallurgical test work program was completed in February 2012. The results from this program included:
·
Additional comminution and leaching characteristics of the Nkran primary ore at greater depth;
·
Quantification of the cyanide detoxification requirements; and
·
Thickener sizing data.
In addition to the above mentioned test work, test work was performed on Dynamite Hill material. This test work included:
·
Comminution characteristics of Dynamite Hill oxides, transitional, and fresh material;
·
Gravity circuit recovery of Dynamite Hill oxides, transitional, and fresh material; and
·
Cyanide leaching of Dynamite Hill oxides, transitional, and fresh material.
A gravity circuit modelling report by Gekko Systems, based on previous test work on Nkran ore, has been referenced in the recovery assessment. The metallurgical design has been based on the results of the recent test work carried out Asanko, historical test work carried out by Resolute and Resolute historical operational results.
The Esaase deposit has been subjected to extensive metallurgical testwork programs carried out in four phases from 2008-2011, including:
·
Diagnostic testing of oxide, transition and fresh materials in 2008-2009;
·
Development of process flowsheet comprising comminution, gravity concentration and CIL on gravity tailings and variability testing between fresh and oxide materials in late 2009;
·
Detailed design parameters for fresh and oxide ore types. Process included comminution, gravity concentration, leaching of gravity concentrate and CIL on tails conducted in 2009 and 2010; and
Page | 38
·
Extended gravity testing to improve recovery of ultrafine sulphide associated gold. The process flow included comminution, gravity concentration and leaching of gravity concentrate, gravity concentration of mill product with spirals and CIL on thickened spiral concentrate.
As a result of the four phases of testwork the final 2011 process was specified to include SAG mill and secondary ball milling, gravity gold recovery from the milling circuit and spiral concentration of the milled product, at a grind dependant on ore type. The spiral concentrate would then be reground and recombined with the spiral tail for thickening and CIL gold recovery to improve cyanide amenability of the ultrafine locked component.
In 2012, Asanko conducted a fifth phase of metallurgical testing was designed to quantify the metallurgical recovery that could be achieved through the combination of:
·
gravity recovery within the milling circuit;
·
flotation recovery on the gravity tailings; and
·
a leach on the flotation concentrates.
The selection of the optimum grind size for the primary grind is crucial to any gold process flow sheet as it sets the first limitation with regards to gold recovery thereafter. During phase 3 a grind optimisation trade off study suggested that a target grind of 80% passing (P80) 150μm, was adequate for the circuit which was revised to P80 = 106 µm during phase 4. All subsequent testwork for phase 5 was performed at P80 = 75µm as the evidence supported the benefit of a finer target grind size.
Amdel Metallurgical Laboratories in Perth was commissioned to complete the Phase 5 testwork, based on remnants of the initial testwork core samples to reinvestigate the option of gravity/float/CIL processing and to address the issue of grind size in more detail.
Gold Recovery
Based on the metallurical test work, as well as operational experience for previously mined deposits overall gold recoveries for the conventional gravity / CIL flow sheet are shown in Table 5-4 below. Esaase recovery is based on gravity/flotation/ CIL processing.
Table 5-4: Predicted Gold Recovery
Deposit | Recovery % |
Nkran | 92.42% |
Adubiaso | 91.86% |
Abore | 96.36% |
Dynamite Hill | 92.88% |
Asuadai | 91.43% |
Total Phase 1 Deposits | 92.58% |
Esaase | 90.0% |
Page | 39
Process Plant Design
The Project processing plant design is based on a typical single stage crushing, SAG and ball milling circuit (SABC) followed by a carbon in leach (CIL) plant. The flow sheet includes a single stage jaw crusher that can either feed onto a live stockpile or directly into an open circuit SAG, (complete with pebble crusher) and ball milling unit in closed circuit with classification cyclones. A gravity recovery circuit will be utilised to treat a portion of the cyclone underflow stream to recover coarse free gold from the recirculating load.
The milled product (cyclone overflow) will gravitate to a pre-leach thickener, via a trash removal screen. Thickener underflow will be pumped directly to a pre-oxidation stage followed by a seven stage carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant. Leached gold will adsorb onto activated carbon, which flows counter-currently to the gold-bearing slurry. Loaded carbon will be directed to the elution circuit while tailings will gravitate to cyanide destruction. Cyanide in the CIL tailings will be detoxified using a three phase hybrid cyanide destruction process. Weak Acid Dissociable cyanide (WAD) concentration will be reduced in a single tank by means of SMBS and air. The SO2 / Air process will be used for cyanide destruction.
The detoxified tailings are then pumped to the tailings storage facility. Absorbed gold will be eluted from the activated carbon by means of a heated solution of sodium cyanide and caustic soda via the split AARL procedure. Barren carbon from the batch elution process will be directed to carbon regeneration while pregnant leach solution will be routed to electrowinning. After washing the gold sludge from the electrowinning cathodes, the sludge will be decanted and treated in a drying oven after which it will be mixed with fluxes and loaded into an induction smelting furnace. After smelting the gold bullion bars will be cleaned, labelled, assayed and prepared for shipping.
The plant will further incorporate water treatment, reagent preparation, oxygen generation and supply, compressed air and water services.
This process flow sheet is well known in industry, and has historically been proven a processing route for Phase 1 ores during Resolute Mining Ltd operations of 1998 to 2002.
The Phase 2 PFS currently underway is studying the feasibility and optimal process plant expansion to co-process all AGM materials, including Esaase.
Tailings Storage Facility (TSF)
The TSF will consist of a multi-zoned downstream perimeter embankment, comprising a total footprint area (including the basin area) of approximately 86 ha for the Stage 1 TSF increasing to 309 ha for the final TSF. The TSF is designed to store total 33 Mt for Phase 1 with further raises required during Phase 2 expansion. Tailings will be discharged into the TSF by sub-aerial deposition methods, using a combination of spigots at regularly spaced intervals from the embankment.
The design incorporates an upstream toe drain and basin underdrainage system in low lying basin areas to improve performance of the TSF. The under-drainage system comprises a network of collector and finger drains. The toe drain and underdrainage system drain by gravity to a collection sump located at the lowest point in the TSF.
Supernatant water will be removed from the TSF via submersible pumps located on a floating barge located within the supernatant pond throughout operation. Solution recovered from the decant system will be pumped back to the plant for re-use in the process circuits.
Page | 40
A downstream seepage collection system will be installed within and downstream of the TSF embankment, to allow monitoring and collection of seepage from the TSF in the collection sump located downstream of the final TSF.
Monitoring bores are being installed around the TSF, to constantly monitor water quality of the samples withdrawn from them. This will allow any seepage, or contamination to be detected, and will trigger the mitigation measures to be outlined in the TSF Management Plan.
The TSF embankment will be constructed in stages to suit storage requirements and the availability of suitable mine waste. It is envisaged that the upstream portions of the embankment will be raised annually by an earthworks contractor with the bulk embankment fill being placed as part of the mining operations on an ongoing basis.
The TSF design utilises a beach angle that has been verified by laboratory testing, and the overall design is regarded as conservative, with no unique, or unusual design parameters, or methodologies utilised in the design. The use of downstream raise construction methods promote embankment stability, which has been demonstrated by the high factors of safety obtained for the stability assessment.
Environmental and Social
The Company completed a Scoping Report and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the Project and developed the Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS) which was submitted to the EPA and subsequently approved.
Detailed baseline studies were completed and this provided the required level of information for development of the ESIA.
Air quality, noise, surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrogeology, water quality, soil, fauna and flora baseline studies were completed and reports generated. Traffic, socio-economic and medical surveys were likewise completed.
The Company also completed an ESIA and ESIA for Esaase that has been submitted to the EPA for final approvals, which are still pending.
Survey and Baseline Study Results
Results from the various surveys and baseline studies across all of the areas of the AGM have indicated:
·
Dust levels will increase, requiring monitoring and mitigation by spraying roads and other dust generation surfaces
·
Noise levels close to the Project site will increase, a noise monitoring regime has been established to assess the exposure of employees and the local population to noise generated from the Project activities and, if necessary, to take corrective action promptly by intensifying, or changing the mix of the mitigation measures
·
Metal contamination in the environment has been assessed, and the results indicate no long-term effects from previous mining activities. Closure of the site and prevention of access to some areas will be carried out so as to minimise any potential impacts
·
Cyanide in the environment will be mitigated by detoxification prior to release to the TSF, all waters arising from the TSF will be returned to the plant
Page | 41
·
There is no evidence of acid formation from the wastes generated during the previous operation, and therefore it is reasonable to conclude that the project wastes are unlikely to have an effect on the surrounding areas soil
·
Effects on local suspended solids and turbidity will be mitigated by the use of suitable sedimentation structures together with an effective monitoring program to assess efficiency of those measures
·
Significant local contamination of water with coliform exists. Adequate ablution facilities will be constructed for the project with all sewage treated before discharge. This discharge will also be monitored to ensure that coliform water discharge levels are met
·
The current phosphate concentrations in the Nkran and Adubiaso Pits are higher than the EPA guideline for phosphate. These pits will be dewatered and the phosphate levels downstream of the Project may be elevated for a limited period
·
Damage from drilling and blasting activities will be limited by carefully developed drilling and blasting designs together with blasting practices (evacuation and guarding) that will be deployed to minimise damage and eliminate safety risks
·
Effects on flora and fauna will be negligible, the results of the baseline fauna and flora study indicate the project area is presently degraded and lacks the characteristic feature of the original vegetation of the areas, following years of intense farming and mining operations. Because of the extensive habitat alteration, the associated fauna and flora species are mainly common and widespread habitat generalists that are able to tolerate the current level of disturbances. The separate aquatic flora assessment does not identify any species or areas that require specific attention, or actions. The areas affected by mining and processing are only 8% of the total licence areas, and the vast majority of the areas (waste dumps and TSF) will be rehabilitated to current levels, or better
·
Similarly the soil in the area has been degraded by previous activities, waste from the plant will be sequestered and rehabilitated to ensure that it does not further contribute to the soil contamination
·
Heritage sites have been identified and will be protected
·
Famers will be recompensed if their land is to be affected by the operation, and after rehabilitation the land will be returned to the landowners
·
The effect of the Project on the galamsey activities will be minimal, limited to the need for the galamsey to vacate the areas required for pits, waste dumps, roads and the TSF
Trade will be positively affected, and it is likely that local trade will flourish due to the increased income levels in the area and accompanying increase in discretionary spending.
Approvals and Community and Government Consultation
Adansi held a public forum as part of the environmental permitting for Phase 1 in July 2012. This was preceded with consultation with several stakeholder groups across the project area and consequently obtained the EPA environmental permit for the Project. KRGL held a public forum for Esaase in November 2013 and applied for its environmental permit in early 2014. The permitting process was put on hold following the merging of the two projects into the Asanko Gold Mine in early 2014.
Page | 42
The Company engages with stakeholder groups and committees as platforms through which to provide project updates; address concerns and discuss matters of mutual interest. The Company also engages with local government and village leaders, including:
·
Amansie West District Assembly
·
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
·
Ghana Health Service
·
Land Valuation Board
·
Ghana Environmental Protection Agency
·
Forestry Commission
·
Minerals Commission
·
Inspectorate Division of Minerals Commission
·
Water Resources Commission
Production Schedule
The production schedule developed for the Project is included in Table 5-5. The Phase 2 PFS is expected to develop an integrated production schedule for all deposits of the AGM, including Esaase, if feasible.
Table 5-5: Production Schedule
Years 2015 – 2021
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Ore mined (‘000t) | 230 | 3,704 | 3,123 | 3,319 | 3,000 | 2,951 | 2,850 |
Grade mined (g/t) | 2.44 | 2.15 | 2.22 | 2.15 | 2.30 | 2.28 | 2.23 |
Waste (‘000t) | 19,761 | 21,254 | 21,928 | 21,152 | 20,993 | 23,179 | 22,754 |
Strip ratio (w:o) | 86.05 | 5.74 | 7.02 | 6.37 | 7.00 | 7.86 | 7.98 |
Plant feed (‘000t) | - | 2,538 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
Feed grade (g/t) | - | 2.58 | 2.27 | 2.15 | 2.30 | 2.27 | 2.20 |
Recovery (%) | - | 88.89 | 92.66 | 92.34 | 92.63 | 92.62 | 92.60 |
Gold produced (oz) | - | 187,429 | 202,624 | 191,131 | 205,500 | 202,711 | 196,273 |
Years 2022 - 2028
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
Ore mined (‘000t) | 3,001 | 3,001 | 3,001 | 3,000 | 3,001 | 2,325 | - |
Grade mined (g/t) | 2.20 | 2.15 | 1.93 | 1.94 | 2.08 | 2.12 | - |
Waste (‘000t) | 18,147 | 8,484 | 9,761 | 4,619 | 1,863 | 889 | - |
Strip ratio (w:o) | 6.05 | 2.83 | 3.25 | 1.54 | 0.62 | 0.38 | - |
Plant feed (‘000t) | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 968 |
Feed grade (g/t) | 2.20 | 2.15 | 1.93 | 1.94 | 2.08 | 1.99 | 1.53 |
Recovery (%) | 92.60 | 92.27 | 92.36 | 92.45 | 92.56 | 92.50 | 112.13 |
Gold produced (oz) | 196,226 | 191,712 | 172,160 | 173,326 | 185,728 | 177,607 | 53,462 |
Page | 43
Note: Recovery in first and last year adjusted for inventory lockup of approx. 7,300 ounces
Operating Costs
The average cash operating cost for Phase 1 is estimated at US$645 per ounce (Table 5.6). All-In-Sustaining Costs (“ASIC”) are US$781 per ounce, which places Phase 1 in the lowest quartile of industry costs.
Operating costs were developed in conjunction with the project design criteria, process flow sheet, mass and water balance, mechanical and electrical equipment lists, and in-country labour cost data. The cash operating costs are defined as the direct operating costs including contract mining, processing, tailings storage, water treatment, general and administrative and refining costs.
Table 5.6: Cash Operating Costs
Description | US$/oz |
Waste mining | 243 |
Ore mining | 105 |
Processing | 210 |
General and administrative | 83 |
Refining | 4 |
Cash Costs | 645 |
Royalties | 65 |
Sustaining and deferred capex | 19 |
Corporate Overhead | 35 |
Interest on Project Debt | 17 |
All-in sustaining cash costs | 781 |
Note: The costs detailed above are calculated for the purpose of this report in real terms with no material change in the key profitability projected for the LoM period.
The Phase 2 PFS will re-evaluate operating cost and capital costs for an expanded processing facility which includes the treatment of material from the Esaase deposit.
Capital Costs
The initial capital cost of the mine, process plant and associated infrastructure for Phase 1 is estimated at US$295 million. The cost is inclusive of all infrastructure and indirect costs required for the Project including allowances for contingencies and estimating inaccuracies of 8.3% in aggregate (amounting to US$22.75 million). The engineering has been developed to support a capital and operating cost estimate to a nominal accuracy of -/+10% (Table 5.7).
Page | 44
Table 5.7: Capital Costs
Asanko Gold Mine – Phase 1 | Capital Estimate (US$ million) |
Process plant | 85.48 |
Mining (pre-production costs) | 70.59 |
Power infrastructure | 18.18 |
Buildings, offices and accommodation | 12.31 |
TSF, WRD, ROM, water supply, civil works | 23.08 |
CSR, owners team, G&A | 47.37 |
EPCM | 15.51 |
Sub total | 272.52 |
Contingency & estimating inaccuracies | 22.75 |
Total | 295.27 |
Economic Analysis
A cash flow based financial evaluation has been undertaken based on a spot gold price of US$1,300/oz., the summary of which is presented in Table 5.8 and 5.9. The analysis has been prepared by Cresco Project Finance (Pty) Ltd. based on inputs from other parties, namely DRA and Asanko Gold. All economics are shown after tax and appropriate royalties payable and on a 100% basis. Corporate tax in Ghana is 35%.
Table 5-8: Summary of Financial Outcomes
Key Project Physicals | ||
Ore Mined | Mt | 36.5 |
Average Grade | g/t | 2.15 |
Gold Sold | M ounces | 2.336 |
Mine Life | Yrs | 12.4 |
Table 5-9 - Summary of Key Project Financials After Tax and Royalties on a 100% Basis
Key Project Financials | Base Case | |
Gold Price | US$/oz. | 1 300 |
NPV(5%) | US$M | 412 |
IRR | % | 26% |
Payback | Years | 3.1 |
A range of Project sensitivities have been evaluated to assess their impact on the base case numbers included in the financial model. The significant financial sensitivities identified were discount rate and gold price (Table 5.10, Figures 5.3 and 5.4).
Page | 45
Table 5.10 Gold Price Sensitivity – NPV and IRR
| Discount Rate |
| ||||
Price US$ Gold/oz | 3% | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8% | IRR |
1,100 | 261,394 | 200,576 | 173,980 | 149,587 | 127,177 | 16.0% |
1,200 | 380,964 | 306,894 | 274,467 | 244,704 | 217,341 | 21.1% |
1,300 | 500,079 | 412,695 | 374,410 | 339,250 | 306,910 | 25.9% |
1,400 | 619,172 | 518,476 | 474,332 | 433,777 | 396,459 | 30.4% |
1,500 | 738,254 | 624,246 | 574,243 | 528,292 | 485,998 | 34.7% |
1,600 | 857,327 | 730,008 | 674,146 | 622,801 | 575,530 | 38.9% |
![[exhibit995009.gif]](exhibit995009.gif)
Figure 5-3 - NPV Sensitivity
![[exhibit995011.gif]](exhibit995011.gif)
Page | 46
Figure 5-4 - IRR Sensitivity
The Project is most sensitive to gold price. Under the base case zero pre-tax NPV is reached only if prices fall by nearly 35% from the base case price of US$1,300 per ounce (in real terms). This suggests that the project is relatively robust and significant reductions in gold price are required to make the Project uneconomic. A similar effect is found for varying other assumptions, albeit to a lesser extent.
Gold Offtake and Sale Agreement
In October, 2013 (as amended in July, 2014), the Company entered into an offtake agreement with Red Kite Mine Finance in connection with a debt facility, pursuant to which Red Kite is entitled to purchase at market, 100% of the future gold production from the AGM to a maximum of 2.22 million ounces. Red Kite is to pay for 100% of the value of the gold ten business days after shipment. A provisional payment of 90% of the estimated value will be made one business day after delivery. The gold sale price will be a spot price selected during a nine day quotational period following shipment. The Company can terminate the offtake agreement prior to satisfaction of the conditions precedent for the Project Facility by repaying all amounts outstanding under the debt facilities, subject to the payment of a termination fee in an amount dependent upon the total funds drawn under the debt facilities as well as the amount of gold delivered under the offtake agreement at the time of termination.
5.4.12 Exploration and Development
Development and construction of the Project was approved by the Company’s board of directors in July 2014 and DRA was awarded an EPCM contract immediately following approval. Contractor mobilization to site occurred in August 2014 and Phase 1 development activity currently underway includes:
·
Plant terrace preparation started in August 2014, to be completed by May 2015
·
161 kV power line started in December 2014, to be completed in September 2015
·
Tailings dam construction started in October 2014
·
The contractor’s camp was started in September 2014 and is now complete
·
Pit dewatering start December 2014 and is expected to continue for 10 months
·
The mining contractor mobilized to site in December 2014 and is currently clearing the pre-strip area around the Nkran pit
The major project milestones are as follows:
·
SMP Construction start – January 2015
·
Nkran Waste Pre-Strip start – February 2015
·
Electrical and Instrumentation installation start – April 2015
·
Piping installation start – April 2015
·
Nkran Ore Mining start – September 2015
Page | 47
·
Commissioning start – December 2015
·
First Ore into Mill and First Gold Pour – February 2016
·
Steady State Production – Q2 2016
For integration of Esaase, the Company completed a trade-off study which considered 12 different options for integrating the mining of the Esaase deposit. The study shows that significant additional value can be added by either transporting, by conveyor belt, crushed ore to the Phase 1 plant site for processing; or milling at the Esaase Project and pumping the milled product to the Phase 1 plant site for further processing. The two options are currently being advanced to pre-feasibility study level with results expected to be released in Q2 2015. The current Phase 1 detailed design has made allowances in the processing plant, tailings dam and support infrastructure to cater for the inclusion of Phase 2, which the Company believes will show potential to increase gold production up to 400,000 ounces per year.
The Company plans to carry out minor exploration activity during 2015 with the objective of identifying further oxide resources within trucking distance of the Phase 1 processing plant.
5.5 Other (Non-Material) Projects
The Asumura Property
The Asumura Property is without known reserves and the work being done by Asanko is exploratory in nature. Asanko’s interest in this property stemmed from earlier exploration work, as described below, that was done in the area.
5.5.1 Location
The Asumura Property is located in the southwestern part of Ghana and is divided into two parts by the Bia River. The western part of the property is within the Western Region of Ghana in the Juabeso Bia District and the eastern part is in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.
5.5.2 Accessibility, Climate, Infrastructure and Physiography
The Asumura Property is accessible from the town of Kumasi by road, the majority of which is asphalt. The last 22 miles is a laterite road. Laterite is a surface formation, found mostly in tropical areas, which is enriched in iron and aluminum. Within the property, there is a good network of laterite roads and foot trails, which provide access for the exploration crews.
Annual rainfall is between 58 inches and 78 inches and temperatures vary between 72 degrees and 97 degrees Fahrenheit with an average of about 84 degrees Fahrenheit. A major rainy season occurs from April to July followed by a minor one from September to October.
The closest town, Goaso, is about 24 miles away. It contains hotels, markets and restaurants, hospitals and medical clinics, a cell phone tower, a network of land phones connected to the Ghana Telephone system via radio, and an internet café with satellite dish.
The Asumura Property is sparsely populated.
Page | 48
5.5.3 History
The Asumura Property was once licensed by Anglo American Plc., an unrelated public company. Asanko is unaware of any surface exploration that Anglo American carried out in the area. There are no recorded mineral resources, reserves, or production from this property. When Asanko entered into the option agreement with GTE, there were no known exploration samples of any kind taken from the property. Zaknet, Inc., a private Ghanaian company unrelated to Asanko, acquired a reconnaissance concession from the Ghanaian government in 2003. They quit, claimed the property to GTE in 2004 and Asanko entered into an option agreement with GTE in 2005.
5.5.4 Geological Setting
The Asumura Property is located on the Ahafo structure, a major fault bounding structure on the NW edge of the Sefwi-Bibiani Greenstone Belt, a well-defined aeromagnetic feature along which many gold occurrences occur. Volcanic and granitic rocks dominate the belts, while basin sedimentary rocks occur outboard to the belt. Approximately 15 km of this tectonic-depositional boundary is contained within the Asumura Concession. Parallel faults that divide sedimentary and metaclastic rocks of the basin, such as the NW fault are also gold bearing. The geophysical and gravity maps show that these may be outbound basinal faults related to the same event which formed the Ahafo fault.
5.5.5 Exploration
The Asumura Property currently consists of two exploration concessions: Fosukrom and Asumura, which together equal 279.4 sq km. Asanko entered into an agreement with GTE which allowed Asanko to acquire 100% of the private interest in the Asumura Property by performing work expenditures totaling $1 million, delivering cash payments totaling $100,000 and delivering shares of Asanko totaling $100,000 in value over a period of three years. GTE retained a 3.5% NSR, 50% of which may be purchased for $2 million by Asanko. The Ghanaian government is also entitled to claim a 5% revenue royalty after the property is converted to a mining license. The Ghanaian government is also entitled to a 10% free carried interest in the project. During the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company acquired an option to purchase the remaining 50% of the GTE NSR royalty for an additional $4,000,000.
The exploration license allows Asanko permission to trench and drill on the property, providing Asanko obtains a permit from the EPA. Asanko obtained its permits for 2006 in January 2006 and has renewed these permits annually from 2007 up to 2012.
Asanko initially explored the concession using stream sediment techniques. After discovering significant stream sediment anomalies, Asanko conducted reconnaissance soil sampling in the drainages, which showed anomalous gold in the stream sediments. Asanko subsequently used grid sampling soil techniques at approximately 100 meter line spacing and 25 meter sample spacing together with induced polarization (“IP”) geophysical surveying. The end result was the discovery of three distinct anomalies in the Twiapasi, Wagyakrom and Mangoase areas. The Twiapasi and Wagyakrom anomalies are on the southern side of a large topographic depression that hosts the Bia River and one of its major tributaries. The Mangoase anomaly is on the north side of the trough and parallels the east north east trend. The next phase will include further soil sampling, induced polarization geophysical studies and augur drilling.
Asanko received approval from the Ghanaian government during the latter part of 2005 to convert its holdings from reconnaissance to exploration concessions. This conversion allowed exploration trenching and drilling to proceed after successful permitting from the EPA in early 2006.
Page | 49
The Company began drilling at the Asumura Property shortly after receiving the approval from the Ghanaian government. Asanko drilled 124 shallow (30-102 meter) reverse circulation holes and 13 core holes. Asanko discovered from 10-30 meter widths of 0.5-1.68 g/t Au mineralization at the Wagyakrom and Mangoase anomalies.
Subsequent to the initial drilling, Asanko was able to obtain aeromagnetic geophysical data for the entire property that caused Asanko to prioritize the existing Mangoase area and to identify a new potential mineralized structure: the Bia structure, which underlies the previously described topographic depression transcending the length of the property. This zone had not been previously explored due to alluvial cover.
In July 2007, the Company discovered the NW anomaly, which coincides with a large regional north east trending fault coincident with an aeromagnetic break in the northwestern portion of the property. The anomaly is over 5.5 km long and varies from 300 -- 500 meters wide and is defined very consistently by Au values obtained in the low lying, deeply lateritic soils. In January of 2008 the company released auger results of up to 5900 ppb Au from the NW zone, following up on the previously mentioned soil anomalies
In March of 2008, the company conducted a small reverse circulation reconnaissance drilling program. An intercept of 14 meters of 14.48 g/t Au was intersected on the NW structure.
In April of 2008, Asanko obtained the contiguous Mt. Olives reconnaissance concession, which tripled the size of the Asumura Property. The Company completed surface exploration during April and September of 2008 comprising stream sediment and soil sampling on the Mt. Olives reconnaissance concession along with a continuous program of soil and auger sampling on the Asumura exploration concessions. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company terminated its option agreement on the Mt. Olives concession.
The fiscal 2010 exploration program consisted of auger sampling and testing of soil anomalies along the NW, Mangoase, Wagyakrom Spur and Bia anomalies and a regional gravity survey (conducted by Newmont Mining Corporation under a confidentiality agreement) in order to obtain a gravity map for the entire concession. These programs identified drill worthy targets and Asanko designed a drill program and has since proceeded to drill.
5.5.6 Mineralization
The area is dominated by the Birmian Supergroup of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks with various granitoid intrusions. Within the Birmian Supergroup, northeast striking mafic metavolcanic belts are separated from intervening metasedimentary basins by major faults. The Asumura Property is situated on the NW edge of the Sefwi-Bibiani Greenstone Belt along a well-defined zone of gold occurrences. It covers a 6 kilometer segment of grandiorite-metasediment contact and a 5 kilometer segment of a metavolcanic-metasediment contact.
Through surface geochemistry and aeromagnetic and EM studies, three major gold bearing regional structures have been located on the property, one of which is the belt bounding structure mentioned in the previous paragraph.
5.5.7 Drilling
During the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, the Company initiated its drill program on the Asumura Gold Property. The Company spent $1.45 million on Asumura Gold Property for the year ended March 31, 2011.
Page | 50
With the completion of the field program in March 2011, management focused on reviewing its technical data to determine the next phase for the project.
There are no exploration expenditures incurred on the Asumura Property for the nine month period ended December 31, 2012, the year ended December 31, 2013 or the year ended December 31, 2014.
Exploration activities are currently on care and maintenance.
6. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Asanko has no fixed dividend policy and has not declared any dividends on its Common Shares since its incorporation. Asanko currently expects to retain any potential future earnings to finance growth and expand its operations and does not anticipate paying any dividends on its Common Shares in the foreseeable future. Subject to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the actual timing, payment and amount of any dividends declared and paid by the Company will be determined by and at the sole discretion of Asanko’s board of directors from time to time based upon, among other factors, the Company’s cash flow, results of operations and financial condition, the need for funds to finance ongoing operations and exploration, and such other considerations as the board of directors in its discretion may consider or deem relevant.
7. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
7.1 General Description of Capital Structure
Common Shares
Asanko’s authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. At December 31, 2014, there were 174,075,607 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Subsequent to December 31, 2014, the Company issued 22,770,000 Common shares pursuant to a bought deal financing at a price of C$2.02 per share. A prospectus filed at www.sedar.com shows the updated capitalization table in respect of this financing. As at March 6, 2015, there were 196,845,607 shares issued and outstanding.
Each Common Share entitles the holder to one vote at all meetings of the Company’s shareholders. The holders of the Company’s Common Shares are entitled to receive during each year, as and when declared by the Board of Directors, dividends payable in money, property or by the issue of fully-paid Common Shares of Asanko. If the Company is dissolved, wound-up, whether voluntary or involuntary, or there is a distribution of Asanko’s assets among shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, the holders of the Company’s Common Shares are entitled to receive Asanko’s remaining property.
Stock Options
The Company has a stock option plan pursuant to which the directors of the Company are authorized to grant options to directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to purchase up to 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
Page | 51
As at December 31, 2014, a total of 10,594,291 share-based options were outstanding under the stock option plan as follows:
*These options were granted on February 6, 2014 as replacement options for PMI options and have various exercise prices and expiry dates. Averages and ranges are shown here.
As at March 6, 2015, the total number of options outstanding was 14,715,291, which reflects the 3,821,000 options granted in January 2015 at an exercise price of $2.08 in conjunction with the Company’s long term incentive plan and 300,000 options issued as a hiring grant to new employees or contractors at a price of C$1.93.
Warrants
On September 30, 2014, a total of 9,443,500 warrants expired. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had 126,000 share-purchase warrants exercisable at C$5.00 until November 5, 2014.
7.2 Constraints
There are no constraints imposed on the ownership of the Common Shares by corporate law. There are certain Government review requirements regarding foreign investment in Canadian companies which are not expected to be relevant to Asanko shareholders.
7.3 Ratings
No Asanko securities have received any ratings from any rating organizations.
Page | 52
8. MARKET FOR SECURITIES
8.1 Trading Price and Volume
The Company’s common shares were traded on the TSX under the symbol “KGN” and from March 1, 2013 to present under the symbol “AKG”.
The following table sets out the low and high sale prices and the aggregate volume of trading of the Company’s Common Shares on the TSX for the months indicated (Canadian Dollars) and NYE MKT for the months indicated (US Dollars).
Asanko has no class of securities that is outstanding but not listed or quoted on a marketplace.
9. ESCROWED SECURITIES
As of the date hereof, there are no securities of the Company held in escrow.
Page | 53
10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
10.1 Name, Occupation and Security Holding
The following table sets out the names, province or state and country of residence, positions with or offices held with the Company, and principal occupation for the past five years of each of Asanko’s directors and executive officers, as well as the period during which each has been a director of the Company.
The term of office of each director of Asanko expires at the annual general meeting of shareholders each year.
Name, Position and Province/State and Country of Residence (1) | Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years (1) | Director or Officer Since(2) | No. of Securities Beneficially Owned or Controlled, Directly or Indirectly (3) |
COLIN STEYN(5)(7) Chairman,Director | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Director of the Company; past Chief Executive Officer of LionOre Mining International, Ltd; past Director of Mantra Resources Ltd; Past Non-Executive Chairman of Coalspur Mines Ltd; past Director of Mirabela Nickel Limited; | October 15, 2012 | 8,191,174 Shares(8) 280,000 Options |
MARCEL DE GROOT(4)(5) | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Director of the Company; President and Director of Lowell Copper Ltd.; Director of Anthem United Inc.; Past Chairman and Director of Luna Gold Corp.; Past Director of Underworld Resources Inc., Esperanza Resources and Premier Royalty. | October 1, 2009 | 320,000 Options |
PETER BRADFORD (5)(7) Director | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Director of the Company; Past Managing Director of PMI Gold Corporation; Managing Director & CEO of Independence Group NL; Director Envirometals Ltd; Past Director, President and CEO of Copperbelt Minerals PLC; Past Director Ashburton Minerals Ltd; Past Managing Director of Anvil Mining NL. | February 6, 2013 | 420,000 Shares 315,000 Options |
GORDON J. FRETWELL(4)(7) Director | Lawyer, Director of the Company; Director of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., Coro Mining Corp, Curis Resources Ltd, Lignol Engery Corp, Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd and Auryn Resources Inc.; Past Director of Benton Resources Corp. | February 24, 2004 | 208,600 Shares |
MICHAEL PRICE(4) Director | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Director of the Company; Director of Eldorado Gold. Corporation; and Director of Buffalo Coal Corporation | February 6, 2013 | 280,000 Options |
Page | 54
PETER BREESE(6) Chief Executive Officer, President and Director | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the Company; past Director of Rockridge Capital Corp.; past Chief Executive Officer and Director of Mantra Resources Limited; past Director of Coalspur Mines Limited. | October 15, 2012 | 333,249 Shares |
SHAWN WALLACE Director British Columbia, Canada | Businessman involved in managing public companies, Director of the Company; Past Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of Auryn Resources Inc.; Past Chairman and Director of Cayden Resources Inc.; Director of Stratton Resources Inc; and past Director of Full Metal Minerals Inc. | March 3, 2010 | 17,200 Shares |
GREG MCCUNN(6) Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary British Columbia, Canada | Chief Financial Officer of the Company and past Chief Financial Officer of Farallon Mining Ltd. | April 4, 2011 | 40,000 Shares 1,255,000 Option |
|
| TOTAL | 9,210,223 Shares |
Notes:
(1)
The information as to province of residence and principal occupation, is not within the knowledge of the Company, and has been individually provided by the respective directors and officers.
(2)
Each of the Company’s directors serve until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until a successor is elected or appointed. The Company’s officers serve at the determination of the Company’s board of directors.
(3)
The number of Common Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at the date of this AIF is based upon information provided to the Company by individual directors and officers. Unless otherwise indicated, such Common Shares are held directly.
(4)
Member of the Audit Committee.
(5)
Member of the Compensation Committee.
(6)
Member of the Disclosure Committee.
(7)
Member of the Nominating and Governance Committee.
(8)
Common shares owned by Highland Park SA and are controlled indirectly by Mr. Steyn but will be distributed by Highland Park to the beneficial owners in 2015.
10.2 Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions
None of the individuals named above is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been, within ten (10) years before the date of this AIF a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company that:
(a)
was subject to a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of
Page | 55
more than 30 consecutive days that was issued 10.3while the proposed director was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or
(b)
was subject to a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer.
Except as disclosed below, none of the individuals named above is, as at the date of this AIF, or has been, within ten (10) years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer of any company that, while that person was acting in that capacity or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets, or has, within ten (10) years before the date of this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
Mr. Steyn was a director of Mirabela Nickel Limited (“Mirabela”) until January 11, 2014. On February 25, 2014, within a year of Mr. Steyn ceasing to be a director, Mirabela announced that it had entered into a legally binding plan support agreement (“PSA”) which establishes a framework for a proposed recapitalisation of Mirabela, subject to certain terms and conditions, as well as the appointment of Messrs. Madden, Rocke and Winterbottom of KordaMentha as joint and several voluntary administrators. Mirabela also announced that, under the PSA, the proposed recapitalisation will be effected through a recapitalisation and restructuring plan to be implemented through a deed of company arrangement in Australia and an extrajudicial reorganization proceeding to be filed by Mirabela Brazil before the competent Brazilian court. Trading in securities of Mirabela on the Australian Securities Exchange has been suspended since October 9, 2013.
Mr. Price was a non-executive director of Q Resources plc. until January 2012. In November 2014, Q Resources plc. entered voluntary liquidation.In addition, none of the individuals named above has been subject to:
(a)
any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
(b)
any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable shareholder in deciding whether to vote for a nominee as director.
10.3 Conflicts of Interest
Directors and officers of Asanko, including those directors and officers who will be appointed contemporaneously with completion of the Arrangement, are also directors, officers and/or promoters of other reporting and non-reporting issuers, which raises the possibility of future conflicts in connection with property opportunities which they may become aware of and have a duty to disclose to more than the issuer on whose board they serve. This type of conflict is common in the junior resource exploration industry and is not considered an unusual risk. Conflicts, if any, will be subject to the procedures and remedies provided under the BCBCA.
Page | 56
11. PROMOTERS
The Company has not had any “promoters” (other than its management team) as that term is used securities legislation for the two most recently completed financial years or during the current financial year.(Where promoter means a person who has taken the initiative in founding or reorganizing a business)
12. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY ACTIONS
Except as set forth below, there are no legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, to which any of the Company's properties may be affected except.
Goknet Arbitration
On November 6, 2012, PMI received a request from Goknet Mining Company Limited (“Goknet”) seeking PMI’s consent to the assignment of certain royalties under a 2006 Purchase Agreement between the Company and Goknet. The Company provided its consent on January 9, 2013 without pre-supposing that certain royalties alleged to have been created under such agreement were created. Goknet subsequently invoked the arbitration provisions of the contract under British Columbia law. An arbitral panel was established by the end of April, 2013, and the arbitration hearing was scheduled for September 2014.
On August 15, 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with Goknet to eliminate Goknets’s claim for a 2% NSR royalty on Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine Project. The settlement involves cash, one million Asanko shares and the transfer to Goknet of two exploration projects, Kubi and Diaso. Included in the agreement the Company retains a right to match any future offer made to Goknet with respect to a disposal of the Diaso Project concessions.
Godbri Datano Claim
On September 14, 2012, Godbri Mining Limited (“Godbri”) lodged a statement of claim in the High Court of Justice, Accra, Ghana, seeking a declaration that, among other things, the sale of the Datano concession to the Company is null and void. Godbri claims to be the owner of 38% of the issued share capital of Midras Mining Limited (“Midras”) and states that it did not consent to the acquisition of the Datano concession by Adansi Gold Company (GH) Limited (“Adansi”). Adansi filed a defence on November 12, 2012. Godbri subsequently amended its claim on January 29, 2013 and in March 2013, both PMI and Adansi filed further defences. The matter is currently awaiting trial. The Datano concession was acquired in August 2013 from Midras. The transaction was legally completed between Adansi and Midras, and accordingly the Company considers the claim made by Godbri to be spurious and without any merit. Godbri is a private Ghanaian company.
Matisse and Madison Claim
On October 22, 2013, Matisse & Madison Co. Ltd. (“M&M”) lodged a statement of claim in the High Court of Justice, Accra, Ghana, seeking compensatory damages of $20 million plus interest for breach of a verbal contract related to the purchase of the Datano Concessions from Midras. The Company maintains that this is a frivolous lawsuit lacking in merit and will vigorously defend itself.
13. INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
To the best knowledge of Asanko’s management, no (a) director or executive officer of the Company; (b) person or company that beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of
Page | 57
any class or series of the Company’s outstanding voting securities; or (c) an associate or affiliate of any of the persons or companies referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b), had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the Company’s incorporation or during the current financial year. Insiders of the Company participated in the 2015 bought deal offering but on the same terms as all other investors.
14. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Asanko’s registrar and transfer agent for its Common Shares is Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B9.
15. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
In July, 2014 the Company amended its previously entered into debt facility agreement with RK Mine Finance Trust I (“Red Kite”) an affiliate of Red Kite group mining funds. Particulars of the contract are described in 5.1.1 (i) of this AIF and a redacted version of the contract has been filed at WWW.sedar.com as required under section 12.2 of the instrument.
16. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
16.1 Name of Experts
The following are the persons or companies who were named as having prepared or certified a statement, report or valuation in this AIF either directly or in a document incorporated by reference and whose profession or business gives authority to the statement, report or valuation made by the person or company:
Glenn Bezuidenhout, National Diploma (Extractive Metallurgy), FSIAMM, Doug Heher, B.Sc Eng (Mechanical), Pr Eng., Thomas Kwabena Obiri-Yeboah, B. Sc Eng (Mining), Pr Eng, John Stanbury, B Sc Eng (Industrial), Pr Eng., Charles J. Muller, B. Sc. Hons (Geology), B. Sc. Hons (Geology) Pr. Sci. Nat. and David Morgan, M.Sc. Eng (Civil), CP Eng, authored the 2015 Asanko Project Plan and have reviewed and approved the summary of the 2015 Asanko Project Plan contained in this AIF.
16.2 Interests of Experts
To the Company’s knowledge, Messrs. Bezuidenhout, Heher, Obiri-Yeboah ,Stanbury, Muller and Morgan and do not hold, directly or indirectly, any of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares.
The aforementioned persons have not received any direct or indirect interest in any securities of the Company or of any associate or affiliate of the Company in connection with the preparation of the Asanko 2015 Project Plan. The aforementioned persons are not currently expected to be elected, appointed or employed as a director, officer or employee of the Company or of any associate or affiliate of the Company.
17. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional financial information relating to the Company may be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Page | 58
Additional information relating to the Company, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of Asanko’s securities, and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in the 2014 shareholders meeting Management Information Circular.
Additional financial information is provided in Asanko’s financial statements and related MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Page | 59