Kingsgate Consolidated Limited (KCN) –Receiving renewed BOI incentives for the new Chatree North Plant, paves the way to a very profitable future Kingsgate
- Kingsgate should score a double-premium for having no RSPT payments (because its operations are not in Australia) and receiving the BOI investment incentives (the same as before : 8 yrs’ tax-free, then 5 yrs at 15% tax, as Thailand moves ahead in encouraging mining investment). Receipt of the BOI, means that production from the second train of the Chatree plant could occur during SQ2011.
- KCN’s Chatree gold mine in Thailand was a hive of activity in April 2010, initially aiming to increase gold production by ~50% to >200,000ozpa, and then using satellites and underground to reach ~300,000ozpa. Kingsgate is still exploring for possible stand-alone operations; following up epithermals that it has identified; and using its extensive database to find orebodies in other parts of Thailand.
- Chatree was examining increasing the mine’s life by : deepening the pits using US$950/oz or US$1150/oz pit shells (compared to the existing US$750/oz pit shell of June 2009), extending Chatree on strike NNW or SSE, and delineating higher grade epithermal lodes that can be economically mined underground.
- KCN intends to capitalise on its perception as an established, proven developing Asian gold producer while it leads the emerging mid-tier Australian listed gold producers into the A$1bn to A$2bn market cap category (following the takeover of Lihir by Newcrest).
- The Thailand IPO float of 51% of Chatree under Akara Mining Ltd (the preference shares are redeemed for common stock in one movement) is expected to occur during DQ2010/MQ2011, and could raise ~A$400m to A$500m (being ~50% of Kingsgate’s current market cap, plus some capital for ~50% of the mill expansion plus ~50% of the exploration). (It should be noted that Akara may receive an Asian trading multiple and have a higher market cap than Kingsgate).
- Kingsgate effectively retains mine management control with regional and near mine exploration under KCN’s Issara Mining (exploration) company. KCN/Akara’s Chatree controls an area of ~7kmN x 5kmE including the Chatree mine and MLs, while KCN’s Issara has the rest of the SPLs and SPLAs . Should Issara make a discovery, Akara Mining has first right of refusal in acquiring it for Chatree.