24 July 2024
Bezant
Resources PLC
("Bezant
Resources", "BZT" or "the Company")
Partnership for the delivery of a sustainable renewable solar
energy supply
for the
Hope & Gorob Copper - Gold Project, Namibia
Bezant Resources ("Bezant" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has
signed a non-binding letter of intent ("LOI") to enter into a
partnership between the Company and both CrossBoundary Energy
Management ("CrossBoundary Energy") and Eversolar Pty Ltd
("Eversolar") for the provision of a renewable and/or hybrid solar energy supply for the Hope & Gorob
Copper - Gold Project in which Bezant holds a 70% interest.
(the "Project"). Subject to
executing a legally binding offtake agreement, the installation
will provide a sustainable renewable power supply for both the
crushing and ore sorting plants at the Hope & Gorob site as
well as a renewable installation at the flotation plant located
close to Swakopmund that will be reconfigured to produce a final
copper-gold concentrate from the ore sorted
pre-concentrate.
Bezant has been seeking an energy
solution for the Project that will save on energy cost, reduce
CO2 emissions, and reinforce the Company's
sustainability initiative consistent with best ESG practices. The
Project has already committed to the use of dry ore sorting to
reduce water dependency together with the repurposing of an
existing off-site flotation plant that greatly reduces the Hope
& Gorob physical footprint.
Highlights
· The LOI is for delivery of a
sustainable renewable solar energy solution to both the Hope &
Gorob and flotation plant sites and is subject to joint
execution of a legally binding renewable and/or hybrid energy power
offtake agreement by or before 1 December
2024
· No advance payments required
from Bezant
· Indicative proposal, which is
based on initial 15 year contract term, presents highly competitive
cost of energy
· It will provide large savings
both financially and in greenhouse gas emissions compared to a
thermal only solution
Commenting on the initiative,
Chairman Colin Bird said
"We are delighted to be working with two leaders in the renewable
energy sector and the ability of CrossBoundary Energy and Eversolar
to construct a renewable solution that incorporates both production
sites is a major gain in terms of cost reduction over the life of
mine and a reduction in emissions. Our commitment to a sustainable
power supply underpins our previous work introducing dry ore
sorting to limit water consumption and the plan to
effectively recycle an existing flotation plant to process
our pre-concentrate. These initiatives combined demonstrate that
smaller projects can also afford to operate in a responsible and
sustainable manner."
CrossBoundary Energy will assume
responsibility for financing and implementation of the solar hybrid
system and provide a guarantee of reliability and a suitable
renewable policy for the life of the mine working with co-developer
Eversolar which will be responsible for an EPC (Engineering -
Procurement - Construction) solution and the completion of the
project and subsequent day to day management of the solar plants at
both Hope & Gorob and the flotation plant.
Benefits of the renewable energy solution
·
No upfront payment required from
Bezant.
·
Minimal exposure to erratic diesel
prices.
·
Sustainable operations through cleaner
power.
·
24/7 operations and maintenance of the generating
facility.
·
Real-time monitoring and management.
·
Performance ratio and availability
guarantees.
Background on CrossBoundary Energy
CrossBoundary Energy is a leading
developer, owner, and operator of distributed renewable and hybrid
energy solutions for business that provides fully-financed cheaper,
cleaner energy. CrossBoundary Energy is currently delivering a
portfolio of over $285 million of hybrid renewable energy assets
for mining clients such as Rio Tinto, Syrah Resources, Norton Gold
Fields, FG Gold and NextSource Materials globally. CrossBoundary
Energy is a member company of the CrossBoundary Group, a
mission-driven investment firm founded in 2011 and committed to
unlocking the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong
returns in underserved markets. Learn more at
www.crossboundaryenergy.com
Background on Eversolar
Eversolar is a leading developer and
provider of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC)
services specialising in solar solutions for the commercial,
industrial, agricultural, and mining sectors. With a commitment to
innovation, quality, and reliability, Eversolar has established
itselves as the go-to partner for businesses seeking to harness the
power of solar and battery storage to drive their operations
forward and realising sustainability goals. Learn more at
www.eversolar.co.za
For further information, please
contact:
Bezant Resources Plc
Colin Bird Executive
Chairman
|
|
Beaumont Cornish (Nominated
Adviser)
Roland Cornish / Asia Szusciak
|
+44 (0) 20 7628 3396
|
Novum Securities Limited (Joint
Broker)
Jon Belliss
|
+44
(0) 20 7399 9400
|
Shard Capital Partners LLP (Joint
Broker)
Damon Heath
|
+44 (0) 20 7186 9952
|
or visit http://www.bezantresources.com
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU)
No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law pursuant to the
Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) regulations (SI
2019/310).
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont
Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and
regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the
Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise
and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules
for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely
to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for
and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing
protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for
advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in
this announcement or any matter referred to in it.