Edenville Energy Plc (LON:EDL), the AIM quoted company operating the Rukwa Coal Project in southwest Tanzania, has provided an update regarding the Company’s Rukwa Coal Project.
The Company is pleased to report that following the recent induction of the new President in Tanzania and the lessening impact of Covid-19 there has been considerable positive sentiment in the region, which appears to be translating into business confidence and action. This has been further supported by a new approach to marketing of the Company’s coal products. As a result of this, the Company is anticipating achieving a full order book over the next few months.
– The Company has commenced the shipment of coal fines from the Rukwa mine site. To date over 1,000 tonnes have been transported with an expected ongoing demand of 1,000-1,200 tonnes per month. This material is being dug from existing stockpiles.
– The Company expects to re-commence shipping washed coal in July to one of its anchor tenants with a supply arrangement of 750 tonnes per month having been agreed.
– A trial shipment of 180 tonnes of washed coal has been dispatched to a local cement producer and subject to satisfactory performance of this coal an order of 3,000 tonnes per month is anticipated to follow in July.
– An export order has been received for a trial shipment of 480 tonnes of washed coal. Subject to satisfactory performance a total requirement of 3,000-5,000 tonnes per month has been indicated from this customer.
– The Company has recommenced discussions with the Tanzanian Government and recently been invited to submit an unsolicited proposal for the supply of coal to an on-site power station owned and operated by the Tanzanian Government. The Tanzanian Government power planning programme shows the need for a base load plant by 2026.
In the event that all of these contracts materialise as anticipated in Q3 2021, this would equate to some 6,750-8,750 tonnes per month of washed call and 1,000-1,200 tonnes per month of fines.
Consistent with the positive sentiment in the region the Company is working on a number of other supply opportunities in the East African region, for which further expansion of production capacity at Rukwa may be required.
The status of the agreement with Infrastructure and Logistics Tanzania Limited (“ILTL”), as announced on 8 June 2020, will be reviewed once production rates at Rukwa exceed 3000 tonnes per month.
Further announcements will be made as appropriate.
Change of Director Roles
With the return to more normal working conditions in Tanzania and the focus of the Company on exploring potential acquisition opportunities, acting CEO and Chairman Jeff Malaihollo has handed back CEO responsibilities to Alistair Muir. Jeff Malaihollo will continue to be Non-executive Chairman of the Company. In addition, the Directors are reviewing the composition of the Board, with the appointment of at least one additional non-executive director proposed to be made.
Alistair Muir, CEO of Edenville Energy, commented:
“It is pleasing to see business beginning to return to normal in Tanzania and we look forward to realising the full potential of Rukwa. On the acquisition front we have recently spent time with our new strategic investor, Tony Buckingham, and we look forward to exploring opportunities with him and his team, alongside those provided by other parties.”
