Department of Mines gives Tlou another prospective license
The Department of Mines has given the Australian Securities Exchange, London's AIM market and the Botswana Stock Exchange listed energy company Tlou Energy Limited a new prospecting license PL011/2019 designated Boomslang is valid for an initial term of three years.
The license covers ~1,000 Km2, bringing the total licence area held by the Company to ~9,300 Km2. According to Tlou Energy, the Boomslang area was considered highly prospective and provided significant potential development flexibility. Boomslang is located on-trend with the Lesedi Coal Bed Methane Project, where independently certified gas reserves are already in place.
According to the company, the initial development operations ongoing at the Lesedi gas field, the award of the adjacent Boomslang area along with the Mamba area provides the Company with further flexibility and optionality. The Lesedi Coal Bed Methane project is one of two projects Tlou has in Botswana and comprises five CBM prospecting licences
"I am very encouraged by the recently completed drilling program and in particular the strong gas indications observed to date. Furthermore, the good initial water flow, which is higher than that previously observed at Selemo, is potentially indicative of good permeability and therefore potentially good gas flows in this geologically high-graded area,” said Tony Gilby, Tlou managing director.
Recently Botswana government approved the 100 MW CMB tender in relation to “request to open Financial Proposal in respect of Tlou Energy Limited and Sekaname (Pty) Ltd who achieved technical scores of 89.8 percent and 86.4 percent respectively in the tender Development of a Maximum of 100MW of Coal Bed Methane Fueled Pilot Power Plants in Botswana.” The tender numbered Tender No: WOR 0/7/11/3-1 which was approved by the Board that time was submitted few weeks ago to PPADB as Tlou proposal received a technical score of 89.8 percent in the tender while Sekaname was scored a little bit low at 86.4 percent.
The Botswana government approval of the tender came after last year the Ministry of Mineral Resources Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) issued a Request for Proposal (‘RFP’) and opened a tender for development of a maximum of 100MW CBM fuelled power plants in Botswana by companies; Tlou Energy Limited and Sekaname (Pty) Ltd. After the two companies submitted their bids, the government then decided to cancel the original RFPs and approved re-tendering through Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Board (PPADB) by Tlou and Sekaname this year February.
“This proposal is for the development of CBM fuelled power plants up to 100MW. A successful RFP process can assist in the development of a new CBM gas industry in the country and create a new market for Tlou's independently-certified gas reserves of ~41 billion cubic feet (2P), ~427 billion cubic feet (3P) and significant contingent gas resources of ~3 trillion cubic feet (3C),” said Tlou Energy when receiving the tender.
Tlou Enrgy had waited for months for this tender with losing patience with its group CEO Martin McIver going to and fro to meet Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Eric Molale inquiring and negotiating about the tender. Last year in an interview with renowned financial news platform Proactive Investors’s Andrew Scott, Tlou Energy Executive Director Gabaake Gabaake said he is positive that the tender will be implemented as the company’s directors have been getting positive feedback from government or the ministry recently. He said this is going to be a major project will open more.
Finally PPADB approved the request from Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE) to open the financial proposal in relation to the Tlou Energy's gas to power tender. Recently Tlou Energy Limited, was focused on delivering power in Botswana and Southern Africa through the development of CMB, it has commenced production testing at its Lesedi 3 development pod.
According to Tlou, the excellent progress was being made on drilling operations at the second development pod, Lesedi 4. The company said the first half of 2019 should see significant advancements towards achieving one or both of these objectives. Lou further said testing procedures will continue over the coming months with initial performance data expected in Q2 2019. In its latest financial report, Tlou said it spend on exploration activities during the period amounted to P30 million and according to the company, this is an increase on the comparative period and relates mainly to the development wells that were commenced during the reporting period.
According to the company, Tlou Energy believes as 100% owner of the most advanced gas project in the country, the Lesedi CBM Project, it will provide investors with access to a compelling opportunity using domestic gas to produce power and displace expensive diesel and imported power. Botswana has a significant energy shortage and generally relies on expensive imported power and diesel generation to fulfill its power requirements.
Experts predict that Botswana’s power demand is to increase by 37 percent to 1,017MW by 2025. The Australian Securities Exchange, London's AIM market and the Botswana Stock Exchange listed company touted itself as coming to save Southern Africa from the chronic shortage in the region.
Tlou is developing projects using coal bed methane ("CBM") natural gas and Botswana has a significant energy shortage and generally relies on expensive imported power and diesel generation to fulfill its power requirements. As 100 percent owner of Lesedi CBM Project, Tlou Energy provides investors with access to a compelling opportunity using domestic gas to produce power and displace expensive diesel and imported power.
Business
LLR transforms from Company to Group reporting
Botswana Stock Exchange listed diversified real estate company, Letlole La Rona Limited (“LLR” or “the Company” or “the Group”), posted its first set of group financial statements which comprise the Company and Group consolidated accounts, which show strong financial performance for the six months ended 31 December 2023, with improvements across all key metrics.
The Company commenced the financial year with the appointment of a Deputy Chairperson, Mr Mooketsi Maphane, in order to bolster its governance and enhance leadership continuity through the development of a Board and Executive Management Succession Plan.
At operational level, LLR increased its shareholding in Railpark Mall from 32.79% to 57.79% and proudly took over the management of this prime asset.
The CEO of LLR, Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng commented “During the period under review, our portfolio continued to perform strongly, with improvements across all key metrics as a result of our ongoing focus on portfolio growth and optimisation.
“We are pleased to report a successful first half of the 2024 financial year, where we managed to not only grow the portfolio through strategic acquisitions and value accretive refurbishments but also recycled capital through the disposal of Moedi House as well as the ongoing sale of section titles at Red Square Apartments. The acquisition of an additional 25% stake in JTTM Properties significantly uplifted the value of our investment portfolio to P2.0 billion at a Group level. Our investment portfolio was further differentiated by the quality of our tenant base, as demonstrated by above market occupancy levels of 99.15% and strong collections of above 100% for the period”.
The growth in contractual revenue of 9% from the prior year’s P48.0 million to the current year P52.2 million, increased income from Railpark Mall, coupled with high collection rates, has enabled the company to declare a distribution of 9.11 thebe per linked unit, which is in line with the prior year.
In line with its strategic pillars of ‘Streamlined and Expanded Botswana Portfolio’ as well as ‘Quality African Assets’, the Group continuously monitors the performance of its investments to ensure that they meet the targeted returns.
“The Group continues to explore yield accretive opportunities for balance sheet growth and funding options that can be deployed to finance that growth” further commented the CEO of LLR Ms Kamogelo Mowaneng.
Ms Mowaneng further thanked the Group’s stakeholders for their continued support and stated that they look forward to unlocking further value in the Group.
Business
Botswana’s Electricity Generation Dips 26.4%
The Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) has reported a significant decrease in electricity generation for the fourth quarter of 2023, with output plummeting by 26.4%. This decline is primarily attributed to operational difficulties at the Morupule B power plant, as per the latest Botswana Index of Electricity Generation (IEG) released recently.
Local electricity production saw a drastic reduction, falling from 889,535 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 654,312 MWH in the period under review. This substantial decrease is largely due to the operational challenges at the Morupule B power plant. Consequently, the need for imported electricity surged by 35.6% (136,243 MWH) from 382,426 MWH in the third quarter to 518,669 MWH in the fourth quarter. This increase was necessitated by the need to compensate for the shortfall in locally generated electricity.
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) was the principal supplier of imported electricity, accounting for 43.1% of total electricity imports during the fourth quarter of 2023. Eskom followed with 21.8%, while the remaining 12.1, 10.3, 8.6, and 4.2% were sourced from Electricidade de Mozambique (EDM), Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Nampower, and Cross-border electricity markets, respectively. Cross-border electricity markets involve the supply of electricity to towns and villages along the border from neighboring countries such as Namibia and Zambia.
Distributed electricity exhibited a decrease of 7.8% (98,980 MWH), dropping from 1,271,961 MWH in the third quarter of 2023 to 1,172,981 MWH in the review quarter.
Electricity generated locally contributed 55.8% to the electricity distributed during the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease from the 74.5% contribution in the same quarter of the previous year. This signifies a decrease of 18.7 percentage points. The quarter-on-quarter comparison shows that the contribution of locally generated electricity to the distributed electricity fell by 14.2 percentage points, from 69.9% in the third quarter of 2023 to 55.8% in the fourth quarter. The Morupule A and B power stations accounted for 90.4% of the electricity generated during the fourth quarter of 2023, while Matshelagabedi and Orapa emergency power plants contributed the remaining 5.9 and 3.7% respectively.
The year-on-year analysis reveals some improvement in local electricity generation. The year-on-year perspective shows that the amount of distributed electricity increased by 8.2% (88,781 MWH), from 1,084,200 MWH in the fourth quarter of 2022 to 1,172,981 MWH in the current quarter. The trend of the Index of Electricity Generation from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 indicates an improvement in local electricity generation, despite fluctuations.
The year-on-year analysis also reveals a downward trend in the physical volume of imported electricity. The trend in the physical volume of imported electricity from the first quarter of 2013 to the fourth quarter of 2023 shows a downward trend, indicating the country’s continued effort to generate adequate electricity to meet domestic demand, has led to the decreased reliance on electricity imports.
In response to the need to increase local generation and reduce power imports, the government has initiated a new National Energy Policy. This policy is aimed at guiding the management and development of Botswana’s energy sector and encouraging investment in new and renewable energy. In the policy document, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Lefoko Moagi stated that the policy aims to transform Botswana from being a net energy importer to a self-sufficient nation with surplus energy for export into the region. Moagi expressed confidence that Botswana has the potential to achieve self-sufficiency in electric power supply, given the country’s readily available energy resources such as coal and renewable sources.
Business
MMG acquires Khoemacau in a transaction valued at P23Bn
MMG Limited, the Hong Kong-based mining company specializing in base metals, has successfully concluded the acquisition of Khoemacau Copper Mine, a state-of-the-art, world-class copper asset nestled in the northwest of Botswana.
On Monday, MMG announced that the acquisition of Khoemacau Mine in Botswana was finalized on 22nd March 2024. “This acquisition enriches the company’s portfolio with a top-tier, transformative growth project and signifies a monumental milestone in the Company’s journey,” MMG communicated in an official statement published on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Upon completion of the acquisition, MMG remitted to the Sellers an Aggregate Consideration of approximately US$1,734,657,000 (over P23 billion), a sum subject to potential adjustments post-Completion.
In addition to the Aggregate Consideration, MMG, in accordance with the Agreement, advanced an aggregate amount of approximately US$348,580,000 (over P4.5 billion) as the Aggregate Debt Settlement Amount, to settle certain debt balances of the Target Group (Cuprous Capital/Khoemacau).
On November 21, 2023, Khoemacau announced that the shareholders of its parent company [Cuprous Capital] had agreed to sell 100% of their interests to MMG Limited.
MMG is a global resources company that mines, explores, and develops copper and other base metals projects on four continents. The company is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, and has a significant shareholder, China Minmetals Corporation, which is China’s largest metals and minerals group owned by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
On December 22, 2023, Khoemacau Copper Mining (Pty) Ltd received the approval from the Minister of Minerals and Energy of Botswana regarding the transfer of a controlling interest in the Project Licenses and Prospecting Licenses associated with the Khoemacau Copper Mine, a result of the Acquisition.
The Botswana Competition & Consumer Authority (CCA) on January 29, 2024, notified the market that it had given its approval for the takeover of Khoemacau Copper Mining by MMG Limited.
On January 29, 2024, the CCA issued a merger decision to the market, stating that after conducting all necessary assessments, it was ready to proceed.
The Competition Authority affirmed that the structure of the relevant market would not significantly change upon implementation of the proposed merger as the proposed transaction is not likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition, nor endanger the continuity of service in the market of mining of copper and silver ores and the production, and sale or supply of copper concentrate in Botswana.
Furthermore, the CCA stated that the proposed merger would not have any negative impact on public interest matters in Botswana as per the provisions of section 52(2) of the Competition Act 2018.
Earlier this month, Minister of Minerals & Energy, Lefoko Maxwell Moagi, informed parliament that his Ministry was endorsing the Khoemacau acquisition by MMG Limited. He noted that not only was the company acquiring the existing operation but also committing to an expansion program that would cost over $700 million to double production, create more jobs for Batswana, and increase taxes and royalties paid to the Government.