Heron Resources Limited 2019
Heron Resources Limited 2019
Heron Resources Limited 2019
[email protected]
Quarterly Report +61 2 9119 8111
ABN: 30 068 263 098
December 2019
31 January 2020
HIGHLIGHTS
Woodlawn Zinc-Copper-Lead Project
SHIPMENT OF LEAD CONCENTRATES CONTINUES – INVENTORIES OF COPPER AND ZINC READY TO SHIP
Lead concentrate shipments of 2,350 tonnes during the quarter.
Copper concentrate production increasing through the quarter with next shipment planned for February 2020.
Zinc recovery improving with second 5,000 tonne shipment due in February 2020.
PLANT CONSTRUCTION
Construction and commissioning activities complete, 12 month defects liability period running on all work portions
Ramp up progressing with Crusher and Ball Mill having run at design “name-plate” throughputs of 175tph and 125tph
respectively.
Isa Mill and flotation circuits have also run at design “name-plate” throughputs of 190tph.
PROCESSING
Quarterly zinc concentrate production 35% lower than updated ramp up schedule (6,661 wmt actual) due to recovery
issues. Improving recoveries in mid-January towards ramp up targets.
First underground stope ore from high grade G2 lens processed in early December 2019.
Tailings reclaim circuit performance improving with increasing plant utilisation and Isa Mill running at design
throughput.
Plant now alternating between campaigns of tailings reclaim and underground ore as ROM inventory is stockpiled
from underground mining.
Improving flotation recoveries with each campaign of underground ore despite lower grade development ore during
the commissioning stage. Initial development ore from Kate lens planned for February 2020 with higher grade stope
ore in March 2020.
Plant utilisation increased to 83% through the quarter, up from 63% during the previous quarter.
December 2019 concentrate production volume increased 65% compared to November 2019. January 2020
production on track for a further 40% improvement compared to December 2019.
UNDERGROUND
Underground contractor behind budget metres/tonnes for the quarter – action plan in place to remedy performance
issues
First underground ore from the high-grade G2 lens mined and delivered to ROM
4,192M of development completed by 31 December 2019
Development progress made toward Kate lens, first ore due to be mined in February 2020
45,000 tonnes of underground ore crushed and processed during the quarter.
Woodlawn Exploration
A down-hole electromagnetic survey is scheduled for the March 2020 quarter on the four diamond core holes drilled
in 2019 directly north of Woodlawn which intersected a number of significant zones of indicative alteration.
Sky Metals completed its first on-ground exploration programme at Heron’s Cullarin Project, 30 kilometres north of
Woodlawn.
Corporate
Cash: Heron held A$59.25 million in cash (including bonds of A$7.88 million) at 31 December 2019.
Capital Raise: On 4 October 2019, Heron announced a A$91 million funding package in response to a projected
cash shortfall due to delays in construction and production ramp-up prior to the quarter. On 8 October 2019, the
Company announced the successful completion of the Institutional component of the entitlement offer which raised
approximately A$11.5M. On 25 October 2019, the Company announced the successful completion of the Retail
component of the entitlement offer raising a further A$23.9M bringing the total capital raised to that date to
A$35.4M. Shareholders approved the final component of the funding package, being US$34.9M in Convertible
Notes, at Heron’s AGM on 5 December 2019. All funds from the funding package were received by 31 December
2019.
Following underperformance in the quarter against the updated ramp up plan, the Company has also initiated pre-
emptive discussions with its lender, key shareholders and other capital providers regarding additional potential
sources of finance.
Appointment of new CEO: On 15 January 2020, Heron announced the appointment of Mr. Tim Dobson as the
new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Dobson is currently Senior Vice President Metals for Sherritt International in
Canada and former President of Ambatovy in Madagascar. He has over 30 years’ technical and executive
experience in organisations such as Placer Dome, Lihir Gold and Polymetals. He holds a BSc in Extractive
Metallurgy from the WA School of Mines. Mr. Dobson will begin his employment at Heron effective from 23 March
2020.
Heron Resources Ltd (“Heron” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide its report for the December 2019 Quarter. During this
reporting period the Company focussed on final commissioning, ramp-up of production and improving grade and recovery of
the processing plant at its Woodlawn Zinc-Copper Project.
Safety: 3 LTI’s recorded at Woodlawn during the quarter. The Company remains committed to achieving zero harm and
much work has been completed by Heron and its contractors on improving safety management systems and procedures.
Construction: Construction and commissioning of the processing plant including the final sections of the crushing plant
and ball mill are now complete with the exception of punch list items for the EPC contractor’s attention. A 12 months
defects liability period is currently running on all work portions.
Tailings Reclaim Processing: A total of 195kt of reclaimed tailing was processed during the quarter. The reclaim circuit
has demonstrated operating capability at design throughput capacity of 190tph. Various issues with the flotation pumping
circuit have been encountered, however considerable progress is now being made with pump, sump and pipe
modifications having been implemented in the flotation plant.
Underground Ore Processing: A total of 45,000 tonnes of underground ore was processed during the quarter, which
enabled completion of commissioning in the crusher and ball mill circuit. This circuit will be ramped up with development
ore through February 2020, including from Kate lens.
Concentrate Production/Sales: Planned shipments of lead totalling 2,350 tonnes were delivered during the quarter.
The first copper product (commissioning ore and tailings) will be shipped in the coming weeks, and the second shipment
of zinc is now ready for shipment and scheduled to be despatched in February. Concentrate production is progressing
with grade and recoveries improving, particularly zinc. Copper and lead selectivity has been sub optimal, particularly
whilst processing tailings and low grade commissioning ore, however is expected to improve as the circuit continues to
be optimised.
Underground Mine: The underground mine operation has continued to make progress with a total of 4.2km of
development completed by the end of the quarter. Total development for the quarter increased by 18% (1,043m versus
previous quarter of 883m) although development was lower than targeted. Some extraordinary causes of delay included
regional bushfire smoke leading to mine air quality issues, and some critical equipment failures with the mining contractor.
Despite these delays, mine development remains on target to deliver development ore from Kate lens in late February
and stope ore in March 2020. 52,000 tonnes of ore was delivered to the ROM pad during the quarter. Paste filling
commenced with the paste plant successfully commissioned and two stopes filled. The south decline is now
approximately 275m below surface and there is only approximately 50m of decline development remaining to reach the
first level of the Kate orebody. The Company has initiated discussions with its mining contractor, Pybar, with the objective
of delivering an improvement in mine productivity.
Hydraulic Mining: Hydraulic mining has continued in the main production area of Tailings Dam South (TDS). Efficient
hydraulic mining practices have now been established and work has progressed on improving the reliability of monitoring
and pumping infrastructure.
Community: Heron have continued to develop strong links in the community involving regular meetings with local
government and emergency services leaders, and meetings with local representatives to provide updates on project
progress. Air quality monitoring in particular was challenged due to the significant levels of smoke in the atmosphere
from regional bushfires. A number of Heron employees were impacted by these regional fires with some absences from
work either through personal fire impacts or being involved with volunteer agencies.
Figure 1 - Woodlawn Processing Plant, with ROM Pad, crusher and fine ore bin in the foreground
Heron’s exploration is currently focused on the discovery and delineation of additional mineralised VMS lenses directly north
of the Woodlawn mine. Prospects targeted are within a 2.5km arc to the NW and NE of Woodlawn. A down-hole
electromagnetic survey is being scheduled for the next quarter on the four diamond core holes drilled earlier in 2019 which
intersected a number of significant zones of indicative alteration.
As reported to the ASX on the 9 October 2019, a farm-out agreement has been signed with Sky Metals Ltd relating to three
tenements at Cullarin and Kangiara, targeting initially McPhillamy’s style gold mineralisation. Key terms are $400k minimum
expenditure in first year; a further $1.6M over next 2 years to earn 80% with Heron free carried to DFS or $10M of expenditure;
10M Sky options at a strike price of 15c (refer to Figure 2 for project locations).
Figure 2: Heron’s Projects in eastern New South Wales, including Kangiara and Cullarin (highlighted) farmed out to Sky
Metals Limited.
During the quarter Sky completed its first exploration programme at Heron’s Cullarin Project. Sky completed a soil
geochemistry programme (360 samples) and two diamond drill holes totalling 755.3 metres at the Hume gold prospect
(previously known as Wet Lagoon). Drilling was designed to validate historical results and test the geometry and depth
extensions of previously identified mineralisation. This is the first drilling at this prospect since 2008.
During the quarter Heron made two Cooperative Drilling Fund applications to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and
Environment. The applications were for drilling programmes at the historic Currawang mine adjacent to Woodlawn and also
at the Peelwood project, 100 km north of Woodlawn.
During the quarter a Cooperative Drilling grant application was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and
Environment for a deep diamond hole targeting high-grade gold-silver-zinc-lead mineralisation down plunge to the south of
the Overflow historic workings. If successful, 50% of Alchemy’s direct drilling costs will be reimbursed by the NSW
Government. Irrespective of the outcome of the application diamond drilling is expected to commence early Q2 2020.
Corporate Directory
Directors Issued Share Capital Registered Office and Address for
Correspondence
Stephen Dennis*+
Chairman As at the date of this report, Heron
Borden Putnam III*+ Resources Limited had 428,664,605 Sydney
Fiona Robertson *+ ordinary shares, 895,000 Employee options Suite 2, Level 8, 309 Kent Street
Ian Pattison *+ and 2,371,667 Performance Rights. Sydney NSW 2000
Mark Sawyer*+ Telephone +61 2 9119 8111
The options have expiry dates ranging from
Peter Rozenauers*+
4TH December 2020 to 1 February 2022 and
Ricardo De Armas*+ Email [email protected]
have exercise prices ranging from A$0.72 to
Website www.heronresources.com.au
A$1.10.
* Denotes Non-executive
+ Denotes Independent The Performance rights are $nil exercise
price options and expire on 1 July 2020 and
1 July 2021. Share Registry (Australia)
Executive Management
Heron trades on the ASX as HRR. Automic
Simon Smith Level 5,126 Philip Street
General Manager – Finance &
Monthly Share Price Activity Sydney NSW 2000
Administration & Company Secretary. (A$ per share - ASX) P: 1300 288 664 (within Australia)
Month High Low Close P: +61 (2) 9698 5414 (outside Australia)
David von Perger
E: [email protected]
General Manager - Exploration Jan 19 0.66 0.56 0.63
W: www.automic.com.au
Feb 19 0.60 0.505 0.57
Brian Hearne All security holder correspondence to:
General Manager - Woodlawn Mar 19 0.685 0.55 0.64
Apr 19 0.66 0.60 0.61 PO BOX 2226, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
May 19 0.64 0.54 0.61
Please direct enquiries regarding Australian
June 19 0.61 0.535 0.575
shareholdings to the Share Registrar.
Jul 19 0.47 0.38 0.38
Aug 19(1) 0.39 0.26 0.30
Sept 19(1) 0.30 0.30 0.30
Oct 19 (1) 0.30 0.17 0.17
Nov 19 0.18 0.11 0.11
Dec 19 0.12 0.09 0.10
Appendix 5B
1.1 Receipts from product sales and related debtors 4,860 4,860
1.2 Payments for: (a) production
(b) development
(c) administration (3,077) (4,810)
1.3 Dividends received
1.4 Interest and other items of similar nature received 976 1,705
1.5 Interest and other costs of finance paid
1.6 Taxes (paid)/refunded (GST) 1,590 3,898
1.7 Other - -
1.8 Payment for purchases of: (a) plant and equipment (160) (240)
(b) equity investment - -
(c) mine under construction (32,531) (55,182)
(d) exploration activities (208) (509)
(e) prospects - -
1.9 Proceeds from sale of: (a) prospects - -
(b) equity investment - -
(c) other fixed assets - -
1.10 Loans to other entities
1.11 Loans repaid by other entities - -
1.13 Proceeds from the issue of shares, options, etc. 28,790 28,790
1.14 Realised foreign exchange loss – equity raise - -
1.15 Payment for FX Hedges - -
1.16 Proceeds/(repayment) of borrowings 41,910 41,910
1.17 Dividends paid - -
1.18 Payment of Share issue costs (416) (416)
Payments to directors of the entity and associates of the directors, payments to related entities of the entity and associates
of the related entities
Current Qtr.
$A’000
1.22 Aggregate amount of payments to the parties included in item 1.2 and 1.8 211
2.1 Details of financing and investing transactions that have had a material effect on consolidated assets and liabilities
but did not involve cash flows
2.2 Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase their share in
projects in which the reporting entity has an interest
1,600
4.4 Administration
Total 34,450
Reconciliation of cash
Heron Resources Ltd Tenement Schedule for December 2019 Quarterly Report
Tenement Location Heron Interest (%) Status Note
Notes:
1. Subject to Farm-in and Joint Venture Agreement between Alchemy Resources Ltd and Heron.
2. Sky Metals Ltd: Subject to Farm-In agreement between Heron and Sky where Sky earning 80% by spending $2 million over 3 years.
3. Eastern Goldfields Ltd hold 100% interest, Heron retains gold royalty, Ardea Resources Ltd receiving non-gold rights.
4. St Ives Gold Mining, Heron retains gold royalty and the right to explore and mine nickel
7.10 Debentures
(totals only)
7.11 Unsecured notes
(totals only)
Compliance 2.2 Details of outlays made by other entities to establish or increase their share in projects in which the
reporting entity has an interest.
Nothing to report
Compliance Statement
1. This statement has been prepared under accounting policies which comply with accounting standards as defined in the
Corporations Act or other standards acceptable to ASX (see note 4).
2. This statement does give a true and fair view of the matters disclosed.
Company Secretary
Print name: Simon Smith
Notes
1. The Quarterly Report is to provide a basis for informing the market how the entity’s activities have been financed for the past
Quarter and the effect on its cash position. An entity wanting to disclose additional information is encouraged to do so, in a note
or notes attached to this report.
2. The “Nature of Interest” (items 6.1 and 6.2) includes options in respect of interests in mining tenements acquired, exercised or
lapsed during the reporting period. If the entity is involved in a joint venture agreement and there are conditions precedent which
will change its percentage interest in a mining tenement, it should disclose the change of percentage interest and conditions
precedent in the list required for items 6.1 and 6.2.
3. Issued and quoted securities The issue price and amount paid up is not required in items 7.1 and 7.3 for fully paid securities.
4. The definitions in, and provisions of, AASB 1022: Accounting for Extractive Industries and AASB 1026: Statement of Cash Flows
apply to this report.
5. Accounting Standards ASX will accept, for example, the use of International Accounting Standards for foreign entities. If the
standards used do not address a topic, the Australian standard on that topic (if any) must be complied with.