Cadence Minerals (AIM/AQX: KDNC; OTC: KDNCY) is pleased to note that European Metals Holdings Limited ('European Metals' 'EMH') has announced the results of the mining update to the 2019 Pre-Feasibility Study (2022 PFS Update), led by mining definitive feasibility study (DFS) consultant Bara Consulting, on the backfilling potential of the Cinovec mine, in which it has a 49% economic interest, in the Czech Republic.
Highlights
The 2019 PFS Update for the Cinovec Project has been updated to demonstrate the effect of changes in the mining process to incorporate the use of paste backfill, which results in an increase in annual production, together with changes in lithium and by-product prices to reflect current and expected market conditions.
Annual production of battery grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate modelled to increase from 25,267 tpa to 29,386 tpa, an increase of 16%.
NPV8 (post tax) increases from US$1.108B to US$1.938B, an increase of 74.9%, based upon a lithium hydroxide price of USD17,000 per tonne which is significantly less than the current price.
NPV8 (post tax) increases to over USD 3.09B with a 30% increase in the lithium hydroxide price.
Post tax IRR of 36.3% and a payback period of 2.5 years from the commencement of production.
Up-front capital cost due to backfilling plant and additional capital costs to produce 29,386 tpa lithium hydroxide increased to US$644m.
This 2022 PFS Update assumes the life of mine extraction of 13.1% of the Measured and Indicated JORC Resources at Cinovec.
Use of tailings for backfill will result in a far smaller environmental impact, further enhancing the Project's already strong ESG credentials.
The study updates the outcomes of the previously updated pre-feasibility study announced on 17 June 2019 (2019 PFS Update), for changes in the mining process as well as an increase in annual production and changes in lithium and by-product prices.
As a result of the conclusions of the study, Geomet s.r.o. (Geomet) has changed the planned mining method for the Cinovec orebody from open stoping to longhole stoping with backfill using paste backfill. This change, together with other changes to the material assumptions outlined in this update, increases the Cinovec mine's proposed ore extraction from 34.5mt up to 54.5mt, enabling an increase in the annual processing rate by approximately 33% per annum over the previous 21-year life of mine, from 1.69mtpa to 2.25mtpa over a now 25-year life of mine.
European Metals Executive Chairman Keith Coughlan commented; ' I am very pleased to report to shareholders on the completion of this 2022 PFS Update for the Cinovec Project which adds significantly to the already robust forecast economics for the project. The results of the study are very positive for the overall economics, resulting in a far greater amount of the ore resource being utilised for production of lithium and increasing the after tax NPV8 from USD1.1B to USD1.94B. The increased NPV assumes a long-term price for lithium hydroxide of US$17,000 per tonne. An increase in the lithium hydroxide price to USD 22,100 would increase the NPV8 (post tax) to over USD 3BN. Given the current price of lithium hydroxide is in the vicinity of USD 40,000 per tonne it is clear that that the Cinovec Project will be critical to European battery self-sufficiency.
'The use of approximately 54% of the plant tailings for backfill will result in a far smaller environmental impact, with much smaller dry stack tailings storage required, further enhancing the already strong ESG credentials of the Project.
'The significant increase in lithium produced will further add to the supply security of the European battery industry. Importantly, even at this increased production rate, the resource is nowhere near fully utilised - paving the way for future assessment of further production increases.
'Cinovec is strategically located in central Europe, in close proximity to the continent's vehicle manufacturers. With increasing demand for electric vehicles and the expected demands of grid storage capacity, the project is very well placed to supply the European lithium market for many decades.'
Cadence CEO Kiran Morzaria added; 'Our congratulations to Keith Coughlan and the European Metals team on an outstanding result at Cinovec. An increased mine life and a resource upgrade that takes the NPV8 from USD1.1bn to USD1.94bn adds substantial value to Cinovec's already exceptional potential as a future battery grade lithium supply hub for Europe and the rest of the world.'
'Cadence are pleased to remain shareholders and supporters of EMH, and we look forward to further developments.'
Cadence Minerals Holding in EMH following placing
In a separate announcement today, EMH stated that it had conducted a Placement at A$1.40 per CDI to raise approximately A$14.4 million. The Placement issue price represents a 0.7% premium to the Company's last traded price on 18 January 2022 (A$1.39). Following the placing, Cadence will hold approximately 8.7% percent of the equity in European Metals, which, through its wholly owned Subsidiary, Geomet s.r.o. ('Geomet'), controls the mineral exploration licenses awarded by the Czech State over Cinovec.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe' 'could' 'should' 'envisage' 'estimate' 'intend' 'may' 'plan' 'will' or the negative of those variations or comparable expressions including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Cadence Minerals Plc's future growth results of operations performance future capital and other expenditures (including the amount. nature and sources of funding thereof) competitive advantages business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks associated with vulnerability to general economic and business conditions competition environmental and other regulatory changes actions by governmental authorities the availability of capital markets reliance on key personnel uninsured and underinsured losses and other factors many of which are beyond the control of Cadence Minerals Plc. Although any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors believe to be reasonable assumptions. Cadence Minerals Plc cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements.
EUROPEAN METALS HOLDINGS LIMITED 
