Prospectus
Prospectus
Prospectus
This Prospectus has been issued to provide This is an important document and requires your
information on the offer of 14,814,815 Shares to immediate attention. It should be read in its entirety.
be issued at a price of $1.35 per Share to raise Please consult your professional adviser(s) if you
$20,000,000 (before costs) (the Broker Offer, have any questions about this Prospectus.
the Institutional Offer, the Priority Offer, and the
Investment in the Securities offered pursuant to this
Public Offer (together the 'IPO Offer'). The Company
Prospectus should be regarded as highly speculative
will also accept oversubscriptions of an additional
in nature, and investors should be aware that they
$10,000,000 (before costs).
may lose some or all of their investment. Refer to
This Prospectus also incorporates the offer of Section 4 for a summary of the key risks associated
35,069,753 Shares to be issued on conversion of the with an investment in the Securities.
Convertible Notes (Convertible Note Offer).
It is proposed that the IPO Offer and Convertible Note
Offer (together, Offers) will close at 5.00pm (AET)
on 16 December 2022. The Directors reserve the
right to close the Offers earlier or to extend this date
without notice. Applications must be received before
that time.
Contents
Important Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
Corporate Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Letter from the Chairman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Key Offer Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
Indicative Timetable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .x
Investment Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
Details of Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Company and Projects Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Industry Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Board, Management and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Material Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Additional information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Authorisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Annexure A – Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146
Annexure B – Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserve Statements . . . . . 150
Annexure C – Solicitor's Tenement Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Annexure D – Independent Limited Assurance Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Annexure E – Key Accounting Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Annexure F – Independent Technical Assessment Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Important Information
The Company has no intention to update or Defined terms and abbreviations used in this
revise forward-looking statements, or to publish Prospectus are detailed in the glossary in Section 10.
prospective financial information in the future,
regardless of whether new information, future events
or any other factors affect the information contained
in this Prospectus, except where required by law.
The Company cannot and does not give assurances
that the results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements contained in this Prospectus will actually
occur and investors are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Production Targets
The production targets referred to in this Prospectus
are underpinned solely by the Ore Reserve.
The Ore Reserve underpinning the production
targets has been prepared by a Competent Person
in accordance with the requirements of the JORC
Code (2012).
Investigating Accountant
RSM Corporate Australia Pty Ltd
Level 13, 60 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
*These entities are included for information purposes only. They have not been involved in the preparation of this Prospectus.
1. Includes inferred, indicated and measured mineral resources. Not all mining "inventory" has reached the necessary level of confidence
to be reported as a Mineral Resource.
Event Date
Lodgement of this Prospectus with ASIC 21 November 2022
Opening Date for the Offers 6 December 2022
Closing Date for the Offers (Broker Offer, Institutional Offer, Priority Offer, 16 December 2022
Public Offer and Convertible Note Offer)
Issue Date Week commencing
2 January 2023
Despatch of holding statements Week commencing
2 January 2023
Expected date for Official Quotation on ASX Week commencing
9 January 2023
Note:
The dates shown in the table above are indicative only and may vary subject to the Corporations Act, the Listing Rules, and other
applicable laws. In particular, the Company reserves the right to vary the Opening Date and the Closing Dates without prior notice,
which may have a consequential effect on the other dates. Applicants are therefore encouraged to lodge their Application Form and
deposit the Application Monies as soon as possible after the Opening Date if they wish to invest in the Company.
Historical The table below sets out the summarised audited historical statutory statement of cash
statutory flows for FY20, FY21 and FY22. Further discussion regarding the summarised historical
statement of statement of cash flows is set out in Section 5.
cash flows
FY20 FY21 FY22
$’000 Audited Audited Audited
Net operating cash outflows (3,711) (4,343) (3,989)
Net investing cash outflows (3,083) (2,137) (10,399)
Net financing cash inflows 4,753 17,022 27,879
Net change in cash and cash
equivalents held (2,041) 10,542 13,491
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the financial period 2,374 333 10,875
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the financial period 333 10,875 24,366
Name Shares %
Ellison1 18,007,539 9.49
1. Should Ellison choose to participate in the IPO Offer to the extent necessary to
prevent dilution, this amount will increase to 19,529,239 (10.30%).
2. Noting that this figure has been determined on the basis that 4,675,332 Director Options on issue will be subject to escrow for a period
of 24 months from the date of Quotation and 2,317,475 ZEPOs on issue will be subject to escrow for a period of 12 months from their
date of issue, and accordingly resulting Shares would not be freely tradeable upon exercise by the relevant holders.
1.1 The Offer (iv) the Public Offer – which is open to the general
public provided they are resident in Australia
(a) General with registered addresses in Australia.
This Prospectus invites investors to apply for
The allocation of Shares between the Institutional
14,814,815 Shares to be issued at a price of $1.35 per
Offer, Broker Offer, Priority Offer and the Public Offer
Share to raise $20 million (before costs) (IPO Offer).
was determined by agreement between the Lead
The Company will also accept oversubscriptions for Manager and the Company. For further information
an additional $10,000,000 (before costs) as further regarding the allocation of Shares, see Section 1.16.
described at Section 1.5.
(c) Purpose of the IPO Offer
The IPO Offer is comprised of the Broker Offer, the
The purpose of this Prospectus is to:
Institutional Offer, the Priority Offer and the Public
Offer. The Shares to be issued pursuant to the IPO (i) raise $20 million pursuant to the IPO Offer
Offer are of the same class and will rank equally with (before associated costs);
the existing Shares on issue. The rights and liabilities
(ii) provide working capital, including to fund
attaching to the Shares are further described in
ongoing land acquisition payments and
Section 8.1.
maintain its tenement package in good
Applications for Shares under the IPO Offer must be standing;
made in accordance with the relevant instructions
(iii) assist the Company to meet the requirements
in Section 1.12, and specifically Section 1.12(b) for the
of ASX and satisfy Chapters 1 and 2 of the
Broker Offer, Section 1.12(c) for the Institutional Offer,
Listing Rules, as part of the Company’s
Section 1.12(d) for the Priority Offer and Section 1.12(e)
application for Admission; and
for the Public Offer. Applications must be received by
the Company on or before the Closing Date. (iv) position the Company to help it achieve the
aspirational aims and immediate objectives
(b) Structure of the IPO Offer detailed in Section 2.4, specifically to fund
The IPO Offer comprises: the Company through to making the Final
Investment Decision to proceed with the Phase
(i) the Broker Offer – which is open to Australian
1 of the Goschen Project.
resident retail clients of participating brokers
that have a registered address in Australia 1.2 Convertible Note Offer
and who receive an invitation from a broker to
The Company presently has a total of 3,553
acquire Shares under this Prospectus and are
Convertible Notes on issue (comprising the 2021
not in the United States;
Notes and the 2022 Notes) with an aggregate
(ii) the Priority Offer – which consists of an face value of $35,530,000. The full terms of the
allocation of no more than 2,614,379 Shares Convertible Notes are summarised in Section 7.10.
to raise $4.5 million (before costs), and is
Upon receipt of the Conditional Admission Letter
open to selected retail investors in Australia
from ASX, the Company has the right to convert
and Institutional Investors in the Permitted
each of the Convertible Notes into Shares, with
Jurisdictions (as set out in and subject to the
conversion of the unrolled 2021 Notes to occur at
restrictions listed in Section 1.18 below) who
a 20% discount to the Offer Price (being $1.08 per
have received an invitation to participate in the
Share) and conversion of the rolled 2021 Notes and
Priority Offer; and
2022 Notes to occur at a 25% discount to the Offer
(iii) the Institutional Offer – which consists of an Price (being $1.0125 per Share) (provided that the
offer to Institutional Investors in the Permitted conversion notice is given by 31 December 2022).
Jurisdictions (as set out in and subject to If receipt of the Conditional Admission Letter is
the restrictions listed in Section 1.18 below), delayed, the discount may increase to up to 30%.
made under this Prospectus; and
Accordingly, the Company expects that it will issue
a further 35,069,753 Shares upon conversion of the
Convertible Notes.
Shares issued pursuant to the Convertible Note Offer None of the Securities offered under this
will be of the same class and ranking equally with the Prospectus will be issued if Applications are not
existing Shares on issue. received for the Minimum Subscription. Should
Applications for the Minimum Subscription not
The Convertible Note Offer is being made under be received within four months from the date of
this Prospectus pursuant to Section 708A (11) this Prospectus, the Company will either repay
of the Corporations Act to remove the need for the Application Monies (without interest) to
an additional disclosure document to be issued Applicants or issue a supplementary prospectus
upon the sale or transfer of any resulting Shares or replacement prospectus and allow Applicants
that are issued under the Convertible Note Offer. one month to withdraw their Applications and
The Convertible Note Offer is made to each holder have their Application Monies refunded to them
of the Convertible Notes. (without interest).
An Application Form in relation to the Convertible The Offer under this Prospectus is conditional upon
Note Offer will be issued to each holder the following events occurring:
of Convertible Notes together with a copy
of this Prospectus. (a) the Company raising the Minimum Subscription
of $20 million under the IPO Offer (before
1.3 Lead Manager and Co-Manager costs);
The Company has entered into a mandate with (b) to the extent (if any) required by ASX or the
Canaccord who has agreed to act as sole Lead Listing Rules, each person entering into a
Manager to the IPO Offers on standard commercial Restriction Agreement imposing restrictions on
terms. Refer to Section 7.11 for further information securities as mandated by the Listing Rules;
regarding the Offer Management Agreement entered and
into with the Lead Manager. Reach Markets Pty Ltd
(c) ASX providing the Company with a list of
(Reach) have been appointed by Canaccord as
conditions which, once satisfied, will result in
Co-Manager on the terms described at Section 7.11.
ASX admitting the Company to the Official List.
If these conditions are not satisfied, then the Offer
will not proceed, and the Company will repay all
Application Monies received under the IPO Offer in
accordance with the Corporations Act.
%
Securities Shares (fully diluted) Options
Existing securities 139,781,273 69.52 11,045,8111
IPO Offer securities (at $1.35 per Share) 14,814,815 7.37
Convertible Note Offer securities2 35,069,753 17.45 -
Total3 189,665,841 100 11,045,811
Fully diluted 201,071,652 - -
The Company’s free float at the time of Admission will be not less than 20%.
The following table shows the intended use of funds in the 12 month period following Admission for the
Minimum Subscription amount of $20 million, and oversubscription scenarios of $25 million and $30 million:
Notes:
1. See Section 2.6 to 2.7 for further detail on the Goschen Project 6. Expenditure increases under the $25M and $30M scenario
and Proposed Operation. as the Company will undertake a greater drill program in the
2. Expenditure increases under the $25M scenario as the Company Cannie area.
will undertake a full pilot testwork program for the Hydromet 7. Expenditure increases under the $30M scenario as the Company
Circuit. Under the $30M scenario and in addition to the full pilot will undertake drilling activities in the Nowie area.
testwork program the Company will conduct further testwork on 8. See also Section 6.7 for details of the Director's remuneration
characterisation and variability verification. which forms part of this.
3. Expenditure increases under the $25M scenario as the 9. Comprises Costs of the Offer (see Section 8.9) and interest
Company will undertake further process plant studies. Under the payable on the Convertible Notes up to date of conversion.
$30M scenario and in addition to the process plant studies the 10. Working capital includes the general costs associated with
Company will conduct further Non Process Infrastructure studies. the management and operation of the business including
4. Land acquisition payments represent the consideration payable administration expenses, rent and other associated costs.
by the Company under the Land Acquisition Agreements Working capital also includes surplus funds. The Company has
described in Section 7.5. access to additional liquidity of $4 million under a debt facility
5. See Sections 2.14 to 2.16 for further details in relation to the secured via the Company’s anticipated cash reimbursement by
proposed exploration activities. way of a R&D tax offset scheme.
11. A breakdown of the Offer costs is included in Section 8.9.
1.15 Application Monies to be Held The Company and the Lead Manager reserve the right
in Trust in their absolute discretion not to issue any Shares to
Applicants under the Priority Offer and may reject any
Application Monies will be held in trust for Applicants Application or allocate a lesser number of Shares than
until the allotment of the Shares under the IPO those applied for at their absolute discretion.
Offer. Any interest that accrues will be retained by
the Company. There is no assurance that any Applicant will
be allocated any Shares under the IPO Offer,
1.16 Allocation and Issue of Shares or the number of Shares for which it has applied.
The Lead Manager, in conjunction with the Company, The Company and the Lead Manager reserve the right
will allocate Shares at their sole discretion with a to reject any Application or to issue a lesser number
view to ensuring an appropriate Shareholder base of Shares than those applied for under the IPO Offer.
for the Company going forward. Where the number of Shares issued is less than the
number applied for, surplus Application Monies will
Specifically, the allocation of Shares between the be refunded (without interest) as soon as reasonably
Broker Offer, Institutional Offer, Priority Offer and the practicable after the Closing Date.
Public Offer will be determined by the Lead Manager,
in consultation with the Company having regard to Subject to the matters in Section 1.14, Shares under
the allocation policies outlined below. the IPO Offer are expected to be allotted on the Issue
Date. It is the responsibility of Applicants to determine
For the Broker Offer, the Lead Manager and the their allocation prior to trading in the Shares issued
brokers to the offer will determine how brokers under the IPO Offer. Applicants who sell Shares
allocate Shares among their clients. Shares to be before they receive their holding statements do so at
allocated to brokers for allocation to their Australian their own risk.
3. Noting that this figure has been determined on the basis 4,675,332 Director Options on issue will be subject to escrow for a period of
24 months from the date of Quotation and 2,317,475 ZEPOs on issue will be subject to escrow for a period of 12 months from their date
of issue, and accordingly resulting Shares would not be freely tradeable upon exercise by the relevant holders.
1.25 A
nti-Money Laundering/Counter
Terrorism Finance Act
The Company or Lead Manager may be required
under the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter
Terrorism Finance Act 2006 (Cth) or any other law
to obtain identification information from Applicants.
The Company reserves the right to reject any
Application from an Applicant who fails to provide
identification information upon request.
1.26 Taxation
It is the responsibility of all persons to satisfy
themselves of the particular taxation treatment
that applies to them in relation to the Offers,
by consulting their own professional tax advisers.
Neither the Company nor any of its Directors or
officers accepts any liability or responsibility in
respect of the taxation consequences of the matters
referred to above.
The Company is the registered holder of all of (a) In the period September 2016 to December
the Group’s tenements, whereas each of GP Land 2017 – $5.2 million raising (by way of
Holdings Pty Ltd, GPB Land Holdings Pty Ltd, Share issue);
GPF Land Holdings Pty Ltd and GPBJ Holdings Pty (b) In 2018 – $9.6 million raising (by way of
Ltd were incorporated to acquire (and are parties Share issue);
to contracts to acquire) land underpinning the
Goschen Project (as further detailed in Section 7.5). (c) In 2019 – $6.5 million raising (by way of
VP Minerals Limited was incorporated in November Share issue);
2021 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. (d) In May 2020 – $3.1 million raising (via the issue
It was demerged in August 2022, following a transfer of convertible notes which have now converted
of certain of the Company’s exploration licences (as into Shares);
part of the VPM Demerger) which are considered
(e) In July 2020 – $5.6 million raising (by way of
prospective for gold and base metals, (discussed
Share issue);
further in Section 2.2).
(f) In March-April 2021 – $16 million raising
The Company is in the development phase having
($12.3 million by way of Share issue and
completed a Pre-Feasibility Study and the Goschen
$3.75 million by way of the issue of Convertible
DFS. It continues to advance regulatory approvals
Notes having the terms of which are outlined in
(permitting and licensing) and is commencing
Section 7.10 (the 2021 Notes);
front-end engineering and design (FEED) works.
The Goschen DFS was completed in March 2022 (g) In March-May 2022 – $31.84 million
with significant contribution by Mineral Technologies raising (by way of the Pre-IPO Offer further
(Downer Group). The Company is also engaged described below).
in exploration activities across its vast tenement
package, exploring for REM including neodymium,
praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides and
heavy mineral sands (HMS) bearing zirconium and
titanium elements.
4. A majority of the holders of 2021 Notes elected to roll their notes over into the 2022 Notes.
* Operating costs and Capex will be further refined in the lead up to FID. Refer to the ITAR in Annexure F for further analysis.
Each of ELs 6895, 6923, 6926, 6915 (not shown above) were recently transferred to VPM as part of the
VPM Demerger, which following the recent VPM Demerger, no longer forms part of the Group (see Sections 2.2
and 7.2).
Refer to Section 5 and Schedule 1 of the Solicitor’s Tenement Report at Annexure C for further information
relating to the Company’s tenements.
This resource definition work confirmed Area 1 and Monazite and xenotime are rare earth oxide ores.
Area 3 as the most prospective, with the least impact Following airborne and ground surveys, sample
on the local community. These areas became the drilling and gamma logging created composite
focus for development of Ore Reserve work. Area samples which were subsequently assayed for
1 and Area 3 now form the basis of the Goschen their mineral assemblage for use in the geological
Project which the Company is seeking environmental grade model.
approval to develop.
The Company will continue to undertake resource
The Goschen deposit at Area 1 and Area 3 are definition programs on the retention licence due to
typically composed of very fine to fine sands its expenditure commitment requirements.
enriched in zircon, rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene,
and REM such as monazite and xenotime.
Area 1 Area 3
The Goschen Area 1 deposit comprises a total Mineral The Goschen Area 3 deposit comprises a total
Resource of 93Mt at 3.44% total heavy mineral Mineral Resource of 492Mt at 2.76% THM, 18% slimes
(THM), 17% slimes and 3% oversize, containing 3.2Mt and 3% oversize, containing 13.6Mt of THM
of THM with an assemblage of 27.7% zircon, 11.2% with an assemblage of 18.2% zircon, 8.9% rutile,
rutile, 9.1% leucoxene, 24.9% ilmenite, 0.8% xenotime, 7.7% leucoxene, 23.9% ilmenite, 0.6% xenotime,
4.5% monazite and 2.94% TREO. 3% monazite and 2.14% TREO.
The breakdown of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee The breakdown of the JORC categories is:
(JORC) categories is:
• an Indicated Mineral Resource of 204Mt at 3.4%
• a Measured Mineral Resource of 30.7Mt at 5.72% THM, 19% slimes and 3% oversize, containing
THM, 15% slimes and 5% oversize, containing 6.9Mt of THM with an assemblage of 19.2%
1.8Mt of THM with an assemblage of 29.9% zircon, zircon, 9.0% rutile, 8.0% leucoxene, 25.0%
10.8% rutile, 9.0% leucoxene, 24.7% ilmenite, 0.8% ilmenite, 0.6% xenotime, 3.2% monazite and 2.19%
xenotime, 4.3% monazite and 2.72% TREO; and TREO; and
• an Indicated Mineral Resource of 62Mt at 2.31% • an Inferred Mineral Resource of 288Mt at 2.3%
THM, 18% slimes and 2% oversize, containing THM, 18% slimes and 3% oversize, containing
1.4Mt of THM with an assemblage of 26.6% zircon, 6.7Mt of THM with an assemblage of 17.2% zircon,
11.5% rutile, 9.2% leucoxene, 25.0% ilmenite, 0.9% 8.7% rutile, 7.5% leucoxene, 22.7% ilmenite, 0.5%
xenotime, 4.6% monazite and 3.04% TREO. xenotime, 2.9% monazite and 2.10% TREO.
Goschen Project
Target minerals Heavy mineral sands and rare earth minerals
Ore reserve Subset of the global Company Ore Reserves (198.7Mt), being 98.8Mt as of
31 March 2022
Project area 1,479 ha (approximately) to be mined
Processing throughput 5Mtpa ±10%
Processing Phase 1 Phase 1A (~18 months Phase 2 (~18 months
post-production) subject post-production) market
to Board decision and dependent and subject
sufficient funding being to Board decision and
secured sufficient funding being
secured
Mining unit plant Mining unit plant Mining unit plant
Feed preparation plant Feed preparation plant Wet concentrator plant
Wet concentrator plant Wet concentrator plant REM flotation circuit
REM flotation circuit REM flotation circuit Hydromet circuit
Hydromet circuit Mineral separation plant
HAL and ilmenite
chromium removal circuit
Products Zircon/titania HMC Zircon/titania HMC Premium zircon
REMC MREC Zircon concentrate
HiTi rutile
Leucoxene
Low chromium Ilmenite
MREC
Water supply Pump station at Kangaroo Lake (Goulburn Murray Water) with buried 35km water
supply pipeline
Rehabilitation The mined areas will be progressively backfilled in a specific staged manner,
commencing with tailings dewatered in-pit to allow overburden re-placement and
finally topsoil placement in a profile that reinstates the background soil structure
Water requirements 5.5 GL/a
Transport of products Sealed sea containers via rail and road transport
Power Dual fuel on-site generators – diesel and gas (with on-site diesel and LNG
(Liquefied Natural Gas) storage)
Transport and The concentrate products will be transported by road and rail facilities to a Port in
Logistics Victoria. The Goschen DFS confirmed that the Ultima intermodal and railyard that is
18km from the processing facility, will be utilised to transfer the product to port.
Table 2.3: Indicative mining production schedule (Goschen Areas 1 and 3 at 5Mtpa ROM rate)
over life of mine
Refer also to Section 7 of the ITAR at Annexure F for (vi) Approval by the relevant authority of the
an assessment of the planned mining method and following management plans:
waste management. (a) Radiation Management Plan (as is
customary for all mineral sands mining
(f) Permitting
operations);
VHM will finalise preparation of the EES for the
Goschen Project, which will be assessed by (b) Native Vegetation Off-set Management
the Victorian Minister for Planning under the Plan; and
Environment Effects Act 1978 (EE Act). (c) Traffic Management Plan.
Upon completion of the EES, its public exhibition
and inquiry, VHM will seek a positive assessment
of the EES that will inform other decision-makers
when they make statutory decisions in relation to the
Goschen Project. This includes the Victorian Minister
Oxide 2021a 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
NdPr 53.0% 57.6% 58.4% 59.2% 59.3% 58.9% 58.9% 58.9% 59.2% 59.1%
Dy 21.7% 15.9% 16.0% 16.1% 16.2% 16.4% 16.4% 16.4% 16.2% 16.2%
Tb 12.1% 12.0% 11.9% 11.8% 11.8% 11.9% 11.9% 11.9% 11.8% 11.8%
Other 13.2% 14.5% 13.6% 13.0% 12.8% 12.8% 12.8% 12.9% 12.9% 12.8%
TREO Basket $35.98 $54.84 $60.62 $66.32 $69.64 $68.23 $67.48 $66.33 $68.30 $71.56
Value
• All prices include 13% VAT; estimated prices in real 2022 Australian dollars.
• If selling into China, VAT should be deducted; if selling ex-China, prices above should be taken at face value.
$15
$10
$5
$0
2021a 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Base
Case $8.02 $12.22 $13.51 $14.78 $15.52 $15.21 $15.04 $14.78 $15.22 $15.95
$20
$15
$10
$5
$0
2021a 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Base
Case $15.89 $24.14 $26.68 $29.18 $30.64 $30.03 $29.70 $29.19 $30.05 $31.49
Figure 2.7: Adamas Intelligence Goschen MREC price outlook5
5. Saleable product will only be available if and when all approvals are obtained and the plant is built and commences operations.
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0
2021a 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030
Base
Case $92.54 $153.45 $172.05 $190.65 $200.42 $195.30 $192.98 $189.72 $196.23 $205.53
Figure 2.8: Adamas Intelligence Goschen NdPr price outlook6
Others
13%
87% of Goschen’s rare earth minerals basket value
Tb will be from high value dysprosium, neodymium,
12% praseodymium and terbium oxides, all of which are
Goschen
rare earth Nd high demand ‘critical’ rare earths used in permanent
minerals 46%
magnets for EV traction motors, wind power
basket
Pr generators, among others and included in the US
12% and Australian Government list of critical minerals.
Dy
17%
6. Saleable product will only be available if and when all approvals are obtained and the plant is built and commences operations.
The base-case pricing estimates assumes the annual weighted average zircon price will remain above
USD2,000 per tonne FOB until 2026, potentially peaking at USD2,480 per tonne FOB in 2024, before
declining progressively as new incremental supply and lower cyclical demand for zircon dampens
consumer sentiment. The caveat to the above outlook (Figure 2.9) is that elevated prices will not
induce demand‑destructive actions such as substitution from ceramic end users.
The long-term zircon inducement price7 remains at USD1, 607 per tonne FOB (real 2021 dollars). The latest
estimate puts the base-case zircon price well above the inducement price level throughout the outlook period,
reflecting the sustained structural deficit in the market and a lack of likely new supply coming on stream to
meet the projected supply gap. This bullish pricing environment will be favourable to enable the inducement
of new supply.
Rutile
Ilmenite
Figure 2.10 Estimated rutile and ilmenite reference prices in 2021 real USD per tonne
7 . TZMI conducts project inducement analysis on advanced brownfields and greenfields projects.Inducement prices are calculated at
after-tax IRRs of 15% and 25% reflecting a range that takes account of internal hurdle rates and project returns that may be required for
external sources of funding. Inducement analysis is used to inform long-term price estimates.
Figure 3.1: Atomic numbers and chemical symbols of the 17 rare earth elements in the periodic table.
Rare earth elements are arbitrarily classified as light rare earth elements or oxides (‘LREEs’ or ‘LREOs’) or
heavy rare earth elements or oxides (‘HREEs’ or ‘HREOs’) based on their electron configurations. Collectively
LREOs make up over 90% of the TREO content of a typical rare earth deposit and thereby the vast majority of
the world’s TREO output annually.
Despite accounting for only 42% of the overall rare earth element usage by volume, the permanent magnet
category is by far the most valuable of all eight categories, accounting for 93% of global TREO consumption by
value in 2020. The share is expected to increase further due to the importance of these permanent magnets
in growing clean energy initiatives globally and growth in demand for electronic gadgetry.
(l) Land access risk The core process design and modelling completed
by GPA Engineering in early 2022 validated the
The Tenements overlap with land that is the subject
feed throughput (including head grade and mineral
of other rights, including:
assemblage), mass balance, process design criteria,
(i) Parcels of private land; process flowsheet, reagent usage rates, utilities
(ii) Crown Land which is restricted under the demand and recoveries over the LOM Plan.
Victorian Mining Act; and This Hydromet Circuit is proposed to be included
(iii) Crown land that falls within the Box-Ironbark within the Phase 1A processing of the Goschen
region of the state of Victoria. Project. The Hydromet Circuit is scheduled to
commence operations approximately 18 months post
Any delays or costs in respect of conflicting first production of Phase 1 Base Project (with timing
third‑party rights, obtaining necessary consents, or to be reviewed at Phase 1 FID). Further testwork
compensation obligations may adversely impact the and engineering work is required to be undertaken
Company’s ability to carry out exploration or mining to finalise the plans and inform final assessment of
activities within the affected areas. the Hydromet Circuit, for which further funding will
be required in addition to the IPO Offer proceeds.
(m) Contract risk This further study is needed to affirm understanding
The operations of the Company will require the of design, schedule, cost, and implementation.
involvement of a number of third parties, including Uncertainties will remain until all studies are
suppliers, contractors, and customers. With respect completed and implementation occurs.
to these third parties, and despite applying best
practice in terms of pre-contracting due diligence, (p) Results of studies
the Company is unable to avoid the risk of financial The Company has already undertaken a number
failure, performance failure or default by a contractor of studies to progress the Goschen Project to its
or customer. current point, including the Goschen DFS. Subject to
the results of exploration and testing programs to
(n) Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve be undertaken, the Company may progressively
estimates undertake a number of studies in respect to its
The Company’s present Mineral Resource and Ore projects. These studies will include the Goschen
Reserve estimates are compliant with the JORC Project FEED studies (for Phase 1) and (subject to
Code 2012 and are expressions of judgement based further funds being raised) Hydromet Circuit
on knowledge, experience, and industry practice. engineering study (for Phase 1A).
5.3 Summary of the Historical Statutory Statement of Profit or Loss and other
Comprehensive Income
Table 5.1 sets out the VHM audited Historical Statement of Profit or Loss and other Comprehensive Income for
FY20, FY21 and FY22.
( j) Consulting fees primarily include the costs paid to the consultants who provided the technical services
to the Company, including the Goschen Project management and technical advice, preparation
of the DFS (minerals, groundwater, water, and power supply and etc.), strategic and development
advice, employee training, as well as the other consulting services. The increase in consulting fees
(before capitalisation) in FY22 was due to the technical services provided for the Goschen Project;
(k) Legal fees relate to the costs paid for the previous capital raisings in FY20 and FY21 and the capital
raising in FY22, as well as the legal advice for contracts, options and employee related; and
(l) Accounting fees mainly relate to the costs paid for bookkeeping, auditing, and the tax advice.
Management discussion and analysis of the Net financing cash inflows largely relate to the
historical cash flows historical capital raisings undertaken. The Company
received funds from various investors, amounting to
Net operating cash outflows fluctuated over
$900,000 (net of issue costs) in FY20, $16.3 million
the Historical Period, primarily due to the
(net of issue costs) in FY21. In addition, the Company
improvement/deterioration of EBITDA, the non cash
issued convertible notes to investors, amounting to
share based payment, together with the movement
$3.2 million in FY20, $3.4 million (net of issue costs)
in net working capital.
in FY21, and $29.9 million (pre-IPO capital raising,
Net investing cash outflows represent the costs net of issue costs) in FY22. Borrowings include
capitalised in relation to exploration expenditure, the loans acquired to fund the R&D expenditure,
which is netted off against the R&D tax incentive which was secured and repaid by way of the R&D tax
received, as well as the cash payments for the incentives received.
land acquisition.
Operating cash outflows and exploration
expenditures over the Historical Period have been
funded by a mixture of equity, convertible notes,
and R&D tax incentives.
Table 5.5: Historical Statutory Statement of Financial Position and Pro Forma Historical Statement of
Financial Position as at 30 June 2022
(a) Other receivables primarily relate to the GST (i) As at 30 June 2022, convertible notes (current
and government subsidy receivables; and non current) represent the 2021 convertible
notes of 35 convertible notes, each with a
(b) Prepayments mainly comprise the prepaid
face value of $10,000 being issued to fund
insurance and other prepaid operating
the Company’s operations in FY21, as well as
expenses;
3,184 convertible notes (pre-IPO capital raising)
(c) Deposits represent term deposits as security with a face value of $10,000 being issued in
for a bank guarantee, as well as the deposits FY22, and part of the 2021 convertible notes
paid to the landlords for the various related (334 convertible notes) converted to the new
premises; convertible notes in FY22; and
(d) Deferred exploration expenditure refers to the ( j) Issued capital increased significantly in FY21,
capitalised exploration costs; due to the Company issuing 15,981,941 ordinary
(e) PPE primarily consists of the land acquisition, Shares at $0.35 per share in July 2020 and
computer and office equipment, fixtures and issuing 20,452,103 Shares at $0.60 per share
fittings and motor vehicles; in March and April 2021, which is offset by issue
costs of $1.5 million. The increase in issued
(f) Trade and other payables represent trade capital in FY22 was primarily due to 1,850,815
creditors, accruals, and payroll related ZEPOs being exercised in August 2021 and
payables; 182,831 Shares being issued to the NEDs in
(g) Land acquisition liabilities (current and non June 2022 in lieu of the sign on bonus and
current) refers to the outstanding amount director fees.
payable for the four land acquisitions; The following transactions and events had not
(h) Radium Capital provided R&D loans to occurred prior to 30 June 2022 but have taken place
the Company to finance the eligible R&D or will take place on or before the Allotment Date.
expenditure which are included in borrowings. The financial information in this Section 5 assumes
These loans were secured by the future that they occurred on or before 30 June 2022.
anticipated R&D refund with an interest rate
of 14% per annum and which have since been
repaid in full;
5. An expected acquisition of new land, amounting Refer to Section 8.9 for a detailed summary of the
to $2.7 million, of which, a deposit of $269,000 Offer costs.
will be paid prior to the IPO and the remaining Refer to Section 7.11 for a summary of the Lead
amount to be paid in two instalments within Manager mandate.
six months of the date of execution of the
agreement (pending);
6. Acquisition of the Kerang warehouse amounting
to $1.2 million (plus GST), completed in October
2022; and
7. The compensation to be paid to a landowner
in August 2022 for a new residence during the
operational period, amounting to $2 million.
Issued Retained
$’000 No. of shares capital Res. losses Net assets
As at 30 June 2022
Ordinary shares 139,141,273 41,287 5,638 (29,581) 17,344
Subsequent events
Advisor options exercised 640,000 190 - - 190
Interest accrued on the - - (1,480) (1,480)
convertible notes
Demerger of VP Minerals - (1,419) - - (1,419)
Land compensation payment - - (2,000) (2,000)
Pro forma transactions
Conversion of existing 324,074 364 - - 364
convertible notes
Conversion of convertible 34,745,679 35,539 - - 35,539
notes (pre IPO)
Pre offer capital structure 174,851,026 75,960 5,638 (33,061) 48,537
Pro forma transactions in
relation to the offer
Public offer 14,814,815 20,000 - - 20,000
Offer costs (1,200) - (2,454) (3,654)
Total (undiluted) 189,665,841 94,761 5,638 (35,516) 64,883
Incremental pro forma
transactions in relation to
oversubscription offer
Public offer 7,407,407 10,000 - - 10,000
Offer costs (590) - 72 (518)
Total (undiluted) 197,073,248 104,171 5,638 (35,443) 74,365
As at 30 June 2022, the total expenditure In determining whether to declare future dividends,
commitments amounted to $5.9 million, of which the Directors will have regard to VHM earnings, overall
$2.3 million is within one year and $3.6 million is financial condition, capital requirements and the level
between one to five years. of franking credits available. There is no certainty that
the Company will ever declare and pay a dividend.
(a) Donald Runge – Non-Executive Chairman Mr Allen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and
is a member of Chartered Accountants Australian
Mr Runge was appointed to the Board on
and New Zealand. He is a chartered accountant
14 September 2017 and appointed as Chairman
and experienced CFO with more than 30 years’
on 29 July 2021.
experience in large companies including KPMG,
Mr Runge brings 40 years’ experience in the Walt Disney International, Opportunity International
mining industry including operational, project and and Engineers Australia.
construction management.
He has almost 20 years' experience acting as
He has specific expertise in the areas of a CFO in a range of large companies in various
feasibility, development, construction and industries and can do so to the requirements of a
efficient operational control of both surface and publicly listed organisation.
underground mining and treatment operations.
Immediately prior to being engaged by the
Mr Runge has held senior management roles Company, Mr Allen was Executive General Manager
with Peko Wallsend, Newcrest Mining, North of Corporate Services at Engineers Australia for
Ltd and the Silangan Copper Gold Project in 12 years.
the Philippines.
Mr Allen is not considered to be independent.
Mr Runge is considered to be independent.
(d) Gamini Colless – Non-Executive Director
(b) Graham Howard – Managing Director Mr Colless was appointed as a Non-Executive
Mr Howard was appointed as Managing Director Director on 23 July 2021. He holds a Bachelor of
on 12 August 2016. Mr Howard holds a Bachelor Arts and Bachelor or Laws (both from Australian
Science-Geology, University of Canberra, National University).
Distinguished Alumni.
Mr Colless is a partner at a leading national law firm
Mr Howard is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute in the banking & financial services practice group.
of Mining and Metallurgy. He has more than 30 He has been practicing as a solicitor for over
years’ experience, including 20 years’ operating 30 years’ and is highly experienced in corporate
in executive leadership and senior operations finance, project finance, structured finance, major
management positions. property, and infrastructure projects.
He has extensive corporate and operations He has advised corporate, Government and
experience and proven record of identifying and joint-venture clients on complex financing
delivering multi-billion-dollar resource projects. transactions for numerous large-scale development
In the past, Mr Howard has held other senior projects in Australia.
executive positions, including Executive Officer Mr Colless is considered to be independent.
of Mount Magnet South NL (an ASX listed gold
As at the date of this Prospectus, none of the Directors or their related entities intend to participate
in the IPO Offer.
Director Financial year ended 30 June 2022 (A$) Financial year ended 30 June 2021 (A$)
Fees & Share based Fees & Share based
Consultancy payments5 Consultancy payments
Don Runge1 126,667 5,924 56,250 -
Graham Howard2 516,667 343,416 574,813 354,819
Michael Allen3 375,000 249,643 429,731 268,852
Gamini Colless4 154,699 5,924 - -
Notes:
1. Mr Runge was appointed Director of the Company on 14 September 2017.
2. Comprising Managing Director remuneration. Mr Howard was appointed Managing Director of the Company on 12 August 2016.
3. Comprising Executive Director remuneration. Mr Allen was appointed a Director of the Company on 7 November 2017 and an Executive
Director 1 February 2018.
4. Mr Colless was appointed Director of the Company on 23 July 2021.
5. Share based payments made under the employee incentive scheme for Mr Howard and Mr Allen relate to the previous year’s
performance.
Together, these are the New Licences. (ii) the 'Second Completion' to relate to the
ELAs and to occur following the grant
It is noted that four New Licences (EL 7807, of the New Licences (noting ELAs are
EL 7810 and EL 7827) have since been granted, not legally capable of transfer unless
however, due to legal restrictions cannot be the relevant EL is granted, and until
transferred to VPM until August 2023 (being 12 12 months after grant date) and receipt
months after their grant date). of the regulatory approvals required
(iii) The ELs that are subject to obligations for the transfer of the New Licences
under the ASA, but remain held by the (Second Condition).
Company, are: Between First Completion and Second
(a) EL 6664; and Completion, VPM must pay for all
exploration costs relating to the ELAs
(b) EL 6419. (Exploration Costs), noting the Company
Together, these are the VHM Licences. may provide a loan to VPM to pay for
the Exploration Costs (on terms to be
(b) (Consideration): The total consideration separately agreed between the parties).
payable by VPM for the Demerger Assets is the First completion has occurred.
sum of the:
(d) (Termination): The Agreement may be
(i) 'Base Consideration', being $1,418,834; terminated by the parties as follows:
and
Whilst First Completion has already occurred,
(ii) the aggregate amount of expenditure the Agreement may still be terminated by
incurred by the Company in respect of the parties if the Second Condition is not
the Demerger Assets in the period on satisfied by the relevant date, in which case
and from 1 January 2022 to the 'First the Company must repay to VPM the amount
Completion Date'. of the purchase price attributable to the
VPM must pay the Consideration in cash upon licences granted as a result of the ELAs (being
'First Completion' or by issuing 139,141,272 fully $156,000), pay VPM the Exploration Costs, and
paid ordinary Shares in VPM (Consideration return any relevant information.
Shares), as required at the election of the
Company. The Company has elected to receive
the Consideration Shares which were issued on
20 July 2022.
Land Acquisition
Agreement Consideration Land
First Agreement $2,819,229, with payments structured as follows: Land located in
dated 29 July 2020 Lalbert Victoria
• $510,000 deposit paid on the date of the
which underlies
Agreement; and
RL6806
• monthly instalments in accordance with the
payment schedule in the Agreement;
• with the balance of the purchase price due at
settlement on 15 December 2030.
Second Agreement also $1,416,403, with payments structured as follows: Land located in
dated 29 July 2020 Lalbert Victoria
• $260,000 deposit paid on the date of the
which underlies
Agreement;
RL6806
• monthly instalments in accordance with the
payment schedule in the Agreement;
• with the balance of the purchase price due at
settlement on 15 December 2030.
Third Agreement $6,550,000, with payments structured as follows: Land located in
dated 8 December 2020 Lalbert Victoria
• $550,000 deposit paid on the date of the
which underlies
Agreement;
RL6806
• $1,200,000 per annum by monthly instalments of
$100,000 commencing 1 January 2021; and
• interest only monthly instalments of $35,500 from
the date of Agreement to 31 December 2020;
• with the balance of the purchase price due at
settlement on 1 January 2026.
Land
Acquisition
Agreement Consideration Land
Fourth $2,690,000 with payments structured as follows: Land located in
Agreement Lalbert Victoria
• $269,000 deposit payable on execution
(pending) which underlies
• $1,210,500.00 payable on or before 15 December 2022; and RL6806
• the balance of $1,210,500.00 payable at settlement (due six
months after the date of execution).
A summary of the key terms of the Fourth Agreement 7.6 Property Purchase Agreement
is outlined below:
The Company entered into a contract of sale on or
(a) (Settlement): Due six months from execution of about 29 July 2022 with Nursub Pty Ltd (Nursub),
the Agreement; pursuant to which the Company recently acquired
a property located in Kerang, Victoria for total
(b) (Vendor right of first refusal): GPBJ will offer
consideration of $1,200,000 (plus GST).
the vendor the right to buy back the land the
subject of the Agreement at a price of $1.00 The warehouse is situated in a light industrial
when the Company has completed mining and area, which includes office space, display space,
rehabilitation of the land. substantial secure storage for core samples and
a laydown yard. The warehouse will provide
This obligation will occur when the earlier of the
an office base for VHM personnel visiting site,
mining operations on the land have ceased and
a central meeting point for future site visits
rehabilitation is completed; or in 35 years from
for key stakeholders and community and will
the date of the Agreement.
accommodate safety inductions and other briefings
(c) (Rehabilitation): Prior to the commencement prior to any site visits. It will house the core samples
of mining, an agricultural consultant shall be extracted from the field and the laydown area will
appointed to prepare a report to assess the be used for the receipt, temporary storage, and
"Productivity" of that part of the land required assembly of construction equipment and other
to carry out mining operations. The purchaser supplies.
must rehabilitate that land so that it is returned
The contract of sale is otherwise on standard terms
to a condition which is at least as productive as
and conditions.
determined by that report.
(d) (Vendor right to lease): The vendor will enter
into a lease with GPBJ to farm the subject
land for nominal rent until the Company
requires the land for mining or other resource
development processes.
Once this Fourth Land Acquisition Agreement is
finalised, the Company will have secured land
access to 100% of the mine footprint area and no
further land acquisitions are required or intended to
facilitate the Proposed Operation.
The agreements otherwise contain provisions that are considered standard for agreements of this nature.
On 10 May 2021, the Company entered into an (b) project feasibility studies and management;
addendum to the SCB Agreement (SCB Addendum) (c) technical due diligence;
confirms an additional engagement, to act as
(d) project management;
independent financial advisor to the Company
in relation to the IPO. (e) technical advice for research and development
projects;
In exchange for the 'IPO Advisory Fee', SCB has
agreed to undertake a range of strategic and (f) environmental approvals, management,
advisory activities in connection with the IPO that are and audit;
standard for an agreement of this nature.
(g) metallurgical and process review services;
(h) community and indigenous liaison
management; and
(i) database and administration support services.
8.1 Rights Attaching to Shares (e) (Transfer of Shares): Shares can be transferred
by any means permitted by the Corporations
A summary of the rights attaching to the Shares
Act or by law. The document of transfer must
is detailed below. This summary is qualified by
be delivered to the registered office of the
the full terms of the Constitution (a full copy of the
Company, accompanied by the certificate
Constitution is available from the Company on
(if any) for the Shares to be transferred,
request free of charge) and does not purport to be
and marked with payment of any stamp
exhaustive or to constitute a definitive statement of
duty payable. Until the transferee has been
the rights and liabilities of Shareholders. These rights
registered, the transferor is deemed to remain
and liabilities can involve complex questions of
the holder, even after signing the instrument
law arising from an interaction of the Constitution
of transfer.
with statutory and common law requirements. For a
Shareholder to obtain a definitive assessment of the In some circumstances, the Board may
rights and liabilities which attach to the Shares in any refuse to register a transfer, including if upon
specific circumstances, the Shareholder should seek registration the transferee will hold less than a
legal advice. marketable parcel or if the Corporations Act,
the Listing Rules, or the Operating Rules forbid
(a) (Ranking of Shares): At the date of this
registration.
Prospectus, all Shares are of the same class
and rank equally in all respects. Specifically, (f) (General meetings): Shareholders are entitled
the Shares issued pursuant to this Prospectus to be present in person, or by proxy, attorney
will rank equally with existing Shares. or representative to attend and vote at general
meetings of the Company.
(b) (Voting rights): Subject to any rights or
restrictions, at general meetings: The Directors may convene a general meeting
at their discretion. General meetings shall also
(i) every Shareholder present and entitled
be convened on requisition as provided for by
to vote may vote in person or by attorney,
the Corporations Act.
proxy, or representative;
(g) (Unmarketable parcels): The Company's
(ii) has one vote on a show of hands; and
Constitution provides for the sale of
(iii) has one vote for every Share held, upon a unmarketable parcels subject to any applicable
poll. laws and provided a notice is given to
(c) (Dividend rights): The Company may pay a the minority Shareholders stating that the
dividend as permitted by the Corporations Act Company intends to sell their relevant Shares
from time to time. Each Share of a class on unless an exemption notice is received by a
which the Board resolves to pay a dividend specified date.
carries the right to participate in the dividend in (h) (Rights on winding up): If the Company is
the same proportion that the amount being paid wound up, the liquidator may with the sanction
on the Share bears to the total issue price of of a special resolution, divide the assets of the
the Share at the time of the distribution. Company amongst members as the liquidator
The power to determine that a dividend is sees fit.
payable and to declare dividends (including (i) (Restricted Securities): A holder of Restricted
interim dividends) is vested in the Directors and Securities (as defined in the Listing Rules) must
no Shareholder may claim, and the Company comply with the requirements imposed by the
must not pay, interest on a dividend. Listing Rules in respect of Restricted Securities.
(d) (Variation of rights): The rights attaching to
the Shares may only be varied by the consent
in writing of the holders of three-quarters of
the Shares, or with the sanction of a special
resolution passed at a general meeting.
(d) (Expiry date): Each Option will expire at 5:00pm (AET) on the corresponding expiry date set out at Table
8.1 above (Expiry Date). An Option not exercised before the Expiry Date will automatically lapse on the
Expiry Date.
(e) (Vesting conditions): Vesting conditions apply to the following Options:
(i) Director Options: earlier of:
(a) the date of Board approval of the FID to proceed with the development of the
Goschen Project;
(b) the date of a change in control of the Company; or
(c) 31 December 2023.
(ii) ZEPOs issued under Plan: three years of continuous employment with the Company from date
of issue.
Further information on the interests of the Directors and officers of the Company, including the number of
Options held by each, can be found in Section 6.6.
8.4 New Employee Option Plan (b) (Plan interests): Eligible New Plan Participants
will be provided with an opportunity to
Prior to the date of the Prospectus, the Company
acquire a financial interest in the Company,
adopted a new employee option plan (New Plan)
which will align their interests more closely
under which any future Options or equity-based
with shareholders and provide greater
incentives will be issued. No grants of Options have
incentive for them to focus on the Company's
been made under the New Plan as at the date of the
longer-term goals.
Prospectus. Each Option issued under the New Plan
shall entitle the holder to subscribe for one Share (c) (Quantum): The number of Options offered
upon exercise of the Option. to an Eligible New Plan Participant will be
specified in the invitation made to that Eligible
The Board has determined that the aggregate
New Plan Participant.
number of Options able to be issued under the New
Plan during the three years following Admission (d) (Terms and conditions): The Board may
shall not exceed 20,000,000, excluding the Options from time to time invite an Eligible New Plan
issued under the retired existing Plan (as disclosed in Participant to participate in the New Plan.
Section 8.3 of this Prospectus). Invitations will be subject to such terms as the
Board determines and will specify, amongst
A summary of the key terms of the New Plan is set
other things, the following:
out below:
(i) any option fee that may be applicable;
(a) (Eligible participant): Eligible participants
include natural persons who are a: (ii) the exercise price of the Options;
(i) permanent full time or permanent part- (iii) the duration of the Options, including
time employee the first and last exercise date of the
Options, subject to a maximum expiry
(ii) consultant or contractor; or
date of 5 years from the date of issue of
(iii) director of the Company or any associated the Option;
company who the Board determines to
(iv) any vesting conditions (including length of
be eligible to participate in the New Plan
service or performance milestones) that
(Eligible New Plan Participant).
the Board considers appropriate; and
(iii) a corporate trustee of a self-managed (i) issue the number of Shares required
superannuation fund where the New under the terms and conditions attached
Plan Eligible Participant is a director to the Options (being one Share per
of the trustee, and the self-managed Option); and
superannuation fund is an associate of the (ii) if admitted to the official list of ASX at
New Plan Eligible Participant, as defined the time (and subject to any escrow
in the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 arrangements), apply for official quotation
(Cth). on ASX of Shares issued pursuant to the
Following the receipt by a New Plan Eligible exercise of the Options.
Participant of an invitation, a Nominee (h) (Shares issued on exercise): Shares issued on
may apply for Options by delivering to the exercise of the Options rank equally with the
Company a duly completed and executed then issued Shares of the Company.
renunciation form.
The terms and conditions of the New Plan as
summarised in this Section 8.4 otherwise apply
to a Nominee of a New Plan Participant where
applicable.
Don Runge
Chairman
Dated: 21 November 2022
Area 1 Indicated 62.2 1.4 1.72 2.31 18 2 26.6 11.5 9.2 25.0
Area 2 Indicated 26.0 0.7 1.72 2.80 20 8 22.0 16.0 12.0 25.0
West Total(1) 26.0 0.7 1.72 2.80 20 8 22.0 16.0 12.0 25.0
Area 3 Inferred 287.7 6.7 1.72 2.32 18 3 17.2 8.7 7.5 22.7
Grand Indicated 310.3 9.8 1.73 3.19 19 3 20.5 10.1 8.6 24.9
Total Inferred 287.7 6.7 1.72 2.32 18 3 17.2 8.7 7.5 22.7
Notes:
Any discrepancies in totals are a function of rounding
(1) Mineral resources reported at a cut-off grade of 1.0% THM
(2) Mineral assemblage, via QEMScan Particle Analysis, is reported as a percentage of THM content.
(3) TREO Grade is calculated by THM Grade (2.92%) multiplied by TREO Grade (2.25%)
Monazite Xenotime CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb2O3 TREO
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
4.3 0.8 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.47 0.05 2.72
4.6 0.9 1.11 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.07 0.53 0.46 0.12 0.08 0.02 0.01 0.48 0.05 3.04
4.5 0.8 1.06 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.07 0.51 0.43 0.12 0.08 0.02 0.01 0.48 0.05 2.94
3.0 1.0 0.66 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.31 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.04 1.97
3.0 1.0 0.66 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.31 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.04 1.97
3.2 0.6 0.78 0.05 0.04 0.000 0.05 0.36 0.33 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.37 0.04 2.19
2.9 0.5 0.76 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.35 0.31 0.08 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.36 0.03 2.10
3.0 0.6 0.77 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.36 0.32 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.36 0.04 2.14
3.0 1.0 0.67 0.05 0.03 0.002 0.05 0.32 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.33 0.04 1.90
3.0 1.0 0.67 0.05 0.03 0.002 0.05 0.32 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.01 0.33 0.04 1.90
4.3 0.8 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.47 0.05 2.72
3.4 0.7 0.81 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.05 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.38 0.04 2.27
2.9 0.5 0.76 0.05 0.03 0.00 0.05 0.35 0.31 0.08 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.36 0.03 2.10
3.3 0.6 0.81 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.05 0.38 0.33 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.38 0.04 2.25
Competent Person Statement: The information in this Prospectus that relates to the Goschen Mineral Resource is based on information
collated and evaluated by, and fairly represents information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr Graham Howard who is a
Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation
and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person a defined in the
JORC Code. Mr Howard is a full-time employee of the Company. Mr Howard consents to the inclusion in this Prospectus of the matters
based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Accompanying JORC Tables can be found at Appendix A of the ITAR contained at Annexure F of this Prospectus.
Area 1 Mar-21 Proved 24.5 5.4 29.9 10.8 9.0 24.7 4.3 0.8
Area 1 Mar-21 Probable 14.6 3.2 29.2 11.7 9.2 25.5 4.5 0.9
Area 3 Feb-21 Probable 159.6 3.5 20.3 9.4 8.1 25.8 3.4 0.6
Total Proved 24.5 5.4 29.9 10.8 9.0 24.7 4.3 0.8
Grand Total 198.7 3.7 21.7 9.7 8.2 25.7 3.5 0.6
CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb2O3 TREO
Area Date Classification (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Area 1 Mar-21 Proved 0.960 0.070 0.050 0.004 0.060 0.480 0.380 0.110 0.070 0.012 0.008 0.470 0.050 2.720
Area 1 Mar-21 Probable 0.971 0.067 0.047 0.004 0.060 0.468 0.400 0.108 0.072 0.011 0.007 0.458 0.050 2.721
Area 3 Feb-21 Probable 0.805 0.057 0.039 0.003 0.056 0.378 0.339 0.093 0.064 0.009 0.006 0.386 0.040 2.297
Total Proved 0.960 0.070 0.050 0.004 0.060 0.480 0.380 0.110 0.070 0.012 0.008 0.470 0.050 2.720
Probable 0.817 0.058 0.039 0.003 0.056 0.385 0.344 0.094 0.065 0.009 0.006 0.391 0.041 2.328
Grand Total 0.844 0.060 0.041 0.003 0.057 0.402 0.351 0.097 0.066 0.010 0.006 0.406 0.043 2.401
Competent Person Statement: The information in this Prospectus that relates to the Company’s Ore Reserves are based on information
collated and evaluated by, and fairly represents information and supporting documentation compiled by Anthony Keers who is a member
of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type
of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person a defined in the JORC Code.
Mr Keers is a full-time employee of Auralia Mining Consulting Pty Ltd. Mr Keers consents to the inclusion in this Prospectus of the matters
based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Accompanying JORC Tables can be found at Appendix A of the ITAR contained at Annexure F of this Prospectus.
Area 1 Mar-21 Proved 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
Area 1 Mar-21 Probable 7.6 2.2 27.6 12.7 10.5 25.9 4.3 0.9
Area 3 Feb-21 Probable 65.7 3.6 19.7 9.1 7.9 25.3 3.3 0.6
Total Proved 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
Grand Total 98.8 4.0 23.6 9.9 8.5 25.1 3.7 0.7
CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb2O3 TREO
Area Date Classification (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Area 1 Mar-21 Proved 0.960 0.070 0.050 0.004 0.060 0.480 0.380 0.110 0.070 0.012 0.008 0.470 0.050 2.720
Area 1 Mar-21 Probable 0.957 0.065 0.045 0.003 0.059 0.454 0.398 0.104 0.071 0.012 0.007 0.456 0.050 2.682
Area 3 Feb-21 Probable 0.795 0.056 0.038 0.003 0.055 0.373 0.335 0.091 0.063 0.009 0.006 0.383 0.039 2.271
Total Proved 0.960 0.070 0.050 0.004 0.060 0.480 0.380 0.110 0.070 0.012 0.008 0.470 0.050 2.720
Probable 0.806 0.056 0.039 0.003 0.055 0.379 0.339 0.092 0.064 0.009 0.006 0.388 0.040 2.298
Grand Total 0.862 0.061 0.043 0.003 0.057 0.415 0.354 0.099 0.066 0.010 0.007 0.417 0.044 2.451
Competent Person Statement: The information in this Prospectus that relates to the Company’s Ore Reserves are based on information
collated and evaluated by, and fairly represents information and supporting documentation compiled by Anthony Keers who is a member
of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type
of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code.
Mr Keers is a full-time employee of Auralia Mining Consulting Pty Ltd. Mr Keers consents to the inclusion in this Prospectus of the matters
based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
Please note that the information in this Annexure is the Loddon River, the Glenelg River, and possibly
provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 other paleochannels, into the Murravian Gulf.
(Requirements applicable to reports of Mineral The discharges zones were possibly controlled
Resources for material mining projects) and ASX by movement of regional faults in the Cambro-
Listing Rule 5.9 (Requirements applicable to reports Ordovician and Ordovician-aged metasediments that
of Ore Reserves for material mining projects). form the hard-rock basement of the Murray Basin.
Figure B2: Representation of a west-east cross section through Area 3 Extended resource area showing
the relative location of the three mineralised zones (vertical exaggeration applied)
Metallurgical bulk sample The testwork included the creation of a WCF sample
using a 1mm oversize separation screen and a screw
A 1.8-tonne sample was composited from
classifier fitted with a 20μm screen. The resultant
predominantly Area 3 drillhole samples, selected
sample is equivalent to the 20-micron sand
to represent Area 3 feed material and be used for
sample generated by the Diamantina Laboratories
characterisation and flowsheet development.
assay process.
The sample comprised the remains of the 1m drilling
The back calculations of the June 2020 bulk sample
samples from which the geological laboratory
wet concentrator feed produced a THM value of
samples were split. Figure B3 illustrates the relative
5.42%, slimes content of 13.5% and an oversize value
position of the drillholes comprising this bulk sample.
of 7.5%.
Figure B3: Area 3 Extended metallurgical bulk sample – aircore sample locations
Figure B4: Area 4 Long section schematic over 3.5km strike length
Mining and metallurgical methods and The criteria used for classification, including the
parameters, and other material modifying classification of the mineral resources on which
factors considered to date the ore reserves are based and the confidence in
No specific mining method is assumed other than the modifying factors applied
potentially the use of dry mining methods. Measured Resources within the pit design situated
on the two paddocks in Area 1 that house the
Ore Reserve Statement processing facility and overburden stockpiles were
For a separate report providing all information that converted to Proven Ore Reserves, Measured
is material to understanding the estimates of ore Resources outside those paddocks and all Indicated
reserves, in relation to each of the criteria in Section 1 Resources within the Area 1 and Area 3 pit designs
(sampling techniques and data), Section 2 (reporting were converted to Probable Ore Reserves.
of exploration results), and Section 3 (estimation and
The mining method selected and other mining
reporting of Mineral Resources) Section 4 estimation
assumptions, including mining recovery factors
and reporting of Ore Reserves of Table 1 of the JORC
and mining dilution factors
Code, refer to Appendix A of the ITAR.
Mining will be undertaken using conventional truck
Preliminary Feasibility Study, March and shovel operations with all production being
2021 (Area 1 and Area 3) above the water table.
The material assumptions and the outcomes from Pits were designed with batter angles of 40° with
the preliminary feasibility study or the feasibility berms located approximately every 10 vertical
study (as the case may be); if the economic metres. A 10m wide berm was placed at the
assumptions are commercially sensitive to the approximate upper contact of the ore zone with all
mining entity, an explanation of the methodology berms above that being 5m wide.
used to determine the assumptions rather than the
Mining recovery of 98% and dilution of 5% was
actual figure can be reported
applied to the optimisation and production schedule.
Life of mine average mining costs of $2.43/t for all
Full extraction of recoverable ore in the pit design is
mined material was calculated, including rehandling
planned, with the mined void to be backfilled with co
of stockpiled waste material. Overall processing
disposed process tailings and waste overburden to
costs for the Goschen Project were calculated to
return the mining area to its pre-mining land use.
be $4.21/t ore fed to the MUP. Up front capital costs
of $1.96/t.ore, sustaining capital costs of $0.12/t. The processing method selected and other
ore and $1.37/t.ore for product handling were processing assumptions, including the recovery
calculated to mine and process the stated Ore factors applied and the allowances made for
Reserve. Net revenue deducted 2.75% for state deleterious elements
royalties. Revenues were calculated based on long
term reference prices supplied by TZMI and Adamas
Intelligence as listed in the following table:
The criteria used for classification, including the The processing method selected and other
classification of the mineral resources on which processing assumptions, including the recovery
the ore reserves are based and the confidence in factors applied and the allowances made for
the modifying factors applied deleterious elements
All Measured Resources within the pit design were Several processes will be used to generate six
converted to Proven Ore Reserves, all Indicated products. The selected processes are common
Resources within the pit design were converted to within the mineral sands industry with a FPP,
Probable Ore Reserves. WCP and MSP. The MSP will consist of a rare earth
float circuit, WHIM circuit, a non-magnetic upgrade
The mining method selected and other mining
circuit, chrome float circuit and Hot Acid Leach
assumptions, including mining recovery factors and
(HAL) process.
mining dilution factors
The overall recovery of the valuable heavy metals
Mining will be undertaken using conventional truck
through the entire process, and to products from
and shovel operations with all production being
which value can be attributed are shown in the
above the water table.
table below:
Pits were designed with a batter angle of 40° applied
to the uppermost bench (in the topsoil/clayey-sand Mineral Overall mineral recovery
material), with a 6m wide berm created at the base of
Zircon 74.8%
the clayey material or 10m below surface, whichever
produces the lower berm level (i.e. a maximum Rutile 56.6%
depth of 10m). Beneath this berm, a single slope was
Leucoxene (HG) 26.7%
designed to the pit floor; the slope angle used for
this bench was either 34° in Area 1 East (overall pit Ilmenite 62.6%
depth generally <= 32m) and 32° in Area 1 West and
Area 3 (overall pit depth generally > 32m). Monazite 89.6%
14 October 2022
The Directors
VHM Limited
Suite 9, Level 2
389 Oxford Street
MT HAWTHORN WA 6016
Dear Directors
VHM Limited
Solicitor's Report – Mining Tenements
This report has been prepared for VHM Limited ACN 601 004 102 (Company) for inclusion
in the Company's prospectus (Prospectus) issued in connection with the Company's
application for the admission of the ordinary shares of the Company to the Official List of the
ASX.
1. Scope
We have been requested to report on:
Key details of the Tenements are set out in Schedule 1 of this Report and must be
read in conjunction with this Report.
The purpose of this Report is to determine and identify, as at the date of the relevant
searches:
Level 20, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 Australia Telephone +61 8 6559 6500
PO Box 7222, Cloisters Square WA 6850 Australia Facsimile 1300 704 211 (Australia) +61 2 8507 6580 (International)
hwlebsworth.com.au
2. Searches
For the purposes of this Report, we have conducted searches and made enquiries in
respect of the Tenements as follows:
(a) (Native Title) We have reviewed the results of searches of the schedule of
native title applications, register of native title claims, national native title
register, register of indigenous land use agreements and national land use
agreements as maintained by the NNTT for any native title claims (registered
or unregistered), native title determinations and Indigenous Land Use
Agreements that overlap or apply to the Tenements (NNTT Searches).
These searches were conducted on 12 October 2022.
(b) (Title Searches) We have reviewed the results of searches from GeoVic,
maintained by the Earth Resources branch of the Victorian Department of
Jobs, Precincts and Regions (Victorian Department). These searches
were conducted on 14 October 2022.
As at the date of this Report, the Company is the 100% registered holder of
EL006419, EL006664, EL006666, EL006769, EL007803, EL007807, EL007810,
EL007827 and RL006806.
The existence of native title determinations or claims over the area covered by the
Tenements, or a subsequent determination of native title over the area, will not
impact the rights or interests of the holder under the Tenements provided the
Tenements have been or will be validly granted in accordance with the Native Title
Act.
The grant of any future tenure to the Company over areas that are covered by
registered claims or determinations will likely require engagement with the relevant
claimants or native title holders (as relevant) in accordance with the Native Title Act.
Page 2
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Our Searches also indicate that the Tenements are all subject to an ILUA. For
further information on those ILUAs, please see section 5.10 below.
There is a risk that Aboriginal sites or places may exist on the land the subject of the
Tenements. The existence of such sites may preclude or limit mining activities in
certain areas of the Tenements or cause delays in the progression of the
development of a mine.
Our Searches indicate that the Tenements overlap with land that is the subject of
other rights, including:
(b) Crown Land which is restricted under the Victorian Mining Act (see section
7(b) for details); and
(c) Crown land that falls within the Box-Ironbark region of the state of Victoria
(see section 7(c) for details).
4. Tenements
The following provides a description of the nature and key terms of the tenements
(including potential successor tenements) that may be granted under the Victorian
Mining Act which are relevant to the Tenements.
(i) Rights
Page 3
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(D) extract minerals from the land, other than for the purpose of
producing them commercially; and
(ii) Application
(iii) Term
Page 4
Doc ID 929661733/v16
The Minister may only renew the licence for a second term if the
Minister considers there are exceptional circumstances to warrant
the second renewal, and is satisfied that there is a likelihood of the
licensee identifying minerals in the land covered by the licence
during the period of renewal.
(v) Conditions
(B) elimination and minimisation of the risks that the work may
pose to the environment, to any member of the public, or to
land, property or infrastructure in the vicinity of the work;
Page 5
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(vi) Rent
Page 6
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(viii) Transfer
(i) Application
If the mineral resource so described is not being mined from the land
that will be covered by the retention licence, the applicant must
submit a mineralisation report prepared by a competent person,
which demonstrates a mineral resource and a program of work.
(ii) Rights
Page 7
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(iv) Area
The area of the land subject to a retention licence is the area the
Minister determines as the area that may be required for the purpose
of mining a mineral resource in the future and is described in the
grant document.
(v) Transfer
(vi) Rent
The holder of a retention licence must pay rent from the date of
registration of the grant of the licence. Rent must be paid within 28
days of 30 June each year. The Minister may extend the period for
payment of rent in prescribed circumstances. The current
prescribed rate of rent is 2.4 fee units per 10 hectares or part thereof
of the land covered by the licence as at 30 June of that year. The
fee unit for the 2021/2022 financial year is $15.03 such that the rent
payable for an retention licence is currently $36.072 per 10
graticules.
The following Tenements have registration anniversaries that fall within the
period of the Relief as set out below.
Page 8
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Following the Relief period, and unless further relief is granted by the
Minister, all Tenements will again be subject to partial cancellation in
accordance with the Victorian Mining Act. For example, unless further relief
is granted by the Minister, exploration licence EL006419 will be subject to
partial cancellation of 20% of its area on the seventh anniversary of its
registration, being 18 May 2025.
The Relief does not apply to the Tenements not listed in the table above.
5. Native title
5.1 General
(a) On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia held in Mabo v. Queensland
(No. 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1 that the common law of Australia recognises a
form of native title. The Native Title Act came into effect on 1 January 1994,
largely in response to the decision in Mabo v. Queensland (No. 2) (1992)
175 CLR 1.
(b) The law in Australia recognises that Aboriginal people may hold native title
rights and interests in respect of their land. Native title exists where
Aboriginal people have maintained a traditional connection to their land and
waters, provided it has not been extinguished.
(c) The grant of a mining tenement also creates rights in respect of land. Those
mining tenement rights may affect (ie be inconsistent with) certain native title
rights and interests. As a general statement, those mining tenement rights
will be invalid as against any native title rights, unless made valid by certain
procedures in the Native Title Act.
(a) The Native Title Act sets out a process by which Aboriginal people may seek
a determination by the Federal Court that they hold native title rights and
Page 9
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(b) If a claim for native title is entered on the RNTC, or a determined claim is
entered on the NNTR, the Native Title Act provides the claimants / holders
with certain rights, including procedural rights where a 'future act' is
proposed. An example of a 'future act' is the grant of a mining tenement.
(c) The Native Title Act sets out when 'acts' will be 'valid' in the event they affect
(ie are inconsistent with) native title, however, this process need only apply
where native title exists (a determined native title claim entered on the
NNTR) or is claimed to exist (a native title claim entered on the RNTC). The
'acts' can be a proposed activity or development on land and waters. A
common example is the proposed grants of mining tenements.
5.3 'Past Acts' (ie grants of mining tenements): Prior to 1 January 1994
The Native Title Act permits, and all States and Territories of Australia have passed,
legislation validating certain 'acts' which were done before 1 January 1994. In
Victoria, that legislation is the Land Titles Validation Act 1994 (Vic). Both legislation
provides that all 'acts' (eg grants of mining tenements) prior to 1 January 1994 are
valid to the extent they affect native title.
5.4 'Future Acts' (ie proposed grants of mining tenements): After 1 January 1994
(a) Generally, a 'future act' is an 'act' (eg grant of mining tenement) occurring
after 1 January 1994 which affects native title.
(b) The Native Title Act sets out the circumstances in which, and procedures by
which, 'future acts' will be valid should that 'act' affect native title.
(c) Such circumstances include if the 'act' was done in certain circumstances
between 1 January 1994 and 23 December 1996 (called 'Intermediate
Period Acts'), or if the 'act' is permitted by an Indigenous Land Use
Agreement (ILUA), or if certain procedures are to be followed where a claim
for native title is entered on the RNTC, or a determined claim is entered on
the NNTR. Such procedures include the 'Right to Negotiate Procedure' and
the 'Expedited Procedure'. The key elements of these processes are outlined
below.
(a) Under the Right to Negotiate Procedure the native title party whose details
are registered on the RNTC or NNTR, the applicant for the mining tenement
and the relevant State or Territory (collectively, the Negotiation Parties) are
Page 10
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(b) The scope of the negotiations includes any matters relating to the effect of
the grant of the future act on the claimed or determined native title rights and
interest. Where the future act is the proposed grant of an exploration or
prospecting licence, usually an agreement is reached which aims to protect
Aboriginal heritage. This is because exploration licences confer only limited
rights to the registered holder of the licence, conferring rights to conduct
exploration and disturb the land for that purpose.
(c) Where the future act is the proposed grant of a mining lease, the
negotiations and resulting agreement are usually more complex, as the
nature of rights granted for a mining lease contemplates substantial ground
disturbance over a portion of the area granted. Such an agreement may
address employment and training, environmental rehabilitation, Aboriginal
heritage protection, cultural awareness and the payment of compensation.
(d) If the Negotiation Parties negotiate in good faith but cannot reach agreement
as to the doing of the future act, then provided at least 6 months have
elapsed since the S29 Notice, any party (in most cases the applicant for the
mining tenement) may apply to the NNTT for a determination as to whether
the future act may be done, and if so, on what conditions.
5.7 Compensation
In certain circumstances holders of native title (a determined native title claim that is
registered on the NNTR) may be entitled to apply under the Native Title Act to the
Federal Court for compensation for any effect on their native title. The Victorian
Mining Act provides that holders of mining tenements are liable for such
compensation where awarded by reason of their mining tenements having affected
native title. Consequently, if it has been, or is in the future, determined that native
title exists over any of the land the subject of a mining tenement (or granted future
act) and the holders of the native title apply to the Federal Court for compensation,
Page 11
Doc ID 929661733/v16
The TOS Act provides for an out-of-court settlement of native title, and sets out a
framework for agreements between Victorian traditional owners and the State of
Victoria to:
(b) provide traditional owners' with certain rights on Crown land; and
(c) resolve issues which may otherwise be dealt with through native title claims.
(e) a Land Agreement – that provides for land transfers for economic or cultural
purposes and grants of Aboriginal title to parks and reserves;
(f) a Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA) – that provides procedures for future
use of public land that take account of traditional owner rights and interests;
(g) a Natural Resource Agreement – that enables access and use of natural
resources and traditional owner group participation in natural resource
management
(i) an ILUA which binds all native title holders and validates future acts, which
must be registered under the Native Title Act;
In return for entering into a settlement, traditional owners must agree to withdraw
any native title and compensation applications under the Native Title Act. A LUAA
must be accompanied by an ILUA which provides for the ‘contracting out’ of Native
Title Act processes.
All of the Tenements other than RL006806 have been granted subject to a condition
requiring compliance with any conditions specified in a LUAA under the TOS Act.
Page 12
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Our searches indicate that the area of each Tenements overlaps native title
determinations and applications as follows:
The existence of any native title claims over the area covered by the Tenements, or
a subsequent determination of native title over the area, will not impact the rights
and interests of the holder under the Tenements provided they have been validly
granted.
However, the grant of any future tenure over areas that are covered by a registered
claim or a positive determination of native title will require engagement with the
relevant claimants or native title holders (as relevant) in accordance with the Native
Title Act.
Pursuant to the Native Title Act, a native title claim application cannot be determined
for an area over which there is already an approved determination of native title.
However, in very limited circumstances, an application may be made to vary or
revoke an approved determination of native title determination over an area, but only
the relevant RNTBC, the Commonwealth Minister, the relevant State or Territory
Minister or the Native Title Registrar can make a revised native title determination
application. Whilst a number of approved determinations of native title have been
revised on applications made by the relevant RNTBCs, to date, no approved
determination of native title is yet to be revoked.
Page 13
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Our searches indicate that the area of each granted Tenement overlaps areas the
subject of ILUAs as follows:
Page 14
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Page 15
Doc ID 929661733/v16
With respect to the Tenements, we have assumed that, prior to grant, the Victorian
Department were satisfied that the Native Title Act had been complied with. Provided
that the Tenements are validly granted in accordance with the Native Title Act, they
will be valid as against native title rights and interests.
6. Aboriginal heritage
6.1 General
The Commonwealth Heritage Act is aimed at the preservation and protection of any
Aboriginal objects that may be located on the Tenements.
Under the Commonwealth Heritage Act, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs may make
interim or permanent declarations of preservation in relation to significant Aboriginal
areas or objects, which have the potential to halt exploration activities.
Compensation is payable by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to a person who is, or
is likely to be, affected by a permanent declaration of preservation.
The Victoria Heritage Act makes it an offence to do an act which harms Aboriginal
places, Aboriginal objects and Aboriginal ancestral remains and provides protection
and management for Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Certain activities, such as large developments and other high impact activities in
culturally sensitive landscapes may require that a Cultural Heritage Management
Page 16
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(d) carrying out activities that will, or are likely to, harm Aboriginal cultural
heritage.
7. Land access
(a) Private Land
(i) obtain the written consent of the owners and occupiers of the
affected land; or
(ii) enter into and register compensation agreements with the owners
and occupiers; or
The Victorian Mining Act provides that where a mining tenement overlaps
private land, the tenement holder and the owner or occupier of the land may
enter into a written agreement as to the amount or kind of compensation
payable to the owner or occupier for any loss or damage that has been or
will be sustained as a direct, natural and reasonable consequence of the
approval of the work plan or the doing of work under the mining tenement.
The tenement holder must lodge any agreement entered in with the mining
registrar for registration.
Page 17
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(ii) wildlife reserves, wildlife areas, flora or flora and fauna reserves;
The Consent of the Crown land Minister is required prior to undertaking any
work on the area of a mining tenement which overlaps restricted Crown land
Conditions related to monitoring and auditing, may also be set as part of the
consent requirements for work on restricted Crown land. These conditions
often require pre-work surveys for cultural sites and artefacts, pre and post-
work flora and fauna surveys, and in some cases, during-work observations
for significant flora and fauna.
The Tenements have all been granted with certain conditions in respect to
activities proposed in the Box-Ironbark region. Formal searches to determine
the extent and percentage of these overlaps have not been conducted.
Page 18
Doc ID 929661733/v16
8. Material Contracts
For a summary of the Demerger Asset Sale Agreement please refer to section 7.1 of
the Prospectus.
For a summary of the Land Access Agreements in relation to the Tenements, please
refer to sections 7.3 of the Prospectus.
9. Definitions
In this Report:
Commonwealth Heritage Act means the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Cth).
Minister means the responsible Minister of the Crown for the time being
administering the Victorian Mining Act.
Native Title Act means the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
Page 19
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Prospectus has the meaning given in the opening section of this Report.
Report means this document, including any schedule or annexure to this Report.
RNTBC means a registered native title body corporate as defined in the Native Title
Act.
Tenements means the tenements set out in Schedule 1 and Tenement means any
one of them.
TOS Act means the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic).
Victoria Heritage Act means the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic).
Victorian Mining Act means the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act
1990 (Vic).
This is a high level report covering material legal issues affecting the Tenements and
does not purport to cover all possible issues which may affect the Tenements. This
Report is given only as to, and based on, circumstances and matters of fact existing
and known to us on the date of this Report.
10.2 Assumptions
This Report is based on, and subject to, the following assumptions (in addition to any
assumptions expressed elsewhere in this Report):
(a) any instructions, documents and information given by the Company or any of
its officers, agents or representatives are accurate and complete;
(b) that the registered holder of a Tenement has valid legal title to the
Tenement;
(c) unless apparent from the Searches or the information provided to us, we
have assumed compliance with the requirements necessary to maintain
each Tenement in good standing;
(d) where a Tenement has been granted, the future act provisions of the Native
Title Act have been complied with;
Page 20
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(f) the Company has complied with the terms and conditions of the relevant
legislation and any applicable agreements;
(g) this Report does not cover any third party interests, including encumbrances,
in relation to the Tenements that are not apparent from the Searches and
the information provided to us;
(h) all facts stated in documents, and responses to requests for further
information, and other material on which we have relied in this Report are
and continue to be correct, and no relevant matter has been misstated or
withheld from us (whether deliberately or inadvertently);
(i) that there are no other documents or materials other than those which were
disclosed to us and which we were instructed to review, which related to the
matters examined;
(j) the Material Contracts have been duly executed and the copies of the
Material Contracts made available to us are accurate, complete and conform
to the originals of the Material Contracts and there have been no material
breaches of the Material Contracts.
10.3 Qualifications
(a) Native title or Aboriginal heritage sites may exist in the areas covered by the
Tenements. Whilst we have conducted searches to ascertain what native
title determinations and claims have been registered over these areas, we
have not undertaken the considerable legal, historical, anthropological and
ethnographic research which would be necessary to determine if additional
claims are likely, or to form an opinion as to whether the existing or any
future claims for native title will succeed and, if so, what the implications
would be for the Tenements or the Company;
(c) this Report is based only upon the information and materials which are
described in this Report. There may be additional information and materials
(of which we are unaware) which contradict or qualify that which we have
described;
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(f) this Report relates only to the laws of Victoria and the Commonwealth of
Australia in force at the date of this Report and we do not express or imply
any opinion as to the laws at any other time or of any other jurisdiction;
(g) in the performance of our enquiries for this Report, we have acted on the
Company's written and oral instructions as to the manner and extent of
enquiries to be conducted;
(h) this Report is strictly limited to the matters it deals with and does not extend
by implication or otherwise to any other matter;
(i) we have relied upon information provided by third parties, including various
departments, in response to searches made, or caused to be made, and
enquiries by us and have relied upon that information, including the results
of Searches, being accurate, current and complete as at the date of its
receipt by us;
(j) references in the Schedules are taken from details shown on the Searches
we have obtained from the relevant departments referred to in section 2
above. We have not undertaken independent surveys of the land the subject
of the Tenements to verify the accuracy of the Tenement areas or the areas
of the relevant native title claims;
(k) where compliance with the terms and conditions of the Tenements and all
applicable provisions of the mining legislation and regulations in Victoria and
all other relevant legislation and regulations, or a possible claim in relation to
the Tenements is not disclosed on the face of the searches referred to
above, we express no opinion as to such compliance or claim;
(n) native title may exist in the areas covered by the Tenements. Whilst we have
conducted searches to ascertain what native title claims, if any, have been
lodged in the Federal Court in relation to the areas covered by the
Tenements, we have not conducted any research on the likely existence or
non-existence of native title rights and interests in respect of those areas.
Page 22
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(o) Aboriginal heritage sites, sacred sites or objects (as defined in the Victoria
Heritage Act or under the Commonwealth Heritage Act) may exist in the
areas covered by the Tenements regardless of whether or not that site has
been entered on the relevant Register or is the subject of a declaration
under the Commonwealth Heritage Act. We have not conducted any legal,
historical, anthropological or ethnographic research regarding the existence
or likely existence of any such Aboriginal heritage sites, sacred sites or
objects within the area of the Tenements.
10.4 Disclaimer
HWL Ebsworth Lawyers has prepared this Report for the purposes of the Prospectus
only, and for the benefit of the Company and the directors of the Company in
connection with the issue of the Prospectus and is not to be disclosed to any other
person or used for any other purpose or quoted or referred to in any public document
or filed with any government body or other person without our prior consent.
Yours sincerely
Page 23
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Tenement Registered Applied Current Application Grant date Expiry Annual Expenditure commitment Material
Holder Area Area Date date Reporting Date for licence term as per dealings
licence instrument
EL006664 VHM Limited 1,106 618 GRS 25 January 18 June 17 June 30 June First year: $97,950 Nil
GRS 2018 2018 2023
Second year: $133,560
(Current Year)
Page 24
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Tenement Registered Applied Current Application Grant date Expiry Annual Expenditure commitment Material
Holder Area Area Date date Reporting Date for licence term as per dealings
licence instrument
EL006666 VHM Limited 561 GRS 447 GRS 25 January 18 June 17 June 30 June First year: $57,075 Nil
2018 2018 2023
Second year: $82,320
EL006769 VHM Limited 1,767 1,041 4 June 2018 27 August 26 August 30 June First year: $147,525 Nil
GRS GRS 2018 2023
Second year: $155,707
Doc ID 929661733/v16
193
194
Tenement Registered Applied Current Application Grant date Expiry Annual Expenditure commitment Material
Holder Area Area Date date Reporting Date for licence term as per dealings
licence instrument
EL007807 VHM Ltd 421 GRS 421 GRS 12 November 15 August 14 August 30 June First year: $78,150 Nil
2021 2022 2027
Second year: $99,200
EL007827 VHM Ltd 335 GRS 335 GRS 16 February 15 August 14 August 30 June First year: $65,250 Nil
2022 2022 2027
Second year: $82,000
Page 26
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Tenement Registered Applied Current Application Grant date Expiry Annual Expenditure commitment Material
Holder Area Area Date date Reporting Date for licence term as per dealings
licence instrument
EL007810 VHM Ltd 424 GRS 424 GRS 12 November 15 14 30 June First year: 78,600 Nil
2021 September September
Second year: 99,800
2022 2027
Third year: 99,800
EL007803 VHM Ltd 609 GRS 609 GRS 6 January 11 October 10 October 30 June First year: 106,350 Nil
2022 2022 2027
Second year: 136,800
Doc ID 929661733/v16
195
196
Tenement Registered Applied Current Application Grant date Expiry Annual Expenditure commitment Material
Holder Area Area Date date Reporting Date for licence term as per dealings
licence instrument
RL006806 VHM Limited 31,141 HA 31,141 HA 17 June 2019 10 January 9 January 30 June First year: $2,430,000 Nil
2020 2027
Second year: $2,130,000
Page 28
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Schedule 2 EL006419, EL006664, EL006666 and EL006769 Licence Conditions
EL006419, EL006664, EL006666 and EL006769 are each subject to the following conditions set out in the exploration licence itself and the Schedule
of Conditions attached to the exploration licence.
Conditions in Licence
1. Only low impact exploration work may be undertaken in the licensed area until the licensee has an approved work plan.
2. Activities on the licensed area must be limited to those specified in the Act and the licence.
3. The licensee must expend in connection with exploration of the land the minimum amounts as set out in Schedule 1, unless this requirement is
varied, or application of this requirement is suspended for a specified period, in accordance with the Act. The required expenditure may be
varied on the second and fourth anniversaries (as applicable) of the licence grant if the area of the licence is decreased in accordance with
section 38A of the Act.
4. The licensee must report immediately in writing to the Department Head the discovery of minerals potentially capable of production in
commercial quantities.
6. The licensee must pay rent from the date of registration of the licence.
7. The licensee must comply with any conditions specified in a land use activity agreement under section 31(3) of the Traditional Owner
Settlement Act 2010 that were accepted by the applicant for the licence.
1. (General Conditions) The program of work submitted with the licence application must be completed, in accordance with any schedule included
in that program of work. The program of work, including scheduling, may only be varied with the agreement of the Minister. This does not apply if
Doc ID 929661733/v16
197
198
the variation only involves work which is additional to that described in the program of work. During the term of the licence, the Minister may
request updated details of the proposed program of work to be provided by a specified date. The licensee must comply with any such request.
2. (Administrative Arrangements) The licensee must ensure that the relevant Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) Regional Manager is at all times
aware of the appropriate contact person for activities conducted under an exploration licence. Where work is approved by an area work plan, the
licensee must submit a written work schedule for any program of work. The work schedule must be submitted to the relevant ERR Regional
Manager and the Crown land Manager (for work on Crown land) at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the commencement of work. The licensee
must comply with any request by the relevant ERR Regional Manager to defer, cease or modify the proposed works. Prior to commencing ground
(d) Location.
3. (Community engagement) The licensee must identify their communities for the proposed operation and consult with the identified communities.
4. (Native Vegetation and Fauna) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid, minimise and/or offset the removal and disturbance of
native vegetation and faunal habitats.
5. (Box-ironbark region) Where activities are proposed to be undertaken in a Box-lronbark region, the licensee must undertake a preliminary
assessment of vegetation and faunal habitats of areas of interest in that Box-lronbark region to identify and mark areas or sites to be avoided in
the exploration project.
6. (Public liability insurance) Prior to commencing any work, the licensee must have public liability insurance that covers all work authorised under
the licence and ensure the insurance is valid at all times while work occurs under the licence.
Page 30
Doc ID 929661733/v16
7. (Public safety zones) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise their impact on the operation of a Public Safety Zone.
8. (Soil management) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise impacts on the physical and biological health of soil.
9. (Plant diseases, weeds and pest animals) The licensee must ensure that all soil that is imported into the exploration licence area is free of
disease and noxious weeds. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise the spread of weeds, pest animals and plant diseases
whilst undertaking exploration activities. The licensee must adhere to any biosecurity protocols that have been adopted on private or Crown land.
10. (Water quality and aquatic habitat) The licensee must design, install and maintain erosion and sediment controls to prevent erosion of areas of
disturbed land and sedimentation of waterways. Where exploration activities are being conducted in waters or on the banks of waterways with
water in them, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise sedimentation of the waterway. The licensee must take all reasonable
measures to prevent contaminated runoff from entering receiving waterways.
11. (Fuels, lubricants and hazardous materials) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent contamination of the environment by
the release of fuels, lubricants and hazardous materials. The licensee must ensure that spills of hazardous materials are cleaned up as quickly as
practicable. Such spillage must not be cleaned up by hosing, sweeping or otherwise releasing such contaminant into waterways. Within the Box-
lronbark region, the licensee must install trays or similar apparatus beneath machinery to protect the soil and vegetation from oil/fuel leaks or
spills.
12. (Aboriginal cultural heritage) The licensee must ensure Aboriginal cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within the
licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-lronbark
region, an assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage values must be undertaken.
13. (Heritage (Non-Indigenous)) The licensee must ensure non-indigenous cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within the
licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-lronbark
region, an assessment of non-indigenous cultural heritage values must be undertaken.
14. (Fire precaution) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent the ignition and spread of fire. Prior to undertaking any exploration
activities, the licensee must develop and implement a fire response and readiness plan.
15. (Waste and redundant equipment) The licensee must ensure all waste generated on site is disposed of at an appropriate waste management
facility.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
199
200
16. (Camping) The licensee may only establish campsites with the permission of the Crown land Manager or private land owner/occupier. The
licensee must select, establish and manage campsites to minimise risks to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
17. (Noise) Within the licensed area, the licensee must ensure that noise generated by exploration activities does not exceed limits set by the
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria and the local council. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid causing nuisance noise.
18. (Air emissions, dust and lighting) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts as a result of the release of dust,
odour and/or emission of light.
20. (Geophysical and geological surveys and gridlines) In designing and constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee must
take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts to the environment and/or the health and safety of people. Prior to designing and
constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee must consult with the Crown land Manager and/or private land owner/occupier
about the position of gridlines and geophysical lines.
21. (Explosives) When using explosives or high electrical currents, all reasonable measures must be taken to prevent harm or disturbance to people,
domestic animals, livestock and wildlife.
22. (Tracks and roads) In designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impact to
the environment. Prior to designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must consult with the public land manager, responsible road
authority and/or private landowner/occupier. Prior to using a closed road the licensee must gain consent from the responsible road authority. Prior
to conducting ground intrusive exploration works on a road the licensee must gain consent form the responsible road authority.
23. (Drill sites, costeans, trenches and bulk sampling excavations) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts
of establishing costeans, drill holes, bulk sample excavations and trenches to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
24. (Drillhole operations, construction and decommissioning) The licensee must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to minimise the
impacts of drilling operations and that the operations are conducted in a manner that ensures protection of the environment, human health and
amenity. The licensee must prevent contamination of aquifers as a result of drilling operations. The licensee must ensure that where a drillhole is
to be left open overnight or longer, a temporary cap is fitted. The licensee must ensure that accurate records of decommissioning procedures are
Page 32
Doc ID 929661733/v16
kept to provide future reference, and to demonstrate to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (formerly Department of Economic
Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources) that the drillholes have been satisfactorily plugged and abandoned.
25. (Underground exploration) The licensee must ensure that during underground exploration and development works, access shafts, adits and
declines are made safe. The licensee must ensure that on completion of underground exploration and development works, access shafts, adits or
declines no longer required are permanently closed off and the site made safe for the public and wildlife.
26. (Rehabilitation) The licensee must ensure that disturbed areas are rehabilitated as soon as possible after the completion of exploration works.
The licensee must ensure that indigenous species used in rehabilitation are sourced from the local area, of local provenance and appropriate to
the site’s Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC).
27. (Reporting, monitoring and auditing) The licensee must implement a program for monitoring environmental impacts and rehabilitation. The
licensee must submit an Annual Report that includes:
(a) A report about the environmental management of exploration activities including the result of any environmental audits conducted.
(d) A rehabilitation report detailing completed rehabilitation activities over that year.
The licensee must notify the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (formerly Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and
Resources) as soon as practical of any environmental incident which results in:
(b) Any deviations from conditions or environmental standards outlined for the site.
Within seven (7) days of an environmental incident, the licensee must prepare and forward a report to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and
Regions (formerly Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources) detailing the following information:
Doc ID 929661733/v16
201
202
(a) The cause, time and duration of the incident.
(b) The native vegetation or threatened flora/fauna affected by the incident (if applicable).
(c) The type, volume and concentration of every pollutant discharged as a result of the incident.
28. (Documentation and records) The licensee must record activities undertaken and results arising from the environmental and rehabilitation
monitoring program, any auditing undertaken and any complaints received. The licensee must ensure that documentation generated through the
environmental and rehabilitation monitoring program, auditing and any complaints received is appropriately stored and accessible to relevant
personnel and is available upon request by an ERR Inspector.
Page 34
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Schedule 3 EL007803, EL007807, EL007810 and EL007827 Licence Conditions
EL007803, EL007807, EL007810 and EL007827 are each subject to the following conditions set out in the exploration licence itself and the Schedule
of Conditions attached to the exploration licence.
Conditions in Licence
1. The licensee must expend in connection with exploration of the land the minimum amounts as set out in Schedule 1, unless this requirement is
varied, or application of this requirement is suspended for a specified period, in accordance with the Act. The required expenditure may be
varied on the second and fourth anniversaries (as applicable) of the licence grant if the area of the licence is decreased in accordance with
section 38A of the Act.
1. (General Conditions) The program of work submitted with the licence application must be completed, in accordance with any schedule
included in that program of work. The program of work, including scheduling, may only be varied with the agreement of the Minister. This does
not apply if the variation only involves work which is additional to that described in the program of work. During the term of the licence, the
Minister may request updated details of the proposed program of work to be provided by a specified date. The licensee must comply with any
such request.
2. (Administrative Arrangements) The licensee must ensure that the relevant Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) Regional Manager is at all
times aware of the appropriate contact person for activities conducted under an exploration licence. Prior to commencing ground intrusive
work or work involving the removal or damaging of native vegetation under the definition of low impact exploration the licensee must submit a
rehabilitation bond to the satisfaction of the Minister. Where ground intrusive work or work involving the removal or damaging of native
vegetation is carried out under the definition of low impact exploration the licensee must notify the Crown land manager (for works on Crown
land) and the ERR Chief Inspector at least 7 days prior to the commencement of work. Notification must include:
Doc ID 929661733/v16
203
204
(a) Start date,
(d) Location.
4. (Native Vegetation and Fauna) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid, minimise and/or offset the removal and
disturbance of native vegetation and faunal habitats.
5. (Box-ironbark Region) Where activities are proposed to be undertaken in a Box-Ironbark region, the licensee must undertake a preliminary
assessment of vegetation and faunal habitats of areas of interest in that Box-Ironbark region to identify and mark areas or sites to be avoided
in the exploration project.
6. (Public Liability Insurance) Prior to commencing any work, the licensee must have public liability insurance that covers all work authorised
under the licence and ensure the insurance is valid at all times while work occurs under the licence.
7. (Public Safety Zones) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise their impact on the operation of a Public Safety Zone.
8. (Soil Management) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise impacts on the physical and biological health of soil.
9. (Plant Diseases, Weeds and Pest Animals) The licensee must ensure that all soil that is imported into the exploration licence area is free of
disease and noxious weeds. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise the spread of weeds, pest animals and plant
diseases whilst undertaking exploration activities. The licensee must adhere to any biosecurity protocols that have been adopted on private or
Crown land.
10. (Water Quality and Aquatic Habitat) The licensee must design, install and maintain erosion and sediment controls to prevent erosion of
areas of disturbed land and sedimentation of waterways. Where exploration activities are being conducted in waters or on the banks of
Page 36
Doc ID 929661733/v16
waterways with water in them, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise sedimentation of the waterway. The licensee must
take all reasonable measures to prevent contaminated runoff from entering receiving waterways.
11. (Fuels, Lubricants and Hazardous Materials) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent contamination of the environment
by the release of fuels, lubricants and hazardous materials. The licensee must ensure that spills of hazardous materials are cleaned up as
quickly as practicable. Such spillage must not be cleaned up by hosing, sweeping or otherwise releasing such contaminant into waterways.
Within the Box-Ironbark region, the licensee must install trays or similar apparatus beneath machinery to protect the soil and vegetation from
oil/fuel leaks or spills.
12. (Aboriginal Cultural Heritage) The licensee must ensure Aboriginal cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within the
licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-Ironbark
region, an assessment of Aboriginal cultural heritage values must be undertaken.
13. (Heritage (Non-Indigenous)) The licensee must ensure non-indigenous cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within
the licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-
Ironbark region, an assessment of non-indigenous cultural heritage values must be undertaken.
14. (Fire Precaution) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent the ignition and spread of fire. Prior to undertaking any
exploration activities, the licensee must develop and implement a fire response and readiness plan.
15. (Waste and Redundant Equipment) The licensee must ensure all waste generated on site is disposed of at an appropriate waste
management facility.
16. (Camping) The licensee may only establish campsites with the permission of the Crown land Manager or private land owner/occupier. The
licensee must select, establish and manage campsites to minimise risks to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
17. (Noise) Within the licensed area, the licensee must ensure that noise generated by exploration activities does not exceed limits set by the
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria and the local council. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid causing nuisance
noise.
18. (Air Emissions, Dust and Lighting) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts as a result of the release of
dust, odour and/or emission of light.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
205
206
19. (Livestock, Domestic Animals and Crops) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts to livestock 1 and
crops.
20. (Geophysical and Geochemical Surveys and Gridlines) In designing and constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee
must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts to the environment and/or the health and safety of people. Prior to designing
and constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee must consult with the Crown land Manager and/or private land
owner/occupier about the position of gridlines and geophysical lines.
22. (Tracks and Roads) In designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse
impact to the environment. Prior to designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must consult with the public land manager,
responsible road authority and/or private landowner/occupier. Prior to using a closed road the licensee must gain consent from the responsible
road authority. Prior to conducting ground intrusive exploration works on a road the licensee must gain consent form the responsible road
authority.
23. (Drill Sites, Costeans, Trenches and Bulk Sampling Excavations) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse
impacts of establishing costeans, drill holes, bulk sample excavations and trenches to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
24. (Drillhole Operations, Construction and Decommissioning) The licensee must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to minimise
the impacts of drilling operations and that the operations are conducted in a manner that ensures protection of the environment, human health
and amenity. The licensee must prevent contamination of aquifers as a result of drilling operations. The licensee must ensure that where a
drillhole is to be left open overnight or longer, a temporary cap is fitted. The licensee must ensure that accurate records of decommissioning
procedures are kept to provide future reference, and to demonstrate to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions that the drillholes have
been satisfactorily plugged and abandoned.
1
For the purpose of these conditions, bees are defined as livestock.
Page 38
Doc ID 929661733/v16
25. (Underground Exploration) The licensee must ensure that during underground exploration and development works, access shafts, adits and
declines are made safe. The licensee must ensure that on completion of underground exploration and development works, access shafts,
adits or declines no longer required are permanently closed off and the site made safe for the public and wildlife.
26. (Rehabilitation) The licensee must ensure that disturbed areas are rehabilitated as soon as possible after the completion of exploration
works. The licensee must ensure that indigenous species used in rehabilitation are sourced from the local area, of local provenance and
appropriate to the site’s Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC).
27. (Reporting, Monitoring and Auditing) The licensee must implement a program for monitoring environmental impacts and rehabilitation. The
licensee must submit an Annual Report that includes:
(a) A report about the environmental management of exploration activities including the results of any environmental audits conducted.
(d) A rehabilitation report detailing completed rehabilitation activities over that year.
The licensee must notify the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as soon as practical of any environmental incident which results in:
(b) Any deviations from conditions or environmental standards outlined for the site.
Within seven (7) days of an environmental incident, the licensee must prepare and forward a report to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and
Regions detailing the following information:
(b) The native vegetation or threatened flora/fauna affected by the incident (if applicable).
Doc ID 929661733/v16
207
208
(c) The type, volume and concentration of every pollutant discharged as a result of the incident.
28. (Documentation and Records) The licensee must record activities undertaken and results arising from the environmental and rehabilitation
monitoring program, any auditing undertaken and any complaints received. The licensee must ensure that documentation generated through
Page 40
Doc ID 929661733/v16
Schedule 4 Retention Licence Conditions
Conditions in Licence
This licence is subject to the following conditions and to the Schedule of Conditions attached:
1. The licensee must expend in connection with retention licence activities of the land the minimum amount as set out in Schedule 1 (removed
where necessary, depending on term of years from date of registration) unless this requirement is varied or application of this requirement is
suspended for a specified period, in accordance with the Act.
3. Only low impact exploration work may be undertaken in the licensed area until the licensee has an approved work plan.
4. Activities in the licensed area must be limited to those specified in the Act and the licence.
5. On discovering an additional mineral resource deposit that may be economically viable to mine in the future, the licensee must report the
occurrence immediately in writing to the Department Head, giving the estimated size, grade and suitability for mining the deposit, and an
estimate of the value of the deposit at the time of discovery.
6. The licensee must pay rent from the date of registration of the licence.
2. (Work Program) The licence is granted subject to compliance and completion of the program of work (outlined in the schedule of project
milestones), being undertaken during the term of the licence. The program of work may be varied with the agreement of the Minister. This
Doc ID 929661733/v16
209
210
does not apply if the variation only involves work which is additional to that described in the program of work. During the term of the licence,
the Minister may request updated details of the proposed program of work.
2. Environmental Studies and Seek approval for road reserve drilling and low impact exploration activities. Continue
approvals progressing environmental studies.
3. Indicated mineral resource Continue air core drilling program, assaying, geological interpretation, sonic core
drilling, resource estimation and block modelling.
4. Metallurgical test work Undertake metallurgical variability test work for Zone 1.
5. Pre-feasibility study Continue prefeasibility mining studies, Block model review, pit optimization and
design, scheduling, and cashflow modelling. Metallurgy and process engineering
studies, geotechnical investigations, marketing studies and financial modelling.
6. Project funding Using the finding of the prefeasibility study to raise funds to continue exploration
activities and mine development studies.
7. Permitting and approvals Incorporate TRG feedback into EES specialist studies and re-submit EES specialist
studies to TRG. Draft EES chapters for submission to TRG. Commence Cultural
Heritage Management Plan (CHMP). Finalise environmental assessments.
Undertake work to establish native vegetation offset strategy. Submit EES in
accordance with EE Act.
Page 42
Doc ID 929661733/v16
8. Permitting and approvals Commence approval process for wet concentrate plant, field pilot plant and bulk
sample.
9. Permitting and approvals Continue exploration drilling approvals for paddock and road reserve. Continue EES
approval process. Prepare secondary approvals - Final Work Plan, Works Approval,
Licence and Planning Permit.
10. Measured mineral resource Continue drilling in Zone 1 and undertake air core drilling, assaying, geological
interpretation, sonic core drilling, resource estimation and block modelling.
11. Wet concentrate plant field Construct and commence field pilot plant test work.
pilot and bulk sample trial
12. Feasibility study Commence and complete feasibility mining studies for Zone 1.
13. Project Funding Use the findings of the Feasibility Study to raise funds to continue exploration
activities and mine development studies.
14. Project Infrastructure In consultation with regulators and government authorities finalise infrastructure
planning (access roads, rail loading facility etc.). Prepare preliminary plans for key
infrastructure.
15. Community consultation Continue land access negotiations and agreements for mining and commence Land
Access Agreements for Zone 3.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
211
212
16. Permitting and Approvals Continue exploration drilling approvals for paddock and road reserve. Implement and
maintain secondary approvals - Final Work Plan, Works Approval, Licence and
Planning Permit.
17. Complete indicated mineral Commence drilling in Zone 3 and undertake air core drilling, assaying, geological
resource for Zone 3 interpretation, sonic core drilling, resource estimation and block modelling.
19. Permitting and Approvals Seek approval for road reserve drilling and low impact exploration activities in farm
paddocks in Zone 3.
20. Indicated Mineral Resource Continue drilling in Zone 3 and undertake the following: Air core drilling program,
assaying, geological interpretation, sonic core drilling, resource estimation and block
modelling.
21. Metallurgical test work Complete ore and tailings characterization tests on Zone 3.
22. Mining studies Commence mining studies for Zone 3. Mining studies: block model review, mineral
resources need to be measured or indicated to be able to name a reserve, pit
optimization, pit design, scheduling and cashflow modelling. Metallurgy and process
engineering studies.
Page 44
Doc ID 929661733/v16
24. Measured Mineral Resource Commence work required to prepare measured mineral resource for Zone 3. Air Core
for Zone 3 drilling program, assaying, geological interpretation, resource estimation, block
modelling.
25. Pre-Feasibility Study for Commence Pre-feasibility mining studies: Mining studies, metallurgy and process
Zone 3 engineering studies. Marketing studies, financial modelling, environmental studies
and project scheduling.
26. Community consultation Commence community consultation for Zone 2 exploration drilling.
27. Environmental studies and Seek approval for road reserve drilling and low impact exploration activities in Zone 2.
approvals
28. Indicated Mineral resource Commence work required to complete indicated mineral resource. Air core drilling
for Zone 2 program, assaying, geological interpretation, sonic core drilling, resource estimation
and block modelling.
29. Metallurgical test work Commence metallurgical test work, ore characterization tests on Zone 2.
30. Pre-feasibility mining studies Commence feasibility mining studies for Zone 2. Mining studies: Block Model review,
mineral resources need to be measured or indicated to be able to name a reserve. Pit
optimization, pit design and scheduling. Cashflow modelling, Metallurgy and process
engineering studies. Marketing studies and financial modelling.
31. Community Consultation Commence community consultation for developing a mine in Zone 2 and Zone 3.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
213
214
32. Permitting and approvals Commence the regulatory approval process to develop a mine in Zone 2 and Zone 3.
Commence any additional environmental studies that may be required.
33. Measured Mineral Resource Commence work required to prepare measured mineral resource for Zone 2. Air core
for Zone 2 drilling program, assaying, geological interpretation, resource estimation and block
modelling.
2. (General) the licence holder must not undertake, cause or allow the undertaking of any exploration for coal seam gas.
3. (Administrative Arrangements) the licensee must ensure that the relevant Earth Resources Regulation (ERR) regional manager is at all
times aware of the appropriate contact person for activities conducted under the licence. Where work is approved by an area work plan, the
licensee must submit a written work schedule for any program of work. The work schedule must be submitted to the relevant ERR regional
manager and the Crown land manager (for work on Crown land) at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the commencement of work. The
licensee must comply with any request by the relevant ERR Regional Manager to defer, cease or modify the proposed works. Prior to
commencing ground intrusive work or work involving the removal or damaging of native vegetation under the definition of low impact
exploration the licensee must submit a rehabilitation bond to the satisfaction of the Minister. Where ground intrusive work or work involving the
removal or damaging of native vegetation is carried out under the definition of low impact exploration the licensee must notify the Crown land
manager (for works on Crown land) and the relevant ERR regional manager at least 7 days prior to the commencement of work. Notification
must include:
Page 46
Doc ID 929661733/v16
(c) Proposed removal or damaging of native vegetation, and
(d) Location.
4. (Community engagement) The licensee must identify their communities for the proposed operation and consult with the identified
communities.
5. (Native Vegetation and Fauna) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid, minimise and/or offset the removal and
disturbance of native vegetation and faunal habitats.
6. (Box-ironbark region) Where activities are proposed to be undertaken in a Box-lronbark region, the licensee must undertake a preliminary
assessment of vegetation and faunal habitats of areas of interest in that Box-lronbark region to identify and mark areas or sites to be avoided
in the exploration project.
7. (Public liability insurance) Prior to commencing any work, the licensee must have public liability insurance that covers all work authorised
under the licence and ensure the insurance is valid at all times while work occurs under the licence.
8. (Public safety zones) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise their impact on the operation of a Public Safety Zone.
9. (Soil management) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise impacts on the physical and biological health of soil.
10. (Plant diseases, weeds and pest animals) The licensee must ensure that all soil that is imported into the exploration licence area is free of
disease and noxious weeds. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise the spread of weeds, pest animals and plant
diseases whilst undertaking exploration activities. The licensee must adhere to any biosecurity protocols that have been adopted on private or
Crown land.
11. (Water quality and aquatic habitat) The licensee must design, install and maintain erosion and sediment controls to prevent erosion of areas
of disturbed land and sedimentation of waterways. Where exploration activities are being conducted in waters or on the banks of waterways
with water in them, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to minimise sedimentation of the waterway. The licensee must take all
reasonable measures to prevent contaminated runoff from entering receiving waterways.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
215
216
12. (Fuels, lubricants and hazardous materials) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent contamination of the environment
by the release of fuels, lubricants and hazardous materials. The licensee must ensure that spills of hazardous materials are cleaned up as
quickly as practicable. Such spillage must not be cleaned up by hosing, sweeping or otherwise releasing such contaminant into waterways.
Within the Box- lronbark region, the licensee must install trays or similar apparatus beneath machinery to protect the soil and vegetation from
oil/fuel leaks or spills.
13. (Aboriginal cultural heritage) The licensee must ensure Aboriginal cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within the
licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-lronbark
14. (Heritage (Non-Indigenous)) The licensee must ensure non-indigenous cultural heritage is not harmed as a result of works undertaken within
the licence area. Within areas where ground intrusive works or the removal of native vegetation are proposed on Crown land in the Box-
lronbark region, an assessment of non-indigenous cultural heritage values must be undertaken.
15. (Fire precaution) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent the ignition and spread of fire. Prior to undertaking any
exploration activities, the licensee must develop and implement a fire response and readiness plan.
16. (Waste and redundant equipment) The licensee must ensure all waste generated on site is disposed of at an appropriate waste
management facility.
17. (Camping) The licensee may only establish campsites with the permission of the Crown land Manager or private land owner/occupier. The
licensee must select, establish and manage campsites to minimise risks to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
18. (Noise) Within the licensed area, the licensee must ensure that noise generated by exploration activities does not exceed limits set by the
Environment Protection Authority, Victoria and the local council. The licensee must take all reasonable measures to avoid causing nuisance
noise.
19. (Air emissions, dust and lighting) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts as a result of the release of
dust, odour and/or emission of light.
20. (Livestock, domestic animals and crop) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts to livestock (including
bees) and crops.
Page 48
Doc ID 929661733/v16
21. (Geophysical and geological surveys and gridlines) In designing and constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee
must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse impacts to the environment and/or the health and safety of people. Prior to designing
and constructing geophysical and geochemical surveys, the licensee must consult with the Crown land Manager and/or private land
owner/occupier about the position of gridlines and geophysical lines.
22. (Explosives) When using explosives or high electrical currents, all reasonable measures must be taken to prevent harm or disturbance to
people, domestic animals, livestock and wildlife.
23. (Tracks and roads) In designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse
impact to the environment. Prior to designing and constructing tracks and roads, the licensee must consult with the public land manager,
responsible road authority and/or private landowner/occupier. Prior to using a closed road the licensee must gain consent from the responsible
road authority. Prior to conducting ground intrusive exploration works on a road the licensee must gain consent form the responsible road
authority.
24. (Drill sites, costeans, trenches and bulk sampling excavations) The licensee must take all reasonable measures to prevent adverse
impacts of establishing costeans, drill holes, bulk sample excavations and trenches to the environment and/or the health and safety of people.
25. (Drillhole operations, construction and decommissioning) The licensee must ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to minimise
the impacts of drilling operations and that the operations are conducted in a manner that ensures protection of the environment, human health
and amenity. The licensee must prevent contamination of aquifers as a result of drilling operations. The licensee must ensure that where a
drillhole is to be left open overnight or longer, a temporary cap is fitted. The licensee must ensure that accurate records of decommissioning
procedures are kept to provide future reference, and to demonstrate to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions that the drillholes have
been satisfactorily plugged and abandoned.
26. (Underground exploration) The licensee must ensure that during underground exploration and development works, access shafts, adits and
declines are made safe. The licensee must ensure that on completion of underground exploration and development works, access shafts,
adits or declines no longer required are permanently closed off and the site made safe for the public and wildlife.
27. (Rehabilitation) The licensee must ensure that disturbed areas are rehabilitated as soon as possible after the completion of exploration
works. The licensee must ensure that indigenous species used in rehabilitation are sourced from the local area, of local provenance and
appropriate to the site’s Ecological Vegetation Class (EVC).
Doc ID 929661733/v16
217
218
28. (Environmental Reporting, monitoring and auditing) The licensee must implement a program for monitoring environmental impacts and
rehabilitation. The licensee must submit an Annual Report that includes:
(a) A report about the environmental management of exploration activities including the result of any environmental audits conducted.
The licensee must notify the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions as soon as practical of any environmental incident which results in:
(f) Any deviations from conditions or environmental standards outlined for the site.
Within seven (7) days of an environmental incident, the licensee must prepare and forward a report to the Department of Jobs, Precincts and
Regions detailing the following information:
(h) The native vegetation or threatened flora/fauna affected by the incident (if applicable).
(i) The type, volume and concentration of every pollutant discharged as a result of the incident.
29. (Documentation and records) The licensee must record activities undertaken and results arising from the environmental and rehabilitation
monitoring program, any auditing undertaken and any complaints received. The licensee must ensure that documentation generated through
Page 50
Doc ID 929661733/v16
the environmental and rehabilitation monitoring program, auditing and any complaints received is appropriately stored and accessible to
relevant personnel and is available upon request by an ERR Inspector.
Doc ID 929661733/v16
219
Annexure D
Independent Limited Assurance Report
Dear Directors,
The Prospectus relates to the Company’s proposed listing of ordinary shares on the Australian Securities
Exchange (“ASX”) via an Initial Public Offering, and the offer of 14,814,815 Shares to be issued at a price of
$1.35 per Share to raise $20,000,000 (before costs) (the Broker Offer, the Institutional Offer, the Priority Offer,
and the Public Offer (together the 'IPO Offer'). The Company will also accept oversubscriptions of an additional
$10,000,000 (before costs).
Expressions and terms defined in the Prospectus have the same meaning in this report, except as otherwise
indicated.
Scope
You have requested RSM Corporate Australia Pty Ltd (“RSM”) to review the Statutory Historical Financial
Information of VHM Limited (“VHM”) included in Section 5 of the Prospectus, comprising:
VHM’s audited statutory historical statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income for the
financial years ended 30 June 2020 (“FY20”), 30 June 2021 (“FY21”) and 30 June 2022 (“FY22”);
VHM’s audited statutory historical statement of cash flows for FY20, FY21 and FY22; and
RSM Corporate Australia Pty Ltd is beneficially owned by the Directors of RSM Australia Pty Ltd. RSM Australia Pty Ltd is a member of the RSM network and trades as RSM. RSM is the trading name
used by the members of the RSM network. Each member of the RSM network is an independent accounting and consulting firm which practices. The RSM network is not itself a separate legal entity
in any jurisdiction.
RSM Corporate Australia Pty Ltd ABN 82 050 508 024 Australian Financial Services Licence No. 255847
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation (other than for the acts or omissions of Australian Financial Services Licensees)
The Statutory Historical Financial Information has been extracted from the audited (FY20, FY21 and FY22)
general purpose financial statements of VHM which were audited by HBL Mann Judd.
The FY20, FY21 and FY22 financial statements were audited by HBL Mann Judd, who issued a modified audit
opinion which included a material uncertainty related to going concern.
The Statutory Historical Financial Information is presented in the Prospectus in an abbreviated form, insofar as it
does not include all the presentation and disclosures required by Australian Accounting Standards applicable to
general purpose financial reports prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001.
You have requested RSM to review the Pro Forma Historical Financial Information of VHM included in Section 5
of the Prospectus and comprising:
the unaudited pro forma historical statement of financial position of VHM as at 30 June 2022; and
the subsequent events and pro forma adjustments as described in Section 5 of the Prospectus.
The Pro Forma Historical Financial Information has been derived from the Statutory Historical Financial
Information of VHM, adjusted for the transactions / adjustments summarised in Section 5 of the Prospectus. The
stated basis of preparation is the recognition and measurement requirements of Australian Accounting
Standards Board (“AASB”) and IFRS and VHM’s adopted accounting policies applied to the Statutory Historical
Financial Information and the events or transactions to which the subsequent events and pro forma adjustments
relate, as described in Section 5.5 of the Prospectus, as if those events or transactions had occurred as at the
date of the Statutory Historical Financial Information.
Due to its nature, the Pro Forma Historical Financial Information does not represent VHM’s actual or prospective
financial position.
The Pro Forma Historical Financial Information is presented in the Prospectus in an abbreviated form, insofar as
it does not include all the presentation and disclosures required by Australian Accounting Standards applicable
to general purpose financial reports prepared in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001.
Directors’ responsibility
the preparation and presentation of the Statutory Historical Financial Information; and
the preparation and presentation of the Pro Forma Historical Financial Information, including the
selection and determination of the subsequent events and pro forma adjustments made to the Statutory
Historical Financial Information and included in the Pro Forma Historical Financial Information.
This includes responsibility for such internal controls as the directors determine are necessary to enable the
preparation of the Statutory and Pro Forma Historical Financial Information that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Page 2 of 4
Our responsibility is to express a limited assurance conclusion on the Statutory and Pro Forma Historical
Financial Information based on the procedures performed and the evidence we have obtained. We have
conducted our engagement in accordance with the Standard on Assurance Engagement ASAE 3450:
“Assurance Engagements involving Corporate Fundraisings and/or Prospective Financial Information”.
We made such enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and performed
such procedures as we, in our professional judgment, considered reasonable in the circumstances including:
a consistency check of the application of the stated basis of preparation to the Statutory and Pro Forma
Historical Financial Information;
a review of the VHM work papers, accounting records and other supporting documents;
the performance of analytical procedures applied to the Statutory and Pro Forma Historical Financial
Information.
A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with Australian Auditing
Standards and consequently does not enable us to obtain reasonable assurance that we would become aware
of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Our engagement did not involve updating or re-issuing any previously issued audit report on any financial
information used as a source of the financial information.
Conclusions
Based on our review, which is not an audit, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the
Historical Financial Information of VHM, as described in Section 5 of the Prospectus, and comprising:
VHM’s audited statutory historical statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income for
FY20, FY21 and FY22;
VHM’s audited statutory historical statement of cash flows for FY20, FY21 and FY22; and
is not presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with the stated basis of preparation, as described
in Section 5 of the Prospectus.
Page 3 of 4
Based on our review, which is not an audit, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the
Pro Forma Historical Financial Information of VHM, as set out in Section 5 of the Prospectus, and comprising:
VHM’s unaudited pro forma statement of financial position as at 30 June 2022; and
the subsequent events and pro forma adjustments as described in Section 5 of the Prospectus,
is not presented fairly in all material aspects, in accordance with the stated basis of preparation, as described in
Section 5 of the Prospectus.
Restriction on use
Without modifying our conclusions, we draw attention to Section 5, which describes the purpose of the financial
information, being for inclusion in the Prospectus. As a result, the financial information may not be suitable for
use for another purpose.
Declaration of interest
RSM Corporate Australia Pty Ltd does not have any interest in the outcome of this transaction other than the
preparation of this report for which normal professional fees will be received.
Yours faithfully,
Page 4 of 4
Land
Impairment
The carrying amount of the Group’s assets, other
Land is initially recognised at cost. After initial
than deferred tax assets, are reviewed at each
recognition at cost, the Group will continue to
reporting date to determine whether there is any
carry the land, which is acquired primarily for its
indication of impairment. Where such an indication
mineral resources, at its cost less any accumulated
exists, a formal assessment of recoverable amount
impairment losses.
is then made and where this is in excess of
Plant and equipment carrying amount, the asset is written down to its
recoverable amount.
Plant and equipment, including fixture and fittings
acquired are initially recorded at their cost of Recoverable amount is the greater of fair value
acquisition at the date of acquisition, being the fair less costs to sell and value in use. Value in use
value of the consideration provided plus incidental is the present value of the future cash flows
costs directly attributable to the acquisition. expected to be derived from the asset or cash
generating unit. In estimating value in use, a pre-tax
Motor Vehicles discount rate is used which reflects current market
Motor Vehicles are recorded at cost of acquisition assessments of the time value of money and the
at the date of acquisition, being the fair value of the risks specific to the asset. Any resulting impairment
consideration provided plus incidental costs directly loss is recognised immediately in the statement of
attributable to the acquisition. comprehensive income.
Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s Impairment losses are reversed when there is an
carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, indication that the impairment loss may no longer
as appropriate, only when it is probable that future exist and there has been a change in the estimate
economic benefits associated with the item will used to determine the recoverable amount. An
flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be impairment loss is reversed only to the extent
measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance that the carrying amount of the asset(s) does not
are charged to the statement of comprehensive exceed the carrying amount that would have been
income during the financial period in which they determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no
are incurred. impairment loss had been recognised.
Independent Technical
Assessment Report
on the
Victorian Mineral Assets of
VHM Limited
Report Nº R192.2022
21 November 2022
Report issued by
CSA Global Pty Ltd (ABN 67 077 165 532)
Level 3, 1-5 Havelock Street, West Perth, WA 6005, Australia
PO Box 141, West Perth WA 6872, Australia
CSA Global Office
T +61 8 9355 1677
F +61 8 9355 1977
E csaaus@csaglobal.com
Division Corporate
Report information
Filename R192.2022 VHMITA03 Goschen ITAR
Report Status Final
Ray Cary
Principal Author
BSc Geology & Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, MAusIMM
Anthony Wesson
GDipEng (Mineral Economics), BComm, GDipEng (Mining), FAusIMM
Howard Simpson
BSc Eng (Mining) (Hons), BCom Accounting and Quantitative Management, FAusIMM (CP), RPEQ
Paul Newling
B App Sc (App Ext Met) MBA FAusIMM, MAIPM
Jemini Bhargava
B. Tech. Mining Engineering (First Class with Distinction)
Graham Jeffress
Peer reviewer BSc (Hons) Applied Geology, RPGeo (Mineral Exploration), FAIG, FAusIMM, FSEG, MGSA, Principal Geologist,
Partner Asia Pacific
CSA Global
Graham Jeffress Signature:
Authorisation
© Copyright 2022
Executive Summary
CSA Global Pty Ltd, an ERM Group company, have been engaged to provide an independent technical report
for inclusion in a prospectus to be issued by VHM Limited (VHML) on or around November 2022 to raise
funds to enable it to carry out further work to get the company to the point of making a Final Investment
Decision (FID) to proceed with the Goschen Project. This Report has been prepared for inclusion in that
prospectus and for provision to prospective investors.
VHML is an Australian-owned and operated, unlisted public company that was established in 2014. The
Company holds 2,860 km2 of mostly contiguous tenements located within the Loddon Mallee region in the
Murray Basin in north-eastern Victoria. Within the tenements are the Goschen, Nowie, Cygnus and Cannie
heavy mineral sand (HMS) deposits. The Company’s flagship project is the development of the Goschen
Mineral Sands and Rare Earth Deposit (Goschen or the Project). The development of Goschen forms the main
focus of this Independent Technical Assessment Report (ITAR).
The Company completed a definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in March 2022, having completed a Prefeasibility
Study (PFS) in February 2019. The DFS has defined an execution strategy for the development of Goschen to
deliver a fully integrated mining and treatment operation that achieves a nameplate feed rate to the process
plant of 5 Mtpa to produce and market two products – a valuable heavy minerals concentrate (VHMC)
containing zircon and titania, and a rare earths mineral concentrate (REMC) containing monazite and
xenotime. A staged development is planned, with the first phase consisting of a mining unit plant (MUP),
feed preparation plant (FPP), wet concentrator plant (WCP), and rare earth minerals flotation circuit
(REMFC).
A subsequent phase is planned to build a hydrometallurgical circuit utilising the REMC to produce a mixed
rare earths carbonate. A further phase will see the construction of a mineral separation plant (MSP) to
produce upgraded zircon and titanium minerals products.
Testwork and pilot activities in respect of these subsequent phases will be undertaken in parallel with front-
end engineering and design (FEED) and detailed design activities for the first phase of the Project. The
forecast timing for FID for the first phase of development is H2 2023.
Work has been completed by a number of consultants: IHC Robbins (IHCR), TZ Minerals International (TZMI),
Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd (MTPL), Auralia Mining Consultants (Auralia), Met-Chem Consulting Pty Ltd,
Pitt & Sherry Pty Ltd (P&S), Right Solutions Australia (RSA), and AECOM Infrastructure (AECOM). Other
consultants include Adamas Intelligence, Coffey International, various legal and economic consultancy firms,
and others whose work CSA Global Pty Ltd (CSA Global) has not specifically reviewed but is aware that the
Company has relied on the services and information provided by these consultants. Additional to the work
of these consultants, internal work by the Company was also reviewed for the ITAR.
VHML also intends to undertake exploration-oriented work to convert Exploration Licences (ELs) that cover
the Cannie and Nowie deposits to Retention Licences (RLs). For the preparation of this ITAR, CSA Global was
tasked with completing a technical review of the work completed by the Company and its consultants to the
extent necessary to validate information to support the Competent Persons’ Reports on findings of quality,
suitable for consideration in a due diligence process of discovery.
Mineral Resources
In May 2017, total heavy mineral (THM) content was estimated for both sheet-style and strandline
mineralisation at the Area 1, Area 2 West, Area 3 and Area 4 zones at Goschen. Over time, portions of the
2017 Goschen North Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) were replaced by updated estimates of the Mineral
Resource inventory which now comprises Mineral Resources in Area 1 (East and West), Area 2 West,
Area 3 Extended, and Area 4. Updated MREs were prepared in 2020 and 2021 for Area 3 Extended and for
Area 1 East and West deposits. Goschen Areas 1 and Area 3 are the initial focus of development, and hence
are the subject of the Company’s initial Ore Reserve Estimate (ORE).
The Goschen MREs and OREs are summarised in Table 4, Table 5, Table 6, and Table 7. The consolidated
MREs for all areas are summarised in Table 4 and Table 5.
Due to the extended exploration and project development path for the Project, the MREs have been through
several iterations, often based on different sampling and sample preparation methods. The earlier estimates
were based on samples screened between a top size of 2 mm and a minimum size of 38 microns (µm).
Metallurgical testwork subsequently indicated that it was possible to recover a finer fraction, and the most
recent Mineral Resource model is based on samples screened to -1 mm, +20 µm. A significant majority of the
Area 1 and Area 3 Extended models are now based on assaying of the -1 mm, +20 µm sand fraction. The
remaining estimates in Area 4 are being progressively upgraded to the same basis.
In CSA Global’s professional opinion:
• The mixed -2 mm, +38 µm and -1 mm, +20 µm datasets have been sufficiently inves�gated and have
been appropriately considered in the confidence levels applied to the MREs and reported in
accordance with the JORC Code.
• Within Area 1 East, the average THM grade of the -1 mm, +20 µm samples from within the metallurgical
domain is significantly higher than the average THM grades of the -1 mm, +20 µm samples for the
remaining por�ons of Area 1 East, Domain 2, and Domain 3. The weighted average grade within the
metallurgical domain is 4.01% THM, a doubling of the grade for the remaining por�on of Area 1 East
which was es�mated from the samples to be 2.01% THM. Grade upli� resul�ng from the metallurgical
testwork increases the grade from 4.01% THM to 5.72% THM. This difference has been noted by the
Company, and alignment of the sampling and assaying processes with the metallurgical processes is
now in place.
• The es�ma�on by the ordinary kriging methods applied in the current MREs in Area 1 and Area 3
Extended has updated the previous use of inverse distance weigh�ng methods for THM, slimes, and
oversize. A nearest neighbour interpolator was used for the mineral assemblages and this is
appropriate given that mineral assemblage data were derived from composited samples, each being
representa�ve of a specific spa�al area.
• The current approach by the Company to es�mate bulk density has been tested over �me and provides
an acceptable global es�mate of bulk density, and a reasonable basis for all tonnages stated in the
MREs. In-situ density measurements will be collected as the Project development progresses to
con�nue refining es�mates of tonnage as mining opera�ons commence.
• The appropriate level of laboratory testwork has been completed by MTPL to support the ORE and
subsequent updates.
• The Company’s focus is on the con�nuing development of Goschen, whilst maintaining ongoing
resource development studies at the Nowie, Cygnus and Cannie projects. CSA Global has reviewed the
proposed explora�on and is sa�sfied that it is appropriate.
CSA Global has found the global MREs to be appropriate to the current levels of study and project
development. The JORC category classifica�ons have been appropriately applied, and the Company has a
reasonable basis for all declared MREs.
accordance with Clause 17 of the JORC Code. While the Company values the previous Goschen North MRE
completed in 2017, it is now referred to as the Goschen Exploration Target 2022.
VHML does not consider the mineralisation which occurs outside the four Resource Areas to be material in
the short term, relative to the Company’s overall assets. These areas are at a relatively early stage of
exploration and the Company plans to replace the existing historical drilling data with newly acquired data
meeting the requirements of the JORC Code for reporting of Mineral Resources. These areas remain relevant
targets for future exploration and development. CSA Global concurs with this opinion.
Ongoing development of VHML’s assets will include infill drilling for confidence upgrade of Inferred Mineral
Resources to Indicated or higher confidence in Area 1, Area 3 Extended, and Area 4.
Resource extensional drilling, as well as further exploration and definition of Mineral Resources that can be
reported in accordance with the JORC Code is planned in the Nowie, Cygnus and Cannie exploration projects.
CSA Global has reviewed the proposed explora�on and considers the overall strategy to be jus�fied and
appropriate to the current levels of project maturity.
be conducted over the next few months. A key objective will be to maintain the proportion of stranded
recycles to <10% by weight of the feed.
The follow-up work that the Company is presently undertaking includes:
• A FEED op�misa�on study, and rare earth hydrometallurgical circuit engineering study to bring this
aspect up to DFS standard.
• Verifica�on testwork, bulk sample testwork, etc., to provide sample for the hydrometallurgical circuit
testwork campaign and further validate the tes�ng carried out earlier. This will include further analysis
of open stream accoun�ng.
• Increasing the volume of REMC marke�ng samples as the basis for project revenue projec�ons in the
financial model.
• Iden�fying a reputable engineering, procurement and construc�on (EPC) contractor with a track
record of processing plant delivery in Victoria for the next FEED phases of work, and into the
implementa�on phase.
On an overall basis, the level of project development for the concentrator was assessed against the Project
Development Readiness Index criteria that is based on the AACE 1 international recommended practice
no. 18R-97 (AACE18R-97). For a DFS, the required level of project definition and engineering completion is
typically 10–40% and CSA Global’s review confirms that the work completed by the Company is within the
expected range.
1
Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering, an international organisation providing standards and best practice guidance on completing
projects to meet time, cost, investment and operational goals through the application of cost engineering and cost management principles, proven
methodologies, and the latest technology in support of the management process.
Ore Reserves, and further additions to Ore Reserves from exploration success, almost certain to extend mine
life well beyond 40 years.
The DFS estimate of pre-production and implementation capital costs is A$439 million, which is summarised
below. The costs are current as of fourth quarter 2021.
Table 1: Goschen DFS Stage 1 pre-production capital cost estimate
Facility area Total (A$)
Mining unit plant (MUP) $18,916,379
Wet concentrator plant (WCP) $85,500,207
Rare earth minerals flotation circuit (REMFC) $44,192,436
Non-process infrastructure (NPI) $189,121,559
Pre-implementation - Land, approvals, drilling $47,604,457
Pre-implementation – Study and project development $32,396,679
Mining contractors pre-production $21,500,000
Total CAPEX $439,231,717
Capital for the FPP is included within that for the WCP. The implementation capital excludes sustaining and
deferred capital of A$12.9 million and A$49.1 million respectively, which are not expected to be drawn upon
until two years after the commencement of operations.
The capital cost for the MSP is estimated at A$148 million and it has not been included in the currently
proposed development so as to limit the capital requirement. Although the MSP will be further advanced as
a part of the FEED studies, its development will be deferred unless necessitated by external or other factors,
and it will now form the basis for the second stage of development.
The DFS estimate of annual operating costs is summarised below, which indicates an average operating cost
of A$21.47/t run-of-mine (ROM) ore processed.
Table 2: Goschen annual operating cost estimate
Area Annual cost (A$) %
Mining contractor $50,799,000 42%
Tailings contractor $3,000,000 3%
Site services $11,489,402 10%
Site management $6,419,000 5%
Process plant $20,694,836 17%
Power station $12,533,874 10%
Water pump station $3,303,504 3%
Product transport and logistics $12,604,360 10%
Total $120,843,976 100%
HM in mined ore
Zircon 918,500 Tonnes 23.5%
Rutile 390,700 Tonnes 10.0%
Leucoxine 333,900 Tonnes 8.5%
Ilmenite 986,600 Tonnes 25.2%
Monazite 143,300 Tonnes 3.7%
Xenotime 26,600 Tonnes 0.7%
Other HM 1,115,400 Tonnes 28.5%
Total 3,915,000 Tonnes 100.0%
Final products recovered from ore feed
P-Float concentrate containing:
Zircon 813,800 Tonnes 88.6% recovery
Titanium minerals 1,178,000 Tonnes 68.8% recover
Rare Earth Minerals concentrate containing
Rare earth minerals 150,000 Tonnes 88.1% recover
Total final products recovered from ore feed 2,141,800 Tonnes 76.5% Overall VHM recovery
There are a number of comments and observations throughout this Report to the effect that further work,
testing and optimisation is recommended to better refine costs estimates and the certainty of other inputs
into the Goschen Project. This is in line with the particular stage of development work being undertaken by
VHML. It is acknowledged that VHML's stated intentions in its Prospectus are to raise funds to conduct this
additional work, including FEED studies, FEED and other optimisation work, preparatory to, and to enable, a
Final Investment Decision to proceed.
Table 4: Company Mineral Resource inventory – THM assemblage (as of 30 June 2021)
Mineral In situ Bulk Oversize THM assemblage (2)
Material THM Slimes
Area Resource THM density material Zircon Rutile Leucoxene Ilmenite Monazite Xenotime
(Mt) (%) (%)
category (Mt) (gcm3) >2 mm (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Measured 30.7 1.8 1.76 5.72 15 5 29.9 10.8 9.0 24.7 4.3 0.8
Area 1 Indicated 62.2 1.4 1.72 2.31 18 2 26.6 11.5 9.2 25.0 4.6 0.9
Total (1) 92.9 3.2 1.73 3.44 17 3 27.7 11.2 9.1 24.9 4.5 0.8
Table 5: Company MREs for Area 1, Area 2 West, Area 3 Extended and Area 4 – REO as of 30 June 2021
In Oversize REO
Mineral Bulk
Material situ THM Slimes material
Area Resource density CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb2O3 TREO
(Mt) THM 3 (%) (%) >2 mm
category (g/cm ) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
(Mt) (%)
Measured 30.7 1.8 1.76 5.72 15 5 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.01 0.008 0.47 0.05 2.72
Area 1 Indicated 62.2 1.4 1.72 2.31 18 2 1.11 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.07 0.53 0.46 0.12 0.08 0.02 0.007 0.48 0.05 3.04
Total (1) 92.9 3.2 1.73 3.44 17 3 1.06 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.07 0.51 0.43 0.12 0.08 0.02 0.008 0.48 0.05 2.94
Indicated 26.0 0.7 1.72 2.80 20 8 0.66 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.31 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.010 0.39 0.04 1.97
Area 2 West
Total (1) 26.0 0.7 1.72 2.80 20 8 0.66 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.31 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.010 0.39 0.04 1.97
Indicated 204.1 6.9 1.73 3.38 19 3 0.78 0.05 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.36 0.33 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.010 0.37 0.04 2.19
Area 3 Inferred 287.7 6.7 1.72 2.32 18 3 0.76 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.35 0.31 0.08 0.06 0.01 0.010 0.36 0.03 2.10
Total (1) 491.8 13.6 1.73 2.76 18 3 0.77 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.36 0.32 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.010 0.36 0.04 2.14
Indicated 18.0 0.8 1.74 4.60 20 5 0.67 0.05 0.03 0.002 0.05 0.32 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.006 0.33 0.04 1.90
Area 4
Total (1) 18.0 0.8 1.74 4.60 20 5 0.67 0.05 0.03 0.002 0.05 0.32 0.28 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.006 0.33 0.04 1.90
Measured 30.7 1.8 1.76 5.72 15 5 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.01 0.008 0.47 0.05 2.72
GRAND Indicated 310.3 9.8 1.73 3.19 19 3 0.81 0.05 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.009 0.38 0.04 2.27
TOTAL Inferred 287.7 6.7 1.72 2.32 18 3 0.76 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.35 0.31 0.08 0.06 0.01 0.010 0.36 0.03 2.10
TOTAL 628.7 18.3 1.73 2.92 18 3 0.81 0.05 0.04 0.003 0.05 0.38 0.33 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.009 0.38 0.04 2.25
Area Material (t) In situ TREO grade (2) (%) In situ TREO (t)
Mineral Resource (Measured, Indicated, and Inferred) for Area 1, Area 2 West, Area 3 and Area 4 628,703,134 0.07 413,107
Notes: Any discrepancies in totals are a function of rounding. (1) Mineral Resources reported at a cut-off grade of 1.0% THM. (2) In-situ TREO grade is calculated by THM grade (2.92%) multiplied by TREO grade
(2.24%).
239
240
VHM LIMITED
Goschen Project – Independent Technical Assessment Report
Table 6: Company Ore Reserves for Area 1 and Area 3 (as of 31 March 2022)
Area Date Classification Ore (Mt) THM (%) Zircon (%) Rutile (%) Leucoxene (%) Ilmenite (%) Monazite (%) Xenotime (%)
Proved 24.5 5.4 29.9 10.8 9 24.7 4.3 0.8
Area 1 Mar 2021
Probable 14.6 3.2 29.2 11.7 9.2 25.5 4.5 0.9
Area 3 Feb 2021 Probable 159.6 3.5 20.3 9.4 8.1 25.8 3.4 0.6
Proved 24.5 5.4 29.9 10.8 9 24.7 4.3 0.8
Total
Probable 174.2 3.5 21 9.6 8.2 25.8 3.5 0.6
Table 7: Goschen Project DFS Ore Reserves as of 31 March 2022 (subset of global Company Ore Reserves)
Area Date Classification Ore (Mt) THM (%) Zircon (%) Rutile (%) Leucoxene (%) Ilmenite (%) Monazite (%) Xenotime (%)
Proved 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
Area 1 Mar 2021
Probable 7.6 2.2 27.6 12.7 10.5 25.9 4.3 0.9
Area 3 Feb 2021 Probable 65.7 3.6 19.7 9.1 7.9 25.3 3.3 0.6
Proved 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
Total
Probable 73.3 3.4 20.2 9.3 8.1 25.4 3.4 0.6
GRAND TOTAL 98.8 4 23.6 9.9 8.5 25.1 3.7 0.7
CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb2O3 TREO
Area Date Classification
(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Proved 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.012 0.008 0.47 0.05 2.72
Area 1 Mar 2021
Probable 0.957 0.065 0.045 0.003 0.059 0.454 0.398 0.104 0.071 0.012 0.007 0.456 0.05 2.682
Area 3 Feb 2021 Probable 0.795 0.056 0.038 0.003 0.055 0.373 0.335 0.091 0.063 0.009 0.006 0.383 0.039 2.271
Proved 0.96 0.07 0.05 0.004 0.06 0.48 0.38 0.11 0.07 0.012 0.008 0.47 0.05 2.72
Total
Probable 0.806 0.056 0.039 0.003 0.055 0.379 0.339 0.092 0.064 0.009 0.006 0.388 0.04 2.298
GRAND TOTAL 0.862 0.061 0.043 0.003 0.057 0.415 0.354 0.099 0.066 0.01 0.007 0.417 0.044 2.451
Note: The Proved Ore Reserves stated in Table 6are larger than those stated in Table 7 due to a reduction in the required offset between the pit crest and vegetation to be conserved around the pit.
Contents
Report prepared for .................................................................................................................................................. I
Report issued by ....................................................................................................................................................... I
Report information ................................................................................................................................................... I
Author and Reviewer Signatures .............................................................................................................................. I
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Context, Scope, and Terms of Reference .................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Compliance with the VALMIN and JORC Codes ......................................................................................... 1
1.3 Principal Sources of Information and Reliance on Other Experts.............................................................. 2
1.4 Authors of the Report ................................................................................................................................ 2
1.5 Independence ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1.6 Declarations ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.6.1 Purpose of this Document ................................................................................................................ 4
1.6.2 Practitioner/Competent Persons’ Statement ................................................................................... 4
1.6.3 Site Inspection .................................................................................................................................. 5
3 BACKGROUND .................................................................................................................................................. 7
3.1 Goschen Project Location, Access, and Infrastructure .............................................................................. 7
3.2 Climate and Topography............................................................................................................................ 8
3.3 Tenure ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
4 GEOLOGY........................................................................................................................................................ 11
4.1 Regional Geology ..................................................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Local Geology ........................................................................................................................................... 11
4.3 Mineralisation .......................................................................................................................................... 12
4.4 Exploration History .................................................................................................................................. 13
5 DATA .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
5.1 Assessment of Historical Data ................................................................................................................. 14
5.2 VHML Drilling ........................................................................................................................................... 14
5.3 Sample Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 15
5.4 Discussion of Analysis of Results from Using Variable Screen Sizes ........................................................ 16
6.2 Goschen Area 1 (1 East and 1 West) Mineral Resource Estimate ........................................................... 19
6.2.1 Drilling Data .................................................................................................................................... 19
6.2.2 Interpretation and Modelling ......................................................................................................... 20
6.2.3 Block Model Validation and Classification ...................................................................................... 23
6.3 Goschen Area 3 Extended Mineral Resource Estimate ........................................................................... 25
6.3.1 Drilling Data and Bulk Samples ....................................................................................................... 27
6.3.2 Interpretation and Modelling ......................................................................................................... 29
6.3.3 Block Model Validation and Classification ...................................................................................... 30
7 MINING .......................................................................................................................................................... 33
7.1 Mining Operations ................................................................................................................................... 33
7.2 Mining Schedule ...................................................................................................................................... 36
7.3 CSA Global Review Comments ................................................................................................................. 37
7.4 Mining Waste and Process Tailings Disposal ........................................................................................... 37
7.5 Mining Costs ............................................................................................................................................ 39
7.6 CSA Global Questions re Mining Proposals ............................................................................................. 39
9 INFRASTRUCTURE ........................................................................................................................................... 52
9.1 Power Supply ........................................................................................................................................... 52
9.2 Water Supply ........................................................................................................................................... 52
9.3 Site Buildings and Roads .......................................................................................................................... 53
9.4 General Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 53
15 RISKS .............................................................................................................................................................. 76
15.1 Mineral Resource Estimation................................................................................................................... 76
15.2 Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing ......................................................................................... 76
15.3 Mine Planning and Ore Reserves ............................................................................................................. 78
17 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 80
Figures
Figure 1: Location map ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2: Regional topography ................................................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 3: VHML tenements and project areas.......................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 4: Regional structural zones of Victoria......................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 5: Location of the Company’s Resource Areas – Area 1 (East and West), Area 2 West, Area 3 Extended, and Area 4 . 14
Figure 6: Area 1 East and Area 1 West, 38 µm data and 20 µm data ....................................................................................... 17
Figure 7: A typical section through Area 1 showing the domains (zones) and downhole gamma responses .......................... 21
Figure 8: Derivation of formula for bulk density conversion factor ......................................................................................... 22
Figure 9: Area 1 East (Section 6053200mN) showing the correlation between drillhole assay grades and interpolated block
model grades ............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Figure 10: Area 1 typical example of a swath plot along the northing for THM, slimes, and oversize....................................... 24
Figure 11: Plan showing the location of holes used to create the composite samples used for mineral assemblage
determination ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Figure 12: Plan showing the locations of drillholes used for THM, slimes and oversize estimation in Area 3 Extended ........... 28
Figure 13: Plan showing the location of drillholes that contributed sample to the 1.8-tonne bulk sample used in the
metallurgical testwork program ................................................................................................................................ 29
Figure 14: Representation of a west-east cross section through the Area 3 Extended Resource Area, showing the relative
location of the three mineralised zones (vertical exaggeration applied) .................................................................. 30
Figure 15: Area 3 block model coloured by lab assay THM grade and sliced at 400 m northings (Zones 1, 2 and 3 shown)..... 31
Figure 16: Area 3 block model coloured by QEMSCAN zircon grade and sliced at 400 m northings (Zones 1, 2 and 3 shown) 32
Figure 17: Mining block outlines for Area 1 (left) and Area 3 (the two areas are not shown to scale) ...................................... 34
Figure 18: Area 1 surface infrastructure .................................................................................................................................... 35
Figure 19: Area 3 surface infrastructure .................................................................................................................................... 36
Figure 20: High-level flowsheet .................................................................................................................................................. 41
Figure 21: Breakdown of process plant operating costs ............................................................................................................ 58
Tables
Table 1: Goschen DFS Stage 1 pre-production capital cost estimate ...................................................................................... VII
Table 2: Goschen annual operating cost estimate .................................................................................................................. VII
Table 3: Goschen DFS life-of-mine production estimates ...................................................................................................... VIII
Table 4: Company Mineral Resource inventory – THM assemblage (as of 30 June 2021) ....................................................... IX
Table 5: Company MREs for Area 1, Area 2 West, Area 3 Extended and Area 4 – REO as of 30 June 2021 ............................. X
Table 6: Company Ore Reserves for Area 1 and Area 3 (as of 31 March 2022) ....................................................................... XI
Table 7: Goschen Project DFS Ore Reserves as of 31 March 2022 (subset of global Company Ore Reserves) ........................ XI
Table 8: Summary of granted tenure held by the Company as of 14 October 2022............................................................... 10
Table 9: Summary of historical drilling within EL5520 (now RL6806) ..................................................................................... 13
Table 10: REEs analysed using XRF and typical mineral association ......................................................................................... 16
Table 11: Area 1 summary of drilling and assays ...................................................................................................................... 20
Table 12: Area 3 Extended Mineral Resource statement ......................................................................................................... 26
Table 13: Area 3 Extended REO content of whole rock analysis of the THM fraction .............................................................. 26
Table 14: Summary of input data applied, and method used to populate the block model .................................................... 30
Table 15: Bulk sample mineral assemblage grades and Area 3 South QEMSCAN mineral assemblage grades ........................ 31
Table 16: Proposed slope design angles ................................................................................................................................... 33
Table 17: Combined mining production schedule .................................................................................................................... 37
Table 18: Mining operating costs applied in optimisations ...................................................................................................... 39
Table 19: Mining operating costs applied in cash flow model .................................................................................................. 39
Table 20: CSA Global review questions and Auralia responses................................................................................................. 39
Table 21: Area 1 metallurgical composite................................................................................................................................. 43
Table 22: Summary of Ore Reserves ......................................................................................................................................... 49
Table 23: DFS Ore Reserves – a subset of Goschen global Ore Reserves .................................................................................. 49
Table 24: Goschen DFS life-of-mine production estimates ....................................................................................................... 50
Table 25: Total Project CAPEX estimate summary by facility areas inclusive of all contingencies and all expected EPC
contractors’ costs ...................................................................................................................................................... 55
Table 26: OPEX Estimate Summary by Category ....................................................................................................................... 58
Table 27: Ore Reserve optimisation parameters ...................................................................................................................... 60
Table 28: Process recoveries applied in the pit optimisations .................................................................................................. 64
Table 29: Goschen Combined Ore Reserves as of December 2021 .......................................................................................... 65
Table 30: Goschen Combined DFS Ore Reserves ...................................................................................................................... 65
Table 31: Goschen Exploration Target (GET 2022).................................................................................................................... 72
Table 32: Key processing risks, as reproduced from the DFS (Table 4.4 of Section 4) .............................................................. 76
Table 33: Use of funds .............................................................................................................................................................. 79
Appendix
Appendix A Compilation – JORC Code (2012 Edition) Table 1 for Area 1, Area 2W, Area 3 Extended, and Area 4
Appendix B HWL Ebsworth Report
1 Introduction
1.1 Context, Scope, and Terms of Reference
CSA Global Pty Ltd (CSA Global), an ERM Group company, has been retained by VHM Limited (VHML or the
Company) to prepare an Independent Technical Assessment Report (ITAR) for use in a prospectus for an
Initial Public Offering (IPO) of14,814,815 fully paid ordinary shares at an issue price of A$1.35 per share to
raise A$20 million that will enable the Company to list on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The funds
raised will be used for the purpose of project advancement, including front-end engineering and design
(FEED) studies, project development, and exploration and evaluation of the various project areas.
VHML has a large area held under tenements in north-western Victoria. Within these are heavy mineral sands
(HMS) deposits wherein VHML recognises four main project areas – Goschen, Cannie, Nowie, and Cygnus.
The proposed development of part of the Goschen heavy minerals/rare earth minerals (REM) deposits form
the main focus of this report. A high-level review of the Cannie, Nowie and Cygnus exploration projects has
also been completed.
The Company has completed a Prefeasibility level study for a rare earth hydrometallurgical circuit to recover
mixed REM carbonates from a rare earths mineral concentrate (REMC) that it is intended be separated from
the bulk heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) that will result from the conventional processing of HMS. The
hydrometallurgical circuit requires additional studies to bring it to a Definitive Feasibility (DFS) level of
confidence and is not included in current proposal for the development at Goschen. For these reasons, it is
not discussed in this report.
In preparing this ITAR, CSA Global has:
• Relied on the accuracy and completeness of the data provided to it by VHML, and that the Company
has made CSA Global fully aware of all material informa�on in rela�on to the projects.
• Relied on the Solicitors’ Tenement Report prepared by HWL Ebsworth (HWLE) in 2022 and the
Company’s representa�on that it will hold adequate security of tenure for explora�on and assessment
of the projects to proceed.
• Required that VHML provide an indemnity to the effect that the Company will compensate CSA Global
in respect of preparing the ITAR against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabili�es to which
CSA Global or its Associates may become subject under any applicable law or otherwise arising from
the prepara�on of the ITAR to the extent that such loss, claim, damage or liability is a direct result of
VHML or any of its directors or officers knowingly providing CSA Global with any false or misleading
informa�on, or the Company, or its directors or officers knowingly withholding material informa�on.
• Required an indemnity that VHML would compensate CSA Global for any liability rela�ng to any
consequen�al extension of workload through queries, ques�ons, or public hearings arising from this
ITAR.
2 Australasian Code for Public Reporting of Technical Assessments and Valuations of Mineral Assets (The VALMIN Code), 2015 Edition, prepared by
the VALMIN Committee of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.
<http://www.valmin.org>
3 Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. The JORC Code, 2012 Edition. Prepared by: The Joint
Ore Reserves Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Minerals Council of
Australia (JORC). <http://www.jorc.org>
• Contribu�ng author – Mr David Chambers, Manger Projects and Studies for NewPro Engineering &
Consul�ng Services Pty Ltd in Perth, WA, is responsible for reviewing and assessing metallurgy and
processing for the concentrator component of the Goschen Project.
• Contribu�ng author – Mr Paul Newling, Principal Project Consultant of NewPro Engineering &
Consul�ng Services Pty Ltd in Perth, WA, is responsible for peer review of and co-authorship the
sec�ons of the ITAR assigned to David Chambers.
• Peer reviewer – Mr Graham Jeffress, Manager Corporate of CSA Global in Perth, WA, is responsible for
the en�re ITAR. Mr Jeffress is also responsible for technical oversight and direct regional knowledge
sufficient that a site visit was not deemed necessary.
Ms Ivy Chen is a corporate governance specialist with over 30 years’ experience in mining and resource
estimation. She served as the national geology and mining adviser for ASIC from 2009 to 2015. Ms Chen’s
experience in the mining industry in Australia and China as an operations and consulting geologist includes
open pit and underground mines for gold, manganese and chromite, and as a consulting geologist she has
conducted mineral project evaluation, strategy development and implementation, through to senior
corporate management roles. Recent projects completed include listings and other commercial transactions
on the Australian, Singapore, Hong Kong and United Kingdom stock exchanges. Ms Chen is a company
director and is a member of the VALMIN Committee.
Mr Ray Cary is an independent consultant who frequently works with CSA Global as a Principal Associate
Consultant. He has almost 50 years’ experience working in all facets of the industry, almost 30 years of which
have been as an independent consultant. Mr Cary’s specialties include feasibility studies, feasibility study
review and gap analysis, due diligence and financial modelling from scoping study level up to banking
standards. He has experience in most commodities and has worked extensively both within Australia and
overseas.
Mr Anthony Wesson is a mineral resource engineer with over 45 years’ experience in operations, planning,
consultancy and corporate roles for major mining companies. His strengths include mineral resource
estimation and the application of advanced geostatistical methods, reconciliation, sampling theory and
implementation, geometallurgy, due diligence, corporate governance and technology research and
development. Mr Wesson has global experience across a range of commodities and styles of mineralisation,
including minerals sands, titanium, and zircon.
Mr Howard Simpson is an experienced mining professional who has undertaken the delivery of mining
engineering, mine planning and economic evaluation for projects, technical studies, and operations. He has
delivered projects and studies across multiple geographies and commodities, with responsibilities for design,
planning, scheduling of mine operations, and economic evaluation. Howard has had a particular focus on
innovation throughout his career including technology solutions, integrated mining systems such as in-pit
crushing and conveying, and new and alternative mining methodologies.
Mr Jemini Bhargava is a principal mining engineer with more than 17 years’ experience in open pit mining.
He has specialised skills encompassing technical studies and project evaluation, continuous improvement
and change management, benchmarking and data analytics, technical audits, and risk assessment.
Mr Bhargava has demonstrated capabilities regarding technical and economic analyses of various standard
open pit methodologies, emerging, and innovative technologies such as pit-to-port optimisation, Trolley
Assist, in-pit crushing and conveying, surface miners, and mine automation. Mr Bhargava has also managed
the procurement of a new fleet of mining equipment and led the technical and commercial negotiations. He
has advanced consultancy expertise across multiple commodities and geographies and various open pit
extraction methods.
Mr David Chambers holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Metallurgy) from the University of Queensland in
Australia and has overseen numerous feasibility studies including significant rare earths project experience
gained through the management of the Canadian Fox Harbour CREE project at scoping and prefeasibility
study level (soon to move into the DFS phase) and the Ugandan Makuutu project at scoping study level. He
is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng)
as well as a Member (foreign licensee) of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of
Alberta (Peng). Mr Chambers has over 35 years of project delivery experience in Australia, Canada, South
America (Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay), and Africa (Guinea/DRC); working within multinational organisations.
Mr Paul Newling holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Extractive Metallurgy) from the WA School of Mines
and a Master of Business Administration (Technology Management) from Deakin University Vic. He is a
Fellow of the AusIMM and a Chartered Professional Metallurgist (Cpmet), as well as a member of the
Australian Institute of Project Management. Mr Newling has had significant experience in assessing and
developing rare earth projects. He has been leading multi-discipline project delivery teams for over 20 years,
including overseeing project management, project services, detailed design, procurement, construction and
commissioning, serving in contractor, owner and independent technical engineer (lender ITE) roles. Before
this, Mr Newling had operational roles within mining companies.
Mr Graham Jeffress is a geologist with over 30 years’ experience in exploration geology and management in
Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. He has worked in exploration (ranging from grassroots
reconnaissance through to brownfields, near-mine, and resource definition), project evaluation and mining
in a variety of geological terrains, commodities, and mineralisation styles within Australia and internationally.
Mr Jeffress has completed numerous independent technical reports (IGR, CPR, QPR) and valuations of
mineral assets.
1.5 Independence
CSA Global is an independent minerals industry consultancy. Neither CSA Global, nor the authors of this ITAR,
has or has had previously, any material interest in VHML or the mineral properties in which the Company has
an interest. CSA Global’s relationship with the Company is solely one of professional association between
client and independent consultant. Fees are being charged to VHML at a commercial rate for the preparation
of this ITAR, the payment of which is not contingent upon the conclusions of the ITAR. There is no formal
agreement between CSA Global and VHML as to the Company engaging CSA Global for further work.
No member or employee of CSA Global is, or is intended to be, a director, officer or other direct employee
of VHML. No member or employee of CSA Global has, or has had, any shareholding in the Company.
1.6 Declarations
1.6.1 Purpose of this Document
This ITAR has been prepared by CSA Global for inclusion in a prospectus prepared for the purposes of Chapter
6D.2 of the Corporations Act and for provision to investors. Its purpose is to provide an ITAR of the Company’s
Goschen Project, and a high-level review of the Company’s other projects, including the Goschen Exploration
Target, Cannie, Nowie and Cygnus projects.
The statements and opinions contained in this ITAR are given in good faith and in the belief, that they are not
false or misleading. The conclusions are based on information available up to 21 November 2022, which could
alter over time depending on exploration results, mineral prices, and other relevant market factors.
Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia (FIEAust) and a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng),
Mr Ken Baxter, a Member of the AusIMM, and Mr Paul Newling. Mr Newling is a Fellow of the AusIMM and
a Chartered Professional Metallurgist (Cpmet), as well as a member of the Australian Institute of Project
Management. All are Competent Persons.
Ms Chen and Messrs Wesson, Simpson and Bhargava are employed by CSA Global, who was engaged to
prepare the ITAR. Messrs Chambers, Baxter and Newling are CSA Global associates and employed on a
contractual basis directly via VHML. Mr Cary works with CSA Global on an ad-hoc consulting basis for specific
assignments.
Ms Chen and Messrs Cary, Wesson, Simpson, Bhargava, Chambers, Baxter and Newling have sufficient
experience that is relevant to the Technical Assessment of the Mineral Assets under consideration, the style
of mineralisation and types of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as
Practitioners as defined in the 2015 Edition of the “Australasian Code for the Public Reporting of Technical
Assessments and Valuations of Mineral Assets” (2015 VALMIN Code), and as Competent Persons as defined
in the 2012 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and
Ore Reserves” (2012 JORC Code).
Ms Chen and Messrs Wesson, Wesson, Simpson, Bhargava, Chambers, Baxter and Newling consent to the
inclusion in this ITAR of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.
3 Background
VHML holds 2,860 km2 of tenements in north-eastern Victoria, within which it recognises four main projects:
• The Goschen Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project (Goschen or the Project)
• The Cannie Explora�on Project (Cannie)
• The Nowie Explora�on Project (Nowie)
• The Cygnus Explora�on Project (Cygnus).
Goschen forms the main focus of this ITAR. The Project is being progressed toward development with the
completion of a DFS in March 2022. The DFS defined a strategy to deliver a fully commissioned mining and
treatment operation with a nameplate process plant feed rate of 5Mtpa to produce a valuable heavy minerals
concentrate (VHMC) and REMC. The Company plans to implement a staged development approach, with the
initial implementation phase comprising a mining unit plant (MUP), feed preparation plant (FPP) and wet
concentrator plant (WCP) to recover a bulk titania-zircon VHMC, and a rare earth mineral flotation circuit
(REMFC) to recover a rare earth mineral concentrate (REMC) from the VHMC.
PFS level studies have been completed for a hydrometallurgical circuit downstream from the REMFC to
recover the REMs monazite and xenotime in a mixed carbonate form; additional work is underway to advance
the hydrometallurgical circuit studies to DFS standard. The sum of A$1.4 million has been set aside for further
testwork.
DFS-standard studies have been completed to build a mineral separation plant (MSP) after the REMFC.
Allowances have been made in the FEED budget to progress the MSP; however, the additional capital is
estimated to be A$148 million, hence its deferral to reduce the capital intensity of the Stage 1 development.
An early decision to construct will not be made unless necessary for external reasons.
Engineering and testwork for these subsequent phases will be undertaken in parallel with the FEED and
detailed design activities for the first phase of the Project. The forecast timing for FID for the first phase is
late 2023.
This ITAR only considers the first phase, i.e. mining, MUP, FPP, WCP, and REMFC.
4
Due to the time of creation of source documents, ITAR images may show either EL5520 or RL6806 over the same area.
3.3 Tenure
VHML is the registered holder of RL6806, which covers Goschen. The other exploration licences held by VHML
are EL6419, EL6664, EL6666, EL6769 these tenements extend over an area of 2,860km2. This total excludes
recently granted EL 7828, EL 7807, EL 7803 and EL 7810 that are to be transferred to VP Minerals 12 months
after the grant date as set out in table 8.
The Company has recently received Ministerial approval to transfer the following exploration licences to VP
Minerals Limited 5: EL6895, EL6923, EL6915, and EL6926.
The Company’s granted tenure is summarised in Table 8 and depicted in Figure 3. CSA Global has relied on
the independent opinion of HWLE as of 14 October 2022 (HWL Ebsworth, 2022) with regards to the validity,
ownership, and standing of the Company’s tenements. CSA Global makes no other assessment or assertion
as to the legal title of the tenements and is not qualified to do so.
5VP Minerals Limited was recently incorporated in November 2021 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. It was
demerged in August 2022, following a transfer of certain of the Company’s exploration licences (as part of the VPM Demerger)
which are considered prospective for gold and base metals
4 Geology
4.1 Regional Geology
The Murray Basin is a shallow, intra-cratonic, Cenozoic basin covering an area of approximately 300,000 km2
in south-eastern South Australia, south-western New South Wales and north-western Victoria, flanked by
uplands of Proterozoic and Palaeozoic rocks. VHML’s tenements are located within the Murray Basin
in Victoria.
The Basin sediments are primarily silt, clay, and lime-rich sediments formed in various marine to marginal
marine, fluvial, deltaic, and aeolian depositional settings. At the base of the sedimentary sequence, flat-lying
Cenozoic sediments unconformably overlie Proterozoic and Palaeozoic basement rocks. The Tertiary
sediments are overlain by a thin blanket of Quaternary aeolian and fluvio-lacustrine sediments. The older
Cenozoic sequence consists of fluvial, marginal marine and marine sediments (Fabris, 2002).
The HMS deposits resulted from fluvial transport of heavy minerals sourced from weathered and eroded
rocks of the Lachlan Orogen, which surround the eastern and southern parts of the Basin. A paleo-coastline
formed during a Late Miocene-Early Pliocene marine regression across western Victoria and south-eastern
South Australia. Subsequent reworking of coastal sediments by wave action formed mineralised strandlines
along northwest-southeast trending dune fields, and sheet deposits associated with shallow near-shore
sediments (Keeling et al., 2016).
Widespread deposits of HMS occur in the Cenozoic Loxton-Parilla Sands, Calivil Formation, Shepparton
Formation, Coonambidgal Formation and Woorinen Formation. The mineralisation that VHML is evaluating
occurs within the Loxton-Parilla Sands unit (Olshina and van Kann, 2012). The valuable fraction of the HMS
includes zircon, rutile, leucoxene and ilmenite minerals, with the monazite that is also present containing
uranium and thorium.
Moore (1998) discusses the location of the Goschen deposits relative to Palaeozoic basement geology,
suggesting that differential weathering of the centre of Devonian granite plutons versus their more resistant
hornfels rims created small basins into which early Murray Basin sediments sagged leaving a depression for
the Loxton-Parilla Sands and fine-grained HMS to deposit.
There are also two smaller and less significant mineralised zones closer to the surface that are laterally
discontinuous across the Project. These two zones are heavily affected by iron oxide induration which grinds
up during drilling and reports to sinks fines within total heavy minerals (THM).
4.3 Mineralisation
The Goschen HMS deposits occur within the Pliocene Loxton-Parilla Sands in the southern Murray Basin. The
deposits contain rutile, zircon, and ilmenite. Two distinct styles of mineralisation occur: sheet and strandline.
The sheet-style deposits contain relatively fine-grained (sub 100 µm) heavy minerals, with some of the
recovered heavy minerals in the 20–40 µm range. The sheet deposits are also known as “WIM-style”
deposits. The strandline deposits, or beach placer deposits, can be variable and contain some coarse-grained
heavy minerals. The strandline deposits are formed in high-energy surf zone settings and commonly attain
strike lengths of 5–40 km. Sheet deposits occur in nearby shallow marine settings as irregular accumulations,
in lower shore and inner shelf environments (VHML_b, 2019).
Strandline deposits are the target of much mineral sand exploration as they are well understood as having
higher-grade and coarser-grained heavy minerals than contemporary sheet-style deposits. Globally,
numerous mineral sand mining operations are based on strandline-type deposits.
In the south-eastern part of the Murray Basin, where the Project is located, the littoral marine sand units of
the Loxton-Parilla Sands have been variously eroded and few coarse-grained, strandline-style deposits
remain. Deposits associated with lower energy depositional environments such as WIM-style deposits, and
also shore-parallel, deeper water, intermediate-grain sized deposits, occur in the finer-grained sediment of
the Loxton-Parilla Sands. These deposits tend to be less well-defined than coarse-grained strandline-style
deposits; however, they represent large-tonnage, low-grade accumulations of heavy minerals (VHML_b,
2019).
The Company’s most recent resource drilling programs have defined a series of higher-grade (typically >5%
THM based on Area 1 and Area 3 metallurgical testwork programs), sub-horizontal, sheet-like deposits which
are surrounded by a series of halo HMS >1% THM or >0.5% THM mineralisation. The halo mineralisation
contains potentially economic mineral assemblages of zircon, titania, and REM. Multiple contemporaneous
strandline HMS deposits are also hosted within the Loxton Parilla Sand. These placer-style deposits are
typically 100–600 m wide and strike in a north-northwest direction. The strike extent of some of these
systems has been defined over 30 km.
Previous exploration within EL6419(Figure 3) was by Murray Basin Titanium Pty Ltd (MBT), Providence, RGC
and Iluka between 1990 and 2008. Both strand-style and sheet-style mineralisation had been identified by
previous explorers such as CRA and RGC. MBT completed three drilling programs for a total of 18,925.5 in
605 holes, and then relinquished the tenement due to lack of success.
Prior exploration within EL6666 (Figure 3) was undertaken by Basin Minerals, MBT, and RGC. Their work
included data review, multiple drilling programs, mineralogical testing, and digital elevation mapping surveys.
Within EL6664, previous exploration was by Iluka and MBT. Iluka completed a regional drilling program
consisting of 51 holes for a total of 2,992.5 m between June 2008 and May 2009. Drilling targeted airborne
magnetic features that were processed using proprietary TargetMap™ software which identified six priority
targets. Noteworthy is traverse VT143 which intersected the “Quarry East Strand” interpreted as striking
west off Iluka’s tenure. The strand was initially of interest to Iluka; however, it contained abundant trash
heavy minerals and relatively low VHM. This strand extends into the Company’s tenements and is considered
worthy of follow up.
BHP explored the area from 1987 to 1990 as part of a wider exploration effort in the Murray Basin for
economic VHM accumulations mainly focusing on titanium (rutile) mineralisation. BHP drilled 70 holes
between 1987 and 1989 totalling 1,355 m, with assay results returning low concentrations of THM. Typically,
the mineral assemblage was considered to be relatively poor, using a rutile equivalent to assess mineralogy.
The central portions of EL6769 were identified as prospective by BHP and are slated for follow-up work by
VHML as projects are developed in the long term.
CSA Global notes that subsequent drilling and detailed study work by VHML has superseded all previous
exploration data, with no historical data used in the MREs undertaken by the Company.
5 Data
5.1 Assessment of Historical Data
Using the historical data, VHML selected four areas at Goschen for detailed exploration and resource
definition drilling, namely:
• Area 1 (East and West)
• Area 2 West
• Area 3 and Area 3 South (now included within Area 3 Extended)
• Area 4.
These areas are collectively termed “Resource Areas” and are shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Location of the Company’s Resource Areas – Area 1 (East and West), Area 2 West, Area 3 Extended, and
Area 4
Source: VHML
As noted above, CSA Global has established that no historical data has been used in the MREs and detailed
study work undertaken by VHML. That is, data from VHML’s drilling supersedes all previous exploration data.
down to 1.2–2.5 kg using a rotary splitter underneath the sample collection cyclone. The sample splits were
labelled and bagged for transport to the primary laboratory for processing. IHCR reviewed the sampling
process used by VHML and considered it appropriate and reliable based on accepted industry practices and
experience (Jones and Cody, 2019).
All drill samples were logged for lithology, colour, grain size, sorting, hardness, sample condition, washability,
estimated THM %, estimated slimes %, and any other relevant features noted.
Downhole geophysical gamma logging was undertaken on many AC holes, although details were not reported
by IHCR. Gamma logs give quantitative data about the proportion of in situ radioactive elements in the
drillhole, with heavy media separation typically yielding higher gamma values. The gamma logging was used
in the interpretation of geological units and grade domains.
The AC drilling was completed in a series of campaigns between 2017 and 2019. The drilling coverage for
each of the four Resource Areas is described in Sections 6.2.1 and 6.3.1. In Area 1, sonic drilling was also
used, and samples from these holes were included in the 9.1-tonne bulk testing composite sample described
in Section 8.2.
IHCR noted that mineral assemblage composites had been prepared for Area 1 and Area 2 by different
methods since the early stages of exploration. Techniques utilising both x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and
Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN) were used to define the
mineralogy as a proportion of THM. Bulk sample composites were initially prepared by VHML with guidance
from IHCR for further compositing in early 2018 to characterise the mineralogy of the Area 1 and Area 2
deposits. All composites during the late 2018 drilling programs were prepared exclusively by the Company.
VHML has undertaken a program of re-compositing those drillhole samples which were re-assayed using
ALS’s centrifuge-based assay procedure and 20 μm bottom screen size. This program updated and replaced
earlier work reviewed by IHCR in Areas 1 and 2 which was based on the initial 38μm bottom screen assay
method carried out to Diamantina’s static settlement assay procedure. These samples were selected to
replicate the original samples wherever possible. Some samples could not be replicated due to missing
drillhole samples, or sample residue being consumed for other testwork.
The focus for the re-compilation and assay has been the high-grade area within Area 1 which corresponds to
the Measured Resource area.
The mineral assemblage composites were submitted to ALS for determination of a wide suite of mineral
species: zircon, rutile, leucoxene, ilmenite, xenotime, monazite, garnet, tourmaline, sulphides, chromite, and
quartz. Minerals with similar properties were grouped to form general buckets such as magnetic VHM (mags),
magnetic-others, non-magnetic VHM (non-mags) and non-magnetic-others. The grouping supported
simplicity and transparency when including the mineral assemblage composite results in the block models.
XRF and QEMSCAN were used to define the mineralogy as a proportion of THM following the preparation of
the bulk sample composites. QEMSCAN was used to determine HM mineralogy and XRF was used to conduct
the rare earth element (REE) analyses. The results of the XRF analyses are summarised in Table 10.
Table 10: REEs analysed using XRF and typical mineral association
REE Source mineral(s)
Cerium oxide Xenotime and monazite
Dysprosium oxide Xenotime mineral series
Erbium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Europium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Gadolinium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Lanthanum oxide Monazite
Neodymium oxide Monazite
Praseodymium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Samarium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Terbium oxide Monazite and bastnaesite
Thulium oxide Monazite
Yttrium oxide Xenotime mineral series
Ytterbium oxide Xenotime mineral series
QEMSCAN required the samples to be screened into ±150 µm screen fractions before sample compositing to
give a quantitative understanding of the elemental composition and mineralogical assemblage.
IHCR reviewed the analytical processes and considered them appropriate and reliable based on accepted
industry practices and experience (Jones and Cody, 2019).
August 2019. IHCR concluded that the assay data generated from the -1 mm/+20 μm screened samples was
appropriate for use in Mineral Resource estimation.
The focus of the review was the +38 μm static settlement assay method employed by Diamantina versus the
centrifuge based +20 μm method used by ALS. The data comparison was broken down into geological
domains to appreciate the impact of the different screen sizes within individual domains. Zones 2 and 3,
interpreted as the high-grade sand zones, were considered most relevant for the comparative analysis, and
were where majority of the samples were re-assayed. Comparative analysis work was also completed
reviewing any differences between the +20 μm Diamantina and +20 μm ALS methods, as well as the +38 μm
Diamantina and +20 μm Diamantina analytical techniques. The analysis included 452 THM assays, 451 slimes
assays and 443 oversize assays from Zone 2, while 468 THM and slimes assays and 425 oversize assays were
from Zone 3 within Area 1.
A total of 58 samples were assayed at Diamantina using both the +38 μm method and the +20 μm method.
Only eight sample pairs (from Zones 2 and 3) were screened using a 20 μm bottom screen at both Diamantina
and ALS laboratories.
A total of 120 composites were used to inform the current Area 1 (East and West). This comprised a mix of
52 of the +20 μm composites and 68 of the +38 μm composites. Figure 6 illustrates the relative positions of
the different fractions sampled.
The THM, slimes, oversize and mineral assemblage results from the different assay methods were all graphed
as log scatter plots and cumulative probability plots and reviewed by IHCR in terms of their statistical
characteristics. Based on this review, IHCR concluded that the smaller screen size assays yielded higher THM
values in both Zones 2 and 3.
In an MRE prepared in 2018, a total of 158 mineral assemblage composites were prepared across Area 1;
however, these were based on the +38 μm assay method. IHCR (IHCR, 2019) reviewed VHML’s program of
re-compositing drillhole samples utilising the new +20 μm method and observed that these samples had
been selected to replicate the original samples wherever possible. Some drillhole samples were missing, or
the sample residue had been consumed for other testwork, and in those cases the samples could not be
replicated. The focus for the re-compilation and assay was the high-grade area within Area 1 which
corresponded to the areas in the resource model classified as Measured by IHCR.
The two mineral assemblage composite types (+38 μm and +20 μm) were interwoven throughout the model
leading to a checkerboard effect on mineralogy, although this was considered by IHCR to also be in part
attributable to the domaining control between some of the earlier mineral assemblage composites compared
with more recently completed composites. IHCR considered that this checkerboard effect was mitigated in
the high-grade region of Area 1 by removing the +38 μm mineral assemblage composites from that region,
so only the +20 μm composites influenced the Measured Resource area for Zones 2 and 3.
The mineral assemblage composites that utilised the smaller screen sizing (+20 μm) saw an increase for
specific mineralogical species, in particular zircon which saw a significant increase. IHCR concluded that the
mineral assemblage composites based on the +20 μm THM assays generally yielded greater percentages of
zircon and postulated this was likely due to the zircon generally being finer than the other mineral species
and therefore making up a greater proportion of the –38 μm to +20 μm material.
IHCR considered the comparative testwork which saw a screen change during the initial assaying process
from -2 mm/+38 μm (Diamantina) to -1 mm/+20 μm (Diamantina); and then to -2 mm/+20 μm (ALS) yielded
results that required further investigation and analysis regarding the possible impacts the change in sizing
may have on future mine planning studies.
CSA Global is of the view that there is currently no evidence to contradict this assumption but recommends
that it be investigated in greater detail as project development continues.
For the 2019 modelling in Area 1 by IHCR, all +38 μm THM assays within the Measured Resource area within
Zones 2 and 3 were removed. Majority of the +38 µm assays that were omitted were from the area of close-
spaced geostatistical drilling.
6 Mineral Resources
Drilling completed by other companies before VHML acquired the Project identified several areas of interest.
Subsequent drilling and resource definition work in 2020 and 2021 focused on Area 1, Area 2 West, Area 3
and Area 4 to further improve resource classification from Inferred to Indicated and Measured (see Table 4,
Table 5 and Figure 4).
Resource definition drilling confirmed Area 1 and Area 3 to be the most prospective. These areas became the
focus of development and Ore Reserve studies. The declared Ore Reserves provide the basis for prospects of
eventual economic extraction as by definition the Ore Reserve are economic. Area 1 and Area 3 now form
the basis of the Goschen development reviewed in this ITAR. Area 2 West, and Area 4 are of a lesser priority,
and are not included in the current mine plan.
The Company commissioned the Goschen North MRE in 2017 which was completed by independent
consultant, Ms Christine Standing (Standing, 2017). This estimate was based on approximately 21,720 m of
drilling completed before the Company owned the Project. The 2017 Goschen North estimate was
re-assessed and re-classified in June 2022 and is now known as the Goschen Exploration Target 2022 (Section
14.1.1 – GET, 2022).
VHML does not consider the mineral sand mineralisation which occurs within that portion of its tenements
outside of the four Resource Areas to be an immediate priority for development. These areas are at a
relatively early stage of exploration and the Company intends to replace all historical data with new data
which will meet the requirements for JORC Code reporting of Mineral Resources. These areas remain relevant
targets for future exploration and development.
CSA Global concurs with this assessment.
Assaying was completed in a series of distinct phases. During 2017 and 2018, a total of 4,388 samples (47.5%
of the total) were assayed for THM, slimes and oversize by the method that produced a sand fraction
between 2 mm and 38 µm. Between January 2018 and January 2019, a further 4,847 samples (52.5% of the
total) used a sample preparation method that produced a sand fraction between -1 mm and 20 µm. This
change to the bottom screen size was premised by the outcomes of metallurgical testwork which used a bulk
sample of 9.1 tonnes passed through a wet concentrator.
The wet concentrator used a screw classifier fitted with a 20µm screen and it was shown that by using this
smaller bottom screen, a significant upgrade to the contained THM could be achieved. Assaying of the wet
concentrator feed produced a THM grade of 5.72%, slimes content of 15.3% and oversize of 5.38%.
VHML created an envelope that encapsulated the samples used to create the bulk sample and the AC samples
around them and used the assay results from the wet concentrator to inform the MRE within the envelope.
The envelope included parts of the mineral resource of Area 1 East, Domains 2 and 3. The remaining mineral
resources outside the area of influence of the metallurgical testwork were informed by interpolation of
grades.
Area 1 East
The Area 1 East mineralisation occurs as a sheet-like deposit, is located east of the Cannie Fault and comprises
six domains. The characteristics of the respective domains are described below:
• Domain 1 is background material.
• Domain 2 is high THM with rela�vely good con�nuity along strike with grades varying across strike,
and a general increase to the east.
• Domain 3 also has high THM grades which are rela�vely con�nuous along strike. However, unlike
Domain 2, Domain 3 grades increase to the west. Domains 2 and 3 occur together as sheet-like
mineralisa�on in the lithological sequence, separated in places by a discon�nuous low-grade waste
zone classified as Domain 1.
• Domain 5 is a lower-grade zone that occurs stra�graphically above the sheet-style mineralisa�on,
rela�vely close to the surface, and is known as the Gemini deposit.
• Domain 6 occurs along the eastern border of the deposit and is posi�oned stra�graphically above
Domain 5. It is a coarse-grained, low-grade, iron oxide-rich layer. Both Zone 5 and Zone 6 and have
been constrained by an enclosed wireframe to limit their influence on the surrounding material.
• Domain 200 is basement.
Area 1 West
The Area 1 West deposit is located west of the Cannie Fault and comprises five domains including the
basement.
• Domain 1 is a discon�nuous low-grade waste zone that some�mes separates Domains 2 and 3.
• Domain 2 is a high-THM domain that has rela�vely good con�nuity along strike; however, grades vary
across strike (primarily increasing to the west).
• Domain 3 also demonstrates high THM grades with reasonable con�nuity along strike but is rela�vely
variable across strike. Both Domains 2 and 3 occur together as sheet-like deposits in the lithological
sequence, separated in places by a discon�nuous low-grade waste zone which has been classified as
Domain 1.
• Domain 5 is a low-grade zone posi�oned within the background (Zone 1) material as an enclosed
mineralised envelope that is topographically above Domains 2 and 3. Domain 5 comprises the Gemini
deposit.
• Domain 200 is basement.
Figure 7 is a typical section through Area 1 and shows the domains and downhole gamma responses.
Figure 7: A typical section through Area 1 showing the domains (zones) and downhole gamma responses
Source: VHM Limited
For both Area 1 East and Area 1 West, boundary strings were digitised and snapped to the corresponding
downhole mineralisation interval which was aligned with the downhole geophysical data. Intervals of
relatively contiguous low grade within the mineralised domains were also digitised and defined as “waste”.
Domains were treated as having hard boundaries and therefore do not share sample data.
CSA Global is of the opinion that the domaining applied to Area 1, East and West, is appropriate.
Mineral Resources with assigned grades, and Mineral Resources which had grades estimated, have been
reported separately for Area 1 East and have been re-combined in the Mineral Resources statement to reflect
the total Area 1 East tonnes and grades above a 1% THM cut-off. Area 1 East, Domain 2 and Domain 3
estimates used the samples collected from the -1 mm/+ 20µm fraction and Domain 5 was estimated using
the samples collected from the -2 mm/+38 µm fraction.
Resource modelling completed in November 2020 by VHML within Area 1 East indicated that the average
THM grade of the -1 mm +20 µm samples from within the area from which the metallurgical testwork
samples were taken for compositing (metallurgical domain) was significantly higher than the average THM
grades for the -1 mm +20 µm samples for the remaining portions of Area 1 East, Domain 2, and Domain 3.
The weighted average grade from drillhole samples within the metallurgical domain was 4.01% THM,
whereas it was 2.01% THM, half the grade, for the remaining portion of Area 1 East estimated from the
drillhole samples. This difference has been attributed to the respective grade estimates having been derived
from non-coincident areas of the resource.
When comparing the resource grades indicated by the metallurgical testwork with those from the drillhole
samples within the metallurgical domain, there is a grade uplift indicated by the metallurgical testwork of
about 40%, from 4.01% THM in the drillhole samples to 5.72% THM from the metallurgical testwork. This
difference in THM grade has been attributed to differences between the drillhole sampling and assaying
methods with the metallurgical process flowsheet. This misalignment will likely result in a similar disparity in
other areas where sampling and assaying have been done using the current methods.
This difference has been noted by VHML, and better alignment of the sampling and assaying processes with
the metallurgical flowsheet is underway.
In Domains 2 and 3 of Area 1 East, Ordinary Kriging was initially undertaken using the samples from the
+20 μm fraction. Once the Ordinary Kriging had been completed, the mineralogical envelope was used to
assign THM, slimes, oversize, and mineral assemblage to model cells that fell within the envelope, thereby
overwriting the values assigned to those blocks during the Ordinary Kriging interpolation. The remaining
portion of Area 1 East retained the Ordinary Kriging estimates.
In Area 1 West, Ordinary Kriging was undertaken but using the sample/assays that had been collected from
the +38 μm fraction. There is a significant difference between the East and West grades, which is a function
of the different fraction sizes sampled, assayed, and extrapolated.
Once the Ordinary Kriging interpolation was completed, the mineralogical envelope was used to assign THM,
slimes, oversize and mineral assemblage to model cells that fell within the envelope, thereby overwriting the
values assigned to those blocks during the Ordinary Kriging interpolation.
All Area 1 West Mineral Resources were interpolated from samples collected from the +38 µm fraction and
those Mineral Resources are reported separately from Area 1 East.
The major portion of Area 1 East was assigned the grades which were measured from the metallurgical
testwork. The bulk sample was subjected to a series of processing stages, with products from each stage
measured, and the product yields and chemistry calculated. The final head grade and assemblage of the bulk
sample were back-calculated to produce data representing the entire bulk sample.
Bulk density was applied to the model using a standard linear formula originally described by Baxter (1977).
This approach was refined in a practical application using first principles calculations. The resultant graph is
shown in Figure 8 with the regression formula shown on the plot. This regression formula was then used to
calculate the conversion of tonnes from each cell volume and from there the calculation of material, THM
and slimes tonnes.
• Assuming an average clay component of 10% with an average bulk density of 1.544 g/cm³
• Assuming a solids specific gravity (SG) for THM of 4.2 g/cm³ (average based on the mineral assemblage)
• Assuming a solids SG for quartz of 2.65 g/cm³.
The following calculations were made.
• For zero % THM (i.e. 100% quartz sand) the bulk density would be:
2.65 * 0.5825 = 1.544 g/cm3.
• and for 100% THM the bulk density would be:
4.2 * 0.5825 = 2.447 g/cm3.
VHML assumed the clay content was fixed for the deposit (which was acknowledged as not fully reflecting
the true complexity but adopted as a conservative average slimes grade overall within the mineralised
domains and taken as the average). This clay was added in as mass which filled the void space without
changing the packing factor or bulk density. Therefore, the two THM end members had a bulk density of:
• [0% THM] 1.544 + (10% * 1.544) = 1.698 g/cm3
• [100% THM] 2.447 + (10% * 1.544) = 2.601 g/cm3.
The resultant points were plotted, and the regression formula was the bulk density conversion formula,
which was:
• Bulk density = (0.009 * THM) + 1.698 (see Figure 8).
CSA Global recognises that as no bulk density measurement program had been completed at any of the
Goschen deposits at the time that the MREs were prepared, the bulk density used throughout is a calculated
value. In June 2022, the Company commenced bulk density measurements on sonic and diamond drill core
from Area 1 and Area 3. The analysis of the bulk density measurements is nearing completion.
CSA Global endorses the strategy to collect bulk density data to improve the confidence that can be atributed
to the MRE.
Figure 9: Area 1 East (Section 6053200mN) showing the correlation between drillhole assay grades and
interpolated block model grades
Source: VHML
For each of the reported mineralised domains, the input data composite mean was compared to the mean
of the estimate. The two means were sufficiently close to allow the Competent Person to classify the MRE as
a combination of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, with an acknowledgement that there was a
degree of uncertainty due to the current assaying method likely understating the grades in all the estimated
mineralisation domains.
Swath plots representing slices through the block model along the three main axes were reviewed as part of
the validation process. The plotted averages of each slice together with the count of samples and blocks
within each slice allowed a visual assessment of the agreement between sample and averages; and also
indicates the amount of smoothing that has resulted from interpolation. Figure 10 illustrates an example of
this validation.
Figure 10: Area 1 typical example of a swath plot along the northing for THM, slimes, and oversize
It is CSA Global’s opinion that the Area 1 East and West MREs for THM, slimes, oversize, and mineral
assemblage across the three mineralised domains reported, have been successfully validated against the
input data.
The main mineralised domains were Domains 2 and 3. Domain 5 was also considered of economic interest;
therefore classification was focused on these three domains. Drillhole spacing was considered one of the
important parameters for Mineral Resource classification and CSA Global is of the opinion that this
consideration is entirely appropriate, however, the information derived from these drilling grids could also
be used quantitatively for resource classification, together with the reliability of assaying, variography and
interpolation parameters and outputs.
Results from Quantitative Kriging Neighbourhood Analysis (QKNA) are typically used in conjunction with
qualitative assessments such as geological and metallurgical characteristics or assumptions. The QKNA
output parameters can be used to assess how accurate and unbiased the estimates are, or whether they
measure up to all being Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. In this instance, the Competent Person
elected not to use QKNA as one of the classification criteria. Ultimately, the call is that of the Competent
Person, and while CSA Global may not entirely agree with the classification rationale applied by the VHM CP,
what the VHM CP has elected to do is appropriate, and correctly and transparently disclosed as per the
requirements of the JORC Code.
Ultimately, the call is that of the Competent Person, and while CSA Global may not entirely with the
classification rationale applied by the VHM CP, what the VHM CP has elected to do is appropriate, and
correctly and transparently disclosed as per the requirements of the JORC Code.
In Area 1 East, Domains 2 and 3, the metallurgical domain grades for THM, slimes and oversize have
overwritten the estimated grades. VHML considers that “the additional data acquired during the bulk sample
testwork represents data that is superior to the simple assay values” and better reflects the grades which will
be recovered by the minerals processing plant. The Mineral Resource over the metallurgical domain has been
classified as a Measured.
All domains which have Mineral Resources estimated by Ordinary Kriging, have been classified as Indicated
Mineral Resources. They include portions of Area 1 East Domains 2 and 3 and all of Domain 5. All Area 1 West
Mineral Resources were estimated using +38 μm data and have been classified as Indicated Mineral
Resources.
The Goschen Area 1 deposit is estimated to contain a Mineral Resource of 96 Mt at 3.5% THM, which is
classified as Measured and Indicated as detailed in Table 4 and Table 5. The estimates and associated
statements were compiled and prepared by Messrs Graham Howard and David Bushell as the Competent
Persons.
CSA Global is of the opinion that irrespec�ve of whether the +38 μm or +20 μm data were used for
es�ma�on, it is appropriate, given the grade upli� that was shown by the metallurgical testwork, to classify
these resources as a combina�on of Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. CSA Global also is of the
opinion that the Mineral Resource statement for THM, slimes and oversize materials appropriately reflects
the classified in-situ tonnages and grades for Area 1 East and West, based on the currently available
informa�on.
In preparing the MREs, Auralia flagged the material that is currently considered unavailable for mining due
to community and environmental considerations. These are largely areas in which there are trees which are
to be preserved.
The pit optimisations used to estimate Ore Reserves used only the Mineral Resource blocks that had been
flagged in this manner.
270
Table 12: Area 3 Extended Mineral Resource statement
Tonnes THM Slimes Oversize Zircon Rutile Leucoxene Ilmenite Monazite Xenotime
Zone Resource category
(Mt) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Indicated 95.0 5.42 19 3 19.7 9.1 8.1 25.7 3.3 0.6
1
Inferred 106.4 3.60 17 3 19.7 9.1 8.1 25.7 3.3 0.6
Indicated 69.6 1.68 20 3 19.7 9.1 8.1 25.7 3.3 0.6
2
Inferred 52.9 1.66 19 3 19.7 9.1 8.1 25.7 3.3 0.6
Table 13: Area 3 Extended REO content of whole rock analysis of the THM fraction
Resource Material
Zone CeO2 Dy2O3 Er2O3 Eu2O3 Gd2O3 La2O3 Nd2O3 Pr6O11 Sm2O3 Tb4O7 Tm2O3 Y2O3 Yb203 TREO
category (Mt)
Indicated 95.0 0.81 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.06 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.041 2.33
1
Inferred 106.4 0.81 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.06 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.041 2.33
Indicated 69.6 0.81 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.06 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.041 2.33
2
Inferred 52.9 0.81 0.06 0.04 0.003 0.06 0.38 0.34 0.09 0.07 0.01 0.01 0.39 0.041 2.33
Indicated 39.5 0.63 0.04 0.03 0.003 0.04 0.28 0.25 0.07 0.04 0.01 0.00 0.30 0.025 1.71
3
Inferred 128.4 0.68 0.04 0.02 0.003 0.04 0.31 0.27 0.07 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.32 0.025 1.84
Indicated 204.1 0.78 0.05 0.04 0.00 0.05 0.36 0.33 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.37 0.038 2.19
Total
Inferred 287.7 0.76 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.35 0.31 0.08 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.36 0.034 2.10
GRAND TOTAL 491.8 0.77 0.05 0.03 0.003 0.05 0.36 0.32 0.09 0.06 0.01 0.01 0.36 0.035 2.14
Figure 11: Plan showing the location of holes used to create the composite samples used for mineral assemblage
determination
Figure 12 shows the location of drillholes used for the Area 3 Extended MRE for estimation of THM, slimes
and oversize grades.
Figure 12: Plan showing the locations of drillholes used for THM, slimes and oversize estimation in Area 3 Extended
In 2018, a 1.8-tonne bulk sample was created by compositing the residues of the individual 1 m drill samples
of approximately 6–7 kg each. The bulk sample used 238 samples from 64 of the 76 holes in the 2017 Area 3
resource area. The bulk of these samples were taken from the high-grade domain. The metallurgical testwork
used a lower screen size of 20 μm to deslime the sample and showed a considerable uplift in recovery of
heavy minerals compared to the individual sample grades of the “as drilled” samples, which used a lower
screen size of 38 μm. The mineral assemblage and REE results from the bulk sample metallurgical testwork
were assigned to Zone 1 and Zone 2 Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources and the THM, slimes and
oversize head grades were assigned to Zone 1 Indicated Mineral Resources. All other Zone 1 and Zone 2
mineral resource grades for THM, slimes and oversize were estimated into the block model from drillhole
samples.
Figure 13: Plan showing the location of drillholes that contributed sample to the 1.8-tonne bulk sample used in the
metallurgical testwork program
Figure 14: Representation of a west-east cross section through the Area 3 Extended Resource Area, showing the
relative location of the three mineralised zones (vertical exaggeration applied)
The estimation block size is 25 m (X) x 100 m (Y) x 1 m (Z) and sub-celling was allowed with the Z dimension
to 0.2m which is 20% of the composite length.
Inverse distance weighting squared (ID2) was used for interpolation of THM, slimes and oversize, undertaken
in three passes each time extending the search neighbourhood. Passes 1 and 2 used a minimum of two
samples and a maximum of six, whereas for pass 3 the minimum was set to one sample.
Table 14: Summary of input data applied, and method used to populate the block model
Zone 1 Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zone 3
Indicated Inferred Indicated Inferred Indicated Inferred
THM, slimes, Assigned bulk Interpolated Interpolated Interpolated Interpolated Interpolated
oversize sample data ID2 drill assay ID2 drill assay ID2 drill assay ID2 drill assay ID2 drill assay
Nearest Nearest
Mineral Assigned bulk Assigned bulk Assigned bulk Assigned bulk neighbour neighbour
assemblage sample data sample data sample data sample data Drill sample Drill sample
composites composites
average grades determined by QEMSCAN analyses from composites collected from the Area 3 South
drillholes; these are shown for comparative purposes.
Table 15: Bulk sample mineral assemblage grades and Area 3 South QEMSCAN mineral assemblage grades
2018 Bulk sample metallurgical 2019 Area 3 South composite
Mineral
testwork mass (%) mass (%)
Zircon 19.7 22.3
Rutile 9.1 13.6
Leucoxene 8.1 8.5
Ilmenite 25.7 34.6
Monazite 3.3 2.6
Xenotime 0.6 0.7
Others 33.4 16.7
Total 100.0 99.2
An outcome of assigning grades or mass % from the bulk sample is that every block has the same grade or
mass %, and this may not fully represent the spatial distribution of the THM or mineral assemblage properties
in a localised context. The relationship between the elements which make up the mineral assemblage is
constant which in turn implies that the VHM percentage is constant for every block. This implication is
acceptable in a global sense, particularly given the proposed bulk mining approach adopted in the mine plan.
Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrate the spatial variability of THM and zircon. These two figures were generated
from the estimates of THM and zircon rather than using information from the bulk sample metallurgical
testwork. This is a more realistic representation of the spatial variability of THM and mineral assemblage
elements, and this variability is what can be expected when mining takes place.
In Table 15, the bulk sample mineral assemblage mass % are compared to the QEMSCAN data from Area 3
South and, although the sample support size is different, the Area 3 South data values are in general
significantly higher than the bulk sample values. At this stage, it is unclear whether the differences are a
function of the sample sizes or because of the non-stationary nature of the distribution of the mineralisation.
If it is the latter, then future bulk sampling will have to consider the variable nature when defining
representative areas for sample collection.
Figure 15: Area 3 block model coloured by lab assay THM grade and sliced at 400 m northings (Zones 1, 2 and 3
shown)
Figure 16: Area 3 block model coloured by QEMSCAN zircon grade and sliced at 400 m northings (Zones 1, 2 and 3
shown)
All three zones have areas that have been classified as Indicated or Inferred Mineral Resources. The Indicated
portion is relatively well informed by drillholes as well as by the bulk sample, although Zone 1 and Zone 2 are
not well covered in the southern portion by the bulk sample. Zone 3 is informed by drillholes and the
QEMSCAN data which, although not as densely drilled, covers the portion previously referred to as
Area 3 South more fully. Figure 13 shows the coverage of drillholes and QEMSCAN data.
CSA Global initially had concerns that assigning grades or mass %, and therefore the same values to every
block, may not have provided a sufficient representation of variability to fully support mine planning and
economic valuation of the deposit as might be expected with the categorisation of parts of the estimate as
Indicated Mineral Resources. However, following clarification by the nominated Competent Persons for
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, CSA Global is of the opinion that the mining schedule is not sensitive
to localised grade or mass percent variations, particularly given the bulk mining approach selected for Ore
Reserve estimation.
CSA Global considers that the Mineral Resource classifica�on as presented in the summary of Mineral
Resources tables (Table 12 and Table 13) is appropriate.
7 Mining
7.1 Mining Operations
Complete extraction of ore is planned using open pit strip mining down to the top of the water table, and
currently only within the areas that the Company has sought to secure land access and environmental
approvals which are still pending. All waste material (including overburden and clay) will be used to create
in-pit bunds to contain tailings, and to cap tailings after drying to bring the landform back to its original state.
Minor additional earthworks may be required in each “tailings cell” to assist in water recovery and
drying/consolidation time.
Mining will be undertaken as a block/strip-mining operation, with progressive backfilling of the pit as the
mine progresses. Each block will have a final floor footprint of approximately 500 m x 150 m. Waste material
(overburden, interburden, clay and topsoil) will be stockpiled on surface at the commencement of mining
operations until there is sufficient capacity and suitable conditions in the mined void to allow direct
deposition into the mined areas. Stockpiled material on the surface will ultimately be rehandled to the final
mine void to remove the visual effects of mining upon closure and to return the area to its original use.
The proposals for in-pit disposal and long-term storage of process tailings and mine waste, and the proposed
safety protocols are discussed in Section 7.4.
Mining will be by conventional truck and excavator methods. The mining fleet will be used to transport the
majority of overburden from its in-situ location to the ex-pit and in-pit waste dumps and for transporting ore
to the MUP). Two hundred tonne class excavators (Cat 5120B, Komatsu PC2000 or similar) will be used for
waste mining, 110-tonne class excavators (Komatsu PC1250 or similar) for ore mining and 130-tonne rigid
body trucks (Cat 785 or similar) for ore transport to the MUP. The load and haul fleet will be supported by
scrapers, dozers, front-end loaders, graders, and water carts.
Pit slope parameters are detailed in Table 16. These parameters are for dry conditions only; a detailed slope
stability assessment has been completed for various groundwater conditions and bench heights, taking into
account light and heavy vehicle movements.
Table 16: Proposed slope design angles
Condition Material Bench height Berm width Bench slope angle Overall slope angle
Topsoil / silty clay /
Dry, short-term Up to 10 m 6m 40°
clayey sand
slopes – overall pit ~32°
depth = 32 m Cemented sand /
Up to 22 m 34°
silty sand
Topsoil / silty clay /
Dry, short-term Up to 10 m 6m 40°
clayey sand
slopes – overall pit ~31°
depth >32 m Cemented sand /
>22 m 32°
silty sand
An overall slope of 30° was assumed from pit toe to crest for the optimisation, however, the parameters in
Table 16 were used for the pit designs.
Auralia proposed a mine recovery of 98% for ore, and dilu�on of 5%, which CSA Global considers reasonable
for this stage of study. A more detailed study can be conducted in future should it become necessary once
actual produc�on data is available.
After reviewing the outputs from the Whittle optimisation used to estimate Ore Reserves (see Section 13
below) from the Resource Block Model (Section 6) a general mining sequence was determined to target
higher grade (cashflow) areas of the pit, while also creating a logical block/strip-mining operation. A high-
grade zone on the eastern side of Area 1 was considered the best place to commence operations, however,
a combination of economic and community factors led to the decision to schedule the commencement of
mining at the south-eastern corner of the north paddock. Interim pit designs were completed using the same
geotechnical parameters as the main pit. The final pit was subdivided into blocks of approximately 500 m x
150 m and each block numbered according to the extraction sequence, shown in Figure 17 below. Area 1 is
on the left and Area 3 is on the right.
Figure 17: Mining block outlines for Area 1 (left) and Area 3 (the two areas are not shown to scale)
As the overall pit designs have not significantly changed from the PFS Mining Study work, the infrastructure
locations of Area 1 and Area 3 that were used for the 2021 Ore Reserves are still valid and are shown in
Figure 18 and Figure 19 respectively. Land access issues may impact the size, shape and location of the
surface mining infrastructure once mining commences.
constructed primarily of clay will separate the mining activities from the tailings area, with sub-cell bunds
constructed to provide additional support for unexpected additional water.
Backfilling of waste over the tailings is assumed to occur as soon as the tailings deposition has been
completed. The Tailings Management section of the DFS outlines the timeframe for tailings cells to reach a
suitable factor of safety that indicates the backfilling of a cell may be delayed if the required consolidation
has not occurred. In CSA Global’s opinion, the scheduling assumptions are suitable for this study, however,
CSA Global recommends ensuring that sufficient waste storage capacity is available in the initial stages of the
schedule.
With respect to the DFS proposals for in-pit co-disposal of waste and tailings, CSA Global recommends an
update of this section of the DFS with particular consideration of the operational safety, management and
risk aspects of the proposal.
In response to this recommendation, VHML recently retained a tailings specialist to provide commentary as
to whether the tailings/waste management philosophy is consistent with that applied elsewhere, and the
reasonableness of the proposed testwork program to mitigate risks associated with the DFS tailings storage
plan.
The specialist completed a high-level review of the DFS tailings management plans and noted that mining
and tailings deposition is planned entirely above the water table, and that only in-pit disposal and storage is
being considered. The pit base will range between 30 m and 40 m below the natural ground surface in some
areas, and each tailings cell is expected to have a life of eight to 12 months. The active tailings cell will be
separated from the downstream mining area by intermediate and main tailings cross-pit bunding, with inter-
cell spillways included to control water release. Progressive rehabilitation will be implemented. A tailings cell
consequence category of “Significant” has been adopted in the DFS which the specialist considers
appropriate as an operational strategy.
The specialist commented that flocculated co-disposal of a sand-slimes mix is not novel and that this, or
similar approaches have, and are being used at several active mineral sands mining operations across
Australia. However, these do not have a separation cell between the active tailings cell and the active mining
area. In the specialist’s opinion, the separation cell will provide additional safety for personnel operating
downstream of the active tailings cell.
The specialist also noted that brine and any other by-products from the processing operation will be
reintroduced into the tailings stream prior to deposition. The specialist proposed geochemical testing of
tailings material and in-situ foundation material to identify if these materials might contain any trace
elements that exceed regulatory thresholds. The specialist also commented that it is known that the Geera
clays are prone to oxidation which produces acid sulphate, so it will be best to avoid this material. The
specialist noted that based on the DFS design, the base of the proposed works will be several metres above
the Geera clay interface. The outcomes of the geochemical testing may influence design requirements and
hence the specialist recommended that the necessary testing be completed to present the outcomes to
regulators.
The specialist concurs with the recommendation by CSA Global to undertake a detailed risk assessment from
the design phase through to closure as this will aid in identifying any additional considerations and concerns
that can be investigated further as part of the FEED. Auralia presented a detailed FEED forward works
program in the DFS, and upon review of this documentation and the advice of the specialist above, CSA Global
is satisfied that the Company is cognitive of the importance of undertaking a detailed risk assessment from
the design phase through to closure as part of the FEED, as well as the necessity for geochemical
characterisation of the tailings material and in situ foundation material to determine how these might
influence design requirements. CSA Global concurs with the specialist’s recommendation that the outcomes
of the geochemical studies be presented to regulators as this should minimise risk related to regulatory
approval.
• MUP: ROM ore will be fed into the MUP, where it will be scrubbed to liberate mineral par�cles by
deagglomera�on, screened to remove trash oversize (+40 mm) and slurried for overland pumping to
the FPP. This is conven�onal prac�ce, and no material issues are considered likely in this area.
• FPP: The FPP includes coarse (2 mm) and fine screening (350 μm) to remove oversize. Slimes (-20 μm)
will be removed by desliming cyclones in readiness for gravity separa�on of the resul�ng sand frac�on
in the WCP. A scavenger circuit on the fine screen oversize will recover misrepor�ng fine heavy
minerals. The opera�on of the WCP is heavily dependent on the successful performance of the FPP
with respect to the elimina�on of the coarse and slimes frac�ons as this is cri�cal to achieving efficient
separa�on of heavy minerals in the spiral circuit. The oversize is reported to be essen�ally barren and
the heavy minerals in slimes is considered economically unrecoverable using available separa�on
techniques. Slimes and oversize distribu�on are well understood and included in the mine schedule.
• WCP: Feed to the WCP will be controlled by a mass flow surge bin. Primary mineral separa�on will be
accomplished in mul�ple stages of spiral separators to produce HMC at a target grade of >90% THM.
The re-cleaner spiral concentrate is to be screened at 250 μm as the target value minerals are reported
to exist in the -106 μm size frac�on (based on testwork). The recovery assump�ons are supported by
testwork using full-scale equipment. MTPL has conducted testwork on many similar fine-grained
mineral sands deposits, as well as pilot plant trials where bulk quan��es have been tested. This, to a
large extent, provides confidence that the flowsheet/testwork recoveries are robust and sustainable.
Recovery of fine par�cles on spirals is usually a challenge, however, MTPL has fine-tuned the opera�ng
condi�ons and made appropriate equipment selec�on to maximise the recovery of this material.
Recoveries of ZrO2 and REM are in line with typical gravity separa�on plants when the revised
opera�ng condi�ons from the testwork are u�lised.
• REMFC: The HMC will be further processed in a flota�on circuit to produce a REMC from the float
material and a P-Float HMC from the sink material. Flota�on is possible at ambient temperature due
to low iron concentra�ons. The flota�on processes are also well understood and considered
conven�onal.
The proposed concentrator has been assessed against the Project Development Readiness Index criteria that
are based on the Association for the Advancement of Cost Estimation (AACE) international recommended
practice no. 18R-97. For a DFS, the required level of project definition and engineering completion is typically
10–40%, which is in line with the level of development achieved in the DFS.
plant; however, the currently proposed flowsheet only goes through to REMC and a zircon titania
concentrate. The intent of the composite sample was to provide a design basis that is more robust to cope
with variability.
Table 21: Area 1 metallurgical composite
Zone Method Length (m) Mass (kg) % by mass
1 AC 49 260 3%
2 AC 252 1,284 14%
3 AC 128 694 8%
Multiple Sonic core 214 6,843 75%
Total 643 9,081 100%
Source: Keers, 2021, 32
The WCP spirals were first run in closed circuit with a varying mass taken to concentrate for each stage before
bulk open circuit tests to develop stage release curves. This is standard testwork practice. The performance
achieved in the laboratory was on full-scale equipment and as such is an indication of expected performance
within the limits of single-stage testing. Plant operation would incorporate fully integrated circuitry including
recirculating streams which cannot be fully tested in a laboratory environment. Selected streams were
therefore re-processed to:
• Evaluate the impact of stream recircula�on.
• Maximise quan�ty of final HMC.
The laboratory testwork was augmented by simulation work conducted by MTPL using models developed
and refined over many years of designing and installing plants. Process recoveries are thus largely based on
test work results augmented by simulation modelling on open streams. The expected performance of the
processing plant has been benchmarked against other ores with characteristics similar to the Goschen
resource and takes into account results from both Goschen ore mineralogical analysis (QEMSCAN) and
metallurgical testwork results from testwork programs completed by MTPL.
The basis for the simulation model factors is understood to be the intellectual property of MTPL. The
simulation for THM, TiO2, ZrO2 and CeO2 was run with each stage mass yield adjusted as per the design target
(production of an HMC with >90% THM) and to suit circuit configuration taking recirculating streams into
account, rather than mimicking testwork conditions. CSA Global recommends that these optimised
conditions form the basis of the next bulk run to validate the simulation. Modelling is supported by recoveries
and mass flows determined from testwork results from individual tests using material sourced from Area 1.
Work has also been done on Area 3, which behaved similarly to Area 1 and was used to guide plant design
windows.
Area 1 bulk sample laboratory processing recoveries were determined to be 57.1% heavy minerals, including
48.2% for TiO2, 86.7% for ZrO2 and 86.6% for CeO2 which occurs in the REMs. A high proportion of TiO2, ZrO2
and CeO2 was contained in the recycle streams which increased recoveries to 71.5% for heavy minerals,
62.1% for TiO2, 92.3% for ZrO2 and 92.1% for CeO2 at an HMC grade of 90.6%.
While the particle size distribution (PSD) and VHM assay results were similar, the characterisation testwork
showed a slight, but distinctly different density profile and THM assay result for the Area 3 bulk sample
composite. The difference in grade and mineral assemblage is not expected to materially impact the
flowsheet design or equipment selection as the Area 3 material responded better in the WCP relative to Area
1 which was used as the basis for the WCP design. It is understood that a sonic drilling program has
commenced to provide further metallurgical samples for validation testing. CSA Global notes that the
expected sample locations and drill profile cross-section logs are well documented.
The ALS and Diamantina general assay process discards the slimes. Hence there is no measurement of
fine-grained target minerals reporting to the slimes as this material is lost to wastewater during the wet
screening process. Mineral assemblage composites that utilized a smaller screen sizing (20 μm) generally
yielded higher heavy minerals and the conclusion was that fine-grained heavy minerals are present within
the slimes. IHCR attributed this to fine-grained zircon.
Subsequent testwork demonstrated that there are VHMs in the 20–45 μm size range, and that an elevated
recovery of VHM in the 20–38 μm size fraction contains 4–5% of the VHM. The successful recovery of fine-
grained heavy minerals under laboratory conditions compares well with results reported on similar ore
sources from the same region, with very similar PSD. The material risk is that the MTPL model and testwork
results may overstate the performance of the cleaner circuit relative to the full-scale plant. Anecdotally, it is
understood that MTPL has piloted similar material from the same region and realised equal or better results;
hence discounting recovery for scale-up is not recommended at this stage. It is, however, recommended that
the circuit be more closely analysed during the current bulk campaign to provide interpretive data to support
the split factors.
The mix of screen sizes used for desliming (i.e. 38 µm and 20 μm) introduces the risk of error in reporting the
ore particle deportment to slimes and the THM deportment to slimes within the resource estimate model.
CSA Global recommends that this be investigated in greater detail during the FEED stage, and that the
sampling and assay processes continue to be fully aligned with the metallurgical flowsheet.
With respect to ore and recovered product characteristics, the Company/MTPL has reported that:
• The most valuable minerals are rela�vely clean and have a high density (higher than most of the
�tanium minerals).
• The WCP feed PSD indicates a natural mass concentra�on in the +63/-106 μm size frac�on as well as
low residual slimes and oversize.
• 46% of the THM are present as VHM of SG >4.05 and these VHM contain most of the target economic
minerals. Although VHML is targe�ng 60–70% recovery from the finer recoverable frac�ons (below
38 µm), the rela�ve quan�ty of these par�cles is low (~5%) and the bulk of the mineral par�cles can
be found in coarser frac�ons.
• The remaining 54% of heavy minerals in the -4.05+2.85 SG frac�on contains a high propor�on of
weathered �tania minerals of which about 50% are recovered to the WCP spiral concentrate.
• The zircon does not appear to be stained like that found in deposits to the south, which is also a posi�ve
for the Project.
In order to assist with an assessment of material balance, MTPL provided a spreadsheet of stream flows that
incorporates solids SG assumptions/calculations but does not incorporate HMC or major component grades.
As the component grade and recovery data are not included in this information, reconstruction is the only
way to fully appreciate the component mass flows. In mineral sands projects, given the multiplicity of
elements under consideration, a mineral sands mass balance diagram is normally limited to solids mass, HMC
content, water mass, % solids, stream Dry Solids Specific Gravity and volumetric flow.
CSA Global understands that a steady-state mass balance model including component mass and showing
THM deportment has been prepared for the WCP with three scenarios investigated (base case, high grade,
high recovery) as part of the process design.
VHML has additional testwork planned to assess several criteria. Specific areas to be considered in the
variability and verification testwork include:
• Confirma�on of the ROM ore material flow proper�es for detailed design
• Confirma�on of the de-slimed ore material flow proper�es for detailed design
• Confirma�on of the thickener performance using site water (Kangaroo Lake)
• Confirma�on of the feed prepara�on circuit using hydraulic de-sliming cyclones
• Processing of the WCP feed through the same processing flowsheet described above
• Confirma�on of the REMFC performance using site water
• Confirma�on of recoveries through the FPP and WCP.
CSA Global recommends that this test work also includes a fully integrated plant mass balance including
component mass and showing THM and the main proxy compounds (TiO2, ZrO2 and CeO2) be developed as
part of the current bulk sample program, or during the FEED phase.
tables) included to fine tune the final quality of the REMC. There will be a high degree of flexibility to respond
to variations in feed grade and market requirements.
ROM. The flowsheet model assumes that the mineral composi�on of the THM is consistent with Area
1 test sample.
• Recovery of “High-Grade Leucoxene” is based upon recovery of the HG Leuc. Par�cles as per QEMSCAN
par�cle classifica�on rules.
• Recovery of “ilmenite” is based upon recovery of the cumulated LG Leuc., altered Ilmenite and Ilmenite
par�cles as per QEMSCAN par�cle classifica�on rules.
• The lower recovery of ilmenite compared to ru�le may be due to the classifica�on of the �tanium
par�cles for “ilmenite”, which would include some low SG par�cles that have a lower recovery rate
through the WCP. Typical “ilmenite” recovery would be expected to be similar to that of zircon and
other high SG minerals.
• Quartz content for the circuit output is based on the flowsheet model data.
MTPL have interpreted the MRE grade to mean 4.73% THM in ROM ore. Mining dilution is only 2% so the
difference between Resource grade (MRE) and Ore grade (ROM) is not material. The THM grade used in the
mass balance was 4.7% for the Area 1 Mining inventory, which was based on the Project Description from
August 2021 (RPP960). The slimes content (12.8%) and oversize (5.7%) were based on the bulk sample for
which the back calculated THM grade was approximately 5.7%. The recovery curves adopted for process
design were based on the testwork. There have been multiple mass balances completed as part of the next
phase of work, which includes high-grade (7%) ROM feed and high slimes (23%) to assess ore variability.
The MTPL mass balance assumes that the grade of the coarse reject is the same as the overall feed grade
(4.7%). The coarse reject is the oversize (+40 mm) from the scrubber trommel and the reason it has the same
grade as the overall feed grade is that the oversize generated at the scrubber is potentially non-liberated
material, and as such would be the same grade as the feed material. Currently, this is 0.5% of the feed
material (3.3 tph) but with proper design for the scrubber (and retention time) these losses should be
minimal. The mass balance shows that the expected grade of the rejects stream from the screens and
cyclones is expected to be much lower.
THM into the WCP is 31.6 tph, and recovered HMC is 25.3 tph, i.e. a mass yield to HMC through the WCP of
80.0%. The grade of the HMC is approximately 90%, which confirms an overall recovery of about 72% of feed
heavy minerals to heavy minerals in WCP concentrate. This confirms statements made above in Section 8.2
and below in Section 8.5.
The Area 1 ore slimes content from testwork is nominally 13%, whereas for Area 3 a range of 15–20.5% slimes
occurs after Year 10. The equipment specifications allow for significant feed variations, with automated
valves on cyclones to increase or decrease the number of cyclones in operation depending on the slimes
content. Blending is also available through stockpiling to smooth out variations.
The WCP feed grade (6.3% THM as stated in the MTPL PDC data) results from the removal of slimes in the
MUP and FPP. The FPP losses have been based on vendor modelling (cyclones) and minimum efficiency
requirements specified to vendors for screens. This is standard mineral sands practice in that the WCP feed
grade excludes slimes and oversize. The estimate of WCP feed grade has been determined as accurate from
the mass balance spreadsheet provided by MTPL.
The expected performance of the processing plant has been benchmarked against other ores with
characteristics similar to those at Goschen, and includes metallurgical testwork results at scoping, PFS and
DFS levels completed by MTPL. Material flow has been based on testwork results derived from a 9-tonne
bulk trial. Process recoveries are largely based on simulation modelling and data that has been derived from
full-scale pilot plant data on similar ore bodies.
The basis for the simulation model factors has been described by VHML in document 514-PM0002 RevD. The
MTPL benchmarking suggests that:
• The mineral characteris�cs are consistent with other deposits MTPL has analysed in the Murray Basin.
• The slimes levels are well within the range encountered in other opera�ons.
• Although considered rela�vely fine-grained, the VHML frac�on responds well to treatment using
industry-standard gravity spiral technologies. Op�misa�on of the opera�ng envelope of the spirals and
removal of interfering coarse par�cles by screening is key to ensuring high recoveries are achieved.
It is recommended that the basis for the recoveries for each stream be tabulated once the latest bulk testing
program is complete and the flowsheet/mass balance validated.
The level of project development for the concentrator has been assessed against the Project Development
Readiness Index criteria that are based on the AACE international recommended practice no. 18R-97. For a
DFS, the required level of project definition and engineering completion is typically 10–40% and this review
confirms that the work is within the expected range. MTPL has provided data to CSA Global that describes
how the underlying 3D model was developed, and the subsequent extraction of material take-off for bulk
materials estimated, which supports the level of accuracy reported in the study.
MTPL has developed an extensive model, created Space Gass models for structures and has also produced
basic concrete drawings. In discussions with MTPL, some of these drawings have been sampled, and
CSA Global is satisfied that there are adequate engineering and material take-offs to support a DFS. A
demonstra�on provided by MTPL as to the basis of material take-off that supports determinis�c es�ma�ng
has provided confidence that the work is rigorous. A review of the MTPL study and presentation of the
methodology has provided CSA Global with confidence that the methodology deployed was adequate and to
the expected principles. As such, it is assessed that the es�mate could be considered a Class 3 level of
es�mate (AACE 18R-97) in most areas.
The process plant design is based on test work results which included closed-circuit stage testing to develop
release analysis curves which could then be used to assess the stage response to different mass pull or
changes in grade. CSA Global recommends that a similar exercise be performed against variable or domained
MRE blocks to ensure that a consistent approach is applied to production modelling.
CSA Global is of the opinion that the process plant flowsheet and design and the metallurgical tes�ng
undertaken are of good quality and generally meet the standard expected of a DFS.
Table 23: DFS Ore Reserves – a subset of Goschen global Ore Reserves
Ore THM ZIR RUT LX ILM MON XEN
Area Classification
(Mt) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)
Proven 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
1
Probable 7.6 2.2 27.6 12.7 10.5 25.9 4.3 0.9
3 Probable 65.7 3.6 19.7 9.1 7.9 25.3 3.3 0.6
Proven 25.5 5.6 29.6 10.8 9.1 24.7 4.3 0.8
Total
Probable 73.3 3.4 20.2 9.3 8.1 25.4 3.4 0.6
GRAND TOTAL 98.8 4.0 23.6 9.9 8.5 25.1 3.7 0.7
HM in mined ore
Zircon 918,500 Tonnes 23.5%
Rutile 390,700 Tonnes 10.0%
Leucoxine 333,900 Tonnes 8.5%
Ilmenite 986,600 Tonnes 25.2%
Monazite 143,300 Tonnes 3.7%
Xenotime 26,600 Tonnes 0.7%
Other HM 1,115,400 Tonnes 28.5%
Total 3,915,000 Tonnes 100.0%
Final products recovered from ore feed
P-Float concentrate containing:
Zircon 813,800 Tonnes 88.6% recovery
Titanium minerals 1,178,000 Tonnes 68.8% recover
Rare Earth Minerals concentrate containing
Rare earth minerals 150,000 Tonnes 88.1% recover
Total final products recovered from ore feed 2,141,800 Tonnes 76.5% Overall VHM recovery
9 Infrastructure
The Company has engaged several parties to look at the various components of infrastructure that will be
necessary to support the Project. The most significant include:
• Power supply
• Water supply
• Site buildings and roads
• General infrastructure.
the necessary volume from the water authority (GMW). Further, the assessment found that an offtake from
Kangaroo Lake would be a secure and reliable supply of water from the regulated Murray River supply system
as it forms an active part of the mainly gravity fed supply infrastructure for the Torrumbarry Irrigation Area
operated by GMW.
In addition, the Project will be able to capture and store any significant incident rainfall within the active
mine footprint. This opportunistic harvesting of water would be used to reduce what is delivered from the
off-site source.
AECOM also completed investigations into this area and reported that “at this DFS development stage, the
design criteria are high-level only. Once optioneering is complete (post-DFS) more specific design criteria,
including materials selection, selected pump station configuration, power source, etc. can be detailed
accordingly”. CSA Global is of the opinion that the capital and operating cost contributions for water supply
are quite modest, and the quality of the work done by AECOM is reasonable.
The concept is for an intake pump station at Kangaroo Lake and a 38 km pipeline along road corridors to the
process water dam at the mine. The concept design anticipates two bank-mounted, skid-mounted 400kW
horizontal pumps each with an electric motor. Each 400-volt motor will be controlled by a variable speed
drive with power drawn from a common switchboard. The switchboard will be connected to the Powercor
electricity grid but will also be able to be powered by a 1.5 MVA diesel-powered generator. These are large
pumps, and the assumption is for genset supply, hence the power operating cost of A$500,000 per annum is
potentially low based on contemporary fuel pricing (recognising a full excise rebate). The capital cost
proposed benchmarks well. The risks are mainly around alignments and interaction with third-party assets,
which will need to be dealt with in due course.
In CSA Global’s opinion, the assessment of water supply has been completed to an acceptable level of detail
to provide a reasonable basis to support the Ore Reserves. However, given the current vola�lity in the market
it is recommended that the impact of fuel cost on pump opera�ng costs be reviewed before FID.
preferred alternative for all of productivity, cost, social and safety considerations may well be an on-site
accommodation camp, which is CSA Global’s recommendation.
In CSA Global’s opinion, the assessment of general infrastructure costs in the DFS is robust and has been
completed to an acceptable level of detail for a DFS. However, given the current vola�lity in labour availability
and construc�on costs, it is recommended that this aspect be reviewed before FID.
10 Capital Costs
The CAPEX estimates have been consolidated in-house by VHML based on detailed information provided
principally by MTPL, as well as other consultants who contributed to various NPI requirements. The CAPEX
line-by-line details including material take-offs and unit rates were provided for the MTPL scope of work
(12.2.3.5.10 514-PM2004 Basis of Estimate Report Rev B and 12.2.3.5.7 514-PM1009 Pricing Schedule
Estimate Reports Rev C).
The VHML estimate is based on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) strategy while the MTPL
estimate basis is “turn-key” (Lang & Ross,2022,5). While the selection of a construction contracting strategy,
Lump Sum Turnkey (LSTK) EPC or Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM), will not
impact the overall Study CAPEX, it will impact where different costs are allocated and the final structure of
the estimate. Care needs to be taken in the interpretation of MTPL’s “turn-key” offering for repricing on an
EPCM basis.
MTPL noted volatility in steel prices has inflated the pricing for steelwork, plate work and carbon steel piping,
commenting that the validity of the prices adopted for all steel products is only thirty days, Steel price
volatility is seen by CSA Global as a material risk to the capital estimates.
Table 25: Total Project CAPEX estimate summary by facility areas inclusive of all contingencies and all expected
EPC contractors’ costs
Facility area Total (A$)
Mining unit plant (MUP) $18,916,379
Wet Concentrator plant (WCP) $85,500,207
Rare earth minerals flotation circuit $44,192,436
Non-process infrastructure (NPI) $189,121,559
Pre-implementation – Land, approvals, drilling $47,604,457
Pre-implementation – Study and project development 32,396,679
Mining contractors’ pre-production $21,500,000
TOTAL CAPEX $439,231,717
CAPEX for the FPP is included within that for the WCP. The CAPEX estimates were current as of fourth quarter
2021.The VHML implementation capital excludes sustaining and deferred capital of A$12.9 million and
A$49.1 million respectively. The requirement for sustaining and deferred capital will commence in Year 2 and
beyond after the commencement of operations.
Line-item contingency is normally applied to the derived supply, erection and transport costs for each CAPEX
line item. The contingency allowance is typically selected based on the level of maturity of the engineering
quantities and the source of the pricing. Contingency is meant to cover the normal inadequacies that are
inherent in design definition, execution definition and estimating omissions.
The contingency allowance by line item was not reviewed by CSA Global, but the overall line-item
contingency aligns with that expected of a DFS level study.
Project contingency is a provision of funds for unforeseeable capital costs within the project scope and
specifically excludes scope changes. Unknown unknowns include change driven by external factors such as
unusual weather events, national industrial action, insurable events, or unforeseen cost escalation due to
demand or foreign exchange variation. A sum for this is normally determined by a Monte Carlo simulation
rather than parametric line-item estimation such as used in the determination of line-item contingency. It is
understood that VHM has elected to evaluate this based on the experience of the Board.
CSA Global’s observations/recommendations with respect to the CAPEX estimate follow:
• The WCP area costs overall compare reasonably well against the proposed Thunderbird and completed
Keysbrook projects. However, compared with the Douglas project in Victoria, the overall capital costs
appear slightly low, as the final price for a project of similar size was not much different 15 years ago.
Conversely, the CAPEX es�mates are high against the current Strandline project in Western Australia,
however, that project is s�ll in the process of execu�on and VHML should regularly review the
outcomes there to take contemporary learnings.
• Based on es�mates for similar installa�ons, the earthworks and civil/concrete costs appear to be high
against benchmark factors. However, the VHML earthworks cost includes mining pre-produc�on and
MTPL included the detailed founda�on excava�on earthworks in the Civil/Concrete cost build-up and
excluded all clear and grub site prepara�on (Lang, Ross & Allen, 2022, Tab 3 “Direct Costs – Details”).
• It appears that NPI items are included in the flocculant plant, reagent mixing and storage systems and
u�li�es systems such as compressed air, fire systems, fire water and potable water services. U�li�es
and reagents systems for the concentrator are normally not designated as NPI (DFS Sec�on 23, 2022,7).
• It is recommended that in the FEED op�misa�on program freight costs be broken out as separate line
items and calculated based on the es�mated transport quan�ty (mass, volume, or quan�ty) and put
against indica�ve freight rates for each line item (i.e. by container volume requirement for smaller
items and break bulk/specialised load rates for larger items).
• A line-item con�ngency is normally applied to the derived supply, erec�on and transport costs for each
CAPEX line item. The con�ngency allowance is typically selected based on the level of maturity of the
engineering quan��es and the source of the pricing. Con�ngency is meant to cover the normal
inadequacies that are inherent in design defini�on, execu�on defini�on and es�ma�ng omissions.
Whilst the es�mate line item con�ngencies were not presented by VHML for review, the overall value
allowed for line-item con�ngencies is aligned with that expected of a DFS level study.
• Project con�ngency is a provision of funds for unforeseeable capital costs within the project scope and
specifically excludes scope changes. Unknowns include change driven by external factors such as
unusual weather events, na�onal industrial ac�on, insurable events, or unforeseen cost escala�on due
to demand or foreign exchange varia�on. It is understood that VHML has elected to evaluate this based
on the experience of the Board. Project scope change should be �ghtly held and only approved at the
board level.
CSA Global considers 7.5% to be appropriate.
11 Project Delivery
The Company’s current strategy is for an EPC contractor to be identified during the FEED optimisation period,
and confidential commercial enquiries have commenced. The selected contractor will be engaged during the
FEED process and will contribute to the FEED as part of gaining project familiarity and assisting in providing
structure and planning for the implementation phase. MTPL is expected to continue to provide engineering
services and will complete the detailed engineering.
It is understood that MTPL will supply a significant amount of equipment, paid for directly by VHML and then
potentially novated to the EPC contractor which will remove a layer of contractor’s mark-up without losing
the backing from MTPL.
12 Operating Costs
The latest estimate for the process plant’s annual costs (for labour, maintenance, reagents and consumables)
are A$20.7 million, comprising A$2.54 million for the MUP, A$9.42 million for the WCP (inclusive of the FPP),
A$4.1 million for the REMC, and A$4.68 million for process plant specific product packaging and
miscellaneous items. A further A$15.8 million for collective NPI services such as power station and water
pumpstation is estimated. Product transport and logistics to shipping port is estimated to be A$12.6 million.
All estimates are based on processing 5 Mtpa ROM ore.
The concentrator OPEX is principally labour, electricity, consumables, and equipment maintenance.
Costs generally have been estimated from yearly averages, however, variable costs do not appear to be based
on the production schedule throughput and product forecast. While the feed production schedule for the
plant is relatively fixed, there is high grading during the first five to 10 years that influences the concentrate
and final product tonnages. This results in a level of uncertainty for the yearly variation of OPEX that is
forecast to be greater in the first eight to 10 years of the mine life. It is understood that VHML intends to
implement a blending strategy that will help manage feed quality, but this detail will only be formulated
during the pre-operations period. In CSA Globa’s opinion variable costs as they relate to tonnages of
concentrate and final product tonnages are unlikely to be a material consideration in the overall context of
variable costs.
• More aten�on should be paid to the division of fixed and variable opera�ng costs and the alignment
of variable costs to the actual produc�on schedule.
• Major inputs into the opera�ng cost es�mate (e.g. electricity, water, transport) are sole-sourced and
in CSA Global’s opinion this could represent a major risk to the project. Desirably, these should be
developed to a contractual stage of “in-principle” agreements although it is acknowledged that in
the case of VHML this is not possible to achieve un�l a�er the FID.
• It is not clear from the DFS documenta�on that ramp-up and pre-opera�ons costs have been
considered and the transi�on milestones from pre-opera�ons to commissioning to opera�ons are
not clear from a funding perspec�ve. The Company has since advised that all costs for pre-opera�ons
and commissioning are included in CAPEX. These costs are not considered opera�ng costs un�l plant
hand over at the comple�on of commissioning which in CSA Global’s opinion is the correct approach.
The Area 1 Model contains Indicated and Measured material only, with no Inferred material classified. The
Measured and Indicated material in the block model is shown in Figure 23.
The Area 3 model contains Indicated and Inferred material only with no Measured material classified. The
Inferred material was excluded from the estimation of Ore Reserve per JORC Code requirements. Only
Probable Reserves were declared for the ORE. Figure 24 shows the Resource classification for Area 3.
CSA Global is of the opinion that Auralia has used a valid process to bring the Resource Model into a new
software package (SGMP) to undertake the mine planning analysis and has based the ORE for Area 1 and
Area 3 on the mining model discussed in Section 13.
CSA Global noted that the 1% THM mineral resource cut-off grade was not applied when calculating the Ore
Reserves. However, the Ore Reserve is considered reliable as Auralia has used a block value method which,
in Area 1, has resulted in approximately 0.4%, and in Area 3, approximately 4.5% of Ore Reserve tonnes below
the 1% resource cut-off grade.
CSA Global considers the preparation and application of the Whittle optimisation parameters appropriate,
being based on technical analysis and estimates from various technical specialists. Auralia flagged the
resource blocks that are currently unavailable for mining due to community and environmental
considerations but did not apply these constraints for the pit optimisations. This will have resulted in Ore
Reserves being estimated between the optimisation pit rim (which will be within the exclusion zones) and
the pit rim constrained by the exclusion zones. The end result will be a slight, but probably not material, over-
statement of Ore Reserves. CSA Global has not assessed the impact the exclusion zones might have had on
the OREs. The exclusion zones were however recognised in the pit design stages.
CSA Global recommends the use of the exclusion zones in all stages of the reserve estimation process.
CSA Global considers that the unit mining costs are reasonable but noted that mining costs have been applied
to in-situ tonnes instead of diluted tonnes. However, the ore haulage cost has a negligible impact on the
cashflow model. Considering that the mining costs are approximately 50% of total operating costs, a more
detailed mine costing study specific to the deposit should be done to obtain more refined costs.
CSA Global notes that Auralia used an exchange rate of A$1.00 = US$0.725 for the Ore Reserves study, based
on long-term forecasts provided by VHML. In light of current global economic trends the exchange rate
assumptions should be updated for future Ore Reserve studies.
Notwithstanding, whilst a lower US$:A$ exchange rate will increase the value of the resource blocks, it is
unlikely to materially change the ORE given the constraints of land access and the shallow depth to the base
of the resource, that is to say, there is no “room” for a larger/deeper pit to accommodate an increase in the
extent of “economic” resource blocks.
Auralia used a royalty of 2.75% and a 10% discount rate in the optimisation and cash flow model. The
processing limit is set at 5 Mtpa, as adopted in the DFS. CSA Global endorses these parameters.
Commodity prices were provided by TZMI. Given the variations in mineral assemblage over the 20-year
production period, underlying mineral prices were used to derive an expected product price for the P-Float
HMC (which is the HMC remaining after the recovery of REMC by the REMFC), rather than a notionally derived
P-Float HMC price based on a constant assemblage. In deriving the volume weighted forecast price, TZMI
drew from its detailed year-on-year forecasts.
Base case prices were used for REMC revenues. Auralia adopted the recommendations from MTPL in the
“514-PM0002 Goschen Project Mineral Recovery Estimates, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd”, and applied the
process recoveries accordingly detailed in “514-PM0001 Goschen Project Design Basis, Mineral Technologies
Pty Ltd”. The LOM schedule and cash flow model have used the recoveries recommended by MTPL. Auralia
has applied the end-to-end recoveries in the optimisation.
CSA Global notes that Auralia has used a valid method to apply recoveries in each stage of the study.
• Detailed metallurgical testwork to update the recoveries used in the reserve calcula�on
• Inclusion of the REMC product value in OREs
• Inclusion of land access limita�ons in the op�misa�on process.
Background
VHML had previously released an Inferred MRE for Goschen North, documented in an internal company
report (Standing and Froud, 2017) and referred to as the 2017 Goschen North MRE (2017 MRE). The estimate
was based on 1,000 AC drillholes totalling 21,509 m drilled by various companies before VHML acquired the
Project. The more recent estimates discussed in this ITAR are based entirely on data acquired by the
Company.
As there was very limited mineral assemblage data available for the 2017 MRE, an assumed mineral
assemblage for VHM was applied to some of the data set greater than 1% THM. This approach clearly
impacted the confidence in the distribution of the potential economic mineralisation. Notwithstanding, the
2017 MRE was considered to have been appropriately classified as a low confidence Inferred estimate.
In the second quarter of 2022, the Company completed a review of the 2017 MRE. Comparison of the Area
2 West MRE, which covered part of the 2017 Goschen North MRE, indicated materially higher grades for
THM, VHM and REM assemblages compared to the earlier estimate. On the basis of these findings, as well
as conclusions drawn from the Goschen DFS, VHML decided to downgrade the Inferred classification for the
2017 MRE.
Exploration by VHML
Between 2017 and 2019, VHML completed resource definition AC drilling in an area referred to as Area 2
East, which occurs between Area 2 West and Area 3 East, and extends south of Area 3 Extended (Figure 5).
The Company has now replaced a significant portion of the historical drilling in the Goschen North area.
LiDAR surveying completed in 2018 indicated that the spatial geometry of the HMS in these areas was both
closer to the surface and vertically thicker when compared to the mineralisation horizons interpreted as part
of the 2017 MRE. The cause of this discrepancy was attributed to errors in survey measurements by previous
exploration companies which did not have the benefit of both global positioning system (GPS) and LiDAR
survey data.
The discrepancies in collar coordinates and elevation data associated with the pre-VHML drilling is
understood to have formed part of the justification for considering the historical data to have a low
confidence level, which was reflected in the Inferred status of the 2017 MRE. The Company has since
resurveyed the collar coordinates for each historical drillhole, which confirmed a significant change in the
spatial RL position of the mineralised horizons, resulting in a downgrading of confidence in the 2017 MRE.
The Company has also reviewed the assay methodology which was used in the drilling data supporting the
2017 MRE, finding that 85% of drillhole assays were completed using screens to separate the -2 mm/+38 µm
fraction, with the remaining 15% of the dataset based on a -2 mm/+45 µm fraction. The work did not include
assaying for rare earth minerals. The data was therefore considered to be inadequate to allow an assessment
of the potential for future expansion at Goschen.
As part of the resource definition campaigns, the Company completed reconnaissance drilling along road
verges as part of drilling across RL6806. In the June quarter of 2022, the Company commenced submission
of samples from one in four holes drilled in Area 2 East to test the THM grade and associated valuable VHM
and REM content. Figure 25 summarises the drilling underpinning the rationale for the Exploration Target
rationale, and Figure 26 presents typical cross- and long-sections used to conceptualise the Exploration
Target.
The Company has re-assessed Goschen North using both the verified historical and Company data. This
estimate is now considered to be an Exploration Target and is referred to as the Goschen Exploration Target
2022. The Company notes that the potential quantity and grade of this target is conceptual in nature, that
there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource and that it is uncertain if further
exploration will result in the estimation of a Mineral Resource.
Figure 26: Cross-sections and long section illustrating rationale of the Goschen Exploration Target
Source: VHML
historical exploration data has enabled a significant extension of the sheet style system to the north, south
and west of the previous 2017 MRE. The mineral assemblage in the GET 2022 is limited to VHM and monazite
and xenotime.
The proportion of historical analytical data which includes information for monazite and xenotime within the
mineralised horizons is less than 8%. This had a direct bearing on the estimate of monazite and xenotime in
GET 2022 and as a consequence to determine a range of outcomes the Company has also considered the
outcomes of resource estimation in Areas 1 to 4.
The interpretation was completed on drill sections stepping through the project area at 100 m intervals, with
a 200 m section width stepping north-south. Data was viewed with a vertical exaggeration of 50:1 to assist
in visually determining continuity across east-west drill spacing and along north-south sections.
VHML elected to use Ordinary Kriging to estimate a base block model, which was then factored to derive the
lower and upper ranges of tonnes and grades in the GET 2022. The previous 2017 estimate provides sufficient
certainty to support the use of a block model approach to derive a base case for the GET.
CSA Global has reviewed the ra�onale for, and deriva�on of the GET 2022, and is sa�sfied that there is an
appropriate and reasonable basis to support the deriva�on; no�ng of course that the poten�al quan�ty and
grade of the target remain conceptual in nature, that there has been insufficient explora�on to es�mate a
Mineral Resource and that it is uncertain if further explora�on will result in the es�ma�on of a Mineral
Resource.
Table 31: Goschen Exploration Target (GET 2022)
Tonnage THM grade In situ THM
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
2,622 Mt 4,071 Mt 2.05% 2.16% 54 Mt 88 Mt
In situ THM Zircon grade In situ zircon
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 5.31% 6.03% 3 Mt 5 Mt
In situ THM Rutile grade In situ rutile
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 2.03% 2.34% 1 Mt 2 Mt
In situ THM Leucoxene grade In situ leucoxene
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 3.08% 3.46% 2 Mt 3 Mt
In situ THM Ilmenite grade In situ ilmenite
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 7.13% 8.2% 4 Mt 7 Mt
In situ THM Monazite grade In situ monazite
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 0.68% 0.76% 0.4 Mt 0.7 Mt
In situ THM Xenotime grade In situ xenotime
Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case Low Case Upper Case
54 Mt 88 Mt 0.07% 0.07% 0.04 Mt 0.06 Mt
Regulation of the works program seven days prior to commencement of works. No other permits are required
to conduct the proposed program of exploration set out immediately above.
14.3 Cannie
14.3.1 Overview
In 2021, a geophysical survey confirmed that historic drilling had discovered a significant deposit of HMS
south of the Goschen. This deposit is referred to as Cannie.
Cannie is located approximately 50 km southwest of Swan Hill and 10 km south of Lalbert, within EL6664 and
EL6419. Cannie is divided into southern (Cannie Towaninny) and northern (Cannie Lalbert) target areas.
These are just 10–20 km from Goschen.
14.4 Nowie
14.4.1 Overview
Nowie is located north-northwest of Goschen and includes tenements EL6419 and EL6666 (Figure 3). VHML
has defined a series of high-grade strandline deposits as well as established an aerially extensive sub-
horizontal sheet deposit using geophysical data acquired in 2021, historical drilling data and data from drilling
completed by the Company.
14.5 Cygnus
14.5.1 Overview
Cygnus is located northeast of Goschen and falls within RL6806 (Figure 3).
The Company has completed preliminary exploration drilling on a series of medium to coarse HMS deposits.
This work was completed between 2017 and 2020 and identified a series of high-grade accumulations of
REM, which, based on wide-spaced drilling, appear to be materially higher in total heavy mineral grade than
at Goschen.
Drilling completed by previous explorers has been evaluated and supports the tenor of VHML’s drillhole
intersections. The Company has completed geological interpretation of both its own and historical drill data
and identified two high-grade HMS strandlines trending north-northwest that are up to 250 m wide, and
within 4 m of surface.
There are, however, currently no defined Mineral Resources at Cygnus.
15 Risks
The interpretations and conclusions reached in this ITAR are based on CSA Global’s review of current
information and the best evidence available at the time of writing. CSA Global makes no guarantee of
certainty as to the presence of economic mineralisation of any commodity within VHML’s tenements.
Any mineral project comprises multiple stages of advancement from early exploration through prospect to
advanced prospect and development. Risk is reduced at each stage. Exploration is an intrinsically risky
process, particularly at an early stage.
15 Processing plant recovery may be • Undertake regular monitoring, sampling and evaluation with qualified on-
below level defined within DFS. site technical support to commission and maintain process operations to
design specification.
• Review desirability of using feed blending during operations.
• Undertake variability trial on bulk sample to assess impact of changed feed
quality (grade and assemblage) on mineral recovery.
• Conduct closed-loop testing prior to detailed design of flotation circuit.
• Complete validation testwork on separate ore samples.
• Undertake grade control drilling.
53 Project costs estimate may be • Confirm permitting obligations.
exceeded.
• Award EPC/EPCM contract.
• Develop of contingency allowance that reflects actual risks and uncertainties
in the capital cost estimate and potential for increase in costs due to
increases in rates for materials labour and shipping.
• Undertake independent review of capital and operating cost estimates and
schedule.
• Implement project controls (careful control of commitments and costs).
• Assess/finalise funding strategies – shareholder funds, secure loan finance.
Ideally, the testwork described above would have occurred in parallel to a DFS level study, however, there
are always constraints on sample availability and budget that impact this work.
In CSA Global’s professional opinion, the testwork was undertaken by a reputable laboratory with significant
experience in mineral sands flowsheet development. CSA Global considers the processing flowsheet will be
suitable for the recovery of the intended products. A brief review of the process plant design has confirmed
that it essen�ally mirrors the metallurgical testwork results. It is CSA Global’s opinion that the testwork
undertaken is sufficient to support the processing flowsheet selected. Similarly, the testwork indicates that
the an�cipated product quality should be reflected in the selected processing flowsheet when processing
similar ores.
The engineering design has been undertaken by a reputable engineer experienced in mineral sands plant
design, and the proposed flowsheet does not include any novel processing units. The process plant flowsheet
and design and the level of metallurgical tes�ng undertaken meet the standard expected of a DFS for this
type and scale of project and are appropriate to mi�gate the associated risk. CSA Global concurs with the risk
control measure of an independent detailed review of capital and opera�ng cost es�mates and schedule as
proposed by MTPL and has made comment on the con�ngency allowance in the body of this report.
The project delivery strategy whereby MTPL as the engineer is to be integrated as a subcontractor into
another organisa�on will have some unique aspects to commercial closure of an EPC contract that may come
at an unknown premium. As market enquiries are ongoing in terms of this aspect, it is not possible to gauge
the appe�te or availability of organisa�ons that VHML may be approaching. However, it is clear that VHML
understands the risks and challenges with this aspect of the project and that they hope to engage the EPC
contractor as soon as possible.
The lack of an overview of mass balance, including grades and recoveries, creates some difficulty in assessing
where losses of valuable TiO2, ZrO2 and CeO2 occurred during the metallurgical testwork. However,
CSA Global does not consider this to be significant to this stage of project development but recommends that
the issue be inves�gated in more detail as development progress.
The metallurgical testwork was undertaken on a 1.8-tonne bulk sample consolidated from drillholes for
Area 3 and a 9.1-tonne bulk sample from Area 1. The heavy mineral grade of the bulk samples was given in
the testwork report and cross-correla�on studies with the resource model are in progress. The process design
flowsheet in the February 2019 PFS will need upda�ng to reflect metallurgical testwork results delivered in
April 2019.
In CSA Global’s opinion, the recoveries applied are typical/appropriate given the results of the testwork and
the stage of project development.
16 Use of Funds
A minimum amount of A$20 million will be raised (with the potential for oversubscriptions of a further A$10
million), and it is anticipated that the Company will have cash on hand of A$11.1 million as at 1 October 2022,
giving a total of A$31.1 million to sustain operations in the initial 12 months post-listing (Table 33). The
commentary herein is based on the minimum subscription amount of A$20 million being raised. Should
additional capital be raised by way of oversubscriptions of up to A$30 million, the Company will apply such
funding to additional engineering and exploration activities as outlined in Table 33.
Table 33: Use of funds
A$20M Case A$30M Case
Sources of funds
A$ A$
Cash on hand as of 1 September 2022 11,100,000 11,100,000
IPO proceeds 20,000,000 30,000,000
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS 31,100,000 41,100,000
Use of funds
Goschen Project
Metallurgical and hydromet circuit testwork 1,400,000 4,700,000
FEED 1,800,000 5,700,000
Approvals 7,700,000 7,700,000
Land acquisition and community 11,300,000 11,300,000
Exploration and appraisal
Cannie Program 800,000 2,300,000
Nowie Program 300,000 1,100,000
Licence fees/other exploration 800,000 800,000
Corporate (general and administration) 2,200,000 2,200,000
Interest costs and costs of the Offer 3,800,000 4,300,000
Working capital and liquidity buffer 1,000,000 1,000,000
TOTAL USE OF FUNDS 31,100,000 41,100,000
CSA Global has reviewed the Company's proposed used of funds for the HMS and REE explora�on and
appraisal ac�vi�es, and the project development strategy, and finds the expenditure to be reasonable.
17 References
AMC, 2018. Goschen North Subset Grade Estimation. Report #218003 by AMC Consultants Pty Ltd, dated 9 May 2018
to VHM Exploration.
AMC, 2018. Goschen Preliminary Mining Options. By AMC Consultants Pty Ltd, dated 23 March 2018
Bejarano, M.V., Griffith, C.S. and Gee, R. 21 October 2019. Monazite/Xenotime Mineral Concentrate Conversion –
Concept Study Part 2 – Engineering, ANSTO Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre.
Blackley, R., Demol, J., Emett, M., Gregg, D., Griffith C.S. 9 July 2019. Monazite/Xenotime Mineral Concentrate
Conversion –Concept Study Part 1 –Waste Options. ANSTO Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee NSW 2232
Australia.
Bushell, D et al, December 2020. Area 1 Mineral Resource Estimate Report. VHM Ltd internal unpublished company
report RPP780
Bushell, D. 21 August 2020. Area 3 Extended Mineral Resource Estimate Report, VHM Ltd internal unpublished company
report RPP727.
CDM Smith, 31 May 2018. Goschen Hydrogeological Assessment, prepared for VHM Exploration Pty Ltd, by Wiltshire,
E., from CDM Smith Australia Pty Ltd.
Chen, I. and Jeffress, G. Independent Technical Assessment Report VHM Limited’s Mineral Assets – Goschen Project
Report No. R148.2021, CSA Global, 15th August 2021.
Demol, J., Emett, M., Gregg, D., Griffith, C.S. 30 July 2019. Monazite/Xenotime Mineral Concentrate Conversion –
Concept Study Part 2–Waste Characterisation. ANSTO Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee NSW 2232
Australia
Demol, J., Griffith, C.S. 19 August 2019. Monazite/Xenotime Mineral Concentrate Conversion –Concept Study Part 3 –
Waste Conditioning. ANSTO Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee NSW 2232 Australia.
Fainerman-Melnikova, M., Quan, C. Ho, E., and Young, B. 24th August 2018. Monazite/Xenotime Concentrate Processing
– Scoping Study Test Work Update 1, ANSTO Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre.
Fainerman-Melnikova, M., Quinn, J., Safinski, T. 31 July 2019. Concept Study of a Solvent Extraction Refinery for Rare
Earth Separation, ANSTO Technical Note: AM/TN/2017_07_31 ANSTO Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee
NSW 2232 Australia.
Goschen Project DFS Section 10 – Metallurgical Testwork, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 11 – Process Engineering, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 23 – Capital Expenditure Estimate, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 24 – Operating Expenditure Estimate, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 25 – Market Analysis, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 26 – Economics and Financing, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 4 – Risk, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Goschen Project DFS Section 9 – Mining and Ore Reserve, VHM Limited, March 2022.
Grobler, J.D. and Fouché, P.A.P., 2007. Wet heavy mineral pilot plant design, assembly, commissioning and operation
for a remote location. The 6th International Heavy Minerals Conference ‘Back to Basics’, The Southern African
Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Hallet, M., Vassallo, J., Glen, R., and Webster, S. 2005. Murray-Riverina region: an interpretation of bedrock Palaeozoic
geology based on geophysical data, Quarterly Notes, Geological Survey of New South Wales, April 2005, No.
118
Hart, S. 2002. Annual Report of Exploration Activities Cannie, EL 4602 – Murray Basin, Period 30 October 2001 to 29
October 2002. Report prepared for Providence Gold and Minerals Pty Ltd. Department of Natural Resources
and Environment, Victoria (Open File).
Henry, E. and Howard, G. 2022. Goschen Exploration Target 2022 Summary Report. Internal company report RPEX989,
prepared by VHM Limited.
Ho, E., Fainerman-Melnikova, M., Griffith, C.S., Quan, C., and Quinn, J. November 2018. A Report to Mineral
Technologies on Monazite/Xenotime Concentrate Processing – Scoping Study, ANSTO/C1604, Ansto
Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee NSW 2232 Australia.
Howard, G. 25 September 2019. “VHM Strandline Project, Orion and Cygnus Strandlines” confidential internal VHM
report.
Joint Ore Reserves Committee, 2012. Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves. The JORC Code, 2012 Edition. [online]. Available from http://www.jorc.org (The Joint Ore Reserves
Committee of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Australian Institute of Geoscientists, and
Minerals Council of Australia).
Jones, G., and Canisius, M. 2019a. JORC Technical Report Goschen Project Area 4 Mineral Resource Estimate VHM
Limited August 2019, 1690-G-REP-0000-8002 RevB, Issued August 2019 by IHC Robbins.
Jones, G., and Canisius, M. 2019b. JORC Technical Report Goschen Project Area 2 West Mineral Resource Estimate VHM
Limited August 2019, 1711-G-REP-0000-8002, Issued August 2019 by IHC Robbins.
Jones, G., and Cody, S. 2019d. JORC Technical Report Goschen Project Area 1 and 2 South Mineral Resource Estimate
VHM Limited August 1712-G-REP-0000-8002 RevB, Issued August 2019 by IHC Robbins.
Jones, G., and Cody, S., 2019c. JORC Technical Report Goschen Project Area 1 and 2 South Mineral Resource Estimate
VHM Limited August 1712-G-REP-0000-8002 RevA, Issued August 2019 by IHC Robbins.
Keers, A 2019. VHM Limited, Goschen Project Area 1/2 Sth Ore Reserve Study, draft report issued by Auralia Mining
Consulting Pty Ltd, Level 1, 43 Ventnor Ave, West Perth WA 6005.
Keers, A, February 2021. VHM Limited Goschen Project Area 3 Ore Reserve Study, Auralia Mining Consulting.
Keers, A. March 2021. VHM Limited Goschen Project Area 1 Ore Reserve Study, Auralia Mining Consulting.
Lang, S. and Ross, M., 14th February 2022. Goschen Mineral Sands Project DFS – Phase 2 Basis of Estimate Report 514-
PM2004, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd.
Lang, S., Ross, M. and Allen, M. 14th February 2022. Goschen Project Definitive Feasibility Study – Phase 2 Pricing
Schedule Estimate 514-PM1009, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd.
Marrable, S.W. 4 December 2019. Australian Rare Earth Mineral (AREM) Project – Scoping Study II. Internal company
report by VHM.
Marrable, S.W. and Sullivan, A., July 2019. Australian Rare Earth Mineral (AREM) Project Scoping Study Executive
Summary., VHM Limited.
Moore, D.H. 1999. Basement – Basin Interactions in the development of the Murray Basin and its mineral sand deposits.
GSV. Extended Abstracts – Murray Basin Mineral Sands Conference. Australian Institute of Geoscientists
Bulletin No. 26 1999.
Moore, D.H. et al., 1998. Palaeozoic geology and resources of Victoria. AGSO Journal of Australian Geology and
Geophysics.
Nutt, W., and Raffaillac, E., 7th December 2017. Report Number 17 / 83297 / 2 Revision 2 Characterization and
Preliminary Testwork on Mineral Sand Ore Sample, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd.
Pax, R.A. And Henderson, D., 2009, An analysis of operating plant issues and the minimization of risk. The 7th
International Heavy Minerals Conference ‘What next’, The Southern African Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy.
Pobjoy, R. 1 October 2019. Cannie Project. Confidential internal VHM report.
Price Sierakowski, October 2019. Solicitor’s Report on Mining Tenements, by Price Sierakowski Corporate, Level 24 St
Martins Tower 44 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000
Raffaillac, E. 15 December 2021. MS 21 / 3371048 / 1 Revision 1 MSP Flowsheet Verification Testwork Using Area-1
Feasibility Study Mag and Non-mag HMC Samples, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd.
Raffaillac, E. and Vadeikis, C.,2nd February 2018. 514-PM0002 Goschen Project Mineral Recovery Estimates, Mineral
Technologies Pty Ltd.
Raffaillac, E. and Woodall, F. , May 2017. 514-PM0001 Goschen Project Design Basis, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd, 2nd
February 2018. Standing, C. 2017. Goschen North – Mineral Resource Estimate. Internal company report
prepared for VHM Exploration Pty Ltd. Sedgwick, B. 514-PM1012 Goschen Project DFS Process Design Criteria,
Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd, 17th February 2022.
Sedgwick, B. and Ross, M., 14th February 2022. 514-PM0001 Goschen Project Design Basis, Mineral Technologies Pty
Ltd.
Standing, C and Froud, J (2017). 1705 RPP597 Goschen_MRE_V2_C Standing. Goschen North Mineral Resource Estimate.
Internal company report prepared for VHM Exploration Pty Ltd
Valencia Bejarano, M. May 2019. A Report to VHM Limited on Monazite / Xenotime Mineral Concentrate Conversion –
Concept Study Part 2 – Engineering. Ansto Minerals, Locked Bag 2001 Kirrawee NSW 2232 Australia.
VALMIN, 2015. Australasian Code for Public Reporting of Technical Assessments and Valuations of Mineral Assets (The
VALMIN Code), 2015 edition. [online]. Available from http://www.valmin.org (The VALMIN Committee of The
Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and The Australian Institute of Geoscientists).
VHM_a, 29 August 2019. “Memo – CSA Questions” – internal memorandum prepared by Jenny Cookson – General
Manager, Approval – VHM Limited for Amy Sullivan – Executive General Manager, Approval and Growth –
VHM Limited.
VHM_b, 27 August 2019. “Annual Technical Report 18/19” – draft report prepared by VHM for submission to the
Victorian government to meet statutory annual reporting requirements.
Ward, A. and Ross, M. 1 May 2018. Goschen Mineral Sands Project Mineral Separation Plant & Product Loadout
Operating Expenditure Estimate (±35%) 5Mtpa Case Document No. 514-PM1104, Mineral Technologies Pty
Ltd.
Ward, A. and Ross, M., 1 May 2018. Goschen MUP & WCP Operating Expenditure Estimate (±35%) 5Mtpa Case
Document No. 514-PM1103, Mineral Technologies Pty Ltd.
Williams, G. and Rossetti, N., December 2020. RPP803 Overview of Area 1 Metallurgical Testwork Program, VHM
Limited.
Site visits A site visit is to be carried out by the Mr Anthony Keers carried out a site visit in August 2019.
competent person(s) signing off on the Ore
Reserve.
Study status The type and level of study undertaken to This work was undertaken at Definitive Feasibility Study level, the
enable Mineral Resources to be converted to Ore Reserve portion of which was carried out on supplied
Ore Reserves. Mineral Resource models.
Any material classified as an Inferred Mineral Resource was not
included in the Ore Reserve calculations.
Revenue The derivation of, or assumptions made Adamas Intelligence (rare earths) and TZMI (zircon and titania
factors regarding revenue factors including head minerals) completed independent market reviews and provided
grade, metal or commodity price(s) exchange long term reference prices in real US$:
rates, transportation and treatment charges, Leucoxe
MREC Zircon Rutile Ilmenite
penalties, net smelter returns, etc. ne
The derivation of assumptions made of metal Unit USD/kg USD/t USD/t USD/t USD/t
or commodity price(s), for the principal 2022 16.22 1,877 1,345 249 287
metals, minerals and co-products.
2023 17.26 2,042 1,293 267 225
Market The demand, supply and stock situation for A market analysis was conducted by TZMI, which indicated that
assessment the particular commodity, consumption demand will outweigh supply in the short to medium term and
trends and factors likely to affect supply and should be at least neutral in the long term.
demand into the future. TZMI has endorsed that all products generated from Goschen are
A customer and competitor analysis along potentially marketable subject to successful conclusion of final
with the identification of likely market Feasibility Study testwork and off take agreements.
windows for the product. Preliminary discussions with customers have indicated that 100%
Price and volume forecasts and the basis for of products from Goschen will be subject to off take agreements.
these forecasts. Further product testing is scheduled to confirm product
For industrial minerals the customer specifications and realised product prices.
specification, testing and acceptance
requirements prior to a supply contract.
Economic The inputs to the economic analysis to A discount rate of 10% was applied to the optimisation works
produce the net present value (NPV) in the and financial analysis for this study.
study, the source and confidence of these Inputs to the economic analysis include Modifying Factors as
economic inputs including estimated inflation, described above.
discount rate, etc.
Sensitivity studies were carried out. Standard linear deviations
NPV ranges and sensitivity to variations in the were observed for all tested variables.
significant assumptions and inputs.
Social The status of agreements with key Substantial consultation with the community and regulatory
stakeholders and matters leading to social agencies in relation to the Goschen Project has commenced,
licence to operate. involving consultation activities with identified key stakeholders.
Regular meetings have been held with a Technical Reference
Group and a Stakeholder Reference Group.
Other To the extent relevant, the impact of the There are no known significant naturally occurring risks to the
following on the project and/or on the project.
estimation and classification of the Ore In January 2015, Exploration Licence (EL) 5520 was granted to
Reserves: VHM Exploration Pty Ltd for a period of five years. In January
Any identified material naturally occurring 2020, Retention Licence 6806 was granted to the Company for a
risks. period of seven years to replace the expired EL5520.
The status of material legal agreements and
marketing arrangements.
The status of governmental agreements and
approvals critical to the viability of the
project, such as mineral tenement status, and
government and statutory approvals. There
must be reasonable grounds to expect that all
necessary Government approvals will be
received within the timeframes anticipated in
the Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility study.
Highlight and discuss the materiality of any
unresolved matter that is dependent on a
third party on which extraction of the reserve
is contingent.
Site visits A site visit is to be carried out by the Mr Anthony Keers carried out a site visit in August 2019.
competent person(s) signing off on the Ore
Reserve.
Study status The type and level of study undertaken to This work was undertaken at Definitive Feasibility Study level, the
enable Mineral Resources to be converted to Ore Reserve portion of which was carried out on supplied
Ore Reserves. Mineral Resource models.
The Code requires that a study to at least Any material classified as an Inferred Mineral Resource was not
Prefeasibility Study level has been undertaken included in the Ore Reserve calculations.
to convert Mineral Resources to Ore Reserves.
Such studies will have been carried out and
will have determined a mine plan that is
technically achievable and economically
viable, and that material Modifying Factors
have been considered.
Cut-off The basis of the cut-off grade(s) or quality A single cut-off grade (using THM or TVHM) was found to not
parameters parameters applied. accurately reflect the optimisation results, as such a calculation
was undertaken to classify each block as ore or waste.
The ore/waste classification was performed in three steps:
calculating the revenue of each block, calculating the processing
cost of each block and ultimately the cashflow of each block.
If the block revenue was greater than the processing cost, the
block was treated as ore, otherwise the block was treated as
waste.
Mining The method and assumptions used as Pit optimisations were completed using Whittle software.
factors or reported in the Prefeasibility or Feasibility Complete extraction of ore within pit designs is planned.
assumptions Study to convert the Mineral Resource to an
Exclusion Zones have been determined to minimise the impact of
Ore Reserve (i.e. either by application of
operations on the environment and community. Potentially
appropriate factors by optimisation or by
economic material within the exclusion zone may be included in
preliminary or detailed design).
future Ore Reserve estimates.
The choice, nature and appropriateness of the
Ore will be trucked to an MUP ROM on the surface close to the
selected mining method(s) and other mining
mining face. The Mining Unit Plan (MUP) will be relocated at as
parameters including associated design issues
required to optimise truck haulage and slurry pumping.
such as pre-strip, access, etc.
Waste material will be used to create in-pit bunds to contain
The assumptions made regarding
tailings or dump to fill mined voids.
geotechnical parameters (e.g. pit slopes,
stope sizes, etc), grade control and pre- No drill and blast operations will be required, cross ripping of
production drilling. cemented sand horizons by dozers may be required.
The major assumptions made and Mineral Mining will be undertaken in as a strip/block-mining operation.
Resource model used for pit and stope Each block will be approximately 500 m x 150 m.
optimisation (if appropriate). An overall wall angle of 30° has been proposed based on
The mining dilution factors used. completed geotechnical studies.
The mining recovery factors used. A batter angle of 40° was applied to the uppermost bench (in the
topsoil/clayey-sand material), with a 6 m wide berm created at
Any minimum mining widths used.
the base of the clayey material or 10 m below surface, whichever
The manner in which Inferred Mineral produces the lower berm level (i.e. a maximum depth of 10 m).
Resources are utilised in mining studies and Beneath this berm, a single slope was designed to the pit floor;
the sensitivity of the outcome to their the slope angle used for this bench was either 34° in Area 1 East
inclusion. (overall pit depth generally <= 32 m) and 32° in Area 1 West and
The infrastructure requirements of the Area 3 (overall pit depth generally > 32 m).
selected mining methods. Mining recovery and dilution were not applied following the
block model regularisation process.
Orientation of Whether the orientation of sampling • The mineralization in the Goschen North Project area is a
data in achieves unbiased sampling of possible largely flat-lying (with some soft sediment deformation
relation to structures and the extent to which this is across a basement fault) sedimentary package which does
geological known, considering the deposit type. not display a strong orientation of mineralisation at the
structure If the relationship between the drilling current sample spacing.
orientation and the orientation of key • Drilling is vertical and is perpendicular to the flat- lying
mineralised structures is considered to have mineralised horizon resulting in unbiased true widths and
introduced a sampling bias, this should be no bias is anticipated.
assessed and reported if material.
Sample The measures taken to ensure sample • Sample security measures for the historical data are not
security security. known.
• VHM Ltd Aircore samples were stored on site (at a
dedicated warehouse in Kerang).
• The samples were then dispatched to Perth using Swan Hill
Freight agents and delivered directly to the Diamantina
Laboratory and the ALS Laboratory.
• The laboratory inspected the packages and did not report
tampering of the samples
Audits or The results of any audits or reviews of • Audits or reviews of sampling techniques or data have not
reviews sampling techniques and data. been completed