Name of the Project
Mbeya coal-to-power project (MCPP).

Location
Tanzania.

Client
Kibo Mining.

Project Description
The integrated bankable feasibility study (IBFS) on the MCPP has concluded that the MCPP is financially, technically and operationally a very robust project.

The IBFS comprises an integration of the definitive mining feasibility study (DMFS), the definitive power feasibility study (DPFS), the integrated financial model for the MCPP and all the other relevant technical studies on the MCPP to date.

The MCPP comprises a 122-million-tonne coal resource, of which 85.9% qualifies for inclusion in any future reserve statement. Of this, 39-million tonnes is included in the pit design and is sufficient to satisfy the required indicative coal requirement of 39-million tonnes for 30 years.

It has been proven that constant coal production over the total life-of-mine can be achieved.

The mining method developed for the Mbeya coal mine has been confirmed as modified terrace mining. Overburden will be removed using a free dig (truck-and-shovel) method, with coal seam and interburden mining using mechanised continuous surface mining. The DPFS has concluded that the power plant, which will be 250 MW to 350 MW, will require coal with a calorific value of 12.85 GJ/t.

Net power that will be generated has been estimated at 1 840 GWh/y.

Average coal and limestone consumption has been estimated at 1 497 432 t/y (as fired) and 110 359 t/y respectively.

Jobs to be Created
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The MCPP DMFS estimates an internal rate of return of 69.2% with a payback of 2.4 years.

Value
The MCPP DMFS estimates a peak funding requirement of $17-million.

No new figures have been released in the DPFS.

Kibo Mining remains restricted in its ability to release certain detailed information pertaining to the IBFS, owing to the company’s being engaged in highly confidential discussions with various parties, including regulatory authorities. Such information is commercially sensitive and could result in a breach of Kibo’s confidentiality obligations, subsequently harming the company’s ability to successfully complete negotiations.

The most recent figures, released in the April 2016 DPFS, confirmed the total estimated project cost of the thermal power plant as below the cost estimate stated in the power prefeasibility study (PFS) released in 2014. The power PFS estimated the project’s total cost, depending on the plant option selected, at between $640-million and $760-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Kibo Mining has concluded the final bid clarification for the construction of the transmission line that will evacuate power from the Mbeya power plant to State-owned Tanesco’s Mbeya substation.

The power plant forms part of Kibo’s MCPP.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the power plant has been divided into two – the power station EPC contract and the power line EPC contract.

The power station EPC contract was awarded conditionally to Sepco III in December 2016.

Following various technical studies regarding the transmission line, including an in-country line reconnaissance and survey by a team from Sepco III and Tractebel Engineering, Sepco III submitted a final bid for the power line EPC contract.

Kibo and Tractebel held a clarification workshop with the Sepco III team earlier this month to finalise the technical component of the power line EPC contract, which will be awarded to Sepco III, subject to final technical, financial and operational benchmarking to be conducted by Tractebel in September.

The finalisation of the transmission line bid concludes all technical development work on the MCPP prior to financial close.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Sepeco III (engineering, procurement and construction contractor) and GE (equipment, technology and services).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Kibo Mining, tel +353 91 865367, fax +353 91 755066 or email info@kibomining.com.