MCB Project receives Certification Precondition
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX/AIM RELEASE
4 SEPTEMBER 2024
MCB Project receives Certification
for compliance with FPIC Process
HIGHLIGHTS
• The Philippine National Commission on Indigenous Peoples has issued a
Certification Precondition confirming that Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
was obtained from the Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community for the MCB
Project.
• It is the first Certification Precondition for a Copper Gold project to be issued in
the Philippines in the last 5 years.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Celsius Resources Limited (“CLA” or “Celsius”) (ASX, AIM: CLA) is pleased to announce that its
Philippine affiliate, Makilala Mining Company, Inc. (“MMCI or the “Company”), has been issued
a Certification Precondition (“CP”) from the Philippine National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples (“NCIP”) for its flagship Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog Copper-Gold Project (“MCB” or the
“Project”).
As the government agency mandated to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, the NCIP
ascertains that the collective decision of the Balatoc Indigenous Cultural Community (“ICC”) has
been obtained with respect to their right to self-determination over their ancestral lands. The
NCIP En Banc also reviewed and evaluated the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (“FPIC”)
process to ensure that it was observed in accordance with Republic Act No. 8371, or the
Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (“IPRA”) of 1997 1.
The Certification Precondition (CP-CAR-2024-504, issued on 4 September 2024), is the
culmination of a ~3-year process which entailed extensive stakeholder engagement resulting in
a Memorandum of Agreement signed by and between MMCI, the Balatoc ICC, and NCIP
stipulating the benefits, commitments, and obligations of all parties during the life of the MCB
mine. 2
1 https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1997/10/29/republic-act-no-8371/
2 ASX/AIM Announcement 15 November 2022
Level 5, 191 St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 PO Box 7059, Cloisters Square PO, Perth WA 6850
P: +61 2 8072 1400 E: info@celsiusresources.com.au W: celsiusresources.com
Celsius Executive Chairman Atty. Julito R. Sarmiento, said:
“This is arguably one of the most stringent approval milestones for a new project to achieve. It
has always been the Company’s commitment to observance and respect for the customary laws
and practices of the Balatoc ICC throughout the FPIC process as an integral part of obtaining and
strengthening our social license. We are grateful that the NCIP En Banc recognised the value and
contribution of the MCB Project to improve the lives of the Balatoc ICC. The issuance of the
Certification Precondition is not only an achievement for the Company, it is also a milestone for
the Balatoc ICC as our partner in the development and operation of the MCB Project.”
Next Steps
The Certification Precondition is one of the compliance requirements under the Mineral
Production Sharing Agreement with the Philippine Government as prescribed under Republic
Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 3 and one of the outstanding commitments under
the MPSA4.
With the issuance of the Certificate Precondition, the only remaining requirement is to submit
additional proof of financial capability to carry out the necessary work programs. The CP now
allows management to finalise arrangements with interested Philippine and international
investors for funding the MCB Project. These discussions had been delayed, awaiting the
issuance of the Certification Precondition.
MCB COPPER-GOLD PROJECT
The MCB Copper-Gold Project (MCB) is located in the Cordillera Administrative Region in the
Philippines, approximately 320km north of Manila (Figure 1). It is the flagship project within the
Makilala portfolio which also contains other key prospects in the pipeline for permit
renewal/extension.
A maiden JORC Compliant Mineral Resource Estimate was declared for the MCB Project in
January 2021, comprising 313.8 million tonnes @ 0.48% copper and 0.15g/t gold, for 1.5 million
tonnes of contained copper and 1.47 million ounces of gold, of which 290.3 million tonnes @
0.48% copper and 0.15 g/t gold is classified as Indicated and 23.5 million tonnes @ 0.48%
copper and 0.10 g/t gold is classified as Inferred.
An updated JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate was announced for the MCB Project on
12 December 2022, comprising 338 million tonnes @ 0.47% copper and 0.12 g/t gold, for a total
of 1.6 million tonnes of contained copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold, of which 249 million
tonnes @ 0.44% copper and 0.11 g/t gold is classified as Indicated, 42 million tonnes @ 0.52%
copper and 0.11 g/t gold is classified as Inferred, and 47 million tonnes @ 0.59% copper and
0.19 g/t gold is classified as Measured.
A Study for the MCB Project was announced by CLA on 1 December 2021, which identified the
potential for the development of a copper-gold operation with a 25-year mine life. The Study
was based on an underground mining operation and processing facility to produce a saleable
copper-gold concentrate.
3 https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_7942_1995.html
4 ASX/AIM Announcement 18 March 2024
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Highlights from the Study include a Post tax NPV (8%) of US$464m and IRR of 31%, assuming a
copper price of US$4.00/lb and gold price of US$1,695/oz. Initial capital expenditure is
estimated to be US$253m with a payback period of approximately 2.7 years. The designed mine
production is matched to a 2.28Mtpa processing plant which will treat ore with an estimated
average grade of 1.14% copper and 0.54g/t gold for the first 10 years of planned production
with a C15 cash costs at just US$0.73/lb copper, net of gold credits.
Figure 1. Location of the MCB Project in the province of Kalinga, Northern Luzon, Philippines.
This announcement has been authorised by the Board of Directors of Celsius Resources Limited.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute
inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it
forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
Listing Rule 5.19 and 5.23 Disclosure
The Mineral Resource Estimate for the MCB Project was disclosed in the Company’s ASX
announcement dated 12 December 2022 titled “Updated Mineral Resource for Celsius’ MCB
Copper-Gold Project”. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data
that relates to Exploration Results and Mineral Resources at the MCB Project and that all material
assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource continue to apply.
Forward Looking Statements
Some of the statements appearing in this announcement may be in the nature of forwardlooking statements. You should be aware that such statements are only predictions and are
subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Those risks and uncertainties include factors and risks
specific to the industries in which the Company operates and proposes to operate as well as
general economic conditions, prevailing exchange rates and interest rates and conditions in the
financial markets, among other things. Actual events or results may differ materially from the
events or results expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement.
5
C1 costs include all direct costs in mining, processing, general and administration, and selling (including freight).
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No forward-looking statement is a guarantee or representation as to future performance or any
other future matters, which will be influenced by a number of factors and subject to various
uncertainties and contingencies, many of which will be outside the Company’s control.
The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to
these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after today's date or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. No representation or warranty, express or
implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information,
opinions or conclusions contained in this announcement. To the maximum extent permitted by
law, none of the Company’s Directors, employees, advisors, or agents, nor any other person,
accepts any liability for any loss arising from the use of the information contained in this
announcement. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
statement. The forward-looking statements in this announcement reflect views held only as at
the date of this announcement.
Celsius Resources Contact Information
Level 5, 191 St. Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
PO Box 7059
Cloisters Square PO
Perth WA 6850
P: +61 8 9324 4516
E: info@celsiusresources.com.au
W: www.celsiusresources.com
Celsius Resources Limited
Mark van Kerkwijk
P: +61 419 273 456
E: info@celsiusresources.com.au
W: www.celsiusresources.com
Multiplier Media
(Australia Media Contact)
Jon Cuthbert
M: +61 402 075 707
E: jon.cuthbert@multiplier.com.au
Beaumont Cornish Limited
(Nominated Adviser)
Roland Cornish/Felicity Geidt/Andrew Price
P: +44 (0) 207 628 3396
Zeus Capital
(Broker)
Harry Ansell/James Joyce/Isaac Hooper
P:+44 (0) 20 7220 1666
Beaumont Cornish Limited (“Beaumont Cornish”) is the Company’s Nominated Adviser and is authorised
and regulated by FCA. Beaumont Cornish’s responsibilities as the Company’s Nominated Adviser,
including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for
Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange.
Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any persons for providing protections
afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed
arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
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