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Alara Resources Limited

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FY2013 Annual Report · Alara Resources Limited
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2013

Annual Report

ABN 27 122 892 719

Western Australia – Main Office

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED

SHARE REGISTRY:

150 Stirling Hwy

Nedlands WA 6009

T  |  +61 8 9389 8033

F  |  +61 8 9389 7871

New South Wales – Branch

Suite 601, Level 6

225 Clarence Street

Sydney NSW 2000

T  |  +61 2 8096 3502

A.C.N. 122 892 719

ASX Code: AUQ

Principal & Registered Office:

Level 3, 35 Havelock Street,

West Perth, Western Australia 6005

Local 

T  |  +61 8 6323 5900

F  |  +61 8 6323 5999

E  |  info@alararesources.com

W  |  www.alararesources.com

 
 
 
“Alara is transitioning from being a 
mineral resource developer to a mine 
builder and operator”

“Alara respect the Company’s key assets 
are its Joint Venture Partners, resources 
and people”

“Alara will achieve its goals through open, 
collaborative and respectful working 
relationships with its employees, partners, 
shareholders and stakeholders”

Since its inception in 2007, Alara has been a 
resource development company that has looked 
throughout the world for suitable and attainable 
projects and ore bodies that could be taken forward 
by the Company into profitable production. As a result 
of the success of this approach and work, Alara is 
ready and poised to take its next step in its corporate 
development and plans.

The past year (2013 Financial Year) saw Alara focus 
on asset and resource development in the Middle 
Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman. As a 
result of this focus and effort, Alara completed its 
resource drilling programs and study work in these 
areas during the year and has advanced its flagship 
Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project in Saudi Arabia 
through a successful Definitive Feasibility Study 
(DFS) and its early stage Daris/Washihi Copper-
Gold Project through a successful Scoping Study. 
Both Projects are robust in their own right with 
considerable upside potential.

Going forward, Alara will focus its efforts and 
resources on taking the Khnaiguiyah Project though 
the finance stage and into construction while 
divesting some or all of the Oman Projects.

“Alara is transitioning from being a 

mineral resource developer to a mine 

builder and operator”

“Alara respect the Company’s key assets 

are its Joint Venture Partners, resources 

and people”

“Alara will achieve its goals through open, 

collaborative and respectful working 

relationships with its employees, partners, 

shareholders and stakeholders”

Since its inception in 2007, Alara has been a 

resource development company that has looked 

throughout the world for suitable and attainable 

projects and ore bodies that could be taken forward 

by the Company into profitable production. As a result 

of the success of this approach and work, Alara is 

ready and poised to take its next step in its corporate 

development and plans.

The past year (2013 Financial Year) saw Alara focus 

on asset and resource development in the Middle 

Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman. As a 

result of this focus and effort, Alara completed its 

resource drilling programs and study work in these 

areas during the year and has advanced its flagship 

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project in Saudi Arabia 

through a successful Definitive Feasibility Study 

(DFS) and its early stage Daris/Washihi Copper-

Gold Project through a successful Scoping Study. 

Both Projects are robust in their own right with 

considerable upside potential.

Going forward, Alara will focus its efforts and 

resources on taking the Khnaiguiyah Project though 

the finance stage and into construction while 

divesting some or all of the Oman Projects.

CONTENTS

About Us ________________________ 1

Chairman’s Letter _________________ 2

Managing Director’s Letter _________ 3

Board of Directors  ________________ 4

Directors

Ian J Williams 

Non-Executive Chairman

Philip H Hopkins  Managing Director

John D Hopkins  Non-Executive Director

His Royal Highness 
Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud 

Non-Executive Director

Secretary 

Victor P H Ho

Registered Office and Business Address

Management Team ________________ 5

Level 3, 35 Havelock Street, West Perth, Western Australia 6005

Organisational Structure ___________ 6

Our People _______________________ 7

Our Joint Venture Partners _________ 8

Our Support Contractors ___________ 9

FY2013 A Year in Review __________ 10

FY2013 Milestones _______________ 11

Financial Summary _______________ 12

PO Box 1890, West Perth WA 6872

Telephone: 

Facsimile: 

E-mail: 

+ 61 8 6323 5900

+ 61 8 9323 5999

info@alararesources.com

ABN: 27 122 892 719

Website

Alara Resources Limited maintains a website where all major announcements to 
the ASX are available: www.alararesources.com

Share Registry

Advanced Share Registry Services

Company Projects Overview  ______ 13

Suite 2, 150 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009

Company Mineral Resources ______ 16

Telephone: 

Facsimile: 

+61 8 9389 8033

+61 8 9389 7871

Company Mineral Reserves _______ 18

Level 6, 225 Clarence Street, Sydney, New South Wales 2000

Khnaiguiyah Project ______________ 19

Oman Projects  __________________ 32

Telephone: 

+61 2 8096 3502

E-mail: 

Website: 

admin@advancedshare.com.au 

www.advancedshare.com.au

FY2014 Looking Forward __________ 40

Australian Securities Exchange

Closing Pages ___________________ 41

Directors’ Report ________________ 42

Auditor’s Independence Declaration  73

ASX Limited

Exchange Plaza, 2 The Esplanade, Perth, Western Australia 6000

ASX Code: AUQ

Auditors

Consolidated Financial Statements _ 75

Grant Thornton Audit Pty Ltd

Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements _____________________ 79

Directors’ Declaration  ___________ 114

Independent Audit Report ________ 115

Corporate Governance ___________ 118

Mineral Licences  _______________ 129

JORC Code Competent Person 
Statements ____________________ 130

Additional ASX Information _______ 131

Level 1, 10 Kings Park Road, West Perth, Western Australia 6005

Telephone: 

+61 8 9480 2000

Facsimile: 

Website: 

+61 8 9322 7787

www.grantthornton.com.au

Shareholders wishing to receive 
copies of Alara Resources Limited 
ASX market announcements by 
email should register their inter-
est by contacting the Company at 
info@alararesources.com.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

1

CORPORATE DIRECTORYALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

To Stakeholders and Shareholders

2013 was a year of progress 
and transition.

In July 2012, the Alara received a draft 
of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) 
for the Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project 
in Saudi Arabia. Following an extensive 
internal review and enhancement, the 
study was completed and accepted 
in April 2013. This confirmed that the 
Project was commercially attractive and 
would provide a solid foundation on 
which to transition Alara from Explorer 
to Operating Miner.

In Oman, Alara’s interests in three 
copper-gold projects was advanced with 
further drilling and in Q4 2012 a Scoping 
Study confirmed the potential for a small 
but profitable operation by combining 
the resources of the three projects.

Early drilling in Alara’s projects in Chile 
showed little chance of success and 
in Q4, 2012 the decision was made 
to withdraw from the projects and 
cease activity in Chile and focus on 
Saudi Arabia and Oman. Subsequently, 
to preserve cash and maintain  
management focus on the Khnaiguiyah 
Project, the decision was also made 
to dispose of the Oman assets if 
a suitable sale could be arranged. 
This process is still ongoing. Despite 
this decision, the Company believes 
Oman has good project potential and a 
favourable environment for investment 
and we will maintain a watching brief 
for the future.

Following year end, Alara was 
successful with a Research and 
Development Tax Incentive Scheme 
refund from the Australian government 
in relation to the Khnaiguiyah DFS. The 
$2.75m received so far, with some $0.5 
to $0.9 more to come, has secured 
Alara’s cash position to underpin 

ongoing operations ahead of project 
funding. The sale of the Oman assets 
will provide an additional buffer.

Another aspect of the transition has 
been in the change in leadership of 
the Company. Shanker Madan, who 
led as Managing Director from the 
start, resigned in July 2013. Shanker 
was instrumental in identifying and 
developing through study phases, the 
projects which now provide the basis 
for a secure future. On behalf of all, 
I thank Shanker for his contribution. 
Similarly I also thank Non-Executive 
Director Doug Stewart, who retired 
in August 2013, for his substantial 
commercial and technical input. It 
is also opportune to thank William 
Johnson for his contribution. William, 
a Director in executive as well as non-
executive capacities since 2009 will 
retire on 31 October.

To lead the Company into operation, 
Alara has been fortunate in attracting 
Philip Hopkins to the Managing Director 
role. Philip has strong operational 
and development experience and 
is well suited to lead Alara in what 
Directors believe will be an exciting and 
rewarding period.

Finally I would like to thank fellow 
Directors and all staff for their 
contribution. Considerable progress 
has been made but it hasn’t always 
been easy. Nor has it been easy for 
shareholders and other stakeholders 
and I thank them for their patience 
and continuing support. Directors and 
staff are focused on ensuring that this 
patience is rewarded.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

2

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719MANAGING DIRECTOR’S LETTER

Managing Director and the transition 
of the previous Managing Director 
(S Madan) from the Company.  There 
were also anticipated Board changes 
with the resignations of Doug Stewart 
and William Johnson allowing them to 
pursue their external commitments.  
In addition on the Management Team 
there was a change in the CFO role, 
the appointment of a new Country 
Manager for Oman (Justin Richard who 
also manages Saudi Arabia for Alara), 
the strengthening of the Perth office 
management staff and an upgrade 
of the corporate technical support 
skills. These personnel changes were 
concurrent with the Company’s move 
to new and separate offices in West 
Perth (formerly using shared offices 
with the Queste/Bentley group of 
companies in downtown Perth).  In 
alignment with the noted focus and 
strategy the Oman staff levels were 
reduced accordingly.  Alongside these 
changes administrative enhancements 
were made relative to the upgrade of 
management reporting, Board reporting 
and presentation, management Team 
communication etc.
In a year-on-year step and stage 
approach the following notes the 
stages the Company is currently 
moving through relative to the KMC 
Project and transition to becoming a 
mine developer and operator:

    FY2013 – Confirmation of 
the Project’s viability (DFS 
completion) and Company/Team 
adjustments in order to be ready 
to move forward

    FY2014 – Project finance, EPC 

contract completion, construction 
Team secured and final 
arrangements to commence 
construction

    FY2015 – Project construction 

start up and final Project 
optimisation

From a commercial, technical and 
growth perspective the development 
plan for Saudi Arabia has tremendous 
upside for the Company and its 
shareholders.  Saudi Arabia is arguably 
the best commercial and economic 
region in which to start and grow a 
mining company with a low interest 
government funding vehicle, low tax 
rates, no government royalties and 
other benefits.  Technically the location 

is ideal as much of the Arabian Shield 
has had preliminary exploration work 
completed on it confirming its heavy 
endowment of potentially economic 
resources but few mines actually 
having been built.  And finally, from 
a political standpoint there is a very 
stable government overseen by the 
King with his succession plan in place 
and well accepted.  Possibly most 
important is the government support 
and interest in developing a strong 
mining industry as Saudi Arabia is 
highly motivated to diversified its 
industrial future as they are keen to 
have a transition plan if and when the 
oil & gas production lessens.  
The Company is very well situation 
from a future production perspective as 
Zinc is the only base metal forecasted 
to grow in real value over the period 
of the planned mine construction and 
commissioning. Based on a number of 
international forecasts the zinc price is 
predicted to hit 20 year real price highs 
in 2016-19 when the mine is coming 
on line.  
It is a terrific advantage to be in the 
correct region for company growth 
and development and then to have a 
robust project with strong financial 
outcomes as defined by a successful 
DFS.  The key then becomes how you 
will pull these factors together and 
ensure the delivery of the planned and 
communicated commercial results?  
The answer to this is the true heart 
and soul of Alara’s way forward and 
planned success.  The key is to have 
the right people and Teams in place and 
then to ensure everyone is able to work 
in an open, collaborative, supportive 
environment while sharing a set of 
aligned mutual outcomes.  This will be 
the core to what Alara does and where 
they focus in the years ahead.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

3

Traditionally the Managing Director’s 
letter in a typical public company Annual 
Report will speak primarily to the year 
past, the achievements, the challenges, 
shortfalls and the overall view of the 
year ahead as it relates to the prior year.  
Having joined the Board of Directors 
late last year (May) and then only 
officially taking over as Alara’s Managing 
Director on the 1st July this year I felt 
it gave me the latitude to talk more 
about how FY2013 ended up but then 
focus my comments on what I feel is 
critical for the Company and what I am 
passionate about… the way forward.  
Alara finished the year with great 
clarity of purpose and direction and 
with a number of changes in place or 
taking place that are the enablers for 
the planned activity in FY2014.  As an 
overview position at year’s end the 
Company confirmed to the market and 
all stakeholders that Alara’s future was 
in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and 
Oman) with a defined and distinct short 
to mid-term focus on the company’s 
flagship Zn/Cu KMC Project in Saudi.  
In turn a strategy was put in place to 
partially or fully divest of the Oman 
assets in support of the KMC focus. 
It was also clear that the next steps 
going forward for this Project was 
the effective alignment with our Joint 
Venture Partner United Arabian Mining 
Company followed by Project finance 
and preparation for construction.
At year’s end and into the new financial 
year there were several internal 
changes made (or being made) to help 
ensure the success of the FY2014 
plans.  Some of the key changes in this 
regard include my taking on the role of 

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ian J Williams, AO 
Non-Executive Chairman

BE(Elec), FAus IMM, FIE Aust

Mr Williams was awarded an Officer 
of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 
2010 for distinguished service to the 
Indigenous community of Western 
Australia and Queensland through the 
establishment of training programmes 
providing sustainable employment in 
the mining industry, the promotion of 
social responsibility and as a supporter of 
business development initiatives. 

As Managing Director of Century Zinc 
Ltd, Ian was responsible for planning and 
bringing on stream the Century lead/ zinc 
mine in north western Queensland, one 
of the largest zinc mines in the world.

Ian’s diverse experience includes executive 
management of open cut and underground 
mining operations, brownfield expansions 
and new major mining projects.

Philip H Hopkins 
Managing Director

BSc (Mining Engineering), MBA, 
P.Eng, MAusIMM, MCIM 

Mr Hopkins has +30 years’ international 
experience in the mining industry in 
leadership roles across operations, 
projects, commercial and executive 
matters. 

His career has included work with 
Cominco Limited, Falconbridge Limited, 
Placer Dome Inc., BHP Billiton Limited 
and St Barbara Limited and has included 
international postings in Canada, Papua 
New Guinea, South Africa, Brazil and 
Australia. Mr Hopkins has mining 
experience in base metals (copper and 
nickel), gold and iron ore.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

4

John D Hopkins 
Non-Executive Director

LLB, FAICD

Mr Hopkins has 23+ years’ experience 
on the board or as chairman of more 
than 20 public listed companies (in 
Australia, UK and Canada) and as such 
has been involved in the financing and 
development (and subsequent M&A 
activities) of many gold, base metal, 
energy (coal and oil and gas), mineral 
sands and other resources projects 
in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and 
North America as well as industrial and 
manufacturing companies.

More recently, John (as Chairman) 
oversaw the transition of Adamus 
Resources Limited (ASX : ADU) gold 
operations in Ghana from explorer to 
producer culminating in its merger 
with Endeavour Mining Corporation 
(TSX : EDV, ASX: EVR). He is currently 
Chairman of developing tungsten and 
tin producer Wolf Minerals Limited 
(ASX : WLF) and South African based 
coal producer Universal Coal Plc (ASX: 
UNV) which companies have recently 
secured major debt funding.

His Royal Highness 
Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin 
Abdulaziz Al Saud 
Non-Executive Director

BEng. (Industrial) (Hons), MEng.

HRH Prince Abdullah is a prominent 
self-made Saudi businessman and 
industrialist and the Chairman of 
The Saudi Paper Manufacturing 
Company (SPM) which he established 
in 1989 and floated on the Saudi 
Stock Exchange in 2006 – SPM 
has one of the largest waste paper 
collection, recycling, manufacturing 
and converting (consumer tissue paper 
products) operations in the Middle 
East. 

HRH Prince Abdullah is keen to 
be a part of and to assist in the 
advancement of Alara’s flagship 
Khnaiguiyah Project in Saudi Arabia.  
HRH feels the development of this 
Project is of strategic importance to 
the country in terms of support of the 
nation’s mining industry as well as for 
local industry, expertise and workforce. 

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719MANAGEMENT TEAM

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Exploration 
Manager

20+ years’ exploration 
and feasibility experience 
in and Australia.  Received 
“Discoverer of the Year” 
award, Rio Tinto 2010.

Atmavireshwar Sthapak

Justin Richard

Accountant

10+ years’ accounting 
and finance experience 
in construction, banking, 
exploration and mining. 

Chirag Patel

Tina Ahern

Country 
Manager, 
Saudi Arabia 
& Oman

20+ years’ experience, 
including Corporate Counsel 
and head of legal for UGL 
Limited’s resources division, 
Senior Commercial Officer 
/ Contracts Specialist with 
Bateman Engineering 
(Australia) and Managing 
Director of Irrigate Australia 
a private enterprise providing 
water management solutions.

Office 
Manager

12+ years’ administration, 
finance and project 
experience including 
Brikmakers, Shell Australia, 
WA Gas Networks and 
BHP Billiton.

General 
Manager, 
Exploration 
(Oman)

20+ years’ experience, 
with 4 years in exploration 
and development in 
Oman, and 8 years with 
Rio Tinto Iron in Australia

Company 
Secretary

13+ years’ experience with 
number of public listed 
companies as a Director 
and Company Secretary.

Ganesh Krishnamurthy

Victor Ho

Acting CFO 20+ years’ financial, 

corporate and commercial 
experience, CFO roles 
at Strike Resources, 
Crescent Gold, Central 
Petroleum, DRDGOLD, 
and held management 
and accounting roles for 
Hills Industries, Brown 
& Root, Woodside and 
Normandy Mining.

Julian Tambyrajah

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

5

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719ALARA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

(ASX code: AUQ)

Hume Mining
Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Operations
Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Peru Operations
Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Oman
Operations Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Saudi
Operations Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Saudi Marjan
Operations Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Alara Kingdom
Operations Pty Ltd
Australia
100%

Khnaiguiyah Mining
Company LLC
Saudi Arabia
50% - JV with United
Arabian Mining
Company

Sita Mining Company
LLC
Saudi Arabia

Daris Resources LLC
Oman
50% - JV with AI
Tamman Trading
Establishment LLC

Alara Resources LLC
Oman
70% - JV with Sur
United International
Co. LLC

Al Hadeetha
Resources Oman
LLC
Oman
70% - JV with AI
Hadeetha Investment
Services LLC

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

6

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719OUR PEOPLE

Perth Management 

 His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin 
Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ___________ Non-Executive Director

Chirag Patel  __________________________ Accountant

Deborah Skolnik _______________________ Office Administrator

Ian Williams  __________________________ Non-Executive Chairman

John Hopkins _________________________ Non-Executive Director

Julian Tambyrajah ______________________ Acting Chief Financial Officer

Philip Hopkins _________________________  Chief Executive Officer; 

Managing Director

Tina Ahern ____________________________ Office Manager

Victor Ho _____________________________ Company Secretary

Saudi Arabia 

Atef Musfer Al Qahtani _________________ Site Security Guard

Fahad Al Baheli ________________________ Government Relations Officer

Fahad Saad Al-Qahtani _________________ Site Security Guard

Faisal Medwid Al Qahtani  ______________ Office Assistant

Hamd Elshemi Al-Qahtani  ______________ Site Security Guard

Justin Richard _________________________  Country Manager, 

Saudi Arabia & Oman

Kamal Hassan _________________________ Office Assistant

Manahi Abdul Hadi  ____________________ Site Security Guard

Mohammed Ansar Ahmed ______________ Corporate Services Manager

Mukhezem Faleh Wisam Al Qahtani  _____ Site Security Guard

Mukhezem Fuhaid Al Qahtani ___________ Site Security Guard

Muthwed Falef Al Qahtani ______________ Site Supervisor

Suhaim Munir Al Qahtani _______________ Site Security Guard

Zahar Bin Majid Bin Mubarak Al Qahtani __ Site Security Guard

Oman 

Atmavireshwar Sthapak ________________ Exploration Manager

Badar Marhoon Al Rahbi ________________ Public Relations Officer

Ganesh Krishnamurthy _________________ General Manager, Exploration

Rexin Kamilas _________________________ Accountant

Majid Al Minji _________________________  Government & Community 

Relations Manager

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

7

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719 
OUR JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS

OUR JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS

Alara acknowledges and expresses appreciation to each of our joint 
venture partners:

United Arabian Mining Company LLC – KHNAIGUIYAH ZINC-
COPPER PROJECT (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia);

Al Hadeetha Investment Services LLC – WASHIHI-MULLAQ-AL 
AJAL COPPER-GOLD PROJECT (Sultanate of Oman); and

Al Tamman Trading Establishment LLC - DARIS COPPER-GOLD 
PROJECT (Sultanate of Oman).

May we continue together to progress these and future projects 
for the benefit of all stakeholders, including our respective 
shareholders, employees and the communities where we operate, 
In Sha’Allah.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

8

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719OUR SUPPORT CONTRACTORS

OUR SUPPORT CONTRACTORS

Contractors

ALS Ammtec

Ausenco

Country

Australia

Australia

Bedrock Minerals Resources (BMRC)

United Arab Emirates

Burns Consulting

CSA Global

Dassalult Systemes (Gemcom)

Australia

Australia

Australia

GEOWISDOM

United Kingdom

Gulf Geotechnical Services

IndiGeo Consultants

Kamel Establishment

Megabest

Mining and Cost Engineering

Petra Capital 

Shiva Analytical Labs

SMEC

South West Pinnacle

SRK Consulting

Warner Consulting Australia

Oman

India

Oman

Australia

Australia

Australia

India

Australia

India

Australia

Australia

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

9

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 7192012/13 – A YEAR IN REVIEW

A BRIEF LOOK AT FINANCIAL YEAR 2013

If you had to summarise the past year for Alara and its shareholders in what is 
often called “an elevator speech” you might describe the last twelve months 
as a year of consolidation of the Company focus, completion of the field drilling 
programs and following Project studies on both the Company’s main assets and 
internal change and realignment for the next stage of the Company’s growth and 
strategic plan. In short it was a year of overall successes that has set up the group 
to move forward in becoming a mine operator and concentrate producer.

Now if your elevator got stuck for a few minutes longer you would be able to 
explain some of the details of the past year. This extended discussion would note 
that Alara defined its overall focus both regionally and on two specific asset bases 
or Projects. Namely and respectively, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Oman) and 
the Saudi Arabian KMC Zn/Cu Project and the Oman Daris/Washihi Cu Project’s. 
In both countries and on both Projects the field drilling work was completed, the 
JORC compliant Mineral Resource was completed and signed off and the relevant 
mine development studies successfully finished. This work left the Company with 
a robust DFS on the KMC Project that is now ready for finance and construction 
while the earlier stage successful scoping study on Daris/Washihi has added 
value to this asset and will support its full or partial divestment. Although the 
Daris/Washihi Project is robust in its own right Alara will partially or fully divest 
this asset to allow its full focus to go to the KMC Project in Saudi Arabia while 
not inadvertently “slowing up” the Daris/Washihi project itself. In addition to this 
technical work toward the end of the year the Company made internal changes to 
its Board of Directors and Management Team in order to be ready to take on its 
next stage of growth and the advancement of the KMC Project.

The key for Alara is that FY2013 has effectively and successfully set the Company 
up to progress its strategy to move the Company into being a profitable mine 
operator and concentrate producer in one of the world’s most commercially and 
technically attractive and sustainable locations. 

“If you had to summarise the 
past year for Alara and its 
shareholders in what is often 
called ‘an elevator speech’”

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

10

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719FY2013 MILESTONES

FINANCIAL YEAR 2013 MILESTONES

Completed KMC drill program

November 2011

Completed Daris/Washihi JORC Mineral Resource

October 2012

Fund raising of $ 7.875m

October 2012

Closed overseas subsidiary EL Quillay

October 2012

Completed Daris Drill program

December 2012

Completed Daris/ Washihi Scoping Study

February 2013

Completed Washihi drill program

Completed KMC JORC Ore Reserve

Completed KMC DFS

March 2013

April 2013

April 2013

Transitioned previous Managing Director from the Company

June 2013

Appointed new Managing Director

Moved to new and separate offices (previously with the 
Queste/Bentley Group of Companies)

June 2013

July 2013

Retirement of Shanker Madan from the Alara Board

July 2013

Updated Washihi JORC Mineral Resource

July 2013

Announcement of the Board retirements of Doug Stewart 
and William Johnson

August 2013

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

11

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719FINANCIAL SUMMARY

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Key Financial Numbers

    Full year total comprehensive loss was A$7m compared to A$3.2m in 2012.

    The increase in total comprehensive loss from 2012 is primarily the result of 
the Consolidated Entity writing off the carrying value of the Awtad Copper-
Gold Project in Oman and the El Quillay Copper Project in Chile, which were 
relinquished during the financial year (as described in Review of Operations 
below). As a result, an impairment loss of A$3m was recognised in the 2013 
results, compared to A$432k in 2012.  

    Interest income revenue was significantly reduced compared to 2012 as a 

result of lower cash balances held during 2013. 

    Corporate, administration, personnel and occupancy costs have decreased 
marginally in 2013 mainly due to no performance options being issued to 
Directors or employees in 2013. Also a reduction in staff and consultants 
following completion of the DFS. 

    During October 2012, the Consolidated Entity issued 31.5m shares @ $0.25c 

to raise A$7.8m. 

    The Consolidated Entity had a closing cash balance as at 30 June 2013 of 

A$4.5m. 

     Consolidated net cash outflows in 2013 (and 2012) were driven mainly by 
significant exploration and evaluation work carried out on the Khnaiguiyah 
Zinc-Copper Project in Saudi Arabia and across a number of copper-gold 
exploration projects in Oman.

Consolidated Profit & 
Loss Summary

Total revenue

Total expenses

Loss before tax 

Income tax benefit

Other comprehensive 
income

Total comprehensive 
loss 

Consolidated EPS

Basic loss per share 
(cents)

Diluted loss per share 
(cents)

2013
$’000

283

(7,186)

(6,903)

-

(125)

2012
$’000

1,726

(4,975)

(3,250)

-

(37)

(7,028)

(3,250)

2013

(2.84)

2012

(1.50)

(2.84)

(1.50)

Weighted average 

231,392,432

210,507,500

ordinary shares 

• 

• 

• 

Cash flow Investing activities 
includes A$10.3m spend on 
exploration and evaluation activities. 

Cash flow from Financing activities 
includes A$7.8m proceeds from issue 
ordinary shares.

Net cash outflows for the year were 
A$6.5m.

Consolidated Balance
Sheet Summary

Total assets

Total liabilities

Net assets

Total equity

Consolidated Cash 
Flow
Summary

2013
$’000

41,046

(3,595)

37,451

37,451

2013
$’000

2012
$’000

41,680

(4,159)

37,521

37,521

2012
$’000

Operating Activities

(3,577)

(1,497)

Investing Activities

(10,309)

(19,919)

Financing Activities

Opening Cash

Net Cash Movement

Closing Cash

7,481

10,950

(6,491)

4,459

-

32,241

(21,290)

10,950

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

12

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY PROJECTS OVERVIEW

SAUDI ARABIA

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project: 

    Alara’s 50% interest held via joint venture company, Khnaiguiyah Mining 

Company (KMC);

    Located adjacent to bitumen road ~200km west of Riyadh (capital city) near 

major Riyadh to Jeddah highway;

    Comprises Mining Licence (issued in December 2010 with exclusive 30 year 
term and no mineral royalties), 3 Exploration Licences and 5 Exploration Li-
cence applications, totalling ~380km2 pending completion of transfer to KMC;

    JORC Reserves (Proved and Probable) of 26.08MT at 3.3% Zn and 0.24% Cu;

    2Mtpa DFS completed in Q2 2013 with projected US$257M capex, 2.8 year 

pay-back, A$2.074B LOM revenues and A$0.873B LOM EBITDA (at base case 
Zn/Cu prices); 

    Application for Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) project financing (up 

to 75%) underway with target completion in Q2 2014.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

13

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719COMPANY PROJECTS OVERVIEW

OMAN

Washihi Copper-Gold Project 

    Alara’s 70% (with right to 75%+) is held via joint venture company, Al Hadeetha 

Resources LLC 

Daris Copper Gold Project 

    Located ~80-160km east of Alara’s Daris Copper-Gold Project and comprises 
3 exploration licences totalling ~ 105km2 applications for 3 mining licences 
totalling 5.5km2

    JORC Resource: Indicated 6.84Mt at 0.90% Cu and 0.17%g/t Au and 7.27Mt 

Inferred at 0.71% Cu and 0.20g/t Au

    Alara’s 50% (with right to 70%+) is held via joint venture company, Daris 
Resources LLC, which holds the exclusive right to manage, operate and 
commercially exploit the exploration licence

    Located ~150km west of Muscat (capital city) and comprises a mineral 

excavation licence of ~ 587km2 and applications for 2 mining licences totalling 
4.5km2

    JORC Resource (Measured and Indicated) of 240,024t sulphides at 2.37% Cu 

and183,365t oxides at 0.72% Cu

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

14

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719COMPANY PROJECTS OVERVIEW

Alara has completed a 500,000tpa Scoping Study centering on the Washihi 
prospect with inputs from the Daris, Mullaq and Al Ajal prospects.

After a strategic review, Alara is seeking to divest (partially or in full) its Oman 
Projects to focus on its more advanced flagship Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project in 
Saudi Arabia. 

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

15

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719COMPANY MINERAL RESOURCES

SAUDI ARABIA

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project

JORC Measured and Indicated Zinc (Domain 1) and Zinc/Copper (Domain 2) Resource

JORC Re-
source 

Measured 

Indicated 

 Domain

1 and 2

Mineralised 
Zone

1, 2 

3

1, 2 

3

9.65

6.37

3.12

6.18

Measured and Indicated

1, 2 and 3

25.32

JORC Measured and Indicated Copper (Domain 3) Resource 

Tonnes (Mt)

Zinc %

Copper %

Zn Cut-off (%)

3.37

5.28

4.45

3.55

4.03

0.16

0.25

0.30

0.05

0.17

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

JORC Resource 

Domain

Mineralised Zone

Tonnes (Mt)

Copper %

Cu Cut-off (%)

3

Measured 

Indicated 

1, 2 

3

1, 2 

3

Measured and Indicated

1, 2 and 3

4.70

1.07

1.59

1.16

8.53

0.72

0.63

0.54

0.43

0.64

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

JORC Inferred Zinc (Domain 1) and Zinc/Copper (Domain 2) Resource

JORC Resource 

Inferred

Domain

1 and 2

* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Mineralised 
Zone

4

Notes:

Tonnes (Mt)

4.32

Zinc %

2.90

Copper %

Zn Cut-off (%)

0.03

1.50

Khnaiguiyah contains four mineralised zones located within 1 to 2kms from a central area 
and ~3kms from each other. Within the Mineralised Zones 1, 2 and 3 resource modeling has 
established3 distinct ‘Domains’ as follows:

• 

• 

• 

“Domain 1” - has Zinc but no Copper

“Domain 2” - has Zinc and Copper

“Domain 3” - has Copper but no Zinc

A total of 315 holes totalling ~36,961m have been drilled by Alara; historically, ~345 holes 
have been drilled totalling 45,000+ metres by BRGM and Ma’aden

Mineralisation is open in Zones 1, 2 and 3 and remains to be tested fully in Zone 4

For the location of mineralised zones 1 to 4 (KZ1 to KZ 4), the resource outlines and 
drill hole locations

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

16

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719COMPANY MINERAL RESOURCES

OMAN

Washihi Copper-Gold Project

Cu %

Cut off

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

Tonnes

(Million)

7.16

6.84

5.66

4.04

2.39

* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Indicated Resource

Inferred Resource

Copper (Cu)

Gold (Au)

g/t

0.17

0.17

0.18

0.18

0.20

%

0.87

0.90

1.01

1.17

1.37

Notes:

Tonnes

(Million)

7.77

7.27

5.00

2.57

1.24

Copper (Cu)

Gold (Au)

%

0.67

0.71

0..85

1.07

1.31

g/t

0.20

0.20

0.21

0.23

0.27

Based on 69 holes totalling 10,668m (diamond core – 8,685m, RC - 898m and core-cum-RC – 
1,085m) comprising 35 holes totalling 6,206m (diamond core – 4,223m, RC - 898m and core-
cum-RC – 1,085m) drilled by Alara and verified historic drilling data from 34 holes totalling 
4,462m (diamond core).

For an outline the distribution of the Inferred and Indicated Resource at Washihi together with 
key drill intersections utilised in the estimation of the JORC Resource.

Daris Copper-Gold Project

Ore type

Sulphides 

Oxides

Cut-off 
grade Cu%

0.5

0.5

Measured

Indicated

Measured and Indicated

Inferred

Tonnes

129,155

96,526

Cu%

2.48

0.77

Tonnes

110,870

86,839

Cu%

2.24

0.66

Tonnes

240,024

183,365

Cu%

2.37

0.72

Tonnes

30,566

1,712

Cu%

2.25

0.61

* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Notes:

A total of 21 rotary (624m) and 41 diamond core (4,654m) holes totalling 5,278m have been 
drilled by Alara to test shallow oxide mineralisation and to locate massive sulphide and 
stringer zones beneath the oxide cap at the Daris-East prospect, and to test geophysical 
targets in the vicinity.

In addition historic drilling data from 44 holes totalling 4,353m have been included in the 
resource database. 

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

17

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719COMPANY MINEABLE RESERVES

SAUDI ARABIA

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project

JORC Ore Reserves 

Mineralised 
Zone

Mt

0.78

8.75

8.21

17.73

 K1

 K2

 K3

Total (All 
Pits)

Proved

Zn%

4.2

2.6

4.1

3.4

* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Cu%

0.23

0.32

0.27

0.29

Notes:

Probable

Zn%

4.3

3.8

2.7

3.1

Proved + Probable

Cu%

0.25

0.44

0.05

0.13

Mt

1.85

9.95

14.28

26.08

Zn%

4.3

2.7

3.5

3.3

Cu%

0.24

0.34

0.17

0.24

Mt

1.07

1.20

6.08

8.35

Ore Reserve assessed using the Net Smelter Return (NSR) method to generate an economic 
cut-off. This method was considered to provide the best representation of value contained 
within the Mineral Resources. The NSR cut-off was estimated on a mine gate sale basis and 
accounts for pricing assumptions, process plant recovery, transport costs, TC/RC and smelter 
deductions.

Refer Alara’s ASX market announcement dated 18 April 2013: Maiden JORC Ore Reserves 
– Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project for further information on the estimation and reporting 
criteria under the JORC Code (2004 edition). 

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

18

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project (Saudi Arabia)

(Alara - 50%, United Arabian Mining Company LLC (Manajem) – 50%, of 
Khnaiguiyah for Mining Company LLC (KMC))

Khnaiguiyah Project – At a Glance

    Alara has a 50% interest in its advanced flagship Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper 

Project (Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) completed) located in Saudi Arabia via 
a 50:50 ownership with local partner, Manajem, in joint venture company, KMC

    Mining Licence issued with 30 year (2040) exclusive term and no mineral 

royalties payable

    DFS confirms a technically and financially robust mining operation with a mine 
life of 13 years at 2Mtpa throughput with production potentially to commence 
in 2016 when zinc forecasted prices are expected to significantly higher:

•  Project direct capital expenditure of US$257 million (including owner’s cost 

and contingency)

•  Production of 1,410,000t of zinc concentrate (775,000t of zinc (Zn) metal) 
and 210,000t of copper (Cu) concentrate (52,000t of copper metal) for Life 
of Mine

• 

First 7 years of full production show an average of 79,750t of zinc metal 
as concentrate and 5,750t of copper metal as concentrate with peak 
production at 99,000t of zinc metal and 8,250t of copper metal respectively 
as concentrates

•  Project revenue A$2,074 million (LOM)

•  EBITDA A$873 million (LOM)

•  Project NPV of A$170 million at an IRR of 23%

•  Payback of 2.8 years

• 

• 

Life of Mine inc operating costs including treatment and refining charges 
(TC/RC) of US$0.50/lb after copper credits and US$0.46/lb in the first 7 
years with copper price assumed at an average of US$6,114/t

First full year zinc production (2016) costs forecast (after copper credits) 
to be in the 2nd quartile of cash costs for the western world mines with 
copper costs forecast to be in the bottom quartile

    Maiden JORC Ore Reserve Statement:

•  Proved Ore Reserves of 17.7 Mt at 3.4% Zinc and 0.29% Copper 

•  Probable Ore Reserves 8.4 Mt at 3.1% Zn and 0.13% Copper

    Upgraded JORC Mineral Resource Statement:

•  Measured & Indicated Zinc and Zinc/Copper Resource of 25.32 Mt at 

4.03% Zn and 0.17% Cu

•  Measured & Indicated Copper Resource of 8.53Mt at 0.64% Copper

    Alara has drilled 315 holes totalling 36,961 metres; historically, 345 holes have 

been drilled totalling 45,000+ 
metres by BRGM and Ma’aden

    Pursuing 75% project financing with 
the Saudi Industrial Development 
Fund (SIDF)

    Construction is targeted to 

commence in Q3 2014 and take 24 
months

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

19

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Project Development Summary and Milestones

    Alara secures 50% interest in advanced Khnaiguiyah Project in October 2010 
- previous drilling (of in excess of 45,000 metres in ~345 RC and diamond drill 
holes) by BRGM and Ma’aden (Saudi Arabian Mining Company) had outlined 
a substantial zinc-copper mineralisation in Zone 2 and Zone 3 and significant 
additional mineralisation in Zone 1 and Zone 4 (see figure below)

    Khnaiguiyah Mining Licence issued in December 2010 with 30 year exclusive 
term and no mineral royalties payable.  Some mineral extraction fees do apply.

    Maiden JORC Resource Statement announced in February 2012 and Resource 

Upgrade announced in October 2012

    Since the commencement of Alara’s Khnaiguiyah drilling programme in 

February 2011, a total of 315 holes to ~36,961 metres has been completed

    Grant of approvals in July 2012 from the Presidency of Meteorology and 

Environment in Saudi Arabia for construction and mining operations at the 
Khnaiguiyah Project

    Initial draft DFS (July 2012) was based on a 1.5Mpta process throughput; this 

was subsequently updated and enhanced to a 2Mtpa plant in light of upgraded 
JORC Resource, optimisation studies and metallurgical test work 

    Maiden JORC Ore Reserve Statement announced in April 2013

    Completion of positive DFS on 2Mtpa operation announced in April 2013

    Submission of 75% project finance application to the Saudi Industrial 

Development Fund (SIDF) possible in Q4 2013 (with 8 – 9 month turn around)

    Commencement of negotiation of commodity off-take agreements 

commencing in Q4 2013

    Recruitment of project workforce in Saudi Arabia, including Project Director, to 

commence in Q1/Q2 2014

    Commencement of Project construction targeted for Q3 2014 (to take 24 

months)

    2014 timetable subject to review as the details of the EPC mine development 

and joint venture partner and management matters are advanced

Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) Summary

    Completion of a positive DFS announced on 30 April 2013

    Production highlights:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Life of Mine (LOM) of 13 years at 2Mtpa throughput with production 
potentially  to commence in Q3, 2016 when zinc prices are expected to 
significantly strengthen

Project direct capital expenditure of US$257 million (including owner’s cost 
and contingency)

Production of 1,410,000t of zinc concentrate (775,000t of zinc metal) and 
210,000t of copper concentrate (52,000t of copper metal) for LOM

First 7 years of full production show an average of 79,750t of zinc metal 
as concentrate and 5,750t of copper metal as concentrate with peak 
production at 99,000t of zinc metal and 8,250t of copper metal respectively 
as concentrates  

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

20

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

    Financial highlights:

• 

• 

LOM Project revenue A$2,074 million

LOM EBITDA A$873 million

•  Project NPV of A$170 million at an IRR of 23%

•  Payback of 2.8 years 

• 

• 

LOM zinc operating costs including treatment and refining charges (TC/
RC) of US$0.50/pound (lb) after copper credits and US$0.46/lb in the first 7 
years with copper price assumed at an average of US$6,114/t

First full year zinc production (2017) costs forecast (after copper credits) 
to be in the 2nd quartile of cash costs for the western world mines with 
copper costs forecast to be in the bottom quartile

    Future growth and opportunities:

•  DFS is based on currently known JORC Proved and Probable Reserves of 

26.1 million tonnes at 3.3% Zn and 0.24% Cu (refer table below)

•  All ore bodies are open along strike and depth.  Significant upside exists 
for further discoveries along the host shear zones which have been 
mapped for several additional kilometres within the Exploration Licence 
Applications.  Many ancient workings remain unexplored

•  Plant throughput rate is based on conservative assumptions.  To access 
high grade ores in the first few years, the mining rate has been planned 
to be higher than the plant throughput rate of 2Mtpa. This means that 
in-pit mining will be completed in approximately 9 years and the last 4 
year’s production will be derived entirely from lower grade stockpiles.  It is 
expected that some or most of this stockpile production may be brought 
forward with minimum additional expenditure.

 Khnaiguiyah DFS Financial Summary

Definitive Feasibility Study Financial Summary

Zinc Production LOM

Copper Production LOM

Tonnes

775,000

52,000

Average Annual Production 
LOM

Zinc concentrate 108,000 dry metric tonnes

Copper concentrate 16,000 dry metric tonnes

Average first 7 Years of Full 
Production

Zinc concentrate 145,000 dry metric tonnes (79,750t of zinc metal)

Copper concentrate 23,000 dry metric tonnes (5,750t of copper metal)

LOM Project Revenue Using 
Base Case Zn/Cu Pricing

Forecast LOM EBITDA Using 
Base Case Zn/Cu Pricing

A$2,074 million

A$873 million

Zn price

Cu price

TC/RC

NPV

IRR

Assumed A$ to US$ over 
LOM

Base Case

US$2,315/t

US$6,114/t

US$180/t

High Case

Market Price*

US$2,373/t

US$2,335/t

US$7,070/t

US$7,070/t

US$180/t

US$203/t

A$170 million

A$255 million

A$120 million

23%

A$0.90 to 
US$1.00

31%

A$0.90 to 
US$1.00

18%

A$1.00 to 
US$1.00

* Market Price based on Forecast LME Price for 2015

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

21

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

 Khnaiguiyah DFS Production Summary

Definitive Feasibility Study Production Summary

Ore Reserves

Proved Reserves

Probable Reserves

Total Proved and Probable

Tonnes

17,730,000

8,350,000

26,080,000

Zn

3.4%

3.1%

3.3%

Cu

0.29%

0.13%

0.24%

The average grade of the feed to the process plant for the first 7 years is 
expected to be 4.36% Zinc and in the first 9.5 years approximately 3.95% Zinc

Mining Method

Mining operation

Open Cut - consisting of three pits (KZ1, KZ2 and KZ3)

Drill and Blast, Excavator and Dump Truck Haulage:

Pit Depths

Process

• 

• 

• 

90t Excavator – Ore

160t Excavator – Waste & Ore

90t Off highway Dump Trucks – Ore, Waste and Tailings

KZ1 Pit: 95 metres

KZ2 Pit: 155 metres

KZ3 Pit: 220 metres

Conventional Differential Floatation including Crushing, Grinding, Floatation, 
Thickening and Filter press

Civil and Engineering Works

Infrastructure:

• 

Fencing and security. Accommodation Village, Run of Mine (ROM) pads and 
Low Grade Stockpiles (LGS)

•  Buildings include Workshops, Offices, Prayer rooms, Training crib rooms, 

Security and Medical facilities 

Process Plant:

• 

2Mt per annum throughput Process Plant including crushers, grinding 
circuit, floatation circuits, thickeners and filtration units for copper and zinc, 
conveyors, modern integrated fibre optics based real time communication 
system and control room, weighbridge, laboratory

Power Generation:

•  Diesel Power Plant: 12 x 1.825 MW

Water production and delivery:

•  Bores, pumping station, 15 km pipeline and water storages

Mining:

•  Development of the KZ1, KZ2 and KZ3 Pits

• 

Tailings and waste disposal will be a Co-disposal facility (CDF)

Employment

Construction workforce – Total = 325:

•  Owners Team – 25

•  Construction work force – 300 (Peak) supplied under EPC contracting terms

Permanent work force – Total = 475:

•  Mining – 184 (Peak)

• 

Process – 112

•  Management and Admin  and support staff – 114

Site Services:

• 

• 

• 

Village catering and cleaning - 40

Village Maintenance – 12

Power and bore fields – 13

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

22

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Definitive Feasibility Study Production Summary

Volume Extracted

TOTAL: 160 Mt comprising (approx.):

• 

• 

• 

20 Mtpa (for Years 1, 2, 3, 7)

14 Mt (Year 4)

17 to 18 Mtpa (for Years 5, 6, 8, 9), decreasing to 0.3 Mtpa (Year 10)

Total Ore Processed

Processing 

Tailings

Waste Rock

Processing stockpiles occurs from Years 10 to 13

26.08 Mt

2mpta years 1 – 9 direct feed from ROM 

2mpta years 10 – 13 direct feed from LGS 

25 Mt / LOM

134 Mt / LOM

Volume in Co-Disposal

13 year waste rock and tailings totalling 159 Mt

Construction and Commissioning, Mine 
Development

Construction – 24 months consisting of:

• 

• 

18 months – Engineering, Procurement and Construction

4 months – Commissioning including wet commissioning 

Mine Development:

• 

6 months – Mining Ramp up. Commencing 16 months into the construction 
cycle

First production is forecast for Q4 2015

Life-of-Mine

Mining (Years 1 to 9)

Waste to Ore Ratio

Mining Equipment

Stockpile Processing (Years 10 to 14)

2 year rehabilitation:

•  Rehabilitation to start at the end of mining:

– Pits – 18 months

– Co-Disposal Facility (CDF) – 6 months

5.2:1

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

2 x 160t excavators for waste

1 x 90t excavator for ore

1 x 50t excavator for batter scaling

23 x 90t dump trucks of which 2 are planned for haulage of dry tails

5 drill machines for drill and blast

Other equipment includes graders, dozers, wheel loaders, water carts and tyre 
handlers

Mine operations - three open cut pits (KZ1, KZ2 and KZ3) within 3 km distance of each other 
and a centrally located ROM pad and processing facility.  It is envisaged that 100% drill and 
blasting for ore and waste will occur with truck and shovel operation occurring on an owner 
operator basis

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

23

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719 
 
KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Khnaiguiyah Zinc–Copper Project 
Surface Layout

Khnaiguiyah Zinc–Copper Project 
from Pit to End User

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

24

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Capital Cost Estimate – based principally on a fixed price lump sum (Q3, 2013 
base) tender submission under the internationally accepted FIDIC (International 
Federation of Consulting Engineers) Silver Book (First Edition 1999) EPC/Turnkey 
General Conditions contracting model which covers the engineering design, 
procurement, construction and commissioning for a 2Mtpa process plant, 24MW 
power station, mine village and water bore field:

Capital Cost Estimate

Cost Centre

Process Plant

Infrastructure

Services:

Bore field 
Co-disposal facility 
Fuel Farm 

  Mobilisation/Demobilisation 

Owner’s Team / Contingency

Total

6
4
1
1

US$ Millions

158

66

12

21

257

Operating Cost Estimate – includes capital and mining equipment leasing costs 
using conservative equipment availability and productivity estimates and treatment 
and refining (TC/RC) charges (will likely vary over time and are partly correlated to 
zinc prices quoted on the London Metals Exchange (LME)):

Operating Costs Estimate

Operating Cost Summary

Unit Operating Costs

US$/t ore

LOM Total US$/Million

Waste mining

Ore mining

Additional ore mining costs*

Processing cost (variable)

Processing cost (fixed)

Transport, TC / RC (variable)

Total operating cost (+/- 15%)

7.89

1.42

2.83

7.33

5.53

18.20

43.20

206

37

74

191

144

475

1,127

*Management, Grade Control, Rehandle, Tailings

Financial Analysis:

    Based on report from CRU Strategies (an international marketing and market 
forecasting firm) and other data on long term Zinc and Copper price forecasts 
and associated TC/RC, the financial analysis has confirmed Khnaiguiyah as 
providing a financially robust mining operation

    Key assumptions used in the financial model include a Base Case and a 

further 2 scenarios in which the Base Case assumptions are changed to reflect 
different variables on Zinc and 
Copper pricing and TC/RC:

• 

Zinc consensus price based 
on the CRU estimate and 
estimates from BDO and 
Morgan Stanley

•  Copper consensus price 

based on the CRU estimate 
and estimates from BDO, JP 
Morgan and Morgan Stanley

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

25

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

The variable parameters used in each case reflecting Zinc and Copper prices and TC/RC are:

 Pricing and Refining/Treatment Assumptions for Life of Mine

Pricing and Refining/Treatment Assumptions for Life of Mine

Case 
Scenarios

Assumptions

Zn US$/t

Cu US$/t

Zn TC/RC per 
US$t

Cu TC per 
US$t

Cu RC per 
US c/lb

High

Base

Use CRU Prices, for Zn; 

Adjust Cu Prices and TC/RC

Use Consensus Prices for Zn and Cu; 
Adjust TC/RC

Market 
Price

LME 2015 Prices for Zn and Cu and TC/RC 
as forecast by CRU 

2,373

2,315

2,335

7,070

6,114

7,070

180

180

203

64

64

64

6.4

6.4

6.4

On these parameters, the Base Case under the financial model shows:

• 

• 

EBITDA of A$873 million which will generate sufficient cash flow to repay Capex in 2.8 
years

NPV of A$170 million at weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 9.10% (taking into 
account the low cost of capital in Saudi Arabia)

 Summary of Revenue, EBITDA, NPV, IRR and Payback Period 

Pricing and Revenue Assumptions for Life of Mine

Case

Assumptions

High1

Base1

Market 
Price2

Use CRU Prices, for Zn; 

Adjust Cu Prices and TC/RC

Use Consensus Prices for Zn and 
Cu; Adjust TC/RC

LME 2015 Prices for Zn and Cu 
and TC/RC as forecast by CRU 
Strategies

Revenue

Cost

A$ 
million

A$ 
million

EBITDA Yr 1 
to 7 of Full 
Production

EBITDA

NPV

A$ 
million

A$ 
million

IRR

Payback

years

2,205

1,201

2,074

1,201

1,899

1,107

831

696

609

1,004

255

31%

873

170

23%

791

120

18%

2.0

2.8

3.8

Notes:

1.  Assuming an average US$ to A$ conversion of A$0.90 to US$1.00 over LOM

2.  Assuming an average US$ to A$ conversion of A$1.00 to US$1.00 over LOM

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

26

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Base Case Cash Free Cash 
Flow and Payback

Project Financing 

      The Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) has the mandate and capacity to 
provide loans for local Saudi projects of up to 75% of the capital cost of mine 
development at sub-LIBOR rates

      SIDF has indicated to Alara that it would be interested in providing such 

financing for development of the Khnaiguiyah Project

      Riyadh office of KPMG is advising and assisting KMC on the SIDF loan application 
process with planned lodgement in Q4 2013 and a 8 – 9 month turn-around 

      Also pursuing discussions with supplier and off-take partners to provide 

additional levels of project financing, further reducing the amount of equity 
which Alara will be required to raise itself to fund KMC 

JORC Reserve Statement
JORC Ore Reserves 

Mineralised 
Zone

Proved

KZ1

KZ2

KZ3

Mt

0.78

8.75

8.21

Total (All Pits)

17.73
* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Probable

Proved + Probable

Zn%

4.2

2.6

4.1

3.4

Cu%

0.23

0.32

0.27

0.29

Mt

1.07

1.20

6.08

8.35

Zn%

4.3

3.8

2.7

3.1

Cu%

0.25

0.44

0.05

0.13

Mt

1.85

9.95

14.28

26.08

Zn%

4.3

2.7

3.5

3.3

Cu%

0.24

0.34

0.17

0.24

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

27

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

28

Location of Mineralised Zones 1 to 4 (KZ1 to KZ 4), Resource Outlines and Drill Hole Locations

Notes:

Ore Reserve assessed using the Net Smelter Return (NSR) method to generate an economic 
cut-off.  This method was considered to provide the best representation of value contained 
within the Mineral Resources.  The NSR cut-off was estimated on a mine gate sale basis and 
accounts for pricing assumptions, process plant recovery, transport costs, TC/RC and smelter 
deductions.

Refer Alara’s ASX market announcement dated 18 April 2013: Maiden JORC Ore Reserves  
– Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project for further information on the estimation and reporting 
criteria under the JORC Code (2004 edition).

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

JORC Resource Statement

JORC Measured and Indicated Zinc (Domain 1) and Zinc/Copper (Domain 2) Resource

JORC Resource 

Measured 

Indicated 

  Domain

Mineralised 
Zone

1 and 2

KZ1, KZ2 

KZ3

KZ1, KZ2 

KZ3

9.65

6.37

3.12

6.18

Measured and Indicated

KZ 1, 2 and 3

25.32

JORC Measured and Indicated Copper (Domain 3) Resource 

Tonnes (Mt)

Zinc %

Copper %

Zn Cut-off (%)

3.37

5.28

4.45

3.55

4.03

0.16

0.25

0.30

0.05

0.17

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

1.50

JORC Resource 

Domain

Mineralised Zone

Tonnes (Mt)

Copper %

Cu Cut-off (%)

Measured 

Indicated 

3

KZ1, KZ2 

KZ3

KZ1, KZ2 

KZ3

Measured and Indicated

KZ 1, 2 and 3

4.70

1.07

1.59

1.16

8.53

0.72

0.63

0.54

0.43

0.64

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

JORC Inferred Zinc (Domain 1) and Zinc/Copper (Domain 2) Resource

JORC Resource 

Domain

Mineralised 
Zone

Tonnes (Mt)

Inferred

1 and 2

KZ 4

4.32

* Based on JORC Code, 2004 edition

Notes:

Zinc %

2.90

Copper %

Zn Cut-off (%)

0.03

1.50

Maiden JORC Resources announced on 21 February 2012 and upgraded on 12 and 30 
October 2012

Khnaiguiyah contains four mineralised zones located within 1 to 2kms from a central area 
and ~3kms from each other.  Within Mineralised Zones 1, 2 and 3, resource modeling has 
established 3 distinct ‘Domains’ as follows:

• 

• 

• 

“Domain 1” - has Zinc but no Copper 

“Domain 2” - has Zinc and Copper

“Domain 3” - has Copper but no Zinc

A total of 315 holes totalling ~36,961m have been drilled by Alara; historically, 345 holes have 
been drilled totalling 45,000+ metres by BRGM and Ma’aden

Mineralisation is open in Zones 1, 2 and 3 and remains to be tested fully in Zone 4

For the location of Mineralised Zones 1 to 4 (KZ1 to KZ4), the JORC Resource outlines and 
drill hole locations

Additional Mineralisation Potential

KZ1 – Mineralisation drilled on 50x25m grid; shallow with low strip ratio; extends for 600m 
long; generally 300m wide; average 8-10m thickness and significantly, open at both ends to 
the north and south along strike

KZ2 – mineralisation extended a further 400m NE since maiden JORC Resource was 
calculated

KZ3 – mineralisation open to the south

KZ4 – previously drilled by BRGM; to be 
drilled to upgrade historical data

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

29

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719Joint Venture Management 
and Transfer of Mining Licence

KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

    Under the KMC joint venture shareholders agreement (SHA), Manajem will 
transfer the Khnaiguiyah Mining Licence (and other exploration licences) to 
KMC

    After the formation of KMC, Alara and Manajem entered into a further Mining 
Rights Agreement (MRA) in recognition that the transfer of the licences was 
in progress and to provide that until such time as they have been transferred to 
KMC, KMC shall be contractually entitled to develop the project consistent with 
the joint venture contemplated under the SHA

    The Mining Licence and related Exploration Licences are pending completion 

of transfer to KMC and are currently before the Saudi Department of Mines and 
Mineral Resources (DMMR)

    SIDF project financing will  be provided (upon approval) to the relevant mining 

licence holder 

    Other relevant regulatory approvals and permits required for the development 
of the project are also (generally) required to be filed in the name of the mining 
licence holder.  Alara announced on 21 May 2013 that it had formally given 
notice to Manajem to request that they comply with their obligations under 
the SHA and rectify the matter of transfer of the Mining Licence (insofar as it 
relates to their involvement to facilitate the process).  Alara has the option, inter 
alia, to suspend its obligations under the SHA.  Due to the discussions and 
resulting outcomes from the parties there was no further action by either party.    
Alara has reserved its rights to do so if the matter of the transfer of the Mining 
Licence is not been resolved in due course

    Alara and Manajem have since been productively engaged to resolve 

outstanding issues in this regard and to address other KMC joint venture 
management and operational matters interrelated to the development of the 
Khnaiguiyah Project overall

    Alara acknowledges the assistance of all internal and external contributors in 

advancing the Khnaiguiyah Project to completion of a positive DFS in a relatively 
short period of two and a half years since the formation of the joint venture.  
Earlier in the year, Alara relocated Mr Justin Richard (Alara’s General Counsel 
/ Legal & Commercial Manager) to Riyadh to assume the Managing Director 
/ CEO role for the KMC joint venture specifically and to represent Alara’s 
interests in the Middle East region generally.  

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

30

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719KHNAIGUIYAH PROJECT

About Saudi Arabia 

    Saudi Arabia considered to be a favourable investment destination, ranked 

22nd in 2012 by the World Bank out of 185 countries in terms of “ease of doing 
business” and ranked 1st in the Middle East region (source: World Bank, Doing 
Business Project)

    Country benefits from developed infrastructure including roads and ports, low 

cost energy and in-country construction expertise

    SIDF supports local projects with financing (up to 75%) at sub-LIBOR rates and 

long 10 year tenure

    Tax – 20% corporate tax (nil personal tax rate)

    Royalties – nil

    Foreign ownership – 100% permitted

    Profits and Capital – 100% repatriation  

    Nil import duties for Capex

    Tenure certainty – from exploration to mining

    Roads – bitumen highway and road to mine gate

    Power – 33KVA power line to site

    Water – 15km to aquifer (low salinity)

    Fuel –  8,333

Total

1,423

709

2,132

1,643,348

240,364,152

242,007,500

0.153

0.325

0.696

6.685

92.141

100.00%

% of Total Issued 
Capital

0.68%

99.32%

100.00%

An unmarketable parcel is considered, for the purposes of the above table, to be a shareholding 
of 8,333 or less, being a value of $500 or less in total, based upon the Company’s closing share 
price on 24 October 2013 of $0.06 per share.

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

132

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719ASX ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Top 20 Listed Ordinary Fully Paid Shareholders

Rank

Shareholder

Shares
Held

Total
Shares

% Issued 
Capital

1

2

3

4

5

6 

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED  

13,143,915

J P MORGAN NOMINEES AUSTRALIA LIMITED  

44,134,814

NATIONAL NOMINEES LIMITED

Sub-total

57,278,729

42,739,198

23.668

17.660

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED – A/C 2

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED - 

HSBC CUSTODY NOMINEES (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED

1,300,081

3,172,000

10,278,451

ABSOLUTE INVESTMENTS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

GWYNVILL TRADING PTY LTD

CITICORP NOMINEES PTY LIMITED

MRS FELICITY CLAIRE KOEKOEK

MR PETER KELVIN RODWELL

MS MENG HENG

FLANNERY FOUNDATION PTY LTD 

HGT INVESTMENTS PTY LTD

BNP PARIBAS NOMS PTY LTD 

MR WARREN WILLIAM BROWN & MRS MARILYN HELENA BROWN 


THORPE ROAD NOMINEES PTY LTD 

MR ANDREW BRUCE RICHARDS

HOUVAN PTY LTD

MR WARREN WILLIAM BROWN & MRS MARILYN HELENA BROWN

SURFLODGE PTY LTD

MR IAN EDWARD TREGONING & MRS LISA ANTONIETTA TREGONING  


MR BRIAN JOSEPH FLANNERY & MRS PEGGY ANN FLANNERY 


Sub-total

14,750,532

10,100,000

7,671,468

5,246,784

4,000,000

4,000,000

3,931,024

3,588,083

3,000,000

2,995,434

6.095

4.173

3.170

2.168

1.653

1.653

1.624

1.483

1.240

1.238

2,500,000

1.0330

2,460,000

2,400,000

2,000,000

1,650,000

1,629,000

1,568,491

1,500,000

1.016

0.992

0.826

0.682

0.673

0.648

0.620

Total

175,008,743

72.315%

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

133

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719ASX ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Substantial Shareholders

Registered Shareholder

Shares/Voting 
Shares Held

Voting Power

Antares Capital Partners Limited

Acorn Capital Ltd

Northcape Capital Pty Ltd

Kinetic Investment Partners Limited

National Nominees Limited

9,819,296

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

13,907,352

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

10,313,319

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Ltd 



3,172,000

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Ltd

5,882,200

National Nominees Limited

3,670,000

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

15,174,701

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Ltd

2,443,629

RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty 
Limited 

National Nominees Limited

1,335,373

3,301,093

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited

1,892,445

National Nominees Limited

Citicorp Nominees Pty Ltd

11,436,650

1,839,814

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Limited 

1,195,434

9.80%

9.52%

9.20%

6.76%

Notes:

1. 

These results are based on responses to beneficial tracing notices issued by the 
Company as part of a quarterly analysis of its major registered shareholders as at 
30 September 2013

2.  Substantial shareholders disclosed above are investment managers – shares may be 

held for clients who are the beneficial owners

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

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Alara Resources
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ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719This page is left intentionally blank

Alara Resources
Annual Report 2013

136

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED – ABN 27 122 892 719“Alara is transitioning from being a 

mineral resource developer to a mine 

builder and operator”

“Alara respect the Company’s key assets 

are its Joint Venture Partners, resources 

and people”

“Alara will achieve its goals through open, 

collaborative and respectful working 

relationships with its employees, partners, 

shareholders and stakeholders”

Since its inception in 2007, Alara has been a 

resource development company that has looked 

throughout the world for suitable and attainable 

projects and ore bodies that could be taken forward 

by the Company into profitable production. As a result 

of the success of this approach and work, Alara is 

ready and poised to take its next step in its corporate 

development and plans.

The past year (2013 Financial Year) saw Alara focus 

on asset and resource development in the Middle 

Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia and Oman. As a 

result of this focus and effort, Alara completed its 

resource drilling programs and study work in these 

areas during the year and has advanced its flagship 

Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project in Saudi Arabia 

through a successful Definitive Feasibility Study 

(DFS) and its early stage Daris/Washihi Copper-

Gold Project through a successful Scoping Study. 

Both Projects are robust in their own right with 

considerable upside potential.

Going forward, Alara will focus its efforts and 

resources on taking the Khnaiguiyah Project though 

the finance stage and into construction while 

divesting some or all of the Oman Projects.

2013

Annual Report

ABN 27 122 892 719

SHARE REGISTRY:

Western Australia – Main Office

ALARA RESOURCES LIMITED

150 Stirling Hwy

Nedlands WA 6009

T  |  +61 8 9389 8033

F  |  +61 8 9389 7871

New South Wales – Branch

Suite 601, Level 6

225 Clarence Street

Sydney NSW 2000

T  |  +61 2 8096 3502

A.C.N. 122 892 719

ASX Code: AUQ

Principal & Registered Office:

Level 3, 35 Havelock Street,

West Perth, Western Australia 6005

Local 

T  |  +61 8 6323 5900

F  |  +61 8 6323 5999

E  |  info@alararesources.com

W  |  www.alararesources.com