Nautilus - etwas kommendes?

Ich möchte Dir da nicht wiedersprechen, aber ich denke es wird eine Korrektur auf uns zu kommen und da lege ich mein Geld doch besser in Werten an, wo nicht soviele Unbekannten sind. Wenn ich auf Glauben und Hoffen investiere, dann eben nur sehr kurzfristig. Habe heute z.B. bei Can Can das Glück gehabt und über 50% Gewinn verbuchen können.

Bei Marenica werde ich mal vorbeischauen...

Schaue Dir mal Epigenomics an. Ist ein absolut interessanter Wert. Wurde verprügelt ohne Ende. Für mich wegen einen zweifelhaften Grund. Aber lese selber.

Viel Spaß bei Uranium;-)) War ich bis vor kurzen auch investiert.


Gruß  

Gregor -

Nautilus is developing copper-gold-silver and zinc seafloor massive sulphides (SMS) resources, not manganese nodules. Manganese nodules are a totally different resource in the mid-ocean trenches. We are developing our first project in Papua New Guinea.

The MV Fugro Solstice is a survey vessel we chartered from the oil and gas industry. The vessel used geophysics and a remote operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to look for an find seafloor massive sulphide deposits.

We are looking to launch the build of our first seafloor mining system later this year with plans to be in production in early 2012.

Please visit our website for more information.

 

den kursen in kanada auch voraus

Ich weiß das hier jeder jeden möglichen Quark posten kann aber ich möcht trotzdem mal bei Nautilus Minerals loswerden dass hier ein ganz großes Ding entsteht. Wo kann denn bitte ein Unternehmen noch behaupten die allerersten gewesen zu sein. Das sich 3 große Landminenkonzerne zusammenschließen und hunderte Millionen Dollar investieren für einen Explorer ist ja schon für sich außergewöhnlich. Die Werte am Meeresboden übertreffen alle Landvorkommen, schon das sollte eigentlich als Argument reichen.

Am Rande, auf die Firma gekommen bin ich vor Jahren als im Spiegel ein wissenschaftlicher Artikel über Unterwasservulkane etc. drin. war. Und in der allerletzten Zeile wurde am Rande Nautilus Minerals erwähnt. Seitdem bin ich fasziniert und natürlich drin.

 

 

schön zu sehen, dass an immer mehr Erdteilen Interesse an Tiefsee-Explorer wie NUS-T besteht!

..auch am Rande bemerkt: Bin seit mehr als 2 Jahren dabei - mein Interesse wurde durch einen Report im "alten" Bloomberg Germany (den es leider nicht mehr gibt) geweckt; habe auch bereits erfolgreichen Trade vollzogen -und nun hoffe unter 2 CAD nochmal nachlegen/aufstocken zu können - viel Zeit bleibt dazu nicht mehr ->  schaun mer mal ;-)

hier noch Links:

http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS

 

http://www.wallstreet-online.de/diskussion/...inungen#neuster_beitrag  

 aktuelle Nachrichten von Nautilus Minerals:

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan. 6, 2011 (Marketwire) --

Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(AIM:NUS). Recent ocean floor drilling at Nautilus Minerals' Solwara 1 project in Papua New Guinea has revealed a number of intercepts of copper mineralisation exceeding 20%, and confirmed extensions of mineralisation at the deposit.

Results for 10 holes drilled during the second half of December 2010 demonstrate the presence of high grade copper at all sites.

The results included:

--  a 7.6 metre intercept averaging 12% copper
--  identification of the deepest copper-rich mineralisation drilled to
   date, at 29 metres below the seafloor
--  interception of copper-rich sulphides to a depth of 19.2 metres in Hole
   SD179, which is 15 metres below the previously modelled massive
   sulphide level.
These results, based on hand held X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses, are outlined in table one below. (XRF results are subject to confirmation).

The program has involved a total of 23 holes drilled at 17 locations, approximately 1600 metres below sea-level and extending to a maximum depth of 52 metres below the seafloor. Results for the first 13 holes were released on December 16, 2010.

(http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/...NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=433715)

weitere Infos unter:

 http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=37185887&qm_symbol=NUS

 

 

warum die heute so abgestürzt sind?

LG

 

haben. Nur wegen des JV.

 

www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/columns/fairfax-i-s/...nerals--5089.html

 

eigenartig. Immer, wenn die ne NAchricht auf ihrer Seite aubsetzen, geht das Ding steil nach oben, danach troppelt sie dann wieder abwärts. Naja, mal schauen, wo die in 2 Jahren steht.

Weiß einer mehr? Vielleicht hat ja hier jemand nen paar Infos.

 

Danke

 

http://ramumine.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/...rates-a-resource-upgrade/

Nautilus Minerals, the pioneer of experimental seabed mining in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, is celebrating an upgrading of its resource estimates for the Solwara 1 project.

The company announced the upgrade to the stock market, as that is what the controversial mining project is all about – making money for shareholders in North America, Europe and Australia and the companies senior executives.

Nautilus also declared a first inferred resource at the nearby Solwara 12 project which is 25km northwest of Solwara 1 – in fact Nautilus has numerous exploration sites dotted all over the Bismarck sea.

The company plans to start production from the world’s first experimental seabed mine by the fourth quarter of 2013, despite the concerns of scientists, environmentalists and local indigenous communities.

Under-water and remote-controlled mining equipment for Solwara 1 are currently being manufactured in England, according to Nautilus vice- president investment relations and communications Joe Dowling.

The company says its total indicated resources had increased 18% to 1.03 million tonnes and total inferred resources had risen 36% to 1.8 million tonnes.

The contained copper in indicated resource at Solwara 1 has increased 25% to approximately 74,000 tonnes and contained copper in Inferred Resource at Solwara 1 has increased 28% to approximately 125,000t.

The contained gold in indicated resource at Solwara 1 has increased 23% to about 166,000 ounces and contained gold in Inferred Resource at Solwara 1 had increased 5% to about 317,000oz, and

The first inferred resource for Solwara 12 is 230,000t, grading 7.3% copper and 3.6 grams per tonne gold.

Nautilus Minerals president and chief executive Steve Rogers said:

   “Importantly, the declaration of a maiden resource at Solwara 12 begins the process of building a pipeline of projects for Nautilus in the region, and confirms the prospectivity of the Bismarck Sea, where we have identified another 16 prospects for further evaluation.

   “Nautilus will attempt to build on this base in the coming year, through on-going exploration activities in PNG and elsewhere in the western Pacific”

PISMARCK SEA,,,angeblich  haben die gold-abbau rechte erworben im pismarck sea,,,
und sollen die rechte haben für 800 tonnen gold raus zuhohlen,,,,
und die kosten sollen sehr gering sein ,weil das gol nur bis zu ca.2000 meter tief liegen,,
wenn das stimmen sollte,,,aber hallo,,,eine rakete am start,,,,

WAS SAGT IHR DAZU,,,HABT AUCH MAILS BEKOMMEN OHNE NAMEN DER AKTIE

habe den text gelesen,und im internet bei googel mich schlau gemacht und bin auf NAUTILUS gestoßen,,,ob das die aktie ist???
mfg,,,schakal1409  

keine antwort auf mein posting????
ist keiner mehr investiert in  der aktie????  

 

http://www.be24.at/blog/entry/675053/...-steht-vor-dem-aus/fullstory/  

investiert,,aber habe den artikel von #39 gelesen ,schaut nicht gut aus ,,,,,,
nur ,wen es nicht stimmt von den problemen ,um die aktie nach unten zudrücken,,
und die ganzschlauen ganz günstig sehr günstig voll einzusteigen,,,,,
es kann in beide richtungen gehen,,ist ja eine tolle sache gold aus dem meer zufischen...lol
meine meinung,,,mfg schakal1409  

ZITAT ANFANG"Nautilus Aims to Resolve Dispute

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 17, 2012) - Nautilus Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "Nautilus") (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) announces that in addition to preparing its response to the Notice of Arbitration received from the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (the "State"), it continues to attempt to work with the State in an effort to resolve matters amicably.

Nautilus and the State have agreed on the appointment of former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia, the Honourable Murray Gleeson AC QC, as the arbitrator. The arbitration will be conducted in Sydney, Australia under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, and may take several months to conclude, provided that Nautilus and the State comply with the timetable set by the arbitrator and otherwise act in accordance with the Rules. The State has on 13 July 2012 also issued the Company with a Second Notice of Arbitration in relation to disputes concerning certain statements made by the parties and whether such statements were made in accordance with the Agreement dated 29 March 2011. The Company will respond to the Second Notice in accordance with the Arbitration Rules.

A resolution of this matter outside of the arbitration process will have to be ratified by the State's National Executive Counsel ("NEC"), pursuant to a recommendation by the State's nominated team. State elections are currently underway and it could be some months before a new NEC is formed and is able to meet.

Nautilus confirms its preference is to resolve matters without going through an arbitration process and it is taking steps to meet with the State's representatives with the aim of achieving this outcome.

The Company will provide a further update as the matter progresses.

Certain of the statements made in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the resolution of Nautilus' dispute with the State. We have made numerous assumptions about the material forward-looking statements and information contained herein including good faith negotiation by the State and a shared determination to resolve the dispute. Even though our management believes the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the risk that negotiations with the State are not productive. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information. Although we have attempted to identify factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of the factors are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company's business contained in the Company's reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada."ENDE ZITAT

Quelle:http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS  

ZITAT ANFANG:"Nautilus to Raise Funds and Continue Equipment Build

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 1, 2012) - Nautilus Minerals (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) is to raise approximately CAD$34 million through a private placement of common shares to assist with the continued funding of its Seafloor Production System.

The placement will involve the issue of approximately 37.7 million shares to a number of investors at a price of CAD$0.90 per share.

Nautilus President and CEO, Steve Rogers, said the private placement would provide funds to continue the build of the company's Seafloor Production System (the "System") including key pieces of equipment such as the Seafloor Production Tools and Riser and Lift System.

"At the end of June 2012, the major equipment items of the System were 51% complete, and a significant percentage of the sub components have been delivered," said Mr Rogers.

Existing Nautilus strategic shareholders, MB Holdings, Metalloinvest and Anglo American, are participating in the private placement. MB Holdings, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Mawarid Offshore Mining Ltd. ("Mawarid"), has subscribed for 20.0 million shares, increasing its stake to 16.9%, Metalloinvest has subscribed for approximately 8.3 million shares to maintain its interest in Nautilus at 21%, and Anglo American has subscribed for approximately 4.4 million shares on the basis that its stake will be maintained at 11.1%. The subscription numbers and post-closing percentage holdings assume the completion of the private placement as planned. Other large investors have subscribed for the remaining 5.0 million shares to be issued.

Mr Rogers said that there was strong support from the major shareholders for the company to maintain the build program for the System and ensure the realisation of deep sea resource production as an industry.

Under the terms of the agreements, the private placement will be completed in two tranches, with the first closing taking place on August 3, 2012. Nautilus has also increased the anti-dilution right previously granted to Mawarid as part of its 2011 subscription to reflect its new percentage ownership in the company. Mawarid has also been granted the right to nominate a director to the board of Nautilus as long as it maintains its ownership interest in Nautilus at 15% or more. Mawarid's nominee, Dr. Mohamed Al Barwani, is the Chairman of MB Holdings LLC. His appointment will be made effective on closing of the second tranche and receipt of regulatory approval.

The private placement is subject to regulatory approval, including acceptance of the Toronto Stock Exchange. The second closing will take place following receipt of all regulatory approvals. All securities will be subject to the statutory four-month hold period in Canada."ENDE ZITAT

Quelle:http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS  

ZITAT ANFANG:"Nautilus Minerals Announces Financial Results for Q2 2012

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 2, 2012) - Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) (the "Company" or "Nautilus") announces the release of its unaudited consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012 (the "Financial Statements") together with Management's Discussion and Analysis.

Q2 2012 Significant Events:

   Bismarck Exploration Program completed
   Signed landmark offtake agreement for Solwara 1
   Listed on OTCQX
   Dispute process and arbitration with the State of PNG
   Potential delay to Vessel build identified
   Solwara 1 Project build advances
   $87.1 million (equivalent) in cash and cash equivalents as at June 30, 2012

Q2 2012 Subsequent Event:

   Private placement of common shares to raise CAD$ 34 million

"We took a significant step forward this quarter with the signing of the landmark offtake agreement with Tongling," said Nautilus CEO Stephen Rogers. "Whilst we now expect some delay to the vessel construction program the seafloor production equipment build continues and we are working hard to minimise the overall impact to the production date."

"The CAD$34 million to be raised through the private placement will be used to continue the construction of key equipment."

The Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis have been filed on www.sedar.com and are also available on the Company's website www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Investors-Financials.asp. "ENDE ZITAT

Quelle:http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS  

ZITAT ANFANG:"Nautilus Closes First Tranche of Private Placement

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 3, 2012) - Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) ("Company" or "Nautilus") has received gross proceeds of C$14.8 million from the issue of the first tranche of shares forming part of the non-brokered private placement announced earlier this week.

A total of 16,485,186 shares were issued today in the first tranche at an issue price of C$0.90 per share.

The shares formed part of a total capital raising of C$34 million, before expenses, involving the issue of approximately 37.7 million shares. An additional 555,556 shares will be issued next week. The remaining shares (approximately 20.6 million) are to be issued following receipt of final regulatory approval. No finders' fees or commissions are payable by the Company in connection with the private placement.

Application has been made to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange for the first tranche of 16,485,186 shares to be admitted to trading on August 7, 2012. The shares will also be listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Further details of the private placement are available on the Nautilus website:

http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/...nds-and-continue-equipment-build
"ENDE ZITAT


Quelle:http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS  

ANFANG ZITAT:"Nautilus Receives Final Proceeds From First Tranche of Private Placement

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 7, 2012) - Nautilus Minerals Inc ("Company" or "Nautilus")(TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) has received a further C$0.5 million in gross proceeds from the issue of the first tranche of shares forming part of the non-brokered private placement announced last week.

The 555,556 shares issued today completes the first tranche of a C$34 million capital raise involving the issue of approximately 37.7 million shares at a share price of C$0.90.

The remaining shares (approximately 20.6 million) are to be issued following receipt of final regulatory approval.

Application has been made to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange for the 555,556 shares to be admitted to trading on August 13, 2012. The shares will also be listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Following this issue of shares, the Company will have 213,465,483 shares in issue.

Further details of the private placement are available on the Nautilus website:

http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/...nds-and-continue-equipment-build

http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/...rst-Tranche-of-Private-Placement

"ENDE ZITAT

Quelle:http://tmx.quotemedia.com/quote.php?qm_symbol=NUS  

Significant Shareholders (>3%) as at June 30, 2012, include:
Metalloinvest Holding (Cyprus) Limited 20.8%
Anglo American plc 11.0%
Mawarid Mining LLC 9.9%
Teck Resources 5.4%

Shares not in public hands (as defined by AIM Rules) - 26%.

Quelle:http://www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Investors-StockInfo.asp  

mögliches Mini-Gap im Bereich von US$1,20-1,33 = ca. €0,96-1,05
hier sehe ich eine Unterstützung die es bis zur vollständigen Platzierung des PP ggf. nochmals geteste werden könnte,.....

Die Range sehe ich zwischen :

Risiko    ca. US$ 1,20-1,33 = gem. Oanda.com aktuell ca.  €0,96/1,05
Chance ca. US$ 1,98-2,02 = gem. Oanda.com aktuell ca. €1,58/1,60

DISLAIMER/HINWEIS:Die in diesem Beitrag/Posting enthaltenen Angaben stellen keine Aufforderung zum Kauf oder Verkauf von Wertpapieren dar, sondern spiegeln nur meine persönliche-subjektive Meinung wieder. Ich übernehme keinerlei Haftung für finanzielle Verluste, Irrtümer sind vorbehalten! Börsengeschäfte, besonders Termingeschäfte, beinhalten Risiken, die zu einem Totalverlust des eingesetzten Kapitals und darüber hinaus führen können! Alle Angaben und Quellen werden sorgfältig recherchiert. Für die Richtigkeit sämtlicher Inhalte wird jedoch keine Garantie übernommen, ich behalte mir trotz größter Sorgfalt einen Irrtum insbesondere in Bezug auf Zahlenangaben und Kurse ausdrücklich vor. Die enthaltenen Informationen stammen aus Quellen, die für zuverlässig erachtet werden, erheben jedoch keineswegs den Anspruch auf Richtigkeit und Vollständigkeit.
Die hier wiedergegebene subjektive Meinung stellt keine Kauf- bzw. Verkaufsempfehlungen dar, weder explizit noch implizit ist sie als Zusicherung etwaiger Kursentwicklungen zu verstehen. Ich schließe jede Haftung diesbezüglich aus. Der von mir eingestellte Beitrag dient ausschließlich der Information und stellt keine wie auch immer geartete Handlungsaufforderung dar. Obligater Hinweis auf die im User-Profil gemachten Angaben.

Chinasky  

ANFANG ZITAT:"Background

Nautilus Minerals (NUS.TO or NUSMF.PK) appeared to be on track to be the first company to economically mine minerals from the ocean floor using underwater robotics. About 70% of the earth is covered by water and virtually none of it has been mined for precious metals. If Nautilus were to be successful, the opportunity would be enormous. We have been following the company since June when unfortunately, Nautilus got tangled up in a contractual disagreement with the State of Papua New Guinea - PNG - and the stock got crushed - dropping from about $2.25 to 90c in a few days.

The disagreement is now in arbitration in Sydney, Australia, and the parties are hopefully working through their differences. Management has stated their intentions are to work with the government of PNG and to resolve any issues outside of the courts amicably.

Bullish Case

Nautilus has first-mover advantage in uncharted territory - mining minerals from the ocean. They have spent years planning and millions of dollars developing the technology necessary to economically mine gold, copper, zinc etc., from the ocean floor. The resource target is well documented and management believes the minerals exist in economically viable quantities. For example, they have determined Solwara 1, their main target, has grades of:

Indicated Mineral Resource: 1,030kt @ 7.2% Cu, 5.0 g/t Au, 23 g/t Ag, 0.4 % Zn

These grades are many times higher than what is expected for an economically profitable mine on the land.

The company also has titles granted and applications lodged that provide the Company with rights to explore for minerals in offshore PNG, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and the Clarion Clipperton zone in the "area beyond national jurisdiction" in the eastern Pacific Ocean. In addition, the company has lodged exploration or prospecting applications in the exclusive economic zone of New Zealand. Plenty of opportunity for years to come.

Secondly, Nautilus currently has sufficient cash to see through development of Solwara 1 and the specialty equipment necessary to operate - so there is no need to further dilute shareholders. As of June 30, 2012, Nautilus had $87 million in cash and the private placement when finalized will raise another $34 million for a total of $121 million with no long-term debt.

Additionally, their major shareholders all participated in the most recent stock offering. Participation by deep-pocket shareholders is a bullish sign of commitment to the viability of the technology and business concept. Big investors are usually "in-the-know" well before the public. Shareholders like MB Holdings, Metalloinvest and Anglo American control 49% of the outstanding shares.

Bearish Case

Only one point must be acknowledged, but it's a big one. The disagreement with the PNG government has the ability to have a material effect on the stock price. Nautilus does have a substantial amount of cash on the balance sheet, which could be a floor for the stock price given a less than favorable outcome.

How we like to invest -

We teach buying stock in "tranches," thereby limiting your exposure initially and giving the investor the ability to acquire more knowledge about a situation before fully committing their capital. This methodology protects against disaster and allows for substantial upside if your investment thesis is correct, because your initial investment is done when the "blood is flowing on the street," - as Wall Street likes to say.

We speak of "tranches" - if, for example, you wanted to acquire 1,000 shares of a company, we suggest acquiring the stock in tranches of 250 shares each, adding more shares only when new information confirms your investment thesis.

Charts

After you have reviewed the fundamental reasons for your investment, we believe the next critical item relates to the timing of your investment and applies equally to long-term investments and short-term trades. Bad timing can decimate a good investment. Just look at how many people bought technology stocks in the bubble - Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco (CSCO) and Intel (INTC) just to name a few. All are dominators within their industry and great businesses. All had excellent business cases supporting the investments, but the timing for an investment was awful and as a result, many people took huge losses or are still sitting on unrealized losses eight years later. Timing is so important, and many investors don't have a clue about it.

Daily Chart -

(click to enlarge)

Weekly Chart

(click to enlarge)

Conclusion

Now is a good time to acquire a base position in NUSMF. The volume from Tuesday and Wednesday of this week signals that the bottom looks to be formed around the $1.00-$1.10 range. Upon the company confirming the finalized arbitration agreement with PNG, I will be looking to add to my long position.

It has been my experience that through utilizing a somewhat diversified portfolio of assets and having the ability to overlap fundamental analysis with technical analysis, that the "common" investor can outperform the markets. Good Luck

"ZITAT ENDE

Quelle:http://seekingalpha.com/article/...erals-this-1-stock-is-worth-a-look



weitere Links:

http://www.taz.de/1/archiv/digitaz/artikel/...80&cHash=107c197ce7

http://www.manager-magazin.de/unternehmen/artikel/...8,785789,00.html

http://www.nzzfolio.ch/www/...32abdb-6f5a-4d4b-aa70-c93728b43f97.aspx

http://www.dradio.de/dlf/sendungen/forschak/1406132/  

Nautilus fighting to stay on course

VANCOUVER — Starting the world’s first seabed mining operation was never going to be simple, but for Nautilus Minerals (NUS-T), the challenges have been multiplying.

The logistics of commercially mining 1.6 km below sea level, which would seem like the most obvious difficulty, has, however, not been one of main barriers. Instead, trouble has come from a disagreement with the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government, in whose waters Nautilus plans to mine; financing issues for its ship-building partner in Europe; and growing concern over the environmental implications of the whole endeavour.

As to the mining itself, while still untested in full production, Nautilus is confident it has solved the technical hurdles and is well on its way to having the project ready to go. At the end of June the company was just over half-way to finishing the seafloor production equipment and recently started working on the pump assembly that will bring the material to surface. The company continues to target late 2013 for a production start-up.

The company has also been adding to the potential of Solwara 1, the first of many targets in PNG’s Guinea’s Bismark Sea that it hopes to mine. As of a November 2011 update, Solwara 1 hosts an indicated resource of 1 million tonnes grading 7.2% copper, 5 grams gold per tonne, 23 grams silver per tonne and 0.4% zinc, while inferred resources stand at 1.5 million tonnes grading 8.1% copper, 6.4 grams gold, 34 grams silver and 0.9% zinc. And Nautilus has a ready buyer for the material after signing a binding off-take agreement with China-based Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group for 1.1 million tonnes of material per year for three years.

But while the technical aspects continue to advance, cracks have appeared in the company’s business relations with the PNG government. Early last year the government decided it would take a 30% stake in the Solwara 1 project, for which it would pay $24 million in sunk costs and 30% of costs thereafter. The government, however, has yet to pay Nautilus anything, and as of early July the total bill stood at about $47 million.

PNG says it won’t pay because Nautilus has not met certain obligations in the equity option agreement, is in breach of the agreement, and the state is entitled to terminate the agreement. Nautilus clearly disagrees.

“Let it be said that we don’t believe the allegations against us are correct or valid,” said Stephen Rogers, president and CEO of Nautilus by phone from Brisbane. “We do think this is something they’re using to get better conditions…and it’s quite frustrating.”

Because of confidentiality agreements neither Nautilus nor the government have disclose what exactly the obligations are that Nautilus has apparently not met. The disagreement is now in arbitration, but that is expected to take three or four months at a minimum so Nautilus is hoping to resolve the issue outside of the process.

“I believe there is a very good chance we will be able to resolve this amicably without waiting for the arbitration outcome,” Rogers said. “I’m upset and disappointed, but I believe we’ll be able to get things back on track.”

But with no money forthcoming from PNG until the disagreement is resolved, Nautilus has decided to raise $34 million in a non-brokered private placement with its major existing shareholders. The placement, at 90¢ a share, is a far cry from the $2 price its shares were trading at just before the dispute emerged, and even further off the $3.60 the company traded at in early 2011 when it first secured the mining lease.

Rogers said the financing was necessary, despite the company having roughly $87 million in cash at the end of June, because the company wanted to make sure the project was not shut down.

“It’s far from desirable to do at the low price we’ve got today,” said Rogers “but we wanted a bit of comfort in our capital capacity to be sure that, if it took longer than we thought to resolve the matter, we could carry on with the build of the equipment.”

The dispute has been made all the more complicated by the protracted PNG election process that started in June but only saw Peter O’Neill declared Prime Minister in early August. But with the new government now formed, Rogers says the situation is looking more stable.

“I believe that what we’ve seen here is a unique situation that’s really come about due to some of the political instability that’s existed over the last six months there,” Rogers said. “Prior to that the former government had been in place four or five years and we had enjoyed positive relations with the government throughout that period. I’m expecting that stability to restore and, whilst it takes time for things to process in PNG, typically in the past it’s been a reliable place to do business.”

Outside of PNG, the other concern for Nautilus is that its ship-building partner, Harren & Partners, can no longer put up as much equity to build the ship as it originally planned because of tightened banking rules in Europe. Already the vessel construction is behind, having been scheduled to start in early June, but both Nautilus and Harren are working to find a financing solution through alternate sources and also looking at ways to make up the lost time.

And then there are the environmental concerns. The company secured its environmental permit in early 2010, but as the project gains attention more critics of the plan are emerging.

PNG newspaper The National has quoted Marius Soiat, chairman of mining and infrastructure for the New Ireland province (off of which Solwara 1 sits), as saying that “Nautilus may have a mining lease … but we have just begun to fight,” that “the environmental impact statement (EIS) Nautilus did is deeply flawed and has been criticised as deficient and misleading by several international experts,” and that “The people of New Ireland do not want seabed mining in our province.”

Just the day before, MP and Governor of Oro Province Gary Juffa was quoted by The National for raising concerns over the project, saying “I will suggest to the prime minister and the government to put a stop to this and a thorough research and study be carried out first before any decision be made.” And shortly before that the new Speaker of PNG’s Parliament Theo Zuranuoc described the project a destructive and called on people to ‘drown Nautilus forever’, according to the blog PNG Mine Watch.

Politicians are joined by local and NGO opposition, including the Deep Sea Mining Campaign. Friends of the Earth Australia, Mining Watch Canada, and local PNG groups started the campaign to halt the Solwara 1 project and any other deep sea mining operations in the Pacific. The campaign put out a report highlighting the risks of deep sea mining, especially the threats to the unique ecology of hydrothermal vents and the general uncertainty surrounding potential impacts.

Rogers, however, says that the company enjoys strong support in the country and its environmental program is sound, and that most opposition comes from those who don’t fully understanding what the company plans to do.

“We have gained a lot of support in Papua New Guinea,” Rogers said. “Our environmental assessment was a thorough job, we set a really good benchmark I think for the new industry.”

Rogers sited measures such as the refuge sites in the mine area and a reference site 2 km away as part of the plan to regenerate the site and minimizing any long-term impact, while the company’s plans to pump any seafloor water lifted up straight back to the bottom will ensure other ecosystems aren’t affected.

“We believe the environmental impact is minimal,” Rogers said. “We’re not impacting fishing...everything is contained in the lower levels of the ocean.”

Rogers also pointed to the much smaller overall footprint of the operation compared with land-based mining, with Solwara 1 covering about 11 hectares, thanks to the high-grade nature of the deposit.

“There’s a lot of misconceptions about what we’re doing, and people fueling fear I would say,” Rogers said.

Rogers, however, is confident the project will go forward and, despite current wranglings with the government, has faith Nautilus can work with the newly-formed government.

“Generally our relationship remains quite positive with the government,” Rogers said. “We’re expecting that we can pick up that good relationship and try to get things back on an even keel.”

Quelle:http://www.wallstreet-online.de/diskussion/...inungen#neuster_beitrag  

http://www.nautilusminerals.com/i/pdf/2008-02-01_Solwara1_43-101.pdf