Mopani Gold
Primary ticker: Private
Stage of development: Production
Primary minerals: Gold
Project to promote: Venice Mine Complex, Zimbabwe & Karebe Mine, Kenya
Project location: Zimbabwe & Kenya
Website: marisafrica.com/division-category/gold/
Our high grade gold mines operate in Kenya and Zimbabwe, with production set to rise sharply. We specialise in turning around high-grade, stranded gold assets, which have high-profit potential but are too small for larger gold companies.
Management Profile
Marc Nicolle – CEO
Marc has been actively involved in the mining industry since 2005, specialising in gold, copper, nickel and cobalt projects and operations across Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, DRC and North & Central America. As the former CEO of Dallaglio Investments, he successfully led the significant growth from operations at Eureka and Pickstone gold mines in Zimbabwe.
Michael Wienand – CFO
Michael Wienand is a seasoned finance professional with 15 years’ experience in asset management, private equity and business development, with a focus on the agriculture and mining sectors in emerging markets. Prior roles have included that of Investment Director at an African focused private equity firm, and Head of Financial Planning and Business Development at the Zimbabwean gold mining business Dallaglio Investments, where Michael was responsible for developing and driving the group’s pipeline of growth projects. Michael has an Honours Degree in Economics from Rhodes University, an MBA from the University of Warwick, and is a CFA Charterholder.
What is your rationale for taking part in 121 Mining Investment?
Mopani is growing gold production and developing a credible resource and want to begin to share our story and build our track record within the gold mining community. Additionally, Mopani plans to exit the Maris fold and the Development Finance Institutional investors in Maris (our 100% shareholder) are looking to exit the Mopani structure as they do not have a mandate to be invested in mining business directly. This presents a good opportunity for investors keen on entering gold investments and aligned with our story.
What recent news would you like to highlight to investors attending?
in 2024 we completed our life of mine plan for Venice Mine Complex in Zimbabwe. We were encouraged by the significant life (+10 years) at the relatively shallow depths historically mined and after applying a high cut off grade of 3.25g/t. We will now work on executing and optimising this plan and the ramp-up it covers.
Additionally we have agreements and written alignment from the relevant Zimbabwean government ministries and functions allowing us to export refractory gold concentrate from Venice which will be a game changer for the operation.
What are your key goals for the next 3, 6 and 12 months?
3 Months:
Continue the ramp-up of underground operations at Venice in Zimbabwe according to the plan. Kick off resource drilling at Venice.
6 Months:
Continue the ramp-up of underground operations at Venice in Zimbabwe according to the plan. Conclude the Mopani secondary share sale on behalf of the exiting DFIs. Ramp-up exploration work at Karebe in Kenya both from underground and on surface.
12 Months:
Assess expansion opportunities from internal and external assets. Achieve the Venice Mine underground ramp up plan.
What do you see as the key risks and challenges facing your company at the moment and how are you overcoming these?
Market sentiment towards African mining investment giver recent issues in Mali. This is likely to be a factor in the secondary share sale we plan to support over the first quarter of 2025.
What do you think makes your company such a compelling investment?
The potential in the ground at both Venice in Zimbabwe and Karebe in Kenya, delivering on the growth we can see from these assets and in time others in close proximity. The returns this should deliver are exciting.
What are the top 3 key investor takeaways?
High grade assets with growth potential in unfashionable jurisdictions.