In-country logistical and shipping delays resulting from port congestion at Dar es Salaam have affected the export of graphite concentrate by Walkabout Resources Ltd (ASX:WKT) (Walkabout Resources Ltd (ASX:WKT)) from the Lindi Jumbo Graphite Project in Southeast Tanzania.
Planned shipments of more than 1,500 tonnes have been delayed until early November and as Lindi Jumbo receives 80% of the value of the shipment on loading of the ship from Wogen, this delay has created significant pressure on the mine’s cash flow.
Customers have now settled the full net sales proceeds of shipments made to date.
In high demand
Walkabout confirms that Lindi Jumbo products remain in high demand by end customers, with requests for product delivery in 2024 exceeding forecasted production.
Daily ore feed rates have been increasing over September and October and have been accompanied with improvements in all the other key operational metrics.
It expects production to reach the planned output rate of 40,000 tonnes per annum by the start of next year.
Shareholder bridging loans
As a measure to provide short-term working capital, a number of directors and major shareholders have extended short-term bridging loans totalling A$600,000 to the company.
The loans will be fully drawn and are similar in structure to previous loans provided. The terms of the bridging loans are:
- Unsecured.
- Two-month term.
- 17% interest rate.
- Grant of unlisted options – two options per dollar loaned, with an 18-month term and a 20-cent strike price.
- No penalty for early repayment.
The loans will be presented to shareholders for approval at the upcoming annual general meeting.
Gemcorp loan extended
This delay in cash flow has also required the company to seek an extension of its senior debt obligations with Gemcorp.
The senior lender agreed to extend the September interest payment to November 11, 2024, and to advance an additional US$500,000 under tranche B of the facility.
Walkabout will pay an extension fee of 3% and capitalise an additional 5% interest until the loan is refinanced. Walkabout’s requirement to inject further cash into Lindi Jumbo has also been increased to a minimum of US$5 million.