Capital Metals (LSE:CMET) - Strategic Alliance Advances World's Highest-Grade Mineral Sands Play

Jun 19, 2025

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Interview with Gregory Martyr, Executive Chairman of Capital Metals PLC

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/capital-metals-lsecmet-unlocking-value-in-high-grade-sri-lankan-mineral-sands-6384

Recording date: 16th June 2025

Capital Metals (LSE:CMET) has secured a transformative partnership for its Taprobane mineral sands project in Sri Lanka, marking a significant milestone in the company's path to production. The AIM-listed developer announced a 14% investment from Ambeon Capital, a Sri Lankan investment group that brings crucial local expertise and government connections to the high-grade deposit on the country's east coast.

The Taprobane project distinguishes itself through exceptional resource quality, featuring 17% grade mineral sands among the world's highest concentrations. Recent aircore drilling has revealed even greater potential, with visual inspections indicating grades exceeding 60% in some areas at depths previously inaccessible through conventional hand auger methods. Executive Chairman Gregory Martyr emphasized the project's economics, noting mining costs of $20 per ton against revenue of $40 per ton, delivering a compelling 100% markup.

The strategic value of the Ambeon partnership extends beyond capital injection. Founded by Australian-educated principals combining local market knowledge with international business experience, Ambeon provides direct access to Sri Lankan regulatory channels through its chairman's position on the Board of Investment. This connection proves critical as Capital Metals navigates government requirements for initial raw concentrate exports followed by mandatory value-added processing within two years.

Capital Metals plans to commence operations with a $20.9 million concentrate facility utilizing 48 gravity spirals, targeting 125,000 tons of annual production. The company has structured a comprehensive $20 million funding strategy through a Sri Lankan exchange listing, with Ambeon contributing $10 million in equity and arranging $10 million in corporate debt through its banking relationships.

The project benefits from established, low-risk processing technology requiring no blasting or chemicals, while the shallow 1.6-meter average depth minimizes operational complexity. With significant drilling inventory yet to be incorporated into resource calculations, the current 10-year mine life could potentially double, supporting the $155 million base case net present value and positioning Capital Metals advantageously in the mineral sands sector.

View Capital Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/capital-metals