I'd never heard of ECA's before, so have been reading a bit on them. This is a few years old now, but gives a good basic background
https://www.jubileeaustralia.org/page/work/export-credit-agencies-RC
"Almost every industrialised country has at least one export credit agency (ECA). Despite playing a critically important role, they are largely unknown. Few textbooks on international trade and finance give them more than a passing mention. Yet ECA activity exceeds all multilateral development bank (MDB) and overseas development agency activity, impacts on almost every international trade decision, and directly finances one in every eight dollars of world trade, supporting US$1.5 trillion in global export business in 2008.
ECAs are agents of governments, usually overseen by the finance, trade or economics ministry. They use taxpayers’ money, either directly or through guarantee, to help their country’s companies win investment and export business overseas. The IMF defines ECAs as public agencies intended to promote home country exports by providing financial products and assistance to exporters who cannot secure private commercial finance or insurance market support.
Collectively, ECAs are the largest source of official financing for developing countries. Called the ‘unsung giants’ of the international finance market, ECA-backed exports and investments account for as much as 80 per cent of foreign direct investment (FDI) from industrialised countries to developing countries annually, far greater than the combination of all World Bank and Official Development Assistance (ODA) commitments.
An industrialised country, through its ECA, may offer a loan or credit to a developing country, so that the developing country can buy that particular country’s exports— the result is increased sales and foreign investment opportunities for the multinational companies based in the industrialised country. Or, when commercial banks or exporters provide the loans or credit, the ECA may provide insurance or guarantees— essentially promising to reimburse the banks or exporters and cover most losses if things go awry.
Within the world’s international trading system, ECAs occupy a unique place. The first ECAs were established as far back as the 1920s, but most in operation today have been established since the 1970s.
Traditionally constituted as nationalised corporations mandated to promote their domestic economies in over- seas markets, ECAs have adapted in more recent years to the changing market conditions in which they operate, most notably the expansion of private sector providers of export finance and insurance. Despite these shifts, ECAs remain an important instrument in the economic and foreign policy branches of home country governments.
There is no such thing as a typical export credit agency, but three broad structural models can be identified: first, ECAs that are established as state agencies or departments; second, ECAs which are government-owned state corporations, managed independently with government oversight, as is the case of Australia’s Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC); and third, those which are controlled by the state in various ways, including authorisation, funding and regulation of operations, but which are consortia of private/public companies."
So, reading this it's not only exporting countries agencies that put up funding or credits for export, but potentially also IMPORTING countries that seek the commodity, U308 in this case.
Interesting to note Curzon, the offtake partner, is also interested in direct investment in small to medium junior miners.
From their website -
http://www.curzonresources.co.uk/our-businesses/uranium/"Our Uranium business focuses on the front end of the nuclear fuel value chain with a particular focus on U3O8 or yellowcake. Curzon Resources’ dedicated uranium are, Curzon Uranium Trading Ltd., engages with small to medium size junior miners on long term off-takes with possible investment where appropriate."
So with up to 85% capex funding available via ECA and the likes of Curzon and possibly others around to pick up the remaining 15%, we could have a line of sight to construction in the not too distant future.
It seems more than likely now that China (GPEC) is not going to be a player, and to be honest I think that's a good thing for Aura.
Our new financial advisors, SD Capital Advisory Limited and GKB Ventures Limited, can't really do much without hard numbers so I'm now expecting the DFS will be out within another couple weeks to let them go out and do their job.
What a great start to 2019!
(20min delay)
