Business Executives Talk About 2019 Plans
Bula 2019 !!
As we all know 2018 was one of those years that brought out the best in people in business and other relevant stakeholders.We are all looking forward to another year of progress.
SunBiz interviewed some key business people who talked about their plans for this year and what they had achieved the last 12 months.
One such company is a Canadian mining exploration company, Thunderstruck Resources.
Its chief executive officer Bryce Bradley leads a team prospecting for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and precious metals. The company provides investors with exposure to a diverse portfolio of assets, potentially rich in zinc, copper, silver and gold in a relatively safe and stable jurisdiction.
It includes their main assets; the Nakoro and Wainaleka zinc-copper (VMS) projects.
Both flagship projects are the site of successful historical drilling by Anglo American Ltd. (Anglo).
SunBiz also interviewed the South Pacific Stock Exchange chief executive officer, Krishika Narayan, ANZ Bank, Country Head Fiji and Head of Commercial, Pacific, Saud Minam and Fijian Holdings Limited group chief executive officer Nouzab Fareed about their accomplishments last year and future plans. Below are excerpts of the interview:
South Pacific Stock Exchange 1.Can you give us an update on SPSE?
SPSE’s market capitalisation hit the $3b mark on 19th December 2018 following an additional quotation of 20m shares by Fijian Holdings Limited. The market capitalisation as at close of trading session today, 31st December 2018 stood at $3.07b.
The year 2018 has generally been transformational for SPSE and its fully owned subsidiary, Central Share Registry Limited (CSRL).
It was marked by yet another year of increased total market returns backed by greater participation and positive investor sentiments, new listing, historic announcement of SPSE as the host sponsor for the World Exchange Congress to be held in Fiji in May 2020, regulatory improvements to enhance ease of doing business and notable addition to CSRL’s client database including the signup of Energy Fiji Limited (EFL).
2.What were some of your accomplishments over the past 12 months?
*SPSE Annual Awards *National Essay Competition
*Signing up for registry and trustee services for Energy Fiji Limited *Securing hosting rights for the World Exchange Congress to be held in Fiji in May 2020
3.How many companies listed with SPSE?
Kontiki Finance Limited listed representing the finance sector.
A total of 20 companies are now listed on SPSE representing 10 sectors.
4.What areas would SPSE work on t?
SPSE would be vigorously pursuing its investor awareness activities. Additionally, more work will be put in to increase the number of companies listed on SPSE as well the range of products listed.
5.What do you hope for the future?
It has been a tremendous year for SPSE, the stock market and the capital markets as a whole. We hope to continue this momentum with the same zeal in the coming year!
7.What is your New Year resolution?
A quote that I picked up from my readings – Be structured enough for success and achievement and flexible enough for creativity and fun.
8. What is your message to businesses and the general public?
On behalf of the board and management of the South Pacific Stock Exchange, I would like to wish everyone a successful 2019!
Thunderstruck Resources 1.Can you give us an update on Thunderstruck Resources?
As you know, we have four mining exploration assets in Viti Levu with high grade zinc, copper and gold mineralisation.
The exploration season mirrors the dry season, from approximately AprilNovember. Throughout 2018 we have been doing surface exploration work on our gold asset, Liwa, and our copper/gold asset, Rama.
We hope to conduct a drilling programme on one or both of these assets in 2019.
I spent a lot of time in country in 2018 meeting the landowners to assure them of our good intentions and willingness to work together for mutual benefit.
I expect to visit Suva soon after the exploration season begins in April/May.
2.What activities were Thunderstruck Resource involved in recently?
Despite the fact that the rainy season has started, we were able to squeeze in one more ground geophysical programme on our copper/gold asset (Rama Creek) that ran until December 24. Immediately after the New Year holiday, we will be sending in a crew to do a ground geophysical programme on our high grade gold asset, Liwa Creek. This exploration program is designed to delineate drill targets in a very cost effective way.
3.What were some of your accomplishments over the past 12 months?
2018 was the first year where Thunderstruck had all of it’s assets permitted and paid for, so 2018 was very exciting for us. We focused on preliminary reconnaissance work on the ground, strengthening government relations as well as landowner relations, and building our team.
We end the year having accomplished all of this. We now have landowner agreements in place on our entire land package of 178 square km, have improved road access to many of the properties, and continue to assemble and grow our loyal and competent team of locally sourced exploration crew.
The Government is very supportive and miningfriendly.
It understands that Thunderstruck is here for the long-term and has full intentions to be respectful of local laws, customs and tradition, with the hope that our joint efforts will bring prosperity to all involved.
4. What areas would Thunderstruck Resources work on to improve its business?
We continue to seek joint venture partners to finance exploration on our assets, and are in advanced discussions with one group.
Additionally, Thunderstruck has begun to travel the globe to give speeches and conduct interviews telling the world of Fiji’s vast mineral potential, and to invite them to invest in the country.
With more exposure, Thunderstruck will educate large investors about the profits to be made on this paradise island, and significant investment will allow us to advance the mineral properties more quickly to a mine-able stage.
5. What do you hope for the future?
We hope to work as a team with landowners and Government to efficiently and ethically develop our zinc, copper and gold assets into mine-able resources. We hope to find one or more mines in this beautiful, mineral-rich country, ensuring sustainable employment and economic improvements across the island.
6.What is your New Year resolution?
My personal New Year’s resolutions include: 1) improving communications with both family and business colleagues,
2) learning the Fijian culture
3) continuing to build and strengthen relationships in-country
4)introducing global investors to Fiji’s mineral potential and it’s mining friendly atmosphere.
5)involving my 10-year-old daughter in my life as an explorer, teaching her the joys and benefits of hard work.
6) staying positive and happy, even in the face of difficulties and tough challenges.