For all enquiries regarding the Pre-IPO opportunity or for any further information, please contact Kea Funds Corporate.

Phone: 07 3212 6600
astra@keafundscorporate.com
www.keafundscorporate.com

Astra Resources PLC is a diversified resource company with the entrepreneurial outlook of a technology firm. The primary focus of the company is to satisfy the expanding resource demands of the world’s largest urbanising nations, China and India. These include securing the supply chain of the raw materials related to the steel industry, including iron ore and coal while diversifying into other commodities. The company is also strategically positioned to capitalise on delivering efficiencies from the steel making process, a high demand sector in both these markets, with the following projects:

T-Steel

Astra Resources is the 45% IP owner of T-Steel with full operational and management control of the technology. T-Steel is a revolutionary steel that is significantly stronger than regular steel (subject to steel plant age, configuration and steel type) and provides vast production, operational and environmental benefits.

The advantages of T-Steel when compared to standard steel types are substantial, and are summarized below:

*    Improved physical properties (when compared to normal high-speed low alloy HSLA steels)
*    Substantial yield savings
*    Significant reduction in alloys used
*    Tangible and significant energy savings during the refining process

An existing steel plant can implement the technology with slight process modifications.

The valuation model estimates that the project of global commercialisation of the T-Steel technology has an NPV of EUR $4.47 billion, assuming that the risk level of the project is in line with the industry average. This would make the Astra Mining interest valued at EUR2.01bn (A$2.68bn) based on the 45% IP ownership.

This technology has immediate impact and effect in China and India where they can increase the strength of steel per capita from existing operations, and accordingly reduce the need of the number of new steel plants required.

Steel Making Raw Materials

Securing the supply chain with raw materials used in the steel making process – iron ore, coking and thermal coal, tin and manganese.

Astra Resources has identified open cut mines where the resource has been defined, mining licenses in place (or in place within 12 months) and no major infrastructure investment required to take the mined products to market.

These mines include:

- Iron Ore: A mining cluster of 10 iron ore mines has been identified in Orissa, India.  Up to 500 million tonnes of 63%+ Fe iron ore resources has been identified with the first mine contracted for acquisition. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for an iron sands development in North East Philippines. Geological studies and extensive sampling suggest there are in excess of 9 billion tonnes of iron sands available in the area. Projects are subject to due diligence.

- Coal: For high quality thermal coal, a site in the Kogi State of Nigeria, Africa, has been identified. Astra is seeking to establish a joint venture agreement with Barjalex Nigeria Limited. An MOU is being finalised with Barjalex and related parties which allows Astra to have supermajority ownership of the site.

Risk Management

A risk management strategy has been put in place focusing on gold mining as a currency and value hedge. Every stage of Steel Value chain has exposure to the US dollar. As there has been a significant decline in the global value of the US dollar, securing gold interests hedges the commodity risk of the fluctuating US dollar value.

Astra Resources seeks viable gold mining assets in Australia, East Asia and Western Africa.  Gold mining sites identified include:

- Gold, Cambodia: Astra has exchanged contracts to acquire 100% of the Ratanakiri Gold Project in north east Cambodia. Reports confirm the 222 square kilometre site, situated in the  Ozadao District of the Ratanakiri Province, has the potential to host a world class Intrusive Related Gold System (IRGS) that may be developed into a significant open cut, low cost, gold mine.  

Ancillary Businesses

The company’s core business assets and operations are geographically spread across Australia, India, Africa, Indochina and Europe.  These are underpinned by high value ancillary businesses in Mining Housing Infrastructure and Steel Consulting.

Mining Property Development: Astra Resources has committed to mining housing projects in the Rockhampton region which focuses on meeting the needs of the growing community and includes projects ranging from housing to commercial developments.

The creation of Astra Capricorn Investments Pty Ltd, of which 75.5% is owned by Astra Resources, enables Astra to begin the proposed developments. A joint venture between Astra Capricorn Investments and Janayen Capital Group has also been signed which will merge their respective expertise in the development and management of worker’s accommodation facilities.

Steel Consulting: Providing market access to the T-Steel technologies, which are part of the IP, to further support the other activities of the company.

Commodities, Paradip Port, India: Astra Resources, through a government-owned port trust tender, has control of approximately 5,000 square meters of leasehold land on Paradip Port in Orissa, India, for export of iron ore. Trading and export licenses have been secured, allowing Astra to ship and trade self-mined and third party mined iron ore.   

Renewable energy: The Astra group recognises that governments are becoming increasingly committed to energy generated by renewable sources. As such, Astra is working to ensure renewable energy plays a growing part in the company’s business model with the goal to create significant internal carbon offsets. Astra Innovations Pty Ltd has acquired a majority interest in GreenGum, a patented rubber technology process that provides carbon credits and large margins in converting waste from rubber tyres into usable products. This technology uses a low energy consumption and environmentally friendly recycling process, with the resulting products used in a variety of industries. As a result, Astra is in a strategic position to take advantage of the increasing values for rubber-based products.

Australia

Dr Jaydeep Biswas
Chief Executive Officer
B.Eng, MBA, Ph.D

Dr Jaydeep Biswas (BE, PhD, MBA) is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Astra Mining Limited.  Dr Biswas is responsible for the tactical execution of the Astra Mining vision through to a successful stock exchange listing and long term growth. The core focus is continual shareholder value creation through the careful selection and acquisition of key mining assets and compelling Intellectual Property such as T-Steel, double strength steel.

Dr Jaydeep Biswas adds significant commercial mining and finance expertise invaluable in the rollout of the Astra Mining business.  His expertise includes mining tenement acquisition, budgets and strategic plans; liaising and negotiating with Mines Departments and other officials; negotiating directly with foreign governments and joint venture partners; sourcing geological, management and statutory reports; and presentations to companies, stockbrokers and financial institutions.

Dr Jaydeep Biswas brings a wealth of international business experience from the past 20 years with a distinguished career with the Royal Dutch Shell Group of Companies in Europe and Asia Pacific, including running its Corporate Planning and M&A operation in Australia. Since 2001, he has been involved with advising and directing start-ups of companies. A successful example in the area of sustainable development is EnergyMad Ltd.

Jaydeep Biswas was born in India and maintains business and political relationships in that country that facilitate the growth of Astra Mining and its subsidiaries in the region. Dr. Jaydeep Biswas is a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) and Ph.D. from the University of Queensland and an MBA from Queensland University of Technology.


Ms Silvana De Cianni
Managing Director

Silvana De Cianni is the co-Founder and Managing Director of Astra Mining Limited.  Ms De Cianni is responsible for the strategic direction, growth and development of the company from what was principally a resources commodities business to the Astra Mining of today – a diversified mining production and IP development company that reaches into India, Europe and Australia.

Ms De Cianni has successfully grown the company from inception to its current operation and production.  By leading the company in its identification and acquisition of its substantial, high grade gold, coal and iron ore tenement holdings, the change in business direction to a fully fledged mining producer with global aspirations is complete.  Astra Mining moves forward with a diversified project base, expansive market opportunities and a common direction, under the guidance of Ms De Cianni.

Ms De Cianni is an internationally experienced business executive with a proven track record in the mining industry.  With extensive management of complex financial and corporate activities with significant exposure to investment, broking and commodities sectors, Ms De Cianni is ideally positioned to identify and successfully capitalise on opportunities for Astra Mining.

With over 20 years experience in contract mining, corporate finance, mining project development and commodities management, Silvana has an unique understanding of the global resources and mining services industries and is well positioned to manage Astra Mining through its accelerated growth phase and through to maturity.


Daniel De Cianni
Chief Operating Officer

Daniel has been actively engaged in contract mining projects including complete road building, tailings dam and open cut mining activities.  Amongst the many projects these include the Pardoo Mine in Port Hedland (WA), Lady Annie Mine, near Mount Isa (QLD), XStrata’s McArthur River Mine (NT) & Tanami Gold project / Coyote Open Cut Mine (WA).  Daniel has a long history of civil construction works in remote areas around Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.  Daniel has all the competencies necessary for high level management of the prospect projects for Astra Mining.


Adele De Cianni
General Manager

Adele is the General Manager of Astra Mining, with daily operational oversight of the company’s activities from Head Office ensuring the operation of the company is aligned to the company vision.  Adele reports to the Board on the progress of the various business units including finance, human resources, marketing and administration; and is also responsible for rollout of local operations and site administration at satellite locations.


Aaron Lavell, FCA and FFin
Accountant

Aaron, a founding member of WMS Chartered Accountants, has over twenty years experience in the accounting industry. He has a strong focus in the property sector with expertise in property related tax and GST issues, feasibility studies, acquisition due diligence and capital raising. In 2008 Aaron was awarded the Queensland State FINSIA prizes in both Applied Valuation and Securities Taxation Law subjects.


Barrie Meerkin
Corporate Counsel

Barrie is special counsel to the law firm Michael Sing Lawyers. Having practised law for 30 years, Barrie has worked for some of the largest and most highly acclaimed law firms in the world, overseeing settlements and syndications for major banks and international financial corporations, as well as providing high level legal advice in and around all aspects of corporate capital raisings, functioning and compliance.


Michael Leu
Chief Geologist
B.Sc. (Hons. 1), MAIG

Michael Leu (B.Sc. (Hons. 1), MAIG) is a geologist with over 30 years professional experience in exploration and mining across a range of mineral commodities within Australia, Asian and Pacific countries. He has worked as a private consultant (Freeport, Getty Oil, Queensland Ores) and spent 7 years on the academic staff of Macquarie University. Michael has strengths is strategic planning, specialising in project generation, selection and acquisition of mineral tenements through to IPO and has authored Mining Operations and Mine Safety Management Plans, Annual Environmental Management Reports and Quality Assurance Programs for several open cut mining operations. He has also managed the mining, grade and ROM control and rehabilitation of open cut and underground mines. Vast experience in all phases (exploration, mining lease applications, R & D and commercialization – preparation of budgets/market analyses) in the development of some mineral commodities.


Adam Lonardo
Financial Controller

Adam is a Chartered Accountant with 8 years experience in Accountancy including 5 years in Audit with Grant Thornton. Adam is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Member of the Taxation Institute of Australia.
This experience is underpinned by a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of South Australia.

Alexander Karapetian
Financial Analyst

Alexander Karapetian has over 6 years of extensive financial experience. His experience extends across both the private and public sector, including various positions of responsibility in the Banking industry (Westpac and ANZ) and approximately 5 years as an Analyst in the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Mr Karapetian’s extensive knowledge and experience in areas such as risk assessment, financial modelling, and project and operational management reinforces his drive for excellence in Astra. His experience is underpinned by a Bachelor of Finance from the University of Adelaide.