CENTRAL AFRICA | GABON IRONRIDGE RESOURCES AND DGR GLOBAL Resource investment opportunity seeker DGR Global has become known for its ability to establish successful subsidiary mining companies across the commodity spectrum. Its 26% owned iron ore subsidiary IronRidge Resources, successfully listed on AIM in February, has the potential to become a significant Gabonese iron ore producer in years to come, writes LAURA CORNISH. IN SHORT Current weak iron ore prices are not deterring IronRidge Resources from pushing its Gabon-based projects forward. The long-term potential for the metal will drive prices and demand higher within the next three years, the company says. DGR Global formula secures IronRidge future “The DGR formula has delivered multiple successes since its establishment and listing on the ASX in 2003,” DGR Global executive director Nick Mather starts. “Today DGR represents the corporate incarnation of what I have done as a geologist, a deal junky and a resource opportunist. Our business model entails developing and growing a pipeline of early- stage projects, injecting cash into them to de-risk and prove their mineral value and ultimately divesting of the projects through initial public offerings (IPOs) to gain maximum monetary value from them,” Mather continues. Today the company holds stakes in seven separate companies (all originally conceptualised and developed by DGR). Six of those companies are listed, which in addition to IronRidge Resources includes SolGold, AusTinMining, Navaho Gold, Armour Mining, Orbis Gold (currently been fully acquired by SEMAFO) and Archer Resources (unlisted). This ‘formulaic’ process has been developed over years and according to Mather, has never failed. It requires a philosophical and organised exploration approach, he points out. “Your starting point is looking for the right commodity (the most bankable ones such as iron ore, potash, phosphate, etc. which are suited to an urbanising world’s needs over the next 40 years).” The right geology and country are equally important. It is essential to work within countries and with governments which are encouraging exploration and development, Mather continues. And finally, DGR Global chooses to buy and sell ‘against the grain’. “The counter cyclical buy low and sell high has been proven around the world. In other words, we see the current low iron price as an investment opportunity.” Mather also believes it will only take about three years for the world to consume the excess iron capacity in the Pilbara currently affecting its price value. The price will rectify after this, “so until then we will continue looking for attractive direct shipping ore (DSO) iron opportunities and are looking well beyond the current iron ore market trend.” Finding and securing the IronRidge Resources assets “We took a top down approach ‘from space’ which is the best method of finding new ore bodies. We realised that equatorial West Africa held compelling opportunities “ DGR Global is a magnificent cash flow business, but it takes patience to realise the benefits. Our projects take at least seven years to see a return on” The road-rail bridge to the port site of Mayumba 28 MINING REVIEW AFRICA | MARCH 2015