DGAP-News: Astra Resources Plc: Astra's technology focus to drive 'industry changing' outcomes
(firmenpresse) - DGAP-News: Astra Resources Plc / Key word(s): Market
Report/Miscellaneous
Astra Resources Plc: Astra's technology focus to drive 'industry
changing' outcomes
05.03.2012 / 09:30
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Astra's technology focus to drive 'industry changing' outcomes
Adelaide, Australia - February 29 2012:
International diversified resources company, Astra Resources Plc (FWB Code:
9AR), has reconfirmed its commitment to pursuing industry innovations to
spearhead its global expansion plans.
The company has already acquired, and is in the process of acquiring,
several 'industry changing' technologies, including the revolutionary
T-Steel, coal conversion and carbon capture and sequestration projects
amongst others, which it sees will help drive the advancement of developing
countries.
Astra CEO Dr Jaydeep Biswas says it will be technology rather than fixed
assets which will determine competition and products into the future.
'If you look at the major countries around the world it's only Russia and
Brazil that both produce their own minerals and consume them on a major
scale,' Dr Biswas says.
'Russia is a major producer of most commodities, and almost all of their
production is consumed domestically or purchased by central government
banks as stockpiles.
'However both China and India are still importing coal and iron ore to
fuel their exponentially increasing appetite for steel, and anything that
can revolutionize this scenario will result in industry changing outcomes.'
Iron ore imports into China from Australian alone hit 64 million tonnes in
December.
India is a massive coal producer in its own right, but still requires high
quality coking and thermal coal which it imports.
Dr Biswas says while China and India may have large resource reserves,
their poor quality means large quantities of coal and iron ore still need
to be bought offshore.
'Ironically Australia and South Africa have huge resource reserves but
export much of it due to low local consumption levels,' Dr Biswas says.
'This business model of high resource, low consumption countries like
Australia continuing to supply China and India may become partially
outdated in time, and it's not just due to the increasing costs of
logistics.
'The real challenge is to provide the appropriate technologies to allow
these emerging nations to use their own resources to produce their own high
quality products such as steel.
'Astra is now in a position to not only provide these technologies, but
also facilitate the required resources from closer supply points and in
turn minimise their need to rely on long-distance imports.'
Astra's Managing Director Silvana De Cianni says the company's strategy is
to align its technologies for steel and coal conversion so they can be used
in major consumption countries like China and India.
'Our company model is based on cost efficiency, initially in producing
stronger steel requiring fewer raw materials for the same use, and cost
efficiency in coal conversion technology to allow use of local low quality
coal deposits for energy generation in developing countries,' Ms De Cianni
says.
'We are also committed to mineral development projects in low cost
populated countries such as the Philippines where demand is low but their
close proximity to major markets reduces logistics costs.
'Underpinning this policy is our hedging strategy against the dollar
through our interests in gold, which all provide a very unique and
diversified business model for long term growth.'
China's crude steel production has risen from 1,351 million tonnes in 2007
to 1,490 million tonnes in 2011 and shows no signs of abating, providing
the perfect platform for Astra to use its T-Steel technology.
Some of the benefits of the revolutionary T-Steel technology compared to
most high-strength low-alloy steels include up to 30 per cent lower
emissions, improved hardness, tensile strength and malleability, fewer raw
materials required, and higher elongation.
Dr Biswas says it can replace other steels in any application, has a longer
fatigue life and provides for higher profitability.
'T-Steel is significantly stronger than regular steel and provides vast
production, operational and environmental benefits,' Dr Biswas says.
'Stronger steel means less steel needs to be produced and technology to
convert local low quality coal for power means less imports, hence much
lower operating costs.
'If countries such as China and India adopt our technologies along with
using their own resources, it will have a significant effect on the current
business model.'
Dr Biswas says in line with Astra's model to make the industry work more
cost efficiently, another benefit of T-Steel technology is to make it
possible for older factories to manufacture T-Steel products economically.
'One of the most important factors in the implementation of the T-Steel
technology is that factories that cannot afford multi-billion dollar
investments in new equipment are able to manufacture high quality steels
using existing factory infrastructure with relatively minor capital
investment,' Dr Biswas says.
'Therefore average factories can enter markets where they can sell a
premium category of steel and in turn increase their sales revenue.
'There is also a growing demand in international markets for higher quality
and more expensive commodities, as recently evidenced by India's pursuit of
coking and thermal coal from Australia, to produce superior products.
'If we are able to provide the means for them to achieve the desired level
of quality by using their own lower quality resources, then we have
achieved something different from the current business model.'
Astra Resources' global portfolio includes gold interests in Southeast
Asia, coal mines in Africa, iron ore in India, Norway and the Philippines,
carbon efficient businesses, the production of the high-strength T-Steel
technology in Hungary and the provision of mining services housing in
Rockhampton, Queensland.
For more information visit www.astraresources.co.uk
For all media enquiries contact:
Bruce Nelson +61 (0) 423 403 449 (bruce(at)zakazukha.com)
Caitlin Petrou +61 (0) 402 823 343 (caitlin(at)astraresources.com.au)
Disclaimer in regards to Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements included herein, including those that express
management's expectations or estimates of our future performance constitute
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities
laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of
estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management
at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and
competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Investors are cautioned not to
put undue reliance on forward looking statements. Except as required by
law, Astra Resources PLC does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to
update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new
information or future events.
End of Corporate News
---------------------------------------------------------------------
05.03.2012 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a
company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.
Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de
---------------------------------------------------------------------
159258 05.03.2012
Themen in dieser Pressemitteilung:
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Bereitgestellt von Benutzer: EquityStory
" alt="Aben Options Additional Land Holdings at Justin Gold Project, YukonDatum: 05.03.2012 - 09:30 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 121352
Anzahl Zeichen: 6868
contact information:
Kategorie:
Business News
Diese Pressemitteilung wurde bisher 283 mal aufgerufen.
Die Pressemitteilung mit dem Titel:
"DGAP-News: Astra Resources Plc: Astra's technology focus to drive 'industry changing' outcomes"
steht unter der journalistisch-redaktionellen Verantwortung von
Astra Resources Plc (Nachricht senden)
Beachten Sie bitte die weiteren Informationen zum Haftungsauschluß (gemäß TMG - TeleMedianGesetz) und dem Datenschutz (gemäß der DSGVO).
