The Company has been investigating and analysing properties across Northern Australia to identify the best locations for the establishment of its world scale aquaculture project.
After shortlisting a select number of high quality properties, the Company has optioned its preferred sites for development of grow-out ponds and is in advanced negotiations on other suitable properties and ancillary infrastructure sites required for Project Sea Dragon.
“This is another significant milestone for Project Sea Dragon as it enables the next stage of Project Feasibility to be undertaken. It dramatically assists the Company in securing a Joint Venture partner to take the project to Bankability,” said Andrew Grant, CEO of CO2 Group.
Whilst the locations of the preferred sites are subject to confidentiality agreements and cannot be disclosed at this stage, the properties represent world class development sites and have been chosen after rigorous site analysis, assessing factors such as physical features, environmental qualities, production value, land tenure, social licence to operate, proximity to relevant infrastructure and capital demand.
Managing Director of WARL, Robert Bell commented: “These sites represent some of the best locations for large scale land-based aquaculture in the world and the land areas are of sufficient size to develop – subject to government approvals – the full scale of 10,000 hectares of grow-out ponds proposed for Project Sea Dragon. They also provide importantly, optionality for the Project’s other required infrastructure and scalability into additional projects into the future.”
The Company is very satisfied with progress to date on Project Sea Dragon and is confident of securing third party investors. Preliminary discussions with Australian and international investors have been held and the interest to date in the project has been very high. Shortlisted parties have this week been invited into a project data room and are now progressing with investment due diligence.
WARL is also in discussions with several parties regarding offtake agreements for its high grade Black Tiger Prawn product which command premium prices in markets in the USA, Japan, the EU and China.
