From Vision. To Value.
SD Capital Advisory Ltd is a boutique financial services firm specialising in structuring, arranging and securing project finance for mining, industrial and infrastructure projects across developed and frontier markets.
The company is comprised of a high-level team with expertise in corporate finance, geology and process engineering, complemented by equity sales support.
We provide comprehensive financial advice and execution support for capital raises, helping clients navigate tailored funding solutions for complex resource and infrastructure projects. Our work includes business plan development, formulation of the funding strategy, financial modelling, credit assessment and valuation across the full project development cycle, from exploration through to production.
By combining disciplined technical insight, deep sector knowledge, global relationships and tailored financing strategies, we help clients assess financing options, anticipate commercial loan terms and identify opportunities to enhance value and optimise the cost of capital.
Project Foundations
Understanding Projects Before Structuring Capital.
SD Capital Advisory Ltd works with project sponsors to evaluate the technical and commercial fundamentals of mining and infrastructure projects and determine the optimal funding strategy.
By combining technical discipline with financial and strategic insight, we help clients structure and position complex projects with a view to attract credible investment, secure appropriate funding and create long-term value.
Site Visits
First-Hand Technical Understanding.
Every financing strategy begins with understanding the asset itself. SD Capital Advisory Ltd conducts on-site due diligence with management and engineering teams, developing first-hand insight to structure capital with confidence.
Projects visited span mining, critical minerals and infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions. By evaluating key technical considerations, including geology, metallurgy and supporting infrastructure, we develop funding strategies and capital structures that are informed by the underlying fundamentals and specific requirements of each asset.
Export Credit Agencies
Government-Backed Capital for Long-Dated Projects.
Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) are government-owned or government-supported institutions that support major projects.
Tied Facilities
Primarily linked to the procurement of goods and services from the ECA’s home country, therefore supporting exporters. Agency support can also cover sourcing from other countries as well as elements of local costs.
Medium- to long-term financing is available and can be arranged on either a floating or fixed-rate basis in a number of different currencies.
Fixed-rate funding can often be secured at the attractive OECD CIRR rate.
Untied Facilities
Untied loans are not specifically linked to exports but rather are aimed at securing access to what is perceived to be a critical raw material. In other words, Agency support is available in support of the host country’s supply chain. These loans are normally shorter in duration than for a tied facility and match the off take agreement’s duration.
Depending on the circumstances, Tied and Untied facilities can be obtained simultaneously to support the same project.
Export Credit Agency Access
GKB Ventures has ongoing strong relationships with all the major ECAs dating back over 35 years.
The strength of these relationships is based on treating the ECAs as end investors and maximising their support through a number of structured market firsts and ‘Global Deal of the Year’ transactions.
Each ECA has different risk parameters, objectives and funding schemes. Whilst they are governed by the OECD Consensus, GKB Ventures understands the nuance of how individual ECAs interpret the OECD framework and has proven execution in completing transactions in complex jurisdictions while maximising Agency support.
Where possible, this allows GKB Ventures to create competitive tension between the various ECAs.
Importantly, once GKB Ventures has galvanised the support of the ECA, it will use its Tender Panel Process to seek the best available market funding at the lowest all-in cost.
Tender Panel Process
Market Sounding
Structured Tender (10+ banks)
Competitive Bids
Client-led Selection
Benefits to Sponsors of a Tender Panel
- Access to a much larger and more diverse pool of banks, with bids into GKB’s Tender Auction now exceeding US$5bn.
- Provides transparency and creates best-in-market pricing.
- Enables sponsors to gain comfort that they are obtaining clear market pricing and selecting the strongest banking group to support their project.
- GKB Ventures works client-side and holds banks accountable for delivering through to financial close in a timely and cost-effective manner.
GKB Ventures Partnership
SD Capital Advisory Ltd works in partnership with Gabriel Buck of GKB Ventures Ltd., an award-winning leading Export Credit Agency adviser with decades of experience in the sector.
The combined expertise enables us to support clients in the early positioning of projects for financing, including alignment with Agency requirements, lender expectations and established project finance standards.
Global Financing
Connecting Projects with Global Capital.
SD Capital Advisory Ltd structures tailored financing solutions by drawing on Export Credit Agencies, Development Finance Institutions, commercial banks, institutional investors and alternate funding solutions.
Rather than applying a standard funding product, we develop financing structures that are aligned with the specific characteristics, risk profile and objectives of each project.
Capital Market Solutions
Convertibles, Bonds and Efficient Windows to Market.
SD Capital Advisory Ltd supports clients in accessing specialist capital market solutions, including convertible securities and Nordic bonds. Through our alliance with Europe’s leading broker, dealer and market maker in convertible securities, we provide access to specialist expertise in structuring capital market transactions and identifying efficient funding opportunities that complement traditional project finance.
Commodity markets are cyclical, and periods of strong pricing can create important windows for junior mining companies to secure capital on favourable terms. In these circumstances, bond issuance can provide an efficient route to funding, particularly where speed of execution is important.
Compared with traditional project finance, the due diligence process is often less extensive and the timeline to close is significantly shorter, enabling companies to respond quickly to supportive market conditions.
- Convertible securities structuring and issuance
- Nordic bond solutions for qualifying projects
- Market-timed execution across commodity cycles
- Efficient funding routes complementing project finance
- Streamlined due diligence and accelerated timelines
Institutional Link
A One-Stop Funding Package.
SD Capital Advisory Ltd identifies and evaluates investment opportunities for large institutional investors, with a particular focus on mining, natural resources, industrial and infrastructure projects.
We assess each opportunity from a technical, commercial and financial perspective and approach institutional investors whose investment criteria, structures and return requirements align with the specific funding needs of the project sponsor.
Contact
Speak with the team directly.
Enquiries are welcome. Please contact a member of the team directly using the details below.
David Buckle
Executive Chairman
Simon Munns
Head of Institutional Sales
Dr Kurt Forrester
Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
James Ramsdale-Smith
Senior Geologist
Caroline Smith
Financial Analyst