RE: Update?29 Jan 2023 09:05
If and it's a big if but if Leon can secure conventional lending from a bank then typically, they'll lend 80% of project value.
If the remaining 20% can't be funded from free cash flow or balances then an equity placing is usually required by the lender in advance of a loan.
Now before you start getting your knickers in a twist just consider that this is perfectly normal for mining operations with capex funding requirements who have a track record of delivering an NPV and free cash flow.
So if the northern limb requires 100 million, then no dilution would be required, however if the equity part of a capex finance exceeds 20 million than it's likely a placing would be required here.
For example if the project costs are expected to be 300 million then they'll need to raise 40 million in addition to the current fcf of circa 20 million.
Some people here don't understand lending but trust me, if they got bank lending for 300 million then the 40-60 million placing that would follow would be well worth it and much more transformative than previous shareholder dumps.
Two questions remain though... Could Leon get that kind of corporate support from a bank and is he prepared to stop manipulating the EV ratio by diluting shareholders as a way to fully finance capex?