Last checked at 18 Feb 2022 07:00
18 February 2022
AIM: AAU
DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE SCHEDULED
Further to the announcement of 9 September 2021, Ariana Resources plc ("Ariana" or "the Company"), the AIM-listed mineral exploration and development company with gold mining interests in Europe, is pleased to announce that the second tranche of the Company's Special Dividend, of 0.175 pence per ordinary share, will be paid on 25 March 2022.
The record date for the second tranche is 4 March 2022. The Company's shares will become ex-dividend on 3 March 2022.
A dividend voucher will be sent to all registered shareholders and those with CREST holdings will be advised by their account managers. Shareholders wishing to update their payment method to be paid electronically, rather than by cheque, should contact the Company's registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC, at +44 (0370) 889 3196 or online via the Investor Centre at: https://www-uk.computershare.com/Investor.
The third and final tranche of the Special Dividend, of 0.175 pence per ordinary share, will be proposed for shareholder approval at the Company's Annual General meeting ("AGM") to be held in June 2022. Further details regarding the AGM will be provided in due course.
Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director, commented:
"We are very pleased to announce the payment date for the second tranche of the Special Dividend, which continues to reward loyal Ariana shareholders. With so much to look ahead to in the coming year and beyond, the structure of the dividend is also intended to serve as an incentive for existing and prospective investors to participate and benefit from the Company's growth.
"In the near term, we look forward to further advancing our portfolio of production and development assets in Turkey, continuing our Project Catalyst Strategy for Tier 1 exploration assets via the Asgard Metals Fund and developing the assets in Cyprus through our holding in Venus Minerals, and in Kosovo, through our holding in Western Tethyan Resources."
Contacts:
Ariana Resources plc | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3476 2080 |
Michael de Villiers, Chairman | |
Kerim Sener, Managing Director | |
Beaumont Cornish Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
Roland Cornish / Felicity Geidt | |
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7886 2500 |
John Prior / Hugh Rich / Atholl Tweedie | |
Yellow Jersey PR Limited | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3004 9512 |
Dominic Barretto / Henry Wilkinson / Matthew McHale | arianaresources@yellowjerseypr.com |
Editors' Note:
About Ariana Resources:
Ariana is an AIM-listed mineral exploration and development company with an exceptional track-record of creating value for its shareholders through its interests in active mining projects and investments in exploration companies. Its current interests include gold production in Turkey and copper-gold exploration and development projects in Cyprus and Kosovo.
The Company holds 23.5% interest in Zenit Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.S. a joint venture with Ozaltin Holding A.S. and Proccea Construction Co. in Turkey which contains a depleted total of c. 2.1 million ounces of gold and other metals (as at February 2021). The joint venture comprises the Kiziltepe Mine and the Tavsan and Salinbas projects.
The Kiziltepe Gold-Silver Mine is located in western Turkey and contains a depleted JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 222,000 ounces gold and 3.8 million ounces silver (as at February 2021). The mine has been in profitable production since 2017 and is expected to produce at a rate of c.20,000 ounces of gold per annum to at least the mid-2020s. A Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty of 2.5% on production is being paid to Franco-Nevada Corporation.
The Tavsan Gold Project is located in western Turkey and contains a JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 253,000 ounces gold and 0.7 million ounces silver (as at June 2020). The project is being progressed through permitting and an Environmental Impact Assessment, with the intention of developing the site to become the second joint venture gold mining operation. A NSR royalty of up to 2% on future production is payable to Sandstorm Gold.
The Salinbas Gold Project is located in north-eastern Turkey and contains a JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 1.5 million ounces of gold (as at July 2020). It is located within the multi-million ounce Artvin Goldfield, which contains the "Hot Gold Corridor" comprising several significant gold-copper projects including the 4 million ounce Hot Maden project, which lies 16km to the south of Salinbas. A NSR royalty of up to 2% on future production is payable to Eldorado Gold Corporation.
Ariana owns 100% of Australia-registered Asgard Metals Fund ("Asgard"), as part of the Company's proprietary Project Catalyst Strategy. The Fund is focused on investments in high-value potential, discovery-stage mineral exploration companies located across the Eastern Hemisphere and within easy reach of Ariana's operational hubs in Australia, Turkey and the UK.
Ariana owns 75% of UK-registered Western Tethyan Resources Ltd ("WTR"), which operates across Eastern Europe and is based in Pristina, Republic of Kosovo. The company is targeting its exploration on major copper-gold deposits across the porphyry-epithermal transition.
Ariana owns 50% of UK-registered Venus Minerals Ltd ("Venus") which is focused on the exploration and development of copper-gold assets in Cyprus which contain a combined JORC Indicated and Inferred Resource of 17Mt @ 0.45% to 1.10% copper (excluding additional gold, silver and zinc).
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited is broker to the Company and Beaumont Cornish Limited is the Company's Nominated Adviser and Broker.
For further information on Ariana you are invited to visit the Company's website at www.arianaresources.com.
Ends.