Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksAMI.L Regulatory News (AMI)

  • There is currently no data for AMI

Financing Update

12 Nov 2014 16:04

RNS Number : 8779W
African Minerals Ltd
12 November 2014
 



12 November 2014

African Minerals Limited

("African Minerals", "AML", or "the Company")

FINANCING UPDATE

African Minerals Limited, the developer, operator and 75% shareholder of the Tonkolili Iron Ore Project (the "Project") in Sierra Leone, today provides a financing update.

Further to the announcement made on 19 September 2014 relating to the release of funds from the Hong Kong bank accounts of the Project, the Company confirms that since then $182m has been released from those accounts and used to finance working capital, leaving a balance of $102m.

Discussions are continuing between the two shareholders in the Project, AML and Shandong Iron and Steel Group, over the timing of the release of $61m (previously approved by the Project Companies' Boards for release in October) and the final $41m, and there is no certainty on the timing of these releases.

In light of its ongoing operating losses and debt repayments, the Company is progressing negotiations for alternative funding to finance working capital until the Project becomes cash flow positive. The Company believes there are reasonable prospects that alternative funding can be achieved in the near future.

As announced in the interim results on 30 September 2014, the Company is evaluating other opportunities to strengthen the capital structure of the Company, both at AML and Project level. Standard Chartered Bank has been mandated by the Project Companies to structure a new facility, the proceeds of which will be applied to the refinancing of the pre-export finance facility as well as capital expenditure related to the Project's phase 2 transition. The Company, advised by Jefferies, is also engaged with the holders of the convertible bond with a view to reducing the debt servicing burden in the short to medium term. The Company is also considering a part disposal of its holding in the Project to strengthen the financial position of AML.

Contacts:

African Minerals Limited

+44 20 3435 7600

Matthew Hird / Francis O'Neill

Tavistock Communications

+44 20 7920 3150

John West / Jos Simson / Nuala Gallagher

Jefferies

44 20 7029 8000

Nick Adams / Alex Collins

 

About African Minerals

African Minerals operates the Tonkolili Iron Ore Project (the "Project") in Sierra Leone, with a JORC compliant resource of 12.8Bnt. The Project, which currently has a 60+ year mine-life, is being developed in a number of staged expansions. In 2013, African Minerals completed sales of 12.1Mt to its customers. The current year sales guidance is for 16-18Mt of exports as the operations focus on operating at the 20Mtpa run rate design capacity.

Phase II expansion contemplates the production of an expanded tonnage including the establishment of a high grade concentrate product with the project ramping up to 25Mtpa.

The Company has also developed significant port and rail infrastructure to support the operation of the Project, via its subsidiary African Rail and Port Services (SL) Limited ("ARPS"), in which the Government of Sierra Leone ("GoSL") has a 10% free carried interest.

The Project companies are currently owned 75% by AML, and 25% by Shandong Iron and Steel Group ("SISG"), except for ARPS, which is currently owned 75% by AML and 25% by SISG, with the GoSL having the right to a 10% free carried interest from AML.

www.african-minerals.com

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCBLBDBXGBBGSD
Date   Source Headline
16th Dec 201310:15 amRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
5th Nov 20137:00 amRNSQ3 2013 Production Report
26th Sep 20134:17 pmRNSRESOLUTIONS PASSED AT 2013 AGM
26th Sep 20137:00 amRNSProposed Strategic Investment
11th Sep 20137:00 amRNSrelated party transactions with Shandong
11th Sep 20137:00 amRNSInterim Results 2013
14th Aug 20137:00 amRNSDirectorate Change CEO
14th Aug 20137:00 amRNSDirectorate Change CFO
29th Jul 20137:00 amRNSQ2 2013 Production Report
22nd Jul 20134:33 pmRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
22nd Jul 20137:00 amRNSAppointment of Vice Chairman
28th Jun 20137:00 amRNSPosting of Annual Report and Accounts
26th Jun 201310:01 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
18th Jun 20137:00 amRNSAchievement of 20Mtpa export rate
22nd May 20138:58 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th May 201312:20 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th May 201312:19 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th May 201312:18 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
19th Apr 20131:48 pmRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
18th Apr 201311:57 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
10th Apr 20137:00 amRNSFull Year Results
4th Mar 20137:00 amRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
5th Feb 20137:00 amRNSConfirmation of new financing arrangements
4th Feb 20137:00 amRNSChange of Nominated Adviser and Broker
14th Jan 20137:00 amRNSAppointment of Chief Operating Officer
4th Jan 20133:08 pmRNSDirector Share Dealing
27th Dec 20125:12 pmRNSDirector share dealing
18th Dec 20129:05 amRNSRaising of Limit of Ownership by CRM
18th Dec 20129:02 amRNSExpansion Update
17th Dec 20124:20 pmRNSOperational and Funding Update
13th Dec 20127:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Dec 20127:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
23rd Nov 201212:00 pmRNSEstablishment of Finance Credit Facility
21st Nov 20125:44 pmRNSOperational and Financing Update Conference Call
21st Nov 201212:26 pmRNSOperational and Financing Update
1st Nov 20124:45 pmRNSRelated Party Transactions
11th Sep 20127:00 amRNSInterim Results
3rd Sep 20127:00 amRNSAppointment of Senior Personnel
24th Aug 20127:00 amRNSProject Update
2nd Aug 20123:34 pmRNSResult of AGM
17th Jul 20123:16 pmRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
13th Jul 20124:46 pmRNSTR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES
6th Jul 20125:44 pmRNSTR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES
6th Jul 201212:04 pmRNSGrant of Share Options
5th Jul 20124:45 pmRNSTR-1: NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES
4th Jul 20127:00 amRNSChange of directors
4th Jul 20127:00 amRNSAppointment of Chief Executive Officer
28th Jun 20124:16 pmRNS2011 Annual Report & Accounts and Notice of AGM
1st Jun 20126:36 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
16th May 20125:33 pmRNSDirector share dealing

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.