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
21st Aug 20097:00 amRNSLicensing Resolution
19th Aug 20094:06 pmRNSChange of Directors
14th Aug 20097:00 amRNSHalf Yearly Report
12th Aug 20099:27 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
3rd Aug 20099:36 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
23rd Jul 20094:54 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
22nd Jul 200911:49 amRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
22nd Jul 20097:00 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
17th Jul 20095:09 pmRNSAdmission of Shares to Trading
10th Jul 200912:34 pmRNSResult of AGM
6th Jul 200911:44 amRNSAdditional Listing on Exercise of Share Options
2nd Jul 20097:45 amRNSCash Placing in excess of US$100 million
1st Jul 20094:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
1st Jul 20094:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
24th Jun 20093:46 pmRNSAdditional Listing
16th Jun 20092:56 pmRNSAdditional Listing
15th Jun 200912:05 pmRNS2008 Annual Report & Accounts & AGM Notice Posted
2nd Jun 200911:05 amRNSNotification of major interests in shares
27th May 200910:19 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
26th May 20097:00 amRNS2008 Audited Results
19th May 20097:00 amRNSTonkolili Update
12th May 20094:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
12th May 20094:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
11th May 20094:04 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
5th May 20094:43 pmRNSChange of Registered Office
16th Apr 20094:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
16th Apr 20094:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
16th Apr 200911:15 amRNSMarampa Test Results
2nd Mar 20094:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
2nd Mar 20094:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
27th Feb 20094:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
27th Feb 20094:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
20th Feb 20097:00 amRNSDirectors Share Options
4th Feb 20097:00 amRNSChange of Directors
2nd Feb 20097:00 amRNSTonkolili Resource Update
22nd Jan 20097:00 amRNSInvestment in Marampa
16th Dec 20087:00 amRNSAppointment of CEO
15th Dec 20084:41 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
15th Dec 20084:36 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
11th Dec 20084:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
11th Dec 20084:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
9th Dec 20087:00 amRNSMineral rights update
8th Dec 20082:18 pmRNSStatement re: Strategic Option Agreement
4th Dec 20084:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
4th Dec 20084:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
3rd Dec 20084:40 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
3rd Dec 20084:35 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension
3rd Dec 200811:49 amRNSLondon Mining Announcement
25th Nov 20084:44 pmRNSSecond Price Monitoring Extn
25th Nov 20084:39 pmRNSPrice Monitoring Extension

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.