Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Pin to quick picksSHG.L Regulatory News (SHG)

  • There is currently no data for SHG

Debt Restructuring

20 Jun 2017 07:01

RNS Number : 5644I
Shanta Gold Limited
20 June 2017
 

 

20 June 2017

 

Shanta Gold Limited

 

("Shanta" or the "Company")

 

Debt Restructuring

 

 

Shanta Gold Limited (AIM: SHG), the East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer, is today pleased to announce a proposed debt restructuring which includes:

 

· The Company having accepted a credit approved commitment letter with Investec Bank plc regarding a new US$50 million facility to replace the current US$40 million facility, of which US$35.3 million is outstanding ("New Investec Facility"). The Company and Investec are now working on the definitive documentation;

· The Company is intending to repurchase the outstanding unsecured subordinated convertible loan notes due April 2019 (the "Notes"), at par, through a subsidiary of the Company ("Loan Notes Buyback" and together with the New Investec Facility, the "Debt Restructuring") following completion of definitive documentation relating to the New Investec Facility. The Loan Notes Buyback will be funded using the proceeds of the New Investec Facility. Indicative support received from 77% of noteholders to vote in favour of the Loan Notes Buyback; and

· The Loan Notes Buyback is subject to the approval of 75% of the nominal value of the Notes and the Company has received indications from more than 75% of the nominal value of the Notes that they intend to support the Loan Notes Buyback.

 

Key Highlights

· The proposed Debt Restructuring, when completed, will provide the Company with a simplified debt structure, a reduced interest burden and enhanced working capital position;

· Significantly reduces cost of debt (convertible loan note coupon of 13.5% versus proposed New Investec Facility interest of approximately 5.9% over LIBOR);

· The term sheet for the New Investec Facility includes debt repayment holiday until March 2018; and,

· Capitalises on the improved reserve and resource position at New Luika Gold Mine ("NLGM") announced in the Revised Mine Plan ("RMP").

 

New Investec Facility

 

The drawing of the increased facility with Investec is subject to agreeing definitive documentation as well as satisfying various customary conditions. It is also a requirement that the New Investec Facility is utilised to fund the Loan Notes Buyback and that the Loan Notes Buyback is therefore completed out of the New Investec Facility;

Key terms of the New Investec Facility:-

(i) interest will be 5.9% above LIBOR;

(ii) the final capital repayment date is 31 December 2020 (an extension from the current repayment date);

(iii) the first capital repayment will be 31 March 2018 (which provides an approximate nine months capital repayment holiday as Shanta substantially completes its capital expenditure program at NLGM for the RMP);

(iv) requirement to hedge 50% forecast production for the next 18 months; and

(v) financial undertakings including a Debt Service Cover Ratio (>1.10x), Loan Life Cover Ratio (>1.20x), minimum cash balance of US$5 million, and a minimum reserve tail ratio of 30%.

 

The Company and Investec are now working on the definitive documentation and it is currently anticipated that formal agreements in relation to the New Investec Facility will be entered into in August 2017. The New Investec Facility is otherwise on terms usual for a transaction of this nature.

 

Loan Notes Buyback

 

Following the execution of the definitive documentation for the New Investec Facility and satisfaction of any conditions to drawdown, the Company intends to repurchase the outstanding Notes at par through a subsidiary of the Company (Shamba Limited). As the Loan Notes Buyback is to be funded through the above-mentioned facility from Investec, it is conditional on the New Investec Facility being drawn down by the Company.

 

A written resolution will be sent to the convertible noteholders today which, if passed by the requisite 75% of nominal value of Notes, will enable the Company to implement the buyback (subject to the condition above being satisfied). The Company has received indications from holders of 77% by nominal value of the Notes that they intend to support the Loan Notes Buyback.

 

A further announcement will be made in due course, upon the passing of the written resolution or execution of irrevocable undertakings to approve the written resolution.

 

This announcement is inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation 596/2014.

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Shanta Gold Limited

Toby Bradbury (CEO)

Eric Zurrin (CFO)

+255 (0) 22 292 5148

Nominated Adviser and Broker

Peel Hunt LLP

Matthew Armitt / Ross Allister / Chris Burrows

 

+ 44 (0)20 7418 8900

 

Financial Public Relations

Tavistock

Emily Fenton / Jos Simson / Barney Hayward

+44 (0)20 7920 3150

 

 

About Shanta Gold Limited

Shanta is an East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer. It currently has defined ore resources on the New Luika, Nkuluwisi and Singida projects in Tanzania and holds exploration licences over a number of additional properties in the country. Shanta's flagship New Luika Gold Mine commenced production in 2012 and produced 87,713 ounces in 2016.

 

For further information please visit: www.Shantagold.com.

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCDMGZVKGNGNZG
Date   Source Headline
12th May 201611:55 amRNSWritten Resolution and Total Voting Rights
11th May 20161:15 pmRNSPosting of Annual Report and Notice of AGM
6th May 201612:19 pmRNSResults of Upsized Placing
6th May 20169:01 amRNSProposed Placing to raise US$10 million
6th May 20169:00 amRNSPreliminary Results
19th Apr 20167:00 amRNSQ1 2016 Production and Operational Update
23rd Mar 20167:00 amRNSPower station equipment financing
23rd Feb 20167:00 amRNSNew Luika Gold Mine, regional exploration update
3rd Feb 20162:08 pmRNSEUR 4.6m underground equipment financing for NLGM
25th Jan 20167:00 amRNSElizabeth Hill Reserve and Resource Update
21st Jan 20169:00 amRNSAdditional Listing
19th Jan 20167:00 amRNSQ4 2015 Production and Operational Update
18th Dec 20159:00 amRNSBlocklisting Six Monthly Return
10th Nov 20157:00 amRNSAnalyst site visit
20th Oct 20157:00 amRNSQ3 2015 Production and Operational Update
14th Oct 20157:00 amRNSBoard Change
6th Oct 20154:42 pmRNSDirectors Dealings
2nd Oct 20155:40 pmRNSReplacement - Directors Dealings
1st Oct 201511:00 amRNSDirectors Dealings
29th Sep 20157:01 amRNSNew Luika Base Case Mine Plan and Reserves Update
21st Sep 20153:56 pmRNSNOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES
17th Sep 20157:00 amRNSTrading Update and Elizabeth Hill Resource Upgrade
8th Sep 20159:58 amRNSBLOCKLISTING SIX MONTHLY RETURN
7th Sep 201512:16 pmRNSDirectors' Interests and Total Voting Rights
1st Sep 20157:03 amRNSInterim Results
12th Aug 20157:00 amRNS2015 Resource Definition Drilling - Elizabeth Hill
27th Jul 20157:00 amRNSNew Luika Mine JORC Resource and Reserves Update
21st Jul 20157:00 amRNSQ2 2015 Production and Operational Update
1st Jun 20154:00 pmRNSResult of AGM
1st Jun 20152:34 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
28th May 20157:00 amRNSNew Loan Facilities Approved
14th May 20153:50 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
30th Apr 20155:35 pmRNSDirectors Dealings
24th Apr 20152:43 pmRNSDirectors Dealings
20th Apr 20157:01 amRNSQ1 2015 Production and Operational Update
20th Apr 20157:00 amRNSFinal Results for the year ended 31 December 2014
1st Apr 20157:00 amRNSBoard Changes and Appointment of CEO
27th Feb 20154:02 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
21st Jan 20152:53 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
21st Jan 20159:26 amRNSPDMR/Director shareholding
20th Jan 20157:00 amRNSQ4 2014 Production and Operational Update
9th Jan 20157:00 amRNSFire Incident at NLGM
19th Dec 20142:20 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
16th Dec 20147:00 amRNSNew Loan Facilities
12th Dec 20145:18 pmRNSBlocklisting Application
9th Dec 20147:00 amRNSAppointment of Chief Operating Officer
8th Dec 20142:45 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
27th Nov 20147:00 amRNSLife of Mine Update
3rd Nov 20147:00 amRNSDirectors Dealings
22nd Oct 20147:00 amRNSDirectors Dealings

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.