21 Aug 2009 11:01
Regulatory Announcement
Pan African Resources plc (Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under Companies Act 1985 with registered number 3937466 on 25 February 2000) Share code on AIM: PAF Share code on JSE: PAN ISIN: GB0004300496 ("Pan African" or "the Company")
Announcement regarding the:
* Share exchange by Pan African for Shanduka Gold (Proprietary) Limited's
(`Shanduka Gold') 26% shareholding in Barberton Mines (Proprietary) Limited
(`Barberton Mines');
* Disposal by Metorex Limited (`Metorex') of its remaining stake in Pan
African;
* Changes to the Board of Directors of Pan African and Barberton Mines; and
* Change of Sponsor
1. Transactions become unconditional
Shareholders of Pan African ("Shareholders") are referred to the following announcements:
* the announcement dated 19 June 2009 regarding the share exchange by Pan African for Shanduka Gold's 26% shareholding in Barberton Mines; and * the announcement dated 26 June 2009 regarding the disposal by Metorex of its remaining stake in Pan African (collectively "the Transactions").
The Directors of the Company, having consulted with RBC Capital Markets, consider that the share exchange with Shanduka Gold is fair and reasonable insofar as all Shareholders are concerned and Shareholders are further advised that all other outstanding conditions precedent to the Transactions have now been fulfilled or waived, save for admission to trading on AIM and the Alternative Exchange of the JSE Limited of the 295,751,549 new ordinary shares issued and allotted to Shanduka Gold in respect of the share exchange for the stake in Barberton Mines. Admission is anticipated to take place on or about 28 August 2009, following which the Transactions will be unconditional in all respects.
2. Changes to the board of directors of Pan African
As a result of the Transactions, Shareholders are advised of the following proposed changes to the Company's board of directors. These are to be confirmed by the board:
* Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, Executive Chairman of Shanduka Group (Proprietary)
Limited ("Shanduka Group"), will be appointed as non-executive chairman to
the Pan African board.
* Accordingly, Mr. Keith Spencer will continue on the Pan African board as
independent, non-executive deputy chairman.
* Mr. Rowan Smith from Shanduka Group will be appointed as a non-executive
director of the Pan African board.
* Mr. Maritz Smith, previously a representative of Metorex, has resigned with
immediate effect as the Financial Director. Mr. Cobus Loots will replace
him as Financial Director and join the board of Pan African after the board
meeting but will assume all responsibility for the Company's financial
matters forthwith.
* John Hopwood, Rob Still and Jan Nelson remain members of the board.
3. Changes to the board of directors of Barberton Mines
Shareholders are advised of the following changes to the board of directors of Barberton Mines, effective from today's date:
* Mr. Keith Spencer has been appointed as independent, non-executive chairman
of the Barberton Mines board.
* Ms. Thandeka Ncube from Shanduka Group has been appointed to the Barberton
Mines board and will head up transformation initiatives.
* Recently appointed Executive: Mining Operations, Mr. Mario Gericke has been
appointed to the Barberton Mines board.
* Mr. Cobus Loots has been appointed to the Barberton Mines board.
* Mr. Charles Needham, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa and Mr. Rowan Smith have resigned
from the Barberton Mines board.
* Mr. Jan Nelson remains a member of the Barberton Mines board.
4. Change of sponsor
Shareholders are advised that Barnard Jacobs Mellet Corporate Finance (Proprietary) Limited has been appointed as the Company's JSE Limited sponsor with immediate effect.
Jan Nelson, CEO of Pan African commented, "The finalisation of the Shanduka transaction will be earnings accretive to Pan African, and ensures the company is fully empowered and well positioned to take advantage of South African growth opportunities. In addition, the bolstering of our boards will assist in steering Pan African in its strategic aim to be a low-cost, high-margin, cash flow positive gold mining company. I look forward to growing our business with the new board members."
Johannesburg21 August 2009Sponsor and Corporate Advisor
Barnard Jacobs Mellet Corporate Finance (Proprietary) Limited
For further information on Pan African Resources plc, please visit the website at www.panafricanresources.com
Enquiries:Pan African ResourcesJan Nelson, CEO+27 (0) 11 243 2900
Nicole Spruijt, Public Relations
+27 (0) 11 243 2900RBC Capital MarketsMartin Eales+44 (0) 20 7029 7881
Barnard Jacobs Mellet Corporate Finance (Proprietary) Limited
Natalie Di-Sante+27 (0) 11 750 0207Sholto Simpson+27 (0) 11 750 0213
St James's Corporate Services Limited
Phil Dexter
+44 (0) 20 7499 3916
FD Beachhead Media & Investor Relations
Jennifer Cohen+27 (0) 11 214 2401Louise Brugman+27 (0) 11 214 2415+27 (0) 83 504 1186
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Pan African Resources (PAF)