11 August 2016
ASIAN MINERAL RESOURCES TO ACQUIRE KASBAH RESOURCES
Kasbah Resources Limited ("Kasbah") (ASX: KAS) and Asian Mineral Resources Limited ("AMR") (TSX-V: ASN) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement (the "SIA") pursuant to which AMR will, if implemented, acquire all of the ordinary outstanding shares of Kasbah (the "Kasbah Shares") by way of a scheme of arrangement under the Australian Corporations Act (the "Transaction").
The Board of Kasbah has unanimously recommended that all Kasbah shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction in the absence of a superior proposal. Major shareholders of Kasbah, being Lion Selection Group (African Lion Fund), Traxys Projects L.P. and Thailand Smelting and Refining Co. together holding approximately 26.7% of Kasbah's issued share capital, have agreed to vote in favour of the Transaction based on the disclosed terms of the scheme and in the absence of a superior proposal1. Closing of the Transaction is expected to occur during November 2016.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Kasbah has proven exploration and resource development expertise and has recently announced a definitive feasibility study which supports a two stage development plan for its 75% owned Achmmach Tin Project;
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AMR brings an experienced management team with a track record of successful underground mine development and operations arising from its operation of the Ban Phuc Nickel Mine in Vietnam;
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As a cornerstone shareholder of the combined entity, Pala Investments Ltd ("Pala") has provided a commitment to provide its pro rata share of any equity raising in relation to the Achmmach Tin Project, as well as an interim A$1,000,000 bridge loan to Kasbah (on the terms and conditions set out below);
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Once completed, the Transaction will provide a clear path to the commencement of construction at Achmmach (subject to the decision of the AMR board on an appropriate project financing package); and
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The Transaction provides upside opportunities for both AMR and Kasbah shareholders with exposure to upswings in both tin and nickel, a diversified asset base and potential for future growth.
1 The individual shareholdings of the relevant major shareholders are as follows: Lion Selection Group (African Lion Fund) (15.7%), Traxys Projects (5.3%) and Thailand Smelting and Refining Co. (5.7%)
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TRANSACTION OVERVIEW
Under the SIA, in exchange for each of their shares, Kasbah shareholders will receive (together, the "Scheme Consideration"):
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either 1.3 common shares of AMR ("AMR Shares") to be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") or 0.13 CHESS Depositary Interests ("CDIs"), with each CDI representing a beneficial interest in 10 AMR Shares ("AMR Share CDIs") which, subject to the approval of the Australian Securities Exchange (the "ASX"), will be quoted on the ASX following the implementation of the Transaction; and
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either 0.4 of a warrant to subscribe for one AMR Share ("AMR Warrants") to be listed on the TSX-V or 0.04 of a CDI, with each CDI representing a beneficial interest in 10 AMR Warrants ("AMR Warrant CDIs") which, subject to the approval of ASX, will be quoted on the ASX following implementation of the Transaction. 2
Based on the closing price of AMR common shares on TSX-V on 5 August 2016 of C$ 0.025 and using a currency exchange rate of A$ 0.9965 per C$1, the Scheme Consideration:
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values each Kasbah Share at A$ 0.0383; and
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represents premiums of 15.3% over the 60-day volume weighted average price ("VWAP") of Kasbah Shares and 19.6% over the 90-day VWAP of Kasbah Shares, each up to and including trading on 19 July 2016 (being the last trading day for Kasbah Shares prior to its current trading suspension.4
The total number of new AMR Shares to be issued under the Transaction will be approximately 722,807,020, assuming cash consideration will be paid by AMR to the sole current outstanding option holder of Kasbah. As a result, on a fully diluted basis, Kasbah Shareholders will hold approximately 52.2% of the total issued share capital of AMR following implementation of the Transaction and AMR Shareholders will hold 47.8%.5
The AMR Warrants will be listed on TSX-V, and, subject to approval by ASX, the AMR Warrant CDIs will be quoted on the ASX, following implementation of the Transaction. The AMR Warrants and AMR Warrant CDIs will have a 4-year term and a strike price of C$ 0.05 per AMR Share and C$ 0.50 per AMR Share CDI (due to AMR Warrant CDIs representing 10 AMR Warrants), respectively.
2 Kasbah share holders will receive a form on which they can elect which type of consideration they wish to receive.
3 This includes a Black-Scholes valuation of the AMR Warrants of C$ 0.0138 per warrant.
4 Based on the 60 day and 90 day VWAPs of AMR Shares, a total 556,005,400 Kasbah Shares on issue and the period prior to the suspension of trading of Kasbah's shares on 19 July 2016. In addition, 222,402,160 AMR Warrants or 22,240,216 AMR Warrant CDIs will be issued to Kasbah shareholders as part of the Transaction.
5 On an undiluted basis, Kasbah Shareholders will hold 47.8% and AMR Shareholders 52.2% of the total issued capital of AMR.
Jim Askew, who is currently Chairman of AMR's board of directors, will remain as Chairman of the board of directors of the combined company, following the implementation of the Transaction (the "Board"). The Board will be composed of up to 7 directors, 2 of which will be nominated by Kasbah and 2 of which will be independent directors. We are pleased to announce that Mr. Evan Spencer of AMR will remain as CEO of the combined company.
Pala, currently the largest shareholder of AMR, will remain as a 37.7% shareholder6in the combined company following the implementation of the Transaction. In addition, Pala will provide Kasbah with a A$1,000,000 loan to cover working capital and transaction costs, which Kasbah can draw in two tranches of A$500,000 ("Pala Loan"). Outstanding principal under the Pala Loan bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum. The Pala Loan is repayable on the date falling 12 months from the date of execution of the Pala Loan, except in the following circumstances:
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the SIA is terminated by AMR as a result of a breach of the SIA by Kasbah;
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the SIA is terminated by notification to AMR by Kasbah of its intention to accept a superior proposal;
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the Independent Expert advises that the Transaction in not in the best interests of Kasbah's shareholders; or
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the shareholders of Kasbah voting against approval of the Transaction,
in which case the outstanding principal and interest will be repayable on the earlier of: (i) the date falling 3 months after the occurrence of such an event; or (ii) the date falling 12 months from the date of execution of the Pala Loan.
Pala is excited to be part of this new opportunity for both Kasbah and AMR. To this end, Pala has illustrated its support for the Transaction through its execution of a support agreement, pursuant to which Pala has committed to provide its pro rata share of funding in relation to any equity capital raise conducted by the combined company within 12 months of the Transaction becoming effective, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, as a part of the overall funding solution for the development of the Achmmach Tin Project (the "Pala Commitment").
The Pala Commitment is conditional on:
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the Transaction becoming effective;
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the AMR board approving a decision to mine in relation to the Achmmach Tin Project having regard to the economic feasibility of the Achmmach Tin Project, and the availability and terms of project financing for the Achmmach Tin Project; and
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the majority of the proceeds of any equity raising being used to fund the construction and development of the Achmmach Tin Project.
6 Calculated on an undiluted basis. On a fully diluted basis, Pala would be a 34.5% shareholder.
The SIA has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Kasbah and AMR. The Transaction will be subject to, among other things, Kasbah shareholder approval, TSX-V approval, ASX approval of the quotation of AMR Share CDIs and AMR Warrant CDIs, receipt of all necessary regulatory and Australian court approvals, as well as the satisfaction of certain other conditions customary for a transaction of this nature. Full details of the conditions to the Transaction and all other material terms are set out in the SIA, a copy of which accompanies this announcement.
The SIA includes customary deal protection mechanisms, including mutual no shop and no talk provisions, matching and notification rights in the event of a competing proposal, and a mutual reimbursement fee payable by Kasbah or AMR in specified circumstances.
The board of directors of Kasbah unanimously recommends that Kasbah shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert concluding that the Transaction is in the best interests of Kasbah shareholders. On the same basis, Kasbah directors intend to vote the Kasbah Shares they hold or control at the time of the Kasbah shareholder meeting in favour of the Transaction.
BENEFITS TO SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders of AMR and Kasbah are expected to realize the following benefits from the Transaction:
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Material upfront premium to Kasbah shareholders of 15.3% over the 60-day VWAP and 19.6% over the 90-day VWAP of Kasbah Shares (up to and including trading on 19 July 2016 being the last trading day for Kasbah Shares prior to its trading suspension);
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Ability to participate in the creation of a geographically diversified base metals platform;
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Experienced combined management team with a strong track record of successfully exploring, developing, constructing and operating similar-sized underground base metal mines in challenging jurisdictions;
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Ability to leverage board and management expertise to use the combined group as an international base metals consolidation platform;
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Significant exploration potential associated with the Ban Phuc sulphide nickel project in Vietnam;
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Significant exploration and additional resource extension potential within the 75%-owned Achmmach permits and adjacent tin properties held 100% by Kasbah;
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Diversified shareholder base and improved capital markets access associated with the enhanced size of the combined company, which will have a dual listing on both the TSX-V and the ASX;