International Minerals Provides Update on Sale of Ecuadorian Assets
SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- (Marketwire) -- 11/21/12 -- International Minerals Corporation (TSX: IMZ) (SWISS: IMZ) (the "Company" or "IMZ") provides an update with respect to the sale of its Rio Blanco and Gaby properties (the "Properties") in Ecuador.
Following the appointment of North American financial advisors in July 2012 and the implementation of an aggressive marketing program, several companies, both international and local, submitted purchase proposals for Rio Blanco and Gaby.
The Company advises that it has selected a potential buyer for the Rio Blanco property. Finalization of the sales agreement, however, remains pending because prior approval by the Ecuadorian government of the proposed transaction is required. IMZ expects to provide further information with respect to the proposed sale of Rio Blanco within the next few weeks, following meetings with the Ecuadorian government.
The Company also wishes to advise that it has selected a separate potential buyer for the Gaby property. As with Rio Blanco, finalization of the terms of the agreement remains pending. Although formal government approval for the sale of Gaby is not required, the Company intends to consult with the government with respect to the proposed sale of the property.
As a result of the pending sales of the Properties, the Company anticipates that there will be a write-down of the carrying value affecting the Company's earnings for the second fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2012 due to the revised estimate of the net proceeds likely to be received by IMZ from the sale of the Properties. The write-down is estimated by the Company to represent a 30% to 35% decrease in the current approximately $40 million carrying value of the Properties (as at September 30, 2012). Finalization of the sale of the Properties and the Company's subsequent withdrawal from Ecuador in 2013 will, however, eliminate IMZ's future in-country holding costs, which are currently approximately $4 million per year.
Cautionary Statement:
Some of the statements contained in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities law requirements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding the timing related to completing a sale of the Rio Blanco and Gaby properties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties such as the risk of the sale of the Rio Blanco and Gaby properties not being completed and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2012, which is available at www.sedar.com under the Company's name. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
For additional information, contact:
In North America:
Paul Durham
VP Corporate Relations
Tel: +1 203 883 8358
In Europe:
Oliver Holzer
Marketing Consultant
Tel: +41 44 853 00 47
Renmark Financial Communications:
Christine Stewart
Tel: +1-416-644-2020
Robert Thaemlitz
Tel: +1-514-939-3989
Or send an e-mail to: Email Contact
Internet Site: http://www.intlminerals.com
