Perseus Successfully Completes Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer to Fund Growth
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - June 22, 2016) -
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Highlights
- Total of A$94.3 million raised under the Institutional Entitlement Offer and Placement at A$0.50 per New Share
- Strong support from existing shareholders with take up of 85% under the Institutional Entitlement Offer
- Existing retail shareholders have opportunity to subscribe for 1 New Share for every 10 shares held at the Record Date at A$0.50 per New Share
- Retail Entitlement Offer to raise up to a further A$7.7 million, subject to level of participation from retail shareholders
Completion of Equity Raising
Perseus Mining Ltd. (TSX:PRU)(ASX:PRU) (Perseus or the Company) is delighted to announce the successful completion of its placement (Placement) and the institutional component of its 1 for 10 pro rata accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer (Institutional Entitlement Offer) launched on Monday, June 20, 2016 (together referred to as the Equity Raising).
The Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer closed on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, and received strong demand from both existing and new institutional shareholders, raising a total of approximately A$94.3 million at A$0.50 per New Share (Offer Price).
The Placement of approximately 122.3 million shares raised a total of approximately A$61.2 million and has allowed Perseus to introduce several new highly respected global institutions which has broadened the depth and quality of the Company's register.
The Institutional Entitlement Offer raised approximately A$33.1 million, and was strongly supported by existing institutional shareholders, who took up approximately 85% of their entitlements.
New Shares issued under the Institutional Entitlement Offer and Placement will rank equally with existing shares on issue and are expected to be allotted on Friday, July 1, 2016. Trading will commence on a normal settlement basis on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on the same day.
Perseus's Managing Director and CEO Jeff Quartermaine commented: "The recently completed Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer together with the announced Sissingué Project finance facility (once finalised and credit approved)1 provides Perseus with the financial capacity to transform from a company with a single producing gold mine in Ghana into a diversified West African focussed miner with two producing operations, a very high quality development project in Yaouré Gold Project and further exploration potential.
I am extremely delighted with the success of the Equity Raising which was very strongly supported by investors from around the globe. We are particularly grateful for the support of our existing shareholders and also for the faith displayed by a number of new investors who have elected to come on board for what promises to be a very exciting journey as we deliver our promised growth strategy over the next few years."
1 Refer to Announcement on June 20, 2016 for further details on this project finance facility that Perseus is currently negotiating.
Retail Entitlement Offer
The retail component of the Equity Raising seeks to raise up to approximately A$7.7 million through a 1 for 10 pro-rata non-renounceable entitlement offer (Retail Entitlement Offer) at A$0.50 per New Share.
The Retail Entitlement Offer will open on Monday, June 27, 2016 and close at 5.00pm (AEST) on Friday, July 15, 2016.
Eligible retail shareholders with registered addresses in Australia or New Zealand on the Record Date of 9.00pm (AEST) on Thursday, June 23, 2016, have the opportunity to invest in New Shares at the Offer Price of A$0.50. The terms and conditions under which eligible retail shareholders may apply are outlined in the retail offer booklet (Retail Offer Booklet) expected to be lodged and despatched to eligible retail shareholders on Monday, June 27, 2016. In deciding whether or not to participate in the Retail Entitlement Offer, eligible retail shareholders should read the Retail Offer Booklet carefully.
The Retail Offer Booklet and the accompanying personalised entitlement and acceptance form will contain instructions on how to apply by the closing date of Friday, July 15, 2016.
Key dates for the Retail Entitlement Offer are set out below.
| Key Event | Date (AEST) |
| Announcement of the results of the Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer | June 23, 2016 |
| Record Date for determining Eligible Shareholders under the Entitlement Offer | 9.00pm, June 23, 2016 |
| Retail Entitlement Offer opens | June 27, 2016 |
| Retail Offer Booklet despatched | June 27, 2016 |
| Settlement of New Shares issued under the Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer | June 30, 2016 |
| Allotment and normal trading of New Shares issued under the Placement and Institutional Entitlement Offer | July 1, 2016 |
| Retail Entitlement Offer closes | 5.00pm, July 15, 2016 |
| Allotment of New Shares issued under the Retail Entitlement Offer | July 25, 2016 |
| Despatch of holding statements and normal trading of New Shares issued under the Retail Entitlement Offer | July 26, 2016 |
Subject to the ASX Listing Rules and the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Company in consultation with the Lead Manager, reserves the right to vary the timetable without prior notice, including by extending the closing date, closing the Retail Entitlement Offer early, accepting late applications or by withdrawing the Retail Entitlement Offer. There will be no trading of entitlements on ASX.
In the event that not all entitlements are taken up under the Retail Entitlement Offer, Perseus reserves the right to place any such shortfall at its discretion within 3 months following completion of the Equity Raising.
Additional information
Additional information regarding the Equity Raising is contained in the investor presentation released on Monday, June 20, 2016.
Nothing contained in this announcement constitutes investment, legal, tax or other advice. You should seek appropriate professional advice before making any investment decision.
Macquarie Capital (Australia) Limited is acting as Lead Manager and Bookrunner to the Equity Raising. Arlington Group Asset Management Limited is acting as Co-Lead Manager to the Equity Raising.
This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and Canada and may not be released or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.
Contact
Managing Director/CEO:
Jeff Quartermaine
+61 8 6144 1700
jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com (Perth)
Investor Relations:
Cathy Moises
+61 412196350
cathy.moises@perseusmining.com (Perth/Melbourne)
Media Relations:
Nathan Ryan
+61 4 20 582 887
nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au (Melbourne)
