Restructuring of Company's Dundee Operations
Toronto, September 3, 2018 - Buffalo Coal Corp. (TSXV: BUF) (JSE: BUC) ("Buffalo" or "the Company") announced today that STA Coal Mining Company Proprietary Limited ("STA"), a mining contractor engaged by the Company to provide contract mining services at the Company's Magdalena underground mine in South Africa, has provided notice to the Company of its intention to not renew the contract mining services agreement (the "STA Agreement") dated October 31, 2015 entered into by STA, the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, following the expiry of such contract in accordance with its terms on October 31, 2018. Under the terms of the STA Agreement, STA currently conducts all underground coal mining operations at the Magdalena mine under the supervision of the Company.
In light of the foregoing, and given the Company's current financial position, the Company is initiating a restructuring process at its Magdalena mine operations aimed at ensuring the viability of the business going forward. If no feasible alternatives are found, such process may ultimately result in employee retrenchments and may involve the closure of the Magdalena mine operation. A consultation process has commenced in South Africa with organised labour and relevant stakeholders, as required pursuant to section 189A of the South African Labour Relations Act. Further details on the outcome of this process will be announced at the appropriate time.
About Buffalo
Buffalo is a coal producer in southern Africa. It holds a majority interest in two operating mines through its 100% interest in Buffalo Coal Dundee, a South African company which has a 70% interest in Zinoju. Zinoju holds a 100% interest in the Magdalena bituminous mine and the Aviemore anthracite mine in South Africa. Buffalo has an experienced coal-focused management team.
Cautionary Notes:
This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information relating to the Company's restructuring initiatives and the impact of such initiatives on the Company's operations and financial condition. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Buffalo to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, foreign operations, political and social uncertainties; a history of operating losses; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of the proposed transaction; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of mineral products; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or required financing or in the completion of activities. Although Buffalo has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Buffalo does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Neither the Toronto Venture Exchange, nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the exchange), accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Rowan Karstel
Chief Executive Officer
Email: rowan.karstel@buffalocoal.co.za
Graham du Preez
Chief Financial Officer
Email: graham.dupreez@buffalocoal.co.za