Discovery Metals says it continues its discussions with suitors over a possible change of control and revealed that the company financiers have given the Australian mining outfit further backing.
The company, which operates the Boseto Copper project in Botswana, said last month it has commenced the calling of bids from interested parties including its major shareholders Cathay Fortune Corp (CFC).
“Further to Discovery Metals Limited’s announcement of 11 June 2013, the company wishes to inform shareholders that Discovery Metals continues to be in discussions with interested parties in relation to a potential transaction,” Discovery Metals said in an update to shareholders.
At the time it made the announcement in June, Discovery said has signed a Confidentiality Agreement with CFC and CFC has commenced its due diligence. However, it said there was no certainty that CFC will make any bid for the company’s shares following its due diligence.
“Shareholders are advised that CFC cannot formally dispatch a takeover offer in the indicated price range until 16 June 2013 due to provisions of the Corporations Act, unless it obtains a waiver from ASIC. Nothing prevents CFC from announcing its intention to make an offer in the indicated price range at any stage,” Discovery said at the time.
Discovery Metals added that the lenders have now provided the company further support. “The lenders have waived the requirement that the company be required to make an additional equity contribution of $30m to the project by 15 August 2013,” it said.
“An additional event of default will occur if the board has not recommended a bid to acquire the company by 31 July 2013 or the company has not agreed investment terms with a cornerstone investor that are satisfactory to the lenders.”
The lenders have not waived the existing defaults announced on 21 May 2013, but have not taken any action in respect of those defaults. The company has engaged UBS AG, Australia Branch and Credit Suisse (Australia) Limited as its financial advisers in connection with the process.
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
Discovery Metals added that that the Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are being re-estimated for the Zeta and Plutus Open Pits and for the Zeta Underground. “This work is nearing completion and the Company envisages that the updated Mineral Resources estimates for the Zeta and Plutus deposits and the Ore Reserves restatement should be ready for release mid July 2013.”
