TORONTO, ONTARIO, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICES SECTION WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES OF AMAROQ MINERALS LTD.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT SHOULD BE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY. IN PARTICULAR, IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UK PLACING, YOU SHOULD READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE APPENDIX.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO 596/2014, WHICH IS PART OF ICELANDIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE ACT NO 60/2021 ON MEASURES AGAINST MARKET ABUSE AND THE UK VERSION OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO 596/2014, WHICH IS PART OF ENGLISH LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. ON PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Amaroq Minerals Ltd.
(“Amaroq” or the “Company”)
Proposed Fundraising
TORONTO, ONTARIO - 12 February 2024 - Amaroq Minerals Ltd. (AIM, TSX-V, NASDAQ Iceland: AMRQ), an independent mining company with a substantial land package of gold and strategic energy transition mineral assets in Southern Greenland, confirms, further to its announcement on 11 February 2024, its intention to conduct a placing and subscription of new common shares (“Common Shares”) to raise gross proceeds of approximately £30.0 million (equivalent to approximately C$51.0 million or ISK5.2 billion) (the “Fundraising”) at a price of 74 pence (C$1.25, ISK127) per new Common Share (the “Placing Price”), with the net proceeds being used to accelerate development and exploration activities. As announced on 11 February, the Company has already received indications of interest from investors in excess of £30.0 million at the Placing Price.
Highlights
Details of the Fundraising
Eldur Olafsson, CEO of Amaroq, commented:
“We are investing to increase recoveries at Nalunaq and to accelerate our exploration plans in our strategic mineral acreage across Southern Greenland, which has become one of the last frontiers for Western governments and companies to secure scaled supply of strategic minerals so desperately needed for the energy transition. By further de-risking the development of Nalunaq whilst also advancing exploration in both gold and strategic minerals, we believe we can deliver value for shareholders. It is a very exciting time to be the largest acreage holder in Southern Greenland.”
Enquiries:
Amaroq Minerals Ltd.
Eldur Olafsson, Executive Director and CEO
eo@amaroqminerals.com
Eddie Wyvill, Corporate Development
+44 (0)7713 126727
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Joint Bookrunner, Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)
Callum Stewart
Varun Talwar
Simon Mensley
Ashton Clanfield
+44 (0) 20 7710 7600
Landsbankinn hf. (Joint Bookrunner and Underwriter)
Ellert Arnarson
+354 410 4000
Fossar Investment Bank hf. (Joint Bookrunner)
Þórður Ágúst Hlynsson
Þórunn Ólafsdóttir
+354 522 4000
Camarco (Financial PR)
Billy Clegg
Elfie Kent
Charlie Dingwall
+44 (0) 20 3757 4980
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Background to and Reasons for the Fundraising
The Company’s strategy is to leverage its first mover advantage in Greenland, underpinned by the previously producing Nalunaq project, to build a full-cycle mining company, delivering long term shareholder value and providing significant upside potential through its land bank of high-impact gold and strategic minerals exploration assets. Amaroq has been listed on the TSX-V since July 2017, AIM since July 2020, First North between November 2022 to September 2023 and the Icelandic Exchange since September 2023.
The Company acquired the Nalunaq gold project in 2015 and has made significant progress since this time in expanding the extent of the resource base through drilling, incorporating a new geological model (the Dolerite Dyke model) to better understand the distribution of the high-grade ore, building a new 50-person winterized camp to allow full-year activities, and acquiring and otherwise progressing much of the infrastructure required to bring Nalunaq into production. During this time, Amaroq has also been able to acquire the largest package of mineral rights in southern Greenland with a number of assets that are highly prospective for gold and strategic minerals. The addition of strategic minerals into the portfolio provides significant growth potential, as these metals and minerals, such as copper, nickel, titanium and graphite, are critical for increased electrification as part of the world’s decarbonisation strategy and as independent supply continues to become an increasing focus for nations globally.
Key developments at Nalunaq since AIM admission in 2020 include:
Following the Company’s progress outlined above, Nalunaq has transitioned to a full restart operation with mine rehabilitation works having commenced during Q4 2023 following detailed design work, site preparation, procurement of remaining long-lead items and camp upgrades. Key contracting processes are almost complete and overall engineering for the processing plant is 85% complete. During 2024 the Company is expected to commence trial mining at 100 tonnes per day which will deliver first gold from the process plant. Preparation for a phased ramp-up to 300 tonnes per day process plant design capacity will continue throughout the year. The Company also recently commenced the public consultation process for the draft EIA and SIA report on Nalunaq and is expected to close the consultation process by March 1, 2024.
Through ongoing work with its internal technical management and external consultants, the Company has identified several initiatives to enhance Nalunaq’s restart which will require additional funding. The main initiative is accelerating development of the Target Block which will undergo trial mining in conjunction with the Mountain Block. As currently designed, the Mountain Block will only deliver c.100 tpd to the process plant which has nameplate capacity of 300 tpd, resulting in intermittent operation of the plant. The acceleration of Target Block will allow for 350 days of operations at 300 tpd, thus right-sizing mining operations for optimal plant utilization. This is expected to have a significant impact on unit costs as ~75-80% of process plant costs are estimated to be fixed. The Company also plans to invest in infrastructure extensions to allow the two blocks to be mined concurrently and begin preparatory works at the South & Valley Blocks to ensure a smooth transition and a 300 tpd mining rate, when mining of the Mountain Block is complete. This will include de-watering of the existing workings and underground mapping and exploration.
The second major identified initiative involves the installation of the flotation circuit and the DSTF which is expected to deliver increased recoveries from 79.5% to 94%.
Outside of Nalunaq development, the Company also plans to accelerate certain advanced exploration at the Company’s high priority gold targets, including scout drilling at the Vagar and Nalunaq satellite areas, targeting additional resources to feed the mill at Nalunaq as well as a drill programme at Nanoq to prepare for a maiden resource. In addition, proceeds will fund the Company’s share of the Gardaq Joint Venture with GCAM LP to expedite strategic metals target generation, including an an aerial geophysics survey and expanded drilling programme at Sava to target copper porphyry mineralization, and a drill programme at Stendalen to define the full extent of the copper and nickel mineralization.
Sources and Uses of Proceeds
The net use of proceeds from the Fundraising will be used to fund the accelerated development of the Target Block, infrastructure investment to allow for the mining of two blocks simultaneously, preparatory works at the South & Valley Blocks, installation of the flotation circuit and DSTF, and accelerated exploration at Vagar/Nanoq and the Gardaq joint venture. By further de-risking the development of Nalunaq and advancing exploration activities across Amaroq’s gold and strategic minerals portfolio, the Company intends to enhance value creation in anticipation of delivering shareholder returns.
Proceeds | CAD$ millions | ISK millions | GBP millions |
Exchange rate | | CAD:ISK 102.064 | CAD:GBP 0.587 |
Fundraising | 51.10 | 5,215.47 | 30.00 |
Transaction Costs | (1.55) | (158.2) | (0.91) |
Total Net Proceeds | 49.55 | 5,057.27 | 29.09 |
Uses of Net Proceeds | CAD$ millions | ISK millions | GBP millions |
Exchange rate | | CAD:ISK 102.064 | CAD:GBP 0.587 |
Acceleration of Target Block | 12.33 | 1,258.45 | 7.24 |
Infrastructure Extension to Mine 2 Blocks | 7.02 | 716.49 | 4.12 |
South Block / Valley Block Preparation | 3.75 | 382.74 | 2.20 |
Dry Stack Tailing Facility and Flotation | 18.72 | 1,910.64 | 10.99 |
Exploration for strategic minerals and gold | 7.73 | 788.95 | 4.54 |
Total Uses of Net Proceeds | 49.55 | 5,057.27 | 29.09 |
As a result of the Fundraising, the Company will become net debt free.
In case of oversubscription of the Fundraising, the Company may increase the offer size with the use of additional proceeds to be focused on further exploration at Vagar and Nanoq and a capital injection into its Gardaq joint venture.
Bookbuild
Stifel is acting as sole bookrunner and broker on the UK Placing. Stifel is also acting as the Company’s nominated adviser. Landsbankinn and Fossar are acting as joint bookrunners on the Icelandic Placing, and Landsbankinn is acting as underwriter.
The Bookbuild for the UK Placing will launch immediately following the release of this Announcement. The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 6.00 p.m. (London time) on 12 February 2024, but Stifel and the Company reserve the right to close the Bookbuild earlier or later, without further notice.
The UK Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this Announcement.
The number of Fundraising Shares will be determined following completion of the Bookbuild by agreement between the Company and Stifel. Allocations in the UK Placing are at the absolute discretion of Stifel, in consultation with the Company, and will be confirmed orally or by email following the close of the Bookbuild. Details of the Fundraising Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild.
By choosing to participate in the UK Placing and by making an oral and legally binding offer to acquire UK Placing Shares, investors will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including the Appendices) and to be making such offer on the terms and subject to the conditions of the UK Placing contained here, and to be providing the representations, warranties and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix.
Applications will be made for admission of the Fundraising Shares to trading on (a) AIM; (b) the Nasdaq Iceland Main Market (the “Icelandic Exchange”); and (c) the TSX-V, with listing subject to the conditional approval of the TSX-V and the Company satisfying all of the requirements of the TSX-V. It is currently expected that admission will become effective, and that dealings in the Fundraising Shares will commence, on AIM at 8.00 a.m. GMT on 23 February 2024, on the Icelandic Exchange at 9.30 a.m. UTC on 23 February 2024 and on the TSX-V at 9:30 a.m. ET on 23 February 2024 (or in each case such other date as may be agreed between the Company and Stifel).
Related Party Transaction
A Directors of the Company has indicated their intention to participate in the Canadian Subscription for approximately £2.0 million (equivalent to C$3.4 million or ISK 343 million) in aggregate. As such, the Canadian Subscription will constitute a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) and within the meaning of Policy 5.9 of the TSX-V rules.
Related party transactions require the Company to obtain a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval unless exemptions from these requirements are available under applicable Canadian securities laws. With respect to the Canadian Subscription, the Company is relying on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the securities distributed to, and the consideration received from, interested parties does not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report at least 21 days prior to the expected closing of the Canadian Subscription as participation of the insiders had not been confirmed at that time and the Company wishes to close on an expedited basis for business reasons.
Unless stated otherwise, all amounts are based on ISK:GBP of 173.34 and C$:GBP of 1.6996 as at 9 February 2024.
About Amaroq
Amaroq’s principal business objectives are the identification, acquisition, exploration, and development of gold and strategic metal properties in Greenland. The Company’s principal asset is a 100% interest in the Nalunaq Project, an advanced exploration stage property with an exploitation licence including the previously operating Nalunaq gold mine, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Nalunaq A/S. The Company has a portfolio of gold and strategic metal assets in Southern Greenland covering the two known gold belts in the region. Amaroq is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act and wholly owns Nalunaq A/S, incorporated under the Greenland Public Companies Act.
Qualified Person Statement
The Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Dr Lucy Roberts, MAusIMM (CP), Principal Consultant (Resource Geology), SRK Consulting (UK) Limited an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. Dr Roberts has approved the disclosure herein.
The technical information presented in this press release has been approved by James Gilbertson CGeol, VP Exploration for the Company and a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society of London, and as such, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
Use of a Standard
The resource information included within this announcement is reported in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014) as required by CIM Definition Standards.
Inside Information
The information contained within this Announcement is considered to be inside information prior to its release, as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 as it forms part of the law of England and Wales by virtue of section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of that Regulation. Upon the publication of this Announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain and will no longer constitute inside information.
IMPORTANT NOTICES
This Announcement does not constitute, or form part of, a prospectus relating to the Company, nor does it constitute or contain an invitation or offer to any person, or any public offer, to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares in the Company or advise persons to do so in any jurisdiction, nor shall it, or any part of it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or as an inducement to enter into any contract or commitment with the Company.
This Announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Iceland, Australia, The Republic of South Africa (“South Africa”), Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution would be unlawful. This Announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or issue, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any securities in the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia (collectively, the “United States”)), Iceland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.
The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, or under the securities laws of Iceland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan, or any state, province or territory thereof or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements and in compliance with any applicable securities laws of any state, province or other jurisdiction of Iceland, Australia, Canada, South Africa or Japan (as the case may be). No public offering of securities is being made in the United States, Iceland, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Japan or elsewhere.
No action has been taken by the Company, Stifel, Landsbankinn, Fossar or any of their respective affiliates, or any of its or their respective directors, officers, partners, employees, consultants, advisers and/or agents (collectively, “Representatives”) that would permit an offer of the Fundraising Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other publicity material relating to such Fundraising Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons receiving this Announcement are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions contained in this Announcement. Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action. Persons distributing any part of this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.
This Announcement, as it relates to the UK Placing, is directed at and is only being distributed to: (a) if in a member state of the EEA, persons who are qualified investors (“EEA Qualified Investors”), being persons falling within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “EU Prospectus Regulation”); or (b) if in the United Kingdom, persons who are qualified investors (“UK Qualified Investors”), being persons falling within the meaning of Article 2(e) of Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”), and who are (i) persons falling within the definition of “investment professional” in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services And Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) or (ii) persons who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the Order, or (c) persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons referred to in (a), (b) and (c) together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”).
The Fundraising Shares have not been qualified for distribution by prospectus in Canada and may not be offered or sold in Canada except in reliance on exemptions from the requirements to provide the relevant purchaser with a prospectus and, as a consequence of acquiring securities pursuant to this exemption or exemptions, certain protections, rights and remedies provided by the applicable Canadian securities laws will not be available to the relevant purchaser. The Fundraising Shares will be subject to statutory resale (hold) restrictions for a period of four months and one day in Canada under the applicable Canadian securities laws and any resale of the Common Shares must be made in accordance with such resale restrictions or in reliance on an available exemption therefore. Such restrictions shall not apply to any Fundraising Shares acquired outside of Canada.
No other person should act on or rely on this Announcement as it relates to the UK Placing and persons distributing this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. By accepting the terms of this Announcement, you represent and agree that you are a Relevant Person. This Announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this Announcement or the Fundraising relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons.
No offering document or prospectus will be made available in any jurisdiction in connection with the matters contained or referred to in this Announcement or the UK Placing or the Fundraising, unless applicable in relation to admission to trading in Iceland and no such prospectus is required (in accordance with either the EU Prospectus Regulation for the purpose of the offer or sale of the Common Shares, the UK Prospectus Regulation or Canadian securities laws) to be published. The offering as it relates to the Icelandic Placing is subject to the exemptions from the obligation to publish a prospectus provided for in Articles 1(4)(a) and 1(4)(b) of the EU Prospectus Regulation.
Stifel, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the UK Placing and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as a client in relation to the UK Placing and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company in connection with the UK Placing or for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in relation to the UK Placing, the Fundraising or any other matter referred to in this Announcement. The responsibilities of Stifel, as nominated adviser, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange and are not owed to the Company or to any director or any other person and accordingly no duty of care is accepted in relation to them. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Stifel as to, and no liability whatsoever is accepted by Stifel in respect of, any of the contents of this Announcement (without limiting the statutory rights of any person to whom this Announcement is issued).
Fossar, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland, is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the Icelandic Placing and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as a client in relation to the Icelandic Placing and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company in connection with the Icelandic Placing or for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in relation to the Icelandic Placing, the Fundraising or any other matter referred to in this Announcement. Some Icelandic Placees may however be customers of Fossar.
Landsbankinn, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Supervisory Authority of the Central Bank of Iceland, is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in connection with the Icelandic Placing and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as a client in relation to the Icelandic Placing and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company in connection with the Icelandic Placing or for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for giving advice in relation to the Icelandic Placing, the Fundraising or any other matter referred to in this Announcement. Some Icelandic Placees may however be customers of Landsbankinn.
This Announcement is being issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by or on behalf of Stifel, Landsbankinn and/or Fossar (apart from in the case of Stifel the responsibilities or liabilities that may be imposed by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (“FSMA”) or the regulatory regime established thereunder) and/or by any of their respective affiliates and/or any of their respective Representatives as to, or in relation to, the accuracy, adequacy, fairness or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or their respective advisers or any other statement made or purported to be made by or on behalf of Stifel, Landsbankinn and/or Fossar and/or any of their respective affiliates and/or by any of their respective Representatives in connection with the Company, the UK Placing Shares, the UK Placing, the Common Shares or any part of the Fundraising and any responsibility and liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise therefor is expressly disclaimed. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Stifel, Landsbankinn and/or Fossar and/or any of their respective affiliates and/or any of their respective Representatives as to the accuracy, fairness, verification, completeness or sufficiency of the information or opinions contained in this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or their respective advisers, and any liability therefor is expressly disclaimed.
The information in this Announcement may not be forwarded or distributed to any other person and may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever. Any forwarding, distribution, reproduction or disclosure of this Announcement, in whole or in part, is unauthorised. Failure to comply with this directive may result in a violation of the Securities Act or the applicable laws of other jurisdictions.
This Announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning any investor’s options with respect to the UK Placing or any part of the Fundraising. Recipients of this Announcement should conduct their own investigation, evaluation and analysis of the business, data and other information described in this Announcement. This Announcement does not identify or suggest, or purport to identify or suggest, the risks (direct or indirect) that may be associated with an investment in the UK Placing Shares or the Common Shares. The price and value of securities can go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon the disposal of the shares. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The contents of this Announcement are not to be construed as legal, business, financial or tax advice. Each investor or prospective investor should consult his or her or its own legal adviser, business adviser, financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, business, financial or tax advice.
Any indication in this Announcement of the price at which the Company’s shares have been bought or sold in the past cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. Persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser. No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or profit estimate for any period and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings, earnings per share or income, cash flow from operations or free cash flow for the Company for the current or future financial periods would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings, earnings per share or income, cash flow from operations or free cash flow for the Company.
All offers of the Fundraising Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the EU Prospectus Regulation and the UK Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed and communicated to persons in the United Kingdom only in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply.
The Fundraising Shares to be issued pursuant to the Fundraising will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than AIM, the TSX-V and the Icelandic Exchange.
The Appendix to this Announcement sets out the terms and conditions of the UK Placing (and for the avoidance of doubt, not the Icelandic Placing or Canadian Subscription). By participating in the UK Placing, each Placee will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement (including the Appendix) in its entirety, to be participating in the UK Placing and making an offer to acquire and acquiring UK Placing Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Appendix to this Announcement and to be providing the representations, warranties, undertakings and acknowledgements contained in the Appendix to this Announcement. Members of the public are not eligible to take part in the UK Placing and no public offering of UK Placing Shares is being or will be made.
Neither the content of the Company’s website (or any other website) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company’s website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this Announcement.
This Announcement has been prepared for the purposes of complying with applicable law and regulation in the United Kingdom and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of any jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
UK Product Governance Requirements
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements of Chapter 3 of the FCA Handbook Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook (the “UK Product Governance Requirements”), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the UK Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the UK Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the UK Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in the FCA Conduct of Business Sourcebook; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all permitted distribution channels (the “Target Market Assessment”). Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the UK Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the UK Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the UK Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the UK Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, in relation to the UK Placing, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Stifel will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Chapters 9A or 10A, respectively, of the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business Sourcebook; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the UK Placing Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the UK Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
EU Product Governance Requirements
Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within: (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended (“MiFID II”); (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing MiFID II; and (c) local implementing measures (together, the “MiFID II Product Governance Requirements”) and/or any equivalent requirements elsewhere to the extent determined to be applicable, and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any “manufacturer” (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements and/or any equivalent requirements elsewhere to the extent determined to be applicable) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the UK Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the UK Placing Shares are: (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by MiFID II (the “EU Target Market Assessment”). Notwithstanding the EU Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that: the price of the UK Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the UK Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the UK Placing Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The EU Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the UK Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, in relation to the UK Placing, notwithstanding the EU Target Market Assessment, Stifel will only procure investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties.
For the avoidance of doubt, the EU Target Market Assessment does not constitute: (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of MiFID II; or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the UK Placing Shares. Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the UK Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
Neither the TSX–V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Information
This Announcement includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “aims”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “could”, “envisages”, “estimates”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “plans”, “projects”, “should”, “targets” or “will” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and factors which are beyond the Company’s control. The actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or developments in the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements or industry developments expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement. The forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement speak only as at the date of this Announcement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly the forward-looking statements contained in this Announcement, except as required in order to comply with its legal and regulatory obligations.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE UK PLACING
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE UK PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDICES) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN (TOGETHER, THIS “ANNOUNCEMENT”) ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHOSE ORDINARY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE THEM IN ACQUIRING, HOLDING, MANAGING AND DISPOSING OF INVESTMENTS (AS PRINCIPAL OR AGENT) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THEIR BUSINESS AND WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE: (A) IF IN A MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA (“EEA”), PERSONS WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS (“EEA QUALIFIED INVESTORS”), BEING PERSONS FALLING WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE “EU PROSPECTUS REGULATION”); OR (B) IF IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, PERSONS WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS (“UK QUALIFIED INVESTORS”), BEING PERSONS FALLING WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(E) OF PROSPECTUS REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 (THE “UK PROSPECTUS REGULATION”), AND WHO ARE (I) PERSONS FALLING WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF “INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL” IN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (THE “ORDER”) OR (II) PERSONS WHO FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) (HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC) OF THE ORDER; OR (C) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS REFERRED TO IN (A), (B) AND (C) TOGETHER BEING “RELEVANT PERSONS”).
NO OTHER PERSON SHOULD ACT OR RELY ON THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. BY ACCEPTING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT YOU REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT YOU ARE A RELEVANT PERSON. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. PERSONS DISTRIBUTING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST SATISFY THEMSELVES THAT IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDICES) DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY.
EACH PLACEE SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING AND RELATED ASPECTS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE UK PLACING SHARES.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE INTO THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE US SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR TRANSFERRED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF US PERSONS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“REGULATION S”)), PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES ARE BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OR ELSEWHERE.
This Announcement, and the information contained herein, is for information only and does not itself constitute or form part of an offer to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities referred to herein in any jurisdiction including, without limitation, the United States, Iceland, Australia, Canada, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or any other jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation is unlawful (each a “Restricted Territory”). No public offering of securities will be made in connection with the shares referred to in this Announcement in the United Kingdom, any Restricted Territory or elsewhere.
This Announcement, and the information contained herein, is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in any Restricted Territory or in any jurisdiction in which such release, publication or distribution is unlawful. The distribution of this Announcement and the UK Placing and/or the offer or sale of the UK Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by the Company or by Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (“Stifel”) or any of its Affiliates, or any of its or its Affiliates’ directors, officers, members, employees, agents or advisers which would permit an offer of the UK Placing Shares or possession or distribution of this Announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such UK Placing Shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons distributing any part of this Announcement must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so. Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any such action. Persons into whose possession this Announcement comes are required by the Company and Stifel to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.
All offers of the UK Placing Shares will be made pursuant to an exemption under the EU Prospectus Regulation or the UK Prospectus Regulation, as applicable, from the requirement to produce a prospectus. This Announcement is being distributed and communicated to persons in the UK only in circumstances to which section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (“FSMA”) does not apply.
The UK Placing Shares have not been qualified for distribution by prospectus in Canada and may not be offered or sold in Canada except in reliance on exemptions from the requirements to provide the relevant purchaser with a prospectus and, as a consequence of acquiring securities pursuant to this exemption or exemptions, certain protections, rights and remedies provided by the applicable Canadian securities laws will not be available to the relevant purchaser. The UK Placing Shares will be subject to statutory resale (hold) restrictions for a period of four months and one day in Canada under the applicable Canadian securities laws and any resale of the Common Shares must be made in accordance with such resale restrictions or in reliance on an available exemption therefore. Such restrictions shall not apply to any UK Placing Shares acquired outside of Canada.
The UK Placing has not been approved and will not be approved or disapproved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any State securities commission or any other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the UK Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.
Subject to certain exceptions, the securities referred to in this Announcement may not be offered or sold in any Restricted Territory or in any other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is unlawful or to, or for the account or benefit of, a citizen or resident, or a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised in or under the laws of a Restricted Territory or in any other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is unlawful.
This Announcement has been issued by, and is the sole responsibility of, the Company. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Stifel or any of its Affiliates, nor any of its or its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers as to or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this Announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.
Stifel is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the UK Placing and is not, and will not be, responsible to anyone (including the Placees) other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for providing advice in relation to the UK Placing and/or any other matter referred to in this Announcement.
None of the Company or Stifel or any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives nor any of its or their respective Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers makes any representation or warranty, express or implied to any Placees regarding any investment in the securities referred to in this Announcement under the laws applicable to such Placees. Each Placee should consult its own advisers as to the legal, tax, business, financial and related aspects of an investment in the UK Placing Shares.
Any information that a prospective Placee provides in documents in relation to the UK Placing or subsequently by whatever means which relates to the prospective investor (if they are an individual) or a third party individual (“personal data”) will be held and processed by the Company and/or Stifel for the following purposes: (a) verifying the identity of the prospective Placee to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements in relation to anti-money laundering procedures; (b) contacting the prospective Placee with information about products and services, or its Affiliates, which may be of interest to the prospective Placee; (c) carrying out the business of the Company or Stifel and the administering of interests in the Company; (d) meeting the legal, regulatory, reporting and/or financial obligations of the Company and/or Stifel; and (e) disclosing personal data to other functionaries of, or advisers to, the Company or Stifel to operate and/or administer its business. In providing such personal data, prospective Placees will be deemed to have agreed to the processing of such personal data in the manner described above.
By participating in the UK Placing, Placees (including individuals, funds or otherwise) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to subscribe for UK Placing Shares has been given will (i) be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement, in its entirety and (ii) be making any such offer on the Terms and Conditions contained in this Appendix, including being deemed to be providing (and shall only be permitted to participate in the UK Placing on the basis that they have provided) the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements and undertakings set out herein.
In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants, undertakes, agrees and acknowledges (amongst other things) that:
1. it has read and understood this Announcement in its entirety (including the Appendices) and acknowledges that its participation in the UK Placing will be governed by, and subject to, the Terms and Conditions of the UK Placing as referred to and included in this Announcement;
2. it undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any UK Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business;
3. in the case of a Relevant Person in a member state of the EEA which is subject to the EU Prospectus Regulation (each a “Relevant Member State”) who acquires any UK Placing Shares pursuant to the UK Placing:
(a) it is an EEA Qualified Investor; and
(b) in respect of any UK Placing Shares acquired by it as a “financial intermediary”, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the EU Prospectus Regulation:
(i) the UK Placing Shares acquired by and/or subscribed for by it in the UK Placing will not be acquired and/or subscribed for on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired or subscribed for with a view to their offer or resale to persons in any Relevant Member State other than to EEA Qualified Investors, or in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of securities to the public other than an offer or resale in any Relevant Member State to EEA Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Stifel has been given to each such proposed offer or resale; or
(ii) where UK Placing Shares have been acquired or subscribed for by it on behalf of persons in any Relevant Member State other than EEA Qualified Investors, the offer of those UK Placing Shares to it is not treated under the EU Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;
4. in the case of a Relevant Person in the United Kingdom who acquires any UK Placing Shares pursuant to the UK Placing:
(a) it is a UK Qualified Investor;
(b) in respect of any UK Placing Shares acquired by it as a “financial intermediary”, as that term is used in Article 5(1) of the UK Prospectus Regulation:
(i) the UK Placing Shares acquired by and/or subscribed for by it in the UK Placing will not be acquired and/or subscribed for on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired or subscribed for with a view to their offer or resale to persons in the United Kingdom other than to UK Qualified Investors, or in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of securities to the public other than an offer or resale in the United Kingdom to UK Qualified Investors, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of Stifel has been given to each such proposed offer or resale; or
(ii) where the UK Placing Shares have been acquired or subscribed for by it on behalf of persons in the United Kingdom other than UK Qualified Investors, the offer of those UK Placing Shares to it is not treated under the UK Prospectus Regulation as having been made to such persons;
5. it is acquiring the UK Placing Shares for its own account or is acquiring the UK Placing Shares for an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and has the authority to make and does make the representations, warranties, indemnities, acknowledgements, undertakings and agreements contained in this Announcement;
6. it understands (or if acting for the account of another person, such person has confirmed that such person understands) the resale and transfer restrictions set out in this Announcement;
7. except as otherwise permitted by the Company and Stifel and subject to any available exemptions from applicable securities laws, it (and each person, if any, for whose account or benefit it is acquiring the UK Placing Shares) is either:
(a) outside the United States and not a US person acquiring the UK Placing Shares in an “offshore transaction” as defined in, and in accordance with, Regulation S; or
(b) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (a “QIB”); and
8. it understands that the allocation of UK Placing Shares to it if it is in the United States shall be conditional on the execution by it of an investor representation letter in the form provided to it.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PLACEES ONLY REGARDING THE UK PLACING
Bookbuild
Following this Announcement, Stifel will commence a bookbuild process in respect of the UK Placing (the “Bookbuild”) to determine demand for participation in the UK Placing by Placees. The book will open with immediate effect following release of this Announcement. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the UK Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any UK Placing Shares.
Stifel and the Company shall be entitled to effect the UK Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their sole discretion, determine.
Details of the Placing Agreement and the UK Placing Shares
Stifel is acting as placing agent in connection with the UK Placing. Stifel has entered into a placing agreement (the “Placing Agreement”) with the Company under which, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement, it has, as agent for and on behalf of the Company, agreed to use its reasonable endeavours to procure Placees for the UK Placing Shares at a price of 74 pence per UK Placing Share (the “Placing Price”). The number of UK Placing Shares in the UK Placing will be determined following completion of the Bookbuild and set out in a term sheet to be entered into between Stifel and the Company (the “Term Sheet”). The final number of UK Placing Shares, Canadian Subscription Shares and the number of Icelandic Placing Shares will be decided at the close of the Bookbuild. The timing of the closing of the book and allocations will be at the discretion of Stifel. Details of the number of UK Placing Shares, Canadian Subscription Shares and the number of Icelandic Placing Shares will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild.
In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions in the Placing Agreement, the UK Placing is not underwritten by Stifel and in the event that subscribers are not obtained for all or any of the UK Placing Shares (being the “Unplaced Shares”) or in the event of a default to make payment by any subscribers procured by Stifel, there will be no obligation on Stifel to subscribe for any Unplaced Shares or defaulted UK Placing Shares.
The UK Placing Shares will, when issued, be subject to the constitutional documents of the Company and credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing issued Common Shares in the capital of the Company, including the Canadian Subscription Shares and the Icelandic Placing Shares, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid in respect of such Common Shares after the date of issue of the UK Placing Shares.
Alongside the UK Placing, the Company has proposed a placing in Iceland of new Common Shares at the Placing Price, being the “Icelandic Placing Shares”. Fossar and Landsbankinn are acting as joint bookrunners in connection with the Icelandic Placing. The Company has entered into a service agreement with Fossar and Landsbankinn in relation to the Icelandic Placing (“Icelandic Service Agreement”). Landsbankinn has agreed to underwrite up to £10 million of new Common Shares or new depositary receipts representing Common Shares, subject to £20 million being placed in the Fundraising, reducing pound for pound to the extent that the Fundraising raises gross proceeds of more than £20 million.
Pursuant to the Fundraising, the Company is seeking, in aggregate, to raise gross proceeds of approximately £30.0 million (equivalent to approximately C$51.0 million or ISK5.2 billion), to expand its resource base and accelerate exploration. Alongside the UK Placing and Icelandic Placing, the Company has also procured certain subscriptions of Canadian Subscription Shares at the Placing Price, being the Canadian Subscription. For the avoidance of doubt, these Terms and Conditions set out in this Appendix apply to the UK Placing, but do not apply to the Icelandic Placing or the Canadian Subscription.
As set out under “Conditions of the UK Placing”, the UK Placing is conditional upon, amongst other things, the Icelandic Subscription Agreements and the Canadian Subscription Agreements being wholly unconditional. The Icelandic Placing is conditional upon, amongst other things, the Service Agreement not having been terminated prior to the subscription for the Icelandic Placing Shares and the conditional approval of the TSX-V.
Applications for admission to trading
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for admission of the Fundraising Shares, including the UK Placing Shares, to trading on AIM (“Admission”).
It is expected that Admission will become effective at 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 23 February 2024 (or such later date as may be agreed between the Company and Stifel).
The Company will apply for conditional approval of the TSX-V, with respect to the UK Placing Shares, subject to the satisfaction by the Company of any conditions imposed by the TSX-V. It is expected that admission of the UK Placing Shares on the TSX-V will become effective on or around 9.30 a.m. (Toronto time) on 23 February 2024 (or such later date as may be agreed between the Company and Stifel).
The Company has applied for listing of the Fundraising Shares, including the UK Placing Shares, on the Icelandic Exchange, with admission expected to become effective at 9.30 a.m. (Reykjavik time) on 23 February 2024.
Participation in, and principal terms of, the UK Placing
Conditions of the UK Placing
The UK Placing is conditional upon the Placing Agreement becoming unconditional and not having been terminated in accordance with its terms. Stifel’s obligations under the Placing Agreement are conditional on (but not limited to) the following:
If (a) any of the conditions set out in the Placing Agreement, including those described above, in relation to the UK Placing are not fulfilled or waived by Stifel by the respective time or date where specified (or such later time or date as the Company and Stifel may agree, save that such time shall not be extended beyond 8.00 am on the Long Stop Date); (b) any of such conditions becomes incapable of being fulfilled; or (c) the Placing Agreement is terminated in the circumstances specified below, the UK Placing will not proceed and each Placee’s rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the UK Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee against any of the Company or Stifel in respect thereof.
Stifel may, in its absolute discretion and upon such terms as it thinks fit, waive fulfilment of all or any of the conditions in the Placing Agreement in whole or in part, or extend the time provided for fulfilment of one or more conditions, save that certain conditions including the condition relating to Admission may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees’ commitments as set out in this Announcement. Stifel may terminate the Placing Agreement in certain circumstances, details of which are set out below.
Placees will have no rights against Stifel or the Company under the Placing Agreement pursuant to the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (as amended) or otherwise.
Neither Stifel, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any of its or its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, agents or advisers shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision Stifel may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and/or date for the satisfaction of any condition to the UK Placing nor for any decision any of them may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the UK Placing generally and by participating in the UK Placing each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of Stifel.
By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations cease and terminate only in the circumstances described above and under “Termination of the UK Placing” below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it.
Termination of the UK Placing
Stifel is entitled to terminate the Placing Agreement in accordance with its terms in certain circumstances, including, inter alia, if at any time before Admission in the opinion of Stifel (acting in good faith):
On the occurrence of any one or more of the above-mentioned circumstances, Stifel may, in its absolute discretion, by notice in writing to the Company (or by orally communicating the same to the Company), terminate the Placing Agreement with immediate effect.
Upon such notice being given, the parties to the Placing Agreement shall be released and discharged (except for any liability arising before or in relation to such termination) from their respective obligations under or pursuant to the Placing Agreement, subject to limited exceptions.
By participating in the UK Placing, each Placee agrees that its rights and obligations terminate only in the circumstances described above and under the “Conditions of the UK Placing” section above and will not be capable of rescission or termination by it after oral confirmation by Stifel following the close of the Bookbuild.
By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee agrees with the Company and Stifel that the exercise by the Company or Stifel of any right of termination or any other right or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of the Company or Stifel or for agreement between the Company and Stifel (as the case may be) and that neither the Company nor Stifel need make any reference to, or undertake any consultation with, Placees and that neither they nor any of their respective Affiliates’, agents, directors, officers or employees shall have any liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) whatsoever in connection with any such exercise.
No prospectus
The UK Placing Shares are being offered to a limited number of specifically invited persons only and will not be offered in such a way as to require any prospectus or other offering document to be published. No prospectus or other offering document has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FCA in relation to the UK Placing or the UK Placing Shares and Placees’ commitments will be made solely on the basis of publicly available information taken together with the information contained in this Announcement, and any Exchange Information (as defined below) previously published by or on behalf of the Company simultaneously with or prior to the date of this Announcement and subject to any further terms set forth in the contract note sent to individual Placees.
Each Placee, by participating in the UK Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement and the publicly available information released by or on behalf of the Company is exclusively the responsibility of the Company and confirms to Stifel and the Company that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of the Company (other than publicly available information) or Stifel or their respective Affiliates or any other person and none of Stifel or the Company, or any of their respective Affiliates or any other person will be liable for any Placee’s decision to participate in the UK Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received (regardless of whether or not such information, representation, warranty or statement was given or made by or on behalf of any such persons). Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of the Company in accepting a participation in the UK Placing. No Placee should consider any information in this Announcement to be legal, tax or business advice. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.
Lock-up
The Company has undertaken to Stifel that, between the date of the Placing Agreement and 120 calendar days after the Closing Date, it will not, without the prior written consent of Stifel (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), enter into certain transactions involving or relating to the Common Shares, subject to certain customary carve-outs agreed between Stifel and the Company.
By participating in the UK Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by Stifel of any power to grant consent to waive the undertaking by the Company of a transaction which would otherwise be subject to the lock-up under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Stifel and that they need not make any reference to, or consult with, Placees and that they shall have no liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise of the power to grant consent.
Registration and settlement
Settlement of transactions in the UK Placing Shares (ISIN: CA00108V1022) following Admission will take place within the relevant system administered by Euroclear (“CREST”), using the delivery versus payment mechanism, subject to certain exceptions. Subject to certain exceptions, Stifel and the Company reserve the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the UK Placing Shares to Placees by such other means that they deem necessary if delivery or settlement is not practicable in CREST within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee’s jurisdiction.
In order to enable Placees in the United Kingdom to settle their securities through CREST, the Company has appointed Computershare Investor Services plc to act as a depositary (the “Depositary”) to hold the Common Shares and issue dematerialised depositary interests representing the underlying Common Shares (“Depositary Interests”). The Depositary will hold the Common Shares on trust for the relevant shareholders.
The Depositary Interests are independent English securities and held on a register maintained by the Depositary. The Depositary Interests have the same security code and ISIN number as the underlying Common Shares which they represent and do not require a separate admission to AIM. Any references to UK Placing Shares in this Announcement shall include any Depositary Interests issued in relation to the same.
Following the close of the Bookbuild for the UK Placing, each Placee allocated UK Placing Shares in the UK Placing will be sent a contract note stating the number of UK Placing Shares to be allocated to it at the Placing Price, the aggregate amount owed by such Placee to Stifel and settlement instructions. It is expected that such contract note will be despatched on or around 12 February 2024 and that this will also be the trade date.
Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with either the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions that it has in place with Stifel. The Company will deliver the UK Placing Shares to a CREST account or account operated by Stifel as agent for the Company and Stifel will enter its delivery instruction into the CREST system. Stifel will hold any UK Placing Shares delivered to this account as nominee for the Placees. The input to CREST by a Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant UK Placing Shares to that Placee against payment. It is expected that settlement will be on 23 February 2024 on a T+9 basis in accordance with the instructions given to Stifel.
Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above SONIA as determined by Stifel.
Each Placee agrees that, if it does not comply with these obligations, Stifel may sell any or all of their UK Placing Shares on their behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the Company’s own account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the Placing Price and for any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of its UK Placing Shares on its behalf.
If UK Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees must ensure that, upon receipt, the conditional contract note is copied and delivered immediately to the Relevant Person within that organisation. Insofar as UK Placing Shares are registered in a Placee’s name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such UK Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to United Kingdom stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the UK Placing.
Representations and warranties
By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee’s behalf) irrevocably acknowledges, confirms, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (for itself and for any such prospective Placee) with Stifel (in its capacity as placing agent of the Company in respect of the UK Placing) and the Company, in each case as a fundamental term of its application for UK Placing Shares, the following:
The foregoing acknowledgements, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties and confirmations are given for the benefit of the Company as well as Stifel (for its own benefit and, where relevant, the benefit of its Affiliates and any person acting on its or their behalf) and are irrevocable. Each Placee, and any person acting on behalf of a Placee, acknowledges that neither Stifel nor the Company owes any fiduciary or other dues to any Placee in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities in the Placing Agreement.
Please also note that the agreement to allot and issue UK Placing Shares to Placees (or the persons for whom Placees are contracting as nominee or agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax relates only to their allotment and issue to Placees, or such persons as they nominate as their agents, direct from the Company for the UK Placing Shares in question. Neither the Company, nor Stifel will be responsible for any UK stamp duty or UK stamp duty reserve tax (including any interest and penalties relating thereto) arising in relation to the UK Placing Shares in any other circumstances.
Such agreement is subject to the representations, warranties and further terms above and also assumes, and is based on a warranty from each Placee, that the UK Placing Shares are not being acquired in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to issue or transfer the UK Placing Shares into a clearance service. Neither Stifel nor the Company are liable to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or any other similar dues or taxes (“transfer taxes”) that arise: (a) if there are any such arrangements (or if any such arrangements arise subsequent to the acquisition by Placees of UK Placing Shares); or (b) on a sale of UK Placing Shares; or (c) for transfer taxes arising otherwise than under the laws of the United Kingdom. Each Placee to whom (or on behalf of whom, or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the UK Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of UK Placing Shares has given rise to such transfer taxes undertakes to pay such transfer taxes forthwith, and agrees to indemnify on an after-tax basis and hold Stifel and/or the Company and their respective Affiliates harmless from any such transfer taxes, and all interest, fines or penalties in relation to such transfer taxes. Each Placee should, therefore, take its own advice as to whether any such transfer tax liability arises.
Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of each Placee acknowledges and agrees that Stifel or any of its Affiliates may, at their absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the UK Placing Shares. Each Placee acknowledges and is aware that Stifel is receiving a fee in connection with its role in respect of the UK Placing as detailed in the Placing Agreement.
When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with Stifel, any money held in an account with any Stifel on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the FCA made under the FSMA. The Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules; as a consequence, this money will not be segregated from Stifel’s money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by Stifel in the course of its own business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of Stifel.
All times and dates in this Announcement may be subject to amendment by Stifel (in its absolute discretion). Stifel shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.
Time shall be of the essence as regards obligations pursuant to this Announcement.
No statement in this Announcement is intended to be a profit forecast or estimate, and no statement in this Announcement should be interpreted to mean that earnings per share of the Company for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of the Company.
The price of shares and any income expected from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested upon disposal of the shares. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.
The rights and remedies of Stifel and the Company under these Terms and Conditions are in addition to any rights and remedies which would otherwise be available to each of them and the exercise or partial exercise of one will not prevent the exercise of others.
Each Placee may be asked to disclose in writing or orally to Stifel:
(a) if he or she is an individual, his or her nationality; or
(b) if he or she is a discretionary fund manager, the jurisdiction in which the funds are managed or owned.
Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout this Announcement unless the context otherwise requires:
Admission | means the admission of the UK Placing Shares to trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange; |
Affiliate | has the meaning given in Rule 50I(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act or Rule 405 under the Securities Act, as applicable and, in the case of the Company, includes its subsidiary undertakings; |
AIM | means the market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange; |
AIM Rules | means the AIM Rules for Companies published by the London Stock Exchange; |
Announcement | means this announcement (including its Appendices); |
Bookbuild | means the accelerated bookbuilding process to be commenced by Stifel to use reasonable endeavours to procure Placees for the UK Placing Shares, as described in this Announcement and subject to the Terms and Conditions and the Placing Agreement; |
Business Day | means a day (other than Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) when commercial banks in London or Toronto are open for business; |
Canadian Subscription | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Canadian Subscription Shares | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Closing Date | means the day on which the UK Placing will be settled; |
Common Shares | means the common shares of no par value in the capital of the Company; |
Company or Amaroq | means Amaroq Minerals Ltd., a corporation incorporated in Canada, listed on TSX-V; |
CREST | means the relevant system (as defined in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755)) in respect of which Euroclear is the Operator (as defined in such Regulations) in accordance with which securities may be held and transferred in uncertificated form; |
EEA | means the European Economic Area; |
EEA Qualified Investor | means qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of the EU Prospectus Regulation; |
EU Prospectus Regulation | means the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129; |
Euroclear | means Euroclear UK & International Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, the operator of CREST; |
Exchange Information | means the business and financial information the Company is required to publish in accordance with MAR, the AIM Rules and the rules of the TSX-V; |
FCA | means the UK Financial Conduct Authority; |
Fossar | means Fossar Markets hf.; |
FSMA | means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended, including any regulations made pursuant thereto); |
Fundraising | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Fundraising Shares | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Group | means the Company and its subsidiary undertakings; |
Icelandic Banks | means Fossar and Landsbankinn; |
Icelandic Exchange | means the Nasdaq Iceland Main Market; |
Icelandic Letter of Commitment | means the letter of commitment entered into between the Company and Landsbankinn; |
Icelandic Listing | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Icelandic Placing | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Icelandic Placing Shares | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
Icelandic Service Agreement | means the agreement between the Company and the Icelandic Banks in relation to the Icelandic Placing; |
Icelandic Subscribers | means persons procured by each of the Icelandic Banks pursuant to the Icelandic Service Agreement who agree to subscribe for Icelandic Placing Shares at ISK 127 (being the ISK equivalent of the Placing Price); |
Icelandic Subscription Agreements | means the subscription agreement entered into between the relevant Icelandic Bank and each of the Icelandic Subscribers; |
Landsbankinn | means Landsbankinn hf.; |
London Stock Exchange | means London Stock Exchange plc; |
Long Stop Date | means 1 March 2024; |
MAR | means the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.596/2014 which forms part of the UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; |
Material Adverse Change | means any material adverse change in, or any event or circumstance that might reasonably result in such a material adverse change in, or having a material adverse effect on, the business, management, operations, assets, liabilities, solvency, credit rating, position or prospects (financial trading or otherwise) or profit of the Company or the Group (as the case may be) whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business; |
Placee | means any person procured by Stifel (acting as agent for and on behalf of the Company), on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Placing Agreement, to subscribe for the UK Placing Shares pursuant to the UK Placing; |
Placing Agreement | has the meaning given to it in the Appendix to this Announcement; |
Placing Price | means 74 pence per UK Placing Share; |
Placing Results Announcement | means the announcement of the results of the Bookbuild via a Regulatory Information Service; |
QIB | means “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act; |
Regulation S | means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act; |
Regulatory Information Service | means a primary information provider that has been approved by the FCA to disseminate regulated information; |
Relevant Member State | means a member state of the EEA; |
Restricted Territory | means the United States, Iceland, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa; |
Securities Act | means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
subsidiary | has the meaning given to that term in the Companies Act 2006; |
subsidiary undertaking | has the meaning given to that term in the Companies Act 2006; |
Term Sheet | means the term sheet in relation to the UK Placing as may be entered into by the Company and Stifel following the Bookbuild; |
Terms and Conditions | means the terms and conditions of the UK Placing set out in the Appendix to this Announcement; |
transfer taxes | means stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or any other similar duties or taxes; |
UK Placing | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
UK Placing Shares | has the meaning given to it in the main body of this Announcement; |
UK Prospectus Regulation | means Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 which forms part of the UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018; |
UK Qualified Investor | means qualified investors as defined in Article 2(e) of the UK Prospectus Regulation; |
uncertificated or in uncertificated form | means in respect of a share or other security, where that share or other security is recorded on the relevant register of the share or security concerned as being held in uncertificated form in CREST and title to which may be transferred by means of CREST; |
United Kingdom or UK | means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; |
United States or US | means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia and all other areas subject to its jurisdiction and any political sub-division thereof; and |
US person | has the meaning given such term in Regulation S. |
Unless otherwise indicated in this Announcement, all references to “£”, “GBP”, “pounds”, “pound sterling”, “sterling”, “p”, “penny” or “pence” are to the lawful currency of the UK. All references to “C$”, “CAD” or “Canadian Dollars” are to the lawful currency of Canada. All references to “ISK” are to the lawful currency of Iceland.
Attachment