THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO BUY, ACQUIRE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR (OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ACQUIRE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR) ORDINARY SHARES TO ANY PERSON WITH A REGISTERED ADDRESS IN, LOCATED IN, OR WHO IS A RESIDENT OF, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR CONTRAVENE ANY REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE EU REGULATION 596/2014
Serabi Gold plc
("Serabi" or the "Company")
Proposed Placing
Further to the announcement dated 23 March 2018, Serabi Gold plc (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI) is pleased to announce a proposed placing to raise gross proceeds of a minimum of US$8.0 million (the "Placing").
The Placing is being conducted through an accelerated bookbuilding process to be undertaken by Peel Hunt LLP ("Peel Hunt") acting as sole bookrunner. The books for the Placing will open with immediate effect.
Highlights:
The completion of the Placing is conditional upon inter alia, the approval of shareholders at a general meeting of the Company (the "General Meeting"), admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM and completion of the Greenstone Subscription.
Michael Hodgson, Chief Executive Officer of Serabi, commented:
"The proposed placing alongside the US$15 million raised from the Greenstone Subscription last week will allow us to accelerate our development and exploration programmes at Palito, Sao Chico and Coringa, as well as allowing management to focus on other regional growth opportunities as well as strengthening the Company's working capital position."
The announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, you should read and understand the information provided in the "Important Notice" section and the detailed terms and conditions described in the Appendix.
The person who arranged for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company was Clive Line, Director.
Enquiries:
Serabi Gold plc | |
Michael Hodgson (Chief Executive) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 |
Clive Line (Finance Director) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 |
Peel Hunt LLP Sole Bookrunner | |
Corporate | |
Ross Allister | Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
Richard Crichton | Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
James Bavister | Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 8900 |
ECM Syndicate | |
Al Rae | Tel: + 44 (0)20 7418 8642 |
Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser | |
Roland Cornish | Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 |
Michael Cornish | Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 |
Blytheweigh Public Relations | |
Tim Blythe | Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3204 |
Camilla Horsfall | Tel: +44 (0)20 7138 3224 |
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents 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 does not constitute, or form part of, a prospectus relating to Serabi Gold plc (the "Company"). No prospectus or admission document will be made available in connection with the matters contained in this announcement.
This announcement (including the Appendix) is directed only at: (a) persons in member states of the European Economic Area who are qualified investors ("Qualified Investors") being persons falling within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the EU Prospectus Directive (which means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended by Directive 2010/73/EC)) and includes any relevant implementing directive measure in any member state) (the "Prospetus Directive"); and (b) if in the United Kingdom, persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment professionals" in article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or are high net worth companies, unincorporated associations or partnerships or trustees of high value trusts as described in article 49(2) of the Order and (ii) are "qualified investors" as defined in section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (as amended) (the "FSMA") and (c) otherwise, to persons to whom it may otherwise be lawful to communicate it (all such persons together being referenced to as "relevant persons"). Any investment in connection with the Placing will only be available to, and will only be engaged with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement (including the Appendix) or any of its contents.
This announcement (including the Appendix) is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. 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 registration. There will be no public offering of the Placing Shares in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere.
This announcement (including the Appendix) is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Japan or any jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of local securities laws or regulations (a "Prohibited Jurisdiction"). This announcement (including the Appendix) and the information contained herein are not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in a Prohibited Jurisdiction unless permitted pursuant to an exemption under the relevant local law or regulation in any such jurisdiction.
This announcement has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of the Company.
Peel Hunt is acting solely as broker exclusively for the Company and no one else in connection with the contents of this announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this announcement) as its client in relation to the contents of this announcement nor will it be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the contents of this announcement. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on Peel Hunt by the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, Peel Hunt accepts no responsibility whatsoever, and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, for the contents of this announcement including its accuracy, completeness or verification or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on behalf of it, the Company or any other person, in connection with the Company and the contents of this announcement respect, whether as to the past or the future. Peel Hunt accordingly disclaims all and any liability whatsoever, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above), which it might otherwise have in respect of the contents of this announcement or any such statement.
Any indication in this announcement of the price at which the ordinary shares in the Company have been subscribed for, or bought or sold, in the past cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance. No statement in this announcement is intended to be a profit forecast 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 Placing Shares and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of the Placing Shares.
Copies of this announcement are available from the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.
Neither the London Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents of this announcement.
The GBP/USD exchange used in respect of the Placing is £1.00:US$1.415.
Details of the Placing
The Placing is being conducted through an accelerated bookbuilding process to be undertaken by Peel Hunt acting as sole bookrunner (the "Bookbuild"). The books for the Placing will open with immediate effect. The Placing is subject to the terms and conditions set out in Appendix 1 (which forms part of this announcement). The timing of the closing of the Bookbuild and allocations are at the discretion of Peel Hunt and the Company. Closing of the Placing will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the Bookbuild.
The Placing is not being underwritten and is subject to the conditions and termination rights set out in the placing agreement between the Company and Peel Hunt (the "Placing Agreement"). Further details of the Placing Agreement can be found in the terms and conditions of the Placing contained in Appendix 1 of this announcement.
The completion of the Placing is conditional upon inter alia, the approval of shareholders at a general meeting of the Company (the "General Meeting"), admission of the Placing Shares to trading on AIM and the completion of the Greenstone Subscription.
At the General Meeting, the Company will be seeking to pass both ordinary and special resolutions (which will require votes in favour from at least 75% of the ordinary shares in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") present and voting at the General Meeting) in order to give full effect to the Placing.
Fratelli Investments Limited who holds Ordinary Shares representing approximately 55.13% of the Company's current issued share capital (and which following the Greenstone Subscription will equate to 38.69% of the Ordinary Shares in issue and capable of being voted at the General Meeting) has irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the resolutions.
Greenstone (who, on completion of the Greenstone Subscription, will hold 29.82% of Ordinary Shares in issue and capable of being voted at the General Meeting), has, subject to the completion of the Greenstone Subscription, irrevocably undertaken to vote in favour of the resolutions.
The Placing Shares will rank pari passu with the existing issued ordinary shares.
Subject to shareholder approval at the General Meeting, application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Placing Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM ("Admission"). Recognising the obligations and requirements resulting from the listing of the shares of the Company in Canada, it is expected that Admission will take place at 8:00 a.m. on or around 14 May 2018 and in any event no later than 14 June 2018. Concurrently the Placing Shares will be listed for trading on the TSX.
A circular convening the General Meeting with an accompanying explanatory memorandum which provides further information on the proposed resolutions to be considered at the General Meeting will be sent to shareholders shortly. This circular will be available at www.serabigold.com.
The Appendix sets out further information relating to the Bookbuild and the terms and conditions of the Placing.
Background to and reasons for the Placing
Following positive feedback from the Greenstone Subscription, the Company decided to pursue a placing to give access to further capital and to widen its shareholder base through the introduction of a broad range of investors who are also supportive of the Company's plans and ambitions. The further funds raised pursuant to the Placing will allow the Company to accelerate further exploration and evaluation work at Palito, Sao Chico and Coringa and develop additional growth opportunities as the Company moves towards its targeted production of 100,000 ounces of gold per annum.
As announced on 23 March 2018, as well as providing working capital for the Company's recently acquired Coringa Gold Project ("Coringa"), the Greenstone Subscription will allow the Company to expand its current 8,000 metre drill programme. This current programme is focusing on step out drilling on the current Palito mineral resources, and the Greenstone Subscription allows the Company to continue this programme at Palito beyond the current 8,000 metres, as well as commence drilling at Sao Chico, where drilling will focus on step out drilling within the mining tenement as well as drilling the geophysical anomalies identified in 2016. The Company intends to use part of the Placing proceeds to complete a Phase 2 drilling programme, which comprises drilling the 2011 discoveries at Palito which do not currently form part of the Group's mineral resources, whilst at Sao Chico step out drilling will be undertaken along strike and beyond the limits of the current mining tenement.
The Placing proceeds will also enable Serabi to accelerate its regional exploration programme and enable the early repayment of US$3 million of the Company's total US$8 million loan with Sprott Resources Lending Partnership.
The directors intend to use the proceeds from the Placing (exclusive of costs and commissions which will be met from existing resources) as follows:
Use of the Placing procceds | |
Coringa Drilling | US$2m |
Regional Exploration (Airborne Geophysics) | US$1m |
Drilling programme Palito and Sao Chico - Phase 2 | US$2m |
Retirement of Sprott Loan | US$3m |
Minimum gross proceeds | US$8m |
As announced on 23 March 2018, the proceeds for the Greenstone Subscription will be used as follows:
Use of Greenstone Subscription proceeds | |
Second Installment of acquisition payment for Coringa project which following agreement with the Vendors is now due on 16 April 2018 | US$5m |
2018 Working Capital for Coringa | US$4m |
Expansion of Drilling programme Palito and Sao Chico - Phase 1 | US$4m |
Corporate Working Capital | US$2m |
Use of Greenstone subscription | US$15m |
Qualified Persons Statement
The scientific and technical information contained within this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over 26 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.
Glossary of Technical Terms
The following is a glossary of technical terms:
Note: Mineral resources and reserves were estimated in conformity with the widely accepted CIM Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices Guidelines (the "Guidelines") and are reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101" and the definitions applicable to individual categories of reserves and resources are set out in the Guidelines. The Glossary below includes only a summary of these definitions and readers can access the full definitions at http://web.cim.org/standards/menupage.cfm?sections=177&menu=178
"Au" means gold.
"CIM" means Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.
"development" - excavations used to establish access to the mineralised rock and other workings.
"grade" is the concentration of mineral within the host rock typically quoted as grams per tonne (g/t), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).
"g/t" means grams per tonne.
"Indicated Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed.
"Inferred Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
"Measured Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity.
"Mineral Resource" is a concentration or occurrence of diamonds, natural solid inorganic material, or natural solid fossilized organic material including base and precious metals, coal, and industrial minerals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge.
"Mineral Reserve" is the economically mineable part of a Measured or Indicated Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A Mineral Reserve includes diluting materials and allowances for losses that may occur when the material is mined.
"Probable Mineral Reserve" is the economically mineable part of an Indicated and, in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource demonstrated by at least a Preliminary Feasibility Study. This Study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified.
"Proven Mineral Reserve" is the economically mineable part of a Measured Mineral Resource. A Proven Mineral Reserve implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying Factors.
"t" means tonnes
"Vein" is a generic term to describe an occurrence of mineralised rock within an area of non-mineralised rock.
APPENDIX 1
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PLACING
THE ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDING THIS APPENDIX (TOGETHER THE "ANNOUNCEMENT") AND THE INFORMATION IN IT IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND OR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION, RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE PLACING FOR INVITED PLACEES ONLY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS APPENDIX AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT HEREIN ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT: (A) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS AS DEFINED IN SECTION 86(7) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 AS AMENDED, ("QUALIFIED INVESTORS") BEING PERSONS FALLING WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF THE EU PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE (WHICH MEANS DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC (AS AMENDED BY DIRECTIVE 2010/73/EC)) AND INCLUDES ANY RELEVANT IMPLEMENTING DIRECTIVE MEASURE IN ANY MEMBER STATE) (THE "PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE"); (B) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, QUALIFIED INVESTORS WHO ARE PERSONS WHO (I) HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS AND ARE "INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS" FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE "ORDER''); AND (II) ARE PERSONS FALLING 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 TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS "RELEVANT PERSONS").
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. 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 APPENDIX DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.
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, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF SECURITIES IS BEING MADE IN THE UNITED STATES.
NEITHER THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON OR ENDORSED THE MERITS OF THE PLACING OR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE IN THE UNITED STATES.
EACH PLACEE (BEING THE PERSON PROCURED BY PEEL HUNT TO SUBSCRIBE FOR PLACING SHARES) SHOULD CONSULT WITH ITS OWN ADVISERS AS TO LEGAL, TAX, BUSINESS AND RELATED ASPECTS OF ANY INVESTMENT IN PLACING SHARES.
Persons who are invited to and who choose to participate in the Placing, by making (or on whose behalf there is made) an oral or written offer to subscribe for Placing Shares (the "Placees"), will be deemed to have read and understood this Announcement, including this Appendix, in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, and undertakings contained in this Appendix. In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants and acknowledges to Peel Hunt and the Company that:
The Company and Peel Hunt will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, acknowledgements and undertakings. Peel Hunt does not make any representation to any Placees regarding an investment in the Placing Shares referred to in this Announcement (including this Appendix).
This Announcement does not constitute an offer, and may not be used in connection with an offer, to sell or issue or the solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for Placing Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is or may be unauthorised or unlawful and any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws in such jurisdiction. This Announcement and the information contained herein is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, to persons in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan or South Africa or in any other jurisdiction in which such publication or distribution is unauthorised or unlawful. Persons (including, without limitation, custodians, nominees and trustees) into whose possession this Announcement and this Appendix may come are required by the Company to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions of transfer of this Announcement. No public offer of securities of the Company is being made in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere.
In particular, the Placing Shares referred to in this Announcement have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any laws of or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred within the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. No public offering of the Placing Shares or any other securities is being made in the United States. No money, securities or other consideration from any person inside the United States is being solicited pursuant to this Announcement, the Placing, or the Bookbuild and, if sent in response to the information contained in the Announcement, will not be accepted. This Announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The Placing Shares are being offered and sold outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission or other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.
The Placing Shares have not been and will not be qualified for distribution under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and distribution of the Placing Shares in Canada will be made on a basis that is exempt from the prospectus requirements of Canadian securities laws; no prospectus has been lodged with or registered by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; and the Placing Shares have not been nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the securities laws of any state, province or territory of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan or South Africa. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan or South Africa or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.
Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of this Appendix or the Announcement of which it forms part should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.
Terms defined elsewhere in this document have the same meaning in this Appendix, unless the context requires otherwise. In this Appendix the following additional definition shall apply:
(a) "Peel Hunt Person" means any person being (i) Peel Hunt or any member (partner) of Peel Hunt, (ii) an undertaking which is a subsidiary undertaking of Peel Hunt, (iii) a parent undertaking of Peel Hunt or (other than Peel Hunt) a subsidiary undertaking of any such parent undertaking, or (iv) a director, partner, officer, agent or employee of any such person.
(b) Various dates referred to in this document are stated on the basis of the expected timetable for the Placing. It is possible that some of these dates may be changed. The expected date for Admission is on or around 14 May 2018 and, in any event, the latest date for Admission is 14 June 2018 (the "Long Stop Date").
Information to Distributors
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 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) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Placing Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Placing Shares the subject of the Placing 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 "Target Market Assessment").
Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Distributors should note that: the price of the Placing Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment; the Placing Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection; and an investment in the 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 the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Placing. Furthermore, it is noted that, notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, Peel Hunt 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 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 Placing Shares.
Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the Placing Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.
The Placing
Peel Hunt has entered into a placing agreement with the Company under which it has, on the terms and subject to the conditions set out therein, undertaken to use its reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for the Placing Shares at the Placing Price. To the extent Peel Hunt does not procure subscribers for Placing Shares as required, including those Placees procured by the Company, Peel Hunt will not itself subscribe for such shares.
The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing issued ordinary shares in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares"), including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or in respect of the Ordinary Shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.
Participation in, and principal terms of, the Placing
Participation in the Placing is only available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate in it by Peel Hunt.
All such times and dates will be subject to amendment at Peel Hunt's discretion, except that in no circumstances will the date scheduled for Admission be later than the Long Stop Date.
No Prospectus
The 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 a prospectus in the United Kingdom or in any other jurisdiction. No offering document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, the LSE or any other regulatory body in relation to the Placing and Placees' commitments in respect of Placing Shares will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this Announcement and the terms and conditions contained in this appendix.
Application for Admission to Trading on AIM
Application will be made to London Stock Exchange plc ("LSE") for the Placing Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM, the market owned and operated by the LSE ("AIM"), ("Admission"). Admission will occur on a date to be advised but expected to be on or around 8.00 am on 14 May 2018 (or such later date as may be agreed between the Company and Peel Hunt, provided that such date is no later than the Long Stop Date).
Settlement
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares will take place inside the CREST system.
Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares will, unless otherwise agreed, take place on a delivery versus payment basis within the CREST system administered by Euroclear UK and Ireland Limited ("CREST").
The Company will procure the delivery of the Placing Shares to CREST accounts operated by Peel Hunt for the Company and Peel Hunt will enter its delivery (DEL) instructions into the CREST system. The input to CREST by each Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant Placing Shares to that Placee against payment.
The Company reserves the right to require settlement for and delivery of the Placing Shares (or a portion thereof) to any Placee in any form it requires if, in Peel Hunt's opinion, delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within CREST or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.
Following the close of the Bookbuild for the Placing, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing may be sent a Contract Note stating the number of Placing Shares, the Placing Price and the subscription amount payable to be allocated to it and will be required to provide Peel Hunt with funds sufficient to purchase such securities prior to the Closing Date.
Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, the Company may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for the Company's 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 aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf.
It is expected that settlement will take place on or about 14 May 2018 in CREST on a T+29 basis in accordance with the instructions set out in the Contract Note. Settlement will be through Peel Hunt against CREST ID: 871.
Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with the applicable registration and settlement procedures, including if applicable, CREST rules and regulations and settlement instructions that it has in place with Peel Hunt.
If the Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the Contract Note is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation.
Trade date: 29 March 2018
Settlement date: 14 May 2018 (Electronic)
ISIN code for the Placing Shares: GB00B4T0YL77
No UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax should be payable to the extent that the Placing Shares are issued into CREST to, or to the nominee of, a Placee who holds those shares beneficially (and not as agent or nominee for any other person) within the CREST system and registered in the name of such Placee or such Placee's nominee provided that the Placing Shares are not issued to a person whose business is or includes issuing depositary receipts or the provision of clearance services or to an agent or nominee for any such person.
The agreement to settle a Placee's subscription (and/or the subscription of a person for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to a subscription by it and/or such person direct from the Company for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes that the Placing Shares are not being subscribed for in connection with arrangements to issue depositary receipts or to transfer the Placing Shares into a clearance service. If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other subsequent dealing in the Placing Shares, UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable, for which neither the Company nor Peel Hunt will be responsible, and the Placee to whom (or on behalf of whom, or in respect of the person for whom it is participating in the Placing as an agent or nominee) the allocation, allotment, issue or delivery of Placing Shares has given rise to such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax undertakes to pay such UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax forthwith and to indemnify on an after-tax basis and to hold harmless the Company and Peel Hunt in the event that the Company or Peel Hunt has incurred any such liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify Peel Hunt accordingly.
In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the UK by them or any other person on the subscription by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to subscribe for any Placing Shares.
Placing Agreement
Peel Hunt entered into the Placing Agreement with the Company today under which Peel Hunt has agreed on a conditional basis to use its reasonable endeavours as agent of the Company to procure Placees at the Placing Price for the Placing Shares.
Conditions to the Placing
The Placing is conditional on, among other things:
If:
the Placing in relation to the Placing Shares will lapse and the Placee's rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.
Peel Hunt may, in its absolute discretion, upon such terms as it thinks fit, waive compliance by the Company with certain of the Company's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement save that the certain conditions including the condition relating to Admission taking place may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect the Placees' commitments as set out in this Announcement.
Peel Hunt reserves the right to waive or extend the time and or date for the fulfilment of any of the conditions in the Placing Agreement to a time no later than 8 00 a.m. on the Long Stop Date.
If any condition in the Placing Agreement is not fulfilled or waived by Peel Hunt by the relevant time, the Placing will lapse and each Placee's rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will cease and terminate at such time.
Neither the Company nor Peel Hunt 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 it 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 Placing nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally and by participating in the Placing, each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Company and Peel Hunt.
Termination
The Placing Agreement may be terminated by Peel Hunt at any time prior to Admission in certain circumstances including, among other things, following a material breach of the Placing Agreement by the Company or the occurrence of certain force majeure events. The exercise of any right of termination pursuant to the Placing Agreement, any waiver of any condition in the Placing Agreement and any decision by Peel Hunt whether or not to extend the time for satisfaction of any condition in the Placing Agreement will be within the absolute discretion of Peel Hunt. Following Admission, the Placing Agreement is not capable of rescission or termination.
The rights and obligations of the Placees shall terminate only in the circumstances described in these terms and conditions and will not be subject to termination by the Placee or any prospective Placee at any time or in any circumstances. By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by Peel Hunt of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of Peel Hunt, and that it need not make any reference to Placees and that it shall have no liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise.
Offer personal
The offering of Placing Shares and the agreement arising from acceptance of the Placing is personal to each Placee and does not constitute an offering to any other person or to the public. A Placee may not assign, transfer, or in any other manner, deal with its rights or obligations under the agreement arising from the acceptance of the Placing, without the prior written agreement of Peel Hunt in accordance with all relevant legal requirements.
Payment default
A Placee's entitlement to receive any Placing Shares under the Placing will be conditional on Peel Hunt's receipt of payment in full for such Placing Shares by the relevant time to be stated in the written confirmation referred to above, or by such later time and date as Peel Hunt and the Company may in their absolute discretion determine, and otherwise in accordance with that confirmation's terms.
If any Placee fails to make such payment by the required time for any Placing Shares:
Placees' representations, warranties and undertakings to the Company and Peel Hunt
By agreeing with Peel Hunt to be allotted Placing Shares under the Placing and participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee (and any person acting on a Placee's behalf) irrevocably acknowledges and confirms and represents and warrants and undertakes to, and agrees with, each of the Company and Peel Hunt (in its capacity as placing agent) and each of their respective affiliates, in each case as a fundamental term of such Placee's acceptance of its Placing participation and of the Company's obligation to allot and/or issue any Placing Shares to it or at its direction, that:
Entire Agreement
The terms set out in this Announcement (including the Appendix) and the allocation of Placing Shares (including the subscription amount payable) as confirmed to a Placee, constitute the entire agreement to the terms of the Placing and a Placee's participation in the Placing to the exclusion of prior representations, understandings and agreements between them. Any variation of such terms must be in writing.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
The agreement arising out of acceptance of the Placing and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with the Placing or formation thereof (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England. Each Placee irrevocably agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England to settle any claim or dispute that arises out of or in connection with the agreement arising out of acceptance of the Placing or its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).
ENDS