27 June
2024
The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU)
No. 596/2014 (MAR) as in force in the United Kingdom pursuant to
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of
this announcement via Regulatory Information Service (RIS), this
inside information will be in the public domain.
Andrada Mining LimiteD
("Andrada" or the
"Company")
Proposed Restructuring of
Andrada's Main Operating Company
Andrada Mining Limited (AIM: ATM, OTCQB: ATMTF), the
technology-metals producer with mining and exploration assets in
Namibia, is pleased to announce it has, on 26 June 2024, executed a
legally binding agreement to restructure Uis Tin Mining Company
("UTMC"), the operational
Namibian entity that holds the Company's licences (ML133, ML134 and
ML129) (the "Licences"), to
ensure a more efficient corporate structure going forward, subject
to certain conditions.
Background to the
Transaction
The Company is seeking to increase its ownership
interest in UTMC, from 85% to 100% through the acquisition of the
15% interest currently held by the Small Miners of Uis
("SMU").
The SMU is a not-for-gain (Section 21 of the Namibian
Companies Act 2004) organisation established by the Minister of
Mines and Energy of Namibia to support the economic development of
Namibians in historical mining areas. UTMC was a joint venture
between SMU and Andrada's wholly owned subsidiary Andrada Mining
(Namibia) (Pty) Ltd ("Andrada
Namibia") to ensure the economic development of the
Licences. To date, the collaboration has been considered very
successful in implementing its mandated responsibility to operate
Uis Mine and to develop all the licences. SMU has a 15% interest in
UTMC and under the proposed transaction this interest is being
ultimately sold to Andrada Namibia.
The SMU has approved as part of the transaction, the
transfer of a 5% ownership interest in UTMC, from its original 15%
ownership interest in UTMC, to Sinco Investments Five (Pty) Limited
("Sinco"), to fulfil its
mandate to further empower Namibians and enable access to the
mining industry. Subject to satisfaction of the completion
conditions set out below, Andrada Namibia will then acquire this 5%
interest in UTMC from Sinco, as Sinco has expressed a preference to
hold Andrada listed shares. Sinco is a locally owned and managed
investment company focussed on developing mining and construction
projects within Namibia. It works with partners across the mining
value chain to advance Namibian interests. This transaction is a
continuation of Andrada's strategic positioning to benefit Namibia
through collaboration with SMU to unlock multiple critical minerals
while empowering local Namibians.
The Directors believe that this
transaction will simplify Andrada's ownership structure in the Uis
and Lithium Ridge licences, whilst still giving the SMU and Sinco
economic exposure to the development of the Company's assets
through a shareholding in Andrada itself. The Directors also
believe the new structure will allow streamlining of operations for
value creation and will create the opportunity for more rapid
development of the assets through the introduction of project
specific financing partner solutions.
Anthony Viljoen, Chief Executive
Officer, commented:
"We believe that this transaction reflects the strong and
collaborative relationship Andrada has built with the SMU over the
years. It signifies our mutual growth and development as partners,
and the progression of SMU as an organisation. Furthermore, it
marks a significant step forward, with the aim to leverage our
combined strengths to advance the economic revival of historical
mining areas and upliftment of local
communities.
Building on this
momentum, we have reached a mutually beneficial share swap
agreement that upholds our commitment to empower local Namibians.
The net effect of this restructure should be value-accretive for
all Andrada shareholders and facilitates Andrada's long-term
strategy. Andrada's full ownership of the Uis and Lithium Ridge
licences will provide strategic optionality to enhance the value
proposition of our portfolio, and on completion we will be
well-positioned to unlock the full potential of both assets through
the various ongoing strategic discussions that the Company is
currently undertaking. I look forward to providing updates as the
transactions progress."
Rationale for the
Restructuring
The restructuring is intended to consolidate the
ownership of Uis and Lithium Ridge licences, in order to provide
Andrada with the ability to target and expedite the development of
these individual mining licences through full operational and
strategic control. As part of the transaction, Andrada Namibia will
also dispose of its 85% interest in Licence ML129 to SMU. Whilst
Licence ML129 (known as Spodumene Hill) no longer aligns with
Andrada's current plans, it presents a valuable opportunity for the
SMU to drive immediate development and economic growth in the
Erongo region.
The restructure of ML134 (Uis) and ML133 (Lithium
Ridge) should augment Andrada's strategic dialogue with potential
funding partners and culminate in a series of value-accretive
transactions aimed at realising the full potential of the Company's
lithium resource and asset portfolio. At the same time, this
transaction will allow Andrada to retain its empowerment
credentials in line with its commitment to uplifting economic
empowerment in Namibia, while the SMU will realise near-term value
and remain well-positioned to continue to benefit from Andrada's
future growth.
The two remaining licences will strategically
position the Company to develop its lithium strategy and to attract
partners with expertise in processing lithium for both the
technical (glass - ceramics) and chemical (battery) industries
through the production of petalite and spodumene concentrates
respectively. Whilst the transaction is subject to certain consents
and approvals the Directors are confident that these will be
obtained and look forward to providing updates as this process
progresses.
Details of the
Transaction
As set out above, the Company has today executed a
conditional Share Purchase Agreement ("SPA"), pursuant to which following
satisfaction of the outstanding conditions Andrada Namibia will
acquire 15 ordinary shares of NAD1.00 each in the capital of UTMC
currently held by the Small Miners of Uis ("SMU") and will (as one of the
requirements of the SPA) immediately transfer 5 of those shares to
Sinco. This would result in Andrada Namibia holding, in aggregate,
95 ordinary shares of NAD1.00 each in UTCM, representing a 95%
interest in UTMC, and therefore in the Licences held by UTMC (other
than ML129, which is to be transferred to SMU as part of the
consideration under the SPA) (the Acquisition"). In addition, as part of
the Acquisition arrangements, Andrada Namibia would be granted an
option to acquire the remaining 5% of UTMC transferred to Sinco, as
set out above (the "Option").
Once exercised, Andrada Namibia (and accordingly
Andrada) will then hold a 100% interest in UTMC and a 100% interest
in all of its Licences (with the exception of ML129 which will be
disposed of as part of the Acquisition). As part of the
consideration for the conditional Acquisition the SMU will be
issued with ordinary shares in Andrada, calculated as set out below
(the "Consideration
Shares"). As also set out below, SMU will be paid a cash
payment and will take control of Licence ML129, currently held by
UTMC. In addition, once the Acquisition has completed, the Option
can be exercised and Sinco will be issued with ordinary shares in
Andrada calculated as set out below (the "Option Shares").
Conditions
The Acquisition (including the transfer of ML129) and
the Option are conditional upon, amongst other items, Ministerial
Consent and consents from Orion, Standard Bank and the Development
Bank of Namibia. Accordingly, whilst there can be no guarantee that
the Acquisition or the Option will complete the Directors have
every expectation that they will. Further updates will be provided
in due course.
Consideration
The consideration for the
Acquisition is as follows:
§ The issue by Andrada of
Ordinary Shares to the SMU (for a total value of NAD12 million
(approx. £520 000) using a 30-day VWAP on the date prior to
the completion of the Acquisition).
§ NAD18 million (approx.
£781 000) total cash payment to be paid by Andrada Namibia to
SMU by way of 240 monthly payments of NAD75 000.
§ Transfer of Andrada
Namibia's 85% interest in ML 129 to the SMU.
§ The transfer of 5% of the
shares in UTMC to Sinco.
Exercise of Sinco
Option
Following completion of the Acquisition
documentation, the intention is that Andrada will exercise its
option to acquire the remaining 5% of UTMC held by Sinco. The
consideration for which is the issue by Andrada of Ordinary Shares
in the Company at a total value of NAD24 million (approx. £ 1
million) using a 10-day VWAP on the date prior to the completion of
the Acquisition.
About: ML129
(Spodumene Hill)
The Company's Uis Tin Project is comprised of three
separate mining licences (ML129, ML133 and ML134) each of which has
been historically exploited for tin on varying scales. ML134 is the
main licence of the Company and incorporates the former Uis tin
mine. ML129 is the least advanced of the Company's three licences
and a key portion of the historic exploration details for ML129
(from before Andrada acquired the licence) no longer exist. The
Andrada directors do not consider ML129 to be a material licence in
the Company's portfolio and do not consider it aligns to the
Company's current objectives.
Additional Information in respect of
the 15% interest in UTMC
The losses attaching to the 15%
interest in UTMC for the year ended 28 February 2023 are NAD9 720
115.20 (approx. £423 000) (by reference to the annual audited
accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 of UTMC) and the
turnover attaching to the 15% interest in UTMC for the year ended
28 February 2023 is NAD29 612 777.40 (approx. £1 289 000)
(by reference to the annual audited accounts for the year ended 28
February 2023 of UTMC).
A 15% interest in the gross asset
value of UTMC is NAD90 420 734.70 (approx. £3 935 000)
(by reference to the annual audited accounts for the year ended 28
February 2023 of UTMC).
Additional Information in respect of licence
ML129
There is no turnover and no profits
attaching to licence ML129 (by reference to the annual audited
accounts for the year ended 28 February 2023 of UTMC) and the book
value for ML129 as set out in the annual audited accounts for the
year ended 28 February 2023 of UTMC is NAD24 257 435 (approx.
£1 056 000) (which, as it is only an exploration licence,
reflects costs incurred to date).
CONTACT
Andrada Mining
Anthony Viljoen, CEO
Sakhile Ndlovu, Investor
Relations
|
+27 (11) 268 6555
|
NOMINATED ADVISOR &
BROKER
|
|
WH Ireland Limited
Katy Mitchell
Harry Ansell
Andrew de Andrade
|
+44 (0) 207 220 1666
|
CORPORATE BROKER &
ADVISOR
|
|
H&P Advisory Limited
Andrew Chubb
Jay Ashfield
Matt Hasson
|
+44 (0) 20 7907 8500
|
Berenberg
Jennifer Lee
Natasha Ninkov
|
+44 (0) 20 3753 3040
|
WHI Capital Markets
Harry Ansell
|
+44 (0) 20 7220 1670
|
FINANCIAL PUBLIC
RELATIONS
|
|
Tavistock (United Kingdom)
Jos Simson
Charles Vivian
Josephine Clerkin
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
andrada@tavistock.co.uk
|
About Andrada Mining
Limited
Andrada Mining Limited, formerly
Afritin Mining Limited, is a London-listed technology metals mining
company with a vision to create a portfolio of globally
significant, conflict-free, production and exploration assets. The
Company's flagship asset is the Uis Mine in Namibia, formerly the
world's largest hard-rock open cast tin mine and currently being
re-developed as a major tin-tantalum-lithium producer.
An exploration drilling programme is currently underway with the aim of
expanding the tin resource over the fourteen additional,
historically mined pegmatites that occur within a 5 km radius of
the current processing plant. The Company has set a mineral
resource target of 200 Mt to be delineated within the next 5
years. The existing mine, together with its
substantial mineral resource potential, allows the Company to
consider economies of scale.
Andrada is managed by a board of
directors with broad industry knowledge and a management team with
extensive commercial and technical skills. Furthermore, the Company
is committed to the sustainable development of its operations and
the growth of its business. This is demonstrated by the way the
leadership team places significant emphasis on creating value for
the wider community, investors, and other key stakeholders. Andrada
has established an environmental, social and governance system that
has been implemented at all levels of the Company and aligns with
international standards.