Strategic Development and Update re Loan Notes

RNS Number : 1842V

Cadence Minerals PLC

01 November 2017

 

Cadence Minerals Plc

("Cadence Minerals", "Cadence" or "the Company")

Strategic Development

and

Restructuring of Convertible Loan Notes

During September 2017, when we announced the profitable sale of part of our stake in Bacanora Minerals Ltd, we also signalled a strategic shift to redeploy some of our balance sheet resources to other early stage mineral exploration assets.

We are now in the advanced stages of reviewing several early stage lithium assets in well-known lithium jurisdictions where we see the potential to deliver shareholder value by investing in projects that have shorter development timeline to cashflow than a typical lithium carbonate producer. Our intent is to earn in at a project level basis, and we are focused on assets where we can both hold larger stakes and also utilise our considerable mining and financial management expertise to achieve the high level of returns to those made on our portfolio to date.

To support this strategy we have looked to improve our balance sheet flexibility, and therefore the Company has repurchased US$ 6.45 million of the US$12.9 million outstanding secured convertible loan notes (the "Old Convertible Notes"), at par value. The restructuring of the remaining US$6.45 million of the Old Convertible Notes is being completed via the issue of two new convertible loan notes (the "New Convertible Notes"), details of which are shown below.

Key Highlights:

·      The debt restructuring, when completed, will provide a simplified balance sheet structure, and halve the interest burden;

·      It will significantly reduce the cost of debt (convertible loan note coupon of 5% versus a combined interest rate of 2.6% over the New Convertible Loan Notes);

·      The strengthened balance sheet will allow us to advance our strategic shift and in particular, provide long-term funding to new investments up to scoping or pre-feasibility study level; and

·      Alongside this, we will be seeking to develop and foster partnerships which would enable us to fund and develop these new projects once a pre-feasibility has been completed.

Kiran Morzaria, Chief Executive Officer of Cadence, commented:

"The EV revolution has created an unprecedented demand for lithium compounds, even with current forecast capacity for the production of the raw materials, our analysis shows that this will not meet demand in the short to medium term. Cadence's core investments have performed well to date. However, your board sees an opportunity to potentially identify and invest in greenfield projects that could supply the market sooner than a typical lithium carbonate producer."

Detail of Restructuring

Utilising current cash reserves the Company has repurchased US$ 6.45 million of the US$12.9 million Old Convertible Notes, at par value inclusive of the 5% outstanding interest. The outstanding US$6.45 million was restructured via the issue of two New Convertible Notes.

Of the US$ 6.45 million, US$3.9 million was restructured via the issue of the first convertible loan note with the following key terms:

·      Interest will be 0%;

·      The principle repayment will be made in September 2018; and

·      The loan notes are convertible at any time during this period at 0.364 pence (a 12% premium to the closing mid-market price as at 31 October 2017).

The remaining US$2.55 million was restructured via the issue of the second convertible loan note with the following key terms:

·      Interest will be 10%

·      A principle and interest repayment holiday until to January 2018;

·      After which the principle and interest will be paid via equal instalment over nine-month period with the principle being fully repaid by the end of September 2018; and

·      The loan notes are convertible at any time during this period at 0.473 pence (46% premium to the closing mid-market price as at 31 October 2017).

Both notes, as the Old Convertible Notes were, are secured against the Company's assets.

Live Webinar; Friday 10 November

The Company will be hosting a live webinar at 10.00am GMT on Friday 10 November 2017 to discuss this announcement, performance in 2017 and plans for 2018. The live webinar will be available on the following link: http://webcasting.brrmedia.co.uk/broadcast/59ce049bd349960788385564/59ce5e874a51eb870400002b.

Listeners are encouraged to submit questions prior to the call by emailing [e-mail] or by clicking on the question button at the foot of the webcasting.

- Ends -

For further information, please contact.
Cadence Minerals plc	[phone]
Andrew Suckling
Kiran Morzaria
WH Ireland Limited (NOMAD & Broker)	[phone]
James Joyce
James Bavister
Hannam & Partners LLP (Joint Broker)	[phone]
Neil Passmore
Giles Fitzpatrick
Square1 Consulting	[phone]
David Bick

Qualified Person

Kiran Morzaria B.Eng. (ACSM), MBA, has reviewed and approved the information contained in this announcement. Kiran holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Geology) from the Camborne School of Mines and an MBA (Finance) from CASS Business School.

About Cadence Minerals:

Cadence is dedicated to smart investments for a greener world. The planet needs rechargeable batteries on a global scale - upcoming supersized passenger vehicles, lorries and buses - require lithium and other technology minerals to power their cells. Cadence is helping find these minerals in new places and extracting them in new ways, which will meet the demand of this burgeoning market. With over £25 million vested in key assets globally, Cadence is helping us reach tomorrow, today.

Cadence invests across the globe, principally in lithium mining projects. Its primary strategy is taking significant economic stakes in upstream exploration and development assets within strategic metals. We identify assets that have strategic cost advantages that are not replicable, with the aim of achieving lower quartile production costs. The combination of this approach and seeking value opportunities allows us to identify projects capable of achieving high rates of return.

The Cadence board has a blend of mining, commodity investing, fund management and deal structuring knowledge and experience, that is supported by access to key marketing, political and industry contacts. These resources are leveraged not only in our investment decisions but also in continuing support of our investments, whether it be increasing market awareness of an asset, or advising on product mix or path to production. Cadence Mineral's goal is to assist management to rapidly develop the project up the value curve and deliver excellent returns on its investments.

Given the advanced nature of the review of the potential new investments and in accordance with the Company's share dealing code the board is currently prevented from dealing in the Company's shares. The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.

 

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