Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: THX) (“
Thor”
or the “
Company”) is pleased to announce that it
has executed its definitive documents with the Africa Finance
Corporation (“
AFC”) to reach full funding of the
Segilola Gold Project in Nigeria (the “
Project”)
and has made the Final Investment Decision to proceed with
construction of the Project. The Company has decided to proceed
with construction, following the implementation of Covid-19
procedures at the Project, established in accordance with industry
best practice and the guidelines set out by the Osun State
Government and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.
Construction commenced in February 2020 and first gold production
is scheduled for Q2 2021.
The executed definitive documents include a
Subscription Agreement with AFC regarding a private placement of
common shares of the Company (the ”Common Shares”)
to AFC of C$5,643,150 (US$4,250,000) through the issuance of
28,215,750 Common Shares at a price of C$0.20 per Common Share (the
“Tranche 2 Shares”). This follows the
tranche 1 closing on December 5 2019 of C$15.800,000
(US$11,830,000). The Company is also pleased to announce the
proposed issuance of 34,750,000 Common Shares against US$5,000,000
of invoices (the “Shares for Debt”) under its EPC
schedule. In the aggregate, the Company expects to close an
anticipated total of C$13,000,000 (US$9,250,000) through the
issuance of 62,965,750 Common Shares at a price of C$0.20 per
Common Share. The Tranche 2 Shares will be subject to a hold
period of four months and one day after the day of such
issuance.
The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary
Segilola Resources Operating Limited, has signed definitive
documents with the AFC on a US$21,000,000 Stream Agreement, and
signed definitive documentation for the provision of US$54,000,000
senior secured credit facility (the “Facility”).
This Facility represents the balance of the funding required for
the construction of the Project and drawdown is subject to
satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. In connection
with the Facility, the Company will issue to AFC 33,329,480 Common
Shares at a deemed price of C$0.20 per Common Share in
consideration of the risk taken by AFC (the “Bonus
Shares”). The Bonus Shares will be subject to a hold
period of four months and one day after the day of such
issuance.
Upon closing of the Facility and the AFC private
placement, the AFC will have provided a combined equity and debt
financing package of US$86,000,000 and hold 19.50% of the total
issued and outstanding Common Shares of Thor.
Thor will use the net proceeds from the AFC
financings as the major component of the capital cost and working
capital requirements to construct the Project. The total funding
requirement to build the Project is approximately
US$98,000,000.
After the closing of the private placement,
issuance of the Shares for Debt and the Bonus Shares, the total
number of shares outstanding is anticipated to be 545,647,445.
The Company has obtained conditional acceptance
from the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) for
the issuance of the Tranche 2 Shares, the Shares for Debt and the
Bonus Shares. Final acceptance of the transactions will be
provided once the transactions have been publicly announced and
executed documents have been filed.
Thor is also pleased to announce that subject to
closing of the transactions described above, it has now attained
full funding for the Project and that it has made the final
investment decision to proceed with construction of
Segilola.
Board AppointmentThor is pleased to appoint and
welcome to it’s board, an AFC nominee, Mr. Oliver Andrews. Oliver
is an Executive Director and the Chief Investment Officer at AFC.
Oliver has over 35 years experience in investing and developing
infrastructure as well as mining projects and transactions. Oliver
is joining the Thor board as a Non-executive Director at an
important time, and is bringing significant experience and
additional governance to the board.
Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “The
closing of these financings will mark Thor’s most significant
milestone to date and the Company is delighted to be in this
position. This Project is the first of its kind in Nigeria, a
country where we believe there is considerable geological
potential. The initial Project economics are excellent and we have
the right team in place to build, operate and capitalise on our
first mover advantage in Nigeria. We expect the pouring of first
gold at Segilola in Q2 2021.
The Company is also delighted to welcome Oliver
Andrews to its board of directors. As Chief Investment Officer of
AFC, he brings significant expertise and in country knowledge that
will futher strengthen the Company’s board. We look forward to
working with both Oliver and the AFC as we build the Project and
move into the production phase.
Ensuring the health and safety of our employees,
contractors and the communities in which we operate is our highest
priority. Since January 2020, we have been working closely with our
EPC contractor Norinco International Cooperation Limited
(“Norinco”) in order to develop and implement
contingency planning in relation to the outbreak of COVID-19, which
the World Health Organisation categorised as a pandemic on 11 March
2020. In partnership with Norinco, we have confirmed the
manufacturing capacity of our suppliers and mobilised our EPC team
who have now been on-site for the last 6 weeks.”
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3081e753-26a5-447f-8f07-cccc296df839https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac75755c-0130-4dd4-85cb-3695a2c7a4c6
Highlights of the Financing:
- Total expected fundraising of US$104,500,000
- Tranche 1 private placement (closed on December 5 2019) raising
gross proceeds of C$15,733,850 (US$11,830,000) through the issuance
of 78,669,250 Common Shares at a price of C$0.20
- Anticipated Tranche 2 private placement offering of C$5,973,800
(US$4,250,000) through the anticipated issuance of 28,215,750
Common Shares at a price of C$0.20 per Common Share
- Anticipated issuance of 34,750,000 shares at a price of C$0.20
per Common Share in lieu of US$5,000,000 (C$6,950,000) of EPC
construction costs
- Anticipated closing of US$21,000,000 gold stream
prepayment
- Anticipated closing of US$6,500,000 EPC deferred payment
facility
- Anticipated closing of US$54,000,000 senior secured credit
facility
The proceeds of the private placements will be
used to advance the construction of the Project and general working
capital purposes.
Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO, Africa
Finance Corporation stated: “As a long-term committed investor of
Thor, AFC is pleased to participate in the full funding of this
landmark project which represents not only a good quality asset,
but also sets a benchmark for the future of commercial gold mining
in Nigeria.
“Additionally, we recognise the challenges that
arise from the COVID-19 landscape emerging, and the effect it has
on supply chains. As an institution, AFC believes the safety and
wellbeing of the communities which we serve must come first. We
therefore stand ready to provide the support which Thor may require
to navigate these challenging times.”
Financing TermsThis financing
terms set out in this news release supersede all previous
announcements
Equity Placement:
- Total of US$21,000,000 to be raised upon closing at $0.20 per
share in two tranches and issuance of Common Shares for debt
against EPC contract services.
Senior secured credit facility (the
“Facility”)
- US$54,000,000
- Five year term from Financial Close
- 21 Month Moratorium after financial close on Principal
- Interest rate of LIBOR + 9.0%
- Issue of 33,329,480 Common Shares issued to AFC
- The Facility is secured against assets of Thor’s wholly owned
subsidiary, Segilola Resources Operating Limited (“SROL”)
- Drawdown on the Facility is subject to completing customary
conditions precedent
Gold Stream Agreement (the “Stream”)
- US$21,000,000 deposit
- The stream applies to 10.27% of gold production where the
Company will receive 30% of the prevailing market price up to a
maximum of 2.25x money multiple on the deposit amount
Offtake Agreement (the “Offtake”)
- Applies to 89.73% of gold production up to the recoverable
ounces at financial close capped at 375,736 oz
Other Facilities
- Total of US$8,500,000 through US$6,500,000 EPC deferred EPC
payment facility and a US$2,000,000 working capital facility from
the reagent and consumable supplier.
All Common Shares issued in connection with the
private placements will be subject to a statutory four-month hold
period.
An updated presentation can be found on the Company’s website:
www.thorexpl.com
COVID-19 As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic
continues to have a global effect, the health and safety of our
employees, communities and contractors are our utmost priority. The
Company is taking steps and precautions to address the effects of
the pandemic responsibly and to limit potential exposure to the
rapidly changing situation.
Measures have been put in place to monitor and
mitigate against the spread of COVID -19 which includes
testing, monitoring, and all-round practices of cleanliness and
washing to ensure any instances of COVID-19 are instantly
monitored and identified. A handbook has been provided for all
personnel and both HSE teams from Thor and Norinco continue to
report on this on a daily basis following constant monitoring. All
government and regulatory rules are also adhered to.
About Thor
Thor Explorations Ltd. is a Canadian mineral
exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and
development of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and
Burkina Faso. Thor holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold
Project located in Osun State of Nigeria and a 70% interest in the
Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. Thor also
holds a 49% interest in the Bongui and Legue gold permits located
in Houndé greenstone belt, south west Burkina Faso. Thor trades on
the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “THX”.
About Africa Finance Corporation
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), an
investment-grade multilateral finance institution, was established
in 2007 with an equity capital base of US$1 billion, to be the
catalyst for private-sector-led infrastructure investment across
Africa. AFC has a current balance sheet size of approximately
US$5.07 billion and is the second-highest investment-grade-rated
multilateral financial institution in Africa with an A3 (Stable
outlook) rating from Moody’s Investor Services. AFC invests in high
quality infrastructure assets in Africa that provide essential
services in the core infrastructure sectors of power, natural
resources, heavy industry, transport and telecommunications. To
date, AFC has investment approximately US$6.6 billion in project
across 30 African countries.
The Segilola Gold Project
The Segilola Gold Project is considered the most
advanced gold project in Nigeria. Thor completed a definitive
feasibility study (DFS) on the Segilola Open Pit Reserve and a
Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on the Segilola Underground
Resource in February 2019.
THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD. Segun Lawson President & CEO
For further information please contact:
Thor Explorations LtdKirsti Mattson (Investor Relations)Tel: +1
778-434-2241 Email: info@thorexpl.com
BlytheweighCamilla Horsfall / Megan Ray / Rachael Brooks Tel:
+44 207 138 3203
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release does not constitute an offer
to purchase securities. The securities to be offered in the
offering have not been and will not be registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities
laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or
for the benefit or account of, a U.S. person, except pursuant to an
available exemption from such registration requirements.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the statements of historical fact
contained herein, the information presented constitutes “forward
looking statements” within the meaning of certain securities laws,
and is subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions
that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ
materially form the forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the
Company’s ability to close the Equity Placements, the transactions
contemplated in the Facility, the Stream, the Offtake and the other
facilities described in this news release, to fully finance the
Project, to bring the Project into operation or to produce gold
from the Project, the geological potential of Nigeria and the
Project, the economics of the Project, the date of the pouring of
the first gold at Segilola, the impact of COVID-19, and the use of
the proceeds of the Equity Placements. The words “may”,
“could”, “should”, “would”, “suspect”, “outlook”, “believe”,
“anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “target” and
similar words and expressions are used to identify forward-looking
information. The forward-looking information in this news release
describes the Company’s expectations as of the date of this news
release and accordingly, is subject to change after such date.
Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking
information and should not rely upon this information as of any
other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not
undertake to update this information at any particular time.
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