Euro Manganese Inc. (TSX-V and ASX: EMN; OTCXB: EUMNF; Frankfurt:
E06) (the “
Company” or “
Euro
Manganese”) today announced a brokered and conditional
placement (the “
Conditional Placement”) of common
shares (“
New Shares”) and CHESS Depositary
Interests (“
New CDIs”) in the
Company (together, “
New Securities”) for up to
approximately C$5.9 million (A$6.5 million)1 at a price of C$0.036
(A$0.039)1 pre- Consolidation (defined below) per New Security (the
“
Equity Raising Price”), including a subscription
from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(“
EBRD”) of approximately C$3.1 million (A$3.5
million)1. Use of proceeds for the Conditional Placement will be
for be for ongoing development of the Chvaletice Manganese Project
and customer engagements to secure additional offtake term sheets
and strategic investments.
In addition to the Conditional Placement, the
Company intends to offer eligible existing shareholders the
opportunity to participate in a Share Purchase Plan to raise up to
a further C$3.6 (A$4.0 million)1 at the Equity Raising Price (the
“SPP” and together with the Conditional Placement,
the “Equity Raising”).
Completion of the Equity Raising is conditional
on a minimum of C$8.0 million (A$8.8 million)1 being raised in
aggregate under the Conditional Placement and the SPP, and receipt
of shareholder approval being obtained at the Company’s annual
general and special meeting of shareholders expected to be held in
late April (“Meeting”).
Under the Equity Raising, investors will also
receive one (1) warrant to purchase an additional common share or
CDI of the Company for every one (1) New Security subscribed for,
with an exercise price of C$0.045 per warrant (pre-Consolidation)
and an expiry date 18 months from the date of issue
(“Warrants”).
Prior to closing of the Conditional Placement,
subject to receipt of TSX-V approval, the Company will undertake a
consolidation of its existing securities, including all shares
represented by CDIs on the Australian Securities Exchange
(“ASX”), at a ratio of five (5) pre-consolidation
shares to one (1) post-consolidation share (the
“Consolidation”). The Company will provide a
further update on the anticipated effective date of the
Consolidation in due course but it is currently anticipated to
occur in late March or early April. In accordance with the policies
of the TSX-V, the Consolidation must be completed by the Company
prior to completion of the Conditional Placement. Subscriptions for
all New Securities in the Equity Raising will be completed on a
post-Consolidation basis. However, for the avoidance of doubt, all
references to New Securities, Warrants, Broker Warrants, Additional
Warrants and all dollar figures in this news release are on a
pre-Consolidation basis.
Ms. Martina Blahova, Interim CEO of Euro
Manganese, commented:
“This critical financing enables the Company to
pursue certain key milestones and advance Project development,
including securing offtake agreements and additional offtake term
sheets, and pursuing an investment from a strategic investor, the
operation of the demonstration plant to market our product to
potential customers and to advance permitting. As one of Euro
Manganese’s largest shareholders, EBRD’s follow-on investment
reinforces its support and commitment to the Project. The
Chvaletice Manganese Project remains pivotal in building a
sustainable European EV battery supply chain—essential to Europe’s
transition to e-mobility.”
Details of the Equity
Raising
Details of the Conditional Placement
The Company has received firm commitments to
raise C$5.9million (A$6.5 million)1 through the issue of
approximately 94.1 million New Shares and 72.7 million New CDIs at
an issue price of C$0.036 (or A$0.039)1 per New Security,
representing:
- A 15.2% discount to the last closing price on the ASX on
Tuesday, 3 March 2025 of A$0.046;
- A 20.0% discount to the last closing price on the TSXV on
Tuesday, 3 March 2025 of C$0.045;
The Company will call and hold the Meeting to
approve the issuance of New Securities and Warrants to be issued
under the Conditional Placement and the issuance of the New
Securities and Warrants to be issued under the SPP and will file a
management information circular in connection with the Meeting in
due course in accordance with applicable securities laws. The
Conditional Placement consists of:
- Approximately
94.1 million New Shares and 72.7 million New CDIs and approximately
166.8 million Warrants, for aggregate gross proceeds of C$5.9
million (A$6.5 million)1 and includes New Securities to be
subscribed for by EBRD for gross proceeds of approximately C$3.1
million (A$3.5 million)1, comprised of approximately 88.9 million
New Securities (the “EBRD Subscription”). As the
New Securities exceed the number of securities that the Company can
issue under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 without shareholder approval, this
issuance will be subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders
at the Meeting.
- Subscriptions by
related parties of the Company (consisting of directors of the
Company and companies controlled by directors of the Company) for
approximately 1.0 million New Securities, for gross proceeds of
approximately C$37,500 (A$41,250)1 (“Related Party
Subscription”), which are subject to approval by the
Company’s shareholders as required by ASX Listing Rules 10.11.1 and
10.11.4.
Since certain directors and management of the
Company are expected to participate in the Related Party
Subscription, the Conditional Placement is expected to be a related
party transaction subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -
Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions
(“MI 61-101”). The Company intends to rely on
exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder
approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a)
of MI 61-101 on the basis that participation in the Conditional
Placement by such directors and management is not expected to
exceed 25% of the fair market value of the Company’s market
capitalization, as calculated in accordance with MI 61-101.
Details of the Share Purchase Plan
In addition to the Conditional Placement, the
Company intends to offer existing eligible shareholders
(“Eligible Shareholders”) with a registered
address in Australia or New Zealand who were holders of CDIs on the
ASX at 5.00pm (AEDT) on March 5, 2025 in Australia (“Record
Date”), the opportunity to subscribe for up to A$30,000
worth of New CDIs at the same price as the Conditional Placement
(being A$0.039 per New CDI), by way of a share purchase plan offer
without incurring brokerage fees to raise up to C$3.6 million
(A$4.0 million)1 (the “SPP”). For the avoidance of
doubt, both the Conditional Placement and the SPP are conditional
on a minimum of C$8.0 million (A$8.8 million)1 being raised in
aggregate and shareholder approval being obtained at the
Meeting.
Under the SPP, Eligible Shareholders will also
receive one (1) Warrant to purchase an additional CDI of the
Company for every one (1) New Security subscribed for under the
SPP.
The New CDIs issued as part of the SPP will rank
equally with the Company’s existing CDIs on issue. The Company
retains the right to accept oversubscriptions or to scale back
applications (in whole or part) at its absolute discretion (subject
to applicable law including compliance with the ASX Listing Rules),
which may result in the SPP raising more or less than C$3.6 million
(A$4.0 million)1. The Company also reserves the right to place any
shortfall under the SPP (at the Equity Raising Price) to
sophisticated and/or institutional investors. The Warrants issued
under the SPP, together with New Securities and Warrants to be
issued under the Conditional Placement, will also be subject to
shareholder approval at the Meeting under ASX Listing Rule 7.1.
Full details of the SPP, including the terms and
conditions thereof, including any conditions to closing of the SPP,
and the offer for the Warrants will be set out in a prospectus (the
“SPP Prospectus”), which will be released to the
ASX and dispatched to Eligible Shareholders before the SPP opens.
The Company reserves the right to vary the terms of the SPP without
notice. Eligible Shareholders should review the SPP Prospectus in
full before deciding whether or not to participate in the
SPP.
Proceeds from the SPP will be allocated for the
same purposes as funds raised under the Conditional Placement.
The securities to be issued or made issuable
under the Conditional Placement and the SPP, as well as the
Additional Warrants, have not been and will not be registered under
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state
securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States
or to U.S. Persons absent registration or an applicable exemption
from registration. This press release is not an offer or a
solicitation of an offer of securities for sale in the United
States, nor will there be any sale of the securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be
unlawful.
Applicable Hold Periods
New Shares issued or made issuable will not be
permitted to be traded in or into Canada or through TSXV for 4
months and 1 day following completion and will be subject to
legending requirements under Canadian securities laws. New Shares
will be listed on the TSXV, and CDIs listed on the ASX. Warrants
will not be listed. New CDIs will not be permitted to
be exchanged for common shares and traded on TSXV for 4 months and
1 day from their date of issue.
CDIs or common shares issued upon exercise of
the Warrants during the four month period and 1 day after
completion are subject to the same restrictions noted above.
The Warrants may not be traded in or into Canada
for 4 months and 1 day following completion and will be subject to
legending requirements under Canadian securities laws.
European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development
EBRD is a multilateral development bank
established in 1991 to foster the development of market economies
through private-sector investments with commercial partners. EBRD
has invested over €210 billion in more than 7,300 projects across
three continents. Providing policy guidance, technical assistance,
and capacity building to enhance governance, competitiveness and
sustainability.
Closing of the EBRD Subscription is conditional
upon the Conditional Placement and the SPP raising an aggregate of
C$8.0 million (A$8.8 million)1 (inclusive of the EBRD
Subscription). In connection with the EBRD Subscription, Euro
Manganese and EBRD are entering into a project support agreement
whereby, subject to certain conditions, EBRD will be granted
certain offtake rights for up to 20% of the Company’s production,
the right to appoint a director, and participation rights.
If the EBRD Subscription is completed and
assuming completion of the Conditional Placement raising at least
C$8,000,000, including the EBRD Subscription, EBRD will
beneficially own and control, in the aggregate, up to 25.8 million
Shares and 22.2 million Warrants (including the securities acquired
under the EBRD’s initial investment in 2022). Assuming completion
of the Conditional Placement raising at least C$8,000,000,
including the EBRD Subscription, EBRD will beneficially own and
control an aggregate of approximately 19.99% of the issued and
outstanding common shares of the Company (including approximately
17.8 million common shares EBRD currently owns), as calculated in
accordance with NI 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related
Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, representing an
increase in beneficial ownership of approximately 89.9 million
Shares and an increase of 15.5% (on a post-conversion and
post-exercise basis and excluding any exercise by any other
securityholders of the Company of convertible or exchangeable
securities owned by them) from its current holdings of
approximately 17.8 million Shares (4.42%). Pursuant to the terms of
the warrant certificate to be issued to EBRD, EBRD will not be
permitted to exercise such number of Warrants if, following such
exercise, EBRD (together with its associates and affiliates and any
other persons or entities who would be deemed to be acting “in
concert” with EBRD for the purposes of the definition of “Change of
Control” in Policy 1.1 of the TSX-V Corporate Finance Manual) would
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 19.99% of the
outstanding Shares of the Company.
EBRD intends to subscribe for the New Securities
for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions and other
factors, EBRD may from time to time acquire and/or dispose of
securities of the Company or continue to hold its current
position.
To obtain a copy of the early warning report
filed in connection with this press release, please contact Mikhail
Zlobin (telephone number: +44207338 8981). EBRD’s address is 5 Bank
Street, London, United Kingdom, E14 4BG.
Appointment of New Chairman
Euro Manganese also announces that Rick Anthon
will join as Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to
completion of the Conditional Placement. This strategic board
transition will bring decades of battery metals expertise to Euro
Manganese as it advances its position as a key player in Europe’s
battery materials supply chain.
Mr. Anthon’s appointment to the Board of Euro
Manganese will come at a crucial time as the Company accelerates
the development of its Chvaletice Manganese Project. During his
tenure as Director of Corporate Development at Allkem Limited, Mr.
Anthon led the company’s corporate development activities while it
evolved from a junior explorer to a major industry
player—navigating a successful IPO and playing a key role in
Allkem’s A$16 billion merger with Livent to create Arcadium
Lithium, now one of the world’s largest lithium producers and a
NYSE-listed company that is now being acquired by Rio Tinto. He
currently serves as Chairman of the Board at Savannah Resources, a
European-focused lithium producer, as well as Chairman of Greenwing
Resources Limited, which has lithium brine operations in Argentina
and a graphite project in Madagascar. Mr. Anthon is also Chairman
of Rapid Lithium Limited, which is focused on lithium exploration
in South Dakota, and Non-Executive Director at Savannah Goldfields
Limited.
John Webster, who has served as Chairman of the
Company since 2020 and will continue to do so until Mr. Anthon’s
formal appointment following completion of the Conditional
Placement, will continue as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the
Audit Committee following Mr. Anthon’s appointment.
John Webster, Euro Manganese’s
Chairman commented, “Rick’s appointment will mark a
significant milestone for Euro Manganese. His proven track record
in scaling battery metals operations and resource development
aligns perfectly with our ambitions for the Chvaletice Manganese
Project. His leadership will be instrumental as we work to become
the only integrated supplier of high-purity manganese for Europe’s
growing battery industry. Once Rick joins as Chairman, I look
forward to continuing to support the Company’s vision in my new
role.”
Rick Anthon, Euro Manganese’s
Chairman-elect said, “Euro Manganese stands at the
forefront of Europe’s transition to sustainable battery supply
chains. The Chvaletice Manganese Project represents a unique
opportunity to deliver essential high-purity manganese to meet
market demand. I am energized by the prospect of leading the
Company through its next growth phase and working with our talented
team to create lasting value for our stakeholders while
contributing to Europe’s clean energy future.”
Broker Fees and Additional
Warrants
Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited
(“Canaccord Genuity”) and Foster Stockbroking Pty
Ltd (“FSB”) are acting as Joint Lead Managers and
Bookrunners for the Equity Raising (together the “Joint
Lead Managers”).
Aggregate fees payable in cash by the Company to
Canaccord Genuity and FSB in connection with the Conditional
Placement and the SPP will be 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds
from the Equity Raising.
Additionally, Canaccord Genuity and FSB will be
issued broker warrants (“Broker
Warrants”), representing 12% of the aggregate
number of New Securities issued under the Conditional Placement and
the SPP, excluding those issued pursuant to the EBRD Subscription
and the Related Party Subscription, exercisable any time prior to
the date that is 18 months from the closing of the Conditional
Placement, with an exercise price of C$0.045 per New Security. As
the number of Broker Warrants, together with the New Securities and
Warrants to be issued under the Conditional Placement, exceeds the
maximum number of securities that can be issued by the Company
under ASX Listing Rule 7.1, this issuance will also be subject to
approval by the Company’s shareholders at the Meeting.
Additionally, as further set out in the
Company’s news release dated December 3, 2024, pursuant to an
amendment to the Company’s Convertible Loan Royalty Agreement (the
“CLRA”) with OMRF (BK) LLC
(“Orion”), the Company agreed, subject to receipt
of TSX-V approval, to issue to Orion up to 112.3 million warrants
to purchase Shares (the “Additional
Warrants”), exercisable any time prior to the date
that is 18 months from the closing of the Conditional Placement,
with an exercise price of C$0.45 per Share. As the number of the
Additional Warrants exceeds the maximum number of securities that
can be issued by the Company under ASX Listing Rule 7.1, this
issuance will also be subject to approval by the Company’s
shareholders at the Meeting.
Indicative Equity Raising
Timetable
Event |
Date |
Books Close |
10am Wednesday, 5 March 2025 |
SPP Record Date |
Wednesday, 5 March 2025 |
ASX / TSXV Announcement and Resume Trading |
Thursday, 6 March 2025 |
Share Consolidation |
Tuesday, 1 April 2025 |
Share Purchase Plan opens |
Wednesday, 2 April 2025 |
Share Purchase Plan closes |
Thursday, 17 April 2025 |
Meeting to approve the Equity Raising and related matters |
Tuesday, 22 April 2025 |
Settlement of New Securities Issued Under the Equity
Raising |
Monday, 28 April 2025 |
Allotment and trading of New Securities issued under the Equity
Raising |
Tuesday, 29 April 2025 |
All references are to Sydney Australia time and
all dates are indicative only and subject to change.
New Securities to be issued have not been and
will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or
sold in the United States or to U.S. Persons absent registration or
an applicable exemption from registration. This press release is
not an offer or a solicitation of an offer of securities for sale
in the United States, nor will there be any sale of the securities
in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would
be unlawful.
About Euro Manganese
Euro Manganese is a battery materials company
focused on becoming a leading producer of high-purity manganese for
the electric vehicle industry. The Company is advancing development
of the Chvaletice Manganese Project in the Czech Republic and an
early-stage opportunity to produce battery-grade manganese products
in Bécancour, Québec.
The Chvaletice Project is a unique
waste-to-value recycling and remediation opportunity involving
reprocessing old tailings from a decommissioned mine. It is also
the only sizable resource of manganese in the European Union,
strategically positioning the Company to provide battery supply
chains with critical raw materials to support the global shift to a
circular, low-carbon economy.
Euro Manganese is dual listed on the TSX-V and
the ASX.
Authorized for release by the Interim CEO of
Euro Manganese Inc.
Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) or
the ASX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
Enquiries
Martina BlahovaInterim Chief Executive Officer+1 (604)
681-1010martina@mn25.ca
Neil WeberLodeRock AdvisorsInvestor and Media Relations – North
America+1 (647) 222-0574neil.weber@loderockadvisors.com
Website: www.mn25.ca
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Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this news release
constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such
statements and information involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
performance, or achievements of the Company, its Chvaletice
Project, or industry results, to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can
be identified by the use of words such as “may”, “would”, “could”,
“will”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “anticipate”,
“estimate”, “scheduled”, “forecast”, “predict” and other similar
terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results
“may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be
achieved.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to
differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements and, even if such actual results are realized or
substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will
have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company.
Such forward-looking information or statements
also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the
Company’s intentions regarding the development of the Chvaletice
Project, statements regarding the terms of the Conditional
Placement, including completion thereof, the anticipated closing
dates of the Conditional Placement, receipt of necessary regulatory
approvals for the Conditional Placement, the holding of the
shareholder meeting, the use of proceeds of the Conditional
Placement and the SPP, the appointment of Mr. Anthon as Chairman,
the issuance of the Additional Warrants, the terms of the SPP,
including completion thereof, issuance of the SPP Prospectus and
statements regarding the Consolidation, including completion
thereof.
All forward-looking statements are made based on
the Company’s current beliefs including various assumptions made by
the Company including that the Chvaletice Project will be developed
and operate in accordance with current plans, that the Company will
be able to raise the financing that it requires, and that it will
meet conditions of its secured credit facility. Factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations include, among other things: risks and uncertainties
related to maintaining necessary licenses or permits; risks related
to acquisition of surface rights; securing sufficient offtake
agreements; the availability of acceptable financing, and risks
related to granting security; the potential for unknown or
unexpected events to cause contractual conditions to not be
satisfied; developments in EV (Electric Vehicles) battery markets
and chemistries; and risks related to fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, changes in laws or regulations; and regulation by
various governmental agencies. For a further discussion of risks
relevant to the Company, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual
information form for the year ended September 30, 2024, available
on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are based upon what management of
the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot
assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this news release and are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject
to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date of this news release.
______________
1. Assumes AUD/CAD of 0.91
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