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Update on Offer for Kenmare Resources

7th Dec 2015 07:00

RNS Number : 1307I
Iluka Resources Limited
07 December 2015
 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

 

7 December 2015

 

ILUKA RESOURCES LIMITED ("ILUKA")

 

TERMINATION OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOARD OF KENMARE RESOURCES PLC ("KENMARE") RELATING TO A POTENTIAL ALL-SHARE OFFER FOR THE SHARE CAPITAL OF KENMARE

 

Introduction

 

Iluka announces that it has terminated discussions with the Board of Kenmare regarding a potential offer for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Kenmare.

 

Background

 

On 26 June 2014, Iluka announced that it had made an approach to the Board of Kenmare in relation to a potential combination of Iluka and Kenmare.

 

On 30 April 2015, Iluka announced the terms of a revised non-binding proposal (the "April Proposal"), still subject to specific pre-conditions, to acquire Kenmare through an all-share exchange offer.

 

In the period since April, Iluka had made substantial progress in addressing the pre-conditions listed in the April Proposal, including (i) reaching commercial agreement with Kenmare's lenders regarding the treatment of Kenmare's indebtedness in the event of a change of control, including the continuation of a project facility from a subset of existing Kenmare lenders after a change of control at lower interest rates; (ii) obtaining an acceptable written determination from the Mozambique Tax Authority for the capital gains tax liability that would arise in the event that Iluka acquired Kenmare; and (iii) Iluka completing the significant majority of its due diligence. Further, Iluka notes the very constructive dialogue it had with multiple departments within the Government of Mozambique including approval received last week for the proposed change of control in Kenmare Mining Moma (Mauritius) Limited as part of the proposed transaction.

 

On 23 November 2015, Iluka submitted a further revised non-binding proposal to Kenmare (the "November Proposal"). Iluka confirmed within the November Proposal that its proposed exchange ratio of 0.007 Iluka shares per Kenmare share was final(1). The terms of the November Proposal represented a premium of approximately 176.7%(2) to Kenmare's closing share price of 0.76 pence on 20 November 2015 and a premium of approximately 319.3%(3) to Kenmare's closing share price of 0.44 pence on 4 December 2015.

 

The terms of the November Proposal were lower than the April Proposal as the Board of Iluka determined that it was necessary to reassess the valuation of Kenmare in order to ensure that any transaction continued to meet Iluka's financial merit criteria, given (i) a deteriorating global market backdrop which impacted Iluka's view of appropriate risk weightings, and (ii) a recent significant drop in sulphate ilmenite prices in contestable markets.

 

Termination of Discussions with the Board of Kenmare

 

The Board of Iluka has been encouraged with progress to date on a number of aspects of the potential combination.

 

However, based on recent discussions with the Board of Kenmare, which consulted its largest shareholder, Iluka has determined that it is unlikely that Iluka would be able to implement the proposed transaction (which would have been via a scheme of arrangement).

 

Accordingly, Iluka confirms that it does not intend to make an offer to acquire the share capital of Kenmare, and that Iluka is now bound by Rule 2.8 of the Irish Takeover Rules (see below).

 

The Board of Iluka is confident that its quality asset portfolio and growth prospects supported by a strong balance sheet will allow it to continue to deliver value for its shareholders.

 

Other

 

This announcement is being made in accordance with Rule 2.8 of the Irish Takeover Rules, which restricts Iluka from taking certain actions in relation to Kenmare shares for a period of 12 months from the date of this announcement (including, inter alia, making an offer for Kenmare). As a result, Iluka will, except with the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel, be bound by these restrictions save that the restrictions contained in Rule 2.8 may be set aside within the next 12 months in the circumstances set out in Rule 2.8(c)(ii) of the Irish Takeover Rules. These circumstances are:

 

1. the board of Kenmare agrees to this termination statement being set aside;

2. an offer is announced by a third party in respect of Kenmare;

3. an announcement is made by Kenmare of (A) a proposal for a "whitewash" dispensation from the obligation under Rule 9 to make a general offer in respect of Kenmare or (B) the proposed entry by Kenmare into a reverse takeover transaction; and

4. in the opinion of the Panel, a material change of circumstances has occurred that justifies Iluka changing its intention.

 

This announcement is being made without the consent of Kenmare.

 

Notes

1 Iluka's original offer ratio in June 2014 was 0.036 Iluka shares per Kenmare share and its offer in April 2015 was 0.016 Iluka shares per Kenmare share.

2 Implied offer price of 2.1 pence or €0.030 per Kenmare share, based on Iluka's closing share price of A$6.32, an AUD/GBP exchange rate of 0.48 and an AUD/EUR exchange rate of 0.68, each as of 20 November 2015.

3 Implied offer price of 1.8 pence or €0.026 per Kenmare share, based on Iluka's closing share price of A$5.37, an AUD/GBP exchange rate of 0.49 and an AUD/EUR exchange rate of 0.69, each as of 4 December 2015.

 

 

Investment, Market and Media Enquiries

Dr Robert Porter, General Manager, Investor Relations

+61 (0) 3 9225 5008+61 (0) 407 391 829

[email protected]

 

Media - Australia

James Tranter

FTI Consulting

+61 8 9485 8888+61 (0) 408 951 780

[email protected]

Media - United Kingdom

Ben BrewertonFTI Consulting+44 (0) 203 727 1065

+44 (0) 7703 329 963[email protected]

 

 

The Directors of Iluka accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of their knowledge and belief (having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

 

The announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise. The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside Australia, Ireland or the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

 

A copy of this announcement will be available on the Iluka website at www.iluka.com

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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