19th Dec 2016 07:00
19 December 2016
DiamondCorp plc
AIM share code: DCP & JSE share code: DMC
ISIN: GB00B183ZC46
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registration number 05400982)
(SA company registration number 2007/031444/10)
("DiamondCorp", "the Group" or "the Company")
UPDATE WITH RESPECT TO FINANCE FACILITIES
DiamondCorp plc, the Southern Africa focussed diamond mine development and exploration company, provides the following update on various discussions with existing lenders to the Group following the Company's 74% operating subsidiary Lace Diamond Mines (Pty) Limited ("LDM") being placed in business rescue.
The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (the "IDC"), the primary lender to LDM, has formally agreed to a standstill with respect to its rights under the secured project loan to LDM until the completion of the business rescue process.
As a consequence of the IDC standstill, the Company is now engaging with the Group's South African and UK bondholders to achieve formal agreements for a similar standstill. Given regulatory and timing requirements of the JSE Limited with respect to calling a formal meeting of bondholders, it will be early January 2017 before a decision is reached.
Laurelton Diamonds, Inc., a lender to DiamondCorp Holdings Limited, has agreed to roll up its interest until 1 November 2017 or the completion of refinancing (whichever is earlier) and defer capital repayments until 1 March 2018, with interest being accrued during the deferral period at the existing rate of nine per cent. per annum plus an additional two per cent. per annum.
Finally, with respect to the £700,000 Shariah-compliant secured convertible financing facility (the "Facility") with Rasmala plc ("Rasmala"), the Company has repaid ZAR 5,067,000 (approximately £290,000) and Rasmala has agreed to extend the repayment of the balance of the Facility until 30 March 2017.
The Board of DiamondCorp remain in continuing discussions with the Company's remaining creditors and the Business Rescue Practitioner and management of LDM remain in discussions with all of LDM's stakeholders pursuant to the ongoing business rescue process.
Contact details:
DiamondCorp plc
Paul Loudon, Chief Executive
Tel: +27 56 216 1300
Chris Ellis, Interim Non-Executive Chairman
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3151 0970
UK Broker & Nomad
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Adam James/ Atholl Tweedie
Tel: +44 20 7886 2500
JSE Designated Advisor
Sasfin Capital (a division of Sasfin Bank Limited)Megan Young
Tel: +27 11 445 8068
SA Corporate Advisor
Qinisele Resources Proprietary Limited
Dennis Tucker/Andrew Brady
Tel: +27 11 883 6358
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 ("MAR").
Related Shares:
DCP.L