Nächster M&A-Deal in Westafrika: PMI Gold und Keegan Resource fusionieren zu Asanko Gold

Der nächste Deal in der haussierenden M&A-Branche des Rohstoffsektors spielt sich in Westafrika ab. Die kanadischen Gold-Developer Keegan Resources (T.KGN) und PMI Gold (T.PMI) haben gestern verkündet, dass sie sich mit ihren afrikanischen Projekten zu einem neuen Goldunternehmen zusammenschließen. Die neue Gesellschaft namens Asanko Gold wird über eine globale Ressource von fast 10 Millionen Goldunzen – davon 7 Millionen der angezeigten und gemessenen Kategorie (M&I) – verfügen. Nach einer erfolgreichen Fusion wird sich der Unternehmenswert auf ca. 700 Millionen CAD belaufen, wobei fast die Hälfte der Marktkapitalisierung mit liquiden Barmitteln gedeckt sein wird..

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MERGER

Asanko is set to become the leading gold development company in West Africa with near term production expected from a unitized project comprised of two nearby gold deposits - Obotan and Esaase. Other merger highlights include:

• Measured and Indicated Resources of combined projects = 6.94 million ounces at an average grade of 1.90 grams per tonne^1,2,3;
• Additional Inferred Resources of combined projects = 2.65 million ounces at an average grade of 1.87 grams per tonne^1,2,3;
• Strongly capitalized with over $340 million in cash on hand and no debt outstanding;
• Obotan can proceed to construction quickly - approximately 200,000 ounces per year with first gold pour expected in 2014;
• Esaase development to be funded from cash flow - additional 150,000 to 200,000 ounces per year by 2017;
• Targeted operational and capital synergies through a 2013 optimization analysis - Obotan and Esaase located within a 15 km radius;
• Experienced mine development and operational executive and management team to build and operate;
• Consolidated Asankrangwa gold belt - over 70 km of belt strike anchored by the Obotan and Esaase deposits and over 1,000 square kilometers in Ghana;
• Planned growth through exploration of numerous high priority targets on the belt as well as Kubi and Asumura;
• Enhanced capital markets presence - Asanko is expected to appeal to a broader shareholder base, increase analytical following and improved share trading liquidity;
• Merger is expected to be tax neutral or deferred for substantially all participants; and
• Asanko shares issued to PMI shareholders under the Merger will be free of trading restrictions in Canada and United States (except for affiliated persons); Asanko shares are required to be listed on the TSX, ASX and NYSE MKT Equities Exchange upon completion of the Merger.

Link: http://www.stockhouse.com/companies/stories/kgn/8685357