AXMIN Strengthens Balance Sheet from Sale of Non-Core Assets
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/12/11 -- AXMIN Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AXM) is pleased to report that it has profitably disposed of 9.6 million shares of Copper Development Corporation (AIM: CDC) for net proceeds of approximately C$4.3 million. The sale represents AXMIN's entire position in CDC and helps to further strengthen the Company's financial position. This transaction followed CDC's successful listing on the AIM Exchange in December 2010. CDC's principal asset is its controlling stake in the Hinoba-an Copper Project in the Philippines.
This sale is the most recent of a series of transactions to realize value for non-core assets and focus the Company on the development of its premier asset, the Passendro Gold Project, the first modern gold mine in the Central African Republic ('CAR'). These transactions include:
I. Completion of the sale of CDC for net proceeds of approximately
C$4.3MM;
II. Closing on the transfer of four of nine licences in the Kofi Project to
Avion Gold Corporation for 65% of C$500,000 cash and 4.5 million shares
of Avion, paid in four tranches, (see press release December 29, 2010);
closure of the remaining five licences to follow; and,
III. Completion of the sale of AXMIN's interest in Niger Uranium Limited for
net proceeds of approximately C$1.1 million.
Proceeds from these transactions are sufficient to cover the costs of the revalidated feasibility study, on target for completion early in the first quarter of 2011 and the second tranche of the bonus payment due to the CAR Government in April 2011. AXMIN also repaid its outstanding loan and accrued interest to its significant shareholder AOG Holdings BV in the sum of C$1.74 million, resulting in AXMIN being debt free.
President and CEO of AXMIN, Mr. George Roach, comments, 'These recent transactions and the funds received from the November 2010 C$10 million financing have restored much needed financial strength to the Company at a key juncture in its next stage of development. We are in the midst of promising discussions to secure debt facilities to build the Passendro mine, as we demonstrate to our shareholders and other stakeholders the unrealized value in this tremendous asset and our ability to bring it into production.'
About AXMIN
AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on central and West Africa. AXMIN has projects in Central African Republic, Mali, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Senegal. AXMIN is positioned to grow in value as it progresses its Passendro Gold Project towards development and builds on its project pipeline focusing on transitioning from an explorer to producer. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com.
This press release includes certain 'Forward-Looking Statements.' All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of AXMIN; and statements regarding the ability to develop and achieve production at Passendro, to revalidate the BFS and to satisfy the terms of the Mining Licence as negotiated, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AXMIN's expectations have been disclosed under the heading 'Risk Factors' and elsewhere in AXMIN's documents filed from time-to-time with the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory authorities. AXMIN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether resulting from new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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.
Contacts:
AXMIN Inc.
George Roach
President & CEO
44 779 626 3999
AXMIN Inc.
Judy Webster
Manager Investor Relations
416 368 0993 ext 221
ir@axmininc.com
www.axmininc.com