Aldridge Announces $11.2 Million Private Placement by ANT Holding Anonim, a Strategic Turkish Investor
TSX-V: AGM
/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES/
TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Aldridge Minerals Inc.
('Aldridge' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement to issue 16,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.70 per share for gross proceeds of $11,200,000 to ANT Holding Anonim Şti ('ANT'), a strategic Turkish investor, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding (the 'Private Placement'). The subscription price of $0.70 represents a premium of approximately 16.7% over the closing priceof the Company's shares on February 7, 2012. Upon completion of this private placement, ANT will hold approximately 30.1% of the resulting issued and outstanding common shares of Aldridge, which results in a new control person as defined by the TSX Venture Exchange. The significant terms of the Private Placement include:
-- Two-year standstill, lockup and voting commitments which will
underpin the strategic partnership between Aldridge and ANT
during the 2012 completion of the definitive feasibility study
and facilitate the launch of the project financing process
required for the development of Yenipazar. The lockup provision
will not apply to 8% of the issued and outstanding common
shares held by ANT;
-- ANT retains anti-dilution rights, which will allow ANT to
proportionately participate in future financings based on the
ownership interest it holds at the time of the financing;
-- ANT may nominate three of nine directors to the Board of
Directors of Aldridge;
-- Aldridge and ANT will use their best efforts to execute a
definitive investment agreement by February 25, 2012. If a
definitive investment agreement is not executed by this date,
ANT will advance to Aldridge an amount equal to $2 million of
the total amount of the Private Placement for working capital.
If the Private Placement is not approved by the shareholders of
Aldridge, this advance from ANT will be converted into common
shares of Aldridge at a price of $0.60 per common share;
-- The Private Placement is subject to, among other things, the
execution of a definitive investment agreement, approval of the
TSX Venture Exchange, and approval by the Company's
shareholders at a meeting expected to be held in March 2012.
The Company will pay a finder's fee of 5% in cash to an arms-length Turkish-based party.
Mario Caron, CEO of Aldridge commented, 'Aldridge is excited to obtain both the funding and a strategic Turkish partner. The Private Placement ensures the Company will have the resources to complete the Yenipazar feasibility study in 2012. ANT's management team has the government, banking and vendor relationships required for efficient project development in Turkey. Obtaining funding at a significant premium above the market price in tight capital markets is a testament to the quality of the Yenipazar project and the capabilities of Aldridge's management team and exploration prospects.'
Fatih Berk, CEO of ANT added, 'The Yenipazar project has great potential to quickly become a significant mining operation contributing to the economic development of Turkey. The size and terms of our investment are clear indications of our commitment to work with Aldridge's management and Board to develop and enhance the Company's valuable mining properties.'
About Aldridge Minerals Inc.
Aldridge is a publicly-traded junior exploration company focussed on advancing its flagship Yenipazar polymetallic VMS deposit (Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn) in Turkey with a feasibility study, which is building on its December 2010 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment. The feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of 2012. The Yenipazar deposit is subject to an earn-in agreement with Alacer Gold Corp., wherein Aldridge can earn a 100% working interest subject to certain conditions, subject to a 6% net profit interest ('NPI', revenues less operational costs) until revenues of US$165 million are generated, and a 10% NPI from there on.
Aldridge's other activities include identifying and developing additional mineral properties in Turkey and Papua New Guinea ('PNG'). Aldridge's PNG exploration license includes an area of approximately 338 square kilometres known as the Kili Teke license. The license area is prospective for gold, silver and copper.
Additional information and corporate documents may be found on www.sedar.com and the Company's website, www.aldridgeminerals.ca.
About ANT Holding Anonim Şti
ANT was founded by Ahmet Taçyildiz in 2005 and is one of the leading companies in Turkey. The ANT group of companies currently operate in Finance, Energy, Services and, Commodities and International Trading. The company has a strategic focus on growth and expansion in the coming years.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release, include, but are not limited to, economic performance and future plans and objectives of the Company. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although Aldridge believes that the assumptions and factors used in making the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this new release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Aldridge disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither the 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.
Aldridge Minerals Inc.
CONTACT: Barry Hildred
Chairman
Aldridge Minerals Inc.
(416) 523-3742
bhildred@level2advisors.com
Mario Caron
CEO and Director
Aldridge Minerals Inc.
(416) 477-6985
mcaron@aldridgeminerals.ca
Jacob Willoughby
President
Aldridge Minerals Inc.
(416) 477-6981
jwilloughby@aldridgeminerals.ca