PanAust (ASX:PNA) is pleased to announce that it has exercised its option under a previous share placement agreement to subscribe for a further 64,432,990 shares in Highlands Pacific (ASX:HIG) at $0.0776/share, following the placement on equivalent terms in November 2013.
This is a vote of confidence in Highlands, and in exploration projects in Papua New Guinea; notable especially because of the material premium PanAust is paying to Highland's market price of around $0.065.
PanAust is capitalised at $1.4 billion - and could this be the beginning of a trend towards larger companies increasing stakes in mineral rich PNG?
It will take PanAust’s shareholding in Highlands to 14%, with placement scheduled to take place on 1 September 2014.
The agreement with Highlands related to PanAust’s agreement with Glencore to acquire Glencore’s interest in the Frieda River Copper‐Gold Project, a joint venture with Highlands.
The Frieda River transaction was completed today.
PanAust and Highlands will now respectively hold 80% and 20% interest in the Frieda River Joint Venture.
Under the terms of the Agreement, should the Government of PNG elect to take up its right to 30% of the project, PanAust
will sell down the first 20% of its joint venture interest and thereafter the parties will sell down in equal amounts.
Where the Government of PNG elects to take up its maximum 30% of the project, the respective joint venture interests would
be PanAust 55%, the Government of PNG 30% and Highlands 15%.
PanAust will be responsible for 100% of the costs incurred by the Frieda River Joint Venture to finalise the definitive feasibility study.
PanAust will also be responsible for 100% of the costs to maintain the Frieda River project site, assets and community relations programs up to the time of lodgement of the Mining Lease or Special Mining Lease application.