www.aldridgeminerals.ca
TSX-V: AGM
/NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES/
TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Aldridge Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: AGM)
("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 Sti
("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
price of 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 Sti
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.