Despatch of SPP and Notice of Meeting
Summary
- Arafura Rare Earths Limited has launched a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) aiming to raise A$7 million before costs, with the possibility of accepting oversubscriptions up to A$3 million.
- The SPP allows eligible shareholders to subscribe for up to A$30,000 worth of new shares without brokerage fees.
- The offer is available to shareholders registered as of 7:00 pm (AEST) on July 23, 2024, with a registered address in Australia or New Zealand, excluding those in the United States or acting on behalf of someone outside Australia or New Zealand.
- The SPP offer price is A$0.16 per new share, representing a 15.8% discount from the closing price of A$0.19 on July 23, 2024.
- Shareholders can apply for parcels of new shares valued at A$2,500, A$5,000, A$10,000, A$20,000, A$25,000, or A$30,000.
- Shareholder approval for the issuance of new shares under the SPP will be sought at a general meeting on or around September 4, 2024.
- The SPP is scheduled to close at 5:00 pm (AEST) on September 9, 2024.
- A notice of meeting for an extraordinary general meeting to be held on 4 September 2024 has been dispatched.
Sentiment
Score: 7
Explanation: The announcement is generally positive as it provides an opportunity for existing shareholders to participate in a capital raising at a discounted price. However, it also indicates a need for additional funding, which could be viewed with slight caution.
Positives
- The SPP provides an opportunity for eligible shareholders to increase their holdings in Arafura Rare Earths without incurring brokerage costs.
- The offer price of A$0.16 per share represents a 15.8% discount to the market price on July 23, 2024.
- The company is offering multiple investment tiers, allowing shareholders to invest amounts ranging from A$2,500 to A$30,000.
Risks
- The SPP is subject to shareholder approval at the general meeting on or around September 4, 2024.
- The company reserves the right to withdraw or vary the SPP dates at its discretion.
- There may be delays in receiving paper copies of the SPP prospectus and application form via post.
Future Outlook
The company anticipates issuing new shares under the SPP, subject to shareholder approval at the upcoming general meeting.
Industry Context
This SPP is a common method for listed companies, particularly in the resources sector, to raise capital from existing shareholders to fund projects or reduce debt. It allows retail investors to participate in the company's growth on similar terms to institutional investors.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- SPPs are frequently used by Australian listed companies, especially in the mining sector, to raise capital.
- The discount of 15.8% is within the typical range offered in SPPs, which usually varies between 5% and 20%.
- The ability to accept oversubscriptions is also a common feature, providing flexibility for the company to raise more capital if demand is high.
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders have the opportunity to increase their holdings at a discounted price.
- The capital raised will likely be used to fund company operations and projects, potentially benefiting the company's long-term prospects.
- Employees may benefit from the company's improved financial position.
Next Steps
- Shareholders should review the SPP prospectus and consider whether to participate in the offer.
- Shareholders will vote on the issuance of new shares at the general meeting on or around September 4, 2024.
- The company will announce the results of the SPP on September 11, 2024.
Key Dates
- July 23, 2024: SPP Record date at 7:00pm AEST
- July 24, 2024: Announcement of Share Purchase Plan (SPP)
- August 2, 2024: SPP Prospectus lodged with ASIC
- September 4, 2024: Extraordinary general meeting to be held at 10:00am (Perth time)
- September 4, 2024: General meeting to approve the issue of New Shares under the SPP (and SPP shortfall offer)
- September 9, 2024: SPP closing date at 5:00pm AEST
- September 11, 2024: Announcement of results of SPP
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Conference Presentation
- The company requires a new equity requirement of US$793m (including COF).
- Less NRFC US$133m (A$200m).
- Remaining new equity requirement of US$660m.
Conference Presentation
- The sources and uses of funds section includes an increase in ramp-up period from 2 years to 3 years and a 3-month delay in first production.
Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B
- The final investment decision for Nolans has the potential to extend beyond the previously advised window of the first half of 2025 calendar year due to the assessment of a potential joint venture structure.
Quarterly Activities Report and Appendix 5B
- Arafura is assessing a potential joint venture (JV) structure which could significantly reduce the equity required to fund Arafura's remaining project interest.
- The company and its advisors regularly consider and assess options put forward by third parties (including potential corporate and project-level transactions) which could, if implemented, give rise to an alternative pathway to the funding and development of the Project for the benefit of shareholders.
Investor Presentation
- The company plans to raise equity through industry cornerstones, institutional investors, and an offer to new and existing shareholders.
- The equity raise is intended to fund the US$1.2 billion Nolans Project.
Interim Financial Report
- The net loss decreased compared to the previous year (A$18.85 million vs A$66.87 million).
Interim Financial Report
- Arafura signed a binding term sheet with the NRFC for a A$200 million investment through unsecured convertible notes.
- The company may seek additional equity to reduce the amount of funding being sought through public raising.
Update to Agreement
- The gas supply agreement deadline has been extended from February 4, 2025, to March 31, 2025.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company is engaging with other potential cornerstone investors to secure the remaining equity required for the project.
- The A$200 million investment from the NRFC is expected to be a catalyst for attracting additional equity funding.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The gas supply agreement condition precedent date has been extended to 4 February 2025, with potential for further extension.
Funding Announcement
- The convertible notes will convert into shares at a 40% premium to the reference price, which will be determined by a future equity raising.
- The company expects to announce the equity financing around the time of the Final Investment Decision for the Nolans Project.
Project Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been extended from December 31, 2024, to February 4, 2025.
Operational Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been delayed from December 31, 2024, to February 4, 2025.
Operational Update
- The condition precedent date for the gas supply agreement has been extended from December 31, 2024 to February 4, 2025.
Sustainability Report
- A$20 million was received from sophisticated institutional investors.
- An additional A$4.6 million was received from existing shareholders through a share purchase plan.
Revised Presentation
- The company is seeking to raise the remaining equity funding through an offer to new and existing shareholders.
Annual Report Presentation
- The company is seeking to raise the remaining equity funding needed to commence construction.
Annual Report
- Arafura is actively seeking equity funding to reach a final investment decision on the Nolans Project.
Annual Report
- While the company is making progress, the timeline for reaching a final investment decision has been extended due to the complexities of securing funding in a challenging market environment.
Annual Report
- A $20 million institutional placement was completed.
- A share purchase plan is targeting an additional $7 million, with potential for up to $3 million in oversubscriptions.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- If all Placement Options are exercised, the Company will raise an additional $17,578,125 (before costs) to further progress the development of the Nolans Project and for general working capital purposes.
Share Purchase Plan Results
- The SPP raised $4.6 million, which is less than the targeted $7 million.
Share Purchase Plan Results
- The SPP raised $4.6 million (before costs).
- A previous placement raised $20 million.
Capital Raising Announcement
- A$20 million placement completed in two tranches.
- A$7 million target for the share purchase plan (SPP), with a potential for A$3 million in oversubscriptions.
General Meeting Results
- Share issuance under Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of a placement.
- Share issuance under the SPP (including shortfall offer).
- Share issuance to directors under the SPP.
Share Purchase Plan Announcement
- Arafura Rare Earths is conducting a Share Purchase Plan (SPP) to raise A$7 million before costs.
- The company may accept oversubscriptions up to A$3 million.
- The SPP offer price is A$0.16 per new share.
Prospectus
- The company may offer SPP Shortfall Shares to specific investors if the SPP does not reach its target of $7 million.
- The company has conditional approval for US$775 million in senior debt facilities, an additional US$80 million for a cost overrun facility (COF) and a further US$200 million in the form of a standby liquidity facility (SLF).
Gas Sales Agreement Announcement
- The condition precedent date of the Arafura GSA has been extended by five months to December 31, 2024.
- The start date of the Arafura GSA has been deferred by two years to January 1, 2028.
- The NGP is not expected to reopen until later this year.
Gas Sales Agreement Announcement
- The Arafura GSA supply start date has been deferred by two years to January 1, 2028.
- The Northern Gas Pipeline (NGP) is not expected to re-open until later this year.
Announcement and Media Release
- The company will require further gas contracting and funding arrangements by Central to progress appraisal wells at Mereenie and Palm Valley.
Announcement and Media Release
- The Arafura GSA has been amended, deferring the supply start date by two years to January 1, 2028.
Trading Halt Request
- Arafura Rare Earths is completing the placement component of a capital raising.
- The trading halt is pending an announcement regarding the completion of this placement.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company intends to execute a capital raising to secure the equity required for the project.
- Barrenjoey has been appointed as a third joint lead manager alongside UBS AG and Canaccord Genuity to assist in raising the equity.
Investor Presentation
- The sources and uses of funds includes adjustments for a 3-month delay in first production.
Investor Presentation
- The company is focused on securing equity, leveraging strategic nature of NdPr.
- The balance to be raised through offer to new and existing shareholders.
Project Funding Update
- The company needs to raise new equity to meet the balance of the Projects funding requirement.
- The COF equity component of US$80 million is targeted to be raised at the same time as the new equity.
Project Funding Update
- The project includes an increase in ramp-up period (from 2 years to 3 years), and a 3-month delay in first production.
Conference Presentation
- The company is planning a potential build-up of equity capital.
- Customer/strategic commitment will drive participation of financial groups.
- The balance to be raised through offer to new and existing shareholders.
Quarterly Activities Report
- The company intends to execute a capital raising when debt financing with key credit approvals is in place.
- The company is targeting a substantial portion of the equity requirement via cornerstone investors ahead of launching a public equity raising with institutions and retail investors.
Conference Presentation
- The company is planning a potential build-up of equity capital.
- The company has appointed Joint Lead Managers.
- The company is seeking customer/strategic commitment to drive participation of financial groups.
- The company is planning to raise capital through an offer to new and existing shareholders.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.