AI assistant
METEORIC RESOURCES NL — Capital/Financing Update 2024
Jul 25, 2024
65311_rns_2024-07-25_033fcf99-4865-4180-89fd-517f9bff4b43.pdf
Capital/Financing Update
Open in viewerOpens in your device viewer
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT 26 July 2024
Firm Commitments Received for a $27.5 Million Placement and Launch of $5 Million SPP
Not for release to US wire services or distribution in the United States
Highlights
-
Firm commitments received for a $27.5 million institutional Placement at $0.11 per New Share
-
Strong demand received from high-quality domestic and international institutional investors, as well as existing shareholders
-
The Placement will be applied towards the 100%-owned Caldeira Project, which has the potential to become one of the world’s lowest cost sources of rare earths outside of China[1]
-
Upon settlement of the Placement, Meteoric will be well capitalised with a pro-forma 30 June 2024 cash balance of ~$41 million and in a strong position to accelerate development of Caldeira
-
Opportunity for eligible existing shareholders to participate via a non-underwritten SPP to raise up to a further $5 million at the same offer price as the Placement ($0.11 per share)
Meteoric Resources NL ( ASX: MEI ) ( Meteoric or the Company ) is pleased to announce that it has received firm commitments to raise $27.5 million (before costs) via a placement for the issue of approximately 250 million new fully paid ordinary shares (New Shares) at an offer price of $0.11 per New Share ( Offer Price ) ( Placement ).
In addition to the Placement, the Company is also undertaking a Share Purchase Plan ( SPP ) at the same offer price as the Placement to raise up to $5 million. Together, the Placement and SPP will raise total gross proceeds of up to $32.5 million.
The Placement marks another critical step in the development of the Caldeira Rare Earth Iconic Clay Project ( Caldeira ) with permitting and a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the project rapidly advancing.
Commenting on the Placement, Meteoric Chief Executive Officer, Nick Holthouse, said:
The strong demand received from both Australian and international institutional investors for this Placement is testament to the Tier-1 nature of the Caldeira Project, which has the potential to become one of the lowest cost sources of rare earths outside of China and disrupt the broader rare earths industry.
The Placement de-risks Meteoric’s strategy and ensures we are well-capitalised to accelerate development of Caldeira including the completion of a PFS, commissioning of a demonstration plant, progression of key licenses and approvals and ongoing exploration and drilling activities. Further, it provides Meteoric with significant runway to continue progressing options around alternative long-term financing solutions, including potential government grants and/or strategic partnerships.
We’re also pleased to offer our existing eligible shareholders the opportunity to participate in
1 Refer to Caldeira Scoping Study released to the ASX on 8 July 2024
==> picture [83 x 24] intentionally omitted <==
Meteoric Resources NL ABN 64 107 985 651 Level 1, 35 Ventnor Avenue, West Perth WA 6005 www.meteoric.com.au | Page 1 of 3
==> picture [596 x 69] intentionally omitted <==
this equity raising via the SPP, which is expected to open on Monday, 5 August 2024.
On behalf of Meteoric’s Board and management team, I wish a warm welcome to our new shareholders and thank all of our existing shareholders for their continued support.
Use of Proceeds
Proceeds from the Placement and SPP, together with existing cash, are currently proposed to be applied towards:
-
Exploration and drilling activities;
-
Studies, including completion of a PFS and commencement of a Definitive Feasibility Study;
-
Construction and utilisation of a demonstration plant;
-
Land acquisitions and progressing licensing and approvals; and
-
Corporate costs and general working capital.
Placement Details
The Company will issue approximately 250 million New Shares under the Placement at an Offer Price of $0.11 per share, which represents an 8.3% discount to Meteoric’s last closing share price of $0.12 per share on Tuesday, 23 July 2024.
The Placement will take place in a single tranche pursuant to the Company’s available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. New Shares issued under the Placement will rank equally with the Company’s existing fully paid ordinary shares on issue.
Settlement of New Shares is expected to occur on Thursday, 1 August 2024, with allotment to occur shortly thereafter on Friday, 2 August 2024.
The Placement is not underwritten. Barrenjoey Markets Pty Limited, Canaccord Genuity (Australia) Limited and SCP Resource Finance LP acted as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners to the Placement. Euroz Hartleys Limited acted as Co-Manager to the Placement.
SPP Details
Following completion of the Placement, Meteoric intends to undertake a non-underwritten SPP targeting to raise a further $5 million. Under the SPP, eligible existing shareholders on the Company's share register at 7:00pm (AEST) on Thursday, 25 July 2024 will be offered the opportunity to apply for up to $30,000 worth of New Shares at the same price as the Placement ($0.11 per New Share).
The Company may, in its absolute discretion, undertake a scale back of applications for New Shares to the extent and in the manner it sees fit (including (but without limiting the Company’s discretion) by taking into account, among other factors, the number of eligible shareholders participating, the size of an eligible shareholder’s shareholding at the SPP record date or the number of New Shares applied for under the SPP). The Company may also, in its absolute discretion, raise a higher amount.
Further information regarding the SPP (including terms and conditions of the SPP) will be provided to eligible shareholders in the SPP offer booklet, which will be provided following the completion of the Placement. Participation in the SPP is optional.
==> picture [82 x 24] intentionally omitted <==
Meteoric Resources NL ABN 64 107 985 651 Level 1, 35 Ventnor Street, West Perth WA 6005 www.meteoric.com.au | Page 2 of 3
==> picture [596 x 69] intentionally omitted <==
New Shares issued under the Placement and SPP will rank equally with the Company’s existing fully paid ordinary shares.
Indicative Timeline
| r id ndr th Plmnt | d SPP ill r | k ll ith th C | n’ itin fll | n’ itin fll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| es ssue ue e acee ashares | w a | equay w e o | pays exsg uy p | ||
| .tive Timeline | |||||
| Event | ate | ||||
| D | |||||
| Record | Date for eligibility to participate in | SPP | 7pm AEST on | Thursday, 25 July 20 | 24 |
| Annou | ncement of Placement & trading ha | lt lifted | Friday, 26 July 20 | 24 | |
| Settle | 24 | ||||
| ment of New Shares under the Plac | ement | Thursday, 1 August 20 | |||
| Allotm | ent and trading of New Shares und | er the Placeme | nt | Friday, 2 August 20 | 24 |
| SPP Offer Booklet lodged with ASXMonday, 5 August 2024 | ffer Booklet lodged with ASX | Monday 5 August 20 | |||
| SPP Offer Open DateMonday, 5 August 2024 | |||||
| SPP Closing DateFriday, 23 August 2024 | |||||
| Announcement of SPP participation resultsThursday, 29 August 2024 | |||||
| Allotment of New Shares under the SPPFriday, 30 August 2024 |
All times referenced are to Sydney time, Australia unless denoted otherwise. This timetable is indicative only and the Company may, at its discretion, vary any of the above dates, subject to the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and other applicable laws. The Company reserves the right to close the SPP early or to withdraw the SPP, in its sole and absolute discretion, by lodging an announcement with the ASX. The commencement of trading and quotation of New Shares is subject to ASX confirmation.
An Appendix 3B for the proposed issue of New Shares will follow this announcement.
All amounts are in Australian dollars unless otherwise specified.
This release has been approved by the Board of Meteoric Resources NL.
For further information, please contact:
| Nicholas Holthouse | Michael Vaughan |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Investor and Media Relations |
| Meteoric Resources NL | Fivemark Partners |
| E [email protected] | E [email protected] |
| T+61 428 964 276 | T+61 422 602 720 |
Not an offer in the United States
This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction. Any securities described in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws.
==> picture [82 x 24] intentionally omitted <==
Meteoric Resources NL ABN 64 107 985 651 Level 1, 35 Ventnor Street, West Perth WA 6005 www.meteoric.com.au | Page 3 of 3