10:12 AEST Sept 1, 2011 ABN Newswire (C) 2004-2011 Asia Business News PL. All Rights Reserved.
Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) -
Focus Minerals Limited (ASX: FML) is pleased to announce that it has increased its relevant interest in
Crescent Gold Limited (ASX: CRE) to 77.8% (as at 31 August 2011). Focus, at its election, can further increase to 83.2% through the conversion of debt owed by Crescent to Focus (assuming full draw down of up to $13m loans, a $0.05 conversion price and exercise of all attaching $0.05 options).
On 20 June 2011, Focus and Crescent announced an agreed off-market takeover of Crescent ('Offer'). The Offer consideration is 1 Focus share for every 1.18 Crescent Shares. On 18 August 2011 the Offer was declared unconditional.
Campbell Baird, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Minerals Limited said:
'The Focus Offer has been very well supported by Crescent shareholders to date, as demonstrated by the fact that Focus now has control of Crescent, with a shareholding of 77.8%'
Offer Extended
The Offer opened on Thursday 30 June 2011 and has been extended to close at 7.00pm (Sydney time) on 14 September 2011 (unless further extended).
Accept Now
It is not too late for Shareholders of Crescent who have not accepted the Focus Offer to do so. Focus urges all remaining Crescent shareholders to ACCEPT the offer without delay.
Superior Proposal Unlikely To Eventuate
Now that Focus has reached 77.8% direct ownership of Crescent, Focus considers it unlikely that a Superior Proposal will eventuate.
Important Notice to Remaining Crescent Shareholders
Focus advises remaining Crescent shareholders that if they do not accept the Offer and Focus does not reach compulsory acquisition thresholds (which includes a 90% relevant interest in Crescent) they will remain a minority shareholder in Crescent. The possible implications of being a minority Crescent shareholder include:
- Focus being in a position to control the composition of the Crescent Board, and as a result of this, the strategic direction of the company.
- Liquidity of Crescent shares is likely to be significantly reduced as a result of the low free float in Crescent shares, and this could reasonably be expected to expose shareholders to greater share price volatility, less institutional support and limited analyst coverage of Crescent.
- As indicated in Focus' Bidder's Statement, if the Offer is declared unconditional but Focus does not become entitled to compulsorily acquire all Crescent shares under the Corporations Act, and if the number of Crescent shareholders is less than that required under the Listing Rules to maintain an ASX listing then the ASX may suspend and / or de-list Crescent. If this occurs shareholders will not be able to sell their Crescent shares on-market and the price which they may be able to obtain for their shares may be reduced as a result.
Acceptance Process
Acceptance forms have been provided to shareholders. Shareholders who hold their Crescent Shares through CHESS can instruct their broker to accept the Offer on their behalf. If you have any queries in relation to the Offer, please do not hesitate to contact the Focus Offer information line on 1800 648 622 (toll-free within Australia) or +61 2 8256 3377 (international) between 9.00am and 5.00pm (AEST), Monday to Friday.
About Focus Minerals Ltd:
Focus Minerals Ltd (ASX:FML) is an Australian-based exploration and development group whose focus is to become a significant gold and nickel producer in the Coolgardie-Kalgoorlie-Widgiemooltha region of Western Australia.
Focus Minerals is the largest landholder in the Coolgardie Gold Belt located in Western Australia, 560km east of Perth and 35km west of the 'Super Pit' in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. More than 2.6 million ounces of gold has been produced from the Coolgardie gold belt alone since 1892. Focus holds the mineral rights to more than 210sq km of tenements including an extensive inventory of Measured, Indicated and Inferred gold resources as well as the 1.2mtpa Three Mile Hill processing plant.
Contact:
Campbell Baird
Chief Executive Officer
Focus Minerals Ltd
Ph: +61-8-9215-7888
Neil Le Febvre
Investor Relations
Focus Minerals Ltd
Ph: +61-8-9215-7888
