The information contained within
this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as
stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information
is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under
Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in
the public domain.
11 July 2024
Kropz Plc
("Kropz" or the
"Company")
Trading Update and further
loan facility
Kropz Plc (AIM: KRPZ), an emerging
African phosphate producer and developer, announces its trading
update for Q2 2024 and agreement of a further loan facility between
Kropz Elandsfontein (Pty) Ltd ("Elandsfontein") and ARC Fund
("ARC") for ZAR 140 million
(approximately US$ 8 million) (the "Loan").
Trading Update
Elandsfontein achieved production of
88,319 tonnes of phosphate
concentrate and sales of 71,948
tonnes of phosphate concentrate
during Q2 2024. This brings production to 162,308
and sales to 152,685 tonnes for H1 2024.
Refinancing update
The Company continues discussions
with potential lenders for additional working capital and a
replacement loan for the BNP loan facility (outstanding amount US$ 3.75 million) and now
anticipates this to be concluded in H2 2024.
The Company previously announced on
3 April 2024 that BNP had extended its waiver period to 30 June
2024. BNP have now also extended the waiver to 30 September
2024.
The
Loan
Due to the refinancing discussions
continuing into Q3 2024, the Company requires additional capital to
meet its repayment schedule with BNP and for additional operational
expenditure.
Consequently, Elandsfontein and ARC
have agreed terms for a further loan of ZAR 140 million
(approximately US$ 8 million). The Loan is unsecured. Interest is
payable on the Loan at the South African prime overdraft interest
rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded monthly. In the
event that any amounts outstanding under the Loan, together with
interest thereon, is not repaid within 6 months from the first
utilisation date, the interest rate will be increased by an
additional 2%.
The Loan is repayable on the earlier
of a fund raising by the Company (by way of loan or shares) or on
demand from ARC, on no less than two business days' notice. There
is no fixed term.
The first draw down on the Loan for
an amount of ZAR 80 million has been made.
Related Party Transaction
The Loan is a related party
transaction pursuant to Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies.
Gerrit Duminy, a director of the Company, is the representative of
ARC. Mike Nunn, a director of the Company, is the beneficial owner
of Kropz International SARL ("Kropz International"). ARC and Kropz
International are treated as acting in concert for the purposes of
the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Accordingly, neither has
been involved in the approval of the Loan by the Company's board.
The directors of the Company, who are considered independent for
the purposes of the Loan, having consulted with the Company's
nominated adviser, consider the terms of the Loan to be fair and
reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are
concerned.
For
further information visit www.kropz.com or
contact:
Kropz Plc
|
Via
Tavistock
|
Louis Loubser (CEO)
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
|
|
|
Grant Thornton UK LLP
|
Nominated Adviser
|
Samantha Harrison
Harrison Clarke
Ciara Donnelly
|
+44 (0) 20 7383 5100
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
|
Broker
|
Andrew Chubb
Ernest Bell
|
+44 (0) 20 7907 8500
|
|
|
Tavistock
|
Financial PR & IR (UK)
|
Nick Elwes
Jos Simson
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
kropz@tavistock.co.uk
|
|
|
R&A Strategic Communications
|
PR
(South Africa)
|
Charmane Russell
Marion Brower
|
+27 (0) 11 880 3924
charmane@rasc.co.za
marion@rasc.co.za
|
About Kropz Plc
Kropz is an emerging African
phosphate producer and developer with projects in South Africa and
in the Republic of Congo. The vision of the Group is to become a
leading independent phosphate rock producer and to develop into an
integrated, mine-to-market plant nutrient company focusing on
sub-Saharan Africa.
-ENDS-