Auplata (Alternext - FR0010397760 - ALAUP), France's leading gold producer in French Guiana, has announced the completion of a reserved capital increase by private placement. The placement was fully subscribed by an international institutional investor, a family office based in the US, which has invested more than $1 billion in emerging growth companies around the world.
Pursuant to a decision by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on 13 May 2015, to whom all the necessary powers were sub-delegated by the Combined General Meeting of 30 June 2014, the increase has resulted in the issue of 2,546,690 new shares at a unit price of €1.178, namely a total of €3,000,000.82.
The funding raised will be used to finance Auplata current activities.
The new shares are entirely assimilated to existing shares and will be listed on Alternext Paris from 19 May 2015. On completion of the operation, Auplata's share capital shall be comprised of 37,463,881 shares listed on Alternext in Paris.
About Auplata
Auplata is France's leading gold producer in French Guiana. The company's mining permits and licenses cover a total area of over 700 sq km.
Auplata's innovative business and financial strategy is aimed at developing and exploiting French Guiana's gold resources through close collaboration with local players. Its goal is to offer a sustainable alternative for the French Guiana gold-mining industry.
Since June 2011, Auplata is also a shareholder in Columbus Gold Corporation, a Canadian gold exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Canada).
Auplata's share capital is made up of 37,463,881 shares listed on Alternext in Paris. ISIN: FR0010397760 – ALAUP; ICB: 1777 – Gold Mining.
For more information on Auplata, visit: www.auplata.fr.
Contacts:
ACTUS FINANCE
Mathieu Omnes Investor relations +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92
Nicolas Bouchez Press relations +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74
Main features of the capital increase
The funds have been raised via a capital increase through the issue of ordinary shares with no preferential subscription rights, list of beneficiaries or priority period. The offer is governed by paragraph II of Article L. 411-2 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (by private placement and within the yearly limit of 20% of the company's capital).
It resulted in the issue of 2,546,690 new shares at a unit price of €1.178, namely a total of €3,000,000.82. Following the operation, the number of shares making up the company's capital has been increased from 34,917,191 shares to 37,463,881 shares.
Legal framework of the offer
In accordance with the delegated powers granted by the Combined General Meeting of 30 June 2014, on 13 May 2015, the Chairman and CEO, to whom all the necessary powers were sub-delegated by the Board of Directors' meeting of 11 May 2015, approved the principle of a capital increase with no preferential subscription rights as part of a private placement and within the yearly limit of 20% of the company's capital, as per the terms set out herein.
The operation does not require a prospectus approved by the French Market Authority (the AMF).
Listing of the new shares
The new shares will bear dividend rights from 19 May 2015 and listed for trading on Alternext from 19 May 2015 on the same line as the old shares (ISIN code: FR0010397760 - ALAUP) to which they are fully assimilated.
Dilution and impact of a new shareholder in the capital
With Auplata's share capital now consisting of 37,463,881 shares, its new institutional investor shall hold a 6.8% stake on completion of the operation. For information, the stake of a shareholder holding 1.00% of the share capital of the company before the issue is now reduced to 0.93%.