🕐24.02.10 - 10:29 Uhr
Stellar Diamonds plc : Admission to AIM - First Day of Dealings
Please find attached and below a copy of the announcement by Stellar Diamonds plc this morning:
22 February 2010
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")
Admission to AIM - First Day of Dealings
Stellar, a focused diamond exploration, production and development company with a portfolio of properties in West Africa is pleased to announce its admission to the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and the first day of dealings in its ordinary shares under ticker symbol STEL at 8.00 a.m.
today, following the completion of the reverse acquisition of Stellar Diamonds Limited by West African Diamonds plc ("WAD") and a £5 million placing (before expenses).
On Admission, the Company will have 96,581,432 ordinary shares in issue and will have a market capitalisation of approximately £19 million.
Highlights
* Stellar is focused on building a leading diamond explorer and producer in West Africa
* The Company will have a number of opportunities to harness corporate and operational synergies, thus allowing the operational cost base per carat to be reduced
* Revenue from the two producing alluvial mines, Bomboko and Mandala, will reduce financial risk, increase cashflow and enhance growth possibilities
* Stellar will have four high grade kimberlite projects at various stages of development - Tongo and Kono (in Sierra Leone) and Droujba and Bouro (in Guinea)
* The strengthened balance sheet and two producing projects provide a good platform for the Company to seek further growth by acquisition
* The board has significant experience in the West African mining industry and a proven track record of developing mines
RBC Capital Markets is the nominated adviser and broker to the Company.
Commenting on Admission, Karl Smithson, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"We look forward to executing the Company's growth strategy in an improving diamond sector.
Stellar has a good balance of portfolio projects that bring a combination of immediate cash flow and excellent exploration and development upside.
I look forward to updating our shareholders on progress in due course."
Copies of the Admission Document are available on the Company's website (www.stellar-diamonds.com) or from RBC Capital Markets, 71 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4V 4DE.
Enquiries:
Stellar Diamonds plc
Karl Smithson Tel: +44 (0) 7783 707971
RBC Capital Markets
Martin Eales / Daniel Conti Tel: +44 (0) 20 7653 4000
Astaire Securities
Jerry Keen / Charles Vaughan Tel: +44 (0) 20 7448 4400
Pelham Bell Pottinger
Charles Vivian / James MacFarlane Tel: +44 (0) 20 7337 1500
Information on Stellar
Stellar is focused on building a leading diamond explorer and producer in West Africa.
The key short term strategy of the Company will be to focus on production and cash flow from its two producing mines at Mandala and Bomboko.
However, the longer term strategy will involve the development of its advanced, high-grade kimberlite exploration projects at Tongo and Kono (in Sierra Leone) and Droujba and Bouro (in Guinea).
Each of these projects demonstrates economic potential and work programmes are planned in order to define this potential.
Background
On 27 January 2010 it was announced that the Admission Document and Notice of General Meeting in relation to the acquisition of Stellar Diamonds Limited by WAD (the "Acquisition") was posted to shareholders and that WAD was successful in raising gross proceeds of £5 million (the "Placing"), conditional on completion of the Acquisition and readmission.
The proceeds from the Placing will be utilised to capitalise existing producing mines, accelerate the Company's production ramp up, and advance key kimberlite development and exploration projects.
On 19 February 2010 all resolutions at WAD's General Meeting were duly passed by shareholders and subsequently the acquisition of Stellar Diamonds Limited and the Placing was completed, conditional only on admission.
The name of the company has been changed from West African Diamonds plc to Stellar Diamonds plc.
Key Statistics
Placing price per Placing share
20p
Number of Placing shares being issued pursuant to the Placing
25,000,000
Placing shares as a percentage of the enlarged share capital
26 per cent.
Number of ordinary shares in issue immediately following Admission
96,581,432
Gross proceeds of the Placing
£5,000,000
Estimated net proceeds of the Placing receivable by the Company
£4,300,000
Market capitalisation of the Enlarged Group at the Placing price following completion of the Acquisition
£19,386,332
ISIN number
GB00B5V61531
Ticker
STEL
James Macfarlane
Account Director
Direct line: +44(0)20 7337 1527
Mobile: +44 (0)7841 672 831
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Pelham Bell Pottinger
12 Arthur Street, London, EC4R 9AB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7337 1500 Fax: +44 (0)20 7337 1550
www.pelhambellpottinger.co.uk
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