Challenger Exploration

Challenger Secures a $22 Million Investment from Large North American Listed Resource Fund at a 30% Premium to Market

Challenger Exploration (ASX: CEL) (“CEL” the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into binding agreements for a US$15m (A$22.1m) private placement of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures") with Queen's Road Capital Investment Ltd ("QRC"). The Debentures are convertible into fully paid ordinary shares in CEL ("Shares") at a price of $0.25, a 30% premium to the 5-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) prior to 2 September 2022. Additionally, the Company's largest institutional shareholder has committed to invest pro-rata to its 12% shareholding via a $2.6m placement at 5-day VWAP, increasing combined funds raise to $24.7m from two parties.


Highlights

  • Queen's Road Capital to invest US$15m (~A$22.1m1) via unsecured Convertible Debentures
  • Debentures convert into CEL shares at a price of $0.25 - a 30% premium to 5-day VWAP2
  • QRC is well known as a long-term resource investor with a track record of successful investments
  • Additionally, CEL's largest shareholder commits to a $2.6m investment pro-rata to its 12% shareholding
  • The combined $24.7m funding, which is expected to close on September 14, allows CEL to complete:
    • a Scoping Study for the Hualilan Gold Project to be based on an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) incorporating the recently completed 204,000 metre drill program
    • 50,000 metres additional drilling at Hualilan which will likely result in a further MRE update
    • an additional 25,000 metres drilling at the El Guaybo Project in Ecuador designed to allow the reporting of a maiden MRE on the main GY-A discovery zone at the El Guaybo Project, Ecuador
    • an additional $2.6m discretionary spending which is yet to be allocated

QRC is a leading resource-focused investment company based in Hong Kong and listed on the main board of the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"). QRC acquires and hold securities for long-term capital appreciation, with a focus on convertible debt securities and resource projects in advanced development or production located in safe jurisdictions.

The funding allows the completion of several important and value accretive milestones including; an updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study at Hualilan; an additional 50,000m of drilling at Hualilan; and an additional 25,000m drilling and a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at El Guaybo in Ecuador. Importantly, the pro-rata at market participation of CEL's largest shareholder provides discretionary expenditure of $2.6m which, is yet to be allocated, and extends CEL's runway into 2024.

Commenting on the investment CEL Managing Director, Mr Kris Knauer, said

"I am delighted to have QRC make an investment in CEL. QRC is a recognised long-term investor with a track record of successful investments in the resource sector. QRC undertook extensive due diligence including a Hualilan site visit and their investment is an endorsement of CEL's progress and potential. Our largest shareholder has been an active buyer on market and their pro-rata participation increases the amount raised to almost $25 million and extends our runway well into 2024.

CEL is now funded to deliver on several important milestones including an updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study at Hualilan, plus a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate at El Guaybo. The additional 50,000 metres drilling at Hualilan will double the drill metres in the current resource estimate.

It is a great outcome to achieve the funding required to complete this series of significant and value accretive milestones from a two long term investors, at a significant premium to a traditional placement and the current market price."

Terms of the Debentures

The Company and QRC have entered into a binding Debenture Agreement (the "Agreement") with the Debentures convertible at the holder's option into Shares at a conversion price of A$0.25, representing a 30% premium to the 5-day VWAP of Shares on the Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) prior to 2 September 2022.

The Agreement is subject to a condition precedent that a material adverse event has not occurred in respect of the Company's Hualilan Gold Project prior to settlement, however, is not otherwise subject to any other conditions precedent and is expected to close on or around 14 September 2022, with the full US$15 million payable to the Company on closing. The Debentures will be issued pursuant to the Company's 15% placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. Following entry into the Agreement, the Company intends to seek the approval of its shareholders (Shareholders), at the Company’s Annual General Meeting in November 2022 (AGM), for the ratification of the Debentures (and all interest accruing thereunder) for the purpose of ASX Listing Rule 7.4 (Debenture Resolution).

The Debentures are unsecured with a coupon (interest) rate of 9% (7% payable in cash and 2% payable in either cash or Shares, at QRC's election) payable quarterly in arrears. The Share price used to calculate the number of Shares to be issued for the interest component payable in Shares is the to 20 day VWAP ending three trading days prior to the interest being payable. The debentures will have a four-year term from closing and will be repayable by the Company upon expiry of that period to the extent not otherwise converted earlier into Shares. The Debentures are expected to be refinanced as part of the development funding for the Hualilan Gold Project should they not be converted.

Upon closing, the Company will pay to QRC an establishment fee equal to 3% of the principal amount of the Debentures in cash or shares. QRC has notified the Company that is has elected for the establishment fee to be paid in Shares which will be issued at the same price of $0.19 as the At Market Placement. These shares will be issued under the Company's LR7.1 placement capacity.


Click here for the full ASX Release

This article includes content from Challenger Exploration, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.

CEL:AU
The Conversation (0)
Manuka Resources

Mineral Resource Update – Mt Boppy Gold Project

Sonic drilling program delivers significant increase in Resource confidence to support gold production at Mt Boppy

Manuka Resources Limited (ASX: MKR) (“Manuka” or the “Company”) is pleased to release an updated Mineral Resources Estimate for Mt Boppy. The Resource update supports Manuka’s strategy to install a purpose-built gold processing plant at Mt Boppy and recommence on-site gold production from Q4 2024.

Keep reading...Show less
Impact Minerals

Maiden Drill Programme to Commence at the Arkun Project, WA

An aircore drill programme will commence this week at Impact Minerals Limited's (ASX:IPT) Hyperion REE prospect, which is part of the 100% owned Arkun Project, located 150km east of Perth in the emerging mineral province of southwest Western Australia ( Figure 1).

Keep reading...Show less
Spartan Resources

New High-Grade Discovery – “Pepper” Prospect: 17.52m @ 15.86g/t Gold Incl. 9.22m @ 27.89g/t

Drilling immediately south of the Never Never Gold Deposit intersects a new high-grade lode with Never Never-style mineralisation and grades

Spartan Resources Limited (“Spartan” or “Company”) (ASX: SPR) is pleased to advise that it has discovered a new high-grade gold lode immediately south of the 952koz Never Never Gold Deposit at its 100%-owned Dalgaranga Gold Project (“DGP”) in the Murchison region of Western Australia.

Keep reading...Show less
Hand holding gold nugget.

What Makes a World-class Gold Deposit? (Updated 2024)

The world holds several hundred active gold mines, but not all are created equal.

The world’s largest gold operation by production is Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:GOLD) and Newmont's (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) Nevada Gold Mines joint venture in the US. An important source of gold, the mining complex is comprised of 10 underground mines and 12 surface mines, including the famous Cortez and Goldstrike mines.

Apart from size, what makes a world-class gold deposit? Various characteristics must be considered when determining the status of a gold deposit, including deposit type, average grade and mining and processing costs. Read on to learn more about those three factors and how they can be used to identify world-class gold deposits.

Keep reading...Show less
  Far Northern Resources

North Queensland Exploration Update

Exciting High Grade Gold & Base metals on Granted Mining Lease. Up to 12.64 Cu (%) & 4.12g/t Au

Far Northern Resources Limited (ASX: FNR, “Far Northern Resources”, “the Company”) is pleased to provide an update on exploration activities at the Empire Project, located 34km west of Chillagoe in North Queensland Australia. The Empire Mining Lease (Empire) covers an area of 252 (ha). It has a JORC 2012 Resource and will be subject to 5000m of drilling over the next two years.

HIGHLIGHTS

Keep reading...Show less

B2Gold First Quarter 2024 Financial Results - Conference Call Details

B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") will release its first quarter 2024 financial results after the North American markets close on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

B2Gold executives will host a conference call to discuss the results on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×