W Resources PLC US$35m Loan Facility Finalised with BlackRock (0734F)

TIDMWRES

RNS Number : 0734F

W Resources PLC

16 February 2018

16 February 2018

W Resources Plc

("W" or the "Company")

US$35m Loan Facility Finalised with BlackRock to Fund La Parrilla

W Resources Plc (AIM:WRES), the tungsten, copper and gold exploration and development company with assets in Spain and Portugal, is delighted to announce that the Company has signed a Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the "Agreement") with the lenders thereunder (the "Lenders"), including one or more funds managed by BlackRock Financial Management Inc. ("BlackRock") to provide a US$35 million secured term loan facility to W Resources to fund the La Parrilla mine development (the "Loan").

The first US$13.125 million is expected to be drawn this week after satisfaction of the conditions precedent applicable to such funding, with the balance of US$21.875 million expected to be committed and funded in Q2 2018, after the satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent, including those typical for this type of term loan.

The key terms of the Loan are as follows:

-- The Loan is for a scheduled term of five years, with a two year non call period. The Company has the right to repay the Loan after two years for a premium of 5%, after three years for a premium of 3%, and after four years for no premium;

-- Subject to any early repayment permitted or required under the Agreement, repayment will made by way of a cash flow sweep, utilising free cash to repay the loan;

-- The Loan is subject to an average 5 year interest rate of 12.6%, being 14% in the first year, 13% in the second year and 12% thereafter;

-- First year interest is Payable in Kind ("PIK") and added to the principal, while 50% of the second year interest is PIK and 50% is payable in cash;

-- Lenders will receive a non-refundable upfront fee of 3% of the face value of each of the respective Loan disbursements;

   --      Lenders will receive warrants totalling 5% of W's fully diluted equity. 

Michael Masterman, Chairman of W Resources commented: "We are delighted to have partnered with BlackRock to obtain this US$35 million secured term loan facility. The Loan provides full funding for La Parrilla and now it is full steam ahead.

"Engineering and planning at La Parrilla is advanced and the three primary construction contracts have been awarded. As outlined, the timetable to deliver the project is 12 months from the close of financing which moves the Company into production in Q1 2019."

David Trucano, Portfolio Manager, BlackRock Global Credit team commented: "We are pleased to provide funding on behalf of our clients to restart operations at La Parrilla, one of the most efficient mines in Europe. We believe the current dynamics of the tungsten market present a unique opportunity for W and our clients."

Short Term Loans

In order to provide interim funding, each of, Beronia Investments Pty Ltd ATF Duke Trust, of which Dr Byron Pirola (a director of the Company) is both a beneficiary and trustee and Symmall Pty Limited, of which Mr Michael Masterman (a director of the Company) is both a beneficiary and trustee, have lent the Company short term loans of EUR100,000 each. The loans are unsecured and carry an interest rate of 10% per annum. Each of the loans will be repaid using the first draw down of US$13.125 million under the Agreement.

By virtue of their size, the loans constitute related party transactions under Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies. The independent director of W, having consulted with the Company's nominated adviser, considers that the terms of the transactions are fair and reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are concerned.

Enquiries:

 
W Resources Plc                Grant Thornton UK LLP 
 Michael Masterman              Colin Aaronson / Jen 
 T: [phone]        Clarke / Harrison Clarke 
 www.wresources.co.uk           T: [phone] 
Turner Pope Investments (TPI)  Gable Communications 
 Ltd                            Justine James 
 Andy Thacker                   T: [phone] 
 T: [phone]        M: [phone] 
 www.turnerpope.com 
 

The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

About BlackRock, Inc.

BlackRock, Inc. helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to our clients, we provide the investment and technology solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2017, the firm managed approximately $6.288 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, Inc. please visit www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

About W

In 2012, W Resources Plc (AIM:WRES) made the successful transition into a tungsten production exploration and development company with projects in Spain and Portugal, following two acquisitions. Projects now include La Parrilla, a tungsten project in Spain and Régua and Tarouca Tungsten projects and the Portalegre copper-gold project in Portugal.

The Company's deposits and tungsten mine developments offer a low cost, high margin resource development opportunity. Tungsten and Tin prices have increased significantly over the last 12 months and Tungsten is in the EUs top 5 critical metals list.

The Board is focused to explore further opportunities in the region with a view to building a mid-tier minor metal producer.

The Company was incorporated in England and Wales in 2004.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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February 16, 2018 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)