Aberdeen Announces Private Placement Financing and Provides Corporate Update
The Company intends to use the net proceeds to invest in quality developed mining assets in mining friendly jurisdictions. Although the Company expects to generate additional liquidity from its portfolio in the coming months, the Company believes that it is prudent to raise a small amount of additional working capital so that it may execute on time sensitive investment opportunities in the short-term. The Common Shares, Warrants and shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period. Closing of the private placement remains subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX. Closing is anticipated to occur on or before November 21, 2014.
Corporate Update
The Company continues to work with Landmark Equity Advisors, LLC ("Landmark") to complete the previously announced transaction pursuant to which Landmark, through a vehicle to be formed, will acquire from Aberdeen certain portfolio investments, consisting of certain equity and debt interests held by Aberdeen (See Press Release dated September 15, 2014). The parties anticipate that the transaction will close on or before December 31, 2014. Closing of the transaction remains subject to the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX, as applicable. As previously announced, the transaction price is subject to certain adjustments, which may be adjusted on an upwards or downwards basis in connection with market conditions.
David Stein, Aberdeen's President and CEO, commented, "In addition to the private placement financing, the Landmark transaction provides Aberdeen with the ability to take advantage of depressed market conditions in the mining space, and make opportunistic investments in quality assets trading at cyclical lows. Going forward, our strategy will be to focus on more advanced, less risky projects in mining friendly jurisdictions to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders."
Consistent with its focus on more advanced projects addition, the Company is pleased to announce it has made an initial investment into a privately held Mauritius-domiciled Company in order to acquire a controlling interest in certain privately held South African companies holding advanced-stage platinum projects in South Africa. Upon closing of the proposed transaction it is anticipated that Aberdeen could, subject to various approvals required, acquire a majority interest through further equity investments. David Stein commented, "Aberdeen sees this investment as a perfect fit with its strategy. One of the assets is fully built, has been kept on care and maintenance and is currently in preparation to recommence production shortly. Closing of the transaction is anticipated to occur on or before December 15, 2014 and remains subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and board approvals."
In addition, Aberdeen is actively reviewing other investment opportunities for 2015. Further updates will be forthcoming upon closing of the transaction.
About Aberdeen International Inc:
Aberdeen is a publicly traded global investment and merchant banking company focused on small cap companies in the resource sector. Aberdeen will seek to acquire significant equity participation in pre-IPO and/or early stage public resource companies with undeveloped or undervalued high-quality resources. Aberdeen will focus on companies that: (i) are in need of managerial, technical and financial resources to realize their full potential; (ii) are undervalued in foreign capital markets; and/or (iii) operate in jurisdictions with low to moderate local political risk. Aberdeen will seek to provide value-added managerial and board advisory services to companies. Currently the Company has 87,349,422 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Upon closing of the private placement, the Company will have 97,349,422 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Assuming the full exercise of all of the shares underlying the Warrants, the Company would have 107,349,422 Common Shares issued and outstanding, representing 22.8% of its current issued and outstanding share capital.
For additional information, please visit our website at www.aberdeeninternational.ca and follow us on Facebook and Twitter: AberdeenAAB.
Cautionary Note
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding the ability to complete the private placement transaction, the anticipated timing with respect to Landmark transaction, the completion of the proposed transaction with Landmark, the completion of the proposed platinum project acquisition, the ability of the Company to generate additional value for shareholders as a result of such transactions, if completed at all, the ability of the Company to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to either transaction or conclude either transactions, past success as an indicator of future success; net asset value of the Company; the potential of investee companies and the appreciation of their share price; the Company's plan of business operations; and anticipated returns. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
THIS NEWS RELEASE IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES
CONTACT INFORMATION
Aberdeen International Inc.
Mike McAllister
Manager, Investor Relations
+1 416-309-2134
info@aberdeeninternational.ca
David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer
+1 416-861-5812
dstein@aberdeeninternational.ca
www.aberdeeninternational.ca