Further to the press announcement of 6 November 2007, Petmin is pleased to announce that, following the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to the Transaction Petmin now holds a 25% interest in Veremo Holdings Limited.
The balance (75%) of the equity in Veremo is held by Framework Investments Limited ("Framework"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kermas Limited (jointly "the Kermas Group"), a substantial indirect shareholder in Samancor Chrome Limited, South Africa's second largest producer of ferrochrome.
Petmin has settled the balance of its obligations in terms of the Transaction, through the payment of R4,275,000.00 in cash and the issue of the 7,077,586 new Petmin ordinary shares of ZAR 0.25, at an average issue price of ZAR 4.50 per share ("the shares"), representing a premium of 25% to the volume weighted average share price on 31 October 2007 being the date upon which the Transaction was concluded.
The Company has applied for the shares to be admitted to trading on the JSE and AIM, which is expected to occur on Friday, 30 May 2008. The issue of the shares represents an increase of 1.34% in the issued share capital of Petmin and after the issue, Petmin will have 535,541,188 shares in issue.
Veremo holds the prospecting rights to a substantial polymetallic Mineral Resource with an estimated 60.42% FEČOł (wt%) and 14.22% TiOČ (wt%), located on the Eastern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province, near Stoffberg. Test work has shown the resource to be suitable for the production of high quality pig-iron.
The resource forms part of the Magnetite Layer 21 of the Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex, and is particularly well-developed in the area, outcropping on surface, and with thickness of up to 60 metres having been encountered in a comprehensive drilling programme.
To date, 90 holes have been drilled, equating to some 6 000 metres. The average depth per drill hole over all the holes drilled is 32 metres. In addition, 306 trenches and 15 deep pits have been excavated to expose the weathered portion of the resource and determine outcrop positions.
The updated 2008 Mineral Resource for the Project, as endorsed by Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, and published during February 2008 is as follows:
| Classification | Weathering | Tons (Mt) | Fe (%) | SiO2 (%) | TiO2(%) | V2O5 (%) | SG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indicated Resource | Fresh Weathered | 797.5 123.8 | 42.05 43.00 | 15.13 13.67 | 14.09 14.64 | 0.015 0.016 | 4.22 4.16 |
| Measured Resource | Weathered | 11.6 | 48.98 | 5.03 | 18.38 | 0.23 | 3.85 |
| Total Resource | 933.0 | 42.26 | 14.22 | 14.22 | 0.15 | 4.21 |
The Mineral Resource (PDF - 216KB) has been reported in accordance with guidelines of the South African Code for the Reporting of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the SAMREC Code, 2007) and can be viewed at the offices, or downloaded at www.petmin.co.za
This announcement has been approved by Mr George Gilchrist BSc (Hons) Geology, Pr Nat, MGSSA of Snowden Mining Industry Consultants.
The thickness of the deposit from south to north is, on average, 44.39 metres. Mining consultants are currently developing an initial 25-year mine plan (to support the production of 700 000 tonnes of pig iron and titanium bearing slag of approximately 300,000 tonnes). Extensive test work has been undertaken to determine the optimum metallurgical process for the production of pig iron from the resource.
The essential terms and conditions of the agreement between Petmin and the Kermas Group are as follows:
The Transaction represents a further step in the development of Petmin into a multi-commodity minerals business with a particular emphasis on industrial minerals, bulk commodities and base metals that are either cash-producing and/or near-cash producing. The Kermas Group is a substantial international partner with a proven ability to manage large projects and Petmin is particularly pleased to partner the Kermas Group in developing an important South African asset with significant guaranteed returns to Petmin's shareholders.
For a table outlining the final structure of the Company following this transaction, please visit the Company's website, www.petmin.co.za
Further to the cautionary announcement dated 23 April 2008, shareholders are advised that negotiations are still in progress which, if successfully concluded, may have a material effect on the price of Petmin's securities.
Accordingly, shareholders are advised to continue exercising caution when dealing in the Company's securities until a full announcement is made.
Johannesburg
23 May 2008
© 2008 Petmin Limited