The information contained within
this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as
stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse
Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by
virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information
is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under
Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this
announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in
the public domain.
27 March 2024
Kropz Plc
("Kropz" or the
"Company")
Further loan
facility
Kropz Plc (AIM: KRPZ), an emerging
African phosphate producer and developer, announces Kropz
Elandsfontein (Pty) Ltd ("Elandsfontein") and ARC Fund
("ARC") have agreed to a
ZAR 170 million (approximately US$ 9 million) loan
facility (the "Loan").
Refinancing update
The Company continues discussions
with potential lenders regarding a replacement loan for the BNP
loan facility (outstanding amount US$ 11.25
million). This is currently expected
be completed by second quarter of 2024. The Company previously
announced on 21 December 2023 that BNP had extended its waiver
period to 31 March 2024. The Company has commenced discussions with
BNP to further extend the waiver period and will provide updates in
due course.
The
Loan
The Loan is unsecured. Interest is
payable on the Loan at the South African prime overdraft interest
rate plus 6%, nominal per annum and compounded monthly. In the
event that any amounts outstanding under the Loan, together with
interest thereon, is not repaid within 6 months from the first
utilisation date, the interest rate will be increased by an
additional 2%.
The Loan is repayable on the earlier
of a fund raising by the Company (by way of loan or shares) or on
demand from ARC, on no less than two business days' notice. There
is no fixed term.
The Loan will be used by
Elandsfontein to fund the cashflow and operational expenditure
needs.
Related Party Transaction
The Loan is a related party
transaction pursuant to Rule 13 of the AIM Rules for Companies.
Gerrit Duminy, a director of the Company, is the representative of
ARC. Mike Nunn, a director of the Company, is the beneficial owner
of Kropz International SARL ("Kropz International"). ARC and Kropz
International are treated as acting in concert for the purposes of
the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Accordingly, neither has
been involved in the approval of the Loan by the Company's board.
The directors of the Company, who are considered independent for
the purposes of the Loan, having consulted with the Company's
nominated adviser, consider the terms of the Loan to be fair and
reasonable insofar as the Company's shareholders are
concerned.
For
further information visit www.kropz.com or
contact:
Kropz Plc
|
Via
Tavistock
|
Louis Loubser (CEO)
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
|
|
|
Grant Thornton UK LLP
|
Nominated Adviser
|
Samantha Harrison
Harrison Clarke
Ciara Donnelly
|
+44 (0) 20 7383 5100
|
|
|
Hannam & Partners
|
Broker
|
Andrew Chubb
Ernest Bell
|
+44 (0) 20 7907 8500
|
|
|
Tavistock
|
Financial PR & IR (UK)
|
Nick Elwes
Jos Simson
Emily Moss
|
+44 (0) 207 920 3150
kropz@tavistock.co.uk
|
|
|
R&A Strategic Communications
|
PR
(South Africa)
|
Charmane Russell
Marion Brower
|
+27 (0) 11 880 3924
charmane@rasc.co.za
marion@rasc.co.za
|
About Kropz Plc
Kropz is an emerging African
phosphate producer and developer with projects in South Africa and
in the Republic of Congo. The vision of the Group is to become a
leading independent phosphate rock producer and to develop into an
integrated, mine-to-market plant nutrient company focusing on
sub-Saharan Africa.
-ENDS-