News Releases
August 15, 2012
AXMIN ISSUES WARRANTS TO THE STANDARD BANK OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED AND PROVIDES PASSENDRO PROJECT UPDATE
Toronto, Ontario – August 15, 2012 – AXMIN Inc. (TSX Venture: AXM) (“AXMIN” or the “Company”) further to the Company’s July 20, 2011 press release, AXMIN is pleased to announce that it has entered into an amendment to the original Fee Letter in connection with the Mandate Letter entered into on July 19, 2011 with The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (“SBSA”), pursuant to which SBSA is appointed as the Mandated Lead Arranger (“MLA”) to arrange and underwrite a US$100 million Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa Limited (“ECIC”) backed term loan facility for the purposes of partially funding the development of the Passendro Gold project in the Central African Republic (the “Project”).
Under the terms of the original Fee Letter, SBSA was entitled to 25 million common share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”). The 25 million Warrants were not issued and lapsed as a result of certain conditions not having been met under the terms of the original Fee Letter. Pursuant to the amendment to the original Fee Letter, AXMIN has agreed to issue 1 million Warrants to SBSA, with each such Warrant exercisable into a common share of AXMIN at an exercise price of $0.63 per common share for a period of three years from the date of vesting.
The Warrants will vest and become exercisable on the date that (a) SBSA receives credit approval for the Project, and (b) ECIC board approval is received for the Project. The Warrants will be subject to a hold period of 4 months and one day from the date of issue and any shares issuable during such time period on the due exercise of the Warrants will be subject to a hold period of 4 months and one day from the date of issue of the Warrants.
Passendro Project Update
The Lenders’ due diligence and AXMIN’s pre-production planning and infrastructural upgrades are progressing, highlights include:
• The additional information required for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”), due to changes to the International Finance Corporation’s (“IFC”) Performance Standards, is being completed by Golder Associates and other specialist consultants. The final ESIA is expected in Q4 2012;
• Contract for the preferred Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management (“EPCM”) is waiting final sign-off from SBSA and legal counsel;
• Power supply tenders are being adjudicated, meetings are planned for late August; Consultant is on-site carrying out investigations into most appropriate alternative sustainable energy sources, the report is nearing completion;
• Fuel supply and Logistics bids are being adjudicated by preferred EPCM contractor;
• Road up-grade work is well advanced but is expected to be on hold in September until November due to rainy season;
• The relocation of the Roandji village is close to being finalized and planned relocation on target for Q4 2012;
• Geotechnical drilling for the bridge over the Baidou river and plant site is completed;
• Exploration drilling has been suspended to allow for hydrogeological drilling testwork to assist in the Water Management Plan being developed by AMEC. Completion of the
testwork is expected in mid-Q4 after which both rigs will be devoted to exploration drilling; and
• Updated review of cyanide management plan, metallurgical testwork audit and operating and capital costs optimisation is underway.
About AXMIN
AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on central and West Africa. AXMIN is posiioned to grow in value as it progresses its Passendro Gold Project towards development and builds on its project pipeline focusing on transitioning from an explorer to producer. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com.
George Roach President & CEO
Direct T:+44 779 626 3999
Judy Webster Manager Investor Relations
T: 416 368 0993 ext 221
ir@axmininc.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements." All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of AXMIN; and statements regarding the ability to develop and achieve production at Passendro, to revalidate the BFS and to satisfy the terms of the Mining Licence as negotiated, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties.
There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AXMIN's expectations have been disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in AXMIN’s documents filed from time-to-time with the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory authorities. AXMIN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether resulting from new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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