/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO US
NEWS WIRE SERVICES/
TORONTO
,
Sept. 18
/CNW/ - Mano River Resources Inc. ("Mano River" - TSX-V:MNO & AIM:MANA) and African Aura Resources Ltd. ("African Aura" - TSX-V:AAZ) are pleased to announce that African Aura shareholders approved the previously-announced merger transaction (the "Transaction") with Mano River at its special meeting of shareholders held today. 100% of the votes cast at the meeting were voted in favour of the Transaction.
The Transaction is structured as a merger under the corporate laws of the
British Virgin Islands
("BVI"). In accordance with the combination agreement dated
30 June 2009
between African Aura and Mano River, African Aura will, subject to regulatory approval, merge with MANAAR Limited, a wholly-owned BVI subsidiary of Mano River. Mano River will thereby acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of African Aura. Closing of the Transaction is scheduled to occur on or about
2 October, 2009
, subject to the completion of certain corporate steps and the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.
As previously announced, upon closing of the Transaction African Aura shareholders will be entitled to receive 1.57 shares of Mano River for each common share they hold in African Aura, provided that no fractional shares of Mano River will be issued. As soon as practicable after the closing of the Transaction and subject to receipt of appropriate regulatory approvals, Mano River will undertake a 1 for 8 share consolidation (one new post-consolidation share for every 8 pre-consolidation shares) and change its corporate name to "African Aura Mining Inc.".
David Netherway, Non-executive Chairman of African Aura and proposed Non-executive Chairman of the merged company:
"The boards of African Aura and Mano River are exceptionally pleased by the overwhelming support from African Aura's shareholders in approving this transformational merger of our respective companies. For African Aura, the Transaction will transform the company from being an early stage explorer to being a project developer with advanced stage assets in
Liberia
, including the New
Liberty Gold
Project ((NI 43-101 compliant measured and indicated resource of 1.4 million ounces from 13.533 million tonnes grading 3.18 g/t)) and the Putu Project ((NI 43-101 compliant inferred mineral resource of 1.08 billion tonnes at 37.6% Fe, from a 2.6km section of the 12km long Putu ridge)). The Putu Project is subject to a joint venture with Severstal (ZAO Severstal Resource ("Severstal")), which is investing US$30M towards a feasibility study to earn a 61.5% interest in the project. Severstal is also a 6.29% shareholder in Mano River.
For Mano River, the Transaction serves as a first step in its strategy to identify and consolidate what it deems to be the highest potential opportunities in west and central
Africa
. The merger brings a significant pipeline of complementary earlier stage and highly prospective iron and gold projects to Mano River's portfolio, notably the Batouri gold and the Nkout iron projects in
Cameroon
. Mano River will also benefit from the appointment of experienced individuals to the board and management team and a cash infusion that will be applied to accelerating the development of the merged company's most advanced projects. Mano River will also acquire African Aura's portfolio of gold prospects in
Liberia
, including Fula Camp, where positive drilling results have been announced and which is located approximately 45 km north east of the New
Liberty Gold
Project."
Post Merger Strategy
On completion of the Transaction, the initial focus of the englarged group will be on creating value by advancing the New
Liberty Gold
Project towards production and the completion of a 27,000m resource drilling programme on the Putu Project. In parallel, the merged company will continue the cost effective exploration of its portfolio of gold and iron projects in
Cameroon
. Where appropriate, cost and risk sharing joint ventures will be undertaken on projects which require either significant capital or in which the board of the merged company is unwilling to invest additional funds or human resources. Further merger and acquisition opportunities in sub-Saharan
Africa
will continue to be assessed as part of the merged company's broader long term strategy to become a leading diversified resource company in
Africa
with robust gold and iron divisions.
About Mano River
Mano River is an established West African exploration and development company with a primary listing on the TSX-V (MNO) and a secondary listing on London's AIM (MANA). Mano River is focused on the discovery of world-class iron and gold deposits in the highly prospective, under explored, West African Mano River Union countries of
Liberia
,
Sierra Leone
and
Guinea
. Mano River has a highly motivated and experienced team with a record of discovering mines and taking projects towards development and production.
Mano River's major assets are the gold deposit at New Liberty and the Putu iron ore project, both in
Liberia
and a 59% interest in Stellar Diamonds Ltd. A pioneer company in West
Africa
, Mano River has attracted some excellent strategic partners, particularly in iron ore and on its diamond properties, always with the objective of preserving or enhancing shareholder value. More information can be found on line at www.manoriver.com and on SEDAR's website: www.sedar.com.
About African Aura
African Aura has a 'first-mover' exploration strategy, focused on the discovery of economic iron, gold, and uranium deposits in sub-Saharan
Africa
. African Aura has established a portfolio of exploration licences totalling approximately 9,880km(2), targeting Archaean greenstone and Proterozoic volcano-sedimentary belts. The portfolio includes the 12km long Nkout iron project in southern
Cameroon
, the Batouri gold project in eastern
Cameroon
, the Fula Camp gold project in western
Liberia
, and a pipeline of significant prospects for drill testing, as well as numerous other gold, uranium and iron ore targets that require follow-up exploration. African Aura trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (AAZ). More information can be found on line at www.african-aura.com and on SEDAR's website: www.sedar.com.
Oversight
The gold mineral resource estimate included in this press release was previously disclosed in the technical report entitled "Form 43-101F Technical Report on the New
Liberty Gold
Project,
Liberia
" dated
October 24, 2006
(the "New Liberty Technical Report") prepared by
Dexter Ferreira
and Pierre Fourie of Lower Quartile Solutions (Pty) Ltd who are each a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The New Liberty Technical Report was filed on Mano River's SEDAR profile on
January 31, 2007
and is available at www.sedar.com.
The iron mineral resource estimate included in this press release was previously disclosed in the technical report entitled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Putu Iron Ore Project" dated
August 2009
(the "Putu Technical Report") prepared by
Howard Baker
of SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined in NI 43-101. The Putu Technical Report was filed on Mano River's SEDAR profile on
August 10, 2009
and is available at www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the proposed Transaction and future plans and objectives of African Aura and/or Mano River, are forward-looking statements that involve various known and unknown risks and uncertainties as well as other factors. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required regulatory approvals. 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. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and, except as may be required by applicable law, African Aura and Mano River disclaim any obligation to update or modify such forward-looking statements, either as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.
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.
For further information: Mano River Resources Inc, Luis da Silva, CEO, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7299 4212; African Aura Resources Ltd, John Gray, President & CEO, Tel: +44 (0) 1235 511 915; Evolution Securities Limited, Simon Edwards, Chris Sim, Neil Elliot, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7071 4300; Pelham Public Relations, Charles Vivian, James MacFarlane, Tel: +44 (0) 20 7337 1500, Mob: +44 (0) 7797 297903
Share this article