Lucara secures financing for the expansion of the Karowe mine

The MLAs are: African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Africa Finance Corp., ING, Natixis, and Societe Generale, London Branch. Afreximbank is acting as facility agent in connection with the facilities.

The facilities include two tranches: a project finance facility of US$170 million to fund the development of the underground project, and a US$50 million working capital facility to re-finance the company’s existing debt and to support on-going operations. The facilities, combined with the company’s latest equity financings (totalling approximately US$30 million) and projected cash flows from the Karowe open pit mine during the underground construction period, result in the Karowe Underground Expansion Project (UGP) being fully financed.

Eira Thomas, President and CEO, comments:

“Lucara is excited to be moving forward with a fully financed underground expansion project, extending Karowe’s mine life to at least 2040 and projected to deliver at least US$4 billion in additional revenues using conservative diamond price assumptions. Securing credit commitments for the arrangement of US$220 million senior debt facilities from five leading international financial institutions, with significant mining and metals track records and experience in Africa, is an important achievement for Lucara and reflects confidence in the large-stone resource at Karowe and the considerable efforts undertaken over the last five years to scope and define this attractive, highly economic growth opportunity for the company. It also reflects confidence in the strong, safe and reliable operating environment that has prevailed at Karowe over the last 8 years, adhering to high standards in respect of ESG and striving to deliver long-term economic benefits to Botswana and the communities in which we operate. The development of the underground expansion project will adhere to all required environmental regulations and comply with equator principles.

“As a final comment, we believe this expansion project comes at the right time in the market cycle, with improving supply and demand fundamentals helping to stabilize and support stronger diamond prices in the short and longer term. The Karowe mine remains one of the highest margin diamond mines in the world, having yielded 5 of the 10 largest diamonds in recorded history and is the only mine to have recovered three diamonds greater than 1000 carats.”

First drawdown under the facilities is expected to occur early in the third quarter this year, following satisfaction of certain conditions precedent customary to a financing of this nature, including the closing and receipt of the initial equity contribution.

In connection with the facilities, the company’s largest shareholder, Nemesia S.a.r.l. has agreed to provide a limited standby undertaking in the event of a funding shortfall occurring up to 36 months from the financial close.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/14072021/lucara-secures-financing-for-the-expansion-of-the-karowe-mine/