Volt to proceed with US$40 million structured debt financing

As previously advised, Volt has engaged Exotix Capital to undertake a Tanzanian Bond issue to raise the required funding for the development of Stage 1 of the Bunyu project.

Following recent meetings with targeted investment groups in Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, Exotix has recommended Volt proceed with a formal bond prospectus process and listing of the bonds on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (‘DSE’) in Tanzania. Volt and Exotix have sized the debt transaction at US$40 million on the key terms set out below which will allow net project development and working capital funding of ~US$31 million after taking into account a Debt Service Reserve Account (DSRA) and costs of the issue. The facility interest and bond maturity payments can be serviced by projected project cash flows.

Importantly, the US$40m debt sizing allows meaningful participation from Tanzanian and Ugandan Pension Funds combined with other investment groups seeking fixed income investments.

Following the preparation and issue of a prospectus by Volt’s Tanzanian subsidiary, Volt Graphite Tanzania Ltd, to accept investment subscriptions, the bonds be will listed on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (‘DSE’) in Tanzania. The estimated timeframe to complete the bond prospectus and DSE listing is 8-12 weeks.

With local job creation and skills acquisition, local business opportunities and significant export revenue for Tanzania, the Bunyu Graphite Project provides Tanzania with the opportunity to become a significant part of the global new energy sector.

Volt’s Bunyu Graphite Project can produce graphite suitable for battery anode production, flame retardant building material uses, the developing graphene industry and traditional markets including refractories.

Volt’s CEO, Trevor Matthews, commented: “We are buoyed by the level of support received from the Exotix bond roadshow.”

“The appetite for investing in local resource projects in this market is evident by the positive response received to date and the increased sizing of the bond issue provides us with added financial flexibility as we target the successful Stage 1 development of our Bunyu Graphite Project over the next 12 months.”

“We look forward to scaling up our development activities at Bunyu into the new year, and we will provide shareholders with further funding and operational updates in due course.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/14122017/volt-to-proceed-with-us40-million-structured-debt-financing/