South Africa’s Gold Fields — the fourth largest gold mining company in the world — is to acquire 50% of South Deep from Barrick, increase its stake in Western Areas to 34,7% with an option to go to 41%, and make a general offer to Western Areas shareholders, it said on Monday.
The company says the combined value of the three transactions equates to $2,5-billion.
“South Deep is one of the most significant developing ore bodies in the world,” said Gold Fields CE Ian Cockerill in a statement.
“It makes commercial and operational sense for it to be in the Gold Fields stable and, in particular, to be operated as a single unit with our adjacent Kloof Gold Mine.”
Barrick Gold, the world’s largest gold miner, has agreed to sell its half of the South Deep gold mine to Gold Fields for $1,525-billion. This amount will be paid in $1,2-billion cash and $325-million in Gold Fields shares.
Barrick acquired the stake as part of its acquisition of Placer Dome last year.
The deal is subject to certain regulatory approvals, including that of the JSE and the Competition Authorities in South Africa.
Gold Fields has made an all-share offer to Western Areas shareholders of 35 ordinary shares for every 100 Western Areas shares held. Gold Fields already owns 18,9% in Western Areas, after market dealings earlier this year. Based on the closing price of Gold Fields shares on September 7 of R150,20 per share, this represents a value of R52,57 per Western Areas share.
If the offer is accepted by all Western Areas shareholders, Gold Fields will own the entire share capital of Western Areas and intends to terminate its listing on the JSE.
The transaction is subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the granting of approvals by the JSE and South Africa’s competition authorities.
JCI, the former Brett Kebble-run company, has agreed to tender 27-million Western Areas shares into the offer, boosting Gold Fields’ stake to 34,1%. The parties have further agreed to a reciprocal call and put option that could see Gold Fields increase its stake in Western Areas further to 41%.
JCI shareholders will receive 35 ordinary Gold Fields shares for every 100 Western Areas shares held by JCI.
The transaction is subject to approval by a majority of JCI shareholders in a general meeting which will be held around November 15.
In addition, Allan Gray Limited has irrevocably undertaken to recommend to its clients holding JCI shares representing approximately 13% of the votes exercisable at a JCI general meeting, to vote in favour of the transaction. – I-Net Bridge