Following a competitive sale process over recent months, OZ Minerals Limited (OZL) today announced the sale of its Martabe gold and silver project in North Sumatra, Indonesia, to China Sci-Tech Holdings Limited (CST) for US$211 million in cash. CST has agreed to pay a deposit of US$10 million upon signing and the balance of US$201 million upon completion of the transaction, which is expected by early June 2009, subject to several conditions being satisfied. OZ Minerals will also be reimbursed by CST for an estimated expenditure of US$7.5 million on the project from 1 April through to the completion date.
CST was founded as an investment holding company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in investments in financial instruments and property investment. CST has been pursuing interests in the mining sector for some time. Its mining and investment business will now be centered on the Martabe project. To assist this transformation, CST has appointed an experienced mining team and has formed a strategic relationship with an Indonesian partner. The sale is not conditional on financing, and CST will fund the acquisition from cash on hand. However, it is conditional on the consent of certain of OZ Minerals’ lenders, CST’s shareholders and Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board.
“The proceeds from this sale will make an important contribution to addressing OZ Minerals’ refinancing issues”, said Andrew Michelmore, Managing Director and CEO of OZ Minerals.
