Shares in Canada's Erdene Resource (TSX:ERD), one of the very few companies that has successfully navigated Mongolia's ever-changing policies on foreign mining investment, were off to the races on Thursday after the miner announced it had received approval for a secondary listing on the Mongolian Stock Exchange (MSE).
The Halifax, Nova Scotia-based miner also said it had launched an offering of common shares to Mongolian residents, as well as a concurrent non-brokered private placement, which in combination are expected to raise up to $4.4 million.
The Canadian miner has also launched an offering of common shares to Mongolian residents, as well as a concurrent non-brokered private placement, which in combination are expected to raise up to $4.4 million.The company's stock was up 4.7% to 34 Canadian cents by 10:25 a.m. ET, , still a long way off from the Cdn$1.35 they closed at in May last year.
"Today's news is the result of close and productive collaboration with the Mongolian Stock Exchange, the Financial Regulatory Commission of Mongolia, and the Government of Mongolia through active support from the Ministry of Mining and Heavy Industry," Peter Akerley, President and CEO of Erdene, said in the statement. "Our cross listing on both a foreign exchange and the MSE, the first of its kind in Mongolia, is a demonstration of our commitment to creating lasting benefits in [the country]."
He added the company believed the MSE listing would increase opportunities for Mongolians to benefit from the development of their nation's mineral endowment.
Erdene plans to sell 4,000,000 common shares at a price of 34 Canadian cents per share for gross proceeds of Cdn$1.36 million.
The underwriters of the offering will receive a cash commission equal to 7% of the gross proceeds raised, Erdene said. In addition, Erdene will sell up to 8,000,000 units at a price of 38 Canadian cents each for gross proceeds of up to $3.04 million.
The transactions are expected to close on or before June 14, 2018, and are subject to certain conditions, including the receipt of all necessary approvals.
Mongolia's mineral wealth has drawn several firms in the past two decades as it opened up to investment. The country's main appeal has always been its riches - vast deposits of copper, coal and iron ore- as well as its proximity to China, the world's biggest buyer of the minerals.
The enthusiasm peaked in 2011, when the land-locked nation's economy grew 17% - the fastest pace on the planet. It went downhill since, with a slight recovery in the past two years as the country stepped up efforts to attract international investors, who can provide foreign direct investment to help Mongolia to meet the terms of its IMF bailout deal.