TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – June 29, 2016) – Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(OTC:NUSMF Nasdaq Intl Designation) (the “Company” or “Nautilus”) announces that, further to the Company’s news release dated April 8, 2016, the Company continues to seek and consider various alternative sources of financing in order to maintain the development of the Solwara 1 Project and the Company’s operations.
As previously disclosed, the Company requires significant additional funding in order to complete the build and deployment of the seafloor production system to be utilized at the Solwara 1 Project by the Company and its joint venture partner (as to 15%), the Independent State of Papua New Guinea’s nominee.
In view of the Company’s funding requirements, the Company and its operating subsidiaries are currently exploring alternatives for delaying project spending and securing immediate bridge financing to facilitate the time required to secure the significant additional project funding that is needed and/or to explore alternative transactions aimed at maximizing shareholder value. Any such bridge financing may include a loan facility provided by a major shareholder of the Company on commercial terms for such a facility with security over certain of the Company’s assets.
There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain the necessary bridge financing or project financing on acceptable terms or at all. Failure to secure bridge financing and/or project financing may result in the Company taking various steps aimed at maximizing shareholder value, including suspending or terminating the development of the seafloor production system and the Solwara 1 Project, and engaging in various transactions including, without limitation, asset sales, joint ventures and capital restructurings. The Company’s independent directors will be looking to engage a financial advisor to assist them in this process.
There can be no assurances that any transaction will result from these matters and the Company will provide updates as circumstances warrant. Any transaction(s) will be subject to all necessary stock exchange and, if applicable, shareholder approvals as well as compliance with all other regulatory requirements.
The Company previously disclosed that the construction and development of the entire seafloor production system for initial deployment and testing operations at the Solwara 1 Project, was scheduled to occur during the first quarter of 2018 based on the Company’s project timetable and subject to securing additional project funding. However, since, as indicated above, the necessary additional project funding has not been secured, the Company now believes that, in the event that the required funding is secured and the Company is able to continue development of the Solwara 1 Project, the schedule would be delayed but the Company is unable to determine the extent of the delay at this time. The Company will provide updates as circumstances warrant.
For more information please refer to www.nautilusminerals.com.
Links:
http://www.nautilusminerals.com/irm/PDF/1737/NautilusAnnouncesClosingofRightsOffering
Neither the TSX nor the OTCQX accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
About Nautilus Minerals Inc.
Nautilus is the first company to explore the ocean floor for polymetallic seafloor massive sulphide deposits. Nautilus was granted the first mining lease for such deposits at the prospect known as Solwara 1, in the territorial waters of Papua New Guinea, where it is aiming to produce copper, gold and silver. The Company has also been granted its environmental permit for this site.
Nautilus also holds highly prospective exploration acreage in the western Pacific (granted and under application), as well as in international waters in the Central Pacific.
A Canadian registered company, Nautilus is listed on the TSX:NUS stock exchange and trades on the OTCQX:NUSMF, and is also a member of the Nasdaq International Designation program. Its corporate office is in Brisbane, Australia. Its major shareholders include MB Holding Company LLC, an Oman based group with interests in mining, oil & gas, which holds a 27% interest and Metalloinvest, the largest iron ore producer in Europe and the CIS, which has a 15% holding (each on a non-diluted basis, excluding loan shares outstanding under the Company’s share loan plan).
Investor Relations
+1 (416) 551 1100
[email protected]
www.nautilusminerals.com
Principal American Liaison
Euro Pacific Capital, Inc.
88 Post Road West, 2nd Floor
Westport, CT 06880
1-203-662-9700
Attn: Thomas Tan [email protected]
