M&A

Territory's bid 'opportunistic': Olympia

PERTH-based Olympia Resources has today rejected Michael Kiernan-led Territory Resources' cash bi...

MiningNews.Net
Territory's bid 'opportunistic': Olympia

In its target's statement, the mineral sands explorer said independent expert, BDO, concluded that Territory's offer - which valued the company at around $A15.5 million - was neither fair nor reasonable.

BDO assessed the preferred value of Olympia shares to be in the range of 21-25c, a 110-150% increase on the price offered by Territory.

Olympia's main projects include the Keysbrook mineral sands project in Western Australia, the Hart's Range garnet project in the Northern Territory, and a mineral sands joint venture in Indonesia.

"We are of the view that the Territory offer is opportunistic in that the value of your company should improve to meet the value ascribed by BDO as each project delivers its promise," the company said in its target's statement.

"We recommend that shareholders retain their equity in the company with the intention of participating in capital growth over the next two years."

However, Territory Resources chairman Michael Kiernan questioned Olympia's valuation.

"If the company is, as they say, valued at 21c to 25c the first thing is how then have [the directors] let the shares drift down to 6c or 7c," he told MiningNews.net.

"They now have a valuation but they have allowed their company to drift to be a quarter of their valuation."

"So if I was a shareholder, I would say to them you have been forced into a position to get a valuation, how come you didn't know the value of your own company."

Kiernan also questioned the company's development of its Keysbrook project in Western Australia.

"The company listed five to six years ago on developing the Keysbrook project and the project is nowhere near development," he said.

Territory, which is conducting the takeover via wholly-owned subsidiary Territory Mineral Sands, owns a 36.4% share in Olympia.

Its bid marked another foray for Kiernan into mineral sands, alongside Matilda Minerals.

Shares in Olympia were trading at 10c prior to entering into a trading halt, while Territory was trading unchanged at 94.5c.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

MiningNews.net Research Report 2024

Access a multi-pronged tool to identify critical risks and opportunities in Australia’s mining industry.