(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration No. 1957/001979/06)
ISIN: ZAE000083648
JSE Share Code: IMP
LSE Share Code: IPLA
ADR Code: IMPUY
(“Implats” or “the Company”)
(“RBN”)
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number 2006/006906/07)
(“RBH”)
Shareholders of Implats approved the empowerment transaction with the RBN on 29 November 2006 (the “Royalty Transaction”), conditional on:
The Minister of Land Affairs signed the Notarial Royalty Payment Agreement on 28 February 2007. Based on the Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2007, released for comment on 27 February 2007, and representations made by National Treasury, Implats has agreed to waive the second condition precedent.
The Royalty Transaction has therefore become unconditional and will be implemented in accordance with its terms. Accordingly, 75 115 200 new Implats shares will be issued to Royal Bafokeng Impala Investment Holding Company (Pty) Limited (“RBIIH”) and Royal Bafokeng Tholo Investment Holding Company (Pty) Limited (“RBTIH”) on 6 March 2007 (the “Effective Date”). These shares will rank for the dividend declared by the Company on 15 February 2007, being the interim dividend of 275 cents per Implats share, in respect of the half-year ended 31 December 2006.
International Financial Reporting Standards require that the Royalties be reflected at fair market value as at the Effective Date (“FMV”). In light of the improved market conditions in the platinum sector, as reflected in the Implats share price, and in order to align the transaction documents and the tax and accounting treatment with the FMV, the parties to the Royalty Transaction have agreed to amend the Royalty Transaction to reflect the FMV of the Royalties at R12 483 million (the “Revised Transaction”).
The Revised Transaction provides that:
If the Revised Transaction is approved by shareholders of Implats, the RBN group will have subscribed for 75 115 204 Implats shares for an amount of R12 483 million (“the Royalty Payment”). In the event that the Revised Transaction is not approved by Implats shareholders, the Royalty Transaction will remain unaffected and RBTIH and RBIIH will continue to hold 75 115 200 Implats shares, for a subscription amount of R10 585 million.
The Adjustment Shares will be subject to the same terms as the shares issued under the Royalty Transaction, and will be issued five days after the fulfillment of the condition precedent set out in paragraph 3.2 below.
The Revised Transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of Implats by 30 April 2007, or such later date as the Parties may agree in writing.
Implats will seek shareholder approval for the specific issue of the Adjustment Shares and the Revised Transaction contemplated in the agreements between the parties. RBH, RBTIH and RBIIH are existing shareholders in Implats and, because they have an interest in the Revised Transaction, will not vote on any resolutions at the general meeting.
RBH, RBIIH and RBTIH would, in terms of the Royalty Transaction, hold 13.4% of the fully diluted issued ordinary share capital of Implats. If the Revised Transaction is implemented, these parties will still hold 13.4% of the fully diluted issued ordinary share capital of Implats.
The unaudited pro-forma financial effects of the Revised Transaction for the six months ended 31 December 2006 are set out in the table below to assist Implats’ ordinary shareholders to assess the impact of the Revised Transaction on Implats’ basic earnings per share, headline earnings per share, fully diluted earnings and headline earnings per share, net asset value per share and tangible net asset value per share, based on the unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2006.
These unaudited pro-forma financial effects have been presented for illustrative purposes only and may not give a fair reflection of Implats’ financial position nor the effect on future earnings post the implementation of the Revised Transaction. The directors of Implats are responsible for the preparation of the unaudited pro-forma financial effects.
| Before (1) | After (2) | % change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic EPS (cents) | 824 | 482 | (42%) |
| Diluted EPS (cents) | 821 | 481 | (41%) |
| Basic HEPS (cents) | 824 | 482 | (42%) |
| Diluted HEPS (cents) | 821 | 481 | (41%) |
| NAV per share (cents) | 3,247 | 4,813 | 51% |
| NTAV per share (cents) | 3,235 | 2,768 | (13%) |
Net asset and tangible net asset value per share after the Revised Transaction have been determined assuming that the Revised Transaction was implemented on 31 December 2006, as follows:
A circular setting out full details of the Revised Transaction, including a notice of general meeting, will be posted to shareholders by the end of March.
Johannesburg
6 March 2007
Financial adviser and transaction sponsor to Implats
Morgan Stanley South Africa (Pty) Limited
Legal and tax adviser to Implats
Deneys Reitz
Reporting accountants to Implats
PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services (Pty) Limited
Corporate Tax Advisor to Implats
Dianne Dobson
Sponsor to Implats
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Pty) Limited
Legal adviser to RBH
Bell Dewar Hall