Dear CIGAs,
This is a major game changer. It has taken place in a West African gold miner. It speaks to certain African countries as excellent investments. It underscores that prediction of 12 years ago.
It screams at undervaluation. It is the recognition that gold mines mine money. This is a recognition of the dwindling supply side of gold. This is a recognition that gold is the only Honest Money. This is a recognition of gold’s role in high tech.
The end of the bear market inflicted by the hedges on gold shares is absolutely over. The shorts in good gold shares after today are self destructively insane.
This is it for good gold shares. The long bull phase in gold shares starts now.
Cluff Gold plc
("Cluff Gold" or "the Company")
12 September 2012
AIM: CLF/TSX: CFG
Strategic Alliance between Cluff Gold and Samsung
Cluff Gold plc, the dual AIM/TSX listed West African focused gold mining company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a long term strategic partnership with Samsung C&T Corporation ("Samsung"). This alliance commences with an unhedged US$20m facility to provide additional funding to Cluff Gold to further the development of its portfolio of assets. The Memorandum of Understanding provides a general framework for the potential long term funding of Baomahun and other development opportunities.
The initial facility forms part of a wider strategic alliance between Cluff Gold and Samsung which is a global trading company. Cluff Gold has a producing mine, Kalsaka in Burkina Faso, and a strong pipeline of development assets which is expected to generate a long term production profile. Through this long term partnership Samsung will have access to a reliable supply of gold bullion, underpinned by the Company’s strong operational and management team whilst Cluff Gold will benefit from Samsung’s financial support. The relationship is expected to result in a significant financing in Cluff Gold’s Baomahun project, subject to the outcome of the feasibility study, together with an ongoing commitment to jointly assess other opportunities in the region.
Under the terms of the agreement signed today, an initial US$20m of debt finance will be drawn immediately, supported by the Company’s interest in its Kalsaka/Sega project. These funds will be used to strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and ensure the Company remains well funded during the development of Sega to continue the ongoing exploration and development work across its asset portfolio.
Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study, the alliance envisages a further substantial financing for the development of Cluff Gold’s Baomahun project in Sierra Leone, which has 2.1Moz of indicated resources (25.6Mt at 2.5g/t). Baomahun is fully permitted, with work ongoing to complete a feasibility study.
The Memorandum of Understanding does not require any exclusivity between Samsung and the Company in respect of further financing and is not binding on either party in that respect. Negotiations with other debt providers will continue in parallel with the due diligence undertaken by Samsung.
John McGloin, Chairman of Cluff Gold, commented:
"We are very pleased to have formed an alliance with Samsung as we develop our project portfolio. This agreement provides immediate financing support on competitive terms compared to other recent financings without the requirement to hedge any of our current or future gold production. More importantly, it also offers a framework for a cornerstone financing in the Baomahun project or other development opportunities, capable of satisfying a significant portion of the total Baomahun financing needs. The initial US$20m drawdown provides us with the balance sheet flexibility to use existing cash flow to fund our exploration programmes whilst maintaining development momentum at Sega and Baomahun. We look forward to working with Samsung as we deliver our Company strategy to grow into a mid-tier producer through the development of our existing portfolio whilst looking at other accretive growth opportunities in the region."