SYDNEY: Empire Metals Limited has entered into a Binding Heads of Agreement with ASX listed Artemis Resources Limited  to acquire a 41% interest in the Munni Munni Palladium Project in the West Pilbara, Western Australia and has first right of refusal on a further 29% interest in the project.

Mike Struthers, CEO, said: “This acquisition represents the start of a new chapter for Empire. Over the past 18 months the Company has been actively reviewing a number of exciting opportunities to fulfil the objective of de-risking our growth strategy by diversifying away from a single jurisdiction investment.  We believe the opportunity presented with the Munni Munni Project in Australia satisfies this goal by combining an exceptional project with an attractive and mature investment environment.

“Having recently received confirmation on the tenure of two of our primary projects in Georgia and with an appeal process commenced on a third key asset, the Company has achieved some major steps towards the recommencement of fieldwork at Kvemo Bolnisi and other key assets.  But as is the case with most countries, government agencies in Georgia are focussed on those activities considered a priority for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and a result, we are waiting for clarity on how our development schedule will advance.

“We are very excited about this new opportunity and look forward to updating shareholders on completion and our plans for Munni Munni in due course.”

Artemis currently hold a 70% interest in Munni Munni and the remaining 30% is held by ASX listed Platina Resources Limited. Almeera has claim to an option over Artemis’s holding in Munni Munni.  Almeera has agreed to withdraw its claim to allow Empire to enter into the Agreement.

In consideration for the withdrawal of this claim, Empire will make a loan to Almeera of £100,000 (which will be made in the form of an issue  to Artemis of 10,000,000 new ordinary shares of Empire) to satisfy the consideration due to Artemis for the acquisition of a 10% stake in the Munni Munni licence (the “Almeera Shares”) by Almeera. The loan is repayable by Almeera three years from the date of Completion and will attract an interest rate of 2% per annum.

The total consideration payable to Artemis of £600,000 is to be satisfied via the issue of 60,000,000 new ordinary shares (including the Almeera Shares) at a price of 1 pence per share.  An introduction and advisory fee of £350,000 will also be paid to a third party on Completion and will be satisfied by the issue of 35,000,000 new ordinary shares at a price of 1 pence per share.  The total new ordinary shares expected to be issued pursuant to the Agreement is 95,000,000, which will represent 32.9% of the enlarged share capital of the Company.

On Completion, Empire will hold an effective interest of 41% in the Munni Munni Project, Platina Resources Limited will hold 30%, Artemis will hold 19% and Almeera will hold 10% (together the “Parties”). Empire will be the operator of the Project and will have also a right of first refusal for the acquisition of the remaining interest held by Artemis and Almeera in the Munni Munni Project, allowing Empire to move to 70%.

Completion is subject to a number of conditions precedent including completion of due diligence, execution of a formal joint venture agreement between the Parties, obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and obtaining all necessary third-party consents and approvals to give effect to the proposed acquisition. A significant amount of work has already taken place between the Parties and it is expected that the Conditions Precedent will be completed in a timely manner.