Gulf starts at Sheikh Adi-2 25/05/2012
Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.
Minerals hopeful Weatherly International plans to buy copper play Puku Minerals for £3.25 million in shares and raise £2.3 million.
Dr Wolf Martinick, chairman of former financial services flop Weatherly and director of antipodean oil and gas explorer Sun Resources, and Rod Webster, Weatherly's Australian chief executive, are two of the three vendors of Puku, a speculative venture with two Zambian prospecting licences covering a decommissioned copper mine and a tailings dam at Luanshya in Zambia's Copperbelt. The third vendor is Australian-quoted Ezenet, where Martinick is chairman and key shareholder.
Weatherly directors, two of whom are thus selling their own company to Weatherly, claim Luanshya could be one of Zambia's largest copper deposits, holding a potential 1.4 million tonnes of copper and capable of producing up to 60,000 tonnes a year. The timing and cost of reopening the mine will first need to be subject to a feasibility study.
Because of Martinick's and Webster's holdings, the proposed deal, which counts as a reverse takeover under AIM rules, is thus a 'related party transaction’. Since the takeover share issue would leave directors with 44 per cent of the enlarged Weatherly, the company must call a special shareholders' meeting to agree to waive the Takeover Panel's 'concert party' rules which would otherwise force it to make an offer to all shareholders.
Libertas Capital is acting for Weatherly, previously an unsuccessful financial group that was rebuilt after a Creditors' Voluntary Arrangement with a £250,000 re-financing a year ago. One director, stockbroker and serial small company board member Richard Armstrong, is stepping down as Weatherly embarks on its new role.
The £2.3 million placing accompanying the Puku deal is priced at 8p, against today's 8.25p share price, valuing the company at £6.1 million. Gamblers only.
Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arenaClick here
Advertisement
Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena. Sign up NOW!
This unique study analyses the shareholdings of companies listed on AIM, extracting trends including rankings of the value and number of their investments.
Please click here to order your copy of the report or call 0207 250 7056.
Informative features and research on fast-growing companies, small-cap and growth stocks, penny shares, stock market tips and share recommendations, directors' dealings, company news and analysis, new issues and upcoming IPOs.
If you're interested in business tax updates visit our specialist tax guide website.
Daily coverage of small-cap company stocks on London's junior markets AIM and PLUS, breaking news, stock research and latest share price information for investors. Full sector coverage with all the latest news on smaller listed companies, updated several times a day with financial reports, trading statements and links to further web resources.
Advertisement
Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.
Oil giant Shell is extending its offer period for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy (COV) after having its bid trumped by Thai government-owned PTT Exploration & Production.
Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.
Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.
Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.
Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.