Alto Metals issues statement recommending rejection of Middle Island’s takeover offer
The level of acceptances by Alto’s shareholders remains negligible, evidenced by MDI's relevant Interest of only 1.57% in AME's shares as on September 23 2019.
Company
ASX:AME
Alto Metals Ltd is an advanced gold explorer that owns the Sandstone Gold Project in the east Murchison of Western Australia. The Sandstone Gold Project covers ~740km 2 of the Sandstone Greenstone Belt and has an optimised, open-pit constrained mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 832,000 ounces of gold at 1.5g/t, capturing over 80% of the unconstrained total MRE of 1.05 million ounces.
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The level of acceptances by Alto’s shareholders remains negligible, evidenced by MDI's relevant Interest of only 1.57% in AME's shares as on September 23 2019.
Assays from the initial 6,300 metres of the 10,000-metre program have been received and support a resource upgrade.
Results demonstrate the granodiorite host rock in the Lord Nelson open pit broadens to the south with potential to discover additional mineralisation.
This is a substantial purchase from the chairman and is a strong vote of confidence for the company’s future.
Results are also pending from the Lord Nelson and Havilah prospects.
The takeover offer has increased from five to six Middle Island shares for every one Alto share.
The maiden inferred resource estimates from the Ladybird and Havilah deposits have potential to be increased with further planned exploration to follow.
The company’s Sandstone Gold Project covers more than 800 square kilometres in a prolific WA gold district with surrounding infrastructure.
The trading halt will remain in place until the start of trading on Thursday, May 16, 2019, or when an announcement is made.
Alto chairman Terry Wheeler believes the offer fails to recognise the company’s unrealised potential.
The directors’ target statement formally outlined reasons to reject the proposed buyer’s bid.
Commitments secured from this placement will enable Alto to accelerate drilling, progress further exploration, resource study work and cover general working capital.
The companies securities will remain in trading halt until the beginning of trade on Monday, May 6, or when an announcement is made to the market.
The takeover offer is for five Middle Island shares for every one Alto share.
The minimum acceptance condition has been reduced to 50.1%.
The offer is highly conditional and includes a 90% minimum acceptance condition.
Earlier this month, Alto received an all-scrip off-market takeover offer.
The combined Middle Island-Alto assets offer a growth opportunity for current and future shareholders through low capital intensity and near-term gold production.
The company’s board now comprises Terry Wheeler, Jingbin Wang and Matthew Bowles.
Two board members recently purchased over $100,000 worth of stock in the company.