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Alto Metals will use $2.6 million to fast-track drilling at Sandstone Gold Project

Last updated: 05:36 06 May 2019 BST, First published: 05:07 06 May 2019 BST

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Empire Capital Partners and Bluebird Capital acted as joint lead managers to the shortfall placement

Alto Metals Ltd (ASX:AME) has secured firm commitments to raise more than $2.047 million by way of an oversubscribed shortfall placement of almost 57 million shares at 3.6 cents per share.

The placement, which includes one free attaching unquoted option exercisable at 7 cents for every 2 shares subscribed for, attracted strong demand from several boutique funds and investors in Australia, including an equity funded drilling contract up to $350,000.

Premium of 44% to takeover offer

The shortfall placement price represents a premium of 44% to the implied offer price of 2.5 cents under Middle Island Resources Ltd’s (ASX:MDI) unsolicited takeover offer, being five MDI shares for every one Alto share.

This also represents a 10% discount to the closing Alto share price of 4 cents prior to announcing the capital raising.

"Endorsement" of project

Alto chairman Terry Wheeler said: “Alto is extremely pleased with the interest and support from investors which represents a strong endorsement of Alto’s Sandstone Gold Project, technical capabilities and ongoing strategy to generate and drill test a pipeline of highly prospective exploration targets.

“With this funding secured, we can commence the aggressive drilling campaign of approximately 10,000 metres targeting high-grade gold at several known prospects at Havilah, Vanguard and Lord Nelson in addition to exploration at a number of new targets we have identified.”

READ: Alto Metals board recommends shareholders reject Middle Island offer

The placement was completed in relation to the shortfall of the company’s non-renounceable entitlement offer detailed in the prospectus on January 24, 2019.

Settlement of the shortfall placement is expected to occur on Friday, May 10, 2019, with shares to be allotted and the start of trading on or around May 13, 2019.

The new shares will rank equally with the company’s existing fully paid shares.

Placement to chairman

Alto also intends to raise a further $600,000 through a placement to chairman and major shareholder Terry Wheeler to maintain his interest in the company.

This placement is to be made on the same terms as the shortfall placement and is subject to shareholder approval.

Total commitments of more than $2.647 million secured from both the shortfall Pplacement and placement will enable Alto to fast-track drilling at its flagship Sandstone Gold Project.

Funds will also enable the company to progress further exploration, resource study work and cover general working capital.