Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Sept. 27, 2011) – Allana Potash Corp. (TSX:AAA)(OTCQX:ALLRF) (“Allana” or the “Company”) today announced that it has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Plan”).
The objectives of the Plan are to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid for the Company. The Plan discourages discriminatory, coercive or unfair take-overs of the Company and gives the Company’s board of directors time if, in the circumstances, the board determines it is appropriate to take such time, to pursue alternatives to maximize shareholder value in the event an unsolicited take-over bid is made for all or a portion of the outstanding common shares of the Company (the “Common Shares”).
In order to implement the adoption of the Plan, the Board authorized the issuance of one right (a “Right”) in respect of each Common Share outstanding at the close of business on September 23, 2011 (the “Record Time”). In addition, the Board authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each additional Common Share issued after the Record Time. The Rights trade with and are represented by Common Share certificates, including certificates issued prior to the Record Time. Until such time as the Rights separate from the Common Shares and become exercisable, Rights certificates will not be distributed to shareholders.
If a person, or a group acting in concert, acquires (other than pursuant to an exemption available under the Plan) Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Plan) of 20% or more of the Common Shares, Rights (other than those held by such acquiring person which will become void) will separate from the Common Shares and permit the holder thereof to purchase Common Shares at a 50% discount to their market price. At any time prior to the Rights becoming exercisable, the Board may waive the operation of the Plan with respect to certain events before they occur.
The issuance of the Rights will not change the manner in which shareholders currently trade their Common Shares.
The Plan is subject to the final approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and requires confirmation by the Company’s shareholders on or before March 23, 2012, being within six months of the Plan’s effective date. If the Plan is not confirmed by shareholders, the Plan and all outstanding Rights will terminate and be void and of no further force and effect.
Although the Company is in talks with various strategic parties the Plan is not being proposed in response to, or in contemplation of, any specific take-over bid for the Company. The Board did not adopt the Plan to prevent a take-over of the Company, to secure the continuance of management or the directors in their respective offices or to deter fair offers for the Common Shares.
About Allana Potash Corp.
Allana is a publicly traded corporation with a focus on the acquisition and development of potash assets internationally with its major focus on a previously explored potash property in Ethiopia. Allana has secured financial support from two significant strategic investors: IFC, a member of World Bank Group, and Liberty Metals and Mining, a member of Liberty Mutual Group. Allana has Measured and Indicated Sylvinite Resources of 97.8 Million Tonnes of 30.0% KCl; Inferred Sylvinite Resource of 108.3 Million tonnes grading 31.3% KCl; Measured + Indicated Kainitite Resources of 284.2 Million tonnes at 19.8% KCl, Inferred Kainitite Resource of 271.2 Million tonnes of 20.3% KCl; Measured+Indicated Upper Carnallitite Resources of 78.5 Million tonnes grading 18.4% KCl, Inferred Upper Carnallitite Resource of 85.6 Million tonnes of 17.1% KCl; Measured+Indicated Lower Carnallitite Resources of 212.6 Million tonnes of 12.0% KCl, Inferred Lower Carnallitite Resource of 130.7 Million tonnes grading 11.7% KCl. Allana has approximately 197.5 million shares outstanding and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “AAA”.
Peter J. MacLean, Ph.D., P. Geo., Allana’s Senior VP Exploration, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information presented in this release.
Forward-Looking Statement
Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes “forward-looking information” under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the terms of the rights; the separation of the rights; regulatory and shareholder approval; effect of the rights plan and the receipt by the Company of any offer effect and estimated timeline of the drilling and assay results on the Company, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; the timing and amount of estimated future exploration; costs of exploration; capital expenditures; success of exploration activities; permitting time lines and permitting, ; government regulation of mining operations; environmental risks; unanticipated reclamation expenses; and title disputes or claims; Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
