Deutsche Bank invests $120m in Crescent Gold

Perth-based gold producer Crescent Gold Ltd has raised $120 million through a placement with Deutsche Bank AG, which will give the investment bank a majority stake in the company.

Crescent will place 316 million shares at 38 cents each with the bank, giving it a 51.75 per cent stake in the company.

The company, which recently began gold production at its Laverton project, will use the funds to advance its exploration and development activities.

The full text of a company announcement is pasted below

Crescent Gold Limited is pleased to announce that its future growth strategy is to be backed by a strategic alliance with Deutsche Bank AG (acting through its London branch).

The strategic alliance, arranged by Capstone Capital, is via a private placement to DB (or a member of its group) of 315,789,474 ordinary shares in Crescent at A$0.38 cents per share for A$120m cash. Following the placement, DB will have a voting interest in Crescent of 51.75% on a fully diluted basis.

The proceeds of the placement will be used to advance exploration and development activities on Crescent's Laverton Gold Project and to accelerate broader growth strategies. The alliance will enable Crescent to benefit from DB's broad global platform, access to capital and further growth opportunities.

The placement is subject, amongst other conditions, to DB's satisfactory completion of due diligence and both parties obtaining various regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of Crescent's shareholders, OSC, TSX, ASIC and ASX.

The Board of Directors recommend that shareholders accept the offer by or on behalf of DB to invest $120 million for the issue of 315,789,474 ordinary shares at $0.38 cents per share. The conditions to the offer which need to be satisfied are as set out in the copy of Crescent's invitation to DB to participate in the placement annexed to this announcement.

Crescent anticipates distributing shareholder documentation in relation to the placement, including the timing of the extraordinary general meeting which will be required for approval of the placement, in April.