Tawana merges with Bald Hill partner

Lithium producer Tawana Resources has announced plans to merge with its Bald Hill project joint venture partner, Singapore-listed Alliance Mineral Assets, to form a $446 million company.

Under the agreement, Osborne Park-based Alliance will acquire all of the shares in Tawana for a consideration of 1.1 Alliance shares per Tawana share.

Following the transaction, Alliance shareholders will own approximately 51 per cent of the new entity, while Tawana shareholders will hold the remaining 49 per cent.

The merger, which is expected to be finalised in October, comes less than a month after production started at the Bald Hill project.

The two companies have a 50 per cent stake in the Bald Hill project. 

Tawana chairman Robert Benussi said the companies were a natural fit.

“Both companies have successful track records of creating substantial value for shareholders and, together, we will retain this focus,” he said

“Our ability as a merged group to capture future growth opportunities in the high growth lithium market will be significantly enhanced.”

The new board will comprise four Tawana members, with Mark Turner set to become non-executive chairman, while Mark Calderwood will remain as managing director of the new entity.

Robert Vassie and Vicki Xie will become non-executive directors.

Joshua Ong from Alliance will become a non-executive director while a nominee from Alliance major shareholder Burwill will also be appointed as a non-executive director.

The deal remains subject to a number of customary conditions, including shareholder and court approval.

The merged group is expected to become listed on the ASX in addition to maintaining Alliance’s current listing on SGX Catalist.

King & Wood Mallesons is acting as Australian legal adviser to Tawana, while Canaccord Genuity is acting as its financial adviser.

Sternship Advisers is acting as financial adviser to Alliance and DLA Piper is acting as its Australian legal adviser.

Tawana has also launched a capital raising for up to $25 million, which includes a placement of $7.8 million with major shareholder Weier Antriebe und Energietechnik Gmbh.

The raising comprises a fully underwritten $20 million placement, along with a conditional placement to raise up to $5 million.

Alliance has also announced it will raise $25 million, plus a non-underwritten placement of up to $7.8 million to Burwill.

Canaccord Genuity acted as lead manager to both placements.