cnw
(All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise stated)
VANCOUVER, March 31 /CNW/ - New Gold Inc. ("New Gold") (TSX and NYSE AMEX: NGD) today announces that Beadell Resources Ltd. ("Beadell") has received bids from investors to subscribe for at least A$57 million of ordinary shares of Beadell in relation to the previously-disclosed sale of New Gold's Brazilian subsidiary Mineracao Pedra Branca do Amapari Ltda. ("MPBA"), which holds the Amapari mine and other related assets. Due to increased volatility in the gold market since the initial transaction announcement in January 2010, certain terms of the transaction have been revised and New Gold expects to receive $37 million in cash and $16 million in Beadell shares as consideration for the sale of MPBA, versus $46 million in cash and $17 million in Beadell shares as previously disclosed. Under the revised terms, New Gold will hold approximately 19.9% of Beadell. New Gold's objective of receiving meaningful cash proceeds for the non-core Amapari asset is expected to be realized, subject to closing, and under the revised terms New Gold should have a greater share of Beadell equity and related participation in the future success of Amapari. Beadell is an Australian listed gold-focused company with exploration and development assets in Western Australia and Brazil.
"We are pleased that Beadell has completed the book build and, upon closing, the cash proceeds will only help to further enhance our financial flexibility," stated Randall Oliphant, Executive Chairman. "We have been successful in monetizing a non-core asset for meaningful cash proceeds and also remain keen to participate as shareholders of Beadell and look forward to the group's future success at Amapari as well as their other assets."
Beadell shareholders formally approved the equity offering and related transaction at a Shareholder Meeting held on March 12, 2010 and the transaction is expected to close by mid-April.
About New Gold
New Gold is an intermediate gold mining company with the Mesquite Mine in the United States, Cerro San Pedro Mine in Mexico and Peak Gold Mines in Australia. The company is expected to produce between 330,000 and 360,000 ounces of gold in 2010, growing to over 400,000 ounces in 2012. In addition, New Gold has a strong portfolio of development and exploration assets in North and South America. For further information on the company, please visit www.newgold.com.
New Gold is an intermediate gold mining company with the Mesquite Mine in the United States, Cerro San Pedro Mine in Mexico and Peak Gold Mines in Australia. The company is expected to produce between 330,000 and 360,000 ounces of gold in 2010, growing to over 400,000 ounces in 2012. In addition, New Gold has a strong portfolio of development and exploration assets in North and South America. For further information on the company, please visit www.newgold.com.