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Polymetal International plc (POLY)
Polymetal: Update on the potential modification of its asset holding structure
19-Jul-2022 / 16:45 MSK
Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement that contains inside information
according to REGULATION (EU) No 596/2014 (MAR), transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Release time IMMEDIATE
LSE, MOEX, AIX: POLY / ADR: AUCOY
Date 19 July 2022
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE
OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A
VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF
REGULATION 2014/596/EU, WHICH IS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW PURSUANT TO THE
MARKET ABUSE (AMENDMENT) (EU EXIT) REGULATIONS (SI 2019/310) ("UK MAR").
Polymetal International plc
Update on the potential modification of its asset holding structure
Polymetal International plc (Polymetal or the Company) reports on progress in
its efforts to de-risk on-going operations.
As announced earlier this year, the Company has been considering a potential
modification of its asset holding structure which would ensure distinct
ownership in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The
Company today announces that it is evaluating the potential disposal of the
Company’s assets located in the Russian Federation (the Russian Assets) (the
Potential Transaction).
If completed, the Potential Transaction would result in the Company focusing
primarily on its operations in Kazakhstan, which currently produce over 500
Koz of gold per year, with revenue in 2021 of US$ 984 million.
The primary objective of the Potential Transaction is to restore shareholder
value by seeking to allow the market to appropriately value the Company’s
Kazakhstani assets and de-risk its ongoing operations. The Company believes
that the Potential Transaction would also increase the likelihood of the
Company’s ability to re-enter all the relevant equity and sustainability
indices and regain a significantly wider institutional audience. However, the
evaluation of the Potential Transaction is ongoing and there can be no
certainty that the Company will proceed with the Potential Transaction.
In order to evaluate the Potential Transaction, a Special Committee of the
Board (the Committee) has been set up in accordance with the Company’s
Articles of Association, comprising the Independent Non-Executive Directors of
the Company. The Committee will review the Potential Transaction, acting at
all times in the best interests of the Company, its shareholders and other
stakeholders.
Appropriate advisers have been appointed in order to assist in respect of the
Potential Transaction.
“The Committee is acting in the interests of all of the Company’s shareholders
with the ultimate goal of unlocking the Company’s value by removing its
exposure to the Russian Assets.
Our plan has evolved since the Company announced the genesis of these actions
almost four months ago, and I am pleased with the good progress so far. While
we are dealing with several legal and regulatory aspects across jurisdictional
boundaries, our aim is to apply best corporate governance standards and
achieve the best outcome for all stakeholders”, said Paul J. Ostling,
Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Committee.
The Company confirms that the Potential Transaction will be compliant with all
applicable international sanctions and regulatory requirements, including
shareholder approval.
A further announcement will be made as appropriate.
The person responsible for the announcement is Tania Tchedaeva, Company
Secretary.
Enquiries
Media Investor Relations
Advisors
to the
Special
Committee Polymetal 1 ir@polymetalinternational.com
of the
Board Evgeny Monakhov +44 20 7887 1475 (UK)
FTI +44 Timofey Kulakov
Consulting 20
3727 Kirill +7 812 334 3666 (Russia)
Leonid 1000 Kuznetsov
Fink
Viktor
Pomichal
Forward-looking statements
This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be,
“forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as
at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words
“targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”,
“anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each
case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans,
objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking
statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature,
such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially
different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements
are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future
business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in
the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual
results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed
in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any
forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the
company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions
or circumstances on which any such statements are based.
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ISIN: JE00B6T5S470
Category Code: UPD
TIDM: POLY
LEI Code: 213800JKJ5HJWYS4GR61
OAM Categories: 2.2. Inside information
Sequence No.: 175788
EQS News ID: 1401325
End of Announcement EQS News Service
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References
Visible links
1. mailto:ir@polymetalinternational.com
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