Washington/Burkina Faso, March 15, 2010—
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today agreed to invest 4 million Canadian dollars in Volta Resources to support a gold exploration project expected to provide jobs and government revenues to Burkina Faso once a mine is developed.
IFC’s investment will be used by Volta, a Canadian-based mining company focused on gold exploration, to advance the Kiaka Gold Project in southern Burkina Faso and for general corporate working capital, including exploration in Mali and Ghana. IFC also will work with Volta to ensure that exploration and any subsequent mine development is done in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.
“IFC understands the unique needs of our industry. We are excited about beginning a long-term relationship with their team and welcome them as a shareholder,” said Kevin Bullock, Volta’s CEO and Director. “They are experienced mining investors and we will benefit from their global expertise in environmental and social management.”
Since an updated Mining Code was enacted in 2003, Burkina Faso has seen significant investment from international mining companies. Several mines are now in production and the country currently ranks among the top-five gold producers in Western Africa after Ghana, Mali, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
The investment is part of IFC’s strategy to facilitate the development of Burkina Faso’s mining industry. IFC recently invested in Gryphon Minerals to help the company develop its Banfora Gold Project.
“This investment continues our strategy of supporting early-stage exploration companies with financing and advice,” said William Bulmer, IFC Global Head for Mining. “We are pleased to partner with Volta, which is committed to responsible mining exploration and engagement with local communities.” He also noted that the development of the Kiaka Gold Project has the potential to bring significant benefits to Burkina Faso, including employment opportunities and government revenues.
IFC is the only international financial institution exclusively focused on the private sector, the engine of sustainable development in emerging markets. Along with IBRD, it is currently seeking a capital increase to strengthen its ability to create opportunity for the poor in developing countries—including by supporting a gold exploration project expected to boost jobs and government revenues.
Legal Disclosure about IFC's Investment
IFC’s investment of approximately CAD$4 million in Volta Resources Inc. (“Volta”) will result in IFC acquiring 5,405,404 units issued by Volta at a price per unit of CAD$0.74. The units comprise an aggregate of 5,405,404 common shares and 2,702,702 warrants, each of which entitles the holder to purchase one common share of Volta Resources Inc. at an exercise price of CAD$1.03 per common share for a period of five years from the closing of the investment.
If, at any time while IFC holds warrants of Volta, the common shares trade at a price that exceeds the warrant exercise price multiplied by 150% on a 15 day volume weighted-average basis, Volta can give notice accelerating the expiry date of IFC’s warrants to 30 days following the date of the delivery of such notice to IFC.
Based on the 98,541,887 common shares of Volta Resources Inc. currently outstanding, IFC will own 5.2% of the outstanding common shares upon completion of the transaction and, assuming the warrants are exercised in full, 7.6% of the outstanding common shares.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of March, 2010.
IFC has been granted the option to make further equity investments for units of Volta on the same basis as the Private Placement for up to an aggregate of CAD$4 million in tranches of not less than CAD$1 million for one year from the closing of the Private Placement. The price of such optional investment by IFC will be determined in accordance with a formula based on the maximum allowable discounts to VWAP pursuant to the policies of the TSX and as set out in the Agreement. IFC has also been granted a pre-emptive right to participate in certain future issuances of Volta’s securities.
IFC is acquiring the units for investment purposes as described above. IFC may, in the future, take such actions in respect of its holdings as IFC deems appropriate in light of the circumstances then existing.
To obtain a copy of the report filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities in respect of which this news release relates, please contact Josef Skoldeberg at the phone number or email address referred to above. IFC’s headquarters are located at 2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20433, USA.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
