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Tata
Steel signs memorandum with Riversdale Mining
August 3, 2007
Tata
Steel and Riversdale Mining, a company listed on the
Australian Stock Exchange, have entered into a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) whereby Tata Steel will become
a strategic investor in Riversdale's Mozambique Coal
Project by acquiring a 35-per cent stake in it for a
sum of A$100 million. The hard coking coal derived from
this project will be supplied to the Corus facilities
in the UK and Europe and also to the company's enhanced
requirement in India in the future.
The
Mozambique Coal Project includes the coal tenements
of premium hard coking coal in Benga and Tete, located
in the Tete province in Mozambique, which are fully
owned by Riversdale through its subsidiary. The Benga
and Tete tenements together cover an area of 24,960
hectares. The Riversdale management expects that the
potential mineralisation of the area will be substantially
high. The MOU contemplates the relationship between
Riversdale and Tata Steel to develop the project. Riversdale
is presently conducting a scoping study which is likely
to be completed in August 2007. The definitive agreements
are expected to be finalised and executed by November
30 2007.
B
Muthuraman, managing director, Tata Steel, said, "The
memorandum of understanding with Riversdale is in the
Tata Steel's stated strategy of progressing towards
raw material security for its global business. This
partnership gives Tata Steel an opportunity to jointly
explore part of a large coal basin which could prove
to be a potential source to meet part of the raw material
requirement and enhance the long term competitiveness
of the global operations.
Michael
O'Keeffe, the CEO and chairman of Riversdale said, "The
memorandum of understanding with Tata Steel is a decisive
corporate event for Riversdale and is a definitive recognition
of the Moatize Coal Basin as a significant new source
of supply of hard coking coal products for the global
steel industry. The MOU culminates a lengthy and thorough
search for a strong strategic investor. Tata Steel is
one of the most dynamic steel companies in the world.
Throughout their long history, they have demonstrated
consistent ability to thrive across many market cycles.
They are an ideal strategic partner for Riversdale,
and offer our shareholders the most efficient way to
realise value from the development of Riversdale's world-class
projects."
The
completion of the transactions contemplated by the MOU
is subject to completion of due diligence, definitive
agreements, and board approval of both companies and
regulatory approvals.
About
Riversdale Mining
Riversdale Mining Limited, incorporated in 1986, is
engaged in mining activities and is listed on the Australian
Stock Exchange. The company owns a 74-per cent share
of two anthracite projects in South Africa. In October
2006 the company acquired Africoal Mozambique Limitada
through its 100-per cent subsidiary Riversdale Energy
Mauritius Limited, and thereby the ownership of large
coal tenements in Mozambique in the Zambezi basin. The
company is currently exploring the Benga tenement.
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