Golden Peaks Resources Limited (TSX:GL) reported that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent (the "LOI") to acquire 100% of Reliance Resources Limited ("Reliance"), an unlisted Australian public company, which holds the rights to five advanced gold exploration permits on the islands of Sulawesi and Halmahera in eastern Indonesia.
The Reliance portfolio comprises three exploration projects on Sulawesi Island, with a JORC inferred resource, defined targets and the potential for near-term resource development and production; and two areas on the island of Halmahera, 70km north of Newcrest Mining's high-grade, profitable Gosowong gold mine. Reliance has the second largest landholding behind Newcrest on Halmahera. Figure 1 below, highlights the location of the Reliance properties in relation to major mines and magmatic arcs in the region.
Figure 1: Map of Indonesia highlighting magmatic arcs, major mines and Reliance properties:
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Reliance holds a majority (75-90%) interest in these five gold tenements, covering 30,000 hectares. All five projects are within close proximity to operating gold mines or defined resources with similar geological settings. Importantly, all projects have been converted to IUP tenements as required under the new Indonesian Mining Act (2009)
Reliance has chosen to focus on gold in Indonesia given the in-country experience and history of achievement of the directors and key technical personnel. Also, Reliance's projects have significant exploration potential and are located in a region that hosts some of the world's largest gold mining projects. Reliance has an established presence in Indonesia, with strong regional government and community ties.
The Company's Board and technical leadership team have been responsible for the development of Robust Resources Limited's (ASX: ROL) highly prospective Romang Island project, also in Indonesia. Robust has some of the world's leading resource-sector institutional investors on its register, and the leadership team has been responsible for increasing the company's market capitalisation from $6.9 million in June 2008 to over $150 million today.
Reliance has developed an extensive exploration program, currently underway, which includes:
- Resource extension drilling to JORC indicated / measured equivalent (Sulawesi)
- Reconnaissance geological work (mapping / trenching / sampling) to further define drill targets (Halmahera)
- Two owner-operated diamond drill rigs on order (four rigs budgeted for 2011)
- Expansion of the technical team and establishment of support offices on Sulawesi, Halmahera and a central administration and logistics office in Jakarta
The transaction contemplated under the LOI, will see the Company issue 62.7 million shares to the security holders of Reliance, with the result that the Reliance security holders will hold approximately 57% of the outstanding shares of the Company, post-acquisition. The proposed acquisition is subject to a number of conditions precedent, including TSX acceptance, due diligence conducted to the satisfaction of both companies, and approval by Golden Peaks shareholders.
Golden Peaks Chairman, Scott Emerson said: "This is a unique opportunity, Reliance's board and exploration team has a history of success in Indonesia and we look forward to welcoming Reliance shareholders and together continuing to build a gold company."
Reliance Resources Chairman, Gary Lewis said: "This is a great opportunity for Golden Peaks' shareholders to gain access to one of the world's most exciting gold exploration and production regions through the acquisition of these highly prospective projects. Reliance's assets are very high quality and offer near term production potential and further upside opportunity through an extensive exploration programme."
"Our team has a track record of success in Indonesia and a proven ability to identify and develop exploration assets that in turn deliver very solid returns for our shareholders. We are confident that this transaction presents a good opportunity for both Reliance's and Golden Peaks' shareholders."
SOURCE Golden Peaks Resources Ltd.