Yancoal signs debt deal with Yanzhou

26th March 2014 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australian junior Yancoal Australia has arranged a $300-million long-term loan facility from majority shareholder Yanzhou Coal Mining Company in an effort to settle shareholder fears.

Yanzhou this week abandoned a privatisation effort of Yancoal, in which it would have acquired the remaining 22% interest in the coal miner, causing Yancoal share prices to fall.

Yancoal said on Tuesday that the first $100-million tranche under the new loan facility would have a term of six years, and would be provided on an unsecured basis, with no covenants.

The interest and repayment timing for the next tranche, constituting $200-million, would be agreed in future, prior to the tranche being advanced.

The loan facility would provide Yancoal with working capital, the junior said.