Emmerson Raises £0.85 Million in Oversubscribed Fundraising to Support Dispute with Moroccan Government

Highlights

• Oversubscribed Fundraising: Emmerson raised £0.85 million through the issue of 130.8 million new shares and 43.6 million warrants, at a price of 0.65 pence per share.
• Legal and Administrative Expenses: The proceeds will be used to cover arbitration-related legal fees, redundancy costs, and other administrative expenses.
• Director Participation: Key directors of the company, including Hayden Locke, Robert Wrixon, and Graham Clarke, contributed to the fundraising, constituting a related party transaction.

Emmerson Plc (LSE:EML), a Moroccan-focused potash development company, has successfully raised £0.85 million in a heavily oversubscribed fundraising round. This significant capital injection will primarily support the company's efforts to address ongoing legal issues related to its dispute with the Moroccan government, which was first announced on November 1, 2024. The fundraising included the issuance of 130,769,229 new ordinary shares and 43,589,743 attaching warrants, marking an important step for the company as it prepares for arbitration proceedings.

Fundraising Details and Oversubscription

The placing and subscription saw Emmerson issue 130,769,229 new ordinary shares, priced at 0.65 pence each. Alongside these shares, the company also offered 43,589,743 warrants, each with an exercise price of 3 pence per share and a seven-year term from the date of issuance. The fundraising was led by Shard Capital Partners LLP, with the oversubscription indicating strong investor interest in the company’s potential.

The raised funds will be utilized to cover various essential expenses, particularly those related to the company's ongoing dispute with the Moroccan government. Specifically, the proceeds will assist with legal costs, arbitration fees, redundancy expenses, and listing-related costs. In addition, the funds will cover base remuneration for key witnesses involved in the anticipated arbitration process. The fundraising thus highlights Emmerson's proactive approach to securing financial resources for what could be a lengthy and complex legal battle.

Director Participation and Related Party Transaction

A number of Emmerson's directors have also participated in the fundraising, including Hayden Locke, Robert Wrixon, and Graham Clarke. Together, they contributed £0.02 million, acquiring a total of 3.2 million placing shares. Given that these directors are key figures in the company, their participation in the fundraising constitutes a related party transaction under the AIM Rules for Companies.

In line with these regulations, Emmerson’s nominated adviser, Panmure Liberum, has confirmed that the transaction is fair and reasonable from the shareholders' perspective. This is particularly significant given that all the independent directors intend to participate in the fundraising round, and no independent advice could be sought in this case.

Strategic Use of Funds

The net proceeds from the fundraising will be primarily directed towards addressing the various financial obligations the company faces as a result of its dispute with the Moroccan government. Emmerson's legal team anticipates significant costs related to arbitration, making the fundraising crucial for the company to continue its operations without financial strain. Key areas where the funds will be allocated include legal fees related to the arbitration, general administrative expenses, redundancy costs, and the remuneration of critical witnesses.