Lydian International Limited announced that its wholly owned Armenian operating subsidiary has entered into a secured credit facility with Caterpillar Financial Services (UK) ("Cat Financial") for a maximum principal amount of US$42 million ("Cat Term Facility"). Proceeds of the Cat Term Facility will be used to purchase Cat® mobile mining equipment for Lydian's 100%-owned Amulsar Gold Project in Armenia. Construction at Amulsar started in October 2016; first gold production is expected during the first quarter of 2018.
Howard Stevenson, Lydian's President and CEO, commented, "We have crossed another major milestone in the development of the Amulsar gold mine and are extremely pleased to have Cat Financial support our future mining operations."
The Cat Term Facility is available to be drawn in multiple advances through June 2018. Each advance will be repayable over a 75-month term, inclusive of a six-month initial repayment grace period. The Cat Term Facility bears an interest rate of Libor plus 4.5%. Principal security consists of specific equipment financed by Cat Financial. In addition, Lydian has provided an unsecured guarantee in favour of Cat Financial. All advances under the Cat Term Facility are subject to satisfaction of certain conditions.
Endeavour Financial is acting as financial advisor to Lydian.