Impala issues convertible bond

South Africa’s Impala Platinum (Implats) plans to sell about R6.4 billion ($500 million) of unsecured bonds that will be convertible into shares, with the proceeds being used to refinance existing debt, the company said yesterday.

The 2022 bonds will include R3.25 billion ($252 million) of rand-denominated convertibles and $250 million of dollar-denominated convertibles, Implats said in a statement announcing the terms of the offer, which it flagged a day earlier.

The platinum producer, with mines in South Africa and Zimbabwe, said on Thursday it would offer up to R2.6 billion and $300 million in convertible bonds maturing in 2022.

“Implats intends to use the net proceeds from the 2022 convertible bond offerings to refinance its outstanding $200 million 1% convertible bonds due 2018 and R2.672 billion 5% convertible bonds due 2018,” the company said.

The 2022 rand-denominated convertible bonds will have an annual coupon of 6.375% and the dollar-denominated bonds will pay 3.25%.

They can later be converted into Implats shares, or a cash amount equal to the value of the shares. –