Ascendant Resources Inc. announced that further to the announcement on October 18, 2023, that in relation to the Export Credit Agency ("ECA") Supported Project Financing of up to US$158 million, the Company has appointed Banco Santander, S.A. ("Santander") as MLA for the Lagoa Salgada Project in Portugal. As announced on September 5th, the Company together with its advisors, SD Capital Advisory Ltd. and GKB Ventures Ltd. ("S&G") initiated a tender process to solicit interest from a number of global Project Finance Banks to act as MLA for the Company's projects. As a result of this competitive process the company received several compelling bids. Together with the Company's advisors the bids were evaluated based on ECA Project Finance Experience, Execution Capabilities and ultimately the Financial Terms for the Project Financing. Santander is a well-respected global institution with extensive experience in ECA financing, a significant presence in Portugal and a longstanding relationship with UKEF. This, together with the competitive and compelling terms presented for the financing were the basis for the Company awarding the Mandate to Santander. The UKEF backed facility is expected to be for up to US$158 million on a non-recourse project financing basis for a total tenor of 7.5 years. The funding will be to cover 70% of the expected project capital expenditures for the Lagoa Salgada Project.
As is common for ECA supported Project Financing, UKEF provides political and commercial guarantees to project lenders, thereby lowering the overall project risk to the lender and resulting in lower costs of capital. This reduces the cost of debt to Ascendant whilst at the same time extending tenors and creating debt capacity not normally available in the commercial bank market. To secure such support, project developers commit to a pre agreed level of procurement from UK based organizations for goods, services and materials. UKEF's mandate is to promote and support exports from British companies in the global market. The appointment of the MLA is on an exclusive basis and sets out the indicative terms upon which the proposed ECA financing is expected to be based. For the avoidance of doubt, the terms are purely indicative and do not constitute an offer of finance or a legally binding commitment of any kind to provide finance. The provision of any binding offer is subject to, among other things: credit and other internal approvals; E&S approvals; satisfactory due diligence and documentation; satisfaction of KYC requirements and other terms customary for this type of transaction. While the conclusion of project financing remains subject to the granting of construction permits, due diligence, amongst other requirements, the appointment of Santander as MLA is a significant milestone for the project financing of the Lagoa Salgada Project. At Lagoa Salgada, work continues to advance the permitting over the coming months. The Company is preparing the issuance of its 43-101 Feasibility Study and once completed will commence comprising of a formal due diligence period before a final binding offer and documentation.