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Ma'aden appoints JPMorgan as a Financial Advisor and Sole Bookrunner in its IPO

 

Jun 29, 2008

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 29 June 08: The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) has appointed JPMorgan as Financial Advisor and Sole Bookrunner in relation to its initial public offering (IPO).

Ma'aden President and CEO, Dr Dabbagh said, “Our decision to appoint JPMorgan is based on the firm’s mining sector expertise as well as its deep knowledge of Middle East capital markets. The company has a long-standing presence in Saudi Arabia, which dates back to the 1950s. Our appointment of JPMorgan is a continuation of Ma'aden’s track record of working with global leaders in their field, whether it be in relation to our IPO or our world scale projects.”

In June 2004, JPMorgan was one of three institutions to receive the first-ever banking licenses issued to global banks in the Kingdom.

Earlier this week, Ma'aden announced its intention to offer for sale 462,500,000 shares representing 50% of the Company. Each share is priced at SR20 (comprising a nominal value of SR10 and a premium of SR10), as determined by the Saudi Council of Ministers. The Company received the approval of the Saudi Capital Markets Authority (CMA) to proceed with the offering on 07/05/1429H (13/05/2008). The period for public subscription to the IPO will be from 2/7/1429H (05/07/2008) until 11/7/1429H (14/07/2008).

The SR9.25 billion offering represents the largest ever mining company IPO in the Middle East. The net proceeds from the offering will be will be primarily used to assist in funding Ma'aden’s major scale projects for the production of phosphate fertilisers and aluminium in Saudi Arabia.

Ma'aden was established as a Saudi Arabian joint stock company in March 1997 and is currently owned 100% by the Saudi Government. Ma'aden's objective is to explore and develop Saudi Arabia's mineral resources and become a world class diversified mines and minerals group.

Ma'aden benefits from an existing gold business that generates strong cash flows from five operating gold mines and has a number of advanced exploration projects in development. Upon completion of the Phosphate and Aluminium projects Ma'aden will become a major supplier of phosphate fertilizers and primary aluminium ingot in global markets.

Media Contacts

Maaden

Aqeel Alonazi
Ma'aden Corporate Communications Department

T: +966 55 3063813
E: alonaziam@maaden.com.sa

JPMorgan

Colette Campbell
Media relations

T: +44 (0) 207 325 7084
M: +44 (0) 207 325 9721
E: colette.c.campbell@jpmorgan.com