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RBC Capital Markets close three transactions in natural
resources sectorInvestment banking team leads tranche of global deals
LONDON, April 30, 2007 — Today, RBC Capital
Markets, the corporate and investment banking arm of Royal
Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE), announced the completion
of three transactions from its London-based investment banking
team.
RBC Capital Markets successfully raised US$30 million (£15
million) through the placing of 12 million shares at £1.25
per share, for Ridge Mining ("Ridge"), the AIM-listed
company focusing on developing its prospective Platinum Group
Metals (PGM) projects on the Bushveld Complex of South Africa.
RBC Capital Markets acted as both Nominated Adviser and broker
to Ridge. The proceeds of the placing will be used to further
fund, inter alia, development of the company's Blue
Ridge PGM project, the acquisition of an increased interest
in the Sheba's Ridge project from Anglo Platinum and ongoing
working capital.
RBC Capital Markets has also successfully raised A$23.1 million
(£9.65 million) for Berkeley Resources ("Berkeley"),
the AIM and ASX-listed uranium explorer. 12.5m new ordinary
shares, at a price of A$1.85 (£0.77) per share, were
issued to institutional investors in Europe, USA, Canada and
Australia. The proceeds will enable Berkeley to expand further
its exploration programmes in Spain, in addition to funding
new development opportunities. RBC Capital Markets is both
the company's Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker.
The bank's third transaction was the successful raising of
C$50 million on behalf of Rockwell Ventures. Rockwell, listed
on the TSX-V, will be using the financing to acquire interests
in several producing and exploration alluvial diamond properties
in South Africa, with the objective of creating a mid-tier
diamond mining and exploration company. Rockwell chose RBC
Capital Markets for the deal as a result of its London-based
diamond expertise.
Andrew Smith, Director of Global Investment Banking, RBC
Capital Markets commented: "We are delighted to announce
these three very successful transactions, all of which were
fully subscribed and placed with institutional clients around
the world, testament to RBC Capital Markets' global reach.
The deals also showcase our key strengths, with the London
team advising and successfully raising money across AIM, TSX
and ASX."
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries
operate under the master brand name of RBC. We are Canada's
largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization
and one of North America's leading diversified financial services
companies. We provide personal and commercial banking, wealth
management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking
and transaction processing services on a global basis. Our
corporate support team enables business growth with expert
professional advice and state-of-the art processes and technology.
We employ approximately 70,000 full- and part-time employees
who serve more than 14 million personal, business, public
sector and institutional clients throughout offices in North
America and 34 countries around the world. For more information,
please visit www.rbc.com.
About RBC Capital Markets
RBC Capital Markets is the corporate and investment banking
arm of RBC and is active globally in fixed income, foreign
exchange, infrastructure finance, structured products, metals
and mining, and energy. Its North American equity underwriting,
sales, trading and research business dominates the Canadian
market and supports a significant and growing franchise in
the U.S. middle market. The firm's international fixed income,
structured products and treasury businesses are managed from
London, which is the centre of a 24-hour trading platform
with major hubs in Toronto, New York and Sydney.
RBC Capital Markets is a business name used by Royal Bank
of Canada Europe Limited, 71 Queen Victoria Street, London
EC4V 4DE (registered in England 995939), which is regulated
by the FSA and a member of the London Stock Exchange.
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For further information, please contact:
GreenTarget, London
Anna Watson / Melissa Rowling
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7680 5052 / 5051
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