Afrimat moves to buy majority stake in Infrasors

1st February 2013 By: Irma Venter - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

JSE-listed construction materials company Afrimat has made an offer to acquire 50.4% of Infrasors Holdings from Hanchurch Asset Management, and a number of retiring Infrasors managers, in a deal which has been accepted by the sellers.

The proposed transaction will grant Afrimat control of Infrasors.

Infrasors is a South African resources group, active in the mining and beneficiation of minerals used in the industrial, metallurgical, mining and construction sectors.

Infrasors was initially listed on the AltX market of the JSE in April 2007, but transferred to the main board in February 2010.

Infrasors’ mining interests include the Lyttelton Centurion dolomite mine, the Marble Hall limestone mine, and the Delf alluvial silica sand operation.

Afrimat says the transaction was unconditionally approved by the Competition Commission on October 24. The finalisation of the acquisition will be subject to approval by Afrimat’s board of directors and the JSE, among others.

Afrimat offered 35 cents a share for Infrasors and will settle the purchase price in cash upon implementation of the transaction.

Afrimat says the acquisition will “complement and augment” its industrial minerals and aggregates product offerings and further expand its geographical footprint across South Africa. It will especially grow its foothold in the industrial minerals and aggregates markets in the northern provinces, negating the need to create more capacity to service these markets.

The company says its intention is to take control of the Infrasors board and to implement its management practices and business processes throughout the group.