West Africa-focused Stellar Diamonds' (LON:STEL) shares rose after it confirmed further high diamond grades had been returned from the bulk sampling programme under way at its 1.1 million carat Tongo dyke kimberlite project in Sierra Leone.

Highlights included:

- Initial sample processing yielded 151 carats from 141t of kimberlite for a grade of 107cpht with further results expected approximately every four weeks

- Anticipated that diamond grade will increase as further diamonds are recovered following re-processing

- Outstanding quality of diamonds classified as 86% gem quality with several stones greater than 1 carat in size

- Bulk sampling on-going with 772 tonnes collected to date as part of the Dyke-1 mining DFS

- Objective to recover a minimum 1,000 carat parcel for diamond grade and value confirmation

- Previous results established a grade of 120cpht at US$248 per carat from a 1,050 carat parcel

- Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") expected to be completed in 2014, culminating in a production decision at Tongo Dyke-1

I'm in ..worth a punt... let's see what happens!

3 May 2017
 AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Front End Engineering and Design Contract for Tongo-Tonguma Project
 
Stellar Diamonds plc, the London quoted diamond exploration and development company focused on West Africa, announces that, further to the Company's announcement on 28 April 2017 that it entered into a Tribute Mining Agreement with Octea Mining Limited ("Octea") in relation to the Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite dyke diamond project in Sierra Leone ("the Project"), the Company has now entered into a contract for the Front End Engineering and Design study ("FEED") to be conducted for the underground mine development of the Project.
 
FEED Highlights:
·      First key milestone in the mine development of a high-grade diamond project
·      Paradigm Project Management Pty Ltd ("PPM") appointed to prepare the FEED study
·      Study will refine estimated operating and capital costs and mine construction parameters
·    Robust attributable potential post-tax Project NPV(8) and IRR of US$104 million and 31% respectively1
·      Long 21-year mine life, producing over 4 million carats with revenues over US$1.5 billion1
·      Project is one of the highest dollar per tonne value kimberlites in Africa and has the potential to be the second largest diamond mine in West Africa
 
1 Company estimates based on the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")
 
Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:
"Having announced the signing of the Tribute Mining Agreement on the Tongo-Tonguma project last week, we are pleased to already be announcing the signing of the FEED contract today. The FEED is a very important first step in the mine development process. PPM are highly experienced in the delivery of diamond mine projects and together with SRK Consulting they will refine all elements of the mine plan as determined in the PEA to higher levels of confidence in order to reduce the project delivery risk. With over 66,000m of drilling completed at the Project to date, we will undertake mine plan related drilling to a depth of 75m concurrent with the FEED study.
 
"Once work commences on the FEED, it is expected to take approximately four months to deliver (including drilling) and will mark the onset of the mine development programme. I look forward to updating shareholders on our progress as we work to transform Stellar into a long term, high value diamond producer."

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5541843

5 May 2017 
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")
 
 Amendments to Convertible Loan Notes

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has negotiated a two month extension to the longstop dates with the noteholders ("Noteholders") of its two outstanding Convertible Loan Notes ("CLNs"). Details of the CLNs are contained in the announcements by the Company of 2 November 2015, 6 October 2016 and 24 February 2017 and in particular, the two month extension relates to the longstop dates referred to in the announcement of 24 February 2017.
 
Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:

"Stellar is undergoing a transformation from an explorer to a mine developer. I would like to thank the Noteholders for their continued support as we progress towards the commercial development of the 4.5million carat Tongo-Tonguma underground kimberlite diamond mine in Sierra Leone. We have made key advances in recent weeks in terms of signing the binding Tribute Mining Agreement and signing the contract for the Front End Engineering and Design for the initial mine development. With a low capex requirement of US$32 million, the proposed Tongo-Tonguma mine has the potential to be the second largest kimberlite diamond mine in West Africa, with forecast production levels of 200,000 carats per annum, generating revenues of over US$45 million per annum over a minimum life of mine of 21 years. I look forward to updating shareholders on our progress."  
 
Note on Related Party Transaction
For the avoidance of doubt, other than as set out in this announcement, all other terms of the CLNs remain in force. By virtue of Deutsche Balaton being a substantial shareholder of the Company and Steven Poulton being a non-executive Director of the Company, the amendments above constitute related party transactions under the AIM Rules for Companies. The Directors who are independent of the CLNs and associated warrants consider, having consulted with the Company's Nominated Adviser, that the amended terms of the CLNs are fair and reasonable in so far as the Company's shareholders are concerned.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5543718

5 June 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Agreement to Sell Guinea Assets for US$2 million
Receipt of US$250,000 Exclusivity Fee
 
Stellar Diamonds plc, the diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has entered into a conditional binding Term Sheet with BDG Capital Limited ("BDG") in relation to the proposed sale of Stellar's assets in the Republic of Guinea.
 
Highlights:
·      US$2,000,000 cash consideration price for Guinea assets
·      US$250,000 cash has been received (part of the consideration price) as an exclusivity fee ("Exclusivity Fee")
·      Exclusivity period of two months for due diligence and completion of documentation
·      Joint Venture Agreement over Baoulé and Liberia with Citigate terminated
·      Proceeds will be used to advance the development of the Company's flagship Tongo-Tonguma mine development in Sierra Leone
 
Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:
"Subject to BDG satisfactorily completing its due diligence, this binding terms sheet should see Stellar realise some US$2 million in cash for its non-core projects in Guinea, representing approximately two thirds of our current market capitalisation.
 
"The proceeds will be used to advance the development of our flagship Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite project in Sierra Leone; a project that has an estimated post-tax NPV(8) of US$104 million attributable to Stellar.
 
"The proposed Tongo-Tonguma mine has a low capex requirement of US$32 million and the potential to be the second largest kimberlite diamond mine in West Africa - with forecast production levels of 200,000 carats per annum, generating revenues of over US$45 million per annum over a minimum life of mine of 21 years.
 
"The proposed disposal of our Guinea assets allows management to focus on the Tongo - Tonguma mine development in Sierra Leone.  It also allows for BDG to take the projects forward which is in the interests of Guinea and local stakeholders.
 
"We look forward to unlocking the significant value that we believe is inherent in the Tongo-Tonguma development as we advance the Company towards sustained commercial production."
 
The disposal comprises certain plant and equipment as well as the shares in subsidiary companies Ressources Tassiliman Baoulé (75% interest in the Baoulé project), Ressources Mandala Guinee (100% interest in the Mandala project) and West African Diamonds (100% interest in the Droujba project), collectively termed "the Guinea Projects".  Further detail on these assets is set out in the competent person's report which was announced on 31 October 2016 and which is available on the Company's website. Segmental information regarding the results and net book value of these assets is available in the Company's announcement of its interim results made on 31 March 2017.
 
Terms Sheet
The terms sheet with BDG Capital Limited, which is binding subject to BDG completing its due diligence satisfactorily, allows for a two month due diligence period during which time it is anticipated (although there can be no guarantee) the necessary share purchase agreements transferring Stellar's shares in its Guinea Projects to BDG will be completed. The final consideration price has been agreed at US$2,000,000 of which US$250,000 has been advanced to Stellar to ensure exclusivity for BDG to complete its due diligence.  Should Stellar withdraw from the proposed agreement and if the agreed terms are materially the same, then the exclusivity fee will be reimbursed to BDG in either cash or Stellar's shares at a price to be determined. However, BDG if proposes to materially amend the terms following due diligence and Stellar as a consequence withdraws then the exclusivity fee shall not be reimbursed. In the event that BDG decides not to continue with the transaction, the exclusivity fee of US$250,000 is not refundable to BDG.
 
Termination of Joint Venture Agreements with Citigate Commodities Trading (Citigate)
When the joint venture agreements (JVA's) were signed between Stellar and Citigate in November 2016 various warranties were made by Citigate to Stellar, including that Citigate had the necessary funding and authorisations to enter into the JVA's. This included a contractual payment to Stellar of US$150,000 as a management fee as a condition precedent to completion of the JVA's. To this date neither the project funding nor the management fee have been received from Citigate. Stellar has accepted such material breach as repudiatory and terminated the JVA's.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5561300

8 June 2017 
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Directors' Dealings
 
On 7 June 2017, the Company received notification that Karl Smithson, Chief Executive Officer, transferred ordinary shares of 1 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") from a nominee account in his personal name to a Personal ISA and also into a Personal ISA of Helen Olivia Smithson, his daughter.
 
A total of 389,844 shares were sold at a price of 5.50p per share and total of 360,907 shares were purchased into the ISA of Karl Smithson and 27,839 shares were purchased into the ISA of Helen Smithson, both purchases at a price of 5.51p per share.  As a result of the small price spread in the transfer the total beneficial holding of Karl Smithson subsequent to transfer is now 1,117,012 shares, (being 2.61% of the Company's issued share capital). 
 
The issued share capital of the Company remains at 42,721,618.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5563810

8 June 2017 
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Directors' Dealings
 
On 7 June 2017, the Company received notification that Steven Poulton, Non-Executive Director, purchased 155,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") at a weighted average price of 6.08p per share. Following the purchase Steven Poulton's total beneficial holding in the Company has increased to 1,371,745 (being 3.21% of the Company's issued share capital).
 
The issued share capital of the Company remains at 42,721,618.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5563846

From yesterday:

Tip TV Mining - Stellar Diamonds earns $2 million via a Guinea asset sale

Published on Jun 7, 2017
Karl Smithson, CEO of Stellar Diamonds informs Tip TV viewers about the Guinea asset sale and how the company intends to channelise the resulting $2 million cash inflow into the Sierra Leone project.

Smithson says, “The focus is on Sierra Leone diamond project” as it has potential to earn about $40-45 million a year.

Watch the full segment as Smithson details-

Guinea asset sale

Sierra Leone project - estimated projection, fund requirements

Fundraising plans and strategies

Work environment in Sierra Leone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgWZ9372eM0&app=desktop

9 June 2017 
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Directors' Dealings
 
On 8 June 2017, the Company received notification that Steven Poulton, Non-Executive Director, purchased 85,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 7.4p per share. Following the purchase Steven Poulton's total beneficial holding in the Company has increased to 1,456,745 (being 3.41% of the Company's issued share capital).

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5564618

9 June 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
 
Substantial Shareholder Dealings

On 8 June 2017, the Company received notification that Deutsche Balaton AG ("Deutsche Balaton") had purchased 35,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 6p per share. Following the purchase Deutsche Balaton's beneficial holding in the Company has increased to 8,547,692 (being 20.01% of the Company's issued share capital).
 
The issued share capital of the Company remains at 42,721,618.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5564599

14 July 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Extension of Transaction Longstop date

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that following its announcement of 3 July 2017, it has agreed with Octea Mining to extend the longstop date (for the satisfaction of certain of the conditions precedent of the binding Tribute Mining and Revenue Agreements in relation to the Tongo-Tonguma mine development project in Sierra Leone, as defined in the announcement dated 28 April 2017) to 31 July 2017.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5586160

17 August 2017

AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Receipt of US$250,000 Exclusivity fee

Further to the announcement on 14 August 2017, Stellar Diamonds plc (AIM:STEL) announces that it has received the US$250,000 exclusivity fee from BDG Capital in relation to the disposal of Stellar's Guinea assets. The terms of the Exclusivity Fee are as set out in the announcement dated 5 June 2017.


About Stellar Diamonds plc
Stellar is an AIM listed (AIM: STEL) diamond development company focused on the 4.5 million carat high-grade and high value Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite diamond project in the world famous diamond fields of eastern Sierra Leone. An independently generated mine plan, based on over 66,000m of drilling that has been completed to date, envisages the production of over 4 million carats, generating gross revenues of more than US$1.2 billion, over a 21 year life of mine. Initial production at Tongo-Tonguma is scheduled to occur in the first year of development, building up to over 200,000 carats per annum, with a weighted average modelled diamond value of $229 per carat. The Tongo-Tonguma mine is estimated to give Stellar an attributable a Post-tax NPV(8) of US$104 million and IRR of 31%.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5631585

11 September 2017

Amendments to Convertible Loan Note

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces an extension to the longstop date of its US$1.65 million outstanding Convertible Loan Note ("CLN") with Deutsche Balaton. The Longstop has been extended to 30 September 2017 or in the event that the Company enters into a satisfactory letter of intent for funding of the Tongo-Tonguma project development prior to 30 September 2017 then to 30 November 2017 ("Extension"). Details of the CLN are contained in the announcements by the Company of 2 November 2015, 6 October 2016, 24 February 2017, 5 May 2017 and 3 July 2017 ("CLN Announcements").

In consideration of the Extension it has been agreed that the definition of 'Issue Price' as defined in the CLN Announcements, be changed from the VWAP of the first US$10 million raised from 1 February 2017 to the lower of:

i) 5 pence per share
ii) the VWAP of the next $2m equity raised;
iii) the VWAP of the first $10m raised since 1 February 2017; or
iv) the VWAP of equity raisings from the date of this amendment until at least $35m of debt has been raised for the purposes of the Tongo-Tonguma Project.


Note on Related Party Transaction
For the avoidance of doubt, other than as set out in this announcement, all other terms of the CLNs remain in force and as set out in the CLN Announcements. By virtue of Deutsche Balaton being a substantial shareholder of the Company the amendments above constitute related party transactions under the AIM Rules for Companies. The Directors who are independent of the CLN consider, having consulted with the Company's Nominated Adviser, that the amended terms of the CLN are fair and reasonable in so far as the Company's shareholders are concerned.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5658713

11 September 2017

Issue of equity

Placing and issue of shares to Directors

Open Offer to raise up to £200,000

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has conditionally raised, through Peterhouse Corporate Finance Limited ("Peterhouse"), £330,000 through the issue of 10,153,847 new Ordinary Shares of the Company at an issue price of 3.25 pence per share ("Placing Shares") (the "Placing"). Completion of the Placing is expected to occur on or around 14 September 2017.

In order to provide all Stellar shareholders with an opportunity to participate in the proposed issue of new ordinary shares of the Company, the Company proposes to raise up to approximately £200,000 (before expenses), at 3.25 pence each through an open offer ("Open Offer") to qualifying shareholders ("Qualifying Shareholders"). Subject to completion of the Placing, investors participating in the Placing will also be considered Qualifying Shareholders for the purpose of the Open Offer. Further details of the Open Offer and a circular providing full details of the Open Offer are expected to be announced and posted to Shareholders as soon as practicable.

Use of proceeds and Update
The Tongo mining licence has been approved by the Minerals Advisory Board in Sierra Leone, subject to the payment of the Tongo environmental licence. Therefore, the net proceeds of the Placing, together with the net proceeds of amounts raised from the Open Offer, will prioritise payment of the Tongo environmental licence and renewal of the Tonguma environmental licence (estimated $250,000 for both). Once the Tongo mining licence is issued fiscal terms may be negotiated and ratified via the Sierra Leone Government and Parliament respectively. Furthermore, funds will be allocated to ongoing costs related to the Tongo-Tonguma project in Sierra Leone, general working capital, and the payment of certain existing creditors whilst the Company continues to progress debt and equity financing to bring the high grade and high value 4.5 million carat Tongo-Tonguma project into production.

Further to the Company's announcement on 2 August 2017 in respect of the Tongo-Tonguma project, the Company continues to keep Octea Mining up to date as to the status of project financing for the Tongo-Tonguma mine development project in Sierra Leone and expects to formalise an extension of the long stop date for satisfaction of certain conditions precedent to the Tribute Mining and Revenue Agreements as required.

The disposal of the Company's Guinea projects and assets is progressing with further due diligence, audit and tax affairs being finalised. The results of these will determine the final net proceeds to be realised. Both Stellar and the acquirer (BDG Capital) have agreed to extend the exclusivity period to the end of September, or beyond should it be required to finalise the sale process.

Proposed issue of shares to Directors

****See Link Below****

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5658770

14 September 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Completion of Placing

Open Offer to raise up to £200,000

Further to the announcement dated 11 September 2017 Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces the completion of the Placing to raise gross proceeds of £330,000 through the issue of 10,153,847 new Ordinary Shares of the Company at an issue price of 3.25 pence per share and issue of the 1,978,437 new Ordinary Shares to Directors and senior management in lieu of accrued fees, salary, expenses and benefits. The Company also today provides further details of the Open Offer to raise up to an additional £200,000 through the issue of up to 6,153,846 Open Offer Shares.

A circular (the "Circular") setting out full details of the proposed Open Offer will be sent to Shareholders tomorrow (other than to those who have elected to receive Shareholder communications via electronic communication) and will be available on the Company's website www.stellar-diamonds.com. Further information is also set out below.

Total voting rights

Following the issue of the Placing Shares and Fee Shares today, the Company's current issued share capital comprises 54,853,902 Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each. This figure may be used by Shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules. This figure excludes any new Ordinary Shares which may be issued pursuant to the Open Offer.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5665376

5 September 2017

AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

PDMR Dealing

Further to the announcement dated 11 September 2017 Stellar Diamonds plc, the Company confirms the issue of new ordinary shares in the Company to Directors and senior management in lieu of accrued fees, remuneration and expenses as follows:

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5665896

18 September 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Corporate Presentation Update

Stellar Diamonds plc (AIM: STEL) the London-listed diamond development company focused on Western Africa, advises that the Company has updated its presentation on the 4.5 million carat Tongo-Tonguma mine development project in Sierra Leone. This presentation can be found on the Company's website http://stellar-diamonds.com/investors/presentations

25 September 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Payment of Tongo Environmental Licence

Extension of Tribute Mining Agreement Longstop date

Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has paid US$150,240 to the Sierra Leone Environmental Agency for the Tongo Environmental Licence. As previously stated, the Tongo Mining Licence has been approved by the Minerals Advisory Board subject to the issuing of the Environmental Licence. Once the Environmental Licence has been issued the National Minerals Agency will draw up the Tongo Mining Licence for consideration and signature by the Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources.

Furthermore, the Company has agreed with Octea Mining to extend the longstop date (for the satisfaction of certain of the conditions precedent of the binding Tribute Mining and Revenue Agreements ( "Agreements") in relation to the Tongo-Tonguma mine development project in Sierra Leone, as defined in the announcement dated 28 April 2017) to 31 October 2017.

Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:

"The payment of the environmental licence fee is an important step to Stellar being issued the large scale mining licence for the Tongo project. The adjacent Tonguma project already has a 25 year mine licence issued in 2012. The combined Tongo-Tonguma project covers a series of high-grade and high-value kimberlites, three of which host a 4.5 million carat resource that comprises the 21 year life of mine plan. The longstop date of the Agreements has been extended as we continue to progress potential project funding and complete other certain conditions precedent to the Agreements. We look forward to providing a further update as we progress."

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5676996

3 October 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc


Result of Open Offer

Issue of Equity

Director/PDMR Dealings



On 14 September 2017, Stellar Diamonds plc, the London listed diamond development company focused on West Africa, announced the details of, inter alia, an Open Offer to raise up to an additional £200,000 through the issue of up to 6,153,846 new ordinary shares at a price of 3.25 pence per share.

The Open Offer closed for acceptances on 2 October 2017 and the Company announces that the open offer was oversubscribed and accordingly excess entitlements applied for under the Excess Application Facility were scaled back.

After scale back, the Company has received valid acceptances in respect of the full allocation of 6,153,846 Open Offer Shares from Qualifying Shareholders, raising £200,000 before expenses, which includes applications for 4,920,760 Open Offer Shares under the Excess Application Facility. Open Offer Shares issued under the Excess Application Facility represent approximately 80% of the Open Offer Shares offered.

Certain Directors and senior management subscribed for Open Offer Shares at the Issue Price as follows: ***See Link Below***

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5688520

16 October 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Update on Disposal of Guinea Assets

Stellar Diamonds plc, the diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has signed conditional share purchase agreements with Gold Knight Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary company of BDG Capital Limited ("BDG") in relation to the proposed sale (the "Transaction") of Stellar's assets in the Republic of Guinea ("Guinea"), as previously announced on 5 June and 14 August 2017.

Following the due diligence process undertaken by BDG, a final purchase price of US$1,250,000 has been agreed for the Transaction, of which Stellar has received US$500,000 to date. The proceeds already received have been applied to the Company's working capital since June. Completion of the Transaction and receipt of the balance of funds is conditional upon payment by Stellar of certain government taxes in Guinea, amounting to approximately US$123,000 which are due by Stellar's locally incorporated subsidiary in Guinea which is being sold. Completion is expected to occur later this month. A further announcement will be made in due course regarding completion.

Chief Executive Karl Smithson commented:
"We are delighted to be able to bring the disposal of our Guinea assets to a close. Stellar's carrying cost in Guinea is approximately US$70,000 per month and we look forward to focusing our resources exclusively on progressing the high-grade and high value 4.5 million carat Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite mine development project in Sierra Leone.

"We wish BDG every success in taking the Guinea projects forward."

Further terms of the Transaction
Pursuant to the conditional share purchase agreements entered into, Stellar has made customary warranties and indemnities in respect of the Guinea assets.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5704187

Stellar Diamonds gets mine licence

StockMarketWire.com

Stellar Diamonds has been granted an environmental licence for its Tongo project by the government of Sierra Leone.

It is now expected that the country's National Minerals Agency will draw up the Tongo Mining Licence for consideration and signature by the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources.

"The receipt of the environmental licence marks an important milestone in the proposed development of the Tongo deposit into commercial production," chief executive Karl Smithson said.

"We look forward to providing a further update in due course."

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5715227

28 November 2017
AIM: STEL
Stellar Diamonds plc
("Stellar" or the "Company")

Corporate Update
Issue of Equity

Stellar Diamonds plc, the diamond development company focused on West Africa, announces that it has completed all necessary Guinean governmental tax payments, and has received the required tax clearance certificates in relation to the disposal of its Guinea companies and assets to BDG Capital ("BDG"). BDG is completing its review of these documents after which it is expected that the transaction will complete and the balance of the funds will be transferred to Stellar, as announced on 16 October 2017. The funds are expected to be utilised towards ongoing project costs in Sierra Leone as well as general working capital.

Stellar is in discussion with its Convertible Loan Note (CLN) holders regarding extensions to the outstanding loan notes and is confident these will be secured in the near future. Furthermore, Stellar is in discussion with Octea Mining regarding an extension to the Tribute Mining Agreement longstop date and is expected to secure such an extension in the near future. The Company also continues discussions with certain funding groups in relation to the required capital requirements for the Tongo-Tonguma mine development in Sierra Leone.

The Company has also agreed to issue today 1 million new ordinary shares in Stellar at a price of 3.25p per share as settlement of certain advisory fees ("Fee Shares") in order to preserve cash. Application will be made for the Fee Shares, which will rank pari passu with the existing Ordinary Shares, to be admitted to trading on AIM. Admission is expected to occur on 4 December 2017.

Further announcements will be made in due course as the Guinea transaction completes and extensions to the CLN's and transaction longstop date are finalised.

Total voting rights

Following the issue of the Fee Shares today, the Company's current issued share capital comprises 62,007,748 Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each. This figure may be used by Shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=5760110