Vancouver, Canada - Mawson Resources Limited ("Mawson") TSX - MAW, Frankfurt - MRY, and Areva NC., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Areva S.A. ("AREVA") have closed the private placement previously announced by Mawson on April 30, 2010. Under the private placement, Compagnie Française de Mines et Métaux ("CFMM"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Areva NC, has subscribed for one unit of Mawson for a price of $1,362,042.42 (the "Unit"), such Unit consisting of (i) 4,696,698 common shares of Mawson (the "Shares") at a price of $0.29 per Share, representing 11% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Mawson on a non-diluted basis; and (ii) one common share purchase warrant of Mawson (the "Warrant"), entitling CFMM to purchase up to 4,217,012 common shares of Mawson (the "Warrant Share") for a period of four years from the date of today's closing at a price of $1.00 per Warrant Share. The Warrants will permit CFMM to hold up to an additional 8% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Mawson on a non-diluted basis calculated immediately following today's closing.
The securities of Mawson issued to CFMM pursuant to the private placement will be subject to trade restrictions of four months expiring on September 13, 2010 pursuant to applicable securities laws.
The Unit was issued to CFMM pursuant to a subscription agreement executed on April 30, 2010 containing customary terms and conditions. In connection with the private placement, a Purchase and Sale Agreement was executed on April 30, 2010 between Mawson Energi AB ("Mawson Sweden"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mawson, and Areva Resources Finland OY ("Areva Finland"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Areva NC, related to the purchase by Mawson Sweden from Areva Finland of certain uranium exploration mining claims and claim applications in Finland for a purchase price of €1,024,708.41 (the "Purchase and Sale Agreement"). In connection with the Purchase and Sale Agreement, CFMM agreed to deposit 50% of the Shares or 2,348,349 Shares (the "Escrowed Shares") pursuant to an Escrow Agreement executed with Mawson and an escrow agent on April 30, 2010 (the "Escrow Agreement"). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Escrow Agreement, the Escrowed Shares will be released from escrow upon the final granting of certain Finnish claim applications set forth in such Agreement.
Areva NC will file a report within two business days of today's announcement pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues.
About Mawson
Mawson is a dual focussed, development stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of metal and energy interests, with a focus on uranium resource projects in nuclear reliant Scandinavia and gold and copper in Peru.
About AREVA
All over the world, AREVA provides its customers with solutions for carbon-free power generation and electricity transmission*. With its knowledge and expertise in these fields, the group has a leading role to play in meeting the world's energy needs.
Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA's unique integrated offering covers every stage of the fuel cycle, reactor design and construction, and related services. In addition, the group is developing a portfolio of operations in renewable energies. AREVA is also a world leader in electricity transmission and distribution* and offers its customers a complete range of solutions for greater grid stability and energy efficiency.
Sustainable development is a core component of the group's industrial strategy. Its 79,000 employees work every day to make AREVA a responsible industrial player that is helping to supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical energy to the greatest number of people.
* Activity Transmission and Distribution in the process of divestment.
Forward Looking Statement. The statements herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mawson's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Actual results could differ from those currently projected. Neither Mawson nor AREVA assumes the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
