Is the ASX about to wave goodbye to this billion-dollar nickel miner?

Western Areas stock is expected to trade for the last time tomorrow.

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Bird's eye view of a pair of yellow shoes next to a goodbye sign written in chalk on the pavement

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Key points

  • Tomorrow afternoon could bring Western Areas' last close on the ASX ever as the company prepares to be taken over by IGO 
  • IGO's acquisition was given the go-ahead by the Supreme Court of Western Australia today 
  • Under the takeover proposal, Western Areas shareholders are to receive $3.87 in cash for every stock they own in the company 

The ASX could be about to bid farewell to nickel mining giant Western Areas Ltd (ASX: WSA) as the company prepares to be acquired by S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) resources monolith IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO).

If all goes according to plan, Western Areas shares will be suspended from trading as of tomorrow's close. That will mark an end to the company's 22-year chapter on the ASX.

At the time of writing, the Western Areas share price is $3.87, 0.13% higher than its previous close.

For context, the ASX 200 is currently down 1.39% while the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) is down 0.19%.  

Let's take a closer look at what the next few days could bring Western Areas.

Will tomorrow be this ASX nickel miner's last day of trade?

The ongoing acquisition of $1.2 billion nickel miner Western Areas by IGO has taken another step forward as the Supreme Court of Western Australia gives the takeover its tick of approval.

Now, all that there is to do is for Western Areas to lodge a copy of the court's orders to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), making the scheme legally effective. The company plans to do so tomorrow.

After the document is submitted, the company's stock is expected to close for the last time.

Though, Western Areas shareholders won't be left out in the cold. They'll receive $3.87 cold hard cash for every share in the company they own.

That's up from IGO's previous bid of $3.36 per share. It was placed before the now-renown short squeeze that saw the price of nickel rocketing 250% in a single day.

Thus, an independent expert found the initial bid – placed in December – undervalued the billion-dollar nickel miner come April.

It was a lucky happening for Western Area shareholders. They are now likely expecting a payout in the near future.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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