Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) has entered a trading halt after the company announced a fully underwritten $300 million equity raising to fund the development of its Patterson Lake South (PLS) uranium project, with the offer price of $7.25 per share representing an 8% discount to the last close.
What did Paladin Energy report?
- Fully underwritten equity raising of $300 million (before costs), including a $231 million ASX placement, a $33 million TSX "bought deal," and a $36 million Treasury Share Sale
- Offer price of $7.25 per share, an 8.0% discount to the last close of $7.88 and 8.1% below the 5-day VWAP
- Additional non-underwritten Share Purchase Plan (SPP) for eligible shareholders to raise up to $20 million
- Proceeds to fund PLS Project's front-end engineering, permitting, early construction works, and working capital needs as Langer Heinrich ramps up
- Settlement expected on 22 September 2025 and new shares to rank equally with existing shares
What else do investors need to know?
The equity raising, which includes both Australian and Canadian tranches, is designed to advance Paladin's flagship Canadian uranium asset through to a final investment decision, while also supporting the ramp-up of its Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia. Eligible retail shareholders in Australia and New Zealand will have access to the SPP at the same offer price as institutional investors, up to a maximum subscription of $30,000 each.
Paladin's strengthened balance sheet aims to provide strategic flexibility as it navigates permitting and detailed design for PLS, pursues expansion drilling, and targets first uranium production from PLS by 2031. The offering will not require shareholder approval and has already secured joint lead managers and underwriters.
What did Paladin Energy management say?
Commenting on the news, Paul Hemburrow, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer said:
Today's equity raising will allow Paladin to swiftly progress our strategy for delivering long-term value from our asset portfolio to shareholders. The funds secured give us balance sheet flexibility to advance the PLS Project through to FID while simultaneously completing the ramp-up of operations at the LHM.
With the PLS Project recently reconfirmed as a world-class uranium development asset that is underpinned by robust technical fundamentals and compelling economics, I believe we are well-positioned to capitalise on the strong outlook for the uranium market in the next decade and beyond.
The equity raising allows our team to steadily progress work in a range of critical areas, including engineering, permitting, early site works and long lead item procurement, in order to keep on track for our targeted first uranium production at the PLS Project by 2031.
—
What's next for Paladin Energy?
Paladin plans to use the new equity primarily to complete engineering and permitting for the Canadian PLS Project, with early works and long-lead items progressing ahead of a construction decision. Meanwhile, Langer Heinrich's ramp-up remains on track for full mining and processing operations by FY2027.
The company says it will continue engagement with Indigenous Nations and community stakeholders as it advances development, maintaining flexible capital allocation for both near-term project activities and ongoing exploration.
Paladin Energy share price snapshot
Paladin Energy shares are flat for the year to date, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX:XJO) which is up around 8% over the same period.
