FEBRUARY 19, 2009
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the “Company”) (TSX:SVM)(NYSE Alternext US:SVM) has today entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by Raymond James Ltd. and including Salman Partners Inc., Cormark Securities Inc., and Genuity Capital Markets under which the underwriters have agreed to buy from Silvercorp 10 million common shares at an issue price of $3.10 per common share (the “Offering”) for gross proceeds of $31 million.
The underwriters will have an over-allotment option, exercisable at any time prior to 30 days after the closing date, to acquire up to an additional number of common shares equal to 15% of the number of common shares sold pursuant to the Offering, at the issue price. The Company expects to file a short form prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities to qualify the common shares for distribution.
The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for potential acquisitions, development, and general corporate purposes, the allocation of which will be at the Company’s discretion. The Company has no definitive acquisition plans at this time. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about March 11, 2009 and is subject to certain customary terms and conditions, including normal regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE Alternext.
The Offering is being made in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Silvercorp Metals Inc.
Silvercorp Metals Inc., China’s largest primary silver producer, is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of silver related mineral properties in the People’s Republic of China (” China”). The Company is currently operating and/or developing four silver-lead-zinc mines in the Ying Mining District of Henan Province, China. Silvercorp is also applying for a mining permit for the newly acquired, 95% owned GC & SMT properties to profitably mine and produce silver, lead and zinc in the Guangdong Province of China.
The Company’s common shares are included as a component of the S&P/TSX Composite and the S&P/TSX Global Mining Indexes.
For further information: SILVERCORP METALS INC., Rui Feng, Chairman & CEO and Lorne Waldman, Corporate Secretary, Phone: (604) 669-9397, Fax: (604) 669-9387, Email: info@silvercorp.ca, Website: www.silvercorp.ca.
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company and its offering arrangements, including its expectations that the offering will be successfully completed consistent with the terms outlined above. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among others, such key factors as market conditions, global political uncertainties, investor demand and the timing and final terms of such offering. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update any forward-looking statement even if new information becomes available as a result of future events or for any other reason.
