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Independent mine gets multibillion-dollar refinancing
Approval has been given for the largest independent coal mine in Australia to refinance its senior secured bank facilities for $1.2 billion.
Melissa Coade
Firms: Herbert Smith Freehills (Whitehaven Coal Limited); Gilbert +Tobin (Financiers)
Value: $1.2 billion
Area: Finance
Key players: The Herbert Smith Freehills legal team was led by partner Erin Wakelin, who was assisted by senior associate Emma Zarb.
Deal significance: Whitehaven has been described as Australia’s largest independent coal mine.
According to a statement from Herbert Smith Freehills, Whitehaven’s facilities, which mature in 2021, provide it “with an aggregate of $1.2 billion term and guarantee lines of credit for general corporate purposes and replaces its existing debt facilities with more favourable terms”.
“The oversubscription for Whitehaven debt by domestic and foreign financiers highlights the quality of Whitehaven’s coal assets and its performance in the international energy and resources market,” added Herbert Smith Freehills partner Erin Wakelin.
