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Demand for cosmeceutical products is expected to increase 8.5 percent per year to over $8 billion in 2010, propelled by a stream of new and technologically advanced product introductions offering age-defying and other appearance-enhancing benefits for an aging population. Limiting opportunities will be competition from alternative treatments, such as laser resurfacing and cosmetic surgery, which often offer more dramatic results, though at a greater cost in terms of time, money and safety. Cosmeceutical products also face intense pricing competition due to the growing market penetration of private label cosmeceutical brands and the rapid commoditization of innovative ingredients and products. These and other trends including market share, market leaders, market size and company profiles are presented in "Cosmeceuticals," a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm. The value of chemicals used in cosmeceutical products is expected to advance 8.8 percent per year to $1.2 billion in 2010, with gains spurred by the use of new, value-added active ingredients in product formulations. Chemicals used in professional products will drive gains, with strong advances expected for botulinum toxin and hyaluronic acid. Other chemicals expected to record rapid gains include amino acids, antioxidants, botanical extracts and beta hydroxy acids. Skin care products will account for 60 percent of all cosmeceutical product demand in 2010. Anti-aging products will achieve above-average growth, with gains driven by a highly receptive, fast-expanding group of middle-aged and relatively affluent consumers who want to prevent or redress visible damage to the skin caused by aging, ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stressors. Improved formulations will further promote the use of age-defying products. Professional products are expected to experience the fastest growth among cosmeceutical products, achieving double-digit annual gains through 2010. Strong prospects for these products are the result of growing demand and acceptance on the consumer side and the increasing availability and proficiency of practitioners. The aging of the U.S. population, an increasingly competitive work force, continued exposure to beauty "ideals" in entertainment and advertising, and favorable consumer incomes are expected to spur continued interest in professional products. |
A short form prospectus relating to the securities has been filed with Canadian securities authorities, and a registration statement containing, in part, the short form prospectus has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective
Alexco Resource Corp. ("Alexco" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that in connection with its overnight marketed public offering previously announced on January 19, 2010 (the "Offering"), it has entered into an underwriting agreement with Canaccord Financial Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (the "Underwriters") to sell 7,350, 000 common shares in the Company ("Common Shares") at a price of C$3.50 per Common Share to raise gross proceeds of C$25,725,000 pursuant to a short form prospectus under the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system. In addition, the Company has granted the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to that number of additional Common Shares equal to 15% of the Common Shares sold pursuant to the Offering, exercisable at any time up to 30 days from the closing of the Offering.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering at the Bellekeno mine which it's currently developing, for construction backstop finance to mitigate capital cost overrun risk and for the mine's initial working capital finance, and to further explore and develop the Company's other properties located in the Keno Hill silver district in Canada's Yukon Territory.
The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about February 15, 2010 and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE-AMEX, and the securities regulatory authorities.
A short form prospectus relating to the securities has been filed with Canadian securities authorities, and a registration statement containing, in part, the short form prospectus has been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective.
A copy of the short form prospectus relating to the Common Shares as filed in Canada and as filed in the registration statement in the United States may be obtained upon request by contacting: Canaccord Financial Ltd., 3000 - 161 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5J 2S1 (tel: 416-869-7368), or Cormark Securities Inc., 2800 - 200 Bay Street, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5J 2J2 (tel: 416-362-7485).
About Alexco
Alexco's business is to unlock value and manage risk at mature, closed or abandoned mine sites through integration and implementation of the Company's core competencies which include management of environmental services, execution of mine reclamation and closure operations and if appropriate, rejuvenation of exploration and development of new mining opportunities.
Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information concerning the Corporation's anticipated results and developments in the Corporation's operations in future periods, planned exploration and development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that may occur in the future, made as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated closing of the offering, the intended use of proceeds from the offering, future remediation and reclamation activities, future mineral exploration, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the timing of activities and the amount of estimated revenues and expenses, the success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, requirements for additional capital and sources and uses of funds. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to the offering not closing, including risks in obtaining regulatory approval and market risks; risks related to actual results of exploration activities; actual results of remediation and reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold, silver and other commodities; possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development activities.
Alexco Resource Corp.
CONTACT: Clynton R. Nauman, President and Chief Executive Officer ofAlexco, by telephone at (604) 633-4888 or by email toinfo@alexcoresource.com