Aston Minerals Limited and Torque Metals Limited have announced that the Supreme Court of Western Australia has granted court approval for their proposed merger, undertaken by schemes of arrangement under the Corporations Act 2001. Under the agreement, Torque Metals Limited will acquire all fully paid ordinary shares of Aston Minerals Limited as well as all outstanding unlisted options in a specified share class held by Aston. The legal process will be completed upon lodgement of the approved Court orders with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, with Aston expected to submit the necessary documents by 29 May 2025. Following this, trading in Aston’s securities is slated to be suspended at the close of the same day. The planned timeline outlined in the announcement sets clear milestones that include the effective date of the schemes, which also serves as the last day for trading Aston’s shares. The record date for determining entitlements to the scheme consideration is scheduled for 2 June 2025, followed by the implementation date for issuing scheme consideration on 10 June 2025, at which time the official quotation of Aston’s shares on the exchange will also be terminated. These indicative dates provide a structured view of the process, ensuring transparency and predictability for stakeholders. The positive regulatory approval supports a bullish sentiment as it reflects a strong commitment to a well-timed integration between the two companies, which could potentially lead to enhanced operational synergies and value creation for shareholders. However, a bearish perspective might point to the transitional uncertainties inherent in any merger process, including the temporary suspension of trading and the potential for delays or unforeseen market reactions that could affect investor confidence in the short term. Overall, the clear timeline and definitive court approval suggest that both companies are progressing steadily toward a successful merger completion.