Battle North Gold (BNAU-T)To Be Acquired By Evolution Mining (EVN-ASX)
Mar 14, '21 - NR
Battle North Gold Corp. and Evolution Mining Ltd. have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement pursuant to which Evolution has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Battle North at a price of $2.65 per common share in cash, for total consideration for all issued and outstanding shares pursuant to the transaction of approximately $343-million.
The Consideration represents a 46% premium over the closing price of the Battle North common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on March 12, 2021 and a 54% premium based on the volume-weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Battle North common shares over the last 20 trading days.
George Ogilvie, Battle North's President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, commented:
"The all-cash offer is at a significant premium to market and reflects the extraordinary efforts of the Battle North team to create value at the Bateman Gold Project and ultimately deliver an outstanding outcome for Battle North's shareholders. We believe that there are unique and undeniable merits to combining the Red Lake assets of Battle North and Evolution and this Transaction reduces development and execution risk. Evolution is a highly regarded mining company with a demonstrated ability to successfully operate internationally. The Battle North team looks forward to working with Evolution to close the Transaction and smoothly transition operations to the new team."
Jake Klein, Evolution's Executive Chairman, stated:
"Both Evolution and Battle North started the negotiation with a clear alignment that a consolidation of the properties would create value that would not be available if they were developed and operated separately. George and his team have done a very good job at progressing the Bateman Gold Project to this point and recognise that this is an ideal window to consolidate the properties ahead of the construction of the Bateman mine which is now in its early stages.
This acquisition provides Evolution with an opportunity to expand our footprint in the region and create value by leveraging the infrastructure of the two operations. The additional processing capacity from the new Bateman mill will also accelerate our ability to achieve our objective of producing in excess of 300,000 ounces of gold per annum from Red Lake. In the 12 months that we have been operating at Red Lake we have demonstrated that we are a committed steward of the region. This expansion of our footprint will provide us with an opportunity to build on our track record as a safe and sustainable operator for the long term benefit of a broad range of stakeholders including the local workforce, regional communities and our Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nation Partners."
The Transaction will be implemented by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Transaction will be subject to the approval of 66-2/3rds per cent of the votes cast by Battle North shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "Shareholder Meeting") and a simple majority of the votes cast by Battle North shareholders, excluding certain persons required to be excluded in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 61-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Shareholder Meeting is currently expected to be held in May 2021.
Details of the Transaction and the Arrangement Agreement will be set out in the management information circular that will be prepared and mailed to Battle North shareholders in connection with the Shareholder Meeting. As well, additional information regarding the terms of the definitive arrangement agreement, the background to the Transaction, the rationale for the recommendations made by the independent directors of the Board and the Battle North Board and how shareholders can participate in and vote at the Shareholder Meeting will be provided in the management information circular. Shareholders are urged to read these and other relevant materials when they become available.
All directors and officers of Battle North (representing approximately 0.60% of the currently outstanding Battle North common shares) have entered into voting support agreements with Evolution to vote their shares in favour of the Transaction.
The definitive agreement includes customary deal protection provisions. Battle North has agreed not to solicit or initiate any discussion regarding any other business combination, subject to customary "fiduciary out" rights. Battle North has also granted Evolution a right to match any superior proposal and will pay a termination fee of C$14.8 million to Evolution if the definitive agreement is terminated in certain events, including if Battle North recommends or approves an acquisition proposal or enters into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal. Battle North has also agreed to make an expense reimbursement payment to Evolution of C$2.0 million if the definitive agreement is terminated as a result of the Battle North shareholders not approving the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting.
The Transaction has the full endorsement of Evolution's Board of Directors and will be funded from Evolution's current cash balance and available credit facilities. No vote will be required by Evolution shareholders.
In addition to a positive Battle North shareholder vote, the Transaction is subject to a limited number of closing conditions, including approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, there being no material adverse effect in respect of Battle North and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature. The Transaction is not subject to any regulatory approvals or a financing condition.
Subject to the conditions precedent being met, the Transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2021.
Bateman Gold Project Overview
28,000ha+ land package
New 1,800 tpd (650ktpa) mill facility:
Currently permitted for 1,250tpd (450ktpa)
Expandable to 2,500tpd (900ktpa) with minimal capital
Feasibility Study1:
Mineral Reserve estimate of 3.56Mt grading 5.54g/t for 635koz Au
Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource estimate (excluding Mineral Reserves) of 1.71Mt grading 7.09g/t for 390koz Au
Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.56Mt grading 6.83g/t for 343koz Au
Mine life of 8 years
Annual production of 74koz
All-in Sustaining Costs of US$865 per ounce
During the interim period, non-critical path construction items at the Bateman Gold Project may be suspended or deferred.
Board of Directors Recommendation
The board of directors of Battle North, upon the unanimous recommendation of the independent directors of the board and in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has unanimously determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of Battle North and fair to Battle North shareholders and is recommending that Battle North shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting.
Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Cormark Securities Inc. have each provided a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Battle North that, as of the date of the opinions and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such opinions, the Consideration to be received by Battle North shareholders under the arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Battle North shareholders.
Advisors
Battle North has engaged Canaccord Genuity Corp. as its financial advisor and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as its legal advisor. Battle North's Board of Directors engaged Cormark Securities Inc. to provide an independent fairness opinion. Evolution has engaged TD Securities Inc. as its financial advisor and McCarthy Tetrault LLP as its legal advisor.
About Battle North Gold Corp.
Battle North is developing the Bateman Gold Project to become the next gold producer in the renowned Red Lake Gold District in Ontario, Canada and controls the second largest exploration ground in the district. Battle North also owns a large gold exploration land package on the Long Canyon gold trend near the Nevada-Utah border in the United States. Battle North's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BNAU) and the OTCQX markets (BNAUF). For more information, please visit our website at www.battlenorthgold.com.
About Evolution Mining Ltd.
Evolution Mining is a leading, growth-focused Australian gold miner. Evolution operates five wholly-owned mines - Cowal in New South Wales, Mt Carlton and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada. In addition, Evolution holds an economic interest in the Ernest Henry copper gold mine in Queensland. FY21 Group gold production is forecast to be between 670,000 - 730,000 ounces at an All-in Sustaining Cost of A$1,240 - A$1,300 per ounce.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Mike Willett, P.Eng., Battle North's Vice President, Operations and Projects, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
1For further details, see the Technical Report (the "Technical Report") dated January 27, 2021 available under Battle North's profile at www.sedar.com and its website at www.battlenorthgold.com.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Mike Willett, P.Eng., Battle North's Vice President, Operations and Projects, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. |
