SSR Mining and Alacer Gold Announce At-Market Merger of Equals to Create a Free Cash Flow Focused, Diversified Gold Producer

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Overig advies 11/05/2020 15:44
- All dollar figures in US dollars unless otherwise stated
VANCOUVER and TORONTO, May 11, 2020 /CNW/ - SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM and TSX: SSRM) ("SSR Mining") and Alacer Gold Corp. (TSX: ASR and ASX: AQG) ("Alacer") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the "Agreement") to combine in an at-market merger of equals pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Yukon) (the "Transaction").

The combined entity will continue as SSR Mining Inc. and will be headquartered in Denver, Colorado with a corporate office in Vancouver, B.C. and will be led by Rod Antal as President & CEO and Michael Anglin as Chairman. Following the completion of the Transaction, the new board of directors will be comprised of five directors from each of the current SSR Mining and Alacer boards of directors for a total of 10 directors, including the CEO.

Pursuant to the Transaction, Alacer shareholders will receive 0.3246 SSR Mining shares for each Alacer share held (the "Exchange Ratio"). The Exchange Ratio, together with closing prices for both SSR Mining and Alacer common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on May 8, 2020, implies consideration of C$8.19 per Alacer common share and a combined market capitalization of approximately $4.0 billion. At closing, SSR Mining and Alacer shareholders will collectively own approximately 57% and 43% of SSR Mining, respectively, on an issued and outstanding share basis.

Transaction Highlights
• Diversified Operating Platform:
•Creates a diversified portfolio of high quality, long life operating assets across four jurisdictions
•Consensus1 forward-looking 3-year average annual production profile of ~780 koz AuEq at ~$900/oz AISC2
• Experienced Leadership Team:
•Combines management with shared track records of creating value through exploration, construction, and operations
•Brings together expertise in open pit, underground, pressure oxidation, heap leach, and flotation operations
• Free Cash Flow Leader:
•Based on consensus estimates3, the combined entity is expected to generate peer leading average annual pro forma free cash flow4 of ~$450 million (2020E-2022E), well ahead of a peer group annual average of $275 million
• Financial Strength:
•Strong balance sheet with consolidated cash5 and marketable securities of ~$700 million to support growth pipeline and facilitate capital returns evaluation
• Organic Growth Potential:
•Three significant district scale land packages in USA, Canada, and Turkey
•Attractive growth portfolio of low capital intensity greenfield and brownfield opportunities
•Track record of resource conversion, successful greenfield and brownfield exploration, and project construction
• Enhanced Market Presence:
•Attractive trading liquidity across multiple global exchanges to drive enhanced capital markets presence and investor relevance


Paul Benson, President and CEO of SSR Mining said, "The zero-premium merger of SSR Mining and Alacer creates an exciting leading intermediate gold producer with exceptional financial strength, robust margins, strong cash flow generation, and long mine lives that will be run by highly experienced management with a track record of value creation. Consistent with our long-standing strategy of growth through a combination of organic development and M&A, the new SSR Mining will be well positioned to build on the strong foundation of both companies to continue growing and delivering value for all shareholders."

Rodney P. Antal, President and CEO of Alacer said, "The combination of Alacer and SSR Mining will create a diversified portfolio of high quality, long-life mines across four mining-friendly jurisdictions. Our focus at Alacer over the past several years has been on generating peer-leading free cash flow – this merger allows us to continue this strategy while diversifying our single operating asset exposure. In addition, the increased financial strength of the combined business will allow us to leverage the proven project execution capabilities of the combined management team to continue delivering on the extensive organic growth portfolio and compete for attractive assets as they arise. The complementary nature of the assets and the cultural alignment of the organizations will facilitate an effective integration and allow us to continue to deliver value to our shareholders."

Transaction Conditions and Timing

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Transaction will be carried out by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Yukon) and will require the approval of at least 66-2/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders of Alacer at a special meeting. The issuance of shares by SSR Mining under the Agreement is also subject to the approval of the majority of votes cast by the SSR Mining shareholders at a special meeting.

Completion of the Transaction is also subject to regulatory and court approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Agreement includes customary provisions, including non-solicitation of alternative transactions, a right to match superior proposals and a $70 million reciprocal termination fee payable under certain circumstances.

Officers and directors of SSR Mining have entered into voting and support agreements with Alacer agreeing to vote their shares in favour of the Transaction. Officers and directors of Alacer have also entered into voting and support agreements with SSR Mining agreeing to vote their shares in favour of the Transaction.

Full details of the Transaction will be included in a joint management information circular of both SSR Mining and Alacer to be delivered to their respective shareholders in the coming weeks. Subject to receiving requisite court approval, the special shareholder meetings of both companies are expected to be held in July 2020.

Board of Directors' Recommendations

The Board of Directors of SSR Mining and the Board of Directors of Alacer have unanimously approved the Transaction and recommend that shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction. National Bank Financial Inc. and TD Securities Inc. have provided fairness opinions dated May 9, 2020 to the Board of Directors and the Special Committee of independent directors of SSR Mining, respectively, stating that, as of the date of such opinions and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinions, the consideration to be paid by SSR Mining to the shareholders of Alacer is fair, from a financial point of view, to SSR Mining. Scotiabank and CIBC World Markets Inc. have provided fairness opinions dated May 9, 2020 to the Board of Directors of Alacer stating that, as of the date of such opinions and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinions, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of Alacer under the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to shareholders of Alacer.

SSR Mining Update on 2.875% Senior Convertible Notes due 2033

SSR Mining announces that as of March 31, 2020, cash and equivalents totaled $398 million and the face value of outstanding debt was $230 million. The updated balances reflect the redemption of outstanding 2.875% Senior Convertible Notes due 2033 (the "2013 Notes") as first announced on February 13, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, no 2013 Notes remain outstanding.

Advisors and Counsel

National Bank Financial Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to SSR Mining and McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Lawson Lundell LLP acted as legal counsel to SSR Mining. TD Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor to the Special Committee of independent directors of SSR Mining.

Scotiabank acted as exclusive financial advisor to Alacer and Stikeman Elliott LLP acted as legal counsel to Alacer. The board of directors of Alacer also retained CIBC World Markets Inc. to provide a fairness opinion.

Conference Call and Webcast

SSR Mining and Alacer will hold a joint conference call and webcast on May 11, 2020 at 5:30am PDT / 8:30am EDT / 10:30pm AEST to discuss the Transaction. Participants may dial in using the numbers below (no access code is needed).

Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: +1 (855) 327-6838

All other callers: +1 (604) 235-2082

Webcast: http://services.choruscall.ca/links/ssrmining20200511.html

The conference call will be available for playback for two weeks by dialing toll-free in U.S. and Canada: +1 (855) 669-9658, replay code 4566. All other callers: +1 (412) 317-0088, replay code 4566.



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