Orezone Announces Closing of Term Loan for Phase II Hard Rock Expansion
24 December 2024 - 12:30AM
Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF)
(the “Company” or “Orezone”) is pleased to announce that the
Company has closed on its previously announced Phase II Term Loan
(the “
Phase II Term Loan”) with Coris Bank
International (“
Coris Bank”). Loan proceeds will
be directed towards the Phase II Hard Rock Expansion that is
currently under construction at the Bomboré Mine, with first gold
scheduled in Q4-2025.
The Phase II Term Loan is for a principal amount
of XOF 35.0 billion (~US$58 million at a FX rate of 600), bears
interest of 11.0% per annum, and has a term of three years.
Principal repayments are deferred until January 2026 when the Phase
II hard rock plant is expected to be in commercial production. The
first drawdown of the Phase II Term Loan was completed today with
the remaining loan facility available for drawdown as needed in
2025. With strong operating cashflows continuing into the current
quarter, the Company has also repaid the US$20 million bridge loan
that was drawn in May 2024.
Patrick Downey, President & CEO stated, “We
would like to thank our trusted partner, Coris Bank, in providing
their continued support as we accelerate the growth of the Bomboré
Mine. The Phase II Hard Rock Expansion is now well advanced and
once commissioned, will increase annual gold production to over
170,000 ounces from current levels of between 110,000 to 125,000
ounces.”
The Company has agreed to amend certain terms of
its outstanding convertible debentures to secure the consent of the
debenture holders for the Phase II Term Loan. The key amendment
involves an adjustment to the conversion price, which has been
revised to US$0.70 per common share from the previous conversion
price of US$1.08.
The amendment to the debenture held by Resource
Capital Fund VII L.P. is a “related party transaction” as such term
is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of
Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI
61-101”). The Company is relying on an exemption from the
formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements set
out in MI 61-101 as the fair market value does not exceed 25% of
the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in
accordance with MI 61-101.
A material change report concerning the
convertible debenture amendment will be filed less than 21 days
before the date of closing of the amendment. The Company believes
that it is reasonable to do so on the basis that it was
commercially prudent to effect the convertible debenture amendment
at the earliest opportunity to obtain the consent of the debenture
holders.
Contact Information
Patrick DowneyPresident and Chief Executive
Officer
Vanessa PickeringManager, Investor Relations
Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673
0663info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com
For further information please contact
Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s
website at
www.orezone.com.
The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor
disapproves the information contained in this news release.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical information in this
news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Rob Henderson, P.
Eng, Vice-President of Technical Services and Mr. Dale Tweed, P.
Eng., Vice-President of Engineering, both of whom are Qualified
Persons as defined under NI 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information
that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the
meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws
(together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking
statements are frequently characterized by words such as
“plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”,
“estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or
statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”,
“could”, or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements in this
press release include, but are not limited to, statements that the
construction of the Phase II Hard Rock expansion is now well
advanced and once commissioned, will increase annual production to
over 170,000 ounces and that first gold from the expansion is
scheduled for Q4-2025.
All such forward-looking statements are based on
certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of
their experience and perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments, as well as other
factors management and the qualified persons believe are
appropriate in the circumstances.
All forward-looking statements are subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could
cause actual events or results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not
limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent
attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties
to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes
in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable
authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices;
unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility
of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment
breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management
personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the
failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to
deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and
uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing
needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company's
most recent annual information form and management discussion and
analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are based upon what management of
the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot
assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this press release and are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject
to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after
the date of this press release.
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