Noront Resources Ltd. ("Noront
" or
the "Company") (TSXV: NOT) and Wyloo Metals Pty Ltd ("Wyloo
Metals") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a
binding arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement"),
pursuant to which Wyloo Metals has agreed to acquire up to all of
the outstanding common shares of the Company (each, a "Common
Share") that it does not already own, directly or indirectly, for
cash consideration of C$1.10 per Common Share by way of a statutory
plan of arrangement under the Business Corporation Act (Ontario)
(the "Arrangement"). This announcement follows the waiver by BHP
Western Mining Resources International Pty Ltd ("BHP") of its right
to match, as described below.
Noront's Board of Directors, on the basis of the
unanimous recommendation of Noront's Special Committee comprised of
independent directors, and after receiving advice from its
financial and legal advisors, unanimously approved the Arrangement
and will recommend that shareholders of Noront vote in favour of
the Arrangement.
The cash consideration of C$1.10 per Common
Share offered under the Arrangement represents an approximate 358%
premium to the unaffected closing price of the Common Shares on May
21, 2021 and an approximate 47% premium to the cash offer of C$0.75
per Common Share made by BHP on October 19, 2021.
Alan Coutts, Chief Executive
Officer of Noront, commented: "We are pleased to have a binding
agreement with Wyloo Metals. The offer price of C$1.10 per share
represents a significant premium to the unaffected price of
Noront's common shares and the improved BHP offer, and a great
outcome for the shareholders of Noront following a lengthy process.
Noront's Board of Directors and management wish to thank
shareholders for their support and patience over the last several
months."
Luca Giacovazzi, Head of Wyloo
Metals, commented: "We are very pleased to have reached an
agreement with Noront that provides shareholders with an
opportunity to crystallise real and immediate value, alongside an
option to participate in the Company's future. The journey to
realise the full potential of the Ring of Fire will require
patience, determination and respectful consultation with First
Nation communities, federal and provincial governments, and
regional stakeholders. We look forward to the work ahead of
us."
BHP will not match Wyloo Metals'
proposal
BHP has determined not to exercise its right to
match the Wyloo Metals' cash offer of C$1.10 per Common Share and,
pursuant to the terms of the support agreement between Noront and
BHP, as amended, BHP and Noront have agreed to waive the five
business day period to provide for an earlier termination of the
support agreement. Accordingly, Noront has terminated the support
agreement with BHP and concurrently paid the termination fee owing
to BHP.
Details of the Transaction
The Arrangement, which is not subject to a
financing condition, will be implemented by way of a statutory plan
of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and
will require the approval of (i) at least two-thirds of the votes
cast by the holders of Common Shares, and (ii) a simple majority of
the Common Shares held by minority shareholders in accordance with
Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security
Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") (together, (i) and
(ii) are "Shareholder Approval").
Noront shareholders holding an aggregate of
10.3% of the Common Shares, on a fully-diluted basis, including
certain Noront directors and senior management of Noront, have
entered into a voting support agreement with Wyloo Metals under
which they have agreed to vote in support of the Arrangement.
Together with Wyloo Metals, holders of 45.7% of the Common Shares,
on a fully-diluted basis, are supportive of the Arrangement.
A special meeting of the shareholders of Noront
will be held no later than March 31, 2022 (the "Special Meeting")
to seek Shareholder Approval of the Arrangement. In addition to
Shareholder Approval, the Arrangement is also subject to the
receipt of court approval, stock exchange approval and other
customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. The
Arrangement is expected to be completed before the end of the first
quarter of 2022.
Under the Arrangement Agreement, shareholders of
Noront will be given an option of (i) remaining as a shareholder of
Noront following the completion of the Arrangement, or (ii)
receiving cash consideration of C$1.10 per Common Share for some or
all of their Common Shares. In order to receive the cash
consideration of C$1.10 per Common Share, shareholders must make an
election to sell (a "Sale Election") all or a portion of their
Common Shares to Wyloo Metals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Wyloo
Metals will have an option to acquire all of the Common Shares that
it does not already own, directly or indirectly, for C$1.10 per
Common Share – including those Common Shares not subject to a Sale
Election – if less than 10% of the outstanding Common Shares
(excluding Common Shares held by Wyloo Metals and its affiliates)
are not subject to a Sale Election.
Wyloo Metals has provided a loan to Noront of up
to C$29.38 million (the "Loan") to finance, among other things, the
termination payment of C$17.78 million, which has been paid to BHP,
as well as other transaction related costs. The term of the Loan is
12 months from completion of the Wyloo Metals transaction, with
interest of 5% per annum payable quarterly in either cash or Common
Shares, at the option of Noront and subject to receiving
shareholder approval for the payment of interest in Common Shares,
and subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement,
Wyloo Metals will be entitled to a termination payment of C$26
million (equal to approximately 4% of the total equity value of the
transaction based on 100% of Noront's fully diluted shares
outstanding) if the Arrangement Agreement is terminated in certain
circumstances.
The Arrangement Agreement, which describes the
full particulars of the Arrangement, will be available on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com) under Noront's issuer profile. Additional
information regarding the terms of the Arrangement, including the
background to the Arrangement, the rationale for the unanimous
recommendations of Noront's Board and Special Committee, and how
Noront's shareholders can participate in and vote at the Special
Meeting, will be included in the management information circular
for the Special Meeting (the "Circular"). The Circular will also be
filed, in due course, on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Noront's
issuer profile. Shareholders are urged to read these and other
relevant materials when they become available.
The entering into of the Loan between Wyloo
Metals and Noront, is considered to be a "related party
transaction" for purposes of MI 61-101 as Wyloo Metals has
beneficial ownership of, and control or direction over, directly or
indirectly, securities of the Company carrying more than 20% of the
voting rights attached to all of Noront's outstanding voting
securities. The Company did not file the material change report
more than 21 days before the expected completion of the Loan as the
details of the Loan were not settled until shortly prior to the
announcement of the Loan. The Company is relying on exemptions from
the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements
available under MI 61-101 for the Loan. The Company is exempt from
the formal valuation requirement in section 5.4 of MI 61-101 for
the Loan in reliance on section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101 as the Company
is not listed on a specified market under MI 61-101. Additionally,
the Company is exempt from minority shareholder approval
requirement in section 5.6 of MI 61-101 for the Loan in reliance on
section 5.7(f) of MI 61-101.
Advisors
TD Securities Inc. is acting as financial advisor,
Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor and Longview
Communications & Public Affairs is acting as communications
advisor to Noront.
Maxit Capital LP is acting as financial advisor,
McCarthy Tétrault LLP is acting as legal advisor, and Shorecrest
Group is acting as communications advisor to Wyloo Metals.
About Noront Resources
Noront Resources Ltd. is focused on the
development of its high-grade Eagle's Nest nickel, copper, platinum
and palladium deposit and the world class chromite deposits
including Blackbird, Black Thor, and Big Daddy, all of which are
located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario in an emerging metals
camp known as the Ring of Fire. See more at:
www.norontresources.com.
About Wyloo Metals
Wyloo Metals is the metals and mining subsidiary
of Tattarang, one of Australia's largest private investment groups.
Led by a multidisciplinary team of geologists, engineers and
financial professionals, Wyloo Metals manages a diverse portfolio
of exploration and development projects and cornerstone interests
in a number of public and private companies. Wyloo Metals seeks to
work closely with all stakeholders to accelerate projects through
the development cycle while meeting the highest international
environmental, social and governance standards. See more at:
www.wyloometals.com.
Wyloo Canada Holdings Pty Ltd ("Wyloo Canada"),
a wholly owned subsidiary of Wyloo Metals, currently holds an
aggregate of 208,434,427 Common Shares, representing approximately
37.2% of the outstanding Common Shares. Wyloo Canada also holds
warrants ("Noront Warrants") to acquire 1,774,664 Common Shares at
an exercise price of C$0.35 per Common Share. If the Noront
Warrants are also fully exercised, Wyloo Canada would hold
210,209,091 Common Shares, representing approximately 37.4% of the
outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis.
This release is issued pursuant to National
Instrument 62-103 – The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over
Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which requires an early warning
report to be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) under Noront's issuer
profile containing additional information with respect to the
foregoing matters. A copy of such early warning report may be
obtained by contacting Wyloo Metals at info@wyloometals.com. The
address of Wyloo Metals is PO Box 3155, Broadway Nedlands, WA 6009
Western Australia.
For More Information About Noront
Resources, Please Contact:
Media Relations Ian
Hamilton Tel:
+1 (905) 399-6591ihamilton@longviewcomms.caJanice MandelTel: +1
(647) 300-3853janice.mandel@stringcom.com |
Investor RelationsGreg
RieveleyTel: +1 (416)
367-1444greg.rieveley@norontresources.com |
|
|
For More Information About Wyloo Metals,
Please Contact:
Media Relations Andrew Bennett
Tel (M): +61 427 782 503Tel (P): +61 8 6460
4949abennett@tattarang.com |
Aurora Strategy SpokespersonDavid EllisTel (M): (416)
704-0937Tel (P): 416 704 0937davide@aurorastrategy.com |
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Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news
release contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information and
statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current
expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the
Arrangement, Shareholder Approval, the timing and ability of Noront
to complete the Arrangement (if at all), the timing and ability of
Noront to satisfy the conditions precedent to completing the
Arrangement (if at all) as set forth in the Arrangement Agreement,
the ability of shareholders of Noront to continue to have an
interest in the Company following the closing of the Arrangement,
the potential of the Ring of Fire, and projections about the
world's transition to a lower carbon future.
Although Noront and Wyloo Metals believe that
the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information and
statements are reasonable, such information and statements involve
risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on
such information and statements. Material factors or assumptions
that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information
contained herein include, without limitation, the expectations and
beliefs of Noront and Wyloo Metals, and their respective management
and Boards, as of the date hereof. Noront and Wyloo Metals caution
that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not
exhaustive. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and
events that are not within their, and there is no assurance that
they will prove correct. Consequently, there can be no assurance
that the actual results or developments anticipated by Noront or
Wyloo Metals will be realized or, even if substantially realized,
that they will have the expected consequences for, or effects on,
Noront, the current shareholders of Noront, or its future results
and performance of Noront and Wyloo Metals.
Forward-looking information and statements in
this news release are based on beliefs and opinions of Noront and
Wyloo Metals, as the case may be, at the time the statements are
made, and there should be no expectation that these forward-looking
statements will be updated or supplemented as a result of new
information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or
otherwise, and Noront and Wyloo Metals disavow and disclaims any
obligation to do so except as required by applicable law. Nothing
contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or
estimate of the future financial performance of Noront.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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