- Puts assets in the hands of proven leaders with a track
record of building value for stakeholders
- Transaction would create the leading precious metals
producer in Latin America
- Consolidates 100% ownership of the Canadian Malartic mine,
one of the world's largest gold mines
- Increased value per Yamana share with low transaction
risk
- Yamana Board has determined the offer to be a Superior
Proposal
VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2022
/PRNewswire/ - Pan American Silver Corp. (TSX: PAAS) (Nasdaq: PAAS)
("Pan American") and Agnico Eagle Limited (TSX: AEM) (NYSE:
AEM) ("Agnico Eagle") are pleased to announce that we have
delivered a definitive binding offer (the "Binding Offer")
to the board of directors of Yamana Gold Inc. ("Yamana")
pursuant to which Pan American would acquire all of the issued and
outstanding common shares of Yamana (the "Yamana Shares")
and Yamana would sell certain subsidiaries and partnerships which
hold Yamana's interests in its Canadian assets to Agnico Eagle,
including the Canadian Malartic mine. The transaction shall be
implemented by way of a plan of arrangement under the Canada
Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement").
The consideration consists of 153,539,579 common shares in the
capital of Pan American ("Pan American Shares");
US$1.0 billion in cash contributed by
Agnico Eagle; and 36,089,907 common shares in the capital of Agnico
Eagle ("Agnico Eagle Shares"). Under the Binding Offer, each
Yamana Share would be exchanged for approximately US$1.04 in cash, 0.1598 Pan American Shares and
0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an aggregate value of US$5.02 per Yamana Share based on the closing
price of each Pan American Share and Agnico Eagle Share on
November 3, 2022. The Binding Offer
is not subject to any financing condition or additional due
diligence.
Pan American and Agnico Eagle have been informed that Yamana's
Board of Directors, in consultation with Yamana's financial and
legal advisors, have determined that the Binding Offer constitutes
a "Yamana Superior Proposal" as defined in the arrangement
agreement dated May 31, 2022 (the
"Gold Fields Agreement") between Yamana and Gold Fields
Limited ("Gold Fields") and that Yamana has notified Gold
Fields of its intention to accept the Binding Offer, subject only
to Gold Fields' "right to match" under the Gold Fields
Agreement.
The Arrangement would establish Pan American as a major precious
metals producer in Latin America,
with approximately 28.5 to 30.0 million ounces of annual silver
production and approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million ounces of annual
gold production, based on Pan American's and Yamana's 2022
guidance. The combined portfolio will consist of 12 operations
concentrated in Latin America, a
region where Pan American has over 28 years of proven expertise and
experience operating mines. With the addition of four operating
mines generating strong free cash flow, the Arrangement is expected
to enhance Pan American's overall financial position and improve
its ability to internally fund its growth projects.
The consolidation of the Canadian Malartic mine would place a
world-class asset into the hands of the best positioned operator to
develop the mine's full potential and gives Agnico Eagle
operational control during the remaining development period of the
Odyssey project and future projects. Most importantly, Agnico Eagle
has the unique ability to monetize future additional mill capacity
at the Canadian Malartic mine, given its extensive operations and
strategic land position in the region.
Pan American's unparalleled track record in Latin America and Agnico Eagle's deep existing
knowledge of the Canadian Malartic mine and presence in the Abitibi
region uniquely position the two companies to effectively operate
and rapidly unlock further value from Yamana's portfolio of assets
to the benefit of the shareholders and other stakeholders of all
three companies.
Michael Steinmann, President
& CEO of Pan American, commented: "The combination of our
existing portfolio with Yamana's high-quality assets in
Latin America would create a
powerful precious metals mining company in the Americas with
leading exposure to silver, and represents an exciting opportunity
for growth for both Yamana and Pan American shareholders. The
transaction is aligned with our disciplined approach of creating
shareholder value through accretive acquisitions, together with our
expertise in discovering, building and operating mines. Our
established presence and expertise in Latin America will enable us to leverage the
synergies and growth potential of Yamana's assets in the region in
a way that is highly complementary to Pan American's existing mines
there."
Ammar Al-Joundi, President &
CEO of Agnico Eagle, added: "This transaction is a continuation of
Agnico Eagle's strategy to operate in regions where we believe we
have a competitive advantage, in this case over 50 years of
operating history. The full integration of the Canadian Malartic
team and landholdings into our operational base in the region would
enhance our Abitibi operating platform, placing Agnico in the
unique position to further optimize the asset and unlock potential
value through exploration and the leveraging of existing
infrastructure, people and regional relationships."
Agnico Eagle and Pan
American are subject to customary restrictions in connection with
making a "superior proposal" for Yamana. As a result, Agnico Eagle
and Pan American are unable to make any further comment on the
subject matter of this press release or engage in any communication
that could influence the voting of securities of Yamana.
Accordingly, we will not be hosting a conference call or investor
meetings and cannot respond to media or other inquiries at this
time. As soon as Agnico Eagle and Pan American are legally
permitted to do so, they will actively engage with shareholders and
other stakeholders to discuss the transaction.
|
Strategic Rationale for Pan
American and Agnico Eagle
The acquisition of Yamana by Pan American and Agnico Eagle would
create significant value and deliver multiple benefits to Pan
American's and Agnico Eagle's shareholders:
- Transforms Pan American into a major precious metals
producer in Latin America with
unparalleled exposure to silver through further portfolio
diversification – Yamana's portfolio of assets in Latin America complements and strengthens Pan
American's existing portfolio in the region, including by
contributing low-cost production growth and long-life mineral
reserves. The Arrangement will result in a portfolio of 12
operating mines and is estimated to increase silver production by
approximately 50% and gold production by approximately 100%. In
addition, Pan American would have an enlarged pipeline of potential
growth projects in Latin America.
Pan American has 28 years of proven expertise and experience
building and operating mines in Latin
America, making it well suited to realize more value from
Yamana's mines in this region.
- Consolidation of 100% ownership of the Canadian Malartic
mine – Agnico Eagle currently holds a 50% joint venture
interest in the Canadian Malartic mine, which it operates with
Yamana through a joint management committee. Agnico Eagle has
significant technical experience with the mine and is the best
operator to unlock potential value for shareholders. In addition,
Agnico Eagle is uniquely positioned to monetize future additional
mill capacity at the Canadian Malartic mine, given its extensive
operations and strategic land position in the region.
- Operational and Administrative Synergies – The Binding
Offer presents multiple opportunities for operational and
administrative synergies, particularly between Pan American's and
Yamana's corporate offices in Canada, as well as at Agnico Eagle's and
Yamana's Canadian Malartic mine in Canada and at Agnico Eagle's other operations
in the region.
- Strengthened platform for ongoing sustainable
development – Pan American and Agnico Eagle are committed to
continuing to deliver best-in-class ESG performance and will bring
their approach and values to the portfolio of assets.
- Low execution risk – The proposed transaction between
Yamana, Pan American and Agnico Eagle would not require review and
approvals under the Investment Canada Act. Moreover, only a
simple majority of Pan American shareholders would be required to
approve the Arrangement.
Key Benefits
The Binding Offer would offer the following key benefits:
Increased Value per Yamana Share
- Aggregate consideration with a value of US$4.8 billion, or US$5.02 per Yamana Share, based on the closing
price of the Pan American Shares and Agnico Eagle Shares on
November 3, 2022;
- total premium to Yamana of 23% to its spot price as of market
close on November 3, 2022; and
- premium to the implied price of the initial offer delivered by
Gold Fields of 15%, based on the spot price of Gold Fields shares
as of market close on November 3,
2022.
Attractive Consideration
- Consideration to Yamana shareholders comprised of (i)
US$1.0 billion in cash; (ii)
approximately 153.5 million Pan American Shares; and (iii)
approximately 36.1 million Agnico Eagle Shares;
- a rollover for Pan American Shares issued to Yamana
shareholders resident in Canada;
and
- a distribution of Agnico Eagle Shares and cash on a tax
efficient reorganization of capital.
Exposure to World Class Assets through Ownership in Pan
American and Agnico Eagle
Pan American:
- Exposure to Pan American's expertise and experience in
operating mines in Latin America
for over 28 years;
- diversification of Yamana's current Latin American portfolio
through exposure to Pan American's existing portfolio of eight
producing mines in Mexico,
Peru, Argentina and Bolivia;
- exposure to the potential reopening of Pan American's 100%
owned Escobal mine, one of the world's premier silver deposits with
past production of over 20 million ounces of silver per year, as
Guatemala's Ministry of Energy and
Mines concludes a court mandated ILO 169 consultation process;
and
- enlarged growth pipeline with exposure to Pan American's La
Colorada Skarn project in Mexico
and the undeveloped Navidad silver
deposit in Argentina.
Agnico Eagle:
- Exposure to Agnico Eagle's world class portfolio of producing
mines in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico; and
- continued exposure to Agnico Eagle's expertise in operating the
Canadian Malartic mine in Canada
with 100% consolidation of Canadian Malartic ownership, including:
(i) substantial expected future additional mill capacity at
Canadian Malartic that Agnico Eagle is uniquely positioned to fill
given its extensive operations and land position in the region; and
(ii) Agnico Eagle is best able to develop, build and operate
Wasamac given its extensive experience and expertise and
infrastructure in the region.
Transaction has low Execution Risk
- Simple majority approval (i.e. 50%+1) for Pan American
shareholder approval;
- no Agnico Eagle shareholder approval required; and
- no review of the proposed transaction under the Investment
Canada Act.
Agnico Eagle Investment in Pan American
- In furtherance of its relationship with Pan American and as
evidence of its belief in the opportunity for enhancement arising
from the combination of Yamana and Pan American's Latin American
portfolios, Agnico Eagle intends to purchase as a strategic
investment, in the open market up to US$150
million of Pan American shares. Agnico Eagle's decision to
make purchases of Pan American shares will be in its discretion and
will be subject to market conditions, the price of Pan American
shares and applicable securities law and stock exchange
requirements. Agnico Eagle may cease making share purchases at any
time.
Management Integration
Pan American will work cooperatively with Yamana to determine
the integration of Yamana management into the management team of
Pan American on or prior to the closing of the Arrangement. Pan
American will establish a transitionary integration period in which
the Toronto office employees of
Yamana will support Pan American to integrate and manage the
business and operations of Yamana. Those at a Senior Vice President
level and below at Yamana will be approached to continue to support
the management of the business during this transitionary period or
longer, as may be required by Pan American.
Pan American and Agnico
Eagle's Binding Offer
Under the Binding Offer, each Yamana Share would be exchanged
for approximately US$1.04 in cash,
0.1598 Pan American Shares and 0.0376 Agnico Eagle Shares, for an
aggregate value of US$5.02 per Yamana
Share. In addition, all outstanding restricted stock units of
Yamana will be satisfied in cash.
The Arrangement contemplated under the Binding Offer will be
implemented by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under
the Canada Business Corporations Act and will require the
approval of 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the holders of Yamana's
common shares present in person or represented by proxy at a
special meeting to consider the Arrangement. The completion of the
Arrangement will also require approval of a simple majority of Pan
American shareholders at a special meeting.
The completion of the Arrangement will also be subject to
regulatory approvals and closing conditions customary in
transactions of this nature. The agreement governing the
Arrangement (the "Arrangement Agreement") will provide for
customary deal-protection provisions, including mutual
non-solicitation covenants and rights to match superior proposals.
The Arrangement Agreement will include a reciprocal termination fee
of US$250 million, payable by Yamana
to Pan American, or US$375 million
payable from Pan American to Yamana, as the case may be, under
certain circumstances.
The Arrangement would close late in the first quarter of
2023.
At closing, existing Pan American and Yamana shareholders would
own approximately 58% and 42% of Pan American, respectively.
Similarly, at closing, existing Agnico Eagle and Yamana
shareholders would own approximately 93% and 7% of Agnico Eagle,
respectively.
None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement
Agreement have been or will be registered under the United States
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities
Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued
in the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon
available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant
to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable
exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not
constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy
any securities.
Gold Fields Right to
Match
Pan American and Agnico Eagle have been advised by Yamana that
it has provided notice of the Binding Offer to Gold Fields as
required by the Gold Fields Agreement and has advised Gold Fields
that the five business day matching period (the "Gold Fields
Response Period") has commenced, during which Gold Fields has
the right, but not the obligation, to propose to amend the terms of
the Gold Fields Agreement for the Binding Offer to cease to be a
Yamana Superior Proposal (the "Match Right"). The Gold
Fields Response Period expires on November
15, 2022. Under the Gold Fields Agreement, the Binding Offer
may be accepted and the Arrangement Agreement entered into between
Pan American, Agnico Eagle and Yamana only upon the expiry or
waiver by Gold Fields of the Match Right during the Gold Fields
Response Period. The Arrangement Agreement would only become
effective upon the Gold Fields Agreement not being approved by
Yamana Shareholders at the Yamana special meeting scheduled for
November 21, 2022 (the "Activation
Date"). Upon termination of the Gold Fields Agreement in these
circumstances, Yamana would pay a termination fee of US$300 million to Gold Fields within two business
days of such termination.
Pan American currently does not own any Yamana Shares. Agnico
Eagle currently owns 70,565 Yamana Shares, representing less than
1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Yamana.
At this time, there can be no assurance that the Binding Offer
will lead to a termination of the Gold Fields Agreement and the
execution of a definitive Arrangement Agreement with Pan American
and Agnico Eagle.
Advisors and Counsel
BMO Capital Markets and GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. are acting
as financial advisors to Pan American in connection with the
Binding Offer. BMO Capital Markets and National Bank Financial have
each provided a fairness opinion to Pan American's Board of
Directors. Borden Ladner Gervais LLP is serving as counsel to Pan
American.
Trinity Advisors Corporation and Maxit Capital LP are acting as
financial advisors to Agnico Eagle in connection with the Binding
Offer. Davies Ward Phillips &
Vineberg LLP is serving as counsel to Agnico Eagle.
About Pan American
Pan American owns and operates silver and gold mines located in
Mexico, Peru, Canada,
Argentina and Bolivia. It also owns the Escobal mine in
Guatemala that is currently not
operating. Pan American provides enhanced exposure to silver
through a large base of silver reserves and resources, as well as
major catalysts to grow silver production. Pan American has a
28-year history of operating in Latin
America, earning an industry-leading reputation for
sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent
financial management.
Learn more at www.panamericansilver.com.
About Agnico Eagle
Agnico Eagle is a senior Canadian gold mining company, producing
precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico. It has a pipeline of high-quality
exploration and development projects in these countries as well as
in the United States and
Colombia. Agnico Eagle is a
partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally
for its leading environmental, social and governance practices.
Agnico Eagle was founded in 1957 and has consistently created value
for its shareholders, declaring a cash dividend every year since
1983.
Learn more at www.agnicoeagle.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements and information in this news release
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian provincial securities laws. Forward-looking statements and
information can be identified by statements that certain actions,
events or results "could", "may", "should", "will" or "would" be
taken, occur or achieved. All statements, other than statements of
historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information.
Forward-looking statements or information in this news release
relate to, among other things: the benefits to Pan American's and
Agnico Eagle's shareholders of an acquisition of Yamana by Pan
American and Agnico Eagle; benefits to Yamana shareholders of an
acquisition of Yamana by Pan American and Agnico Eagle; Pan
American's expected production levels following the Arrangement;
implementation and closing of the Arrangement; the ability of Pan
American or Agnico Eagle to realize synergies as a result of the;
approval of the Arrangement by Yamana shareholders; approval of the
Arrangement by Pan American shareholders; regulatory approvals and
closing conditions to the Arrangement; whether Gold Fields will
amend the terms of the Gold Fields Agreement for the Binding Offer
to cease to be a Yamana Superior Proposal during the Gold Fields
Response Period; and the respective ownership interests of Yamana
and Agnico Eagle in the Canadian Malartic mine at any time.
The forward-looking statements and information contained in this
news release reflect Pan American's and Agnico Eagle's current
views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon
a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Pan
American and Agnico Eagle, are inherently subject to significant
operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and
contingencies.
Pan American and Agnico Eagle caution the reader that
forward-looking statements and information involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results and developments to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or
information contained in this news release and Pan American and
Agnico Eagle have made assumptions and estimates based on or
related to many of these factors. Such risks, uncertainties and
other factors include, among others, the possibility that the
Arrangement and transactions contemplated thereby will not be
completed in the expected timeframe or at all; the failure to
obtain shareholder and/or regulatory approvals in the expected
timeframe or at all; pending or potential litigation associated
with the Arrangement; the failure to realize the anticipated
benefits of the Arrangement in the expected timeframe or at all;
and general economic, business and political conditions. Additional
risks, uncertainties and other factors are identified in Pan
American's and Agnico Eagle's most recent form 40-F and Annual
Information Forms, and in their respective subsequent quarterly
report filings, which have been filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial
securities regulatory authorities, as applicable.
Although Pan American and Agnico Eagle have attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those set out or implied by the
forward-looking statements and information, this list is not
exhaustive and there may be other factors that cause results not to
be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors
should use caution when considering, and should not place undue
reliance on any, forward-looking statements and information.
Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help
readers understand Pan American's and Agnico Eagle's current views
in respect of the Arrangement and related matters and may not be
appropriate for other purposes. Pan American and Agnico Eagle do
not intend, nor do they assume any obligation to update or revise
forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of
new information, changes in assumptions, future events or
otherwise, except to the extent required by law.
This news release does not constitute (and may not be construed
to be) a solicitation or offer by Agnico Eagle, Pan American or any
of their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives
or agents to buy or sell any securities of any person in any
jurisdiction, or a solicitation of a proxy of any securityholder of
any person in any jurisdiction, in each case, within the meaning of
applicable laws.
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SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited