TRANSACTION CREATES THE LARGEST, PURE-PLAY,
HIGHEST GROWTH & MOST LIQUID MID-TIER ROYALTY COMPANY
TSX: NSR
NYSE: NSR
(in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
- Nomad shareholders to receive significant premium of
approximately 34% based on the 20-day volume-weighted average
prices of both companies.
- Nomad shareholders maintain meaningful ownership in
Sandstorm's high-quality portfolio of assets: Nomad
shareholders will hold 28% of Sandstorm at closing of the
Transaction.
- Nomad shareholders to benefit from increased scale:
Following the closing of the Transaction, Sandstorm will be the
largest, highest-growth, and most liquid mid-tier royalty and
streaming company.
- Continued exposure to Nomad's core assets' significant
operating and exploration upside potential: Greenstone,
Platreef, and Cortez (Robertson deposit) to be a significant part
of Sandstorm's future growth.
- Industry leading portfolio diversification: At the
closing of the Transaction, Sandstorm's resulting portfolio will
total 260 streams and royalties, of which 39 are cash flowing with
no asset contributing more than 15% to Sandstorm's net asset value
("NAV") on analyst consensus estimates.
- Significantly improved trading liquidity and capital markets
exposure: Sandstorm trades on average over $19 million shares per day and also benefits from
inclusion in indices such as the S&P/TSX Capped Composite.
- Nomad shareholders continue to benefit from ongoing return
of capital to shareholders: Participation in Sandstorm's
quarterly dividend.
MONTREAL, May 2, 2022
/CNW Telbec/ - Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. ("Nomad" or
the "Company") (TSX: NSR) (NYSE: NSR) is pleased to announce
today that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement
(the "Arrangement Agreement") with Sandstorm Gold Ltd.
("Sandstorm") (TSX: SSL) (NYSE: SAND), pursuant to which
Sandstorm will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Nomad (the "Nomad Shares") in an all-share transaction (the
"Transaction") valued at approximately C$755 million. The Transaction will be effected
by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement, is subject to
certain regulatory and shareholder approvals and is expected to
close in the second half of 2022. Under the terms of the
Transaction, shareholders of Nomad will receive 1.21 common shares
of Sandstorm (the "Sandstorm Shares") for each Nomad Share
held.
The consideration implies a value of approximately C$11.57 per Nomad Share based on the closing
price of the Sandstorm Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange
("TSX") on April 29, 2022 and
represents a premium of 21% to the closing price of the Nomad
Shares as at the same date and a premium of 34% on the 20-day
volume weighted average price of the Nomad Shares and Sandstorm
Shares on the TSX for the period ending on April 29, 2022.
"Nomad has executed and delivered on its commitment to create
value for our shareholders through our disciplined
transaction-driven strategy. Today's transaction builds on our
vision to create a pure-play, highly diversified, cash-flow focused
royalty & streaming company with peer-leading growth.
Catalyzing the creation of the next large royalty company has
always been our objective," commented Vincent Metcalfe, CEO of Nomad.
"Today's announcement propels Sandstorm forward in both size and
scale while solidifying Sandstorm's position amongst its peers as
the highest-growth streaming and royalty company. We see tremendous
value in Nomad's high-growth precious metals focused portfolio and
in the combined portfolio," commented Nolan
Watson, President & CEO of Sandstorm.
BASECORE TRANSACTION
Concurrent with the Transaction, Sandstorm has also agreed to
acquire nine royalties and one stream (the "BaseCore
Portfolio") from BaseCore Metals LP ("BaseCore") for
total consideration of $525 million,
consisting of $425 million cash and
$100 million Sandstorm Shares (the
"BaseCore Transaction"). The cash consideration for the
acquisition of the BaseCore Portfolio will be funded from
Sandstorm's newly upsized $500
million revolving credit facility to be implemented before
closing of BaseCore Transaction.
BaseCore is an entity equally owned by affiliates of Glencore
Plc and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan that holds a high-quality,
long-life portfolio that includes 10 royalty and stream assets, of
which three are on currently producing assets, including a 1.66%
net profits interest ("NPI") royalty on the world-class
Antamina copper mine located in Peru.
The BaseCore Transaction is expected to close in 4–6 weeks and
is subject to regulatory approvals including the approval of the
TSX for the listing of the Sandstorm Shares, the Canadian
Competition Bureau, waiver of rights of first offer or refusal on
certain exploration stage royalties, and other customary conditions
for a transaction of this nature.
ANTAMINA ROYALTY SPIN-OUT AND
SILVER STREAM WITH HORIZON
Concurrent with the BaseCore Transaction, Sandstorm has signed
an amended and restated letter of intent with Royalty North
Partners Ltd. ("RNP"), to become "Horizon Copper", whereby
Sandstorm will sell the acquired 1.66% Antamina NPI royalty to
Horizon and Sandstorm will retain a long-life silver stream on the
Antamina mine, along with a portion of the post-stream NPI royalty
(the "Spin-Out Transaction").
The business intent of Horizon Copper is to actively grow its
existing portfolio of assets, with a focus on copper projects. The
subsequent spin-out of the Antamina NPI will position Horizon
Copper as a competitive copper company with a portfolio of
high-quality cash-flowing and development stage copper assets. This
transformative transaction provides Horizon Copper with the size
and scale required to further grow and diversify the company,
further strengthening the strategic partnership opportunities with
Sandstorm.
The full consideration that Horizon Copper will issue to
Sandstorm under the Spin-Out Transaction includes:
- 1.66% Antamina Silver Stream: Sandstorm will receive 1.66% of
silver based on production from the Antamina mine with ongoing
payments equal to 2.5% of the silver spot price (the "Antamina
Silver Stream").
- 0.55% Antamina Royalty: Sandstorm will receive approximately
one-third of the Antamina NPI, paid net of the Antamina Silver
Stream servicing commitments (the "Antamina Residual
Royalty").
- $50 million Cash Payment: Horizon
Copper will raise $50 million by way
of equity financing, which will then be payable to Sandstorm on
closing of the Spin-Out Transaction.
- $105 million Debenture: Sandstorm
will be issued a $105 million
debenture (the "Debenture"). The Debenture is expected to
bear an interest rate of 3% over a 10-year term. Principal
repayments are subject to a 100% cash sweep of the excess cash flow
Horizon Copper receives from the 1.66% Antamina NPI after the
Antamina Silver Stream and Antamina Residual Royalty obligations
are paid. Prepayment of the Debenture can occur at any time prior
to maturity without penalty.
- $26 million in Horizon Copper
Shares: Horizon Copper will issue Sandstorm approximately
$26 million worth of Horizon Copper
shares to maintain Sandstorm's 34% equity interest.
The Antamina Silver Stream and the Debenture will be senior
obligations of Horizon Copper, secured by the 1.66% Antamina
NPI.
The Spin-Out Transaction is subject to several conditions,
including but not limited to, execution of definitive agreements,
TSX-V acceptance, disinterested RNP shareholder approval and
Horizon Copper raising $50
million.
The Transaction is not conditional on closing of the BaseCore
Transaction or the Spin-Out Transaction. The full particulars of
the Transaction, BaseCore Transaction, and Spin-Out Transaction
will be described in detail in Nomad's management information
circular to be prepared in accordance with applicable securities
legislation.
Upon completion of the Transaction and BaseCore Transaction,
existing shareholders of Nomad and Sandstorm will respectively own
approximately 28% and 67% of the proforma combined entity, and
existing shareholders of BaseCore will own approximately 5%,
calculated on the date hereof.
Transaction Overview
The Transaction will be effected by way of a court-approved plan
of arrangement under the Canadian Business Corporation Act
and will be subject to the approval of 66 2/3% of the votes cast by
shareholders of Nomad at a special meeting of the shareholders of
Nomad (the "Nomad Meeting") and the approval of a simple
majority of the vote cast by shareholders of Nomad at the Nomad
Meeting, excluding votes cast by the senior officers, as required
under Multilateral Instrument 61-101.
Sandstorm will be required under the policies of the TSX to
obtain the approval of a simple majority of the votes cast by
shareholders of Sandstorm at a special meeting of the shareholders
of Sandstorm (the "Sandstorm Meeting"). The dates of the
Nomad Meeting and the Sandstorm Meeting will be announced by way of
press release at a later date.
Nomad's principal shareholders, Orion Mine Finance Fund II LP
and Orion Mine Finance Fund III LP (collectively, "Orion"),
have entered into irrevocable voting support agreements with
Sandstorm pursuant to which Orion has agreed to vote all of its
Nomad Shares, representing in total approximately 61% of the Nomad
Shares on a fully diluted basis, in favour of the Transaction.
Directors and officers of Nomad, holding a total of approximately
5% of the Nomad Shares on a fully diluted basis, have also entered
into voting support agreements with Sandstorm, pursuant to which
they have agreed to vote their Nomad Shares in favour of the
Transaction.
In addition to the Nomad and Sandstorm shareholder approvals,
the Transaction is subject to approval by the Superior Court of
Québec, to regulatory approvals, including that of the Canadian
Competition Bureau, the TSX and the New York Stock Exchange
approvals for the listing of Sandstorm Shares, as well as other
customary closing conditions. The Arrangement Agreement contains
customary reciprocal non-solicitation covenants, a right to match
in favour of Sandstorm, and $20.6
million or $23.6 million in
termination and reverse termination fees payable to Sandstorm or
Nomad, respectively, in certain circumstances.
Closing of the Transaction is currently expected to occur in the
second half of 2022.
Recommendations of the Board of
Directors
The board of directors of Nomad, having received a unanimous
recommendation from a special committee comprised solely of
independent directors (the "Special Committee"), has
unanimously approved the Transaction and determined that the
Transaction is in the best interest of Nomad and fair to the
shareholders of Nomad. Accordingly, the board of directors of Nomad
unanimously recommends the shareholders of Nomad to vote in favour
of the Transaction.
Advisors
National Bank Financial acted as financial advisor to the
Special Committee and has provided an opinion to the board of
directors of Nomad and to the Special Committee. Cormark Securities
has provided an independent opinion to the Special Committee. Each
opinion to the effect that, subject to the assumptions, limitations
and qualifications set out therein, the consideration to be
received by the shareholders of Nomad in connection with the
Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to
shareholders of Nomad.
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin acted as legal advisor to Nomad and
the Special Committee in connection with the Transaction.
Further Information
Further information regarding the Transaction will be included
in a management information circular Nomad will prepare, file and
mail to its shareholders in advance of the Nomad Meeting. Copies of
the Arrangement Agreement and of the management information
circular will be available on Nomad's corporate profile on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
ABOUT NOMAD ROYALTY COMPANY
Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. is a gold & silver royalty
company that purchases rights to a percentage of the gold or silver
produced from a mine, for the life of the mine. Nomad owns a
portfolio of 22 royalty and stream assets, of which 8 are on
currently producing mines. Nomad plans to grow and diversify its
low-cost production profile through the acquisition of additional
producing and near-term producing gold & silver streams and
royalties. For more information please visit:
www.nomadroyalty.com.
Nomad Royalty Company Ltd.
500-1275 ave. des Canadiens-de-Montréal
Montreal, Québec H3B 0G4
nomadroyalty.com
ABOUT SANDSTORM GOLD ROYALTIES
Sandstorm is a gold royalty company that provides upfront
financing to gold mining companies that are looking for capital and
in return, receives the right to a percentage of the gold produced
from a mine, for the life of the mine. After the Transaction and
BaseCore Transaction close, Sandstorm will have acquired a
portfolio of 260 royalties, of which 39 of the underlying mines are
producing. Sandstorm plans to grow and diversify its low-cost
production profile through the acquisition of additional gold
royalties. For more information visit: www.sandstormgold.com.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements that may constitute
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 and other applicable U.S. safe harbours provisions
(collectively, "forward-looking statements"). The forward-looking
statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement and readers are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on them.
Forward-looking statements in this press release may include,
without limitation, statements other than statements of historical
facts, including regarding: the anticipated benefits of the
Transaction to shareholders of Nomad; the structure and estimated
value of the Transaction; the anticipated completion and timing of
completion of the Transaction; the ability to obtain required
court, shareholder and regulatory approvals for the Transaction,
the timing of obtaining such approvals; current expectations,
estimates and projections of the proforma combined entity; the
combined entity's size and scale; the combined entity's financial
position, including expectations regarding liquidity and cost of
capital; the expected pro forma financial outlook of the combined
entity; and the outcome or closing of the BaseCore Transaction and
the Spin-out Transaction. When used in this press release, words
such as "will", "expect", "potential", "objective", "becoming",
"subject to", "expected", "to be", "look forward", "intends",
"plans", and similar expressions, as well as phrases or statements
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"should", "occur" or "be achieved", or the negative connotation of
such terms, are intended to identify these forward-looking
statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations
and assumptions made by Nomad's management. Although Nomad believes
that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking
statements are based on are reasonable at the time they were made,
there can be no assurance that they will prove to be correct.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond Nomad's
control, and which may cause actual results and development to
materially differ from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties and other
factors include, but are not limited to: changes in general
economic, business and political conditions, including changes in
the financial markets; the ability to consummate the Transaction;
that the Transaction may not be completed on the terms and
conditions or the timing currently anticipated or that it may not
be completed at all; the ability to obtain court, shareholder and
regulatory approvals, the risk that such approvals may not be
obtained in a timely manner or at all and the risk that such
approvals may be obtained on conditions that are not anticipated;
the satisfaction of other conditions precedent to the Transaction;
unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the
Transaction; material adverse effects on the business, properties
and assets of Nomad or Sandstorm; the potential adverse impact of
the announcement or consummation of the Transaction on Nomad's and
Sandstorm's relationships with third parties; the outcome of legal
proceedings that may be instituted against Nomad in relation to the
Arrangement Agreement; fluctuation in the price of the Sandstorm
Shares; fluctuations in gold, silver and iron ore prices; the
failure to comply with the Arrangement Agreement resulting in Nomad
being required to pay the termination fee and the termination fee
having a material adverse effect on Nomad's financial position; the
possibility that the BaseCore Transaction and/or the Spin-out
Transaction will not be completed on the terms and conditions or
the timing currently contemplated, and that one or both of them may
not be completed at all; as well as additional risks and
uncertainties inherent to Nomad's business, not currently known by
Nomad, that are out of Nomad's control or that Nomad currently
deems to be immaterial, which could also have a material adverse
effect on Nomad or on its ability to consummate the
Transaction.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
made as of the date of this press release. Nomad disclaims any
intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable
securities laws. If Nomad updates any one or more forward-looking
statements, no inference should be drawn that Nomad will make
additional updates with respect to those forward-looking
statements.
SOURCE Nomad Royalty Company Ltd.