The Boards of Directors of Serabi Gold plc. (AIM: SRB) and (TSX:
SBI) ("Serabi") and Kenai Resources Ltd (TSX VENTURE: KAI)
("Kenai") announce that they have entered into an agreement ("the
Transaction"), subject to the approval of shareholders of Kenai and
other conditions precedent, whereby Serabi will acquire all the
issued and outstanding common shares of Kenai ("Kenai Shares") by
way of a Plan of Arrangement ("the Arrangement").
Significant Benefits of the
transaction:
- Kenai's wholly owned subsidiary Gold Aura do Brasil Mineração
Ltda ("GOAB") owns the high-grade Sao Chico gold deposit, some 23
kilometres from Serabi's Palito gold mine. Sao Chico hosts a NI
43-101 compliant combined Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource
of 25,275 ounces of gold at 29.77 grammes per tonne ("g/t") and an
Inferred Mineral Resource of 71,385 ounces gold at 26.03 g/t.
- Serabi's nearby Palito gold mine is set to recommence gold
production by the end of 2013, with average annual production of
24,000 ounces(1) with an average ore grade of 9 g/t.
- The existing Palito gold recovery plant is currently being
refurbished and upgraded, and Sao Chico is expected to be the first
satellite gold resource to supplement Palito mine production with
high grade material, taking advantage of the excess plant capacity
available to quickly expand Serabi's future gold production.
- An exploration programme at Sao Chico including an approximate
6,000 metre drill campaign is expected to start mid-2013, with
strong potential to increase the current mineral resource.
Highlights of the Arrangement include:
- Shareholders of Kenai will receive 0.85 of one new ordinary
share of 5 pence par value of Serabi (a "Serabi Share") in exchange
for each Kenai Share held (the "Exchange Ratio").
- Based on the closing price of the Kenai Shares and Serabi
Shares on May 3, 2013, the Exchange Ratio represents:
- an implied price of C$0.0936 per Kenai share;
- a premium of 87% and 152% based respectively on the May 3, 2013
closing prices and 30-day volume-weighted average share prices of
both companies;
- Upon completion of the Transaction, Kenai shareholders will own
approximately 20.8% of Serabi's enlarged issued share capital (and
22.1% on a fully diluted basis);
- An opportunity for Kenai shareholders to benefit from Serabi's
near term gold production, its exploration potential, expertise,
ability to finance exploration and improved trading liquidity.
- Daniel Kunz, Chairman of Kenai will join the Serabi board on
closing (subject to satisfactory regulatory enquiries in compliance
with the AIM Rules).
Announcing the details of the Transaction, Michael Hodgson the
CEO of Serabi, said "This is a very exciting
development for Serabi. The Transaction will combine Kenai's high
grade Sao Chico gold property with our Palito operation just 23
kilometres away. With the Palito plant currently under remediation,
we see Sao Chico as the first satellite deposit to augment Palito
mine production with further high grade feed, taking advantage of
the excess plant capacity available. It therefore provides real
potential to quickly expand and grow Serabi's future gold
production. By completing this transaction at this time ensures
that we are able to consider the processing of Sao Chico ore into
our current plant remediation plans.
Whilst I remain excited by the value accretion
that this transaction is expected to bring to Serabi, we are on
schedule for, and fully focussed on, bringing the Palito mine into
production by the end of 2013. Underground development and
rehabilitation work continues to progress well at Palito.
Development ore is currently being stockpiled on surface and the
remaining underground mining fleet is scheduled to be at site early
in Q3 2013.
Sao Chico has a current resource of
approximately 25,000 Measured and Indicated ounces, and 71,000
Inferred ounces, both averaging over 26 g/t. However, the property
is far from fully explored and we are very confident that in the
near future we can increase the resource by commencing an
exploration programme in the near-term including a planned ~6,000
metre drill programme.
The current Sao Chico resource comprises just 3
veins, and with 10 more veins identified we hope to add gold ounces
by drilling these areas. This work will also support the upcoming
application for a long term Mining Licence for the property. Both
Boards consider the combination to be highly accretive and
beneficial for both sets of shareholders as it unlocks value
neither could have realised on their own".
Greg Starr the CEO of Kenai commented "The 152%
premium over recent trading that Serabi is paying for Kenai is a
very good outcome for Kenai shareholders in this very difficult
environment for junior explorers. This transaction enables Kenai
shareholders to have near term exposure to a near-term gold
producing asset at Serabi's Palito project, while maintaining the
significant exploration exposure to the demonstrated high grade Sao
Chico deposit.
The Kenai Board explored a number of
alternatives to develop the Sao Chico project independently,
however none matched the ability of the Serabi offer to realise the
project's value in a timely manner.
Serabi's experience in Brazil and more
specifically within the Tapajos region, makes them an ideal partner
to develop Sao Chico. With Palito's pending gold production and
cash flow plus Serabi's strong shareholder base, Kenai Directors
believe that the proposed acquisition will ensure the eventual
production of gold from Sao Chico and give Kenai shareholders
access to more immediate gold production. Kenai Directors also
consider that the proposal represents the most viable alternative
in the current market conditions, which are not favourable for
junior gold miners seeking to obtain both/either exploration and/or
production financing".
(1) Production estimates for the Palito Mine are derived from
the Preliminary Economic Assessment NI 43-101 Technical report 13
June 2012 (the "PEA") which partially utilises Inferred Mineral
Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too
speculative geologically to have the economic considerations
applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral
reserves and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic
assessment will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral
reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
DETAILS OF THE TRANSACTION
The acquisition of Kenai shares under the Arrangement will
result in Kenai shareholders receiving 0.85 of one Serabi Share in
exchange for each Kenai Share held. The Arrangement will provide
for the issuance by Serabi of replacement warrants to holders of
17,288,500 outstanding Kenai warrants on similar terms as adjusted
by the Exchange Ratio. The Arrangement also provides for the
issuance of replacement options to holders of 2,980,000 outstanding
Kenai options as adjusted by the Exchange Ratio with expiry on
similar terms or 12 months from the date from which the holder is
no longer involved with the Company. The completion of the
Arrangement will be subject to usual terms and conditions,
including the following:
a) Approval of the Arrangement by special resolution of Kenai's
shareholders requiring two-thirds of the votes cast to be in favour
of the resolution;
b) Court approval of the Arrangement;
c) Receipt of any required third party approvals and
consents;
d) Receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including
acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange; and
e) Admission of the new Serabi Shares to trading on AIM.
Key provisions of the Agreement include a non-solicitation
covenant on the part of Kenai, the right in favour of Serabi to
match any superior proposal and the payment of a termination fee of
$500,000 to Serabi in certain circumstances including if Kenai
accepts a superior proposal.
In aggregate it is currently anticipated that 90,020,724 new
Serabi Shares will be issued to Kenai shareholders to acquire the
105,906,734 Kenai Shares currently in issue. In the event that any
of the existing warrants or options to acquire Kenai Shares is
exercised prior to completion additional Serabi Shares will be
required to be issued. In addition and pursuant to a Share Purchase
Agreement between Kenai and Gold Anomaly Limited ("GAL") whereby
Kenai acquired the Sao Chico project, Serabi will issue to GAL
5,100,000 new Serabi Shares in satisfaction of additional
consideration commitments made by Kenai to GAL under this Share
Purchase Agreement. The new shares being issued pursuant to the
Transaction will, on issue, rank pari passu with the existing
ordinary shares of Serabi in issue and application will be made for
the new Serabi Share to be admitted to trading on AIM and listed on
the TSX.
Concurrently with the execution of the Acquisition Agreement,
Serabi and Kenai have entered into a secured loan agreement (the
"Loan Agreement") pursuant to which Serabi
will make available a facility of up to US$2,750,000 (the
"Principal") to Kenai. The loan will be used
by Kenai to finance the commencement of an estimated 6,000 metre
diamond drilling programme at the Sao Chico project and for general
working capital purposes. The Principal shall be payable in full
following the termination of the Acquisition Agreement by either
party thereto in accordance with the provisions of the Acquisition
Agreement (the "Repayment Date"). Up to the
Repayment Date, interest shall be calculated on the Principal
outstanding at the rate of 12% per annum and upon and after the
Repayment Date and until the Principal is repaid in full, interest
shall be calculated on the Principal outstanding at the rate of 18%
per annum. Unless the Acquisition Agreement is terminated earlier
the Repayment Date is 31 August 2013.
Serabi will provide the loan to Kenai from its existing cash
resources. Serabi's board will on completion of the Transaction and
based on the results of the exploration drilling consider what
further funding commitments are required at Sao Chico. If the Board
of Serabi determines, in light of the progress and commitments at
Palito and the anticipated commitments for Sao Chico, that further
funding is required, it will consider the options available to it
at that time.
Documents relating to the Arrangement, including the information
circular required in connection with Kenai's special shareholder
meeting, scheduled to take place in early July 2013, are expected
to be mailed to Kenai shareholders during May 2013.
Board Recommendation
Kenai's Board of Directors has determined that the Arrangement
is fair, and has unanimously recommended that Kenai's shareholders
vote in favour of the Arrangement.
Executive officers and directors of Kenai as well as
shareholders representing approximately 27% of the outstanding
Kenai Shares have entered into lock-up and support agreements with
Serabi under which they have agreed to vote in favour of the
Arrangement.
Advisors
Heenan Blaikie LLP is acting as Canadian legal counsel and
Farrer & Co LLP is acting as UK legal counsel to Serabi and its
Board of Directors. Owen Bird Law Corporation is acting as Canadian
legal counsel to Kenai. FFA Legal is acting as Brazilian local
counsel to Serabi and Pinheiro Neto is acting as Brazilian local
counsel to Kenai. Beaumont Cornish Limited, as Nominated Adviser to
Serabi in accordance with the AIM Rules, has advised Serabi in
respect of its obligations under the AIM Rules.
Additional disclosures pursuant to the AIM
Rules
Kenai reported an audited consolidated loss before taxation of
C$(1,579,815) for the year ended 31 December 2012 (2011:
C$(1,028,449)) after a write-down of its mineral properties of
C$(789,738). Kenai had no revenues. As at 31 December 2012 total
assets and shareholders' equity amounted to C$8,756,433 and
C$8,554,238 respectively. The balance sheet carrying value of the
Sao Chico project as at 31 December 2012 amounted to C$8,016,158.
As at 31 December 2012 Kenai had net cash and cash equivalents of
C$637,097 and no borrowings.
Daniel Kunz (the current Chairman of Kenai) who will join the
Serabi board as a non-executive director on closing of the
Transaction (subject to satisfactory completion of standard
regulatory checks in compliance with the AIM Rules), will be
entitled to receive a fee of C$20,000 per annum and a further C$500
in respect of each Serabi board meeting that he attends. His
proposed appointment as a director does not provide for any minimum
period of service or for the provision of any period of notice of
termination by either party.
This press release does not constitute an offer to buy or an
invitation to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or
invitation to sell, any securities of Serabi or Kenai. Subject to
the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement, as amended,
Kenai intends to file a notice of meeting, management information
circular and related materials with Canadian securities regulatory
authorities relating to the proposed transaction. Investors and
security holders are urged to read these documents, as well as any
amendments and supplements to these documents, when they become
available because they will contain important information. At that
time, investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the
Kenai management information circular and related documents at the
Canadian securities regulators' website at www.sedar.com. At that
time, free copies of these documents can also be obtained by
directing a request to Kenai at 625 Howe Street, Suite 530,
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 2T6. KENAI SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD READ THE
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR AND RELATED MATERIALS CAREFULLY
BEFORE MAKING A DECISION CONCERNING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
About the Sao Chico Property
The Sao Chico gold project comprises a single exploration
permit, AP12836 with an area of 1,416 hectares, located
approximately 23 kilometres to the south west of the Palito mine
and accessed by road from Palito along the Transgarimpeiro Highway
via the town of Jardim do Ouro.
On October 15, 2012, Kenai filed a Technical Report entitled
"Mineral Resource Estimate on the Sao Chico Gold Project, Brazil"
dated October 15, 2012 and authored by Mr A.J. Tunningley, MGEOL
(Hons), MAusIMM (CP), MSEG, and Mr B. Ackroyd, BSc (Geo), MAIG in
accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 relating to the
Sao Chico gold project ("the Sao Chico Technical Report"). The Sao
Chico Technical Report has been reviewed on behalf of Serabi by
Michael J Hodgson, a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian
National Instrument 43-101. To the best of Serabi's knowledge and
belief, there is no new material scientific or technical
information that would make the disclosure of the mineral resources
in the Sao Chico Technical Report inaccurate or misleading.
The Sao Chico Technical Report established an independent
mineral resource based on the results of 22 diamond drill holes
totalling 3,268 metres undertaken by Kenai in late 2011. The NI
43-101 mineral resources are as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes Grade Au g/t Ounces
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measured Resources 5,064 32.46 5,269
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicated Resources 21,423 29.14 20,006
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total measured and Indicated Resources 26,487 29.77 25,275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inferred Resources 85,577 26.03 71,385
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Metallurgical testwork has demonstrated the mineralisation at
Sao Chico to be amenable to a variety of process routes including
cyanidation leaching, gravity separation and flotation, with gold
recoveries being reported of up to 99%. All of these potential
process routes can be accommodated at the Palito processing
operation.
The main area of focus for the Sao Chico project is an area of
some 200 artisanal workings, close to the Sao Chico village, in the
form of shallow pits and shafts. The current resources are
identified in three vein structures namely the Main Vein, the
Parallel Vein and the Highway Vein covering a strike length of some
600 metres. Artisanal activity at the Main Vein includes a shaft
extending some 18 metres below surface giving access to a 58 metre
long exploration drive.
The Main Vein comprises a gold-rich quartz/sulphide lens
striking over 100 metres and with true widths between 0.9 metres
and 2.9 metres wide. The lens is open along strike to the east and
down dip to the west. The Parallel Vein is located 60 metres south
of the Main Vein and has been defined over a strike length of 80
metres and to a depth of 75 metres, dipping steeply to the south.
Surface workings in the form of small open pits exist 350 metres
along strike from the known mineralisation at the Main Vein.
Previous trenching has yielded high grades in this area which has
not been thoroughly drill tested.
The Highway Vein is located 400 metres east along strike from
the Main Vein and characterised by a number of artisanal workings
in shallow (< 15 metre deep) shafts and small open pits
clustered in the area. One sub vertical west-northwest trending
vein zone has been identified between 1.6 and 2.9 metres wide to a
depth of 75 metres below surface.
The potential for discovery of blind sub parallel vein deposits
has been demonstrated through the definition of inferred mineral
resources in the Parallel Vein. Further exploration is also
warranted in the immediate area around Sao Chico where some areas
with artisanal workings on surface remain untested by drilling.
Exploration of the wider licence area outside of the Sao Chico
prospect has located the Pedro and Paulo Arara prospects, located
1.7 and 1.1 kilometres north of the Sao Chico prospect
respectively. These prospects are currently defined by artisanal
surface workings and rare shafts exploiting similar styles of
mineralisation to that observed at Sao Chico. Further work is
warranted to advance the Pedro and Paulo Arara prospects given the
successful drilling programme at Sao Chico. It is possible that
given their proximity to each other, the Pedro and Paulo Arara
prospects are related to the same mineralising event or structural
control.
Kenai has an agreement, which will continue following the
acquisition of Kenai by Serabi, with the original Brazilian vendors
of the Sao Chico property, whereby Gold Aura do Brasil Mineracao
Limitada (Kenai's wholly owned Brazilian subsidiary) will make the
following payments:
I. Unconditional Payment Property
acquisition payment
- US$600,000 (US$75,000 per quarter from December 2012 to
September 2014) of which US$150,000 has already been paid
II. Conditional on the Procurement of Project
Finance for not less than $15m ("Project Finance") Property
acquisition payment Total amount payable - US$3,500,000
- US$1,500,000 payable 30 days after Project Finance is obtained
plus
- US$2,000,000 payable over 36 equal monthly instalments starting
11 months after Project Finance is obtained
III. Conditional on Production Production
based royalties
- 3% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) to a maximum of US$10,000,000
(i.e. this NSR would cease after some 200,000 ounces of production
at a US$1600 gold price) and S$3.75 per ounce of gold
production.
Based on a $1,600 per ounce gold price and 100,000 ounces of
gold production, in aggregate these royalties equate to an average
NSR of 3.2%.
Based on a $1,600 per ounce gold price and 500,000 ounces of
gold production, this overall production based royalty payable to
the vendors equates to an average NSR of 1.5% (as the 3% NSR would
cease after some 200,000 ozs).
The above amounts are based on production from gold in the
exploration licence area of AP12836. There are other minor royalty
payments on metal production from any new exploration permits
arising from the further contiguous and nearby 6,763 hectares which
are the subject of current exploration permit applications.
Copies of this release are available from the Company's website
at www.serabigold.com.
Forward-looking statements This press
release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other
than of historical fact, that address activities, events or
developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will
or may occur in the future (including, without limitation,
statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources,
exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral
resources and mineral reserves) are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are often identifiable by the use of
words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", may", "could",
"would", "might" or "will", "estimates", "expect", "intend",
"budget", "scheduled", "forecasts" and similar expressions or
variations (including negative variations) of such words and
phrases. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of
risks and uncertainties, many of differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results or events to differ materially from current
expectations include, among other things, without limitation,
failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility
that future exploration results will not be consistent with the
Company's expectations, the price of gold and other risks
identified in the Company's most recent annual information form
filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on
SEDAR.com. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date
on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable
securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update any forward-looking statement.
Qualified Persons Statement The
information contained within this announcement has been reviewed
and verified by Michael Hodgson, CEO of the Company. Mr Hodgson is
an Economic Geologist by training with over 25 years' experience in
the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons) Geology, University of
London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of Leicester and is a
Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and a
Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of UK, recognizing
him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of Canadian
National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on Mining
and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities
regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents
of this news release.
Enquiries: Serabi Gold plc Michael Hodgson Chief
Executive Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 Mobile: +44 (0)7799 473621
Clive Line Finance Director Tel: +44 (0)20 7246 6830 Mobile: +44
(0)7710 151692 Email: contact@serabigold.com Website:
www.serabigold.com Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated
Adviser Roland Cornish Michael Cornish Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396
Tel: +44 (0)20 7628 3396 Peel Hunt LLP Joint UK Broker
Matthew Armitt Andy Crossley Tel: +44 (0)20 7418 9000 Tel: +44
(0)20 7418 9000 Fox Davies Capital Ltd Joint UK Broker
Jonathan Evans Tel: +44 (0)20 3463 5010 Blythe Weigh
Communications Ltd Public Relations Tim Blythe Tel: +44 (0)20 7138
3204 Mobile: +44 7816 924626 Rob Kellner Tel: +44 (0)20 7138
3204 Mobile: +44 7800 554377
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