Stock Symbol: AEM (NYSE and TSX)
TORONTO, June 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM, TSX:AEM) ("Agnico Eagle") and Yamana Gold Inc. (TSX:YRI, NYSE:AUY) ("Yamana")
are pleased to announce today the completion of their previously
announced court-approved plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement")
pursuant to which Agnico Eagle and Yamana have jointly acquired 100% of
the issued and outstanding common shares of Osisko Mining Corporation
("Osisko"). Osisko's common shares will be de-listed from the Toronto
Stock Exchange ("TSX") as at the close of business today.
Agnico Eagle and Yamana now each own 50% of Osisko and have formed a
joint committee to operate the Canadian Malartic mine in Quebec. The
partners will also jointly explore and potentially develop the Kirkland
Lake assets, and continue exploration at the Hammond Reef, Pandora,
and Wood-Pandora properties.
The Arrangement
Each outstanding common share of Osisko was exchanged for:
- C$2.09 in cash;
-
0.07264 of an Agnico Eagle common share;
-
0.26471 of a Yamana common share; and
-
0.1 of one common share of Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd., a newly formed
company that has commenced trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under
the symbol "OR". Pursuant to the Arrangement, the following assets of
Osisko have been transferred to Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.: (i) a 5%
net smelter royalty ("NSR") on the Canadian Malartic mine; (ii) C$157
million cash; (iii) a 2% NSR on the Kirkland Lake assets, the Hammond
Reef project, and certain other properties; (iv) all assets and
liabilities of Osisko in its Guerrero camp; and (v) certain other
investments and assets.
"With the acquisition of Osisko now completed, Agnico Eagle looks
forward to working with Yamana to further optimize the Canadian
Malartic mine and build on the solid operational performance achieved
in May 2014," said Sean Boyd, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Agnico Eagle. "In addition, we are jointly reviewing the Kirkland Lake
portfolio with the intent of designing an exploration program to expand
and upgrade the current resource base to further enhance shareholder
value," added Mr. Boyd.
"The completion of our joint acquisition of Osisko and the Canadian
Malartic mine adds another cornerstone asset to our portfolio that will
contribute significantly to increased production and cash flow levels
as we continue to balance top and bottom line growth," said Peter
Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yamana. "We look
forward to establishing our presence in Canada as we work with Agnico
to unlock additional value at Canadian Malartic and develop an
exploration program for the Kirkland Lake assets," added Mr. Marrone.
Additional Information for Shareholders
Shareholders who have questions or who may need assistance with the
completion of letters of transmittal are advised to contact our
Information Agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group at:
North American Toll Free: 1-877-452-7184
Banks, Brokers or collect calls: 416-304-2011
Email: assistance@laurelhill.com
About Agnico Eagle
Agnico Eagle is a senior Canadian gold mining company that has produced
precious metals since 1957. Its eight mines are located in Canada,
Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in each
of these regions as well as in the United States. The Company and its
shareholders have full exposure to gold prices due to its long-standing
policy of no forward gold sales. Agnico Eagle has declared a cash
dividend every year since 1983.
About Yamana
Yamana is a Canadian-based gold producer with significant gold
production, gold development stage properties, exploration properties,
and land positions throughout the Americas including Brazil, Argentina,
Chile, Mexico, and Canada. Yamana plans to continue to build on this
base through existing operating mine expansions, throughput increases,
development of new mines, the advancement of its exploration properties
and by targeting other gold consolidation opportunities with a primary
focus in the Americas.
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed
"forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other
than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments
that Osisko, Agnico Eagle and Yamana expect to occur, are forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are
not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by
the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends",
"estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled" and similar
expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may",
"could" or "should" occur including, without limitation, the
realization of all expected benefits of the acquisition of Osisko, and
the view on (i) the Canadian Malartic assets, (ii) the quality and the
potential of Osisko's exploration and mining assets, (iii) the
consideration offered to Osisko shareholders, and (iv) the potential of
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. Although Osisko, Agnico Eagle and Yamana
believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements
are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees
of future performance and actual results may differ materially from
those in forward looking statements. Factors that could cause the
actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking
statements include, gold prices, access to skilled consultants, results
of exploration and development activities, the Corporation's limited
experience with production and development stage mining operations,
uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of
personnel, materials and equipment, timeliness of government or court
approvals, actual performance of facilities, equipment and processes
relative to specifications and expectations, unanticipated
environmental impacts on operations market prices, continued
availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or
business conditions. These factors are discussed in greater detail in
Osisko, Agnico Eagle and Yamana's most recent Annual Information Forms,
which are filed on SEDAR and also provide additional general
assumptions in connection with these statements. Osisko, Agnico Eagle
and Yamana caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not
exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on the forward
looking statements contained herein should carefully consider the above
factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they
entail. Osisko, Agnico Eagle and Yamana believe that the expectations
reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no
assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct
and such forward-looking statements included in this press release
should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the
date of this press release. Osisko, Agnico Eagle and Yamana undertake
no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.
SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited