Barrick Completes Eskay Creek Transaction

Rhea-AI Summary

Barrick Gold Corporation has completed its transaction with Skeena Resources Ltd. for the Eskay Creek project, waiving its back-in right. Skeena issued 22.5 million units, each comprising one share and a warrant, allowing Barrick to purchase additional shares at C$2.70 until two years after closing. Barrick also gains a 1% NSR royalty on Eskay Creek and a C$15 million contingent payment over 24 months. Post-transaction, Barrick's ownership in Skeena increases to 17.2%, enhancing its asset portfolio focused on Tier One assets.

Positive

• Barrick increases its ownership in Skeena to approximately 17.2%, enhancing its investment in Tier One assets.
• The transaction provides Barrick with a 1% NSR royalty on the entire Eskay Creek land package.
• The issuance of warrants could lead to additional equity stake if exercised.

Negative

• None.

TORONTO, Oct. 05, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In line with its strategy of focusing on Tier One assets, Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) has completed the recently announced transaction pursuant to which Skeena Resources Ltd. (“Skeena”) exercised its option to acquire the Eskay Creek project and Barrick waived its back-in right on the Eskay Creek project.

As previously announced, consideration for the transaction consists of: (i) the issuance by Skeena of 22,500,000 units (the “Units”), with each Unit comprising one common share of Skeena and one half of a warrant, with each whole warrant entitling Barrick to purchase one additional common share of Skeena at an exercise price of C$2.70 each until the second anniversary of the closing date; (ii) the grant of a 1% NSR royalty on the entire Eskay Creek land package; and (iii) a contingent payment of C$15 million payable during a 24-month period after closing.

Barrick holds 24,075,000 Skeena common shares, representing approximately 12.4% of Skeena’s issued and outstanding common shares (calculated on a non-diluted basis), and assuming the exercise in full of all of the warrants issued pursuant to the transaction, Barrick will hold 35,325,000 common shares, representing approximately 17.2% of Skeena’s issued and outstanding common shares.

For further details regarding the transaction, please refer to Barrick’s news release dated August 4, 2020 on the Barrick website or filed under its issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Enquiries:

Kathy du Plessis
Investor and Media Relations
+44 20 7557 7738
Email: barrick@dpapr.com
Website: www.barrick.com

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to Barrick’s strategy, plans, or future financial or operating performance, constitutes “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words “will”, “expect”, “plan,” “intend” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: Barrick’s strategy of focusing on Tier One assets, the value of the warrants entitling Barrick to purchase common shares of Skeena; the timing for payment of the contingent consideration after closing; and Barrick’s rights, plans or intentions to acquire or dispose of additional common shares or other securities of Skeena.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions; including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by Barrick as at the date of this press release in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; increased costs, delays, suspensions, and technical challenges associated with the construction of capital projects; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities, including geotechnical challenges, and disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information technology systems; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, or regulations and/or changes in the administration of laws, policies, and practices, expropriation or nationalization of property and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States or jurisdictions in which we operate; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; damage to Barrick’s reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Barrick’s handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties, or over access to water, power and other required infrastructure; employee relations including loss of key employees; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, Barrick; increased costs and physical risks, including extreme weather events and resource shortages, related to climate change; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development, and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, and gold bullion, copper cathode, or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements, and the risks that may affect Barrick’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Barrick disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

FAQ

What recent transaction did Barrick Gold (GOLD) complete with Skeena Resources regarding the Eskay Creek project?

Barrick completed a transaction allowing Skeena to acquire the Eskay Creek project, waiving its back-in right.

What are the financial terms of the Barrick and Skeena Resources transaction?

Skeena issued 22.5 million units to Barrick, granting a 1% NSR royalty and a C$15 million contingent payment.

How does the Barrick and Skeena transaction affect Barrick's shareholding?

Following the transaction, Barrick's stake in Skeena increases to approximately 17.2%.

What is the significance of Barrick's focus on Tier One assets?

Focusing on Tier One assets enhances Barrick's investment portfolio, potentially leading to better financial performance.