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Agnico Eagle to Acquire O3 Mining in Friendly Transaction

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Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire O3 Mining in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $204 million. The offer price of $1.67 per share represents a 57% premium to O3 Mining's 20-day volume-weighted average price as of December 11, 2024.

The primary asset in this acquisition is O3 Mining's Marban Alliance property near Val d'Or, Quebec, adjacent to Agnico Eagle's Canadian Malartic complex. The Marban deposit contains indicated mineral resources of 52.4 million tonnes grading 1.03 g/t gold (1.7 million ounces) and inferred resources of 1.0 million tonnes grading 0.97 g/t gold (32,000 ounces).

The transaction has received unanimous board recommendation and support from shareholders representing 22% of outstanding shares. The offer will remain open until January 23, 2025.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) ha annunciato un accordo definitivo per acquisire O3 Mining in una transazione completamente in contante del valore di circa 204 milioni di dollari. Il prezzo dell'offerta di 1,67 dollari per azione rappresenta un premio del 57% rispetto al prezzo medio ponderato per volume di 20 giorni di O3 Mining al 11 dicembre 2024.

L'asset principale di questa acquisizione è il proprietà Marban Alliance di O3 Mining vicino a Val d'Or, Quebec, adiacente al complesso canadese Malartic di Agnico Eagle. Il deposito Marban contiene risorse minerarie indicate di 52,4 milioni di tonnellate con una legge di 1,03 g/t oro (1,7 milioni di once) e risorse inferite di 1,0 milione di tonnellate con una legge di 0,97 g/t oro (32.000 once).

La transazione ha ricevuto una raccomandazione unanime del consiglio e il supporto degli azionisti che rappresentano il 22% delle azioni in circolazione. L'offerta rimarrà aperta fino al 23 gennaio 2025.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) ha anunciado un acuerdo definitivo para adquirir O3 Mining en una transacción en efectivo valorada en aproximadamente 204 millones de dólares. El precio de oferta de 1,67 dólares por acción representa una prima del 57% sobre el precio promedio ponderado por volumen de 20 días de O3 Mining al 11 de diciembre de 2024.

El activo principal de esta adquisición es la propiedad Marban Alliance de O3 Mining cerca de Val d'Or, Quebec, adyacente al complejo canadiense Malartic de Agnico Eagle. El depósito Marban contiene recursos minerales indicados de 52,4 millones de toneladas con un grado de 1,03 g/t de oro (1,7 millones de onzas) y recursos inferidos de 1,0 millón de toneladas con un grado de 0,97 g/t de oro (32.000 onzas).

La transacción ha recibido una recomendación unánime de la junta y el apoyo de accionistas que representan el 22% de las acciones en circulación. La oferta permanecerá abierta hasta el 23 de enero de 2025.

아그니코 이글 마인스 (NYSE: AEM)O3 Mining을 현금 거래로 약 2억 4백만 달러에 인수하기 위한 확정 계약을 발표했습니다. 주당 1.67달러의 제안 가격은 2024년 12월 11일 기준으로 O3 Mining의 20일 거래량 가중 평균 가격에 비해 57%의 프리미엄을 나타냅니다.

이번 인수의 주요 자산은 아그니코 이글의 캐나다 말르틱 단지와 인접한 퀘벡의 발도르 근처에 위치한 O3 Mining의 마르반 얼라이언스 소유지입니다. 마르반 매장량에는 1.03 g/t 금(170만 온스)의 등급을 가진 5240만 톤의 지시 자원과 0.97 g/t 금(3만 2천 온스)의 등급을 가진 100만 톤의 추정 자원이 포함되어 있습니다.

이번 거래는 이사회의 만장일치 추천을 받았으며, 발행 주식의 22%를 차지하는 주주의 지지를 받고 있습니다. 제안은 2025년 1월 23일까지 유효합니다.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) a annoncé un accord définitif pour acquérir O3 Mining dans le cadre d'une transaction entièrement en espèces d'une valeur d'environ 204 millions de dollars. Le prix de l'offre de 1,67 $ par action représente une prime de 57 % par rapport au prix moyen pondéré par le volume sur 20 jours d'O3 Mining au 11 décembre 2024.

L'actif principal de cette acquisition est la propriété Marban Alliance d'O3 Mining près de Val d'Or, au Québec, à côté du complexe canadien Malartic d'Agnico Eagle. Le dépôt Marban contient des ressources minérales indiquées de 52,4 millions de tonnes avec une teneur de 1,03 g/t d'or (1,7 million d'onces) et des ressources inférées de 1,0 million de tonnes avec une teneur de 0,97 g/t d'or (32.000 onces).

La transaction a reçu une recommandation unanime du conseil d'administration et le soutien des actionnaires représentant 22 % des actions en circulation. L'offre restera ouverte jusqu'au 23 janvier 2025.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) hat eine endgültige Vereinbarung zur Übernahme von O3 Mining in einer Bartransaktion im Wert von ungefähr 204 Millionen Dollar bekannt gegeben. Der Angebotspreis von 1,67 $ pro Aktie stellt einen Aufschlag von 57% auf den volumengewichteten Durchschnittspreis von O3 Mining über einen Zeitraum von 20 Tagen bis zum 11. Dezember 2024 dar.

Das Hauptasset dieser Übernahme ist das Marban Alliance-Grundstück von O3 Mining in der Nähe von Val d'Or, Quebec, angrenzend an den kanadischen Malartic-Komplex von Agnico Eagle. Die Marban-Lagerstätte enthält angegebene Mineralressourcen von 52,4 Millionen Tonnen mit einem Gehalt von 1,03 g/t Gold (1,7 Millionen Unzen) und geschätzte Ressourcen von 1,0 Millionen Tonnen mit einem Gehalt von 0,97 g/t Gold (32.000 Unzen).

Die Transaktion erhielt die einstimmige Empfehlung des Vorstands und die Unterstützung von Aktionären, die 22% der ausgegebenen Aktien vertreten. Das Angebot bleibt bis zum 23. Januar 2025 geöffnet.

Positive
  • 58% premium offered to shareholders over market price
  • Strategic acquisition of Marban Alliance property adjacent to existing operations
  • Significant mineral resources: 1.7M oz gold indicated, 32K oz inferred
  • Operational synergies through existing infrastructure and workforce
  • Strong shareholder support with 22% already committed to tender
Negative
  • Requires minimum two-thirds shareholder approval
  • $10 million termination fee if deal fails under certain circumstances

Insights

This strategic acquisition by Agnico Eagle represents a significant expansion of their Abitibi operations. The $204 million all-cash offer at $1.67 per share, representing a 58% premium, is a strong value proposition for O3 Mining shareholders. The Marban Alliance property's integration with Canadian Malartic creates operational synergies through existing infrastructure utilization. The deposit's indicated resources of 1.7 million ounces of gold at 1.03 g/t provide meaningful expansion potential. This "Fill-the-Mill" strategy should enhance production efficiency and extend the life of Canadian Malartic operations, strengthening Agnico's position in the prolific Abitibi region.

The acquisition strategically consolidates Agnico Eagle's presence in the Val d'Or mining district. The Marban deposit's proximity to existing operations and similar geological characteristics to the Barnat open pit creates significant operational advantages. The grade of 1.03 g/t gold is workable for open-pit mining, especially when leveraging existing infrastructure. The transaction demonstrates Agnico's commitment to maintaining its production profile through targeted regional acquisitions. The strong shareholder support, with 22% already committed via lock-up agreements, indicates confidence in the deal's rationale and execution potential.
  • All cash offer of $1.67 per share representing a 58% premium to O3 Mining's closing price on December 11, 2024
  • Offer unanimously recommended by Board and Special Committee of O3 Mining and supported by shareholders representing 22% of outstanding shares of O3 Mining

(All amounts expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted)

TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM) ("Agnico Eagle") and O3 Mining Inc. (TSXV: OIII) (OTCQX: OIIIF) ("O3 Mining") are pleased to jointly announce that they have entered into a definitive support agreement (the "Definitive Agreement"), pursuant to which Agnico Eagle has agreed to offer to acquire, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding common shares of O3 Mining (the "Common Shares") at $1.67 per Common Share in cash by way of a take-over bid (the "Offer"). The Offer is valued at approximately $204 million on a fully diluted in-the-money basis.

The Premium Cash Offer

The offer price of $1.67 per Common Share represents a premium of 57% to the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange for the 20-day period ended December 11, 2024 (the last trading day prior to announcement of the Offer).

O3 Mining's primary asset is its 100%-owned Marban Alliance property located near Val d'Or, in the Abitibi region of Québec, and is adjacent to Agnico Eagle's Canadian Malartic complex. The Marban Alliance property includes the Marban deposit, which is an advanced exploration project that could support an open pit mining operation similar to Agnico Eagle's Barnat open pit operations at the Canadian Malartic complex. O3 Mining has estimated that the Marban pit  contains 52.4 million tonnes of indicated mineral resources grading 1.03 g/t gold for 1.7 million ounces of gold and 1.0 million tonnes of inferred mineral resources grading 0.97 g/t gold for 32 thousand ounces of gold (effective date of February 27, 2022). O3 Mining also owns 100% of the Alpha property and 100% of the Kinebik property.

The potential integration of the Marban Alliance property to the Canadian Malartic land package will create significant and unique synergies by leveraging Agnico Eagle's regional operational expertise and existing infrastructure, including the Canadian Malartic mill and existing open pit workforce and equipment fleet.

Agnico Eagle's President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ammar Al-Joundi commented: "Consistent with our regional strategy, this transaction is a tuck-in of the Marban deposit to our Canadian Malartic complex. The Marban deposit is expected to be complementary to other "Fill-the-Mill" opportunities at Canadian Malartic, further improving the production profile at a long-life world class asset. Our extensive operation, exploration and community experience is expected to enhance the value generated from the Marban Alliance property and unlock further potential at our Abitibi platform. We are looking forward to working with our partners and all stakeholders in the region as we continue to advance this opportunity".

O3 Mining's President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. José Vizquerra commented: "The all-cash offer at a significant premium to market is an excellent outcome for our shareholders and is validation of the efforts made by the O3 Mining team. Having diligently advanced the Marban Alliance project over the past five years, the timing is right for O3 Mining to sell to a more experienced operator that can efficiently navigate the project through permitting and construction. This represents a substantial non-dilutive alternative to shareholders. We believe Agnico Eagle is the gold standard in the precious metals space – it not only has the financial strength and the mining expertise to advance the Marban Alliance project, but shares our commitment to work in partnership with stakeholders in a socially responsible manner. Today's Offer represents a significant milestone for O3 Mining, and I would like to thank our employees, shareholders, First Nations partners, community partners and the Province of Québec for their support over the years."

Transaction Details

Agnico Eagle, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Agnico Eagle Abitibi Acquisition Corp. (the "Offeror"), intends to formally commence the Offer by mailing a take-over bid circular to O3 Mining shareholders on or about December 19, 2024, and O3 Mining's directors' circular is also expected to be mailed to O3 Mining shareholders on or about that date. The Offer will be open for acceptance for a minimum of 35 days following the date of commencement. Accordingly, the Offer will be open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 23, 2025.

Special Committee and Board Recommendations

The Board of Directors of O3 Mining (the "Board"), having received a unanimous recommendation from a special committee comprised solely of independent directors of O3 Mining (the "Special Committee") and after receiving outside legal and financial advice, is recommending that O3 Mining shareholders tender their Common Shares and accept the Offer. The recommendation of the Board is supported by fairness opinions provided by Fort Capital Partners ("Fort Capital") to the Board and Special Committee and by Maxit Capital LP ("Maxit Capital") to the Board, each stating that the Offer is fair, from a financial point of view, to O3 Mining shareholders (other than Agnico Eagle and its affiliates).

Conditions

The Offer is conditional upon, among other conditions, there having been deposited pursuant to the Offer and not withdrawn at the expiry of the initial deposit period not less than two-thirds of the Common Shares then outstanding, excluding the Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Agnico Eagle and any person acting jointly or in concert with Agnico Eagle. Agnico Eagle owns 906,238 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.8% of the outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis, and holds 270,000 warrants to purchase Common Shares and a senior unsecured convertible debenture of O3 Mining in the principal amount of $10 million that is convertible into 4,878,049 Common Shares at a price equal to $2.05 per Common Share. Upon the exercise of such warrants and conversion of the convertible debenture, Agnico Eagle would own 6,054,287 Common Shares, representing approximately 5.3% of the outstanding Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis.

Lock-Up Agreements

All directors and officers of O3 Mining, Extract Advisors LLC and certain Franklin Templeton managed funds (collectively representing approximately 22% of the outstanding Common Shares on a basic basis) have agreed under lock-up agreements with Agnico Eagle (the "Lock-Up Agreements"), to tender their Common Shares to the Offer, including Common Shares beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by them, at any time up to and including the expiry time of the Offer.

The Definitive Agreement provides for, among other things, a non-solicitation covenant on the part of O3 Mining (subject to customary fiduciary-out provisions). The Definitive Agreement also provides the Offeror with a right to match any competing offer which the Board determines to be a superior proposal within the meaning of the Definitive Agreement. The Offeror is entitled to a termination payment of $10 million if the Definitive Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances, including if O3 Mining enters into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal within the meaning of the Definitive Agreement.

Additional information regarding the Offer will be included in the Offeror's take-over bid circular and in O3 Mining's directors' circular, each of which is expected to be delivered to registered shareholders of O3 Mining on or about December 19, 2024. These materials, as well as the Definitive Agreement and the Lock-Up Agreements, will also be available under O3 Mining's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on O3 Mining's and Agnico Eagle's respective websites.

How to Tender Your Shares; Postal Strike

Only O3 Mining shareholders who tender their Common Shares will receive the cash consideration of $1.67 per Common Share. For information on tendering your Common Shares please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group at assistance@laurelhill.com.

Shareholder type:

How do I tender my Common Shares to the Agnico Eagle Offer?

Beneficial

Most O3 Mining shareholders are beneficial shareholders. This means your Common Shares are held through a broker, bank or other financial intermediary, and you do not have a share certificate or DRS advice.

Contact your bank or your broker immediately and instruct them to tender your Common Shares to the Offer.

Registered

You are a registered shareholder if you hold your Common Shares directly and may have a share certificate or DRS advice.

Contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group:
Phone: 1-877-452-7184
Email: assistance@laurelhill.com


In light of the Canada Post labour strike, shareholders are encouraged to stay up to date on the Offer by visiting: https://www.agnicoeagle.com/Offer-for-O3-Mining/default.aspx. Shareholders are also asked not to mail in any Letter of Transmittal or share certificates. Instead, shareholders may contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group.

Advisors

Edgehill Advisory Ltd. is acting as financial advisor to Agnico Eagle. Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is acting as legal advisor to Agnico Eagle.

Maxit Capital is acting as financial advisor to O3 Mining. Bennett Jones LLP is acting as legal advisor to O3 Mining. Fort Capital is acting as financial advisor to the Special Committee. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Special Committee.

The Depositary and Information Agent for the Offer is Laurel Hill Advisory Group. If you have any questions or require assistance with tendering to the Offer, please contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group, by phone at 1-877-452-7187 or by e-mail at assistance@laurelhill.com.

About O3 Mining Inc.

O3 Mining Inc. is a gold explorer and mine developer in Québec, Canada, adjacent to Agnico Eagle's Canadian Malartic mine. O3 Mining owns a 100% interest in all its properties (128,680 hectares) in Québec. Its principal asset is the Marban Alliance project in Québec, which O3 Mining has advanced over the last five years to the cusp of its next stage of development, with the expectation that the project will deliver long-term benefits to stakeholders.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Louis Gariépy, P.Eng (OIQ #107538), VP Exploration  of O3 Mining, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

Agnico Eagle is a Canadian based and led senior gold mining company and the third largest gold producer in the world, 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. 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and interpretations about future events as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information and statements are based on estimates of management by O3 Mining and Agnico Eagle, at the time they were made, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Offer, including the anticipated timing of commencement and expiration, mechanics, funding, completion, settlement, results and effects of the Offer; the anticipated timing of the delivery of the Offeror's take-over bid circular and O3 Mining's directors' circular; the reasons to accept the Offer; the value inherent in O3 Mining's portfolio of projects, including the Marban Alliance project; the ability for the Marban Alliance project to support an open pit mining operation; the expected outcomes of completion of the transaction, including the integration of the Marban Alliance property to the Canadian Malartic land package, synergies arising therefrom, improved production profile, enhanced value generated and unlocked further potential; and the other benefits of the transaction. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining that the Offer will be made in accordance with the Definitive Agreement and will be successful, that all required regulatory consents and approvals will be obtained and all other conditions to completion of the transaction will be satisfied or waived, and the ability to achieve goals, including the integration of the Marban Alliance property to the Canadian Malartic land package and the ability to realize synergies arising therefrom. Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining caution that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based upon what Agnico Eagle and O3 Mining believe, or believed at the time, to be reasonable expectations and assumptions, there is no assurance that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, and neither O3 Mining, nor Agnico Eagle nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking information. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. O3 Mining and Agnico Eagle do not undertake, and assume no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of Agnico Eagle or any of its affiliates or O3 Mining.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnico-eagle-to-acquire-o3-mining-in-friendly-transaction-302330109.html

SOURCE Agnico Eagle Mines Limited

FAQ

What is the offer price per share for O3 Mining in AEM's acquisition?

Agnico Eagle (AEM) is offering $1.67 per share in cash for O3 Mining, representing a 57% premium to the 20-day volume-weighted average price as of December 11, 2024.

What are the mineral resources at O3 Mining's Marban deposit being acquired by AEM?

The Marban deposit contains 52.4 million tonnes of indicated mineral resources grading 1.03 g/t gold (1.7 million ounces) and 1.0 million tonnes of inferred resources grading 0.97 g/t gold (32,000 ounces).

When does AEM's offer for O3 Mining expire?

The offer will remain open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 23, 2025.

What percentage of O3 Mining shareholders have agreed to support AEM's acquisition?

Approximately 22% of O3 Mining's outstanding shares, including directors, officers, Extract Advisors , and certain Franklin Templeton managed funds, have agreed to tender their shares to the offer.

What is the total value of AEM's acquisition of O3 Mining?

The offer is valued at approximately $204 million on a fully diluted in-the-money basis.

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