Wesdome Announces Amendment to Increase and Extend Credit Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. has executed an amended credit agreement, increasing its senior secured revolving credit facility to $80 million, with potential upsizing to $150 million upon declaring commercial production at Kiena. The new agreement offers more favorable covenants, reduced borrowing margins, and extends the term to August 25, 2025. CEO Duncan Middlemiss emphasized the enhanced financial liquidity, which supports the ramp-up at Kiena. However, the company has faced COVID-19 impacts, affecting operations and future production timelines.

Positive

• Increased credit facility to $80 million, potentially $150 million.
• More favorable borrowing terms and extended term to August 2025.
• Maintains significant financial liquidity and flexibility.

Negative

• COVID-19 infections among employees could impact operational timelines.
• Higher production risk due to ongoing pandemic uncertainties.

TORONTO, Aug. 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) (“Wesdome” or the “Company”) today announces that it has executed an amended and restated credit agreement that upsizes its senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), led by National Bank Financial Inc. (“NBF”) to $80 million immediately and to $150 million upon declaration of commercial production at Kiena. The facility also features more favourable covenants, lowers the margin of borrowing, and extends the term to August 25, 2025 from March 29, 2024. All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Duncan Middlemiss, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “With this facility and ongoing free cash flow generation from our Eagle River mine, Wesdome maintains significant financial liquidity and flexibility as we look towards ramping up Kiena in the near term.”

The Credit Facility is secured by all of the Company’s present and future real and personal property. The NBF Facility is available by way of (i) Canadian dollar Prime Rate or U.S. dollar Base Rate, with interest rates ranging from 1.75% to 2.75% over NBF’s Prime Rate or Base Rate, as applicable, (ii) Canadian dollar Bankers’ Acceptances at acceptance fees ranging from 2.75% to 3.75%, and (iii) U.S. dollar Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), with interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 3.75% over SOFR. The actual spread or rate will be determined based on the Company’s net leverage ratio. The NBF Facility is also available for letters of credit and will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes

The amended and restated Credit Agreement will be posted to SEDAR (www.sedar.com) in due course.

COVID-19

The health and safety of our employees, contractors, vendors, and consultants is the Company’s top priority. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Wesdome has adopted all public health guidelines regarding safety measures and protocols at all of its mine operations and corporate office. These protocols are still in place at all sites despite the loosening of some provincial public health guidelines. In addition, our internal COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor developments and implement policies and programs intended to protect those who are engaged in business with the Company.

Through care and planning, to date the Company has successfully maintained operations, however there can be no assurance that this will continue despite our best efforts with the emergence of new, highly contagious variants such as Omicron. To date, the company has been impacted by this most recent variant outbreak, with employees at both operations and corporate office becoming infected which may negatively impact our ability to maintain projected timelines and objectives. Consequently, the Company’s actual future production and production guidance is subject to higher levels of risk than usual. We are continuing to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates as they become available.

ABOUT WESDOME
Wesdome is a Canadian focused gold producer with two high grade underground assets, the Eagle River mine in Ontario and the recently re-started Kiena mine in Quebec. The Company also retains meaningful exposure to the Moss Lake gold deposit in Ontario through its equity position in Goldshore Resources Inc. The Company’s primary goal is to responsibly leverage this operating platform and high-quality brownfield and greenfield exploration pipeline to build Canada’s next intermediate gold producer. Wesdome trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WDO,” with a secondary listing on the OTCQX under the symbol “WDOFF.”

For further information, please contact:

Duncan Middlemiss	or	Lindsay Carpenter Dunlop
President and CEO		VP Investor Relations
416-360-3743 ext. 2029		416-360-3743 ext. 2025
duncan.middlemiss@wesdome.com		lindsay.dunlop@wesdome.com

220 Bay St, Suite 1200
Toronto, ON, M5J 2W4

Toll Free: 1-866-4-WDO-TSX
Phone: 416-360-3743, Fax: 416-360-7620
Website: www.wesdome.com

This news release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company has included in this news release certain non-IFRS performance measures, including, but not limited to, mine operating profit, mining and processing costs and cash costs. Cash costs per ounce reflect actual mine operating costs incurred during the fiscal period divided by the number of ounces produced. These measures are not defined under IFRS and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to or more meaningful than, net income (loss) or cash flow from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS as an indicator of our financial performance or liquidity. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.

PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/d14764d1-8ee0-4a38-9b07-1a6c9716e0e9

FAQ

What is the current credit facility amount for Wesdome Gold Mines (WDOFF)?

Wesdome Gold Mines has increased its credit facility to $80 million, with potential upsizing to $150 million.

What are the terms of the new credit agreement for Wesdome Gold Mines (WDOFF)?

The new agreement includes more favorable covenants, lower borrowing margins, and an extended term to August 25, 2025.

How has COVID-19 affected Wesdome Gold Mines (WDOFF)?

COVID-19 has led to employee infections that may impact operational timelines and future production guidance.

Who leads the credit facility for Wesdome Gold Mines (WDOFF)?

The credit facility is led by National Bank Financial Inc.