ENDEAVOUR AND TERANGA ANNOUNCE COMBINATION TO CREATE NEW SENIOR GOLD PRODUCER
HIGHLIGHTS:
· Creates a new top 10 senior gold producer with industry-leading low production costs and diversification across three countries
· Combines highly complementary assets with potential for significant synergies
· Strong cash flows and healthy balance sheet to fund attractive dividends and growth, whilst building a strong net cash position in 2021
· High potential for re-rating given potential best in class operating and financial metrics and attractive valuation compared to other senior gold producers
· Re-rating potential also underpinned by an enhanced capital markets profile with intention to seek a second listing on the London Stock Exchange as a Premium issuer targeting FTSE 100 entry
· Exchange ratio of 0.470x represents a premium of 5.1% based on the closing price on November 13, 2020, reflecting a balanced contribution from both sets of shareholders
· Combination strongly supported by cornerstone shareholders with voting support agreements received
· La Mancha commits to inject $200 million in the combined entity
George Town & Toronto, November 16, 2020 – Endeavour Mining Corporation (“Endeavour”) (TSX:EDV) and Teranga Gold Corporation (“Teranga”) (TSX:TGZ; OTCQX:TGCDF) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) whereby Endeavour will acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Teranga by way of a Plan of Arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “Combination”). Management will host a joint conference call and webcast today, at 8.30am Toronto time, 1.30pm London time (information provided in the section below).
Existing Endeavour and Teranga shareholders will own approximately 66% and 34%, respectively, of the combined company on a fully diluted in-the-money basis. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, Teranga common shares will be exchanged at a ratio of 0.470 Endeavour ordinary shares for each one Teranga common share (the “Exchange Ratio”). The Exchange Ratio represents a modest premium of 5.1% based on the closing price of Endeavour and Teranga’s shares on the TSX on November 13, 2020 and 9.4% based on the 20-day volume weighted average price of both companies for the period ended November 13, 2020.
Sébastien de Montessus, President and CEO of Endeavour, said: “This combination offers an attractive opportunity to both sets of shareholders. By combining our complementary assets, we will enhance our strategic position on West Africa’s highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt and we will have the ability to deliver material synergies. The combined entity will become a new senior gold producer and enjoy an improved capital markets profile, underpinned by a healthy balance sheet and strong cash flow capabilities to support a sustainable dividend.
This transaction is immediately accretive to our shareholders on a NAV basis and broadly CFPS and EPS neutral over the next two years. It will be strongly accretive from 2023 when Sabodala-Massawa is ramped up into a top asset in the region while immediately adding geographic diversification into mining-friendly Senegal. The Wahgnion mine provides immediate cash flow and the rapidly advancing Golden Hill and Afema projects offer further growth optionality. The Teranga management team has done an outstanding job unlocking value and we look forward to continuing to deliver returns for shareholders through the creation of a business with outstanding prospects.”
Richard Young, President and Chief Executive Office of Teranga, said: “We have taken Teranga from a single asset producer to a low cost, mid tier gold producer over the past few years. This combination with Endeavour, strongly supported by our two largest shareholders, allows Teranga shareholders to benefit from an improved valuation as owners of a best in class senior gold producer with among the lowest costs as well as among the best balance sheet, free cash flow yield, growth pipeline and dividend yield.”
Teranga is a low cost, mid tier gold producer in West Africa with two producing gold mines and an attractive growth pipeline in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. Teranga is expected to produce 533,000 ounces of gold per year at average all-in-sustaining costs of $785 per ounce over the next five years. Endeavour is a leading West African gold producer with six mines across Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire with a production profile of over 1 million ounces at below $900 per ounce.
CREATES A NEW TOP 10 SENIOR GOLD PRODUCER WITH INDUSTRY-LEADING LOW PRODUCTION COSTS
Figure 1: 2021 Gold Production for Senior Gold Producers1 Figure 2: 2021 AISC for Senior Gold Producers1
COMBINES HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY ASSETS WITH POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SYNERGIES
ABILITY TO PAY ATTRACTIVE DIVIDENDS AND FUND GROWTH UNDERPINNED BY STONG BALANCE SHEET
HIGH POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SHARE PRICE RE-RATING
Figure 3: Senior Gold Producers Trading Multiples6
COMBINATION STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY CORNERSTONE SHAREHOLDERS
Voting Support Agreements Received
La Mancha Commits to Invest $200 Million in Support of Combination
TRANSACTION APPROVALS AND TIMELINE
For Endeavour, pursuant to the rules of the TSX, the Combination will require approval by a simple majority of the votes cast by its shareholders. In addition, shareholders of Endeavour will be asked to approve the issuance of Endeavour ordinary shares to La Mancha pursuant to the terms of a subscription agreement entered into between Endeavour and La Mancha dated November 16, 2020. Such resolution will require the approval of a simple majority of votes cast by Endeavour shareholders.
For Teranga, the Combination will require the approval of 66 2/3% of votes cast by shareholders of Teranga and the approval of a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders of Teranga, other than the shareholders required to be excluded under applicable laws, including Barrick Gold who is a syndicate member in Teranga’s facility with Taurus Funds Management Pty Ltd which is intended to be refinanced on closing.
Full details of the Combination will be included in the joint management information circular of Endeavour and Teranga, which is expected to be mailed to each company’s respective shareholders in December 2020. It is anticipated that both shareholder meetings and the closing of the Combination will take place in the first quarter of 2021.
BOARD, MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
The Board of Directors of Endeavour will be comprised of 10 directors, including 7 representatives from Endeavour and 3 from Teranga.
Sebastien de Montessus and his executive team will lead the combined group, with the support of key Teranga senior management.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ RECOMMENDATIONS
Teranga appointed a special committee of independent directors to consider and make a recommendation with respect to the Combination. Based in part on the unanimous recommendation of the special committee of Teranga, the Arrangement Agreement has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Teranga. The Arrangement Agreement has also been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Endeavour. Both Boards of Directors recommend that their respective shareholders vote in favor of the Combination.
Canaccord Genuity Corp has provided a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Teranga and Cormark Securities Inc. has provided a fairness opinion to the Special Committee of Teranga. Each fairness opinion stated that, as of the date thereof and, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration received under the Arrangement Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Teranga shareholders. Scotiabank has provided a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Endeavour stating that, as of the date thereof and, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration to be paid by Endeavour to the shareholders of Teranga is fair, from a financial point of view, to Endeavour.
Mr. Naguib Sawiris, Chairman of the Board of Managers of La Mancha, abstained from voting as a director of Endeavour on the $200 million investment by La Mancha.
CONDITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS
In addition to shareholder and court approvals, the Combination is subject to applicable regulatory approvals including TSX and Investment Canada Act and Competition Act (Canada) approvals and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary in combinations of this nature.
The Arrangement Agreement contains customary provisions including mutual non-solicitation provisions, a mutual right to match any superior proposal of the other party, a $40 million termination fee payable to Teranga under certain circumstances, and a $40 million termination fee payable to Endeavour under certain circumstances.
In addition to other customary closing conditions under the Arrangement Agreement, there is a closing condition in favor of Endeavour that it shall be provided by Franco-Nevada (Barbados) Corporation a waiver and consent in respect of certain change of control and other requirements under the amended and restated gold purchase and sale agreement, dated May 1, 2019, among, amongst others, Franco-Nevada (Barbados) Corporation, Teranga and Teranga Gold (B.V.I.) Corporation, in form and substance satisfactory to Endeavour, acting reasonably.
ADVISORS AND COUNSELS
Gleacher Shacklock LLP and Scotiabank are acting as financial advisors to Endeavour with McCarthy Tétrault LLP and Linklaters LLP acting as Endeavour’s legal advisors.
Cormark Securities Inc., Cutfield Freeman & Co. Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Corp. are acting as financial advisors to Teranga with Stikeman Elliott LLP acting as Teranga’s legal advisor.
Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as the legal advisor to Teranga’s Special Committee.
Stanhope Capital LLP acted as financial advisor to Tablo Corporation.
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP acted as legal advisor to La Mancha.
CONFERENCE CALL AND LIVE WEBCAST
Endeavour and Teranga management will jointly host a conference call and webcast on Monday, November 16, at 8:30am. Toronto time, to discuss the Combination.
The conference call and webcast are scheduled at:
5:30am in Vancouver
8:30am in Toronto and New York
1:30pm in London
9:30pm in Hong Kong and Perth
The webcast can be accessed through the following link: https://webcast.merchantcantoscdn.com/webcaster/dyn/4000/7464/16532/124738/Lobby/default.htm
Analysts and investors are also invited to participate and ask questions using the dial-in numbers below and quoting “Endeavour / Teranga Transaction”:
Standard International Access: +44 (0) 20 3003 2666
Canada Toll Free: 1-866-378 3566
UK Toll Free: 0808 109 0700
US Toll Free: 1-866-966-5335
The conference call and webcast will be available for playback on Endeavour's website.
ABOUT ENDEAVOUR
Endeavour Mining is a multi-asset gold producer focused on West Africa, with two mines (Ity and Agbaou) in Côte d’Ivoire, four mines (Houndé, Mana, Karma and Boungou) in Burkina Faso, four potential development projects (Fetekro, Kalana, Bantou and Nabanga) and a strong portfolio of exploration assets on the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt across Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Guinea.
As a leading gold producer, Endeavour Mining is committed to principles of responsible mining and delivering sustainable value to its employees, stakeholders and the communities where it operates. Endeavour is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the symbol EDV.
ABOUT TERANGA
Teranga is a mid-tier gold producer operating long-life, low-cost mines and advancing prospective exploration properties across West Africa, one of the world’s fastest growing gold jurisdictions. The top-tier gold complex created by integrating the recently acquired high-grade Massawa project with Teranga’s Sabodala mine, the successful commissioning of Wahgnion, Teranga’s second gold mine, and a strong pipeline of early to advanced-stage exploration assets support the continued growth of Teranga’s reserves, production and cash flow. Through its continued success and commitment to responsible mining, Teranga creates sustainable value for all stakeholders and acts as a catalyst for social, economic, and environmental development. For more information about Teranga, please go to terangagold.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
Endeavour Mining Corporation
Martino De Ciccio VP – Strategy & Investor Relations +44 203 640 8665 mdeciccio@Endeavourmining.com | Vincic Advisors in Toronto John Vincic, Principal +1 (647) 402 6375 john@vincicdvisors.com Brunswick Group LLP in London Carole Cable, Partner +44 7974 982 458 ccable@brunswickgroup.com |
Teranga Gold Corporation
Trish Moran VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications +1-416-607-4507 tmoran@terangagold.com |
The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Endeavour and Teranga with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar expressions and include information regarding: (i) expectations regarding whether the proposed Combination will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Combination will be satisfied, or the timing for completing the Combination, (ii) expectations regarding the initial dividend and the Company’s future dividend policy and the effects thereof, (iii) expectations for the effects of the Combination or the ability of the combined company to successfully achieve business objectives, including integrating the companies or the effects of unexpected costs, liabilities or delays, (iv) the potential benefits and synergies of the Combination, (v) expectations regarding whether the proposed La Mancha investment will be consummated or the timing for completing the proposed investment and (vi) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.
Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect Endeavour’s and Teranga’s respective management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although Endeavour and Teranga believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the combined company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: the ability to consummate the Combination; the ability to obtain requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions to the consummation of the Combination on the proposed terms and schedule; the ability of Endeavour and Teranga to successfully integrate their respective operations and employees and realize synergies and cost savings at the times, and to the extent, anticipated; the potential impact on exploration activities; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Combination on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, employees, suppliers, customers and competitors; the re-rating potential following the consummation of the Combination; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation; and the diversion of management time on the Combination. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Endeavour and Teranga and market conditions. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by Endeavour and Teranga with the Canadian securities regulators, including Endeavour’s and Teranga’s respective annual information form, financial statements and related MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020 filed with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedar.com.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Endeavour and Teranga have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Endeavour and Teranga do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
The information in this news release includes the following non-IFRS financial measures: all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold sold (“AISC)”, cash costs per ounce of gold sold, and free cash flow. These financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, even as compared to other issuers who may also be applying the World Gold Council (“WGC”) guidelines, which can be found at http://www.gold.org. Management of Endeavour and Teranga believe that the use of these non-IFRS measures will assist analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the companies in understanding the costs associated with producing gold, understanding the economics of gold mining, assessing the companies’ operating performance, the combined company’s ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and to generate free cash flow on an overall company basis, and for planning and forecasting of future periods. However, AISC does have limitations as an analytical tool as it may be influenced by the point in the life cycle of a specific mine and the level of additional exploration or expenditures a company has to make to fully develop its properties. Accordingly, these non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, analysis of the companies; results as reported under IFRS. A reconciliation of certain the non-IFRS measures presented in this news release is contained in Endeavour’s most recently filed annual MD&A, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
ENDEAVOUR QUALIFIED PERSON
Clinton Bennett, Endeavour's Vice-President of Metallurgy and Process Improvement - a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release related to Endeavour.
TERANGA QUALIFIED PERSON
Stephen Ling, P.Eng., who is a member of the Professional Engineers Ontario, is Teranga’s Director of Technical Services. Mr. Ling is a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Ling has consented to the inclusion in this document of the matters based on his compiled information in the form and context in which it appears in this document related to Teranga.
LA MANCHA – EARLY WARNING REPORT
As date hereof, La Mancha Holding S.à r.l., indirectly through La Mancha Africa Holding Limited, owns 39,329,731 ordinary shares of Endeavour, representing approximately 24% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Endeavour.
The La Mancha investment commitment in Endeavour is being undertaken for investment purposes and La Mancha may, from time to time, acquire additional securities of Endeavour or dispose of all or a portion of the ordinary shares of Endeavour previously acquired or held.
An early warning report containing additional information with respect to the foregoing matters will be filed under Endeavour's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
For further information: A copy of the early warning report may be obtained by contacting: Tariq Qureshi, 125 Kensington High Street, London, W8 5SF; tel: +44 (0) 2030534299.
1 2021E Gold production and AISC based on average 2021 fiscal year estimates published by equity research analysts. Combined Entity based on analyst estimates for Endeavour and Teranga. Harmony AISC represents fiscal year 2020 actual figure.
2 Pro forma based on latest available public information, net of the proposed $200 million La Mancha investment and gold bullion unsold as at September 30, 2020 at Teranga (valued at $39 million as per Teranga Q3-2020 MD&A)
3Combined Entity LTM EBITDA as at September30, 2020 of $867 million
4 $391 million outstanding as at September 30, 2020, with subsequent repayment of further $17.1 million as per Teranga Q3-2020 MD&A
5 Market capitalizations of Endeavour and Teranga using fully diluted in-the-money number of shares, closing share prices on the TSX as at November 13, 2020 and US$/C$ exchange rate of 1.3161 and including the proposed La Mancha investment of $200 million
6 FCF 2021, EBITDA 2021, NAV estimates for peers sourced from CapitalIQ as at November 13, 2020. Combined Entity based on average of equity research analyst estimates for both Endeavour and Teranga
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