B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) (“B2Gold” or
the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a
purchase and sale agreement (the “Agreement”) to sell a portfolio
of 10 precious and base metals royalties (the “Royalties”) to
Sandbox Royalties Corp. (“Sandbox”), a private, returns-focused
metals royalty company (the “Transaction”). In connection with the
Transaction, Sandbox has been renamed Versamet Royalties
Corporation (“Versamet”). All dollar figures are in United States
dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Versamet will
acquire ownership of the Royalties and as consideration will issue
153.2 million common shares to B2Gold at a price of C$0.80 per
share, representing an equity ownership interest in Versamet of
33.0% valued at approximately $90 million. The Royalties are
comprised of the following:
- 2.7% net smelter return (“NSR”)
royalty on the Kiaka Gold Project, owned by West African Resources
Ltd.;
- 2.7% NSR royalty on the Toega Gold
Deposit, owned by West African Resources Ltd.;
- 2.0% net profit royalty on the
Quebradona Project, owned by AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.;
- 2.0% NSR royalty on the Mocoa
Project, owned by Libero Copper & Gold Corp.;
- 1.5% NSR royalty on the Primavera
Project, owned by Calibre Mining Corp.; and
- Five additional exploration stage
royalties.
B2Gold has retained ownership of the 22.5%
silver royalty on Glencore’s Hackett River project (the “B2Gold
Hackett River Royalty”). Separately, Versamet owns a 2.0% NSR
royalty on Glencore’s Hackett River project. B2Gold will continue
to explore value maximizing alternatives for the B2Gold Hackett
River Royalty.
“This strategic partnership provides B2Gold with
an attractive opportunity to unlock the value of our royalties
which have gone largely unrecognized by the market and were not a
core part of our business,” said Clive Johnson, President and CEO
of B2Gold. “As a significant shareholder, B2Gold is pleased to
retain meaningful upside exposure and leverage to Versamet as its
experienced management team stewards its strengthened asset base
and continues executing on its growth strategy to create future
shareholder value.”
The closing of the first phase of the
Transaction occurred on June 5, 2024, and included the royalties on
the Kiaka Gold Project, the Toega Gold Deposit, the Primavera
Project, and two exploration stage royalties. In connection with
the first phase closing, B2Gold received 122.0 million shares of
Versamet valued at approximately $72 million. The remaining
royalties are subject to various right of first refusal or right of
first offer provisions, which are expected to lapse or be exercised
within the next 60 days, at which time the closing of the second
phase of the Transaction is expected to occur.
In connection with the closing of the first
phase of the Transaction, the parties have entered into an Investor
Rights Agreement which, among other customary terms and conditions,
entitles B2Gold to nominate one member to Versamet’s Board of
Directors and pro rata participation rights with respect to future
capital raises. B2Gold’s strategic partnership will provide ongoing
exposure to Versamet’s royalty portfolio, which now includes 28
royalties, two of which are currently cash flowing, and several of
which are expected to be cash flowing in the near term.
B2Gold’s financial advisor in connection with
the Transaction is RBC Capital Markets, and its legal counsel is
McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
About B2Gold
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold
producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007,
today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the
Philippines, the Goose Project under construction in northern
Canada, and numerous development and exploration projects in
various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland. B2Gold
forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 860,000 and
940,000 ounces in 2024.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
“Clive T.
Johnson”President and Chief Executive
Officer
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC
neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this
news release.
Production results and production guidance
presented in this news release reflect total production at the
mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our
Annual Information Form dated March 14, 2024, for a discussion of
our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
This news release includes certain
"forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements"
(collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of
applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation,
including: the closing of the second phase of the Transaction in
which B2Gold is estimated to receive an additional 31 million
shares of Versamet; and B2Gold total consolidated gold production
of between 860,000 and 940,000 ounces in 2024. All statements in
this news release that address events or developments that we
expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words
such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target",
"potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend"
or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative
connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may",
"could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking
statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as
of the date such statements are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond
B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to:
the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes
in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and
mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource
estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates;
actual production, development plans and costs differing materially
from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility and other studies; the
ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or
authorizations required for mining activities; environmental
regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations
associated with mining activities; climate change and climate
change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and
identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of
companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate
new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability
of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential
restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and
the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in
foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign
laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia,
the Philippines and Colombia and including risks related to changes
in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local
ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally;
remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure;
fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs
necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in
necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and
country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and
the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties
and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making
authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns
the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the
dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain
skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss;
adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk;
competition with other mining companies; community support for
B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the
halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small
scale miners; failures of information systems or information
security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal
controls over financial reporting as required by law, including
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with
anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures;
social media and B2Gold's reputation; risks affecting Calibre
having an impact on the value of the Company's investment in
Calibre, and potential dilution of our equity interest in Calibre;
as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail
under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual
Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and
B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be
viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the
"Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may
affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on
the applicable assumptions and factors management considers
reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information
available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors
include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to
B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations,
including: development and exploration activities; the timing,
extent, duration and economic viability of such operations,
including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the
accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts,
studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve
estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of
inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign
exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary
approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future
obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable
terms when required; the current and future social, economic and
political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally
associated with the mining industry.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on
the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any
obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or
management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other
than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual
results, performance or achievements could differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or
occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold
will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:
Michael McDonald
VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
+1 604-681-8371
investor@b2gold.com
Cherry DeGeer
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 604-681-8371
investor@b2gold.com
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