Highlights
- Brazil Resources has acquired 100% of the outstanding Brazilian
Gold Corporation (BGC) shares, for consideration consisting of
0.172 Brazil Resources shares for
each BGC share;
- Total consideration under the transaction was approximately
$13.5 million; and
- The acquisition significantly expands Brazil Resources'
footprint in Brazil, including the
addition of BGC's flagship São Jorge Project.
VANCOUVER,
Nov. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Brazil
Resources Inc. ("Brazil Resources"
or the "Company") (TSX-V: BRI; OTCQX: BRIZF) is pleased to announce
the completion of its acquisition of Brazilian Gold Corporation
("BGC") (TSX-V: BGC) pursuant to the previously announced plan of
arrangement between the parties (the "Arrangement"). The
Arrangement was approved by shareholders of BGC on November 20, 2013 and the Supreme Court of
British Columbia on November 21, 2013. Under the Arrangement, the
Company acquired all of the 103,608,796 issued and outstanding
common shares of BGC (the "BGC Shares") for consideration
consisting of 0.172 common shares of Brazil Resources (the "BRI
Shares") per BGC Share. Total consideration under the transaction
was approximately $13.5 million.
Amir Adnani,
Chairman of Brazil Resources, stated: "The directors and management
of Brazil Resources are very pleased to announce the completion of
this transaction. The acquisition of BGC has expanded our project
base in the region and represents a significant milestone in our
strategy to build shareholder value through targeted accretive
acquisitions. On behalf of the Company, we welcome BGC's
shareholders and look forward to progressing the combined
companies' projects."
As previously disclosed, BGC's directors and
senior officers have entered into lock-up agreements with Brazil
Resources respecting BRI Shares received in exchange for their BGC
Shares under the Arrangement.
Brazil Resources has significantly expanded its
project base in Brazil as a result
of acquiring BGC and its projects, which include, among others, the
following projects.
São Jorge Project
The São Jorge Gold Project, located 82km
north from the city of Novo Progresso and 30km south
of Morais de Almeida, is
accessible by the mostly paved highway BR 163, which also provides
access to the newly developed Santarem port in Pará State. In
addition, electricity is available on site and the Jamanxim River,
located 9km west of São Jorge, will supply sufficient water to
the project.
BGC completed a National Instrument 43-101 ("NI
43-101") resource estimate for the São Jorge Gold Project in
December 2012. The resource estimate
was authored by Coffey Mining Pty Ltd. ("Coffey") and provided the
following estimates for the project (oxide and primary
mineralization) at various cut-off grades (the oxide resource
comprises a small part (9%) of this overall resource):
São Jorge Gold
Project
Mineral Resource Estimates Summary |
|
Lower Cutoff Grade |
Million
Tonnes |
Average Grade |
Contained
Gold
(Kozs) |
(g/t Au) |
(g/t Au) |
Indicated Mineral
Resource |
0.3 |
14.42 |
1.54 |
715 |
0.4 |
12.15 |
1.77 |
690 |
0.5 |
10.49 |
1.97 |
666 |
Inferred Mineral
Resource |
0.3 |
28.19 |
1.14 |
1,035 |
0.4 |
22.43 |
1.35 |
971 |
0.5 |
18.78 |
1.52 |
918 |
Coffey classified the resource estimate as an
indicated or inferred mineral resource based upon the confidence of
the input data, geological interpretation and grade
estimation. Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources are
reported at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au, which was estimated by
Coffey based upon economic estimates, process recovery, government
taxes, other expenses and a gold price of US$1,300/oz. The São Jorge resource estimate was
based on 37,154 m (145 holes) of diamond drilling completed by
previous operators, including 14,708 m (37 holes) of diamond
drilling completed by BGC since late 2010. Gold assays (19,590)
were composited at 1 m lengths and interpolated into the block
model using multiple indicator kriging. A three dimensional solid
model of the primary and oxide mineralization was constructed to
constrain the resource estimate. The block model was comprised of
individual blocks measuring 5 m by 5 m by 5 m and grade was
interpolated into these blocks using multiple indicator
kriging.
For further information respecting the above
resource estimate for the São Jorge Gold Project, please refer to
the technical report by Curtis
Clarke, Dan Peldiak,
Reinis Sipols, Porfirio Rodriguez and Hebert Oliveira with an effective date of
January 31, 2013 and titled "São
Jorge Gold Project - Preliminary Economic Assessment" (the "São
Jorge Report"), a copy of which is filed under BGC's profile on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com. To the best of Company's knowledge,
information and belief there is no new material scientific or
technical information that would make the above disclosure of
mineral resources for the São Jorge Gold Project inaccurate or
misleading. Readers are cautioned that the Company is in the
process of reviewing the preliminary economic assessment contained
in the São Jorge Report, and such assessment should not be relied
upon at this stage as it may no longer be current.
As a result of the Arrangement, Brazil Resources
is the indirect holder of eleven gold exploration concessions and
applications in the São Jorge area for a total landholding of
58,500 ha. Two of these concessions are under appeal, awaiting
decisions by the Departamento Nacional de Producão Mineral
("DNPM"), however these areas are covered by newer concessions,
which have first priority with the DNPM.
In addition to government royalties, the São
Jorge Gold Project is subject to: (i) a 1.0% net smelter royalty
("NSR") on production payable to a prior owner on 10 concessions;
(ii) a royalty of 1.0% of proven mineral reserves on concession
850.275 as demonstrated by a feasibility study, which royalty can
be repurchased for US$2.5 million;
and (iii) a 2.0% NSR on concession 850.627, 75% of which can be
repurchased for US$500,000. The
agreement for the purchase of the São Jorge Gold Project provides
for land access to the area for a monthly fee of BRL$10,000. The
surface rights may be purchased from the owner for US$750,000.
Surubim Group
The Surubim Group includes the Patoa, Tucunare,
Colonia and Jau targets. The Surubim Group includes eleven
concessions, applications and bids that cover an area of
approximately 63,701 ha. The Jau target is located in the eastern
part of the group and is underlain by granitic and felsic volcanic
rocks. On June 5, 2012, BGC announced
an independent NI 43-101 resource estimate on the Jau deposit with
an inferred mineral resource of 19.44 Mt grading 0.81 g/t gold
(503,000 ounces gold) at a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t gold.
The foregoing resource estimate was completed by
BGC, is historical in nature and is not being treated as a current
resource estimate by Brazil Resources as a qualified person has not
done sufficient work on behalf of the Company to classify the
historical estimate as a current mineral resource. While the
historical resource estimate should not be relied upon, the Company
believes the historical estimate provides an indication of the
potential of the property and is relevant to ongoing exploration.
However, additional evaluation and other work, including a detailed
review of the assumptions and models used in the estimate and
underlying exploration work, needs to be completed by Brazil
Resources in order to treat the resource estimate as current.
The historical estimate for the Jau target was
based on a total of 20 drill holes containing 2,978 gold assays.
Gold assay were composited at 2.5 m lengths and interpolated into
the block model using ordinary kriging. A three dimensional solid
model of the mineralization was constructed to constrain the
resource estimate. The block model is comprised of individual
blocks measuring 20 m by 20 m by 5 m with the long dimensions of
the block orientated east-west and north-south. No economic studies
have been completed on this property and, as a result, the economic
cut-off is unknown. A gold cut-off of 0.3 g/t was highlighted in
the estimate as a possible open pit cut-off.
The above historical resource estimate for the
Jau target is based on a technical report completed for BGC by Jim
Cuttle, P.Geo. and Gary Giroux, P.
Eng. titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Rio Novo Gold
Project and Resource Estimate on the Jau Prospect" with an
effective date of April 15, 2012.
Boa Vista Gold Project
The Boa Vista Project has extensive historic
alluvial and lateritic workings that were largely unexplored until
2010 when BGC and their joint venture partners started systematic
exploration programs across the property. The exploration programs
quickly outlined a number of prospective targets (Jair, Ze do
Leicha, Almir, Planalto and Pistinha) and the discovery of the VG1
deposit.
On August 9, 2012,
BGC announced an independent NI 43-101 inferred resource of 8.47 Mt
grading 1.23 g/t gold (336,000 ounces) at a 0.5 g/t cut-off for the
VG1 deposit.
The foregoing resource estimate was completed by
BGC, is historical in nature and is not being treated as a current
resource estimate by Brazil Resources as a qualified person has not
done sufficient work on behalf of Brazil Resources to classify the
historical estimate as a current mineral resource. While the
historical resource estimate should not be relied upon, the Company
believes the historical estimate provides an indication of the
potential of the property and is relevant to ongoing exploration.
However, additional evaluation and other work, including a detailed
review of the assumptions and models used in the estimate and
underlying exploration work, needs to be completed by Brazil
Resources in order to treat the resource estimate as current.
The VG1 deposit had been tested by 15 diamond
drill holes (3,007 m) and 14 trenches (2,299 m) containing 3,399
assays. The drill holes intersected a west-northwest striking,
steeply dipping mineralized zone that is up to 85 m in thickness
and extends at least 150 m below surface based on existing
drilling. The mineralized zone consists of quartz-pyrite stockwork
and silicified zone(s) that are hosted within a foliated, mixed
mafic volcanic and intrusive unit at or adjacent to granite rocks.
Gold assays were composited at 5 m lengths and interpolated into
the block model using ordinary kriging. A three dimensional solid
model of the primary and oxide mineralization was constructed to
constrain the resource estimate. 12 of the 15 diamond drill holes
and 6 of the 14 trenches penetrated these solids over a strike
length of 500 m and were used in the resource estimate. The block
model is comprised of individual blocks measuring 20 m by 20 m by 5
m with the long dimensions of the block orientated east-west and
down dip.
The above historical resource estimate for the
VG1 deposit is based on a technical report completed for BGC by Jim
Cuttle, P.Geo., Giroux Consultants Ltd. and Michael Schmulian, FAusIMM with an effective
date of July 8, 2012 and titled "Boa
Vista Gold Project and Resource Estimate on the VG1 Prospect".
As a result of completing the Arrangement,
Brazil Resources indirectly owns an 84.05% interest in Boa
Vista Gold Inc., which indirectly holds a 100% interest in the Boa
Vista Project, subject to a 1.5% Net Smelter Return Royalty. In
connection with the Arrangement and pursuant to an amendment
agreement dated November 8, 2013,
Brazil Resources has agreed to issue 193,500 BRI Shares in the
place of 1,125,000 BGC shares that were issuable to D'Gold Mineral
Ltda. by BGC. Of these BRI Shares, 64,500 will be issued today.
A report requesting a second three-year term be
applied to mineral concession 850.643 was submitted to the DNPM in
May 2011. Concession 850.643 covers
the Almir and Pistinha targets of the Boa Vista Project, as well as
a number of alluvial workings. The DNPM provided notification
on August 14, 2013 that it had denied
the second three year term citing that insufficient work had been
completed on the concession. An appeal was submitted to the
DNPM by BGC's legal counsel on August 26,
2013.
Additional Information for BGC
Shareholders
Former shareholders of BGC who held their shares
through a broker, investment dealer, bank, trust company or other
nominee or intermediary, should follow the instructions provided by
such nominee or intermediary. Former shareholders of BGC who
were registered shareholders must complete and sign the letter of
transmittal and deliver it and the other documents required by it
to Computershare Investor Services Inc., as depositary, in order to
receive their BRI Shares. A letter of transmittal was mailed
to registered shareholders in mid-October, 2013. Details of
the required process are set forth in BGC's management information
circular dated October 22, 2013, a
copy of which is available under BGC's profile on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
Sangra Moller LLP acted as legal counsel for
Brazil Resources and Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP acted as legal
counsel for BGC in connection with the Arrangement. Clarus
Securities Inc. acted as financial advisor to the board of
directors of BGC and its independent special committee.
About Brazil Resources Inc.
Brazil Resources is a public mineral exploration
company with a focus on the acquisition and development of projects
in emerging producing gold districts in Brazil, Paraguay and other parts of South America. Currently, Brazil Resources is
advancing its Cachoeira and São Jorge Gold Projects located in the
State of Pará, northeastern Brazil.
Technical Information
Paulo Pereira,
Brazil Resources' Vice President of Exploration has supervised the
preparation of the technical information contained in this news
release, reviewed the São Jorge Report on behalf of Brazil Resources. Mr. Pereira holds a
Bachelor degree in Geology from Universidade do Amazonas in
Brazil, is a qualified person as
defined in NI 43-101 and is a member of the Association of
Professional Geoscientists of Ontario.
Cautionary Note
Investors are cautioned not to assume that any
part or all of mineral deposits in the "indicated" and "Inferred"
categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves with
demonstrated economic viability or that inferred mineral resources
will be converted to the measured and/or indicated categories
through further drilling. In addition, the estimation of
inferred resources involves far greater uncertainty as to their
existence and economic viability than the estimation of other
categories of resources.
Forward Looking Statements
This document contains certain
forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or
expectations of Brazil Resources with respect to its business and
future events, including statements regarding future exploration
plans and resource estimates. Forward-looking statements are based
on the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates
and forecasts about the business and the markets in which Brazil
Resources operates. Investors are cautioned that all
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including: the inherent risks involved in the exploration and
development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in
interpreting drill results and other exploration data, the
uncertainties respecting historical resource estimates, the
potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the
geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility
that future exploration, development or mining results will not be
consistent with Brazil Resources' expectations, accidents,
equipment breakdowns, title and permitting matters, labour disputes
or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in
operations, fluctuating metal prices, unanticipated costs and
expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of
financing needed in the future, commodity price fluctuations,
regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory
restrictions, or any failure to integrate acquired companies and
projects into the Company's existing business as
planned. These risks, as well as others, including those set
forth in Brazil Resources' filings
with Canadian securities regulators, could cause actual results and
events to vary significantly. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There
can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the
material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward
looking information, will prove to be accurate. Brazil Resources
does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any
revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements,
except as required by applicable securities law.
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.
Brazil Resources Inc.
Stephen Swatton, Chief Executive
Officer
Patrick Obara, Chief Financial
Officer
Telephone: (855) 630-1001
SOURCE Brazil Resources Inc.