September 2, 2010 – Vancouver, BC – Goldcorp Inc.
(“Goldcorp”) (NYSE:GG, TSX:G) and Andean Resources Limited (“Andean”)
(TSX and ASX: AND) today announced an agreement whereby Goldcorp will
acquire, through a scheme of arrangement under Australian law (“the
Arrangement”), all of the outstanding shares of Andean. The total
consideration for the purchase of 100% of the fully diluted shares of
Andean is approximately C$3.6 billion.
Andean’s principal asset is the 100%-owned Cerro
Negro gold project, an advanced-stage, high-grade vein system located in
the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. Comprising 215 square
kilometers, Cerro Negro currently has reported indicated resources of
2.54 million ounces of gold and 23.56 million ounces of silver.
Inferred resources total 523,000 ounces of gold and 3.12 million ounces
of silver1. Cerro Negro also contains several other vein
structures, including the Mariana Central zone, where numerous recent
drill intercepts have demonstrated high-grade gold and silver over
significant widths.
“This transaction adds another key asset to
Goldcorp’s peer-leading growth profile and low-cost gold production
pipeline,” said Chuck Jeannes, Goldcorp President and Chief Executive
Officer. “Cerro Negro is a high-grade, near-surface system that is
expected to generate significant gold production at low cash operating
costs following a relatively short construction period. A very exciting
feature of the project is the opportunity for significant continued
growth of gold resources through expansion of the existing deposits and
the discovery of additional zones along the strike of the veins. As
well, the potential exists for discoveries of new veins within this
large, prospective land position.
“Goldcorp has consistently pursued a disciplined
portfolio management strategy that seeks to upgrade the overall asset
base through the addition of high-quality gold assets in stable
jurisdictions and through divestitures of non-core assets,” Jeannes
added. “This transaction fits that strategy perfectly, as Goldcorp’s
strong financial position, technical expertise and track record of
building mines responsibly and efficiently positions us to rapidly
advance this project and maximize value for both Goldcorp and Andean
shareholders and other stakeholders.
Wayne Hubert, Andean’s CEO, stated, “Over the past
four years, the Andean Resources team has done a tremendous job in
taking Cerro Negro from being a small gold project to a world class
epithermal district that has the potential to double or triple its gold
and silver resources over the next couple of years. This acquisition by
Goldcorp, an industry leading senior gold producer, attests to Cerro
Negro’s potential. The Goldcorp and Andean philosophies of responsible
mining are very similar, so I see continuity of our plans into the
future, enhanced by the additional resources Goldcorp will bring.
“I believe Cerro Negro will enhance Goldcorp’s
growing quality gold production pipeline while complementing their
already low cash costs profile. The Andean Board of Directors strongly
believes that the shareholders of both parties will benefit from this
business combination well into the future.”
Under the Arrangement, each common share of Andean
will be exchanged for (i) 0.14 common shares of Goldcorp (the “Share
Consideration”) or (ii) a cash payment in the amount of C$6.50, subject
to an aggregate maximum cash consideration of C$1 billion. Andean
shareholders will have the option to elect to receive cash or shares or
any combination of cash and shares, subject to the aggregate cash
limitation. Any Andean shareholder who does not elect either option
shall be deemed to have elected to receive Goldcorp shares in respect of
all of its Andean shares. If the Andean shareholders in the aggregate
elect to receive more than C$1 billion in cash consideration, the
aggregate cash consideration will be prorated among the Andean
shareholders who elected to receive cash and the balance will be paid in
Goldcorp shares.
Based on the September 2, 2010 closing price for
Goldcorp’s common shares on the TSX, the transaction represents a 35%
premium to Andean’s TSX closing price on the same date and a 56% premium
to Andean’s 20 day volume weighted average trading price on the TSX.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the
boards of directors of Goldcorp and Andean and will be subject, among
other things, to the favorable vote of 75% of the issued and outstanding
Andean shares present and voting in person or represented by proxy at
the scheme meeting to be called to consider and approve the Arrangement,
and the affirmative vote of more than 50% of holders of Andean shares
present and voting at such meeting as required under Australian Law. In
the case of the board of directors of Andean the approval of the
transaction is subject to there being no superior proposal and an
independent expert opining that the transaction is in the best interest
of Andean shareholders. The officers and directors of Andean intend to
vote in favor of the Arrangement. Sentient Executive GP II and its
related entities (“Sentient”), Andean’s largest shareholder, hold
approximately 21% of Andean’s issued and outstanding shares and have
stated their intention to vote in favor of the Arrangement and in the
absence of a superior proposal and subject to an independent expert
concluding, and continuing to conclude, that the Arrangement is in the
best interest Andean shareholders. In addition, Sentient, has agreed to
a call option agreement with Goldcorp in relation to up to 107,909,316
Andean shares representing up to 19.9% of issued and outstanding Andean
shares, in order to support the transaction. The scheme booklet in
connection with the scheme meeting to be called to consider and approve
the Arrangement is expected to be mailed to shareholders in November
2010. The transaction is expected to close in late 2010 or early 2011.
The Summary of the Merger Implementation Agreement can be accessed
through the Australian Securities Exchange at its website www.asx.com.au and by visiting the Goldcorp and Andean websites at www.goldcorp.com and www.andean.com.au respectively.
Andean has agreed to pay Goldcorp a termination fee
equal to 1% of the aggregate of the total consideration offered by
Goldcorp, under certain circumstances. Andean has also provided
Goldcorp with certain other customary rights, including a right to match
competing offers.
Goldcorp’s financial advisor is CIBC World Markets;
its legal advisors are Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP in Canada and
Mallesons Stephen Jaques in Australia.
Andean’s financial advisor is BMO Capital Markets;
its legal advisors are Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP in Canada and Corrs
Chambers Westgarth in Australia.
Andean shareholders and other interested parties are
advised to read the materials relating to the proposed transaction that
will be filed by Andean with securities regulatory authorities in Canada
and with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission when
they become available. Anyone may obtain copies of these documents when
available free of charge at the Canadian Securities Administrators’
website at www.sedar.com and from the Australian Securities Exchange at its website www.asx.com.au.
This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not
constitute an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to sell the
Shares or a solicitation of a proxy.
Goldcorp and Andean will hold a conference call to
discuss the proposed transaction on Friday, September 3, 2010 at 7:30 am
PDT. Participants may join the call by dialing toll free
1-866-223-7781 or 416-340-8018 for calls from outside Canada and the US
or 800-6578-9898 for Australian calls. A recorded playback of the call
can be accessed after the event until October 2, 2010 by dialing
1-800-408-3053 or 416-695-5800 for calls outside Canada and the US.
Passcode: 6717500. A live and archived audio webcast will also be
available at www.goldcorp.com.
Goldcorp is the lowest-cost and fastest growing
multi-million ounce gold producer with operations throughout the
Americas. Its gold production remains 100% unhedged.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking
statements”, within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities
legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial
performance and condition of Goldcorp Inc. Forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the future
price of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, the estimation of mineral
reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve estimates,
the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of
production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of
new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines,
hedging practices, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements
for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations,
environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, timing and
possible outcome of pending litigation, title disputes or claims and
limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology
such as “plans”, “expects” “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes” or the
negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or
statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”,
“would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved” or the
negative connotation thereof. All forward-looking statements are
developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other
factors set at herein. Forward-looking statements are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
Goldcorp to be materially different from those expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks
related to the integration of acquisitions; risks related to
international operations; risks related to joint venture operations;
actual results of current exploration activities; actual results of
current reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations;
changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future
prices of gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc; possible variations in
ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or
processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes; delays
in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of
development or construction activities and other risks of the mining
industry, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled
“Description of the Business – Risk Factors” in Goldcorp’s annual
information form for the year ended December 31, 2009 available at www.sedar.com
and Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 on file with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.
Although Goldcorp has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be
no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated
in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements
contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press
release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Except
as otherwise indicated by Goldcorp, these statements do not reflect the
potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any
dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business
combinations or other transactions that may be announced or that may
occur after the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are provided
for the purpose of providing information about management’s current
expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better
understanding of Goldcorp's operating environment. Goldcorp does not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are included in
this document, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Table 1
1Cerro Negro Mineral Resource Summary
| |
|
Tonnes |
Grade (g/t) |
|
Contained Ounces |
| Eureka |
(at a 3g/t AuEq
cutoff) |
('000) |
Gold |
Silver |
AuEq |
Gold (K oz) |
Silver (M oz) |
| Indicated |
Total/Average |
3,608 |
12.3 |
179 |
15.2 |
1,421 |
20.8 |
| Inferred |
Total/Average |
962 |
7.6 |
79 |
8.9 |
235 |
2.4 |
| Vein Zone |
(at a 0.5g/t AuEq
cutoff) |
('000) |
Gold |
Silver |
AuEq |
Gold (K oz) |
Silver (M oz) |
| Indicated |
|
4,610 |
3.73 |
- |
- |
593 |
1.3 |
| Inferred |
|
4,310 |
2.65 |
- |
- |
105 |
0.2 |
| Bajo Negro |
(at a 3g/t AuEq
cutoff) |
('000) |
Gold |
Silver |
AuEq |
Gold (K oz) |
Silver (M oz) |
| Indicated |
Total/Average |
1,872 |
8.74 |
24 |
9.14 |
526 |
1.4 |
| Inferred |
Total/Average |
935 |
6.07 |
15.7 |
6.33 |
183 |
0.5 |
Qualified Persons Statement
The Eureka West, Vein Zone and Bajo Negro Mineral Resource Estimates
were carried out by Steven Ristorcelli, who has sufficient experience
(more than 5 years) which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and
type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is
undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004
Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’. Steven Ristorcelli consents to the
inclusion in this press release the matters related specifically to
reported Eureka, Bajo Negro and Vein Zone resources. The information in
this release that relates to Mineral Resources is based on information
compiled by Steven Ristorcelli, who is a Member of the AIPG, which is a
‘Recognised Overseas Professional Organisation’ (‘ROPO’) included in a
list promulgated by the ASX from time to time.
For further information, please contact:
Jeff Wilhoit
Vice President, Investor Relations
Goldcorp Inc.
Telephone: (604) 696-3074
Fax: (604) 696-3001
E-mail: info@goldcorp.com
website: www.goldcorp.com
or
Krista Muhr
Vice President, Investor Relations
Andean Resources Ltd.
Telephone in North America: (647) 330-1478
Telephone in Australia: 0448 886 460
E-mail: krista.muhr@andeangold.com
Website: www.andeangold.com
Link to Summary of the Merger Implementation Agreement