Harfang Exploration Inc. (TSX.V: HAR)
(“Harfang”) and NewOrigin Gold
Corp. (TSX.V: NEWO) (“NewOrigin”)
are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive
arrangement agreement dated August 8, 2024 (the
“Agreement”) pursuant to which
Harfang has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire all
the issued and outstanding common shares of NewOrigin (the
“NewOrigin Shares”) that it does
not already own or may acquire (the
“Transaction”). Following
completion of the Transaction, it is expected that the shareholders
of NewOrigin will own approximately 20% of the issued and
outstanding common shares of Harfang (the “Harfang
Shares”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, and as
further discussed below (see Transaction Details), the expected
share exchange ratio is 0.25694426 of a Harfang Share for each
NewOrigin Share (except for any NewOrigin Shares held by Harfang,
as applicable) (the “Exchange Ratio”), subject to
adjustment in accordance with the Agreement. Warrants and stock
options of NewOrigin will be adjusted or exchanged to become
warrants and stock options, respectively, of Harfang based on the
Exchange Ratio.
This Exchange Ratio implies a purchase price
of $0.0229 per NewOrigin Share or gross consideration
of $1.44 million, based on 10-day volume weighted average
price (the “VWAP”) of the Harfang Shares of
$0.0893 ending on August 8, 2024. This represents an approximate
14.7% premium over the 10-day VWAP ending on August 8, 2024 of the
NewOrigin Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the
“TSXV”).
Transaction Highlights
The Transaction offers several positive direct
benefits to the shareholders of Harfang and NewOrigin,
including:
-
25-kilometre Strike Length Along the Prolific Casa Berardi
Deformation Zone: combining Harfang’s Blakelock project
and NewOrigin’s North Abitibi project results in an asset with a
consolidated area of more than 11,000 hectares over a combined 25km
strike length along a prolific deformation zone (Figure 1).
-
Underexplored Asset in the Pickle Lake Gold Camp:
the Sky Lake Gold Project covers 9,100 hectares over a 27km strike
length in a favourable geological setting (Figure 2). Please see
the technical report titled “Technical Report on the Sky Lake Gold
Project Patricia Mining Division Ontario, Canada” with an effective
date of March 31, 2023 and report date of April 6, 2023 which is
available on NewOrigin’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
-
Polymetallic Potential at South Abitibi in a Renewed Mining
Camp: The South Abitibi Project benefits from exceptional
infrastructures and a year-round road access, where VTEM and IP
work suggest the potential for high priority targets along a 2 km
length of underexplored anomalies associated with Ni-Cu
mineralization.
-
Accelerated Growth Potential: adds significant
depth to the asset portfolio and sets Harfang up for a greater
potential of discovery (Figure 3).
-
Additional Exposure to Ontario: the Transaction
will result in a more balanced overall portfolio in Quebec and
Ontario allowing Harfang to explore year-round and benefit from
Ontario’s infrastructure.
- Promotes
Capital Efficiency in the Mining Industry: with over 1,100
mining companies listed on the TSX and TSXV, business combinations
that consolidate assets and management teams are critical to
drastically increasing the efficient use of resources.
“The acquisition of NewOrigin comes at an
opportune time for Harfang to diversify and strengthen our
portfolio,” commented Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois, Interim President and
CEO of Harfang. “With a new and highly engaged management team,
these additional assets will accelerate our growth by increasing
our ground along the Casa Berardi and gaining an underexplored
asset in the incredible Pickle Lake mining camp. I truly believe
this transaction will create significant value for existing Harfang
shareholders, and I look forward to welcoming the NewOrigin
shareholders and creating value for them as well.”
“We are delighted that Harfang views NewOrigin
as an important and strategic acquisition,” commented Robert
Valliant, Chairman and Interim CEO of NewOrigin. “We can now move
forward as Harfang shareholders and share in ownership of a
well-funded group with demonstrated access to capital and an
energetic management team. It is also a testament to the work
completed and prospectivity of our assets and will clearly benefit
the ability to rapidly advance NewOrigin’s key properties at Sky
Lake and North Abitibi.”
Board and Management
Upon closing of the Transaction, Robert Valliant
will join Harfang’s Board of Directors. As a result, Harfang’s
Board of Directors and management team be comprised of the
following individuals:
Board of Directors |
Management Team |
- Jean-Pierre Janson, Chair
- Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois
- Daniel Innes
- Sylvie Prud’homme
- Karen Rees
- Robert Valliant
|
- Vincent Dubé-Bourgeois, Interim President & CEO
- Ludovic Bigot, Vice President, Exploration
- Yvon Robert, Chief Financial Officer
|
Transaction Details
Prior to the completion of the Transaction,
NewOrigin expects to complete a series of shares for debt
transactions pursuant to which it will issue NewOrigin Shares to
settle several outstanding accounts and loans, currently payable to
certain current and former directors and officers of NewOrigin
(including wholly-owned corporations thereof) and service
providers, for a total amount of $181,110.50 (the “Shares
for Debt Transactions”). Assuming the Shares for Debt
Transactions are settled in the foregoing total aggregate amount,
NewOrigin expects to issue 6,037,017 NewOrigin Shares at a deemed
price of $0.03 per NewOrigin Share in connection with the Shares
for Debt Transactions. The Shares for Debt Transactions are being
consummated at approximately a 50% premium to the 10-day VWAP
ending on August 8, 2024 of the NewOrigin Shares on the TSXV.
Under the terms of the Transaction, the Exchange
Ratio will be adjusted depending on the number of NewOrigin Shares
issued in the Shares for Debt Transactions such that the
shareholders of NewOrigin will own approximately 20% of the issued
and outstanding Harfang Shares regardless of the number of
NewOrigin Shares issued in the Shares for Debt Transactions.
Assuming the Shares for Debt Transactions are completed on the
terms described above, the shareholders of NewOrigin will receive
0.25694426 of a Harfang Share in exchange for each NewOrigin
Share.
The share exchange ratio in the Agreement
provides for an exchange ratio of 0.28420966 of a Harfang Shares
for each NewOrigin Share issued and outstanding as at the date
hereof, however the Agreement provides that the Exchange Ratio will
be adjusted to provide the NewOrigin shareholders (except Harfang,
as applicable) the same economic effect as contemplated by the
Agreement prior to such Shares for Debt Transactions, given the
intent that existing NewOrigin shareholders (except Harfang, as
applicable) will own approximately 20% of the issued and
outstanding Harfang Shares immediately following the completion of
the Transaction. NewOrigin may furthermore settle additional
outstanding accounts payable in NewOrigin Shares at the condition
that the aggregate amount of the Shares for Debt Transactions does
not exceed $220,000, thereby further affecting the Exchange Ratio.
It is a condition of the Agreement that NewOrigin complete the
Shares for Debt Transactions prior to the completion of the
Arrangement, subject to the approval of the TSXV. The NewOrigin
Shares to be issued pursuant to Shares for Debt Transaction will be
subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period from the
date of issuance.
Harfang and NewOrigin have entered into a
subscription agreement pursuant to which, as soon as reasonably
practicable, NewOrigin will issue to Harfang a convertible
debenture pursuant to which Harfang will loan a principal amount of
$250,000 to NewOrigin (the “Debenture”). The
principal amount of the Debenture will bear interest at a rate of
11.95% per annum. The proceeds arising from the Debenture are
expected to be used by NewOrigin to pay certain accounts payable
and loans currently outstanding, as well as various transaction
fees. The maturity date of the Debenture will be the earlier of the
closing of the Transaction and January 31, 2025. Subject to certain
conditions, the principal amount of the Debenture will be
convertible into NewOrigin Shares at a price of $0.05 per NewOrigin
Share.
The Transaction will be completed by way of a
court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) and will require the approval of
the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) and the
approval by 66⅔% of the votes cast by NewOrigin shareholders at a
meeting of NewOrigin shareholders to be held no later than November
30, 2024 (the “NewOrigin Meeting”). The
Transaction is expected to be completed shortly following the
NewOrigin Meeting.
The Agreement includes customary representations
and warranties of each party, non-solicitation covenants by
NewOrigin, “right-to-match” provisions in favour of Harfang in the
event of a Superior Proposal (within the meaning of the Agreement),
as well as a covenant of Harfang to ensure that all mineral claims
related to the Sky Lake, North Abitibi and South Abitibi Projects
remain in good standing beginning on the date of the Agreement. A
termination fee of $100,000 may be payable by either party in the
case of certain termination events.
Directors and officers of NewOrigin holding an
aggregate number of NewOrigin Shares which represent approximately
14.09% of the currently outstanding NewOrigin Shares have entered
into customary support agreements with Harfang to vote their shares
in favour of the Transaction.
The completion of the Transaction, Debenture and
Shares for Debt Transactions remains subject to customary
conditions, including receipt of all necessary court, shareholder
and regulatory approvals.
Jean-Pierre Janson, Chairman of Harfang, is also
a director of NewOrigin. As such, Harfang and NewOrigin are
“Non-Arm’s Length Parties” within the meaning of the policies of
the TSXV. Jean-Pierre Janson did not take part in any deliberations
or votes relating to the Transaction within each respective board
of directors. Harfang and NewOrigin consider that the Transaction
has been negotiated at arm’s length and is not a “related party
transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 –
Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transaction
(“MI 61-101”).
Further information regarding the Transaction
will be included in the management information circular to be
prepared by NewOrigin (the “NewOrigin Circular”)
and mailed to its securityholders in connection with the NewOrigin
Meeting. All securityholders of NewOrigin are urged to read the
NewOrigin Circular once available, as it will contain important
additional information concerning the Transaction.
None of the securities to be issued pursuant to
the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S.
Securities Act"), and securities issued in the Transaction
are anticipated to be issued in reliance on the exemption from the
registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by
Section 3(a)(10) thereof and will be issued pursuant to similar
exemptions from applicable state securities laws. This news release
does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an
offer to buy any securities.
NewOrigin Board
Recommendation
The board of directors of NewOrigin (except for
Jean-Pierre Janson who declared his interest and did not
participate in any deliberations or vote regarding the
Transaction), following a review of the terms and conditions of the
Agreement and consideration of a number of factors, including the
receipt of a fairness opinion from its advisors, has unanimously
determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of
NewOrigin and will recommend that NewOrigin shareholders vote in
favour of the Agreement. Prior to the execution of the Agreement,
Working Capital Corporation provided a fairness opinion that, based
upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications
in such opinion, the consideration to be received by the NewOrigin
shareholders is fair, from a financial point of view to NewOrigin
shareholders. A summary of the fairness opinion will be included in
the NewOrigin Circular.
NewOrigin Delisting and
SEDAR+
If the Transaction is completed, the NewOrigin
Shares will be delisted from the TSXV. A copy of the Agreement will
be available through NewOrigin and Harfang’s filings with the
applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.
Shares for Debt Related Party
Disclosure
Certain directors and officers of NewOrigin will
be issued NewOrigin Shares in connection with the Shares for Debt
Transactions, accordingly, such issuance of NewOrigin Shares to
insiders of the NewOrigin will be considered a “related party
transaction” within the meaning of MI 61-101. NewOrigin is relying
on the exemption from the requirement for a formal valuation and
minority shareholder approval under MI 61-101 on the basis of the
exemptions contained in section 5.5(1)(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) of
MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the consideration of the
NewOrigin Shares to be issued to such directors and officers of
NewOrigin in connection with the Shares for Debt Transaction is not
expected to exceed 25% of NewOrigin’s market capitalization.
Advisors and Counsel
Evans & Evans, Inc. is acting as financial
advisor and Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is acting as legal
counsel to Harfang.
Working Capital Corporation has provided
NewOrigin with a fairness opinion in respect of the Agreement and
Peterson McVicar LLP is acting as legal counsel to NewOrigin.
Qualified Person
Ludovic Bigot, P.Geo., VP Exploration of
Harfang, and Mr. Mark Petersen, P. Geo, have reviewed and approved
the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Bigot
and Mr. Petersen are qualified persons within the meaning of
National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
About Harfang Exploration
Inc.
Harfang Exploration Inc. is a well-financed
technically driven mineral exploration company with the primary
mission to discover ore deposits in Québec and Ontario. The Company
is managed by an experienced team of industry professionals with a
proven track record of success and controls a portfolio of highly
prospective projects. Harfang is dedicated to best practices
through engagement with all stakeholders and commitment to the
environment.
About NewOrigin Gold Corp.
NewOrigin Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral
exploration company focused on making discoveries at its portfolio
of gold projects in the Canadian Shield. NewOrigin’s management and
Board have extensive experience in the delineation and development
of gold deposits.
For further information, please
contact:
Vincent Dubé-BourgeoisInterim President and CEO of
Harfangvdubebourgeois@harfangexploration.com
Robert ValiantChairman and Interim CEO of
NewOriginexplore@neworigingold.com
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 release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking
Information
All statements, trend analysis and other
information contained in this press release about anticipated
future events or results constitute forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by
the use of words such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”,
“estimate”, “expect” and “intend” and statements that an event or
result “may”, “will”, “should”, “could” or “might” occur or be
achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without
limitation, statements regarding anticipated benefits of the
Transaction, the closing of the Transaction and the timing and
terms thereof, the potential of the combined projects (the
“Projects”), the approval of shareholders of NewOrigin, the
satisfaction of the conditions to the Transaction; the strengths,
characteristics and potential of the Transaction; growth potential
and expectations regarding the timing, receipt and anticipated
effects of court approval and other consents and approvals; the
impact of the Transaction on NewOrigin, Harfang and their
respective shareholders and other stakeholders; and other
anticipated benefits of the Transaction. Although each of Harfang
and NewOrigin (collectively, the “Companies”) believe that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or
information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements since the Companies can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors
identified in the Companies’ periodic filings with Canadian
securities regulators, and assumptions made with regard to: the
Companies’ ability to complete the proposed Transaction; the
Companies’ ability to secure the necessary shareholder,
securityholder, legal and regulatory approvals required to complete
the Transaction; the estimated costs associated with the
advancement of the Projects; and the Companies’ ability to achieve
the synergies expected as a result of the Transaction.
Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic
risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual
results of operations to differ materially from those contained in
the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Companies’
expectations include risks associated with the business of Harfang
and NewOrigin; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of
certain conditions to the closing of the Transaction;
non-completion of the Transaction; risks related to reliance on
technical information provided by Harfang and NewOrigin; risks
related to exploration and potential development of the Projects;
business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally;
fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates;
uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the
geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for
cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the
exploration and development of the Projects and the issuance of
required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to
develop the Projects and uncertainty as to the availability and
terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration
or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated
program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of
permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as
identified in Harfang’s and NewOrigin’s filings with Canadian
securities regulators on SEDAR+ (available at www.sedarplus.ca).
Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing
conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in
forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are
based on information currently available to Harfang and New Origin.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is
made as of the date hereof and neither Harfang nor NewOrigin
undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The
foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking
information contained herein.
Figure 1: The Casa Berardi Deformation Zone
showing the strategic location of Harfang’s Blakelock project and
NewOrigin’s North Abitibi project on the Ontario side of the gold
trend.
Figure 2: Location of NewOrigin’s Sky Lake Gold
Project within the favourable geology of the Pickle Lake Gold Camp
in Ontario.
Figure 3: Location map showing Harfang and
NewOrigin’s assets in Quebec and Ontario.
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e166ec73-f559-4b31-bf42-2a1564aa86de
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdfa9bf9-eda4-421f-8378-ee7248cf1732
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6747f0a-1b81-49a5-8b0b-d00af8bbdb90
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