Nevada Gold Mines to consolidate South Arturo Property in exchange for Lone Tree and Buffalo Mountain Properties

The transaction provides NGM with a number of key benefits, including:

• Allows NGM to consolidate production from the South Arturo opencast and the El Niño underground in the short term and capture 100% of the longer-term upside on both orebodies.
• Provides NGM with flexibility to pursue other potential operational synergies at Goldstrike.
• Provides NGM with a low-cost option to acquire 100% of the Rodeo Creek property comprised of exploration ground adjacent to South Arturo.
• Removes NGM’s Lone Tree closure liability with i-80 Gold providing replacement bonding for reclamation obligations as a condition to closing.
• Allows NGM to share in any future production at Lone Tree through a contingent payment of up to US$50 million.

“This is a win-win transaction for both Nevada Gold Mines and i-80,” said Greg Walker, Executive Managing Director of NGM. “Through the acquisition of Lone Tree, an asset not being utilised by NGM has become a transformational asset for i-80. In return, NGM’s acquisition of i-80’s 40% of the South Arturo JV secures additional ounces with both opencast and underground optionality for our Carlin operation. We are excited for the opportunities and growth this deal will bring to both parties which will strengthen the mining industry in Nevada providing benefits for all.”

The exchange agreement provides for payment to NGM of contingent consideration of up to US$50 million based on mineral resources from the Lone Tree property. In connection with the asset exchange, NGM will also enter into toll-milling agreements providing i-80 Gold with interim processing capacity at NGM’s autoclave facilities until the earlier of the three-year anniversary of the asset exchange and the date on which the Lone Tree facility is operational and at NGM’s roaster facilities for a 10-year period. NGM has also agreed to reimburse i-80 Gold an amount of approximately US$7.3 million for certain funding previously advanced by i-80 Gold in respect of South Arturo.

Conditional on the closing of the exchange agreement, NGM will subscribe for common shares in i-80 Gold, equal to the lesser of a 9.9% interest or subscription proceeds of US$50 million, becoming one of i-80’s largest shareholders.

As a condition to closing of the exchange agreement, i-80 Gold will assume the environmental liabilities for the Lone Tree and Buffalo Mountain properties and will be responsible for securing replacement closure bonding and a release of NGM’s existing bonds. Similarly, NGM will assume the environmental liabilities and bonding obligations for South Arturo and Rodeo Creek.

Closing of the transactions contemplated by the Exchange Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended (the HSR Act”, arrangement by i-80 Gold of substitute sureties in respect of the Lone Tree and Buffalo Mountain reclamation obligations, and the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, among other customary conditions to closing.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/finance-business/08092021/nevada-gold-mines-to-consolidate-south-arturo-property-in-exchange-for-lone-tree-and-buffalo-mountain-properties/