Canadian precious metals producer Silvercorp Metals has signed a definitive agreement to buy all of the issued and outstanding shares of Guyana Goldfields in a cash and stock deal valued at C$105m ($75m).
Under the terms of the agreement, Silvercorp will give Guyana’s shareholders the option to receive C$0.60 ($0.42) a share in cash or 0.1195 of a share in the company, to a maximum cash consideration of C$33.2m ($24m).
The deal will enable the precious metals producer to add two profitable underground mines, one in China and another gold operation in Guyana, to its portfolio.
It also allows the firm to strengthen its underground expertise with a strong balance sheet to fund growth.
Silvercorp chairman and CEO Rui Feng said: “This transaction will create a new globally diversified precious metals producer with the addition of Aurora to our growing asset portfolio.
“We believe this is a rare opportunity to leverage our underground mining expertise and strong balance sheet to unlock value for all shareholders through the development of the Aurora Underground Project as well as aggressive exploration programs in a proven gold district.”
Besides the acquisition agreement, the two companies have also reached a loan agreement, pursuant to which Silvercorp will lend about $15m to Guyana Goldfields for ongoing operations at the Aurora mine and for working capital purposes.