TORONTO, Dec. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dundee Corporation (TSX: DC.A, DC.PR.B and DC.PR.D) (“Dundee” or the “Corporation”) announced today the results of its substantial issuer bid (the “Offer”) to purchase for cancellation from the holders thereof who chose to participate up to 975,610 of its issued and outstanding Cumulative Floating Rate First Preference Shares, Series 3 in the capital of the Corporation (the “Series 3 Shares”) at a purchase price of C$20.50 per Series 3 Share, for a maximum aggregate purchase price of C$20,000,005. The Offer expired at 11:59 p.m. (Toronto time) on December 27, 2023.
Based on the report of Computershare Investor Services Inc., as depositary for the Offer (the “Depositary”), 914,040 Series 3 Shares were tendered to the Offer. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer and based on the Depositary’s report, the Corporation has taken up and will pay for 914,040 Series 3 Shares at a purchase price of C$20.50 per Series 3 Share for an aggregate purchase price of C$18,737,820. All Series 3 Shares purchased by the Corporation under the Offer will be cancelled in due course. The Series 3 Shares purchased under the Offer represent approximately 55.8% of the Series 3 Shares issued and outstanding before giving effect to the Offer. After giving effect to the cancellation of the Series 3 Shares purchased by the Corporation under the Offer, 724,982 Series 3 Shares will be issued and outstanding.
The Corporation has made payment for the Series 3 Shares tendered and accepted for purchase by tendering to the Depositary the aggregate purchase price payable on the Series 3 Shares validly tendered, taken up and paid for under the Offer, all in accordance with the Offer and applicable laws. Payment to shareholders for the Series 3 Shares will be made in cash, without interest, and will be completed by the Depositary as soon as practicable. Any Series 3 Shares invalidly tendered will be returned to the tendering shareholder promptly by the Depositary.
“This Offer represents a critical step towards optimizing our capital structure to support the successful execution of our strategic business plan with a focus on capital allocation in the junior mining space. By reducing the demands on our capital from the payment of preferred share dividends, we can deploy more resources to fund our core strategy,” said Jonathan Goodman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We believe this is an effective way of simplifying our balance sheet, reducing our cost of capital, and lowering our recurring cash needs to unlock value for all of our shareholders. By partially funding the purchase of the Series 3 Shares tendered with cash from treasury, we minimize debt obligations and run-rate cash outflows,” said Lila Murphy, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
The full details of the Offer are described in the Corporation’s offer to purchase and issuer bid circular dated November 22, 2023, as well as the related letter of transmittal and notice of guaranteed delivery, copies of which were filed and are available under Dundee’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and are posted on Dundee’s website at www.dundeecorporation.com.
Dundee retained Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP to act as its external legal advisor and appointed Computershare Investor Services Inc. to act as depositary for the Offer.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation will continue to review various options for the allocation of capital. Beginning in early 2018, the Corporation has focused on the implementation of its strategy of rationalizing its portfolio of investments and monetizing non-core assets as it exits business lines which are no longer deemed to be aligned with its longer-term mining-focused strategy. As part of this process, the Corporation has taken significant steps to streamline its capital structure and strengthen its balance sheet.
This news release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any Series 3 Shares.
Update Regarding the Loan
As previously announced by the Corporation on November 20, 2023, in connection with the Offer, the Corporation entered into a loan agreement dated November 17, 2023 (the “Loan Agreement”) among the Corporation, as borrower, Dundee Resources Limited, as guarantor, and Earlston Investments Corp. (the “Lender”), as lender, pursuant to which the Lender agreed to make a loan in a principal amount of up to C$20,000,000 upon satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement and in connection with the completion of the Offer, the Lender has advanced to the Corporation a loan in the principal amount of C$14,000,000 for purposes of funding the purchase of the Series 3 Shares tendered, taken up and paid for under the Offer. For further details relating to the Loan and the Loan Agreement, including certain material terms and conditions thereof, please see the Corporation’s news release dated November 20, 2023.
ABOUT DUNDEE CORPORATION
Dundee Corporation is a public Canadian independent holding company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “DC.A”. Through its operating subsidiaries, Dundee Corporation is an active investor focused on delivering long-term, sustainable value as a trusted partner in the mining sector with more than 30 years of experience making accretive mining investments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Investor and Media Relations
T: (416) 864-3584
E: ir@dundeecorporation.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements are included in this news release. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “would”, and “should” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Such statements may involve but are not limited to, Dundee’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, including statements with respect to the cancellation of Series 3 Shares purchased under the Offer and the number of Series 3 Shares issued and outstanding after giving effect to such cancellation, the timing of payment to be completed by the Depositary, the Board of Directors intention to continue to review various options for the future allocation of capital, and other comments with respect to strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Any forecasts, predictions or forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business and its corporate structure. Results indicated in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results for a number of reasons. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to change. However, Dundee disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.
