Battle North Gold Corporation to be Acquired by Evolution Mining Limited

TORONTO, March 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Battle North Gold Corporation (TSX: BNAU) (OTCQX: BNAUF) ("Battle North") and Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN) ("Evolution") are pleased to announce they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement pursuant to which Evolution has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Battle North (the "Transaction") at a price of C$2.65 per common share in cash (the "Consideration"), for total consideration for all issued and outstanding shares pursuant to the Transaction of approximately C$343 million.

The Consideration represents a 46% premium over the closing price of the Battle North common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on March 12, 2021 and a 54% premium based on the volume-weighted average price ("VWAP") of the Battle North common shares over the last 20 trading days.

George Ogilvie, Battle North's President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, commented:

"The all-cash offer is at a significant premium to market and reflects the extraordinary efforts of the Battle North team to create value at the Bateman Gold Project and ultimately deliver an outstanding outcome for Battle North's shareholders. We believe that there are unique and undeniable merits to combining the Red Lake assets of Battle North and Evolution and this Transaction reduces development and execution risk. Evolution is a highly regarded mining company with a demonstrated ability to successfully operate internationally. The Battle North team looks forward to working with Evolution to close the Transaction and smoothly transition operations to the new team."

Jake Klein, Evolution's Executive Chairman, stated:

"Both Evolution and Battle North started the negotiation with a clear alignment that a consolidation of the properties would create value that would not be available if they were developed and operated separately. George and his team have done a very good job at progressing the Bateman Gold Project to this point and recognise that this is an ideal window to consolidate the properties ahead of the construction of the Bateman mine which is now in its early stages. 

This acquisition provides Evolution with an opportunity to expand our footprint in the region and create value by leveraging the infrastructure of the two operations. The additional processing capacity from the new Bateman mill will also accelerate our ability to achieve our objective of producing in excess of 300,000 ounces of gold per annum from Red Lake. In the 12 months that we have been operating at Red Lake we have demonstrated that we are a committed steward of the region. This expansion of our footprint will provide us with an opportunity to build on our track record as a safe and sustainable operator for the long term benefit of a broad range of stakeholders including the local workforce, regional communities and our Wabauskang and  Lac Seul First Nation Partners."

The Transaction will be implemented by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Transaction will be subject to the approval of 66⅔ per cent of the votes cast by Battle North shareholders at the annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "Shareholder Meeting") and a simple majority of the votes cast by Battle North shareholders, excluding certain persons required to be excluded in accordance with Multilateral Instrument 61-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The Shareholder Meeting is currently expected to be held in May 2021.

Details of the Transaction and the Arrangement Agreement will be set out in the management information circular that will be prepared and mailed to Battle North shareholders in connection with the Shareholder Meeting. As well, additional information regarding the terms of the definitive arrangement agreement, the background to the Transaction, the rationale for the recommendations made by the independent directors of the Board and the Battle North Board and how shareholders can participate in and vote at the Shareholder Meeting will be provided in the management information circular. Shareholders are urged to read these and other relevant materials when they become available.

All directors and officers of Battle North (representing approximately 0.60% of the currently outstanding Battle North common shares) have entered into voting support agreements with Evolution to vote their shares in favour of the Transaction.

The definitive agreement includes customary deal protection provisions. Battle North has agreed not to solicit or initiate any discussion regarding any other business combination, subject to customary "fiduciary out" rights. Battle North has also granted Evolution a right to match any superior proposal and will pay a termination fee of C$14.8 million to Evolution if the definitive agreement is terminated in certain events, including if Battle North recommends or approves an acquisition proposal or enters into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal. Battle North has also agreed to make an expense reimbursement payment to Evolution of C$2.0 million if the definitive agreement is terminated as a result of the Battle North shareholders not approving the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting.

The Transaction has the full endorsement of Evolution's Board of Directors and will be funded from Evolution's current cash balance and available credit facilities. No vote will be required by Evolution shareholders.

In addition to a positive Battle North shareholder vote, the Transaction is subject to a limited number of closing conditions, including approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, there being no material adverse effect in respect of Battle North and other customary conditions for a transaction of this nature. The Transaction is not subject to any regulatory approvals or a financing condition.

Subject to the conditions precedent being met, the Transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2021.

Bateman Gold Project Overview

• 28,000ha+ land package (see Figure 1)
• New 1,800 tpd (650ktpa) mill facility:
• Currently permitted for 1,250tpd (450ktpa)
• Expandable to 2,500tpd (900ktpa) with minimal capital
• Feasibility Study¹:
• Mineral Reserve estimate of 3.56Mt grading 5.54g/t for 635koz Au
• Measured & Indicated Mineral Resource estimate (excluding Mineral Reserves) of 1.71Mt grading 7.09g/t for 390koz Au
• Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.56Mt grading 6.83g/t for 343koz Au
• Mine life of 8 years
• Annual production of 74koz
• All-in Sustaining Costs of US$865 per ounce

During the interim period, non-critical path construction items at the Bateman Gold Project may be suspended or deferred.

Board of Directors Recommendation

The board of directors of Battle North, upon the unanimous recommendation of the independent directors of the board and in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, has unanimously determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of Battle North and fair to Battle North shareholders and is recommending that Battle North shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction at the Shareholder Meeting.

Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Cormark Securities Inc. have each provided a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Battle North that, as of the date of the opinions and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such opinions, the Consideration to be received by Battle North shareholders under the arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Battle North shareholders.

Advisors

Battle North has engaged Canaccord Genuity Corp. as its financial advisor and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as its legal advisor. Battle North's Board of Directors engaged Cormark Securities Inc. to provide an independent fairness opinion. Evolution has engaged TD Securities Inc. as its financial advisor and McCarthy Tétrault LLP as its legal advisor.

About Battle North

Battle North is developing the Bateman Gold Project to become the next gold producer in the renowned Red Lake Gold District in Ontario, Canada and controls the second largest exploration ground in the district. Battle North also owns a large gold exploration land package on the Long Canyon gold trend near the Nevada-Utah border in the United States. Battle North's shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BNAU) and the OTCQX markets (BNAUF). For more information, please visit our website at www.battlenorthgold.com.

About Evolution

Evolution Mining is a leading, growth-focused Australian gold miner. Evolution operates five wholly-owned mines – Cowal in New South Wales, Mt Carlton and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada. In addition, Evolution holds an economic interest in the Ernest Henry copper gold mine in Queensland. FY21 Group gold production is forecast to be between 670,000 – 730,000 ounces at an All-in Sustaining Cost of A$1,240 – A$1,300 per ounce.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters

All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipated", "assumption", "committing", "demonstrate", "developing", "estimate", "expected", "exploration", "factors", "favourable", "feasibility", "focus", "forecast", "forward", "future", "may", "could", "believes", "need", "plan", "potential", "project", "promising", "subject to", "trend", "upon", "upside", and "will", or variations of such words, and similar such words, expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results can, may, could, should, will (or not) be achieved, occur, provide or result in the future. In some cases, forward-looking information may be stated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be continuing, or that may have a future impact or effect. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the purchase by Evolution of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Battle North; the anticipated timing of the Shareholder Meeting; the anticipated timing of the closing of the Transaction, and the satisfaction of closing conditions including but not limited to, required shareholder and court approvals in connection with the Transaction; the merits of the transaction to Battle North shareholders; the anticipated production increase in Red Lake by Evolution; development activities during the interim period; the expansion of Evolution's footprint; and long-term benefits to stakeholders including the local workforce, regional communities and Evolution's Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nation Partners.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, assumptions and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Battle North to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies, assumptions and other factors include:  the risk that the Transaction will not be approved by the shareholders of Battle North; the failure to, in a timely manner, or at all, obtain the required court approval for the Transaction; the failure of the parties to otherwise satisfy the conditions to complete the Transaction; the possibility that Battle North could terminate the Arrangement Agreement as a result of a superior proposal that is not matched by the other party; the effect of the announcement of the Transaction on Battle North's strategic relationships, operating results and business generally; significant transaction costs or unknown liabilities; the risk of litigation that could prevent or hinder the completion of the Transaction; other customary risks associated with transactions of this nature; and the "Risk Factors" in Battle North's annual information form dated March 27, 2020 ("2020 AIF") and Battle North's management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "2020 MD&A"). In addition, if the Transaction is not completed, and Battle North continues as an independent entity, there are risks that the announcement of the Transaction and the dedication of substantial resources by Battle North to the completion of the Transaction could have an adverse impact on Battle North's business and strategic relationships, operating results and business generally.  The foregoing list of risks, uncertainties, contingencies, assumptions and other factors is not exhaustive; readers should consult the more complete discussion of Battle North's business, financial condition and prospects that is provided in the 2020 AIF. As a consequence, actual results in the future may differ materially from any forward-looking statement, whether expressed or implied.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and Battle North and Evolution disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

Cautionary Statement regarding Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates

Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources must be considered as estimates only. Mineral Resource estimates that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the foregoing Cautionary Statements, as well as those described in the 2020 AIF, the 2020 MD&A (and accompanying financial statements) and the Technical Report. The Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates referenced in this news release were reported using Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the "CIM Standards") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101").

Cautionary Statement to U.S. Readers

This news release uses the terms "Mineral Resource" and "Mineral Reserve" as defined in the CIM Standards (collectively, the "CIM Definitions") in accordance with NI 43-101. While these terms are recognized and required by the Canadian Securities Administrators in accordance with Canadian securities laws, they are not recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and differ materially from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The SEC has adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "SEC Modernization Rules") which, on January 1, 2021, replaced the historical property disclosure requirements for mining registrants that were included in SEC Industry Guide 7. The SEC Modernization Rules include the adoption of terms describing "mineral reserves" and "mineral resources" that differ from the corresponding CIM Definitions. Accordingly, there is no assurance that any "Mineral Resource" or "Mineral Reserve" estimate that Battle North may report under NI 43-101 would be the same had Battle North prepared such estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules. For the above reasons, the "Mineral Resource" and "Mineral Reserve" estimates and related information in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Battle North is not required to provide disclosure on its mineral properties under SEC Industry Guide 7 or the SEC Modernization Rules and will continue to provide disclosure under NI 43-101.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Mike Willett, P.Eng., Battle North's Vice President, Operations and Projects, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

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SOURCE Battle North Gold Corporation