B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE MKT: BTG, NSX: B2G)
(“
B2Gold”) is pleased to announce today that it
has completed the previously announced plan of arrangement (the
“
Arrangement”) to acquire all of the issued and
outstanding common shares of Sabina Gold & Silver
Corp. (“
Sabina”).
The Arrangement results in B2Gold acquiring
Sabina’s 100% owned Back River Gold District located in Nunavut,
Canada. The Back River Gold District consists of five mineral
claims blocks along an 80 kilometre belt. The most advanced project
in the district, Goose, is fully permitted, construction ready, and
has been de-risked with significant infrastructure currently in
place. B2Gold’s management team has strong northern construction
expertise and experience to deliver the fully permitted Goose
project and the financial resources to develop the significant gold
resource endowment at the Back River Gold District into a large,
long life mining complex.
“The closing of the acquisition of Sabina and
the Back River Gold District represents a milestone for B2Gold as
we continue to build a low-cost responsible senior gold mining
company. We are excited to add such a high-quality, high grade gold
project in a top mining jurisdiction to our global portfolio, and
we are thrilled to welcome the exceptional Sabina team into B2Gold.
We also look forward to working with the Kitikmeot Inuit
Association and local communities as we advance the construction of
the Goose project and our development strategy,” said Clive
Johnson, President and CEO of B2Gold. “As we continue with the
construction of the Goose project and move toward commencement of
production in 2025, our exploration program will also start
immediately. We aim to further define the Back River Gold
District’s untapped potential and unlock the significant value we
see and opportunities for growth.”
Under the terms of the Arrangement, Sabina
shareholders received 0.3867 B2Gold common shares (“B2Gold
Share”) per Sabina common share. In aggregate, B2Gold will
issue approximately 216 million B2Gold Shares under the
Arrangement.
The Sabina common shares are expected to be
delisted from the TSX and the OTCQX at market close on April 21,
2023. Following the delisting, B2Gold intends to apply for Sabina
to cease to be a reporting issuer under applicable Canadian
securities laws.
About B2Gold
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold
producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007,
today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the
Philippines and numerous exploration and development projects in
various countries including Canada, Mali, Finland and Uzbekistan.
B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between
1,000,000 and 1,080,000 ounces in 2023.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
“Clive T.
Johnson” President & Chief
Executive Officer
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC
neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this
news release.
Production results and production guidance
presented in this news release reflect total production at the
mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our
Annual Information Form dated March 16, 2023 for a discussion of
our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
This news release includes certain
"forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements"
(collectively “forward-looking statements") within the meaning of
applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation,
including: B2Gold’s planned exploration campaign at the Back River
Gold District, including timing thereof; the strategic vision of
B2Gold and expectations regarding the potential of the Back River
Gold District, including the Goose project; the potential to
develop the Back River Gold District, projections; outlook;
guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding
future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold
production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs
(sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, including
projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a
consolidated and mine by mine basis; the ongoing ability to work
cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to local
communities and all levels of government; B2Gold’s continued
prioritization of developing the project in a manner that
recognizes Indigenous input and concerns and brings long-term
socio-economic benefits to the area; and including, without
limitation: projected gold production, cash operating costs and
AISC on a consolidated and mine by mine basis in 2023; total
consolidated gold production of between 1,000,000 and 1,080,000
ounces in 2023.
All statements in this news release that address
events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
statements that are not historical facts and are generally,
although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan",
"anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule",
"forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar
expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or
conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might"
occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements
are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve
assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond
B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to:
the inherent risks, costs and uncertainties associated with
integrating the businesses successfully; worldwide economic and
political disruptions as a result of current macroeconomic
conditions or the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine; the
volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes in
tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and
mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource
estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates;
actual production, development plans and costs differing materially
from the estimates contained herein, or in B2Gold's feasibility and
other studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary
permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities;
environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex
regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and
climate change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves
and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of
companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate
new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability
of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential
restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and
the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in
foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign
laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia,
the Philippines and Colombia and including risks related to changes
in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local
ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally;
remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure;
fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs
necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in
necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and
country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and
the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties
and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making
authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns
the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the
dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain
skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss;
adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk;
competition with other mining companies; community support for
B2Gold's and Sabina’s operations, including risks related to
strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time;
conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems
or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate
internal controls over financial reporting as required by law,
including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with
anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures;
social media and B2Gold's and Sabina’s reputation; risks affecting
Calibre having an impact on the value of the Company's investment
in Calibre, and potential dilution of our equity interest in
Calibre; as well as other factors identified and as described in
more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most
recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual
Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities
regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov,
respectively (the "Websites"), as well as under the heading “Risk
Factors” in Sabina’s most recent Annual Information Form which may
be viewed at www.sedar.com. The list is not exhaustive of the
factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on
the applicable assumptions and factors management considers
reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information
available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors
include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related
to: the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such
operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified
thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections,
forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or
achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and
cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold;
foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of
necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and
future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on
reasonable terms when required; the current and future social,
economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and
factors generally associated with the mining industry.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on
the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current
expectations regarding future events and operating performance and
speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any
obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or
management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other
than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual
results, performance or achievements could differ materially from
those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or
occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold
will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
For more information on B2Gold please visit www.b2gold.com or contact:
Michael McDonald
VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
+1 604-681-8371
investor@b2gold.com
Cherry DeGeer
Director, Corporate Communications
+1 604-681-8371
investor@b2gold.com
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