/NOT FOR RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION IN
THE UNITED STATES/
TSX SYMBOL: FCU
OTCQX SYMBOL: FCUUF
- ISS finds "substantial premium," strategic rationale, and
growth potential make Paladin transaction the best alternative for
Fission Shareholders
- Shareholders are encouraged to vote well in advance of the
proxy deadline of August 22, 2024 at
10:00 a.m. (Pacific time)
- Shareholders who have questions or need assistance in voting
should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by telephone at
1-877-452-7184 (North American Toll Free) or 1-416- 304-0211
(Outside North America), or by email at
assistance@laurelhill.com
KELOWNA,
BC, Aug. 8, 2024 /CNW/ - FISSION URANIUM
CORP. ("Fission" or the "Company") is
pleased to announce that Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.
("ISS") has completed their analysis of the previously
announced plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") with
Paladin Energy Limited (ASX: PDN) (OTCQX: PALAF) ("Paladin")
and ISS recommends shareholders of Fission ("Fission
Shareholders") vote FOR the Arrangement.
The Special Meeting of Fission Securityholders (the
"Meeting") is being held on August
26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific
Time) to consider the Arrangement, whereby Paladin will
acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company,
and in return Fission Shareholders will receive 0.1076 shares of
Paladin ("Paladin Shares") for each Fission share held.
Shareholders may find materials related to the Meeting under the
Company's profile on SEDAR+ (http://sedarplus.ca) as well as on
Fission's website at
https://fissionuranium.com/investors/#sgmMaterials.
In their analysis, ISS notes the "offer consideration represents
a substantial premium of 25.9 percent over the price on the day
prior to the announcement," "makes strategic sense", and that "it
is anticipated the transaction will enhance value for shareholders
through ownership in a company with growth potential, increased
liquidity, improved cash flow, and is expected to benefit from an
enhanced capital markets presence."
ISS concluded the Arrangement to "represent the best alternative
among the opportunities available to improve the ability to
increase shareholder value" before recommending Fission
Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement.
As an independent proxy advisory firm, ISS has approximately
3,400 clients including many of the world's leading institutional
investors who rely on ISS' objective and impartial analysis to make
important voting decisions.
REASONS TO SUPPORT THE ARRANGEMENT
A special committee of Fission's board of directors (the
"Board"), comprised of independent directors of the Board
(the "Special Committee") advised the Board that, after
careful consideration of such matters as it considered relevant, as
more fully described under the heading "The Arrangement – Reasons
for the Arrangement" contained in the circular, that the
Arrangement is in the best interests of the Company, for the
following reasons:
Attractive and Immediate Premium – A 30%
premium to Fission's undisturbed 20-day VWAP, payable in Paladin
Shares so as to enable Fission Shareholders to continue to
participate in the upside of the Patterson Lake South project
("PLS") and Paladin.
Meaningful Ownership in a Global Multi-Asset Uranium
Leader – Fission Shareholders will own approximately
24.0% of the outstanding Paladin Shares immediately following
completion of the Arrangement, on a fully-diluted basis, which will
have a pro forma market capitalization of US$3.5 billion (as of June
21, 2024) and a world-class production and growth
pipeline.
Diversified Portfolio with Multi-Asset
Production – If the Arrangement becomes effective, the
combined company (as defined in the circular) will have two
projects in production by 2029 (Langer Heinrich Mine and PLS) and a
pro-forma Mineral Resources of 544Mlb and Ore Reserves of 157 Mlb,
representing one of the largest amongst pure-play uranium companies
globally spread across tier-1 uranium jurisdiction of Canada, Namibia and Australia.
De-risks PLS Development – Paladin has a
strong balance sheet with US$50
million in cash and US$125
million, as of March 31, 2024,
in available debt facilities, along with expected future cash flows
from the commencement of production at the Langer Heinrich Mine,
which can be leveraged to fund the development of PLS, thereby
reducing dilution to Fission Shareholders. Paladin's project
delivery, uranium marketing and processing expertise will
complement Fission's technical strength, de-risking the development
of PLS and maximizing value for shareholders.
Continued Participation and Ability to Progress
Development of PLS – Fission Shareholders will
continue to have exposure to PLS through their Paladin Shares
following closing of the Arrangement.
Increased International Capital Market
Presence – Opportunity to retain TSX-listed shares in
a leading ASX100 growth-focused uranium company providing increased
trading liquidity and an enhanced capital markets presence.
Paladin's Commitment to Canada – Paladin owns the
Michelin Project, an advanced exploration stage uranium project in
the highly prospective Central Mineral Belt of Labrador, since 2011. The re-listing of
Paladin Shares on the TSX and the addition of PLS significantly
grows Paladin's commitment to uranium exploration.
Access to Near-term Cash-Flow from Langer Heinrich
Mine – Fission Shareholders will gain exposure to the
globally significant Langer Heinrich Mine, where Paladin
successfully recommenced commercial production on March 30, 2024. Paladin has built a high-quality
contract portfolio with tier-1 utilities in the US, Europe and Asia. These internationally based utilities
account for over 20% of global uranium consumption. Fission
Shareholders will benefit in the near term from Paladin's contract
portfolio, which is 80% exposed to uncapped market prices. Paladin
also has flexible shipping arrangements and early payment terms
with its largest customer, providing significant delivery
flexibility and improved cash flow during the ramp-up of operations
at the Langer Heinrich Mine.
Robust and Supervised Negotiation Process –
The Arrangement is the result of a robust negotiation process that
was undertaken under the supervision of the Special Committee,
which was comprised entirely of independent directors, and which
received advice from independent advisors throughout the
process.
CFCC Opinion – The receipt by the Special
Committee and the Board of the CFCC Opinion (as defined in the
Circular) which concluded that, as of June
23, 2024, subject to and based on the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations contained therein, the consideration
to be received by the Fission Shareholders pursuant to the
Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Fission Shareholders. See "The Arrangement – Fairness Opinion -
CFCC Opinion" in the Circular. Fission Securityholders are
urged to read the CFCC Opinion in its entirety. The full text of
the CFCC Opinion attached as Appendix "E" to the Circular.
SCP Opinion – The receipt by the Board of the
SCP Opinion (as defined in the Circular) which concluded that, as
of the date of such opinion, subject to and based on the
assumptions, qualifications and limitations contained therein, the
consideration to be received by the Fission Shareholders pursuant
to the Arrangement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Fission Shareholders. See "The Arrangement – Fairness Opinion -
SCP Opinion" in the Circular. Fission Securityholders are urged
to read the SCP Opinion in its entirety. The full text of the SCP
Opinion attached as Appendix "F" to the Circular.
VOTING IS OPEN NOW; YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE
NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN
MEETING INFORMATION
The Meeting will be held in person at Suite 3500, 1133 Melville
Street, The Stack, Vancouver BC,
V6E 4E5 on August 26, 2024 at
10:00 a.m. (Pacific time).
Shareholders are encouraged to vote in advance of the meeting, in
accordance with the instructions accompanying the form of proxy or
voting instruction form mailed to shareholders together with the
Circular. Further details and voting instructions can be found in
the Circular under the section entitled "Information Concerning
The Meeting – Proxies and Voting".
Voting Methods
|
Online
|
Phone
|
Mail
|
Registered Securityholders
Securities held in
own name and
represented by a physical certificate or
DRS statement and have a 15-digit
control number.
|
Vote online
at
www.investorvote.com
|
1-866-732-8683
|
Return the
completed
Form of Proxy or Voting
Instruction Form in the
enclosed postage paid
envelope.
|
Beneficial Securityholders
Securities held with
a broker, bank or
other intermediary and have a 16-
digit control number.
|
Vote online
at
http://www.proxyvote.com
|
Canada:
1-800-474-7493
(EN)
or 1-800-474-7501 (FR)
USA: 1-800-454-8683
|
The close of business on July 19,
2024 is the record date for the determination of
Shareholders who will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at
the Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement of the
Meeting.
The deadline for Shareholders to return their completed
proxies or voting instruction forms is Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific time).
SHAREHOLDER QUESTIONS AND VOTING ASSISTANCE
Shareholders who have questions or need assistance in voting
should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group by telephone at
1-877-452-7184 (North American Toll Free) or 1-416- 304-0211
(Outside North America), or by email at
assistance@laurelhill.com.
About Fission Uranium Corp.
Fission Uranium Corp. is an award-winning Canadian uranium
project developer and 100% owner of the Patterson Lake South
uranium property – a proposed high-grade uranium mine and mill in
Canada's Athabasca Basin region. Fission's common
shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and
trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF"
and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 2FU.
Forward-Looking Statement Cautions:
This announcement contains certain "forward looking statements"
within the meaning of Australian securities laws and "forward
looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws
(collectively referred to as "forward looking statements"). All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address
circumstances, events, activities or developments that could, or
may or will occur are forward looking statements. Forward looking
statements involve subjective judgment and analysis and are subject
to significant uncertainties, risks and contingencies including
those risk factors associated with the mining industry, many of
which are outside the control of, change without notice, and may be
unknown to Fission. These risks and uncertainties include but are
not limited to liabilities inherent in mine development and
production, geological, mining and processing technical problems,
the inability to obtain any additional mine licences, permits and
other regulatory approvals required in connection with mining and
third party processing operations, competition for amongst other
things, capital, acquisition of reserves, undeveloped lands and
skilled personnel, incorrect assessments of the value of
acquisitions, changes in commodity prices and exchange rates,
currency and interest fluctuations, various events which could
disrupt operations and/or the transportation of mineral products,
including labour stoppages and severe weather conditions, the
demand for and availability of transportation services, the ability
to secure adequate financing and management's ability to anticipate
and manage the foregoing factors and risks.
Forward looking statements in this announcement include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding: the expected timetable,
outcome and effects of the Arrangement; the anticipated benefits of
the Arrangement to Fission's shareholders; the ability of Fission
to complete the Arrangement on the terms described herein or at
all; the plans and strategies of Fission; the future performance of
Fission; and the recommendation and analysis by ISS. Forward
looking statements can generally be identified by the use of
forward looking words such as "anticipate", "expect", "likely",
"propose", "will", "intend", "should", "could", "may", "believe",
"forecast", "estimate", "target", "outlook", "guidance" (including
negative or grammatical variations) and other similar expressions.
No representation, warranty, guarantee or assurance, express or
implied, is given or made in relation to any forward looking
statement. In particular no representation, warranty or assumption,
express or implied, is given in relation to any underlying
assumption or that any forward looking statement will be achieved.
There can be no assurance that the forward looking statements will
prove to be accurate. Actual and future events may vary materially
from the forward looking statements and the assumptions on which
the forward looking statements were based, because events and
actual circumstances frequently do not occur as forecast and future
results are subject to known and unknown risks such as changes in
market conditions and regulations.
Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on such forward looking statements, and should rely
on their own independent enquiries, investigations and advice
regarding information contained in this announcement. Any reliance
by a reader on the information contained in this announcement is
wholly at the reader's own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by law or any relevant listing
rules of the ASX/TSX, Fission and its respective related bodies
corporate and affiliates and their respective directors, officers,
employees, advisors, agents and intermediaries disclaim any
obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions
to the information in this announcement to reflect any change in
expectations in relation to any forward looking statements or any
such change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any
such statements were based. Nothing in this announcement will,
under any circumstances (including by reason of this announcement
remaining available and not being superseded or replaced by any
other announcement or publication with respect to Paladin, Fission
or the subject matter of this announcement), create an implication
that there has been no change in the affairs of Paladin or Fission
since the date of this announcement.
SOURCE Fission Uranium Corp.