VANCOUVER, Dec. 6, 2018 /CNW/ - Maverix Metals Inc.
("Maverix" or the "Company") (TSX-V: MMX) is pleased to announce
that it has executed a definitive agreement, which increases the
scope of the previously announced acquisition of a silver stream
(the "Silver Stream") from a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern
Vertex Mining Corp. ("Northern Vertex") (TSX-V: NEE). The Silver
Stream now entitles Maverix to purchase 100% of the silver produced
from Northern Vertex's operating Moss mine, until a minimum of 3.5
million ounces of silver have been purchased, after which Maverix
will be entitled to purchase 50% of the life of mine
production.
Transaction Highlights
- Expanded Asset Base and Immediate Increase to Cash Flow:
With the Moss mine recently achieving commercial production in
September 2018, the Silver Stream
will generate immediate revenue for Maverix; adding to its already
strong and growing cash flow.
- Low-Cost Operating Asset in Stable Jurisdiction: The
Moss mine is on track to become a low-cost open pit mining and heap
leach operation, as it continues to optimize post start up. Moss is
located in northwest Arizona, a
stable mining jurisdiction with a long history of mining
operations.
- Accretive Transaction: The Silver Stream is accretive to
Maverix across all key metrics, including net asset value, cash
flow, and attributable gold equivalent production per share.
- Long Mine Life with
Significant Exploration and Expansion Potential: In
October 2017, Northern Vertex
announced the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA")
which outlined a 10 year operation producing a total of
approximately 313,000 ounces of gold and 3,000,000 ounces of silver
at an AISC (all-in sustaining cost) of US$603 per gold equivalent ounce. Additionally,
Maverix will be exposed to the significant regional exploration
potential around the Moss mine, which is comprised of a package of
mineral claims covering approximately 4,150 hectares.
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"Maverix is excited to partner with Northern Vertex by offering
a financing solution that will allow them to significantly de-lever
their balance sheet and keep the operating team at Moss fully
focused on unlocking the mine's long term potential," commented
Dan O'Flaherty, CEO of Maverix. "The
addition of this cash flowing asset in a stable jurisdiction
further strengthens our portfolio and meaningfully increases our
attributable precious metals production per share."
Silver Stream Terms
Maverix has entered into a definitive silver purchase agreement
(the "Stream Agreement") with Northern Vertex and its operating
subsidiary, Golden Vertex Corp. ("Golden Vertex"). Pursuant to the
terms of the Stream Agreement:
- Maverix will pay an upfront cash payment of US$20,000,000 to Golden Vertex, the owner and
operator of the Moss mine as consideration for the right to
purchase, initially, 100% of the silver produced from the mine.
- Once Maverix has purchased 3,500,000 ounces of silver, Maverix
will have the right to purchase 50% of the life of mine silver
produced from the Moss mine.
- Maverix will make ongoing cash payments to Golden Vertex equal
to 20% of the average price of silver for the 5 consecutive trading
days prior to delivery.
- The Silver Stream is effective from October 1, 2018.
- The Silver Stream applies to all current and future phases of
operations at the Moss mine.
The obligations of Golden Vertex under the Stream Agreement are
secured against all assets of Golden Vertex in favor of Maverix, in
a first ranking priority.
The transaction is expected to close in mid-December 2018, and Maverix intends to fund
the upfront cash payment through current cash on hand and the
Company's revolving credit facility.
Moss Mine
The Moss mine is 100% owned by Northern Vertex and is located
near Bullhead City in northwest
Arizona. Moss is a 5,000 tonnes
per day, open pit, heap leach, gold-silver operation, that achieved
commercial production effective September 1,
2018.
For further information on the Moss mine, please visit
www.northernvertex.com.
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Please refer to the
technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility
Study, Mohave County Arizona" dated June 8, 2015, and the technical
report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic
Analysis Phase III, Mine Life Extension, Mohave County Arizona"
dated November 11, 2017, both of which are available on Northern
Vertex's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
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Qualified Person
Doug Ward, B.Sc., Mining
Engineering, MMSA, is Vice President, Technical Services for
Maverix, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed
and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in
this press release.
About Maverix
Maverix Metals Inc. is a gold royalty and streaming company.
Maverix's mission is to provide its shareholders with significant
low risk leverage to the gold price and to increase underlying per
share value by expanding its portfolio with acquisitions of
high-quality royalties and streams that offer robust returns.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE ("TSX-V") NOR ITS REGULATION
SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE
TSX-V) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS
RELEASE.
Technical and Third-party Information
The disclosure herein and relating to Moss Mine is based on
information publicly disclosed by Northern Vertex and
information/data available in the public domain as at the date
hereof, and none of this information has been independently
verified by the Maverix. Maverix has limited, if any, access to the
Moss Mine. Maverix may from time to time receive operating
information from Northern Vertex, which it is not permitted to
disclose to the public. Maverix is dependent on, (i) the operators
of the properties and their qualified persons to provide
information to Maverix, or (ii) on publicly available information
to prepare disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on
the properties on which the Maverix holds royalty, stream or other
interests, and generally has limited or no ability to independently
verify such information. Although Maverix does not have any
knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be
no assurance that such third-party information is complete or
accurate. Some information publicly reported by operators may
relate to a larger property than the area covered by Maverix's
royalty, stream or other interest. Maverix's royalty, stream or
other interests often cover less than 100% and sometimes only a
portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, mineral
resources and production of a property.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and
certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable
Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and
information can generally be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should",
"expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe",
"continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking
information contained herein is provided for the purpose of
assisting readers in understanding management's current
expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are
cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other
purposes. Forward-looking statements and information include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to the obligations of
Maverix pursuant to a silver stream transaction, including the
terms of a definitive silver stream agreement, the delivery
obligations current and future of Golden Vertex under a definitive
silver stream agreement, current and future planned operations at
Northern Vertex's Moss Mine, metal prices as they may impact
Maverix's guidance generally, Maverix's financial guidance,
outlook, proposed plans for acquiring additional stream and royalty
interests and the potential of such streams and royalty interests
to provide returns and the completion of mine expansion and phases
at the Moss mines or other properties that the Maverix holds an
interest in. Forward-looking statements and information are based
on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet
determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to
be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions,
events or results to be materially different from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not
limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions;
the absence of control over mining operations from which Maverix
will purchase gold and other metals or from which it will receive
royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations,
including risks related to international operations, government and
environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and
operations, actual results of mining and current exploration
activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in
project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents,
equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other
unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; problems
inherent to the marketability of gold and other metals; the
inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the
potential for unexpected costs and expenses; industry conditions,
including fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities
mined at such operations, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates
and fluctuations in interest rates; government entities
interpreting existing tax legislation or enacting new tax
legislation in a way which adversely affects Maverix; stock market
volatility; regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, loss
of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. Maverix
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information
except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking
information represents management's best judgment based on
information currently available. No forward-looking statement can
be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.
Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements or information.
SOURCE Maverix Metals Inc.