Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM
NYSE AMERICAN: SVM
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – January 24, 2024 – Silvercorp Metals Inc. (“Silvercorp” or the “Company”) (TSX/NYSE American: SVM) today announced that it has received conditional approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") for the listing of the Silvercorp shares to be issued in connection with Silvercorp’s off-market takeover offer (the “Silvercorp Offer”) for all of the shares of OreCorp Limited (“OreCorp”) not already owned by Silvercorp for consideration comprising 0.0967 common shares of Silvercorp and A$0.19 cash per OreCorp share (the “Transaction”), as described in the Company’s news release of December 26, 2023.
Final TSX approval is subject to the Company meeting certain customary conditions required by the TSX.
The Company further notes that it has submitted all requested documents to the NYSE American (“NYSE-A”) and conditional approval from the NYSE-A is expected shortly. Once the conditional approval from the NYSE-A is granted, Silvercorp will issue a notice in accordance with the Australian Corporations Act that a condition to the Silvercorp Offer has been satisfied.
As previously disclosed, the Company anticipates receiving a merger-approval decision in relation to the Silvercorp Offer from the Tanzanian Fair Competition Commission (“FCC”) by mid-February. Silvercorp will provide further updates on the Transaction as appropriate.
Silvercorp notes that the OreCorp Board has provided a unanimous recommendation in favour of the Silvercorp Offer, in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to the independent expert’s report concluding, and continuing to conclude that the Silvercorp Offer is reasonable to OreCorp shareholders.
Silvercorp acknowledges the announcement made by Perseus Mining Limited (“Perseus”) on January 22, 2024 that Perseus intends to make a competing off-market takeover offer for all OreCorp shares (“Perseus Offer”). As announced by OreCorp on January 22, 2024, the OreCorp Board determined that the Perseus Offer was not considered to be a superior proposal for the purposes of the Bid Implementation Deed between OreCorp and the Company.
Silvercorp highlights that, as disclosed in its offer document, as at September 30, 2023, the Company had cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of US$189.1 million and an equity investment portfolio in associates and other companies with a total market value of US$124.0 million. Silvercorp’s strong balance sheet, together with its track record of cash generation from its existing asset base, positions it favourably with respect to the development and commissioning of the Nyanzaga project. The Silvercorp Offer provides OreCorp shareholders with the opportunity to be exposed to enhanced trading liquidity, re-rating potential and participation in further upside from the Nyanzaga project and Silvercorp’s existing portfolio.
About Silvercorp
Silvercorp is a Canadian mining company producing silver, gold, lead, and zinc with a long history of profitability and growth potential. The Company’s strategy is to create shareholder value by 1) focusing on generating free cashflow from long life mines; 2) organic growth through extensive drilling for discovery; 3) ongoing merger and acquisition efforts to unlock value; and 4) long term commitment to responsible mining and ESG. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.
For further information
Silvercorp Metals Inc.
Lon Shaver
President
Phone: (604) 669-9397
Toll Free: 1-888-224-1881
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.silvercorp.ca
CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects”, “is expected”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “plans”, “projects”, “estimates”, “assumes”, “intends”, “strategies”, “targets”, “goals”, “forecasts”, “objectives”, “budgets”, “schedules”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the Transaction; TSX final approval; receipt of conditional approval from the NYSE-American; FCC approval; the Company’s intentions with respect to the Nyanzaga Project; statements regarding enhanced trading liquidity, re-rating potential and participation in further upside; price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company’s material properties; the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to finance the Company’s operations; estimates of the Company’s revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company’s mines in the Ying Mining District and the GC Mine; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; availability of funds from production to finance the Company’s operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company’s properties.
Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks relating to: global economic and social impact of COVID-19; fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licences; title to properties; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company’s existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.
This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors” and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, and in the Company’s other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Additional information related to the Company, including Silvercorp’s Annual Information Form, can be obtained under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, and on the Company’s website at www.silvercorpmetals.com.