Karora Resources Inc. (TSX: KRR) and Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX) have reached an agreement to merge, marking a significant consolidation in the mining industry.
Under the terms of the merger, Westgold will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Karora. The latter’s shareholders will receive a combination of assets, including 2.524 new Westgold shares, $0.608 in cash, and 0.30 shares in a new spin-out company for each Karora share held at the closing of the transaction. The offer consideration, valued at approximately $5.902 per Karora share, represents a 10.1% premium to Karora’s recent closing share price on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Upon completion of the merger, Westgold shareholders will hold approximately 50.1% of the combined company while former Karora shareholders will own approximately 49.9%. The new Westgold will boast a market capitalization of approximately $1.9 billion and will operate with assets exclusively based in Western Australia.
The merger announcement comes almost a month after Karora cut its production guidance anew, expecting to produce between 170,000 to 185,000 ounces of gold in 2024, a drop from the guidance issued in March 2023 of a gold production between 170,000 to 195,000 ounces this year.
Enlarged Westgold intends to seek a listing of its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange upon completion of the transaction. The board will consist of current directors from both companies, with Hon. Cheryl Edwardes AM serving as Chair and Wayne Bramwell as Managing Director and CEO. Notably, Paul Huet, Karora’s Chairman & CEO, will continue in a special advisory role for six months post-completion.
“One of the more unique aspects of this transaction is a very strong cultural fit between both companies which will serve shareholders of the enlarged company well for a very long time. The merger is estimated to unlock approximately A$490 million of operational, G&A and capex synergies while shareholders will become proud owners of the largest unhedged gold producer in Australia at completion of the Transaction – certainly a compelling opportunity in the current gold price environment,” said Huet.
For Bramwell, he considers the “prize” in the merger as “Beta Hunt’s gold potential,” adding that it will help “create the foundations of a new Australian gold mining powerhouse” for the firm.
“Rarely do you find a gold asset of the quality and potential of Beta Hunt hiding in a nickel belt and drilling is expected to further unlock value at this mine,” he asserted. “This merger brings the large Beta Hunt mine together with Big Bell, the emerging Bluebird and the iconic Great Fingall mine under one Australian management team.”
The merger has received unanimous approval from the boards of directors of both Westgold and Karora. Karora’s board of directors will recommend that shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. Key institutional shareholders, including Eric Sprott, have already signed voting support agreements or expressed their intention to support the merger as well.
Additionally, Karora will spin out certain assets to former Karora shareholders, including its shareholding in Kali Metals Limited, a 1% lithium royalty on select mining interests held by Kali, rights related to the sale of the Dumont asset, and cash. Shareholders will receive 0.30 share of the spin-out company for each Karora share held.
Karora last traded at $5.43 on the TSX.
Information for this briefing was found via Sedar and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
