Latitude Uranium Inc. (“Latitude Uranium” or “LUR”) (CSE:
LUR) (OTCQB: LURAF) (FRA: EI1) is pleased to announced
that today it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement
(the “
Arrangement Agreement”) with
ATHA
Energy Corp. (
CSE: SASK) (
OTCQB:
SASKF) (
FRA: X5U)
(“
ATHA”) pursuant to which ATHA will acquire all
of the issued and outstanding common shares of Latitude (the
“
Latitude Shares”) by way of a court-approved plan
of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the
“
Arrangement”).
Under the terms of the Latitude Arrangement,
Latitude shareholders (the “Latitude
Shareholders”) will receive 0.2769 of a common share of
ATHA (each whole share, an “ATHA Share”) for each
Latitude Share held (the “Latitude Exchange
Ratio”). The Latitude Exchange Ratio was determined giving
consideration to recent average trading prices for each of Latitude
and ATHA. Based upon ATHA’s reference price of C$1.00, the implied
consideration per Latitude Share is C$0.28, representing a 68%
premium to Latitude’s closing price on December 6, 2023.
ATHA has also entered into a binding scheme
implementation deed (the “92E SID”) with 92 Energy
Limited (ASX: 92E) (“92E”) pursuant to which ATHA
will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of 92E
(the “92E Shares”) by way of a scheme of
arrangement pursuant to Part 5.1 of the Australian Corporations Act
2001 (Cth) (the “92E Scheme”, together with the
Arrangement, the “Transactions”). ATHA has also
announced its intention to complete one or more financings to raise
up to $14 million concurrent with the completion of the
Transactions (the “Concurrent Financing”).
Assuming the completion of both the Arrangement
and the 92E Scheme, but before giving effect to the Concurrent
Financing (see ATHA’s press release dated December 7, 2023), the
implied market value of pro forma ATHA (the
“Company”) is expected to be approximately $267
million with existing shareholders of ATHA, Latitude Uranium and
92E owning approximately 49.25%, 25.37% and 25.38% of the Company,
respectively.1
The Company’s board of directors (the
“Company Board”) will consist of up to six
directors, four of whom will be selected by ATHA from the existing
ATHA directors, one of whom will be selected by Latitude Uranium
from the existing Latitude Uranium directors, and one of whom will
be selected by 92E from the existing 92E directors.
Strategic Rationale for the
Transaction:
- Largest
Exploration Portfolio in Canada: The Company is expected
to provide shareholders with exposure to 7.1 million acres of
exploration acreage spread across Canada’s top three uranium
jurisdictions, including the largest holdings in both the Athabasca
Basin (Saskatchewan) and Thelon Basin (Nunavut) – two of the
highest-grade uranium districts in the world.
-
Historical Resources with Expansion Potential: The
Company will hold two projects with significant expansion potential
with historical mineral resource estimates of:
- 2.8 million
tons at 0.69% U3O8 containing 43.3 million lbs of U3O8 Inferred at
the Angilak Deposit in Nunavut2
- 14.7 million
tons at 0.03% U3O8 containing 5.2 million lbs of U3O8 Indicated and
28.3 million tons at 0.03% U3O8 containing 4.4 million lbs of U3O8
Inferred at Moran Lake3 and 5.1 million tons at 0.04% U3O8
containing 4.9 million lbs of U3O8 Inferred at Anna Lake4, both in
the Central Mineral Belt (“CMB”) of Labrador
-
Provides Exposure to a Recent Discovery Along a Mineralized
Trend: The Gemini discovery in the Athabasca Basin is a
high grade, basement hosted discovery along a mineralized trend
with significant potential for additional discoveries along an
underexplored corridor.
- Robust
Pipeline of Exploration Catalysts: The planned 2024
exploration program is expected to include: Post-discovery corridor
expansion geophysics and drilling, greenfield exploration programs
and results from NexGen Energy’s summer 2023 drilling program on
areas including ATHA’s 10% carried interest, which constitutes
NexGen Energy’s largest exploration program since the discovery of
the Arrow deposit.
- Strong
Balance Sheet to Execute on Growth Initiatives: With no
debt and a forecast cash balance of over $55 million5 on completion
of the Transactions and Concurrent Financing, the Company’s
exploration activities are expected to be fully funded well into
2025.
-
Exceptional Leadership Team: The amalgamated board
and management team of the Company have decades of experience, with
a demonstrated track record in all facets of uranium exploration,
development operations, and capital formation needed to drive
growth in uranium resources and build shareholder value.
-
Strengthened Capital Markets Profile:
Significantly larger market capitalization of the Company is
expected to improve liquidity and attract increased institutional
investor interest.
John Jentz, Chief Executive Officer of Latitude
Uranium, commented: “We are very excited to be part of such a
transformative transaction to create an unparalleled uranium
exploration company focused on Canada's three major uranium
districts. The benefits for LUR shareholders are clear, an
immediate increase in value combined with on-going exposure to one
of the most robust portfolios of high-upside uranium assets in the
entire sector. The combined company will be fully funded with $55
million4 in cash and boasts a suite of highly complementary uranium
assets across the exploration spectrum. The combined company will
have increased scale and prospectivity and we believe it will be a
go-to name in the uranium exploration industry."
Benefits to LUR Shareholders
- Immediate premium to LUR
Shareholders of 56.1% based on the closing price of the ATHA Shares
on the CSE on December 6, 2023;
- Combines complimentary exploration
assets to become the most complete vehicle for uranium exploration
exposure in Canada;
- Entry to the Athabasca Basin with
exposure to a significant pipeline of fully funded and ongoing
exploration projects including the Gemini Discovery and carried
interest upside on active exploration blocks held by NexGen and
IsoEnergy;
- Improved access to capital and
estimated resulting cash balance of over $55 million5;
- Complimentary management and
technical teams with a focus on development, and exploration;
- Increased scale creates a stronger
platform for future M&A, greater access to capital and expanded
research coverage;
- Potential inclusion to uranium
focused ETFs which will bolster liquidity and enhance capital
markets profile; and
- Potential re-rating from asset
diversification, as well as additional exploration upside.
Board of Directors’
Recommendations
After consultation with its financial and legal
advisors, the board of directors of Latitude Uranium (the
“Latitude Board”) unanimously determined that the
Arrangement is in the best interests of Latitude Uranium and
approved the Arrangement Agreement. Accordingly, the Latitude Board
unanimously recommends that Latitude Shareholders vote in favour of
the resolution (the “Arrangement Resolution”) to
approve the Arrangement.
PI Financial Corp. and Red Cloud Securities Inc.
have provided a fairness opinion to the Latitude Board, stating
that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to
the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such
opinion, the consideration to the Latitude Shareholders under the
Arrangement Resolution is fair, from a financial point of view, to
Latitude Shareholders (the “Latitude Fairness
Opinions”).
The full text of the Latitude Fairness Opinions,
which describe, among other things, the assumptions made,
procedures followed, factors considered and limitations and
qualifications on the review undertaken, and the terms and
conditions of the Arrangement, will be included in the management
information circular of Latitude Uranium (the “Latitude
Circular”), to be delivered to Latitude Shareholders in
respect of a special meeting of the Latitude Shareholders to be
held to consider the Arrangement (the “Latitude
Meeting”), which is expected to take place in Q1 2024.
The Arrangement
The Arrangement will be effected by way of a
court-approved plan of arrangement pursuant to the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) requiring: the approval of (i) the
Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List), and (ii) (A)
66 2/3% of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution (as defined
below) by the Latitude Shareholders; (B) if required, a simple
majority of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by
Latitude Shareholders, excluding Latitude Shares held or controlled
by persons described in terms (a) through (d) of Section 8.1(2) of
Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security
Holders in Special Transactions, at the Latitude Meeting; and (iii)
a simple majority of the votes cast by ATHA shareholders on the
resolution authorizing the issuance of the ATHA Shares in
connection with the Transactions (the “ATHA Transactions
Resolution”) at a special meeting of ATHA shareholders to
be called for the purposes of approving the ATHA Transactions
Resolution (the “ATHA Meeting”).
Each of the directors and executive officers of
Latitude Uranium together with IsoEnergy Ltd.
(“IsoEnergy”), representing an aggregate of
approximately 16.2% of the issued and outstanding Latitude Shares,
have entered into voting support agreements with ATHA, pursuant to
which they have agreed, among other things, to vote their Latitude
Shares in favour of the Arrangement Resolution at the Latitude
Meeting.
Each of the directors and executive officers of
ATHA, together with The New Saskatchewan Syndicate, representing an
aggregate of approximately 32.2% of the issued and outstanding ATHA
Shares, have entered into voting support agreements, pursuant to
which they have agreed, among other things, to vote their ATHA
Shares in favour of the ATHA Transactions Resolution at the ATHA
Meeting.
The Arrangement Agreement includes customary
representations and warranties for a transaction of this nature as
well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation
of ATHA and Latitude Uranium’s respective businesses. The
Arrangement Agreement also provides for customary deal-protection
measures, including a $1,887,357 termination fee payable by
Latitude Uranium or ATHA in certain circumstances. In addition to
shareholder and court approvals, closing of the Arrangement is
subject to applicable regulatory approvals, including, but not
limited to, CSE approval and the satisfaction of certain other
closing conditions customary for transactions of this nature.
Completion of the Arrangement is not conditional on the completion
of the 92E Scheme or the Concurrent Financing. However, completion
of the 92E Scheme is conditional upon, among other things,
completion of the Arrangement.
Subject to the satisfaction of these conditions,
it is expected that the Arrangement will be completed in the first
quarter of 2024.
Following completion of the Arrangement, the
ATHA Shares will continue to trade on the CSE, subject to approval
of the CSE in respect of the ATHA Shares being issued pursuant to
the Arrangement. The Latitude Shares will be de-listed from the CSE
following closing of the Arrangement.
Details regarding these and other terms of the
Arrangement are set out in the Arrangement Agreement, which will be
available under the SEDAR+ profile Latitude Uranium at
www.sedarplus.ca. Full details of the Arrangement will also be
included in the Latitude Circular which will be available under
Latitude Uranium’s SEDAR+ profile.
Advisors
PI Financial Corp. is acting as financial
advisors to Latitude Uranium and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
is acting as legal advisor to Latitude Uranium. Red Cloud
Securities Inc. has provided a fairness opinion to the Latitude
Board.
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical information in this
news release with respect to Latitude Uranium has been reviewed and
approved by Nancy Normore, M.Sc., P.Geo, the Vice President of
Exploration of Latitude Uranium, who is a “Qualified Person” (as
defined in NI 43-101).
________________
1 Ownership percentages calculated based on
fully-diluted in-the-money capitalization of each of Atha, 92E and
Latitude. On closing, 6.525M outstanding 92E options will be
cancelled and exchanged for 1.95M Atha shares a cashless basis.2-4
This estimate is considered to be a “historical estimate” under
National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects (“NI 43-101”) and is not considered by Latitude Uranium to
be current. See below for further details regarding the historical
mineral resource estimates.
2. Notes on the Historical Mineral
Resource Estimate for the Angilak Deposit:
|
This estimate is considered to be a “historical estimate” under NI
43-101 and is not considered by Latitude Uranium to be current. See
below for further details regarding the historical mineral resource
estimate for the Angilak Property. |
|
|
a) |
Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. |
b) |
The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by
geology, environment, permitting, legal, title, taxation,
sociopolitical, marketing or other relevant issues. |
c) |
The quality and grade of the reported inferred resource in this
estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient
exploration to define these inferred resources as an indicated or
measured mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further
exploration will result in upgrading them to an indicated or
measured resource category. |
d) |
Contained value metals may not add due to rounding. |
e) |
A 0.2% U3O8 cut-off was used. |
f) |
The mineral resource estimate contained in this press release is
considered to be “historical estimates” as defined under NI 43-101
and is not considered by LUR to be current. |
g) |
Reported by ValOre Metals Corp. in a Technical Report entitled
“Technical Report and Resource Update For The Angilak Property,
Kivalliq Region, Nunavut, Canada”, prepared by Michael Dufresne,
M.Sc., P.Geol. of APEX Geosciences, Robert Sim, B.Sc., P.Geo. of
SIM Geological Inc. and Bruce Davis, Ph.D., FAusIMM of BD Resource
Consulting Inc., dated March 1, 2013. |
h) |
As disclosed in the above noted technical report, the historic
estimate was prepared under the direction of Robert Sim, P.Geo,
with the assistance of Dr. Bruce Davis, FAusIMM, and consists of
three-dimensional block models based on geostatistical applications
using commercial mine planning software. The project limits area
based in the UTM coordinate system (NAD83 Zone14) using nominal
block sizes measuring 5x5x5m at Lac Cinquante and 5x3x3 m (LxWxH)
at J4. Grade (assay) and geological information is derived from
work conducted by Kivalliq during the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012
field seasons. A thorough review of all the 2013 resource
information and drill data by a Qualified Person, along with the
incorporation of subsequent exploration work and results, which
includes some drilling around the edges of the historical resource
subsequent to the publication of the 2013 technical report, would
be required in order to verify the Angilak Property historical
estimate as a current mineral resource. |
i) |
The historical mineral resource estimate was calculated in
accordance with NI 43-101 and CIM standards at the time of
publication and predates the current CIM Definition Standards for
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May, 2014) and CIM
Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best
Practices Guidelines (November, 2019). |
3. Notes on the Historical Mineral
Resource Estimate for the Moran Lake Deposit:
|
This estimate is considered to be a “historical estimate” under NI
43-101 and is not considered by Latitude Uranium to be current. See
below for further details regarding the historical mineral resource
estimate for the Moran Lake Deposit. |
|
|
a) |
Reported by Crosshair Exploration & Mining Corp in a Technical
Reported entitled ““Form 43-101F1 Technical Report on the Central
Mineral Belt (CMB) Uranium Project, Labrador, Canada “, prepared by
Jeffrey A. Morgan, P.Geo. and Gary H. Giroux, P.Eng, dated July 31,
2008, with an updated mineral resource estimate for the Moran Lake
C-Zone along with initial mineral resources for the Armstrong and
Area 1 deposits. |
b) |
They modelled three packages in the Moran Lake Upper C-Zone (the
Upper C Main, Upper C Mylonite, and Upper C West), Moran Lake Lower
C-Zone, two packages in Armstrong (Armstrong Z1 and Armstrong Z3),
and Trout Pond. These mineral resources are based on 3D block
models with ordinary kriging used to interpolate grades into 10 m x
10 m x 4 m blocks. A cut-off grade of 0.015% U3O8 was used for all
zones other than the Lower C Zone which employed a cut-off grade of
0.035%. |
c) |
A thorough review of all historical data performed by a Qualified
Person, along with additional exploration work to confirm results,
would be required to produce a current mineral resource estimate
prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. |
4. Notes on the Historical Mineral
Resource Estimate for the Anna Lake Deposit:
|
This estimate is considered to be a “historical estimate” under NI
43-101 and is not considered by Latitude Uranium to be current. See
below for further details regarding the historical mineral resource
estimate for the Anna Lake Deposit. |
|
|
a) |
LUR would need to review and verify the scientific information and
conduct an analysis and reconciliation of historical drill and
geological data in order to verify the historical estimate as a
current mineral resource. |
b) |
Reported by Bayswater Uranium Corporation in a Technical Report
entitled “Form 43-101 Technical Report on the Anna Lake Uranium
Project, Central Mineral Belt, Labrador, Canada”, prepared by R.
Dean Fraser, P.Geo. and Gary H. Giroux, P.Eng., dated August
September 30, 2009. |
c) |
A 3-dimensional geologic model of the deposit was created for the
purpose of the resource estimate using the Gemcom/Surpac modeling
software. A solid model was created using a minimum grade x
thickness cutoff of 3 meters grading 0.03% U3O8. Intersections not
meeting this cutoff were generally not incorporated into the model.
The shell of this modeled zone was then used to constrain the
mineralization for the purpose of the block model. Assay composites
2.5 meters in length that honoured the mineralized domains were
used to interpolate grades into blocks using ordinary kriging. An
average specific gravity of 2.93 was used to convert volumes to
tonnes. The specific gravity data was acquired in-house and
consisted of an average of seventeen samples collected from the
mineralised section of the core. The resource was classified into
Measured, Indicated or Inferred using semi-variogram ranges applied
to search ellipses. All resources estimated at Anna Lake fall under
the “Inferred” category due to the wide spaced drill density.
Either LUR or Beaconsfield would need to conduct an exploration
program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to
verify the Anna Lake Project estimate as a current mineral
resource. |
5 Cash balance based on best efforts financing
of $14 million.
About Latitude Uranium Inc.
Latitude Uranium is exploring and developing two
district-scale uranium projects in Canada. Our primary focus is
expanding the resource base at Angilak, which ranks amongst the
highest-grade uranium deposits globally, outside of the Athabasca.
Additionally, we are advancing the CMB Project, situated in the
prolific Central Mineral Belt in central Labrador adjacent to the
Michelin Deposit, with numerous occurrences of uranium, copper and
potential IOCG style mineralization.
About ATHA Energy Corp.
ATHA is a mineral exploration company focused on
the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource
properties. ATHA holds the largest cumulative exploration package
in each of the Athabasca Basin and Thelon Basin, two of the world’s
most prominent basins for uranium discoveries, with 4.6 million
total acres along with a 10% carried interest portfolio of
claims in the Athabasca Basin operated by NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX:
NXE) and Iso Energy Ltd. (TSX‐V: ISO).
For more information visit
www.athaenergy.com
For More Information, Please
Contact:Latitude Uranium Inc.John
JentzCEOjjentz@latitudeuranium.com
Toll-Free: 1-833-572-2333Email:
info@latitudeuranium.com Website: www.latitudeuranium.com Twitter:
@LatitudeUr_LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/latitude-uranium-inc/
Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as
that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
None of the securities to be issued pursuant to
the Transactions have been or will be registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S.
Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and any
securities issuable in the Transactions are anticipated to be
issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration
requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities
Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This
press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the
solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as
“plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or
“does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words
and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be
achieved”. These forward-looking statements or information may
relate to the Transactions, including statements with respect to
the expected benefits of the Arrangement to the Latitude
Shareholders, the anticipated composition of the Company Board, the
anticipated mailing of the Latitude Circular and the date of the
Latitude Meeting, timing for closing of the Arrangement and
receiving the required regulatory, shareholders and court
approvals, stock exchange (including the CSE) and other approvals,
the ability of Latitude Uranium and ATHA to successfully close the
Arrangement on the timing and terms described herein, or at all,
the filing of materials on SEDAR+, the successful integration of
the businesses of Latitude Uranium and ATHA, the prospects of each
companies’ respective projects, the anticipated size of the
Concurrent Financing, the Company’s planned exploration program for
2024, and the pro forma ownership of the Company.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based
upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
management of Latitude Uranium at the time, are inherently subject
to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and
contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include,
but are not limited to, assumptions regarding the Company following
completion of the Arrangement, that the anticipated benefits of the
Arrangement will be realized, completion of the Arrangement,
including receipt of required shareholder, regulatory, court and
stock exchange approvals, the ability of Latitude Uranium and ATHA
to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing
of the Arrangement, other expectations and assumptions concerning
the Arrangement, and that general business and economic conditions
will not change in a material adverse manner. Although Latitude
Uranium has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not
place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Such statements represent the current views of
Latitude Uranium with respect to future events and are necessarily
based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while
considered reasonable by Latitude Uranium, are inherently subject
to significant business, economic, competitive, political and
social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following:
inability of Latitude Uranium and ATHA to complete the Arrangement,
a material adverse change in the timing of any completion and the
terms and conditions upon which the Arrangement is completed;
inability to satisfy or waive all conditions to closing the
Arrangement as set out in the Arrangement Agreement; the Latitude
Shareholders or ATHA Shareholders not approving the Arrangement;
the CSE not providing approval to the Arrangement and all required
matters related thereto; the inability of the Company to realize
the benefits anticipated from the Arrangement and the timing to
realize such benefits; unanticipated changes in market price for
Latitude Shares and/or ATHA Shares; changes to Latitudfe Uranius’s
and/or ATHA’s current and future business plans and the strategic
alternatives available thereto; treatment of the Arrangement under
applicable competition laws and the Investment Canada Act;
regulatory determinations and delays; any impacts of COVID-19 on
the business of the Company and the ability to advance the
Company’s projects; stock market conditions generally; demand,
supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political
conditions in Canada and other jurisdictions where the applicable
party conducts business. Other factors which could materially
affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk
factors in Latitude Uranium’s most recent annual information form
and other filings with the Canadian securities regulators which are
available under LUR’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Latitude Uranium does not undertake to update any forward-looking
information, except in accordance with applicable securities
laws.
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