Acquisition(s)
Medoro Announces Acquisition of Andina Minerals Inc. and
Saleof Furtei Operation to Sargold Resource Corporation
TORONTO, June 7 /CNW/ - Medoro Resources Ltd. (TSX-V/AIM: MRL) ('Medoro')
is pleased to announce it has agreed to acquire all of the shares of Andina
Minerals Inc. ('Andina') by issuing 25 million common shares of Medoro to
Andina's shareholders. Separately, Medoro has reached an agreement to sell its
interest in the Furtei operation to Sargold Resource Corporation ('Sargold').
The Furtei sale price includes a series of cash payments over thirty months
amounting to (euro) 6 million, the assumption by Sargold of a maximum of
(euro) 2 million in liabilities and Cdn $1 million in Sargold common shares to
be priced and issued thirty months after closing.
Andina is a privately-held exploration company, managed by former senior
Toronto management and senior Chilean exploration staff of TVX Gold Inc.,
which has a portfolio of seven gold, silver and copper properties in Chile.
The projects include the Encrucijada epithermal gold-silver project under
option from Minera Newmont (Chile) Limitada; the Volcan gold project, located
20 kilometers north of the Refugio mine, where previous drilling has
intersected a significant zone of gold mineralization; and, the Gitana copper
project which has been the focus of small-scale surface and underground mining
for the past 30 years but which has never undergone a systematic exploration
program.
The Andina transaction is expected to close by June 30, 2004 but may be
extended by mutual agreement. The acquisition is subject to acceptance by
Andina's shareholders. Other joint conditions precedent to closing the
transaction include: a) completion of satisfactory legal due diligence,
b) execution of definitive agreements, and c) receipt of all required
regulatory approvals.
Medoro has entered into an agreement whereby Sargold can acquire Medoro's
90% interest in the Furtei operation in Sardegna, Italy including the
processing plant, all mining equipment, and all exploration and mine data. In
addition to Furtei, the Scanu di Montefero gold exploration property is
included in this transaction. Medoro will retain a sliding scale net smelter
return royalty interest in any gold production from the properties varying
from 1% when the price of gold is less than US$350 per ounce to 3% if gold is
greater than $450 per ounce. This agreement is subject to regulatory approval
and completion of final due diligence by Sargold. The Sargold transaction is
expected to close within 90 days.
Upon completion of the Andina acquisition, Mr. T. Sean Harvey, Chairman
of Andina, will become Chairman, President and CEO of Medoro. Giuseppe Pozzo,
currently President of Medoro commenting on the transactions stated, 'The
combination of Andina's portfolio of exploration projects in Chile and
Medoro's projects in partnership with a subsidiary of Gold Fields Ltd. in
Sardegna is tremendously exciting. The time was right to bring in a new team
and create the critical mass necessary to, not only bring our current projects
to fruition, but also to allow us to take advantage of new opportunities.
We are very pleased that Sean Harvey has accepted the task of guiding
Medoro on a go-forward basis and know he will work exceptionally hard to
create shareholder value.'
Following completion of these transactions, Medoro will have:
- An agreement with Gold Fields to sole-fund exploration of Monte
Ollasteddu and all other properties in Sardegna through bankable
feasibility study
- A portfolio of seven exciting gold, silver and copper exploration
properties and an experienced and established exploration team in
Chile
- An experienced, entrepreneurial management team led by Sean Harvey
At Monte Ollasteddu, Gold Fields has commenced fieldwork and expects to
begin drilling by the end of the month.
Mr. Harvey, currently Chairman of Andina, was President and CEO of
TVX Gold Inc. at the time of its sale to Kinross Gold Inc. in 2003.
Subsequently, Mr. Harvey was President and CEO of Atlantico Gold, a private
Brazilian mining company involved in the development of the Amapari Project
that was sold to Wheaton River Minerals Inc. in early 2004. Joining Mr. Harvey
will be Mike Hodgson, Vice President and COO and Carl Hansen as Vice President
Exploration. Both of these individuals have strong technical backgrounds and
over 20 years of international mining experience. Michael Davies will continue
in his capacity as Chief Financial Officer.
'These transactions, combined with the new management team, will lay the
foundation for a new and exciting mining company,' said Mr. Harvey, 'that will
seek to maximize shareholder value through aggressive value added growth.'
Concurrent with the acquisition, Medoro will use its best efforts to
raise approximately Cdn $15 million in new equity. GMP Securities Inc. will
act as lead broker for this placement. The financing is expected to close
prior to, or concurrently with, the closing of the Andina acquisition;
however, the financing is not a condition of the acquisition.
Medoro also announces that, effective immediately, Canaccord Capital
(Europe) Limited has been appointed its Nominated Adviser and Stockbroker.
For further information: Medoro Resources Ltd., Peter Volk, Assistant
Secretary, (416) 603-4653, info(at)medororesources.com; Andina Minerals Inc.,
T. Sean Harvey, Chairman, (416) 435-0570
(MRL.)