Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) (OTC: NEVDF) (FSE: ZYTA) (“Nevada
Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it
has agreed to non-binding terms with its senior lender, KfW
IPEX-Bank (“
KfW’) and its largest shareholder,
Pala Investments Limited (“
Pala”), for a loan of
up to US$70 million, by way of a new tranche extension to the
existing senior credit facility with KfW. This funding would be
provided by Pala, with the potential participation of other
lenders. Of the total amount, US$50 million will be committed to be
advanced by the lenders (including the outstanding amount of the
previously announced up to US$20 million promissory note provided
by Pala) and US$20 million may be available for future draw by the
Company on an uncommitted basis. The Company is in ongoing
discussions with KfW, Pala and other lenders with the aim of
executing binding agreements during the month of July 2022.
If implemented, the proposed financing package
will provide access to significant further liquidity for the
Company to maintain the assets at the Pumpkin Hollow underground
copper mine (the “Underground Mine”) and pursue
certain projects such as completing the dike crossing and advancing
open pit project feasibility study work, and to explore and advance
discussions on further financing and strategic options.
The proposed financing package is subject to,
amongst other things, negotiation of the terms with KfW, Pala and
the Company’s other lenders, negotiation and execution of
definitive documentation, satisfaction of conditions precedent and
regulatory approval. The consent of certain of the Company’s other
lenders will be required with respect to the financing package
(including consent from the Company’s working capital provider and
stream financer), and there can be no assurance that such consents
will be obtained.
While negotiating the financing package, the
Company intends to make further draws under the previously
disclosed US$20 million promissory note from Pala in order to meet
its immediate cash needs. Further draws under the promissory note
are subject to agreed use of proceeds and satisfactory arrangements
being reached with certain creditors and vendors (which may not be
reached).
There can be no assurance that the definitive
binding agreements for the proposed financing package as outlined
above will be entered into, relevant consents can be obtained, that
the transactions will be completed, or that further draws under the
Pala promissory note will be available. If further draws are not
available, the financing package is not completed, or satisfactory
arrangements are not implemented with vendors, then absent
obtaining other financing and/or making such other arrangements,
the Company will not be able to continue carrying on business in
the ordinary course and may need to pursue proceedings for creditor
protection. The Company’s creditors may also seek to commence
enforcement action, including realizing on their security over the
Company’s assets.
As previously announced, in light of the
Company’s liquidity constraints, the Company has not made payments
that were due to certain creditors and vendors, including its
mining contractor Redpath. As a result, the Company has received a
notice of default from Redpath, which has indicated that it intends
to pursue its available remedies. Despite the default, the Company
and Redpath have reached agreement on the suspension of mining work
at the Underground Project and the limited work to be completed
going forward in order to protect the Company’s assets.
About Nevada Copper
Nevada Copper (TSX: NCU) is a copper producer
and owner of the Pumpkin Hollow copper project. Located in Nevada,
USA, Pumpkin Hollow has substantial reserves and resources
including copper, gold and silver. Its two fully permitted projects
include the high-grade Underground Mine and processing facility,
which is now in the production stage, and a large-scale open pit
project, which is advancing towards feasibility status.
Randy BuffingtonPresident &
CEO
For additional information, please see the
Company’s website at www.nevadacopper.com, or contact:
Tracey Thom | Vice President,
IR and Community Relationstthom@nevadacopper.com+1 775 391 9029
Cautionary Language on Forward Looking
StatementsThis news release contains “forward-looking
information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of
applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news
release, other than statements of historical facts, are
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information and
forward-looking statements specifically include, but are not
limited to, statements that relate to financing requirements,
reaching agreement on obtaining additional financing from KfW, Pala
and other lenders, including obtaining consent from the Company’s
lenders for the financing package discussed above, reaching
satisfactory arrangements with vendors, and creditor protection
proceedings.
Forward-looking statements and information
include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of
management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words
such as “plans”, “expects”, “potential”, “is expected”,
“anticipated”, “is targeted”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”,
“forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or the
negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or
statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”,
“would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements or information should not be read as
guarantees of future performance and results. They are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may
cause the actual results and events to be materially different from
any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements or information.
Such risks and uncertainties include, without
limitation, those relating to: requirements for additional capital
and no assurance can be given regarding the availability thereof;
the outcome of discussions with creditors and vendors; potential
creditor protection proceedings; the ability of the Company to
complete the ramp-up of the Underground Mine within the expected
cost estimates and timeframe; the impact of COVID-19 on the
business and operations of the Company; the state of financial
markets; history of losses; dilution; adverse events relating to
milling operations, construction, development and ramp-up,
including the ability of the Company to address underground
development and process plant issues; ground conditions; cost
overruns relating to development, construction and ramp-up of the
Underground Mine; loss of material properties; interest rates
increase; global economy; limited history of production; future
metals price fluctuations; speculative nature of exploration
activities; periodic interruptions to exploration, development and
mining activities; environmental hazards and liability; industrial
accidents; failure of processing and mining equipment to perform as
expected; labour disputes; supply problems; uncertainty of
production and cost estimates; the interpretation of drill results
and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves; changes in
project parameters as plans continue to be refined; possible
variations in ore reserves, grade of mineralization or recovery
rates from management’s expectations and the difference may be
material; legal and regulatory proceedings and community actions;
accidents; title matters; regulatory approvals and restrictions;
increased costs and physical risks relating to climate change,
including extreme weather events, and new or revised regulations
relating to climate change; permitting and licensing; dependence on
management information systems and cyber security risks; volatility
of the market price of the Company’s securities; insurance;
competition; hedging activities; currency fluctuations; loss of key
employees; other risks of the mining industry as well as those
risks discussed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and
Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the
quarter ended March 31, 2022 and in the section entitled “Risk
Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31,
2022. The forward-looking statements and information contained in
this press release are based upon assumptions management believes
to be reasonable, including, without limitation: no adverse
developments in respect of the property or operations at the
project; no material changes to applicable laws; the ramp-up of
operations at the Underground Mine in accordance with management’s
plans and expectations; no worsening of the current COVID-19
related work restrictions; reduced impacts of COVID-19 going
forward; the Company will be able to obtain sufficient additional
funding to complete the ramp-up, no material adverse change to the
price of copper from current levels; and the absence of any other
factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from
those anticipated, estimated or intended.
The forward-looking information and statements
are stated as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent
or obligation to update forward-looking statements or information
except as required by law. Although the Company has attempted to
identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events,
or results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking information and statements, there may be other
factors that could cause actions, events or results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. Specific reference is made to
“Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and
Analysis in respect of the year ended December 31, 2021 and the
quarter ended March 31, 2022 and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s
Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2022, for a discussion of
factors that may affect forward-looking statements and information.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
should other risks or uncertainties materialize or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and events
may vary materially from those described in forward-looking
statements and information. For more information on the Company and
the risks and challenges of its business, investors should review
the Company’s filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
The Company provides no assurance that
forward-looking statements and information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements or
information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements or information.
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