Equinox Gold said it will acquire all the issued and outstanding common shares of Calibre Mining as part of a court-approved plan of arrangement. The merger will create the second largest gold producer in Canada.
The combined company will continue under the name “Equinox Gold Corp.” Its implied market capitalization is estimated at C$7.7 billion.
“This merger represents a transformative step forward for both Equinox and Calibre, bringing together two complementary companies with strong production, growth potential, operational expertise, and a shared commitment to responsible mining,” said Greg Smith, president and CEO of Equinox.
“By combining our assets, teams, and financial strength, we are creating a leading Americas-focused gold producer with enhanced scale, resilience, and the ability to generate significant long-term value for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
The new Equinox Gold is expected to produce 950,000 ounces of gold this year, not including production from the Valentine gold mine in Newfoundland & Labrador or Los Filos in Mexico. The combined company has the potential to produce more than 1.2 million oz. of gold per year with the Greenstone mine in Ontario and Valentine operating at capacity. Additionally, it will have a large gold endowment of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, and a highly prospective pipeline of development, expansion and exploration projects for low-risk sustainable growth.
Upon closing of the transaction, management of the combined operations will include executives from both Equinox and Calibre, with Equinox’s current President and CEO Greg Smith, remaining as chief executive officer and Calibre’s current President and CEO Darren Hall, joining management as president and chief operating officer of New Equinox Gold.
The board of directors of the combined company will consist of ten directors, with Ross Beaty as chair, along with five additional directors from Equinox, including Greg Smith, and four directors from Calibre, including Doug Forster and Blayne Johnson.
Source: Equinox Gold