Niogold adopts shareholder rights plan
posted on
Jan 17, 2012 01:35PM
The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Cadillac - Malartic - Val-d’Or region of the prolific Abitibi gold mining district Quebec.
January 04, 2012
Vancouver, BC, - Niogold Mining Corporation (TSX-V: NOX) (the "Company") announces that it has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Plan"), similar to existing shareholder rights plans adopted by other Canadian public companies.
The Company's Board has approved the Plan to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid for the Company. The Plan discourages discriminatory, coercive or unfair take-overs of the Company and gives the Company's Board of Directors time if, in the circumstances, the Board determines it is appropriate to take such time, to pursue alternatives to maximize shareholder value in the event an unsolicited take-over bid is made for all or a portion of the outstanding common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares").
In order to implement the adoption of the Plan, the Board authorized the issuance of one right (a "Right") in respect of each Common Share outstanding at the close of business on January 4, 2012 (the "Record Time"). In addition, the Board authorized the issuance of one Right in respect of each additional Common Share issued after the Record Time. The Rights trade with and are represented by Common Share certificates including certificates issued prior to the Record Time. Until such time as the Rights separate from the Common Shares and become exercisable, Rights certificates will not be distributed to shareholders.
If a person, or a group acting in concert, acquires (other than pursuant to an exemption available under the Plan) Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Plan) of 20% or more of the Common Shares, Rights (other than those held by such acquiring person which will become void) will separate from the Common Shares and permit the holder thereof to purchase Common Shares at a 50% discount to their market price. A person, or a group acting in concert, who is the Beneficial Owner (as defined in the Plan) of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares as of the Record Time is exempt from the dilutive effects of the Plan provided such person (or persons) does not increase its Beneficial Ownership by more than 1% (other than in accordance with the terms of the Plan). At any time prior to the Rights becoming exercisable, the Board may waive the operation of the Plan with respect to certain events before they occur.
The issuance of the Rights is not dilutive until the Rights separate from the underlying Common Shares and become exercisable or until the exercise of the Rights. The issuance of the Rights will not change the manner in which shareholders currently trade their Common Shares.
The Plan is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, and requires confirmation by the Company's shareholders on or before July 4, 2012, being within six months of the Plan's effective date. If the Plan is not confirmed by shareholders, the Plan and all outstanding Rights will terminate and be void and of no further force and effect.
The Plan is not being proposed in response to, or in contemplation of, any specific take-over bid for the Company. The Board did not adopt the Plan to prevent a take-over of the Company, to secure the continuance of management or the directors in their respective offices or to deter fair offers for the Common Shares.
NioGold Mining Corporation – « On Canada’s Golden Highway »
NioGold Mining Corporation is a mineral exploration company focused on GOLD. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Cadillac - Malartic - Val-d’Or stretch of the prolific Abitibi gold mining district, Province of Quebec, Canada. The Cadillac, Malartic and Val-d’Or mining camps have produced over 45 million ounces of gold since the 1930’s and presently encompasses seven producing gold mines and a major mine development project (Canadian Malartic, Osisko Mining). NioGold’s land holdings within the Abitibi presently cover 125 km2 and encompass three former gold producers, namely the Norlartic, Kierens (First Canadian), and Marban mines that collectively produced 600,000 ounces of gold. NioGold has outlined Indicated resources of 598,000 ounces gold and Inferred resources of 361,000 ounces gold in and around these deposits.
NioGold’s experienced and qualified technical team will ensure the successful advancement of the Company’s projects towards the highest quality mineral resources. NioGold invites you to visit the company website at www.niogold.com. For information on NioGold Mining Corporation contact:
Michael A. Iverson, Chairman & CEO
miverson@niogold.com
Tel: (604) 856-9887
Dale Paruk, Vice-President
dparuk@niogold.com
Tel: (604) 662-4505
Toll-free: (877) 642-6200