It will be interesting to see if G takes a stab at Rubicon now that Agnico is taking a piece. Just like when they took a position in GEA before Goldcorp snapped them up for $1.5 billion.

Rubicon Minerals arranges $70 M financing with Agnico

Rubicon Minerals Corp (C:RMX)
Shares Issued 214,391,771
Last Close 7/26/2011 $3.24
Wednesday July 27 2011 - News Release

Mr. Bill Cavalluzzo reports

RUBICON MINERALS ANNOUNCES C$70,000,000 STRATEGIC INVESTMENT BY AGNICO-EAGLE MINES LIMITED

Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. today entered into a subscription agreement under which Agnico-Eagle will make an investment of $70-million in Rubicon Minerals Corp. by way of a non-brokered private placement of common shares.

Under the terms of the subscription agreement, Agnico-Eagle will purchase a total of 21,671,827 common shares at C$3.23 per common share, for proceeds to Rubicon Minerals of approximately C$70,000,000. As a result of the private placement, Agnico-Eagle will own 9.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of Rubicon Minerals. Agnico-Eagle has also been granted rights that allow it, at its election, to participate in certain subsequent issuances by the Company in order to maintain its level of ownership in the Company. The closing of the private placement is expected to occur on or about July 28, 2011 and is subject to customary closing conditions. Both respective boards of directors have approved the transaction. The proceeds will be used for additional drilling, studies, testing and other development work in connection with the F2 Gold System at the Phoenix Gold Project.

The parties have also agreed to negotiate a technical services agreement that will provide Rubicon Minerals access to Agnico-Eagle's geological and engineering mining team which will greatly benefit Rubicon Minerals as it further develops the F2 Gold System.

Sean Boyd, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Agnico-Eagle commented, "Our strategic investment highlights Rubicon's good work in the Red Lake Gold Camp. This transaction is consistent with our approach of investing in prospective opportunities in supportive and welcoming mining jurisdictions. We look forward to participating in the development of the Phoenix Gold Project".

David Adamson, President and CEO of Rubicon Minerals commented, "We are very pleased to welcome Agnico-Eagle, a company with extensive expertise in the development of underground mines, as a strategic shareholder. Their investment represents a significant validation of our efforts to date and recognizes the development potential of our Phoenix Gold Project."

© 2011 Canjex Publishing Ltd.