Coeur Completes Due Diligence Companies Committed to Closing Transaction in Fourth Quarter of 2007
Last Update: 8:51 AM ET Jul 3, 2007
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho & SYDNEY, Australia & LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Jul 03, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (CDE: Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation) (CA:CDM) , Bolnisi Gold NL (ASX:BSG) and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (TSX VENTURE:PJO) today announced that Coeur has completed its due diligence under the terms of the Merger Implementation Agreement with Bolnisi and that the companies expect to complete the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The Joint Operating Committee has completed its work and a Project Development Committee responsible for daily management of the mine's construction consisting of professional staff from Coeur, Bolnisi and Palmarejo has been established. The companies have agreed to appoint an interim project manager to be a senior Coeur executive with substantial development and operational expertise.
While the initial focus will be to develop the Rosario deposit using open pit mining methods, the Project Development Committee will complete a pre-feasibility study by the end of August, which will include a combined open-pit and underground mine development scenario.
Based on a recently-completed scoping study and optimization work for this combined open-pit and underground mine development, the total estimated capital costs to bring the Palmarejo Project into production, including pre-stripping, underground development, mining fleet, power line, ongoing permitting, owner's costs and contingency, will be approximately US$200 million and initial production from open pit mining is expected in the fourth quarter of 2008.
"We are pleased to have completed the due diligence process, and continue to believe that this transaction is in the best interests of Coeur's shareholders," said Dennis E. Wheeler, Coeur's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "With this transaction, the companies are establishing the new Coeur as the clear leader in the silver mining industry with the addition of this world-class silver/gold asset located in Mexico. In addition, we believe the combined company's balance sheet will sufficiently fund all three of our major development projects over the next two years -- San Bartolome, Kensington, and Palmarejo -- without a need to further access the capital markets."
Norman A. Seckold, Chairman of Bolnisi and Palmarejo, said, "We continue to be very excited about this transaction, as it provides our shareholders with the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of what we believe will be the world's premier silver company. By leveraging Coeur's expertise in underground and open cut project development, we expect to realize the full value of the Palmarejo Project."
The companies expect to begin mailing information to Coeur, Bolnisi, and Palmarejo shareholders in September. All three companies' shareholder meetings are expected to be held in October. Assuming timely completion of the required regulatory processes and receipt of the required shareholder and court approvals, the companies expect the transaction to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2007.
About Coeur d'Alene Mines
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation is one of the world's leading primary silver producers and a growing gold producer. The company has mining interests in Alaska, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Nevada, and Tanzania.
About Bolnisi
Bolnisi Gold NL is an Australia-based company engaged in mining and exploration for gold and minerals. The Company's activities are all Mexican precious metals operations with an existing portfolio of projects, which include the Palmarejo Silver-Gold project (including Trogan), Chihuahua; the Yecora Gold-Silver project, Sonora, and the El Realito Gold-Silver project, Chihuahua.
About Palmarejo
Palmarejo Silver And Gold Corporation is a silver/gold exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "PJO." Palmarejo's principal activity is to explore and develop gold and silver properties located in the Temoris District of Chihuahua, Mexico within the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range.