M&A is the name of the game: Juniors have the Goods and Majors have to pay to get them into the production pipeline. This is the kind of news strong shareholders of Orko Silver OK.v deserved in this market. Strong partner for development with 100% financing until production for 55% of the mine and PP above the market price. Will Pan American PAA.v become the consolidator in Mexican plays or Silver Standard SSRI will make its move now? On the plate are Fortuna Silver Mines FVI.v, Avino Silver and Gold Mines ASM.v, Esperanza Silver Corp. EPZ.v to name a few. With all those bail out money and debasing of Us dollar run away Inflation is in the cards, Gold and Silver will make its move before long and these prices will be remembered as bargains.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 14, 2009 -- Pan American Silver Corp. ("Pan American") (Toronto:PAA.TO - News)(NasdaqGS:PAAS - News) and Orko Silver Corp. ("Orko") (CDNX:OK.V - News) are pleased to announce that they have reached an agreement for the joint development of Orko Silver's La Preciosa silver project in the state of Durango, Mexico.
The Project
The La Preciosa silver project and adjacent mineral concessions of Santa Monica and San Juan, covers 32,422 hectares of contiguous mining claims on which Orko has already defined an indicated and inferred mineral resource. The indicated resource is estimated to comprise 10,637,000 tonnes, grading 185 grams of silver per tonne and 0.27 grams of gold per tonne, for a total of approximately 63,000,000 ounces of silver and 94,000 ounces of gold, while the inferred resource is estimated to comprise 12,087,000 tonnes, grading 185 grams of silver per tonne and 0.25 grams of gold per tonne, for a total of approximately 71,700,000 ounces of silver and 97,000 ounces of gold. The primary discovery is the Martha vein, which ranges from 2 to 40 meters in thickness and has been traced over 3.5 kilometers on strike. Martha remains open at depth and along strike, as do several other promising veins and earlier stage exploration targets within the remainder of the La Preciosa claims. For more details on the resource estimates, refer to the technical report by Mine Development Associates ("MDA") dated March 31, 2009. George Cavey, P.Geo., Orko's Vice-President, Exploration, is the Qualified Person who takes responsibility for the technical disclosure in this news release.
The Joint Venture Agreement
Pan American and Orko have agreed to form a joint venture to develop the La Preciosa project. Pan American will contribute its demonstrated mine development expertise, as well as 100% of the funds necessary to develop and construct an operating mine, in consideration for a 55% interest in the joint venture, while Orko will contribute its exploration expertise and the La Preciosa project and related concessions to retain a 45% interest.
Over the next 36 months, Pan American has agreed to spend an estimated US$16 million at La Preciosa to conduct resource definition drilling, acquire necessary surface rights, obtain permits, and ultimately prepare and deliver a feasibility study to maintain its interest in the Joint Venture. Furthermore, Pan American has agreed to spend a minimum of US$5.0 million in the first 12 months of the development program to maintain its interest in the Joint Venture, of which a minimum of US$2.5 million will be spent to continue to explore the highly prospective land package that Orko is contributing to the Joint Venture.
Key terms of the joint venture and the development strategy for La Preciosa include:
- Pan American will be the operator for the joint venture and has agreed to share with Orko all technical information relating to the development of La Preciosa,
- A joint venture Management Committee will be formed, with representation from both Orko and Pan American, which will be responsible for monitoring the project's development,
- Any mine construction decision and subsequent operating budgets will require the unanimous approval of the Management Committee,
- Pan American has agreed to a "standstill" with Orko for as long as the joint venture is in operation.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Geoff Burns, President and CEO of Pan American stated: "I am extremely pleased to be partnering with Orko Silver in the joint development of La Preciosa. Orko has done a first class job in defining a very significant silver resource and the project is at an ideal stage to take the next step towards future production. Having just completed the development and construction of two mines, we had been actively seeking opportunities to re-deploy our talented team of mine builders. The timing is right, the location is right and the resource seems right to allow for some real value creation and growth for both Pan American's and Orko's shareholders."
Mr. Gary Cope, President and CEO of Orko commented: "We have long believed in the value of La Preciosa and it is rewarding to know that Pan American has recognized that same potential by committing both its capital and human resources to the project. We believe that with further exploration we should be able to define a significantly larger silver resource. Most importantly, we have structured a Joint Venture which is truly an open partnership. Orko's shareholders will benefit from the financial capacity and extensive mine development expertise that Pan American brings to the joint venture. As such, this transaction significantly reduces the financing and dilution risk for our shareholders. We believe this will be a strategic advantage for Orko and we look forward to working closely with Pan American's team as La Preciosa moves toward production."
GMP Securities L.P. and BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisers to Orko and have both provided fairness opinions that the transaction is fair from a financial point of view.
Private Placement
Coincident with the formation of the La Preciosa joint venture, Pan American has also agreed to purchase, on a private placement basis, 4,000,000 common shares of Orko at a purchase price of CDN $1.25 per share. Pan American's investment in Orko's common shares is subject to certain anti-dilution and pre-emptive rights to participate in future financings of Orko. The price represents a premium to the current market price and further reflects Pan American's confidence in the value of the project. The private placement is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.
About Pan American Silver
Pan American Silver's mission is to be the world's largest and lowest cost primary silver mining company, and to achieve this by increasing its low cost silver production and its silver reserves. The Company has eight operating silver mines in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
About Orko Silver
Orko Silver Corp. is developing one of the world's largest primary silver deposits, La Preciosa, located near the city of Durango, in Durango State, Mexico.
The Project
The La Preciosa silver project and adjacent mineral concessions of Santa Monica and San Juan, covers 32,422 hectares of contiguous mining claims on which Orko has already defined an indicated and inferred mineral resource. The indicated resource is estimated to comprise 10,637,000 tonnes, grading 185 grams of silver per tonne and 0.27 grams of gold per tonne, for a total of approximately 63,000,000 ounces of silver and 94,000 ounces of gold, while the inferred resource is estimated to comprise 12,087,000 tonnes, grading 185 grams of silver per tonne and 0.25 grams of gold per tonne, for a total of approximately 71,700,000 ounces of silver and 97,000 ounces of gold. The primary discovery is the Martha vein, which ranges from 2 to 40 meters in thickness and has been traced over 3.5 kilometers on strike. Martha remains open at depth and along strike, as do several other promising veins and earlier stage exploration targets within the remainder of the La Preciosa claims. For more details on the resource estimates, refer to the technical report by Mine Development Associates ("MDA") dated March 31, 2009. George Cavey, P.Geo., Orko's Vice-President, Exploration, is the Qualified Person who takes responsibility for the technical disclosure in this news release.
The Joint Venture Agreement
Pan American and Orko have agreed to form a joint venture to develop the La Preciosa project. Pan American will contribute its demonstrated mine development expertise, as well as 100% of the funds necessary to develop and construct an operating mine, in consideration for a 55% interest in the joint venture, while Orko will contribute its exploration expertise and the La Preciosa project and related concessions to retain a 45% interest.
Over the next 36 months, Pan American has agreed to spend an estimated US$16 million at La Preciosa to conduct resource definition drilling, acquire necessary surface rights, obtain permits, and ultimately prepare and deliver a feasibility study to maintain its interest in the Joint Venture. Furthermore, Pan American has agreed to spend a minimum of US$5.0 million in the first 12 months of the development program to maintain its interest in the Joint Venture, of which a minimum of US$2.5 million will be spent to continue to explore the highly prospective land package that Orko is contributing to the Joint Venture.
Key terms of the joint venture and the development strategy for La Preciosa include:
- Pan American will be the operator for the joint venture and has agreed to share with Orko all technical information relating to the development of La Preciosa,
- A joint venture Management Committee will be formed, with representation from both Orko and Pan American, which will be responsible for monitoring the project's development,
- Any mine construction decision and subsequent operating budgets will require the unanimous approval of the Management Committee,
- Pan American has agreed to a "standstill" with Orko for as long as the joint venture is in operation.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Geoff Burns, President and CEO of Pan American stated: "I am extremely pleased to be partnering with Orko Silver in the joint development of La Preciosa. Orko has done a first class job in defining a very significant silver resource and the project is at an ideal stage to take the next step towards future production. Having just completed the development and construction of two mines, we had been actively seeking opportunities to re-deploy our talented team of mine builders. The timing is right, the location is right and the resource seems right to allow for some real value creation and growth for both Pan American's and Orko's shareholders."
Mr. Gary Cope, President and CEO of Orko commented: "We have long believed in the value of La Preciosa and it is rewarding to know that Pan American has recognized that same potential by committing both its capital and human resources to the project. We believe that with further exploration we should be able to define a significantly larger silver resource. Most importantly, we have structured a Joint Venture which is truly an open partnership. Orko's shareholders will benefit from the financial capacity and extensive mine development expertise that Pan American brings to the joint venture. As such, this transaction significantly reduces the financing and dilution risk for our shareholders. We believe this will be a strategic advantage for Orko and we look forward to working closely with Pan American's team as La Preciosa moves toward production."
GMP Securities L.P. and BMO Capital Markets acted as financial advisers to Orko and have both provided fairness opinions that the transaction is fair from a financial point of view.
Private Placement
Coincident with the formation of the La Preciosa joint venture, Pan American has also agreed to purchase, on a private placement basis, 4,000,000 common shares of Orko at a purchase price of CDN $1.25 per share. Pan American's investment in Orko's common shares is subject to certain anti-dilution and pre-emptive rights to participate in future financings of Orko. The price represents a premium to the current market price and further reflects Pan American's confidence in the value of the project. The private placement is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.
About Pan American Silver
Pan American Silver's mission is to be the world's largest and lowest cost primary silver mining company, and to achieve this by increasing its low cost silver production and its silver reserves. The Company has eight operating silver mines in Mexico, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.
About Orko Silver
Orko Silver Corp. is developing one of the world's largest primary silver deposits, La Preciosa, located near the city of Durango, in Durango State, Mexico.
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