GOLD FIELDS LIMITED AND YAMANA GOLD INC. ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT May 31, 2022
Exhibit 99.1
Execution Version
GOLD FIELDS LIMITED
AND
May 31, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1 INTERPRETATION | 1 | ||
1.1 | Definitions | 1 | |
1.2 | Interpretation not Affected by Headings | 21 | |
1.3 | Number and Gender | 22 | |
1.4 | Date for any Action | 22 | |
1.5 | Currency | 22 | |
1.6 | Accounting Matters | 22 | |
1.7 | Knowledge | 22 | |
1.8 | Affiliates and Subsidiaries | 22 | |
1.9 | Statutes | 23 | |
1.10 | Disclosure Letters | 23 | |
1.11 | Schedules | 23 | |
Article 2 THE ARRANGEMENT | 23 | ||
2.1 | Arrangement | 23 | |
2.2 | Gold Fields Approval | 24 | |
2.3 | Yamana Approval | 24 | |
2.4 | Interim Order | 24 | |
2.5 | Yamana Meeting | 25 | |
2.6 | Gold Fields Meeting | 27 | |
2.7 | Yamana Circular | 28 | |
2.8 | Gold Fields Circular | 30 | |
2.9 | Final Order | 32 | |
2.10 | Court Proceedings | 32 | |
2.11 | U.S. Securities Law Matters | 33 | |
2.12 | Arrangement and Effective Date | 34 | |
2.13 | Payment of Consideration | 34 | |
2.14 | Announcement and Shareholder Communications | 34 | |
2.15 | Withholding Taxes | 35 | |
2.16 | U.S. Tax Matters | 35 | |
2.17 | Adjustment of Consideration | 36 | |
Article 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF YAMANA | 36 | ||
3.1 | Representations and Warranties | 36 | |
3.2 | Disclaimer | 36 | |
3.3 | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 36 | |
Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GOLD FIELDS | 37 | ||
4.1 | Representations and Warranties | 37 | |
4.2 | Disclaimer | 37 | |
4.3 | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 37 |
-ii- |
Article 5 COVENANTS | 37 | ||
5.1 | Covenants of Yamana Regarding the Conduct of Business | 37 | |
5.2 | Covenants of Gold Fields Regarding the Conduct of Business | 42 | |
5.3 | Covenants Relating to the Consideration Shares | 44 | |
5.4 | Covenants of Gold Fields Regarding Blue-Sky Laws | 44 | |
5.5 | Mutual Covenants of the Parties Relating to the Arrangement | 44 | |
5.6 | Covenants Relating to Yamana Employment Matters | 45 | |
5.7 | Regulatory Approvals | 46 | |
5.8 | Certain Yamana Covenants Regarding Non-Solicitation | 48 | |
5.9 | Certain Gold Fields Covenants Regarding Non-Solicitation | 53 | |
5.10 | Access to Information; Confidentiality | 58 | |
5.11 | Insurance and Indemnification | 59 | |
5.12 | Pre-Acquisition Reorganization | 60 | |
Article 6 CONDITIONS | 61 | ||
6.1 | Mutual Conditions Precedent | 61 | |
6.2 | Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Gold Fields | 62 | |
6.3 | Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Yamana | 63 | |
6.4 | Satisfaction of Conditions | 64 | |
6.5 | Notice and Cure Provisions | 64 | |
6.6 | Frustration of Conditions | 65 | |
Article 7 TERM, TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER | 65 | ||
7.1 | Term | 65 | |
7.2 | Termination | 65 | |
7.3 | Termination Fees | 67 | |
7.4 | Amendment | 70 | |
7.5 | Waiver | 70 | |
Article 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS | 70 | ||
8.1 | Notices | 70 | |
8.2 | Governing Law | 72 | |
8.3 | Injunctive Relief | 72 | |
8.4 | Time of Essence | 73 | |
8.5 | Entire Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment | 73 | |
8.6 | No Personal Liability | 73 | |
8.7 | Severability | 73 | |
8.8 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 73 | |
8.9 | Third Party Beneficiaries | 74 | |
8.10 | Counterparts, Execution | 74 |
Schedule A Form of Plan of Arrangement | A-1 |
Schedule B Form of Arrangement Resolution | B-1 |
Schedule C Form of Gold Fields Resolutions | C-1 |
Schedule D Key Regulatory Approvals | D-1 |
Schedule 3.1 Representations and Warranties of YAMANA | 3.1-1 |
Schedule 4.1 Representations and Warranties of GOLD FIELDS | 4.1-1 |
THIS ARRANGEMENT AGREEMENT is made as of May 31, 2022
BETWEEN:
GOLD FIELDS LIMITED, a public company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa (“Gold Fields”)
- and –
YAMANA GOLD INC., a corporation existing under the federal laws of Canada (“Yamana”)
RECITALS:
A. | Gold Fields proposes to indirectly acquire all of the outstanding Yamana Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, as provided in this Agreement; |
B. | The Yamana Board has unanimously determined, after having received financial and legal advice, that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Xxxxxx and has unanimously resolved, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to recommend that the Yamana Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution; |
C. | The Gold Fields Board has unanimously determined, after having received financial and legal advice, that the Arrangement is in the best interests of Gold Fields and has unanimously resolved, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to recommend that the Gold Fields Shareholders vote in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions. |
THEREFORE, the Parties agree as follows:
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 | Definitions |
Whenever used in this Agreement (including the recitals), the following words and terms have the meanings set out below:
“Advance Ruling Certificate” means an advance ruling certificate issued by the Commissioner pursuant to Section 102 of the Competition Act in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such advance ruling certificate having not been modified or withdrawn prior to the Effective Time;
“Agreement” means this arrangement agreement, including all schedules annexed hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof;
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“Arrangement” means the arrangement of Xxxxxx under Section 192 of the CBCA on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Interim Order or Final Order with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably;
“Arrangement Resolution” means the special resolution of Yamana Shareholders approving the Arrangement which is to be considered at the Yamana Meeting, substantially in the form of Schedule B hereto;
“Articles of Arrangement” means the articles of arrangement of Xxxxxx to be filed in accordance with the CBCA evidencing the Arrangement;
“Authorization” means, with respect to any Person, any authorization, order, permit, approval, grant, licence, registration, consent, right (including any prospecting or mining right), notification, condition, franchise, privilege, certificate, judgment, writ, injunction, award, determination, direction, decision, decree, by-law, rule or regulation, of, from or required by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the Person;
“Base Premium” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.11(a);
“Breaching Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 6.5(c);
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a statutory or civic holiday in the Province of Ontario, the State of New York or in South Africa;
“Canadian Securities Authorities” means the securities commission or other securities regulatory authority of each province and territory of Canada;
“Canadian Securities Laws” means the Securities Act, together with all other applicable securities Laws, rules and regulations and published policies thereunder or under the securities laws of any other province or territory of Canada;
“CBCA” means the Canada Business Corporations Act;
“Certificate of Arrangement” means the certificate giving effect to the Arrangement issued by the Director pursuant to Section 192(7) of the CBCA;
“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Competition appointed under subsection 7(1) of the Competition Act and includes any Person designated by the Commissioner to act on his behalf;
“Competition Act” means the Competition Act (Canada) and the regulations promulgated thereunder;
“Competition Act Approval” means that, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either (a) the applicable waiting period under subsection 123(1) of the Competition Act shall have expired or been terminated in accordance with subsection 123(2) of the Competition Act or the obligation to provide a pre-merger notification in accordance with Part IX of the Competition Act shall have been waived in accordance with subsection 113(c) of the Competition Act, and the Commissioner shall have issued a No Action Letter; or (b) the Commissioner shall have issued an Advance Ruling Certificate;
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“Confidentiality Agreement” means the confidentiality agreement between Gold Fields and Xxxxxx dated February 9, 2022;
“Consideration” means, for each Yamana Share, the number of Consideration Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio;
“Consideration Shares” means the Gold Fields Shares and the Gold Fields ADSs to be issued as Consideration pursuant to the Arrangement;
“Contract” means any contract, agreement, license, franchise, lease, arrangement, commitment, understanding, joint venture, partnership or other right or obligation (written or oral) to which a Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of their respective properties or assets is subject;
“Court” means the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List);
“COVID-19” means the coronavirus disease 2019 (commonly referred to as COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and/or any other virus or disease developing from or arising as a result of SARS-CoV-2 and/or COVID-19;
“COVID-19 Measures” means commercially reasonable measures undertaken by Gold Fields or Yamana or any of their respective Subsidiaries to comply with any quarantine, “shelter in place”, “stay at home”, workforce reduction, social distancing, curfew, shut down, closure, sequester, travel restrictions or any other applicable Laws, or any other similar directives, guidelines or recommendations issued by any Governmental Entity in connection with or in response to COVID-19;
“COVID-19 Returns” means any and all returns, reports, records, calculations, declarations, elections, attestations, notices, forms, designations, filings and statements filed or required to be filed, or required to be kept on file, in respect of any COVID-19 Subsidy;
“COVID-19 Subsidy” means the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, and any other COVID-19 related direct or indirect wage, rent or other subsidy or loan offered by a federal, provincial, territorial, state, local or foreign Governmental Entity;
“Depositary” means any Person that Xxxxxx may appoint to act as depositary for the Yamana Shares in relation to the Arrangement, with the approval of Gold Fields, acting reasonably;
“Deposit Agreement” means the Deposit Agreement dated February 2, 1998, as amended and restated as of May 21, 2002, among Gold Fields, the Bank of New York Mellon and all owners and beneficial owners of Gold Fields ADRs;
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“Director” means the Director appointed pursuant to Section 260 of the CBCA;
“Disclosing Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.7(f);
“Dissent Rights” has the meaning given to it in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Effective Date” means the date upon which the Arrangement becomes effective, as set out in Section 2.12, which will be the date shown in the Certificate of Arrangement;
“Effective Time” means the time on the Effective Date that the Arrangement becomes effective, as set out in the Plan of Arrangement;
“Environmental Laws” means all applicable Laws relating to pollution or the protection or quality of the environment or to the Release of Hazardous Substances to the environment and all Authorizations issued pursuant to such Laws;
“Exchange Ratio” means, for each Yamana Share, 0.600 of a Consideration Share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.17;
“FCA” means the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom, in its capacity as the competent authority for the purposes of Part VI of FSMA and the FSA;
“FSA” means the UK Financial Services Xxx 0000, as amended from time to time;
“FSMA” means the Financial Services and Markets Xxx 0000, as amended from time to time;
“Final Order” means the final order of the Court pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA, in form and substance acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably, after a hearing upon the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, approving the Arrangement, as such order may be amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably) at any time prior to the Effective Date or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or as amended on appeal (provided that any such affirmation, amendment, modification, supplement or variation is acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably);
“Furnishing Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.10(a);
“Gold Fields 2012 Share Plan” means the Gold Fields share plan dated May 22, 2012, as amended;
“Gold Fields 2015 MSR Policy” means the Gold Fields minimum shareholder requirement policy dated November 2015;
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“Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal” means, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and other than any transaction involving only Gold Fields and/or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, any offer, proposal, expression of interest or inquiry from, or public announcement of intention by, any Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act) of Persons (other than Yamana or any affiliate of Yamana), whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to Gold Fields Shareholders, relating to: (a) any acquisition or purchase (or any lease, joint venture or any other arrangement having the same economic effect as an acquisition or purchase), direct or indirect, through one or more transactions, of (i) the assets of Gold Fields and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenue of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Gold Fields), or (ii) 20% or more of any voting or equity securities of Gold Fields or 20% or more of any voting or equity securities of any one or more of Gold Fields’ Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenues or constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Gold Fields); (b) any direct or indirect take-over bid, tender offer, exchange offer, treasury issuance or other transaction that, if consummated, would result in such Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act) of Persons beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of voting or equity securities (and/or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for voting or equity securities) of Gold Fields; (c) a plan or scheme of arrangement, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, share exchange, share reclassification, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other similar transaction or series of transactions involving Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenue of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Gold Fields); or (d) any other transaction, the consummation of which would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement;
“Gold Fields ADSs” means the Gold Fields American depositary shares, evidenced by the Gold Fields ADRs, each representing an interest in one Gold Fields Share in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement;
“Gold Fields ADRs” means the Gold Fields American depositary receipts evidencing the Gold Fields ADSs;
“Gold Fields Assets” means all of the assets, properties, permits, rights or other privileges (whether contractual or otherwise) owned, leased or otherwise used or held by Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries;
“Gold Fields Board” means the board of directors of Gold Fields as the same is constituted from time to time;
“Gold Fields Board Recommendation” has the meaning given to it in Section 2.8(c);
“Gold Fields Change in Recommendation” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.9(a)(iv);
“Gold Fields Circular” means, collectively, the notice of the Gold Fields Meeting and accompanying circular, including all schedules, appendices and exhibits thereto and enclosures therewith, to be sent to Gold Fields Shareholders in connection with the Gold Fields Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;
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“Gold Fields Data Room” means the material contained in the virtual data room established by Gold Fields as at 8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on May 30, 2022, the index of documents of which is appended to the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter;
“Gold Fields Disclosure Letter” means the confidential disclosure letter dated the date of this Agreement executed and delivered by Gold Fields to Yamana in connection with the execution of this Agreement;
“Gold Fields Incentive Plans” means the Gold Fields 2012 Share Plan and the Gold Fields 2015 MSR Policy;
“Gold Fields Matching Shares” means a matching share issued under any of the Gold Fields Incentive Plans;
“Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect” means a Material Adverse Effect in relation to Gold Fields;
“Gold Fields Material Contract” means the Contracts filed by Gold Fields with the SEC in Gold Fields’ annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021;
“Gold Fields Meeting” means the general meeting of Gold Fields Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held to consider the Gold Fields Resolutions;
“Gold Fields Performance Shares” means performance shares issued under any of the Gold Fields Incentive Plans;
“Gold Fields Public Documents” means all circulars, announcements (whether on the JSE's Stock Exchange News Service or otherwise), forms, reports, schedules, statements, certifications and other documents (including all exhibits and other information incorporated therein, amendments and supplements thereto) released, distributed, issued, filed or furnished by Gold Fields pursuant to, whether on a voluntary basis or otherwise, the JSE Listings Requirements, the SACA and under the U.S. Exchange Act since January 1, 2020 and on or before the Business Day immediately prior to the date hereof, which are publicly available;
“Gold Fields Resolutions” means the resolutions of Gold Fields Shareholders required to implement the Arrangement including, amongst others, resolutions of Gold Fields Shareholders (a) approving the acquisition of the Yamana Shares pursuant to the Arrangement, including as a category 1 transaction under the JSE Listings Requirements, and (b) approving the issuance of Gold Fields Shares to the Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement;
“Gold Fields Response Period” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.8(f)(v);
“Gold Fields Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the Gold Fields Resolutions by the requisite majorities of Gold Fields Shareholders in accordance with the Gold Fields memorandum of incorporation, the SACA and the JSE Listings Requirements, as applicable, at the Gold Fields Meeting;
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“Gold Fields Shareholders” means the holders of Gold Fields Shares;
“Gold Fields Shares” means the ordinary shares with no par value in the authorized share capital of Gold Fields;
“Gold Fields Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited bona fide written Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal from a Person or Persons who is or are, as at the date of this Agreement, a party that deals at arm’s length with Gold Fields, that complies with Securities Laws and is not obtained in violation of this Agreement or any agreement between the Person making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal and Gold Fields, to acquire 100% of the outstanding Gold Fields Shares (other than Gold Fields Shares beneficially owned by the Person or Persons making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal) or all or substantially all of the assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis made after the date of this Agreement: (a) that is not subject to any financing condition and in respect of which adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that the required funds will be available to effect payment in full; (b) that is not subject to a due diligence and/or access condition; (c) that is reasonably capable of being consummated without undue delay, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal and the Person making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal; and (d) in respect of which the Gold Fields Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, and after taking into account all the terms and conditions of such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal and all factors and matters considered appropriate in good faith by the Gold Fields Board, would, if consummated in accordance with its terms (but not assuming away any risk of non-completion), result in a transaction that is more favourable, from a financial point of view, to the Gold Fields Shareholders than the Arrangement (including any adjustment to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement proposed by Yamana pursuant to Section 5.9(h));
“Gold Fields Support Agreements” means the voting and support agreements dated the date hereof (including all amendments thereto) between Yamana and the Gold Fields Supporting Shareholders setting forth the terms and conditions upon which they agree to vote their Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADS, as applicable, in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions;
“Gold Fields Supporting Shareholders” means all of the directors and members of the executive committee of Gold Fields that have entered into Gold Fields Support Agreements;
“Gold Fields Termination Fee” means US$450 million;
“Gold Fields Termination Fee Event” has the meaning given to it in Section 7.3(c);
“Governmental Entity” means: (a) any multinational, federal, provincial, territorial, state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, ministry, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign; (b) any stock exchange, including the TSX, NYSE, LSE and JSE; (c) any subdivision, agent, commission, board or authority of any of the foregoing; or (d) any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any regulatory, antitrust/competition, foreign investment, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing;
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“Hazardous Substances” means any material or substance that is prohibited, listed, defined, designated or classified as dangerous, hazardous, radioactive, explosive, corrosive, flammable, leachable, oxidizing, or toxic or a pollutant or a contaminant under or pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, and including petroleum and all derivatives thereof or synthetic substitutes therefor (including polychlorinated biphenyls);
“HSR Act” means the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended;
“IFRS” means: (a) in the case of Xxxxxx, generally accepted accounting principles in Canada from time to time including, for the avoidance of doubt, the standards prescribed in Part I of the CPA Canada Handbook - Accounting (International Financial Reporting Standards) as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time; and (b) in the case of Gold Fields, in accordance with International Accounting Standards from time to time including, for the avoidance of doubt, the standards prescribed in the Auditors’ Code of Professional Conduct for Registered Auditors in South Africa as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
“including” means including without limitation, and “include” and “includes” have a corresponding meaning;
“Interim Order” means the interim order made after the application to the Court pursuant to subsection 192 of the CBCA in form and substance acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably, providing for, among other things, the calling and holding of the Yamana Meeting, as the same may be amended, affirmed, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably;
“Investment Canada Act” means the Investment Canada Act (Canada) and the regulations promulgated thereunder;
“Investment Canada Act Approval” means the responsible Minister under the Investment Canada Act shall have sent a notice stating that such Minister is satisfied that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are likely to be of net benefit to Canada, or such Minister having been deemed in accordance with the Investment Canada Act to be satisfied that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are likely to be of net benefit to Canada;
“JSE” means JSE Limited, a public company incorporated under the Laws of South Africa under registration number 2005/022939/06, or the securities exchange operated by the JSE Limited and licensed in terms of the South African Financial Markets Act No. 19 of 2012, as the context may require;
“JSE Approval” means confirmation from the JSE that it has approved the Gold Fields Circular;
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“JSE Listings Requirements” the listings requirements issued by the JSE in terms of the South African Financial Markets Act No. 19 of 2012;
“Key Regulatory Approvals” means Competition Act Approval, Investment Canada Act Approval and the other regulatory approvals described in Schedule D hereto;
“Law” or “Laws” means all laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations, principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgments, injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees or other legally binding requirements, whether domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any Authorization of or from any Governmental Entity, and, for greater certainty, includes Canadian Securities Laws, U.S. Securities Laws, South African Securities Laws and UK Securities Laws and the term “applicable” with respect to such Laws and in a context that refers to one or more Persons, means such Laws as are applicable to such Persons or its business, undertaking, assets, property or securities and emanate from a Persons having jurisdiction over the Person or Persons or its or their business, undertaking, assets, property or securities;
“Liens” means any hypothecs, mortgages, pledges, assignments, liens, charges, security interests, statutory or deemed trusts, encumbrances and adverse rights or claims, other third party interest or encumbrance of any kind, whether contingent or absolute, and any agreement, option, right or privilege (whether by Law, contract or otherwise) capable of becoming any of the foregoing;
“LSE” means the London Stock Exchange plc;
“Material Adverse Effect” means, in relation to a Party, any event, change, occurrence, effect or state of facts that, individually or in the aggregate with other events, changes, occurrences, effects or states of facts is, or would reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to the business, results of operations or financial condition of such Party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided that no event, change, occurrence, effect or state of facts shall be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the foregoing be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect, to the extent that such event, change, occurrence, effect or state of facts results from or arises out of:
(a) | any change or development generally affecting the gold mining, silver mining or copper mining industries; |
(b) | any change or development in political conditions in Canada, the United States, South Africa or other states or countries in which such Party has material operations or globally (including any act of terrorism or sabotage or any outbreak of hostilities or war or any escalation or worsening thereof) or any natural disaster; |
(c) | any change in general economic, business or regulatory conditions or in financial, credit, currency or securities markets in Canada, the United States, South Africa or other states or countries in which such Party has material operations or globally; |
(d) | any change (on a current or forward basis) in the price of gold, silver or copper; |
(e) | any adoption, proposed implementation or change in applicable Law or any interpretation or application (or non-application) thereof by any Governmental Entity, or that result from any action taken for the purpose of complying with any of the foregoing; |
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(f) | any change in IFRS or changes in applicable regulatory accounting requirements applicable to the industries in which it conducts business, or that result from any action taken for the purpose of complying with any of the foregoing; |
(g) | the commencement or continuation of any epidemic, pandemic (including COVID-19) or other outbreak of illness or public health event, including the escalation or worsening thereof, and including any measures introduced by any Governmental Entity to address such epidemic, pandemic or other outbreak or public health event; |
(h) | the execution, announcement or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein (provided that this clause shall not apply to any representation or warranty in this Agreement to the extent the purpose of such representation or warranty is to expressly address the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein); |
(i) | compliance with the terms of, or the taking of any actions or omission to take any action expressly required by, this Agreement; |
(j) | any actions taken (or omitted to be taken) which Gold Fields or Yamana, as applicable, has requested or consented to in writing; |
(k) | any failure by a Party to meet any analysts’ estimates or expectations in respect of revenue, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations for any period, or any failure by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries to meet any internal budgets, plans or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations (it being understood that the causes, facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failures may, if not otherwise excluded from the definition of Material Adverse Effect, constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Material Adverse Effect); |
(l) | any Proceedings made or brought by any of the current or former shareholders of such Party (on their own behalf or on behalf of such Party) against Gold Fields, Xxxxxx or any of their directors or officers, arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; or |
(m) | any change in the market price or trading volume of any securities of such Party (it being understood, without limiting the applicability of paragraphs (a) through (l), that the causes underlying such changes in market price or trading volume may, if not otherwise excluded from the definition of Material Adverse Effect, be taken into account in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred); |
provided, however, that: (i) to the extent such effects directly or indirectly resulting from, arising out of, attributable to or related to the matters described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) (d), (e), (f) or (g) disproportionately adversely affect such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other companies operating in the industry in which such Party operates; and (ii) references in this Agreement to dollar amounts are not intended to be and shall not be deemed to be illustrative or interpretative for purposes of determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred;
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“material fact” and “material change” have the meanings given to them in the Securities Act;
“Minister” means the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and/or other Ministers responsible for the Investment Canada Act;
“misrepresentation” has the meaning given to it in the Securities Act;
“Monarch Mining” means Monarch Mining Corporation, a company existing under the federal laws of Canada;
“NI 43-101” means National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects;
“No Action Letter” means written confirmation from the Commissioner that he does not, at that time, intend to make an application under Section 92 of the Competition Act in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such written confirmation having not been modified or withdrawn prior to the Effective Time;
“NYSE” means The New York Stock Exchange LLC;
“Order” means all judicial, arbitral, administrative, ministerial, departmental or regulatory judgments, injunctions, orders, decisions, rulings, determinations, awards, or decrees of any Governmental Entity (in each case, whether temporary, preliminary or permanent);
“ordinary course of business”, or any similar reference, means, with respect to an action taken by a Person, that such action is consistent with the past practices of such Person, is commercially reasonable in the circumstances in which it is taken, and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day business and operations of such Person;
“Outside Date” means November 30, 2022 or such later date as may be agreed to in writing by the Parties; provided that, if the Effective Date has not occurred by November 30, 2022 as a result of the failure to satisfy the condition set forth in Section 6.1(f), then any Party may elect by notice in writing delivered to the other Party by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on a date that is on or prior to such date or, in the case of subsequent extensions, the date that is on or prior to the Outside Date, as previously extended, to extend the Outside Date from time to time by a specified period of not less than five days and not more than 15 days, provided that in aggregate such extensions shall not exceed 60 days from November 30, 2022; provided further that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party shall not be permitted to extend the Outside Date if the failure to satisfy any such condition is primarily the result of the breach by such Party of its representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or such Party’s failure to comply with its covenants herein;
“Parties” means Yamana and Gold Fields, and “Party” means either one of them, as the context requires;
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“Permitted Acquisition Agreement” means an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by a Party to implement, pursue or support a Yamana Superior Proposal or a Gold Fields Superior Proposal, as applicable, which:
(a) | other than in respect of the requirement for such Party to make a Yamana Change in Recommendation or a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation, as applicable, as provided in Section 5.8(a) and Section 5.9(a), as applicable, all obligations of Yamana or Gold Fields, as applicable, (other than confidentiality and standstill obligations) contained in the agreement, arrangement or understanding are effective only following the satisfaction of a condition precedent that: (i) in the case of an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by Xxxxxx, the Arrangement Resolution shall have failed to receive the Yamana Shareholder Approval at the Yamana Meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof) in accordance with the Interim Order; or (ii) in the case of an agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into by Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Resolutions shall have failed to receive the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval at the Gold Fields Meeting (including any adjournments or postponements thereof); |
(b) | other than as required by Law prior to the satisfaction of the applicable condition precedent referred to in clause (a) above, does not require or permit such Party to take any further steps in respect of the Yamana Superior Proposal or Gold Fields Superior Proposal, as applicable, including any filing or notice to any Governmental Entity, until the applicable condition precedent referred to in clause (a) above has been satisfied; |
(c) | terminates automatically in accordance with its terms, and is of no further force or effect, immediately upon the failure of the applicable condition precedent referred to in clause (a) above to be satisfied; |
(d) | does not contain any provisions providing for the payment of any amount or the taking of any other action by such Party as a result of the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the failure to satisfy the applicable condition precedent referred to in clause (a) above; and |
(e) | other than in respect of the ability of such Party to make a Yamana Change in Recommendation or a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation, as applicable, upon the entering into of the agreement, arrangement or understanding as provided in Section 5.8(a) and Section 5.9(a), as applicable, such agreement, arrangement or understanding does not by its terms otherwise prevent, delay or inhibit, in any way, such Party from completing the Arrangement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement unless and until such time as the applicable condition precedent referred to in clause (a) above is satisfied; |
“Permitted Liens” means any one or more of the following Liens:
(a) | Liens or deposits for Taxes which are not due or delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that the applicable Governmental Entities are prevented from taking collection action during the valid contest of such amounts; |
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(b) | the Lien of any judgment or award rendered or the Lien of any claim filed which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which reserves are being maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(c) | Liens and charges incidental to construction or current operations including, without limitation, carrier’s, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, contractors’, workers’, suppliers’, subcontractors’, construction and other like Liens arising by operation of applicable Law, which have not at such time been filed pursuant to law or which relate to obligations not due or delinquent or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which reserves are being maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
(d) | municipal by-laws, regulations, ordinances, zoning laws, building or land use restrictions and other limitations as to the use of real property imposed by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over real property; |
(e) | customary rights of general application reserved to or vested in any Governmental Entity to control or regulate any interest in the facilities or properties in or on which the Party or any of its Subsidiaries conduct their business; provided that such Liens, encumbrances, exceptions, agreements, restrictions, limitations, contracts and rights: (i) were not incurred in connection with any indebtedness; and (ii) do not or would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the value or materially impair or add material cost to the use of the subject property; |
(f) | Liens incurred, created and granted in the ordinary course of business to a utility, municipality or Governmental Entity in connection with operations conducted with respect to, in the case of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries, the Gold Fields Assets and, in the case of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, the Yamana Assets; provided that such Liens are not filed or registered against title or relate to costs and expenses for which payment is not due or delinquent; |
(g) | any minor encroachments by any structure located on, in the case of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries, the Gold Fields Assets and, in the case of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, the Yamana Assets, onto any adjoining lands and any minor encroachment by any structure located on adjoining lands onto such assets; provided that such Liens do not materially adversely affect the use or value of such assets or otherwise materially impair business operations at the affected properties; |
(h) | easements, rights of way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, servitudes and similar rights in land including rights of way and servitudes for highways and other roads, railways, sewers, drains, gas and oil pipelines, gas and water mains, electric light, power, telephone, telegraph or cable television conduits, poles, wires and cables; provided that they: (i) have been complied with in all material respects and do not materially adversely impact the use or value of such property; and (ii) arise in the ordinary course of business; |
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(i) | any reservations, exceptions, limitations, provisos and conditions contained in the original grant or patent from any Governmental Entity (including the reservation of any mines and minerals in a Governmental Entity or in any other Person), as same may be varied by statute, together with any Liens arising from or as a result of any alleged defects or irregularities in the initial grant from the Governmental Entity; provided that they do not materially affect the use or value of the property subject thereto; |
(j) | any Liens, other than those described above, that are: (i) registered, as of the date of this Agreement against title to real property in the applicable land registry offices; or (ii) registered, as of the date of this Agreement, against a Party, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets, in a public personal property registry or similar registry systems; |
(k) | any conditions and covenants imposed by such mining legislation and regulation as may be applicable to, in the case of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries, the Gold Fields Assets and, in the case of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, the Yamana Assets; provided the same are complied with in all material respects; |
(l) | statutory Liens incurred or pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of obligations of any Party under Environmental Laws to which any assets of such Party are subject; |
(m) | undetermined or inchoate Liens and charges arising under Law which have not at the time been filed or registered in accordance with Law or for which written notice has not been duly given in accordance with Law or which, although filed or registered, relate to obligations not due or delinquent, including without limitation statutory Liens incurred, or pledges or deposits made, under applicable worker’s compensation, employment insurance and other social security legislation; |
(n) | customary rights of set-off or combination of accounts with respect to ordinary course of business hedge arrangements, deposits and/or accounts; |
(o) | Liens on concentrates, minerals or the proceeds of sale of such concentrates or minerals arising or granted pursuant to a processing arrangement, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business and upon usual and arm’s length market terms, securing the payment of the applicable Party’s portion of the fees, costs and expenses attributable to the processing of such concentrates or minerals under any such processing arrangement; provided that: (i) such Liens relate to obligations which are at such time not past due or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and (ii) reserves are being maintained in accordance with IFRS against such Liens; and |
(p) | Liens securing capital lease obligations, and indebtedness assumed as part of, or issued or incurred to pay or provide funds to pay, all or a part of the purchase price of any equipment hereafter or previously acquired (for the avoidance of doubt such Liens shall only be permitted on the assets financed pursuant to the foregoing); |
“Person” includes an individual, partnership, association, body corporate, trustee, executor, administrator, legal representative, government (including any Governmental Entity) or any other entity, whether or not having legal status;
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“Plan of Arrangement” means the plan of arrangement of Xxxxxx, substantially in the form of Schedule A hereto, and any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement or upon the direction of the Court in the Final Order;
“Pre-Acquisition Reorganization” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.12(a);
“Proceeding” means any suit, claim, action, charge, complaint, litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, audit, examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, any court or other Governmental Entity;
“Receiving Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.7(f);
“Regulatory Approvals” means those sanctions, rulings, consents, orders, exemptions, Permits and other approvals (including the lapse, without objection, of a prescribed time under a statute or regulation that states that a transaction may be implemented if a prescribed time lapses following the giving of notice without an objection being made) of Governmental Entities required in relation to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Key Regulatory Approvals;
“Release” means any spill, leak, pumping, addition, pouring, emission, emptying, discharge, injection, escape, leaching, disposal, dumping, deposit, spraying, burial, abandonment, incineration, seepage, placement or introduction of a Hazardous Substance into the environment;
“Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s officers, directors, employees and other representatives acting on its behalf, including any financial advisors, attorneys and accountants;
“SACA” means the South African Companies Act No. 71 of 2008, together with the Companies Regulations 2011 promulgated thereunder;
“SARB” means the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank;
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules, regulations and published policies made thereunder;
“Securities Laws” means collectively, Canadian Securities Laws, U.S. Securities Laws, South African Securities Laws and UK Securities Laws;
“Senior Employee” means all employees of Yamana and its Subsidiaries holding a position of mine general manager, vice president or higher;
“South Africa” means the Republic of South Africa;
“South African Securities Laws” means the South African Financial Markets Act No. 19 of 2012, together with all other applicable securities Laws, rules and regulations and published policies thereunder or related thereto;
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“Statutory Plans” means statutory benefit plans which a Party and any of its Subsidiaries are required to participate in or comply with, including any benefit plan administered by any federal or provincial government and any benefit plans administered pursuant to applicable health, tax, workplace safety insurance, and employment insurance legislation;
“Strate” means Strate Proprietary Limited, a private company incorporated under the Laws of South Africa under registration number 1998/022242/07 and registered as a central securities depository in terms of the South African Financial Markets Act No. 19 of 2012;
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any taxes, duties, fees, premiums, assessments, imposts, levies, expansion fees and other charges of any kind whatsoever imposed by any Governmental Entity, including all interest, penalties, fines, additions to tax or other additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Entity in respect thereof, and including, but not limited to, those levied on, or measured by, or referred to as, income, gross receipts, profits, windfall, royalty, capital, transfer, land transfer, sales, goods and services, harmonized sales, use, value-added, excise, stamp, withholding, business, franchising, property, development, occupancy, employer health, payroll, employment, health, social services, education and social security taxes, all surtaxes, all customs duties and import and export taxes, countervail and anti-dumping, all licence, franchise and registration fees, any special COVID-19 tax relief (including, for greater certainty, any COVID-19 Subsidy) and all employment insurance, health insurance and federal, state, provincial and other pension plan premiums or contributions imposed by any Governmental Entity, and any transferee or secondary liability in respect of any of the foregoing;
“Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada);
“Tax Returns” means returns, reports, declarations, elections, designations, notices, filings, forms, statements, COVID-19 Returns and other documents (whether in tangible, electronic or other form) including any amendments, schedules, attachments, supplements, appendices and exhibits thereto, in each case made, prepared, filed or required by a Governmental Entity to be made, prepared or filed by Law in respect of Taxes;
“Terminating Party” has the meaning given to it in Section 6.5(c);
“Termination Notice” has the meaning given to it in Section 6.5(c);
“Third Party Beneficiaries” has the meaning given to it in Section 8.9;
“Treasury Regulations” means the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code;
“TSX” means Toronto Stock Exchange;
“United Kingdom” or “UK” means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;
“UK DTRs” means the disclosure guidance and transparency rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
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“UK Listing Rules” means the listing rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
“UK MAR” means Regulation (EU) No.596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse, as applicable in the UK by virtue of Section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Xxx 0000, as amended from time to time (including by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/310));
“UK Prospectus Regulation Rules” means the prospectus regulation rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
“UK Securities Laws” means the UK Prospectus Regulation Rules, the UK Listing Rules, UK MAR, the UK DTRs, FSMA, the FSA and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (each as amended from time to time) and all other applicable listing and disclosure requirements to which Yamana is subject by virtue of the listing of the Yamana Shares on the standard segment of the Main Market of the LSE;
“United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia;
“U.S. Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
“U.S. Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
“U.S. Securities Laws” means the U.S. Securities Act, the U.S. Exchange Act and all other applicable U.S. federal securities laws;
“Yamana Acquisition Proposal” means, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and other than any transaction involving only Yamana and/or one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, any offer, proposal, expression of interest or inquiry from, or public announcement of intention by, any Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act) of Persons (other than Gold Fields or any affiliate of Gold Fields), whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to Yamana Shareholders, relating to: (a) any acquisition or purchase (or any lease, joint venture or any other arrangement having the same economic effect as an acquisition or purchase), direct or indirect, through one or more transactions, of (i) the assets of Yamana and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenue of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Yamana), or (ii) 20% or more of any voting or equity securities of Yamana or 20% or more of any voting or equity securities of any one or more of Yamana’s Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenues or constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Yamana); (b) any direct or indirect take-over bid, tender offer, exchange offer, treasury issuance or other transaction that, if consummated, would result in such Person or group (as defined in Section 13(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act) of Persons beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of voting or equity securities (and/or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for voting or equity securities) of Yamana; (c) a plan of arrangement, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, share exchange, share reclassification, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or other similar transaction or series of transactions involving Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or which contribute 20% or more of the consolidated revenue of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, determined based upon the most recent publicly available consolidated financial statements of Yamana), or (d) any other transaction, the consummation of which would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Arrangement;
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“Yamana Assets” means all of the assets, properties, permits, rights or other privileges (whether contractual or otherwise) owned, leased or otherwise used or held by Yamana and its Subsidiaries;
“Yamana Benefit Plans” means all health, welfare, supplemental unemployment benefit, bonus, profit sharing, option, insurance, incentive, incentive compensation, deferred compensation, share purchase, share compensation, disability, pension or retirement income or savings plans or other employee compensation arrangement or agreement or benefit plans, trust, funds, policies, programs, arrangements, agreements, practices, or other Contracts, whether written or oral, which are maintained by or binding upon Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries for which Yamana or its Subsidiaries could have any liability or contingent liability, or pursuant to which payments are made, or benefits are provided to, or an entitlement to payments or benefits may arise with respect to any of its employees or former employees, directors or officers, individuals working on contract with Yamana or other individuals providing services to Yamana of a kind normally provided by employees (or any spouses, dependents, survivors or beneficiaries of any such Persons), excluding Statutory Plans;
“Yamana Board” means the board of directors of Yamana as the same is constituted from time to time;
“Yamana Board Recommendation” has the meaning given to it in Section 2.7(c);
“Yamana Change in Recommendation” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.8(a)(iv);
“Yamana Circular” means the notice of the Yamana Meeting and accompanying management information circular, including all schedules, appendices and exhibits thereto and enclosures therewith, to be sent to Yamana Shareholders in connection with the Yamana Meeting, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time;
“Yamana Data Room” means the material contained in the virtual data room established by Xxxxxx as at 8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on May 30, 2022, the index of documents of which is appended to the Yamana Disclosure Letter;
“Yamana Disclosure Letter” means the confidential disclosure letter dated the date of this Agreement executed and delivered by Xxxxxx to Gold Fields in connection with the execution of this Agreement;
“Yamana DSUs” means deferred share units issued under the Yamana DSU Plan;
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“Yamana DSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s deferred share unit plan dated effective April 2, 2008;
“Yamana Equity Award Holders” means the holders of Yamana Options, Yamana PSUs, Yamana RSUs and Yamana DSUs;
“Yamana Equity Awards” means the Yamana PSUs, Yamana RSUs and Yamana DSUs;
“Yamana Equity Incentive Plans” means the Yamana Share Incentive Plan, the Yamana PSU Plan, the Yamana RSU Plan and the Yamana DSU Plan;
“Yamana Fairness Opinions” has the meaning given to it in Section 2.3(b);
“Yamana JV Entities” means any corporations or entities in which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries directly owns 20% or more of the outstanding shares or equity interests and which is not otherwise a Subsidiary (and for greater certainty includes the Yamana Material JV Entities);
“Yamana Material Adverse Effect” means a Material Adverse Effect in relation to Xxxxxx;
“Yamana Material Contract” means in respect of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities, any Contract: (a) that if terminated or modified or if it ceased to be in effect, would reasonably be expected to have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; (b) under which Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any Yamana Material JV Entity has directly or indirectly guaranteed any liabilities or obligations of a third party (other than ordinary course endorsements for collection) in excess of US$30 million in the aggregate; (c) that is a lease, sublease, license or right of way or occupancy agreement for real property which has a value in excess of US$30 million and that is material to the business or to an operation of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (d) that provides for the establishment of, investment in or formation of any partnership or joint venture with an arm’s length Person in which the interest of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities exceeds US$30 million (book value); (e) relating to indebtedness for borrowed money, whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or secured by any asset, with an outstanding principal amount in excess of US$30 million; (f) under which Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is obligated to make or expects to receive payments in excess of US$30 million over the remaining term of the Contract; (g) that limits or restricts Yamana, any of its Affiliates or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities from engaging in any line of business or in any geographic area, except for any such Contract entered into in the normal course of business; (h) that is a collective bargaining agreement, a labour union contract or any other memorandum of understanding or other agreement with a union; (i) that restricts Yamana from paying dividends or other distributions to its shareholders; (j) that is a contractual royalty, production payment, net profits, earn-out, streaming agreement, metal pre-payment or similar agreement that has a value in excess of US$30 million; (k) that relates to an acquisition or divestiture for value in excess of US$30 million; or (l) that is a material agreement with a Governmental Entity, or an agreement with any first nation or aboriginal group, or other organizations with authority to represent such groups;
“Yamana Material JV Entities” means the Yamana JV Entities in respect of the Canadian Malartic mine and the MARA project;
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“Yamana Meeting” means the special meeting of Yamana Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order to consider the Arrangement Resolution;
“Yamana Mineral Rights” has the meaning given to it in Section (o)(ii) of Schedule 3.1 of this Agreement;
“Yamana Options” means options to purchase Yamana Shares granted under the Yamana Share Incentive Plan;
“Yamana PSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s performance share unit plan dated effective January 1, 2016;
“Yamana PSUs” means performance share units issued under the Yamana PSU Plan;
“Yamana Public Documents” means all forms, reports, schedules, statements, certifications and other documents (including all exhibits and other information incorporated therein, amendments and supplements thereto) filed or furnished by Yamana pursuant to the Canadian Securities Laws, the U.S. Exchange Act and the UK Securities Laws since January 1, 2020 and on or before the Business Day immediately prior to the date hereof which are publicly available;
“Yamana Response Period” has the meaning given to it in Section 5.9(f)(v);
“Yamana RSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s restricted share unit plan dated effective May 14, 2008;
“Yamana RSUs” means the restricted share units issued under the Yamana RSU Plan;
“Yamana Securityholders” means Yamana Shareholders and Yamana Equity Award Holders;
“Yamana Senior Notes” means collectively, (a) the 2.630% 10-year notes due August 2031 in an aggregate principal amount of US$500 million and (b) the 4.625% 10-year notes due December 2027 in an aggregate principal amount of US$300 million;
“Yamana Share Incentive Plan” means Xxxxxx’s amended share incentive plan dated December 16, 2010;
“Yamana Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the Arrangement Resolution by Yamana Shareholders at the Yamana Meeting in accordance with Section 2.4;
“Yamana Shareholders” means the holders of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx;
“Yamana Shares” means the common shares in the authorized share capital of Yamana;
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“Yamana Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited bona fide written Yamana Acquisition Proposal from a Person or Persons who is or are, as at the date of this Agreement, a party that deals at arm’s length with Xxxxxx, that complies with Securities Laws and is not obtained in violation of this Agreement or any agreement between the Person making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal and Yamana, to acquire 100% of the outstanding Yamana Shares (other than Yamana Shares beneficially owned by the Person or Persons making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal) or all or substantially all of the assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis made after the date of this Agreement: (a) that is not subject to any financing condition and in respect of which adequate arrangements have been made to ensure that the required funds will be available to effect payment in full; (b) that is not subject to a due diligence and/or access condition; (c) that is reasonably capable of being consummated without undue delay, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such Yamana Acquisition Proposal and the Person making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal; and (d) in respect of which the Yamana Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, and after taking into account all the terms and conditions of such Yamana Acquisition Proposal and all factors and matters considered appropriate in good faith by the Yamana Board, would, if consummated in accordance with its terms (but not assuming away any risk of non-completion), result in a transaction that is more favourable, from a financial point of view, to the Yamana Shareholders than the Arrangement (including any adjustment to the terms and conditions of the Arrangement proposed by Gold Fields pursuant to Section 5.8(h));
“Yamana Support Agreements” means the voting and support agreements dated the date hereof (including all amendments thereto) between Gold Fields and the Yamana Supporting Shareholders setting forth the terms and conditions upon which they agree to vote their Yamana Shares in favour of the Arrangement Resolution;
“Yamana Supporting Shareholders” means all of the directors and senior officers of Yamana that have entered into Yamana Support Agreements;
“Yamana Term Loan” means the US$750 million revolving credit facility maturing in August 2026 which is currently undrawn;
“Yamana Termination Fee” means US$300 million;
“Yamana Termination Fee Event” has the meaning given to it in Section 7.3(b); and
“Yamana Warrants” means warrants of Yamana Gold Quebec Inc. (formerly named Monarch Gold Corporation), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamana, each entitling the holder to purchase on or before September 17, 2022 (i) 0.0376 of a Yamana Share at an exercise price of C$0.3110, and (ii) 0.2 of a Monarch Mining share at an exercise price of C$0.0970.
1.2 | Interpretation not Affected by Headings |
The division of this Agreement into Articles, Sections, subsections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this Agreement to an Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule by number or letter or both refer to the Article, Section, subsection, paragraph or Schedule, respectively, bearing that designation in this Agreement.
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1.3 | Number and Gender |
In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing gender shall include all genders.
1.4 | Date for any Action |
If the date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder by a Party is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.
1.5 | Currency |
Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Agreement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States of America and “US$” refers to United States dollars.
1.6 | Accounting Matters |
Unless otherwise stated, all accounting terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings attributable thereto under IFRS and all determinations of an accounting nature in respect of Gold Fields or Yamana required to be made shall be made in accordance with IFRS consistently applied.
1.7 | Knowledge |
(a) | In this Agreement, references to “the knowledge of Yamana” means the actual knowledge of any of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Yamana, and is deemed to include the knowledge that each would have if he or she had made reasonable inquiries (provided that no inquiries are required to be made of any Person that is not a Representative of Yamana or its Subsidiaries). |
(b) | In this Agreement, references to “the knowledge of Gold Fields” means the actual knowledge of any of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Group Head of Legal and Compliance of Gold Fields, and is deemed to include the knowledge that each would have if he or she had made reasonable inquiries (provided that no inquiries are required to be made of any Person that is not a Representative of Gold Fields or its Subsidiaries). |
1.8 | Affiliates and Subsidiaries |
For the purpose of this Agreement:
(a) | a Person is an “affiliate” of another Person if one of them is a Subsidiary of the other or each one of them is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the same Person; provided that in no case shall an “affiliate” of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries include the Yamana Material JV Entities; |
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(b) | a “Subsidiary” means a Person that is controlled directly or indirectly by another Person and includes a Subsidiary of that Subsidiary; and |
(c) | a Person is considered to “control” another Person if: (A) the first Person beneficially owns or directly or indirectly exercises control or direction over securities of the second Person carrying votes which, if exercised, would entitle the first Person to elect a majority of the directors of the second Person, unless that first Person holds the voting securities only to secure an obligation; (B) the second Person is a partnership, other than a limited partnership, and the first Person holds more than 50% of the interests of the partnership; or (C) the second Person is a limited partnership, and the general partner of the limited partnership is the first Person. |
1.9 | Statutes |
Any reference to a statute refers to such statute and all rules, resolutions and regulations made under it, as it or they may have been or may from time to time be amended or re-enacted, unless stated otherwise.
1.10 | Disclosure Letters |
Each of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter and the Yamana Disclosure Letter itself and all information contained in it is confidential information and may not be disclosed unless (i) it is required to be disclosed pursuant to applicable Law unless such Law permits the Parties to refrain from disclosing the information for confidentiality or other purposes or (ii) a Party needs to disclose it in order to enforce its rights under this Agreement.
1.11 | Schedules |
The following Schedules are annexed to this Agreement and are incorporated by reference into this Agreement and form a part hereof:
Schedule A | - | Form of Plan of Arrangement |
Schedule B | - | Form of Arrangement Resolution |
Schedule C | - | Form of Gold Fields Resolutions |
Schedule D | - | Key Regulatory Approvals |
Schedule 3.1 | - | Representations and Warranties of Yamana |
Schedule 4.1 | - | Representations and Warranties of Gold Fields |
Article 2
THE ARRANGEMENT
2.1 | Arrangement |
Gold Fields and Xxxxxx agree that the Arrangement will be implemented in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement.
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2.2 | Gold Fields Approval |
Gold Fields represents and warrants to Yamana that the Gold Fields Board has unanimously determined that: (a) this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Gold Fields; and (b) it will recommend that Gold Fields Shareholders vote in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions.
2.3 | Yamana Approval |
Xxxxxx represents and warrants to Gold Fields that:
(a) | the Yamana Board has unanimously determined that: |
(i) | the Arrangement and entry into of this Agreement are in the best interests of Xxxxxx; and |
(ii) | it will recommend that Xxxxxx Shareholders vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution; and |
(b) | the Yamana Board has received oral opinions to be subsequently confirmed in writing (together, the “Yamana Fairness Opinions”) from Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc., the financial advisors to Yamana, that, as of the date of such opinions and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out therein, the Consideration to be received by Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Yamana Shareholders. |
2.4 | Interim Order |
As soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, Xxxxxx shall apply to the Court in a manner acceptable to Gold Fields, acting reasonably, pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA and prepare, file and diligently pursue an application to the Court for the Interim Order, which shall provide, among other things:
(a) | for the class of Persons to whom notice is to be provided in respect of the Arrangement and the Yamana Meeting and for the manner in which such notice is to be provided; |
(b) | for the confirmation of the record date for the Yamana Meeting; |
(c) | that the requisite approval for the Arrangement Resolution shall be 66⅔% of the votes cast on the Arrangement Resolution by Xxxxxx Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Yamana Meeting voting together as a single class; |
(d) | that the Yamana Meeting may be adjourned or postponed from time to time by the Yamana Board subject to the terms of this Agreement without the need for additional approval of the Court; |
(e) | that the record date for Yamana Securityholders entitled to notice of, and for Yamana Shareholders entitled to vote at, the Yamana Meeting will not change in respect of any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of the Yamana Meeting; |
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(f) | that, in all other respects, other than as ordered by the Court, the terms, conditions and restrictions of the constating documents of Yamana, including quorum requirements and other matters, shall apply in respect of the Yamana Meeting; |
(g) | for the grant of the Dissent Rights to registered holders of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx as set forth in the Plan of Arrangement; |
(h) | the Persons that are entitled to appear and be heard before the Court in accordance with the Notice of Application, the Interim Order and the Rules of Civil Procedure; |
(i) | that it is the Parties’ intention to rely upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof with respect to the issuance of Consideration Shares to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, subject to and conditioned on the Court’s determination that the Arrangement is substantively and procedurally fair to Yamana Shareholders and based on the Court’s approval of the Arrangement; |
(j) | for the notice requirements with respect to the presentation of the application to the Court for the Final Order; and |
(k) | for such other matters as Yamana or Gold Fields may reasonably require, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the other Party, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
2.5 | Yamana Meeting |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement and (except in respect of Section 2.5(b)) receipt of the Interim Order, Yamana shall:
(a) | duly take all lawful action to call, give notice of, convene and conduct the Yamana Meeting in accordance with its constating documents, the Interim Order and applicable Laws to vote upon the Arrangement, and, provided that (i) Gold Fields has complied with its obligations pursuant to Section 2.7(d) and Section 2.8(e) and (ii) the Gold Fields Meeting is scheduled to occur, or is reasonably capable of being scheduled to occur, on a date that is within five Business Days of the Yamana Meeting, Yamana shall schedule the Yamana Meeting as soon as reasonably practicable; |
(b) | in consultation with Gold Fields, fix and publish a record date for the purposes of determining Yamana Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and Xxxxxx Shareholders entitled to vote at, the Yamana Meeting and give notice to Gold Fields of the Yamana Meeting; |
(c) | allow Gold Fields’ representatives and legal counsel to attend the Yamana Meeting; |
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(d) | not adjourn, postpone or cancel (or propose or permit the adjournment, postponement or cancellation of) the Yamana Meeting without Gold Fields’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except: |
(i) | as required for quorum purposes (in which case the meeting shall be adjourned and not cancelled), by Law or by a Governmental Entity or by valid Yamana Shareholder action (which action is not solicited or proposed by Xxxxxx, the Yamana Board or any of Yamana’s Representatives and subject to compliance by Xxxxxx with Section 5.5(c)); |
(ii) | an adjournment or postponement in the event that the Gold Fields Meeting is scheduled to occur on a date that is more than five Business Days after the Yamana Meeting, in which case the Yamana Meeting may be adjourned or postponed in order to ensure that the Yamana Meeting occurs on a date that is within five Business Days of the Gold Fields Meeting; or |
(iii) | as otherwise expressly required or permitted under this Agreement; |
(e) | use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit proxies in favour of the Arrangement Resolution, including, if so requested by Gold Fields, using the services of dealers and proxy solicitation firms to solicit proxies in favour of the approval of the Arrangement Resolution; provided that Xxxxxx shall not be required to continue to solicit proxies including via such proxy solicitation services firms if there has been a Yamana Change in Recommendation; |
(f) | provide Gold Fields with copies of or access to material information regarding the Yamana Meeting generated by any dealer or proxy solicitation services firm engaged by Xxxxxx, as reasonably requested from time to time by Gold Fields; |
(g) | promptly advise Gold Fields as frequently as Gold Fields may reasonably request, and at least on a daily basis on each of the last ten Business Days prior to the date of the Yamana Meeting, as to the aggregate tally of the proxies received by Xxxxxx in respect of the Arrangement Resolution; |
(h) | promptly advise Gold Fields of any written or oral communication from any Yamana Shareholder in opposition to the Arrangement (except for non-substantive communications from any Yamana Shareholder that purports to hold less than 0.1% of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (provided that communications from such Yamana Shareholder are not substantive in the aggregate)), written notice of dissent or purported exercise by any Yamana Shareholder of Dissent Rights received by Xxxxxx in relation to the Arrangement and any withdrawal of Dissent Rights received by Xxxxxx and any written communications sent by or on behalf of Xxxxxx to any Yamana Shareholder exercising or purporting to exercise Dissent Rights in relation to the Arrangement; |
(i) | not make any payment or settlement offer, or agree to any payment or settlement prior to the Effective Time with respect to Dissent Rights without the prior written consent of Gold Fields; |
(j) | not change the record date for the Yamana Shareholders entitled to vote at the Yamana Meeting in connection with any adjournment or postponement of the Yamana Meeting unless required by Law; and |
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(k) | at the reasonable request of Gold Fields from time to time, promptly provide Gold Fields with a list (in both written and electronic form) of: (i) the registered Yamana Shareholders, together with their addresses and respective holdings of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx; (ii) the names and addresses and holdings of all Persons having rights issued by Xxxxxx to acquire Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (including Yamana Equity Award Holders); and (iii) participants in book-based systems and non-objecting beneficial owners of Yamana Shares, together with their addresses and respective holdings of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. Yamana shall from time to time require that its registrar and transfer agent furnish Gold Fields with such additional information, including updated or additional lists of Yamana Shareholders and lists of holdings and other assistance as Gold Fields may reasonably request. |
2.6 | Gold Fields Meeting |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Gold Fields shall:
(a) | duly take all lawful action to call, give notice of, convene and conduct the Gold Fields Meeting in accordance with its constitutional documents and applicable Laws for the purpose of Gold Fields Shareholders voting upon the approval of the Gold Fields Resolutions and, provided that Xxxxxx has complied with its obligations pursuant to Section 2.8(f), Gold Fields shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to schedule the Gold Fields Meeting as soon as reasonably practicable following the JSE Approval in respect of the Gold Fields Circular; |
(b) | in consultation with Xxxxxx, but always in accordance with applicable Laws, fix and publish a record date for the purposes of determining Gold Fields Shareholders entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Gold Fields Meeting and give notice to Xxxxxx of the Gold Fields Meeting; |
(c) | allow Xxxxxx’s representatives and legal counsel to attend the Gold Fields Meeting; |
(d) | not adjourn, postpone or cancel (or propose or permit the adjournment, postponement or cancellation of) the Gold Fields Meeting without Xxxxxx’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, except: |
(i) | as required for quorum purposes (in which case the meeting shall be adjourned and not cancelled), by Law or by a Governmental Entity or by valid Gold Fields Shareholder action (which action is not solicited or proposed by Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Board or any of Gold Fields’ Representatives) and subject to compliance by Gold Fields with Section 5.5(c)); or |
(ii) | as otherwise expressly required or permitted under this Agreement; |
(e) | use commercially reasonable efforts to solicit proxies in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions, including, if so requested by Xxxxxx, using the services of dealers and proxy solicitation firms to solicit proxies in favour of the approval of the Gold Fields Resolutions; provided that Gold Fields shall not be required to continue to solicit proxies including via such proxy solicitation services firms if there has been a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation; |
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(f) | provide Yamana with copies of or access to material information regarding the Gold Fields Meeting generated by any dealer or proxy solicitation services firm engaged by Gold Fields, as reasonably requested from time to time by Xxxxxx; |
(g) | promptly advise Xxxxxx as frequently as Xxxxxx may reasonably request, and at least on a daily basis on each of the last ten Business Days prior to the date of the Gold Fields Meeting, as to the aggregate tally of the proxies received by Gold Fields in respect of the Gold Fields Resolutions; |
(h) | promptly advise Yamana of any written or oral communication from any Gold Fields Shareholder in opposition to the Gold Fields Resolutions (except for non-substantive communications from any Gold Fields Shareholder that purports to hold less than 0.1% of the Gold Fields Shares (provided that communications from such Gold Fields Shareholder are not substantive in the aggregate)); |
(i) | not change the record date for the Gold Fields Shareholders entitled to vote at the Gold Fields Meeting in connection with any adjournment or postponement of the Gold Fields Meeting unless required by Law or the Gold Fields constitutional documents; and |
(j) | subject to compliance with applicable Laws, at the reasonable request of Xxxxxx from time to time, promptly provide Yamana with a list (in both written and electronic form) of: (i) the registered Gold Fields Shareholders, together with their addresses and respective holdings of Gold Fields Shares; and (ii) the names and addresses and holdings of all Persons having rights issued by Gold Fields to acquire Gold Fields Shares. Gold Fields shall from time to time require that its registrar and transfer agent xxxxxxx Xxxxxx with such additional information, including updated or additional lists of Gold Fields Shareholders and lists of holdings and other assistance as Yamana may reasonably request. |
2.7 | Yamana Circular |
(a) | As promptly as reasonably practicable following execution of this Agreement, Xxxxxx shall prepare the Yamana Circular together with any other documents required by applicable Laws in connection with the Yamana Meeting; and, as promptly as reasonably practicable after obtaining the Interim Order, file the Yamana Circular in all jurisdictions where the same is required to be filed and mail the Yamana Circular to each Yamana Securityholder and any other Person as required under applicable Laws and by the Interim Order, in each case, so as to permit Xxxxxx to comply with Section 2.5(a). |
(b) | Yamana shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Yamana Circular complies in all material respects with all applicable Laws and the Interim Order and shall contain sufficient detail to permit Yamana Shareholders to form a reasoned judgment concerning the matters to be placed before them at the Yamana Meeting, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall ensure that the Yamana Circular will not contain any misrepresentation (except that Yamana shall not be responsible for any information included in the Yamana Circular relating to Gold Fields and its affiliates and the Consideration Shares that was provided by Gold Fields expressly for inclusion in the Yamana Circular pursuant to Section 2.7(d)). The Yamana Circular shall also contain such information as may be required to allow Gold Fields and Yamana to rely upon the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act with respect to the issuance of the Consideration Shares in exchange for Yamana Shares pursuant to the Arrangement. |
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(c) | The Yamana Circular shall: (i) include a copy of the Yamana Fairness Opinions; (ii) state that the Yamana Board has received the Yamana Fairness Opinions, and, subject to the terms of this Agreement, has unanimously determined, after receiving legal and financial advice, that the Arrangement and entry into the Agreement are in the best interests of Yamana; (iii), subject to the terms of this Agreement, contain the unanimous recommendation of the Yamana Board to Yamana Shareholders that they vote in favour of the Arrangement Resolution (the “Yamana Board Recommendation”); and (iv) include statements that each of the Yamana Supporting Shareholders has signed a Yamana Support Agreement, pursuant to which, and subject to the terms thereof, they have agreed to, among other things, vote their Yamana Shares in favour of the Arrangement Resolution. |
(d) | Gold Fields shall, and shall cause its officers and directors to, cooperate with Yamana in connection with the preparation of the Yamana Circular, including promptly providing Yamana with all information regarding Gold Fields, its affiliates and the Consideration Shares, including any pro forma financial statements (provided that Xxxxxx has provided the financial information required for the same on a timely basis) and other information relating to Gold Fields following completion of the transactions contemplated hereby, as required by applicable Laws for inclusion in the Yamana Circular or in any amendments or supplements to such Yamana Circular, and shall file reports pursuant to NI 43-101 on or prior to the date of filing of the Yamana Circular in relation to Gold Fields’ mineral properties that will be material properties of Gold Fields for purposes of that instrument following the completion of the Arrangement. Gold Fields shall ensure that such information does not include any misrepresentation concerning Gold Fields, its affiliates and the Consideration Shares, and will indemnify Yamana for all claims, losses, costs and expenses incurred by Xxxxxx in respect of any such misrepresentation or alleged misrepresentation contained in any information regarding Gold Fields, its affiliates and the Consideration Shares included in the Yamana Circular that was provided by Gold Fields expressly for inclusion in the Yamana Circular pursuant to this Section 2.7(d). Gold Fields and Xxxxxx shall also use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary consents from any of their respective auditors and any other advisors to the use of any financial, technical or other expert information required to be included in the Yamana Circular and to the identification in the Yamana Circular of each such advisor. |
(e) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to mailing the Yamana Circular (or any amendment or supplement thereto), Yamana will (i) provide Gold Fields with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document (including the proposed final version of such document), and (ii) consider in good faith including in such document all comments reasonably and promptly proposed by Gold Fields, provided that all information relating solely to Gold Fields included in the Yamana Circular must be in a form and content satisfactory to Gold Fields, acting reasonably. |
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(f) | If at any time prior to the Yamana Meeting, any information relating to Yamana, Gold Fields, or any of their respective Affiliates officers or directors, should be discovered by Xxxxxx or Gold Fields as being reasonably required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Yamana Circular, so that such document would not contain a misrepresentation, the Party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Party and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall be promptly filed with applicable Governmental Entities and, to the extent required by applicable Law or the Interim Order, disseminated to the Yamana Securityholders. |
(g) | Yamana shall promptly advise Gold Fields of any communication (written or oral) received by Xxxxxx from the TSX, NYSE, LSE, FCA, SEC, any of the Canadian Securities Authorities, or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Yamana Circular. |
2.8 | Gold Fields Circular |
(a) | As promptly as reasonably practicable following execution of this Agreement, Gold Fields shall prepare the Gold Fields Circular together with any other documents required by applicable Laws in connection with the Gold Fields Meeting; and, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, file the Gold Fields Circular with the JSE and as otherwise required by applicable Laws, and, as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in any event on or before the fifth Business Day after JSE Approval in respect of the Gold Fields Circular, duly take all lawful action to distribute the Gold Fields Circular to each Gold Fields Shareholder and any other Person as required under applicable Laws. |
(b) | Gold Fields shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure that the Gold Fields Circular complies with the SACA, the JSE Listings Requirements and all other applicable Laws in all material respects and to respond promptly to and address any comments of SARB, the JSE or their respective staffs. Gold Fields will advise Xxxxxx promptly after it receives any request by SARB or the JSE for amendment of the Gold Fields Circular or comments thereon and responses thereto or any request by SARB or the JSE for additional information in connection with the Gold Fields Circular. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to distributing the Gold Fields Circular (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or responding to any comments of SARB or the JSE with respect thereto, Gold Fields will (i) provide Yamana with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such document or response (including the proposed final version of such document or response), and (ii) consider in good faith including in such document or response all comments reasonably and promptly proposed by Xxxxxx, provided that all information relating solely to Yamana included in the Gold Fields Circular must be in a form and content satisfactory to Yamana, acting reasonably. |
(c) | The Gold Fields Circular shall: (i) state that the Gold Fields Board has unanimously determined, after receiving legal and financial advice, that the Arrangement and entry into this Agreement are in the best interests of Gold Fields; (ii), subject to the terms of this Agreement, contain the unanimous recommendation of the Gold Fields Board to Gold Fields Shareholders that they vote in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions (the “Gold Fields Board Recommendation”); and (iii) include statements that each of the Gold Fields Supporting Shareholders has signed a Gold Fields Support Agreement, pursuant to which, and subject to the terms thereof, they have agreed to, among other things, vote their Gold Fields Shares in favour of the Gold Fields Resolutions. |
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(d) | If at any time prior to the Gold Fields Meeting, any information relating to Gold Fields, Yamana, or any of their respective affiliates officers or directors, should be discovered by Gold Fields or Yamana as being reasonably required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Gold Fields Circular, so that such document would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Party which discovers such information shall promptly notify the other Party and an appropriate amendment or supplement describing such information shall, to the extent required by applicable Law, be promptly filed with the JSE and disseminated to the Gold Fields Shareholders. |
(e) | Gold Fields shall provide to Yamana the technical reports for the properties set forth in Section 2.8(e) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 as soon as is reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement and, acting reasonably and in good faith, cooperate with Xxxxxx in the preparation of such reports. |
(f) | Yamana shall, and shall cause its officers and directors to, cooperate with Gold Fields in connection with the preparation of the Gold Fields Circular, including promptly providing Gold Fields with all information regarding Yamana and its affiliates, including any information required for the preparation by Gold Fields of pro forma financial statements, as required by applicable Laws for inclusion in the Gold Fields Circular or in any amendments or supplements to such Gold Fields Circular. Yamana shall ensure that such information does not include any misrepresentation concerning Yamana and its affiliates or contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading, and will indemnify Gold Fields for all claims, losses, costs and expenses incurred by Gold Fields in respect of any such misrepresentation, untrue statement or omission or alleged misrepresentation, untrue statement or omission in any information regarding Yamana and its affiliates in the Gold Fields Circular that was provided by Xxxxxx expressly for inclusion in the Gold Fields Circular pursuant to this Section 2.8(f). Yamana and Gold Fields shall also use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary consents from any of their respective auditors and any other advisors to the use of any financial, technical or other expert information required to be included in the Gold Fields Circular and to the identification in the Gold Fields Circular of each such advisor. |
(g) | Gold Fields shall promptly advise Yamana of any communication (written or oral) received by Gold Fields from the NYSE, JSE, the SEC or any other Governmental Entity in connection with the Gold Fields Circular. |
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2.9 | Final Order |
If: (a) the Interim Order is obtained; (b) the Arrangement Resolution is approved at the Yamana Meeting by Yamana Shareholders as provided for in the Interim Order and as required by applicable Law; (c) the Gold Fields Resolutions are approved at the Gold Fields Meeting as required by applicable Law; and (d) the Regulatory Approvals are obtained subject to the terms of this Agreement, Yamana shall take all steps necessary or desirable to submit the Arrangement to the Court and diligently pursue an application for the Final Order pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event not later than three Business Days thereafter.
2.10 | Court Proceedings |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Gold Fields shall cooperate with and assist Xxxxxx in seeking the Interim Order and the Final Order, including by providing to Yamana, on a timely basis, any information reasonably required to be supplied by Gold Fields in connection therewith. Yamana shall provide Gold Fields’ legal counsel with reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon drafts of all material to be filed with the Court in connection with the Arrangement, and will give reasonable consideration to all such comments. Subject to applicable Law, Yamana shall not file any material with the Court in connection with the Arrangement or serve any such material, and shall not agree to modify or amend materials so filed or served, except as contemplated by this Section 2.10 or with Gold Fields’ prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided that, nothing herein shall require Gold Fields to agree or consent to any increase in or variation in the form of Consideration or other modification or amendment to such filed or served materials that expands or increases Gold Fields’ obligations, or diminishes or limits Gold Fields’ rights, set forth in any such filed or served materials or under this Agreement or the Arrangement. Yamana shall also provide to Gold Fields’ legal counsel on a timely basis, copies of any notice of appearance, evidence or other Court documents served on Yamana in respect of the application for the Interim Order or the Final Order or any appeal therefrom and of any notice, whether written or oral, received by Xxxxxx indicating any intention to oppose the granting of the Interim Order or the Final Order or to appeal the Interim Order or the Final Order. Yamana shall ensure that all materials filed with the Court in connection with the Arrangement are consistent with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement. In addition, Xxxxxx shall not object to Gold Fields’ legal counsel making such submissions on the hearing of the motion for the Interim Order and the application for the Final Order as such counsel considers appropriate, provided that Xxxxxx is advised of the nature of any submissions prior to the hearing and such submissions are consistent in all material respects with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement. Xxxxxx shall also oppose any proposal from any party that the Final Order contain any provision inconsistent with this Agreement, and, if at any time after the issuance of the Final Order and prior to the Effective Date, Yamana is required by the terms of the Final Order or by Law to return to Court with respect to the Final Order, it shall do so after notice to, and in consultation and cooperation with, Gold Fields.
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2.11 | U.S. Securities Law Matters |
The Parties agree that the Arrangement will be carried out with the intention that, and will use their commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that, all (i) Consideration Shares issued under the Arrangement will be issued by Gold Fields in exchange for Yamana Shares pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement, whether in the United States, Canada or any other country, in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof. In order to ensure the availability of the exemption under Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and to facilitate Gold Fields’ compliance with other U.S. Securities Laws, the Parties agree that the Arrangement will be carried out on the following basis:
(a) | the Court will be asked to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement; |
(b) | prior to the issuance of the Interim Order, the Court will be advised of the intention of Gold Fields and Yamana to rely on the exemption provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act with respect to the issuance of Consideration Shares to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement, based on the Court’s approval of the Arrangement; |
(c) | prior to the issuance of the Interim Order, Xxxxxx will file with the Court a draft copy of the proposed text of the Yamana Circular together with any other documents required by Law in connection with the Yamana Meeting; |
(d) | the Court will be advised prior to the hearing that its approval of the Arrangement will be relied upon as a determination that the Court has satisfied itself as to the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement; |
(e) | Xxxxxx will ensure that each Yamana Shareholder and other Person entitled to receive Consideration Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will be given adequate and appropriate notice advising them of their right to attend the hearing of the Court to approve the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and providing them with sufficient information necessary for them to exercise that right; |
(f) | the Final Order will expressly state that the Arrangement is approved by the Court as being procedurally and substantively fair to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement; |
(g) | Xxxxxx shall request that the Final Order shall include a statement to substantially the following effect: “This Order will serve as a basis of a claim to an exemption, pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, from the registration requirements otherwise imposed by that act, regarding the distribution of securities of Gold Fields, pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement;” |
(h) | the Interim Order will specify that each Person entitled to receive Consideration Shares pursuant to the Arrangement will have the right to appear before the Court at the hearing of the Court to give approval of the Arrangement; |
(i) | the Court will hold a hearing before approving the fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement and issuing the Final Order; and |
(j) | all Consideration Shares issued to Persons in the United States will be registered or qualified under the securities laws of each state, territory or possession of the United States in which any Person receiving Consideration Shares is located, unless an exemption from such state securities law registration or qualification requirements is available. In addition, each Person entitled to receive Consideration Shares will be advised that the Consideration Shares issued pursuant to the Arrangement have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act and will be issued by Gold Fields in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act. |
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2.12 | Arrangement and Effective Date |
The Arrangement shall become effective on the date upon which Xxxxxx and Gold Fields agree in writing as the Effective Date or, in the absence of such agreement, five Business Days following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to completion of the Arrangement set out in Article 6 (excluding any conditions that, by their terms, cannot be satisfied until the Effective Date, but subject to the satisfaction or, where not prohibited, waiver of those conditions as of the Effective Date by the applicable Party or Parties for whose benefit such conditions exist) and the Arrangement (and the Articles of Arrangement) shall be effective at the Effective Time on the Effective Date and will have all of the effects provided by applicable Law. The closing of the Arrangement will take place at the offices of Fasken Xxxxxxxxx XxXxxxxx LLP on the Effective Date in Toronto, Ontario at the Effective Time, or at such other time and place as may be agreed to by the Parties.
2.13 | Payment of Consideration |
Gold Fields will, following receipt by Xxxxxx of the Final Order and prior to the Effective Time, deposit in escrow with the Depositary (the terms and conditions of such escrow to be satisfactory to the Parties, acting reasonably) sufficient Consideration Shares to satisfy the aggregate Consideration payable to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
2.14 | Announcement and Shareholder Communications |
The Parties agree to issue a joint press release with respect to this Agreement as soon as practicable after its due execution. Gold Fields and Xxxxxx agree to cooperate in the preparation of presentations, if any, to Gold Fields Shareholders and Yamana Shareholders regarding the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party shall: (a) not issue any press release or otherwise make public statements with respect to this Agreement or the Arrangement without the consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; and (b) not make any filing with any Governmental Entity with respect to this Agreement or the Arrangement without the consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Each Party shall enable the other Party to review and comment on all such press releases prior to the release thereof and shall enable the other Party to review and comment on such filings prior to the filing thereof (other than with respect to confidential information contained in such filing); provided, however, that the foregoing shall be subject to each Party’s overriding obligation to make any disclosure or filing in accordance with applicable Laws, including U.S. Securities Laws and UK Securities Laws, and if such disclosure or filing is required and the other Party has not reviewed or commented on the disclosure or filing, the Party making such disclosure or filing shall use commercially reasonable efforts to give prior oral or written notice to the other Party, and if such prior notice is not possible, to give such notice immediately following the making of such disclosure or filing. For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not prevent either Party from making internal announcements to employees and having discussions with shareholders and financial analysts and other stakeholders so long as the content of such statements and announcements are consistent with and limited in all material respects to the content contained in the most recent press releases, public disclosures or public statements made by the Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 2.14 related to the approval or contents of filings with Governmental Entities will not apply with respect to filings in connection with the Regulatory Approvals, the Yamana Circular, the Gold Fields Circular, the Interim Order or the Final Order which are governed by other sections of this Agreement. The restrictions set forth in this Section 2.14 shall not apply to (x) any release or public statement in connection with any dispute regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; or (y) a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation or a Yamana Change in Recommendation, as applicable, or any action taken pursuant thereto.
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The Parties consent to this Agreement and forms of each of the Gold Fields Support Agreements and the Yamana Support Agreements being filed on SEDAR and XXXXX, as applicable, subject to any redactions permitted under Securities Laws that are agreed to between the Parties acting reasonably.
2.15 | Withholding Taxes |
Gold Fields, Yamana, any of their affiliates and the Depositary, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or direct any other Person to deduct and withhold on their behalf, from any amounts otherwise payable, issuable or otherwise deliverable to any Yamana Shareholders (including in their capacity as former Yamana Equity Award Holders), Yamana Equity Award Holders and any other Person under the Plan of Arrangement such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld from such amounts under any provision of applicable Law in respect of Taxes. To the extent any such amounts are so deducted and withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Each of Gold Fields, Yamana and the Depositary, as applicable, is hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of, on behalf of such Person, such portion of any share or other security deliverable to such Person as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to Gold Fields, Yamana or the Depositary, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement and Gold Fields, Yamana or the Depositary, as the case may be, shall notify such Person thereof and remit the applicable portion of the net proceeds of such sale to the appropriate taxing authority and, if applicable, any portion of such net proceeds that is not required to be so remitted shall be paid to such Person.
2.16 | U.S. Tax Matters |
The Arrangement is intended to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement are intended to be a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 368 of the Code. Each party hereto shall treat the Arrangement as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, and shall treat this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 368 of the Code, and shall not take any position on any Tax Return or otherwise take any Tax reporting position inconsistent with such treatment, unless otherwise required by applicable Law. Following the Effective Date, Gold Fields will prepare and file in accordance with Treasury Regulations (including by posting a copy on the investor relations section of its website) an IRS Form 8937 with respect to the Arrangement. Each party hereto shall act in a manner that is consistent with the Parties’ intention that the Arrangement be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, and shall not take any action, or knowingly fail to take any action, if such action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as a reorganization.
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2.17 | Adjustment of Consideration |
(a) | Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the issued and outstanding Gold Fields Shares shall have been changed into a different number of shares by reason of any sub-division, split or consolidation (or similar process) of the issued and outstanding Gold Fields Shares, then the Consideration to be paid per Yamana Share shall be appropriately adjusted to provide to Yamana Shareholders the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement and the Arrangement prior to such action and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Consideration to be paid per Yamana Share. |
(b) | If on or after the date hereof, Xxxxxx declares, sets aside or pays any dividend or other distribution to the Yamana Shareholders of record as of a time prior to the Effective Time, except for Xxxxxx’s current regular quarterly dividend paid to Yamana shareholders in the ordinary course, Gold Fields shall make such adjustments to the Consideration as it determines acting in good faith to be necessary to restore the original agreement of the Parties in the circumstances. For greater certainty, if Xxxxxx takes any of the actions referred to above, the aggregate Consideration to be paid by Gold Fields shall be decreased by an equivalent amount. |
Article 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF YAMANA
3.1 | Representations and Warranties |
Except as set forth in the Yamana Public Documents (excluding any disclosures in the Yamana Public Documents under the heading “Risk Factors” or “Forward-Looking Information” and any other disclosures contained in such documents that are predictive, cautionary or forward-looking in nature) or the Yamana Disclosure Letter (which disclosure shall apply against any representations or warranties to which it is reasonably apparent it should relate), Yamana hereby represents and warrants to Gold Fields the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule 3.1 hereto and acknowledges that Gold Fields is relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement and the carrying out of the transactions contemplated herein.
3.2 | Disclaimer |
Gold Fields agrees and acknowledges that, except as set forth in this Agreement, Yamana makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to Yamana, its businesses, its past, current or future financial condition or its assets, liabilities or operations, or its past, current or future profitability, performance or cash flows, individually or in the aggregate, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
3.3 | Survival of Representations and Warranties |
The representations and warranties of Yamana contained in this Agreement shall not survive the completion of the Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
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Article 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GOLD FIELDS
4.1 | Representations and Warranties |
Except as set forth in the Gold Fields Public Documents (excluding any disclosures in the Gold Fields Public Documents under the heading “Risk Factors” or “Forward-Looking Statements” and any other disclosures contained in such documents that are predictive, cautionary or forward-looking in nature) or the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter (which disclosure shall apply against any representations or warranties to which it is reasonably apparent it should relate), Gold Fields hereby represents and warrants to Yamana the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule 4.1 hereto and acknowledges that Xxxxxx is relying upon such representations and warranties in connection with the entering into of this Agreement and the carrying out of the transactions contemplated herein.
4.2 | Disclaimer |
Xxxxxx agrees and acknowledges that, except as set forth in this Agreement, Gold Fields makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, at law or in equity, with respect to Gold Fields, its businesses, its past, current or future financial condition or its assets, liabilities or operations, or its past, current or future profitability, performance or cash flows, individually or in the aggregate, and any such other representations or warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed.
4.3 | Survival of Representations and Warranties |
The representations and warranties of Gold Fields contained in this Agreement shall not survive the completion of the Arrangement and shall expire and be terminated on the earlier of the Effective Time and the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.
Article 5
COVENANTS
5.1 | Covenants of Yamana Regarding the Conduct of Business |
Yamana covenants and agrees that during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Date and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, except as set out in Section 5.1 of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, as expressly required by this Agreement or expressly permitted by this Section 5.1, including without limitation pursuant to any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, as required by applicable Law or a Governmental Entity, as required to comply with or implement any COVID-19 Measures, or unless Gold Fields shall otherwise agree in writing:
(a) | Yamana shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (i) in all material respects conduct its and their respective businesses only in, and not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business; and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its and their present business organization, goodwill, business relationships and assets and to keep available the services of its and their officers and employees as a group; |
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(b) | without limiting the generality of Section 5.1(a), Yamana shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, directly or indirectly: |
(i) | amend or propose to amend its articles, by-laws or other constating documents, including partnership agreements, or those of its Subsidiaries; |
(ii) | declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any Yamana Shares, except for (A) regular quarterly dividends to Yamana Shareholders in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and (B) any such action solely between or among Yamana and its Subsidiaries or between or among Subsidiaries of Yamana; |
(iii) | incur any indebtedness to fund, directly or indirectly the payment of any dividend or other distribution in respect of any Yamana Shares other than in the ordinary course of business; |
(iv) | except as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(iv) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, issue, sell, grant, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber or agree to issue, sell, grant, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any Yamana Shares or other equity or voting interests or any options, stock appreciation rights, warrants, calls, conversion or exchange privileges or rights of any kind to acquire (whether on exchange, exercise, conversion or otherwise) any Yamana Shares or other equity or voting interests or other securities or any shares of its Subsidiaries (including, for greater certainty, Yamana Options, Yamana RSUs, Yamana DSUs, Yamana PSUs or Yamana Warrants), other than pursuant to the exercise or settlement (as applicable) of Yamana Options, Yamana RSUs, Yamana DSUs, Yamana PSUs and Yamana Warrants that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement in accordance with their terms (as such terms are disclosed in the Yamana Public Documents); |
(v) | sub-divide, split, combine or reclassify any outstanding Yamana Shares or the securities of any of its Subsidiaries; |
(vi) | redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to purchase or otherwise acquire Yamana Shares or other securities of Yamana or any securities of its Subsidiaries other than purchases of Yamana Shares in satisfaction of the payment of the exercise price or tax withholdings upon the exercise or vesting of outstanding Yamana Equity Awards; |
(vii) | amend the terms of any securities of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries; |
(viii) | adopt or propose a plan of liquidation or resolutions providing for the liquidation or dissolution of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries; |
(ix) | reorganize, amalgamate or merge Yamana or its Subsidiaries with any other Person; |
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(x) | except as set forth in Section 5.1(b)(x) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, mortgage, licence, encumber or otherwise transfer or agree to sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, mortgage, licence, encumber or otherwise transfer any assets of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or any interest in any assets of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any Yamana Mineral Rights), other than (A) sales and dispositions of raw materials, obsolete or surplus equipment, mine output and other inventories, in each case only if in the ordinary course of business, (B) Permitted Liens, (C) encumbrances and Liens that are incurred in the ordinary course of business, (D) sales of securities of Persons held for investment purposes, other than Subsidiaries or Yamana JV Entities, or (E) sales of assets that do not exceed, individually or in the aggregate, a fair market value of US$30 million; |
(xi) | acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or in a series of related transactions, any Person, or, other than investments required by existing Contracts to which a Yamana JV Entity is a party or bound, make any investment or agree to make any investment, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or in a series of related transactions, either by purchase of shares or securities, contributions of capital (other than to wholly-owned Subsidiaries), property transfer or purchase of any property or assets of any other Person, other than such investments in securities that do not exceed in the aggregate US$10 million; |
(xii) | incur any capital expenditures or enter into any agreement obligating Yamana or its Subsidiaries to provide for future capital expenditures other than (A) capital expenditures forming part of the budget for the 2022 fiscal year that has been approved by the Yamana Board in the ordinary course of business and disclosed to Gold Fields, or (B) capital expenditures that do not exceed, individually or in the aggregate, a fair market value of US$30 million; |
(xiii) | make any changes in financial accounting methods, principles, policies or practices, except as required, in each case, by IFRS or by applicable Law; |
(xiv) | reduce the stated capital of the shares of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries; |
(xv) | (A) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee any such indebtedness of another Person, issue or sell any debt securities or warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, guarantee any debt securities of another Person, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition of another Person or enter into any arrangement having the economic effect of any of the foregoing, except for (x) borrowings under the Yamana Term Loan in effect as of the date of this Agreement in the ordinary course of business or (y) letters of credit, reclamation bonds, financial assurances or other guarantees in respect of environmental or other obligations otherwise permitted to be incurred, or not prohibited, under this Agreement, or (z) borrowings under facilities entered into between two wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Yamana, or (B) make any loans, advances (other than any advances to employees in the ordinary course of business) or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, other than to any joint venture of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or to Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or in connection with sale-leaseback transactions; |
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(xvi) | pay, discharge, settle, satisfy, compromise, waive, assign or release any claims, rights, liabilities or obligations (including any litigation, proceeding or investigation by any Governmental Entity) other than: |
(A) | the payment, discharge or satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business, of liabilities reflected or reserved against in Xxxxxx’s financial statements (or in those of any of its Subsidiaries) or incurred in the ordinary course of business; or |
(B) | payment of any fees related to the Arrangement; |
(xvii) | enter into any agreement that, if entered into prior to the date hereof, would have been a Yamana Material Contract, or modify, amend in any material respect, transfer or terminate any Yamana Material Contract, or waive, release, or assign any material rights or claims thereto or thereunder; |
(xviii) | enter into or terminate any interest rate, currency, equity or commodity swaps, xxxxxx, derivatives, forward sales contracts or other financial instruments or like transaction, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with Yamana financial risk management policy; |
(xix) | materially change the business carried on by Yamana and its Subsidiaries, as a whole; |
(xx) | except as required by the terms of the Yamana Benefit Plans in effect on the date of this Agreement; or as disclosed in Section 5.1(b)(xx) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter: (A) grant, accelerate, or increase any severance, change of control or termination pay to (or amend any existing arrangement relating to the foregoing with) any director, officer or employee of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) grant, accelerate, or increase any payment, bonus, award (equity or otherwise) or other benefits payable to, or for the benefit of, any director, officer or employee of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) increase the coverage, contributions, funding requirements or benefits available under any Yamana Benefit Plan or create any new plan which would be considered to be a Yamana Benefit Plan once created; (D) increase compensation (in any form), bonus levels or other benefits payable to any director, officer, employee or consultant of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, or grant any general increase in the rate of wages, salaries, bonuses or other remuneration, except for base salary increases for employees (other than Senior Employees) in the ordinary course of business; (E) make any material determination under any Yamana Benefit Plan that is not in the ordinary course of business; (F) establish, adopt, enter into, amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or Yamana Benefit Plan; or (G) take or propose any action to effect any of the foregoing; |
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(xxi) | terminate the employment of any Senior Employee, except for cause or hire any Senior Employee; or |
(xxii) | take any action or fail to take any action which action or failure to act would reasonably be expected to cause any Governmental Entities to institute proceedings for the suspension of, or the revocation or limitation of rights under, any material Authorizations necessary to conduct its businesses as now conducted, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain such Authorizations; |
(c) | Yamana shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause its current insurance (or re-insurance) policies maintained by Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries not to be cancelled or terminated or any of the coverage thereunder to lapse, unless simultaneously with such termination, cancellation or lapse, replacement policies underwritten by insurance and reinsurance companies of nationally recognized standing providing coverage equal to or greater than the coverage under the cancelled, terminated or lapsed policies for substantially similar premiums are in full force and effect; provided that, subject to Section 5.11(a), neither Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries shall obtain or renew any insurance (or re-insurance) policy for a term exceeding 12 months; |
(d) | Yamana and each of its Subsidiaries shall: |
(i) | not take any action inconsistent with past practice relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the withholding, collecting, remitting and payment of any Tax; |
(ii) | not amend any Tax Return or change any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or accounting for Tax purposes from those employed in the preparation of its Tax Returns for the taxation year ended December 31, 2021, except as may be required by applicable Laws (as determined in good faith consultation with Gold Fields); |
(iii) | not make, change or revoke any material election relating to Taxes, other than any election that has yet to be made in respect of any event or circumstance occurring prior to the date of this Agreement and which will be made in a manner consistent with the past practice of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, as applicable; |
(iv) | not enter into any Tax sharing, Tax allocation, Tax related waiver or Tax indemnification agreement, or consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes; |
(v) | other than as set out in Section 5.1(d)(v) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter not settle (or offer to settle) any material Tax claim, audit, proceeding or re-assessment; |
(vi) | not make a request for a Tax ruling to any Governmental Entity; |
(vii) | keep Gold Fields reasonably informed, on a current basis, of any events, discussions, notices or changes with respect to any Tax investigation (other than ordinary course communications which could not reasonably be expected to be material to Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole); and |
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(viii) | not make any “investments” (as defined for purposes of Section 212.3 of the Tax Act) in any corporation that is a “foreign affiliate” of Yamana and/or any of its Subsidiaries (including, for greater certainty, an indirect investment described in paragraph 212.3(10)(f) of the Tax Act), except to the extent that such investment is made in the ordinary course of business in accordance with spending plans pre-dating the signing of this Agreement and does not exceed US$10 million; and |
(e) | Xxxxxx shall not authorize, agree to, propose, enter into or modify any Contract to do any of the matters prohibited by the other subsections of this Section 5.1 or resolve to do so. |
5.2 | Covenants of Gold Fields Regarding the Conduct of Business |
Gold Fields covenants and agrees that during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Date and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, as expressly required by this Agreement or expressly permitted by this Section 5.2, as required by applicable Law or a Governmental Entity, as required to comply with, or implement any COVID-19 Measures, or unless Xxxxxx shall otherwise agree in writing:
(a) | Gold Fields shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (i) in all material respects conduct its and their respective businesses only in, and not take any action except in, the ordinary course of business; and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its and their present business organization, goodwill, business relationships and assets and to keep available the services of their officers and employees as a group; |
(b) | without limiting the generality of Section 5.2(a), Gold Fields shall not, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, directly or indirectly: |
(i) | amend or propose to amend Gold Fields’ memorandum of incorporation, articles, by-laws, other constating documents or the Deposit Agreement; |
(ii) | except as set forth in Section 5.2(b)(ii) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any Gold Fields Shares, except for (A) regular dividends to Gold Fields Shareholders in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and (B) any such action solely between or among Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries or between or among Subsidiaries of Gold Fields; |
(iii) | issue, sell, grant, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber or agree to issue, sell, grant, award, pledge, dispose of or otherwise encumber any Gold Fields Shares or other equity or voting interests or any options, stock appreciation rights, warrants, calls, conversion or exchange privileges or rights of any kind to acquire (whether on exchange, exercise, conversion or otherwise) any Gold Fields Shares or other equity or voting interests or other securities or any shares of its Subsidiaries (including, for greater certainty, Gold Fields equity awards or any other equity based awards), other than (A) pursuant to the exercise of Gold Fields equity awards in accordance with their terms (as such terms are disclosed in the Gold Fields Public Documents), (B) grants of Gold Fields equity awards in the ordinary course of business, and (C) any such action solely between or among Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries or between or among Subsidiaries of Gold Fields; |
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(iv) | sub-divide, split, combine or reclassify any outstanding Gold Fields Shares; |
(v) | redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire or offer to purchase or otherwise acquire Gold Fields Shares or other securities of Gold Fields, other than (A) ordinary course purchases of Gold Fields Shares made in the public markets and at the prevailing market price, and (B) purchases of Gold Fields Shares in satisfaction of the payment of the exercise price or tax withholdings upon the exercise or vesting of Gold Fields equity awards; |
(vi) | amend the terms of any securities of Gold Fields, including without limitation the Gold Fields ADSs or Gold Fields ADRs; |
(vii) | adopt or propose a plan of liquidation, business rescue or winding up (or analogous proceedings) or resolutions providing for the liquidation, business rescue, winding up (or analogous proceedings) or dissolution of Gold Fields; |
(viii) | reorganize, amalgamate or merge Gold Fields with any other Person; |
(ix) | make any changes in financial accounting methods, principles, policies or practices, except as required, in each case, by IFRS or by applicable Law; |
(x) | reduce the stated capital of the Gold Fields Shares; |
(xi) | except as set forth in Section 5.2(b)(xi) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of securities or assets or otherwise) or agree to acquire, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or in a series of related transactions, any Person, or, other than investments required by existing Contracts to which Gold Fields is a party or bound, make any investment or agree to make any investment, directly or indirectly, in one transaction or in a series of related transactions, either by purchase of shares or securities, contributions of capital (other than to wholly-owned Subsidiaries), property transfer or purchase of any property or assets of any other Person, other than: |
(A) | for consideration less than $50 million individually or $500 million in the aggregate; |
(B) | acquisitions in the ordinary course of business; or |
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(C) | transactions between two or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of Gold Fields or between of Gold Fields and one or more such wholly-owned Subsidiaries; |
(xii) | except as set forth in Section 5.2(b)(xii) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, mortgage, licence, encumber or otherwise transfer or agree to sell, pledge, lease, dispose of, mortgage, licence, encumber or otherwise transfer any material assets of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or any interest in any assets of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (A) in the ordinary course of business, and (B) any such action solely between or among Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries or between or among Subsidiaries of Gold Fields; or |
(xiii) | materially change the business carried on by Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and |
(c) | Gold Fields shall not authorize, agree to, propose, enter into or modify any Contract to do any of the matters prohibited by the other subsections of this Section 5.2 or resolve to do so. |
5.3 | Covenants Relating to the Consideration Shares |
Gold Fields shall apply for and use its reasonable best efforts to obtain approval of the listing for trading on (a) the JSE by the Effective Time of Gold Fields Shares issuable pursuant to the Arrangement, and (b) the NYSE by the Effective Time of Gold Fields ADSs issuable pursuant to the Arrangement, each subject to official notice of issuance. Yamana shall use its reasonable best efforts to cooperate with Gold Fields in connection with the foregoing, including by providing information reasonably requested by Gold Fields in connection therewith. Gold Fields shall, on the Effective Date, deposit with the depositary under the Deposit Agreement sufficient Gold Fields Shares underlying the Gold Fields ADSs comprising the applicable portion of the Consideration Shares.
5.4 | Covenants of Gold Fields Regarding Blue-Sky Laws |
Gold Fields shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Consideration Shares shall, at the Effective Time, either be registered or qualified under all applicable U.S. state securities laws, or exempt from such registration and qualification requirements.
5.5 | Mutual Covenants of the Parties Relating to the Arrangement |
Each of the Parties covenants and agrees that, other than in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, which approvals shall be governed by the provisions of Section 5.7, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during that period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time and the time that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms:
(a) | it shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to use all commercially reasonable efforts to, satisfy (or cause the satisfaction of) the conditions precedent to its obligations hereunder as set forth in Article 6 to the extent the same is within its control and to take, or cause to be taken, all other action and to do, or cause to be done, all other things necessary, proper or advisable under all applicable Laws to complete the Arrangement, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to promptly: (i) obtain all necessary waivers, consents and approvals required to be obtained by it from parties to Yamana Material Contracts or Gold Fields Material Contracts, as the case may be; (ii) obtain all necessary and material Authorizations as are required to be obtained by it or any of its Subsidiaries under applicable Laws; (iii) fulfill all conditions and satisfy all provisions of this Agreement and the Arrangement, including delivery of the certificates of their respective officers contemplated by Sections 6.2(a), 6.2(b), 6.2(d), 6.3(a), 6.3(b) and 6.3(c); and (iv) co-operate with the other Party in connection with the performance by it and its Subsidiaries of their obligations hereunder; |
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(b) | it shall not take any action, shall refrain from taking any action, and shall not permit any action to be taken or not taken, which is inconsistent with this Agreement or which would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Arrangement or the other transactions contemplated herein including, for the avoidance of doubt, the taking of any action or the entering into of any transaction, including any merger, acquisition, joint venture, disposition, lease or contract that would reasonably be expected to prevent, delay or impede the obtaining of, or increase the risk of not obtaining, any Regulatory Approval or otherwise prevent, delay or impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; |
(c) | it shall use commercially reasonable efforts to: (i) defend all lawsuits or other legal, regulatory or other Proceedings against itself or any of its Subsidiaries challenging or affecting this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) appeal, overturn or have lifted or rescinded any injunction or restraining order or other order, including Orders, relating to itself or any of its Subsidiaries which may materially adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the Arrangement; and (iii) appeal or overturn or otherwise have lifted or rendered non-applicable in respect of the Arrangement, any Law that makes consummation of the Arrangement illegal or otherwise prohibits or enjoins Yamana or Gold Fields from consummating the Arrangement; and |
(d) | it shall carry out the terms of the Interim Order and Final Order applicable to it and use commercially reasonable efforts to comply promptly with all requirements which applicable Laws may impose on it or its Subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. |
5.6 | Covenants Relating to Yamana Employment Matters |
(a) | The Parties acknowledge and agree that the outstanding Yamana Equity Awards shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of the Plan of Arrangement. Prior to the Effective Date and conditional upon the Effective Time having occurred, Yamana shall, in form and substance satisfactory to Gold Fields, amend if necessary for greater certainty the Yamana PSU Plan and any grant agreements pursuant thereto and take all other steps necessary or desirable to give effect to, upon the Effective Time, the modifications to the Yamana PSU Plan necessary to reflect that Gold Fields is the successor to Xxxxxx under the Yamana PSU Plan pursuant to its terms and to reflect that any payments to be made on the redemption or settlement of the Yamana PSUs will be calculated by reference to the Gold Fields ADSs. |
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(b) | The Parties acknowledge that the Arrangement will result in a “change in control” (or a term of similar import) for purposes of the Yamana Benefit Plans and Xxxxxx’s executives’ and employees’ employment agreements. After the Effective Time, Gold Fields covenants and agrees to cause Xxxxxx and any successor to Xxxxxx, to honour and comply in all material respects with the terms of all existing employment, indemnification, change in control, change of control, severance, termination or other compensation arrangements and employment and severance obligations of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries that were entered into prior to the date of this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 5.6(b) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter. |
5.7 | Regulatory Approvals |
(a) | In respect of the Competition Act Approval and the Investment Canada Act Approval, |
(i) | within ten Business Days after the date of this Agreement or such other date as the Parties may reasonably agree, Gold Fields shall file with the Commissioner a submission requesting an Advance Ruling Certificate or, in the alternative, a No Action Letter; |
(ii) | if an Advance Ruling Certificate or No Action Letter shall not have been obtained within 16 days following filing of Gold Fields’ submission, Gold Fields or Yamana may at any time thereafter, acting reasonably, notify the other Party that it intends to file a notification pursuant to subsection 114(1) of the Competition Act, in which case Gold Fields and Yamana shall each file their respective notifications pursuant to subsection 114(1) of the Competition Act as promptly as practicable but in any event within ten Business Days following the date Gold Fields or Yamana, as applicable, notified the other Party of its intention to file a notification; and |
(iii) | within ten Business Days after the date of this Agreement or such other date as the Parties may reasonably agree, Gold Fields shall file with the responsible Minister with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement an application for review under the Investment Canada Act, including Gold Fields’ proposed written undertakings to the Minister or his designees. |
(b) | Gold Fields and Yamana shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries, as applicable, to, file, as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, any other filings or notifications under any other applicable federal, provincial, state or foreign Law required to obtain any other Regulatory Approvals including, for the avoidance of doubt the approval of the SARB and the JSE. |
(c) | All filing fees (including any Taxes thereon) in respect of any filing made to any Governmental Entity in respect of any Regulatory Approvals shall be shared by the Parties equally. |
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(d) | The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to: |
(i) | obtain the Regulatory Approvals at the earliest possible date. For greater certainty, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Parties shall request that the Regulatory Approvals be processed by the applicable Governmental Entity on an expedited basis and, to the extent that a public hearing is held, the Parties shall request the earliest possible hearing date for the consideration of the Regulatory Approvals; |
(ii) | respond promptly to any request for additional information or documentary materials made by any Governmental Entity in connection with the Regulatory Approvals; and |
(iii) | make such further filings as may be necessary, proper or advisable in connection therewith. |
(e) | With respect to obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, each of Gold Fields and Yamana shall cooperate with one another and shall provide such assistance as the other Party may reasonably request in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Approvals. In particular: |
(i) | no Party shall extend or consent to any extension of any applicable waiting or review period or enter into any agreement with a Governmental Entity to not consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except upon the prior written consent of the other Party; |
(ii) | the Parties shall exchange drafts of all submissions, correspondence, filings, presentations, applications, plans, consent agreements and other documents to be made or submitted to or filed with any Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will consider in good faith any suggestions made by the other Party and its counsel and will provide the other Party and its counsel with final copies of all such submissions, correspondence, filings, presentations, applications, plans, consent agreements and other documents, and all pre-existing business records or other documents, submitted to or filed with any Governmental Entity in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that, subject to Section 5.7(f), information indicated by either Party to be competitively sensitive shall be provided on an external counsel-only basis; |
(iii) | each Party will keep the other Party and their respective counsel fully apprised of all written (including email) and oral communications and all meetings with any Governmental Entity and their staff in respect of the Regulatory Approvals, and will not participate in such communications or meetings without giving the other Party and their respective counsel the opportunity to participate therein; provided, however, that, subject to Section 5.7(f), where competitively sensitive information may be discussed or communicated, the other Party’s external legal counsel shall be provided with any such communications or information on an external counsel-only basis and shall have the right to participate in any such meetings on an external counsel-only basis; and |
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(iv) | each Party shall make available its Representatives, on the reasonable request of the other Party and its counsel, to assist in obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, including by (i) making introductions to, and arranging meetings with, key stakeholders and leaders of Governmental Authorities and participating in those meetings, (ii) providing strategic input, including on any materials prepared for obtaining the Regulatory Approvals, and (iii) responding promptly to requests for support, documents, information, comments or input where reasonably requested in connection with the Regulatory Approvals. |
(f) | With respect to Sections 5.7(e)(ii) and (iii) above, where a Party (in this Section 5.7 only, the “Disclosing Party”) provides any submissions, communications, information, correspondence, filings, presentations, applications, plans, consent agreements or other documents to the other Party (the “Receiving Party”) on an external counsel-only basis, the Disclosing Party shall also provide the Receiving Party with a redacted version of any such submissions, communications, information, correspondence, filings, presentations, applications, plans, consent agreements or other documents. |
(g) | None of the Parties shall enter into any transaction, investment, agreement, arrangement or joint venture or take any other action, the effect of which would reasonably be expected to make obtaining the Regulatory Approvals materially more difficult or challenging, or reasonably be expected to materially delay the obtaining of the Regulatory Approvals. |
(h) | The Parties shall use (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to use) their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary or advisable on their respective parts to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement. To the extent that the Minister or his designees propose any amendments or require enhancements to the proposed written undertakings contemplated in Section 5.7(a)(iii), Gold Fields shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to propose, negotiate and enter into undertakings necessary to obtain the Investment Canada Act Approval. |
5.8 | Certain Yamana Covenants Regarding Non-Solicitation |
(a) | Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 5.8, Yamana shall not, and Yamana shall cause its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its other Representatives, not to: |
(i) | solicit, assist, initiate, knowingly encourage or otherwise facilitate (including by way of furnishing confidential information or entering into any form of agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than a confidentiality agreement pursuant to Section 5.8(e)) any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Yamana Acquisition Proposal; |
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(ii) | enter into, engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries or affiliates) in respect of any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Yamana Acquisition Proposal, it being acknowledged and agreed that, provided Xxxxxx is then in compliance with its obligations under this Section 5.8, Yamana may (A) advise any Person of the restrictions of this Agreement, (B) advise a Person who has submitted a written Xxxxxx Acquisition Proposal of the conclusion (without further communication) that its Yamana Acquisition Proposal does not constitute a Yamana Superior Proposal or (C) communicate with any Person solely for the purposes of clarifying the terms of any inquiry, proposal or offer made by such Person; |
(iii) | accept or enter into, or publicly propose to accept or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, agreement, arrangement or undertaking relating to any Yamana Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement pursuant to Section 5.8(e)); |
(iv) | (A) (1) fail to make, or withdraw, amend, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to Gold Fields or fail to publicly reaffirm (without qualification) the Yamana Board Recommendation, or its recommendation of the Arrangement within five Business Days (and in any case prior to the third Business Day prior to the date of the Yamana Meeting) after having been requested in writing by Gold Fields to do so (acting reasonably), or (2) accept, approve, endorse or recommend a Yamana Acquisition Proposal (or publicly propose to do so), or (3) take no position or a neutral position with respect to a Yamana Acquisition Proposal for more than five Business Days (or beyond the third Business Day prior to the date of the Yamana Meeting, if such date is sooner) after the public announcement of such Yamana Acquisition Proposal; or (B) resolve or propose to take any of the foregoing actions ((A) or (B) each a “Yamana Change in Recommendation”); or |
(v) | make any public announcement or take any other action inconsistent with the Yamana Board Recommendation. |
(b) | Yamana shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and Representatives to, immediately cease any existing solicitation, discussions, negotiations or other activities commenced prior to the date of this Agreement with any Person (other than Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries or affiliates) conducted by Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to, a Yamana Acquisition Proposal, and, in connection therewith, Yamana will discontinue access to and disclosure of its and its Subsidiaries’ confidential information (and not allow access to or disclosure of any such confidential information, or any data room, virtual or otherwise) and shall as soon as possible, and in any event within two Business Days of this Agreement, request, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to exercise all rights it has (or cause its Subsidiaries to exercise any rights that they have) to require the return or destruction of all confidential information regarding Yamana and its Subsidiaries previously provided in connection therewith to any Person other than Gold Fields to the extent such information has not already been returned or destroyed and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such obligations are fulfilled. |
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(c) | Xxxxxx represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement that, in the year prior to the date of this Agreement, neither Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries is a Party. Yamana covenants and agrees that (i) it shall enforce each standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, and (ii) neither Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective Representatives has (within the last 12 months) or will, without the prior written consent of Gold Fields (which may be withheld or delayed in Gold Fields’ sole and absolute discretion), release any Person from, or waive, amend, suspend or otherwise modify such Person’s obligations respecting Yamana, or any of its Subsidiaries, under any standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; provided, however, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that the automatic termination or release of any such standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction in accordance with its terms shall not be a breach of this Section 5.8(c). |
(d) | Xxxxxx shall as soon as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours, notify Gold Fields (orally at first and then in writing, in each case within 24 hours) if it receives or otherwise becomes aware of any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Yamana Acquisition Proposal, of such Yamana Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer, including the identity of the Person making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer and the material terms and conditions thereof and copies of all material or substantive documents received in respect of, from or on behalf of any such Person. Yamana shall keep Gold Fields promptly and fully informed of the material developments and discussions and negotiations with respect to such Xxxxxx Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer, including any material changes, modifications or other amendments thereto. |
(e) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time following the date of this Agreement, and prior to the Yamana Shareholder Approval having been obtained, Xxxxxx receives a request for material non-public information or to enter into discussions, from a Person that proposes to Yamana an unsolicited bona fide written Yamana Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of this Section 5.8 (and which has not been withdrawn) and the Yamana Board determines, in good faith after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, that such Yamana Acquisition Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Yamana Superior Proposal (disregarding, for the purposes of such determination, any due diligence or access condition to which such Yamana Acquisition Proposal is subject), then, and only in such case, Yamana may (x) enter into, participate in, facilitate and maintain discussions or negotiations with, and otherwise cooperate with or assist, the Person making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal, and (y) provide the Person making such Yamana Acquisition Proposal with, or access to, confidential information regarding Xxxxxx and its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent that Gold Fields had previously been, or is concurrently, provided with, or access to, the same information, if, and only if: |
(i) | prior to participating in any discussions or negotiations with such Person or providing such Person with, or access to, confidential information regarding Yamana and its Subsidiaries: (A) Yamana promptly delivers a written notice to Gold Fields stating its intention to participate in such discussions or negotiations and to provide such Person with, or access to, confidential information regarding Yamana and its Subsidiaries, which notice shall include confirmation of the determination by the Yamana Board that such Yamana Acquisition Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Yamana Superior Proposal; and (B) Yamana has entered into a confidentiality and standstill agreement on terms no less favourable in aggregate to Yamana than the Confidentiality Agreement and a true, complete and final executed copy of such agreement is provided to Gold Fields; and |
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(ii) | Yamana has been, and continues to be, in compliance with this Section 5.8. |
(f) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Yamana may make a Yamana Change in Recommendation and/or approve, accept or enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement, if and only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: |
(i) | the Yamana Board has determined that the Yamana Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Yamana Superior Proposal; |
(ii) | the Yamana Shareholder Approval has not been obtained; |
(iii) | Yamana has been, and continues to be, in compliance with this Section 5.8 in all material respects; |
(iv) | Yamana has provided Gold Fields with: (A) a notice in writing that the Yamana Board has determined that there is a Yamana Superior Proposal; (B) confirmation of the determination by the Yamana Board of the value or range of values in financial terms that the Yamana Board, in consultation with its financial advisors, has determined should be ascribed to any non-cash consideration offered under such Yamana Superior Proposal; (C) confirmation of the intention of Yamana to enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement, if applicable; and (D) a copy of the proposed definitive agreement for the Yamana Superior Proposal or, if applicable, the Permitted Acquisition Agreement and all supporting materials (including any financing documents supplied to Yamana in connection therewith); |
(v) | at least five Business Days (the “Gold Fields Response Period”) shall have elapsed from the date Gold Fields received the notice and documentation referred to in Section 5.8(f)(iv) from Yamana; |
(vi) | during any Gold Fields Response Period, Gold Fields had the opportunity (but not the obligation), in accordance with Section 5.8(h), to offer to amend this Agreement and the Arrangement in order for such Yamana Acquisition Proposal to cease to be a Yamana Superior Proposal; and |
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(vii) | if Gold Fields has proposed to amend the terms of the Arrangement in accordance with Section 5.8, the Yamana Board shall have determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, that the Yamana Acquisition Proposal remains a Yamana Superior Proposal compared to the proposed amendment to the terms of the Arrangement by Gold Fields, if applicable. |
(g) | For greater certainty, notwithstanding any Yamana Change in Recommendation or the entering into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement, each in accordance with Section 5.8(f), unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, Yamana shall cause the Yamana Meeting to occur and the Arrangement Resolution to be put to the Yamana Shareholders thereat for consideration in accordance with this Agreement, and Yamana shall not, except as required by applicable Law, submit to a vote of its shareholders any Yamana Acquisition Proposal other than the Arrangement Resolution prior to the termination of this Agreement. In addition, Xxxxxx hereby agrees that any Permitted Acquisition Agreement entered into in accordance with Section 5.8(f) shall in all instances satisfy each of the criteria of a Permitted Acquisition Agreement and Yamana shall not amend, waive or otherwise vary any of the provisions of such Permitted Acquisition Agreement in a manner which would be inconsistent with each of the criteria of a Permitted Acquisition Agreement. |
(h) | Xxxxxx acknowledges and agrees that, during the Gold Fields Response Period or such longer period as Yamana may approve for such purpose, Gold Fields shall have the opportunity, but not the obligation, to propose to amend the terms of this Agreement, including an increase in, or modification of, the Consideration. The Yamana Board will review any such proposal to determine in good faith whether Gold Xxxxxx’ proposal to amend this Agreement would result in the Yamana Acquisition Proposal ceasing to be a Yamana Superior Proposal. If the Yamana Board determines that the Yamana Acquisition Proposal is not a Yamana Superior Proposal as compared to the proposed amendments to the terms of this Agreement, it will promptly advise Gold Fields and enter into an amended agreement with Gold Fields reflecting such proposed amendments. If the Yamana Board continues to believe in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such Yamana Acquisition Proposal remains a Yamana Superior Proposal and therefore rejects Gold Fields’ offer to amend this Agreement and the Arrangement, if any, Yamana may, subject to compliance with the other provisions hereof, make a Yamana Change in Recommendation and/or enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement. Each successive modification of any Yamana Acquisition Proposal that results in an increase in, or modification of, the consideration (or value of such consideration) to be received by the Yamana Shareholders or other material terms or conditions thereof shall constitute a new Yamana Acquisition Proposal for the purposes of this Section 5.8 and Gold Fields shall be afforded a new Gold Fields Response Period in respect of each such Yamana Acquisition Proposal from the date on which Gold Fields received the notice and documentation referred to in Section 5.8(f)(iv) in respect of such new Yamana Superior Proposal from Yamana. |
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(i) | The Yamana Board shall promptly reaffirm the Yamana Board Recommendation by press release after any Yamana Acquisition Proposal which is determined to not be a Yamana Superior Proposal is publicly announced or the Yamana Board determines that a proposed amendment to the terms of this Agreement as contemplated under Section 5.8(h) would result in a Yamana Acquisition Proposal no longer being a Yamana Superior Proposal. Yamana shall provide Gold Fields and its outside legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review the form and content of any such press release and shall give reasonable consideration to such comments. |
(j) | In circumstances where Xxxxxx provides Gold Fields with notice of a Yamana Superior Proposal and all documentation contemplated by Section 5.8(f)(iv) on a date that is less than seven Business Days prior to the Yamana Meeting, Yamana may, or if and as requested by Gold Fields, Xxxxxx shall, either proceed with or postpone the Yamana Meeting to a date that is not more than seven Business Days after the scheduled date of such Yamana Meeting, as directed by Gold Fields, provided, however, that the Yamana Meeting shall not be adjourned or postponed to a date later than the seventh Business Day prior to the Outside Date. |
(k) | Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Yamana shall advise its Subsidiaries and its Representatives of the prohibitions set out in this Section 5.8 and any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.8 by Xxxxxx, its Subsidiaries or Representatives is deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.8 by Xxxxxx. |
5.9 | Certain Gold Fields Covenants Regarding Non-Solicitation |
(a) | Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 5.9, Gold Fields shall not, and Gold Fields shall cause its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its other Representatives, not to: |
(i) | solicit, assist, initiate, knowingly encourage or otherwise facilitate (including by way of furnishing confidential information or entering into any form of agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than a confidentiality agreement pursuant to Section 5.9(e)) any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal; |
(ii) | enter into, engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than Xxxxxx and its Subsidiaries or affiliates) in respect of any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, it being acknowledged and agreed that, provided Gold Fields is then in compliance with its obligations under this Section 5.9, Gold Fields may (A) advise any Person of the restrictions of this Agreement, (B) advise a Person who has submitted a written Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal of the conclusion (without further communication) that its Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal does not constitute a Gold Fields Superior Proposal or (C) communicate with any Person solely for the purposes of clarifying the terms of any inquiry, proposal or offer made by such Person; |
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(iii) | accept or enter into, or publicly propose to accept or enter into, any letter of intent, agreement in principle, agreement, arrangement or undertaking relating to any Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement pursuant to Section 5.9(e)); |
(iv) | (A) (1) fail to make, or withdraw, amend, modify or qualify, in a manner adverse to Yamana or fail to publicly reaffirm (without qualification) the Gold Fields Board Recommendation within five Business Days (and in any case prior to the third Business Day prior to the date of the Gold Fields Meeting) after having been requested in writing by Xxxxxx to do so (acting reasonably), or (2) accept, approve, endorse or recommend a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal (or publicly propose to do so), or (3) take no position or a neutral position with respect to a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal for more than five Business Days (or beyond the third Business Day prior to the date of the Gold Fields Meeting, if such date is sooner) after the public announcement of such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal; or (B) resolve or propose to take any of the foregoing actions ((A) or (B) each a “Gold Fields Change in Recommendation”); or |
(v) | make any public announcement or take any other action inconsistent with the Gold Fields Board Recommendation. |
(b) | Gold Fields shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and Representatives to, immediately cease any existing solicitation, discussions, negotiations or other activities commenced prior to the date of this Agreement with any Person (other than Yamana and its Subsidiaries or affiliates) conducted by Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or Representatives with respect to any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to, a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, and, in connection therewith, Gold Fields will discontinue access to and disclosure of its and its Subsidiaries’ confidential information (and not allow access to or disclosure of any such confidential information, or any data room, virtual or otherwise) and shall as soon as possible, and in any event within two Business Days of this Agreement, request, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to exercise all rights it has (or cause its Subsidiaries to exercise any rights that they have) to require the return or destruction of all confidential information regarding Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries previously provided in connection therewith to any Person other than Yamana to the extent such information has not already been returned or destroyed and use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that such obligations are fulfilled. |
(c) | Gold Fields represents and warrants as of the date of this Agreement that, in the year prior to the date of this Agreement, neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries is a Party. Gold Fields covenants and agrees that (i) it shall enforce each standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, and (ii) neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective Representatives has (within the last 12 months) or will, without the prior written consent of Yamana (which may be withheld or delayed in Yamana’s sole and absolute discretion), release any Person from, or waive, amend, suspend or otherwise modify such Person’s obligations respecting Gold Fields, or any of its Subsidiaries, under any standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; provided, however, that the Parties acknowledge and agree that the automatic termination or release of any such standstill, confidentiality, non-disclosure, business purpose, use or similar agreement or restriction in accordance with its terms shall not be a breach of this Section 5.9(c). |
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(d) | Gold Fields shall as soon as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours, notify Yamana (orally at first and then in writing, in each case within 24 hours) if it receives or otherwise becomes aware of any inquiry, proposal or offer that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute or lead to a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, of such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer, including the identity of the Person making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer and the material terms and conditions thereof and copies of all material or substantive documents received in respect of, from or on behalf of any such Person. Gold Fields shall keep Xxxxxx promptly and fully informed of the material developments and discussions and negotiations with respect to such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, inquiry, proposal or offer, including any material changes, modifications or other amendments thereto. |
(e) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time following the date of this Agreement, and prior to the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval having been obtained, Gold Fields receives a request for material non-public information or to enter into discussions, from a Person that proposes to Gold Fields an unsolicited bona fide written Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a breach of this Section 5.9 (and which has not been withdrawn) and the Gold Fields Board determines, in good faith after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, that such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Gold Fields Superior Proposal (disregarding, for the purposes of such determination, any due diligence or access condition to which such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal is subject), then, and only in such case, Gold Fields may (x) enter into, participate in, facilitate and maintain discussions or negotiations with, and otherwise cooperate with or assist the Person making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal, and (y) provide the Person making such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal with, or access to, confidential information regarding Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, but only to the extent that Xxxxxx had previously been, or is concurrently, provided with, or access to, the same information, if, and only if: |
(i) | prior to participating in any discussions or negotiations with such Person or providing such Person with, or access to, confidential information regarding Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries: (A) Gold Fields promptly delivers a written notice to Xxxxxx stating its intention to participate in such discussions or negotiations and to provide such Person with, or access to, confidential information regarding Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, which notice shall include confirmation of the determination by the Gold Fields Board that such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute a Gold Fields Superior Proposal; and (B) Gold Fields has entered into a confidentiality and standstill agreement on terms no less favourable in aggregate to Gold Fields than the Confidentiality Agreement and a true, complete and final executed copy of such agreement is provided to Yamana; and |
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(ii) | Gold Fields has been, and continues to be, in compliance with this Section 5.9. |
(f) | Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, Gold Fields may make a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation and/or approve, accept or enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement if and only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: |
(i) | the Gold Fields Board has determined that the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; |
(ii) | the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval has not been obtained; |
(iii) | Gold Fields has been, and continues to be, in compliance with this Section 5.9 in all material respects; |
(iv) | Gold Fields has provided Yamana with: (A) a notice in writing that the Gold Fields Board has determined that there is a Gold Fields Superior Proposal; (B) confirmation of the determination by the Gold Fields Board of the value or range of values in financial terms that the Gold Fields Board, in consultation with its financial advisors, has determined should be ascribed to any non-cash consideration offered under such Gold Fields Superior Proposal; (C) confirmation of the intention of Gold Fields to enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement, if applicable; and (D) a copy of the proposed definitive agreement for the Gold Fields Superior Proposal or, if applicable, the Permitted Acquisition Agreement and all supporting materials (including any financing documents supplied to Gold Fields in connection therewith); |
(v) | at least five Business Days (the “Yamana Response Period”) shall have elapsed from the date Yamana received the notice and documentation referred to in Section 5.9(f)(iv) from Gold Fields; |
(vi) | during any Yamana Response Period, Xxxxxx had the opportunity (but not the obligation), in accordance with 5.9(h), to offer to amend this Agreement and the Arrangement in order for such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal to cease to be a Gold Fields Superior Proposal; and |
(vii) | if Xxxxxx has proposed to amend the terms of the Arrangement in accordance with Section 5.9(h), the Gold Fields Board shall have determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial and legal advisors, that the Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal remains a Gold Fields Superior Proposal compared to the proposed amendment to the terms of the Arrangement by Xxxxxx, if applicable. |
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(g) | For greater certainty, notwithstanding any Gold Fields Change in Recommendation or the entering into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement, each in accordance with Section 5.9(f), unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, Gold Fields shall cause the Gold Fields Meeting to occur and the Gold Fields Resolutions to be put to the Gold Fields Shareholders thereat for consideration in accordance with this Agreement, and Gold Fields shall not, except as required by applicable Law, submit to a vote of its shareholders any Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal other than the Gold Fields Resolutions prior to the termination of this Agreement. In addition, Gold Fields hereby agrees that any Permitted Acquisition Agreement entered into in accordance with Section 5.9(f) shall in all instances satisfy each of the criteria of a Permitted Acquisition Agreement and Gold Fields shall not amend, waive or otherwise vary any of the provisions of such Permitted Acquisition Agreement in a manner which would be inconsistent with each of the criteria of a Permitted Acquisition Agreement. |
(h) | Gold Fields acknowledges and agrees that, during the Yamana Response Period or such longer period as Gold Fields may approve for such purpose, Xxxxxx shall have the opportunity, but not the obligation, to propose to amend the terms of this Agreement, including a modification of the Consideration. The Gold Fields Board will review any such proposal to determine in good faith whether Xxxxxx’s proposal to amend this Agreement would result in the Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal ceasing to be a Gold Fields Superior Proposal. If the Gold Fields Board determines that the Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal is not a Gold Fields Superior Proposal as compared to the proposed amendments to the terms of this Agreement, it will promptly advise Xxxxxx and enter into an amended agreement with Xxxxxx reflecting such proposed amendments. If the Gold Fields Board continues to believe in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal remains a Gold Fields Superior Proposal and therefore rejects Xxxxxx’s offer to amend this Agreement and the Arrangement, if any, Gold Fields may, subject to compliance with the other provisions hereof, make a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation and/or enter into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement. Each successive modification of any Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal that results in an increase in, or modification of, the consideration (or value of such consideration) to be received by the Gold Fields Shareholders or other material terms or conditions thereof shall constitute a new Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal for the purposes of this Section 5.9 and Yamana shall be afforded a new Yamana Response Period in respect of each such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal from the date on which Yamana received the notice and documentation referred to in Section 5.9(f)(iv) in respect of such new Gold Fields Superior Proposal from Gold Fields. |
(i) | The Gold Fields Board shall promptly reaffirm the Gold Fields Board Recommendation by press release after any Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal which is determined to not be a Gold Fields Superior Proposal is publicly announced or the Gold Fields Board determines that a proposed amendment to the terms of this Agreement as contemplated under Section 5.9(h) would result in a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal no longer being a Gold Fields Superior Proposal. Gold Fields shall provide Yamana and its outside legal counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review the form and content of any such press release and shall give reasonable consideration to such comments. |
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(j) | In circumstances where Gold Fields provides Yamana with notice of a Gold Fields Superior Proposal and all documentation contemplated by Section 5.9(f)(iv) on a date that is less than seven Business Days prior to the Gold Fields Meeting, Gold Fields may, or if and as requested by Xxxxxx, Gold Fields shall, either proceed with or postpone the Gold Fields Meeting to a date that is not more than seven Business Days after the scheduled date of such Gold Fields Meeting, as directed by Xxxxxx, provided, however, that the Gold Fields Meeting shall not be adjourned or postponed to a date later than the seventh Business Day prior to the Outside Date. |
(k) | Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Gold Fields shall advise its Subsidiaries and its Representatives of the prohibitions set out in this Section 5.9 and any violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section 5.9 by Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries or Representatives is deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.9 by Gold Fields. |
5.10 | Access to Information; Confidentiality |
(a) | From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms, subject to compliance with applicable Laws, each of Gold Fields and Yamana shall, and shall cause its Representatives to, afford to the other and its representatives such access as the other Party may reasonably require at all reasonable times, to its officers, employees, agents, properties, books, records and contracts, and shall furnish the other Party with all data and information as it may reasonably request; provided that the Party furnishing data or information (the “Furnishing Party”) shall not be required to (or to cause any of the Furnishing Party’s Subsidiaries to) afford such access or furnish such information to the extent that the Furnishing Party believes, in its reasonable good faith judgment, that doing so would (i) result in the loss of attorney-client, work product or other privilege, (ii) result in the disclosure of any trade secrets of third parties or violate any obligations of the Furnishing Party or any of the Furnishing Party’s Subsidiaries with respect to confidentiality to any third party, or otherwise breach, contravene or violate any such effective Contract to which the Furnishing Party or any Subsidiary of the Furnishing Party is a party or (iii) breach, contravene or violate any applicable Law; provided that the Furnishing Party shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such information to be provided in a manner that would not violate the foregoing, and provided that nothing in this section shall limit the obligations contained in Section 5.7. |
(b) | Gold Fields and Xxxxxx acknowledge and agree that information furnished pursuant to this Section 5.10 shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement. Any such investigation by a Party and its representatives shall not mitigate, diminish or affect the representations and warranties of the other Party contained in this Agreement or any document or certificate given pursuant hereto. |
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5.11 | Insurance and Indemnification |
(a) | Prior to the Effective Time, Xxxxxx shall purchase customary “tail” policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance from a reputable and financially sound insurance carrier and containing terms and conditions no less favourable in the aggregate to the protection provided by the policies maintained by Xxxxxx and its Subsidiaries which are in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date and providing protection in respect of claims arising from facts or events which occurred on or prior to the Effective Time and Gold Fields will, and will cause Yamana and its Subsidiaries to, maintain such “tail” policies in effect without any reduction in scope or coverage for six years from the Effective Time; provided, that Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to pay any amounts in respect of such coverage prior to the Effective Time and provided further that the cost of such policies shall not exceed 300% (the “Base Premium”) of Yamana’s current annual aggregate premium for policies currently maintained by Yamana or its Subsidiaries; provided further, however, that if such insurance can only be obtained at a premium in excess of the Base Premium, Yamana may purchase the most advantageous policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance reasonably available for an annual premium in excess of the Base Premium, and Gold Fields shall, or shall cause Yamana and its Subsidiaries, to maintain such coverage for six years from the Effective Date. From and after the Effective Time, Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, as applicable, agree not to take any action to terminate such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance or materially adversely affect the rights of Xxxxxx’s present and former directors and officers thereunder. |
(b) | Gold Fields will cause Yamana and its Subsidiaries to honour all rights to indemnification or exculpation now existing in favour of present and former employees, officers and directors of Yamana and its Subsidiaries under Law and under the articles or other constating documents of Yamana and/or its Subsidiaries or under any agreement or contract of any indemnified Person with Yamana or with any of its Subsidiaries, and acknowledges that such rights shall survive the completion of the Plan of Arrangement, and, to the extent within the control of Gold Fields, Gold Fields shall ensure that the same shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect any right thereunder of any such indemnified Person and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms for a period of not less than six years from the Effective Date. |
(c) | From and following the Effective Time, Gold Fields will cause Yamana to comply with its obligations under Section 5.11(a) and Section 5.11(b). |
(d) | If Gold Fields, Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not a continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, Gold Fields shall ensure that any such successor or assign (including, as applicable, any acquirer of substantially all of the properties and assets of Gold Fields, Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective successors or assigns) assumes all of the obligations set forth in this Section 5.11. |
(e) | The provisions of this Section 5.11 are intended for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each insured or indemnified Person, his or her heirs and his or her legal representatives and, for such purpose, Xxxxxx xxxxxx confirms that it is acting as trustee on their behalf, and agrees to enforce the provisions of this Section 5.11 on their behalf. Furthermore, this Section 5.11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement as a result of the occurrence of the Effective Date for a period of six years. |
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5.12 | Pre-Acquisition Reorganization |
(a) | Subject to Section 5.12(b), Xxxxxx agrees that, upon request of Gold Fields, Yamana shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) perform such reorganizations of its corporate structure, capital structure, business, operations and assets or such other transactions as Gold Fields may request prior to the Effective Date, acting reasonably (each a “Pre-Acquisition Reorganization”), and the Plan of Arrangement, if required, shall be modified accordingly, and (ii) cooperate with Gold Fields and its advisors to determine the nature of the Pre-Acquisition Reorganizations that might be undertaken and the manner in which they would most effectively be undertaken. |
(b) | Yamana and its Subsidiaries will not be obligated to participate in any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization under Section 5.12(a) unless such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, in the opinion of Xxxxxx, acting reasonably: |
(i) | cannot reasonably be expected to result in any Taxes being imposed on, or any adverse Tax consequences to the Yamana Shareholders incrementally greater than the Taxes to such party in connection with the consummation of the Arrangement in the absence of any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization; |
(ii) | is not prejudicial to Yamana and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Xxxxxx’s securityholders in any material respect; |
(iii) | does not require Yamana to obtain the approval of securityholders of Yamana or proceed absent any required consent of any third party (including any Regulatory Approval); |
(iv) | does not result in any material breach by Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries of any Yamana Material Contract, Regulatory Approval or their respective organizational documents or applicable Law; |
(v) | does not unreasonably interfere with Xxxxxx’s material operations prior to the Effective Time; |
(vi) | does not require Yamana or its Subsidiaries to contravene any Contract, Regulatory Approval or applicable Laws, or their respective organizational documents; |
(vii) | can be completed immediately prior to the Effective Date; and |
(viii) | does not impair the ability of Yamana to consummate, and will not prevent or materially delay the consummation of, the Arrangement, and would not reasonably be expected to prevent any Person from making a Yamana Superior Proposal. |
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(c) | Gold Fields must provide written notice to Xxxxxx of any proposed Pre-Acquisition Reorganization in reasonable written detail at least 15 Business Days prior to the Effective Date. Upon receipt of such notice, Yamana and Gold Fields shall work cooperatively and use their best efforts to prepare prior to the Effective Time all documentation necessary and do such other acts and things as are necessary to give effect to such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, including any amendment to this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, and shall seek to the extent practicable to have any such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization made effective not later than the last moment of the Business Day ending immediately prior to the Effective Date (but after Gold Fields has waived or confirmed that all of the conditions set out in Section 6.1 and Section 6.2 have been satisfied, other than any such conditions that by their terms can only be satisfied on the Effective Date). |
(d) | Unless the Arrangement is not completed due to a breach by Xxxxxx of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or in circumstances that would give rise to the payment by Xxxxxx of a Yamana Termination Fee, Gold Fields agrees that it shall (i) be responsible for all reasonable costs and expenses associated with any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, including professional fees, disbursements, expenses and Taxes, to be carried out at its request and (ii) indemnify and save harmless Yamana and its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, Taxes, claims, costs, expenses, interest awards, judgments and penalties suffered or incurred by any of them in connection with or as a result of any such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization (including in respect of any unwinding, reversal, modification or termination of a Pre-Acquisition Reorganization) and that any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization will not be considered in determining whether a representation or warranty of Yamana under this Agreement has been breached (including where any such Pre-Acquisition Reorganization requires the consent of any third party under a Contract). If the Arrangement is not completed (other than due to a breach by Xxxxxx of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or in circumstances that would give rise to the payment by Xxxxxx of a Yamana Termination Fee), Gold Fields shall reimburse Yamana forthwith for all reasonable fees and expenses (including any professional fees and expenses and Taxes) incurred by Xxxxxx in considering or effecting all or any part of the Pre-Acquisition Reorganization. |
(e) | Gold Fields agrees that any Pre-Arrangement Reorganization will not be considered in determining whether a representation or warranty of Yamana under this Agreement has been breached (including where any such Pre-Arrangement Reorganization requires the consent of any third party under a Contract). |
Article 6
CONDITIONS
6.1 | Mutual Conditions Precedent |
The respective obligations of the Parties to complete the Arrangement are subject to the fulfillment of each of the following conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time, each of which may only be waived, in whole or in part, with the mutual consent of the Parties:
(a) | the Arrangement Resolution shall have been duly approved by Yamana Shareholders at the Yamana Meeting in accordance with the Interim Order and applicable Law; |
(b) | the Gold Fields Resolutions shall have been duly approved at the Gold Fields Meeting in accordance with applicable Law; |
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(c) | the Interim Order and the Final Order shall each have been obtained on terms consistent with this Agreement and in form and substance acceptable to each of Gold Fields and Yamana, acting reasonably, and shall not have been set aside or modified in a manner unacceptable to Gold Fields or Yamana, each acting reasonably, on appeal or otherwise; |
(d) | no Governmental Entity shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Order or Law which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Arrangement illegal or otherwise preventing or prohibiting consummation of the Arrangement; |
(e) | the Gold Fields Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall, subject to customary conditions, have been approved for listing on the JSE and accepted for settlement by Strate and the Gold Fields ADSs to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall, subject to customary conditions, have been approved for listing on the NYSE; |
(f) | all of the Key Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained; and |
(g) | the Consideration Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall be exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) thereof. |
6.2 | Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Gold Fields |
The obligation of Gold Fields to complete the Arrangement is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following additional conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time (each of which is for the exclusive benefit of Gold Fields and may be waived by Gold Fields, in whole or in part at any time, each in its sole discretion, without prejudice to any other rights which Gold Fields may have):
(a) | the representations and warranties of Yamana set forth in: (i) Sections (a) [Organization and Qualification], (b) [Authority Relative to this Agreement] and (w)(ii) [Absence of Certain Changes or Events – No Yamana Material Adverse Effect] of Schedule 3.1 shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the Effective Time as if made as at and as of such time; (ii) the representations and warranties of Yamana set forth in Sections (d)(i) [Subsidiaries] and (g) [Capitalization] of Schedule 3.1 shall be true and correct in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies) as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the Effective Time as if made as at and as of such time; and (iii) all other representations and warranties of Yamana set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (x) in all respects as of the date of this Agreement, and (y) in all respects as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (disregarding for purposes of this clause (iii)(y) of this Section 6.2(a) any materiality or Yamana Material Adverse Effect qualification contained in any such representation or warranty); except that any representation and warranty in each of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) that by its terms speaks specifically as of the date of this Agreement or another date shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date, and except in the case of the foregoing clause (iii)(y) where the failure to be so true and correct in all respects, individually and in the aggregate, does not constitute a Yamana Material Adverse Effect, and Xxxxxx shall have provided to Gold Fields a certificate of two senior officers of Yamana certifying (on Yamana’s behalf and without personal liability) the foregoing dated the Effective Date; |
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(b) | Xxxxxx shall have complied in all material respects with its covenants herein and Xxxxxx shall have provided to Gold Fields a certificate of two senior officers of Yamana certifying (on Xxxxxx’s behalf and without personal liability) compliance with such covenants dated the Effective Date; |
(c) | there shall not be pending or threatened in writing any proceeding by any Governmental Entity or any other Person that the Gold Fields Board has determined in good faith, in consultation with its outside legal advisors, is reasonably likely to result in an imposition of material limitations on the ability of Gold Fields to complete the Arrangement or acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership of, any Yamana Shares; |
(d) | since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred, or have been disclosed to the public (if previously undisclosed to the public), any Yamana Material Adverse Effect that has not been cured, and Xxxxxx shall have provided to Gold Fields a certificate of two senior officers of Xxxxxx to that effect (on Xxxxxx’s behalf and without personal liability); and |
(e) | Dissent Rights shall not have been exercised (or, if exercised, shall not remain unwithdrawn) with respect to more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Yamana Shares. |
6.3 | Additional Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Yamana |
The obligation of Yamana to complete the Arrangement is subject to the fulfillment of each of the following additional conditions precedent on or before the Effective Time (each of which is for the exclusive benefit of Yamana and may be waived by Xxxxxx, in whole or in part at any time, in its sole discretion, without prejudice to any other rights which Xxxxxx may have):
(a) | the representations and warranties of Gold Fields set forth in (i) Sections (a) [Organization and Qualification], (b) [Authority Relative to this Agreement] and (u)(ii) [Absence of Certain Changes or Events – No Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect] of Schedule 4.1, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the Effective Time as if made as at and as of such time; (ii) the representations and warranties of Gold Fields set forth in Section (g) [Capitalization] of Schedule 4.1 shall be true and correct in all respects (except for de minimis inaccuracies) as of the date of this Agreement, and as of the Effective Time as if made as at and as of such time; and (iii) all other representations and warranties of Gold Fields set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (x) in all respects as of the date of this Agreement, and in all respects as of the Effective Time as if made at and as of such time (disregarding for purposes of this clause (iii)(y) of this Section 6.3(a) any materiality or Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect qualification contained in any such representation or warranty); except that any representation and warranty in each of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) that by its terms speaks specifically as of the date of this Agreement or another date shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date, and except in the case of the foregoing clause (iii)(y) where the failure to be so true and correct in all respects, individually and in the aggregate, does not constitute a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect, and Gold Fields shall have provided to Yamana a certificate of two senior officers of Gold Fields certifying (on Gold Fields’ behalf and without personal liability) the foregoing dated the Effective Date; |
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(b) | Gold Fields shall have complied in all respects with its covenants in Section 2.13 [Payment of Consideration] and in all material respects with its other covenants herein and Gold Fields shall have provided to Yamana a certificate of two senior officers of Gold Fields certifying (on Gold Fields’ behalf and without personal liability) compliance with such covenants dated the Effective Date; and |
(c) | since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred, or have been disclosed to the public (if previously undisclosed to the public) any Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect that has not been cured, and Gold Fields shall have provided to Yamana a certificate of two senior officers of Gold Fields to that effect (on Gold Fields’ behalf and without personal liability). |
6.4 | Satisfaction of Conditions |
The conditions precedent set out in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 6.3 shall be conclusively deemed to have been satisfied, waived or released at the Effective Time. For greater certainty, and notwithstanding the terms of any escrow arrangement entered into between the Parties and the Depositary, the Consideration Shares held in escrow by the Depositary pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof shall be released from escrow at the Effective Time without any further act or formality required on the part of any Person.
6.5 | Notice and Cure Provisions |
(a) | Each Party will give prompt notice to the other Party of the occurrence or failure to occur (in either case, actual, anticipated, contemplated or, to the knowledge of such Party, threatened), at any time from the date hereof until the Effective Date, of any event or state of facts which occurrence or failure would, or would reasonably be likely to: |
(i) | cause any of the representations or warranties of either Party contained herein to be untrue, misleading or inaccurate in any material respect on the date hereof or at the Effective Date; or |
(ii) | result in the failure to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by either Party prior to or at the Effective Date. |
(b) | Notification provided under this Section 6.5 will not affect the representations, warranties, covenants, conditions, agreements or obligations of the Parties (or remedies with respect thereto) or the conditions to the obligations of the Parties under this Agreement. |
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(c) | Gold Fields may not elect to exercise its right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iii)(D) [Breach of Representations, Warranties or Covenants by Xxxxxx] and Yamana may not elect to exercise its right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iv)(D) [Breach of Representations, Warranties or Covenants by Gold Fields], unless the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement (the “Terminating Party”) has delivered a written Notice (“Termination Notice”) to the other Party (the “Breaching Party”) specifying in reasonable detail all breaches of covenants, representations and warranties or other matters which the Terminating Party asserts as the basis for termination. After delivering a Termination Notice, if the Breaching Party is proceeding diligently to cure such matter and such matter is capable of being cured prior to the Outside Date, the Terminating Party may not exercise such termination right until the earlier of: (i) the Outside Date; and (ii) the date that is ten Business Days following receipt of such Termination Notice by the Breaching Party, if such matter has not been cured by such date; provided that if any matter is not capable of being cured by the Outside Date, the Terminating Party may immediately exercise the applicable termination right. |
6.6 | Frustration of Conditions |
Neither Gold Fields nor Yamana may rely on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, as applicable, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s breach in any material respect of any provision of this Agreement or failure in any material respect to use the standard of efforts required from such Party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Article 7
TERM, TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
7.1 | Term |
This Agreement shall be effective from the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
7.2 | Termination |
(a) | This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time: |
(i) | by mutual written agreement of Xxxxxx and Gold Fields; |
(ii) | by either Xxxxxx or Gold Fields, if: |
(A) | the Effective Time shall not have occurred on or before the Outside Date, except that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.2(a)(ii)(A) shall not be available to any Party whose failure to fulfill any of its obligations or breach of any of its representations and warranties under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur by the Outside Date; |
(B) | after the date hereof, there shall be enacted or made any applicable Law or Order that remains in effect and that makes consummation of the Arrangement illegal or otherwise prohibits or enjoins Yamana or Gold Fields from consummating the Arrangement and such Law, Order or enjoinment shall have become final and non-appealable; |
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(C) | the Yamana Shareholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Yamana Meeting except that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.2(a)(ii)(C) shall not be available to any Party whose failure to fulfill any of its obligations or breach of any of its representations and warranties under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure to receive the Yamana Shareholder Approval; or |
(D) | the Gold Fields Resolutions shall not have been duly approved at the Gold Fields Meeting except that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.2(a)(ii)(D) shall not be available to any Party whose failure to fulfill any of its obligations or breach of any of its representations and warranties under this Agreement has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure to receive the approval from Gold Fields Shareholders. |
(iii) | by Gold Fields, if: |
(A) | a Yamana Change in Recommendation occurs and/or Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries accepts, approves, executes or enters into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement; |
(B) | Yamana shall have breached Section 5.8 in any material respect; |
(C) | a Yamana Material Adverse Effect has occurred which is incapable of being cured prior to the Outside Date; or |
(D) | a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of Yamana set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred that would cause the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) not to be satisfied, and such conditions are incapable of being satisfied by the Outside Date. |
(iv) | by Xxxxxx, if |
(A) | a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation occurs and/or Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries accepts, approves, executes or enters into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement; |
(B) | Gold Fields shall have breached Section 5.9 in any material respect; |
(C) | a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect has occurred which is incapable of being cured prior to the Outside Date; or |
(D) | a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of Gold Fields set forth in this Agreement shall have occurred that would cause the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) not to be satisfied, and such conditions are incapable of being satisfied by the Outside Date. |
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(b) | The Party desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.2 (other than pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(i)) shall give written notice of such termination to the other Party, specifying in reasonable detail the basis for such Party’s exercise of its termination right. |
(c) | If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1 or Section 7.2, this Agreement shall become void and be of no further force or effect without liability of any Party (or any shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or Representative of such Party) to any other Party hereto, except that: (i) in the event of termination under Section 7.1 as a result of the Effective Time occurring, the provisions of this Section 7.2(c) and Sections 5.11, 5.12, 8.2 and 8.9 and all related definitions set forth in Section 1.1 shall survive for a period of six years thereafter and Section 2.15 will survive indefinitely; (ii) in the event of termination under Section 7.2, the provisions of this Section 7.2(c) and Sections 5.10(b), 7.3, and 8.2, 8.3, 8.5, 8.6 and 8.8 and all related definitions set forth in Section 1.1 and the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to Section 7.2 and Section 2.15 will survive indefinitely; and (iii) neither Party shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its willful breach of any provision of this Agreement. |
7.3 | Termination Fees |
(a) | Except as otherwise provided herein, all fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees, costs or expenses. |
(b) | For the purposes of this Agreement, “Yamana Termination Fee Event” means the termination of this Agreement: |
(i) | by Gold Fields pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iii)(A) [Yamana Change in Recommendation]; |
(ii) | by Gold Fields pursuant to 7.2(a)(iii)(B) [Yamana Material Breach of Non-Solicitation Provisions]; |
(iii) | by either Party pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(ii)(C) [Failure to Obtain the Yamana Shareholder Approval] following a Yamana Change in Recommendation and/or Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries accepts, approves, executes or enters into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement; or |
(iv) | by either Party pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(ii)(A) [Effective Time Not Occurring Prior to the Outside Date] or Section 7.2(a)(ii)(C) [Failure to Obtain the Yamana Shareholder Approval] or by Gold Fields pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iii)(D) [Breach of Representations, Warranties or Covenants by Xxxxxx], but only if, in these termination events, (x) prior to such termination, a bona fide Yamana Acquisition Proposal shall have been made and publicly announced by any Person (other than Gold Fields and its affiliates) and such Yamana Acquisition Proposal is not withdrawn at least five Business Days prior to the date of the Yamana Meeting and (y) within 12 months following the date of such termination, (A) Yamana or one or more of its Subsidiaries enters into a Contract (other than a confidentiality agreement) in respect of a Yamana Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such Yamana Acquisition Proposal is the same Yamana Acquisition Proposal referred to in clause (x) above) and such Yamana Acquisition Proposal is later consummated (whether or not within 12 months after such termination) or (B) a Yamana Acquisition Proposal shall have been consummated (whether or not such Yamana Acquisition Proposal is the same Yamana Acquisition Proposal referred to in clause (x) above), provided that for purposes of this Section 7.3(b)(iv), the term “Yamana Acquisition Proposal” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 except that a reference to “20 per cent” therein shall be deemed to be a reference to “50 per cent”. |
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If a Yamana Termination Fee Event occurs, Yamana shall pay the Yamana Termination Fee to Gold Fields, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, as follows:
(A) | if the Yamana Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(b)(i), the Termination Fee shall be payable within two Business Days following such termination; |
(B) | if the Yamana Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(b)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be payable within two Business Days following such termination; |
(C) | if the Yamana Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(b)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be payable (i) if Yamana terminates this Agreement concurrently with such termination and (ii) if Gold Fields terminates this Agreement, within two Business Days following such termination; or |
(D) | if the Yamana Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(b)(iv), the Termination Fee shall be payable concurrently upon the consummation of the Yamana Acquisition Proposal referred to therein. |
(c) | For the purposes of this Agreement, “Gold Fields Termination Fee Event” means the termination of this Agreement: |
(i) | by Yamana pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iv)(A) [Gold Fields Change in Recommendation]; |
(ii) | by Yamana pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iv)(B) [Gold Fields Material Breach of Non-Solicitation Provisions]; |
(iii) | by either Party pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(ii)(D) [Failure to Obtain the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval] following a Gold Fields Change in Recommendation and/or Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries accepts, approves, executes or enters into a Permitted Acquisition Agreement; or |
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(iv) | by either Party pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(ii)(A) [Effective Time Not Occurring Prior to the Outside Date] or Section 7.2(a)(ii)(D) [Failure to Obtain the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval] or by Yamana pursuant to Section 7.2(a)(iv)(D) [Breach of Representations, Warranties or Covenants by Gold Fields], but only if, in these termination events, (x) prior to such termination, a bona fide Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal shall have been made and publicly announced by any Person (other than Yamana and its affiliates) and such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal not withdrawn at least five Business Days prior to the date of the Gold Fields Meeting and (y) within 12 months following the date of such termination, (A) Gold Fields or one or more of its Subsidiaries enters into a Contract (other than a confidentiality agreement) in respect of a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal (whether or not such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal is the same Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal referred to in clause (x) above) and such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal is later consummated (whether or not within 12 months after such termination) or (B) a Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal shall have been consummated (whether or not such Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal is the same Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal referred to in clause (x) above), provided that for purposes of this Section 7.3(c)(iv), the term “Gold Fields Acquisition Proposal” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 1.1 except that a reference to “20 per cent” therein shall be deemed to be a reference to “50 per cent”. |
If a Gold Fields Termination Fee Event occurs, Gold Fields shall pay the Gold Fields Termination Fee to Yamana, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, as follows:
(A) | if the Gold Fields Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(c)(i), the Termination Fee shall be payable within two Business Days following such termination; |
(B) | if the Gold Fields Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(c)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be payable within two Business Days following such termination; |
(C) | if the Gold Fields Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(c)(ii), the Termination Fee shall be payable (i) if Gold Fields terminates this Agreement concurrently with such termination and (ii) if Yamana terminates this Agreement, within two Business Days following such termination; or |
(D) | if the Gold Fields Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 7.3(c)(iv), the Termination Fee shall be payable concurrently upon the consummation of the Yamana Acquisition Proposal referred to therein. |
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(d) | The Parties acknowledge that all of the payment amounts set out in this Section 7.3 are payments of liquidated damages which are a genuine pre-estimate of the damages which the other Party entitled to such damages will suffer or incur as a result of the event giving rise to such payment and the resultant termination of this Agreement and are not penalties. Each Party irrevocably waives any right it may have to raise as a defence that any such liquidated damages are excessive or punitive. For greater certainty, each Party agrees that, upon any termination of this Agreement under circumstances where Xxxxxx or Gold Fields is entitled to a Termination Fee and such Termination Fee is paid in full, Yamana or Gold Fields, as the case may be, shall be precluded from any other remedy against the other Party at Law or in equity or otherwise (including, without limitation, an order for specific performance), and shall not seek to obtain any recovery, judgment, or damages of any kind, including consequential, indirect, or punitive damages, against the other Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, managers, members, shareholders or affiliates or their respective representatives in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply in the event of fraud or wilful breach of this Agreement by a Party. |
7.4 | Amendment |
Subject to the provisions of the Interim Order, the Plan of Arrangement and applicable Laws, this Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement may, at any time and from time to time before or after the holding of the Yamana Meeting but not later than the Effective Time, be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties, without further notice to or authorization on the part of Yamana Shareholders, and any such amendment may without limitation:
(a) | change the time for performance of any of the obligations or acts of the Parties; |
(b) | waive any inaccuracies or modify any representation or warranty contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto; |
(c) | waive compliance with or modify any of the covenants herein contained and waive or modify performance of any of the obligations of the Parties; and/or |
(d) | waive compliance with or modify any mutual conditions precedent herein contained. |
7.5 | Waiver |
Any Party may: (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other Party; (b) waive compliance, except as provided herein, with any of the other Party’s agreements or the fulfilment of any conditions to its own obligations contained herein; or (c) waive inaccuracies in any of the other Party’s representations or warranties contained herein or in any document delivered by the other Party; provided, however, that any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such Party and, unless otherwise provided in the written waiver, will be limited to the specific breach or condition waived. A Party’s failure or delay in exercising any right under this Agreement will not operate as a waiver of that right. A single or partial exercise of any right will not preclude a Party from any other or further exercise of that right or the exercise of any other right.
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Article 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 | Notices |
All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and received on the day it is delivered, provided that it is delivered on a Business Day prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of delivery or receipt. However, if notice is delivered after 5:00 p.m. local time or if such day is not a Business Day then the notice shall be deemed to have been given and received on the next Business Day. Notice shall be sufficiently given if delivered (either in Person or by courier), or if transmitted by email (with confirmation of transmission) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by any Party by notice to the other given in accordance with these provisions):
(a) | if to Gold Fields: |
Gold Fields Limited
000 Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 0000
Attention: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, EVP, Group Head of Legal and Compliance | |
Email: | [Redacted – Personal Information] |
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Fasken Xxxxxxxxx XxXxxxxx LLP
000 Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |
Email: | xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx and xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx |
and to:
Xxxxxxxxxx XXX
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
XX0X 0XX
Attention: | Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx | |
Email: | xxxx.xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
and to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx
0000
Attention: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx | |
Email: | xxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
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(b) | if to Yamana: |
Yamana Gold Inc.
Royal Bank Plaza, North Tower
000 Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: | Xxxxx Xxxxxx, SVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |
Email: | [Redacted – Personal Information] |
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx LLP
Suite 2100, Scotia Plaza
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: | Xxxx Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |
Email: | xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx and xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx |
and to:
Xxxx, Xxxxx, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX
00000-0000
Attention: | Xxxx Xxxxxxx | |
Email: | xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx |
The Parties hereby irrevocably authorize and appoint the above-noted recipients of notice as their agents for service of any proceedings in relation to any matter arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and service on such service agent, which may be made in the same manner as any notice is to be provided, shall be deemed to be service on the Parties.
8.2 | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be governed, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the Laws of the Province of Ontario and the Laws of Canada applicable therein. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably attorns to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario in respect of all matters arising under and in relation to this Agreement and the Arrangement and waives any defences to the maintenance of an action in the Courts of the Province of Ontario.
8.3 | Injunctive Relief |
Subject to Section 7.3(d), the Parties agree that irreparable harm would occur for which money damages would not be an adequate remedy at Law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, the Parties agree that, in the event of any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement by a Party, the non-breaching Party will be entitled, without the requirement of posting a bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, and the Parties shall not object to the granting of injunctive or other equitable relief on the basis that there exists an adequate remedy at law. Subject to Section 7.3(d), such remedies will not be the exclusive remedies for any breach of this Agreement but will be in addition to all other remedies available at Law or equity to each of the Parties.
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8.4 | Time of Essence |
Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement.
8.5 | Entire Agreement, Binding Effect and Assignment |
This Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules hereto) and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions, both written and oral, between the Parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and, except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer upon any Person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall enure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any of the Parties without the prior written consent of the other Party.
8.6 | No Personal Liability |
No director or officer of Gold Fields shall have any personal liability whatsoever to Yamana under this Agreement, or any other document delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby on behalf of Gold Fields. No director or officer of Xxxxxx shall have any personal liability whatsoever to Gold Fields under this Agreement, or any other document delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby on behalf of Xxxxxx.
8.7 | Severability |
If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule or Law or public policy, that provision will be severed from this Agreement and all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible.
8.8 | Waiver of Jury Trial |
Each Party hereto (on behalf of itself and any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives) hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the actions of the Parties in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement of this Agreement. Each Party hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any other Party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Party would not, in the event of any action, suit or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (b) acknowledges that it and the other Parties hereto have been induced to enter into this Agreement, by, among other things, the mutual waiver and certifications in this Section 8.8.
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8.9 | Third Party Beneficiaries |
The provisions of Sections 5.6 and 5.11 are: (i) intended for the benefit of all present and former directors and officers of Xxxxxx and its Subsidiaries, as and to the extent applicable in accordance with their terms, and shall be enforceable by each of such Persons and his or her heirs, executors administrators and other legal representatives (collectively, the “Third Party Beneficiaries”) and Xxxxxx shall hold the rights and benefits of Sections 5.6 and 5.11 in trust for and on behalf of the Third Party Beneficiaries and Xxxxxx hereby accepts such trust and agrees to hold the benefit of and enforce performance of such covenants on behalf of the Third Party Beneficiaries; and (ii) in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights that the Third Party Beneficiaries may have by contract or otherwise. Except as provided in this Section 8.9, this Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
8.10 | Counterparts, Execution |
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The Parties shall be entitled to rely upon delivery of an executed facsimile or similar executed electronic copy of this Agreement, and such facsimile or similar executed electronic copy shall be legally effective to create a valid and binding agreement between the Parties.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF Gold Fields and Xxxxxx have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.
GOLD FIELDS LIMITED | ||||
By: | “Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx” | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
YAMANA GOLD INC. | ||||
By: | “Xxxxx Xxxxxxx” | |||
Name: | Xxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Executive Chairman |
Schedule A
Form of Plan of Arrangement
(see attached)
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
UNDER SECTION 192 OF THE
CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
IN RESPECT OF
AND
YAMANA GOLD QUEBEC INC.
Article 1
INTERPRETATION
1.1 | Definitions |
Unless otherwise indicated, whenever used in this Plan of Arrangement, capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings specified in the Arrangement Agreement and the following words and terms have the meanings set out below:
“affiliate” has the meaning given to it in National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions under Canadian Securities Laws;
“Aggregate Exercise Price” means, collectively, the Yamana Exercise Price and the New Monarch Exercise Price;
“Arrangement” means the arrangement of Yamana under Section 192 of the CBCA on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Plan of Arrangement, subject to any amendments or variations thereto made in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement and this Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Interim Order or Final Order with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably;
“Arrangement Agreement” means the arrangement agreement dated May 31, 2022 to which this Plan of Arrangement is attached as Schedule A, including all schedules annexed thereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof;
“Arrangement Resolution” means the special resolution of Yamana Shareholders approving the Arrangement which is to be considered at the Yamana Meeting, substantially in the form of Schedule B to the Arrangement Agreement;
“Articles of Arrangement” means the articles of arrangement of Xxxxxx to be filed in accordance with the CBCA evidencing the Arrangement;
“Authorization” means, with respect to any Person, any authorization, order, permit, approval, grant, licence, registration, consent, right, notification, condition, franchise, privilege, certificate, judgment, writ, injunction, award, determination, direction, decision, decree, by-law, rule or regulation, of, from or required by any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over the Person;
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“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a statutory or civic holiday in the Province of Ontario, the State of New York, or in South Africa;
“Canadian Securities Laws” means the Securities Act, together with all other applicable securities Laws, rules and regulations and published policies thereunder or under the securities laws of any other province or territory of Canada;
“CBCA” means the Canada Business Corporations Act;
“Certificate of Arrangement” means the certificate giving effect to the Arrangement issued by the Director pursuant to Section 192(7) of the CBCA;
“Consideration” means, for each Yamana Share, the number of Consideration Shares equal to the Exchange Ratio;
“Consideration Shares” means the Gold Fields Shares and the Gold Fields ADSs to be issued as Consideration pursuant to the Arrangement;
“Court” means the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List);
“Depositary” means any Person that Xxxxxx may appoint to act as depositary for the Yamana Shares in relation to the Arrangement, with the approval of Gold Fields, acting reasonably;
“Director” means the Director appointed pursuant to Section 260 of the CBCA;
“Dissent Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a);
“Dissent Shares” means Xxxxxx Xxxxxx held by a Dissenting Shareholder and in respect of which the Dissenting Shareholder has validly exercised Dissent Rights;
“Dissenting Shareholder” means a registered Yamana Shareholder who has validly exercised a Dissent Right and has not withdrawn or been deemed to have withdrawn such exercise of Dissent Rights, but only in respect of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx in respect of which Dissent Rights are validly exercised by such Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx;
“Effective Date” means the date upon which the Arrangement becomes effective, as set out in Section 2.12 of the Arrangement Agreement, which will be the date shown in the Certificate of Arrangement;
“Effective Time” means 12:01 a.m. (Toronto time) on the Effective Date or such other time as agreed to by Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx in writing;
“Election Deadline” means 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the Business Day which is three Business Days preceding the Effective Date;
“Exchange Ratio” means, for each Yamana Share, 0.600 of a Consideration Share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 2.17 of the Arrangement Agreement;
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“Final Order” means the final order of the Court pursuant to Section 192 of the CBCA, in form and substance acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably, after a hearing upon the procedural and substantive fairness of the terms and conditions of the Arrangement, approving the Arrangement, as such order may be amended, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court (with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably) at any time prior to the Effective Date or, if appealed, then, unless such appeal is withdrawn or denied, as affirmed or as amended on appeal (provided that any such affirmation, amendment, modification, supplement or variation is acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably);
“Final Proscription Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a);
“Gold Fields” means Gold Fields Limited, a public company registered in accordance with the laws of South Africa;
“Gold Fields ADSs” means the Gold Fields American depositary shares, evidenced by the Gold Fields ADRs, each representing an interest in one Gold Fields Share in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement;
“Gold Fields ADRs” means the Gold Fields American depositary receipts evidencing the Gold Fields ADSs;
“Gold Fields Excess Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b);
“Gold Fields Share Trust” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3(b);
“Gold Fields Shares” means the ordinary shares with no par value in the authorized share capital of Gold Fields;
“Gold Fields Subco” means such entity as may be designated by Gold Fields in its sole discretion;
“Gold Fields Subco Shares” means common shares without nominal or par value in the capital of Gold Fields Subco;
“Governmental Entity” means: (a) any multinational, federal, provincial, territorial, state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, board, ministry, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign; (b) any stock exchange, including the TSX, NYSE, LSE and JSE; (c) any subdivision, agent, commission, board or authority of any of the foregoing; or (d) any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization, exercising any regulatory, antitrust/competition, foreign investment, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing;
“Indenture Warrant” means a warrant consisting of one Yamana Indenture Warrant and one New Monarch Indenture Warrant issued pursuant to the Warrant Indenture;
“Interim Order” means the interim order made after the application to the Court pursuant to subsection 192 of the CBCA in form and substance acceptable to Gold Fields and Yamana, each acting reasonably, providing for, among other things, the calling and holding of the Yamana Meeting, as the same may be amended, affirmed, modified, supplemented or varied by the Court with the consent of Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, each acting reasonably;
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“JSE” means JSE Limited, a public company incorporated under the Laws of South Africa under registration number 2005/022939/06, or the securities exchange operated by the JSE Limited and licensed in terms of the South African Financial Markets Act No. 19 of 2012, as the context may require;
“Law” or “Laws” means all laws (including common law), by-laws, statutes, rules, regulations, principles of law and equity, orders, rulings, ordinances, judgments, injunctions, determinations, awards, decrees or other legally binding requirements, whether domestic or foreign, and the terms and conditions of any Authorization of or from any Governmental Entity, and, for greater certainty, includes Canadian Securities Laws, U.S. Securities Laws, South African Securities Laws and UK Securities Laws and the term “applicable” with respect to such Laws and in a context that refers to one or more Persons, means such Laws as are applicable to such Persons or its business, undertaking, assets, property or securities and emanate from a Persons having jurisdiction over the Person or Persons or its or their business, undertaking, assets, property or securities;
“Letter of Transmittal and Election Form” means the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Gold Fields, to be delivered by Xxxxxx to Yamana Shareholders providing for the delivery of the Yamana Shares to the Depositary and for the payment of the Consideration;
“Liens” means any hypothecs, mortgages, pledges, assignments, liens, charges, security interests, statutory or deemed trusts, encumbrances and adverse rights or claims, other third party interest or encumbrance of any kind, whether contingent or absolute, and any agreement, option, right or privilege (whether by Law, contract or otherwise) capable of becoming any of the foregoing;
“LSE” means the London Stock Exchange plc;
“New Monarch” means Monarch Mining Corporation, a company existing under the federal laws of Canada;
“New Monarch Exercise Price” means C$0.0970, subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Indenture;
“New Monarch Indenture Warrant” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Warrant Indenture” herein;
“New Monarch Shares” means the common shares in the authorized capital of New Monarch;
“NYSE” means The New York Stock Exchange LLC;
“Old Monarch” means, prior to the effective time of the Old Monarch Acquisition, Monarch Gold Corporation, a corporation existing under the federal laws of Canada;
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“Old Monarch Acquisition” means the acquisition by Xxxxxx of all of the common shares of Old Monarch pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the CBCA, which became effective at 12:01 a.m. (Toronto time) on January 21, 2021;
“Person” includes an individual, partnership, association, body corporate, trustee, executor, administrator, legal representative, government (including any Governmental Entity) or any other entity, whether or not having legal status;
“Plan of Arrangement” means this plan of arrangement and any amendments or variations hereto made in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Arrangement Agreement and this plan of arrangement or upon the direction of the Court in the Final Order;
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act (Ontario) and the rules, regulations and published policies made thereunder;
“South Africa” means the Republic of South Africa;
“Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada);
“TSX” means the Toronto Stock Exchange;
“UK DTRs” means the disclosure guidance and transparency rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
“UK Listing Rules” means the listing rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
“UK MAR” means Regulation (EU) No.596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on market abuse, as applicable in the UK by virtue of Section 3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Xxx 0000, as amended from time to time (including by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/310));
“UK Prospectus Regulation Rules” means the prospectus regulation rules made by the FCA under Section 73A of FSMA;
“UK Securities Laws” means the UK Prospectus Regulation Rules, the UK Listing Rules, UK MAR, the UK DTRs, FSMA, the FSA and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (each as amended from time to time) and all other applicable listing and disclosure requirements to which Yamana is subject by virtue of the listing of the Yamana Shares on the Main Market of the LSE;
“United States” or “U.S.” means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia;
“U.S. Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
“U.S. Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder;
“U.S. Securities Laws” means the U.S. Securities Act, the U.S. Exchange Act and all other applicable U.S. federal securities laws;
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“Warrant Agent” means Computershare Trust Company of Canada, in its capacity as warrant agent of the Yamana Indenture Warrants and the New Monarch Indenture Warrants, or its successors from time to time;
“Warrant Indenture” means the amended and restated warrant indenture dated January 21, 2021 among Yamana, Yamana Subco, New Monarch and the Warrant Agent, entitling a holder of common share purchase warrants originally issued by Old Monarch under a warrant indenture dated as of September 17, 2020 between Old Monarch and the Warrant Agent, upon the valid exercise of each Indenture Warrant and the payment by the holder thereof to the warrant agent of the Aggregate Exercise Price, to:
(a) | 0.0376 of a Yamana Share in consideration of the payment of the Yamana Exercise Price (the right of the holder thereto being referred to herein as the “Yamana Indenture Warrant”); and |
(b) | 0.2 of a New Monarch Share in consideration of the payment of the New Monarch Exercise Price (the right of the holder thereto being referred to herein as the “New Monarch Indenture Warrant”); |
“Yamana” means Yamana Gold Inc., a corporation existing under the federal laws of Canada;
“Yamana Board” means the board of directors of Yamana as the same is constituted from time to time;
“Yamana Certificated Warrants” means the common share purchase warrants issued by Xxxxxx and represented by warrant certificates, each such warrant entitling the holder thereof, upon the valid exercise thereof and the payment by the holder to Yamana of the applicable Yamana Exercise Price, to purchase from Yamana 0.0376 of a Yamana Share;
“Yamana DSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s deferred share unit plan dated effective April 2, 2008;
“Yamana DSUs” means deferred share units issued under the Yamana DSU Plan;
“Yamana Equity Award Holders” means the holders of Yamana PSUs, Yamana RSUs and Yamana DSUs;
“Yamana Exercise Price” means (a) in the case of the Yamana Indenture Warrants, C$0.3110, subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Indenture, and (b) in the case of the Yamana Certificated Warrants, the exercise price set forth in the applicable warrant certificate, being either C$0.2272 or C$0.3110, in each case subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of the applicable warrant certificate;
“Yamana Indenture Warrant” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Warrant Indenture” herein;
“Yamana Meeting” means the special meeting of Yamana Shareholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with the Interim Order to consider the Arrangement Resolution;
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“Yamana PSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s performance share unit plan dated effective January 1, 2016;
“Yamana PSUs” means performance share units issued under the Yamana PSU Plan;
“Yamana RSU Plan” means Xxxxxx’s restricted share unit plan dated effective May 14, 2008;
“Yamana RSUs” means the restricted share units issued under the Yamana RSU Plan;
“Yamana Securityholders” means Yamana Shareholders, Yamana Equity Award Holders and Yamana Warrantholders;
“Yamana Share Incentive Plan” means Xxxxxx’s amended share incentive plan dated December 16, 2010;
“Yamana Shareholders” means the holders of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx;
“Yamana Shares” means the common shares in the authorized share capital of Yamana;
“Yamana Subco” means, from and after the effective time of the Old Monarch Acquisition, Yamana Gold Quebec Inc. (formerly Monarch Gold Corporation), a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamana existing under the federal laws of Canada;
“Yamana Warrant Consideration” means the amounts payable in respect of the Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants pursuant to Sections 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), respectively;
“Yamana Warrant Letter of Transmittal” means the Yamana Warrant Letter of Transmittal, in a form reasonably satisfactory to Gold Fields, to be delivered by Yamana to holders of Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants providing for the delivery of the Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants to the Depositary and for the payment of the Yamana Warrant Consideration; and
“Yamana Warrantholders” means the holders of Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants.
Words and phrases used herein that are defined in the Arrangement Agreement and not defined herein shall have the same meaning herein as in the Arrangement Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.
1.2 | Interpretation Not Affected by Headings |
The division of this Plan of Arrangement into Articles, Sections, subsections and paragraphs and the insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Plan of Arrangement. Unless the contrary intention appears, references in this Plan of Arrangement to an Article, Section, subsection or paragraph by number or letter or both refer to the Article, Section, subsection or paragraph, respectively, bearing that designation in this Plan of Arrangement.
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1.3 | Number and Gender |
In this Plan of Arrangement, unless the contrary intention appears, words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa, and words importing gender shall include all genders.
1.4 | Date for any Action |
If the date on which any action is required to be taken hereunder is not a Business Day, such action shall be required to be taken on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day.
1.5 | Currency |
Unless otherwise stated, all references in this Plan of Arrangement to sums of money are expressed in lawful money of the United States of America. As used herein, “US$” refers to United States dollars, and “C$” refers to Canadian dollars.
1.6 | Statutes |
Any reference to a statute refers to such statute and all rules, resolutions and regulations made under it, as it or they may have been or may from time to time be amended or re-enacted, unless stated otherwise.
Article 2
EFFECT OF ARRANGEMENT
2.1 | Arrangement Agreement |
This Plan of Arrangement is made pursuant to and subject to the provisions of and forms a part of the Arrangement Agreement. If there is any inconsistency or conflict between the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement and the provisions of the Arrangement Agreement, the provisions of this Plan of Arrangement shall govern.
2.2 | Binding Effect |
At the Effective Time, this Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement shall become effective and be binding upon Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco, Yamana, Yamana Subco, the Depositary, the Warrant Agent, and all registered and beneficial Yamana Securityholders, including Dissenting Shareholders.
Article 3
Arrangement
3.1 | Arrangement |
Commencing at the Effective Time, in five minute increments each of the following events shall occur and shall be deemed to occur consecutively in the following order, except where noted, without any further authorization, act or formality:
(a) | each Yamana Certificated Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred by the holder thereof to Yamana in exchange for a cash payment from Yamana equal to (i) the volume weighted average trading price of one Yamana Share on the TSX during the five trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the Effective Date multiplied by 0.0376, less (ii) the applicable Yamana Exercise Price (and for greater certainty, if such difference is less than or equal to zero, then no amount shall be payable), and each such Yamana Certificated Warrant shall be, and shall be deemed to be, immediately cancelled and (A) the holders of such Yamana Certificated Warrants shall cease to be holders thereof and to have any rights as holders of such Yamana Certificated Warrants, other than the right to receive the consideration to which they are entitled under this Section 3.1(a), (B) such holders’ names shall be removed from the register of Yamana Certificated Warrants maintained by or on behalf of Yamana, and (C) any warrant certificate representing the Yamana Certificated Warrants shall be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect; |
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(b) | each Yamana Indenture Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred by the holder thereof to Yamana in exchange for a cash payment from Yamana equal to (i) the volume weighted average trading price of one Yamana Share on the TSX during the five trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the Effective Date multiplied by 0.0376, less (ii) the Yamana Exercise Price thereof (and for greater certainty, if such difference is less than or equal to zero, then no amount shall be payable), and each such Yamana Indenture Warrant shall be, and shall be deemed to be, immediately cancelled and (A) the holders of such Yamana Indenture Warrants shall cease to be holders thereof and to have any rights as holders of such Yamana Indenture Warrants, other than the right to receive the consideration to which they are entitled under this Section 3.1(b), (B) such holders’ names shall be removed from the register of Yamana Indenture Warrants maintained by the Warrant Agent or otherwise on behalf of Yamana, and (C) all provisions of the Warrant Indenture and any warrant certificate representing (in whole or in part) the Yamana Indenture Warrants shall be deemed to be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect to the extent that they provide for rights or obligations in relation to the Yamana Indenture Warrants or Yamana Shares, provided that each New Monarch Indenture Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Indenture, including any supplemental indenture as may be required by the Warrant Agent in order to give effect to the provisions hereof, and any warrant certificate representing (in whole or in part) the New Monarch Indenture Warrants; |
(c) | each Dissent Share held by a Dissenting Shareholder shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred and assigned by the holder thereof (free and clear of all Liens) to Yamana for a debt claim against Xxxxxx (to be settled by Xxxxxx with its own available funds on hand and not funds directly or indirectly provided by Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco or any affiliate of Gold Fields) for the amount therefor determined under Article 4, and: (i) the name of such Dissenting Shareholder shall be removed from the register of the Yamana Shareholders maintained by or on behalf of Yamana and such Dissent Share shall be cancelled and cease to be outstanding; and (ii) such Dissenting Shareholder shall cease to be the holder of such Dissent Share or to have any rights as a Yamana Shareholder other than the right to be paid the fair value for such Dissent Share as set out in Article 4; |
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(d) | each Yamana Share that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any Yamana Share held by a Dissenting Shareholder and any Yamana Share held by Gold Fields or any of its affiliates) shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred and assigned by the holder thereof to Gold Fields Subco (free and clear of any Liens) in exchange for the Consideration, subject to Sections 3.2 and 5.3, and |
(i) | the registered holder thereof shall cease to be, and shall be deemed to cease to be, the registered holder of each such Yamana Share and the name of such registered holder shall be, and shall be deemed to be, removed from the register of Yamana Shareholders maintained by or on behalf of Xxxxxx; |
(ii) | the registered holder thereof shall be, and shall be deemed to have executed and delivered all consents, releases, assignments and waivers, statutory or otherwise, required to transfer and assign each such Yamana Share; and |
(iii) | Gold Fields Subco shall be and shall be deemed to be the holder of all of the outstanding Yamana Shares (free and clear of all Liens) and the register of Yamana Shareholders maintained by or on behalf of Xxxxxx shall be, and shall be deemed to be, revised accordingly; |
(e) | each Yamana RSU (whether vested or unvested) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall vest in accordance with the terms of the Yamana RSU Plan and shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred by the holder thereof to Gold Fields Subco in exchange for such number of Gold Fields ADSs as is equal to (i) the number of Yamana Shares subject to the Yamana RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by (ii) the Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number, and each such Yamana RSU shall be immediately cancelled and (iii) the holders of such Yamana RSUs shall cease to be holders thereof and to have any rights as holders of such Yamana RSUs, other than the right to receive the consideration to which they are entitled under this Section 3.1(e), (iv) such holders’ names shall be removed from the register of Yamana RSUs maintained by or on behalf of Yamana, and (v) all agreements relating to the Yamana RSUs shall be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect; |
(f) | each Yamana PSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred by the holder thereof to Yamana in exchange for a cash payment from Yamana equal to the volume weighted average trading price of one Yamana Share on the TSX during the five trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the Effective Date multiplied by the applicable Multiplier (as defined in the Yamana PSU Plan), to be determined on the Effective Date, and each such Yamana PSU shall be immediately cancelled and (i) the holders of such Yamana PSU shall cease to be holders thereof and to have any rights as holders of such Yamana PSUs, other than the right to receive the consideration to which they are entitled under this Section 3.1(f), (ii) such holders’ names shall be removed from the register of Yamana PSUs maintained by or on behalf of Xxxxxx, and (iii) all agreements relating to the Yamana PSUs shall be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect; and |
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(g) | each Yamana DSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be, and shall be deemed to be, transferred by the holder thereof to Yamana in exchange for a cash payment from Yamana equal to the volume weighted average trading price of one Yamana Share on the TSX during the five trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the Effective Date and each such Yamana DSU shall be immediately cancelled and (i) the holders of such Yamana DSUs shall cease to be holders thereof and to have any rights as holders of such Yamana DSUs, other than the right to receive the consideration to which they are entitled under this Section 3.1(g), (ii) such holders’ names shall be removed from the register of Yamana DSUs maintained by or on behalf of Xxxxxx, and (iii) all agreements relating to the Yamana DSUs shall be terminated and shall be of no further force and effect. |
The events provided for in this Section 3.1 will be deemed to occur on the Effective Date, notwithstanding that certain procedures related thereto may not be completed until after the Effective Date.
3.2 | Consideration Elections |
With respect to the transfer and assignment of Xxxxxx Shares pursuant to Section 3.1(d):
(a) | each Yamana Shareholder may elect to receive the Consideration Shares to which he, she or it is entitled in the form of Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs; |
(b) | the election provided for in Section 3.2(a) shall be made by a Yamana Shareholder by depositing with the Depositary, prior to the Election Deadline, a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form indicating such Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx's election, together with certificates (if any) representing such Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx's Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. Yamana shall provide at least two Business Days' notice of the Election Deadline to Yamana Shareholders by means of a news release disseminated on a newswire; provided that, if the Effective Date is delayed to a subsequent date, the Election Deadline shall be similarly delayed to a subsequent date, and Xxxxxx shall promptly announce any such delay and, when determined, the rescheduled Election Deadline, which rescheduled deadline if necessary shall be as agreed by Gold Fields and Yamana (acting reasonably), provided that at least one Business Day of advance notice thereof shall have been provided; |
(c) | any Letter of Transmittal and Election Form, once deposited with the Depositary, shall be irrevocable and may not be withdrawn by a Yamana Shareholder; and |
(d) | any Yamana Shareholder who does not deposit with the Depositary a duly completed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form prior to the Election Deadline, or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Section 3.2 or of the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form, shall be deemed to have elected to receive Gold Fields ADSs. |
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3.3 | No Fractional Shares |
(a) | In no event shall any Yamana Shareholder be entitled to a fractional Gold Fields Share or a fractional Gold Fields ADS. Where the aggregate number of Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs, as applicable, to be issued to a Yamana Shareholder as consideration under the Arrangement would result in a fraction of a Gold Fields Share or Gold Fields ADS being issuable, the number of Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs to be received by such Yamana Shareholder shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. In lieu of any such fractional Gold Fields Share or fractional Gold Fields ADS, each Yamana Shareholder otherwise entitled to a fractional interest in a Gold Fields Share or Gold Fields ADS will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to an amount representing such Yamana Shareholder’s proportionate interest in the net proceeds from the sale by the Depositary on behalf of all such Yamana Shareholders of the Gold Fields Excess Shares. |
(b) | As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Depositary shall determine the excess of the number of Gold Fields Shares and Gold Fields ADSs issued and delivered to the Depositary pursuant to Article 5 representing the Consideration Shares over the aggregate number of whole Consideration Shares to be issued to Yamana Shareholders pursuant to Section 3.1(d) (such excess, the “Gold Fields Excess Shares”). Following the Effective Time, the Depositary shall, on behalf of the former Yamana Shareholders, sell the Gold Fields Excess Shares at the then prevailing prices on the JSE and NYSE, as applicable. The sale of the Gold Fields Excess Shares by the Depositary shall be executed on the JSE through one or more member firms of the JSE and on the NYSE through one or more members firms of the NYSE, as applicable, and shall be executed in round lots to the extent applicable. The Depositary shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to complete the sale of the Gold Fields Excess Shares as promptly following the Effective Time as is practicable, consistent with obtaining the best execution of such sales in light of prevailing market conditions. Until the net proceeds of such sale or sales have been distributed to former Yamana Shareholders, the Depositary shall hold such proceeds in trust for such former Yamana Shareholders (the “Gold Fields Share Trust”). The amount of all commissions, transfer taxes and other out-of-pocket transaction costs, including expenses and compensation of the Depositary incurred in connection with such sale of Gold Fields Excess Shares shall be paid by Gold Fields. The Depositary shall determine the portion of the Gold Fields Share Trust to which each former Yamana Shareholder is entitled, if any, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate net proceeds comprising the Gold Fields Share Trust by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the fractional share interest to which such former Yamana Shareholder is entitled (after taking into account all Yamana Shares held as of immediately prior to the Effective Time by such former Yamana Shareholder) and the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of fractional Gold Fields Shares and Gold Fields ADSs to which all former Yamana Shareholders are entitled. |
(c) | As soon as practicable after the determination of the amount of cash, if any, to be paid to former Yamana Shareholders with respect to any fractional Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs, as applicable, the Depositary shall make available or deliver, as applicable, such amounts to such former Yamana Shareholders in accordance instructions with the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form. |
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Article 4
Dissent Rights
4.1 | Dissent Rights |
(a) | In connection with the Arrangement, each registered Yamana Shareholder may exercise rights of dissent (“Dissent Rights”) with respect to the Yamana Shares held by such Yamana Shareholder pursuant to Section 190 of the CBCA, as modified by the Interim Order, the Final Order and this Section 4.1(a); provided that, notwithstanding Part XV of the CBCA, the written notice of intent to exercise the right to demand the purchase of Yamana Shares contemplated by Section 190(7) of the CBCA must be received by Xxxxxx not later than 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) two Business Days immediately preceding the date of the Yamana Meeting, and provided that such notice of intent must otherwise comply with the requirements of the CBCA. Dissenting Shareholders who are: |
(i) | ultimately entitled to be paid by Xxxxxx the fair value for their Dissent Shares (A) shall be deemed to not to have participated in the transactions in Article 3 (other than Section 3.1(c)), (B) shall be deemed to have transferred and assigned such Dissent Shares (free and clear of any Liens) to Yamana in accordance with Section 3.1(c), (C) will be entitled to be paid the fair value of such Dissent Shares by Xxxxxx, which fair value, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the CBCA, shall be determined as of the close of business on the day before the Arrangement Resolution was adopted at the Yamana Meeting and (D) will not be entitled to any other payment or consideration, including any payment that would be payable under the Arrangement had such holders not exercised their Dissent Rights in respect of such Yamana Shares; or |
(ii) | ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid by Xxxxxx the fair value for their Dissent Shares, shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement in respect of those Yamana Shares on the same basis as a non-dissenting Yamana Shareholder and shall be entitled to receive only the Consideration contemplated by Section 3.1(d) that such Dissenting Shareholder would have received pursuant to the Arrangement if such Dissenting Shareholder had not exercised their Dissent Rights. |
(b) | In no circumstances shall Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco, Yamana or any other Person be required to recognize a Person exercising Dissent Rights unless such Person is the registered holder of Yamana Shares in respect of which Dissent Rights are purported to be exercised. |
(c) | In no circumstances shall Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco, Yamana or any other Person be required to recognize a Dissenting Shareholder as a registered or beneficial owner of Yamana Shares or any interest therein (other than the rights set out in this Section 4.1) at or after the Effective Time, and as at the Effective Time the names of such Dissenting Shareholders shall be deleted from the central securities register of Yamana. |
(d) | For greater certainty, in addition to any other restrictions in the Interim Order and under Section 190 of the CBCA, none of the following shall be entitled to exercise Dissent Rights: (i) Yamana Shareholders who vote or have instructed a proxyholder to vote such Xxxxxx Xxxxxx in favour of the Arrangement Resolution (but only in respect of such Yamana Shares); (ii) holders of Yamana RSUs, Yamana PSUs, Yamana DSUs, Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants; and (iii) any other Person who is not a registered holder of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx as of the record date for the Yamana Meeting. |
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Article 5
DELIVERY OF CONSIDERATION
5.1 | Certificates and Payments |
(a) | Following receipt of the Final Order and on the day immediately prior to the Effective Date, Gold Fields shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Depositary in escrow the Consideration Shares to satisfy the aggregate Consideration payable to the Yamana Shareholders in accordance with Section 3.1(d), which Consideration Shares shall be held by the Depositary as agent and nominee for such former Yamana Shareholders for distribution to such former Yamana Shareholders in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5. |
(b) | Following receipt of the Final Order and on the day immediately prior to the Effective Date, Xxxxxx shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Depositary in escrow the Yamana Warrant Consideration payable to the Yamana Warrantholders in accordance with Sections 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), which cash shall be held by the Depositary as agent and nominee for such former Yamana Warrantholders for distribution to such former Yamana Warrantholders in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5. |
(c) | Upon surrender to the Depositary for cancellation of a certificate (if any) which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Yamana Shares that were transferred pursuant to Section 3.1(d), together with a duly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form and any such additional documents and instruments as the Depositary may reasonably require, the registered holder of the Yamana Shares represented by such surrendered certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Depositary shall deliver to such Yamana Shareholder the Consideration that such Yamana Shareholder has the right to receive under the Arrangement for such Yamana Shares, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.3, and any certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. |
(d) | Upon surrender to the Depositary for cancellation of a certificate (if any) which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants, as applicable, that were transferred pursuant to Section 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), together with a duly completed and executed Yamana Warrant Letter of Transmittal and any such additional documents and instruments as the Depositary may reasonably require, the registered holder of the Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants represented by such surrendered certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, and the Depositary shall deliver to such Yamana Warrantholder the Yamana Warrant Consideration that such Yamana Warrantholder has the right to receive under the Arrangement for such Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.3, and any certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. |
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(e) | After the Effective Time and until surrendered for cancellation as contemplated by Section 5.1(c), each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Yamana Shares (other than Xxxxxx Xxxxxx held by a Dissenting Shareholder and Yamana Shares held by Gold Fields or any of its affiliates) shall be deemed at all times to represent only the right to receive in exchange therefor the Consideration that the holder of such certificate is entitled to receive in accordance with Section 3.1, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.3. |
(f) | After the Effective Time and until surrendered for cancellation as contemplated by Section 5.1(d), each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants shall be deemed at all times to represent only the right to receive in exchange therefor the Yamana Warrant Consideration that the holder of such certificate is entitled to receive in accordance with Section 3.1, less any amounts withheld pursuant to Section 5.3. |
(g) | On the Effective Date, Gold Fields shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the holders of the Yamana RSUs sufficient Gold Fields ADSs to satisfy the aggregate consideration payable to the holders of Yamana RSUs in accordance with Section 3.1(e). |
(h) | On the Effective Date, Yamana shall pay the amounts to be paid to the holders of Yamana PSUs and Yamana DSUs in accordance with Sections 3.1(f) and 3.1(g), respectively. |
5.2 | Lost Certificates |
(a) | In the event any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Yamana Shares that were transferred pursuant to Section 3.1(d) or Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants that were transferred pursuant to Sections 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), respectively, shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Consideration deliverable in accordance with such holder’s duly completed and executed Letter of Transmittal and Election Form. When authorizing such payment in exchange for any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Person to whom such Consideration is to be delivered shall as a condition precedent to the delivery of such Consideration, give a bond satisfactory to Gold Fields and the Depositary (acting reasonably) in such sum as Gold Fields may direct, or otherwise indemnify Gold Fields and Yamana in a manner satisfactory to Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, acting reasonably, against any claim that may be made against Gold Fields and Xxxxxx with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed. |
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(b) | In the event any certificate which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Yamana Certificated Warrants or Yamana Indenture Warrants that were transferred pursuant to Sections 3.1(a) and 3.1(b), respectively, shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Depositary will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Yamana Warrant Consideration deliverable in accordance with such holder’s duly completed and executed Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Letter of Transmittal. When authorizing such payment in exchange for any lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, the Person to whom such Xxxxxx Warrant Consideration is to be delivered shall as a condition precedent to the delivery of such Yamana Warrant Consideration, give a bond satisfactory to Gold Fields and the Depositary (acting reasonably) in such sum as Gold Fields may direct, or otherwise indemnify Gold Fields and Xxxxxx in a manner satisfactory Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, acting reasonably, against any claim that may be made against Gold Fields and Xxxxxx with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed. |
5.3 | Withholding Rights |
Gold Fields Subco, Yamana, any of their affiliates and the Depositary, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or direct any other Person to deduct and withhold on their behalf, from any amounts otherwise payable, issuable or otherwise deliverable to any Yamana Securityholders and/or any other Person under this Plan of Arrangement such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld from such amounts under any provision of the Tax Act, the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any provision of any applicable Law. To the extent any such amounts are so deducted and withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Plan of Arrangement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. To the extent that the amount so required to be deducted or withheld from any amounts payable, issuable or otherwise deliverable to a Person under this Plan of Arrangement exceeds the amount of cash otherwise payable to such Person, Gold Fields Subco, Yamana, any of their affiliates and the Depositary are hereby authorized to sell or otherwise dispose, or direct any other Person to sell or otherwise dispose, of such portion of the non-cash consideration or non-cash amounts payable, issuable or otherwise deliverable hereunder to such Person as is necessary to provide sufficient funds to Gold Fields Subco, Yamana, any of their affiliates and the Depositary, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with such deduction or withholding requirement and Gold Fields Subco, Yamana, any of their affiliates and the Depositary, as applicable, shall notify the relevant Person of such sale or other disposition and remit to such Person any unapplied balance of the net proceeds of such sale or other disposition (after deduction for (a) the amounts required to satisfy the required withholding under this Plan of Arrangement in respect of such Person, (b) reasonable commissions payable to the broker, and (c) other reasonable costs and expenses).
5.4 | Distributions with respect to Unsurrendered Share Certificates |
No dividend or other distribution declared or made after the Effective Time with respect to Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs with a record date after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding Yamana Shares unless and until the holder of such certificate shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2. Subject to applicable Law and to Section 5.3, at the time of such compliance, there shall, in addition to the delivery of Consideration to which such holder is thereby entitled, be delivered to such holder, without interest, the amount of the dividend or other distribution with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect to such Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs.
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5.5 | Limitation and Proscription |
(a) | To the extent that a former Yamana Shareholder shall not have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 on or before the date that is six years after the Effective Date (the “Final Proscription Date”), then the Consideration that such former Yamana Shareholder was entitled to receive shall be automatically cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof and the Consideration to which such former Yamana Shareholder was entitled, shall be delivered to Gold Fields Subco by the Depositary and the Gold Fields Shares and Gold Fields ADSs forming part of the Consideration shall be deemed to be cancelled, and the interest of the former Yamana Shareholder in such Gold Fields Shares or Gold Fields ADSs (and any dividend or other distribution referred to in Section 5.4) to which it was entitled shall be terminated as of such Final Proscription Date, and the certificates (if any) formerly representing Yamana Shares shall cease to represent a right or claim of any kind or nature as of such Final Proscription Date. Any payment made by way of cheque by the Depositary pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement that has not been deposited or has been returned to the Depositary or that otherwise remains unclaimed, in each case, on or before the Final Proscription Date shall cease to represent a right or claim of any kind or nature and the right of any Yamana Shareholder to receive the Consideration for Yamana Shares pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall terminate and be deemed to be surrendered and forfeited to Gold Fields Subco. |
(b) | To the extent that a former Yamana Warrantholder shall not have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1 or Section 5.2 on or before the Final Proscription Date, then the Yamana Warrant Consideration that such former Yamana Warrantholder was entitled to receive shall be automatically cancelled without any repayment of capital in respect thereof and the Yamana Warrant Consideration to which such former Yamana Warrantholder was entitled, shall be delivered to Yamana by the Depositary and the interest of the former Yamana Warrantholder in such Yamana Warrant Consideration to which it was entitled shall be terminated as of such Final Proscription Date, and the certificates (if any) formerly representing Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants shall cease to represent a right or claim of any kind or nature as of such Final Proscription Date. Any payment made by way of cheque by the Depositary pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement that has not been deposited or has been returned to the Depositary or that otherwise remains unclaimed, in each case, on or before the Final Proscription Date shall cease to represent a right or claim of any kind or nature and the right of any Yamana Warrantholder to receive the Yamana Warrant Consideration for Yamana Certificated Warrants and the Yamana Indenture Warrants pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall terminate and be deemed to be surrendered and forfeited to Xxxxxx. |
5.6 | No Liens |
Any exchange or transfer of securities pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement shall be free and clear of any Liens or other claims of third parties of any kind.
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5.7 | Paramountcy |
From and after the Effective Time: (a) this Plan of Arrangement shall take precedence and priority over any and all Yamana Shares, Yamana Certificated Warrants and Yamana Indenture Warrants issued prior to the Effective Time; (b) the rights and obligations of the Yamana Securityholders (other than Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco or any of their respective affiliates), and of Yamana, Gold Fields, Gold Fields Subco, the Depositary and any transfer agent or other depositary in relation thereto, shall be solely as provided for in this Plan of Arrangement and the Arrangement Agreement; and (c) all actions, causes of action, claims or proceedings (actual or contingent and whether or not previously asserted) based on or in any way relating to any Yamana Shares, Yamana Certificated Warrants, Yamana Indenture Warrants, Yamana RSUs, Yamana PSUs and Yamana DSUs shall be deemed to have been settled, compromised, released and determined without liability except as set forth herein.
Article 6
AMENDMENTS
6.1 | Amendments |
(a) | Gold Fields and Yamana reserve the right to amend, modify and/or supplement this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, provided that any such amendment, modification or supplement must be agreed to in writing by each of Yamana and Gold Fields and filed with the Court, and, if made following the Yamana Meeting, then: (i) approved by the Court; and (ii) if the Court directs, approved by the Yamana Shareholders and communicated to the Yamana Securityholders if and as required by the Court, and in either case in the manner required by the Court. |
(b) | Subject to the provisions of the Interim Order, any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement, if agreed to by Xxxxxx and Gold Fields, may be proposed by Xxxxxx and Gold Fields at any time prior to or at the Yamana Meeting, with or without any other prior notice or communication, and if so proposed and accepted by the Persons voting at the Yamana Meeting shall become part of this Plan of Arrangement for all purposes. |
(c) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement that is approved or directed by the Court following the Yamana Meeting will be effective only if it is agreed to in writing by each of Yamana and Gold Fields and, if required by the Court, by some or all of the Yamana Shareholders voting in the manner directed by the Court. |
(d) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be made by Xxxxxx and Gold Fields without the approval of or communication to the Court or the Yamana Securityholders, provided that it concerns a matter which, in the reasonable opinion of Xxxxxx and Gold Fields is of an administrative or ministerial nature required to better give effect to the implementation of this Plan of Arrangement and is not materially adverse to the financial or economic interests of any of the Yamana Securityholders. |
(e) | This Plan of Arrangement may be withdrawn prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement. |
Article 7
FURTHER ASSURANCES
7.1 | Further Assurances |
Notwithstanding that the transactions and events set out in this Plan of Arrangement shall occur and shall be deemed to occur in the order set out in this Plan of Arrangement without any further act or formality, each of the parties to the Arrangement Agreement shall make, do and execute, or cause to be made, done and executed, all such further acts, deeds, agreements, transfers, assurances, instruments or documents as may reasonably be required by any of them in order further to document or evidence any of the transactions or events set out in this Plan of Arrangement.
Schedule B
Form of Arrangement Resolution
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. | The arrangement (the “Arrangement”) under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”) involving Yamana Gold Inc. (“Yamana”), pursuant to the arrangement agreement between Yamana and Gold Fields Limited dated May 31, 2022, as it may be modified, supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Arrangement Agreement”), as more particularly described and set forth in the management information circular of Yamana dated [●], 2022 (the “Circular”), and all transactions contemplated thereby, are hereby authorized, approved and adopted. |
2. | The plan of arrangement of Yamana, as it has been or may be modified, supplemented or amended in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement and its terms (the “Plan of Arrangement”), the full text of which is set out as Schedule “A” to the Circular, is hereby authorized, approved and adopted. |
3. | The: (a) Arrangement Agreement and all the transactions contemplated therein, (b) actions of the directors of Xxxxxx in approving the Arrangement and the Arrangement Agreement, and (c) actions of the directors and officers of Xxxxxx in executing and delivering the Arrangement Agreement and any modifications, supplements or amendments thereto, and causing the performance by Xxxxxx of its obligations thereunder, are hereby ratified and approved. |
4. | Xxxxxx is hereby authorized to apply for a final order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the “Court”) to approve the Arrangement on the terms set forth in the Arrangement Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement (as they may be, or may have been, modified, supplemented or amended). |
5. | Notwithstanding that this resolution has been passed (and the Arrangement adopted) by the holders of common shares of Yamana (the “Yamana Shareholders”) entitled to vote thereon or that the Arrangement has been approved by the Court, the directors of Yamana are hereby authorized and empowered, without further notice to or approval of the Yamana Shareholders: (a) to amend, modify or supplement the Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement to the extent permitted by their terms, and (b) subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, not to proceed with the Arrangement and any related transactions. |
6. | Any officer or director of Xxxxxx is hereby authorized and directed, for and on behalf of Xxxxxx, to execute or cause to be executed and to deliver or cause to be delivered, whether under the corporate seal of Yamana or otherwise, for filing with the Director under the CBCA, articles of arrangement and all such other documents and instruments and to perform or cause to be performed all such other acts and things as, in such Person’s opinion, may be necessary or desirable to give full force and effect to the foregoing resolutions and the matters authorized thereby, such determination to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of any such other document or instrument or the doing of any such other act or thing. |
Schedule C
Form of Gold Fields Resolutions
SPECIAL RESOLUTION NUMBER 1: ISSUE OF ORDINARY SHARES TO YAMANA SHAREHOLDERS
“RESOLVED THAT, subject to the adoption of Ordinary Resolution Number 1, in accordance with the Companies Act No. 71 of 2008 (including Section 41 thereof), the Gold Fields memorandum of incorporation and the JSE Listings Requirements, Gold Fields be and hereby is authorised, at the Board's discretion and under its direction, to issue up to [●] ordinary shares no par value to the Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the implementation of the arrangement between Gold Fields and Xxxxxx, as contemplated in Ordinary Resolution Number 1 below.”
ORDINARY RESOLUTION NUMBER 1: ACQUISITION OF YAMANA SHARES
“RESOLVED THAT in accordance with the Companies Act 71 No. of 2008, the Gold Fields memorandum of incorporation and the JSE Listings Requirements, Gold Fields and/or its affiliate be and is hereby authorised to acquire Yamana (and in particular the Yamana Shares) pursuant to the arrangement under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act involving Yamana and Gold Fields (and/or its affiliate) and in terms of the arrangement agreement between Yamana and Gold Fields dated May 31, 2022 (the “Arrangement Agreement”) and all transactions contemplated in the Arrangement Agreement and/or in order to implement the acquisition by Gold Fields and/or its affiliate of Yamana (and in particular the Yamana Shares), are hereby authorised, approved and adopted.”
ORDINARY RESOLUTION NUMBER 3: AUTHORITY
“RESOLVED THAT any director of the Company (each, an "Authorised Signatory"), be and is hereby authorised, for and on behalf of the Company, to do, or cause to be done, all such things, sign, or cause to be signed, all such documentation and take, or cause to be taken, all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to the aforegoing and, insofar as an Authorised Signatory has done any of the aforegoing prior to the passing of these resolutions, such actions be and are hereby ratified, confirmed, authorised and approved in their entirety to the fullest extent permitted by law.”
Schedule D
Key Regulatory Approvals
SARB providing in writing and in accordance with all applicable Laws any and all exchange control approvals required in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations, 1961 made in terms of the Currency and Exchanges Act Xx. 0 xx 0000 xx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, as amended and all directives and rulings issued thereunder, for the Parties to enter into and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and complete the Arrangement.
Schedule
3.1
Representations and Warranties of YAMANA
Defined Terms
As used in this schedule, capitalized terms have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Arrangement Agreement to which this schedule is appended, and the following terms have the following meanings:
“Indigenous Claim” means any and all claims (whether or not proven) by any Person to or in respect of (a) rights, title or interests of any Indigenous groups by virtue of its status as an Indigenous group; (b) treaty rights; or (c) specific or comprehensive claims being considered by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada;
“Intellectual Property” means anything that is or may be protected by any Intellectual Property Rights in any jurisdiction such as, but not limited to works (including software), performances, trade secrets, inventions (whether patentable or not), improvements to such inventions, industrial designs, mask work and integrated circuit topographies, trade-marks, trade names, business names, corporate names, domain names, website names and world wide web addresses, whether or not they may also be protected, at any given time, as a trade secret or confidential information, including proprietary and non-public business information, know-how, methods, processes, designs, technology, technical data, schematics, models, simulations and documentation relating to any of the foregoing;
“Restricted Party” means a Person that is: (i) listed on, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by a Person listed on, or acting on behalf of a Person listed on, any Sanctions List, (ii) located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a Person located in or organized under the laws of a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions, or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions;
“Sanctions” means the economic sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States government; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union (iv) the United Kingdom; (v) Canada or (vi) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of Treasury (“OFAC”), the United States Department of State, Global Affairs Canada (“GAC”), and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or any other relevant sanctions authority (together, the “Sanctions Authorities”);
“Sanctions List” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by OFAC, the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List maintained by HMT, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities;
“Yamana Annual Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements for Xxxxxx as of and for each of the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (including any notes or schedules thereto and the auditor’s report thereon);
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“Yamana Balance Sheet” has the meaning given to it in Section (m) of this Schedule 3.1;
“Yamana Financial Statements” means, together, the Yamana Annual Financial Statements and the Yamana Interim Financial Statements;
“Yamana Interim Financial Statements” means the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for Xxxxxx for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 (including any notes or schedules thereto);
“Yamana Material Properties” has the meaning given to it in Section (r)(i) of this Schedule 3.1;
“Yamana Material Subsidiaries” means Minera Yamana Inc., Minera Yamana Chile SpA, Minera Meridian Ltda., Yamana International Holdings B.V., Yamana Jacobina Holdings BV, Jacobina Mineração e Comerció Ltda.;
“Yamana Mineral Rights” has the meaning given to it in Section (o)(ii) of this Schedule 3.1; and
“Yamana Real Property Interests” has the meaning given to it in Section (o)(i) of this Schedule 3.1.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF YAMANA
(a) | Organization and Qualification. Yamana and each of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities is a corporation duly incorporated or an entity duly created and validly existing under all applicable Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance or creation and has all corporate power and capacity to own its assets and conduct its business as now owned and conducted. Yamana, each of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, each of the Yamana Material JV Entities is duly qualified to carry on business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its assets and properties, owned, leased, licensed or otherwise held, or the nature of its activities, makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so registered or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(a) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, true and complete copies of the constating documents of Xxxxxx and each of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries and, to the extent in the possession of Yamana, each of the Yamana Material JV Entities have been disclosed in the Yamana Data Room, and no action has been taken to amend or supersede such constating documents of Xxxxxx and each of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities. |
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(b) | Authority Relative to this Agreement. Xxxxxx has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by it hereunder and, subject to obtaining the Interim Order, the Final Order and the Yamana Shareholder Approval, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Arrangement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by it hereunder and the consummation by Xxxxxx of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder have been duly authorized by the Yamana Board and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Yamana are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by it hereunder or the consummation of the Arrangement, other than obtaining the Interim Order, the Final Order, approval of the Yamana Circular by the Yamana Board and the Yamana Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Xxxxxx and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Yamana, enforceable by Gold Fields against Yamana in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other applicable Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to the qualification that equitable remedies may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction. |
(c) | No Conflict; Required Filings and Consent. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(c) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, and other than in connection with any Pre-Acquisition Reorganization, the execution and delivery by Xxxxxx of this Agreement and the performance by it of its obligations hereunder and the completion of the Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (or would not with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, or the happening of any other event or condition): |
(i) | violate, conflict with or result in a breach of: |
(A) | any provision of the memorandum of incorporation, articles, by-laws or other constating documents or partnership agreements of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities; |
(B) | any Yamana Material Contract or Authorization to which Xxxxxx or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is a party or by which Xxxxxx or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; or |
(C) | any Law to which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is subject or by which Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is bound, subject to receipt of the Regulatory Approvals and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
(ii) | give rise to any right of termination, allow any Person to exercise any rights, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Xxxxxx is entitled, under any Yamana Material Contract or Authorization to which Xxxxxx or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is a party, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; or |
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(iii) | give rise to any rights of first refusal or rights of first offer, trigger any change of control provision or any restriction or limitation, or require any consent or other action by any Person under, any Yamana Material Contract or Authorization, or result in the imposition of any Lien upon any of Yamana’s assets or the assets of any of the Yamana’s Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
Other than the Regulatory Approvals, such filings and approvals required by the applicable rules and policies of the TSX, the NYSE, the LSE and/or the FCA, the Interim Order and the Final Order, no Authorization of, or other action by or in respect of, or filing, recording, registering or publication with, or notification to, any Governmental Entity is necessary on the part of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or the Yamana Material JV Entities for the consummation by Xxxxxx of its obligations in connection with the Arrangement under this Agreement or for the completion of the Arrangement, except for such Authorizations and filings as to which the failure to obtain or make would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect.
(d) | Subsidiaries. |
(i) | Yamana has no material Subsidiaries other than the Yamana Material Subsidiaries. None of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to Yamana, from making any other distribution on such Yamana Material Subsidiary’s or Yamana Material JV Entity’s capital stock, from repaying to Yamana any loans or advances to such Yamana Material Subsidiary or Yamana Material JV Entity from Yamana. |
(ii) | The following information with respect to each Yamana Material Subsidiary and each Yamana Material JV Entity is accurately set out, as at the date thereof, in Section 3.1(d)(ii) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter: (i) its name; (ii) Yamana’s percentage equity ownership of it; and (iii) its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation. |
(iii) | Yamana is, directly or indirectly, the registered and beneficial owner of (A) with respect to each Yamana Material Subsidiary, all of its issued and outstanding securities, and (B) with respect to each Yamana Material JV Entity, the ownership percentage set forth in the Yamana Public Documents, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid, and if such entity is a corporation, are non-assessable. No securities of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities have been issued in violation of any Law or pre-emptive or similar rights. There are no outstanding options, rights, entitlements, understandings or commitments (contingent or otherwise) regarding the right to acquire any securities or other ownership interests in any of the Yamana Material Subsidiaries or to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities. |
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(e) | Compliance with Laws and Constating Documents. |
(i) | The operations of Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have been since January 1, 2020 and are now being conducted in material compliance with all Laws of each jurisdiction, the Laws of which have been and are now applicable to the operations of Yamana, of any of its Subsidiaries and of any Yamana JV Entities, and none of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities has received any notice of any alleged violation of any such Laws, other than non-compliance or violations which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(ii) | None of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or the Yamana JV Entities is in conflict with, or in default under or in violation of its articles or by-laws or equivalent organizational documents except for such violation or default which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(f) | Authorizations. Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have obtained all Authorizations necessary for the ownership, operation and use of the assets of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and the Yamana JV Entities or otherwise in connection with carrying on the business and operations of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and the Yamana JV Entities in compliance with all applicable Laws, except where the failure to have any such Authorization would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. Such Authorizations are in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have fully complied with and are in compliance with all such Authorizations, except, in each case, for such non- compliance which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. There is no action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Xxxxxx threatened, regarding any such Authorizations, which if successful would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. None of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities or any of their respective officers or directors, has received any notice, whether written or oral, of revocation or non-renewal or material amendments of any such Authorizations, or of any intention of any Person to revoke or refuse to renew or to materially amend any of such Authorizations, except in each case, for revocations, non-renewals or amendments which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect, and all Authorizations of Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities continue to be effective in order for Yamana, its Subsidiaries and the Yamana JV Entities to continue to conduct their respective businesses as they are currently being conducted. To the knowledge of Yamana, no Person other than Yamana or a wholly-owned Subsidiary thereof owns or has any proprietary, financial or other interest (direct or indirect) in any Authorizations of Yamana or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries. |
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(g) | Capitalization. |
(i) | The authorized share capital of Yamana consists of an unlimited number of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. As of the date of this Agreement there are outstanding (A) 961,039,283 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx issued and outstanding; (B) nil Yamana Options; (C) Yamana RSUs that will result in the issuance of up to 2,428,903 Yamana Shares upon the vesting thereof; and (D) Yamana Warrants that will result in the issuance of up to 340,166 Yamana Shares upon the exercise thereof. In addition, as of the date of this Agreement there are (A) 3,321,591 Yamana PSUs outstanding, and (B) 5,247,958 Yamana DSUs outstanding. All outstanding Yamana Shares have been, and all Yamana Shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of rights under the Yamana RSUs and Yamana Warrants in accordance with their terms have been duly authorized and, upon issuance, will be, validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable shares of Yamana and are not and will not be, as applicable, subject to or issued in violation of, any pre-emptive rights. Except as set out herein and in Section 3.1(g)(i) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, there are no issued, outstanding or authorized options, warrants, conversion privileges, calls, or pre-emptive, redemption, repurchase, stock appreciation or other rights, shareholder rights plans, agreements, arrangements, commitments or obligations of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana JV Entities to issue or sell any shares in the capital of Yamana or shares, partnership interests or other equity interests of any of its Subsidiaries or securities or obligations of any kind convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise carrying the right or obligation to acquire or subscribe for any shares in the capital of Yamana or shares, partnership interests or other equity interests of any of its Subsidiaries or the value of which is based on the value of the securities of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, and other than the Yamana Incentive Plans, there are no equity or security based compensation arrangements maintained by Yamana. |
(ii) | Section 3.1(g)(ii) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter sets forth a schedule, as of the date hereof and to the extent applicable, of all outstanding grants to holders of Yamana RSUs, Yamana DSUs, Yamana PSUs and Yamana Warrants and the number, exercise price, date of grant, expiration dates, vesting schedules, performance criteria and whether vesting or exercise may be accelerated as a result, either alone or together with another event or occurrence, of the Arrangement, as applicable. |
(iii) | As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding obligations of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Yamana Shares or any shares of, or partnership interests or other equity interests in, any of its Subsidiaries or the Yamana Material JV Entities, or qualify securities for public distribution in Canada or elsewhere, or with respect to the voting or disposition of any securities of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities. No Subsidiary of Yamana nor, to the knowledge of Xxxxxx, any of the Yamana JV Entities owns any Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. |
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(iv) | All outstanding securities of Yamana have been issued in material compliance with all applicable Laws and any pre-emptive or similar rights applicable to them. |
(v) | The Yamana Incentive Plans and the issuance of securities under such plans (including all outstanding Yamana RSUs, Yamana DSUs, Yamana PSUs) have been recorded on Xxxxxx’s financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and no such grants involved any “back dating,” “forward dating,” “spring loading” or similar practices. |
(vi) | Except for (A) the Yamana Senior Notes, (B) intercompany loans between two or more Subsidiaries of Yamana or between of Yamana and one or more its Subsidiaries, (C) as disclosed in the Yamana Financial Statements, or (D) as set forth in Section 3.1(g)(vi) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, there are no issued, outstanding or authorized bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness of Yamana, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities or any other agreements, arrangements, instruments or commitments of any kind outstanding giving any Person, directly or indirectly, the right to vote (or that are convertible or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with Yamana Shareholders on any matter. |
(vii) | As of the date hereof, all dividends or distributions on securities of Yamana that have been declared or authorized have been paid in full. |
(viii) | No securities of Yamana are owned by any of its Subsidiaries or any Yamana JV Entity. |
(h) | Shareholder and Similar Agreements. Except as set forth in Section 3.1(h) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, neither Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities is party to any shareholder, pooling, voting trust or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana JV Entities or pursuant to which any Person may have any right or claim in connection with any existing or past equity interest in Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana JV Entities, and Xxxxxx has not adopted a shareholder rights plan or any other similar plan or agreement. |
(i) | Reporting Issuer Status and Stock Exchange Compliance. |
(i) | As of the date hereof, Yamana is a reporting issuer (or the equivalent) not in default under Canadian Securities Laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and is in material compliance with all applicable Canadian Securities Laws therein. There is no Order delisting, suspending or cease trading any securities of Yamana. The Yamana Shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX and are listed on the NYSE and the LSE, and are not listed on any market other than the TSX, the NYSE and the LSE, and Yamana is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the TSX, the NYSE and the LSE. |
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(ii) | Yamana has not taken any action to cease to be a reporting issuer in any province or territory nor has Yamana received notification from the Ontario Securities Commission, as principal regulator, or any other applicable securities commissions or securities regulatory authority of a province or territory of Canada seeking to revoke Yamana’s reporting issuer status. No delisting, suspension of trading or cease trade or other order or restriction with respect to any securities of Yamana is pending, in effect, has been threatened, or to the knowledge of Yamana, is expected to be implemented or undertaken, and Yamana is not subject to any formal or informal review, enquiry, investigation or other proceeding relating to any such order or restriction. |
(j) | U.S. Securities Law Matters. |
(i) | The Yamana Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act and Yamana is in material compliance with its reporting obligations as a “foreign private issuer”, as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Exchange Act, pursuant to Section 13 of the U.S. Exchange Act. |
(ii) | Other than the Yamana Shares, Xxxxxx does not have any class of equity securities registered under the U.S. Exchange Act, nor is Yamana currently subject to any reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act. |
(iii) | Yamana is not an investment company registered or required to be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
(iv) | Yamana is not, has not been since January 1, 2020 and on the Effective Date will not be, a “shell company” (as defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act). |
(k) | Reports. Since January 1, 2020, Xxxxxx has timely filed or furnished, as applicable, all Yamana Public Documents that Yamana is required to file or furnish under Canadian Securities Laws and U.S. Securities Laws, other than such documents that the failure to file or furnish would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. Yamana Public Documents, at the time filed, (i) did not contain any misrepresentation, (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) complied in all material respects with the requirements of applicable Canadian Securities Laws and U.S. Securities Laws. Any amendments to the Yamana Public Documents required to be made have been filed on a timely basis with the applicable Governmental Entity. Xxxxxx has not filed any confidential material change report with any Governmental Entity which at the date hereof remains confidential or any other confidential filings filed under Canadian Securities Laws or with any Governmental Entity. |
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(l) | Financial Statements. |
(i) | The Yamana Financial Statements (including the related management’s discussion and analysis) have been, and all financial statements of Xxxxxx (including any notes thereto and related management’s discussion and analysis) which are publicly disseminated by Xxxxxx in respect of any subsequent periods prior to the Effective Date will be, prepared in accordance with IFRS applied on a basis consistent with prior periods (except where IFRS has changed and new accounting standard become effective for the subsequent period) and all applicable Laws and present fairly, in all material respects, the assets, liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), consolidated financial position and its financial performance of Yamana and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and their results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods covered thereby. |
(ii) | There are no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations) or other relationships of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities with unconsolidated entities or other Persons which are not reflected in the Yamana Financial Statements. |
(iii) | The financial books, records and accounts of Xxxxxx and each of its Subsidiaries: (A) have been maintained, in all material respects, in accordance with IFRS; and (B) accurately and fairly reflect the basis for Xxxxxx’s financial statements in all material respects. |
(iv) | The management of Xxxxxx has established and maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings) designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Xxxxxx in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by such Laws imposed by such Governmental Entities. Such disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Xxxxxx in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is accumulated and communicated to Xxxxxx’s management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer (or Persons performing similar functions), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. |
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(v) | Yamana maintains internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in National Instrument 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings). Such internal control over financial reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS and includes policies and procedures that (A) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, (B) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of Yamana and its Subsidiaries are being made only with authorizations of management and directors of Yamana and its Subsidiaries, and (C) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of Yamana or its Subsidiaries that could have a material effect on its financial statements. To the knowledge of Yamana, as of the date of this Agreement (x) there are no material weaknesses in the design and implementation or maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting of Yamana that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the ability of Yamana to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (y) there is no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting of Yamana. |
(vi) | None of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries nor any of the respective directors, officers, employees, auditors, accountants or representatives of any of the foregoing, has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim that Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, which has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the audit committee of the Yamana Board. |
(m) | Undisclosed Liabilities. Other than as disclosed in Section 3.1(m) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, none of Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities, has any material liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, except for (i) liabilities and obligations that are specifically presented on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet of Yamana as of March 31, 2022 (the “Yamana Balance Sheet”) or disclosed in the notes thereto, (ii) those incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Yamana Balance Sheet and consistent with past practice and (iii) those incurred in connection with the execution of this Agreement. |
(n) | Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Compliance. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of Xxxxxx (or each former principal executive officer and each former principal financial officer of Yamana, as applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the U.S. Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act with respect to the Yamana Public Documents, and the statements contained in such certifications were true and accurate in all material respects as of the dates made in such Yamana Public Documents. For purposes of this Agreement, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act. Neither Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding (nor has arranged or modified since the enactment of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act) any “extensions of credit” (within the meaning of Section 402 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act) to directors or executive officers (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the U.S. Exchange Act) of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries. Yamana is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and the applicable listing and corporate governance rules of the NYSE. |
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(o) | Title. Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities: |
(i) | have good and sufficient title to their real property interests, including fee simple estate of and in real property, leases, easements, rights of way, permits or licenses from landowners or authorities permitting the use of land by Xxxxxx, its Subsidiaries or the Yamana JV Entities, as applicable, necessary to permit the operation of Yamana’s business as presently owned and conducted in all material respects (collectively, “Yamana Real Property Interests”); and |
(ii) | hold their mineral concession, claims, leases, licenses, permits, access rights and other rights and interests necessary to explore for, develop, mine, produce, process or refine, minerals, concentrates or ores for development purposes on their properties (collectively, the “Yamana Mineral Rights”), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). |
(p) | No Defaults under Leases and Agreements. |
(i) | None of Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities has received notice of any default under any of the leases and other title and operating documents or any other agreement or instrument pertaining to the Yamana Real Property Interests or the Yamana Mineral Rights to which Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is a party or by or to which Yamana or any such assets are bound or subject, except to the extent that such defaults have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(ii) | (A) Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities are in good standing under all, and are not in default under any, and (B) there is no existing condition, circumstance or matter which constitutes or which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default under any, leases and other title and operating documents or any other agreements and instruments pertaining to the Yamana Real Property Interests and the Yamana Mineral Rights to which it is a party or by or to which it or such assets are bound or subject and, to the knowledge of Yamana, all such leases, title and operating documents and other agreements and instruments are in good standing and in full force and effect and none of the counterparties to such leases, title and operating documents and other agreements and instruments is in default thereunder except to the extent that such defaults have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
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(q) | Expropriation. No properties or assets of Yamana or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities, subject to the Yamana Real Property Interests or the Yamana Mineral Rights has been taken or appropriated by any Governmental Entity, nor has any notice or proceeding in respect thereof been given or commenced, nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, is there any intent or proposal to give any such notice or to commence any such proceeding. |
(r) | Yamana Mineral Reserves and Resources. |
(i) | The Jacobina mining complex, the El Penon mine and the Canadian Malartic mine are the only material properties of Yamana for the purposes of NI 43-101 (the “Yamana Material Properties”). |
(ii) | Each of the technical reports relating to the Yamana Material Properties filed pursuant to NI 43-101 complied in all material respects with the requirements of NI 43-101 at the respective time of filing thereof. |
(iii) | The estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources for the Yamana Material Properties were prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with sound mining, engineering, geoscience and other applicable industry standards and practices, and in accordance with applicable Laws, including the requirements of NI 43-101. There has been no material reduction in the aggregate amount of estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves of Yamana from the amounts set forth in the Yamana Public Documents, other than as a result of production activities in the ordinary course. All information regarding the Yamana Material Properties, including all drill results, technical reports and studies, that are required to be disclosed at Law, have been disclosed in the Yamana Public Documents on or before the date hereof. |
(s) | Royalties and Rentals Paid. All rentals, royalties (whether statutory or contractual), overriding royalty interests, production payments, net profits, earn- outs, streaming agreements, metal pre-payment or similar agreements, interest burdens, payments and obligations (including, without limitation, streaming, pre- payment and similar arrangements) due and payable, or performable, as the case may be, on or prior to the date hereof under, with respect to, or on account of, any direct or indirect assets of Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, have been: (i) duly paid; (ii) duly performed; or (iii) provided for prior to the date hereof, except to the extent that such non-payment, non-performance or non-provision would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(t) | Environmental Matters. |
(i) | Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities have been since January 1, 2020 and are in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except such non-compliance that has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
3.1-13 |
(ii) | There have been no Releases in violation of Environmental Laws within the current or prior ownership, possession or control of either of Yamana, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, that would reasonably be expected to result in a claim, notice, complaint, penalty, prosecution or any other judicial or administrative proceeding arising out of any Environmental Laws against Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any Yamana Material JV Entities, that have not had, or would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(iii) | There are no pending claims, notices, complaints, penalties, prosecutions or any other judicial or administrative proceedings issued against Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities arising out of any Environmental Laws, except for any such claims that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(iv) | To the knowledge of Yamana, there has not been: (A) any written Order that remains outstanding which relates to Environmental Laws that would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; or (B) any written demand or notice that remains outstanding with respect to a material breach of any Environmental Law in each case applicable to Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(u) | Intellectual Property. Yamana and its Subsidiaries have sufficient rights to use or otherwise exploit the Intellectual Property necessary to carry on the business now operated by them and there is no proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Yamana, threatened by any Person challenging Xxxxxx’s or its Subsidiaries’ rights in or to such intellectual property which is used for the conduct of the business as currently carried on as set forth in the Yamana Public Documents, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Yamana, the conduct of the business as currently carried on as set forth in the Yamana Public Documents, including the use of Intellectual Property, does not infringe upon Intellectual Property of any Person in any material respect except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Yamana, no Person is currently infringing upon any of the Intellectual Property owned by Yamana or its Subsidiaries in any material respect except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(v) | Employment Matters. |
(i) | Except as set forth in Section 3.1(v)(i) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter or as contemplated by this Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the Arrangement will not (A) result in any payment (including bonus, golden parachute, retirement, severance, unemployment compensation, or other benefit) becoming due or payable to any of the Yamana directors, officers or employees or result in a director or officers having an entitlement to such payments upon termination or resignation, (B) increase the compensation or benefits otherwise payable to any Yamana directors, officers or employees or (C) result in (1) the acceleration of the time of payment, (2) funding or (3) vesting of any benefits or entitlements otherwise available pursuant to any Yamana Benefit Plan. |
3.1-14 |
(ii) | Except as set forth in Section 3.1(v)(ii) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, none of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities (A) is a party to any collective bargaining agreement with respect to any Yamana employees or any contract with any employee association, or (B) is subject to any application for certification or, to the knowledge of Yamana, threatened or apparent union-organizing campaigns for employees not covered under a collective bargaining agreement and no trade union, council of trade unions, employee bargaining agency or affiliated bargaining agent holds bargaining rights with respect to any employees of Yamana by way of certification, interim certification, voluntary recognition or succession rights. Except as disclosed in the Yamana Public Documents, there is no labour strike, dispute, work slowdown or stoppage pending or involving, or to the knowledge of Yamana threatened against Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities, and no such event has occurred within the last two years. |
(iii) | None of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities are, or have been, engaged in any unfair labour practice and no unfair labour practice complaint, grievance or arbitration proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of Yamana, threatened against Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities. |
(iv) | No trade union has applied to have Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities declared a common or related employer pursuant to the Labour Relations Code (Ontario) or any similar legislation in any jurisdiction in which Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities carries on business. |
(v) | None of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities is subject to any current, pending or, to the knowledge of Xxxxxx, threatened claim, complaint or proceeding for wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal or any other tort claim relating to employment or termination of employment of employees or independent contractors, or under any applicable Law with respect to employment and labour, except for routine claims for benefits, except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
3.1-15 |
(vi) | Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities have been since January 1, 2020 and are in material compliance with all terms and conditions of employment and all applicable Laws with respect to employment and labour, including employment and labour standards, occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, human rights, labour relations and privacy and there are no current, pending, or, to the knowledge of Yamana, threatened, material proceedings before any court, board or tribunal with respect to any of the areas listed herein, or otherwise has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(vii) | Gold Fields has been provided with true and complete copies of all material Yamana Benefit Plans. |
(w) | Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since January 1, 2020: (i) Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, have operated their respective businesses only in the ordinary course of business; (ii) there has not been any Yamana Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) Yamana and its Subsidiaries have not taken or failed to take any action which, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a breach of Section 5.1. |
(x) | Litigation. There is no Proceeding against or involving Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities or any of their respective properties or assets pending or, to the knowledge of Yamana, threatened and, to the knowledge of Yamana, no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Proceeding, in each case which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect or would significantly impede the ability of Xxxxxx to consummate the Arrangement. |
(y) | Taxes. Except as disclosed in Section 3.1(y) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter: |
(i) | each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has duly and in a timely manner made or prepared all material Tax Returns required to be made or prepared by it, and duly and in a timely manner filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it with the appropriate Governmental Entity, and all such Tax Returns were complete and correct in all material respects; |
(ii) | each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has paid all Taxes, including instalments on account of Taxes for the current year required by applicable Law, which are due and payable by it whether or not assessed by the appropriate Governmental Entity and Xxxxxx has provided adequate accruals in accordance with IFRS in the most recently published financial statements of Yamana for any Taxes of Yamana, each of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, each of the Yamana JV Entities for the period covered by such financial statements that have not been paid whether or not shown as being due on any Tax Returns, except in each case where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect since such publication date, no liability in respect of Taxes not reflected in such statements or otherwise provided for has been assessed, proposed to be assessed, incurred or accrued, other than in the ordinary course of business; |
3.1-16 |
(iii) | all deficiencies for Taxes asserted or assessed against any of Yamana, its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have been paid in full, accrued on the books of Xxxxxx or finally settled, except to the extent that any such deficiencies would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
(iv) | each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has duly and timely withheld all Taxes required by Law to be withheld by it in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, supplier, creditor, shareholder, non-resident or other third party (including Taxes required to be withheld by it in respect of any amount paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by it to or for the benefit of any Person) and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such Taxes or other amounts required by Law to be remitted by it, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
(v) | each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has duly and timely collected all amounts on account of any sales, use or transfer Taxes, including, without limitation, goods and services, harmonized sales, provincial and territorial sales taxes and state and local taxes, required by Law to be collected by it and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such amounts required by Law to be remitted by it, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
(vi) | none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities has in place with a Governmental Entity any agreement or extension of time for which to file any material Tax Returns or pay any material amount of Tax, by way of assessment or otherwise, and no such entity has an extension or waiver of a statute of limitation relating to any material amount of Tax; |
(vii) | there are no proceedings, investigations, audits or claims now pending in writing against Xxxxxx, any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities in respect of any Taxes and there are no matters under discussion, audit or appeal with any Governmental Entity relating to Taxes, except to the extent that any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
3.1-17 |
(viii) | none of Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any COVID-19 Subsidy amounts to which it was not entitled. None of Yamana nor any of its Subsidiaries has deferred any payroll tax obligations as permitted under applicable COVID-19 related measures enacted, promulgated or offered as an administrative relief by a Governmental Entity; |
(ix) | for the purposes of the Tax Act and any other relevant Tax purposes: |
(A) | Yamana is a “taxable Canadian corporation” and is resident in Canada and is not resident in any other country; |
(B) | each of Yamana’s Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities is resident in the jurisdiction (or country of which such jurisdiction is a political subdivision) in which it was formed or continued, and is not resident in any other country; |
(C) | to the knowledge of Yamana, none of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities (1) has a permanent establishment, or (2) is engaged in trade or business (or comparable non-U.S. standard in any jurisdiction outside of the United States), in either case, in a jurisdiction other than its country of organization; and |
(D) | no written claim has been made by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where Xxxxxx, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities does not file Tax Returns that such entity is or may be subject to Tax by that jurisdiction; |
(x) | none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities is a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code or is treated as a U.S. corporation under Section 7874(b) of the Code; |
(xi) | none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957(a) of the Code determined without regard to the repeal of Section 958(b)(4) of the Code; |
(xii) | none of Yamana, nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries nor the Yamana JV Entities has made an election pursuant to Section 897(i) of the Code; |
(xiii) | since January 1, 2020, none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities has been the “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation”, in each case, within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code, with respect to a transaction that was intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code; |
3.1-18 |
(xiv) | none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities is a party to any agreement, understanding or arrangement relating to the allocation or sharing of Taxes (excluding customary commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary subject of which is not Taxes); |
(xv) | there are no Liens for Taxes upon any properties or assets of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana JV Entities (other than Liens (A) relating to Taxes not yet due and payable and for which adequate reserves have been recorded on the most recent balance sheet included in the Yamana Annual Financial Statements and (B) which would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect); |
(xvi) | each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has not, and has never been deemed to have for purposes of the Tax Act or any other Tax Law, entered into any transactions or arrangements with Persons with whom they do not deal at arm’s length (within the meaning of the Tax Act) other than for consideration equal to fair market value. For all transactions between Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or the Yamana JV Entities, on the one hand, and any non-resident Person with whom Xxxxxx, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana JV Entities was not dealing at arm’s length for the purposes of the Tax Act, on the other hand, Yamana, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities, as the case may be, has made or obtained records or documents that satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 247(4)(a) to (c) of the Tax Act. Each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities has complied in all respects with all applicable Tax Laws with respect to transfer pricing except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect; |
(xvii) | there are no circumstances existing which could result in the application of Section 17, Section 78, Section 79, or Sections 80 to 80.04 of the Tax Act (or any equivalent provision of the taxation legislation of any province or any other jurisdiction) to each of Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities; and |
(xviii) | (A) none of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Yamana, any of Yamana’s Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (B) Yamana is not aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. |
(z) | Books and Records. The corporate records and minute books of Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities are currently maintained in accordance with applicable Laws and are complete and accurate in all material respects. |
3.1-19 |
(aa) | Insurance. Policies of insurance are in force naming Yamana, a Subsidiary of Yamana or, to the knowledge of Yamana, a Yamana Material JV Entity as an insured that adequately cover all risks as are customarily covered by businesses in the industry in which Yamana, its Subsidiaries and the Yamana Material JV Entities operate, and Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities are in compliance in all material respects with all requirements with respect to such policies. Xxxxxx has disclosed in the Yamana Data Room, a summary listing of all such policies that are material to Yamana (including additional details pertaining to the directors’ & officers’ liability policy). All such policies shall remain in full force and effect (subject to taking into account insurance market conditions and offerings and industry practices) and will not be cancelled or otherwise terminated as a result of the transactions contemplated herein. None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities has failed to promptly give any notice or present any material claim under such policies. |
(bb) | Non-Arm’s Length Transactions. Other than as disclosed in the Yamana Public Documents and other than employment or compensation agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, no director, officer, employee or agent of, or independent contractor to, Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries, or holder of record or beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, or associate or affiliate of any such officer, director or beneficial owner, is a party to, or beneficiary of, any loan, guarantee, Contract, arrangement or understanding or other transactions with Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries. |
(cc) | Benefit Plans. |
(i) | Each Yamana Benefit Plan has been established, registered, amended, funded, administered, and invested in all material respects in accordance with its terms and applicable Laws in all material respects and in accordance with their terms, the terms of the material documents that support such Yamana Benefit Plans and the terms of agreements between Yamana and its Subsidiaries on the one hand and the employees (present and former) who are members of, or beneficiaries under, such Yamana Benefit Plans, on the other hand in all material respects, and any contributions required to be made under each Yamana Benefit Plan, as of the date hereof, have been timely made in accordance with the terms of such Yamana Benefit Plan and applicable Laws, and all obligations in respect of each Yamana Benefit Plan have been properly accrued and reflected in the Yamana Annual Financial Statements. All employer and employee payments, contributions and premiums required to be remitted, paid to or in respect of each Yamana Benefit Plan have been paid or remitted in a timely fashion in accordance with its terms and all Laws in all material respects. To the knowledge of Yamana, there are no investigations by a Governmental Entity or material claims (other than routine claims for payment of benefits) pending or threatened involving any Yamana Benefit Plan or its assets, and no facts exist which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such investigation order or material claim (other than routine claims for payment of benefits). |
3.1-20 |
(ii) | Except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect, (A) all current obligations of Yamana regarding the Yamana Benefit Plans have been satisfied and (B) all contributions, premiums or Taxes required to be made or paid by Yamana by applicable Laws or under the terms of each Yamana Benefit Plan have been made in a timely fashion in accordance with applicable Laws and the terms of such Yamana Benefit Plan. |
(iii) | Other than as disclosed in Section 3.1(cc) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, there are no pension or retirement income plans of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries. |
(iv) | The costs of funding the Yamana Benefit Plans are, in all material respects, reflected in the Yamana Financial Statements. |
(v) | No event has occurred respecting any Yamana Benefit Plan which would entitle a Person (without the consent of Yamana) to wind-up or terminate any Yamana Benefit Plan in whole or in part. |
(vi) | To the knowledge of Yamana, there has been no amendment to, announcement by Xxxxxx, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities relating to or change in employee participation, coverage, or benefits provided under, any Yamana Benefit Plan which would increase materially the expense of maintaining such plan above the level of the expense incurred therefor for the most recent fiscal year. |
(vii) | There are no unfunded liabilities in respect of any Yamana Benefit Plan which provides pension benefits, superannuation benefits or retirement savings, including any “registered pension plans” as that term is defined in the Tax Act, or any supplemental pension plans (including going concern unfunded liabilities, solvency deficiencies or wind-up deficiencies, where applicable). |
(viii) | No liabilities or obligations under any of the Yamana Benefit Plans in respect of any employees on disability would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(ix) | None of the Yamana Benefit Plans, or any insurance contract relating thereto, require or permit a retroactive increase in premiums or payments on termination of the Yamana Benefit Plan or any insurance contract relating thereto. |
(x) | All material data necessary to administer each material Yamana Benefit Plan is in the possession or control of Yamana or its agents. |
(dd) | Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no Yamana Material Contract or Order binding upon Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, any of the Yamana Material JV Entities that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting, restricting or materially impairing any business practice of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana JV Entities or the conduct of business by Xxxxxx, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities as currently conducted (including following the transaction contemplated by this Agreement) other than Yamana Material Contracts or Orders which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
3.1-21 |
(ee) | Material Contracts. True and complete copies of the Yamana Material Contracts (other than those to which the Yamana Material JV Entities are parties) have been disclosed in the Yamana Data Room and, to the knowledge of Yamana, true and complete copies of the Yamana Material Contracts to which the Yamana Material JV Entities are parties have been disclosed in the Yamana Data Room. Yamana and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, have performed in all material respects all of the respective obligations required to be performed by them under the Yamana Material Contracts and none of Yamana, or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, is in material breach or default under any Yamana Material Contract to which it is a party or bound. To the knowledge of Yamana, there is no material breach or default under any such Yamana Material Contract by any other party thereto. All Yamana Material Contracts are legal, valid, binding and in full force and effect and are enforceable by Xxxxxx (or a Subsidiary of Yamana, as the case may be) in accordance with their respective terms (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity). Yamana has not received any written or, to the knowledge of Yamana, other notice that any party to a Yamana Material Contract intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew its relationship with Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Yamana, no such action has been threatened. |
(ff) | Anti-Corruption. |
(i) | None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has, directly or indirectly, offered, promised, agreed, paid, authorized, given or taken any act in furtherance of any such offer, promise, agreement, payment or authorization on behalf of Yamana, its Subsidiaries or the Yamana JV Entities, anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any official of a Governmental Entity, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office, for the purpose of any of the following: |
(A) | influencing any action or decision of such Person in such Person’s official capacity, including a decision to fail to perform such Person’s official function in order to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of business; |
(B) | inducing such Person to use such Person’s influence with any Governmental Entity to affect or influence any act or decision of such Governmental Entity to assist Xxxxxx, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Yamana JV Entities in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person or otherwise to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of business; or |
3.1-22 |
(C) | to assist Xxxxxx, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Yamana JV Entities in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person whether through a bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or illegal or improper payment, |
other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) | None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has taken any action that is inconsistent with or prohibited by or would cause Yamana, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Yamana JV Entities to be in violation of the substantive prohibitions or requirements of the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (United States) or any similar legislation prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering in any jurisdiction in which it conducts its business and to which it is subject and all contracts and arrangements between Yamana, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Yamana JV Entities and any other Person are in compliance with such laws, other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. Since January 1, 2020, Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have maintained policies and procedures applicable to it and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives in place in respect thereof as are appropriate to prevent and detect violations of laws prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering. |
(iii) | None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has (A) conducted or initiated any review, audit or internal investigation to determine whether, or has concluded that, Yamana, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Yamana JV Entities or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has violated any Laws prohibiting corruption, bribery or money laundering or committed any wrongdoing thereunder, or (B) made a voluntary, directed or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Entity responsible for enforcing anti-corruption, anti-bribery and money laundering Laws, in each case with respect to any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to non-compliance with any such Laws, or received any notice, request or citation from any Person alleging non-compliance with any such Laws, other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(iv) | Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana JV Entities have maintained systems of internal controls intended to ensure compliance with the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (United States) or any similar legislation prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering. |
3.1-23 |
(gg) | Sanctions. |
(i) | Neither Yamana, nor any of its Subsidiaries or joint ventures, nor any of their respective directors, officers or employees nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, any agents or Persons acting on any of their behalf: (A) is a Restricted Party; or (B) has received written notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanctions Authority. |
(ii) | None of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Yamana, any director, officer, employee or agent of Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are: (A) the subject/target of any Sanctions, or (B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions, including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria). |
(iii) | Yamana, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the agents of Yamana and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Sanctions in all material respects. Yamana and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable Sanctions. |
(xx) | Xxxxxx represents and covenants that for the past three years, neither Xxxxxx nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Xxxxxx, any director, officer, employee or agent of Xxxxxx has knowingly engaged in, or is now knowingly engaged in, or will engage in, any dealings or transactions with a Restricted Person or in violation of Sanctions. |
(hh) | Indigenous Claims. None of Yamana, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities, has received any written notice of an Indigenous Claim, which relates to either the Yamana Real Property Interests or the Yamana Mineral Rights or to their respective operations and businesses except for such Indigenous Claims that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. There are no ongoing or outstanding negotiations with any Indigenous group concerning an impact benefit or other material agreement between an Indigenous group and Yamana, its Subsidiaries, or any of the Yamana Material JV Entities. |
(ii) | Community Groups. To the knowledge of Yamana: |
(i) | no authorized legal representative of any community in the vicinity of any of the Yamana Material Properties has communicated in writing to Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries a requirement that (A) the consent of such community be obtained as a condition to continued operation of any such properties or (B) a material increase in the compensation payments payable by Yamana or any of its Subsidiaries under any community development or social framework or similar agreements as a condition to the continued operation of such properties. |
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(ii) | other than as disclosed in Section 3.1(ii) of the Yamana Disclosure Letter, no dispute exists or is threatened in writing between community groups and Yamana, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Yamana, the Yamana Material JV Entities with respect to their respective businesses, assets and operations, except for such disputes that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Yamana Material Adverse Effect. |
(jj) | Brokers; Expenses. Except for the fees to be paid to Canaccord Genuity Corp., Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Canada Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc., pursuant to their respective engagement letters with Xxxxxx, true and complete copies of which have been provided to Gold Fields, none of Yamana, any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker, finder, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions, finder’s fees, financial advisory fees or other similar fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(kk) | Fairness Opinion. As of the date hereof: |
(i) | Each of Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc., financial advisors to the Yamana Board, have delivered the Yamana Fairness Opinions to the Yamana Board to the effect that as of the date of such Opinions, subject to the assumptions and limitations set out therein, the Consideration to be received by Yamana Shareholders pursuant to the Arrangement is fair from a financial point of view to Yamana Shareholders; and |
(ii) | Yamana has been authorized by Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Scotia Capital Inc. to permit inclusion of the Yamana Fairness Opinions and references thereto in the Yamana Circular, subject to their review and approval thereof. |
(ll) | Cultural Business. Yamana is not a “cultural business” within the meaning of the Investment Canada Act. |
(mm) | No “Collateral Benefit”. To the knowledge of Yamana, no related party of Yamana (within the meaning of MI 61-101) together with its associated entities, beneficially owns or exercises control or direction over 1% or more of the outstanding Yamana Shares, except for related parties who will not receive a “collateral benefit” (within the meaning of such instrument) as a consequence of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(nn) | HSR Act. Yamana and its Subsidiaries do not hold, and will not hold at the closing of the Arrangement, assets located in the United States with a value that exceeds US$101 million and Yamana and its Subsidiaries did not generate sales in or into the United States, the sum of which exceeded US$101 million during Xxxxxx’s most recent fiscal year. |
Schedule
4.1
Representations and Warranties of GOLD FIELDS
Defined Terms
As used in this schedule, capitalized terms have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Arrangement Agreement to which this schedule is appended, and the following terms have the following meanings:
“Gold Fields Annual Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements for Gold Fields as of and for each of the fiscal years ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 (including the notes thereto and the auditor’s report thereon) included in Gold Fields’ annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022;
“Gold Fields Balance Sheet” has the meaning given to it in Section (n) of this Schedule 4.1;
“Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities” means any corporations or entities in which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries directly owns 20% or more of the shares or equity interest, and which is not otherwise a Subsidiary (and for greater certainty includes the Gold Fields Material JV Entities);
“Gold Fields Material JV Entities” means the entities listed as Gold Fields Material JV Entities in Section 4.1(d)(ii) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter;
“Gold Fields Material Properties” has the meaning given to it in Section 4.1(s)(i) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter;
“Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries” means the entities listed as Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries in Section 4.1(d)(ii) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter;
“Gold Fields Mineral Rights” has the meaning given to it in Section (p)(ii) of this Schedule 4.1;
“Gold Fields Real Property Interests” has the meaning given to it in Section (p)(i) of Schedule 4.1;
“Gold Fields Shareholder Approval” means the approval of the Gold Fields Resolutions by Gold Fields Shareholders at the Gold Fields Meeting;
“Restricted Party” means a Person that is: (i) listed on, or owned or controlled (directly or indirectly) by a Person listed on, or acting on behalf of a Person listed on, any Sanctions List, (ii) located in, incorporated under the laws of, or owned or (directly or indirectly) controlled by, or acting on behalf of, a Person located in or organized under the laws of a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions, or (iii) otherwise a target of Sanctions;
“Sanctions” means the economic sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures administered, enacted or enforced by: (i) the United States government; (ii) the United Nations; (iii) the European Union (iv) the United Kingdom; (v) Canada or (vi) the respective governmental institutions and agencies of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury (“OFAC”), the United States Department of State, Global Affairs Canada (“GAC”) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or any other relevant sanctions authority (together the “Sanctions Authorities”);
4.1-2 |
“Sanctions List” means the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by OFAC, the Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List, the Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List maintained by HMT, or any similar list maintained by, or public announcement of Sanctions designation made by, any of the Sanctions Authorities; and
“S-K 1300” means Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K under the U.S. Securities Act.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GOLD FIELDS
(a) | Organization and Qualification. Gold Fields and each of the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is a corporation duly incorporated or an entity duly created and validly existing under all applicable Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, continuance or creation and has all corporate power and capacity to own its assets and conduct its business as now owned and conducted. Gold Fields, each of the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, each of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is duly qualified to carry on business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its assets and properties, owned, leased, licensed or otherwise held, or the nature of its activities, makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so registered or in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. True and complete copies of the constating documents of Gold Fields have been disclosed in the Gold Fields Data Room, and no action has been taken to amend or supersede such constating documents of Gold Fields. |
(b) | Authority Relative to this Agreement. Gold Fields has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by it hereunder and, subject to obtaining Gold Fields Shareholder Approval, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Arrangement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by Gold Fields hereunder and the consummation by Gold Fields of the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder have been duly authorized by the Gold Fields Board, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Gold Fields are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the agreements and other documents to be entered into by it hereunder or the consummation of the Arrangement, other than obtaining approval of the Gold Fields Circular by the Gold Fields Board and the Gold Fields Shareholder Approval. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Gold Fields and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Gold Fields, enforceable by Xxxxxx against Gold Fields in accordance with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other applicable Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to the qualification that equitable remedies may be granted only in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction. |
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(c) | No Conflict; Required Filings and Consent. The execution and delivery by Gold Fields of this Agreement and the performance by it of its obligations hereunder and the completion of the Arrangement and the other transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (or would not with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both, or the happening of any other event or condition): |
(i) | violate, conflict with or result in a breach or default of: |
(A) | any provision of the articles, by-laws or other constating documents or partnership agreements of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities; |
(B) | any Gold Fields Material Contract or Authorization to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is a party or by which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; or |
(C) | any Law to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is subject or by which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is bound, subject to receipt of the Regulatory Approvals and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; |
(ii) | give rise to any right of termination, allow any Person to exercise any rights, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Gold Fields is entitled, under any Gold Fields Material Contract or Authorization to which Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is a party, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; or |
(iii) | give rise to any rights of first refusal or rights of first offer, trigger any change of control provision or any restriction or limitation, or require any consent or other action by any Person, under any Gold Fields Material Contract or Authorization, or result in the imposition of any Lien upon any of Gold Fields’ assets or the assets of any of the Gold Fields’ Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
Other than the Regulatory Approvals, such filings and approvals required by the applicable rules and policies of the JSE and the NYSE, the Interim Order and the Final Order, no Authorization of, or other action by or in respect of, or filing, recording, registering or publication with, or notification to, any Governmental Entity is necessary on the part of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or the Gold Fields Material JV Entities for the consummation by Gold Fields of its obligations in connection with the Arrangement under this Agreement or for the completion of the Arrangement, except for such Authorizations and filings as to which the failure to obtain or make would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect.
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(d) | Subsidiaries. |
(i) | Gold Fields has no material Subsidiaries other than the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries. |
(ii) | Except as set forth in Section 4.1(d)(ii) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, Gold Fields is, directly or indirectly, the registered and beneficial owner of (A) with respect to each Gold Fields Material Subsidiary, all of its issued and outstanding securities, and (B) with respect to each Gold Fields Material JV Entity, the ownership percentage set forth in the Gold Fields Public Documents, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and all of the issued and outstanding securities of the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid, and if such entity is a corporation, are non-assessable. No securities of the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries or the Gold Fields Material JV Entities have been issued in violation of any Law or pre-emptive or similar rights. There are no outstanding options, rights, entitlements, understandings or commitments (contingent or otherwise) regarding the right to acquire any securities or other ownership interests in any of the Gold Fields Material Subsidiaries or to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities. |
(e) | Compliance with Laws and Constating Documents. |
(i) | The operations of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities have been since January 1, 2020 and are now being conducted in material compliance with all Laws of each jurisdiction, the Laws of which have been and are now applicable to the operations of Gold Fields, of any of its Subsidiaries and of any Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, and none of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities has received any notice of any alleged violation of any such Laws, other than non-compliance or violations which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
(ii) | None of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities is in conflict with, or in default under or in violation of its articles or by-laws or equivalent organizational documents except for such violation or default which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
4.1-5 |
(f) | Authorizations. Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities have obtained all material Authorizations necessary for the ownership, operation and use of the assets of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or otherwise in connection with carrying on the business and operations of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities in compliance with all applicable Laws, except where the failure to have any such Authorization would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. Such Authorizations are in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities have fully complied with and are in compliance with all such Authorizations. There is no action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields threatened, regarding any such Authorizations, which if successful would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. None of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or any of their respective officers or directors, has received any notice, whether written or oral, of revocation or non-renewal or material amendments of any such Authorizations, or of any intention of any Person to revoke or refuse to renew or to materially amend any of such Authorizations, except in each case, for revocations, non-renewals or amendments which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect, and all Authorizations of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities continue to be effective in order for Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities to continue to conduct their respective businesses as they are currently being conducted. To the knowledge of Gold Fields, no Person other than Gold Fields or a wholly owned Subsidiary thereof owns or has any proprietary, financial or other interest (direct or indirect) in any Authorizations of Gold Fields or its wholly owned Subsidiaries. |
(g) | Capitalization. |
(i) | The authorized share capital of Gold Fields consists of 2,000,000,000 Gold Fields Shares. As of the date of this Agreement there are: (A) 891,377,583 Gold Fields Shares validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares of Gold Fields, and (B) (1) 2,647,041 Gold Fields Performance Shares and (2) 90,013 Gold Fields Matching Shares. All Gold Fields Shares have been, and all Gold Fields Shares issuable upon the vesting or exercise of the options to purchase Gold Fields Shares in accordance with their terms have been duly authorized and, upon issuance, will be, validly issued as fully paid and non-assessable shares of Gold Fields and are not and will not be, as applicable, subject to or issued in violation of, any pre-emptive rights. Except for the options to purchase Gold Fields Shares, referred to in this Section (g)(i), as of the date of this Agreement, there are no issued, outstanding or authorized options, warrants, conversion privileges, calls, or pre-emptive, redemption, repurchase, stock appreciation or other rights, shareholder rights plans, agreements, arrangements, commitments or obligations of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities to issue or sell any shares in the capital of Gold Fields or shares, partnership interests or other equity interests of any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or securities or obligations of any kind convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise carrying the right or obligation to acquire or subscribed for any shares in the capital of Gold Fields or shares, partnership interests or other equity interests of any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or the value of which is based on the value of the securities of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, and other than the Gold Fields 2012 Share Plan, there are no equity or security based compensation arrangements maintained by Gold Fields. |
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(ii) | All outstanding securities of Gold Fields have been issued in material compliance with all applicable Laws and any pre-emptive or similar rights applicable to them. |
(iii) | There are no issued, outstanding or authorized bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries or the Gold Fields Material JV Entities or any other agreements, arrangements, instruments or commitments of any kind outstanding giving any Person, directly or indirectly, the right to vote (or that are convertible or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with Gold Fields Shareholders on any matter. |
(iv) | The Consideration Shares to be issued at the Effective Time will be duly authorized and validly issued by Gold Fields as fully paid and non-assessable shares of Gold Fields, free and clear of all Liens. |
(h) | Shareholder and Similar Agreements. Neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities is party to any shareholder, pooling, voting trust or other similar agreement or arrangement relating to the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities or pursuant to which any Person may have any right or claim in connection with any existing or past equity interest in Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities, and Gold Fields has not adopted a shareholder rights plan or any other similar plan or agreement. |
(i) | Stock Exchange Compliance. There is no Order delisting, suspending or cease trading any securities of Gold Fields. The Gold Fields Shares are listed for trading on the JSE, and the Gold Fields ADSs are listed on the NYSE. The Gold Fields Shares and the Gold Fields ADSs are not listed on any exchange other than the JSE and NYSE, and Gold Fields is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing rules and regulations of the JSE and NYSE. |
(j) | U.S. Securities Law Matters. |
(i) | The Gold Fields Shares and the Gold Fields ADSs are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the U.S. Exchange Act and Gold Fields is in material compliance with its reporting obligations pursuant to Section 13 of the U.S. Exchange Act. |
(ii) | Other than the Gold Fields Shares and the Gold Fields ADSs, Gold Fields does not have any class of equity securities registered under the U.S. Exchange Act, nor is Gold Fields currently subject to any reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the U.S. Exchange Act. |
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(iii) | Gold Fields is not an investment company registered or required to be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
(k) | South Africa Securities Law Matters. The Gold Fields Shares are admitted to listing and trading on the Main Board of the JSE. |
(l) | Reports. Since January 1, 2020, Gold Fields has timely filed or furnished, as applicable, all Gold Fields Public Documents that Gold Fields is required to file or furnish under U.S. Securities Laws, other than such documents that the failure to file or furnish would, individually or in the aggregate, not have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. Gold Fields Public Documents at the time filed (i) did not contain any material misrepresentation, (ii) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (iii) complied in all material respects with the requirements of applicable U.S. Securities Laws. Any amendments to Gold Fields Public Documents required to be made under U.S. Securities Laws have been filed on a timely basis. Gold Fields has not filed any confidential material change report with any Governmental Entity which at the date hereof remains confidential or any other confidential filings filed under U.S. Securities Laws or with any Governmental Entity. |
(m) | Financial Statements. |
(i) | The Gold Fields Financial Statements have been, and all financial statements of Gold Fields (including any notes thereto) which are publicly disseminated by Gold Fields in respect of any subsequent periods prior to the Effective Date will be, prepared in accordance with IFRS applied on a basis consistent with prior periods (except where IFRS has changed and new accounting standards become effective for the subsequent period) and all applicable Laws and present fairly, in all material respects, the assets, liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise), consolidated financial position and results of operations of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and their results of operations and cash flows for the respective periods covered thereby. |
(ii) | The management of Gold Fields has established and maintains a system of disclosure controls and procedures, including “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the U.S. Exchange Act) designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Gold Fields in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by such Laws imposed by such Governmental Entities. Such disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Gold Fields in its annual filings, interim filings or other securities filings filed or submitted under the applicable Laws imposed by Governmental Entities is accumulated and communicated to Gold Fields’ management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer (or Persons performing similar functions), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. |
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(iii) | Gold Fields maintains internal control over financial reporting, including “internal controls over financial reporting” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the U.S. Exchange Act). Such internal control over financial reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS and includes policies and procedures that (A) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, (B) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and that receipts and expenditures of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries are being made only with authorizations of management and directors of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries, and (C) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of Gold Fields or its Subsidiaries that could have a material effect on its financial statements. To the knowledge of Gold Fields, as of the date of this Agreement (x) there are no material weaknesses in the design and implementation or maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting of Gold Fields that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the ability of Gold Fields to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (y) there is no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the internal control over financial reporting of Gold Fields. |
(iv) | There are no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations) or other relationships of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries with unconsolidated entities or other Persons which are not reflected in the Gold Fields Financial Statements. |
(v) | The financial books, records and accounts of Gold Fields and each of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, each of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities: (A) have been maintained, in all material respects, in accordance with IFRS; and (B) accurately and fairly reflect the basis for Gold Fields’ financial statements in all material respects. |
(vi) | None of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of the respective directors, officers, employees, auditors, accountants or representatives of any of the foregoing, has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion, or claim that Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, which has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the audit committee of the Gold Fields Board. |
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(n) | Undisclosed Liabilities. None of Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities, has any material liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether or not accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, except for (i) liabilities and obligations that are specifically presented on the audited condensed consolidated balance sheet of Gold Fields as of December 31, 2021 (the “Gold Fields Balance Sheet”) or disclosed in the notes thereto, (ii) those incurred in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Gold Fields Balance Sheet and consistent with past practice and (iii) those incurred in connection with the execution of this Agreement. |
(o) | Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Compliance. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of Gold Fields (or each former principal executive officer and each former principal financial officer of Gold Fields, as applicable) has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the U.S. Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act with respect to the Gold Fields Annual Financial Statements and the statements contained in such certifications were true and accurate in all material respects as of the dates made in such Gold Fields Annual Financial Statements. For purposes of this Agreement, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act. Neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding (nor has arranged or modified since the enactment of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act) any “extensions of credit” (within the meaning of Section 402 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act) to directors or executive officers (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the U.S. Exchange Act) of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries. Gold Fields is in material compliance with all applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and the applicable listing rules of the NYSE. |
(p) | Title. Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities: |
(i) | have good and sufficient title to their real property interests, including fee simple estate of and in real property, leases, easements, rights of way, permits or licenses from landowners or authorities permitting the use of land by Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries or the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, as applicable, necessary to permit the operation of Gold Fields’ business as presently owned and conducted in all material respects (collectively, “Gold Fields Real Property Interests”); and |
(ii) | hold their mineral concession, claims, leases, licenses, permits, access rights and other rights and interests necessary to explore for, develop, mine, produce, process or refine, minerals, concentrates or ores for development purposes on their properties (collectively, the “Gold Fields Mineral Rights”), free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). |
(q) | No Defaults under Leases and Agreements. |
(i) | None of Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities has received notice of any default under any of the leases and other title and operating documents or any other agreement or instrument pertaining to the Gold Fields Real Property Interests or the Gold Fields Mineral Rights to which Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities is a party or by or to which Gold Fields or any such assets are bound or subject, except to the extent that such defaults have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
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(ii) | (A) Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities are in good standing under all, and are not in default under any, and (B) there is no existing condition, circumstance or matter which constitutes or which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute a default under any, leases and other title and operating documents or any other agreements and instruments pertaining to the Gold Fields Real Property Interests and the Gold Fields Mineral Rights to which it is a party or by or to which it or such assets are bound or subject and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, all such leases, title and operating documents and other agreements and instruments are in good standing and in full force and effect and none of the counterparties to such leases, title and operating documents and other agreements and instruments is in default thereunder except to the extent that such defaults have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
(r) | Expropriation. No properties or assets of Gold Fields or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities, subject to the Gold Fields Real Property Interests or the Gold Fields Mineral Rights has been taken or appropriated by any Governmental Entity, nor has any notice or proceeding in respect thereof been given or commenced, nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, is there any intent or proposal to give any such notice or to commence any such proceeding, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
(s) | Gold Fields Mineral Reserves and Resources. |
(i) | The Gold Fields Material Properties are the only material properties of Gold Fields for the purposes of S-K 1300. |
(ii) | Each of the technical report summaries relating to the Gold Fields Material Properties filed pursuant to S-K 1300 complied in all material respects with the requirements of S-K 1300 at the respective time of filing thereof. |
(iii) | The mineral reserves and mineral resources for the Gold Fields Mineral Rights were prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with sound mining, engineering, geoscience and other applicable industry standards and practices, and in accordance with applicable Laws, including the requirements of S-K 1300. There has been no material reduction in the aggregate amount of estimated mineral resources or mineral reserves of Gold Fields from the amounts set forth in the Gold Fields Public Documents, other than as a result of production activities in the ordinary course. All material information regarding the Gold Fields Real Property Interests or the Gold Fields Mineral Rights, including all drill results, technical reports and studies, that are required to be disclosed at Law, have been disclosed in the Gold Fields Public Documents on or before the date hereof. |
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(t) | Royalties and Rentals Paid. All rentals, royalties, overriding royalty interests, production payments, net profits, interest burdens, payments and obligations due and payable, or performable, as the case may be, on or prior to the date hereof under, with respect to, or on account of, any direct or indirect assets of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, have been: (i) duly paid; (ii) duly performed; or (iii) provided for prior to the date hereof, except to the extent that such non-payment, non-performance or non- provision would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
(u) | Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 2021: (i) Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries have operated their respective businesses only in the ordinary course of business; (ii) there has not been any Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries have not taken or failed to take any action which, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a breach of Section 5.2. |
(v) | Litigation. Except as set forth in Section 4.1(v) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, there is no Proceeding against or involving Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or any of their respective properties or assets pending or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, threatened and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, no event has occurred which would reasonably be expected to give rise to any Proceeding, in each case which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect or would prevent, significantly impede or materially delay the ability of Gold Fields to consummate the Arrangement. |
(w) | Environmental. Except as disclosed in the Gold Fields Public Documents and Section 4.1(w) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter, and except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect, the operations of Gold Fields and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with Environmental Laws. |
(x) | Employment Matters. Except as set forth in Section 4.1(x) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter or otherwise disclosed in the Gold Fields Public Documents, there is no labour strike, dispute, work slowdown or stoppage pending or involving, or to the knowledge of Gold Fields threatened against Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities, and no such event has occurred within the last two years. |
(y) | Ownership of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. None of Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates or any Person acting jointly or in concert with them in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement beneficially owns or exercises control or direction over any securities of Yamana. |
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(z) | Taxes. Except as disclosed in Section 4.1(z) of the Gold Fields Disclosure Letter: |
(i) | each of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries has duly and in a timely manner made or prepared all material Tax Returns required to be made or prepared by it, and duly and in a timely manner filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it with the appropriate Governmental Entity, and all such Tax Returns were complete and correct in all material respects; |
(ii) | each of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries has paid all Taxes, including instalments on account of Taxes for the current year required by applicable Law, which are due and payable by it whether or not assessed by the appropriate Governmental Entity and Gold Fields has provided adequate accruals in accordance with IFRS in the most recently published financial statements of Gold Fields for any Taxes of Gold Fields and each of its Subsidiaries for the period covered by such financial statements that have not been paid whether or not shown as being due on any Tax Returns, except in each case where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect since such publication date, no liability in respect of Taxes not reflected in such statements or otherwise provided for has been assessed, proposed to be assessed, incurred or accrued, other than in the ordinary course of business; |
(iii) | each of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely withheld all Taxes required by Law to be withheld by it (including Taxes required to be withheld by it in respect of any amount paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by it to or for the benefit of any Person) and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such Taxes or other amounts required by Law to be remitted by it, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; |
(iv) | each of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely collected all amounts on account of any sales, use or transfer Taxes, including, without limitation, goods and services, harmonized sales, provincial and territorial sales taxes and state and local taxes, required by Law to be collected by it and has duly and timely remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity such amounts required by Law to be remitted by it, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; |
(v) | there are no material proceedings, investigations, audits or claims now pending in writing against Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Taxes and there are no matters under discussion, audit or appeal with any Governmental Entity relating to Taxes, except to the extent that any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect; |
(vi) | neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries has been the “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation”, in each case, within the meaning of Section 355 of the Code, with respect to a transaction that was intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code; |
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(vii) | there are no Liens for Taxes upon any properties or assets of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Liens (A) relating to Taxes not yet due and payable and for which adequate reserves have been recorded on the most recent balance sheet included in the Gold Fields Annual Financial Statements and (B) which would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect); |
(viii) | for the purposes of the Tax Act and any other relevant Tax purposes, Gold Fields and each of its Subsidiaries is resident in the jurisdiction (or country of which such jurisdiction is a political subdivision) in which it was formed or continued, and is not resident in any other country; and |
(ix) | (A) none of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Gold Fields, any of Gold Fields’ Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and (B) Gold Fields is not aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would prevent the Arrangement from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. |
(aa) | Books and Records. The corporate records and minute books of Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries are currently maintained in accordance with applicable Laws and are complete and accurate in all material respects. |
(bb) | Insurance. Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities have in place reasonable and prudent insurance policies that adequately cover all risks as are customarily covered by businesses in the industry in which Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and the Gold Fields Material JV Entities operate, and Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Fields Material JV Entities are in compliance in all material respects with all requirements with respect to such policies. |
(cc) | Non-Arm’s Length Transactions. Other than as disclosed in the Gold Fields Public Documents and other than employment or compensation agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, no director, officer, employee or agent of, or independent contractor to, Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries, or holder of record or beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Gold Fields Shares, or associate or affiliate of any such officer, director or beneficial owner, is a party to, or beneficiary of, any loan, guarantee, Contract, arrangement or understanding or other transactions with Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries. |
(dd) | Restrictions on Business Activities. There is no Gold Fields Material Contract or Order binding upon Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting, restricting or materially impairing any business practice of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or the conduct of business by Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Gold Fields Material JV Entities as currently conducted (including following the transaction contemplated by this Agreement) other than Gold Fields Material Contracts or Orders which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
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(ee) | Material Contracts. True and complete copies of the Gold Fields Material Contracts have been disclosed in the Gold Fields Data Room or are part of the Gold Fields Public Documents. Gold Fields and its Subsidiaries have performed in all material respects all of the respective obligations required to be performed by them under the Gold Fields Material Contracts and none of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries is in material breach or default under any Gold Fields Material Contract to which it is a party or bound. To the knowledge of Gold Fields, there is no material breach or default under any such Gold Fields Material Contract by any other party thereto. All Gold Fields Material Contracts are legal, valid, binding and in full force and effect and are enforceable by Gold Fields (or a Subsidiary of Gold Fields, as the case may be) in accordance with their respective terms (subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity). Gold Fields has not received any written or, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, other notice that any party to a Gold Fields Material Contract intends to cancel, terminate or otherwise modify or not renew its relationship with Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries, and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, no such action has been threatened. |
(ff) | Anti-Corruption. |
(i) | None of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has, directly or indirectly, offered, promised, agreed, paid, authorized, given or taken any act in furtherance of any such offer, promise, agreement, payment or authorization on behalf of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries or the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any official of a Governmental Entity, any political party or official thereof or any candidate for political office, for the purpose of any of the following: |
(A) | influencing any action or decision of such Person in such Person’s official capacity, including a decision to fail to perform such Person’s official function in order to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of business; |
(B) | inducing such Person to use such Person’s influence with any Governmental Entity to affect or influence any act or decision of such Governmental Entity to assist Gold Fields, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person or otherwise to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of business; or |
(C) | to assist Gold Fields, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities in obtaining or retaining business for, with, or directing business to, any Person, whether through a bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or illegal or improper payment, |
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other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) | None of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities, nor any of their directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has taken any action that is inconsistent with or prohibited by or would cause Gold Fields, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities to be in violation of the substantive prohibitions or requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (United States) or any similar legislation prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering in any jurisdiction in which it conducts its business and to which it is subject and all contracts and arrangements between Gold Fields, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities and any other Person are in compliance with such laws, other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. Since January 1, 2020, Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities have maintained policies and procedures applicable to it and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives in place in respect thereof as are appropriate to prevent and detect violations of laws prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering. |
(iii) | None of Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities nor any of its directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has (A) conducted or initiated any review, audit or internal investigation to determine whether, or has concluded that, Gold Fields, one of its Subsidiaries or one of the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or representatives has violated any Laws prohibiting corruption, bribery or money laundering or committed any wrongdoing thereunder, or (B) made a voluntary, directed or involuntary disclosure to any Governmental Entity responsible for enforcing anti- corruption, anti-bribery and money laundering Laws, in each case with respect to any alleged act or omission arising under or relating to non- compliance with any such Laws, or received any notice, request or citation from any Person alleging non-compliance with any such Laws, other than such actions which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Gold Fields Material Adverse Effect. |
(iv) | Gold Fields, its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities have maintained systems of internal controls intended to ensure compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (United States) or any similar legislation prohibiting corruption, bribery and money laundering. |
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(gg) | Sanctions. |
(i) | Neither Gold Fields, nor any of its Subsidiaries or joint ventures, nor any of their respective directors, officers or employees nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any agents or Persons acting on any of their behalf: (A) is a Restricted Party; or (B) has received written notice of or is aware of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against it with respect to Sanctions by any Sanctions Authority. |
(ii) | None of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Gold Fields, any director, officer, employee or agent of Gold Fields or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are: (A) the subject/target of any Sanctions, or (B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions, including Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria). |
(iii) | Gold Fields represents and covenants that for the past three years, neither Gold Fields nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of Gold Fields, any director, officer, employee or agent of Gold Fields has knowingly engaged in, or is now knowingly engaged in, or will engage in, any dealings or transactions with a Restricted Person or in violation of Sanctions. |
(hh) | Brokers; Expenses. Except for the fees to be paid to Bank of America Securities pursuant to its engagement letter with Gold Fields, a true and complete copy of which has been provided to Yamana, none of Gold Fields, any of its Subsidiaries, nor the Gold Xxxxxx XX Entities nor any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker, finder, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions, finder’s fees, financial advisory fees or other similar fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
(ii) | Freely Tradeable Shares. The Consideration Shares to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement shall be registered or qualified for distribution, or exempt from or not subject to any requirement for registration or qualification for distribution, under Canadian Securities Laws, U.S. federal securities laws and the state securities of each U.S. state where holders entitled to receive such shares are located. Such securities shall not be “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act, and shall not be subject to any “hold period” resale restrictions under National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities of the Canadian Securities Authorities. |
(jj) | Investment Canada Act. Gold Fields is a WTO investor within the meaning of the Investment Canada Act and is not a state-owned enterprise within the meaning of the Investment Canada Act. |