From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement, subject to compliance with applicable Law and the terms of any existing Contracts, Northern Empire shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and its and their respective Representatives to, afford to Coeur and its Representatives such access as Coeur may reasonably require at all reasonable times for the purpose of facilitating integration business planning, to its officers, employees, agents, properties, offices, assets, books, records and Contracts, and shall furnish Coeur with such data (including financial and operating data) and information in its possession and control as Coeur may reasonably request for such purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) Coeur and its Representatives shall, upon reasonable prior notice, have the right to conduct inspections of each of the properties on or in respect of which Northern Empire or any of its subsidiaries has the Mineral Rights, and (ii) Northern Empire shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries and its and their Representatives to, make available to Coeur and its Representatives, such data (including financial and operating data) and information in its possession and control as Coeur may request in respect of the Legal Actions relating to it. Northern Empire and Coeur acknowledge and agree that information furnished pursuant to this Section shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement.
Northern Empire shall obtain and deliver to Coeur at the Effective Time evidence reasonably satisfactory to Coeur of the resignations effective as of the Effective Time, of all of the directors of Northern Empire and its subsidiaries requested by Coeur.
If on or after the date hereof, either (a) Northern Empire declares, sets aside or pays any dividend or other distribution on the Common Shares, or (b) Coeur declares, sets aside or pays any dividend or other distribution on the Coeur Shares, Coeur and Northern Empire and the Board and the board of directors of Coeur shall make such adjustments to the consideration to be paid to holders of Common Shares pursuant to the Arrangement as they determine acting in good faith to be necessary to restore such intention of the Parties in the circumstances. For greater certainty, if Northern Empire takes any of the actions referred to above, the aggregate consideration to be paid by Coeur shall be decreased by an equivalent amount, and if Coeur takes any of such actions, the aggregate cash consideration to be paid by Coeur to Northern Empire Securityholders shall be increased by an equivalent amount. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.8 shall restrict the ability of Coeur to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.2(c) in the event the condition precedent to the obligations of Coeur set out in Section 8.2 shall not have been met.
except to the extent Coeur provides an indemnity reasonably addressing any such adverse effect, prejudice, tax or impairment.
Coeur shall use commercially reasonable efforts to have the Coeur Shares issued pursuant to the Arrangement listed for trading on NYSE as of the Effective Date.
The Parties acknowledge that the payment of the Termination Fee set out in Section 6.3(a) is the payment of liquidated damages that are a genuine pre-estimate of the damages Coeur will suffer or incur as a result of the event giving rise to such payment and the resultant termination of this Agreement and is not a penalty. Northern Empire irrevocably waives any right it may have to raise as a defence that any such liquidated damages are excessive or punitive. For greater certainty, the Parties agree that the right to receive payment of the amount determined pursuant to Section 6.3(a), in the manner provided therein, is, where such amount has been paid in full, the sole monetary remedy of Coeur in respect of the event giving rise to such payment, other than the right to injunctive relief in accordance with Section 9.5 hereof to restrain any breach or threatened breach of the covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement or otherwise to obtain specific performance of any of such acts, covenants or agreements, without the necessity of posting a bond or security in connection therewith.
This Agreement shall be effective from and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time and the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 7.2, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and of no further force or effect and no Party shall have any further obligations or liability hereunder except as provided in Sections 6.3, 6.4, the last sentence of Section 5.5, Sections 9.1, 9.4, 9.8, 9.9, 9.11 and 9.13 and this Section 7.3 and the Confidentiality Agreement and as otherwise expressly contemplated hereby.
This Agreement and the Plan of Arrangement may, at any time and from time to time before or after the holding of the Northern Empire Meeting but not later than the Effective Time, be amended by mutual written agreement of the Parties, and any such amendment may, subject to the Interim Order and Final Order and applicable Laws, without limitation:
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.
The obligations of the Parties to complete the Transactions are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Northern Empire and Coeur on or before the Effective Date of each of the following conditions, which are for the mutual benefit of each of Northern Empire and Coeur and which may only be waived, in whole or in part, by the mutual consent of each of Northern Empire and Coeur:
The obligation of Coeur to complete the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Coeur, on or before the Effective Date, of each of the following conditions, which are for the exclusive benefit of Coeur and which may only be waived, in whole or in part, by Coeur:
The obligation of Northern Empire to complete the Transactions shall be subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Northern Empire on or before the Effective Date of each of the following conditions, which are for the exclusive benefit of Northern Empire and which may only be waived, in whole or in part, by Northern Empire:
The conditions precedent set out in Section 8.1, Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 shall be conclusively deemed to have been satisfied, waived or released on Closing.
Each Party shall comply with applicable privacy Laws in the course of collecting, using and disclosing personal information about an identifiable individual in connection with the transactions contemplated herein (the “Transaction Personal Information”). Each Party shall not disclose Transaction Personal Information of the other Party to any person other than to its advisors who are evaluating and advising on the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Coeur completes the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Coeur shall not, following the Effective Date, without the consent of the individuals to whom Transaction Personal Information of Northern Empire relates or as permitted or required by applicable Law, use or disclose such Transaction Personal Information:
| (a) | for purposes other than those for which such Transaction Personal Information was collected by Northern Empire prior to the Effective Date; and |
| (b) | which does not relate directly to the carrying on of Northern Empire’s business or to the carrying out of the purposes for which the transactions contemplated by this Agreement were implemented. |
Each Party shall protect and safeguard the Transaction Personal Information of the other Party against unauthorized collection, use or disclosure. Each Party shall cause its advisors to observe the terms of this Section and to protect and safeguard Transaction Personal Information of the other Party in their possession. If this Agreement is terminated, each Party shall promptly deliver to the other Party all Transaction Personal Information of the other Party in its possession or in the possession of any of its advisors, including all copies, reproductions, summaries or extracts thereof.
All public notices to third parties and all other publicity concerning the matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be jointly planned and coordinated by the Parties and no Party shall act unilaterally in this regard without the prior written approval of the other Parties, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, except to the extent that the Party making such notice is required to do so by applicable Laws in circumstances where prior consultation with the other Parties is not practicable, provided concurrent notice to the other Parties is provided.
All notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made as of the date delivered or sent if delivered personally or sent by e-mail transmission, or as of the following business day if sent by prepaid overnight courier, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by either Party by notice to the other given in accordance with these provisions):
Coeur Mining, Inc.
104 S Michigan Ave #900,
Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Attention: Mitchell Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer
Email: mkrebs@coeur.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Coeur Mining, Inc.
104 S Michigan Ave #900,
Chicago, IL 60603, USA
Attention: Casey Nault, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Email: cnault@coeur.com
and
Goodmans LLP
Suite 3400, 333 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5H 2S7
Attention: Kari MacKay
E-Mail: kmackay@goodmans.ca
| (b) | if to Northern Empire: |
Northern Empire Resources Corp.
Suite 594
1055 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V7X 1J1
Attention: Michael Allen
Email: mallen@northernemp.com
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
DuMoulin Black LLP
1000-595 Howe St,
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5
Attention: David Gunasekera
E-Mail: DGunasekera@dumoulinblack.com
9.4 | Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial |
This Agreement shall be governed, including as to validity, interpretation and effect, by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, and shall be construed and treated in all respects as a British Columbia contract. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably attorns to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the Province of British Columbia in respect of all matters arising under and in relation to this Agreement and the Arrangement. EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS OR THE ACTIONS OF THE PARTIES IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts do all such things and provide reasonable assurances as may be required to consummate the Transactions, and each Party shall provide such further documents or instruments as reasonably required by any other Party as necessary or desirable to effect the purpose of this Agreement and carry out its provisions, whether before or after the Effective Time.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each Party to this Agreement shall pay its respective legal, accounting and other professional advisory fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement, and all documents and instruments executed or delivered pursuant to this Agreement, as well as any other costs and expenses incurred; provided that should the Agreement be terminated in accordance with Section 7.2(a), by Coeur under Section 7.2(b) or by Northern Empire under 7.2(d)(ii), Coeur will pay all such fees and expenses of Northern Empire related to the Pre-Acquisition Reorganization only.
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. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to specific performance, an injunction or injunctions and other equitable relief to prevent breaches of this Agreement, any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of such specific performance or any such injunctive or other equitable relief hereby being waived. 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.
This Agreement, the Northern Empire Disclosure Letter and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no other covenants, agreements, representations, warranties, conditions, whether direct or collateral, express or implied, that form part of or affect this Agreement except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. The execution of this Agreement has not been induced by, nor do any of the Parties rely upon or regard as material, any representations, promises, agreements or statements not incorporated into this Agreement including any documents or information in any due diligence examinations and data reviews. This Agreement shall not be amended, added to or qualified except by written agreement signed by all of the Parties.
9.9 | Assignment and Enurement |
Coeur may assign all or any part of its rights under this Agreement to, and its obligations under this Agreement may be assumed by, its wholly-owned subsidiary, provided that if such assignment and/or assumption takes place, Coeur shall continue to be liable jointly and severally with such subsidiary for all of its obligations hereunder and such subsidiary shall remain at all times up to and including the Effective Date a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur. This Agreement shall not be otherwise assignable by any Party without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. This Agreement shall be binding on and shall enure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
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, 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.
Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless it is in writing. No indulgence or forbearance by a Party shall constitute a waiver of such Party’s right to insist on performance in full and in a timely manner of all covenants in this Agreement. Waiver of any provision shall not be deemed to waive the same provision thereafter, or any other provision of this Agreement, at any other time.
9.12 | No Third Party Beneficiaries |
Except for the rights of the Northern Empire Shareholders to receive the consideration for their Common Shares following the Effective Time pursuant to the Arrangement, which rights are hereby acknowledged and agreed by Coeur, and except as provided in Section 5.5, this Agreement is not intended to confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the Parties to this Agreement. Coeur appoints Northern Empire as the trustee and agent for the individuals specified in Section 5.6 with respect to the covenants and agreements in Section 5.6 and Northern Empire accepts such appointment.
9.13 | Rules of Construction |
The Parties to this Agreement have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and waive the application of any Laws or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in any agreement or other document shall be construed against the party drafting such agreement or other document.
9.14 | Counterparts; Execution |
This Agreement may be executed in two 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 electronic copy of this Agreement, and such executed electronic copy shall be legally effective to create a valid and binding agreement between the Parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF Northern Empire and Coeur have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
| COEUR MINING, INC. |
| |
| By: | /s/ Mitchell J. Krebs | |
| | Name: Mitchell J. Krebs |
| | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
| NORTHERN EMPIRE RESOURCES CORP. |
| |
| By: | /s/ Michael Allen | |
| | Name: Michael Allen |
| | Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
SCHEDULE “A”
PLAN OF ARRANGEMENT
UNDER SECTION 288 OF THE
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT (BRITISH COLUMBIA)
ARTICLE 1
INTERPRETATION
In this Plan of Arrangement, the following words, terms and expressions (and all grammatical variations thereof) shall have the following meanings:
“Arrangement” means the arrangement under section 288 of the BCBCA 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 Section 7.5 of the Arrangement Agreement or this Plan of Arrangement or made at the direction of the Court in the Final Order with the consent of Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably;
“Arrangement Agreement” means the arrangement agreement dated August 2, 2018 between Northern Empire and Coeur, including all schedules and exhibits and all instruments supplementing, amending, modifying, restating or otherwise confirming the Arrangement Agreement, in each case in accordance with the terms thereof;
“Arrangement Consideration” means 0.1850 Coeur Shares payable for each one (1) Common Share;
“Arrangement Resolution” means the special resolution of the Northern Empire Securityholders to be considered and, if thought fit, passed by the Northern Empire Securityholders by the Required Vote at the Northern Empire Meeting, to be in substantially the form and content of Schedule “B” to the Arrangement Agreement, with such changes as may be agreed to by Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably;
“BCBCA” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia);
“Bluestone” means Bluestone Resources (Alaska) Inc.;
“Coeur” means Coeur Mining, Inc., a corporation governed by the laws of Delaware;
“Coeur Share Price” means $8.85;
“Coeur Shares” means the shares of common stock, par value US$0.01 per share, of Coeur;
“Common Shares” means the common shares in the capital of Northern Empire;
“Court” means the Supreme Court of British Columbia;
“Depositary” means TSX Trust Company, or such other trust company, bank or financial institution agreed to in writing between Coeur and Northern Empire, acting reasonably, for the purpose of, among other things, effecting the exchange of certificates representing Common Shares for the Coeur Shares to be received by holders of Common Shares pursuant to the Arrangement;
“Dissent Rights” means the rights of dissent exercisable by the Northern Empire Shareholders in respect of the Arrangement described in Article 4 of this Plan of Arrangement;
“Dissenting Shareholder” means a Northern Empire Shareholder who exercises Dissent Rights in respect of the Arrangement in compliance with the procedures for exercising Dissent Rights described in Article 4 of this Plan of Arrangement and does not withdraw such dissent prior to the Effective Time;
“Effective Date” means the date upon which the Arrangement becomes effective as provided in this Plan of Arrangement;
“Effective Time” means 10:00 AM (Vancouver time) on the Effective Date;
“Final Order” means the final order of the Court pursuant to section 291 of the BCBCA, in a form acceptable to the Coeur and Northern Empire, each acting reasonably, approving the Arrangement as such order may be amended by the Court (with the consent of both Northern Empire and Coeur, 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 (provided that any such amendment is acceptable to both Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably) on appeal;
“Governmental Entity” means (a) any multinational, federal, provincial, state, regional, municipal, local or other government, governmental or public department, ministry, central bank, court, tribunal, arbitral body, commission, commissioner, board, bureau or agency, domestic or foreign, (b) any subdivision, agent or authority of any of the foregoing or (c) any quasi-governmental or private body, including any tribunal, commission, regulatory agency or self-regulatory organization (including each of the TSXV and NYSE), exercising any regulatory, expropriation or taxing authority under or for the account of any of the foregoing;
“holders” means, when used with reference to the Common Shares, Options or Warrants, the registered holders of the Common Shares, Options or Warrants, as applicable, as shown in the registers maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire in respect thereof;
“In The Money Value” means, in respect of each Option and Warrant, the amount by which the Price per Common Share exceeds the exercise price of such Option and Warrant. For greater certainty, where the exercise price of an Option or Warrant is equal to or exceeds the Price per Common Share, the In The Money Value of such Option or Warrant, as applicable, shall be deemed to be nil.
“Interim Order” means the interim order of the Court to be issued following the application therefor contemplated by Section 2.2 of the Arrangement Agreement, in a form acceptable to Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably, providing for, among other things, the calling and holding of Northern Empire Meeting, as such order may be amended by the Court (with the consent of both Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably);
“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal sent by Northern Empire to holders of Common Shares for use in connection with the Arrangement;
“Liens” means any hypothecations, mortgages, liens, charges, security interests, pledges, claims, 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, but excluding (i) security interests, liens, charges or other encumbrances or imperfections in title arising in the ordinary course of business or by operation of Law, (ii) security interests, liens, charges or other encumbrances arising under sales contracts with title retention provisions or equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business and (iii) security interests, liens, charges or other encumbrances for Taxes or charges from a Governmental Entity which are not due and payable or which thereafter may be paid without penalty;
“NEM” means Northern Empire Minerals Inc.;
“Northern Empire” means Northern Empire Resources Corp., a corporation governed by the laws of British Columbia;
“Northern Empire Interco Receivable” means the aggregate of any and all amounts owing by Rockford to Northern Empire immediately prior to the Effective Time;
“Northern Empire Meeting” means the special meeting of the Northern Empire Securityholders, including any adjournment or postponement thereof, to be called and held in accordance with the Arrangement Agreement and the Interim Order for the purpose of considering and, if thought fit, approving, the Arrangement Resolution;
“Northern Empire Securityholders” means, collectively, the Northern Empire Shareholders, holders of Options and holders of Warrants;
“Northern Empire Shareholders” means the holders of the Common Shares;
“Northern Empire Stock Option Plan” means the stock option plan of Northern Empire approved by the Northern Empire Shareholders;
“NYSE” means New York Stock Exchange;
“Optionholder” means a holder of Options immediately prior to the Effective Date;
“Option” means an option to purchase Common Shares granted under the Northern Empire Stock Option Plan;
“Other Interco Receivables” means the aggregate of any and all amounts owing by NEM to Northern Empire, and by Bluestone to NEM or Northern Empire;
“person” includes an individual, limited or general partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, joint venture, association, body corporate, unincorporated organization, 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 the provisions of the Arrangement Agreement, the applicable provisions of this Plan of Arrangement or at the direction of the Court in the Final Order with the consent of Northern Empire and Coeur, each acting reasonably;
“Price per Common Share” means $1.64.
“Purchaser” means a corporation directly-owned and wholly-owned by Coeur to be designated as the Purchaser by Coeur prior to the Effective Date.
“Rockford” means Rockford Mining (US) Corp.
“Rockford Interco Receivable” means the aggregate of any and all amounts owing by Northern Empire to Rockford immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations made thereunder; and
“TSXV” means the TSX Venture Exchange.
“Warrantholder” means a holder of Warrants immediately prior to the Effective Date;
“Warrants” means the warrants issued by Northern Empire to acquire Common Shares.
1.2 | Definitions in Arrangement Agreement |
All terms used in this Plan of Arrangement that are not defined in Section 1.1 or elsewhere herein and that are defined in the Arrangement Agreement shall have the respective meanings specified in the Arrangement Agreement.
1.3 | Certain Rules of Interpretation |
In this Plan of Arrangement:
| (a) | Time. Time is of the essence in and of this Plan of Arrangement. |
| (b) | Calculation of Time. Unless otherwise specified, time periods within or following which any payment is to be made or act is to be done shall be calculated by excluding the day on which the period commences and including the day on which the period ends. Where the last day of any such time period is not a business day, such time period shall be extended to the next business day following the day on which it would otherwise end. |
| (c) | Business days. Whenever any action to be taken or payment to be made pursuant to this Plan of Arrangement would otherwise be required to be made on a day that is not a business day, such action shall be taken or such payment shall be made on the first business day following such day. |
| (d) | Currency. Unless otherwise specified, all references to amounts of money in this Plan of Arrangement refer to the lawful currency of Canada. |
| (e) | Headings. The descriptive headings preceding Articles and Sections of this Plan of Arrangement are inserted solely for convenience of reference and are not intended as complete or accurate descriptions of the content of such Articles or Sections. The division of this Plan of Arrangement into Articles and Sections and the insertion of a table of contents shall not affect the interpretation of this Plan of Arrangement. |
| (f) | Including. Where the word “including” or “includes” is used in this Plan of Arrangement, it means “including without limitation” or “includes without limitation”. |
| (g) | Plurals and Genders. The use of words in the singular or plural, or referring to a particular gender, shall not limit the scope or exclude the application of any provision of this Plan of Arrangement to such persons or circumstances as the context otherwise permits. |
| (h) | Statutory References. Any reference to a statute shall mean the statute in force as at the date of this Plan of Arrangement (together with all regulations promulgated thereunder), as the same may be amended, re-enacted, consolidated or replaced from time to time, and any successor statute thereto, unless otherwise expressly provided. |
ARTICLE 2
BINDING EFFECT
This Plan of Arrangement shall become effective at the Effective Time and, at and after the Effective Time, shall be binding on:
| (b) | the Northern Empire Shareholders (including all Dissenting Shareholders); |
| (d) | holders of Warrants; and |
in each case without any further authorization, act or formality on the part of any person, except as expressly provided herein.
ARTICLE 3
THE ARRANGEMENT
Unless otherwise indicated, the following shall occur and shall be deemed to occur, commencing at the Effective Time, sequentially in the following order in five minute increments, and without any further authorization, act or formality on the part of any person:
| (a) | the Rockford Interco Receivable will be set-off against such portion of the Northern Empire Interco Receivable as is equal to the amount of the Rockford Interco Receivable at such time, and such portion of the Northern Empire Interco Receivable will be set-off against the Rockford Interco Receivable, in full payment and satisfaction of each of the Rockford Interco Receivable and such portion of the Northern Empire Interco Receivable; |
| (b) | Northern Empire will contribute to the capital of Rockford, in respect of Northern Empire’s common shares in the capital of Rockford, all of Northern Empire’s right, title and interest in, under and in respect of the remaining portion of the Northern Empire Interco Receivable (immediately following the completion of the transactions contemplated by Section 3.1(a)), upon which contribution the Northern Empire Interco Receivable shall cease to exist, and an amount equal to such portion of the Northern Empire Interco Receivable contributed to the capital of Rockford pursuant to this Section 3.1(b) will be added to the stated capital account maintained in respect of the common shares in the capital of Rockford; |
| (c) | (i) Northern Empire will contribute to the capital of NEM, in respect of Northern Empire’s common shares in the capital of NEM, all of Northern Empire’s right, title and interest, if any, in, under and in respect of each Other Interco Receivable, and (ii) immediately following the completion of the transactions contemplated by Section 3.1(c)(i), NEM will contribute to the capital of Bluestone, in respect of NEM’s common shares in the capital of Bluestone, all of NEM’s right, title and interest, if any, in, under and in respect of each Other Interco Receivable (including, for greater certainty, each Other Interco Receivable, if any, obtained by NEM pursuant to Section 3.1(c)(i)), upon the completion of all such contributions the Other Interco Receivables shall cease to exist, and an amount equal to each Other Interco Receivable contributed to the capital of NEM or Bluestone, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 3.1(c) will be added to the stated capital account maintained in respect of the common shares in the capital of the applicable Northern Empire subsidiary to which such contribution was made. |
| (d) | notwithstanding any vesting or exercise or other provisions to which an Option might otherwise be subject (whether by contract, the conditions of grant, applicable Law or the terms of the Northern Empire Stock Option Plan), |
all Options will, without further action by or on behalf of an Optionholder, be transferred by the Optionholder to the Purchaser, free and clear of all Liens, in exchange for the payment by the Purchaser to each such Optionholder of an amount equal to:
| (A) | the aggregate In The Money Value of the Optionholder’s Options, minus |
| (B) | any withholding taxes required to be withheld pursuant to Section 5.6; |
which payment shall be satisfied by the delivery of such number of Coeur Shares equal to such amount divided by the Coeur Share Price;
| (e) | notwithstanding any vesting or exercise or other provisions to which a Warrant might otherwise be subject (whether by contract, the conditions of such Warrant or applicable Law), |
all Warrants will, without further action by or on behalf of a Warrantholder, be transferred by the Warrantholder to the Purchaser, free and clear of all Liens, in exchange for the payment by the Purchaser to each such Warrantholder of an amount equal to:
| (A) | the aggregate In The Money Value of the Warrantholder’s Warrants, minus |
| (B) | any withholding taxes required to be withheld pursuant to Section 5.6; |
which payment shall be satisfied by the delivery of such number of Coeur Shares equal to such amount divided by the Coeur Share Price;
| (f) | the Common Shares held by each Dissenting Shareholder shall be deemed to be transferred (free and clear of any Liens) by the holder thereof to Northern Empire, and: |
| (i) | Northern Empire shall be obligated to pay (which shall be funded, first, with funds of Northern Empire not directly or indirectly provided by Coeur or Purchaser and, second, with funds directly or indirectly provided by Coeur or Purchaser if, and to the extent, necessary ) each such Dissenting Shareholder the amount determined in accordance with Section 4.1 for such Common Shares; |
| (ii) | each such Dissenting Shareholder shall cease to be the holder of such Common Shares and shall cease to have any rights as a holder of such Common Shares, other than the right to be paid the amount determined in accordance with Section 4.1 for such Common Shares; |
| (iii) | each such Dissenting Shareholder’s name shall be removed as the holder of such Common Shares from the register of Common Shares maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire; and |
| (iv) | Such Common Shares shall be cancelled in the register of Common Shares maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire; |
| (g) | each Common Share (excluding the Common Shares held by Coeur, Purchaser or any of their respective affiliates and further excluding the Common Shares held by Dissenting Shareholders deemed to be transferred pursuant to Section 3.1(f)) shall be transferred (free and clear of all Liens) by the holders thereof to Purchaser and: |
| (i) | Purchaser (via Coeur), subject to Article 5, shall be obligated to pay each such holder the Arrangement Consideration; |
| (ii) | each such holder shall cease to be the holder of such Common Shares and shall cease to have any rights as a holder of such Common Shares, other than the right, subject to Article 5, to receive (A) the Coeur Shares that such holder is entitled to receive in exchange for such Common Shares in accordance with Section 3.1(g)(i), and (B) any dividends or other distributions payable in respect of the Coeur Shares, in accordance with Section 5.2, and, in each case less any amounts required to be withheld, in accordance with Section 5.6; |
| (iii) | each such holder’s name shall be removed as the holder of such Common Shares from the register of Common Shares maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire; and |
| (iv) | Coeur shall be deemed to be the holder of such Common Shares (free and clear of any Liens) and shall be entered as the holder of such Common Shares in the register of Common Shares maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire; |
| (h) | all Options and Warrants acquired by the Purchaser pursuant to Section 3.1(d) and (e) will, without further action by or on behalf of the Purchaser, be transferred by the Purchaser to Northern Empire, free and clear of all Liens, and cancelled in exchange for: |
| (i) | the issuance by Northern Empire to the Purchaser of such number of Common Shares as is equal to: |
| (A) | the aggregate In The Money Value of the Options and the Warrants, divided by |
| (B) | the Price per Common Share; and |
| (ii) | no amount shall be added to the stated capital account maintained in respect of the Common Shares in connection with the transactions contemplated in this Section 3.1(h); |
| (i) | the exchanges, payments and cancellations contemplated by this Section 3.1 shall be deemed to occur on the Effective Date, notwithstanding that certain of the procedures related thereto are not completed until after the Effective Time or after the Effective Date. |
3.2 | Adjustments to Consideration |
The consideration to be paid pursuant to Section 3.1 shall be adjusted to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse split, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Coeur Shares or Common Shares (to the extent permitted pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement), other than stock dividends paid in lieu of ordinary course dividends), reorganization, recapitalization or other like change with respect to Coeur Shares or the Common Shares (to the extent permitted pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement) occurring after the date of the Arrangement Agreement and prior to the Effective Time.
ARTICLE 4
RIGHTS OF DISSENT
| (a) | Pursuant to the Interim Order, Northern Empire Shareholders may exercise rights of dissent (“Dissent Rights”) under Division 2 of Part 8 of the BCBCA, as modified by this Article 4, the Interim Order and the Final Order, with respect to Common Shares in connection with the Arrangement, provided that the Notice of Dissent contemplated by section 242 of the BCBCA must be received by Northern Empire, c/o DuMoulin Black LLP, 1000-595 Howe St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5, Attention: David Gunasekera, by 10 am (Vancouver time) on the date that is at least two business days prior to the date of the Northern Empire Meeting or any date to which the Northern Empire Meeting may be postponed or adjourned and provided further that holders who duly exercise such rights of dissent and who: |
| (i) | are ultimately entitled to be paid fair value for their Common Shares, which fair value shall be the fair value of such shares immediately before the approval of the Arrangement Resolution, shall be paid an amount equal to such fair value by Northern Empire (which shall be funded, first, with funds of Northern Empire not directly or indirectly provided by Coeur or Purchaser and, second, with funds directly or indirectly provided by Coeur or Purchaser if, and to the extent, necessary), which fair value shall be determined in accordance with the procedures applicable to the payout value set out in sections 244 and 245 of the BCBCA; and |
| (ii) | are ultimately not entitled, for any reason, to be paid fair value for their Common Shares, shall be deemed to have participated in the Arrangement, as of the Effective Time, on the same basis as a non-dissenting registered holder of Common Shares and shall be entitled to receive only the consideration contemplated in section 3.1 hereof that such holder would have received pursuant to the Arrangement if such registered holder had not exercised Dissent Rights, |
| (b) | In no case shall Coeur, Northern Empire, the Purchaser or any other person be required to recognize holders of Common Shares who exercise Dissent Rights as holders of Common Shares after the time that is immediately prior to the Effective Time, and the names of the Dissenting Shareholders shall be deleted from the central securities register as holders of Common Shares at the Effective Time. |
| (c) | In addition to any other restrictions under section 238 of the BCBCA, no holders of Common Shares who vote or have instructed a proxyholder to vote such Common Shares in favour of the Arrangement Resolution shall be entitled to exercise Dissent Rights. |
ARTICLE 5
CERTIFICATES AND FRACTIONAL SHARES
5.1 | Exchange of Certificates for Coeur Shares |
| (a) | At and after the Effective Time and until surrendered for cancellation as contemplated by this Section 5.1, each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Common Shares (other than Common Shares held by Dissenting Shareholders), shall be deemed at all times to represent only the right, subject to this Article 5, to receive (i) a certificate representing the Coeur Shares issuable, in accordance with Section 3.1(g), and (ii) any dividends or other distributions payable in respect of such Coeur Shares, in accordance with Section 5.2, in each case less any amounts required to be withheld, in accordance with Section 5.6, and any certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. |
| (b) | Prior to the Effective Time, Purchaser shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Depositary, for the benefit of the persons that were holders of Common Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Dissenting Shareholders), a certificate or certificates representing that whole number of Coeur Shares issuable in exchange for such Common Shares in accordance with Section 3.1(g). |
| (c) | Upon surrender to the Depositary for cancellation of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Common Shares that were exchanged for Coeur Shares in accordance with Section 3.1(g), together with a duly completed Letter of Transmittal, such other documents and instruments as would have been required to effect the transfer of the Common Shares formerly represented by such certificate under the terms of such certificate, the BCBCA or the articles of Northern Empire, and such other documents and instruments as the Depositary may reasonably require, the person that was the holder of such Common Shares shall be entitled to receive, and as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time the Depositary shall deliver to such holder, the certificate representing the Coeur Shares issuable in exchange for such Common Shares, in accordance with Section 3.1(g), less any amount withheld pursuant to Section 5.6. |
| (d) | In the event of a transfer of ownership of Common Shares prior to the Effective Time that was not registered in the register of Common Shares maintained by or on behalf of Northern Empire, the certificate or certificates representing the number of Coeur Shares issuable in exchange for such Common Shares in accordance with Section 3.1(g) may be registered in the name of and issued to the transferee if the certificate representing such Common Shares is presented to the Depositary together with all documents and instruments required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(c) and all documents and instruments required to evidence and effect such transfer. |
5.2 | Distributions with Respect to Unsurrendered Certificates |
No dividends or other distributions paid, declared or made with respect to Coeur Shares with a record date after the Effective Date shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Common Shares, unless and until the holder of such certificate shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1. Subject to applicable Law, and to the provisions of Section 5.5, at the time such holder shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5.1 (or, in the case of clause (b) below, at the appropriate payment date), there shall be paid to such person, without interest, (a) the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Date theretofore paid with respect to the Coeur Shares to which such person is entitled pursuant hereto, and (b) on the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Date but prior to the date of compliance by such person with the provisions of Section 5.1 and a payment date subsequent to the date of such compliance and payable with respect to such Coeur Shares.
| (a) | No certificate representing fractional Coeur Shares shall be issued upon compliance with the provisions of Section 5.1 and no dividend, stock split or other change in the capital structure of Coeur shall relate to any such fractional shares, and no fractional interest shall entitle the owner thereof to exercise any rights as a security holder of Coeur. |
| (b) | In the event that, in accordance with Section 3.1(g), fractional Coeur Shares would, but for this Section 5.3, be issuable in connection with the Arrangement, such number of Coeur Shares shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Coeur Share without any additional compensation. |
In the event any certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented one or more outstanding Common Shares that were exchanged pursuant to Section 3.1(g) 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 and upon such person otherwise complying with the provisions of Section 5.1, such person shall be entitled to receive, in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5, any certificates representing Coeur Shares to which such person is entitled pursuant to Section 5.1, any dividends or other distributions to which such person is entitled pursuant to Section 5.2, in each case less any amount withheld pursuant to Section 5.6; provided that, as a condition precedent to any such issuance and payment, such person shall have provided a bond satisfactory to Northern Empire, Coeur and their respective transfer agents in such amount as Northern Empire or Coeur may direct, or otherwise indemnify Northern Empire and Coeur in a manner satisfactory to Northern Empire and Coeur against any claim that may be made against Northern Empire or Coeur with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Any certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding Common Shares that were exchanged pursuant to Section 3.1(g) that is not deposited in the manner required by Section 5.1 on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date shall cease to represent a claim or interest of any kind or nature, including as a securityholder of Coeur. On such date, the Coeur Shares to which the holder of such certificate would otherwise have been entitled shall be deemed to have been surrendered for no consideration to Coeur.None of Northern Empire, Coeur or the Depositary shall be liable to any person in respect of any cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
Northern Empire, Coeur, the Purchaser and the Depositary shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from consideration, dividend or other distribution otherwise payable to any holder of Common Shares or Coeur Shares or any holder of Options or Warrants , to the extent applicable, such amounts as Northern Empire, Coeur or the Depositary determines, acting reasonably, are required or permitted to be deducted and withheld with respect to such payment under Canadian or United States tax laws or any other applicable Law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes hereof as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made, provided that such withheld amounts are actually remitted to the appropriate taxing agency.
Under no circumstances shall interest accrue or be paid by Coeur or the Depositary to persons depositing certificates pursuant to Section 5.1, regardless of any delay in making any payment contemplated by this Article 5 in respect of such Coeur Shares.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENTS
6.1 | Amendments to Plan of Arrangement |
| (a) | Northern Empire and Coeur may amend, modify and/or supplement this Plan of Arrangement at any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, provided that each such amendment, modification and/or supplement must be (i) set out in writing, (ii) agreed to in writing by Northern Empire and Coeur, (iii) filed with the Court and, if made following the Northern Empire Meeting, approved by the Court and (iv) communicated to the Northern Empire Shareholders if and as required by the Court. |
| (b) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be proposed by Northern Empire at any time prior to the Northern Empire Meeting (provided that Coeur shall have consented thereto in writing) with or without any other prior notice or communication, and if so proposed and approved at the Northern Empire Meeting in the manner required by the Interim Order, 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 by the Court following the Northern Empire Meeting shall be effective only if (i) it is consented to by each of Coeur and Northern Empire, and (ii) if required by the Court, it is approved by the Northern Empire Shareholders voting in the manner directed by the Court. |
| (d) | Any amendment, modification or supplement to this Plan of Arrangement may be made following the Effective Time unilaterally by Coeur, provided that it concerns a matter that in the opinion of Coeur, acting reasonably, is of an administrative nature required to better give effect to the implementation of this Plan of Arrangement and is not adverse to the financial or economic interests of any person that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, was a holder of Common Shares. |
| (e) | This Plan of Arrangement may be withdrawn prior to the Effective Time in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement. |
ARTICLE 7
FURTHER ASSURANCES
Notwithstanding that the transactions contemplated in this Plan of Arrangement shall occur and be deemed to occur in the order set out in Section 3.1 and shall become effective without any further act or formality, each of Northern Empire and Coeur 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 herein.
SCHEDULE “B”
ARRANGEMENT RESOLUTION
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1.1 The arrangement (the “Arrangement”) pursuant to section 288 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”) involving Northern Empire Resources Corp. (the “Company”), pursuant to the arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) among the Company and Coeur Mining, Inc., dated August 2, 2018, all as more particularly described and set forth in the management information circular of the Company dated l (the “Circular”), accompanying the notice of this meeting (as the Arrangement may be amended, restated, supplemented or novated from time to time in accordance with its terms) is hereby authorized, approved and adopted.
1.2 The plan of arrangement, 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 l to the Circular, is hereby authorized, approved and adopted.
1.3 The Arrangement Agreement and all the transactions contemplated therein, the actions of the directors of the Company in approving the Arrangement and the Arrangement Agreement and the actions of the directors and officers of the Company in executing and delivering the Arrangement Agreement and any modifications, supplements or amendments thereto, are hereby ratified and approved.
1.4 The Company is hereby authorized to apply for a final order from the Supreme Court of British Columbia (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 from time to time in accordance with their terms).
1.5 Notwithstanding that this resolution has been passed (and the Arrangement adopted) by the security holders of the Company entitled to vote thereon or that the Arrangement has been approved by the Court, the directors of the Company are hereby authorized and empowered, at their discretion, without further notice to or approval of the security holders of the Company: (i) to amend or modify the Arrangement Agreement or the Plan of Arrangement, to the extent permitted by their terms; and (ii) subject to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, not to proceed with the Arrangement and any related transactions.
1.6 Any one director or officer of the Company be and is hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of the Company to execute or cause to be executed and to deliver or cause to be delivered, under the corporate seal of the Company or otherwise, 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, the Arrangement Agreement and the completion of the Plan of Arrangement in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement Agreement and the matters authorized thereby, including:
| (a) | all actions required to be taken by or on behalf of the Company, and all necessary filings and obtaining the necessary approvals, consents and acceptances of the appropriate regulatory authorities; and |
| (b) | the signing of the certificates, consents and other documents or declarations required under the Arrangement Agreement or otherwise to be entered into by the Company, |
such determination, in each case, to be conclusively evidenced by the execution and delivery of such other document or instrument or the doing of any other such act or thing.
SCHEDULE “C”
REGULATORY APPROVALS
Any required approvals from the NYSE.