| Transaction Conditions and Timing The Transaction will be carried out by way of a court approved plan of arrangement and will require the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders of Claude Resources at a special meeting. The issuance of shares by Silver Standard under the Agreement is subject to the approval of the majority of votes cast by the Silver Standard shareholders at a special meeting. Completion of the Transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The Transaction includes customary deal-protection provisions, including non-solicitation of alternative transactions, a right to match superior proposals and a C$12 million reciprocal termination fee payable under certain circumstances. Full details of the Transaction will be included in the management information circulars of both Silver Standard and Claude Resources to be mailed to their respective shareholders by mid-April 2016. The special shareholder meetings of both companies are expected to be held in mid-May 2016. Upon completion of the Transaction, one Claude Resources Director will be appointed to the Board of Directors of Silver Standard. |
| Board Recommendation Silver Standard’s Board of Directors has determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of its shareholders based on, among other factors, the benefits set forth above. Silver Standard’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Transaction and will provide a written recommendation that its shareholders vote in favor of the Transaction in the management information circulars to be mailed to its shareholders in connection with the Transaction. Each of the directors and senior officers of Silver Standard have entered into an agreement to vote in favor of the Transaction at the special meeting of Silver Standard. Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. has provided a fairness opinion to the Board of Directors of Silver Standard. |
| Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, “forward-looking statements”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. |
| Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words or phrases such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “projects,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “intends,” “strategy,” “goals,” “objectives,” “potential,” or variations thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms or similar expressions. These forward‐looking statements or information relate to, among other things: anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Silver Standard, Claude Resources and their respective shareholders; the timing and receipt of required shareholder, court, stock exchange and regulatory approvals for the Transaction; the ability of Silver Standard and Claude Resources to satisfy the other conditions to, and to complete, the Transaction; the anticipated timing of the mailing of the management information circulars of each company regarding the Transaction; the closing of the Transaction; future production of silver, gold and other metals; future costs of inventory, and cash costs and total costs per payable ounce of silver, gold and other metals sold; the prices of silver, gold and other metals; the effects of laws, regulations and government policies affecting our operations or potential future operations; future successful development of the combined company’s projects; the sufficiency of the combined company’s working capital, anticipated operating cash flow or the combined company’s ability to raise necessary funds; estimated production rates for silver, gold and other metals; timing of production and the cash costs and total costs of production at the Pirquitas mine, the Marigold mine and the Seabee Gold Operation; the estimated cost of sustaining capital; ongoing or future development plans and capital replacement, improvement or remediation programs; the estimates of expected or anticipated economic returns from the combined company’s mining projects, including future sales of metals, concentrate or other products; and the combined company’s plans and expectations for its properties and operations. |