Catalyst Copper Enters Letter of Intent to Acquire 100% Interest in La Verde Copper Project, Mexico
The Property is currently held 60% Catalyst and 40% indirectly by TRL through a wholly-owned subsidiary ("TRL Holdco"), all subject to a 0.5% net smelter royalty (the “NSR”) held by a third party Mexican corporation.
The letter of intent sets out certain general terms for an agreement (the “Revised Agreement”) pursuant to which Catalyst would, on closing of the Revised Agreement, indirectly acquire a 100% interest in the Property (subject to the existing NSR) on the following basis.
1.Equity Issue
Catalyst will issue to TRL Holdco or a designated TRL affiliate a number of common shares of the Company that will result in Teck owning 19.9% of Catalyst’s issued and outstanding shares.
TRL Holdco will have the right, not the obligation, for as long as it owns at least 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of Catalyst, to participate in any future equity financings to the extent of its percentage ownership at the time of such financing.
2. Participation on Future Sale of Property
If Catalyst sells or options, directly or indirectly, all or a portion of the Property (a “Transaction”) to a third party at any time during a 24 month [period (“Future Sale Period”) commencing from the date of the Revised Agreement, Catalyst shall pay TRL Holdco in kind, exclusive of the first $1,000,000, as follows:
- 20% of proceeds if the Transaction occurs in the first 12 months of the Future Sale Period; or
- 10% proceeds if the Transaction occurs in the second 12 months of the Future Sale Period.
Proceeds would include, but are not limited to, cash, securities, or other assets, but excluding the value of any work commitment, received or receivable by Catalyst on any Transaction.
3. NSR
Catalyst shall grant TRL Holdco a contractual 0.5% NSR royalty on the Property. Catalyst can buy the NSR royalty for a cash payment of US$10,000,000 at any time.
4. Production Bonus
Catalyst shall pay a production bonus of US$10,000,000 to TRL Holdco upon a production decision. Fifty percent (50%) of the Production bonus will be brought forward and immediately payable to TRL Holdco if there is a change of control (defined as the acquisition of 50% or greater of issued and outstanding share capital) of Catalyst or subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding the Property.
5. Security
Appropriate security for the above consideration will be provided against the Property.
6. Reimbursement
Catalyst will reimburse TRL Holdco for expenses incurred by its Mexican subsidiary on the Property from January 2013 to closing of the Revised Agreement upon the completion of a placement or a financing arrangement by Catalyst of a minimum $1.2 million.
John Greenslade, President and CEO of Catalyst stated, “There are very few undeveloped large open pit copper deposits remaining in the world. There are even less in mining friendly jurisdictions like Mexico and with the infrastructure that exists at La Verde; roads, rail, water, power and a deep water port within 180 km. We believe the future for copper remains robust and are ecstatic to have been able to negotiate an agreement with the Teck group to acquire a 100% interest in La Verde on favorable terms for both parties.
We are optimistic that holding 100% of the project will enable Catalyst to arrange the necessary funding to move the project forward through to completion of a feasibility study in a timely fashion. We welcome Teck as a significant shareholder upon closing of the Revised Agreement.”
About La Verde
La Verde is located in an area with excellent infrastructure: Roads, rail, water and power. Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico’s third largest port on the Pacific Ocean is 180 km from the site. Significant upside potential remains for the two known zones of porphyry style copper, gold and silver mineralization as drill programs have shown both deposits remain open to depth and along strike.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CATALYST COPPER CORP.
"John W. Greenslade"
President, CEO (Director)
Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, risks associated with mineral exploration and mining activities, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
Catalyst Copper Corp.
Denby Greenslade (604) 638-5900