Second Independent Advisory Firm, Glass Lewis, Recommends Shareholders Reject Dissident Attempt to Snatch Control of Rapier Gold
- Glass Lewis recommends shareholders vote "FOR" the current board - Glass Lewis highlights the dissident's dubious attempt to mislead shareholders regarding the interests of the Delbrook nominees - Notes that under the current board, Rapier has outperformed S&P/TSX Smallcap Gold Index and peer group - Rapier reminds shareholders to vote their BLUE proxies by 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on March 28, 2017. Even if you have voted the Yellow proxy, a later-dated BLUE proxy will replace any previously voted Yellow proxy
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 21, 2017) -
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Rapier Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RPR) ("Rapier" or the "Company") announces leading independent proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis") recommends that shareholders reject Delbrook Capital Advisors Inc.'s ("Delbrook") attempt to snatch control of Rapier's board of directors and vote "FOR" Rapier's current director nominees. The Company would like to remind shareholders to vote their BLUE proxies by 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on March 28, 2017 to stop Delbrook from destroying the value of their investment.
"The Dissident has elected to pursue an aggressive liquidation of the board in favor of promoting multiple nominees clearly tied to the Shell's failed acquisition effort."
In its recommendation, Glass Lewis states that its "position in this regard is redoubled with reference to Delbrook's decidedly oblique acknowledgement of its own role in this process, suggesting the Dissident would rather attempt to focus investors on a vaguely framed 'value destruction' narrative than readily address its rather overt association with affiliates of the Shell. Nowhere is this muted candor more apparent than in relation to Delbrook's nominees, two of which - Messrs. Blasutti and Parisotto - appear to have represented the Shell in negotiations with Rapier. That the Dissident would select these particular candidates and concurrently suggest they would act swiftly and in the best interests of all Rapier shareholders - rather than in the interests of the unrequited bidder to which they seem to have been previously connected - is, in our view, dubious."
"Dissident's brief arguments in the performance arena lack broader context."
Glass Lewis notes that Delbrook uses vaguely framed allegations of value destruction at Rapier without disclosing specific values or measurement periods of comparable firms. Two of the four peers selected by Delbrook dwarf the Company in terms of size and scale and thus are not strong comparables. Glass Lewis' analysis of peer companies and the S&P/TSX Smallcap Gold Index reveals that Rapier has significantly outperformed both its peers and the index over a two- and three-year period. Glass Lewis concludes "an unbiased assessment of Rapier's long-term value creation suggests investors have little - if, truly, any - cause to agree with Delbrook's promulgated perspectives in this regard."
Delbrook's baseless allegations of poor corporate governance.
Glass Lewis also points out: "Delbrook undertakes the cursory effort of alleging Rapier's corporate governance is poor without providing objective reasoning for this perspective. As such, we are inclined to conclude Delbrook's perspective is principally predicated on the board's determination to reject the Shell transaction, which determination, as noted above, appears to have been based upon a full, fair and independent review and engagement effort. We are thus inclined to conclude the Dissident's arguments in relation to Rapier's corporate governance practices are not particularly compelling."
Rapier would like to thank all shareholders who have already voted their BLUE proxy. If you have not yet voted, we encourage you to read our management information circular available on our website www.rapiergold.com outlining the truth about Delbrook's highly speculative, risky and shady transaction that would destroy shareholder value.
Shareholders are reminded the only way to stop Delbrook from destroying the value of their investment is to vote their BLUE proxy "FOR" the current Rapier Board and its consistently articulated plan to continue and complete high quality exploration work on the Pen Gold Project.
Your Vote Counts No Matter How Many Shares You Own
The choice is clear: Vote your BLUE proxy "FOR" Your Current Board.
Now is a critical moment for your Rapier investment.
Your BLUE proxy must be received by 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on March 28, 2017
Make sure you vote well in advance of the proxy cut-off at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on March 28, 2017 using the control number on the BLUE proxy or voting instruction form. Even if you have voted the Yellow proxy, it is not too late. A later-dated BLUE proxy will replace any previously voted Yellow proxy.
If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your BLUE proxy or voting instruction form, please contact Kingsdale Advisors, at 1-855-682-8087 (toll-free in North America), or 416-867-2272 (collect calls accepted) outside North America or by email at contactus@kingsdaleadvisors.com.
Advisors
Rapier has retained Kingsdale Advisors as its strategic shareholder advisor, proxy solicitation agent, and communications advisor. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP is acting as legal advisor to the Rapier Board in connection with the Annual General Meeting.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Roger Walsh, President & CEO
Neither the 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 news release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosure in this release may constitute forward-looking statements. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results of exploration activities are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, that actual results of the Company's exploration activities will be different than those expected by management and that the Company will be unable to obtain financing, or will experience delays in obtaining any required government approvals or be unable to procure required equipment and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contact
Rapier Gold Inc.
Roger Walsh
President & CEO
(604) 617-1627
roger@rapiergold.com
www.rapiergold.com
Kingsdale Advisors Contact:
Ian Robertson
Executive Vice President, Communication Strategy
416-867-2333 or Cell: 647-621-2646
irobertson@kingsdaleadvisors.com