Orla shareholders overwhelmingly approve Equinox merger
TSX-listed Orla Mining shareholders have unanimously approved a merger with fellow-listed Equinox Gold pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement whereby Equinox will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Orla.
The shareholders' vote was passed at an Orla special meeting of shareholders on July 22.
According to Orla CEO and president Jason Simpson, Orla has evolved from a single development asset to an intermediate producer with a portfolio of operating and development assets centred in North America. "The combination with Equinox dramatically enhances our North American portfolio and propels us to a senior gold producer with industry leading growth potential. I am excited for what's to come next from this combination with Equinox."
Orla shareholders will receive one Equinox share per Orla share, leaving existing Equinox holders with 67% ownership in the $18.5-billion combined entity.
Independent proxy adviser firms affirmed earlier this month that the merger makes strategic sense as it is expected to diversify Equinox's asset base, enhance strategic optionality and improve long-term production potential.
Equinox CEO Darren Hall says the merger is poised to create a new senior gold producer in North America with more than 1.1-million ounces of yearly gold production from six mines.
The merger also promises a growth profile topping 1.9-million ounces a year.
The combined entity will be the second-largest producer of gold in Canada, with highly complementary assets in the US, Nicaragua and Mexico.
The combined free cash flow of the companies is expected to be $1.4-billion in 2026.
"The combined company can deliver advantages neither company could achieve on a standalone basis, including increased scale and liquidity, lower risk, peer-leading production growth underpinned by a sizeable mineral reserve endowment, and stronger free cash flow, providing significant re-rating potential," Hall states.
