Seabridge Gold has entered into a letter of intent setting forth the terms under which it has agreed to purchase a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project from Paulson Gold.
The Snowstorm Project consists of 31 square miles of land holdings strategically located at the projected intersection of three of the most important gold trends in Northern Nevada: the Carlin Trend, the Getchell Trend and the Northern Nevada Rift Zone (see map below).
The Letter of Intent contemplates that Seabridge will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the private company that owns a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project. Consideration agreed to be paid to Paulson is: (i) 700,000 Seabridge common shares; (ii) 500,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for four years at $15.65 per share; (iii) a conditional cash payment of US$2.5 million if exploration activities at Snowstorm result in defining a minimum of five million ounces of gold resources compliant with National Instrument 43-101; and (iv) a further cash payment of US$5.0 million on the delineation of an additional five million ounces of gold resources. The letter of intent is non-binding and closing of the transaction is subject to completion of further review of the private company’s affairs and a definitive agreement and receipt of stock exchange approvals. Paulson has agreed to a 60-day exclusivity and non-solicitation period to allow the parties to complete further review and settle a definitive agreement. Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as financial advisor to Paulson on this transaction.
The Snowstorm property consists of 700 mining claims and 5,800 acres of fee lands carefully assembled in a private company over a 15 year period and explored over the past 10 years. The Snowstorm acquisition also includes an extensive package of data generated by previous operators. Although potential targets are hidden under Tertiary cover, the existing data supports the project’s outstanding exploration potential. Geological and geochemical evaluations of Snowstorm have documented hydrothermal alteration zones consistent with large Northern Nevada deposit types. Geophysical surveys have confirmed the structural settings which host large Northern Nevada deposit types. Limited drilling has demonstrated that some of the target areas are at a depth amenable to surface exploration and resource delineation.
Snowstorm is contiguous and on strike with several large, successful gold producers including the Getchell/Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture operated by Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks and Klondex Mines’ Midas operations.
Commenting on the deal, Paulson & Co.’s President John Paulson stated: “We chose Seabridge as the best home for the Snowstorm project because they share our vision of the project’s geologic potential and their exploration team has done an outstanding job of growing the resources and reserves on their existing projects. Moreover, Seabridge’s projects, particularly KSM, will provide us with significant leverage to a higher gold price.”
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk said: “We are very pleased to gain Paulson & Co. as a shareholder. The Paulson team has a deep understanding of our business and the opportunities that lie ahead. We look forward to their advice and assistance as we grow the value of our Company. The Snowstorm Project has all the earmarks of an outstanding exploration play in one of the world’s best environments for finding large gold deposits. We appreciate the opportunity to capitalize on its outstanding potential.”