Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM)  announced that it has acquired 5,000,000 subscription receipts issued by 1555489 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fuerte Metals Corporation pursuant to a brokered private placement, at a price of C$1.65 per Subscription Receipt for total consideration of C$8,250,000.

The investment in Fuerte is consistent with Agnico Eagle’s historical practice of strategic equity investments in projects with high geological potential. Agnico Eagle continues to focus on its portfolio of high-quality internal growth projects, and complements its pipeline of projects with a strategy of acquiring strategic positions in prospective opportunities with high geological potential.

Upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions set out in the subscription receipt indenture (the “Escrow Release Conditions”), each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one unit of Fuerte. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of Fuerte (a “Common Share”) and one Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of C$2.50 for a period of five years from the date of issue. One of the Escrow Release Conditions is the completion of the acquisition of certain properties by Fuerte, and in connection with such acquisition, Fuerte intends to issue, as partial consideration therefor, up to 33,572,115 Common Shares (or securities convertible into Common Shares).

Prior to the Private Placement, Agnico Eagle owned 5,171,310 Common Shares, representing approximately 8.43% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following the Private Placement and satisfaction of the Escrow Release Conditions (including the issuance of securities of Fuerte in connection with the Transaction), Agnico Eagle is expected to own 10,171,310 Common Shares and 5,000,000 Warrants, representing approximately 8.12% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis and approximately 11.65% of the Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis (assuming exercise of the Warrants held by Agnico Eagle at such time).

Agnico Eagle and Fuerte are party to an investor rights agreement dated January 31, 2024, pursuant to which Agnico Eagle is entitled to certain rights, provided Agnico Eagle maintains certain ownership thresholds in Fuerte, including: (a) the right to participate in equity financings or top-up its holdings in relation to dilutive issuances in order to maintain its pro rata ownership in Fuerte or acquire up to a 9.99% ownership interest in Fuerte, in each case, at the time of such financing or dilutive issuance; and (b) the right (which Agnico Eagle has no present intention of exercising) to nominate one person (and in the case of an increase in the size of the board of directors of Fuerte to eight or more directors, two persons) to the board of directors of Fuerte.

Agnico Eagle acquired the Subscription Receipts as part of its strategy of acquiring strategic positions in prospective opportunities with high geological potential. Depending on market conditions, strategic priorities and other factors, Agnico Eagle may, from time to time, acquire additional Common Shares, Warrants or other securities of Fuerte, or dispose of some or all of the Common Shares, Warrants or other securities of Fuerte that it owns at such time.

An early warning report will be filed by Agnico Eagle in accordance with applicable securities laws. To obtain a copy of the early warning report, please contact:

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
c/o Investor Relations
145 King Street East, Suite 400
Toronto, Ontario M5C 2Y7
Telephone: 416-947-1212
Email: investor.relations@agnicoeagle.com

About Agnico Eagle

Canadian-based and led, Agnico Eagle is Canada’s largest mining company and the second largest gold producer in the world. It produces precious metals from operations in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico and has a pipeline of high-quality exploration and development projects. Agnico Eagle is a partner of choice within the mining industry, recognized globally for its leading sustainability practices. Agnico Eagle was founded in 1957 and has consistently created value for its shareholders, declaring a cash dividend every year since 1983.