
Combination creates a leading diversified Americas-focused precious metals company
Torex Gold Resources Inc. (TSX:TXG) (OTCQX:TORXF) and Prime Mining Corp. (TSX: PRYM) (OTCQX: PRMNF) (Frankfurt: O4V3) are pleased to announce that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Torex will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Prime Mining pursuant to a plan of arrangement.
The Transaction will result in Torex owning a 100% interest in Prime Mining’s multi-million ounce Los Reyes gold-silver project. The Los Reyes Project is located in Mexico, a jurisdiction in which Torex has successfully worked since 2010 and built unrivalled local expertise in terms of operational excellence, project development, project permitting, community relations, and stakeholder engagement. The Los Reyes Project is a highly prospective, advanced exploration/development-stage asset hosting a combined underground and open-pit mineral resource of approximately 1.5 million ounces gold and 54.0 Moz silver in the Indicated category and 538 thousand ounces gold and 21.6 Moz silver in the Inferred category.(1)
Pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Prime Mining shareholders will receive 0.060 of a common share of Torex for each Prime Mining Share held, implying a 32.4% premium to the 30-day volume-weighted average price of the Prime Mining Shares based on the 30-day VWAP of the Torex Shares for the period ended July 25, 2025 and an 18.5% premium to the closing price of the Prime Mining Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on July 25, 2025. The Exchange Ratio represents a price of $2.57 per Prime Mining Share based on the closing price of the Torex Shares on the TSX on July 25, 2025 and implies an equity value for Prime Mining of approximately $449 million (US$327 million).
Upon completion of the Transaction, Torex will issue approximately 10.5 million Torex Shares to Prime Mining shareholders and existing Prime Mining shareholders will own approximately 10.7% of Torex.
STRONG STRATEGIC RATIONALE AND BENEFITS FOR TOREX SHAREHOLDERS
AN ATTRACTIVE TRANSACTION FOR PRIME MINING SHAREHOLDERS
CEO AND SHAREHOLDER COMMENTARY
Jody Kuzenko, President and Chief Executive Officer of Torex, stated:
“The Los Reyes Project represents a unique opportunity for the Torex team to develop a high-quality asset with the potential for a high margin, low capital, and long-life operation in a jurisdiction that we know very well. The acquisition of Prime Mining, and the previously announced all-cash acquisition of Reyna Silver, support our strategy to systematically build a diversified, Americas-focused precious metals producer with a portfolio of producing, development, and exploration stage assets.
“Our extensive due diligence reinforced the scarcity of an asset of this quality, and we look forward to demonstrating the significant value we see in this exciting project. Los Reyes has multiple high-potential mineralized zones which remain open along strike and at depth, and we are confident that the project has strong untapped upside with numerous avenues for growth.
“Over the last 15 years, the Torex team has demonstrated the technical and in-country expertise to successfully advance projects from exploration through to development and production in Mexico, delivering considerable value to our shareholders. We will leverage these competencies, along with our significant expected free cash flow from the now completed Media Luna Project, to unlock and maximize the value of Los Reyes through development and production. We look forward to building strong relationships with the local communities in Cosalá, and we will work with them to ensure that the project delivers meaningful and sustainable benefits, just as we have and continue to do at Morelos.”
Scott Hicks, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Prime Mining, added:
“The addition of Prime Mining’s high-quality Los Reyes Project to the Torex pipeline as its next development asset presents both Prime Mining and Torex shareholders with substantial value enhancement through this share-based acquisition. In addition to gaining exposure to Torex’s free-cash flowing Morelos Complex, Prime Mining shareholders can continue to realize significant value creation as Los Reyes is developed with the benefit of Torex’s operational and development experience in Mexico. Both companies are aligned in their community and employee-focused values, approach to environmental stewardship and commitment to ensuring that all stakeholders will benefit through this combination. Prime looks forward to working with Torex through the transitionary period.
“Our Board, Management, and key shareholders view this opportunity as a great way to de-risk and unlock the full exploration and project potential that we collectively see in Los Reyes through our meaningful pro-forma ownership in Torex. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Prime Mining team, Board of Directors, and our other stakeholders for all their outstanding contributions in getting Prime Mining to this exciting stage.”
Pierre Lassonde, commented:
“I am truly excited to be a part of this business combination. Jody and her team are, like us, proven creators of shareholder value. The Morelos Complex is a world class asset that, combined with our high-grade Los Reyes gold-silver deposit, will deliver outsized shareholder returns. I would like to thank Scott, Murray, and the team at Prime Mining for advancing the high-grade, gold-silver system at Los Reyes, and I look forward to working with Jody, Rick, and the team at Torex as we aim to do our part in building a new high-margin, intermediate gold producer.”
TRANSACTION SUMMARY
The Transaction will be completed pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Transaction will require approval of at least: (i) 662/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders of Prime Mining; (ii) 662/3% of the votes cast by the shareholders of Prime Mining and the holders of options, restricted share units, deferred share units, and warrants, voting together as a single class; and (iii) a simple majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of Prime Mining, excluding those votes attached to Prime Mining Shares held by persons required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”), at a special meeting of Prime Mining securityholders expected to be held in September 2025. The Transaction does not require a vote of Torex shareholders.
Pierre Lassonde as well as the directors and senior officers of Prime Mining, who collectively own 23% of the Prime Mining Shares, have entered into voting support agreements, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, they will vote their securities held, as applicable, in favour of the Transaction.
In addition to securityholder and court approvals, the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals (including approvals of the TSX and clearance under Mexican antitrust laws) and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature. The Arrangement Agreement includes customary deal protections, including fiduciary-out provisions, non-solicitation covenants, and the right to match any superior proposals. Additionally, a termination fee payable in an amount of US$12.5 million is payable to Torex by Prime Mining in certain circumstances if the Transaction is not completed.
Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, all outstanding Prime Mining RSUs and DSUs which remain outstanding at the effective time of the Transaction will be deemed to be exercised or settled, for their in-the-money value net of withholding taxes, as applicable, under the arrangement for Prime Mining Shares, which will be exchanged for Torex Shares based on the Exchange Ratio. Outstanding Options will be adjusted to, among other things, be exercisable for Torex Shares, and outstanding Warrants will be adjusted in accordance with their terms.
Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the parties obtaining the requisite regulatory approvals, the Transaction is expected to close in H2 2025, subject to the timing of clearance under Mexican antitrust laws. The Prime Mining Shares are expected to be delisted from the TSX promptly after closing of the Transaction.
Full details of the Transaction will be included in the meeting materials to be prepared by Prime Mining in connection with the special meeting of securityholders, which are expected to be mailed to such securityholders in September 2025.
None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or any state securities laws, and any securities issued pursuant to the Transaction are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AND SPECIAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Arrangement Agreement has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Torex, with Rick Howes not participating in deliberations of the Torex Board or voting on the Transaction given his role as CEO of Gold Candle Ltd., which has major shareholders in common with Prime Mining. Additionally, the Torex Board received a fairness opinion from CIBC World Markets Inc., which states that as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Consideration payable by Torex pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, is fair, from a financial point of view, to Torex.
The Board of Directors of Prime Mining appointed a special committee of independent directors to, among other things, consider and make a recommendation to the Prime Mining Board with respect to the Transaction. After consultation with its financial and legal advisors, and on the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee, the Prime Mining Board unanimously determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of Prime Mining and approved the Arrangement Agreement. Accordingly, the Prime Mining Board and the Special Committee recommend that Prime Mining securityholders vote in favour of the Transaction.
The Prime Mining Board and the Special Committee received a fairness opinion from BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., which states that as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the various assumptions, limitations, qualifications and scope of review set forth therein, the Consideration to be received by Prime Mining shareholders (other than those Prime Mining shareholders whose votes are required to be excluded from the vote pursuant to Section 8.1(2) of MI 61-101), pursuant to the Transaction, is fair, from a financial point of view, to such Prime Mining shareholders.
ADVISORS AND COUNSEL
CIBC World Markets Inc. is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Torex. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is acting as Torex’s legal advisor.
Trinity Advisors Corporation is acting as financial advisor to Prime Mining and its Board of Directors, and BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. provided a fairness opinion to the Special Committee and the Prime Mining Board. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is acting as Prime Mining’s legal advisor.
ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City.
The Company’s principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the producing Media Luna Underground, ELG Underground, and ELG Open Pit mines, the development stage EPO Underground Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022.
Torex’s key strategic objectives are: deliver Media Luna to full production and build EPO; optimize Morelos production and costs; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and industry leader in responsible mining. In addition to realizing the full potential of the Morelos Property, the Company is seeking opportunities to acquire assets that enable diversification and deliver value to shareholders.
ABOUT PRIME MINING CORP.
Prime Mining is managed by an ideal mix of successful mining executives, strong capital markets personnel, and experienced local operators all focused on unlocking the full potential of Los Reyes. Prime Mining has a well-planned capital structure with a strong management team and insider ownership. Prime Mining is targeting a material resource expansion at Los Reyes through a combination of new generative area discoveries and growth, while also building on technical de-risking activities to support eventual project development.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
(1) Prime Mining’s current mineral resource estimate is comprised of 49.0 million tonnes Indicated Resources (1,491,000 ounces contained Au at 0.95 g/t and 54.00 million ounces contained Ag at 34.2 g/t) and an additional 17.2 million tonnes (538,000 ounces contained Au at 0.97 g/t and 21.56 million ounces contained Ag at 39.0 g/t) of Inferred material and has an effective date of October 15, 2024. Additional information is available in Prime Mining’s technical report entitled “The Los Reyes Project, México” with report date November 27, 2024 and effective date October 15, 2024, and amended report date of June 27, 2025 on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
(2) The mineral resource estimate for Torex’s Morelos Complex can be found in the table below. Additional information is available in Torex’s technical report (the “Torex Technical Report”) entitled the “Morelos Property, NI 43-101 Technical Report, ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, Guerrero State, Mexico”, dated effective March 16, 2022, which was filed on March 31, 2022, and in Torex’s annual information form dated March 21, 2025, each filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Mineral Resource Estimate – Morelos Complex (December 31, 2024)
Tonnes | Au | Ag | Cu | Au | Ag | Cu | AuEq | AuEq | |
(kt) | (gpt) | (gpt) | (%) | (koz) | (koz) | (Mlb) | (gpt) | (koz) | |
Media Luna Underground | |||||||||
Measured | 2,994 | 3.95 | 40.0 | 1.30 | 380 | 3,855 | 86 | 6.55 | 630 |
Indicated | 26,120 | 2.83 | 30.2 | 1.05 | 2,374 | 25,385 | 603 | 4.90 | 4,114 |
Measured & Indicated | 29,114 | 2.94 | 31.2 | 1.07 | 2,754 | 29,240 | 689 | 5.07 | 4,744 |
Inferred | 7,675 | 2.38 | 22.8 | 0.90 | 587 | 5,632 | 152 | 4.12 | 1,017 |
ELG Underground | |||||||||
Measured | 3,164 | 5.04 | 7.4 | 0.27 | 512 | 751 | 19 | 5.56 | 566 |
Indicated | 5,287 | 4.42 | 8.9 | 0.28 | 752 | 1,521 | 33 | 4.99 | 848 |
Measured & Indicated | 8,451 | 4.65 | 8.4 | 0.28 | 1,264 | 2,272 | 51 | 5.20 | 1,414 |
Inferred | 1,961 | 3.86 | 7.8 | 0.21 | 243 | 490 | 9 | 4.30 | 271 |
EPO Underground | |||||||||
Measured | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Indicated | 7,060 | 2.66 | 31.2 | 1.28 | 604 | 7,082 | 200 | 5.18 | 1,176 |
Measured & Indicated | 7,060 | 2.66 | 31.2 | 1.28 | 604 | 7,082 | 200 | 5.18 | 1,176 |
Inferred | 6,883 | 1.76 | 39.3 | 1.24 | 390 | 8,690 | 188 | 4.31 | 954 |
ELG Open Pit | |||||||||
Measured | 189 | 3.89 | 7.0 | 0.20 | 24 | 43 | 1 | 3.97 | 24 |
Indicated | 865 | 2.46 | 9.0 | 0.43 | 69 | 251 | 8 | 2.62 | 73 |
Measured & Indicated | 1,054 | 2.72 | 8.7 | 0.38 | 92 | 294 | 9 | 2.86 | 97 |
Inferred | 6 | 3.56 | 5.9 | 0.24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3.65 | 1 |
Total Morelos Complex | |||||||||
Measured | 6,347 | 4.49 | 22.8 | 0.75 | 916 | 4,649 | 105 | 5.98 | 1,220 |
Indicated | 39,332 | 3.00 | 27.1 | 0.97 | 3,798 | 34,239 | 844 | 4.91 | 6,211 |
Measured & Indicated | 45,679 | 3.21 | 26.5 | 0.94 | 4,714 | 38,888 | 949 | 5.06 | 7,431 |
Inferred | 16,526 | 2.30 | 27.9 | 0.96 | 1,222 | 14,813 | 349 | 4.22 | 2,243 |
Notes to accompany the mineral resource table:
Notes to accompany Media Luna Underground mineral resources:
Notes to accompany ELG Underground mineral resources:
Notes to accompany EPO Underground mineral resources:
Notes to accompany the ELG Open Pit mineral resources:
About the Los Reyes Gold and Silver Project
Los Reyes is a high-grade, low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver project located in Sinaloa State, Mexico. On October 15, 2024, Prime announced an updated multi-million-ounce high-grade open pit and underground resource based on exploration drilling up to July 17, 2024. Since acquiring Los Reyes in 2019, Prime has spent more than $64 million on direct exploration activities and has completed over 221,000 metres of drilling to date.
On January 28, 2025, drilling was paused in response to a deterioration in the security situation in parts of Sinaloa, including the Los Reyes area. Drill rigs remain on site and drill contractors are on standby to resume drilling as soon as security improves. Prime will continue to work with local authorities to monitor the current situation.
October 15, 2024 Resource Statement1,2 (based on a $1950/oz gold price, $25.24/oz silver price, economic-constrained estimate) |
|||||||||||
Mining Method and Process |
Class | Tonnage (kt) |
Gold Grade (g/t) |
Gold Contained (koz) |
Silver Grade (g/t) |
Silver Contained (koz) |
|||||
Open Pit – Mill | Indicated | 24,657 | 1.13 | 899 | 35.7 | 28,261 | |||||
Inferred | 7,211 | 0.89 | 207 | 42.8 | 9,916 | ||||||
Underground | Indicated | 4,132 | 3.02 | 402 | 152.4 | 20,243 | |||||
Inferred | 4,055 | 2.10 | 273 | 78.6 | 10,247 | ||||||
Total Mill | Indicated | 28,789 | 1.41 | 1,301 | 52.4 | 48,504 | |||||
Inferred | 11,266 | 1.33 | 480 | 55.7 | 20,163 | ||||||
Open Pit – Heap Leach | Indicated | 20,254 | 0.29 | 190 | 8.4 | 5,492 | |||||
Inferred | 5,944 | 0.30 | 58 | 7.3 | 1,398 | ||||||
Total | Indicated | 49,042 | 0.95 | 1,491 | 34.2 | 53,995 | |||||
Inferred | 17,210 | 0.97 | 538 | 39.0 | 21,561 | ||||||
Drilling and geological interpretation suggests that the three known main deposit areas (Guadalupe, Central and Z-T) are larger than previously reported. Potential also exists for new discoveries where mineralized trends have been identified outside of the currently defined resource areas. Historic operating results indicate that an estimated 1 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver were recovered from five separate operations at Los Reyes between 1770 and 1990. Prior to Prime’s acquisition, recent operators of Los Reyes had spent approximately US$20 million on exploration, engineering, and prefeasibility studies.
QA/QC Protocols and Sampling Procedures
Drill core at the Los Reyes project is drilled in predominantly HQ size (63.5 millimetres “mm”), reducing to NQ (47.6 mm) when required. Drill core samples are generally 1.50 m long along the core axis with allowance for shorter or longer intervals if required to suit geological constraints. After logging intervals are identified to be sampled, the core is cut and one half is submitted for assay.
Sample QA/QC measures include unmarked certified reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates as well as preparation duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and make up approximately 8% of the samples submitted to the laboratory for each drill hole.
Samples are picked up from the Project by the laboratory personnel and transported to their facilities in Durango or Hermosillo, Mexico, for sample preparation. Sample analysis is carried out by Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs, with fire assay, including over limits fire assay re-analysis, completed at their respective Hermosillo, Mexico laboratories and multi-element analysis completed in Vancouver, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250 gram split to at least 85% passing 75 microns.
Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy of a 30 g sample (code FA430 or Au-AA23). Multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4-Acid digestion of a 0.25-gram sample split (code MA300 or ME-ICP61) with detection by an inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer for a full suite of elements.
Gold assay techniques FA430 and Au-AA23 have an upper detection limit of 10 g/t. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the initial assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish via method FA-530 or Au-GRA21. Silver analyses by MA300 and ME-ICP61 have an upper limit of 200 g/t and 100 g/t, respectively. Samples with over-limit silver values are re-analyzed by fire assay with gravimetric finish FA530 or Au-GRA21.
Both Bureau Veritas and ALS Labs are ISO/IEC accredited assay laboratories.
Additional Notes
Prime’s MRE as of October 15, 2024 is classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum “CIM Definition Standards – For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves” adopted by the CIM Council (as amended, the “CIM Definition Standards”) and in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Metres is represented by “m”; “etw” is Estimated True Width and is based on drill hole geometry or comparisons with other on-section drill holes; “Au” refers to gold, and “Ag” refers to silver; “g/t” is grams per metric tonne; some figures may not sum due to rounding; Composite assay grades presented in summary tables are calculated using a Au grade minimum average of 0.20 g/t or 1.0 g/t as indicated in “Au Cut-off” column of Summary Tables. Maximum internal waste included in any reported composite interval is 3.00 m. The 1.00 g/t Au cut-off is used to define higher-grade “cores” within the lower-grade halo.
Additional details are available in the associated Technical Report with effective date of October 15, 2024, filed on November 27, 2024 with amended filing on June 27, 2025.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
The mineral resource estimate for Torex’s Morelos Complex was prepared by Rochelle Collins, P.Geo., Principal, Mineral Resource Geologist with Torex, who is a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101.
The scientific and technical information in this press release pertaining to the mineral resources of Prime Mining has been reviewed and approved by Scott Smith, P.Geo., Executive Vice President of Exploration with Prime Mining, who is a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101.
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