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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Commerce Resources Corp. ("Commerce" or the "Company") (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Agreement") with Mont Royal Resources Limited (ASX: MRZ) ("Mont Royal") dated April 9, 2025 to combine their respective businesses in a merger transaction, pursuant to which Mont Royal has agreed to acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Commerce (the "Commerce Shares") by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporation Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA") (the "Transaction").
This Transaction will create a Québec-focused critical minerals explorer and developer through the combination of Commerce's Ashram Rare Earths and Fluorspar Project (the "Ashram Project") and Eldor Niobium exploration project (the "Eldor Niobium Project") and Mont Royal's Northern Lights Lithium Project (the "Northern Lights Project").
The merger will result in a dual listing on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") and the Australian Securities Exchange (the "ASX"), enabling greater access to liquidity and funding for the Ashram Project, with the combined entity bringing together highly experienced members of the management teams of each company with strong capital markets experience, project development and operational expertise.
Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, holders of Commerce Shares will receive 2.3271 ordinary shares of Mont Royal ("Mont Royal Shares") in exchange for each Commerce Share (the "Exchange Ratio") held immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction (the "Effective Time"). Based on the Exchange Ratio and a 30-traded day volume-weighted average price of A$0.04391 per Mont Royal Share on the ASX prior to suspension on February 14, 2025, this represents an implied value of C$0.093 per Commerce Share, an equity value for Commerce of C$17.2 million and an implied premium of 55% to Commerce's closing share price of $0.06 on April 8, 2025.
As of the date of the Agreement, existing shareholders of Commerce ("Commerce Shareholders") and shareholders of Mont Royal will own approximately 85.3% and 14.7%, respectively, of the outstanding Mont Royal Shares following completion of the Transaction (before taking into account the Commerce Convertible Note Financing and Mont Royal Equity Raise - each as defined below). Commerce will appoint three Directors to the Mont Royal Board and Mont Royal will have one Director.
The Transaction is conditional upon, amongst other things, Mont Royal raising up to A$10.0 million through the issue of Mont Royal Shares (the "Mont Royal Equity Raise") pursuant to a public equity offering in Australia. The net proceeds of the Mont Royal Equity Raise are expected to be used for, among other things, advancing the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") at the Ashram Project, while also advancing the Eldor Niobium Project and the exploration pipeline at the Northern Lights Project.
In addition to the announcement of the Transaction, Commerce intends to conduct a convertible note financing with a number of existing Commerce and Mont Royal shareholders and other sophisticated investors to raise up to C$2.2 million ("Convertible Note Financing") to provide interim funding to be used for the continuation of studies for the development of the Ashram Project and for working capital while the Transaction is completed.
The Convertible Note Financing is necessary and integral for the Transaction. The convertible notes issued pursuant to the Convertible Note Financing will automatically convert into Mont Royal Shares upon completion of the Transaction at a conversion price set out therein. Refer to "Interim Convertible Note Financing" below for further information.
Transaction Rationale
The Transaction between Commerce and Mont Royal will create an ASX and TSXV listed, Québec-focused, critical minerals developer and exploration company with a strong focus on rare earths, fluorspar, niobium and lithium exploration ("Merged Group"). In addition to Commerce's existing assets in Canada, the key highlights of the combination include:
A complementary exploration asset package at Mont Royal's Northern Lights Project, covering an area of 536km2 in the Upper Eastmain Greenstone belt, offering lithium, copper and gold potential.
Achieving a dual listing on the ASX and TSXV, which aims to attract a broader range of investors for the Merged Group, increase liquidity and greater ability to raise capital.
The ASX has a greater number of listed developing rare earth companies, providing a stronger group of peer companies against which to benchmark the Ashram Project.
Having access to the combined experience of key members of the Commerce and Mont Royal Boards, senior management and major shareholders, who have held former and current roles with successful international resource groups including:
Champion Iron Limited (CIA.ASX CIA.TSX)
Green Technology Metals (GT1.ASX)
Primero Group Limited (acquired by NRW Holdings Limited)
Riversdale Resources Limited (acquired by Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd)
Bannerman Energy Limited (BMN.ASX)
Commerce's Executive Director, Jeremy Robinson, said: "The team at Commerce is excited at the prospect of working with the Mont Royal team to create a new Canadian-focused critical metals company and to maximize the value of our outstanding flagship asset at Ashram. This merger will provide a dual listing on the ASX and TSXV, funding, additional expertise and a clear strategy to generate superior shareholder returns through completion of the studies at the Ashram Project while also unlocking additional exploration upside at the Eldor Niobium and Northern Lights exploration projects."
Mont Royal's Executive Director, Peter Ruse, said: "This transaction is a great opportunity to create value for both groups of shareholders. Combining the proven exploration and management skills of the Commerce and Mont Royal teams with the large resource at Ashram and the additional upside at the Eldor Niobium Project will have the potential to unlock value for shareholders."
Board of Directors and Management
Upon closing of the Transaction, it is anticipated that the board of the combined company will be comprised of a new non-executive Chairman in Mr. Cameron Henry, appointed by Commerce, two (2) Directors from Commerce, being Mr. Jeremy Robinson and Mr. Adam Ritchie, and one (1) Non-Executive Director from Mont Royal, expected to be Mr. Ronnie Beevor. In addition, it is expected that a new CEO and President will be appointed prior to the completion of the Transaction to replace the interim Commerce CEO and President, Jeremy Robinson, who will transition to a non-executive Director of the Merged Group.
Summary of Transaction Terms
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, Commerce Shareholders will receive 2.3271 fully-paid Mont Royal Shares for each Commerce Share held immediately prior to the Effective Time, implying a consideration of C$0.093 per Commerce Share.
In addition, all outstanding stock options of Commerce immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be exchanged for replacement options of Mont Royal on substantially the same terms and conditions and exercisable to acquire such number of Mont Royal Shares at such exercise price in accordance with the Exchange Ratio. All outstanding warrants of Commerce immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be adjusted in accordance with their terms and become exercisable, based on the Exchange Ratio, to purchase Mont Royal Shares on substantially the same terms and conditions.
The Transaction will be effected by way of a court-approved plan of arrangement under the BCBCA and will require the approval of (a) at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast by Commerce Shareholders, and (b) if necessary, a simple majority of the votes cast by Commerce Shareholders, excluding certain related parties as prescribed by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, in each case, voting in person or represented by proxy at a special meeting of Commerce Shareholders to consider the Transaction (the "Commerce Meeting"). The Commerce Meeting is expected to be held in July 2025.
Commerce's major shareholders and directors of Commerce, representing, in the aggregate, approximately 21.8% of the issued and outstanding Commerce Shares, have entered into voting support agreements with Mont Royal, pursuant to which each of them has agreed to, among other things, vote in favour of the Transaction at the Commerce Meeting.
The Agreement includes customary representations and warranties for a transaction of this nature as well as customary interim period covenants regarding the operation of Commerce's and Mont Royal's businesses. The Agreement also provides for customary deal protection provisions including fiduciary-out provisions, non-solicitation covenants and a right to match any superior proposal as defined by the Agreement as well as a termination fee of A$250,000 payable to Mont Royal in certain circumstances.
Conditions Precedent and Key Approvals
Completion of the Transaction is subject to customary conditions for a transaction of this nature, including:
(Court Orders) the Supreme Court of British Columbia granting interim and final orders on terms consistent with the Agreement;
(Commerce shareholder approval) Commerce Shareholders approving the Transaction by way of at least 66 2/3% of the votes cast on the resolution approving the Transaction by the shareholders of Commerce voting as a single class holding Commerce Shares on the record date;
(Commerce TSXV approval) Commerce having obtained all necessary TSXV approvals in connection with the Transaction;
(Mont Royal shareholder approval) Mont Royal shareholders having approved the Transaction (including the Mont Royal Equity Raise and Mont Royal Consolidation (as defined below)), including for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 11.1.2;
(ASX approval) ASX confirming that it will reinstate Mont Royal Shares to official quotation on ASX, subject to the satisfaction of such terms and conditions as are prescribed by ASX;
(Mont Royal TSXV approval) Mont Royal having obtained all necessary TSXV approvals in connection with Mont Royal's proposed listing on TSXV;
(Completion of Capital Raising and Consolidation) Mont Royal having completed the Mont Royal Equity Raise and the consolidation of Mont Royal Shares on the basis of 0.2195 post consolidation Mont Royal Shares for each 1 pre-consolidation Mont Royal Share (the "Mont Royal Consolidation"); and
(Key Regulatory Approvals and Third Party Consents) Receipt of any other regulatory approvals or third-party consents which have not already been referred to in this news release.
Subject to the satisfaction (or waiver) of all conditions to closing set out in the Agreement, it is anticipated that the Transaction will be completed in July 2025. Upon closing of the Transaction, it is expected the Commerce Shares will be de-listed from the TSXV and Mont Royal Shares will begin trading on the TSXV.
Further information regarding the Transaction will be included in a management information circular (the "Circular") to be delivered to Commerce Shareholders in connection with the Commerce Meeting. Copies of the Circular, the Agreement, the voting support agreements and certain related documents will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulators and will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Special Committee and Board Recommendations and Fairness Opinion
The Board of Directors of Commerce (the "Board"), having received a unanimous recommendation from a special committee comprised solely of independent directors of Commerce (the "Special Committee") and after receiving outside legal and financial advice, unanimously determined that the Transaction is in the best interests of Commerce and is fair to the Commerce Shareholders and unanimously recommends that Commerce Shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction.
In making their respective determinations, the Board and the Special Committee considered, among other factors, the fairness opinion of Evans & Evans Inc. ("Evans & Evans") to the effect that as of the date hereof, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications contained in its opinion, the consideration to be received by Commerce Shareholders pursuant to the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view to the Commerce Shareholders. A copy of the fairness opinion of Evans & Evans will be included in the Circular.
Interim Convertible Note Financing
Commerce intends to conduct a convertible note financing with a number of existing Commerce and Mont Royal shareholders and other sophisticated investors to raise up to C$2.2 million to provide interim funding to be used for the continuation of studies for the development of the Ashram Project and for working capital while the Transaction is completed. The Convertible Note Financing is necessary and integral for the Transaction.. A summary of the key terms of the Convertible Note Financing are set out below:
Aggregate principal amount - up to C$2.2 million.
Automatically converts on completion of the Transaction at the automatic conversion price.
The automatic conversion price is the implied price per Commerce Share based on the Mont Royal Share price pursuant to the Mont Royal Equity Raise converted into Commerce Shares at the Exchange Ratio, provided that, the automatic conversion price is equal to or greater than C$0.06, being Commerce's closing share price on April 8, 2025.
The principal amount owing will bear interest at a rate of 20% per annum, and upon automatic conversion, 12 months' accrued interest will be converted into Mont Royal Shares at completion of the Transaction.
If the Transaction doesn't proceed within 12 months, the convertible notes will either mature at a 24-month term from issue with all principal amounts owing and accrued interest due and payable at maturity or, at the holder's election, all principal amounts owing and accrued interest may convert into Commerce Shares at an optional conversion price of C$0.12 or, at a conversion price lower than C$0.12 in the event the Company undertakes an equity financing lower than the optional conversion price, subject to a minimum conversion price of C$0.06, being Commerce's closing share price on April 8, 2025.
If the Transaction doesn't proceed within 12 months, the holders of the convertible notes will have a preemptive right to participate in any equity financing of the Company up to the aggregate amount of the principal amounts owing and accrued interest outstanding.
The Company may redeem the convertible notes at any time prior to maturity at a price equal to the aggregate amount of the principal amounts owing and accrued interest outstanding and a cash amount equal to the sum of half of all payments of interest that would be due through the maturity date after redemption.
The convertible notes will be secured under a general security agreement, whilst ranking pari-passu as between themselves and all holders will enter into an interlender agreement.
The securities offered have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements.
Advisors and Counsel
Commerce has engaged Evans & Evans, who has provided a fairness opinion in respect of the Transaction, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP as Canadian legal advisor and Hamilton Locke as Australian legal advisor and Wallabi Group Pty Ltd as financial advisor.
About Commerce Resources Corp.
Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located within their Eldor Property, in northern Quebec, Canada. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (more than 30 - 45% TREO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (more than 60 - 75%) in line with active global producers.
The Ashram Deposit also has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market.
Additionally, Commerce is committed to exploring the potential of other high-value commodities on the Property such as niobium and phosphate minerals, which may help advance Ashram by reducing costs through shared development.
For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.
Ian Graham
Chairman
Tel: 604.484.2700
Email: info@commerceresources.com
Web: http://www.commerceresources.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the proposed Transaction and the terms thereof; the proposed benefits to be derived from the Transaction; the goals, strategies, opportunities, technologies used, project timelines and funding requirements; impact of combined management expertise and prospective shareholding; the anticipated date of the Commerce Meeting; the anticipated filing of materials on SEDAR+; the completion of the Transaction, including, receipt of all necessary court, shareholder and regulatory approvals and timing thereof; the proposed Mont Royal Equity Raise and the terms thereof; the proposed Consolidation and the terms thereof; the proposed use of proceeds of the Mont Royal Equity Raise; the expectation that the Commerce Shares will be delisted from the TSXV; the expectation that the Mont Royal Shares will be dual-listed on the ASX and TSXV; the plans, operations and prospects of the Merged Group and its properties; statements regarding the Convertible Note Financing and the terms thereof; the proposed use of proceeds of the Convertible Note Financing and receipt of TSXV approval; the continued advancement of the Ashram Project to development; that Ashram's fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets; that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth element producers globally, with a focus on being a long-term global supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide; and that the Company may explore the potential of other high-value commodities on the Ashram Property. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: the ability to obtain approvals in respect of the Transaction and to consummate the Transaction, the ability to obtain approvals for the listing of the Mont Royal Shares on the TSXV and the ASX; the ability to complete the Mont Royal Equity Raise and the timing thereof; the ability to complete the Convertible Note Financing and the timing thereof; integration risks, actual results of current and future exploration activities; that the Company may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if the Company is able raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that the Company may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of the proposed drill program and any future work programs may not be completed as proposed or at all; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for rare earth elements and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable, or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with applicable Canadian securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions, including the non-occurrence of the risks and uncertainties that are described above and in the filings made with the applicable Canadian securities regulators or other events occurring outside of our normal course of business, and are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in some cases beyond our control. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
1 Converted to C$0.0399 using AUD/CAD exchange rate of $0.91.
SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.
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