Aura Minerals Inc.: Almas’ 2nd Issuance of Brazilian Debentures
ROAD TOWN, Oct. 21, 2024 - Aura Minerals Inc. (TSX: ORA) (B3: AURA33) (OTCQX: ORAAF) ("Company" or "Aura") in continuation to the Press Releases disclosed by the Company on September 8th and September 25th, 2024, informs its shareholders and the market in general that its subsidiary, Aura Almas Mineração S.A. ("Almas"), has settled and closed the public offering of its 2nd (second) issuance of simple debentures, non-convertible into shares, secured and with additional surety guarantee, in a single series, for public distribution under the automatic registration procedure, approved at the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting held on September 8th, 2024 ("Debentures")., in the amount of BRL 1.0 billion (~ US$ 175MM),
On the same date, Almas entered into a swap agreement ("Swap") with Banco Itaú S.A. to fully hedge the Debentures. Under the terms of the Swap, the Company will take an active position of BRL 1.0 billion (~ US$ 175MM), receiving compensatory interest corresponding to 100% (one hundred percent) of the accumulated variation of the DI Rate, plus an exponential surcharge of 1.60% (one point six zero percent) per annum, and will pay the exchange rate variation of Brazilian Reais vs. U.S. Dollars, plus a fixed linear rate of 6.975% per annum. The Swap transaction has a principal and interest amortization schedule identical to the principal and interest amortization schedule of the Debentures.
Rodrigo Barbosa, Aura's CEO commented: "We are glad to share the results of our recent debenture issuance. Initially set at BRL 500 million (~ US$ 88MM) with an anticipated cost of CDI + 1.75% per annum (approximately 7.13% in USD), we concluded the transaction with a BRL 1 billion (~ US$ 175MM) at a reduced rate of CDI + 1.60% per annum (6.975% in USD), reflecting an oversubscribed order book.
This achievement is a result of the excellence that Aura pursues. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team under the Aura 360 culture".
Transaction Highlights:
- Total Debentures Issued, Subscribed and Paid-In: 1,000,000 (one million).
- Total Amount: BRL 1,000,000,000.00 (one billion Brazilian reais), approximately US$ 175 million
- Maturity Term: 6 (six) years.
- Remuneration: 100% of the accumulated variation of the DI Rate - Interbank Deposits, plus a surcharge of 1.60% (one point six zero percent) per annum, based on 252 (two hundred and fifty-two) Business Days.
- Swap Structure (pre-fixed): 6.975%
The net funds raised by the Issuer through the Issuance will be allocated to (i) strengthen cash position and for the ordinary management of the Issuer's business; (ii) the early redemption of all debentures issued by the Issuer under the First Issuance of the Issuer, as provided for in the Indenture of the First Issuance, within 30 (thirty) days from the Start Date of Profitability; and (iii) the full payment and settlement of other debts of the Issuer (Aura Almas).
Debentures are debt securities issued by companies with the purpose of raising funds in the Brazilian market. These securities operate similarly to bonds in the international market.
The details of the other terms and conditions of the Issue and Offering are described in the aforementioned minutes of the Company's Extraordinary General Meeting and in the Indenture, of September 8th, 2024, as amended, which are available at the Company's headquarters and on the CVM (www.cvm.gov.br) and Company (https://www.auraminerals.com/investidores/) websites.
About Aura 360° Mining
Aura is focused on mining in complete terms - thinking holistically about how its business impacts and benefits every one of our stakeholders: our company, our shareholders, our employees, and the countries and communities we serve. We call this 360° Mining.
Aura is a mid-tier gold and copper production company focused on operating and developing gold and base metal projects in the Americas. The Company has 4 operating mines including the Aranzazu copper-gold-silver mine in Mexico, the Apoena (EPP) and Almas gold mines in Brazil, and the Minosa (San Andres) gold mine in Honduras. The Company's development projects include Borborema and Matupá both in Brazil. Aura has unmatched exploration potential owning over 630,000 hectares of mineral rights and is currently advancing multiple near-mine and regional targets along with the Aura Carajas copper project in the prolific Carajás region of Brazil.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements", as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements") which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "plans," "expects," "is expected," "budget," "scheduled," "estimates," "forecasts," "intends," "anticipates," or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to predict or control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Annual Information Form on file with certain Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation, volatility in the prices of gold, copper and certain other commodities, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs, environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations, general economic conditions and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.