Sherritt Provides Update on Ambatovy Joint Venture
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OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Sherritt Provides Update on Ambatovy Joint Venture
TORONTO, March 6, 2019 – Sherritt International Corporation (“Sherritt”) (TSX:S), a world leader in the
mining and refining of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores, announced that, in order to preserve liquidity
and protect its balance sheet and consistent with previous disclosure, it will not fund its 12% share of a
US$45 million cash call (100% basis) received from the Ambatovy Joint Venture (“Ambatovy JV”). The
cash call was made due to the Ambatovy JV’s short term liquidity needs.
As a result of not funding the cash call, Sherritt is now a de faulting shareholder under the terms of the
Ambatovy JV Shareholders Agreement, triggering a number of inter-related developments, including:
- New funding provided by Sumitomo Corporation (“Sumitomo”) and Korea Resources Corporation
(“Kores”) in response to this and future cash calls will be repaid in priority to Sherritt’s funding to
date;
- If Sumitomo and/or Kores choose to fund Sherritt’s 12% share of the cash call, within the next 12
months they can also elect to receive an equivalent am ount of Sherritt’s current highest ranking
debt in the Ambatovy JV, which would dilute Sherritt’s economic interest;
- Loss of voting rights at the Ambatovy JV , which will further reduce Sherritt’s influence and
authority at the local level;
- Sumitomo and/or Kores can elect to acquire S herritt’s 12% interest at the lower of fair market
value and book value; and
- Limited recourse default to the Ambatovy JV partner loans ($144.0 million as at December 31,
2018). This limited recourse default does not impact the 2023 maturity of these loans and any
potential recourse prior to maturity is limited to Sherritt’s interest in the Ambatovy JV.
Further details outlining the impacts and potential impacts of becoming a defaulting shareholder can be
found in Sherritt’s Annual Information Form filed on February 13, 2019, including without limitation in the
“Risk Factors” section thereof.
About Sherritt
Sherritt is a world leader in the mining and refining of nickel and cobalt from lateritic ores with projects
and operations in Canada, Cuba and Madagascar. The Corporation is the largest independent energy
producer in Cuba, with extensive oil and power operations across the island. Sherritt licenses its
proprietary technologies and provides metallurgical services to mining and refining operations worldwide.
The Corporation’s common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “S”.
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For more information, please contact:
Joe Racanelli, Director of Investor Relations
416-935-2457 or [email protected]