Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April, 2015 | Commission File Number: 1-15142 |
NORTH AMERICAN PALLADIUM LTD.
(Name of Registrant)
200 Bay Street
Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
Suite 2350
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5J 2J2
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F ¨ Form 40-F x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant, by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the SEC pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Yes ¨ Assigned File No. No x
If Yes is marked, indicate the file number assigned to the Registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NORTH AMERICAN PALLADIUM LTD. | ||||||
Date: April 15, 2015 |
By: |
/s/ Tess Lofsky | ||||
Tess Lofsky Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
1 | News Release North American Palladium Announces Recapitalization Transaction | |
2 | North American Palladium Ltd. Binding Recapitalization Term Sheet |
Exhibit 1
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NEWS RELEASE |
North American Palladium Announces Recapitalization Transaction
Toronto, Ontario, April 15, 2015 North American Palladium Ltd. (NAP) (TSX: PDL) (NYSE MKT: PAL) (the Company) announced today that, following discussions with Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd. (Brookfield), the Company has entered into an agreement with Brookfield aimed at significantly reducing the Companys debt and enhancing the Companys liquidity (the Recapitalization).
The Company has retained CIBC World Markets Inc. to act as its financial advisor in connection with the Recapitalization and to conduct a strategic review process to solicit interest in a sale of the Company. The Company has until June 30, 2015 to obtain a superior proposal to the Recapitalization, with closing to occur within a specified timeframe thereafter.
The Company has obtained covenant relief from its senior secured lenders in respect of certain financial and other covenants until August 15, 2015. Although the Company produced approximately 45,600 payable ounces of palladium in the first quarter of 2015, covenant relief was required as a result of a decline in palladium prices and weakening of the Canadian dollar, and lower production volumes in March combined with higher expenses, which impacted the minimum shareholders equity and leverage ratio covenants.
The Company has also entered into an immediately available US$25 million interim credit facility with Brookfield. NAP is continuing normal business operations at its Lac des Iles mine and the Companys obligations to employees, trade creditors, equipment leases and suppliers will not be affected by the Recapitalization.
If no superior transaction emerges from the strategic review process by June 30, 2015, the terms of the Recapitalization will be as follows:
| Conversion of all amounts owing to Brookfield into equity, resulting in Brookfield owning common shares representing 92% of the common shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis after giving effect to the Recapitalization; |
| Conversion of the 2012 and 2014 convertible debentures into equity, resulting in holders of convertible debenture owning common shares representing in aggregate 6% of the common shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis after giving effect to the Recapitalization; |
| Existing holders of common shares will own 2% of the post-Recapitalization common shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis; |
| The Companys outstanding warrants and options will be terminated; |
| After completion of the Recapitalization, the Company will undertake a $50 million rights offering to raise equity, pursuant to which all shareholders at that time will be able to participate; |
| The $50 million rights offering will be backstopped by Brookfield and other parties; and |
www.nap.com
| Employees, trade creditors, equipment leases and suppliers will not be affected. |
The terms of the Recapitalization are outlined in an agreement the Company has entered into with Brookfield. A copy of the Recapitalization term sheet has been filed with regulators and is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.edgar.com.
The Recapitalization is subject to receipt of customary approvals, including convertible debenture holder and shareholder approval, as well as customary closing conditions. A holder of convertible debentures holding approximately 54% of the Companys convertible debentures has executed an agreement to support the Recapitalization.
The sale process and Recapitalization plan represent the best alternatives available at this time to preserve substantial value in the assets and operations of the Company, and to pursue longer-term growth and expansion opportunities at LDI, said Phil du Toit, President and CEO. We believe decreasing the debt burden and strengthening the capital structure is essential for the Companys future.
Technical Information and Qualified Persons
Mr. James Gallagher, the Companys Chief Operating Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved all technical items disclosed in this news release.
About North American Palladium
NAP is an established precious metals producer that has been operating its Lac des Iles mine (LDI) located in Ontario, Canada since 1993. LDI is one of only two primary producers of palladium in the world, offering investors exposure to palladium. The Companys shares trade on the NYSE MKT under the symbol PAL and on the TSX under the symbol PDL.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Canadian securities laws and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words potential, preliminary, believe, forecast, will, anticipate, expect, would, could, estimate and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation: information pertaining to the Companys strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as statements with respect to the Companys strategic review process, the Companys ability to consummate a strategic transaction, projected production, operating and capital cost estimates, project timelines, mining and milling rates, cash flows, projected grades, mill recoveries, metal price and foreign exchange rates, and other statements that express managements expectations or estimates of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the risk that the LDI mine may not perform as planned, the possibility that commodity prices and foreign exchange rates may fluctuate, the possibility that the Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service its indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions, and uncertainty regarding the ability to consummate the Recapitalization. For more details on
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these and other risk factors see the Companys most recent Annual Information Form/Form 40-F on file with Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities and the SEC.
Forward-looking statements are also based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The factors and assumptions contained in this news release include, but are not limited to: that the Company will be able to consummate the Recapitalization or other strategic transaction on the terms described in this news release, the Companys ability to continue normal business operations at its Lac des Iles mine, that metal prices and exchange rates between the Canadian and United States dollar will be consistent with the Companys expectations, that there will be no significant disruptions affecting operations, and that prices for key mining and construction supplies, including labour, will remain consistent with the Companys expectations. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
For further information please contact:
North American Palladium Ltd.
John Vincic
Investor Relations
Telephone: 416-360-7374
Email: jvincic@nap.com
www.nap.com
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Exhibit 2
North American Palladium Ltd.
Binding Recapitalization Term Sheet
This binding term sheet sets out the principal terms and conditions on which North American Palladium Ltd. (the Company) and BCP III NAP L.P., by its administrative general partner Brookfield Capital Partners Ltd. (Brookfield) have agreed to complete a series of transactions pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the CBCA) in which the Companys senior secured term loan1 under the loan agreement dated as of June 7, 2013 between the Company, Lac Des Iles Mines Ltd. and Brookfield (together with the prepayment fee2, such amounts as adjusted through to the Plan Effective Date, the Loan) and C$43.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.15% convertible debentures due September 30, 2017, C$1,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.5% convertible debentures due January 31, 2019 and C$0.25 million aggregate principal amount of 7.5% convertible debentures due April 11, 2019 (collectively, the Debentures) will be exchanged for common shares in the capital of the Company (the Common Shares) and the Company will undertake a rights offering to raise C$50 million of additional capital.
Interim Facility |
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Amount |
Brookfield will advance the Company US$25 million in a single draw no later than April 15, 2015 (the Interim Facility). | |||
Interest |
Interest will accrue daily at the same cash pay interest rate as the Loan plus 1.0% per annum (the Interim Facility Rate). | |||
Term |
The Interim Facility will terminate on September 15, 2015. Any amounts outstanding under the Interim Facility will be due and payable on that date and a failure to pay those amounts will constitute an Event of Default. | |||
Security |
The Interim Facility and the Commitment Fee and prepayment fee thereunder, the Waiver Fee and the Break Fee (each defined below) will be secured by the existing Security under the Loan on a pari passu basis with the Companys obligations in respect of the Loan. | |||
Use of Proceeds |
Working capital purposes. | |||
Commitment Fee |
3% of the Interim Facility amount, which will be fully earned and payable on the execution of the waiver and amendment and will be capitalized to the principal and accrue interest at the |
1 | Aggregate principal amount of US$173.2 million as at April 15, 2015. |
2 | US$56.9 million as at March 31, 2015. |
Interim Facility Rate. | ||||
Prepayment | If the Company repays the Interim Facility in whole or in part prior to the expiration of the term, it will pay a prepayment fee , representing a genuine estimate of the loss of profit of Brookfield and other damages arising from such repayment. The prepayment fee will be the product of: (a) the principal amount of the Interim Facility (including deferred and capitalized interest and fees relating thereto), multiplied by (b) the Interim Facility Rate, multiplied by (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from (but excluding) the date of the prepayment to (and including) the Interim Facility maturity date, and the denominator of which is 365. | |||
Payments on Debentures | Prior to September 15, 2015, the Company may make regularly scheduled interest payments on account of the Debentures. | |||
Plan of Arrangement | ||||
Plan of Arrangement | The Debenture Exchange and the Loan Exchange will be effected in accordance with a plan of arrangement under the CBCA. | |||
Plan Effective Date | The date upon which the Plan of Arrangement becomes effective. | |||
Treatment of Claims and Interests | ||||
BNS Facilities |
The Companys (i) second amended and restated credit agreement dated as of June 7, 2013, between, inter alia, the Company and The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), as administrative agent, and the lenders thereunder (the Revolving ABL Facility) and (ii) equipment financing facility with BNS (the Equipment Financing Facility) will be unaffected by the Plan of Arrangement and paid in full in cash in the ordinary course. The maturity date of the Revolving ABL Facility will be extended until September 15, 2015.
BNS will waive any and all defaults corresponding to the covenants waived by Brookfield (per waiver below), arising from a breach of the current ratio, or arising as a result of the sale process described herein or the Company completing the Plan of Arrangement in connection with the transactions set out in this term sheet, for a period such that BNS will not be in a position to declare a default in respect thereof prior to August 15, 2015. In exchange therefor, the Company will pay BNS a fee in the amount of 125 bps on the amount available under the Revolving ABL Facility, which will be fully earned and payable |
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on the execution of the waiver.
BNS will extend the waiver, in respect of such defaults, without charge for a period ending not later than September 15, 2015 in the event that Brookfield has extended its waiver (and all other then known defaults) for the purpose of allowing the Company to complete the closing of a Superior Proposal (defined below) or to complete the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby. | ||||
Loan Exchange | On the Plan Effective Date, Brookfield will receive Common Shares representing, in aggregate, 92% of the Common Shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis after giving effect to the Plan of Arrangement in full and final satisfaction of, and in exchange for, all amounts owing to Brookfield under the Loan, including the Interim Facility. | |||
Debenture Exchange | On the Plan Effective Date, the Debentures will be cancelled and in full and final satisfaction thereof, and in exchange therefor, each holder of a Debenture will receive their pro rata share, based on the principal amount of their Debentures, of Common Shares representing, in aggregate, 6% of the Common Shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis after giving effect to the Plan of Arrangement.
No fractional Common Shares shall be issued. Any fractional Common Shares that would otherwise have been issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
Accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the Plan Effective Date will be paid in cash on the Plan Effective Date. | |||
General Unsecured Claims | Unsecured claims against the Company shall be unaffected by the Plan of Arrangement and paid in full in cash in the ordinary course. Leases will also be treated as unaffected claims. | |||
Common Shares | No action shall be taken in respect of the existing Common Shares. Existing holders will retain, in aggregate, 2% of the Common Shares outstanding on a fully-diluted basis after giving effect to the Plan of Arrangement.
The Company will effect a consolidation of the Common Shares in conjunction with the Plan of Arrangement. | |||
Other Instruments |
On the basis that the Companys outstanding warrants and options are out-of-the money and in light of the post-closing ownership, they will be terminated for no consideration. |
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Required Approvals | ||||
Debentureholder Approval |
The Plan of Arrangement will require the approval of 66 2⁄3% of the principal amount of the Debentures held by holders who attend the meeting in person or by proxy. Each holder of a Debenture who attends the meeting in person or by proxy will be entitled to one vote for each C$1,000 principal amount of Debentures held by such holder, with no fractional votes permitted. | |||
Shareholder Approval |
The Plan of Arrangement will require the approval of 66 2⁄3% of Common Shares held by holders who attend the meeting in person or by proxy. In addition, under the TSX rules, the issuance of Common Shares under the Plan of Arrangement will require approval of 50% plus one of the Common Shares held by holders who attend the meeting in person or by proxy. | |||
Other Approvals and Conditions |
Court, stock exchange, lender and other approvals and conditions as are customary for transactions of this nature. | |||
Waiver | Brookfield will provide a waiver of the Events of Default under the Loan resulting from the Companys breach of the Minimum Equity Covenant and the Leverage Ratio Covenant, and any and all Events of Default under the Loan resulting from the Company completing the Plan of Arrangement in connection with the transactions set out in this term sheet and any other Events of Default (not already qualified by materiality) which are immaterial and arise from circumstances beyond the Companys control, for a period such that Brookfield will not be in a position to declare a default in respect thereof prior to August 15, 2015. The waiver will apply to the months ended April 30, May 31, and June 30, 2015 and, for greater certainty, the covenants will be tested on July 31, 2015 with the compliance certificate due by August 15, 2015. In exchange for the waiver, the Company will pay Brookfield a fee in the amount of US$3 million (the Waiver Fee). The Waiver Fee will be fully earned and payable on the execution of the waiver and amendment, and will be capitalized to the principal and will accrue interest at the Interim Facility Rate.
Brookfield will extend the waiver, in respect of the waived defaults, without charge for a period ending not later than September 15, 2015 in the event that: (a) the Company has entered into a binding agreement for a Superior Proposal provided that (i) the parties are working diligently to complete the Superior Proposal, (ii) Brookfield is satisfied that the Superior Proposal is reasonably likely to be completed within |
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the extension period and (iii) the Company does not require additional funding from Brookfield during the extension period; or (b) the Company requires the additional time to complete the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby and is working diligently to do so.
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Superior Proposal |
The Company will conduct a process to solicit a Superior Proposal and will have until no later than June 30, 2015 (or such later date as may be necessary to accommodate final stages of bidding involving Brookfield and other top bidders) to enter into a Superior Proposal. If no offers providing for a Superior Proposal are received by the Company by that date, or if at any time during the sale process the Company and its financial advisors determine that there is no reasonable prospect of a Superior Proposal, the Company will proceed to complete the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable.
In the event that the Company receives a Superior Proposal, the Company may terminate the transaction to accept the Superior Proposal, subject to giving Brookfield at least 2 days advance notice to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby as would enable the Company to proceed with the recapitalization transaction on the basis that, as so adjusted, it constitutes a new Superior Proposal. The Company and its financial advisor will be entitled to continue discussions with the top bidders, with Brookfield participating, in the ongoing sales process.
In the event that the Company terminates the recapitalization transaction to accept a Superior Proposal, the Company will pay Brookfield a fee of 3% of the value attributed to the Company under the Superior Proposal plus 7% of the value (whether cash or other consideration) received by or attributable to the holders of the Common Shares under the Superior Proposal, after deducting the amount attributed to existing holders of the Common Shares under the transaction contemplated hereby (the Break Fee). The Break Fee will be fully earned on the execution of the transaction agreement for the Superior Proposal and will be payable on completion of the Superior Proposal.
Superior Proposal means a bona fide formal, legally binding offer that is capable of acceptance for an alternative transaction which the board of directors of the Company determines in good faith: (a) that the funds or other consideration necessary to complete the transaction are or are reasonably likely to be |
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available to fund completion of the transaction at the time and on the basis set out therein; and (b) after consultation with its financial advisor and outside counsel, is reasonably likely to be consummated at the time and on the terms proposed, taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the proposal, provided, however, that a proposal shall not constitute a Superior Proposal unless it (i) would provide the Company with net proceeds sufficient to repay in full in cash all liabilities and obligations under the Loan, including the Interim Facility, and (ii) attributes a total enterprise value to the Company of more than the sum of (A) all liabilities and obligations under the Revolving ABL Facility (including letters of credit) and the Equipment Financing Facility, (B) all liabilities and obligations under all capital leases entered into by Company, (C) all liabilities and obligations under the Loan, including the Interim Facility, (D) the amount recoverable by the Debentureholders under the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby, being the product of all liabilities and obligations under the Loan, including the Interim Facility, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is 0.06 and the denominator of which is 0.92, and (E) the amount recoverable by the Common Shareholders under the recapitalization transaction contemplated hereby, being the product of all liabilities and obligations under the Loan, including the Interim Facility, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is 0.02 and the denominator of which is 0.92. | ||||
Governance | ||||
Board Composition |
On the Plan Effective Date, the board of directors of the Company will be reconstituted to comprise five individuals, including three nominated by Brookfield, one nominated by the holders of Debentures and one independent director. | |||
Expenses |
The Company will reimburse Brookfield for its reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with the transaction, including those of its legal counsel, except that Brookfield shall not be entitled to reimbursement in circumstances where it receives the Break Fee. | |||
Rights Offering | ||||
Offering |
As promptly as practicable after the Plan Effective Date, the Company will launch a rights offering to raise proceeds of C$50 million. The terms of the offering will reflect the values under |
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the Plan of Arrangement. | ||||
Basic Subscription Privilege |
Holders of Common Shares will receive, for each Common Share held, one right (a Right) entitling the holder thereof to subscribe for Common Shares upon payment of the Subscription Price. | |||
Additional Subscription Privilege |
Holders of Rights who exercise in full the Basic Subscription Privilege for their Rights will also be entitled to subscribe pro rata for Common Shares, if any, not otherwise purchased pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege. | |||
Use of Proceeds |
To fund the ongoing operations and expansion at the Lac des Iles Mine. | |||
Listing and Trading |
The Rights and the Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Rights will be freely tradable in Canada upon issuance and listed on the TSX or another Canadian exchange. Promptly following the Plan Effective Date, the Company will apply to delist the Common Shares from the NYSE. | |||
Backstop Agreement | ||||
Backstop Obligation |
Brookfield will exercise its Rights and purchase from the Company, at the Subscription Price, all Common Shares that are not otherwise subscribed for and taken up in the Rights Offering (after the exercise of the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Additional Subscription Privilege). | |||
Backstop Fee |
The Company will pay Brookfield and any Debentureholders participating in the backstop of the rights offering a fee equal to C$1.5 million, which will be fully earned on the date of the rights offering prospectus and payable in Common Shares on closing. | |||
Implementation | ||||
Definitive Documentation |
The parties will work diligently and in good faith towards settling definitive documentation for the transaction in accordance with the terms set out in this term sheet as soon as practicable. The definitive documentation will also contain customary provisions for a transaction of this nature. | |||
Disclosure |
No press release or other public disclosure concerning this transaction shall be made by the Company or Brookfield without previously consulting with the other party, other than as required by law or stock exchange rules. |
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General | This term sheet will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the laws of Canada applicable therein. This term sheet may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, and all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this term sheet as of April 15, 2015.
NORTH AMERICAN PALLADIUM LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ Phil du Toit | |
Name: Phil du Toit | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
By: |
/s/ David Langille | |
Name: David Langille | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
BCP III NAP L.P., by its administrative general partner BROOKFIELD CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD. | ||
By: |
/s/ David Nowak | |
Name: David Nowak | ||
Title: Managing Partner | ||
By: |
/s/ J. Peter Gordon | |
Name: J. Peter Gordon | ||
Title: Managing Partner |