Mexico’s proposed higher mining royalties could block nearly $7bn in investments
The Mexican government proposed raising mining royalties under the argument that metal prices have risen in recent years.
First Majestic Silver (NYSE:AG) (TSX:AG) (FSE:FMV) is buying fellow Canadian explorer and developer Gatos Silver (NYSE, TSX:GATO) in an all-share transaction valued at $970 million.
The move hands First Majestic a group of high-grade, large silver deposits in the Los Gatos silver district of Mexico’s Chihuahua state. The combination of the two companies’ assets would consolidate three silver-producing mining districts in Mexico under one banner: Gatos’ Cerro Los Gatos mine will join First Majestic’s San Dimas mine in Durango, and Santa Elena operation in Sonora, they said Thursday.
Gatos shareholders would receive 2.550 common shares of First Majestic, or $13.49, for each share they own. This implies a premium over the closing price on Sep. 4, and the 20-day volume weighted average prices up until that date.
After the closing, expected early next year, the merged company would produce 30 to 32 million ounces of silver-equivalent a year, including 15 million to 16 million ounces of silver, while delivering cost savings as well as supply chain and procurement synergies.
Gatos shareholders will then hold about 38% of First Majestic’s shares on a fully diluted basis.
After the closing the merged company would produce 30 to 32 million ounces of silver-equivalent a year.
The Los Gatos district comprises 14 mineralized zones identified to date, including three silver-lead-zinc deposits: the Cerro Los Gatos mine, the Esther deposit, and the Amapola deposit.
Vancouver-based First Majestic also owns the La Encantada silver mine in northern Mexico’s Coahuila state and has a portfolio of development and exploration projects, including the Jerritt Canyon gold project in Nevada.
Solid silver and gold prices paired with a positive macroeconomic outlook in Latin America have led to an increase in foreign investment in the region.
Analysts expect Latin America’s economic landscape for the rest of 2024 and early 2025 to be conducive to further merger and acquisition activities. According to Alessio Mazzanti, managing director of Latam Investment Banking, LLC, the surge of deals will be driven by a combination of macroeconomic and political factors that are improving investors’ perceptions towards the region, particularly in major economies like Brazil, Chile, and Mexico.
Shares in Gatos jumped almost 8% in pre-market trading in New York to hit $12.54 each. The stock has had an extraordinary performance this year, recording an 89.25% increase to date.
