B2Gold Corp. announced it has secured an upsized $500 million Revolving Credit Facility. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.
On July 7, 2017, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with a syndicate of international banks for an upsized RCF for an aggregate amount of $500 million, representing a $75 million increase from the principal amount of $425 million under its existing revolving credit facility. The upsized RCF also allows for an accordion feature whereby upon receipt of additional binding commitments, the facility may be increased to $600 million any time prior to the maturity date. HSBC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner, will continue to act as the Administrative Agent. The syndicate includes The Bank of Nova Scotia, Société Générale, ING Bank N.V. and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as lenders.
The upsized RCF will bear interest on a sliding scale of between LIBOR plus 2.25% to 3.25% based on the Company's consolidated net leverage ratio. Commitment fees for the undrawn portion of the facility will also be on a similar sliding scale basis of between 0.50% and 0.925%. The term of the upsized RCF is four years, maturing on July 7, 2021. If the principal indebtedness outstanding under the Company's existing 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Subordinated Notes") maturing on October 1, 2018, is greater than $100 million on December 29, 2017, then the sliding scale interest will increase to a sliding scale range of between LIBOR plus 2.50% to 4.00%. The upsized RCF will also be subject to customary lending covenants for a corporate facility.
Proceeds from the loan will be used for general corporate purposes and may be utilized to prepay or repay the Subordinated Notes and financing acquisitions.
The Company also believes that coupled with operating cash flows from the Company's existing mine operations, the upsized RCF ensures that the Company remains fully funded to maintain its operations, including funding for the construction of the Fekola Project (completion anticipated on October 1, 2017).
Along with the additional $75 million capacity under the upsized RCF, the $100 million accordion feature is expected to provide the Company with additional flexibility to access additional funding in the future for other corporate activities without the carrying cost of paying undrawn commitment fees.