B2Gold Corp. secured a new $350 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of international banks for a new revolving credit facility for an aggregate amount of $350 million. The facility also allows for an accordion feature whereby upon receipt of additional binding commitments, the facility may be increased to $450 million any time prior to the maturity date. HSBC, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner, will act as the administrative agent. The syndicate includes The Bank of Nova Scotia, Societe Generale and ING Bank N.V, as mandated lead arrangers. Final closing of the facility and the availability of funds under it remains subject to completion of customary closing conditions and delivery of collateral.
The facility 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 0.5% and 0.925%.
The term for the New RCF will be four years, maturing on May 20, 2019, except that it shall become due on July 1, 2018 in the event that the company's 3.25% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes initially due on October 1, 2018 remain outstanding or the maturity date of the Convertible Notes has not been extended to at least 90 days after May 20, 2019.
Proceeds from the loan will be used to repay the Company's existing $200 million credit facility which has $125 million drawn as at March 31, 2015, as well as for general corporate purposes.