Osisko Announces Friendly Acquisition Agreement With Yamana Gold and Agnico Eagle - Seite 3

Strategic Rationale for Yamana

Yamana is a proven operator with the stated objectives of operating in mining friendly jurisdictions in the Americas with a balanced approach to production growth, cost containment and margin preservation to maximize and increase cash flow. This partnership with Agnico Eagle provides Yamana with significant production growth at costs consistent with its existing cost structure, enhanced generation of cash flow and an expanded future project pipeline. It will also provide entry into one of the world's best mining jurisdictions without the level of risk generally associated with new locales given the strong operational management at Canadian Malartic and Agnico Eagle's decades-long experience in the region.

Peter Marrone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yamana commented: "At Yamana, we focus on both top-line and bottom-line growth as we strive to deliver value to shareholders, and with this acquisition we expect to deliver exceptional value to our shareholders. This acquisition provides value across all key per share metrics. The Canadian Malartic mine is a world class asset that will become a cornerstone in our portfolio alongside Chapada and El Peñón. We are also pleased with this relatively low risk entry into Québec, a province with an established pedigree of mining that complements our existing presence in the Americas. Consistent with our disciplined and balanced approach to growth, we are able to acquire 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine and the other Canadian development and exploration properties of Osisko while maintaining our strong balance sheet and financial flexibility.

"We are delighted with our improved structure and offer. With Agnico as our partner, the operational management at Canadian Malartic and as we open our own operational office in Québec, these benefits will be further enhanced with our collective experience with large open pit conventional mining with their jurisdictional expertise. We are pleased with our entry into Québec and we look forward to increasing our profile in this mining friendly jurisdiction."

Strategic Rationale for Agnico Eagle

Agnico Eagle has a long history of operating in Québec, and the Osisko acquisition is a great strategic fit with the company's existing production platform in the Abitibi region. The acquisition enhances Agnico Eagle's existing production and cost profile, increases reserves and resources, and is expected to increase free cash flow generation. Partnering with Yamana allows Agnico Eagle to maintain a strong balance sheet, and keep equity dilution at a minimum. The transaction fits strategically and is in line with the size of some of Agnico Eagle's previous acquisitions, but comes without permitting construction or start-up risk.