BHP extends tender expiry following commencement of discussions with Wyloo Metals

MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - BHP Lonsdale Investments Pty Ltd ("BHP Lonsdale"), a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP, announced today that it is currently in discussions with Wyloo Metals Pty Ltd ("Wyloo Metals") regarding its potential support of BHP's $0.75 per share offer to acquire Noront Resources Ltd. (TSXV:NOT) ("Noront"). To allow more time for those discussions to progress, BHP is extending the initial expiry of its offer from 11:59 p.m. (Toronto time) on November 9, 2021 to 7:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) on November 16, 2021. The earliest time BHP will be taking up Noront shares under its bid will be at the new expiry time.

BHP and Wyloo Metals have engaged in initial conversations and are considering a mutually beneficial arrangement regarding the acquisition of Noront by BHP. There is no assurance that any agreement will be reached between BHP and Wyloo Metals.

For Noront shareholders
A notice of variation (the "Notice of Variation") in respect of the change to the initial expiry will be mailed shortly to Noront shareholders and will be available under Noront's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on Noront's website at www.norontresources.com.

BHP's offer expires at 7:00 p.m. (Toronto Time) on November 16, 2021.

About BHP
BHP is a world-leading global resources company. We extract and process minerals, oil and gas, with 80,000 employees and contractors, primarily in Australia and the Americas. Our products are sold worldwide, with sales and marketing led through Singapore and Houston, United States. Our global headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia. Our Potash head office is in Saskatoon and our head office for metals exploration is in Toronto.

Our corporate purpose is to bring people and resources together to build a better world. Our strategy is to create value by growing our exposure to a portfolio of world-class, expandable assets in future-facing commodities. We create value for our stakeholders and the communities where we operate by focusing on safety, sustainability, innovation and exceptional performance.

BHP has a strong track record in Canada
BHP has a strong track record of mining development and investment in Canada over several decades. We have invested in diamonds, potash, exploration, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) research, and in environmental preservation through the BHP Foundation in Canada's boreal forest. We have built strong relationships with communities and stakeholders throughout our history in Canada. Earlier this year, BHP approved US$5.7 billion in investment for its Jansen project, for what stands to be one of the world's largest, most modern potash mines and a significant economic driver for Saskatchewan.
www.bhp.com 

The Depositary and Information Agent for the Offer is Kingsdale Advisors. If you have any questions, please contact Kingsdale Advisors, by telephone toll-free in North America at 1-866-581-0512 and at 1-416-867-2272 outside North America or by e-mail at [email protected].

Forward looking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking information and statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the Offer, including the anticipated timing, mechanics, funding, completion, settlement, results and effects of the Offer; reasons to accept the Offer; and the value inherent in Noront's portfolio of projects, including the Eagle's Nest project.

Although BHP Western Mining Resources International Pty Ltd (the "Offeror") and BHP Lonsdale believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, such information and statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in formulating the forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of the Offeror and BHP Lonsdale that the Offer will be successful, that all required regulatory consents and approvals will be obtained and all other conditions to completion of the transaction will be satisfied or waived, and the ability to achieve goals. The Offeror and BHP Lonsdale caution that the foregoing list of material factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Offeror or BHP Lonsdale, and there is no assurance that they will prove correct. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Offeror and BHP Lonsdale will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences for, or effects on, Noront, the Offeror or BHP Lonsdale, or their respective future results and performance.

Forward-looking information and statements in this press release are based on the Offeror's and BHP Lonsdale's beliefs and opinions at the time the statements are made, and there should be no expectation that these forward-looking statements will be updated or supplemented as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, and the Offeror and BHP Lonsdale disavow and disclaim any obligation to do so except as required by applicable law. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a forecast, projection or estimate of the future financial performance of the Offeror or any of its affiliates or Noront.

SOURCE BHP Group

Media Relations, Email: [email protected]; Australia and Asia, Gabrielle Notley, Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone]; Europe, Middle East and Africa, Neil Burrows, Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone]; Americas, Judy Dane, Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone]; Investor Relations, Email: [email protected]; Australia and Asia, Dinesh Bishop, Mobile: + 61 407 033 909; Europe, Middle East and Africa, James Bell , Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone]; Americas, Brian Massey, Tel: [phone], Mobile: [phone]