B2Gold (BTO.to) buys Auryx (AYX.to)

The 12 month chart of AYX.to is its own commentary on this deal:

Another comment is that the BTO.to management team is one of the sharper ones out there, so if they like the AYX assets, that's good enough for me. However Namibia is a bit of a departure from Central and South America and the ticket price on the deal makes for a big percentage uptick, so let's see how that goes down with traders today, what with the deal being all-share. Here's the NR

Press Release Source: B2Gold Corp. and Auryx Gold Corp. On Tuesday October 11, 2011, 8:20 am

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -10/11/11)- B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO.TO - News)(OTCQX: BGLPF.PK - News)(PINK SHEETS: BGLPF) ("B2Gold") and Auryx Gold Corp. (TSX: AYX.TO - News)(NSX: AYX.TO - News) ("Auryx") are pleased to announce that they have signed a binding agreement (the "B2Gold Transaction") to combine the two companies at the agreed exchange ratio of 0.23 B2Gold shares plus a cash payment of $0.001, for each Auryx share held, which represents a purchase price of approximately C$0.88 per Auryx share and a premium of 78% using the 20 day volume weighted average share price of each respective company, and a 74% premium over the Auryx closing share price on October 7, 2011 based on the closing price for the B2Gold shares as of such date. Based on the 20 day volume weighted average share price of B2Gold of C$3.81 per share, the transaction was valued at a total equity value of approximately C$160 million based on the fully-diluted in-the-money shares outstanding of Auryx.
The combination of B2Gold and Auryx will result in a merged entity holding a 92% interest in the Otjikoto gold project in Namibia, Africa and a 100% interest in two additional exploration projects in Namibia. The Otjikoto gold project has forecast average annual production of over 100,000 ounces of gold over a ten year life of mine based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment released in September 2011 with significant exploration upside. B2Gold is well positioned to progress development at Otjikoto given its strong funding capacity and a management team with significant mine development and operating experience.
The Auryx Board of Directors has approved the B2Gold Transaction and unanimously recommended that Auryx shareholders vote in favour of the B2Gold Transaction. Further, Auryx officers, directors and shareholders holding approximately 7.6% of the outstanding shares of Auryx have entered into lock-up agreements with B2Gold, pursuant to which they will vote their shares in favour of the B2Gold Transaction. The B2Gold Board of Directors has also unanimously approved the B2Gold Transaction.
Clive Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of B2Gold, stated: "We are pleased at the prospect of this strategic acquisition. The Otjikoto project is a quality asset that can potentially contribute another 100,000 ounces of annual gold production to B2Gold's impressive production growth profile. Our team looks forward to working with Auryx's experienced team to CONTINUES HERE

Now I really have to get going to that dental appointment thingy, Catch you laterz