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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Schedule 14D-1F
TENDER OFFER STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE 14d-1(b) UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment No. 4)
FALCONBRIDGE LIMITED
(Name of Subject Company)
Ontario, Canada
(Jurisdiction of Subject Companys Incorporation or Organization)
INCO LIMITED
(Bidder)
Common Shares
(Title of Class of Securities)
453258402
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Simon A. Fish, Esq.
Executive Vice-President, General Counsel & Secretary
145 King Street West, Suite 1500,
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4B7
(416) 361-7511
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of
person(s) authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of Bidder)
Copy to:
James C. Morphy, Esq.
George J. Sampas, Esq.
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
125 Broad Street
New York, New York 10004-2498
October 24, 2005
(Date tender offer first published, sent or given to security holders)
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE SENT TO SHAREHOLDERS
1. |
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Home Jurisdiction Document. |
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(a) |
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Offer to Purchase and Circular dated October 24, 2005, including Letter of
Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, and Letter to Shareholders. (1) |
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(b) |
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Notice of Extension dated December 14, 2005. (2) |
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(c) |
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Notice of Extension dated January 19, 2006. (3) |
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(d) |
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Notice of Extension dated February 27, 2006. (4) |
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(e) |
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Notice of Variation dated May 29, 2006, including
Letter to Shareholders. |
2. |
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Informational Legends. |
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(a) |
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See the inside front cover page of the cover page of the Offer to Purchase and
Circular dated October 24, 2005. (1) |
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(b) |
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See the inside front cover page of the Notice of Extension dated December 14, 2005. (2) |
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(c) |
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See the inside front cover page of the Notice of Extension dated January 19, 2006. (3) |
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(d) |
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See the inside front cover page of the Notice of Extension dated February 27, 2006. (4) |
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(e) |
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See the inside front cover page of the Notice of Variation
dated May 29, 2006. |
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(1) |
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Previously filed with the Bidders Schedule 14D-1F (File No. 005-62437) filed October 25, 2005. |
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(2) |
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Previously filed with the Bidders Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 14D-1F (File No. 005-62437) filed December 15, 2005. |
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(3) |
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Previously filed with the Bidders Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 14D-1F (File No. 005-62437) filed January 20, 2005. |
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(4) |
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Previously filed with the Bidders Amendment No. 3 to Schedule 14D-1F (File No. 005-62437) filed February 28, 2006. |
This document is important and requires your immediate
attention. If you are in any doubt as to how to deal with it,
you should consult your investment dealer, stockbroker, trust
company manager, bank manager, lawyer or other professional
advisor. No securities regulatory authority has expressed an
opinion about the securities that are the subject of the Offer
and it is an offence to claim otherwise.
The Offer has not been approved by any securities
regulatory authority nor has any securities regulatory authority
passed upon the fairness or merits of the Offer or upon the
adequacy of the information contained in this document. Any
representation to the contrary is an offence.
May 29, 2006
NOTICE OF VARIATION
by
INCO LIMITED
in respect of its
OFFER TO PURCHASE
all of the outstanding common shares of
FALCONBRIDGE LIMITED
on the basis of an increased price of, at the election of
each holder,
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(a) Cdn.$51.17 in cash
(the Cash Alternative); or
(b) 0.6927 of a common share of Inco Limited and Cdn.$0.05
in cash
(the Share
Alternative), |
for each common share of Falconbridge Limited subject, in
each case, to proration as
described in Inco Limiteds Offer dated October 24,
2005 (the Original Offer)
and this notice of variation (the Notice of
Variation).
On May 13, 2006, Inco Limited (Inco or the
Offeror) announced that it had varied its Original
Offer, as previously extended by notices of extension dated
December 14, 2005 (the First Extension),
January 19, 2006 (the Second Extension) and
February 27, 2006 (the Third Extension),
respectively, to purchase all of the issued and outstanding
common shares of Falconbridge Limited (Falconbridge)
(together with associated rights issued and outstanding under
the shareholder rights plan of Falconbridge, the
Falconbridge Shares) in order to, among other things
(a) increase the maximum amount of cash available under the
Offer and thereby increase the consideration payable under the
Offer for the Falconbridge Shares (i) from Cdn.$34.00 in
cash to Cdn.$51.17 in cash, and (ii) from 0.6713 of a
common share of Inco Limited (an Inco Share) and
Cdn.$0.05 in cash to 0.6927 of an Inco Share and Cdn.$0.05 in
cash, in each case, at the election of holders of Falconbridge
Shares and subject to proration as described in the Original
Offer and this Notice of Variation; and (b) vary certain
terms of the Offer, as set out below. In connection with the
enhanced Offer, Inco and Falconbridge have also amended the
Support Agreement relating to the Offer, as described in this
Notice of Variation.
This Notice of Variation should be read in conjunction with the
Original Offer and accompanying Circular dated October 24,
2005 (which together constitute the Offer and
Circular), as amended or supplemented by the First
Extension, the Second Extension, the Third Extension, and the
Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery that
accompanied the Offer and Circular. Unless the context requires
otherwise or unless otherwise defined, defined terms used in
this Notice of Variation have the same meaning as in the Offer
and Circular. All references to the term Offer in
the Offer and Circular, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery and this Notice of Variation mean the
Original Offer as amended or supplemented by the First
Extension, the Second Extension, the Third Extension and this
Notice of Variation.
The Offer, as varied, remains open for acceptance until
8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 30, 2006 (the
Expiry Time), unless accelerated, further extended
or withdrawn.
Shareholders who have validly deposited and not withdrawn
their Falconbridge Shares need take no further action to accept
the Offer. Shareholders who wish to accept the Offer must
properly complete and duly execute the Letter of Transmittal
(printed on blue paper) that accompanied the Offer and Circular,
or a facsimile thereof, and deposit it, together with
certificates representing their Falconbridge Shares and all
other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, in
accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal.
Alternatively, Shareholders may follow the procedures for
guaranteed delivery set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase, Manner of Acceptance Procedure for
Guaranteed Delivery, using the Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery (printed on green paper) that accompanied the Offer and
Circular, or a facsimile thereof. Any Shareholder having
Falconbridge Shares registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee should contact
such person or institution if he or she desires to deposit such
Falconbridge Shares under the Offer.
Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to RBC
Dominion Securities Inc. in Canada or RBC Capital Markets
Corporation, in the United States (the Dealer
Manager), CIBC Mellon Trust Company (the
Depositary) or MacKenzie Partners, Inc. (the
Information Agent). Additional copies of this Notice
of Variation, the First Extension, the Second Extension, the
Third Extension, the Offer and Circular, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may also be
obtained without charge from the Dealer Manager, the Depositary
or the Information Agent at their respective addresses shown on
the last page of this document.
This Notice of Variation does not constitute an offer or a
solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction in which such
offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Offer is not being made
to, nor will deposits be accepted from or on behalf of,
Shareholders in any jurisdiction in which the making or
acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of
such jurisdiction. However, the Offeror may, in its sole
discretion, take such action as it may deem necessary to extend
the Offer to Shareholders in any such jurisdiction.
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
RBC Capital Markets
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In Canada: |
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In the United States: |
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RBC Dominion Securities Inc. |
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RBC Capital Markets Corporation |
NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS IN THE UNITED STATES
The Offer is made for the securities of a Canadian issuer by
a Canadian issuer that is permitted, under a multijurisdictional
disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare the
Offer and Circular, the First Extension, the Second Extension,
the Third Extension and this Notice of Variation in accordance
with the disclosure requirements of Canada. Prospective
investors should be aware that such requirements are different
from those of the United States. The financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Offer and Circular
have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted accounting principles, and are subject to Canadian
auditing and auditor independence standards, and thus may not be
comparable to financial statements of United States
companies.
Shareholders in the United States should be aware that the
disposition of Falconbridge Shares and the acquisition of Inco
Shares by them as described herein may have tax consequences
both in the United States and in Canada. Such consequences may
not be fully described in the Circular and such holders are
urged to consult their tax advisors. See Section 21 of the
Circular, Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax
Considerations, and Section 23 of the Circular,
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations.
The enforcement by Shareholders of civil liabilities under
United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely
by the fact that the Offeror is incorporated under the laws of
Canada, that some or all of its officers and directors may
reside outside the United States, that the Canadian Dealer
Manager for the Offer and some or all of the experts named
herein may reside outside the United States, and that a
substantial portion of the assets of the Offeror and
Falconbridge and the above-mentioned persons are located outside
the United States.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER AND CIRCULAR
HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) OR ANY
UNITED STATES STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SEC OR ANY
UNITED STATES STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THE OFFER AND CIRCULAR, THE FIRST
EXTENSION, THE SECOND EXTENSION, THE THIRD EXTENSION OR THIS
NOTICE OF VARIATION. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Shareholders should be aware that, during the period of the
Offer, the Offeror or its affiliates, directly or indirectly,
may bid for or make purchases of the Falconbridge Shares to be
exchanged, or certain related securities, as permitted by
applicable laws or regulations of Canada or its provinces or
territories and the United States.
CURRENCY
In this Notice of Variation, unless otherwise indicated, all
references to $ or dollars refer to
United States dollars and references to Cdn.$
refer to Canadian dollars.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The following table sets out the high and low exchange rates for
one U.S. dollar expressed in Canadian dollars for the
period indicated and the average of such exchange rates, and the
exchange rate at the end of such period, in each case, based
upon the noon rates as quoted by the Bank of Canada:
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Three Months | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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Ended March 31, | |
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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High
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1.1726 |
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1.2704 |
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1.3968 |
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1.5747 |
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Low
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1.1322 |
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1.1507 |
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1.1774 |
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1.2924 |
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Rate at end of period
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1.1671 |
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1.1659 |
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1.2036 |
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1.2924 |
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Average rate per period
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1.1549 |
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1.2116 |
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1.3015 |
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1.4015 |
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On May 26, 2006, the exchange rate for one U.S. dollar
expressed in Canadian dollars based upon the noon rate of the
Bank of Canada was Cdn.$1.1073.
ii
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The Offer and Circular (for greater certainty, as amended or
supplemented by the First Extension, the Second Extension, the
Third Extension and this Notice of Variation, respectively) and
some of the information incorporated by reference into the Offer
and Circular contain forward-looking information (as defined in
the Securities Act (Ontario)) and forward-looking
statements (as defined in the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that are based on expectations,
estimates and projections as of the date of this Notice of
Variation. Often, but not always, such forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words
such as plans, expects or does not
expect, is expected, budget,
scheduled, estimates,
forecasts, intends,
anticipates or does not anticipate, or
believes, or variations of such words and phrases or
statements that certain actions, events or results
may, could, would,
might or will be taken, occur or be
achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of Inco to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements in the Offer and Circular.
Examples of such forward-looking statements in the Offer and
Circular include, but are not limited to: (A) factors
relating to the Offer and the results expected to be achieved
from the successful completion of the Offer and the combination
of Inco and Falconbridge, including the operating and other
synergies and cost savings expected to be realized, and the
timing thereof; the increased market capitalization, share price
multiple and improved liquidity of Inco Shares; the improved
cash flow and earnings of Inco; statements regarding plans,
objectives and expectations with respect to existing and future
operations; statements regarding business and financial
prospects; statements regarding anticipated financial or
operating performance and cash flows; statements regarding
possible divestitures; statements regarding strategies,
objectives, goals and targets; and the financial position and
international presence that permits Inco to compete against
global metals and mining companies; and (B) factors
relating to mining and the business, financial position,
operations and prospects of Inco, including (1) the price
volatility for nickel and other primary metal products produced
by Inco; (2) the demand for and supply of nickel, copper
and other metals, both globally and for certain markets and
uses, as well as the availability of, and prices for,
intermediate products containing nickel purchased by Inco and/or
to be produced by Inco and nickel-containing stainless steel
scrap and other substitutes for primary nickel and nickel
inventories; (3) the premiums realized by Inco over the
London Metal Exchange (LME) cash prices and the
sensitivity of Incos results of operations to changes in
metals prices, prices of commodities and other supplies used in
its operations and interest and exchange rates;
(4) Incos strategies and plans; (5) Incos
nickel unit cash cost of sales before and after by-product
credits, interest and other expenses; (6) Incos
energy and other costs, and pension contributions and expenses
and assumptions relating thereto; (7) Incos position
as a low-cost producer of nickel; (8) Incos
debt-equity ratio and tangible net worth; (9) the political
unrest or instability in countries (such as Indonesia) in which
Inco and its subsidiaries (such as PT International Nickel
Indonesia Tbk (PT Inco)) operate and the impact
thereof on Inco and/or its subsidiaries; (10) construction,
commissioning, initial shipment and other schedules, capital
costs and other aspects of Incos Goro and Voiseys
Bay projects and other growth projects and PT Incos
program to increase its production, capital expenditures, and
hydroelectric power generation at PT Inco and the effect
thereon of lower water levels; (11) the necessary
agreements and arrangements for the construction of the Goro
project, and the timing of the start of production and the costs
of construction with respect to the issuance of the necessary
permits and other authorizations required for, and engineering
and construction timetables for, the Goro and Voiseys Bay
projects; (12) Incos estimates of the quantity and
quality of its ore/mineral reserves; (13) planned capital
expenditures and tax payments; (14) Incos costs of
production and production levels, including the costs of and
potential impact on operations and production of complying with
existing and proposed environmental laws and regulations and net
reductions in environmental emissions; (15) the impact of
changes in Canadian dollar-U.S. dollar and other exchange
rates on Incos costs and the results of its operations;
(16) Incos sales of specialty nickel products;
(17) Incos cost reduction and other financial and
operating objectives and planned maintenance and other
shutdowns; (18) the commercial viability of new production
processes and process changes for, and processing recoveries
from, its development projects; (19) Incos
productivity, exploration and research and development
initiatives as well as environmental, health and safety
initiatives; (20) the negotiation of collective agreements
with its unionized employees; (21) Incos sales
organization and personnel requirements; (22) business and
economic conditions; and (23) the extension of current
mining and other leases, export licences and concessionary
rights. Actual results and developments are likely to differ,
and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements contained in the Offer and
Circular.
iii
Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of
assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not
limited to, assumptions in connection with the combination of
Inco and Falconbridge or otherwise about: the ability of Inco to
successfully compete against global metals and mining and
exploration companies by creating through such a combination an
enterprise of increased scale; strong demand for nickel, copper
and other metals in emerging markets such as China;
approximately $550 million per annum in pre-tax operating
and other synergies and cost savings, and other benefits,
expected to be realized, and the timing and net present value
thereof, based on the achievement of operational efficiencies
from restructuring, integration and other initiatives relating
to the combination of Inco and Falconbridge (as described in
Section 5 of the Circular, Purpose of the Offer and
Incos Plans for Falconbridge Strategic
Rationale for the Offer and Anticipated Benefits to be
Realized and Section 1 of this Notice of
Variation, Background to the Increased Offer
Updated Synergies Estimate); the accuracy of projected
synergies in respect of expected cash flows, cost savings and
profitability; the ability of the combined company to achieve
continuity in mining operations and realize projected production
optimization levels; the approvals or clearances required to be
obtained by Inco and Falconbridge from regulatory and other
agencies and bodies being successfully obtained and divestitures
required by regulatory agencies being acceptable and completed
in a timely manner (as described in Section 20 of the
Circular, Regulatory Matters, Section 4 of the
First Extension, Recent Developments
Regulatory Clearances, Section 4 of the Second
Extension, Recent Developments Regulatory
Clearances, Section 4 of the Third Extension,
Recent Developments Regulatory
Clearances, and Section 6 of this Notice of
Variation, Regulatory Matters Incos
Offer); there being limited costs, difficulties or
delays related to the integration of Falconbridges
operations with those of Inco; the timely completion of the
steps required to be taken for the eventual combination of the
two companies; business and economic conditions generally;
exchange rates (including estimates on the
U.S. dollar Canadian dollar exchange rate),
energy and other anticipated and unanticipated costs and pension
contributions and expenses; the supply and demand for,
deliveries of, and the level and volatility of prices of,
nickel, copper, cobalt, aluminum, zinc and other primary metals
products, purchased intermediates and nickel-containing
stainless steel scrap and other substitutes and competing
products for the primary nickel and other metal products Inco
and Falconbridge produce; the timing of the receipt of remaining
regulatory and governmental approvals for the Goro project and
other operations; the continued availability of financing on
appropriate terms, including through partner or other
participation arrangements in the case of the Goro project, for
development projects for the combined company; Incos costs
of production and production and productivity levels, as well as
those of Incos competitors; engineering and construction
timetables and capital and operating costs for the Goro and
Voiseys Bay projects and PT Incos expansion
initiative; market competition; mining, processing, exploration
and research and development activities; the accuracy of
ore/mineral reserve estimates; premiums realized over LME cash
and other benchmark prices; tax benefits/ charges; the
resolution of environmental and other proceedings and the impact
on the combined company of various environmental regulations and
initiatives; assumptions concerning political and economic
stability in Indonesia and other countries or locations in which
Inco operates or otherwise; Incos ongoing relations with
its employees at its operations throughout the world; and the
extent of any labour, equipment or other disruptions at any of
its operations of any significance other than any planned
maintenance or similar shutdowns and that any third parties
which Inco relies on to supply purchased intermediates or
provide toll smelting or other processing do not experience any
unplanned disruptions. The mine planning and other assessments
related to the determination of the value of the synergies
expected to be realized as a result of the combination of Inco
and Falconbridge are based on preliminary evaluations only, and
feasibility studies remain to be undertaken to confirm the mine
plans and evaluations upon completion of the combination.
While Inco anticipates that subsequent events and developments
may cause Incos views to change, Inco specifically
disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements should not be
relied upon as representing Incos views as of any date
subsequent to the date of this Notice of Variation. Inco has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
actions, events or results to differ materially from those
current expectations described in forward-looking statements.
However, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and
that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ
materially from current expectations. There can be no assurance
that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from
those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of
the factors that could affect Inco and the combination of Inco
and Falconbridge. Additional factors are noted elsewhere in the
Offer and Circular and in the documents incorporated by
reference into the Offer and Circular. See, for example,
Section 6 of the Circular Risk Factors Related to the
Offer and the section entitled Risks and
Uncertainties contained in the Offerors Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005. Inco undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements.
iv
INFORMATION CONCERNING FALCONBRIDGE
The information concerning Falconbridge contained in the Offer
and Circular, the First Extension, the Second Extension, the
Third Extension and this Notice of Variation, including
information contained in Section 2 of the Circular,
Falconbridge, and any documents filed by
Falconbridge with a securities regulatory authority in Canada
that are incorporated by reference therein, has been taken from
or based upon publicly available documents and records on file
with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and other public
sources. See Section 2 of the Circular,
Falconbridge Documents Incorporated by
Reference, Section 6 of the First Extension,
Documents Incorporated by Reference, Section 6
of the Second Extension, Additional Falconbridge Documents
Incorporated by Reference, Section 6 of the Third
Extension, Falconbridge Documents Incorporated by
Reference and Section 3 of this Notice of Variation,
Other Changes to the Original Offer. Although Inco
has no knowledge that would indicate any statements contained
therein relating to Falconbridge taken from or based upon such
documents and records are untrue or incomplete, neither Inco nor
any of its officers or directors assumes any responsibility for
the accuracy or completeness of the information relating to
Falconbridge taken from or based upon such documents or records,
or for any failure by Falconbridge to disclose events that may
have occurred or may affect the significance or accuracy of any
such information but which are unknown to Inco.
v
NOTICE OF VARIATION
May 29, 2006
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TO: |
THE HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES OF FALCONBRIDGE |
By notice to the Depositary and as set forth in this Notice of
Variation, Inco has varied its Original Offer dated
October 24, 2005, as amended or supplemented by the notices
of extension dated December 14, 2005, January 19, 2006
and February 27, 2006, respectively, to purchase all of the
issued and outstanding Falconbridge Shares other than any
Falconbridge Shares owned directly or indirectly by Inco and
including Falconbridge Shares that may become issued and
outstanding after the date of the Offer but before the Expiry
Time upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any securities
of Falconbridge that are convertible into or exchangeable or
exercisable for Falconbridge Shares (other than SRP Rights).
Except as otherwise set forth in this Notice of Variation, the
terms and conditions of Incos offer to purchase the
Falconbridge Shares as previously set forth in the Original
Offer, as amended or supplemented by the First Extension, the
Second Extension and the Third Extension, respectively, continue
to be applicable in all respects and this Notice of Variation
should be read in conjunction with the Offer and Circular, the
First Extension, the Second Extension, the Third Extension, the
Letter of Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the
provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise
defined, defined terms used in this Notice of Variation have the
same meaning as in the Offer and Circular. All references to the
term Offer in the Offer and Circular, the Letter of
Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and this Notice
of Variation mean the Original Offer as amended or supplemented
by the First Extension, the Second Extension, the Third
Extension and this Notice of Variation.
1. Background to the Increased Offer
On October 11, 2005, Inco and Falconbridge announced that
their respective Boards of Directors had approved the
acquisition of all of the outstanding common shares of
Falconbridge by Inco by way of a friendly
take-over bid pursuant
to the Support Agreement originally entered into on
October 10, 2005, as subsequently amended. On
October 24, 2005, Inco mailed its Original Offer to
purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Falconbridge.
The combined company created by a successful completion of the
Offer will be one of the worlds premier mining and metals
companies in both nickel and copper, with one of the mining
industrys most attractive portfolios of
low-cost, profitable
growth projects.
On May 13, 2006, the Board of Directors of Inco reaffirmed
its commitment to the combination of Inco and Falconbridge by
increasing the cash consideration payable to Shareholders under
the Offer from Cdn.$34.00 in cash per Falconbridge Share to
Cdn.$51.17 in cash per Falconbridge Share and by increasing the
maximum amount of cash consideration available under the Offer
by Cdn.$1,914,029,962 from Cdn.$2,872,648,913 to
Cdn.$4,786,678,875. The Board of Directors of Falconbridge
reaffirmed its support for Incos increased Offer in a
Notice of Change to Directors Circular, accompanying this
Notice of Variation, in which it unanimously recommended that
Shareholders accept Incos increased Offer and tender their
Falconbridge Shares to the increased Offer.
Under the increased Offer, Shareholders may elect to receive
(a) Cdn.$51.17 in cash in respect of each Falconbridge
Share held or (b) 0.6927 of an Inco Share and Cdn.$0.05 in
cash in respect of each Falconbridge Share held, subject to
proration such that if all Shareholders tendered to the Cash
Alternative or all Shareholders tendered to the Share
Alternative, each Shareholder would be entitled to receive
Cdn.$12.50 in cash and 0.524 of an Inco Share for each
Falconbridge Share tendered, subject to adjustment for
fractional shares.
Why Did Inco Increase its Offer?
Falconbridges strong financial performance in the
intervening period since the announcement of the Original Offer
was a significant factor in Incos decision to increase its
Original Offer. As a result of higher metals prices,
particularly in respect of copper, Falconbridges cash flow
increased to $668 million in the first quarter of 2006,
representing an increase of 48% over its first quarter of 2005.
Falconbridge has utilized the cash flow to redeem
$500 million of its junior preference shares, and has
announced its intention to redeem the remaining
$253 million of its junior preference shares, since the
proposed combination of Inco and Falconbridge was first
announced.
1
Updated Synergies Estimate
Last October, Inco and Falconbridge announced that the companies
had jointly identified the potential to realize estimated
average annual pre-tax run-rate operating and corporate
synergies of approximately $350 million through a
combination of Inco and
Falconbridge.1
The estimated synergies were attributable to: (1) savings
in general and administrative costs (approximately
$110 million), (2) cost improvements from more
efficient operations, streamlined procurement practices and
economies of scale (approximately $90 million),
(3) optimizing material feeds, intermediate product flows
and processing facilities (approximately $120 million), and
(4) maximizing mine production by accelerating mine
development (approximately $30 million).
After several months of working together with Falconbridge to
further evaluate potential opportunities to maximize the value
of the companies respective mining and processing
operations, Inco and Falconbridge have now jointly identified
the potential to realize estimated average annual pre-tax
run-rate operating and corporate synergies of approximately
$550 million,2
an increase of $200 million from the estimated synergies at
the time of the announcement of the Original Offer. This
increase in the synergies estimate is attributable to developed
improvements in the Inco-Falconbridge integration plan and to
changes in commodity price assumptions as a result of the
improved commodity market outlook since October 2005. Inco
believes that it should be able to achieve synergies approaching
the average annual pre-tax run rate by approximately
24 months after completion of the transaction.
The Inco and Falconbridge synergies/ integration team has
developed a number of changes to its initial plans for the
combined company in order to further optimize material feeds and
increase mine production in the Sudbury basin. As a result, Inco
is now able to revise its estimate of average annual pre-tax
run-rate operating and corporate synergies upwards. This
increase in the estimate of synergies is attributable to
(1) further cost improvements from more efficient
operations, streamlined procurement practices and economies of
scale (approximately $10 million), (2) further
optimization of material feeds, intermediate product flows and
processing facilities (approximately $30 million), and
(3) further maximization of mine production by accelerating
mine development (approximately $80 million).
The bulk of the increase in value in the synergies from the
transaction is driven by increased production of copper, nickel
and platinum group metals in the Sudbury basin. Some of the key
drivers of the additional identified synergies include the
following projects:
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proposed acceleration of the development of three additional
Inco North Range orebodies by utilizing the combined
infrastructure of Inco and Falconbridges existing Coleman/
McCreedy and Fraser/ Strathcona mines; |
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proposed acceleration of the development of Incos Victor
orebody by up to five years by utilizing the infrastructure of
Falconbridges new Nickel Rim mine; |
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a proposed acceleration of the development of Incos
Blezard orebody by utilizing Falconbridges Thayer Lindsley
mine; and |
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a proposed reconfiguration of Falconbridges Strathcona
Mill to permit specialization in processing high copper ore,
which would increase recovery rates for the nickel, copper and
platinum group metals in that ore. |
Applying revised short and long-term commodity price assumptions
to these synergies, based on the improved outlook in commodity
markets since October 2005, yields a further increase in the
estimated synergies of approximately
$80 million.3
The net present value of the estimated average annual pre-tax
run-rate operating and corporate synergies of $550 million,
using a 7% discount rate, is approximately $3.5 billion on
an after-tax basis.
These anticipated benefits and expected synergies are based on
various assumptions and are subject to various risks. See
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION above
and Section 6 of the Circular, Risk Factors Related
to the Offer.
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1 |
Based on Incos internal short and long-term commodity
price assumptions used by Inco for management decision-making
purposes (Incos Price Assumptions), as at
October 2005. Approximately $350 million using First Call
Consensus commodity price assumptions for 2006 to 2009 and
long-term commodity price assumptions based on an average of
nine analyst forecasts as at October 2005. |
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Based on Incos Price Assumptions, as at May 2006.
Approximately $480 million using First Call Consensus
commodity price assumptions for 2006 to 2010 and long-term
commodity price assumptions based on an average of nine analyst
forecasts as at May 2006. |
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Based on Incos Price Assumptions, as revised in April 2006
to reflect the improved commodity market outlook. |
2
Creation of a World-Class Metals and Mining Company
Incos proposed combination with Falconbridge offers a
unique opportunity to create a much larger nickel and copper
company with strong positions in a number of other metals, and
to create significant shareholder value at the same time. Inco
would become one of the worlds largest metals and mining
companies in terms of enterprise value based upon share prices
as of May 26, 2006. The combined company would be primarily
a producer of nickel and copper, becoming the worlds
largest nickel producer and a leading copper producer, and would
have world-leading nickel and copper reserve bases, with an
attractive portfolio of
long-life,
low-cost development
opportunities.
2. Increase in Offer Price
Inco has varied the Original Offer by increasing the maximum
aggregate cash consideration available under the Offer from
Cdn.$2,872,648,913 to Cdn.$4,786,678,875, representing an
increase of Cdn.$5.00 per Falconbridge Share on an adjusted
fully diluted basis. As a result, Inco has increased the price
offered to Shareholders for each Falconbridge Share to, at the
election of the Shareholder:
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(a) |
Cdn.$51.17 in cash in respect of each Falconbridge Share held
(the Cash Alternative); or |
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(b) |
0.6927 of an Inco Share and Cdn.$0.05 in cash in respect of each
Falconbridge Share held (the Share Alternative), |
in each case, as elected by the Shareholder in the applicable
Letter of Transmittal, and subject to proration as set out in
the Original Offer and this Notice of Variation. The increase in
the exchange ratio for Inco Shares from 0.6713 to 0.6927 results
from an increased number of Falconbridge Shares that will be
purchased by Inco for cash and a lesser number of Falconbridge
Shares that will be exchanged for Inco Shares under the Offer
with the additional cash consideration.
The maximum amount of cash consideration available under the
Offer has been increased from Cdn.$2,872,648,913 to
Cdn.$4,786,678,875, representing an increase of
Cdn.$1,914,029,962. The maximum number of Inco Shares issuable
under the Offer has been reduced from 200,702,404 Inco Shares to
200,657,578 Inco Shares, reflecting an 85,545 reduction in the
number of Falconbridge Shares outstanding on an adjusted fully
diluted basis since the date of the Original Offer.
The consideration payable under the Offer will be prorated on
each Take-Up Date as
necessary to ensure that the total aggregate consideration
payable under the Offer and in any Subsequent Acquisition
Transaction does not exceed these maximum aggregate amounts and
will be based on the number of Falconbridge Shares acquired in
proportion to the number of Falconbridge Shares outstanding on
an adjusted fully diluted basis.
Assuming all Shareholders tendered to the Cash Alternative or
all Shareholders tendered to the Share Alternative, each
Shareholder would be entitled to receive Cdn.$12.50 in cash and
0.524 of an Inco Share for each Falconbridge Share tendered,
subject to adjustment for fractional shares.
Accordingly, the definitions of Maximum Take-Up Date Cash
Consideration and Maximum Take-Up Date Share
Consideration in the Glossary section of the
Offer and Circular (found at page 9 of the Offer and
Circular) are deleted and replaced by the following definitions,
respectively:
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Maximum Take-Up Date Cash Consideration
means, in respect of a Take-Up Date, the product obtained by
multiplying (i) Cdn.$4,786,678,875 by (ii) the
quotient resulting when the aggregate number of Falconbridge
Shares to be taken up on such Take-Up Date is divided by
382,934,310, being the aggregate number of Falconbridge Shares
outstanding as at May 13, 2006 (calculated on an adjusted
fully diluted basis). |
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Maximum Take-Up Date Share Consideration
means, in respect of a Take-Up Date, the number of Inco Shares
equal to the product obtained by multiplying
(i) 200,657,578 Inco Shares by (ii) the quotient
resulting when the aggregate number of Falconbridge Shares to be
taken up on such
Take-Up Date is divided
by 382,934,310, being the aggregate number of Falconbridge
Shares outstanding as at May 13, 2006 (calculated on an
adjusted fully diluted basis). |
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The details of proration are more fully described in the
Original Offer. |
Fractional Inco Shares will not be issued in connection with the
Offer. Where a Shareholder is to receive Inco Shares as
consideration under the Offer and the aggregate number of Inco
Shares to be issued to such Shareholder would result in a
fraction of an Inco Share being issuable, the number of Inco
Shares to be received by such Shareholder will either be rounded
up or down and the amount of cash to be received by such
Shareholder will
3
correspondingly be either decreased or increased (on the basis
of Cdn.$73.80 per Inco Share) such that the Maximum Take-Up Date
Cash Consideration is paid and the Maximum Take-up Date Share
Consideration is issued in respect of Falconbridge Shares taken
up on such Take-Up Date.
If any holder of Falconbridge Options does not exercise such
options prior to the Expiry Time, their Falconbridge Options
will remain outstanding in accordance with their terms and
conditions, including with respect to term to expiry, vesting
schedule and exercise prices, except that, to the extent
permitted, an option to acquire Falconbridge Shares will become
an option to acquire that number of Inco Shares equal to the
number of Falconbridge Shares multiplied by 0.6934 (representing
0.6927 of an Inco Share adjusted to account for the Cdn.$0.05
payable under the Share Alternative) and have an exercise price
per Inco Share equal to the exercise price per Falconbridge
Share of that option immediately prior to the Expiry Time
divided by 0.6934, subject to adjustments to ensure the
in-the-money amount in respect of such option does
not increase.
All references in the Offer and Circular, the Letter of
Transmittal and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to: the price
offered by the Offeror; the Maximum Take-Up Date Cash
Consideration and the Maximum Take-Up Date Share Consideration
offered by the Offeror; the amount of cash and Inco Shares that
would be received assuming that either all Shareholders tendered
to the Cash Alternative or all Shareholders tendered to the
Share Alternative; and the methods by which the number of
Falconbridge Shares, and the exercise price per Inco Share, are
calculated under Falconbridge Options are amended to reflect the
foregoing changes set out in Section 1, Increase in
Offer Price, of this Notice of Variation.
Assuming that all of the conditions to the Offer are
satisfied or waived, all Shareholders whose Falconbridge Shares
are taken up under the Offer, including those Shareholders who
have already deposited their Falconbridge Shares to the Offer,
will receive the increased price for their Falconbridge Shares.
Shareholders who have validly deposited and not withdrawn their
Falconbridge Shares need take no further action to accept the
Offer.
Inco has received sufficient commitments from Morgan Stanley
Senior Funding (Nova Scotia) Co., RBC Capital Markets together
with Royal Bank of Canada, Goldman Sachs Canada Credit Partners
Co. and The Bank of Nova Scotia for the purpose of financing the
cash portion of Offer.
3. Other Changes to the Original Offer
On March 21, 2006, the Board of Directors of Falconbridge
announced that Falconbridge had adopted a new shareholder rights
plan agreement dated as of March 21, 2006 between
Falconbridge and CIBC Mellon Trust Company (the
Shareholder Rights Plan). The Shareholder Rights
Plan became effective on March 21, 2006 and, among other
things, defined a Permitted Bid as a
take-over bid where the
bid is made by way of a take-over bid circular and (i) is
made to all holders of Voting Shares (as defined in the
Shareholder Rights Plan), other than the offeror, for all of the
Voting Shares held by those holders; and (ii) the bid must
not permit Voting Shares tendered pursuant to the bid to be
taken up unless at such time more than 50% of the Voting Shares
held by Shareholders other than the bidder, its affiliates and
Persons acting jointly or in concert with the bidder (the
Independent Shareholders) have been tendered
pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn.
In order to make the terms of the Offer consistent with the
revised Permitted Bid provisions of
Falconbridges new Shareholder Rights Plan, Inco, as
permitted under the Support Agreement, as amended on
March 21, 2006, has varied the Original Offer by deleting
in its entirety the last paragraph of Section 7 of the
Offer to Purchase, Extension and Variation of the
Offer (found at page 20 of the Offer to Purchase),
which read as follows:
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In circumstances where more than 50% of the then outstanding
Falconbridge Shares held by Independent Shareholders
(as defined in the Shareholder Rights Plan) have been validly
deposited under the Offer and not withdrawn, the Offeror may
take up and pay for the deposited Falconbridge Shares (subject
to the conditions of the Offer) but will make a public
announcement of that fact and the Offer will be extended with
the result that the period during which Falconbridge Shares may
be deposited pursuant to the Offer will remain open for not less
than 10 days from the date of such public announcement. |
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4. Amendments to the Support Agreement
On May 13, 2006, Inco entered into a fourth amending
agreement (the Amending Agreement) with Falconbridge
to amend the Support Agreement originally entered into by Inco
and Falconbridge on October 10, 2005,
4
as subsequently amended on January 12, 2006,
February 20, 2006 and March 21, 2006, respectively.
This summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of
the Support Agreement, as amended. The Amending Agreement was
filed by Inco (i) with the Canadian securities regulatory
authorities and available at www.sedar.com and (ii) with
the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.
Increase in Offer Price
Under the terms of the Amending Agreement, Inco agreed to
increase the cash consideration offered to holders of
Falconbridge Shares to Cdn.$51.17 per Falconbridge Share
pursuant to the Offer. As a result, and as described more fully
in this Notice of Variation, Shareholders will be entitled to
elect to receive either (a) Cdn.$51.17 in cash per
Falconbridge Share held or (b) 0.6927 of an Inco Share plus
Cdn.$0.05 in cash per Falconbridge Share held, subject, in each
case, to proration based upon the maximum amount of cash
available and the maximum number of Inco Shares issuable under
the Offer.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors of Falconbridge
Falconbridge has confirmed that the Board of Directors of
Falconbridge, upon consultation with its financial and legal
advisors, has unanimously determined that the increased price
offered under the Offer is fair from a financial point of view
to all Shareholders (other than the Offeror) and that it is in
the best interests of Falconbridge for the Offer to be made and
for the Board of Directors of Falconbridge to support the Offer.
Accordingly, the Board of Directors of Falconbridge has
unanimously approved the entering into of the Amending Agreement
and the making of a recommendation that Shareholders accept the
Offer.
Agreements as to Termination Payments and Expense
Reimbursement
In consideration of Inco increasing the cash consideration under
the Offer, Falconbridge has agreed to increase the amount of the
termination payment that may be payable to Inco in specified
circumstances from $320 million to $450 million.
Falconbridge has also agreed to increase the amount of the
expense payment payable to Inco from $30 million to
$40 million if the Support Agreement is terminated by Inco
in circumstances where Falconbridge is in default of any
covenants or obligations under the Support Agreement or if any
representation or warranty of Falconbridge is untrue or
incorrect or shall have become untrue or incorrect at any time
prior to the Expiry Time and such default or inaccuracy is not
curable or, if curable, is not cured by the earlier of such date
which is within 30 days from the date of notice of such
breach and the Expiry Time.
In addition, Falconbridge has agreed to increase the enhanced
expense payment payable to Inco from $107 million to
$150 million. The enhanced expense payment will now also be
payable to Inco if (i) the Offer is not completed as a
result of the Minimum Tender Condition not having been satisfied
in circumstances in which the clearances under the Competition
Act, the HSR Act and the EC Merger Regulation have been
obtained, or such clearances have not been obtained and
Falconbridge has not complied with certain of its covenants and
obligations (and the Support Agreement is terminated by Inco);
or (ii) the Board of Directors of Falconbridge or any
committee thereof fails to recommend or withdraws, modifies,
changes or qualifies its approval or recommendation of the
Support Agreement or the Offer in any manner adverse to Inco; or
the Board of Directors of Falconbridge or any committee thereof
recommends or approves, or publicly proposes to recommend or
approve, an acquisition proposal; or Falconbridge fails to take
any action required under the Support Agreement with respect to
the Shareholder Rights Plan to defer the separation time of the
SRP Rights or to allow the timely completion of any Contemplated
Transaction; or the Board of Directors of Falconbridge or any
committee thereof fails to publicly affirm its approval or
recommendation of the Offer within five calendar days of any
written request to do so from Inco (in each case, without
requiring termination of the Support Agreement by Inco), unless
(A) the events set out in (i) and (ii), as the case may be,
arise solely as a result of a material adverse change in respect
of Inco which has occurred since the date of the Support
Agreement; (B) the Board of Directors of Falconbridge has
determined in good faith (after receipt of advice from its legal
and financial advisors) that (x) a material adverse change
in Inco has occurred since the date of the Support Agreement;
and (y) the failure to change the Falconbridge Boards
recommendation, or refusal to reaffirm such recommendation,
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties; and
(C) Inco has filed, or the OSC has determined that it
should have filed, a material change report in accordance with
applicable securities laws in respect of such material adverse
change.
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Moreover, in circumstances where the enhanced expense payment is
payable and Inco has received the enhanced expense payment,
Falconbridge is permitted to deduct from the termination
payment, when payable, the amount of the enhanced expense
payment received by Inco.
Inco Opportunity to Match
Pursuant to the Amending Agreement, the period of time during
which Falconbridge is not permitted to accept, approve or
recommend, or enter into any agreement relating to, an
acquisition proposal (other than a confidentiality agreement
contemplated by the Support Agreement) has been increased from
seven business days to 10 business days. Accordingly, the
corresponding period of time during which Inco has the
opportunity, but not the obligation, to amend the terms of the
Offer has been increased from seven business days to 10 business
days. The Board of Directors of Falconbridge must review any
proposal by Inco to amend the terms of the Offer in order to
determine, in good faith in the exercise of its fiduciary
duties, whether Incos proposal to amend the Offer would
result in an acquisition proposal not being a superior proposal
compared to the proposed amendment to the terms of the Offer.
Superior Proposal
The definition of a superior proposal under the
Support Agreement means, among other things, an unsolicited bona
fide acquisition proposal made by a third party to Falconbridge
that is reasonably capable of being completed without
undue delay, taking into account all legal, financial,
regulatory and other aspects of such proposal and the party
making such proposal. This element of the definition of
superior proposal has been amended to clarify that
regulatory aspects includes U.S. Competition
Authority and Investment Canada approval.
5. Xstratas Offer
On May 18, 2006, Xstrata Canada Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Xstrata plc (Xstrata), filed a
take-over bid circular relating to an unsolicited, competing
offer to purchase all of the outstanding common shares of
Falconbridge that it does not already own for Cdn.$52.50 in cash
(the Xstrata Offer). Falconbridges Board of
Directors is required to mail a Directors Circular to
Shareholders responding to the Xstrata Offer by no later than
June 2, 2006. The Xstrata Offer is conditional upon receipt
of regulatory approvals, including Investment Canada Act
approval, and the approval of the Xstrata shareholders at a
meeting scheduled for the end of June 2006. See
Section 6 of this Notice of Variation, Regulatory
Matters Xstratas Offer.
Inco believes its Offer provides significant advantages over the
Xstrata Offer in the ability for Shareholders (i) to remain
invested in a larger portfolio of world-class mining assets at a
time of robust metal market performance, and (ii) to
participate in the realization of very significant expected
synergies and growth opportunities in the combined company
resulting from the successful completion of the Offer. See
Section 1 of this Notice of Variation, Background to
the Increased Offer. We urge you to REJECT the
Xstrata Offer and ACCEPT Incos increased Offer.
6. Regulatory Matters
Incos Offer
The remaining regulatory clearances for the pending transaction
relate to clearances from the antitrust/ competition authorities
at the European Commission (the EC) and the
U.S. Department of Justice (the DOJ). Inco has
been pursuing these clearances since October 2005, and as
discussed below, is working towards a final resolution of the
remaining clearances as soon as possible, with an expectation of
conclusion by not later than
mid-July 2006. A
no action letter was obtained from the Canadian
Competition Bureau on January 27, 2006. Since Inco is a
Canadian entity, clearance under the Investment Canada
Act is not required.
The EC and the DOJ have been reviewing the combined market share
of Inco and Falconbridge in certain segments of the nickel
markets. Inco and Falconbridge have proposed a remedy to address
the concerns identified by the EC and DOJ, which comprises the
divestiture of Falconbridges Nikkelverk refinery located
in Norway and related marketing organizations which sell the
finished nickel and other metal products produced at Nikkelverk,
as well as a possible long-term agreement under which Inco would
supply nickel-in-matte as feed for Nikkelverk equivalent to the
volumes that Falconbridge would have supplied absent the
completion of the transaction.
On May 8, 2006, Inco and Falconbridge received a Statement
of Objections from the EC to the pending transaction, a normal
step in a second phase review of an acquisition with the profile
of Incos transaction with
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Falconbridge. Inco responded to this Statement on May 22,
2006 in accordance with the applicable timetable for this
process.
Both the EC and the DOJ have raised certain issues with respect
to the adequacy of the possible remedy that Inco and
Falconbridge have discussed with each regulatory authority. Inco
and Falconbridge have been evaluating how those issues can be
addressed through changes to the remedy developed by them that
would be acceptable to both of them as well as to the EC and to
the DOJ. It is currently expected that the EC will complete that
review and render its decision on the transaction by
July 12, 2006. The DOJ is currently required, based upon
understandings previously reached among the DOJ, Inco and
Falconbridge, to indicate its final position on the pending
transaction by early July 2006. Management is confident that it
will receive regulatory clearance from both these authorities.
Under the terms of the Support Agreement, in the event the
Competition Clearance Conditions (as defined in the Support
Agreement) are not satisfied or waived by the Initial Expiry
Time (being December 23, 2005), Inco will extend the Offer,
subject to the terms of the Support Agreement, through one or
more extensions for such number of days as does not exceed the
lesser of: (i) an additional 229 days from the Initial
Expiry Time; and (ii) such number of days as required for
the Competition Clearance Conditions to be satisfied.
Managements expectations with respect to the satisfaction
of the Competition Clearance Conditions and the anticipated
timing of completion of the regulatory clearance process are
subject to various risks and assumptions. See CAUTION
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION above. Also see
Section 6 of the Circular, Risk Factors Related to
the Offer.
Xstratas Offer
Xstrata announced the Xstrata Offer on May 17, 2006.
Xstrata has not indicated when (or whether) it commenced the
regulatory clearance process relating to the Xstrata Offer. Inco
has received no indication that it has done so. Similarly,
Xstrata has not announced receipt of any of its required
clearances. As described in Xstratas take-over bid
circular dated May 18, 2006, the Xstrata Offer is subject
to antitrust/ competition clearances in Canada, the United
States and Europe. Since Xstrata is a non-Canadian entity, an
acquisition of Falconbridge by Xstrata also requires
pre-clearance and approval of the Minister of Industry under the
Investment Canada Act, based on the Minister being
satisfied that Xstratas acquisition of Falconbridge would
be of net benefit to Canada. Further, the Xstrata
Offer is subject to obtaining the approval of its shareholders,
and Xstrata has stated that it expects a shareholder meeting for
that purpose to occur by the end of June 2006.
7. Other Recent Developments
Actions Against the Goro Development Project
On the evening of April 1, 2006, protesters committed a
series of actions against Incos Goro development project
in New Caledonia. Various public roads leading to the Goro
project site were blocked and trucks, excavators and building
materials were vandalized. In addition, the main water supply to
the project site was cut off and pipes that were to have been
used in the water supply pipeline to the project were damaged.
French military police were mobilized to remove the protesters
and secure the site, having particular regard to the safety of
workers. The construction site was shut down over a three-week
period, with a phased remobilization that commenced in late
April.
Inco is currently assessing the extent of the damage to the site
and estimating the remediation and other costs to the project
which will be attributable to these actions. Inco is also
currently assessing the extent to which these actions will
affect the schedule for the completion of the project.
Managements capital cost estimates with respect to the
Goro development project are subject to various risks and
assumptions. See CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION above.
Construction of New
UTILITY®
Nickel Plant in China
On May 5, 2006, Inco confirmed its plans to proceed with
the construction of a new facility in Dalian, Liaoning Province,
China for the production of UTILITY nickel, a refined form of
nickel product for the special needs of the stainless steel
industry. The new plant will have a nominal capacity of
32,000 tonnes per year. Feed for the new plant, consisting
of intermediate forms of nickel, will be supplied by Incos
Goro development project and other sources. Construction work on
the $63 million facility is expected to commence in the
third quarter of 2006, with commissioning expected to take place
in the first half of 2008.
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Managements expectations and estimates with respect to the
construction of a new facility in China are subject to various
risks and assumptions. See CAUTION REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION above.
Teck Offer for Inco
On May 8, 2006, Teck Cominco Limited (Teck)
announced its intention to make an unsolicited take-over bid for
all the common shares of Inco (the Teck Bid). On
that same date, Inco issued a press release announcing that it
had received notice of Tecks intention and that
Incos Board of Directors would review and evaluate a
formal offer from Teck when made available. On May 23,
2006, Teck mailed its take-over bid circular to Inco
shareholders. On that same date, Inco issued a press release
announcing that its Board of Directors recommended that
shareholders not take any action with respect to the Teck Offer
until Incos Board has fully evaluated the offer and
communicated its views to shareholders. On May 31, 2006,
Inco issued a press release announcing that its Board of
Directors had approved a directors circular (the
Directors Circular) for delivery to the
shareholders of Inco in response to the Teck Offer and filed a
Solicitation/ Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9
with the SEC. For the reasons detailed in the Directors
Circular, Incos Board of Directors unanimously recommended
that Incos shareholders reject the Teck Offer and not
tender their Inco Shares to the Teck Offer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS CONCERNING THE TECK
OFFER
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INVESTORS AND SECURITYHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ INCOS
DIRECTORS CIRCULAR AND SOLICITATION/ RECOMMENDATION
STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 THAT INCO FILED WITH THE SEC ON
MAY 31, 2006, AND ANY AMENDMENTS INCO MAY FILE THERETO, AS
IT CONTAINS, AND SUCH AMENDMENTS, IF ANY, WILL CONTAIN,
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. |
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Investors and security holders may obtain copies of the
Directors Circular and Solicitation/ Recommendation
Statement and other public filings made from time to time by
Inco with the SEC free of charge at the SECs web site,
www.sec.gov. In addition, documents filed with the SEC by Inco
may be obtained free of charge by contacting Incos media
or investor relations departments.
PT Inco Fire
On May 24, 2006, a fire occurred at one of the four
electric furnaces at PT Incos Sorowako operations.
While PT Inco is currently investigating the causes of the
fire and assessing its impact, preliminary indications are that
it will be approximately seven to eight weeks before the
electric furnace returns to normal operating levels. PT Inco
estimates that, until the electric furnace is operating at
normal levels, PT Incos production of nickel-in-matte, an
intermediate nickel product, will be reduced by approximately
2,200 tonnes (1,000,000 pounds) per week.
Managements estimates and expectations with respect to
operations at PT Inco are subject to various risks and
assumptions. See CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION above.
Ontario Operations Tentative Labour Agreement
On May 29, 2006, Inco reached a tentative agreement with
the United Steelworkers union, which represents employees at its
mining and processing operations in Sudbury, Ontario and Port
Colborne, Ontario. Details of the proposed new three-year
agreement will not be made public until the union has had the
opportunity to present the tentative agreement to its
membership. Voting to approve the contract has been scheduled
for May 31, 2006.
Nickel and Copper Market Updates
In Incos view, four key factors account for nickels
projected future market strength: (i) strong rebounding
world stainless steel output; (ii) a tighter stainless
steel scrap market; (iii) persistent strength in
non-stainless nickel demand; and (iv) limited nickel supply
growth. These four factors are expected to translate into a
nickel supply/ demand deficit for the next several years.
During the first quarter of 2006, the LME benchmark cash nickel
price rose, averaging $14,811 per tonne ($6.72 per pound), as
compared with a fourth quarter 2005 average of $12,628 per tonne
($5.73 per pound). Inco believes that this rise was due
principally to strong nickel demand from a sharp recovery in the
production of nickel-containing stainless steel, the principal
end-use for primary nickel, and due to a strong inflow of buying
by hedge funds. This upturn in LME cash nickel prices has
continued in April and May with the April price averaging
$17,942 per tonne ($8.14 per pound) and with the benchmark price
for the period thus far in May, from May 1 to 26, 2006,
averaging
8
$20,868 per tonne ($9.47 per pound). The LME cash nickel price
was $20,705 per tonne ($10.30 per pound) on May 26, 2006,
the last trading day before the date of this Notice of Variation.
Inco believes that nickel demand strengthened in the first
quarter of 2006 principally due to the recovery in stainless
steel production but also from the other sectors of nickel
demand. The oversupply condition that existed in
nickel-containing stainless steel during the second half of 2005
has ended, and producers are ramping up stainless steel output
to meet stronger demand. Stainless steel prices have improved
significantly and continue to rise. There was also continued
strong demand for nickel from non-stainless steel applications
such as the aerospace, oil and gas, construction and plating
markets. On the nickel supply side, growth has continued to be
slow as production disruptions have curtailed output from
several producers, including seven to eight week production
disruptions of approximately 2,200 tonnes (1,000,000
pounds) per week at PT Inco, as of May 24, 2006, due
to the temporary shutdown of one of its four furnaces. See
PT Inco Fire above. Nickel producer
inventories remain at low levels and, if there are additional
supply disruptions, supply would be further tightened. In line
with these tight nickel market conditions, LME cash nickel
prices have been rising and this has been accompanied by
decreases in LME nickel stocks/ inventory. Inco currently
believes that the market will remain strong throughout the
balance of 2006 led by a recovery in stainless steel production.
The LME benchmark cash copper price has averaged $4,944 per
tonne ($2.24 per pound) for the first quarter of 2006, as
compared with a fourth quarter 2005 average of $4,297 per tonne
($1.95 per pound). For the month of April 2006, the LME cash
copper price averaged $6,388 per tonne ($2.90 per pound) and
from May 1, 2006 to May 19, 2006, the price has
averaged $8,016 per tonne ($3.64 per pound). Within the month of
May, the LME cash price set a new record of $8,788 per tonne
($3.99 per pound) on May 12, 2006. The LME cash copper
price was $8,301 per tonne ($3.77 per pound) on May 26,
2006, the last trading day before the date of this Notice of
Variation.
Copper prices continue to be driven by strong demand, very low
inventories, supply constraints, operating disruptions and
strong hedge fund buying. Demand has been supported by ongoing
economic growth in the United States, notwithstanding the recent
difficult hurricane season. Demand for copper and copper
products is expected to remain strong over the next
18 months driven by strong global economic growth and
continued strong demand in China and India.
Inco believes that the worlds refined copper production
capacity expansions currently in the planning pipeline will be
barely sufficient to meet forecast demand. This supply-demand
balance would imply high utilization rates for existing
operations and the continuation of low levels of inventory which
when combined with the risk of further unexpected supply
disruptions is expected to result in volatile copper prices over
the next few years.
Managements expectations with respect to nickel prices,
copper prices, the recovery in stainless steel production,
nickel supply, and demand for nickel, nickel from non-stainless
steel applications, copper and copper products are subject to
various risks and assumptions. See CAUTION REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION above.
8. Revised Selected Inco Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Information
The following is an updated version of, and replacement for, the
selected pro forma consolidated financial information previously
contained in the Offer and Circular, as amended or supplemented,
and should be read in conjunction with Incos unaudited pro
forma consolidated financial statements, the accompanying notes
thereto and the compilation report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
thereon, included in this Notice of Variation. The pro forma
consolidated balance sheet has been prepared from the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of the Offeror and Falconbridge as at
March 31, 2006 and gives pro forma effect to the successful
completion of the Offer (including any Compulsory Acquisition or
Subsequent Acquisition Transaction) as if the transactions
occurred on March 31, 2006. The pro forma consolidated
statements of earnings for the year ended December 31, 2005
and the three month period ended March 31, 2006 have been
prepared, respectively, from the audited consolidated statement
of earnings of the Offeror and Falconbridge for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the unaudited interim consolidated
statement of earnings of the Offeror and Falconbridge for the
three month period ended March 31, 2006, and gives pro
forma effect to the successful completion of the Offer
(including any Compulsory Acquisition or Subsequent Acquisition
Transaction) as if the transactions occurred on January 1,
2005.
The selected pro forma consolidated financial information is not
intended to be indicative of the operating results or financial
condition of the consolidated entities that would actually have
occurred, or the results expected in future periods, had the
events reflected herein occurred on the dates indicated. Actual
amounts recorded upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Offer will differ from the pro forma
information presented below. The pro
9
forma consolidated financial information does not reflect and
does not give effect to (1) any special items such as
payments pursuant to change of control provisions or integration
costs which may be incurred as a result of the acquisition,
(2) operating efficiencies, cost savings and synergies that
are expected to result from the acquisition, or (3) the
impact of undertakings that Inco is prepared to make in order to
address regulatory clearance requirements, as there are no
current agreements providing for implementation of such
undertakings which, however, are expected to be carried out
after the completion of the Offer.
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Three Months Ended | |
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Year Ended | |
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March 31 | |
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December 31 | |
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| |
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| |
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|
Inco | |
|
Pro forma | |
|
Inco | |
|
Pro forma | |
(in millions of U.S.$) |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Statement of Earnings Data
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Revenues
|
|
$ |
1,211 |
|
|
$ |
4,069 |
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
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$ |
12,666 |
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Total costs and operating expenses
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|
|
886 |
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|
|
3,183 |
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|
|
3,284 |
|
|
|
10,450 |
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Earnings before minority interest
|
|
|
220 |
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|
|
611 |
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|
|
909 |
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|
|
1,577 |
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Minority interest
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|
|
18 |
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|
|
24 |
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|
|
73 |
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|
|
105 |
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Net earnings
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|
|
202 |
|
|
|
587 |
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|
|
836 |
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|
|
1,464 |
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As at March 31 | |
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| |
|
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Inco | |
|
Pro forma | |
(in millions of U.S.$) |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
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|
| |
|
| |
Balance Sheet Data
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|
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
751 |
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$ |
1,692 |
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Other current assets
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|
1,925 |
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5,447 |
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Property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets
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9,575 |
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34,102 |
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Current liabilities excluding current portion of long-term debt
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1,132 |
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2,925 |
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Total
debt(1)
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|
1,915 |
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10,135 |
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Minority interest
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768 |
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1,150 |
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Total shareholders equity
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5,383 |
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18,483 |
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(1) |
Included in total debt are $750 million of junior
preference shares (series 1, 2, and 3). Falconbridge
redeemed $500 million of these junior preference shares on
April 26, 2006 and announced that the remainder will be
redeemed on June 28, 2006. |
If the combination of Inco and Falconbridge had occurred on
January 1, 2006, the revenue of Inco on a pro forma
basis for the three months ended March 31, 2006 would
have derived approximately 38% from nickel, 47% from copper, 8%
from aluminium, 5% from zinc, 2% from precious metals and other
non-precious metals. On
a stand-alone basis,
Incos revenues for the same time period were derived
approximately 79% from nickel, 11% from copper, 6% from precious
metals and 4% from all other metals.
9. Other Changes to the Offer and
Circular
The definitions of Material Adverse Change,
Material Adverse Effect and Shareholder Rights
Plan, as they appear in the Glossary section
of the Offer and Circular (found at pages 7 to 10 of
the Offer and Circular), are deleted and replaced by the
following definitions:
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Material Adverse Change means, when used in
connection with a person, any change, effect, event or
occurrence with respect to the condition (financial or
otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, obligations
(whether absolute, accrued, conditional or otherwise),
businesses, operations or results of operations of that person,
its subsidiaries or its material joint ventures that is, or
could reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to that
person, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures taken
as a whole, other than any change, effect, event or occurrence
(i) relating to the Canadian and United States economies,
political conditions or securities markets in general;
(ii) affecting the mining industry in general;
(iii) relating to a change in the market trading price of
shares of that person, either, (A) related to the Support
Agreement, as amended, and the Offer or the announcement
thereof, or (B) related to such a change in the market
trading |
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10
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price primarily resulting from a change, effect, event or
occurrence excluded from the definition of Material Adverse
Change under clauses (i), (ii), (iv) or (v);
(iv) relating to any of the principal markets served by
that persons business generally or shortages or price
changes with respect to raw materials, metals or business
generally or shortages or price changes with respect to raw
materials, metals or other products (including, but not limited
to, nickel, copper, cobalt, any platinum-group metals, sulfur,
sulphuric acid, electricity, zinc or aluminium) used or sold by
that person; or (v) relating to any generally applicable
change in applicable Laws or regulations (other than orders,
judgments or decrees against that person, or any of its
subsidiaries or any of its material joint ventures) or in
Canadian GAAP; provided, however, that such change, effect,
event or occurrence (other than in the case of clause
(iii) above) does not primarily relate only to (or have the
effect of primarily relating only to) the person, its
subsidiaries and its material joint ventures, taken as a whole,
or disproportionately adversely affect the person, its
subsidiaries and its material joint ventures, taken as a whole,
compared to other companies of similar size operating in the
industry in which the party, its subsidiaries and its material
joint ventures operate. |
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Material Adverse Effect means, when used in
connection with a person, any effect that is, or could
reasonably be expected to be, material and adverse to the
condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets,
liabilities, obligations (whether absolute, accrued, conditional
or otherwise), businesses, operations or results of operations
of that person, its subsidiaries and its material joint ventures
taken as a whole, other than any effect (i) relating to the
Canadian and United States economies, political conditions or
securities markets in general; (ii) affecting the mining
industry in general; (iii) relating to a change in the
market trading price of shares of that person, either:
(A) related to the Support Agreement, as amended, and the
Offer or the announcement thereof, or (B) related to such a
change in the market trading price primarily resulting from a
change, effect, event or occurrence excluded from the definition
of Material Adverse Effect under clauses (i), (ii), (iv) or
(v) hereof; (iv) relating to any of the principal
markets served by that persons business generally or
shortages or price changes with respect to raw materials, metals
or business generally or shortages or price changes with respect
to raw materials, metals or other products (including, but not
limited to, nickel, copper, cobalt, any
platinum-group metals,
sulfur, sulphuric acid, electricity, zinc or aluminium) used or
sold by that party; or (v) relating to any generally
applicable change in applicable Laws or regulations (other than
orders, judgments or decrees against that person, any of its
subsidiaries or any of its material joint ventures) or in
Canadian GAAP; provided, however, that such effect (other than
in the case of clause (iii) above) does not primarily
relate only to (or have the effect of primarily relating only
to) that person, its subsidiaries and its material joint
ventures, taken as a whole, or disproportionately adversely
affect that person, its subsidiaries and its material joint
ventures, taken as a whole, compared to other companies of
similar size operating in the industry in which that person, its
subsidiaries and its material joint ventures operate. |
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Shareholder Rights Plan means the shareholder
rights plan agreement dated March 21, 2006 between
Falconbridge and CIBC Mellon Trust Company as rights agent. |
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The definition of superior proposal as it appears in
Section 4 of the Offer and Circular, Background to
the Offer Support Agreement (found at
page 34 of the Offer and Circular) is deleted and replaced
by the following:
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The Support Agreement defines a superior proposal as
an unsolicited bona fide acquisition proposal made by a
third party to Falconbridge in writing after the date of the
Support Agreement: (i) to purchase or otherwise acquire,
directly or indirectly, by means of a merger, take-over bid,
amalgamation, plan of arrangement, business combination,
consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, winding-up or
similar transaction, all of the Falconbridge Shares and offering
or making available the same consideration in form and amount
per Falconbridge Share to be purchased or otherwise acquired;
(ii) that is reasonably capable of being completed without
undue delay, taking into account all legal, financial,
regulatory (including U.S. Competition Authority and any
Investment Canada approval) and other aspects of such proposal
and the party making such proposal; (iii) in respect of
which any required financing to complete such acquisition
proposal has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board
of Directors of Falconbridge, acting in good faith (after
receipt of advice from its financial advisors and outside legal
counsel), will be obtained, (iv) which is not subject to a
due diligence and/or access condition which would allow access
to the books, records, personnel or properties of Falconbridge
or any subsidiary or their respective representatives beyond
5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the third day after
which access is afforded to the third party making the
acquisition proposal (provided, however, that the foregoing
shall not restrict the ability of such third party |
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11
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to continue to review information provided to it by Falconbridge
during such three day period); (v) which is offered or made
available to all Shareholders in Canada and the United States;
(vi) in respect of which the Board of Directors of
Falconbridge determines in good faith (after receipt of advice
from its financial advisors with respect to (y) below and
outside legal counsel with respect to (x) below) that
(x) failure to recommend such acquisition proposal to
Shareholders would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties and
(y) which would, taking into account all of the terms and
conditions of such acquisition proposal, if consummated in
accordance with its terms (but not assuming away any risk of
non-completion), result in a transaction more favourable to
Shareholders from a financial point of view than the Offer
(including any adjustment to the terms and conditions of the
Offer proposed by Inco pursuant to the Support Agreement, and
taking into account the long-term value and anticipated
synergies anticipated to be realized as a result of the
combination of Inco and Falconbridge); and (vii) that,
subject to compliance with the requirements of the Support
Agreement, the Board of Directors of Falconbridge has determined
to recommend to Shareholders. |
|
The paragraph entitled Management in
Section 5 of the Offer and Circular, Strategic
Rationale for the Offer and Anticipated Benefits to be
Realized Combined Operations of Inco and
Falconbridge (found at page 40 of the Offer and
Circular) is hereby deleted and replaced by the following:
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Management Inco will have the benefit of
leadership and expertise drawn from both Inco and Falconbridge.
Four members of the Falconbridge board of directors, David
W. Kerr, Mary Mogford, Derek G. Pannell and James
D. Wallace, are expected to be appointed to the Inco board
of directors by no later than the date of Incos next
annual meeting. Peter C. Jones, a member of the Inco board
of directors, intends to retire as a director upon completion of
the acquisition of Falconbridge. Scott M. Hand, Incos
current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will continue to
occupy that position and Derek Pannell, who is currently the
Chief Executive Officer of Falconbridge, will become the
President of Inco. Other members of the Inco management team
will include Steve Douglas, Executive
Vice-President and
Chief Financial Officer; Simon A. Fish, Executive
Vice-President, General
Counsel and Secretary; Peter J. Goudie, Executive
Vice-President,
Marketing; Aaron Regent, Executive
Vice-President,
Strategy and Corporate Development; Ronald C. Aelick,
President Asia Pacific and Mark Cutifani, President North
America and Europe. |
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10. Withdrawal of Deposited Falconbridge Shares
Except as otherwise provided herein or in Section 4 of the
Offer to Purchase, Withdrawal Rights, all deposits
of Falconbridge Shares to the Offer will be irrevocable. Unless
otherwise required or permitted by applicable Laws, any
Falconbridge Shares deposited in acceptance of the Offer may be
withdrawn by or on behalf of the depositing Shareholder:
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(a) |
at any time before the Falconbridge Shares have been taken up by
Inco pursuant to the Offer; |
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(b) |
if the Falconbridge Shares have not been paid for by Inco within
three business days after having been taken up; or |
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|
(c) |
at any time before the expiration of 10 days from the date
upon which either: |
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|
|
|
(i) |
a notice of change relating to a change in the information
contained in the Offer, as amended from time to time, that would
reasonably be expected to affect the decision of a Shareholder
to accept or reject the Offer (other than a change that is not
within the control of the Offeror or an affiliate of the
Offeror, unless it is a change in a material fact relating to
the Inco Shares), in the event that such change occurs at or
before the Expiry Time or after the Expiry Time but before the
expiry of all rights of withdrawal in respect of the Offer; or |
|
|
(ii) |
a notice of variation concerning a variation in the terms of the
Offer (other than a variation consisting solely of an increase
in the consideration offered for the Falconbridge Shares where
the Expiry Time is not extended for more than 10 days); |
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|
|
is mailed, delivered, or otherwise properly communicated, but
subject to abridgement of that period pursuant to such order or
orders as may be granted by applicable courts or securities
regulatory authorities and only if such Deposited Shares have
not been taken up by the Offeror at the date of the notice. |
Withdrawals may not be rescinded and any Falconbridge Shares
properly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly
deposited for the purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn
Falconbridge Shares may be
re-deposited at any
12
subsequent time prior to the Expiry Time by again following any
of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to
Purchase, Manner of Acceptance.
Shareholders are referred to Section 4 of the Offer to
Purchase, Withdrawal Rights, for a description of
the procedures for exercising the right to withdraw Falconbridge
Shares deposited under the Offer.
11. Take-Up of and Payment for Deposited Falconbridge
Shares
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer
(including, without limitation, the conditions specified in
Section 5 of the Offer to Purchase, Conditions of the
Offer, and, if the Offer is further extended or varied,
the terms and conditions of any such extension or variation),
Inco will take up Falconbridge Shares validly deposited under
the Offer and not withdrawn pursuant to Section 4 of the
Offer to Purchase, Withdrawal Rights, not later than
10 calendar days after the Expiry Time and will pay for the
Falconbridge Shares taken up as soon as possible, but in any
event not later than three business days after taking up the
Falconbridge Shares. Any Falconbridge Shares deposited under the
Offer after the date on which Inco first takes up Falconbridge
Shares will be taken up and paid for not later than 10 days
after such deposit.
Shareholders are referred to Section 6 of the Offer to
Purchase, Take Up of and Payment for Deposited
Shares, for details as to the take-up of and payment for
Falconbridge Shares under the Offer.
12. Variations to the Original Offer
The Offer and Circular, the First Extension, the Second
Extension, the Third Extension, the Letter of Transmittal and
the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery shall be read together with
this Notice of Variation in order to give effect to the
variations in the terms and conditions of the Offer and the
changes in information to the Offer and Circular set forth in
this Notice of Variation.
13. Offerees Statutory Rights
Securities legislation in certain of the provinces and
territories of Canada provides Shareholders with, in addition to
any other rights they may have at law, rights of rescission or
damages, or both, if there is a misrepresentation in a circular
or a notice that is required to be delivered to such
securityholders. However, such rights must be exercised within
prescribed time limits. Shareholders should refer to the
applicable provisions of the securities legislation of their
province or territory for particulars of those rights or consult
with a lawyer.
14. Registration Statement Filed with the SEC
A Registration Statement on Form F-8 under the
U.S. Securities Act has been filed, which covers the Inco
Shares to be issued pursuant to the Offer. The Offer and
Circular do not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement. Reference is made to the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto for further information. In
addition to the documents listed under the heading,
Documents Filed as Part of the Registration
Statement on page 64 of the Offer and Circular (which
Section is separate from and not part of the Experts
section that immediately precedes it) and the documents listed
under the heading, Registration Statement Filed with the
SEC in each of the First Extension, the Second Extension
and the Third Extension, respectively, the Amending Agreement
has been filed with the SEC as part of the Registration
Statement on
Form F-8.
15. Directors Approval
The contents of this Notice of Variation have been approved, and
the sending of this Notice of Variation to the Shareholders has
been authorized, by the Board of Directors of Inco.
13
AUDITORS CONSENT
We have read the Notice of Variation of Inco Limited dated
May 29, 2006 (the Notice of Variation),
relating to the Offer and Circular furnished with Inco
Limiteds Offer dated October 24, 2005 (the
Offer and Circular) as amended by the Notice of
Extension dated December 14, 2005, the Notice of Extension
dated January 19, 2006, the Notice of Extension dated
February 27, 2006 and the Notice of Variation dated
May 29, 2006 to purchase all of the issued and outstanding
common shares of Falconbridge Limited. We have complied with
Canadian generally accepted standards for an auditors
involvement with offering documents.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Offer and
Circular, as amended or supplemented, of our report to the
shareholders of Inco Limited on the audited consolidated
financial statements of Inco Limited as at December 31,
2005, 2004 and 2003 and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2005 and managements
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting as at December 31, 2005. Our
report is dated February 28, 2006.
We also consent to the use in the Notice of Variation of our
compilation report dated May 29, 2006 to the Board of
Directors of Inco Limited on the pro forma consolidated balance
sheet as at March 31, 2006 and the pro forma consolidated
statements of earnings for the three months then ended and for
the year ended December 31, 2005.
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Toronto, Ontario |
(Signed) PricewaterhouseCoopers llp |
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|
May 29, 2006 |
Chartered Accountants |
14
AUDITORS CONSENT
We have read the Notice of Variation of Inco Limited dated
May 29, 2006 (the Notice of Variation),
relating to the Offer and Circular furnished with Inco
Limiteds Offer dated October 24, 2005 (the
Offer and Circular) as amended or supplemented by
the Notice of Extension dated December 14, 2005, the Notice
of Extension dated January 19, 2006, the Notice of
Extension dated February 27, 2006 and the Notice of
Variation dated May 29, 2006 to purchase all of the issued
and outstanding common shares of Falconbridge Limited. We have
complied with Canadian generally accepted standards for an
auditors involvement with offering documents.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Offer and
Circular, as amended or supplemented, of our report to the
shareholders of Falconbridge Limited on the consolidated balance
sheets of Falconbridge Limited as at December 31, 2005 and
2004 and the consolidated statements of income, retained
earnings (deficit) and cash flows for the years then ended. Our
report is dated February 7, 2006 (except as to Note 23
which is as of March 16, 2006).
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Toronto, Canada |
(Signed) Ernst & Young llp |
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May 29, 2006 |
Chartered Accountants |
15
CERTIFICATE
The foregoing, together with the Offer and Circular dated
October 24, 2005 and the notices of extension dated
December 14, 2005, January 19, 2006 and
February 27, 2006, respectively, contain no untrue
statement of a material fact and does not omit to state a
material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary
to make a statement not misleading in the light of the
circumstances in which it was made. For the purpose of the
Province of Québec, the foregoing, together with the Offer
and Circular dated October 24, 2005 and the notices of
extension dated December 14, 2005, January 19, 2006
and February 27, 2006, respectively, do not contain any
misrepresentation likely to affect the value or the market price
of the securities to be distributed.
Dated: May 29, 2006
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By: (Signed) Scott M. Hand
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By: (Signed) Robert D.J.
Davies
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer |
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By: (Signed) Chaviva Hosek
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|
By: (Signed) Janice K.
Henry
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Director |
|
Director |
C-1
NOTE: The following compilation report is provided
solely in order to comply with applicable requirements of
Canadian securities laws. It should be noted that to report in
accordance with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
Auditing Standards (PCAOBAS) on a compilation of pro forma
financial statements an examination greater in scope than that
performed under Canadian standards would be required.
May 29, 2006
To the Board of Directors of Inco Limited
We have read the accompanying unaudited pro forma consolidated
balance sheet of Inco Limited (the Company) as at
March 31, 2006 and the unaudited pro forma consolidated
statements of earnings for the three months then ended and for
the year ended December 31, 2005, and have performed the
following procedures.
|
|
|
|
1. |
Compared the figures in the columns captioned Inco
to the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company as at March 31, 2006 and for the three months then
ended and the audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2005, and found them to be in
agreement. |
|
|
2. |
Compared the figures in the columns captioned
Falconbridge to the unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Falconbridge Limited as at March 31, 2006 and
for the three months then ended and the audited consolidated
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005,
and found them to be in agreement. |
|
|
3. |
Made enquiries of certain officials of the Company who have
responsibility for financial and accounting matters about: |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
the basis for determination of the pro forma adjustments; and |
|
|
(b) |
whether the pro forma consolidated financial statements comply
as to form in all material respects with the regulatory
requirements of the various Securities Commissions and similar
regulatory authorities in Canada. |
The officials:
|
|
|
|
(a) |
described to us the basis for determination of the pro forma
adjustments, and |
|
|
(b) |
stated that the pro forma consolidated financial statements
comply as to form in all material respects with the regulatory
requirements of the various Securities Commissions and similar
regulatory authorities in Canada. |
|
|
|
|
4. |
Read the notes to the pro forma consolidated financial
statements, and found them to be consistent with the basis
described to us for determination of the pro forma adjustments. |
|
|
5. |
Recalculated the application of the pro forma adjustments to the
aggregate of the amounts in the columns captioned
Inco and Falconbridge as at
March 31, 2006 and for the three months then ended and for
the year ended December 31, 2005, and found the amounts in
the columns captioned Pro forma Inco to be
arithmetically correct. |
Pro forma financial statements are based on management
assumptions and adjustments which are inherently subjective. The
foregoing procedures are substantially less than either an audit
or a review, the objective of which is the expression of
assurance with respect to managements assumptions, the pro
forma adjustments, and the application of the adjustments to the
historical financial information. Accordingly, we express no
such assurance. The foregoing procedures would not necessarily
reveal matters of significance to the pro forma consolidated
financial statements, and we therefore make no representation
about the sufficiency of the procedures for the purposes of a
reader of such statements.
(Signed)
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Ontario
PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to the Canadian firm of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the other member firms of
PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a
separate and independent legal entity.
F-1
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial
information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is
not necessarily indicative of the operating results or financial
condition of the consolidated entities that would have been
achieved if the offer made by Inco Limited (Inco) to
purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Falconbridge
Limited (Falconbridge) dated October 24, 2005,
as extended December 14, 2005, January 19, 2006 and
February 27, 2006 and amended on May 13, 2006
(collectively, the Offer) had been completed during
the period presented, nor is the selected pro forma consolidated
financial information necessarily indicative of the future
operating results or financial position of the consolidated
entities. The pro forma consolidated financial information does
not reflect and does not give effect to (1) any special
items such as payments pursuant to change of control provisions
or integration costs which may be incurred as a result of the
acquisition, (2) operating efficiencies, cost savings and
synergies that are expected to result from the acquisition or
(3) the impact of undertakings that Inco is prepared to
make in order to address regulatory clearance requirements, as
there are no current agreements providing for implementation of
such undertakings which, however, are expected to be carried out
after the completion of the Offer, and no adjustments have been
made to eliminate historical sales between Inco and Falconbridge
as the amounts are not considered significant.
INCO LIMITED
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
As at March 31, 2006
(unaudited)
(millions of US dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Inco | |
|
Falconbridge | |
|
(Note 3(a)) | |
|
Inco | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
ASSETS |
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
751 |
|
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
|
$ |
(59 |
) |
|
$ |
1,692 |
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
734 |
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,003 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
1,105 |
|
|
|
1,788 |
|
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
3,358 |
|
Other
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
2,676 |
|
|
|
4,057 |
|
|
|
406 |
|
|
|
7,139 |
|
Unallocated purchase price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,508 |
|
|
|
4,508 |
|
Property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets
|
|
|
9,575 |
|
|
|
8,819 |
|
|
|
11,200 |
|
|
|
29,594 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
12,251 |
|
|
$ |
12,876 |
|
|
$ |
16,114 |
|
|
$ |
41,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt due within one
year(1)
|
|
$ |
75 |
|
|
$ |
853 |
|
|
$ |
2,164 |
|
|
$ |
3,092 |
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
1,132 |
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
2,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,207 |
|
|
|
2,521 |
|
|
|
2,289 |
|
|
|
6,017 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
debt(1)
|
|
|
1,840 |
|
|
|
2,910 |
|
|
|
2,293 |
|
|
|
7,043 |
|
Deferred income and mining taxes
|
|
|
2,018 |
|
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
3,085 |
|
|
|
6,367 |
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
1,035 |
|
|
|
651 |
|
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
2,181 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
|
|
7,346 |
|
|
|
8,162 |
|
|
|
21,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
768 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity |
Convertible debt
|
|
|
351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shareholders equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
3,034 |
|
|
|
4,296 |
|
|
|
8,713 |
|
|
|
16,043 |
|
|
Preferred shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
326 |
|
|
|
(326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
Contributed surplus
|
|
|
577 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
668 |
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
|
571 |
|
|
|
(571 |
) |
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
Currency translation account
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
(240 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,032 |
|
|
|
5,474 |
|
|
|
7,626 |
|
|
|
18,132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
5,383 |
|
|
|
5,474 |
|
|
|
7,626 |
|
|
|
18,483 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders equity
|
|
$ |
12,251 |
|
|
$ |
12,876 |
|
|
$ |
16,114 |
|
|
$ |
41,241 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Included in long-term debt are $750 million of junior
preference shares (series 1, 2, and 3). Falconbridge
redeemed $500 million of these junior preference shares on
April 26, 2006 and announced that the remainder will be
redeemed on June 28, 2006. |
F-2
INCO LIMITED
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Three months ended March 31, 2006
(unaudited)
(millions of US dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Inco | |
|
Falconbridge | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Note 3 | |
|
Inco | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$ |
1,211 |
|
|
$ |
2,858 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost and operating expenses (income)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales and other expenses, excluding depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
|
|
733 |
|
|
|
1,950 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
b, c, f |
|
|
|
2,677 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
169 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
d |
|
|
|
287 |
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
e |
|
|
|
74 |
|
Research, development and exploration
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
Currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
Interest expense
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
|
g |
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
886 |
|
|
|
2,186 |
|
|
|
111 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income and mining taxes and minority interest
|
|
|
333 |
|
|
|
686 |
|
|
|
(111 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
908 |
|
Income and mining taxes
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
i |
|
|
|
297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before minority interest
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
464 |
|
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
611 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
h |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
|
|
|
202 |
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
(77 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
587 |
|
Dividends on preferred shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
j |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
202 |
|
|
$ |
456 |
|
|
$ |
(71 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
1.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-3
INCO LIMITED
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Year ended December 31, 2005
(unaudited)
(millions of US dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Inco | |
|
Falconbridge | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Note 3 | |
|
Inco | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales
|
|
$ |
4,518 |
|
|
$ |
8,148 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost and operating expenses (income)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales and other expenses, excluding depreciation,
depletion and amortization
|
|
|
2,633 |
|
|
|
5,773 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
b, c, f |
|
|
|
8,447 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
240 |
|
|
|
d |
|
|
|
1,051 |
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
207 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
e |
|
|
|
297 |
|
Research, development and exploration
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
137 |
|
Currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
g |
|
|
|
434 |
|
Asset impairment charge
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,284 |
|
|
|
6,619 |
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,450 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income and mining taxes and minority interest
|
|
|
1,317 |
|
|
|
1,546 |
|
|
|
(547 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,316 |
|
Income and mining taxes
|
|
|
408 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
i |
|
|
|
739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before minority interest
|
|
|
909 |
|
|
|
1,035 |
|
|
|
(367 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,577 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
155 |
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
h |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings from continuing operations
|
|
|
836 |
|
|
|
880 |
|
|
|
(244 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,472 |
|
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings
|
|
|
836 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
|
|
(244 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,464 |
|
Dividends on preferred shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
j |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
836 |
|
|
$ |
855 |
|
|
$ |
(227 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
4.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
3.75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-4
INCO LIMITED
NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
(tabular amounts in millions of US dollars, except per share
amounts)
|
|
|
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of
Inco Limited (Inco) have been prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada. These
unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
statements of Inco as at and for the year ended
December 31, 2005, and the unaudited interim consolidated
financial statements as at and for the three months ended
March 31, 2006 including the related notes thereto. |
|
|
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements have
been prepared assuming that the acquisition of Falconbridge
Limited (Falconbridge) had been completed as of
January 1, 2005 for the consolidated statements of earnings
and as of March 31, 2006 for the consolidated balance sheet. |
|
|
These unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are
not intended to reflect the financial position and results of
operations which would have actually resulted had the
transaction and other adjustments been effected on the dates
indicated. Further, the pro forma results of operations are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be
obtained by Inco in the future. |
|
|
2. |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
|
|
The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements have
been compiled using the significant accounting policies as set
out in the audited consolidated financial statements of Inco for
the year ended December 31, 2005 which, based on publicly
available information, are assumed to be substantially similar
to the significant accounting policies as set out in the audited
consolidated financial statements of Falconbridge for the year
ended December 31, 2005 and the unaudited consolidated
financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
2006. Upon consummation of the transaction, the accounting
policies will be formally conformed and it is possible that
adjustments may result. |
|
|
3. |
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS AND ASSUMPTIONS |
|
|
|
The pro forma consolidated financial statements include the
following pro forma assumptions and adjustments: |
|
|
|
|
(a) |
The acquisition is accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, whereby Falconbridges assets and liabilities
are revalued to their fair value and its shareholders
equity is eliminated. Incos assets and liabilities are not
revalued. The pro forma adjustments reflect Incos
acquisition of 100 per cent of Falconbridges net
assets at their fair values as at March 31, 2006 and the
accounting for Falconbridge as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Falconbridges interests in joint ventures in which it has
joint control are reflected using the proportionate
consolidation method. |
|
|
|
The determination of the purchase price, based on
managements preliminary estimate, is as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase Price |
|
|
|
|
|
Consideration in Inco common shares
|
|
$ |
13,009 |
|
Consideration in Inco options issued
|
|
|
91 |
|
Cash
|
|
|
4,328 |
|
Transaction costs
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
17,553 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The purchase price was calculated using a price of $66.29 for
each Inco common share issued which represents the weighted
average Inco share price over the five day period extending from
May 11, 2006 to May 16, 2006, the two days before and
the two days after the date of announcement. The cash portion of
the purchase price will be financed through committed loan
facilities. |
F-5
|
|
|
The allocation of the purchase price, based on
managements preliminary estimate, is as follows: |
|
|
Allocation of Purchase Price |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
|
Purchase Price | |
|
|
Book Value | |
|
Increment | |
|
Allocation | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
1,066 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,066 |
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
1,788 |
|
|
|
465 |
|
|
|
2,253 |
|
Unallocated purchase price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,508 |
|
|
|
4,508 |
|
Property, plant and equipment and other non-current assets
|
|
|
8,819 |
|
|
|
11,200 |
|
|
|
20,019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
12,942 |
|
|
$ |
16,173 |
|
|
$ |
29,115 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt due within one year
|
|
$ |
853 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
853 |
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
1,793 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
2,910 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
|
|
3,039 |
|
Deferred income and mining taxes
|
|
|
1,264 |
|
|
|
3,085 |
|
|
|
4,349 |
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
651 |
|
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
1,146 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
382 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
$ |
7,728 |
|
|
$ |
3,834 |
|
|
$ |
11,562 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net assets purchased
|
|
$ |
5,214 |
|
|
$ |
12,339 |
|
|
$ |
17,553 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The book value of Falconbridge, as shown above: |
|
|
|
|
|
Reflects Falconbridges stated book values as at
March 31, 2006. |
|
|
|
Reflects the assumed exercise of vested stock options; and |
|
|
|
Reflects the reclassification of the equity portion of preferred
shares to minority interest. |
|
|
|
Due to limited publicly available information, this allocation
is based upon preliminary estimates and certain assumptions with
respect to the fair value increment associated with the assets
to be acquired and the liabilities to be assumed. The actual
fair values of the assets and liabilities will be determined as
of the date of acquisition and may differ materially from the
amounts disclosed above in the assumed pro forma purchase price
allocation due to the changes in fair values of the assets and
liabilities between March 31, 2006 and the date of the
transaction, and as further analysis is completed. The actual
allocation of the purchase price may result in different
adjustments being expensed in the consolidated statement of
earnings. |
|
|
To the extent that the unallocated purchase price is not
allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the
final purchase price allocation, the balance will represent
goodwill. This goodwill reflects the substantial synergies
available to Inco as a result of the acquisition. |
|
|
|
|
(b) |
The adjustment to cost of sales and other expenses reflects the
elimination of deferred gains on derivative contracts on the pro
forma consolidated statements of earnings. The deferred gains
arise from derivative contracts that qualified for hedge
accounting and were realized as a reduction of the cost of
operations over the original delivery schedule of contracts. The
gains would not have been realized in the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the three months ended March 31,
2006 since the purchased derivative contracts would have been
fair valued as of January 1, 2005. |
|
|
(c) |
The adjustment to cost of sales and other expenses reflects the
elimination of amortized past service costs and amortized net
actuarial losses relating to post retirement benefits which were
expensed in the year ended December 31, 2005 and the three
months ended March 31, 2006. |
|
|
(d) |
Represents the amortization of the preliminary fair value
increment allocated to operating capital assets. The pro forma
amortization excludes the total amount of the purchase price
allocation not subject to amortization of approximately
$5.5 billion representing the unallocated purchase price
and amounts allocated to non-operating assets. On finalization
of the purchase price allocation, if this amount is allocated to
operating assets, pro forma amortization would change by
approximately $239 million, before taxes, for the year
ended December 31, 2005 and by $60 million for three
months ended March 31, 2006. Pro forma amortization and the
above noted sensitivity have been based on a remaining weighted
average estimated economic life of 23 years, and a
reduction of one year in the weighted average estimated economic
life would alter pro forma amortization by $18 million,
before taxes, for the year ended December 31, 2005 and by
$5 million for three months ended March 31, 2006. |
|
|
(e) |
The adjustment to selling, general and administrative expenses
reflects the expense relating to the unvested stock options to
be issued pursuant to the acquisition of Falconbridge. |
|
|
(f) |
The adjustment to cost of sales and other expenses reflects the
amortization of the allocation of the purchase price to equity
accounted investments. |
F-6
|
|
|
|
(g) |
The adjustment to interest expense reflects the issuance of
CDN$4.8 billion of debt in connection with the acquisition
of Falconbridge and the amortization of the fair market value
increment related to the Falconbridge debt. |
|
|
(h) |
The adjustment reflects the elimination of the Falconbridge
minority interest in earnings assuming that Falconbridge and
Noranda were amalgamated at January 1, 2005. |
|
|
(i) |
The adjustment reflects the tax effect on the above adjustments. |
|
|
(j) |
The adjustment reflects the reclassification of preferred share
dividends to minority interest. |
|
|
|
The pro forma consolidated financial information does not
reflect and does not give effect to (1) any special items
such as payments pursuant to change of control provisions or
integration costs which may be incurred as a result of the
acquisition, (2) operating efficiencies, cost savings and
synergies that are expected to result from the acquisition, or
(3) the impact of undertakings that Inco is prepared to
make in order to address regulatory clearance requirements, as
there are no current agreements providing for implementation of
such undertakings which, however, are expected to be carried out
after the completion of the Offer, and no adjustments have been
made to eliminate historical sales between Inco and Falconbridge
as the amounts are not considered significant. |
|
|
5. |
PRO FORMA EARNINGS PER SHARE |
Earnings
per share computation for the three months ended March 31,
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic pro forma earnings per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
$ |
587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma earnings applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
587 |
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator (thousands of shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inco shares outstanding
|
|
|
192,704 |
|
|
Common shares issued to Falconbridge shareholders
|
|
|
196,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
388,950 |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic pro forma earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
1.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted pro forma earnings per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
$ |
587 |
|
|
Dilutive effects of convertible debentures
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings applicable to common shares, assuming
dilution
|
|
$ |
589 |
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator (thousands of shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Inco shares outstanding
|
|
|
388,950 |
|
|
Dilutive effect of securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debentures
|
|
|
27,718 |
|
|
|
Stock options
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
5,022 |
|
|
Stock options issued on transaction
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
422,918 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted pro forma earnings per share
|
|
$ |
1.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-7
Earnings
per share computation for the year ended December 31,
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic pro forma earnings per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
$ |
1,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma earnings applicable to common shares
|
|
$ |
1,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator (thousands of shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inco shares outstanding
|
|
|
189,425 |
|
|
Common shares issued to Falconbridge shareholders
|
|
|
196,246 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
385,671 |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic pro forma earnings per common share
|
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted pro forma earnings per share computation
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
$ |
1,464 |
|
|
Dilutive effects of convertible debentures
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net earnings applicable to common shares, assuming
dilution
|
|
$ |
1,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator (thousands of shares):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma Inco shares outstanding
|
|
|
385,671 |
|
|
Dilutive effect of securities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible debentures
|
|
|
31,349 |
|
|
|
Stock options
|
|
|
1,008 |
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
4,218 |
|
|
Stock options issued on transaction
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma weighted-average common shares outstanding
|
|
|
422,387 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted pro forma earnings per share
|
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
|
|
|
On March 16, 2006, Falconbridge announced its intention to
redeem $500 million of its junior preference shares
(Series 1, 2 and 3). The junior preference shares were
redeemed on April 26, 2006 from holders of record on
March 22, 2006. |
|
|
On May 18, 2006, Falconbridge announced that it intends to
redeem the remaining balance of its outstanding junior
preference shares (Series 1, 2 and 3) for a total of
approximately $253 million. The junior preference shares
will be redeemed on June 28, 2006. Internal cash resources
are intended to be used to fund the redemption. |
|
|
In the pro forma consolidated balance sheet as at
March 31, 2006 there is $750 million of junior
preference shares (series 1, 2 and 3) in long-term debt. |
F-8
The Depositary for the Offer is:
CIBC MELLON TRUST COMPANY
|
|
|
By Mail
P.O. Box 1036
Adelaide Street Postal Station
Toronto, ON M5C 2K4 |
|
By Registered Mail, by Hand or by Courier
199 Bay Street
Commerce Court West
Securities Level
Toronto, ON M5L 1G9 |
Telephone: (416) 643-5500
Toll Free: 1-800-387-0825
E-Mail: inquiries@cibcmellon.com
The Dealer Manager for the Offer is:
RBC CAPITAL MARKETS
|
|
|
In Canada |
|
In the United States |
|
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
|
|
RBC Capital Markets Corporation |
|
200 Bay Street, 4th Floor
Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower
Toronto ON M5J 2W7
Canada |
|
Two Embarcadero Center
Suite 1200
San Francisco, California 94111
U.S.A. |
|
Telephone: (416) 842-7519 |
|
Toll Free: 1-888-720-1216 |
Toll Free: 1-888-720-1216
|
|
|
The Information Agent for the Offer is:
105 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10016
proxy@mackenziepartners.com
(212) 929-5500 (call collect)
or
Toll-Free: (800) 322-2885 (English)
(888)
405-1217 (French)
Any questions and requests for assistance may be directed by
holders of Falconbridge Shares to the Depositary, the Dealer
Manager or the Information Agent at their respective telephone
numbers and locations set out above. Shareholders may also
contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.
May 29, 2006
Dear Falconbridge Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Inco
Limited, we are pleased to send you our increased offer to
purchase all of the outstanding common shares of Falconbridge
Limited.
Increased Inco Offer
In recognition of Falconbridges strong financial
performance in the period since the announcement of our original
offer, we agreed with the Falconbridge Board of Directors to
increase our original offer to purchase your Falconbridge common
shares. Under the increased Inco Offer, you will be entitled to
receive either: (i) Cdn.$51.17 in cash; or (ii) 0.6927
of an Inco common share plus Cdn.$0.05 in cash for each of your
Falconbridge common shares, at your election, subject to
proration and the maximum cash and maximum share amounts, as
described in the accompanying Notice of Variation.
We believe, and the Falconbridge Board of Directors agrees, that
the reasons for combining Inco and Falconbridge are even more
compelling today than when we made our original offer. The value
of the synergies weve identified by combining our two
companies has increased significantly. And given todays
strong metals markets, and the outstanding prospects for nickel
and copper, shareholders in the New Inco have the opportunity to
participate in a company with truly outstanding earning
potential both in the near and long term. The New Inco will be a
true mining powerhouse, with a substantial resource base and
impressive growth prospects, and we believe that it will be one
of the most attractive mining companies for investors on a
global basis.
Xstratas Competing Offer
On May 18, 2006, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xstrata plc
filed a take-over bid circular relating to an unsolicited,
competing offer to purchase all of the outstanding common shares
of Falconbridge that it does not already own for Cdn$52.50 in
cash per share. You may already have received Xstratas
offer in the mail. We believe that our offer provides
significant advantages over the Xstrata offer in that it
provides for Falconbridge shareholders the opportunity
(i) to remain invested in a large portfolio of world-class
mining assets on a tax-effective basis at a time of robust metal
market performance, and (ii) to participate in the
realization of expected synergies and growth opportunities in
the New Inco.
We urge you to REJECT the Xstrata Offer and ACCEPT
the increased Inco Offer.
Creation of a World-class Metals and Mining Company
Incos combination with Falconbridge offers a unique
opportunity to create a much larger nickel and copper company
and to create real shareholder value. New Inco will be a truly
formidable player on the world mining stage. It will be the
worlds number one producer in nickel and a strong producer
of copper, with first-class operations around the world. And it
will have one of the best project pipelines in the mining
business, with the worlds best portfolio of properties and
growth projects in nickel and copper, arguably the two metals
with best prospects going forward.
Updated Synergies Estimate
Bringing together Inco and Falconbridge will accomplish what no
other combination of companies can, which is to unlock the
significant value of the synergies in our Canadian nickel and
copper operations, particularly in the Sudbury basin. We also
believe that the value of those synergies is significantly
greater than our original estimate.
We now estimate that the average annual pre-tax run-rate of the
New Inco synergies would be approximately $550 million, with a
net present value of approximately $3.5 billion on an
after-tax basis, using a 7% discount rate. Inco believes it
should be able to achieve synergies approaching the average
annual pre-tax run-rate by approximately 24 months after
the completion of the Inco-Falconbridge transaction. The
estimated synergies figure has increased as a result of seven
months of working closely with Falconbridge on how to maximize
synergies and the impact of higher commodity price assumptions.
Through this process we have identified several additional
opportunities to accelerate and increase production utilizing
New Incos resources and infrastructure, which are
described in the Notice of Variation.
Regulatory Update
Our offer for Falconbridge has experienced delays due to the
pending regulatory clearances from the U.S. Department of
Justice and European Commission in respect of antitrust concerns
that each has raised in respect of certain segments of the
nickel markets. Inco has been pursuing these clearances since
October 2005 and is working towards a final resolution of the
remaining clearances as soon as possible, with an expectation of
conclusion by not later than
mid-July 2006.
Xstratas offer is also conditional upon receipt of
anti-trust and other regulatory approvals. Since Xstrata is a
non-Canadian entity, an acquisition of Falconbridge by Xstrata
will also require pre-clearance and approval of the Minister of
Industry under the Investment Canada Act, based on the
Minister being satisfied that Xstratas acquisition of
Falconbridge would be of net benefit to Canada.
Reasons to Accept the Increased Inco Offer and Benefits of
the Combination
We believe the increased Inco Offer represents a unique and
compelling opportunity for you to realize fair value for your
Falconbridge common shares and that all Falconbridge
shareholders should accept the increased Inco Offer. Moreover,
we believe that the combination of Inco and Falconbridge will
produce significant benefits including the creation of:
|
|
|
|
|
the worlds largest nickel producer, with production
expected to increase by approximately 39% from 2005 to 2009; |
|
|
|
a leading copper producer, with production expected to increase
by approximately 86% from 2005 to 2011; |
|
|
|
a world-leading position in nickel reserves and an enviable
portfolio of brownfield and greenfield projects for further
expansion; |
|
|
|
a globally diverse company with extensive operations in North
and South America, Asia, the South Pacific and Europe; |
|
|
|
a financially robust company, with pro forma combined revenues
of approximately U.S.$4 billion for the three months ended
March 31, 2006; and |
|
|
|
a best-in-class management team and global workforce. |
We encourage you to read the terms and conditions of the
increased Inco Offer as set out in the Notice of Variation. To
help you understand the increased Inco Offer, we also encourage
you to consult with your financial advisor.
We want you to make an informed choice because we believe the
more that you know about Inco and the opportunities for the
combined company, the more you will want to take advantage of
the increased Inco Offer.
Together with the Notice of Variation, the Board of Directors of
Falconbridge has delivered to you a Notice of Change to
Directors Circular with respect to the increased Inco
Offer. Your Falconbridge Board of Directors unanimously
recommends that Falconbridge shareholders accept our increased
Offer.
To accept the increased Inco Offer, you will need to complete
the Letter of Transmittal and Election Form (printed on blue
paper) or a facsimile that accompanied our original offer, and
return it in the envelope provided with our original offer such
that it is received by the expiry time. A shareholder wishing to
accept the increased Inco Offer whose Falconbridge common shares
are held in the name of a nominee should request the broker,
investment dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee to
deposit the shareholders common shares.
We urge you to accept our increased Offer and invite you to join
us in building a strong, competitive, valuable, international
and pre-eminent metals and mining company.
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Yours very truly, |
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Scott M. Hand |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
INCO LIMITED, 145 King Street West, Suite 1500, Toronto,
Ontario M5H 4B7
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE SENT TO SHAREHOLDERS
The following are filed as exhibits to this Schedule:
1.1 |
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Certificate and Consent of Qualified Person for Robert A. Horn (Goro) (1) |
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1.2 |
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Certificate and Consent of Qualified Person for Dr. Wm. Gordon Bacon (Goro) (1) |
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1.3 |
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Certificate and Consent of Qualified Person for Dr. Wm. Gordon Bacon (Voiseys Bay) (1) |
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1.4 |
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Certificate and Consent of Qualified Person for Lawrence B. Cochrane (Voiseys Bay) (1) |
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2.1 |
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Reserved |
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2.2 |
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Material change report of the Bidder filed October 12, 2005 concerning the entering
into by the Bidder and Falconbridge Limited of the Support Agreement (1) |
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2.3 |
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Material change report of the Bidder filed August 9, 2005 concerning the appointment
of a new Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bidder effective
November 1, 2005 (1) |
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2.4 |
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Material change report of the Bidder filed April 19, 2005 concerning the approval of
the reinstatement of a quarterly cash dividend on the Bidders common shares and
declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, payable June 1, 2005 to the
Bidders shareholders of record as of May 16, 2005 (1) |
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2.5 |
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Annual report of the Bidder on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005
(Commission File No. 001-01143) filed March 16, 2006 |
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2.6 |
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Audited consolidated financial statements of the Bidder, including the notes thereon,
and together with the auditors report, as at and for each of the financial years
ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, incorporated by reference to Item 8 of Form
10-K (Commission File No. 001-01143) filed March 16, 2006 |
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2.7 |
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Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
of the Bidder for the year ended December 31, 2005, incorporated by reference to Item
7 of Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-01143) filed March 16, 2006 |
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2.8 |
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Proxy circular and statement of the Bidder dated February 17, 2006 in connection with
the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on April 20, 2006 (excluding the
sections entitled Report on Executive Compensation, Comparative Shareholder Return
and Corporate Governance), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99 to Form 10-K
(Commission File No. 001-01143) filed March 16, 2006 |
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2.9 |
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Audited consolidated financial statements of Falconbridge Limited, including notes
thereto, as at December 31, 2005 and 2004 and for each of the years then ended,
together with the auditors report thereon, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1
to Form 6-K (Commission File No. 001-11284) filed by Falconbridge Limited on March 24,
2006 |
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2.10 |
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Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
of Falconbridge Limited for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 6-K (Commission File No. 001-11284) filed by
Falconbridge Limited on March 24, 2006 |
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2.11 |
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Unaudited consolidated financial statements of Falconbridge Limited, including notes
thereto, as at March 31, 2006 and for the three -month periods ended March 31, 2006
and 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Form 6-K (Commission File No.
001-11284) filed by Falconbridge Limited on May 3, 2006 |
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2.12 |
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Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
of Falconbridge Limited for the three -month period ended March 31, 2006, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Form 6-K (Commission File No. 001-11284) filed by
Falconbridge Limited on May 3, 2006 |
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2.13 |
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Unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Bidder, including the notes
thereto, as at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, incorporated by reference to Item 1 of Form 10-Q
(Commission File No. 001-01143) filed May 10, 2006 |
2.14 |
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Managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations
of the Bidder for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006, incorporated by
reference to Item 2 of Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-01143) filed May 10, 2006 |
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(1) |
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Previously filed with the Bidders Schedule 14D-1F (File No. 005-62437) filed October 25,
2005. |
PART III
UNDERTAKINGS AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
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(f) |
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The Bidder undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives
to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when
requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to this Schedule or to
transactions in said securities. |
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(g) |
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The Bidder undertakes to disclose in the United States, on the same basis as it is
required to make such disclosure pursuant to applicable Canadian federal and/or provincial
or territorial laws, regulations or policies, or otherwise discloses, information
regarding purchases of the issuers securities in connection with the cash tender or
exchange offer covered by this Schedule. Such information shall be set forth in amendments
to this Schedule. |
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(h) |
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The Bidder undertakes to disclose in the United States, on the same basis as it is
required to make such disclosure pursuant to any applicable Canadian federal and/or
provincial or territorial law, regulation or policy, or otherwise discloses, information
regarding purchases of the issuers or Bidders securities in connection with the offer. |
2. |
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Consent to Service of Process |
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(a) |
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On October 25, 2005 the Bidder filed with the Commission a written irrevocable
consent and power of attorney on Form F-X. |
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(b) |
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Any change to the name or address of a registrants agent for service shall be
communicated promptly to the Commission by amendment to Form F-X referencing the file
number of the registrant. |
PART IV
SIGNATURES
By signing this Schedule, the Bidder consents without power of revocation that any
administrative subpoena may be served, or any administrative proceeding, civil suit or civil action
where the cause of action arises out of or relates to or concerns any offering made or purported to
be made in connection with the filing on this Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 14D-1F or any purchases
or sales of any security in connection therewith, may be commenced against it in any administrative
tribunal or in any appropriate court in any place subject to the jurisdiction of any state or of
the United States by service of said subpoena or process upon its designated agent.
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INCO LIMITED
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By: |
/s/
Simon A. Fish |
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Simon A. Fish, Esq. |
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Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary |
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After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information
set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
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/s/
Simon A. Fish |
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Simon A. Fish, Esq. |
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Executive Vice-President, General
Counsel and Secretary
May 31, 2006 |
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