WIT Acquires Majority Interest in NorAmera BioEnergy Corporation
Sunday, 13 July 2008 18:00
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, July 14, 2008 - Golden Opportunities Fund Inc. (the "Fund") and Weyburn Inland Terminal Ltd. ("WIT") are pleased to jointly announce that WIT has acquired 4,000,000 Class A common shares of NorAmera BioEnergy Corporation ("NorAmera") for a purchase price of $1.00 per Share, for the aggregate consideration of $3,000,000 cash and the issuance of 20,000 common shares of WIT. Following the completion of the acquisition, WIT holds 55.5% of the outstanding Shares. The Fund will hold 42.25% of the outstanding Shares of NorAmera and the remaining 2.25% of the Shares will be held by management as part of the restructured partnership. NorAmera also granted to WIT a debenture in the principal amount of $2,750,000. This debenture is on the same terms and amounts as the outstanding debenture held by Golden Opportunities Fund.
In tandem with the acquisition of the majority interest in NorAmera, WIT acquired a 75% interest in 101125094 Saskatchewan Ltd. for $1,338,750 and the Fund acquired the remaining 25%. 101125094 used the cash proceeds for the acquisition of certain warehouse facilities and equipment from NorAmera Ventures Inc. for the aggregate purchase price of $4,560,000. The remainder of the purchase price was financed through a debenture in the principal amount of $2,500,000 granted by 101125094 to WIT. Some of the acquired warehouse facilities and equipment are leased to NorAmera.
NorAmera is a Saskatchewan based company operating in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, that produces grain based ethanol under the small producers mandate.
WIT CEO Rob Davies noted “WIT sees this acquisition as a solid diversification opportunity for our company. We look forward to the strategic partnership with NorAmera and Golden Opportunities Fund and the opportunities we see for further growth in this business going forward.”
Doug Banzet, CFO and Director of Golden Opportunities indicates “NorAmera is one of the first producers under the ethanol mandate in Saskatchewan. The investment by WIT into NorAmera is a strong vote of confidence of the opportunity that we have believed in from the outset.”
WIT is a shareholder-owned, farmer-directed grain company located on CP Rail’s Soo Line near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Since its start in 1976, "The Terminal" has been at the forefront of change in the industry, leading the way to help improve the overall efficiency of Canada's grain-handling system. The philosophy and goals of the company are summed up in its mission statement: Profitability Through Service, Innovation and Integrity.
Golden Opportunities Fund Inc. is Saskatchewan’s first and largest Provincial Labour-sponsored Investment Fund, having raised over $130 million in share capital to date from approximately 17,000 shareholders. The Fund has completed over 100 investment transactions in 75 different Saskatchewan growth companies across 11 different industry sectors for diversification, impacting the future of Saskatchewan.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Golden Opportunities Fund Inc. Weyburn Inland Terminal Ltd.
Doug Banzet, Chief Financial Officer and Director Rob Davies, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (306) 652-5557 Tel: (306) 842-7436
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.
-Claude Carles, President - WIT |




