Marijuana plants are seen in a room at a grow facility in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 9, 2015.Matthew Staver/Bloomberg
Our roundup of Canadian small-caps of between $100-million and $2.5-billion in market capitalization making news and on the move today.
Northern Blizzard Resources Inc. (NBZ-T) said it received an "unsolicited non-binding proposal from a third party" interested in a business combination.
The company said the proposal was higher than the $4 per share it offered in a substantial issuer bid that started on Dec. 9.
The company said a special committee was formed to review the third-party proposal.
"No agreement was reached and the proposal has expired," it said in a release. "Northern Blizzard has no indication as to the third party's current intentions, including whether [it] intends to submit an additional proposal."
Northern Blizzard said it plans to go ahead with the take-up and payment of its shares deposited under the terms of the substantial issuer bid by its expiry on Feb. 3.
It said R/C Canada Coöperatief U.A., a major shareholder with a 29-per-cent stake, "has indicated that it intends to tender its common shares to the offer."
**
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA-T) says it has an agreement to modernize the land administration infrastructure for an undisclosed international customer.
"Under this agreement, the company has been awarded $4.2-million (Canadian) for the initial design phase of a long-term modernization service," the company said.
**
Canopy Growth Corp. (CGC-T) says its ticker symbol will change to "WEED" on the TSX starting today.
"The ticker symbol change comes at a transformative time for Canopy Growth," the company said.
The company also said its acquisition of Mettrum Health Corp. closed on Tuesday.
**
Aurora Cannabis Inc. (ACB-X) says it will invest up to $2-million into Radient Technologies a through a convertible debenture with a two-year term and 10-per-cent annual interest rate.
It will be convertible into units of Radient at a conversion price of 14 cents per unit.
"Aurora and Radient will provide a further update at such time as Aurora has made its final determination in regards its investment in the debenture," the company said.
Aurora has a memorandum of understanding with Radient to look into an exclusive partnership for the Canadian market to jointly develop and commercialize "superior and standardized cannabinoid extracts."
**
Sherritt International Corp. (S-T) said nickel production is forecast to increase in 2017, "especially in the Ambatovy Joint Venture where full-year production rates are expected to be in line with fourth quarter 2016 performance."
The company said 2017 is the first year it will provide an outlook for unit operating costs. It said net direct cash costs are expected to be similar to 2016 levels at the Moa Joint Venture and lower at Ambatovy as production rates increase.
Total capital spending is expected to be higher in 2017 compared to 2016, "with most of the increase supporting the oil and gas growth plan."
**
Red Eagle Mining Corp. (R-T) is raising $10-million in a bought-deal financing.
It has an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters, led by BMO Capital Markets, which have agreed to buy 13.4 million shares at 75 cents each.
The net proceeds will be used to advance exploration of the Santa Rosa Gold Project and for working capital purposes, the company said.
Red Eagle increased the size of its offer on Wednesday, to 20 million shares to raise $15-million, citing strong demand.
**
Essential Energy Services Ltd. (ESN-T) announced a 2017 capital budget of $11-million, which includes $4-million in growth capital and $7-million in maintenance capital.
Essential said its 2016 capital spending is expected to be $12-million, as previously announced.
**
Uni-Select Inc. (UNS-T) has acquired most of the assets of A. D'Angelo & Sons, Inc., which "significantly expands" its FinishMaster subsidiary's footprint in California and in two major metropolitan markets in Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.
"This acquisition, FinishMaster's largest to date, strengthens our footprint on the West Coast, a key growth area for FinishMaster," stated Uni-Select CEO Henry Buckley.
**
Carmanah Technologies Corp. (CMH-T) says its Sabik Oy subsidiary has been selected by the Norwegian Coastal Administration to provide remote monitored LED lanterns for their coastal waters under agreement for the next three-to-four years.
The contract is valued at about $2.1-million (U.S.) and is the largest single contract that Sabik Marine has signed for monitored lanterns," the company said.
This contract is effective immediately.
**
CRH Medical Corp (CRH-T) has acquired a 51-per-cent interest in a gastroenterology anesthesia practice in Decatur, Georgia for $3.2-million (U.S.)
"This transaction continues to demonstrate our ability to leverage our existing relationships," said CEO Edward Wright. "Decatur has been a CRH O'Regan customer for almost four years."
**
Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (WPRT-T; WPRT-Q) said chairman Warren Baker has decided to step down.
Brenda Eprile, a director since October, 2013, is the new Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Baker will stay on the board. The changes are effective today.
**
Concordia International Corp. (CXRX-Q; CXR-T) says it has paid the second and final installment of its earn-out to Cinven related to its October, 2015, acquisition of Amdipharm Mercury Ltd.
Today's payment of £72 million ($119-million Canadian), plus interest of approximately £1.5 million ($2.5-million Canadian), was paid with cash on hand, the company said.
**
International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (ITH-T; THM-N) says it has started a management transition plan with the appointment of Karl Hanneman as CEO.
He will keep his role as the chief operating officer.
Tom Irwin, the current CEO, will transition into a part-time position of senior adviser prior to his standing for election to the board at the May annual general meeting.
**
Denison Mines Corp. (DML-T; DNN-N) says it has a financing arrangement with Anglo Pacific Group PLC (APY-T) to raise $43.5-million.
According to Anglo the financing is structured as an initial $40.8-million, 13-year loan with an interest rate of 10 per cent per year payable to Anglo Pacific; and the acquisition of a right to receive Denison's portion of the toll milling proceeds from the McClean Lake Mill after the first 215 million pounds of throughput, for an upfront payment of $2.7-million.
"This financing represents a truly creative partnership between Denison and APG -- whereby Denison is able to use its existing asset base to provide the company with the financial flexibility needed to advance our flagship Wheeler River project towards a development decision," Denison's CEO David Cates said in a release.
Anglo Pacific CEO Julian Treger said the transaction "ticks all the boxes" for the company "and moves forward our growth and diversification in a material way. The transaction should be accretive to our 2017 income, building on the more than doubling of income in 2016."
**
Dominion Diamond Corp. (DDC-T; DDC-N) says its participating interest in the Buffer Zone Joint Venture at the Ekati Diamond Mine has increased to 72 per cent from 65.3 per cent, in accordance with the joint venture agreement
"The increase in ownership results from the decision of the minority partner not to participate in the full fiscal year 2017 capital program for the Buffer Zone Joint Venture," the company said.
The Ekati mine has two joint ventures, the Core Zone Joint Venture and the Buffer Zone Joint Venture, in which Dominion has an interest of 88.9 per cent and 72 per cent, respectively.
**
Alterra Power Corp. (AXY-T) says a British Columbia action filed by Norðurál Helguvik ehf against it has been dismissed.
The action was regarding the 2007 power sales contract between Alterra's Icelandic subsidiary, HS Orka hf and Norðurál.
"The action was dismissed on Jan. 27 by agreement of the parties," the company said.
"The dismissal of this action, combined with the favourable arbitration results we received in late 2016, closes the final chapter in this longstanding dispute between the parties and significantly expands our growth capabilities in Iceland," stated CEO John Carson.
**