First Quantum Minerals said on Friday its C$5.1 billion ($4.97 billion) hostile takeover bid for rival Canadian base metal miner Inmet Mining Corp has won approval under the Investment Canada Act. The act, which requires a buyer to prove to the government that its takeover of a Canadian company will be of net benefit to Canada, typically only applies to large foreign acquisitions of companies or assets. Vancouver, British Columbia-based First Quantum had to win approval under the law, however, as the majority of its directors are based overseas.The cash-and-stock bid is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, March 11. The bid was worth about C$5.1 billion, or C$72 a share, when it was announced in mid-December, topping First Quantum's two previous offers for Inmet.On Friday, Inmet once again called on shareholders to reject the First Quantum offer, saying it was inadequate."While the long-term fundamental value of Inmet has not changed, the value of the First Quantum offer has declined to C$67.70 (a share) as of yesterday's closing price," said Inmet in an open letter to investors.
Inmet Mining Corporation is a global mining company that produces base metals with a focus on copper. Shares of IMN traded higher by 1.76% or $1.19/share to $68.90. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $37.01 and as high as $75.40. On average, 347295 shares of IMN.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 261407.
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