Amedisys' expected merger with UnitedHealth Group's Optum brings optimism to investors. Yet, a dull macroeconomic condition adds to the worry.

12/30/2024

Midnight Sun Mining Corp (TSX-V:MMA, OTCQB:MDNGF) director of marketing and communications Adrian O'Brien talked with Proactive about securing approval from Zambia's Mines Ministry for the renewal of the Kazhiba target license. He emphasized that the license is a cornerstone of the cooperative exploration plan with First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM). Proactive: Exciting news about the company’s license renewal for your Kazhiba target. This is really the end of a long journey. Can you bring everyone up to date on where things stand? Adrian O'Brien: Certainly. We've just received approval from the Mines Ministry of Zambia for the renewal of the license covering our Kazhiba target. This is a crucial part of our cooperative exploration plan with First Quantum Minerals. We've been waiting for this approval for some time due to a clerical error last summer, which showed the license as rejected. Thankfully, the Zambian ministry was great, and the situation has been resolved. This renewal sets us up perfectly for moving forward. Now that you have the license in hand, what are the next steps for the company over the next three to six months? This approval is pivotal for our cooperative exploration with First Quantum. We have two primary targets—Kazhiba to the northwest and Mitu to the southwest of our property. Both have significant oxide copper concentrations at surface, identified through drilling. The plan is to continue exploration work to prove up resources. We’ve already started, and this renewal allows us to push forward, complete programs, and deliver results. We expect to announce assay results soon, so exciting times are ahead. You also mentioned near-term production opportunities and potential cash flow. Could you elaborate? Certainly. Kansanshi, First Quantum's flagship mine, is located about six kilometers from our property. It's the largest copper mining complex in Africa and has been operational for 20 years. However, its oxide copper supply has been depleted. Our property is now the only source of high-concentration oxides in the area. We aim to address their supply issues and support their operations for the next 5 to 10 years. Finally, there’s news about your agreement with Kobold Mining. Can you update us on that? Yes. We’ve amended the earning agreement to remove the long stop date. This gives us more flexibility to obtain the required environmental permits without repeatedly extending deadlines. We’re looking to start drilling aggressively after the rainy season, around March or April. Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH, ETR:UNH) and Amedisys (NASDAQ:AMED) have agreed to extend the deadline for their $3.3 billion merger, facing ongoing scrutiny from the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The companies announced in a regulatory filing that the merger deadline will now be extended to 10 days after a final court decision is issued or December 31, 2025, whichever comes first. This development follows a lawsuit filed over a month ago by the DOJ and attorneys general from Maryland, New Jersey, and New York to block the merger. Regulators argue that the deal would reduce competition in the home health services market, potentially harming patients, insurers, and nurses. The original deadline for the merger was set for today. Under a new waiver agreement, the companies have adjusted financial terms, including a regulatory break fee of $275 million, which could rise to $325 million if specific asset divestitures are not completed by May 1. Other modifications to the agreement include changes to operational restrictions and conditions tied to government approvals. UnitedHealth first announced plans to acquire Amedisys in June 2023, seeking to integrate the home health and hospice care provider into its operations. Despite the regulatory challenges, the companies remain committed to completing the deal, which they believe will deliver significant synergies and growth opportunities. Shares of Amedisys added 4.7% at $90 on the update, while UnitedHealth stock was down 0.5% at about $508.

12/28/2024