Filed by Northgate
Minerals Corporation
This communication is filed pursuant to Rule 425 under The Securities Act of
1933, as amended.
Subject Company: Aurizon Mines
Ltd.
Commission File Number: 000-22672
Date: June 30, 2006
| News |
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| Release | |
| NORTHGATE MINERALS CORPORATION | |
| Stock Symbols: TSX: NGX, AMEX: NXG | |
| Website: www.northgateminerals.com | |
SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA PREVENTS NORTHGATE'S OFFER
VANCOUVER, JUNE 30, 2006 - Northgate Minerals Corporation ("Northgate" TSX: NGX, AMEX: NXG) announced today that the Honorable Madam Justice Allan of the Supreme Court of British Columbia granted a permanent injunction preventing Northgate from pursuing its offer for all of the outstanding shares of Aurizon Minerals Ltd. ("Aurizon") until October 19, 2006.
Northgate will file an appeal of this decision, seek to expedite the hearing and obtain a stay of the injunction pending the outcome of the appeal.
Northgate is disappointed by this ruling which means Aurizon shareholders are unable to respond to the offer pending the outcome of the appeal.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information included herein, including any information as to Northgate's future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements". The words "expect", "will", "intend", "estimate" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements including but not limited to the price of gold, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, reserve determination, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, Northgate's hedging practices, permitting time lines, and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Northgate cautions the readers that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of Northgate to be materially different from Northgate's estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
For further information, please contact:
| Mr. Ken G. Stowe | Mr. Ewan Mason |
| President and Chief Executive Officer | Managing Director and Head of Global Mining |
| 416-216-2772 | Investment Banking - TD Securities Inc. |
| 416-308-3099 |
Important Notice
Northgate has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form F-8, which includes Northgate's offer and take-over bid circular. Investors and security holders are urged to read the offer and take-over bid circular, regarding the proposed business combination transaction referred to in the foregoing information, because they will contain important information. Investors may obtain a free copy of the offer and take-over bid circular and other documents filed by Northgate with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. These documents may also be obtained for free on Northgate's website or by directing a request to Northgate's media or investor relations department.