Bear Creek Mining Corp. Secures Final Court Approval for Highlander Silver Merger

Bear Creek Mining Corp. (TSXV: BCM; OTCQX: BCEKF; BVL: BCM) has officially obtained the Supreme Court of British Columbia’s final order approving its arrangement with Highlander Silver Corp. under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The approval marks the culmination of a series of shareholder votes and regulatory steps that began with the filing of the plan of arrangement on February 23, 2026.

Key Milestones

  • Court‑issued final order – The Supreme Court granted the plan of arrangement, confirming that Highlander Silver will acquire all issued and outstanding Bear Creek shares, pending the completion of the transaction in accordance with the arrangement.
  • Shareholder consensus – At the special meeting held on February 23, Bear Creek shareholders approved the merger with a minimum of 66 % of the votes cast and an equivalent percentage of all voting securities, satisfying the statutory threshold for a binding agreement.
  • Strategic rationale – Highlander Silver, a company with a strong balance sheet and a focused portfolio of silver projects, will take ownership of Bear Creek’s Corani silver project in Puno, Peru. The acquisition is expected to enhance Highlander’s production pipeline and provide a scalable platform for future growth.

Market Reaction

Following the announcement, Bear Creek’s shares experienced a modest decline. On Tuesday, February 25, the stock traded down 3.4 %, sliding to $0.8155 from a prior close of $0.8445. Trading volume fell by 57 % to 262,469 shares, reflecting a temporary pause as investors digest the implications of the merger. The company’s 50‑day simple moving average sits at $0.55, and the 200‑day average at $0.38, indicating a long‑term downward bias that the market is currently reassessing.

Forward‑Looking Assessment

The merger presents a clear pathway for Highlander Silver to integrate Bear Creek’s high‑grade silver asset at a potentially attractive valuation. For Bear Creek, the transaction resolves operational delays and financing constraints that have historically plagued the company’s exploration programme. While the deal may dilute existing equity, the strategic alignment with a more capital‑efficient partner positions the combined entity for accelerated production and enhanced shareholder value.

Conclusion

With the Supreme Court’s final approval and shareholder endorsement now in place, Bear Creek Mining Corp. stands at a pivotal juncture. The acquisition by Highlander Silver is expected to unlock value for both parties and signal a new chapter in the development of the Corani silver project. Investors should monitor the forthcoming integration timeline and any post‑merger disclosures that will clarify the impact on capital structure and operating performance.