Northern Silica Corporation

Northern Silica Corporation, a Calgary, Alberta-based company operating an integrated silica mining and transport business, along with several related companies (collectively, the "NSC Companies"), obtained protection under the CCAA on June 30 on application by QMetco Limited and Taurus Resources No. 2. B.V. As of March, the companies have approximately $89.8 million in liabilities and $66.0 million in assets. The NSC Companies' silica mining takes place at mining facilities near BC ("Moberly Plant"), which can produce frac sand, and transport takes place at a facility in Alberta ("Penhold Facility"). Since early 2019, frac sand prices and demand have decreased. In addition to these market-wide issues, because the operations at the Moberly Plant have been uneconomic at this time, operations were shut down in late February. During the CCAA proceedings, the companies will be implementing a court-supervised sale and investment solicitation process. Vitreo Minerals Ltd. will be providing up to $3.0 million in DIP financing. Alvarez & Marsal was appointed monitor. Counsel is McMillan for the company, Cassels for the applicants, and Torys for the monitor.