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Newmont Commits to Industry-Leading Climate Targets

Commits to 30% GHG emissions reductions by 2030 and goal of net zero emissions by 2050

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today, Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT) the world’s leading gold mining company, announced industry-leading climate targets of 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, with an ultimate goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The new 2030 target builds upon Newmont’s existing GHG emissions reductions target of 16.5 percent over five years, concluding in 2020.

“At Newmont, we hold ourselves to high standards — from the way in which we govern our business, to how we manage relationships with our stakeholders, to our environmental stewardship and safety practices,” said Tom Palmer, President and CEO of Newmont Corporation. “We fundamentally understand the human contribution to climate change and understand we reap what we sow. It is our responsibility to take care of the resources provided to us. We take these climate change commitments seriously, and make them because our relationship with the planet is absolute. We want a world that is not just sustainable, but thriving for generations to come.”

Using science-based criteria, Newmont has set climate targets for 2021-2030 for its operating sites, including a renewable energy target. The science-based criteria align with Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) criteria and assists Newmont in developing specific emissions reduction pathways and meeting the Paris Agreement objective of being well below 2° Celsius global temperature change.

To achieve these aims, the Company will implement a new energy and climate investment standard, to be combined with its existing investment standards including shadow carbon pricing, in order to further inform its capital investment process. This new investment standard will ensure that the 2030 reduction targets are embedded into investment decisions for projects such as fleet vehicles, production equipment, onsite renewable power generation and energy efficiency. Additionally, the Company will engage its partners and joint ventures in an effort to align joint venture operations targets and supply chain related emissions with Newmont’s targets.

Mining is an energy intensive business, with 88 percent of Newmont’s energy used for mining and milling generated from carbon-based fuels. As the Company looks to reduce emissions and move to a low carbon economy, it will use a strategic approach to portfolio development, energy sourcing, fleet and equipment investment, as well as land use planning to achieve its targets.

A key part of Newmont’s accountability in reaching these targets will be reporting via The Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidelines. In 2021 the Company will issue its first annual TCFD report. The TCFD report will detail Newmont’s governance, strategy and portfolio resilience to a range of climate scenarios. The TCFD report will also track the Company’s annual progress toward implementing its 2030 strategy, meeting its 2030 targets and executing emissions reduction projects across its global portfolio.

At Newmont, our purpose is to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining. To learn more about Newmont’s sustainability strategy and initiatives, go to Beyond the Mine at www.newmont.com.

About Newmont

Newmont is the world’s leading gold company and a producer of copper, silver, zinc and lead. The Company’s world-class portfolio of assets, prospects and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in North America, South America, Australia and Africa. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social and governance practices. The Company is an industry leader in value creation, supported by robust safety standards, superior execution and technical expertise. Newmont was founded in 1921 and has been publicly traded since 1925.

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Media Contact

Courtney Boone

303.837.5159

[email protected]

Investor Contact

Eric Colby

303.837.5724

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Canada Colorado

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Natural Resources Environment Mining/Minerals

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Wolters Kluwer Applies AI Technology to Improve Hospital Opioid Use and Patient Safety

Sentri7 delivers patient-specific, real-time Morphine Milligram Equivalent calculation to support opioid stewardship and proactive pain management at hospitals

WALTHAM, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wolters Kluwer, Health has announced its Sentri7 clinical program for hospital opioid stewardship is now powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize inpatient opioid use and increase patient safety. Pharmacists can decrease the risk of opioid-related adverse events, identify opportunities for use of multi-modal (non-opioid) therapies and support earlier discontinuation of opioids.

Part of the Sentri7 AI+ solution, Opioid Stewardship leverages machine learning to continuously analyze complex data sets and automatically calculate a patient-specific, real-time morphine milligram equivalent (MME) for opioid administrations. Sentri7’s evidence-based rules utilize MME and patient-specific data to empower pharmacists’ 24/7 monitoring of opioid use.

“Hospitals are under increasing pressure to address proper use of opioids and we’re helping to empower clinical and quality leaders with the data they need to directly identify high-priority areas for improvement,” said Steven Riddle, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP, Director of Clinical Development. “Wolters Kluwer is applying AI and deep domain expertise to solve critical opioid stewardship challenges for health systems.”

Data shows that the longer a patient takes an opioid and the higher the dose, the likelihood increases that they will continue to use (or abuse) that drug going forward. Hospitals are often where people have their first exposure to opioid agents and therefore are ideal targets for reductions in unnecessary exposure or prolonged use.

In addition to integration of MME values into Sentri7 clinical decision support rules, the Opioid Stewardship Analytics dashboard also incorporates key metrics for managing appropriate opioid use and patient safety issues. These reports provide clinicians, quality specialists, risk managers, and others with in-depth insights, including average MME per patient per day, use per opioid standardized by MME, and trends by prescriber, department and hospital.

The Sentri7 Opioid Stewardship initiative improves overall organizational compliance with the Joint Commission’s Pain Assessment and Management Standards by identifying and monitoring patients at high risk for adverse events, improving use of non-opioid treatments, supporting pain management policies and protocols, and, most notably, creating a performance improvement model focused on opioid use.

Learn more about Wolters Kluwer’s solutions to improve hospitals’ opioid stewardship programs.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2019 annual revenues of €4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth.

For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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André Rebelo

Public Relations Manager

Wolters Kluwer

+1 781.392.2411

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Hospitals Clinical Trials General Health Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

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Nortech Systems Announces Third-Quarter 2020 Results

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nortech Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: NSYS) (the “Company”), a leading provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical and electromechanical products serving the medical, aerospace & defense and industrial markets, reported net sales of $26.3 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020, compared with $30.1 million for the third quarter of 2019.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2020 was $2.7 million which includes a gain on sale of property and equipment of $3.8 million; this compares with operating income of $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2019. Net income for the third quarter of 2020 was $2.0 million, or $0.73 per diluted common share. This compares with net income for the third quarter of 2019 of $0.4 million, or $0.16 per diluted common share. Nortech’s backlog at the end of the third quarter 2020 was $45.8 million.

The Company closed on sale and leaseback agreements with Essjay Investment Company, LLC (“Essjay”) relating to the Company’s manufacturing facilities in Bemidji and Mankato, Minnesota during the third quarter of 2020. The Company received net proceeds from the sale, excluding closing costs, of approximately $6.0 million and recorded a gain on sale of property of equipment of $3.8 million. The Company entered into a lease agreement for the Bemidji, Minnesota facility and the Mankato, Minnesota facility for an initial 15-year term, with multiple 5-year renewal options.

The Nortech Merrifield production facility consolidation is on track and expected to be complete on or before December 31, 2020. By the end of 2020, the Company will shift nearly all of its Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing to its Mankato, Minnesota production facility, Nortech’s PCB center of excellence, and much of its complex wire and cable assembly production to its Bemidji, Minnesota production facility, Nortech’s wire and cable assembly center of excellence. This consolidation is impacting approximately 60 employees, who have been offered positions at other Nortech facilities in Minnesota and given outplacement assistance.

“Although our third quarter revenue, gross profit and backlog have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased with our recent improving bookings trend, and the strides we have proactively made to improve our financial liquidity with our sale and leaseback closing, the PPP loan and the plant consolidation continuing as planned. We expect this will allow us to operate through the current COVID-19 pandemic, invest in the business, create positive momentum for 2021, and succeed long term,” stated Jay D. Miller, Chief Executive Officer and President.

Nortech, in partnership with our medical, industrial and defense customers, uses intelligence, innovation, speed and global expertise to provide manufacturing and engineering solutions. This enables our customers to be leaders in digital connectivity and data management to achieve their business goals. Nortech strives to be a premier workplace that fosters valued relationships internally and in our communities.

About Nortech Systems Incorporated Nortech Systems is a leading provider of design and manufacturing solutions for complex electromedical devices, electromechanical systems, assemblies, and components. Nortech Systems primarily serves the medical, aerospace & defense, and industrial markets. Its design services span concept development to commercial design, and include medical device, software, electrical, mechanical, and biomedical engineering. Its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities are vertically integrated around wire/cable/interconnect assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies, as well as system-level assembly, integration, and final test. Headquartered in Maple Grove, Minn., Nortech currently has seven manufacturing locations and design centers across the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. Nortech Systems is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol NSYS. Nortech’s website is www.nortechsys.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While this release is based on management’s best judgment and current expectations, actual results may differ and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Specifically, the Company states that the consolidation of the Merrifield facility will be completed by year end yielding operational efficiencies and that its booking trend is improving. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: government regulation, volatility in market conditions which may affect market supply of and demand for the company’s products; increased competition; changes in the reliability and efficiency of operating facilities or those of third parties; risks related to availability of labor; commodity and energy cost instability; general economic, financial and business conditions that could affect the company’s financial condition and results of operations; as well as risk factors listed from time to time in the company’s filings with the SEC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201112005683/en/

Chris Jones, CFO

[email protected]

952-345-2244

KEYWORDS: Minnesota United States North America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Hardware Health Medical Devices Data Management Engineering Technology Aerospace Manufacturing

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SOL Global Investments Core Portfolio Company Verano Holdings Announces Acquisition and Combination

Verano Holdings Announces Business Combination with AltMed

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
SOL Global Investments Corp. (“SOL Global” or the “Company“) (CSE: SOL) (OTCPK: SOLCF) (Frankfurt: 9SB) is pleased to announce that Verano Holdings, LLC (“Verano”), the Company’s largest core investment holding, announced today the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire and combine operations with Alternative Medical Enterprises, LLC, Plants of Ruskin, LLC, and affiliated companies (collectively, “AltMed”), vertically-integrated medical cannabis companies that apply pharmaceutical industry standards to developing, cultivating, producing, and dispensing medical cannabis and medical cannabis products in Florida and Arizona. The transaction is expected to result in a highly-accretive combination of Verano and AltMed with the resulting company operating under the Verano name.

The transaction will have a significant positive impact on the Company’s recently announced net asset value and the Company will update the market regularly as information is available.

The Company owns approximately 12.6% of Verano as of the date of signing of the merger agreement.

Verano is a leading multi-state owner, developer, operator, and manager of cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing licenses offering innovative products to the discerning, high-end customer market. Verano produces a full suite of premium, artisanal cannabis products sold under its consumer brands, including Encore™ Edibles, Avexia™ and Verano™. Verano’s unique Zen Leaf™ branded dispensary environments deliver an elevated cannabis shopping experience in both medical and adult-use markets. Active in 12 U.S. states, with 17 active retail locations and approximately 440,000 square feet of cultivation facilities, Verano has been profitable each year since its founding.

AltMed, founded in 2014 and profitable in recent years, is a fully-integrated medical cannabis company known for its robust research and development pipeline exemplified by its award-winning MÜV™ products and dispensaries. AltMed offers a full range of premium cannabis options developed in its vertically-integrated operations in Arizona and Florida. With 27 active retail locations, AltMed has 220,000 square feet of cultivation facilities in Florida, and 30,000 square feet in Arizona, which is rapidly expanding by an additional 50,000 square feet to meet increased demand.

This transformative transaction is expected to create a market leader in the United States by combining two profitable, fully-integrated platforms with the ability to scale by entering new markets and expanding deeper into existing key markets. The combination will accelerate Verano’s expansion into Florida and Arizona, currently among the largest and fastest-growing cannabis markets in the United States. Following the consummation of the transaction, the combined group of companies will operate under the Verano name and will have the ability to operate in 14 states, with eight cultivation facilities and 44 active retail locations. Approximately 32 additional retail locations are planned.

The combination is expected to result in substantial benefits to AltMed and Verano, including the following reasons for the transaction:

• Establishes Verano as one of the three largest MSOs in the United States based on 2021 internal projections compared to current FactSet 2021 consensus estimates for revenue and EBITDA.
• Creates a scale market leader well positioned for growth and accelerates expansion in limited license, high-growth markets – specifically Florida and Arizona.
• Includes a premium, comprehensive product offering encompassing both medically-focused and lifestyle. Four product brands: Verano™, Avexia™, Encore™, and MÜV™; and two retail brands: Zen Leaf™ and MÜV™.
• Joins companies with aligned cultures, industry-leading management teams, and best-in-class core competencies of people, processes, research and products.
• Increases Verano’s reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality products on a large scale by adding similar capabilities in new states.
• Enhances both companies’ abilities to provide a superior, patient and customer-focused cannabis experience.
• Combines experienced management teams with significant and diverse industry expertise including pharmaceutical, real estate, manufacturing, agriculture and hospitality, with a proven track record as disciplined cannabis industry operators and good stewards of capital.
• Increases the combined company’s financial profile with industry-leading margins and profitability.

“We are very excited to see Verano Holdings enter into a highly-accretive business combination,” said SOL Global CFO Paul Kania. “The transaction will allow for two profitable entities to continue their successes together as a leading multi-state operator in high-growth US markets. As our largest core holding, the announced transaction is a positive development for SOL Global shareholders.”

For further information on the transaction, please refer to the press release of Verano Holdings dated November 11, 2020.¹ There can be no assurances that the proposed transaction between Verano and AltMed will be completed as proposed or at all.

About SOL Global Investments Corp.:

SOL Global is a diversified investment and private equity holding company engaged in the small and mid-cap sectors. Our investment partnerships range from minority positions to large strategic holdings with active advisory mandates. SOL Global’s seven primary business segments include Retail, Agriculture, QSR & Hospitality, Media Technology & Gaming, Energy, and New Age Wellness.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This press release includes reference to net asset value, which is a financial measure that does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Net asset value is calculated as the value of total assets less the value of total liabilities at a specific date. The Company believes this non-IFRS financial measure not only provides management with comparable financial data for internal financial analysis but also provides meaningful supplemental information to investors. In particular, management believes this financial measure can provide information useful to its shareholders in understanding the performance of the Company and may assist in the evaluation of its business relative to that of its peers. Investors are cautioned that this non-IFRS measure should not be construed as an alternative to the measurements calculated in accordance with IFRS as, given its non-standardized meaning, it may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “likely”, “should”, “would”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “proposed”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” happen, or by discussions of strategy.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, without limitation, the completion of the merger transaction between Verano and AltMed, the transaction resulting in a highly accretive business combination, the anticipation that the transaction will create a market leading multi-state cannabis operator in the United States, the strategic business and expansion plans of the resulting entity and the anticipated effect of the transaction on the Company’s net asset value. Forward-looking information is based upon certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection, including management’s perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to management, there is no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

By their nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this press release including the failure by Verano or Altmed to obtain all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, national or regional economic, legal, regulatory and competitive conditions, plans for commercialization, changes in relationships with vendors, access to capital and expectations regarding market acceptance. Other risk factors include: the risks resulting from investing in the US marijuana industry, which may be legal under certain state and local laws but is currently illegal under U.S. federal law; the risks of investing in securities of private companies which may limit the Company’s ability to sell or otherwise liquidate those securities and realize value; reliance on management; the ability of the Company to service its debt; the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing from time to time to pursue its business objectives; competition; litigation; inconsistent public opinion and perception regarding the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry; and regulatory or political change. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company’s current MD&A, which has been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release and is based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on the date such forward-looking information is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

¹https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/11/11/2124578/0/en/Verano-Holdings-Announces-Agreement-to-Acquire-and-Combine-Operations-with-AltMed-in-Florida-and-Arizona-Creating-One-of-the-Largest-U-S-Private-Cannabis-Companies.html

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201112005681/en/

SOL Global Investments Corp.

Paul Kania, CFO

Phone: (212) 729-9208

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS: North America Canada

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Health Pharmaceutical

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