Newcastle Gold Ltd.

Even if it was true, I think it would not be a big deal. I read just today that in Canada:

"It is common for purchasers to enter into lock-up agreements with significant securityholders or target management and directors whereby such securityholders agree to tender to the purchaser’s take-over bid or vote in favour of a plan of arrangement. In our third annual Blakes Canadian Public M&A Deal Study, we found that lock-up agreements were entered into in 92 per cent of the target-supported transactions we reviewed."

92 percent. So I am thinking that most companies involved in takeovers and mergers must go through shareholder lists, calling and trying to lock in votes in advance.

Source:

http://blakes.com/english/legal_updates/reference_guides/m&a_booklet_jan_2011.pdf