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The Fondaway Canyon property consists of 148 contiguous unpatented lode-mining claims (approximately 3000 acres) on BLM land held under a lease agreement assigned from Nevada Contact Inc. (NCI) to Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (RSM). Eighteen claims were staked NCI, quitclaimed to the owner, and included in the assignment to RSM. The lease terms include a 3% net smelter return royalty to the owner Richard Fisk and advanced royalty payments of $25,000 per year. The annual payments graduate to $35,000 in 2006 and years following. Details of the option agreement are as follows:
Required Cash Payments to Optionors | Royalty | Exercise of Option |
Commencing in fiscal 2003. $25,000 in year one, | | |
$30,000 in years two and three and $35,000 each of the | | July 2013 |
next seven years | 3% NSR | $600,000 |
All of the maintenance filing fees are current and in good standing.
Nearly-vertical, east-west trending mineralized shear zones host the Half Moon, Paperweight, Hamburger Hill and South Pit gold resources that is hosted within a Mesozoic sedimentary package. The Mesozoic sedimentary package has been intruded by a Mesozoic-Tertiary aged intrusive.
The vertical extent tested by recent drilling of the higher grade gold mineralized shear zones is greater than 1,000 feet. Horizontal continuation of gold mineralization as at the Paperweight and Hamburger Hill mineralized shear zone is 3,700 feet with widths commonly between 5'-20+ feet. Drilling and assay records indicate that 568 holes have been drilled for a total estimated footage of 200,000 feet of RC drilling and 22,000 feet of core drilling to include 455 reverse circulation, 49 core holes and 64 air track holes over a strike length of approximately 12,000 feet. Tenneco Minerals Inc., the most active company, drilled approximately 350 holes (130,000 feet) and drove a 500' adit for sulfide metallurgical sampling during the period 1987-1996. Tenneco also operated a small oxide gold open pit mine for a short time during this period. Nevada Contact Inc. (NCI) acquired the property in 2001 and drilled 11 reverse circulation holes, RSM acquired the property from NCI in early 2003 as part of a property swap with NCI retaining a 1% NSR overriding royalty in the Fondaway Canyon property and $25,000 advance minimum royalty payments to the claim holder until 2006 at which time the payments increase to $35,000 per year that includes a 3% NSR royalty until buyout. There is a buyout option of $600,000 for the owners' interest.
The initial plan for 2007 is to drill test the Tenneco heap leach pad to determine if it is feasible to re-permit a new pad and transfer the Tenneco leach pad to a new RSM leach pad. If feasible, this effort could allow an early start up of potential gold production at Fondaway. Following this effort, RSM plans to further drill test the sulfide resource as part of a program to upgrade the indicated and inferred resources on the property. This effort will involve drilling underground within the Tenneco adit along with a surface drilling program. A bulk sampling program for metallurgical analysis of the sulfide resource will also be included as part of an effort to develop a gold recovery process that will achieve the desired results.
No field work was completed on this project in 2004, 2005, or 2006. The only effort has been the renewal of the Company's water rights and related permits. Plans are to commence an exploration effort in 2006 that will include surface drilling within the vicinity of the Tenneco adit.
Estimates of prior expenditures on this property are approximately $5-6 million. The largest portion of these expenditures was contributed by Tenneco Minerals and Tundra Mines LTD. This work included extensive drilling, development of a small open pit production project and an advanced exploration adit on the property. As of January 31, 2007, RSM has spent $162,778 on this project. A table of detailed expenditures follows:
For the years ended January 31 Fondaway Project | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | Cumulative from date of inception of exploration phase |
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Opening balance | $127,652 | $127,652 | $43,999 | $0 |
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Property Acquisition costs Analysis and assays | 35,126 0 | 31,624 0 | 51,678 351 | 162,427 351 |
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Activity during the period | 35,126 | 31,624 | 52,029 | 162,778 |
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Closing balance | $162,778 | $127,652 | $96,028 | $162,778 |
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Project expenditures included a small sonic drilling program to test the Tenneco Minerals leach pad on this property. In 2008 the only program will include the completion of a ground magnetics survey of the entire property at a projected cost of approximately $50,000. These data will be utilized to plan a program of further drilling, possibly in 2009. This work will be completed by our employee, an experienced geophysicist. Funding will come from the cash on hand.
The property is without known reserves and the proposed program is exploratory in nature.
Como District
The Como gold property is located in the center of the old Como Mining District, Lyon County, Nevada, in the northern Pine Nut Mountains approximately eight miles southeast of the town of Dayton and 12 miles southeast of the famous Comstock Lode. The most direct access to the project is gained by traveling northeast on U.S. Highway 50 from Carson City to the small town of Dayton, then southeast on the unpaved Old Como Road for approximately eight miles. The Old Como Road is a rough, boulder-strewn road requiring slow travel.
The Como District is at 7,200 feet elevation, in the north end of the Pine Nut Mountains. Heavy snows may occur during winter months. The climate is semi-arid with the average exploration season extending between early May and early November. Vegetation is rather heavy pinion-juniper forest. A main power line crosses the property. A perennial flowing creek originates on the property, indicating a shallow groundwater table. There are no buildings on the project.
The property consists of 79 unpatented lode claims and five patented lode claims (see table below) in Township 15 North and Range 22 East. Forty-seven of the unpatented claims (940 acres) and all of the patented claims (80 acres) are leased to RSM. Royal Standard Minerals staked and owns the additional 27 unpatented claims. Details of the option agreement are as follows:
Required Cash Payments to Optionors Royalty Exercise of Option Commencing in fiscal 2003. $25,000in years one and 4% NSR May 2008 two covering years three and four, $20,000 in year $1,000,000 five, $25,000 in year six
Claim Name Number Claim Name Number Claim Name Number
Delmonte USS 38 Colorado 102211 Angus #1 184308 Eureka USS 39 Colorado Hill 102212 Angus #11 184318 Rapidan USS 40 Como Eureka 102213 Angus #12 184319 Rock Point USS 41 Corona 102214 Angus #13 184320 North Rapidan USS 1727 Day After 102215 Joe #3 700051 Alta 102194 Dora` 102217 Ramp #1 787123 Bear 102195 Hillcroft #1 102218 Ramp #2 787124 Clipper 102197 Hillcroft #2 102219 Ramp #3 787125 Crown Point 102199 Lucky Fraction 102220 Ramp #4 787126 Crown Point Fraction 102200 Maxwell 102221 Ramp #8 787130 Denver 102201 Mountain Bell 102222 Ramp #9 787131 Fortuna 102203 North Point 102223 Ramp #15 787137 Midway 102205 Peer 102234 Ramp #18 787140 Oversight 102206 Star of the West 102237 Ramp #22 787144 Palmyra 102207 Paymaster 104837 Ramp Fraction 787151 Palmyra Fraction 102208 Como Eureka Fraction 184306 Como #1 525293 Bernice 102209 Como #1 Fraction 184307 Como #2 525294 Chicago 102210
CM1 to CM7 829828 to 829834 CM10 to CM34 829835 to 829840, 847321-847339
The Como district consists of at least eight gold-silver bearing structures that occur within a Tertiary age andesitic volcanic sequence that hosts the mineralization. Prospectors looking for mineralization similar to the Comstock Lode discovered Como in 1860. The property has had some historical gold and silver underground production with the Como vein producing about 20,000 ounces of gold and 500,000 ounces of silver at a gold equivalent grade of nearly 0.3 opt. The higher-grade underground vein extensions are largely undrilled and will be tested by RSM. Over the past 20 years modern exploration methods have continued to advance the understanding of the geologic framework and have identified two bulk mineable gold-silver deposits that will require further work to ascertain the economic potential. Since the 1960's several large companies have explored the property to include St. Joe American, Amoco, Meridian Gold and Amax Gold Inc. (who identified a low-grade open pit resource, based on 46 holes.) for a large tonnage bulk mineable gold deposit. More recently (2000) Anglo Gold Corp. explored the property for a potential multi-million ounce deposit. Anglo released the property in 2001 after drilling 8 holes and completing considerable surface geologic mapping, rock chip and geochemical sampling. RSM acquired its option on the Como gold-silver project based upon the previous exploration results.
It is difficult to estimate prior expenditures on this property due to the large number of mining companies that have explored this property over the last 30 years. A table of
RSM's expenditures follows: |
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Cumulative from |
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date of inception |
---|
of exploration |
---|
For the years ended January 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | phase |
---|
Como Project | | | | |
---|
Opening balance | $108,050 | $86,330 | $126,124 | $0 |
---|
Property Acquisition | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35,695 |
---|
costs | | | | |
---|
Travel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,806 |
---|
Geologist | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5,098 |
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Consulting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41,532 |
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Rent | 0 | 21,720 | 0 | 53,575 |
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Analysis and assays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9,138 |
---|
Written off | 0 | 0 | (39,794) | (39,794) |
---|
Activity during the period | 0 | 21,720 | (39,794) | 108,050 |
---|
Closing balance | $108,050 | $108,050 | $86,330 | $108,050 |
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No exploration work was completed on the property in 2004, 2005 or 2006. In 2007 RSM plans to complete surface geophysical, magnetics, and surface geochemical sampling.
The Company does not plan to complete any exploration program on this property in 2008.
The property is without known reserves and the proposed program is exploratory in nature.
Manhattan/Round Mountain Caldera Program
The project area is located southeast of the town of Round Mountain, Nevada east of State route 376. The town of Manhattan is located approximately 15 miles south of Round Mountain. The Manhattan project is located approximately 7 miles east of route 376 on route 377 and 1.5 miles west of the town of Manhattan.
The Manhattan/Round Mountain Caldera program is the Company's most advanced district play includes the Goldwedge advanced exploration program. The land position in the Manhattan Mining District is comprised of 70 unpatented and 3 patented lode-mining claims. An underground development program to include drill testing the extensions of the Goldwedge deposit in addition to the evaluation of several additional lode and placer properties that the Company controls in the district could significantly increase the gold resource estimates. Details of the option agreement are as follows:
On June 29, 2005 the Company entered into a 5-year Purchase Option Agreement with a private individual for all of his patented and unpatented mining claims in the Manhattan Mining District located in Nye County, Nevada. The land package totals approximately 1600 acres (4 patented, 70 unpatented claims). This property position adjoins the Company's Goldwedge Mine. The land package includes a number of exploration targets which are of interest to the Company. In addition, the Company's option includes the Dixie Comstock claim group located in Churchill County, Nevada. The Dixie Comstock is a 1500 acre property containing an epithermal gold system that has been explored by a number of major mining companies over the past 20 years. It is considered to be an attractive advanced exploration project. The Company is currently engaged in the completion of a 43-101 property report. The Company has agreed to pay $35,000 upon the execution of the Agreement. Annual option payments of $48,000 are to be applied to a total purchase price of $600,000 – there are no royalties. Freeport Gold, Tenneco (Echo Bay) recognized the potential of the district (to include the Goldwedge deposit that is currently under control by RSM) however, these deposits were not suited for open pit mining. At that time the large mining companies did not consider the underground development projects feasible. Although Sunshine Mining Co. considered an underground mine development in 1988 on the Goldwedge deposit, continued exploration by Crown Resources and others on the Company's claims indicated sections (5+'-30') of potentially mineable grades greater than 0.5 opt gold. The continued downturn in the gold market, tightened corporate budgets and high holding costs for the properties forced many companies to turn back the land positions to the claim owners. Currently, the Company controls approximately 4,000 feet of strike length. Approximately 1,000-1,200 feet of this strike length has been drill tested indicating positive results.
Expenses to date by Royal Standard are as follows:
Cumulative from date of |
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inception of |
---|
exploration |
---|
For the years ended January 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | phase |
---|
Manhattan Project | | | | |
---|
Opening balance | $0 | $191,065 | $172,031 | $0 |
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Property Acquisition costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | $27,707 |
---|
Travel | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28,253 |
---|
General exploration | 0 | 1,458 | 19,034 | 63,219 |
---|
Consulting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47,743 |
---|
Analysis and assays | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25,601 |
---|
Written off | 0 | (192,523) | 0 | (192,523) |
---|
Activity during the period | 0 | (191,065) | 19,034 | 0 |
---|
Closing balance | $0 | $0 | $191,065 | $0 |
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The Company does not plan to complete any exploration program on this property in 2008.
The property is without known reserves and the proposed program is exploratory in nature.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A. Operating results.
Royal Standard is an exploration and pre-development stage enterprise and is in the process of exploring its resource properties and has not determined whether the properties contain economically recoverable reserves. The recovery of the amounts shown for the resource properties and the related deferred expenditures is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, confirmation of the Company's interest in the underlying mineral claims, the ability of the Company to obtain necessary financing to complete the exploration and, upon future profitable production.
Royal Standard is an exploration-pre-development stage enterprise and, as such, currently has no producing properties and no operating income or cash flow, other than interest earned on funds invested in short-term deposits (see Item 3.D. – Key Information - Risk Factors).
Year Ended January 31, 2007 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2006
The net loss for the year ending January 31, 2007 was $5,431,480 as compared to the net loss of $1,611,057 for the year ending January 31, 2006. The difference of $3,820,423 is principally the result of compensation expense resulting from stock options granted to officers, directors and a consultant during the current year in the amount of $3,838,926 versus $739,006 in the prior year for an increase of $3,099,920.
General and Administrative expenses increased from $266,505 for the year ended January 31, 2006 to $618,962 for the year ended January 31, 2007. The increase of $352,457 is mainly the result of Professional Fees which increased by $221,269, Corporate Development Expense which increased by $57,618 and Advertising Expense which increased by $45,539. Amortization increased from $191,877 in 2006 to $540,289 in 2007, for an increase of $348,412, and consulting fees which increased from $295,707 for the year ended January 31, 2006 to $443,693 for the year ending January 31, 2007, for an increase of $147,986. All increases are a direct result of increased activity on the Company's mineral projects.
Offsetting the aforementioned increases in expenses is interest income of $391,420 for the year ended January 31, 2007 versus none for the same period in 2006. In addition, the Company wrote off exploration properties amounting to $367,467 during the year ending January 31, 2006 versus none for the year ending January 31, 2007.
Year Ended January 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2005
The net loss for the year ending January 31, 2006 was $1,611,057 as compared to $475,409 for the year ending January 31, 2005, a difference of $1,135,648. The majority of this difference is a result of stock-option compensation which increased from $150,606 in 2005 to $739,006 in 2006. During fiscal 2006 2,380,000 options were granted to employees and directors of the company, 200,000 were exercised and 695,000 were cancelled or expired (see note 9 of the January 31, 2006 audited financial statements for details).
Also contributing to the increased loss were write-offs of exploration properties totaling $367,467. During the year the Company wrote-off $192,523 of exploration expenditures relating to the Manhattan, Nye County project and $174,944 relating to smaller projects that the Company was evaluating.
General and Administrative expenses increased from $193,287 for the year ending January 31, 2005 to $266,505 for the year ending January 31, 2006. Consulting fees increased from $213,504 for the year ending January 31, 2005 to $295,707 for the year ending January 31, 2006. These increases are a direct result of increased activity on the Company's mineral projects.
Year Ended January 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2004
The net loss for the year ended January 31, 2005 was $475,409 as compared to $554,626 for the year ended January 31, 2004. General and Administrative expenses and Consulting fees decreased by a total of $103,832. However, Stock Option Compensation increased by $110,266 resulting in little change in total Expenses. Expenses were $578,632 for the year ended January 31, 2005 as compared to $565,907 for the year ended January 31 2004. The increase in Stock Option Compensation is attributed to the granting of 775,000 stock options to employees and directors of the Company on May 4, 2004.
The Corporation owns 100% interest in five (5) projects in four (4) gold-silver districts in Nevada. These projects include the Gold Wedge, Nye County, Pinon and Railroad Projects, Elko County, Fondaway Canyon, Churchill County and Como, Lyon County, Nevada.
The Gold Wedge project represents the most advanced project located in the Manhattan district about eight (8) miles south of the Round Mountain mine and has been issued a mine and mill permit by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection (NDEP). In March, 2004 the Company completed a $2.2 CDN million private placement. These funds were directed toward the construction of a 700 foot (underground) decline and cross cut to test one of the gold mineralized structures within a 100+ wide structural zone. Additionally, RSM completed the surface facilities necessary to process the material to be mined onsite to include silt ponds, ore pad and the onsite gold processing plant. The Company acquired a full production scale gold recovery (gravity) plant that will be utilized to process the mined material as part of the test mining program.
Year Ended January 31, 2004 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2003
The net loss for the year ended January 31, 2004 was $516,869 as compared to $416,803 for the year ended January 31, 2003. The increase of $100,066 in net loss for the year is primarily attributable to an increase in expenses of the Corporation for the year ended January 31, 2004. Expenses were $565,907 for the year ended January 31, 2004 as compared to $330,598 for the year ended January 31 2003. The increase of $235,309 in the expenses of the Corporation for the year ended January 31, 2004 is attributable to, among other things, increased operating expenses on the Corporation's properties. In order to maintain the ongoing activities on the highest priority projects in Nevada the Corporation will contribute a minimum of $1,800,000 to maintain progress toward the Gold Wedge development program in 2004.
In 2004, work on the BLM permit application for the Pinon-Railroad project continued. The Company developed the necessary construction plans for the Pinon-Railroad project including surface, heap leach facilities design and open pit modeling of the deposits. All of this work was completed in preparation for the filing of a mining permit application with the US Bureau of Mines (BLM) by year-end 2005. A second objective is to complete feasibility studies for the Pinon/Railroad near surface oxide deposits.
The Corporation focused its efforts in 2003 on the Pinon and Railroad projects located on the southern portion of the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. The current land position includes more than 16,000 acres of unpatented, patented and fee leases. The effort in 2003 focused on the four (4) drilled out (600 drill holes) near surface measured oxide gold-silver resources. This work included drilling, trenching, pit modeling, plant and heap leach facility design and metallurgical (column) leach testing of the deposits. All of this work was to establish the economic potential of an open pit heap leach project and to develop the data necessary to complete a mine permit application to the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Expenditures on this project in 2003 were about $1 million.
The Corporation carried out a detailed evaluation of all of the available data for the Fondaway gold and Como gold-silver projects and NI-43-101 reports were prepared for each project in 2003. These reports are filed on SEDAR along with the Goldwedge and Pinon-Railroad project reports.
Nevada Projects
In fiscal 2003 and 2002, the Company entered into certain option agreements to purchase up to 100% interest in patented and unpatented lode-mining claims in Nye, Elko and Lyon Counties, Nevada. Details of the option agreements are as follows:
Required Cash Project Payments to Optionors Royalty(1) Exercise of Option
Gold Wedge | Commencing in fiscal 2002. | 3% NSR | July 2006 |
Nye County | $5,000 each in first two years; | | $200,000 |
| $10,000 in third year; $15,000 | | |
| in fourth year and $20,000 in | | |
| fifth and sixth years | | |
Manhattan | Commencing in fiscal 2002. | 5% NSR | August 2006 |
Nye County | $1,000 per month from August | | $500,000 |
| 2001 to August 2002; $2,000 | | |
| per month from September | | |
| 2002 to July, 2006 | | |
Project | Required Cash Payments to Optionors | Royalty(1) | Exercise of Option |
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| Commencing in fiscal 2003. | 3% NSR | July 2013 |
Fondaway Canyon | $25,000 in year one, $30,000 in | | $600,000 |
Churchill County | years two and three and | | |
| $35,000 each of the next seven | | |
| years | | |
Como | Commencing in fiscal 2003. | 4% NSR | May 2008 |
Lyon County | $25,000in years one and two | | $1,000,000 |
| covering years three and four, | | |
| $20,000 in year five, $25,000 in | | |
| year six | | |
Railroad | Commencing in fiscal 2003. | 5% NSR | August 2008 |
Elko County | $15,000 in the first year and | | $2,000,000 |
| increases by $5,000 each of the | | |
| next six years | | |
(1) NSR – Net Smelter Royalty
Gold Wedge Project
On June 29, 2005 the Company entered into a 5-year purchase option agreement with a private individual for all of his patented and unpatented mining claims in the Manhattan Mining District located in Nye County, Nevada. The land package totals approximately 1600 acres (4 patented, 70 unpatented claims). This property position adjoins the Company's Goldwedge Mine. The land package includes a number of exploration targets which are of interest to the Company. In addition, the Company's option includes the Dixie-Comstock claim group located in Churchill County, Nevada. The Dixie Comstock is a 1500 acre property containing an epithermal gold system that has been explored by a number of major mining companies over the past 20 years. It is considered to be an attractive advanced exploration project. The Company has yet to complete a 43-101 property report. The Company agrees to pay $35,000 upon the execution of the Agreement. Annual option payments of $48,000 are to be applied to a total purchase price of $600,000 – there are no royalties.
The Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation on its Gold Wedge Project, representing the estimated costs of the Company's obligation to restore the Gold Wedge properties to their original condition as required by the State of Nevada regulatory authorities. At the present time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of these costs. As such, the Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation in the amount of $181,767, the amount of the reclamation bond posted by the Company with the State of Nevada.
Como Project
On September 15, 2004, the Company granted an option (the "Option") to Sharpe Resources Corporation ("Sharpe") to acquire a 60% interest in the Company's gold project located in Lyon County, Nevada (the "Project"), in consideration for which Sharpe has issued 2,000,000 common shares to the Company at a deemed value of $78,125 ($100,000 CDN). To exercise the option, Sharpe must maintain the unpatented and patented mining claims on the Project, must pay all required options, annual advanced minimum royalty payments and deliver a completed positive feasibility study in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 in respect of the Project.
On December 5, 2006, Sharpe withdrew from this project without any further financial obligations.
Pinon Project – Cord Lease
In August 2002, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties located in Elko County, Nevada for a period of five years. The lessors will retain a 5% net smelter royalty with no option to purchase. These properties are to be extended in 2007. In 2006 RSM leased section 25 and 13 from the Periera Trust. The Dark Star gold-silver resources lie within Section 25. Additionally, in 2007 RSM plans to lease portions of sections 27, 15, and 23 that it currently does not control.
Pinon Project – Tomera Lease
In August 2002, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties located in Elko County, Nevada for a period of seven years. The lessor will retain a 5% net smelter royalty.
In addition, the Company entered into an irrevocable lease agreement with the surface and minerals rights owners of the Pinon Project properties.
Other Projects
During 2006, the Company wrote-off $192,523 of exploration expenditures relating to the Manhattan, Nye County project and $174,944 relating to smaller projects that the Company was evaluating. Exploration expenditures written-off during fiscal 2006 amounted to $367,467. No expenditures were written off during fiscal 2007.
The Company signed an Exploration and Option Agreement with Metallic Ventures ("Metallic") to explore the Mustang Canyon Project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The agreement gives the Company the exclusive option to acquire 50% interest in the Mustang Canyon Project by spending $20,000 per year in exploration expenditures with the objective to identify a measured resource by June 30, 2010. Upon identification of a measured resource and completion of a 43-101 report, the Company will earn a 50% interest in the project. The Company may terminate the Agreement at any time after spending the initial $20,000 by providing 30 days written notice to Metallic. When the Company has exercised its option to acquire a 50% interest in the project, Metallic and the Company will establish a Joint Venture in respect to the project, on a 50/50 basis. Further expenditures on the Mustang Canyon Project will then be made by the Joint Venture. The Company will be the operator of the joint venture as long as it has at least a 50% interest in the joint venture.
B. Liquidity and capital resources.
Year Ended January 31, 2007 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2007
The Company's cash and cash equivalents balance as of January 31, 2007 was $9,654,288 compared to $795,095 at January 31, 2006, an increase of $8,859,193. The increase is attributable to the private placement offerings completed during the first quarter of 2006. The Company also had $433,699 in short term investments at January 31, 2007, compared to $436,378 in 2006.
On April 27, 2006, the Company completed a private placement of 12,975,967 units of the Company at $1.15 CDN per unit raising gross proceeds of $13,286,762 ($14,922,362 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole common share purchase warrant is exercisable at $1.75 CDN into one common share of the Company until April 26, 2008. The fair value of the common share purchase warrants was estimated, on the date of closing, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions: dividend yield 0%, expected volatility of 98%, risk-free interest rate of 4.13% and an expected life of 24 months. The value assigned to the warrants is $2,847,058 ($3,198,582 CDN).
Current assets as at January 31, 2007 were $10,438,324 as compared to $1,445,200 at January 31, 2006. Exploration properties at January 31, 2007 were $7,788,107 compared to $3,810,519 at January 31, 2006 and represent an increase of $3,977,588. Equipment increased from $1,258,994 at January 31, 2006 to $2,056,392 at January 31, 2007 resulting in an increase of $797,398, net of amortization. Both increases are the result of continued construction at the Gold Wedge Project. Total assets as at January 31, 2007 were $20,464,590 as compared to $6,646,480 at January 31, 2006. This represents an increase of $13,818,110 and is due primarily to cash remaining from the aforementioned private placement offerings and continued operations on the Gold Wedge project.
Current liabilities as at January 31, 2007 were $202,157 compared to $221,733 at January 31, 2006, and represent current trade payables.
Year Ended January 31, 2006 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2005
The Company's cash balance as of January 31, 2006 was $795,095 compared to $392,697 at January 31, 2005. The Company also had $436,378 (market value) in short term investments at January 31, 2006 compared to $0 in 2005. The increases are attributable to the private placement offerings completed during the first two quarters of 2005.
On March 31, 2005 the Company completed the first round of a private placement by issuing 8,750,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $2,531,829 ($3,062,500 CDN). Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one additional share at a price of $0.50 CDN until March 31, 2007.
In addition, the agent for the offering, as partial compensation for its services, received 82,000 common shares and 1,353,500 warrants. Each warrant entitles the agent to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 CDN until March 31, 2007.
A second round of the financing was completed on April 26, 2005, whereby 1,500,000 units were issued at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $426,615 ($525,000 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional share of the Company's common stock at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until April 26, 2007.
As partial compensation for their services, the agents for this financing received 45,000 common shares and 247,500 warrants. Each warrant entitles the agents to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 CDN until April 26, 2007.
On April 29, 2005, the Company issued 50,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN per unit for gross proceeds of $14,296 ($17,500 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional share of common stock at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until April 29, 2007.
On May 5, 2005, the Company completed the third and final round of private placements by issuing 1,831,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $495,808 ($640,850 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional share of common stock at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until May 5, 2007.
Current assets as at January 31, 2006 were $1,445,200. Total assets as at January 31, 2006 were $6,646,480 as compared to $3,375,464 at January 31, 2005. This represents an increase of $3,271,016 due to the increased financing activity. Exploration properties at January 31, 2006 were $3,810,519 compared to $2,664,127 at January 31, 2005. This represents an increase of $1,146,392 resulting from continued construction at the Gold Wedge Project.
Current liabilities as at January 31, 2006 were $221,733 compared to $104,087 at January 31, 2005, and represent current trade payables.
Year Ended January 31, 2005 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2004
The Company's cash balance as of January 31, 2005 was $392,697 compared to $189,732 at January 31, 2004. The increase in the cash balance is attributable to the private placement offerings completed during the fiscal year 2004. On February 3, 2004, the Company closed a private placement offering of 1,075,000 units at a price of $0.25 CDN per unit for gross proceeds of $268,750 CDN. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole purchase warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional common share at a price of $0.30 CDN until February 2, 2005.
On April 16, 2004, the Company closed a private placement offering o 6,320,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN per unit for gross proceeds of $2,212,000 CDN. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole purchase warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one additional common share at a price of $0.50 CDN until April 15, 2006.
Current assets as at January 31, 2005 were $541,835. Total assets as at January 31, 2005 were $3,237,383 as compared to $1,579,391 at January 31, 2004. This represents an increase of $1,657,992 from 2004 due to the increased activity on the Company's projects, particularly at the Gold Wedge Project where the Company completed construction of a 700 foot (underground) decline and cross cut. Additionally, RSM completed the surface facilities necessary to process the material to be mined onsite including silt ponds, ore pad and the onsite gold processing plant. Additionally, the Company acquired a full production scale gold recovery (gravity) plant that will be utilized to process the mined material as part of the test mining program.
Current liabilities as at January 31, 2005 were $104,087 compared to $106,178 in 2004, and represent current trade payables.
On a forward going basis equity and debt financings will remain the single major source of cash flow for the Company. The primary reason is that current production cash flow is insufficient to allow the Company to grow at a rate to increase the necessary production capacity to achieve profitability in the near term. As revenue from operations improve the capital requirement of the Company will also improve. However, debt and equity financings will continue to be a source of capital to expand the Corporation's activities in the future.
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares of which 43,143,518 are outstanding as at January 31, 2005. As at January 31, 2005 the Corporation had outstanding options to purchase 4,185,000 common shares with exercise prices from $0.17-0.40 per share and expiration dates ranging from May 2005 to May 2009.
Year Ended January 31, 2004 Compared to the Year Ended January 31, 2003
The Company's cash balance as of January 31, 2004 was $189,732 compared to $283,030 at January 31, 2003. The fact that there is little change in the cash balance is attributable to the completion of a C$1.5 million equity financing in July, 2003 coupled with large expenditures before yearend. Current assets as at January 31, 2004 were $273,291 Total assets as at January 31, 2004 were $1,617,148 representing an increase of $404,668 from 2002 due to the addition of the Fondaway Canyon project and additional expenditures on the Corporation's Pinon-Railroad project. Current liabilities as at January 31, 2004 were $106,178 compared to $82,300 and represent current trade payables as at January 31, 2003.
Expenses include a charge of $20,950, representing the unrecovered portion of a contingency fee paid in connection with a failed financing.
On May 2, 2002, the Company completed a private placement of 7 million shares of the Company at $0.15 CDN per share for proceeds of $1,050,000 CDN (approximately US $650,000).
Due to the nature of the Company's mining business, the acquisition, exploration, and, if warranted, the development of mining properties requires significant expenditures prior to achieving commercial production. Royal Standard will seek to finance such expenditures through the sale of equity, joint venture arrangements with other mining companies or the sale of interests in its properties. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be successful in raising capital on acceptable terms or in amounts sufficient to finance exploration expenditures and/or satisfy its commitments under its agreements with third parties. In the event that the Company does not raise capital as planned, it will forfeit its rights to the properties, including the sums expended through the dates of such forfeitures. See Item 3.D. – Key Information - Risk Factors.
C. Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
See Items 4.B, 4D, and 5.A. above.
D. Trend information.
See Items 4.B. and 5.A. above.
E. Off balance sheet arrangements.
None
F. Tabular disclosures of contractual obligations.
Less Than 1 | | | More |
---|
Contractual | Total | Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | Than 5 |
---|
Obligations | | | | | Years |
---|
Asset Retirement Obligation (1) $181,767 $181,767
(1) The Company is required to recognize a liability for a legal obligation to perform asset retirement activities, including decommissioning, reclamation and environmental monitoring activities once any of its projects are permanently closed. Although these activities are conditional upon future events, the Company is required to make a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the liability. Based on the existing level of terrestrial disturbance and water treatment and monitoring requirements, the undiscounted asset retirement obligation ("ARO's") were estimated to be $250,930 as at January 31, 2007, assuming payments made over a five year period.
Determination of the undiscounted ARO and the timing of these obligations were based on internal estimates using information currently available, existing regulations, and estimates of closure costs. The discount rate used when estimating the fair value of the ARO is a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate with the same maturity as the removal obligation. The Company used a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 5% to calculate the present value of the ARO, which was $181,767.
G. Safe harbor.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and senior management.
The following table sets out the names of and related information concerning each of the officers and directors of Royal Standard.
BOARD TERM NAME OFFICE HELD SINCE EXPIRES
Roland M. Larsen Heathsville, VA | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | May, 1996 | June, 2008 |
Samuel Gulko | Chief Financial Officer | November, 2006 | N/A |
Kimberly L. Koerner Brambleton, VA NAME | Director, Secretary/Treasurer OFFICE HELD | May, 2001 SINCE | June, 2008 BOARD TERM EXPIRES |
MacKenzie I. Watson Monteral, Quebec | Director | May, 1996 | June, 2008 |
James C. Dunlop Toronto, Ontario | Director, Chairman of Audit Committee | May, 1996 | June, 2008 |
Jeffrey B. Wolin* | Director | May, 2007 | June, 2008 |
* Mr. Wolin resigned as a Director on July 9, 2007. | | |
The following discussion provides information on the principal occupations of the above-named directors and executive officers of the Company within the preceding five years.
Roland M. Larsen
Mr. Larsen has 30 years of experience in the natural resource industry, both in exploration and management roles. From November 1993 to the present, he has been serving as the President of Sharpe Resources Corporation, a junior natural resource issuer. From 1981 to 1991, Mr. Larsen served District/Regional Exploration Manager with Inc. and BHP Minerals, Inc., both of which are junior natural resource issuers. Earlier in his career, he worked with BHP Minerals International Inc. for a period of ten years, where he was the Exploration Manager of the Eastern United States and the North Atlantic Region. Prior to that he was the Senior Geologist for NL Industries, Inc. In addition, he has several years of experience working with consulting engineering firms including Derry, Michner and Booth, and Watts Griffis & McOuat Limited. He is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the American Association of Professional Geologists and the Society of American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration Inc. Mr. Larsen holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in geology.
Samuel Gulko
Mr. Gulko joined the Company effective November 1, 2006. For 18 years until he retired in 1987 he was an audit partner with an international "big 4" accounting firm. Subsequent to 1987 and continuing through the present, he serves as the financial and tax advisor to a number of business and private individuals. In addition, from 1987 through 1996, Mr. Gulko was the Chief Financial Officer of several private companies. From July 1996 through August 2002 he was the Chief Financial Officer; Senior Vice President of Finance and Secretary-Treasurer of Neotherapeutics, Inc. (renamed "Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc."), a public company. He was also a member of its Board of Directors during this period. From October 2004 to the present, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Smith Micro Software, Inc., a public company. Mr. Gulko is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a B.Sc. degree in accounting. He presently serves the Company on a part-time basis.
Kimberly L. Koerner
Ms. Koerner is a Financial Analyst and Consultant. She has been serving as the Treasurer of the Company from May 1996 to the present. Ms. Koerner has also been serving as the Secretary and Treasurer of Sharpe Energy Company, a U.S. subsidiary of Sharpe Resources Corporation, from November, 1995 to the present. From April 1992 to February 1994, she served as the Assistant Director of the National Association of Printing and Publishing Technology, a trade association. Ms. Koerner has B.Sc. degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina. Ms. Koerner is the daughter of Roland
M. Larsen, President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director.
MacKenzie I. Watson
From October 1986 to the present, Mr. Watson has been the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Freewest Resources Inc., a junior natural resource issuer. A geological consultant, he also serves as a director of Sharpe and as President and a director of Consolidated Gold Hawk Resources Inc., a junior natural resource issuer. He was involved in the discovery of the Holloway Gold deposit in the Province of Ontario with Hemlo Gold Mines. Earlier in his career, he was President and Exploration Manager of Lynx-Canada Exploration Ltd., which, under his leadership, discovered numerous precious, base metals and coal deposits. Prior thereto, he was a project geologist for the Icon Syndicate, where he participated in the discovery of the Sullivan Mines in Chibougamau, Quebec. He is currently a director of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. Mr. Watson holds a B.Sc. from the University of New Brunswick.
James C. Dunlop
From October 1994 to the present, Mr. Dunlop has been serving as the Managing Director of Canada Trust Investment Group Inc., a subsidiary of Canada Trust. He also serves as a director of Sharpe. From October 1986 to October 1994, he served as the Senior Vice President of CIBC-Investment Management Corp. Since graduating with a
B.A. from University of Western Ontario in 1972, Mr. Dunlop has worked at increasingly senior positions within the Canadian investment community. Royal Standard benefits from Mr. Dunlop's counsel on economic and commodity matters and from his contacts in the investment community.
Jeffrey B. Wolin
Mr. Wolin is the president of Brighton Capital, Ltd, a boutique investment banking firm representing parties in mergers and acquisitions, public and private placements, convertible preferred/debt offerings, debt/equity swaps, senior debt offerings and related services. .Mr. Wolin is a graduate of Columbia University with a B.S. in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and a graduate of the University of Miami with a J.D. Mr. Wolin resigned as a Director on July 9, 2007. The Company anticipates that it will continue to retain his services as a consultant.
B. Compensation.
Compensation of Officers
The following table summarizes, for the three most recently completed financial years of the Corporation, information concerning the compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, each the Corporation's three most highly compensated executive officers of the Corporation who was serving as an executive officer as at the end of the most recently completed financial year or who was not serving as an officer of the Corporation at the end of the most recently completed financial year-end, and whose aggregate compensation exceeded $150,000 (the "Named Executive Officer").
Summary Compensation Table Summary Compensation Table
| | Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation | | |
---|
| Securities | Restricted | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Other Annual Salary Bonus Compen(US$) (US$) sation (US$) | Under Options Granted (#) | Shares or Restricted Share Units (US$) | LTIP Payouts (US$) | All Other Compensation (US$) |
---|
Roland M. Larsen, President and CEO | 2007 2006 2005 | $252,621 Nil Nil $96,000 $170,000 $0 Nil Nil | 1,408,000 (1) 1,130,000 (2) 675,000 (3) | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil 36,000 |
---|
Samuel Gulko, | | | | | | |
---|
Chief Financial | | | | | | |
---|
Officer (4) | 2007 | $7,155 Nil Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
---|
Notes:
- (1)
Mr. Larsen was granted 1,408,000 options on May 2, 2006 having an exercise price of Cdn$1.44 and expiring May 2, 2006;
- (2)
Mr. Larsen was granted 400,000 options on April 13, 2005 having an exercise price of Cdn$0.39 expiring April 13, 2010; 600,000 options issued on May 16, 2005 having an exercise price of Cdn$0.29 expiring May 16, 2010; 130,000 options issued on January 20, 2006 having an exercise price of Cdn$0.87 expiring January 20, 2011.
- (3)
Mr. Larsen was granted 675,000 options on May 4, 2004 having an exercise price of Cdn$0.36 and expiring May 4, 2009.
- (4)
Mr. Gulko was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company, on a part-time basis, effective November 1, 2006. Under his contract of employment, Mr. Gulko is entitled to the award of options to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock at the price of US$0.60 a share. These options were awarded in July, 2007. Had he been employed by the Company for the entire fiscal year (also on a part-time basis), he could have earned approximately US$60,000 in salary and approximately Nil in bonuses. These amounts are estimates only and are based on a grossed-up calculation of the amounts Mr. Gulko actually received in the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007. Prior to Mr. Gulko's appointment, the Company did not have a have Chief Financial Officer, and the Corporate Secretary of the Company, Kimberly Koerner, acted in this capacity for the fiscal period ended January 31, 2006.
Stock Option Plan
The Corporation maintains a "rolling" stock option plan (the "Plan") for directors, officers, consultants who provide ongoing services, and employees of the Corporation and its affiliates. The purpose of the Plan is to develop the interest of bona fide Officers, Directors, Employees, Management Corporation Employees, and Consultants of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. and it subsidiaries in the growth and development of the Corporation by providing them with the opportunity through stock options to acquire an increased proprietary interest in the Corporation. The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The Board may from time to time designate those to whom options to purchase common shares of the Corporation may be granted, and the number of Common Shares to be optioned to each, provided that:
- (a)
the total number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Plan shall not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, subject to adjustment as set forth in section 10 of the Plan and further subject to the applicable rues and regulations of all regulatory authorities to which the Corporation is subject;
- (b)
the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance, within a one-year period, to any one Optionee shall not exceed 5% of the Outstanding Common Shares;
- (c)
the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance, within a one-year period, to any one Consultant of the Corporation may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Common Shares;
- (d)
the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance, within a one-year period, to Employees or Consultants conducting Investor Relations Activities may not exceed 2% of the Outstanding Common Shares.
- (e)
In the case of Options granted to Employees, Consultants, or Management Corporation Employees, the Company represents that the Optionee is a bona fide Employee, Consultant or Management Corporation Employee, as the case may be.
Compensation of Directors
Directors who are not officers of the corporation are not currently paid any fees for their services as directors; however, such directors are entitled to receive compensation from the corporation to the extent that they provide services to the corporation. Any such compensation is based on rates that would be charged by such a director for such services to an arm's length party. During the twelve months ended January 31, 2007, no such services were rendered and, accordingly, no compensation was paid.
All directors are reimbursed for their expenses and travel incurred in connection with attending directors meetings. Special remuneration, at per diem rates, may be paid to any director (other than executive officers of the Corporation) undertaking special services, at the request of the directors, any committee of the directors or the President of the Corporation, beyond those services ordinarily required of a director of the Corporation.
Directors who are not officers are also entitled to participate in the Corporation's Stock Option Plan and, at the time of joining the board, directors may be granted options to purchase Common Shares. During the twelve months ended January 31, 2007, options were granted to acquire 3,423,500 common shares of the Corporation to directors of the Corporation under the Corporation's Stock Option Plan.
Other Compensation Matters
There were no long-term incentive awards made to the executive officers of the Corporation during the twelve months ended January 31, 2007. There are no pension plan benefits in place for the Named Executive Officer. In addition, there are no plans in place with respect to the Named Executive Officer for termination of employment or change in responsibilities.
Compensation Policy
The executive compensation policy of the Corporation is determined with a view to securing the best possible talent to run the Corporation. Executives expect to reap additional income from the appreciation in the value of the Common Shares they hold in the Corporation, including stock options.
Salaries are commensurate with those in the industry with additional options awarded to executive officers in lieu of higher salaries. Bonuses may be paid in the future for significant and specific achievements, which have a strategic impact on the fortunes of the Corporation. Salaries and bonuses are determined on a judgmental basis after review by the board of directors of the contribution of each individual, including the executive officers of the Corporation. Although they may be members of the board of directors, the executive officers do not individually make any decisions with respect to their respective salary or bonus. In certain cases, bonuses of certain individuals, other than the executive officers, may be tied to specific criteria put in place at the time of engagement.
The grant of stock options under the Corporation's Stock Option Plan is designed to give each option holder an interest in preserving and maximizing shareholder value in the longer term and to reward employees for both past and future performance. Individual grants are determined by an assessment of an individual's current and expected future performance, level of responsibilities and the importance of his/her position with and contribution to the Corporation.
Employment Contracts
There are current employment contracts in place between the Company and each of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Larsen, and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Gulko. Other than as described herein or in the financial statements accompanying this Circular, there are no other employment contracts between either the Company or its subsidiaries and the above-named executive officers.
The employment contract of Mr. Larsen has been renewed twice, each time for a five year term. The contract was last renewed on January 1, 2006 and includes a base salary of US$250,000 per year and provides for an additional annual bonus payments. The contract also includes an early termination compensation clause which would entitle Mr. Larsen to receive, should the contract be terminated prior to the end of its specified term, the total amount still outstanding for the remainder of the specified term of the contract.
The employment contract of Mr. Gulko, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, was entered into on October 25, 2006 and became effective as of November 1, 2006 for a term of 12 months at a rate of US$5,000 per month. The contract is terminable by either Mr. Gulko or the Company upon the delivery of thirty days' written notice to the other party.
Neither the Company or any of its subsidiaries has any plan or arrangement with respect to compensation to its executive officers which would result from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the executive officers' employment with the Company and its subsidiaries or from a change of control of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or a change in the executive officers' responsibilities following a change in control, where in respect of an Executive Officer the value of such compensation will be subject to the employment contract currently in place.
C. Board practices.
Information regarding the current term of office and length of service of the members of the Board of Directors is shown on item 6A.
In April 2003 the Company implemented new corporate governance policies pursuant to which the Company has begun to implement new, improved corporate governance practices.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board recognizes it is responsible for the stewardship of the business and affairs of the Company and has adopted a set of principles and practices setting out its stewardship responsibilities. Under its mandate, the Board seeks to discharge such responsibility by reviewing, discussing and approving the Company's strategic planning and organizational structure, and supervising management to ensure that the foregoing enhance and preserve the underlying value of the Company for the benefit of all shareholders. As part of the strategic planning process, the Board contributes to the development of a strategic direction for the Company by reviewing, on an annual basis, the Company's principal opportunities, the processes that are in place to identify such opportunities and the full range of business risks facing the Company, including strategic, financial, operational, leadership, partnership and reputation risks. On an ongoing basis, the Board also reviews with management how the strategic environment is changing, what key business risks and opportunities are appearing and how they are managed, including the implementation of appropriate systems to manage these risks and opportunities. The performance of management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer, is also supervised to ensure that the affairs of the Company are conducted in an ethical manner. The Board, directly and through its committees, ensures that the Company puts in place, and reviews at least on an annual basis, comprehensive communication policies to address how the Company (i) interacts with analysts, investors, other key stakeholders and the public, and (ii) complies with its continuous and timely disclosure obligations and avoids selective. Finally, the Board monitors the integrity of corporate internal control procedures and management information systems to manage such risks and ensure that the value of the underlying asset base is not eroded.
The Board from time to time delegates to senior executives the authority to enter into certain types of transactions, including financial transactions, subject to specified limits. According to the Company's policy, investments and other similar expenditures above the specified limits, including major capital projects as well as material transactions outside the ordinary course of business, whether on or off balance sheet, are reviewed by, and subject to, the prior approval of the Board.
Following are the principles of the Company's corporate governance arrangements:
- Subject to the relatively small size of the Company and to business needs, the size of the Board must be kept to a sufficiently low number to facilitate open and effective dialogue and full participation and contribution of each Director.
- The Board must function as a cohesive team, with shared responsibilities and accountabilities that are clearly defined, understood and respected.
- The Board must have the ability to exercise all its supervisory responsibilities independent of any influence by management.
- The Board must have access to all the information needed to carry out its full responsibilities. Information must be available in a timely manner and in a format conducive to effective decision making.
- The Board must develop, implement, and measure effective corporate governance practices, processes and procedures.
Committees of the Board
There are currently two committees of the board of directors. The board does not have, nor does it currently intend to form, a nominating committee. It is the view of the board of directors that its current size (five) is small enough to make such additional committees counter productive. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings of the board, its members are in continuous contact with one another and with the members of senior management. If the size of the board were to be enlarged or if the Company were to undergo a substantial change in its business and operations, consideration would at that point be given to the formation of additional committees, including a nominating committee. The mandate and activities of each of the Company's committees are as follows:
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee shall be composed of three members or such greater number as the board of directors may from time to time determine. A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall be resident Canadians and unrelated to the Corporation and all members of the Audit Committee shall be non-management directors. Members shall be appointed annually from among the members of the board of directors. The Chair of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the board of directors. All members of the Audit Committee shall be financially literate. An Audit Committee member who is not financially literate may be appointed to the Audit Committee provided that the member becomes financially literate within a reasonable period of time. The following persons have been initially appointed to the Audit Committee, with the Chair to be as designated:
James C. Dunlop (Chair) Kimberly L. Koerner Mackenzie I. Watson
The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to:
a) Identify and monitor the management of the principal risks that could impact the financial reporting of the Corporation; b) Monitor the integrity of the Corporation's financial reporting process and system of internal controls regarding financial reporting and accounting compliance; c) Monitor the independence and performance of the Corporation's external auditors; d) Provide an avenue of communication among the external auditors, management and the Board of Directors.
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and it has direct access to the external auditors as well as anyone in the organization. The Audit Committee has the ability to retain, at the Corporation's expense, special legal, accounting, or other consultants or experts it deems necessary in the performance of its duties.
The Audit Committee shall, in addition to any other duties and responsibilities specifically assigned or delegated to it from time to time by the board of directors:
a) Meet with the independent external auditors (the "auditors") and the senior management of the Corporation to review the year-end audited financial statements of the Corporation which require approval by the board of directors, prior to the issuance of any press release in respect thereof; b) Review with senior management and, if necessary, the auditors, the interim financial statements of the Corporation prior to the issuance of any press release in respect thereof; c) Review the MD&A and press releases containing financial results of the Corporation; d) Review all prospectuses, material change reports and annual information forms; e) Review the audit plans and the independence of the auditors; f) Meet with the auditors independently of management; g) In consultation with senior management, review annually and recommend for approval by the board of directors:
- (i)
the appointment of auditors at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Corporation;
- (ii)
the remuneration of the auditors; and
(iii) pre-approve all non audit services to be provided to the Corporation
by the external auditor; h) review with the auditors:
- (i)
the scope of the audit;
- (ii)
significant changes in the Corporation's accounting principles, practices or policies; and
(iii) new developments in accounting principles, reporting matters or industry practices which may materially affect the financial statements of the Corporation;
i) review with the auditors and senior management the results of the annual audit, and make appropriate recommendations to the board of directors, having regard to, among other things:
- (i)
the financial statements;
- (ii)
management's discussion and analysis and related financial disclosure contained in continuous disclosure documents;
(iii) significant changes, if any, to the initial audit plan;
- (iv)
accounting and reporting decisions relating to significant current year events and transactions;
- (v)
the audit findings report and management letter, if any, outlining the auditors' findings and recommendations, together with management's response, with respect to internal controls and accounting procedures; and
- (vi)
any other matters relating to the conduct of the audit, including the review and opportunity to provide comments in respect of any press releases announcing year end financial results prior to issue and such other matters which should be communicated to the Audit Committee under generally accepted auditing standards;
j) Review with the auditors the adequacy of management's internal control procedures and management information systems and inquiring of management and the auditors about significant risks and exposures to the Corporation that may have a material adverse impact on the Corporation's financial statements, and inquiring of the auditors as to the efforts of management to mitigate such risks and exposures; k) Monitor policies and procedures for reviewing directors' and officers' expenses and perquisites, and inquire about the results of such reviews; l) Review and approve written risk management policies and guidelines including the effectiveness of the overall process for identifying the principal risks affecting financial reporting; m) Review issues relating to legal, ethical and regulatory responsibilities to monitor management's efforts to ensure compliance Including any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Corporation's financial statements, the Corporation's compliance with applicable laws and regulations and inquiries received from regulators of governmental agencies; and, n) Establish procedures for:
- a.
the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the issuer regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters; and
- b.
the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the issuer of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters.
Corporate Governance Committee
The Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for the development, maintenance, and disclosure of the Company's corporate governance practices. The mandate of the committee includes:
- developing criteria governing the size and overall composition of the Board;
- conducting an annual review of the structure of the Board and its committees, as well as of the mandates of such committees;
- recommending new nominees for the Board (in consultation with the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer); and
- recommending the compensation of directors ensuring that the Company's policy on disclosure and insider trading, including communication to the different stakeholders about the Company and its subsidiaries, documents filed with securities regulators, written statements made in documents pertaining to the Company's continuous disclosure obligations, information contained on the Company's Web site and other electronic communications, relationships with investors, the media and analysts is timely, factual and accurate, and broadly disseminated in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
The committee also coordinates the annual evaluation of the Board, the committees of the Board and individual directors. All issues identified through this evaluation process are then discussed by the Corporate Governance Committee and are reported to the Board. Finally, it also has the responsibility for annually initiating a discussion at the Board level on the performance evaluation and remuneration of the President and Chief Executive Officer.
Conflicts of Interest
Some of the directors and officers of Royal Standard also serve as directors and officers of other companies involved in the resource exploration sector. Consequently, there exists a possibility for any such officer or director to be placed in a position of conflict. Each such director or officer is subject to fiduciary duties and obligations to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company. Similar duties and obligations will apply to such other companies. Thus any future transaction between the Company and such other companies will be for bona fide business purposes and approved by a majority of disinterested directors of the Company.
D. Employees.
In addition to the listed officers, at January 31, 2007, the Company had twenty-three full- time and one part-time employee.
E. Share ownership.
Name | Office Held | Number of Common Shares Beneficially Owned or Over Which Control is Exercised1 |
---|
Roland M. Larsen | President, CEO & Director | 2,021,997 |
| | |
Samuel Gulko | Chief Financial Officer | Nil |
| | |
Mackenzie I. Watson | Director | 153,500 |
| | |
James C. Dunlop | Director | Nil |
| | |
Kimberly L. Koerner | Director | 920,350 |
| | |
Jeffrey B. Wolin | Director | Nil |
1. The information as to shares beneficially owned or over which control or direction is exercised not being within the knowledge of the corporation has been furnished by the respective individuals.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A. Major Shareholders
As of May 11, 2007, to the knowledge of the directors and officers of the Company, no person beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, 10% or more of the Company's outstanding common shares, except the following:
Name of Shareholder | Number of Common Shares Owned | Percentage of Common Shares Outstanding (1) |
---|
Sprott Asset Management(2) | 14,200,000 | 16.9% |
Notes: | | |
- (1)
Based on 83,929,825 Common Shares issued and outstanding as at May 11. 2007.
- (2)
This is a nominee account. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no beneficial ownership of these shares by this nominee. The shares are held by a number of securities dealers and other intermediaries holding shares on behalf of their clients who are the beneficial owners.
B. Related party transactions.
No director, senior officer, principal holder of securities or any associate or affiliate thereof of Royal Standard or the Company has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Corporation's last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction which, in either case, has or will materially affect the Corporation, except as disclosed in the financial statements included herein.
C. Interests of experts and counsel.
Not Applicable.
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Following is a list of financial statements filed as part of the annual report under Item #17
− Auditor's Report for Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the year ended January 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Consolidated Balance Sheets of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. as at January 31, 2007 and 2006 − Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the years ended January 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the years ended January 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
The consolidated financial statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and are expressed in United States dollars. For a discussion of the reconciliation of such financial statements to United States generally accepted accounting principles, see note #17 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
B. Significant Changes.
The Accounting Standard Board issued new accounting standards, effective for financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2006, dealing with the recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial instruments, hedges and comprehensive income. Consistent with US and international reporting requirements, these standards require that certain gains and losses be recorded in a separate statement as comprehensive income. Fair value is considered the most relevant measure for financial instruments, which are any contracts that give rise to a financial asset of one party and a financial liability or equity instrument of another party. The company intends to adopt these policies effective February 1, 2007 and will report comprehensive income, equity and financial instruments in accordance with the relevant sections of the CICA Handbook (sections 1530, 3251, and 3855, respectively).
In addition to disclosing a new comprehensive income statement, the primary effect on the Company will be that all financial instruments will be measured at fair value. The Company will be required to separately disclose available-for-sale financial assets, which are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available for sale, or that are not classified as loans and receivables, held-to maturity investments, or held for trading.
Any gains and losses arising from a change in the fair value of a financial asset or financial liability that is classified as held for trading (including assets previously disclosed as marketable securities, but excluding hedges) will be recognized in net income in the periods in which they arise. Certain gains and losses on financial assets classified as available for sale will be recognized in other comprehensive income until the financial asset is no longer recognized or becomes impaired.
In January 2005, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants issued four new accounting standards: Handbook Section 1530, Comprehensive Income, Handbook Section 3251, Equity, Handbook Section 3855, Financial Instruments – Recognition and Measurement and Handbook Section 3865, Hedges. These standards are effective for interim and annual consolidated financial statements for the Company's reporting periods beginning November 1, 2006.
On April 27, 2006, the Company completed a private placement of 12,975,967 units of the Company at $1.15 CDN per unit raising gross proceeds of $13,286,762 ($14,922,362 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole common share purchase warrant is exercisable at $1.75 CDN into one common share of the Company until April 26, 2008. The fair value of the common share purchase warrants was estimated, on the date of closing, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions: dividend yield 0%, expected volatility of 638%, risk-free interest rate of 4.13% and an expected life of 24 months. The value assigned to the warrants is $6,643,382 ($7,461,182 CDN).
On May 2, 2006 the Company granted 3,140,000 common share stock options to certain directors and a consultant. The options are exercisable at $1.44 CDN for a period of 5 years. The fair value of the options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions: dividend yield 0%, expected volatility of 859%, risk-free interest rate of 4.36% and an expected life of 5 years. The value assigned to the options is $4,086,399 ($4,521,600 CDN).
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A. Offer and listing details.
The only share capital of Royal Standard is its Common Shares. The Common Shares of Royal Standard are without nominal or par value. Each Common Share ranks equally with all other Common Shares with respect to dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of Royal Standard and payment of dividends. The holders of Common Shares are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on by such holders and are entitled to receive pro rata such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors of Royal Standard out of funds legally available therefore and to receive pro rata the remaining property of Royal Standard on dissolution. The holders of Common Shares have no pre-emptive or conversion rights. The rights attaching to the Common Shares can only be modified by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of shareholders called for that purpose.
The following table sets forth the reported high and low sales prices (stated in Canadian currency) and the average daily trading volume of the outstanding Common Shares on the Montreal Exchange for the periods January 1998 through September 2001 and the TSX Venture Exchange for the periods October 2001 through June 2007.
Average Daily
High | Low | Volume |
---|
January 1, 1998 | to | March 31, 1998 | $0.80 | $0.27 | 10,533 |
---|
April 1, 1998 | to | June 30, 1998 | $0.45 | $0.15 | 14,033 |
---|
July 1, 1998 | to | September 30, 1998 | $0.40 | $0.10 | 23,100 |
---|
October 1, 1998 | to | December 31, 1998 | $0.20 | $0.05 | 22,200 |
---|
January 1, 1999 | to | March 31, 1999 | $0.25 | $0.10 | 32,900 |
---|
April 1, 1999 | to | June 30, 1999 | $0.13 | $0.05 | 14,666 |
---|
July 1, 1999 | to | September 30, 1999 | $0.19 | $0.05 | 43,833 |
---|
October 1, 1999 | to | December 31, 1999 | $0.12 | $0.03 | 21,133 |
---|
January 1, 2000 | to | March 31, 2000 | $0.17 | $0.03 | 42,933 |
---|
April 1, 2000 | to | June 30, 2000 | $0.39 | $0.13 | 57,033 |
---|
July 1, 2000 | to | September 30, 2000 | $0.28 | $0.11 | 10,467 |
---|
October 1, 2000 | to | December 31, 2000 | $0.27 | $0.11 | 25,867 |
---|
January 1, 2001 | to | March 31, 2001 | $0.30 | $0.11 | 11,500 |
---|
April 1, 2001 | to | June 30, 2001 | $0.18 | $0.06 | 7,789 |
---|
July 1, 2001 | to | September 30, 2001 | $0.13 | $0.06 | 7,667 |
---|
October 1, 2001 | to | December 31, 2001 | $0.09 | $0.04 | 9,750 |
---|
January 1, 2002 | to | March 31, 2002 | $0.34 | $0.07 | 52,546 |
---|
April 1, 2002 | to | June 30, 2002 | $0.48 | $0.20 | 76,899 |
---|
July 1, 2002 | to | September 30, 2002 | $0.35 | $0.17 | 51,437 |
---|
October 1, 2002 | to | December 31, 2002 | $0.36 | $0.20 | 31,354 |
---|
January 1, 2003 | to | March 31, 2003 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0 |
---|
April 1, 2003 | to | June 30, 2003 | $0.40 | $0.21 | 13,728 |
---|
July 1, 2003 | to | September 30, 2003 | $0.40 | $0.20 | 151,583 |
---|
October 1, 2003 | to | December 31, 2003 | $0.47 | $0.25 | 53,416 |
---|
January 1, 2004 | to | March 31, 2004 | $0.46 | $0.25 | 78,814 |
---|
April 1, 2004 | to | June, 30, 2004 | $0.46 | $0.30 | 79,530 |
---|
July 1, 2004 | to | September 30, 2004 | $0.42 | $0.29 | 21,137 |
---|
October 1, 2004 | to | December 31, 2004 | $0.47 | $0.26 | 90,704 |
---|
January 1, 2005 | to | March 31, 2005 | $0.45 | $0.26 | 37,522 |
---|
April 1, 2005 | to | June 30, 2005 | $0.43 | $0.28 | 25,394 |
---|
July 1, 2005 | to | September 30, 2005 | $0.75 | $0.33 | 259,892 |
---|
October 1, 2005 | to | December 31, 2005 | $1.00 | $0.61 | 257,685 |
---|
January 1, 2006 | to | March 31, 2006 | $1.45 | $0.83 | 258,527 |
---|
April 1, 2006 | to | June 30, 2006 | $1.65 | $0.93 | 321,319 |
---|
July 1, 2006 | to | September 30, 2006 | $1.15 | $0.67 | 51,767 |
---|
October 1, 2006 | to | December 31, 2006 | $0.79 | $0.40 | 128,733 |
---|
January 1, 2007 | to | March 31, 2007 | $0.64 | $0.41 | 39,533 |
---|
April 1, 2007 | to | June 30, 2007 | $0.85 | $0.45 | 55,800 |
---|
B. Plan of Distribution
Not Applicable
C. Markets
The Common Shares have been listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the CDNX) since October 2001 under the trading symbol "RSM". The common shares were traded on the Montreal Exchange from June 28, 1996 until October 2001. Prior to such date, there was no established trading market for the Common Shares and no quotations or prices are available because of the sporadic and very limited trading that took place.
The common shares are also listed on the US-OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "RYSMF".
D. Selling shareholders.
Not Applicable
E. Dilution.
Not Applicable
F. Expenses of the issue.
Not Applicable
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share capital.
Not applicable
B. Memorandum and articles of association.
These documents were filed with the registration statement in November 1996.
C. Material contracts.
- (i)
On January 1, 2006, the Company entered into a management employment agreement with the President of the Company for management and consulting services for $250,000 per annum which expires in January 1, 2011. On January 1, 2007 and on each January 1 during the term of the agreement, the compensation may be increased by 10% per annum. This agreement can be renewed for an additional five years.
- (ii)
On October 23, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with a company for investors' relation services for $7,500 per month which expires October 31, 2007.
(iii) On October 25, 2006 (amended to be effective November 1, 2006), the Company entered into an employment agreement with the Chief Financial Officer for $5,000 per month which expires October 31, 2007. In addition, the Company is committed to issue options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company as per the employment agreement. The options are exercisable at $0.60 until November 1, 2011. The fair value of the stock options is estimated to be $33,300 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions were made in estimating the fair value of the stock options: dividend yield, 0%; risk-free interest rate, 3.91%; estimated life, 2.5 years and volatility, 92%. The options were granted in July, 2007.
- (iv)
The Company is obligated to incur an additional $45,000 in option costs before the end of fiscal 2009 pursuant to the agreement of the Como Project.
- (v)
The Company is obligated to incur an additional $144,000 in option costs before July 1, 2009 pursuant to the agreement of the Gold Wedge Project.
- (vi)
The Company is obligated to incur an additional $120,000 in option costs before the end of fiscal 2010 pursuant to the agreement of the Railroad Project.
(vii)The Company is obligated to incur an additional $80,000 in exploration expenditures before June 30, 2010 pursuant to the agreement of the Mustang Canyon Project.
(viii)The Company is obligated to incur an additional $260,000 in exploration expenditures and $38,320 in option costs before July 31, 2011 pursuant to the agreement of the Darkstar gold property.
(ix) The Company is obligated to incur an additional $175,000 in option costs before the end of fiscal 2012 pursuant to the agreement of the Fondaway Project.
D. Exchange controls.
There is no law, governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls, or that affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of Common Shares, other than withholding tax requirements and potential capital gain on the disposition of the Common Shares under certain circumstances. (See Item 10. E. - Taxation.)
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the Articles or other charter documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote Common Shares, other than as provided by the Investment Canada Act (Canada) as amended, including as amended by the World Trade Organization Implementation Act (Canada). The following summarizes the principal features of the Investment Canada Act for non-Canadians who propose to acquire Common Shares.
The Investment Canada Act (the "Act") enacted on June 20, 1985, as amended, including as amended by the World Trade Organization Implementation Act (Canada), requires notification and, in certain cases, advance review and approval by the Government of Canada of the acquisition by a "non-Canadian" of "control" of a "Canadian business," all as defined in the Act. "Non-Canadian" generally means an individual who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or a Corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is ultimately controlled by non-Canadians. For purposes of the Act, "control" can be acquired through the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets used in the Canadian business, or the direct or indirect acquisition of voting interests or shares in an entity that carries on a Canadian business or which controls the entity which carries on the Canadian business whether or not the controlling entity is Canadian. Under the Act, control of a Corporation is deemed to be acquired through the acquisition of a majority of the voting shares of a Corporation, and is presumed to be acquired where at least one-third, but less than a majority, of the voting shares of a Corporation or of an equivalent undivided ownership interest in the voting shares of a Corporation are acquired unless it can be established that the Corporation is not controlled in fact through the ownership of voting shares. Other rules apply with respect to the acquisition of non-corporate entities.
All investments to acquire control of a Canadian business are notifiable, unless they are reviewable. Investments requiring review and approval include: (i) a direct acquisition of control of a Canadian business with assets with a value of Cdn. $5,000,000 or more; (ii) an indirect acquisition of control of a Canadian business where the value of the assets of the Canadian business and of all other Canadian entities the control of which is acquired directly or indirectly is Cdn. $50,000,000 or more; and (iii) an indirect acquisition of control of a Canadian business and of all other Canadian entities the control of which is acquired directly or indirectly is Cdn. $5,000,000 or more and represents greater than 50% of the total value of the assets of all of the entities, control of which is being acquired. Subject to certain exceptions, where an investment is made by a "WTO Investor" (generally, nationals or permanent residents of World Trade Organization member states, or entities controlled by residents or nationals of WTO member states) or the Canadian business is controlled by a WTO Investor, the monetary thresholds discussed above are higher. In these circumstances the monetary threshold with regard to direct acquisitions is Cdn. $160,000,000 in constant 1995 dollars as determined in accordance with the Act. Indirect acquisitions of Canadian businesses by or from WTO Investors are not subject to review. The United States is a WTO member state.
Special rules apply with respect to investments by non-Canadians (including WTO Investors) to acquire control of Canadian businesses that engage in certain specified activities, including financial services, transportation services and activities relating to Canada's cultural heritage or national identity.
If an investment is reviewable, an application for review in the form prescribed by regulation is normally required to be filed with the Investment Review Division of Industry Canada prior to the investment taking place and the investment may not be normally implemented until the review has been completed and ministerial approval obtained.
The Investment Review Division will submit the application for review to the Minister of Industry (Canada), together with any other information or written undertakings given by the acquirer and any representations submitted to the division by a province that is likely to be significantly affected by the investment. The Minister will then determine whether the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada," taking into account the information provided and having regard to certain factors of assessment prescribed under the Act. Among the factors considered are: (i) the effect of the investment on the nature and level of economic activity in Canada, including the effect on employment, on resource processing, on the utilization of parts, components and services produced in Canada, and on exports from Canada; (ii) the degree and significance of participation by Canadians in the Canadian business and in any industry in Canada of which it forms a part; (iii) the effect of the investment on productivity, industrial efficiency, technological development, product innovation and product variety in Canada; (iv) the effect of the investment on competition within any industry or industries in Canada; (v) the compatibility of the investment with national industrial, economic and cultural objectives enunciated by the government or legislature of any province likely to be significantly affected by the investment; and (vi) the contribution of the investment to Canada's ability to compete in world markets.
Within 45 days after completed application for review has been received, the Minister must notify the investor that (a) he is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada," or (b) he is unable to complete his review in which case he shall have 30 additional days to complete his review (unless the investor agrees to a longer period) or (c) he is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada." If the Minister is unable to complete his review and no decision has been taken within the prescribed or agreed upon time, the Minister is deemed to be satisfied that the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada."
Where the Minister has advised the investor that he is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada," the acquirer has the right to make representations and submit undertakings within 30 days of the date of notice (or any further period that is agreed upon between the investor and the Minister). On the expiration of the 30-day period (or an agreed extension), the Minister must notify the investor whether or not he is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of "net benefit to Canada." In the latter case, the investor may not proceed with the investment, or if the investment has already been implemented, must divest itself of control of the Canadian business.
No securities of the Company are subject to escrow.
Pursuant to an escrow agreement dated June 17, 1996, (the "Escrow Agreement"), among the Company, Montreal Trust Company (the "Trustee"), and Sharpe, as the escrowed shareholder, an aggregate of 5,061,615 Common Shares of the Company are held by the Trustee in escrow. The Escrow Agreement was entered into as a condition of the Montreal Exchange approving the listing of the Company's Common Shares on the Montreal Exchange. The first 250,000 Common Shares are released in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of General Policy Q-4 of the Quebec Securities Commission, and the balance are released upon a mineral property being placed in commercial production. The escrow agreement expired on November 30, 2001 and as a result the Quebec Securities Commission canceled all of the escrow shares granted under the June 17, 1996 agreement.
E. Taxation
The following is a summary of certain Canadian federal income tax provisions applicable to United States corporations, citizens and resident alien individuals purchasing Common Shares. The discussion is only a general summary and does not purport to deal with all aspects of Canadian federal taxation that may be relevant to shareholders, including those subject to special treatment under the income tax laws. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding the Canadian federal income tax consequences of holding and disposing of the Company's Common Shares, as well as any consequences arising under US federal, state or local tax laws or tax laws of other jurisdictions outside the United States. The summary is based on the assumption that, for Canadian tax purposes, the purchasers or shareholders (i) deal at arm's-length with the Company, (ii) are not residents of Canada, (iii) hold the Common Shares as capital property and (iv) do not use or hold Common Shares in, or in the course of, carrying on business in Canada (a "Non-Resident Holder").
Dividends paid to US residents by the Company on the Common Shares generally will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes. For this purpose, dividends will include amounts paid by the Company in excess of the paid-up capital of the Common Shares on redemption or a purchase for cancellation of such shares by the Company (other than purchases on the open market). For US corporations owning at least 10% of the voting stock of the Company, the dividends paid by the Company are subject to a withholding tax rate of 6% in 1996 and 5% thereafter under the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended by the Protocol signed on March 17, 1995 (the "Treaty"). For all other US shareholders, the Treaty reduces the withholding tax rate from 25% to 15% of the gross dividend. Other applicable tax treaties may reduce the Canadian tax rate for other Non-Resident Holders.
A Non-Resident Holder will generally not be subject to tax in Canada on capital gains realized from disposition of Common Shares, unless such shares are "taxable Canadian property" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Generally, the Common Shares would not be taxable Canadian property unless the Non-Resident Holder, together with related parties, at any time during the five years prior to the disposition of the Common Shares owned not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class of the capital stock of the Company. Under the Treaty, a resident of the United States will not be subject to tax under the Income Tax Act (Canada) in respect of gains realized on the sale of Common Shares which constitute "taxable Canadian property", provided that the value of the Common Shares at the time of disposition is not derived principally from real property located in Canada.
F. Dividends and paying agents.
Not applicable.
G. Statement by experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on display.
Company documents can be reviewed at 3258 Mob Neck Road, Heathsville, VA 22473 or One Main Street, Manhattan, Nevada, 89022. You can also obtain copies by writing to either of these addresses.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
At January 31, 2007, the Company's financial instruments consisted of cash and cash equivalents, common shares of Sharpe Resources, receivables and payables and accruals. The Company estimates that the fair value of its other financial assets and liabilities approximates the carrying values due to their short-term nature.
It is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.
Not applicable.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.
Not applicable.
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report and based on their evaluation the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) were effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
Item 16. [Reserved]
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The board of directors has determined that Director and Audit Committee Member Mr. James Dunlop has the necessary attributes and independence for designation as the audit committee's financial expert and has designated Mr. Dunlop as the financial expert.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics.
The company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its Directors and Executive Officers. The Code of Ethics can be viewed at 3258 Mob Neck Road, Heathsville, Virginia 22473. It can also be obtained, without charge, by writing to this address.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Year Ending January 31, 2007 2006 2005
Audit Fees $42,500 $35,500 $23,500 Audit Related Fees $0 $0 $0 Tax Fees $2,500 $2,500 $1,500 All Other Fees $680 $568 $0
Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee, in consultation with senior management, reviews annually and recommends for approval by the board of directors;
- the appointment of independent auditors at the annual general meeting of shareholders of the Corporation;
- the remuneration of the auditors; and
- pre-approval of all non-audit services to be provided to the Corporation by the external auditor.
Since the commencement of the Corporation's most recently completed financial year, every recommendation of the Audit Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor was adopted by the Board of Directors.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.
The Company is relying on the exemption in section 6.1 in Multilateral Instrument 52-110 "Audit Committees" which provides that venture issuers (as that term is defined therein) are not required to comply with certain audit committee composition requirements and have different reporting obligations, as specified by the Multilateral Instrument..
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements.
Following is a list of financial statements filed as part of the annual report.
− Auditor's Report for Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the year ended January 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Consolidated Balance Sheets of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. as at January 31, 2007 and 2006 − Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 2005 − Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. for the years ended January 31, 2007, 2006, 2005 − Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
The consolidated financial statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and are expressed in United States dollars. For a discussion of the reconciliation of such financial statements to United States generally accepted accounting principles, see note #17 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
Auditors' Report
To the Shareholders of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. as at Monday, January 31, 2005 and 2004 and the consolidated statements of exploration properties, operations and deficit and cash flows for each of the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in Canada and the standards issued by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board "United States". Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the company as at Monday, January 31, 2005 and 2004 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
The consolidated statements of exploration properties, operations and deficit and cash flows for the year ended January 31, 2003 were audited by other auditors who expressed an opinion without reservation on the financial statements in their report dated April 17, 2003.
"McCarney Greenwood LLP" Toronto, Canada McCarney Greenwood LLP Chartered Accountants
Comments by Auditors on United States of America-Canada Reporting Difference
United States of America reporting standards require the addition of an explanatory paragraph when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in note 1 to the financial statements. Although we conducted our audits in accordance with both United States of America and Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, our report to the shareholders dated March 29, 2005 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not permit a reference to such conditions and events in the auditor's report when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
"McCarney Greenwood LLP" Toronto, Canada McCarney Greenwood LLP Chartered Accountants
Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
(Continued under the New Brunswick Corporation Act) (An Exploration Stage Company)
(Expressed in United States dollars) Consolidated Financial Statements
January 31, 2007 and 2006
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements January 31, 2007 and 2006
(Audited)
INDEX
Page Audit Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 1 Consolidated Balance Sheets 2 Consolidated Statements of Mineral Properties 3-5 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit 6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 7 Notes to the Financial Statements 8-34
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders of Royal Standard Minerals Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (An Exploration Stage Company) as at January 31, 2007 and 2006 and the consolidated statements of mineral properties, operations and deficit and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at January 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2007 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
"McCarney Greenwood LLP" |
---|
Toronto, Canada | McCarney Greenwood LLP |
---|
April 16, 2007 | Chartered Accountants |
---|
| Licensed Public Accountants |
---|
Comments by Auditors on United States of America-Canada Reporting Difference
In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by conditions and events that cast doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, such as those described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. Our report to the shareholders dated April 16, 2007 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not require a reference to such conditions and events in the auditor's report when these are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
"McCarney Greenwood LLP"
Toronto, Canada McCarney Greenwood LLP April 16, 2007 Chartered Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
1
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at January 31 | | 2007 | | 2006 |
---|
Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2(b)) Short-term investments, at cost which approximates market Marketable securities (Note 3) Sundry receivables and prepaids Due from related parties (Note 13) | $ | 9,654,288 433,699 86,124 141,827 122,386 | $ | 795,095 436,378 86,124 1,261 126,342 |
| | 10,438,324 | | 1,445,200 |
Reclamation bond (Note 4) Mineral properties (Note 5) Equipment, net (Note 6) | | 181,767 7,788,107 2,056,392 | | 131,767 3,810,519 1,258,994 |
| $ | 20,464,590 | $ | 6,646,480 |
Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 202,157 | $ | 221,733 |
Asset retirement obligation (Note 7) | | 202,157 181,767 | | 221,733 131,767 |
| | 383,924 | | 353,500 |
Shareholders' Equity Share capital (Note 8) Shares to be issued (Note 9) Warrants (Note 9) Contributed surplus (Note 10) Deficit | | 25,403,464 -3,546,935 6,025,637 (14,895,370) | | 11,832,670 119,325 1,440,009 2,364,866 (9,463,890) |
| | 20,080,666 | | 6,292,980 |
| $ | 20,464,590 | $ | 6,646,480 |
The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Approved by the Board "Roland M. Larsen" Director "Kimberly L. Koerner" Director
2
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company) Consolidated Statements of Mineral Properties Cumulative from date of inception of exploration For the years ended January 31 2007 2006 2005 phase Gold Wedge Project Opening balance $ 2,636,862 $ 1,460,443 $ 264,119 $ -Property acquisition costs Travel Mine development costs Drilling General exploration Professional fees Consulting fees and payroll Office and general Analysis and assays Supplies, equipment and transportation 171,376 184,892 111,122 506,399 77,737 70,862 40,770 212,553 293,519 237,867 207,662 741,133 53,185 78,790 146,441 278,416 5,023 38,776 8,188 133,353 -33,740 29,513 72,636 1,377,706 243,297 619,528 2,324,926 335,767 79,701 -415,968 30,063 22,240 18,222 94,722 1,171,969 186,254 14,878 1,373,101 Activity during the period 3,516,345 1,176,419 1,196,324 6,153,207 Closing balance $ 6,153,207 $ 2,636,862 $ 1,460,443 $ 6,153,207 Pinon Project Opening balance $ 762,285 $ 600,538 $ 511,043 $ -Property acquisition costs Travel Drilling General exploration Professional fees Office and general Geologist Consulting fees and payroll Reclamation costs Analysis and assays Supplies, equipment and transportation 34,047 40,258 42,156 425,570 -801 1,201 11,850 8,333 72,780 2,259 130,600 ---7,765 ---66,273 15,296 2,698 7,983 43,707 -25,008 3,127 32,653 151,133 19,537 6,192 194,902 167,785 --167,785 9,380 382 26,577 66,871 -283 -283 Activity during the period 385,974 161,747 89,495 1,148,259 Closing balance $ 1,148,259 $ 762,285 $ 600,538 $ 1,148,259 |
---|
The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
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3 4 The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. |
---|
(Expressed in United States Dollars) |
---|
(An Exploration Stage Company) |
---|
Consolidated Statements of Mineral Properties |
---|
Cumulative |
---|
from date of |
---|
inception of |
---|
exploration |
---|
For the years ended January 31 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | phase |
---|
Railroad Project | | |
---|
Opening balance | $ 175,670 | $ 175,670 | $ | 122,732 | $ | - |
---|
Property acquisition costs | 40,143 | - | | 52,938 | | 215,813 |
---|
Activity during the period | 40,143 | - | | 52,938 | | 215,813 |
---|
Closing balance | $ 215,813 | $ 175,670 | $ | 175,670 | $ 215,813 |
---|
Fondaway Project Opening balance | $ 127,652 | $ 96,028 | $ | 43,999 | $ | - |
---|
Property acquisition costs | 35,126 | 31,624 | | 51,678 | 162,427 |
---|
Analysis and assays | - | - | | 351 | 351 |
---|
Activity during the period | 35,126 | 31,624 | | 52,029 | 162,778 |
---|
Closing balance | $ 162,778 | $ 127,652 | $ | 96,028 | $ 162,778 |
---|
Como Project | | |
---|
Opening balance | $ 108,050 | $ 86,330 | $ | 126,124 | $ | - |
---|
Property acquisition costs | - | - | | - | | 35,695 |
---|
Travel | - | - | | - | | 2,806 |
---|
Geologist | - | - | | - | | 5,098 |
---|
Consulting fees and payroll | - | - | | - | | 41,532 |
---|
Rent | - | 21,720 | | - | | 53,575 |
---|
Analysis and assays | - | - | | - | | 9,138 |
---|
Written off | - | - | | (39,794) | | (39,794) |
---|
Activity during the period | - | 21,720 | | (39,794) | | 108,050 |
---|
Closing balance | $ 108,050 | $ 108,050 | $ | 86,330 | $ 108,050 |
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The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements. | | |
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Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company) Consolidated Statements of Mineral Properties For the years ended January 31 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | Cumulative from date of inception of exploration phase |
---|
Manhattan Project Opening balance $ -Property acquisition costs -Travel -General exploration -Consulting fees and payroll -Analysis and assays -Written off -Activity during the period -Closing balance $ - | $ 191,065 --1,458 --(192,523) (191,065) $ - | $ 172,031 --19,034 ---19,034 $ 191,065 | $ -27,707 28,253 63,219 47,743 25,601 (192,523) -$ - |
---|
Other Projects Opening balance $ -Cumulative expenditures from date of inception -Expenditures during the period -Written off -Activity during the period -Closing balance $ - | $ 54,053 -120,891 (174,944) (54,053) $ - | $ 13,396 -40,657 -40,657 $ 54,053 | $ -3,410,396 161,548 (3,571,944) -$ - |
---|
TOTAL $ 7,788,107 | $ 3,810,519 | $ 2,664,127 | $ 7,788,107 |
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5
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
Cumulative from date of inception
For the years ended January 31 2007 2006 2005 June 26, 1996
Expenses
General and administrative (Note 16) 618,962 266,505 193,287 2,499,742 Consulting fees and payroll 443,693 295,707 213,504 1,513,777 Stock-option compensation (Note 10) 3,838,926 739,006 150,606 4,768,878 General exploration ---152,051 Amortization 540,289 191,877 14,921 770,794
5,441,870 1,493,095 572,318 9,705,242
Loss before the following (5,441,870) (1,493,095) (572,318) (9,705,242)
Interest income 391,420 --410,034 Repayment of interest ---(67,117) Write-off of advances to related company ---(75,506) Write-off of mineral properties -(367,467) (34,397) (3,798,864) Gain on disposal of marketable securities ---47,988 Write-down of marketable securities ---(407,105) Loss on sale in mineral property ---(474,187) Foreign exchange (loss) gain (381,030) 249,505 131,306 (84,631)
Net loss (5,431,480) (1,611,057) (475,409) (14,154,630)
Deficit, beginning of period (9,463,890) (7,852,833) (7,377,424) (740,740)
Deficit, end of period $ (14,895,370) $ (9,463,890) $ (7,852,833) $ (14,895,370)
Basic and diluted loss per share (Note 11) $ (0.07) $ (0.03) $ (0.01)
The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cumulative from date of inception
For the years ended January 31 2007 2006 2005 June 26, 1996
Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Net loss $ | (5,431,480) $ | (1,611,057) $ | (475,409) $ | (14,154,630) |
Operating items not involving cash: | | | | |
Amortization | 540,289 | 191,877 | 14,921 | 770,794 |
Stock-option compensation | 3,838,926 | 739,006 | 150,606 | 4,768,878 |
Write-off of bad debt | - | - | 20,950 | 20,950 |
Write-off of mineral properties | - | 367,467 | 34,397 | 3,798,864 |
Loss on sale of mineral properties | - | - | - | 474,187 |
Gain on disposal of marketable securities | - | - | - | (47,988) |
Write-down of advances to related company | - | - | - | 75,506 |
Write-down of marketable securities | - | - | - | 407,105 |
Changes in non-cash working capital: | | | | |
Sundry receivables and prepaids | (140,566) | (484) | (69,012) | (210,621) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (19,576) | 117,646 | (2,091) | 202,157 |
Cash (used in) operating activities | (1,212,407) | (195,545) | (325,638) | (3,894,798) |
Financing activities | | | | |
Issue of common shares, net of issue costs | 15,380,240 | 4,025,421 | 2,065,648 | 30,110,481 |
Repayments from (loans to) related parties | 3,956 | (64,105) | (62,237) | (197,892) |
Cash provided by financing activities | 15,384,196 | 3,961,316 | 2,003,411 | 29,912,589 |
Investing activities | | | | |
Funds held in trust | - | - | 54,050 | (20,950) |
Sale (purchase) of short-term investments | 2,679 | (436,378) | - | (433,699) |
Additions to mineral properties | (3,977,588) | (1,513,859) | (1,528,858) | (12,726,297) |
Purchase of equipment | (1,337,687) | (1,413,136) | - | (2,827,187) |
Purchase of marketable securities | - | - | - | (1,057,976) |
Proceeds on disposal of marketable | | | | |
securities | - | - | - | 690,859 |
Proceeds on sale of mineral properties | - | - | - | 11,747 |
Cash (used in) investing activities | (5,312,596) | (3,363,373) | (1,474,808) | (16,363,503) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | 8,859,193 | 402,398 | 202,965 | 9,654,288 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 795,095 | 392,697 | 189,732 | - |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 9,654,288 $ 795,095 $ 392,697 $ 9,654,288 (Note 2(b))
The accompanying notes are integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
7
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
1. The Company and Operations
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (the "Company") is a publicly held company, engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of gold and silver resource properties. The Company is continued under the New Brunswick Business Corporations Act and its common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and traded on the OTC Bulletin Board. The Company is in the exploration stage and has adopted the Accounting Guideline 11 as required by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook. The date of inception has been deemed to be June 26, 1996, the date on which the Company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Southeastern Resources Inc. ("SRI").
The business of mining and exploring for minerals involves a high degree of risk and there can be no assurance that current exploration programs will result in profitable mining operations. The recoverability of the carrying value of the exploration properties and the Company's continued existence is dependent upon the preservation of its interest in the underlying properties, the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the achievement of profitable operations, or the ability of the Company to raise alternative financing, if necessary, or alternatively upon the Company's ability to dispose of its interests on an advantageous basis. Changes in future conditions could require material write-downs of the carrying values.
These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of its assets and the settlement of its liabilities in the normal course of operations. The Company's ability to continue its operations is dependent upon obtaining necessary financing to complete the development of its properties and/or the realization of the proceeds from the sale of one or more of its properties. These financial statements do not include adjustments related to the carrying values and classifications of assets and liabilities that would be necessary should the Company be unable to continue in business.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada.
A summary of the differences between accounting principles generally accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP") and those generally accepted in the United States ("US GAAP") which affect the Company is contained in Note 17.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the determination of the recoverability of mineral property costs, the asset retirement obligation, the valuation allowance of future tax asset, and the calculation of stock-based compensation expense. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The significant accounting policies are as follows:
(a) Principles of consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Southeastern Resources Inc., Pinon Exploration Corporation, Standard Energy Inc., and Manhattan Mining Co., all United States companies.
8
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(b) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the consolidated balance sheets at cost and they are comprised of cash on hand, term deposits held with banks and other short-term liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less.
2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
---|
Cash Money Market deposits | $ | 322,693 9,331,595 | $ | 186,828 608,267 | $ | 392,697 - |
---|
Cash and cash equivalents $ | 9,654,288 | $ | 795,095 | $ | 392,697 |
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(c) Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the declining balance method using the following rates:
Exploration equipment -25% to 30%
Office equipment -20%
Equipment is assessed for future recoverability or impairment on an annual basis by estimating future net undiscounted cash flows and residual value or by estimating replacement values. When the carrying amount of equipment exceeds the estimated net recoverable amount, the asset is written down to fair value with a charge to income in the period that such determination is made.
(d) Mineral properties
All costs related to the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties are capitalized by property. Costs includes any cash consideration and advance royalties paid. Properties acquired under option agreements, whereby payments are made at the sole discretion of the Company, are recorded in the accounts when the payments are made.
If the economically recoverable precious metal reserves are developed, capitalized costs of the related property will be reclassified as mining assets and amortized using the unit production method. When a mineral property is abandoned, all related costs are written-off to operations. If, after management review, it is determined that the carrying amount of a mineral property is impaired, that property is written-down to its estimated net realizable value. A mineral property is reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.
The amounts shown for mineral properties do not necessarily represent present or future values. Their recoverability is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing to complete the development, and future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition thereof.
9
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(e) Asset retirement obligation
Section 3110 of the CICA Handbook requires the recognition of a liability for obligations relating to the retirement of property, plant and equipment and obligations arising from acquisition, construction, development or normal operations of those assets. The Company recognizes the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") in the year in which a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. The estimates are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. It is quite possible that the Company's estimates of its ultimate reclamation and closure liabilities associated with any mine or facility built will change as a result of changes in regulations, changes in the extent of environmental remediation required, changes in the means of reclamation or changes in cost estimates. Consequently, changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimated of undiscounted cash flows will be recognized as an increase or a decrease to the carrying amount of the liability and related long-lived asset. The liability will be increased for the passage of time and reported as an operating expense (accretion cost).
(f) Stock-based compensation plans
The fair value of the stock options granted is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and management's assumptions as disclosed in Note 10 and recorded as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period of the stock-options, with the offsetting credit recorded as an increase in contributed surplus.
If the stock options are exercised, the proceeds are credited to share capital and the fair value at the date of grant is reclassified from contributed surplus to share capital.
(g) Income taxes
Future income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the accounting and tax base of the assets and liabilities, and are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when these temporary differences are likely to reverse. The amount of future income tax assets recognized is limited to the amount of the benefit that is more likely than not to be realized, and a valuation allowance is applied against any future tax asset if it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized.
(h) Loss per common share
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the loss for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including contingently issuable shares which are included when the conditions necessary for issuance have been met. Diluted earnings per share is calculated in a similar manner, except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding is increased to include potentially issuable common shares from the assumed exercise of common share purchase options and warrants, if dilutive. The number of additional shares included in the calculation is based on the treasury stock method for options and warrants.
10
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
2. Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)
(i) Foreign currency translation
The Company uses the United States Dollar as its reporting currency, as the majority of its transactions are denominated in this currency and the operations of its subsidiaries are considered to be of an integrated nature.
Monetary assets and liabilities of the parent company denominated in Canadian funds are translated into United States funds at period end rates of exchange. Other assets and liabilities and share capital of the parent company are translated at historical rates. Revenues and expenses of the parent company are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Gains and losses on foreign exchange are recorded in operations in the current period.
(j) Marketable securities
Marketable securities are carried at the lower of cost and market.
(k) Short-term investments
Short-term investments are liquid investments with a maturity greater than three months but less than one year.
(l) Financial instruments, Equity and Comprehensive Income
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investment, marketable securities, sundry receivables, and accounts payable. The carrying values of these financial instruments approximate their fair market values due to the relatively short periods to maturity or capacity for prompt liquidation of these instruments. The company's operating cash flows are substantially independent of changes in market interest rates.
The Accounting Standard Board issued new accounting standards, effective for financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2006, dealing with the recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial instruments, hedges and comprehensive income. Consistent with US and international reporting requirements, these standards require that certain gains and losses be recorded in a separate statement as comprehensive income. Fair value is considered the most relevant measure for financial instruments, which are any contracts that give rise to a financial asset of one party and a financial liability or equity instrument of another party. The company intends to adopt these policies effective February 1, 2007 and will report comprehensive income, equity and financial instruments in accordance with the relevant sections of the CICA Handbook (sections 1530, 3251, and 3855, respectively).
In addition to disclosing a new comprehensive income statement, the primary effect on the Company will be that all financial instruments will be measured at fair value. The Company will be required to separately disclose available-for-sale financial assets, which are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available for sale, or that are not classified as loans and receivables, held-tomaturity investments, or held for trading.
Any gains and losses arising from a change in the fair value of a financial asset or financial liability that is classified as held for trading (including assets previously disclosed as marketable securities, but excluding hedges) will be recognized in net income in the periods in which they arise. Certain gains and losses on financial assets classified as available for sale will be recognized in other comprehensive income until the financial asset is no longer recognized or becomes impaired.
11
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
3. Marketable Securities
Marketable securities consist of common shares of Sharpe Resources Corporation ("Sharpe"), a publicly held Canadian company engaged in the exploration for precious metals in the United States. Sharpe Resources is considered to be related to the Company because of common management. The market value of the shares at January 31, 2007 was $118,720 (2006 -$226,538; 2005 -$96,684).
The shares are carried at the lower of cost and quoted market values.
4. Reclamation Bond
The Company has posted reclamation bonds for its mining projects, as required by the State of Nevada, to secure clean-up costs if the projects are abandoned or closed.
5. Mineral Properties
Name of Mineral Property | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 |
---|
Gold Wedge project (i) Pinion project (ii) Railroad project Fondaway project Como project (iii) Manhattan project Other projects | $ | 6,153,207 1,148,259 215,813 162,778 108,050 -- | $ | 2,636,862 762,285 175,670 127,652 108,050 -- | $ | 1,460,443 600,538 175,670 96,028 86,330 191,065 54,053 |
| $ | 7,788,107 | $ | 3,810,519 | $ | 2,664,127 |
(i) Gold Wedge Project
On June 29, 2005 the Company entered into a 5-year purchase option agreement with a private individual for all of his patented and unpatented mining claims in the Manhattan Mining District located in Nye County, Nevada. The land package totals approximately 1600 acres (4 patented, 700 unpatented claims). This property position adjoins the Company's Goldwedge Mine. The land package includes a number of exploration targets which are of interest to the Company. In addition, the Company's option includes the Dixie Comstock claim group located in Churchill County, Nevada. The Dixie Comstock is a 1500 acre property containing an epithermal gold system that has been explored by a number of other major mining companies over the past 20 years. It is considered to be an attractive advanced exploration project. The Company is currently engaged in the completion of a 43-101 property report. The Company agreed to pay $35,000 upon the execution of the Agreement. Annual option payments of $48,000 are to be applied to a total purchase price of $600,000 – there are no royalties.
The Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation on its Gold Wedge Project, representing the estimated costs of the Company's obligation to restore the Gold Wedge properties to their original condition as required by the State of Nevada regulatory authorities. As such, the Company has recorded an asset retirement obligation in the amount of $181,767, the amount of the reclamation bond posted by the Company with the State of Nevada.
12
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
5. Mineral Properties (Continued)
(ii) Pinon Project
Pinon Project -Cord Lease
In August 2002, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties located in Elko County, Nevada for a period of five years. The lessors will retain a 5% net smelter royalty.
Pinon Project -Tomera Lease
In August 2002, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties located in Elko County, Nevada for a period of seven years. The lessors will retain a 5% net smelter royalty.
In addition, the Company entered into an irrevocable lease agreement with the surface and minerals rights owners of the Tomera Lease properties.
Pinon Project -Mustang Canyon
In July 2005, the Company signed an Exploration and Option Agreement with Metallic Nevada Inc. ("Metallic") to explore the Mustang Canyon Project in Esmeralda County, Nevada for a period of five years. Metallic has granted to the Company a mining lease on 27 unpatented lode mining claims located in Esmeralda County, Nevada.
The agreement gives the Company the exclusive option to acquire 50% interest in the Mustang Canyon Project by spending $20,000 per year in exploration expenditures with the objective to identify a measured resource by June 30, 2010. Upon identification of a measured resource and completion of a 43-101 report, the Company will acquire an undivided 50% interest in the project.
The Company may terminate the Agreement at any time after spending the initial $20,000, by providing 30 days written notice to Metallic. When the Company has exercised its option to acquire a 50% interest in the project, Metallic and the Company will establish a Joint Venture in respect to the project, on a 50/50 basis. Further expenditures on the Mustang Canyon Project will then be made by the Joint Venture. The Company will be the operator of the Joint Venture as long as it has at least a 50% interest therein.
Pinon Project -Darkstar Lease
In July 2006, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties near the proposed Pinon minesite in Elko County, Nevada for a period of five years. The Darkstar gold property is located less than 2 miles from the Pinon property. The Company agreed to pay $6,400 on execution of the Agreement. The Company is committed to pay Annual option payments of $7,600 in 2007, $8,960 in 2008, $10,240 in 2009 and $11,520 in 2010. The lessor will also retain a 5% net smelter royalty.
(iii) Como Project
On December 2003, the Company entered into a mining lease agreement to lease certain properties located in Lyon County, Nevada. The Company agreed to pay $25,000 upon execution of the Agreement. The Company was committed to pay an annual option of $25,000 in 2005. Future payments are $20,000 in 2008 and $25,000 in 2009.
13
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
5. Mineral Properties (Continued)
(iii)Como Project (Continued)
On September 15, 2004, the Company granted an option (the "Option") to Sharpe to acquire a 60% interest in the Company's gold project located in Lyon County, Nevada (the "Project"), in consideration for which Sharpe has issued 2,000,000 common shares to the Company at a deemed value of $78,125 ($100,000 CDN). To exercise the option, Sharpe was required to maintain the unpatented and patented mining claims on the Project, and to pay all required options, annual advanced minimum royalty payments and deliver a completed positive feasibility study in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 in respect of the Project. On December 5, 2006, Sharpe withdrew from this project without any further financial obligations.
Nevada Projects
In fiscal 2003 and 2002, the Company entered into certain option agreements to purchase up to 100% interest in patented and unpatented lode mining claims in Nye, Elko and Lyon Counties, Nevada. Detail of the payments required to maintain its option rights and to exercise its option is as follows:
Required Option Payments | Royalty (1) | Exercise of Option |
---|
Gold Wedge -Nye County Commencing in fiscal 2002, $5,000 each in first two years; $10,000 in third year, $15,000 in the fourth year and $20,000 each in the fifth and sixth years. | 3% NSR | July 2006 -$200,000 |
Manhattan -Nye County Commencing in fiscal 2002, $1,000 per month from August 2001 to August 2002: $2,000 per month from September 2002 to July 2006. | 5% NSR | August 2006 -$500,000 |
This project was discontinued and all exploration expenditures were written-off in 2005. | | |
Fondaway -Canyon Churchill County Commencing in fiscal 2003, $25,000 in year one, $30,000 in years two and three and $35,000 each of the next seven years. | 3% NSR | July 2013 -$600,000 |
Como -Lyon County Commencing in fiscal 2003, $25,000 in years one and two covering years three and four, $20,000 in year five, $25,000 in year six. | 4% NSR | May 2008 -$1,000,000 |
Railroad -Elko County Commencing in fiscal 2003, $15,000 in the first year and increases by $5,000 each of the next six years. | 5% NSR | August 2008 -$2,000,000 |
(1) NSR -Net Smelter Royalty | | |
During the year ended January 31, 2006, the Company wrote-off $192,523 of exploration expenditures relating to the Manhattan, Nye County project and $174,944 relating to smaller projects that the Company was evaluating. Total exploration expenditures written-off amounted to $367,467 during the year ended January 31, 2006. There were no similar write-offs in 2007.
14 Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
- Equipment
- Asset retirement obligation
2007 | 2006 | | 2005 |
---|
Cost Exploration equipment Office equipment | $ 2,808,573 21,253 | $ 1,475,201 16,936 | $ | 62,065 16,936 |
---|
| 2,829,826 | 1,492,137 | | 79,001 |
---|
Accumulated amortization Exploration equipment Office equipment | 759,636 13,798 | 220,669 12,474 | | 34,537 6,729 |
---|
| 773,434 | 233,143 | | 41,266 |
---|
Net carrying value Exploration equipment Office equipment | 2,048,937 7,455 | 1,254,532 4,462 | | 27,528 10,207 |
---|
| $ 2,056,392 | $ 1,258,994 | $ | 37,735 |
---|
The Company is required to recognize a liability for a legal obligation to perform asset retirement activities, including decommissioning, reclamation and environmental monitoring activities once any of its projects are permanently closed. Although these activities are conditional upon future events, the Company is required to make a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the liability. Based on the existing level of terrestrial disturbance and water treatment and monitoring requirements, the undiscounted asset retirement obligation ("ARO's") were estimated to be $250,930 as at January 31, 2007, assuming payments made over a five year period.
Determination of the undiscounted ARO and the timing of these obligations were based on internal estimates using information currently available, existing regulations, and estimates of closure costs. Following is the reconciliation of the asset retirement obligation:
2007 2006 2005
Balance, beginning of year $ 131,767 $ 131,767 $ 131,767 Accretion cost 50,000 -
Balance, end of year $ 181,767 $ 131,767 $ 131,767
The discount rate used when estimating the fair value of the ARO is a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate with the same maturity as the removal obligation. The Company used a credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate of 5% to calculate the present value of the ARO, which was $181,767.
15
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
8. Share Capital Authorized
The authorized capital of the Company consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value.
Issued
Changes in the Company's share capital were as follows:
Common shares issued | Shares | | Amount |
Balance at January 31, 2004 Shares issued for cash, less issue costs of $360,964 Warrant valuation Shares issued to broker as compensation Shares issued on warrants exercised Fair value of warrants exercised | 34,141,338 7,395,000 -349,680 1,257,500 - | $ | 7,221,581 1,486,784 (428,918) 91,117 318,352 90,345 |
Balance at January 31, 2005 Shares issued for cash, less issue costs of $295,750 Warrant valuation Shares issued to brokers as compensation Shares issued on warrants exercised Fair value of warrants exercised Shares issued on stock options exercised Fair value of stock options exercised | 43,143,518 12,131,000 -127,000 2,221,060 -200,000 - | | 8,779,261 3,117,705 (1,132,581) 35,553 692,984 255,491 64,824 19,433 |
Balance at January 31, 2006 Shares issued after January 31, 2006 Shares issued for cash, less issue costs of $879,172 Warrant valuation Shares issued on stock options exercised Fair value of stock options exercised Shares issued on warrants exercised Fair value of warrants exercised | 57,822,578 100,000 12,975,967 -1,250,000 -6,126,730 - | | 11,832,670 119,325 12,407,590 (2,847,058) 332,784 178,155 2,639,865 740,133 |
Balance, January 31, 2007 | 78,275,275 | $ | 25,403,464 |
On February 3, 2004, the Company closed a private placement offering of 1,075,000 units at a price of CDN $0.25 per unit for gross proceeds of $200,935 ($268,750 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one additional common share at a price of CDN $0.30 until February 2, 2005.
On February 17, 2004, articles of amendment were filed to authorize the issuance of an unlimited number of special shares without par value.
On April 16, 2004, the Company closed a private placement offering of 6,320,000 units at a price of CDN $0.35 per unit for gross proceeds of $1,646,813 ($2,212,000 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional common share at a price of CDN $0.50 until April 15, 2006.
16
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
8. Share Capital (Continued)
Canaccord Capital Corporation ("Canaccord") acted as an agent of the private placement offering of 6,320,000 and was paid the following fees:
- (i)
An Agent's fee consisting of an 8% commission of the proceeds, paid in cash of $89,572 CDN and issuance of 249,680 in Agent's units. Each Agent's unit consists of one common share and one-half Agent's common share purchase warrant (Agent's Warrant"). Each Agent's Warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one common share at a price of $0.50 per Agent's Warrant until April 15, 2006.
- (ii)
A Corporate Finance fee of 100,000 Corporate Finance units; and an Administration fee of $5,584 ($7,500 CDN). Each Corporate Finance unit consists of one common share and one half Corporate Finance warrant. Each Corporate Finance warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one common share at a price of $0.50 per Corporate Finance warrant until April 15, 2006.
(iii) The Agent's fee also included 1,264,000 Agent's Warrants equal to 20% of the number of units issued on the private placement. Each Agent's Warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one common share at a price of $0.50 per Agent Warrant until April 15, 2006.
The fair value of the common share purchase warrants and agent's warrants issued in fiscal 2005 were estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model based on the following assumptions:
- (i)
Warrants issued on private placement Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 55%, risk -free interest rate 4.5% and an expected life of 12 months. Value assigned to 537,500 warrants is $34,379 ($45,688 CDN).
- (ii)
Warrants issued on private placement Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 55%, risk -free interest rate 4.5% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 3,160,000 warrants is $374,270 ($502,440 CDN).
(iii) Agent's warrants Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 55%, risk -free interest rate 4.5% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 1,438,840 compensation warrants is $170,416 ($228,776 CDN).
On March 31, 2005, the Company completed a private placement by issuing 8,750,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $2,531,829 ($3,062,500 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one additional share at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until March 31, 2007.
Canaccord, the agent acting for the offering, as partial compensation for their services, received 82,000 common shares and 1,353,500 Warrants. Each warrant entitling Canaccord to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 CDN until March 31, 2007.
On April 26, 2005, the Company issued 1,500,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $426,615 ($525,000 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase Warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to subscribe for one additional share at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until April 26, 2007.
Haywood Securities Inc. ("Haywood") and Canaccord (the "Agents") acted as agents in this round of financing. As partial compensation for their services, the Agents received 45,000 common shares and 247,500 Warrants. Each warrant entitled the Agents to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.50 CDN until April 26, 2007.
17
Royal Standard Minerals Inc. (Expressed in United States Dollars) (An Exploration Stage Company)
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Years ended January 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
8. Share Capital (Continued)
On April 29, 2005, the Company issued 50,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN per unit for gross proceeds of $14,296 ($17,500 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase Warrant. Each warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional share at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until April 29, 2007.
On May 5, 2005, the Company completed another private placements by issuing 1,831,000 units at a price of $0.35 CDN for gross proceeds of $495,808 ($640,850 CDN). Each unit consists of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitled the holder to subscribe for one additional share at a price of $0.50 CDN per share until May 5, 2007.
The fair value of the common share purchase warrants and agent warrants issued in fiscal 2006 were estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model based on the following assumptions:
- (i)
Warrants issued on private placement -8,750,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 109%, risk -free interest rate 3.22% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 4,375,000 warrants is $625,723 ($756,875 CDN).
- (ii)
Warrants issued on private placement -1,500,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 109%, risk -free interest rate 3.06% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 750,000 warrants is $104,183 ($129,750 CDN).
(iii) Warrants issued on private placement -50,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 109%, risk -free interest rate 3.06% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 25,000 warrants is $3,436 ($4,325 CDN).
Warrants issued on private placement -1,831,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 150%, risk -free interest rate 3.02% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 915,500 warrants is $171,279 ($213,311 CDN).
Agent warrants -8,750,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 109%, risk -free interest rate 3.22% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 1,353,500 agent warrants is $193,580 ($234,155 CDN).
Agent warrants -1,500,000 units Dividend yield 0%, expected volatility 109%, risk -free interest rate 3.06% and an expected life of 24 months. Value assigned to 247,500 agent warrants is $34,380 ($42,817 CDN).