UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
(Mark One)
Registration statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or
X
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2005
or
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _________________ to __________________
or
Shell Company report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities ExchangeAct of 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report. _______________________
Commission file number
0-29500
ARGOSY MINERALS INC. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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British Columbia, Canada |
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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20607 Logan Avenue Langley, BC Canada V3A 7R3 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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Common Shares, Without Par Value |
(Title of Class) |
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well known seasonal issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
Yes No X
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer X
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 X Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes No X
TABLE OF CONTENTS
4
Glossary Of Technical Terms
The following is a glossary of mining terms used in this document:
| | |
alluvial | - | resulting from erosion and weathering of primary occurrences and later transported, relocated and concentrated by a river. |
amphibole | - | a group of dark, iron and magnesium bearing rock forming minerals. |
assays | - | metallurgical procedure for determining grade of sample. |
basal | - | lowermost layer or horizon. |
biotite | - | a dark to black mica; common rock forming mineral. |
breccia | - | rock consisting of fragments, more or less angular, in a matrix of finer-grained material. |
calcsilicates | - | a calcium silicate mineral commonly in skarn deposit.s |
chalcopyrite | - | a yellow coloured copper iron sulphide. |
chargeability | - | the primary unit of measurement in time-domain induced polarisation geophysical surveys. |
chlorite | - | a soft platy mineral; a hydrated silicate that is a common alteration mineral. |
clastic | - | sedimentary rock composed principally of broken fragments derived from pre-existing rocks or minerals. |
concentrate | - | a product containing valuable minerals from which most of the waste material in the ore has been separated, usually by a flotation technique. |
conductivity | - | relating to electrical conductivity in rocks. |
decantation | - | metallurgical process where solutions flow or pumped from one process to another. |
development | - | the preparation of a mining property for production. |
diamond drilling | - | a type of rotary core drilling in which diamonds are used as the cutting tool. |
diamondiferous | - | containing diamond.. |
epidote | - | a yellowish green hydrated calcium, aluminium, iron silicate that often forms as an alteration mineral. |
epithermal | - | applied to hydrothermal deposits formed at low temperature and pressure. |
fault | - | a fracture in a rock along which there has been displacement. |
fault system | - | two or more interconnecting faults. |
flotation | - | a metallurgical process involving air bubbles to recover a specific mineral from an ore. |
gabbro | - | dark, coarse grained igneous (cooled from deeply buried magma body) rock. |
grade | - | the proportion of an element (or substance) in an ore body – commonly expressed as a percentage for base metals and grams/tonne or oz/ton for precious metals. |
g/t | - | grams per tonne. |
gravels | - | coarse alluvially derived sediments. |
IP | - | “induced polarisation”; a geophysical technique that uses electrical currents. |
km | - | kilometres (1000 metres). |
laterite | - | a residual deposit derived from the weathering of ultrabasic rocks by the drainage of meteoric water through fractures. |
lateritic ore | - | laterite containing nickel and cobalt values in economic concentrations. |
leaching | - | the dissolution stage of a hydrometallurgical process. |
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| | |
limonite | - | a hydrated oxide of iron which, in the context of a laterite orebody represents the most heavily weathered portion of the laterite profile, lying closest to surface with high concentrations of contained iron and low concentrations of contained magnesium. |
m | - | metres. |
magnetite | - | an iron oxide mineral. |
measured resource | - | the estimated quantity and grade of that part of a deposit for which the size, configuration, and grade have been very well-established by observation and sampling of outcrops, drill holes, trenches and mine workings. |
metamorphic | - | metamorphic rocks are those that have undergone heat+pressure that has commonly resulted in recrystallisation and/or growth of new minerals. |
metaconglomerate | - | a metamorphosed conglomerate; a conglomerate is a coarse grained sedimentary rock |
metasediment | - | a metamorphosed sedimentary rock. |
metavolcanic | - | a metamorphosed volcanic rock. |
mineralization | - | the presence of minerals of possible economic value. |
mineralogy | - | the study of minerals. |
mineral resource | - | a deposit or concentration of natural, solid, inorganic or fossilised organic substance in such quantity and at such a grade or quality that extraction of the material at a profit is potentially viable. |
ore | - | a body of rock from which it is or may be possible to extract minerals profitably. |
oxide | - | a mineral compound of an element (or elements) with oxygen. |
palaeochannel | - | ancient river course usually filled in with overburden. |
pentlandite | - | pale bronze coloured iron nickel sulphide mineral. |
plagioclase | - | feldspar mineral; a common aluminium silicate rock forming mineral. |
pyrite | - | a yellow iron sulphide mineral. |
pyroxene | - | dark, rock forming silicate mineral. |
pyrrhotite | - | a brownish yellow iron sulphide mineral. |
quartzite | - | a metamorphosed sandstone. |
refinery | - | a plant or processing facility where ore, concentrates, mixed sulphides or matte are processed into partially or fully refined metals. |
reserves | - | proven, probable, possible. |
resources | - | measured, indicated, inferred. |
saprolite | - | weathered rock in which the original minerals have been almost completely replaced (e.g. by clays) but the original texture of the rock type is preserved. |
saprolitic ore | - | saprolite containing nickel and cobalt values in economic concentrations. |
serpentinised dunite | - | altered mafic rock. |
skarn | - | a calcilicate-bearing rock type sometimes formed at or near the contact between intrusions and carbonate rocks (e.g.limestones). |
stockwork | - | a 3 dimensional network of vein. |
stoping | - | underground mining activity to remove ore. |
strike | - | the course or bearing of a bed or layer of rock. |
structural corridor | - | regional lineations of geological structures such as faults. |
talc | - | a very soft hydrated magnesium silicate mineral. |
vein | - | an occurrence of ore with a regular development in length, width and depth. |
6
NOTE TO US READERS – DIFFERENCES REGARDING THE DEFINITIONS OF RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES IN THE US AND CANADA
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Mineral Reserve | The definitions of “mineral reserves”, “proven mineral reserves” and “probable mineral reserves,” as used in this report, are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Definitions and guidelines adopted by the CIM Council on August 20, 2000. CIM standards differ from the standards in the United States. |
| | Under United States standards, a “mineral reserve” is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made, where: |
| | “reserve” means that part of a mineral deposit which can be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination; |
| | “economically” implies that profitable extraction or production has been established or analytically demonstrated to be viable and justifiable under reasonable investment and market assumptions; and |
| | while “legally” does not imply that all permits needed for mining and processing have been obtained or that other legal issues have been completely resolved, for a reserve to exist, there should be a reasonable certainty based on applicable laws and regulations that issuance of permits or resolution of legal issues can be accomplished in a timely manner. |
| | Mineral reserves are categorized as follows on the basis of the degree of confidence in the estimate of the quantity and grade of the deposit. Under United States standards, proven or measured reserves are defined as reserves for which (a) quantity is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes, grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geographic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. Under United States standards, probable reserves are defined as reserves for which quantity and grade and/or quality are computed from information similar to that of proven reserves (under United States standards), but the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are further apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven mineral reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. |
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Mineral Resource | While the terms “mineral resource,” “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource,” and “inferred mineral resource” are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under standards in the United States. As such, information contained in this report concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Indicated mineral |
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| | resource” and “inferred mineral resource” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and a great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an “indicated mineral resource” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. |
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this document constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some, but not all, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” statements that an action or event “may,” “might,” “could,” “should,” or “will” be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this report include, but are not limited to, the extent of the nickel deposits related to the Burundi Nickel Project (as defined herein) and the projected life of any mining project related to such deposits. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertaintie s and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Registrant, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with project development; the Registrant’s history of losses and lack of revenues; the Registrant’s lack of mineral producing properties; the potential inability of investors to enforce U.S. judgments against the Registrant or its officers or directors; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in metal prices; title matters; uncertainties and risks related to carrying on business in foreign countries; political risks and political risk insurance; environmental liability claims and insurance; infrastructure issues; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest amon g certain officers, directors or promoters of the Registrant with certain other projects; the absence of dividends; currency fluctuations; competition; dilution; the volatility of the Registrant’s common share price and volume; and adverse tax consequences to U.S. Shareholders resulting from the Registrant’s PFIC status. Additional information concerning these and other factors that could affect the operations or financial results of the Registrant are included in this document under“Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors. Although the Registrant believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, performance and achievements or other future events. The Registrant is under no duty to update any of its forward-looking statements after the date of this report. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
METRIC EQUIVALENTS
For ease of reference, the following factors for converting metric measurements into imperial equivalents are provided:
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To Convert From Metric | To Imperial | Multiply By |
| | | |
hectares | acres | 2.471 |
metres | feet | 3.281 |
kilometres | miles | 0.621 |
tonnes | tons (2000 pounds) | 1.102 |
The information set forth in this Form 20-F is as at February 28, 2006 unless an earlier or later date is indicated.
PART I
8
Item 1 – Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
Not applicable.
Item 2 – Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable.
Item 3 – Key Information
A.
Selected Financial Data
The following table summarizes selected consolidated financial data for the Registrant (stated in Canadian dollars) prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Canadian GAAP”). The table also summarizes certain corresponding information prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The information in the table was extracted or derived from the more detailed audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included herein and should be read in conjunction with such financial statements and with the information appearing under the heading “Item 5. – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”. Reference is made to Note 10 of the December 31, 2005 consolidated financial statements of the Registrant, included herein, for a discussion of the materia l differences between Canadian GAAP and US GAAP, and their effects on the Registrant’s financial statements.
To date, the Registrant has not generated any cash flow from operations to fund ongoing operational requirements and cash commitments. The Registrant has financed its operations principally through the sale of its equity securities, and reimbursement of prior expenditures. The Registrant currently has sufficient funds to maintain operations for the remainder of its fiscal year at its current level of activity. In the event that activities increase or new projects are acquired, the Registrant’s ability to continue operations will be dependent on its ability to obtain additional financing. For particulars, see “Item 4. Information on the Company – Business Overview”and “Item 5. – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
| | | | | |
| Year Ended Dec. 31, 2005 | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2004 | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2003 | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2002 | Year Ended Dec. 31, 2001 |
Statement Of Operations And Deficit | | | | | |
Operating Revenues | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Net Loss for the Period | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | $1,198,637 | $3,148,252 | $2,493,133 | $11,079,339 | $ 9,188,012 |
U.S. GAAP | $1,198,637 | $3,148,252 | $2,402,621 | $10,486,769 | $ 664,697 |
| | | | | |
Basic & Diluted Loss per Common Share | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | $0.01 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.12 | $ 0.10 |
U.S. GAAP | $0.01 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.11 | $ 0.01 |
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Dividends Declared | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
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Balance Sheet | | | | | |
Total Assets | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | $3,671,161 | $4,812,927 | $8,261,351 | $10,628,717 | $ 21,901,677 |
U.S. GAAP | $3,671,161 | $4,812,927 | $8,261,351 | $10,538,205 | $ 21,218,595 |
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Net Assets | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | $3,463,289 | $4,661,926 | $7,810,178 | $10,303,311 | $21,382,650 |
U.S. GAAP | $3,463,289 | $4,661,926 | $7,810,178 | $10,212,799 | $20,699,568 |
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Shareholders’ Equity | | | | | |
Canadian GAAP | $3,463,289 | $4,661,926 | $7,810,178 | $10,303,311 | $ 21,382,650 |
U.S. GAAP | $3,463,289 | $4,661,926 | $7,810,178 | $10,212,799 | $ 20,699,568 |
| | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Share | | | | | |
Outstanding | 95,969,105 | 95,969,105 | 95,969,105 | 95,969,105 | 95,894,105 |
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In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, unless otherwise specified, all monetary amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. The following table sets out the exchange rates, based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfer in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the conversion of Canadian dollars (CDN$) into United States dollars (US$) in effect for each of the following periods, and the average exchange rates (based on the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month) and the high and low exchange rates for each of the previous six months:
| | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31 |
| | | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | Average for Period | .8276 | 0.7702 | 0.7205 | 0.6369 | 0.6446 |
| | | | | | | | |
Month Ended |
| | | February 28, 2006 | January 31, 2006 | December 31, 2005 | November 30, 2005 | October 31, 2005 | September 30, 2005 |
| | High for Period | .8788 | .8744 | .8690 | .8579 | .8579 | .8615 |
| | Low for Period | .8638 | .8528 | .8521 | .8361 | .8413 | .8418 |
Exchange rates are based upon the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The noon rate of exchange on February 28, 2006 as reported by the United States Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars was 0.8788 (US$1.00 = CDN$1.1379) and for the conversion of Australian dollars into United States dollars was 0.7430 (US$1.00 = AUS$1.3459).
B.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D.
Risk Factors
An investment in the Common Shares of the Registrant should be considered to be highly speculative due to the nature of the Registrant’s business, the present stage of its projects and the risks inherent in the development, construction, commissioning of mines and the processing and the sale of diamonds, nickel, cobalt, gold and silver products.
Some of the risks associated with an investment in the Common Shares of the Registrant include, but are not limited to, the following:
i.
Lack of Revenues; History of Losses
The Registrant has not recorded any revenues or net income from its operations nor has the Registrant commenced commercial production on any of its properties over the Registrant’s twenty (20) year existence. The Registrant has accumulated net losses of approximately $40,600,000 through December 31, 2005. There can be no assurance that significant additional losses will not occur in the near future or that the Registrant will generate any revenues from mining operations or be profitable in the future. The Registrant anticipates that its operating expenses and capital expenditures may increase significantly in subsequent years if it adds the consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and possible commercial production of its properties should it decide to put a property into production. The amounts and timing of expenditures will depend on the Registrant’s ability to obtain financing
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on acceptable terms, the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultant analysis and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses are incurred, the execution of any joint venture agreements with strategic partners, the Registrant’s acquisition of additional properties and other factors, many of which are beyond the Registrant’s control.
The Registrant does not expect to receive revenues from operations in the foreseeable future, if at all. The Registrant expects to continue to incur losses unless and until such time as properties enter into commercial production, if at all, and generate sufficient revenues to fund its continuing operations. The development of the Registrant’s properties will require the commitment of substantial resources to conduct the time-consuming exploration and development of properties. There can be no assurance that the Registrant will generate any revenues or achieve profitability.
ii.
No Mineral Producing Properties; Registrant is in Exploration Stage
The Registrant is an exploration-stage company. There are no known ore reserves on the Registrant’s properties and any work program on a property would be an exploratory search for ore grade mineralization. There can be no assurance that the current exploration programs planned by the Registrant will result in a profitable commercial mining operation.
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits is a speculative venture necessarily involving substantial risks. There is no certainty that the expenditures to be made by the Registrant will result in discoveries of commercially viable mineral deposits. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. The Registrant has no plant or equipment located on any of its sites. Major expenses may be required to establish ore reserves, develop metallurgical processes, construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site and establish the required infrastructure (i.e., electricity and roads). In exploring its properties, the Registrant may be subjected to an array of complex economic factors and accordingly, there can be no assurance that feasibility studies will be carried out on any of its properties or that results projected by any feasibility study will be attained in the event that the Registrant commences production on any of its properties.
iii.
Risk of Development
The Registrant has not brought any property in which it had an interest into commercial production. As such, the Registrant’s ability to meet production, timing and cost estimates for properties cannot be assured. Technical considerations, delays in obtaining government approvals, the inability to obtain financing or other factors could cause delays in developing properties. Such delays could materially adversely affect the financial performance of the Registrant.
iv.
Additional Financing Requirements
The Registrant’s operations currently do not provide any cash flow. In the past the Registrant has relied on sales of equity securities to meet its cash requirements. There can be no assurance that future operations will provide cash flow sufficient to satisfy operational requirements and cash commitments, or that additional equity financing will be available on terms acceptable to the Registrant, or at all.
The Registrant presently has sufficient financial resources to maintain its current level of operations for at least the remainder of its current fiscal year. Property acquisitions or changes in the scope of the Registrant’s operations may require additional funding. The Registrant’s operational budget is based in part on estimates provided by independent contractors. In the past these estimates have proven to be less than amounts ultimately paid by the Registrant, largely
11
resulting from changes in the project. Failure of the Registrant to obtain additional financing, if and as required, on a timely basis could delay some or all of the Registrant’s projects.
Construction of any of the projects may require that the Registrant raise substantial project financing. The Registrant has not previously completed financing of a development project and a financing of this magnitude will be dependent on a large number of factors beyond the Registrant’s control, including the state of financial and equity markets, interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices for diamonds, nickel, cobalt, sulphur, gold and silver, energy prices and other factors. Failure by the Registrant to finance any of the projects could materially adversely affect the Registrant’s future financial performance.
v.
Operational Risks
The business of mining and processing is generally subject to certain types of risks and hazards, including fires, power outages, labour disruptions, the inability to obtain suitable or adequate land, machinery, equipment, or labour, environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected rock formations, cave-ins, flooding, finished product losses, theft, periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions and political risk. Such risks could result in damage to, destruction of or expropriation of mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury, environmental damage, delays in mining, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Projects may also be affected by risks of fluctuations in exchange rates and inflation. No assurance can be given that insurance to cover these risks will be available at econ omically feasible premiums or at all. Insurance against environmental risks (including potential for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from production) is not generally available to the Registrant or to other companies within the industry. To the extent that the Registrant is subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities would reduce or exhaust the funds available to the Registrant. Should the Registrant be unable to fund fully the cost of remedying an environmental problem, the Registrant might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy.
vi.
Fluctuations in Commodity Prices
The mining industry in general is intensely competitive and there is no assurance that, even with commercial quantities of mineral deposits discovered, a profitable market will exist for the sale of any metals and diamonds produced. Factors beyond the control of the Registrant may affect the marketability of any substances discovered. The prices of various metals have experienced significant movement over short periods of time, and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Registrant, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining production methods. The supply of and demand for metals are affected by various factors, including political events, economic condition s and production costs in major producing regions. There can be no assurance that the price of any metal will be such that the Registrant’s properties can be mined at a profit.
The Registrant does not currently hedge any of its proposed future production, but may do so in the future.
vii.
Uncertainty of Title
Third parties may dispute the Registrant’s rights to its mining and other interests. While the Registrant has investigated title to all its property interests and, to the best of its knowledge, title to
12
all properties is in good standing or are subject to permit renewal application, this should not be construed as a guarantee of title.
Potential project sites in Burundi and Canada may be subject to dispute, prior unregistered claims, or native land claims and ultimate transfer to the Registrant may be affected by undetected defects. Such claims or defects could materially adversely affect one or more of the projects and the Registrant’s financial performance.
viii.
Foreign Countries and Regulatory Requirements and Extension of the Mining Convention
The current or future operations of the Registrant, including development activities and commencement of production on its properties, require permits from various foreign, federal, state and local government authorities and such operations are and will be governed by existing and possible future laws and regulations governing prospecting, development, mining, production, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, mine safety and other matters. Companies engaged in the development and operation of mines and related facilities generally experience increased costs and delays in production and other schedules as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits for exploration and permit renewals. Applications for the renewal of prospecting permits are made as and when require d. The Registrant has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Mines in Burundi regarding an extension to the Mining Convention. There is no assurance that the government in Burundi will grant such an extension. Should an extension to the Mining Convention not be granted, it would result in the Registrant not being able to proceed with the Burundi Nickel Project and materially adversely affect the Registrant’s future financial performance. The Registrant’s management does not expect that any of its properties will have progressed to completion of a feasibility study prior to such time, and the Registrant would not commence operations on any property until a feasibility study has been prepared on that property.
The Registrant believes it is in substantial compliance with all material laws and regulations which currently apply to its activities. There can be no assurance, however, that all permits which the Registrant may require for prospecting or the construction of mining facilities and conduct of mining operations will be obtainable on reasonable terms or that such laws and regulations would not have an adverse effect on any mining project which the Registrant might undertake.
ix.
Political Risk and Political Risk Insurance
The Registrant is exposed to political risk as it has projects in areas which may be subject to unstable political situations. The Registrant has not applied for political risk insurance through the Canadian Export Development Corporation. Should the Registrant apply for such insurance there can be no assurance that insurance will be available at economically feasible premiums or available at all.
The Canadian government, through the Export Development Corporation, may provide insurance to cover unforeseen political risk. In deciding whether to provide insurance coverage, the Canadian government considers the following factors: whether the Registrant’s activities involve economic advantages to Canada, such as the development and preservation of foreign markets or the securing of sources of raw materials not available in Canada; whether there are economic advantages to the host country, such as expansion of employment; whether there is host government approval of the proposed activity; and the size and nature of the activity; however, as a matter of policy, the Canadian government’s insurance program covers almost any right that a
13
Canadian company may acquire in a foreign enterprise, including equity, loans, management contracts and royalty and licensing agreements.
Specifically, the Registrant’s Burundi nickel project is located at Musongati in Burundi in Central Africa (the “Burundi Nickel Project”) where there has been a recent history of political conflict between the various tribal groups. These groups are seeking to share political and military power. Attempts have been made by the international community to broker an agreement which will allow for an end to the conflict and a peaceful transition of power. The instability within the country gave rise to a declaration of force majeure by the Registrant’s subsidiary in April 2000. Following the implementation of a transitional government in Burundi in November 2001 as a result of the peace accord signed by most of the parties and a subsequent improvement in general security, the declaration of force majeure was lifted on March 28, 2002. &nb sp;Force majeure was re-imposed in August 2002 following a significant deterioration in security in Burundi and lifted again in May 2005. In the event that the political and security situation does not improve, the Registrant’s ability to proceed with the Burundi Nickel Project will be materially adversely affected.
x.
Environmental Factors
While the Registrant has reviewed the existing environmental legislation of each country in which it has a project, these assessments are preliminary. The Registrant’s projects are at an early stage and will require substantially more work regarding environmental matters and will be required to meet World Bank standards or regulations of the local governments, whichever is more stringent. Therefore, existing and possible future environmental legislation, regulations and actions in Burundi and Canada could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the Registrant’s activities undertaken in connection with the projects. The continued conduct of each of the Registrant’s projects depends, to a large extent, on the obtaining and maintaining of environmental approvals and there is no assurance that such approval s will be granted when requested. Delays in the granting of such approvals and/or changes in environmental legislation and regulations could materially adversely affect the Registrant’s operations and financial performance.
xi.
Infrastructure Issues
The Burundi Nickel Project will require significant infrastructure upgrades, particularly relating to transportation (rail, road and neighbouring country harbour facilities) as well as the provision of additional electrical power. Delays in infrastructure upgrades or the requirement for the Registrant to finance such upgrades may materially adversely affect the Registrant’s financial performance.
xii.
Reliance on Key Personnel
The Registrant is heavily dependent upon the expertise of certain of its own or its subsidiaries’ key officers. The loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on the Registrant. The Registrant’s ability to recruit and retain highly qualified management personnel is critical to its success. There can be no assurance that the Registrant will be successful in attracting and retaining skilled and experienced management; if it is unable to do so this may materially adversely affect the Registrant’s financial performance.
xiii.
Conflicts of Interest
Certain directors, officers or promoters of the Registrant are directors, officers, significant shareholders or promoters of other publicly listed companies. As a result, potential conflicts of interest may arise with respect to the exercise by such persons of their respective duties for the Registrant. In the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the directors of the
14
Registrant, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In the appropriate cases, the Registrant will establish a special committee of independent directors to review a matter in which several directors, or management, may have a conflict. Other than as indicated, the Registrant has no other procedures or mechanisms to deal with conflicts of interest.
xiv.
Absence of Dividends
The Registrant has never declared or paid cash dividends on its Common Shares and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that the Registrant’s board of directors (the “Board”) will ever declare cash dividends, which action is exclusively within its discretion. Investors cannot expect to receive a dividend on the Registrant’s Common Shares in the foreseeable future, if at all.
xv.
Currency Fluctuation
The Registrant currently maintains its banking accounts mostly in Canadian dollars. The Registrant’s office in Canada (using Canadian dollars) and office in Australia (using Australian Dollars) and proposed operations in Burundi (using Burundian francs), and the proposed sale of metals which are priced in U.S. dollars make it subject to foreign currency fluctuations and such fluctuations may materially affect the Registrant’s financial position and results from operations. The Registrant does not currently engage in hedging activities.
xvi.
Competition
The Registrant competes with other development companies which have similar operations, and many such competitor companies have operations and financial resources and industry experience far greater than those of the Registrant. Nevertheless, the market for the Registrant’s potential future production of nickel, cobalt, gold and silver tends to be commodity-oriented rather than company-oriented. If it successfully reaches commercial production, the Registrant will still be subject to competition from much larger and financially stronger competitors and such competition may materially adversely affect the Registrant’s financial performance.
xvii.
Dilution
The Registrant may attempt to raise additional capital in the future from the issue of new Common Shares and grant to some or all of its own and its subsidiaries’ directors, officers, insiders and key employees options to purchase the Registrant’s Common Shares as non-cash incentives to those employees. Such capital raisings may be at prices below or equal to market prices and such options may be granted at exercise prices equal to market prices at times when the public market is depressed. To the extent that significant numbers of new Common Shares are issued or such options may be granted and exercised, the interests of then existing shareholders of the Registrant will be subject to additional dilution.
The Registrant is currently without a source of revenue and will most likely be required to issue additional shares to finance its operations and, depending on the outcome of the feasibility studies, may also issue substantial additional shares to finance the construction of any or all of its projects.
xviii.
Volatility of Common Share Price and Volume; Lack of Liquidity
The Registrant’s Common Shares are listed for trading on the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”). The Registrant’s listing on the CDNX, in Canada, was voluntarily terminated on October 4, 2001 due to lack of trading volume. Shareholders of the Registrant may still be unable to sell significant quantities of the Common Shares into the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of the shares, if at all. Furthermore, there can be no assurance
15
that the Registrant will continue to be able to meet the listing requirements of the ASX or achieve listing on any other public trading exchange. The market price of the Common Shares may be affected significantly by factors such as changes in the Registrant’s operating results, the completion or delay of a positive feasibility study, the availability of construction financing, fluctuations in the price of metals, the interest of investors, traders and others in small exploration stage public companies such as the Registrant and general market conditions. In recent years the securities markets in Australia have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly small capitalisation exploration companies similar to the Registrant, have experienced wide fluc tuations which have not necessarily been related to the operating performances, underlying asset values or future prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that future fluctuations in the price of the Registrant’s shares will not occur.
xix.
Adverse Tax Consequences to U.S. Shareholders Resulting From the Registrant’s PFIC Status
The Registrant believes that it qualified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and may qualify as a PFIC in the future with respect to U.S. Holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares because the only source of income is interest, a passive source of income under the PFIC rules.
See “Item 10.E. Taxation - United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a more detailed discussion of material United States federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders.
xx.
Potential Inability to Enforce U.S. Judgements against the Registrant or its Officers and Directors
The Registrant is incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada and, all of the Registrant’s directors and officers are residents of either Canada or Australia. Consequently, it may be difficult for United States investors to effect service of process within the United States upon the Registrant or upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgements of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). A judgement of a U.S. court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities may be enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the U.S. court in which the judgement was obtained had jurisdiction, as determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Registrant predicated solely upon such civil liabilities.
Item 4 – Information on the Company
A.
History and Development of the Company
The Registrant’s legal name is Argosy Minerals Inc. The Registrant was incorporated in the Province of Alberta pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (Alberta) on December 17, 1985, was continued under the Canada Business Corporations Act on September 24, 1987, was continued pursuant to theBusiness Corporations Act (Yukon) on June 17, 1997 and on May 26, 2005 was continued into British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
The head office and address for service of the Registrant is 20607 Logan Avenue, Langley, British Columbia, V3A 7R3, Canada – tel. (604) 530-8436 and its registered and records office in Canada is located at 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L2, Canada – tel. (604) 685-3456. Its registered office in Australia is Suite 10, Peninsula Place, 57 Labouchere Road, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia 6151 – tel. (011) 618-9474-4234.
16
In March 2003, the Registrant entered into an option agreement, with subsequent amendments for the acquisition of 85% of Albetros Inland Diamond Exploration Pty Ltd. (“Albetros”), the owner of a prospecting permit in Namaqualand, South Africa (the “Albetros Diamond Project”). See Item 4B Business Overview
In December 2003 and May 2004, the Registrant entered into option agreements over the Gold Creek properties in Nevada, USA. See Item 4B Business Overview, Gold in Nevada, USA
In April 2005, the Registrant entered into an option agreement for the acquisition of the Lac Panache Project in Sudbury, Ontario. See Item 4B, Business Overview, Lac Panache Project, Sudbury, Canada
Principal Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
The Registrant’s Principal Accounting Policies for Project Assessment and Mineral Properties and Deferred Costs are as follows:
17
i.
Project Assessment
Project assessment costs consist of expenditures to evaluate new projects. These expenditures are charged to income when incurred. Once the Registrant decides to acquire the property, costs associated with further exploration or development are accounted for as described under Mineral Properties and Deferred Costs below. Included in project assessment expenditures are option payments for mineral properties, these payments are charged to income when incurred.
ii.
Mineral Properties and Deferred Costs
The costs of acquiring mineral properties, and related exploration and development costs, are deferred until the property to which they relate is placed into production, sold or abandoned. Deferred costs will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the ore body following commencement of production, or written off if the property is sold or abandoned.
The Registrant will reduce the carrying value of mineral properties and deferred costs by any amount received from the introduction of a joint venture partner.
Management's estimate of carrying values, if any, is subject to risks and uncertainties affecting the recoverability of the Registrant’s investment in mineral properties. Although management makes its best estimate of these factors based on current conditions, it is possible that changes could occur in the near term which could adversely affect management's estimate of the recoverability of mineral properties and deferred costs, if any, and the need for asset impairment write-downs.
Although the Registrant has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest, these procedures do not guarantee the Registrant’s title. Such properties may be subject to prior undetected agreements or transfers and title may be affected by such defects.
The Registrant has financed capital expenditures on its mineral resource projects from funds available after completion of the Plan and receipt of funds from NNIH as follows:
| | | | |
Project | Location | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
| | |
|
|
|
Burundi Nickel Project | Burundi, Central Africa | nil | nil | $19,783 |
Kremnica Gold Project | Slovak Republic, Central Europe | n/a | n/a | $33,988 |
Where exploration on its mineral projects prove unsatisfactory, the Registrant disposes of the project and writes off expenses and deferred costs associated with that project. No expenditures were written off over the last 3 years due to unsatisfactory exploration results. In addition, the Registrant reviews the carrying costs, if any, of each of its investments quarterly and writes down mineral properties and deferred costs associated with projects whose carried costs may not be recoverable. Mineral properties and deferred costs written down over the last 3 years due to continued low metals prices, political instability, the loss of the project or the inability to introduce a joint venture partner or sell the underlying project are as follows:
| | | | |
Project | Location | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
Burundi Nickel Project(1) | Burundi | nil | $19,783(2) | nil |
1.
The Registrant acquired the Burundi Nickel Project during the year ended December 31, 1999 following the completion of a plan of arrangement whereby Argosy Mining Corp. (“AMC”) became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
2.
During the year ended December 31, 2003 the Registrant wrote off $19,783 expended on the Burundi Nickel Project during the year.
Divestiture of assets over the last 3 years are as follows:
18
| | | | |
| | | Proceeds |
Project | Location | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
Kremnica Gold Project | Slovak Republic | - | - | $500,000 |
In July 2003, the Registrant completed the sale of its Slovak subsidiary Kremnica Gold a.s., the owner of the Kremnica Gold Project for $500,000. Previously, during the year ended December 31, 2001, the Registrant wrote down its investment in the project by $7,533,332 to recognize the difficulty in being able to sell the project or introduce a joint venture partner. Deferred expenditures during 2002 and 2003 amounted to $374,500 resulting in a gain on disposal of $125,500.
Details of Project Assessment Expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| | | |
| | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
Lac Panache Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | $ 9,130 | $ - | $ - |
Travel and Accommodation | 1,705 | - | - |
Option and Claim Fees | 43,900 | - | - |
Contractor, Equipment and Labor | 111,026 | - | - |
| | 165,761 | - | - |
Albetros Diamond Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | - | 44,565 | 218,115 |
Drilling | - | 80,207 | 486,693 |
Gravel Processing and Sorting | - | 57,020 | 147,866 |
Travel and Accommodation | - | 55,220 | 129,608 |
Option Fees | - | 117,158 | 469,000 |
Rehabilitation | - | 30,934 | - |
| | - | 385,104 | 1,451,282 |
Nevada Gold Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | 4,990 | 81,995 | - |
Assessment and Data | - | 8,894 | - |
Option Fees | - | 59,317 | - |
Claim Fees | 6,328 | 12,904 | - |
Travel and Accommodation | - | 53,135 | - |
| | 11,318 | 216,245 | - |
Other Projects | | | |
Consulting | 44,889 | 40,331 | 142,216 |
Assessment | 3,622 | - | 74,463 |
Option Fees | 61,513 | - | - |
Travel, Accommodation and other | 15,737 | 62,367 | 53,402 |
Expenses Recovered | (61,513) | (116,804) | - |
| | 64,248 | (14,106) | 270,081 |
Total | $ 241,327 | $ 587,243 | $ 1,721,363 |
Over the next year, the Registrant proposes to finance the following project assessment and capital expenditures on its projects:
19
| | |
Project | Location | 2006 (Proposed) |
Lac Panache Project | Ontario, Canada | $250,000(1) |
Burundi Nickel Project | Burundi, Central Africa | $250,000(2) |
Note:
(1) These expenditures are subject to completion by the Registrant of its evaluation of exploration results from 2005.
(2) These expenditures are subject to the Registrant receiving an extension to the Mining Convention.
(3) The Registrant is seeking new opportunities and project assessment or capital expenditures will vary depending on the nature of new projects acquired or the results of assessments of current projects, as well as any change in the security situation in Burundi.
These expenditures are being financed from the Registrant’s working capital.
There has been no indication of any public takeover offers by third parties in respect of the Registrant’s Common Shares nor has the Registrant attempted the public takeover of other companies’ shares during the last or in the current financial year.
The Registrant was not involved in any bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings, nor was it a party to any material reclassification, merger, consolidation or purchase or sale of a significant amount of assets, since December 31, 2003 through the date of this Annual Report.
B.
Business Overview
The Registrant is a British Columbia corporation involved in the exploration and possible future development of mineral resources. Its Common Shares are listed for trading on the ASX under the trading symbol “AGY”.
At December 31, 2005, the Registrant had two projects, namely:
-
The Burundi Nickel Project, and
-
The Lac Panache Project in Ontario, Canada
In 2003 the Registrant acquired the Albetros Diamond Project and in 2004, the Nevada Gold Projects. These Projects were terminated in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
Apart from the Lac Panache Project, all of the Registrant’s projects are located outside North America and none of the projects are currently in production, consequently the Registrant does not have a source of revenue other than interest income from cash balances.
To date, the Registrant has not earned any revenues.
1.
Lac Panache Project, Sudbury, Ontario
In April 2005 the Registrant entered into an option agreement with a private owner over the Lac Panache Project in Sudbury Mining Division, Ontario, Canada. The project area comprised 43 claims containing a total of 162 claim units distributed across 4 separate blocks: Lake Panache, Brazil Lake, Little Panache and Norwest. The Registrant announced in June 2005 that the total land area of the project had been increased by a further 39 claim units in 5 claims bringing the total area to 32.2 km2.
The Registrant can earn 100% of the project through staged cash payments totalling $300,000 and completing staged work commitments over three years of $455,000. On production the vendor will retain a 3% net smelter return (“NSR”). This NSR is subject to buy-back provisions.
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Regional Geology
The Lac Panache project area lies within the Southern Province, one of three subdivisions within the Canadian Shield. Metasedimentary and subordinate metavolcanics of the Huronian Supergroup (~2.5 - 2.22 billion year old) form part of the Southern Province.
The Huronian metasediments have been described as being dominantly coarse clastic sedimentary rocks derived mainly from the Superior Province craton to the north and deposited, for the most part, in fluvial-deltaic and marine environments. Intrusive rock units identified in the project area include Nipissing Gabbro (2.15 billion year) and gabbro dikes (1.2-1.5 billion year). Rocks in the region were subjected to deformation and regional metamorphism during a series of events that started prior to emplacement of the Nipissing Diabase and culminated around 1.7-1.8 billion years ago.
The term “Nipissing Gabbro” (or “Nipissing Diabase”) has been used to refer to mostly gabbroic intrusions of ~2.1 billion year age that occur throughout the eastern part of the Southern Province. These intrusions commonly exhibit the effects of low to moderate grade regional metamorphism. In the metagabbros the original pyroxene and calcic plagioclase have been replaced by amphibole, sodic plagioclase, epidote, talc, chlorite and quartz.
2005 Exploration by the Registrant
During the second half of 2005 the Registrant commenced a program of trail construction and trenching of known geophysical and geochemical anomalies at its Lac Panache Project.
Field activities included reconnaissance-scale sampling of the three smaller claim block areas (Brazil Lake, Little Panache and Norwest) and more detailed mapping and sampling within the larger Panache claim block. Activities in the Panache claim block were mainly at Boundary Prospect. Approximately 2.5 km of new access trails plus 900 metres of trenching (measured along the long axis of the trench) were completed. A total of 129 rock samples were collected during the field program and these were submitted to SGS Canada Inc for assaying. Of the total number of samples, 62 were channel samples with a cumulative length of 122.7 metres and an average length of about 2 metres.
Sawmill Bay Prospect Geology and Sampling
Reconnaissance-scale rock chip sampling was conducted across the eastern end of the Nipissing Gabbro at Sawmill Bay in order to help define areas for future trenching and possible drilling. Sampling by earlier explorers identified anomalous concentrations of gold, platinum, palladium, copper and nickel in sulphide-bearing gabbroic rocks belonging to the Nipissing Gabbro.
A total of 45 grab samples of outcrop/subcrop were taken along a 2.9 km long interval of gabbro. A central 1km length of strike in which 25 samples were collected returned 11 samples with greater than 0.2% copper (maximum of 0.59% copper), 5 with greater than 0.1% nickel (maximum of 0.17%), and 6 with greater than 1ppm platinum+palladium+gold (maximum of 2.213 ppm). Samples carrying anomalous grades are metagabbro with disseminated and/or fracture-controlled sulphides (chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite and pentlandite). The metagabbro is typically a weakly metamorphosed gabbro in which the mafic phases exhibit alteration to biotite and amphibole.
Boundary Prospect Geology and Sampling
All of the trenching and most of the channel sampling activities that took place during the field program were carried out at Boundary Prospect. Trenching was carried out by means of an excavator that removed topsoil and overburden (mostly less than 2m thick) and stockpiled the material adjacent to the trench. The
21
trench was then washed down to expose bedrock. A portable Stihl diamond blade cutter was used to cut a set of parallel slots from which the channel sample was extracted. Individual channel samples, averaging 2m in length, range from 1.4 – 2.6m in length and 8 – 25 kg in weight.
A ground IP/resistivity geophysical survey carried out in 2000 by a previous explorer identified a series of chargeability/conductivity anomalies that are related to the presence of sulphides. Some of these anomalies had been investigated in 2000 by means of trenching and channel sampling. The Registrant focused on trenching of anomalies and their extensions not previously investigated.
A roughly linear NW-trending conductivity anomaly within the southern half of the geophysical survey area is located along the southern contact zone between Nipissing Gabbro and Espanola Formation. As a result of the recent trenching program this contact zone, up to 14m in thickness, has now been traced for some 960m. The mineralogy of the zone changes along strike from a sulphide and magnetite bearing skarn-style assemblage, within the NW half, to a quartz +/- calcsilicates +/- sulphides vein/breccia/replacement style of mineralisation to the SE. Sulphide minerals in the skarn are chalcopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite; magnetite is locally abundant.
Channel sampling was carried out at 7 locations along the strike of the contact zone with a total of 30 channel samples being collected. Copper assays ranged between 19 ppm in quartz vein material at the eastern end of the contact zone to 2m with 0.49% copper (within 6m @ 0.34% copper and 0.17% nickel) in quartz-pyrite breccia near the central part.
The strong chargeability anomaly along the gabbro’s northern contact was intersected in two trenches. In each the anomaly was found to be caused by the presence of disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite within metaconglomerates belonging to the Bruce Formation.
Isolated chargeability anomalies within the Nipissing Gabbro are related to zones of disseminated and fracture-controlled sulphides (mainly pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite with minor pentlandite). Channel sampling of Nipissing gabbro returned only weakly anomalous grades, best being 6m with 0.27ppm platinum+palladium+gold. The best grab sample returned 0.57ppm.
Little Panache Claim Block
Consisting of two claim units, the Little Panache claim block is located north of the main Panache claim block. Two outcrop samples were collected during a brief reconnaissance visit to the property.
A composite outcrop grab sample taken across a 5m x 5m area of chalcopyrite-bearing quartz stockwork veining in quartzite returned 0.6 ppm gold and 1.38% copper. A grab outcrop sample of silicified limestone cut by stockwork quartz veining assayed 0.18 ppm gold and 3.48% copper. Separated by 450 metres, further investigations will be needed to determine continuity of mineralisation between and around the two areas sampled.
22
Plan of Operations
In 2006 the Registrant plans to conduct further exploration on the Lac Panache Project with a view to establishing targets for drill testing to determine the extent, if any, of mineralization on the Project.
2.
Burundi Nickel Project – Musongati
The Burundi Nickel Project is a proposed venture to mine and process lateritic nickel-cobalt ore to produce nickel and cobalt metal in Burundi. The Registrant expects that the nickel laterite deposits at Musongati, identified by previous exploration work conducted between 1972 and 1990 by other parties, are sufficiently large to support a mining operation with a life exceeding 20 years. Testwork by Universal Oil Products in 1978-79 indicated the ore is amenable to leaching using the pressure acid leach (“PAL”) process, followed by counter current decantation and iron precipitation, prior to the precipitation of an intermediate product which may then be further refined to produce LME grade nickel and LMB grade cobalt. The Registrant is also assessing the potential to recover nickel through a conventional heap leach operation.
The Burundi Nickel Project is based on three nickel cobalt laterite deposits. Considerable exploration and engineering work was completed on the deposits in the period 1972 to 1990. The major deposit known as Musongati was drilled and evaluated the most. The other two deposits, Waga and Nyabikere are far less advanced but have potential to supply the project with quantities of high-grade saprolite ore. The Musongati deposit also has anomalous platinum-group-metal concentrations, along with indications of sulphide mineralisation underlying the laterites.
Musongati lies at an elevation of 1700 m, in the tropical highlands of Burundi, about 1000 m above Lake Tanganyika. The outlying Waga deposit is 30 km west of Musongati and the Nyabikere deposit is 40 km north.
The Musongati laterites are derived from the weathering of an ultrabasic complex, particularly, serpentinised dunite with a primary nickel content of about 0.3%. Two types of mineralisation are present in approximately equal proportions: limonite and saprolite (a less weathered laterite rock type generally found beneath limonite). Nickel in the limonite mineralisation is tied to goethite whereas in the saprolite mineralisation it is related to serpentine group and clay minerals. The typical weathering profile is canga (iron caprock), the limonite zone (averaging 15 m thick), the saprolite zone (averaging 12 m thick) and ultrabasic bedrock.
The Musongati nickel/cobalt deposit is situated within the Musongati exploration licence on three adjacent plateaux as a result of erosion of a single layer of laterite. The plateaux are referred to from west to east as the Geyuka, Rubara and Buhinda zones, of which Buhinda is the most significant and best defined. Historical exploration (by diamond drilling) was completed in three stages from 1975 to 1990, by different parties with different objectives. A total of 237 holes were drilled at Musongati, while 81 holes were drilled at Waga and Nyabikere. Due to the large size of the mineralised area, an effort directed to identifying zones with a high nickel content resulted in a greater focus on the Buhinda Zone.
Mining Convention
In 1998, Andover Resources N.L. (“Andover”), now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant, negotiated a Mining Convention (the “Convention”) with the Government of Burundi to explore and develop the Musongati deposits. The Convention was ratified by the Burundian National Assembly on March 10, 1999, giving the Registrant the exclusive right to develop the Musongati deposit. The Convention is a comprehensive agreement that awards mineral rights to the Registrant and sets out a work program and a detailed framework for future development and operation of a mine. During the initial 3-
23
year exploration period, geological and engineering studies were to be completed, leading to a full project feasibility study. The Registrant planned a staged exploration program including scoping and pre-feasibility studies that would lead to a full feasibility study. The program included drilling, ore reserve estimations, metallurgical testing, infrastructure studies and an environmental impact study. Upon completion of the feasibility study and a decision to proceed, the agreement provides for the awarding of a mining title known as a Mining Concession. The term of the Mining Concession is 25 years, renewable twice for successive periods of 10 years. If the project proceeds, a new Burundian company in which the Burundian government will have 15% interest, will be incorporated to develop and operate the project. Within 30 days of receipt of project finance for full mi ne development, the government will be reimbursed their previous expenditure of US$8.3 million. A 5-year tax holiday will apply to the project, followed by a 35% income tax rate. Mine equipment, materials and fuels will be tax and duty exempt. Force majeure and international arbitration provisions normal to the industry apply.
Technology
Previous metallurgical studies identified PAL as a suitable process technology for Musongati. These studies provide initial benchmark results, which will require further testwork to optimise the specific PAL process plant design. With recent developments, the potential exists to extract nickel utilizing a conventional heap leach process. The Registrant intends to conduct testwork to access the potential for applying such technology at Musongati.
Project Information
The proposed mine and plant is to be situated at the Musongati deposit located approximately 120 km east-southeast of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Burundi is a small country located in Central Africa and borders the western edge of Tanzania.
i.
Land
An exploration licence covering 171.1 km2 was granted March 18, 1999 for three years covering the Musongati deposit; the Waga and Nyabikere deposits are reserved for Andover pending the completion of a feasibility study at Musongati. On April 19, 2000, Andover declared force majeure and curtailed operations in Burundi due to the deteriorating security situation. In March 2002, the declaration of force majeure was lifted due to improved security conditions in Burundi; however, due to the deterioration in security in Burundi, force majeure was re-imposed on August 1, 2002. The project was subject to force majeure between August 2002 (except for a brief period during 2004) and May 2005 when Andover lifted force majeure following elections for a new government and improved security. Andover has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Mi nes regarding an extension to the Convention, to take into account time lost due to the project being subject to force majeure, however, as at March 15, 2006 no agreement had been reached regarding such an extension. The Musongati licence area is sparsely populated due in part to the poor lateritic soil.
ii.
Transportation
The Burundi Nickel Project is accessed by roads which are mostly in good condition. A network of trails and roads crosses the main areas of the licence. During construction and operation, the Burundi Nickel Project will require the importation of significant quantities of goods not locally available. As Burundi is a landlocked country, approximately 1100 km from the Indian Ocean, transportation infrastructure is a key issue to the economics of the project. Initial investigations have determined both the preferred route, as well as which consumables will need to imported. The preferred transportation corridor is from the port of Dar es-Salaam in Tanzania on the east coast of Africa, by the existing railway to Kigoma, just south of Burundi. From there, a regional road network will be utilised to truck material north to Musongati. Most of the parts necessary to
24
construct the plant will have to be imported and transported along this route. The major consumables should production commence will be fuel, sulphur (for acid) and dolomite (as a neutralising agent). Fuel and sulphur will be sourced on the world markets and shipped via the above route, while dolomite will be sourced locally within Burundi and trucked to Musongati. There can be no assurance that such consumables will be available or deliverable to the Registrant at prices that would make the Burundi Nickel Project economically feasible.
iii.
Services
The Burundi Nickel Project has access to electricity via hydroelectric facilities in the country and elsewhere in the region. The existing national electricity grid does not currently have enough capacity to provide power to a PAL operation, however if a heap leach process is feasible, the potential exists to produce surplus power, which could be sold in Burundi. Should electricity be required, the Registrant intends to generate electricity via fuel-powered generator sets or alternatively to utilise new sources of electricity. There is potential to generate electricity by steam co-generators powered by the sulphuric acid plant. A number of independent proposals to create or expand hydroelectric facilities in the country and in the region, which could be advantageous to the project, are at the planning stage. There can be no assurance that s ufficient access to electricity will exist in the future or can be created to power the Burundi Nickel Project.
iv.
Tailings
The process residue (or tailings), that remains after the production of nickel and cobalt will be safely stored in tailings impoundment areas in the general vicinity of the processing plant. The Registrant began to identify suitable areas in 1999 which would require further study as part of the feasibility study.
v.
Environment
The Convention specifies a requirement for an environmental impact study as part of the feasibility study. World Health Organization standards are to be the reference standards and the Convention allows for a minimum monitoring/maintenance period of two years following the completion of mining.
vi.
Permitting/Approvals
The Convention requires that the government issue “mining title” to the Registrant within three months of application following the completion of a feasibility study and the decision to proceed to development of the mine.
Plan of Operations
The Registrant’s plan of operations for the Burundi Nickel Project was to develop a PAL plant to produce nickel, cobalt and possibly copper and by-product platinum group metals (“PGMs”) from the nickel laterite deposits at Musongati. The Registrant provided to the government a staged work program and scheduled a costing study to up-date the previous studies, leading to a full project feasibility study in 2001. The plan was based on previous studies and involved a feasibility study which would focus on the transportation, logistics and infrastructure issues, as well as metallurgy and environmental aspects. On April 19, 2000 declared force majeure due to delays to the feasibility study caused by security issues in the region. As a result of this declaration, activities on the project were suspended. Pursuant to the Convention, Andover’s obligations under the Convention are suspended for a period of up to 2 years while the declaration of force majeure is in effect. The declaration of force majeure was lifted on March 28, 2002 and the rights and obligations pursuant to the Convention were extended by that period of force majeure. Due to the subsequent deterioration in security in Burundi, force majeure was re-imposed on August 1, 2002 and remained in place, except for a brief period in 2004, until May 2005. The Registrant
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has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Mines to extend the Mining Convention. Should the Mining Convention be extended, the Registrant intends to recommence activities in Burundi.
During 2002, the Registrant engaged the international engineering firm Sinclair Knight Merz (“SKM”) to conduct a critical cost review of the Burundi Nickel Project. The study concluded that the project may prove uneconomic, using nickel and cobalt prices of $3.00/lb and $7.50/lb respectively, if one were to simply attempt to exploit the nickel laterite orebody. However, due to the fact that the laterite orebody overlies a large basic/ultrabasic instrusive complex containing known nickel sulphide and associated PGMs it may provide an opportunity for a staged development utilizing the PGM potential at Musongati.
In order for the Registrant to complete the current stage of the development of the Burundi Nickel Project there must be a sustained return to political stability and security following which, it must undertake various steps, including the following:
i.
secure a commitment from a financial and/or technical joint venture partner;
ii.
establish the PGM potential at Musongati;
iii.
complete the feasibility study;
iv.
obtain any necessary approvals and permits required in order to operate the nickel processing facility;
v.
acquire the right to lands on which the nickel and cobalt processing facility and associated infrastructure will be constructed; and
vi.
create a Burundian company to be owned 85% by the Registrant and 15% by the government of Burundi.
Once the Registrant completes these steps in its current stage of activity, and if the results of the feasibility study are positive, the second stage in the development of the Burundi Nickel Project which the Registrant must undertake is to obtain project financing to raise the funds necessary to be able to acquire the land and construct the processing facilities. The third and final stage in the development of the Burundi Nickel Project would be the construction and commissioning of the processing facilities. There can be no assurance that any of the preceding steps will be completed to allow for the Burundi Nickel Project to move forward.
As a result of continued instability in Burundi, the Registrant was unable to conduct any significant activity at its Burundi Nickel Project during 2005. Future activity depends on the Registrant obtaining an extension to the Mining Convention and continued improvement in the security situation in Burundi.
3.
Gold in Nevada, USA
Gold Creek
In November 2003, the Registrant entered into an option agreement over a gold-rich vein system (“Gold Creek”) in Elko County, Nevada, U.S.A. (the “Nevada Gold Project”). The property is located within the southern boundary area of Humboldt National Forest, some 100 km north of the town of Elko, and NE of Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine. Access to the property is via secondary gravel road to the entrance to the national forest and then on tracks which criss cross the area.
The Gold Creek property is covered by 37 unpatented mining claims of 3.1 km2 total area. An additional 2 claims (16.7 hectares) cover water rights. Mineral rights on the claims are held by Happy Tracks Mining Company (“Happy Tracks”). The option agreement with Happy Tracks initially covered 31 unpatented lode claims and an additional six were staked in 2004, and became subject to the same option agreement. The option agreement provided for annual payments over 3.5 years totalling US$66,000 with an exercise price of US$1,250,000 for 100% of the mining claims.
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Diamond Jim
In December 2003, the Registrant announced another option agreement over additional claims covering the northern extension of this gold rich system. The northern extension is covered by 33 unpatented mining claims (“Diamond Jim Mine Claims”), total area 2.2 km2 that adjoins the Gold Creek claims located to the south. Mineral rights on the claims are held by a private individual. The option agreement, at no cost, allowed the Registrant until May 2004 to decide on whether to continue exploring the Diamond Jim claim block and to negotiate terms that would govern any extension to the option. In June 2004, the Registrant announced that it had entered into an option agreement over the Diamond Jim Mine Claims. The terms of the 3 year option agreement required the Registrant to pay US $20,000 on signature and equal payments of US $20,000 at the end of the first and second years. &nb sp;The option grants the Registrant the right to purchase the property outright for US $1,500,000 with option payments being credited towards the purchase price.
The Registrant acquired the options to the Gold Creek and Diamond Jim properties following an initial review of exploration data from previous explorers, together with data from production records.
2004 Sampling by the Registrant
Assay results from samples provided by the Registrant, reported by ALS Chemex in Vancouver, confirm the encouraging results reported by previous explorers.
Gold grades ranging from 0.01 g/t, reaching 145.5 g/t gold were received from the sampling of outcrop, sub-crop and stockpiles above the St. Elmo vein system. The 145.5 g/t gold sample and an accompanying 19.15 g/t gold result are both from outcrops of breccia and quartz veining, respectively, both trending at almost right angles to the main, roughly north-south, structural trend through St. Elmo. The combined width of the vein and adjacent breccia is 3.1 m.
Reconnaissance sampling by the Registrant in the area surrounding Diamond Jim mine returned rock chip assays ranging from less than 0.5 g/t and reaching 9.06 g/t gold and 1,500 ppm silver. Anomalous gold grades in rock chip samples are dispersed along a 300m long, roughly north-south trending crest zone through Rosebud Mountain where the highest elevation reaches 2,489 metres. Together with sample results reported by earlier explorers, grades within the 300m long zone range up to 15.4 g/t gold with 11 samples returning more than 4 g/t gold. This zone is interpreted to be one of silicified and quartz stockwork veined quartzite along a possible fault zone.
Following completion of its assessment of the Gold Creek and Diamond properties, the Registrant determined that the projects did not meet its criteria for further exploration and on June 1, 2005 and November 23, 2005 the Registrant announced that it had terminated its Option Agreements with respect to the Nevada Gold Projects.
4.
Albetros Diamond Project
The Albetros Diamond Project is an alluvial diamond project close to the present-day Buffels River and the De Beers’ mining town of Kleinsee. The principal alluvial diamond target at Albetros Diamond Project was a series of major, gravel-filled palaeo drainage systems that represent structural corridors in which diamonds may have been successively reworked during periods of marine regression, particularly those coinciding with humid, wet climatic conditions.
The Option Agreement provided for:
a)
an option exercise date of August 31, 2004. *
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b)
monthly option fees totalling R4,050,000 ($799,000) payable as follows:
- 2003 – R2,400,000 ($469,000) – paid.
- 2004 – R1,650,000 ($344,000) – of which R550,000 has been paid, and
c)
a purchase price of R17,000,000 ($3,609,000) less all option fees paid at the date of exercise of the option. Should the Corporation exercise its option to acquire Albetros the purchase price of R17,000,000 less option fees totalling R4,050,000 (R2,950,000 has been paid to date) will be paid in two payments as follows:
- R7,000,000 ($1,486,000) on August 31, 2004. *
- R5,950,000 ($1,263,000) on December 1, 2004. *
An application for a new prospecting permit (“Permit”) was submitted in January 2004 as the expiry date of the Permit was March 15, 2004. However with the new Minerals and Energy Act in South Africa coming into force in May 2004, processing of the application was delayed.
*Pursuant to the Agreement with the shareholders of Albetros, the Corporation had until August 31, 2004 (the option exercise date) to fully evaluate the Project. As a new Permit had not yet been issued, the Corporation ceased its obligation to make option payments subsequent to March 2003 and advised the shareholders of Albetros that all payment obligations would be extended by the number of days that Albetros did not hold a valid Permit.
In March 2005, the Corporation terminated its option to acquire Albetros as a new Permit still had not been issued.
Summary of Activities
Commencing in March 2003, with little reliable or useful technical information over the 125 km2 licence area, the Registrant identified the principal palaeochannel targets, established a major gravel resource and the diamondiferous nature of certain palaeochannels. With the unsuccessful application of ground penetrating radar, probe drilling became the preferred exploration tool in tapping beneath the ubiquitous dune shield to locate, map and evaluate the buried palaeochannels. A total of 9,330 metres of probe drilling was accomplished, sufficient to support gravel estimates of approximately 20 million tonnes.
Large diameter auger (“LDA”) drilling was confined to the northernmost 1.4 km of available palaeochannel in Predikant Vlei. Some 22 holes (940 metres) were drilled at 8 sites generating 42 samples. Sample processing was undertaken at a nearby dense media separation plant and diamond recovery through hand sorting at a geological laboratory. A drill density of one LDA hole per 40,000 m2 and a sample density of 1:5,550 was achieved. Concentrate sorting yielded 33 diamonds weighing 14.962 carats, the largest a 4.979 carat stone.
Large Diameter Auger Drilling
LDA drilling, employing the Bauer BG36C rig, was conducted over a six week period in the final quarter of 2003 for a total of 940 metres from 22 holes at 8 sites. Site locations were randomly selected along previous probe drill lines across a strike length of 1.4 km for the purpose of both lateral and longitudinal spread and to shun major zones of basal conglomerate and sandstone. Sample treatment and diamond recovery continued until March 2004 and stone valuations, provided by DeBeers’ subsidiary, DTC, were US $314.70 per carat for the parcel of stones recovered.
Black Economic Empowerment and Mining Charter and Permit Renewal
The South African Mining Charter requires that all new mining projects have a Black Empowerment Entity (“BEE”) component in the ownership of the project. The concept is that by including previously disadvantaged groups initially in the ownership of mining projects, it will facilitate the economic
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upliftment of all South Africans. In addition empowerment is expected to provide skills transfer and the general upliftment of disadvantaged communities.
The South African Mining Charter creates opportunities for historically disadvantaged persons and enables the transfer of an equity interest in mining projects to take place in a transparent manner and at fair market value to enable a target of 15% ownership in 5 years and 26% in 10 years.
As part of its agreement for the acquisition of Albetros, the Registrant secured the right to introduce its BEE partner of choice, Umnotho, to Albetros.
Umnotho, a subsidiary of Umnotho we Sizwe Investment Holdings Pty Ltd., was one of the first mining empowerment companies in South Africa. The Registrant had been in discussions with Umnotho since 2002 regarding such empowerment transactions.
In terms of the agreement, Umnotho acquired an immediate 15% interest in Albetros from the Albetros shareholders. The acquisition of an interest in Albetros by Umnotho resulted in Albetros meeting the Charter requirements as an empowered company.
Indications were that with Albetros having met the BEE requirements of the Mining Charter and the application for the prospecting permit having been submitted timely in January 2004, that it would be issued expenditiously. However, the new Minerals and Energy Act came into force in May 2004 delaying the processing of applications for prospecting permits.
Subsequently, in a clarification on the application of the charter by the South African Department of Minerals and Energy it became apparent that the project would require BEE participation of not less than 51% during a one year transition period, resulting in a loss of control of the project by the Registrant.
The agreement with Albetros did contemplate BEE participation over and above the legislated initial 15%, however the Registrant expected to comply with the requirement to have BEE participation of 26% over a period of 10 years. The Registrant did not anticipate a BEE requirement of 51%, which hampered the granting of the permit.
Consequently, despite the expenditure incurred and the initial drilling results, the Registrant terminated the agreement to acquire Albetros on March 8, 2005, as a new Permit had not been issued.
5.
New Caledonia Nickel Project
The New Caledonia Nickel project (“New Caledonia Nickel Project”) was a proposed joint venture to explore the feasibility of mining and processing lateritic nickel-cobalt ore to produce nickel and cobalt metal in New Caledonia.
Tripartite Agreement
The Registrant had previously entered into a Heads of Agreement with SMT to carry out a feasibility study, at the Registrant’s risk, for the development of a nickel refinery based upon SMT’s mining concessions at Nakety and Bogota. The Heads of Agreement also provided for a joint venture to be established between the Registrant and SMT to develop the project. On July 25, 2001, the Registrant announced JSC "MMC Norilsk Nickel" had taken the positive decision to proceed with the Nakety/Bogota project in New Caledonia by completing the bankable feasibility study leading to the joint development with the Registrant and SMT of the project. A Tripartite Agreement (the “Agreement”) between NNIH, SMT and the Registrant’s subsidiary Balzan was signed on October 16, 2001. Under the
29
terms of the Agreement, NNIH reimbursed the Registrant 45% of its costs incurred to date, or US$7.166 million (Cdn$11,307,948). On August 5, 2002, the Registrant received a termination notice from NNIH, terminating its involvement in the New Caledonia Nickel Project. The termination by NNIH effectively terminated the Registrant’s interest in the New Caledonia Nickel Project. In addition NNIH, through the ICC, issued a request for arbitration for the return of US$7,166,000 paid to the Registrant as a re-imbursement of expenditures paid on signing of the Tripartite Agreement plus expenditures of US$1,368,222 and the costs of arbitration.
In December 2004, The Registrant announced that the arbitration initiated by NNIH in September 2002 over the New Caledonia Nickel Project had been discontinued and is now settled.
The Settlement Agreement, the terms of which are bound by a confidentiality agreement signed between the parties, follows a meeting held in Paris on the 25th of November, 2004. Each party will remain responsible for its costs incurred in the arbitration process and neither party has any claim outstanding against the other.
The Registrant’s activities in Burundi can be conducted throughout the year while activities on the Lac Panache are restricted during winter due to winter conditions. The Registrant’s activities on any of its projects are subject to government regulations and restrictions and require the Registrant to apply for, in certain cases, exploration permits, mining licences and various other governmental approvals and comply with environmental regulations.
C.
Organizational Structure
The following chart represents the inter-corporate relationships between the Registrant and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as well as the jurisdiction of incorporation of each of these entities.
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Following the continuance into British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act on May 26, 2005, the Registrant and its wholly owned Canadian subsidiaries, Argosy Mining Corp and Calliope Metals (Holdings) Ltd. amalgamated. In addition, various subsidiaries, namely Balzan Investments Limited, Melling Investments Limited and Liberex Ltd. were deregistered during the year, resulting in the organizational structure outlined above.
D.
Property, Plants and Equipment
At December 31, 2005 the Registrant did not have any significant plant and equipment, mines or producing properties. The Registrant is an exploration stage company, and it has not determined whether its properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable.
The Registrant owns and has options to acquire certain mineral properties as part of its business, as described in detail in “Item 4.B. – Business Overview”. These include the following:
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| | | |
Name | Licence | Type | Size |
1 Lac Panache Project | | 48 Mining Claims | 32.2 km2 |
2 Burundi Nickel Project | Decree 100/32 | Musongati Exploration Licence | 171.1 km2 |
| | | | |
1.
Option to acquire 100% of the Lac Panache Project
2.
The Burundi Nickel Project is held pursuant to a Mining Convention with the Government of Burundi. The Registrant has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Mines in Burundi to extend the Mining Convention.
1.
Lac Panache Project, Sudbury, Ontatio
In April 2005 the Registrant entered into an option agreement with a private owner over the Lac Panache Project in Sudbury Mining Division, Ontario, Canada. The project area comprised 43 claims containing a total of 162 claim units distributed across 4 separate blocks: Lake Panache, Brazil Lake, Little Panache and Norwest. The Registrant announced in June 2005 that the total land area of the project had been increased by a further 39 claim units in 5 claims bringing the total area to 32.2 km2.
The Registrant can earn 100% of the project through staged cash payments totalling $300,000 and completing staged work commitments over three years of $455,000. On production the vendor will retain a 3% net smelter return (“NSR”). This NSR is subject to buy-back provisions.
During the second half of 2005 the Registrant commenced a program of trail construction and trenching of known geophysical and geochemical anomalies at its Lac Panache Project.
For more information, please see“Item 4B –Lac Panache Project, Sudbury, Ontario.”
2.
Burundi Nickel Project - Musongati
Musongati lies at an elevation of 1700 m, in the tropical highlands of Burundi, about 1000 m above Lake Tanganyika. The outlying Waga deposit is 30 km west of Musongati and the Nyabikere deposit is 40 km north.
The Musongati laterites are derived from the weathering of an ultrabasic complex, particularly, serpentinised dunite with a primary nickel content of about 0.3%. Two types of mineralisation are present in approximately equal proportions: limonite and saprolite (a less weathered laterite rock type generally found beneath limonite). Nickel in the limonite mineralisation is tied to goethite whereas in the saprolite mineralisation it is related to serpentine group and clay minerals. The typical weathering profile is canga (iron caprock), the limonite zone (averaging 15 m thick), the saprolite zone (averaging 12 m thick) and ultrabasic bedrock.
The Musongati nickel/cobalt deposit is situated within the Musongati exploration licence on three adjacent plateaux as a result of erosion of a single layer of laterite. The plateaux are referred to from west to east as the Geyuka, Rubara and Buhinda zones, of which Buhinda is the most significant and best defined. Historical exploration (by diamond drilling) was completed in three stages from 1975 to 1990, by different parties with different objectives. A total of 237 holes were drilled at Musongati, while 81 holes were drilled at Waga and Nyabikere. Due to the large size of the mineralised area, an effort directed to identifying zones with a high nickel content resulted in a greater focus on the Buhinda Zone. For more information, please see“Item 4B – Burundi Nickel Project – Musongati.”
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3.
Nevada Gold Project
The Nevada Gold Project consisted initially of 37 unpatented lode mining claims and 2 unpatented claims covering water rights, situated within and near to the southern boundary of the Humboldt National Forest, some 100 km north of Elko in Nevada, USA. Signed in November 2003 these claims were held under a 3 year option agreement with Happy Tracks Mining Company. Added to the project were a further 33 claims over which the Registrant had an option agreement with the private owners for 3 years commencing May 2004 which allowed the Registrant to purchase all the claims.
The project area included 3 now abandoned mines (St. Elmo, Diamond Jim and Rosebud) and has been subject to exploration by a number of companies between 1962 and 2000. The results of that exploration reported underground chip channel sampling assays from workings at St. Elmo of up to 213 g/t and surface sampling of up to 73 g/t gold. Three diamond drill holes covering a strike length of 200m returned best results of 2 m at 17 g/t, 0.5 m at 6.7 g/t and 0.5 m at 0.5 g/t gold. While gold had been mined in the past at St. Elmo, lead and silver were the main commodities mined at Diamond Jim and Rosebud. Past explorers had identified some gold-anomalous surface rock chip samples up to ~15 g/t gold immediately east of Diamond Jim. These and the anomalous results from St. Elmo were followed up by the Registrant’s prospecting activities.
On June 1, 2005 and November 23, 2005 the Corporation announced that it had terminated its Option Agreements with respect to the Nevada Gold Projects.
For more information, please see“Item 4B – Gold in Nevada, USA.”
4.
Albetros Diamond Project
The Albetros Diamond Project covered an area of approximately 76 km2 and lies approximately 15 km north of Kleinsee which is a restricted access town. Albetros is an alluvial project which abuts the coastal Kleinsee, Dreyers Pan and Twee Pad mines of DeBeers and is downstream of the river-related mines of Langhoogte, Nuttabooi, Wolfberg and Bontekoe.
Despite the encouraging start to exploration, the Registrant was unsuccessful in its attempts through the permit holder, Albetros, to obtain an exploration permit following its expiry in March 2004. In March 2005, the Registrant terminated the agreement to acquire Albetros due to increased BEE requirements and the fact that the prospecting permit had not yet been issued. For more information, please see“Item 4B – Albetros Diamond Project.”
Item 4A. – Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable
Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion of the financial condition, changes in cash flows and results of operations of the Registrant for the past three fiscal years should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and related notes included therein.
A.
Operating Results
Critical Accounting Estimates
The detailed accounting policies are discussed in the attached annual financial statements, however, the following accounting policies require the application of management’s judgment:
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(a)
Mineral property valuations – Management uses its best estimate for recording any mineral property value based on the results of any exploration conducted, prevailing market conditions, similar transactions and factors such as stability of the country in which the asset may be located.
(b)
Contingent Liabilities – Management evaluates any claims against the Corporation and provides for those claims, where necessary, based on information available to it, including in some instances, legal advice.
Overview
The Registrant’s activities are primarily directed to exploring existing and future mining mineral properties. The Registrant does not currently have a producing mine or processing facility. Activities over the last three years include a pre-feasibility study for the construction of a nickel/cobalt processing facility and general exploration to locate and evaluate mineral properties that have been acquired by the Registrant. Costs incurred for general exploration that did not result in the acquisition of mineral properties with ongoing exploration or development potential were charged to operations. Exploration costs, if any, relating to the Registrant’s properties and engineering studies are capitalized as mineral properties and deferred costs. Should the Registrant abandon a property or project, the related deferred costs will be charged to operations. Administrative costs not associated with property exploration were charged to operations. Costs associated with the evaluation of new opportunities are charged to operations as project assessment expenditure, when incurred. Excess cash is invested by the Registrant in short-term investments.
The Registrant’s consolidated financial statements are in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the application of which, in the case of the Registrant, conforms quantitatively in all material respects for the periods presented with US GAAP except for the measurement differences referred to in Note 10 to the financial statements of the Registrant.
The Registrant’s consolidated financial statements were prepared on a going-concern basis which assumes that the Registrant will be able to realize assets and discharge liabilities in the normal course of business.
From incorporation in December 1985, the Registrant has been exclusively a natural resource company engaged in the business of exploration of diamonds, metals and minerals. At this stage of its development the Registrant has no producing properties and consequently, has no current operating income or cash flow.
The Registrant has not yet determined whether its properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. As a result, the Registrant is considered an exploration stage company.
The recoverability of amounts shown for mineral properties and deferred costs, if any, is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, completion of positive feasibility studies, confirmation of the Registrant’s interest in the underlying mineral claims, the ability of the Registrant to obtain necessary regulatory and environmental operating permits, the ability of the Registrant to obtain necessary financing to complete exploration and development and future profitable production from the disposition thereof.
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2005 Fiscal Year
Lac Panache
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Registrant secured an option to acquire the Lac Panache Project in Sudbury, Ontario and expended $165,761 on option fees and exploration activities. Exploration consisted previously of reconnaissance scale sampling of the Brazil Lake, Little Panache and Norwest areas and more detailed mapping and sampling within the larger Panache claim block. Approximately 2.5 kms of new access trails plus 900 metres of trenching were completed. A total of 127 rock samples were collected.
Burundi Nickel Project
The Registrant was involved in investigations into the Burundi Nickel Project, which involved a scoping study on the construction of an integrated mine and PAL processing refinery to be sited at Musongati in Burundi. Studies were focused on important transportation and infrastructure issues. The Registrant declared force majeure in April 2000 due to the deteriorating security situation in the region. Except for brief periods during 2002 and 2004 the Project has been subject to force majeure due to the unstable conditions in Burundi. Following improving political and security conditions in Burundi, force majeure on the Musongati Project was lifted in May 2005. The Registrant is currently in discussions with the Ministry of Mines regarding an extension to the Mining Convention. Should the Mining Convention be extended, the Registrant plans to re-commence activities in Burundi. Should the Registrant re-commence activities a new performance bond will be required. See “Item 4.B. Burundi Nickel Project.”
Nevada Gold Project
The Nevada Gold Project was acquired under option agreements in November and December, 2003 and a further option agreement over adjoining unpatented mining claims in May 2004. Following completion of an assessment of the Nevada Gold Project, the Registrant terminated its options to acquire the St. Elmo, Elko County Nevada USA project in June, 2005 and its option to acquire the Diamond Jim Mine, Nevada USA in November, 2005 See “Item 4.B. Gold in Nevada, USA.”
Albetros Diamond Project
The Registrant was involved in the assessment of the diamond potential of the Albetros Diamond Project, an alluvial diamond project located in Namaqualand on the west coast of South Africa, prior to deciding to exercise an option to purchase Albetros, the holder of the exploration licence over the Project. The assessment included 9,330 m of rotary air blast drilling to define gravel resources in 2 main paleochannels and 22 large diameter auger holes to extract gravel from the paleochannels, which confirmed the diamondiferous nature of those gravels. In March, 2005 the Registrant terminated the agreement to acquire the Albetros Diamond project due to the increased BEE requirements and the fact that the prospecting permit had not been issued. See “Item 4.B. Albetros Diamond Project.”
Other Opportunities
The Registrant also spent $64,248 evaluating new projects in China and Africa.
2004 Fiscal Year
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Registrant completed the sorting of gravels recovered from the large diameter auger drill program conducted on the Albetros Diamond project in late 2003. A total of 33 diamonds that were equal to an aggregate of 14.962 carats were recovered. An application for a renewal of the prospecting permit, which expired on March 15, 2004 was filed in January 2004, however a new permit has not yet been issued. The Registrant spent $385,104 during 2004 on the Albetros Diamond Project. Since the expiry of the prospecting permit, the Registrant ceased paying the option payments required to maintain its option for the acquisition of Albetros, and advised the owners of Albetros that it believed all payment obligations should be extended by the period for which no permit is in place. Given the delay in renewing the permit and the requirements for increased black econo mic
34
entity participation required for projects in South Africa, the Registrant terminated the option to acquire Albetros in March 2005.
During 2004, the Registrant entered into an option agreement over the adjoining 33 unpatented claims at its Gold Creek project and commissioned a heritage resource survey and environmental report which has been submitted to the USFS as part of the application for a permit to carry out a drilling program at Gold Creek. Expenditure on the Gold Creek project totalled $216,245 during the year.
Except for a brief period, the Burundi Nickel project remained under force majeure due to the ongoing political instability and violence in Burundi.
The Registrant evaluated other opportunities during the year focusing on gold, specifically in areas with high geological potential and in countries with low political risk.
Site visits were made to investigate several gold – silver project opportunities in Nevada and elsewhere in North America.
In addition, several diamond project opportunities from southern Africa were reviewed during the year, but did not continue beyond the initial due diligence phase.
During the year ended December 31, 2004 the Registrant expended approximately $103,000 evaluating these opportunities.
2003 Fiscal Year
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Registrant progressed the exploration drilling and sampling of the Albetros Diamond Project in Namaqualand, South Africa. The Registrant entered into an option agreement, with subsequent amendments (the “Agreement”), with Albetros, the owner of the prospecting permit over the project area, for the acquisition of 85% of Albetros at a cost of 17 million South African Rand ($3.6 million). The Agreement included monthly option payments, which were deductible from the purchase price, in the event that the Registrant exercised its option to acquire Albetros. The Agreement made provision for participation by a Black Empowerment Group as per the South African Mining Charter. A total of $1,451,282 was spent on the Albetros Diamond Project in 2003.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Registrant wrote off $19,783 expended on the Burundi Nickel Project, which is still subject to force majeure. For more information, please see “Item 4.B. – Business Overview”.
Force majeure, imposed in August 2002 on its Burundi Nickel Project, due to security in the country deteriorating, was maintained during 2003 and consequently no work was carried out in Burundi during the year. A total of $19,783 was spent on the Burundi Nickel Project during 2003.
The Registrant sold the Kremnica Gold Project to Tournigan Gold Corporation after a proposed joint venture transaction with Eurogold Limited failed to proceed. A total of $33,988 was spent on the Kremnica Gold Project during 2003, prior to its sale for $500,000.
The Registrant evaluated other opportunities including the Beregove Gold Project and the Nevada Gold Project. A total of $270,081 was spent on evaluating these other opportunities.
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Variation in Operating Results
The Registrant is presently exploring its properties for sufficient reserves to justify production. None of its properties are yet in production and consequently, the properties do not produce any revenue. As a result there is little variation expected in operating results from year to year and little is to be expected until such time, if any, as a production decision is made on one of its properties.
The Registrant derives interest income on its bank deposits and other short-term deposits, which depend on the Registrant’s ability to raise funds. Changes in the amount of interest received will be affected by changes in the rate of interest paid on deposits and more significantly, if further cash received from the issuance of shares to fund ongoing operations or received from joint venture partners reimbursing prior expenditures made by the Registrant on its projects or from the sale of its projects.
Through the exploration process, management periodically reviews results both internally and externally through mining related professionals. Decisions to abandon, reduce or expand exploration efforts are based upon many factors including general and specific assessments of mineral deposits, the likelihood of increasing or decreasing those deposits, land costs, estimates of future mineral prices, potential extraction methods and costs, the likelihood of positive or negative changes to the environment, permitting, taxation, labour and capital costs. Geological and/or economic circumstances render each property unique. Consequently, it is not possible to have any predetermined hold period.
The dollar amounts shown as deferred exploration expenditures, if any, are direct costs of maintaining and exploring properties, including costs of structures and equipment employed on the properties and allocations of administrative management salaries based on time spent and directly related to specific properties net of write-downs provided. These deferred amounts may not accurately reflect present or future values.
Outlook
Existing Projects
The Registrant is currently evaluating the results of exploration activities conducted on the Lac Panache Project during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. Should these results prove positive, the Registrant plans to conduct further exploration on the Project during 2006. Following the lifting of force majeure at its Burundi Nickel Project, the Registrant initiated discussions with the Ministry of Mines regarding an extension to the Mining Convention. Should the Mining Convention be extended, the Registrant plans to conduct a study regarding the development of the Musongati deposit. Such study would include the possibility of heap leaching of the nickel and the potential for platinum group metals at Musongati.
New Projects
The Registrant continues to seek additional projects through which shareholder value may be enhanced and has focused on precious and base metals. The Registrant is investigating suitable projects on a global basis and has been active in examining precious metal base metal projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and elsewhere in Africa and the Pacific region. There can be no assurance however that the Registrant will be able to locate any additional suitable projects on terms acceptable to the Registrant if at all.
Administration
Administrative expenses during fiscal 2006 are expected to be similar to those of 2005, however, expenses may increase significantly should the Registrant acquire new projects which require the use of technical consultants and necessitate increased travel and additional administrative support. Expenses for future periods cannot be predicted. In addition, the Registrant is considering consolidating all of its
36
administrative activities in its Australian office. Should that decision be effected, the Canadian office will be closed.
Summary and Analysis of Financial Operations
Comparison of Fiscal 2005 to 2004
The Corporation incurred a loss of $1,198,637 for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to a loss of $3,148,252 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The decreased loss of $1,949,615 from 2004 to 2005 is mostly attributable to decreased arbitration expenses of $789,871, due to the arbitration between the Corporation and NNIH being finalized in 2004, a reduction in management fees of $505,361, reduced salary and benefit costs of $84,346 due to lower levels of corporate activity, reduced project assessment costs of $3,450,917 mainly due to the Albetros Diamond Project and the Nevada Gold Project not proceeding, and a foreign exchange loss of $255,686 in 2004 due to the Australian dollar weakening against the Canadian dollar and the Corporation holding substantial cash balances in Australian dollars during the 2004 year not being incurred in 2005. At December 31, 2004 substanti ally all of the Corporation’s cash balances were held in Canadian dollars, consequently exchange gains and losses in 2005 were minimal, however, the Corporation conducts its activities in various countries which require it to incur expenditures in currencies other than Canadian dollars, consequently it will be exposed to exchange gains or losses in the future.
Interest income of $96,310 for the year ended December 31, 2005, decreased from $214,247 for the year ended December 31, 2004 as a result of decreasing cash balances and the Corporation holding its balances in Canadian dollars at lower interest rates.
During the year ended December 31, 2005 cash required for operating activities amounted to $988,671 compared to $3,434,568 for the year ended December 31, 2004.
The decrease in cash required for operating activities of approximately $2,446,000 resulted mainly from the decreased loss for the year of $1,949,615, while accounts receivable declined by $140,571 and accounts payable increased by $56,871 compared to a decrease of $300,172 in 2004 for a further reduction in cash used for operations of approximately $500,000 in 2005.
During 2005 administrative expenses were $1,052,479 compared to $2,519,569 for the year ended December 31, 2004. The decrease of $1,467,090 was mainly due to the arbitration between the Corporation and NNIH being settled in 2004 and management fees and salaries and benefits decreasing by $505,361 and $84,346, respectively, due to lower levels of corporate activity in 2005.
37
Comparison of Fiscal 2004 to 2003
The Registrant incurred a loss of $3,148,252 for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to a loss of $2,493,133 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increased loss of $655,119 is mostly attributable to the increased arbitration expenses of $423,561, due to the arbitration proceeding and a foreign exchange loss of $255,686 in 2004 due to the Australian dollar weakening against the Canadian dollar and the Registrant holding substantial cash balances in Australian dollars during the year. At year end substantially all of the Registrant’s cash balances were held in Canadian dollars; however, the Registrant conducts its activities in various countries which require it to incur expenditures in currencies other than Canadian dollars, consequently it will be exposed to exchange gains or losses in the future.
Interest income of $214,247 for the year ended December 31, 2004, decreased from $363,362 for the year ended December 31, 2003 as a result of decreasing cash balances and the Registrant holding its balances in short term deposits at lower interest rates.
During the year ended December 31, 2004, cash required for operating activities amounted to $3,434,568 compared to $3,234,515 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in cash required for operating activities of approximately $200,000 resulted mainly from a reduction of accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $300,172, compared to an increase of $125,767 between 2002 and 2003. While accounts receivable and prepaids in 2004 remained approximately the same as in 2003, the increase from 2002 to 2003 was $120,559.
During 2004, administrative expenses were $2,519,569 compared to $1,926,121 for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase of $593,448 arose mainly from increased arbitration expenses, and management fees.
Project assessment expenditures decreased by $1,134,119 due to completion of the drilling program at the Albetros Diamond Project in December 2003 and no significant new exploration program being conducted in 2004.
B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Registrant’s primary source of funds since incorporation has been the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to various public and private financings and reimbursement of prior project expenses. The Registrant has had no revenue from mining operations to date and does not anticipate mining revenues in the foreseeable future.
The Registrant’s cash balance at December 31, 2005 totalled $3,626,115 compared to $4,616,407 at December 31, 2004. Aside from such cash, the Registrant has no material unused sources of liquid assets. No cash was raised on the issuance of capital stock during 2005.
The Registrant does not have any loans or bank debt and there are no restrictions on the use of its cash resources.
At December 31, 2005 the Registrant had met all its expenditure requirements under the various property agreements it holds or has interests in. See “Item 4.D. - Property, Plant and Equipment.”
In addition, the Registrant anticipates spending approximately $1,400,000 during 2006 for administrative and other operating expenditures at its head office in Langley, British Columbia, and at its office in Perth, Australia and on project assessment expenditures.
38
The Registrant may decide to acquire new properties, at which time the Registrant may require additional equity financing. Any such decision will be based on the results of ongoing exploration programs and the response of equity markets to the Registrant’s properties and business plan. The Registrant expects to fulfil these cash commitments through its current cash on hand.
The Registrant believes it has sufficient cash resources to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months. The Registrant does not have any source of funds other than from the issuance of capital stock and the exercise of options, and the possible joint venture or sale of its mineral properties. While the Registrant has been successful in the past in raising the necessary funds for the exploration of its mineral properties there is no assurance that funding will be available on terms acceptable to the Registrant or at all. If such funds cannot be secured, the Registrant will be forced to curtail its exploration efforts to a level for which funding can be secured or relinquish certain of its properties or allow its interest to be diluted pursuant to the terms of the respective joint venture agreements or option agreements.
C.
Research and Development, Patents and Licences, etc.
Please see“Item 4.A. – History and Development of the Company”and“Item 4.B. – Business Overview” for a description of the Registrant’s mineral exploration activities.
D.
Trend information
None of the Registrant’s assets are currently in production or generate revenue. Please see“Item 4.A. – History and Development of the Company” and “Item 4B – Business Overview” for a description of the Registrant’s proposed expenditures and any known trends for the upcoming year.
E.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
The Registrant does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that require disclosure under this Item 5.
F.
Contractual Obligations
| | | | | |
| | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | Total |
| | | | | | |
Property Payments – Lac Panache | $ 80,000 | $ 120,000 | - | - | $ 260,0001 |
Property Expenditure Commitments – Lac Panache | $ 130,000 | $ 260,000 | - | - | $ 390,0001 |
| | | | | | $ 650,000 |
1.
The Corporation may withdraw from this agreement at any time.
2.
There are no contractual obligations except for any which may arise should the Mining Convention covering the Burundi Nickel Project be extended.
Item 6 – Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A.
Directors and Senior Management
The following provides a description of the backgrounds of the directors and officers of the Registrant.
Peter H. Lloyd, age 56. Chairman of the Registrant from February 2004 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant from April 2005 to present and from March 1998 to February 2004; a Director of the Registrant from August 1996 to November 1996 and September 1997 to date; Chairman of AMC from April 1993 to March 1998; a Director of Emmerson Holdings Pty Ltd from 1988 to date; a Director of Wedgefield Holdings Pty Ltd from 1988 to date; a Director of Peninsular Services Pty Ltd from January 2000 to date; and a Director of Java Black Mining Pty Ltd from June 1995 to date.
39
Cecil R. Bond, age 49. Corporate Secretary of the Registrant from April 1998 to date and a director of the Registrant from March 1997 to date; Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant from February 2004 to March 2005; Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant from April 1998 to June 2004; Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of AMC from August 1998 to May 2005; and a Director of AMC from November 1999 to May 2005. Mr. Bond is a Chartered Accountant and obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Cape Town in 1981.
John Maloney, age 67. A Director of the Registrant from April 2003 to date. Secretary of Wesley College Endowment Fund Association Inc since 1982; a Director of Old Wesley Collegians Association since 1995; and a Director of Cybertop Pty Ltd since 1998, Bursar of Wesley College from 1968 to 1993.
Malcolm Smartt,age 58. A Director of the Registrant from March 2, 2006. Currently non-executive director of a number of public companies.
Marcus N. Foster,age 56. Resigned as Chief Financial Officer and a Director of the Registrant on January 27, 2006. Chief Financial Officer as of May 18, 2004 and a Director of the Registrant from April 2, 2004 to January 27, 2006. President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Ross River Minerals Inc., December 23, 1999 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of Harbour Pacific Oil & Gas Ltd.; and President of Intwood Investments Ltd., a private investment company.
John Nicholls, age 53. Resigned as a Director of the Registrant on December 31, 2005. A Director of the Registrant from November 2002 to December 31, 2005. Accounting Public Practice Principal (CPA) since 1990 specialising in tax and business consultancy and provision of company secretarial services. Previously, Company Secretary and Chief Finance Officer for Allwood Ltd. and McLean Bros. & Rigg Ltd., and Finance Controller for CSR Ltd Refined Products Division, NSW, 1980 – 1987.
There are no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which any director or executive officer was selected as a director or executive officer. There are no family relationships between any two or more directors or executive officers.
B.
Compensation
The aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Registrant and its subsidiaries during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal year, directly and indirectly, including directors fees, to all officers and directors in their capacity as such totalled $233,633.
The Registrant paid a total of $75,000 in directors’ fees during the year ended December 31, 2005. Each director receiving directors fees is paid a maximum of $25,000 per year.
Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board. The Board may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on behalf of the Registrant other than services ordinarily required of a director. Other than as indicated above or in “Item 6. C. – Board Practices”, no director received any compensation for his or her services as a director, including committee participation and/or special assignments.
The following table sets out a summary of compensation paid to the executive officers (the “Executive Officers”) of the Registrant during the year ended December 31, 2005.
40
| | | | | | | |
| | Annual Remuneration | Long Term Remuneration | |
| | | | | Awards | Payouts | |
Name and Principal Position | Salary ($) | Bonus ($) | Other Annual Compensation ($) | Securities Under Options/ SARs Granted (#) | Restricted Shares or Restricted Share units(1) ($) | Long Term Incentive Plan Payouts ($) | All Other Compen- sation ($) |
Peter H.Lloyd(3)
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and a Director | Nil | Nil | Nil | 1,000,000(2) | Nil | Nil | 25,000(6) |
Cecil R. Bond(4)
Corporate Secretary and a Director | Nil | Nil | $115,133 | 1,000,000(2) | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Marcus N. Foster(5)
Chief Financial Officer and a Director | Nil | Nil | $43,500 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
(1)
The term “restricted shares” as it is used in this table means shares granted or awarded as compensation, other than incentive stock options, which may be subject to vesting conditions based on performance, lapse of time or continued service with the Registrant or its subsidiary. There are no restricted shares issued by the Registrant within this meaning.
(2)
The options granted to the executive officers at A$0.35 per share were approved by shareholders on May 23, 2002.
(3)
Mr. Lloyd was appointed Chief Executive Officer and President in April, 2005
(4)
Mr. Bond resigned as Chief Executive Officer in March 2005.
(5)
Mr. Foster was appointed Chief Financial Officer on May 18, 2004 and was paid a monthly fee of $3,500. Mr. Foster resigned as a director and Chief Financial Officer on January 27, 2006.
(6)
Compensation consists of directors’ fees.
(7)
Mr. Nicholls resigned as a director of the Registrant on December 31, 2005
The Registrant does not provide for pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or officers and has not accrued for any such benefits.
Stock options to purchase securities from the Registrant are granted to directors, officers and employees of the Registrant pursuant to Incentive Option Agreements on terms and conditions acceptable to the regulatory authorities in Australia, notably the ASX. Stock options granted to directors of the Registrant must be approved by the Registrant’s shareholders.
No option granted under the option program is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each stock option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. Options to directors expire up to 6 months following the termination of service of the optionee, while options to employees expire at various times between 30 days and up to 6 months following termination of service.
The exercise prices for all currently outstanding stock options were determined in accordance with the ASX guidelines and with the minimum exercise price reflecting the average closing price of the Registrant’s common stock for the five trading days on the ASX immediately preceding the day on which the grant of the stock options was announced, but not including a closing price that occurred earlier than the trading day following the day on which any material change was announced.
41
The following table sets forth the stock options outstanding at February 28, 2006 to directors and officers of the Registrant and any of its subsidiaries. No director or officer holds any warrants or other convertible securities.
| | | |
Name and Title
| Number of Common Shares Issuable upon Exercise | Exercise Price |
Expiry Date
|
Cecil R. Bond, Corporate Secretary and a director of the Registrant | 1,000,000 | A$0.35 | May 24, 2006 |
Peter H. Lloyd, CEO, President, Chairman and a director of the Registrant | 1,000,000 | A$0.35 | May 24, 2006 |
In total, directors, officers and employees hold options that are exercisable into 2,725,000 Common Shares. All the options expire on May 26, 2006.
The terms and conditions of options which are issued from time to time upon shareholder approval are as follows:
1.
The options may be exercised in a specific period.
2.
Directors’ options remain exercisable for up to 6 months after the date the Optionee ceases to be a director or officer of the Registrant. Employees’ options remain exercisable for between 30 days and up to 6 months after the date the Optionee ceases to be an employee of the Registrant.
3.
The options are non-transferable.
4.
The exercise price for the options shall be set by the Registrant and all options granted to directors will be approved by shareholders. Options granted to employees are not subject to approval by shareholders.
5.
The Registrant will not make application to ASX for official quotation of the options.
6.
The Registrant will make application to ASX for the quotation of the shares allotted and issued upon the exercise of an option within 10 business days after allotment and issue of those shares.
7.
All shares issued upon exercise of the options will rank pari passu in all respects with the Registrant’s then existing shares.
8.
There is no participating rights or entitlements inherent in the options and holders will not be entitled to participate in new issues of capital offered to shareholders during the currency of the options. However, the Registrant will send a notice to each holder of options at least 9 business days before the relevant record date. This will give option holders the opportunity to exercise their options prior to the date for determining entitlements to participate in any such issue.
9.
If the Registrant makes a bonus issue of shares pro-rata to existing shareholders (other than an issue in lieu in satisfaction of dividends or by way of dividend investment) and no share has been allotted in respect of an option before the books closing date for determining entitlements to the bonus issue, then the number of shares over which the option is exerciseable shall be increased by the number of shares which the option holder would have received if the option holder had exercised the option prior to the books closing date.
10.
If there is a pro-rata issue (except a bonus issue) to holders of shares, the exercise price of an option may be reduced in accordance with the formula provided for in ASX Listing Rule 6.22.2.
11.
In the event of any reorganization of the issued capital of the Registrant on or prior to the expiry of the options, the rights of an option holder will be changed to the extent necessary to comply with the applicable ASX Listing Rules in force at the time of the reorganization.
42
C.
Board Practices
Members of the Board have served in their respective capacities since their election and/or appointment and will serve until the next annual general meeting of shareholders or until a successor is duly elected, unless the office is vacated in accordance with the articles and bylaws of the Registrant. The executive officers of the Registrant serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Mr. Lloyd was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant in April 2005. Mr. Lloyd has been paid a director’s fee for his services but does not have a management contract with the Registrant.
Effective July, 2005, Emmerson Holdings Pty Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Lloyd has provided office facilities to the Registrant in Australia at a cost of A$2,803 per month. The consideration paid to Emmerson Holdings during the fiscal year for office rent totalled A$17,097.
Pursuant to an agreement dated September 1, 1996, last amended effective April 8, 1998, between the Registrant and C.R. Bond (“CRBC”), CRBC provided financial and corporate management services to the Registrant in consideration of $75,000 per year. In addition, Mr. Bond was paid $52,680 per year pursuant to an agreement dated September 1, 1996, last amended effective September 22, 1998, between AMC and CRBC for services provided to AMC. Effective November 1, 2001, the fees payable to CRBC by the Registrant and its subsidiaries were set at A$175,000 per year. These agreements were superceded effective July 2003; pursuant to an agreement between 667060 B.C. Ltd. (“667060”), a company controlled by Mr. Bond, and the Registrant, 667060 provides management and consulting services for consideration of A$175,000 per year. Mr. Bond resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Registran t in April 2005, however 667060 has continued to supply management and consulting services at an annual fee of approximately $70,000. In addition, 667060 provides personnel and office facilities to the Registrant in Canada, which amounted to a consideration of $77,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Audit Committee
In accordance with theBusiness Corporations Act (Yukon), the Registrant is required to have an audit committee. The Registrant’s current audit committee consists of:
| |
Name | Present Office |
Peter H. Lloyd | Chairman, CEO and Director |
John Maloney | Director |
Malcolm Smartt | Director(1) |
(1) appointed March 2, 2006
The audit committee meets with the Registrant’s independent accountants and management periodically to review the scope and results of the annual audit and to review the Registrant’s financial statements and related reporting matters prior to the submission of the financial statements to the Board.
The audit committee meets as often as it determines, but not less frequently than quarterly. The committee reviews all financial statements prior to the submission of those statements to the Board of Directors for approval. In addition, the committee meets with the independent auditors at least on an annual basis to review and discuss the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements. The audit committee pre-approves all the audit engagement terms and all non-audit services. Certain services are pre-approved by the audit committee on an annual basis.
The Registrant has established an audit committee charter which deals with the establishment of the audit committee and sets out its duties and responsibilities.
43
Remuneration Committee
The Registrant does not have a separate remuneration committee. The full Board reviews the terms and conditions of employment and remuneration levels for employees.
D.
Employees
The following table sets forth the number of direct and indirect employees of the Registrant and all of its subsidiaries at December 31 for each of the indicated periods. The employees listed below can all be characterised as administrative personnel.
| | | | |
Year | Canada | Australia | Burundi | Total |
2003 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
2004 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 8 |
2005 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
The decrease in personnel in Canada and Australia was due to reduced administrative requirements during 2005.
None of the Registrant’s employees are members of a labour union.
E.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth, as of February 28, 2006, the number of the Registrant’s Common Shares beneficially owned by the directors and members of senior management of the Registrant, individually, and the percentage ownership of the outstanding Common Shares represented by such shares. The security holders listed below are deemed to be the beneficial owners of Common Shares underlying options and warrants which are exercisable within 60 days from the above date.
| | | | | | |
Name and positions held in the Registrant | Number of shares owned or controlled at Feb. 28, 2006(4) | Percentage of shares outstanding |
| | PETER H. LLOYD(1)
President, CEO, Chairman & Director | 6,299,996(2) | 6.5 % |
| | CECIL R. BOND
Secretary and Director | 1,732,000(2) | 1.8 % |
| | JOHN MALONEY(1)
Director | Nil | Nil(3) |
| | MALCOLM SMARTT(1)
Director | Nil | Nil (3) |
| | MARCUS FOSTER
Ex-Director | Nil | Nil(3) |
| | JOHN NICHOLLS
Ex-Director | Nil | Nil(3) |
(1)
Member of audit committee.
(2)
Includes options to purchase 1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price of A$0.35 that expire on May 24, 2006.
(3)
Indicates less than 1% of shares owned or controlled.
(4)
The information regarding share ownership has been provided by individuals themselves.
Stock options to purchase securities from the Registrant are granted to directors, officers and employees of the Registrant pursuant to Incentive Option Agreements on terms and conditions acceptable to the
44
regulatory authorities in Australia, notably the ASX. Stock options granted to directors of the Registrant must be approved by the Registrant’s shareholders.
No option granted under the option program is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each stock option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. Options to directors expire up to 6 months following the termination of service of the optionee, while options to employees expire between 30 days and up to 6 months following termination of service.
The exercise prices for all currently outstanding stock options were determined in accordance with the ASX guidelines and with the minimum exercise price reflecting the average closing price of the Registrant’s common stock for the five trading days on the ASX immediately preceding the day on which the grant of the stock options was announced, but not including a closing price that occurred earlier than the trading day following the day on which any material change was announced.
The following table sets forth the stock options outstanding at February 28, 2006 to directors and officers of the Registrant and any of its subsidiaries. No director or officer holds any warrants or other convertible securities.
| | | |
Name and Title | Number of Common Shares Issuable upon Exercise |
Exercise Price
|
Expiry Date |
Cecil R. Bond, Corporate Secretary and a director of the Registrant | 1,000,000 | A$0.35 | May 24, 2006 |
Peter H. Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman and a director of the Registrant | 1,000,000 | A$0.35 | May 24, 2006 |
There are no arrangements for involving employees in the capital of the Registrant. Stock options are granted to employees at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Item 7 – Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A.
Major shareholders
No beneficial owners of 5% or more of the Common Shares are known to the Registrant except for Mr. Lloyd as disclosed above under “Item 6.E. - Share Ownership”. Mr Lloyd’s voting rights do not differ in any way from those of the Registrant’s other shareholders.
At February 28, 2006 there were 176 record holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares resident in the United States, holding 5,886,939 Common Shares. This number represents approximately 6.13% of the total issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Registrant at that date.
At February 28, 2006, there were a total of 2,128 record holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares.
The Registrant is a publicly owned corporation, the Common Shares of which are owned by Canadian residents, Australian residents, United States residents, and residents of other countries. To the extent known to the Registrant, it is not directly owned or controlled by another corporation, any foreign government or any other natural or legal person(s) severally or jointly. The Registrant is not aware of any arrangement, the operation of which may result in a change of control of the Registrant.
B.
Related Party Transactions
See “Item 6.C. – Board Practices” for further information.
45
Other than as disclosed here and in “Item 6.C. – Board Practices”, there have been no material transactions since December 31, 2003 to date, and there are no presently proposed transactions, to which the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in which any director, officer or significant shareholder of the Registrant or its subsidiaries, or any relative or spouse of any of the foregoing persons or any relative of such spouse who has the same home as such person, had or is to have a direct or indirect material interest.
Management believes the transactions referenced above, if any, were on terms at least as favourable to the Registrant as the Registrant could have obtained from unaffiliated parties.
C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 8 –Financial Information
A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial information
See “Item 17 – Financial Statements”.
Legal Proceedings
Except as disclosed in“Item 4 – Information on the Company”, there is no pending, threatened or recently concluded legal or arbitration proceedings, including those relating to bankruptcy, receivership or similar proceedings that involve any third party, which may have, or have had in the recent past, significant effects on the Registrant’s financial position. This includes governmental proceedings pending or known to be contemplated.
Dividend Policy
The Registrant has not declared any dividend to date and has no present intention to declare any such dividend in the foreseeable future.
B.
Significant Changes
There have been no significant changes in the financial condition of the Registrant since the most recent consolidated financial statements dated December31, 2005.
Item 9 – The Offer and Listing
A.
Offer and Listing Details
Stock Price History
In recent years, securities markets in Canada and Australia have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of many resource and resource related companies, have experienced wide fluctuations in price which have not necessarily been related to operating performance or underlying asset values or prospects of such companies. There can be no assurance that fluctuations in the Registrant’s share price and volume will not occur.
The following table sets out the high and low market prices and the volume of the Common Shares traded on the CDNX for 2001 up to October 4, 2001 (when the Registrant delisted its shares from the CDNX) and on the ASX for the last 5 years and eight quarters ending December 31, 2005 and for the last six months to February 28, 2006.
46
| | | | | | |
Year Ended | ASX high | ASX Low | ASX Volume | CDNX High | CDNX Low | CDNX Volume |
2001 | A$0.660 | A$0.170 | 53,546,785 | $0.45 | $0.10 | 5,215,710 |
2002 | A$0.550 | A$0.097 | 21,999,477 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2003 | A$0.310 | A$0.088 | 19,781,253 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2004 | A$0.280 | A$0.060 | 16,064,905 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
2005 | A$0.090 | A$0.030 | 9,501,720 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Quarter Ended |
|
|
|
|
| |
March 31, 2004 | A$0.290 | A$0.165 | 10,447,404 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
June 30, 2004 | A$0.190 | A$0.110 | 4,556,818 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
September 30, 2004 | A$0.130 | A$0.080 | 1,598,791 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
December 31, 2004 | A$0.110 | A$0.065 | 2,912,724 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
March 31, 2005 | A$0.090 | A$0.053 | 2,820,045 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
June 30, 2005 | A$0.085 | A$0.038 | 3,966,969 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
September 30, 2005 | A$0.076 | A$0.030 | 1,985,893 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
December 31, 2005 | A$0.056 | A$0.048 | 728,813 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Month Ended |
|
|
|
| | |
September 30, 2005 | A$0.065 | A$0.030 | 822,641 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
October 31, 2005 | A$0.056 | A$0.048 | 197,458 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
November 30, 2005 | A$0.055 | A$0.048 | 386,301 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
December 31, 2005 | A$0.050 | A$0.048 | 145,054 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
January 31, 2006 | A$0.055 | A$0.048 | 304,707 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
February 28, 2006 | A$0.051 | A$0.021 | 548,027 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
B.
Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C.
Markets
The principal trading market for the Registrant’s Common Shares is the ASX. Effective June 6, 1997, the Registrant’s Common Shares commenced trading on the ASX under the trading symbol “CIO”. The Registrant’s Common Shares previously traded on the CDNX from 1996 under the symbol “CYO”. Effective May 7, 1999 the Registrant’s Common Shares trade on the ASX under the symbol “AGY” and traded on the CDNX under the symbol “AGY” until October 4, 2001 when the Registrant delisted its shares from the CDNX due to a lack of trading volume.
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
Objects and Purposes of the Company
The Articles of the Registrant impose no restrictions on the business the Registrant may undertake.
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Directors’ Powers
Section 16.1 of the Articles gives directors broad discretion to manage the affairs of the Registrant. The directors may, from time to time on behalf of the Registrant, borrow money in such manner and amount, on such security, from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as they think fit, and may authorize the guaranteeing of any obligations of any other person. Furthermore, the directors may issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Registrant or other person. Finally, the directors may mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, or give other security on the undertaking, or on the whole or any part of the property and assets of the Registrant.
Section 18.10 of the Articles provides that the quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors shall be a simple majority of directors.
Section 14.8 of the Articles authorizes the Board to appoint one or more additional directors between annual general meetings.
Section 13.5 of the Articles provides that the remuneration of the directors may be determined from time to time by the directors. There are no restrictions in the Articles upon the directors’ power to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body. However ASX rules require that the total amount that can be paid to directors for services as directors be approved by shareholders.
Section 17.4 of the Articles provides that a director who is a party to a material contract or a proposed material contract with the Registrant or who is the director or an officer of or has a material interest in any person who is a party to a material contract, or a proposed material contract with the Registrant, shall disclose in writing to the Registrant or request to have entered in the minutes of meetings of directors, the nature and extent of his interest. All such disclosures shall be made at the time required by the applicable provisions of the BC Business Corporations Act (the “Act”) and directors shall refrain from voting in respect of the material contract or proposed material contract if and when prohibited by the Act. Subject to the Act, a director who is prohibited by the Act from voting on a material contract or proposed material contract will be counted in determining whet her a quorum is present for the purpose of the resolution.
The directors of the corporation have the authority under the Articles to provide financial assistance by means of loan guarantee or otherwise on account of expenditures incurred on behalf of the corporation, to a wholly-owned subsidiary and to employees to assist with living accommodations or share purchase plans unless the corporation does not have the funds.
The directors have the authority under the Articles to appoint officers to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The powers of the directors set forth in the Articles can be varied by amending the Articles. Section 259 of the Act provides that a corporation may amend its Articles by filing with the registrar of corporations articles of amendment approved by shareholders by special resolution. A special resolution means a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two thirds of the votes cast by those members of a corporation who, being entitled to do so, vote in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting of the corporation.
Qualifications of Directors
There is no provision in the By-laws or Articles imposing a requirement for retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement.
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There is no requirement for directors to hold a share in the capital of the Registrant as qualification for his office. Section 124 of the Act provides that no person is qualified to act as a director if that person is:
(a)
under the age of 19 years;
(b)
found to be incapable of managing the person’s own affairs;
(c)
not an individual;
(d)
a person who has the status of bankrupty, or
(e)
a person who is convicted of an offense in connection with the formation, promotion or management of a corporation or fraud.
Section 120 of the Act provides that every corporation must have at least one director, and a distributing corporation must have not less than three directors, at least two of whom are not officers or employees of the corporation or its affiliates.
Section 14.10 of the Articles provides for the election and removal of a director. The office of a director shall be vacated if the director (i) dies or resigns his or her office by notice in writing delivered to the registered office of the Registrant; or (iii) ceases to be qualified to act as a director pursuant to the Act. Section 128 of the Act provides that the shareholders may by ordinary resolution at a special meeting remove any director before the expiration of his period of office, and may by an ordinary resolution appoint another personin his or her stead.
Share Rights
All of the authorized shares of common stock of the Registrant are of the same class and, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets, surpluses and profits and in all other respects, on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Registrant, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any other distribution of the assets of the Registrant among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up its affairs after the Registrant has paid out its liabilities. There are no time limits on dividend entitlement. The issued Common Shares are not subject to call or assessment rights or any pre-emptive or conversion rights. The holders of Shares are entitled to one vote for each Share on all matters to be voted on by the shareholders. There are no provisions for redemption, purchase for cancellation, surrender or purchase funds.
Changing the rights of shareholders, where such rights are attached to an issued class or series of shares requires amending the Articles as described in section 259 of the Act and must be enacted via shareholder consent by special resolution, defined as requiring a two-thirds majority .
Meetings
The Act provides that the Registrant must hold an annual general meeting within 18 months of incorporation or amalgamation and not more than 15 months after the last annual general meeting was held. The Registrant must give to its shareholders entitled to receive notice of a general meeting not less than 21 days’ and not more than two months’ notice of any general meeting of the Registrant, but those shareholders may waive or reduce the period of notice for a particular meeting by unanimous consent in writing. The directors must place before each annual general meeting of its shareholders comparative annual financial statements and the report of the auditor to the shareholders.
The Act provides that one or more shareholders of a corporation holding not less than 1% of the issued voting shares of the corporation or holding shares having a value of at least $2,000 may requisition the directors to call and hold a general meeting.
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Two persons present in person and entitled to vote at the meeting will constitute a quorum for a general meeting.
Persons entitled to attend a meeting of shareholders shall be those entitled to vote thereat, the auditor and any lawyer of the Registrant, the Directors, the President and the Secretary. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chairman of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
Every shareholder, including a corporate shareholder, entitled to vote at meetings of shareholders may by instrument in writing appoint a proxy, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act at the meeting in the manner and to the extent authorized by the proxy and with the authority conferred by the proxy.
All questions at meetings of shareholders shall be decided by the majority of the votes cast in favour. Any question at a meeting of shareholders shall be decided by show of hands unless a ballot thereon is requested. If a poll is required by the chairman of the meeting or is duly demanded by a shareholder, a poll upon the question shall be taken in the manner the chairman of the meeting directs. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman of the meeting will not be entitled to a second or casting vote.
Limitations on Ownership of Securities
Except for as described in “Item 10. D. – Exchange Controls”, there are no limitations on the right to own securities, imposed by foreign law or by the charter or other constituent document of the Registrant.
Change in Control of Corporation
No provision of the Registrant’s articles of association, charter or bylaws would have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of the Registrant, and operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring of the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries.
Ownership Threshold
There are no provisions in the Articles governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. Upon reaching 10% of the issued capital, a shareholder is required to make disclosure of further acquisitions under the Securities Act.
Conditions Governing Changes in Capital
There are no conditions imposed by the By-laws or Articles of the Registrant regarding changes in the capital that are more stringent than is required by law.
C.
Material Contracts
| | |
Contract | Item Reference | Exhibit Number |
Tripartite Agreement between the Registrant, NNIH and SMT | 4 B 5 | 4.1 |
Management Agreement with 667060 BC Ltd | 6 C | 4.7 |
Tripartite Agreement
Under the Tripartite Agreement signed October 16, 2001 between the Registrant, NNIH and SMT, NNIH was required to fund and complete a bankable feasibility study on the New Caledonia Nickel Project. NNIH refunded an agreed portion of the Registrant’s costs of the New Caledonia Nickel Project which totalled US$7.166 million. Upon completion of the bankable feasibility study, NNIH would have held 45% of the New Caledonia Nickel Project, the Registrant would have held 45% and SMT would have held 10%. NNIH had the option to increase its holdings to 70% by paying the Registrant US$17.5 million
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and providing funding guarantees. NNIH could then purchase the Registrant’s remaining 20% for consideration of US$12.5 million plus an agreed 20% of the Net Present Value of the New Caledonia Nickel Project. The Agreement was terminated by NNIH on August 5, 2002.
Management Agreements with C.R. Bond
Pursuant to an agreement dated September 1, 1996, last amended effective April 8, 1998, between the Registrant and CRBC, CRBC provided financial and corporate management services to the Registrant in consideration of $75,000 per year. In addition, Mr. Bond was paid $52,680 per year pursuant to an agreement dated September 1, 1996, last amended effective September 22, 1998, between AMC and CRBC for services provided to AMC. Effective November 1, 2001, the fees payable to CRBC by the Registrant and its subsidiaries were set at A$175,000 per year. Effective July, 2003, pursuant to an agreement between 667060 and the Registrant, 667060 provided management and consulting services for consideration of A$175,000 per year. Mr. Bond resigned as Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant in April 2005, however 667060 has continued to supply management and consulting services at an annual fee of approximately $70 ,000. In addition, 667060 provides personnel and office facilities in Canada, which amounted to a consideration of approximately $77,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Principals’ Escrow Shares
As a condition of the approval by the CDNX of the acquisition of Andover by AMC, certain shareholders of Andover were required to deposit a total of 3,563,280 Andover shares into escrow. Pursuant to the acquisition of Andover, AMC issued 4 new AMC shares for each Andover share held, resulting in 14,253,120 AMC shares being held in escrow (the “Escrow Shares”). The Escrow Shares are eligible for release on the basis of 1/7th being released on the date of issue, being March 9, 1999 and a further 1/7th on the annual anniversary of such issue. At March 31, 1999, 2,036,160 of the Escrow Shares had been released from escrow leaving a total of 12,216,960 AMC shares subject to escrow, which, pursuant to the Plan, were exchanged for 7,330,177 shares in the Registrant and are subject to release on the same basis. As of March 8, 2005 there were no shares of the Registrant subject to escrow.
D.
Exchange Controls
There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating to restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-resident holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares. Any remittances of dividends to United States residents are, however, subject to a 15% withholding tax (5% if the shareholder is a corporation owning at least 10% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Registrant) pursuant to Article X of the reciprocal tax treaty between Canada and the United States. See “Item 10. E. – Taxation”.
Except as provided in theInvestment Canada Act(“ICA”), there are no limitations under the laws of Canada, the Province of British Columbia or in the Registrant’s charter or any other constituent documents of the Registrant on the right of foreigners to hold or vote the Common Shares of the Registrant.
The ICA,which became effective on June 30, 1985, requires a non-Canadian making an investment to acquire control, directly or indirectly, of a Canadian business, to file a notification or an application for review with Investment Canada. An application for review must be filed if the investor is not a citizen or resident of a World Trade Organization member country, and the investment is over $50,000,000 or, if the investor is a citizen or resident of a World Trade Organization member country and the investment is over $265,000,000. For all acquisitions of a Canadian business which do not meet the threshold criteria for filing an application for review, the ICA requires the investor to file a notification.
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The provisions of the ICA are complex, and the above is a limited summary of the main provisions of the ICA. Any non-Canadian citizen contemplating an investment to acquire control of the Registrant should consult professional advisors as to whether and how the ICA might apply.
For purposes of the ICA, direct acquisition of control means a purchase of the voting interests of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or trust carrying on a Canadian business, or any purchase of all or substantially all of the assets used in carrying on a Canadian business. An indirect acquisition of control means a purchase of the voting interest of a corporation, partnership, joint venture or trust, whether a Canadian or foreign entity, which controls a corporation, partnership, joint venture or trust company carrying on a Canadian business in Canada.
E.
Taxation
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to U.S. holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares.
The tax consequences to any particular holder of Common Shares will vary according to the status of that shareholder as either an individual, trust, corporation or member of a partnership, the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is subject to taxation, the place of residence of the shareholder and, generally, the shareholder’s particular circumstances.
This summary is applicable to only those shareholders who are resident in the United States, have never been resident in Canada, deal at arm’s length with the Registrant, hold their Common Shares as capital property, and who will not use or hold the Common Shares in carrying on business in Canada. Special rules not discussed in this summary may apply to a U.S. shareholder that is an issuer carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the provisions of theIncome Tax Act of Canada and the regulations thereunder (collectively, either the “TaxAct” or “ITA”), theCanada-United States Tax Convention current at the date of this Annual Report(the “Tax Convention”), and the current administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. This summary does not take into account provincial income tax consequences.
This summary is not exhaustive of all possible income tax consequences. It is not intended as legal or tax advice to any particular shareholder and should not be so construed. Each shareholder should consult his or her own tax advisor with respect to the income tax consequences applicable in that shareholder’s own particular circumstances.
Dividends
Pursuant to theTax Convention, any dividends paid to non-resident shareholders of the Registrant, will generally be subject to Canadian withholding tax (“Part XIII Tax”) equal to 15% of the gross amount of any dividend paid or deemed to be paid to the non-resident shareholder on his or her shares. The Registrant will be required to withhold the applicable amount of Part XIII Tax from each dividend so paid and remit the withheld amount directly to the Receiver General of Canada for the account of the non-resident shareholder. By virtue of Article X of theTax Convention, the rate of tax on dividends paid to U.S. resident shareholders is generally limited to 15% of the gross dividend (or 5% in the case of certain corporate shareholders owning at least 10% of the Registrant’s voting shares). In the absence of the treaty provisions, the rate of Canadian withholding tax impose d on non-resident shareholders is 25% of the gross dividend.
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In addition, under theTax Convention, dividends may be exempt from Canadian withholding tax if paid to certain US residents that are qualifying religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable tax-exempt organization and qualifying trusts, companies, organization or arrangements operated exclusively to administer or provide pension, retirement or employee benefits that are exempt from tax in the United States and that have complied with specific administrative procedures.
Disposition of Common Shares
A non-resident of Canada who disposes of a share, including by deemed disposition on death, will generally not be subject to Canadian tax under the ITA in respect of any capital gains (or be entitled to deduct any capital loss) thereby realized upon the disposition of Common Shares listed on a prescribed stock exchange unless the shares represent ‘taxable Canadian property’ (as defined by the ITA) to the shareholder. A Common Share of the Registrant will be deemed to be taxable Canadian property to a non-resident shareholder if, at any time during the five years preceding the disposition, the non-resident shareholder, persons with whom the non-resident shareholder did not deal at arm’s length, or the non-resident shareholder and persons with whom he/she did not deal at arm’s length, owned 25% or more of the issued Common Shares of the Registrant. In the case of a non-resident holder to whom Co mmon Shares of the Registrant represent ‘taxable Canadian property’ and who is a U.S. resident (under the terms of theTax Convention), generally no Canadian tax is payable on a capital gain realized on such shares by reason of theTax Convention unless the value of such shares is derived principally from real property located in Canada or the U.S. shareholder previously held the shares while resident in Canada.
If a non-resident shareholder disposes of the Registrant’s Common Shares to another Canadian corporation which deals or is deemed to deal on a non-arm’s length basis with that shareholder and which, immediately after the disposition, is connected with the Registrant (i.e., holds 10% or more of the voting rights and market value of the Registrant’s Common Shares), the amount by which the fair market value of any consideration (other than shares of the purchasing corporation) exceeds the paid-up capital for the Common Shares sold will be deemed to be taxable as a dividend paid by the purchasing corporation and subject to withholding taxes as described above.
Where a shareholder disposes of Common Shares to the Registrant (unless the Registrant acquired the shares in the open market in like manner to any member of the public) the result will be a deemed dividend to the U.S. shareholder equal to the amount by which the consideration paid by the Registrant exceeds the paid-up capital of the Common Shares. The amount of such dividend will be subject to withholding tax as previously described.
Material Australian Income Tax Consequences
Management of the Registrant believes that the following general summary fairly describes the principal Australian income tax consequences applicable to a holder of Common Shares of the Registrant who is a resident of the United States and who is not a resident of Australia and who does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or hold, his Common Shares of the Registrant in connection with carrying on a business in Australia (a “non-resident shareholder”).
This summary is based upon the current provisions of theIncome Tax Assessment Acts 1936 and 1997 (Australia) (the “ITAA”), the regulations thereunder (the “Regulations”), the current publicly announced administrative and assessing policies of the Australian Taxation Office, and all specific proposals (the “Tax Proposals”) to amend the ITAA and Regulations announced by the Treasurer (Australia) prior to the date hereof. This description is not exhaustive of all possible Australian federal income tax consequences and, except for the Tax Proposals, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by
53
legislative, governmental or judicial action, nor does it take into account provincial or foreign tax considerations which may differ significantly from those discussed herein. The holders and prospective holders of Common Shares of the Registrant should consult with their own tax advisors about the federal, provincial and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of Common Shares of the Registrant in light of their particular tax circumstances.
Dividends
Dividends received by the Registrant from its Australian subsidiary which are paid from profits which have borne Australian company tax (“franked dividends”) are not subject to Australian withholding tax. Unfranked dividends (which are paid from profits which have not borne Australian company tax) paid by the Australian subsidiary to the Registrant will be subject to a withholding tax in Australia. Where the Registrant is a US resident corporation with at least a 10% shareholding, the withholding rate will reduce to 5%.
Disposal of shares
A non-resident of Australia will only be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the disposal of an asset if it has the “necessary connection with Australia”. As the Registrant is not an Australian resident public company, as defined by the ITAA, there will not be this necessary connection and the non-resident shareholders of the Registrant will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the disposal of their Common Shares in the Registrant.
An exception is noted where a non-resident realizes a profit or gain which represents income attributable to a business of the shareholder carried on in Australia through a “permanent establishment” as defined in the Australia/US Double Tax Agreement. In this instance, a non-resident of Australia may be subject to tax in respect of that profit or gain.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a general discussion of certain possible U.S. federal income tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as hereinafter defined) of shares in the Registrant. This discussion is of a general nature only and does not take into account the particular facts and circumstances, with respect to U.S. federal income tax issues, of any particular U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences. (See “Taxation--Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences” above).
The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently applicable, any or all of which could be materially and adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time and which are subject to differing interpretations. This discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, of any proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time.
This discussion is for general information only and it is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any U.S. Holder or prospective U.S. Holder of shares issued by the Registrant, and no opinion or representation with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any such U.S. Holder or prospective U.S. Holder is made. Accordingly, U.S. Holders and prospective U.S. Holders of Common Shares issued by the Registrant should consult
54
their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of shares issued by the Registrant.
U.S. Holders.
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” means a holder of Common Shares issued by the Registrant who is (i) a citizen or individual resident of the U.S., (ii) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of any political subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is taxable in the U.S. irrespective of source or (iv) a trust subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and control of a U.S. fiduciary as described Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. If a partnership or other “pass-through” entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares issued by the Registrant, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the partners or owners of such partnership or other pass-through entity generally will depend on the status of such partners or owners and the nature and activities of such partnership or pass-through entity.
Persons Not Covered.
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to persons (including persons who are U.S. Holders) subject to special provisions of U.S. federal income tax law, including but not limited to (i) persons who are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, or brokers, dealers or traders in securities, (ii) persons who have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar, (iii) persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, (xi) persons who own their Common Shares as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion transaction, constructive sale or other arrangement involving more than one position, (iv) persons who acquired their Common Shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation fo r services, (v) persons that own an interest in an entity that owns Common Shares, (vi) persons who own, exercise or dispose of any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Common Shares, (vii) persons who are partners or owners of partnerships or other pass-through entities or (viii) persons who own their Common Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.
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Distributions Made by the Registrant to U.S. Holders.
General Rules. U.S. Holders receiving distributions (including constructive distributions) with respect to Common Shares issued by the Registrant are required to include in gross income as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions), equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent that the Registrant has current or accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent that distributions from the Registrant exceed its current and accumulated earnings and profits, such distributions will be treated first as a return of capital, to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in the shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the shares. (See more detailed discussion at 7;Disposition of Shares” below). Any Canadian tax withheld from a distribution by the Registrant may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal taxable income by those who itemize deductions. (See more detailed discussion at “Foreign Tax Credit” below).
Currency Gain or Loss. In the case of foreign currency received as a distribution that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Generally any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars, will be ordinary income or loss. However, an individual whose realized gain does not exceed $200 will not recognize that gain, to the extent that there are no expenses associated with the transaction that meet the requirements for deductibility as a trade or business expense (other than travel expenses in connection with a business trip) or as an expense for the production of income.
Dividend not Eligible for Reduced Tax Rate. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2002 and before January 1, 2009, dividends received by U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts from “qualified foreign corporations,” as defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Code, generally are taxed at the same preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains. Although not free from doubt, it appears that the Registrant would be a “qualified foreign corporation,” as defined in Section 1(h)(11) of the Code pursuant to the U.S. Canada income tax treaty if the Registrant was not a Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”). A corporation that is properly described as a PFIC with respect to a specific US holder for its taxable year during which it pays a dividend, or for its immediately preceding taxable year, will not be treated as a “qualifying fo reign corporation” and dividends received by U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at ordinary income tax rates (and not at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains).
Dividends not Eligible for Dividends Received Deduction. Dividends paid by the Registrant generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” allowed to corporate shareholders receiving dividends from certain U.S. corporations. Under certain circumstances, a U.S. Holder that is a corporation and that owns shares representing at least 10% of the total voting power and the total value of shares issued by the Registrant may be entitled to a deduction of the “U.S. source” portion of dividends received from the Registrant (unless the Registrant qualifies as a “PFIC” as defined below). The availability of the dividends received deduction is subject to several complex limitations that are beyond the scope of this discussion, and U.S. Holders of shares issued by the Registrant should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regard ing the dividends received deduction.
Dividend Paid to Shareholder who Made QEF Election may be Exempt from Tax. Generally, shareholders are not subject to additional income taxation on distributions made by a PFIC to the extent of the shareholder’s basis in the corporation’s shares if a Qualified Electing Fund (“QEF”) election is in
56
effect. (Please see the QEF election discussion below.) A shareholder’s basis in this situation is usually equal to the cost of purchasing the shares plus the amount of the corporation’s income that was reported on the shareholder’s return pursuant to the QEF election less any prior distributions made by the corporation to the shareholder. Again, these rules are subject to several exceptions that are beyond the scope of this discussion, and U.S. Holders of shares issued by the Registrant should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding whether dividends paid by the Registrant to them will be exempt from federal income tax if a QEF election is made.
Disposition of Shares.
General Rule. A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale or other taxable disposition of shares issued by the Registrant equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received, and (ii) the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the Common Shares are a capital asset in the hands of the U.S. Holder, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year.
Reduced Tax Rate. Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder that is a corporation (other than a corporation subject to Subchapter S of the Code). Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders that are not corporations, any unused portion of such net capital loss may be carried over to be used in later tax years until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted. For U.S. Holders that are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted. Sales of PFIC stock are not eligible for the reduced long-term capital gains rates that are usually applicable to sales of stock unless the shareholder made a QEF election regarding such shares. As discussed below, the Registrant believes it is a PFIC.
Management Believes Company is a Passive Foreign Investment Company.
General Discussion. Management of the Registrant believes it qualifies as a PFIC, within the meaning of Sections 1291 through 1298 of the Code, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, may have qualified as a PFIC in prior years and may qualify as a PFIC in subsequent years. A U.S. Holder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such corporation qualifies as a PFIC is subject to numerous special U.S. federal income taxation rules and may elect to be taxed under two alternative tax regimes. The following is a discussion of these three sets of special rules applied to U.S. Holders of shares issued by the Registrant. In addition, special rules apply if a foreign corporation qualifies as both a PFIC and a “controlled foreign corporation” (as defined below) and a U.S. Holder owns, actually or constructively, 10 % or more of the total combined voting powe r of all classes of stock entitled to vote of such foreign corporation (See more detailed discussion at “Controlled Foreign Corporation” below).
Definition of PFIC. Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the U.S. and, for any taxable year, either (a) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income” or (b) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the corporation is not publicly traded and either is a controlled foreign corporation or makes an election, by adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income” is 50% or more. “Passive income” includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions. However, gains resulting from commodities transactions are generally excluded from the definition of passive income if “substantially all” of a merchant’s, producer’s or handler 46;s business is as an active merchant, producer or handler of such commodities. For purposes of
57
the PFIC income test and the assets test, if a foreign corporation owns (directly or indirectly) at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, such foreign corporation shall be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation, and (b) received directly its proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. Also, for purposes of such PFIC tests, passive income does not include any interest, dividends, rents or royalties that are received or accrued from a “related” person to the extent such amount is properly allocable to the income of such related person which is not passive income. For these purposes, a person is related with respect to a foreign corporation if such person “controls” the foreign corporation or is controlled by the foreign corporation or by the same persons that control the foreign corporat ion. For these purposes, “control” means ownership, directly or indirectly, of stock possessing more than 50% of the total voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or of the total value of stock of a corporation. As stated above, management of the Registrant believes it satisfied both the 75% passive income and the 50% passive assets tests during the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2005 and anticipates meeting both of these tests in the fiscal year that ended on December 31, 2006. This determination is not binding on U.S. Holders or the IRS and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge this determination.
Generally Applicable PFIC Rules. If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely election to be taxed in conformity with the Mark-to-Market rules or the QEF rules during a year in which it holds (or is deemed to have held) shares issued by the Registrant while it is a PFIC (a “Non-Electing U.S. Holder”), then special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reasons of a pledge) of his Common Shares and (ii) certain “excess distributions” (generally, distributions received in the current taxable year that are in excess of 125% of the average distributions received during the three preceding years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period) by the Registrant.
A Non-Electing U.S. Holder generally would be required to pro rate all gains realized on the disposition of his Common Shares and all excess distributions on his Common Shares over the entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. Holder (other than years prior to the Registrant’s first taxable year during such U.S. Holder’s holding period and beginning after January 1, 1987 for which the Registrant was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rate for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. The Non-Electing U.S. Holder also would be liable for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect to each such prior year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat this interest charge as “personal interest” which , as discussed above, is wholly non-deductible. The balance of the gain or the excess distribution will be treated as ordinary income in the year of the disposition or distribution, and no interest charge will be incurred with respect to such balance.
If the Registrant is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds shares issued by the Registrant, then it will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such common shares, even if it ceases meeting the definition of a PFIC. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-Electing U.S. Holders) as if such Common Shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC.
Market-to-Market Election. Effective for tax years of U.S. Holders beginning after December 31, 1997, U.S. Holders who hold, actually or constructively, marketable stock (as specifically defined in the Treasury Regulations) of a foreign corporation that qualifies as a PFIC may annually elect to mark such stock to the market (a “mark-to-market election”). If such an election is made, such U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to the special taxation rules of Section 1291 discussed above. However, if the
58
mark-to-market election is made by a Non-Electing U.S. Holder after the beginning of the holding period for the PFIC stock, then the Section 1291 rules will apply to certain dispositions of, distributions on and other amounts taxable with respect to the Registrant’s common shares. A U.S. Holder who makes the mark-to market election will include in income for the taxable year for which the election was made an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Registrant’s Common Shares as of the close of such tax year over such U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in such common shares. In addition, the U.S. Holder is allowed a deduction for the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares over the fair market value of such shares as of the close of the tax year, or (ii) the excess, if any, of (A)&n bsp;the mark-to-market gains for the Registrant’s shares included by such U.S. Holder for prior tax years, including any amount which would have been included for any prior tax year but for the Section 1291 interest on tax deferral rules discussed above with respect to Non-Electing U.S. Holders, over (B) the mark-to-market losses for shares that were allowed as deductions for prior tax years. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in his shares will be adjusted to reflect the amount included in or deducted from income as a result of a mark-to-market election. A mark-to-market election applies to the taxable year in which the election is made and to each subsequent taxable year, unless the shares cease to be marketable, as specifically defined, or the IRS consents to revocation of the election.
QEF Election. A U.S. Holder who makes a timely QEF election (an “Electing U.S. Holder”) regarding his shares issued by the Registrant will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current U.S. federal income tax for any taxable year in which the Registrant qualifies as a PFIC on his pro rata share of the Registrant’s (i) “net capital gain” (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to the Electing U.S. Holder and (ii) “ordinary earnings” (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income to the Electing U.S. Holder, in each case, for the shareholder’s taxable year in which (or with which) the Registrant’s taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed.
The effective QEF election also allows the Electing U.S. Holder to (i) generally treat any gain realized on the disposition of his Common Shares (or deemed to be realized on the pledge of his shares) as capital gain; (ii) treat his share of the Registrant’s net capital gain, if any, as long-term capital gain instead of ordinary income; and (iii) either avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether, or make an annual election, subject to certain limitations, to defer payment of current taxes on his share of the Registrant’s annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an interest charge. If the Electing U.S. Holder is not a corporation, such an interest charge would be treated as “personal interest” that is not deductible.
The procedure a U.S. Holder must comply with in making an effective QEF election, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the QEF election, will depend on whether the year of the election is the first year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period in which the Registrant is a PFIC. If the U.S. Holder makes a QEF election in such first year,i.e., a timely QEF election, then the U.S. Holder may make the QEF election by simply filing the appropriate QEF election documents at the time the U.S. Holder files his tax return for such first year. However, if the Registrant qualified as a PFIC in a prior year, then in addition to filing the QEF election documents, the U.S. Holder must elect to recognize (i) under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code (discussed herein), any gain that he would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold his stock on the qualification date or (ii) if the Registrant i s a controlled foreign corporation, the U.S. Holder’s pro rata share of the Registrant’s post-1986 earnings and profits as of the qualification date. The qualification date is the first day of the Registrant’s first tax year in which the Registrant qualified as a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The elections to recognize such gain or earnings and profits can only be made if such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares includes the qualification date. By electing to recognize such gain or earnings and profits, the U.S. Holder will be deemed to have
59
made a timely QEF election. A U.S. Holder who made elections to recognize gain or earnings and profits after May 1, 1992 and before January 27, 1997 may, under certain circumstances, elect to change such U.S. Holder’s qualification date to the first day of the first QEF year. U.S. Holders are urged to consult a tax advisor regarding the availability of and procedure for electing to recognize gain or earnings and profits under the foregoing rules. In addition to the above rules, under very limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may make a retroactive QEF election if such U.S. Holder failed to file the QEF election documents in a timely manner.
A QEF election, once made with respect to the Registrant, applies to the tax year for which it was made and to all subsequent tax years, unless the election is invalidated or terminated, or the IRS consents to revocation of the election. If a QEF election is made by a U.S. Holder and the Registrant ceases to qualify as a PFIC in a subsequent tax year, the QEF election will remain in effect, although not applicable, during those tax years in which the Registrant does not qualify as a PFIC. Therefore, if the Registrant again qualifies as a PFIC in a subsequent tax year, the QEF election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules described above for Electing U.S. Holders in such tax year and any subsequent tax years in which the Registrant qualifies as a PFIC. In addition, the QEF election remains in effect, although not applicable, with respect to an Electing U.S. Holder even after suc h U.S. Holder disposes of all of his or its direct and indirect interest in the Registrant’s shares. Therefore, if such U.S. Holder reacquires an interest in the Registrant, that U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules described above for Electing U.S. Holders for each tax year in which the Registrant qualifies as a PFIC.
Generally, shareholders do not make a QEF election unless they have sufficient information to determine their proportionate shares of a corporation’s net capital gain and ordinary earnings. The Registrant has not calculated these amounts for any shareholder and does not anticipate making these calculations in the foreseeable future. Therefore, U.S. Holders of the Registrant’s Common Shares should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the QEF election before making this election.
Other PFIC Rules. Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued Proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by Non-Electing U.S. Holders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death. Generally, in such cases the basis of shares in the hands of the transferee and the basis of any property received in the exchange for those shares would be increased by the amount of gain recognized. However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to the U.S. Holder and the transferee may vary based on the manner in which the Common Shares are transferred.
Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to shares issued by the Registrant while it is a PFIC whether or not it is treated as a QEF. For example under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such shares.
The PFIC rules are very complicated, and U.S. Holders should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the PFIC rules, including the advisability of and procedure for making a QEF election or a mark-to-mark election, and how these rules may impact their U.S. federal income tax situation.
Foreign Tax Credit.
A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian or other foreign income tax with respect to the ownership of shares issued by the Registrant may be entitled, at the option of the U.S.
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Holder, to either receive a deduction or a tax credit for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces U.S. federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer’s income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid by (or withheld from distributions to) the U.S. Holder during that year.
There are significant and complex limitations that apply to the foreign tax credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder’s U.S. income tax liability that the U.S. Holder’s “foreign source” income bears to his or its worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, the various items of income and deduction must be classified as either “foreign source” or “U.S. source.” Complex rules govern this classification process. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2007, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to nine specific classes of income such as “passive income,” “high withholding tax interest,” “financial services income,” “shipping income,” and certain other classifications of income. If the Registrant is not a “United States” owned foreign corporation dividends distributed by the Registrant will generally constitute “foreign source” income, and will be classified as “passive income” or, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, “financial services income” for these purposes.
Pursuant to recently enacted legislation, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006 the number of specific classes of income has been reduced from nine classes to two classes – “passive income” and “general income”. Dividends paid on the Common Shares generally will be treated as “passive” (or possibly “general”) income.
If and for so long as, the Registrant is a United States-owned foreign corporation, dividends paid by the Registrant on the Common Shares may, subject to certain exceptions, instead be treated for United States foreign tax credit purposes as partly foreign source “passive” (or possibly “financial services”) income (for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2007) or “passive” (or possibly “general”) income (for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006), and partly United States-source income, in proportion to the earnings and profits of the Registrant in the year of such distribution allocable to foreign and United States sources, respectively. The US Holder may elect to treat the United States source income as foreign source income. The Registrant will be treated as a United States-owned foreign corporation if stock representing 50% or more of the voting power or value of the stock of the Registrant is held, directly or indirectly, by US holders. No assurance can be given as to whether the Registrant is or will become a United-States-owned foreign corporation.
In addition, U.S. Holders that are corporations and that own 10% or more of the Registrant’s voting stock may be entitled to an “indirect” foreign tax credit under Section 902 of the Code with respect to the payment of dividends by the Registrant under certain circumstances and subject to complex rules and limitations. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations with respect to the foreign tax credit are fact specific, and each U.S. Holder of Common Shares issued by the Registrant should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Information Reporting; Backup Withholding.
Certain information reporting and backup withholding rules may apply with respect to certain payments related to shares issued by the Registrant. In particular, a payor or middleman within the U.S., or in certain cases outside the U.S., will be required to withhold 28% (which rate is scheduled for periodic adjustment) of any payments to a U.S. Holder regarding dividends paid by the Registrant, or proceeds from the sale of, such Common Shares within the U.S., if a U.S. Holder fails to furnish its correct
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taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9) or otherwise fails to comply with, or establish an exemption from, the backup withholding tax requirements. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished to the IRS. U.S. Holders should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules applicable to the Registrant’s shares.
Other Considerations for U.S. Holders.
In the following circumstances, the above sections of this discussion may not describe the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders resulting from the ownership and disposition of shares issued by a foreign corporation.
Controlled Foreign Corporation. If more than 50% of the total voting power or the total value of the Registrant’s outstanding shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by citizens or residents of the U.S., U.S. partnerships or corporations, or U.S. estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(30)), each of which own, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the total voting power of the Registrant’s outstanding shares (each a “10% Shareholder”), the Registrant could be treated as a “Controlled Foreign Corporation” (“CFC”) under Section 957 of the Code.
The classification of the Registrant as a CFC would effect many complex results, including that 10% Shareholders would generally (i) be treated as having received a current distribution of the Registrant’s “Subpart F income” and (ii) would also be subject to current U.S. federal income tax on their pro rata shares of the Registrant’s earnings invested in “U.S. property.” The foreign tax credit may reduce the U.S. federal income tax on these amounts for certain 10% Shareholders (See more detailed discussion at “Foreign Tax Credit” above). In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or other taxable disposition of the Registrant’s Common Shares by a U.S. Holder that is or was a 10% Shareholder at any time during the five-year period ending with the sale is treated as a dividend to the extent of the Registrant’s earnings and profits attributa ble to the Common Shares sold or exchanged.
If the Registrant is classified as both a PFIC and a CFC, it generally will not be treated as a PFIC with respect to 10% Shareholders. This rule generally will be effective for taxable years of 10% Shareholders beginning after 1997 and for its taxable years ending with or within such taxable years of 10% Shareholders.
The Registrant does not believe that it currently qualifies as a CFC. However, there can be no assurance that it will not be considered a CFC for the current or any future taxable year. The CFC rules are very complicated, and U.S. Holders should consult their own financial advisor, legal counsel or accountant regarding the CFC rules and how these rules may impact their U.S. federal income tax situation.
F.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G.
Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
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H.
Documents on display
The Registrant’s documents can be viewed at its North American office, located at 20607 Logan Avenue, Langley, BC, Canada. The Registrant is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and it files reports, registration statements and other information with the SEC. The Registrant’s reports, registration statements and other information can be inspected on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and such information can also be inspected and copiesobtained in person or by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549 o r by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
I.
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11 – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Registrant has not entered into any activities in derivative financial instruments, other financial instruments, or derivative commodity instruments. The Registrant’s financial assets in the form of cash and cash equivalents are held in short term interest-bearing deposits at institutions with high credit quality ratings. The Registrant holds some foreign currency, mainly in Australian dollars. As such the Registrant is exposed to exchange rate risk. The Registrant does not currently engage in foreign currency hedging and its operations are subject to foreign currency fluctuations, and such fluctuations may materially affect its financial position and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that steps taken by management to address foreign currency fluctuations will eliminate all adverse effects and accordingly, the Registrant may suffer losses due to adverse foreign currency fluctuations.
The Registrant has not entered into any agreements or purchased any instruments to hedge any possible currency risks at this time.
As the Registrant is engaged in exploring mineral properties which, if successful, will produce commodities, it can be seen to be exposed indirectly to commodity risk. Such exposure cannot be accurately estimated by quantitative means although the risk would increase as the possibility of project success increased. Industry practice dictates that attempts to hedge commodity risk not begin until at least there are funding agreements in place supported by a bankable feasibility study. The Registrant has in the past and may in the future finance its activities by the sale of equity and/or debt instruments. This is also an indirect exposure to equity and/or interest-rate risk, which cannot be accurately estimated by quantitative means.
Item 12 – Description of Securities other than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
PART II
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Item 13 – Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
There have been no defaults, dividend arrearages or delinquencies.
Item 14 – Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
There have been no material modifications to the Registrant’s common shares.
Item 15 – Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Registrant has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting it to the material information relating to it (or its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
During the period covered by this report, there has been no change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Management, including its Chief Executive Officer, does not expect that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Registrant have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Item 16A – Audit Committee Financial Expert
As of the date of this report, the Registrant’s Board had not yet determined whether one of its audit committee members met the requirements set forth under the SEC rules to be deemed to be an “audit committee financial expert”; however, management believes that Mr. Malcolm Smartt, CPA Australia meets these requirements. Mr. Smartt is an “independent director” under 4200 (a) (15) of the National Association of Securities Dealers listing standards, as such standards may be amended and modified.
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Item 16B – Code of Ethics
The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its executive officers, a copy of which is available, without charge, upon written request to the Registrant’s Secretary at 20607 Logan Avenue, Langley, BC V3A 7R3 CANADA.
Item 16C – Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Horwath Orenstein LLP (“Horwath”) who were appointed as auditors of the Registrant on February 1, 2005 and reappointed on January 24, 2006 audited the Registrant’s books and records for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (“PWC”) who resigned as auditors of the Registrant on January 5, 2005, audited the Registrant’s books and records for the year ended December 31, 2003.
Audit Fees
Fees billed by Horwath for professional services totalled $45,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. Such fees were for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements and for services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for that fiscal year and the audit for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Fees billed by PWC for professional services totalled $8,932 for the year ended December 31, 2004. Such fees included fees associated with services that are normally provided by PWC in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees
Fees for audit-related services totalled $ nil for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
Tax Fees
No fees related to tax services were billed by Horwath for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
All Other Fees
No other fees were billed by Horwath for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, Horwath did not bill for any products or services other than as described above.
The audit committee pre-approves audit engagement terms and fees prior to the commencement of any audit work, other than that which may be necessary for the Registrant’s independent auditors to prepare the proposed audit approach, scope and fee estimates. The independent auditors annually submit a written proposal that details all audit and audit related services. Audit fees are fixed and contained in the proposal, and the audit committee reviews the nature and dollar value of services provided under such proposal. Any revisions to such proposal after the engagement has begun are reviewed and pre-approved by the audit committee.
There were no fees in 2005 or 2004 that were not pre-approved by the audit committee. All services described above under the captions “Audit Fees”, “Audit Related Fees” and “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” were approved by the audit committee pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i).
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Item 16D – Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.
Not applicable.
Item 16E – Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.
Neither the Registrant not any affiliated purchaser engaged in any repurchases of the registrant’s equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2005.
PART III
Item 17 – Financial Statements
These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and are expressed in Canadian dollars. Such financial statements have been reconciled to United States GAAP for measurement differences between Canadian and United States GAAP (see Note 10 therein).
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MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
The consolidated financial statements and the information contained in the annual report have been prepared by the management of the Corporation. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles and, where appropriate, reflect management's best estimates based on currently available information. A system of internal accounting control is maintained to provide reasonable assurance that financial information is accurate and reliable.
The Corporation's registered independent accountants, Horwath Orenstein LLP, who have been appointed by the directors, conduct an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Canada and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) to allow them to express an opinion on the financial statements.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors meets periodically with management to review the financial statements and related reporting matters prior to submission to the Board, and meets with the registered independent accountants to review the scope and result of the annual audit.
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Chief Executive Officer | |
Argosy Minerals Inc. | |
March 15, 2006 | |
REPORT OF REGISTERED INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders of Argosy Minerals Inc.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Argosy Minerals Inc. as at December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the years then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the results of its operations and changes in its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
The consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2003 were audited by other auditors who expressed an opinion without reservation on those financial statements in their report dated January 16, 2004.
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Toronto, Canada
March 15, 2006
Chartered Accountants
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| | | | | | |
Argosy Minerals Inc. |
(an exploration stage corporation) |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
As at December 31, 2005 and 2004 |
(expressed in Canadian dollars) |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
2005 | | 2004 |
ASSETS | Canadian $ |
Current Assets |
| | Cash and cash equivalents | $3,626,115 | | $4,616,407 |
| | Accounts receivable and prepaids | 26,389 | | 166,960 |
| | | | | 3,652,504 | | 4,783,367 |
| | | | | | | |
Office equipment and furniture | 18,657 | | 29,560 |
| | | | | $3,671,161 | | $4,812,927 |
| | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES |
Current Liabilities |
| | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $207,872 | | $151,001 |
| | | | | | | |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
Capital StockNote 5 | | 44,075,384 | | 44,075,384 |
| | | | | | | |
Accumulated Deficit | (40,612,095) | | (39,413,458) |
| | | | | 3,463,289 | | 4,661,926 |
| | | | | $3,671,161 | | $4,812,927 |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
APPROVED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD | |
| | | | | | | |
|  | |  | | |
John Maloney, Director | Peter H. Lloyd, Director |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Argosy Minerals Inc. |
(an exploration stage corporation) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND DEFICIT |
For the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
(expressed in Canadian dollars) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 |
Income |
| | Interest | $96,310 | | $214,247 | | $363,362 |
| | Gain on disposal of mineral property | Note 3(c) | - | | - | | 125,500 |
| | Foreign exchange gain / (loss) | (1,141) | | (255,686) | | 670,724 |
| | Gain on sale of marketable securities | - | | - | | 14,548 |
| | | | | | 95,169 | | (41,439) | | 1,174,134 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses |
| | Accounting and audit | $81,201 | | $98,606 | | $105,121 |
| | Arbitration | Note 3(d) | 789,871 | | 366,310 | | |
| | Bank charges | 3,673 | | 6,386 | | 7,721 |
| | Capital taxes | - | | - | | 334 |
| | Amortization | | 12,227 | | 13,088 | | 15,292 |
| | Directors' fees | 75,000 | | 76,136 | | 68,750 |
| | Insurance | 22,289 | | 83,894 | | 77,812 |
| | Legal | 51,981 | | 52,373 | | 55,268 |
| | Management and consulting fees | 163,303 | | 668,664 | | 428,827 |
| | Office | 19,533 | | 25,292 | | 25,029 |
| | Project assessment expenditures | Note 4 | 241,327 | | 587,244 | | 1,721,363 |
| | Rent | 59,155 | | 63,611 | | 60,403 |
| | Salaries and benefits | 350,319 | | 434,665 | | 427,394 |
| | Shareholder communications | 40,863 | | 35,930 | | 33,740 |
| | Telecommunications | 18,527 | | 15,558 | | 18,249 |
| | Transfer agent and stock exchange | 52,042 | | 57,254 | | 46,146 |
| | Travel | 102,366 | | 98,241 | | 189,725 |
| | Write-off of mineral properties |
| | | and deferred costs | - | | - | | 19,783 |
| | | | | | 1,293,806 | | 3,106,813 | | 3,667,267 |
Net Loss for the Year | (1,198,637) | | (3,148,252) | | (2,493,133) |
Deficit - Beginning of Year | (39,413,458) | | (36,265,206) | | (33,772,073) |
Deficit - End of Year | $(40,612,095) | | $(39,413,458) | | $(36,265,206) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Basic & Fully Diluted Loss per Common Share | $(0.01) | | $(0.03) | | $(0.03) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares |
| | Outstanding, Basic and Fully Diluted | 95,969,105 | | 95,969,105 | | 95,969,105 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
69
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Argosy Minerals Inc. |
(an exploration stage corporation) |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
For the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 |
(expressed in Canadian dollars) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Cash Provided from (Used for) |
Operating Activities |
Net loss for the year | $(1,198,637) | | $(3,148,252) | | $(2,493,133) | |
Items not affecting cash: |
| | Amortization | 12,227 | | 13,088 | | 15,292 | |
| | Foreign exchange (gain) / loss | 297 | | 4,173 | | (641,617) | |
| | Gain on marketable securities | - | | - | | (14,548) | |
| | Write-off of mineral properties |
| | | and deferred costs | - | | - | | 19,783 | |
| | Gain on disposal of mineral property | - | | - | | (125,500) | |
| | | | | (1,186,113) | | (3,130,991) | | (3,239,723) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Changes in Non-cash Working Capital |
(Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable |
| | and prepaids | 140,571 | | (3,405) | | (120,559) | |
Increase/(Decrease) in accounts payable |
| | and accrued liabilities | 56,871 | | (300,172) | | 125,767 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities | (988,671) | - | (3,434,568) | - | (3,234,515) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Financing Activities | - | | - | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | - | | - | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Investing Activities |
Disposal of mineral propertyNote 3(c) - | | - | | 500,000 | | | |
Mineral properties and deferred costs | - | | - | | (53,771) | |
Disposition of marketable securities | - | | - | | 278,288 | |
Purchase of office equipment and furniture | (1,324) | | (3,234) | | (11,371) | |
Restricted cash | - | | - | | 157,960 | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities | (1,324) | | (3,234) | | 871,106 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Exchange Gain / (loss) on cash | | | | | | | |
| | held in Foreign Currency | (297) | - | (4,173) | - | 641,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in Cash and Cash | | | | | | | |
| | Equivalents | (990,292) | | (3,441,975) | | (1,721,792) | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents - | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning of Year | 4,616,407 | | 8,058,383 | | 9,780,175 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents - | | | | | | | |
| | End of Year | $3,626,115 | | $4,616,407 | | $8,058,383 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
70
Argosy Minerals Inc.
(an exploration stage corporation)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the year ended December 31, 2005
1. Nature Of Operations
On May 26,2005, the Corporation continued its jurisdiction of incorporation from the Yukon Territory under the Yukon Corporations Act to British Columbia, under the Business Corporations Act and amalgamated with its wholly owned Canadian subsidiaries.
The Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged in the exploration of mineral properties and is considered to be an exploration stage company. The Corporation is in the process of investigating possible property acquisitions and continues to evaluate the Lac Panache property in Sudbury, Ontario acquired under an option agreement entered into in April, 2005. See Note 3(b). During 2005, the Corporation terminated its options to acquire the Albetros Diamond Project in South Africa and the Nevada Gold Project in Nevada, USA. See Notes 3(e) and (f). The Corporation was previously involved in studies for the development of a nickel/cobalt processing facility at Musongati in the Republic of Burundi and in gold exploration in the Slovak Republic. In August 2002 the Corporation's subsidiary, Andover Resources N.L., declared force majeure and curtailed its activities in Burundi as a result of the deterioration of the security situation, however in 2005 following elections and the formation of a new government in Burundi, the Corporation lifted force majeure and entered into discussions with the Ministry for Mines regarding recommencing activities in Burundi. See Note 3(a). In July 2003, the Corporation sold its Slovak subsidiary, Kremnica Gold a.s. See Note 3(c).
As yet, it has not been determined if the Corporation's mineral properties contain ore reserves that are economically recoverable. The recoverability of any amount recorded for mineral properties and deferred costs is dependent on the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Corporation to obtain necessary financing to complete the development and future profitable production or proceeds from disposition of the mineral properties. The amounts shown as mineral properties and deferred costs, if any, represent costs to date, less amounts recovered or written off, and do not necessarily represent present or future values.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of inter-company accounts and transactions:
| |
Company Name | Country |
Argosy Mining Corporation Pty. Ltd. | South Africa |
Andover Resources N.L. ("Andover") | Australia |
Financial Statement Presentation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The material measurement differences between Canadian and United States GAAP are explained in Note 10, along with their effect on the Corporation's consolidated statements of operations and deficit.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of income and expenses during the period. Significant areas where management's judgement is applied are mineral property valuations, valuation of future income tax benefits and contingent liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term deposits maturing within 90 days of the original date of acquisition. In order to limit its exposure to losses, the Corporation deposits its funds with major Canadian and Australian banks. A portion of the cash balances are held in Australian dollars, accordingly, the Corporation has exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Office Equipment and Furniture
Amortization is provided on office equipment and furniture using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Project Assessment Expenditures
Project assessment costs consist of expenditures to evaluate new projects. These expenditures are charged to income when incurred. Once the Corporation decides to acquire the property, costs associated with further exploration or development are accounted for as described under Mineral Properties and Deferred Costs below. Included in project assessment expenditures are option payments for mineral properties. These payments are charged to income when incurred.
Mineral Properties and Deferred Costs
The costs of acquiring mineral properties, and related exploration and development costs, are deferred until the property to which they
71
relate is placed into production, sold or abandoned. Deferred costs will be amortized on a unit production basis of the ore body following commencement of production, or written off if the property is sold or abandoned.
The Corporation will reduce the carrying value of mineral properties and deferred costs by any amount received from the introduction of a joint venture partner.
Management's estimate of carrying values is subject to risks and uncertainties affecting the recoverability of the Corporation's investment in mineral properties. Although management makes its best estimate of these factors, where applicable, based on current conditions, it is possible that changes could occur in the near term which could adversely affect management's estimate of the recoverability of mineral properties and deferred costs and the need for asset impairment write-downs.
Although the Corporation has taken steps to investigate title to mineral properties in which it has an interest, these procedures do not guarantee the Corporation's title. Such properties may be subject to prior undetected agreements or transfers and title may be affected by such defects.
Stock Based Compensation
The Corporation prospectively adopted the amended requirements of CICA 3870, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation and Other Stock Based Payments, in the year ended December 31, 2003. These amendments require an expense to be recognized in financial statements for all forms of employee stock-based compensation, including stock options. Stock based compensation expense is calculated using the Black-Scholes Model which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility. Differences in input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of any stock options granted.
Loss per Common Share
Loss per common share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding during each year. Basic and fully diluted loss per share are the same, as the effect of potential issues of shares under stock option arrangements would be anti-dilutive.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Corporation's foreign subsidiaries are integrated foreign operations. Currency translations into Canadian dollars are made as follows:
(i)
monetary assets and liabilities at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date;
(ii)
non-monetary items at rates prevailing when they are acquired;
(iii)
exploration costs and administration costs at average rates for the period.
Gains and losses arising on currency translation are included in the statement of operations.
Financial Instruments
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts. The Corporation is not exposed to significant interest rate risk due to the short term maturity of its monetary current assets and current liabilities.
Income taxes
Income taxes are calculated using the liability method of accounting. Temporary differences arising from the difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount on the consolidated balance sheet are used to calculate future income tax assets or liabilities. Future income tax assets or liabilities are calculated using the tax rates anticipated to apply in the periods that the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce future income tax assets arising from loss carry-forwards to amounts expected to be realized.
3.
Mineral Properties
a)
Burundi Nickel Project
During 1998, Andover entered into a Protocol agreement with the Republic of Burundi acquiring the exclusive rights to the Musongati nickel project. On February 11, 1999, a Mining Convention setting out Andover's rights and obligations for the completion of a feasibility study on the Musongati nickel project was ratified by the Burundian Parliament. The Mining Convention requires that Andover complete a feasibility study for the development of a nickel/cobalt processing facility by the end of 2001 or such later date as may be determined by extensions granted by the Minister of Mines. On April 19, 2000, Andover declared force majeure and curtailed its activities in Burundi as a result of the deterioration in security in the region. Pursuant to the terms of the Mining Convention the declaration of force majeure may be in place for up to two years during which time Andover's obligations are interrupted and the completion of the feasibility study delayed by the period of force majeure. Pursuant to the terms of the Mining Convention, Andover was required to post a performance bond of US$100,000.
On March 28, 2002 the Corporation announced the withdrawal of the declaration of force majeure and planned to resume its exploration activities, however security deteriorated ahead of the implementation of an agreed cease-fire between various political parties and the Corporation re-imposed the declaration of force majeure in August 2002. Following improved security conditions, the Corporation lifted force majeure in July 2004 and commenced planning of a drilling program at Musongati. However, following a massacre outside Bujumbura, the Corporation re-imposed force majeure in August, 2004. In 2005, following elections, a new government was elected, resulting in improving stability in Burundi. Consequently, Andover lifted the declaration of force majeure in May and has commenced
72
discussions with the Ministry of Mines regarding an extension to the term of the Mining Convention and the re-commencement of activities at Musongati. As at December 31, 2005, the Corporation had not reached agreement with the Ministry of Mines regarding an extension of the term of the Mining Convention.
At December 31, 2002, the Corporation wrote off its investment in the project of $7,973,049, to recognize the reduction in value due to the ongoing political instability in the country and the failure of nickel laterite projects around the world.
The term of the performance bond provided by the Corporation expired during 2002. A new performance bond will be required should the Corporation lift force majeure and re-commence activity in Burundi.
b)
Lac Panache - Sudbury
In April 2005, the Corporation entered into an agreement whereby it can earn 100% of the Lac Panache Project through staged cash payments totalling $300,000 and incurring expenditures over three years totalling $455,000. On production the vendor would retain a 3% net smelter return ("NSR") which is subject to buy-back provisions. The Corporation's annual cash payment and work expenditure commitments are as follows:
| | | | | | | |
Cash Payments: | 2005 | $ 40,000 | (paid) | Work Expenditures: | by April 8, 2006 | $ 65,000 | (incurred in 2005) |
| | 2006 | 80,000 | | | 8, 2007 | 130,000 | |
| | 2007 | 120,000 | | | 8, 2008 | 260,000 | |
| | 2008 | 60,000 | | | | - | |
| | | $ 300,000 | | | | $ 455,000 | |
The Corporation may terminate its option at any time.
On making cash payments of $300,000 and incurring $455,000 in exploration expenditures the Corporation will have exercised its option to acquire the Lac Panache properties, subject to the 3% NSR. The Corporation will have the right to purchase 2% of the NSR for $3 million and have a right of first refusal to purchase the remaining 1%.
The Lac Panache Project area is located some 40kms southwest of Sudbury, Ontario in Canada and covers 48 claims containing a total of 201 claim units.
c)
Slovak Gold Property
In July 2003, the Corporation sold its Slovak subsidiary, the owner of the Slovak Gold Property for $500,000. During the year ended December 31, 2001, the Corporation wrote down its investment in the project by $7,533,332 to recognize the difficulty in being able to sell the project or introduce a joint venture partner. The sale of the project gave rise to a gain on disposal of $125,500.
d)
New Caledonia Nickel Project - Joint Venture Arrangement and Arbitration
On July 25, 2001, the Corporation announced JSC "MMC Norilsk Nickel" ("Norilsk") had taken the positive decision to proceed with the Nakety/Bogota Project in New Caledonia by completing a feasibility study leading to the joint development with the Corporation and Societe des Mines de la Tontouta ("SMT") of the project. The Tripartite Agreement ( the "Agreement") between the Norilsk subsidiary, NN Invest Holdings SA ("NNIH"), SMT and a subsidiary of the Corporation was signed on October 16, 2001. Under the terms of the Agreement, NNIH reimbursed the Corporation's subsidiary 45% of its costs incurred, amounting to US$7,166,000 (C$11,307,948) which was applied to reduce the carrying value of the project. Thereafter, NNIH had the ability to earn a 45% stake in the project by completing a feasibility study to international standards over two years.
On August 5, 2002, the Corporation received a notice of termination from NNIH terminating the Agreement and its involvement in the New Caledonia Nickel Project. On September 13, 2002, the Corporation received a request for arbitration by NNIH from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce ("IC"). The request for arbitration sought to recover US$7,166,000 paid to the Corporation's subsidiary, plus an additional US$1,368,222 expended on the project.
The termination notice effectively terminated the Agreement and the Corporation wrote off its remaining investment of $2,539,625 in the project. Following a meeting between the Corporation and NNIH in November 2004, the arbitration was settled. The terms of the settlement agreement are bound by a confidentiality agreement signed between the parties, however, each party remains responsible for its costs incurred in the arbitration process and neither party has any future claim outstanding against the other regarding this matter. The Corporation does not anticipate that it will incur any further costs related to this matter.
e)
Albetros Diamond Project
The Albetros Project is an alluvial diamond project situated on the west coast of South Africa near Kleinsee. The Corporation held its interest in the Albetros Project through an option agreement to purchase up to 85% of the shares of Albetros Inland Diamond Exploration Pty Ltd ("Albetros") the owner of the Project.
The Option Agreement provided for:
a)
an option exercise date of August 31, 2004. *
b)
monthly option fees totalling R4,050,000 ($799,000) payable as follows:
- 2003 - R2,400,000 ($469,000) - paid.
73
- 2004 - R1,650,000 ($344,000) - of which R550,000 has been paid, and
c)
a purchase price of R17,000,000 ($3,609,000) less all option fees paid at the date of exercise of the option. Should the Corporation exercise its option to acquire Albetros the purchase price of R17,000,000 less option fees totalling R4,050,000 (R2,950,000 has been paid to date) will be paid in two payments as follows:
- R7,000,000 ($1,486,000) on August 31, 2004. *
- R5,950,000 ($1,263,000) on December 1, 2004. *
An application for a new prospecting permit ("Permit") was submitted in January 2004 as the expiry date of the Permit was March 15, 2004. However with the new Minerals and Energy Act in South Africa coming into force in May 2004, processing of the application was delayed.
*Pursuant to the Agreement with the shareholders of Albetros, the Corporation had until August 31, 2004 (the option exercise date) to fully evaluate the Project. As a new Permit had not yet been issued, the Corporation ceased its obligation to make option payments subsequent to March 2003 and advised the shareholders of Albetros that all payment obligations would be extended by the number of days that Albetros did not hold a valid Permit.
In March 2005, the Corporation terminated its option to acquire Albetros as a new Permit still had not been issued.
a)
Nevada Gold Project
The Nevada Gold Project is situated within the southern boundary area of the Humboldt - Toiyabe National Forest, in Northern Elko County, Nevada and comprised 70 unpatented lode mining claims and 2 unpatented claims covering water rights.
The Corporation held the Nevada Gold Project under 2 option agreements. The option agreement dated November 17, 2003 over the Gold Creek property covered 37 unpatented mining claims and 2 claims covering water rights. The agreement was for 3 years and had an annual option payment of US$20,000 and a purchase price of US$1,250,000 for 100% of the claims. During May 2004 the Corporation entered into an option agreement over the adjoining 33 unpatented claims. The agreement was for 3 years and had an annual option payment of US$20,000 and a purchase price of US$1,500,000 for 100% of the claims.
On June 1, 2005 and November 23, 2005 the Corporation announced that it had terminated its Option Agreements with respect to the Nevada Gold Projects.
3.
Project Assessment Expenditures
Details of Project Assessment Expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| | | |
| | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
Lac Panache Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | $ 9,130 | $ - - | $ - - |
Travel and Accommodation | 1,705 | - | - |
Option and Claim Fees | 43,900 | - | - |
Contractor, Equipment and Labor | 111,026 | - | - |
| | 165,761 | - | - |
Albetros Diamond Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | - | 44,565 | 218,115 |
Drilling | - | 80,207 | 486,693 |
Gravel Processing and Sorting | - | 57,020 | 147,866 |
Travel and Accommodation | - | 55,220 | 129,608 |
Option Fees | - | 117,158 | 469,000 |
Rehabilitation | - | 30,934 | - |
| | - | 385,104 | 1,451,282 |
Nevada Gold Project | | | |
Consulting, Supervision and Legal | 4,990 | 81,995 | - |
Assessment and Data | - | 8,894 | - |
Option Fees | - | 59,317 | - |
Claim Fees | 6,328 | 12,904 | - |
Travel and Accommodation | - | 53,135 | - |
| | 11,318 | 216,245 | - |
74
| | | |
Other Projects | | | |
Consulting | 44,889 | 40,331 | 142,216 |
Assessment | 3,622 | - | 74,463 |
Option Fees | 61,513 | - | - |
Travel, Accommodation and other | 15,737 | 62,368 | 53,402 |
Expenses Recovered | (61,513) | (116,804) | - |
| | 64,248 | (14,105) | 270,081 |
Total | $ 241,327 | $ 587,244 | $ 1,721,363 |
5. Capital Stock
a)
Authorised Capital Stock
The Corporation is authorised to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value.
b)
Issued
| | |
| | Number of | |
| | Shares | Amount |
Total Issued - December 31, 2005 and 2004 | 95,969,105 | $ 44,075,384 |
Stock Options
The Corporation grants stock options to employees as determined by the Corporation's Board of Directors. Stock options granted to the directors of the Corporation are granted subject to approval of the Corporation's shareholders.
No stock options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
No compensation expense was recognised in 2005, 2004 or 2003 because no stock options were granted or vested in those years. Any consideration paid by employees on the exercise of stock options is credited to capital stock.
The status of stock options granted to employees and directors as at December 31, 2005 and 2004 and the changes during the years ended on those dates is presented below:
| | | | |
| | | December 31, 2005 | | December 31, 2004 |
| | | Weighted | | Weighted |
| | Shares | Average Exercise Price | Shares | Average Exercise Price |
| | | | | |
Options outstanding and exercisable |
- Beginning of Year | 2,725,000 | $0.33 | 3,075,000 | $0.34 |
| | | | | |
Cancelled/Expired | (600,000) | $0.33 | (350,000) | $0.34 |
| | | | | |
Options outstanding and exercisable |
- End of Year | 2,125,000 | $0.30 | 2,725,000 | $0.33 |
All options outstanding at December 31, 2005 have an exercise price of Australian $0.35 (C$0.30). The weighted average remaining contractual life of these options is 0.4 years.
c)
Escrow Shares
At December 31, 2005 there were no common shares of the Corporation subject to escrow.
6. Related Party Transactions
During the year ended December 31, 2005: $233,633 (2004: $748,593: 2003: $461,623) was paid to five directors of the Corporation, or to companies controlled by them, for director's fees, management consulting services and project management and assessment services.
In addition $111,292 (2004: $117,700, 2003: $414,181) was paid to two companies, $33,392 to an Australian company and $77,900 to a Canadian company, each controlled by a director of the Corporation for the provision of office facilities and personnel in Australia and Canada respectively. These services are reimbursed at cost, which approximate fair value.
At December 31, 2005, management and consulting fees and directors' fees payable amounted to $91,750 (2004: $NIL) and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount, which is the amount of consideration established and agreed to by the related parties.
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7. Income Taxes
A potential future income tax asset of approximately $3,465,000 arises from the following loss carry forwards (for Canadian Tax purposes):
| |
a) Non capital loss carry forwards | $ 8,595,000 |
b) Other deductible tax amounts | 1,362,000 |
| | $ 9,957,000 |
The non-capital loss carry forwards can be offset against income for Canadian purposes in future years and expire as follows:
| |
2006 | $ 88,000 |
2007 | 1,576,000 |
2008 | - |
2009 | 1,506,000 |
2010 | 1,505,000 |
2011 | 2,088,000 |
2012 | 1,032,000 |
Total | $ 8,595,000 |
The Corporation has reduced the value of the potential future income tax asset to $Nil through the application of a valuation allowance of $3,465,000 as the Corporation does not have any current source of income to which the tax losses can be applied.
The Corporation's statutory tax rate of 34.80% (2004 and 2003-35.62%) has been reduced to an effective rate of nil% (2004-nil%) due to losses for which no tax benefit has been recognized.
8. Segmented Information
| | | | |
| | | | | |
| 2005 | | |
| | Canada | Australia | Total | |
| | | | | |
Current Assets | $3,643,229 | $9,275 | $3,652,504 | |
Office equipment and furniture | 4,515 | 14,142 | 18,657 | |
| | $3,647,744 | $23,417 | $3,671,161 | |
| | | | | |
| | | | 2004 | |
| | Canada | Australia | UK | Total |
| | | | | |
Current Assets | $69,699 | $40,325 | $4,673,343 | $4,783,367 |
Office equipment and furniture | 5,148 | 24,412 | - | 29,560 |
| | $74,847 | $64,737 | $4,673,343 | $4,812,927 |
| | | | | |
The Corporation's sole operating segment is the exploration for mineral resources.
9. Commitments
The Corporation has provided a guarantee to Albetros in the amount of R100,000 ($21,000) for any environmental rehabilitation which may be required on the Albetros Diamond Project. See Note 3(e).
10. Differences between Canadian and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP")
The Corporation's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada. The material measurement differences between GAAP in Canada and the United States that would have had an effect on these financial statements are as follows:
76
Statements of Operations and Deficit
| | | | |
| | | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 |
| Loss for the Year - under Canadian GAAP | $1,198,637 | $3,148,252 | $2,493,133 |
| Exploration Expenditures and weite-downs | | | |
| | - net of recoveries | - | - | (90,512) |
| | | | | |
| Loss for the Year - under US GAAP | $1,198,637 | $3,148,252 | $2,402,621 |
| Basic & dilutes loss per common share | | | |
| | - under US GAAP | $(0.01) | $(0.03) | $(0.03) |
| | | | | |
| Deficit - under US GAAP - Beginning of Year | $39,413,458 | $36,265,206 | $33,862,585 |
| Loss - under US GAAP | 1,198,637 | 3,148,252 | 2,402,621 |
| | | | | |
| Deficit - under US GAAP - End of Year | $40,612,095 | $39,413,458 | $36,265,206 |
Project Assessment Expenditures (Exploration Expenses)
For US GAAP purposes the Corporation expenses exploration costs as incurred. When proven and probable reserves are determined for a property, subsequent development costs of the property will be capitalized. The capitalized costs of such properties will then be measured, on a periodic basis for recoverability of carrying values. Acquisition costs of mineral properties are capitalized for US GAAP purposes.
Stock Based Compensation
For US GAAP purposes, the Corporation has prospectively adopted the fair value based method of accounting for stock based compensation in accordance with FASB 123(R). As no stock options were granted in fiscal 2005, there is no impact on the Corporation's loss for the year or balance sheet at December 31, 2005 under US GAAP.
77
Item 18 - Financial Statements
The Registrant has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to "Item 17 - - Financial Statements".
Item 19 - Exhibits
| |
Exhibit No. | Name of Exhibit |
1.1(1) | Certificate and Articles of Incorporation (No. 20340926) - Alberta Business Corporations Act (December 17, 1985) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.2(1) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment (July 2, 1987) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.3(1) | Certificate of Discontinuation - Alberta Business Corporations Act (September 24, 1987) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.4(1) | Certificate and Articles of Continuance (No. 222001-6) - Canada Business Corporations Act (September 24, 1987) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.5(1) | Certificate of Extra-Provincial Registration - Province of British Columbia (March 12, 1990) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.6(1) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment - Canada Business Corporations Act (March 17, 1994) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.7(1) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment including Name Change (October 26, 1994) - Durandel Minerals Corporation |
1.8(1) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment (November 28, 1995) - Durandel Minerals Corporation |
1.9(1) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment including Name Change (April 22, 1996) - Calliope Metals Corporation |
1.10(1) | Certificate and Articles of Continuance (No. 25946) - Yukon Business Corporations Act (June 17, 1997) - Calliope Metals Corporation |
1.11(2) | Certificate and Articles of Amendment including Name Change (May 10, 1999) - Argosy Minerals Inc |
1.12(3) | Amendment to General By-Laws (May 25, 2000) - Argosy Minerals Inc. Section 7:13 "Show of Hands" |
1.13(1) | General By-Laws (January 6, 1987) - Goldcap Inc. |
1.14(1) | General By-Laws (September 12, 1995) - Durandel Minerals Corporation |
1.15(1) | General By-Laws (April 30, 1997) - Calliope Metals Corporation |
1.16 | Notice of Discontinuance from Yukon - Calliope Metals (Holdings) Ltd. |
1.17 | Notice of Discontinuance from Yukon - Argosy Mining Corp. |
1.18 | Notice of Discontinuance from Yukon - Argosy Minerals Inc. |
1.19 | Certificate of Continuance to BC - Calliope Metals (Holdings) Ltd. |
1.20 | Certificate of Continuance to BC - Argosy Mining Corp. |
1.21 | Certificate of Continuance to BC - Argosy Minerals Inc. |
1.22 | Certificate of Amalgamation of Calliope Metals (Holdings) Ltd. and Argosy Mining Corp under Argosy Minerals Inc. |
1.23 | General By-Laws (May 26, 2005) - Argosy Minerals Inc. |
4.1(3) | Tripartite Agreement with Norilsk Mining Company and Société des Mines De La Tontouta regarding formation of a Joint Venture to advance the New Caledonia Nickel Project dated October 16, 2001. Redacted version. A Request for Confidential Treatment with respect to certain portions of this agreement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
4.2(2) | Management Agreement with Peninsular Services Pty Ltd |
4.3(2) | Management Agreement with C.R. Bond. |
4.4(2) | Management Agreement with Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. |
4.5(2) | Form of Stock Option Agreement |
4.6(3) | Management Agreement with Peninsular Services Pty Ltd. dated January 1, 2003 |
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| |
4.7(3) | Management Agreement with 667060 BC Ltd. |
4.8(3) | Agreement for Sale of Shares with Albetros Inland Diamond Exploration (Pty) Limited |
4.9(3) | Option Agreement with Happy Tracks Mining Company |
4.10(4) | Option Agreement with Cirincione Brothers |
4.11(4) | Agreement over Lac Panache Property |
8.1 | List of Subsidiaries |
12.1 | Section 302 Certification |
12.2 | Section 302 Certification |
13.1 | Section 906 Certification |
13.2 | Section 906 Certification |
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Form 20-F Amendment No. 2 filed January 8, 1998.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to Form 20-F filed June 29, 2001.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Form 20-F filed May29, 2004
(4)
Incorporated by reference to Form 20-F filed April 8, 2005
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SIGNATURES
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.
ARGOSY MINERALS INC.
![[f2002.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2002.gif)
Dated:
March 31, 2006
By:
Peter H. Lloyd - Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
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Exhibit 1.16
![[f2003.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2003.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.17
![[f2004.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2004.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.18
![[f2005.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2005.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.19
![[f2006.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2006.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.20
![[f2007.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2007.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.21
![[f2008.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2008.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.22
![[f2009.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2009.jpg)
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Exhibit 1.22
ARGOSY MINERALS INC.
(the "Company")
ARTICLES
INTERPRETATION
Definitions
In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:
"board of directors", "directors" and "board" mean the directors or sole director of the Company for the time being;
"Business Corporations Act" means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
"Interpretation Act" means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act;
"legal personal representative" means the personal or other legal representative of the shareholder;
"registered address" of a shareholder means the shareholder's address as recorded in the central securities register;
"seal" means the seal of the Company, if any.
Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable
The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.
Australian Stock Exchange Requirements
If the Company is admitted to the Official List of the ASX, the following provisions shall apply:
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, if the listing rules (the "Listing Rules") of the ASX prohibit an acting being done, the act shall not be done;
Nothing contained in these Articles prevents an act being done that the Listing Rules require to be done;
If the Listing Rules require an act to be done or not to be done, authority is given for that act to be done or not to be done (as the case may be);
If the Listing Rules require these Articles to contain a provision and these Articles do not contain such a provision, these Articles are deemed to contain that provision;
If the Listing Rules require these Articles not to contain a provision and these Articles contain such a provision, these Articles are deemed not to contain that provision; and
If any provisions of these Articles is or becomes inconsistent with the Listing Rules, these Articles are deemed not to contain that provision to the extent of the inconsistency.
For the purposes of this Article 1.3:
"ASX" means the Australian Stock Exchange Limited;
"Listing Rules" means the Listing Rules of the ASX and any other rules of the ASX which are applicable while the Company is admitted to the Official List of the ASX, each as amended or replaced from time to time, except to the extent of any express written waiver of the ASX.
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SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES
Authorized Share Structure
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.
Form of Share Certificate
Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.
Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment
Each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder's name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder's right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate and delivery of a share certificate or an acknowledgement to one of several joint shareholders or to a duly authorized agent of one of the shareholders will be sufficient delivery to all.
Delivery by Mail
Any share certificate or non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder's registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate or acknowledgement is lost in the mail or stolen.
Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement
If the directors are satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they must, on production to them of the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:
order the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and
issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be.
Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgment
If a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, must be issued to the person entitled to that share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, if the directors receive:
proof satisfactory to them that the share certificate or acknowledgment is lost, stolen or destroyed; and
any indemnity the directors consider adequate.
Splitting Share Certificates
If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder's name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.
Certificate Fee
There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7, the amount, if any and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act, determined by the directors.
Recognition of Trusts
Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as by law or statute or these Articles provided or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.
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ISSUE OF SHARES
Directors Authorized
Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.
Commissions and Discounts
The Company may at any time pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.
Brokerage
The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
Conditions of Issue
Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:
consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following:
past services performed for the Company;
property;
money; and
the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1.
Share Purchase Warrants and Rights
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.
SHARE REGISTERS
Central Securities Register
As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must maintain in British Columbia a central securities register. The directors may, subject to the Business Corporations Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.
Closing Register
The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
SHARE TRANSFERS
Registering Transfers
A transfer of a share of the Company must not be registered unless the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred has received:
a duly signed instrument of transfer in respect of the share;
if a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate;
if a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder's right to obtain a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that acknowledgment; and
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such other evidence, if any, as the Company or the transfer agent or registrar for the class or series of share to be transferred may require to prove the title of the transferor or the transferor's right to transfer the share, the due signing of the instrument of transfer and the right of the transferee to have the transfer registered.
Form of Instrument of Transfer
The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company's share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the directors from time to time.
Transferor Remains Shareholder
Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.
Signing of Instrument of Transfer
If a shareholder, or his or her duly authorized attorney, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified, all the shares represented by the share certificates or set out in the written acknowledgments deposited with the instrument of transfer:
in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or
if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered.
Enquiry as to Title Not Required
Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgment of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.
Transfer Fee
There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, determined by the directors.
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death
In case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative, or if the shareholder was a joint holder, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder's interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative, the directors may require proof of appointment by a court of competent jurisdiction, a grant of letters probate, letters of administration or such other evidence or documents as the directors consider appropriate.
Rights of Legal Personal Representative
The legal personal representative has the same rights, privileges and obligations that attach to the shares held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles, provided the documents required by the Business Corporations Act and the directors have been deposited with the Company.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
Company Authorized to Purchase Shares
Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may, if authorized by the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms determined by the directors.
Purchase When Insolvent
The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
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the Company is insolvent; or
making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent.
Sale and Voting of Purchased Shares
If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell, gift or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:
is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of its shareholders;
must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and
must not make any other distribution in respect of the share.
BORROWING POWERS
The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:
borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that they consider appropriate;
issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as they consider appropriate;
guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person; and
mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company.
ALTERATIONS
Alteration ofAuthorized Share Structure
Subject to Article 9.2 and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:
create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares;
increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established;
subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares;
if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value:
decrease the par value of those shares; or
if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares;
change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value;
alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or
otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act.
Special Rights and Restrictions
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may by special resolution:
create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; or
vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued.
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Change of Name
The Company may by special resolution authorize an alteration of its Notice of Articles in order to change its name and may by ordinary resolution or directors' resolution adopt or change any translation of that name.
Other Alterations
If the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, the Company may by special resolution alter these Articles.
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Annual GeneralMeetings
Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated or otherwise recognized, and after that must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.
Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting
If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution under the Business Corporations Act to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company's annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.
Calling of Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, whenever they think fit, call a meeting of shareholders.
Notice for Meetings of Shareholders
The Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders, in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by ordinary resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:
if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
otherwise, 10 days.
Record Date for Notice
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is held by fewer than:
if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
otherwise, 10 days.
If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.
Record Date for Voting
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.
Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice
The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive or reduce the period of notice of such meeting.
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Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders
If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting must:
state the general nature of the special business; and
if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders:
at the Company's records office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and
during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting.
Notice of Dissent Rights
The minimum number of days, before the date of a meeting of shareholders at which a resolution entitling shareholders to dissent is to be considered, by which a copy of the proposed resolution and a notice of the meeting specifying the date of the meeting and advising of the right to send a notice of dissent is to be sent, pursuant to section 240(1) of the Business Corporations Act, to all shareholders of the Company, whether or not their shares carry the right to vote, is
if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days;
otherwise, 10 days.
PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS
Special Business
At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:
at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following:
business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting;
consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting;
consideration of any reports of the directors or auditor;
the setting or changing of the number of directors;
the election or appointment of directors;
the appointment of an auditor;
the setting of the remuneration of an auditor;
business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution;
any other business which, under these Articles or the Business Corporations Act, may be transacted at a meeting of shareholders without prior notice of the business being given to the shareholders.
Special Majority
The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.
Quorum
Subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is two persons present in person and each entitled to vote thereat either as a shareholder or as a proxy for one or more shareholders.
One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum
If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:
the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and
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that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting.
Other Persons May Attend
The directors, the president (if any), the secretary (if any), the assistant secretary (if any), any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company and any other persons invited by the directors are entitled to attend any meeting of shareholders, but if any of those persons does attend a meeting of shareholders, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.
Requirement of Quorum
No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.
Lack of Quorum
If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:
in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and
in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.
Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting
If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(2) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.
Chair
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:
the chair of the board, if any; or
if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any.
Selection of Alternate Chair
If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose one of their number to be chair of the meeting or if all of the directors present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if no director is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.
Adjournments
The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
Notice of Adjourned Meeting
It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.
Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by at least one shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.
Declaration of Result
The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by
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the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.
Motion Need Not be Seconded
No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.
Casting Vote
In case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.
Manner of Taking Poll
Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:
the poll must be taken:
at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and
in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs;
the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and
the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it.
Demand for Poll on Adjournment
A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.
Chair Must Resolve Dispute
In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.
Casting of Votes
On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.
No Demand for Poll
No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.
Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting
The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
Retention of Ballots and Proxies
The Company must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three month period, the Company may destroy such ballots and proxies.
VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS
Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares
Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and
on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter has one vote in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy.
Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity
A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the
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directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
Votes by Joint Holders
If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:
any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting, either personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or
if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted.
Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders
Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders registered in respect of that share.
Representative of a Corporate Shareholder
If a corporation, that is not a subsidiary of the Company, is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:
for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must:
be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or
be provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting;
if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5:
the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and
the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting.
Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to All Companies
If and for so long as the Company is a public company or a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of its Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply, Articles 12.7 to 12.15 apply only insofar as they are not inconsistent with any securities legislation in any province or territory of Canada or in the federal jurisdiction of the United States or in any states of the United States that is applicable to the Company and insofar as they are not inconsistent with the regulations and rules made and promulgated under that legislation and all administrative policy statements, blanket orders and rulings, notices and other administrative directions issued by securities commissions or similar authorities appointed under that legislation.
Appointment of Proxy Holders
Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders of the Company may, by proxy, appoint one or more (but not more than five) proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.
Alternate Proxy Holders
A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.
When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder
A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:
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the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5;
the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting; or
the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting.
Deposit of Proxy
A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:
be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; or
unless the notice provides otherwise, be provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting.
A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
Validity of Proxy Vote
A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:
at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
by the chair of the meeting, before the vote is taken.
Form of Proxy
A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:
[name of company]
(the "Company")
The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.
Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy is given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the shareholder): _____________________
Signed[month, day, year]
__________________________________
[Signature of shareholder]
__________________________________
[Name of shareholder-printed]
Revocation of Proxy
Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is:
received at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or
provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting.
Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed
An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:
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if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy;
if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5.
Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote
The chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.
DIRECTORS
First Directors; Number of Directors
The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Business Corporations Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:
subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company's first directors;
if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the most recently set of:
the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and
the number of directors set under Article 14.4;
if the Company is not a public company, the most recently set of:
the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and
the number of directors set under Article 14.4.
Change in Number of Directors
If the number of directors is set under Articles 13.1(2)(a) or 13.1(3)(a):
the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number;
if the shareholders do not elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number contemporaneously with the setting of that number, then the directors may appoint, or the shareholders may elect or appoint, directors to fill those vacancies.
Directors' Acts Valid Despite Vacancy
An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.
Qualifications of Directors
A director is not required to hold a share in the capital of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.
Remuneration of Directors
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the directors, if any, will be determined by the shareholders. That remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any officer or employee of the Company as such, who is also a director.
Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors
The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
Special Remuneration for Directors
If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company's business, he
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or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, or, at the option of that director, fixed by ordinary resolution, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.
ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS
Election at Annual General Meeting
At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:
the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set under these Articles; and
all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (1), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
Consent to be a Director
No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:
that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act;
that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director; or
with respect to first directors, the designation is otherwise valid under the Business Corporations Act.
Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors
If:
the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act; or
the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors;
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
when his or her successor is elected or appointed; and
when he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles.
Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled
If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles until further new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.
Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies
Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.
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Remaining Directors' Power to Act
The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of summoning a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.
Shareholders May Fill Vacancies
If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.
Additional Directors
Notwithstanding Articles 13.1 and 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed:
one-third of the number of first directors, if, at the time of the appointments, one or more of the first directors have not yet completed their first term of office; or
in any other case, one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8.
Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(1), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
Ceasing to be a Director
A director ceases to be a director when:
the term of office of the director expires;
the director dies;
the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; or
the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11.
Removal of Director by Shareholders
The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.
Removal of Director by Directors
The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.
ALTERNATE DIRECTORS
Appointment of Alternate Director
Any director (an "appointor") may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an "appointee") who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.
Notice of Meetings
Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.
Alternate for More Than One Director Attending Meetings
A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:
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will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of directors once for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, once more in that capacity;
has a separate vote at a meeting of directors for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, an additional vote in that capacity;
will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of a committee of directors once for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, once more in that capacity;
has a separate vote at a meeting of a committee of directors for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, an additional vote in that capacity.
Consent Resolutions
Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.
Alternate Director Not an Agent
Every alternate director is deemed not to be the agent of his or her appointor.
Revocation of Appointment of Alternate Director
An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke the appointment of an alternate director appointed by him or her.
Ceasing to be an Alternate Director
The appointment of an alternate director ceases when:
his or her appointor ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed;
the alternate director dies;
the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company;
the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director; or
his or her appointor revokes the appointment of the alternate director.
Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director
The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate director is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.
POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
Powers of Management
The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.
Appointment of Attorney of Company
The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.
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INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Obligation to Account for Profits
A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act.
Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors' resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.
Interested Director Counted in Quorum
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.
Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property
A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual's duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act.
Director Holding Other Office in the Company
A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.
No Disqualification
No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided for that reason.
Professional Services by Director or Officer
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.
Director or Officer in Other Corporations
A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.
PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS
Meetings of Directors
The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
Voting at Meetings
Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
Chair of Meetings
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:
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the chair of the board, if any;
in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or
any other director chosen by the directors if:
neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting;
neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or
the chair of the board and the president, if a director, have advised the secretary, if any, or any other director, that they will not be present at the meeting.
Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium
A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors in person or by telephone if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone, are able to communicate with each other. A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors by a communications medium other than telephone if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other and if all directors who wish to participate in the meeting agree to such participation. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.
Calling of Meetings
A director may, and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.
Notice of Meetings
Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors and the alternate directors by any method set out in Article 24.1 or orally or by telephone.
When Notice Not Required
It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director or an alternate director if:
the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of the directors at which that director is appointed; or
the director or alternate director, as the case may be, has waived notice of the meeting.
Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice
The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director or alternate director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
Waiver of Notice of Meetings
Any director or alternate director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director and, unless the director otherwise requires by notice in writing to the Company, to his or her alternate director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director or alternate director.
Attendance of a director or alternate director at a meeting of the directors is a waiver of entitlement to notice of the meeting, unless that director or alternate director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
Quorum
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors shall be a majority of the directors.
Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.
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Consent Resolutions in Writing
A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a meeting:
in all cases, if each of the directors entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in writing; or
in the case of a resolution to approve a contract or transaction in respect of which a director has disclosed that he or she has or may have a disclosable interest, if each of the other directors who have not made such a disclosure consents in writing to the resolution.
A consent in writing under this Article may be by signed document, fax, email or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages. A consent in writing may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one consent in writing. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is effective on the date stated in the consent in writing or on the latest date stated on any counterpart and is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.
EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES
Appointment and Powers of Executive Committee
The directors may, by resolution, appoint an executive committee consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate, and this committee has, during the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, all of the directors' powers, except:
the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;
the power to remove a director;
the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and
such other powers, if any, as may be set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors' resolution.
Appointment and Powers of Other Committees
The directors may, by resolution:
appoint one or more committees (other than the executive committee) consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate;
delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (1) any of the directors' powers, except:
the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors;
the power to remove a director;
the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and
the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and
make any delegation referred to in paragraph (2) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors' resolution.
Obligations of Committees
Any committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:
conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors; and
report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times as the directors may require.
Powers of Board
The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:
revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding;
terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and
fill vacancies in the committee.
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Committee Meetings
Subject to Article 19.3(1) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:
the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper;
the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting;
a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and
questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
OFFICERS
Directors May Appoint Officers
The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers
The directors may, for each officer:
determine the functions and duties of the officer;
entrust to and confer on the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and
revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer.
Qualifications
No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as a managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.
Remuneration and Terms of Appointment
All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors thinks fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.
INDEMNIFICATION
Definitions
In this Article 21:
"eligible penalty" means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding;
"eligible proceeding" means a legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed, in which a director, former director or alternate director of the Company (an "eligible party") or any of the heirs and legal personal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or alternate director of the Company:
is or may be joined as a party; or
is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding;
"expenses" has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act.
Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Former Directors
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify a director, former director or alternate director of the Company and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Company must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and
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reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each director and alternate director is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 21.2.
Indemnification of Other Persons
Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act, the Company may indemnify any person.
Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act
The failure of a director, alternate director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part.
Company May Purchase Insurance
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:
is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of the Company;
is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company;
at the request of the Company, is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity;
against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
DIVIDENDS
Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights
The provisions of this Article 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.
Declaration of Dividends
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may deem advisable.
No Notice Required
The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.
Record Date
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.
Manner of Paying Dividend
A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, or in any one or more of those ways.
Settlement of Difficulties
If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deem advisable, and, in particular, may:
set the value for distribution of specific assets;
determine that cash payments in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be made to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties; and
vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend.
When Dividend Payable
Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.
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Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares
All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.
Receipt by Joint Shareholders
If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.
Dividend Bears No Interest
No dividend bears interest against the Company.
Fractional Dividends
If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.
Payment of Dividends
Any dividend or other distribution payable in cash in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the registered address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the registered address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing. The mailing of such cheque will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.
Capitalization of Retained Earnings or Surplus
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any retained earnings or surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the retained earnings or surplus so capitalized or any part thereof.
ACCOUNTING RECORDS
Recording of Financial Affairs
The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.
Inspection of Accounting Records
Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.
NOTICES
Method of Giving Notice
Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provides otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:
mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows:
for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder's registered address;
for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient;
delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person:
for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder's registered address;
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for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient;
sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
sending the record by email to the email address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class;
physical delivery to the intended recipient.
Deemed Receipt of Mailing
A record that is mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, following the date of mailing.
Certificate of Sending
A certificate signed by the secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that behalf for the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was addressed as required by Article 24.1, prepaid and mailed or otherwise sent as permitted by Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.
Notice to Joint Shareholders
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing the notice to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.
Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:
mailing the record, addressed to them:
by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and
at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or
if an address referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred.
SEAL
Who May Attest Seal
Except as provided in Articles 25.2 and 25.3, the Company's seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:
any two directors;
any officer, together with any director;
if the Company only has one director, that director; or
any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the directors.
Sealing Copies
For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer.
Mechanical Reproduction of Seal
The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business
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Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and the chair of the board or any senior officer together with the secretary, treasurer, secretary-treasurer, an assistant secretary, an assistant treasurer or an assistant secretary-treasurer may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.
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Exhibit 8.1
List of Subsidiaries
Andover resources N.L.
- Australia
Argosy Mining Corporation Pty Ltd.
- South Africa
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Exhibit 12.1
CERTIFICATION
I, Peter H. Lloyd, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Argosy Minerals Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e)) for the company and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(c)
Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: March 31, 2006 | ![[f2011.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2011.gif) | |
| Peter H. Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
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Exhibit 12.2
CERTIFICATION
I, Cecil R. Bond, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Argosy Minerals Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The company's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e)) for the company and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(c)
Disclosed in this report any change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The company's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company's auditors and the audit committee of the company's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: March 31, 2006 | ![[f2013.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2013.gif) | |
| (Principal Financial Officer) | |
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Exhibit 13.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report of Argosy Minerals Inc. (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Peter H. Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: March 31, 2006 | ![[f2015.gif]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001137171-06-000826/f2015.gif) | |
| Peter H. Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |
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Exhibit 13.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report of Argosy Minerals Inc. (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Cecil R. Bond, Director and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: March 31, 2006 | | |
| (Principal Financial Officer) | |
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