UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
__ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (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 endedDecember 31, 2003.
OR
___TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to _______________
Commission file number: 0-31218
Candente Resource Corp.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
#200 – 905 West Pender Street Vancouver B.C. V6C 1L6
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A N/A
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Common Stock, No 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 issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
23,333,803
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. _X_ Yes ___ No
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
_X_ Item 17 ___ Item 18
Page 1 of 165
Index to Exhibits on Page 114
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Form 20-F Annual Report
Table of Contents
Part I | Page | ||||||
Item 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | 7 | |||||
Item 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 7 | |||||
Item 3. | Key Information | 7 | |||||
Item 4. | Information on the Company | 15 | |||||
Item 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 79 | |||||
Item 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 86 | |||||
Item 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 91 | |||||
Item 8. | Financial Information | 93 | |||||
Item 9. | The Offer and Listing | 93 | |||||
Item 10. | Additional Information | 98 | |||||
Item 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | 112 | |||||
Item 12. | Description of Other Securities Other Than Equity Securities | 112 | |||||
PART II | |||||||
Item 13. | Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies | 112 | |||||
Item 14. | Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds | 112 | |||||
Item 15. | Controls and Procedures | 112 | |||||
Item 16. | Reserved | 113 | |||||
Item 16A. | Audit Committee Financial Expert | 113 | |||||
Item 16B. | Code of Ethics | 113 | |||||
Item 16C. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 113 | |||||
Item 16D. | Exemptions from Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 113 | |||||
Item 16E. | Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 113 | |||||
Part III | |||||||
Item 17. | Financial Statements | 113 | |||||
Item 18. | Financial Statements | 114 | |||||
Item 19. | Exhibits | 114 |
Glossary of Terms
Alteration –any change in the mineral composition of a rock brought about by physical or chemical means.
Andesite - A dark-colored, fine-grained extrusive rock that, when porphyritic, contains phenocrysts composed primarily of zoned sodic plagioclase and one or more of the mafic minerals.
Anomaly - Any difference from the normal background which may indicate the presence of mineralization in the underlying bedrock.
Argillic - Pertaining to clay or clay minerals;Argillic Alteration is when certain minerals of a rock are converted to minerals of the clay group.
Arsenopyrite - the most common arsenic mineral and principal ore of arsenic; occurs in many sulfide ore deposits, particularly those containing lead, silver, and gold.
Assaying- laboratory examination that determines the content or proportion of a specific metal (ie:silver) contained within a sample. Technique usually involves firing/smelting.
Breccia - A rock in which angular fragments are surrounded by a mass of fine-grained minerals.
Caldera - A large, basin-shaped volcanic depression, more or less circular, the diameter of which is many times greater than that of the included vent or vents.
Chalcopyrite - A sulphide mineral of copper and iron.
Clastic - Fragments of minerals and rocks that have been moved individually from their places of origin.
Dacite - A fine-grained extrusive rock with the same general composition as andesite, but having with more quartz.
Diamond Drilling – a type of rotary drilling in which diamond bits are used as the rock-cutting tool to produce a recoverable drill core sample of rock for observation and analysis.
Diorite - An intrusive igneous rock.
Disseminated – where minerals occur as scattered particles in the rock.
Enrichment - A mineral deposition process in which near-surface oxidation produces acidic solutions that leach metals, carry them downward, and reprecipitate them, thus enriching sulfide minerals already present.
Epithermal – low temperature hydrothermal process or product.
Fault – a fracture or break in rock along which there has been movement.
Feldspar - A group of crystalline minerals consisting of aluminum silicates and other elements
that include microcline, orthoclase, plagioclase and others. Constituting 60% of the Earth's crust, feldspar occurs in all rock types and decomposes to form much of the clay in soil
Felsic –an adjective describing an igneous rock having mostly light colored minerals and rich in silica, potassium and sodium.
Gabbro – a coarse-grained, crystalline, dark igneous rock.
Galena - Lead sulphide, the most common ore mineral of lead.
Geochemistry - The study of the chemical properties of rocks.
Geological Modeling – The study of the properties of the geology of a specific property or mineral deposit. The model may be descriptive, using known attributes, or theoretical, designed to explain a possible concept which can then be tested by exploration methods.
Geophysical Survey - A scientific method of prospecting that measures the physical properties of rock formations. Common properties investigated include magnetism, specific gravity, electrical conductivity and radioactivity.
Granite - any holocrystalline, quartz-bearing plutonic rock.
Granitic - Pertaining to or composed of granite.
Granodioritic - A group of coarse-grained plutonic rocks intermediate in composition between quartz diorite and quartz monzonite, containing quartz, plagioclase and potassium feldspar.
Grid - A network composed of two sets of uniformly spaced parallel lines, usually intersecting at right angles and forming squares, superimposed on a map, chart, or aerial photograph, to permit identification of ground locations by means of a system of coordinates and to facilitate computation of direction and distance.
Hydrothermal – the products or the actions of heated waters in a rock mass such as a mineral deposit precipitating from a hot solution.
Igneous– a primary type of rock formed by the cooling of molten material.
Ignimbrite - The rock formed by the widespread deposition and consolidation of ash flows.
Induced Polarization (IP) - A method of ground geophysical surveying employing an electrical current to determine indications of mineralization.
Intrusion; Intrusive– molten rock that is intruded (injected) into spaces that are created by a combination of melting and displacement.
Leaching - The extraction of soluble metals or salts from an ore by means of slowly percolating solutions, such as the separation of gold by treatment with a cyanide solution. If an ore is amenable to leaching, it is considered “leachable”
Line Cutting – Clearing straight lines through the bush to permit sightings for geophysical and other surveys.
Logging - The process of recording geological observations of drill core either on paper or into a computer.
Mafic - Igneous rocks composed mostly of dark, iron-and magnesium-rich minerals.
Magnetite - Black, magnetic iron ore; an iron oxide.
Manto - A flat-lying, bedded deposit; either a sedimentary bed or a replacement strata-bound orebody.
Mineralization - occurrences of minerals, which may have an economic value.
Mesothermal– a hydrothermal mineral deposit formed at considerable depth and in the temperature range of 200 to 300 degrees C (Celsius).
Metallurgical Tests- are scientific examinations of rock/material to determine the optimum extraction of metal contained. Core samples from diamond drill holes are used as representative samples of the mineralization for this test work.
Mineral– a naturally formed chemical element or compound having a definitive chemical composition and, usually a characteristic crystal form.
Mineralization– a natural concentration in rocks or soil of one or more metalliferous minerals.
Muscovite – A rock of the mica group that is a common rock-forming mineral in silicic plutonic rocks. It is also a hydrothermal and weathering product of feldspar.
Mylonite - A compact rock without cleavage, but with a streaky or banded structure, produced by the extreme granulation and shearing of rocks that have been pulverized and rolled during overthrusting or intense dynamic metamorphism.
Net Smelter Return Royalty/ NSR Royalty –A phrase used to describe a royalty payment made by a producer of metals based on gross metal production from the property, less deduction of certain limited costs including smelting, refining, transportation and insurance costs.
Outcrop - The part of a rock formation that appears at the surface of the ground.
Plagioclase: Any of a group of feldspars containing a mixture of sodium and calcium feldspars.
Porphyry - Any igneous rock in which relatively large crystals, are set in a fine-grained groundmass.
Porphyry copper - A deposit of disseminated copper minerals in or around a large body of intrusive rock.
Pyrite- an iron sulphide mineral (FeS2), the most common naturally occurring sulphide mineral.
Quartz – crystalline silica; often forming veins in fractures and faults within older rocks.
Replacement -Change in composition of a mineral or mineral aggregate, presumably accomplished by mineral solutions taking the place of some other, different substance
Resource – a concentration of mineral material in such form and amount that economic extraction of a commodity from the concentration is currently or potentially feasible. Locations, grade, quality or quantity are estimated from specific geologic evidence.
Schist - A foliated metamorphic rock the grains of which have a roughly parallel arrangement; generally developed by shearing.
Scree – loose rocks or fragments of rock, usually piled against a hillside or slope.
Sedimentary rocks - Secondary rocks formed from material derived from other rocks and laid down under water. Examples are limestone, shale and sandstone.
Sediments -Solid fragmental material that originates from weathering of rocks and is transported or deposited by air, water, or ice, or that accumulates by other natural agents, such as chemical precipitation from solution or secretion by organisms, and that forms in layers on the Earth's surface at ordinary temperatures in a loose, unconsolidated form; e.g., sand, gravel, silt, mud, alluvium.
Shale - Sedimentary rock formed by the consolidation of mud or silt.
Showing - Surface occurrence of mineral.
Silification – the in situ alteration of a rock, which involves an increase in the proportion of silica minerals.
Siltstone - An indurated silt having the texture and composition of shale but lacking its fine lamination or fissility; a massive mudstone in which the silt predominates over clay.
Staking –The term for acquiring a previously unclaimed mining claim by going onto the land and driving metal stakes along the boundary of the proposed claim before registering the claim with governmental authorities.
Stibnite – a sulphide of antimony, the mineral may also contain gold and silver.
Stockwork - A mineral deposit consisting of a three-dimensional network of planar to irregular veinlets closely enough spaced that the whole mass can potentially be mined.
Thrust - An overriding movement of one crustal unit over another. AThrust Belt is a region where thrusting has occurred.
Trenching - the process of exploration by which till is removed from a trench cut from the earth’s surface.
Tuff -A general term for all consolidated pyroclastic rocks.
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) – A method of mapping the earth’s surface using 1000 meter grid lines that divide the earth into even grids.
Vein– a thin, sheet-like, crosscutting body of hydrothermal mineralization, principally quartz.
Vigencia Fee - The annual fee levied by the Peruvian Government on mining claims. Currently, the Fee is US$3.00 per claim.
Volcanics– those originally molten rocks, generally fine grained, that have reached or nearly reached the Earth’s surface before solidifying.
Vug - A small cavity in a rock, usually lined with crystals of a different mineral composition than the enclosing rock.
Part I
Item 1. Identity of Officers and Directors
Table No. 1
Company Directors and Officers
Name | Position | Business Address |
Joanne Constance Freeze | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | #200-905 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 1L6 |
Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra | Vice President Business Development Latin America, and Director | Avenida Jose Casimiro Ulloa 226 San Antonio, Miraflores Lima 18, Peru |
Peter Johan Adrian de Visser, C.A. | Chief Financial Officer and Director | Suite 401-905 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 1L6 |
Larry Kornze | Director of Business Development and Director | 290 S. Cooksom Place Eagle, Idaho U.S.A. 83616 |
Maria Eugenia Montagne | Corporate Secretary/Treasurer | #200-905 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 1L6 |
Michael Casselman, P. Geo | Exploration Manager and Director | #200-905 West Pender Street Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6C 1L6 |
The Company auditor since inception has been Beauchamp and Company, Chartered Accountants, #205 – 788 Beatty Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6B 2M1.
The Company’s legal advisor is Boughton Peterson Yang Anderson Law Corporation, Suite 1000, 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1S8.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not Applicable
Item 3. Key Information
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data of the Company for Fiscal 2003, 2002, and 2001, was derived from the financial statements of the Company which were audited by Beauchamp & Company, Chartered Accounts, independent auditor, as indicated in their report which is included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
The information in Table No. 2 was extracted from the more detailed 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 9, “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS”.
Reference is made to Note 10 of the financial statements of the Company included herein for a discussion of the differences, in the case of the Company, between Canadian GAAP and US GAAP, and their effect on the Company’s financial statements.
To date, the Company has not generated sufficient cash flow from operations to fund ongoing operational requirements and cash commitments. The Company has financed its operations principally through the sale of its equity securities. While the Company believes it has sufficient capital and liquidity to finance current operations, nevertheless, its ability to continue operations is dependent on the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing. Refer to ITEM 1, “PLAN OF OPERATIONS” and see ITEM 9, “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS”.
Table No. 2 is derived from the financial statements of the Company, which have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the periods presented with US GAAP, except as disclosed in footnotes to the financial statements.
Table No. 2
Selected Financial Data
(US$ in 000, except per share data)
Year Ended 12/31/03 | Year Ended 12/31/02 | Year Ended 12/31/01 | Year Ended 12/31/00 | Year Ended 12/31/99 | |
Interest Income | $26 | $11 | $0.8 | $8.1 | $0.3 |
Net Income(Loss)Cdn. GAAP | ($1,601) | ($437) | ($448) | ($160.7) | ($203) |
Earnings(Loss) Per Share Cdn GAAP | ($0.06) | ($0.02) | ($0.05) | ($0.03) | ($0.04) |
Net Income(Loss)US GAAP | ($2,528) | ($1,715) | ($503) | ($420.2) | ($298.5) |
Earnings (Loss) Per Share US GAAP | ($0.09) | ($0.10) | ($0.07) | ($0.08) | ($0.08) |
Dividends Per Share Cdn GAAP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Dividends Per Share US GAAP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Wtd.Avg.No.Shares US GAAP | 27,638 | 16,831 | 7,678 | 5,427 | 3,816 |
Wtd.Avg.No.Shares Cdn GAAP | 28,013 | 17,581 | 9,210 | 6,177 | 4,566 |
Working Capital | $3,833 | $677 | $267 | $89.8 | ($57.8) |
Mineral Properties Cdn GAAP | $3,108 | $2,180 | $902 | $848 | $590.6 |
Mineral Properties US GAAP | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Long Term Debt Cdn GAAP | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Shareholder’s Equity (Cdn GAAP) | $7,033 | $2,891 | $1,173 | $942.3 | $474.7 |
Shareholders’ Equity US GAAP | $3,925 | $710 | ($143) | ($689.8) | ($379.2) |
Total Assets (Cdn GAAP) | $7,094 | $2,984 | $$1,193 | $979.4 | $710.2 |
Total Assets (US GAAP) | $3,986 | $803 | $290 | $131.4 | $119.6 |
In this Annual Report, unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars. References in this document to “$” and “US$” refer to US dollars, unless otherwise specified; references to “CDN$” refer to Canadian dollars.
The value of the U.S. Dollar in relation to the Canadian Dollar was $1.32 as of August 31, 2004.
The Government of Canada permits a floating exchange rate to determine the value of the Canadian Dollar against the US Dollar (US$).
Table No. 3 sets forth the rate of exchange for the Canadian Dollar at the end of the six most recent fiscal periods ended June 30, 2004;the average rates for the periods; and the range of high and low rates for the periods.
For purposes of this table, the rate of exchange means the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The table sets forth the number of Canadian Dollars required under that formula to buy one US Dollar. The average rate means the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period.
Table No. 3
Canadian Dollar/US Dollar
Average | High | Low | Close | |
Year Ended 12/31/03 | $1.39 | $1.58 | $1.29 | $1.29 |
Year Ended 12/31/02 | $1.57 | $1.61 | $1.51 | $1.52 |
Year Ended 12/31/01 | $1.55 | $1.60 | $1.49 | $1.59 |
Year Ended 12/31/00 | $1.48 | $1.56 | $1.44 | $1.50 |
Year Ended 12/31/99 | $1.48 | $1.53 | $1.44 | $1.44 |
Three Months Ended 6/30/04 | $1.36 | $1.40 | $1.31 | $1.34 |
Three Months Ended 3/31/04 | $1.33 | $1.35 | $1.27 | $1.31 |
Three Months Ended 12/31/03 | $1.30 | $1.35 | $1.29 | $1.29 |
Three Months Ended 9/30/03 | $1.38 | $1.41 | $1.34 | $1.35 |
Three Months Ended 6/30/03 | $1.39 | $1.48 | $1.33 | $1.36 |
Three Months Ended 3/31/03 | $1.50 | $1.58 | $1.47 | $1.47 |
Three Months Ended 12/31/02 | $1.57 | $1.59 | $1.55 | $1.58 |
Three Months Ended 9/30/02 | $1.58 | $1.60 | $1.51 | $1.59 |
Three Months Ended 6/30/02 | $1.54 | $1.60 | $1.51 | $1.52 |
Three Months Ended 3/31/02 | $1.60 | $1.61 | $1.58 | $1.60 |
August 2004 | $1.31 | $1.33 | $1.30 | $1.32 |
July 2004 | $1.32 | $1.33 | $1.31 | $1.33 |
June 2004 | $1.36 | $1.38 | $1.34 | $1.34 |
May 2004 | $1.38 | $1.40 | $1.36 | $1.37 |
April 2004 | $1.34 | $1.37 | $1.31 | $1.37 |
March 2004 | $1.33 | $1.35 | $1.31 | $1.31 |
Forward-looking Statements
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "future", "may", "will", "should", "plan", "will likely result", "intend", "are expected to", "will continue", " is anticipated", "estimate", "project or projected", and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Accordingly, such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to and are accompanied by the following discussion of certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's beliefs and the assurances made using information currently available to the Company. Because these statements refle ct its current views concerning future events, these statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results could differ materially from the results discussed in the forward- looking statements. Some, but not all, of the factors that may cause these differences include those discussed in the risk factors. The Company has addressed all material risks, but a reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. A reader should also remember that these statements are made only as of the date of this Annual Report and future events may cause them to be less likely to prove to be true.
The risks identified here are not inclusive. Furthermore, reference is also made to other sections of this Annual Report that include additional factors that could adversely impact the Company's business and financial performance. Also, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, not can it access the impact of all such risk factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ significantly from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.
Statement of Capitalization and Indebtedness
Table No. 4
Statement of Capitalization and Indebtedness
Designation of Security | Amount Authorized | Amount Outstanding As of August 22, 2004 |
Common Shares, no par value | Unlimited without par value | 36,062,704 |
Preferred Shares | None | None |
Common Share Options | 3,459,250 Options | |
Common Share Warrants | 3,552,500 Warrants | |
Long Term Debt | None |
Risk Factors
Risks Associated with Mining
Resource exploration is a speculative business, characterized by a number of significant risks including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover mineral deposits but from finding mineral deposits which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production. The marketability of minerals acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulations, including regulations relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, and environment protection, the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on investment ca pital.
The Company’s Properties Are All At the Exploration Stage and Have No Proven Reserves:
The properties in which the Company has an ownership interest or the concessions in which the Company has the right to earn an ownership interest are in the exploratory stage only and are without a known body of ore. If the Company does not discover a body of ore in the properties in which the Company has an interest, management intends to search for other properties or concessions where they can continue similar work.
The Company’s Mineral Exploration Efforts May Be Unsuccessful:
Despite exploration work on its mineral claims, no known bodies of commercial ore or economic deposits have been established on any of the Company’s mineral properties. In addition, the Company is at the exploration stage on all of its properties and substantial additional work will be required in order to determine if any economic deposits occur on the Company’s properties. Even in the event commercial quantities of minerals are discovered, the exploration properties might not be brought into a state of commercial production. Finding mineral deposits is dependent on a number of factors, not the least of which is the technical skill of exploration personnel involved. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is also dependent on a number of factors, some of which are particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, as well as metal prices. Most of the se factors are beyond the control of the entity conducting such mineral exploration. The Company is an exploration stage company with no history of pre-tax profit and no income from its operations.
The Company has No Guarantee of Clear Title to its Mineral Properties:
The Company’s mining claims have not been surveyed and accordingly the precise location of the boundaries of the claims and ownership of mineral rights on specific tracts of lands comprising the claims may be in doubt. The properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects. The title reports prepared on the Company’s properties are not guarantees of title.
The Company has a Lack of Cash Flow to Support its Operations and Will Require Additional Financing:
None of the Company’s properties have advanced to the commercial production stage and the Company has no history of earnings or cash flow from operations. The Company has paid no dividends on its shares since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. Historically, the only source of funds available to the company has been through the sale of its common shares. If the Company does not have sufficient capital for its operations, management would be forced to reduce or discontinue its activities which would likely have a negative effect on the stock price.
There is an Uncertainty of Obtaining Additional Funding to Meet the Company’s Expected Future Requirements; Any Additional Funding Would Lead to The Possible Dilution to Present and Prospective Shareholders:
The Company will require additional funds to complete future exploration if the Company’s current exploration programs are successful. Failure to obtain additional financing in a timely basis could cause the Company to forfeit its interest in its properties, and/or reduce or terminate its operations. The Company may not be successful in closing additional financings. In addition, future financings which the Company obtains may be on terms less favorable to the Company than those obtained previously. Any transaction involving the issuance of previously authorized but unissued shares of common stock, or securities convertible into common stock, would result in dilution, possibly substantial, to present and prospective holders of common stock.
Future Mineral Prices May Not Support Corporate Profit:
The mining industry in general is intensely competitive and, even if commercial quantities of mineral resources are developed, future market pricing and demand may not result in a profitable enterprise. The price of minerals is volatile over short periods of time, and is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the Company, 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 new discoveries or improved mining techniques.
The Company Operates in a Highly Competitive Industry:
The Company competes with other developmental resource companies which have similar operations, and many competitors have operations and financial resources and industry experience greater than those of the Company. The Company may encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in our efforts to acquire mineral properties and hire experienced resource industry professionals. Increased competition in our business could adversely affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
The Company’s Mineral Exploration Operations are Subject to Environmental Regulations:
The current and anticipated future operations of the Company require permits from various federal, provincial and local governmental authorities and such operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing various elements of the mining industry. The Company’s exploration activities in both Peru and Canada are subject to various Federal, Provincial and local laws governing land use, the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, and other matters. In connection with its operations and properties, the Company is subject to extensive and changing environmental legislation, regulation and actions. The Company cannot predict what environmental legislation, regulation or policy will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and regulations will be administered or interpreted. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter standards and this trend is likely to continue in the future. The recent trend includes, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to air and water quality, mine reclamation, waste handling and disposal, the protection of certain species and the preservation of certain lands. These regulations may require obtaining permits or other authorizations for certain activities. These laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit activities on certain lands lying within wetland areas, area providing for habitat for certain species or other protected areas. Compliance with more stringent laws and regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect the Company’s results of operations and business, or may cause material changes or delays in the Company’s intended activ ities.
All permits which the Company may require for future explorationmay not be obtainable on reasonable terms and such laws and regulations, or that new legislation or modifications to existing legislation, may have an adverse effect on any project which the Company might undertake. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions.
Risks Associated with Penny Stock Classification:
The Company’s stock is subject to “penny stock” rules as defined in 1934 Securities and Exchange Act rule 3a51-1. The Commission has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in penny stocks. The Company’s common shares are subject to these penny stock rules. Transaction costs associated with purchases and sales of penny stocks are likely to be higher than those for other securities. Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than U.S. $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system, provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system).
The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation.
In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the Company’s common shares in the United States and shareholders may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
The Company Has a History of Net Losses
The Company has had net losses since May 1, 1997 (Date of incorporation).
In Fiscal 2003, ended December 31, the Company had a net loss of ($1,601,498) and the cumulative US GAAP net loss from date of incorporation to December 31, 2003 has been ($6,023,043). As the Company is currently at the exploration stage and has no reserves of precious metals, management expects the Company to continue to suffer net losses for the foreseeable future.
The Company is Subject to Foreign Currency Fluctuations
The Company operates in more than one country and in several currencies. Candente’s offices are located in Canada, a significant number of its mining exploration properties are located in Peru and the Company’s financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars. The Corporation currency fluctuation exposure is primarily to the US Dollar and the Peruvian Nuevos Soles as all material commitments are in such currencies or Canadian Dollars. The Company has reported a foreign exchange loss in each of the last 3 fiscal years. Fluctuations in and among the various currencies in which the Company operates could have a material effect on the Company’s operations and its financial results.
Political Instability in Peru:
Certain of the Company’s current exploration properties are located in the country of Peru. Peru has a history of some political instability and may be considered a country with potential political risk. Future government actions concerning the economy or the operations and regulations of nationally important facilities such as mines could have a significant effect on the Corporation. The Company does not have, nor does it plan to purchase, any type of political risk insurance. Additionally, these factors could pose serious potential problems associated with the Company’s ability to raise additional capital which will be required to continue exploration activities.
The Company Has a Dependence on Certain Key Personnel:
The Company strongly depends on the business and technical expertise of its management and key personnel, particularly that of its President, Joanne Freeze, and its Manager of Exploration, Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra. There is little possibility that this dependence will decrease in the near term. The Company maintains no management agreement with any of its personnel, nor does the Company carry “Key Man” life insurance. The loss of any of its management would have a negative effect on the Company’s operations.
Difficulty for U.S. Investors to Effect Service of Process Against the Company:
The Company is incorporated under the laws of the Canada. The majority of the Company’s directors and officers are residents of Canada and all of the Company’s assets and its subsidiaries are located outside of the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for United States investors to effect service of process in the United States upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. A judgment of a U.S. court predicated solely upon such civil liabilities would probably be enforceable in Canada by a Canadian court if the U.S. court in which the judgment was obtained had jurisdiction, as determined by the Canadian court, in the matter. There is substantial doubt whether an original action could be brought su ccessfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Company predicated solely upon such civil liabilities.
Item 4. Information on the Company
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Introduction
Candente Resource Corp. (hereinafter also referred to as the "Registrant" or the "Company") is a Canadian mineral resources exploration company. The Company currently has interests in mineral exploration properties in Peru and Newfoundland, Canada.
Presently, the Company is in the exploration stage and there is no assurance that a commercially viable ore deposit (a reserve) exists in any of its properties until further exploration work is done and a comprehensive economic evaluation based upon that work is concluded.
The Company’s head office is located at #200-905 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1L6. Candente’s registered and records office is located at 1650-999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2W2. The telephone number is (604) 689-1957 and the facsimile number is (604) 685-1946. The Company also maintains a website at www.candente.com. The Company’s contact person is Joanne Freeze, President.
The Company has an unlimited number of shares without par value. All shares of the Company rank equally as to voting, and there are no special preference, conversion or redemption rights attached to any of the shares of the Company. As of 12/31/03, the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal year, there were 34,387,454 shares of common stock outstanding.
The Company's common stock trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "DNT".
Corporate Background
Incorporation Data
The Company was incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada on May 1, 1997. The Company conducted it Initial Public Offering in Canada only and shares of the Company began trading on the Canadian Venture Exchange (now the TSX Venture Exchange) on May 15, 2000. On September 27, 2002, the Company continued into the federal jurisdiction of Canada under theCanada Business Corporations Act.
The Company has four wholly owned subsidiaries:
a.
Candente Resource (BVI) Corp., incorporated in the British Virgin Islands on July 18, 1997. All of the shares are beneficially owned by the Company.
b.
Compania Minera Ono Candente S.A. (Peru), incorporated in the Republic of Peru on May 15, 1997. All of the shares are beneficially owned by the Company.
c.
Cañariaco Copper (BVI) Corp., incorporated in the British Virgin Island on August 9, 2001. All of the shares are beneficially owned by the Company.
d.
Exploraciones Milenio S.A. (Peru), incorporated in the Republic of Peru on August 18. All of the shares are indirectly owned by the Company through Candente Copper (BVI) Corp.
e.
Candente Vinland Inc., incorporated in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, on July 12, 2002.
Historical Corporate Development
Since incorporation, the Company has been involved in the exploration of natural resource properties.
The Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia on May 1, 1997 under the name of 542074 B.C. Ltd., pursuant to the Company Act of British Columbia. On June 5, 1997, the Corporation converted from a specially limited company and changed its name to Candente Resource Corp. On September 27, 2002, the Company continued under the Canadian Business Corporation Act.
The Corporation commenced active exploration and acquisition of mineral resource properties in June 1997 through its wholly owned subsidiary, Compañía Minera Oro Candente S.A. The Corporation’s main objective is to acquire mineral properties, finance their exploration and development and bring them into production.
Between June of 1997 and June of 1999, the Company acquired by staking approximately 44,425 hectares of unclaimed mineral claims. During Fiscal Year 1997, the Company recorded acquisition costs of $45,905 and $183,151 in property exploration costs. In Fiscal Year 1998, the Company recorded acquisition costs of $44,018 and $315,128 in property exploration costs.
On December 15, 1998, the Company granted Westone Ventures, a public company listed on the Canadian Venture Exchange, an option to earn a 50% interest in the Company’s Pamel Claims, hereby known as the “Perlita Property”. To earn their interest, Westone was required to incur $2,500,000 in exploration expenditures and make payments to the Company totaling $410,000 over a period of four years. In December 1999, Westone assigned the its interests in the December 1998 agreement to Merendon Canada Inc., a private company related to Westone. Concurrently with the assignment, the Company agreed to extend the dates under which Merendon was required to complete the annual exploration expenditures and make the annual option payments. As of July 1, 2000, Merendon had failed to complete the annual exploration expenditures and to make the annual option payments. Therefore, the option expired and the Company again controls 100% of the Per lita Property.
On June 29, 1999 the Corporation entered into an agreement with Britannia Gold Corp. (now Nanotek Inc.), a public company listed on the Canadian Venture Exchange, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Minera Britannia Gold S.A. (collectively “Britannia Gold”) whereby the Corporation acquired an option to acquire a 50% interest in 9,600 hectares of mineral properties in Peru. As of June 30, 2000 the Corporation had earned an additional one percent interest in the El Tigre and Columbia Properties and an additional four percent interest in the Sorpresa property, to bring the Corporations' total interest to 51%, 51% and 54% respectively. On January 31, 2001 the Corporation agreed to acquire Britannia’s remaining interests (to 100%) in all three of these properties for a payment of 500,000 common shares, subject to regulatory approval. Acquisition of the Britannia properties was completed on February 20, 2002.
During Fiscal Year 1999, the Company acquired by staking a further 10,200 hectares of unclaimed mineral claims in Peru. The Company recorded mineral exploration costs of $15,458 and mineral property exploration costs of $139,352 for the year. After conducting a review of its initial exploration, the Company determined some of its properties did not warrant further expenditures and wrote-off mineral properties worth $152,389.
In May 2000, the Company completed its initial public offering through the Canadian Venture Exchange. The Company sold 2,068,000 units (consisting of one common share and two transferable share purchase warrants) at Cdn$0.45 per unit for net proceeds of Cdn$780,427.
During Fiscal Year 2000, the Company staked a further 1000 hectares of mineral claims in Peru. During the year, the Company recorded mineral property acquisition costs of $29,122 and $199,547 of property exploration costs. After review of its properties, the Company wrote-off $27,355 of mineral properties.
The Corporation raised additional capital in March of 2001 through Private Placement by issuing 600,000 common shares at Cdn$0.25 per share for gross proceeds of Cdn$150,000.
In April 2001, the Corporation acquired a 100% interest in a disseminated and potentially leachable copper target for US$75,880 from Minero Peru.
In June 2001, the Company completed the private placement of 1,265,700 units consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant for Cdn$0.20 per unit. The Warrants are exercisable at $0.25 until October 22, 2002. Net proceeds to the Company totaled Cdn$253,140.
During Fiscal 2001, the remaining claims underlying the Yanamay Property expired, and the Company wrote-off the remaining $90,707 in accumulated exploration costs related to the property. The Company also abandoned several other Peruvian claims it had staked and wrote-off accumulated acquisition and exploration expenses of $18,400 related to those claims.
In February 2002, the Company completed the private placement of 4,869,002 units consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant for Cdn$0.15 per unit. The Warrants are exercisable at Cdn$0.20 until January 31, 2003 and at Cdn$0.25 from February 1, 2003 until January 31, 2004. An additional 75,167 warrants were issued to the placement agents. Net proceeds from the placement was Cdn$730,350.
In April 2002, the Company agreed to a purchase option on the Linear Property in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company can acquire a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by making cash payments of Cdn$171,000, issuing 300,000 common shares and spending Cdn$1,000,000 in exploration expenditures, all over the next five years.
In May 2002, the Company closed the private placement of 2,850,000 units at Cnd$0.35 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.44 until May 16, 2003 and at Cdn$0.49 from May 17, 2003 until May 16, 2004. 2,330,000 of the units were flow through units. The Company also issued 43,000 common shares at a deemed price of Cdn$0.34 and 25,000 warrants as a finders fee. Total proceeds to the Company were $636,490.
Also in May 2002, the Company announced the acquisition of 10 additional exploration properties, comprising 734 claims, in Newfoundland. The properties were staked on behalf of the Company by A.S.K. Prospecting, which as consideration received 200,000 common shares and a 0.75% NSR on each property, as well as additional shares of the Company depending upon the achievement of certain exploration benchmarks by the Company. An additional 6 properties, comprising a total of 612 claims, were later acquired under the same agreement.
In June 2002, the Company entered into an agreement with Hecla Mining regarding the Alto Dorado property in Peru. The Company earned a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by applying for and funding all related exploration and development fees and issuing 100,000 common shares to Hecla. The Transfer of Rights agreement was signed in July 2003.
In June 2002, the Company entered into an option to purchase a 100% interest in the Eastern Pond Property in Newfoundland. The Company can earn a 100% interest, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by making cash payments totaling Cdn$139,240, issuing a total of 228,000 common shares and making Cdn$756,600 in exploration expenditures, all over a five year period.
In July 2002, the Company reached an agreement with Cornerstone Resources to acquire interests in two properties in Newfoundland. The Company can earn an initial 51% interest in the Island Pond property by paying Cornerstone Cdn$115,000 in cash, issuing 115,000 shares and spending $1,500,000 on exploration, all over 4 years. The Company can increase its interest in the property to 61% by funding a bankable feasibility study and to 75% by arranging mine financing. For the Paul’s Pond property, the Company can earn an initial 51% interest by paying Cornerstone $90,000, issuing 90,000 common shares and spending $1,000,000 on exploration, all over 4 years. The Company can increase its interest to 61% by funding a bankable feasibility study and to 75% by arranging mine financing.
In August 2002, the Company completed two private placements of common shares. In the first, the Company issued 650,000 units at $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a common share warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.55 until August 19, 2003 and at Cdn$0.60 from August 20, 2003 until August 19, 2004. 470,000 of the units were flow-through units. The second private placement consisted of 2,000,000 common shares at a price of Cdn$0.60 per share. The company received net proceeds of $292,500 from the first placement and net proceeds of $1,200,000 from the second.
Also in October, the Company was declared the winning bidder by the Government of Peru in an auction for four claim blocks in Peru. The first two blocks are known as the Toril Zone, an area which is adjacent to, and was originally part of, the Alto Dorado property as explored by Hecla and which, under agreement, has been added to the Alto Dorado property agreement with Hecla. The Company paid the Peruvian Government US$50,227 for a 100% interest, subject to the agreement with Hecla, in the Toril Zone. The second two blocks (Areas C and E) are known as the Millo property in Southern Peru which the Company paid the Government of Peru $56,388 for a 100% interest. In November, the Company sold Area C to Geologix Explorations for US$28,333 and retains a 1% NSR.
In September 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to earn a 100% interest in the Jackson’s Arm property, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by making cash payments of Cdn$97,360, issuing 232,000 common shares and spending $756,000 in exploration, all over 5.3 years.
In December 2002, the Company entered into several agreements covering additional exploration properties in Newfoundland. The Company entered into an agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Staghorn property (formerly known as the Flamingo and Woods Lake properties) by making cash payments of Cdn$100,920, issuing 120,000 common shares and spending Cdn$500,000 on exploration, all over 4 years. For the Weirs Pond and Radio Range properties, the Company can earn a 100% interest by making payments of Cdn$55,000, issuing 100,000 common shares and expending Cdn$200,000, for each property separately over 4.5 years. Both Weirs Pond and Radio Range are subject to a 2.5% NSR.
During Fiscal Year 2002, the claims underlying the Company’s Huaypian property expired and the Company wrote off the $77,288 in property acquisition and capitalized exploration costs. The Company also allowed the claims underlying the Paracas property to lapse and wrote-off the remaining $50,000 in accumulated costs.
In January 2003, the Company signed a Right of First Refusal (“RFR”) with Anglogold covering 10 of the Company’s gold exploration properties in Peru. Under the agreement, Anglogold paid Candente US$10,000 and will conduct exploration on each of the 10 properties over the following six-month period. Within the six-month period, if Candente wishes to sell all or part of its interest in any of the properties, Anglogold has 30 days to match the offer and acquire an interest. In July 2003, the RFR expired without the transfer of any properties and Candente retains its original interests.
In February 2003, the Company completed a private placement with Goldcorp by issuing 1,700,000 units at Cdn$0.60 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of Cdn$0.90 until February 21, 2004 and at a price of Cdn$1.10 from February 22, 2004 until February 21, 2005. Net proceeds to the Company from the placement was Cdn$1,020,000.
In May 2003, the Company reached an agreement with Apex Silver to transfer its interest in the El Alamo property in Peru to ADC Peru LDC for a 2% NSR on all copper, lead, zinc, silver and gold produced. The Company and ADC Peru are in further discussions concerning the possible transfer of additional base metal properties held by Candente in Peru to ADC Peru.
In October 2003, the Company completed the private placement of 625,000 units at a price of Cdn$0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of Cdn$500,000. Each unit consisted of one share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.00 per share until October 21, 2005.
In December 2003, the Company completed a private placement of 3,333,333 units at a price of Cdn$1.05 for gross proceeds of Cdn$3,500,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable for a common share at a price of Cdn$1.50 per share until June 10, 2005. As agent for the placement, Octagon Capital Corporation received a 7% cash commission and options to purchase 333,334 common shares at a price of Cdn$1.05 until June 10, 2005.
In January 2004, the Company completed the private placement of 250,000 flow-through common units at a price of Cdn$1.20 for gross proceeds of Cdn$300,000. Each unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one-half of a warrant, with each full warrant exercisable for one flow-through common share at a price of Cdn$1.65 until June 30, 2005.
In March 2004, the Company entered into a partnership agreement with Goldcorp regarding the Company’s properties in Newfoundland. Under the agreement, Goldcorp can earn up to a 70% interest in either (or both) the Linear and Staghorn properties by assuming all of Candente’s expenditure obligations and completing bankable feasibility studies by January 2010. The agreement also granted Goldcorp a right of first offer on other properties currently held by Candente, as well as those that may be acquired in the future, in Newfoundland. The agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Also in March 2004, the Company entered into twoan option agreements with Orex Ventures, an arms-length public company traded on the TSX Venture Exchange, where Orex can earn a 51% interest in two of the Company’s properties El Tigre and Las Sorpresas in Peru by incurring exploration expenditures totaling US$2.5 million over 3.5 years on each property as well as paying Candente US$15,000 cash and issuing 250,000 common shares with respect to each property by January 31, 2008. The agreements are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
Corporate Offices
The Company's executive offices are located in rented premises of approximately 1,906 square feet located at 200 - 905 West Pender Street, Vancouver B.C. V6C 1L6. The lease on approximately 1,606 square feet is through June 2005, while an additional 300 square feet in an adjoining office is on a month-to-month basis. Monthly rent and taxes for the main suite of offices is CDN$2,641.74per month, while the additional office is CDN$535 per month, or CDN$3,176.74 total. The space is considered adequate for the Company’s current and anticipated future needs.
In Lima Peru, the Company maintains an office in rental space of approximately 2,947 square feet (273.81 square meters) located at Avenida Jose Casimiro Ulloa 226, San Antonio, Miraflores, Lima 18. Rental costs, including taxes, are approximately $835 per month.
The Company is currently exploring mineral properties in Peru and Newfoundland, Canada.
A General Discussion of the Political, Economic and Regulatory Climate in Peru
Peru is located in Western South America and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, Ecuador and Colombia on the north, Brazil and Bolivia on the east and Chile on the south. Land area totals 496,200 square miles, an area slightly smaller than the State of Alaska. Peru’s unit of currency is the Nuevo (New) Sol, which at current rates stands at about 3.5 per US$. Mining is one of the largest industries in Peru, with copper, gold and silver particularly important.
Peru is a Republican Constitutional Democracy with three branches of government: Legislative, Executive and Judicial. The Legislature is a Constitutional Congress; the Senate having been abolished by an act of Congress on December 31, 1993. Elections for Presidency and Congress are held every five years with the next election scheduled for 2005. Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President. Peru has 24 Departments and one Constitutional Province. The Departments are administered by Prefects who are appointed by the President.
During the 1990’s, President Alberto Fujimori applied strict measures aimed at eliminating hyperinflation, restoring fiscal order, eliminating terrorism, privatizing the economy and reestablishing Peru’s international credit standing. During the Fujimori Presidency, inflation was reduced to single digits, the active elements of the terrorist groups were imprisoned and privatization of the economy was largely done. A program of legal reforms and incentives instituted by the Fujimori Government has removed many of the obstacles to foreign investment in Peru. Laws to promote and protect foreign capital were enacted by Congress. In July 2001, Dr. Alejandro Toledo Manrique became Peru’s new President. Dr. Toledo is a US trained economist whose polices have remained very similar to Mr. Fujimori’s.
Peru signed a Constitutive Agreement of the World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guaranty Agency, which was ratified by the Peruvian Congress on April 2, 1991. Peru has also signed the World Bank's International Covenant on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. Furthermore, Peru has signed a Covenant with the United States Overseas Private Investment Corporation, which was ratified by the Peruvian Congress on May 14, 1993.
Under the terms of the Foreign Investment Promotion Law, foreign investors have the same rights as Peruvian Nationals and enjoy equal status with these and the state, except in one situation. The one limitation is that, for reasons of national security, foreign investors (natural or legal persons) are restricted from acquiring properties within 50 kilometers from Peru’s borders, unless they have express authorization from the council of Ministers (Executive Power - Ministers and President of the Republic). Foreign investors may acquire shares or property rights from Nationals. Investors of more than US $2 million are guaranteed a fixed tax regime for 10 years. Legislative Decree 708, which applies to mining companies, provides for tax, administrative and free exchange stability. Foreign companies have the right to export concentrates or refined products. There are no royalties or taxes on exportation of these products. Capital, divide nds and profits are also freely exportable.
Under Peruvian Law, up to 20% of the employees of a corporation may be Foreign Nationals. Peruvian law provides for a minimum monthly wage of 325 Peruvian Nuevos Soles per month (US$93.33). Other employee benefits are also payable by law. Income tax is payable by persons or companies domiciled in Peru, regardless of the source of this income. Non-domiciled persons or companies are also liable for income taxes on their Peruvian-based income. Personal income over US $50,000.00 per year is taxed at a rate of 30%. Personal income tax under this amount is taxable at a rate of 15%. Businesses are taxed at a rate of 30%. A separate corporate tax does not exist in Peru.
Dividends are not considered income in Peru and are not subject to tax. Capital gains from the trading of stock, as well as interest from deposit accounts and bonds are also not taxable.
Companies that do not realize profits are subject to a minimum income tax amounting to 0.5% on the value of their net assets. Mining companies are exempt from this tax.
In Peru, the General Tax on Sales ("I.G.V.") is a levy paid on all sales of goods and services at the rate of 18% of the value of the sale and is paid by the recipient of the goods and services at the time of each transaction. This tax may be refunded as a fiscal credit against taxes payable on sales or provisions of services. Acquisitions and investments incurred by a mining company prior to the sale of minerals or properties, in the exploration stage may be accumulated as pre-operative expenses and deducted from taxes due once income is generated by operations. A company may only receive this fiscal credit in advance if it can be established with the government, a commitment of future sales and a minimum investment overUS$2,000,000. The credit is personal and non-transferable other than in the case of a company's reorganization.
No exchange controls exist in Peru. No government authorization is required to carry out exchange operations. There is no fee charged for possession and receipt of foreign currency. Individuals or corporations may remit foreign currency abroad, or retain it in the country. Exporters are no longer required to exchange foreign currency they receive for local currency.
Mineral deposits are considered to be owned by the government but made available to the private sector. The initial claim request is called a Petitorio en Tramite (Petition) and once granted is called a Concesion (Concession). The application is carried out by a paper procedure that specifies the UTM co-ordinates of the claim corners. Individual claims can be as small as 100 hectares and as large as 1,000 hectares. Claim boundaries must now be oriented north-south and east-west. Before 1992, claims were described by direction and distance from various geographical points and could be oriented in any direction. The Oficina de Catastro Minero (claim registration office) is in the process of tying all the old-style claims to UTM co-ordinates and claims that cannot be properly located are being cancelled. At the time of applying for a Petitorio a payment of US$4.00 per hectare and a set fee of 300 Nuevo Soles (3.5 Nuevo Soles/$US) per Petitori o must be made. The granting process can take up to six months, depending on the volume of claim applications at the time. The process involves several stages which include acceptance of the application by the claim registration office; verification that the area is free to be claimed; notification to the various parties involved if there is any superposition of pre-existing claims; an announcement in local and national newspapers (at a cost of approximately US$250.00 per claim); a technical review; awarding of title; and finally granting of the concession. Generally, the first application submitted has priority over subsequent applications. However if the application relates to an area which has become open for staking due to an older concession lapsing, all parties staking on the first day are considered equal. Should two or more applicants apply for identical ground on the same day, the conflict can be resolved privately by those applicants, or failing that, the contested ground will be auctioned (Remate) and will be awarded to the highest bidder among the applicants.
Concessions are available to foreign companies on an equal basis provided that they have formed a Peruvian mining company. A fee must be paid annually to keep claims in good standing. Until 1999 the annual maintenance fee (pago de derecho de Vigencia) was US$2.00 per hectare per year. In the year 2000, the fee was increased to US$5.00 per hectare per year. Subsequently, on April 9 2001, Legislative Decree No. 913 reduced the annual fee to US$4.00 for the year 2001 and to US$3.00 per hectare for payments for the year 2002.
Although the fee is based on the January to December calendar year, the fee is not due until June 30 of the following year. This rate is static for a total of seven years; after which time, if the property is not in production, the annual fee doubles to US $6.00 per hectare. After 14 years without production, the fees increase to US $20.00 per hectare. At this time there are no annual claim-related exploration requirements in Peru; however, the government is presently reviewing this policy. Lack of payment of the annual maintenance fees for two consecutive years shall be a cause for the mining concession to expire.
Within a Concession, there is an obligation to compensate landowners for the destruction or disturbance of their land. Mining Concession title gives one the right to exploit minerals within the Concession boundaries, although Exploration Concessions do not have to be converted to Mining Concessions before exploitation. To date, the Company has not compensated any landowners for the destruction or disturbance of their land as the majority of the Company’s mineral exploration projects in Peru are not currently owned by individual landowners. However, the Company is currently entering into agreements with landowners regarding exploration at the Alto Dorado Project. The agreements will call for a fixed payment for the use of the property over a one year period, and all expected costs are a component of the total estimated cost of the exploration program on the project.
The approval of an environmental evaluation of an exploration program by the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Peru is required if the disturbed area covers more than 10 hectares or when drilling will be conducted at more than 20 drill sites. Each environmental proposal shall include:
1.
Description of the area before commencing operations
2.
Details of the work to be carried out
3.
Measures to be taken during and after exploration work to mitigate environmental contamination and/or changes.
Mineral Exploration Projects
The following is a description of the Company’s mineral properties in Peru and Canada and its interest in such properties. Candente intends to remain an exploration company and will likely sell and/or joint-venture any of its advanced projects to a potential operator for further development.
Currently, the Company considers the Cañariaco and Alto Dorado properties as its highest priority projects.
Peruvian Properties
Cañariaco Project
Cañariaco is a 3,500 hectare porphyry copper project located in the Cajamarca District of northern Peru. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Cañariaco Property to date. The Company has a 100% interest in the property.
How Acquired
The Company acquired the property through an auction process from Mincro Peru in April, 2001. The government of Peru auctioned the right to explore the property under “Public Auction (Bid) PRI-51-2000, Private Investment Promotion – Mining Prospects”. The auction was held in Lima on February 14, 2001 and Candente was the sole bidder. Consideration was a one-time payment of $75,880.
To maintain the property in good standing, annual property payments of $17,500 commenced in June, 2002.
Location and Access
The property lies in the Canares District of Ferrenafe Province in Northern Peru about 100 km NE of the city of Chiclayo and 700 km NNW of Lima.
Access to the property is from Chiclayo along a paved road to Batan Grande and then via gravel road. Travel time to the property from Chiclayo averages 6 hours by four-wheel drive vehicle.
Regional and Property Geology
The Cañariaco system lies within a belt of porphyry copper deposits which extend 350 km from Cajamarca North by Northwest to the Ecuadorian border. The mineralized systems known in this belt comprise two types, porphyry Copper-Molybdenum and porphyry Copper-Gold deposits. Although no economic deposit has yet to be developed, the mineralized systems tend to be of a large size. Recent deposits of lavas and ignimbrites of the Upper Tertiary Calipuy Formation are younger than the porphyry copper systems which could be covering yet to be discovered systems.
Cañariaco is located on the Western Cordillera at elevations that range from 2500-3500 meters. The topography features steep slopes cut by streams and rivers. Above 3000 meters the vegetation is mostly short grass and pastures while below 3000 meters lies dense native forest.
Mineralization at Cañariaco is associated with a quartz-feldspar porphyry stock with a well developed fine to medium grained quartz-sulphide stockwork. 3 separate porphyry systems have been identified on the property. At Cañariaco Norte, mineralization has been identified in an area of 1000 by 600 meters and to a depth of about 200 meters. Mineralization occurs in 2 zones of distinct composition defined as primary and enriched copper mineralization.
History and Previous Work
Copper mineralization was first discovered at Cañariaco by the British Geological Survey in 1970 through a stream sediment sampling program. In 1973, Ingemmet drilled 5 holes into the Cañariaco Norte area of the property. 4 of the 5 holes returned copper intersections. Placer Dome optioned the property in 1994. They conducted additional surface sampling and drilled 3 new diamond drill holes at Cañariaco Norte. All 3 holes returned copper intersections. Placer withdrew from their property option in January 1997.
In 1998, Minero Peru solicited for joint venture partners on the property. Billiton was selected and signed an option agreement in February 1999. Billiton conducted a detailed exploration of the property assisted by the construction of a new access road and camp site at the property. Billiton conducted detailed geological mapping of Cañariaco Norte, Cañariaco Sur and a third porphyry system they discovered and named Quebrada Verde. Billiton also conducted soil and rock chip sampling as well as IP and ground magnetic surveys over all 3 systems and re-logged all previous drill holes.
At the conclusion of the preliminary work, Billiton drilled 7 holes of 1128.20 meters in total. 3 of the new holes were drilled at Cañariaco Norte, 3 at Cañariaco Sur and 1 hole at Quebrada Verde. The Cañariaco North program extended the area of known mineralization 500m further south that that previously defined. Although the new Cañariaco Norte holes returned only near-economic grades of copper mineralization, Billiton did proceed with metallurgical test work, including diagnostic leach tests on 12 samples of core conducted by SGS in Santiago, Chile. The tests determined copper recoveries of 85-90% of material with a head grade of 0.78%. Billiton concluded the resource was potentially leachable.
At Cañariaco Sur, 2 of the 3 holes returned copper mineralization. The single drill hole at Quebrada Verde did not return significant copper assays.
Billiton dropped the property option during a period of low mineral prices where they decided to focus on larger and more advanced properties.
In March 2001, Candente engaged engineering consultants Knight Piesold Ltd. to evaluate the Cañariaco property for the necessary infrastructure for developing a SX-EW mine. Knight Piesold identified several suitable sites for heap leach pads and waste stockpiles within relative proximity to the Cañariaco Norte zone.
Planned Work Program
Due to the rise in copper prices, the Company resumed work on the project during late 2003. During the first quarter of 2004, a bulk sampling of copper mineralization was commenced. The program will take samples from several previously identified copper-bearing outcrops on the property and submit the samples for assay as well as metallurgical and petrographic studies. Concurrent with the sampling, the Company is conducting geophysics over the property. The sampling and geophysics will help to delineate drill targets and a minimum of 2,000 meters of diamond drilling is planned for September 2004. This drilling will focus on further delineating the previously identified higher grade copper zone.
Subject to the results of the current program, the Company may search for a joint-venture partner to further the exploration and potential development of the project.
Alto Dorado Project
Alto Dorado is 5,900 hectare exploration stage gold project located in the Department of La Libertad in northern Peru. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Alto Dorado Property to date. The Company has earned a 100% interest in the property.
How Acquired
The property consists of 14 contiguous claim blocks totaling approximately 6,700 hectares. The details of each claim are as follows:
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size |
Ana de Chuco | 09/29/97 | 02/27/98 | 1000 | 1000 |
Ana de Chuco 3 | 01/11/00 | 06/02/00 | 400 | 400 |
Luis | 11/06/97 | 02/23/98 | 100 | 100 |
Carlos II | 09/29/97 | 12/30/97 | 1000 | 1000 |
Toril I | 09/02/02 | 04/29/03 | 800 | 800 |
Toril II | 09/02/02 | Pending | 200 | |
Toril III | 09/18/02 | Pending | 300 | |
Toril IV | 09/18/02 | 04/21/02 | 200 | 200 |
Toril V | 01/23/03 | Pending | 300 | |
Toril VI | 04/30/03 | Pending | 1000 | |
Toril VII | 06/05/03 | Pending | 600 | |
Toril VIII | 08/01/03 | Pending | 300 | |
Toril IX | 08/01/03 | Pending | 300 | |
Toril X | 08/01/03 | Pending | 200 |
The Company entered into an option agreement with Hecla on June 1, 2002 under which the Company can earn a 100% interest in the original property, including the Ana de Chuco, Ana de Chuco 3, Luis and Carlos II claims, subject to a 2.5% NSR to Hecla, by making cash payments and issuing common shares to Hecla under the following formula:
Date | Number of Shares | Amount of Cash |
Approval Date | 25,000 | $10,000 |
June 1, 2003 | 25,000 | None |
June 1, 2004 | 25,000 | None |
Closing | 25,000 | None |
All shares have been issued and the property has been transferred to Candente.
Hecla retains a 2.5% NSR on the property. Candente may purchase 1.5% of the NSR (thus reducing Hecla’s NSR to 1.0%) by paying Hecla $1,500,000 at any time.
Candente must pay the annual vigencia fees of $10,000, and if the Company options the property to a 3rd party, it must share any option/joint venture payments received with Hecla on a sliding scale. Hecla would receive 25% in the first year, 20% in the second, 15% in the third, and 10% in the fourth. All payments would be applied to the NSR buyout referenced above.
As part of the option agreement, the two companies agreed upon an Area of Mutual Interest (“AMI”) which extends 3 kilometers from the exterior boundaries of the claims. If either party acquires additional land within the AMI, it will become subject to the option agreement. In October, 2002, the Company was the successful bidder on the Toril zone under an auction conducted by the Government of Peru. For a one-time payment of $50,277, the Company acquired the 1,500 acres adjacent to the Alto Dorado property which was originally explored by Hecla as part of the original Alto Dorado property. In 2003, the Company staked a further 1,900 hectares adjacent to the property. Both groups of claims fall within the AMI and have been added to the Alto Dorado property.
Location and Access
The property is located in northern Peru approximately 40 kilometers south of the town of Santiago de Chuco. Access to the property is from Lima via air (1 hour). By road, access is on the Pan-American highway from Lima to the city of Trujillo for 565 kilometers, then via gravel road to the town of Santiago de Chuco for 152 kilometers. From Santiago de Chuco, a 33 kilometer gravel road leads to the edge of the property. Total travel time from Lima by road is approximately 16.5 hours.
Regional and Property Geology
The region is contained within a belt of Tertiary-age volcanic rock, with andesite to dacite tuffs overlying Mesozoic sedimentary rocks intruded by composite diorite-granodiorite stocks. Alteration is hosted within the volcanic and intrusive rocks.
Alteration and mineralization on the property is controlled by northwesterly and northeasterly striking faults. Vuggy and massive silica with hydrothermal breccias are found on the property. Gold mineralization is hosted in both high sulphidation epithrmal and gold-copper porphyries in three distinct zones called the Toril, Ann and Olla zones.
History and Previous Work
Hecla acquired the property in the late 1990’s and conducted an exploration program which included geochemical sampling and geological mapping, followed by thirteen reverse circulation drill holes totaling 1,585.5 meters. Hecla’s program broadly defined the three mineralized zones currently known on the property.
Current and Planned Exploration
Since its acquisition of the property, the Company’s exploration program has focused on confirming Hecla’s data and identifying additional mineralization. This exploration has included mapping, rock sampling, pitting and trenching. To date, Candente’s work has confirmed and extended the area of the three identified mineralized zones. The Toril Zone is a high sulphidation gold target and lies in the northeastern portion of the property covering an area of 3.0 kilometers by 1.8 kilometers. The Ana Zone is also a high sulphidation gold zone and lies 3 kilometers northwest of the Toril Zone. Trenching has to date defined the zone in an area of 2.7 kilometers by 1 kilometer. The Olla Zone is a porphyry zone which lies approximately 700 meters south of the Ana Zone. Both the Ana and Olla Zone occur within an extensive alteration zone known as the Western Zone which measures approximately 8 kilometers by 2.5 kilometers and trends n orth-south. The Toril Zone trends northeasterly and may be connected to the Western Zone.
During 2003, the Company engaged AK Drilling International to carry out a short hole overburden drill program in conjunction with additional sampling, geochemical and geophysical testing. A series of short holes were drilled through the overburden to an average depth of 15 meters to the bedrock below. Assays from the program were similar to those obtained by previous operator Hecla and confirmed previously identified mineralized zones as well as further extending the mineralization.
During July and August 2004, the Company completed a Phase I drill program on the property consisting of 9 holes totaling 1,050 meters. 8 holes were drilled in the Toril high-sulphidation zone and 1 ole in the Olla porphyry zone. Assays are pending. Following the completion of drilling on the Canariaco property, drilling will resume at Alto Dorado.
El Tigre Property
El Tigre is a epithermal gold/silver exploration project located in Northern Peru. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the El Tigre Property to date. The Company currently holds a 100% ownership interest in the project, although it has recently entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. whereupon Orex may earn a 51% interest in the property.
How acquired
The Property was originally staked by Britannia Gold. It currently consists of 4 claim blocks totaling approximately 3200 hectares. The details of each claim are below:
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size |
El Tigre 1 | 06/01/94 | 11/28/94 | 700 | 700 |
El Tigre 2 | 06/01/94 | 11/28/94 | 500 | 500 |
El Tigre 4 | 06/01/94 | 11/28/94 | 1000 | 1000 |
El Tigre 5 | 06/01/94 | 11/28/94 | 1000 | 1000 |
On June 29, 1999, the Company entered into an option agreement with Britannia to earn a 50% interest in the Las Sorpresas, Columbia and El Tigre properties in exchange for the Company paying the surface taxes due on the three properties in the amount of $19,200. The Company and Britannia would share exploration expenditures equally; if a partner failed to contribute its share in any specific property, that partner would suffer dilution of their interest by the amount of the exploration expenditures withheld. Due to Britannia’s non-contribution of some exploration expenditures, the Company’s ownership interest in the El Tigre property increased to 51%. On January 31, 2001, the Company and Britannia signed a new agreement whereupon Britannia agreed to transfer their remaining interest in the three properties to the Company in exchange for the payment of 500,000 shares. The agreement with Britannia was completed on February 20, 2002 .
In March 2004, the Company announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. for the property. Orex may earn a 51% interest in the project by incurring exploration expenditures of US$2.5 million over 3.5 years as well as paying Candente US$15,000 in cash and issuing 250,000 common shares to Candente by January 31, 2008. Orex is required to spend US$250,000 on the project by June 30, 2004 which will be used to delineate drill targets. The agreement has been approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Location and Access
The property is located in Northern Peru approximately 30 km east of the city of Chiclayo. The property lies adjacent to a paved road. Travel time from Chiclayo is about 30 minutes.
Regional and Property Geology
El Tigre is located in Peru’s coastal zone above the valley of a large river. The mineralization of this area is often controlled by northwesterly trending regional faults and intersecting structures. Since the mid-1980’s, disseminated epithermal gold mineralization has been discovered in Early Tertiary Calipuy Formation volcaniclastic rocks. Both high and low sulphidation epithermal deposits have been documented in Peru.
El Tigre contains both porphyry style copper occurrences and low-sulphidation epithermal gold veins in stockwork systems and breccias. Previous sampling defined a 2 km long gold anomaly defined as the Sorpresa zone and an area of copper mineralization called the Fortaleza zone. Samples from other areas of the property have also returned results which make them suitable for further exploration, but at this time the Company is focusing its exploration efforts on the gold mineralization at Sorpresa.
3 large gold anomalies have been defined at Sorpresa to date. Each is identified with their location as the Northwest, Northeast and Southeast anomalies. Sampling has determined that most gold occurs within several types of quartz veins and the weakly silicified wall rocks contain little to no gold.
History and Previous Work
Britannia Gold originally staked the property in 1994 and conducted limited early-stage exploration. In 1996 the property was optioned to Solitario Resources who completed geological mapping of the property and collected over 1500 rock chip and detrital material samples. Solitario conducted both diamond and reverse circulation drill programs on the property. In total, Solitario drilled 23 holes of which 16 (13 reverse circulation and 3 diamond) were conducted in the Sorpresa Zone. The drilling identified areas of anomalous gold which could be interpreted as possibly peripheral to a larger gold deposit. Many of the higher grade mineralization was determined to come from brecciated fragments which are abundant and occur over several kilometers of strike length, suggesting the possibility of a larger hydrothermal system. Due to low gold prices, Solitario dropped the project and terminated its work commitments in 1998.
In late 2000, Candente conducted a limited exploration program intended to further understand the property’s geology. Work included a preliminary mapping of the Northwest anomaly of the Sorpresa zone and selective rock sampling of several of the rock types in all 3 of the identified Sorpresa anomalies designed to confirm the Solitario results. 45 rock samples were taken and all of elevated anomalous gold values obtained in the program are from samples rich in vein material.
Planned Work Program
Under the option agreement with Orex Ventures, Candente will conduct exploration on the project, including the expenditure of US$250,000 before June 30, 2004. Those funds will be used to carry out additional geophysical surveys, geological mapping and rock chip sampling to delineate drill targets on the project.
The Pamel Property
The Pamel property covers approximately 4500 hectares in the Western Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes. Pamel is considered an epithermal gold/silver project. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Pamel Property to date. The Company holds a 100% interest in the property except for the Pamel 2 claim in which the Company holds a 50% interest with Savage Exploration as explained below.
How acquired
The Pamel property consists of 7 claims of approximately 4,259 hectares which were acquired by staking. The details of each claim are listed below.
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size |
Suro | 09/10/97 | 02/06/98 | 800 | 800 |
Pamel 1 | 05/04/98 | 10/06/99 | 700 | 590 |
Pamel 2 | 05/04/98 | 05/28/99 | 1000 | 953 |
Pamel 3 | 05/04/98 | 09/07/99 | 525 | 525 |
Pamel 4 | 05/04/98 | 10/06/99 | 1000 | 641 |
Pamel 6 | 05/03/99 | 03/30/01 | 650 | 650 |
Pamel 7 | 03/03/03 | Pending | 100 | Pending |
The final claim size of certain claims has been reduced due to the overlap with prior existing claims. The Company originally staked several additional claims, but after preliminary exploration, certain claims were dropped.
The Company also entered into 2 agreements with arms-length parties regarding the staking of the Pamel Property. The first was signed with Ing. Diego Ruby Alcocer Rojas in June 1998. In exchange for transferring his interesting in a competing claim over a portion of the property and agreeing not to take any actions to interfere with Candente’s property staking at both Pamel and at the Yanamay property, the Company paid Mr. Alcocer $2500 and issued him 30,000 common shares. The Company also agreed to issue Mr. Alcocer additional shares if certain milestones are met. These milestones and share issuances are: 30,000 common shares upon completion of an initial drilling program on the Pamel property and 50,000 common shares upon commencement of commercial production on the property.
In July 1998, the Company reached an agreement with Savage Exploration del Peru regarding an overlapping claim on the Pamel 2 portion of the property. In exchange for relinquishing its claim to that portion of the property, Candente agreed to share the disputed area through a joint-venture agreement with each company holding a 50-50 participating interest. Savage is at arms-length to the Company.
In December 1998, the Company signed a joint-venture agreement on the property with Westone Ventures Inc., a junior capital pool corporation listed on the Alberta Stock Exchange. Westone could earn 50% of the property by incurring $2.5 million in exploration expenditures in 4 stages by December 15, 2002 as well as making property option payments totaling $410,000. Westone had incurred $45,000 of the initial $300,000 exploration program requirement before they were informed by the Alberta Stock Exchange that the agreement with Candente was to be disallowed as it did not comply with the regulations regarding junior capital pool companies and their major transactions. Therefore, Westone assigned the option to Merendon Canada which subsequently changed its name to Richfield Explorations. The option agreement was dropped after Richfield informed the Company they were also unable to receive approval for the agreement from the Alberta Stock Excha nge. Candente retained a 100% interest in the Pamel property.
In January 2003, the Company signed an agreement with Anglogold which granted Anglogold the right of first refusal over certain properties in Peru, including Pamel. Under the agreement, Anglogold had 6 months to conduct exploration on any of the properties included in the agreement. Within the six-month period, if Candente wished to sell all or part of its interest in any of the properties, Anglogold has 30 days to match the offer and acquire an interest. In July 2003, the RFR expired with no properties sold under the agreement and Candente retains its entire interest in the Pamel property.
Location and Access
The property is located in the Western Cordillera of the Andes approximately 200 km north-northeast of Lima. Most of the property lies at an altitude of between 4000 and 4500 meters. There is little to no vegetation on the property.
The property is accessible by unpaved road from both the north through Cajatambo and Oyon and from the south through Churin.
Regional and Property Geology
The property is situated within a regional northwest-trending belt of Tertiary epithermal gold deposits. Calipuy Formation volcanic rocks underlie most of the property. High-sulphidation style epithermal alteration occurs on the property within the Calipuy Formation in a 2 km by 4 km area. The property is divided into 2 structural blocks separated by the Ayarmachay Fault.
History and Previous Work
The Company acquired the property beginning in 1997 through staking. The Company is not aware of any systematic exploration conducted on the property before its staking. Since the acquisition, the Company and its previous joint venture partners have conducted only limited exploration. In 1999, the Company and several consultants conducted geological mapping of property which included rock chip sampling and the excavation and sampling of 3 trenches in the area of rock outcrops near the Ayarmachay fault. The samples returned anomalous levels of gold and other minerals consistent with a hydrothermal alteration zone.
Planned Work Program
The Company has no specific plans to conduct exploration on the property in the current fiscal year.
Lunahuana (Columbia) Property
Lunahuana (formerly known as Columbia) is a 5,333 hectare disseminated copper/gold exploration project located in Central Peru. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Lunahuana Property to date. The Company currently holds a 100% ownership interest in all claims which make up the property except the Viky claim, where the Company has an option to buy 100% of the claim by making cash payments over 5 years.
How acquired
The property currently consists of 11 claim blocks totaling 5,333 as follows:
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size |
Columbia 5 | 06/28/96 | 12/06/96 | 1000 | 979 |
Columbia 6 | 06/28/96 | 12/27/96 | 400 | 264 |
Columbia 7 | 06/28/96 | 12/06/96 | 1000 | 1000 |
Columbia 8 | 06/28/96 | 12/27/96 | 1000 | 1000 |
Columbia 9 | 11/09/01 | 04/30/02 | 400 | 400 |
Columbia 10 | 11/09/01 | 04/30/02 | 100 | 100 |
Luna 3 | 11/13/01 | 03/13/02 | 390 | 390 |
Luna 4 | 05/02/02 | 11/21/02 | 300 | 300 |
Luna 5 | 11/14/02 | Pending | 500 | |
Luna 6 | 03/03/03 | Pending | 200 | |
Viky | 03/20/95 | Pending | 200 |
On June 29, 1999, the Company entered into an option agreement withBritannia Gold to earn a 50% interest in the Las Sorpresas, Lunahuana and El Tigre properties in exchange for the Company paying the surface taxes due on the three properties in the amount of $19,200. The Company and Britannia would share exploration expenditures equally; If a partner failed to contribute its share in any specific property, that partner would suffer dilution of their interest on a straight-line basis. Due to Britannia’s non-contribution of some exploration expenditures, the Company’s ownership interest in the Lunahuana property increased to 51%. On January 31, 2001, the Company and Britannia signed a new agreement whereupon Britannia agreed to transfer their remaining interest in the three properties to the Company in exchange for the payment of 500,000 shares. The agreement was completed on February 20, 2002.
The original property as acquired from Britannia Gold consisted of 4 claims blocks of 3400 hectares staked by Britannia. In 2001/2002, the Company staked an additional 4 claim blocks totaling 1190 hectares. During 2002, the Company reached a joint-venture agreement with S.M.R.L. Viky, a private company, on the 200 hectare Viky claim. The Company can earn an initial 51% interest in the Viky claim by making equal payments to S.M.R.L. totaling $52,000 over 5 years. At the end of the 5 years, the Company can earn the remaining 49% interest in the claim by paying an additional $97,000 to S.M.R.L. To date, the Company has made 2 payments to S.M.R.L and is current under the option agreement.
Location and Access
The property is located in the Coastal Plutonic Belt of Central Peru in the Lunahuana area approximately 120 km south-southeast of Lima. Elevation of the claims is up to 2700 meters above sea level and the climate is hot and dry with little precipitation throughout the year. Access to the property from Lima is via the paved Pan-American highway and a series of unpaved roads.
Regional and Property Geology
The Lunahuana area occurs within the Pacific Drainage Basin, which hosts vein, pipe and replacement manto style mineralization as well as typical porphyry copper disseminated mineralization. These deposits occur in sedimentary, volcanic and plutonic rocks.
Several types of mineralization have been found on the property. These include structurally controlled sheeted quartz-magnetite veins, stockwork and local brecciation, as well as volcanic-sedimentary units. Exploration on the property has defined several high priority targets.
The Western target was defined by gold values in soil samples and coincides with an intense Induced Polarization anomaly. Sampling has defined an area of about 1 square km which is interpreted to be a sulphide-mineralized volcanic sedimentary unit. The Company considers the Western target to be the highest priority for a future drill program.
The Santa Rosa Zone lies about 500 east of the Western target. Previous exploration including trenching and rock chip sampling shows copper and gold mineralization with widths varying from 10 to 300 meters along a 1 km strike length.
The Central IP anomaly lies 500 meters east of Santa Rosa. Limited geochemical sampling has found some anomalous copper and gold values.
The Eastern IP anomaly lies 1 km north-east of Santa Rosa. Samples taken from the overlying scree-soils show anomalous copper and gold values.
Soil sampling has also found numerous gold anomalies in an area of 2.5 km by 3 km approximately 1 km east of the Santa Rosa zone. This area lies beyond most of the IP coverage on the property and has not yet been subjected to trenching or other intrusive exploration methods.
History and Previous Work
Britannia Gold staked the first claim on the property in 1996. Britannia carried out approximately $500,000 of exploration on the property, including stream sediment sampling, geological mapping, soil and rock chip sampling, IP and magnetometer surveys, and about 2.5 km of trenching. Britannia’s exploration defined the targets discussed above.
Since acquiring the property, Candente has conducted limited work on the property. Company consultants visited the property in 1999 and reviewed the work conducted by Britannia in order to formulate future exploration plans. This work included data compilation, re-interpretation of the geophysical data, mapping, and limited sampling, trenching and road construction. In May 2002, the Company collected samples from known mineralized zones from outcrop as well as newly dug pits and trenches. The results returned anomalous metal values, including gold, silver, copper, zinc, and lead.
Planned Work Program
The Company has no plans to fund exploration on the property during the current fiscal year.
Las Brujas Property
The Las Brujas Property is an epithermal gold exploration project located in the Yanacocha area of the Western Andes Mountains. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Las Brujas Property to date. The Company has a 100% interest in the property.
How acquired
The Property currently consists of a single claim of 1000 hectares, staked by the Company. The claim was registered on July 6, 2000 and final approval was granted on February 9, 2001.
Location and Access
The property is located approximately 70 km to the northwest of the town of Cajamarca in northern Peru. The town of Tongod lies just northwest of the property boundary.
Access to the property is by a series of paved and unpaved roads from Cajamarca, approximately 3 hours away. The Company’s Picota exploration project adjoins the property to the northwest.
Regional and Property Geology
Las Brujas lies along the western flank of the Andes Mountains in northern Peru. The Calipuy Formation underlies much of the area which is within the volcanic region known as the Yanacocha External Caldera System.
The property is underlain by volcanic and intrusive rocks with the dominant type being plagioclase porphyry. There are at least 4 types of mineralized breccias present, including stockwork veins and several types of volcanic breccias.
The property lies at an elevation of 2600 to 3000 meters above sea level. The terrain is gently to moderately rolling with vegetation varying from open grassland to small patches of forest around watercourses. Due to the cover of the vegetation, the level of rock exposure on the property varies from light to moderate.
History and Previous Work
The property was staked by the Company in 2000. Management believes there has never been any systematic exploration of the property prior to Candente’s acquisition.
Since acquiring the property, the Company has conducted a limited amount of exploration including general geologic mapping and geochemical sampling. Assays of the samples returned anomalous levels of gold, including an area of 1.3 km by 1 km which includes quartz stockwork, veining and some brecciation. The results of the work conducted to date is consistent with an epithermal precious metals system.
Planned Work Program
Due to its current focus on other properties in its portfolio, the Company has no plans to conduct additional exploration at Las Brujas during the current fiscal year. Any additional exploration is dependent upon future financings and the level of development of the Company’s other properties.
Las Sorpresas Property
Las Sorpresas is an exploration stage epithermal gold/silver project located southeast of the Yanacocha district in Northern Peru. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Las Sorpresas Property to date. The Company has 100% interest in the property, although it has recently entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. whereupon Orex may earn a 51% interest in the property.
How acquired
The Property was originally staked by Britannia Gold. It currently consists of 5 claim blocks totaling approximately 2827 hectares. The details of those claims are below:
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size |
Las Sorpresas 1 | 03/07/94 | 01/20/98 | 1000 | 974 |
Las Sorpresas 3 | 03/07/94 | 11/23/94 | 900 | 900 |
Las Sorpresas 4 | 03/07/94 | 11/23/94 | 300 | 300 |
Las Sorpresas 5 | 03/07/94 | 04/03/95 | 300 | 190 |
Las Sorpresas 6 | 03/07/94 | 12/27/96 | 500 | 463 |
On June 29, 1999, the Company entered into an option agreement with Britannia to earn a 50% interest in the Las Sorpresas, Columbia and El Tigre properties in exchange for the Company paying the surface taxes due on the three properties in the amount of $19,200. The Company and Britannia would share exploration expenditures equally; If a partner failed to contribute its share in any specific property, that partner would suffer dilution of their interest on a straight-line basis. Due to Britannia’s non-contribution of some exploration expenditures, the Company’s ownership interest in the Las Sorpresas property increased to 54%. On January 31, 2001, the Company and Britannia signed a new agreement whereupon Britannia agreed to transfer their remaining interest in the three properties to the Company in exchange for the payment of 500,000 shares. The agreement was completed on February 20, 2002.
In March 2004, the Company announced that it had entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. for the property. Orex may earn a 51% interest in the project by incurring exploration expenditures of US$2.5 million over 3.5 years as well as paying Candente US$15,000 in cash and issuing 250,000 common shares to Candente by January 31, 2008. Orex is required to spend US$250,000 on the project by June 30, 2004 which will be used to delineate drill targets. The agreement has been approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.
Location and Access
The property is located in the Andes of Northern Peru. It lies about 600 km north of Lima and about 40 km north of the city of Cajamarca. Access is by road through Cajamarca. Due to the mining operations elsewhere in the district, the area features well developed infrastructure and access.
Regional and Property Geology
Las Sorpresas lies along the western flank of the Andes Mountains in northern Peru. The Calipuy Formation underlies much of the area which is within the volcanic region known as the Yanacocha External Caldera System.
The claims are underlain by the Calipuy Formation volcanics. Northeasterly structures crosscut the property. Several circular and semi-circular features have been identified on the property. Argillic alteration at the northwestern end of the property may be an extension of the system that hosts the Cerro Quilich gold deposit at Yanachocha. Brecciated feldspar porphyry on the property is consistent with epithermal systems.
History and Previous Work
After originally staking the claims, Britannia Gold conducted limited amounts of field work on the property. This included reconnaissance geological mapping and a preliminary stream sediment sampling survey as well as limited rock sampling. Assay results from the rock samples taken from the argillic alteration in the northwestern end returned strongly anomalous values of mercury and weakly anomalous values of copper.
Planned Work Program
The property remains largely unexplored and the company has a very limited understanding of the property’s geology. Additional field work, including mapping and sampling, will be necessary in order to more fully understand the property’s geology and its potential to host epithermal deposits. Under the option agreement with Orex Ventures, Candente will conduct exploration on the project, including the expenditure of US$250,000 before June 30, 2004.
Picota Property
The Picota Property is located in the western Andes Mountains of Peru. It is a disseminated copper/gold exploration target. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Picota Property to date. The Company holds a 100% interest in the Property, but it is subject to a 0.75 Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) and Memorandum of Understanding with Cominco.
How Acquired
It consists of four claims currently totaling 3,151 hectares, which were acquired by the Company through staking. The details of each claim are given below:
Claim Name | Registration Date | Date of Grant | Hectares Staked | Final Claim Size | |
Picota 1 | 08/02/99 | 02/11/00 | 1000 | 1000 | |
Picota 2 | 08/02/99 | 01/05/00 | 1000 | 1000 | |
Picota 3 | 08/02/99 | 01/05/00 | 400 | 400 | |
Picota 4 | 02/05/00 | 02/05/00 | 800 | 751 |
In September 1999, the Company paid a finders fee of 20,000 common shares in consideration for recommending the property and introducing the Company to Cominco.
Cominco Agreement
Prior to staking the property, the Company reviewed Cominco’s information on the Picota property, including their proprietary data and exploration results. In consideration, Candente and Cominco entered into a Memorandum of Understanding covering the Picota property and an Area of Interest which covers any surrounding properties which may be staked or acquired by Candente prior to December 31, 2000.
Under the agreement, Candente granted Cominco a 0.75% NSR on any minerals produced from the properties covered by the Agreement. Candente also granted Cominco a right of first refusal for all the properties. If Candente decides to dispose of all or a portion of its interest in a property, Cominco has 30 days to accept the offer upon the terms established by Candente. If Cominco does not accept those terms, Candente has 180 days to dispose of that interest for an equal or greater price and on terms no more favorable to the third party.
If Cominco decides to acquire an interest in any of the properties covered by the agreement, Candente and Cominco will form a joint-venture to explore and/or develop that property. The JV will be bound by certain terms which include a right of first offer.
Candente full possession of the properties and the right to work and explore the properties. However, Cominco will have reasonable access to the properties and Candente will provide Cominco with regular progress reports summarizing exploration results.
Location and Access
The property is located approximately 70 km northwest of the city of Cajamarca in northern Peru. Access to the property is via paved and unpaved roads from Cajamarca. Travel to the property from Cajamarca takes approximately 3 hours by vehicle. The Company’s Las Brujas exploration project adjoins the property to the southeast.
Regional and Property Geology
The Picota property lies along the western flank of the Andes in northern Peru. Regional structures are dominated by thin-skinned fold and thrust belts. Steeply dipping regional faults occur with various strike orientations. The Hualgayoc Fault strikes northeasterly just to the north of the property. The area lies within a volcanic regime known as the Yanacocha External Caldera System. The area is underlain by the Calipuy Formation.
The property is underlain by several distinct volcanic and intrusive rock units. Due to vegetative and soil cover, surface exposure of these units is poor, and strong alteration makes effective geological surface mapping and interpretation difficult. However, trenching has exposed distinguishable units, including several types of porphyry structures. Several areas of mineralization have been identified by prior exploration work.
The property lies at an elevation of 2200 to 3250 meters. Terrain is gently rolling open grassland with small forested patches around watercourses and in drainages.
History and Previous Work
Cominco originally staked an area which includes the Picota property in 1994. Cominco obtained interest in the area from Landsat images which identified color anomalies. From 1994 to 1996, Cominco conducted drainage sampling and reconnaissance geological mapping. This program identified several zones of mineralization but Cominco only tested 3 zones via trenching. These zones are known as Gloria, Madeleine and Consuelo. In total, 1.5 km of trenches were completed over the 3 zones and 349 channel samples were taken. The highest grades were found in the Madeleine and Consuelo zones. In total, Cominco analyzed 1,181 samples from the property, including the channel samples referenced above. Besides gold, many of the samples recorded highly anomalous copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc and arsenic values which is consistent with an epithermal system.
Candente staked the property beginning in 1999. Company geologists have conducted only limited exploration work consisting of mapping and additional sampling, including rock chip samples. This additional work, including a review of stream sediment results, has uncovered two new mineralized zones and increases the known extent of the mineralized zone to approximately 5 kilometers.
Planned Work Program
Only a small portion of the Picota property has been explored to date. Several mineralized zones and anomalies have been identified but have seen little to no follow up work. Recent work suggests that the area between the Madeleine and Consuelo zones is prospective for hidden mineralized structures which would require additional sampling and/or trenching. The Madeleine zone sampling program should be resumed in order to define the limits of mineralization and obtain possible drill targets.
The Company plans a no exploration at Picota during the current year. Further exploration is dependent upon future financings and the exploration results of the Company’s other properties.
Other Peruvian Properties
The Company holds 15 additional properties in Peru.
Nine of the properties were subject (along with Pamel) to the Right of First Refusal (“RFR”) Agreement with Anglogold. The RFR expired unexercised in July 2003, and Candente retains its interests in all of the properties. Details of those properties is given below:
Property Name | Claim Name | Registration Date | Concession Granted | Hectares Staked |
Dylan | Dylan I Dylan II Dylan III | 07/02/02 07/02/02 07/02/02 | 12/12/02 12/12/02 12/12/02 | 700 900 900 |
El Volcan | El Volcan | 08/01/02 | Pending | 1000 |
Fredito | Fredito III Fredito IV Fredito V Fredito VI | 07/22/02 07/22/02 08/01/02 04/09/03 | 04/22/03 03/17/03 12/12/02 Pending | 700 1000 1000 200 |
Isabelita | Isabelita Isabelita I Isabelita II | 10/01/02 10/29/02 10/31/02 | 03/04/03 04/29/03 Pending | 500 600 400 |
Millo * | Millo II | 09/02/02 | Pending | 800 |
Samantha | Samantha I Samantha II Samantha III Samantha IV Samantha V | 06/20/02 06/20/02 06/20/02 06/20/02 06/20/02 | 10/21/02 10/21/02 10/21/02 10/21/02 10/21/02 | 600 900 600 1000 1000 |
San Francisco | San Francisco Tres Marias III | 10/29/02 07/22/02 | Pending 12/12/02 | 800 100 |
Sharito | Sharito Sharito I Sharito II | 08/22/02 09/16/02 04/09/03 | Pending Pending Pending | 600 700 200 |
Tres Marias | Tres Marias I Tres Marias II | 07/22/02 07/22/02 | 03/24/03 11/26/02 | 1000 300 |
* The Millo property consists of two-400 hectare blocks know as Areas C and E. The Company sold Area C to Geologix Explorations and retains Area E. Geologix authorized the Company to negotiate with Anglogold on its behalf, and the final agreement covered both blocks.
All nine of the properties above were acquired via staking except for Millo which was acquired through auction from the Government of Peru.
The Company has 4 other properties in Northern Peru as follows:
Property Name | Claim Name | Registration Date | Concession Granted | Hectares Staked |
Delicias | Delicias I Delicias II Delicias III | 09/02/02 09/02/02 10/10/02 | 04/14/03 03/28/03 03/04/03 | 600 900 500 |
Las Brujitas | Las Brujitas | 01/27/03 | 06/23/03 | 1000 |
Oro Chicama | Oro Chicama | 09/18/02 | Pending | 800 |
San Antonio | San Antonio I San Antonio II San Antonio III San Antonio IV San Antonio V San Antonio VI | 06/14/02 06/14/02 06/14/02 07/22/02 06/18/02 06/18/02 | 11/11/02 03/20/03 11/12/02 03/20/03 10/21/02 10/21/02 | 300 1000 500 200 1000 700 |
The Company has 3 other properties in Central Peru as follows:
Property Name | Claim Name | Registration Date | Concession Granted | Hectares Staked |
El Alamo* | Lunahuana | 04/29/98 | 08/11/98 | 200 |
Uchumachay | Uchumachay Uchumachay I | 09/02/02 04/30/03 | 03/28/03 Pending | 400 300 |
Oro Queropalca | Oro Queropalca I Oro Queropalca II Oro Queropalca III Oro Queropalca IV Oro Queropalca V Oro Queropalca VI Oro Queropalca VII | 03/03/03 03/03/03 03/03/03 03/31/03 03/31/03 04/01/03 07/18/03 | Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending Pending | 1000 700 600 100 100 400 300 |
* This El Alamo property is separate from the property transferred to ADC Peru LDC under an agreement signed in May, 2003.
The Company has conducted either limited or no exploration on its other Peruvian properties to date.
Newfoundland Properties
During 2002, the Company began to acquire gold exploration properties located in the Botwood Basin area of central Newfoundland, Canada. These properties are located in an area where recent exploration results published by other exploration companies suggests that the basin has certain similarities to the Carlin gold trend in Nevada. The Company intends to explore its Botwood properties for bulk tonnage (sediment and intrusive hosted) gold mineralization.
Originally, the Company had 1,919 claims totaling 47,975 hectares which the Company had grouped into several properties by location. The Company’s interest in these claims had been acquired through several methods, including staking, purchase and option agreements. Several claims have been dropped and the Company now has 943 claims totaling 23,575 hectares.
The Company had originally entered into 6 Option to Purchase and Royalty Agreements, which provided for the Company to earn a 100% interest in 7 properties. This has to date been reduced to 2 Option to Purchase and Royalty Agreements. The Company had also entered into a Purchase and Royalty Agreement with Kevin Keats of Newfoundland by which the Company had earned a 100% interest in 1,346 mining claims. These mining claims have also been reduced to 593 claims. The Company entered into two Option and Purchase Agreements with Cornerstone Resource Inc. to earn up to a 75% interest in the Island Pond and Paul’s Pond Properties.
All of the Company’s Newfoundland property interests were acquired from Arms-length parties.
Acquisition details and descriptions of the Company’s major Newfoundland exploration projects are described below.
Linear Property
The Linear Property is a gold exploration property of 1250 hectares located in the Botwood Basin of central Newfoundland, Canada. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Linear Property to date. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR. In March 2004, the Company announced an agreement with Goldcorp whereupon Goldcorp can earn a 70% interest in the project by assuming all of Candente’s expenditure obligations and completing a bankable feasibility study by January 2010.
How acquired
Under an agreement dated April 9, 2002, the Company reached an agreement with the KriASK Syndicate and its owners Kevin Keats, Allan Keats and Peter Dimmell. Under the option agreement, Candente can earn a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by paying KriASK $171,000, issuing 300,000 common shares and incurring an aggregate of $1,000,000 in exploration expenditures over 5 years by the following schedules:
Cash Payment Schedule:
Date of Payment | Amount | |
Effective Date of Agreement | $ 6,000 | (Paid) |
On or before June 30, 2002 | 6,000 | (Paid) |
On or before June 30, 2003 | 21,000 | (Paid) |
On or before June 30, 2004 | 25,500 | |
On or before June 30, 2005 | 30,000 | |
On or before June 30, 2006 | 36,000 | |
On or before December 30, 2006 | 46,500 | |
Total | $ 171,000 |
Common Share Issuance Schedule:
Date of Issuance | Amount of Shares | |
On the Approval Date | 15,000 | (Issued) |
On or before June 30, 2002 | 15,000 | (Issued) |
On or before December 30, 2002 | 15,000 | (Issued) |
On or before December 30, 2003 | 30,000 | (Issued) |
On or before December 30, 2004 | 60,000 | |
On or before December 30, 2005 | 75,000 | |
On or before December 30, 2006 | 90,000 | |
Total * | 300,000 |
* If Candente incurs an aggregate of $1,000,000 in exploration expenditures on the claims prior to November 30, 2006, any shares not yet issued will become issuable to the KriASK Syndicate on or before December 30 of the year in which Candente incurred an aggregate of $1,000,000 in exploration on the claims.
Minimum Property Expenditure Schedule:
Date of Required Expenditures | Exploration Amount | |
On or before November 30, 2002 | $ 50,000 | |
On or before November 30, 2003 | $ 150,000 | in the aggregate |
On or before November 30, 2004 | $ 300,000 | in the aggregate |
On or before November 30, 2005 | $ 550,000 | in the aggregate |
On or before November 30, 2006 | $ 1,000,000 | in the aggregate |
In March 2004, the Company announced an agreement with Goldcorp on the Linear property. Goldcorp can earn a 70% interest in the property by assuming all of Candente’s expenditure obligations and completing a bankable feasibility study by January 2010. The option may be extended beyond the six-year period if expenditures have reached a minimum of $1 million per year by 2009. The agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Location and Access
The Linear property consists of 50 claims 15 kilometers west of the city of Gander, Newfoundland. Access is from the Trans-Canada Highway which borders the property to the South.
Regional and Property Geology
The island of Newfoundland is the Northeast terminus of the Appalachian Orogen, a late Precambrian to early Paleozoic mountain belt. The property covers a portion of the Appleton Linear, a fault related zone that is approximately 20+ kilometers long. The shoreline of Gander Lake, along the outflow, and that of the Gander River to the north reflect the Appleton Linear.
Mineralization appears to have high mesothermal to epithermal characteristics. Strong silicification and clay are noted, and associated minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena andstibnite. Several gold zones containing gold-bearing veins have been identified on the property, both to the east and west of the Appleton Linear.
History and Previous Work
Noranda conducted regional prospecting in the area during the 1980’s. Noranda completed a reconnaissance grid over the property but little follow-up work was done. Noranda dropped the property in 1992. No exploration was conducted on the property until 1998 when the KriASK syndicate staked the property. In 1999, United Carina Corporation optioned the property from the KriASK syndicate and conducted line cutting, soil geochemistry, ground geophysics and trenching. United Carina followed up this program in October 1999 with diamond drilling of 23 holes totaling 1,897 meters and with 15 additional holes totaling 1750 meters in February, 2000. Although Carina discovered several zones of gold mineralization both through trenching and drilling, the Company dropped its option on the property in 2001.
Based upon exploration results obtained and published by other exploration companies active in the area, Candente acquired its option on the property in April, 2002. The Company’s geological team identified the property as a possible host for sediment hosted Carlin-style gold mineralization. Shortly after signing the option agreement, the Company began a program to better understand the geology of the property and the mineralizing controls. This program included detailed geological mapping, logging of historical drill core and petrographic studies. From the results of this program, the Company’s geologists designed a drill program. The program commenced in early 2003 and was suspended in March 2003. Of the originally planned 8 diamond drill holes totaling 1600, severe weather and poor ground conditions resulted in the completion of only 5 holes totaling 665 meters. 3 of the 5 holes intersected gold mineralization, as summar ized below:
DDH LG-2003-03 – Cokes Showing
From Meters (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Gold (g/t) |
10.4 | 14.3 | 3.9 | 3.36 |
35.7 | 38.4 | 2.7 | 0.68 |
51.8 | 53.7 | 1.9 | 1.98 |
85.9 | 87.5 | 1.6 | 1.15 |
91.2 | 91.5 | 0.3 | 0.35 |
91.7 | 92.7 | 1.0 | 0.79 |
94.1 | 94.4 | 0.3 | 0.49 |
95.3 | 95.9 | 0.6 | 0.38 |
98.9 | 99.7 | 0.8 | 1.36 |
112.5 | 113.9 | 1.4 | 4.45 |
114.6 | 115.2 | 0.6 | 1.15 |
117.7 | 119.6 | 2.0 | 0.63 |
122.0 | 124.7 | 2.7 | 0.18 |
125.5 | 128.1 | 2.6 | 0.24 |
147.8 | 148.9 | 1.1 | 0.70 |
*DDH LG-2003-04 – Cokes Showing
From Meters (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Gold (g/t) |
8.1 | 11.9 | 3.8 | 0.77 |
14.2 | 16.0 | 2.2 | 2.85 |
21.5 | 22.3 | 0.8 | 1.92 |
25.4 | 27.7 | 2.3 | 1.30 |
31.0 | 38.4 | 7.4 | 2.89 |
45.4 | 50.6 | 5.2 | 0.17 |
*Hole LG-003-04 was drilled from the same collar as Hole LG-2003-03 but at a steeper angle to obtain better core recovery in the top 50 meters which was not recovered in Hole LG-2003-03.
DDH LG-2003-05 – Keats Showing
From Meters (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Gold (g/t) |
36.2 | 38.2 | 2.0 | 2.60 |
52.1 | 55.1 | 3.0 | 0.53 |
73.2 | 75.8 | 2.6 | 0.77 |
92.4 | 96.5 | 4.1 | 0.69 |
98.9 | 101.7 | 2.8 | 0.41 |
105.3 | 106.0 | 0.7 | 0.72 |
110.0 | 11.6 | 1.6 | 0.93 |
111.6 | 116.8 | 5.2 | 0.48 |
117.8 | 125.3 | 7.5 | 0.65 |
126.0 | 131.0 | 5.0 | 0.48 |
132.8 | 134.9 | 2.1 | 0.39 |
136.2 | 136.6 | 0.4 | 7.20 |
138.0 | 139.3 | 1.3 | 0.35 |
141.0 | 142.4 | 2.4 | 0.54 |
150.6 | 150.9 | 0.3 | 0.41 |
All of the zones intersected in the current drilling are located south of all areas previously drilled on the property. The Company believes that the zones targeted in the two holes that intersected no gold mineralization were displaced by faulting.
Planned Work Program
The Company is encouraged by the results obtained on the Linear property to date. The Company intends to continue exploration at the property in order to advance the project for further drilling and to follow up the results obtained in 2003.
Staghorn (formerly Flamingo and Woods Lake) Property
The Staghorn Property is a 4,650 hectare, 186 claim gold exploration property located in the western Newfoundland. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Staghorn Property to date. The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR. In March 2004, the Company announced an agreement with Goldcorp whereupon Goldcorp can earn a 70% interest in the project by assuming all of Candente’s expenditure obligations and completing a bankable feasibility study by January 2010.
How Acquired
Under an agreement dated December 20, 2002 between the Company and Gilbert Lushman and Edwin Northcott ( known collectively as the “Lushcott Group”), the Company can acquire a 100% interest in the property, subject to a 2.5% NSR, by making cash payments totaling$100,920, issuing 120,000 common shares and incurring aggregate exploration expenditures of $500,000 under the following schedule:
Cash Payment Schedule:
Date of Payment | Amount | |
Effective Date of Agreement | $ 5,000 | (Paid) |
On or before December 25, 2002 | 10,400 | (Paid) |
On or before July 30, 2003 | 5,520 | (Paid) |
On or before December 30, 2003 | 25,000 | (Paid) |
On or before December 30, 2004 | 27,000 | |
On or before December 30, 2005 | 28,000 | |
Total | $ 100,920 |
Common Share Issuance Schedule
Date of Issuance | Amount of Shares | |
On the Approval Date | 20,000 | (Issued) |
On or before December 30, 2003 | 30,000 | (Issued) |
On or before December 30, 2004 | 30,000 | |
On or before December 30, 2005 | 40,000 | |
Total | 120,000 |
Minimum Property Expenditure Schedule:
Date of Required Expenditures | Exploration Amount | |
On or before November 30, 2003 | $ 40,000 | |
On or before November 30, 2004 | $ 120,000 | in the aggregate |
On or before November 30, 2005 | $ 270,000 | in the aggregate |
On or before November 30, 2006 | $ 500,000 | in the aggregate |
The Lushcott Group also retains a 2.5% NSR on the property. The Company may at any time purchase 1 percentage point (thus reducing the NSR to 1.5%) of the royalty by paying the Lushcott Group $1,000,000. If Candente exercises the royalty purchase right, and upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, the Lushcott Group has the right to require Candente to purchase a further 1 percentage point (thus reducing the NSR to 0.5%) for a price determined by a fixed dollar amount per ounce of gold multiplied by the number of ounces of gold in the mineable reserve as computed in the mineable feasibility study. The fixed dollar amount per ounce of gold shall be determined by the following table:
Trading Price of Gold | Fixed Dollar Amount Per Ounce |
Up to US $349 | US$1.00 |
US$350 – US$449 | US$1.25 |
US$450 - US$524 | US$1.50 |
US$525 – US$599 | US$1.75 |
US$600 or above | US$2.00 |
If Candente sells, assigns, options or otherwise disposes of any interest in the claims to a third party and receives consideration for the disposition, 10% of the total cash or shares received by Candente will be due to the Lushcott Group. The cash equivalent value of the consideration paid will be deemed to be part of the $1,000,000 required for the purchase of the first 1 percentage point of the NSR.
In March 2004, the Company announced an agreement with Goldcorp on the Staghorn property. Goldcorp can earn a 70% interest in the property by assuming all of Candente’s expenditure obligations and completing a bankable feasibility study by January 2010. The option may be extended beyond the six-year period if expenditures have reached a minimum of $1 million per year by 2009. The agreement is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Location and Access
The property is located approximately 5 hours west of the city of Gander via paved highway and gravel road.
Geological Information
The property is located within the SW Dunnage Zone. The northern portion of the property is underlain by mafic volcanic and related intrusive rocks, while the southern portion is dominated by granodioritic rocks of the Bay Du Nord Group. These rocks are intruded by a mylonitic pink granite that occurs as two separate northeast-trending bodies. On the property, muscovite schist blocks occur strewn throughout the property coincident with granite outcrop.
Previous Exploration
The area has seen only limited exploration with the majority of the exploration searching for base metal mineralization. From 1952-1960, Asarco explored the area for base metals. In 1981, Hudson Bay Oil and Gas conducted geological mapping, geophysical surveys and diamond drilling in the area in its search for base metals. In 1987-1988, BP-Selco conducted base metal and gold exploration and found anomalous gold in soils on the property and excavated 5 trenches.
Prior to optioning the property, the Company’s geologists visited the property and sampled previously identified gold bearing mineralization from an area measuring 400 square meters. Those samples tested several types of rock, including quartz-cemented breccia, quartz veins, and felsic intrusive rocks and confirmed the previous exploration results.
Planned Work Program
During 2003, the Company conducted an exploration program at Staghorn which included geological mapping and sampling of several trenches and previously identified mineralized areas as well as the review of a 1981 airborne magnetic/EM survey for structure, geology and magnetic anomalies. As a result of the work, gold mineralization was extended to 3 kilometers, and three magnetic features in close proximity to the known gold mineralization were identified.
During the first quarter of 2004, the Company carried out a lake sediment survey as well as an IP/Magnetic survey. This work identified several high-chargeability zones over a 3.2 kilometer length. The Company has contracted for an initial 2,700 meters of diamond core drilling to begin in September 2004. The drill targets are locations of surface gold mineralization as well as the recently identified high-chargeability zones. Under the agreement announced in March 2004, Goldcorp is funding the drill program.
Island Pond Property
The Island Pond Property is a gold exploration property of 950 hectares located in the Botwood Basin of central Newfoundland, Canada. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Island Pond Property to date. The Company has an option to earn up to an initial 51% interest, but can increase its interest in the property to 75%, from Cornerstone Capital, an arms length public company.
How Acquired
Under an agreement with Cornerstone Capital dated July 15, 2003, Candente can earn an initial 51% interest in the property by spending $1.5 million on exploration, issuing to Cornerstone 115,000 common shares and paying Cornerstone $115,000 over 4 years. Candente can increase its interest in the property to 61% by financing a bankable feasibility study and can further increase its interest to 75% by arranging and securing all the mine financing required as outlined in the development plan in the bankable feasibility study. Cornerstone will be operator of all exploration until Candente has earned its initial 51% interest. The Company is current with all required payments and expenditures required under the agreement.
Location and Access
The property is located in the Botwood Basin of Central Newfoundland and straddles Highway 360, approximately 5 kilometers south of Highway 360’s intersection with the Trans-Canada highway and Southeast of the town of Bishop’s Falls.
Regional and Property Geology
The property lies within the Dunnage tectonostratigraphic zone and is underlain by sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Botwood Group, including the Wigwam and Laurenceton formation that are intruded by younger mafic dykes. Glacial till covers the region, and outcrop is rare.
The property has northwest trending structures consistent with epithermal-style alteration. quartz/sulphosalt and quartz breccia boulders have been found at surface.
Previous Exploration
The region had limited gold exploration until the release of a Newfoundland government survey in 1988 which indicated gold in the area. In 2001, Cornerstone completed geochemical and magnetic surveys which successfully delineated several zones of coincidental magnetic and geochemical soil anomalies In early 2002, Cornerstone completed additional geophysical work on the property which detected northwest trending conductors. Upon finalizing the option agreement, Candente and Cornerstone initiated an 8-hole, 809 meter Phase I diamond drilling program designed to test the mineralized structures identified by Cornerstone’s exploration. 4 of the 8 holes successfully intersected low-sulphidation epithermal-style mineralization. The best gold intersection was 0.215 g/t over 7.6 meters.
Current and Future Exploration
Although the Winter 2002/2003 drill program did not intersect economic mineralization, the program did determine that the Companies targeted low-sulphidation epithermal-style mineralization is present on the property. The style and geochemical signature of the mineralization is similar to that found within close proximity to known gold bearing structures occurring on other properties in the area.
Future drilling is being considered to target geophysical and geochemical targets south of those drilled in the last program, as well as testing areas for higher grade zones close to and on strike with the recently intersected mineralization. The Company has elected to enter into the second year of the option agreement with Cornerstone for 2004. Under the agreement with Cornerstone, the Company will pay Cornerstone $15,000 cash, issue Cornerstone 15,000 common shares of Candente and increase its exploration expenditures to an aggregate level of $250,000, which would require additional expenditures on property exploration of approximately $125,000 in 2004.
Paul’s Pond Property
The Paul’s Pond Property is a 750 hectare gold exploration project located in south-central Newfoundland. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Paul’s Pond Property to date. The Company has an option to earn an initial 51% interest in the property but may increase its interest to 75%.
How Acquired
Under an agreement with Cornerstone dated July 15, 2002, the Company has the right to earn a 51% interest in the property by paying Cornerstone $90,000, issuing 90,000 common shares and expending $1,000,000 on exploration over a 4 year period. Candente can increase its interest in the property to 61% by financing a bankable feasibility study and can further increase its interest to 75% by arranging and securing all the mine financing required as outlined in the development plan in the bankable feasibility study. Candente will be the Operator of all exploration. The Company is current with all the required payments and expenditures required under the agreement.
Candente will be the operator of the property, and as such will be allowed to charge for management, supervision and administrative services at the rate of 5% for all expenditures and costs made or incurred by Candente with a third party, and at the rate of 10% for all internal expenditures or costs.
Location and Access
The property is located in north-central Newfoundland between the Northwest and Southwest Gander Rivers. Access is south along a good 38 kilometer long gravel road that begins at the Trans-Canada Highway at the town of Glenwood.
Regional and Property Geology
The area lies at the eastern margin of the Dunnage zone, within the Exploits subzone. The property is underlain by sedimentary units of the Davidsville Group which is in contact with the Botwood Group in the northwest corner of the property. The Davidsville Group is predominately laminated grey-green siltstone, while the Botwood Group is siltstones and shales. Both groups are intruded by granite and gabbro dikes and sills.
Previous Exploration History
The area of the property has had only limited exploration. Noranda conducted regional evaluation and exploration from 1986 to 1989 and identified several zones of gold mineralization on the property. The most significant to date is the Goose Zone which consists of disseminated arsenopyrite and has returned gold values from trench sampling and through 4 short drill holes over a strike length of 100 meters. The Goose Zone remains open in all directions.
Planned Work Program
An IP survey has recently outlined several zones of high chargeability, while geochemical soil sampling has located a gold-in-soil anomaly directly along strike one kilometer northwest of the Goose Zone.
The Company intends to conduct a diamond drilling program to test targets delineated by the recent geophysics and geochemistry. The Company has decided to proceed with the second year of the option agreement with Cornerstone for 2004.
Virgin Arm Property
The Virgin Arm property is a 2,300 hectare gold exploration project located in the Botwood Basin of central Newfoundland. The Property does not represent a producing property and the Company’s current operations consist of an exploratory search for mineable deposits of minerals.
The Company has had no revenue from mining operations on the Virgin Arm Property to date. The Company has a 100% interest in the property.
How Acquired
The Company originally staked 89 claims on April 5, 2002. On September 26, 2002, the Company staked an additional 3 claims along the northern part of the original property.
Location and Access
The property lies just north of the town of Summerford, approximately 80 kilometers north of the City of Gander. Access is by Provincial Highway from Gander to Summerford.
Regional and Property Geology
The area is within the Newfoundland Dunnage Zone, which is divided into the Notre Dame and Exploits Subzones. The Virgin Arm property lies in the Exploits Subzone at the boundary with the Notre Dame Subzone. The rocks in the area are dominantly oceanic sedimentary rocks with intercalated volcanic rocks overlain by black shales. Gold has been identified on the property within 5 separate showings, which are primarily associated with NNE and WNW trending faults.
Previous Exploration History
During the 1980’s, the Geological Survey of Canada conducted regional lake bottom sampling. Based upon these results, Noranda Exploration Company Limited staked a series of claims in the area which included the current boundaries of the Virgin Arm property. From 1989 to 1996, Noranda conducted an exploration program consisting of prospecting and reconnaissance geochemistry sampling over portions of the property. In 2002, Candente followed up the Noranda results with prospecting, silt and rock sampling, coarse gold panning, linecutting, soil sampling and grid geological mapping. 5 new gold showings have been identified to date.
Current and Planned Exploration
The Company anticipates a two step exploration program on the property. The first would include soil and rock chip sampling in target areas previously identified through prospecting. The second would include pitting and trenching to test bedrock beneath areas of encouraging gold results in soil and/or rock samples taken during step one.
During 2003, the Company conducted mapping, sampling and trenching on the property. During 2004, the Company intends to review the results and plan for further exploration on the project.
Other Central Newfoundland Properties
Under the Botwood Basin Agreement dated May 20, 2002 between the Company and ASK (Kevin Keats), the Company acquired by staking additional properties located north and south of the City of Gander, within the Botwood Basin near the north shore of Central Newfoundland. These properties include Burnt Arm, Michael’s Harbor, Eastern Pond, Lobster Claw and Reg’s Pond. The Company also has staked additional property along Gander Lake, including the Gander, Careless Cove and Bowater properties. Several of these properties have since been dropped. The ones remaining include Burnt Arm, Michael’s Harbor, Eastern Pond, Lobster Claw, Reg’s Pond, Careless Cove and Bowater. All of these properties are early-stage gold exploration properties and are 100% owned by the Company. To date, the Company has conducted limited exploration on these properties.
By paying the staking costs of $60 per claim in cash and issuing 200,000 common shares upon finalization of the agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the right, title and interest in the mining claims. Additionally, if the Company is to conduct exploration drilling on any property contained in the NF-B group under the agreement, Candente will issue an additional 25,000 common shares for each property drilled. For each property in the NF-B group from which Candente produces 50,000 ounces of gold in a particular calendar year, Candente will issue an additional 100,000 common shares as a one time issuance.
ASK retains a 0.75% NSR on each property under the agreement. The Company may purchase 2/3 of the royalty (thus reducing ASK’s royalty to a 0.25% NSR) on any particular property for $250,000 for each 0.25% NSR percentage point.
In March 2004, the Company signed an agreement with Roland Quinlan and Questm Inc. (“The Vendors”) which granted the Company an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Duder Lake property of 84 mining claims in Newfoundland. Consideration is cash payments of $105,000 and the issuance of 130,000 common shares in tranches until January 15, 2008; and a total of $625,000 in property exploration expenditures in annual commitments on or before December 13, 2007. The first year’s exploration commitment of $25,000 has been met. The property is subject to a 2.5% NSR in favor of the vendors which the Company may reduce to a 1.5% NSR by way of a $1,000,000 payment. Previous operators on the property have identified gold mineralization in several trenches and shallow drill holes over 2.5 kilometers of a north-northeast trending shear system. The Company recently identified high-chargeability zones during an IP survey over the property.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Overview
The Company's financial statements are stated in United States Dollars (US$) and are prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the periods presented with United States GAAP except as noted in footnotes to the financial statements. The value of the U.S. Dollar in relationship to the Canadian Dollar was 1.32 as of August 31, 2004.
The Company has since inception financed its activities through the distribution of equity capital. The timing of such distributions was dependent on the requirements of the Company and the economic climate. The Company anticipates having to raise additional funds by equity issuance in the next several years, as the Company does not expect to generate material revenue from mining operations or to achieve self-sustaining commercial mining operations for several years.
Results of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 vs. the Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
During the period the Company prepared to conduct drill programs on its Alto Dorado and Canariaco projects in Peru and the Staghorn project in Newfoundland. Exploration included geophysical surveys to further identify drill targets for the drill programs expected to commence in August and September, 2004.
The Net Loss for the six-month period was ($740,330), or ($0.02) per share, compared to a net loss of ($219,480), or ($0.01) per share, in the prior year’s period. The larger net loss was primarily due to higher stock-based compensation expense for the granting of stock options to non-officers and directors of ($196,191) compared to zero in the prior-year’s period; Increased foreign exchange loss of ($103,837) compared to ($7,933) due to a falling Canadian dollar exchange rate; and Corporate Development expense of ($97,811), which was up from ($13,282) in the prior year. Other large changes in expenses occurred in International Security of ($21,998) compared to zero in the prior year’s period as the Company provided extra security for its personnel operating in Peru; Management and Office salaries of ($49,795) compared to ($35,355) and Office, rent and miscellaneous of ($62,200) compared to ($23,540) as the Company hired add itional personnel and rented more office space in Vancouver; and Investor Relations of ($44,972) compared to ($33,491) and Shareholder Communications of ($37,245) compared to ($6,694) as the Company engaged a full-time investor relations employee.
These expenses were partially offset by higher Interest Income of $32,924 versus ($11,938) as the Company enjoyed higher cash balances during the current period.
During the current six-month period, the Company completed no private placements of its common shares. 270,500 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of options for proceeds of $47,819; 1,394,750 common shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $373,293; and 10,000 common shares were issued for Mineral Property payments for deemed proceeds of $5,005.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 vs. the Year Ended December 31, 2002
The Net Loss for the year totaled ($1,601,498), or ($0.06) per share, compared to a loss of ($437,665), or ($0.02) per share, in the prior year. The larger loss in 2003 was largely due to the Stock-based compensation expense of ($911,014) compared to zero in the prior year. Other large changes occurred in International Security expense of ($12,326) compared to zero as the Company took extra protection measures for its personnel in Peru; Investor Relations expense of ($59,943) compared to ($38,532) as the Company retained a full time investor relations employee; Legal, audit and accounting of ($55,851) versus ($36,650) due to higher legal expenses related to potential joint-venture agreements; Management and Office salaries of ($71,226) versus ($53,789) and Office, rent and miscellaneous of ($62,068) compared to ($36,219) due to additional personnel and additional office space rented in Vancouver; Promotion, Travel, and Entertainment, which rose to ($132,752) from ($80,714) as management attended several additional industry conferences during the period as well as traveling to Peru to review new exploration programs; and Write off of deferred costs on its mineral exploration properties of ($232,444) compared to ($127,288) as the Company wrote-off its deferred exploration on the Radio Range, Weirs Pond and Jackson’s Arm property, all of which were dropped during the year. These expenses were partially offset by higher interest income of $26,500 compared to $11,146 due to higher average cash balances, and Foreign Exchange gain of ($25,141) compared to a loss of $4,898 which was due to favorable exchange rates for the Canadian dollar against the Peruvian New Sole.
During the current period, the Company completed several private placements totaling 5,908,333 for net proceeds of $3,638,105. This included the private placement of 1,700,000 units with Goldcorp at Cdn$0.60 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of Cdn$0.90 until February 21, 2004 and at a price of Cdn$1.10 from February 22, 2004 until February 21, 2005. Net proceeds to the Company from the placement was $687,330 which the Company intends to use for exploration on its Newfoundland exploration programs. The Company also issued 266,000 common shares at a deemed value of $150,057 for Mineral Property Payments; issued 976,566 common shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options for proceeds of $166,286; and issued 3,902,752 common shares pursuant to the exercise of common stock warrants for proceeds of $774,533.
Fiscal Year 2002 Ended December 31, 2002 vs. Fiscal 2001 Ended December 31, 2001
The Net Loss for the year ended December 31, 2002 was ($437,665) compared to a loss of ($448,774) in 2001. The largest change in expenses occurred in Write-down for impairment of deferred costs, which totaled zero in 2002 compared to ($158,583) in 2001. Other large changes in expenses occurred in Investor Relations, which rose to ($38,532) from ($12,151) due to the retention of a full time investor relations employee; Legal, Audit and Accounting, which rose to ($36,650) from ($20,419) due to the negotiation and acquisition of additional mineral properties; Management, office salaries and benefits rose to ($53,789) from ($39,018) due to a higher number of employees in 2002; Office, rent and miscellaneous increased to ($36,219) from ($14,604) due to a higher level of corporate activity; Promotion, Travel and Entertainment rose to ($80,714) from ($37,309) as management attended additional investor and industry conferences in 2002; Write-off o f deferred costs rose to ($127,288) from ($109,107) as the Company wrote-off additional mineral properties in 2002.
During the year the Company completed 4 private placements of its common shares. In February 2002, the Company completed the private placement of 4,869,002 units consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant for Cdn$0.15 per unit. The Warrants are exercisable at Cdn$0.20 until January 31, 2003 and at Cdn$0.25 from February 1, 2003 until January 31, 2004. Net proceeds from the placement was Cdn$441,700. In May 2002, the Company closed the private placement of 2,850,000 units at Cnd$0.35 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. Each fullwarrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.44 until May 16, 2003 and at Cdn$0.49 from May 17, 2003 until May 16, 2004. 2,330,000 of the units were flow through units. Total proceeds to the Company were $636,490. In August 2002, the Company completed two private placements of common shares. In the first, the Company issued 650,000 units at $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a common share warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.55 until August 19, 2003 and at Cdn$0.60 from August 20, 2003 until August 19, 2004. 470,000 of the units were flow-through units. The second private placement consisted of 2,000,000 common shares at a price of Cdn$0.60 per share. The company received net proceeds of $187,650 from the first placement and net proceeds of $769,820 from the second.Proceeds from the share issuances are to be used for exploration on the Company’s projects in Peru and Newfoundland and for the Company’s office operations, salaries and corporate overhead expenses.
Pursuant to the exercise of common stock purchase options, the Company issued 821,250 common shares for proceeds of $79,631, and issued 2,049,517 common shares pursuant to the exercise of warrants for proceeds of $287,959.
The Company also issued common shares under various mineral property agreements during the year. 60,000 shares were issued at a deemed price of Cdn$0.49 per share; 200,000 shares were issued at a deemed price of Cdn$0.46 per share; 30,000 shares were issued at a deemed price of $0.42 per share; 25,000 shares were issued at a deemed price of Cdn$0.36 per share; 500,000 shares were issued at a deemed price of Cdn$0.24 per share. The total number of common shares issued for mineral property interests during the year was 815,000 common shares at a total deemed value of $165,960.
Fiscal 2001 Ended December 31, 2001 compared to Fiscal 2000 Ended December 31, 2000
The Net Loss for the year ended December 31, 2001 totaled ($448,774) compared to a loss of ($160,686) in 2000. The largest components of the increased loss was write-offs related to mineral properties, including the Write-off of deferred costs of ($109,107) compared to ($27,355) in 2000 and Write-down for impairment of deferred costs of ($158,583) compared to zero in 2000. Other large changes in expenses occurred in Corporate Development, which rose to ($30,349) from ($12,726); Promotion, Travel and Entertainment rose to ($37,309) from ($16,682) due to management attending additional conferences and meeting with the investor community. Office, Rent and Miscellaneous declined from ($19,079) from ($14,604) due to lower office related operational expenses.
During the year the Company completed 2 private placements of its common shares. In March, the Company sold 600,000 common shares at Cdn$0.25 per share for gross proceeds of Cdn$150,000. In June, the Company completed the private placement of 1,265,700 units consisting of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant for Cdn$0.20 per unit. The Warrants were exercisable at $0.25 until October 22, 2002. Net proceeds to the Company totaled Cdn$253,140. The Company also issued 363,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise of common stock options for proceeds of $108,980 and issued 10,000 common shares at a deemed price of Cdn$0.45 to settle corporate finance fees. Proceeds from the share issuances is to be used for mineral property exploration and theCompany’s office operations, salaries and corporate overhead expenses.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's primary source of funds since incorporation has been through the issue of its common stock and the proceeds from the exercise of common stock options and share purchase warrants. The Company has no revenue from mining operations to date.
During Fiscal 2004 the Company anticipates continuing to conduct exploration on several of its properties in Newfoundland and limited exploration on about 12 of its properties in Peru, including drill programs on the Alto Dorado, Canariaco and Staghorn projects. With the completion of several recent private placements, the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to complete its planned work programs and corporate expenses for the remainder of 2004. However, additional funds will be necessary for future periods, and management anticipates funding ongoing operations with the additional placement of common stock, as well as the exercise of outstanding options and warrants. The timing and amount of such stock placements is largely dependent upon favorable market conditions. If the Company is unable to raise additional funds, exploration activities will be curtailed and available funds will be used on the most advanced properties. The p riority ranking of each property for available funds is impossible to determine at this time as ongoing exploration results will determine which properties in the Company’s portfolio should receive additional exploration.
The Company does not know of any trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will result in, or that are reasonably likely to result in, the Company's liquidity either materially increasing or decreasing at present or in the foreseeable future. Material increases or decreases in the Company's liquidity are substantially determined by the success or failure of the Company's exploration programs or the future acquisition of projects.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
The Company’s Working Capital totaled $2,664,812 as of June 30, 2004 compared to $3,833,212 as of December 31, 2003. The Company’s cash position declined to $2,643,695 from $3,672,704, and Current Liabilities rose to ($237,682) from ($60,533) due to higher accounts payable and accrued liabilities. There was no Long-term debt in either period.
The Company recorded a Net Loss of ($740,330) in the period. Cash used by Operating Activities was ($424,254). Besides the Net Loss, Amounts Receivable used cash of ($48,407) and pre-paid expenses and deposits used cash of ($29,640). Accounts Payable and accrued liabilities was higher by $177,521, and non-cash Stock-based compensation was $196,191. Investing Activities used cash of ($1,084,899), with Mineral Property exploration using cash of ($945,875) and Mineral Property acquisition costs using cash of ($247,823). Mineral property cost recoveries provided cash of $186,484, while acquisition of equipment used cash of ($77,685). Financing Activities provided cash of $480,144 which was provided by the issuance of common shares pursuant to the exercise of outstanding warrants and options.
The Company’s cash position at the end of the period was $2,643,695, an increase of $1,537,595 from the prior year’s six month period.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2003
The Company’s working capital at the end of the year totaled $3,833,212 compared to working capital of $677,567 at the close of the prior year. The Company cash position rose to $3,672,704 from $681,706. Liabilities totaled ($60,533) compared to ($93,190), with all amounts classified as current.
The Net Loss for the year was ($1,601,498). Operating Activities used cash of ($532,584), with the Net Loss partially offset by non-cash charges of Stock-based compensation of $911,014 and the Write-off of deferred costs related to mineral properties of $232,444. Investing Activities used cash of ($1,100,021), with Deferred exploration costs on its mineral properties using cash of ($904,463), Deferred acquisition costs of its mineral properties using cash of ($105,388), and Acquisition of Equipment using cash of ($90,170). Financing Activities provided cash of $4,623,603. The issuance of common shares provided cash of $4,856,904, while Share issue costs used cash of ($233,301).
The Company’s cash position at the close of the year was $3,672,704.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2002
The Company ended the year with working capital of $677,567 compared to working capital of $267,322 at the close of the prior year. The Company’s cash position was $681,706 compared to $252,449. Liabilities totaled ($93,190) with the entire amount classified as current.
The Net Loss for the year was ($448,774). Funds used for Operating Activities were ($204,001). The reduction in amounts due to Related Parties used cash of ($28,821) and increase in Prepaid expenses and deposits used cash of ($18,952). Other large changes in cash in Operating Activities occurred in Accounts Receivable of $9,757 and Accounts Payable of $11,111, while Adjustments for items not requiring cash included the Write-off of deferred costs of $109,107 and Write-down for impairment of deferred costs of $158,583. Investing Activities used cash of ($322,577) which included Deferred Exploration Costs of ($196,027) and Deferred Acquisition Costs of ($126,550). Financing Activities provided cash of $677,207, including Common Shares issued for cash of $356,587 and Deposits on Share Subscriptions of $320,620.
The Company’s cash balance at the end of the year was $252,449, an increase of $150,629 for the year.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2001
The Company ended the period with working capital of $267,322 compared to working capital of $89,788 at the close of the prior year. The Company’s cash position was $252,449 compared to $101,820. Liabilities totaled ($19,428), with the entire amount classified as current.
The Net Loss for the year was ($448,574). Funds used for Operating Activities was ($204,001). The Net Loss was partially offset by non cash charges including the Write-off of Deferred Property Interests of ($267,690), Amortization of Capital Assets of $1,058 and Corporate Development which includes Corporate Finance Fees, of $2,930. Other changes include the reduction of Accounts Receivable of $9,757 and the increase in Accounts Payable of $11,111. Reduction of Prepaid Expenses and Deposit used cash of ($18,952) and the reduction of Due to Related Parties used cash of ($28,821). Investing Activities used cash of ($322,577), which included Property Exploration Costs of ($196,027) and Property Acquisition Costs of ($126,550). Financing Activities provided cash of $677,207, which included Common Shares issued for Cash of $356,587 and Deposit on Share Subscriptions of $320,620.
The Company’s cash balance at the end of the year was $252,449, an increase of $150,629 during the year.
Variation in Operating Results
The Company is presently exploring its properties for sufficient reserves to justify production. None of the properties are yet in production and consequently, do not produce any revenue. As a result there is little variation expected in operating results from year to year and little is to be expected until such time, if any, as a production decision is made on one of its properties.
The Company derives interest income on its bank deposits, which depend on the Company's ability to raise funds.
Management periodically through the exploration process, reviews results both internally and externally through mining related professionals. Decisions to abandon, reduce or expand exploration efforts is based upon many factors including general and specific assessments of mineral deposits, the likelihood of increasing or decreasing those deposits, land costs, estimates of future mineral prices, potential extraction methods and costs, the likelihood of positive or negative changes to the environment, permitting, taxation, labor and capital costs. There cannot be a pre-determined hold period for any property as geological or economic circumstances render each property unique.
The Company's financial statements are stated in United States Dollars (US$) and are prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the periods presented with United States GAAP except as noted in Footnote 14 to the financial statements.
US GAAP Reconciliation with Canadian GAAP
Under Canadian GAAP applicable to mining exploration companies, exploration expenditures may be deferred on prospective claims until such time as it is determined that further exploration is not warranted, at which time the claim costs are written-off. Under US GAAP, all exploration expenditures must be expensed until an independent feasibility study has determined that the property is capable of economic commercial production. Under US GAAP, exploration expenditures are disclosed in the statements of cash flows under Operating Activities while under Canadian GAAP they are disclosed as Investing Activities. Therefore, under US GAAP, the Company has expensed all of its deferred property costs which was ($3,108,000) as of December 31, 2003. For 2003, the Company’s net loss of ($1,601,498) under Canadian GAAP was increased under US GAAP by ($1,159,908) for FY 2003’s Deferred Property Expenditures. After deducting the Claim Costs wri tten off under Canadian GAAP, the FY 2003 Net Loss under US GAAP totaled ($2,528,962).
Under Canadian GAAP, shares held in escrow are included in the calculation of loss per share. Under US GAAP, shares held in escrow are excluded from the weighted-average number of shares outstanding until such shares are released from trading. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2003, the 375,000 common shares held in escrow are deducted from the Weighted-average number of shares under Canadian GAAP of 28,013,160 to achieve the Weighted-average number of shares under US GAAP of 27,638,160.
Under Canadian GAAP, foreign exchange gains and losses involving integrated foreign operations are included in current operations. Under US GAAP, gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in current operations, while such items arising from the translations of non-US dollar-denominated balances are separately disclosed on a current basis and are included on a cumulative basis as a separate component of Stockholder’s Equity. Under US GAAP, the Accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2003 is $25,141.
Due to these requirements under US GAAP, the Accumulated Deficit under US GAAP as of December 31, 2003 is ($6,023,043).
Variation in Operating Results
The Company derives interest income on its bank deposits, which depend on the Company's ability to raise funds.
Management periodically, through the exploration process, reviews results both internally and externally through mining related professionals. Decisions to abandon, reduce or expand exploration efforts is based upon many factors including general and specific assessments of mineral deposits, the likelihood of increasing or decreasing those deposits, land costs, estimates of future mineral prices, potential extraction methods and costs, the likelihood of positive or negative changes to the environment, permitting, taxation, labor and capital costs. There cannot be a pre-determined hold period for any property as geological or economic circumstances render each property unique.
The Company's financial statements are stated in Canadian Dollars (CAD$) and are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the years presented with US GAAP, except as noted in Note 14 to the financial statements. The value of the Canadian Dollar in relationship to the US Dollar was 1.32 as of August 31, 2004.
Research and Development
The Company conducts no Research and Development activities, nor is it dependent upon any patents or licenses.
Trend Information
The Company knows of no trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s operations or financial condition.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Table No. 5 lists as of 7/31/2004 the names of the Directors of the Company. The Directors have served in their respective capacities since their election and/or appointment and will serve until the next Annual General Meeting or until a successor is duly elected, unless the office is vacated in accordance with the Articles/By-Laws of the Company. All Directors are residents and citizens of Canada, except Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra, who is a resident and citizen of Peru, and Larry Kornze, who is a resident of the United States.
Table No. 5
Directors
Name | Age | Date First Elected/Appointed |
Joanne C. Freeze | 46 | July 1997 |
Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra | 53 | April, 1999 |
Peter de Visser | 55 | May, 1997 |
Larry Kornze | 57 | October 2002 |
Michael Casselman | 57 | July 2004 |
Table No. 6 lists, as of 7/31/2004, the names of the Executive Officers of the Company. The Executive Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. All Executive Officers are citizens and residents of Canada, except Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra, who is a resident and citizen of Peru.
Table No. 6
Executive Officers
Name | Age | Position | Date of Appointment | ||
Joanne C. Freeze | 45 | President and CEO | July 1997 | ||
Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra | 52 | Vice President, Exploration | April 1999 | ||
Peter de Visser | 54 | Chief Financial Officer | May 1997 | ||
Maria Eugenia Montagne | 39 | Corporate Secretary | July 2002 | ||
Michael Casselman | 57 | General Manager, Exploration | February 2004 |
Joanne Freeze is the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Company. Ms. Freeze is a Professional Geoscientist having received a B.A. from the University of Western Ontario in 1978 and a B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia in 1981. Since 1985 she has been a principal of Stillwater Enterprises Ltd., a private British Columbia company providing geological consulting services. She devotes 100% of her time to the Company.
Ing. Fredy J. Huanqui Guerra is a Director and Manager of Exploration of Candente. Mr. Huanqui is a Professional Geologist and Engineer and earned his Geologist-Engineer degree from the University of Arequipa in 1973. Since 1974, Mr. Huanqui has worked as a geologist in Peru, including as an Exploration Geologist with Arequipa Resources, a junior gold exploration company, from 1993 to 1996 and with American Barrick Corporation, a gold mining company, from 1996 to 1997. He devotes 100% of his time to the Company.
Peter de Visser is Candente’s Chief Financial Officer and a Director. Mr. de Visser is a Chartered Accountant and has been a principal of De Visser Gray, a Chartered Accountant company located in Vancouver B.C. since 1987. He obtained his B.Comm. from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia since 1976. Mr. de Visser has extensive experience with public companies and is currently a director of Leisure Canada, a developer of vacation resorts, and Vinson Biotech, a Capital Pool Corporation without a current business, both public companies traded on the Canadian Venture Exchange. He devotes approximately 10% of his time to the Company.
Larry Kornze was named to the Company’s Board of Director’s in October, 2002. Mr. Kornze is a professional engineer who first joined Candente as an advisor in October 2001. Prior to joining Candente, he served in various positions with Barrick Gold, including as the general manager for exploration for Mexico and Central America and international evaluations as well as general manager for United States exploration, from 1985 until his retirement in 2001. Before joining Barrick, Mr. Kornze held various positions with mining companies Newmont and Getty Mining.
Maria Eugenia (Lola) Montagne is the Corporate Secretary. Ms. Montagne joined the company on May 15, 2000 as an Executive Assistant in and was appointed Corporate Secretary on July 2nd, 2002. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Montagne was an executive assistant with Manhattan Minerals, a mineral exploration company. Ms. Montagne worked for Candente on a contract basis beginning in 1998 before joining the Company full-time.
Mr. Casselman is the Manager of Exploration and a Director. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia in 1969 and a Masters of Science degree from Carleton University in 1977. He has over 35 years of Canadian and International mineral industry experience, including managerial, technical, logistical, operational, environmental and community relations knowledge. He started with Cominco in 1969, and his 30-year tenure with the Company included supervising exploration at the Highland Copper Mine in British Columbia as well as working on feasibility and production. In the mid-1990’s Mr. Casselman relocated to Chile and led extensive copper exploration programs before relocating to Vancouver and becoming Cominco’s Administration Manager of International Exploration. He retired from Cominco in 1999, and since that time has been involved in mineral exploration for several Vancouver-based companies.
No Director and/or Executive Officer has been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree of any governmental agency or administrator or of any court of competent jurisdiction, revoking or suspending for cause any license, permit or other authority of such person or of any corporation of which he/she is a Director and/or Executive Officer, to engage in the securities business or in the sale of a particular security or temporarily or permanently restraining or enjoining any such person or any corporation of which he /she is an officer or director from engaging in or continuing any conduct, practice, or employment in connection with the purchase or sale of securities, or convicting such person of any felony or misdemeanor involving a security or any aspect of the securities business or of theft or of any felony other than that described in the next paragraph.
There are no family relationships between any two or more Directors or Executive Officers. There are no material arrangements or understandings between any two or more Directors or Executive Officers.
COMPENSATION
The Executive Officers and Directors of the Company received compensation in the amounts shown in the following table during the last 3 fiscal years:
Table Number 7
Compensation of Officers and Directors
Annual Compensation
Name and
Principal
Fiscal
Other Annual Stock Options
Position
Year
Salary
Bonus
Compensation Granted
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Salary | Bonus | Other Annual Compensation (1) | Stock Options Granted | |||||
Joanne Freeze President, Chairman and CEO | 2003 2002 2001
| Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | $63,600 $58,400 $42,000 | 250,000 350,000 90,000 | |||||
Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra Director, Manager of Exploration | 2003 2002 2001
| Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | $63,600 $42,000 $42,000 | 250,000 200,000 80,000 | |||||
Peter de Visser Director and CFO | 2003 2002 2001
| Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | $7,675 $665 $629 | 145,000 106,250 47,000 | |||||
Larry Kornze Director | 2003 2002 | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 200,000 265,000 | |||||
Maria Eugenia Montagne Corporate Secretary | 2003 2002 2001 | $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | 150,000 110,000 80,000 |
(1) For additional information regarding “Other Compensation”, See Item 7, Interest of Management in Certain Transactions.
The Company may grant stock options to Executive Officers and employees; refer to Item #10 "Options to Purchase Securities from Registrant or Subsidiaries".
During Fiscal 2003, ended 12/31/03 no Director and/or Executive Officer received and/or accrued compensation (cash or otherwise) in excess of US$60,000 except as listed above.
No funds were set aside or accrued by the Company during Fiscal 2003 to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for Directors or Executive Officers.
The Company has no plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by Executive Officers of the Company for Fiscal 2003 to compensate such officers in the event of termination of employment (as a result of resignation, retirement, change of control) or a change of responsibilities following a change of control, where the value of such compensation exceeds US$60,000 per Executive Officer.
Staffing
As of 7/31/04, the Company had 7 full time employees and 2 full time Officers in Canada and 9 full time employees and 1 full time officer in Peru. None of the Company’s employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Share Ownership
The Registrant is a publicly-owned Canadian corporation, the shares of which are owned by Canadian residents, US residents, and residents of other countries. The Registrant is not controlled directly or indirectly by another corporation or any foreign government, except as described below.
Table No. 8 lists, as of June 30, 2004, Directors and Executive Officers who beneficially own the Registrant's voting securities and the amount of the Registrant's voting securities owned by the Directors and Executive Officers as a group.
Table No. 8
Shareholdings of Directors and Executive Officers
Title Of Class | Name of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature Of Beneficial Ownership | Percent Of Class |
Common | Joanne C. Freeze (1) | 1,696,600 | 4.66% |
Common | Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra (2) | 1,625,500 | 4.46% |
Common | Peter de Visser (3) | 1,088,251 | 2.99% |
Common | Larry Kornze (4) | 465,000 | 1.28% |
Common | Maria Eugenia Montagne (5) | 281,500 | 0.77% |
Common | Michael Casselman | - | - |
Total Directors/Officers | 5,156,851 | 13.66% |
(1)
350,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase options; 296,000 of these shares are held indirectly through Stillwater Enterprises, a private company owned 50% by Joanne Freeze and which she is deemed to have voting control.
(2)
350,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase options; 32,500 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase warrants;
(3)
206,250 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase options; 150,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase warrants; 197,001 of these shares are held indirectly in the name of Matkat Holdings, Ltd., a private company which is controlled by Peter de Visser.
(4)
365,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase options.
(5)
220,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase options; 20,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable stock purchase warrants.
# Based on 36,062,704 shares of common stock outstanding as of 6/30/04 and currently exercisable stock options and escrow shares held by each beneficial holder.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
The Registrant is a publicly-owned corporation, the shares of which are owned by Canadian residents, US residents, and residents of other countries. The Registrant is not controlled directly or indirectly by another corporation or any foreign government, except as described below.
Table No. 9 lists, as of6/30/04, persons and/or companies holding 5% or more beneficial interest in the Registrant's outstanding common stock.
Table No. 9
5% or Greater Shareholders
Title of Class | Name and Address Of Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent Of Class | |
Common | Prudent Bear Fund (1) | 3,493,550 | 9.69% | |
Common | Goldcorp (2) | 2,850,000 | 7.72% | |
Common | Passport Master Funds (1) (3) | 1,935,000 | 5.27% |
•
Based on 36,062,704 shares issued and outstanding as of 6/30/04 and each individual’s share purchase options, warrants and escrow shares.
(1)
The Prudent Bear Fund and Passport Master Funds are United States based investors. Units were sold to the funds in private placements under Regulation D, Section 4(6) and/or Uniform Limited Offering Exemption, Rule 506.
(2)
850,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase warrants.
(3)
645,000 of these shares represent currently exercisable share purchase warrants.
The Company’s major shareholders have no different voting rights than any other shareholders.
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT IN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company regularly engages members of management and/or outside companies in which officers and directors have an interest for purposes of management, geological consulting and accounting services.
The Company pays Joanne Freeze, President, Management Fees through Stillwater Enterprises Ltd., a company owned by Joanne Freeze and husband Arthur Freeze. In FY 2003, the Company paid her $13,860 (2002 - $16,400; 2001 - $13,020) for management services.
The Company has engaged Fredy J. Huanqui, Director, and Stillwater Enterprises Ltd., a company owned by Joanne Freeze and her husband Arthur Freeze, to conduct geological work on its mineral exploration properties. In FY 2002, the Company paid Fredy Huanqui $63,600 (2002 - $50,200; 2001 – $42,000) and Stillwater Enterprises $49,740 (2002 – $50,200; 2001 - $42,000) for Geological Consulting Services.
The Company has engaged De Visser Gray for accounting services. Peter de Visser, CFO and Director, is a principal of De Visser Gray. In FY 2003, the Company paid $7,675 (2002 - $665; 2001 - $626) in Accounting Fees.
From time to time, the members of Management and Directors listed above have elected to defer the fees incurred into future periods. The debt is non-interest bearing and non-secured. As of December 31, 2003 the date of the most recent audited financial statements the Company owed $14,967 in fees which have been incurred but not yet paid.
On June 25 1999, Fredy J. Huanqui, Director, loaned the Company $25,000. Terms of the loan was interest at the prime rate of the Hong Kong Bank of Canada plus 1%, calculated monthly. On November 16 1999, Mr. Huanqui loaned the Company a further $77,283.40. In FY 2000, the Company repaid $103,943 and extinguished the loan in full.
On June 7, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Ing. Diego Ruby Alcocer Rojas, an arms-length party, regarding the staking of the Pamel (Perlita) and Yanamay prospects. The Company paid Mr. Alcocer $2500 and issued him 30,000 common shares with agreements to issue up to 80,000 additional shares for Pamel and 90,000 for Yanamay if certain exploration and production milestones are met. These milestones are: 30,000 common shares for each of the Pamel and Yanamay properties upon completion of an initial drill program on each property; 50,000 common shares upon commencement of commercial production from the Pamel property; and 60,000 common shares upon commencement of commercial production from the Yanamay property. The common shares issued by Candente under the above agreement are subject to a separate personal and private agreement between Mr. Rojas and Arthur Freeze, husband of Candente President and Director Joanne Freeze. Mr. F reeze agreed to purchase from Mr. Rojas all of the shares issued to Mr. Rojas by Candente at Cdn$0.12 per share. The Company agreed to issue any shares due to Mr. Rojas directly to Mr. Freeze once he has made the payments to Mr. Rojas as outlined in the agreement. Under the agreement between Candente and Mr. Rojas, the Company has issued 30,000 which were issued to Mr. Freeze subsequent to his payment of Cdn$3600 to Mr. Rojas. Candente has dropped the Yanamay prospect which has nullified that segment of the agreements. However, the original agreement covering the Pamel (Perlita) property remains in effect. Candente will issue to Mr. Rojas 30,000 shares of common stock upon the completion of a drill program at Pamel and 50,000 shares of common stock upon commencement of commercial production of minerals from the property. Mr. Freeze has an agreement to purchase those additional shares from Mr. Rojas if and when they are issued at Cdn$0.12 per share.
Item 8. Financial Information
The financial statements as required under ITEM 17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The Auditors’ Report of Beauchamp & Company, Independent Chartered Accountants, for the audited financial statements is included herein immediately preceding the audited financial statements.
Item 9. Offer and Listing of Securities
NATURE OF TRADING MARKET
The Company's common shares trade on the Canadian Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada under the trading symbol "DNT" and CUSIP #92293110C. The Company's common shares commenced trading on the TSX-V May 15, 2000. The closing price of the Company’s common stock was $0.53 on August 31, 2004.
Table No. 10 lists the volume of trading and high, low and closing sales prices on the TSX-V for shares of the Company's common stock for the last six fiscal quarters.
Table No. 10
Canadian Venture Exchange Stock Trading Activity
(in Canadian dollars)
Period Ended | Average Daily Volume | High | Low | Close |
August 2004 | 52,152 | 0.60 | 0.47 | 0.53 |
July 2004 | 38,785 | 0.67 | 0.49 | 0.54 |
June 2004 | 29,509 | 0.88 | 0.63 | 0.63 |
May 2004 | 54,150 | 0.93 | 0.55 | 0.90 |
April 2004 | 102,385 | 1.02 | 0.62 | 0.70 |
March 2004 | 40,491 | 1.02 | 0.86 | 0.92 |
Quarter ended 6/30/04 | 62,014 | 1.02 | 0.55 | 0.63 |
Quarter ended 3/31/04 | 75,216 | 1.17 | 0.83 | 0.92 |
Quarter ended 12/31/03 | 111,929 | 1.39 | 0.82 | 1.02 |
Quarter ended 9/30/03 | 71,173 | 0.98 | 0.65 | 0.88 |
Quarter ended 6/30/03 | 78,802 | 0.85 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
Quarter ended 3/31/03 | 56,587 | 0.91 | 0.52 | 0.77 |
Quarter ended 12/31/02 | 34,286 | 0.65 | 0.30 | 0.61 |
Quarter ended 9/30/02 | 24,838 | 0.62 | 0.26 | 0.40 |
Quarter ended 6/30/02 | 65,916 | 0.65 | 0.28 | 0.50 |
Quarter ended 3/31/02 | 28,661 | 0.32 | 0.15 | 0.28 |
Quarter ended 12/31/01 | 21,610 | 0.17 | 0.20 | 0.14 |
Quarter ended 9/30/01 | 8,449 | 0.23 | 0.12 | 0.13 |
Quarter ended 6/30/01 | 6,319 | 0.34 | 0.14 | 0.15 |
Quarter ended 3/31/01 | 7,740 | 0.35 | 0.15 | 0.18 |
Year ended 12/31/03 | 79,623 | 1.39 | 0.45 | 1.02 |
Year ended 12/31/02 | 38,425 | 0.65 | 0.15 | 0.61 |
Year ended 12/31/01 | 11,029 | 0.35 | 0.12 | 0.14 |
Year ended 12/31/00 | 25,800 | 0.50 | 0.16 | 0.22 |
Table No. 11 lists, as of 6/30/04, share purchase warrants outstanding, the date the share purchase warrants were issued, the exercise price, and the expiration date of the share purchase warrants.
Table 11
Share Purchase Warrants Outstanding
Number of Share Purchase Warrants Remaining Outstanding | Exercise Price | Expiration Date of Share Purchase Warrants |
305,000 | $0.60 | August 19, 2004 |
850,000 | $1.10 | February 21, 2005 |
312,500 | $1.00 | October 21, 2005 |
2,000,000 | $1.50 | June 10, 2005 |
125,000 | $1.65 | June 30, 2005 |
3,592,500 | Total |
In addition to the Warrants listed above, the Company’s Class A common stock warrants were traded on the TSX-V under the symbol “DNT.WT.A”. The Company’s Class A warrants commenced trading on the TSX-V on May 15, 2000 and were delisted on November 15, 2001 due to the expiration of the warrants.
Debt Securities to be Registered. Not applicable.
American Depository Receipts. Not applicable.
Other Securities to be Registered. Not applicable
The TSX Venture Exchange
The TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”) is a result of the acquisition of the Canadian Venture Exchange (“CDNX”) by the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The Canadian Venture Exchange was a result of the merger between the Vancouver Stock Exchange and the Alberta Stock Exchange which took place on November 29, 1999. On August 1, 2001, the Toronto Stock Exchange completed its purchase of the Canadian Venture Exchange from its member firms and renamed the Exchange the TSX Venture Exchange. The TSX-V currently operates as a complementary but independent exchange from its parent.
The initial roster of theTSX-V was made up of venture companies previously listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange or the Alberta Stock Exchange and later incorporated junior listings from the Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg Stock Exchanges. The TSX-V is a venture market as compared to the Toronto Stock Exchange which is Canada’s senior market and the Montreal Exchange which is Canada’s market for derivatives products.
The TSX-V currently has five service centers: Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Montreal. These service centers provide corporate finance, surveillance and marketing expertise. The corporate office for the TSX-V is located in Calgary and the operations office is located in Vancouver.
The TSX-V is a self-regulating organization owned and operated by the TSX Group. It is governed by representatives of its member firms and the public.
The TSX Group acts as a business link between TSX Venture Exchange members, listed companies and investors. TSX-V policies and procedures are designed to accommodate companies still in their formative stages and recognize those that are more established. Listings are predominately small and medium sized companies.
Regulation of the TSX Venture Exchange, its member firms and its listed companies is the responsibility of Market Regulation Services Inc. (“RS”) which was created as a joint initiative of The Toronto Stock Exchange Inc. and the Investment Dealers Association of Canada.
RS is recognized as a self-regulatory entity in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. As a Regulation Service Provider, RS provides independent regulation services to marketplaces (existing exchanges, quotation and trade reporting systems (QTRSs) and alternative trading systems (ATSs) and their participants in Canada that contract with RS Inc. for the provision of regulation services. As a national regulator for the Canadian marketplace, it is the first independent regulator of its kind for the Canadian securities market.
RS administers, oversees and enforces the Universal Market Integrity Rules (“UMIR”). To ensure compliance with UMIR, RS monitors real-time trading operations and market-related activities of marketplaces and participants. RS also enforces compliance with UMIR by investigating alleged rule violations and administering any settlements and hearings that may arise in respect of such violations.
RS's areas of responsibility include Market Surveillance; Operations and General Counsel (Market Policy); and Investigations and Enforcement.
The Market Surveillance division monitors all securities trading for compliance with the Universal Market Integrity Rules and marketplace specific rules. Market Surveillance also investigates irregularities and complaints relating to trading on marketplaces for which RS acts as regulation services provider to ensure a fair and orderly marketplace for all participants. This division is responsible for market supervision, which includes monitoring
trading activity and timely disclosure, as well as preliminary investigations and trade desk compliance.
The market surveillance department issues TSX-V notices to inform the public of halts, suspensions, delistings, and other enforcement actions. All TSX-V notices can be found on the TSE/TSX website at www.tse.com. In the public interest, trading halts or suspensions are maintained until the surveillance department is satisfied that there is adequate disclosure of the company’s affairs and a level playing field for investors. By Exchange policy, the department also reviews and approves certain types of transactions for all TSX listed companies. These types of transactions includes option grants, private placements and other share issuances, mergers and acquisitions, property-asset acquisitions and dispositions, loans, bonuses and finder’s fees, changes of business, name changes, stock splits, and related party transactions. If the Exchange’s review of such transactions finds them to be contrary to the public intere st or is in violation of policy, approval for the transaction will be denied and any action taken by the company towards the completion of the transaction must be reversed.
The Operations and General Counsel division is responsible for the development and implementation UMIR as well as providing interpretations of, or exemptions from, UMIR with the goal of promoting market integrity. This division also coordinates all operational activities of RS including strategic planning and overall organizational matters. Finally, the General Counsel's office of this division is responsible for all legal services and matters relating to RS's Board of Directors.
The Investigation and Enforcement division is responsible for conducting investigations and prosecutions of violations of the UMIR and Policies and market integrity and market quality rules specific to the TSX Venture Exchange. Functions of this division include Investigations, Enforcement and Investigative Research.
a) Investigations
Investigations focus on activities that may be in breach of the UMIR and/or the rules of the TSX Venture Exchange. The types of violations frequently investigated include high closings, market manipulation, client priority trading violations, unapproved trading, trading in restricted securities and conduct inconsistent with the just and equitable principles of trade.
Requests for investigations come primarily from the Market Surveillance division of RS. Other sources include the provincial securities commissions, the Operations and General Counsel division, marketplaces, and in some instances, the general public. Investigators also lend assistance to investigations conducted by provincial securities commissions.
b) Enforcement
Once an investigation is complete and a decision has been made to proceed with a prosecution a statement of allegations is served upon the concerned party which references the rule or rules alleged to have been in violation. An Offer of Settlement is also presented to the concerned party, who can either accept or reject the Offer of Settlement. If accepted, the Offer of Settlement must be approved by a hearing panel of RS. The hearing panel may accept the Offer of Settlement or reject it. If the Offer of Settlement is rejected by either the concerned party or by a settlement hearing panel, a Notice of Hearing is issued and served upon the concerned party and the matter proceeds to a hearing before a hearing panel. If the hearing panel determines that an applicable requirement has been violated, it may impose a range of penalties, including a reprimand, a fine, or the restriction, suspension or revocation of access to a marketplace. After a ll hearings, there is an official public notification concerning the outcome of the hearing and the penalty or remedy imposed.
c) Investigative Research
The Investigative Research Division performs in-depth corporate research relating to officers, directors, and significant shareholders of organizations applying to list securities on the TSX Venture Exchange, or applying to obtain access to the marketplace's trading systems. Due diligence is a major function of the Enforcement division. The overall goal is to improve communication and to raise the standards of compliance in the securities trading industry.
Investors in Canada are protected by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (“CIPF”). The CIPF is a private trust fund established to protect customers in the event of the insolvency of a member of any of the following Self-Regulatory Organizations: the TSX Venture Exchange, the Montreal Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Toronto Futures Exchange and the Investment Dealers Association of Canada.
Shareholder Information
The Registrant's common stock is issued in registered form and the following information is from the Registrant's registrar and transfer agent, Pacific Corporate Trust Company in Vancouver, British Columbia.
On 7/31/2003, the shareholders' list for the Company's common shares showed 45 registered shareholders and 28,248,520 shares issued and outstanding. Of this total, 17 registered common shareholders holding 6,515,550 shares, or 23% or the total shares outstanding, were resident in the United States.
The Registrant has researched the indirect holdings by depositories and other financial institutions and believes it has in excess of 250 shareholders of its common stock.
On 7/31/03, the Company was aware of 31 holders of its Share Purchase Warrants, none of which was located in the United States. These warrants were issued in conjunction with private placements and are non-transferable.
Until 11/15/01, the Company also had other warrants issued in connection with a public offering. These Class A warrants were transferable and publicly traded on the Canadian Venture Exchange until 11/15/01 when they expired and were delisted. None of the Class A warrants were exercised and no common shares were issued.
The Registrant has not declared any dividends since inception and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. The present policy of the Registrant is to retain future earnings for use in its operations and the expansion of its business.
The Registrant is unaware of any active market in the United States for its common shares. The Registrant's common shares are not registered to trade in the United States in the form of American Depository Receipts (ADR's) or similar certificates.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company knows of no material, active or pending, legal proceedings against them; nor is the Company involved as a plaintiff in any material proceeding or pending litigation.
The Company knows of no active or pending proceedings against anyone that might materially adversely affect an interest of the Company.
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
The authorized capital of the Company is 100,000,000 common shares and an unlimited number of special shares. As of 12/31/03, the end of the Company's most recently available fiscal year, 34,387,454 common shares were outstanding.As of June 30, 2004, the end of the Company’s most recent fiscal period, there were 36,062,704 common shares outstanding.
The Company has financed its activities through the sale of equity capital. The timing of such sales was dependent on the requirements of the Company and the economic climate. The Company anticipates having to raise additional funds by equity issuance in the next several years, as the Company does not expect to generate material revenue from mining operations or to achieve self-sustaining commercial mining operations for several years.
The most recent financings are described in the following paragraphs.
In January 2004, the Company completed the private placement of 250,000 flow-through common units at a price of Cdn$1.20 for gross proceeds of Cdn$300,000. Each unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one-half of a warrant, with each full warrant exercisable for one flow-through common share at a price of Cdn$1.65 until June 30, 2005.
In December 2003, the Company completed a private placement of 3,333,333 units at a price of Cdn$1.05 for gross proceeds of Cdn$3,500,000. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable for a common share at a price of Cdn$1.50 per share until June 10, 2005. As agent for the placement, Octagon Capital Corporation received a 7% cash commission and options to purchase 333,334 common shares at a price of Cdn$1.05 until June 10, 2005.
In October 2003, the Company completed the private placement of 625,000 units at a price of Cdn$0.80 per unit for gross proceeds of Cdn$500,000. Each unit consisted of one share and one-half of a share purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.00 per share until October 21, 2005.
In February 2003, the Company completed a private placement with Goldcorp by issuing 1,700,000 units at Cdn$0.60 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of Cdn$0.90 until February 21, 2004 and at a price of Cdn$1.10 from February 22, 2004 until February 21, 2005. Net proceeds to the Company from the placement was $687,330.
In August 2002, the Company completed two private placements of common shares. In the first, the Company issued 650,000 units at $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common shareand one-half of a common share warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.55 until August 19, 2003 and at Cdn$0.60 from August 20, 2003 until August 19, 2004. 470,000 of the units were flow-through units. The second private placement consisted of 2,000,000 common shares at a price of Cdn$0.60 per share. The company received net proceeds of $187,650 from the first placement and net proceeds of $769,820 from the second.
In May 2002, the Company closed the private placement of 2,850,000 units at Cnd$0.35 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. Each full warrant is exercisable into a common share at a price of Cdn$0.44 until May 16, 2003 and at Cdn$0.49 from May 17, 2003 until May 16, 2004. 2,330,000 of the units were flow through units. The Company also issued 43,000 common shares at a deemed price of Cdn$0.34 as a finders fee. Total proceeds to the Company were $636,490.
In February 2002, the Company completed the private placement of 4,869,002 units consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant for Cdn$0.15 per unit. The Warrants are exercisable at Cdn$0.20 until January 31, 2003 and at Cdn$0.25 from Febraury 1, 2003 until January 31, 2004. Net proceeds from the placement was Cdn$441,700.
In June 2001, the Company completed the sale of 1,265,700 Units at a price of Cdn$0.20 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a Share Purchase Warrant. One full Warrant is exercisable for one common share at a price of Cdn$0.25 until October 22, 2002. Total proceeds to the Company totaled $253,140 after the payment of a Corporate Finance Fee of Cdn$21,657.
In February 2001, The Company sold 600,000 Units at a price of Cdn$0.25 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share and one-half of a Share Purchase Warrant. One full Warrant is exercisable at a price of Cdn$0.35 until September 15, 2002. Proceeds to the Company totaled Cdn$150,000 as no finance fees were due.
The Company completed its Initial Public Offering in May 2000 by selling 2,068,000 Units at a price of Cdn$0.45 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share and two Share Purchase Warrants. Two Warrants were exercisable into one common share at a price of Cdn$0.45 per share for the first nine months and at a price of Cdn$0.60 per share for an additional nine months. The warrants expired on November 15, 2001. Net proceeds to the Company after Finance Fees and costs of the offering totaled Cdn$505,095.
Stock Options
Incentive Stock Options to purchase securities from Registrant are granted to Directors and Employees of the Company on terms and conditions acceptable to the regulatory authorities in Canada, notably the Canadian Venture Exchange.
Under the stock option program, incentive stock options for up to 10% of the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock may be granted from time to time, provided that incentive stock options in favor of any one individual may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock. No incentive stock option granted under the stock option program is transferable by the optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and each incentive stock option is exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee.
The exercise price of all incentive stock options granted under the stock option program must be at least equal to the fair market value of such shares of common stock on the date of grant, and the maximum term of each incentive stock option may not exceed five years.
The names and titles of the Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant to whom outstanding stock options have been granted and the number of common shares subject to such options are set forth in Table No. 12 as of 6/30/04, as well as the number of options granted to Directors and all employees as a group. The exercise price of the options is stated in Canadian Dollars.
Table No. 12
Stock Options Outstanding
Name | Number of Shares of Common Stock | Exercise Price | Expiration Date |
Joanne Freeze, President | 100,000 100,000 50,000 100,000 | $0.33 0.48 0.48 0.80 | 09/06/07 01/17/08 02/04/08 10/31/08 |
Ing. Fredy Jose Huanqui Guerra, Director | 100,000 100,000 50,000 100,000 | $0.33 0.48 0.48 0.80 | 09/06/07 01/17/08 02/04/08 10/31/08 |
Larry Kornze, Director | 165,000 50,000 50,000 100,000 | $0.33 0.48 0.48 0.80 | 04/23/07 01/17/08 02/04/08 10/31/08 |
Peter de Visser, Director | 20,000 61,250 75,000 50,000 | $0.23 0.33 0.48 0.48 | 04/04/07 09/06/07 01/17/08 02/04/08 |
Maria Eugenia Montagne, Corporate Secretary | 16,250 53,750 50,000 50,000 50,000 | $0.23 0.33 0.48 0.48 0.80 | 04/04/07 09/06/07 01/17/08 02/04/08 10/31/08 |
Total Officers/Directors (5 persons) | 1,491,250 | ||
Total Employees/Consultants (33 persons) | 1,867,000 | ||
Total Officers/Directors/ Employees/Consultants | 3,358,250 | ||
Memorandum and Articles of Association
The Company was originally incorporated in the Province of British Columbia. Under a resolution passed by the Shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on June 14, 2002, the Shareholders of the Company approved the continuation of the Company under the Canada Business Corporations Act. (“Corporations Act”)
There are no restrictions on the business the company may carry on in the Articles of Incorporation.
Under the Company’s articles of association and bylaws a director is not allowed to vote on a proposal, arrangement, contract or transaction in which the director is materially interested.
The Company’s articles of association and bylaws do not allow directors, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body.
Part4 of the Company’s bylaws address the borrowing powers of the directors. The borrowing powers are summarized as follows:
The Directors may, from time to time on behalf of the Company:
a.
borrow money in such manner and amount, on such security from such sources and upon such terms and conditions as they think fit;
b.
issue bonds or other debt instruments outright or as security for any liability or obligation for either the Company or any other person;
c.
mortgage any part or the whole of any property or assets of the Company;
There are no age limit requirements pertaining to the retirement or non-retirement of directors.
A director need not be a shareholder of the Company.
The rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of the Company’s shares are as follows:
Common Shares
All of the authorized shares of common stock of the Company are of the same class and, once issued, rank equally as to dividends, voting powers, and participation in assets. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be acted upon by the shareholders. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors, in its discretion, out of funds legally available therefore.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of common stock are entitled to receive pro rata the assets of Company, if any, remaining after payments of all debts and liabilities. No shares have been issued subject to call or assessment. There are no pre-emptive or conversion rights and no provisions for redemption or purchase for cancellation, surrender, or sinking or purchase funds.
The Company may by ordinary resolution filed with the Registrar amend its Memorandum to increase the authorized capital of the Company by:
a.
creating shares with par value or shares without par value
b.
increasing the number of shares with par value or without par value
c.
increasing the par value of a class of shares with par value, if no shares of that class are issued.
The Company may by special resolution alter its Memorandum to subdivide, consolidate or change the designation of any or all of its shares in such manner and with such consents of members holding a class of shares as the Company Act provides.
The Company may alter its Memorandum or these Articles:
a.
by special resolution, to create, define and attach special rights and restrictions to any shares, and
b.
by special resolution to vary or abrogate any special rights and restrictions attached to any shares
but no right attached to any issued shares shall be prejudiced or interfered with unless all members holding shares of each class whose right is so affected has given consent in writing, or unless a resolution consenting is passed by three-fourths of such holders at a separate class meeting of the holders.
Redemption Provisions
The Company may, by a resolution of the Directors and in compliance with the Corporation Act, purchase any of its shares at the price and at the terms specified in the resolution. No purchase will be made if, at the time, the Company is insolvent or the purchase would render the Company insolvent. Unless the shares are to purchased through a stock exchange or the Company is purchasing the shares from an employee or former employee, or if the Company is purchasing the shares from an affiliate or dissenting members, the Company shall make its offer to purchase pro rata to every member who holds shares of the class or kind. If the Company proposes to redeem some but not all of the shares of any class, the Directors may decide the manner in which the shares to be redeemed shall be selected.
There are no provisions discriminating against any existing or prospective holder of securities as a result of such shareholder owning a substantial number of shares.
The conditions governing the manner in which annual general meetings and extraordinary general meetings of shareholders are convoked, including conditions of admission are described in Part 7 of the Company’s bylaws. These conditions are summarized as follows:
Annual Meeting. An annual general meeting shall be held once in every calendar year at such time and place as determined by the Directors, but not more than 15 months after the holding of the last preceding annual general meeting.
Extraordinary General Meetings. The Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Managing Director or the President may convene an extraordinary general meeting whenever they see fit. Others who wish to convene a meeting may requisition to do so through the process provided under the Corporations Act.
Every member who is present in person shall have one vote and every member shall have one vote for which he is the registered holder either in person or by proxy. A member holding more than one share in respect of which he is entitled to vote shall be entitled to appoint one or more, but not more than five, proxyholders to attend, act and vote for him.
There are no limitations on the rights to own securities.
There are no provisions of the Company’s articles of association, charter or bylaws that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company.
EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS
AFFECTING SECURITY HOLDERS
There are no governmental laws, decrees or regulations in Canada relating restrictions on the export or import of capital, or affecting the remittance of interest, dividends or other payments to non-resident holders of the Company’s common shares. Any remittance of dividends to United States residents are; however, subject to a 15% withholding tax (10% if the shareholder is a corporation owning at least 10% of the common shares of the Company) pursuant to Article X of the reciprocal treaty between Canada and the United States.
Except as provided in the Investment Canada Act, there are no limitations under the laws of Canada, the Province of Ontario or in the Articles of Incorporation of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote the common shares of the Company.
The Investment Canada Act (the "ICA"), which became effective on 6/30/85, regulates the acquisition by non-Canadians of control of a Canadian business enterprise. In effect, the ICA required review by Investment Canada, the agency which administers the ICA, and approval by the Canadian government in the case of an acquisition of control of a Canadian business by a non-Canadian where: (i) in the case of acquisition (for example, through a share purchase or asset purchase), the assets of the business are $5 million or more in value; or (ii) in the case of an indirect acquisition (for example, the acquisition of the foreign parent of the Canadian business) where the Canadian business has assets of $50 million or more in value or if the Canadian business represents more than 50% of the assets of the original group and the Canadian business has assets of $5 million or more in value. Review and approval are also required fo r the acquisition or establishment of a new business in areas concerning "Canada's cultural heritage or national identity" such as book publishing, film production and distribution, television and radio, production and distribution of music, and the oil and natural gas industry, regardless of the size of the investment.
In the context of the Company, in essence, three methods of acquiring control of a Canadian business are regulated by the ICA: (i) the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets used in carrying on the Canadian business; (ii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of voting shares of a Canadian corporation carrying on the Canadian business; (iii) the acquisition of voting of an entity which controls, directly or indirectly, another entity carrying on a Canadian business. An acquisition of a majority of the voting interests of an entity, including a corporation, is deemed to be an acquisition of control under the ICA. An acquisition of less than one- third of the voting shares of a corporation is deemed not to be an acquisition of control. An acquisition of less than a majority, but one-third or more, of the voting shares of a corporation is presumed to be an acquisition of control unless it can be established that on the acquisition the corporation is not, in fact, controlled by the acquirer through the ownership of voting shares. For partnerships, trusts, joint ventures or other unincorporated entities, an acquisition of less than a majority of the voting interests is deemed not to be an acquisition of control.
In 1988, the ICA was amended pursuant to the Free Trade Agreement dated 1/2/88 between Canada and the United States to relax the restriction of the ICA. As a result of these amendments, except where the Canadian business is in the cultural, oil and gas, uranium, financial services or transportation sectors, the threshold for direct acquisition of control by U.S. investors and other foreign investors acquiring control of a Canadian business from U.S. investors has been raised from $5 million to $150 million of gross assets, and indirect acquisitions are not reviewable.
In addition to the foregoing, the ICA requires that all other acquisitions of control of Canadian businesses by non-Canadians are subject to formal notification to the Canadian government. These provisions require a foreign investor to give notice in the required form, which notices are for information, as opposed to review, purposes.
TAXATION
The following summary of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences generally applicable in respect of the common stock reflects the Company’s opinion. The tax consequences to any particular holder of common stock will vary according to the status of that holder as an individual, trust, corporation or member of a partnership, the jurisdiction in which that holder is subject to taxation, the place where that holder is resident and, generally, according to that holder’s particular circumstances. This summary is applicable only to holders who are resident in the United States, have never been resident in Canada, deal at arm’s length with the Company, hold their common stock as capital property and who will not use or hold the common stock in carrying on business in Canada. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a United States holder that is an issuer that carries on bu siness in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the provisions of the Income Tax Act of Canada and the regulations thereunder (collectively, the "Tax Act" or “ITA”)and the Canada-United States Tax Convention (the “Tax Convention”) as at the date of the Annual Report and the current administrative practices of Revenue Canada, Taxation. This summary does not take into account provincial income tax consequences.
The Company encourages each holder to consult with his own tax advisor with respect to the income tax consequences applicable to him in his own particular circumstances.
CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
Disposition of Common Stock.
If a non-resident were to dispose of common stock of the Company to another Canadian corporation which deals or is deemed to deal on a non-arm’s length basis with the non-resident and which, immediately after the disposition, is connected with the Company (i.e., which holds shares representing more than 10% of the voting power and more than 10% of the market value of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company), the amount by which the fair market value of any consideration (other than any shares of the purchaser corporation) exceeds the paid-up capital of the common stock sold will be deemed to be taxable as a dividend paid by the purchasing corporation, either immediately or eventually by means of a deduction in computing the paid-up capital of the purchasing corporation, and subject to withholding taxes as described below.
Under the Tax Act, a gain from the sales of common stock by a non-resident will not be subject to Canadian tax, provided the shareholder (and/or persons who do not deal at arm’s length with the shareholder) have not held a “substantial interest” in the Company (25% or more of the shares of any class of the Company’s stock) at any time in the five years preceding the disposition. Generally, the Tax Convention will exempt from Canadian taxation any capital gain realized by the resident of the United States, provided that the value of the common stock is not derived principally from real property situated in Canada.
Dividend. In the case of any dividends paid to non-residents, the Canadian tax is withheld by the Company, which remits only the net amount to the shareholder. By virtue of Article X of the Tax Convention, the rate of tax on dividends paid to residents of the United States is generally limited to 15% of the gross dividend (or 10% in the case of certain corporate shareholders owning at least 10% of the Company’s voting shares). In the absence of the treaty provisions, the rate of Canadian withholding tax imposed on non-residents is 25% of the gross dividend. Stock dividends received by non-residents from the Company are taxable by Canada as ordinary dividends.
Where a holder disposes of common stock to the Company (unless the Company acquired the common stock in the open market in the manner in which shares would normally be purchased by any member of the public) will result in a deemed dividend to the U.S. holder equal to the amount by which the consideration paid by the Company exceeds the paid-up capital of such stock, the amount of such dividend will be subject to withholding tax as described above.
Capital Gains
A non-resident of Canada is not subject to tax under the ITA in respect of a capital gain realized upon the disposition of a share of a class that is listed on a prescribed stock exchange unless the share represents “taxable Canadian property” to the holder thereof. A common share of the Company will be taxable Canadian property to a non-resident holder if, at any time during the period of five years immediately preceding the disposition, the non-resident holder, persons with whom the non-resident holder did not deal at arm’s length, or the non-resident holder and persons with whom he/she did not deal at arm’s length owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the Company. In the case of a non-resident holder to whom shares of the Company represent taxable Canadian property and who is resident in the United States, no Canadian tax will be payable on a capital gain realized on such shares by reason of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention 1980) (the “Treaty”) unless the value of such shares is derived principally from real property situated in Canada or the non-resident holder previously held the shares while resident in Canada. However, in such a case, certain transitional relief under the Treaty may be available.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a discussion of material United States Federal income tax consequences, under the law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) of common shares of the Company. This discussion does not cover any state, local or foreign tax consequences.
The following discussion is based upon the sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the 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, possible on a retroactive basis, at any time. In addition, the discussion does not consider the potential effects, both adverse and beneficial, or recently proposed legislation which, if enacted, could be applied, possibly on a retroactive basis, at any time. The Company encourages holders and prospective holders of common shares to consult with their own tax advisors about the federal, state, local, and foreign tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares of the Company.
U.S. Holders
As used herein, a (“U.S. Holder”) includes a holder of common shares of the Company who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political subdivision thereof and any other person or entity whose ownership of common shares of the Company is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. A U.S. Holder does not include persons subject to special provisions of Federal income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals or foreign corporations whose ownership of common shares of the Company is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and shareholders who acquired their stock th rough the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation.
Distribution on Common Shares of the Company
U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of the Company are required to include in gross income for United States Federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions to the extent that the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits, without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Such Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder’s United States Federal Income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing the U.S. Holder’s United States Federal taxable income by those who itemize deductions. (See more detailed discussion at “Foreign Tax Credit” below). To the extent that distributions exceed current or accumulated earnings and profits of the Company, they will be treated first as a return of capital up to the U .S. Holder’s adjusted basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of the common shares. Preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains are applicable to a U.S. Holder which is an individual, estate or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains for a U.S. Holder which is a corporation.
Dividends paid on the common shares of the Company will not generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction provided to corporations. A U.S. Holder which is a corporation may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to a 70% deduction of the United States source portion of dividends received from the Company (unless the Company qualifies as a “foreign personal holding company” or a “passive foreign investment company”, as defined below) if such U.S. Holder owns shares representing at least 10% of the voting power and value of the Company. The availability of this deduction is subject to several complex limitations which are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Foreign Tax Credit
A U.S. Holder who pays (or has withheld from distributions) Canadian income tax with respect to the ownership of common shares of the Company may be entitled, at the option of the U.S. Holder, to either a deduction or a tax credit for such foreign tax paid or withheld. Generally, it will be more advantageous to claim a credit because a credit reduces United States Federal income taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a deduction merely reduces the taxpayer’s income subject to tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign income taxes (or taxes in lieu of income tax) paid by (or withheld from) the U.S. Holder during the year. There are significant and complex limitations which apply to the credit, among which is the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of the U.S. Holder’s United States income tax liability that the U.S. Holder’s foreign source income bears to his/her or its application of this limitation. The various items of income and deduction must be classified into foreign and domestic sources. Complex rules govern this classification process. There are further limitations on the foreign tax credit for certain types of income such as “passive income”, “high withholding tax interest”, “financial services income”, “shipping income”, and certain other classifications of income. The availability of the foreign tax credit and the application of the limitations on the credit are fact specific; therefore, the Company encourages holders and prospective holders of common shares of the Company to consult with their own tax advisors regarding their individual circumstances.
Disposition of Common Shares of the Company
A U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common shares of the Company 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 common shares of the Company. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss if the common shares are capital assets in the hands of the U.S. Holder, which will be a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending upon the holding period of the U.S. Holder. Gains and losses are netted and combined according to special rules in arriving at the overall capital gain or loss for a particular tax year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to significant limitations. For U.S. Holders which are individuals, 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 which are corporations (other than corporations subject to Subchapter S of the Code), an unused net capital loss may be carried back three years from the loss year and carried forward five years from the loss year to be offset against capital gains until such net capital loss is thereby exhausted.
Other Considerations
In the following circumstances, the above sections of the discussion may not describe the United States Federal income tax consequences resulting from the holding and disposition of common shares of the Company.
Foreign Personal Holding Company
If at any time during a taxable year more than 50% of the total combined voting power or the total value of the Company’s outstanding shares is owned, actually or constructively, by five or fewer individuals who are citizens or residents of the United States and 60% or more of the Company’s gross income for such year was derived from certain passive sources (e.g. from dividends received from its subsidiaries), the Company would be treated as a “foreign personal holding company.” In that event, U.S. Holders that hold common shares of the Company would be required to include in gross income for such year their allowable portions of such passive income to the extent the Company does not actually distribute such income.The Company does not believe that it currently has the status of a “foreign personal holding company”.
Foreign Investment Company
If 50% or more of the combined voting power or total value of the Company’s outstanding shares are held, actually or constructively, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships or corporations, or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts (as defined by the Code Section 7701(a)(31), and the Company is found to be engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, commodities, or any interest therein, it is possible that the Company might be treated as a “foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1246 of the Code, causing all or part of any gain realized by a U.S. Holder selling or exchanging common shares of the Company to be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gains.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
As a foreign corporation with U.S. Holders, the Company could potentially be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”), as defined in Section 1296 of the Code, depending upon the percentage of the Company’s assets which is held for the purpose of producing passive income.
Certain United States income tax legislation contains rules governing PFICs which can have significant tax effects on U.S. Shareholders of foreign corporations. These rules do not apply to non-U.S. shareholders. Section 1296 of the Code defines a PFIC as a corporation that is not formed in the United States and, for any taxable year, either (i) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income”, which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value or, if the Company 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.
A U.S. shareholder who holds stock in a foreign corporation during any year in which such corporation qualifies as a PFIC is subject to U.S. Federal income taxation under one of two alternative tax regimes at the election of each such U.S. shareholder. The following is a discussion of such two alternative tax regimes applied to such U.S. shareholders of the Company.
A U.S. shareholder who elects in a timely manner to treat the Company as a Qualified Electing Fund (“QEF”), as defined in the Code (an “Electing U.S. Shareholder”), will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC on his pro-rata share of the Company’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. Shareholder 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. Shareholder, in each case, for the shareholder’s taxable year in which (or with which) the Company’s taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed.
The effective QEF election also allows the Electing U.S. Shareholder to (i) generally treat any gain realized on the disposition of his Common Shares (or deemed to be realized on the pledge of his Common Shares) as capital, (ii) treat his share of the Company’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 Company’s annual realized net capital gain and ordinary earnings subject, however, to an interest charge on the deferred taxes. If the Electing U.S. Shareholder is not a corporation, such an interest charge would be treated generally as “personal interest” that can be deducted only when it is paid or accrued an is only 10% deductible in taxable years beginning in 1990 and not deductible at all in taxable years beginning after 1990.
The procedures a U.S. Shareholder must comply with in making an effective QEF election will depend on whether the year of the election is the first year in the U.S. Shareholder’s holding period in which the Company is a PFIC. If the U.S. Shareholder makes a QEF election in such first year, i.e. a timely QEF election, then the U.S. Shareholder may make the QEF election by simply filing the appropriate documentation at the time the U.S. Shareholder files its tax return for such first year. If, however, the Company qualified as a PFIC in a prior year during such shareholder’s holding period, then in addition to filing documents, the U.S. Shareholder must elect to recognize (i) (under the rules of Section 1291 discussed below), any gain that he would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Shareholder sold his stock on the application date or (ii) if the Company is a controlled foreign corporation, and such shareholder so elects, his/her allocable portion of the Company’s post-1986 earnings and profits.
When a timely QEF election is made, if the Company no longer qualifies as a PFIC in a subsequent year, normal code rules will apply. It is unclear whether a new QEF election is necessary if the Company thereafter re-qualifies as a PFIC. U.S. Shareholders should seriously consider making a new QEF election under those circumstances.
If a U.S. Shareholder does not make a timely QEF election in the year in which it holds (or is deemed to have held) the shares in question and the Company is a PFIC (a “Non-resident U.S. shareholder”), then special taxation rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on disposition (or deemed to be realized by reason by of a pledge) of his/her common shares and (ii) certain “excess contributions”, as specially defined, by the Company.
Non-electing U.S. shareholders generally would be required to pro-rata all gains realized on the disposition of his/her common shares and all excess distributions over the entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. shareholder (other than years prior to the first taxable year of the Company during such U.S. Shareholder’s holding period and beginning after January 1, 1987 for which it 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. Shareholder also would be liable for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such tax liability had been due with respect to each such prior year. A Non-electing U.S. Shareholder that is not a corporation must treat this interest charge as “personal interest” which, as discussed above, is partially or 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 Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-electing U.S. Shareholder holds common shares, then the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such common shares, even if it is no longer definitionally a PFIC. A Non-electing U.S. Shareholder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize a gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-electing U.S. Shareholders) as if such common shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC.
Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the Department of the Treasury has issued proposed regulations that would treat as taxable certain transfers of PFIC stock by Non-electing U.S. Shareholders that are generally not otherwise taxed, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death.
Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to the common shares while the Company is a PFIC whether or not it is treated as a QEF. For example under Section 1297(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. shareholder 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 stock.
The foregoing discussion is based on existing provisions of the Code, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current administrative ruling and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such change could affect the validity of this discussion. In addition, the implementation of certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in many instances have not been promulgated and which may have retroactive effect. There can be no assurance any of these proposed regulations will be enacted or promulgated, and if so, the form they will take or the effect that they may have on this discussion. Accordingly, and due to the complexity of the PFIC rules, U.S. persons who are shareholders of the Company are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the impact of these rules on their investment in the Company.
Based on the formentioned discussion, management does not believe that Candente Resource Corporation is a “passive foreign investment company”.
Controlled Foreign Corporation
If more than 50% of the voting power of all classes of stock or the total value of the stock of the Company is owned, directly or indirectly, by citizens or residents of the United States, United States domestic partnerships and corporations or estates or trusts other than foreign estates or trusts, each of whom own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or the total value of the stock of (“United States Shareholder”) the Company, could be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” under Subpart F of the Code. This classification would effect many complex results including the required inclusion by such United States shareholders in income of their pro rata shares of “Subpart F income” (as specially defined by the Code) of the Company and the Company’s earnings invested in U.S. property and earnings invested “excess passive assets” (as spec ifically defined by the Code). In addition, under Section 1248 of the Code, gain from the sale or exchange of common shares of the Company by a U.S. person who is or was a United States shareholder (as defined in the Code) at any time during the five year period ending with the sale or exchange is treated as ordinary dividend income to the extent of earnings and profits of the company attributable to the stock sold or exchanged. Because of the complexity of Subpart F., and because it is not clear that the Company is a controlled foreign corporation, a more detailed review of these rules is outside of the scope of this discussion.
Item 11. Disclosures about Market Risk
Not Applicable
Item 12. Description of Other Securities
Not Applicable
Part II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not Applicable
Item 14. Modifications of Rights of Securities Holders and
Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer Joanne Freeze and Chief Financial Officer Peter de Visser, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-14(c)under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to the material information relating to the Company (or the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in this Form 20-F Annual Report.
The Company's disclosure controls and procedures operate such that important information flows to appropriate collection and disclosure points in a timely manner and are effective to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, and made known to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, including the period when this Annual Report on Form 20-F was prepared, as appropriate to allow timely decision regarding the required disclosure.
There were no significant changes made in the Company’s internal controls or, to the Company’s knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Experts
The Company considers Peter de Visser to be its Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr. de Visser is a Chartered Accountant and has been a principal of De Visser Gray, a Chartered Accountant company located in Vancouver B.C., since 1987. De Visser Gray is currently registered with both the Canadian Public Accountability Board and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States. He has been a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia since 1976.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
The Company does not currently have a Code of Ethics. Management is currently drafting a Code of Ethics which is intended to be in place for fiscal 2005.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table details the fees paid by the Company to Beauchamp & Company for professional services provided to the Company for fiscal years 2002 and 2003, ended December 31.
Fiscal Year Ended December 31 | ||
2003 | 2002 | |
Audit Fees: | ||
Audit Fees: (1) | $ 11,375 | $ 12,375 |
Audit Related Fees: (2) | 8,400 | 5,675 |
Tax Fees | 1,384 | 1,264 |
Other Fees | Nil | Nil |
Total Fees: | $ 21,159 | $ 19,314 |
(1) Fees related to the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and review of the Company’s responses to comments presented by securities regulators.
(2) Includes fees related to the review of the Company’s interim financial statements and review of filings for the British Columbia Securities Commission.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not Applicable
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not Applicable
Part III
Item 17. Financial Statements
The Company's financial statements are stated in Canadian Dollars (CDN$) and are prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), the application of which, in the case of the Company, conforms in all material respects for the periods presented with United States GAAP, except as discussed in footnotes to the financial statements.
The financial statements as required under ITEM #17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The audit report of Beauchamp & Company, independent Chartered Accountants, is included herein immediately preceding the financial statements and schedules.
Audited Financial Statements for Fiscal 2003, Fiscal 2002 and Fiscal 2001
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Six Months ended June 30, 2004.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The Company has elected to provide financial statements pursuant to ITEM #17.
Item 19. Exhibits
(A1) The financial statements thereto as required under ITEM 17 are attached hereto and found immediately following the text of this Annual Report. The report of Beauchamp & Company, independent Chartered Accountants, for the audited financial statements are included herein immediately preceding the audited financial statements.
Audited Financial Statements
Auditor's Report, dated May 17, 2004
Comments by Auditor for U.S. Readers on Canada-U.S. Reporting
Difference, dated May 17, 2004
Balance Sheets at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficitfor the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and Cumulative, inception to December 31, 2003.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flowsfor the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 and Cumulative, inception to December 31, 2003.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Unaudited Financial Statements
Notice to Reader dated August 18, 2004.
Interim Balance Sheets for the 6 Months ended 6/30/04 and 6 Months ended 6/30/03.
Interim Statements of Income and DeficitCumulative from inception to 6/30/04 and for the 6 months ended 6/30/04 and the 6 months ended 6/30/03.
Interim Statements of Cash FlowsCumulative from inception to 6/30/04 and for the 6 months ended 6/30/04 and the 6 months ended 6/30/03.
Notes to the Interim Financial Statements
ITEM 19. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (CONT.)
Exhibits:
1. Certificate of Incorporation, Certificates of Name Change Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws . . . . . . | |
2. Instruments defining the rights of holders of the securities being registered | |
***See Exhibit Number 1*** | |
3. Voting Trust Agreements – N/A | |
4. Material Contracts (all Previously Filed) A. Escrow Agreement dated 10/4/1999. B. Share Purchase Agreement between Ing. Diego Ruby Alcocar Rojas and Arthur C. Freeze dated 12/17/98 C. Lease Agreement for Company’s Offices D. Lease Addendum dated April 1, 2003 E. Month-to-Month Lease Agreement dated June 1, 2003 F. Option Agreement on the Linear Property dated April 9, 2002. G. Option Agreement with Kevin Keats dated May 20, 2002. H. Option Agreement on the Alto Dorado Property dated June 1, 2002. I. Sale Agreement for the Millo Property dated October 24, 2002. J. Option Agreement on the Staghorn (Wood’s Lake) Property dated December 20, 2002. | |
5. List of Foreign Patents – N/A | |
6. Calculation of earnings per share – N/A | |
7. Explanation of calculation of ratios – N/A | |
8. List of subsidiaries | |
9. Statement pursuant to the instructions to Item 8.A.4, regarding the financial statements filed in registration statements for initial public offerings of securities – N/A 10. Other Documents:
| |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 2003
December 31, 2002
December 31, 2001
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
BEAUCHAMP & COMPANY
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
#205 - 788 BEATTY STREET
VANCOUVER, B.C.
V6B 2M1
PHONE: 604-688-2850
FAX: 604-688-2777
AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Shareholders of Candente Resource Corp.
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets and statements of deferred costs of Candente Resource Corp. as at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2003. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Canada and the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the company as at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2003 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Vancouver, B.C.
“Beauchamp & Company”
May 17, 2004
Chartered Accountants
COMMENTS BY AUDITORS FOR U.S. READERS ON CANADA - U.S REPORTING CONFLICT
In the United States, reporting standards require the addition of an explanatory paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when the financial statements are affected by significant uncertainties and contingencies such as those referred to in note 1 to these consolidated financial statements. Although we conducted our audits in accordance with both Canadian and U.S. generally accepted auditing standards, our report to the shareholders dated May 17, 2004 is expressed in accordance with Canadian reporting standards which do not require a reference to such matters when the uncertainties are adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
Vancouver, B.C.
“Beauchamp & Company”
May 17, 2004
Chartered Accountants
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
2003 | 2002 | |||
A S S E T S | ||||
Current Assets | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 2) | $ 3,672,704) | $ 681,706) | ||
Amounts receivable | 39,000) | 36,503) | ||
Subscriptions receivable (Note 11) | 59,032) | -) | ||
Promissory notes receivable | -) | 39,300) | ||
Prepaid expenses and deposits (Note 12) | 123,009) | 13,248) | ||
3,893,745) | 770,757) | |||
Deferred costs (Notes 2 and 4) | 3,108,000) | 2,180,536) | ||
Equipment (Notes 2 and 5) | 92,266) | 33,167) | ||
$ 7,094,011) | $ 2,984,460) | |||
L I A B I L I T I E S | ||||
Current Liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ 45,566) | $ 83,125) | ||
Due to related parties | 14,967) | 10,065) | ||
60,533) | 93,190) | |||
S H A R E H O L D E R S’ E Q U I T Y | ||||
Share capital (Note 6) | 8,933,796) | 4,204,815) | ||
Contributed surplus (Note 6) | 1,014,725) | -) | ||
Deficit | (2,915,043) | (1,313,545) | ||
7,033,478) | 2,891,270) | |||
$ 7,094,011) | $ 2,984,460) |
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors:
“Joanne Freeze”
“Peter de Visser”
Director
Director
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||
Expenses | ||||||
Amortization of equipment | $ 31,071) | $ 4,512) | $ 1,058) | |||
Bank charges and interest | 4,434) | 3,648) | 868) | |||
Corporate development | 39,615) | 39,598) | 30,349) | |||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (25,141) | 4,898) | 4,277) | |||
Interest income | (26,500) | (11,146) | (800) | |||
International security | 12,326) | -) | -) | |||
Investor relations | 59,943) | 38,532) | 12,151) | |||
Legal, audit and accounting | 55,851) | 36,650) | 20,419) | |||
Management and office salaries (Note 7) | 71,226) | 53,789) | 39,018) | |||
Office, rent and miscellaneous | 62,068) | 36,219) | 14,604) | |||
Promotion and travel | 132,752) | 80,714) | 37,309) | |||
Regulatory and filing fees | 27,764) | 15,985) | 11,810) | |||
Shareholder communications | 12,631) | 6,978) | 10,021) | |||
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 6) | 911,014) | -) | -) | |||
Write-off of deferred costs | 232,444) | 127,288) | 109,107) | |||
Write-down for impairment of deferred costs | -) | -) | 158,583) | |||
Loss for the year | (1,601,498) | (437,665) | (448,774) | |||
Deficit, beginning of year | (1,313,545) | (875,880) | (427,106) | |||
Deficit, end of year | $ (2,915,043) | $ (1,313,545) | $ (875,880) | |||
Loss per share (Note 8) | $ (0.06) | $ (0.02) | $ (0.05) | |||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 28,013,160) | 17,581,592) | 9,210,799) | |||
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||
Cash provided by (used for): | ||||||
Operating activities | ||||||
Loss for the per year | $ (1,601,498) | $ (437,665) | $ (448,774) | |||
Adjustment for items not involving cash: | ||||||
Amortization of equipment | 31,071) | 4,512) | 1,058) | |||
Corporate development | -) | -) | 2,930) | |||
Stock-based compensation | 911,014) | -) | -) | |||
Write-off of deferred costs | 232,444) | 127,288) | 109,107) | |||
Write-down for impairment of deferred costs | -) | -) | 158,583) | |||
Changes in non-cash working capital items: | ||||||
Amounts receivable | (2,497) | (22,933) | 9,757) | |||
Promissory notes receivable | 39,300) | (22,130) | -) | |||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | (109,761) | 7,483) | (18,952) | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (37,559) | 63,697) | 11,111) | |||
Due to related parties | 4,902) | 10,065) | (28,821) | |||
Funds used for operating activities | (532,584) | (269,683) | (204,001) | |||
Investing activities | ||||||
Acquisition of equipment | (90,170) | (34,254) | -) | |||
Deferred exploration costs | (904,463) | (890,274) | (196,027) | |||
Deferred acquisition costs | (105,388) | (348,662) | (126,550) | |||
Funds used for investing activities | (1,100,021) | (1,273,190) | (322,577) | |||
Financing activities | ||||||
Cash received for common shares | 4,856,904) | 2,024,822) | 692,829) | |||
Share issue costs | (233,301) | (52,692) | (15,622) | |||
Funds provided by financing activities | 4,623,603) | 1,972,130) | 677,207) | |||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 2,990,998) | 429,257) | 150,629) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 681,706) | 252,449) | 101,820) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ 3,672,704) | $ 681,706) | $ 252,449) | |||
Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
During 2003, the Company issued 266,000 common shares valued at $150,057 pursuant to mineral property agreements
During 2002, the Company issued 815,000 common shares valued at $165,960 pursuant to mineral property agreements. The Company issued 180,000 common shares upon the exercise of 180,000 stock options at Cdn$0.15 per share. The options were exercised by payment of promissory notes and secured by the shares issued (see Note 6).
During 2001, the Company issued 10,000 common shares at an aggregate cost of $2,930 for corporate finance fees.
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
PERU | ||||||||||
El Tigre Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ 19,200 | $ 37,900 | $ 57,100 | $ 9,600 | $ 66,700 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 2,967 | - | 2,967 | - | 2,967 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 396 | 396 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 12,552 | 383 | 12,935 | 1,371 | 14,306 | |||||
Field office and personnel | 16,136 | 8,294 | 24,430 | 4,825 | 29,255 | |||||
Geological consulting | 37,556 | 19,048 | 56,604 | - | 56,604 | |||||
Maps and publications | 7,128 | 1,450 | 8,578 | - | 8,578 | |||||
95,539 | 67,075 | 162,614 | 16,192 | 178,806 | ||||||
Lunahuana Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 20,400 | 38,700 | 59,100 | 12,395 | 71,495 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 2,571 | 5,713 | 8,284 | 116 | 8,400 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 2,717 | 2,717 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 5,592 | 16,448 | 22,040 | 1,130 | 23,170 | |||||
Field office and personnel | 14,174 | 19,269 | 33,443 | 10,123 | 43,566 | |||||
Geological consulting | 47,447 | 52,326 | 99,773 | 2,549 | 102,322 | |||||
Maps and publications | 595 | 4,773 | 5,368 | - | 5,368 | |||||
90,779 | 137,229 | 228,008 | 29,030 | 257,038 | ||||||
Las Sorpresas Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 17,800 | 36,665 | 54,465 | 8,474 | 62,939 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 4,371 | - | 4,371 | - | 4,371 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | - | - | 199 | 199 | |||||
Field office and personnel | 7,347 | 9,677 | 17,024 | 3,728 | 20,752 | |||||
Geological consulting | 9,429 | 315 | 9,744 | 278 | 10,022 | |||||
38,947 | 46,657 | 85,604 | 12,679 | 98,283 | ||||||
Picota Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 17,706 | 12,800 | 30,506 | 9,450 | 39,956 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 4,714 | - | 4,714 | - | 4,714 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | 1,918 | 1,610 | 3,528 | 2,858 | 6,386 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 10,934 | 636 | 11,570 | - | 11,570 | |||||
Field office and personnel | 8,931 | 4,778 | 13,709 | 5,102 | 18,811 | |||||
Geological consulting | 38,527 | - | 38,527 | - | 38,527 | |||||
Maps and publications | 2,616 | - | 2,616 | - | 2,616 | |||||
85,346 | 19,824 | 105,170 | 17,410 | 122,580 | ||||||
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
Pamel Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ 39,635) | $ 18,605) | $ 58,240) | $ 14,114 | $ 72,354) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 26,037) | -) | 26,037) | - | 26,037) | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | 40,542) | 2,240) | 42,782) | - | 42,782) | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 23,639) | -) | 23,639) | - | 23,639) | |||||
Field office and personnel | 88,558) | 5,392) | 93,950) | 5,906 | 99,856) | |||||
Geological consulting | 114,936) | -) | 114,936) | - | 114,936) | |||||
Maps and publications | 8,669) | 1,085) | 9,754) | 136 | 9,890) | |||||
Options payments received | (145,000) | -) | (145,000) | - | (145,000) | |||||
197,016) | 27,322) | 224,338) | 20,156 | 244,494) | ||||||
Huaypian Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 11,129) | (11,129) | -) | - | -) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs | 66,159) | (66,159) | -) | - | -) | |||||
77,288) | (77,288) | -) | - | -) | ||||||
Las Brujas Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 6,801) | 4,000) | 10,801) | 3,000 | 13,801) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | 2,570) | -) | 2,570) | - | 2,570) | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 6,137) | -) | 6,137) | 352 | 6,489) | |||||
Field office and personnel | 2,643) | 10,140) | 12,783) | 5,074 | 17,857) | |||||
Geological consulting | 4,734) | 8,913) | 13,647) | 562 | 14,209) | |||||
Maps and publications | 1,781) | 496) | 2,277) | - | 2,277) | |||||
24,666) | 23,549) | 48,215) | 8,988 | 57,203) | ||||||
Canariaco Property | ) | ) | ||||||||
Acquisition costs | 75,750) | 14,000) | 89,750) | 10,768 | 100,518 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ) | ) | ||||||||
Assays | -) | -) | -) | 355 | 355 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | -) | -) | -) | 756 | 756 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 4,207) | -) | 4,207) | 1,440 | 5,647 | |||||
Field office and personnel | 5,675) | 16,168) | 21,843) | 32,165 | 54,008 | |||||
Geological consulting | 52,588) | 3,056) | 55,644) | 660 | 56,304 | |||||
Maps and publications | 2,744) | 370) | 3,114) | 7 | 3,121 | |||||
140,964) | 33,594) | 174,558) | 46,151 | 220,709 | ||||||
�� | ) | |||||||||
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
Paracas Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ 23,280) | $ (23,280) | $ -) | $ - | $ -) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | 26,723) | (26,723) | -) | - | -) | |||||
50,003) | (50,003) | -) | - | -) | ||||||
Alto Dorado/Toril Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | -) | 66,077) | 66,077) | 16,400 | 82,477) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ) | |||||||||
Assays | -) | 3,497) | 3,497) | 12,670 | 16,167) | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | -) | 1,546) | 1,546) | 25,968 | 27,514) | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | -) | 2,089) | 2,089) | 34,382 | 36,471) | |||||
Field office and personnel | -) | 5,108) | 5,108) | 145,580 | 150,688) | |||||
Geological consulting | -) | 23,506) | 23,506) | 45,262 | 68,768) | |||||
Maps and publications | -) | 3,908) | 3,908) | 10,515 | 14,423) | |||||
-) | 105,731) | 105,731) | 290,777 | 396,508) | ||||||
Other Properties | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | 16,820) | 85,443) | 102,263) | 23,635 | 125,898) | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ) | ) | ||||||||
Assays | 5,537) | 11,702) | 17,239) | 25,338 | 42,577) | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | 11,191) | 7,382) | 18,573) | 8,921 | 27,494) | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | 12,140) | 29,999) | 42,139) | 16,119 | 58,258) | |||||
Field office and personnel | 40,487) | 26,393) | 66,880) | 63,735 | 130,615) | |||||
Geological consulting | 45,983) | 55,333) | 101,316) | 25,115 | 126,431) | |||||
Maps and publications | 5,222) | 11,810) | 17,032) | 11,073 | 28,105) | |||||
Option payments received | (10,000) | -) | (10,000) | - | (10,000) | |||||
Write-down for impairment of properties value | (25,000) | -) | (25,000) | - | (25,000) | |||||
102,380) | 228,062) | 330,442) | 173,936 | 504,378) | ||||||
Peru - Total | 902,928) | 561,752) | 1,464,680) | 615,319 | 2,079,999) | |||||
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
CANADA (NEWFOUNDLAND) | ||||||||||
Linear Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ - | $ 20,345 | $ 20,345 | $ 40,293) | $ 60,638 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 10,903 | 10,903 | (6,574) | 4,329 | |||||
Drilling | - | - | - | 50,281) | 50,281 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 4,608 | 4,608 | 2,372) | 6,980 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 22,001 | 22,001 | 23,290) | 45,291 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | 24,668 | 24,668 | 2,591) | 27,259 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 73,389 | 73,389 | 69,214) | 142,603 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | 1,228 | 1,228 | 354) | 1,582 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | 555 | 555 | 1,356) | 1,911 | |||||
- | 157,697 | 157,697 | 183,177) | 340,874 | ||||||
Island Pond Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | - | 14,250 | 14,250 | 16,575) | 30,825 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 271 | 271 | 14) | 285 | |||||
Drilling | - | 69,011 | 69,011 | 1,264) | 70,275 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 925 | 925 | 113) | 1,038 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 1,663 | 1,663 | (1,441) | 222 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | 197 | 197 | 115) | 312 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 6,942 | 6,942 | 3,043) | 9,985 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | 331 | 331 | 74) | 405 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | - | - | 50) | 50 | |||||
- | 93,590 | 93,590 | 19,807) | 113,397 | ||||||
Virgin Arm Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | - | 3,400 | 3,400 | (3,284) | 116 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 2,610 | 2,610 | 1,143) | 3,753 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 2,806 | 2,806 | 944) | 3,750 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 6,571 | 6,571 | 4,438) | 11,009 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | 14,255 | 14,255 | 1,572) | 15,827 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 51,704 | 51,704 | 20,958) | 72,662 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | 72 | 72 | 30) | 102 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | 378 | 378 | 365) | 743 | |||||
- | 81,796 | 81,796 | 26,166) | 107,962 |
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
Staghorn Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ - | $ 12,736 | $ 12,736 | $ 62,345 | 75,081 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 813 | 813 | 2,556 | 3,369 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 2,108 | 2,108 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 1,072 | 1,072 | 9,411 | 10,483 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | - | - | 2,696 | 2,696 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 6,482 | 6,482 | 42,461 | 48,943 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | - | - | 260 | 260 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | - | - | 838 | 838 | |||||
- | 21,103 | 21,103 | 122,675 | 143,778 | ||||||
Duder Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | - | - | 1,999 | 1,999 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 883 | 883 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | - | - | 2,947 | 2,947 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | - | - | 896 | 896 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | - | - | 29,934 | 29,934 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | - | - | 390 | 390 | |||||
- | - | - | 37,051 | 37,051 | ||||||
Paul’s Pond Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | - | 6,368 | 6,368 | 29,479 | 35,847 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 612 | 612 | 361 | 973 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 343 | 343 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 419 | 419 | 1,269 | 1,688 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | - | - | 419 | 419 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | - | - | 32,138 | 32,138 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | - | - | 17 | 17 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | - | - | 151 | 151 | |||||
- | 7,399 | 7,399 | 64,177 | 71,576 |
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Deferred Costs
For the years ended December 31,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Balance December 31, 2001 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w-o/recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | ||||||
Eastern Pond Property | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | $ - | $ 16,040 | $ 16,040 | $ (16,040) | $ - | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 638 | 638 | (638) | - | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 1,674 | 1,674 | (1,674) | - | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 2,362 | 2,362 | (2,362) | - | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | - | - | -) | - | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 11,347 | 11,347 | (11,347) | - | |||||
Telecommunications | - | 146 | 146 | (146) | - | |||||
- | 32,207 | 32,207 | (32,207) | - | ||||||
Other Properties | ||||||||||
Acquisition costs | - | 111,396 | 111,396 | (39,759) | 71,637 | |||||
Deferred exploration costs: | ||||||||||
Assays | - | 18,402 | 18,402 | (10,002) | 8,400 | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 12,957 | 12,957 | (5,069) | 7,888 | |||||
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 29,568 | 29,568 | (289) | 29,279 | |||||
Field office and personnel | - | 30,755 | 30,755 | (15,420) | 15,335 | |||||
Geological consulting | - | 103,867 | 103,867 | (25,658) | 78,209 | |||||
Maps and publications | - | 954 | 954 | (94) | 860 | |||||
Telecommunications | - | 14,165 | 14,165 | (12,410) | 1,755 | |||||
- | 322,064 | 322,064 | (108,701) | 213,363 | ||||||
Canada Total | - | 715,856 | 715,856 | 312,145) | 1,028,001 | |||||
Deferred Costs | $ 902,928 | $ 1,277,608 | $ 2,180,536 | $ 927,464) | $ 3,108,000 |
See accompanying notes.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
1.
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The Company is an exploration stage company incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and its activity is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Peru and Newfoundland, Canada. The recoverability of amounts shown for mineral properties is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves , the ability of the Company to complete the exploration and development of the properties, and upon future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition thereof. If future financing is unavailable, the Company may not be able to meet its ongoing obligations, in which case the realizable values of its assets may decline materially from current estimate.
Although the Company has taken steps to verify title to mineral properties in which it has an interest in accordance with industry standards for the current stage of exploration of such properties, these procedures do not guarantee the Company=s title.
The Company has a net working capital balance of $3,833,212 as at December 31, 2003 (2002 - $677,567).
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in Canada. As described in note 14, these principles differ in certain respects from principles and practices generally accepted in the United States. Summarized below are those policies considered particularly significant for the Company. References to the Company included herein are inclusive of the Canadian parent company, its British Virgin Islands subsidiaries, Candente Resource (BVI) Corp. and Canariaco Copper (BVI) Corp. and its Peruvian subsidiaries, Compania Minera Oro Candente S.A. and Exploraciones Milenio S.A.
Deferred Costs
The cost of mineral properties and their related exploration costs are deferred and amortized over their estimated useful lives following the commencement of production or written-off if the properties are sold or abandoned. Cost includes the cash consideration and the fair market value of shares issued on the acquisition of mineral properties. The recorded costs of mineral claims and deferred exploration costs represent costs incurred and are not intended to reflect present or future values.
See accompanying notes.
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Deferred Costs(continued)
The Company reviews capitalized costs on its mineral properties on a periodic basis, or annually, and will recognize an impairment in value based upon current exploration results, and upon management=s assessment of the future probability or profitable revenues from the property or from sale of the property. Management=s assessment of the property’s estimated current fair market value is also based upon its review of other property transactions in the same geographic area.
Equipment
Equipment is recorded at cost and amortized over its estimated useful economic lives on a declining balance basis at an annual rate of 30% and 20%, respectively, for computer and office equipment, exploration equipment and truck.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company conducts exploration activities in Peru and incurs exploration expenditures in both Peruvian new soles and U.S. dollars and maintains an administrative office in Canada where expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars.
The Company translates its foreign operations into U.S. dollars on the following basis: monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date and non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical rates. Expenses are translated at rates prevailing at the date of the transaction except for amortization of equipment which is translated at historical rates.
Foreign exchange gains and losses from translation of foreign operations are disclosed in the statement of operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities as at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of expenses incurred during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Share Capital
Common shares issued for non-monetary consideration are recorded at their fair market value based upon the lower of the trading price of the Company’s shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on the date of the agreement to issue the shares and the date of share issuance. Flow-through shares are common shares which are issued under an agreement that, as provided for in the Canadian Income Tax Act, the Company transfers to the purchaser of the shares the benefits of the exploration expenditures that are financed by the proceeds of the share issue.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash, amounts receivable, subscriptions receivable, promissory notes receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their aggregate fair value due to the short term nature of their component balances.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES(continued)
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company records compensation expense associated with stock options granted using a fair value method and records the expense as the options vest with the recipients. The adoption of this accounting policy has been applied prospectively to all stock options granted subsequent to January 1, 2003. During 2002, the Company followed the policy of disclosing on a pro-forma basis the effect of accounting for stock options granted to employees and directors on a fair value basis.
The proceeds received by the Company on the exercise of options are credited to share capital.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for the tax consequences of the differences in carrying amounts of tax assets and liabilities and their tax bases, using tax rates expected to apply when these temporary differences are expected to be settled. When the future realization of income tax assets does not meet the test of being more likely than not to occur, a valuation allowance in the amount of the potential future benefit is taken and no future tax asset is recognized. The Company has taken a valuation allowance against all such potential tax assets.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of temporary investments in commercial paper and money market deposits that are highly liquid and readily convertible to known amounts of cash, although in some cases their maturity dates extend beyond one year from the date of the financial statements. All cash equivalents are carried at their current market values, with any adjustments from cost recorded with interest income. Cash equivalents are inclusive of accrued interest as receipt of these amounts is also considered to be certain and measurable.
3.
FLOW-THROUGH FUNDS
The Company raised Cdn$605,720 (2002 – Cdn$1,027,000) from the private placement of flow-through shares and the exercise of flow-through warrants. These funds are to be used for exploration of Canadian mineral properties. As of December 31, 2003, the unspent balance of these commitments was Cdn$300,000.
4.
DEFERRED COSTS
a)
El Tigre, Lunahuana and Las Sorpresas Properties
Northern Peru
The Company has a 100% interest in the El Tigre, Lunahuana and Los Sorpresas mineral properties, all located in Northern Peru. The balance of the interest to 100% (approximately 50%) was acquired in 2002 by the issue of 500,000 shares valued at Cdn$120,000.
b)
Picota Property
Northern Peru
The Company owns mineral claims comprising approximately 3,200 hectares in Northern Peru which had been acquired by staking.
c)
Pamel Property
Central Peru
The Company owns mineral claims comprising approximately 5,800 hectares in the Western Andes which had been acquired by staking and acquired other claims by the issue of 30,000 shares, the commitment to issue 30,000 shares upon the completion of an initial drilling program and a further 50,000 shares upon commencement of commercial production.
4.
DEFERRED COSTS(continued)
a)
Las Brujas Property
Northern Peru
The Company owns mineral claims comprising approximately 1,000 hectares in Northern Peru which had been acquired by staking and the payment of a finder’s fee of 20,000 shares.
e)
Canariaco Property
Northern Peru
The Company acquired by auction a 100% interest in the Canariaco mineral property located in Northern Peru for $75,000.
f)
Alto Dorado/Toril Property
Central Peru
The Company entered into an option agreement in June 2002 to acquire a 100% interest in the Alto Dorado mineral property by the payment of $10,000 (paid), the issuance of 100,000 common shares in stages of 25,000 shares (25,000 shares issued at Cdn$0.36 per share). The Company paid $50,277 to acquire a 100% interest in the Toril property. The Alto Dorado property is subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty, which may be reduced to 1.0% by the Company paying $1,500,000.
g)
Other Peruvian Properties
The Company owns other mineral claims in Peru comprising 17 properties totaling approximately 26,200 hectares which were acquired by staking.
Newfoundland, Canada
h)
Linear and Staghorn Properties
The Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in 50 mineral claims located in the Botwood Basin known as the “Linear” property by the payment of Cdn$171,000 ($34,250 paid), and the issuance of 300,000 common shares (75,000 shares issued) and the completion of Cdn$1,000,000 in exploration expenditures by November 30, 2006. The property is subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty, which may be reduced to 0.5% by the Company paying Cdn$1,000,000.
Under a separate agreement, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in 186 claims in Southwestern Newfoundland known as the “Staghorn” property by the payment of Cdn$105,520 (Cdn$30,520 paid), the issuance of 120,000 common shares (70,000 issued) and the completion of Cdn$500,000 in exploration expenditures by November 30, 2006. The property is subject to a 2.5% net smelter royalty, which may be reduced to 1.5% by the Company paying Cdn$1,000,000.
i)
Island Pond Property
The Company has an option to acquire a 51% interest in 38 mineral claims located in the Botwood Basin by the payment of Cdn$115,000 ($30,000 paid), the issuance of 115,000 common shares (30,000 shares issued) and the completion of Cdn$1,500,000 in exploration expenditures by July 15, 2006.
j)
Virgin Arm Property
The Company has staked 92 claims located in the Botwood Basin.
4.
DEFERRED COSTS(continued)
k)
Paul’s Pond Property
The Company has an option to acquire 51% interest in 30 mineral claims located in the Botwood Basin by the payment of Cdn$90,000 (Cdn$26,800 paid), the issuance of 90,000 common shares (20,000 shares issued) and the completion of Cdn$1,000,000 in exploration expenditures by February 20, 2007.
5.
EQUIPMENT
Accumulated | Net Book Value | |||||||||
Cost | Amortization | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||||
Office furniture and equipment | $ 17,859 | $ 4,928 | $ 12,931 | $ 10,462 | $ 2,297 | |||||
Computer and equipment | 26,263 | 7,949 | 18,314 | 12,277 | 1,128 | |||||
Truck | 11,586 | 4,286 | 7,300 | 10,428 | - | |||||
Canada subtotal | 55,708 | 17,163 | 38,545 | 33,167 | 3,425 | |||||
Exploration equipment (Peru) | 73,887 | 20,166 | 53,721 | - | - | |||||
$ 129,595 | $ 37,329 | $ 92,266 | $ 33,167 | $ 3,425 |
6.
SHARE CAPITAL
a)
Authorized
Unlimited number of common shares without par value.
b)
Issued
December 31, 2003 | December 31, 2002 | |||||||
Number of Shares | Amount $ | Number of Shares | Amount $ | |||||
Balance, beginning of year | 23,333,803 | 4,204,815 | 9,236,034 | 1,635,605 | ||||
Private Placements | 5,908,333(1)(2) | 3,638,105 | 10,412,002 | 2,035,660 | ||||
Stock options | 976,566 | 166,286 | 821,250 | 79,631 | ||||
Warrants | 3,902,752(3) | 774,533 | 2,049,517 | 287,959 | ||||
Mineral Properties | 266,000 | 150,057 | 815,000 | 165,960 | ||||
Balance, end of year | 34,387,454 | 8,933,796 | 23,333,803 | 4,204,815 |
(1)
net of share issue costs of $233,301 and agents’ options valued at $103,711. Refer to note 6c.
(2)
250,000 shares for Cdn$300,000 were issued as flow-through shares.
(3)
660,250 shares for Cdn$305,720 were issued on the exercise of flow-through warrants.
At December 31, 2003, 375,000 common shares are held in escrow (2002 – 750,000).
6.
SHARE CAPITAL(continued)
c)
Stock options
Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price ($CDN) | Expiry date range | ||||
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2001 | 794,000) | 0.19 | May 13, 2005 – June 12, 2006 | |||
Granted | 2,450,066) | 0.26 | Jan. 3, 2007 – Sept. 6, 2007 | |||
Exercised | (821,250) | 0.15 | May 13, 2005 – Jan. 3, 2007 | |||
Cancelled | (150,000) | 0.15 | Jan. 30, 2006 – Jan 3, 2007 | |||
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2002 | 2,272,816) | 0.26 | May 15, 2005 – Sept. 6, 2007 | |||
Granted | 2,333,334) | 0.65 | Jan. 17, 2008 – Oct. 31, 2008 | |||
Exercised | (976,566) | 0.24 | May 15, 2005 – Oct. 15 2008 | |||
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2003 | 3,629,584) | 0.52 | May 15, 2005 – Oct. 31, 2008 |
At December 31, 2003, the weighted average remaining life of stock options outstanding was 3.75 years.
During 2003, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of US$911,014 and share issue costs for agents’ options of US$103,711.
The fair value of options included in the pro-forma information below and in the expense recorded in the current year has been estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: a risk-free interest rate of 3.2% to 4.3% (2002 – 2.4%); an expected life of 1.5 – 5 years (2002 – 5 years); an expected volatility of 112% to 125% (2002 – 12.74%); and no expectation for the payment of dividends.
The pro-forma effect on net loss and loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2002 is as follows:
Net loss | Loss per share | |||||
As reported | $ (437,665) | As reported | $ (0.02) | |||
Compensation expense | (132,396) | Pro-forma | $ (0.03) | |||
Pro-forma net loss | $ (570,061) | |||||
Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, particularly as to the expected price volatility of the stock and expected life of the option. Changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore it is management’s view that the existing models do not necessarily provide a single reliable measure of the fair value of the Company’s stock option grants.
6.
SHARE CAPITAL(continued)
d)
Share Purchase Warrants Outstanding
2003 | 2002 | Exercise Price ($ Cdn) | Expiry Date | ||||
- | 480,000 | 0.30 | March 15, 2003 | ||||
770,000 | 3,647,502 | 0.20/0.25 | January 30, 2003/2004 | ||||
614,750 | 1,450,000 | 0.44/0.49 | May 16, 2003/2004 | ||||
315,000 | 325,000 | 0.55/0.60 | August 19, 2003/2004 | ||||
850,000 | - | 0.90/1.10 | February 21, 2004/2005 | ||||
312,500 | - | 1.00 | October 21, 2005 | ||||
1,666,667 | - | 1.50 | June 10, 2005 | ||||
125,000 | - | 1.65 | June 30, 2005 | ||||
4,653,917 | 5,902,502 | Weighted-average exercise price Cdn$0.70 (2002 – Cdn$0.29) |
e)
Escrow Shares
375,000 (2002 and 2001 – 750,000) performance shares issued to directors of the Company are held in escrow, their release being subject to regulatory acceptance.
7.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Two directors of the Company were paid an aggregate of $13,860 in 2003 for management fees (2002 - $16,400, 2001 - $13,020) and $113,340 in 2003 for geological consulting services (2002 - $84,000, 2001 - $63,780), and as of the date of these financial statements were owed $14,967 (2002 - $10,065, 2001 – Nil).
8.
LOSS PER SHARE
Loss per share has been calculated using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year. Fully-diluted loss per share has not been disclosed as it is anti-dilutive.
9.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||
Assets by geographic segment: | |||||
Canada | $ 4,757,688 | $ 1,519,331 | $ 273,289 | ||
Peru | 2,336,323 | 1,465,129 | 919,814 | ||
$ 7,094,011 | $ 2,984,460 | $ 1,193,103 |
10.
INCOME TAXES
The Company has accumulated losses for Canadian tax purposes of approximately Cdn$1,941,463 which expire in stages to 2010.
11.
SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVABLE
During 2002, the Company arranged for the exercise and sale of stock options, primarily for employees in Peru, and received the proceeds after the statement date.
12.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEPOSITS
Comprised of expense advances and recoverable value added taxes paid in Peru.
13.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In addition to items mentioned elsewhere in the notes, the following occurred subsequent to December 31, 2003:
•
The Company entered into a Strategic Partnership agreement with Goldcorp Inc. to conduct exploration in Newfoundland. Goldcorp Inc. can earn up to a 70% interest in the Company’s Staghorn and Linear gold properties by paying all costs up to and including a bankable feasibility study and also has a right of first offer on all other properties in Newfoundland.
•
The Company entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. (“Orex”), whereby Orex can earn a 51% interest in the El Tigre and one other gold property in Peru by spending US$2,500,000 on each property over 3.5 years and issuing to the Company 250,000 shares by January 31, 2008. The Company remains the operator of the exploration program for the period of the agreement.
•
The Company granted to employees and consultants, 600,000 stock options exercisable at Cdn$0.80 per share for a period of 5 years.
•
The Company issued 1,650,250 common shares for exercise of options and warrants for total proceeds of Cdn$561,898, of which Cdn$258,228 was flow-through.
14.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP)
Under Canadian GAAP applicable to junior mineral exploration companies, exploration expenditures may be deferred on prospective properties until such time as it is determined that further exploration is not warranted, at which time the property costs are written-off. Under U.S. GAAP, all exploration costs must be expensed until an independent feasibility study has determined that the property is capable of economic commercial production, and accordingly under U.S. GAAP, exploration costs are disclosed in the statements of cash flows as operating activities while under Canadian GAAP they are disclosed as investing activities. The following items (a) to (e) provide a summary of the impact on these financial statements that would result from the application of U.S. accounting principles to deferred property costs.
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||
$ | $ | $ | |||
a) Assets | |||||
Deferred Costs | |||||
Deferred costs under Canadian GAAP | 3,108,000) | 2,180,536) | 902,928) | ||
Less deferred costs | (3,108,000) | (2,180,536) | (902,928) | ||
Deferred costs under U.S. GAAP | -) | -) | -) | ||
b) Operations | |||||
Net loss under Canadian GAAP | (1,601,498) | (437,665) | (448,774) | ||
Deferred costs expensed under U.S. GAAP | (1,159,908) | (1,404,896) | (322,577) | ||
Deferred costs written-off under Canadian GAAP | 232,444) | 127,288) | 267,690) | ||
Net loss under U.S. GAAP | (2,528,962) | (1,715,273) | (503,661) | ||
c) Deficit | |||||
Closing deficit under Canadian GAAP | (2,915,043) | (1,313,545) | (875,880) | ||
Adjustment to deficit for deferred costs written-off under U.S. GAAP | (3,108,000) | (2,180,536) | (902,928) | ||
Closing deficit under U.S. GAAP | (6,023,043) | (3,494,081) | (1,778,808) | ||
d) Cash Flows - Operating Activities | |||||
Funds used for operating activities under Canadian GAAP | (532,584) | (269,683) | (204,001) | ||
Add net loss under Canadian GAAP | 1,601,498) | 437,665) | 448,774) | ||
Less net loss under U.S. GAAP | (2,528,962) | (1,715,273) | (503,661) | ||
Less deferred costs written-off under Canadian GAAP | (232,444) | (127,288) | (267,690) | ||
Add non-cash deferred costs expensed under U.S. GAAP | 150,057) | 165,960) | -) | ||
Funds used for operating activities under U.S. GAAP | (1,542,435) | (1,508,619) | (526,578) |
14.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP) (continued)
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||
$ | $ | $ | |||
e) Cash Flows - Investing Activities | |||||
Funds used for investing activities under Canadian GAAP | (1,100,021) | (1,273,190) | (322,577) | ||
Add cash deferred costs expensed under U.S. GAAP | 1,009,851) | 1,238,936) | 322,577) | ||
Funds used for investing activities under U.S. GAAP | (90,170) | (34,254) | ) -) |
OTHER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND U.S. GAAP
f)
Stockholders= Equity
i)
Common Stock
Under U.S. GAAP applicable to the financial statements of the Company for all years included herein, compensation expense and certain related disclosures must be considered for all stock options granted, requiring the Company to utilize either the intrinsic value-based or the fair value based methods of accounting for stock-based compensation. Under Canadian GAAP, no such expenses or related disclosures were required to be recognized prior to 2002.
The Company, if required to report under U.S. GAAP in 2001, would have elected to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25: Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (AAPB 25@) to account for all stock options granted during that fiscal year. However, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123: Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (ASFAS 123@) requires additional disclosure to reflect the results of the Company had it elected to follow SFAS 123. SFAS 123 requires a fair value-based method of accounting for stock options using an option pricing model. For purposes of this current disclosure, the Company has utilized the Black-Scholes model, which was described in Note 6 (c). Under APB 25, compensation expense must only be recorded in the accounts for compensatory stock options granted whenever the market price of the Company=s shares on the date of grant exceeds the exercise price.
As a result of changes in the Company’s accounting policies for stock-based compensation in 2002, the Company’s accounting treatment and related disclosures in this area for 2002 were materially congruent with the approach followed under APB 25. In 2003 however, the Company, if required to report under U.S. GAAP, would have elected to apply in full the provisions of SFAS 123 and to account for all options issued to employees and consultants utilizing the fair-value based method. This approach would have been consistent with additional new Canadian GAAP standards applied in 2003. As a further similarity, both U.S. and Canadian standards for recording stock-based compensation permit the Company to adopt a fair value methodology on a prospective basis, and this has been the approach followed herein.
14.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP)(continued)
OTHER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND U.S. GAAP(continued)
f)
Stockholders= Equity(continued)
i)
Common Stock(continued)
In accordance with the mandatory SFAS 123 disclosure standard, the following table discloses the pro-forma effect of accounting for stock-based compensation under SFAS 123 on net loss and net loss per share under U.S. GAAP for 2001:
Year Ended December 31, 2001 | |
$ | |
Net loss under U.S. GAAP - per note 14(b) | (503,661) |
Pro-forma effect of following SFAS 123 | (72,087) |
Pro-forma net loss following SFAS 123 | (575,748) |
Weighted-average number of shares under U.S. GAAP - per note 14(g) | 8,460,799) |
Pro-forma loss per share following SFAS 123 | $ (0.07) |
ii)
Stock Options
SFAS 123 also requires the following disclosure of the changes in the Company=s outstanding stock options for the 2003, 2002, and 2001 fiscal years. Refer to note 6(c) for this disclosure applicable to 2003 and 2002, which is for both years consistent with Canadian GAAP in this area.
2001 | ||||
Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price Cdn$ | |||
Fixed options | ||||
Outstanding and exercisable at
beginning of year | 679,000) | 0.25 | ||
Granted | 492,000) | 0.23 | ||
Exercised | (363,000) | 0.25 | ||
Cancelled | (14,000) | 0.25 | ||
Outstanding and exercisable at end of fiscal year | 794,000) | 0.25 |
14.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (GAAP)(continued)
OTHER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND U.S. GAAP(continued)
g)
Loss Per Share
Under Canadian GAAP, shares held in escrow are included in the calculation of loss per share. Under U.S. GAAP, shares held in escrow are excluded from the weighted-average number of shares outstanding until such shares are released for trading.
The following is a reconciliation of the denominators and the basic and diluted loss per share calculations under U.S. GAAP:
December 31, | |||||
2003 $ | 2002 $ | 2001 $ | |||
Numerator: Net loss for the year under U.S. GAAP (per note 14 (b)) | (2,528,962) | (1,715,273) | (503,661) | ||
Denominator: Weighted-average number of shares under Canadian GAAP | 28,013,160) | 17,581,592 | 9,210,799) | ||
Adjustment required under U.S. GAAP (escrow shares) | (375,000) | (750,000) | (750,000) | ||
Weighted-average number of shares under U.S. GAAP | 27,638,160) | 16,831,592 | 8,460,799) | ||
Basic and diluted loss per share under U.S. GAAP | $ (0.09) | $ (0.10) | $ (0.06) |
a)
Foreign Currency Accounting
The Company’s primary functional currencies are the Canadian dollar and the Peruvian new sole. Year or period-end monetary assets and liabilities resulting from Canadian dollar-denominated transactions are recorded in U.S. dollars utilizing year or period-end rates, while transactions involving income and expense accounts are recorded using the average rates in effect during the period or year. Under U.S. GAAP, gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in current operations, while such items arising from the translations of non-U.S. dollar-denominated balances are separately disclosed on a current basis and are included, on a cumulative basis, as a separate component of Stockholders’ Equity. Under Canadian GAAP, all such current exchange gains and losses involving integrated foreign operations are included in current operations.
14.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING
PRINCIPLES (GAAP)(continued)
Financial statements line items would be impacted from the adoption of U.S. GAAP standards applicable to foreign currency accounting, as follows: (i) and (j)*
b)
Comprehensive Income
2003 $ | 2002 $ | 2001 $ | |||
Comprehensive income under Canadian GAAP | -) | -) | -) | ||
Net loss under U.S. GAAP (per note 14 (b)) | (2,528,962) | (1,715,273) | (503,661) | ||
Other comprehensive income (loss) under U.S. GAAP | 25,141) | (4,898) | (4,277) | ||
Comprehensive loss under U.S. GAAP | (2,503,821) | (1,720,171) | (507,938) |
c)
Stockholders’ Equity
Accumulated other comprehensive loss under Canadian GAAP | -) | -) | -) | ||
Other comprehensive loss under U.S. GAAP – 2000 | (2,388) | (2,388) | (2,388) | ||
Other comprehensive loss under U.S. GAAP – 2001 | (4,277) | (4,277) | (4,277) | ||
Other comprehensive loss under U.S. GAAP – 2002 | (4,898) | (4,898) | n/a) | ||
Other comprehensive income under U.S. GAAP – 2003 | 25,141) | n/a) | n/a) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)under U.S. GAAP | 13,578) | (11,563) | (6,665) |
* For purposes of convenience in connection with this pro-forma disclosure, U.S. GAAP standards in respect to foreign
currency accounting have been applied prospectively as at January 1, 2000.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2004
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
D E V I S S E R G R A Y
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
401 - 905 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC Canada
V6C 1L6
Tel: (604) 687-5447
Fax: (604) 687-6737
NOTICE TO READER
We have compiled the consolidated balance sheet of Candente Resource Corp. as at June 30, 2004 and the consolidated statements of operations and deficit, and cash flows for the three month period ended June 30, 2004 from information provided by management. We have not audited, reviewed or otherwise attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of such information. Readers are cautioned that these statements may not be appropriate for their purposes.
“ De Visser Gray”
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Vancouver, British Columbia August 18, 2004
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
June 30,
December 31,
2004
2003(audited)
A S S E T S
Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents | $ 2,643,695 | $ 3,672,704 |
Amounts receivable | 87,407 | 39,000 |
Subscriptions receivable | - | 59,032 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 152,649 | 123,009 |
Marketable securities | 18,743 | - |
2,902,494 | 3,893,745 | |
Mineral properties (Note 6) | 4,099,230 | 3,108,000 |
Equipment (Note 5) | 151,414 | 92,266 |
$ 7,153,138 | $ 7,094,011 | |
L I A B I L I T I E Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | S $ 223,087 | $ 45,566 |
Due to related parties (Note 4) | 14,595 | 14,967 |
237,682 | 60,533 | |
S H A R E H O L D E R S’ Share capital (Note 3) | E Q U I T Y 9,359,913 | 8,933,796 |
Contributed surplus (Note 3c) | 1,210,916 | 1,014,725 |
Deficit | (3,655,373) | (2,915,043) |
6,915,456 | 7,033,478 | |
$ 7,153,138 | $ 7,094,011 |
Approved on behalf of the Board of Directors:
“Joanne Freeze”
“Peter de Visser”
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | |||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | |
Expenses Amortization of equipment | $ 10,784 | $ 1,830 | $ 18,537 | $ 3,855 |
Bank charges and interest | 1,929 | 889 | 4,307 | 1,501 |
Corporate development | 90,484 | 11,812 | 97,811 | 13,282 |
Foreign exchange loss | 65,507 | 4,392 | 103,837 | 7,933 |
Interest income | (13,268) | (6,941) | (32,924) | (11,938) |
International security | (5,670) | - | 21,998 | - |
Investor relations | 17,549 | 14,301 | 44,972 | 33,491 |
Legal, audit and accounting | 21,055 | 13,551 | 38,672 | 26,415 |
Management and office salaries | 23,663 | 21,855 | 49,795 | 35,355 |
Office, rent and miscellaneous | 28,438 | 14,162 | 62,200 | 23,540 |
Promotion and travel | 24,059 | 23,367 | 78,147 | 58,297 |
Regulatory and filing fees | 5,199 | 11,511 | 17,296 | 21,055 |
Shareholder communications | 23,945 | 4,754 | 37,245 | 6,694 |
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 3c) | - | - | 196,191 | - |
Write-off of mineral properties | - | - | 2,246 | - |
Loss for the period | (293,674) | (115,483) | (740,330) | (219,480) |
Deficit, beginning of period | (3,361,699) | (1,417,542) | (2,915,043) | (1,313,545) |
Deficit, end of period | $(3,655,373) | $(1,533,025) | $(3,655,373) | $(1,533,025) |
Loss per share (Note 8) | $ (0.01) | $ (0.00) | $ (0.02) | $ (0.01) |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | 35,741,012 | 27,815,888 | 35,409,628 | 26,555,444 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
For the three months ended June 30, | For the six months ended June 30, | |||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | |
Cash provided by (used for): Operating Activities Loss for the period | $ (293,674) | $ (115,483) | $(740,330) | $(219,480) |
Adjustment for items not involving cash: Amortization of equipment | 10,784 | 1,830 | 18,537 | 3,855 |
Stock based compensation | - | - | 196,191 | - |
Write-off of mineral properties | - | - | 2,246 | - |
Changes in non-cash working capital items: Amounts receivable | (51,332) | 14,429 | (48,407) | 4,518 |
Promissory notes receivable | - | - | - | 39,300 |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | (18,995) | (2,594) | (29,640) | (13,929) |
Short term investments | - | 162 | - | (14,108) |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 141,097 | 3,467 | 177,521 | (33,421) |
Due to related parties | (10,645) | 542 | (372) | (2,855) |
Funds used for operating activities | (222,765) | (97,647) | (424,254) | (236,120) |
Investing Activities Acquisition of equipment | (43,985) | - | (77,685) | (2,860) |
Mineral property exploration costs | (634,754) | (166,287) | (945,875) | (434,299) |
Mineral property acquisition costs | (200,858) | (92,967) | (247,823) | (108,167) |
Mineral property cost recoveries | 152,994 | - | 186,484 | - |
Funds used for investing activities | (726,603) | (259,254) | (1,084,899) | (545,326) |
Financing Activity Cash received for common shares issued | 230,713 | 205,290 | 480,144 | 1,205,840 |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (718,655) | (151,611) | (1,029,099) | 424,394 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 3,362,350 | 1,257,711 | 3,672,704 | 681,706 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 2,643,695 | 1,106,100 | 2,643,695 | 1,106,100 |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
During the period ended June 30, 2004, the Company issued 10,000 common shares (2003 - 165,000) at a deemed price of $5,005 (2003 - $83,020) for mineral properties.
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Net
Balance Expenditures December 31, (w/o or 2002 recovery) | Balance December 31, | Write off or Recovery | Balance June 30, 2004 | |||
2003 Expenditures | ||||||
PERU | $ $ | $ $ | $ | $ | ||
El Tigre Property Acquisition costs | 57,100 | 9,600 | 66,700 | 11,286 | (24,107) | 53,879 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 2,967 | - | 2,967 | 83 | - | 3,050 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 396 | 396 | 859 | - | 1,255 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 12,935 | 1,371 | 14,306 | 2,897 | - | 17,203 |
Field office and personnel | 24,430 | 4,825 | 29,255 | 11,364 | - | 40,619 |
Geological and geophysical | 56,604 | - | 56,604 | 21,659 | (50,708) | 27,555 |
Maps and publications | 8,578 | - | 8,578 | 260 | - | 8,838 |
162,614 | 16,192 | 178,806 | 48,408 | (74,815) | 152,399 | |
Lunahuana Property Acquisition costs | 59,100 | 12,395 | 71,495 | 16,687 | - | 88,182 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 8,284 | 116 | 8,400 | 597 | - | 8,997 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 2,717 | 2,717 | 336 | - | 3,053 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 22,040 | 1,130 | 23,170 | 1,042 | - | 24,212 |
Field office and personnel | 33,443 | 10,123 | 43,566 | 11,688 | - | 55,254 |
Geological and geophysical | 99,773 | 2,549 | 102,322 | 6,082 | - | 108,404 |
Maps and publications | 5,368 | - | 5,368 | 299 | - | 5,667 |
228,008 | 29,030 | 257,038 | 36,731 | - | 293,769 | |
Las Sorpresas Property Acquisition costs | 54,465 | 8,474 | 62,939 | 9,467 | (24,107) | 48,299 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 4,371 | - | 4,371 | - | - | 4,371 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 1,244 | - | 1,244 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 199 | 199 | 991 | - | 1,190 |
Field office and personnel | 17,024 | 3,728 | 20,752 | 9,168 | - | 29,920 |
Geological and geophysical | 9,744 | 278 | 10,022 | 7,943 | - | 17,965 |
Maps and publications | - | - | - | 207 | - | 207 |
85,604 | 12,679 | 98,283 | 29,020 | (24,107) | 103,196 | |
Picota Property Acquisition costs | 30,506 | 9,450 | 39,956 | 13,234 | - | 53,190 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 4,714 | - | 4,714 | - | - | 4,714 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 3,528 | 2,858 | 6,386 | 151 | - | 6,537 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 11,570 | - | 11,570 | 629 | - | 12,199 |
Field office and personnel | 13,709 | 5,102 | 18,811 | 7,182 | - | 25,993 |
Geological and geophysical | 38,527 | - | 38,527 | 3,268 | - | 41,795 |
Maps and publications | 2,616 | - | 2,616 | 653 | - | 3,269 |
105,170 | 17,410 | 122,580 | 25,117 | - | 147,697 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Net Balance Expenditures December 31, (w/o or 2002 recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | Write off or Expenditures Recovery | Balance June 30, 2004 | ||
$ $ | $ | $ $ | $ | ||
Pamel Property Acquisition costs | 58,240 | 14,114 | 72,354 | 13,514 - | 85,868 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 26,037 | - | 26,037 | - - | 26,037 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 42,782 | - | 42,782 | 1,267 - | 44,049 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 23,639 | - | 23,639 | 975 - | 24,614 |
Field office and personnel | 93,950 | 5,906 | 99,856 | 8,361 - | 108,217 |
Geological and geophysical | 114,936 | - | 114,936 | 3,782 - | 118,718 |
Maps and publications | 9,754 | 136 | 9,890 | 271 - | 10,161 |
Options payments received | (145,000) | - | (145,000) | - - | (145,000) |
224,338 | 20,156 | 244,494 | 28,170 - | 272,664 | |
Las Brujas Property Acquisition costs | 10,801 | 3,000 | 13,801 | 3,000 - | 16,801 |
Deferred exploration costs: | 2,570 | - | 2,570 | - - | 2,570 |
Assays | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | - | - | 93 - | 93 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 6,137 | 352 | 6,489 | 1,244 - | 7,733 |
Field office and personnel | 12,783 | 5,074 | 17,857 | 8,900 - | 26,757 |
Geological and geophysical | 13,647 | 562 | 14,209 | 2,000 - | 16,209 |
Maps and publications | 2,277 | - | 2,277 | 133 - | 2,410 |
48,215 | 8,988 | 57,203 | 15,370 - | 72,573 | |
Canariaco Property Acquisition costs | 89,750 | 10,768 | 100,518 | 19,775 - | 120,293 |
Deferred exploration costs: | - | 355 | 355 | 3,398 - | 3,753 |
Assays | |||||
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 756 | 756 | 23,008 - | 23,764 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 4,207 | 1,440 | 5,647 | 5,317 - | 10,964 |
Field office and personnel | 21,843 | 32,165 | 54,008 | 26,530 - | 80,538 |
Geological and geophysical | 55,644 | 660 | 56,304 | 66,760 - | 123,064 |
Maps and publications | 3,114 | 7 | 3,121 | 500 - | 3,621 |
174,558 | 46,151 | 220,709 | 145,288 - | 365,997 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w/o or recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | Expenditures | Write off or Recovery | Balance June 30, 2004 | |
Alto Dorado/Toril Property Acquisition costs Deferred exploration costs: Assays Equipment maintenance and rental Field supplies, camp and travel Field office and personnel Geological and geophysical Maps and publications | $ 66,077 3,497 1,546 2,089 5,108 23,506 3,908 | $ 16,400 12,670 25,968 34,382 145,580 45,262 10,515 | $ 82,477 16,167 27,514 36,471 150,688 68,768 14,423 | $ 25,330 5,665 17,984 49,644 152,818 197,830 7,936 | $ - - - - - - - | $ 107,807 21,832 45,498 86,115 303,506 266,598 22,359 |
105,731 | 290,777 | 396,508 | 457,207 | - | 853,715 | |
Other Properties Acquisition costs Deferred exploration costs: Assays Equipment maintenance and rental Field supplies and travel expenses Field office and personnel Geological and geophysical Maps and publications Option payments received Write-down for impairment of properties value | 102,263 17,239 18,573 42,139 66,880 101,316 17,032 (10,000) (25,000) | 23,635 25,338 8,921 16,119 63,735 25,115 11,073 - - | 125,898 42,577 27,494 58,258 130,615 126,431 28,105 (10,000) (25,000) | 101,684 6,106 1,184 8,267 6,948 10,696 2,654 - - | - - - - - - - - - | 227,582 48,683 28,678 66,525 137,563 137,127 30,759 (10,000) (25,000) |
330,442 | 173,936 | 504,378 | 137,539 | - | 641,917 | |
Peru - Total | 1,464,680 | 615,319 | 2,079,999 | 922,850 | (98,922) | 2,903,927 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Balance December 31, 2002 | Net Expenditures (w/o or recovery) | Balance December 31, | Write off or | Balance June 30, 2004 | |
2003 Expenditures Recovery | |||||
$ | $ | $ $ | $ | $ | |
CANADA (NEWFOUNDLAND) Linear Property Acquisition costs | 20,345 | 40,293 | 60,638 | 21,247 - | 81,885 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 10,903 | (6,574) | 4,329 | 291 - | 4,620 |
Drilling | - | 50,281 | 50,281 | - - | 50,281 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 4,608 | 2,372 | 6,980 | 918 - | 7,898 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 22,001 | 23,290 | 45,291 | 2,000 - | 47,291 |
Field office and personnel | 24,668 | 2,591 | 27,259 | 1,709 - | 28,968 |
Geological consulting | 73,389 | 69,214 | 142,603 | 4,766 - | 147,369 |
Maps and publications | 1,228 | 354 | 1,582 | 6 - | 1,588 |
Telecommunications | 555 | 1,356 | 1,911 | 48 - | 1,959 |
157,697 | 183,177 | 340,874 | 30,985 - | 371,859 | |
Island Pond Property Acquisition costs | 14,250 | 16,575 | 30,825 | - - | 30,825 |
Deferred exploration costs: | 271 | 14 | 285 | - - | 285 |
Assays | |||||
Drilling | 69,011 | 1,264 | 70,275 | - - | 70,275 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 925 | 113 | 1,038 | 83 - | 1,121 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 1,663 | (1,441) | 222 | 149 - | 371 |
Field office and personnel | 197 | 115 | 312 | 137 - | 449 |
Geological consulting | 6,942 | 3,043 | 9,985 | 1,275 - | 11,260 |
Maps and publications | 331 | 74 | 405 | - - | 405 |
Telecommunications | - | 50 | 50 | 25 - | 75 |
93,590 | 19,807 | 113,397 | 1,669 - | 115,066 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Net
Balance December 31, 2002 | Expenditures (w/o or recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | Expenditures | Write off or Recovery | Balance June 30, 2004 | |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
Virgin Arm Property Acquisition costs | 3,400 | (3,284) | 116 | - | - | 116 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 2,610 | 1,143 | 3,753 | 8 | - | 3,761 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 2,806 | 944 | 3,750 | 83 | - | 3,833 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 6,571 | 4,438 | 11,009 | 62 | - | 11,071 |
Field office and personnel | 14,255 | 1,572 | 15,827 | 112 | - | 15,939 |
Geological consulting | 51,704 | 20,958 | 72,662 | 1,205 | - | 73,867 |
Maps and publications | 72 | 30 | 102 | - | - | 102 |
Telecommunications | 378 | 365 | 743 | 9 | - | 752 |
81,796 | 26,166 | 107,962 | 1,479 | - | 109,441 | |
Staghorn Property Acquisition costs | 12,736 | 62,345 | 75,081 | 4,019 | (37,723) | 41,377 |
Exploration bonds | - | - | - | 16,135 | - | 16,135 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 813 | 2,556 | 3,369 | 1,605 | - | 4,974 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 2,108 | 2,108 | 5,475 | - | 7,583 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 1,072 | 9,411 | 10,483 | 4,474 | - | 14,957 |
Field office and personnel | - | 2,696 | 2,696 | 5,556 | - | 8,252 |
Geological consulting | 6,482 | 42,461 | 48,943 | 70,174 | (52,715) | 66,402 |
Maps and publications | - | 260 | 260 | 23 | - | 283 |
Telecommunications | - | 838 | 838 | 253 | - | 1,091 |
21,103 | 122,675 | 143,778 | 107,714 | (90,438) | 161,054 | |
Duder Property Acquisition costs | - | - | - | 13,026 | - | 13,026 |
Exploration bonds | - | - | - | 13,479 | - | 13,479 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | - | 1,999 | 1,999 | 30 | - | 2,029 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 883 | 883 | 789 | - | 1,672 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | - | 2,947 | 2,947 | 848 | - | 3,795 |
Field office and personnel | - | 896 | 896 | 1,779 | - | 2,675 |
Geological consulting | - | 29,934 | 29,934 | 10,345 | - | 40,279 |
Maps and publications | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | 3 |
Telecommunications | - | 390 | 390 | 132 | - | 522 |
- | 37,051 | 37,051 | 40,429 | - | 77,480 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Accumulated Mineral Property Costs
For the periods ended,
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
(unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
Net
Balance December 31, 2002 | Expenditures (w/o or recovery) | Balance December 31, 2003 | Expenditures | Write off or Recovery | Balance June 30, 2004 | |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
Paul’s Pond Property Acquisition costs | 6,368 | 29,479 | 35,847 | 560 | - | 36,407 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 612 | 361 | 973 | 115 | - | 1,088 |
Drilling | - | - | - | 5,898 | - | 5,898 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | - | 343 | 343 | 1,256 | - | 1,599 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 419 | 1,269 | 1,688 | 1,345 | - | 3,033 |
Field office and personnel | - | 419 | 419 | 1,590 | - | 2,009 |
Geological consulting | - | 32,138 | 32,138 | 16,380 | (6,938) | 41,580 |
Maps and publications | - | 17 | 17 | 7 | - | 24 |
Telecommunications | - | 151 | 151 | 157 | - | 308 |
7,399 | 64,177 | 71,576 | 27,308 | (6,938) | 91,946 | |
Eastern Pond Property Acquisition costs | 16,040 | (16,040) | - | - | - | - |
Exploration bonds | - | - | - | 14,144 | - | 14,144 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 638 | (638) | - | - | - | - |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 1,674 | (1,674) | - | 1,132 | (1,019) | 113 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 2,362 | (2,362) | - | 483 | (281) | 202 |
Field office and personnel | - | - | - | 1,274 | (696) | 578 |
Geological consulting | 11,347 | (11,347) | - | 14,847 | (8,585) | 6,262 |
Telecommunications | 146 | (146) | - | 64 | (30) | 34 |
32,207 | (32,207) | - | 31,944 | (10,611) | 21,333 | |
Other Properties Acquisition costs | 111,396 | (39,759) | 71,637 | - | - | 71,637 |
Exploration bonds | - | - | - | 24,912 | - | 24,912 |
Deferred exploration costs: Assays | 18,402 | (10,002) | 8,400 | 66 | (66) | 8,400 |
Equipment maintenance and rental | 12,957 | (5,069) | 7,888 | - | - | 7,888 |
Field supplies and travel expenses | 29,568 | (289) | 29,279 | 740 | - | 30,019 |
Field office and personnel | 30,755 | (15,420) | 15,335 | 295 | (294) | 15,336 |
Geological consulting | 103,867 | (25,658) | 78,209 | 8,185 | (204) | 86,190 |
Maps and publications | 954 | (94) | 860 | - | - | 860 |
Telecommunications | 14,165 | (12,410) | 1,755 | 127 | - | 1,882 |
322,064 | (108,701) | 213,363 | 34,325 | (564) | 247,124 | |
Canada Total | 715,856 | 312,145 | 1,028,001 | 275,853 | (108,551) | 1,195,303 |
Mineral Properties | 2,180,536 | 927,464 | 3,108,000 | 1,198,703 | (207,473) | 4,099,230 |
CANDENTE RESOURCE CORP.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
June 30, 2004
(Unaudited - See Notice to Reader)
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
1.
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
The Company is incorporated in the Province of British Columbia and its activity is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Peru and Newfoundland, Canada. The recoverability of amounts shown for mineral properties is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves , the ability of the Company to complete the exploration and development of the properties, and upon future profitable productions or proceeds from the disposition thereof. If future financing is unavailable, the Company may not be able to meet its ongoing obligations, in which case the realizable values of its assets may decline materially from current estimates.
The Company has a net working capital balance of $2,664,812 as at June 30, 2004 (December 31, 2003 - $3,833,212).
2.
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND USE OF ESTIMATES
These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements dated December 31, 2003, both of which were prepared in accordance with the Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The results for the three month period ended June 30, 2004 are stated utilizing the same accounting policies and methods of application as the most recent annual consolidated financial statements.
3.
SHARE CAPITAL AND RELATED INFORMATION
a)
Authorized: Unlimited number of common shares without par value
b)
Issued
June 30, 2004 | (unaudited) December 31, 2003 | |||
Number of Shares | $ | Number of Shares | $ | |
Balance, beginning of period/year | 34,387,454 | 8,933,796 | 23,333,803 | 4,204,815 |
Private Placements | - | - | 5,908,333 | 3,638,105 |
Stock options | 270,500 | 47,819 | 976,566 | 166,286 |
Warrants | 1,394,750 | 373,293 | 3,902,752 | 774,533 |
Mineral Properties | 10,000 | 5,005 | 266,000 | 150,057 |
Balance, end of period/year | 36,062,704 | 9,359,913 | 34,387,454 | 8,933,796 |
c) Share purchase options
Options | Weighted-Average Exercise Price ($CDN) | Expiry Date Range | |
Outstanding & exercisable at December 31, 2003 | 3,296,250 | 0.52 | May 15, 2005 – October 31, 2008 |
Granted | 600,000 | 0.80 | March 2, 2009 |
Exercised | (270,500) | 0.24 | April 23, 2007 – February 4, 2008 |
Cancelled | (267,500) | 0.35 | June 12, 2006 – February 4, 2008 |
Outstanding & exercisable at June 30, 2004 | 3,358,250 | 0.70 | May 15, 2005 – March 2, 2009 |
3. SHARE CAPITAL AND RELATED INFORMATION(continued)
During the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of US$196,191.
The fair value of options included in the expense recorded in the current year has been estimated using the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model based on the following assumptions: a risk-free interest rate of 3.45%; an expected life of 5 years; an expected volatility of 33%; and no expectation for the payment of dividends.
a)
Share Purchase Warrants Outstanding
Number of Warrants | Exercise Price ($ Cdn) | Expiry Date |
305,000 | 0.60 | August 19, 2004 |
850,000 | 1.10 | February 21, 2005 |
312,500 | 1.00 | October 21, 2005 |
2,000,000 | 1.50 | June 10, 2005 |
125,000 | 1.65 | June 30, 2005 |
3,592,500 | Weighted-average exercise price Cdn $1.15 |
b)
The Company has issued 375,000 shares which are held in escrow, their release being subject to regulatory acceptance.
4.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Three directors of the Company were paid $6,930 in 2004 (2003 - $6,930) for management fees, $52,645 (2003 - $52,645) for geological consulting services, and $7,365 for accounting services, and at June 30, 2004 were owed $14,595 (2003 - $7,210).
5.
EQUIPMENT
Net Book Value | ||||
Cost | Accumulated Amortization | June 30, 2004 | (unaudited) December 31 2003 | |
Office furniture and equipment | $ 22,528 | $ 6,380 | $ 16,148 | $ 12,931 |
Computer equipment | 31,611 | 10,971 | 20,640 | 18,314 |
Security equipment | 13,037 | 435 | 12,602 | - |
Truck | 11,586 | 5,381 | 6,205 | 7,300 |
Canada subtotal | 78,762 | 23,167 | 55,595 | 38,545 |
Exploration equipment (Peru) | 133,552 | 37,733 | 95,819 | 53,721 |
$ 212,314 | $ 60,900 | $ 151,414 | $ 92,266 |
6. MINERAL PROPERTY AGREEMENTS DURING THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004
C The Company entered into a Strategic Partnership agreement with Goldcorp Inc. to conduct exploration in Newfoundland. Goldcorp Inc. can earn up to a 70% interest in the Company’s Staghorn and Linear gold properties by paying all costs up to and including a bankable feasability study, and also has a right of first offer on all other properties in Newfoundland.
C The Company entered into an option agreement with Orex Ventures Inc. (“Orex”), whereby Orex can earn a 51% interest in the El Tigre and one other gold property in Peru by spending US$2,500,000 on each property over 3.5 years and issuing to the Company 250,000 shares by January 31, 2008. The Company remains the operator of the exploration program for the period of the agreement and US$30,000 in option payments , 100,000 common shares of Orex, and US$50,000 in exploration advances were received during the current interim period.
7. | SEGMENTED INFORMATION | ||
June 30, 2004 | (unaudited) December 31, 2003 | ||
Assets by geographic segment: Canada | $ 3,844,438 | $ 4,757,688 | |
Peru | 3,308,700 | 2,336,323 | |
$ 7,153,138 | $ 7,094,011 |
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In addition to items mentioned elsewhere in the notes, the following occurred subsequent to June 30, 2004:
10,000 common shares were issued at the exercise of stock options.
111,000 stock options exercisable at $0.70 for a period of five years were granted to employees and consultants.
Signature Page
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Candente Resource Corp.
Registrant
Dated: August 23, 2004 Signed:/s/ Joanne Freeze
Joanne Freeze,
President, CEO and Director
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