SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
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LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP. |
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|
Not Applicable |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) |
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LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
3024 E Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, Arizona
85716-1572
April 25, 2007
To the Stockholders of Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.:
You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp., a Nevada corporation, on Monday, May 21, 2007 at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona 85712.
Doors will open and a continental breakfast will be served at 9:00 a.m. (local time). Management presentations, and the formal annual meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m. (local time).
The notice of annual meeting of stockholders and proxy statement, which describe the formal business to be conducted at the meeting, are enclosed with this letter.
After reading the proxy statement, please promptly mark, sign and return the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope (if mailing within the United States) to ensure that your shares will be represented. Regardless of the number of shares of stock you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the matters before our stockholders are important.
Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended January 31, 2007 is also enclosed with this letter.
The board of directors and management look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/ James Briscoe
James Briscoe
President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
3024 E Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, Arizona
85716-1572
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be Held on May 21, 2007
To the Stockholders of Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp., a Nevada corporation, will hold its annual meeting of stockholders on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona 85712 (the “Meeting”). The Meeting is being held for the following purposes:
1. To elect James Briscoe, Jon Young, Gary Musil and John Guilbert to serve as directors of our company;
2. To ratify the appointment of Semple & Cooper, LLP as the independent auditors of our company for the year ended January 31, 2007.
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote “for” each of the nominees and vote “for” each proposal.
Our board has fixed the close of business on April 5, 2007 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. At the Meeting, each holder of record of shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, will be entitled to vote one vote per share of common stock held on each matter properly brought before the Meeting.
Dated: April 25, 2007.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ James Briscoe
James Briscoe
President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board
IMPORTANT: Please complete, date, sign and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in the prepaid envelope (if mailing within the United States) to ensure that your shares will be represented. If you attend the meeting, you may choose to vote in person even if you have previously sent in your proxy card.
LIBERTY STAR URANIUM & METALS CORP.
3025 E Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, Arizona
85716-1572
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors (the “Board”) for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) to be held on Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona 85712, or at any continuation, postponement or adjournment thereof, for the purposes discussed in this proxy statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and any business properly brought before the Meeting. Proxies are solicited to give all stockholders of record an opportunity to vote on matters properly presented at the Meeting. We intend to mail this proxy statement and accompanying proxy card on or about April 26, 2007 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.
Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we”, “us”, “our” and “Liberty Star” refer to Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Corporate Overview
On February 5, 2004, Articles of Merger were filed with the Secretary of State of Nevada. We held our last Annual General Meeting on December 5, 2005.
On March 22, 2007, we incorporated a wholly-owned Nevada subsidiary for the sole purpose of effecting a name change of our company through a merger with our subsidiary. On April 6, 2007, we merged our subsidiary with and into our company, with our company carrying on as the surviving corporation under the name Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. Our name change was effected with NASDAQ on April 16, 2007 and our ticker symbol on the OTC Bulletin Board was changed to "LBSU".
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in the State of Alaska through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Big Chunk Corp. We also have mineral exploration properties in the State of Arizona.
Annual Report
Our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended January 31, 2007 is enclosed with this proxy statement.
Who Can Vote
You are entitled to vote if you were a holder of record of shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) as of the close of business on April 5, 2007. Your shares can be voted at the Meeting only if you are present in person or represented by a valid proxy.
Shares Outstanding and Quorum
Holders of record of Common Stock at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting. At the Meeting, each of the shares of Common Stock represented will be entitled to one (1) vote on each matter properly brought before the Meeting. As of the April 5, 2007 record date, there were 42,735,248 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
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In order to carry on the business of the Meeting, we must have a quorum. Under our bylaws, stockholders representing a majority of the issued and outstanding shares entitled to vote, either present in person or by proxy, constitute a quorum.
Proxy Card and Revocation of Proxy
In voting, please specify your choices by marking the appropriate spaces on the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating the proxy card and returning it in the accompanying envelope. If no directions are given and the signed proxy is returned, the proxy holders will vote the shares in favor of Proposals 1 and 2 and, at their discretion, on any other matters that may properly come before the Meeting. The Board knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. In addition, since no stockholder proposals or nominations were received by us on a timely basis, no such matters may be brought at the Meeting.
Any stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke the proxy at any time before the proxy is voted. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing executed by the stockholder or by his attorney authorized in writing, or, if the stockholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited at the offices of our transfer agent, The Nevada Agency and Trust Company, 50 West Liberty Street, Suite 880, Reno, NV 89501, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, or with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting. Attendance at the Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy.
Voting of Shares
Stockholders of record on the April 5, 2007 record date are entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held on all matters to be voted upon at the Meeting. You may vote in person or by completing and mailing the enclosed proxy card. All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly executed proxies received before the polls are closed at the Meeting, and not revoked or superseded, will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the instructions indicated on those proxies. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
Counting of Votes
All votes will be tabulated by the inspector of election appointed for the Meeting, who will separately tabulate affirmative and negative votes and abstentions. Shares represented by proxies that reflect abstentions as to a particular proposal will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. An abstention is counted as a vote against that proposal. Shares represented by proxies that reflect a broker “non-vote” will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum. A broker “non-vote” will be treated as not-voted for purposes of determining approval of a proposal and will not be counted as “for” or “against” that proposal. A broker “non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary authority or does not have instructions from the beneficial owner.
Solicitation of Proxies
We will bear the entire cost of solicitation of proxies, including preparation, assembly and mailing of this proxy statement, the proxy and any additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of solicitation materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, depositories, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares of Common Stock in their names that are beneficially owned by others to forward to these beneficial owners. We may reimburse persons representing beneficial owners for their costs of forwarding the solicitation material to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock. Original solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, facsimile, electronic mail or personal solicitation by our directors, officers or other regular employees. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular employees for such services. To date, we have not incurred costs in connection with the solicitation of proxies from our stockholders, however, our estimate for total costs is $30,000.
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Dissenting Stockholder Rights
Dissenting stockholders have no appraisal rights under Nevada law, or under our Articles of Merger, or our bylaws in connection with the matters to be voted on at the Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES BY
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
We have set forth in the following table certain information regarding our Common Stock beneficially owned on April 5, 2007 for (i) each stockholder we know to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of our outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of our executive officers and directors, and (iii) all executive officers and directors as a group. In general, a person is deemed to be a “beneficial owner” of a security if that person has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of such security, or the power to dispose or to direct the disposition of such security. A person is also deemed to be a beneficial owner of any securities of which the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days.
As of April 5, 2007, we had approximately 42,735,248 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percentage of Class(1) |
James Briscoe Tucson, Arizona | 8,750,000(2) | 20.47% |
Jon Young Tucson, Arizona | 157,500(3) | 0.37% |
Gary Musil Vancouver, British C | 27,500(3) | 0.06% |
John Guilbert Tucson, Arizona | 95,000(3) | 0.22% |
Cede & Co. New York, NY | 33,173,446(4) | 77.63% |
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group | 9,030,000(3) | 20.34% |
(1) Based on 42,735.248 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of April 5, 2007. Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed above, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to such shares, subject to community property laws where applicable. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of the person holding such option or warrants, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
(2) These shares are held by Alaska Star Minerals LLC. James Briscoe beneficially owns 100% of the membership interest in Alaska Star Minerals LLC.
(3) This figure represents shares of our Common Stock that may be acquired upon exercise of stock options granted by us on December 27, 2004 and on April 6, 2006 that are currently exercisable or are exercisable within 60 days.
(4) Cede & Co. is a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, and acts as depository for many United States brokerage firms and custodian banks. Management of our company is unaware of the beneficial shareholders respecting the Common Stock registered in the name of Cede & Co.
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PROPOSALS
Proposal 1 - Election Of Directors
Our bylaws provide for our Board to consist of at least one director and no more than five directors. Each director is elected by a plurality of votes at each annual meeting, continuing in office until the next annual meeting and until such director’s successor is elected and has been qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. We currently operate with a Board of four directors.
The nominees for election at the Meeting to fill the positions on the Board are James Briscoe, Jon Young, Gary Musil and John Guilbert. If elected, the nominees will serve as directors until the next annual meeting of stockholders, or until their successors are elected and qualified. If a nominee declines to serve or becomes unavailable for any reason, the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as the proxy holders may designate.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the nominees: James Briscoe, Jon Young, Gary Musil and John Guilbert.
For further information, please refer to the heading below “Directors and Executive Officers”.
Proposal 2 - Ratification Of Appointment Of Independent Auditor
On September 13, 2004, Semple & Cooper, LLP was first engaged as our principal accountant to audit our financial statements.
The Board also selected Semple & Cooper, LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, and has further directed that management submit the appointment of independent auditors for ratification by the stockholders at the Meeting.
Stockholder ratification of the appointment of Semple & Cooper, LLP as our independent auditors is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board is submitting the selection of Semple & Cooper, LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Board in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board determines that such a change would be in the best interests of our company and its stockholders.
Our Board has considered and determined that the services provided by Semple & Cooper, LLP are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Representatives of Semple & Cooper, LLP are not expected to be present at the Meeting.
The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Semple & Cooper, LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008.
For further information, please refer to the heading below “Independent Public Accountants”.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth the names, positions and ages of our current executive officers and directors. All of our directors serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualify. The Board appoints officers and their terms of office are, except to the extent governed by employment contract, at the discretion of the Board.
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Name | Position Held with the Company | Age | Date First Elected or Appointed |
James Briscoe | President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director | 65 | President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director since February 3, 2004 |
Jon Young | Chief Financial Officer and Director | 62 | Chief Financial Officer and Director since February 3, 2004 |
Gary Musil | Secretary and Director | 55 | Secretary and Director since October 23, 2003 |
John Guilbert | Director | 75 | Director since February 5, 2004 |
James Briscoe - Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman of the Board and Director
Mr. Briscoe was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman and a director on February 3, 2004. Mr. Briscoe is a Registered Professional Geologist in the states of Arizona and California. From 1996 to April 2005, Mr. Briscoe was the Vice President Exploration, and Chairman of the Board of JABA Exploration Inc., a TSX Venture Exchange Canadian public company. Mr. Briscoe was also the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Geologist of JABA (US) Inc. and President of Compania Minera JABA, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico. Compania Minera JABA, S.A. de C.V. is no longer active and is in the process of dissolution. During the periods of time indicated below, Mr. Briscoe served in the positions listed for the following two Canadian public companies:
Company | Title | From | To |
| | | |
1. Excellon | VP Exploration | April 1994 | January 1996 |
2. JABA Inc. | CEO | January 1980 | April 2005 |
Jon Young – Chief Financial Officer and Director
Mr. Young was appointed as our Chief Financial Officer and a director on February 3, 2004. Mr. Young is a certified public accountant. Mr. Young is presently the Chief Executive Officer of Oracle Capital Advisors, Ltd. and has more than 30 years experience in providing clients with business consulting services. Mr. Young is president of Jon R. Young Company PC, an accounting practice limited to providing litigation support, and is strategically aligned with Beach-Fleischman & Co CPA’s, P.C., Southern Arizona's largest accounting firm. Mr. Young was a partner with the Tucson office of KPMG Peat Marwick for 13 years.
Gary Musil – Secretary and Director
Mr. Gary Musil was appointed as one our directors on October 23, 2003 and is presently our corporate Secretary. Mr. Musil was our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer from October 23, 2003 to February 3, 2004. Mr. Musil has more than 30 years of management and financial consulting experience. Mr. Musil has served as an officer and director on numerous public mining companies since 1988. This experience has resulted in his overseeing exploration projects in Peru, Chile, Eastern Europe (Slovak Republic), British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick (Canada). Prior to this, he was employed for 15 years with Dickenson Mines Ltd. and Kam-Kotia Mines Ltd. as a controller for the producing silver/lead/zinc mine in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Musil currently serves as an officer/director of four TSX Venture Exchange public companies in Canada. Mr. Musil has been the President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of Montoro Resources Inc., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since February 1999. Mr. Musil has been the chief financial officer and secretary and a director of Belmont Resources Inc., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since August 1992. Mr. Musil has been the chief financial officer and a director of Mandalay Resources Corp, a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since January 2000. Mr. Musil has been the Chief Financial Officer and secretary of Highbank Resources Ltd., a TSX Venture company and a reporting issuer in Canada, since December 1988.
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John Guilbert – Director
Dr. Guilbert was appointed as one of our directors on February 5, 2004. Dr. Guilbert is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona and is a world-renowned geologist and author and a co-developer of the Lowell-Guilbert porphyry copper model and recipient of two mining awards, the R.A.F. Penrose Medal and the D.C. Jackling Award. Dr. Guilbert has served as a director of Excellon Inc. a Vancouver Stock Exchange listed company from 1992 – 1996. Dr. Guilbert has served as a Board Chairman and director for JABA Inc., an Alberta Stock Exchange (later CDNX then TSX) listed company from 1996 – 2002.
Conduct of Business
The board of directors of our company held four formal meetings in the year ended January 31, 2007 and one formal meetings during the year ended January 31, 2006. All proceedings of the board of directors were conducted by resolutions consented to in writing by all the directors and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the directors. Such resolutions consented to in writing by the directors entitled to vote on that resolution at a meeting of the directors are, according to the Nevada General Corporate Law and the By-laws of our company, as valid and effective as if they had been passed at a meeting of the directors duly called and held.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors or executive officers.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
Our directors, executive officers and control persons have not been involved in any of the following events during the past five years:
1. any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
2. any conviction in a criminal proceeding or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offences);
3. being subject to any order, judgment, or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or
4. being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Transactions with related persons, promoters and certain control persons.
Except as disclosed herein, there have been no transactions or proposed transactions in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average our total assets at year-end for the last three completed fiscal years in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or any of their respective relatives, spouses, associates or affiliates, has had or will have any direct or material indirect interest.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our Board has determined that it does not have a member of its audit committee that qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 401(e) of Regulation S-B, and is “independent” as the term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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We believe that the members of our Board are collectively capable of analyzing and evaluating our financial statements and understanding internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. In addition, we believe that retaining an independent director who would qualify as an “audit committee financial expert” would be overly costly and burdensome and is not warranted in our circumstances given the early stages of our development and the fact that we have not generated any revenues to date.
Identification of the Audit Committee
Currently our audit committee consists of our entire Board. The function of the audit committee is to meet with our independent auditors at least annually to review, upon completion of the annual audit, financial results for the year, as reported in our financial statements; recommend to the Board the independent auditors to be retained; review the engagement of the independent auditors, including the scope, extent and procedures of the audit and the compensation to be paid therefore; assist and interact with the independent auditors in order that they may carry out their duties in the most efficient and cost effective manner; and review and approve all professional services provided to us by the independent auditors and considers the possible effect of such services on the independence of the auditors.
During fiscal 2007, there were no meetings held by the audit committee. The business of the audit committee was conducted by resolutions consented to in writing by all the members and filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the audit committee.
Other Committees
We currently do not have nominating or compensation committees, or committees performing similar functions. We will create one or more of these committees at such time as the Board determines it would not be overly costly or burdensome to do so, and is warranted given our then stage of development.
Director Independence
We currently act with 4 directors, consisting of James Briscoe, Gary Musil, Jon Young and John Guilbert. We have determined that John Guilbert qualifies as "independent" as the term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv)(B) of Schedule 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined by Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The particulars of compensation paid to the following persons:
• | our principal executive officer; |
• | each of our two most highly compensated executive officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of the year ended January 31, 2007; and |
• | up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been provided under (b) but for the fact that the individual was not serving as our executive officer at the end of the most recently completed financial year, |
who we will collectively refer to as the named executive officers, of our years ended January 31, 2007 and 2006 , are set out in the following summary compensation tables:
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Summary Compensation Table
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary (US$) | Bonus (US$) | Stock Awards (US$) | Option Awards (US$)(7) | Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation (US$) | Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (US$) | All Other Compensation (US$)(1) | Total (US$) |
James Briscoe Principal Executive Officer, President, CEO, Chairman and Director | 2007 2006 | 120,000 98,750 | 14,173 Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | $134,173 $98,750 |
Jon Young Principal Financial Officer, CFO, Director, and Treasurer | 2007 2006 | 36,000 36,000 | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 138,300(2) Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | $174,300 $36,000 |
Philip St. George Former Vice President of Exploration and Former Director | 2007 2006 | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 246,400(3) Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 7,012(6) 110,560(6) | $253,412 $110,560 |
David Boyer Geologist and GIS Specialist | 2007 2006 | 65,004 16,154 | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 143,660(4) Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | $208,664 $16,154 |
Erik Murdock Geologist and GIS Specialist | 2007 2006 | 38,333 Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | 115,500(5) Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | Nil Nil | $153,833 $0 |
(1) The value of perquisites and other personal benefits, securities and property for the officers that do not exceed the lesser of $10,000 or 10% of the total of the annual salary and bonus and is not reported herein.
(2) Mr. Young was awarded 75,000 incentive stock options on April 6, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.64 per share and another 215,000 options on December 8, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.42 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(3) Mr. St. George was awarded 385,000 incentive stock options on April 6, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.64 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(4) Mr. Boyer was awarded 44,000 incentive stock options on April 6, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.64 per share and another 275,000 options on December 8, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.42 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(5) Mr. Murdock was awarded 275,000 incentive stock options on December 8, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.42 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements.
(6) We contracted with Mr. St. George as a full time consultant during our Alaska exploration activities. The other compensation represents amounts paid to Mr. St. George as a consultant.
(7) We granted options on April 6, 2006 that are exercisable at a price of $1.11 per share until April 6, 2016, and vest on the basis of 25% of the options on each of the 6 month anniversaries from the date of granting. We also granted options on December 8, 2006, and are exercisable at a price of $0.72 per share until December 8, 2016, and vest on the basis of 25% of the options on each of the 6 month anniversaries from the date of granting.
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth for each named executive officer certain information concerning the outstanding equity awards as of January 31, 2007.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards |
Name | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that Have Not Vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards : Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards : Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that Have Not Vested |
James Briscoe | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Jon Young | 120,000 | Nil | Nil | $1.678 | 12/27/2014 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Jon Young | 18,750 | Nil | 56,250(1) | $1.11 | 4/6/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Jon Young | Nil | Nil | 215,000(2) | $0.72 | 12/8/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Philip St. George | 270,000 | Nil | Nil | $1.678 | 12/27/2014 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Philip St. George | 96,250 | Nil | 288,750(1) | $1.11 | 4/6/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
David Boyer | 11,000 | Nil | 33,000(1) | $1.11 | 4/6/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
David Boyer | Nil | Nil | 275,000(2) | $0.72 | 12/8/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Erik Murdock | Nil | Nil | 275,000(2) | $0.72 | 12/8/2016 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| (1) | Options vest 25% on each six month anniversary from the grant date of April 6, 2006. The vesting dates are as follows: 25% on October 6, 2006; 25% on April 6, 2007; 25% on October 6, 2007; and 25% on April 6, 2008. |
| (2) | Options vest 25% on each six month anniversary from the grant date of December 8, 2006. The vesting dates are as follows: 25% on June 8, 2007; 25% on December 8, 2007; 25% on June 8, 2008; and 25% on December 8, 2008. |
COMPENSATION PLANS
As of January 31, 2007, we had one compensation plan in place, entitled "2004 Stock Option Plan." This plan has not been approved by our stockholders. On April 5, 2006 we granted 950,000 non-qualified stock options to non-employee consultants and 644,000 incentive stock options to employees exercisable at the price of $1.11 per share for a term of ten years. On December 8, 2006 we granted 160,000 non-qualified stock options to non-employee consultants and 1,430,000 incentive stock options to employees exercisable at the price of $0.72 per share for a term of ten years. The grant of stock options was made under the terms of our company’s 2004 Stock Option Plan. During fiscal year ended January 31, 2007 our company granted 65% of the total stock options to employees.
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Number of securities authorized | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options as at January 31, 2007 | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options as at January 31, 2007 | Number of securities remaining available for further issuance as at January 31, 2007 |
3,850,000 | 3,740,000 | $1.01 | 110,000 |
Long-Term Incentive Plans
There are no arrangements or plans in which we provide pension, retirement or similar benefits for directors or executive officers, except that our directors and executive officers receive stock options at the discretion of our Board. We do not have any material bonus or profit sharing plans pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation is or may be paid to our directors or executive officers, except that stock options may be granted at the discretion of our Board.
We have no plans or arrangements in respect of remuneration received or that may be received by our executive officers 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 $60,000 per executive officer.
Employment Contracts
We have not entered into any employment agreements or compensation arrangements with any of our named executive officers.
Compensation of Directors
We have no formal plan for compensating our directors for their service in their capacity as directors, although such directors are expected in the future to receive stock options to purchase common stock as awarded by our board of directors or (as to future stock options) a compensation committee which may be established. Directors are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of our board of directors. Our board of directors may award special remuneration to any director undertaking any special services on our behalf other than services ordinarily required of a director. No director received and/or accrued any compensation for their services as a director, including committee participation and/or special assignments.
The following table sets forth for each director, unless such director is also a named executive officer, the particulars of all compensation paid or accruing for the last fiscal year ended.
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Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (US$) | Stock Awards (US$) | Option Awards (US$)(7) | Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation (US$) | Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (US$) | All Other Compensation (US$)(1) | Total (US$) |
Gary Musil | Nil | Nil | 13,440(1) | Nil | Nil | Nil | $13,440 |
John Guilbert | Nil | Nil | 19,200(2) | Nil | Nil | 900(3) | $20,100 |
(1) | Mr. Musil was awarded 21,000 options on April 6, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.64 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2007. |
(2) | Mr. Guilbert was awarded 30,000 options on April 6, 2006 with a grant date fair value of $0.64 per share. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value can be found in Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 31, 2007. |
(3) | Mr. Guilbert was compensated for consulting services provided as a member of oour company’s Technical Advisory Board. |
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Fees
Audit Fees. This category includes the fees for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the quarterly reviews of interim financial statements. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during or as a result of the audit or the review of interim financial statements and services in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Audit-Related Fees. This category includes assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial statements that are not reported under Audit Fees, and describes the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
Tax Fees. This category includes the fees for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, and describes the nature of the services comprising the fees disclosed under this category.
All Other Fees. This category includes products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported under Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.
Our current and former independent public accountants provided audit and other services during the fiscal years ended January 2007 and 2006 as follows:
| Fiscal |
| 2007 | 2006 |
Audit Fees | $78,695 | $116,994 |
Audit-Related Fees | $18,180 | 0 |
Tax Fees | 0 | 0 |
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All Other Fees | 0 | 0 |
Total Fees | $96,875 | $116,994 |
We do not use Semple & Cooper, LLP for financial information system design and implementation. These services, which include designing or implementing a system that aggregates source data underlying the financial statements or generates information that is significant to our financial statements, are provided internally or by other service providers. We do not engage Semple & Cooper, LLP to provide compliance outsourcing services.
Effective May 6, 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules that require that before Semple & Cooper, LLP is engaged by us to render any auditing or permitted non-audit related service, the engagement be:
- approved by our audit committee (which consists of our entire Board); or
- entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Board, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Board is informed of each service, and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Board' responsibilities to management.
The Board pre-approves all services provided by our independent auditors. All of the above services and fees were reviewed and approved by the Board either before or after the respective services were rendered.
The Board has considered the nature and amount of fees billed by Semple & Cooper, LLP and believes that the provision of services for activities unrelated to the audit is compatible with maintaining Semple & Cooper, LLP's independence.
COMPENSATION PLANS
As at January 31, 2007, we had one compensation plan in place, entitled "2004 Stock Option Plan." This plan has not been approved by our stockholders.
Number of Securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options | Weighted-Average exercise price of outstanding options | Number of securities remaining available for further issuance |
3,850,000 | $1.05 | 100,000 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF MANAGEMENT
None of our directors, officers or employees, or any of our former directors, officers and employees, and none of the proposed nominees for election, or any of the associates of any such persons is or has been indebted to our company or its subsidiaries at any time since the beginning of our last completed financial year and no indebtedness remains outstanding as at the date of this proxy statement.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16 (a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our common stock, to file reports regarding ownership of, and transactions in, our securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and to provide us with copies of those filings. Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms received by us, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that
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during the year ended January 31, 2007, all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with, with the exception of the following:
Name
| Number of Late Reports | Number of Transactions Not Reported on a Timely Basis | Failure to File Requested Forms |
James Briscoe | 1(1) | 1(1) | Nil |
Jon Young | 2(1)(2) | 1(1)(2) | Nil |
Gary Musil | 2(1)(2) | 2(1)(2) | Nil |
John Guilbert | 2(1)(2) | 2(1)(2) | Nil |
Alaska Star Minerals LLC | 2(1)(2) | 2(1)(2) | Nil |
(1) The named officer, director or greater than 10% stockholder, as applicable, filed a late Form 3 - Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership of Securities.
(2) The named officer, director or greater than 10% stockholder, as applicable, filed a late Form 4 - Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership of Securities.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Other than as listed below, we have not been a party to any transaction, proposed transaction, or series of transactions in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000, and in which, to our knowledge, any of our directors, officers, five percent beneficial security holder, or any member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons has had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
On closing of our acquisition of Liberty Star Gold Corp., on February 3, 2004, we issued to Alaska Star Minerals LLC, an Arizona limited liability company, a total of 17,500,000 shares of our common stock. James Briscoe, our president and chairman, owns a 100% beneficial interest in Alaska Star Minerals LLC.
Gary Musil, our secretary and a director, advanced $25,000 to us in 2003 in order to fund operating expenses. These funds were advanced as a loan. The loan was non-interest bearing, was unsecured and was without any fixed terms of repayment. The loan was repaid as of December 31, 2004.
On October 24, 2003, our company entered into an agreement with Sundance Capital Corp. (“Sundance”), a company controlled by the President, for a period of three months whereby Sundance agreed to provide certain management services. As consideration, we paid $5,000 upon execution and agreed to pay $3,000 per month, plus reasonable expenses (not to exceed $250 per month). During January 2004, this agreement was automatically renewed for a term of three months. After April 2004, this agreement was not renewed but Capital Group, Inc. is now paid on an advisory basis for work performed.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
None of our directors or executive officers, no nominee for election as a director of our company and no associate of any of the foregoing persons has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS TO BE PRESENTED AT NEXT ANNUAL MEETING
Stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and for consideration at our next annual meeting of stockholders. To be eligible for inclusion in our 2008 proxy statement, your proposal must be received by us no later than March 15, 2008, and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Further, if you would like to nominate a director or bring any other business before the stockholders at the 2008 annual meeting, you must notify us in writing and such notice must be delivered to or received by our President no later than March 15, 2008. While the Board will consider stockholder proposals, we reserve the right to omit from our 2008 proxy statement stockholder proposals that are not required to be included under the Exchange Act, including Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.
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STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
We do not currently have a process that provides for stockholders to send communications, including recommendations and nominations, to the Board. The Board does not believe that it is necessary to have such a policy because current management is capable of responding to any questions or concerns of stockholders. In addition, we believe that the creation and implementation of such a policy would be overly costly and burdensome and is not warranted in our circumstances given our current size.
“HOUSEHOLDING" OF PROXY MATERIAL
The Securities and Exchange Commission permits companies and intermediaries (e.g. brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, commonly referred to as "householding", potentially means extra conveniences for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
A number of brokers with accountholders who are stockholders of our Company will be "householding" our proxy materials. As indicated in the notice previously provided by these brokers to stockholders, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected stockholder. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker.
Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their broker.
ANNUAL REPORT
Our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended January 31, 2007 is enclosed with this proxy statement.
OTHER BUSINESS
In addition to the matters to be voted upon by the stockholders of our common stock, we will receive and consider both the Report of the Board to the stockholders, and the audited financial statements of our company for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2007, together with the auditors’ report thereon. These matters do not require stockholder approval, and therefore stockholders will not be required to vote upon these matters.
The Board knows of no other business that will be presented for consideration at the Meeting. If other matters are properly brought before the Meeting; however, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the shares represented thereby on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
If there are insufficient votes to approve any of the proposals contained herein, the Board may adjourn the Meeting to a later date and solicit additional proxies. If a vote is required to approve such adjournment, the proxies will be voted in favor of such adjournment.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ James Briscoe
James Briscoe
President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board
Dated: April 25, 2007
Tucson, Arizona
PROXY CARD
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
LIBERTY STAR GOLD CORP.
(the "Company")
TO BE HELD AT the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85712
ON Monday, May 21, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. (local time)
(the “Meeting”)
The undersigned shareholder ("Registered Shareholder") of the Company hereby appoints, James Briscoe, a director and officer of the Company, or failing this person, Jon R. Young, a director of the Company, or in the place of the foregoing, ___________________ [print name] as proxyholder for and on behalf of the Registered Shareholder with the power of substitution to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the Registered Shareholder in respect of all matters that may properly come before the Meeting and at every adjournment thereof, to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned Registered Shareholder were present at the said Meeting, or any adjournment thereof.
The Registered Shareholder hereby directs the proxyholder to vote the securities of the Company registered in the name of the Registered Shareholder as specified herein.
The undersigned appoints James Briscoe and Jon R. Young as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the Common Stock of Liberty Star Gold Corp. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned on April 5, 2007, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, 5151 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona 85712, on May 21, 2007, or any adjournment thereof.
o Please check this box only if you intend to attend and vote at the Meeting
To assist the Company in tabulating the votes submitted by proxy prior to the Meeting, we request that you mark, sign, date and return this Proxy by 4:00 pm, May 18, 2007 using the enclosed envelope.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN THE BOX.
| For | Withhold |
PROPOSAL 1: Election of Directors Nominees: | | |
James Briscoe | o | o |
Jon Young | o | o |
Gary Musil | o | o |
John Guilbert | o | o |
PROPOSAL 2: Appointment of Independent Auditors | | |
To ratify the selection of Semple & Cooper, LLP, as independent auditors | o | o |
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the Registered Shareholder. If no direction is made, this Proxy will be voted "FOR" each of the nominated directors and "FOR" the remaining Proposals.
Dated: _____________________________ | Signature: ____________________________________ |
Please sign exactly as name appears below. When shares are held jointly, both Registered Shareholders should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please indicate full title as such. If a corporation, please indicate full corporate name; and if signed by the president or another authorized officer, please specify the officer's capacity. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
SIGN HERE: | |
Please Print Name: | |
Date: | |
Number of Shares Represented by Proxy | |
THIS PROXY FORM IS NOT VALID UNLESS IT IS SIGNED AND DATED.
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF PROXY
1. This form of proxy ("Instrument of Proxy") must be signed by you, the Registered Shareholder, or by your attorney duly authorized by you in writing, or, in the case of a corporation, by a duly authorized officer or representative of the corporation; and if executed by an attorney, officer, or other duly appointed representative, the original or a notarial copy of the instrument so empowering such person, or such other documentation in support as shall be acceptable to the Chairman of the Meeting, must accompany the Instrument of Proxy.
2. If this Instrument of Proxy is not dated in the space provided, authority is hereby given by you, the Registered Shareholder, for the proxyholder to date this proxy seven (7) calendar days after the date on which it was mailed to you, the Registered Shareholder.
3. A Registered Shareholder who wishes to attend the Meeting and vote on the resolutions in person, may simply register with the Scrutineer before the Meeting begins.
4. Registered Shareholder who is not able to attend the Meeting in person but wishes to vote on the resolutions, may do the following:
(a) appoint one of the management proxyholders named on the Instrument of Proxy, by leaving the wording appointing a nominee as is; OR
(b) appoint another proxyholder.
5. The securities represented by this Instrument of Proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Registered Shareholder on any poll of a resolution that may be called for and, if the Registered Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the securities will be voted accordingly. Further, the securities will be voted by the appointed proxyholder with respect to any amendments or variations of any of the resolutions set out on the Instrument of Proxy or matters which may properly come before the Meeting as the proxyholder in its sole discretion sees fit.
INSTRUCTIONS AND OPTIONS FOR VOTING:
To be represented at the Meeting, this Instrument of Proxy must be DEPOSITED at the office of The Nevada Agency and Trust Company, by mail or by fax, at any time up to and including 10:00 a.m. (local time) on Friday, May 18, 2007, or at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time that the Meeting is to be reconvened after any adjournment of the Meeting.
The Nevada Agency and Trust Company
Suite 880, Bank of America Plaza
50 West Liberty Street
Reno, Nevada, 89501
Fax: 775.322.5623
CW1149906.1