SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the day of:January 14, 2008
Commission File Number 000-50634
TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORP.
(Registrant's name)
93 Benton Hill Road
Sharon, CT 06069
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F P
Form 40-F ___
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):__
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):__
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes ___
No P
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Attached hereto asExhibit 1 and incorporated by reference herein is the Registrant's Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting, Information Circular, Proxy Form and Supplemental Mailing List request form.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp.
(Registrant)
Date: January 14, 2008
James Sinclair
James E. Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 1
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL GENERAL AND
SPECIAL MEETING
OF
TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORPORATION
To be held at
Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel
Windsor Ballroom
37 King Street East
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5C 1E9
at 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time)
on February 29, 2008
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORPORATION:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation (the "Corporation")will beheld at Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel, Windsor Ballroom, 37 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1E9 on February 29, 2008 at the hour of 10:00 a.m., Toronto time, for the following purposes:
1.
To receive and consider the Chairman's Report to the Shareholders and the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation together with the auditor's report thereon for the financial year ended August 31, 2007.
2.
To appoint the auditor for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor.
3.
To consider and, if thought advisable, to pass a special resolution (substantially in the form set forth in Schedule “A” to the accompanying Information Circular) authorizing an amendment to the Articles of the Corporation by changing the maximum number of directors from 9 to 11.
4.
To elect directors for the ensuing year.
5.
To transact such further or other business as may properly come before the Meeting and any adjournments thereof.
The accompanying Information Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting and is deemed to form part of this notice.
Registered holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on January 7, 2008 are entitled to notice of the Meeting and to vote thereat or at any adjournment(s) thereof.
IMPORTANT: If you are unable to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, sign and date the enclosed form of proxy and return the same in the enclosed return envelope provided for that purpose. To be used at the Meeting, completed proxies must be received by Computershare Trust Company of Canada, the Corporation's Registrar and Transfer Agent prior to 10:00 am (Toronto time) on February 28, 2008. The mailing address, telephone number and internet website of Computershare Trust Company of Canada are set out in the form of proxy accompanying this notice. |
DATED this 7th day of January, 2008
By Order of the Board
“James E. Sinclair”
James E. Sinclair
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Suite 404 – 1688 152nd Street
South Surrey, BC V4A 4N2
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
(As at January 7, 2008 except as indicated)
GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION
This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation (the "Corporation" or “Tanzanian Royalty”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the Corporation to be held on February 29, 2008 and at any adjournment(s) thereof. The solicitation will be conducted by mail and may be supplemented by telephone or other personal contact to be made without special compensation by senior officers and employees of the Corporation. Brokers, nominees or other persons holding shares in their names for others shall be reimbursed for their reasonable charges and expenses of forwarding proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owner of such shares. The cost of solicitation will be borne by the Corporation.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
The persons named as proxy holders in the enclosed form of proxy are directors or senior officers of the Corporation.
Any shareholder returning the enclosed form of proxy may revoke the same at any time prior to its exercise. In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by his attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited at the head office of the Corporation, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment(s) thereof, or with the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting.
VOTING AND PROXIES
A shareholder has the right to appoint a person (who need not be a shareholder) to attend and act for him and on his behalf at the meeting other than the persons designated in the accompanying form of proxy. To exercise this right the shareholder may insert the name of the desired person in the blank space provided in the proxy and strike out the other names or may submit another proxy.
A proxy in favour of the matters described in the proxy will confer discretionary authority on the persons appointed with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the notice of meeting or other business which may properly come before the meeting.
Management is not aware of any such other business to be presented for action at the Meeting.
Non-registered Shareholders
Only registered shareholders of the Corporation or the persons they appoint as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. However, in many cases, shares beneficially owned by a person (a "Non-Registered Holder") are registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (an "Intermediary") that the Non-Registered Holder deals with in respect of the shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered RRSPs, RRIFs, RESPs and similar plans); or (ii) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited ("CDS")) of which the Intermediary is a participant. In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Corporation has distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting, this Circular and the form of proxy (collectivel y, the "Meeting Materials") to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders, unless a Non-Registered Holder has waived the right to receive them. Intermediaries often use service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to Non-Registered Holders. Generally, Intermediaries will provide Non-Registered Holders who have not waived the right to receive Meeting Materials with either:
(a)
a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature) but which is otherwise uncompleted; or
(b)
a form which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the Non-Registered Holder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a "Voting Instruction Form”) which the Intermediary must follow. Typically the non-registered holder will also be given a page of instructions, which contains a removable label containing a bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a Voting Instruction Form, the non-registered holder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the Voting Instruction Form, properly completed and sign the Voting Instruction Form and submit it to the Intermediary or its services company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company.
In either case, the purpose of these procedures is to permit Non-Registered Holders to direct the voting of the shares they beneficially own. In either case, Non-Registered Holders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary with respect to the procedures to be followed, including those regarding when and where the proxy or proxy authorization form is to be delivered.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Except as set out herein, no director or executive officer of the Corporation, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing persons has any substantial interest direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership or otherwise in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting.
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares (the "Common Shares" or "shares"), of which 87,159,708 Common Shares are issued and outstanding. Each Common Share carries with it one vote. The holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on January 7, 2008 (the "Record Date") will be entitled to receive notice of and vote at the Meeting, except to the extent that:
(i)
a shareholder has transferred the ownership of any shares after January 7, 2008, and
(ii)
the transferee of those shares produces properly endorsed share certificates, or otherwise establishes that the transferee owns the shares and demands, not later than 10 days before the Meeting, that the transferee's name be included in the list of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case the transferee shall be entitled to vote such shares at the Meeting.
To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Corporation, there are no persons who beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all shares of the Corporation.
ANNUAL MEETING BUSINESS
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The number of directors proposed for nomination is fixed at ten. The ten persons described below have been nominated and will be proposed at the Meeting for election as directors of the Corporation to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation or until their successors are elected or appointed. It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy, if not expressly directed to the contrary in such form of proxy, to vote such proxiesFOR the election of the nominees specified below as directors of the Corporation.
If, prior to the Meeting, any vacancies occur in the slate of proposed nominees herein submitted, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to voteFOR the election of any substitute nominee or nominees recommended by the management of the Corporation and for the remaining proposed nominees. Management has been informed that each of the proposed nominees listed below is willing to serve as director if elected.
The names, municipalities of residence, principal occupations and respective interests of such nominees in securities of the Corporation set forth in the following table were furnished by the individual nominees:
Name, Municipality of Residence and Position With the Company | Principal occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected director, occupation during the past | Served as a Director Continuously Since | Number of Common Shares beneficially owned or directly or indirectly controlled(1) |
James E. Sinclair Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director | Chairman and CEO of the Company | April 30, 2002 | 2,951,576 |
Victoria Luis Director | Corporate Accountant of the Company | April 30, 2002 | 147,500 |
Name, Municipality of Residence and Position With the Company | Principal occupation or employment and, if not a previously elected director, occupation during the past | Served as a Director Continuously Since | Number of Common Shares beneficially owned or directly or indirectly controlled(1) |
Jonathan G. Deane(3) Director, President | President of the Company since 2004; Exploration Manager of the Company since 1996 | September 1, 2006 | 21,459 |
Marek J. Kreczmer(3) Director | President, CEO and Director of NWT Uranium Corp. | July 24, 1991 | 324,272 |
Ulrich E. Rath(2)(3) Director | President and CEO and Director of Chariot Resources Ltd. | October 7, 2003 | 2,368 |
Anton Esterhuizen(3) Director | Managing Director, Pangea Exploration (Pty) | January, 2001 | 60,989 |
William Harvey(2) Director | Psychologist | April 30, 2002 | 335,223 |
Rosalind Morrow | Lawyer; Partner, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP | October 20, 2003 | 354,681 |
Dr. Norman Betts(2) | Associate Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, University of New Brunswick | January 4, 2005 | 10,501 |
Joseph Kahama Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Nominee | President of Tanzania American International Development Corporation 2000 Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corporation | Nominee | 9,000 |
(1)
Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised as at January 7, 2008 is based on information furnished to the Corporation by the individual nominees.
(2)
Member of Audit and Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee.
(3)
Member of Technical Committee.
STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Corporation has 3 executive officers. Particulars of executive compensation are set out below.
(a)
Cash
During the financial year ended August 31, 2007 the aggregate cash compensation paid or payable to the executive officers of the Corporation by the Corporation and its subsidiaries for services rendered was $218,917.
Name and Principal Position | Fiscal Year | Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation | All Other Compen- ($) | ||||
Salary | Bonus | Other Annual Compen- | Awards | Shares or Units Subject to Resale Restrictions | Payouts | |||
/SARs Granted (#) | LTIP Payouts | |||||||
James E. Sinclair, | 2007 2006 2005 | Nil Nil $36,861 | Nil Nil Nil | Nil $6,250 $10,000 | N/A N/A Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil |
Regina Kuo-Lee, Chief Financial Officer | 2007 2006 2005 | $90,000 $9,800 N/A | $7,500 Nil N/A | Nil Nil N/A | 4,480 Nil N/A | Nil Nil N/A | $4,500 N/A N/A | Nil N/A N/A |
Jonathan G. Deane, | 2007 2006 2005 | $115,113 $118,071 $125,973 | $6,304 $4,658 Nil | $4,700 $5,450 $6,000 | 11,201 6,964 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | $5,748 $5,907 $6,299 | Nil Nil Nil |
(b)
Plans
The Corporation has Long Term Incentive Plans ("LTIP") pursuant to which cash compensation was paid or distributed to executive officers during the most recently completed financial year or is proposed to be paid or distributed in a subsequent year.
(i)
By an agreement dated May 1, 2003, the Corporation appointed Olympia Trust Company of Calgary, Alberta, as trustee (the “Trustee”) to manage and administer an employee share ownership plan (“ESOP”). Under the ESOP, eligible employees, directors, and consultants can elect to contribute up to 30% of their salary or compensation on a monthly basis for investment by the Trustee in shares of the Corporation. The Corporation will contribute funds equal to 100% of the employee’s contribution up to an amount equal to 5% or less of the employee’s salary. The Corporation will contribute funds equal to 50% of the employee’s contribution for the next 6% to 30% inclusive of the employee’s salary. All share purchases are at market prices at the time of purchase, through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange using registered representatives.
(ii)
The Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) Plan is intended to enhance the Corporation’s and its Affiliates’ability to attract and retain highly qualified officers, directors, key employees and other persons, and to motivate such officers, directors, key employees and other persons to serve the Corporation and its Affiliates and to expend maximum effort to improve the business results and earnings of the Corporation, by providing to such persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the operations and future success of the Corporation. To this end, the RSU Plan provides for the grant of restricted stock units. As of April 11, 2006, the Board resolved to suspend 2,000,000 of the 2,500,000 Shares previously authorized for issuance, such that a maximum of 500,000 Shares shall be authorized for issuance under the RSU Plan until such suspension may be lifted or fur ther amended. Any of these awards of restricted stock units may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward attainment of annual or long-term performance goals in accordance with the terms of the RSU Plan. Any such performance goals are specified in the Award Agreement.
(iii)
The Corporation has a Stock Option Plan which is administered by the Board of Directors and options are granted at their discretion. The number of shares reserved, set aside and available for issue under the Plan shall not exceed 8,144,132 or such greater number of shares as may be determined by the Board and approval, if required, by the shareholders of the Corporation and by any relevant stock exchange or other regulatory authority. Options must expire no later than five years from the date such options are granted. As of April 3, 2003, the Board resolved that the Company will not grant any further options under the Plan and that upon exercise or expiration of all stock options currently outstanding, the Plan be terminated. The remaining stock options outstanding under the Plan were exercised and the Plan has terminated.
OPTION (RSU)/SAR GRANTS DURING THE MOST
RECENTLY COMPLETED FINANCIAL YEAR
Name | Securities Under Options (RSUs) /SARs Granted (#) | % of Total Options (RSUs) /SARs Granted to Directors and Employees in Financial Year | Exercise or Base Price ($/Security) | Market Value of Securities Underlying Options (RSUs) /SARs on the Date of Grant ($/Security) | Expiration Date |
James E. Sinclair, | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
Regina Kuo-Lee, Chief Financial Officer | 4,480 | 4.1% | Nil | $5.58 | April 26, 2010 |
Jonathan Deane, | 11,201 | 10.3% | Nil | $5.58 | April 26, 2010 |
.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES DURING THE
MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED FINANCIAL YEAR AND
FINANCIAL YEAR-END OPTION (RSU)/SAR VALUES
Name | Securities | Aggregate | Unexercised | Value of /SARs ($) |
James E. Sinclair, | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Regina Kuo-Lee, Chief Financial Officer | Nil | N/A | 4,480 | $24,998 |
Jonathan Deane, | Nil | N/A | 18,165 | $112,531 |
(c)
Other
Except as set out herein under "Cash", there was no other compensation paid by the Corporation to executive officers during the most recently completed financial year, including personal benefits and securities or property paid or distributed other than pursuant to a formal plan, which compensation is not offered on the same terms to all full time employees other than those covered by a collective agreement.
Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts
There is an Employment Contract dated June 8, 2004 with Jonathan Deane, President of the Corporation, which provides for a remuneration of US$102,660 per annum, on an after tax basis, and payable monthly, plus employee benefits including accommodation and board in Mwanza at the Corporation’s staff house.If terminated without cause, the Employment Contract provides for severance payment equal to 1 months salary per full year of service, together with proportionate compensation for lost benefits, if any.
Report on Executive Compensation
The Corporation’s executive compensation is reviewed by the Audit and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors. The Committee monitors the performance of the Corporation’s senior officers and reviews the design and competitiveness of the Corporation’s compensation plans.
Senior executive compensation is primarily based on cash compensation. This determination is made with regard for the need to ensure compensation packages that will attract and retain qualified and experienced individuals. In determining the compensation levels, the Committee examines salaries which are set at levels competitive with the salaries paid by corporations of a comparable size within the industry, thereby enabling the Corporation to compete for and retain executives critical to the Corporation’s long
term success. The Committee also considers from time to time, annual bonuses based on individual and corporate performance. Executive compensation may also include a share ownership opportunity through the Corporation’sEmployee Share Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) Planin which directors and officers are eligible to participate, which provides long-term incentives.
Mr. Sinclair has agreed to accept a substantially reduced level of compensation for his position as Chief Executive Officer to assist the Company. As a result, the Committee has not established formal compensation criteria for Mr. Sinclair’s compensation.
Corporate Cease Trade Orders or Bankruptcies
No director or proposed director of the Corporation is, or within the ten years prior to the date of this Circular has been, a director or executive officer of any company, including the Corporation, that while that person was acting in that capacity :
1.
was the subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the company access to any exemption under securities legislation for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
2.
was subject to an event that resulted, after the director ceased to be a director or executive officer of the company being the subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days; or
3.
within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets.
Individual Bankruptcies
No director of the Corporation has, within the ten years prior to the date of this Circular, become bankrupt or made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or been subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of that individual.
Composition of the Audit and Compensation Committee
The Audit andCompensation Committee members are comprised of the following directors of the Corporation:
Dr. Norman Betts (Chair)
Dr. William Harvey
Mr. Ulrich Rath
None of these individuals is an officer of the Corporation.
Performance Graph
The following line graph and succeeding table compare the return, assuming an initial investment of $100, with the cumulative total return, in respect of the S&P/TSX Composite Index compiled by the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five most recently completed financial years. The S&P/TSX Composite Index is a total return index.
| 08/31/2003 | 08/31/2004 | 08/31/2005 | 08/31/2006 | 08/31/2007 |
Tanzanian Royalty Exploration Corp. | $100.00 | $60.93 | $104.68 | $410.93 | $263.54 |
S&P/TSX Composite Index | $100.00 | $119.71 | $142.05 | $160.76 | $181.88 |
Compensation of Directors
The Board of Directors implemented the RSU Plan under which employees and directors are compensated for their services to the Company. Annual compensation for outside directors is $62,500 per year, plus $6,250 per year for serving on Committees, plus $3,125 per year for serving as Chair of a Committee. At the election of each individual director, up to one- third of the annual compensation may be received in cash, paid quarterly. The remainder of the director’s annual compensation (at least two-thirds, and up to 100%) will be awarded as Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) in accordance with the terms of the RSU Plan and shall vest within a minimum of one (1) year and a maximum of three (3) years, at the election of the director, subject to the conditions of the RSU Plan with respect to earlier vesting.
At the election of each Director, Directors’ fees of $102,473 were paid to directors during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007. Under the RSU Plan, outside directors were granted 63,545 RSUs during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.
Outstanding Stock Options
At the end of the Corporation's most recently completed financial year there were nil Common Shares purchasable under outstanding stock options granted to directors.
RSUs Granted and Compensation Paid to Directors During the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2007:
Name | No. of RSUs Granted | Annual Compensation Paid | Date of Grant | Vesting Period(2) | Expiration Date |
James Sinclair(1) | Nil | Nil | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Victoria Luis | 7,616 | 13,334 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
Jonathan G. Deane(1) | 11,201 | Nil | April 26, 2007 | 3 years | April 26, 2010 |
Marek J. Kreczmer | 8,587 | 19,986 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
Ulrich E. Rath | 9,095 | 18,000 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
Anton Esterhuizen | 10,170 | 12,000 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
William Harvey | 8,289 | 19,167 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
Rosalind Morrow | 11,201 | Nil | April 26, 2007 | 3 years | April 26, 2010 |
Norman Betts | 8,587 | 19,986 | April 26, 2007 | 1 year | April 26, 2008 |
RSUs held by directors as a group: | 74,746 | $102,473 |
|
|
|
(1) Inside Director
(2) Subject to the conditions of the RSU Plan with respect to earlier vesting
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table provides information regarding compensation plans under which securities of the Corporation are authorized for issuance in effect as of the end of the Corporation’s most recently completed financial year end:
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
Plan Category | (a) | (b) | (c) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (Stock Option Plan) | Nil | N/A | Nil* |
| Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (Restricted Stock Unit Plan) | 137,597 | $5.92 | 467,758 |
Total | 137,597 | $5.92 | 467,758 |
*As of April 3, 2003, the Board Resolved that the Corporation will not grant any further options under the Plan and upon exercise or expiration of all stock options currently outstanding the Plan will be terminated. The remaining stock options outstanding under the Plan were exercised and the Plan has terminated.
INDEBTEDNESS TO CORPORATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
None of the directors or executive officers of the Corporation or proposed nominees for election as a director, or their associates or affiliates have been indebted to the Corporation.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
No director, officer or proposed nominee for election as a director and no associate or affiliate of any insider or nominee has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Corporation's last completed financial year, or in any proposed transaction, which in either such case has materially affected or will materially affect the Corporation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITOR'S REPORT
Audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007 and the report of the auditors thereon are enclosed with this Information Circular. The presentation of the audited financial statements to the shareholders at the Meeting will not constitute a request for approval or disapproval.
The Corporation is required by law to have an Audit Committee which reviews the financial statements prior to their approval by the Board of Directors. The members of the Audit and Compensation Committee are Norman Betts (Chair), William Harvey and Ulrich Rath.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
The Corporation recommends the appointment of KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, of Vancouver, British Columbia as auditors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting. KPMG LLP are the current auditors of the Corporation and were first appointed auditors on October 30, 2002.
MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS
There are no Management Contracts other than the Employment Contract with Jonathan Deane referred to under “Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts”. There are no management functions of the Corporation which are to any substantial degree performed by a person other than the directors or executive officers of the Corporation.
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
The Corporation’s Board of Directors and senior management consider good corporate governance to be central to the effective and efficient operation of the Corporation. The Board has confirmed the strategic objective of the Corporation of seeking out and exploring gold and diamond deposits with the intention of partnering with an exploration corporation to generate a royalty interest in a deposit that results in production. The Corporation intends to become a financial company that acts as a proxy for gold having generated its income from the exploration projects that are developed by others producing royalties from the property inventory.
The fundamental responsibility of the Board of Directors is to appoint a competent executive team and to oversee the management of the business, with a view to maximizing shareholder value and ensuring corporate conduct in an ethical and legal manner via an appropriate system of corporate governance and internal controls.
The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. National Policy 58-201 - Corporate Governance Guidelines provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Corporation. In addition, National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (“NI 58-101”) prescribes certain disclosure by the Corporation of its corporate governance practices.
The following report by the Board of Directors describes the analysis and disclosure of corporate governance practices of the Corporation.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
1. Board of Directors
The Board is comprised of nine (9) directors, five (5) of whom are independent for the purposes of NI 58-101. Those directors are: Norman Betts, Anton Esterhuizen, William Harvey, Marek Kreczmer and Ulrich Rath.
James E. Sinclair is not independent as he serves as Chairman and CEO of the Corporation. Victoria M. Luis is not independent as she was formerly Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Corporation. Jonathan Deane is not independent as he serves as President of the Corporation. Rosalind Morrow is not independent as Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, the law firm of which she is a Partner, provides legal services to the Company.
The Board of directors of the Corporation consist of a majority of independent directors.
The following directors are presently directors of other reporting issuers:
Norman Betts:
Starfield Resources Inc.; Tembec Inc. and New Brunswick Power Corp.; Export Development Canada, Adex Mining Inc. and Rtica Corporation and Chairman Capital Corporation.
Anton Esterhuizen:
Managing Director, Pangea Exploration (Pty) Ltd.; NWT Uranium Corp.
Marek Kreczmer:
NWT Uranium Corp.; Hana Mining Inc.; Soho Resources Ltd.
Ulrich Rath:
Chariot Resources Ltd.
The independent directors hold separate meetings at which management is not in attendance. The Board facilitates open and candid discussion among its independent directors by encouraging such members to have discussions with the Board members who are not independent directors.
The Chair of the Board, Mr. James E. Sinclair, is not an independent director. The independent directors are provided with leadership through their majority control of the Board and ability to meet independently of management, who meet together following each Board Meeting. The Board also encourages its independent directors to have informal discussions amongst themselves whenever appropriate.
The Corporation held two board meetings and five audit committee meetings since the beginning of the recently completed financial year. Due to the various global locations of the Corporation’s directors, Board members attend via telephone conference call. Ulrich Rath was unable to attend one meeting. Marek Kreczmer was unable to attend two meetings. All audit committee members attended every Audit and Compensation Committee meeting.
2. Board Mandate
The following is the mandate of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”):
·
Advocate and support the best interests of the Corporation;
·
Review and approve strategic, business and capital plans for the Corporation;
·
Ensure that specific and relevant corporate measurements are developed and adequate controls and information systems are in place with regard to business performance;
·
Review the principal risks of the Corporation’s business and pursue the implementation of appropriate systems to manage such risks;
·
Monitor progress and efficiency of strategic, business, and capital plans and require appropriate action to be taken when performance falls short of goals;
·
Establish and monitor a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Directors, Officers and Employees to address, among other matters, conflicts of interest, protection and proper use of corporate assets and opportunities, fair dealing with third parties,
compliance with laws, rules and regulations, and reporting of any illegal or unethical behaviour;
·
Establish and monitor a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers to address, among other matters, conflicts of interest, fair dealing with third parties, compliance with laws, rules and regulations, and reporting of any illegal or unethical behaviour;
·
Review measures implemented and maintained by the Corporation to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements;
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Review and monitor the effectiveness of the Audit and Compensation Committee, and the Audit and Compensation Committee Charter, on at least an annual basis;
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Select, evaluate, and compensate the senior management;
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Grant share options or share appreciation rights, or both, and monitor the evaluation and compensation of senior management;
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Monitor the practices of management to ensure appropriate and timely communication of material information concerning the Corporation to its shareholders; in addition, assume responsibility for theCommunication (Disclosure) Policyof the Corporation to ensure that it addresses how the Corporation interacts with analysts and the public and that it contains measures for the Corporation to avoid selective disclosure and ensures that insiders understand their obligations with respect to trading in securities of the Corporation;
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Monitor compliance with theCommunication (Disclosure) Policy and be responsible for the granting of any waivers therefrom;
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Monitor overall safety and environmental policies and programs;
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Monitor the development and implementation of programs for management succession and development; and
Discharge such other duties as may be required for the good stewardship of the Corporation.
3. Position Descriptions
The Board has developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Board. The Board does not at this time have formal position descriptions for the Chairman of each Board committee and the CEO. The Board expects the CEO to meet the corporate objectives and responsibilities of the Corporation.
While management is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Corporation’s business, the Board serves in a supervisory capacity and is responsible for reviewing and approving corporate objectives and monitoring management’s progress in achieving approved corporate objectives.
Management is required to seek the Board’s approval for any major transaction. The Board would be required to give prior approval to any action that would lead to a material change in the nature of the business and affairs of the Corporation.
4. Orientation and Continuing Education
New directors receive copies of Board materials and all material regarding the Corporation (including recent annual reports, annual information forms, proxy solicitation materials and various other operating and budget reports). New directors are encouraged to visit and meet with management on a regular basis. Management of the Corporation makes itself available for discussion with all Board members.
The Board does not presently provide organized continuing education programs for its directors. However, each Board member is encouraged to attend meetings, courses, seminars and conferences to ensure the director’s knowledge and skills remain current to meet their obligations as directors.
5. Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applicable to directors, officers, employees and consultants, and a Code of Ethical Conduct for Financial Managers to address, among other matters, conflicts of interest, protection and proper use of corporate assets and opportunities, fair dealing with third parties, compliance with laws, rules and regulations, and reporting of any illegal or unethical behaviour. The Code is available upon request from the Corporation at Suite 404 – 1688 152nd Street, South Surrey, BC V4A 4N2, Canada. The code is posted on the Corporation’s website at www.tanzanianroyaltyexploration.com. The Code is also available for viewing on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. The Board accepts the responsibility of monitoring compliance with the Code. The Corporation has filed no material change reports relating to departures from the code by any directors and/or officers or financial managers.
The Board has found that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Corporation’s governing corporate legislation and the common law and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual director’s participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has a material interest have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Corporation. Furthermore, all issuances of shares to insiders are separately approved by the Audit and Compensation Committee, which consists entirely of independent directors.
The Board and the Corporation encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct from all directors, officers, employees and associates.
6. Nomination of Directors
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board’s duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of view and experience.
The Board has a Nominating Committee comprised of independent directors Norman Betts, William Harvey and Ulrich Rath. When a vacancy on the Board arises, the Nominating Committee is encouraged to bring forward any potential nominees that have the necessary skills and knowledge to serve on the Corporation’s Board.
7. Compensation
The adequacy and form of director and officer compensation is reviewed on an annual basis by the Board. The Audit and Compensation Committee recommends to the Board any adjustments to the compensation payable to directors, officers, and senior staff.
The Audit and Compensation Committee is comprised of three directors: Norman Betts (Chair), William Harvey and Ulrich Rath all of whom are independent for the purposes of NI 58-101.
The Audit and Compensation Committee meet to discuss salary matters as required. Its recommendations are reached primarily by comparison of the remuneration paid by the Corporation with publicly available information on remuneration paid by other reporting issuers that the Audit and Compensation Committee feels are similarly placed within the same business of the Corporation.
No consultant or advisor has been retained to assist in determining compensation.
8. Other Board Committees
The Board has appointed three committees, an Audit and Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee and a Technical Committee.
The Audit and Compensation Committee is comprised of three independent directors: Dr. Norman Betts (Chairman), Ulrich E. Rath and William Harvey. The Audit and Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation paid to directors, management, and employees based on such factors as time commitment, comparative fees paid by other companies in the industry in North America and Africa, level of responsibility and the Company’s current position as an exploration company with limited operating revenue.
The Nominating Committee is comprised of three independent directors: Dr. Norman Betts (Chairman), Ulrich E. Rath and William Harvey. The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board’s duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of view and experience. When a vacancy on the Board arises, the independent directors of the Nominating Committee will be encouraged to bring forward any potential nominees that have the necessary skills and knowledge to serve on the Corporation’s Board.
The Technical Committee is comprised of three unrelated and outside directors: Marek J. Kreczmer (Chairman), Ulrich E. Rath, Anton Esterhuizen, and one inside director, Jonathan Deane. The function of the Technical Committee is to review the Corporation’s technical data and other technical information and report to management and the Board.
9. Assessments
Due to the size of the Corporation’s Board of Directors, no formal policy has been established to monitor the effectiveness of the directors, the Board and its committees. The Board as a whole is responsible for the Corporation’s approach to corporate governance, committee and individual director effectiveness issues on a continuous basis. Mr. Sinclair, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, acts as chairman of the Board. The Board considers this to be an appropriate role for Mr.
Sinclair. The Board has functioned, and is of the opinion that it can continue to function, independently as required. When necessary or desirable, the Board will establish committees composed of members who are independent with respect to the issue to be determined.
The Board, together with the Chairman of the Board, monitors the size of the Board to ensure effective decision-making.
PARTICULARS OF OTHER MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
SPECIAL BUSINESS
Amendment to Articles
At the Meeting, shareholders are being requested to consider and, if thought advisable, to pass the special resolution, with or without variation, in the form attached as Schedule “A” to this Information Circular, authorizing the Corporation to amend the Articles of the Corporation to change the maximum number of directors from 9 to 11.
The persons named on the enclosed Form of Proxy intend to vote at the Meeting in favour of the foregoing special resolution contained in Schedule “A” to this Information Circular, unless the shareholder has specified in the form of proxy that his or her shares are to be voted against the special resolution.
Management of the Corporation is not aware of any other matter to come before the Meeting other than as set forth in the notice of meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgement on such matter.
REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT
Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 3rd Floor, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B9, is the registrar and transfer agent for the Corporation’s Common Shares.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Corporation is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Copies of the Corporation’s comparative financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2007 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis are also available on SEDAR or may be obtained by any person upon receipt of a request in writing tothe Corporate Secretary of the Corporation, Suite 404 – 1688 152nd Street, South Surrey, British Columbia, V4A 4N2. Such copies will be sent to any shareholder without charge. Financial information with respect to the Corporation is provided in the Corporation’s comparative financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for its mostly recently completed financial year.
BOARD APPROVAL
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has approved the content and distribution of this Management Information Circular.
SCHEDULE “A”
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORPORATION
RESOLVED AS A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CORPORATION THAT:
1.
Pursuant to Section 173(1)(l) of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), Item 5 of the Articles of the Corporation is hereby amended by changing the maximum number of directors from 9 to 11.
2.
Any officer or director of the Corporation be and is hereby authorized to execute and file articles of amendment to evidence the foregoing change of the maximum number of directors, and to do such other acts and things and execute and deliver all such other documents and instruments, whether under the corporate seal or the Corporation or otherwise, as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to this resolution; and
3.
If it deems such action necessary, the Board of Directors is hereby authorized to revoke this resolution at any time prior to the filing of articles of amendment evidencing such change in maximum number of directors without further approval of the shareholders of the Corporation.
TANZANIAN ROYALTY EXPLORATION CORPORATION
(the “Corporation”)
REQUEST FOR ANNUAL & INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In accordance with National Instrument 54-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, registered and beneficial shareholders of the Corporation may elect annually to receive interim corporate mailings, including interim and annual financial statements of the Corporation, if they so request. If you wish to receive such mailings, please complete and return this form to:
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY OF CANADA
9th Floor – 100 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2Y1
Fax: 1-866-249-7775
The undersigned shareholder hereby elects to receive:
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Interim Financial Statements for the first, second and third financial quarters of 2008 and the related MD&A;
and/or
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Annual Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related MD&A.
Please note that a request form will be mailed each year and shareholders must return such form each year to receive the documents indicated above.
NAME: | |
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ADDRESS: | |
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POSTAL CODE: |
I confirm that I am a:
q
Registered shareholderOR
q
Beneficial shareholder of the Company
SIGNATURE OF SHAREHOLDER:
DATE:
CUSIP No.: 87600U104