SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 20 – F
___
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12)(g) of theSecurities Exchange Actof 1934
Or
X
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2006
Or
____
Transaction Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from __________________ to ____________________
Or
_____
Shell company report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report _____________________
Commission file number 000-51236
RIPPLE LAKE DIAMONDS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
British Columbia, Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
#305, 595 Howe Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2T5
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities to be registered pursuant to section 12 (b) of the Act: None
Securities to be registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Common Shares, no par value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Company’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
Title of Each Class
Outstanding at June 30, 2006
Common Shares, no par value
36,075,682
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
__
Yes
X
No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934.
X
Yes
__
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
__
Yes
X
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated file, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
Large accelerated filer _______
Accelerated filer _______
Non-accelerated filer
X
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
X
Item 17
__
Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No
__
Yes
X
No
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part
Item
Page
Forward-Looking Statements
4
I
1
Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
5
2
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
5
3
Key Information
5
4
Information on the Company
16
5
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
30
6
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
33
7
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
41
8
Financial Information
43
9
The Offer and Listing
43
10
Additional Information
45
11
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
50
12
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
50
II
13
Default, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
50
14
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
51
15
Controls and Procedures
51
16A
Audit committee Financial Expert
51
16B
Code of Ethics
52
16C
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
52
16D
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
52
16E
Purchasers of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
52
III
17
Financial Statements
52
18
Financial Statements
53
19
Exhibits
53
Signatures
54
Financial Statements
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INTRODUCTION
As used herein, except as the context otherwise requires, the term “we” refers toRipple Lake Diamonds Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada.
We publish our financial statements expressed in Canadian Dollars and prepare a compilation statement to comply with U.S. GAAP. In this document, references to "US dollars" or "US$" are to the currency of the United States of America. Otherwise our Financial Statements and disclosure are in Canadian Dollars.
Our fiscal year ends on June 30 of each year. References in this document to a particular year are to the fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements and information, within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act, relating toRipple Lake Diamonds Inc. (that are based on the beliefs and estimates of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to us. When used in this document, any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events of performance (often but not always using words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “strategy”, “goals”, “objectives”,
“project”, “potential” or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur, or be achieved, or the negative or any of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to our company or management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among others:
·
risks relating to our ability to finance the exploration and development of our mineral properties;
·
permitting risks relating to the exploration and development of our mineral properties and business activities;
·
risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, geology, grade and continuity of our mineral deposits;
·
commodity price fluctuations (particularly gold and silver commodities);
·
currency fluctuations;
·
risks related to governmental regulations, including environmental regulations;
·
risks related to possible reclamation activities on our properties;
·
our ability to attract and retain qualified management and our dependence upon such management in the development of our mineral properties;
·
increased competition in the exploration industry;
·
our lack of infrastructure;
·
our history of losses and expectation of future losses.
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Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including without limitation, those referred to in this document, under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere. Our forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s beliefs, expectations or opinions should change.
For the reasons set forth above, investors should not attribute undue certainty to or place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements.
PART I
ITEM 1.
IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS
Not applicable. Refer to “Item 6 - Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Directors and Senior Management" herein.
ITEM 2.
OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3.
KEY INFORMATION
Selected Financial Data
The summary financial information set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005, together with the notes thereto, which appear elsewhere in this annual report. Our financial statements as of and for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 have been audited by Amisano Hanson, Chartered Accountants.
Our financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada. Our financial statements presented in this registration statement have been reconciled to generally accepted accounting principals in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").
The selected financial data set forth in the following tables is expressed in Canadian dollars (“Cdn$”).
| | |
| Fiscal years ended |
| June 30, 2006 | June 30, 2005 |
Revenues (Interest Income) | $ 1,990 | $ 2,256 |
Net Loss | 467,636 | 921,040 |
Deficit, beginning of period | 939,341 | 18,301 |
Deficit, end of period | 1,406,977 | 939,341 |
Loss per share | 0.02 | 0.05 |
1.
Diluted loss per share has not been presented as the effect on basic loss per share would be anti-dilutive.
2.
Under United States GAAP, all mineral exploration and development expenditures are expensed in the year incurred in an exploration stage company until there is substantial evidence that a commercial body of ore has been located. The amounts in the table are expressed under Canadian GAAP, which allows resource exploration and development property expenditures to be deferred during this process.
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The weighted average outstanding shares used to calculate income (loss) per share for the following fiscal periods are: 26,783,013 for the year ended June 30, 2006, and 18,539,297 for the year ended June 30, 2005.
To date, we have not generated any cash flow from our activities to fund ongoing activities and cash commitments. We have financed our operations principally through the sale of our equity securities. We believe we have sufficient financial resources to fund our ongoing overhead expenses for the next six months. In the future, we may need to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities to fund further exploration activities. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Liquidity and Capital Resources." We may not be able to raise the necessary funds, if any, and may not be able to raise such funds at terms which are acceptable to us. In the event we are unable to raise adequate finances to fund the proposed activities, we will need to reassess our alternatives and may have to abandon one or more of our property interest s as a result.
Balance Sheet Information for the year ended June 30, 2006
| | |
| Fiscal years ended |
| June 30, 2006 | June 30, 2005 |
Current Assets | $ 387,622 | $ 388,407 |
Mineral Exploration Properties | 4,881,420 | 3,185,400 |
Total Assets | 5,269,042 | 3,575,080 |
Current/Total Liabilities | 47,962 | 482,778 |
Net Working Capital | 339,660 | (94,371) |
Shareholders Equity | 5,221,080 | 3,092,302 |
The above financial information is presented in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which are different in some respects from US GAAP. The effect of these differences on our financial performance is summarized in the following table.
Reconciliation of total assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity to U.S. GAAP:
| | |
| 2006 | 2005 |
| $ | $ |
| | |
Total assets under Canadian GAAP | 5,269,042 | 3,575,080 |
Adjustments | | |
Expenses of advances for future exploration costs | - | - |
Expense of mineral exploration properties costs | (4,401,820) | (2,840,900) |
| | |
Total assets under US GAAP | 867,222 | 734,180 |
| | |
Total liabilities under Canadian GAAP | 47,962 | 482,778 |
Adjustments | - | - |
| | |
Total liabilities under US GAAP | 47,962 | 482,778 |
| | |
Total stockholders’ equity under Canadian GAAP | 5,221,080 | 3,092,302 |
Adjustments | | |
Expenses of advances for future exploration costs | - | - |
Expenses of mineral exploration properties costs | (4,401,820) | (2,840,900) |
| | |
Total equity under US GAAP | 819,260 | 251,402 |
| | |
Total liabilities and equity under US GAAP | 867,222 | 734,180 |
| | |
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Exchange Rates
We maintain our books of account in Canadian dollars. Our audited financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Canada. All references to the dollar herein are to the lawful currency of Canada unless designated as “US$”.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain exchange rates based on the noon buying rate with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for cable transfers in Canadian dollars. Such rates are the number of United States dollars per one (1) Canadian dollar. On December 21, 2006, the exchange rate was US$1.00 per Cdn$1.1538. The high and low exchange rates for each month during the previous six months were as follows:
| | |
| High | Low |
November 2006 | 1.1474 | 1.1275 |
October 2006 | 1.1384 | 1.1154 |
September 2006 | 1.1272 | 1.1052 |
August 2006 | 1.1312 | 1.1066 |
July 2006 | 1.1415 | 1.1112 |
June 2006 | 1.1241 | 1.0991 |
The average exchange rate is based on the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during such periods.
| | |
| Year Ended June 30 |
| 2006 | 2005 |
Rate at end of Period Average Rate during Period Low High | 1.1150 1.1627 1.0989 1.2437 | 1.2256 1.2497 1.1775 1.3353 |
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Risk Factors
An investment in our securities involves significant risks, including the following:
Risks Associated with Exploration
We have no known reserves on our properties.
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We have no mineral producing properties and have never generated any revenue from our operations. The majority of exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits of ore. Only those mineral deposits that we can economically and legally extract or produce, based on a comprehensive evaluation of cost, grade, recovery and other factors, are considered “resources” or “reserves.” We have no known bodies of commercial ore or economic deposits and have not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves or resources on any of our properties. We may never discover any gold, silver or other minerals from mineralized material in commercially exploitable quantities and any identified mineralized deposit may never qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) reserve. In addition, we are in the early stages of exploration and substanti al additional work will be required in order to determine if any economic deposits exist on our properties. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques. No assurance can be given that any level of recovery of the ore reserves will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercial mineable ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. Even in the event commercial quantities of minerals are discovered, the mining properties might not be brought into a state of commercial production. Estimates of mineral resources are inherently imprecise and depend to some extent on statistical inferences drawn from limited drilling, which may prove unreliable. Fluctuations in the market prices of minerals may render reserves and deposits containing relatively lower grades of mineralization uneconomic. Material changes in mineralized material, grades or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of projects. Finding mineral deposits is dependent on a number of factors, not the least of which are the technical skills of exploration personnel involved. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is also dependent on a number of factors, some of which are particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure and resource markets, as well as factors independent of the attributes of the deposit, such as government regulations and metal prices. Most of these factors are beyond the control of the entity conducting such mineral exploration. Moreover, short-term operating factors relating to mineral resources, such as the need for orderly development of the deposits or the processing of new or different grades, may cause mining operations, if any, to be unprofitable in any particular period. These risks may limit or prevent us from making a profit from the exploration and development of our mineral properties and could negatively affect the value of our equity.
We face risks related to exploration and development, if warranted, of our properties.
Our level of profitability, if any, in future years will depend to a great degree on gold and silver prices and whether any of our exploration stage properties can be brought into production. The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks. It is impossible to ensure that the current and future exploration programs and/or feasibility studies on our existing mineral properties will establish reserves. Whether an ore body will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices, which cannot be predicted and which have been highly volatile in the past; mining, processing and transportation costs; perceived levels of political risk and the willingness of lenders and investors to provide project financing; labour costs and possible labour strikes; an d governmental regulations, including, without limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting materials, foreign exchange, environmental protection, employment, worker safety, transportation, and reclamation and closure obligations.
We are subject to the risks normally encountered in the mining industry, such as:
·
unusual or unexpected geological formations;
·
fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural disasters;
·
power outages and water shortages;
·
cave-ins, land slides, and other similar mining hazards;
·
labour disruptions and labour disputes;
·
inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment, or labour;
·
liability for pollution or other hazards; and
·
other known and unknown risks involved in the operation of mines and the conduct of exploration.
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The development of mineral properties is affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: the cost of operations, variations in the grade of ore, fluctuations in metal markets, costs of extraction and processing equipment, availability of equipment and labour, labour costs and possible labour strikes, and government regulations, including without limitation, regulations relating to taxes, royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals, foreign exchange, employment, worker safety, transportation, and environmental protection. Depending on the price of minerals, we may determine that it is impractical to commence, or, if commenced, continue, commercial production. Such a decision would negatively affect our profits and may affect the value of our equity.
We may not have access to all of the supplies and materials for our exploration activities which could cause us to delay or suspend operations.
Competition and unforeseen limited sources of supplies in the industry could result in occasional spot shortages of supplies, such as dynamite, and certain equipment such as bulldozers and excavators that we might need to conduct exploration. We have not attempted to locate or negotiate with any suppliers of products, equipment or materials. Our exploration efforts will be continued on the receipt of further funding. Once further funding is obtained we will attempt to locate products, equipment and materials. If we cannot find the products and equipment we need we will have to suspend our exploration plans until we do find the products and equipment we need.
Our properties may be subject to unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and title may be adversely affected by undetected defects.
We have not conducted a legal survey of the boundaries of any of our properties, and therefore, in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which these properties are situated, their existence and area could be in doubt. We have not obtained formal title reports on any of our properties and title may be in doubt. Our properties may be subject to unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and title may be adversely affected by such undetected defects. If title is disputed, we may have to defend our ownership through the courts, and we cannot guarantee that a favorable judgment will be obtained. Any litigation could be extremely costly to us and could limit the available capital for use in other exploration and development activities. We may require additional financing to cover the costs of any litigation necessary to establish title. In the event of an adverse judgment, we could lose ou r property rights and may be required to cease our exploration and development activities on our properties.
Mineral operations are subject to government regulations.
Our primary exploration properties are located in Ontario and Nunavut. The federal government of Canada and the Provinces of Ontario and Nunavut regulate mining operations and require mining permits and licenses. There can be no guarantee that we will be able to obtain all necessary permits and approvals from various federal, provincial, and local government authorities that may be required in order to undertake exploration activities or commence construction or operation of mine facilities on our properties. Further, there is no guarantee that the federal, provincial, and local governments will not change the terms and conditions of these permits and licenses, adversely affecting us, or that such governments will completely revoke these licenses, terminating our property rights and requiring us to cease exploration and development activities on our properties. If we are unable to obtain and maintain any nec essary permits, we may be forced to abandon all or a portion of our properties.
Mining operations are subject to a wide range of government regulations including, but not limited to: restrictions on production and production methods, price controls, tax increases, expropriation of property, import and export control, employment laws, worker safety regulations, environmental protection, protection of agricultural territory or changes in conditions under which minerals may be marketed. Mining operations may also be affected by claims of native peoples, any of which could have the effect of reducing or preventing us from exploiting any possible mineral reserves on our properties.
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Mineral operations are subject to market forces outside of our control.
The marketability of minerals is affected by numerous factors beyond the control of the entity involved in their mining and processing. These factors include, but are not limited to, market fluctuations, government regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, allowable production, import restrictions applicable to equipment and supplies, export controls and supply and demand. One or more of these risk elements could have an impact on costs of an operation and, if significant enough, reduce the profitability of our operation and threaten our continuation.
The mining industry is highly competitive.
The business of the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties is intensely competitive. We will be required to compete, in the future, directly with other corporations that may have better access to potential mineral resources, more developed infrastructure, more available capital, better access to necessary financing, and more knowledgeable and available employees than us. We may encounter competition in acquiring mineral properties, hiring mining professionals, obtaining mining resources, such as manpower, drill rigs, and other mining equipment. Such corporations could outbid us for potential projects or produce minerals at lower costs. Increased competition could also affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
Mining and mineral exploration have substantial operational risks which are uninsured or uninsurable risks.
Exploration, development and mining operations involve various hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, metallurgical and other processing problems, unusual or unexpected rock formations, structural cave-ins or slides, flooding, fires, metal losses and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These risks could result in damage to or destruction of mineral properties, facilities or other property, personal injury, environmental damage, delays in operations, increased cost of operations, monetary losses and possible legal liability. We may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums or at all. We may elect not to insure where premium costs are disproportionate to our perception of the relevant risks. The payment of such insurance premiums and of such liabilities would reduce the funds available for exploration and production activities.
Environmental Regulatory Requirements
In connection with our operations and properties, we are subject to extensive and changing environmental legislation, regulation and actions. We cannot predict what environmental legislation, regulation or policy will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and regulations will be administered or interpreted. The recent trend in environmental legislation and regulation, generally, is toward stricter standards and this trend is likely to continue in the future. This recent trend includes, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to air and water quality, mine reclamation, waste handling and disposal, the protection of certain species and the preservation of certain lands. These regulations may require the acquisition of permits or other authorizations for certain activities. These laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit activities on certain lands. Compliance with m ore stringent laws and regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect our results of operations and business, or may cause material changes or delays in our intended activities.
Our operations may require additional analysis in the future including environmental and social impact and other related studies. Certain activities require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and directors, officers, and employees. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain all necessary permits that may be required to continue our operation or the exploration of our properties or, if feasible, to commence development, construction or operation of mining facilities at such properties on terms which enable operations to be conducted at economically justifiable costs.
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Other Regulatory Requirements
Our activities are subject to extensive regulations governing various matters, including management and use of toxic substances and explosives, management of natural resources, exploration, development of mines, production and post-closure reclamation, exports, price controls, taxation, regulations concerning business dealings with indigenous peoples, labour standards on occupational health and safety, including mine safety, and historic and cultural preservation. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions, any of which could result in our incurring significant expenditures. We may also be r equired to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspension of our operations and delays in the exploration and development of our properties.
Risks Associated with Financing
We have a history of losses and no revenues.
We are a mineral exploration company without operations and have historically incurred losses. To date, we have not recorded any revenues from our operations nor have we commenced commercial production on any of our properties. We do not expect to receive revenues from operations in the foreseeable future, if at all. We expect to continue to incur losses unless and until such time as properties enter into commercial production and generate sufficient revenues to fund our continuing operations.
Until such time, we will be dependent upon future financing in order to meet our capital requirements and continue our plan of operations. Although we have raised additional private placement financing during fiscal 2006, these funds may not be sufficient to undertake all of our planned acquisition, exploration, and development programs. We cannot guarantee that we will obtain necessary financing. The development of our properties will require the commitment of substantial resources to conduct the time consuming exploration and development of properties. The amounts and timing of expenditures will depend on the progress of on-going exploration, assessment, and development, the results of consultants’ analyses and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses are incurred, the execution of any joint venture agreements with strategic partners, our acquisition of additional properties and other facto rs, many of which are beyond our control. We may never generate any revenues or achieve profitability.
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We may require additional capital to meet our capital requirements for future fiscal years.
We have raised additional private placement financing during fiscal 2006, but may not have sufficient financial resources to undertake all planned acquisition, exploration and development programs. In the future, our ability to continue our exploration, assessment, and development activities depends in part on our ability to commence operations and generate revenues or to obtain financing through joint ventures, debt financing, equity financing, production sharing arrangements or some combination of these or other means. There can be no assurance that option arrangements will be exercised and the associated funding obtained. There can be no assurance that we will commence operations and generate sufficient revenues to meet our obligations as they become due or will obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to meet our ongoing obligations on a timely basis could result in the loss or substantial dilution of our interests (as existing or as proposed to be acquired) in our properties. In addition, should we incur significant losses in future periods, we may be unable to continue as a going concern, and realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in other than the normal course of business may be at amounts significantly different from those in the financial statements included in this Annual Report.
The prices of precious and base minerals and metals fluctuate widely and may not produce enough revenue to cover our costs.
Even if commercial quantities of mineral deposits are discovered, there is no guarantee that a profitable market will exist for the sale of the metals produced. Our long-term viability and profitability depend, in large part, upon the market price of metals which have experienced significant movement over short periods of time, and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including international economic and political trends, expectations of inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, interest rates and global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities and increased production due to improved mining and production methods. The supply of and demand for metals are affected by various factors, including political events, economic conditions and production costs in major producing regions. There can be no assurance that the price of any minerals produced from our properties will be such that a ny such deposits can be mined at a profit.
We are dependent upon key management employees.
The success of our operations will depend upon numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including (i) our ability to enter into strategic alliances through a combination of one or more joint ventures, mergers or acquisition transactions; and (ii) our ability to attract and retain additional key personnel in sales, marketing, technical support and finance. These and other factors will require the use of outside suppliers as well as the talents and efforts of our management. There can be no assurance of success with any or all of these factors on which our operations will depend. We have relied and may continue to rely, upon consultants and others for operating expertise.
Our growth will require new personnel, which we will be required to recruit, hire, train and retain.
We expect significant growth in the number of our employees if we determine that a mine at any of our properties is commercially feasible, we are able to raise sufficient funding and we elect to develop the property. This growth will place substantial demands on us and our management. Our ability to assimilate new personnel will be critical to our performance. We will be required to recruit additional personnel and to train, motivate and manage employees. We will also have to adopt and implement new systems in all aspects of our operations. This will be particularly critical in the event we decide not to use contract miners at any of our properties. We have no assurance that we will be able to recruit the personnel required to execute our programs or to manage these changes successfully.
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We have limited experience with development stage mining operations.
We have limited experience in placing resource properties into production, and our ability to do so will be dependent upon using the services of appropriately experienced personnel or entering into agreements with other major resource companies that can provide such expertise. There can be no assurance that we will have available, the necessary expertise when and if we place our resource properties into production.
Certain of our directors and officers are also directors and/or officers and/or shareholder with potential competitors, giving rise to potential conflicts of interest.
Several of our directors are also directors, officers or shareholders of other companies. Some of the directors and officers are engaged and will continue to be engaged in the search for additional business opportunities on behalf of other corporations, and situations may arise where these directors and officers will be in direct competition with us. Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time. Such a conflict poses the risk that we may enter into a transaction on terms which could place us in a worse position than if no conflict existed. Conflicts, if any, will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of theBusiness Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA"). Our directors are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and to disclose any interest which they many have in any project or opportunity for us. However, each director has a similar obligation to other companies for which such director serves as an officer or director. In order to avoid the possible conflict of interest which may arise between the directors' duties to us and their duties to the other companies on whose boards they serve, our directors and officers have agreed to the following:
(a)
participation in other business ventures offered to the directors will be allocated between the various companies and on the basis of prudent business judgment and the relative financial abilities and needs of the companies to participate;
(b)
no commissions or other extraordinary consideration will be paid to such directors and officers; and
(c)
business opportunities formulated by or through other companies in which the directors and officers are involved will not be offered to us except on the same or better terms than the basis on which they are offered to third party participants.
Risks Associated with an Investment in Our Securities
Stock market price and volume volatility.
The market for our common shares of may be highly volatile for reasons both related to our performance or events pertaining to the industry (ie, mineral price fluctuation/high production costs/accidents) as well as factors unrelated to us or our industry. In particular, market demand for products incorporating minerals in their manufacture fluctuates from one business cycle to the next, resulting in change of demand for the mineral and an attendant change in the price for the mineral. Our common shares can be expected to be subject to volatility in both price and volume arising from market expectations, announcements and press releases regarding our business, and changes in estimates and evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors. In recent years the securities markets in the United States and Canada have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility, and the market price of securities of many companies, particularly small-capitalization companies such as ours, have experienced wide fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects of such companies. For these reasons, the price of our common shares can also be expected to be subject to volatility resulting from purely market forces over which we will have no control. Further, despite the existence of a market for trading in our common shares in Canada, our stockholders may be unable to sell significant quantities of common shares in the public trading markets without a significant reduction in the price of the stock.
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Dilution through the granting of options.
Because our success of is highly dependent upon our employees, we may in the future grant to some or all of our key employees, directors and consultants options to purchase our common shares as non-cash incentives. Those options may be granted at exercise prices below those for the common shares prevailing in the public trading market at the time or may be granted at exercise prices equal to market prices at times when the public market is depressed. To the extent that significant numbers of such options may be granted and exercised, the interests of our other stockholders may be diluted.
New legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for us to retain or attract officers and directors.
We may be unable to attract and retain qualified officers, directors and members of board committees required to provide for effective management as a result of the recent and currently proposed changes in the rules and regulations that govern publicly-held companies. TheSarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 has resulted in a series of rules and regulations by the Securities and Exchange Commission that increase responsibilities and liabilities of directors and executive officers. The perceived increased personal risk associated with these recent changes may deter qualified individuals from accepting these roles.
While we believe we have adequate internal control over financial reporting, we are required to evaluate our internal controls under Section 404 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any adverse results from such evaluation could result in a loss of investor confidence in our financial reports and have an adverse effect on the price of our shares of common stock.
Pursuant to Section 404 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as a small business issuer, we expect that beginning in our annual report for the year ended June 30, 2007, we will be required to furnish a report by management on our internal controls over financial reporting. Such report will contain among other matters, an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including a statement as to whether or not our internal control over financial reporting is effective. This assessment must include disclosure of any material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting identified by our management. Starting with our annual report for the year ended June 30, 2008, such report must also contain a statement that our auditors have issued an attestation report on our management’s assessment of such internal controls. Public Company Accounting Oversight Boa rd Auditing Standard No. 2 provides the professional standards and related performance guidance for auditors to attest to, and report on, our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404.
While we believe our internal control over financial reporting is effective, we cannot be certain that we will be able to complete our evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion in order to comply with Section 404 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. During the evaluation and testing process, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that such internal control is effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of June 30, 2007 (or if our auditors are unable to attest that our management’s report is fairly stated or they are unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal controls), we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on our stock p rice.
Failure to comply with the new rules may make it more difficult for us to obtain certain types of insurance, including director and officer liability insurance, and we may be forced to accept reduced policy limits and coverage and/or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. The impact of these events could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, on committees of our board of directors, or as executive officers.
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Because all of our assets and our officers and directors are located outside the United States of America, it may be difficult for an investor to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or any of our officers and directors.
All of our assets are located outside of the United States and we do not currently maintain a permanent place of business within the United States. In addition, our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States, and all or a substantial portion of such persons' assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for an investor to effect service of process or enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against us or our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of Canada and other jurisdictions would recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors and officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in Canada or other jurisdictions against us or our directors and officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
We may issue additional shares of common stock in public offerings or private placements so your ownership interest in us may be diluted.
Because we may issue shares of common stock in public offerings or private placements in order to raise capital for our operations, your ownership interest may be diluted which results in your percentage of ownership in us decreasing.
We may be a passive foreign investment company, which may result in material adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.
Investors in our common shares that are U.S. taxpayers should be aware that we may be a passive foreign investment company under Section 1297(a) of theU.S. Internal Revenue Code (a “PFIC”). If we are or become a PFIC, generally any gain recognized on the sale of our common shares and any excess distributions (as specifically defined), paid on our common shares must be ratably allocated to each day in a U.S. taxpayer’s holding period for our common shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to prior years of such U.S. taxpayers holding period for our common shares generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax applicable to ordinary income in each such prior year, and the U.S. taxpayer will be required to pay interest on the resulting tax liability for each such prior year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such prior year.
Alternatively, a U.S. taxpayer that makes a Qualified Electing Fund (a “QEF”) election with respect to their investment generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. taxpayer’s pro rata share of our net capital gain and ordinary earnings (as specifically defined and calculated under U.S. federal income tax rules), regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed by us. U.S. taxpayers should be aware, however, that there can be no assurance that we will satisfy record keeping requirements under the QEF rules or that we will supply U.S. taxpayers with required information under the QEF rules, in the event that we are a PFIC and a U.S. taxpayer wishes to make a QEF election. As a second alternative, a U.S. taxpayer may make a mark-to-market election if we are a PFIC and our common shares are marketable stock (as specifically defined). A U.S. taxpayer that makes a m ark-to-market election generally will include in gross income, for each taxable year in which we are a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of our common shares as of the close of such taxable year over (b) such U.S. taxpayer’s adjusted tax basis in our common shares.
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Broker-Dealers may be discouraged from effecting transactions in our common shares because they are considered “Penny Stocks” and are subject to the Penny Stock Rules.
Rules 15g-1 through 15g-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act impose sales practice and disclosure requirements on certain broker-dealers who engage in certain transactions involving a “penny stock". Subject to certain exceptions, a penny stock generally includes any non-NASDAQ equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. The market price of our shares over the year ended June 30, 2006 was consistently below $5.00 and our shares are deemed penny stock for the purposes of the Exchange Act. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon broker-dealers may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our shares, which could severely limit the market liquidity of the shares and impede the sale of such shares in the secondary market.
Under the penny stock regulations, a broker-dealer selling penny stock to anyone other than an established customer or "accredited investor" (generally, an individual with net worth in excess of US$1,000,000 or an annual income exceeding US$200,000, or US$300,000 together with his or her spouse) must make a special suitability determination for the purchaser and must receive the purchaser's written consent to the transaction prior to sale, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt.
In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the US Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer's account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.
We do not intend to pay cash dividends and there is no assurance that we will ever declare cash dividends.
We intend to retain any future earnings to finance our business and operations and any future growth. Therefore, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 4.
INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
History and Development of the Company
Our registered office in British Columbia is located at 595 Howe Street, 10th Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T5. Our head office and principal office is located at 595 Howe Street, Suite 305, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T5. Our telephone number is (604) 484-8264. We pay rent of $2,000 per month for office space. We lease a total of approximately 1,100 square feet from Trafalgar Financial (1985) Ltd., pursuant to a written lease agreement.
We were incorporated under the name,TCH Minerals Inc. on February 6, 2004, by registration of our Memorandum and Articles under theCompany Act of British Columbia. Our name was changed toRipple Lake Minerals Inc. on May 13, 2004, and toRipple Lake Diamonds Inc. on July 26, 2004.
We do not have any subsidiaries. Further, we have no plans to change our business activities or to combine with another business, and are not aware of any events or circumstances that might cause our plans to change.
On January 6, 2005, we completed our initial Canadian public offering of shares for gross proceeds of $1,600,000. Our shares of common stock began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on January 7, 2005 under the symbolRLD. A total of 4,000,000 shares were issued in the offering at a price of $0.40 per share.
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During the year ended June 30, 2006 we completed three private placement offerings to raise an aggregate of $2,539,359, as follows:
On September 27, 2005, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 622,466 units at a price of $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one-half a share purchase warrant to purchase a non-flow through common share, exercisable until September 27, 2006 at a price of $0.50 per share.
On January 24, 2006, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 5,482,667 units at $0.15 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 2,116,667 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.20 per share, exercisable until January 24, 2008.
During May and June 2006, we completed a brokered and non-brokered placement of 6,385,999 units at $0.225 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 1,627,778 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.30 per share, exercisable for a period of two years from closing.
Business Objectives
Our principal business carried on and intended to be carried on by us is the acquisition and exploration of natural resource properties. Our objective is to locate and develop economic diamond deposits. We intend on expending our existing cash resources to carry out exploration on our mineral properties, to pay for administrative costs during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, and for working capital. We may decide to acquire other property interests in addition to mineral property interests currently held by us.
Business Overview
Since our inception in 2004, we have been in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating interests in mineral properties. Our current property interests are held for the purposes of exploration for diamonds.
Our properties are the TCH Project in Ontario and the KMD Property in Nunavut. We are an exploration stage corporation. An exploration stage corporation is one engaged in the search for mineral deposits or reserves which are not in either the development or production stage. We intend to conduct exploration activities on our properties.
We are an exploration stage company and there is no assurance that a commercially viable mineral deposit exists on any of the property, and further exploration will be required before a final evaluation as to the economic and legal feasibility is determined.
TCH Project, Ontario
We acquired by staking seven blocks of claims, named theRipple Lake Claim Block, theSandspit Claim Block, theSteel River Claim Block, thePic Claim Block, theFoxtrap Claim Block, theKillala Claim Block, and theIslington Claim Block, located in north-central Ontario in the Thunder Bay Mining Division, known as theTCH Project. These properties comprise a total of 2,504 claim units in 182 claims with a total area of 40,064 hectares ("ha").
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We also entered into five agreements dated March 2004, April 2005 and June 2005, whereby we acquired options (the “Options”) to earn a 100% interest in certain mineral claims, representing 167 units or 2,672 ha, located in the Walsh, Foxtrap Lake and Killala Townships in the Province of Ontario, known as the TCH Project, for total cash consideration of $24,500 and total share consideration of 40,000 common shares. As of June 30, 2006, we made additional cash payments totaling $100,000 and issued 200,000 common shares for the Options.
During the year ended June 30, 2006 we abandoned one of the option agreements consisting of 38 units.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, we staked an additional 5,411 units or approximately 86,600 ha in an area that is contiguous to the optioned properties, for a cost of $449,087. As at June 30, 2006, we incurred staking costs of $697,857 and our interest in the TCH Project now totals approximately 143,300 ha.
The future annual payments of cash and shares required under these Options are as follows:
Common
Cash
Shares
2007
58,000
105,000
2008
110,000
85,000
2009
30,000
20,000
198,000
210,000
Subsequent to June 30, 2006, we issued 40,000 common shares and paid an additional $28,000.
We are also required to make all expenditures required to maintain the mineral claims in good standing and to pay the optionors 2% of net smelter returns from the properties upon commercial production.
To maintain the above claims in good standing, we are required to spend a minimum of $400 per unit on assessment work during the first two years after staking and $400 per unit per year thereafter.
In addition to the above described properties, we entered into a property sharing agreement dated July 1, 2004 with Phoenix Matachewan Mines Inc., the holder of 18 mineral claims containing 189 units to the west of the TCH Project. Pursuant to the Phoenix Agreement we have the right to explore for mineralized material on Phoenix’s property and to acquire any part of the same by issuing 300,000 shares to Phoenix and granting to Phoenix a net returns royalty equal to 1% of the gross proceeds received by us if we prepare a feasibility study which incorporates reserves on such part of the Phoenix property. Phoenix was granted reciprocal rights for precious and base metals on the southern part of our property which is adjacent to Phoenix’s properties.
We entered into two option agreements to acquire 51 additional claims within our TCH claim block in the Lake Superior area of Ontario. We may extend the options by cash payments and share issuances on each of April 30, 2006 (total of $20,000 and 40,000 shares, which was paid), April 30, 2007 (total of $20,000 and 40,000 shares), and April 30, 2008 (total of $40,000 and 40,000 shares).
We entered into an agreement with Nuinsco Resources Limited pursuant to which we had the right to explore for diamonds on Nuinsco’s nine claims in the Killala Township. These claims are within the boundary of our TCH Project. We were to conduct and file the assessment work required on the Nuinsco claims prior to May 30, 2006 and make annual payments of cash and stock to extend the option until May 30, 2008. During the year ended June 30, 2006, we abandoned our rights under the agreement.
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KMD Property, Nunavut
Pursuant to an agreement dated May 11, 2004 with KM Diamond Exploration Ltd. (the “Optionor”), we were granted an option, hereinafter called the "KMD Option," to purchase an 80% interest in certain mineral claims (approximately 32,300 acres) located near Parker Lake and Brown Lake, Nunavut (the “KMD Project”).
We have the right to earn the initial 80% interest in the KMD Project from the Optionor subject to certain terms including:
(a)
payment of the sum of $20,000 on the execution of the KMD Option, which has been paid;
(b)
payment of the sum of $150,000 and the issuance of 200,000 of our common shares, which has paid;
(c)
the issuance of 150,000 common shares to the Optionor on or before February 14, 2005, which shares have been issued, and an additional 150,000 common shares to the Optionor on or before February 14, 2006, which shares have been issued; and
(d)
the issuance of 200,000 common shares at the time we exercise the option or at any time prior to December 31, 2007.
As at June 30, 2006 we believe that we have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Option and may exercise the option by giving notice of exercise to the Optionor and by concurrently issuing 200,000 common shares at any time prior to December 31, 2007.
The Optionor has staked additional mineral claims on our behalf in an area that is contiguous to the KMD Project, which claims are 100% owned by us. The cost incurred to June 30, 2006 to stake these claims was $195,371, for which the Optionor was fully reimbursed. Our interest in the KMD Project now totals approximately 151,000 acres.
The KMD Project is located approximately 960 km east-northeast of Yellowknife, NWT and approximately 770 km east of Canada’s first producing diamond mine, the Ekati mine, operated by BHP Minerals.
A minimum expenditure of $4.00 per acre is required during the first two years to maintain the claims in good standing. However, the first filing of work need only be submitted on or before the second anniversary date of each claim. If the claims are to be kept in good standing beyond the two-year period, a total of $2.00 per acre per year will have to be expended. In addition, there is a $0.10 per acre fee for filing work on the claims.
The Optionor is entitled to a royalty equal to 3% of gross revenue from the sale of diamonds mined from the property (the “3% Royalty”). We may, at a time within three years after the exercise of the Option, purchase 1/3 of the 3% Royalty for a purchase price of $1,000,000, and may purchase an additional 1/3 of the 3% Royalty for an additional $1,000,000.
In addition, we have the right to purchase the remaining 20% interest in the KMD Property at any time prior to the expiration of the three year period following the date of the exercise of the Option by issuing to KMD an additional 200,000 common shares.
On November 20, 2006, the optionor to the KMD Project gave notice of default to us with respect to the Option Agreement alleging that we failed to carry out the required work programs on the Brown Lake property. We deny the default having spent in excess of the required amount under the direction, advice and supervision of our consultant (who is the principal of the optionor), and will vigorously defend our position, which is that upon the issuance of an additional 400,000 shares to the optionor, we will have earned a 100% interest in the Brown lake property, subject to a 3% royalty in favour of the optionor, in respect to which 1% of the 3% royalty may be purchased for $1,000,000, and an additional 1% of the royalty may be purchased for an additional $1,000,000. We intend to exercise this option. The ultimate outcome of this disagreement with the optionor is currently not determinable.
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OUR PROPERTIES
TCH Project, Ontario
Summary
We have staked multiple properties in the Marathon area of north-central Ontario that have potential for diamond deposits. These 100% owned properties, together with certain optioned claims included within the contiguous claim block are comprised of a total of 143,300 ha and are collectively known as theTCH Project.
The TCH Project is located in north-central Ontario west of the town of Marathon. The Trans Canada Highway, the CPR mainline and two Ontario Hydro high voltage power lines pass through the TCH Project in the south part of the area. The town of Marathon lies 30 km to the east on the Trans Canada Highway and the major city of Thunder Bay is 270km to the west. Access into the northern part of the area is afforded by an extensive network of logging roads.
Property Description and Location
The TCH Project is located in north-central Ontario in the Thunder Bay Mining Division on NTS maps 42D15 and 42E2 to the west and northwest of the town of Marathon. They lie in a 45km by 30km area centered at 87o 45’ W longitude and 45o 45’ N latitude that stretches north from the north shore of Lake Superior. This project is comprised of a total of 143,300 ha.
Certain limited areas of the TCH Project are crown grants or patented claims where the surface rights or both the surface rights and mineral rights are reserved. Where only the surface rights are held, access cannot be denied to the holder of the mineral rights without due cause.
To maintain the above claims in good standing, we are required to spend a minimum of $400 per unit on assessment work during the first two years after staking and $400 per unit per year thereafter.
There are no known pre-existing liabilities, environmental or otherwise, in the area for which we can be held responsible. There are no unusual permit requirements for mineral exploration other than standard permitting for any issues related to water crossings where installation of a bridge is required.
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography
The TCH Project lies approximately 30 km west of Marathon, Ontario. Marathon lies on Highway 17, the Trans Canada Highway, which provides all weather road access to the major centres of Thunder Bay to the west and Sault Ste. Marie to the east. Marathon has a small airport, serviced by regional airlines, which provide passenger and freight service from the larger centers of the Province of Ontario.
Access to the TCH Project is gained via the Trans Canada Highway, which passes the southern part of the Ripple Lake Claim Block. An extensive network of logging roads, which originate off the TCH Project provide reasonable vehicle access to the northern claim blocks. During exploration, access to the remoter parts of the properties might require a helicopter from Marathon. For drilling purposes the terrain and vegetation permits the construction of temporary drill roads.
The Canadian Pacific Railway mainline passes through the Ripple Lake Claim Block, as do two Ontario Hydro high voltage power lines. All essential services, such as food and lodging, are available in the town of Marathon. Marathon is the local logistical center of the three gold mines operating in the Hemlo area a further 30 km to the east. In addition to the comprehensive infrastructure, north-central Ontario features a resource-based economy attuned to mining exploration and development.
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The topography in the area consists of low rolling to rugged hills with numerous lakes and swamp filled valleys typical of the Canadian Shield. The terrain is particularly rugged along the shore of Lake Superior on the Ripple Lake Claim Block, but becomes more subdued away for Lake Superior with distance to the north. Elevations range from 600 feet at Lake Superior to 1,500 feet at the hilltops. The average elevation is approximately 1,000 feet above sea level, with a maximum relief of not more than 500 feet. Glaciolacustrene deposits are generally restricted to low areas and may reach considerable depth in some of the larger drainage basins, but overburden is generally thin in most areas.
The vegetation in the area is boreal forest. On the higher ground the vegetation is predominantly spruce, birch and poplar with alder and maple undergrowth. Thick cedar swamps are characteristic of the low wet areas located throughout project area. All creeks and river systems drain southerly toward Lake Superior.
Climate is moderately dry summers with temperatures as high as 340C and snowy winters with temperatures as low as –400C. Exploration is possible year round with short hiatuses during the spring thaw and winter freeze up and is sometimes more efficient in the winter months when the water courses and swamps are frozen.
History
There was no previous diamond exploration activity on our property prior to our acquisition of the TCH Project.
Geology
The TCH Project lies at the junction of the Wawa and Quetico subprovinces of the Superior Structural Province of the Canadian Shield. The rocks comprise east-west trending interbedded Archean meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks intruded by granitic and mafic intrusive rocks. Younger Proterozoic intrusions include the Marathon diabase dyke swarm and alkalic intrusions, of the Coldwell and Prairie Lake alkalic-carbonatite complexes and lamprophyre dykes. The large number of dykes mapped in the area is clearly evident in the airborne magnetic survey as long linear anomalies with a variety of strikes. Included are some distinct magnetic lows which appear to reflect a north-northeast set of lamprophyre dykes.
The Trans-Superior Tectonic Zone or “TSTZ” extends north-northeast through the area and appears to be the locus of the considerable intrusive activity present. The TSTZ is similar to other tectonic features in the Canadian Shield.
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
The TCH Project is in the exploration stage and there are no known mineral resources.
Exploration and Development
We completed our phase I exploration of the TCH Project during the fall of 2004 at a cost of approximately $530,000. We did not find an ore body; however, based upon our exploration, we decided to move on to Phase II, which consisted of airborne geophysics and detailed sampling.
During the year ended June 30, 2005 we expended an aggregate of $1,029,897 in deferred exploration and acquisition costs on the TCH Project.
Following the 2004 Phase I program, we completed a 2005 Phase II heavy mineral sampling program, a remote sensing program, and a 2,695.6 km Aeroquest frequency time domain helicopter electromagnetic and high sensitivity cesium vapour magnetometer survey. The 2005 exploration program also included a comprehensive airborne geophysical survey and the discovery of a kimberlite fragment on the original land package.
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In addition to mineral sampling by the Ontario Geological Survey, the TCH Project was covered by a high-resolution helicopter magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical survey. This survey outlined a number of circular anomalies which look similar to the signature of kimberlite pipes found the world over. The TCH Project covers a number of these anomalies and is strategically located to incorporate as many anomalies as possible.
In November 2003, material collected from the diatreme yielded three micro-diamonds from a 19.83 kg sample. This was the first direct indication of primary diamond mineralization in the area, which led us to acquire a land position in the area. We also carried out a number of ground geophysical surveys in 2004 to verify a selection of airborne geophysical targets on the TCH Project. Several other, not readily accessible, geophysical targets on the TCH Project were examined by prospecting to determine their causes.
We completed the analysis of the 401samples collected in 2004 during January 2005. On April 11, 2005 we announced results of the analysis of the 2004 sampling program. Kimberlite indicator minerals, or “KIM” (pyrope, picroilmenite, chrome spinel, olivine and chrome-diopside) were identified in 60% of the samples collected during the 2004 exploration program. Picroilmenite is the predominant KIM and pyrope is the second most abundant. By the chemical composition, six pyrope grains of the 99 that were analyzed belong to the diamond association (G10) group, and about ten are close to the diamond association. Among the seven analyzed kimberlitic chrome spinel grains, one belongs to the diamond field. This suggests that some diamondiferous kimberlites may be among the clastic material suppliers for Quaternary sediments in the Ripple Lake property.
Eight dispersion haloes of the kimberlitic, short-transit associations (KIM-1) were identified in 2004 in the TCH area. Among them, there are three first-priority prospective areas, showing the highest promise for finding primary sources of the KIM haloes within their boundaries, and five other local areas that are also of exploration interest. The OGS pyropes are also located in the recently identified priority areas of interest.
Based on these encouraging results, we acquired through staking, new claim blocks to the west, north and east of the existing claim block area. In addition to the 2004 mineral sampling, we completed, during the second quarter of 2005, an Aeroquest high-resolution helicopter magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical survey over the northern half of the TCH Diamond Project.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, we engaged Condor Consulting Inc. of Colorado to complete a geophysical interpretation of the existing 1999 Ontario Geological Survey’s airborne magnetic and electromagnetic data, and integrate that information with the results of the 2005 Aeroquest helicopter airborne geophysical survey in order to identify kimberlite-pipe-like anomalies.
During the year we expended $1,161,938 in deferred exploration and acquisition costs on the TCH Project.
During the 2005 field season, 546 new samples for diamond and diamond indicator minerals were collected and panned in the field in the TCH claim block. The samples were collected throughout the claim block from till sediments (231 samples), lake sediments (111 samples), alluvial sediments (62 samples), glaciofluvial sediments (135 samples), and colluvial and other sediments (seven samples), with each sample consisting of approximately 20 litres (30 kilograms) of material.
Detailed sampling was organized within eight local areas that had demonstrated high concentrations of kimberlite indicator minerals or KIM grains, based on the results of sampling in 2004 in areas that also included magnetic or EM anomalies outlined in the recent airborne geophysical interpretation.
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During the course of the detailed sampling, picroilmenite halos composed of large (two to three millimetres in size) grains were established in the northeastern part of the area. In one of the samples from this area, a kimberlite-like rock fragment, 20 by 15 by nine millimetres in size, was found. The kimberlitic-like sample shows a combination of characteristic features typical of kimberlites, lamproites and ultramafic lamprophyres, and therefore is of kimberlite-lamproite composition.
The sample concentrates were delivered to the KMD/Institute of Diamonds Laboratory in Moscow to be processed and for mineralogical analysis. They were treated with heavy liquids, by magnetic and paramagnetic separation, and studied for the presence of KIMs: pyrope garnet, picroilmenite, chrome spinel, chrome-diopside and magnesian olivine.
At the end of October 2006, we received the final report KM Diamond Exploration Ltd. summarizing the results of the 2005 sampling. More than 11,900 kimberlite indicator mineral (KIM) grains were identified in the samples including 85 pyrope grains, 9,150 picroilmenite grains, 595 chrome spinel grains, 496 clinopyroxene grains and 1591 olivine grains. All the pyrope grains have kimberlitic, short transported origin: they are angular, with relics of magmatic surfaces. Approximately 5 % of pyrope grains belong to the diamond association (G10 pyropes); the rest are lherzolitic (G9) pyropes.
Most of picroilmenite grains have no erosion marks of transportation and in addition, many picroilmenite grains are coarser than 1 mm (up to 10-12 mm) in size, bear films of kimberliticlike material on their surfaces, leucoxene and perovskite rims. These picroilmenite grains are similar in mineral chemistry to kimberlitic picroilmenite. According to conclusions of Dr. Felix Kaminsky, of KM Diamond Exploration Ltd., these grains were transported for only a few hundred meters from their primary source(s) which may be diamondiferous Group-1 kimberlite(s).
The pyrope and picroilmenite grains as well as other non-rounded, short-transit KIM’s (chrome spinel, chrome-diopside and magnesian olivine) form a linear dispersion halo elongated in NNE direction (approximately 20 km x 1 km in size). Judging by the morphology of the KIMs, their kimberlitic source(s) are located within this halo.
In addition, there is a significantly higher than average picroilmenite concentration and the presence of pyrope grains trending into the new RLD claims acquired last year which might reflex a new promising KIM dispersion halo extending northward.
Besides the short-transit KIM association, there are a number of single, well-rounded grains of picroilmenite and chrome spinel which are kimberlitic by their composition. These KIM’s may belong to remote kimberlitic source(s), possibly located within the major tectonic zone tracing NNE and within the expanded RLD claim group. In this case, the KIM haloes identified within the area explored in 2004-2005 may represent only the southernmost part of a new kimberlitic province.
As at the date hereof we have not located mineralized material and we do not have an ore body. There is no assurance that we will ever find mineralized material or that the TCH Project contains an ore body.
KMD Property, Nunavut
We were granted an option to purchase a 80% interest in certain mineral claims containing approximately 32,300 acres located near Parker Lake and Brown Lake, Nunavut and we acquired by staking additional contiguous mineral claims, which claims are 100% owned by us, for a total of approximately 151,000 acres (the the “KMD Property”). The KMD Property is located approximately 960 km east-northeast of Yellowknife, NWT and approximately 770 km east of Canada’s first producing diamond mine, the Ekati mine, operated by BHP Minerals.
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Summary
The property lies within the Western Churchill Craton, Hearne Province, and is underlain by metasediments and gneisses of the MacQuiod belt and the Cross Bay plutonic complex, both of which are early Proterozoic in age.
Property Description and Location
The KMD Property is located in Nunavut, approximately 120 km NW of Rankin Inlet, and is defined by geographical co-ordinates: 63o 39’ N in the south and 63o 45’N in the north, and 94o05’ W in the west and 93o 50’W in the east, within topo-sheets 55M9 and 55N12. All of the claims are unsurveyed and unpatented.
A minimum expenditure of $4.00 per acre is required during the first two years to maintain the claims in good standing. However, the first filing of work need only be submitted on or before the second anniversary date of each claim. If the claims are to be kept in good standing beyond the two-year period, a total of $2.00 per acre per year will have to be expended. In addition, there is a $0.10 per acre fee for filing work on the claims.
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography
Access to the area is by ski or float equipped aircraft or helicopter only, with the closest base being the float plane base located at Rankin Inlet, approximately 150 kilometres to the southeast. A charter helicopter is often based in Rankin Inlet and can be utilized on a casual basis. Fly camp style fieldwork can be completed using the Rankin helicopter, but a charter helicopter will need to be positioned on the KMD Property for full time work. There are several eskers in the area and some can be used as natural airstrips for tundra tire equipped twin otter fixed wing aircraft to position camp equipment, mobilize crews and provide other support services. As well, float equipped fixed wing aircraft can land in many of the lakes throughout the area.
Rankin Inlet is serviced by commercial airline passenger service from points to the south including Yellowknife NWT and Winnipeg Manitoba, as well as Iqaluit to the east. Food, accommodation and expediting support services are available in Rankin Inlet.
The KMD Property is located in the barren lands, approximately 15 kilometers south of tidewater in Chesterfield Inlet off Hudson Bay. Small stunted trees and shrubs with moss and lichen comprise the dominant vegetation types. The climate is sub-arctic and experiences long, cold winters with temperatures dropping to -50°C. Summers are short and temperatures can reach +25°C. Daylight hours are long in the summer as the project area is in the far northern portion of Canada. Elevations for the property vary from 250 metres to 410 metres above sea level. Abundant lakes, bogs and swamps with low relief characterize the region.
It is possible to conduct exploration activities year-round with the exception of spring break-up and winter freeze-up. During the winter months diamond drilling would be the only type of exploration reasonably possible and it would be hampered by the cold weather. Both airborne and ground geophysical surveys can be completed during the spring and fall on the snow as long as there is enough light to work. Winter surface sampling and mapping is virtually impossible due to snow cover and frozen ground conditions. Water is extremely abundant and is available in sufficient quantities to supply virtually any mining need. Power will need to be obtained via diesel generator, as there is no power infrastructure whatsoever in this part of Canada. The KMD Property covers a large area with plenty of space for the building of infrastructure for any advanced exploration or development.
The Inuit of Nunavut has selected approximately 350,000 km2 of the area of Nunavut for ownership of surface rights hereinafter called the “Surface IOL” as part of the 1993 Nunavut Lands Claims Agreement (“NLCA”). Additionally, approximately 38,000 km2 of land or 2% of the area of Nunavut, also includes the rights to all subsurface minerals hereinafter called the “Subsurface IOL”. As a result, there are essentially three levels of land ownership within Nunavut, as defined by Article 19 of the NCLA:
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1.
Inuit Owned Lands (“IOL”) Surface and Subsurface Rights - (mineral rights included –Subsurface IOL);
2.
IOL Surface Rights Only (mineral rights that are administered by Federal Government through DIAND – Surface IOL; and
3.
Crown (Public) Lands (mineral rights that are administered by Federal Government - DIAND).
History
No previous diamond exploration activity has been conducted on the KMD Property.
Geological Setting
The KMD Property lies in a portion of the northern Hearne domain, western Churchill Province. The Hearne province consists of Archean rocks of the Hearne Craton and overlying supracrustal rocks that were intensely reworked during the 1.8–1.9 Ga Trans-Hudson Orogen. South of the Snowbird Tectonic Zone, the northern Hearne domain is predominantly composed of Archean juvenile crust which is interpreted to be underlain by continental crust of the Rae domain.
There are two theories regarding the tectonic nature of Snowbird Tectonic Zone (STZ). According to one theory, the STZ has been interpreted as an Early Proterozoic (Paleoproterozoic) suture between two Archean continents, the Rae and Hearne. However, other geological and geophysical interpretations represent the STZ as an Early Proterozoic intraplate fault, while geochronological data indicate that it is an Archean structure. The most recent data obtained suggests a more complicated picture for this tectonic zone. Baldwin et al. conclude that there is an important 1.9 Ga high P–T metamorphic event in the Snowbird tectonic zone that overprints an earlier Archean metamorphism (c. 2.52–2.55 Ga).
The KMD Property area includes the eastern part of the Archean MacQuoid supracrustal belt and the Cross Bay plutonic complex. The MacQuoid supracrustal belt is divided into a southern, predominantly metasedimentary homocline with panels of gneissic tonalite, flanked to the north by a predominantly volcanic belt intruded by tonalite-granodiorite plutons. The oval Cross Bay plutonic complex is principally composed of tonalitic and dioritic gneiss units and granite mostly of Archean intrusions. Along its southern margin, the plutonic complex is separated from the supracrustal belt by the approximately east-trending, strike-slip, mylonitic Big Lake shear zone. Folding and boudinage of east-trending mafic dykes indicates that significant Paleoproterozoic deformation occurred in the Cross Bay complex.
Property Geology
The KMD property geology has not been mapped in detail other than specified above in regional geology.
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Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
The KMD Property is at the exploration stage with no mineral resource or mineral reserve.
Exploration and Development
We completed a Phase I exploration program on the KMD Property during the fall of 2004.which consisted of taking mineral samples from the surface of the KMD property and concentrating them by hand panning and sending them to a laboratory for analysis for kimberlite indicator minerals. We spent approximately $430,000 on Phase I. The result of that process was that an ore body was not discovered; however, we determined that further exploration is warranted.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, we completed a study of the nickel thermometry of some of the collected G-9 pyrope grains, using a highly sophisticated exploration technique recently developed in South Africa and determined that the temperature and pressure conditions at the KMD Property were correct for the formation of diamondiferous kimberlites and that a significant portion of the G-9 grains analyzed fall inside the diamond stability field.
During the fourth fiscal quarter of 2005 we completed an airborne geophysical (magnetic and electromagnetic) survey of the KMD Property. The survey was undertaken in order to further delineate possible sources (drill targets) of thousands of pyrope and other kimberlite indicator mineral grains, recovered from the samples collected in 2004.
An extensive follow-up sampling program was carried out for us by KM Diamond Exploration Ltd. and a preliminary report of the summer 2005 field work was received by us on September 20, 2005. That report contains sample location information and some preliminary geological discussions for the 752 samples collected in 2005. Full analytic results will be available following completion of laboratory analysis of the samples, which will be available to us several months following payment of laboratory costs of the analytical work. We will require further financing to fund such work.
During the year, we expended $534,082 in deferred exploration and acquisition costs related to the KMD property, compared with $1,887,330 during the previous year.
Subsequent to the year ended June 30, 2006, we expended $31,557 in deferred exploration and acquisition costs on the KMD Property. The major deferred expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 were an assessment fee in the amount of $18,525 and geological costs in the amount of $13,032.
Kimberlite indicator minerals (KIM’s); pyrope, chrome spinel, chrome-diopside and olivine) were found in 156 of the submitted samples. Pyrope is the most abundant (more than 4,400 grains were found in 127 samples), whereas chrome spinel, chrome-diopside and olivine were observed but less abundant. Based on mineralogical criteria, all pyrope grains from Brown Lake area panned samples were classified asP1group short-transit pyrope grains characterized by a predominance of angular grains, often with fragments of Type I primary magmatic surface and sometimes with relics of kelyphitic rim. Based on the results of the analysis, all pyropes were low-Cr and medium-Cr G9 pyrope grains; no G10 pyropes were present. According to the 2004 Ni-thermometry conducted by Mineral Services Canada Inc., a high proportion of the pyropes tested would fall inside the diamond stability field, so the lack of G10 garnet s is not a concern.
Pyrope-bearing samples form a broad NW-trending zone (“halo”) between Brown Lake and Camp Lake. Based on the analysis of KIM distribution in the KMD property, the “head” and middle parts of the main pyrope halo in the Brown Lake area have been outlined from all sides (NW, SW and NE). The main pyrope halo is clearly bounded by numerous “barren” (KIM-free) panning samples on the NW, SW and NE, which significantly restricts the area of probable localization for the inferred primary source(s) of the pyrope aureole.
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Within the large halo are a number of areas of intense concentrations of pyrope grains, in total 12 local areas were sampled in detail. The bulk of the identified pyrope grains (more than 4,000 grains) were found within local areas. In these areas, pyrope concentration is as high as several hundreds of grains per standard 20-litre sample. Within some local areas, pyrope anomalies are associated with the airborne geophysical (magnetic and electromagnetic) anomalies generated from the 2005 geophysical survey completed by Fugro.
LeBel Geophysics, of Vancouver, British Columbia, completed an additional geophysical interpretation of the Fugro survey results and integrated the Fugro airborne results with the company’s heavy mineral anomalies. Coincident airborne and heavy mineral sampling anomalies were noted in a number of areas that will require additional follow-up which should include prospecting, ground geophysics and drilling.
As of the date hereof, we have not located mineralized material and we do not have an ore body. There is no assurance that we will ever find mineralized material or that our property contains an ore body.
Competitive factors
The mining industry is fragmented. We are a start up venture and compete with other exploration companies looking for mineralized material. We are one of the smaller exploration companies in existence. While we compete with other exploration companies, there is no competition for the exploration or removal of minerals from our properties. Readily available markets exist in Canada and around the world for the sale of diamonds. However the saleability of diamonds depends upon their size, clarity and other characteristics and we may not be able to economically sell any diamonds that we are able to recover.
Regulations
Our mineral tenure in Nunavut is subject to theTerritorial Lands Acts of Canada and the relatedTerritorial Land Use Regulations. This Act and these Regulations forth rules for
(a)
locating claims;
(b)
posting claims;
(c)
working claims; and
(d)
reporting work performed.
In Ontario the rules governing those matters are contained in theMining Act– Ontario. We must comply with these laws to operate our business. Compliance with these rules and regulations will not adversely affect our operations.
Environmental law
We will become subject to theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act if economic quantities of mineralized material were to be found and a mine was to be developed. This Act deals with environmental matters including matters relating to the exploration and development of mining properties. Its goals are to protect the environment through a series of regulations affecting:
1.
Health and Safety;
2.
Archaeological Sites; and
3.
Exploration Access.
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However, we are an exploration company and will not be required to conduct an environmental assessment unless a mine is ultimately developed on our properties.
Exploration stage companies have no specific environmental requirements. The only costs of compliance with environmental regulations in each of Ontario and Nunavut are the costs of returning the surface to its previous condition upon abandonment of the properties. Normally those exploration reclaimation costs do not represent a significant expenditure. We cannot speculate on those costs in light of our ongoing plans for exploration.
Permits
In Ontario there is no regulatory requirement which is required to be undertaken before conducting exploration on a mineral claim by the claim holder. The KMD property is located in a geographical area in Nunavut which is under the control of the Kivalliq Inuit Association pursuant to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement with the Government of Canada. In order to carry out mineral exploration in the Kivalliq administered area a land use license must be obtained. On June 26, 2002 Felix Kaminsky obtained Land Use License No. KVL 102B259 which authorizes prospecting to be carried out on the KMD property.
Labor
Initially, we intend to use the services of subcontractors for manual labor exploration work on our properties. Our only technical assistants will be our officers and directors.
Employees and employment agreements
We entered into two year employment contracts effective July 1, 2006 with Robert Lipsett and Foo Chan, pursuant to which Mr. Lipsett receives $6,000 per month as our President and Chief Executive Officer and Foo Chan receives $2,500 per month as our Chief Financial Officer. The employment contracts terminated upon the resignation of Robert Lipsett as Chief Executive Officer and President and the resignation of Foo Chan as Chief Financial Officer, effective December 20th, 2006.
We entered into a consulting agreement with Felix Kaminsky, our exploration manager, dated June 1, 2004, which contract was terminated by Dr. Kaminsky effective December 20th, 2006.
We presently do not have pension, health, annuity, insurance, stock options, profit sharing or similar benefit plans; however, we may adopt plans in the future.
Private Placements
During the year ended June 30, 2006 we completed three private placement offerings to raise an aggregate of $2,539,359, as follows:
On September 27, 2005, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 622,466 units at a price of $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one-half a share purchase warrant to purchase a non-flow through common share, exercisable until September 27, 2006 at a price of $0.50 per share.
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On January 24, 2006, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 5,482,667 units at $0.15 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 2,116,667 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.20 per share, exercisable until January 24, 2008.
During May and June 2006, we completed a brokered and non-brokered placement of 6,385,999 units at $0.225 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 1,627,778 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.30 per share, exercisable for a period of two years from closing.
The proceeds from the private placements were used for maintenance, assessment and exploration activities associated with our exploration properties in Ontario and Nunavut and for working capital.
As of September 30, 2006 we had a working capital of approximately $208,896. Our 2007 exploration programs on our properties have yet to be determined. We have sufficient funding to cover our basic administrative costs for a period of six months. If we undertake any additional exploration activities on our properties or acquire additional properties in the future we may have to seek financing, most likely through the issuance of equity securities.
Organizational Structure
Not applicable.
Property, Plants and Equipment
We areengaged in the exploration for diamonds and have two active diamond exploration projects; the TCH Diamond Project in Ontario and the KMD Project in Nunavut. Our objective is to locate and develop economic diamond deposits.
Our TCH Project comprises approximately 143,300 hectares located in the Province of Ontario. The TCH Project is located in north-central Ontario west of the town of Marathon, in the Walsh, Foxtrap Lake and Killala Townships.
Our KMD Property comprises approximately 151,000 acres in an area undergoing active exploration by leading diamond exploration companies. The KMD Property is located approximately 960 km east-northeast of Yellowknife, NWT and approximately 770 km east of Canada’s first producing diamond mine, the Ekati mine, operated by BHP Minerals.
ITEM 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
We are a start-up, exploration stage company and have not yet generated or realized any revenues from our business operations.
We areengaged in the exploration for diamonds and have two active diamond exploration projects Our current property interests are held for the purposes of exploration for precious metals and diamonds.
For the year ended June 30, 2006, we reported interest income of $1,990 as compared to $2,256 for the period ended June 30, 2005. The interest was earned on our cash and cash equivalents held during the year.
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For the year ended June 30, 2006, we had net losses of $467,636 ($0.02 per share) compared to net losses of $921,040 ($0.05 per share) for the year ended June 30, 2005. Our first full year of operations was fiscal 2005, during which we completed our public offering and carried out significant work on our properties, which is reflected in our net loss for the fiscal 2005. The loss in 2006 was primarily attributable to stock-based compensation, filing fees, management fees, professional fees and public and shareholder relations expenses.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 a total of 1,480,000 stock options were granted to directors, officers and consultants, with exercise prices ranging between $0.22 and $0.40 per share, with expiry of five years from the date of granting. No options were exercised as of the year ended June 30,.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 a total of 1,700,000 stock options were granted to directors, officers and consultants, exercisable at a price of $0.40 per share, with expiry dates ranging between one and five years from the date of granting. No options were exercised as of the year ended June 30, 2005.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, 12,179,899 share purchase warrants were issued as part of three private placements, with exercise prices ranging between $0.20 and $0.50 per share, with expiry dates ranging from September 27, 2006 and June 8, 2008. No share purchase warrants were exercised as of the year ended June 30, 2006 and 300,000 warrants had expired.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, 400,000 share purchase warrants were issued to our agent with respect to our public offering, with an exercise price of $0.40, expiring on January 6, 2006. An additional 1,333,334 share purchase warrants were issued as part of a private placement, with an exercise price of $0.50 per share, expiring on June 15, 2007. None of the share purchase warrants were exercised as of the year ended June 30, 2005.
Expenses for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 consisted of management fees, office, public and shareholder relations, filing fees, transfer agent fees and rent and other expenses that support our daily operations. Expenses for the year ended June 30, 2006 were $590,790, being a decrease of $395,506 compared to general and administrative expenses of $986,296 during the year ended June 30, 2005. The lower expenses was primarily due to a higher stock-based compensation expense in the previous year ($183,750 in 2006 compared to $611,000 in 2005).
The increase in expenses for fiscal 2005 relate to our first full year of operations, which included completion of our public offering and carrying out exploration work on our properties. The expenses incurred included management fees of $102,000 (2004 - $Nil), public and shareholder relations of $107,218 (2004 - $Nil), professional fees of $69,615 (2004 - $17,978), filing fees of $45,284 (2004 - $Nil), rent of $18,000 (2004 - $Nil), transfer agent fees of $10,487 (2004 - $Nil), office expenses of $7,580 (2004 - $106), printing costs of $2,264 and travel expenses of $7,846 (2004 - $Nil).
The major expenses for the year ended June 30, 2006 were $183,750 stock-based compensation expense as a result of our approving 1,480,000 stock options, compared to $611,000 in the previous year; filing fees in the amount of $29,475, compared to $45,284 in the previous year. The lower amount in 2006 is mainly due to a one-time listing fee ($22,500) paid in 2005 to the TSX for listing on the exchange. Management fees were $84,500c compared to $102,000 for the previous year. The lower amount in 2006 is due to no payment made to a former director since December 2005. Office expenses were $27,104, compared to $7,580 for the previous year. The higher amount in 2006 is due to a write off of $20,000 relating to a failed financing proposal. Professional fees were $119,839, compared to $69,615 in the previous year. The higher amount in 2006 is due to the adjustment in 2006 to the accrual for the 200 5 audit fee and fees incurred for quarterly filings as 2006 is a complete four quarters compared to only two quarters in 2005. Property investigation costs were $15,911, compared to $Nil for the previous year; public and shareholder relations was $87,118, compared to $107,218 in the previous year; rent was $21,500 compared to $18,000 in the previous year; and the transfer agent fees were $12,967, compared to $10,487 in the previous year.
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Financing Activities
During the year, we completed several share offerings as follows:
On September 27, 2005, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 622,466 units at $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one flow-through common share and one-half a share purchase warrant to purchase a non-flow through common share until September 27, 2006 at $0.50 per share.
On January 24, 2006, we completed a non-brokered private placement of 5,482,667 units at $0.15 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 2,116,667 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.20 per share until January 24, 2008.
During May and June 2006, we completed a brokered and non-brokered placement of 6,385,999 units at $0.225 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one share purchase warrant. 1,627,778 of the units consisted of flow-through common shares and warrants to purchase non-flow through common shares. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.30 per share for a period of two years from closing.
During the year ended June 30, 2005, we completed our seed capital raising by the sale of 1,678,333 common shares at a price of $0.15 for proceeds of $251,750. On January 7, 2005, we completed our initial Canadian public offering of 4,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.40 per share, for gross proceeds of $1,600,000. In addition to the agent’s compensation set forth below, we paid $105,457 of share issue costs to effect our initial public offering.
On June 4, 2005, we completed a brokered private placement consisting of 2,222,223 units at a price of $0.45 per unit. Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant being exercisable into one common share at an exercise price of $0.50 per share, exercisable for a period of two years from June 15, 2005. Our agent, Canaccord Capital Corporation, received a cash commission of $75,000 and warrants to acquire up to 222,222 common shares at an exercise price of $0.50 per share, which warrants will expire on June 15, 2007. In addition, we paid $3,800 in share issuance costs to effect the brokered private placement.
Operating Results
We recorded a net loss of $467,636 ($0.02 loss per share) in 2006 compared to a net loss of $921,040 ($0.05 loss per share) in 2005. The loss in 2006 was primarily attributable to stock-based compensation, filing fees, management fees, professional fees and public and shareholder relations expenses.
We recorded a net loss of $921,040 ($0.05 loss per share) in 2005 compared to a net loss of $18,301 ($0.02 loss per share) in 2004 (representing five-month period ended June 30, 2004). The loss in 2005 was attributable to stock-based compensation, filing fees, management fees, professional fees and public and shareholder relations expenses.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, we increased the carrying value of our mineral exploration properties in Canada to $4,881,420 from $3,185,400, representing an increase of $1,696,020. The fiscal 2006 major exploration activities compared to fiscal 2005 were property acquisition and staking costs in the amount of $584,187, compared to $648,549; camp costs in the amount of $25,252, compared to $243,280; data analysis in the amount of $405,783, compared to $208,454; geological costs in the amount of $389,722, compared to $185,017; geophysics in the amount of $226,427, compared to $185,885; mapping in the amount of $47,149 , compared to $Nil; and mobilization and demobilization in the amount of $16,000, compared to $20,938.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have no known mineral resources and are not in commercial production on any of our properties and accordingly, we do not generate cash from operations. We finance development and exploration activities by raising capital from equity markets from time to time.
As at June 30, 2006 we had cash, receivables and prepaid expenses of $387,622, compared with $388,407 at June 30, 2005 and total assets of $5,269,042 (2005: $3,575,400) and $47,962 (2005: $482,778) in payables and accruals. We have no long-term debt.
During the year ended June 30, 2006 we completed three private placements to raise an aggregate of $2,539,359. Our cash position increased from $262,734 at June 30, 2005 to $373,721 at June 30, 2006 as a result of major funding for the sample and processing costs less administrative expenses and costs of our exploration programs.
Related Party Transactions
During the year ended June 30, 2006, we incurred $96,500 (2005 - $114,000) in management and consulting services rendered to certain officers and directors. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 we also incurred $52,614 (2005 - $33,632) in mineral property exploration services rendered by a company controlled by a director and officer.
These transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amounts established and agreed to by the related parties.
Outstanding Share Data
As at November 29, 2006 we had 36,115,682 common shares outstanding. We also had 2,680,000 incentive stock options outstanding, which are exercisable into an equivalent number of common shares. In addition, there are 13,202,000 warrants outstanding that are exercisable into an equivalent number of common shares.
Research and Development, Patents and Licences, etc.
Not applicable.
Trend Information
Not applicable.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any material off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
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Contractual Obligations
Not applicable.
Safe Harbor
Not applicable.
ITEM 6.
DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
Directors and Senior Management
Our officers and directors are as follows:
| | |
Name | Age | Position |
Timothy Crowhurst | 40 | President and Chief Executive Officer |
George Cavey, P.Geo. | 51 | Vice President of Exploration and Director |
William Schmidt | 65 | Director |
Ming Wong | 59 | Chief Financial Officer |
(1)
Robert Lipsett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and Foo Chan resigned as Chief Financial Officer on December 20th, 2006.
Each director holds office until our next annual general meeting of shareholders or until his successor is duly elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with our articles or he becomes disqualified to act as a director. Officers serve at the discretion of the board and as a practice are appointed each year at a board meeting held following the annual general meeting.
Officers and Directors
Our officers and directors are:
Timothy Crowhurst, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Crowhurst graduated from the Université de Nice, France, with a Certificat pratique de langue francaise in 1986. Mr. Crowhurst is President of Sea Level Communications Ltd., a strategic planning and issue management consultancy. Mr. Crowhurst is a senior business and public policy communicator in the areas of environmental issues management, product branding, and the development and implementation of strategic communications initiatives. Prior to establishing Sea Level Communications Ltd. in 1993, he served as a senior policy and communications advisor to several Canadian Cabinet Ministers. He will spend approximately 10% of his time on our affairs.
George Cavey, P.Geo., Director, Vice-President Exploration. Mr. Cavey graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in 1976. He is the President of OreQuest Consultants Ltd., a Vancouver geological consulting company established in 1982. Mr. Cavey currently serves on the Canadian Securities Administrators Mining Advisory Committee and has been a councilor of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. He is the former President of the Canadian Council of Professional Geologists. He will spend approximately 20% of his time on our affairs.
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William Schmidt, Director. Mr. Schmidt is a Barrister and Solicitor with the form of Hemsworth Schmidt since 1971 (his principal business). He is a director of Santa Cruz Ventures Ltd., Clifton Star Resources Inc., Exchequer Resource Corp. and Unbridled Energy Corporation, Secretary of Equus Energy Corp. and CFO of Carat Exploration Inc.; former Chief Financial Officer and director of Storm Cat Energy Corp., former director of Vault Minerals Inc. He is a former director and officer of several other public companies since 1971. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree (1966) and Bachelor of Law Degree (1969) from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Schmidt will spend approximately 5% of his time on our business.
Ming Wong, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Wong holds a Ph.D. (Biochemistry) obtained from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and a B.Sc. in Biological Chemistry (1969) from Simon Fraser University. Mr. Wong has been with Sutcliffe Resources Ltd. (TSXV – SR), involved in the exploration of mineral properties in British Columbia and the acquisition and development of gold prospects in the Chukotka and Irkutsk regions of Russia, as administrator since December 2003. He has also been the administrator for Saturn Minerals Inc. (TSXV – SMI), involved in exploring a number of mineral properties in British Columbia, since August, 2001 and has been a director and the chief financial officer since December 1, 2005 for Westminster Resources Ltd. which is completing its prospectus requirements to obtain a TSXV listing.
Pursuant to the provisions of theBusiness Corporations Act (British Columbia), we are required to have an audit committee. The general functions of the audit committee are to review the overall audit plan and our system of internal controls, to review the results of the external audit and to resolve any potential dispute with our auditors. Our audit committee currently consists of Timothy Crowhurst, George Cavey and William Schmidt. The Board of Directors has not appointed a compensation committee.
Conflicts Of Interest
Our directors and officers are aware of the existence of laws governing accountability of directors and officers for corporate opportunity and requiring disclosures by directors of conflicts of interest and we will rely upon such laws in respect of any directors' and officers' conflicts of interest or in respect of any breaches of duty by any of our directors or officers. All such conflicts will be disclosed by such directors or officers in accordance with the British ColumbiaBusiness Corporations Act (“BCBCA”), and they will govern themselves in respect thereof to the best of their ability in accordance with the obligations imposed upon them by law.
All of our directors are also directors, officers or shareholders of other companies that are engaged in the business of acquiring, developing and exploiting natural resource properties including properties in countries where we are conducting our operations. Such associations may give rise to conflicts of interest from time to time. Such a conflict poses the risk that we may enter into a transaction on terms which place us in a worse position than if no conflict existed. Our directors are required by law to act honestly and in good faith with a view to our best interests and to disclose any interest which they may have in any project or opportunity of the company. However, each director has a similar obligation to other companies for which such director serves as an officer or director. We have no specific internal policy governing conflicts of interest.
The following table identifies, as of December 29, 2006, the name of each officer and director and any company (i) which employs such officer or director, (ii) for which such officer or director currently serves as an officer or director, or (iii) which is affiliated with such officer or director:
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| | |
Name | Company | % of Stock Held |
Timothy Crowhurst | Santa Cruz Ventures Inc. | 0% |
George Cavey | Staccato Gold Resources Ltd. | 0% |
| Icon Industries Limited | 0% |
| Orex Ventures Inc. | 0% |
| Orko Gold Corporation | 0% |
| Tri-Gold Resources Corp. | 0% |
William Schmidt | Clifton Star Resources Inc. | 0% |
| Santa Cruz Ventures Inc. | 0% |
| Exchequer Resource Corp. | 0% |
| Equus Energy Corp. | 0% |
| Carat Exploration Inc. | 0% |
| Unbridled Energy Corporation | 0% |
Ming Wong | Sutcliffe Resources Ltd. | 0.08% |
| Saturn Minerals Inc. | 3.7% |
| Westminster Resources Ltd. | 19.7% |
Executive Compensation
The following table sets forth the compensation paid by us during the year ended June 30, 2005 to each of our officers, directors and one key employee. This information includes the dollar value of base salaries, bonus awards and number of stock options granted. Except as set out below, during the year ended June 30, 2006, no payments have been made, directly or indirectly, by us to our directors and officers or any parties related to them.
Summary Compensation Table
| | | | | | | | |
| Annual Compensation | Long Term Compensation |
| | | | | Awards | Payouts |
Name and Principal And Position | Year Ended | Salary (CDN$) | Bonus (CDN$) | Other Annual Compensation (CDN$) | Securities Under Options/ SARs Granted (#) | Restricted Shares Or Restricted Share Units (CDN$) | LTIP Payouts (CDN$) | All other Compen-sation (CDN$) |
Robert Lipsett(1) President and Director | 6/30/06 6/30/05 6/30/04 | $72,000 $72,000 -0- | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | 80,000 300,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil |
George Cavey Vice-President and Director | 6/30/06 6/30/05 6/30/04 | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | 50,000 100,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | -0- -0- -0- | $52,614 $33,632 Nil |
Timothy Crowhurst Director | 6/30/06 6/30/05 6/30/04 | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil 300,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil |
Foo Chan(1) Chief Financial Officer | 6/30/06 6/30/05 6/30/04 | $12,000 $12,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | 200,000 100,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil |
Dr. Felix Kaminsky(1) Exploration Manager | 6/30/06 6/30/05 6/30/04 | -0- -0- -0- | Nil Nil Nil | Nil Nil Nil | Nil 250,000 Nil | Nil Nil Nil | -0- -0- -0- | $48,018 $84,829 Nil |
(1)
Robert Lipsett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and Foo Chan resigned as Chief Financial Officer on December 20, 2006. Dr. Felix Kaminsky resigned as Exploration Manager effective December 20, 2006.
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On July 1, 2006, we entered into employment contracts with each of Robert Lipsett and Foo Chan, whereby Mr. Lipsett is paid $6,000 per month as our President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Chan is paid $2,500 per month as our Chief Financial Officer. Both employment contracts terminated on December 20th, 2006 when Mr. Lipsett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and Foo Chan resigned as Chief Financial Officer.
George Cavey is the principal of Orequest Consultants Ltd. Orequest Consultants Ltd. was paid a total of $52,614 during the year ended June 30, 2006.
Long-term Incentive Plans
Other than through the grant of incentive stock options and management contracts, we do not have a long-term incentive plan for compensating our directors or officers.
Pension Plan
We do not provide retirement benefits for our directors or executive officers.
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”)
The following options were granted to the named executive officers and directors during the most recently completed financial year or subsequent thereto to the date of this report:
| | | | | |
Name | Securities Under Option/SARs Granted (#) | % of Total Options SARs Granted to Directors and Officers in Financial Year | Exercise or Base Price ($/Security) | Market Value of Securities Underlyng Options/SARs on the Date of Grant ($/Security) | Expiration Date |
Robert Lipsett(1) | 300,000 | 21.74% | $0.40 | $120,000 | January 6, 2010 |
| 80,000 | 5.80% | $0.25 | $20,000 | January 25, 2011 |
George Cavey | 100,000 | 7.25% | $0.40 | $40,000 | January 6, 2010 |
| 50,000 | 3.62% | $0.25 | $12,500 | January 25, 2011 |
Timothy Crowhurst | 300,000 | 21.74% | $0.40 | $120,000 | January 6, 2010 |
William Schmidt | Nil | 0.00% | $0.00 | $0.00 | N/A |
Foo Chan(1) | 100,000 | 7.25% | $0.40 | $40,000 | January 6, 2010 |
| 150,000 | 10.87% | $0.40 | $60,000 | September 21, 2010 |
| 50,000 | 3.62% | $0.25 | $12,500 | January 25, 2011 |
Dr. Felix Kaminsky(1) | 250,000 | 18.11%% | $0.40 | $100,000 | January 6, 2010 |
(1)
Robert Lipsett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer and Foo Chan resigned as Chief Financial Officer on December 20, 2006. Dr. Felix Kaminsky resigned as Exploration Manager effective December 20, 2006.
Aggregate Option/SAR Exercises During the Most Recently Completed Financial Year and Financial Year Option/SAR Values
During the most recently completed year ended June 30, 2006, no stock options were exercised by the executive officers.
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Termination of Employment or Change of Control
We did not have a plan or arrangement for compensation received or that may be received by either Mr. Lipsett or Mr. Chan in the financial year ended June 30, 2006 or in the current financial year to compensate them in the event of the termination of employment (resignation, retirement, change of control) or in the event of a change in responsibilities following a change in control.
Compensation of Directors
Since our inception, our directors have not received fees for attendance of board meetings or other cash compensation in their capacity as directors. The directors may be reimbursed for actual expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the performance of their duties as directors. Directors are also eligible to receive incentive stock options to purchase common shares.
Board Practices
Our Board of Directors is elected at the annual general meetings of our shareholders. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual meeting, or until his successor is duly elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with theBusiness Corporations Act (British Columbia).
We have no director's service contracts.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee is comprised of Timothy Crowhurst, George Cavey, and William Schmidt. Members of the audit committee oversee our accounting and financial reporting process and the audits of our financial statements. The audit committee also receives and addresses complaints regarding accounting, internal controls, and auditing issues. No complaints have been received by the audit committee as of the date hereof. Further, the audit committee provides protection for whistle blowers. Again, no whistle blowing issues have presented themselves as of the date hereof. The audit committee functions in a collective manner with respect to all issues that come before it.
At their first meeting following each annual general meeting, the directors must elect an audit committee consisting of no fewer than three directors, of whom a majority must not be officers or employees, to hold office until the next annual general meeting.
Before a financial statement that is to be submitted to an annual general meeting is considered by the directors, it must be submitted to the audit committee for review with the auditor, and the report of the audit committee on the financial statements must be submitted to the directors thereafter.
Employees
We have no employees other than our officers and directors.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth the common share ownership of each of our officers and directors. Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock shown, and all ownership is of record and beneficial.
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| | | |
Name | Number of Common Shares Owned | Positions | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares[1] |
George Cavey | 985,000 | Vice-President and Director | 2.70% |
Timothy Crowhurst | 1,000,000 | Director | 2.74% |
William Schmidt | Nil | Director | N/A |
Ming Wong | Nil | Chief Financial Officer | N/A |
ALL DIRECTORS AND SENIOR OFFICERS AS A GROUP (4 persons) | 1,985,000 | | 5.44% |
[1]
Based on issued and outstanding share capital of 36,515,682 as of December 29, 2006.
Options and Other Rights to Purchase Securities
We are permitted to grant up to 10% of our issued and outstanding shares for issuance to directors, senior officers and key employees and consultants at prices set in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange pursuant to our 2006 Stock Option Plan. At our recent annual meeting of shareholders held on December 20th, 2006, the shareholders approved our 2006 Stock Option Plan, which has identical terms to the 2005 Stock Option Plan. Pursuant to the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, we must seek shareholder approval to our plan at each annual meeting. The proposed 2006 Stock Option Plan is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Options are typically exercisable for a period of up to 5 years and terminate within 90 days of the optionee ceasing to be in a qualifying relationship with the company.
As of June 30, 2006, we have issued 2,680,000 incentive stock options to purchase shares of our common stock as follows:
| | | | |
Option Holders | Designation of Securities Under Option | No. of Securities to be Acquired Upon Exercise | Exercise Price Per Share | Expiry Date |
Executive Officers (three persons) | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.40 | January 6, 2010 |
| | 150,000 | $0.40 | September 21, 2010 |
| | 180,000 | $0.25 | January 25, 2011 |
Directors who are not Executive Officers | Common Shares | 300,000 | $0.40 | January 6, 2010 |
| | 300,000 | $0.25 | January 25, 2011 |
All other employees or past employees as a group | Common Shares | Nil | $0.00 | N/A |
All consultants as a group | Common Shares | 250,000 | $0.40 | January 6, 2010 |
| | 150,000 | $0.40 | March 15, 2010 |
| | 150,000 | $0.40 | September 21, 2010 |
| | 700,000 | $0.225 | June 14, 2007 |
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Escrowed Securities
Pacific Corporate Trust Company (the "Escrow Agent") holds 6,000,000 of our common shares in escrow pursuant to the terms and conditions of an escrow agreement dated June 16, 2004 (the "Escrow Agreement"). The escrow restrictions provide that the Escrowed Securities may not be traded in, dealt with in any manner whatsoever or released, nor may we, our transfer agent or the escrow holders make any transfer or record any trading of the Escrowed Securities without the consent of the TSX Venture Exchange.
| | |
Designation of Class | Number of Securities Held in Escrow | Percentage of Class(1) |
Common Shares | 6,000,000 | 16.43% |
[1]
Based on an issued and outstanding share capital of 36,515,682 as of the date of December 29, 2006.
[2]
The Escrowed Securities are held as follows:
| | |
Name | No. of Shares Held in Escrow | Percentage of Escrow |
Robert Lipsett | 3,540,000 | 59.0% |
Christopher Pollard | 600,000 | 10.0% |
George Cavey | 600,000 | 10.0% |
Timothy Crowhurst | 600,000 | 10.0% |
Foo Chan | 90,000 | 1.5% |
Bud Kanke | 90,000 | 1.5% |
Steve Stares | 180,000 | 3.0% |
Greg Hryhorchuk | 180,000 | 3.0% |
Gordon Smith | 120,000 | 2.0% |
Under National Policy 46 – 201 “Escrow for Initial Public Offerings”, securities held by Principals (as defined below) are required to be held in escrow in accordance with the national escrow regime applicable to initial public distributions. Equity securities owned or controlled by Principals are subject to the escrow requirements.
A “Principal” is defined as:
(a)
our directors and senior officers or of any of our material operating subsidiary of us, as listed in our prospectus;
(b)
our promoters during the two years preceding our offering;
(c)
those who own and/or control more than 10% of our voting securities immediately before and immediately after completion of our offering if they also have elected or appointed or have the right to elect or appoint a director or senior officer of us or of a material operating subsidiary of ours’;
(d)
those who own and/or control more than 20% of our voting securities immediately before and immediately after completion of our offering; and
(e)
associates and affiliates of any of the above.
Our principals are our directors and senior officers or former directors and senior officers.
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Pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, the Principals agreed to deposit in escrow their Escrowed Securities with the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agreement provides that the Escrowed Securities will be released from escrow in equal tranches at six month intervals over the 36 months following the issue of the final receipt for our prospectus (that is 15% of each Principal’s holdings being released in each tranche with an initial 10% tranche being released on the date our securities are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, being January 7, 2005).
We are an “emerging issuer” as defined in Canadian National Policy 46 - 201 and if we achieve “established issuer” status during the term of the Escrow Agreement, we will “graduate” resulting in a catch-up release and an accelerated release of any securities remaining in escrow under the 18 month schedule applicable to established issuers as if we had originally been classified as an established issuer.
Pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, the securities held in escrow may not be transferred or otherwise dealt with during the term of the Escrow Agreement unless the transfers or dealings with escrow are:
(a)
transfers to continuing or, upon their appointment, incoming directors and senior officers of us or of a material operating subsidiary, with approval of our board of directors;
(b)
transfers to an RRSP or similar trustee plan provided that the only beneficiaries are the transferor or the transferor’s spouse or children;
(c)
transfers upon bankruptcy to the trustee in bankruptcy; and
(d)
pledges to a financial institution as collateral for a bona fide loan, provided that upon a realization the securities remain subject to escrow. Tenders of Escrowed Securities to a take-over bid are permitted provided that, if the tenderer is a Principal of our successor upon completion of the take-over bid, securities received in exchange for tendered Escrowed Securities are substituted in escrow on the basis of our successor escrow classification.
The TSX Venture Exchange may approve an accelerated release schedule if we, after listing, meet Tier 1 issuer listing requirements. Escrow agreements, in the form prescribed by the TSX Venture Exchange, restrict the sale, assignment, hypothecation and transfer of all escrowed shares without the prior written consent of the TSX Venture Exchange. TSX Venture Exchange policy provides that it will generally only permit a transfer of our escrowed shares to incoming principals. In the event of the bankruptcy or death of a holder of Escrowed Securities, the Escrow Agent, with written notification to the TSX Venture Exchange, may transmit such holders’ Escrowed Securities to the trustee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator or such other person as is legally entitled to become the registered owner of the Escrowed Securities. Escrowed Securities that are transferred to a trustee in bankruptcy will remain in escrow subject to the appli cable Escrow Agreement. Escrowed Securities transferred upon death will be released from escrow to the applicable legal representative unless the TSX Venture Exchange objects.
Warrants
As of September 30, 2006, the following transferable common share purchase warrants were outstanding:
(a)
1,333,334 warrants to purchase up to 1,333,334 common shares at a price of $0.50 per share, exercisable on or before June 15, 2007, issued as part of a brokered private placement of 2,222,223 units issued at a price of $0.45 per unit;
(b)
5,482,667 warrants to purchase up to 5,482,667 common shares at a price of $0.20 per share, exercisable on or before January 24, 2008, issued as part of a non-brokered private placement of 5,482,667 units issued at a price of $0.15 per unit;
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(c)
5,585,999 warrants to purchase up to 5,585,999 common shares at a price of $0.30 per share, exercisable on or before May 18, 2008, issued as part of a brokered and non-brokered private placement of 6,385,999 units at a price of $0.225 per unit; and
(d)
800,000 warrants to purchase up to 800,000 common shares at a price of $0.30 per share, exercisable on or before June 8, 2008, issued as part of a brokered and non-brokered private placement of 6,385,999 units at a price of $0.225 per unit.
As of December 29, 2006, our directors and officers, as a group (4 persons), held warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of our common stock.
There are no assurances that the option or warrants described above will be exercised in whole or in part.
ITEM 7.
MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
As of the date of this report, there are no persons known to us that have direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, control or direction over, or a combination of direct or indirect beneficial ownership of and control or direction over, voting securities that will constitute more than 10% of any class of such securities except for Robert Lipsett, our former President and Chief Executive Officer, who holds 5,839,501 shares, being 15.99% of the shares outstanding.
The following table sets forth the common share ownership of each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of our common shares. Each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock shown, and all ownership is of record and beneficial.
| | | |
Name of Shareholder | Number of Shares | Position | % of Class |
Robert Lipsett(1) | 5,839,501 | Former President, CEO and Director | 15.99% |
Richard Genovese | 2,801,667 | 5% shareholder | 7.67% |
(1)
Robert Lipsett resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer on December 20, 2006.
All of our shares, both issued and unissued, are common shares of the same class and rank equally as to dividends, voting powers and participation of powers. Accordingly, there are no special voting powers held by our major shareholders.
As of the date of this registration statement, the aggregate number of shares of common stock beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by our directors and senior officers as a group is 1,985,000 common shares, representing 5.44% of our total issued and outstanding common shares. “Beneficial ownership” means sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting of the common shares, or the sole or shared power to dispose, or direct a disposition, of the common shares. More than one person may be deemed to have beneficial ownership of the same securities.
Change of Control
As of the date of this Form 20-F Annual Report, there are no arrangements known to us which may at a subsequent date result in a change of control.
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Related Party Transactions
Other than as disclosed herein, our officers, directors and principal shareholders, or any of our associates or affiliates, have not participated in and have no other interest, direct or indirect, in any material transactions in which we have participated, or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or will materially affect our company during the year ended June 30, 2006.
Pursuant to an agreement dated as of the 11th of May, 2004, with KMD, we were granted the KMD Option to purchase a 100% interest in the Diamond Exploration Property. KMD is a company wholly-owned by Felix Kaminsky who was appointed as our exploration manager and subsequently resigned effective December 20th, 2006.
We were organized to acquire and exploit the diamond property interests. Incidental to such acquisition two of our directors advanced loans totaling $71,620, which loans were repaid without interest during January 2005.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, we incurred professional, management and consulting services rendered by certain directors and an officer in the amount of $96,500 (2005: $114,000). We also incurred $52,614 (2005: $33,632) in deferred mineral property expenditures to a company controlled by an officer and director.
These transactions were entered into in the normal course of business and are measured at the exchange amount.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at June 30, 2006, include $8,932 (2005: $4,328) owing to a company with a common director.
During the year ended June 30, 2006, 2,050,000 units were issued to certain directors and officers and a company controlled by an officer for total proceeds of $423,000.
There are no additional interests of management in transactions involving our company except for those stated in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
Indebtedness of Directors, Officers, Promoters and Other Management
During the fiscal years ended June 30, 2006, 2005, 2004, none of the following were indebted to us:
(a)
enterprises that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control or are controlled by, or are under common control with, the company;
(b)
associates;
(c)
individuals owning, directly or indirectly, an interest in the voting power of the company that gives them significant influence over the company, and close members of any such individuals' family;
(d)
key management personnel and close members of such individuals' families; or
(e)
enterprises in which a substantial interest in the voting power is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable
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ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 17.
Legal Proceedings
No material legal proceedings to which we are a party are pending nor are any known to be contemplated and we know of no legal proceedings pending or threatened, or judgments entered against, any of our officers or directors in their capacities as such.
Dividends
No dividend has been paid on our common shares since inception, and none is contemplated in the foreseeable future.
Significant Changes
There have been no significant changes since the date of our annual financial statements or since the date of our most recent interim financial statements.
ITEM 9.
THE OFFER AND LISTING
Listing Details
Our shares began trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “RLD” on January 7, 2005. The following table discloses the annual high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for our common shares for the most recent financial year and from our date of listing on January 7, 2005 to our fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, as traded on the TSX Venture Exchange:
| | |
Year | High | Low |
2006 | 0.35 | 0.26 |
2005 | 0.45 | 0.18 |
The following table discloses the high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for our common shares for each quarterly period since we commended trading on the TSX Venture Exchange on January 18, 2005:
| | |
Quarter Ended | High | Low |
June 30, 2006 | 0.32 | 0.18 |
March 30, 2006 | 0.42 | 0.20 |
December 31, 2005 | 0.38 | 0.17 |
September 30, 2005 | 0.45 | 0.30 |
June 30, 2005 | 0.75 | 0.40 |
March 31, 2005 | 0.37 | 0.54 |
The following table discloses the monthly high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for our common shares for the most recent six months as traded on the TSX Venture Exchange:
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| | |
Month | High | Low |
November 2006 | 0.14 | 0.095 |
October 2006 | 0.15 | 0.10 |
September 2006 | 0.19 | 0.10 |
August 2006 | 0.19 | 0.13 |
July 2006 | 0.19 | 0.14 |
June 2006 | 0.25 | 0.18 |
The source for the above information is Canada Stockwatch. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
Holders
As of December 29, 2006, there were approximately 472 registered and non-registered holders of record of our common shares. Approximately 30 registered and non-registered holders of record are resident in the United States.
Markets
Our common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol “RLD”. There are currently no restrictions on the transferability of these shares under Canadian securities laws.
As a foreign private issuer, we will not be subject to the reporting obligations of the proxy rules of the Section 14 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 or the insider short-swing profit rules of Section 16 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934.
Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
Dilution
Not applicable
Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable
ITEM 10.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Share Capital
Not applicable.
Memorandum and Articles of Incorporation
Our Articles are incorporated by reference to the information in our registration statement on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in Washington, D.C. on April 4, 2004, to which our Memorandum and Articles were filed as exhibits.
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On March 29, 2004, theCompany Act(British Columbia) (the “Corporation Act”) was replaced by theBusiness Corporations Act(British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”). Accordingly, we are now subject to the BCBCA and are no longer governed by the Company Act. There are a number of differences under the BCBCA, which differences are designed to provide greater flexibility and efficiency for British Columbia companies.
Under the BCBCA, every company incorporated under the Company Act must complete a mandatory transition rollover under the BCBCA to substitute a Notice of Articles for its Memorandum within two years of March 29, 2004. The only information contained in the Notice of Articles is the authorized share structure of the company, the name of the company, the address of the registered and records office of the company, and the names and addresses of the directors of the company. A copy of the Transition Application and Notice of Articles as filed with the Registrar of Companies for British Columbia is attached to this Form 20-F as Exhibit 1.2.
As a pre-existing Corporation under the Corporation Act, we are subject to provisions contained in the BCBCA known as the “Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions”. The Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions are statutory provisions intended to preserve certain provisions of the Company Act to companies incorporated under the Company Act. Under the BCBCA, we have the option to replace the Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions with a new form of Articles to take advantage of the benefits of the BCBCA, provided the shareholders approve the change.
As a public company the only significant provision of the Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions that would apply to us is the requirement under the Company Act that three-quarters of the votes cast at a general meeting must vote in favour of a proposed special resolution in order for the resolution to be passed. Under the BCBCA, the level of approval for special resolutions is reduced to two-thirds of the votes cast at a general meeting, which is consistent with the corporate statutes in other Canadian jurisdictions. Management considers the two-thirds approval threshold to be appropriate for fundamental changes requiring approval by special resolution.
Accordingly, at our annual meeting held on February 8, 2006, our shareholders approved a special resolution to alter the Notice of Articles to remove the application of the Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions. A copy of the Notice of Alteration is attached to this Form 20-F as Exhibit 1.3.
In addition to deleting the Pre-Existing Corporation Provisions, our Board of Directors were also of the view that it would be in our best interest to adopt a new set of Articles (the “New Articles”) to replace our Articles (the “Old Articles”). The New Articles reflect the flexibility and efficiency permitted under the BCBCA, while maintaining a significant portion of the existing governing provisions. As a result, most of the changes in the New Articles are minor in nature, and are not substantive changes. A copy of the New Articles are attached to this Form 20-F as Exhibit 1.4.
Material Contracts
There are no material contracts except as discussed in this registration statement. The following material contracts and all engineering or geological reports referred to in this registration statement may be inspected at our office Suite 305 - 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T5, during normal business hours.
| |
Exhibit No. | Description |
4.1 | Option agreement with Russell Renner, James Bond and Rudolph Wahl dated as of the 18th of March, 2004; |
4.2 | Option agreement with John E. Ternowesky, Eugene Belisle and Noel Belisle dated as of the 19th of March, 2004; |
4.3 | Option Agreement with James Bond and Russell Renner dated as of the 18th of March, 2004; |
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| |
4.4 | Option Agreement with William Maurice Michano, John Grant Michano dated as of the 17th of March, 2004; |
4.5 | Option Agreement with KM Diamond Exploration Ltd. dated as of the 11th of May, 2004; |
4.6 | Joint Exploration Agreement with Phoenix Matachewan Mines Inc. dated as of July 1, 2004; |
4.10 | Escrow Agreement among Pacific Corporate Trust Company, Ripple Lake Minerals Inc., Robert Lipsett, Christopher Pollard, George Cavey, Timothy Crowhurst, Bud Kanke, Stephen Stares, Gregory Hryhorchuk and Gordon Smith dated the 16th of June, 2004. |
4.11 | Private Placement Agreement with Canaccord Capital Corporation dated June 13, 2005. |
4.12 | Option Agreement with Nuinsco Resources Limited dated June 22nd, 2005 |
4.13 | Option Agreement with Rudolf Wahl and Deric Ewen dated April 25th, 2005 |
4.14 | Option Agreement with Rudolf Wahl, Russel Renner and James Bond dated April 25th, 2005 |
Exchange Controls
There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation, including foreign exchange controls, in Canada which may affect the export or import of capital or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities. Any such remittances to United States residents, however, are subject to a withholding tax pursuant to theCanada – U.S. Income tax Convention(1980) (the “Treaty”), as amended.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by our articles or other charter documents on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares or preference shares with voting rights (the “Voting Shares”), other than as provided in theInvestment Canada Act(the “ICA”). The ICA requires a non-Canadian making an investment which would result in the acquisition of control of a Canadian business (i.e. the gross value of the assets of which exceed a certain monetary threshold) or an investment to establish a new Canadian business, to identify, notify, or file an application for review with the Investment Review Division of Industry Canada (“IRD”).
The notification procedure involves a brief statement of information about the investment on a prescribed form which is required to be filed with the IRD by the investor at any time up to 30 days following implementation of the investment. It is intended that investments requiring only notification will proceed without government intervention unless the investment is in a specific type of business activity related to Canada’s cultural heritage and national identity.
If an investment is reviewable under the ICA, an application for review in the form prescribed is normally required to be filed with the IRD prior to the investment taking place and the investment may not be implemented until the review has been completed and the Minister of Industry (“Minister”) (the Minister responsible for Investment Canada) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. The Minister has up to 75 days to make this determination. If the Minister is not satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada, the non-Canadian must not implement the investment or, if the investment has been implemented, may be required to divest himself of control of the business that is the subject of the investment.
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Taxation
Canadian Income Tax Consequences
The following summary discusses only the Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to a holder (a "Holder") of one or more of our common shares who, for the purposes of theIncome Tax Act(Canada) (the"Tax Act") is a non-resident of Canada who holds common shares as capital property. The summary deals with the provisions of theTax Actin force on February 28, 2005. It discusses all material matters; but might not discuss all the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular holders in light of their circumstances or to holders subject to special rules. Holders and prospective holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers with respect to their particular circumstances.
Dividends
A Holder will be subject to Canadian withholding tax ("Part XIII Tax") equal to 25%, or such lower rate as may be available under an applicable tax treaty, of the gross amount of any dividend paid or deemed to be paid on common shares. Under the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980) as amended by the Protocols signed on 6/14/1983, 3/28/1984, 3/17/1995, and 7/29/1997 (the "Treaty"), the rate of Part XIII Tax applicable to a dividend on common shares paid to a Holder who is a resident of the United States and who is the beneficial owner of the dividend, is 5%. If the Holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the company paying the dividend, and, in all other cases, the tax rate is 15% of the gross amount of the dividend. The company will be required to withhold the applicable amount of Part XIII Tax from each dividend so paid and remit the withheld amount directly to the Receiver General for Canada for the account of the Holder.
Disposition of Common Shares
A Holder who disposes of a common share, including by deemed disposition on death, will not normally be subject to Canadian tax on any capital gain (or capital loss) thereby realized unless the common share constituted "taxable Canadian property" as defined by theTax Act. Generally, a common share of a public corporation will not constitute taxable Canadian property of a Holder if the share is listed on a prescribed stock exchange unless the Holder or persons with whom the Holder did not deal at arm's length alone or together held or held options to acquire, at any time within the five years preceding the disposition, 25% or more of the shares of any class of the capital stock of the company. The TSX Venture Exchange is a prescribed stock exchange under the Tax Act. A Holder who is a resident of the United States and realizes a capital gain on a disposition of a common share that was taxable Can adian property will nevertheless, by virtue of the Treaty, generally be exempt from Canadian tax thereon unless (a) more than 50% of the value of the common shares is derived from, or from an interest in, Canadian real estate, including Canadian mineral resource properties, (b) the common share formed part of the business property of a permanent establishment that the Holder has or had in Canada within the 12 month period preceding the disposition, or (c) the Holder is an individual who (i) was a resident of Canada at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding the disposition, and for a total of 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years, preceding the disposition, and (ii) owned the common share when he ceased to be resident in Canada.
A Holder who is subject to Canadian tax in respect of a capital gain realized on a disposition of a common share must include three quarters of the capital gain (taxable capital gain) in computing the Holder's taxable income earned in Canada. The Holder may, subject to certain limitations, deduct three-quarters of any capital loss (allowable capital loss) arising on a disposition of taxable Canadian property from taxable capital gains realized in the year of disposition in respect to taxable Canadian property and, to the extent not so deductible, from such taxable capital gains realized in any of the three preceding years or any subsequent year.
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United States Federal Income Taxation Considerations
For federal income tax purposes, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States or a domestic corporation ("U.S. Taxpayer") will recognize a gain or loss on the sale of the company's common shares equal to the difference between the proceeds from such sale and the adjusted tax basis of the common shares. The gain or loss will be a capital gain or capital loss if the company's common shares are a capital asset in U.S. Taxpayer's hands.
For federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Taxpayer will be required to include in gross income dividends received on the company's common shares. A U.S. Taxpayer who pays Canadian tax on a dividend on common shares will be entitled, subject to certain limitations, to a credit (or alternatively, a deduction) against federal income tax liability. A domestic corporation that owns at least 10% of the voting shares should consult its tax advisor as to applicability of the deemed paid foreign tax credit with respect to dividends paid on the company's common shares.
Under a number of circumstances, United States Investor acquiring shares of the company may be required to file an information return with the Internal Revenue Service Center where they are required to file their tax returns with a duplicate copy to the Internal Revenue Service Center, Philadelphia, PA 19255. In particular, any United States Investor who becomes the owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more of the shares of the company will be required to file such a return. Other filing requirements may apply, and United States Investors should consult their own tax advisors concerning these requirements.
The US Internal Revenue Code provides special anti-deferral rules regarding certain distributions received by US persons with respect to, and sales and other dispositions (including pledges) of stock of, a passive foreign investment company. A foreign corporation, such as the company, will be treated as a passive foreign investment company if 75% or more of its gross income is passive income for a taxable year or if the average percentage of its assets (by value) that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income is at least 50% for a taxable year. We believe that we were not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year ended June 30, 2006 and, furthermore, expect to conduct our affairs in such a manner so that we will not meet the criteria to be considered passive foreign investment company in the foreseeable future.
The tax consequences to any particular holder of common stock will vary according to the status of that holder as an individual, trust, corporation or member of a partnership, the jurisdiction in which that holder is subject to taxation, the place where that holder is resident and, generally, according to that holders particular circumstances. This summary is applicable only to holders who are resident in the United States, have never been resident in Canada, deal at arm’s length with us, hold their common stock as capital property and who will not use or hold the common stock in carrying on business in Canada. Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a United States holder that is an issuer that carries on business in Canada and elsewhere.
This summary is based upon the “provisions” of theIncome Tax Act of Canada and the regulations issued thereunder (collectively, the “Tax Act” or “ITA”) and the Canada-United States Tax Convention (the “Tax Convention”) as at the date of the registration statement and the current administrative practices of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. This summary does not take into account provincial income tax consequences.
We urge each holder to consult his own tax advisor with respect to the income tax consequences applicable to him in his own particular circumstances.
Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable
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Statement by Experts
Our auditors for our financial statements for each of the preceding three years was Amisano Hanson, Chartered Accountants, of #604, 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2T7, Canada. Their audit report for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2006, 2005 and 2004 are included with the related financial statements in this Form 20-F Annual Report statement with their consent.
Documents on Display
All material documents referred to herein have been filed as exhibits to this Form 20-F or at our office at Suite 305 - 595 Howe Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2T5 and our telephone number is (604) 682-8789
We filed a registration statement on Form 20-F with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. (Registration No. 000-30084) on April 4. 2004. The Registration Statement contains exhibits and schedules. Any statement in this annual report about any of our contracts or other documents is not necessarily complete. If the contract or document is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, the contract or document is deemed to modify the description contained in this annual report. The exhibits must be reviewed by themselves for a complete description of the contract or documents.
Our registration statements may be inspected and copied, including exhibits and schedules, and the reports and other information as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 at the public reference facilities maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549. Copies of such material may also be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., 20549, at prescribed rates. Information may be obtained regarding the Washington D.C. Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 or by contacting the Securities and Exchange Commission over the Internet at its website at http://www.sec.gov.
Subsidiary Information
Not applicable
ITEM 11.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are a small business issuer as defined in Rule 405 of theSecurities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 12b-2 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and therefore need not provide the information requested by this item.
ITEM 12.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 13.
DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
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ITEM 14.
MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
There have no material modifications to the rights of security holders since the adoption of new Articles on February 8, 2006.
ITEM 15.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the our president, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” [as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)] as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our president concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to our company required to be included in our periodic SEC filings, and that information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
There was no significant change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Nor were there any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal controls requiring corrective actions.
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting
We are currently considered a non-accelerated filer pursuant to Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Therefore, we are not currently required to make statements regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act. However, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, recognize that, as a small business issuer, we will likely be required to comply with disclosure report requirements of Section 404 beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect our internal control over financial reporting during 2006. Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented b y the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
ITEM 16A.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
We do not at this time have a financial expert on our Audit Committee (as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F). We are currently actively seeking a financial expert to join our audit committee. Timothy Crowhurst, George Cavey and William Schmidt have the industry experience necessary to understand and analyze financial statements, as well as the understanding of internal controls and procedures necessary for financial reporting.
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ITEM 16B.
CODE OF ETHICS
We have not adopted a Code of Ethics at this time. We do not consider a Code of Ethics necessary due to the small size of our exploration activities and the small number of persons comprising our Board of Directors and management.
ITEM 16C.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table lists the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.
| | |
| Year ended June 30, 2006 Cdn $ | Year Ended June 30, 2005 Cdn $ |
Audit fees | 29,900 | 21,000 |
Audit related fees | Nil | Nil |
Tax fees | Nil | Nil |
All other fees | Nil | 2,500 |
Total: | 29,900 | 23,500 |
ITEM 16D.
EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
Item 16E.
PURCHASERS OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
We did not repurchase any of our shares in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006.
PART III
ITEM 17.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2006 immediately follow:
| |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated October 18, 2006 | F-3 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |
Balance Sheet for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 | F-4 |
Statement of Operations and Deficit for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 | F-5 |
Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 | F-6 |
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 | F-7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements for the years ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005 | F-8 – F-23 |
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ITEM 18.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We elected to provide financial statements pursuant to Item 17.
ITEM 19.
EXHIBITS
| |
Exhibit # | Document Description |
1.1(1) | Articles of Organization; |
1.2 | Transition Application and Notice of Articles |
1.3 | Notice of Articles to remove Pre-Existing Corporate Provisions |
1.4(4) | New Articles effective February 8, 2006 |
4.1(1) | Option agreement with Russell Renner, James Bond and Rudolph Wahl dated as of the 18th of March, 2004; |
4.2(1) | Option agreement with John E. Ternowesky, Eugene Belisle and Noel Belisle dated as of the 19th of March, 2004; |
4.3(1) | Option Agreement with James Bond and Russell Renner dated as of the 18th of March, 2004; |
4.4(1) | Option Agreement with William Maurice Michano, John Grant Michano dated as of the 17th of March, 2004; |
4.5(1) | Option Agreement with KM Diamond Exploration Ltd. dated as of the 11th of May, 2004; |
4.6(1) | Joint Exploration Agreement with Phoenix Matachewan Mines Inc. dated as of July 1, 2004; |
4.10(1) | Escrow Agreement among Pacific Corporate Trust Company, Ripple Lake Minerals Inc., Robert Lipsett, Christopher Pollard, George Cavey, Timothy Crowhurst, Bud Kanke, Stephen Stares, Gregory Hryhorchuk and Gordon Smith dated the 16th of June, 2004. |
4.11(2) | Private Placement Agreement with Canaccord Capital Corporation dated June 13, 2005. |
4.12(3) | Option Agreement with Nuinsco Resources Limited dated June 22nd, 2005 |
4.13(3) | Option Agreement with Rudolf Wahl and Deric Ewen dated April 25th, 2005 |
4.14(3) | Option Agreement with Rudolf Wahl, Russel Renner and James Bond dated April 25th, 2005 |
31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant To Rule 13a-14 Or 15d-14 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934,as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant To Rule 13a-14 Or 15d-14 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934,as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
(1)
Incorporated by reference from our Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on April 3, 2005.
(2)
Incorporated by reference from our Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form 20-F filed on July 14, 2005.
(3)
Incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on December 30, 2005.
(4)
Incorporated by reference from our Form 6-K filed on February 27, 2006.
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SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Dated this 29th day of December, 2006.
RIPPLE LAKE DIAMONDS INC.
BY: /s/ Timothy Crowhurst
Timothy Crowhurst, President and Director
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