UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
March 24, 2015
Commission File Number: 001-32403
TURQUOISE
HILL RESOURCES LTD.
(Translation of Registrants Name into English)
Suite 354 200 GRANVILLE STREET, VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA V6C 1S4
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule
101(b)(1): ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ¨
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. |
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Date: March 24, 2015 |
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By: |
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/s/ Dustin S. Isaacs |
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Dustin S. Isaacs |
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Corporate Secretary |
EXHIBIT INDEX
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99.1 |
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Management Proxy Circular, including Notice of Meeting |
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99.2 |
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Press Release |
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99.3 |
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Form of Proxy |
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99.4 |
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Supplemental Return Card |
Exhibit 99.1
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
and
Management Proxy
Circular
of
TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.
DATED: March 20, 2015
TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
May 8, 2015
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual Meeting (Meeting) of Shareholders of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (the
Corporation) will be held on May 8, 2015, at 09:00 AM local time, in the Coal Harbour Room of the Pan Pacific Hotel located at Suite 300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B5, for the following purposes:
1. |
to receive the annual report of the directors to the Shareholders; |
2. |
to receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014, and the auditors
report thereon; |
3. |
to elect seven directors for the ensuing year; |
4. |
to appoint auditors for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the auditors remuneration; |
5. |
to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to adopt a resolution (the full text of which is reproduced in Section 2.3 of the accompanying
Management Proxy Circular) providing for a non-binding advisory vote on the Corporations approach to executive compensation; |
6. |
to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to adopt a resolution (the full text of which is reproduced in Section 2.4 of the accompanying
Management Proxy Circular) approving and reconfirming the renewal of the Corporations equity incentive plan (the Equity Incentive Plan), and approving and authorizing, for a period of three years after the date of the
Meeting, all unallocated options issuable pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan; and |
7. |
to consider such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. |
The Board of Directors has fixed March 25, 2015 as the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of, and to
vote at, the Meeting and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
A management proxy circular, form of proxy, the audited consolidated
financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2014 and a return envelope accompany this notice of meeting.
A shareholder who is unable to attend the Meeting in person and who wishes to ensure that such shareholders shares will be voted at
the Meeting, is requested to complete, date and execute the enclosed form of proxy and deliver it by facsimile, by email, by hand or by mail in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of proxy and in the management proxy circular.
Dated at Vancouver, British Columbia this 20th day of March, 2015.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD |
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Dustin S. Isaacs |
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Dustin S. Isaacs
Corporate Secretary |
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TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.
Suite 354 200 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1S4
MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section 1 - VOTING AND PROXIES |
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4 |
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1.1 SOLICITATION OF PROXIES |
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4 |
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1.2 APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDERS |
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4 |
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1.3 REVOCATION OF PROXIES |
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4 |
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1.4 EXERCISE OF DISCRETION |
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5 |
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1.5 QUORUM |
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1.6 VOTES REQUIRED TO PASS RESOLUTIONS |
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1.7 VOTING BY REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS |
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1.8 VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS |
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1.9 VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF |
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6 |
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Section 2 - BUSINESS OF MEETING |
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2.1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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7 |
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2.1.1
Management Nominees |
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2.1.2
Previous Years Voting Results |
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15 |
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2.1.3
Additional Disclosure Relating to Directors |
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16 |
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2.1.4
Majority Voting Policy |
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2.1.5 Term
of Office |
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2.1.6
Diversity |
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2.1.7
Over-Boarding Policy |
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2.1.8
Interlocking Directorships |
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17 |
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2.1.9
Retirement Policy |
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2.1.10 Succession
Planning and 2014 Leadership Transition |
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17 |
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2.1.11 Tenure |
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2.1.12 Summary of Board
and Committee Meetings Held |
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18 |
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2.1.13 Orientation and
Continuing Education for Directors |
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2.2 APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS |
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2.2.1 Audit
Services |
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2.3 ADOPTION OF A SAY ON PAY RESOLUTION |
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2.4 RENEWAL OF EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
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Section 3 - COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS |
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3.1 COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS |
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3.2 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE |
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3.2.1 Role
and Composition |
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3.2.2
Management of Risk |
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3.2.3
Outside Consultants |
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3.3 BENCHMARKING PRACTICES |
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3.4 ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
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25 |
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3.4.1
Compensation of NEOs |
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3.4.2
Equity Incentive Plan |
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28 |
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3.4.3 Pension
Plans |
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3.4.4 Other
Compensation Policies |
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3.5 PERFORMANCE GRAPH |
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Section 4 - COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
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4.1 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
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4.2 OPTION-BASED AND SHARE-BASED AWARDS |
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4.2.1 Outstanding
Option-Based and Share-Based Awards |
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4.2.2 Incentive
Plan Awards Value Vested or Earned During 2014 |
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4.3 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS |
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4.3.1 Secondees
of Rio Tinto |
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Section 5 - COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE FOR DIRECTORS |
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5.1 ANNUAL RETAINERS, ATTENDANCE FEES AND OTHER REMUNERATION |
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5.2 DIRECTORS TOTAL 2014 COMPENSATION |
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5.3 OPTION-BASED AWARDS |
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5.3.1 Outstanding
Option-Based Awards |
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5.3.2 Incentive
Plan Awards Value Vested or Earned During 2014 |
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Section 6 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
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6.1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
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6.1.1 Board
Composition |
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6.1.2 Board
Mandate and Recent Amendments Thereto |
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6.1.3 Meetings of
the Board |
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6.2 BOARD COMMITTEES |
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6.2.1 Audit
Committee |
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6.2.2
Compensation and Benefits Committee |
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6.2.3 Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee |
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6.2.4 Health,
Safety and Environment Committee |
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6.2.5 SouthGobi
Special Committee |
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6.3 INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS |
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6.4 CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS |
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6.5 STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES |
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Section 7 - OTHER INFORMATION |
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7.1 INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
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7.2 INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON |
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7.3 INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS |
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7.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
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7.5 DIRECTORS APPROVAL |
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SCHEDULES
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Schedule A Summary of Equity Incentive Plan |
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A-1 |
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Schedule B Statement of Corporate Governance Practices |
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B-1 |
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Schedule C Board Mandate |
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C-1 |
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Section 1 - VOTING AND PROXIES
1.1 |
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES |
This Management Proxy Circular (the Circular) is furnished to the holders of common shares (Shareholders) of
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (the Corporation) by and on behalf of management of the Corporation in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at the annual meeting (the Meeting) of the Shareholders to be held
at 09:00 AM, local time, on May 8, 2015 in the Coal Harbour Room of the Pan Pacific Hotel located at Suite 300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 3B5 and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set
forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Notice of Meeting).
The solicitation of proxies by management
will be primarily by mail, but proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors of the Corporation (Directors), officers and regular employees of the Corporation and its affiliates. All costs of this solicitation
will be borne by the Corporation, save for the cost of solicitation of the OBOs (as defined in section 1.8 Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders of this Circular).
The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the Board of Directors or the Board) has fixed the record
date as March 25, 2015, being the date for the determination of registered Shareholders entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting (the Record Date).
Unless otherwise stated, the information contained in this Circular is as of March 20, 2015. All dollar amounts are expressed in United
States dollars ($ or US$) or Canadian dollars (C$), as indicated.
All references
to Shareholders in this Circular and the accompanying Form of Proxy (as defined below) and Notice of Meeting are to registered Shareholders unless specifically stated otherwise.
1.2 |
APPOINTMENT OF PROXYHOLDERS |
A Shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting may, by means of a proxy, appoint a proxyholder or one or more alternate proxyholders, who need
not be Shareholders, to attend and act at the Meeting for the Shareholder and on the Shareholders behalf.
The individuals
named in the enclosed form of proxy (the Form of Proxy) are Directors and/or officers of the Corporation. A Shareholder may appoint, as proxyholder or alternate proxyholder, a person or persons other than any of the persons
designated in the enclosed Form of Proxy, and may do so either by inserting the name or names of such persons in the blank space provided in the enclosed Form of Proxy or by completing another proper form of proxy.
An appointment of a proxyholder or alternate proxyholder will not be valid unless a form of proxy making the appointment, signed by the
Shareholder or by an attorney of the Shareholder authorized in writing, is deposited with CST Trust Company (CST) by facsimile to 1-866-781-3111 or 1-416-368-2502, by mail to P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario, M1S 0A1, by email at proxy@canstockta.com or procuration@canstockta.com or by hand to The Oceanic Plaza, 1600 - 1066 W. Hastings
Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3X1 or 320 Bay Street, Basement Level (B1), Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4A6 or 2001 University, 16th Floor, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2A6 and received by CST
not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment or postponement thereof at which the proxy is to be used.
1.3 |
REVOCATION OF PROXIES |
A
Shareholder who has given a proxy may revoke the proxy:
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by depositing an instrument in writing executed by the Shareholder or by the Shareholders attorney authorized in writing:
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with CST, not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment or postponement
thereof at which the proxy is to be used; |
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at the registered office of the Corporation at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or an
adjournment or postponement thereof, at which the proxy is to be used; or |
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with the chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or an adjournment or postponement thereof; or |
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in any other manner provided by law. |
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A revocation of a proxy will not affect a matter on which a vote is taken before the revocation.
1.4 |
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION |
The persons named in the enclosed Form of Proxy will vote or withhold from voting the shares in respect of which they are appointed in
accordance with the direction of the Shareholders appointing them. In the absence of such direction in respect of a particular matter, such shares will be voted as recommended by the management of the Corporation. The enclosed Form of Proxy
confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to any amendments or variations to matters identified or referred to in the Notice of Meeting and this Circular and with respect to other matters which may properly come
before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. As of the date of this Circular, management of the Corporation knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting. However, if any such or other
matters which are not currently known to management should properly come before the Meeting, the shares will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons named in the Form of Proxy.
The
Corporations by-laws provide that the quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is at least one individual present at the commencement of the Meeting holding, or representing by proxy the holder or holders of, common shares
carrying, in the aggregate, not less than one-third (33 1/3%) of the votes eligible to be cast at the Meeting.
1.6 |
VOTES REQUIRED TO PASS RESOLUTIONS |
Under the Yukon Business Corporations Act (the YBCA), a simple majority of the votes cast by Shareholders at the
Meeting is required to pass an ordinary resolution and a majority of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast at the Meeting is required to pass a special resolution.
1.7 |
VOTING BY REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS |
An individual is a registered Shareholder if his or her name appears on the share certificate. If an individual is not sure whether they are a
registered Shareholder, they may contact CST by telephone toll-free at 1-800-387-0825 or by e-mail at inquiries@canstockta.com.
On the Internet
Registered
Shareholders may go to the website www.cstvotemyproxy.com and follow the instructions on the screen. The voting instructions are then
conveyed electronically over the Internet.
Registered Shareholders will need their control number located on the Form of Proxy or
in the e-mail if they have chosen to receive this Circular electronically.
If the proxy is returned via the Internet, registered
Shareholders can appoint a person other than the persons named in the Form of Proxy as their proxyholder. This person does not have to be a Shareholder. Registered Shareholders may indicate the name of the person they are appointing by following the
instructions online.
The cut-off time for voting over the Internet is 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) on May 6, 2015.
By Mail
Registered Shareholders may
complete, date and sign their Form of Proxy and return it in the envelope provided or deliver it to one of CSTs principal offices in Montréal, Toronto or Vancouver, which addresses are listed below, for receipt before 5:00 PM (Pacific
time) on May 6, 2015 or with the Secretary of the Meeting prior to commencement of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or on the day of any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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CST Trust Company |
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CST Trust Company |
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CST Trust Company |
The Oceanic Plaza |
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320 Bay Street |
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2001 University |
Suite 1600-1066 West Hastings St. |
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Basement Level (B1) |
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16th Floor |
Vancouver, British Columbia |
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Toronto, Ontario |
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Montreal, Québec |
V6E 3X1 |
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M5H 4A6 |
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H3A 2A6 |
If registered Shareholders return their proxy by mail, they can appoint a person
other than the Directors or officers named in the Form of Proxy as proxyholder. This person does not have to be a Shareholder. Registered Shareholders may fill in the name of the person they are appointing in the blank space provided on the Form of
Proxy. Registered Shareholders must complete their voting instruction on the Form of Proxy, and date and sign the form. They must make sure that the person they appoint is aware that he or she has been appointed and attends the Meeting.
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In Person at the Meeting
Registered Shareholders do not need to complete or return their Form of Proxy.
They will be required to register their attendance for the Meeting with the scrutineer at the registration desk.
1.8 |
VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS |
The information set forth in this section should be reviewed carefully by non-registered Shareholders of the Corporation. Shareholders who
do not hold their shares in their own name (the Non-Registered Shareholders) should note that only proxies deposited by Shareholders who appear on the records maintained by CST, the Corporations registrar and transfer agent, as
registered holders of shares will be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by his, her or its broker, trust company, bank or similar institution (collectively, a
Broker), those shares are, in all likelihood, not registered in the Shareholders name. Such shares are more likely registered under the name of the Shareholders Broker or an agent of that Broker. In Canada, the
vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms).
Non-Registered Shareholders are either objecting beneficial owners or OBOs who object that intermediaries disclose
information about their ownership in the Corporation or non-objecting beneficial owners or NOBOs who do not object to such disclosure. The Corporation pays intermediaries to send proxy-related materials to NOBOs. The
Corporation does not intend to pay an intermediary to deliver the Notice of Meeting and Circular to OBOs. OBOs will not receive the Notice of Meeting and Circular unless the OBOs intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.
Shares held by Brokers (or their agents or nominees) on behalf of a Brokers client can only be voted at the direction of the
Non-Registered Shareholder. Without specific instructions, Brokers and their agents and nominees are prohibited from voting shares for the Brokers clients. Therefore, each Non-Registered Shareholder should ensure that voting instructions are
communicated to the appropriate person well in advance of the Meeting.
Applicable securities laws require Brokers and other
intermediaries to seek voting instructions from non-registered shareholders in advance of shareholders meetings. The various Brokers and other intermediaries have their own mailing procedures and provide their own return instructions to
clients, which should be carefully followed by Non-Registered Shareholders in order to ensure that their shares are voted at the Meeting. If you have any questions respecting the voting of shares held through a Broker or other intermediary, please
contact that Broker or other intermediary immediately for assistance.
Although a Non-Registered Shareholder may not be recognized
directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting shares registered in the name of his or her Broker (or an agent of such Broker), a Non-Registered Shareholder may attend the Meeting as proxyholder for the registered Shareholder and vote the shares
in that capacity. Non-Registered Shareholders who wish to attend the Meeting and indirectly vote their shares as proxyholder for the registered Shareholder should enter their own names in the blank space on the proxy form provided to them by their
Broker (or the Brokers agent) and return the same to their Broker (or the Brokers agent) in accordance with the instructions provided by such Broker (or the Brokers agent).
1.9 |
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF |
The Corporations authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value (Common
Shares) and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value.
As of March 20, 2015, the Corporation had issued
2,012,309,019 fully paid and non-assessable Common Shares, each carrying the right to one vote. As of such date, no preferred shares were issued or outstanding.
A holder of record of one or more Common Shares on the securities register of the Corporation on the Record Date who either attends the
Meeting in person or deposits a Form of Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above will be entitled to vote or to have such share or shares voted at the Meeting, except to the extent that:
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the Shareholder has transferred the ownership of any such share after the Record Date, and |
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the transferee produces a properly endorsed share certificate for, or otherwise establishes ownership of, any of the transferred shares and makes a
demand to CST no later than 10 days before the Meeting that the transferees name be included in the list of Shareholders in respect thereof. |
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To the knowledge of the Directors and senior officers of the Corporation, Rio Tinto plc is the
only person who beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, Common Shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Common Shares. The approximate number of Common Shares so owned, controlled or
directed and the percentage of voting shares of the Corporation represented by such shares, in each case as at March 20, 2015, are:
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Name and Jurisdiction of
Residence |
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Number of Shares Owned, Controlled or
Directed |
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Percentage of Shares
Outstanding |
Rio Tinto plc(1)
United Kingdom |
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1,021,966,440 |
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50.8% |
Notes :
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(1) |
Common Shares are held by Rio Tinto plc indirectly through Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited (RTIH) (as to 439,478,332
shares) and indirectly through 535630 Yukon Inc. (as to 215,100,000 shares), 46117 Yukon Inc. (as to 152,288,108 shares) and 799674 Canada Inc. (as to 215,100,000 shares), each company a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc, a London listed
public company headquartered in the United Kingdom (together with its affiliates, Rio Tinto). In addition, Rio Tinto holds 74,247,460 share purchase warrants (the Series D Warrants) which Series D Warrants were
issued pursuant to the terms of the Memorandum of Agreement dated April 17, 2012, as amended on May 22, 2012 amongst the Corporation, RTIH and Rio Tinto South East Asia Limited (RTSEA) (the 2012 MOA),
as well as 74,247,460 share purchase warrants (the Anti-Dilution Series D Warrants) issued in connection with the Corporations rights offering which was launched on November 25, 2013 and which closed on January 13,
2014 (the 2013 Rights Offering). Each Series D Warrant and Anti-Dilution Series D Warrant is exercisable to purchase one Common Share at any time until May 22, 2015 and otherwise in accordance with its terms. The Series D
Warrants and the Anti-Dilution Series D Warrants expire on May 22, 2015. Assuming Rio Tinto were to fully exercise the Series D Warrants and Anti-Dilution Series D Warrants to acquire the maximum number of Common Shares issuable thereunder, Rio
Tinto would beneficially own, together with the 1,021,966,440 Common Shares it already holds, directly and indirectly, 1,170,461,360 Common Shares, representing approximately 54.2% of the outstanding Common Shares. Pursuant to the terms of the 2012
MOA, Rio Tinto also has, among other rights and entitlements, pre-emptive contractual rights to maintain its percentage interest in Common Shares and Series D Warrants, exercisable, subject to certain exceptions, in respect of certain future
issuances of Common Shares, including the right to receive, for no additional consideration, additional Anti-Dilution Series D Warrants sufficient to enable it to maintain its percentage interest in Common Shares on a fully-diluted basis taking into
account the exercise of Series D Warrants and any previously issued Anti-Dilution Series D Warrants in respect of future rights offerings of the Corporation. The information as to Common Shares beneficially owned, controlled or directed by Rio Tinto
is not within the knowledge of the management of the Corporation and is based on public filings. |
Section 2 - BUSINESS OF MEETING
2.1 |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
The Corporations Articles of Amendment currently provide that the number of Directors will be a minimum of three and a maximum of 14. In
accordance with the terms of the 2012 MOA, which amended the Heads of Agreement dated as of December 8, 2010 between RTIH and the Corporation, Rio Tinto and the Corporation agreed that until January 18, 2014, a majority of the Directors on
the Board would be independent under applicable securities laws. Although this independence requirement has expired under the terms of the 2012 MOA, four of the seven persons nominated for election at the Meeting are independent
directors (for more details see section 6.1.1 Board Composition).
The Board has carefully considered issues
relating to its size. The optimal size for the Board is one that carefully balances the need for strong professional and industry-sector representation and the need to remain small enough to facilitate effective dialogue and decision-making. With
this in mind, management proposes seven nominees for election as Directors at the Meeting.
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2.1.1 |
Management Nominees |
The following tables set out information with respect to each of managements seven nominees for election as Directors at the Meeting,
including their ages, all major offices and positions with the Corporation and any of its significant affiliates each now holds, each nominees principal occupation, business or employment, the period of time during which each has been a
Director of the Corporation, the number of Common Shares beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by each as at March 20, 2015, and the number of options to purchase Common Shares and securities in the capital of
the Corporations publicly traded subsidiaries held by each as at March 20, 2015. As you will note from the enclosed Form of Proxy or voting instruction form, Shareholders may vote for each director individually. Management recommends
that Shareholders vote in favour of each of the following nominees.
Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the Form of
Proxy or the voting instruction form, the persons designated in the accompanying Form of Proxy or voting instruction form intend to vote FOR the election of the nominees recommended by management as Directors of the Corporation, to hold office until
the conclusion of the next meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected.
- 7 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rowena Albones
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Age: 42 Director Since: October
2013 Director Status:
Non-Independent (Rio Tinto)
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board
Corporate Responsibility
Financial Literacy CEO/
Senior Officer Managing/ Leading Growth
International
Compensation Capital
Markets Exploration
Marketing |
|
Ms. Albones is currently Chief Financial Officer, Copper & Coal at Rio Tinto and is a member of the Rio Tinto Copper
& Coal Executive Committee. She joined Rio Tinto in September 1999 and has held a variety of finance, commercial and project development roles in the copper, iron ore and aluminum businesses.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Albones was
Group Advisor, Reporting and Analysis where she was responsible for consolidated Group performance reporting and analysis for Rio Tinto. She was also a member of the Business Development team where she was involved in management of major
transactions at the Group level including preparation of the 2009 Rio Tinto rights issue. Ms. Albones has also held senior leadership roles in operational joint ventures for the Rio Tinto Group. The majority of her career has been in resources and
mining, engineering services and the oil and gas sectors.
Ms. Albones is a member of the Oyu Tolgoi LLC Board of Directors and Chair of the Oyu Tolgoi LLC Audit Committee.
Ms. Albones holds a Bachelor of Economics
and Finance degree and a Master of Business Administration degree, both from Curtin University, Australia. Ms. Albones also completed an advanced management program in business and leadership at Duke University in North Carolina, United States. Ms.
Albones is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business
or Employment (1) |
|
Chief Financial Officer, Copper at
Rio Tinto |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
2014
Meetings |
|
Other Public Company Board
Membership: |
|
Board/Committee
Membership: |
|
Meetings
Attended |
|
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of Directors |
|
15 |
|
16 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
SouthGobi Special Committee(2) |
|
21 |
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed
(4): |
|
Year |
|
Common Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
2015 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
2013 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
Options Held (5): |
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise Price |
|
Total
Unexercised |
|
Value of
Unexercised Options |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
n/a |
|
Deferred Share Units Held: |
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Value of
Deferred Share
Units |
|
|
|
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
- 8 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jill
Gardiner Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada Age: 56
Director Since: May 2012
Director Status:
Independent
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board
Corporate Responsibility
Financial Literacy CEO/
Senior Officer Managing/ Leading Growth
Compensation Capital
Markets Marketing |
|
Ms. Gardiner was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors on January 1, 2015. She currently serves as a director of
Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities Inc., a private company involved in the ownership and operation of land lease communities, and SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts, a private Canadian hotel company. Ms. Gardiner also has a consulting practice primarily
focused on the infrastructure industry.
Ms. Gardiner spent over 20 years in the investment banking industry, most recently as Managing Director and Regional Head,
BC, for RBC Capital Markets. She also held various positions in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and debt capital markets as well as serving as Head of the Forest Products Group and Head of the Pipelines & Utilities Group. Prior to
joining the investment banking industry, Ms. Gardiner was a Senior Project Manager at the Ontario Energy Board and a sessional lecturer at the University of Victoria.
Ms. Gardiner holds a Bachelor of Science
and a Master of Business Administration, both from Queens University. She is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business
or Employment (1) |
|
Chair/Director/Consultant
|
|
Board/Committee Membership: |
|
2014
Meetings |
|
2014
Meetings |
|
Other Public Company Board
Membership: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attended |
|
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of Directors Chair (3) |
|
16 |
|
16 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Audit Committee (3) |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee - Chair (3) |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and Benefits Committee |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors |
|
9 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SouthGobi Special Committee
Chair (2) |
|
26 |
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled
or Directed (4): |
|
Year |
|
Common Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
Nil
|
|
Nil
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
Nil
|
|
Nil
|
|
|
|
2013 |
|
Nil
|
|
Nil
|
|
|
|
Options Held: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise Price (7) |
|
Total
Unexercised |
|
Value of
Unexercised
Options (8) |
|
06/28/12 |
|
06/28/17 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil/35,149 |
|
C$8.32 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
Nil |
|
|
Deferred Share
Units Held (9) (10): |
|
|
|
|
Date Granted
|
|
Number
Granted
|
|
Value of
Deferred
Share Units
(12)
|
|
|
|
|
01/09/2015 |
|
14,110 (11) |
|
C$53,336 |
|
|
|
|
04/03/2014 |
|
26,740 |
|
C$101,077 |
|
|
|
|
05/14/2013 |
|
15,688 |
|
C$59,301 |
|
|
- 9 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. James W. Gill
Toronto, Ontario, Canada Age: 65
Director Since: November 2014
Director Status:
Independent
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board Corporate
Responsibility Financial Literacy CEO/ Senior
Officer Managing/ Leading Growth
International Compensation
Environmental/Safety Capital Markets
Exploration Marketing
|
|
Dr. Gill is an explorer, developer and operator with over 40 years of international mining experience. He founded Aur
Resources Inc. in 1981 and served as President and Chief Executive Officer until it was acquired by Teck Resources in August 2007. While at Aur, he was directly involved in the discovery, development and/or operation of four gold and two
polymetallic base metal mines in Eastern Canada and two open pit copper mines in northern Chile. He received the Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in 1989, the Mining Man of the Year
Award from the Northern Miner in 1989, and the Viola Macmillan Developer of the Year Award from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in 2006.
Dr. Gill currently serves as non-executive chairman and director of Thundermin Resources Ltd. and as a technical advisor to
Asset Chiles Fenex Fund. Dr.
Gill holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master of Science degree in Economic Geology from McGill University and a PhD in Economic Geology from Carleton University. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
|
|
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment
(1) |
|
Mining Consultant/Director |
|
Board/Committee
Membership (14) |
|
2014
Meetings
Attended |
|
2014
Meetings
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Other Public Company Board Membership: |
|
|
|
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of
Directors (13)
Independent Directors |
|
3
3
|
|
3
3
|
|
Thundermin Resources Inc.
(TSX-V) |
|
1983 |
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed
(4): |
|
Year |
|
Common
Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares (6) |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
100,000 |
|
C$378,000 |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
Options Held
(5): |
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested & Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise Price (7) |
|
Total Unexercised |
|
Value of
Unexercised
Options (8) |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
Total: |
|
n/a |
|
Deferred Share Units Held(9) (10) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Number Granted |
|
Value of Deferred
Share Units
(12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/17/2014 |
|
14,230 (15) |
|
C$53,789 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 10 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Peter Gillin Toronto,
Ontario, Canada Age: 66
Director Since: May 2012
Director Status:
Independent
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board
Corporate Responsibility
Financial Literacy CEO/
Senior Officer Managing/ Leading Growth
International
Compensation
Environmental/Safety
Capital Markets |
|
Mr. Gillin served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tahera Diamond Corporation, a diamond exploration, development
and production company, from October 2003 to September 2008, and was Chief Restructuring Officer until December 2008. Between November 2002 and May 2003, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Zemex Corporation, an industrial minerals
producer. From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Gillin was Vice Chairman and a director of N.M. Rothschild & Sons Canada Limited, an investment bank, and was Acting Chief Executive Officer between 2001 and 2002.
Mr. Gillin currently serves as lead director of Dundee
Precious Metals Inc. and is a director of Sherritt International Corp., Silver Wheaton Corp. and TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Ltd.
Mr. Gillin holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western
Ontario, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute and the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts.
|
|
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment
(1) |
|
Director |
|
Board/Committee
Membership: |
|
2014
Meetings
Attended |
|
2014
Meetings
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Other Public Company Board Membership:
|
|
|
|
|
Company:
|
|
Since: |
|
Board of Directors |
|
16 |
|
16 |
|
Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX) (Lead Director);
(Compensation Committee Chair) |
|
2009 |
|
Audit Committee |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
Sherritt International Corp. (TSX) (Audit Committee Chair; Human Resources
Committee; Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability Committee) |
|
2010 |
|
Compensation and Benefits
Committee Chair |
|
4 |
|
4 |
|
Silver Wheaton Corp. (TSX; NYSE) (Audit Committee, Compensation Committee
Chair) |
|
2004 |
|
Independent Directors |
|
9 |
|
9 |
|
TD Mutual Funds Corporate Class Ltd. (Audit Committee) |
|
2010 |
|
SouthGobi Special Committee (2) |
|
26 |
|
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed
(4): |
|
Year |
|
Common
Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares (6) |
|
|
|
|
|
2015 |
|
20,000 |
|
C$75,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
20,000 |
|
C$75,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
2013 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Options Held: |
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise Price (7) |
|
Total Unexercised |
|
Value of
Unexercised
Options (8) |
|
06/28/12 |
|
06/28/17 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil/35,149 |
|
C$8.32 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
Nil |
|
|
Deferred Share Units Held (9) (10): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Value
of Deferred
Share Units (12) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/03/2014 |
|
26,740 |
|
C$101,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/14/2013 |
|
15,688 |
|
C$59,301 |
|
|
|
|
- 11 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russel C.
Robertson Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age: 67 Director Since: June
2012 Director Status:
Independent
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board
Corporate Responsibility
Financial Literacy CEO/
Senior Officer Managing/ Leading Growth
International
Compensation
Environmental/Safety
Capital Markets |
|
Since June, 2013, Mr. Robertson has served as Executive Vice President, and Head, Anti-Money Laundering at BMO Financial
Group. From March 2011 to June 2013, Mr. Robertson served as Executive Vice-President, Business Integration at BMO Financial Group, and as Vice-Chair at BMO Financial Corp. (formerly Harris Financial Corp.). In this capacity, he was responsible for
overseeing the integration of Marshall & Ilsley Bank with BMOs long-time subsidiary, Harris Bank. Prior to this role, Mr. Robertson was the Chief Financial Officer at BMO Financial Group between March 2008 and March 2011. Before joining
BMO, he spent over 35 years as a Chartered Professional Accountant. Mr. Robertson held various senior positions with two major accounting firms, including holding the positions of Vice-Chair, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Canada), and Canadian Managing
Partner, Arthur Andersen LLP (Canada). He is also a director of Virtus Investment Partners Inc., an asset management company.
Mr. Robertson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of
Western Ontario, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants (Ontario). He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
|
|
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment
(1) |
|
Executive Vice-President, and Head, Anti-Money
Laundering, BMO Financial Group |
|
Board/Committee
Membership: |
|
2014
Meetings
Attended |
|
2014
Meetings
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Other Public Company Board Membership: |
|
|
|
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of Directors |
|
15 |
|
16 |
|
Virtus Investment
Partners Inc. (NASDAQ) |
|
2013 |
|
Audit Committee Chair (3) |
|
5 |
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation and Benefits Committee
|
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health, Safety and Environment
Committee (16) |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors |
|
9 |
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled
or Directed (4): |
|
Year |
|
Common Shares |
|
Total Market Value of Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
2015 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
2013 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Options Held: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise
Price (7) |
|
Total
Unexercised |
|
Value of
Unexercised
Options (8) |
|
06/28/12 |
|
06/28/17 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil/35,149 |
|
C$8.32 |
|
35,149 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
Nil |
|
Deferred Share Units Held (9)(10): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted
|
|
Number
Granted |
|
Value of
Deferred Share Units (12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
04/03/2014 |
|
26,740 |
|
C$101,077 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/14/2013 |
|
15,688 |
|
C$59,301 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 12 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Craig Stegman
Cottonwood Heights, Utah, United States Age: 52
Director Since: January 2015
Director Status: Non-independent (Rio Tinto)
Areas of Experience:
Corporate Responsibility Managing/ Leading Growth
International Environmental/Safety
Exploration Marketing
|
|
Dr. Stegman has been with Rio Tinto for 30 years and has extensive experience in the development and operation of
underground copper mines. He is currently Chief Growth & Innovation Officer, Copper & Coal at Rio Tinto, where he is responsible for long-term planning for Rio Tintos Copper & Coal Group assets. Dr. Stegman was previously Managing
Director, Copper Major Projects and Managing Director, Northparkes Mines. At Northparkes, he was instrumental in the development of the mines underground operations and created and implemented Rio Tintos Block Cave Excellence
Program. Dr. Stegman holds a Bachelor
of Applied Science degree in Applied Geology from Queensland Institute of Technology, an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of New England, a Master of Engineering Science degree in Mining Geomechanics from the
University of New South Wales and a PhD in Geology from the University of Tasmania. He is a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment
(1) |
|
Vice-President, Copper Development, Rio Tinto
Copper Group |
|
Board/Committee Membership (18) |
|
2014
Meetings
Attended
|
|
2014
Meetings
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Other Public Company Board
Membership: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of
Directors (17) |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed
(4): |
|
Year |
|
Common
Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Options
Held(5): |
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise
Price |
|
Total Unexercised |
|
Value of Unexercised
Options |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
n/a |
|
Deferred Share Units Held: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Value of
Deferred Share
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
n/a
|
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 13 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen
Sandy, Utah, United States Age:
57 Director Since: August 2012
Director Status: Non-independent (Rio Tinto)
Areas of Experience:
Governance/Board Corporate
Responsibility CEO/ Senior Officer
Managing/ Leading Growth
International
Environmental/Safety
Exploration
Marketing |
|
Mr. Tygesen was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation on December 1, 2014. Previously, Mr. Tygesen spent
more than 30 years with Rio Tinto in operational roles across multiple product groups as well as technology and innovation and strategic planning. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tygesen was Vice-President, Copper
Development at Rio Tinto Copper Group and was responsible for overseeing Rio Tintos joint venture interests, technical and innovation development, sustainable development and accountability at the companys Chilean and Indonesian copper
projects. His previous positions included Mining Executive, Rio Tinto Copper Group; Regional General Manager, Rio Tinto Technology and Innovation; Manager, Long Term and Strategic Planning, Rio Tinto Energy America Coal; and Manager of Mine
Development, Diavik Diamond Mines. Mr.
Tygesen holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Mining Engineering) and a Master of Science degree (Mining Engineering), both from the University of Utah (College of Mines and Earth Sciences). He is a member of the Society of Mining Engineering and the
Institute of Corporate Directors. |
|
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment |
|
Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation |
|
Board/Committee Membership: |
|
2014
Meetings
Attended
|
|
2014
Meetings
Eligible to
Attend |
|
Other Public Company Board
Membership: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company: |
|
Since: |
|
Board of
Directors Health, Safety and Environment Committee Chair |
|
15
3 |
|
16
3 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
Common Shares Beneficially Owned, Controlled or Directed
(4): |
|
Year |
|
Common
Shares |
|
Total Market Value of
Common Shares |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
2014 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Options Held
(5): |
|
Date Granted |
|
Expiry
Date |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Vested &
Unexercised/
Unvested |
|
Exercise
Price |
|
Total Unexercised |
|
Value of Unexercised
Options |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total: |
|
n/a |
|
Deferred Share Units Held: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date Granted |
|
Number
Granted |
|
Value of
Deferred Share
Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 14 -
Notes:
1. |
The information as to principal occupation, business or employment is not within the knowledge of management of the Corporation and has been
furnished by the nominee. |
2. |
The formation of the SouthGobi Special Committee, consisting, at the time, of former Director and Chair Dr. David Klingner, Mr. Gillin
and Mses. Albones and Gardiner (Chair), was confirmed by the Board of Directors in March 2014. Following the retirement of Dr. Klingner from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015, this committee currently consists of Mses.
Gardiner (Chair) and Albones and Mr. Gillin. |
3. |
Ms. Gardiner was appointed Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee effective
January 1, 2015. Ms. Gardiner was replaced as Chair of the Audit Committee by Mr. Robertson effective January 1, 2015. |
4. |
Information relating to Common Shares beneficially owned, controlled or directed by a Director is not within the knowledge of management of the
Corporation and has been furnished by the nominee. |
5. |
In accordance with Rio Tinto corporate policy, Directors who are employees of Rio Tinto (seconded or otherwise) are not permitted to receive
options to purchase Common Shares. In addition, the Corporation is prohibited under the terms of the 2012 MOA from granting, awarding or issuing equity incentive or equity compensation securities, including options to purchase Common Shares, without
the prior written consent of Rio Tinto, other than with respect to the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of currently outstanding stock options. In light of the foregoing, the Corporation has not, since May 2012, granted new stock options
and it is not currently anticipated that any additional options will be granted or Common Shares issued under the Corporations Employees and Directors Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the Equity Incentive
Plan) in the future (other than Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of existing stock options). |
6. |
Total Market Value of Common Shares is calculated by multiplying the number of Common Shares held by the closing price of the Common
Shares on the TSX on March 20, 2015 (C$3.78). |
7. |
The Exercise Price is equal to the fair market value of the Common Shares, as such term is defined in the Equity Incentive
Plan on the date the Board of Directors approves the grant of stock options. |
8. |
Value of Unexercised Options is calculated on the basis of the difference between the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX on
March 20, 2015 (C$3.78) and the exercise price of the options, multiplied by the number of unexercised options on March 20, 2015. |
9. |
The Deferred Share Unit Plan of the Corporation (the DSU Plan) was approved in May 2013. For additional details relating to the
DSU Plan, see Section 5.1 Annual Retainers, Attendance Fees and Other Remuneration. |
10. |
Under the terms of the DSU Plan, any deferred share units held by a Director are redeemed for cash as of the date such person ceases to be a
Director of the Corporation. |
11. |
Ms. Gardiner was granted 14,110 additional Deferred Share Units (DSUs) on January 9, 2015 for assuming her role as
Chair of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
12. |
Value of Deferred Share Units is calculated by multiplying the number of DSUs outstanding by the closing price of the Common Shares on
the TSX on March 20, 2015 (C$3.78). |
13. |
Dr. Gill was appointed to the Board of Directors effective November 1, 2014. |
14. |
Dr. Gill was appointed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and to the Health, Safety and Environment Committee effective
January 1, 2015. |
15. |
Dr. Gill was granted DSUs on November 17, 2014. |
16. |
The Board approved a new composition of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, effective March 20, 2014. The Health, Safety and
Environment Committee currently consists of Mr. Tygesen (Chair), Dr. Gill and Dr. Stegman. |
17. |
Dr. Stegman was appointed to the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
18. |
Dr. Stegman was appointed to the Health, Safety and Environment Committee effective January 1, 2015. |
2.1.2 |
Previous Years Voting Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Votes For |
|
|
|
|
% For |
|
|
|
|
Votes |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Withheld |
|
|
Withheld |
|
Rowena Albones |
|
|
1,671,023,972 |
|
|
|
|
|
93.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
125,580,502 |
|
|
|
7.0% |
|
Jill Gardiner |
|
|
1,658,922,790 |
|
|
|
|
|
92.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
137,681,684 |
|
|
|
7.7% |
|
R. Peter Gillin |
|
|
1,658,851,017 |
|
|
|
|
|
92.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
137,753,457 |
|
|
|
7.7% |
|
David Klingner(1) |
|
|
1,790,223,012 |
|
|
|
|
|
99.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
6,381,462 |
|
|
|
0.4% |
|
Kay Priestly(2) |
|
|
1,782,185,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
99.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
14,419,257 |
|
|
|
0.8% |
|
Russel C. Robertson |
|
|
1,665,567,837 |
|
|
|
|
|
92.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
131,036,637 |
|
|
|
7.3% |
|
Jeff Tygesen |
|
|
1,673,064,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
93.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
123,540,309 |
|
|
|
6.9% |
|
- 15 -
|
(1) |
Dr. Klingner retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(2) |
Ms. Priestly retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
2.1.3 |
Additional Disclosure Relating to Directors |
To the knowledge of the Corporation, no Director is, or has been within the last 10 years, a director or executive officer of an issuer that,
while that individual was acting in such capacity, (a) was the subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the issuer access to any exemptions under Canadian securities regulations, for a period of more than 30
consecutive days, (b) was subject to an event that resulted, after that individual ceased to be a director or executive officer, in the issuer being the subject of a cease trade or similar order that denied the issuer access to any exemption
under Canadian securities regulations, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days, or (c) within one year of that individual ceasing to act in such capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or
insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets, except for the following:
Mr. Gillin was a director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tahera Diamond Corporation (Tahera) from October
2003 to September 2008, as well as Chief Restructuring Officer until December 2008. Tahera filed for protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) (CCAA) with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
on January 16, 2008. As a consequence of its financial difficulties, Tahera failed to file financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 and subsequent financial periods. As a result, Tahera was delisted from the TSX in
November 2009 and issuer cease trade orders were issued in 2010 by the securities regulatory authorities of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia, which orders have not been revoked. Tahera subsequently sold its tax assets to Ag Growth
International and certain properties to Shear Minerals Ltd. The monitoring process under CCAA concluded by order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in September 2010.
|
2.1.4 |
Majority Voting Policy |
On March 22, 2013, the Board adopted a majority voting policy pursuant to which, in an uncontested election of Directors, if a nominee
for election as a Director receives a greater number of votes withheld or abstained than votes for with respect to the election of Directors by Shareholders, he or she will be expected to offer to tender his or
her resignation to the Board promptly following the meeting of Shareholders at which the Director is elected. Upon receiving such resignation, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider such resignation and make a recommendation
to the Board whether or not to accept it. The Board will determine whether to accept the resignation in question and announce such decision in a press release to be issued within 90 days following the meeting of Shareholders. The Director who
offered to tender his or her resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any committee or Board deliberations and decisions pertaining to the resignation offer.
The term of office of each of the current Directors will end at the conclusion of the Meeting. Unless a Directors office is earlier
vacated in accordance with the provisions of the YBCA, each Director elected will hold office until the conclusion of the next annual meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation or, if no Director is then elected, until a successor is elected.
The Corporation is committed to diversity and recognizes the benefits of promoting diversity, both within the Corporation and at the level of
the Board of Directors, which is exemplified by the fact that two of the seven (representing 28%) nominees for election to the Board, including the Chair, are women. None of the Corporations senior executives are women. On December 1,
2014, Mr. Tygesen was appointed as CEO of the Corporation following the retirement of Ms. Priestly, who also retired from the Board effective January 1, 2015. Mr. Tygesens background as a mining engineer and project
operator in multiple jurisdictions over more than 30 years was consistent with the Boards desire to have in the position of CEO of the Corporation an individual with strong operational and technical industry expertise given that the
Corporations only material asset, the Corporations copper and gold mine located at Oyu Tolgoi in Mongolia (the Oyu Tolgoi Mine), is now operational.
The Board of Directors adopted a policy regarding diversity on the Board of Directors and in executive officer positions (the
Diversity Policy) which sets forth the Corporations approach to achieving and maintaining diversity (including gender diversity) on its Board and in executive officer positions. In an increasingly complex global marketplace,
the ability to draw on a wide range of viewpoints, backgrounds, skills and experiences is critical to the Corporations success. By bringing together highly qualified men and women from diverse backgrounds, including from underrepresented
groups that may not have access to traditional networks, and giving each person the opportunity to contribute their skills, experiences and perspectives, the Corporation believes that it is able to deliver the best solutions to challenges and
deliver sustainable value for the Corporation and its stakeholders. The Corporation considers diversity to be an important attribute of a well-functioning Board and an efficient team of executive officers, and will assist the Corporation in
maintaining its status as a leading mining company in its sector. The Corporation recognizes that gender diversity
- 16 -
is a significant aspect of diversity and acknowledges the important role that women with appropriate and relevant skills and experience can play in contributing to the diversity of perspective on
the Board and in executive officer positions. See Schedule B Statement of Corporate Governance Practices for more details regarding the Diversity Policy.
The Corporations commitment to diversity and inclusion aligns with its values of accountability, respect, teamwork and integrity and is
reflected in its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Ethics Policy), which is modeled on Rio Tintos global code of business conduct entitled The Way We Work. For more details, see Section 6.4
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
2.1.7 |
Over-Boarding Policy |
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended and the Board recently approved changes to the mandate of the Board of Directors
(the Board Mandate) to include the application of the following guidelines when considering candidates to become Directors of the Corporation: (a) for candidates that are chief executive officers or other senior executives of
public corporations, the Board will prefer individuals who hold no more than two (2) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board) in addition to membership on the board of the corporation at which an individual is
employed, and (b) for other candidates, the Board will prefer candidates that hold not more than five (5) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board). These changes were implemented to ensure the ability of
each candidate to make the commitment of time necessary to be a Director of the Corporation. See Section 6.1.2 Board Mandate and Recent Amendments Thereto for more details on the amendments to the Board Mandate.
2.1.8 |
Interlocking Directorships |
There are no interlocking directorships that exist among managements seven Director nominees as of March 20, 2015.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended and the Board approved changes to the Board Mandate to include a requirement
that Directors tender their resignation to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee upon reaching twelve (12) years of service on the Board, which term may be extended as determined by the Board in its absolute discretion.
See Section 6.1.2 Board Mandate and Recent Amendments Thereto.
2.1.10 |
Succession Planning and 2014 Leadership Transition |
There was significant transition for the Corporation at the senior executive and Board levels during 2014. On May 29, 2014, the
Corporation announced that Steeve Thibeault would replace Christopher Bateman as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014. In addition, on November 6, 2014, the Corporation announced the retirement of Ms. Priestly as CEO
effective December 1, 2014, and the retirement of Dr. Klingner, the Chair of the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2015. The Corporation announced that Director Jeff Tygesen had been appointed CEO of the Corporation effective
December 1, 2014. The Corporation also announced the retirement of Ms. Priestly from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, having undertaken a succession planning review
process in respect of the senior executive team and the Board as part of its mandate, recommended the appointment of Mr. Tygesen as CEO and Mr. Thibeault as CFO to the Board. After considering these recommendations and consulting with Rio
Tinto, the Board approved these appointments. The Board also determined that Ms. Gardiner was the appropriate candidate to assume the position of Chair of the Board effective January 1, 2015 following the retirement of Dr. Klingner.
In addition, effective January 1, 2015, Mr. Robertson replaced Ms. Gardiner as Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Robertson has been determined by the Board of Directors to be an Audit Committee Financial Expert, as such term is
defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
One of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees most important responsibilities is its oversight, as was the case in 2014, of the development of succession plans for each executive role of the Corporation. Each year, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
considers the strength of the succession plan for each executive role and considers potential candidates for each role from within the Rio Tinto Group, a leading global mining group with access to a significant pool of talent.
Collectively, the seven nominees for election as Directors have nine years of experience on the Board and individually, the years of service
range from under one year to three years.
- 17 -
2.1.12 |
Summary of Board and Committee Meetings Held |
The following table summarizes the meetings of the Board of Directors and its various committees held during the year ended December 31,
2014:
|
|
|
Board of Directors |
|
16 |
Compensation and Benefits Committee |
|
4 |
Audit Committee |
|
5 |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
5 |
Health, Safety and Environment Committee |
|
3 |
SouthGobi Special Committee |
|
26 |
The number of meetings above is inclusive of a total of 11 meetings of the Board of Directors, one meeting of
the Audit Committee and 26 meetings of the SouthGobi Special Committee held by teleconference. In addition, three resolutions in writing were passed by the Board in 2014. No resolutions in writing were passed by any of the Board committees in 2014.
Resolutions in writing must be executed by all of the Directors entitled to vote on the subject matter of the resolution.
In addition to
Board of Directors and committee meetings, the independent Directors held nine meetings during the year ended December 31, 2014. The purposes of these meetings included the following:
|
|
|
Raising substantive issues that are more appropriately discussed in the absence of management and Directors who are Rio Tinto employees or
secondees; |
|
|
|
Discussing any matters of concern raised by any committee or Director; |
|
|
|
Addressing issues raised but not resolved at meetings of the Board and assessing any follow-up needed; |
|
|
|
Discussing and considering the interests of the Corporations Shareholders and other stakeholders; |
|
|
|
Discussing the quality, quantity, and timeliness of the flow of information from senior management that is necessary for the independent Directors
to effectively and responsibly perform their duties; and |
|
|
|
Discussing Board processes. |
2.1.13 |
Orientation and Continuing Education for Directors |
New Board members are provided with an information package on the Corporation containing copies of all corporate policies and other key
documents and participate in an orientation session organized by the Corporations General Counsel, who provides an overview of the Corporations business, plans and risks, regulatory matters, Board and committee governance including
mandates and policies, corporate disclosure protocols, and compliance and governance practices and philosophies. New Board members also have an opportunity to review with the Board Chair the methods of operation and the roles of the Board and its
committees, including a discussion of the Board performance assessment process, meeting format, access to information both included in, and outside of, the Board and Board committee meeting materials, and other factors that are important to Board
effectiveness. There is also an opportunity to discuss the contribution individual directors are expected to make, including the commitment of time and energy that the Corporation expects from its Directors.
Board members are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants to assist them in maintaining the skills and
knowledge necessary to meet their obligations as directors; to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation with managements assistance; and to attend related industry seminars. Directors are
encouraged to visit the Oyu Tolgoi Mine site in Mongolia and such visits are organized periodically. The Board also holds yearly strategy sessions which may be held in Mongolia to coincide with the periodic visits to the Oyu Tolgoi Mine site. In
addition, the Corporation organizes informal sessions on an ad hoc basis on corporate governance, disclosure and other topics of interest to Directors, some of which are presented by external experts or advisors. All of our Directors are members of
the Institute of Corporate Directors, which provides them with access to its publications and events to enhance their knowledge of directors responsibilities and current governance trends. Board members have full access to the
Corporations records.
2.2 |
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS |
Shareholders will be requested to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, Vancouver, B.C. (PwC) as
auditor of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and to authorize the Directors to fix their remuneration and the terms of their engagement. PwC was appointed as auditor of the Corporation on April 2,
2012. The appointment of PwC must be approved by ordinary resolution at the Meeting.
Management and the Board recommend that PwC be
appointed as auditor of the Corporation until the next annual meeting of Shareholders. Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the Form of Proxy or the voting instruction form, the persons designated in the accompanying Form of Proxy or voting
instruction form intend to vote FOR the appointment of PwC, as auditor of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders, at a remuneration to be fixed by the Directors.
- 18 -
The aggregate fees billed by PwC and its affiliates in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 are detailed below (rounded).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit Fees (a) |
|
C$ |
1,697,000 |
|
|
C$ |
1,447,000 |
|
Audit Related Fees (b) |
|
C$ |
948,000 |
|
|
C$ |
395,000 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Other Fees (c) |
|
C$ |
3,000 |
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
C$ |
2,648,000 |
|
|
C$ |
1,845,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Fees for audit services billed or expected to be billed relating to fiscal 2014 and 2013 consist of: |
|
|
|
Audit of the Corporations annual consolidated financial statements; and |
|
|
|
Audits of its subsidiaries (SouthGobi Resources Ltd. (SouthGobi) and, in respect of 2013 only, Chinova Resources Pty Ltd
(formerly known as Inova Resources Limited and Ivanhoe Australia), annual statutory financial statements. |
In addition, in 2014 and 2013, fees were paid for services provided pursuant to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act,
applicable Canadian securities laws and the required attestations relating to the effectiveness of the Corporations internal controls on financial reporting.
(b) |
Fees for audit-related services provided during fiscal 2014 and 2013 consist of: |
|
|
|
Reviews of the Corporations interim financial statements; |
|
|
|
Reviews of its subsidiaries (SouthGobi and, in respect of 2013 only, Chinova Resources Pty Ltd) interim financial statements; and
|
|
|
|
Comfort letters, consents, and other services related to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Canadian and other
securities regulatory authorities matters. |
(c) |
Fees for other services provided during fiscal 2014 related to a subscription fee in connection with an online database for reporting requirements.
|
The Audit Committees charter requires the pre-approval by the Audit Committee of all audit and non-audit services
provided by the external auditor. In March 2013, the Board of Directors adopted a resolution pursuant to which the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve all audit and non-audit services above $250,000 provided by the external auditor.
Pre-approval from the Audit Committee can be sought for planned engagements based on budgeted or committed fees. No further approval is required to pay pre-approved fees. Additional pre-approval is required for any increase in scope or in final
fees.
Pursuant to these procedures, 100% of each of the services provided by the Corporations external auditor relating to the fees
reported as audit, audit-related, tax and other fees were approved by the Audit Committee.
2.3 |
ADOPTION OF A SAY ON PAY RESOLUTION |
An advisory say on pay resolution (reproduced below) is submitted for adoption by the Shareholders. As this is an advisory vote,
the results will not be binding upon the Corporation. If a significant number of Shareholders vote against the say on pay resolution, the Board will, in the ensuing year, consult with the Shareholders on their concerns about the compensation plans
in place so that Directors clearly understand their concerns. The Board, in conjunction with Rio Tinto, will then review the Corporations approach to compensation in light of these concerns.
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to review and, if deemed appropriate, to adopt the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT, on an advisory basis and not to diminish the role and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, the shareholders accept the
approach to executive compensation disclosed in the Corporations Management Proxy Circular delivered in advance of the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.
- 19 -
Management and the Board of Directors recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the
approval of this say on pay resolution. Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the Form of Proxy, the persons designated in the accompanying Form of Proxy intend to vote FOR this say on pay resolution.
2.4 |
RENEWAL OF EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, adopt a resolution (reproduced below) approving the renewal
of the Equity Incentive Plan and reconfirming the unallocated entitlements pursuant to such plan (the EIP Renewal Resolution). The Equity Incentive Plan, which was approved by Shareholders on April 5, 2010 and reconfirmed by
Shareholders at the annual general meeting on June 28, 2012, is a rolling plan pursuant to which the Corporation is authorized to allocate for issuance, and issue, up to a maximum of 6.5% of the Common Shares issued and outstanding
shares from time to time under the Equity Incentive Plan. On March 20, 2015, the Board elected to terminate the Bonus Plan component of the Equity Incentive Plan and approved an amended and restated Equity Incentive Plan which now includes only
the Option Plan component. The Board had previously elected to terminate the Share Purchase Plan component of the Equity Incentive Plan effective January 1, 2014. For further details regarding the Equity Incentive Plan, see Section 3.4.2
Equity Incentive Plan.
The rules of the TSX provide that any unallocated options under an equity incentive plan of an
issuer must be approved by its securityholders every three years after its institution if such plan does not have a fixed maximum number of securities issuable thereunder, which is the case of the Equity Incentive Plan.
Pursuant to the 2012 MOA, the Corporation may not, without obtaining the prior written consent of Rio Tinto, issue any equity incentive
securities or equity compensation securities in favour of any Directors, officers, employees or service providers of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, other than the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of outstanding stock options
previously granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. In light of the foregoing, the Corporation has not, since May 2012, granted new stock options under the Equity Incentive Plan and it is not currently anticipated that any additional options will be
granted or Common Shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan in the future (other than Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of existing stock options). The Corporation is nevertheless seeking Shareholder approval of the EIP Renewal
Resolution in accordance with TSX Rules in order to maintain the Corporations ability to utilize the Equity Incentive Plan in the future should circumstances warrant.
In the event that Shareholders do not adopt the EIP Renewal Resolution, the existing stock options will continue to be valid until they are
duly exercised, cancelled or expire. However, the Corporation will not have the ability to grant further entitlements under the Equity Incentive Plan.
At
the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to review and, if deemed appropriate, to adopt the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the Corporations equity incentive plan, as substantially described in the Corporations Management Proxy Circular
delivered in advance of the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation (the Equity Incentive Plan) be, and is hereby renewed, confirmed and approved;
THAT all unallocated entitlements under the existing Equity Incentive Plan, the principal terms and conditions of which are summarized
in Schedule A of the Corporations Management Proxy Circular delivered in advance of the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation be, and are hereby approved;
THAT the Corporation has the ability to continue granting entitlements under the Equity Incentive Plan until May 8, 2018, that is
until the date that is three (3) years from the date where Shareholder approval is being sought.
Management and the Board
of Directors recommend that Shareholders vote in favour of the approval of the EIP Renewal Resolution. Unless contrary instructions are indicated on the Form of Proxy, the persons designated in the accompanying Form of Proxy intend to vote FOR the
EIP Renewal Resolution.
Section 3 - COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In accordance with the requirements of applicable securities regulations in Canada, the following
statement of executive compensation for the Corporation is provided in respect of the following individuals for fiscal 2014: (a) the CEO, (b) the CFO, (c) each of the three most highly compensated executive officers of the
Corporation, including any of its subsidiaries, or the three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and the CFO, at the end of fiscal 2014 whose total compensation for fiscal
- 20 -
2014 exceeded C$150,000, and (d) each individual who would be included under (c) above but for the fact that such individual was not an executive officer of the Corporation or its
subsidiaries at the end of fiscal 2014 (collectively the Named Executive Officers or NEOs). In respect of fiscal 2014, only one individual meets the criteria of paragraph (c) above, and as a result, the
executive compensation disclosed in this Circular is in relation to the current and former CEO, the current and former CFO and that additional individual.
3.1 |
COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS |
The Board is committed to the transparent presentation of its compensation program. The guiding principles for the Corporations
executive compensation philosophy, each having approximately an equal level of importance, are as follows:
|
|
|
Ensure a strong link between compensation levels and performance in relation to the Corporations key short and long-term performance goals;
|
|
|
|
Align the Corporations executives interests with those of its Shareholders; |
|
|
|
Encourage and reward high performance; and |
|
|
|
Provide transparent and balanced compensation in relation to the role being performed. |
In determining the Corporations compensation philosophy, in particular in respect of the CEO and CFO, the Corporation believes that its
compensation policy should reflect the following considerations:
|
|
|
A significant portion of each executives compensation should be performance-based, assessed against a number of measures that are aligned
with the Corporations key strategic goals over the short, medium and long term; |
|
|
|
The metrics should include broad corporate financial metrics as well as individual and/or corporate measures key to managing risk;
|
|
|
|
Payments of performance-based compensation should be aligned with the period of time over which results are achieved and the related risks are
assumed; |
|
|
|
To create a clear relationship between pay and performance, if performance targets are significantly exceeded, compensation above target levels may
be warranted, provided that compensation is similarly reduced in the event that performance is below target. There should be symmetry or balance between the upside and the downside of performance-based compensation; |
|
|
|
Performance-based compensation should be paid only if the Corporation actually meets or exceeds the measurable performance targets and achievement
of performance targets should be a significant component in the vesting of equity-based awards; |
|
|
|
Variable compensation components should include caps to ensure an appropriate sharing of value between management and Shareholders and to limit the
incentive to take excessive risks in order to achieve short-term, unsustainable performance; |
|
|
|
Compensation should appropriately reflect the performance of the business, and any unexpected circumstances that may arise during the year; and
|
|
|
|
In cases where the performance metrics used militate in favour of a substantial payout, the Board should assess the extent to which the performance
may have been favourably impacted by factors outside of managements control and, in such instances, consider whether any downward adjustments to award levels are warranted. |
3.2 |
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE |
|
3.2.1 |
Role and Composition |
The Corporations executive compensation program is administered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. The Compensation and
Benefits Committee is currently made up of the following members, all of whom are independent Directors and who, as a whole, have direct experience and skills in executive compensation that enable the Compensation and Benefits Committee to make
decisions on the suitability of compensation policies and practices:
|
|
|
Mr. Gillin, who was elected Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee in May 2012. He also serves on the compensation committees of
three other public companies. Mr. Gillin has significant experience in establishing compensation programs for senior executives. |
|
|
|
Ms. Gardiner, who serves as Chair of the compensation committee of two private companies. She has significant experience in developing
compensation philosophy and policy, as well as in establishing comprehensive compensation programs for senior executives. In addition, Ms. Gardiner taught human resources courses at the University of Victoria. |
- 21 -
|
|
|
Mr. Robertson, who has over 15 years of experience in the areas of compensation and human resources. He has, during his career, held various
senior executive positions with two large accounting firms and with a public company where he was responsible for determining compensation and for oversight of performance evaluations. |
The primary objective of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to
compensation of the executive officers and Directors of the Corporation. The Compensation and Benefits Committees responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
|
|
|
Reviewing and approving on an annual basis corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation, evaluating the CEOs performance in
light of those goals and objectives and setting the CEOs compensation level based on such evaluation; |
|
|
|
Determining fees payable to members of any ad hoc committee established by the Board; |
|
|
|
Reviewing and making recommendations to the Board on an annual basis with respect to the adequacy and form of compensation and benefits of all
senior executives and Directors; |
|
|
|
Administering and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Corporations incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans;
|
|
|
|
Reviewing the recipients, nature and size of share compensation awards and bonuses granted from time to time in compliance with applicable
securities laws, stock exchange and other regulatory requirements; |
|
|
|
Preparing any report relating to compensation as may be required under applicable securities law, stock exchange, and any other regulatory
requirements; and |
|
|
|
Overseeing risk identification and management in relation to compensation policies and practices and reviewing disclosure in that respect.
|
With respect to NEOs who are Rio Tinto secondees, the role and responsibility of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee in establishing their compensation policies is more limited than it otherwise would have been given that elements such as base salary, short-term incentives and employee benefits are set forth in the secondment agreements which
were negotiated directly between Rio Tinto and each NEO. However, the Compensation and Benefits Committee determined that it was critical to import an equity driven, performance based long-term incentive element to senior executives
compensation packages, particularly in respect of the CEO and CFO, which has taken the form of the Performance Share Unit Plan (the PSU Plan) adopted by the Board in March 2013. In addition, in determining whether target
thresholds for the payout of short-term incentives established pursuant to the secondment agreements of Rio Tinto secondees have been met, fallen short of or exceeded, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered a number of factors,
including the business environment in which the Corporation operates, individual performance, the achievement of specified objectives and the stage of the Corporations development among others.
The Compensation and Benefits Committee meets as many times as it deems necessary, but not less frequently than two times per year, to deal
with compensation matters. Its recommendations are reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by the Board. In establishing total compensation, the Compensation and Benefits Committee, subject to the limitations discussed above, works with
the Corporations senior executives to evaluate their performance and consider compensation criteria for their positions. The Compensation and Benefits Committee determines the appropriateness of managements proposals
based on market data, a recommended framework provided by compensation consultants and its own evaluation of each individuals past performance.
In making compensation decisions, the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Board regularly assess, as part of their respective
deliberations, the risks associated with the Corporations compensation policies and practices to ensure that the compensation of executives does not encourage them to take inappropriate risks that are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Corporation. The Board and the Compensation and Benefits Committee have developed certain practices which help them mitigate and manage compensation-related risks.
|
|
|
Balanced Compensation Mix. The Corporations executive compensation program aims at limiting the incentive to take excessive risks in
order to achieve short-term, unsustainable performance. Instead, in assessing performance, the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Board consider multiple short and long-term factors, including contribution to shareholder value and corporate
business objectives and other compliance factors. |
|
|
|
Performance Based Incentives. Awards under the PSU Plan are paid out based on a performance period of three years. |
|
|
|
Benchmarking. Elements of executive compensation are benchmarked against appropriate comparator groups. |
|
|
|
Use of Discretion. Compensation decisions are not entirely based on fixed formulas, and the Board and the Compensation and Benefits
Committee retain a certain degree of discretion when granting short-term and long-term incentive awards in order to ensure that awards granted truly reflect an individuals performance and contribution. |
- 22 -
|
|
|
External Compensation Advisor. The Compensation and Benefits Committee uses the services of Mercer (Canada) Limited
(Mercer), a compensation advisor, to assist in designing the executive compensation program. |
|
|
|
Anti-Hedging Policy. Executives and Directors are not permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a
decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation. |
In fiscal 2014, there were no risks identified
by the Board or the Compensation and Benefits Committee in the Corporations compensation practices that were reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation.
|
3.2.3 |
Outside Consultants |
The Compensation and Benefits Committee has the authority to engage outside advisors to provide advice in its deliberations, and assistance at
the expense of the Corporation. Before retaining any such advisor, following discussion with the Board, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considers the independence of such advisor, including any independence factors that it is required to
consider in accordance with applicable securities laws, stock exchanges or any other regulatory requirements. The Compensation and Benefits Committee has the sole authority to determine the terms of engagement and the extent of funding necessary
(and to be provided by the Corporation) for payment of compensation to any advisors or other professionals retained and the amount of ordinary course administrative expenses of the Compensation and Benefits Committee that are necessary or
appropriate in carrying out its duties.
In 2014, the Compensation and Benefits Committee retained Mercer to assist in reviewing this
Circular and to assist with calculating the monetary value of performance share units for departing NEOs. Although not formally required to do so under its mandate, the Board pre-approves any services, advice or assistance that advisors, such as
Mercer, assisting the Board or the Compensation and Benefits Committee on compensation matters provides to the Corporation at the request of management.
Executive Compensation-Related Fees
The following table
indicates the compensation received by Mercer and its affiliates in fiscal 2014 and 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
Executive Compensation-Related Fees(1) |
|
C$14,073 |
|
C$38,542 |
All Other Fees |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
Total |
|
C$14,073 |
|
C$38,542 |
Notes:
|
(1) |
Includes all fees received for services related to determining compensation for Directors and executive officers of the Corporation, including
services relating to calculating the monetary value of performance share units under the PSU Plan for departing NEOs. |
3.3 |
BENCHMARKING PRACTICES |
The Corporations general peer comparator group of companies (Peer Comparator Group) has been established by Mercer
with input from the Compensation and Benefits Committee and management. The peer group included companies with significant project development activities underway, projects and/or operations in complex, international locations, and with a market
capitalization within a reasonable range of the Corporations current market capitalization. The criteria for selection were based on several factors including market capitalization, total assets, revenue, nature of commodity, type of business
(including development activities) and complexity of job functions. These factors are relevant because they reflect aspects of similar businesses, competition for talent and are subject to similar external factors. In 2014, the total direct
compensation for the Corporations NEOs was not benchmarked. Detailed below is the Corporations Peer Comparator Group:
|
|
|
|
|
Company Name |
|
Market
Cap.(1) |
|
Head Office
|
Newcrest Mining Ltd. |
|
$9,940 |
|
Melbourne, Australia |
First Quantum Minerals Limited |
|
$9,914 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
Cameco Corporation |
|
$7,540 |
|
Saskatoon, Canada |
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. |
|
$7,910 |
|
Perth, Australia |
Randgold Resources Limited -ADR |
|
$6,216 |
|
St. Helier, Jersey |
Eldorado Gold Corporation |
|
$5,071 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
Yamana Gold Inc. |
|
$4,131 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
Kinross Gold Crop |
|
$3,731 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
Anglogold Ashanti Limited -ADR |
|
$3,515 |
|
Newtown, South Africa |
Gold Fields Limited -ADR |
|
$3,512 |
|
Sandton, South Africa |
- 23 -
|
|
|
|
|
Company Name |
|
Market
Cap.(1) |
|
Head Office
|
IAMGold Corporation |
|
$1,183 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
|
|
|
75th percentile |
|
$7,277 |
|
|
50th percentile |
|
$5,644 |
|
|
25th percentile |
|
$3,677 |
|
|
Average |
|
$5,683 |
|
|
|
|
|
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. |
|
$7,224 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
|
(1) |
Market capitalization (in C$ millions) as of December 31, 2014 (Source: Research Insight - S&P Capital IQ). Figures for companies in
markets outside North America are from Yahoo Finance as at December 31, 2014, and converted to Canadian dollars. |
In 2012, a performance peer comparator group (the PSU Peer Comparator Group) was established with the assistance of Mercer,
consisting of 18 companies that are copper and gold producers with an international focus, a median market capitalization comparable to that of the Corporation and at least three years of trading history. Relative to these companies, the Corporation
was roughly in the middle range with respect to market capitalization. Performance for performance share unit (PSU) grants made to the Corporations CEO and CFO will be based on the Corporations total shareholder return
(share price plus reinvested dividends, where applicable) over a three-year period compared to total shareholder return of the PSU Peer Comparator Group for the same period. Provision is made in each PSU grant letter to address situations where a
comparator return ceases to exist, or ceases to be relevant, or the Compensation and Benefits Committee otherwise determines in its sole discretion to add or remove a comparator in the PSU Peer Comparator Group. The PSU Peer Comparator Group has
also been considered in establishing the business performance score of the Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) portion of the compensation of NEOs.
The following table sets out the PSU Peer Comparator Group for the year ended December 31, 2014:
|
|
|
|
|
Company Name |
|
Market Cap.(1)
|
|
Head Office
|
Diversified Metals and Mining |
|
|
|
|
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. |
|
$24,274 |
|
Phoenix, U.S.A. |
Southern Copper Corp. |
|
$23,072 |
|
Phoenix, U.S.A. |
Antofagasta plc |
|
$13,353 |
|
London, U.K. |
First Quantum Minerals Limited |
|
$9,914 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. |
|
$7,257 |
|
Lubin, Poland |
Boliden |
|
$5,149 |
|
Stockholm, Sweden |
Lundin Mining Corporation |
|
$4,108 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
KAZ Minerals plc |
|
$2,073 |
|
London, U.K. |
OZ Minerals Limited |
|
$1,056 |
|
Melbourne, Australia |
|
|
|
Gold |
|
|
|
|
Randgold Resources Limited -ADR |
|
$6,246 |
|
St. Helier, Jersey |
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited |
|
$6,216 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
Eldorado Gold Corporation |
|
$5,071 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
Yamana Gold Inc. |
|
$4,131 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
Kinross Gold Corporation |
|
$3,731 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
Anglogold Ashanti Limited -ADR |
|
$3,515 |
|
Newtown, South Africa |
New Gold Inc. |
|
$2,513 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
IAMGold Corporation |
|
$1,183 |
|
Toronto, Canada |
|
|
|
75th percentile |
|
$7,257 |
|
|
50th percentile |
|
$5,071 |
|
|
25th percentile |
|
$3,515 |
|
|
Average |
|
$6,824 |
|
|
|
|
|
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. |
|
$7,224 |
|
Vancouver, Canada |
|
(1) |
Market capitalization (in C$ millions) as of December 31, 2014 (Source: Research Insight - S&P Capital IQ). Figures for companies in
markets outside North America are from Yahoo Finance as at December 31, 2014, and converted to Canadian dollars. |
- 24 -
3.4 |
ELEMENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
|
3.4.1 |
Compensation of NEOs |
The NEOs are employed by affiliates of Rio Tinto and are seconded to the Corporation. The remuneration and benefits of the NEOs reflect
remuneration policies and practices determined by Rio Tintos Remuneration Committee which are applied to senior management personnel across the wider Rio Tinto Group.
The costs of the salary and related benefits of the NEOs are in most circumstances charged back to the Corporation and recognized in its
financial statements. NEOs have no other roles or responsibilities within the wider Rio Tinto Group other than the functions they perform on behalf of the Corporation, except for Mr. Beckman, who was named Oyu Tolgoi Project Director Phase 2 in
March 2014.
Under Rio Tinto policies, the executive pay and reward framework is designed to align total remuneration with individual and
short and long-term business performance including long-term shareholder value creation and performance relating to environment, safety and health; strikes an appropriate balance between fixed and variable components; links variable components
to the achievement of challenging individual and business performance targets, and ensures the attraction, motivation and retention of the high caliber senior executives required to lead the Corporation.
The executive pay and reward framework has four components:
|
|
|
Base salary and benefits; |
|
|
|
Short-term incentives in the form of the Rio Tinto Short-Term Incentive Plan (STIP); |
|
|
|
Medium and long-term incentives in the form of the PSU Plan and the Rio Tinto Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP); and
|
|
|
|
Other remuneration such as post-retirement benefits. |
The compensation arrangements of the NEOs comprise base salary, STIP (depending on the NEOs band level within Rio Tinto, either 100% of
which is paid in cash or 75% of which is paid in cash and the remaining 25% of which is deferred for a period of three years), PSU awards in respect of the CEO and CFO and LTIP components together with other benefits.
Base Salary
The only fixed portion of
compensation for the NEOs is the base salary component, with the balance of the compensation contingent generally on the degree to which they meet pre-established goals and objectives. The base salaries for the NEOs are set at a level consistent
with market expectations within the wider Rio Tinto remuneration framework and are paid in the form of cash.
Short-Term Incentives
Compensation decisions for short-term incentive awards to NEOs for 2014 performance were based on an assessment by the Compensation and
Benefits Committee and the Board, jointly with Rio Tinto, of each NEOs contribution during 2014 and the extent to which certain agreed upon individual and corporate performance measures were achieved. For fiscal 2014, such performance measures
combined both objective and subjective measures and included, among others, performance in respect of (i) capital spending, (ii) share price performance, (iii) health, safety and environment assessment, (iv) net earnings and
(v) cash management. In assessing whether or not a particular performance measure was achieved, the Board and the Compensation and Benefits Committee retain a considerable degree of discretion. Among other matters, considerable weight was given
to the small size of the Corporations executive team handling multiple important functions.
The STIP awards for the NEOs are set
forth in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term incentive
award opportunity (as a % of base salary) |
Executive |
|
Actual
|
Jeff Tygesen, CEO |
|
65.2% |
Kay Priestly, CEO (1) |
|
78.9% |
Steeve Thibeault, CFO |
|
43.6% |
Christopher Bateman, CFO (2) |
|
50.0% |
Stewart Beckman, Senior Vice President Operations and Technical |
|
35.4% |
|
(1) |
Ms. Priestly retired as CEO of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Bateman resigned as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014. |
- 25 -
The actual corporate and individual performance scores of each NEO for fiscal 2014 and the weight
attributed to each component is set forth in the table below. The weightings below reflect Rio Tintos STIP policy relative to the role banding of the NEOs. The total score is then applied to the applicable STIP opportunity percentage for each
NEO (set forth in the table above) to determine the amount of the award. Corporate performance measures, including health, safety and environment objectives, financial objectives and the successful completion of specific projects are weighted in
determining an NEOs actual corporate-based scores, whereas the individual performance measures applicable to each NEO vary from person to person are not weighted in determining the overall individual score.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Performance Measures |
|
Individual Performance Measures |
|
TOTAL SCORE |
Executive |
|
Actual Score |
|
Weighting in Total Award |
|
Actual Score |
|
Weighting in Total Award |
|
Jeff Tygesen, CEO |
|
143.3% |
|
70.0% |
|
100.0% |
|
30.0% |
|
130.3% |
Kay Priestly, CEO (1) |
|
113.9% |
|
70.0% |
|
110.0% |
|
30.0% |
|
112.7% |
Steeve Thibeault, CFO |
|
107.5% |
|
40.0% |
|
110.0% |
|
60.0% |
|
109.0% |
Christopher Bateman, CFO (2) |
|
100.0% |
|
70.0% |
|
100.0% |
|
30.0% |
|
100.0% |
Stewart Beckman, Senior Vice President Operations and Technical |
|
107.5% |
|
40.0% |
|
125.0% |
|
60.0% |
|
118.0% |
|
(1) |
Ms. Priestly retired as CEO of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Bateman resigned as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014. |
Medium and Long-Term Incentives
The
Compensation and Benefits Committee in consultation with Mercer and the Rio Tinto Human Resources Group developed the PSU Plan as an equity-linked compensation program in order to more fully align the interests of eligible participants, initially
the CEO and CFO, with the interests of Shareholders and which was functional within the structure of their secondment arrangements. The PSU Plan was approved by the Board in March 2013. In determining whether to grant PSUs, the Board considers
specific performance measures including, among others, performance in respect of (i) capital spending, (ii) share price performance, (iii) health, safety and environment assessment, (iv) net earnings and (v) cash management.
On March 20, 2015 the Board approved grants of PSUs in favour of the CEO and CFO in respect of fiscal 2014. In addition, the Board determined that the number of PSUs awarded in respect of fiscal 2014 would not be prorated as an added initial
incentive for Messrs. Tygesen and Thibeault, who began serving as CEO and CFO of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014 and June 1, 2014, respectively.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee (which administers the PSU Plan), determines and designates from
time to time the participants to whom PSUs shall be granted and the provisions and restrictions with respect to each grant, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the PSU Plan, taking into consideration the present and potential
contributions of, and the services rendered by, the particular participant in furtherance of the success of the Corporation and any other factors which the Compensation and Benefits Committee deems appropriate and relevant. Each grant of a PSU is
evidenced by a grant letter setting out, at the time of the grant, the number of PSUs granted, the performance period, the applicable performance based criteria and resulting multiplier, and such other provisions as may be necessary or appropriate
to reflect the terms and conditions of the grant.
Each PSU evidences the right of a holder to receive, on a deferred cash payment basis,
a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a Common Share, calculated using the average of the closing prices of the Common Shares on the TSX for the five trading days immediately preceding the last day of the applicable performance period,
multiplied by the multiplier resulting from the applicable performance based criteria.
Additional PSUs are credited to the participant if
and when distributions (including dividends but excluding stock dividends of Common Shares) are paid on Common Shares.
In the event of a
participants: (i) retirement, resignation or transfer of employment at the request of a participant to a company within the Rio Tinto Group during the performance period, any PSU entitlement shall be reduced on a pro rata basis based on
the number of days following the retirement, resignation or transfer date during the performance period compared to the total number of days in the entire performance period, unless otherwise determined by the Board in its absolute discretion, on
the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee; (ii) termination during a performance period, all PSUs automatically terminate, with no payment being made, unless otherwise determined by the Board in its absolute discretion, on
the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, in the case of the termination of the employment or services of a participant without cause; (iii) death or transfer of a participants employment at the request of Rio Tinto
to a company within the Rio Tinto Group during a performance period, all outstanding PSUs accelerate and the amount payable to the participant or his or her executors, as the case may be, shall be calculated as of the quarter end before the date of
death or transfer if the applicable multiplier is determined, in whole or in part, in reference to the financial statements of the Corporation or any calculation derived therefrom, or the day before the date of death or transfer in any other
circumstance; (iv) leave of absence during a performance period, any PSU entitlement shall be reduced pro-rata based on the number of days during which the employee was on leave of absence during the performance period compared to the total
number of working days in the entire performance period, unless otherwise determined by the Board in its absolute discretion, on the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee; and (v) disability, all PSUs continue to vest
according to the PSU Plan terms.
- 26 -
In the event a change of control (as defined in the PSU Plan) occurs and the Board determines,
prior to the change of control, that shares of a successor company, acquirer or any other person are not an appropriate substitution for Common Shares, all outstanding PSUs accelerate and in lieu of other amounts payable in settlement of PSUs, the
participant shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the cash value of its PSUs calculated (i) as of the quarter end before the date of the change of control if the applicable multiplier is determined, in whole or in part, in
reference to the financial statements of the Corporation or any calculation derived therefrom, or (ii) the day before the change of control in any other circumstance. Alternatively, if the Board determines, prior to the change of control, that
shares of a successor company, acquirer or any other person are an appropriate substitution for Common Shares, the cash value of the PSUs will be converted into a revised number of PSUs based on the fair market value of the substituted shares, and
each such notional PSU will entitle the holder to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the fair market value of a substitute share as of the end of the applicable original performance period, multiplied by a deemed multiplier of 100%. In
such a case, the PSUs will be settled in cash at the end of the applicable original performance period, subject to acceleration in certain events, including the death, retirement, or resignation of the participant or the termination of the
participant without cause by the Corporation (including by way of constructive dismissal) prior to the earlier of two years following the change of control and the end of the original performance period. Accordingly, if a substituted share
determination is made by the Board, PSUs would not accelerate and vest until the occurrence of a subsequent even affecting the participants employment.
The PSU Plan further provides that any benefits, rights and PSUs accruing to any participant in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the PSU Plan shall not be transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
For PSUs granted in respect of fiscal 2014 to the CEO and CFO, the Compensation and Benefits Committee established a performance period of
three years commencing on January 1, 2015. The multiplier to apply at the end of such performance period will be determined based on the percentile that the total shareholder return of a Common Share over the performance period represents to
the returns of the PSU Peer Comparator Group, in accordance with the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
Turquoise Hill Return Compared to Comparator Group Returns |
|
Multiplier |
|
Performance below the
20th percentile |
|
|
0% |
|
Threshold performance
at the 20th percentile |
|
|
50% |
|
Performance at the
median 50th percentile |
|
|
100% |
|
Superior performance
at the 65th percentile |
|
|
200% |
|
Maximum performance
at the 80th percentile |
|
|
250% |
|
Depending on the Corporations relative performance at the end of the performance period, the multiplier
may range anywhere from 0% to 250%, and will be capped at 100% if the total shareholder return of a Common Share for the performance period is negative. The value of PSUs awarded is equal to 50% of the 2014 annualized base salary amount for the CEO
and 25% of the annualized base salary amount for the CFO.
Under applicable Rio Tinto Group policy, NEOs, as they are secondees of Rio
Tinto, are not entitled to participate in the Corporations Equity Incentive Plan given their entitlements under Rio Tinto LTIP programs.
Under the Rio Tinto LTIP, the NEOs are entitled to receive equity-based incentive awards as determined by the Rio Tinto Remuneration
Committee. Messrs. Tygesen, Thibeault, Beckman and Ms. Priestly have been granted awards under the Rio Tinto LTIP in respect of fiscal 2014 in connection with their respective roles with the Corporation, which awards have vesting
conditions. Generally, the value of such awards will only be charged back to the Corporation upon being exercised by their holder. As a result, the compensation of the NEOs does not include the value of the awards granted under the Rio
Tinto LTIP in respect of fiscal 2014.
Benefits and Perquisites
Under the terms of the secondment agreements and international arrangements with Rio Tinto, NEOs who are currently seconded by Rio Tinto may be
entitled to employment benefits including participation in Rio Tinto retirement and pension plans, health and welfare programs, group insurance coverage, housing, car and education allowances, per diem entitlements and related benefits, the
exact benefits applicable to each individual being subject to the particular secondment arrangement in place. In addition, NEOs are subject to tax equalization in respect of taxes payable on income from salary, STIP, LTIP, pay in lieu of vacation
and benefits in kind received during the course of their secondment, under which taxes actually deducted and paid by the NEO on the basis of the taxation laws of the NEOs home country are reconciled against taxes that should have been paid
under such laws for the relevant period. NEOs are entitled to expatriate tax services provided by Rio Tinto which are charged back to the Corporation.
- 27 -
|
3.4.2 |
Equity Incentive Plan |
The Equity Incentive Plan, prior to its amendment and restatement as described below, consisted of three components: an Option Plan, providing
for the grant to eligible participants of incentive stock options exercisable to purchase Common Shares; a Bonus Plan, providing for awards of newly-issued Common Shares to eligible participants as and when determined to be warranted on the basis of
past performance; and a Share Purchase Plan, under which eligible participants had the opportunity to purchase Common Shares through payroll deductions which are supplemented by Corporation contributions. The Board of Directors elected to terminate
the Share Purchase Plan effective January 1, 2014, and on March 20, 2015, the Board elected to terminate the Bonus Plan and approved an amended and restated Equity Incentive Plan which now includes only the Option Plan component. Some
ancillary and non-substantive changes were also made to the Equity Incentive Plan to reflect the termination of the Share Purchase Plan and the Bonus Plan.
Eligible participants in the Equity Incentive Plan include Directors of the Corporation or any affiliate, any full-time and part-time
employees (including officers) of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, and persons or companies engaged by the Corporation or an affiliate to provide services for an initial, renewable or extended period of 12 months or more are eligible, all
as determined by the Board. The Equity Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. The principal terms and conditions of the Equity Incentive Plan are summarized in Schedule A to this Circular.
The following information is of March 20, 2015:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options under the Equity Incentive Plan |
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
of Outstanding Options under the Equity Incentive Plan (C$)
|
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under
Equity Incentive
Plan |
3,676,583 |
|
$ |
C$13.52
|
|
|
127,123,503 (1) |
|
(1) |
Pursuant to the 2012 MOA, new entitlements under the Equity Incentive Plan may not be granted without the prior written consent of Rio Tinto.
|
There are 2,012,309,019 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of March 20, 2015. The aggregate number of Common
Shares which may be reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan (together with all other securities-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation in effect from time to time) shall not exceed 6.5% of the Common Shares outstanding from
time to time, or 130,800,086 Common Shares. However, pursuant to the 2012 MOA, Corporation may not, without obtaining the prior written consent of RTIH, issue any equity incentive securities or equity compensation securities in favour of any
Directors, officers, employees or service providers of the Corporation or its subsidiaries, other than the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of outstanding stock options previously granted under the Equity Incentive Plan. Accordingly, the
Corporation has not granted new stock options (or other equity incentives) under the Equity Incentive Plan since May 2012, including in fiscal 2014, and it is not currently anticipated that any additional options will be granted or Common Shares
issued under the Equity Incentive Plan in the future (other than Common Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of existing stock options).
The number of outstanding stock options as of March 20, 2015, being 3,676,583, represents 0.18% of the total number of issued and
outstanding Common Shares. The Corporation is nevertheless seeking Shareholder approval of the EIP Renewal Resolution in accordance with TSX Rules in order to maintain the Corporations ability to utilize the Equity Incentive Plan in the future
should circumstances warrant.
The Corporation does not presently provide any defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan to its Directors, executive officers or
employees other than Rio Tinto pension plans benefiting NEOs.
|
3.4.4 |
Other Compensation Policies |
Under the Corporations Corporate Disclosure, Confidentiality and Securities Trading Policy, NEOs and Directors are not permitted to
purchase financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds, that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as
compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or Director.
The Corporation adopted a policy to recoup or claw back incentive
compensation based on achieving performance targets that were later restated by the Corporation (the Clawback Policy). In accordance with the terms of the Clawback Policy, the Board has sole discretion to cancel all or a portion of the PSUs
awarded to an executive officer of the Corporation under the PSU Plan or require the reimbursement of all or any portion of any cash payments made to an executive officer resulting from the settlement of PSUs in each
- 28 -
case if (i) the number of PSUs granted to the executive officer or any cash payment made to such executive officer upon settlement of PSUs was calculated or based upon the fair market value
of Turquoise Hill Shares and/or the Multiplier determined by comparing the Turquoise Hill Return with the Comparator Return for the applicable period (as such terms are defined in the PSU Plan), any or all of which were subsequently affected by a
restatement of all or a portion of the Corporations financial statements; (ii) the executive officer engaged in gross negligence, intentional misconduct or fraud that caused or partially caused the need for the restatement; and
(iii) the number of PSUs that would have been granted to the executive officer or the amount of the cash payment that would have been made, upon the settlement of the PSUs, to such executive officer had the financial results been properly
reported would have been lower than the amount actually awarded or received.
The following graph and table compares the cumulative shareholder return on a C$100 investment in Common Shares to a similar investment in
companies comprising the S&P/TSX Composite Index, including dividend reinvestment, for the period from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.
In 2014, the Corporations share price remained flat, and in the other years shown in the chart above
the Corporations share price performance has trended downwards. In 2010 and 2011, total compensation generally increased in response to both competitive and retention demands and market benchmarking and decreased during the 2012, 2013 and 2014
periods. The value of long-term incentive compensation in the form of PSUs directly relates to the Corporations share price performance.
Section 4 - COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
4.1 |
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
The following executive compensation disclosure is provided as of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31,
2012, in respect of the NEOs.(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
Salary
(US$) |
|
Share-
Based Awards
(US$) (2) |
|
Option-
Based Awards
(US$) (3) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation |
|
Pension
Value (US$) (5) |
|
All Other
Compensation
(US$) (6) |
|
Total
Compensation
(US$) |
Name and Principal Position |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
Incentive Plans
(US$) (4) |
|
Long-
Term Incentive
Plans (US$) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2014 |
|
$25,000 (7) |
|
$150,000 |
|
n/a |
|
$16,289 (8) |
|
n/a |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
$191,289 |
|
2013 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
2012 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (9)
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2014 |
|
$485,072 (10) |
|
n/a (11) |
|
n/a |
|
$399,684 |
|
n/a |
|
$116,258 |
|
$38,127(12) |
|
$1,039,141 |
|
2013 |
|
$506,500 |
|
$496,263(13) |
|
n/a |
|
$496,263 |
|
n/a |
|
$120,289 |
|
$123,504(14) |
|
$1,742,819 |
|
|
2012 |
|
$354,167 (15) |
|
$464,436(13) |
|
n/a |
|
$931,630 |
|
n/a |
|
$118,495 |
|
$415,838(16) |
|
$2,284,566 |
- 29 -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year |
|
Salary
(US$) |
|
Share-
Based Awards
(US$) (2) |
|
Option-
Based Awards
(US$) (3) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Compensation |
|
Pension
Value (US$) (5) |
|
All Other
Compensation
(US$) (6) |
|
Total
Compensation
(US$) |
Name and Principal Position |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
Incentive Plans
(US$) (4) |
|
Long-
Term Incentive
Plans (US$) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steeve Thibeault
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2014 |
|
$157,500 (17) |
|
$67,500 |
|
n/a |
|
$69,019 |
|
n/a |
|
$36,150 |
|
$172,633(18) |
|
$502,802 |
|
2013 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
2012 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher Bateman
(19) Chief Financial Officer |
|
2014 |
|
$129,375 (20) |
|
n/a (21) |
|
n/a |
|
$64,652(23) |
|
n/a |
|
Nil |
|
$643,122(24) |
|
$837,149 |
|
2013 |
|
$310,500 |
|
$103,994(25) |
|
n/a |
|
$207,987 |
|
n/a |
|
$3,225 |
|
$198,684(26) |
|
$824,390 |
|
2012 |
|
$200,000 (22) |
|
$103,740(25) |
|
n/a |
|
$208,635 |
|
n/a |
|
$12,000 |
|
$454,728(27) |
|
$979,103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stewart Beckman
Senior Vice President Operations and Technical |
|
2014 |
|
$296,247 (28) |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
$105,383(29) |
|
n/a |
|
$15,237 |
|
$103,050 (30) |
|
$519,917 |
|
2013 |
|
$291,915 |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
$126,283 |
|
n/a |
|
$67,561 |
|
$281,488(32) |
|
$767,247 |
|
2012 |
|
$200,686 (31) |
|
n/a |
|
n/a |
|
$77,064 |
|
n/a |
|
$37,179 |
|
$466,854 (33) |
|
$781,783 |
Notes:
(1) |
Compensation that has been paid in currency other than U.S. dollars has been converted to U.S. dollars, for reporting purposes, at the Bank of
Canada average annual noon exchange rate for 2014 (US$1.00/C$1.04), 2013 (US$1.00/C$1.03) and 2012 (US$1.00/C$1.00). |
(2) |
Share-based awards consist of PSUs granted under the PSU Plan to the CEO and CFO. In determining the fair value of PSUs granted in respect of the
2014 fiscal year, the Corporation used the actual amount of the award, which was granted in US$. |
(3) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto Group policy, individuals who are employees of the Rio Tinto Group (seconded or otherwise), are not entitled to
participate in the Equity Incentive Plan given their entitlements under Rio Tinto LTIP programs. |
(4) |
Amounts shown in this column reflect STIP payments made to NEOs. Depending on the band level of the NEO within the Rio Tinto Group, either 100% of
the STIP is paid in cash or 75% of the STIP is paid in cash with the remaining 25% deferred for a period of three years. |
(5) |
The Corporation does not presently have a pension plan for any of its executive officers, including its NEOs. Pension benefits to which NEOs are
entitled are set forth in the secondment agreements with Rio Tinto, the proportionate cost of which is charged back to the Corporation. |
(6) |
Except for share-based awards (PSUs) granted by the Corporation and tax gross-ups on allowances included in All Other Compensation
which are paid by the Corporation directly to the Canada Revenue Agency, all compensation has been paid by Rio Tinto under the secondment arrangements described in Section 3.4 Elements of Executive Compensation of this
Circular and charged back by Rio Tinto to the Corporation. |
(7) |
Mr. Tygesen was seconded to the Corporation effective December 1, 2014. The amount shown reflects one month of salary earned while
performing his duties as CEO of the Corporation in 2014. This amount was paid by Rio Tinto and was not charged back to the Corporation. |
(8) |
The amount shown is pro rated to reflect STIP earned by Mr. Tygesen in 2014 while performing his duties at the Corporation.
|
(9) |
Ms. Priestly retired as CEO of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014 but is nevertheless considered an NEO in respect of fiscal
2014. |
(10) |
Ms. Priestly retired as CEO of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned while
performing her duties at the Corporation. |
(11) |
Ms. Priestly was not awarded PSUs in respect of fiscal 2014. |
(12) |
Includes: annual tax return service of $7,387, additional leave of $21,428 and other compensation of $9,312, which includes tax gross-ups on
allowances of $2,872. |
(13) |
PSUs previously granted to Ms. Priestly in 2013 and 2012 for forward looking performance periods were reduced on a pro rata basis in
accordance with the terms of the PSU Plan; however, the dollar figures provided in this column reflect the value of the original PSU grants without taking into account the pro rata reduction of PSUs. |
(14) |
Includes: housing allowance of $47,446, tax gross-ups on allowances of $47,371, reimbursement of relocation costs of $20,112, reimbursement of per
diem amounts of $6,840 and tax services of $1,735. |
(15) |
Ms. Priestly was seconded to the Corporation on April 18, 2012; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned between such date
and December 31, 2012. |
- 30 -
(16) |
Includes: $39,738 in fees earned as a Director of the Corporation (paid directly to Rio Tinto in accordance with Rio Tinto corporate policy),
housing allowance of $60,075, car allowance of $7,096, tax gross-ups on allowances of $232,425, reimbursement of relocation costs of $24,844, subsistence allowance of $7,071, reimbursement of commuter costs of $19,939 and other perquisites such as
medical and life insurance benefits, foreign tax reimbursement, and international tax services. |
(17) |
Mr. Thibeault was seconded to the Corporation effective June 1, 2014; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned between such
date and December 31, 2014. |
(18) |
Includes: housing allowance of $3,302, reimbursement of relocation costs of $167,581 and family benefits of $1,750. |
(19) |
Mr. Bateman resigned as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014 but is nevertheless considered an NEO in respect of fiscal 2014.
|
(20) |
Mr. Bateman resigned as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned while
performing his duties at the Corporation. |
(21) |
Mr. Bateman was not awarded PSUs in respect of fiscal 2014. |
(22) |
Mr. Bateman was seconded to the Corporation on May 1, 2012; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned between such date and
December 31, 2012. |
(23) |
The amount shown was included as part of the payment Mr. Bateman received upon his resignation as CFO of the Corporation effective
June 1, 2014 and concurrent departure from Rio Tinto. This amount was paid entirely by Rio Tinto and was not charged back to the Corporation. |
(24) |
Includes: annual tax return service of $21,536 and other compensation of $170,143, which includes tax gross-ups on allowances of $162,484. It also
includes a termination payment of $425,858 paid entirely by Rio Tinto in connection with Mr. Batemans resignation as CFO of the Corporation effective June 1, 2014 and concurrent departure from Rio Tinto. |
(25) |
PSUs previously granted to Mr. Bateman in 2013 and 2012 for forward looking performance periods were reduced on a pro rata basis in accordance
with the terms of the PSU Plan; however, the dollar figures provided in this column reflect the value of the original PSU grants without taking into account the pro rata reduction of PSUs. |
(26) |
Includes: housing allowance of $76,391, car allowance of $6,895, education allowance of $13,891, tax gross-ups on allowances of $41,954,
reimbursement of relocation costs of $50,830 and living allowance of $8,723. |
(27) |
Includes: housing allowance of $81,773, car allowance of $9,367, education allowance of $44,513, tax gross-ups on allowances of $217,866,
reimbursement of relocation costs of $65,455, living allowance of $11,763 and other perquisites such as medical and life insurance benefits, foreign tax reimbursement, international tax services and parking fees. |
(28) |
Mr. Beckman was named Project Director for Oyu Tolgoi Phase 2 in March 2014. The Corporations subsidiary, Oyu Tolgoi LLC (OT
LLC), assumed $223,269 of Mr. Beckmans salary. |
(29) |
OT LLC assumed $79,037 of Mr. Beckmans STIP. |
(30) |
Includes: car allowance of $27,877, housing allowance of $6,148, annual tax return service of $18,857, reimbursement of relocation costs of $49,105
and assignment allowance of $1,063. |
(31) |
Mr. Beckman was seconded to the Corporation on May 22, 2012; the amount shown is pro rated to reflect salary earned between such date and
December 31, 2012. |
(32) |
Includes: housing allowance of $42,515, car allowance of $28,156, reimbursement of relocation costs of $107,953, annual tax return services of
$29,462, family benefits of $70,453 and allowance role vehicle of $2,949. |
(33) |
Includes: housing allowance of $34,292, car allowance of $19,747, education allowance of $67,486, tax gross-ups on allowances of $213,942,
reimbursement of relocation costs of $73,995, home leave amount of $46,606 and other perquisites such as medical and life insurance benefits, international tax services and parking fees. |
- 31 -
4.2 |
OPTION-BASED AND SHARE-BASED AWARDS |
|
4.2.1 |
Outstanding Option-Based and Share-Based Awards |
The following table sets forth information with respect to the NEOs concerning unexercised options and PSUs held as at December 31, 2014,
including PSUs granted in respect of fiscal 2014 to the CEO and CFO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option-Based Awards |
|
Share-Based Awards |
Name |
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
|
Option Exercise Price (US$ /Option) |
|
Option Expiration Date |
|
Value of Unexercised in-the- Money Options (US$) |
|
Number of Shares or Units of Shares that
have not Vested |
|
Market or Payout Value of Share- Based Awards that
have not Vested (US$) |
|
Market or Payout Value of vested Share- Based Awards not paid out
or distributed (US$) |
Jeff Tygesen (1) (3) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
50,000 |
|
$150,000 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (2) (4) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
101,168 |
|
$302,632 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steeve Thibeault (1) (3) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
22,500 |
|
$67,500 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christopher Bateman (2) (4) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
12,904 |
|
$38,601 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stewart Beckman(3) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
Notes:
|
(1) |
The Market or Payout Value of Share-Based Awards that have not Vested for Messrs. Tygesen and Thibeault is determined at target
(100%) by multiplying the number of PSUs held as at December 31, 2014, including in respect of fiscal 2014 but which were granted in March 2015, by the five-day VWAP of the Common Shares on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) for the period ending on December 31, 2014 ($3.00), in accordance with their respective grant letters. PSUs have a value which is based on the performance of the Common Shares of the Corporation relative to the PSU
Peer Comparator Group during an established performance period, which is typically a period of three years. Depending on the shareholder return of the Common Shares as compared to the return of the comparator group, the payout value of the PSUs can
range from $0 to 2.5 times their fair market value at the end of the performance period. See Section 3.4.1 Compensation of NEOs. |
|
(2) |
The Market or Payout Value of Share-Based Awards that have not Vested for Ms. Priestly and Mr. Bateman is determined at
target (100%) by multiplying the number of PSUs held as at December 31, 2014, by the five-day VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX for the period ending on December 31, 2014 (C$3.47), converted from C$ to US$ at the Bank of Canada
noon rate on the last day of such period (US$1.00/C$1.16), in accordance with their respective grant letters. |
|
(3) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto corporate policy, individuals who are employees of Rio Tinto (seconded or otherwise) are not permitted to receive
options to purchase Common Shares or shares of the Corporations subsidiaries. |
|
(4) |
Ms. Priestly and Mr. Bateman ceased to be officers of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014 and June 1, 2014 respectively
but are nevertheless considered NEOs in respect of fiscal 2014. The numbers in the column Number of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested represent PSUs previously granted to Ms. Priestly and Mr. Bateman which were
subsequently reduced on a pro rata basis in accordance with the terms of the PSU Plan. |
|
4.2.2 |
Incentive Plan Awards Value Vested or Earned During 2014 |
The following table shows the value of incentive plan awards that vested or were earned for each NEO for fiscal 2014. All awards that vested
or earned by NEOs during fiscal 2014 were granted by the Corporation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Option-Based Awards
Value Vested During the Year (US$) |
|
Share-Based
Awards Value Vested During the Year (US$)(1) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation Value
Earned During the Year (US$) |
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen (1) (2) |
|
Nil |
|
$150,000 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (2) (3) |
|
Nil |
|
n/a |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Steeve Thibeault (1) (2) |
|
Nil |
|
$67,500 |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Christopher Bateman (2) (3) |
|
Nil |
|
n/a |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Stewart Beckman(2) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
- 32 -
Notes:
|
(1) |
The Share-Based Awards Value Vested During the Year are calculated on the basis of the five-day VWAP of the Common Shares on the
NYSE for the period ending on December 31, 2014 ($3.00) in respect of PSU grants awarded to the CEO and the CFO in respect of the 2014 fiscal year, which PSUs have not vested. |
|
(2) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto corporate policy, individuals who are employees of Rio Tinto (seconded or otherwise) are not permitted to receive
options to purchase Common Shares. |
|
(3) |
Ms. Priestly and Mr. Bateman ceased to be officers of the Corporation effective December 1, 2014 and June 1, 2014,
respectively, but are nevertheless considered NEOs in respect of fiscal 2014. Ms. Priestly and Mr. Bateman were not awarded PSUs in respect of fiscal 2014. |
4.3 |
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS |
|
4.3.1 |
Secondees of Rio Tinto |
All NEOs have entered into employment agreements (the Employment Agreements) with Rio Tinto pursuant to which they receive
a base salary, short-term incentives, long-term incentives, benefits and other remuneration such as post-retirement benefits. The costs of such salary and related benefits are charged back to the Corporation.
The Employment Agreements have an indefinite term. An NEO may terminate his employment at any time by giving Rio Tinto a three-month notice in
writing (six months for Ms. Priestly). In addition, Rio Tinto may terminate an NEOs employment either: (i) for cause, without notice or severance or (ii) without cause, upon giving the NEO a six-month notice (12 months for
Ms. Priestly) or paying such NEO an amount equal to six months base salary (12 months for Ms. Priestly). Other remuneration components and benefits would not be continued. Each Employment Agreement also contains non-competition and
non-solicitation clauses in the event of a termination.
If the termination is the result of a severance, then Rio Tintos local
severance policies apply. Such policies provide that the following benefits will be payable in the event of a termination resulting from a severance:
|
|
|
Payment of salary in lieu of notice: |
|
|
|
For Australia-based NEOs, this amount corresponds to the notice set forth in the Employment Agreement plus an additional 3 months notice paid
in lieu; and |
|
|
|
For US-based NEOs, this amount corresponds to the notice set forth in the Employment Agreement. |
|
|
|
Payment of an ex-gratia severance payment, which is discretionary and calculated based on each jurisdictions policy and includes any
statutory severance payments required by the laws of the NEOs home jurisdiction; |
|
|
|
Payment of short-term incentive awards to which the NEO would be entitled for the performance year based on actual business and individual
performance. In the case of a partial year, such award will be calculated based on the duration of the performance year such NEO was employed (prorated assuming on-target business performance and an actual assessment of individual performance in the
performance year) or, if not possible, based on an on-target assessment; |
|
|
|
All long-term incentives will be treated in accordance with Rio Tintos plans in each of the NEOs home jurisdiction; and
|
|
|
|
Defined benefit pension plan participants will be paid their resignation benefits and defined contribution plan participants will be paid their
account balance. |
The treatment of the PSUs granted to the CEO and the CFO under the PSU Plan in the case of
termination, retirement, change of control and other similar situations is detailed in Section 3.4.1 Compensation of NEOs of this Circular.
Section 5 - COMPENSATION DISCLOSURE FOR DIRECTORS
5.1 |
ANNUAL RETAINERS, ATTENDANCE FEES AND OTHER REMUNERATION |
Each Director who is not an executive of the Corporation (a Non-Executive Director) receives a retainer of C$100,000 per
annum. Ms. Gardiner receives an additional retainer of C$150,000 for acting as Chair of the Board, for a total of C$250,000 per annum.
The Chair of the Audit Committee received an additional per annum retainer of C$50,000 in 2014.
The Chair of the Compensation and Benefits Committee received an additional per annum retainer of C$40,000 in 2014.
The Chairs of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Health, Safety and Environment Committee each received an additional
retainer of C$20,000 each per annum in 2014.
- 33 -
The Chair of the SouthGobi Special Committee received an additional retainer of C$20,000 in 2014.
Each Non-Executive Director receives a fee of C$2,000 for each in-person Board of Directors meeting or conference call and/or each
in-person Committee meeting or conference call in which they participate. Fees payable to Rio Tinto employees who act as Directors are paid directly to Rio Tinto in accordance with Rio Tintos corporate policy.
A travel fee of C$2,000 is payable to any Non-Executive Director who travels to attend meetings, the venue of which is more than three hours
travel time from the Directors home. Each executive Director and each Non-Executive Director is also entitled to be reimbursed for actual expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of duties as a Director.
On May 10, 2013, the Board of Directors approved the DSU Plan and also approved an annual grant to each Non-Executive Director (other
than a Director who is an employee of Rio Tinto, in accordance with Rio Tinto policy) of DSUs. The purpose of the DSU Plan is to strengthen the alignment of interests between Non-Executive Directors and Shareholders of the Corporation by linking a
portion of annual director compensation to the future value of the Common Shares. In addition, the DSU Plan has been adopted to advance the interests of the Corporation through the motivation, attraction and retention of Directors of the
Corporation, particularly in light of the fact that equity compensation incentives have not been granted under the Equity Incentive Plan, including the Option Plan, since May 2012 pursuant to the terms of the 2012 MOA. The DSU Plan is administered
by the Compensation and Benefits Committee, which has the authority to adopt and amend rules and regulations relating to the administration of the DSU Plan and make all other determinations necessary or desirable for the administration of the DSU
Plan, subject to oversight and approval by the Board of Directors.
Under the DSU Plan, the Board, on the recommendation of the
Compensation and Benefits Committee, will determine an amount of annual compensation to which each Non-Executive Director shall be entitled (the Annual Compensation Amount), which amount shall be payable in the form of DSUs. The
number of DSUs to be granted to a Non-Executive Director is determined by dividing the Annual Compensation Amount by the fair market value of a Common Share on the TSX for the period ending on the business day immediately preceding the
date the DSUs are issued, as determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee, rounded to the nearest ten DSUs. Fair market value for purposes of the DSU Plan means, with respect to Common Shares of the Corporation on a particular
day, the VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX or the New York Stock Exchange, as may be determined by the Compensation and Benefits Committee or the Board, for the five days on which Common Shares were traded immediately preceding the date in
respect of which the fair market value is to be determined.
Each DSU held by a participant under the DSU Plan who ceases to be a Director
shall be redeemed by the Corporation on the date such person ceased to be a Director for any reason, including the death of the Director (the Separation Date). A cash payment equal to the after-tax fair market value of the
Common Shares on the relevant Separation Date shall be made to the Director on such date as the Corporation determines, but not later than 60 days after the Separation Date, without any further action required by the Director. DSUs are not
exercisable, convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares. If and when distributions (including dividends but excluding stock dividends of Common Shares) are paid on any Common Shares, additional DSUs shall be credited to the Non-Executive Director as of the distribution payment date. The number of additional DSUs (including fractional DSUs) to be credited to the Non-Executive Director shall be determined by multiplying the dollar value
of the distribution per Common Share by the total number of DSUs held by such Director, all divided by the fair market value of a Common Share as of the date the distribution is paid. Fractional DSUs to two decimal places shall be credited to
such Director. Such additional DSUs shall be subject to the same terms and conditions (including the terms and conditions set out in the applicable DSU grant letter) as the DSUs giving rise to such additional DSUs. In addition, if the number of
outstanding Common Shares is increased or decreased as a result of a subdivision, consolidation, reclassification, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise but not as a result of the issuance of Common Shares for additional consideration
(including for services rendered or to be rendered), then the number of DSUs that each Non-Executive Director has shall be adjusted such that the total expected value of those DSUs after such adjustment is equal to the total expected value
immediately prior thereto and such adjustment shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the DSU Plan.
The DSU Plan further
provides that the Compensation and Benefits Committee shall have the right to make such adjustments as it deems appropriate in the circumstances upon the occurrence of any other event which has an impact on the amount of cash to be remitted to a
Non-Executive Director. An adjustment will take effect at the time of the event giving rise to the adjustment, and the adjustments provided for in this section are cumulative.
In light of recent corporate developments and Board changes, the Compensation and Benefits Committee expects to review its compensation
policies for Directors in 2015 with assistance from compensation consultants to the extent deemed advisable.
- 34 -
5.2 |
DIRECTORS TOTAL 2014 COMPENSATION |
The following table reflects compensation earned by non-executive Directors in respect of fiscal 2014 under the compensation arrangements
described above.
Mr. Tygesen, the Corporations CEO, is currently a Director of the Corporation. Effective December 1,
2014, Mr. Tygesen does not receive any compensation for his role as Director of the Corporation. Mr. Tygesens total compensation is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table at Section 4.1.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
|
|
Fees Earned (US$)(1) |
|
|
|
Option- Based Awards (US$) |
|
|
|
All
Other Compensation (US$)(2) |
|
|
|
Total Compensation (US$) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rowena Albones (3)(4) |
|
|
|
$188,462 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$188,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Flood (3)(4)(5) |
|
|
|
$29,808 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$29,808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jill Gardiner (8) |
|
|
|
$280,769 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$90,661 |
|
|
|
$371,429 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. James W. Gill (10) |
|
|
|
$27,608 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$45,346 |
|
|
|
$72,954 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Peter Gillin (8) |
|
|
|
$246,154 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$90,661 |
|
|
|
$336,815 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warren Goodman (3)(4)(5) |
|
|
|
$31,731 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$31,731 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isabelle Hudon (5)(6) |
|
|
|
$35,577 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$61,335 |
|
|
|
$96,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Klingner (6)(8)(9) |
|
|
|
$376,923 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$332,239 |
|
|
|
$709,162 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Lenegan (5)(6) |
|
|
|
$37,500 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$61,335 |
|
|
|
$98,835 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (3)(4)(7) |
|
|
|
$13,462 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$13,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russel C. Robertson |
|
|
|
$163,462 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$90,661 |
|
|
|
$254,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen (3)(4) |
|
|
|
$148,077 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
$148,077 |
Notes:
|
(1) |
The sums represented in the Fees Earned column of this table represent Director retainers and fees earned from acting as Chair of the
Board or of any of the Board committees, remuneration for attending meetings and conference calls of the Directors as well as travel fees paid to Directors who travel more than three hours to attend meetings. Compensation that has been paid in
currency other than U.S. dollars has been converted in U.S. dollars, for reporting purposes, at the Bank of Canada average annual noon exchange rate for 2014 (US$1.00/C$1.04). |
|
(2) |
All Other Compensation includes the fair value of DSUs granted to non-executive independent Directors in respect of the 2014 fiscal
year, calculated using the five-day VWAP of the Common Shares on the TSX immediately preceding the date the DSUs were issued. All awards have been granted in Canadian dollars and, for reporting purposes, their value has been converted into U.S.
dollars using the Bank of Canadas noon rate as of the last day of the five-day VWAP period. The average annual noon exchange rate for 2014 was US$1.00/C$1.04, for 2013 was US$1.00/C$1.03 and for 2012 was US$1.00/C$1.00. |
|
(3) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto Group corporate policy, individuals who are employees of the Rio Tinto Group and Rio Tinto nominees on the Board are
not eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan given their entitlements under Rio Tinto Group incentive plans. |
|
(4) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto Group corporate policy, Director fees otherwise payable to Mses. Albones and Flood and Mr. Goodman, as Rio Tinto
Group nominees on the Board, were paid directly to Rio Tinto Group. In addition, Ms. Priestly and Mr. Tygesen were not entitled to receive fees in their capacities as Directors for the period in fiscal 2014 during which they were also
executive officers of the Corporation, and Directors fees payable to them in fiscal 2014 during the period in which they were not executive officers of the Corporation were paid directly to the Rio Tinto Group. |
|
(5) |
Mses. Flood and Hudon and Messrs. Goodman and Lenegan did not stand for re-election at the May 8, 2014 Annual General Meeting.
|
|
(6) |
The DSUs granted to Ms. Hudon and Messrs. Lenegan and Klingner were redeemed and paid by the Corporation in cash in accordance with the terms
of the DSU Plan. The amounts were paid in Canadian dollars and, for reporting purposes, their value has been converted into U.S. dollars using the Bank of Canadas noon rate as of the last day of the five-day VWAP period following which they
ceased to be Directors of the Corporation. |
- 35 -
|
(7) |
Ms. Priestly retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(8) |
The fees earned by Dr. Klingner, Ms. Gardiner, and Messrs. Gillin and Tygesen include the retainers for acting as Chairs of the Board,
the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Compensation and Benefits and Health, Safety and Environment Committees. Mr. Robertson became Chair of the Audit Committee and Ms. Gardiner became Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(9) |
Dr. Klingner retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(10) |
Dr. Gill was appointed to the Board of Directors effective November 1, 2014. |
|
5.3.1 |
Outstanding Option-Based Awards |
The following table sets forth information with respect to the Non-Executive Directors concerning unexercised options of the Corporation held
as at December 31, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option-Based Awards |
Name |
|
|
|
Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options |
|
Option Exercise Price (US$/
Option) (1) |
|
|
|
Option Expiration
Date |
|
|
|
Value of Unexercised in-the- Money
Options (US$)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rowena Albones (2) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia Flood (2)(3) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jill Gardiner |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$7.17 |
|
|
|
06/28/17 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. James W. Gill (6) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Peter Gillin |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$7.17 |
|
|
|
06/28/17 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warren Goodman (2)(3) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isabelle Hudon (3) |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$7.17 |
|
|
|
05/08/15 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David Klingner (7) |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$7.17 |
|
|
|
12/31/15 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles Lenegan (3) |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$6.21 |
|
|
|
05/08/15 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (2)(5) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russel C. Robertson |
|
|
|
35,149 |
|
$7.17 |
|
|
|
06/28/17 |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen (2) |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
Nil |
Notes:
|
(1) |
The exercise price is set in Canadian dollars and has been converted from Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars at the Bank of Canada noon rate on
December 31, 2014 (US$1.00/C$1.16). |
|
(2) |
The Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Options is calculated on the basis of the difference between the closing price of the Common
Shares on the TSX on December 31, 2014 (C$3.59) and the exercise price of the options. This amount has been converted from C$ to US$ at the Bank of Canada noon rate on December 31, 2014 (US$1.00/C$1.16). |
|
(3) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto Group corporate policy, individuals who are employees of the Rio Tinto Group and Rio Tinto nominees on the Board are
not eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan given their entitlements under Rio Tinto Group incentive plans. |
- 36 -
|
(4) |
Mses. Flood and Hudon and Messrs. Goodman and Lenegan did not stand for re-election at the May 8, 2014 Annual General Meeting.
|
|
(5) |
Ms. Priestly retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(6) |
Dr. Gill was appointed to the Board of Directors effective November 1, 2014. |
|
(7) |
Dr. Klingner retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
5.3.2 |
Incentive Plan Awards Value Vested or Earned During 2014 |
The following table shows the value of incentive plan awards that vested or were earned for each Non-Executive Director for fiscal 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Option-Based Awards Value
Vested During the Year (US$) |
|
Share-Based
Awards Value Vested During the Year (US$) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation Value
Earned During the Year (US$) |
|
|
|
|
Rowena Albones (1) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Virginia Flood (1) (2) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Jill Gardiner |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Dr. James W. Gill (5) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
R. Peter Gillin |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Warren Goodman (1) (2) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Isabelle Hudon (2) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
David Klingner (4) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Charles Lenegan (2) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Kay Priestly (1) (3) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Russel C. Robertson |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Jeff Tygesen (1) |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
|
Nil |
Notes:
|
(1) |
In accordance with Rio Tinto Group corporate policy, individuals who are employees of the Rio Tinto Group and Rio Tinto nominees on the Board are
not eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan given their entitlements under Rio Tinto Group incentive plans. |
|
(2) |
Mses. Flood and Hudon and Messrs. Goodman and Lenegan did not stand for re-election at the May 8, 2014 Annual General Meeting.
|
|
(3) |
Ms. Priestly retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(4) |
Dr. Klingner retired from the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2015. |
|
(5) |
Dr. Gill was appointed to the Board of Directors effective November 1, 2014. |
- 37 -
Section 6 - CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
The Corporation is required under National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices to
disclose its corporate governance practices with reference to a series of corporate governance practices outlined in National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines (the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines) that the
Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) believe reflect best practices standards to which they encourage Canadian public companies to adhere. These standards are substantially consistent with the revised corporate
governance listing standards of the NYSE and the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ).
The Common Shares are listed on the TSX
and the NYSE and are also quoted on the NASDAQ. The Corporation is also subject to provisions of U.S. securities laws and regulations relating to corporate governance applicable to foreign private issuers, including certain provisions of each of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and the Consumer Protection Act. Each of the NYSE and NASDAQ have implemented numerous rule changes (the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ
Corporate Governance Rules, respectively) that revise the corporate governance standards for domestic NYSE and NASDAQ-listed companies, some of which are applicable to foreign private issuers including the Corporation.
The CSA Audit Committee Rules, the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules, and the NASDAQ Corporate
Governance Rules address, among other things, the composition and independence of Boards of Directors and Board committees. The CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines are recommendations only and reflect a best practices standard to which
Canadian public companies are encouraged to adhere. For example, the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines recommend that a Board of Directors should be comprised of a majority of independent directors. On the other hand, the NYSE Corporate Governance
Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules are prescriptive and require that the Board of a domestic NYSE or NASDAQ-listed company be comprised of a majority of independent directors.
Each of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Corporate Governance
Guidelines define independence in a slightly different way. Although a finding of independence remains a matter of judgment and perception based on a particular Directors circumstances, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NYSE Corporate
Governance Rules, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines prescribe certain legal bars to a finding of independence. In addition, there are specific independence requirements for members of audit committees
under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules, the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules and the CSA Audit Committee Rules. Unlike the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, compliance with the requirements of the CSA Audit Committee
Rules relating to the composition of audit committees and the standard of independence for audit committee members is mandatory.
As a
foreign private issuer listed on the NYSE and the NASDAQ, the Corporation is not required to comply with most of the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules, and instead may comply with domestic requirements.
However, the Corporation has voluntarily chosen to adopt corporate governance practices that comply with the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules in all significant respects and, accordingly, the Corporation
believes that its corporate governance practices do not differ in any significant way from those followed by U.S. companies under NYSE and NASDAQ listing standards. The Corporation also believes that most, but not all, of its corporate governance
practices are consistent with the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Corporations statement of corporate governance practices with reference to each of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines is set out in Schedule B to this
Circular.
The CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines recommend that a majority of the directors of a corporation be independent directors. Under the CSA
Corporate Governance Guidelines, the applicable provisions of the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules, an independent director is a director who has no direct or indirect material relationship with
the Corporation, including as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Corporation. A material relationship is one that would, or in the view of the Board of Directors could, be reasonably
expected to interfere with the exercise of a Directors independent judgment.
- 38 -
A total of seven persons have been nominated for election as Directors at the Meeting. The Board
has determined that if all such nominees are elected, the Board will consist of four independent directors (as defined in the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance
Rules) and three non-independent Directors, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Director Nominees |
|
Non-independent Director Nominees |
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Jill Gardiner |
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Rowena Albones(1) |
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Dr. James W. Gill |
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Dr. Craig Stegman(1) |
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R. Peter Gillin |
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Jeff Tygesen(2) |
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Russel C. Robertson |
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|
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Notes:
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(1) |
Ms. Albones and Dr. Stegman, officers within the Rio Tinto Group, are considered to be non-independent Directors as a result of the
material relationship between the Corporation and the Rio Tinto Group. |
|
(2) |
Mr. Tygesen, CEO of the Corporation and a former officer within the Rio Tinto Group, is considered to be a
non-independent Director. |
Rio Tinto beneficially holds approximately 50.8% of
the Corporations voting securities as of March 20, 2015. In accordance with the terms of the 2012 MOA, Rio Tinto and the Corporation agreed that until the earlier of January 18, 2014 and the date the Corporation ceases to be a
reporting issuer, a majority of the Directors on the Board would be independent directors within the meaning of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
Although this independence requirement is no longer required under the terms of the 2012 MOA, the Board has determined that four of the seven nominees for election as Directors at the Meeting are independent of each of the Corporation
and Rio Tinto, as defined in the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
The Board believes that the nomination by management of more than 57% independent Directors for election at the Meeting fairly reflects the
investment in the Corporation by Shareholders other than the major shareholder. The Board is satisfied with the proposed size and composition of the Board of Directors and believes that the resulting Board composition is a balanced representation
among management and non-management Directors, and the Corporations major shareholder.
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6.1.2 |
Board Mandate and Recent Amendments Thereto |
The Board has responsibility for supervising the conduct of the Corporations affairs and the management of its business, with the
objective of increasing shareholder value. The Board fulfills its mandate through direct oversight, setting policy, appointing committees of the Board and assigning their respective mandates, and appointing management. From time to time, the Board
may delegate certain tasks to its committees. Such delegation does not relieve the Board of its overall responsibilities.
The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee recommended that the Board approve various amendments to the Board Mandate and on March 20, 2015, the Board considered and approved the following governance initiatives:
The agenda for each regularly scheduled Board meeting will include, i) an in camera session of the full
Board separate from management and ii) an in camera session of the independent Directors separate from management.
The Corporation will require Directors to tender their resignation to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee upon reaching twelve (12) years of service on the Board, which term may be extended as determined by the Board in its absolute discretion.
In order to ensure the ability of each candidate to make the commitment of time necessary to be a Director of the
Corporation, including the application of the following guidelines when considering candidates to become Directors of the Corporation: (a) for candidates that are chief executive officers or other senior executives of public corporations, the
Board will prefer individuals who hold no more than two (2) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board) in addition to membership on the board of the corporation at which an individual is employed, and (b) for
other candidates, the Board will prefer candidates that hold not more than five (5) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board).
A copy of the Board Mandate, as revised, is annexed as Schedule C hereto.
The Corporation has a corporate disclosure, confidentiality and securities trading policy addressing, among other things, how the Corporation
interacts with analysts and the public, and contains measures for the Corporation to avoid selective disclosure. The Corporation has a Disclosure Committee responsible for overseeing the Corporations disclosure practices. This Committee
includes the CEO, the CFO, the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, the Senior Vice President, Operations and Technical Development, and media and investor relations officers. The Disclosure Committees responsibilities include assessing
controls, procedures and policies with respect to all electronic, written and oral disclosure of corporate information. The Disclosure Committee makes judgments on what information is material, determines when developments affecting the
Corporations business require or justify public disclosure and reviews and authorizes all disclosure in advance of public release. The Disclosure Committee also monitors the
- 39 -
Corporations website, scrutinizes the effectiveness of and compliance with its disclosure controls, procedures and policies and is responsible for educating its directors, officers and
employees on all matters related to corporate disclosure. The Disclosure Committee establishes procedures to ensure that it is fully apprised of all pending Corporation developments that may require public disclosure. If it is determined that the
information should remain confidential, the Disclosure Committee determines how that inside information will be controlled.
The
Disclosure Committee reviews the corporate disclosure, confidentiality and securities trading policy on a regular basis and as otherwise needed to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to foster adherence to best practices. The
Corporations material disclosure documents, including its annual report, annual information form and management proxy circular are reviewed by the Disclosure Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and are recommended
to the Board for approval. The Corporations annual and quarterly financial statements, managements discussion and analysis and other financial disclosure are reviewed by the Audit Committee and recommended to the Board for approval prior
to its release.
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6.1.3 |
Meetings of the Board |
The Board holds regular annual and quarterly meetings. The Board also meets on an ad hoc basis as required, generally by means of telephone
conferencing facilities. Management also communicates informally with members of the Board on a regular basis, and solicits the advice of Board members on matters falling within their special knowledge and experience.
The Directors have established the following standing committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee
(in each case composed solely of independent Directors), the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Health, Safety and Environment Committee.
The Directors also established the SouthGobi Special Committee as a special ad hoc committee of the Board.
The primary objective of the Audit Committee is to act as a liaison between the Board and the Corporations independent auditors and
internal auditors and to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to: (a) the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Corporation, including the integrity of the financial statements and other
financial information provided by the Corporation to its Shareholders, the public and others, (b) the Corporations compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) the audit of the Corporations financial statements,
(d) the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent auditors, (e) the Corporations risk management and internal financial and accounting controls, and management information systems, including the performance of
the Corporations internal audit function, and (f) such other matters as shall be mandated under applicable laws, rules and regulations. The Corporations external auditors report directly to the Audit Committee, which communicates
directly with the auditors in order to discuss audit and related matters whenever appropriate.
The Audit Committee currently consists of
Mr. Robertson (Chair), Ms. Gardiner and Mr. Gillin, all of whom are nominees of management for re-election as Directors at the Meeting. The composition of the Audit Committee is congruent with
CSA Audit Committee Rules which provide for audit committees to consist solely of independent directors. As highlighted above, each of Mr. Robertson, Ms. Gardiner and Mr. Gillin satisfy the independence requirement applicable to audit
committee members set forth in the CSA Audit Committee Rules, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. Ms. Priestly until November 30, 2014 and Mr. Tygesen, as of December 1, 2014, as well as
Ms. Albones are also invited guests to all meetings of the Audit Committee, of which they are not members.
The Board has determined
that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate since each member has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable
to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporations financial statements.
Messrs. Gillin and Robertson and Ms. Gardiner have been determined by the Board of Directors to be Audit Committee Financial
Experts, as such term is defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Additional details on the qualifications and relevant experience of the members of the Audit Committee can be found in the Corporations Annual Information Form dated
March 20, 2015, available on SEDAR.
The Corporation has adopted an Audit Committee charter which codifies the mandate of the Audit
Committee to, and specifically defines its relationship with, and expectations of, the external auditors, including the establishment of the independence of the external auditors and the approval of any non-audit mandates of the external auditors;
the engagement, evaluation, remuneration and termination of the external auditors; its relationship with, and expectations of, the internal auditor function and its oversight of internal control; and the disclosure of financial and related
information. The Board reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Audit Committee charter on a periodic basis.
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The Audit Committee has regular access to the CFO of the Corporation. The external auditors
attend all quarterly meetings of the Audit Committee. At each meeting of the Audit Committee, a portion of the meeting is set aside to discuss matters with the external auditors without management being present. In addition, the Audit Committee has
the authority to call a meeting with the external auditors without management being present, at the Committees discretion.
The
charter of the Audit Committee and the Corporations Statement of Corporate Governance provide, among other things, that no member of the Audit Committee may serve simultaneously on the audit committees of more than three public companies,
including the Corporation, unless the Board of Directors of the Corporation determines that such simultaneous service would not limit or impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the Audit Committee of the Corporation.
Mr. Gillin has advised the Board that he has accepted membership on the audit committees of three other companies, including a mutual fund, which are reporting issuers, in addition to his role as a member of the Corporations Audit
Committee. After review of Mr. Gillins roles and responsibilities as member of such other audit committees, the geographic locations of such audit committees and the time commitment such memberships represent, the Board has determined
that Mr. Gillins simultaneous service on the audit committees of such three public companies, in addition to his role as a member of the Corporations Audit Committee, would not limit or impair his ability to effectively serve on the
Audit Committee. Mr. Gillin has thus been authorized to pursue his functions with the Corporations Audit Committee.
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6.2.2 |
Compensation and Benefits Committee |
The primary objective of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities relating to
compensation of the executive officers and Directors of the Corporation.
The Compensation and Benefits Committee currently consists of
Messrs. Gillin (Chair) and Robertson and Ms. Gardiner. Each current member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee qualifies as an independent director for the purposes of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE
Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. See Section 3.2 Compensation and Benefits Committee for additional details on the mandate and composition of the Compensation and Benefits Committee.
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6.2.3 |
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
The primary objective of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities
by: (a) identifying individuals qualified to become Board and Board committee members and recommending that the Board select director nominees for appointment or election to the Board; (b) developing and recommending to the Board corporate
governance guidelines for the Corporation and making recommendations to the Board with respect to corporate governance practices; (c) recommending such permanent or ad hoc committees as it deems necessary for the purposes of assisting in the
corporate governance of the Corporation; and (d) addressing such other matters as shall be mandated under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board currently consists of Mses. Gardiner (Chair) and Albones and Dr. Gill, all
of whom are nominees of management for re-election as Directors at the Meeting. Each current member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, other than Ms. Albones, qualifies as an independent director for the purposes
of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
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6.2.4 |
Health, Safety and Environment Committee |
The Health, Safety and Environment Committee of the Board currently consists of Mr. Tygesen (Chair), Dr. Stegman and Dr. Gill,
all of whom are nominees of management for re-election as Directors at the Meeting. The role of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by ensuring that the
Corporation has established appropriate practices with respect to health, safety and environmental matters affecting the Corporation.
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6.2.5 |
SouthGobi Special Committee |
The SouthGobi Special Committee was created by the Board in March 2014 as an ad hoc Board Committee. The SouthGobi Special Committee is
responsible for overseeing various alternatives with respect to the Corporations continued ownership of its shares and investment in SouthGobi. More particularly, the role of the SouthGobi Special Committee is to consider potential divestment
transactions and provide advice and guidance to the Board of Directors as to whether one or more of the potential transactions is or are in the best interests of the Corporation. The Special Committee for SouthGobi currently consists of
Ms. Gardiner (Chair), Ms. Albones and Mr. Gillin.
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6.3 |
INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS |
As part of the regularly scheduled annual and quarterly meetings, the independent Directors are required to meet in camera, separately
from management to discuss various matters, some of which present conflicts of interest for the full Board. If required, between regularly scheduled Board meetings, a meeting of independent Directors is held by teleconference to update the
independent Directors on corporate or other developments since the last Board meeting. In 2014, the independent Directors held a total of nine meetings. In addition, on March 20, 2015, the Board approved an amendment to the Board Mandate to
include, as a standing agenda item for each regularly scheduled Board meeting, an in camera session at the end of each meeting for independent Directors of the Board.
6.4 |
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS |
The Corporations Ethics Policy is applicable to all employees, consultants, officers and Directors regardless of their position in the
organization, at all times and everywhere the Corporation does business. The Ethics Policy provides that the Corporations employees, consultants, officers and Directors will uphold its commitment to a culture of honesty, integrity and
accountability, and that the Corporation requires the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct from its employees, consultants, officers and Directors. In every country in which the Corporation operates, all personnel are expected to
comply with the law, the Ethics Policy and the Corporations policies and standards.
The Corporation takes any violation of
applicable laws very seriously and any employee who violates these laws will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including termination of employment. The Corporation believes that its Ethics Policy is responsive to any potential issues
which such policies are meant to address and clearly demonstrates the Corporations full commitment to all of its stakeholders to act at all times as a responsible social and corporate citizen.
Because the Corporation operates on a global scale, it is especially sensitive to monitoring situations of conflicts of interest, bribery,
corruption and improper conduct by its employees, consultants, officers and Directors. The Ethics Policy underscores the importance of oversight of matters contemplated by the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. The Corporation does not offer, promise, give, demand or accept anything of value, whether directly or indirectly, to or from government officials; political candidates, parties, or party officials; community
leaders or other persons in a position of public trust; or private sector employees (including a person who directs or works for a private sector enterprise in any capacity) in order to obtain, retain or direct business or to secure any other
advantage in the conduct of business.
The Corporation has a confidential whistleblower program. Employees are encouraged to report any
suspicion of unethical or illegal practices. The Corporation is committed to maintaining a reporting mechanism that permits confidential, anonymous reporting of an issue, violation or complaint. Information regarding the identity of any person
making such a report remains anonymous and confidential at all times unless otherwise expressly permitted by this person or as required by applicable law and is only disclosed to those persons who have a need to know such information to properly
carry out an investigation of the issue, violation or complaint, in accordance with the Ethics Policy.
A copy of the Ethics Policy is
available on the Corporations website (http://www.turquoisehill.com/s/ethics_point.asp) or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. A copy may also be obtained, without charge, by request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville
Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1S4, telephone to (604) 688-5755.
6.5 |
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES |
The Corporations statement of corporate governance practices with reference to each of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines is set
out in Schedule B.
Section 7 - OTHER
INFORMATION
7.1 |
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS |
At no time since the beginning of the Corporations most recently completed financial year was any Director, executive officer or
proposed management nominee for election as a Director or any associate of such Director, executive officer or proposed nominee indebted to the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or to another entity where such indebtedness is or has been the
subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
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7.2 |
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON |
No person who has been a Director or executive officer of the Corporation at any time since the beginning of its last completed financial
year, no proposed nominee for Director of the Corporation nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing, has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at
the Meeting.
7.3 |
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS |
Other than as disclosed below or elsewhere in this Circular, no Director, proposed Director or executive officer of the Corporation, or person
or company who beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, or any Director or executive officer of such 10% shareholder, nor any associate or affiliate of the foregoing,
has any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since the commencement of the Corporations most recently completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or would materially affect the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, Rio Tinto provided services to the Corporation on a
cost-recovery basis which amounted to US$78.6 million (2013 US$98.3 million; 2012 US$113.3 million); the majority of services related to the Oyu Tolgoi Mine. In addition, various other transactions were entered into between the
Corporation and Rio Tinto in fiscal 2014, as further described under Item 14 of the Corporations Management Discussion and Analysis for the financial year ended on December 31, 2014.
On January 13, 2014, the Corporation closed the rights offering launched in November 2013 and repaid all outstanding amounts owed to Rio
Tinto under the US$1.8 billion interim funding facility entered into in December 2010 and the US$600 million non-revolving bridge facility entered into in August 2013.
7.4 |
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Financial information is provided in the Corporations comparative Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis for its
most recently completed fiscal year. Copies of the Corporations Annual Information Form, Annual Financial Statements, and Management Discussion and Analysis for its most recently completed financial year filed pursuant to applicable Canadian
provincial securities laws are available free of charge on the Corporations website at www.turquoisehill.com or through SEDAR at
www.sedar.com. Finally, security holders may contact the Corporation directly to receive copies of such filings, without charge,
upon written or oral request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1S4, or by telephone at (604) 688-5755.
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The contents of this Circular and its distribution to Shareholders have been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, as of the 20th day of March, 2015.
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BY ORDER OF THE BOARD |
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Dustin S. Isaacs |
Dustin S. Isaacs |
Corporate Secretary |
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SCHEDULE A
SUMMARY OF EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
Option Plan
Option Grants
The
Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the Board, on the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and upon having previously obtained the written approval of Rio Tinto, to grant options to purchase Common Shares. The number of Common
Shares, the exercise price per Common Share, the vesting period and any other terms and conditions of options granted pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, from time to time are determined by the Board, on the recommendation of the Compensation and
Benefits Committee, at the time of the grant, subject to the defined parameters of the Equity Incentive Plan.
Exercise Price
The exercise price of any option granted under the Equity Incentive Plan cannot be less than the weighted average price of the Common Shares on
the TSX for the five days on which Common Shares were traded immediately preceding the date of grant (the Fair Market Value).
Exercise Period and Vesting
Options are
exercisable for seven years unless otherwise determined by the Board. Options may be earlier terminated in the event of death or termination of employment or appointment. Vesting of options is determined by the Board. Failing a specific vesting
determination by the Board, options automatically become exercisable incrementally over a period of four years from the date of grant, as to one-quarter of the total number of shares under option after each such year. The right to exercise an option
may be accelerated in the event a takeover bid in respect of the Common Shares is made and as otherwise described in Equity Compensation Plan Information Summary of Equity Incentive Plan Amendment Procedure.
Blackout Expiration Term
Under the
Corporations corporate disclosure, confidentiality and securities trading policy, trading of the Corporations securities, including the exercise by Directors, officers, employees and certain others of options to purchase Common Shares,
is restricted during certain blackout periods. These blackout periods are imposed from time to time by the Corporation in circumstances where material non-public information exists, including periods where financial statements are being
prepared but results have not yet been publicly disclosed. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, the expiration of the terms of options held by insiders and other plan participants is the later of the original expiry date and a date that is ten business
days following the end of such blackout period.
Stock Appreciation Rights
Optionees under the Equity Incentive Plan also have a stock appreciation right which effectively allows an optionee to exercise an option on a
cashless basis by electing to relinquish, in whole or in part, the right to exercise the option and receive, in lieu thereof, a number of newly-issued Common Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the difference between the
aggregate Fair Market Value and the aggregate option price of all Common Shares subject to the option by the Fair Market Value of one Common Share.
Financial Assistance
The Board may, in
its discretion, but subject to applicable law, authorize the Corporation to make loans to employees (excluding any Director or executive officer) to assist them in exercising options. The terms of any such loans include security, in favour of the
Corporation, in the Common Shares issued upon exercise of the options, which security may be granted on a non-recourse basis. No such loans are currently outstanding.
Anti-Dilution Adjustments
If there is
any change in the Common Shares through the declaration of stock dividends of Common Shares or consolidations, subdivisions or reclassification of Common Shares, or otherwise, the number of Common Shares available under the Equity Incentive Plan,
the Common Shares subject to any option, and the option price thereof shall be adjusted appropriately by the Board and such adjustment shall be effective and binding for the purposes of the Equity Incentive Plan.
A-1
Termination or Death
If an optionee dies while employed by the Corporation, unless otherwise determined by the Board, any vested option held by him or her will be
exercisable for a period of 12 months (subsequently capped by the Board at six months) or prior to the expiration of the options (whichever is sooner) by the person to whom the rights of the optionee shall pass by will or applicable laws of
descent and distribution. If an optionee is terminated for cause, no option will be exercisable, unless the Board determines otherwise. If an optionee is terminated for any reason other than cause, then, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the
options will be exercisable for a period of up to 12 months (subsequently capped by the Board at six months) or prior to the expiration of the options (whichever is sooner).
Amalgamation or Merger; Takeover Bid
If
the Corporation amalgamates or merges with or into another corporation, any Common Shares receivable on the exercise of an option shall be converted into the securities, property or cash which the optionee would have received upon such amalgamation
or merger if the optionee had exercised his option immediately prior to the record date applicable to such amalgamation or merger, and the option price shall be adjusted appropriately by the Board.
If a takeover bid offer for Common Shares is made which, if accepted in whole or in part, would result in the offeror exercising control over
the Corporation, then the Corporation will notify each optionee and all outstanding options will become exercisable in whole or in part by the holders thereof so as to permit the optionees to tender the Common Shares received upon such exercise
pursuant to the offer.
2. Bonus Plan
The Board of Directors elected to terminate the Bonus Plan effective March 20, 2015.
3. Share Purchase Plan
The Board of
Directors elected to terminate the Share Purchase Plan effective January 1, 2014.
4. Transferability
Benefits, rights and options under the Equity Incentive Plan are non-transferable and during the lifetime of an Equity Incentive Plan
participant, may only be exercised by such participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
5. Amendment Procedure
The Board, based on the recommendation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, has the authority and discretion to amend, either
prospectively or retrospectively, the Equity Incentive Plan and any option or other awards granted thereunder without shareholder approval for all matters (including, without limitation: changes of a clerical or grammatical nature, changes regarding
the persons eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan, changes to the exercise price, vesting, term and termination provisions of options, changes to the cashless exercise right provisions, changes to the authority and role of the
Compensation and Benefits Committee under the Equity Incentive Plan, changes to the acceleration and vesting of options in the event of a takeover bid, and any other matter relating to the Equity Incentive Plan and the options and awards granted
thereunder), except for those matters requiring shareholder approval. Subject to regulatory approval and the exceptions described in the Equity Incentive Plan and, in certain cases, the approval of Rio Tinto, shareholder approval will only be
required for: (i) an amendment to the aggregate percentage of Common Shares issuable under the Equity Incentive Plan; (ii) an amendment to the limitations on the maximum number of shares that may be reserved for issuance, or issued to
Insiders under the Equity Incentive Plan; (iii) an amendment that would reduce the exercise price of an outstanding option under the Equity Incentive Plan other than for anti-dilution adjustments; (iv) an amendment that would
extend the expiry date of the option period in respect of any option granted under the Equity Incentive Plan except if the expiry date occurs either during a blackout period or within ten business days following the expiry of the blackout period;
(v) an amendment that would accelerate the vesting of an option held by an optionee, except upon the death, disability or retirement of such optionee, a change in control of the Corporation, or in the case of a non-material variation of any
performance milestone required for the vesting of the options; and (vi) an amendment to the amending provisions under the Equity Incentive Plan.
In addition, under the Equity Incentive Plan, the Board has the authority, without shareholder approval, to establish or amend the length of
time during which an option will remain exercisable following certain termination events, subject to the parameters set out in the Equity Incentive Plan and the original expiry date of the option, as described above under Termination or
Death.
A-2
In 2012, the Board exercised this authority to:
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amend the expiry provisions applicable to certain options held by Mr. Meredith in connection with his resignation as Deputy Chairman of the
Corporation on April 17, 2012 and continued functions as Director of the Corporation; and |
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reinstate the original expiry dates of the options held by Ms. Mahler following her resignation and subsequent re-election on the Board on
April 17, 2012 and May 9, 2012, respectively. |
Also in 2012, the number of Common Shares available under the
Equity Incentive Plan, the number of Common Shares underlying all outstanding incentive stock options issued to Directors, employees and service providers prior to the 2012 Rights Offering and the exercise price thereof have been adjusted in
accordance with the provisions of the Equity Incentive Plan.
In addition, in 2014 and 2015, the Board exercised this authority to amend
the Equity Incentive Plan to terminate the Share Purchase Plan and the Bonus Plan.
These amendments and adjustments did not require
security holder approval.
6. Share Issuance Limits
The aggregate number of Common Shares which may be reserved for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan (together with all other
securities-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation in effect from time to time) shall not exceed 6.5% of the Common Shares outstanding from time to time. The aggregate number of Common Shares which the Corporation may at any time reserve
for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan to any one person may not exceed 5%, and to insiders under the Equity Incentive Plan (together with all other securities-based compensation arrangements of the Corporation in effect from time to time) may
not exceed 10%, of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at such time. The aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued within any one year period to insiders under the Equity Incentive Plan (together with all other securities-based
compensation arrangements of the Corporation in effect from time to time) shall not exceed 10%, and to any one insider and his or her associates under the Equity Incentive Plan may not exceed 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at such
time.
A-3
SCHEDULE B
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Effective June 30, 2005, the Canadian Securities Administrators adopted National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance
Practices and the associated National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines which require the Corporation to disclose its corporate governance practices. These new rules replace the former corporate governance guidelines of the
TSX.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT(1) |
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COMMENTS |
1. Board of Directors
(a) Disclose the identity of directors who are independent. |
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The Board has reviewed the independence of each Director on the basis of the definitions and interpretations in Sections 1.4
and 1.5 of National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees, and the applicable provisions of the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. A Director is
independent if he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Corporation, including as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Corporation. A material
relationship is one that would, or in the view of the Board could, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a Directors independent judgment. The Board has determined, after reviewing the roles and relationships of each
of the Directors, that 57% or four out of seven of the nominees proposed by management for election to the Board at the Meeting, all of whom are current Directors, are independent from the Corporation. The following nominees have been affirmatively
determined to be independent by the Board:
Jill Gardiner
Dr. James W. Gill
R. Peter Gillin
Russel C. Robertson
This determination was made on the basis that:
(a) they are not and have not been within the last three years an employee or
executive officer of the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary of the Corporation) and their immediate family members are not and have not been within the last three years an executive officer of the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary of
the Corporation);
(b) they are not a partner or employee of the Corporations internal or external
auditor;
(c) their immediate family members are not a partner of the Corporations
internal or external auditor nor are they an employee of such auditor who (i) participates in its audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice or (ii) personally worked on the Corporations audit;
(d) they (and their immediate family members) are not and have not been within the
last three years a partner or employee of the Corporations internal or external auditor and worked on the Corporations audit within such time;
(e) they (and their immediate family members) are not and have not been within the
last three years an executive officer of an entity of which the Corporations executive officers served on that entitys compensation committee;
(f) they (and their immediate family members) did not receive or accept more
than C$75,000 in payments or compensation from the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation (exclusive of (i) any |
B-1
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT(1) |
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remuneration received for acting as a Board or Committee member; and (ii) compensation paid to an
immediate family member who is a non-executive employee of the Corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the Corporation) during any 12 month period during the last three years;
(g) they are not an employee or an executive officer and their immediate family
members do not currently serve as an executive officer of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, the Corporation for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of US$1
million or 2% of such other companys consolidated gross revenues for any such years;
(h) they (and their immediate family members) are not a partner in, or a controlling
shareholder or an executive officer of any organization to which the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary) made, or from which the Corporation (or any parent or subsidiary) received payments (other than those arising (i) solely from investments
in the Corporations securities; or (ii) under non-discretionary charitable matching programs) that exceed 5% of the organizations consolidated gross revenues for that year, or US$200,000, whichever is more, in any of the past three
years;
(i) they have not accepted, directly or indirectly, any consulting, advisory or
other compensatory fee from the Corporation or any parent or subsidiary of the Corporation (exclusive of any Board remuneration received for acting as a Board or Committee member, part-time chair or part-time vice-chair); and
(j) they are not an affiliated entity of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries. |
(b) Disclose the identity of directors who are not independent, and describe the basis for that
determination. |
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The Board and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee have determined, after reviewing the roles and relationships of
each of the Directors, that the following three out of seven nominees proposed by management for election to the Board, all of whom are current Directors, are not independent from the Corporation as defined in the CSA Corporate
Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules:
Rowena Albones
Dr. Craig Stegman
Jeff Tygesen
Ms. Albones and Dr. Stegman hold positions as officers within the Rio
Tinto Group. The Board has considered the relationship between the Rio Tinto Group and the Corporation resulting from Rio Tintos significant investment in the Corporation, the terms and conditions of the (i) Private Placement Agreement dated
October 18, 2006 between RTIH and the Corporation, (ii) the Heads of Agreement dated December 8, 2010 between RTIH and the Corporation, (iii) the 2012 MOA and (iv) the 2013 MOA. Accordingly, it has concluded that such relationship is a
material relationship within the meaning of the applicable provisions of the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules, and therefore considers Ms. Albones and Dr.
Stegman to be non-independent nominee Directors. Mr.
Tygesen is considered to be non-independent as a result of his positions as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and as a former officer within the Rio Tinto Group. |
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(c) Disclose whether or not a majority of the directors are independent. If a majority of directors are not
independent, describe what the Board of Directors does to facilitate its exercise of independent judgment in carrying out its responsibilities. |
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57% or four of the seven nominees proposed by management for election to the Board, all of whom are current Directors, are
independent Directors as defined in the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
The Board is satisfied with the current and proposed size and
composition of the Board and believes that the resulting Board composition is a balanced representation among management and non-management Directors, and the Corporations major shareholder. |
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(d) If a director is presently a director of any other issuer that is a reporting issuer (or the equivalent) in a
jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction, identify both the director and the other issuer. |
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All directorships with other public entities for each of the nominees are set out next to the individuals name in Section 2.1.1 Management
Nominees of this Circular. |
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(e) Disclose whether or not the independent directors hold regularly scheduled meetings at which members of
management are not in attendance. If the independent directors hold such meetings, disclose the number of meetings held since the beginning of the issuers most recently completed financial year. If the independent directors do not hold such
meetings, describe what the Board does to facilitate open and candid discussion among its independent directors. |
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As part of the regularly scheduled annual and quarterly meetings of the Board, the independent Directors are required to meet
separately from management. If required, between regularly scheduled Board meetings, a meeting of independent Directors is held by teleconference to update the independent Directors on corporate and other developments since the last Board meeting.
There were nine such meetings of the independent Directors in 2014. In addition, on March 20, 2015, the Board approved an amendment to the Board Mandate to include, as standing items, i) an in camera session of the full Board separate
from management and ii) an in camera session of the independent Directors separate from management.
The CEO is an invited guest to all meetings of Compensation and Benefits Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee although the CEO is not a member of the Committees. The CEO is asked to leave the meeting of the Compensation and Benefits Committee when his compensation is discussed.
During 2014, there were 16 Board meetings, four meetings of
the Compensation and Benefits Committee, five meetings of the Audit Committee, five meetings of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, three meetings of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee, and 26 meetings of the SouthGobi
Special Committee. The results of discussions of all
Board committees, and of the meetings of independent Directors, are communicated to the full Board at its next scheduled meeting, or more promptly if required, by the committee Chairs to the other Directors and members of management. |
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(f) Disclose whether or not the chair of the Board is an independent director. If the Board has a chair or
lead director who is an independent director, disclose the identity of the independent chair or lead director, and describe his or her role and responsibilities. If the Board has neither a chair that is independent nor a lead director that is
independent, describe what the Board does to provide leadership for its independent directors. |
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Ms. Gardiner, an independent Director, serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. The Chair is responsible for ensuring the Board of Directors carries out its
responsibilities contemplated by applicable statutory and regulatory requirements and stock exchange listing standards. The Chair is also responsible for, among other things, leadership of the Board, ensuring the provision of accurate, timely and
clear information to the Directors, ensuring effective communication with Shareholders, facilitating Board discussions to ensure core issues facing the Corporation are addressed and promoting constructive and respectful relations among Board members
and between the Board and management. |
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The Board is of the view that the level of representation of independent Directors on the Board, including having an independent Director serving as Chair of
the Board, allows the Board to function independently of management. |
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(g) Disclose the attendance record of each director for all Board meetings held since the beginning of the
issuers most recently completed financial year. |
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A record of attendance by each Director at meetings of the Board and its Committees as well as the number of Board and Board Committee meetings held during the
financial year ended December 31, 2014, is set out next to each individuals name in Section 2.1.1 Management Nominees of this Circular. |
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2. Board Mandate Disclose the text of the Boards written mandate. If the
Board does not have a written mandate, describe how the Board delineates its role and responsibilities. |
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The Board has assumed responsibility for supervising the conduct of the Corporations affairs and the management of its
business, with the objective of increasing shareholder value and has adopted a formal mandate as described in this Circular in Section 6.1.2 Board Mandate and Recent Amendments Thereto of this Circular.
The Board Mandate is available on the Corporations
website (www.turquoisehill.com) and a copy is annexed hereto as Schedule C. A copy may also be obtained upon request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4, telephone (604) 688-5755. |
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3. Position Descriptions
(a) Disclose whether or not the Board has developed written position descriptions for the chair and
the chair of each Board committee. If the Board has not developed written position descriptions for the chair and/or the chair of each Board committee, briefly describe how the Board delineates the role and responsibilities of each such
position. (b)
Disclose whether or not the Board and CEO have developed a written position description for the CEO. If the Board and CEO have not developed such a position description, briefly describe how the Board delineates the role and
responsibilities of the CEO. |
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The Board has developed written position descriptions for the Chair, the Chairs of each of the Audit, Compensation and Benefits, and Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committees, the CEO and the CFO, clearly defining their respective roles and responsibilities. Such position descriptions were reviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and approved by the Board and are subject to
annual review by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. |
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4. Orientation and Continuing Education
(a) Briefly describe what measures the Board takes to orient new members regarding:
(i) the role of the Board, its committees and its directors, and
(ii) the nature and operation of the issuers business. |
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The Corporation takes steps to ensure that prospective directors fully understand the role of the Board and its Committees
and the contribution individual Directors are expected to make, including in particular the commitment of time and energy that the Corporation expects of its Directors. Among these steps, New Board members are provided with an information package on
the Corporation containing copies of all corporate policies and other key documents and participate in an orientation session organized by the Corporations General Counsel, who provides an overview of the Corporations business, plans and
risks, regulatory matters, board and committee governance including mandates and policies, corporate disclosure protocols, and compliance and governance practices and philosophies. New Board members also have an opportunity to review with the Board
Chair the methods of operation and the roles of the Board and its committees, including a discussion of the Board performance assessment process, meeting format, access to information both included in, and outside of, the Board and Board committee
meeting materials, and other factors that are important to Board effectiveness. There is also an opportunity to discuss the contribution individual directors are expected to make, including the commitment of time and energy that the Corporation
expects from its Directors. Board members are encouraged
to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants to assist them in maintaining the skills and knowledge necessary to meet their obligations as directors; to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes
in legislation with managements assistance; and to attend related industry |
B-4
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seminars. Directors are encouraged to visit the Oyu Tolgoi Mine site in Mongolia and such visits are organized periodically.
The Board also holds yearly strategy sessions which may be held in Mongolia as part of the visit to the Oyu Tolgoi Mine site. In addition, the Corporation organizes informal sessions on an ad hoc basis on corporate governance, disclosure and other
topics of interest to Directors, some of which are presented by external experts or advisors. All of our Directors are members are Institute of Corporate Directors, which provides them with access to its publications and events to enhance their
knowledge of directors responsibilities and current governance trends. Board members have full access to the Corporations records. |
(b) Briefly describe what measures, if any, the Board takes to provide continuing education for its directors. If
the Board does not provide continuing education, describe how the Board ensures that its directors maintain the skill and knowledge necessary to meet their obligations as directors. |
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Management and outside advisors provide information and education sessions to the Board and its committees on a continuing
basis as necessary to keep the Directors up-to-date with the Corporation, its business and the environment in which it operates as well as with developments in the responsibilities of Directors, corporate governance, ethics and compliance. All
Directors are members of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Presentations are made to the Board from time to time to educate and keep them informed of changes within the Corporation and of regulatory and
industry requirements and standards. In addition,
Directors are encouraged to take courses relevant to the Corporation and its business, particularly with respect to corporate governance and the mining industry, at the Corporations expense.
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5. Ethical Business Conduct
(a) Disclose whether or not the Board has adopted a written code for its directors,
officers and employees. If the Board has adopted a written code:
(i) disclose how a person or company may obtain a copy of the code;
(ii) describe how the Board monitors compliance with its code, or if the Board does
not monitor compliance, explain whether and how the Board satisfies itself regarding compliance with its code; provide a cross-reference to any material change report filed since the beginning of the issuers most recently completed financial
year that pertains to any conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the code. |
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The Corporations Ethics Policy is applicable to all employees, consultants, officers and Directors regardless of their
position in the organization, at all times and everywhere the Corporation does business. The Ethics Policy provides that the Corporations employees, consultants, officers and Directors will uphold its commitment to a culture of honesty,
integrity and accountability, and that the Corporation requires the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct from its employees, consultants, officers and Directors. In every country in which the Corporation operates, all personnel are
expected to comply with the law, the Ethics Policy and the Corporations policies and standards.
The Corporation takes any violation of applicable laws very seriously and any employee who violates these laws will be subject to disciplinary
measures up to and including termination of employment. The Corporation believes that its Ethics Policy is responsive to any potential issues in which such policies are meant to address and clearly demonstrates the Corporations full commitment
to all of its stakeholders to act at all times as a responsible social and corporate citizen.
The General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, among his other duties, monitors compliance with the Ethics Policy, ensures that employees of the
Corporation receive the appropriate training on ethics and compliance matters, oversees complaints reported, promptly responds to any issues reported and reports on ethics and compliance quarterly to the Audit Committee and the Board of
Directors. Because the Corporation operates on a global
scale, it is especially sensitive to monitoring situations of conflicts of interest, bribery, corruption and improper conduct by its employees, consultants, officers and Directors. The Ethics Policy underscores the importance of oversight of matters
in connection with the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. The Corporation does not offer, promise, give, demand or accept anything of value, whether directly or indirectly, to or
from government officials; political candidates, parties, or |
B-5
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party officials; community leaders or other persons in a position of public trust; or private sector employees (including a
person who directs or works for a private sector enterprise in any capacity) in order to obtain, retain or direct business or to secure any other advantage in the conduct of business.
The Corporation has a confidential whistleblower program. Employees are encouraged to report any suspicion of unethical or illegal practices.
The Corporation is committed to maintaining a reporting mechanism that permits confidential, anonymous reporting of an issue, violation or complaint. Information regarding the identity of any person making such a report remains anonymous and
confidential at all times unless otherwise expressly permitted by this person or as required by applicable law and is only disclosed to those persons who have a need to know such information to properly carry out an investigation of the issue,
violation or complaint, in accordance with the Ethics Policy.
Violations of Canadian or United States anti-bribery laws could subject both the Corporation and the relevant individuals to substantial
criminal and civil penalties. The Corporation takes any violation of these laws very seriously and any employee who violates these laws will be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including termination of employment. In addition, should an
employee fail to acknowledge by way of email or other written confirmation that he or she has been provided with and read a copy of the Ethics Policy; such failure could result in termination of employment, the non-renewal of a contract or a
reassignment to another position. |
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All Directors, officers, supervisors and employees are required to confirm, on an annual basis, that they have reviewed the
Corporations Ethics Policy as part of their annual performance appraisal.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the compliance with the Ethics Policy and also ensures that management encourages
and promotes a culture of ethical business conduct. |
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The Board has not granted any waiver of the Ethics Policy in favour of a Director or executive officer. Accordingly, no
material change report has been required or filed. A copy
of the Ethics Policy is available on the Corporations website (http://www.turquoisehill.com/s/ethics_point.asp) or through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. A copy may also be
obtained, without charge, by request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1S4, telephone to (604) 688-5755.
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(b) Describe any steps the Board takes to ensure directors exercise independent judgment in considering
transactions and agreements in respect of which a director or executive officer has a material interest. |
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the disclosure of conflicts of interest to the Board by Directors and ensures that no Director will
vote or participate in a discussion on a matter in respect of which such Director has a material interest. Committee Chairs perform the same function with respect to meetings of each Board committee. |
(c)
Describe any other steps the Board takes to encourage and promote a culture of ethical business conduct. |
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The Corporation has approved and published its Ethics
Policy. It has also developed various corporate policies including a Corporate Disclosure, Confidentiality and Securities Trading Policy, and a Whistleblower Policy with a whistleblower line, the latter being administered by an independent third
party. The General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
among his other duties, monitors compliance with the Ethics Policy, ensures that employees of the Corporation receive the appropriate training on ethics and compliance matters, oversees complaints reported, promptly responds to any issues reported
and reports on ethics and compliance quarterly to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors. |
B-6
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The Corporation has a confidential whistleblower program. Employees are encouraged to report any suspicion of unethical or
illegal practices. |
6. Nomination of Directors
(a) Describe the process by which the
Board identifies new candidates for Board nomination. (b) Disclose whether or not the board
has a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors. If the board does not have a nominating committee composed entirely of independent directors, describe what steps the board takes to encourage and objective nomination
process. (c) If the board has a nominating committee, describe the responsibilities,
powers and operation of the nominating committee. |
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The Board has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Mses. Gardiner (Chair) and Albones and Dr. Gill,
all of whom, are nominees of management for election as Directors at the Meeting. All members of the committee other than Ms. Albones are independent directors under the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance
Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules. Ms. Gardiner has been appointed as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The full Board determines, in light of the opportunities and risks facing the Corporation, what
competencies, skills and personal qualities it should seek in new Board members in order to add value to the Corporation. Based on this framework, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee developed a skills matrix outlining the
Corporations desired complement of Directors competencies, skills and characteristics. The specific make-up of the matrix includes such competencies and experiences as managing and/or leading growth, environmental, safety, and corporate
responsibility, governance and board experience, exploration, financial literacy and acumen and legal knowledge, etc. The Committee regularly assesses the current competencies and characteristics represented on the Board to determine the
Boards strengths and identify any gaps that need to be filled. This analysis assists the Committee in discharging its responsibility for approaching and proposing to the full Board new nominees to the Board, and for assessing Directors on an
ongoing basis. The Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee receives and reviews recommendations from Directors and members of management in considering new candidates and has the authority to hire outside consultants to help identify additional qualified candidates as required. The Corporation
also recently adopted a Diversity Policy. |
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Rio Tinto, which holds approximately 50.8% of the Corporations voting securities as at the date of this Circular, has
sufficient voting rights to direct appointments to and the composition of the Board. Notwithstanding such shareholdings, over 57% of the Corporations Director nominees do not have an interest in or relationship with the Corporation or Rio
Tinto. The Corporation believes that its current level of independent Director representation on the Board fairly reflects the investment in the Corporation by Shareholders other than Rio Tinto.
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The charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is available on the Corporations website (www.turquoisehill.com). A copy may also be obtained upon request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4, telephone (604) 688-5755.
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7. Compensation
(a) Describe the process by which the Board determines the compensation for the
issuers directors and officers. |
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The Compensation and Benefits Committee has responsibility for recommending compensation for the Corporations senior
executive officers and Directors to the Board. CEO compensation is approved by the Compensation and Benefits Committee. For further information on the process by which the executive officers compensation is determined, see Section 3.2
Compensation and Benefits Committee of this Circular.
The Compensation and Benefits Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the adequacy and form of the compensation for
Non-Executive Directors to ensure that such compensation |
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reflects the responsibilities and risks involved in being an effective Director, without compromising a Directors
independence. Directors who are executives of the Corporation receive no additional remuneration for their services as Directors.
For further information on Non-Executive Director compensation, see Section 5.2 Directors Total 2013 Compensation.
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(b) Disclose whether or not the Board has a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. If
the Board does not have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors, describe what steps the Board takes to ensure an objective process for determining such compensation. |
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The members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are Messrs. Gillin (Chair) and Robertson and Ms. Gardiner, all of whom
have been affirmatively determined by the Board to be independent directors as defined by the CSA Corporate Governance Guidelines, the NYSE Corporate Governance Rules and the NASDAQ Corporate Governance Rules.
The members of the committee have diverse professional backgrounds, with prior experience in executive compensation. None of the members of the
committee, other than Mr. Robertson, serve as CEOs or senior executive officers of other public corporations. See Section 2.1.1 Management Nominees.
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(c) If the Board has a compensation committee, describe the responsibilities, powers and operation of the
compensation committee. |
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The primary objective of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is to assist the Board in discharging its responsibilities
relating to compensation of the executive officers and Directors of the Corporation. The responsibilities, powers and operation of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are described in Section 3.2 Compensation and Benefits
Committee of this Circular. |
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The charter of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is available on the Corporations website
(www.turquoisehill.com). A copy may also be obtained upon request to the Corporation, Attn: Corporate Department, 354 200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4, telephone (604) 688-5755.
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8. Other Board Committees If the Board has standing committees other than the
audit, compensation and nominating committees, identify the committees and describe their function. |
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The Board has established a Health, Safety and Environment Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Tygesen (Chair), Dr.
Stegman, and Dr. Gill. The role of the
Health, Safety and Environment Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by ensuring that the Corporation has established appropriate practices with respect to health, safety and environmental
matters affecting the Corporation. |
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The Directors also established the SouthGobi Special Committee as an ad hoc Board Committee. In March 2014, the SouthGobi
Special Committee was created and consisted, at the time, of Dr. Klingner, Mr. Gillin and Mses. Albones and Gardiner. The SouthGobi Special Committee is responsible for overseeing various alternatives with respect to the Corporations continued
ownership of its shares and investment in SouthGobi. The Special Committee for SouthGobi currently consists of Ms. Gardiner (Chair), Ms. Albones and Mr. Gillin.
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9. Assessments Disclose whether or not the Board, its committees and individual
directors are regularly assessed with respect to their effectiveness and contribution. If assessments are regularly conducted, describe the process used for the assessments. If assessments are not regularly conducted, describe how the Board
satisfies itself that the Board, its committees, and its individual directors are performing effectively. |
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the responsibility for overseeing the execution of a process for
assessing the effectiveness of the Board as a whole, the committees of the Board and the contribution of individual Directors, on a regular basis. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has developed and is continuing to refine an
assessment process for the Board, each of its committees, and the contribution of individual Directors.
Directors complete assessments of the committees on which they sit, as well as the Board. The Corporations legal department and external
advisors review and approves a performance evaluation questionnaire that is forwarded to all of the members of the Board. This questionnaire covers a wide range of issues providing for qualitative ratings and
subjective |
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comments and recommendations in each area. Each Director is also asked to comment on what additional skills, experience and
information could benefit the Board and how they might best be assessed. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board review the completed questionnaires.
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In the normal course, the Board also completes self-assessment and/or peer reviews which have assessed a wide range of
issues, including skills and experience; preparation; attendance; accountability; communication; and contribution to strategic planning. |
10. Director Term Limits and Other Mechanisms of Board Renewal
Disclose whether or not the issuer has adopted term limits for the directors on its board or other mechanisms of board renewal, and, if so, include a description of those director term limits or other mechanisms of board renewal. If the issuer has
not adopted term limits or other mechanisms of board renewal, disclose why it has not done so. |
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance recommended and the Board of Directors considered and approved on March 20, 2015, an amendment to the Board Mandate
requiring that Directors tender their resignation to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee upon reaching twelve (12) years of service on the Board, which term may be extended as determined by the Board in its absolute
discretion. |
11. Policies Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board
(a) Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a written policy relating to the identification of women directors. If the
issuer has not adopted such a policy, disclose why it has not done so. |
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The Board of Directors adopted a Diversity Policy which sets forth the Corporations approach to achieving and maintaining diversity (including gender
diversity) on its Board and in executive officer positions. |
(b) Ifan issuer has adopted a policy referred to in (a), disclose the following
in respect of the policy: (i) a short summary of its objectives and key provisions,
(ii) the measures taken to ensure that the policy has been effectively implemented,
(iii) annual and cumulative progress by the issuer in achieving the progress of the policy, and
(iv) whether and, if so, how the board or its nominating committee measures the effectiveness of the policy. |
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The Corporation is committed to diversity and recognizes the benefits of promoting diversity, both within the Corporation and
at the level of the Board of Directors. The Corporation is of the view that Board member and executive officer appointment decisions should be based on merit and remains committed to selecting the best person to fulfill these roles. At the same
time, the Corporation recognizes that diversity is important to ensure that the profiles of Board members and executive officers provide the necessary range of perspectives, experience and expertise required to achieve effective stewardship and
management. The Corporation recognizes that gender diversity is a significant aspect of diversity and acknowledges the important role that
women with appropriate and relevant skills and experience can play in contributing to the diversity of perspective on the Board and in executive officer positions.
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On a periodic basis, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee:
(i) assesses the effectiveness of the nomination process at achieving the Corporations diversity objectives outlined in its Diversity
Policy; (ii) measures the annual and cumulative progress in achieving its gender diversity targets; and (iii) monitors the implementation of the Diversity Policy.
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12. Consideration of the Representation of Women in the Director Identification and Selection Process
Disclose whether and, if so, how the board or nominating committee considers the level of representation of women on the board in identifying and nominating candidates for election and re-election to the board. If the issuer does not consider the
level of |
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In connection with its efforts to create and maintain a diverse Board, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee develops recruitment protocols that
seek to include diverse candidates in any director search. These protocols take into account that qualified candidates may be found in a broad array of organizations, including academic institutions, privately held businesses, non-profit
organizations, and trade associations, in addition to the traditional candidate pool of corporate directors and officers. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also strives to use,
to |
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representation of women on the board in identifying and nominating candidates for election and re-election to the board, disclose the
issuers reasons for not doing so. |
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their fullest potential, the current network of organizations and trade groups that may help identify diverse candidates,
periodically reviews Board recruitment and selection protocols to ensure that diversity remains a component of any director search; and in order to support the specific objective of gender diversity, considers the level of representation of women on
the Board and ensures that women are included in the short list of candidates being considered for a Board position. |
13. Consideration Given to the Representation of Women in Executive Officer Appointments Disclose
whether and, if so, how the issuer considers the level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making executive officer appointments. If the issuer does not consider the level of representation of women in executive officer
positions, disclose the issuers reasons for not doing so. |
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In fulfilling its role, the person or committee of the Board in charge of the nomination of executive officers considers
candidates that are highly qualified based on their experience, education, expertise, personal qualities, and general and sector-specific knowledge; reviews potential candidates from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, with the Companys
diversity objectives in mind including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the specific objective of gender diversity; and considers the level of representation of women in executive officer positions when making Executive Officer
appointments and ensures that women are included in the short list of candidates being considered for a Board position. |
14. Issuers Targets Regarding the Representation of Women on the Board
and in Executive Officer Positions - (a) For purposes of this Item, a target means a number or percentage,
or a range of numbers and percentages, adopted by the issuer of women on the issuers board or in executive officer positions of the issuer by a specific date.
(b) Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a target regarding women on the issuers board. If the issuer has not
adopted a target, disclose why it has not done so. (c) Disclose whether the issuer has adopted a target regarding women
in executive officer positions of the issuer. If the issuer has not adopted a target, disclose why it has not done so.
(d) If the issuer has adopted a target referred to in either (b) or (c), disclose:
(i) the target, and
(ii) the annual and cumulative progress of the issuer in achieving the target.
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The issuer has chosen not to adopt targets regarding the number of women on its Board or in executive officer positions.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
consider on an annual basis whether and to what extent it would be appropriate for the Corporation, in view of all relevant circumstances and factors, to adopt a target, in numbers or percentages, of women on the Board and in executive officer
positions and will make a recommendation thereon to the Board.
The Board believes that it is in its best interest of the Corporation to prioritize and continue to have in positions of executive officers of
the Corporation individuals with strong operational and technical industry expertise given that the Corporations only material asset, the Oyu Tolgoi Mine, is operational. |
15. Number of Women on the Board and in Executive Officer Positions -
(a) Disclose the number and proportion (in percentage terms) of directors on the issuers board who are women.
(b) Disclose the number and proportion (in percentage terms) of executive officers of the issuer, including all major
subsidiaries of the issuer, who are women. |
|
Two of the seven (representing 28%) nominees for election to the Board, including the Chair, are women.
None of the Corporations senior executives are
women. |
Note:
|
(1) |
Reference is made to the items in Form 58-101F1 of National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices.
|
B-10
SCHEDULE C
BOARD MANDATE
The Board of Directors (the Board) of Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (the Corporation) shall have the oversight
responsibility, authority and specific duties as described below.
From time to time, the Board may delegate certain tasks to its
committees. However, such delegation does not relieve the Board of its overall responsibilities.
This Mandate will be reviewed
periodically by the Board of Directors of the Corporation and supplemented as required from time to time.
2 |
Organization of the Board of Directors |
Minimum of three (3) and maximum of fourteen (14), as provided for in the articles of the Corporation.
The Board is constituted with a majority of individuals who qualify as independent directors, as determined by the Board.
The Board shall establish guidelines for determining the form and amount of director compensation, upon recommendation of the
Compensation and Benefits Committee.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually supervises the performance assessment of individual directors, the
Board as a whole, the Board committees, and the Board and committee chairs.
3 |
Meetings of the Board of Directors |
The quorum at any meeting of the Board is a majority of directors in office. The Board holds regular annual and quarterly meetings. The Board
also meets on an ad hoc basis as required, generally by means of telephone conferencing facilities.
The Board chair develops the agenda
for each meeting of the Board in consultation with the CEO. The agenda and the appropriate material are provided to directors of the Corporation on a timely basis prior to any meeting of the Board. Each director shall review all Board meeting
materials in advance of each meeting, shall make all reasonable efforts to attend all Board and Board Committee meetings, and is expected to take an active part in Board decisions.
The agenda for each regularly scheduled Board meeting will include, as standing items at the end of each meeting: i) an in camera
session of the full Board separate from management and ii) an in camera session of the independent directors separate from management.
4 |
The Role of the Board of Directors |
Specific responsibilities of the Board include, but are not limited to, the following:
|
a) |
With respect to strategic planning |
|
|
|
Overseeing and monitoring significant corporate plans and strategic initiatives. |
|
|
|
Reviewing and approving, on at least an annual basis, the Corporations strategic plans, which take into account, among other things, the
opportunities and risks of the business, and adopting a strategic planning process and monitoring the Corporations performance. |
|
|
|
Taking all reasonable measures to ensure that policies and processes are in place for identifying principal business risks and opportunities for
the Corporation, addressing the extent to which such risks are acceptable to the Corporation, and ensuring that appropriate systems are in place to manage risks. |
|
b) |
With respect to financial matters and internal control |
|
|
|
Reviewing and approving the annual and quarterly capital and operating plans and budgets. |
|
|
|
Reviewing and approving major deviations from the capital and operating plans and budgets. |
|
|
|
Monitoring the integrity and quality of the Corporations financial statements and appropriateness of their disclosure. |
C-1
|
|
|
Reviewing the general content of, and the Audit Committees report on the financial aspects of, the Corporations Management
Discussion & Analysis, information circulars, annual information forms, annual reports, offering memorandums and prospectuses, and other documents required to be disclosed or filed by the Corporation before their public disclosure or filing
with regulatory authorities. |
|
|
|
Approving material investments, dispositions and joint ventures, and approving any other major initiatives outside the scope of approved operating
plans and budgets. |
|
|
|
Approving the issuance of any securities of the Corporation. |
|
|
|
Approving the incurrence of any debt by the Corporation outside the ordinary course of business. |
|
|
|
Determining dividend policies and procedures. |
|
|
|
Taking all reasonable measures to ensure that policies and processes are in place to ensure the integrity of the Corporations internal
control, financial reporting and management information systems. |
|
|
|
Reviewing periodically the Corporations communications policy and monitoring the Corporations communications with analysts, investors
and the public. |
|
c) |
With respect to human resources and performance assessment |
|
|
|
Reviewing and approving the Corporations incentive compensation plans. |
|
|
|
Appointing the CEO in agreement with its controlling shareholder. |
|
|
|
Monitoring the performance of the CEO and succession plans for the CEO in agreement with the Corporations controlling shareholder and, with
the advice of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, approving the compensation of the CEO. |
|
|
|
Monitoring the performance of senior management and succession plans for senior management in agreement with the Corporations controlling
shareholder and, with the advice of the Compensation and Benefits Committee, approving the compensation of senior management. |
|
|
|
Overseeing labour and human resources policies. |
|
d) |
With respect to director nominations and corporate governance matters |
|
|
|
Nominating the candidates for the Board to the shareholders, based on recommendations from the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
|
|
|
|
Taking all reasonable measures to satisfy itself as to the integrity of management and that management creates a culture of integrity throughout
the Corporation. |
|
|
|
Reviewing, on a regular basis, appropriate corporate governance structures and procedures, including the identification of decisions requiring
approval of the Board and, where appropriate, measures for receiving stakeholder feedback, and the adequate public disclosure thereof. |
|
|
|
Determining the composition, structure, processes, and characteristics of the Board and the terms of reference of committees of the Board, and
establishing a process for monitoring the Board and its directors on an ongoing basis. |
|
|
|
Enhancing succession planning at the Board level by requiring directors to tender their resignation to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee upon reaching twelve (12) years of service on the Board, which term may be extended as determined by the Board in its absolute discretion. |
|
|
|
Taking reasonable steps to ensure the ability of each candidate to make the commitment of time necessary to be a director of the Corporation,
including the application of the following guidelines when considering candidates to become directors of the Corporation: (a) for candidates that are chief executive officers or other senior executives of public corporations, the Board will
prefer individuals who hold no more than two (2) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board) in addition to membership on the board of the corporation at which an individual is employed, and (b) for other
candidates, the Board will prefer candidates that hold not more than five (5) public corporation directorships (excluding the Corporations Board). |
|
|
|
Appointing Board Committees and delegating to any such committees powers of the Board as appropriate and legally permissible.
|
|
|
|
Ensuring an appropriate orientation and education program for directors is provided. |
|
|
|
Monitoring the ethical conduct of the Corporation and ensuring that it complies with applicable legal and regulatory requirements as well as
adopting and reviewing, on a regular basis, the Corporations Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, applicable to the Corporations directors, its CEO, its financial officers and its other officers and employees and monitoring compliance
with such code. |
C-2
|
|
|
Reviewing this Mandate and other Board policies and terms of reference for Committees in place from time to time and propose modifications as
applicable. |
|
|
|
Taking all reasonable measures to ensure that appropriate policies and processes are in place to ensure the Corporations compliance with
applicable laws and regulations, including timely disclosure of relevant corporate information and regulatory reporting. |
|
|
|
Ensuring that the directors have direct access to management and, as necessary and appropriate, independent advisors. |
|
|
|
Ensuring evaluations of the Board and committee are carried out at least annually. |
|
e) |
With respect to environment and safety |
|
|
|
Overseeing the adoption and review of environmental policies and procedures. |
|
|
|
Taking all reasonable measures to ensure safety and security throughout the operations of the Corporation. |
5 |
Retention of Independent Advisors |
In performing its responsibilities, the Board may, as required and subject to advising the chair of the Board, engage an outside advisor for
advice and assistance at the expense of the Corporation.
Note that the Corporation is subject to the requirements set forth in the following agreements which may affect the above:
|
|
|
The Private Placement Agreement dated October 18, 2006 among the Corporation and Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited;
|
|
|
|
The Heads of Agreement dated December 8, 2010 among the Corporation and Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited; |
|
|
|
The Memorandum of Agreement dated April 17, 2012 among the Corporation, Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited and Rio Tinto South East Asia
Limited, as amended pursuant to an Amending Agreement dated May 22, 2012; and |
|
|
|
The Memorandum of Agreement dated August 23, 2013 among the Corporation, Rio Tinto International Holdings Limited and Rio Tinto South East
Asia Limited, as amended pursuant to an Amending Agreement dated November 14, 2013. |
Nothing contained in this
mandate is intended to expand applicable standards of conduct under statutory, regulatory or exchange requirements for the directors of the Corporation or the members of the Board Committees.
C-3
Exhibit 99.2
March 24, 2015
Press release
Turquoise Hill announces financial results and review of operations for 2014
VANCOUVER, CANADA Turquoise Hill Resources today
announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014. All figures are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
HIGHLIGHTS
|
|
Oyu Tolgoi achieved a good safety performance for 2014 with no fatalities and an All Injury Frequency Rate of 0.47 per 200,000 hours worked.
|
|
|
Oyu Tolgoi recorded net revenue of approximately $1.6 billion in 2014 on sales of approximately 733,700 tonnes of concentrate. |
|
|
Oyu Tolgoi recorded net revenue of $634.1 million in Q414 on sales of approximately 262,700 tonnes of concentrate; a 19.2% increase over Q314.
|
|
|
During 2014, Turquoise Hill generated its first annual positive operating cash flow of $658.3 million. |
|
|
Cash operating costs1 at Oyu Tolgoi in 2014 were
$905.6 million. |
|
|
Additions to property, plant and equipment were $87.7 million in the year, including approximately $60.0 million for sustaining capital activities.
|
|
|
In 2014, Oyu Tolgoi produced 148,400 tonnes of copper and 589,000 ounces of gold in concentrates compared to 76,700 tonnes of copper and 157,000 ounces of
gold in concentrates in 2013. |
|
|
Higher ore grades during Q414 led to increased metal production over prior quarters, which was partially offset by reduced processing rates as a result
of the December 2014 concentrator fire. |
|
|
In 2015, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce 175,000 to 195,000 tonnes of copper and 600,000 to 700,000 ounces of gold in concentrates with production
distribution expected to be relatively similar to 2014. |
|
|
Marketing and logistics improvements throughout 2014 led to concentrate inventories being drawn down to normal levels by year end. |
|
|
Turquoise Hill, Rio Tinto and the Government of Mongolia continue to work together to resolve shareholder matters. |
1 |
Cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure, comprising total cash operating costs for Oyu Tolgoi only, and is presented in order to provide investors and other
stakeholders in Turquoise Hill with greater understanding of performance and operations at Oyu Tolgoi. Further description and a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is given in section 15 of Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. |
|
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.
Suite 354 200 Granville Street
Vancouver,
British Columbia
Canada V6C 1S4
T 604 688 5755
www.turquoisehill.com
|
|
The 2014 Oyu Tolgoi Feasibility Study (2014 Feasibility Study) was finalized in September 2014 and in October 2014 Turquoise Hill filed an updated 2014 Oyu
Tolgoi Technical Report. |
|
|
On November 6, 2014, Turquoise Hill announced the retirement of Dr. David Klingner and Kay Priestly and named directors Jill Gardiner as Chair of
the Board effective January 1, 2015 and Jeff Tygesen as Chief Executive Officer effective December 1, 2014. |
|
|
In the second half of 2014, Turquoise Hill entered into a share purchase agreement with National United Resources Holdings for the sale of 56.1 million
shares in SouthGobi and continues to work with the purchaser towards closing the transaction. |
|
|
On February 24, 2015, Turquoise Hill announced a share purchase agreement with Novel Sunrise Investments Limited for the sale of 48,705,155 shares in
SouthGobi, being its remaining stake. |
|
|
In January 2014, Turquoise Hill successfully closed an approximate $2.4 billion rights offering and repaid all outstanding Rio Tinto funding facilities.
|
|
|
Turquoise Hills cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 were $862.8 million. |
FINANCIAL RESULTS
In 2014, Turquoise Hill recorded net
income of $31.8 million ($0.02 per share), with losses (including charges for impairment) relating to SouthGobi partly offsetting Oyu Tolgois results. Net income from continuing operations was $141.0 million ($0.07 per share), 44%
higher than in 2013. The increase follows the first full year of operations at Oyu Tolgoi, delivering gross margin of $372.1 million, or 22.6% of revenue, combined with reduction in general and administrative expenditure. Operating cash flows from
continuing operations were $671.6 million in 2014 as Oyu Tolgoi achieved a full year of sales and reduced inventory levels, generating Turquoise Hills first positive annual operating cash flow of $658.3 million.
Additions to property, plant and equipment were $87.7 million in the year, including approximately $60.0 million for sustaining capital activities and
construction of tailings storage facility. Cash capital expenditure of $203 million includes settlement of accrued payables for additions to property, plant and equipment in prior years; significantly lower than 2013 at $1.1 billion which included
completion and commissioning of open pit operations, underground development for the first half of 2013, and payment of accrued capital payables from 2012.
Turquoise Hills cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 were $862.8 million, as the result of positive cash flows from Oyu Tolgoi, and
repayment received in full for Turquoise Hills $115.0 million Mongolian Treasury Bill, which matured on October 19, 2014.
OYU TOLGOI COPPER-GOLD MINE
The Oyu Tolgoi mine is approximately 550 kilometres south of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolias capital city, and 80 kilometres north of the
Mongolia-China border. Mineralization on the property consists of porphyry-style copper, gold, silver and molybdenum contained in a linear structural trend (the Oyu Tolgoi Trend) that has a strike length extending over 26 kilometres. Mineral
resources have been identified in a series of deposits throughout this trend. They include, from south to north, the Heruga Deposit, the Southern Oyu deposits (Southwest Oyu, South Oyu, Wedge and Central Oyu) and the Hugo Dummett deposits (Hugo
South, Hugo North and Hugo North Extension). Mining of ore commenced in May 2012 and first concentrate was produced in January 2013.
The Oyu Tolgoi
mine has initially been developed as an open-pit operation. A copper concentrator plant, with related facilities and necessary infrastructure to support an initial throughput of 100,000 tonnes of ore per day, has been constructed to process ore
mined from the Southern Oyu open pit. Long term development plans for Oyu Tolgoi are based on a 95,000-tonne-per-day underground block-cave mine. In August 2013, development of the underground mine was delayed to allow matters with the Government of
Mongolia to be resolved. Further development of the underground mine is expected to commence once the following conditions are met: (1)
2
successful resolution of the mines shareholder matters, including the tax situation; (2) agreement of a comprehensive funding plan including project finance; (3) approval of the
2014 Feasibility Study by the Oyu Tolgoi shareholders and acceptance by the Mongolian Minerals Council; and (4) obtaining all necessary permits for the mines operations and development.
Full-year 2014 and Q414 performance
Safety continues
to be a major focus throughout Oyu Tolgois operations and the mines management is committed to reducing risk and injury. For 2014, Oyu Tolgoi achieved a good safety performance with no fatalities and an All Injury Frequency Rate of
0.47 per 200,000 hours worked.
Concentrate sales of approximately 733,700 tonnes in 2014 exceeded annual production, supported by improved
logistics and a developing customer base. Following an inventory build-up in 2013, robust sales combined with marketing and logistics improvements throughout 2014 led to concentrate inventories being drawn down to more normal levels by year end.
Concentrate sales of approximately 262,700 tonnes during Q414 increased 19.2% over Q314 due to continued improvements to customer
logistics and marketing. This marks the third consecutive quarter of sales exceeding production.
Key financial metrics for 2014 and Q414 are
as follows:
Oyu Tolgoi Key Financial Metrics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q
2013 |
|
|
1Q
2014 |
|
|
2Q
2014 |
|
|
3Q
2014 |
|
|
4Q
2014 |
|
|
Full Year
2014 |
|
|
Full Year
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue, net of royalties ($000,000) |
|
|
51.6 |
|
|
|
108.0 |
|
|
|
436.0 |
|
|
|
466.0 |
|
|
|
634.1 |
|
|
|
1,644.1 |
|
|
|
51.6 |
|
Royalties within net revenue |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
25.4 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
91.5 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
Concentrates sold (000 tonnes) |
|
|
26.4 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
|
|
202.5 |
|
|
|
220.3 |
|
|
|
262.7 |
|
|
|
733.7 |
|
|
|
26.4 |
|
Revenue by metals in concentrates ($000,000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper |
|
|
37.6 |
|
|
|
74.5 |
|
|
|
285.4 |
|
|
|
302.6 |
|
|
|
348.3 |
|
|
|
1,010.8 |
|
|
|
37.6 |
|
Gold |
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
|
145.2 |
|
|
|
158.5 |
|
|
|
280.4 |
|
|
|
616.1 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
Silver |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
Cost of sales ($000,000) |
|
|
49.2 |
|
|
|
99.1 |
|
|
|
379.1 |
|
|
|
380.0 |
|
|
|
413.9 |
|
|
|
1,272.1 |
|
|
|
49.2 |
|
Production and delivery costs |
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
67.5 |
|
|
|
266.6 |
|
|
|
260.5 |
|
|
|
293.0 |
|
|
|
887.6 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
Depreciation and depletion |
|
|
12.6 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
112.5 |
|
|
|
119.5 |
|
|
|
120.9 |
|
|
|
381.7 |
|
|
|
12.6 |
|
Capitalized property, plant and equipment ($000,000) |
|
|
134.9 |
|
|
|
20.6 |
|
|
|
27.1 |
|
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
14.7 |
|
|
|
87.7 |
|
|
|
641.0 |
|
Underground evaluation costs capitalized |
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
27.1 |
|
|
|
459.8 |
|
Note: Oyu Tolgois sales of concentrate are subject to a 5%
royalty. Revenues are presented net of royalties and typical contractual deductions (treatment, refining and freight differential charges) |
|
Production and delivery costs include primarily the cash costs in inventory sold as well as allocated mine
administration costs. Depreciation and depletion includes the depreciation and depletion in inventory sold as well as any depreciation of assets used in the selling and delivery process. Stripping costs, including cash and equipment depreciation,
are recorded in the run-of-mine copper-gold stockpile inventories in the period incurred.
3
Total cash operating
costs2 at Oyu Tolgoi in 2014 were $905.6 million in its first full year of operations. Cash operating costs
include:
|
|
|
Production and delivery costs included in cost of sales; |
|
|
|
Other cash operating expenses; |
|
|
|
Net change in inventories as included in the statement of cash flows; and |
|
|
|
All management services payments made by Oyu Tolgoi including amounts payable to the Company. |
During 2014, management began to improve and optimize operations in order to reduce costs throughout various areas of the mines operation.
Progress was made in customer logistics, assisting in reducing inventory levels. The impact of these improvements was partly offset by higher maintenance costs following the concentrator fire, and planned maintenance brought forward from early 2015.
Excluding asset write-down ($8.0 million) and adjustments relating to asset retirement obligations ($31.0 million), capitalized additions to
property, plant and equipment were $87.7 million including $27.1 million of underground evaluation costs and approximately $60.0 million for sustaining activities and the tailings storage facility. In 2013, capitalized additions totalled $641.0
million including underground development costs of $460 million.
Key operational metrics for 2014 and Q414 are as follows:
Oyu Tolgoi Key Operational Metrics
All data represent full production and
sales on a 100% basis
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4Q
2013 |
|
|
1Q
2014 |
|
|
2Q
2014 |
|
|
3Q
2014 |
|
|
4Q
2014 |
|
|
Full Year
2014 |
|
|
Full Year
2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open pit material mined (000 tonnes) |
|
|
21,956 |
|
|
|
21,621 |
|
|
|
16,861 |
|
|
|
19,493 |
|
|
|
18,944 |
|
|
|
76,919 |
|
|
|
72,032 |
|
Ore treated (000 tonnes) |
|
|
7,835 |
|
|
|
5,560 |
|
|
|
7,778 |
|
|
|
7,029 |
|
|
|
7,505 |
|
|
|
27,872 |
|
|
|
20,317 |
|
Average mill head grades: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper (%) |
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.74 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
Gold (g/t) |
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
|
1.46 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
Silver (g/t) |
|
|
1.44 |
|
|
|
1.52 |
|
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
1.64 |
|
|
|
1.65 |
|
|
|
1.60 |
|
|
|
1.39 |
|
Concentrates produced (000 tonnes)* |
|
|
129.5 |
|
|
|
102.9 |
|
|
|
140.0 |
|
|
|
134.1 |
|
|
|
186.7 |
|
|
|
563.6 |
|
|
|
290.0 |
|
Average concentrate grade (% Cu) |
|
|
25.4 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
|
25.8 |
|
|
|
27.3 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
|
|
|
26.3 |
|
|
|
26.4 |
|
Production of metals in concentrates: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper (000 tonnes) |
|
|
32.9 |
|
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
36.2 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
50.3 |
|
|
|
148.4 |
|
|
|
76.7 |
|
Gold (000 ounces) |
|
|
74 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
|
|
589 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
Silver (000 ounces) |
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
229 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
286 |
|
|
|
893 |
|
|
|
489 |
|
Sales of metals in concentrates: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper (000 tonnes) |
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
51.6 |
|
|
|
53.6 |
|
|
|
67.6 |
|
|
|
185.8 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
Gold (000 ounces) |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
263 |
|
|
|
561 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Silver (000 ounces) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
323 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
1,093 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
Metal recovery (%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper |
|
|
86.4 |
|
|
|
87.9 |
|
|
|
87.6 |
|
|
|
89.3 |
|
|
|
90.7 |
|
|
|
89.1 |
|
|
|
81.6 |
|
Gold |
|
|
71.2 |
|
|
|
75.5 |
|
|
|
74.8 |
|
|
|
74.8 |
|
|
|
78.6 |
|
|
|
76.6 |
|
|
|
66.1 |
|
Silver |
|
|
57.2 |
|
|
|
59.3 |
|
|
|
58.6 |
|
|
|
58.6 |
|
|
|
71.6 |
|
|
|
62.3 |
|
|
|
54.2 |
|
* Dry metric tonnes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher mill head grades during Q414 led to increased metal production over prior quarters, which was partially
offset by reduced processing rates as a result of the December 2014 fire in one of the concentrators ball mill
2 |
Cash operating costs is a non-GAAP measure, comprising total cash operating costs for Oyu Tolgoi only, and is presented in order to provide investors and other
stakeholders in Turquoise Hill with greater understanding of performance and operations at Oyu Tolgoi. Further description and a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure is given in section 15 of Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. |
|
4
cyclone packs. Repairs from the fire were completed on January 2, 2015 and the concentrator has returned to full production. Lower mining rates in Q414 reflect long-haul waste to the
tailings facility to complete construction and lower equipment availability.
The concentrator performance improved through 2014 but was impacted by
a series of post-commissioning issues, including failure of the rake blades in the tailings thickener in Q114, a thickener rake arm failure in Q314 and the Q414 concentrator fire.
Recoveries improved through 2014, driven by operational improvements and the increased ore grades as the mine developed through the high-grade core of
the southwest zone in the last half of 2014.
Funding of Oyu Tolgoi by Turquoise Hill
In accordance with the Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated June 8, 2011 (ARSHA), Turquoise Hill has funded Oyu Tolgois
cash requirements beyond internally generated cash flows by a combination of equity investment and shareholder debt.
For amounts funded by debt,
Oyu Tolgoi must repay such amounts, including accrued interest, before it can pay common share dividends. At December 31, 2014, the aggregate outstanding balance of loans extended by subsidiaries of the Company to Oyu Tolgoi was $7.8 billion,
including accrued interest of $1.5 billion. These loans bear interest at an effective annual rate of LIBOR plus 6.5%. Subsidiaries of the Company have accrued $122.8 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities for the withholding taxes
due upon payment of the accrued interest by Oyu Tolgoi. In 2014, Oyu Tolgoi repaid a total amount of $477.0 million with respect to these loans, including accrued interest of $155.7 million.
In accordance with the ARSHA, a subsidiary of the Company has funded the common share investments in Oyu Tolgoi on behalf of Erdenes. These funded
amounts earn interest at an effective annual rate of LIBOR plus 6.5% and are repayable, by Erdenes to a subsidiary of the Company, via a pledge over Erdenes share of Oyu Tolgoi common share dividends. Erdenes also has the right to reduce the
outstanding balance by making cash payments at any time. As at December 31, 2014, the cumulative amount of such funding was $751.2 million, representing approximately 34% of invested common share equity, and unrecognized interest thereon of
$168.6 million.
Operational outlook
Based on the
current mine schedule, Oyu Tolgoi is expected to produce 175,000 to 195,000 tonnes of copper and 600,000 to 700,000 ounces of gold in concentrates in 2015. Production from the high-grade core of the southwest zone is expected to recommence in
mid-2015. The Company expects production distribution to be relatively similar to 2014 with production levels significantly higher in the second half of 2015.
During January and February 2015, Oyu Tolgoi completed a planned shutdown to reline both SAG mills and undertake modification and improvement work.
Contracts have been signed for 100% of Oyu Tolgois expected 2015 concentrate production.
Discussions with the Government of Mongolia and project financing
Turquoise Hill, Rio Tinto and the Government of Mongolia continue to work together to resolve the
shareholder matters and finalize project finance to restart the underground mine development at Oyu Tolgoi.
Turquoise
Hill and Rio Tinto have made an offer to the Government of Mongolia to resolve the shareholder matters in a manner which the Company believes is beneficial to all stakeholders. Upon successful resolution of shareholder matters, Turquoise Hill
and Rio Tinto intend to formalize the agreement between the parties, which will be in alignment and accordance with the Investment Agreement and ARSHA.
5
Further development will commence once the following conditions are met:
|
|
|
Successful resolution of shareholder matters, including the tax situation; |
|
|
|
Agreement on a comprehensive funding plan, including Oyu Tolgoi project finance; |
|
|
|
Approval of the 2014 Feasibility Study by all shareholders and acceptance by the Mongolian Minerals Council; and
|
|
|
|
Obtaining all necessary permits for the mines operation and development. |
In June 2014, Oyu Tolgoi LLC received a Tax Act (Tax Assessment) from the Mongolian Tax Authority as a result of a general tax audit for the period
covering 2010 through 2012. Oyu Tolgoi appealed the full Tax Assessment to the Tax Dispute Resolution Council of the General Taxation Authority of Mongolia and in September 2014 received a response reducing the amount of tax, interest
and penalties claimed to be payable, from approximately $127 million to approximately $30 million. While this significant reduction is welcome, there are aspects of the ruling that require further clarification. Oyu Tolgoi has
appealed the outcome of the Tax Dispute Resolution Council to the Administrative Appellate Court. This appeal has not yet been heard by the Appellate Court.
Turquoise Hill continues to engage with the proposed project financing lender group and has kept both the international financial institutions and
the commercial banks informed of the status of discussions with the Government of Mongolia. Commitments from the commercial bank consortium formally expired on September 30, 2014. Timing of any lender commitment extension
requests will be determined when definitive progress or resolution has been made on the shareholder matters. The lending group continues to be supportive of the Oyu Tolgoi project and current indications are that a suitable project
financing package would be available upon resolution of the outstanding shareholder matters; however this is not guaranteed.
While discussions
continue to resolve shareholder matters, and re-start underground mine development, Oyu Tolgois management is focused on efficiently and safely running the open-pit mine and the processing facilities, while the underground remains in
care and maintenance.
Underground feasibility study and updated technical report
In September 2014, the 2014 Feasibility Study was finalized and presented to the Board of Directors of Oyu Tolgoi. The Feasibility Study includes
analysis of two production cases the 2014 Reserve Case and the 2014 Life of Mine (LOM) Case.
In October 2014, the Company approved and filed
an updated compliant independently-prepared technical report under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) relating to the Oyu Tolgoi Project (the Project). Prepared by OreWin Pty Ltd.
(OreWin), the 2014 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report (2014 OTTR), updates the Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report dated March 25, 2013 (2013 OTTR).
The 2014
Reserve Case includes mineral reserves from the Southern Oyu Tolgoi open pit and the Hugo North Lift 1 block cave. Oyu Tolgois large mineral resource base may represent a significant opportunity, not only as an exceptionally long-life
project but also for production expansion. The potential development flexibility that exists with respect to later phases of Oyu Tolgoi will continue to be studied as part of the overall project strategy. Separate development decisions will need to
be made based on future prevailing conditions and the experience obtained from developing and operating the initial phases of the Project.
In
August 2013, development of the underground mine was delayed to allow matters with the Government of Mongolia to be resolved.
6
The 2014 OTTR updates the Projects mineral resources and mineral reserves and is available under
Turquoise Hills profile on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). Highlights of the 2014 OTTR are as follows:
|
|
|
An updated mineral resource model and estimate for the Hugo North deposit. The updated mineral resource estimate is similar to and confirms the previous
estimates contained in the 2013 OTTR. Mineral resource models for the other Oyu Tolgoi deposits remained unchanged. |
|
|
|
Updated mineral reserve estimates are broadly in line with previous estimates. The open pit allows for depletion in 2013 but does not include depletion from
2014. Modified underground dilution and mining loss assumptions result in lower ore grades and lower mining recovery. |
|
|
|
Underground ore handling is now planned to be conveyed to surface via decline, which opens the Project to additional production flexibility and future
optionality. The new mine plan will make use of the existing shafts and the planned shafts. |
|
|
|
The reduced Project NPV is the result of delay and a reduction due to more cautious cave performance assumptions, which led to a reduction in recovered metal
and a slowing of ramp-up of the cave. |
|
|
|
Underground block cave mine production remains at 95,000 tonnes per day. |
|
|
|
The plant rate remained at the nominal 100,000 tonnes per day. |
|
|
|
The 2014 OTTR expansion capital of $4.9 billion for the underground project, which is in line with the $5.1 billion estimate contained in the 2013 OTTR
(excludes $0.5 billion of capital spent in 2013 and 2014). |
Pursuant to discussions with Turquoise Hills principal regulator
following the filing of the Companys press release on September 22, 2014 titled Oyu Tolgoi Finalizes Underground Feasibility Study, and in order to comply with the requirements of NI 43-101, the 2014 OTTR does not present the
economic analysis of the 2014 LOM Case or economic analysis for any potential expansion options that would include inferred resources.
Disclosure
of a scientific or technical nature in respect of the 2014 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report was prepared by the following qualified persons: Bernard Peters, B. Eng. (Mining), FAusIMM of OreWin, who was responsible for the overall preparation of the
report and the mineral reserves estimate of the report, as well as the preparation of the geotechnical sections and the sections related to and including processing, and Sharron Sylvester, B.Sc Geology, MAIG (RPGeo), of OreWin, who was responsible
for preparation of the mineral resources estimate of the report, both of whom are qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101.
Exploration
during 2014
Oyu Tolgois exploration strategy is focused on developing a project pipeline prioritized in areas that can impact the current
development of the Oyu Tolgoi orebodies, seeking low-cost development options and continuing development of historical datasets to enable future discovery. Total exploration expense in 2014 was $7.4 million compared with $20.1 million in 2013.
In 2014, a total of eleven holes drilled were at Hugo West Shallow for a total of more than 3,100 metres. In Q414, six holes were drilled at the
Hugo West Shallow target area totalling approximately 1,700 metres. Final data were consistent with previous results, including modest grade expectations. Based on an interpretation of the drilling results and an estimate of tonnes and grade, no
further work is warranted at this stage.
In 2014, two holes were drilled into the shallow Zeer target east of the Oyut pit totalling more than 600
metres. The geology, interpreted to be Devonian basalts, was predominantly granitic intrusives and the target requires no further work.
Other work
completed during 2014 included the full re-estimate of the Hugo North resource, which forms the basis of the Feasibility Study. Approximately 5,000 metres of geotechnical investigation holes were drilled to characterize ground conditions for the
convey-to-surface infrastructure related to the Feasibility Study.
7
Geological mapping at a scale of 1:5,000 continued during the field season to provide coverage over
some areas of the mine licences at a higher resolution. Ground magnetic data collection in the summer totalled 4600 line kilometres covering approximately 122 square kilometres of the mine licences. Compilation of these historical datasets will
continue over winter and field work will continue in the 2015 field season. Work is also ongoing on improving and expanding the geochronological dataset at Oyu Tolgoi to better understand the intrusion history.
Initial sample suites were collected for several ongoing geochemistry programs being undertaken with the assistance of Rio Tinto Exploration. These
programs include studies of zircon and apatite mineral chemistry as indicators of porphyry copper system fertility, direct detection geochemistry using MLA technology and Greenrocks studies of geochemical halos and lithocaps as a
fertility assessment and vectoring tool.
SOUTHGOBI HELD FOR SALE
Classification as Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations
On July 29, 2014, Turquoise Hill announced that it had entered into a share purchase agreement with National United Resources Holdings Limited
(NUR), a Hong Kong-based public company listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK), providing for the sale to NUR of 56.1 million shares in SouthGobi held by Turquoise Hill, representing a 29.95% stake in SouthGobi at
that time, when Turquoise Hill held a 56.8% stake.
Under the terms of the agreement, which was effected in accordance with and in reliance upon the
private agreement exemption under the Canadian takeover bid regime and in accordance with the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers, Turquoise Hill has agreed to sell 56.1 million common shares in SouthGobi to NUR at a price of
C$0.455 per common share. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is to receive approximately C$12.8 million in cash at closing and deferred consideration of approximately C$12.8 million will become payable on the first anniversary of the
closing of the transaction.
On December 2, 2014, Turquoise Hill announced that it had signed an amendment to the share purchase agreement
which provides, among other matters, for an extension to the closing date from November 30, 2014 to April 30, 2015. At December 31, 2014, the 56,102,000 SouthGobi common shares which the Company has agreed to sell to NUR represented a
25.65% stake in SouthGobi after giving effect to the issue of common shares to China Investment Corporation (CIC) in November 2014 in satisfaction of interest accrued under its debenture agreement, and a private placement of 24,360,773
common shares by SouthGobi on December 3, 2014. The sale transaction with NUR remains subject to certain closing conditions, including SEHK approval of the circular to be provided to NURs shareholders for a vote on the transaction, and
NUR shareholder approval. NUR has not yet issued the circular for purposes of conducting a shareholder vote and an additional delay in NUR shareholder approval would impact the timing of the closing. There can be no assurance that the transactions
contemplated by the share purchase agreement, or closing of the transaction itself, will be completed.
On February 24, 2015, the Company
announced that it had entered into a share purchase agreement with Novel Sunrise Investments Limited (NSI) providing for the sale of its remaining 48.7 million shares in SouthGobi (after giving effect to the sale of 56.1 million common
shares to NUR described above) at a price of C$0.35 per common share payable in cash. Half of the aggregate purchase price, representing C$8.5 million, will be received by the Company at closing and the balance of approximately C$8.5 million
will be payable on the first anniversary of the closing of the transaction.
Closing is subject to certain conditions, including certain Canadian
and Hong Kong stock exchange and securities regulatory matters. Closing is expected to occur no later than March 31, 2015, however there can be no assurance that the transactions contemplated by the share purchase agreement with NSI, or closing
of the transaction itself, will be completed.
8
In addition, Turquoise Hill has the option (the Put Option) to require NSI to acquire an
additional number of SouthGobi common shares, up to a pre-agreed maximum, provided that NSI will not be required to own more than 29.99% of the outstanding SouthGobi shares following the exercise of the Put Option, also at a price of C$0.35 per
common share, in the event the transaction contemplated by the share purchase agreement entered into by Turquoise Hill with NUR in July 2014 is not completed by April 30, 2015 (or such later outside date as may be extended by Turquoise Hill and
NUR but not later than September 30, 2015).
On March 3, 2015, SouthGobi announced closing of the initial tranche of a previously
announced private placement pursuant to a subscription agreement with NSI in respect of 21.75 million mandatory convertible units and common shares of SouthGobi. The subscription agreement was entered into by SouthGobi at the time of Turquoise
Hills entry into the share purchase agreement with NSI; the mandatory convertible units automatically convert into SouthGobi common shares on a one-for-one basis upon the earlier of the termination or closing of the transaction under such
share purchase agreement. The initial tranche of the private placement completed on March 3 consisted of the issuance of 10.1 million mandatory convertible units to NSI for proceeds of $3.5 million. The remainder of the private placement,
representing up to an additional 11.6 mandatory convertible units or common shares, is expected to close concurrently with the transaction under the Companys share purchase agreement with NSI.
The Company had been exploring divestment of its interest in SouthGobi to allow it to focus on the operation and development of the Oyu Tolgoi mine.
Upon signing of the share purchase agreement with NUR on July 29, 2014, the reporting segment for SouthGobi was considered to be a disposal group held for sale and a discontinued operation.
Change in accounting treatment for SouthGobi
From
December 3, 2014, the Company has accounted for SouthGobi as an investment in a company subject to significant influence rather than as a consolidated subsidiary entity. Turquoise Hills investment in SouthGobi is recognized at fair value
and within non-current assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet; changes in the fair value are charged or credited to the consolidated statement of operations, within discontinued operations. The change in accounting treatment arose
following completion of the private placement on December 3, 2014, and resulting reduction in Turquoise Hills interest in SouthGobi to 47.9% at that time.
As a result of this change, the Companys principal exposures in relation to its investment in SouthGobi are to: factors having a potential impact
on fair value; and completion of the proposed transactions described above.
CORPORATE ACTIVITIES
Changes to the Companys Board of Directors and Management
Directors Virginia Flood, Isabelle Hudon, Warren Goodman and Charles Lenegan did not stand for re-election at the Companys 2014 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders on May 8, 2014. Turquoise Hills Articles of Amendment provide that the number of directors will be a minimum of three and a maximum of 14. Of the seven persons elected at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, four are
independent directors under the applicable securities laws.
On October 24, 2014, Dr. James Gill was appointed to the
Companys Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2014. Dr. Gill is an experienced explorer, developer and operator with more than 40 years of international mining experience.
9
On November 6, 2014, Turquoise Hill announced the retirement of Chair Dr. David Klingner,
effective January 1, 2015, and Chief Executive Officer Kay Priestly, effective December 1, 2014. Current directors Jill Gardiner and Jeff Tygesen were appointed Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, respectively.
Ms. Priestly remained on the Turquoise Hill board until December 31, 2014. Effective January 1, 2015, Dr. Craig Stegman was appointed as a director to fill the vacancy following Ms. Priestlys retirement. The
appointments were the result of an extensive succession planning program. Effective January 1, 2015, director Russell Robertson became Chair of the Audit Committee and Ms. Gardiner became Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee.
New Chief Financial Officer
Effective
June 1, 2014, Mr. Steeve Thibeault was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company replacing Mr. Chris Bateman, who left the Company to pursue other opportunities. Most recently, Mr. Thibeault was Chief Financial Officer of
Australian Stock Exchange-listed Energy Resources of Australia.
Oyu Tolgoi signs Power Sector Cooperation Agreement with Government of Mongolia
On August 14, 2014, Oyu Tolgoi signed a Power Sector Cooperation Agreement (PSCA) with the Government of Mongolia for the exploration of a Tavan
Tolgoi-based independent power producer. The agreement lays out a framework for long-term strategic cooperation between the Mongolian Government and Oyu Tolgoi to deliver a comprehensive energy plan for the South Gobi region. Under the PSCA, the
Government of Mongolia assumes the responsibility to import and supply power required by Oyu Tolgoi LLC until such time as the commissioning of a domestic Mongolian power source, which meets Oyu Tolgoi LLCs power needs, is completed.
The agreement provides a framework for a broad range of power-related options, including establishment of a power generation source, transmission lines and power
imports. The centerpiece of the PSCA is an open, international tender process to identify and select an independent power provider to privately fund, construct, own, and operate a power plant to supply electricity, with Oyu Tolgoi as the primary
consumer. Full evaluation of the independent power producer option is expected to take nine to 12 months.
Mongolian Treasury Bill repayment
On October 17, 2014, Turquoise Hill received payment in full for its $115 million Mongolian Treasury Bill, which matured on October 19, 2014.
Class action lawsuits
On December 16, 2014,
United States District Court Judge Lorna G. Schofield dismissed the consolidated putative securities class action lawsuit that had been filed in the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain of its officers and directors in
December 2013. The lawsuit sought to recover damages that it claimed were attributable to alleged misstatements about the Companys financial performance arising from revisions to its recognition of revenue on SouthGobis coal sales,
as disclosed on November 8, 2013. The plaintiffs did not appeal Judge Schofields dismissal by February 9, 2015, the appeal deadline.
QUALIFIED
PERSON
Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis (the MD&A) in respect of the Oyu
Tolgoi mine was prepared under the supervision of Bernard Peters (responsibility for overall preparation and mineral reserves), B. Eng. (Mining), FAusIMM (201743), employed by OreWin as Technical Director Mining and Kendall Cole-Rae
(responsibility for mineral resources, geology and exploration), B.Sc. (Geology), SME (4138633), employed by Rio Tinto as Chief Adviser, Geology and Resource Estimation. Each of these individuals is a qualified person as that term is
defined in NI 43-101.
10
Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature in respect of the 2014 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report was
prepared by the following qualified persons: Bernard Peters, B. Eng. (Mining), FAusIMM of OreWin, who was responsible for the overall preparation of the report and the mineral reserves estimate of the report, as well as the preparation of the
geotechnical sections and the sections related to and including processing, and Sharron Sylvester, B.Sc Geology, MAIG (RPGeo), of OreWin, who was responsible for preparation of the mineral resources estimate of the report, both of whom are
qualified persons for the purposes of NI 43-101.
11
SELECTED QUARTERLY DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec-31
2014 |
|
|
Sep-30
2014 |
|
|
Jun-30
2014 |
|
|
Mar-31
2014 |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper-gold concentrate |
|
$ |
634.1 |
|
|
$ |
466.0 |
|
|
$ |
436.0 |
|
|
$ |
108.0 |
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
634.1 |
|
|
$ |
466.0 |
|
|
$ |
436.0 |
|
|
$ |
108.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
103.3 |
|
|
$ |
40.8 |
|
|
$ |
21.9 |
|
|
$ |
(40.5) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to the Company |
|
|
(7.5) |
|
|
|
(79.4) |
|
|
|
(12.3) |
|
|
|
(10.1) |
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
95.8 |
|
|
$ |
(38.6) |
|
|
$ |
9.6 |
|
|
$ |
(50.6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02) |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.04) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02) |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02) |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
(0.04) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
(0.02) |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec-31
2013 |
|
|
Sep-30
2013 |
|
|
Jun-30
2013 |
|
|
Mar-31
2013 |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper-gold concentrate |
|
$ |
51.5 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
51.5 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
242.2 |
|
|
$ |
(65.3) |
|
|
$ |
(43.3) |
|
|
$ |
(35.9) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to the Company |
|
|
(103.8) |
|
|
|
(28.8) |
|
|
|
(62.1) |
|
|
|
(15.0) |
|
|
|
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company |
|
$ |
138.4 |
|
|
$ |
(94.1) |
|
|
$ |
(105.4) |
|
|
$ |
(50.9) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
(0.06) |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
(0.08) |
|
|
|
(0.02) |
|
|
|
(0.05) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
$ |
(0.08) |
|
|
$ |
(0.08) |
|
|
$ |
(0.04) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to the Company |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing operations |
|
$ |
0.19 |
|
|
$ |
(0.06) |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
|
$ |
(0.03) |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
|
(0.08) |
|
|
|
(0.02) |
|
|
|
(0.05) |
|
|
|
(0.01) |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
$ |
(0.08) |
|
|
$ |
(0.08) |
|
|
$ |
(0.04) |
|
|
|
12
About Turquoise Hill Resources
Turquoise Hill Resources (NYSE, NASDAQ & TSX: TRQ) is an international mining company focused on copper, gold and coal mines in the Asia Pacific region. The
Companys primary operation is its 66% interest in the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold-silver mine in southern Mongolia. Turquoise Hill also holds a 45.8% interest in Mongolian coal miner SouthGobi Resources (TSX: SGQ; HK: 1878).
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Contacts |
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Investors |
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Media |
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Jessica Largent |
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Tony Shaffer |
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Office: |
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+1 604 648 3957 |
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+1 604 648 3934 |
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Email: |
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jessica.largent@turquoisehill.com |
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Email: |
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tony.shaffer@turquoisehill.com |
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Follow us on Twitter @TurquoiseHillRe
Forward-looking statements
Certain statements made herein,
including statements relating to matters that are not historical facts and statements of the Companys beliefs, intentions and expectations about developments, results and events which will or may occur in the future, constitute
forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking information and statements relate to future events or future performance, reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events and are typically identified by words such as
anticipate, could, should, expect, seek, may, intend, likely, plan, estimate, will, believe and similar
expressions suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. These include, but are not limited to, statements respecting anticipated business activities; planned expenditures; corporate strategies; the evolution of discussions with
the Government of Mongolia; and other statements that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements and information are made based upon
certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
statements or information. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of copper, gold
and silver, anticipated capital and operating costs, anticipated future production and cash flows, the ability to complete the disposition of certain of its non-core assets, the ability and timing to complete project financing and/or secure other
financing on acceptable terms, and the evolution of discussions with the Government of Mongolia on a range of matters including the implementation of the Investment Agreement, project development costs, operating budgets, the payment of taxes and
taxation matters, management fees and Oyu Tolgoi LLC internal governance. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and information
include, among others, copper, gold and silver price volatility, discrepancies between actual and estimated production, mineral reserves and resources and metallurgical recoveries, mining operational and development risks, litigation risks,
regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability), activities or assessments by governmental authorities, currency fluctuations, the speculative nature of mineral exploration, the global economic climate,
dilution, share price volatility, competition, loss of key employees, additional funding requirements, capital and operating costs for the construction and operation of the Oyu Tolgoi mine and defective title to mineral claims or property. Although
the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Companys management in light of their experience and perception of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information or statements.
With
respect to specific forward-looking information concerning the construction and development of the Oyu Tolgoi mine, the Company has based its assumptions and analyses on certain factors which are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties and assumptions
include, among others: the timing and cost of the construction and expansion of mining and processing
13
facilities; the impact of the decision announced by the Company to delay the funding and development of the Oyu Tolgoi underground mine pending resolution of outstanding matters with the
Government of Mongolia associated with the development and operation of the Oyu Tolgoi mine and to satisfy all conditions precedent to the availability of Oyu Tolgoi Project Financing; the approval of the underground feasibility study by Oyu Tolgoi
LLCs shareholders, the impact of changes in, changes in interpretation to or changes in enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices in Mongolia; the availability and cost of skilled labour and transportation; the availability
and cost of appropriate smelting and refining arrangements; the obtaining of (and the terms and timing of obtaining) necessary environmental and other government approvals, consents and permits; the availability of funding on reasonable terms; the
timing and availability of a long-term power source for the Oyu Tolgoi mine; delays, and the costs which would result from delays, in the development of the underground mine (which could significantly exceed the costs projected in the underground
feasibility study and in the 2014 Oyu Tolgoi Technical Report); projected copper, gold and silver prices and demand; and production estimates and the anticipated yearly production of copper, gold and silver at the Oyu Tolgoi mine.
The cost, timing and complexities of mine construction and development are increased by the remote location of a property such as the Oyu Tolgoi mine. It
is common in new mining operations and in the development or expansion of existing facilities to experience unexpected problems and delays during development, construction and mine start-up. Additionally, although the Oyu Tolgoi mine has achieved
commercial production, there is no assurance that future development activities will result in profitable mining operations. In addition, funding and development of the underground component of the Oyu Tolgoi mine have been delayed until matters
with the Government of Mongolia can be resolved and a new timetable agreed. These delays can impact project economics.
The Companys MD&A
also contains references to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources. The estimation of reserves and resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. The mineral resource estimates contained
in this MD&A are inclusive of mineral reserves. Further, mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data,
and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including future production from the Oyu Tolgoi mine, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be achieved or the indicated level of recovery that will
be realized), which may prove to be unreliable. There can be no assurance that these estimates will be accurate or that such mineral reserves and mineral resources can be mined or processed profitably. See the discussion under the headings
Language Regarding Reserves and Resources and Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources in Section 20 of this MD&A. Such estimates and statements are, in large
part, based on the following:
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Interpretations of geological data obtained from drill holes and other sampling techniques. Large scale continuity and character of the deposits will only be
determined once significant additional drilling and sampling has been completed and analyzed. Actual mineralization or formations may be different from those predicted. It may also take many years from the initial phase of drilling before production
is possible, and during that time the economic feasibility of exploiting a deposit may change. Reserve and resource estimates are materially dependent on prevailing metal prices and the cost of recovering and processing minerals at the individual
mine sites. Market fluctuations in the price of metals or increases in the costs to recover metals from the Companys mining projects may render mining of ore reserves uneconomic and affect the Companys operations in a materially adverse
manner. Moreover, various short-term operating factors may cause a mining operation to be unprofitable in any particular accounting period; |
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Assumptions relating to commodity prices and exchange rates during the expected life of production, mineralization of the area to be mined, the projected cost
of mining, and the results of additional planned development work. Actual future production rates and amounts, revenues, taxes, operating expenses, environmental and regulatory compliance expenditures, development expenditures, and recovery rates
may vary substantially from those assumed in the estimates. Any significant change in these assumptions, including changes that result from variances between projected and actual results, could result in material downward revision to current
estimates; |
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Assumptions relating to projected future metal prices. The prices used reflect organizational consensus pricing views and opinions in the financial modeling
for the Oyu Tolgoi mine and are subjective in nature. It should be expected that actual prices will be different than the prices used for such modeling (either higher or lower), and the differences could be significant; and |
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Assumptions relating to the costs and availability of treatment and refining services for the metals mined from the Oyu Tolgoi mine, which require
arrangements with third parties and involve the potential for fluctuating costs to |
14
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transport the metals and fluctuating costs and availability of refining services. These costs can be significantly impacted by a variety of industry-specific and also regional and global economic
factors (including, among others, those which affect commodity prices). Many of these factors are beyond the Companys control. |
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve
numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Events or circumstances could cause the Companys actual results to differ
materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are included in the Risk
Factors section of the MD&A.
Readers are further cautioned that the list of factors enumerated in the Risk Factors section of
the MD&A that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on the Companys forward-looking information and statements to make decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing
factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Furthermore, the forward-looking information and statements contained in the MD&A are made as of the date of this document and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or
to revise any of the included forward-looking information or statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking information and statements contained in the
MD&A are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
15
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd.
354-200 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1S4
Tel: (604) 688 5755
PROXY
This proxy is
solicited by management of TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD. (the Corporation) for the Annual General Meeting of its shareholders (the Meeting) to be held on May 8, 2015.
The undersigned hereby appoints Jeff Tygesen, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or, failing him, Jill Gardiner, the Chair of the
Corporation, or instead of any of the foregoing,
___________________________________________,
Print the name of the person you are appointing if this person is someone other than the individuals listed above
as nominee of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to attend, act and vote on behalf of the undersigned at the Meeting to be held
at the Pan Pacific Hotel located at Suite 300-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, British Columbia, on May 8, 2015 at 9:00 am local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, and directs the nominee to vote or withhold from voting , as the
case may be, the shares of the undersigned in the manner indicated below. Voting recommendations are indicated in bold:
1. ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
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1. ROWENA ALBONES |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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2. JILL GARDINER |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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3. JAMES W. GILL |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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4. R. PETER GILLIN |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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5. RUSSEL C. ROBERTSON |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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6. CRAIG STEGMAN |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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7. JEFF TYGESEN |
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FOR |
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WITHHOLD |
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2. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
To appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Corporation at a remuneration to be fixed by the board of
directors.
3. NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON THE CORPORATIONS APPROACH TO EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Non-binding advisory vote to accept the approach to executive compensation disclosed in the accompanying information circular.
4. RENEWAL OF THE CORPORATIONS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
To approve, ratify and confirm the renewal of the Corporations equity incentive plan and to approve and authorize, for a period of three years after
the date of the Meeting, all unallocated options issuable pursuant to the equity incentive plan.
5. To transact any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The undersigned hereby authorizes his/her nominee to act in accordance with the instructions set out above. The undersigned hereby revokes any
proxy previously given with respect to the Meeting. If no voting instructions are indicated above, this Proxy will be voted FOR a matter by Managements appointees or, if the undersigned appoints another proxyholder, as that other proxyholder
sees fit. On any amendments or variations proposed or any new business properly submitted before the Meeting, the undersigned authorizes his/her nominee to vote as he/she sees fit.
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on this proxy. Please see reverse for instructions. All proxies must be received
by 5:00 PM (Pacific Time) on May 6, 2015.
NOTES:
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A proxy will not be valid unless the completed, signed and dated form of proxy is sent to CST Trust Company, by
facsimile, Attention: Proxy Department, at 1-416-368-2502 or 1-866-781- 3111 or by mail to P.O. Box 721, Agincourt, Ontario, M1S 0A1 or by e-mail at proxy@canstockta.com or delivered by hand to The Oceanic Plaza, 1066
Hastings Street, Suite 1600, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3X1, or 320 Bay Street, Basement Level (B1), Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4A6, or 2001 University, 16th Floor, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2A6 and received by CST Trust Company not less than 48 hours
(excluding Saturdays and holidays) before the time at which the Meeting is to be held, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or delivered to the Secretary of the Meeting prior to commencement of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or on the
day of any adjournment or postponement thereof. Any one of the
joint holders of a common share may sign a form of proxy in respect of the share but, if more than one of them is present at the Meeting or represented by a proxyholder, that one of them whose name appears first in the register of members in respect
of the common share, or that ones proxyholder, will alone be entitled to vote in respect thereof. Where the form of proxy is signed by a corporation, either its corporate seal must be affixed or the form should be signed by the corporation
under the hand of an officer or an attorney duly authorized in writing.
A shareholder has the right to appoint a person or company, who need not be a shareholder, to attend and act for the shareholder and on
the shareholders behalf at the Meeting other than either of the nominees designated in this form of proxy, and may do so by inserting the name of that other person in the blank space provided for that purpose in this form of proxy or by
completing another suitable form of proxy. The common shares
represented by the proxy will be voted for or against or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and where a choice with respect to a matter to be acted on is specified, the
common shares will be voted in accordance with that specification, however, if no such instructions are given, in respect of any matter, this proxy will be voted as recommended by the management of the Corporation. This proxy confers discretionary
authority with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified or referred to in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and with respect to other matters that may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement
thereof. |
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If this proxy is not dated, it will be deemed to bear the date on which it is mailed by the management of the Corporation to the holder.
The information circular, which contains disclosure relating to the matters to be acted
upon can be accessed electronically on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. A shareholder may also request, free of charge, a copy of the relevant information circular by contacting the Corporate Department at 354 200 Granville Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1S4, or at 604-688-5755 or through the Companys website at www.turquoisehill.com.
OR Vote by Internet:
To vote by internet, use the internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Have this form of Proxy available when
you access the website at www.cstvotemyproxy.com. You will be prompted to enter your 13- digit Control Number which is located in the box below. You may also appoint a person other than the persons designated on this form of proxy by
following the instructions provided on the website. The cutoff time for voting over the Internet is 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) on May 6, 2015.
Affix label here Name of Shareholder
Address of Shareholder |
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Exhibit 99.4
SHAREHOLDER CONSENT TO DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. (the Company) is introducing a voluntary option for the delivery of Company documents to its shareholders
(Shareholders) by electronic means rather than traditional mailing of paper copies. This option allows the Company to provide its shareholders a convenient method of receiving materials meant to increase timeliness for Shareholders,
provide benefits to our environment and reduce costs.
I consent to the electronic delivery of the documents listed below that the Company elects
to deliver to me electronically, all in accordance with the terms hereof. The consent granted herein will last until revoked by the Shareholder.
1. |
The following documents that are filed with securities regulators and mailed to other Shareholders will at the same time be delivered electronically to me (collectively referred to as the Documents or each
of them as a Document): |
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a) |
annual reports including financial statements; |
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b) |
quarterly reports, including financial statements; |
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management information circulars; and |
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d) |
such other disclosure documents that the Company makes available by electronic means. |
2. |
The Documents will be delivered to me by the Company by making them available for my viewing, downloading and/or saving on the Internet website www.TurquoiseHill.com (the Website). |
I must then go to Investor Information and Financial Reports and locate the document of interest for viewing.
The Company will advise me by e-mail when the documents are available on the Website.
3. |
The viewing, downloading and/or saving of a Document requires me to use: |
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a) |
a computer with a 486/33 processor (or MacIntosh LC III) or higher with at least 16 megabytes of RAM (Random Access Memory) and Windows 3.1; |
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b) |
access to an Internet service provider; |
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c) |
the program Netscape Navigator 3.0 (or higher) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 (or higher); |
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d) |
the program Adobe Acrobat Reader 3.0 (or higher) to read the material; and |
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e) |
an electronic mail account to receive notification.
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For Shareholders without Adobe Acrobat Reader, a link will be provided to allow the
downloading of this program. Accordingly, I acknowledge that I understand the above technical requirements and that I possess the technical ability and resources to receive electronic delivery in the manner outlined in this Consent to
Electronic Delivery of Documents.
4. |
I acknowledge that I may receive at no cost a paper copy of any Document to be delivered if the Company cannot make electronic delivery available or if I contact the Companys transfer agent, CST Trust Company by
telephone at (800) 387-0825, regular mail at CST Trust Company at 1600-1066 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1, or via electronic mail at inquiries@canstockta.com. I further acknowledge that my request of a paper copy of any
Document does not constitute revocation of this Consent to Electronic Delivery of Documents. |
5. |
The Documents will be posted on the Website for delivery for a period of time corresponding to the notice period stipulated under applicable legislation and the Documents will remain posted on the Website thereafter for
a period of time which is appropriate and relevant, given the nature of the document. |
6. |
I understand that my consent may be revoked or changed at any time by notifying the Companys transfer agent of such revocation or changed by telephone, regular mail or e-mail as specified in paragraph 4 above.
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7. |
I understand that the Company maintains in confidence the personal information I provide as a Shareholder and uses it only for the purpose of Shareholder communication. |
8. |
I understand that I am not required to consent to the electronic delivery of Documents. I have read and understand this Consent to Electronic Delivery of Documents and I consent to the electronic delivery of
Documents on the foregoing terms. |
I have read and understand this Consent for Electronic Delivery of Documents for Turquoise Hill
Resources Ltd. and consent to the electronic delivery of the Documents on the terms outlined above.
Please complete the sections below then mail
or fax the form to CST Trust Company at the address below.
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Print Shareholder(s) Name |
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Mailing Address |
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(as it appears on your cheques, certificates, statements or
correspondence) |
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Address 1 |
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E-mail Address |
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Address 2 |
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Date: |
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City, Province/State |
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Shareholder Signature(s) |
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Country |
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Post Code/Zip Code |
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Print and mail this form to: |
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Or mail to: |
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CST Trust Company |
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CST Trust Company |
1600-1066 West Hastings St. |
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PO Box 700 |
Vancouver, BC V6E 3X1 |
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Station B |
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Or Fax to: 1- 604-235-3705 |
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Montreal, QC H3B 3K3 |
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Or Fax to: 1-514-985-8843 |
TURQUOISE HILL RESOURCES LTD.
Dear Shareholder:
As a non-registered shareholder of
Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd., you are entitled to receive our interim financial statements, annual financial statements, or both. If you wish to receive them, please either complete and return this card by mail or submit your request online
(see address below). Your name will then be placed on the Supplemental Mailing List maintained by our Transfer Agent and Registrar, CST Trust Company.
As
long as you remain a non-registered shareholder, you will receive this card each year and will be required to renew your request to receive these financial statements. If you have any questions about this procedure, please contact CST Trust Company
by phone at 1-800-387-0825 or (416) 643-5500 or at www.canstockta.com/InvestorInquiry.
We
encourage you to submit your request online at: www.canstockta.com/FinancialStatements.
Our Company Code Number is 3086B.
NOTE: Do not return this card by mail if you have submitted your request online
REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TO: CST Trust Company
Please add my name to the Supplemental Mailing List for Turquoise Hill Resources Ltd. and send me their financial statements as indicated below:
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Interim Financial Statements
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(Please Print) |
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Name
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Annual Financial Statements
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Address
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