Securities registered or to be registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Securities registered or to be registered
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a
well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
If this report is an annual or transition report,
indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
(1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter
period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
Indicate by check mark which basis of
accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP
¨
If other has been checked in response
to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item Registrant has elected to follow:
If this report is an Annual Report, indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
subsequent
to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Certain statements in this Annual Report
on Form 20-F (this “Annual Report”) under the captions “Item 3 - Risk Factors”, “Item 4 – “Business
Overview”, Item 5 - “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and “Item 11 - Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosures about Market Risk” and elsewhere in this Annual Report and the documents incorporated herein by reference constitute
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking
information” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by such
terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “intends” or “expects” collectively “forward-looking
statements”. Forward-looking information in this Annual Report include statements regarding the Company's plans for its projects,
statements relating to mineral resources, as they are based on various assumptions that are inherently forward-looking, statements
regarding the anticipated timing by which the Company will require additional funds. These forward-looking statements are based
on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition
of its business and the industry in which it operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions regarding future
events and other matters and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including the factors set
forth in other filings with the Canadian securities commissions and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”),
which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company or industry results to be materially different from
any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Assumptions on which
forward-looking statements are based include the assumptions underlying mineral resource estimates and in the technical reports
supporting such estimates, the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern and will continue to be able to access
the capital required to advance its projects and continue operations. Such risks and the assumptions that accompany them, uncertainties
and other factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, which will, among other things,
impact the demand for gold and silver and other precious metals explored for by the Company; industry capacity; the ability of
the Company to raise the capital required to implement its business strategy; changes in, or the unintentional failure to comply
with, government regulations (especially safety and environmental laws and regulations); changes in the uses of gold, silver and
other precious metals; silver and gold price volatility; increased competition; risks of the mining industry; exploration programs
not being successful; inability to obtain financing; inability to obtain, or cancellation of, government permits; changes to regulations
and mining law; increased reclamation obligations; title defects with respect to properties; risks associated with international
operations; and foreign exchange and currency fluctuations. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements in this Annual
Report will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could vary materially from those implied by such statements.
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report are qualified by these cautionary statements. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any written forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise except as required by applicable laws.
PART 1
ITEM 1. identity
of DIRECTORS, SENIOR management and advisers
A. Directors and Senior Management
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual
report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under
this item.
B. Advisors
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual
report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under
this item.
C. Auditor
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual
report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under
this item.
ITEM 2. OFFER
STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. KEY
INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data of First
Energy Metals Limited. (“First Energy” or the “Company” and formerly Agave Silver Corp.) for the years
ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was derived from the Company’s financial statements as audited by DeVisser Gray LLP,
Chartered Professional Accountants, for the year ended March 31, 2017 and by Morgan & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants,
for the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, as indicated in the audit report included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
The Selected Financial Data should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and other financial information included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
The Company has not declared any dividends
on its common shares since incorporation and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. The present policy
of the Company is to retain future earnings for use in its operations and the expansion of its business.
The following table sets forth selected
financial information with respect to the Company for the periods indicated and is extracted from the more detailed financial statements
included herein. The following constitutes selected financial data for the Company for the last five fiscal years ended March 31,
2017, in Canadian dollars, presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) for the years 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, The following
table should be read in conjunction with “Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, and the financial
statements included in Item 17.
(Canadian Dollars in Thousands Except Per
Share Amounts)
(Cdn$)
|
|
As at March 31,
|
Statement of Financial Position Data
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
Total assets according to financial statements (IFRS)
(1)
|
$ 602
|
$ 48
|
$ 94
|
$ 135
|
$ 261
|
Total liabilities
|
92
|
252
|
381
|
473
|
479
|
Share capital
|
34,723
|
33,974
|
33,755
|
33,755
|
33,067
|
Warrant reserve, share-based payment reserve, share subscriptions (Restated)
|
447
|
126
|
1,407
|
1,768
|
4,197
|
Deficit (IFRS) (Restated)
|
(34,660)
|
(34,303)
|
(35,448)
|
(35,861)
|
(37,482)
|
(Cdn$)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period End Balances (as at)
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
Working capital (deficiency)
|
$ (31)
|
$ (237)
|
$ (355)
|
$ (405)
|
$ (252)
|
Mineral property interests (IFRS)
|
514
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Shareholders’ equity (IFRS)
|
510
|
(204)
|
(286)
|
(338)
|
(218)
|
Number of outstanding shares
|
44,517
|
30,683
|
25,834
|
25,834
|
15,534
|
No cash or other dividends have been
declared.
|
(Canadian Dollars in Thousands Except Per
Share Amounts)
|
(Cdn$)
|
As at March 31
|
Statement of Operations Data
|
2017
|
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
Investment and other income
|
--
|
(129)
|
--
|
(51)
|
(4)
|
General and administrative expenses (including Share-based payments)
|
357
|
243
|
405
|
767
|
984
|
Exploration costs
|
(7)
|
(2)
|
1
|
40
|
11
|
Net loss (income) from discontinued
operations
|
--
|
--
|
(408)
|
443
|
706
|
Write-down of mineral property interests
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
97
|
Future income tax recovery
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Net income (loss) according to financial statements (IFRS)
|
(357)
|
(112)
|
2
|
(1,199)
|
(1,794)
|
Note:
|
(1)
|
Under IFRS applicable to junior mining exploration companies, mineral exploration expenditures
can be deferred on prospective properties until such time as it is determined that further exploration is not warranted, at which
time the property costs are written off. During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company retrospectively changed its accounting
policy for exploration expenditures to more appropriately align itself with policies adopted by other exploration companies at
a similar stage in the mining industry. Prior to the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company capitalized all such costs to mineral
property interests held directly or through an investment, and only wrote down capitalized costs when the property was abandoned
or if the capitalized costs were not considered to be economically recoverable.
|
Exploration expenditures are now
charged to earnings as they are incurred until the mineral property interest reaches the development stage. Significant costs related
to mineral property acquisitions, including allocations for undeveloped mineral property interests, are capitalized until the viability
of the mineral property interest is determined. When it has been established that a mineral deposit is commercially mineable and
an economic analysis has been completed, the costs subsequently incurred to develop a mine on the property prior to the start of
mining operations are capitalized.
The expensing of exploration costs
as incurred is now consistent with US GAAP, whereby all exploration expenditures are expensed until an independent feasibility
study has determined that the property is capable of economic commercial production.
The tables below include the quarterly results
for the years ended March 31, 2017 (“fiscal 2017”) and 2016 (“fiscal 2016”).
(Cdn$)
|
Year Ended March 31, 2017
|
|
|
Statement of Operations Data
|
Quarter 1
|
Quarter 2
|
Quarter 3
|
Quarter 4
|
Total
|
Investment and other income
|
$ --
|
$ --
|
$ --
|
$ --
|
$ --
|
General and administrative expenses
|
37,024
|
47,488
|
85,234
|
48,551
|
218,297
|
Share-based payments
|
--
|
131,412
|
--
|
--
|
131,412
|
Write-down of mineral property interests
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Exploration costs
|
260
|
--
|
--
|
6,892
|
7,152
|
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Net loss (income) according to financial statements
|
(37,284)
|
(178,900)
|
(85,234)
|
(55,443)
|
(356,861)
|
Net loss from continuing operations per common share
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
(0.01)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Cdn$)
|
Year Ended March 31, 2016
|
|
|
Statement of Operations Data
|
Quarter 1
|
Quarter 2
|
Quarter 3
|
Quarter 4
|
Total
|
Investment and other income
|
$ (129,121)
|
$ (707)
|
$ --
|
$ --
|
$ (129,828)
|
General and administrative expenses
|
72,420
|
46,449
|
67,409
|
36,027
|
222,305
|
Share-based payments
|
21,006
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
21,006
|
Write-down of mineral property interests
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Exploration costs
|
(3,777)
|
760
|
--
|
1,127
|
(1,890)
|
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
Net loss (income) according to financial statements
|
(39,472)
|
46,502
|
67,409
|
37,154
|
111,593
|
Net loss from continuing operations per common share
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use
of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
The following is a brief discussion
of those distinctive or special characteristics of the Company’s operations and industry which may have a material impact
on Agave’s financial performance.
Readers should carefully consider
the risks and uncertainties described below before deciding whether to invest in shares of the Company’s common stock.
Financial Risk Factors
First Energy has no source of
operating cash flow, has a history of operating losses and has no assets of any significance with positive financial statement
carrying values.
In addition all of the Company’s projects have a financial statement value of zero. The Company
has no revenues from operations and all of its mineral property interests are in the exploration stage. The Company will not receive
revenues from operations at any time in the near future, and the Company has no prior years’ history of earnings or cash
flow. The Company has not paid dividends on its shares at any time since incorporation and does not anticipate doing so in the
foreseeable future. The Company’s financial statements have been prepared assuming it will continue on a going-concern basis.
Should funding not be obtained, this assumption will change and the Company’s assets may be written down to realizable values.
The Company has incurred losses since inception (deficit at March 31, 2017, is $34,659,619), which casts doubt on the ability of
the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company has no revenue other than interest income. A mining project can typically
require ten years or more between discovery, definition, development and construction and as a result, no production revenue is
expected from any of the Company’s exploration properties in the near future. All of the Company e’s short to medium-term
operating and exploration expenses must be paid from its existing cash position or external financing. At March 31, 2017, Agave
had working capital deficit of $31,069 compared to a working capital deficit of $237,139 at March 31, 2016. Working capital is
defined as current assets less current liabilities.
First Energy may be unable to
obtain the funds necessary to expand exploration.
The Company’s operations consist, almost exclusively, of cash consuming
activities given that all of its mineral projects are in the early exploration stage. The Company will need to receive additional
equity capital or other funding from the joint venture of one or more properties or the sale of one or more properties for the
next year, and failing that, may cease to be economically viable. To date, the only sources of funds that have been available to
the Company are the sale of equity capital or the offering by the Company of an interest in its properties to be earned by another
party or parties carrying out further development thereof.
The Company does not have sufficient
financial resources to fund operations for the balance of fiscal 2018. The Company has been successful in the past in obtaining
financing through the sale of equity securities but as an exploration stage company, it is often difficult to obtain adequate financing
when required, and it is not necessarily the case that the terms of such financings will be favourable. If the Company fails to
obtain additional financing on a timely basis, the Company could forfeit its mineral property interests, dilute its interests in
its properties, sell one or more properties and/or reduce or terminate operations.
The Company is continuously reviewing
strategies for private placement equity financings as well as other forms of financing that would carry the Company through the
next fiscal year. If a private equity financing were to be completed, it is expected that warrants may be included in the securities
offered. Any such financings will result in dilution of existing shareholders.
Volatile metal prices and external market
conditions can cause significant changes in the Company’s share price because as the prices of metals increase or decrease,
the economic viability of the mineral properties is affected.
The Company has no history of mining or current source of
revenue. The Company is exploring for metals and historically, the prices of the common shares of junior exploration companies
are very volatile. This volatility may be partly attributed to the volatility of metal prices, and also to the success or failure
of the Company’s exploration programs. Market, financial and economic factors not directly related to mining activities can
also affect the Company’s ability to raise equity financing.
Fluctuations in financial markets can
negatively impact the Company’s ability to achieve sufficient funding.
Over the last decade there have been periods
of significant volatility in world financial markets. The volatility can negatively impact the Company’s ability to raise
sufficient equity financing to sustain operations. Future financial market volatility is likely and it should not be assumed that
adequate funding will be available to the Company in amounts or at times when it is required.
Risks Associated with Mineral
Exploration
First Energy’s exploration
efforts may be unsuccessful in locating viable mineral resources.
Resource exploration is a speculative business, characterized
by a number of significant risks, including, among other things, unprofitable efforts resulting not only from the failure to discover
mineral deposits but also from finding mineral deposits, which, though present, are insufficient in quantity and/or quality to
return a profit from production.
There is no certainty that expenditures
to be made by the Company on the exploration of its properties and prospects as described herein will result in discoveries of
mineralized material in commercial quality and quantities.
Mineral Resource Estimates Are
Only Estimates and May Not Reflect the Actual Deposits or the Economic Viability of Gold and Silver Extraction.
Although
the Company carefully prepares its mineral resource figures, such figures are estimates only and no assurance can be given that
the indicated tonnages and grade will be achieved. There is significant uncertainty in any mineral resource estimate. Estimates
of inferred resources are the least certain of the resource categories and there is no assurance that such resources can or will
be upgraded to another category of resource, or that further exploration will confirm or validate such estimates. Actual deposits
encountered and the economic viability of, and returns from, a deposit (if mined) may differ materially from estimates disclosed
by the Company or implied by estimates of mineral resources. The estimating of mineral resources is a subjective process and the
accuracy of mineral resource estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, the accuracy of statistical
computations, and the assumptions used and judgments made in interpreting engineering and geological information. Mineral resource
estimates are based on many things, including assumed commodity prices, continuity of mineralization, tonnage and grade of mineralization,
metallurgy, estimated mineral recovery rates, cost of capital, mine development costs, operating costs and exchange rates. Changes
in assumptions may result in a significant reduction in the reported mineral resources and thereby have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
Estimated mineral resources may also
require downward revisions based on changes in metal prices and further exploration or development activity. This could materially
and adversely affect estimates of the tonnage or grade of mineralization, estimated recovery rates or other important factors that
influence mineral resource and reserve of estimates. Any reduction in estimated mineral reserves or estimated resources as a result
could require material write downs in investment in the affected mining property, which could have a material and adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations and financial condition.
The Company has not established the
presence of any proven and probable reserves at any of its mineral properties. There can be no assurance that subsequent testing
or future studies will establish proven and probable reserves on the Company's properties. The failure to establish proven and
probable reserves could severely restrict the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.
There is Uncertainty Relating
to Mineral Resources.
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability. Due to the uncertainty, which may attach to inferred mineral resources, there is no assurance
that inferred mineral resources will be upgraded to indicated and measured mineral resources as a result of continued exploration.
If mineral resources are not upgraded to proven and probable mineral reserves, it could materially and adversely affect and/or
restrict the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.
First Energy may not be able to
market minerals if any are acquired or discovered by the Company due to factors beyond the control of the Company.
The
marketability of minerals that could in the future be acquired or discovered by the Company may be affected by numerous factors
which are beyond the control of the Company and which cannot be accurately predicted, such as market fluctuations, the proximity
and capacity of milling facilities, mineral markets and processing equipment, and such other factors as government regulation,
including regulation relating to royalties, allowable production, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection,
the combination of which factors may result in the Company not receiving an adequate return on investment capital.
Environmental and Regulatory Risk
Factors
Compliance with environmental
regulations could affect future profitability and timeliness of operations.
The current and anticipated future operations
of the Company require permits from various federal, territorial and local governmental authorities. Companies engaged in the exploration
and development of mines and related facilities must comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits.
The Company’s exploration activities
are subject to various laws governing land use, the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, commodity prices,
exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational safety and health, waste disposal, toxic substances, mine safety and other matters.
The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all material laws and regulations which currently apply to its activities.
The Company may be unable to obtain all permits required for exploration and development, and the costs of obtaining these permits
may not be commercially reasonable. Existing
laws and regulations may be modified, which could have an adverse effect on any exploration project that the Company might undertake.
Failure to comply with environmental
and reclamation rules could result in penalties.
The Company’s activities are subject to laws and regulations controlling
not only mineral exploration and exploitation activities but also the possible effects of such activities upon the environment.
Environmental legislation may change and make mining uneconomic or result in significant environmental or reclamation costs. Environmental
legislation provides for restrictions and prohibitions and a breach of environmental legislation may result in the imposition of
fines and penalties or the suspension or closure of operations. In addition, certain types of operations require the submission
of environmental impact statements and approval thereof by government authorities. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner
that may mean stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental
assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their directors, officers and employees.
Permits from a variety of regulatory authorities are required for many aspects of mineral exploitation activities, including closure
and reclamation. Future environmental legislation could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions, liabilities
and delays in the development of the Company’s properties, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In the context of environmental
permits, including the approval of closure and reclamation plans, the Company must comply with standards and laws and regulations
that may entail costs and delays, depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted and how stringently the regulations are
implemented by the permitting authority. The Company does not maintain environmental liability insurance.
Failure to comply with applicable laws,
regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities
causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of
additional equipment or remedial actions. The Company has been involved in the exploration of mineral properties for many years.
Currently, the operations of the Company have been limited to exploration, and no mining activity has yet been undertaken. The
mining industry is heavily regulated in North America, where the Company has its operations, so that permitting is required before
any work is undertaken where there is any form of land disturbance. To date, land disturbance has been minimal and all required
reclamation has been completed.
Other Risk Factors
First Energy is dependent on its
ability to recruit and retain key personnel.
The success of the activities of the Company is dependent to a significant
extent on the efforts and abilities of its management. Investors must be willing to rely to a significant extent on their discretion
and judgment. The Company has relied on and will continue to rely on consultants and others for exploration, development and technical
expertise. The ability of the Company to retain key personnel and its ability to continue to pay for services are dependent upon
the ability of the Company to obtain adequate financing to continue operating as a going concern.
First Energy’s title to
mineral property interests may be challenged.
Although the Company has done a review of titles to its mineral interests,
it has not obtained title insurance with respect to its properties and there is no guarantee of title. The Company’s mineral
properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or native land claims, and title may be affected by undetected
defects. The Company’s Canadian mineral property interests consist of mineral claims, which have not been surveyed, and therefore
the precise area and location of such claims or rights may be in doubt. As there are unresolved native land claim issues in British
Columbia, the Company’s properties and prospects in this jurisdiction may be affected in the future. The Company’s
mineral properties in British Columbia are early stage exploration, and have no known mineral resources or reserves.
First Energy’s directors
and officers serve as directors and/or officers of other publicly traded junior resource companies.
Some of the directors
and officers of the Company serve as officers and/or directors of other resource exploration companies and are engaged and will
continue to be engaged in the search for additional resource opportunities on their own behalf and on behalf of other companies,
and situations may arise where these directors and officers will be in direct competition with the Company. Such potential conflicts,
if any, will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of British Columbia corporate and common law. In order to
avoid the possible conflict of interest which may arise between the directors’ and officers’ duties to the Company
and their duties to the other companies on whose boards they serve, the directors and officers of the Company expect that participation
in exploration prospects offered to the directors or officers will be allocated among or between the various companies that they
serve on the basis of prudent business judgement and the relative financial abilities and needs of the companies.
First Energy may not be able to
insure certain risks which could negatively impact the Company’s operating results.
In the course of exploration,
development and production of mineral properties, certain risks, and in particular unanticipated geological and operating conditions
as well as fires, explosions, flooding, earthquakes, power outages, labour disruptions, and the inability to obtain suitable or
adequate machinery, equipment or labour may occur. It is not always possible to fully insure against such risks and the Company
may decide not to take out insurance against such risks as a result of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities
arise, they could reduce or eliminate any future profitability and result in increasing costs and a decline in the value of the
securities of the Company.
U.S. investors may not be able
to enforce their civil liabilities against the Company or its directors, controlling persons and officers
. It may be difficult
for U.S. investors to bring and enforce suits against the Company. The Company is a corporation incorporated in British Columbia
under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and, consequently, there is a risk that Canadian courts may not enforce
judgements of U.S. courts or enforce, in an original action, liabilities directly predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws.
The Company’s directors and officers are residents of Canada or other countries other than the United Stetaes and all of
the Company’s assets are located outside of the United States. Consequently, it may be difficult for United States investors
to affect service of process upon those directors or officers who are not residents of the United States, or to realize in the
United States upon judgements of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities under United States securities laws. It
is unlikely that an original action could be brought successfully in Canada against any of such persons or the Company predicated
solely upon such civil liabilities under U.S. securities laws.
Risks Relating to an Investment
in the Securities of the Company
First Energy could be deemed
a Passive Foreign Investment Company which could have negative consequences for U.S. Holders.
Potential
investors who are U.S. Holders (defined below) should be aware that the Company expects to be a passive foreign investment company
(“PFIC”) for the current fiscal year, may have been a PFIC in prior fiscal years and may continue to be a PFIC in subsequent
years. If the Company were to be treated as a PFIC, U.S. Holders of the Company’s common shares would be subject to adverse
U.S. federal income tax consequences, including a substantially increased U.S. income tax liability and an interest charge upon
the sale or disposition of the Company’s common shares and upon the receipt of distributions on the Company’s common
shares to the extent such distributions are treated as “excess distributions” under the U.S. federal income tax rules
relating to PFICs. U.S. Holders could potentially mitigate such consequences by making certain elections with respect to the Company’s
common shares. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Company’s PFIC classification, the consequences
to them if the Company is a PFIC, and the availability and the consequences of making certain elections to mitigate such consequences.
(See Item 10 Taxation -United States Tax Consequences).
First Energy’s stock price
may limit its ability to raise additional capital by issuing common shares.
The low price of the Company’s common
shares also limits the Company’s ability to raise additional capital by issuing additional shares. There are several reasons
for this effect. First, the internal policies of certain institutional investors prohibit the purchase of low-priced stocks. Second,
many brokerage houses do not permit low-priced stocks to be used as collateral for margin accounts or to be purchased on margin.
Third, some brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers from dealing in low-priced stocks. Finally,
broker’s commissions on low-priced stocks usually represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher
priced stocks. As a result, the Company’s shareholders pay transaction costs that are a higher percentage of their total
share value than if the Company’s share price were substantially higher.
The liquidity of First Energy’s
shares in the United States markets may be limited or more difficult to effectuate because First Energy is a “Penny Stock”
issuer
. The Company’s stock is subject to U.S. “Penny Stock” rules which make the stock more difficult
for U.S. shareholders to trade on the open market. The SEC has adopted rules that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection
with transactions in “penny” stocks. Penny stocks are equity securities with a price of less than US$5.00 per share,
other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on the NASDAQ system provided that current
prices and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or system.
The Penny Stock Rules require a broker-dealer,
prior to effecting a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure
document prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock
market.
In addition, the Penny Stock Rules require
that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such rules the broker-dealer must make a special written
determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written acknowledgment
of the receipt of a risk disclosure statement, a written agreement to transactions involving penny stocks, and a signed and dated
copy of a written suitability statement. At the present market prices, the Company’s common shares will (and in the foreseeable
future are expected to continue to) fall within the definition of a penny stock. Accordingly, United States broker-dealers trading
in Agave’s shares will be subject to the Penny Stock Rules. Rather than complying with those rules, some broker-dealers may
refuse to attempt to sell penny stocks. As a result, shareholders and their broker-dealers in the United States may find it more
difficult to sell their shares of the Company, if a market for the shares should develop in the United States.
The market for the Company’s stock
has been subject to volume and price volatility which could negatively affect a shareholder’s ability to buy or sell the
Company’s shares.
The market for the common shares of the Company may be highly volatile for reasons both related
to the performance of the Company or events pertaining to the industry (e.g. mineral price fluctuation/high production costs/accidents)
as well as factors unrelated to the Company or its industry.
Market demand for products incorporating
minerals in their manufacture fluctuates over time, resulting in a change of demand for the mineral and an attendant change in
the price for the mineral. The Company’s common shares can be expected to be subject to volatility in both price and volume
arising from market expectations, announcements and press releases regarding the Company’s business, and changes in estimates
and evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors. In the last decade, securities markets in the United States
and Canada and internationally have experienced periods of high price and volume volatility, and the market prices of securities
of many companies, particularly small-capitalization companies such as the Company, have experienced wide fluctuations that have
not necessarily been related to the operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects of such companies. For these
reasons, the Company’s common shares can also be expected to be subject to volatility resulting from purely market forces
over which the Company will have no control. Further, despite the existence of a market for trading the Company’s common
shares in Canada, shareholders of the Company may be unable to sell significant quantities of common shares in the public trading
markets without a significant reduction in the price of the stock.
ITEM
4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the
Company
The Company’s executive office
is located at:
Suite 1601-675 West Hastings Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, V6B 1N2
Telephone: (604) 632-9602
Email: info@firstenergymetals.com
Website: www.firstenergymetals.com
The mailing address of the Company is
the Company’s executive office at the address noted above. The Company operated directly and also, until February 12, 2015,
through one wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico, Cream Minerals de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“Cream de Mexico”). The Company’s
name change from Agave Silver Corp. to First Energy Metals Limited was approved on December 16, 2016, at the Company’s Annual
General Meeting.
The Company’s fiscal year end
is March 31.
The Company’s common shares are
listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “FE” and prior to December 20, 2016, its common shares were trading
under the symbol “AGV.” The Company was quoted on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board in the United States under the
symbol “CRMXF”, until July 26, 2012 at which time the Company’s shares began being exclusively quoted on the
OTCQB, (also under the symbol “CRMXF”) an electronic trading platform operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. On October
3, 2013 the symbol was changed to “ASKDF” and effective May 1, 2014 the Company was listed on OTC “Pink”.
The Company’s common shares are also quoted on the Frankfurt market under the symbol “DFL”.
The Company was incorporated under the
laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada on October 12, 1966. Effective March 29, 2004, the
Company Act
(British
Columbia) was replaced by the
Business Corporations Act
(British Columbia). The
Business Corporations Act
(British
Columbia) does not require a company’s Notice of Articles to contain a numerical limit on the authorized capital with respect
to each class of shares. Effective September 21, 2004, the Company altered the authorized capital of the Company from 50,000,000
shares without par value to an unlimited number of shares without par value. By Special Resolution effective June 23, 2011, shareholders
approved the adoption of new articles for the Company. See Item 10B – Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Effective October 3, 2013, the Company
completed a share consolidation on the basis of ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares for one (1) post-consolidation common
share. The periods presented prior to the consolidation have not been retroactively adjusted to reflect this consolidation unless
otherwise stated.
Since its incorporation in 1966, the
Company has been in the business of acquiring and exploring mineral properties. For most of the past three completed years, and
prior thereto, the Company has been principally attempting to locate deposits of precious metals in Mexico and the Provinces of
British Columbia and Manitoba, Canada.
Mexico
The Company had an exploration project
in Mexico called Nuevo Milenio, located south of Tepic in the municipality of Jalisco, State of Nayarit, Mexico, having denounced
(staked) the property in 2000 and receiving title to the property in 2001. Mineral licenses in Mexico have a term of 50 years following
which an application can be made to extend the term.
Between 2001 and 2005 and again in February
2011, the Company conducted exploration programs on Nuevo Milenio. The 20,000 metre drill program in February 2011 was completed
in September 2011. Following completion of the drill program during calendar year 2011 (the “2011 Drill Program”),
the Company engaged an independent consulting firm to prepare an independent NI 43-101-compliant resource estimate (the “2012
Report”) based on review of the Company’s previously compiled exploration data as well as exploration data collected
during the 2011 Drill Program. The 2012 Report was filed on SEDAR on October 2, 2012.
On March 25, 2013, the Company filed an independent
NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Nuevo Milenio project (the “2013 Report”) co-authored by Dr. Derek McBride, P.Eng,
and Al Workman of Watts, Griffis and McQuatt Limited (“WGM”). The 2013 Report replaces the 2012 Report in its entirety.
The 2013 Report addresses the concerns raised by the British Columbia Securities Commission with respect to the 2012 Report as
outlined in the Company’s news release dated October 23, 2012. The 2013 Report contains an updated independent mineral resource
estimate on the Nuevo Milenio project (the “Mineral Resource Estimate”) and replaces in its entirety all previous resource
estimates filed by Agave and the previous resource estimates can no longer be relied upon.
On November 14, 2014, the Company entered into
a share purchase agreement, among Frank Lang and Ferdinand Holcapek (collectively, the “Purchasers”), Cream Minerals
de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“Cream Mexico) and the Company (the “Share Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the
Company agreed to sell the Company’s interest in the Nuevo Milenio Property, in Nayarit State, Mexico, to the Purchasers
via the sale of all of the securities of Cream Mexico held by the Company (the “Transaction”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase
Agreement the Purchasers purchased all of the Cream Mexico shares held by the Company in exchange for the aggregate sum of $686,000,
payable as the forgiveness of the debts owed by the Company to Frank Lang (or other entities controlled by Frank Lang) and Ferdinand
Holcapek. The Company closed the transaction for the sale of its interest in the Nuevo Milenio project on February 12, 2015.
Canada
British Columbia
The Goldsmith Propert
y
Prior to May 6, 2013, the Company had a 100%
interest in the Goldsmith Property (“Goldsmith”) (comprised of the Goldsmith and Lucky Jack Properties) located near
Kaslo, British Columbia. Small scale underground mines operated on the property in the early 1900’s. The Company wrote down
the carrying value of Goldsmith Property to $Nil in fiscal 2012 as there were no plans
to continue exploration. During the year ended March 31, 2014, the Company transferred title to the Goldsmith and Lucky Jack properties
to the optionors.
The Kaslo Property
The 100% owned 4,000 Ha Kaslo Silver Property
(“Kaslo”), a silver target, hosts eleven historic high-grade silver mineralized zones within 14 kilometres of favourable
horizon. Nine high-grade silver-lead-zinc mines operated on Kaslo at various times from 1895 to 1966. The property is located 12
kilometres west of Kaslo in southern British Columbia. The Company has no plans to conduct exploration work at this time.
The Kootenay Lithium Project
On October 7, 2016 the Company entered into
an agreement to purchase (the “Agreement”) a 100% interest in certain mineral claims (the “Property”) covering
4,050 hectares located in the Revelstoke and Nelson Mining Divisions, southeastern British Columbia.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company
has purchased a 100% interest in the Property by issuing 6,000,000 common shares of the Company. The Property is subject to a 2.0%
Net Smelter Return (“NSR”) mineral royalty and a 24.0% Gross Overriding Royalty (“GOR”) on gemstones produced
from the Property. The Company will have the option to reduce the NSR to 1.0% by paying $2,500,000.00. The Company also has the
option to purchase one half (50%) of the GOR for $2,000,000.
The Property consists of three groups of mineral
claims. The northernmost is located 5km by road northwest of Revelstoke (the Boulder Group), 9km to the southeast is the Begbie
Group, and the Laib Group is situated 25km northwest of Creston. The Boulder and Begbie Groups have been discovered to host a number
of lepidolite, pink and green tourmaline, petalite, tantalite, columbite, phosphate and amblygonite-bearing mineral occurrences
in pegmatite (LCT type) dyke swarms. Analysis of two grab samples with visible lepidolite-bearing pegmatite outcrop on the Begbie
Group returned values of 0.77% and 1.96% Li2O. A grab sample of visible lepidolite-bearing pegmatite outcrop on the Boulder Group
assayed 3.70% Li2O.**
**These results have not been confirmed and
are of historical context only. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further
exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.
Mr. R. A. (Bob) Lane, M.Sc., P.Geo., a consulting
geologist is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects,
and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure on the Property.
Manitoba
The Wine Property
Prior to April 22, 2013, the Company held
a 100% interest in the Wine Claim (comprised of the Wine and Wine 1 claims) located approximately 60 kilometres south of Flin Flon,
Manitoba. The Wine claim is a high grade nickel-copper target. During the year ended March 31, 2014 the Company sold the Wine Claim
Property to the optionor for the amount of $50,000 cash.
The Blueberry Property
In November 2009, the Company entered into
an option agreement to acquire the Blueberry property from W.S. Ferreira Ltd. and the Company staked additional claims which have
been appended to the option agreement. The property is located approximately 20 km north-east of Flin Flon, Manitoba. In November
2012, the Company elected not to make the additional cash option payment and share issuance to the optionor. Title to the Blueberry
Property has since been transferred to the optionor. In addition, title to the Blue 1 to Blue 4 claims which were staked following
the optioning of the Blueberry Property have been assigned to the optionor as these claims were appended to the original option
agreement.
Ontario
Hastings Highland Property
Effective May 9, 2015 the Company and Hastings
Highland Resources Limited (“Hastings”) entered into an agreement with respect to the exclusive option to earn a 90%
interest in Hastings’ Limerick Township nickel-copper property located in Ontario, Canada, howeve,r the Company was unable
to secure the requisite financing and terminated the option on September 3, 2015.
B. Business Overview
General
The Company has historically
been a junior resource company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties. It currently maintains early stage
exploration properties in Canada.
|
(i)
|
Principal Markets
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(ii)
|
Seasonality
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(iii)
|
Raw Materials
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(iv)
|
Marketing Channels
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(v)
|
Dependence
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(vi)
|
Competitive Position
: Not Applicable.
|
|
(vii)
|
Material Effect of Government Regulation
: The Company’s exploration activities and
its potential mining and processing operations are subject to various laws governing land use, the protection of the environment,
prospecting, development, production, contractor availability, commodity prices, exports, taxes, labour standards, occupational
safety and health, waste disposal, toxic substances, safety and other matters. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance
with all material laws and regulations which currently apply to its activities. There is no assurance that the Company will be
able to obtain all permits required for exploration, any future development and construction of mining facilities and conduct of
mining operations on reasonable terms or that new legislation or modifications to existing legislation, would not have an adverse
effect on any exploration or mining project which the Company might undertake.
|
C. Organizational Structure
Until February 12, 2015 the Company had one
direct subsidiary, Cream Minerals de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., incorporated in Mexico.
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
The Company’s mineral property
interests in Canada are in good standing and all payments on the properties are up to date.
None of the Company’s projects
have known reserves, and exploration work is exploratory in nature.
Nuevo Milenio Project
The Nuevo Milenio Property, in Nayarit State,
Mexico, is owned by Cream de Mexico. All interest to the Nuevo Milenio Project were sold along with the sale of the subsidiary,
Cream de Mexico on February 12, 2015.
Exploration Projects, British Columbia Properties
The Company has two early-stage exploration
projects in British Columbia, Canada.
|
(1)
|
Kaslo Property, British Columbia
|
Introduction
The Kaslo property is without known mineral
resources and reserves and previous exploration programs were exploratory in nature. In fiscal 2012, the Company wrote down the
value of the property to $nil.
Location and Access
The 4,000-hectare property is located
12 km west of the town of Kaslo in southern British Columbia. Access to the property is via Highway 31A for seven km west from
Kaslo, then 4.5 km southwest along Keen Creek Road to the property boundary. The property lies along the Keen Creek Road for approximately
10 km. Logging roads and numerous old mining roads and trails, some of which are heavily overgrown, bisect the property. Power
lines come to within 4 km of the property boundary, and water is abundant throughout.
Physiography
Kaslo is located in an area of rugged
mountainous terrain. Topography on the property is steep with elevations ranging from 1,050 metres along the Keen Creek valley
to 2,200 metres on the Gold Cure ridge.
The Keen Creek valley runs along the
northwest boundary of the property, with numerous tributaries crossing the property and emptying into Keen Creek. The major tributaries,
from northeast to southwest are Ben Hur, Briggs, Klawala, Kyawats and Desmond Creeks.
History
Kaslo includes nine former, small mines,
which were originally discovered and worked for high-grade silver ores during the heyday of the Slocan Mining Camp at the end of
the 19th century. Intermittent exploration, development and production have taken place at various locations on the property since
that time, most notably in the 1920s and 1950s. The Cork-Province Mine was consolidated in 1914 and was the longest-lived producer
in the camp when it closed in 1966. Five former workings, the Silver Bear, Hartford, Gibson, Gold Cure, and Bismark are situated
along the Gold Cure Shear zone, which has been traced northeast across the property for 7.1 km. Five additional workings, the Black
Bear, Cork, Province, Dublin and Black Fox workings lie along the parallel 4.1 km long Cork Shear zone, located in the Keen Creek
valley approximately 1 km north of the Gold Cure Shear zone. Both shears are open along strike to the north and at depth.
Geophysics
Since the Company’s acquisition,
the Company has completed 51.7 km of VLF-EM geophysical coverage over the mineralized Cork and Gold Cure Shear zones. The geophysical
surveys clearly define the location and extent of the controlling shears, as they are very conductive by nature.
In 1999, a gravity geophysical survey
was conducted over the Cork North zone to define which of the several limestone beds have the best potential to host massive sulphide
mineralization. Targets generated by the gravity survey have not been drill tested.
Geochemistry
Soil geochemical surveys have been completed
over the length of the Cork and Gold Cure Shear zones. Linear trends of anomalous values for silver, lead and zinc in soil have
been found running coincident with the shear zones. Occasionally gold, arsenic, cadmium and other elements occur with the silver,
lead and zinc anomalies.
Dr. Derek McBride, has supervised the
Company’s Canadian exploration programs summarized above and is the Company’s supervisor and “Qualified Person”
for the purpose of NI 43-101
.
|
(2)
|
Kootenay Lithium Property, British Columbia
|
Description
The Kootenay Lithium Project (the “Project”)
includes two separate groups of mineral claims, the Boulder property centered 10 km west of Revelstoke and the Begbie property
centered 12 km south of Revelstoke.
The Begbie property consists of 20 contiguous
mineral claims that cover 1,732.85 hectares or 17.33 km2 of rugged alpine and subalpine terrane immediately north and east of the
summit of Mount Begbie and along the ridge north of Mulvehill Creek (Figure 4-2). The claims cover a range of elevations from 980
m in steeply incised drainages up to 2,620 m near the summit of Mount Begbie. Bedrock exposure is excellent at higher elevations,
but less so at lower elevations where steep slopes are generally heavily vegetated.
The Boulder property consists of 30 contiguous
mineral claims that cover 2,278.12 hectares or 22.78 km2 of moderate alpine and subalpine terrane that extends from Clanwilliam
Lake at the Trans-Canada Highway northward to the height of land that comprises Boulder Mountain
Location and Access
The Project is located in the Revelstoke Mining
Division, near the city of Revelstoke in south-central British Columbia. The Project includes two groups of mineral claims, the
Begbie property centered approximately 10 km south of Revelstoke, and the Boulder property centered approximately 10 km west of
Revelstoke. The distance between the two properties is about 14 km. The Begbie property is situated on Mount Begbie, covers parts
of BCGS mapsheet 082L.089, and is centered at Latitude 50°53’21.9” N and Longitude 118°14’2.3”
W (or NAD83 UTM Easting 413208, UTM Northing 5638253). The Boulder property is situated on Boulder Mountain, covers parts of BCGS
mapsheets 082L.098, 082L.099, 082M.008 and 082M.009, and is centered at Latitude 50°59’43.1”N and Longitude 118°22’10.5”W
(or UTM Easting 403899 and UTM Northing 5650196 (NAD83).
Access to the Begbie and Boulder properties
is principally via helicopter from one of several bases located in Revelstoke, however roads do provide access to lower elevations
of parts of each property. A series of logging roads provide access to the southwest part of the Begbie property, but there is
no road access to the higher elevation areas where pegmatites outcrop.
The Trans-Canada highway crosses the southern
edge of the Boulder property, but there are no arterial roads from it that that provide access to the property. A seasonal 4x4
road provides access up to a recreation cabin maintained by the local snowmobile club; the trail could be extended to provide ATV
access in support of summer exploration activities at higher elevations.
Geological mapping, sampling and prospecting
to further define drill targets is planned to commence shortly. The Company is awaiting receipt of a drill permit.
Amounts Expensed
Exploration expenses in the five fiscal years
ended March 31:
Year
|
Nuevo
Milenio
|
Kaslo Silver Property, British Columbia
|
Kootenay Lithium,
British Columbia
|
Other Properties
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017
|
$ Nil
|
$ 260
|
$ 6,892
|
Nil
|
$ 7,152
|
2016
|
Nil
|
(1,890)
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
(1,890)
|
2015
|
275,778
|
1,465
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
277,243
|
2014
|
443,448
|
40,107
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
483,555
|
2013
|
706,186
|
7,065
|
Nil
|
3,935
|
717,186
|
The Company’s sole source of funding
has been the issuance of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements to sophisticated investors and institutions.
The Company has issued common shares in each of the past few years, pursuant to private placement financings and the exercise of
warrants and options.
ITEM 4A. unresolved
staff comments
Not applicable.
item 5. Operating
and financial review and prospects
The following discussion and analysis should
be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements of the Company for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 and the
related notes thereto. The Company’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
Overview
The Company is a mineral exploration company
with no producing properties and consequently has no current operating income or cash flow. All of the Company’s short to
medium-term operating and exploration cash flow must be derived from external financing.
Critical accounting policies and changes
in accounting policies
The preparation of financial statements requires
management to establish accounting policies, estimates and assumptions that affect the timing and reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes
to be reasonable under the circumstances, and require judgment on matters which are inherently uncertain. A summary of the Company’s
significant accounting policies and critical accounting policies are set out in Notes 2 and 3 of the Company’s financial
statements for the years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Recent accounting pronouncements
A summary of recent accounting pronouncements
issued which may affect the Company in the future are set out in Note 2 (p) of the Company’s financial statements for the
years ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
A. Operating Results
Year ended March 31, 2017 compared
to year ended March 31, 2016
The net loss for the year ended March
31, 2017 (the “Current Year”) was $356,861 compared to a net loss for the year ended March 31, 2016 (the “Comparative
Year”) of $111,593. The increase in net loss of $245,268 was primarily due to the following:
-
Professional fees increased by $43,323 from $39,785 in the Comparative Year to $83,108
in the Current Year. The increase was primarily due to legal fees incurred with respect to the acquisition of the Kootenay
Lithium Property, the Company’s Annual General Meeting, a potential transaction
and legal advice on general matters.
-
Shareholder communications increased by $9,977 from $28,879 in the Comparative Year to
$38,856 in the Current Year. The increase was primarily due to costs associated with the Company’s name change, creation
of a new website, news releases, and the Company’s annual general meeting.
-
Stock-based compensation increased by $110,406 from $21,006 in the Comparative Year to
$131,412 in the Current Year. Albeit the Company issued less stock options in the Current Year, the estimated fair value of the
stock options granted in the Current Year was higher; hence, resulting in a higher expense.
-
Gain on settle of debt decreased from $129,121 in the Comparative Year to $nil in the
Current Year. The Company did not settle debts with shares during the year ended March 31, 2017.
The increases noted above were offset
by decreases in other operating expense line items which were consistent with the Company’s activities and continued efforts
to scale back and reduce overhead costs given the current and prolonged unfavorable market conditions to raise capital. Notable
decreases were realized on the following expense items:
-
Finance fees decreased by $25,000 from $25,000 in the Comparative Year to $nil in the
Current Year.
-
General administrative decreased by $11,705 from $43,796 in the Comparative Year to $32,091
in the Current Year.
|
·
|
Salaries, fees and benefits decreased by $20,904 to $64,277 in the Current Year from $85,181 in
the Comparative Year.
|
Year Ended March 31, 2016 (“fiscal
2016”), Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2015 (“fiscal 2015”)
In fiscal 2016, Agave incurred a loss
of $111,593, a per common share of $0.00, compared to an income of $1,658, or $0.00 per common share in fiscal 2015.
Exploration costs of $1,890 were recovered
in fiscal 2016, compared to exploration costs of $1,465 in fiscal 2015, contributing to the loss/income in each year. The costs
and recoveries in both years were related to the Kaslo project. The recovery in fiscal 2016 was a result of the reversal of costs
charged in fiscal 2015.
Total expenses other than exploration costs
and gain on sale of discontinued operations totaled $113,483 in fiscal 2016, compared to $405,122 in fiscal 2015. Significant differences
between the levels of expenditures in the two fiscal years include the following:
Finance fees for the year ended March 31, 2016
were $25,000, compared to $Nil for the year ended March 31, 2015. This amount represents a non-refundable fee paid to a third party
firm who had been hired in February, 2015 to complete a financing for the Company. This amount had been recorded as a deferred
finance fee until Q3 2016 at which time it was recorded as an expense as it became obvious to the Company that the financing would
not be completed.
General and administrative expenses, consisting
of depreciation, office and administration, travel and conferences decreased from $76,951 to $43,796 in expenses. The decrease
is primarily a result of decreased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance costs and reduced travel expenses.
Professional fees, which include legal, accounting
and audit fees, decreased from $113,335 to $39,785 primarily as a result of reduced legal fees. In the year ended March 31, 2015
the Company incurred legal fees related to its Mexican subsidiary, with no comparable expenses in the year ended March 31, 2016.
Further reduced legal fees related to the review of the Company’s US Annual Information Report (20-F).
Salaries and benefits decreased from $191,087
to $85,181 primarily due to a reduction in staff.
Shareholder communications increased from $20,786
to $28,879. The costs in both years are primarily associated with statutory listing costs, filing fees and news release dissemination.
Stock-based compensation for the year ended
March 31, 2016 was $21,006, compared to $Nil for the year ended March 31, 2015. The Company granted, pursuant to its stock option
plan and TSX Venture Exchange approval, 1,450,000 stock options to directors, officers and consultants of the Company at an exercise
price of $0.07 per share, expiring on June 3, 2020. The fair value of
the stock options granted has been calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model, based on the following assumptions: weighted
average risk free interest rate of 1.01%, volatility factor of 126% and expected life of five years. There were no stock options
granted in the year ended March 31, 2015.
During the year ended March 31, 2016 the Company
settled all debts owing to officers and directors, with the exception of partial salaries payable to the President, by issuance
of cash payments totaling $68,281 and by the issuance of 1,147,500 shares for a total of $22,950. These settlements resulted in
a gain on settlement of debt of $129,121. There was no comparable gain in the year ended March 31, 2015.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Financial Conditions for the year ended
March 31, 2017
The Company’s major source
of funding has been the issuance of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements to sophisticated investors
and institutions. The Company has issued common shares in each of the past few years, pursuant to private placement financings
and the exercise of warrants and options.
There is no assurance that the
Company will be successful with any financing ventures. Please refer to Item 3 – Key Information – section D - Risk
Factors in this document.
At March 31, 2017, the Company
had a working capital deficit of $31,069, defined as current assets less current liabilities, compared with a working capital deficit
of $237,139 at March 31, 2016. The Company’s financial statements were prepared using IFRS applicable to a going concern.
Several adverse conditions cast substantial doubt on the validity of this assumption – see “Going Concern” disclosure
below. When the Company has unused cash, it primarily invests its unused cash in guaranteed investment certificates which are redeemable
in full after 30 days with interest or in treasury bills. There have been no investments in commercial paper. Where the initial
term of the guaranteed investment certificate is greater than 90 days, it is recorded as a short-term investment.
Operations for the year ended
March 31, 2017, have been funded primarily from loans and share subscriptions made by insiders, officers and directors and through
the issuance of equity.
Investing Activities
As at March 31, 2017, the Company has
capitalized $513,600 (2016 - $Nil) as acquisition costs of the Kootenay Lithium Project and represents the value of the shares
issued to the vendors of the project.
Capital Resources
As discussed above, at March 31, 2017, the
Company’s working capital deficit was $31,069 compared to a working capital deficit of $237,139 at March 31, 2016. The Company’s
continued operations are dependent upon the Company’s ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry on planned operations.
The Company does not have sufficient working capital to meet its obligations in the ordinary course of business but is attempting
to generate sufficient amounts of cash and cash equivalents in the short and long term, to maintain the Company’s operations
and meet obligations by reviewing all options including the sale of one or more properties, a joint venture of one or more properties,
or an equity financing. The Company will select whichever funding options are available and are in the best interest of the shareholders.
At March 31, 2017, the Company had 44,517,273
common shares issued and outstanding
Share Capital
The Company’s continued operations
are dependent upon the Company’s ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry on planned operations.
2017
On January 24, 2017, the Company closed the
first and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement with the issuance of 5,945,714 units at a price of $0.07 per unit
for gross proceeds of $416,200. Each unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one non-transferable common share
purchase warrant exercisable to purchase one additional common share of the
Company at a price of $0.08 for a period of two years expiring January 24, 2019.
2016
In June, 2015 the Company closed the first
and final tranche of a non-brokered private placement (“Private Placement”) of units “(“Units”) of
the Company at a price of $0.05 per Unit by issuing an aggregate of 5,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of $250,000. Each Unit is
comprised of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (“Warrant”), each Warrant entitling
the holder thereof to purchase on additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 for a term of 24 months after the
closing of the Private Placement.
In June, 2015 the Company issued 1,147,500
shares at a deemed price of $0.05 in partial settlement of $52,500 of deferred salary payable to Ron Lang since his appointment
as President in October, 2013 and settlement in full of director’s fees arrears incurred prior to his appointment as President.
2015
On December 2, 2014, the Company announced
a proposed non-brokered private placement whereby it intends to offer up to 11,000,000 flow-through common shares at a price of
$0.06 per flow-through common share and 9,000,000 non-flow-through units at a price of $0.05 per non-flow-through unit. Each non-flow-through
unit will be comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each whole non-flow-through warrant will entitle
the holder to purchase one non-flow-through common shares at any time for a period of 24 months from the date the warrant is issued,
at a price of $0.10. The Company intends to raise up to $1,110,000 through the private placements. As at March 31, 2015, share
subscriptions of $100,000 had been received.
The securities offered have not been
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent
registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements.
Stock Options
During the year ended March 31, 2016,
pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan and TSXV approval, the Company granted 1,450,000 stock options to directors,
officers and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.07 per share, expiring on June 3, 2020.
During the year ended March 31, 2017,
pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan and TSXV approval, the Company granted 1,250,000 stock options to directors,
officers and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of $0.11 per share, expiring on August 1, 2021.
Financing Activities
Further financing will be required for
general and administrative costs. This could involve joint venture, equity financing, sale of assets, or other forms of financing.
Going Concern
At March 31, 2017, the Company has a
working capital deficit. Additional financing is required.
The Company has incurred operating losses
since inception, has no source of operating cash flow, minimal income from short-term investments, and there can be no assurances
that sufficient funding, including adequate financing will be available to explore its mineral properties and to cover general
and administrative expenses necessary for the maintenance of a public company. The ability of the Company to arrange additional
financing in the future depends in part, on the prevailing capital market conditions and mineral property exploration success.
These factors cast substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The financial statements do not include
any adjustments to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets, or the amounts of, and classification of liabilities
that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate. Such adjustments could be material.
Plans for Fiscal 2018
The Board of Directors has and will continue
the review of all available strategic alternatives intended to maximize shareholder value.
It has not determined whether its mineral
property interests contain mineral reserves that are economically recoverable. The Company’s continuing operations and the
underlying value and recoverability of the amounts shown for mineral property interests are entirely dependent upon the existence
of economically recoverable mineral reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing to complete the exploration
and development of the mineral property interests and on future profitable production or proceeds from the disposition of the mineral
property interests.
Contractual Obligations in 2018
See Item 5 (d) for a table of contractual obligations
at March 31, 2017.
Trend information
As a mineral resource exploration company,
the Company’s activities are mainly in response to metal prices and the availability of equity financings. Historically the
Company has strategically focused its exploration activities on potential silver and gold projects. The recent trend for metal
prices has been somewhat volatile for gold and silver. The mineral exploration industry has been through a very difficult period
with low prices for both precious and base metals over the period from 1999 to 2004. Beginning in 2004 prices for both gold and
silver began a sustained increase in price that has largely persisted through mid-2012, at which time prices began to decline.
However, during the period from 2004 and, in particular, from the 2008 financial crisis onward, such financing has been available
periodically. The factors cited above have acted to restrict the availability of funding at certain times.
The Company’s Management and board
of directors are not financial or commodity analysts and therefore cannot and should not forecast metal prices. Management and
the directors do monitor the metals industry trends, specifically demand supply data and believe that the metals market may continue
to experience positive fundamentals. As such the Company will continue to advance its properties, subject to available funds.
See the risk section for average, high
and low gold and silver prices to the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
C. Off-statement of financial position
arrangements
The Company does not have any off-statement
of financial position arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures
or capital resources that is material to investors.
D. Tabular disclosure of contractual
obligations
The following table summarizes the Company’s
short-term and long-term obligations as at March 31, 2017:
|
Less than one year
|
1-2 years
|
2-3 years
|
3-4 years
|
4-5 years
|
5
th
and subsequent years
(1)
|
Total
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
(1)
|
Mineral property option payments are made at the option of the Company, however non-payment
of mineral property leases may result in forfeiture of Agave’s rights to a particular property.
|
Safe Harbour
See above – “Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”
ITeM 6.
Directors,
senior management and employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
The following table lists the directors and
senior management of the Company as at March 31, 2017. The directors have served in their respective capacities since their election
and/or appointment and will serve until the next AGM or until a successor is duly elected, unless the office is vacated in accordance
with the Articles/By-Laws of the Company.
Name and Position
|
Other Principal Directorships
|
Shares Beneficially Owned as at July 31, 2017
|
Principal Business Activities Outside the Company
|
Ronald Lang
(1)
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
None
|
12,766,603
|
Businessman and consultant to companies in the junior resource sector
|
Richard Haines
(2)
Director
|
None
|
Nil
|
Businessman
|
Robert Paul
(3)
Director
|
None
|
Nil
|
Corporate Communications Professional
|
Dennis Cojuco
(4)
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
|
None
|
Nil
|
Consultant to companies in the junior resource sector
|
|
(1)
|
Ronald M. Lang has been the Company’s President and Chief Executive
Officer since October 2013 until his resignation on July 11, 2017. Mr. Lang is a businessman and consultant with over twenty years'
experience working with companies in the junior resource sector.
|
|
(2)
|
Richard Haines was appointed to the Company’s board of directors
on December 16, 2016 at the Company’s Annual General Meeting. Mr. Haines is the co-founder and Managing Director of Haines
Surveys, a leading international geophysical survey firm based in Australia since 1991. Over the last two decades he has also been
successful in the international business investment sector. Mr. Haines holds a Bachelor of Surveying with Distinction from University
of South Australia and is a member of both the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG) and the Australian Institute
of Geoscientists (AIG).
|
|
(3)
|
Robert Paul has been a director of the Company since 2014 until his
resignation on June 30, 2017. Mr. Paul worked within the Canadian mineral industry for over 20 years, serving as a director and
corporate communications professional for numerous TSX Venture listed companies.
|
|
(4)
|
Dennis Cojuco was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary of the Company on December 13, 2016. Mr. Cojuco is a graduate of the University of British Columbia (BSc. Chemistry and
Diploma in Accounting) and is a
|
Chartered Professional Accountant
with over 10 years’ experience in the resource sector. Mr. Cojuco articled with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and worked primarily
in the mining practice where he assisted clients in the areas of public financings, mergers and acquisitions, public company reporting
and various other areas.
Executive officers are appointed by the board
of directors to serve until terminated by the board of directors or until their successors are appointed. Certain of the directors
serve as directors of other reporting companies and if a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the board of directors, any
director in a conflict will declare his interest and abstain from voting on such matter. All directors have a term of office expiring
at the next AGM.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among
any of the persons named above.
Arrangements
There are no arrangements or understandings
regarding the selection of any of the persons named above.
B. Compensation and Discussion Analysis
Compensation of Executive Officers
“Named Executive Officer”
(“NEO”) means each of the following individuals:
|
(a)
|
A Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) or one who acted in a capacity similar to a CEO,
for any part of the financial year ended March 31, 2017;
|
|
(b)
|
A Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) or one who acted in a capacity similar to a CFO,
for any part of the financial year ended March 31, 2017;
|
|
(c)
|
Each of the three most highly compensated executive officers, or the three most highly compensated
individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year
whose total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000 for that financial year; and
|
|
(d)
|
Each individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was
neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar capacity, as at the financial year ended March 31, 2017.
|
The Company had two NEOs during the
year. The following disclosure sets out the compensation that the Board intended to pay, make payable, award, grant, give or otherwise
provide to each NEO and director for the financial year ended March 31, 2017.
Compensation of Directors and NEOs
The Company’s Corporate Governance
and Compensation Committee (“CGCC”) has responsibility for reviewing compensation for the Company’s directors
and senior management. The independent directors are encouraged to meet at any time they consider necessary without any members
of management including the non-independent directors being present. The Company's auditors, legal counsel and employees may be
invited to attend. The independent directors exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management through a
strong CGCC.
To determine compensation payable, the
CGCC reviews compensation paid for directors and NEOs of companies of similar size and stage of development in the mineral exploration
industry and determines an appropriate compensation reflecting the need to provide incentive and compensation for the time and
effort expended by the directors and senior management while taking into account the financial and other resources of the Company.
In setting the compensation, the CGCC annually reviews the performance of the NEOs in light of the Company's objectives and considers
other factors that may have impacted the success of the Company in achieving its objectives and financial resources.
The Company’s compensation policies
and its stock option plan are intended to assist the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating directors, officers and employees
of the Company and of its subsidiaries and to closely align the personal interests of such directors, officers and employees with
those of the shareholders by providing them with the opportunity, through stock options, to acquire shares in the capital of the
Company.
Option-Based Awards
The board of directors of the Company
implemented a stock option plan, as amended (the “Plan”), effective September 23, 2013, which was approved by the TSX
Venture Exchange and the shareholders of the Company on September 23, 2013, at the Company’s AGM on that date. The number
of shares which may be issued pursuant to options previously granted and those granted under the Plan is a maximum of 2,723,500
shares of the Company. In addition, the number of shares which may be reserved for issuance to any one individual may not exceed
5% of the issued shares on a yearly basis or 2% if the optionee is engaged in investor relations activities or is a consultant.
In accordance with good corporate governance
practices and as recommended by Canadian National Policy 51-201
Disclosure Standards
, the Company imposes black-out periods
restricting the trading of its securities by directors, officers, employees and consultants during periods surrounding the release
of annual and interim financial statements and at other times when deemed necessary by management and the Board. In order to ensure
that optionees are not prejudiced by the imposition of such black-out periods, the Plan includes a provision to the effect that
any outstanding options with an expiry date that falls during a management imposed black-out period or within five days thereafter
will be automatically extended to a date that is ten trading days following the end of the black-out period.
The Plan provides that if a change of
control (as defined therein) occurs, or if the Company is subject to a take-over bid, all shares subject to stock options shall
immediately become vested and may thereupon be exercised in whole or in part by the optionees. The Board may also accelerate the
expiry date of outstanding stock options in connection with a take-over bid.
The Plan contains a provision that,
if pursuant to the operation of the plan's adjustment provisions, in respect of options granted under the Plan (the "Subject
Options"), an optionee receives options to purchase securities of another company (the "New Company"), such new
options shall expire on the earlier of: (i) the expiry date of the Subject Options; (ii) if the optionee does not become an eligible
person in respect of the New Company, the date that the Subject Options expire pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Plan
relating to expiration of options in cases of death, disability or termination of employment discussed in the preceding paragraph
above (the "Termination Provisions"); (iii) if the optionee becomes an eligible person in respect of the New Company,
the date that such new options expire pursuant to the terms of the New Company's stock option plan that correspond to the Termination
Provisions; and (iv) the date that is one (1) year after the Optionee ceases to be an eligible person in respect of the New Company
or such shorter period as determined by the Board.
The Plan allows the board to impose
vesting provisions and provides that, unless otherwise specified at the time of grant, all options shall vest and become exercisable
in full immediately upon grant of such options. However, as required by the policies of the Exchange, options granted to optionees
performing Investor Relations Activities must vest in stages over 12 months with no more than ¼ of such options vesting
in any three month period.
The purpose of the Plan is to allow
the Company to grant options to directors, officers, employees and service providers, as an incentive for performance, and as an
opportunity to participate in the success of Agave. The granting of such options is intended to align the interests of such persons
with that of the shareholders. Options are exercisable over periods of up to ten years as determined by the board of directors
of Agave and are required to have an exercise price no less than the market price as defined in the Plan prevailing on the day
that the option is granted. Pursuant to the Plan, the board of directors may from time to time authorize the issue of options to
directors, officers and employees of and consultants to Agave and its subsidiaries or employees of companies providing management
services to Agave or its subsidiaries.
At March 31, 2017, and at July 31, 2017,
the maximum number of common shares which may be issued pursuant to stock options granted under the Plan is equal to 1,650,000
and 2,550,000, respectively, of the issued and outstanding common shares at the respective dates. A total of 1,650,000 stock options
were outstanding at March 31, 2017 and 2,550,000 stock options were outstanding at July 31, 2017.
During the year ended March 31, 2017,
there were 1,250,000 options granted, 70,000 were exercised and 1,020,000 expired. Subsequent to March 31, 2017, there were 900,000
options were granted and none were exercised or expired.
The board of directors generally grants
options to corporate executives on the recommendation of the CGCC. As part of its annual work plan, the CGCC reviews, among other
things, executive compensation and makes appropriate recommendations to the board regarding such compensation, including but not
limited to the grant of options. Options may be granted at other times of the year to individuals commencing employment with the
Company.
Summary Compensation Table
The compensation paid to the NEOs during
the years ended March 31, is as set out below:
NEO Name and Principal Position
|
Year
(1)
|
Salary/Fees
|
Share-Based Awards
|
Option-Based Awards
(2)
|
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
|
Pension Value
|
All Other Compensation
|
Total
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($)
|
($
(3)
)
|
Compensation
|
|
|
|
Annual Incentive Plans
|
Long-term Incentive Plans
|
|
|
($)
|
Ronald
|
2017
|
30,000
|
N/A
|
5,256
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
35,256
|
Lang
|
President and
|
2016
|
60,000
|
N/A
|
3,622
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
63,622
|
CEO
|
2015
|
60,000
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
1,004
|
61,004
|
Dennis Cojuco
|
2017
|
20,000
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
20,000
|
CFO and Corporate Secretary
|
2016
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
2015
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Angela Yap
(4)
|
2017
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
CFO and Corporate Secretary
|
2016
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
3,453
|
3,453
|
|
2015
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
26,538
|
26,538
|
Sherri Odribege
|
2017
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
5,256
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
7,000
(5)
|
12,256
|
CFO and Corporate Secretary
|
2016
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
3,622
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
3,622
|
|
2015
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
(1)
|
Financial years ended March 31.
|
|
(2)
|
The "grant date fair value" of options granted during the year is determined by using the Black-Scholes
model, as described below, and the following assumptions: For 2017: stock price - $0.11, exercise price - $0.11, an option life
of 5.0 years, a risk-free interest rate of 0.68% and a volatility of 179.27%. For 2016:stock price - $0.07 (post-consolidation),
exercise price - $0.07, an option life of 5.0 years, a risk-free interest rate of 1.01% and a volatility of 125.64%. Please see
the table under "Incentive Plan Awards" for the 'in-the-money' value of these options.
|
|
(3)
|
Includes any health, dental, parking, group plan insurance benefits
and professional fees paid by the Company on behalf of the NEO.
|
|
(4)
|
Includes salary paid through Quorum Management and Administrative
Services Inc.
|
|
(5)
|
Represents the value of the 100,000 common shares of the Company issued
to Ms. Odribege as part of her settlement agreement. Ms. Odribege resigned as CFO and Corporate Secretary on November 30, 2016.
|
As part of its annual work plan, the
CGCC reviews, among other things, executive compensation and makes appropriate recommendations to the board regarding such compensation.
Incentive Plan Awards
Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based
Awards
The following table sets out all share-based
awards and option-based awards outstanding as at the financial year ended March 31, 2017, for each NEO:
|
Option-based Awards
|
Share-based Awards
|
Name
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(1)
|
Option Exercise Price
($)
|
Expiry Date
|
Value of Unexercised in-the money Options
(1)
($)
|
Number of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested
(#)
|
Market or Payout Value of Share-based Payments that have not Vested
($)
|
Ronald M.. Lang
|
250,000
|
0.07
|
June 16, 2020
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
50,000
|
0.11
|
August 2, 2021
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
(1)
|
This amount is calculated based on the difference between the market
value of the shares underlying the options at March 31, 2017, the end of the most recently completed financial year, which was
$0.05, and the exercise price of the options.
|
Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested
or Earned During the Year
The following table sets out all incentive
plans (value vested or earned) during the financial year ended March 31, 2017, for each NEO:
Name
|
Option-based awards – Value vested during
the year
(1)
($)
|
Share-based awards – Value vested during
the year
($)
|
Non-equity incentive plan compensation –
Value earned during the year
(2)
($)
|
Ronald Lang
|
500
(2)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Sherri Odribege
|
500
(2)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Notes:
|
(1)
|
The aggregate dollar value that would have been realized if the options
had been exercised on the vesting date, based on the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at exercise
and the exercise price of the options on the vesting date.
|
|
(2)
|
The Company does not have Incentive Plan Awards in place other than
option-based awards.
|
Discussion
The Company accounts for stock options issued
to employees at the fair value determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of the
options is recognized as an expense using the graded vesting method where the fair value of each tranche is recognized over its
respective vesting period. When stock options are forfeited prior to becoming fully vested, any expense previously recorded is
reversed.
Share-based payments made to non-employees
are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, if it is determined
that the fair value of the goods or services cannot be reliably measured. These payments are recorded at the date the goods and
services are received.
Warrants issued are recorded at estimated fair
values determined on the grant date using the Black-Scholes model. If and when the stock options or warrants are ultimately exercised,
the applicable amounts of their fair values in the reserves account are transferred to share capital.
See “Option Based Awards”
and “Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans” for further information on the Stock Option
Plan.
The Company does not have Incentive
Plan Awards, pursuant to which cash or non-cash compensation intended to serve as an incentive for performance (whereby performance
is measured by reference to financial performance or the price of the Company’s securities) was paid.
Pension Plan Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan or Defined Contribution
Plan
The Company has no pension plans for
NEOs that provide for payment or benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement.
Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company has no deferred compensation
plan for NEOs.
Termination and Change in Control
Benefits
The Company has no contract, agreement
plan or arrangement that provides for payment to a NEO at, following or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary,
involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the Company or a change in a NEO’s responsibilities,
with the exception of the following:
Director Compensation
The Company does not have a compensation
plan for directors.
Director Compensation Table
The following table sets out all amounts
of compensation provided to the directors who are not NEOs for the Company’s most recently completed financial year:
Name
|
Fees
earned
($)
|
Share-based
awards
($)
|
Option-based
awards
($)
|
Non-equity
incentive plan compensation
($)
|
Pension
value
($)
|
All
other compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
Richard Haines
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Robert Paul
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
5,256
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
5,256
|
Outstanding Share-based Awards and Option-based
Awards
The following table sets out all option-based
awards outstanding as at the financial year ended March 31, 2017 each director, excluding one director whose awards are already
provided in the disclosure for NEOs for the Company:
|
Option-based Awards
|
Share-based Awards
|
Name
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
(#)
|
Option Exercise Price
($)
|
Option Expiration Date
|
Value of Unexercised in-the-money Options
(1)
($)
|
Number of Shares or Units of Shares that have not Vested
(2)
(#)
|
Market or Payout Value of Share-based Awards that have not Vested
(2)
($)
|
Richard Haines
|
Nil
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Robert Paul
|
250,000
|
0.07
|
June 3, 2020
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
50,000
|
0.11
|
August 2, 2021
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
(1)
|
This amount is calculated based on the difference between the market value of the shares underlying
the options at March 31, 2017 the end of the most recently completed financial year, which was $0.05, and the exercise price of
the options.
|
|
(2)
|
The Company does not have incentive plan awards in place other than option-based awards.
|
Incentive Plan Awards
– Value Vested or Earned During the Year
The following table sets out all incentive
plans (value vested or earned) during the financial year ended March 31, 2017, for each director, excluding a director who is already
set out in disclosure for a NEO for the Company:
Name
|
Option-based Awards – Value Vested
During the Year
(1)(2)(3)
($)
|
Share-based Awards – Value Vested
During the Year
(3)
($)
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan
Compensation – Value Earned During the Year
(3)
($)
|
Robert Paul
|
500
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
(1)
|
The aggregate dollar value that would have been realized if the options had been exercised on the
vesting date, based on the difference between the market price of the underlying securities at exercise and the exercise price
of the options on the vesting date.
|
|
(2)
|
Under the terms of the Plan, all options vest upon the grant date.
|
|
(3)
|
The Company does not have incentive plan awards in place other than option-based awards.
|
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity
Compensation Plans
Equity Compensation Plan Information
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
|
Plan Category
(1)
|
(a)
|
(b)
|
(c)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
(2)
|
1,650,000
|
$0.09
|
1,073,500
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
NIL
|
NIL
|
NIL
|
Total
|
1,650,000
|
$0.09
|
1,073,500
|
|
(1)
|
The only “equity compensation plan”
in place is the Company’s stock option plan. See “Option Based Awards” above.
|
|
(2)
|
As at March 31, 2017.
|
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive
Officers
None of the directors, executive officers,
or associates of any such person, has been indebted to the Company at any time during the most recently completed financial year.
Aggregated Options Exercises during
the Most Recently Completed Financial Year
None.
C. Board Practices
The Company has three directors as of
July 31, 2017 namely: Richard Haines, Warren Mirko and Ernest Peters. Mr. Haines was elected at the December 16, 2016 AGM and both
Mr. Mirko and Mr. Peters were appointed on June 30, 2017 and July 11, 2017, respectively. All directors will serve for a term of
office expiring at the next AGM of the Company. All officers have a term of office lasting until their removal or replacement by
the board of directors.
An “independent” director
under the TSX governance guidelines is a director who is independent from management and is free from any interest and any business
or other relationship which could materially interfere with his or her ability to act in the best interest of the Company other
than interests arising from shareholding. Where a company has a significant shareholder, in addition to a majority of “independent”
directors, the Board should include a number of directors who do not have interest or relationships with either the Company or
the significant shareholder. The Board currently consists of three directors, two of whom are independent based upon the tests
for independence set forth in Canadian National Instrument
52-110. Mr. Peters is not independent as he is the President and CEO of the Company.
Except as set out below, no director
and/or executive officer has been the subject of any order, judgment, or decree of any governmental agency or administrator or
of any court of competent jurisdiction, revoking or suspending for cause any license, permit or other authority of such person
or of any corporation of which he is a director and/or executive officer, to engage in the securities business or in the sale
of a particular security or temporarily or permanently restraining or enjoining any such person or any corporation of which he
is an officer or director from engaging in or continuing any conduct, practice or employment in connection with the purchase or
sale of securities, or convicting such person of any felony, or misdemeanor involving a security or in any aspect of the securities
business of theft.
There are no director’s services
contracts with the Company providing for benefits upon termination of employment. The Company has no compensatory plan or arrangement
in respect of compensation received or that may be received by the directors of the Company in its most recently completed or current
financial year to compensate such directors in the event of termination as director (resignation, retirement) or in the event of
a change in control. There are no arrangements or understandings with any two or more directors or executive officers pursuant
to which he was selected as a director or executive officer. Other than as disclosed in related party transactions, fees payable
to directors as disclosed above under "Director Compensation", and salaries for executive officers, there is no compensation
paid to outside directors other than stock-based compensation.
Audit Committee
As of July 31, 2017, Richard Haines,
Warren Mirko and Ernest Peters are the members of the Company’s audit committee. Its primary function is to review the financial
statements of the Company before they are submitted to the board for approval. The audit committee is also available to assist
the board if required with matters relating to the appointment of the Company’s auditor and the overall scope and results
of the audit, internal financial controls, and financial information for publication for various purposes.
Corporate Governance and Executive
Compensation Committee
Members of the Corporate Governance
and Executive Compensation Committee are Richard Haines, Warren Mirko and Ernest Peters. The committee was formed to make recommendations
to the board with respect to developments in the area of corporate governance, the practices of the board, finding appropriate
candidates for nomination to the board and for evaluating the performance of the board, and senior executives and making recommendations
as to their compensation.
D. Employees
At March 31, 2017, the Company did not
have any employees.
E. Share Ownership
See Item 6A. – “Directors
and Senior Management”.
The following table sets forth, as at March
31, 2017, all stock options held by the directors and members of senior management of the Company, including the number of common
shares issuable upon the valid exercise of the options, the exercise price and expiration date of the options.
Name and Title of
Optionholder
|
Number of Shares Underlying Options
|
Title of Class
|
Exercise Price ($)
|
Expiry Date
|
Directors and Officers of First Energy
|
Ronald Lang
President and Chief Executive
|
250,000
50,000
|
Common
Common
|
0.07
0.11
|
June 16, 2020
August 2, 2021
|
Robert Paul
Director
|
250,000
50,000
|
Common
Common
|
0.07
0.11
|
June 16, 2020
August 2, 2021
|
Total Directors/Officers
(2 persons)
|
600,000
|
Common
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ITEM 7. Major
shareholders and related party transactions
A. Major Shareholders
The Company is a publicly traded corporation,
incorporated in the province of British Columbia, the registered shareholders of which include residents of the United States,
residents of Canada and other foreign residents. To the extent known by the directors and executive officers of the Company, the
Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation.
To the knowledge of the directors and
executive officers of the Company as at July 31, 2017, there are no holders of 5% or more of the common shares of First Energy,
except as set out below:
Name of Shareholder
|
|
Number of Shares held, directly and indirectly, at July 31, 2017
|
% of Issued and Outstanding Shares at July 31, 2017
|
Ronald. Lang
|
|
12,766,603
|
28.68%
|
The above information was obtained from
SEDI and SEDAR.
All shareholders, including major and/or
controlling shareholders have the same voting rights with respect to the issued common shares.
The Company’s securities are recorded
on the books of its transfer agent in registered form, however, the majority of such shares are registered in the name of intermediaries
such as brokerage houses and clearing houses on behalf of their respective brokerage clients, and Agave does not have knowledge
of or access to information about the beneficial owners thereof. To the best of its knowledge, Agave is not directly or indirectly
owned or controlled by a corporation or foreign government. As of July 31, 2017, the Company had authorized an unlimited number
of common shares without par value of which 44,517,273 were issued and outstanding.
The Company is not aware of any arrangements
between shareholders or other persons which may result in a change of control of the Company.
B. Related Party Transactions
No director or senior officer, and no associate
or affiliate of the foregoing persons, and no insider has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transactions,
or in any other proposed transaction, during the year ended March 31, 2017, except as noted below.
In December, 2014, the Company signed a Debt
Settlement and Assumption Agreement with Angela Yap, the Company’s former CFO and Corporate Secretary, and Quorum Management
and Administrative Services Inc. (“Quorum”) whereby in full settlement of the debt owed from the Company to Quorum,
the Company has assumed Quorum’s debt payable to Angela Yap to the extent of the amount the Company owed to Quorum, $60,822.
The Company’s indebtedness to Quorum is fully and finally satisfied with no further claim or indebtedness owed by the Company
to Quorum and the assumed indebtedness to Angela Yap represents all claims and indebtedness owed to Angela Yap.
During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Company
settled all debts owing to officers and directors, with the exception of partial salaries payable to the President, by cash payments
totaling $68,281 and the issuance of 1,147,500 shares for a total of $22,950. These settlements resulted in a gain on settlement
of debt in the amount of $129,121.
As at March 31, 2017, the balance payable to
directors and officers include fees and expense reimbursements.
Balances payable to related parties,
and balances receivable from related parties are non-interest bearing and due on demand.
The Company also paid or accrued office rent
of $18,000 during the year ended March 31, 2017 (2016 and 2015 - $24,000) to a private company controlled by the Company’s
former president and CEO.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
item 8. Financial
information
A. Statements and Other Financial
Information
See “Item 17 - Financial Statements”.
The financial statements as required are found at Exhibit F-1 to this Annual Report. The audit report of DeVisser Gray LLP, Chartered
Professional Accountants, is included immediately preceding the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is not involved in any litigation
or legal proceedings and to the Company’s knowledge no material legal or arbitration proceedings involving the Company is
threatened.
Dividend Policy
Agave has not paid any dividends on
its outstanding common shares since its incorporation and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. All
funds of Agave are being retained for working capital and exploration of its projects.
B. Significant Changes
There are no significant changes of
financial condition since the most recent audited financial statements filed with this Annual Report. Interim financial statements
are incorporated into the financial statements included herein.
ITEM 9. THE
OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
The tables below list the high and low
prices for common shares of the Company on the TSX Venture Exchange and the OTCQB, for the past five years on an annual basis,
two years on a quarterly basis and for the six months up to the filing date of this Annual Report:
TSX Venture Exchange: FE (formerly AGV) – Trading in Canadian Dollars
|
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
|
Annual
|
|
|
|
2017 (to July 28, 2017)
|
0.06
|
0.04
|
|
2016
|
0.14
|
0.02
|
|
2015
|
0.04
|
0.01
|
|
2014
|
0.09
|
0.03
|
|
2013
|
0.50
|
0.06
|
|
2012
|
2.90
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
TSX Venture Exchange: FE (formerly AGV) – Trading in Canadian Dollars
|
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
|
Calendar 2017
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
0.08
|
0.05
|
|
Second Quarter
|
0.07
|
0.04
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar 2016
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
0.03
|
0.02
|
|
Second Quarter
|
0.09
|
0.03
|
|
Third Quarter
|
0.14
|
0.07
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
0.10
|
0.06
|
|
Calendar 2015
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
|
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.02
|
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
Month ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
0.04
|
0.04
|
|
May 31, 2017
|
0.04
|
0.04
|
|
April 30, 2017
|
0.06
|
0.06
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
0.06
|
0.05
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
0.06
|
0.06
|
|
January 31, 2017
|
0.07
|
0.07
|
|
The high, low and closing price of the Company’s
common stock on the TSX Venture Exchange on July 28, 2017, was Cdn$0.05. The Company’s common stock is issued in registered
form.
OTCBB: ASKDF – Trading in US Dollars
|
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
|
Annual
|
|
|
|
2017 (to July 28, 2017)
|
0.06
|
0.03
|
|
2016
|
0.11
|
0.01
|
|
2015
|
0.03
|
0.01
|
|
2014
|
0.07
|
0.02
|
|
2013
2012
|
0.05
3.00
|
0.01
0.30
|
|
OTCBB: ASKDF – Trading in US Dollars
|
|
High
|
Low
|
|
|
($)
|
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar 2017
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
0.058
|
0.041
|
|
Second Quarter
|
0.046
|
0.025
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar 2016
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
0.011
|
0.005
|
|
Second Quarter
|
0.073
|
0.017
|
|
Third Quarter
|
0.109
|
0.062
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
0.076
|
0.050
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calendar 2015
|
|
|
|
First Quarter
|
0.025
|
0.015
|
|
Second Quarter
|
0.026
|
0.009
|
|
Third Quarter
|
0.021
|
0.007
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
0.021
|
0.007
|
|
|
|
|
|
Month ended
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2017
|
0.025
|
0.025
|
|
May 31, 2017
|
0.031
|
0.031
|
|
April 30, 2017
|
0.046
|
0.046
|
|
March 31, 2017
|
0.046
|
0.046
|
|
February 28, 2017
|
0.050
|
0.050
|
|
January 31, 2017
|
0.047
|
0.047
|
|
The high, low and closing price of the Company’s
common stock on the OTCBB on July 28, 2017, was US$0.05. The Company’s common stock is issued in registered form.
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
The shares of the Company have traded
in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange and successor to the Vancouver Stock Exchange) since
June 3, 1970 under the symbol “AGV” until December 19, 2016. Effective December 20, 2016, the Company’s trading
symbol on the TSXV was “FE.”
Since October 5, 1999, the Company’s
shares have traded on the over-the-counter market (“OTC-BB”) in the United States (symbol-ASKDF.OB) to July 26, 2012
at which time the Company’s shares were exclusively quoted on the OTCQB. Effective May 1, 2014 the Company was listed on
the OTCBB “Pink”, (symbol ASKDF) an electronic trading platform operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc. They also trade
on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol “DFL”.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
item 10. additional
information
Shareholder Rights Plan
Effective May 24, 2011, the Board of
the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the "Rights Plan"). The Rights Plan has been implemented by way of a shareholder
rights plan agreement (the "Rights Plan Agreement") dated as of May 24, 2011 between the Company and Computershare Investor
Services Inc., as rights agent. The Board adopted the Rights Plan to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the
Company are treated equally and fairly in connection with any take-over bid or similar offer for all or a portion of the outstanding
common shares of the Company.
Background to the Rights Plan Agreement
The Rights Plan Agreement is designed
to protect shareholders from unfair, abusive or coercive take-over strategies including the acquisition of control of the Company
by a bidder in a transaction or series of transactions that may not treat all shareholders fairly nor afford all shareholders an
equal opportunity to share in the premium paid upon an acquisition of control. The Rights Plan Agreement was adopted to provide
the Board with sufficient time, in the event of a public take-over bid or tender offer for the common shares of the Company, to
pursue alternatives which could enhance shareholder value. These alternatives could involve the review of other take-over bids
or offers from other interested parties to provide shareholders desiring to sell the Company's common shares with the best opportunity
to realize the maximum sale price for their common shares. In addition, with sufficient time, the Board would be able to explore
and, if feasible, advance alternatives to maximize share value through possible corporate reorganizations or restructuring. The
directors need time in order to have any real ability to consider these alternatives.
Potential Advantages of the Rights
Plan Agreement
The Board believes that under the current
rules relating to take-over bids and tender offers in Canada there is not sufficient time for the directors to explore and develop
alternatives for the shareholders such as possible higher offers or corporate reorganizations or restructurings that could maximize
shareholder value. Under current rules, a take-over bid must remain open in Canada for a minimum of 35 days. Accordingly, the directors
believe the Rights Plan Agreement continues to be an appropriate mechanism to ensure that they will be able to discharge their
responsibility to assist shareholders in responding to a take-over bid or tender offer.
In addition, the Board believes that
the Rights Plan Agreement will encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to do so by means of a public take-over
bid or offer available to all shareholders. The Rights Plan Agreement will deter acquisitions by means that deny some shareholders
the opportunity to share in the premium that an acquirer is likely to pay upon an acquisition of control. By motivating would-be
acquirers to make a public take-over bid or offer or to negotiate with the Board, shareholders will have the best opportunity of
being assured that they will participate on an equal basis, regardless of the size of their holding, in any acquisition of control
of the Company.
The Rights Plan Agreement is not intended
to prevent a take-over or deter fair offers for securities of the Company. The Board believes that the Rights Plan Agreement will
not adversely limit the opportunity for shareholders to dispose of their common shares through
a take-over bid or tender offer which provides fair value to all shareholders. The directors will continue to be bound to consider
fully and fairly any bona fide take-over bid or offer for common shares of the Company and to discharge that responsibility with
a view to the best interests of the shareholders.
Potential Disadvantages of the Rights
Plan Agreement
Because the Rights Plan Agreement may
increase the price to be paid by an acquirer to obtain control of the Company and may discourage certain transactions, confirmation
of the Rights Plan Agreement may reduce the likelihood of a take-over bid being made for the outstanding common shares of the Company.
Accordingly, the Rights Plan Agreement may deter some take-over bids that shareholders might wish to receive.
Term
The Rights Plan will remain in effect
until termination of the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company in 2014 unless the term of the Rights Plan Agreement is
terminated earlier. The Rights Plan may be extended beyond 2014 by resolution of shareholders at such meeting.
Issue of Rights
One right (a "Right") has
been issued by the Company pursuant to the Rights Plan Agreement in respect of each Common Share outstanding at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific
Time) on
May 24, 2011 (the "Record Time"). One Right will also be issued for each additional Common Share issued
after the Record Time and prior to the earlier of the Separation Time (as defined below) and the Expiration Time (as defined in
the Rights Plan Agreement).
Rights Exercise Privilege
The Rights will separate from the common
shares to which they are attached and become exercisable at the time (the "Separation Time") which is 10 trading days
following the date a person becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined below) or announces an intention to make a take-over bid that
is not an acquisition pursuant to a take-over bid permitted by the Rights Plan (a "Permitted Bid").
Any transaction or event in which a
person (an "Acquiring Person"), including associates and affiliates and others acting in concert, acquires (other than
pursuant to an exemption available under the Rights Plan or a Permitted Bid) Beneficial Ownership (as defined in the Rights Plan
Agreement) of 20% or more of the voting shares of the Company is referred to as a "Flip-in Event". Any Rights held by
an Acquiring Person on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the first date of public announcement by the Company or an
Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become such, will become void and the Rights (other than those held by the Acquiring
Person) will permit the holder to purchase common shares at a 50% discount to their market price. A person, or a group acting in
concert, who is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding common shares as of the Record Time is exempt from the dilutive
effects of the Rights Plan.
The issuance of the Rights is not dilutive
until the Rights separate from the underlying common shares and become exercisable or until the exercise of the Rights. The issuance
of the Rights will not change the manner in which shareholders currently trade their common shares.
Certificates and Transferability
Prior to the close of business on the
earlier of the Separation Time and the Expiration Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend imprinted on certificates for
common shares issued after the Record Time. Rights are also attached to common shares outstanding at the Record Time, although
share certificates issued prior to the Record Time will not bear such a legend. Shareholders are not required to return their certificates
in order to have the benefit of the Rights. Prior to the Separation Time, Rights will trade together with the common shares and
will not be exercisable or transferable separately from the common shares. From and after the Separation Time and prior to the
Expiration Time, the Rights will become exercisable, will be evidenced by Rights certificates and will be transferable separately
from the common shares.
Permitted Bid Requirements
The requirements of a Permitted Bid include
the following:
|
(a)
|
the take-over bid must be made by means of a take-over bid circular;
|
|
(b)
|
the take-over bid is made to all holders of voting shares as registered on the books of the Company,
other than the offeror for all of the voting shares held by them;
|
|
(c)
|
the take-over bid contains, and the take-up and payment for securities tendered or deposited is
subject to, an irrevocable and unqualified provision that no voting shares will be taken up or paid for pursuant to the take-over
bid prior to the close of business on the date which is not less than 60 days following the date of the take-over bid and only
if at such date more than 50% of the voting shares held by independent shareholders shall have been deposited or tendered pursuant
to the take-over bid and not withdrawn;
|
|
(d)
|
the take-over bid contains an irrevocable and unqualified provision that, unless the take-over
bid is withdrawn, voting shares may be deposited pursuant to such take-over bid at any time during the period of time between the
date of the take-over bid and the date on which voting shares may be taken up and paid for and that any voting shares deposited
pursuant to the take-over bid may be withdrawn until taken up and paid for; and
|
|
(e)
|
the take-over bid contains an irrevocable and unqualified provision that if, on the date on which
voting shares may be taken up and paid for, more than 50% of the voting shares held by independent shareholders shall have been
deposited pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn, the offeror will make a public announcement of that fact and the take-over
bid will remain open for deposits and tenders of voting shares for not less than ten business days from the date of such public
announcement.
|
The Rights Plan allows for a competing
Permitted Bid (a "Competing Permitted Bid") to be made while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing Permitted Bid
must satisfy all of the requirements of a Permitted Bid except that it must expire prior to the expiry of that Permitted Bid, subject
to the requirement that it be outstanding for a minimum period of 35 days in accordance with applicable securities legislation.
Waiver and Redemption
If a potential offeror does not desire
to make a Permitted Bid, it can negotiate with, and obtain the prior approval of, the Board to make a take-over bid by way of a
take-over bid circular sent to all holders of voting shares on terms which the Board considers fair to all shareholders. In such
circumstances, the Board may waive the application of the Rights Plan thereby allowing such bid to proceed without dilution to
the offeror. Any waiver of the application of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular take-over bid shall also constitute a
waiver of any other take-over bid which is made by means of a take-over bid circular to all holders of voting shares while the
initial take-over bid is outstanding. The Board may also waive the application of the Rights Plan in respect of a particular Flip-in
Event that has occurred through inadvertence, provided that the Acquiring Person that inadvertently triggered such Flip-in Event
reduces its beneficial holdings to less than 20% of the outstanding voting shares of the Company at the time of the granting of
the waiver by the Board. With the prior consent of the holders of voting shares, the Board may, prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in
Event that would occur by reason of an acquisition of voting shares otherwise than pursuant to a take-over made by means of a take-over
bid circular to holders of voting shares, waive the application of the Rights Plan to such Flip-in Event.
The Board may, at any time prior to
the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, elect to redeem all but not less than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price
of $0.00001 per Right. Rights are deemed to be redeemed following completion of a Permitted Bid, a Competing Permitted Bid or a
take-over bid in respect of which the Board has waived the application of the Rights Plan.
Board of Directors
Adoption of the Rights Plan does not
in any way lessen or affect the duty of the Board to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company.
The Board, when a take-over bid or similar offer is made, will continue to have the duty and power to take such actions and make
such recommendations to shareholders as are considered appropriate. It is not the intention of the Board to secure the continuance
of existing directors or officers to avoid an acquisition of control of the Company in a transaction that is fair and in the best
interests of the Company and its shareholders, or to avoid the fiduciary duties of the Board or of any director. The proxy mechanism
of the
Business Corporations Act
(British Columbia) is not affected by the Rights Plan Agreement, and a shareholder may
use his, her or its statutory rights to promote a change in the management or direction of the Company, including the right of
shareholders holding not less than 5% of the outstanding common shares to requisition the Board to call a meeting of shareholders.
Amendment
The Company may, with the prior approval
of shareholders (or the holders of Rights if the Separation Time has occurred), supplement, amend, vary or delete any of the provisions
of the Rights Plan Agreement. The Company may make amendments to the Rights Plan Agreement at any time to correct any clerical
or typographical error or, subject to confirmation at the next meeting of shareholders, make amendments which are required to maintain
the validity of the Rights Plan Agreement due to changes in any applicable legislation, rules or regulations.
Existing Charter Provisions
The Notice of Articles and Articles
of the Company do not contain any provisions intended by the Company to have, or, to the knowledge of the Board having, an anti-takeover
effect. However, the power of the Board to issue additional common shares could be used to dilute the share ownership of person
seeking to obtain control of the Company.
A copy of the Shareholder Rights Plan
dated May 24, 2011 is attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report.
The Company’s original corporate
constituting documents comprising Articles of Association and Memorandum are registered with the British Columbia Registrar of
Companies under Corporation No. 71412. A copy of the Articles of Association and Memorandum then in effect were filed as an exhibit
with the Company’s initial registration statement on Form 20-F. In 2004 the Company's existing Memorandum was replaced by
a Notice of Articles. Subsequent amendments to the Company's Articles have been also filed as exhibits subsequent to the initial
registration statement. On June 23, 2011, the Company adopted new Articles of Association, and these Articles are attached as an
exhibit to this Annual Report.
Objects and Purposes
The Company’s Articles of Incorporation
do not specify objects or purposes. Under British Columbia law, a British Columbia corporation has all the legal powers of a natural
person. British Columbia corporations may not undertake certain limited business activities such as operating as a trust company
or railroad without alterations to its form of articles and specific government consent.
Directors – Powers and Limitations
The Company’s articles do not
specify a maximum number of directors (the minimum under British Columbia law for a public company is three). Shareholders at the
annual shareholders meeting determine the number of directors annually and all directors are elected at that time. There are no
staggered directorships. Under the British Columbia Business Corporations Act, (“BCA”) directors are obligated to abstain
from voting on matters in which they may be financially interested after fully disclosing such interest. Directors’ compensation
is not a matter on which they must abstain. Directors must be of the age of majority (18), and meet eligibility criteria including
not being mentally infirm, an undischarged bankrupt, no fraud related convictions in the previous five years and a majority of
directors must be ordinarily resident in Canada. There is no mandatory retirement age either under the Company’s Articles
or under the BCA.
Directors’ borrowing powers are
not generally restricted where the borrowing is in the Company’s best interests. Directors need not own any shares of the
Company in order to qualify as directors.
The Articles specify the number of directors
shall be the number of directors fixed by shareholders annually, or the number that are actually elected at a general shareholders
meeting. Shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting determine the number of directors annually and all directors are
elected at that time. Under the Articles the directors are entitled between successive AGMs to appoint one or more additional directors
but not more than one-third of the number of directors fixed at a shareholders meeting or actually elected at the preceding annual
shareholders’ meeting. Directors automatically retire at the commencement of each annual meeting but may be re-elected thereat.
A director or senior office who holds
any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or
interest that materially conflicts with that individual's duty or interest as a director or senior officer, is required
under the BCA to disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act, and may be counted
for the purpose of quorum requirements is required to abstain from voting on any directors' resolution to approve a contract or
transaction in which he has a disclosable interest.
The new form of articles adopted by
the Company in June 2011 ("Articles") update some of the terminology therein as well as incorporating some of the more
flexible provisions of the BCA. The major changes from the existing Articles are: 1. certain changes to the Notice of Articles,
Articles and share structure may be able to be made by directors' resolution or ordinary resolution of the Company's shareholders,
in each case as determined by the directors. A more detailed description of this changes is provided below; 2. the directors may,
by directors' resolution, approve a change of name of the Company without the necessity for shareholder approval; 3. shareholder
meetings may be held by electronic means; 4. the quorum for shareholder meetings is changed from two shareholders or proxyholders
present to one shareholder present in person or represented by proxy; 5. shareholder meetings may, if authorized by directors'
resolution, be held in jurisdictions outside British Columbia; and 6. the Chairman of a directors' meeting does not have a casting
vote, in the event of an equality of votes.
The Company is subject to the policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) and compliance with Exchange policy may supersede powers granted to the
Board pursuant to the Articles.
Descriptions of rights, preferences
and restrictions attaching to each class of shares
Common Shares
The Company has only one class of shares,
common shares without par value of which an unlimited number are authorized and 44,517,273 are outstanding as of July 31, 2017.
All common shares rank pari passu for the payment of dividends and distributions in the event of wind-up.
Some of the significant provisions under
British Columbia law and the Company’s Articles relating to the common shares may be summarized as follows:
Capital increases and Other Changes
The Company may alter its Notice of
Articles, Articles and share structure in the following manner: 1. by directors' resolution or ordinary resolution of the shareholders
of the Company, in each case as determined by the directors, (a) create one or more classes or series of shares and, if none of
the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares and alter the identifying
name of any of its shares; (b) establish, increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized
to issue out of any class or series of shares; (c) if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value,
decrease the par value of those shares or, if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par
value of those shares; (d) change all or any of its unissued shares with par value into shares without par value or vice versa
or change all or any of its fully paid issued shares with par value into shares without par value; (e) create, attach, vary or
delete special rights or restrictions for the shares of any class or series of shares, if none of those shares have been issued;
(f) subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares; (g) authorize alterations to the Articles
that are procedural or administrative in nature or are matters that pursuant to the Articles are solely within the directors' powers,
control or authority; and (h) alter the identifying name of any of its shares. 2. if the BCBCA does not specify the type of resolution
and the Articles do not specify another type of resolution, by ordinary resolution of the shareholders otherwise alter its shares
or authorized share structure and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and, if applicable, alter its Articles accordingly.
Certain changes such as amalgamations,
re-domiciling may also give rise to rights of dissent and appraised (the right subject to meeting certain conditions, to be paid
the “fair value” determined in accordance with the BCA for their shares in cash if the matter is proceeded with).
Shares Fully Paid
The Company’s shares must, when
issued be fully paid for in cash, property or services. The common shares, when validly issued are non-assessable and not subject
to further calls for payment.
Redemption
The Company has no redeemable securities
authorized or issued.
Pre-emptive Rights
There are no pre-emptive rights under
the Articles of the Company which provide a right to existing shareholders to participate in offerings of the Company’s securities.
Liquidation
All common shares of the Company are
entitled to participate ratably in, if any, available for distribution assets in the event of a winding up or other liquidation
of the Company.
No Limitation on Foreign Ownership
There are no limitations under the Compnay’s
Articles or in the BCA on persons who are not citizens of Canada holding or exercising their voting rights as holders of common
shares. (See also “Exchange Controls”)
Dividends
Dividends may be declared by the Board
out of available assets and are paid ratably to holders of common shares. No dividend may be paid if the Company is, or would thereby
become, insolvent.
Voting Rights
Each of the Company’s share is
entitled to one vote on matters on which common shares ordinarily vote including the election of directors, appointment of auditors
and approval of corporate changes. There are no cumulative voting rights applicable to the Company.
Shareholder Meetings
Shareholders’ meetings are governed
by the Articles of the Company but many important shareholder protections are also contained in the Securities Act (British Columbia)
and the BCA. The Articles provide that the Company will hold an annual shareholders’ meeting, will provide at least 21 days’
notice and will provide for certain procedural matters and rules of order with respect to the conduct of the meeting. Under British
Columbia securities legislation and policies the Company is required to conduct advanced searches to facilitate delivery of meeting
materials and proxy to beneficial shareholders. The form and content of information circulars and proxies and like matters are
governed by the Securities Act (British Columbia) and the BCA. This legislation specifies the disclosure requirements for the proxy
materials and various corporate actions, background information on the nominees for election for director, executive compensation
paid in the previous year, unusual matters or related party transactions. The Company must hold determination general meeting of
shareholders within 15 months of the previous annual shareholders’ meeting. A quorum for a shareholders’ meeting is
one shareholder present in person or by proxy.
Change in Control
Other then as disclosed under Item 6.B
"Termination and Change of Control Benefits”, the Company does not have any agreements which are triggered by a take-over
or other change of control, except that a takeover or change of control may result in the vesting of stock options previously granted.
There are no provisions in its Articles triggered by or affected by a change in outstanding shares which gives rise to a change
in control. There are no provisions in the Company’s material agreements giving special rights to any person on a change
of control.
As discussed in Item 10.A, effective
May 24, 2011, the Board of the Company adopted the Rights Plan which was implemented by way of the Rights Plan Agreement. The
Board adopted the Rights Plan to ensure, to the extent possible, that all shareholders of the Company are treated equally and
fairly in connection with any take-over bid or similar offer for all or a portion of the outstanding common shares of the Company.
For more information on the Shareholder Rights Plan please see Item 10.A, Share Capital.
Insider Share Ownership Reporting
The articles of the Company do not require
disclosure of share ownership. Share ownership of director nominees must be reported annually in proxy materials sent to the Company’s
shareholders. There are no requirements under British Columbia corporate law to report ownership of shares of the Company but the
Securities Act (British Columbia) requires disclosure of trading by insiders (generally officers, directors and holders of 10%
of voting shares) within 5 days of the trade. Controlling shareholders (generally those in excess of 20% of outstanding shares)
must provide 3 days advance notice of share sales.
Securities Act (British Columbia)
This statute applies to the Company
and governs matters typically pertaining to public securities such as continuous disclosure, quarterly financial reporting, immediate
disclosure of material changes, insider trade reporting, take-over protections to ensure fair and equal treatment of all shareholders,
exemption and resale rules pertaining to non-prospectus securities issuances as well as civil liability for certain misrepresentations,
disciplinary, appeal and discretionary ruling maters.
Other than the Shareholder Rights Plan,
the Company is not party to any contracts that are material to its operations, business or assets, other than those entered into
in the ordinary course of business for the two years preceding the date of this document.
The Company is not aware of any Canadian federal
or provincial laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls,
or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding
tax requirements. Any such remittances to United States residents are generally subject to withholding tax, however no such remittances
are likely in the foreseeable future. See “Taxation”, below.
There is no limitation imposed by the laws
of Canada or by the charter or other constituent documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote the common
shares, other than as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the “Investment Act”). The following discussion summarizes
the material features of the Investment Act for a non-resident who proposes to acquire the common shares. It is general only, it
is not a substitute for independent advice from an investor’s own advisor, and it does not anticipate statutory or regulatory
amendments. The Company does not believe the Investment Act will have any effect on it or on its non-Canadian shareholders due
to a number of factors including the nature of its operations and the Company’s relatively small capitalization.
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation
of a “reviewable” investment by an individual, government or agency thereof, corporation, partnership, trust or joint
venture (each an “entity”) that is not a “Canadian” as defined in the Investment Act (a “non-Canadian”),
unless after review the Director of Investments appointed by the minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that
the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. The size and nature of a proposed transaction may give rise to an obligation
to notify the Director to seek an advance ruling. An investment in the Company’s common shares by a non-Canadian other than
a “WTO Investor” (as that term is defined in the Investment Act and which term includes entities which are nationals
of or are controlled by nationals of member states of the World Trade Organization) when the Company was not controlled by a WTO
Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment Act if it was an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value
of the assets of The Company, as determined in accordance with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Act, was over a
certain figure, or if an order for review was made by the federal cabinet on the grounds that the investment related to Canada’s
cultural heritage or national identity, regardless of the value of the assets of The Company. An investment in the common shares
by a WTO Investor, or by a non-Canadian when the Company was controlled by a WTO Investor, would be reviewable under the Investment
Act if it was an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company, as determined in accordance
with the regulations promulgated under the Investment Act, was not less than a specified amount, which for 2009 is Cdn$295 million.
A non-Canadian would acquire control of the Company for the purposes of the Investment Act if the non-Canadian acquired a majority
of the common shares. The acquisition of less than a majority but one-third or more of the common shares would be presumed
to be an acquisition of control of The Company unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, the Company
was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of the common shares.
The foregoing assumes the Company will not
engage in the production of uranium or own an interest in a producing uranium property in Canada, or provide any financial service
or transportation service, as the rules governing these businesses are different.
Certain transactions relating to the common
shares would be exempt from the Investment Act, including:
i.
an acquisition of the common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer
in securities,
ii.
an acquisition of control of The Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial
assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions of the Investment Act, and
iii.
an acquisition of control of The Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization
following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of The Company, through the ownership of the common shares, remained
unchanged.
E. Taxation
All prospective investors are advised to
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific tax consequences of purchasing the common shares of the Company.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
for United States Residents
The following summarizes the material Canadian
federal income tax consequences generally applicable to the holding and disposition of common shares by a holder (in this summary,
a “U.S. Holder”) who, (a) for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”), is not resident
in Canada, deals at arm’s length with The Company, holds the common shares as capital property and does not use or hold the
common shares in the course of carrying on, or otherwise in connection with, a business in Canada, and (b) for the purposes of
the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980 (the “Treaty”), is a resident solely of the United States, has
never been a resident of Canada, and has not held or used (and does not hold or use) common shares in connection with a permanent
establishment or fixed base in Canada. This summary does not apply to traders or dealers in securities, limited liability companies,
tax-exempt entities, insurers, financial institutions (including those to which the mark-to-market provisions of the Tax Act apply),
or any other U.S. Holder to which special considerations apply.
This summary is based on the current provisions
of the Tax Act including all regulations thereunder, the Treaty, all proposed amendments to the Tax Act, the regulations and the
Treaty publicly announced by the Government of Canada to the date hereof, and the current administrative practices of the Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency. It has been assumed that all currently proposed amendments will be enacted as proposed and that there
will be no other relevant change in any governing law or administrative practice, although no assurances can be given in these
respects. This summary does not take into account provincial, U.S., state or other foreign income tax law or practice. The tax
consequences to any particular U.S. Holder will vary according to the status of that holder as an individual, trust, corporation,
partnership or other entity, the jurisdictions in which that holder is subject to taxation, and generally according to that holder’s
particular circumstances. Accordingly, this summary is not, and is not to be construed as, Canadian tax advice to any particular
U.S. Holder.
Dividends
Dividends paid or deemed to be paid to a U.S.
Holder by The Company will be subject to Canadian withholding tax. Under the Treaty, the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid
to a U.S. Holder is generally limited to 15% of the gross amount of the dividend (or 5% if the U.S. Holder is a corporation and
beneficially owns at least 10% of The Company’s voting shares). The Company will be required to withhold the applicable withholding
tax from any such dividend and remit it to the Canadian government for the U.S. Holder’s account.
Disposition
A U.S. Holder is not subject to tax under the
Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition of a Common Share in the open market unless the share is “taxable
Canadian property” to the holder thereof and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under the Treaty. A Common Share will
be taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Holder if, at any time during the 60 months
preceding the disposition, the U.S. Holder or persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm’s length alone or together
owned, or had rights to acquire, 25% or more of The Company’s issued shares of any class or series. If the shares of The
Company constitute taxable Canadian property to the holder, the holder may be subject to Canadian income tax on the gain. The taxpayer’s
taxable capital gain or loss from a disposition of the share is the amount, if any, by which the proceeds of disposition exceed
(or are exceeded by) the aggregate of the adjusted cost base and reasonable expenses of disposition. One-half of the capital gain
is included in income and one-half of the capital loss is deductible from capital gains realized in the same year. Unused capital
losses may be carried back three taxation years or forward indefinitely and applied to reduce capital gains realized in those years.
It should be noted that Canada requires a withholding tax on the gross proceeds of a sale of taxable Canadian property by a non-resident.
The withholding tax may be reduced on completion of a Clearance Certificate Request. If the disposition of the share is subject
to tax in Canada, the non-resident must also file a Canadian income tax return reporting the disposition.
A U.S. Holder whose common shares do constitute
taxable Canadian property, and who might therefore be liable for Canadian income tax under the Tax Act, will generally be relieved
from such liability under the Treaty unless the value of such shares at the time of disposition is derived principally from real
property situated in Canada. The value of The Company’s common shares is not currently derived principally from real property
situated in Canada.
United States Tax Consequences
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Certain United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences
This summary is for general information only
and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any holder or prospective holder of common
shares of The Company and no opinion or representation with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences to any such holder
or prospective holder is made.
The following is a discussion of certain material
United States federal income tax consequences, under current law, generally applicable to a U.S. Holder of common shares of The
Company. This discussion does not address all potentially relevant federal income tax matters and it does not address consequences
peculiar to persons subject to special provisions of federal income tax law, such as those described below as excluded from the
definition of a U.S. Holder. In addition, this discussion does not cover any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences (see “Taxation –
Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences for United States Residents” above for Canadian tax consequences).
Accordingly,
we strongly recommend that holders and prospective holders of common shares of the Company consult their own tax advisors about
the specific U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares
of the Company, based upon their individual circumstances.
The following discussion is based upon the
sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations, published Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) rulings, published administrative positions of the IRS and court decisions that are currently in effect
as of the date hereof. Any or all of these authorities could be materially and/or adversely changed, possibly on a retroactive
basis, at any time and are subject to differing interpretations. We have not requested, and will not request, a ruling from the
IRS with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below, and as a result there can be no assurance
that the IRS will not disagree with or challenge any of the conclusions we have reached and described herein.
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder”
means a holder of common shares of The Company who is (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States as determined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate whose income is taxable in the United States irrespective of source or (iv) a trust (A) that
is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated
as a U.S. person. This summary does not address the tax consequences to special classes of U.S. Holders, such as tax-exempt organizations,
qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies,
real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, broker-dealers, non-resident alien individuals, U.S. expatriates,
persons or entities that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar, shareholders subject to the alternative
minimum tax, shareholders who hold common shares as part of a straddle, hedging or conversion transaction, and shareholders who
acquired their common shares through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This summary
is limited to U.S.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations
United States income tax law contains rules
governing “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFIC”) which can have significant tax effects on U.S.
Holders of foreign corporations. Section 1297 of the Code defines a PFIC as a non-U.S. corporation if, for any taxable year, either
(i) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income,” which includes interest, dividends and certain rents and royalties
or (ii) the average percentage, by fair market value (or, if the corporation is not publicly traded and either is a controlled
foreign corporation or makes an election, by adjusted tax basis), of its assets that produce or are held for the production of
“passive income” is 50% or more. The Company appears to have been a PFIC for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014,
and at least certain prior fiscal years. In addition, the Company may qualify as a PFIC in future fiscal years. Each U.S. Holders
is encouraged consult a tax advisor with respect to how the PFIC rules affect such U.S. Holder.
If The Company were a PFIC during any year
and The Company owns an indirect interest in any lower-tier PFICs during such year (a “Lower-Tier PFIC”), U.S. Holders
will be treated as owning directly such proportionate amount (by value) of the Company’s direct or indirect interests in
the Lower-Tier PFICs. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder will be subject to the adverse tax consequences described below with respect to
any excess distributions made by such Lower-Tier PFIC, any gain on the disposition by the Company of the Copany’s equity
interest in such Lower-Tier PFIC treated as indirectly realized by a U.S. Holder, and any gain treated as indirectly realized by
a U.S. Holder on the disposition of such U.S. Holder’s ownership of The Company common shares which may arise even if the
U.S. Holder realizes an overall net loss on such disposition. Such amount will not be reduced by the Company’s expenses or
losses, but any income recognized may increase a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Company common shares. Furthermore, any gain
realized on the direct or indirect disposition by a U.S. Holder of an interest in a Lower-Tier PFIC will not be able to be offset
by any loss realized on the direct or indirect disposition of other lower-tier PFICs.
Accordingly, a U.S. Holder should be aware
that such U.S. Holder could be subject to tax even if no distributions from the Company are received and no redemptions or other
dispositions of the Company common shares are made.
In the absence of a timely election described
below, if a U.S. Holder’s holding period in the Company’s common shares includes any period during a taxable year of
the Company in which the Company is or will be a PFIC, the rules described below in “The ‘No Election’ Alternative”
generally apply to gain realized on a disposition of Agave common shares and certain distributions received with respect to the
Company’s common shares. If certain requirements are met, a U.S. Holder may mitigate certain of the consequences of those
rules by timely making an election to treat the Company as a “qualified electing fund” (a “QEF”), described
below in “The QEF Election Alternative” or to mark the Company’s common shares to market, described below in
“The Mark-to-Market Election Alternative”.
The QEF Election Alternative
A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective
QEF election (an “Electing Holder”) generally would not be subject to the rules discussed below in “The ‘No
Election’ Alternative”. However, an Electing Holder will be subject to United States federal income tax on such Electing
Holder’s pro rata share of the Company’s (a) net capital gain, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such
Electing Holder, and (b) ordinary earnings, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such Electing Holder, in each case regardless
of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such Electing Holder. However, an Electing Holder may, subject to certain limitations,
elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If such Electing Holder
is not a corporation, any such interest paid will be treated as “personal interest,” which is not deductible.
An Electing Holder generally (a) may receive
a tax-free distribution from the Company to the extent that such distribution represents “earnings and profits” that
were previously included in income by the Electing Holder because of such QEF election and (b) will adjust
such Electing Holder’s tax basis in the Company’s common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed
as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF election. In addition, an Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain
or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of the Company’s common shares.
The procedure for making a QEF election, and
the United States federal income tax consequences of making a QEF election, will depend on whether such QEF election is timely.
A QEF election will be treated as “timely” if such QEF election is made for the first taxable year in the U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the Company’s common share in which the Company is a PFIC. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election after
the first taxable year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares in which the Company is a PFIC, then in
addition to filing the QEF election documents, a U.S. Holder may elect to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed
below in “The ‘No Election’ Alternative”) as if the Company’s common shares were sold on the qualification
date (a “purging election”). The “qualification date” is the first day of the first taxable year in which
Agave is a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder. The election to recognize such gain can only be made if such U.S. Holder’s
holding period for the Company’s common shares includes the qualification date. By electing to recognize such gain, such
U.S. Holder will be deemed to have made a timely QEF election. In addition, under very limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may
make a retroactive QEF election if such U.S. Holder failed to file the QEF election documents in a timely manner. If a U.S. Holder
fails to make a QEF election for the first taxable year in the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the Company’s common
shares in which the Company is a PFIC, and does not make a purging election, such holder will not be treated as having made a “timely”
QEF election and will continue to be subject to the special taxation rules discussed below in “The ‘No Election’
Alternative”.
A QEF election will apply to the taxable year
for which such QEF election is made and to all subsequent taxable years, unless such QEF election is invalidated or terminated
or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF election. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF election and, in a subsequent taxable year,
the Company ceases to be a PFIC, the QEF election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those taxable
years in which Agave is not a PFIC. Accordingly, if the Company becomes a PFIC in another subsequent taxable year, the QEF election
will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any such subsequent taxable year
in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC.
A QEF election applies only to the non-U.S.
corporation for which it is made. If the Company were a PFIC, a U.S. Holder likely would remain subject to the excess distribution
rules discussed below in "The 'No Election' Alternative" in respect of its indirectly owned shares in each Lower-Tier
PFIC regardless of a QEF election in respect of the Company, unless such U.S. Holder has made a QEF election in respect of such
Lower-Tier PFIC.
Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax
advisor regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a QEF election. A U.S. Holder cannot make and maintain a valid
QEF election unless the Company provides certain U.S. tax information necessary to make such an election. In order for a U.S. Holder
to make (or maintain) a valid QEF election, the Company must provide certain information regarding its net capital gains and ordinary
earnings and permit its books and records to be examined to verify such information.
The Mark-to-Market Election Alternative
A U.S. Holder that holds “marketable
stock” in a PFIC may avoid the imposition of the additional tax and interest described below by making a mark-to-market election
in the first year of its holding period in such PFIC’s shares. the Company’s common shares will be marketable securities
if they are regularly traded on a qualifying exchange that is either (i) a national securities exchange which is registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission or the national market system established pursuant to the Exchange Act or (ii) any exchange
or other market that the United States Treasury Department determines is adequate. The Company believes that the TSX Venture Stock
Exchange meets this test, and accordingly, provided that the common shares are regularly traded on the TSX Venture Stock Exchange,
a U.S. Holder should be able to make a mark-to-market election with respect to the common shares if the Company is classified as
a PFIC.
If a U.S. Holder were to make a timely mark-to-market
election with respect to the Company’s common shares that it will own at the close of its taxable year, such electing U.S.
Holder would include as ordinary income in that taxable year any excess of the fair market value of the Company’s common
shares as of the close of such year over its adjusted tax basis in the Company‘s common shares. In addition, the U.S. Holder
may claim an ordinary loss deduction for the excess, if any, of its adjusted tax basis in the common shares over the fair market
value of the common shares at the close of the taxable year, but only to the extent of any prior net mark-to-market gains. An electing
U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Company’s common shares will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss. Any gain or loss on the sale of the Company’s
common shares will be ordinary income or loss, except that any loss will be ordinary loss only to the extent of the previously
included net mark-to-market gain. U.S. Holders considering the mark-to-market election should note that although it generally avoids
the interest charge associated with PFICs, as described below, the application of the rules regarding indirect interests in Lower-Tier
PFICs to the mark-to-market election is not entirely clear under current law. Accordingly, it may well be that a mark-to-market
election would not be effective with respect to interests in a Lower-Tier PFIC. If the mark-to-market election is not effective
with respect to interests in a Lower-Tier PFIC, then a U.S. Holder may be subject to the adverse tax consequences described below
with respect to any interests in a Lower-Tier PFIC. An election to mark-to-market applies to the year for which the election is
made and to subsequent years unless the PFIC shares cease to be marketable or the IRS consents to the revocation of the election.
If the Company were to cease being a PFIC, a U.S. Holder that marked its common shares to market would not include mark-to-market
gain or loss with respect to its Ordinary Shares for any taxable year that the Company was not a PFIC.
The “No Election” Alternative
If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely QEF
or mark-to-market election (a “Non-Electing Holder”) and the Company is a PFIC, then special taxation rules will apply
to (i) gains realized on the disposition of such U.S. Holder’s of the Company’s common shares and (ii) certain “excess
distributions” (generally, distributions received in the current taxable year that are in excess of 125% of the average distributions
received during the three preceding years or, if shorter, such U.S. Holder’s holding period) by the Company. Pursuant to
these rules, a Non-Electing Holder generally would be required to pro rate all gains realized on the disposition of any of the
Company’s common share and all excess distributions on the Company’s common shares over its entire holding period.
All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of a U.S. Holder (other than any year before the first taxable year
of the Company during such U.S. Holder’s holding period for which it was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rate for
each such prior year applicable to ordinary income.
A Non-Electing Holder also would be liable
for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been due with respect
to each such prior year but had not been paid until the taxable year within which the gains or excess distributions have occurred.
A Non-Electing Holder that is not a corporation would be required to treat this interest charge as “personal interest”
which would be nondeductible. The balance of the gain or the excess distribution would be treated as ordinary income in the year
of the disposition or distribution, and no interest charge would be incurred with respect to such balance.
Considerations if PFIC Rules Do Not Apply
Distribution on Common Shares of the Company
Subject to the rules discussed under PFIC above,
in general, U.S. Holders receiving dividend distributions (including constructive dividends) with respect to common shares of the
Company are required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes the gross amount of such distributions,
equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distributions on the date of receipt (based on the exchange rate on such date), to the extent
that the Company has current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under United States federal income tax principles),
without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distributions. Canadian tax withheld may be credited, subject
to certain limitations, against the U.S. Holder’s federal income tax liability or, alternatively, may be deducted in computing
the U.S. Holder’s federal taxable income by those who itemize deductions. The rules governing the foreign tax credit are
complex and involve the application of rules that depend upon a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. Accordingly, a U.S.
Holder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under its particular circumstances.
To the extent that distributions exceed the
Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, they will
be treated first as a return of capital up to the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in the common shares causing a reduction in
such U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in the common shares (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of
loss, to be recognized upon subsequent disposition of the common shares) and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of property.
(discussed in further detail below under “Disposition of Common Shares of the Company”). However, the Company does
not maintain calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and U.S. Holders should
therefore assume that any distribution with respect to the Company’s common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income.
Subject to applicable exceptions with respect
to short-term and hedged positions, certain dividends received by non-corporate U.S. Holders prior to January 1, 2013 from a “qualified
foreign corporation” may be eligible for reduced rates of taxation. A qualified corporation includes a foreign corporation
that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the U.S. Treasury Department
determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and that includes an exchange of information provision. The U.S. Treasury has
determined that the Treaty meets these requirements, and we believe that we are eligible for the benefits of the Treaty. Dividends
received by U.S. Holders from a foreign corporation that was a PFIC in either the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding
taxable year will not constitute qualified dividends. As discussed above in “Passive Foreign Investment Company,” the
Company believes that it is a PFIC, and accordingly, dividends paid on the Company’s common shares will not constitute qualified
dividends.
In the case of foreign currency received as
a dividend that is not converted by the recipient into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder will have a tax basis
in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar value on the date of receipt. Generally any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent
sale or other disposition of the foreign currency, including the exchange for U.S. dollars, will be ordinary income or loss.
Disposition of Common Shares of the Company
Subject to the rules discussed under “Passive
Foreign Investment Company Considerations” above, in general, U.S. Holders will recognize gain or loss upon the sale of common
shares of the Company equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property
received, and (ii) the shareholder’s tax basis in the common shares of the Company. Currently, preferential tax rates
apply to long-term capital gains of U.S. Holders, which are individuals, estates or trusts. In general, gain or loss on the sale
of common shares of the Company will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares are a capital asset in the hands of
the U.S. Holder and are held for more than one year. Deductions for net capital losses are subject to limitations.
Gain or loss, if any, that a U.S. Holder realizes
upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Company common shares will be treated as having a United States source
for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Consequently, U.S. Holders may not be able to use any foreign tax credits arising
from any Canadian tax imposed on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the Company’s common shares unless such
credit can be applied (subject to applicable limitations) against tax due on other income treated as derived from foreign sources
or unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise.
If a U.S. Holder receives any foreign currency
on the sale of the Company’s common shares, such U.S. Holder may recognize ordinary income or loss as a result of currency
fluctuations between the date of the sale of the Company’s common shares and the date the sale proceeds are converted into
U.S. dollars.
United States Information and Backup Withholding
Tax
Under current Treasury Regulations, dividends
paid on the Company’s common shares, if any, generally will not be subject to information reporting and generally will not
be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax. However, dividends and the proceeds from a sale of the Company’s common shares
paid in the U.S. through a U.S. or U.S. related paying agent (including a broker) will be subject to U.S. information reporting
requirements and may also be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax (currently at 26% rate), if a U.S. Holder does not provide
its taxpayer identification number and otherwise comply with the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional
tax. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are available to be credited against a U.S. Holder’s United States
federal income tax liability and may be refunded by the IRS to the extent they exceed such liability, provided the required information
is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.
Under United States federal income tax law
and regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement
in, a foreign corporation. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders of
the Company‘s common shares should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the requirements are imposed of filing information
returns. U.S. Holders should be aware that reporting requirements with respect to the holding of certain foreign financial assets,
including stock of foreign issuers that is not held in an account maintained by certain types of financial institutions, if the
aggregate value of all of such assets exceeds U.S. $50,000. IRS guidance suspends this annual filing requirement pending the release
of new forms. Filings will eventually be required with respect to any year for which the obligation is suspended.
United States person who directly or indirectly
own an interest in a PFIC to file an annual report with the IRS and failure to file such report could result in the imposition
of penalties on such United States person. This requirement has been suspended for certain United States persons for tax years
beginning after March 18, 2010 pending the release of a revised form. Filings will eventually be required with respect to any year
in which the obligation is suspended.
U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors
regarding the application of the information reporting rules to the Company common shares and the application of these requirements
to their particular situation.
Additional Tax on Investment Income
For taxable years beginning after December
31, 2012, U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts and whose income exceeds certain thresholds generally will be subject
to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on unearned income, including, among other things, dividends on, and capital gains from the
sale or other taxable disposition of, Agave’s common shares, subject to certain limitations and exceptions.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
Exhibits attached to this Form 20-F
are also available for viewing at the head office of the Company, Suite 1601-675 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 1N2, or on request at 604-632-9602. Copies of Agave’s financial statements and other disclosure documents required under
the British Columbia
Securities Act
are available for viewing on the internet at www.sedar.com during normal business hours.
I. Subsidiary Information Cream Minerals
de Mexico, S.A., de C.V.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE
AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A. Quantitative Information about Market
Risk
The Company has not hedged its exposure
to currency fluctuations. At March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company was not exposed to currency risk.
B. Qualitative Information about Market
Risk
Transaction Risk and Currency Risk Management
The Company’s operations do not
employ financial instruments or derivatives. The Company has no long-term debt or source of revenue as the Company is in the resource
exploration and development stage on its mineral property interests.
The Company is exposed to potential
loss from various risks including commodity price risk, interest rate risk, currency risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.
The Company’s ability to raise capital
to fund exploration or development activities is subject to risk associated with fluctuations in the market prices of gold and
silver and the outlook for these metals. The Company does not have any hedging or other derivative contracts with respect to its
operations.
Market prices for gold and silver historically
have fluctuated widely and are affected by numerous factors outside of the Company’s control, including, but not limited
to, levels of worldwide production, short-term changes in supply and demand, industrial and retail demand, central bank lending,
central bank sales, investment demand and forward sales by producers and speculators. The Company has elected not to actively manage
its commodity price risk.
Financial instruments that potentially subject
the Company to significant cash flow interest rate risk are financial assets with variable interest rates. The Company has no financial
assets with this risk.
Financial assets and financial liabilities
that bear interest at fixed rates are subject to fair value interest rate risk. The Company had no cash equivalents at March 31,
2017. In respect of financial assets, the Company’s policy is to invest cash at floating rates of interest in short term
cash GIC’s issued by a major Canadian chartered bank, in order to maintain liquidity, while achieving a satisfactory return.
Fluctuations in interest rates impact on the value of cash equivalents. Interest rate risk is not significant to the Company as
it has no cash equivalents at year end. As at March 31, 2017, with other variables unchanged, a 1% change in the variable interest
rate would have had an insignificant impact on the Company.
The Company is not exposed to the financial
risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates. The Company operates in Canada only. A significant change in the currency
exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and these currencies will not have an effect on the Company’s results of operations,
financial position or cash flows.
Credit risk is the risk of an unexpected loss
if a customer or third party to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.
Given their short-term maturity, the fair value
of cash and sundry receivables are based on going-concern assumptions and are recorded at their carrying value.
The Company’s financial assets comprise
cash and accounts receivable. These financial instruments potentially subject the Company to credit risk. The Company’s maximum
exposure to credit risk as at March 31, 2017 is the carrying value of its financial assets. The Company manages credit risk by
maintaining bank accounts with reputable banks and financial institutions and investing only in GIC’s issued by a major Canadian
chartered bank. Cash is held at a major Canadian Chartered Bank and the risk of default is considered to be remote.
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company
will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they come due. The Company manages liquidity risk through the management
of its capital structure and financial leverage as outlined in Note 15 to the financial statements.
The Company attempts to manage its significant
liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash and short-term investment balances. Liquidity requirements are managed based on expected
cash flow to ensure there is sufficient capital to meet short-term obligations. The Company has been dependent on small private
placement financings and advances from a major shareholder to maintain liquidity. All of the Company’s financial liabilities
are due within one year.
C. Management of Capital
The Company primarily considers shareholders’
equity in the management of its capital. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it based on funds available
to the Company, in order to support exploration and development of mineral properties. The Board of Directors has not established
quantitative capital structure criteria management, but will review on a regular basis the capital structure of the Company to
ensure its appropriateness to the stage of development of the business.
The Company’s objectives when managing
capital are:
|
·
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To maintain and safeguard its accumulated capital in order to provide an adequate return to shareholders
by maintaining sufficient level of funds, to support continued evaluation and maintenance of the Company’s existing properties,
and to acquire, explore and develop other precious metals, base metals and industrial mineral deposits;
|
|
·
|
To invest cash on hand in highly liquid and highly rated financial instruments with high credit
quality issuers, thereby minimizing the risk and loss of principal; and
|
|
·
|
To obtain the necessary financing if and when it is required.
|
The properties in which the Company currently
holds an interest are in the exploration stage and the Company is dependent on external financing to explore and take the project
to development. In order to carry out planned exploration and development and pay for administrative costs, the Company will spend
its existing working capital and attempt to raise additional amounts as needed.
Management reviews its capital management approach
on an ongoing basis and believes that this approach, given the relative size of the Company, is reasonable.
In order to facilitate the management of capital
and development of its mineral properties, the Company‘s management informs the Board of Directors as to the quantum of expenditures
for review and approval prior to commencement of work. In addition, the Company may issue new equity, incur additional debt, enter
into joint venture agreements or dispose of certain assets. When applicable, the Company’s investment policy is to hold cash
in interest bearing accounts at high credit quality financial institutions to maximize liquidity. In order to maximize ongoing
development efforts, the Company does not pay dividends. The Company expects to continue to raise funds, from time to time, to
continue meeting its capital management objectives.
There were no changes in the Company’s
approach to capital management during the year ended March 31, 2017 compared to the year ended to March 31, 2016. The Company is
not subject to externally imposed capital requirements
Exchange Rate Sensitivity
The Company is engaged in mineral exploration
and related activities, including exploration, and reclamation. Changes in the price of foreign exchange rates could significantly
affect the Company’s profitability and cash flows. See “Key Information” under Item 3 above, for a description
of factors relating to foreign exchange and currency fluctuations. Its liabilities are all denominated in Canadian dollars.
Although, there were no exploration activities
conducted in fiscals 2017 and 2016, exploration in fiscal 2015 was primarily conducted in Mexico, and its administrative operations
are in Canada. The Company’s operations are affected by exchange rate risk, as the equity financings by the Company to date
have been denominated in Canadian dollars. Excess cash is invested and may be affected by exchange rate risk for United States
dollar expenditures. In the future, it will be necessary to do further equity or other forms of financing. The funds are usually
received in Canadian dollars. Funds received in U.S. dollars will likely remain in U.S. dollars and be used for expenditures in
U.S. dollars, to reduce exchange risk. The risk that the Company is subject to arises when expenses are incurred in U.S. dollars
or other currencies, but primarily U.S. dollars, with large fluctuations in the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate at that time
of the transaction. The Company had an exchange gain of $336, compared to exchange losses were incurred in fiscal 2015 of $2,963
on cash expenditures of $0.68 million, an amount primarily related to administrative and exploration activities in Mexico.
Interest Rate Risk and Equity Price Risk
The Company does not have any debt that is
subject to interest rate change risks.
ITEM 12. description
of securities other than equity securities
Not applicable.
Index to Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with
this Annual Report on Form 20-F in respect of the current year:
Exhibit Number
|
Description
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|
F-1
|
Financial Statements for the Years Ended March 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and Auditors’ Report from DeVisser Gray LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants
|
|
1.1*
|
Certified Copies of Transition Application and Notice of Articles and Notice of Articles - post transition
|
|
2.1**
|
2011 Stock Option Plan (10% Rolling), as approved by shareholders on June 23, 2011 and December 13, 2012
|
|
6.1
|
Calculation of earnings per share – N/A
|
|
7.1
|
Explanation of calculation of ratios – N/A
|
|
11.1*
|
Code of ethics
|
|
11.2
|
Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement dated May 24, 2011
|
|
12.1
|
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(A)/15d-14(a) of Chief Executive Officer
|
|
12.2
|
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(A)/15d-14(a) of Chief Financial Officer
|
|
13.1
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Chief Executive Officer
|
|
13.2
|
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 of Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
*These exhibits were included as exhibits to, and are incorporated herein by reference to, the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F with the Commission on September 30, 2005.
|
|
|
** This exhibit was included as an exhibit to, and is incorporated herein by reference to, the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 20-F with the Commission on September 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
END OF EXHIBITS
Glossary of Geologic and Mining
Terms
Adit
-
A horizontal passage from
the surface into a mine, commonly called a tunnel.
Ag
- Chemical symbol for the metallic
element silver.
Au
- Chemical symbol for the metallic
element gold.
Alteration
- Any change in the mineralogic
composition of a rock that is brought about by physical or chemical means.
Banka drilling –
A drilling method
used in inhospitable and isolated areas in the world, primarily using human manpower. Developed by Conrad Banka, the drills are
indispensable to prospect or explore alluvial deposits; mine tailings; clay, bauxite and lateritic iron ore; water bearing layers;
deep geochemistry in water saturated soils and for geotechnical soil testing.
Bed
- The smallest division of a stratified
rock series, marked by a well-defined divisional plane from its neighbours above and below; an ore deposit, parallel to the stratification,
constituting a regular member of the series of formations.
Bedding
- Condition where planes divide
sedimentary rocks of the same or different lithology.
Bedrock
- Solid rock exposed at the
surface of the earth, or overlain by surficial deposits.
Biotite
- A generally dark colored iron,
magnesium and potassium rich mica.
Caldera
- A large basin-shaped volcanic
depression, more or less circular, the diameter of which is many times greater than that of the included vent or vents, irrespective
of the steepness of the walls of the form of the floor.
Contact
– The place or surface
where two different kinds of rocks come together.
Cretaceous
- A period of geological
time extending from 135 million to 65 million years ago.
Crown grant
- A mineral claim located
on the ground, defined by two claim posts, the location of which is governed by a mineral title act enacted at an earlier date
than the current act.
Diamond drill hole
- A method of obtaining
a cylindrical core of rock by drilling with a diamond impregnated bit.
Deposit
– A natural occurrence
of a useful mineral or ore in sufficient extent and degree of concentrating to invite exploitation.
Dip
- The angle at which a stratum or
drill hole is inclined from the horizontal.
Displacement
- Relative movement of
rock on opposite side of a fault; also known as dislocation.
Disseminated
– Fine particles
of mineral dispersed through the enclosing rock.
EM
- Electromagnetic.
Fault
- A fracture in a rock along which
there has been relative movement either vertically or horizontally.
Feldspar
- A group of common aluminosilicate
minerals.
Feldspar porphyry
- A rock consisting
of feldspar crystals embedded in a compact dark red or purple groundmass.
Feasibility study
- Engineering study
to determine if a mineral property can be developed at a profit, and the methods to develop it.
Footwall
- The mass of rock that lies
beneath a fault, an ore body, or a mine working; the top of the rock stratum underlying a vein or bed of ore.
g/t
- Grams per tonne.
Galena
- Lead sulphide, PbS, the principal
ore of lead.
Geochemical survey
- A measure of the
abundance of different elements in rock, soil, water, etc.
Geochemistry
- Study of chemical elements
in rocks or soil.
Geological mapping
– Surveys defining
the surface distribution of rock varieties, age relationships and structural features.
Grab sampling
- A random sample of mineralized
rock with no statistical validity, taken simply to check the type of mineralization.
Grade
- The quality of an ore; in effect,
the metal content.
Granite
– An intrusive rock consisting
essentially of feldspar and quartz.
Grid
- A network of evenly spaced horizontal
and vertical bars or lines, used generally to locate points in the field when placed over a map or chart.
Hanging wall
- The rock mass above a
fault plane, vein, lode, ore body, or other structure, the underside of the country rock overlying a vein or bed of ore.
Hectare
- A square of 100 metres on
each side.
Induced polarization survey
–
A survey to determine the conductivity and chargeability of rock units located along grid lines.
Intrusive
- Said of an igneous rock,
which invades older rocks.
Li2O –
An inorganic chemical compound
called Lithium Oxide.
Lime
- A white substance, calcium oxide
(CaO), obtained by the action of heat on limestone, shells and other materials containing calcium carbonate.
Limestone
- Rock consisting mainly of
calcium carbonate, often composed of the organic remains of sea animals (mollusks, coral, etc.).
Lode
- See vein.
Meta-intrusive
- An intrusive rock that
has been metamorphosed.
Metamorphosed/Metamorphic
- A rock that
has been altered by physical and chemical processes including heat, pressure and fluids.
Meta-sediment
- A sedimentary rock that
has been metamorphosed.
Mineralization
- The concentration of
metals and their chemical compounds within a body of rock.
Mining lease
– A claim or number
of claims to which the right to mine is assigned.
Modified grid mineral claim
–
A claim with north-south and east-west borders, located by using claim posts at each corner and at 500 metre intervals along each
side. Each 500 metre x 500-metre interval is referred to as one unit and modified grid claims can total no more than 20 units in
size.
Net smelter royalty
- A royalty based
on the actual metal sale price received less the cost of refining at an off-site refinery.
Ore
- Rock containing mineral(s) or
metals, which can be economically extracted.
Orebody
- A solid and fairly continuous
mass of ore.
Outcrop
- An exposure of bedrock at
the surface.
Pb
- Chemical symbol for the metallic
element lead.
Pod
- An orebody of elongate, lenticular
shape; also known as podiform orebody.
PPB
- Part Per Billion.
PPM
- Part Per Million.
Pyrite
- Iron sulphide (FeS
2
).
Quartz
- A mineral composed of silicon
dioxide.
Reconnaissance
- A general examination
or survey of a region with reference to its main features, usually as a preliminary to a more detailed survey.
Replacement mineralization
– Mineral
deposit formed by replacement of previous rock.
Rhyolite
- A siliceous volcanic rock
with a high potassium in feldspar component.
Rock chip sample
– A rock sample
consisting of continuous chips collected over a specified width.
Rotary drilling
– A drilling method
where a hard-toothed bit rotates at the bottom of a drill pipe, grinding a hole into the rock. Lubrication is provided by continuously
circulating drilling fluid, which brings the rock cuttings to the surface.
Sediment
- Solid material that has settled
down from a state of suspension in a liquid. More generally, solid fragmental material transported and deposited by wind, water
or ice, chemically participated from solution, or secreted by organisms, and that forms in layers in loose unconsolidated form.
Sedimentary rock
– Rock formed
by lithification of sediments.
Shaft
– A vertical excavation.
Shear
- To move as to create a planar
zone of deformed rock.
Showing
- A rock outcrop revealing the
presence of a certain mineral.
Siliceous
- Said of a rock rich in silica.
Silt sample
– A sample of fine
sediment collected from a stream bed.
Soil sampling
- Systematic collection
of soil samples at a series of different locations in order to study the distribution of soil geochemical values.
Sphalerite
- A zinc sulphide, ZnS, which
may contain some iron and cadmium; the principal ore of zinc and cadmium.
Strike
– The horizontal plane
representing the direction of a structure or bed.
Sulphide
- A group of minerals in which
one or more metals are found in combination with sulphur.
Tonne
- Metric unit of weight equivalent
to volume multiplied by specific gravity, equivalent to 1.102 tons.
Trenching
- The act of blasting or digging
through overburden/outcrop to attend fresh bedrock for mapping and sampling.
Vein
- A tabular or sheet-like body
of minerals, which has been intruded into a joint fissure, or system of fissures, in rocks.
VLF
- Very Low Frequency.
VLF EM survey
– A survey to determine
ground variations in the electromagnetic field along grid lines.
Workings
- A part of a mine, quarry,
etc., where work is or has been done.
Zn
- Chemical symbol for the metallic
element zinc.