UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 40-F
[ ] Registration statement pursuant to Section 12
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or
[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2017
|
Commission File Number:
001-33838
|
DOMINION DIAMOND CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter
)
N/A
(Translation of Registrant's name into
English (if applicable))
Canada
(Province or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
1499
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number (if applicable))
N/A
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number (if
applicable))
P.O. Box 4569, Station A
Toronto, ON, Canada M5W
4T9
(416) 362-2237
(Address and telephone number of
Registrant's principal executive offices)
DL Services Inc.
Columbia Center, 701 Fifth
Avenue, Suite 6100
Seattle, Washington 98104
Telephone:
(206) 903-8800
(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone
number (including area code)
of agent for service in the United
States)
Copies to
Richard B. Raymer
Dorsey &
Whitney LLP
TD Canada Trust Tower Brookfield Place
161
Bay Street, Suite 4310
Toronto, ON M5J 2S1
Direct:
(416) 367-7388
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class
|
Name of each exchange on which registered
|
Common Shares
|
New York Stock Exchange
|
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section
12(g) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title of Class)
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed
with this Form:
[
X
] Annual information form
|
[
X
] Audited annual financial statements
|
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the
issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period
covered by the annual report.
The number of common shares of the issuer outstanding as of
January 31, 2017 was 81,976,451.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by filing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "Exchange Act"). If "Yes" is marked, indicate the filing number
assigned to the Registrant in connection with such Rule.
Yes [
] NO [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90
days.
Yes [X] NO
[ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant 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).
Yes [ ] NO
[ ]
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Dominion Diamond Corporation (the
Registrant
)
is a Canadian issuer eligible to file its annual report pursuant to Section 13
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange
Act
), on Form 40-F pursuant to the multi-jurisdictional disclosure
system of the Exchange Act. The Registrant is a foreign private issuer as
defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act. Equity securities of the Registrant
are accordingly exempt from Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c), 14(f) and 16 of the
Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 3a12-3.
NOTICE TO UNITED STATES READERS
The Registrant is permitted, under the multi-jurisdictional
disclosure system adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the
Commission
) and certain Canadian securities
regulators, to prepare this annual report in accordance with Canadian disclosure
requirements, which are different from those of the U.S. The Registrant has
prepared its financial statements, which are filed as
Exhibit 99.6
to
this annual report on Form 40-F, in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
They are not comparable to financial statements of U.S. companies prepared using
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).
Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this annual
report on Form 40-F are in U.S. dollars. The exchange rate of Canadian dollars
into U.S. dollars, on January 31, 2017, based upon the closing rate published by
the Bank of Canada, was U.S.$1.00=CDN$ 1.3012. Bank of Canada exchange rates are
nominal quotations and are not buying or selling rates. These rates are intended
for statistical or analytical purposes. Rates available from financial
institutions will differ. Rates are expressed in Canadian dollars, converted
from U.S. dollars.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain information included in this annual report and the
exhibits attached hereto, along with other documents the Registrant has publicly
filed on SEDAR and with the Commission may constitute forward-looking
information within the meaning of Canadian and U.S. securities laws, including
Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities
Act
), the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the
PSLRA
), or in releases made by the Commission, all as may be
amended from time to time. The following cautionary statements are being made
pursuant to the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the PSLRA with the
intention of obtaining the benefits of the safe harbor provisions of such
laws.
Forward-looking information can generally be identified by the
use of terms such as may, will, should, could, would, expect,
plan, anticipate, foresee, appears, believe, intend, estimate,
predict, potential, continue, objective, modelled, hope, forecast
or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking information relates to managements future outlook and
anticipated events or results, and can include statements or information
regarding plans for mining, development, production and exploration activities
at the Registrants mineral properties, projected capital expenditure
requirements, liquidity and working capital requirements, estimated production
from the Ekati Diamond Mine and Diavik Diamond Mine, expectations concerning the
diamond industry, results of the Registrants strategic review process, and
expected sales, depreciation and amortization in income, average price per carat
sold, cash cost and total cost per tonne processed and cash cost and total cost per carat
produced. Forward-looking information included in this annual report on Form
40-F and exhibits attached hereto includes, but is not limited to, the estimated
timeline to complete the relocation of the Registrants corporate head office
from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, to Calgary, Alberta, expectations
concerning the diamond industry, results of the Registrants strategic review
process, as well as sales, diamond pricing, depreciation and amortization
and average price per carat sold, the current production forecast, cash cost and
total cost per tonne processed, cash cost and total cost per carat produced and
planned capital expenditures for the Ekati Diamond Mine, and the current
production forecast, cash cost and total cost per tonne processed, cash cost and
total cost per carat produced and planned capital expenditures for the Diavik
Diamond Mine.
3
Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and
assumptions described below and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 40-F and
exhibits attached hereto, including, among other things, the current mine plans
for each of the Ekati Diamond Mine and the Diavik Diamond Mine; mining,
production, construction and exploration activities at the Registrants mineral
properties; the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals; mining methods;
currency exchange rates; estimates related to the capital expenditures required
to bring the Jay, Sable and A-21 pipes into production; required operating and
capital costs, labour and fuel costs, world, India and US economic conditions,
future diamond prices, and the level of worldwide diamond production. While the
Registrant considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on the information
currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking
information is subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from what the Registrant
currently expects. These factors include, among other things, the uncertain
nature of mining activities, including risks associated with underground
construction and mining operations; risks associated with joint venture
operations, including risks associated with the inability to control the timing
and scope of future capital expenditures; risks associated with the estimates
related to the capital expenditures required to bring the Jay, Sable and A-21
pipes into production; the risk that the operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine may
make changes to the mine plan and other risks arising because of the nature of
joint venture activities; risks associated with the remote location of, and
harsh climate at, the Registrants mineral property sites; variations in mineral
resource and mineral reserve estimates or expected recovery rates; failure of
plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; risks resulting from
macro-economic uncertainty in other financial markets; risks associated with
regulatory requirements and the ability to obtain all necessary regulatory
approvals; the risk that diamond price assumptions may prove to be incorrect;
modifications to existing practices so as to comply with any future permit
conditions that may be imposed by regulators; delays in obtaining approvals and
lease renewals; the risk of fluctuations in diamond prices and changes in US,
India and world economic conditions; uncertainty as to whether dividends will be
declared by the Registrants Board of Directors or whether the Registrants
dividend policy will be maintained; the risk of fluctuations in the Canadian/US
dollar exchange rate; cash flow and liquidity risks; and uncertainties related
to the Registrants strategic review process. See Risks and Uncertainties in
the Registrants Annual Information Form attached hereto as Exhibit 99.5,
for a discussion of
these and other risks and uncertainties involved in the Registrants operations.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue importance on
forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this annual
report on Form 40-F they should not rely upon this information as of any other
date. Due to assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the assumptions,
risks and uncertainties identified above and elsewhere in this annual report on
Form 40-F, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The
Registrant uses forward-looking statements because it believes such statements
provide useful information with respect to the currently expected future operations and
financial performance of the Registrant, and cautions readers that the
information may not be appropriate for other purposes. While the Registrant may
elect to do so, it is under no obligation and does not undertake to update or
revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise at any particular time, except as required by law.
Additional information concerning factors that may cause actual
results to materially differ from those in such forward-looking statements is
contained in the Registrants filings with Canadian and U.S. securities
regulatory authorities and can be found at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov,
respectively.
4
RESOURCE AND RESERVE ESTIMATES
The Registrants Annual Information Form for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 2017, attached as
Exhibit 99.5
to this annual report on
Form 40-F, and incorporated by reference herein, has been prepared in accordance
with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ
from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. The terms mineral reserve,
proven mineral reserve and probable mineral reserve are Canadian mining
terms as defined in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) and the Canadian
Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the
CIM
)
CIM
Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
, adopted by
the CIM Council, as amended. These definitions differ from the definitions in
the Commissions Industry Guide 7 (
Industry Guide 7
) under the
Exchange Act. Under Industry Guide 7 standards, a final or bankable
feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical
average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves
and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the
appropriate governmental authority.
In addition, the terms mineral resource, measured mineral
resource, indicated mineral resource and inferred mineral resource are
defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are
not defined terms under Industry Guide 7 and are normally not permitted to be
used in reports and registration statements filed with the Commission. Investors
are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these
categories will ever be converted into reserves. Inferred mineral resources
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty
as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any
part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.
Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the
basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors
are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource
exists or is economically or legally mineable.
Accordingly, information contained in this report and the
documents incorporated by reference herein containing descriptions of our
mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by
U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the
U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
PRINCIPAL DOCUMENTS
The following documents have been filed as part of this annual
report on Form 40-F:
5
A. Annual Information Form
The Registrants Annual Information Form for the fiscal year
ended January 31, 2017 is attached as
Exhibit 99.5
to this annual report
on Form 40-F, and is incorporated by reference herein.
B. Audited Annual Financial Statements
The Registrants consolidated audited annual financial
statements, including the reports of the independent registered public
accounting firm with respect thereto, are attached as
Exhibit 99.6
to
this annual report on Form 40-F and is incorporated by reference herein. The
Registrant has prepared its financial statements in accordance with
International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board. They are not comparable to financial statements of
U.S. companies prepared using U.S. GAAP.
C. Managements Discussion and Analysis
The Registrants managements discussion and analysis of
financial condition and results of operations for the twelve month period ended
January 31, 2017 is attached as
Exhibit 99.6
to this annual report on
Form 40-F and is incorporated by reference herein.
TAX MATTERS
Purchasing, holding or disposing of securities of the
Registrant may have tax consequences under the laws of the U.S. and Canada that
are not described in this annual report on Form 40-F.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision, and with
the participation, of the Registrants management, including the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Registrants
design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of
the period covered by this annual report on Form 40-F. Based on that evaluation,
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that as
of January 31, 2017, the Registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Rule 13a15(e) and Rule 15d15(e) under the Exchange Act) were
effective and adequately designed to ensure that (i) information required to be
disclosed by the Registrant in reports it files or submits under the Exchange
Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Commissions applicable rules and forms, and (ii) material
information required to be disclosed in the Registrants reports filed under the
Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to
allow accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
It should be noted that while the Registrants Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that the Registrants disclosure
controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance that they are
effective, they do not expect the Registrants disclosure controls and
procedures or internal control over financial reporting to be an infallible
preventative of all possible errors or improprieties. A control system, no
matter how well conceived or operated, can, at best, provide only reasonable,
not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
6
MANAGEMENTS ANNUAL REPORT ON
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER
FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining
adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Registrant, as
defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Management has designed such
internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Management defines internal control over financial reporting as
a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Registrants executive
and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and
effected by the Registrant 's board of directors, management and other
personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
includes those policies and procedures that:
a.
|
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable
detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
the assets of the Registrant;
|
|
|
b.
|
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that
receipts and expenditures of the Registrant are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the
Registrant; and
|
|
|
c.
|
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the
Registrant's assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
|
Because of its inherent limitations, the Registrants internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all possible
misstatements or frauds. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to
future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies
or procedures may deteriorate.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the Registrants internal
control over financial reporting, Management has used the Internal Control
Integrated Framework (2013), which is a suitable, recognized control framework
established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO). Management, including the Registrants Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of the
Registrants internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule
13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, and concluded that such internal control over
financial reporting was effective as of January 31, 2017
.
ATTESTATION REPORT OF THE REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Registrants independent registered public accounting firm,
KPMG LLP, has issued an attestation report expressing an opinion on the
Registrants internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2017,
which is included in
Exhibit 99.6
to this annual report on Form 40-F.
7
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There has been no change in the Registrants internal control
over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017, that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
Registrants internal control over financial reporting.
NOTICES PURSUANT TO REGULATION BTR
There were no notices required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR
that the Registrant sent during the year ended January 31, 2017 concerning any
equity security subject to a blackout period under Rule 101 of Regulation BTR.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES
The Registrant has adopted a written code of ethics (as
defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission), entitled Code of
Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to each director, officer and
employee, including the Registrants Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer and principal accounting officer.
The code is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.10
to this
annual report on Form 40-F. The code may also be obtained from SEDAR at
www.sedar.com or free of charge upon request from Investor Relations of the
Registrant at P. O. Box 4569, Station A, Toronto, Ontario, M5W 4T9, (416)
362-2237 ext. 1, or by viewing the Registrants web site at www.ddcorp.ca under
the tab entitled Profile/Governance/Governance Documents.
All amendments to the code, and all waivers of the code with
respect to any director, executive officer or principal financial and accounting
officers, will be posted on the Registrants web site within five business days
following the date of the amendment or waiver and any amendment will be provided
in print to any shareholder upon request.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES
The Registrant has adopted corporate governance guidelines and
established committees and charters for its Audit Committee, Nominating &
Corporate Governance Committee, Human Resources & Compensation Committee and
Health, Safety & Environmental Committee regarding such matters as, but not
limited to, the Audit Committee, director qualification standards and
responsibilities, director compensation and management succession. These
guidelines and charters are available on the Registrants website at
www.ddcorp.ca
under the tab entitled Profile/Governance/Governance
Documents.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors of the Registrant has a separately
designated standing Audit Committee. The members of the Audit Committee are:
|
Chair:
|
David S. Smith
|
|
Members:
|
Thomas A. Andruskevich
|
|
|
Trudy Curran
|
|
|
Tim Dabson
|
|
|
Josef Vejvoda
|
8
David S. Smith assumed the role of Chairman of the Audit
Committee on April 13, 2016. James K. Gowans, the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Registrant, is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Audit
Committee.
All members of the Audit Committee are financially literate and
independent, as that term is defined by the NYSEs corporate governance listing
standards applicable to the Registrant and as determined under Rule 10A-3 of the
Exchange Act.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Registrants Board of Directors has determined that it has
at least one Audit Committee financial expert serving on its Audit Committee.
David S. Smith has been determined by the Board of the Registrant to be an
audit committee financial expert as that term is defined by the rules and
regulations of the Commission and are independent, as that term is defined by
applicable securities laws and the New York Stock Exchange
(
NYSE
) listing standards applicable to the Registrant. The
Commission has indicated that the designation of David S. Smith as an audit
committee financial expert does not (i) make him an expert for any purpose,
(ii) impose any duties, obligations or liability on him that are greater than
those imposed on members of the Audit Committee and Board of Directors who do
not carry this designation, or (iii) affect the duties, obligations or liability
of any other member of the Audit Committee or Board of Directors of the
Registrant.
David S. Smith is designated as an Audit Committee financial
expert based on his experience as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice
President of Finning International Inc. from 2009 to 2014, and as Chief
Financial Officer and a Vice President of Ballard Power Systems, Inc. from 2002
to 2009. Mr. Smith is a Certified Public Accountant, and holds a Bachelor of
Science degree in Business Administration from California State University,
Sacramento.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by
KPMG LLP to the Registrant and its subsidiaries for the years ended January 31,
2017 and January 31, 2016 totaled US$1,187,600 and US$1,037,800, respectively,
as detailed in the following table:
|
Year ended January 31,
2017
(US$)
|
Year ended January 31,
2016
(US$)
|
Audit Fees
|
1,143,100
|
927,000
|
Audit Related Fees
|
44,500
|
33,300
|
Tax Fees
|
-
|
77,500
|
All Other Fees
|
-
|
-
|
TOTAL
|
1,187,600
|
1,037,800
|
The nature of the services provided by KPMG LLP under each of
the categories indicated in the table is described below.
9
Audit Fees
Audit fees were for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP
for the audit of the Registrants annual consolidated financial statements and
services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements and interim reviews.
Audit-Related Fees
Audit-related fees were for assurance and related services
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the financial
statements that are not reported under Audit Fees above.
Tax Fees
Tax fees were for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning
professional services. These services consisted of: tax compliance including the
review of tax returns, and tax planning and advisory services relating to common
forms of domestic and international taxation (i.e. income tax, capital tax,
goods and services tax, payroll tax and value added tax).
All Other Fees
Fees disclosed in the table above under the item All Other
Fees were incurred for services other than the audit fees, audit-related fees
and tax fees described.
PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PROVIDED BY
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
It is within the mandate of the Registrants Audit Committee to
approve all audit and non-audit related fees and accordingly 100% of the Audit
Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees were approved by the Audit
Committee. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of
specifically identified non-audit related services, including tax compliance,
review of tax returns, documentation of processes and controls as submitted to
the Audit Committee from time to time.
The Registrants Audit Committee has implemented a policy
restricting the services that may be provided by the Registrants auditors and
the fees paid to the Registrants auditors. Prior to the engagement of the
Registrants auditors to perform both audit, and non-audit services, the Audit
committee pre-approves the provision of the services. In making their
determination regarding non-audit services, the Audit Committee considers
compliance with the policy and the provision of non-audit services in the
context of avoiding an adverse impact on auditor independence. All audit and
non-audit fees paid to KPMG LLP, for the financial year ended January 31, 2017,
were pre-approved by the Registrants Audit Committee and none were approved on
the basis of the de minimis exemption set forth in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of
Regulation S-X. Based on the Audit Committees discussions with management and
the independent auditors, the Audit Committee is of the view that the provision
of non-audit services by KPMG LLP described above is compatible with maintaining
the firms independence from the Registrant.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Registrant currently has no off-balance sheet
arrangements.
10
TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table lists as of January 31, 2017, information
with respect to the Registrants known contractual obligations:
|
|
|
|
|
Less than
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
After
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
Loans and borrowings (a)(b)
|
$
|
10,739
|
|
$
|
10,739
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Environmental and participation agreements
incremental commitments (c)
|
|
88,427
|
|
|
5,896
|
|
|
13,734
|
|
|
9,175
|
|
|
57,622
|
|
Operating lease obligations
(d)
|
|
14,992
|
|
|
4,402
|
|
|
6,517
|
|
|
4,073
|
|
|
-
|
|
Capital commitments (e)
|
|
23,498
|
|
|
23,498
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
13,411
|
|
|
13,411
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total contractual obligations
|
$
|
149,067
|
|
$
|
57,946
|
|
$
|
20,251
|
|
$
|
13,248
|
|
$
|
57,622
|
|
(a)
|
Loans and borrowings presented in the foregoing table
include current and long-term portions. The Registrant issued a promissory
note on October 15, 2014 in the amount of $42.2 million in connection with
its acquisition of an additional 8.889% interest in the Core Zone at the
Ekati Diamond Mine. The promissory note is payable in instalments over 31
months and the Registrant has the right, but not the obligation, to satisfy
one or more instalments due under the promissory note in common shares of
the Registrant. On January 31, 2017, $10.7 million, which represents the
principal amount of the note plus accrued interest, was
outstanding.
|
|
|
|
The Registrants first mortgage on real property was fully
discharged when the Registrant sold its downtown Toronto office building. The
principal balance and accrued interest was paid to the lender on September
8, 2016. The Registrant has available a $210 million senior secured corporate
revolving credit facility (available in either US or CDN dollars) with a
syndicate of commercial banks for general corporate purposes. At January
31, 2017, no amounts were outstanding under this facility.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Interest on loans and borrowings is calculated at various
fixed and floating rates. Projected interest payments on the current debt
outstanding are based on interest rates in effect at January 31, 2017, and
have been included under loans and borrowings in the table above. Interest
payments for the next 12 months are estimated to be approximately $0.2
million.
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(c)
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Through negotiations of environmental and other
agreements, both the Diavik Joint Venture and the Ekati Diamond Mine must
provide funding for the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board and the
Independent Environmental Monitoring Agency, respectively. Further funding
will be required in future years; however, specific amounts have not yet
been determined. These agreements also state that the mines must provide
security for the performance of their reclamation and abandonment
obligations under environmental laws and regulations.
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The Registrant posted surety bonds with the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) in the
aggregate amount of CDN $253 million to secure the obligations under its
Water Licence to reclaim the Ekati Diamond Mine. The Registrant provided
letters of credit, secured by restricted cash, in the amount of CDN $60
million and CDN $25 million to the GNWT as security for the reclamation
obligations for the Diavik Diamond Mine and Ekati Diamond Mine,
respectively. In February 2017, CDN $20 million of letters of credit were
cancelled with the corresponding amount of restricted cash released. The
security was replaced by additional CDN $20 million of surety bonds posted
with the GNWT. The Registrant has also provided a guarantee of CDN $20
million for other obligations under the environmental agreement for the
Ekati Diamond Mine.
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Both the Diavik and Ekati Diamond Mines have also signed
participation agreements with various Aboriginal communities. These
agreements are expected to contribute to the social, economic and cultural
well-being of these communities. The actual cash outlay for obligations of
the Diavik Joint Venture under these agreements is not anticipated to
occur until later in the life of the mine. The actual cash outlay under
these agreements in respect of the Ekati Diamond Mine includes annual
payments and special project payments during the operation of the Ekati
Diamond Mine.
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(d)
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Operating lease obligations represent future minimum
annual rentals under non-cancellable operating leases at the Ekati Diamond
Mine.
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(e)
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The Registrant has various contractual commitments related
to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment. The commitments
included in the table above are based on expected contract
prices.
|
For further information on the tabular disclosure of
contractual obligations, see page 89 of the 2017 Annual Report of the Registrant
for the year ended January 31, 2017, incorporated by reference and included
herein as
Exhibit 99.6
of this annual report on Form 40-F.
11
COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE RULES
The Registrant complies with corporate governance requirements
of both the Toronto Stock Exchange (the
TSX
) and the NYSE. As a
foreign private issuer the Registrant is not required to comply with all of the
corporate governance requirements of the NYSE, however, the Registrant adopts
best practices consistent with domestic NYSE listed companies when appropriate
to its circumstances.
The Registrant has reviewed the NYSE corporate governance
requirements and confirms that the Registrants corporate governance practices
are not significantly, nor materially different than those required of domestic
companies under the NYSE listing standards. Except as described below, the
Registrant is in compliance with the NYSE corporate governance standards in all
significant respects:
Approval of Equity Compensation Plans
Section 303A.08 of the NYSEs Listed Company Manual requires
shareholder approval of all equity compensation plans and material revisions to
such plans. The definition of equity compensation plans covers plans that
provide for the delivery of both newly issued and treasury securities, as well
as plans that rely on securities re-acquired in the open market by the issuing
company for the purpose of redistribution to employers and directors.
The TSX rules provide that the creation of any equity
compensation plans that provide for new issuances of securities is subject to
shareholder approval. Any amendments to such plans are subject to shareholder
approval unless the specific equity compensation plan contains detailed
provisions, approved by the shareholders that specify those amendments requiring
shareholder approval and those amendments which can be made without shareholder
approval. The Registrant follows the TSX rules with respect to the requirements
for shareholder approval of equity compensation plans and revisions to such
plans.
Human Resources & Compensation Committee
Independence
The Registrant has elected not to adopt Section 303A.02 and
303A.05 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual applicable to charters and
independence of Compensation Committee members and advisors for U.S. domestic
issuers. As a foreign private issuer, the Registrant is not required to comply
with these rules.
Further information about the Registrants governance practices
is included on the Registrants website.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
12
UNDERTAKING
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by
telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff,
and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff,
information relating to: the securities registered pursuant to Form 40-F; the
securities in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form
40-F arises; or transactions in said securities.
CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
The Registrant has previously filed with the Commission a Form
F-X in connection with its common shares. Any change to the name or address of
the agent for service of process of the Registrant shall be communicated
promptly to the Commission by an amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file
number of the relevant registration statement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Registrant may be found
on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at
www.sedar.com and on the Commissions Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and
Retrieval (EDGAR) system at www.sec.gov.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the
Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form
40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
DATED
the 12
th
day of April, 2017.
DOMINION DIAMOND CORPORATION
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(Registrant)
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By:
|
/s/
BRENDAN BELL
|
Name: Brendan Bell
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Title: Chief Executive Officer
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13
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
|
DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
|
99.1
|
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14 of the Exchange Act, as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
99.2
|
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14 of the Exchange Act, as
adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
99.3
|
Certification by the Chief Executive Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
99.4
|
Certification by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
99.5
|
The Registrants Annual Information Form for the fiscal
year ended January 31, 2017
|
99.6
|
The Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 2017 and the Management's Discussion and
Analysis for the year ended January 31, 2017
|
99.7
|
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public
Accountants
|
99.8
|
Consent of Calvin Yip, P. Eng, in connection with the
Technical Report entitled Diavik Diamond Mine, Northwest Territories,
Canada NI 43-101 Technical Report with effect from January 31, 2017 and
dated March 31, 2017 (the Diavik Report)
|
99.9
|
Consent of Peter Ravenscroft, FAusIMM, sole owner of
Burgundy Mining Advisors Ltd., in connection with the Technical Report
entitled Ekati Diamond Mine, Northwest Territories, Canada NI 43-101
Technical Report with effect from July 31, 2016 and dated September 15,
2016
|
99.10
|
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
|
14
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