NOTICE OF MEETING
and
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
for the
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
to be held on
JANUARY 30, 2018
DATED AS OF DECEMBER 29, 2017
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF ANNUAL general MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
Appointment and Revocation of Proxies
Non-Registered (or Beneficial) Shareholders in Canada
Exercise of Discretion by Proxies
Record Date and Voting Securities
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon
Shareholders' requests under Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006
Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors
PART TWO - BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
PART THREE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Committees of the Board of Directors
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties and Sanctions.
PART FOUR - STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Components of the Compensation Program for the Year ended June 30, 2017
Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination
PART FIVE - DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers
Part SIX - LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
Summary of the Share Incentive Plan
PART SEVEN - STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Orientation and Continuing Education
Director Term Limits and Other Mechanisms of Board Renewal
Policies Regarding the Representation of Women
PART Eight - AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter
Audit and Risk Management Committee
Relevant Education and Experience
PART Nine - Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions
PART Ten - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Schedule "A" Matters reserved for the board of directors
Schedule "B" Corporate governance charter
Schedule "C" Summary of principle changes to the company's articles of association
THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to seek your own financial advice from your stockbroker or other independent adviser authorized under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (United Kingdom). If you have sold or transferred all of your ordinary shares in SolGold plc, please forward this document, together with the accompanying documents, as soon as possible either to the purchaser or transferee or to the person who arranged the sale or transfer so they can pass these documents to the person who now holds the ordinary shares.
SOLGOLD PLC
(Registered in England & Wales with Company No. 5449516)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL general MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
Directors Nicholas Mather Brian Moller Robert Weinberg John Bovard Craig Jones |
Registered Office 201 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3AB United Kingdom
Corporate Office Level 27, 111 Eagle Street Brisbane, Queensland 4000 Australia Tel: + 61 7 3303 0660 Fax: +61 7 3303 0681 Email: info@solgold.com.au Website: www.solgold.com.au |
Dear Shareholders,
NOTICE is hereby given that the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of SolGold plc (the "Company") will be held at the offices of HopgoodGanim Lawyers located at Level 7, Waterfront Place, 1 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time), for the following purposes, as well as to transact such other business as may properly be brought before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof:
To consider and, if thought fit, pass Resolutions 1 to 5 which will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions, and Resolutions 6 to 8 which will be proposed as Special Resolutions:
Ordinary Resolutions
1. To receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2017, together with the report of the board of directors (the "Directors") and auditors thereon.
2. To re-appoint Mr. Brian Moller as a Director of the Company, who retires in accordance with the articles of association of the Company (the "Articles") and is eligible for re-appointment.
3. To re-appoint Mr. John Bovard as a Director of the Company, who retires in accordance with the Articles and is eligible for re-appointment.
4. To re-appoint BDO (UK) LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Meeting to the conclusion of the next meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company at a remuneration to be determined by the Directors.
5. That the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorized in accordance with Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) (the "Act") to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares in the Company ("Relevant Securities") up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £5,654,000, provided that this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months from the date of passing this resolution save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require Relevant Securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot Relevant Securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred had not expired. This resolution revokes and replaces all unexercised authorities previously granted to the Directors to allot shares or grant rights for or to convert any securities into shares but without prejudice to any allotment of shares or grant of rights already made, offered or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities.
Special Resolutions
6. That subject to and conditional on, the passing of Resolution 5, the Directors be empowered, pursuant to Section 570 of the Act, to allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority given by Resolution 5 as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this power shall be limited to:
(a) the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or any other offer to holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to their respective holdings and to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or as the Directors otherwise consider necessary, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal or practical problems in or under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and
(b) the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,696,245;
and this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months from the date of passing this resolution save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby has not expired.
7. That, subject to the Articles of Association of the Company as in force from time to time, a general meeting of the Company other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice.
8. That the Articles of Association of the Company produced to the Meeting and initialed by the Chairman of the Meeting for the purpose of identification be adopted as the Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the existing Articles.
A shareholder of the Company wishing to be represented by proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof must complete, sign and lodge (together with any power of authority or any other authority under which it is signed or a duly certified copy of such power of authority) his or her duly executed form of proxy as follows:
Canada
· For Vote by Hand, Mail or Facsimile: Please deposit your form of proxy with the Company's Canadian transfer agent and registrar, Computershare Investor Services Inc., 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Attention: Proxy Department; or
· For Telephone or Internet Voting: For telephone voting, please call 1-866-732-VOTE (8683) from a touch-tone telephone and follow the voting instructions. If you wish to vote by telephone, you cannot appoint anyone other than the appointees named on the proxy form as your proxy holder. For internet voting, please go to www.investorvote.com and follow the instructions on the screen. For either telephone or internet voting, you will need your 15 digit control number which is noted on your proxy form;
no later than 8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 25, 2017 / 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
UK and Ireland
Your proxy appointments must be lodged with the Company's Registrars at Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY by 1:00 a.m. (GMT, 11:00 am AEST) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
Australia and New Zealand
Your proxy appointments must be lodged with the Company's Registrars at Computershare Investor Services PLC, GPO Box 523, Brisbane, Queensland 4001 by 11:00 a.m. (AEST, 1:00 a.m. GMT) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
Other
· For Vote by Hand, Mail, Facsimile or Attachment by Email: deposit the form of proxy with the Company Secretary resident in the Company's Australian office, GPO Box 5261 (Level 27, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland) 4001, Australia, facsimile number +61 (0) 7 3303 0681 or by email to the Company Secretary (kschlobohm@solgold.com.au) no later than 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
The Directors have fixed close of business on December 29, 2017 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders of the Company entitled to receive this Notice of the Meeting (this "Notice").
This Notice is accompanied by and should be read in conjunction with: (a) the management information circular (the "Circular"); and (b) either a form of proxy for registered shareholders or a voting instruction form for beneficial shareholders. The Circular accompanying this Notice is incorporated into and shall be deemed to form part of this Notice.
A copy of this Notice and other information required by Section 311A of the Act can be found at www.solgold.com.au.
DATED as of the 29th day of December, 2017.
By Order of the Board |
|
(signed) "Karl Schlobohm" |
Karl Schlobohm |
Company Secretary SolGold plc |
SOLGOLD PLC
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR
This management information circular (the "Circular") is provided in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of SolGold plc (the "Company") for use at the annual general meeting of the holders (the "Shareholders") of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company (Ordinary Shares") to be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time) (the "Meeting") and at every adjournment thereof, at the place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice of meeting (the "Notice"). Except where otherwise indicated, this Circular contains information as of the close of business on December 29, 2017 (being the last practicable date prior to the publication of this Circular) and all currency amounts are shown in Australian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
PART ONE - VOTING INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the management of the Company to be used at the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. It is expected that the solicitation of proxies will be primarily made by mail and may be supplemented by telephone or other personal contact by the directors, officers and employees of the Company. Directors, officers and employees of the Company will not receive any extra compensation for such activities. The cost of solicitation by management will be borne by the Company. It is expected that this Circular, the accompanying Notice and the form of proxy will first be made available to Shareholders on or about January 4, 2018.
Appointment and Revocation of Proxies
As a Shareholder of the Company you are entitled to appoint a proxy to exercise all or any of your rights to attend, speak and vote at a general meeting of the Company and you should have received a proxy form with this Circular. You can only appoint a proxy using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes set out in the proxy form.
The person named in the enclosed form of proxy is the Chairman of the Meeting. A Shareholder desiring to appoint some other person (who need not be a Shareholder) to represent the Shareholder at the Meeting and any adjournment thereof may do so either by inserting such person's name in the blank space provided in the applicable form of proxy or by completing another proper form of proxy and, in either case, depositing his or her duly executed form of proxy (together with any power of authority or any other authority under which it is signed or a duly certified copy of such power of authority) as follows:
Canada
· For Vote by Hand, Mail or Facsimile: Please deposit your form of proxy with the Company's Canadian transfer agent and registrar, Computershare Investor Services Inc., 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2Y1, Attention: Proxy Department; or
· For Telephone or Internet Voting: For telephone voting, please call 1-866-732-VOTE (8683) from a touch-tone telephone and follow the voting instructions. If you wish to vote by telephone, you cannot appoint anyone other than the appointees named on the proxy form as your proxy holder. For internet voting, please go to www.investorvote.com and follow the instructions on the screen. For either telephone or internet voting, you will need your 15 digit control number which is noted on your proxy form;
no later than 8:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on January 25, 2018 / 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
UK and Ireland
Your proxy appointments must be lodged with the Company's Registrars at Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZY by 1:00 a.m. (GMT, 11.00 a.m. AEST) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
Australia and New Zealand
Your proxy appointments must be lodged with the Company's Registrars at Computershare Investor Services PLC, GPO Box 523, Brisbane, Queensland 4001 by 11:00 a.m. (AEST, 1:00 a.m. GMT) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
Online Voting (Other than Canada)
· You complete the relevant proxy form online at www.investorcentre.co.uk/eproxy.
· You will need to enter the following meeting Control Number, your Shareholder Reference Number (SRN) and your PIN (all shown in the enclosed form of proxy). You must complete your online proxy instruction so that it reaches our registrars, Computershare Investor Services PLC, by 11:00 a.m. (AEST, 1:00 a.m. GMT) on 26 January 2016.
Other
· For Vote by Hand, Mail, Facsimile or Attachment by Email: deposit the form of proxy with the Company Secretary resident in the Company's Australian office, GPO Box 5261 (Level 27, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland) 4001, Australia, facsimile number +61 (0) 7 3303 0681 or by email to the Company Secretary (kschlobohm@solgold.com.au) no later than 11:00 a.m. (Brisbane, Australia time) on January 26, 2018 or if the Meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) prior to the adjourned Meeting.
If you sign and return the proxy form with no name inserted in the box, the Chairman of the Meeting will be deemed to be your proxy. Where you appoint as your proxy someone other than the Chairman, you are responsible for ensuring that they attend the Meeting and are aware of your voting intentions. If you wish your proxy to make any comments on your behalf, you will need to appoint someone other than the Chairman and give them the relevant instructions directly. A proxy does not need to be a member of the Company but must attend the meeting to represent you.
You may appoint more than one proxy provided each proxy is appointed to exercise rights attached to different shares. You may not appoint more than one proxy to exercise rights attached to any one share. To appoint more than one proxy, you will need to complete a separate proxy form in relation to each appointment. Additional proxy forms may be obtained by contacting the Company's transfer agent and registrar or the Company Secretary. If you submit more than one valid proxy appointment, the appointment received last before the latest time for the receipt of proxies will take precedence.
Any power of attorney or any other authority under which the proxy form is signed (or a duly certified copy of such power or authority) must be included with the proxy form.
In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior holder shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of other joint holders. For this purpose, seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of such holders stand in the register of members in respect of the joint holding.
Any person to whom the Notice is sent who is a person nominated under Section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to enjoy information rights (a "Nominated Person") may have a right under an agreement with the Shareholder by whom he or she was nominated, to be appointed (or to have someone else appointed) as a proxy for the Meeting. If a Nominated Person has no such proxy appointment right or does not wish to exercise it, he may, under any such agreement, have a right to give instructions to the Shareholder as to the exercise of voting rights. The statement of the rights of Shareholders in relation to the appointment of proxies as stated above does not apply to Nominated Persons. The rights described in that paragraph can only be exercised by Shareholders of the Company.
In addition to revocation in any other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing executed by the Shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing deposited either at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, at which the proxy is to be used or with the Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting, or adjournment thereof, and upon either of such deposits, the proxy is revoked.
The appointment of a proxy will not prevent a Shareholder from subsequently attending and voting at the Meeting in person, in which case, any votes cast by the proxy will be excluded and your proxy appointment will automatically be terminated.
CREST Shareholders
CREST Shareholders who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service may do so for the Meeting and any adjournment(s) thereof by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual. CREST personal shareholders or other CREST sponsored shareholders, and those CREST Shareholders who have appointed a voting service provider(s), should refer to the CREST sponsor or voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the appropriate action on their behalf. To appoint one or more proxies or to give an instruction to a proxy (whether previously appointed or otherwise) via the CREST system, CREST messages must be received by the issuer's agent (ID number 3RA50) not later than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the Meeting. For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to be the time (as determined by the timestamp generated by the CREST system) from which an issuer's agent is able to retrieve the message. The Company may treat as invalid a proxy appointment sent by CREST in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.
Non-Registered (or Beneficial) Shareholders in Canada
Only registered Shareholders or the person they appoint as their proxy are entitled to attend and vote at the Meeting. Many Shareholders in Canada and elsewhere are non-registered Shareholders ("Non-Registered Holders") because the Ordinary Shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered either: (i) in the name of an intermediary (the "Intermediary") with whom the Non-Registered Holder deals in respect of the Ordinary Shares; or (ii) in the name of a clearing agency (such as CDS Clearing Depositary Services Inc. of which the Intermediary is a participant). In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 - Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer ("NI 54-101") of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company will have distributed copies of the Notice, this Circular and the form of proxy (collectively, the "meeting materials") to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to Non-Registered Holders. The Company does not intend to pay for Intermediaries to forward objecting beneficial owners under NI 54-101 the proxy-related materials and Form 54-107 - Request for Voting Instructions Made by Intermediary. In the case of an objecting beneficial owner, the objecting beneficial owner will not receive the materials unless the objecting beneficial owner's Intermediary assumes the cost of delivery.
Non-Registered Holders holding through the Canadian register who have not waived the right to receive meeting materials will receive either a voting instruction form or, less frequently, a form of proxy. The purpose of these forms is to permit Non-Registered Holders to direct the voting of the Ordinary Shares they beneficially own. Non-Registered Holders should follow the procedures set out below, depending on which type of form they receive.
1. Voting Instruction Form. In most cases, a Non-Registered Holder will receive, as part of the meeting materials, a voting instruction form. If the Non-Registered Holder does not wish to attend and vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Non-Registered Holder's behalf), the voting instruction form must be completed, signed and returned in accordance with the directions on the form. Voting instruction forms in some cases permit the completion of the voting instruction form by telephone or through the Internet. If a Non-Registered Holder wishes to attend and vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Non-Registered Holder's behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must complete, sign and return the voting instruction form in accordance with the directions provided and a form of proxy giving the right to attend and vote will be forwarded to the Non-Registered Holder.
2. Form of Proxy. Less frequently, a Non-Registered Holder will receive, as part of the meeting materials, a form of proxy that has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile, stamped signature) which is restricted as to the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by the Non-Registered Holder but which is otherwise uncompleted. If the Non-Registered Holder wishes to vote but does not wish to attend and vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Non-Registered Holder's behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must complete the form of proxy and deposit it with the Company Secretary of the Company or vote by Internet as described above. If a Non-Registered Holder wishes to attend and vote at the Meeting in person (or have another person attend and vote on the Non-Registered Holder's behalf), the Non-Registered Holder must strike out the names of the persons named in the proxy and insert the Non-Registered Holder's (or such other person's) name in the blank space provided.
Non-Registered Holders should follow the instructions on the forms they receive and contact their Intermediaries promptly if they need assistance.
Exercise of Discretion by Proxies
The person named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote, withhold from voting or abstain in respect of the Ordinary Shares in respect of which he or she is appointed in accordance with the direction of the appointing Shareholder. If the Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the Ordinary Shares will be voted accordingly. To direct your proxy how to vote on the resolutions mark the appropriate box on the proxy form with an 'X' To abstain from voting on a resolution, mark the box "vote withheld". A "vote withheld" is not a vote in law which means that the vote will not be counted in the calculation of votes "for" and "against" the resolution. Marking "Discretionary", or failing to mark any box against a resolution, will mean your proxy can vote as he or she wishes or can decide not to vote at all.
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the person named therein with respect to the matters identified in the Notice and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. As of the date hereof, management of the Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting. However, if any such amendment, variation or other matter properly comes before the Meeting, the proxy in the accompanying form, when properly completed and delivered and not revoked, will confer discretionary authority upon the person named therein to vote on such other business in accordance with his or her best judgment, subject to any limitations imposed by law.
The form of proxy must be signed by the Shareholder or the duly appointed attorney thereof authorized in writing or, if the Shareholder is a corporation, the form of proxy must be executed under the corporation's common seal or signed on its behalf by an authorized officer or an attorney of such corporation. A form of proxy signed by the person acting as attorney of the Shareholder or in some other representative capacity, including an officer of a corporation which is a Shareholder, should indicate the capacity in which such person is signing. A Shareholder or his or her attorney may sign the form of proxy or a power of attorney authorizing the creation of a proxy by electronic signature provided that the means of electronic signature permits a reliable determination that the document was created or communicated by or on behalf of such Shareholder or by or on behalf of his or her attorney, as the case may be.
Corporate Representatives
A corporation which is a Shareholder can appoint one or more corporate representatives who may exercise, on its behalf, all its powers as a Shareholder provided that no more than one corporate representative exercises powers over the same share.
Record Date and Voting Securities
The record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to receive the Notice has been fixed as December 29, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. (Brisbane, Australia time).
The right to attend and vote at the meeting is determined by reference to the Company's register of Shareholders. Only Shareholders of record, whose shareholdings are registered in the register of Shareholders on Monday, January 29, 2018 at close of business (or, if this meeting is adjourned, in the register of shareholders at close of business on the day two days prior to the adjourned meeting) and all Non-Registered (or beneficial) Shareholders holding through the Canadian register on Monday, January 29, 2018 who either attend the Meeting in person or complete, sign and deliver a voting instruction form or form of proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above will be entitled to vote or to have their Ordinary Shares voted at the Meeting. Changes to the entries in the register of members after that time shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend and vote at the meeting.
A quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is two persons entitled to attend and to vote on the business to be transacted, each being a member present in person or a proxy for a member or a duly authorized representative of a corporation which is a Shareholder.
The share capital of the Company is divided into Ordinary Shares with a nominal par value of £0.01 each. The Company does not have an authorized share capital. As of December 29, 2017, the Company had issued and outstanding 1,696,245,686 Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each. Each Ordinary Share carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury. Therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company as at December 29, 2017 is 1,696,245,686.
The Company's website www.solgold.com.au will include information on the number of shares and voting rights.
Principal Holders of Voting Securities
To the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Company as at December 29, 2017, no persons or companies beneficially own or exercise control or direction over 10% or more of the votes attached to the Ordinary Shares, other than as set out below.
Shareholder Name |
Number of Ordinary Shares Held |
Percentage of Outstanding Ordinary Shares Held |
DGR Global Limited.................................................... |
204,151,800 |
12.04% |
Newcrest International Pty Ltd................................ |
246,634,271 |
14.54% |
Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc......................... |
170,156,414 |
10.03% |
Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon
Unless as otherwise disclosed in this Circular, no director or executive officer, past, present or nominated hereunder, or any associate or affiliate of such persons, or any person on behalf of whom this solicitation is made, has any interest, direct or indirect, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting, except that such persons may be directly involved in the normal business of the Meeting or the general affairs of the Company.
Shareholders' requests under Section 527 of the Companies Act 2006
Under Section 527 of the Act, Shareholders meeting the threshold requirements set out in that section have the right to require the Company to publish a statement on a website setting out any matter relating to: (a) the audit of the Company's accounts (including the auditor's report and the conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the Meeting; or (b) any circumstance connected with an auditor of the Company ceasing to hold office since the last annual general meeting. The Company may require the Shareholders requesting any such website publication to pay its expenses in complying with Sections 527 or 528 of the Act. Where the Company is required to place a statement on a website under Section 527 of the Act, it must forward the statement to the Company's auditors not later than the time when it makes the statement available on the website. The business which may be dealt with at the meeting includes any statement that the Company has been required under Section 527 of the Act to publish on a website.
Shareholder Communication with the Board of Directors
Shareholders who are interested in communicating directly with members of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), or the Board as a group, may do so by writing directly to the individual Board member or to the Board generally at GPO Box 5261 (Level 27, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane, Queensland) 4001, Australia, facsimile number +61 (0) 7 3303 0681. Shareholders may not use any electronic address provided in the Notice, this Circular or any related document (including the form of proxy) to communicate with the Company for any purposes other than those expressly stated. The Company Secretary will forward communications directly to the appropriate Board member. If the correspondence is not addressed to a particular Board member, the communication will be forwarded to a Board member to bring to the attention of the Board. The Company's Company Secretary will review all communications before forwarding them to the appropriate Board member. The Board has requested that items unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board, such as junk mail and mass mailings, business solicitations, advertisements and other commercial communications, surveys and questionnaires, and resumes or other job inquiries, not be forwarded.
PART TWO - BUSINESS OF THE MEETING
Ordinary Business
The Company is proposing the following ordinary resolutions at the Meeting. In order to be passed, in accordance with the requirements of the Act, the ordinary resolutions proposed must be approved by a simple majority (i.e., greater than 50%) of the votes validly cast by Shareholders at the Meeting in person or by proxy.
Resolution 1: Audited Consolidated Annual Financial Statements
The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2017, together with the report of the Board and auditors thereon (the "Annual Financial Statements") will be laid before the Shareholders at the Meeting. The Annual Financial Statements have been sent to all Shareholders with the Notice and Circular. The Annual Financial Statements are available on the Company's website at www.solgold.com.au and under the Company's issuer profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution on receipt of the Annual Financial Statements. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"To receive the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2017, together with the report of the board of directors (the "Directors") and auditors thereon."
Resolution 2: Re-Appointment of Mr. Brian Moller as a Director of the Company
Pursuant to the articles of association of the Company (the "Articles"), one third of the Board retires from office at every annual general meeting of the Company. The Company is an "Eligible International Interlisted Issuer" as such term is defined in the Company Manual (the "Manual") of the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). As an Eligible International Interlisted Issuer, the Company has applied for and received an exemption from the requirements of: (a) Sections 461.1-461.4 (Director Elections) of the Manual, which relate, respectively to annual election of directors, to voting on each individual director, to a majority voting policy and to the issuance of a news release disclosing voting results for the election of each director; and (b) Section 464 (Annual Meeting) of the Manual, which relates to the timing of the annual general meeting of a company.
Mr. Brian Moller, the Non-Executive Chairman of the Board, retires in accordance with the Articles and, being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment as a director of the Company.
Mr. Brian Moller is a corporate partner in the Brisbane based law firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers, the Australian solicitors to the Company. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and has been a partner at HopgoodGanim Lawyers since 1983. He practices almost exclusively in the corporate area with an emphasis on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Brian Moller holds an LLB Hons. from the University of Queensland and is a member of the Australian Mining and Petroleum Law Association. Mr. Brian Moller acts for many publicly-listed resource and industrial companies and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board, particularly in the corporate regulatory and governance areas. He is a Non-Executive Director of the following ASX-listed companies: DGR Global Limited ("DGR Global"), Dark Horse Resources Limited, Aguia Resources Limited, Platina Resources Limited and Lithium Consolidated Mineral Exploration Limited, and the Non-Executive Chairman of the ASX-listed company Aus Tin Mining Limited.
See "Part Three - Election of Directors" and "Part Five - Director Compensation".
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution on Mr. Brian Moller's re-appointment as a director of the Company. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"To re-appoint Mr. Brian Moller as a Director of the Company, who retires in accordance with the articles of association of the Company (the "Articles") and is eligible for re-appointment."
The Board (excluding Mr. Brian Moller) unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of the re-appointment of Mr. Brian Moller.
Resolution 3: Re-Appointment of Mr. John Bovard as a Director of the Company
Mr. John Bovard, a Non-Executive Director of the Board, retires in accordance with the Articles and, being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment as a director of the Company.
Mr. John Bovard is a civil engineer with over 40 years of experience in mining, heavy construction, project development and corporate management throughout Australia. His career to date has included roles as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of public companies and both executive and non-executive directorships. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr. John Bovard is currently a director of the ASX-listed company Aus Tin Mining Limited. Other roles within the past five years have included Non-Executive Chairman of Orbis Gold Limited (resigned February 17, 2015), Non-Executive Director of Australian Pacific Coal Limited (resigned November 29, 2012), acting as the interim CEO of Australian Solomon Gold Ltd. (from April 2007 to January 2008) and the Non- Executive Chairman of Axiom Mining Ltd. (from June 2006 to April 2007). From March 2002 to June 2006, Mr. John Bovard acted as the CEO of Asia Pacific Resources Ltd. (listed on the TSX developing a large potash resource in Thailand). Other directorships have included Danae Resources NL (Managing Director) and Greenwich Resources PLC, both through to early 2006. He was also Project Manager for the A$800,000,000 Phosphate Hill Fertiliser Project for Western Mining Corporation situated south of Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia. Other previous project experience includes managing the construction of the Porgera Mine in Papua New Guinea, the super pit expansion at Kalgoorlie, and the development of the Bronzewing Gold Mine in western Australia. He was previously the General Manager of the Ok Tedi porphyry copper gold mine. Mr. John Bovard's corporate profile, together with his extensive experience in south west Pacific mining operations and construction is considered to be of great value to the Company.
See "Part Three - Election of Directors" and "Part Five - Director Compensation".
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution on Mr. John Bovard's re-appointment as a director of the Company. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"To re-appoint Mr. John Bovard as a Director of the Company, who retires in accordance with the Articles and is eligible for re-appointment."
The Board (excluding Mr. John Bovard) unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of the re-appointment of Mr. John Bovard.
Resolution 4: Re-Appointment of BDO (UK) LLP as Auditors of the Company
The independent auditors of the Company are BDO (UK) LLP, located at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 7EU, United Kingdom and were first appointed auditors of the Company in 2006. The Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to vote for the reappointment of BDO (UK) LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Meeting until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders of the Company at which accounts are laid before the Company at a remuneration level to be fixed by the Board. BDO (UK) LLP has advised that it is independent with respect to the Company.
Fees billed to the Company by BDO (UK) LLP during the year ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, by category, are as follows:
Year Ended |
Audit Fees |
Audit Related Fees |
Tax Fees |
All Other Fees |
June 30, 2017 |
A$99,674 |
Nil |
A$2,587 |
Nil |
June 30, 2016 |
A$36,735 |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
The Board recommends the adoption of the resolution reappointing BDO (UK) LLP as the auditors of the Company until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders and to authorize the Board to fix the auditors' remuneration.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution on the reappointment of BDO (UK) LLP as the auditors of the Company. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"To re-appoint BDO (UK) LLP as auditors of the Company to hold office from the conclusion of the Meeting to the conclusion of the next meeting at which accounts are laid before the Company at a remuneration to be determined by the Directors."
The Board believes that the reappointment of BDO (UK) LLP as auditors is in the best interests of the Company and therefore unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of this resolution.
Resolution 5: The Right of Directors to Authorize, Allot and Issue or Grant Rights to Subscribe for or to Convert any Securities into Shares in the Company
The Board may only allot shares or grant rights to subscribe for, or convert any security into, shares if authorized to do so by Shareholders. Resolution 5 proposes to authorize the Board to allot and issue shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares in the Company up to an aggregate nominal amount of £5,654,000, such authority to expire at the next AGM or fifteen months after the passing of this resolution, whichever date is the earlier. This amount represents approximately one third of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at the date of this Circular.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following ordinary resolution. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"That the Directors be generally and unconditionally authorized in accordance with Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (United Kingdom) (the "Act") to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any securities into shares in the Company ("Relevant Securities") up to a maximum aggregate nominal amount of £5,654,000, provided that this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months from the date of passing this resolution save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require Relevant Securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot Relevant Securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred had not expired. This resolution revokes and replaces all unexercised authorities previously granted to the Directors to allot shares or grant rights for or to convert any securities into shares but without prejudice to any allotment of shares or grant of rights already made, offered or agreed to be made pursuant to such authorities."
The Board unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of this resolution.
Special Business
The Company is also proposing the following special resolutions at the Meeting. In order to be passed, the special resolutions must be approved by 75% of the votes validly cast by the Shareholders at the Meeting in person or by proxy. The special resolutions are as follows:
Resolution 6: Disapplication of Pre-Emption Rights of Existing Shareholders
The Act requires that any equity securities issued for cash (other than pursuant to an employee share scheme), must first be offered to existing shareholders pro rata to their holdings unless approval is obtained by special resolution to disapply this requirement. It is proposed that this approval also be renewed for the same period as the authority under Resolution 5. Apart from rights issues or any other pre-emptive offer concerning equity securities, the Company is seeking disapplication of pre-emption rights in connection with any equity securities to be allotted and issued up to a nominal amount of ordinary shares equal to £1,696,245. This amount represents approximately 10 per cent. of the Company's issued ordinary share capital as at the date of this Circular. Resolution 6 also seeks disapplication of pre-emptive rights on a rights issue or other pre-emptive offer so as to allow the Board to make exclusions or such other arrangements as may be appropriate to resolve legal or practical problems which, for example, might arise with overseas shareholders or entitlements to fractions.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following special resolution on the disapplication of pre-emption rights of existing Shareholders. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"That subject to and conditional on, the passing of Resolution 5, the Directors be empowered, pursuant to Section 570 of the Act, to allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) for cash pursuant to the authority given by Resolution 5 as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment provided that this power shall be limited to:
(a) the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue or any other offer to holders of ordinary shares in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to their respective holdings and to holders of other equity securities as required by the rights of those securities or as the Directors otherwise consider necessary, but subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors deem necessary or expedient in relation to treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal or practical problems in or under the laws of any territory or the requirements of any regulatory body or stock exchange; and
(b) the allotment (otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above) of equity securities up to an aggregate nominal amount of £1,696,245;
and this authority shall expire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company or, if earlier, 15 months from the date of passing this resolution save that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted after such expiry and the Directors may allot equity securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement as if the power conferred hereby has not expired."
The Board unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of this resolution.
Resolution 7: Shorter Notice Period for Calling General Meetings
The Articles allow the Company to call general meetings other than an annual general meeting on 14 clear days' notice without obtaining Shareholder approval. As a result of the Company's admission to the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities, the notice period required under the Act for general meetings of the Company is increased to 21 days. The Act allows Shareholders to approve a shorter notice period, which cannot be less than 14 clear days. Therefore, in order to preserve its ability to call general meetings on 14 clear days' notice, Resolution 7 seeks such Shareholder approval. It is intended that the shorter notice period would not be used as a matter of routine for such meetings but only where the flexibility is merited by the business of the meeting and is thought to be in the interests of Shareholders as a whole. If given, the approval will be effective until the Company's next annual general meeting, when it is intended that a similar resolution will be proposed.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following special resolution on the short notice period for calling general meetings other than annual general meetings. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"That, subject to the Articles of Association of the Company as in force from time to time, a general meeting of the Company other than an annual general meeting may be called on not less than 14 clear days' notice."
The Board unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of this resolution.
Resolution 8: Amendments to Company's Articles of Association
Resolution 8 is proposed as a special resolution to adopt amended Articles of Association of the Company. The Board is asking shareholders to approve a number of amendments to the Articles primarily to reflect the transition of the Company from the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange to the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities and to make certain other updates.
At the Meeting, Shareholders of the Company will be asked to pass the following special resolution on certain amendments to the Company's Articles. Shareholders may vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, the following resolution:
"That the Articles of Association of the Company produced to the Meeting and initialed by the Chairman of the Meeting for the purpose of identification be adopted as the Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for, and to the exclusion of, the existing Articles."
A copy of the proposed new Articles, together with a copy of the existing Articles marked to show the changes being proposed, will also be available for inspection at the Company's registered office from the date of the Notice until the time of the Meeting and at the place of the Meeting from at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting until the end of the meeting. An explanation of the main changes between the proposed and the existing Articles is set out in Schedule "C" of this Circular.
The Board unanimously recommends that the Shareholders vote in favour of this resolution.
Other Matters
Management knows of no other matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice. Should any other matters properly come before the Meeting, the Ordinary Shares represented by the form of proxy accompanying this Circular will be voted on such matters in accordance with the best judgment of the persons voting by proxy.
Right to Ask Questions
Any person attending the Meeting has the right to ask questions. The Company must cause to be answered any such question relating to the business being dealt with at the Meeting but no such answer need be given if: (i) to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation for the Meeting or involve disclosure of confidential information; (ii) the answer has already been given on a website in the form of an answer to a question; or (iii) it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the good order of the Meeting that the question be answered.
Inspection of Documents
In addition to copies of the proposed new and existing Articles, the following documents will be available for inspection at the location of the Meeting from 15 minutes before the Meeting until it ends:
· copies of the Executive Directors' service contracts; and
· copies of the letters of appointment of the Non-Executive Directors.
Voting Results
The results of the voting at the Meeting will be announced through a regulatory information service and will appear on the Company's website at www.solgold.com.au and under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
PART THREE - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Directors of the Company
In accordance with the Articles, one third of the Board retires from office at every annual general meeting of the Company. In general, those directors who have held office the longest time since their election are required to retire. A retiring director may be re-elected and a director appointed by the Board may also be elected, though in the latter case the director's period of prior appointment by the Board will not be taken into account for the purposes of rotation.
The name, location of residence, age, number of Ordinary Shares held and office held by each director, current as of December 29, 2017, has been furnished by each of them (unless otherwise indicated) and is presented in the following table.
Name and Place of Residence |
Position with the Company |
Principal Occupation(4) |
Director and/or Officer since |
Number of Ordinary Shares Held(5) (Percentage Held) |
Mr. Nicholas Mather(2)(3) Queensland, Australia |
Executive Director and CEO |
Managing Director and CEO, DGR Global (ASX); Director, Armour Energy Limited (ASX); Director, Aus Tin Mining Limited (ASX); Director, Dark Horse Resources Limited (ASX); Director, Lakes Oil NL (ASX); and Director, IronRidge Resources Limited (AIM). |
May 11, 2005 (Executive Director)
May 11, 2005 to October 2011 and on and from May 18, 2015 (CEO) |
90,768,275 |
Mr. Brian Moller(2)(3) Queensland, Australia |
Non-Executive Chairman |
Corporate Partner, HopgoodGanim Lawyers; Director, DGR Global (ASX); Director, Dark Horse Resources Limited (ASX); Director, Aguia Resources Limited (ASX); Director, Platina Resources Limited (ASX); Director, Lithium Consolidated Mineral Exploration Limited (ASX); and Chairman, Aus Tin Mining Limited (ASX). |
May 11, 2005 (Non-Executive Director)
February 28, 2013 (Non-Executive Chairman) |
5,189,121 |
Dr. Robert Weinberg(1)(2)(3) London, England |
Non-Executive Director |
Director, Medusa Mining Limited (ASX); Director, Kasbah Resources Limited (ASX); and Director, Chaarat Gold Holdings Limited (AIM). |
November 22, 2005 |
4,296,091 |
Mr. John Bovard(1)(2)(3) Queensland, Australia |
Non-Executive Director |
Director, Aus Tin Mining Limited (ASX) and consultant in the mining industry. |
November 1, 2009 |
3,858,813 |
Mr. Craig Jones(1) Queensland, Australia |
Non-Executive Director |
Executive General Manager, Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX); Director, Morobe Exploration Services Limited.; Director, Morobe Mining JV Services (Australia) Pty Ltd.; Director, Newcrest PNG 2 Limited; Director, Wafi Golpu Services Limited; Director, Cadia Holdings Pty Limited; Director, Harmony PNG 20 Limited (formerly Newcrest PNG 1 Limited); Director, Hidden Valley Services Limited; Director, Newcrest Operations Limited; and Director, Newgen Pty Ltd. |
March 3, 2017 |
Nil |
Notes:
(1) Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee. Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee is Mr. Brian Moller.
(2) Member of the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee. The full Board performs the role of the Chair of the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee.
(3) Member of the Remuneration Committee. Chair of the Remuneration Committee is Mr. John Bovard.
(4) The information as to principal occupation has been furnished by each director and/or officer individually.
(5) Includes direct and indirect interests of the directors and their related entities.
Biographies
The following biographical information relates to each member of the Board and includes a description of each individual's principal occupation within the past five years.
Mr. Nicholas Mather
Mr. Nicholas Mather, Executive Director and CEO, graduated in 1979 from the University of Queensland with a B.Sc. (Hons., Geology). Mr. Nicholas Mather has a special area of experience and expertise is the generation of, and entry into undervalued or unrecognised resource exploration opportunities. He has been involved in the junior resource sector at all levels for more than 30 years. In that time, he has been instrumental in the delivery of major resource projects that resulted in nine corporate takeovers and over 5 billion dollars to shareholders. Mr. Nicholas Mather was co-founder of Arrow Energy NL (an ASX-listed company) and was responsible for the generation of its Surat Basin Coal Bed Methane project and served as an Executive Director until 2004. He was also founder and Chairman of Waratah Coal Inc. until it was acquired in December 2008 and co-founder and Non-Executive Director of Bow Energy Limited until its recent takeover by Arrow Energy Pty Ltd. in January 2012. Mr. Nicholas Mather and the DGR Global team founded Orbis Gold in 2006 and continued to hold a significant equity stake and board position through to its takeover in February of 2015. Previously as CEO of BeMax Resources NL (an ASX-listed company), Mr. Nicholas Mather headed the discovery of the company's Pooncarie mineral sands project in 1998. He has also been a Non-Executive Director of Ballarat Goldfields, having assisted with the recapitalisation of the company in 2002. Mr. Nicholas Mather is Managing Director and Chief Executive of DGR Global, Executive Chairman of Armour Energy Limited (an ASX-listed company) and Non-Executive Director of IronRidge Resources Limited (an AIM-listed company), Dark Horse Resources Limited (ASX-listed company), Aus Tin Mining Limited (an ASX-listed company) and Lakes Oil NL (an ASX-listed company).
Mr. Brian Moller
Mr. Brian Moller, Non-Executive Chairman, is a corporate partner in the Brisbane based law firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers, the Australian solicitors to the Company. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and has been a partner at HopgoodGanim Lawyers since 1983. He practices almost exclusively in the corporate area with an emphasis on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Brian Moller holds an LLB Hons. from the University of Queensland and is a member of the Australian Mining and Petroleum Law Association. Mr. Brian Moller acts for many publicly-listed resource and industrial companies and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Board, particularly in the corporate regulatory and governance areas. He is a Non-Executive Director of the following ASX-listed companies: DGR Global, Dark Horse Resources Limited, Aguia Resources Limited, Platina Resources Limited and Lithium Consolidated Mineral Exploration Limited, and the Non-Executive Chairman of the ASX-listed company Aus Tin Mining Limited.
Dr. Robert Weinberg
Dr. Robert Weinberg, gained his doctorate in geology from Oxford University in 1973. He has more than 40 years of experience of the international mining industry and is an independent mining research analyst and consultant. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and also a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. He has been an independent Non-Executive Director of a number of minerals exploration, development and mining companies. Prior to his current activities he was Managing Director of the Institutional Investment at the World Gold Council. Previously he was a Director of the investment banking division at Deutsche Bank in London after having been head of the global mining research team at SG Warburg Securities. He has also held senior positions within Société Générale and was head of the mining team at James Capel & Co. He was formerly marketing manager of the gold and uranium division of Anglo American Corporation of South Africa Ltd.
Mr. John Bovard
Mr. John Bovard, Non-Executive Director, is a civil engineer with over 40 years of experience in mining, heavy construction, project development and corporate management throughout Australia. His career to date has included roles as CEO of public companies and both executive and non-executive directorships. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Mr. John Bovard is currently a director of the ASX-listed company Aus Tin Mining Limited. Other roles within the past five years have included Non-Executive Chairman of Orbis Gold Limited (resigned February 17, 2015), Non-Executive Director of Australian Pacific Coal Limited (resigned November 29, 2012), acting as the interim CEO of Australian Solomon Gold Ltd. (from April 2007 to January 2008) and the Non-Executive Chairman of Axiom Mining Ltd. (from June 2006 to April 2007). From March 2002 to June 2006, Mr. John Bovard acted as the CEO of Asia Pacific Resources Ltd. (listed on the TSX developing a large potash resource in Thailand). Other directorships have included Danae Resources NL (Managing Director) and Greenwich Resources PLC, both through to early 2006. He was also Project Manager for the A$800,000,000 Phosphate Hill Fertiliser Project for Western Mining Corporation situated south of Mount Isa in Queensland, Australia. Other previous project experience includes managing the construction of the Porgera Mine in Papua New Guinea, the super pit expansion at Kalgoorlie, and the development of the Bronzewing Gold Mine in western Australia. He was previously the General Manager of the Ok Tedi porphyry copper gold mine. Mr. John Bovard's corporate profile, together with his extensive experience in south west Pacific mining operations and construction is considered to be of great value to the Company.
Mr. Craig Jones
Craig Jones, Non-Executive Director, holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Newcastle, Australia, and joined Newcrest International in 2008. He is currently the Executive General Manager Wafi-Golpu. He has held various senior management and executive roles within the Newcrest group, including General Manager Projects, General Manager Cadia Valley Operations, Executive General Manager Projects and Asset Management, Executive General Manager Australian and Indonesian Operations, Executive General Manager Australian Operations and Projects, and Executive General Manager Cadia Valley Operations and Morobe Mining Joint Venture. Prior to joining Newcrest, Mr. Jones worked for Rio Tinto.
Share Ownership
As at the date of this Circular, based on the number of Ordinary Shares and securities convertible into Ordinary Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised by all of the directors and officers of the Company as a group, all of the directors and officers are expected to, as a group, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or exercise control or direction over 107,623,438 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 6.94% of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares on a non-diluted basis.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The standing committees of the Board consist of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee.
The current members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee include Mr. Brian Moller, Mr. John Bovard and Dr. Robert Weinberg. Mr. Brian Moller is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. See "Part Eight - Audit and Risk Management Committee Information".
The current members of the Remuneration Committee include Mr. John Bovard, Mr. Nicholas Mather, Dr. Robert Weinberg and Mr. Brian Moller. Mr. John Bovard is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee. See "Part Four - Statement of Executive Compensation - Compensation Governance" and "Part Seven - Statement of Corporate Governance Practices - Committees of the Board of Directors - Compensation and Governance Committee".
The full Board currently sits on the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee. See "Part Seven - Statement of Corporate Governance Practices - Committees of the Board of Directors - Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee".
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties and Sanctions
To the knowledge of the Company, as at the date of this Circular, no director or executive officer of the Company is, or within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular has been, a director, CEO or Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") of any company (including the Company), that while that person was acting in that capacity:
(a) was subject to a cease trade order (including any management cease trade order which applied to directors or executive officers of a company, whether or not the person is named in the order), an order similar to a cease trade order, or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days (an "Order"); or
(b) was subject to an Order that was issued after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director, CEO, CFO and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, CEO or CFO.
Bankruptcy
To the knowledge of the Company, as at the date of this Circular, no director, executive officer, or shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company is, or within the 10 years prior to the date of this Circular has:
(a) been a director or executive officer of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
(b) become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, executive officer or shareholder.
Penalties and Sanctions
To the knowledge of the Company, as at the date of this Circular no director, executive officer, or shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company has been subject to any:
(a) penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or
(b) other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable investor in making an investment decision.
PART FOUR - STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
The following discussion describes the significant elements of the Company's executive compensation, with particular emphasis on the process for determining compensation payable to the Company's CEO, CFO, and, other than the CEO and the CFO, each of the 3 most highly compensated executive officers, or the 3 most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity (collectively, the "Named Executives" or "NEOs"). Mr. Nicholas Mather, Executive Director and CEO, Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya, CFO, Mr. Jason Ward, Consultant/Country Manager, Mr. Benn Whistler, Manager Technical Services and Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo, Manager of Latin American Affairs, were the NEOs of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2017.
Compensation Governance
The Remuneration Committee is a standing committee of the Board that meets periodically and is responsible for making decisions on directors' and key management's remuneration packages. The Remuneration Committee has among other duties the responsibility to recommend to the Board the compensation of the CEO and that of the other NEOs, as such term is defined under applicable Canadian securities laws.
The remuneration of the NEOs is determined by the Executive Director who considers it essential, notwithstanding the small size of the Company and the fact that it is not yet revenue earning, to recruit and retain individuals of the highest caliber for that role. Consequently, the Company believes that it is in the interests of Shareholders that NEOs should be provided with options in addition to the level of fees considered affordable.
The Remuneration Committee is currently comprised of four members: Mr. John Bovard (the Chair of the Remuneration Committee), Mr. Nicholas Mather, Dr. Robert Weinberg and Mr. Brian Moller, all of whom are independent directors, other than Mr. Nicholas Mather, as determined under National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101").
The Board recognizes the significance of appointing independent, knowledgeable and experienced individuals to the Remuneration Committee who have the necessary background in executive compensation and risk management to fulfill the Remuneration Committee's duties and responsibilities. All members of the Remuneration Committee enjoy extensive experience in these areas through their prior and current function and implication with other organizations.
The Remuneration Committee has the responsibility to analyze all matters related to ensuring a strong leadership role in the continuous development of the Company and the creation and maximization of value for the shareholders. The Remuneration Committee and the Board are focused on recruiting and retaining highly talented and experienced executive officers, taking into account the fact that the employment market has proven to be very competitive in recent years. As set out in the Remuneration Committee's charter, the Remuneration Committee has identified the following priorities in carrying out its functions:
· establish and review the remuneration policies and practices of the Company;
· establish and review the remuneration packages for the Board, the CEO and the Company's other executives;
· oversee the Company's recruitment, retention and terminations policies, practices and procedures;
· oversee the Company's incentive plans and equity-based schemes; and
· make recommendations to the full Board in connection with the above matters.
Compensation Methodology
The Company expects the Board will review and approve recommendations from the Remuneration Committee regarding salaries, annual bonuses and equity incentive compensation for the Named Executives and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to their respective compensation. The Remuneration Committee will use discretion and judgment when determining compensation levels as they apply to a specific executive officer.
Individual compensation may be based on individual qualifications and skills, level of responsibility of the position, the compensation terms which may be required to attract an executive of equivalent experience to join the Board from another company or any other criteria deemed important by the Remuneration Committee. In order to meet the Company's objectives, the Remuneration Committee will be guided by:
· providing executives with an equity-based incentive plan, namely a share plan;
· aligning employee compensation with the Company's corporate objectives; and
· attracting and retaining highly-qualified individuals in key positions.
The Remuneration Committee, in having regard to compensation to be offered to the Board, the CEO and the Company's other executives, will:
· review the competitiveness of the Company's executive compensation programmes to ensure that:
o the programmes are attractive, with a view to ensuring the retention of corporate officers;
o the motivation of corporate officers to achieve the Company's business objectives; and
o the alignment of the interests of key leadership with the long term interests of the Company's Shareholders.
· consider and make recommendations to the Board on the entire specific remuneration for each individual of management (including fixed pay, incentive payments, equity awards, retirement rights, service contracts) having regard to the executive remuneration policy.
· design the remuneration policy in such a way that it:
o motivates directors and management to pursue the long-term growth and success of the Company within an appropriate control framework; and
o demonstrates a clear relationship between key executive performance and remuneration.
· ensure that:
o the remuneration offered is in accordance with prevailing market conditions, and that exceptional circumstances are taken into consideration;
o contract provisions reflect market practice; and
o targets and incentives are based on realistic performance criteria.
Risk Management
The Company expects that the Remuneration Committee will review the practices the Company uses to identify and mitigate compensation policies and practices that could create or incentivize any inappropriate or excessive risk-taking by executive officers. The Company does not believe that its compensation practices and policies are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Components of the Compensation Program for the Year ended June 30, 2017
The compensation package for NEOs is primarily comprised of 4 elements: base salary, annual incentive (bonus) compensation, long-term incentive compensation and benefits. Each element of compensation is described in more detail below. All salaries, salary increases, cash bonuses and share-based compensation for the NEOs are reviewed, considered and approved by the Remuneration Committee and, in turn, the Board. The mix of pay and the weighting of short-term and long-term incentives reflects the NEOs' position and his or her ability to impact the short-term and long-term performance of the Company. For this purpose, the Board takes into account compensation paid by other companies which the Company deems to be comparable.
Base Salary
Base salary is the fixed component of total direct compensation for the NEOs, and is intended to attract and retain executives, providing a competitive amount of income certainty. The actual base salaries of the NEOs will reflect numerous factors relevant to the discharge of their duties, including the complexity of their respective roles, the amount of applicable industry experience, the function their respective roles play in the Company's corporate development and the need to attract and retain talented individuals. Base salaries are reviewed and compared to similar benchmarked positions in the Company's industry peer group in the relevant marketplace. Consideration is also given to the NEO's time in the role, and/or material differences in responsibilities compared with the benchmarked similar role in the peer group data. The NEO base salaries are generally targeted to the Company's peer group and adjusted for individual contribution and performance.
Annual Cash Incentive Plans
The short-term incentive compensation for the NEOs is based on their performance as a team against corporate objectives approved by the Board and bonuses are paid by the Board, at its full discretion, based on recommendation of the Remuneration Committee.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
The share incentive plan (the "Share Incentive Plan") of the Company was adopted by the Board in July 2017 and approved by shareholders at the annual general meeting held on July 28, 2017. The Company understands that the establishment of a balance between short and long-term compensation is essential for the Company's sustained performance, including its ability to attract, motivate and retain a pool of talented executives in a very competitive employment market as well as to ensure a proper alignment of the NEOs' interests with those of shareholders. As of June 30, 2017, no Options have been issued under the Share Incentive Plan.
The Share Incentive Plan is summarized in the table below. A more detailed summary can be found under the heading "Long-Term Incentive Plan".
Key Terms |
|
Summary of Share Incentive Plan |
Securities |
|
An Option entitles a holder (an "Optionee") to purchase an Ordinary Share at an exercise price set at the time of the grant. Ordinary Shares granted under the Share Incentive Plan will be new Ordinary Shares. |
Eligibility |
|
Under the Share Incentive Plan, eligible participants includes the directors, officers and employees (including both full-time and part-time employees) of the Company or of any designated affiliate of the Company and any person or corporation engaged to provide ongoing management or consulting services for the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company (or any employee of such person or corporation) are eligible to participate. |
Administration |
|
The Share Incentive Plan is administered by the Board or the committee of the Board authorized to administer the Share Incentive Plan, including the Remuneration Committee (the "Committee"). |
Exercise Price |
|
The exercise price for Options is determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, provided that the exercise price of any Option may not be less than the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the TSX, or such other principal market upon with the Ordinary Shares are traded, on the last trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant of such Option. |
Limitations |
|
The maximum number of Ordinary Shares made available for the Share Incentive Plan shall not exceed 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding on a non-diluted basis immediately prior to the proposed grant of the applicable Option. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares issuable to insiders, at any time, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other share compensation arrangement is 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares issued to insiders, within any one year period, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other share compensation arrangement is 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. |
Benefits
Employee benefits include share based payment transactions and retirement benefits. The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share based payment transactions requires determining the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determining the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the Option, volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them.
The Company pays superannuation and pension entitlements as and where required. Contributions payable for the year are charged to the statement of comprehensive income. Other than where noted below in "Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination", payments to NEOs are inclusive of retirement (superannuation) payments.
In Australia, employees have a choice of where superannuation contributions are paid, which has to be a registered superannuation fund, run independently of the Company. Employers have to pay compulsory superannuation contributions (currently 9.5% of ordinary time earnings) for eligible employees on amounts earned up to the maximum superannuation contribution base (which is currently A$51,620 per quarter).
The Company makes payments in accordance with applicable legislation (i.e., United Kingdom and Australian legislation) and does not operate a defined contribution plan. However, the Company makes superannuation payments. The effect of the payments made by the Company pursuant to such legislation is similar to that of a defined contribution plan.
Employment Agreements and Potential Payments Upon Termination
Individual employment agreements stipulate that, in the case of termination of employment initiated by the Company for reasons other than cause, the Company will make the following severance payments to its NEOs:
Mr. Nicholas Mather, Executive Director and CEO
On June 23, 2017, the Company entered into a consultancy agreement (the "Samuel Consultancy Agreement") with Samuel Capital Pty Ltd. ("Samuel"), a company associated with Mr. Nicholas Mather, pursuant to which Samuel is engaged as an independent contractor to the Company.
The Samuel Consultancy Agreement continues for a term of 2 years with an option to extend the arrangement for a further 2 years at the election of either party.
Samuel is appointed to provide the Company with the following services:
· to cause and procure the provision of an key person, being Mr. Nicholas Mather, or such other person as agreed in writing between the Company and Samuel, to discharge all of the usual duties performed by an Executive Director of a publicly listed gold and copper exploration company;
· to liaise with the Chair of the Company;
· prepare and submit (or procure that the Company's management prepare and submit) to the Board for their approval work programmes and budgets on a regular basis as deemed appropriate by the Board for the progression of a project or programme, and in any event not less than 6 monthly intervals, for all proposed Company activities;
· manage and deliver the implementation of acquisition and divestment strategies;
· liaise with corporate and financial advisors, bankers, regulators and independent consultants;
· manage broker and investor liaison and promotional activities;
· liaise with external advisors and brokers to the Company;
· preparation and execution of capital raisings, corporate restructures and change of control transactions;
· presentation to the Board of activity reports and new business proposals; and
· execution of Board directives,
(collectively, the "Services").
In consideration for the provision of the Services listed above, Samuel is entitled to an annual fee (exclusive of GST) of A$400,000, payable in monthly installments (the "Consultancy Fee").
Every 6 months during the term of the Samuel Consultancy Agreement, the Remuneration Committee will undertake a review of the performance of Samuel in providing the Services. Based on that review, the Remuneration Committee may adjust the Consultancy Fee as deemed appropriate and determine whether or not a bonus (up to 40% of the value of the then existing Consultancy Fee) is to be awarded having regard to the key performance indicators (and their respective weightings) set out in the table below:
Key Performance Indicators |
Percentage Weighting |
Beneficial achievements in the course of execution of approved programmes including: · surpassing targeted works; · cost savings; and · surpassing time estimates |
30% |
Growth of business through acquisitions, new projects and other means |
32.5% |
Risk management and safety performance |
5% |
Share price performance measured against mining and exploration sector of listed companies on any relevant stock exchange |
32.5% |
|
|
In addition to any bonus determined by reference to the key performance indicators, the Board may also in its sole discretion, issue or pay additional bonuses to Samuel.
The Samuel Consultancy Agreement also provides for the payments of A$187,497 and A$100,000 in consideration for the continued provision of Services by Samuel on a month-to-month basis following the expiry of Samuel's prior consultancy agreement with the Company.
The Samuel Consultancy Agreement provides for the issue (subject to any necessary regulatory consents or approvals) to Samuel (or its nominee) of 26,250,000 Options that:
· vest immediately upon the earlier of the date that:
○ is 18 months after the date the Options are issued;
○ a Change of Control Event (as such term is defined in the Samuel Consultancy Agreement) occurs; and
o Samuel ceases to be a contractor of the Company, other than due to a material breach of the Samuel Consultancy Agreement, fraud or dishonesty.
· have an exercise price of £0.60 per Ordinary Share; and
· expire on the earlier of:
○ third anniversary of the date they are issued;
○ the expiration of 3 months, or any longer period as may be determined by the Board, after Samuel ceases to be a contractor of the Company; or
○ Samuel ceasing to be a contractor of the Company due to material breach of the Samuel Consultancy Agreement, fraud or dishonesty.
The Company will reimburse Samuel for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of the Services, provided that Samuel provides documentary evidence acceptable to the Company. Samuel is also entitled to certain additional including, the reimbursement of the cost of business class airfares for the spouse of the key person to accompany the key person on 3 separate, return, international trips each year during the term of the Samuel Consultancy Agreement.
The Samuel Consultancy Agreement can be terminated by the Company by giving 12 months' written notice to Samuel or by the Company paying Samuel the amount equivalent to the Consultancy Fee for such 12 month period. The Samuel Consultancy Agreement can be terminated by Samuel by giving 3 months' written notice to the Company and if Samuel provides such written notice, the Company may elect to pay Samuel the amount equivalent to the Consultancy Fee for such 3 month period in lieu of retaining the services of Samuel for such 3 month period. In the event that Samuel breaches the Samuel Consultancy Agreement, becomes insolvent, its officers are charged with a criminal offence which brings the Company or its business into disrepute, or Mr. Nicholas Mather resigns as a director due to his resignation, the Company may terminate the Samuel Consultancy Agreement, at its sole discretion, without payment of any fees, remuneration or compensation (other than that which has already accrued).
Samuel is solely responsible for the remuneration and benefits of Mr. Nicholas Mather and the staff of Samuel, including their wages or salaries, paid public holidays, annual leave, sick leave, superannuation, pay-as-you-earn tax and other taxes, workers' compensation and other insurances and all other obligations arising out of or in connection with the activities of Samuel. The Samuel Consultancy Agreement is governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.
Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya, Chief Financial Officer
In addition to his role as CFO of the Company, Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya also acts concurrently as the CFO of DGR Global (among other companies). Previously, both the services and remuneration of Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya were provided in, and included as, part of an administration services arrangement with DGR Global (the "Administration Services Agreement"). On and from October 1, 2016, the Company continued to receive the services of Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya as part of the Administration Services Agreement with DGR Global, however the Company will also directly remunerate Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya for A$35,000 per annum for his services as CFO of the Company. The Company may terminate the services of Mr. Priy (Priyanka) Jayasuriya by giving one month's notice.
Administration Services Agreement
On March 21, 2017, the Company entered into the Administration Services Agreement with DGR Global, pursuant to which DGR Global agreed to provide administration services to the Company. The Administration Services Agreement supersedes the previous longstanding arrangements between the parties, as to the provision of administration services. The services provided under the Administration Services Agreement include, but are not limited to: (i) the grant of a non-exclusive licence for the Company to occupy part of DGR Global's premises; (ii) the use of existing office furniture, equipment and certain stationery; (iii) full information technology infrastructure and maintenance services under licence; (iv) general telephone, reception, meeting room and office facilities; (v) payroll and accounts payable services; and (vi) public investor and shareholder relations service (the "Administration Services").
In consideration for the provision of the Administration Services, the Company will initially pay DGR Global a fee of A$30,000 (plus GST) per month. The fee payable is subject to an annual review by the parties. The Company must also reimburse DGR Global for outgoings incurred in conducting the business.
The initial term of the Administration Services Agreement is 2 years from the date of the agreement, with the option to extend the term by 2 years any number of times, at the election of either party, upon written notice within the last 30 days of the then existing term.
The Administration Services Agreement may be terminated by either party: (i) immediately for cause (including upon the other party's insolvency or material breach of the agreement); (ii) upon 12 months' written notice to the other party, if that other party has undergone a change of control (in respect of the composition of the Board or of more than half of the issued shares of that other party); and (iii) upon 6 months' written notice to the other party (subject to no change of control having occurred).
Mr. Jason Ward, Consultant/Country Manager
On July 1, 2015, the Company entered into a services contract with Mr. Jason Ward, pursuant to which Mr. Jason Ward is engaged by the Company as an independent contractor in the position of "country manager", to provide management and geological services to the Company and its subsidiaries until such time as the contract is terminated (the "Ward Consultancy Agreement").
Mr. Jason Ward is engaged to perform services under the agreement on a day-rate basis and in consideration for such services (as varied by way of letter dated October 1, 2016), receives A$1,430 (exclusive of GST) per day (based upon a 7.5 hour day) as a mixture of cash and shares. Mr. Jason Ward is solely responsible for his superannuation.
Either party may terminate the Ward Consultancy Agreement by giving 3 months' written notice (or by way of payment in lieu). The Company may terminate the Ward Consultancy Agreement at any time with notice for cause, where Mr. Jason Ward: (i) is in breach of the Ward Consultancy Agreement; (ii) becomes bankrupt; or (iii) is charged with a criminal offence which in the reasonable opinion of the Company brings the Company or its business into disrepute.
The Ward Consultancy Agreement is governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia, or such other jurisdiction as the Company resolves in its sole discretion.
Mr. Benn Whistler, Manager Technical Services
On or about July 1, 2015, the Company entered into an employee services agreement with Mr. Benn Whistler, pursuant to which Mr. Benn Whistler is engaged by the Company as Manager - Technical Services on and from July 1, 2015 and until such time as the agreement is terminated.
Mr. Benn Whistler is engaged to manage the technical services and technical team business unit of the Company and to assist the Country Manager. In consideration for the services provided (as varied by way of letter dated October 1, 2016), Mr. Benn Whistler is entitled to receive an annual base salary of A$278,784 (inclusive of statutory superannuation entitlements), may be invited to participate in the Company's employee incentive option scheme and may receive an annual bonus payment as determined by the Board (subject to satisfaction of key performance indicators).
Mr. Benn Whistler may terminate the agreement either by giving 3 months' written notice of termination (or such other period as may be mutually agreed in writing), or immediately in the event that there is a significant diminution of his job content, status, responsibility or authority (the "Whistler Diminution Termination"). The Company may terminate the agreement without cause by giving 3 months' notice, or in the event of serious misconduct, immediately.
In the event of Whistler Diminution Termination, but subject to any restrictions or approvals under the applicable listing rules and the Act, the Company will make a payment to Mr. Benn Whistler equal to 3 months of his annual base salary (inclusive of any other payments to which he might be entitled on termination). The agreement is governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.
Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo, Manager of Latin American Affairs
On August 27, 2014, the Company entered into an executive services agreement with Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo, pursuant to which Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo is engaged by the Company as Manager of Latin American Affairs on and from September 15, 2014 and until such time as the agreement is terminated.
Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo is required to devote himself to usual working hours of at least 50 hours per week to the performance of his duties, which include the following:
· assisting in relation to environmental management plan and related matters in Ecuador and other Latin American countries;
· overseeing community relations and governmental relations in Ecuador and other Latin American countries;
· advising in relation to health and safety related issues in Ecuador and other Latin American countries;
· assisting senior management of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. in relation to Ecuadorian mining exploration projects
· the provision of advice in negotiations in respect of security, taxation, fiscal arrangements, environmental planning and execution, permitting, labour and industrial relations, occupational workplace health and safety, insurance and any other corporate, government or community liaison activities or introductions at any level in Ecuador and other Latin American countries (and advice on the design and supervision of programs and studies required in respect of such matters);
· assistance with the acquisition of other projects and tenures in Ecuador and other Latin American countries; and;
· supervising all stakeholder relations matters in respect of Ecuador and other Latin American countries.
In consideration for the services listed above, Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo is entitled to receive an annual base salary of A$275,000 (plus statutory superannuation contributions), may be invited to participate in the Company's employee incentive option scheme and may receive an annual bonus payment as determined by the Board (subject to satisfaction of key performance indicators) up to a maximum of 30% of annual base salary.
Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo may terminate the agreement either by giving 6 months' written notice of termination (or such other period as may be mutually agreed in writing), or immediately in the event that there is a significant diminution of his job content, status, responsibility or authority (the "Roque-Albelo Diminution Termination"). The Company may terminate the agreement without cause by giving 6 months' notice, or in the event of serious misconduct, immediately.
In the event of Roque-Albelo Diminution Termination, but subject to any restrictions or approvals under the applicable listing rules and the Act, the Company will make a payment to Mr. Lazaro Roque-Albelo equal to 6 months of his annual base salary (inclusive of any other payments to which he might be entitled on termination). The agreement is governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.
PART FIVE - DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
A function of the Remuneration Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to the compensation of the directors of the Company. The Remuneration Committee is empowered to review the compensation levels and components of the Company's directors and to report and make recommendations thereon to the Board and to consider any other matters which, in the Remuneration Committee's judgment, should be taken into account in reaching any recommendation to the Board concerning the compensation levels of the Company's directors.
The Company's directors' compensation program is designed to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on the Board. Each Non-Executive Director receives an annual retainer of A$70,000, all of which is payable in cash and none of which is payable in security based compensation. As Chairman of the Company, Mr. Brian Moller receives an annual retainer of A$110,000. The Executive Director will receive an annual retainer of A$400,000. From time to time, the Board, in its discretion, may also compensate directors with fees for their services on Board projects. The Company has agreed to reimburse directors for all reasonable expenses incurred in order to attend meetings.
Indebtedness of Directors and Executive Officers
In June 2012, loans were extended to entities associated with four parties who were officers or employees of the Company at that time (being Mal Norris, Damien Luloffs, Bruce Rohrlach and Wendy Collins). These loans related to the subscription funds for a total of 10,700 Ordinary Shares. Upon their leaving the employment of the Company, these loans were forgiven on mutually agreed upon terms. Apart from these loans, no director or officer of the Company, or any associate or affiliate of such person, is or ever has been indebted to the Company with respect to the purchase of securities or otherwise; nor has any such person's indebtedness to any other entity been the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company.
Part SIX - LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
The long-term compensation plan of the Company is comprised of a Share Incentive Plan for employees, officers and consultants, which is designed to align participants' interests with those of the Shareholders. The Share Incentive Plan of the Company was adopted by the Board in July 2017 and was approved by Shareholders at the annual general meeting of the Company held on July 28, 2017.
The Board and any Committee thereof, have the power and discretionary authority to determine the terms and conditions of any grants under share plans, including the individuals who will receive the grants, the term, the exercise price, the number of Ordinary Shares subject to each grant, the limitations or restrictions on vesting and exercisability of grants, acceleration of vesting or the waiver of forfeiture or other restrictions on awards, the form of consideration payable on exercise, whether grants will entitle the participant to receive dividend equivalents and the timing of the grants. The Board and any Committee thereof will also have the power to establish award exercise procedures and procedures for payment of withholding tax obligations with cash.
Share Incentive Plan
The following table sets forth all compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance previously approved by security holders and all compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance not previously approved by security holders as at June 30, 2017:
Plan Category |
Number of Ordinary Shares to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights |
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) |
Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders |
151,624,569 |
£0.4338 |
63,270,801(1) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Total |
151,624,569 |
£0.4338 |
63,270,801 |
Notes:
(1) Based on their being 151,555,686 Ordinary Shares outstanding as at June 30, 2017.
Summary of the Share Incentive Plan
Purpose of the Share Incentive Plan
The Share Incentive Plan provides for the acquisition of Ordinary Shares by eligible participants for the purpose of advancing the interests of the Company through the motivation, attraction and retention of key employees and directors of the Company and to secure for the Company and the shareholders of the Company the benefits inherent in the ownership of Ordinary Shares by key employees and directors of the Company, it being generally recognized that share incentive plans aid in attracting, retaining and encouraging employees and directors due to the opportunity offered to them to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.
Administration of the Share Incentive Plan
The Share Incentive Plan is administered by the Board or any Committee of the Board authorized to administer the Share Incentive Plan.
Ordinary Share Availability and Participation Limits
The maximum number of Ordinary Shares made available for the Share Incentive Plan shall not exceed 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding on a non-diluted basis immediately prior to the proposed grant of the applicable Option.
The maximum number of Ordinary Shares issuable to insiders, at any time, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other share compensation arrangement is 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. The maximum number of Ordinary Shares issued to insiders, within any one year period, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other share compensation arrangement is 10% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding.
The maximum number of Ordinary Shares issuable to non-employee directors, at any time, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other any other share compensation arrangement is 1% of the total number of Ordinary Shares then outstanding. The total annual grant to any one non-employee director, within any one year period, pursuant to the Share Incentive Plan and any other share compensation arrangement shall not exceed a maximum grant value of A$150,000 worth of securities, of which the value of Options shall not exceed A$100,000 per non-employee director.
For purposes of the non-employee director participation limits, the aggregate number of securities granted under all share compensation arrangements shall be calculated without reference to: (i) the initial securities granted under the share compensation arrangements (pre-existing or otherwise) to a person who was not previously an insider of the Company, upon such person becoming or agreeing to become a director of the Company. However, the aggregate number of securities granted under all share compensation arrangements in this initial grant to any one non-employee director shall not exceed a maximum value of A$150,000 worth of securities; and (ii) the securities granted under the share compensation arrangements to an eligible director who was also an officer of the Company at the time of grant but who subsequently became a non-employee director.
Participants
Under the Share Incentive Plan, eligible participants includes the directors, officers and employees (including both full-time and part-time employees) of the Company or of any designated affiliate of the Company and any person or corporation engaged to provide ongoing management or consulting services for the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company (or any employee of such person or corporation). Subject to the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan, the Committee may from time to time determine the participants to whom Options may be granted, the number of Ordinary Shares to be made subject to each Option granted, the expiry date of each Option granted, the exercise price of each Option granted and the other terms of each Option granted.
Exercise Price of Options
The price per share at which any Ordinary Share which is the subject of an Option may be purchased shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, provided that the exercise price of any Option may not be less than the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the TSX, or such other principal market upon with the Ordinary Shares are traded, on the last trading day immediately preceding the date of the grant of such Option.
Term of Options
Each Option, unless sooner terminated pursuant to the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan, will expire on a date to be determined by the Committee at the time the Option is granted, subject to amendment by an employment contract, which date cannot be later than ten years after the date the Option is granted. However, if the expiration date falls within a blackout period or within ten business days after a blackout period expiry date, then the expiration date of the Option will be the date which is ten business days after the blackout period expiry date.
Vesting of Options
Except as otherwise specifically provided in any employment contract or in the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan, Options may be exercised (in each case to the nearest full share) during the Option period only in accordance with the vesting schedule, if any, determined by the Committee, in its sole and absolute direction, at the time of the grant of the Option, which vesting schedule may include performance vesting or acceleration of vesting in certain circumstances and which may be amended or changed by the Committee from time to time with respect to a particular Option. If the Committee does not determine a vesting schedule at the time of the grant of any particular Option, such Option shall be exercisable in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, during the Option period.
Eligible Participants on Exercise
Subject to the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan, an Option may be exercised by the Optionee in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, during the Option period, provided however that, except as otherwise specifically provided by the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan or in any employment contract, no Option may be exercised unless the Optionee at the time of exercise thereof is:
(a) in the case of an eligible employee, an officer of the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company or in the employment of the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company and has been continuously an officer or so employed since the date of the grant of such Option, provided, however, that a leave of absence with the approval of the Company or such designated affiliate of the Company will not be considered an interruption of employment for purposes of the Share Incentive Plan;
(b) in the case of an eligible director who is not also an eligible employee, a director of the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company and has been such a director continuously since the date of the grant of such Option; and
(c) in the case of any other eligible participant, engaged, directly or indirectly, in providing ongoing management, consulting or other services for the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company and has been so engaged since the date of the grant of such Option.
Lapsed Options
If Options granted under the Share Incentive Plan are surrendered, terminate or expire without being exercised in whole or in part, new Options may be granted covering the Ordinary Shares not purchased under such lapsed Options.
Effect of Death on Options
If a participant or, in the case of a person or corporation engaged to provide ongoing management or consulting services for the Company or a designated affiliate of the Company which is not an individual, the primary individual providing services to the Company or designated affiliate of the Company on behalf of the person or corporation engaged to provide ongoing management or consulting services, shall die, any Option held by such participant or individual at the date of such death shall become immediately exercisable notwithstanding any term or condition of such Option, and shall be exercisable in whole or in part only by the person or persons to whom the rights of the Optionee under the Option shall pass by the will of the deceased or the laws of descent and distribution until the expiration of the Option period in respect of such Option (or such shorter period of time as is otherwise provided in an employment contract or the terms and conditions of any Option), but only to the extent that such Optionee was entitled to exercise the Option at the date of the deceased's death in accordance with the terms of the Share Incentive Plan.
Effect of Termination of Employment or Services
If a participant: (i) ceases to be a director of the Company and of the designated affiliates of the Company (and is not or does not continue to be an employee thereof) for any reason (other than death); or (ii) ceases to be employed by, or provide services to, the Company or the designated affiliates of the Company (and is not or does not continue to be a director or officer thereof), or any corporation engaged to provide services to the Company or the designated affiliates of the Company, for any reason (other than death) or receives notice from the Company or any designated affiliate of the Company of the termination of his or her employment contract, except as otherwise provided in any employment contract or the terms and conditions of any Option, in situations of termination not for cause, such participant will have 90 days (unless extended by the Board) following termination to exercise his or her Options to the extent that such participant was entitled to exercise such Options at the date of termination, and, in situations other than a termination not for cause, any Options held by such participant on the date of such termination shall be forfeited and cancelled as of that date. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any employment contract, in no event may such right extend beyond the Option period.
Effect of Change of Control on Options
If, at the time of a change of control, the participant is an officer or employee of the Company or of any designated affiliate of the Company and, within 12 months of such change of control, the Company terminates the employment or services of said participant for any reason other than cause or an involuntary termination occurs with respect to such officer or employee of the Company or of any designated affiliate of the Company, then, on the date of such event of termination, all of the participant's Options shall immediately vest, if not already vested.
If, at the time of a change of control, the participant is not an officer or employee of the Company or of any designated affiliate of the Company, then all of the participant's Options shall immediately vest on the date of the change of control, if not already vested.
In either of the foregoing events, as applicable, all Options so vested may be exercised in whole or in part by the participant from such applicable date until the expiry of their respective Option periods, except as otherwise provided in any employment contract or the terms and conditions of any Option.
Acceleration on Take-over Bid
If a take-over bid (within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario)) or a general offer for the Company pursuant to the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (in either case in respect of all or a portion of the outstanding Ordinary Shares) or a scheme of arrangement pursuant to the Act (as a means of effecting the acquisition by a purchaser of all of the outstanding Ordinary Shares), then the Committee may permit all Options outstanding to become immediately exercisable in order to permit Ordinary Shares issuable under such Options to be tendered to such take-over bid, sold pursuant to such general offer or be acquired upon any scheme of arrangement becoming effective in accordance with its terms.
Suspension, Termination or Amendments
The Committee has the right, under the Share Incentive Plan, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, to suspend or terminate (and to re-instate) the Share Incentive Plan, and to make certain amendments to the Share Incentive Plan, including the following amendments:
(a) any amendment of a "housekeeping" nature, without limitation, amending the wording of any provision of the Share Incentive Plan for the purpose of clarifying the meaning of existing provisions or to correct or supplement any provision of the Share Incentive Plan that is inconsistent with any other provision of the Share Incentive Plan, correcting grammatical or typographical errors and amending the definitions contained within the Share Incentive Plan;
(b) any amendment to comply with the rules, policies, instruments and notices of any regulatory authority to which the Company is subject, including the applicable stock exchanges, or to otherwise comply with any applicable law or regulation;
(c) any amendment to the vesting provisions of the Share Incentive Plan, other than changes to the expiration date and the exercise price of an Option;
(d) any amendment, with the consent of the Optionee;
(e) other than changes to the expiration date and the exercise price of an Option as described in the Share Incentive Plan, any amendment, with the consent of the Optionee, to the terms of any Option previously granted to such Optionee under the Share Incentive Plan;
(f) any amendment to the provisions concerning the effect of the termination of a participant's position, employment or services on such Optionee's status under the Share Incentive Plan;
(g) any amendment respecting the administration or implementation of the Share Incentive Plan; and
(h) any amendment to provide a cashless exercise feature to any Option or the Share Incentive Plan, provided that such amendment ensures the full deduction of the number of underlying Ordinary Shares from the total number of Ordinary Shares subject to the Share Incentive Plan.
The Committee has the right, under the Share Incentive Plan, with the approval of the shareholders of the Company by ordinary resolution, to make the following amendments to the Share Incentive Plan:
(a) any change to the number of Ordinary Shares issuable from treasury under the Share Incentive Plan, including an increase to the fixed maximum number of Ordinary Shares or a change from a fixed maximum number of Ordinary Shares to a fixed maximum percentage;
(b) any amendment which would change the number of days with respect to the extension of the expiration date of Options expiring during or immediately following a blackout period;
(c) any amendment which reduces the exercise price of any Option;
(d) any amendment which extends the expiry date of an Option;
(e) any amendment which cancels any Option and replaces such Option with an Option which has a lower exercise price;
(f) any amendment which would permit Options to be transferred or assigned by any participant other than as currently contemplated by the Share Incentive Plan;
(g) any amendments to the limits on non-employee director participation;
(h) any amendment to the definition of "Participant" under the Share Incentive Plan which would have the potential of narrowing, broadening or increasing insider participation; and
(i) any amendment to the amending provisions of the Share Incentive Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment to the Share Incentive Plan shall be subject to the receipt of all required regulatory approvals including, without limitation, the approval of the TSX, or such other principal market upon with the Ordinary Shares are traded.
Assignability
No rights under the Share Incentive Plan and no Option awarded pursuant to the provisions of the Share Incentive Plan are assignable or transferable by any participant other than pursuant to a will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Changes in Capital
In the event there is any change in the Ordinary Shares, whether by reason of a stock dividend, consolidation, subdivision, reclassification or otherwise, an appropriate adjustment will be made to the awards granted under the Share Incentive Plan by the Committee, including without limitation, in the number of Ordinary Shares available under the Share Incentive Plan, the number of Ordinary Shares subject to any Option and the exercise price of the Ordinary Shares subject to Options.
Consolidation, Merger etc.
If there is a consolidation, merger or statutory amalgamation or arrangement of the Company with or into another corporation, a separation of the business of the Company into 2 or more entities or a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another entity, unless the Committee otherwise determines acting reasonably, upon the occurrence of such consolidation, merger, amalgamation, arrangement, separation or transfer, where the surviving or acquiring entity is a corporation, then the surviving or acquiring entity will substitute or replace similar options to purchase securities in the surviving or acquiring entity for the Options outstanding under the Share Incentive Plan on substantially the same terms and conditions as the Share Incentive Plan, provided that if surviving or acquiring entity is not a corporation, the Committee shall determine the basis upon which such Option shall be exercisable.
Securities Exchange Take-Over Bid
In the event that the Company becomes the subject of a take-over bid (within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario)) pursuant to which 100% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares are acquired by the offeror either directly or as a result of the compulsory acquisition provisions, and where consideration is paid in whole or in part in equity securities of the offeror, the Committee may send notice to all Optionees requiring them to surrender their Options within 10 days of the mailing of such notice, and the Optionees shall be deemed to have surrendered such Options on the tenth day after the mailing of such notice without further formality, provided that the Committee delivers with such notice an irrevocable and unconditional offer by the offeror to grant replacement options to the Optionees on the equity securities offered as consideration, and the Committee has determined, in good faith, that such replacement options have substantially the same economic value as the Options being surrendered.
PART SEVEN - STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Canadian securities regulatory policy as reflected in NI 58-101 requires that TSX-listed companies disclose on an annual basis their approach to corporate governance. National Policy 58-201 - Corporate Governance Guidelines provides regulatory staff's guidance as to preferred governance practices, although such guidelines are not prescriptive (other than for audit committees). Disclosure of the Company's approach to corporate governance in the context of this instrument and policy is set out below.
Corporate governance relates to the activities of the Board, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders, and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board and who are charged with the day-to-day management of the Company. The Board is committed to sound corporate governance practices, which are both in the interest of its shareholders and contribute to effective and efficient decision making. The following is a summary of the Company's approach to corporate governance.
Board of Directors
The Board is made up of one Executive Director and 4 Non-Executive Directors. Mr. Nicholas Mather is the Executive Director.
NI 58-101 sets out the standard for director independence. Under NI 58-101, a director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A material relationship is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment. NI 58-101 also sets out certain situations where a director will automatically be considered to have a material relationship with the Company. The following members of the Board are independent in accordance with NI 58-101: Mr. John Bovard, Dr. Robert Weinberg, Mr. Brian Moller and Mr. Craig Jones. Mr. Nicholas Mather is not independent as he is the CEO of the Company. A majority of the directors are independent.
The Chair of the Board is Mr. Brian Moller, who is an independent director. As Chair, Mr. Brian Moller is responsible for leadership of the Board, for efficient organization and conduct of the Board's function and the briefing of all directors in relation to issues arising at Board meetings. The Chair is also responsible for shareholder communication and arranging Board performance evaluation.
It is the Board's policy to maintain independence by having at least half of the Board comprising Non-Executive Directors who are free from any material business or other relationship with the Company. The structure of the Board ensures that no one individual or group is able to dominate the decision making process.
The independent directors do not hold regularly scheduled meetings at which non-independent directors and members of management are not in attendance. However, where deemed necessary by the independent directors, the independent directors hold in-camera sessions exclusive of non-independent directors and members of management, which process facilitates open and candid discussion among the independent directors.
The Board ordinarily meets on a monthly basis providing effective leadership and overall control and direction of the Company's affairs through the schedule of matters reserved for its decision. This includes the approval of the budget and business plan, major capital expenditure, acquisitions and disposals, risk management policies and the approval of the financial statements. Formal agendas, papers and reports are sent to the directors in a timely manner, prior to Board meetings. The Board also receives summary financial and operational reports before each Board meeting. The Board delegates certain of its responsibilities to management, who have clearly defined terms of reference.
All directors have access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who is responsible for ensuring that all Board procedures are followed. Any director may take independent professional advice at the Company's expense in the furtherance of his duties.
Attendance Record
For the financial year ended June 30, 2017, there has been 14 Board meetings. All directors that were eligible to attend the meetings attended.
Board Mandate
Please see Schedule "B" - "Matters Reserved for the Board of Directors" for the text of the Board's written mandate.
Position Descriptions
Please see Schedule "A" - "Corporate Governance Charter" for the written description of the roles of the CEO, the Chair of the Board, the Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
Other Directorships
None of the directors of the Company are also directors of other issuers that are "reporting issuers" as that term is defined in and for the purposes of Canadian securities legislation.
Orientation and Continuing Education
Incoming directors are provided with access to the CEO, and the Company Secretary to gain a full understanding of the Company, its projects, personnel and policies & procedures. Via the CFO and the Company Secretary, incoming directors are able to access the Board materials and minutes for the previous 12 months, and may also obtain copies of any material contracts, reports, or stock market releases to assist with their understanding.
At all times directors are encouraged to attend any professional course or update relevant to the discharge of their duties as a director of the Company. Directors are also encouraged to visit the Company's project sites as practical, and attend any international mining conferences at which the Company may present.
Ethical Business Conduct
In formulating the Company's corporate governance procedures the Board takes due regard of the principles of good governance set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code (the "Code") to the extent they consider appropriate in light of the Company's size, stage of development and resources. However, given the size of the Company, at present the Board of does not consider it necessary to adopt the Code in its entirety.
The Company has adopted a written corporate ethics policy (the "Corporate Ethics Policy"), which has been agreed to by each of the members of the directors of the Company. The Corporate Ethics Policy sets out the obligations of integrity and honesty of each member of the Board and their obligations with respect to, amongst other matters, conflicts and interests and dealing in securities in the Company. The Corporate Ethics Policy is set out in the Company's Corporate Governance Charter, which is attached as Schedule "A" to this Circular.
Whilst the Board does not monitor compliance with its Corporate Ethics Policy, each of the members of the Board are experienced directors and are both familiar with the Corporate Ethics Policy as well as current corporate governance requirements for listed companies in a number of different jurisdictions. Additionally, the Board has the benefit of access to an experienced Company Secretary and legal counsel. This places the members of the Board in a position to satisfy themselves regarding compliance with its Code.
Board Committees
The standing committees of the Board are comprised of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee.
Audit and Risk Management Committee
The Audit and Risk Management Committee meets not less than twice a year and is responsible for ensuring that the financial performance, position and prospects of the Company are properly monitored as well as liaising with the Company's auditor to discuss financial statements and the Company's internal controls.
The members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee are Mr. Craig Jones, Mr. John Bovard and Dr. Robert Weinberg. The Executive Director attends meetings by invitation, if appropriate. Mr. Brian Moller is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
See "Part Eight - Audit and Risk Management Committee Information".
Remuneration Committee
Remuneration of the Executive Director is established by reference to the remuneration of executives of equivalent status both in terms of the level of responsibility of the position and by reference to their job qualifications and skills. The Remuneration Committee also has regard to the terms which may be required to attract an executive of equivalent experience to join the Board from another company. Such packages include performance related bonuses and the grant of Options.
The members of the Remuneration Committee are Mr. John Bovard, Mr. Nicholas Mather, Dr. Robert Weinberg and Mr. Brian Moller. Mr. John Bovard is the Chair of the Remuneration Committee.
See "Part Four - Statement of Executive Compensation - Compensation Governance".
Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee
The Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee is responsible for the overall health, safety and environmental performance of the Company and its operations and its relationship with the local community. All of the members of the Board are Chairs and members of the Health, Safety, Environment and Community Committee.
Nomination of Directors
The Board does not currently have a formal nominating committee. Rather the Board as a whole is responsible for identifying and recommending candidates for the Board. The Board reviews and makes determinations with respect to: (i) the size and composition of the Board; (ii) the organization and responsibilities of the appropriate committees of the Board; (iii) the evaluation process for the Board and committees of the Board and the Chair of the Board and such committees; and (iv) creating a desirable balance of expertise and qualifications among members of the Board. The Board does not take any formal steps to ensure that objectivity in the nomination process. In the nomination process, the Board assesses its current composition and requirements going forward in light of the stage of the Company and the skills required to ensure proper oversight of the Company and its operations.
Maxit Board Appointment Right
Pursuant to the share subscription agreement dated August 16, 2016 between the Company and Maxit Capital L.P. ("Maxit Capital"), the Company has granted to Maxit Capital the right (the "Maxit Board Appointment Right") to nominate (but not an obligation) an individual to be appointed as a director of the Company, for so long as Maxit Capital holds at least a 1.02% interest in the Ordinary Shares of the Company (the "Maxit Minimum Holding").
Once the nominee is proposed by Maxit Capital, the nominee must be approved by the Board. Maxit Capital is only permitted to nominate an individual that: (i) the Board believes, in its reasonable opinion, has the requisite business acumen and relevant experience; (ii) the Board believes, in its reasonable opinion, is suitable to be a director of the Company; and (iii) is suitable to be a director listed on the applicable stock exchanges.
Any nominee that is appointed by Maxit Capital and subsequently appointed to the Board shall hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company following the nominee's appointment. At such annual general meeting of the Company, the nominated director shall stand for re-election to the Board and the Company's shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the nominee's re-election to the Board. A nominated director retires by rotation in the same manner as any other director of the Board. Upon a nominated director's regular retirement by rotation from the Board, the Company's shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the nominee's re-election to the Board. If the Company's shareholders decide not to re-elect a relevant nominee, Maxit Capital may, subject to maintaining the Maxit Minimum Holding, nominate a new nominee.
Maxit Capital has the right to remove its nominee from the Board at any time and may propose a new nominee, in which case the Company shall take all steps necessary to appoint that new nominee to the Board as soon as practicable, by giving written notice to the Company. Where Maxit Capital's current nominee is due to retire by rotation and Maxit Capital nominates another person as its new nominee: (i) the current nominee will not be eligible for re-election; and (ii) the new nominee will be considered for election at an annual general meeting of the Company.
In the event that Maxit Capital's shareholding in the Company falls below the Maxit Minimum Holding, solely as a result of the voluntary sale of Ordinary Shares by Maxit Capital, then Maxit Capital must, if directed by the Company, procure the resignation of its nominated director within 3 business days after the date it ceased to hold that relevant percentage interest and Maxit Capital shall no longer have a Maxit Board Appointment Right, even in the event that its shareholdings exceeds the Maxit Minimum Holding at some future date. Should Maxit Capital fail to procure the resignation of its nominee, the Company is entitled to take such steps as are reasonably necessary to remove the appointee as director or officer, including seeking a shareholder resolution to remove the appointee and is entitled to be indemnified for all costs and expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the same.
Newcrest Board Appointment Right
Pursuant to the conditional share subscription agreement dated August 30, 2016 between the Company, Newcrest International Pty Ltd. and Newcrest Mining Limited (collectively, "Newcrest"), as subsequently varied by a further deed of variation on September 26, 2016, and as further varied by a third deed of variation on June 21, 2017 (the "Newcrest Subscription Agreement"), the Company granted Newcrest a right (but not an obligation) to appoint a director to the Board (the "Newcrest Board Appointment Right"), for so long as Newcrest holds more than 10% of the Ordinary Shares of the Company (the "Newcrest Minimum Holding").
Once the nominee is proposed by Newcrest, the nominee must be approved by the Board. Newcrest is only permitted to nominate an individual that: (i) the Board believes, in its reasonable opinion, has the requisite business acumen and relevant experience; (ii) the Board believes, in its reasonable opinion, is suitable to be a director of the Company; and (iii) is suitable to be a director listed on the applicable stock exchanges. If Newcrest's nominee meets these criteria, the Company must take all steps necessary to appoint such person to the Board as soon as practicable.
Any nominee that is proposed by Newcrest and subsequently appointed to the Board shall hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company following the nominee's appointment. At such annual general meeting of the Company, the nominated director shall stand for re-election to the Board and the Company shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the nominee's re-election to the Board. A nominated director retires by rotation in the same manner as any other director of the Board. Upon a nominated director's regular retirement by rotation from the Board, Company shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the nominee's re-election to the Board. If the Company's shareholders decide not to re-elect a relevant nominee, Newcrest may, subject to maintaining the Newcrest Minimum Holding, nominate a new nominee.
Newcrest has the right to remove its nominee from the Board at any time and may propose a new nominee, in which case the Company shall take all steps necessary to appoint that new nominee to the Board as soon as practicable, by giving written notice to the Company. Where Newcrest's current nominee is due to retire by rotation and Newcrest nominate another person as their new nominee: (i) Newcrest must procure that its current nominee retires; (ii) the new nominee will be considered for election at an annual general meeting of the Company; and (iii) the Board will recommend that the new nominee be elected.
In the event that Newcrest's shareholding in the Company falls below the Newcrest Minimum Holding, solely as a result of Newcrest having failed to participate in any future equity raising or due to a voluntary sale of Ordinary Shares by Newcrest, and provided the Company has complied with its obligations pursuant to its Anti-Dilution Right (as such term is defined in the Newcrest Subscription Agreement), then Newcrest must procure the resignation of its nominated director within 3 business days after the date that it ceased to hold the Newcrest Minimum Holding and Newcrest shall no longer have a Newcrest Board Appointment Right, even in the event that its shareholdings exceeds the Newcrest Minimum Holding at some future date. Should Newcrest fail to procure the resignation of its nominee, the Company is then entitled to take steps to remove the appointee as director or officer, including seeking a shareholder resolution to remove the appointee and is entitled to be indemnified for all costs and expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the same.
Director Term Limits and Other Mechanisms of Board Renewal
Under the Articles, one-third of the Board retires from office at every annual general meeting of the Company. Generally, the members of the Board who have held office the longest time since their election are required to retire. The Board does not currently have a limit on the number of consecutive terms for which a director may sit and believes that arbitrary term or age limits often prevent or restrict the continued service on the Board of the most experienced and valuable Board members who will have acquired an institutional knowledge of the Company from such years of service. Rather, the Board maintains a flexible approach to Board succession whereby it considers the addition of potential candidates in conjunction with its assessments of current Board members and the Board as a whole.
The Company is an "Eligible International Interlisted Issuer" as such term is defined in the TSX Manual. As an Eligible International Interlisted Issuer, the Company has applied for and received an exemption from the requirements of Sections 461.1-461.4 (Director Elections) of the Manual, which relate, respectively to annual election of directors, to voting on each individual director, to a majority voting policy and to the issuance of a news release disclosing voting results for the election of each director and Sections 464 (Annual Meetings) of the Manual, which relate to the timing of the annual general meetings.
Compensation
The Board with the assistance of the Remuneration Committee, is responsible for approving compensation objectives and the specific compensation programs for policies and practices of the Company. For more information, see " Part Four - Statement of Executive Compensation".
Assessments
The Board is responsible for assessing the effectiveness and contributions of the Board as a whole, its committees and individual directors. The Board undertakes this assessment periodically, although, no formal report in this regard has been prepared to date.
Policies Regarding the Representation of Women
The Board has not adopted any written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women directors. However, as part of the discharge of the Board's responsibilities under the Corporate Governance Charter, the Board is required to recommend procedures, including but not limited to strategies to address Board diversity and increasing the proportion of women in the Company, for adoption by the Board for the proper oversight of the Board and senior management. When the Board considers the Company to be of a sufficient size or complexity, it intends to establish a sub-committee of the Board dedicated to reporting on diversity-related matters, from time to time, by way of a report submitted to the Board which must include: (i) details of the policies introduced to address Board and employee diversity, including but not limited to strategies to increase the proportion of women at all levels of the Company; and (ii) details of the proportion of women employees in the whole organisation, women in senior executive positions and women on the Board. Currently, no such procedures or strategies have been developed. Currently, none of the members of the Board or the officers of the Company are women (i.e., 0% of the members of the Board and 0% of the executive officers of the Company are women).
PART Eight - AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE INFORMATION
Audit and Risk Management Committee Charter
The responsibilities of the Audit and Risk Management Committee are set out in the Company's Corporate Governance Charter, which is attached as Schedule "A".
Audit and Risk Management Committee
The Audit and Risk Management Committee meets not less than twice a year and is responsible for ensuring that the financial performance, position and prospects of the Company are properly monitored as well as liaising with the Company's auditor to discuss financial statements and the Company's internal controls. The Executive Director attends meetings by invitation, if appropriate.
The Audit and Risk Management Committee is comprised of 3 members, namely, Mr. Brian Moller (as Chair), Mr. John Bovard and Dr. Robert Weinberg, all of whom are deemed to be "independent" and "financially literate" for purposes of National Instrument 52-110 - Audit Committees.
Relevant Education and Experience
Each member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee has skills and experiences that provide the member with: an understanding of the accounting principles used by the issuer to prepare its financial statements; the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and provisions; experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements, or experience actively supervising one or more individuals engaged in such activates; and an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
Name |
Relevant Education and Experience |
Independent |
Financially Literate |
Mr. Brian Moller |
Member of the audit committee of DGR Global since 2003, member of the audit committee of Dark Horse Resources Limited since 2011, member of the audit committee of Aguia Resources Limited since 2014, chair of the audit committee of Platina Resources Limited since 2010 and a member of the audit and risk management committee of Aus Tin Mining Limited since 2010. |
Yes |
Yes |
Mr. John Bovard |
Member of the audit and risk management committee of Aus Tin Mining Limited since 2010 and member of the audit committee of Orbis Gold Limited from 2010 until 2015. |
Yes |
Yes |
Dr. Robert Weinberg |
Managing director of the Institutional Investment at the World Gold Council from 2000 until 2004 and director of the investment banking division at Deutsche Bank in London from 1995 until 1999. |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
PART Nine - Interest of Informed Persons in Material Transactions
Within the 3 most recently completed financial years and during the current financial year, no director, executive officer, or shareholder who beneficially owns, or controls or directs, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, or any known associates or affiliates of such persons, has or has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect the Company.
PART Ten - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information relating to the Company, including the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended June 30, 2017, together with the auditor's report thereon, may be found on the Company's website at www.solgold.com.au or under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Approval
The contents of this Circular and the sending thereof to the Shareholders have been approved by the Board.
DATED as of the 29th day of December, 2017.
|
|
(signed) "Karl Schlobohm" |
Karl Schlobohm |
Company Secretary SolGold plc |
(a)
SCHEDULE"A"
Matters Reserved for the Board of Directors
Management Structure and Appointments
· Board and other senior management (the Chief Executive Officer and the Company Secretary) appointments or removals.
· Board and senior management succession, training, development and appraisal.
· Execute appropriate strategies to monitor performance of the Board in implementing its functions and powers.
· Remuneration, contracts, grants of options and incentive arrangements for senior management (if not delegated to a committee).
· Delegation of the Board's powers, and establishment of a Delegation of Authority Matrix for the Company.
· Appoint and oversee the membership of committees and agree terms of reference of board committees and task forces.
· Matters referred to the Board by the Board committees.
· Directors' conflicts or potential conflicts of interest.
Strategic/Policy Considerations
· Business strategy.
· Regulatory compliance with all relevant laws (Corporation Act, CA2006, the ASX Listing Rules and the UK Listing Rules, etc.).
· Corporate Governance, Policies and Procedures.
· Specific risk management policies including insurance, hedging, borrowing limits and corporate security.
· Agreement of codes of ethics and business practices.
· Review and assess risk management and internal compliance and control, codes of conduct and legal compliance.
· Avoidance of wrongful or fraudulent trading.
Transactions
· Acquisitions and disposals of subsidiaries or other substantive assets.
· Investment and other capital expenditure projects.
· Actions or transactions where there may be doubt over propriety.
· Approval of public announcements, prospectuses, circulars and similar documents.
· Disclosure of directors' interests.
· Transactions with directors or other related parties.
Finance
· Approve and monitor Capital expenditure, capital management and Capital adequacy.
· Raising new capital and confirmation of major financing facilities.
· Discussion of any proposed qualification to the financial statements.
· Final approval of annual and interim reports, financial statements and accounting policies.
· Appointment/proposal of and liaise with the Company's external auditor.
· Approval annual budgets for the coming year.
General
· Allotment, calls or forfeiture of shares.
· Shareholders and RNS communications.
· Calling of shareholders' meetings.
SCHEDULE "B"
Corporate Governance Charter
See attached.
Corporate Governance Charter
SolGold plc Company Number 05449516 (SolGold or Company)
Adopted pursuant to a resolution of the Board dated 28 June 2017
Section A - Principles of Corporate Governance...................................................................................................... 7
A.1 Board of Directors......................................................................................................................................... 7
A.2 The Chairperson............................................................................................................................................ 9
A.3 Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director.......................................................................................... 10
A.4 Corporate Ethics,........................................................................................................................................ 10
A.5 Corporate Code of Conduct..................................................................................................................... 10
A.6 Selection of External Auditor and rotation of Audit Engagement Partner................................. 12
A.7 Committees.................................................................................................................................................. 13
Section B - Corporate Governance Committee Charter...................................................................................... 14
B.1 CG Committee Members......................................................................................................................... 14
B.2 Purpose......................................................................................................................................................... 14
B.3 Definition and Objectives of the CG Committee................................................................................ 14
B.4 Powers and Authority of the CG Committee...................................................................................... 15
B.5 Reporting....................................................................................................................................................... 15
B.6 Application of Standing Rules................................................................................................................. 16
Section C - Audit & Risk Management Committee Charter................................................................................ 17
C.1 Committee Members................................................................................................................................. 17
C.2 Purpose......................................................................................................................................................... 17
C.3 Definition and Objectives of the Committee........................................................................................ 17
C.4 Reporting....................................................................................................................................................... 19
C.5 Risk Management Policies...................................................................................................................... 20
C.6 Attendance at Meetings........................................................................................................................... 20
C.7 Access........................................................................................................................................................... 20
C.8 Application of Standing Rules................................................................................................................. 21
Section D - Remuneration Committee Charter......................................................................................................... 22
D.1 Committee Members................................................................................................................................. 22
D.2 Purpose......................................................................................................................................................... 22
D.3 Definition and Objectives of the Remuneration Committee............................................................ 22
D.4 Remuneration Policies.............................................................................................................................. 23
D.5 Approval......................................................................................................................................................... 24
D.6 Reporting....................................................................................................................................................... 24
D.7 Meetings........................................................................................................................................................ 26
D.8 Attendance at Meetings........................................................................................................................... 26
D.9 Application of Standing Rules................................................................................................................. 26
Section E - Nominations Committee Charter............................................................................................................ 27
E.1 Committee Members................................................................................................................................. 27
E.2 Purpose......................................................................................................................................................... 27
E.3 Definition and Objectives of the Committee........................................................................................ 27
E.4 Reporting....................................................................................................................................................... 28
E.5 Attendance at Meetings........................................................................................................................... 29
E.6 Access........................................................................................................................................................... 29
E.7 Application of Standing Rules................................................................................................................. 30
Section F - Standing Rules of Committees................................................................................................................ 31
F.1 Application.................................................................................................................................................... 31
F.2 Composition................................................................................................................................................. 31
F.3 Chairperson.................................................................................................................................................. 31
F.4 Meetings........................................................................................................................................................ 31
F.5 Fees................................................................................................................................................................ 32
F.6 Review of Charter........................................................................................................................................ 32
F.7 Duties and Responsibilities..................................................................................................................... 32
Section G - Corporate Ethics Policy............................................................................................................................... 33
G.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 33
G.2 Directors' Duties.......................................................................................................................................... 33
G.3 Dealing in Company securities............................................................................................................... 35
G.4 Confidentiality.............................................................................................................................................. 35
Section H - Diversity Policy................................................................................................................................................ 36
H.1 General Purpose and Principle............................................................................................................... 36
H.2 Measurable Objectives, Targets and Key Performance Indicators - Gender Diversity......... 37
H.3 Compliance Requirements....................................................................................................................... 37
H.4 Communication........................................................................................................................................... 37
H.5 Accountability.............................................................................................................................................. 37
H.6 Addenda to this Policy.............................................................................................................................. 37
H.7 Overriding Caveat........................................................................................................................................ 37
Section I - Nominee Director Policy............................................................................................................................... 39
I.1 General Purpose......................................................................................................................................... 39
I.2 Compliance with this Policy.................................................................................................................... 39
I.3 Principles for Nominees............................................................................................................................ 40
I.4 Provision of information to Nominating Shareholder by Nominee................................................ 41
I.5 Nominating Shareholder principles - Confidential Information...................................................... 41
I.6 Nominating Shareholder principles - Announcements and disclosure....................................... 41
I.7 Nominating Shareholder principles - Inside Information.................................................................. 42
I.8 Restrictions on Nominees........................................................................................................................ 42
I.9 Qualifications............................................................................................................................................... 42
I.10 Interpretation................................................................................................................................................ 43
Definitions
AIM |
means the market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange. |
AIM Rules |
means the rules for companies admitted to AIM published by the London Stock Exchange. |
Articles |
means the Articles of Association of the Company. |
Audit & Risk Management Committee or A&R Committee |
means that Committee charged with determining, implementing and assessing controls for financial management and financial reporting generally for the Company. |
Board |
means the board of directors of the Company. |
CA 2006 |
means the UK Companies Act 2006 as amended from time to time. |
Charter |
means the charter of any Committee set out in this Corporate Governance Charter. |
Committee |
means each committee created by the Board including without limitation, the Audit & Risk Management Committee, the Remuneration Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee and the Nominations Committee. |
Company or SolGold |
means SolGold plc a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 05449516 and registered in Australia as a foreign company with Australian Registered Business Number 65 117 169 856. |
Company Dealing Code |
means the Company Code Regarding Dealings in Company Securities (Adopted by Board Resolution passed on 30 June 2016), as may be amended from time to time. |
Connected Person |
has the meaning given to that term in the CA 2006. |
Corporate Code of Conduct |
means the code of conduct set out in Section A.5. |
Corporate Ethics Policy |
means the policy set out in Section G setting out directors' duties and various other obligations given their position with the Company. |
Corporate Governance Committee or CG Committee |
means the Committee charged with reviewing compliance by the Board with amongst other matters, the provisions of this document. |
Corporate Governance Charter |
means the policies, procedures and charters set out in this document. |
Corporations Act |
means the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) as amended from time to time. |
Director |
means a director of the Company. |
Diversity |
includes, but is not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity and cultural background. |
Diversity Policy |
means the policy developed from time to time by the Board establishing measurable objectives for achieving Diversity. |
Exchange |
means an internationally recognised securities exchange (eg. ASX, TSX, LSE) other than AIM. |
Exchange Rules |
means the official rules of an Exchange. |
Independent |
means a Director who has a sufficient level of independence to the Company, determined in accordance with Section A.1(c) of this document. |
London Stock Exchange |
means the London Stock Exchange plc. |
Management |
means those employees of the Company that are responsible for the Company's day-to-day management. |
Nominations Committee |
means the Committee for assisting the Board in relation to the appointment of members to the Board and of senior Management and in assessing the performance of such individuals. |
Remuneration Committee |
means the Committee charged with and reviewing remuneration levels for directors and senior Management. |
Standing Rules |
means the general and procedural rules of each Committee set out in Section F of this Corporate Governance Policy. |
UK Corporate Governance Code |
means the UK Corporate Governance Code published in April 2016 and the best practice guidance issued by the Financial Reporting Council (as may be amended from time to time). |
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This document sets out the main principles adopted by the Board in order to implement and maintain a culture of good corporate governance both internally and in its dealings with outsiders.
The Board is committed to administering the policies and procedures with openness and integrity, and pursuing the true spirit of corporate governance commensurate with the Company's needs.
The Directors of the Company are required to operate to high ethical standards and in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and codes as may be applicable to the Company from time to time.
The matters set out in this document are subject to:
- the CA 2006;
- the Corporations Act (as may be relevant to the Company having regard to its registration as a foreign company in Australia pursuant to Part 5B.2 of the Corporations Act);
- the Articles;
- where the Company is admitted to trading on AIM, the AIM Rules; and
- where the Company is listed or otherwise admitted to trading on an Exchange, the relevant Exchange Rules of that Exchange (or Exchanges, as the case may be).
The purpose of preparing and disclosing the matters set out in this document is to:
In preparing and implementing these strategies, the Company and the Board are mindful of the UK Corporate Governance Code and such other codes or guidelines to which the Company may have regard from time to time.
Generally, the powers and obligations of the Board are governed by the CA 2006 and the general law.
Without limiting those matters, the Board expressly considers itself responsible for the following:
The structure of the Board is determined in accordance with the following principles:
(A) a majority of the Board being Independent Directors;
(B) the appointment of a Chairperson who is an Independent Director;
(C) a Chairperson who is not the Chief Executive Officer; and
(D) a Board comprising of members with diverse backgrounds.
In assessing the Independence of directors, the Company has regard to the UK Corporate Governance Code and regards an Independent Director as a non‑executive Director (that is, not a member of Management) who:
The Chairperson is responsible for leadership of the Board, for efficient organisation and conduct of the Board's function and the briefing of all Directors in relation to issues arising at Board meetings. The Chairperson is also responsible for shareholder communication and arranging Board performance evaluation.
The Chief Executive Officer and/or Managing Director (if any) are responsible for running the affairs of the Company under delegated authority from the Board and to implement the policies and strategies set by the Board. In carrying out their responsibilities, they must report to the Board in a timely manner and ensure all reports to the Board present a true and fair view of the Company's financial position and operating results.
The Chief Executive Officer and/or Managing Director (if any) (together with the Chief Financial Officer, if there is one) shall be required to state in writing to the Board that the financial reports of the Company represent a true and fair view in all material respects, of the Company's financial conditions and operating results and are in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
The Company has adopted a separate Corporate Ethics Policy (refer Section G) which has been agreed to by each member of the Board, setting out, in addition to these principles, the obligations of integrity and honesty on each member of the Board and their obligations with respect to, amongst other matters, conflicts of interest and dealing in securities in the Company.
The Company also adheres to the following statement of principles and responsibilities with respect to both its internal dealings with employees and consultants, and external dealings with shareholders and the community at large (such principles and responsibilities constitute the Company's Corporate Code of Conduct).
The Corporate Code of Conduct sets out the standard which the Board, Management and employees of the Company are encouraged to comply with when dealing with each other, shareholders, and the broader community.
The Board and Management approve and endorse this Corporate Code of Conduct.
The Board and Management encourage all staff to consider the principles of the Corporate Code of Conduct and use them as a guide to determine how to respond when acting on behalf of the Company.
The Company aims:
The Company is to comply with all legislative and common law requirements which affect its business. Any transgression from the applicable legal rules is to be reported to Management as soon as a person becomes aware of such a transgression.
The Company will employ the best available staff, both male and female, from a diverse background, with skills required to carry out their roles.
The Company will ensure that Diversity objectives are adopted at all levels of the Company.
The Company will ensure a safe work place and maintain proper occupational health and safety practices commensurate with the nature of the Company's business and activities.
The Company will recognise, consider and respect legal requirements impacting upon its operations and comply with all applicable legal requirements.
The Company will act with honesty, integrity and fairness in all dealings with the community.
The Company recognises and respects the rights of individuals and to the best of its ability will comply with the applicable legal rules regarding privacy, privileges, private and confidential information.
The Company will maintain the confidentiality of the information of its shareholders, customers and suppliers, unless required to be disclosed by law or disclosure is otherwise authorised.
The Company will deal with others in a way that is fair and will not engage in deceptive practices.
The Board, Management and employees must not involve themselves in situations where there is an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest (either direct or indirect) between them as individuals and the interest of the Company (excluding those matters which may be subject to legal professional privilege).
Where an actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest arises, the matter should be:
Any breach of compliance with this Corporate Code of Conduct is to be reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director or Chairperson, as appropriate.
The Company will monitor compliance with the Corporate Code of Conduct periodically by liaising with the Board, Management and staff especially in relation to any areas of difficulty which arise from the Corporate Code of Conduct and any other ideas or suggestions for improvement of the Corporate Code of Conduct. Suggestions for improvements or amendments to the Corporate Code of Conduct are welcomed by the Company and can be made at any time.
The Company shall ensure that the above principles are implemented and adopted by employees and contractors of the Company, by importing the following principles into the terms of such engagements:
The Board is responsible for the initial appointment of the external auditor and in conjunction with the Audit & Risk Management Committee, the appointment of a new external auditor when any vacancy arises.
Mandatory criteria
Candidates for the position of external auditor of the Company must be able to demonstrate complete independence from the Company and an ability to maintain independence through the engagement period. Further the successful candidate must have arrangements in place for the rotation of the audit engagement partner on a regular basis.
Other criteria
Other than the mandatory criteria noted above, the Board (in conjunction with the Audit & Risk Management Committee) may select an external auditor based on criteria relevant to the business of the Company such as experience in the industry in which the Company operates, references, cost and any other matters deemed relevant by the Board and the Audit & Risk Management Committee.
The Audit & Risk Management Committee will review the performance of the external auditor on an annual basis in accordance with the A&R Charter.
As set out in Section A.1(b), one of the functions of the Board is to form and monitor any special purpose Committees established to review certain aspects of the operations of the Company, having regard to these principles.
As noted in Section A, the Company has not formally established a Corporate Governance Committee (CG Committee) as the Directors consider that the Company is not of a size nor are its affairs of such complexity as to justify the formation of the CG Committee. Rather, the Board as a whole is able to address these issues and is guided by the Corporate Governance Committee Charter (the CGC Charter) set out below. The Board will review this position annually and determine whether a CG Committee needs to be established.
The Standing Rules for Committees apply to, and are deemed to be incorporated into this CGC Charter, save where the Standing Rules conflict with any of the terms of this CGC Charter.
The Board has established an Audit & Risk Management Committee (A&R Committee).
The A&R Committee, where practical or otherwise required, is to consist of the following:
Each member of the A&R Committee is to be financially literate and at least one member of the Committee is to have recent and relevant accounting or related financial management experience.
As at the date of this Audit & Risk Management Committee Charter (A&R Charter), the members of the A&R Committee are:
The Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and representatives of the auditors are normally expected to attend meetings of the A&R Committee upon invitation.
Audit Related
Risk Related
The A&R Committee will ensure that the necessary controls are in place for risk management policies to be maintained by:
The Standing Rules for Committees apply to, and are deemed to be incorporated into this A&R Charter, save where the Standing Rules conflict with any of the terms in this A&R Charter.
The Company has established a remuneration committee (Remuneration Committee).
As at the date of this Remuneration Committee Charter (the Remuneration Charter), the members of the Remuneration Committee are:
(A) the pension, superannuation rights and compensation payments and any amendments to such policy proposed from time to time by Management;
(B) the on-going appropriateness and relevance of the executive remuneration policy and other executive benefit programs;
(C) consideration of whether to seek shareholder approval for any aspect of the executive remuneration or executive remuneration policy;
(D) the implementation of the executive remuneration policy;
(E) the total proposed payments from each executive incentive plan; and
(F) the preparation of a report so as to enable the Board to report annually to shareholders on matters relating to executive remuneration as is required by law;
(A) the entire specific remuneration for each individual (including fixed pay, incentive payments, equity awards, retirement rights, service contracts) having regard to the executive remuneration policy; and
(B) consideration of whether to seek shareholder approval for any aspect of each specific remuneration package or the remuneration policy generally;
(A) to review and approve the design of all equity based plans;
(B) to keep all plans under review in light of legislative, regulatory and market developments;
(C) to determine each year whether awards will be made under each equity based plan;
(D) to ensure that the equity based executive remuneration is made in accordance with the thresholds set in plans approved by shareholders;
(E) to review total proposed awards under each plan;
(F) in addition to considering awards to Executive Directors and direct reports to the Managing Director and/or Chief Executive Officer, review and approve proposed awards under each plan on an individual basis for executives as required under the rules governing each plan or as determined by the Remuneration Committee; and
(G) to review, approve and keep under review performance hurdles for each equity based plan;
(A) executive remuneration and incentive plans;
(B) remuneration packages for senior Management, Directors and the Managing Director and/or Chief Executive Officer (if any);
(C) remuneration by gender (either independently, or in conjunction with the Nominations Committee);
(D) the Company's recruitment and retention and termination policies and procedures for senior Management;
(E) incentive plans and share allocation schemes;
(F) superannuation arrangements;
(G) remuneration of members of other Committees of the Board (if applicable);
Other Directors (executive and non-executive) have a right of attendance at meetings of the Remuneration Committee.
However, no Director is entitled to attend that part of a meeting at which the remuneration of that Director or a related party of that Director is being discussed.
The Standing Rules for Committees apply to, and are deemed to be incorporated into this Remuneration Charter, save where the Standing Rules conflict with any of the terms in this Remuneration Charter.
As noted above, the Company has not formally established a nominations committee (Nominations Committee) as the Directors consider that the Company is not of a size nor are its affairs of such complexity as to justify the formation of a Nominations Committee. Rather, the Board as a whole is able to address these issues and is guided by the Nomination Committee Charter (Nominations Charter) set out below. The Company will review this position annually and determine whether a Nominations Committee needs to be established.
(A) recommendations for the appointment or removal of a Board member or member of senior Management;
(B) recommendations for the re-election of a Board member; and
(C) assessments of the performance of any Board member or member of senior Management; and
The Standing Rules for Committees apply to, and are deemed to be incorporated into this Nominations Charter, save where the Standing Rules conflict with any of the terms in this Nominations Charter.
These Standing Rules apply to, and are deemed to be incorporated into the Charter of each Committee, except where the terms of these Standing Rules conflict with those of the relevant Charter (in which case, the relevant provision of the relevant Charter will apply).
Committee members are entitled to receive remuneration as may be determined from time to time by the Remuneration Committee.
Directors of the Company are subject to certain legal requirements regulating their conduct both in terms of their internal conduct as Directors and in their external dealings with third parties both on their own behalf and on behalf of the Company.
To assist directors in discharging their duty to the Company and in compliance with relevant laws to which they are subject, the Company has adopted the following Corporate Ethics Policy (Policy).
Each Director of the Company is required to comply strictly with their legal, statutory and equitable duties as an officer of the Company. These duties include, amongst other matters, the following:
Directors should avoid conflicts of interest where possible. It is important that any actual, perceived or potential conflict of interest is promptly identified and disclosed so that the Board may acknowledge the conflict and deal with it in the most appropriate manner.
Where a conflict of interest arises, a Director should have regard to the Articles, in particular, the procedure for reporting and the management of conflicts outlined in Article 24.
(A) strategically and operationally, by:
(B) through Management, by:
(A) measurable objectives concerning the strategies, initiatives and programs referred to in paragraph H.1(b)(2);
(B) targets or KPIs to verify progress towards attainment of those measurable objectives;
(A) gain advantage for itself or any other person; or
(B) cause detriment to the Company or the Company Group; and
(A) information that is or becomes public knowledge (other than as a result of breach of this Policy);
(B) information that was made available to the Nominee by a person other than a member of the Company Group, provided such person is not known by the Nominee, after having made reasonable investigations, to be bound by any obligation of confidence in respect of that information;
(C) information already known to the Nominee or its Nominating Shareholder other than as a result of a breach by any person of an obligation of confidence;
(D) provided that the Nominating Shareholder has first complied with clause I.6(a), information which a Nominating Shareholder is required to disclose and does disclose under any applicable law, AIM Rule or the Exchange Rules of any Exchange on which the Nominating Shareholder's securities or Affiliate's securities are from time to time quoted, listed or otherwise admitted to trading; or
(E) information, the disclosure of which by, or to, a Nominating Shareholder has been approved by the Chairperson of the Company;
(A) clause I.4 or clause I.5, where the failure has a material adverse impact on the Company Group or any employee, officer, agent or contractor of the Company Group; or
(B) clause I.7 in any respect, except for an inadvertent breach which has no material adverse impact on the Company Group or any employee, officer, agent or contractor of the Company Group;
Schedule "C"
Summary of Principle Changes to the Company's Articles of Association
The following is a summary only of the principal proposed changes to the Articles of Association. It is not an exhaustive list of all the proposed changes, a number of which involve minor updating and small clarificatory changes. Electronic copies of a marked up version of the current Articles of Association, showing all proposed changes is available on request by email to the Company Secretary (kschlobohm@solgold.com.au).
1. References to the Combined Code (on corporate governance, now superseded by the UK Corporate Governance Code) have been deleted on the basis that the Company is not subject to the corporate governance requirements contained in the UK Corporate Governance Code.
2. Article 4.1 (regarding variation of class rights) is amended to clarify that any shares held by the Company in treasury shall not be included when determining whether thresholds applicable to the passing of resolutions or consents of the holders of shares of different classes have been met. Similar amendments are proposed at Article 16.2.1.2 to clarify that treasury shares are not counted towards calculating whether a relevant holding of shares exceeds 0.25 per cent of the issued shares of that class.
3. Article 6.2 (regarding the holding of shares in uncertificated form) is supplemented to clarify that a class of shares shall not be treated as two classes simply because some shares of that class are held in certificated form and others in uncertificated form.
4. A new Article 10.4 is added to provide that the Board shall not refuse to register any transfer or renunciation of partly paid shares which are admitted to the Official List on the grounds that they are partly paid shares in circumstances where such refusal would prevent dealings in such shares from taking place on an open and proper basis.
5. Article 12.4 is amended to clarify that all general meetings shall be called by at least such minimum notice period as is required or permitted by the Companies Act 2006. General meetings of traded companies must be held on not less than 21 clear days' notice. General meetings other than annual general meetings can be held on 14 clear days' notice where shareholders have approved this reduction by special resolution.
6. Article 12.9 is supplemented to clarify that approval of the director's remuneration report and the director's remuneration policy shall not be considered special business for the purposes of the Company's annual general meetings.
7. The interpretation of an 'arm's length sale' under Article 16.4 is extended to include a sale via any other stock exchange outside the United Kingdom on which the Company's shares are normally traded.
8. Article 18.3.4 concerning automatic vacation of a director's office on grounds of mental health is updated to reflect the position taken with regard to physical and mental health in the Model Articles of Association for Public Companies, as amended in respect of the Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013.
9. New Article 18.15 is added to clarify that if the office of a director is vacated for any reason, he automatically ceases to be a member of any committee or sub-committee of the Board.
10. Article 20.3 (repayment of directors' expenses) is extended to enable the Company to provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him for the purposes of the Company or for the purpose of enabling him to perform his duties as an officer of the Company or to enable him to avoid incurring any such expenditure.
11. Article 21.11 is amended to clarify that the power of the directors under this Article to make provisions for the benefit of employees in connection with cessation or transfer of business shall not extend to benefits for directors, former directors or shadow directors.
12. Article 23.12 (passing of board resolutions in writing in lieu of a meeting) is amended to allow written board resolutions to be passed by means of electronic communications.
13. Article 30.1.2.2 is added to clarify that in respect of a capitalisation of profits of the Company, the Company will also be entitled to participate in the relevant distribution in relation to any shares of the relevant class held by it as treasury shares.
14. References to the AIM Rules for Companies are replaced with references to the UK Listing Rules, to reflect the Company's current status as a company admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities (standard listing).
15. References to the Financial Services Authority are replaced with references to the Financial Conduct Authority.