FORM 6-K |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 |
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Month of May 2008 Commission file number 001-31819 |
GOLD RESERVE INC.
Address of Principal Executive Offices: ...................926 West Sprague Avenue Suite 200 Spokane, Washington 99201 |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F __ Form 40-F X.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934: Yes __ No X . If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3- 2(b): Filed with this Form 6-K are the following, which are incorporated herein by reference: |
99.1 | Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular |
99.2 | Form of Proxy |
99.3 | Annual Report |
Certain statements included herein, including those that express management's expectations or estimates of our future performance or concerning the Brisas Project or the Choco 5 exploration project, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. We caution that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other risks that may cause the actual financial results, performance, or achievements of Gold Reserve Inc. to be materially different from our estimated future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-
looking statements. Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, concentration of operations and assets in Venezuela; corruption and uncertain legal enforcement; requests for improper payments; regulatory, political and economic risks associated with Venezuelan operations (including changes in previously established legal regimes, rules or processes); the ability to obtain or maintain the necessary permits or additional funding for the development of the Brisas Project; in the event any key findings or assumptions previously determined by us or our experts in conjunction with our 2005 bankable feasibility study (as updated or modified from time to time) significantly differ or change as a result of actual results in our expected construction and production at the Brisas Project (including capital and operating cost estimates); risk that actual mineral reserves may vary considerably from estimates presently made; impact of currency, metal prices and metal production volatility; fluctuations in energy prices; changes in proposed development plans (including technology used); our dependence upon the abilities and continued participation of certain key employees; and risks normally incident to the operation and development of mining properties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SIGNATURES |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By: | s/ Robert A. McGuinness | |
Vice President Finance & CFO | ||
May 13, 2008 |
Exhibit Index |
The following are filed as exhibits to this Form 6-K: |
Exhibit | ||
Number | Description | |
99.1 | Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular | |
99.2 | Form of Proxy | |
99.3 | Annual Report |
Exhibit 99.1 Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular
GOLD RESERVE INC. |
926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200, Spokane, WA 99201 |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual and Special Meeting (the Meeting) of the holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares (collectively, the Shareholders) of GOLD RESERVE INC. (the Company) will be held at the Spokane Club, located at 1002 W. Riverside, Spokane, Washington USA, on Tuesday, the 10th day of June, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time) for the following purposes:
1) | To elect directors of the Company to hold such positions until the next annual meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected and have qualified; |
2) | To appoint auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors of the Company to fix their remuneration; |
3) | To approve the issuance of 100,000 Class A common shares of the Company for purchase by the KSOP Plan; |
4) | To consider and, if deemed advisable approve, with or without variation, a resolution approving the adoption of the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan (the Venezuelan Plan); |
5) | To receive the financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2007, together with the report of the auditors thereon; and |
6) | To conduct any other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
Shareholders who are unable to attend the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in person and who wish to ensure that their shares will be voted are requested to complete, sign and mail the enclosed form of proxy to Proxy Services, C/O Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 43102, Providence, RI 02940-5068 not later than the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A form of proxy, management information circular and a copy of the Companys Annual Report accompany this notice. The specific details of the matters proposed to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the accompanying Information Circular.
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on May 2, 2008 as the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
DATED this 23rd day of April, 2008 BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORS |
Rockne J. Timm Chief Executive Officer |
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GOLD RESERVE INC. |
INFORMATION CIRCULAR |
(Containing information as of April 23, 2008) |
MANAGEMENT SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
This Management Information and Proxy Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the management of GOLD RESERVE INC. (the Company) to be voted at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the Meeting) to be held on Tuesday, the 10th day of June, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time), at the Spokane Club located at 1002 W. Riverside, Spokane, Washington and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders. The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail but proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by employees of the Company. Employees will not receive any extra compensation for such activities. The Company may pay brokers, nominees or other persons holding shares of the Company in their name for others for their reasonable charges and expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy materials to beneficial owners of such shares, and obtaining their proxies. The Company may also retain independent proxy solicitation agents to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. The cost of all solicitations of proxies will be borne by the Company. Except where otherwise stated, the information contained herein is given as of the 23rd day of April, 2008.
Unless otherwise indicated, all currency amounts referred to herein are stated in U.S. dollars.
APPOINTMENT AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
The individuals named in the enclosed form of proxy are directors or officers of the Company. A Shareholder submitting a proxy has the right to appoint a person or company, who need not be a Shareholder, to represent the Shareholder at the Meeting other than the persons designated in the form of proxy furnished by the Company. To exercise this right, the Shareholder may insert the name of the desired representative in the blank space provided in the proxy or may submit another appropriate form of proxy.
The completed proxy must be deposited at the office of Proxy Services, C/O Computershare Trust Company N.A., P.O. Box 43102, Providence, RI 02940-5068, not later than the close of business on the business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or with the Chairman of the Meeting immediately prior to the commencement of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, otherwise the instrument of proxy will be invalid.
You may revoke or change your proxy at any time before it is exercised at the Meeting. In the case of Shareholders appearing on the registered shareholder records of the Company, a proxy
may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by sending or depositing a written notice of revocation or another signed proxy bearing a later date to the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive office located at 926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200, Spokane, Washington 99201. You may also revoke your proxy by giving notice or by voting in person at the Meeting.
Shareholders appearing in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should follow the instructions provided by their bank, broker or nominee in revoking their previously voted shares.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXIES
The shares represented by the proxy will be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder on any ballot that may be called for and, if the Shareholder specifies a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted accordingly. In the absence of such choice being specified, such shares will be voted for the matters specifically identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this management information circular (the Information Circular).
The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and with respect to other matters which may properly be brought before the Meeting. At the time of printing this Information Circular, the management of the Company knows of no such amendments, variations or other matters to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders.
In February 1999, the Gold Reserve Corporation became a subsidiary of the Company, the successor issuer. For the purposes of disclosure in this Information Circular, references to the Company prior to February 4, 1999 are references to Gold Reserve Corporation.
VOTING RIGHTS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The Companys issued and outstanding shares consist of Class A common shares (each, a Class A Share) and Class B common shares (each, a Class B Share). Unless otherwise noted, references to Common Shares in this Information Circular include both Class A Shares and Class B Shares. Holders of Common Shares (collectively, the Shareholders) are entitled to one vote per share and will vote as a single class on all matters to be considered and voted upon at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. As of April 23, 2008, there were 55,761,192 issued and outstanding Class A Shares and 1,071,599 issued and outstanding Class B Shares for a total of 56,832,791 Common Shares eligible to vote.
The Company has set the close of business on May 2, 2008 as the record date for the Meeting. The Company will prepare a list of Shareholders of record at such time. Shareholders will be entitled to vote the shares then registered in their name at the Meeting except to the extent that (a) the holder has transferred the ownership of any of his shares after that date, and (b) the transferee of those shares produces properly endorsed share certificates, or otherwise establishes that he owns the shares, and demands, not later than 10 days before the Meeting, that the transferees name be included in the list of persons entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case the transferee will be entitled to vote his shares at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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To the knowledge of the directors and senior officers of the Company, as of April 23, 2008, the only person, firm or corporation that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the Common Shares was:
Number of | Percentage of Shares | |||
Shareholder Name | Common Shares Held (1) | Issued (2) | ||
Tradewinds Global Investors | 10,472,572 | 17.2% |
(1) | Information as to shareholdings has been provided to the Company by the Shareholder as of March 31, 2008. |
(2) | As of March 31, 2008 Tradewinds Global Investors held 6,329,866 Class A Common Shares and upon conversion of the convertible notes an additional 4,142,706 Class A Common Shares would be issued. |
A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Shareholders shall be holders of at least one-third (1/3) of the outstanding Common Shares present in person or represented by proxy. Except as otherwise stated in this Information Circular, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to approve all items presented in this Information Circular.
VOTING BY NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Only registered Shareholders or the persons they designate as their proxies are permitted to vote at the Meeting. In many cases, however, the Common Shares owned by a person (a non-registered holder) are registered either: (a) in the name of an intermediary (an Intermediary) that the non-registered holder deals with in respect of the Common Shares (Intermediaries include, among others, banks, trust companies, securities dealers or brokers and trustees or administrators of self-administered registered savings plans, registered retirement income funds, registered education savings plans and similar plans); or (b) in the name of a clearing agency (such as The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited) of which the Intermediary is a participant.
In accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 54-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company has distributed copies of this Information Circular and the accompanying notice of meeting and form of proxy (collectively, the Meeting Materials) to the clearing agencies and Intermediaries for onward distribution to non-registered holders of Common Shares.
Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to non-registered holders unless a non-registered holder has waived the right to receive them. Very often, Intermediaries will use service companies to forward the Meeting Materials to non-registered holders. Generally, non-registered holders who have not waived the right to receive the Meeting Materials will either:
(a) | be given a form of proxy which has already been signed by the Intermediary (typically by a facsimile stamped signature), which is restricted as to the number and class of securities beneficially owned by the non-registered holder but which is not otherwise completed. Because the Intermediary has already signed the form of proxy, this form of proxy is not required to be signed by the non- registered holder when submitting the proxy. In this case, the non-registered |
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holder who wishes to vote by proxy should otherwise properly complete the form of proxy and deliver it as specified above under the heading Appointment and Revocation of Proxies; or | |
(b) | be given a form of proxy which is not signed by the Intermediary and which, when properly completed and signed by the non-registered holder and returned to the Intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions (often called a Voting Instruction Form) which the Intermediary must follow. |
Typically, the non-registered holder will also be given a page of instructions which contains a removable label containing a bar code and other information. In order for the form of proxy to validly constitute a Voting Instruction Form, the non-registered holder must remove the label from the instructions and affix it to the Voting Instruction Form, properly complete and sign the Voting Instruction Form and submit it to the Intermediary or its services company in accordance with the instructions of the Intermediary or its service company. | |
In either case, the purpose of this procedure is to permit non-registered holders to direct the voting of the Common Shares they beneficially own. Should a non-registered holder who receives either form of proxy wish to vote at the Meeting in person, the non-registered holder should strike out the persons named in the form of proxy and insert the non-registered holders name in the blank space provided. Non-registered holders should carefully follow the instructions of their Intermediary, including those regarding when and where the form of proxy or Voting Instruction Form is to be delivered.
BUSINESS OF THE MEETING |
Item 1 Election of Directors |
The articles of the Company provide that the Board of Directors (the Board) shall consist of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 directors, with the actual number of directors to be determined from time to time by the Board. The Companys Board presently consists of seven members.
The Board held 4 formal meetings during 2007 at which attendance, in person or by phone, averaged 89%. Various matters were considered and approved by written resolution during the year. The Board also held several informal meetings throughout the year.
The by-laws of the Company provide that each director shall be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of the Companys Shareholders or until their qualified successors are elected. All of the current directors terms expire the date of the Meeting and it is proposed by management that each of them be re-elected to serve another term.
The following table and notes thereto states the names of each person proposed to be nominated by management for election as a director, the province or state and country in which he is ordinarily resident, his age, all offices of the Company now held by him, his principal occupation, the period of time for which he has been a director of the Company and the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by him, directly or indirectly, or over which he exercises control or direction, as at the date hereof.
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The persons named in the accompanying form of proxy intend to vote for the election of these nominees unless otherwise directed. Management does not contemplate that the nominees will be unable to serve as directors.
Number of | ||||||||
Common | ||||||||
Shares | ||||||||
Proposed Nominee and | Director | Beneficially | ||||||
Position in the Company | Age | Principal Occupation | Since | Owned as of | ||||
April 23, | ||||||||
2008(1) | ||||||||
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Rockne J. Timm (2) (3) (6) | 62 | Chief Executive Officer of the | March 1984 | 1,621,251 | ||||
Washington, USA | Company. Mr. Timm is also a | |||||||
Chief Executive Officer | Director and President of both MGC | |||||||
and Director | Ventures, Inc. and Great Basin | |||||||
Energies, Inc. | ||||||||
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A. Douglas Belanger (2) | 54 | President of the Company. Mr. | August 1988 | 1,943,636 | ||||
(3) (6) | Belanger is also a Director and | |||||||
Washington, USA | Executive Vice President of both | |||||||
President and Director | Great Basin Energies, Inc. and MGC | |||||||
Ventures, Inc. | ||||||||
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James P. Geyer | 56 | Senior Vice President of the | June 1997 | 445,823 | ||||
Washington, USA | Company. Mr. Geyer is also a | |||||||
Senior Vice-President | Director of Thompson Creek Metals | |||||||
and Director | Company Inc. | |||||||
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James H. Coleman, Q.C. | 57 | Senior Partner of the law firm of | February | 352,050 | ||||
(2) (3) (6) | Macleod Dixon LLP of Calgary, | 1994 | ||||||
Alberta, Canada | Alberta. He is also a Director of | |||||||
Non-Executive | various public companies including | |||||||
Chairman and Director | Great Basin Energies, Inc. and MGC | |||||||
Ventures, Inc. | ||||||||
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Patrick D. McChesney (2) | 58 | Controller of Foothills Auto Group. | August 1988 | 161,157 | ||||
(3)(5) | He is also a Director of Great Basin | |||||||
Washington, USA | Energies, Inc. and MGC Ventures, | |||||||
Director | Inc. | |||||||
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Chris D. Mikkelsen (2) (3) | 56 | Principal in McDirmid, Mikkelsen & | June 1997 | 374,041 | ||||
(4) (5) | Secrest, P.S. (a certified public | |||||||
Washington, USA | accounting firm). Mr. Mikkelsen is | |||||||
Director | also a Director of Great Basin | |||||||
Energies, Inc. and MGC Ventures, | ||||||||
Inc. | ||||||||
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Jean Charles Potvin (4) (5) | 54 | Director, Chairman and Chief | November | 220,604 | ||||
Ontario, Canada | Executive Officer of Tiomin | 1993 | ||||||
Director | Resources Inc. | |||||||
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(1) Includes Common Shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable as of April 23, 2008 or exercisable within 60 days of April 23, 2008 as follows: Mr. Timm, 532,500; Mr. Belanger, 492,500; Mr. Geyer, 204,168; Mr. Coleman, 205,000; Mr. McChesney, 130,000; Mr. Mikkelsen, 130,000; and Mr. Potvin, 130,000. These numbers also include unvested, restricted shares held by each of the directors that carry full voting rights as follows: Mr. Timm 102,500 shares, Mr. Belanger 92,500 shares, Mr. Geyer 61,875 shares, Mr. Coleman 12,000 shares, Mr.McChesney 12,000 shares, Mr. Mikkelsen 12,000 shares, and Mr. Potvin 12,000 shares.
(2) Messrs. Timm, Belanger, Coleman, McChesney, and Mikkelsen are directors of Great Basin Energies, Inc., which owns 491,192 Common Shares, or 0.9% of the outstanding Common Shares. The foregoing individuals beneficially own 10.3%, 7.3%, 2.9%, 2.3%, and 1.8%, respectively, of the outstanding common shares of Great Basin Energies, Inc. and may be deemed indirectly to have an interest in the Company through their respective
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management positions and/or ownership interests in Great Basin Energies, Inc. Each of the foregoing individuals disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Common Shares owned by Great Basin Energies, Inc. | |
(3) | Messrs. Timm, Belanger, Coleman, McChesney, and Mr. Mikkelsen are directors of MGC Ventures, Inc., which owns 258,083 Common Shares, or 0.5% of the outstanding Common Shares. The foregoing individuals beneficially own 11.5%, 11.7%, 4.8%, 3.8%, and 2.9%, respectively, of the outstanding common shares of MGC |
Ventures, Inc. and may be deemed indirectly to have an interest in the Company through their respective management positions and/or ownership interests in MGC Ventures, Inc. Each of the foregoing individuals disclaims any beneficial ownership of the Common Shares owned by MGC Ventures, Inc. | |
(4) | Member of the Compensation Committee. |
(5) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(6) | Member of the Executive Committee. |
Each of the foregoing nominees has held his present principal occupation with his current employer or other positions with the same firm throughout the last five years, with the exception of Mr. McChesney, who in addition to assuming his current position with Foothills Auto Group, was controller for Remtech, Inc. in 2004 and 2005, and was president of LMO Test Systems, Inc. from March 1996 until December 2005.
If you complete and return the attached form of proxy, your representative at the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, will vote your shares FOR the election of the nominees set out herein unless you specifically direct that your vote be withheld.
Item 2 Appointment of Auditors |
It is proposed that the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be re-appointed by the Shareholders as independent certified public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2008 and that the Board be authorized to fix the auditors remuneration. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were first appointed auditors of the Company in 1992.
Unless such authority is withheld, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting of the Companys Shareholders, or until their successors are duly appointed, at a remuneration to be fixed by the Board.
Item 3 Approval of the Purchase of Class A Shares by the KSOP Plan
The Companys subsidiary, Gold Reserve Corporation, maintains a retirement plan, the KSOP Plan, for eligible employees. The annual contribution to the KSOP Plan participants is formula-driven based on a percentage of compensation and is used to allocate Class A Shares purchased by the KSOP Plan. For a more detailed description of the KSOP Plan, see Executive Compensation KSOP Plan.
As of December 31, 2007, 22,246 Class A Shares remained in the KSOP Plan to be allocated to KSOP Plan participants, representing less than 0.04% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company at that time.
On March 12, 2008, the Board approved, subject to Shareholder approval, the issuance of 100,000 Class A Shares for purchase by the KSOP Plan at a price of US $4.95 (Cdn. $4.93) per
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Class A Share, which represented the closing market price on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) (converted to US $) on March 11, 2008 of the Class A Shares.
Assuming the resolution approving the purchase of Class A Shares by the KSOP Plan is approved, 122,246 Class A Shares, representing approximately 0.2% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, would be available for allocation to KSOP Plan participants.
In order for the acquisition of Class A Shares by the KSOP Plan to comply with certain requirements of the TSX, this resolution must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such resolution, other than votes attaching to Common Shares beneficially owned by insiders of the Company eligible to participate in the KSOP Plan or associates of such insiders. In the event this resolution is approved by the holders of at least a majority of the votes cast on this resolution at the Meeting, in person or by proxy by disinterested Shareholders, it will be deemed approved but will remain subject to the policy limitations of the TSX with respect to the number of Class A Shares that may be allocated to directors and executive officers.
As of April 23, 2008, based on the information available to the Company, a total of 3,116,722 Common Shares, or 5.5% of the Company, were held by insiders or their associates eligible to participate in the KSOP Plan.
Approval of this resolution in compliance with the rules of the TSX will enable the allocation of Class A Shares pursuant to the employee stock ownership component of the KSOP Plan to eligible participants in compliance with the TSXs limitations on awards to such persons pursuant to share compensation arrangements.
The following resolution in respect of the issuance of Class A Shares for the KSOP Plan will be proposed at the Meeting:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT: |
1. | The issuance of 100,000 Class A Shares for purchase by the KSOP Plan at a price of US $4.95 (Cdn. $4.93) be and is hereby approved, and |
2. | Any officer or director of the Company be and is hereby authorized for and on behalf of the Company to execute and deliver all such instruments and documents and to perform and do all such other acts and things as may be deemed advisable in such individuals discretion for the purpose of giving effect to this resolution. |
The Board has determined that the issuance to the KSOP Plan of 100,000 Class A Shares is in the best interests of the Company and recommends that the Shareholders vote in favor of the resolution authorizing such issuance.
The persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote FOR the approval of the authorization to issue 100,000 Class A Shares to the KSOP Plan unless otherwise directed.
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Item 4 Adoption of the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan
At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider, and if deemed advisable approve, with or without variation, a resolution approving the adoption of the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan (the Venezuelan Plan) for employees and consultants of the Companys subsidiaries. The Venezuelan Plan permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock.
The purpose of the Venezuelan Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and its subsidiaries and promote continuity of management by encouraging and providing its employees and consultants in Venezuela with the opportunity to acquire an equity interest in the Company and to participate in the increase in shareholder value as reflected in the growth in the price of the Companys shares and by enabling the Companys subsidiaries to attract and retain the services of employees, and consultants upon whose judgment, interest, skills, and special effort the successful conduct of its operations is largely dependent.
On April 10, 2008, the Board approved the Venezuelan Plan (subject to Shareholder and stock exchange approvals) whereby options are granted at the current fair market value of the underlying shares of the Company. The total number of shares subject to issuance under the Venezuelan Plan, whether in the form of restricted stock, options, or stock appreciation rights, or any combination thereof, shall be 10% of the Corporations outstanding shares, from time to time. The Venezuelan Plan is administered by the Board and the committee of the Board to which it may delegate authority. As at April 23, 2008, no options have been granted under the Venezuelan Plan.
Insiders of the Company and its subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the Venezuelan Plan.
As of April 23, 2008, employees and consultants who would be considered eligible to participate in the Venezuelan Plan held 1,056,947 stock options in the Companys 1997 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended in 2006. If the Venezuelan Plan is approved these options would be transferred, retaining their current status, to the Venezuelan Plan.
Options, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock granted under the Venezuelan Plan are generally granted at the fair market value of the Class A Shares. The fair market value is defined as: subject to any applicable stock exchange rules, the volume weighted average trading price, expressed in the United States Dollar equivalent of the Stock, calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of Stock on the principal market for the five trading days immediately preceding the relevant date
The principal market is the stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume and value of the Stock occurs over the last twelve-month period.
A SAR entitles the holder of the related option, upon exercise of the SAR, to surrender such option or any portion thereof to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Shares immediately preceding the date of exercise of such SAR over the option price under the related option, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such SAR has been exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the agreement evidencing the SAR may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any SAR. Payment may be made by the Company in the form of Class A common shares, cash or a combination of Class A common shares and cash. Each option grant is
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limited to a maximum duration of 10 years from the time it is granted and the vesting period is discretionary.
Restricted shares issued under the Venezuelan Plan may be subject to restrictions imposed by the Board, including restrictions on the sale, transfer, pledge or assignment of such shares. During the period of restriction, persons holding restricted shares granted pursuant to the Venezuelan Plan may exercise full voting rights and be entitled to all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such shares.
The Venezuelan Plan provides the following for termination of employment with regard to the options outstanding at the date of termination:
Retirement. Any then outstanding and vested options under the Venezuelan Plan may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the outstanding options or 12 months after the date of retirement.
For Cause. Any then outstanding options become null and void.
Involuntary Termination of Employment. Any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 30 days after the date of termination.
Voluntary Termination of Employment. Any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 90 days after the date of termination.
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, modify, amend, suspend or terminate the Venezuelan Plan without Shareholder approval in any respect. Amendments to the Venezuelan Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval to the extent required to comply with any rules and regulations of any stock exchange on which the Shares are listed.
The full text of the resolution approving the amendment is attached to this Information Circular as found below. To be effective, the approval of the Venezuelan Plan must be given by resolution of the Shareholders. In order to be effective, the resolution must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by Shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting.
The Board recommends that Shareholders vote in favor of the resolution approving the Venezuelan Plan.
Unless such authority is withheld, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the shares represented thereby in favor of approval of the Venezuelan Plan.
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The following resolution in respect of the approval of the Venezuelan Plan will be proposed at the Meeting:
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. | The Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan be approved effective April 10, 2008; and |
2. | Any officer or director of the Company be and is hereby authorized for and on behalf of the Company to execute and deliver all such instruments and documents and to perform and do all such other acts and things as may be deemed advisable in such individuals discretion for the purpose of giving effect to this resolution. |
Item 5 Consolidated Financial Statements |
A copy of the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the report of the auditors on the consolidated financial statements are included in the Annual Report and will be submitted to the Meeting. Copies of the consolidated financial statements can also be obtained on www.sedar.com .
10
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
Summary Compensation Table |
The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and to each of the next three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company who were serving in such capacities at December 31, 2007 (the Named Executive Officers).
Long Term Compensation | ||||||||||||||||
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Annual Compensation | Awards | Payouts | ||||||||||||||
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Restricted | ||||||||||||||||
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Other | Under | Or | ||||||||||||||
Annual | Options/ | Restricted | ||||||||||||||
Compensa- | SARs | Share | LTIP | All Other | ||||||||||||
Name and Principal | Salary | Bonus | tion | Granted | Units | Payouts | Compensation | |||||||||
Position | Year | $ $ | ($) | (#) (2) | ($) | ($) | ($)(3) | |||||||||
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Rockne J. Timm | 2007 | 250,000 | 395,308(1) | - | 300,000 | - | - | 44,995 | ||||||||
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Chief Executive | 2006 | 250,000 | 100,700) | - | 250,000 | - | - | 38,763 | ||||||||
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Officer | 2005 | 250,000 | 80,000 | - | - | - | - | 42,000 | ||||||||
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Robert A. McGuinness | 2007 | 140,000 | 134,579(1) | - | 62,500 | - | - | 44,995 | ||||||||
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Vice President Finance | 2006 | 140,000 | 57,500 | - | 100,000 | - | - | 34,800 | ||||||||
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and CFO | 2005 | 140,000 | 47,500 | - | - | - | - | 37,500 | ||||||||
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A. Douglas Belanger | 2007 | 225,000 | 364,108(1) | - | 275,000 | - | - | 44,995 | ||||||||
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President | 2006 | 225,000 | 96,525 | - | 250,000 | - | - | 38,763 | ||||||||
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2005 | 225,000 | 62,500 | - | - | - | - | 42,000 | |||||||||
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James P. Geyer | 2007 | 200,000 | 272,955(1) | - | 200,000 | - | - | 44,995 | ||||||||
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Senior Vice President | 2006 | 200,000 | 74,025 | - | 150,000 | - | - | 38,763 | ||||||||
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2005 | 200,000 | 55,000 | - | - | - | - | 42,000 | |||||||||
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Douglas E. Stewart | 2007 | 149,000 | 169,772(1) | - | 75,000 | - | - | 44,995 | ||||||||
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Vice President | 2006 | 139,833 | 47,500 | - | 50,000 | - | - | 33,007 | ||||||||
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Project Development | 2005 | 126,000 | 40,000 | - | 40,000 | - | - | 33,200 | ||||||||
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(1) | Consists of cash bonus and shares of stock, respectively as follows: Mr. Timm: $125,075 and 60,000 shares; Mr. McGuinness: $37,575 and 20,500 shares; Mr. Belanger: $115,075 and 55,000 shares; Mr. Geyer: $100,075 and 37,500 shares; and Mr. Stewart: $50,075 and 25,625 shares. In December 2007, the Board approved the grant of Class A common shares to the Named Executive Officers as follows: Mr. Timm 150,000 shares; Mr. McGuinness 12,500 shares; Mr. Belanger 135,000 shares; Mr. Geyer 90,000 shares; and Mr. Stewart 60,000 shares. The shares vest in equal installments starting the date of the original grant as follows: In the case of Messrs. Timm, Belanger, Geyer and Stewart, the shares vest over a two year period; one third vest immediately, one-third vest in November of 2008 and one-third vest in November of 2009. In the case of Mr. McGuinness, the shares were vested immediately. |
(2) | Options for Common Shares granted during the year. |
(3) | Consists of the dollar value of the following number of Class A Shares purchased under the Companys KSOP Plan and allocated to the account of each Named Executive Officer during 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively as follows: Mr. Timm: 9,043, 18,318, and 14,483; Mr. McGuinness: 9,043, 16,445, and 12,931; Mr. Belanger: 9,043, 18,318, and 14,483; Mr. Geyer: 9,043, 18,318, and 14,483; and Mr. Stewart: 9,043, 15,598, and 11,448. |
11
Options Granted For Class A Shares of the Company to the Named Executive Officers During the Year Ended December 31, 2007.
The following table sets forth information concerning grants of stock options to acquire Class A Shares to the Named Executive Officers pursuant to the rules and policies of the TSX and the regulations of the American Stock Exchange (the AMEX) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007:
% of Total | Market Value | |||||||||
Options | of Securities | |||||||||
Securities | Granted to | Underlying | ||||||||
Under | Employees | Exercise or | Options on | |||||||
Options | in Fiscal | Base Price | Date of Grant | |||||||
Name | Granted | year | ($/Security) | ($/Security) (1) | Expiration Date | |||||
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Rockne J. Timm | 50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
50,000 | 2.4% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
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Total | 300,000 | 14.4% | ||||||||
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Robert A. McGuinness | 10,417 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
10,417 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
10,417 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
10,417 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
10,416 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
10,416 | 0.5% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
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Total | 62,500 | 3.0% | ||||||||
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A. Douglas Belanger | 45,834 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
45,834 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
45,833 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
45,833 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
45,833 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
45,833 | 2.2% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
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Total | 275,000 | 13.2% | ||||||||
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James P. Geyer | 33,334 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
33,334 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
33,333 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
33,333 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
33,333 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
33,333 | 1.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
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Total | 200,000 | 9.6% | ||||||||
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Douglas E. Stewart | 12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
12,500 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
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Total | 75,000 | 3.6% | ||||||||
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12
(1) Based on the volume weighted average price on the Principal Market (AMEX) for the five trading days immediately preceding the grant date.
Aggregated Option Exercises During the Year Ended December 31, 2007 and Option Values as of December 31, 2007.
The following table sets forth all options exercised during 2007 and values for all options granted to the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2007.
Value of | ||||||||
Unexercised in-the- | ||||||||
Unexercised | Money | |||||||
Options/SARs at | Options/SARs at | |||||||
Securities | FY-End | FY-End | ||||||
Acquired on | (#) | ($) (2) | ||||||
Exercise | Aggregate Value | Exercisable/ | Exercisable/ | |||||
Name | (#) | Realized (1) | Unexercisable | Unexercisable | ||||
($) | ||||||||
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Rockne J. Timm | - | - | 470,000 / 125,000 | 304,785 / 113,535 | ||||
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Robert A. McGuinness | - | - | 93,084 / 85,166 | 93,157 / 63,457 | ||||
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A. Douglas Belanger | - | - | 430,000 / 125,000 | 218,071 / 63,121 | ||||
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James P. Geyer | - | - | 168,043 / 206,957 | 94,326 / 70,698 | ||||
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Douglas E. Stewart | 14,633 | 63,445 | 127,250 / 68,750 | 149,065 / 37,238 | ||||
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(1) | The Aggregate Value Realized, if applicable, was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities acquired on the date of exercise (based on the closing price on the American Stock Exchange on the date of exercise, which approximates the closing price on the TSX also on the date of exercise) less the exercise price of the options exercised. |
(2) | The Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Options at FY-End was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option at the end of the financial year and the exercise price of such options. At December 31, 2007, the closing price of the Class A Shares on the American Stock Exchange was $5.20. |
Equity Incentive Plan |
Employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive grants under the Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan), as amended in 2006. The Board or a committee of the Board is responsible for the administration of the Plan. The Plan provides for the issuance of up to a rolling 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company, through the grant of incentive stock options and nonstatutory options to purchase Class A Shares, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock. Pursuant to TSX requirement the Plan must be re-approved every three years.
As of April 23, 2008, options for the purchase of 4,257,839 Class A Shares remained outstanding and 744,119 Class A Shares remained available for grant under the Plan. Since inception, 1,707,850 shares of restricted stock have been granted from the Plan and no SARs have been granted.
Options, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock granted under the Plan are generally granted at the Fair Market Value of the Class A Shares defined as follows:
subject to any applicable Exchange rules, the volume weighted average trading price or the United States Dollar equivalent of the Stock calculated by dividing the total value by the total volume of Stock on the Exchange where the majority of the trading volume and
13
value of the Stock occurs, for the five trading days immediately preceding the relevant date;...
A SAR entitles the holder of the related option, upon exercise of the SAR, to surrender such option or any portion thereof to the extent unexercised, and to receive payment of an amount determined by multiplying (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of the Class A Shares immediately preceding the date of exercise of such SAR over the option price under the related option, by (ii) the number of shares as to which such SAR has been exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the agreement evidencing the SAR may limit in any manner the amount payable with respect to any SAR.
The maximum number of shares of Class A Shares issuable to insiders:
a) at any time, under all security based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company on the date of grant; and
b) within any one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements, cannot exceed 10% of the outstanding common shares on the date of grant.
Each option grant is limited to a maximum duration of 10 years from the time it is granted, except that an incentive stock option granted to a ten percent Shareholder shall have a maximum duration of five years from the time it is granted and the vesting period is discretionary.
All Options shall be exercisable, during the Optionees lifetime, only by the Optionee or by the guardian or legal representative of the Optionee or its alternative payee pursuant to such qualified domestic relations order, it being understood that the terms holder and optionee include the guardian and legal representative of the Optionee named in the Option Agreement and any person to whom an Option is transferred by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order or a gift permitted by the Plan. Notwithstanding the above, incentive stock options shall only be transferable by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
The Plan provides the following for termination of employment with regard to the options outstanding at the date of termination:
Retirement. Any then outstanding options under the Plan may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the outstanding options or 12 months after the date of retirement.
For Cause. Any then outstanding options become null and void.
Involuntary Termination of Employment. Any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 30 days after the date of termination.
Voluntary Termination of Employment. Any then outstanding options that are vested at the time of termination may be exercised at any time prior to the earlier of the expiration date of the vested outstanding options or 90 days after the date of termination.
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, modify, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in any respect. Amendments to the Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval to the extent
14
required to comply with any exemption to the short swing-profit provisions of Section 16 (b) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with the exclusion for performance-based compensation under Code Section 162 (m), or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on which the Shares are listed.
Equity Compensation Plan Information |
The following table sets forth the information regarding the Equity Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2007:
Number of securities | ||||||
Number of securities to | Weighted-average | remaining available for | ||||
be issued upon exercise | exercise price of | future issuance under | ||||
of outstanding options, | outstanding options, | equity compensation | ||||
Plan Category | warrants and rights | warrants and rights | plans | |||
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Equity compensation | ||||||
plans approved by | ||||||
securityholders | 4,445,139 | $4.14 | 1,169,464 | |||
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Equity compensation | ||||||
plans not approved by | ||||||
securityholders | - | - | - | |||
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Total | 4,445,139 | $4.14 | 1,169,464 | |||
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KSOP Plan |
The Companys subsidiary, Gold Reserve Corporation, maintains a retirement plan, the KSOP Plan for the benefit of eligible employees. The KSOP Plan consists of two components a salary reduction component (401(k)) and stock ownership component (ESOP). Eligible employees are those who have been employed for a period in excess of one year and who have worked at least 1,000 hours during the year in which any allocation is to be made.
Employee contributions to the 401(k) component of the KSOP Plan are limited in each year to the total amount of salary reduction the employee elects to defer during the year, which is limited in 2008 to $15,500 ($20,500 limit for participants who are 50 or more years of age, or who turn 50 during 2008).
Employer contributions, stated as a percentage of eligible compensation, are determined each year by the Board of Directors and allocations are made in the form of Class A Shares or by cash. The number of Class A Shares released for allocation is determined by multiplying the total eligible compensation by the contribution percentage approved by the Board of Directors and dividing that number by the average price of the Class A Shares remaining in the KSOP Plan for distribution. For KSOP Plan year 2008 the Company has adopted a Safe Harbor contribution of 3% of eligible compensation. As of December 31, 2007, 22,246 Class A Shares remained in the KSOP Plan to be allocated to KSOP Plan participants, representing less than 0.01% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company at that time.
Total employer and employee annual contributions to an employee participating in both the 401(k) and ESOP components of the KSOP Plan are limited (in 2008) to a maximum of $46,000
15
($51,000 limit for participants who are 50 or more years of age or who turn 50 during 2008). The annual dollar limit is an aggregate limit which applies to all contributions made under this plan or any other cash or deferral arrangements.
Distributions from the KSOP Plan are not permitted before the participating employee reaches the age of 59, except in the case of death, disability, termination of employment by the Company or financial hardship. The employee stock ownership component of the KSOP Plan is qualified under Sections 421 and 423 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Allocated contributions to eligible KSOP Plan participants for plan years 2007, 2006, and 2005 were $386,930 (77,765 Class A Shares), $272,412 (128,731 Class A Shares), and $280,074 (96,578 Class A Shares), respectively. The aggregate number of Class A Shares for the three-year period is 303,074, which represents 0.5% of the current issued and outstanding Common Shares.
Retention Units |
On October 19, 2006 the Board authorized the director and employee retention plan (the Retention Plan). Under the Retention Plan, the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board may grant retention units (the Units) to directors and certain key employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. Under this arrangement, a participant would (subject to vesting requirements, the occurrence of certain major corporate milestones, including successfully financing the Brisas project and placing the project into production, or a change of control) receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of one Class A Common Share per Unit. Any Units unvested at the time of termination of employment or service with the Company or its subsidiaries shall be forfeited and no payment will be made with respect to such Units.
An aggregate of 612,500 Units were granted in 2007 to Named Executive Officers and Directors as follows: Rockne J. Timm 100,000, A. Douglas Belanger 100,000, James P. Geyer 75,000, Robert A. McGuinness 37,500 and Douglas E. Stewart 100,000. Messrs. Coleman, McChesney, Mikkelsen, and Potvin were each granted 50,000 Units.
The cumulative Units granted to Named Executive Officers and Directors are as follows: Rockne J. Timm 350,000, A. Douglas Belanger 350,000, James P. Geyer 225,000, Robert A. McGuinness 137,500 and Douglas E. Stewart 150,000. Messrs. Coleman, McChesney, Mikkelsen, and Potvin each hold 100,000 Units.
16
Report on Re-pricing of Options in Last Ten Completed Fiscal Years (2000 and 2001)
During the last ten years the Shareholders approved two re-pricings of certain options held by the Named Executive Officers. The first re-pricing, dated April 3, 2000 and approved on June 2, 2000, was re-priced at a 25% premium to the market price of the Companys shares. The second re-pricing, dated December 20, 2000 and approved June 8, 2001, was re-priced at a 50% premium to the market price of the Companys shares and fifty-percent of all vested options, or immediately exercisable options, were unvested for the following twelve-month period. All repriced options have five-year lives from the date of approval by Shareholders. The following table details the re-pricing information for options held by Named Executive Officers for the last ten years:
10-YEAR TABLE OF OPTIONS AND SAR RE-PRICINGS | ||||||||||||
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Securities | Market | Length of | ||||||||||
Under | Price of | Original | ||||||||||
Options/ | Securities at | Exercise Price | Option Term | |||||||||
SARs | Time of Re- | at Time of | Remaining at | |||||||||
Re-priced | pricing or | Re-pricing or | New Exercise | Date of Re- | ||||||||
Date of Re- | or | Amendment | Amendment | Price | pricing or | |||||||
Name | pricing | Amended | ($/Security) | ($/Security) | ($/Security) | Amendment | ||||||
(#) | ||||||||||||
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Rockne J. Timm | June 2, 2000 | 209,833 | 0.73 | 3.75 | 1.00 | 2.8 years | ||||||
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June 8, 2001 | 27,200 | 0.47 | 1.13 | 0.72 | 1.7 years | |||||||
40,000 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 0.72 | 3.1 years | ||||||||
50,000 | 0.47 | 2.59 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
125,000 | 0.47 | 3.25 | 0.72 | 2.3 years | ||||||||
244,667 | 0.47 | 3.75 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
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Robert A. McGuinness | June 2, 2000 | 92,207 | 0.73 | 3.75 | 1.00 | 2.8 years | ||||||
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June 8, 2001 | 30,000 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 0.72 | 3.1 years | |||||||
68,417 | 0.47 | 2.59 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
115,998 | 0.47 | 3.75 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
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A. Douglas Belanger | June 2, 2000 | 172,652 | 0.73 | 3.75 | 1.00 | 2.8 years | ||||||
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June 8, 2001 | 26,000 | 0.47 | 1.13 | 0.72 | 1.7 years | |||||||
30,000 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 0.72 | 3.1 years | ||||||||
65,000 | 0.47 | 2.59 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
50,000 | 0.47 | 3.25 | 0.72 | 2.3 years | ||||||||
230,303 | 0.47 | 3.75 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
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James P. Geyer | June 2, 2000 | 84,736 | 0.73 | 3.75 | 1.00 | 2.8 years | ||||||
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June 8, 2001 | 30,000 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 0.72 | 3.1 years | |||||||
64,209 | 0.47 | 2.59 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
5,000 | 0.47 | 2.88 | 0.72 | 7.0 years | ||||||||
100,264 | 0.47 | 3.75 | 0.72 | 2.2 years | ||||||||
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Douglas E. Stewart | June 8, 2001 | 79,367 | 0.47 | 1.50 | 0.72 | 3.1 years |
17
Termination of Employment, Change in Responsibilities and Employment Contracts
At this time, there are no written contracts of employment between the Company and the Named Executive Officers.
The Company does maintain Change of Control Agreements with each of the Named Executive Officers, which were implemented by the Board to induce the Named Executive Officers to remain with the Company in the event of a change of control. The Board believes these individuals familiarity and long-standing involvement with the Brisas project are important assets to the Company and, as such, their continued involvement in the on-going development of the Brisas project is important. The loss of their continued services could have a detrimental impact on future operations of the Company.
In the event of a change in control of the Company, each Named Executive Officer is entitled to, among other things, continue employment with the Company and, if his employment is terminated within twelve months following such change in control (other than for cause, disability, retirement or death) or if the Named Executive Officer terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreements) at any time within twelve months following the change of control, such individual will be entitled to receive, among other things, two or three times his annual salary and KSOP contributions, an amount equal to any bonuses received during the twelve months prior to the change of control, a payment of two times the monthly premium for maintenance of health and insurance benefits for a period of 36 months and on the election of the Named Executive Officer, the buy-out of the cash value of any unexercised stock options.
Composition of the Compensation Committee |
The Companys compensation program was administered during 2007 by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee), composed of Mr. Mikkelsen and Mr. Potvin. The function of the Compensation Committee was to evaluate the Companys performance and the performance of its executive officers, approve the cash and equity-based compensation of such executive officers and submit such approvals to the full Board for ratification. Compensation matters relating to the directors were administered by the full Board of Directors.
Report on Executive Compensation |
The goal of the compensation program is to attract, retain and reward employees and other individuals who contribute to both the immediate and the long-term success of the Company. Contributions are largely measured subjectively, and are rewarded through cash and equity-based compensation vehicles.
The Company evaluates the extent to which strategic and business goals are met and measures individual performance, albeit subjectively, against development objectives and the degree to which teamwork and Company objectives are promoted. The Company strives to achieve a balance between the compensation paid to a particular individual and the compensation paid to other employees and executives having similar responsibilities within the Company. The Company also strives to ensure that each employee understands the components of his or her salary, and the basis upon which it is determined and adjusted.
18
The components of executive compensation are as follows:
Base Salary. The administration of the program requires the Compensation Committee to review annually the base salary of each executive officer of the Company and to consider various factors, including individual performance, experience, time in position, future potential, responsibility, and the executives current salary in relation to the executive salary range at other mining companies. These factors are considered subjectively and none are accorded a specific weight.
Bonuses. In addition to base salary, the Compensation Committee from time-to-time recommends to the Board payments of discretionary bonuses to executives and selected employees. Such bonuses are based on the same criteria and determined in a similar fashion as described above.
Equity. The Compensation Committee from time-to-time recommends to the Board grants of options and/or restricted stock awards to executives and selected employees. In addition, the Compensation Committee annually determines the contribution to the KSOP Plan for allocation to individual participants. Participation in the KSOP Plan by individual employees, including officers, is governed by the terms of the KSOP Plan.
Chief Executive Officers Compensation |
It is the responsibility of the Compensation Committee to review and recommend the compensation package for the Chief Executive Officer based on the same factors as those used in determining the base salaries for the other Named Executive Officers listed above.
The Compensation Committee has not developed specific quantitative or qualitative performance measures or other specific criteria for determining the compensation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer, primarily because the Company does not yet have a producing mine or other operations from which such quantitative data can be derived. As a consequence, the determination of the Chief Executive Officers compensation in 2007 was largely subjective, and was based on the approval of the Brisas Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, the Permit to Affect, achievement of financing goals, advancement of the Brisas Project and identifying and analyzing new corporate opportunities.
Report submitted by Compensation Committee of the Board s/ Chris D. Mikkelsen s/ Jean Charles Potvin |
19
Performance Graph |
The following chart compares the total cumulative shareholder return (assuming re-investment of dividends) for $100 invested in shares of the Company with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Market and the S & P Gold and Precious Metals Mining Index for the period commencing on December 31, 2002 and ending on December 31, 2007.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Gold Reserve Corporation, The NASDAQ Composite Index And The S&P Gold Index
* $100 invested on 12/31/02 in stock or index-including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.
Copyright © 2008, Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
20
Compensation of Directors |
Consistent with the Boards intent to have both directors and management hold shares of the Company, non-employee directors, Messrs. Coleman, McChesney, Mikkelsen and Potvin, were each granted 2,500 Class A Shares in January 2007, and 4,000 Class A Shares each in June, July and October 2007 for services during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The value of each share was US $3.99, $5.82, $5.40 and $4.75, respectively.
Mr. Coleman was also paid approximately $97,629 for services related to his position as director of the Company, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Directors of the Company received no additional compensation for serving on Board committees or for attendance at the Board or committee meetings.
The following table sets forth information concerning grants of stock options to acquire Class A Shares to the non-employee directors pursuant to the rules and policies of the TSX and the regulations of the AMEX during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007:
% of Total | Market Value | |||||||||
Options | of Securities | |||||||||
Securities | Granted to | Underlying | ||||||||
Under | Employees | Exercise or | Options on | |||||||
Options | in Fiscal | Base Price | Date of Grant | |||||||
Name | Granted | year | ($/Security) | ($/Security) (1) | Expiration Date | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
James H. Coleman | 13,334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
13.334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Total | 80,000 | 3.8% | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Patrick D. McChesney | 13,334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
13.334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Total | 80,000 | 3.8% | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
Chris D. Mikkelsen | 13,334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
13.334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Total | 80,000 | 3.8% | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
J.C. Potvin | 13,334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2008 | |||||
13.334 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2009 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | Nov. 27, 2010 | ||||||
13,333 | 0.6% | $4.834 | $4.834 | May 27, 2011 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||
Total | 80,000 | 3.8% | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
(1) Based on the volume weighted average price on the Principal Market (AMEX) for the five trading days immediately preceding the grant date.
The following sets forth information concerning the exercise of stock options by the non-employee directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007:
Value of | ||||||||
Unexercised in- | ||||||||
Unexercised | the-Money | |||||||
Options/SARs at | Options/SARs at | |||||||
Securities | FY-End | FY-End | ||||||
Acquired on | (#) | ($) (2) | ||||||
Exercise | Aggregate Value | Exercisable/ | Exercisable/ | |||||
Name | (#) | Realized (1) | Unexercisable | Unexercisable | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
James H. Coleman | 69,444 | 321,526 | 205,000 / - | 169,452 /- | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Patrick D. McChesney | - | - | 130,000 / - | 79,780 / - | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Chris D. Mikkelsen | - | - | 180,000 / - | 261,780 / - | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
J. C. Potvin | - | - | 130,000 / - | 79,780 / - | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | The Aggregate Value Realized, if applicable, was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities acquired on the date of exercise (based on the closing price on the American Stock Exchange on the date of exercise, which approximates the closing price on the TSX also on the date of exercise) less the exercise price of the options exercised. |
(2) | The Value of Unexercised in-the-Money Options at FY-End was calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the option at the end of the financial year and the exercise price of such options. At December 31, 2007, the closing price of the shares of common stock on the American Stock Exchange was $5.20. |
Aggregate Compensation of Officers and Directors
For the financial year ended December 31, 2007, the aggregate remuneration paid and payable by the Company and by each of its subsidiaries to the directors of the Company in their capacity as directors of the Company and any of its subsidiaries was $393,049 and, separately, to the officers of the Company who received in their capacity as officers or employees of the Company and any of its subsidiaries aggregate remuneration in excess of Cdn. $40,000 in that year was $2,719,839.
Directors and Officers Insurance |
The Company carries directors and officers liability insurance which is subject to a total aggregate limit of $25,000,000 and deductibles of up to $250,000 for each claim. The premium for the latest policy period is $233,500.
22
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SENIOR OFFICERS OTHER THAN SECURITIES PURCHASE PROGRAMS
No director, executive officer or senior officer, or associate or affiliate of any such director, executive officer or senior officer, is or at any time since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year of the Company was indebted to the Company.
INTEREST OF INSIDERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
None of the directors, officers of the Company, nor any person or corporation owning more than 10% or any class of voting securities of the Company, nor any associates or affiliates of any of them, had or has any material interest in any transaction since the commencement of the Companys last financial year or in any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
AUDIT COMMITTEE INFORMATION |
Audit Committee Charter |
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors operates within a written mandate, as approved by the Board of Directors, which describes the Committees objectives and responsibilities. The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is attached as Appendix A to this Information Circular.
Composition of the Audit Committee |
The Audit Committee is composed of the following 3 directors:
Chris D. Mikkelsen (Chair) Jean Charles Potvin Patrick D. McChesney |
The Board of Directors has determined each member of the Audit Committee to be independent and financially literate as such terms are defined under Canadian securities laws. In addition, the Chair of the Committee, Mr. Mikkelsen, is considered by the Board to qualify as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board has made these determinations based on the education and experience of each member of the Committee, as outlined below.
23
Relevant Education and Experience |
The following is a description of the education and experience of each member of the Audit Committee that is relevant to the performance of his responsibilities as a member of the Audit Committee: Mr. Mikkelsen is a Principal in McDirmid, Mikkelsen & Secrest, P.S., a certified public accounting firm. Mr. Mikkelsen has a Professional Accounting degree from Eastern Washington University. After working for a national accounting firm, he left in 1976 to form McDirmid, Mikkelsen and Secrest, P.S. He has extensive technical audit and accounting experience related to a variety of industries. Mr. Mikkelsen has been Chair of, and a member of, this Committee since August 1998.
Mr. Potvin is Chief Executive Officer of Tiomin Resources Inc., a company involved in the development of several large titanium-bearing mineral sands deposits in Kenya. Mr. Potvin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Carleton University and an MBA from the University of Ottawa. He spent nearly 14 years as a mining investment analyst for a large Canadian investment brokerage firm (Burns Fry Ltd., now BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.). He is also a member of the audit committee of Polaris Energy Corporation, a publicly-listed geothermal-based power producer and of Azimut Exploration Ltd also a publicly listed mineral exploration company. Mr. Potvin has been a member of this Committee since August 2003.
Mr. McChesney is the Controller of Foothills Auto Group, an operator of franchised auto dealerships, where he is responsible for the financial statements. He was President of LMO Test Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of automated test equipment for the semiconductor industry, from March 1996 until December 2005. Mr. McChesney graduated from the University of Portland, with a Bachelor degree in Accounting. For his entire 32 year working career, he has prepared and analyzed financial statements in the mining, public accounting, retail, electronics and construction industries. Mr. McChesney has been a member of this Committee since August 1998.
External Auditor Service Fees |
Fees paid or payable to the Companys independent external auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, are detailed in the following table:
Year Ended 2007 | Year Ended 2006 | |||
Fee category | (Cdn.$) | (Cdn.$) | ||
|
|
|
||
Audit | $ 236,235 | $ 68,892 | ||
|
|
|
||
Audit related | 130,200 | 92,192 | ||
|
|
|
||
Tax | 14,305 | 137,917 | ||
|
|
|
||
All other fees | ||||
|
|
|
||
Total | $380,740 | $299,001 | ||
|
|
|
The nature of the services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP under each of the categories indicated in the table is described below.
24
Audit Fees |
Audit fees were for professional services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the audit of the Companys annual financial statements.
Audit-related Fees |
Audit-related fees were for the review of the Companys quarterly financial statements and services provided in respect of other regulatory-required auditor attest functions associated with government audit reports, registration statements, prospectuses, periodic reports and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.
Tax Fees |
Tax fees were for services outside of the audit scope and represented consultations for tax compliance and advisory services relating to common forms of domestic and international taxation.
All Other Fees |
None. |
Pre-approval Policies and Procedures |
The Companys Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of services performed by the Companys external auditors, with the objective of maintaining the independence of the external auditors. The Companys policy requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit, audit-related, tax and other permissible non-audit services to be performed by the external auditors, including all engagements of the external auditors with respect to the Companys subsidiaries. Prior approval of engagements for services other than the annual audit may, as required, be approved by the Chair of the Committee with the provision that such approvals be brought before the full Committee at its next regular meeting. The Companys policy sets out the details of the permissible non-audit services consistent with the independence requirements of the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Canadian independence standards for auditors. The Chief Financial Officer presents the details of any proposed assignments of the external auditor for consideration by the Audit Committee. The procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committees responsibilities to management of the Company.
25
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The TSX requires listed corporations to disclose their approach to corporate governance. The Companys disclosure in this regard is set out in Appendix B to this Information Circular.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Other than as set forth in this Information Circular, no person who has been a director or senior officer of the Company at any time since the beginning of the last financial year, nor any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has any material interest, directly or indirectly, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon.
ANY OTHER MATTERS |
Management of the Company knows of no matters to come before the Meeting other than those referred to in the Notice of Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders accompanying this Information Circular. However, if any other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the form of proxy accompanying this Information Circular to vote the same in accordance with their best judgment of such matters.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Additional information about the Company may be found on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov and on the Companys website at www.goldreserveinc.com. Additional financial information is provided in the Companys comparative financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for its year ended December 31, 2007, as contained in the 2007 Annual Report. A copy of this document and other public documents of the Company are available upon request to:
Gold Reserve Inc. Attention: Robert A. McGuinness 926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200 Spokane, Washington 99201 Phone: (509) 623-1500 Fax: (509) 623-1634 |
26
APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION |
The contents and the sending of this Information Circular have been approved by the Board.
The forgoing contains no untrue statement of a material fact and does not omit to state a material fact that is required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances in which it is made.
Dated at Spokane, Washington, this 23rd day of April, 2008
Rockne J. Timm Chief Executive Officer |
Robert A. McGuinness Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer |
27
APPENDIX A |
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
Purpose |
The primary purposes of the Audit Committee (the Committee) are to oversee on behalf of the Board of Directors (Board) of Gold Reserve Inc. (the Company):
The Committee also has the purpose of preparing the financial report that rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) or the Ontario Securities Commission (the OSC) require the Company to include in its annual proxy or information statement and Form 20-F filed with the SEC and/or its equivalent filed with the OSC.
The Committees function is one of oversight only and does not relieve management of its responsibilities for preparing financial statements that accurately and fairly present the Companys financial results and condition, nor the independent auditors of their responsibilities relating to the audit or review of financial statements.
Organization |
The Committee shall consist of at least three directors. The Board shall designate a Committee member as the chairperson of the Committee, or if the Board does not do so, the Committee members shall appoint a Committee member as chairperson by a majority vote of the authorized number of Committee members.
All Committee members shall be independent, as defined and to the extent required in the applicable SEC and OSC rules and American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) listing standards and applicable laws and regulations, as they may be amended from time to time (collectively, such SEC and exchange requirements are referred to as the listing standards), for purposes of audit committee membership.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, one director who is not independent as defined by the AMEX listing standards, but who satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is not a current officer or employee or an immediate family member of such officer or employee, may be appointed to the Committee if the Board, under exceptional and limited circumstances, determines that membership on the Committee by the individual is in the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders, and the Board discloses, in the next periodic filing made with the SEC subsequent to such determination, the nature of the relationship and the reasons for that determination; provided, however, that any such non-independent Committee member may only serve on
28
the Committee for two (2) years and may not serve as the chairperson of the Committee. Each Committee member shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Companys balance sheet, income statement, and cashflow statement upon appointment to the Committee. At all times there shall be at least one member of the Committee who, in the Boards business judgment, is an audit committee financial expert as defined in the SEC rules and is financially sophisticated as defined in the AMEX listing standards.
Subject to the requirements of the listing standards, the Board may appoint and remove Committee members in accordance with the Companys by-laws. Committee members shall serve for such terms as may be fixed by the Board, and in any case at the will of the Board whether or not a specific term is fixed.
Independent Auditors and Their Services |
The Committee shall have the sole authority and direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention, termination, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors engaged by the Company for purposes of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Committee. The Committees authority includes the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial reporting. The Committee shall pre-approve all audit, review, attest and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Company or its subsidiaries by the independent auditors. The Committee may establish pre-approval policies and procedures in compliance with applicable listing standards. The Committee shall obtain and review, at least annually, a report by the independent auditors describing:
In addition, the Committees annual review of the independent auditors qualifications shall also include the review and evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditors for the Companys account, and evaluation of such other matters as the Committee may consider relevant to the engagement of the auditors, including views of company management and internal finance employees, and whether the lead partner or auditing firm itself should be rotated.
Annual Financial Reporting |
As often and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or appropriate, but at least annually in connection with the audit of each fiscal years financial statements, the Committee shall:
1. | Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the annual audited financial statements, related accounting and auditing principles and practices, and (when required of management under the applicable listing standards) managements assessment of internal control over financial reporting. |
2. | Timely request and receive from the independent auditors the report required (along with any required update thereto) pursuant to applicable listing standards prior to the filing of an audit report, concerning: |
29
all critical accounting policies and practices to be used; | ||
all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and practices relating to material items that have been discussed with company management, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments and the treatment preferred by the independent auditors; and | ||
other material written communications between the independent auditors and company management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. | ||
3. | Discuss with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, including such matters as: | |
the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles applied in the financial statements; | ||
new or changed accounting policies, and significant estimates, judgments, uncertainties or unusual transactions; | ||
the selection, application and effects of critical accounting policies and estimates applied by the Company; | ||
issues raised by any management or internal control letter from the auditors, problems or difficulties encountered in the audit (including any restrictions on the scope of the work or on access to requested information) and managements response to such problems or difficulties, significant disagreements with management, or other significant aspects of the audit; and | ||
any off-balance sheet transactions, and relationships with any unconsolidated entities or any other persons, which may have a material current or future effect on the financial condition or results of the Company and are required to be reported under SEC rules. | ||
4. | Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the Companys intended disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (or equivalent disclosures) to be included in the Companys annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC and its equivalent filed with the OSC. | |
5. | Receive from the independent auditors a formal written statement of all relationships between the auditors and the Company consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1. | |
6. | Actively discuss with the independent auditors any disclosed relationships or services that may impact their objectivity and independence, and take any other appropriate action to oversee their independence. | |
Quarterly Financial Reporting
The Committees quarterly review shall normally include:
1. | Review and discuss the quarterly financial statements of the Company and the results of the independent auditors review of these financial statements with appropriate members of management. |
2. | Review and discuss with Company management and, if appropriate, the independent auditors, significant matters relating to: |
30
the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles applied in the financial statements; | ||
new or changed accounting policies, and significant estimates, judgments, uncertainties or unusual transactions; | ||
the selection, application and effects of critical accounting policies and estimates applied by the Company; and | ||
any off-balance sheet transactions and relationships with any unconsolidated entities or any other persons which may have a material current or future effect on the financial condition or results of the Company and are required to be reported under SEC rules. | ||
3. | Review and discuss with appropriate members of management the Companys intended disclosures under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (or equivalent disclosures) to be included in the Companys quarterly reports prepared in accordance with Canadian requirements and filed on Form 6-K with the SEC and its equivalent filed with the OSC. | |
Other Functions |
The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this charter annually, recommend any proposed changes to the full Board and, to the extent required by the listing standards, certify annually to any AMEX, TSX or other listing market that the Committee reviewed and assessed the adequacy of the charter.
The Committee shall discuss with management earnings press releases (including the type and presentation of information to be included, paying particular attention to any use of pro forma or adjusted non-GAAP information), and financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. This may be conducted generally as to types of information and presentations, and need not include advance review of each release or other information or guidance.
The Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall periodically review with management the Companys disclosure controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting and systems and procedures to promote compliance with applicable laws.
The Committee shall periodically: |
The Committee shall conduct any activities relating to the Companys code(s) of conduct and ethics as may be delegated, from time to time, to the Committee by the Board.
The Committee shall establish and maintain procedures for:
31
If the Committee so determines, the confidential, anonymous submission procedures may also include a method for interested parties to communicate directly with non-management directors. It is the Companys policy that the Company shall not enter into transactions required to be disclosed under item 404 of the Securities and Exchange Commissions Regulation S-K or other applicable Canadian requirements unless the Committee first reviews and approves such transactions.
The Committee shall review and take appropriate action with respect to any reports to the Committee from internal or external legal counsel engaged by the Company concerning any material violation of securities law or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company, its subsidiaries or any person acting on their behalf.
The Committee shall, from time to time as necessary, review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives on the financial statements of the Company. In addition, the Committee, as it considers appropriate, may consider and review with the full Board, company management, internal or external legal counsel, the independent auditors or any other appropriate person any other topics relating to the purposes of the Committee which may come to the Committees attention.
The Committee may perform any other activities consistent with this charter, the Companys corporate governance documents and applicable listing standards, laws and regulations as the Committee or the Board considers appropriate.
Meetings, Reports and Resources |
The Committee shall meet as often as it determines is necessary, but not less than quarterly. The Committee shall meet separately with management and independent auditors. In addition, the Committee may meet with any other persons, as it deems necessary.
The Committee may establish its own procedures, including the formation and delegation of authority to subcommittees, in a manner not inconsistent with this charter, the by-laws or the listing standards. The chairperson or a majority of the Committee members may call meetings of the Committee. A majority of the authorized number of Committee members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Committee business, and the vote of a majority of the Committee members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee, unless in either case a greater number is required by this charter, the by-laws or the listing standards. The Committee shall keep written minutes of its meetings and deliver copies of the minutes to the corporate secretary for inclusion in the Companys corporate records.
The Committee shall prepare any audit committee report required to be included in the Companys annual meeting proxy or information statement, and report to the Board on the other matters relating to the Committee or its purposes, as required by the listing standards. The Committee shall also report to the Board annually the overall results of its annual review of the independent auditors qualifications, performance and independence. The Committee shall also report to the Board on the major items covered by the Committee at each Committee meeting, and provide additional reports to the Board as the Committee may determine to be appropriate, including review with the full Board of any issues that arise from time to time with respect to the quality or integrity of the Companys financial statements, the Companys compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the performance and independence of the independent auditors.
The Committee is at all times authorized to have direct, independent and confidential access to
32
the independent auditors and to the Companys other directors, management and personnel to carry out the Committees purposes. The Committee is authorized to conduct or authorize investigations into any matters relating to the purposes, duties or responsibilities of the Committee.
As the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties, it is authorized to select, engage (including approval of the fees and terms of engagement), oversee, terminate, and obtain advice and assistance from outside legal, accounting, or other advisers or consultants. The company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of:
Nothing in this charter is intended to preclude or impair the protection provided under corporation law for good faith reliance by members of the Committee on reports or other information provided by others.
33
APPENDIX B
STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
In this Appendix are the Companys corporate governance practices in accordance with National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices (NI 58-101), and National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines (NP 58-201), which came into force in Canada on June 30, 2005. The Companys Board has reviewed this disclosure of the Companys corporate governance practices.
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
1. (a) | Disclose the identity of directors | The Board of Directors (the Board) of | ||||||||||||
who are independent. | the Company believes that Messrs. | |||||||||||||
Coleman, McChesney, Mikkelsen, and | ||||||||||||||
Potvin are independent within the | ||||||||||||||
meaning of section 1.4 of Multilateral | ||||||||||||||
instrument 52-110 Audit Committees | ||||||||||||||
(MI 52-110) and section 1.2 of NI 58- | ||||||||||||||
101, as none of them is, or has been | ||||||||||||||
within the last three years, an executive | ||||||||||||||
officer or employee of the Company or | ||||||||||||||
party to any material contract with the | ||||||||||||||
Company and none of them receive | ||||||||||||||
remuneration from the Company in | ||||||||||||||
excess of directors fees and grants of | ||||||||||||||
stock options. The Board believes that | ||||||||||||||
the four Directors are free from any | ||||||||||||||
interest and any business or other | ||||||||||||||
relationship that could, or could | ||||||||||||||
reasonably be perceived to, materially | ||||||||||||||
interfere with their ability to act | ||||||||||||||
independently from management or to | ||||||||||||||
act as a director with a view to the best | ||||||||||||||
interests of the Company, other than | ||||||||||||||
interests and relationships arising from | ||||||||||||||
shareholdings. | ||||||||||||||
(b) | Disclose the identity of directors | Three Directors, Messrs. Timm, | ||||||||||||
who are not independent, and | Belanger and Geyer, are employees of | |||||||||||||
describe the basis for that | the Company and therefore not | |||||||||||||
determination. | considered independent. | |||||||||||||
(c) | Disclose whether or not a majority | Four of seven, approximately 57.1% of | ||||||||||||
of directors are independent. If a | the Companys current Directors, are | |||||||||||||
majority of directors are not | independent. | |||||||||||||
independent, describe what the | ||||||||||||||
board of directors (the board) does | ||||||||||||||
to facilitate its exercise of | ||||||||||||||
independent judgement in carrying |
34
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||||
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| |||||||||||||
out its responsibilities. | ||||||||||||||||
(d) | If a director is presently a director of | Such other directorships have been | ||||||||||||||
any other issuer that is a reporting | disclosed in Item 1 - Election of | |||||||||||||||
issuer (or the equivalent) in a | Directors section of this Information | |||||||||||||||
jurisdiction or a foreign jurisdiction, | Circular. | |||||||||||||||
identify both the director and the | ||||||||||||||||
other issuer. | ||||||||||||||||
(e) | Disclose whether or not the | The Board has not adopted a formal | ||||||||||||||
independent directors hold regularly | policy for the independent Directors to | |||||||||||||||
scheduled meetings at which non- | meet without management present | |||||||||||||||
independent directors and members | before and after each regularly | |||||||||||||||
of management are not in | scheduled meeting of the Board. | |||||||||||||||
attendance. If the independent | Without management present, the | |||||||||||||||
directors hold such meetings, disclose the number of meetings |
independent Directors met on six | |||||||||||||||
occasions, in person or by telephone | ||||||||||||||||
held since the beginning of the | during 2007 and are expected to | |||||||||||||||
issuer's most recently completed | continue to meet on a regular basis. | |||||||||||||||
financial year. If the independent | These sessions are of no fixed duration | |||||||||||||||
directors do not hold such meetings, | and participating Directors are | |||||||||||||||
describe what the board does to | encouraged to raise and discuss any | |||||||||||||||
facilitate open and candid discussion | issues of concern. | |||||||||||||||
among its independent directors. | ||||||||||||||||
(f) | Disclose whether or not the chair of | The Board has appointed James H. | ||||||||||||||
the board is an independent director. | Coleman as its Chairman. Mr. Coleman | |||||||||||||||
If the board has a chair or lead | is an independent director of the | |||||||||||||||
director who is an independent | Company. One of his responsibilities is | |||||||||||||||
director, disclose the identity of the | to oversee the Board processes so that it | |||||||||||||||
independent chair or lead director, | operates efficiently and effectively in | |||||||||||||||
and describe his or her role and | carrying out its duties and to act as | |||||||||||||||
responsibilities. If the board has | liaison between the Board and | |||||||||||||||
neither a chair that is independent | management. | |||||||||||||||
nor a lead director that is | ||||||||||||||||
independent, describe what the | ||||||||||||||||
board does to provide leadership for | ||||||||||||||||
its independent directors. | ||||||||||||||||
(g) | Disclose the attendance record of | The Board held four (4) meetings during | ||||||||||||||
each director for all board meetings | 2007 at which attendance, in person or | |||||||||||||||
held since the beginning of the | by phone, averaged 89%. Various | |||||||||||||||
issuers most recently completed | matters were considered and approved | |||||||||||||||
financial year. | by written resolution during the year. | |||||||||||||||
Messrs. Belanger, Geyer, Mikkelsen, | ||||||||||||||||
McChesney, and Timm attended all four | ||||||||||||||||
meetings. Mr. Mr. Coleman and Mr. |
35
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||
|
|
|
||
Potvin each attended three of the four | ||||
meetings. | ||||
2. | Disclose the text of the boards | The Board is responsible for supervising | ||
written mandate. If the board does | the conduct of the Companys affairs | |||
not have a written mandate, describe | and the management of its business. To | |||
how the board delineates its role and | assist the Board in implementing key | |||
responsibilities. | policies, the Board delegates some of its | |||
responsibility to committees. Although | ||||
the Board has delegated to management | ||||
responsibility for the day-to-day | ||||
operations of the Company, the Board | ||||
has ultimate responsibility for the | ||||
stewardship of the Company. | ||||
Strategic planning is at the forefront of | ||||
deliberations at meetings of the Board. | ||||
Management is responsible for the | ||||
development of overall corporate | ||||
strategies. These strategies are under | ||||
constant review by the Board and senior | ||||
management. | ||||
The Boards duties include overseeing | ||||
strategic planning, reviewing and | ||||
assessing principal risks to the | ||||
Companys business and approving risk | ||||
management strategies. | ||||
The Board ensures that an appropriate | ||||
risk assessment process is in place to | ||||
identify, assess and manage the | ||||
principal risks of the Companys | ||||
business. Management reports regularly | ||||
to the Board in relation to principal | ||||
risks, which potentially could affect the | ||||
Companys business activities. | ||||
The Board reviews and approves, for | ||||
release to shareholders, quarterly and | ||||
annual reports on the performance of the | ||||
Company. It seeks to ensure that the | ||||
Company communicates effectively | ||||
with its Shareholders, respective | ||||
investors and the public, including | ||||
dissemination of information on a timely | ||||
basis. Through its officers, the | ||||
Company responds to questions and | ||||
provides information to individual | ||||
Shareholders, institutional investors, |
36
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||
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| |||||||||||
financial analysts and the media. | ||||||||||||||
The Boards duties include supervising | ||||||||||||||
and evaluating management, authorizing | ||||||||||||||
significant expenditures, and overseeing | ||||||||||||||
the Companys internal controls and | ||||||||||||||
information systems. | ||||||||||||||
3. (a) | Disclose whether or not the board | The Board has not developed a written | ||||||||||||
has developed written position | position description for the Chair. The | |||||||||||||
descriptions for the chair and the | responsibilities of the Chair include | |||||||||||||
chair of each board committee. If | presiding over Board meetings, | |||||||||||||
the board has not developed written | assuming principal responsibility for the | |||||||||||||
position descriptions for the chair | Boards operation and functioning, and | |||||||||||||
and/or the chair of each board | ensuring that Board functions are | |||||||||||||
committee, briefly describe how the | effectively carried out. | |||||||||||||
board delineates the role and | The Board has not developed written | |||||||||||||
responsibilities of each such | position descriptions for the chair of any | |||||||||||||
position. | committee of the Board. | |||||||||||||
The responsibilities of committee chairs | ||||||||||||||
include presiding over committee | ||||||||||||||
meetings, ensuring that the committee is | ||||||||||||||
properly organized and effectively | ||||||||||||||
discharges its duties, reporting to the | ||||||||||||||
Board with respect to the activities of | ||||||||||||||
the committee, and leading the | ||||||||||||||
committee in reviewing and assessing | ||||||||||||||
on an annual basis, the adequacy of the | ||||||||||||||
committees mandate and its | ||||||||||||||
effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate. | ||||||||||||||
(b) | Disclose whether or not the board | The board has not developed a written | ||||||||||||
and CEO have developed a written | position description for the CEO. | |||||||||||||
position description for the CEO. If | The CEO reports to the Board and has | |||||||||||||
the board and CEO have not | general supervision and control over the | |||||||||||||
developed such a position | business and affairs of the Company. | |||||||||||||
description, briefly describe how the | The CEOs responsibilities include: | |||||||||||||
board delineates the role and | ||||||||||||||
responsibilities of the CEO. | (a) fostering a corporate culture that | |||||||||||||
promotes ethical practices, | ||||||||||||||
encourages individual integrity and | ||||||||||||||
fulfills social responsibility; | ||||||||||||||
(b) developing and recommending to | ||||||||||||||
the Board a long-term strategy and | ||||||||||||||
vision for the Company that leads to | ||||||||||||||
creation of Shareholder value; |
37
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||
|
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| ||||||
(c) developing and recommending to | ||||||||||
the Board annual business plans and | ||||||||||
budgets that support the Companys | ||||||||||
long-term strategy; and | ||||||||||
(d) consistently striving to achieve the | ||||||||||
Companys financial and operating | ||||||||||
goals and objectives. | ||||||||||
4. (a) | Briefly describe what measures the | Due to its current size, the Board does | ||||||||
board takes to orient new directors | not currently provide an orientation and | |||||||||
regarding the role of the board, its | education program for specifically | |||||||||
committees and its directors, and the | training new recruits to the Board. | |||||||||
nature and operation of the issuer's | ||||||||||
business. | ||||||||||
(b) | Briefly describe what measures, if | Due to its current size, the Board does | ||||||||
any, the board takes to provide | not provide a continuing education | |||||||||
continuing education for its | program for its Directors. All Directors | |||||||||
directors. If the board does not | are given direct access to management, | |||||||||
provide continuing education, | which is encouraged to provide | |||||||||
describe how the board ensures that | information on the Company and its | |||||||||
its directors maintain the skill and | business and affairs to Directors. The | |||||||||
knowledge necessary to meet their | Board believes that each of its Directors | |||||||||
obligations as directors. | maintain the skills and knowledge | |||||||||
necessary to meet their obligations as | ||||||||||
Directors. | ||||||||||
5. (a) (i) | Disclose whether or not the board | The Board has adopted the Gold | ||||||||
has adopted a written code for the | Reserve Inc. Code of Conduct and | |||||||||
directors, officers and employees. If | Ethics (the Code), which can be found | |||||||||
the board has adopted a written | at www.goldreserveinc.com and is | |||||||||
code, disclose how a person or | available in print to any Shareholder | |||||||||
company may obtain a copy of the | who requests it. | |||||||||
code. | ||||||||||
(a) (ii) | Describe how the board monitors | The Compliance Officer, as well as | ||||||||
compliance with its code, or if the | other officers, Directors and the | |||||||||
board does not monitor compliance, | Companys legal and other advisors, | |||||||||
explain whether and how the board | have the full power and authority to | |||||||||
satisfies itself regarding compliance | investigate any evidence of improper | |||||||||
with its code. | conduct, violations of laws, rules, | |||||||||
regulations or the Code, and to | ||||||||||
determine what steps, if any, should be | ||||||||||
taken to resolve the problem and avoid | ||||||||||
the likelihood of its recurrence. | ||||||||||
(a) (iii) | Provide a cross-reference to any | The Company has not filed any material |
38
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||||||
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| |||||||||||||
material change report filed since | change reports since the beginning of | |||||||||||||||||
the beginning of the issuer's most | the 2007 financial year that pertains to | |||||||||||||||||
recently completed financial year | any conduct of a Director or executive | |||||||||||||||||
that pertains to any conduct of a | officer of the Company that constitutes a | |||||||||||||||||
director or executive officer that | departure from the Code. | |||||||||||||||||
constitutes a departure from the | ||||||||||||||||||
code. | ||||||||||||||||||
(b) | Describe any steps the board takes | Each Director must possess and exhibit | ||||||||||||||||
to ensure directors exercise | the highest degree of integrity, | |||||||||||||||||
independent judgement in | professionalism and values, and must | |||||||||||||||||
considering transactions and | never be in a conflict of interest with the | |||||||||||||||||
agreements in respect of which a | Company. A Director who has a conflict | |||||||||||||||||
director or executive officer has a | of interest regarding any particular | |||||||||||||||||
material interest. | matter under consideration must advise | |||||||||||||||||
the Board, refrain from debate on the | ||||||||||||||||||
matter and abstain from any vote | ||||||||||||||||||
regarding it. | ||||||||||||||||||
All Company employees, including | ||||||||||||||||||
officers, and Directors are expected to | ||||||||||||||||||
use sound judgment to help maintain | ||||||||||||||||||
appropriate compliance procedures and | ||||||||||||||||||
to carry out the Companys business | ||||||||||||||||||
with honesty and in compliance with | ||||||||||||||||||
laws and high ethical standards. Each | ||||||||||||||||||
employee and Director is expected to | ||||||||||||||||||
read the Code and demonstrate personal | ||||||||||||||||||
commitment to the standards set forth in | ||||||||||||||||||
the Code. | ||||||||||||||||||
(c) | Describe any other steps the board | The Company will not tolerate | ||||||||||||||||
takes to encourage and promote a | retaliation against an employee or | |||||||||||||||||
culture of ethical business conduct. | Director for reporting in good faith any | |||||||||||||||||
violations of the Code, and any such | ||||||||||||||||||
retaliation is against Company policy. | ||||||||||||||||||
Employees and Directors who violate | ||||||||||||||||||
the Code may be subject to disciplinary | ||||||||||||||||||
action, including termination of | ||||||||||||||||||
employment. | ||||||||||||||||||
Knowledge of a violation and failure to | ||||||||||||||||||
promptly report or correct the violation | ||||||||||||||||||
may also subject an employee or | ||||||||||||||||||
Director to disciplinary action up to and | ||||||||||||||||||
including immediate discharge from | ||||||||||||||||||
employment. |
39
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||||
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6. (a) | Describe the process by which the | In considering and identifying new | ||||||||||||||
board identifies new candidates for | candidates for Board nomination, the | |||||||||||||||
board nomination. | Board, where relevant: | |||||||||||||||
(a) addresses succession and planning | ||||||||||||||||
issues; | ||||||||||||||||
(b) identifies the mix of expertise and | ||||||||||||||||
qualities required for the Board; | ||||||||||||||||
(c) assesses the attributes new directors | ||||||||||||||||
should have for the appropriate mix to | ||||||||||||||||
be maintained; | ||||||||||||||||
(d) arranges for each candidate to meet | ||||||||||||||||
with the Board Chair and the CEO; | ||||||||||||||||
(e) recommends to the Board as a whole | ||||||||||||||||
proposed nominee(s) and arranges for | ||||||||||||||||
their introduction to as many Board | ||||||||||||||||
members as practicable; and | ||||||||||||||||
(f) encourages diversity in the | ||||||||||||||||
composition of the Board. | ||||||||||||||||
(b) | Disclose whether or not the board | Due to its current size, the Board does | ||||||||||||||
has a nominating committee | not currently have a separate committee | |||||||||||||||
composed entirely of independent | for identifying new candidates for Board | |||||||||||||||
directors. If the board does not have | nomination. The size and composition | |||||||||||||||
a nominating committee composed | of the Board is subject to periodic | |||||||||||||||
entirely of independent directors, | review by the Board as a whole. The | |||||||||||||||
describe what steps the board takes | Board as a whole bears this | |||||||||||||||
to encourage an objective | responsibility. | |||||||||||||||
nomination process. | ||||||||||||||||
(c) | If the board has a nominating | The Board does not currently have a | ||||||||||||||
committee, describe the | nominating committee. | |||||||||||||||
responsibilities, powers and | ||||||||||||||||
operation of the nominating | ||||||||||||||||
committee. | ||||||||||||||||
7. (a) | Describe the process by which the | The Board reviews from time to time the | ||||||||||||||
board determines the compensation | compensation paid to Directors in order | |||||||||||||||
for the issuer's directors and | to ensure that they are being adequately | |||||||||||||||
officers. | compensated for the duties performed | |||||||||||||||
and the obligations they assume. The | ||||||||||||||||
Board as a whole is responsible for | ||||||||||||||||
determining the compensation paid to | ||||||||||||||||
the Directors. | ||||||||||||||||
The Board considers evaluations |
40
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||
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| ||||||||
submitted by the Compensation | ||||||||||||
Committee evaluating the Companys | ||||||||||||
performance and the performance of its | ||||||||||||
executive officers, and ratifies the cash | ||||||||||||
and equity-based compensation of such | ||||||||||||
executive officers approved by the | ||||||||||||
Compensation Committee. | ||||||||||||
The Company evaluates the extent to | ||||||||||||
which strategic and business goals are | ||||||||||||
met and measures individual | ||||||||||||
performance, albeit subjectively, against | ||||||||||||
development objectives and the degree | ||||||||||||
to which teamwork and Company | ||||||||||||
objectives are promoted. The Company | ||||||||||||
strives to achieve a balance between the | ||||||||||||
compensation paid to a particular | ||||||||||||
individual and the compensation paid to | ||||||||||||
other employees and executives having | ||||||||||||
similar responsibilities within the | ||||||||||||
Company. The Company also strives to | ||||||||||||
ensure that each employee understands | ||||||||||||
the components of his or her salary, and | ||||||||||||
the basis upon which it is determined | ||||||||||||
and adjusted. | ||||||||||||
(b) | Disclose whether or not the board | The Compensation Committee, which | ||||||||||
has a compensation committee | met seven times during 2007 in person | |||||||||||
composed entirely of independent | and by phone, consists of Messrs. | |||||||||||
directors. If the board does not have | Mikkelsen (Chair) and Potvin, both of | |||||||||||
a compensation committee | whom are independent directors. | |||||||||||
composed entirely of independent | ||||||||||||
directors, describe what steps the | ||||||||||||
board takes to ensure an objective | ||||||||||||
process for determining such | ||||||||||||
compensation. | ||||||||||||
(c) | If the board has a compensation | The function of the Compensation | ||||||||||
committee, describe the | Committee is to evaluate the Companys | |||||||||||
responsibilities, powers and | performance and the performance of its | |||||||||||
operation of the compensation | executive officers, approve the cash and | |||||||||||
committee. | equity-based compensation of such | |||||||||||
executive officers and submit such | ||||||||||||
approvals to the full Board for | ||||||||||||
ratification. | ||||||||||||
The Compensation Committee has not | ||||||||||||
developed specific quantitative or | ||||||||||||
qualitative performance measures or |
41
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||||||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||||||||||||
|
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other specific criteria for determining | ||||||||||||||||||
the compensation of the Companys | ||||||||||||||||||
CEO, primarily because the Company | ||||||||||||||||||
does not yet have a producing mine or | ||||||||||||||||||
other operations from which such | ||||||||||||||||||
quantitative data can be derived. As a | ||||||||||||||||||
consequence, the determination of the | ||||||||||||||||||
CEOs compensation in 2007 was | ||||||||||||||||||
largely subjective, and based on the | ||||||||||||||||||
Companys progress in addressing its | ||||||||||||||||||
more immediate concerns, continued | ||||||||||||||||||
exploration, and identifying and | ||||||||||||||||||
analyzing new corporate opportunities. | ||||||||||||||||||
(d) | If a compensation consultant or | A compensation consultant has not been | ||||||||||||||||
advisor has, at any time since the | engaged by the Company since the | |||||||||||||||||
beginning of the issuer's most | beginning of the Companys most recent | |||||||||||||||||
recently completed financial year, | financial year to assist in determining | |||||||||||||||||
been retained to assist in | compensation for the Directors or | |||||||||||||||||
determining compensation for any | officers of the Company. | |||||||||||||||||
of the issuer's directors and officers, | ||||||||||||||||||
disclose the identity of the | ||||||||||||||||||
consultant or advisor and briefly | ||||||||||||||||||
summarize the mandate for which | ||||||||||||||||||
they have been retained. If the | ||||||||||||||||||
consultant or advisor has been | ||||||||||||||||||
retained to perform any other work | ||||||||||||||||||
for the issuer, state that fact and | ||||||||||||||||||
briefly describe the nature of the | ||||||||||||||||||
work. | ||||||||||||||||||
8. | If the board has standing | The Executive Committee, which is | ||||||||||||||||
committees other than the audit, | comprised of Messrs. Coleman, Timm | |||||||||||||||||
compensation and nominating | and Belanger, meets in person or by | |||||||||||||||||
committees, identify the committees | phone on a regular basis. Mr. Coleman | |||||||||||||||||
and describe their function. | is considered an independent director. | |||||||||||||||||
Messrs. Timm and Belanger are not | ||||||||||||||||||
considered independent directors within | ||||||||||||||||||
the definition in MI 52-110. | ||||||||||||||||||
The Executive Committee facilitates the | ||||||||||||||||||
Companys activities from an | ||||||||||||||||||
administrative perspective, but does not | ||||||||||||||||||
supplant the full Board in the | ||||||||||||||||||
consideration of significant issues facing | ||||||||||||||||||
the Company. The Audit Committee, | ||||||||||||||||||
the Compensation Committee and the | ||||||||||||||||||
Executive Committee are the only |
42
Disclosure Requirement under | ||||||||
Form 58-101F1 | Companys Governance Practices | |||||||
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|
|
| |||||
committees of the Board. | ||||||||
9. | Disclose whether or not the board, | Due to its current size, the Board does | ||||||
its committees and individual | not currently have a separate committee | |||||||
directors are regularly assessed with | for assessing the effectiveness of the | |||||||
respect to their effectiveness and | Board as a whole, the committees of the | |||||||
contribution. If assessments are | Board, or the contribution of individual | |||||||
regularly conducted, describe the | Directors. The Board as a whole bears | |||||||
process used for the assessments. If | these responsibilities. | |||||||
assessments are not regularly | The Board chair meets annually with | |||||||
conducted, describe how the board | each director individually to discuss | |||||||
satisfies itself that the board, its | personal contributions and overall Board | |||||||
committees, and its individual | effectiveness. | |||||||
directors are performing effectively. |
43
Exhibit 99.2 |
Form of Proxy |
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||
PROXY | ||||||||
ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS | ||||||||
June 10, 2008 | ||||||||
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE MANAGEMENT OF GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||
The undersigned shareholder of Gold Reserve Inc. (the Company) hereby appoints Rockne J. Timm, Chief Executive | ||||||||
Officer of the Company, or failing him, Robert A. McGuinness, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the | ||||||||
Company, or instead of either of them ____________________ , as proxyholder for the undersigned, with power of | ||||||||
substitution, to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders | ||||||||
of the Company to be held on June 10, 2008 (the Meeting) at 9:30 a.m. (Pacific daylight time) and at any adjournment or | ||||||||
postponement thereof, in the same manner, to the same extent and with the same powers as if the undersigned were present at | ||||||||
the said Meeting or any adjournment or adjournments thereof and, without limiting the general authorization given, the | ||||||||
person above named is specifically directed to vote on behalf of the undersigned in the following manner: | ||||||||
1) | On the election of directors, for the nominees set forth in the Information Circular of the Company dated April 23, | |||||||
2008: | ||||||||
VOTE FOR | or | WITHHOLD VOTE | ||||||
(and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR); | ||||||||
2) | On the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company: | |||||||
VOTE FOR | or | WITHHOLD VOTE | ||||||
(and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR); | ||||||||
3) | On the approval of the issuance of 100,000 Class A common shares of the Company for purchase by the KSOP | |||||||
Plan: | ||||||||
VOTE FOR | or | VOTE AGAINST | ||||||
(and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR); | ||||||||
4) | On the approval of the adoption of the Venezuelan Equity Incentive Plan: | |||||||
VOTE FOR | or | VOTE AGAINST | ||||||
(and, if no specification is made, to VOTE FOR); | ||||||||
and conferring discretionary authority to vote on amendments or variations to the matters identified in the Notice of Annual | ||||||||
and Special Meeting relating to the Meeting and on all other matters that may properly come before the Meeting or any | ||||||||
adjournment thereof in such manner as the person above named may see fit. Management is not aware of any such | ||||||||
amendments, variations or other matters to be presented at the Meeting. | ||||||||
This proxy should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Notice of Meeting and Management Information | ||||||||
Circular. | ||||||||
The undersigned hereby revokes any instrument of proxy previously given and does hereby further ratify all the said | ||||||||
proxy may lawfully do in the premises. | ||||||||
Please ensure that you date this proxy. If this proxy is not dated in the space below, it shall be deemed to bear the | ||||||||
date on which it was mailed by the Company to the shareholder. | ||||||||
DATED this day of , 2008. | ||||||||
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Print Name of Shareholder | Print Name of Shareholder (if held jointly) | |||||||
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Signature of Shareholder | Signature of Shareholder (if held jointly) |
Exhibit 99.3 |
Annual Report |
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS AND EMPLOYEES |
2007 was another year of significant achievement for Gold Reserve, as we continued to build the foundation for construction and operation of the Brisas gold and copper project. I am proud to say a number of key milestones have been achieved in the past several months, but we still have several more hurdles to overcome before we attain our goal of producing gold and copper at Brisas, challenges which are typical of a project of this magnitude and location.
After a great deal of hard work by our employees and our advisors, the Permit to Affect Natural Resources authorizing us to begin construction at Brisas was issued to the Company in 2007 by the Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment. |
1 |
We will have many more permits to obtain leading to production at Brisas and currently we are looking to obtain an Initiation Act, or administrative authorization to proceed with construction from the Venezuelan Ministry of the Environment. We have met all conditions precedent to proceed and our near-term focus will be to obtain this authorization. We continued our efforts to develop Brisas, updating our NI 43-101 Report, advancing detailed engineering, initiating long-lead procurement efforts, strengthening working partnerships with local, regional and international organizations and continuing efforts related to project debt financing. |
The recent NI 43-101 Report indicates that | At the end of the first quarter 2008 we are in | |
Brisas continues to demonstrate low projected | a strong financial condition with a cash position | |
operating costs, robust economics at conservative | of $133 million. We are positioned to complete our | |
metal prices and excellent leverage to rising metal | funding efforts and commence full-scale | |
prices. Further, the magnitude of the capital cost | construction once we receive the Initiation Act. | |
increase contained in the Report was reasonably | ||
moderate relative to the mining industry as a whole. | On our Choco 5 property we completed a | |
Considering the project scope changes, the | 16-hole exploration drilling program in the last | |
increased capital cost for Brisas was not as dramatic | half of 2007 and 43 kilometers survey lines for | |
as some other projects and in line with | geophysical and geochemical sampling. | |
managements expectations. | Unfortunately, as a result of high in-country | |
demand for assay services, we are still waiting for | ||
We expect the majority of the Brisas detailed | our drill program assay results. | |
engineering to be complete by mid 2008. The initial | ||
procurement function is now substantially complete, | We are especially proud of the people who | |
with the placement of orders for long-lead items | have become part of Gold Reserve in Venezuela. | |
such as the gyratory crusher, pebble crushers, semi | In December, our President in Venezuela, Arturo | |
autogenous grinding and ball mills, mill motors, | Rivero himself an employee for over 10 years, | |
and initial construction equipment. | presented 28 people with long service recognition | |
awards, many of which have been with the company | ||
In addition, we formed important working | for 15 years. Including these employees who have | |
relationships with Conservation International and | been with us for a long time, we would like to thank | |
more locally with the Venezuelan Fundacion para | all our employees who share in the credit for the | |
el Desarrollo Sostenible- Foundation for Sustainable | success the Company has achieved to date. | |
Development (FDS). We are supporting programs | ||
in the Brisas area on malaria prevention and control, | We look forward to 2008 to continue our goal | |
sustainable agriculture for local communities, | of placing Brisas into production. | |
creation of ecotourism opportunities and several | ||
other initiatives - while developing a strong working | ||
relationship for collaboration well into the future | On Behalf of the Board of Directors of | |
as Brisas matures. | Gold Reserve Inc. | |
In 2007 we also completed two concurrent | ||
financings totaling $183 million with lead | ||
underwriters J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., RBC | ||
Capital Markets and Cormark Securities, Inc. | ||
We also continued work on the $425 million | A. Douglas Belanger | |
project debt financing with a consortium of | President | |
banks to complete all the conditions precedent | ||
for commitment. |
2 |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | and development of mining properties. This list is not | |||
exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the | ||||
The information presented or incorporated by | Companys forward-looking statements. See Risk factors | |||
reference herein contain both historical information | contained in the Companys Annual Information Form. | |||
and forward-looking statements (including within the | ||||
meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario), Section 27A | Investors are urged to read our filings with Canadian | |||
of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, | and U.S. securities regulatory agencies, which can be | |||
and Section 21E of the United States Securities | viewed on-line at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. | |||
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). These forward- | Additionally, investors can request a copy of any of | |||
looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, | these filings directly from our administrative office. | |||
as well as assumptions that, if they never materialize, | ||||
prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently | OVERVIEW | |||
contemplated, could cause our results to differ | ||||
materially from those expressed or implied by such | The following discussion of the Companys financial | |||
forward-looking statements. | position as of December 31, 2007 and results of | |||
Numerous factors could cause actual results to | operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 is to | |||
differ materially from those in the forward-looking | be read in conjunction with the Companys audited | |||
statements, including without limitation, concentration | consolidated financial statements and related notes. | |||
of operations and assets in Venezuela; operational, | We prepare our consolidated financial statements | |||
regulatory, political and economic risks associated with | in U.S. Dollars in accordance with accounting principles | |||
Venezuelan operations (including changes in previously | generally accepted in Canada. These financial statements | |||
established legal regimes, rules or processes); corruption | together with the following managements discussion | |||
and uncertain legal enforcement; requests for improper | and analysis, dated March 28, 2008, are intended to | 3 | ||
payments; civil unrest, military actions and crime; the | provide investors with a reasonable basis for assessing | |||
ability to obtain or maintain the necessary permits or | the financial performance of the Company as well as | |||
additional funding for the development of Brisas; in the | certain forward-looking statements relating to the | |||
event any key findings or assumptions previously | Companys potential. Additional information on the | |||
determined by the Company or the Companys | Company can be found at www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov | |||
consultants in conjunction with the feasibility study | or the Companys web-site www.goldreserveinc.com. | |||
concerning the Brisas Project prepared in 2005 (as | ||||
updated or modified from time to time) significantly | The Company is engaged in the business of | |||
differ or change as a result of actual results in the | exploration and development of mining projects and | |||
Companys expected construction and production at | continues to focus the majority of its management and | |||
Brisas (including capital and operating cost estimates); | financial resources on its most significant asset, Brisas, | |||
risk that actual mineral reserves may vary considerably | and to a lesser extent the exploration of its Choco 5 | |||
from estimates presently made; impact of currency, metal | property, both located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. | |||
prices and metal production volatility; fluctuations in | ||||
energy prices; currency controls and exchange rates; | Historically we have financed the Companys | |||
changes in proposed development plans (including | operations through the sale of common stock and other | |||
technology used); the Companys dependence upon the | equity securities. Management expects Brisas, if | |||
abilities and continued participation of certain key | constructed, to be similarly financed along with project | |||
employees; and risks normally incident to the operation | and corporate debt financing. |
Venezuela has, at times, experienced high levels of | MIBAM approved the Brisas operating plan during | |
inflation, political and civil unrest, government | 2003 which was a prerequisite for submitting the Brisas | |
involvement in strategic industries and during the last | Environmental and Social Impact Study for the | |
several years has proposed changes in regulatory regimens. | Exploitation and Processing of Gold and Copper Ore | |
Despite these matters, we have not curtailed our | (Estudio de Impacto Ambiental y Sociocultural) | |
investment activities in the country. However, as discussed | (ESIA) to MINAMB. MINAMB approved the ESIA in | |
in greater depth under Risk Factors contained elsewhere | early 2007 and in March 2007 issued the Authorization | |
in our Annual Information Form, our operations and | for the Affectation of Natural Resources for the | |
investments in Venezuela could be adversely affected by | Construction of Infrastructure and Services Phase of | |
current and future Venezuelan regulatory changes and/or | the Brisas Project (the Authorization to Affect). | |
domestic and international government policies. | ||
The Authorization to Affect allows us to commence | ||
certain infrastructure work, including various | ||
PERMITTING | construction activities at or near the mine site, but does | |
not permit us to construct the mill and exploit the gold | ||
We are dependent on Venezuelan regulatory | and copper mineralization at Brisas at this time. The | |
authorities issuing to us various permits and | Authorization to Affect mandates that before | |
authorizations relating to Brisas that we require prior | commencing significant permitted activities we are | |
to completing construction of and subsequently operating | required to obtain an Initiation Act from MINAMB | |
Brisas. Consistent with other mining projects of this | which indicates that all conditions precedent to | |
magnitude and, in addition to permits or authorizations | commencing activities have been met, documents our | |
that must be received from the Venezuelan Ministry of | understanding of the obligations throughout the term | |
Environment (MINAMB), we require a number of | of the authorization and certifies that the permitted | |
4 other permits or authorizations from various local, state | activities can in fact commence. | |
and federal agencies which will be an ongoing process | ||
during the construction period. | After the Authorization to Affect was issued, | |
MIBAM notified us that certain coordinates, related to | ||
To our knowledge, all of our properties are in | a small section of a new access road designed to by-pass | |
compliance with the appropriate regulations and | the community of Las Claritas contained in the | |
requirements of the mining law and our related contractual | Authorization to Affect, conflicted with several land | |
obligations. In the third quarter of 2007 we received | parcels recently assigned to small miners by MIBAM. | |
accreditation letters of technical compliance from | The Company along with SNC-Lavalin re-engineered | |
MIBAM for all of the properties that comprise Brisas. | the section of the road and submitted new coordinates | |
In addition, our social, cultural and environmental | to MIBAM that by-pass the land parcels. MIBAM | |
programs in the immediate and surrounding areas near | subsequently approved the revised road and the | |
Brisas are consistent with the governments social agenda | Company duly notified MINAMB according to the | |
including the framework of Mission Piar. Mission Piar | procedure set forth in the Authorization to Affect. | |
is one of President Chavezs social initiatives which | We believe that we have met all conditions precedent | |
includes the local small miners and encompasses | to commencing the construction of infrastructure and | |
technical assistance and training to explore and minimize | services phase. Although certain work has been | |
the miners impact on the environment as well as their | completed, the major activities outlined in the | |
integration into the formal economy. We are committed | Authorization to Affect have been delayed until formal | |
to the economic and social development of Brisas in a | receipt of the Initiation Act. The timing of the issuance | |
mutually beneficial manner with the communities located | of the Initiation Act cannot be determined at this time. | |
near the project, the people in Bolivar State, and the | ||
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. |
UPDATED NI 43-101 REPORT FOR THE BRISAS | requirements estimated at $269 million. Initial capital | |||||
PROJECT | cost estimates exclude value added taxes of approximately | |||||
$54 million. Tax exonerations or tax payment holidays | ||||||
Management completed the original Brisas Project | are available for various taxes including value added | |||||
Feasibility Study in 2005. Since then we have continued | tax and import duty tax on the initial capital costs. | |||||
to update the inputs and assumptions with the assistance | Management plans to submit the required applications | |||||
of Pincock, Allen & Holt (PAH) and SNC Lavalin, | for all available exonerations and expects to obtain such | |||||
including the mineral resource and reserve, initial capital | exonerations prior to the construction of the project. | |||||
cost and operating cost estimates contained therein. | As a result, the cost of such taxes and import duties are | |||||
Most recently in March 2008, the Company with the | not included in the initial costs of the project. There | |||||
assistance of Pincock, Allen & Holt (PAH) updated | can be no assurances that such exonerations will be | |||||
and prepared a new Canadian Securities Act (CSA) | obtained, the result of which would be to increase initial | |||||
National Instrument 43-101 report for the Brisas Project, | capital and operating costs. | |||||
which is summarized below. The Company and SNC- | ||||||
Lavalin, the projects EPCM contractor, updated the | ||||||
capital costs contained in the NI 43-101 Report. | Initial Capital Cost summary | |||||
The March 2008 NI 43-101 Report utilizes $600 | Mine | $ 59.0 | ||||
per ounce gold and $2.25 per pound copper for the | Mill | 314.7 | ||||
base-case economic model and at such prices, cash | Infrastructure | 67.8 | ||||
operating costs (net of copper byproduct credits) are | Tailings | 38.3 | ||||
estimated at $120 per ounce of gold. Total costs including | Owners Costs | 63.4 | ||||
cash operating costs, exploitation taxes, initial capital | Pre-Stripping | 16.7 | ||||
costs (excluding sunk cost), and sustaining capital costs | Indirect Costs (includes EPCM and Camp) | 127.6 | 5 | |||
are estimated at $268 per ounce of gold. | Contingency | 43.8 | ||||
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Total Initial Capital | $ 731.3 | |||||
The current operating plan assumes a large open | ||||||
pit mine containing proven and probable reserves of | ||||||
approximately 10.2 million ounces of gold and 1.4 billion | We have placed orders related to initial capital | |||||
pounds of copper in 483 million tonnes of ore grading | costs totaling approximately $121 million, of which we | |||||
0.66 grams of gold per tonne and 0.13% copper, at a | have paid approximately $29.1 million (see Contractual | |||||
revenue cutoff grade of $3.54 per tonne using a gold | Obligations). In addition, we have paid an additional | |||||
price of $470 per ounce and a copper price of $1.35 per | amount of approximately $25 million for costs which | |||||
pound. The operating plan anticipates utilizing | are included in the estimate of initial capital costs. The | |||||
conventional truck and shovel mining methods with | net amount of initial capital costs remaining to be | |||||
the processing of ore at full production of 75,000 tonnes | committed and paid is approximately $585 million. | |||||
per day, yielding an average annual production of 457,000 | ||||||
ounces of gold and 63 million pounds of copper over | The magnitude of the capital costs increase was | |||||
an estimated mine life of approximately 18.25 years. | reasonably moderate relative to the mining industry as | |||||
The strip ratio is estimated at 2.24:1 | a whole which continues to experience significant | |||||
increases in capital and operating costs. Considering the | ||||||
The estimated initial capital cost to construct and | project scope changes, the increased costs for Brisas are | |||||
place Brisas into production totaling $731 million | not as dramatic as some other projects primarily as a | |||||
excluding working capital, critical spares and initial fills | result of the fact that detailed engineering is | |||||
of approximately $53 million and ongoing life-of-mine | approximately 75% complete, the majority of the projects |
infrastructure is in place and Venezuelan energy prices | ENGINEERING AND PROCUREMENT | |
remain the lowest in the world. In addition, orders for | ||
long-lead items such as the gyratory crusher, pebble | SNC-Lavalin of Toronto and its international | |
crushers, semi autogenous grinding (SAG) and ball mills, | affiliate are providing the Engineering and Procurement | |
mill motors, and initial construction equipment have | (EP) and Construction Management (CM) services for | |
been placed. | Brisas. SNC Lavalin's scope of work under the EP and | |
CM contracts includes providing engineering services | ||
The primary variances between the current estimate | related to, and management of, the construction of a | |
of initial capital cost of $731 million compared to the | 75,000 metric tonne per day hard rock ore copper | |
previous estimate of $638 million are as follows: | concentrator and related systems, a tailings dam, the | |
initial pit dewatering wells and support facilities including | ||
Mill costs increased $73.2 million primarily due to | mobile equipment shop, administration building, | |
increasing the size of the SAG mills, an increase in steel | communications and IT services, laboratory, | |
quantity and prices and an escalation in equipment | maintenance facilities, warehouse and employee and | |
prices. The largest components of the mill cost variances | construction man camp. | |
were: flotation and grinding increased $49.2 million | ||
which includes $23 million for larger SAG mills (36' to | Pursuant to the EP and CM contracts, SNC Lavalin | |
38') and an additional $10 million related to SAG mill | is to also provide all services and supplies necessary for | |
motors. Costs related to cyanide destruction reagent | commissioning and start-up of the project, manage the | |
facilities and compressed air and water utilities increased | health, safety and environmental plans and assure its | |
a total of approximately $13 million. | services and those of the trade contractors, comply with | |
commitments contained in the ESIA and local permit | ||
Mine costs decreased $17.6 million mostly due to | requirements. The cost of SNC Lavalins EP and CM | |
6 lengthening the pre-production period from 9 months | services is expected to be approximately $60 million over | |
to 17 months which coincides with the construction | the construction period. | |
period. This significantly reduces the amount of | ||
equipment required for pre-stripping which was partially | Detailed engineering for Brisas was substantially | |
offset by escalation in equipment prices. Tailings | advanced during 2007 by SNC Lavalin and was | |
management facility cost increased $14.5 million mostly | approximately 75% complete at the date of this report. | |
due to additional earthworks caused by increased hauls | We expect the majority of the detailed engineering to | |
for suitable construction material and owners cost | be complete by mid 2008. Detailed engineering includes | |
increased $7.8 million primarily due to an increase in | construction drawings, site layout, manpower | |
site earthworks costs and additional environmental/social | requirements, construction planning, and many other | |
program costs. | functions required in a project of this magnitude. This | |
is the final step in the engineering process for mine | ||
EPCM cost increased $18.4 million due to additional | development work and is a major requirement for the | |
work, management support for extended work period, | construction process. | |
procurement efforts and increases in currency exchange | ||
rates and contingency costs decreased $15.6 million | In mid 2007, we placed orders for the gyratory | |
primarily due to placing orders on long lead items, | crusher, two SAG mills, four ball mills, two vertical mills, | |
advanced-stage project engineering, increased estimation | and the gear drives and motors for the mills. The suppliers | |
accuracy and receipt of vendor and contractor bids for | are coordinating the fabrication and delivery of these | |
most project equipment and services. | critical pieces of equipment according to project schedule. | |
We have also begun the process of a phased order for | ||
mining and construction equipment from Caterpillar. |
PROJECT FINANCE | RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | |||
Significant work has been completed by the | The Company is engaged in the business of | |||
Company and its advisors in the evaluation and design | exploration and development of mining projects, | |||
of the project financing. The Company engaged | presently focusing our management and financial | |||
Corporacion Andina de Fomento (CAF), Export | resources on the Brisas gold and copper project (Brisas | |||
Development Canada (EDC), UniCredit Group (HVB) | Project), located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. We have | |||
and WestLB AG (WestLB) of Germany as Mandated | no commercial production at this time. We have not | |||
Lead Arrangers (MLAs) to arrange up to US$425 million | recorded revenue or cash flows from mining operations | |||
of project debt for Brisas. | and have experienced losses from operations for each | |||
of the last five years, a trend we expect to continue until | ||||
As part of the evaluation and design of the project | Brisas is fully constructed and put into commercial | |||
financing an independent engineering company has | production. The Companys results of operations are a | |||
reviewed our project, provided critical observations, | product of operating expenses, primarily related to the | |||
and assisted with our objective of meeting industry best | development of Brisas, net of income on invested cash. | |||
practices and the Equator Principles. In certain | ||||
circumstances compliance with the Equator Principles | The Company has historically re-measured its | |||
has increased the operating and capital costs from initial | Bolivar denominated transactions at the official exchange | |||
estimates; however, in the long run, Brisas demonstrates | rate of Bs. 2,150/$. In the fourth quarter of 2007, based | |||
best practices in all areas of mine development needed | on new guidance from the AICPAs International | |||
to qualify the project for conventional project financing. | Practices Task Force, the Company concluded that the | |||
parallel market rate was the most appropriate rate to | ||||
In 2007 we completed two concurrent financings | use to re-measure Bolivar transactions. Accordingly, | |||
providing net proceeds of approximately $173 million. | the Company used the average rate in the parallel | 7 | ||
The lead underwriters were J. P. Morgan Securities, Inc., | market to re-measure Bolivar transactions during 2007 | |||
RBC Capital Markets and Cormark Securities, Inc. We | and at December 31, 2007 used the parallel rate to | |||
also continue to work on the project debt financing | translate Bolivar denominated monetary items. | |||
with MLAs to complete all the conditions precedent | ||||
for commitment. | 2007 Compared to 2006. | |||
Any future funding is, among other things, | The consolidated net loss for the year ended | |||
contingent on the on-going receipt of permits or | December 31, 2007 was approximately $12,411,000 or | |||
authorizations for Brisas, subject to satisfactory due | $0.25 per share, an increase of approximately $5,435,000 | |||
diligence findings, market conditions, final credit | from the prior year. Other income for 2007 amounted | |||
committee approval and other conditions precedent. | to $6,499,000, which is a decrease of approximately | |||
$1,753,000 from the previous year. Other income |
decreased primarily as a result of a non-recurring gain | 2006 Compared to 2005. | |
on marketable securities during the year ended December | ||
31, 2006, partially offset by higher interest income as a | The consolidated net loss for the year ended | |
result of increased cash balances. | December 31, 2006 was approximately $6,977,000 or | |
$0.18 per share, a decrease of approximately $2,051,000 | ||
Operating expenses for the year amounted to | from the prior year. Other income for 2006 amounted | |
approximately $18,452,000, which is an increase from | to approximately $8,252,000 which is an increase of | |
the prior year of approximately $3,745,000. The overall | approximately $6,849,000 from the previous year. Other | |
increase in operating expenses is primarily attributable | income increased primarily as a result of a non-recurring | |
to an increase in general and administrative costs of | gain on sales of marketable securities. | |
approximately $5,500,000, partially offset by a net change | ||
in foreign currency gain of approximately $2,068,000 | Operating expenses for the year amounted to | |
over the prior year. | $14,707,000, which is an increase from the prior year | |
of approximately $4,278,000. The increase in operating | ||
The increase in general and administrative cost | expenses is attributable to the addition of technical staff, | |
primarily relates to: approximately $3,300,000 non-cash | engagement of consultants and overall increases in costs | |
charge related to stock option compensation; | related to corporate management activities, investor | |
approximately $1,000,000 increase in banking costs | relations and financing efforts associated with the | |
related to the project debt financing and equipment | development and construction of Brisas as well as foreign | |
procurement; with the remaining being attributable to | currency loss attributable to the decrease in the value | |
salary adjustments, addition of technical staff, | of the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar. The | |
engagement of consultants and overall increases in costs | non-cash impact of accounting for stock-based | |
related to corporate management activities associated | compensation also contributed to the increase. | |
8 with the development and construction of Brisas. |
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
Quarter ended | 12/31/07 | 9/30/07 | 6/30/07 | 3/31/07 | 12/31/06 | 9/30/06 | 6/30/06 | 3/31/06 | ||||||||
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Other Income | $ (217,816) | $ 4,149,659 | $ 1,894,117 | $ 673,124 | $ 1,417,955 | $ 1,119,412 | $ 888,611 | $ 4,826,080 | ||||||||
Net (loss) income | ||||||||||||||||
before tax | (8,596,566) | 767,375 | (1,252,054) | (2,871,675) | (4,873,662) | (2,317,115) | (1,610,458) | 2,346,293 | ||||||||
Per share | (0.16) | 0.01 | (0.03) | (0.07) | (0.13) | (0.06) | (0.04) | 0.07 | ||||||||
Fully diluted | (0.16) | 0.01 | (0.03) | (0.07) | (0.13) | (0.06) | (0.04) | 0.07 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | (8,842,316) | 560,392 | (1,254,600) | (2,874,969) | (5,057,977) | (2,501,572) | (1,716,975) | 2,299,779 | ||||||||
Per share | (0.16) | 0.01 | (0.03) | (0.07) | (0.13) | (0.06) | (0.05) | 0.06 | ||||||||
Fully diluted | (0.16) | 0.01 | (0.03) | (0.07) | (0.13) | (0.06) | (0.05) | 0.06 | ||||||||
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Through the third quarter of 2007, the Company | rate to translate Bolivar denominated monetary items | |
re-measured its Bolivar denominated transactions at | which had the effect in the fourth quarter 2007 of | |
the official exchange rate of Bs. 2,150/$. In the fourth | reducing the gain previously reported as Other Income | |
quarter of 2007, based on new guidance from the AICPAs | on the conversion of dollars to Bolivars. The net loss in | |
International Practices Task Force, the Company | the fourth quarter 2007 is primarily a product of the | |
concluded that the parallel market rate was the most | currency translation noted above as well as a non-cash | |
appropriate rate to use to re-measure Bolivar transactions. | charge related to stock option compensation and salary | |
Accordingly, the Company used the average rate in the | adjustments. Historically, the net losses during the last | |
parallel market to re-measure all 2007 Bolivar | eight quarters are a result of the Companys efforts to | |
transactions and at December 31, 2007 used the parallel | complete the development of Brisas. |
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES | We have placed orders related to initial capital | |||
Investing Activities | costs totaling approximately $121 million, of which we | |||
have paid approximately $29.1 million (see Contractual | ||||
Since acquiring Brisas in 1992, over $290 million | Obligations). In addition, we have paid an additional | |||
has been committed for Brisas - approximately $200 | amount of approximately $25 million for costs which | |||
million has been expended (including capitalized costs | are included in the estimate of initial capital costs. The | |||
and costs expensed in the period incurred) and | net amount of initial capital costs remaining to be | |||
approximately $90 million has been contractually | committed and paid is approximately $585 million. | |||
committed for equipment purchases (see Contractual | As noted elsewhere, we believe that we have met | |||
Obligations). The costs expended include: costs of | all conditions precedent to commencing the construction | |||
acquiring property and mineral rights, other acquisition | of infrastructure and services phase and are ready to | |||
costs, equipment expenditures, litigation settlement costs, | execute our plan to initiate our site works pursuant to | |||
general and administrative costs and extensive exploration | the Authorization for the Affectation of Natural | |||
costs including geology, geophysics and geochemistry, | Resources for the Construction of Infrastructure and | |||
drilling costs for approximately 975 drill holes totaling | Services Phase of Brisas (the Authorization to Affect) | |||
over 200,000 meters of drilling, independent audits of | ||||
drilling, sampling, assaying procedures and ore reserves | We expect to proceed with construction activities | |||
methodology, environmental baseline work/ socioeconomic | upon issuance of the Initiation Act and adequate funding. | |||
studies, hydrology studies, geotechnical studies, mine | These activities are expected to include mobilization of | |||
planning, advanced stage grinding and metallurgical test | EPCM contractor, pit and site dewatering, construction | |||
work, tailings dam designs, milling process flow sheet | of man-camp and office complex, clearing and | |||
designs and a feasibility study, including a number of | earthworks for mill site, tailings management facility, | |||
subsequent updates, independent NI 43101 reports and | dam wall and tailings pipeline corridor, construction of | 9 | ||
an ESIA. Since acquiring the Choco 5 property in 2000, | sedimentation ponds, power-line corridor, conveyor belt | |||
the Company has invested approximately $1.4 million | and service road corridor, rock quarry, sanitary fill and | |||
on acquisition and exploration costs. | all other related mine site preparation works. | |||
Based on the recently updated NI 43-101 Report, | The timeline for the activities covered by the | |||
overall capital expenditures required to put Brisas into | Authorization to Affect is estimated to be 14-16 months | |||
production are estimated to be approximately $731 | and we estimate that we will expend approximately | |||
million excluding working capital, critical spares and | $100 million over that time period. Overall we anticipate | |||
initial fills of approximately $53 million, ongoing life- | a minimum of 36 months to construct Brisas and, | |||
of-mine requirements estimated at $269 million and | assuming we receive the required permits and | |||
authorizations, we expect commissioning and | ||||
value added taxes of approximately $54 million. As a | achievement of commercial production shortly thereafter. | |||
result of the certain project scope changes, primarily | ||||
related to increasing the SAG mill diameter from 36' | In the meantime we continue to focus our efforts | |||
to 38' and inflationary increases in the cost of various | on obtaining the on-going permits and authorizations | |||
mine equipment, milling facility components and raw | related to Brisas, supporting SNC-Lavalins efforts to | |||
materials, initial capital cost increased approximately | finalize detailed engineering as well as other third party | |||
$93 million over the previous estimate of $638 million. | consultants with various technical studies focused on |
optimizing the design and economics of the project. | and review of a data room to support the due diligence | |||
In addition, final details related to port facilities, | process of the banks, and the independent due diligence | |||
concentrate sales contracts, electricity and fuel supply | by lenders representatives, environmental requirements | |||
contracts, land use permits and a number of other | to international standards and the preparation of the | |||
agreements related to the construction and operation | International Environmental Impact Statement. | |||
of Brisas are proceeding. | Financial models and information memoranda have also | |||
been prepared which form the basis of the financial | ||||
Over 2,000 personnel will be needed for the | assessment of the project. | |||
construction of the project and operating employment | ||||
will peak at over 900 personnel. Value added taxes and | Project financing continues to be a primary focus | |||
import duties which could total as much as $54 million | of management. Significant work has been completed | |||
are excluded from the initial capital estimates. Tax | by the Company, its advisors and the Mandated Lead | |||
exonerations or tax payment holidays are currently | Arrangers in the evaluation and design of the project | |||
available for various taxes including value added taxes | financing. Any future funding is, among other things, | |||
(VAT) and import duty tax on the initial capital costs. | contingent on the on-going receipt of permits or | |||
Management is in the process of preparing the | authorizations for Brisas, subject to satisfactory due | |||
applications for all available exonerations and expects | diligence findings, market conditions, final credit | |||
to obtain available exonerations prior to the construction | committee approval and other conditions precedent. | |||
of the project. As a result, the cost of such taxes and | The Company also engaged certain investment banks | |||
import duties are not included in the initial costs of the | for the equity portion of the project finance requirements | |||
project. However, there can be no assurances that such | and related services which would be contingent upon | |||
exonerations will be obtained the result of which would | the project debt being arranged. | |||
likely be to increase capital and operating costs. | ||||
10 | In May 2007 we completed the sale of $103,500,000 | |||
Investing activities in 2007 primarily consisted of | aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior | |||
expenditures related to the continued development of | Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2022 and | |||
Brisas, which totaled approximately $45 million and the | 13,762,300 Class A common shares at $5.80 per share | |||
collateralization of approximately $52 million of cash | (Cdn$6.42 per share) for net proceeds to the Company | |||
(restricted cash) related to the purchase of certain long- | of approximately $173,000,000 after deducting | |||
lead items for the construction of Brisas. Investing | underwriting fees and offering expenses. | |||
activities in 2006 primarily consisted of expenditures | ||||
related to the continued development of Brisas, which | The notes are unsecured, bear interest at a rate of | |||
totaled approximately $15 million and the purchase and | 5.5% annually, pay interest semi-annually in arrears and | |||
sale of marketable securities, which on a net basis, | are due on June 15, 2022. The notes are convertible into | |||
resulted in net sale proceeds of approximately $7 million. | Class A common shares of the Company at the initial | |||
conversion rate, subject to adjustment, of 132.626 shares | ||||
Financing Activities | per $1,000 principal amount (equivalent to a conversion | |||
price of $7.54). Upon conversion, the Company will have | ||||
Project finance activities have included technical | the option, unless there has occurred and is then | |||
and legal due diligence, site visits, and input into areas | continuing an event of default under the Companys | |||
such as the sale, marketing and smelting of the planned | indenture to deliver common shares, cash or a combination | |||
gold and gold-copper concentrate, structure of the | of common shares and cash for the notes surrendered. | |||
EPCM arrangements with SNC Lavalin, preparation |
At any time on or after June 16, 2010, and until | company capitalized $4.2 million in interest expense. At | |||
June 15, 2012 the Company may redeem the notes, in | December 31, 2007, the fair value of the debt component | |||
whole or in part, for cash at a redemption price equal | of the convertible notes was estimated to be $78.7 million | |||
to 100% of the principal amount being redeemed plus | based on the net present value of the remaining future | |||
accrued and unpaid interest if the closing sale price of | payments of interest and principal, discounted at the | |||
the Common Shares is equal to or greater than 150% | prevailing market interest rate. | |||
of the conversion price then in effect and the closing | ||||
price for the Companys Common Shares has remained | As of March 28, 2008, the Company held | |||
above that price for at least twenty (20) trading days in | approximately $133 million in cash and investments. | |||
the period of thirty (30) trading days preceding the | Significant additional funding will be required to | |||
Companys notice of redemption. Beginning on June | construct Brisas. In the near-term, management believes | |||
16, 2012 the Company may, at its option, redeem all or | that cash and investment balances are sufficient to | |||
part of the notes for cash at a redemption price equal | enable the Company to fund its pre-construction | |||
to 100% of the principal amount being redeemed plus | activities into 2009 (excluding substantial Brisas Project | |||
accrued and unpaid interest. | construction activities). | |||
The note holders have the option to require the | The timing and extent of additional funding, or | |||
Company to repurchase the notes on June 15, 2012 at | project financing, if any, depends on a number of | |||
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the | important factors, including, but not limited to, the | |||
notes plus accrued but unpaid interest. The Company | issuance of the Initiation Act and related authorizations, | |||
may elect to satisfy its obligation to pay the repurchase | the actual timetable of our 2008-2009 work plan, our | |||
price, in whole or in part, by delivering Common Shares. | assessment of the financial markets, the political and | |||
economic conditions in Venezuela, our share price and | ||||
In the event of a change of control of the Company, | the price of gold and copper. | 11 | ||
the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the | ||||
notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal | Management provides no assurances that it will be | |||
amount of the notes plus accrued but unpaid interest | able to obtain the substantial additional financing that | |||
unless there has occurred and is continuing certain events | will be needed to construct Brisas, and the Company | |||
of default under the Companys indenture. The Company | currently has no definitive proposals or firm commitments | |||
may elect to satisfy its obligation to repurchase the notes | to proceed with such financing. Failure to raise the | |||
in whole or in part by delivering Common Shares. | required funds will mean the Company is unable to | |||
construct and operate Brisas, which would have a | ||||
Accounting standards require the Company to | material adverse effect on the Company. | |||
allocate the notes between their equity and debt | ||||
component parts based on their respective fair values at | Operating Activities | |||
the time of issuance. The equity portion of the notes was | ||||
estimated using the residual value method at | Cash flow used by operating activities for 2007 was | |||
approximately $29 million net of issuance costs. The fair | approximately $5.7 million, which was a decrease over | |||
value of the debt component is accreted to the face value | 2006 of approximately $5.6 million. The decrease in | |||
of the notes using the effective interest method over the | cash used by operating activities from 2006 was primarily | |||
expected term of the notes, with the resulting charge | due to an increase in interest income as result of increased | |||
recorded as interest expense. Interest expense allocable | levels of invested cash and an increase in foreign | |||
to the qualifying cost of developing mining properties | currency gain, both of which partially off-set cash | |||
and to constructing new facilities is capitalized until assets | expenditures for the period. | |||
are ready for their intended use. During 2007, the |
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS |
The following table sets forth information on the Companys material contractual obligation payments for the periods indicated as of December 31, 2007:
Payments due by Period | ||||||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||
Less than | More Than | |||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total | 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | 5 Years | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Convertible notes 1 | $186,041,250 | $ 5,692,500 | $11,385,000 | $11,385,000 | $157,578,750 | |||||||
Equipment contracts 2 | 92,249,714 | 53,547,646 | 38,702,068 | |||||||||
Mandated Lender Group 3 | 320,000 | 320,000 | ||||||||||
Operating Lease 4 | 146,808 | 125,741 | 21,067 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total | $278,757,772 | $59,685,887 | $50,108,135 | $11,385,000 | $157,578,750 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
1 In May 2007, the Company issued $103,500,000 aggregate | 3 The Company has a services agreement with a group of Mandated | |||||||||||
principal amount of its 5.50% Senior subordinated convertible notes. | Lenders to provide various banking services related to obtaining | |||||||||||
The notes pay interest semi-annually and are due on June 15, 2022. | project financing for Brisas. The agreement provides for quarterly | |||||||||||
Subject to certain conditions, the notes may be converted into Class | payments to each of the four banks in the Mandated Lenders group | |||||||||||
A common shares of the Company, redeemed or repurchased. The | until the financing is secured. The amount shown above represents | |||||||||||
amounts shown above include the interest and principal payments | the amount payable under the contract if financing is not secured | |||||||||||
due unless the notes are converted, redeemed or repurchased prior | during 2008 and the contract is not cancelled by the Company. The | |||||||||||
to their due date. | agreement is cancelable at anytime with no further obligation of the | |||||||||||
12 | Company. | |||||||||||
2 The Company has placed orders totaling $121 million for the | ||||||||||||
fabrication of processing equipment, Caterpillar equipment and other | 4 The Company leases office space under a non-cancelable operating | |||||||||||
mining equipment and related engineering. As of December 31, 2007 | lease which expires March 1, 2009. | |||||||||||
the Company has made payments on these contracts of $29.1 million. |
MANAGEMENTS REPORT | ||||
To the Shareholders of Gold Reserve Inc. | The Board of Directors fulfills its responsibilities | |||
for the consolidated financial statements primarily | ||||
The accompanying consolidated financial | through the activities of its Audit Committee, which is | |||
statements of the Company were prepared by | composed of three directors, none of whom are members | |||
management in accordance with accounting principles | of management. This Committee monitors the | |||
generally accepted in Canada, consistently applied and | independence and performance of our independent | |||
within the framework of the summary of significant | auditors and meets with the auditors to discuss the | |||
accounting policies in these consolidated financial | results of their audit and their audit report prior to | |||
statements. Management is responsible for all | submitting the consolidated financial statements to the | |||
information in the annual report. All financial and | Board of Directors for approval. This Committee reviews | |||
operating data in the annual report is consistent, where | and discusses with management the consolidated | |||
appropriate, with that contained in the consolidated | financial statements, related accounting principles and | |||
financial statements. | practices and (when required of management under | |||
securities commissions or the applicable listing standards) | ||||
Management is responsible for establishing and | managements assessment of internal control over | |||
maintaining an adequate internal control structure and | financial reporting. This Committee also monitors the | |||
procedures for financial reporting. Management has | integrity of our financial reporting process and systems | |||
established and maintains a system of internal accounting | of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and | |||
control designed to provide reasonable assurance that | legal compliance. | |||
assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use, | ||||
financial information is reliable and accurate and | The consolidated financial statements have been | 13 | ||
transactions are properly recorded and executed in | audited on behalf of the shareholders by the Companys | |||
accordance with managements authorization. This | independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |||
system includes established policies and procedures, the | The auditors report outlines the scope of their | |||
selection and training of qualified personnel and an | examination and their opinion on the consolidated | |||
organization providing for appropriate delegation of | financial statements. The auditors have full and free | |||
authority and segregation of responsibilities. | access to the Audit Committee. | |||
s/ Rockne J. Timm | ||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||
March 28, 2008 | ||||
s/ Robert A. McGuinness | ||||
Vice PresidentFinance and CFO | ||||
March 28, 2008 |
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT | ||||
To the Shareholders of Gold Reserve Inc. | Internal control over financial reporting | |||
We have completed an integrated audit of Gold | We have also audited Gold Reserve Inc.s internal | |||
Reserve Inc.s 2007 consolidated financial statements | control over financial reporting as at December 31, | |||
and of its internal control over financial reporting as at | 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control | |||
December 31, 2007 and audits of its 2006 and 2005 | - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of | |||
consolidated financial statements. Our opinions, based | Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission | |||
on our audits, are presented below. | (COSO). The Companys management is responsible | |||
for maintaining effective internal control over financial | ||||
Consolidated financial statements | reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of | |||
internal control over financial reporting, included in | ||||
We have audited the accompanying consolidated | Managements Annual Report on Internal Control over | |||
balance sheets of Gold Reserve Inc as at December 31, | Financial Reporting on page 4 of the Annual Report | |||
2007 and December 31, 2006, and the related | on Form 40F. Our responsibility is to express an opinion | |||
consolidated statements of operations comprehensive | on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control | |||
loss, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for | over financial reporting based on our audit. | |||
each of the years in the three year period ended | ||||
December 31, 2007. These financial statements are | We conducted our audit of internal control over | |||
the responsibility of the Companys management. Our | financial reporting in accordance with the standards of | |||
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial | the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United | |||
14 | statements based on our audits. | States). Those standards require that we plan and perform | ||
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether | ||||
We conducted our audit of the Companys financial | effective internal control over financial reporting was | |||
statements as at December 31, 2007 and for the year | maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal | |||
then ended in accordance with Canadian generally | control over financial reporting includes obtaining an | |||
accepted auditing standards and the standards of the | understanding of internal control over financial reporting, | |||
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United | assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing | |||
States). We conducted our audits of the Companys | and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of | |||
financial statements as at December 31, 2006 and for | internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing | |||
each of the years in the two year period then ended in | such other procedures as we consider necessary in the | |||
accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing | circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a | |||
standards. Those standards require that we plan and | reasonable basis for our opinion. | |||
perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance about | ||||
whether the financial statements are free of material | A companys internal control over financial reporting | |||
misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes | is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance | |||
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the | regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the | |||
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. | preparation of financial statements for external purposes | |||
A financial statement audit also includes assessing the | in accordance with generally accepted accounting | |||
accounting principles used and significant estimates | principles. A companys internal control over financial | |||
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial | reporting includes those policies and procedures that | |||
statement presentation. We believe that our audits | (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in | |||
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. | reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the | |||
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; | ||||
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements | (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are | |||
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, | recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial | |||
the financial position of the Company as at December | statements in accordance with generally accepted | |||
31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and the results of its | accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures | |||
operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the | of the company are being made only in accordance with | |||
three year period ended December 31, 2007 in accordance | authorizations of management and directors of the | |||
with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. | company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding |
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, | Comments by Auditors for U.S. Readers | |||
use, or disposition of the companys assets that could | on Canada-U.S. Reporting Difference | |||
have a material effect on the financial statements. | In the United States, reporting standards for | |||
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control | auditors require the addition of an explanatory | |||
over financial reporting may not prevent or detect | paragraph (following the opinion paragraph) when | |||
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of | there are changes in accounting principles that have | |||
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk | a material effect on the comparability of the Companys | |||
that controls may become inadequate because of changes | financial statements, such as the changes described in | |||
in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with | note 2 to the financial statements. Our report to the | |||
the policies or procedures may deteriorate. | shareholders dated March 27, 2008 is expressed in | |||
accordance with Canadian reporting standards which | ||||
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all | do not require a reference to such a change in | |||
material respects, effective internal control over financial | accounting principles in the auditors report when the | |||
reporting as at December 31, 2007 based on criteria | change is properly accounted for and adequately | |||
established in Internal Control Integrated Framework | disclosed in the financial statements. | |||
issued by the COSO. | ||||
s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | 15 | ||
Chartered Accountants | Chartered Accountants | |||
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |||
March 27, 2008 | March 27, 2008 |
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2007 and 2006 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) | ||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 3) | $ 94,680,576 | $ 25,374,688 | ||||||||||||
Marketable securities (Note 5) | 4,987,511 | 3,309,622 | ||||||||||||
Deposits, advances and other | 652,572 | 515,396 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total current assets | 100,320,659 | 29,199,706 | ||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 6) | 128,624,670 | 73,643,895 | ||||||||||||
Restricted cash (Note 12) | 52,080,603 | | ||||||||||||
Prepaid and other | 872,971 | 1,772,120 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Total assets | $ 281,898,903 | $ 104,615,721 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 7,719,316 | $ 1,914,633 | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest | 237,188 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Total current liabilities | 7,956,504 | 1,914,633 | ||||||||||||
Convertible notes (Note 15) | 70,306,054 | | ||||||||||||
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries | 2,315,536 | 1,729,076 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Total liabilities | $ 80,578,094 | $ 3,643,709 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
16 | Measurement Uncertainty (Note 1) | |||||||||||||
Commitments (Note 12) | ||||||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||||||||
Serial preferred stock, without par value | ||||||||||||||
Authorized: | Unlimited | |||||||||||||
Issued: | None | |||||||||||||
Common shares and Equity Units: (Note 14) | $ 244,295,503 | $ 167,463,742 | ||||||||||||
Class A common shares, without par value | ||||||||||||||
Authorized: | Unlimited | |||||||||||||
Issued: | 2007 55,060,934 | 2006 | 40,581,192 | |||||||||||
Outstanding: | 2007 54,810,934 | 2006 | 40,331,192 | |||||||||||
Equity Units | ||||||||||||||
Issued: | 2007 | 1,085,099 | 2006 | 1,085,099 | ||||||||||
Outstanding: | 2007 | 585,824 | 2006 | 585,824 | ||||||||||
Equity component of convertible notes (Note 15) | 28,784,710 | | ||||||||||||
Less, common shares and equity units held by affiliates | (636,267) | (636,267) | ||||||||||||
Stock options | 7,662,237 | 3,105,169 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (81,371,254) | (68,959,761) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,696,571 | | ||||||||||||
KSOP debt (Note 7) | (110,691) | (871) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Total shareholders equity | 201,320,809 | 100,972,012 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity | $ 281,898,903 | $ 104,615,721 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. | ||||||||||||||
Approved by the Board of Directors: | ||||||||||||||
s/ Chris D. Mikkelsen | s/ Patrick D. McChesney |
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||
For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other Income: | ||||||||||||
Interest income | $ 5,164,480 | $ 1,088,403 | $ 859,945 | |||||||||
Gain on sale of marketable securities | 1,334,604 | 7,163,655 | 542,923 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
6,499,084 | 8,252,058 | 1,402,868 | ||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||
General and administrative | 12,143,569 | 6,646,798 | 5,054,420 | |||||||||
Technical services | 5,093,963 | 5,015,222 | 3,876,928 | |||||||||
Corporate communications | 904,157 | 699,922 | 662,350 | |||||||||
Legal and accounting | 774,140 | 756,752 | 749,208 | |||||||||
Foreign currency (gain) loss | (926,299) | 1,141,932 | 78,070 | |||||||||
Minority interest in net income | ||||||||||||
of consolidated subsidiaries | 462,474 | 446,374 | 7,703 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
18,452,004 | 14,707,000 | 10,428,679 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss before tax | (11,952,920) | (6,454,942) | (9,025,811) | |||||||||
Income tax expense (Note 10) | 458,573 | 521,803 | 1,471 | 17 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss for the year | $ (12,411,493) | $ (6,976,745) | $ (9,027,282) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net loss per sharebasic and diluted | $ (0.25) | $ (0.18) | $ (0.26) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 49,703,688 | 38,123,819 | 35,048,800 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. | ||||||||||||
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2007 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Net loss for the year | $ (12,411,493) | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | ||||||||||||
Holding gain arising during period | 2,005,468 | |||||||||||
Adjustment for realized gains included in net loss | (1,334,604) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other comprehensive income | 670,864 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Comprehensive loss for the year | $ (11,740,629) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||
For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Common Shares and Equity Units Issued |
Equity Com- ponent of Con- | and Equity Units | Stock | Accumulated | Other Compre- | KSOP | |||||||||||||
Common Shares Equity Units | Amount | vertible Notes | Held by Affiliates | Options | Deficit | hensive income | Debt | |||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2004 | 33,715,795 | 1,157,397 | $ 136,907,516 | | $ (674,598) $ 1,004,197 | $ (52,955,734) | | $ (105,323) | ||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged for | ||||||||||||||||||||
common shares | 47,377 | (47,377) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (9,027,282) | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | 863,340 | |||||||||||||||||||
Common shares issued for: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | 1,106,765 | 2,612,344 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services | 251,350 | 733,232 | ||||||||||||||||||
KSOP | 75,000 | 258,971 | (258,971) | |||||||||||||||||
Allocation to KSOP participants | 280,074 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 35,196,287 | 1,110,020 | 140,512,063 | | (674,598) | 1,867,537 | (61,983,016) | | (84,220) | |||||||||||
Equity units exchanged for | ||||||||||||||||||||
common shares | 24,921 | (24,921) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (6,976,745) | |||||||||||||||||||
18 | Stock option Compensation | 1,390,776 | ||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of options exercised | 153,144 | (153,144) | ||||||||||||||||||
Common shares issued for: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | 5,096,109 | 25,702,673 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services | 163,875 | 747,075 | ||||||||||||||||||
KSOP | 100,000 | 189,063 | (189,063) | |||||||||||||||||
Allocation to KSOP participants | 272,412 | |||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in Shares held | ||||||||||||||||||||
by affiliates | 159,724 | 38,331 | ||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2006 | 40,581,192 | 1,085,099 | 167,463,742 | | (636,267) | 3,105,169 | (68,959,761) | | (871) | |||||||||||
Opening balance on adoption of | ||||||||||||||||||||
new accounting standard | $ 2,025,707 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (12,411,493) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | 670,864 | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock option Compensation | 4,724,120 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity component of convertible notes | 28,784,710 | |||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of options exercised | 167,052 | (167,052) | ||||||||||||||||||
Common shares issued for: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | 13,985,742 | 74,349,097 | ||||||||||||||||||
Services | 394,000 | 1,818,012 | ||||||||||||||||||
KSOP | 100,000 | 497,600 | (497,600) | |||||||||||||||||
Allocation to KSOP participants | 387,780 | |||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 55,060,934 | 1,085,099 | $ 244,295,503 | $ 28,784,710 | $ (636,267) | $7,662,237 | $ (81,371,254) | $ 2,696,571 | $ (110,691) | |||||||||||
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| |||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |
GOLD RESERVE INC. | ||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||||||
For the Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 (Expressed in U.S. Dollars) | ||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash Flow from Operating Activities: | ||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | $ (12,411,493) | $ (6,976,745) | $ (9,027,282) | |||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net | ||||||||||||
cash used by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
Stock option compensation | 4,724,120 | 1,390,776 | 863,340 | |||||||||
Depreciation | 179,111 | 147,798 | 93,157 | |||||||||
Amortization of discount on debt investments | | (419) | (2,251) | |||||||||
Foreign currency loss | 1,131,269 | | 78,070 | |||||||||
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries | 462,474 | 446,374 | 7,703 | |||||||||
Net gain on disposition of marketable securities | (1,334,604) | (7,163,655) | (542,923) | |||||||||
Shares issued for compensation and KSOP | 2,205,792 | 1,019,487 | 1,013,306 | |||||||||
Changes in non-cash working capital: | ||||||||||||
(Increase) decrease in deposits, advances and accrued interest | (137,176) | (73,266) | (92,558) | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (494,798) | 29,880 | (120,070) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used by operating activities | (5,675,305) | (11,179,770) | (7,729,508) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Cash Flow from Investing Activities: | 19 | |||||||||||
Purchase of marketable securities | (4,163,941) | (6,539,362) | (3,903,158) | |||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (44,689,332) | (15,078,403) | (5,574,241) | |||||||||
Proceeds from the sale and maturity of marketable securities | 6,517,227 | 13,379,048 | 6,991,874 | |||||||||
Increase in restricted cash | (52,080,603) | | | |||||||||
Capitalized interest paid on convertible notes | (3,273,187) | | | |||||||||
Other | (108,134) | (279,750) | (205,764) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash used by investing activities | (97,797,970) | (8,518,467) | (2,691,289) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash Flow from Financing Activities: | ||||||||||||
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible notes | 98,430,066 | | | |||||||||
Net proceeds from issuance of common shares | 74,349,097 | 25,702,673 | 2,612,344 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 172,779,163 | 25,702,673 | 2,612,344 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents: | ||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 69,305,888 | 6,004,436 | (7,808,453) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year | 25,374,688 | 19,370,252 | 27,178,705 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | $ 94,680,576 | $ 25,374,688 | $ 19,370,252 | |||||||||
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|||||||||
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | ||||||||||||
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|
|||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares as compensation | $ 1,818,012 | $ 747,075 | $ 733,232 | |||||||||
Issuance of common shares to KSOP Plan | $ 497,600 | $ 189,063 | $ 258,971 | |||||||||
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|
|||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. |
1. The Company and Significant Accounting | These consolidated financial statements include | |||
Policies: | the accounts of the Company, Gold Reserve Corporation, | |||
two domestic subsidiaries, Great Basin Energies, Inc. | ||||
The Company. Gold Reserve Inc. (the | (Great Basin) and MGC Ventures Inc. (MGC | |||
Company) is a mining company incorporated in 1998 | Ventures), four Venezuelan subsidiaries, two Barbadian | |||
under the laws of the Yukon Territory, Canada, and is | subsidiaries and five Aruban subsidiaries which were | |||
the successor issuer to Gold Reserve Corporation, which | formed to hold the Companys interest in its foreign | |||
was incorporated in 1956. The Companys primary | subsidiaries or for future transactions. All subsidiaries | |||
mineral asset, the Brisas Project, is a gold/copper deposit | are wholly owned with the exception of Great Basin | |||
located in the Km 88 mining district of the State of | and MGC Ventures which are 45% and 44% owned, | |||
Bolivar in southeastern Venezuela. The Company has | respectively. All intercompany accounts and transactions | |||
no revenue producing mining operations at this time. | have been eliminated on consolidation. The Companys | |||
All amounts shown herein are expressed in U.S. Dollars | policy is to consolidate those subsidiaries where control | |||
unless otherwise noted. | exists. See Note 9. | |||
In February 1999, the shareholders of Gold Reserve | Cash and Cash Equivalents. | |||
Corporation approved a plan of reorganization whereby | The Company considers short-term, highly liquid | |||
Gold Reserve Corporation became a subsidiary of Gold | investments purchased with an original maturity of three | |||
Reserve Inc., the successor issuer (the Reorganization). | months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of | |||
Generally, each shareholder of Gold Reserve Corporation | reporting cash equivalents and cash flows. Cash and | |||
received one Gold Reserve Inc. Class A common share | cash equivalents are designated as available-for-sale and | |||
for each common share owned of Gold Reserve | recorded at fair value. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, | |||
Corporation. After the Reorganization, a shareholder of | the Company had approximately $311,000 and $718,000, | |||
20 | Gold Reserve Inc. continued to own an interest in the | respectively, in Venezuela and banks outside Canada | ||
business, through subsidiary companies, that in aggregate | and the United States. | |||
was essentially the same as before the Reorganization. | ||||
Certain U.S. holders of Gold Reserve Corporation | Exploration and Development Costs. | |||
elected, for tax reasons, to receive equity units in lieu of | Exploration costs incurred in locating areas of potential | |||
Gold Reserve Inc. Class A common shares. An equity | mineralization are expensed as incurred. Exploration | |||
unit is comprised of one Gold Reserve Inc. Class B | costs of properties or working interests with specific areas | |||
common share and one Gold Reserve Corporation Class | of potential mineralization are capitalized at cost pending | |||
B common share. The equity units are substantially | the determination of a propertys economic viability. | |||
equivalent to a Class A common share and are | Development costs of proven mining properties not yet | |||
immediately convertible into Gold Reserve Inc. Class A | producing are capitalized at cost and classified as | |||
common shares upon compliance with certain procedures. | capitalized exploration costs under property, plant and | |||
Equity units are not listed for trading on any stock | equipment. The Company capitalizes those costs which | |||
exchange, but, subject to compliance with applicable | are directly attributable to the Brisas project including | |||
federal, provincial and state securities laws, may be | engineering, procurement and construction management, | |||
transferred. Unless otherwise noted, general references | mine planning, environmental impact studies, drilling, | |||
to common shares of the Company include Class A | assaying and interest. Costs related to staffing and | |||
common shares and Class B common shares as a | maintenance of offices and facilities in Venezuela are | |||
combined group. | charged to operations. Property holding costs are charged | |||
to operations during the period if no significant | ||||
Presentation of Financial Statements | exploration or development activities are being conducted | |||
and Consolidation. The consolidated financial | on the related properties. Upon commencement of | |||
statements contained herein have been prepared in | production, capitalized exploration and development | |||
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted | costs will be amortized based on the estimated proven | |||
in Canada, which as described in Note 17, differ in | and probable reserves benefited. Properties determined | |||
certain material respects from accounting principles | to be impaired or that are abandoned are written-down | |||
generally accepted in the United States of America. | to the estimated fair value. Carrying values do not | |||
necessarily reflect present or future values. |
Property, Plant and Equipment. | Through 2006, the Company re-measured its Bolivar | |||
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at the lower | denominated transactions at the official exchange rate | |||
of cost less accumulated depreciation. Replacements | of Bs. 2,150/$. In 2007, based on new guidance from | |||
and major improvements are capitalized. Maintenance | the AICPAs International Practices Task Force, the | |||
and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The | Company concluded that parallel market rate was the | |||
cost and accumulated depreciation of assets retired or | most appropriate rate to use to re-measure Bolivar | |||
sold are removed from the accounts and any resulting | transactions. Accordingly, in 2007 the Company used | |||
gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation is | the average rate received in the parallel market of Bs. | |||
provided using straight-line and accelerated methods | 4,446/$ to re-measure Bolivar transactions and at | |||
over the lesser of the useful life or lease term of the | December 31, 2007, used the parallel rate to translate | |||
related asset. Interest and financing costs incurred during | Bolivar denominated monetary items. | |||
the construction and development of qualifying assets | ||||
are capitalized. | Stock Based Compensation. The Company | |||
uses the fair value method of accounting for stock | ||||
Impairment Test. The Company reviews long- | options. The fair value is computed using the Black- | |||
lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes | Scholes method as described in note 8 and is expensed | |||
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of | over the vesting period of the option. Consideration | |||
the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the | paid for shares on exercise of share options, in addition | |||
expected future net cash flows to be generated from the | to the fair value attributable to stock options granted, | |||
use or disposition of a long-lived asset (undiscounted | is credited to capital stock. | |||
and without interest charges) is less than the carrying | ||||
amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized | Income Taxes. The Company uses the liability | |||
and the asset is written down to fair value. Fair value is | method of accounting for income taxes. Future tax assets | 21 | ||
generally determined by discounting estimated cash flows. | and liabilities are determined based on the differences | |||
between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and those | ||||
Foreign Currency. The U.S. Dollar is the | amounts reported in the financial statements. The future | |||
Companys functional currency. The Companys foreign | tax assets or liabilities are calculated using the substantively | |||
subsidiaries are integrated foreign operations and | enacted tax rates expected to apply in the periods in | |||
accordingly foreign currency amounts are translated | which the differences are expected to be settled. Future | |||
into U.S. Dollars using the temporal method. Non- | tax assets are recognized to the extent that they are | |||
monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical | considered more likely than not to be realized. | |||
rates, monetary assets and liabilities are translated at | ||||
current rates and revenue and expense items are | Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial | |||
translated at average exchange rates during the reporting | statements in conformity with generally accepted | |||
period, except for depreciation which is translated at | accounting principles requires management to make | |||
historical rates. Translation gains and losses are included | estimates and assumptions that affect the reported | |||
in operating expenses. | amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent | |||
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements | ||||
In 2003, the Venezuelan government implemented | and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses | |||
foreign exchange controls which fixed the rate of | during the reporting period. Actual results could differ | |||
exchange between the Venezuelan Bolivar and the US | from those estimates. | |||
dollar. Since March of 2005, the rate has been fixed at | ||||
2,150 Bolivares (Bs.) to US $1.00 ($). In October of | Measurement Uncertainty. At December | |||
2005, the government enacted the Criminal Exchange | 31, 2007, nearly all of our non-cash assets, including | |||
Law which imposes sanctions on the exchange of | our primary mining asset, the Brisas Project, were located | |||
Bolivares with foreign currency unless the exchange is | in Venezuela. Our operations in Venezuela are subject | |||
made by officially designated methods. The exchange | to the effects of changes in legal, tax and regulatory | |||
regulations do not apply to transactions with certain | regimes, national and local political issues, labor and | |||
securities denominated in Bolivares which can be | economic developments, unrest, currency and exchange | |||
swapped for securities denominated in another currency | controls, import/export restrictions, government | |||
effectively resulting in a parallel market for the Bolivar. | bureaucracy, corruption and uncertain legal enforcement. |
We have not experienced any significant adverse impact | value can be made. The associated asset retirement | |||
to date on our operations in Venezuela nor have we | costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of | |||
curtailed our investment activities in the country. | the long-lived asset and amortized over the same period | |||
However, one or more of the issues described herein or | as the underlying asset. | |||
other factors beyond our control could adversely affect | Convertible Notes. | |||
our operations and investment in Venezuela in the future. | Convertible notes are | |||
initially recorded at fair value and subsequently measured | ||||
Managements capitalization of exploration and | at amortized cost. They are allocated between their | |||
development costs and assumptions regarding the future | equity and debt component parts based on their | |||
recoverability of such costs are based on, among other | respective fair values at the time of issuance and recorded | |||
things, the Companys estimate of current mineral | net of transaction costs. The equity portion of the notes | |||
reserves and resources which are based on engineering | is estimated using the residual value method. The fair | |||
and geological estimates, estimated gold and copper | value of the debt component is accreted to the face | |||
prices, estimated plant construction and operating costs | value of the notes using the effective interest rate method | |||
and the procurement of all necessary regulatory permits | over the expected life of the notes, with the resulting | |||
and approvals. In addition, the Company records | charge recorded as interest expense. Interest expense | |||
amounts paid for value-added tax as a non-current asset | allocable to the qualifying cost of developing mining | |||
based on the assumption that these amounts will be | properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized | |||
recoverable when the Brisas Project begins production. | until assets are ready for their intended use. | |||
These assumptions and estimates could change in the | ||||
future and this could affect the carrying value and the | 2. Adoption of New Accounting Policies: | |||
ultimate recoverability of the amounts recorded as | ||||
property and mineral rights, capitalized exploration and | Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted | |||
22 | development costs and other assets. The Company | CICA Section 3855, Financial Instruments Recognition | ||
operates and files tax returns in a number of jurisdictions. | and Measurement. This section establishes standards | |||
The preparation of such tax filings requires considerable | for determining when a financial asset, financial liability | |||
judgment and the use of assumptions. Accordingly, the | or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on the | |||
amounts reported could vary in the future. | balance sheet and whether it will be measured using a | |||
cost-based or fair value method. As of January 1, 2007, | ||||
Net Loss Per Share. Net loss per share is | our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and | |||
computed by dividing net loss by the combined weighted | investments in marketable securities have been classified | |||
average number of Class A and B common shares | as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value on | |||
outstanding during each year, which has been reduced | the balance sheet. Fair values are determined by | |||
by the common shares owned by Great Basin and MGC | reference to published price quotations in active markets | |||
Ventures. As of December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, | and changes in these fair values are reflected in other | |||
there were 3,054,857, 1,369,074, and 2,530,682 shares, | comprehensive income and included in shareholders | |||
respectively, available for issuance pursuant to the | equity. Our convertible notes are recorded at amortized | |||
exercise of previously granted share options. In addition, | cost. Transaction costs incurred to issue the notes are | |||
at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 there were nil, | deducted from the underlying balance. Other financial | |||
nil, and 2,680,500 shares, respectively, available for | instruments have been designated as loans and | |||
issuance upon exercise of common share purchase | receivables or other financial liabilities and are measured | |||
warrants. In periods in which a loss is incurred, the effect | at amortized cost. | |||
of potential issuances of shares under options, warrants | ||||
and convertible notes would be anti-dilutive, and | We also adopted CICA section 1530, | |||
therefore basic and diluted losses per share are the same. | Comprehensive Income effective January 1, 2007. This | |||
section requires the presentation of a statement of | ||||
Asset Retirement Obligations. | comprehensive income and its components. | |||
The Company accounts for asset retirement obligations | Comprehensive income includes net income or loss and | |||
based on the guidance in Canadian Institute of | other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive | |||
Chartered Accountants standard 3110. The standard | income may include holding gains and losses on | |||
requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset | available-for-sale securities, gains and losses on certain | |||
retirement obligation be recognized in the period in | derivative instruments and foreign currency gains and | |||
which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair | losses from self sustaining foreign operations. |
As of January 1, 2007, the effect on our balance sheet of adopting these standards is summarized below. As prescribed by these standards, prior periods have not been restated.
January 1, | ||||||||
Adjustment on | 2007 | |||||||
December 31, 2006 | Adoption of | Opening | ||||||
U.S. Dollars | as Reported | New Standards | Balance | |||||
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ASSETS | ||||||||
Current Assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 25,374,688 | $ 25,374,688 | ||||||
Marketable securities | 3,309,622 | $ 2,334,240 A | 5,643,862 | |||||
Deposits, advances and other | 515,396 | 515,396 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Total current assets | 29,199,706 | 2,334,240 | 31,533,946 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 73,643,895 | 73,643,895 | ||||||
Other | 1,772,120 | 1,772,120 | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Total assets | $ 104,615,721 | $ 2,334,240 | $ 106,949,961 | |||||
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LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 1,914,633 | $ 1,914,633 | ||||||
Future income tax | | $ 308,533 B | 308,533 | |||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities | 1,914,633 | 308,533 | 2,223,166 | |||||
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries | 1,729,076 | 1,729,076 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Total liabilities | 3,643,709 | 308,533 | 3,952,242 | |||||
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|
|||||
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY | 23 | |||||||
Serial preferred stock, without par value, none issued | ||||||||
Common shares and equity units, without par value | 167,463,742 | 167,463,742 | ||||||
Less common shares held by affiliates | (636,267) | (636,267) | ||||||
Stock options | 3,105,169 | 3,105,169 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (68,959,761) | (68,959,761) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | 2,025,707 C | 2,025,707 | |||||
KSOP debt | (871) | (871) | ||||||
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|
|
|
|||||
Total shareholders equity | 100,972,012 | 2,025,707 | 102,997,719 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity | $ 104,615,721 | $ 2,334,240 | $ 106,949,961 | |||||
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|
|
A | Investments in marketable securities previously accounted for at cost are designated as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. |
B | The tax effect of the adjustment to marketable securities is recorded as a future tax liability. |
C | The adjustment to marketable securities, net of future tax is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income. |
Our accumulated other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax. Following is a summary of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income since the adoption of the new accounting standard on January 1, 2007.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | ||
|
| |
Opening balance on adoption of new accounting standard, January 1, 2007 | $ 2,025,707 | |
Other comprehensive income during the period | 670,864 | |
|
| |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income at December 31, 2007 | $ 2,696,571 | |
|
|
3. Cash and Cash Equivalents: | ||||
2007 | 2006 | |||
|
|
| ||
Bank deposits | $ 89,682,777 | $ 23,838,243 | ||
Money market funds | 4,997,799 | 1,536,445 | ||
|
|
| ||
Total | $ 94,680,576 | $ 25,374,688 | ||
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|
|
4. Financial Instruments:
The carrying amounts for short term deposits, advances, accounts payable and accrued expenses on the balance sheet approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these instruments. Fair value estimates are made at the balance sheet date based on relevant market information but involve uncertainties and therefore cannot be determined with precision. The Company diversifies its cash and investment holdings into Canadian and U.S. treasury and agency obligations, major financial institutions and corporations in order to limit its exposure to risk of principal, liquidity risk and the risk of changes in interest rates. The fair values of investments in marketable securities are determined by reference to published price quotations in an active market and are disclosed in Note 5. The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk due to its operations in Venezuela and does not actively manage this exposure at this time.
5. | Marketable Securities: | |||||
Quoted | ||||||
Cost | Market Value | |||||
|
|
24 | December 31, 2007 | |||||
|
|
| ||||
Available-for sale securities | $ 2,290,940 | $ 4,987,511 | ||||
|
|
| ||||
December 31, 2006 | ||||||
|
|
| ||||
Equity Securities | $ 3,309,622 | $ 5,643,862 | ||||
|
|
|
At December 31, 2006, the Companys marketable securities consisted of investments in equity securities which were carried at cost. Effective January 1, 2007, with the adoption of the new accounting standard related to financial instruments (see note 2), the companys marketable securities have been classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at quoted market value with gains and losses recorded within other comprehensive income until realized.
6. Property, Plant and Equipment: | ||||||||
Accumulated | ||||||||
Cost | Depreciation | Net | ||||||
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|
||||||
2007 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
United States | ||||||||
Furniture and office equipment | $ 468,976 | $ (318,283) | $ 150,693 | |||||
Leasehold improvements | 35,633 | (35,633) | | |||||
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|
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|
|||||
$ 504,609 | $ (353,916) | $ 150,693 | ||||||
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|
|||||
Venezuela | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Property and mineral rights | $ 11,252,335 | $ 11,252,335 | ||||||
Capitalized exploration costs | 77,225,929 | 77,225,929 | ||||||
Machinery and equipment deposits | 38,853,176 | 38,853,176 | ||||||
Buildings | 751,791 | $ (321,904) | 429,887 | |||||
Furniture and office equipment | 592,777 | (482,038) | 110,739 | |||||
Transportation equipment | 688,829 | (415,443) | 273,386 | |||||
Machinery and equipment | 646,724 | (318,199) | 328,525 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
130,011,561 | (1,537,584) | 128,473,977 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total | $ 130,516,170 | $ (1,891,500) | $ 128,624,670 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
2006 | 25 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
United States | ||||||||
Furniture and office equipment | $ 417,432 | $ (291,095) | $ 126,337 | |||||
Leasehold improvements | 35,633 | (35,633) | | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 453,065 | $ (326,728) | $ 126,337 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Venezuela | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Property and mineral rights | $ 11,252,335 | $ 11,252,335 | ||||||
Capitalized exploration costs | 61,875,623 | 61,875,623 | ||||||
Buildings | 381,599 | $ (287,645) | 93,954 | |||||
Furniture and office equipment | 560,981 | (449,466) | 111,515 | |||||
Transportation equipment | 529,046 | (348,897) | 180,149 | |||||
Machinery and equipment | 318,042 | (314,060) | 3,982 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
74,917,626 | (1,400,068) | 73,517,558 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total | $ 75,370,691 | $ (1,726,796) | $ 73,643,895 | |||||
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2007, Machinery and equipment deposits include amounts paid for infrastructure and milling equipment either in the manufacturing stage or being stored by the manufacturer pending delivery to the project site.
7. KSOP Plan:
The KSOP Plan, adopted in 1990 for the benefit of employees, is comprised of two parts, (1) a salary reduction component, or 401(k), and (2) an employee share ownership component, or ESOP. Unallocated shares are recorded as a reduction to shareholders equity. Allocation of common shares to participants accounts is at the discretion of the Companys board of directors, subject to certain limitations. The value of the shares allocated is recorded in the statement of operations with a reduction of the KSOP debt account. The Company allocated contributions to eligible participants for the Plan years 2007, 2006 and 2005 of $387,780, $272,412, and $280,074, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, 22,246 common shares remain unallocated to plan participants.
8. Share Option Plan:
The Companys Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) as amended in 2006, allows for the issuance of Class A common share purchase options of up to 10% of the common shares outstanding, in addition to any options issued pursuant to predecessor plans, to officers, directors and key individuals for terms of up to ten years. The vesting period of options ranges from immediately to up to three years. Share option transactions for the last three years are as follows:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||||||||
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||
Average | Average | Average | ||||||||||||
Exercise | Exercise | Exercise | ||||||||||||
Shares | Price | Shares | Price | Shares | Price | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Options outstanding at | ||||||||||||||
26 | beginning of year | 2,662,716 | $ 3.36 | 3,148,844 | $ 1.36 | 3,316,374 | $ 1.39 | |||||||
Options exercised | (228,577) | 1.56 | (1,823,295) | 0.77 | (573,030) | 1.00 | ||||||||
Options canceled | (70,000) | 2.20 | (54,333) | 2.72 | (115,000) | 4.16 | ||||||||
Options granted | 2,081,000 | 4.79 | 1,391,500 | 4.47 | 520,500 | 3.21 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Options outstanding at | ||||||||||||||
end of year | 4,445,139 | $ 4.14 | 2,662,716 | $ 3.36 | 3,148,844 | $ 1.36 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Options exercisable | ||||||||||||||
at end of year | 3,054,857 | $ 3.91 | 1,369,074 | $ 2.52 | 2,530,682 | $ 1.18 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Price | Price | Price | ||||||||||||
Range | Range | Range | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Exercise price at end of year | $ 0.72 - $ 5.45 | $ 0.69 - $ 5.36 | $ 0.57 - $ 4.14 | |||||||||||
Exercise price of exercisable options | $ 0.72 - $ 5.45 | $ 0.69 - $ 4.65 | $ 0.57 - $ 4.14 | |||||||||||
The following table relates to stock options at December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||
Weighted Average | ||||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted | Exercise Price | ||||||||||||
Price | Number | Average Remaining | Average | Number | of Exercisable | |||||||||
Range | Outstanding | Contractual Life | Exercise Price | Exercisable | Options | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
$0.72 - $1.89 | 604,139 | 2.26 | $1.70 | 604,139 | $1.70 | |||||||||
$2.15 - $4.00 | 509,000 | 2.41 | $3.45 | 438,500 | $3.37 | |||||||||
$4.02 - $4.19 | 595,500 | 3.59 | $4.15 | 441,125 | $4.16 | |||||||||
$4.22 - $4.62 | 476,500 | 3.75 | $4.46 | 158,760 | $4.57 | |||||||||
$4.65 - $4.65 | 25,000 | 0.68 | $4.65 | 16,500 | $4.65 | |||||||||
$4.83 - $4.83 | 1,901,000 | 2.13 | $4.83 | 1,228,333 | $4.83 | |||||||||
$4.89 - $5.24 | 224,000 | 3.38 | $5.08 | 117,600 | $5.07 | |||||||||
$5.29 - $5.29 | 25,000 | 3.93 | $5.29 | 12,500 | $5.29 | |||||||||
$5.36 - $5.36 | 65,000 | 3.93 | $5.36 | 34,900 | $5.36 | |||||||||
$5.45 - $5.45 | 20,000 | 4.42 | $5.45 | 2,500 | $5.45 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
$0.72 - $5.45 | 4,445,139 | 2.65 | $4.14 | 3,054,857 | $3.91 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company recorded additional compensation expense of $4,724,120, $1,390,776, and $863,340 for stock | ||
options granted during 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The fair value of the options granted was calculated using | ||
the Black-Scholes model. In 2007, the model assumed a weighted average risk free interest rate of 3.09%, expected | ||
life of 2.29 years, expected volatility of 81% and a dividend yield of $nil. In 2006, the model assumed a weighted average | ||
risk free interest rate of 4.63%, expected life of three years, expected volatility of 82% and a dividend yield of $nil. In | ||
2005, the model assumed a risk free interest rate of 3.94%, expected life of three years, expected volatility of 65% and | ||
a dividend yield of $nil. | ||
9. Related Party Transactions: | ||
MGC Ventures. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President-Finance and Vice President- | ||
Administration of the Company are also officers and/or directors and shareholders of MGC Ventures. The Company | ||
owned 12,062,953 common shares of MGC Ventures at December 31, 2007 and 2006, which represented 44% and | ||
46%, respectively of its outstanding shares. The Company believes it has control over MGC Ventures due to the | ||
combined shareholdings of the Company and its officers and directors. MGC Ventures owned 258,083 common shares | ||
of the Company at December 31, 2007 and 2006. In addition, MGC Ventures owned 280,000 common shares of Great | ||
Basin at December 31, 2007 and 2006. During the last three years, the Company sublet a portion of its office space | ||
to MGC Ventures for $6,000 per year. | ||
Great Basin. The Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President-Finance and Vice President-Administration | ||
of the Company are also officers and/or directors and shareholders of Great Basin. The Company owned 15,661,595 | ||
common shares of Great Basin at December 31, 2007 and 2006, which represented 45% and 46%, respectively of its | ||
outstanding shares. The Company believes it has control over Great Basin due to the combined shareholdings of the | ||
Company and its officers and directors. Great Basin owned 491,192 common shares of the Company at December 31, | 27 | |
2007 and 2006. Great Basin also owned 170,800 common shares of MGC Ventures at December 31, 2007 and 2006. | ||
During the last three years, the Company sublet a portion of its office space to Great Basin for $6,000 per year. | ||
10. Income Tax: | ||
No income tax benefit has been recorded for the three years ended December 31, 2007. The Companys Venezuelan | ||
subsidiaries are not subject to Venezuelan income tax during the development stage and accordingly have not paid or | ||
accrued any income tax during the three years ended December 31, 2007. Two of the Companys U.S. subsidiaries | ||
earned net income in 2007, 2006 and 2005 which is included in the Companys consolidated net loss. Income tax | ||
expense recorded by these subsidiaries in 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $458,573, $521,803 and $1,471, respectively. |
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of the future tax assets which may not be realized, principally due to the uncertainty of utilization of net operating losses and other carry forwards prior to expiration. The valuation allowance for future tax assets may be reduced in the near term if the Companys estimate of future taxable income changes. The components of the Canadian and U.S. future income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:
Future Tax Asset | ||||||
|
|
|
||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||
|
|
|
||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 229,449 | $ 255,731 | ||||
Investment income | | | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | 8,503,457 | 8,506,461 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Total temporary differences | 8,732,906 | 8,762,192 | ||||
Net operating loss carry forward | 14,822,963 | 11,022,034 | ||||
Alternative minimum tax credit | 19,871 | 19,871 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Total temporary differences, operating losses | ||||||
and tax credit carry forwards | 23,575,740 | 19,804,097 | ||||
Valuation allowance | (23,575,740) | (19,804,097) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Net deferred tax asset | $ | $ | ||||
|
|
|
|
10. Income Tax, continued: |
At December 31, 2007, the Company had the following U.S. and Canadian tax loss carry forwards and tax credits:
U.S. | Canadian | Expires | ||||||
|
|
|
||||||
Regular tax net operating loss: | $ 1,244,312 | $ 388,388 | 2008 | |||||
688,808 | 511,227 | 2009 | ||||||
341,750 | 1,149,067 | 2010 | ||||||
645,622 | | 2011 | ||||||
1,424,144 | | 2012 | ||||||
| 1,747,595 | 2014 | ||||||
| 2,178,171 | 2015 | ||||||
1,386,674 | | 2018 | ||||||
1,621,230 | | 2019 | ||||||
665,664 | | 2020 | ||||||
896,833 | | 2021 | ||||||
1,435,774 | | 2022 | ||||||
1,806,275 | | 2023 | ||||||
2,760,522 | | 2024 | ||||||
28 | 3,680,288 | | 2025 | |||||
4,622,825 | 2,644,804 | 2026 | ||||||
6,033,181 | 5,723,795 | 2027 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 29,253,902 | $ 14,343,047 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Alternative minimum tax net operating loss: | $ 1,218,023 | | 2008 | |||||
660,271 | | 2009 | ||||||
304,472 | | 2010 | ||||||
618,845 | | 2011 | ||||||
1,399,529 | | 2012 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 4,201,140 | | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Alternative minimum tax credit | $ 19,871 |
11. Segmented Financial Information:
The Company has one operating segment, which is the exploration and development of mineral properties.
Segmented financial information by geographic region is as follows: | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
2007 | U.S./Canada | Venezuela | Consolidated | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Other income | $ 6,499,084 | | $ 6,499,084 | |||||||
Depreciation | 39,447 | $ 139,664 | 179,111 | |||||||
Net loss | 7,654,544 | 4,756,949 | 12,411,493 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Identifiable assets | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ 150,693 | $ 128,473,977 | $ 128,624,670 | |||||||
General corporate assets | 151,750,970 | 1,523,263 | 153,274,233 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total identifiable assets | $ 151,901,663 | $ 129,997,240 | $ 281,898,903 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
2006 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Other income | $ 8,252,058 | | $ 8,252,058 | |||||||
Depreciation | 31,814 | $ 115,984 | 147,798 | |||||||
Net loss | 3,110,063 | 3,866,682 | 6,976,745 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Identifiable assets | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ 126,337 | $ 73,517,558 | $ 73,643,895 | |||||||
General corporate assets | 28,054,737 | 2,917,089 | 30,971,826 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total identifiable assets | $ 28,181,074 | $ 76,434,647 | $ 104,615,721 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
2005 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Other income | $ 1,402,868 | | $ 1,402,868 | 29 | ||||||
Depreciation | 23,462 | $ 69,695 | 93,157 | |||||||
Net loss | 5,802,593 | 3,224,689 | 9,027,282 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Identifiable assets | ||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ 79,769 | $ 57,936,333 | $ 58,016,102 | |||||||
General corporate assets | 22,164,983 | 1,773,787 | 23,938,770 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total identifiable assets | $ 22,244,752 | $ 59,710,120 | $ 81,954,872 | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net loss and identifiable assets of each segment are those that are directly identified with those geographic locations. |
12. Commitments:
In June 2007, the Company placed a $64 million order for the fabrication of the Brisas gyratory crusher, pebble crushers, Semi Autogenous Grinding (SAG) and ball mills and other processing equipment from Metso Minerals. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has made payments on this order of $12.0 million. In connection with this order, the Company opened an irrevocable standby letter of credit with a Canadian chartered bank in the amount of $57.7 million, providing security on the performance of obligations. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has restricted cash of $52.1 million as required by this letter of credit.
The Company has placed additional orders of approximately $57 million for haulage equipment, front end loaders, construction machinery and other mining equipment and related engineering for the construction and operation of Brisas. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has made payments on these orders of $17.1 million and is due to make additional payments totaling $31.1 million during 2008.
In addition, the Company has a services agreement with a group of Mandated Lenders to provide various banking services related to obtaining project financing for the Brisas Project. The agreement provides for quarterly payments to each of the four banks in the Mandated Lenders group until the financing is secured. The agreement is cancellable at anytime with no further obligation of the Company. The amount payable under the contract in 2008, if financing is not secured during 2008 and the contract is not cancelled by the Company, is $320,000.
The Company leases office space under a non-cancelable operating lease. In January 2004, the lease was renewed for an additional five years commencing March 1, 2004. Rent expense under the lease during 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $121,928, $118,813 and $115,180, respectively. Future minimum annual rent payable under the lease is $125,741 in 2008 and $21,067 in 2009.
13. Shareholder Rights Plan: | approval, increased the exercise price of the warrants | |||
The Company instituted a shareholder rights plan | from Canadian $6.50 to Canadian $6.55 and extended | |||
(the Rights Plan) in 1999. Since the original approval | the expiry date of the warrants to July 31, 2007. None | |||
by the Shareholders, the Rights Plan and the Rights | of the warrants were exercised prior to expiration. | |||
Plan Agreement have been amended and continued | During 2005, 573,030 shares were issued upon | |||
from time to time. In March 2006, the shareholders | exercise of stock options, 533,735 shares were issued | |||
approved certain amendments to the Plan including | upon exercise of warrants, 251,350 shares were issued | |||
continuing the Shareholder Rights Plan until June 30, | for compensation and 75,000 shares were issued to the | |||
2009. The Rights Plan is intended to give adequate time | KSOP plan. | |||
for shareholders of the Company to properly assess the | ||||
merits of a take-over bid without pressure and to allow | ||||
competing bids to emerge. The Rights Plan is designed | 15. Convertible Notes: | |||
to give the board of directors time to consider | In May 2007, the Company issued $103,500,000 | |||
alternatives to allow shareholders to receive full and | aggregate principal amount of its 5.50% Senior | |||
fair value for their common shares. One right is issued | subordinated convertible notes. The notes are unsecured, | |||
in respect of each outstanding share. The rights become | bear interest at a rate of 5.50% annually, pay interest | |||
exercisable only when a person, including any party | semi-annually in arrears and are due on June 15, 2022. | |||
related to it or acting jointly with it, acquires or | The notes are convertible into Class A common shares | |||
announces its intention to acquire 20% or more of the | of the Company at the initial conversion rate, subject | |||
Companys outstanding shares without complying with | to adjustment, of 132.626 shares per $1,000 principal | |||
the permitted bid provisions of the Rights Plan. Each | amount (equivalent to a conversion price of $7.54). | |||
right would, on exercise, entitle the holder, other than | Upon conversion, the Company will have the option, | |||
30 | the acquiring person and related persons, to purchase | unless there has occurred and is then continuing an | ||
common shares of the Company at a 50% discount to | event of default under the Companys indenture, to | |||
the market price at the time. | deliver common shares, cash or a combination of | |||
common shares and cash for the notes surrendered. | ||||
14. Common Shares: | Accounting standards require the Company to allocate | |||
the notes between their equity and debt component | ||||
In May 2007, the Company closed a public offering | parts based on their respective fair values at the time | |||
of 13,762,300 Class A common shares of the Company, | of issuance. The liability component was computed by | |||
representing aggregate net proceeds to the Company of | discounting the stream of future payments of interest | |||
approximately $74 million. In addition to the shares | and principal at the prevailing market rate for a similar | |||
issued in the public offering, the Company issued 223,442 | liability that does not have an associated equity | |||
shares for $333,966 upon exercise of stock options, | component. The equity portion of the notes was | |||
100,000 shares valued at $497,600 were issued to the | estimated using the residual value method at | |||
KSOP and 394,000 shares valued at $1,818,011 were | approximately $29 million net of issuance costs. The | |||
issued as compensation to employees or remuneration | fair value of the debt component is accreted to the face | |||
for services from consultants. | value of the notes using the effective interest rate method | |||
In May 2006, the Company closed a public offering | over the expected life of the notes, with the resulting | |||
of 3,335,000 Class A common shares of the Company, | charge recorded as interest expense. The expected life | |||
representing aggregate net proceeds to the Company of | of the notes is an estimate and is subject to change, if | |||
approximately US $24.6 million. In 2006, in addition | warranted by facts and circumstances related to the | |||
to the shares issued in the public offering, 1,761,109 | potential early redemption of the notes by either the | |||
shares were issued upon exercise of stock options, | Company or the holders. Interest and accretion expense | |||
100,000 shares were issued to the KSOP and 163,875 | allocable to the qualifying cost of developing mining | |||
shares were issued as compensation. On November 4, | properties and to constructing new facilities is capitalized | |||
2006 the company amended the terms of 2,680,500 | until assets are ready for their intended use. During | |||
Class A common share purchase warrants which had | 2007, the company capitalized $4.2 million in interest | |||
been set to expire on November 6, 2006. The | and accretion expense. | |||
amendments, which were subject to shareholder |
At any time on or after June 16, 2010, and until | 16. New Accounting Standards: | |||
June 15, 2012, the Company may redeem the notes, in | CICA Section 1535. Capital | |||
whole or in part, for cash at a redemption price equal | Disclosures. This Section establishes standards | |||
to 100% of the principal amount being redeemed plus | for disclosing information about an entitys capital | |||
accrued and unpaid interest if the closing sale price of | and how it is managed. Under this standard the | |||
the Common Shares is equal to or greater than 150% | Company will be required to disclose information | |||
of the conversion price then in effect and the closing | that enables the users of its financial statements to | |||
price for the Companys Common Shares has remained | evaluate the Companys objectives, policies and | |||
above that price for at least twenty trading days in the | processes for managing capital. The Company will | |||
period of thirty trading days preceding the Companys | adopt this section effective January 1, 2008 and | |||
notice of redemption. Beginning on June 16, 2012, the | management is currently assessing the impact on | |||
Company may, at its option, redeem all or part of the | the Companys financial statements. | |||
notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of | ||||
the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued and | CICA Section 3862, Financial | |||
unpaid interest. | Instruments Disclosures.This Section requires | |||
entities to provide disclosures in their financial | ||||
The note holders have the option to require the | statements that enable users to evaluate (a) the | |||
Company to repurchase the notes on June 15, 2012, at | significance of financial instruments for the entitys | |||
a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the | financial position and performance; and (b) the nature | |||
notes plus accrued but unpaid interest. The Company | and extent of risks arising from financial instruments | |||
may elect to satisfy its obligation to pay the repurchase | to which the entity is exposed during the period and at | |||
price, in whole or in part, by delivering Common Shares. | the balance sheet date, and how the entity manages | |||
In the event of a change of control of the Company, | those risks. The Company will adopt this section effective | 31 | ||
the Company will be required to offer to repurchase | January 1, 2008 and management is currently assessing | |||
the notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the | the impact on the Companys financial statements. | |||
principal amount of the notes plus accrued but unpaid | ||||
interest unless there has occurred and is continuing | CICA Section 3064, Goodwill and | |||
certain events of default under the Companys indenture. | Intangible Assets. This Section establishes revised | |||
The Company may elect to satisfy its obligation to | standards for recognition, measurement, presentation | |||
repurchase the notes in whole or in part by delivering | and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. | |||
Common Shares. | Concurrent with the introduction of this standard, the | |||
CICA withdrew EIC 27, Revenues and Expenses during | ||||
At December 31, 2007, the fair value of the debt | the pre-operating period. As a result of the withdrawal | |||
component of the convertible notes was estimated to | of EIC 27, companies will no longer be able to defer | |||
be $78.7 million based on the net present value of the | costs and revenues incurred prior to commercial | |||
remaining future payments of interest and principal, | production at new mine operations. The changes are | |||
discounted at the prevailing market interest rate. | effective for interim and annual financial statements | |||
beginning January 1, 2009. We have not yet determined | ||||
the impact of the adoption of this change on the | ||||
disclosure in our financial statements. |
FAS 155, Accounting for certain hybrid | for each subsequent reporting period. SFAS No. 159 | |||
financial instruments. This standard establishes, | also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements | |||
among other things, the accounting for certain | designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that | |||
derivatives embedded in other financial instruments. | choose different measurement attributes for similar types | |||
FAS 155 amends FAS 133 on derivatives and hedging | of assets and liabilities. This standard is effective for | |||
and FAS 140 on transfers and servicing of financial | years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company | |||
assets and extinguishments of liabilities. The adoption |
is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on | |||
of this standard on January 1, 2007 had no impact on |
its financial statements. | |||
the Companys reported results. | ||||
FAS 141R, Business Combinations. | ||||
Uncertain Tax Positions. In June 2006, | In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 | |||
FASB issued Accounting for Uncertain Tax Positions | (revised 2007), Business Combination. | |||
- an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, FIN | SFAS No. 141 (R) establishes principles and | |||
48 which prescribes a recognition and measurement | requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and | |||
model for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to | measures in its financial statements the identifiable | |||
be taken in the Companys tax returns. FIN 48 provides | assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and non- | |||
guidance on recognition, classification, presentation | controlling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill | |||
and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits. The | acquired. SFAS No. 141(R) also establishes disclosure | |||
Company has not recorded any tax amount as a result | requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature | |||
of the adoption of this standard. | and financial effects of the business combination. | |||
SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for fiscal years | ||||
FAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. | beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company | |||
In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value | is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on | |||
32 | Measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a | its financial statements. | ||
framework for measuring fair value and expands fair | ||||
value disclosures. The standard does not require any | FAS 160, Non-controlling Interests. | |||
new fair value measurements. In December 2007, the | In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, | |||
FASB issued SFAS 157-b, which provided for a one- | Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial | |||
year deferral of the implementation of SFAS 157 for | Statementsan amendment of Accounting Research | |||
non-financial assets and liabilities. However, the | Bulletin No. 51 (SFAS No. 160). SFAS No. 160 | |||
Company is still required to adopt SFAS 157 effective | establishes accounting and reporting standards for | |||
January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities that | ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other | |||
are carried at fair value. | than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income | |||
attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling | ||||
FAS 159, Fair Value Option. In | interest, changes in a parents ownership interest, and | |||
February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial | the valuation of retained non-controlling equity | |||
Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 159, The Fair | investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. | |||
Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial | SFAS No. 160 also establishes disclosure requirements | |||
LiabilitiesIncluding an Amendment of FASB | that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests | |||
Statement No. 115. SFAS No. 159 provides companies | of the parent and the interests of the non-controlling | |||
with an option to measure, at specified election dates, | owners. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years | |||
financial instruments and certain other items at fair | beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is | |||
value that are not currently measured at fair value. For | currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its | |||
those items for which the fair value option is elected, | financial statements. | |||
unrealized gains and losses will be recognized in earnings |
17. Differences Between Canadian and U.S. GAAP:
The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada, which differ in certain respects from GAAP in the United States. The effect of the principal measurement differences between U.S. and Canadian GAAP are summarized below.
Consolidated Summarized Balance Sheets | ||||||||
Canadian GAAP | Change | U.S. GAAP | ||||||
|
|
|
||||||
2007 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets A | $ 100,320,659 | $ | $ 100,320,659 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net C,D,E | 128,624,670 | (42,965,187) | 85,659,483 | |||||
Other assets | 52,953,574 | | 52,953,574 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 281,898,903 | $ (42,965,187) | $ 238,933,716 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Liabilities | ||||||||
Convertible notes D | $ 70,306,054 | $ 28,270,191 | $ 98,576,245 | |||||
Other liabilities A | 10,272,040 | | 10,272,040 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 80,578,094 | $ 28,270,191 | $ 108,848,285 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Shareholders equity | ||||||||
Common shares & equity units B | 244,295,503 | (5,506,126) | 238,789,377 | 33 | ||||
Equity component of convertible notes D | 28,784,710 | (28,784,710) | | |||||
Less, common shares & equity units | ||||||||
held by affiliates | (636,267) | | (636,267) | |||||
Contributed surplus | | 5,171,603 | 5,171,603 | |||||
Stock options B | 7,662,237 | 4,242,848 | 11,905,085 | |||||
Accumulated deficit B,C,E | (81,371,254) | (46,358,993) | (127,730,247) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income A | 2,696,571 | | 2,696,571 | |||||
KSOP debt | (110,691) | | (110,691) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
201,320,809 | (71,235,378) | 130,085,431 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ 281,898,903 | $ (42,965,187) | $ 238,933,716 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
Canadian GAAP | Change | U.S. GAAP | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
2006 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets A | $ 29,199,706 | $ 2,334,240 | $ 31,533,946 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment, net C | 73,643,895 | (41,034,321) | 32,609,574 | |||||
Other assets | 1,772,120 | | 1,772,120 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
$ 104,615,721 | $ (38,700,081) | $ 65,915,640 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Liabilities A | $ 3,643,709 | $ 308,533 | $ 3,952,242 | |||||
Shareholders equity | ||||||||
Common shares & equity units B | 167,463,742 | (5,339,074) | 162,124,668 | |||||
Less, common shares & equity units | ||||||||
held by affiliates | (636,267) | | (636,267) | |||||
Contributed surplus | | 5,171,603 | 5,171,603 | |||||
Stock options B | 3,105,169 | 4,075,796 | 7,180,965 | |||||
Accumulated deficit B,C, | (68,959,761) | (44,942,646) | (113,902,407) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income A | | 2,025,707 | 2,025,707 | |||||
KSOP debt | (871) | | (871) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
100,972,012 | (39,008,614) | 61,963,398 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
$ 104,615,721 | $ (38,700,081) | $ 65,915,640 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Consolidated Summarized Statements of Operations | ||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
34 | Net Loss under Canadian GAAP | $ (12,411,493) | $ (6,976,745) | $ (9,027,282) | ||||
Stock based compensation B | 3,149,038 | |||||||
Interest expense E | (1,416,347) | | | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Net loss under U.S. GAAP | (13,827,840) | (6,976,745) | (5,878,244) | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on available- | ||||||||
for-sale securities: A | ||||||||
Holding gain (loss) arising during period | 2,005,468 | 3,378,903 | 1,012,969 | |||||
Reclassification adjustment for (gain) | ||||||||
loss included in net loss | (1,334,604) | (5,466,100) | 55,957 | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Total comprehensive loss under | ||||||||
U.S. GAAP | $ (13,156,976) | $ (9,063,942) | $ (4,809,318) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | ||||||||
under U.S. GAAP | $ (0.28) | $ (0.18) | $ (0.17) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Consolidated Summarized Statements of Cash Flows | ||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Cash flow used by operating activities | ||||||||
under Canadian GAAP | $ (5,675,305) | $ (11,179,770) | $ (7,729,508) | |||||
Cash paid for interest E | (1,267,851) | | | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Cash flow used by operating activities | ||||||||
under U.S. GAAP | $ (6,943,156) | $ (11,179,770) | $ (7,729,508) | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Cash flow (used) provided by investing | ||||||||
activities under Canadian GAAP | $ (97,797,970) | $ (8,518,467) | $ (2,691,289) | |||||
Cash paid for interest E | 1,267,851 | | | |||||
|
|
|
| |||||
Cash flow used by investing | ||||||||
activities under U.S. GAAP | $ (96,530,119) | $ (8,518,467) | $ (2,691,289) | |||||
|
|
|
|
A In 2007, the Company adopted CICA Section | C Under Canadian GAAP, the Company | |||
3855, Financial Instruments Recognition and | capitalizes mineral property exploration and development | |||
Measurement. The effect of the adoption of this standard | costs after proven and probable reserves have been | |||
is that the accounting for marketable securities for | established. The Company also capitalizes costs on | |||
Canadian GAAP purposes is now substantially consistent | properties where it has found non-reserve material that | |||
with US GAAP and accordingly there are no differences | does not meet all the criteria required for classification | |||
in marketable securities at December 31, 2007. In 2006, | as proven or probable reserves. Under US GAAP, | |||
under U.S. GAAP, marketable securities were classified | exploration and development costs incurred on properties | |||
as available-for-sale and were recorded at market value | where mineralization has not been classified as a proven | |||
and the unrealized gain or loss, net of tax was recorded | and probable reserve under SEC rules are expensed as | |||
as part of comprehensive income. Under Canadian | incurred. Accordingly, certain costs are capitalized for | |||
GAAP these securities were carried at the lower of cost | Canadian GAAP purposes but expensed under US GAAP. | |||
and quoted market value. | ||||
B For U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company | D In 2007, the company issued $103,500,000 | |||
adopted SFAS 123R, Accounting for Stock Based | aggregate principal amount of convertible notes. As | |||
Compensation effective January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R | described in note 15, under Canadian GAAP these notes | |||
requires the use of the fair value method of accounting | are allocated between their equity and debt component | |||
for stock based compensation. This standard is | parts. The debt component is accreted to the face value | |||
substantially consistent with the revised provisions of | of the notes with the resulting interest expense charged | |||
CICA 3870, which was adopted by the Company for | to mineral property costs. Under US GAAP, the notes | |||
Canadian GAAP effective January 1, 2004. For | are classified as a liability net of issuance costs and | |||
U.S. GAAP, the Company applied the modified | accreted to face value over the term on the notes. | |||
prospective method of adoption included in SFAS 123R | 35 | |||
which requires that the company expense the fair value | E The Company capitalizes interest on its | |||
of all unvested and new grants on a prospective basis | convertible notes on an interest avoidance basis. The | |||
beginning January 1, 2006. In 2005, for U.S. GAAP | amount capitalized during an accounting period is | |||
purposes, the Company accounted for stock-based | determined by applying an interest rate to the average | |||
employee compensation arrangements using the intrinsic | amount of accumulated qualifying assets during the | |||
value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board | period. The Companys qualifying assets include its costs | |||
(APB) Opinion No.25, Accounting for Stock Issued | of developing mining properties and constructing new | |||
to Employees. Under Opinion No. 25, when the | facilites. The amount capitalized under US GAAP differs | |||
exercise price of certain stock options is amended (the | from the amount capitalized under Canadian GAAP | |||
Repricing), these options are accounted for as variable | due to the difference in the amount of qualifying mineral | |||
compensation from the date of the effective Repricing. | property costs which have been accumulated under the | |||
Under this method, following the repricing date, | two sets of accounting principles.(See C above) | |||
compensation expense is recognized when the quoted | ||||
market value of the Companys common shares exceeds | ||||
the amended exercise price. Should the quoted market | ||||
value subsequently decrease, a recovery of a portion, or | ||||
all of the previously recognized compensation expense | ||||
will be recognized. |
Pro-forma stock based compensation
For U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company accounted for stock-based employee compensation arrangements using the fair value method in 2007 and 2006 and the intrinsic value method in 2005. Had the fair value method of accounting been used under U.S. GAAP in 2005, the net loss and net loss per share would have been as follows:
2007 | 2006 | 2005 | ||||||
Net loss under U.S GAAP | $ (13,827,840) | $ (6,976,745) | $ (5,878,244) | |||||
Variable plan accounting adjustment included in net loss | | | (2,285,698) | |||||
Stock based compensation under the fair value method | | | (863,340) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Pro-forma net loss under U.S. GAAP | $ (13,827,840) | $ (6,976,745) | $ (9,027,282) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Pro-forma basic and diluted net loss | ||||||||
per share under U.S. GAAP | $ (0.28) | $ (0.18) | $ (0.26) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Development Stage Enterprise | ||||||||
In August of 1992, the company acquired the Brisas project. Beginning in 1993 the company decided to focus its efforts | ||||||||
on the development of Brisas thereby meeting the definition of a development stage enterprise under Statement of | ||||||||
Financial Accounting Standards No. 7 (FAS 7), Accounting and Reporting by Development Stage Enterprises. The | ||||||||
36 | following additional information is required under FAS 7 |
Consolidated Summarized Statements of Operations - U.S. GAAP
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007
Other income | $ (29,686,723) | |
Mineral property exploration and development | 39,505,080 | |
General & administrative expense | 46,136,193 | |
Other expense | 65,850,869 | |
|
|
|
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | ||
from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | 121,805,419 | |
Accumulated deficit, December 31, 1992 | 5,924,828 | |
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit, December 31, 2007 | $ 127,730,247 | |
|
|
Consolidated Summarized Statements of Cash Flows - U.S. GAAP
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007
Cash used by operating activities | $ (91,196,008) | |
Cash used by investing activities | (117,481,312) | |
Cash provided by financing activities | 301,729,044 | |
|
|
|
Increase in cash and cash equivalents for the period | ||
from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | 93,051,724 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 1992 | 1,628,852 | |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2007 | $ 94,680,576 | |
|
|
Additional Shareholders Equity Disclosure - U.S. GAAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Compre- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares and Equity Units Issued | and units | Contrib- | Value | Value | Accum- | hensive | ||||||||||||||||||
Issue | Common | Equity | held by | uted | assigned | assigned | ulated | income | KSOP | |||||||||||||||
Price | Shares | Units | Amount | affiliates | surplus | to options | to warrants | Deficit | (loss) | debt | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1992 | 8,875,862 | $ 8,290,819 | $ (70,944) | $ (5,924,828) | $ (50,000) | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private placement | 4.12 | 2,530,000 | 10,413,976 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 1.34 | 300,000 | 401,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | 3.52 | 5,037 | 17,749 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 3.89 | 12,552 | 48,851 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (5,495,061) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 5,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction of shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
equity due to change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
subsidiaries minority interest | (25,050) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1993 | 11,723,451 | 19,147,345 | (70,944) | (11,419,889) | (45,000) | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private placement | 9.82 | 2,000,000 | 19,630,530 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 2.32 | 295,967 | 687,494 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | 6.07 | 2,134,250 | 12,962,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 5.50 | 6,000 | 33,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 6.19 | 20,000 | 123,760 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
litigation settlement | 6.15 | 2,750,000 | 16,912,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Value attributed to warrants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
issued in litigation settlement | 800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (26,297,415) | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
held by affiliates | (433,332) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect of change in accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For investments | 108,425 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (29,408) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (103,760) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction of shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
equity due to change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
subsidiaries minority interest | (843,986) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1994 | 18,929,668 | 69,453,393 | (504,276) | (37,717,304) | 79,017 | (148,760) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 2.74 | 167,835 | 460,162 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 5.60 | 50,000 | 280,195 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for minority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
interest in subsidiaries | 7.43 | 1,329,185 | 9,882,028 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (3,847,605) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
held by affiliates | (924,289) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 6,943 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (187,949) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Reduction of shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
equity due to change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
subsidiaries minority interest | (6,924) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1995 | 20,476,688 | 80,068,854 (1,428,565) | (41,564,909) | 85,960 | (336,709) | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 5.37 | 497,623 | 2,673,988 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | 10.52 | 1,729,500 | 18,202,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (7,908,701) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (83,210) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 150,001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Addition to shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
equity due to change in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
subsidiaries minority interest | 7,436 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1996 | 22,703,811 | 100,952,778 (1,428,565) | (49,473,610) | 2,750 | (186,708) |
Additional Shareholders Equity Disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Compre- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares and Equity Units Issued | and units | Contrib- | Value | Value | Accum- | hensive | ||||||||||||||||||
Issue | Common | Equity | held by | uted | assigned | assigned | ulated | income | KSOP | |||||||||||||||
Price | Shares | Units | Amount | affiliates | surplus | to options | to warrants | Deficit | (loss) | debt | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 5.75 | 124,649 | 716,716 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 5.02 | 89,683 | 450,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (10,918,111) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 8,250 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (436,152) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1997 | 22,918,143 | 102,119,494 | (1,428,565) | (60,391,721) | 11,000 | (622,860) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 1.90 | 223,624 | 425,883 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 3.00 | 50,000 | 150,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (5,147,658) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in shares held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
by affiliates | (1,034,323) | 1,025,234 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain (loss) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
on available-for-sale securities | (22,625) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 208,089 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1998 | 23,191,767 | 101,661,054 | (403,331) | (65,539,379) | (11,625) | (414,771) | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 1.19 | 12,500 | 14,899 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 0.84 | 70,000 | 58,760 | |||||||||||||||||||||
38 | Stock issued to KSOP | 1.13 | 300,000 | 337,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Stock retired | 3.02 | (1,629) | (4,915) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (4,499,321) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net common shares exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for equity units | (1,584,966) | 1,584,966 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized loss on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (328,618) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 230,352 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 1999 | 21,987,672 | 1,584,966 | 102,067,298 | (403,331) | (70,038,700) | (340,243) | (184,419) | |||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 0.55 | 70,000 | 38,688 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (2,807,648) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 138,570 | (138,570) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 437,875 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 99,310 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2000 | 22,196,242 | 1,446,396 | 102,105,986 | (403,331) | (72,846,348) | 97,632 | (85,109) | |||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 0.78 | 5,500 | 4,285 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 0.75 | 20,000 | 15,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 0.47 | 300,000 | 140,640 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (2,258,191) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
held by affiliates | (271,267) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 133,380 | (133,380) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 62,368 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 1,322 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2001 | 22,655,122 | 1,313,016 | 102,265,911 | (674,598) | (75,104,539) | 160,000 | (83,787) |
Additional Shareholders Equity Disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Compre- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares and Equity Units Issued | and units | Contrib- | Value | Value | Accum- | hensive | ||||||||||||||||||
Issue | Common | Equity | held by | uted | assigned | assigned | ulated | income | KSOP | |||||||||||||||
Price | Shares | Units | Amount | affiliates | surplus | to options to warrants | Deficit | (loss) | debt | |||||||||||||||
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|
||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 0.72 | 18,000 | 12,960 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 0.85 | 100,000 | 85,200 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 0.67 | 200,000 | 134,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Variable plan accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for options | 1,162,804 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (4,170,926) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 23,036 | (23,036) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (118,816) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 19,003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2002 | 22,996,158 | 1,289,980 | 102,498,071 | (674,598) | 1,162,804 | (79,275,465) | 41,184 | (64,784) | ||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private placement | 1.96 | 4,042,000 | 7,888,508 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 0.74 | 400,000 | 294,605 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 5.06 | 60,000 | 303,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 1.28 | 200,000 | 256,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Value assigned to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
warrants issued | 1,730,641 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable plan accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for options | 7,704,726 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (11,412,062) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 52,100 | (52,100) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 3,072,941 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (39,568) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2003 | 27,750,258 | 1,237,880 | 111,240,784 | (674,598) | 8,867,530 | 1,730,641 | (90,687,527) | 3,114,125 | (104,352) | |||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Private placement | 3.61 | 5,361,000 | 19,337,034 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | 4.28 | 21,100 | 90,211 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 0.89 | 373,954 | 333,310 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 4.13 | 54,000 | 223,012 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 3.41 | 75,000 | 255,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Value assigned to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
warrants issued | 3,682,447 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable plan accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for options | (791,643) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assigned value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
exercised warrants | 18,069 | (18,069) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (10,359,891) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 80,483 | (80,483) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (70,147) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (971) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2004 | 33,715,795 | 1,157,397 | 131,498,170 | (674,598) | 8,075,887 | 5,395,019 | (101,047,418) | 3,043,978 | (105,323) |
Additional Shareholders Equity Disclosure - U.S. GAAP (continued) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Compre- | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Shares and Equity Units Issued | and units | Contrib- | Value | Value | Accum- | hensive | ||||||||||||||||||
Issue | Common | Equity | held by | uted | assigned | assigned | ulated | income | KSOP | |||||||||||||||
Price | Shares | Units | Amount | affiliates | surplus | to options to warrants | Deficit | (loss) | debt | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of warrants | 4.33 | 260,900 | 1,129,905 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of underwriter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
compensation options | 3.00 | 202,100 | 605,468 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of underwriter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
compensation warrants | 4.32 | 70,735 | 305,645 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 1.00 | 573,030 | 571,326 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 2.92 | 251,350 | 733,232 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 3.45 | 75,000 | 258,971 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (5,878,244) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable plan accounting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for options | (2,285,698) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assigned value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
exercised warrants | 223,416 | (223,416) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assigned value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
expired warrants | 1,489,156 | (1,489,156) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 47,377 | (47,377) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 1,068,926 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
40 | Change in KSOP debt | 21,103 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2005 | 35,196,287 | 1,110,020 | 135,326,133 | (674,598) | 1,489,156 | 5,790,189 | 3,682,447 | (106,925,662) | 4,112,904 | (84,220) | ||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public offering | 7.37 | 3,335,000 | 24,574,077 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 0.64 | 1,761,109 | 1,128,596 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 4.56 | 163,875 | 747,075 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 1.89 | 100,000 | 189,063 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (6,976,745) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in shares held | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
by affiliates | 159,724 | 38,331 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of options | 1,390,776 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Assigned value of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
expired warrants | 3,682,447 | (3,682,447) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity units exchanged | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
for common shares | 24,921 | (24,921) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | (2,087,197) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | 83,349 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2006 | 40,581,192 | 1,085,099 | 162,124,668 | (636,267) | 5,171,603 | 7,180,965 | | (113,902,407) | 2,025,707 | (871) | ||||||||||||||
Stock issued for cash | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public offering | 5.38 | 13,762,300 | 74,015,131 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 1.49 | 223,442 | 333,966 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued for services | 4.61 | 394,000 | 1,818,012 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock issued to KSOP | 4.98 | 100,000 | 497,600 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | (13,827,840) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of options | 4,724,120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase in unrealized gain on | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
available-for-sale securities | 670,864 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in KSOP debt | (109,820) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
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|
| |||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2007 | 55,060,934 | 1,085,099 | $238,789,377 | $(636,267) $5,171,603 $11,905,085 | | $(127,730,247) | $2,696,571 $(110,691) | |||||||||||||||||
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CORPORATE INFORMATION | ||||||
Officers and Directors | Securities Listings (Symbol GRZ) | Bankers | ||||
Rockne J. Timm | Canada - The Toronto Stock Exchange | Bank of America | ||||
Chief Executive Officer and Director | United States - American Stock Exchange | Spokane, Washington USA | ||||
A. Douglas Belanger | Transfer Agent | Bank of Montreal | ||||
President and Director | ||||||
Computershare Trust Company, Inc. | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | |||||
Toronto, Ontario Canada | ||||||
James P. Geyer | ||||||
Senior Vice President and Director | Lakewood, Colorado USA | Corp Banca Caracas, Venezuela | ||||
Robert A. McGuinness | Registered Agent | |||||
Vice President of Finance and CFO | Veale, Kilpatrick, Austring, Fendrick & | |||||
Fairman | Auditors | |||||
Mary E. Smith | Whitehorse, Yukon Canada | |||||
Vice President of Administration and Secretary | PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP | |||||
Vancouver, B.C. Canada | ||||||
Douglas E. Stewart | Caracas, Venezuela | |||||
Vice President of Project Development | Offices | |||||
Arturo Rivero | Corporate, USA | |||||
President, Gold Reserve de Venezuela | 926 W. Sprague Avenue, Suite 200 | Counsel | ||||
Spokane,WA 99201 | ||||||
James H. Coleman | Ph: (509) 623-1500 | Fasken Martineau | ||||
Non-Executive Chairman and Director | Fx: (509) 623-1634 | Toronto, Ontario Canada | ||||
Jean Charles (JC) Potvin | ||||||
Director | Corporate, Venezuela | Baker & McKenzie | ||||
Edificio Miranda, Torre A Piso 6, Oficina | Houston, Texas USA | |||||
Patrick D. McChesney | A-65 Avenida Francisco de Miranda | Caracas,Venezuela | ||||
Chacao, Caracas, Venezuela | ||||||
Director | ||||||
Ph: 58 212 264 0185 | ||||||
Chris D. Mikkelsen | Fx: 58 212 264 1073 | |||||
Director | Annual Meeting | |||||
Operations, Venezuela | ||||||
Centro Empresarial Catanaima Primer Piso, | The 2008 Annual Meeting will be held at | |||||
Final Calle Neveri Zona Industrial - Unare | 9:30 a.m. on June 10, 2008 | |||||
Share Information | 2 Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela | The Spokane Club, | ||||
Ph: 58 286 951 5124 | 1002 W. Riverside | |||||
Number of Shareholders: | Fx: 58 286 951 4635 | Spokane, Washington | ||||
Approximately 11,000 | ||||||
Common Shares Issued and Outstanding | ||||||
March 29, 2008 | ||||||
Class A common - | 55,230,253 | |||||
Equity Units - | 1,071,599 | |||||
Common Share Purchase Options | ||||||
4,357,839 | ||||||
Additional information regarding the company may be obtained at www.GoldReserveInc.com |
Gold Reserve Inc. 926 W. Sprague Ave Suite 200 Spokane, WA 99201 |
800.625.9550 |
www.goldreserveinc.com |