As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 10,
2005.
Registration
No. 333-
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM
S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________________________
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Yukon
Territory, Canada |
Not
Applicable |
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.) |
5655
South Yosemite Street, Suite 200
Greenwood
Village, Colorado 80111
(720)
886-9656
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number,
including
area code, of principal executive offices)
R.
David Russell
President
and Chief Executive Officer
5655
South Yosemite Street, Suite 200
Greenwood
Village, Colorado 80111
(720)
886-9656
(Name,
address, including zip code, and
telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)
____________________________________________
With
A Copy To
Deborah
J. Friedman
Davis
Graham & Stubbs LLP
1550
Seventeenth Street, Suite 500
Denver,
Colorado 80202
(303)
892-9400
APPROXIMATE
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after
this registration statement becomes effective.
If the
only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to
dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. o
If any of
the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x
If this
Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. o
If this
Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If
delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. o
_______________________________________
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
|
|
|
|
Title
of each class of
securities
to be registered |
Amount
registered(1)(2) |
Proposed
maximum
offering
price
per share (3) |
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price (3) |
Amount
of
registration
fee |
Common
Shares, without par value |
714,283 |
$0.61 |
$435,712.63 |
$51.28 |
(1)
|
In
the event of a stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
involving the common shares of the registrant, in order to prevent
dilution, the number of common shares registered hereby shall be adjusted
automatically to cover the additional common shares in accordance with
Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
|
(2)
|
Includes
an indeterminate number of common shares to be issued upon conversion of
the outstanding principal amount of convertible debt securities.
|
(3)
|
Estimated
solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to
Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act, based on the average of the high
and low prices of the common shares on the American Stock Exchange on
February 8, 2005 ($0.61). |
THE
REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS
MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A
FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
The
information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling
shareholders may not sell these securities pursuant to this prospectus until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes
effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and Apollo
Gold Corporation is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state
where the offer or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
Subject
to Completion, dated February 10, 2005
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
714,283 Common
Shares
_________________________
The
selling shareholders identified on page 19 may use this prospectus to offer
and resell from time to time up to 714,283 of the common shares of Apollo Gold
Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo Gold,” “we,” “us,” or “our
company”) for their own accounts. The selling shareholders acquired the shares
being offered for resale under this prospectus in a private-placement of
flow-through shares on December 31, 2004. We will not receive any proceeds
from the sale of the shares resold under this prospectus by the selling
shareholders.
Our
common shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “AGT”
and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “APG.” On February 8,
2005, the closing price for our common shares on the American Stock Exchange was
$0.61 per share and the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange was cdn$0.76
per share.
The
selling shareholders may sell the shares in transactions on the American Stock
Exchange or by any other method permitted by applicable law. The selling
shareholders may sell the shares at prevailing market prices or at prices
negotiated with purchasers and will be responsible for any commissions or
discounts due to brokers or dealers. The amount of these commissions or
discounts cannot be known at this time because they will be negotiated at the
time of the sales. We will pay certain of the other offering expenses of the
selling shareholders. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on
page 21.
References
in this prospectus to “$” are to United States dollars. Canadian dollars are
indicated by the symbol “cdn$”.
The
securities offered in this prospectus involve a high degree of risk. You should
carefully consider the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on
page 5 of this prospectus in determining whether to purchase our
securities.
Neither
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has approved or disapproved these securities, or determined if this prospectus
is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is __, 2005.
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Page
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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1
|
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
|
1
|
STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
|
2
|
OUR
BUSINESS
|
3
|
RECENT
FINANCING DEVELOPMENTS
|
3
|
RISK
FACTORS
|
5
|
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
|
17
|
SELLING
SHAREHOLDERS
|
19
|
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
|
21
|
LEGAL
MATTERS
|
22
|
EXPERTS
|
22
|
You
should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information
different from that contained or incorporated in this prospectus.
You
should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of
this prospectus or the dates of the documents incorporated by
reference.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), and file annual, quarterly and periodic reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a web
site (http://www.sec.gov) on
which our reports, proxy statements and other information are made available.
Such reports, proxy statements and other information may also be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference facilities.
We have
filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3, under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the securities
offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the
Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which have been omitted in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Reference is hereby made to the
Registration Statement and the exhibits to the Registration Statement for
further information with respect to us and the securities.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” our publicly filed reports into this
prospectus, which means that information included in those reports is considered
part of this prospectus. Information that we file with the SEC after the date of
this prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information
contained in this prospectus and in prior reports. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until all of the
securities offered pursuant to this prospectus have been sold:
|
1. |
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003,
Form 10-K/A filed July 2, 2004, Form 10-K/A filed
July 28, 2004 and our Form 10-K/A filed January 20,
2005; |
|
2. |
Our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2004, June
30, 2004 and September 30, 2004, Form 10-Q/A filed January 20,
2005, Form 10-Q/A filed January 20, 2005 and our
Form 10-Q/A filed January 20,
2005; |
|
3. |
Reports
on Form 8-K filed June 30, 2004, September 24, 2004, October 25, 2004, and
November 9, 2004, November 15, 2004, December 3, 2004,
January 5, 2005, January 6, 2005, January 13, 2005 and
January 25, 2005; and |
|
4. |
The
description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration Statement
on Form 10, filed June 23, 2003. |
We will
furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any or all
of the above documents, other than exhibits to such documents which are not
specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any requests
for documents to either the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel,
Apollo Gold Corporation, 5655 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 200, Greenwood Village,
Colorado 80111-3220, telephone (720) 886-9656.
The
information relating to us contained in this prospectus is not comprehensive and
should be read together with the information contained in the incorporated
documents. Descriptions contained in the incorporated documents as to the
contents of any contract or other document may not contain all of the
information which is of interest to you. You should refer to the copy of such
contract or other document filed as an exhibit to our filings.
STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This
prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus
contain forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Words such as “anticipates,”
“expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,”
“may,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
These statements include comments regarding: the establishment and estimates of
mineral reserves and resources, production, production commencement dates,
production costs, cash operating costs, total cash costs, grade, processing
capacity, potential mine life, feasibility studies, development costs,
expenditures and exploration.
Although
we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain that these
plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Our actual results could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as
a result of the risk factors set forth below and other factors described in more
detail in this prospectus:
· |
unexpected
changes in business and economic
conditions; |
· |
significant
increases or decreases in gold prices; |
· |
changes
in interest and currency exchange rates; |
· |
timing
and amount of production; |
· |
unanticipated
grade changes; |
· |
unanticipated
recovery or production problems; |
· |
changes
in mining and milling costs; |
· |
pit
slides at our mining properties; |
· |
metallurgy,
processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and
water; |
· |
determination
of reserves; |
· |
changes
in project parameters; |
· |
costs
and timing of development of new reserves; |
· |
results
of current and future exploration activities;
|
· |
results
of pending and future feasibility studies; |
· |
joint
venture relationships; |
· |
political
or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we
operate; |
· |
local
and community impacts and issues; |
· |
timing
of receipt of government approvals; |
· |
accidents
and labor disputes; |
· |
environmental
costs and risks; |
· |
competitive
factors, including competition for property
acquisitions; |
· |
availability
of external financing at reasonable rates or at all;
and |
· |
the
factors discussed in this prospectus under the heading “Risk
Factors.” |
Many of
these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. These factors are
not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors
that may affect us. We may note additional factors elsewhere in this prospectus,
in an accompanying prospectus supplement and in any documents incorporated by
reference into this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement. We
undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
OUR
BUSINESS
The
earliest predecessor to Apollo Gold Corporation was incorporated under the laws
of the Province of Ontario in 1936. In May 2003, it reincorporated under the
laws of the Yukon Territory. Apollo Gold Corporation maintains its registered
office at 204 Black Street, Suite 300, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada Y1A
2M9, and the telephone number at that office is (867) 668-5252. Apollo Gold
Corporation maintains its principal executive office at 5655 S. Yosemite Street,
Suite 200, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111-3220, and the telephone number at
that office is (720) 886-9656. Our internet address is http://www.apollogold.com. Information
contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
We are
principally engaged in the exploration, development and mining of gold. We have
focused our mining efforts to date on two principal properties: our Montana
Tunnels Mine, a low grade open pit gold and base metals mine located near
Helena, Montana, and our Florida Canyon Mine, a low grade open pit heap leach
gold mine located southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada. Five miles south of the
Florida Canyon Mine, we have developed an open pit at the Standard Mine, which
will be operated in conjunction with our Florida Canyon Mine. During 2003, we
acquired and incorporated into the Standard Mine property additional land
positions in Buffalo Canyon. We are continuing to drill our Black Fox
development property located in Ontario, Canada. Our exploration properties
include our Pirate Gold, Nugget Field and Diamond Hill properties, our recently
acquired Buffalo Canyon property near the Standard Mine, claims staked and land
acquired at the Willow Creek property located near the Florida Canyon Mine, and
our Huizopa joint venture property in the State of Sonora, Mexico.
RECENT
FINANCING DEVELOPMENTS
Liquidity
Since
November 4, 2004, we have raised aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $20.5
million through certain debt and equity financings outlined below that will
allow us to: (a) continue operations at Montana Tunnels and Florida Canyon and
(b) bring the Standard Mine into full commercial production (c) to investigate
the feasibility of full-scale development of our Black Fox property and (d) to
commence a limited exploration and drilling program at the Huizopa
project. It should be noted that our current cash and short-term
investments and cash flows from operations are not sufficient to fund the
construction of our Black Fox mine, if such mine is determined to be
feasible. In order to achieve our ultimate plan, we will require external
financing, which may include nonbank debt or equity financing by additional
sales of our common shares and/or securities that are convertible into shares of
our common shares. There can be no assurance that additional financing
will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Series
B Financing
On
November 4, 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $8,756,000 of
principal amount Special Notes and $1,745,000 of Special Warrants at $0.75 per
Special Warrant (the “Series B Financing”). Each $1,000 in principal amount
Special Note is convertible at the election of the holder into $1,000 in
principal amount of the Company’s 12% Series 2004-B Secured Convertible
Debentures and Special Note Warrants exercisable for 600 common shares at $0.80
per share. The principal under the 12% Series 2004-B Secured Convertible Notes
is convertible into common shares of the Company at $0.75 per share. On November
4, 2004, the Company also sold $1,745,000 worth of its Special Warrants at $0.75
per Special Warrant. Each Special Warrant is convertible into Units consisting
of one common share and a warrant exercisable for 0.6 of a common share at $0.80
per share. Regent Mercantile Bancorp Inc. (“Regent”) acted as placement agent
for the Series B Financing and was issued a Compensation Option as partial
consideration. The Compensation Option is convertible at the option of Regent
into Compensation Warrants exercisable for 1,400,133 common shares at $0.80 per
share. The Company used $3,206,511 of the proceeds from the Series B Financing
to repay, in full, its obligations under its $3,000,000 of principal amount 25%
secured debenture due January 19, 2005, which was issued on October 19, 2004.
The remaining proceeds from the Series B Financing are being used to complete
the waste-stripping at Montana Tunnels, to complete the Standard Mine, for
development drilling at Black Fox and general corporate purposes.
The
Special Notes, Special Warrants and the Compensation Option were converted on
December 16, 2004. A total of $8,756,000 principal amount of the Series B
Secured Debentures and 5,253,600 Special Note Warrants were issued upon the
conversion of the Special Warrants. A total of 2,326,666 common shares and
1,396,000 warrants were issued upon the conversion of the Special Warrants. A
total of 1,400,133 compensation warrants were issued upon the conversion of the
Compensation Option.
Flow-through
Offering
On
December 31, 2004, the Company issued 714,283 shares to Canadian purchasers
in a private placement at Cdn$1.05 per share. The shares were issued as
“flow-through” shares. “Flow-through” shares are common shares to which the
Company attaches tax-credits the Company received by incurring certain
qualifying exploration expenses as determined under Canadian tax laws. The
Company received aggregate gross proceeds of Cdn$750,000 from the offering. The
“flow-through” common shares are being registered for resale on this
prospectus.
Units
Offering
On
January 7, 2005, the Company closed the second and final tranche of an
offering of 12,500,000 units (the “Unit Offering”). Each unit consists of one
common share and a warrant exercisable for 0.75 common shares at $1.00 per
share. The Company raised gross proceeds from the Unit offering of $9,375,000.
Assuming full exercise of the warrants underlying the units, the Company issued
a total of 21,875,000 common shares. Regent acted as underwriter for the Unit
Offering and was issued 1,250,000 Compensation Warrants as partial compensation
for its services. Each Compensation Warrant is exercisable for a unit at an
exercise price of $0.75 per unit.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in the securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider
the following discussion of risks in addition to the other information in this
prospectus before purchasing any of the securities. In addition to historical
information, the information in this prospectus contains “forward-looking”
statements about our future business and performance. Our actual operating
results and financial performance may be very different from what we expect as
of the date of this prospectus. The risks below address some of the factors that
may affect our future operating results and financial performance.
The
market price of our common shares could experience volatility and could decline
significantly.
Our
common shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock
Exchange. Securities of small-cap companies have experienced substantial
volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial
performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include
macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions
of the attractiveness of particular industries. Our share price is also likely
to be significantly affected by short-term changes in gold prices or in our
financial condition or results of operations as reflected in our quarterly
earnings reports. Other factors unrelated to our performance that could have an
effect on the price of our common shares include the following:
· |
the
extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning our
business could be limited if investment banks with research capabilities
do not continue to follow our securities; |
· |
the
trading volume and general market interest in our securities could affect
an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of common
shares; |
· |
the
relatively small size of the public float will limit the ability of some
institutions to invest in our securities;
and |
· |
a
substantial decline in our shares price that persists for a significant
period of time could cause our securities to be delisted from the American
Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, further reducing market
liquidity. |
As a
result of any of these factors, the market price of our common shares at any
given point in time might not accurately reflect our long-term value. Securities
class action litigation often has been brought against companies following
periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We could in the
future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result
in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and
resources.
If
we complete additional equity financings, then our existing shareholders may
experience dilution.
Any
additional equity financing that we obtain would involve the sale of our common
shares and/or sales of securities that are convertible or exercisable into
shares of our common shares, such as share purchase warrants or convertible
notes. There is no assurance that we will be able to complete equity financings
that are not dilutive to our existing shareholders
The
existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares may impair our ability
to raise capital.
As of
February 8, 2005, approximately 27,028,292 common shares are issuable on
exercise of warrants, options or other rights to purchase common shares at
prices ranging from $0.75 to $2.11. During the life of the warrants, options and
other rights, the holders are given an opportunity to profit from a rise in the
market price of our common shares with a resulting dilution in the interest of
the other shareholders. Our ability to obtain additional financing during the
period such rights are outstanding may be adversely affected, and the existence
of the rights may have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares. The
holders of the warrants, options and other rights can be expected to exercise
them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed
capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those
provided by the outstanding rights.
In
addition, as of February 8, 2005 there are 11,675,000 common shares to be
issued upon the conversion of the outstanding principal amount of $8,756,000 of
our Series B Convertible Debentures. The Series B Convertible Debentures are
convertible into common shares at the option of the holder at a conversion price
of $0.75 per share.
There
may be certain tax risks associated with investments in our company.
Potential
investors that are United States taxpayers should consider that we could be
considered to be a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) for federal
income tax purposes. Although we believe that we currently are not a PFIC and do
not expect to become a PFIC in the near future, the tests for determining PFIC
status are dependent upon a number of factors, some of which are beyond our
control, and we can not assure you that we would not become a PFIC in the
future. If we were deemed to be a PFIC, then a United States taxpayer who
disposes or is deemed to dispose of our shares at a gain, or who received a
so-called “excess distribution” on the shares, generally would be required to
treat such gain or excess distribution as ordinary income and pay an interest
charge on a portion of the gain or distribution unless the taxpayer makes a
timely qualified electing fund election (a “QEF” election). A United States
taxpayer who makes a QEF election generally must report on a current basis his
or her share of any of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain for any
taxable year in which we are a PFIC, whether or not we distribute those
earnings. Special estate tax rules could be applicable to our shares if we are
classified as a PFIC for income tax purposes.
We
have a history of losses and we expect to incur losses in the
future.
Since our
inception through a merger in June 2002, we have incurred significant losses.
Our net losses were $2,186,000 and $3,051,000 for the years ended December 31,
2003 and 2002, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we
had a net loss of $14,037,000 and we will
incur a loss for the fourth quarter of 2004. There can be no assurance that we
will achieve or sustain profitability in the future.
We
have a limited operating history on which to evaluate our potential for future
success.
We were
formed as a result of a merger in June 2002 and have only a limited operating
history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. During this
period, we have not generated sufficient revenues to cover our expenses and
costs. If we are unsuccessful in addressing these risks and uncertainties, our
business, results of operations and financial condition will be materially and
adversely affected.
We
are dependent on certain key personnel.
We are
currently dependent upon the ability and experience of R. David Russell, our
President and Chief Executive Officer; Richard F. Nanna, our Vice
President-Exploration; and Melvyn Williams, our Chief Financial Officer, Senior
Vice President-Finance and Corporate Development. We believe that our success
depends on the continued service of our key officers and there can be no
assurance that we will be able to retain any or all of such officers. We
currently do not carry key person insurance on any of these individuals, and the
loss of one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on our
operations.
Our
earnings may be affected by metals price volatility, specifically the volatility
of gold and zinc prices.
We derive
all of our revenues from the sale of gold, silver, lead and zinc and, as a
result, our earnings are directly related to the prices of these metals. Changes
in the price of gold significantly affect our profitability. Gold prices
historically have fluctuated widely, based on numerous industry factors
including:
· |
industrial
and jewelry demand; |
· |
central
bank lending, sales and purchases of gold; |
· |
forward
sales of gold by producers and speculators; |
· |
production
and cost levels in major gold-producing regions;
and |
· |
rapid
short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative or hedging
activities. |
Gold
prices are also affected by macroeconomic factors, including:
· |
confidence
in the global monetary system; |
· |
expectations
of the future rate of inflation (if any); |
· |
the
strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in which the
price of gold is generally quoted) and other
currencies; |
· |
global
or regional political or economic events, including but not limited to
acts of terrorism. |
The
current demand for, and supply of, gold also affects gold prices. The supply of
gold consists of a combination of new production from mining and existing shares
of bullion held by government central banks, public and private financial
institutions, industrial organizations and private individuals. As the amounts
produced by all producers in any single year constitute a small portion of the
total potential supply of gold, normal variations in current production do not
usually have a significant impact on the supply of gold or on its price.
Mobilization of gold held by central banks through lending and official sales
may have a significant adverse impact on the gold price.
The
market prices for silver, zinc and lead are also volatile and are affected by
numerous factors beyond our control, including global or regional consumptive
patterns, speculative activities, and general global political and economic
conditions. Our Montana Tunnels Mine has historically produced approximately 45
million pounds of these metals annually, and therefore the market prices of
these metals have a significant effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
All of
the above factors are beyond our control and are impossible for us to predict.
If the market prices for gold, silver, zinc or lead fall below our costs to
produce them for a sustained period of time, we will experience additional
losses and we could also be required by our reduced revenue to discontinue
exploration, development and/or mining at one or more of our
properties.
On
February 7, 2005, the closing prices for gold and silver as reported on the
London P.M. fix were $412.87 per ounce and $6.55 per ounce, respectively and the
closing prices for zinc and lead as reported on the London Metals Exchange were
$0.58 per pound and $0.44 per pound, respectively.
Our
reserve estimates are potentially inaccurate.
We
estimate our reserves on our properties as either “proven reserves” or “probable
reserves.” Our ore reserve figures and costs are primarily estimates and are not
guarantees that we will recover the indicated quantities of these metals. We
estimate proven reserve quantities based on sampling and testing of sites
conducted by us and by independent companies hired by us. Probable reserves are
based on information similar to that used for proven reserves, but the sites for
sampling are less extensive, and the degree of certainty is less. Reserve
estimation is an interpretive process based upon available geological data and
statistical inferences and is inherently imprecise and may prove to be
unreliable. The amount and economic value of reserves may be adversely affected
by:
· |
declines
in the market price of the various metals we
mine; |
· |
declines
in the quality of the ore we mine; |
· |
increased
production or capital costs; or |
· |
reduced
recovery rates. |
Reserve
estimates will be reduced as existing reserves are depleted through production.
Reserves may be reduced due to lower than anticipated volume and grade of
reserves mined and processed and recovery rates. Our reserve estimates for the
Standard Mine property, that has not yet commenced commercial production, may
change based on actual production experience.
Reserve
estimates are calculated using assumptions regarding metals prices. These prices
have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market price of metals, as
well as increased production costs, capital costs and reduced recovery rates,
may render reserves uneconomic to exploit. Any material reduction in our
reserves may lead to increased net losses, reduced cash flow, asset write-downs
and other adverse effects on our results of operations and financial condition.
Reserves should not be interpreted as assurances of mine life or of the
profitability of current or future operations. No assurance can be given that
the amount of metal estimated will be produced or the indicated level of
recovery of these metals will be realized.
We
may not achieve our production estimates.
We
prepare estimates of future production for our operations. We develop our plans
based on, among other things, mining experience, reserve estimates, assumptions
regarding ground conditions and physical characteristics of ores (such as
hardness and presence or absence of certain metallurgical characteristics) and
estimated rates and costs of mining and processing. Our actual production may
vary from estimates for a variety of reasons, including:
· |
risks
and hazards of the types discussed in this
section; |
· |
actual
ore mined varying from estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution and
metallurgical and other characteristics; |
· |
short-term
operating factors relating to the ore reserves, such as the need for
sequential development of ore bodies and the processing of new or
different ore grades; |
· |
mine
failures, pit wall slides or cave-ins or equipment
failures; |
· |
natural
phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods and
earthquakes; |
· |
unexpected
labor shortages or strikes; |
· |
restrictions
or regulations imposed by government agencies;
and |
· |
litigation
pursued by governmental agencies or environmental
groups. |
Each of
these factors also applies to future development properties not yet in
production and to the Standard Mine, Montana Tunnels and Florida Canyon
expansions. In these cases, we do not have the benefit of actual experience in
our estimates, and there is a greater likelihood that the actual results will
vary from the estimates. In addition, development and expansion projects are
subject to unexpected construction and start-up problems and
delays.
Our
future profitability depends in part, on actual economic returns and actual
costs of developing mines, which may differ significantly from our estimates and
involve unexpected problems, costs and delays.
From time
to time we will engage in the development of new ore bodies. Our ability to
sustain or increase our present level of production is dependent in part on the
successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of
existing mining operations. Decisions about the development of Black Fox and
other future projects may be based on feasibility studies. The economic
feasibility of our development projects is based upon many factors,
including:
· |
anticipated
metallurgical characteristics that are to be mined and
processed; |
· |
anticipated
recurring rates of gold and other minerals from the
ore; |
· |
capital
and operating costs of comparable facilities and equipment;
and |
· |
future
gold/metal prices. |
Development
projects are also subject to the successful completion of feasibility studies,
issuance of necessary governmental permits and receipt of adequate
financing.
Development
projects have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future cash
flow. Our estimates of proven and probable ore reserves and cash operating costs
are, to a large extent, based upon detailed geologic and engineering analysis.
We also conduct feasibility studies that derive estimates of capital and
operating costs based upon many factors, including:
· |
anticipated
tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and
processed; |
· |
the
configuration of the ore body; |
· |
ground
and mining conditions; |
· |
expected
recovery rates of the gold from the ore;
and |
· |
anticipated
environmental and regulatory compliance
costs. |
It is
possible that actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from our
best estimates. It is not unusual in the mining industry for new mining
operations to experience unexpected problems during the start-up phase and to
require more capital than anticipated. There can be no assurance that our
operations at the Standard Mine or any other development property will be
profitable.
Exploration
in general, and gold exploration in particular, are speculative and are
frequently unsuccessful.
Mineral
exploration, particularly for gold and silver, is highly speculative in nature,
capital intensive, involves many risks and frequently is nonproductive. There
can be no assurance that our mineral exploration efforts will be successful.
Success in increasing our reserves will be the result of a number of factors,
including the following:
· |
geological
and technical expertise; |
· |
quality
of land available for exploration; and |
· |
capital
available for exploration. |
If we
discover a site with gold or other mineralization, it will take a number of
years from the initial phases of drilling until production is possible, during
which time the economic feasibility of production may change. Substantial
expenditures are required to establish ore reserves through drilling, to
determine metallurgical processes to extract the metals from the ore and, in the
case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. As a
result of these uncertainties, no assurance can be given that our exploration
programs will result in the expansion or replacement of existing ore reserves
that are being depleted by current production.
We
are dependent upon two mining properties.
All of
our revenues are currently derived from our mining and milling operations at the
Montana Tunnels Mine and Florida Canyon Mine, which are low-grade mines. We
recently experienced problems related to the milling of low-grade ore at the
Montana Tunnels Mine and problems associated with the leaching of gold at our
Florida Canyon Mine, both of which negatively affected our revenues. If
operations at either of these mines or at any of our processing facilities are
reduced, interrupted or curtailed, for any reason, our results of operations and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We
do not currently have and may not be able to raise the funds necessary to
explore and develop our Black Fox and Huizopa properties and our other
properties.
We do not
currently have sufficient funds to develop a mine at Black Fox, and to fund a
full exploration program of Huizopa and our other properties. Black Fox, Huizopa
and our other development properties will require significant capital
expenditures. Sources of external financing may include bank and nonbank
borrowings and future debt and equity offerings. There can be no assurance that
financing will be available on acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to
obtain financing would have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy and
our results of operations and financial condition.
Most
of our assets are pledged to the holders of our 12% Series 2004-B Secured
Convertible Debentures and we may not be able to obtain financing from an asset
based lender.
The
majority of our assets, including the stock certificate evidencing ownership of
the Montana Tunnels Mine, are pledged to the holders of our 12% Series 2004-B
Secured Convertible Debentures as security for our obligations under these
debentures. Because we have pledged most of our assets to other parties, it may
be difficult for us to raise additional external funds through bank, asset based
lenders, or other types of lenders, which may require us to raise additional
funds through future debt and equity offerings. In addition, the inability to
pledge significant assets may make it difficult or impossible to receive
financing on acceptable terms, or at all. The failure to obtain acceptable
financing may have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy and our
results of operations and financial condition.
Possible
hedging activities could expose us to losses.
In
connection with a previous financing we have gold hedging contracts covering
12,000 ounces as of February 1, 2005 that involve the use of put and call
options. The contracts give the holder the right to buy and us the right to sell
stipulated amounts of gold at the upper and lower exercise prices, respectively.
The contracts continue through April 25, 2005, with a call option of
$295 per ounce and a put option of $345 per ounce. Based on recent
gold prices of approximately $410 per ounce, we are realizing about $65 an
ounce less than the market price on our currently outstanding hedging positions.
In the
future, we may enter into additional precious and/or base metals hedging
contracts that may involve outright forward sales contracts, spot-deferred sales
contracts, the use of options which may involve the sale of call options and the
purchase of all these hedging instruments. There can be no assurance that we
will be able to successfully hedge against price, currency and interest rate
fluctuations. In addition, our ability to hedge against zinc and lead price risk
in a timely manner may be adversely affected by the smaller volume of
transactions in both the zinc and lead markets. Further, there can be no
assurance that the use of hedging techniques will always be to our benefit. Some
hedging instruments may prevent us from realizing the benefit from subsequent
increases in market prices with respect to covered production. This limitation
would limit our revenues and profits. Hedging contracts are also subject to the
risk that the other party may be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations
under these contracts. Any significant nonperformance could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
We
face substantial governmental regulation.
Safety. Our
U.S. mining operations are subject to inspection and regulation by the Mine
Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor
(“MSHA”) under the provisions of the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) also has jurisdiction
over safety and health standards not covered by MSHA. Our policy is to comply
with applicable directives and regulations of MSHA and OSHA. We have made and
expect to make in the future, significant expenditures to comply with these laws
and regulations.
Current
Environmental Laws and Regulations. We must
comply with environmental standards, laws and regulations that may result in
increased costs and delays depending on the nature of the regulated activity and
how stringently the regulations are implemented by the regulatory authority. The
costs and delays associated with compliance with such laws and regulations could
stop us from proceeding with the exploration of a project or the operation or
future exploration of a mine. Laws and regulations involving the protection and
remediation of the environment and the governmental policies for implementation
of such laws and regulations are constantly changing and are generally becoming
more restrictive. We have made, and expect to make in the future, significant
expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. These requirements
include regulations under many state and U.S. federal laws and regulations,
including:
· |
the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
1980 which regulates and establishes liability for the release of
hazardous substances; |
· |
the
Endangered Species Act; |
· |
the
Resource Conservative and Recovery Act; |
· |
the
Migratory Bird Treaty Act; |
· |
the
Safe Drinking Water Act; |
· |
the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Act; |
· |
the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act; |
· |
the
National Environmental Policy Act; |
· |
the
National Historic Preservation Act; |
· |
Montana
Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility
Act; |
· |
Montana
Strip and Underground Mine Reclamation Act;
and |
· |
Nevada
Mined Land Reclamation statute. |
Some of
our properties are located in historic mining districts with past production and
abandoned mines. The major historical mine workings and processing facilities
owned (wholly or partially) by us are being targeted by the Montana Department
of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) for publicly funded cleanup, which reduces our
exposure to financial liability. We are participating with the MDEQ under
Voluntary Cleanup Plans on those sites. Our cleanup responsibilities have been
completed at the Corbin Flats Facility and at the Gregory Mine site, both
located in Jefferson County, Montana, under programs involving cooperative
efforts with the MDEQ. The Corbin Flats Facility was the MDEQ’s number one
priority site in Jefferson County targeted for cleanup under the Montana
Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act (“CECRA”). The MDEQ
has reimbursed us for more than half of our cleanup costs at the Corbin Flats
Facility under two Montana State public environmental cleanup funding programs.
MDEQ is contemplating remediation of the Washington Mine site at public expense
under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (“SMCRA”). In
February 2004, we consented to MDEQ’s entry onto the portion of the Washington
Mine site owned by us to undertake publicly funded remediation under SMCRA. In
March 2004, we entered into a definitive written settlement agreement with MDEQ
and the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) under which MDEQ will conduct publicly
funded remediation of the Wickes Smelter site under SMCRA and will grant us a
site release in exchange for our donation of the portion of the site owned by us
to BLM for use as a waste repository. However, there can be no assurance that we
will continue to resolve disputed liability for historical mine and ore
processing facility waste sites on such favorable terms in the future. We remain
exposed to liability, or assertions of liability, that would require expenditure
of legal defense costs, under joint and several liability statutes for cleanups
of historical wastes that have not yet been completed.
Environmental
laws and regulations may also have an indirect impact on us, such as increased
costs for electricity due to acid rain provisions of the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990. Charges by refiners to which we sell our metallic
concentrates and products have substantially increased over the past several
years because of requirements that refiners meet revised environmental quality
standards. We have no control over the refiners’ operations or their compliance
with environmental laws and regulations.
Potential
Legislation. Changes
to the current laws and regulations governing the operations and activities of
mining companies, including changes to the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872, and
permitting, environmental, title, health and safety, labor and tax laws, are
actively considered from time to time. We cannot predict which changes may be
considered or adopted and changes in these laws and regulations could have a
material adverse impact on our business. Expenses associated with the compliance
with new laws or regulations could be material. Further, increased expenses
could prevent or delay exploration or mine development projects and could
therefore affect future levels of mineral production.
We
are subject to environmental risks.
Environmental
Liability. We are
subject to potential risks and liabilities associated with pollution of the
environment and the disposal of waste rock and materials that could occur as a
result of our mineral exploration and production. To the extent that we are
subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities or the
costs that we may incur to remedy environmental pollution would reduce funds
otherwise available to us and could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to fully remedy
an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend operations or enter
into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy. The
potential exposure may be significant and could have a material adverse effect
on us. We have not purchased insurance for environmental risks (including
potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal
of waste products occurring from exploration and production) because it is not
generally available at a reasonable price or at all.
Environmental
Permits. All of
our exploration, development and production activities are subject to regulation
under one or more of the various state, federal and provincial environmental
laws and regulations in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Many of the regulations
require us to obtain permits for our activities. We must update and review our
permits from time to time, and are subject to environmental impact analyses and
public review processes prior to approval of the additional activities. It is
possible that future changes in applicable laws, regulations and permits or
changes in their enforcement or regulatory interpretation could have a
significant impact on some portion of our business, causing those activities to
be economically reevaluated at that time. Those risks include, but are not
limited to, the risk that regulatory authorities may increase bonding
requirements beyond our financial capabilities. The posting of bonding in
accordance with regulatory determinations is a condition to the right to operate
under all material operating permits, and therefore increases in bonding
requirements could prevent our operations from continuing even if we were in
full compliance with all substantive environmental laws.
We
face strong competition from other mining companies for the acquisition of new
properties.
Mines
have limited lives and as a result, we may seek to replace and expand our
reserves through the acquisition of new properties. In addition, there is a
limited supply of desirable mineral lands available in the United States, Canada
and Mexico and other areas where we would consider conducting exploration and/or
production activities. Because we face strong competition for new properties
from other mining companies, some of which have greater financial resources than
we do, we may be unable to acquire attractive new mining properties on terms
that we consider acceptable.
The
titles to some of our properties may be uncertain or
defective.
Certain
of our United States mineral rights consist of “unpatented” mining claims
created and maintained in accordance with the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872.
Unpatented mining claims are unique U.S. property interests, and are generally
considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property
interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain.
This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and
regulations under the General Mining Law. Also, unpatented mining claims and
related rights, including rights to use the surface, are subject to possible
challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government. The validity
of an unpatented mining claim, in terms of both its location and its
maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of federal
and state statutory and decisional law. In addition, there are few public
records that definitively control the issues of validity and ownership of
unpatented mining claims.
In recent
years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the
General Mining Law. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date, there
can be no assurance that such legislation will not be adopted in the future. If
ever adopted, such legislation could, among other things, impose royalties on
gold production from currently unpatented mining claims located on federal
lands. If such legislation is ever adopted, it could have an adverse impact on
earnings from our operations, could reduce estimates of our reserves and could
curtail our future exploration and development activity on federal
lands.
While we
have no reason to believe that the existence and extent of any of our properties
are in doubt, title to mining properties are subject to potential claims by
third parties claiming an interest in them.
We
may lose rights to properties if we fail to meet payment requirements or
development or production schedules.
We derive
the rights to most of our mineral properties from unpatented mining claims,
leaseholds, joint ventures or purchase option agreements which require the
payment of maintenance fees, rents, or purchase price installments, exploration
expenditures, or other fees. If we fail to make these payments when they are
due, our rights to the property may lapse. There can be no assurance that we
will always make payments by the requisite payment dates. In addition, some
contracts with respect to our mineral properties require development or
production schedules. There can be no assurance that we will be able to meet any
or all of the development or production schedules. Our ability to transfer or
sell our rights to some of our mineral properties requires government approvals
or third party consents, which may not be granted.
Our
operations may be adversely affected by risks and hazards associated with the
mining industry.
Our
business is subject to a number of risks and hazards including:
· |
political
and country risks; |
· |
unusual
or unexpected geologic formations; |
· |
slope
failures and landslides; and |
· |
flooding
and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather
conditions. |
Such
risks could result in:
· |
damage
to or destruction of mineral properties or producing
facilities; |
· |
personal
injury or death; |
For some
of these risks, we maintain insurance to protect against these losses at levels
consistent with our historical experience and industry practice. However, we may
not be able to maintain current levels of insurance, particularly if there is a
significant increase in the cost of premiums. Insurance against environmental
risks is generally too expensive or not available for us and other companies in
our industry, and, therefore, we do not maintain environmental insurance. To the
extent we are subject to environmental liabilities, we would have to pay for
these liabilities. Moreover, in the event that we are unable to fully pay for
the cost of remedying an environmental problem, we might be required to suspend
or significantly curtail operations or enter into other interim compliance
measures.
You
could have difficulty or be unable to enforce certain civil liabilities on us,
certain of our directors and our experts.
We are a
Yukon Territory, Canada, corporation. Substantially all of our assets are
located outside of Canada and our head office is located in the United States.
Additionally, a number of our directors and the experts named in this prospectus
are residents of Canada. Although we have appointed Lackowicz, Shier &
Hoffman as our agents for service of process in the Yukon Territory, it might
not be possible for investors to collect judgments obtained in Canadian courts
predicated on the civil liability provisions of securities legislation. It could
also be difficult for you to effect service of process in connection with any
action brought in the United States upon such directors and experts. Execution
by United States courts of any judgment obtained against us, or any of the
directors, executive officers or experts named in this prospectus, in United
States courts would be limited to the assets or the assets of such persons or
corporations, as the case might be, in the United States. The enforceability in
Canada of United States judgments or liabilities in original actions in Canadian
courts predicated solely upon the civil liability provisions of the federal
securities laws of the United States is doubtful.
We
may not be successful in our efforts to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes
Oxley Act of 2002, which could divert our financial and managerial efforts away
from our operations and potentially subject us to
penalties.
We are
currently engaged in a comprehensive effort in preparation for compliance with
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This effort includes the
documentation, testing and review of our internal controls over financial
reporting under the direction of senior management. We recognize that our
compliance plan contains several time-critical milestones and that if we do not
achieve timely completion of these milestones, our auditors may not have
sufficient time to test our controls and procedures before we file our Section
404 compliance in our 2004 Form 10-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission or an amendment thereto. Currently the Company is evaluating its
internal controls over financial reporting with a view to reporting management
assessments as per the requirements of Section 404, we may be required to
disclose deficiencies and take other actions which could result in the use of
significant financial and managerial resources, as well as be subject to
penalties and other enforcement actions under U.S. securities laws. While we
plan to complete the work and to meet all of the requirements under Section 404
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we may not be successful in this
effort.
If
we cannot successfully operate our production properties or raise additional
funds to finance our Black Fox Property we may not be able to continue as a
going concern.
The
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to
successfully operate the Montana Tunnels Mine and Florida Canyon Mine (including
the Standard mine). The Company will not have sufficient resources from existing
operations to finance the development of the Black Fox project. The Company is
actively seeking financing to develop the Black Fox project; however, the
availability and timing of this financing is not certain at this
time.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
All of
the common shares covered by this prospectus are being sold by the selling
shareholders identified in this prospectus, or by its respective pledgees,
donees, transferees or other successors in interest. We will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of these common shares. See “Selling
Shareholders.”
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
We are
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par value. As
of February 8, 2005, there were 95,173,120 common shares
outstanding.
Dividend
Rights
Holders
of our common shares may receive dividends when, as and if declared by our board
on the common shares, subject to the preferential dividend rights of any other
classes or series of shares of our company. In no event may a dividend be
declared or paid on the common shares if payment of the dividend would cause the
realizable value of our company’s assets to be less than the aggregate of its
liabilities and the amount required to redeem all of the shares having
redemption or retraction rights, which are then outstanding.
Voting
and Other Rights
Holders
of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share, and in general, all
matters will be determined by a majority of votes cast.
Election
of Directors
All of
the directors serve from the date of election or appointment until the earlier
of the next annual meeting of the company’s shareholders or the date on which
their successors are elected or appointed in accordance with the provisions of
our By-laws and Articles of Arrangement. Directors are elected by a majority of
votes cast.
Liquidation
In the
event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Apollo Gold, holders of
the common shares have the right to a ratable portion of the assets remaining
after payment of liabilities and liquidation preferences of any preferred shares
or other securities that may then be outstanding.
Redemption
Apollo
Gold common shares are not redeemable or convertible.
Other
Provisions
All
outstanding common shares are, and the common shares offered by this prospectus
or obtainable on exercise or conversion of other securities offered hereby, if
issued in the manner described in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus
supplement, will be, fully paid and non-assessable.
You
should read the prospectus supplement relating to any offering of common shares,
or of securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable for common shares, for
the terms of the offering, including the number of common shares offered, any
initial offering price and market prices relating to the common
shares.
This
section is a summary and may not describe every aspect of our common shares that
may be important to you. We urge you to read our Articles of Arrangement, as
amended, and our By-laws, because they, and not this description, define your
rights as a holder of our common shares. See “Where You Can Find More
Information” for information on how to obtain copies of these
documents.
CIBC
Mellon Trust Company, P. O. Box 7010 Adelaide Postal Station, Toronto, Ontario
M5E2W9, Canada, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common
shares.
SELLING
SHAREHOLDERS
The
selling shareholders identified below, or their respective pledgees, donees,
assignees, transferees or other successors in interest, are selling all of the
common shares being offered under this prospectus.
Flow-Through
Common Shares
On
December 31, 2004, we issued to the selling shareholders in a private
placement of “flow-through” shares in Canada. “Flow-through” shares are common
shares to which the Company attaches tax-credits the Company received by
incurring certain qualifying exploration expenses as determined under Canadian
tax laws. The tax-credit and underlying common share are separable and only the
common shares are being registered on this prospectus.
Pursuant
to a Registration Rights Agreement with the selling shareholders, we agreed to
register the common shares and to keep the registration statement effective
until the earlier of the date on which all of the common shares registered
thereunder are sold, or until all of the shares (excluding those held by
“affiliates” of the Company) are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) of
Act.
|
|
Before
the Offering |
|
|
|
|
After
the Offering |
Name
of Selling Stockholder |
|
|
Number
of
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1) |
|
|
Percentage
of
Common
Shares
Outstanding(2) |
|
|
Common
Shares
Registered
for
Resale |
|
|
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned
(3) |
|
Percentage
of
Common
Shares
Outstanding |
MineralFields
2004 Limited Partnership(4) |
|
|
571,427 |
(5) |
|
* |
|
|
297,689 |
|
|
273,738 |
|
|
* |
|
MineralFields
2004-II Super Flow-Through Limited Partnership (6) |
|
|
571,427 |
(7) |
|
* |
|
|
71,428 |
|
|
499,999 |
|
|
* |
|
MineralFields
2004-VI Limited Partnership(8) |
|
|
571,427 |
(9) |
|
* |
|
|
124,857 |
|
|
446,570 |
|
|
* |
|
MineralFields
2004-VII Limited Partnership(10) |
|
|
571,427 |
(11) |
|
* |
|
|
71,714 |
|
|
499,713 |
|
|
* |
|
Frontieralt-MineralFields
2004 Flow-Through Limited Partnership (12) |
|
|
571,427 |
(13) |
|
* |
|
|
5,739 |
|
|
565,688 |
|
|
* |
|
J.
Jay Jaski |
|
|
167,856 |
(14) |
|
* |
|
|
71,428 |
|
|
96,428 |
|
|
* |
|
Elizabeth
Jane Cryer |
|
|
167,856 |
(15) |
|
* |
|
|
71,428 |
|
|
96,428 |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
3,192,847 |
|
|
3.4 |
% |
|
714,283 |
|
|
2,478,564 |
|
|
2.6 |
% |
(1)
|
Pursuant
to Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, a person is deemed to be the beneficial
owner of a security if that person has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of such security within 60 days, including the right to acquire
through the exercise of an option or warrant or through the conversion of
a security. |
(2)
|
The
percentage ownership for each beneficial owner listed above is based on
95,173,120 common shares outstanding as of February 8, 2005. In accordance
with SEC rules, options to purchase shares of common stock that are
exercisable as of February 8, 2005, or will become
exercisable within 60 days thereafter, are deemed to be outstanding and
beneficially owned by the person holding such options for the purpose of
computing such person’s percentage ownership, but are not deemed to be
outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any
other person. |
(3)
|
Assumes
that all of the shares currently beneficially owned by the selling
stockholder and registered hereunder are sold, and that the selling
stockholder acquires no additional common shares before the completion of
this offering. |
(4)
|
MineralFields
VI Inc. (“MineralFields”), serves as the general partner of the selling
shareholder. Joe Dwek Management Consultants Inc. (“Management”) is the
sole shareholder of MineralFields, and the Dwek Family Trust owns 100 % of
the shares in Management. Mr. Joe C. Dwek is the directing trustee of the
Dwek Family Trust. |
(5)
|
Includes
71,428 shares held by MineralFields 2004-II Super Flow-Through Limited
Partnership, 124,857 shares held by MineralFields 2004-VI Limited
Partnership, 71,714 shares held by MineralFields 2004-VII Limited
Partnership and 5,739 shares held by Frontieralt-MineralFields 2004
Flow-Through Limited Partnership. |
(6)
|
MineralFields
VIII Inc. (“MineralFields VIII”), serves as the general partner of the
selling shareholder. Joe Dwek Management Consultants Inc. (“Management”)
is the sole shareholder of MineralFields VIII, and the Dwek Family Trust
owns 100 % of the shares in Management. Mr. Joe C. Dwek is the directing
trustee of the Dwek Family Trust. |
(7)
|
Includes
297,689 shares held by MineralFields Limited Partnership, 124,857 shares
held by MineralFields 2004-VI Limited Partnership, 71,714 shares held by
MineralFields 2004-VII Limited Partnership and 5,739 shares held by
Frontieralt-MineralFields 2004 Flow-Through Limited
Partnership. |
(8)
|
MineralFields
XI Inc. (“MineralFields XI”), serves as the general partner of the selling
shareholder. Joe Dwek Management Consultants Inc. (“Management”) is the
sole shareholder of MineralFields XI, and the Dwek Family Trust owns 100 %
of the shares in Management. Mr. Joe C. Dwek is the directing trustee of
the Dwek Family Trust. |
(9)
|
Includes
297,689 shares held by MineralFields Limited Partnership, 71,428 shares
held by MineralFields 2004-II Super Flow-Through Limited Partnership,
71,714 shares held by MineralFields 2004-VII Limited Partnership and 5,739
shares held by Frontieralt-MineralFields 2004 Flow-Through Limited
Partnership. |
(10) |
MineralFields
XII Inc. (“MineralFields XII”), serves as the general partner of the
selling shareholder. Joe Dwek Management Consultants Inc. (“Management”)
is the sole shareholder of MineralFields XII, and the Dwek Family Trust
owns 100 % of the shares in Management. Mr. Joe C. Dwek is the directing
trustee of the Dwek Family Trust. |
(11) |
Includes
297,689 shares held by MineralFields Limited Partnership, 124,857 shares
held by MineralFields 2004-VI Limited Partnership, 71,428 shares held by
MineralFields 2004-II Super Flow-Through Limited Partnership, and 5,739
shares held by Frontieralt-MineralFields 2004 Flow-Through Limited
Partnership. |
(12) |
FrontierAlt-MineralFields
2004, Inc. (“FrontierAlt”), serves as the general partner of the selling
shareholder. Joe Dwek Management Consultants Inc. (“Management”) is the
sole shareholder of FrontierAlt, and the Dwek Family Trust owns 100 % of
the shares in Management. Mr. Joe C. Dwek is the directing trustee of the
Dwek Family Trust. |
(13) |
Includes
297,689 shares held by MineralFields Limited Partnership, 124,857 shares
held by MineralFields 2004-VI Limited Partnership, 71,428 shares held by
MineralFields 2004-II Super Flow-Through Limited Partnership, and 71,714
shares held by MineralFields 2004-VII Limited
Partnership. |
(14) |
Includes
71,428 shares owned by Elizabeth Jane Cryer, Mr. Jaski’s
spouse. |
(15) |
Includes
96,428 shares owned by J. Jay Jaski, Ms. Cryer’s
spouse. |
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
The
common shares covered by this prospectus are being registered to permit public
secondary trading of these securities by the holders thereof from time to time
after the date of this prospectus. All of the common shares covered by this
prospectus are being sold by the selling shareholders or their respective
pledgees, donees, assignees, transferees or other successors-in-interest. We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares.
The
selling shareholders and their respective pledgees, assignees, donees, or other
successors-in-interest who acquire their shares after the date of this
prospectus may sell the common shares directly to purchasers or through
broker-dealers or agents.
The
common shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at
prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at
the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Sales may be effected in
transactions, which may involve block transactions or crosses:
· |
through
the American Stock Exchange or on any national securities exchange or
quotation service on which the common shares may be listed or quoted at
the time of sale; |
· |
through
the Toronto Stock Exchange in compliance with Canadian securities laws and
rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange through registered
brokers; |
· |
in
the over-the-counter market; |
· |
in
transactions otherwise than on exchanges or quotation services, or in the
over-the counter market; |
· |
through
the exercise of purchased or written options;
or |
· |
through
any other method permitted under applicable
law. |
In
connection with sales of the common shares or otherwise, the selling
shareholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may
in turn engage in short sales of the shares in the course of hedging the
positions they assume. The selling shareholders may also sell short the shares
and deliver the shares to close out short positions, or loan or pledge the
shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell the shares.
The
aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholders from the sale of the common
shares offered hereby will be the purchase price of the common shares less
discounts and commissions, if any, paid to broker-dealers. The selling
shareholders reserve the right to accept and, together with its agents from time
to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common shares
to be made directly or through agents.
In order
to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common
shares may be sold in these jurisdictions only through registered or licensed
brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares may not be sold
unless they have been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from
registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied
with.
The
selling shareholders may sell the shares to or through broker-dealers, who may
receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from
the selling shareholders or the purchasers. The selling shareholders and any
broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common shares may
be determined to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of
the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn
on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. If the selling shareholders are an “underwriter” within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, they will be subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
We are
not aware of any plans, arrangements or understandings between the selling
shareholders and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of
the common shares by the selling shareholders. The selling shareholders may
decide not to sell any or all of the shares offered by their pursuant to this
prospectus and may transfer, devise or gift the shares by other means not
described in this prospectus. Moreover, any shares covered by this prospectus
that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may be
sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
If
required, we will distribute a supplement to this prospectus describing any
material changes in the terms of this offering. We have the right to suspend the
use of this prospectus for up to 60 days in any twelve month period if we
notify the selling shareholders that our board of directors has determined that
the sale of our common shares at such time would be detrimental to us and our
stockholders or if material non-public information exists that must be disclosed
so that this prospectus, as in effect, does not include an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to make the statements
in this prospectus not misleading.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Lackowicz,
Shier & Hoffman, Yukon Territory, Canada, has provided its opinion on the
validity of the securities offered by this prospectus.
EXPERTS
The
financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered Chartered
Accountants, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by
reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such
firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
DISCLOSURE
OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
LIABILITY
The
Business Corporations Act (Yukon Territory) imposes liability on officers and
directors for breach of fiduciary duty except in certain specified
circumstances, and also empowers corporations organized under Yukon Territory
law to indemnify officers, directors, employees and others from liability in
certain circumstances such as where the person successfully defended himself on
the merits or acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in the
best interests of the corporation.
Our
By-laws, with certain exceptions, eliminate any personal liability of our
directors and officers to us or our shareholders for monetary damages arising
from such person’s performance as a director or officer, provided such person
has acted in accordance with the requirements of the governing statute. Our
By-laws also provide for indemnification of directors and officers, with certain
exceptions, to the full extent permitted under law which includes all liability,
damages and costs or expenses arising from or in connection with service for,
employment by, or other affiliation with us to the maximum extent and under all
circumstances permitted by law.
In
addition, we maintain officers’ and directors’ liability insurance with Great
American Insurance Company and Navigators Insurance Company. The policies are
effective through June, 2005.
You
should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in
this prospectus or any supplement to this prospectus. We have authorized no one
to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these
securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume
that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than
the date on the front of this prospectus.
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
714,283
COMMON
SHARES
______________________
PROSPECTUS
______________________
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item
14. Other
Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
We will
pay all expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered. The following table is an itemized statement of
these expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions:
|
|
|
|
|
SEC
registration fee |
|
$ |
51 |
|
AMEX
listing fee |
|
$ |
14,287 |
|
Legal
fees and expenses |
|
$ |
10,720 |
|
Accountant’s
fees and expenses |
|
$ |
13,000 |
|
Trustee
and Transfer Agent fees |
|
$ |
0 |
|
Printing
and engraving |
|
$ |
0 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
$ |
2,400 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
40,458 |
|
Item
15. Indemnification
of Officers and Directors.
The
Business Corporations Act (Yukon Territory) imposes liability on officers and
directors for breach of fiduciary duty except in certain specified
circumstances, and also empowers corporations organized under Yukon Territory
law to indemnify officers, directors, employees and others from liability in
certain circumstances such as where the person successfully defended himself on
the merits or acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in the
best interests of the corporation.
Our
By-laws, with certain exceptions, eliminate any personal liability of our
directors and officers to us or our shareholders for monetary damages arising
from such person’s performance as a director or officer, provided such person
has acted in accordance with the requirements of the governing statute. Our
By-laws also provide for indemnification of directors and officers, with certain
exceptions, to the full extent permitted under law which includes all liability,
damages and costs or expenses arising from or in connection with service for,
employment by, or other affiliation with us to the maximum extent and under all
circumstances permitted by law.
In
addition, we maintain officers’ and directors’ liability insurance with Great
American Insurance Company and Navigators Insurance Company. The policies are
effective through June, 2005.
Item
16. Exhibits.
Exhibit
No. |
Description |
3.1
|
Letters
Patent of the Registrant Brownlee Mines (1936) Limited from the Province
of Ontario dated June 30, 1936; Certificate of Amendment of Articles of
the Registrant effective July 20, 1972; Certificate of Amendment of
Articles of the Registrant effective on November 28, 1975; Certificate of
Amendment of Articles of the Registrant effective on August 14, 1978
(Change of name to J-Q Resources Inc.); Certificate of Articles of
Amendment of the Registrant effective on July 15, 1983; Certificate of
Articles of Amendment of the Registrant effective July 7, 1986;
Certificate of Articles of Amendment of the Registrant effective August 6,
1987 (Change of name to International Pursuit Corporation); Certificate of
Articles of Arrangement of the Registrant effective June 25, 2002 (Change
of name to Apollo Gold Corporation); Certificate of Continuance filed May
28, 2003 (1)
|
3.2
|
By-Laws
of the Registrant, as amended to date (1)
|
4.1
|
Form
of Common Shares Certificate (1)
|
5.1
|
Opinion
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman.
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (Included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP
|
24.1
|
Power
of Attorney (Included on signature page of this registration
statement)
|
(1) Incorporated
by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-31593) filed
on June 23, 2003.
Item
17. Undertakings.
(a) The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
|
(1) |
To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration
Statement |
|
(i) |
To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act; |
|
(ii) |
To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) that, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
Statement; and |
|
(iii) |
To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration
statement; |
provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement;
|
(2) |
That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof; and |
|
(3) |
To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. |
|
(b) |
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. |
|
(c) |
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question, whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue. |
|
(d) |
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the
purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance
with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section
305(b)(2) of that Act. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that
it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing a registration statement on Form S-3 and has duly caused this
registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Greenwood Village, State of Colorado, on
February 10, 2005.
|
|
|
|
APOLLO GOLD
CORPORATION |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ R. David Russell |
|
R. David Russell |
|
President and Chief Executive
Officer |
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
Each
individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints R. David
Russell, Melvyn Williams and Donald W. Vagstad each of them, his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments and any Registration Statement filed
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933) to this registration
statement on Form S-3, and to file the same with all exhibits and schedules
thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto each of attorney-in-fact and his agents, full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
R. David Russell |
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
|
February 10,
2005 |
R.
David Russell |
|
(Principal Executive
Officer) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
G.W. Thompson |
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors |
|
February 10,
2005 |
G.
W. Thompson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
G. Michael Hobart |
|
Director |
|
February 10,
2005 |
G.
Michael Hobart |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Charles E. Stott |
|
Director |
|
February 10,
2005 |
Charles
E. Stott |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
W.S. Vaughan |
|
Director |
|
February 10,
2005 |
W.
S. Vaughan |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Robert A. Watts |
|
Director |
|
February 10,
2005 |
Robert
A. Watts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Melvyn Williams |
|
Senior
Vice President, Finance and |
|
February 10,
2005 |
Melvyn
Williams |
|
Corporate Development,
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer) |
|
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
No. |
Description |
5.1
|
Opinion
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman
|
23.1
|
Consent
of Lackowicz, Shier & Hoffman (Included in Exhibit 5.1)
|
23.2
|
Consent
of Deloitte and Touche LLP
|
24.1
|
Power
of Attorney (Included on signature page of this registration
statement)
|