Filed
Pursuant to Rule No. 424(b)(5)
Registration
No. 333-150431
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
(to
prospectus dated May 7, 2008)
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
1,168,174
Common Shares
The
1,168,174 common shares registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement are
issuable upon exercise from time to time of compensation warrants issued as
compensation for placement agent services rendered in connection with our
offering of 16,688,206 units at $0.30 per unit completed on November 9,
2006. In connection with the placement of the units, we entered into
an agency agreement with Shoreline Pacific, LLC on October 30, 2006.
Pursuant to the agency agreement, we paid Shoreline
Pacific, LLC a cash fee equal to seven percent of the gross proceeds
to us in the placement and granted Shoreline Pacific, LLC compensation
warrants to purchase 1,168,174 common shares. The compensation
warrants are exercisable until November 9, 2009 and entitle the holders thereof
to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.50
per share. Please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2006 for additional
information regarding our offering of units.
Pursuant
to the terms of our engagement letter with Shoreline Pacific, LLC in connection
with the November 2006 offering, we agreed to register the issuance of the
common shares issuable upon exercise of the compensation
warrants. This prospectus supplement satisfies this registration
obligation. At the request of Shoreline Pacific, LLC, the warrants to
which Shoreline Pacific, LLC was entitled as compensation for its placement
agent services were issued in the names of Harlan Kleiman (560,723 common
shares), Paresh Patel (233,635 common shares), John Slizza (175,226 common
shares), Jeffrey Wright (175,226 common shares) and Sally Smith (23,364 common
shares), each of whom is an employee of Shoreline Pacific, LLC. We
sometimes refer to the foregoing individuals in this prospectus supplement as
the Warrant Holders.
Our
common shares are traded on the NYSE Amex exchange under the symbol “AGT” and on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “APG.” On October 20,
2009, the closing price for our common shares on the NYSE Amex exchange was
$0.57 per share and the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange was
Cdn$0.60 per share. For a description of our common shares, see
“Description of Common Shares” on page 25 of the related
prospectus.
Unless
otherwise indicated, all references to “$” or “dollars” in this prospectus
supplement refer to United States dollars. References to “Cdn$” in
this prospectus supplement refer to Canadian dollars.
Investing
in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors”
beginning on page 5 of the related prospectus and on page S-7 of this prospectus
supplement.
Neither
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved these securities, or
determined if this prospectus supplement or the related prospectus is truthful
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The
common shares registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement are issuable
upon exercise from time to time of compensation warrants issued to the Warrant
Holders as compensation for placement agent services rendered in connection with
an offering of units that we completed in November 2006. We will pay
the expenses of this offering.
The date
of this prospectus supplement is October 21, 2009.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
Supplement
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Page
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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S-1
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CURRENCY
AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
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S-1
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NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
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S-1
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STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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S-2
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THE
COMPANY
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S-4
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RECENT
EVENTS AND OTHER MATTERS
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S-6
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RISK
FACTORS
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S-11
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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S-24
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PRICE
RANGE OF OUR COMMON SHARES
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S-25
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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S-25
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DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
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S-26
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TRANSFER
AGENT AND REGISTRAR
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S-26
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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S-26
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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S-27
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Related
Prospectus
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Page
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IMPORTANT
NOTICE TO READERS
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1
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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1
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INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
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2
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STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
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2
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APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
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4
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RISK
FACTORS
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5
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RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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14
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USE
OF PROCEEDS
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14
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
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14
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DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
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25
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DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
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26
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SELLING
SHAREHOLDER
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27
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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28
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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29
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EXPERTS
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29
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You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus. See
“Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on page S-10 of this
prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to
provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with
different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We
are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the
offer or sale is not permitted. Information on any of the websites
maintained by us does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement or the
related prospectus. You should assume that the information appearing
in this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus or any documents
incorporated by reference is accurate only as of their respective
dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since those dates.
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This
prospectus supplement and the related prospectus have been filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC,
pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3, which we refer to as the
Registration Statement. This prospectus supplement, 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 the securities and
us.
Our
financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in Canada, which we refer to as Canadian
GAAP. We provide certain information reconciling our financial
information with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States,
which we refer to as U.S. GAAP.
CURRENCY
AND EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
We report
in United States dollars. Accordingly, all references to “$,” “U.S.$” or
“dollars” in this prospectus supplement refer to United States dollars unless
otherwise indicated. References to “Cdn$” or “Canadian dollars” are used to
indicate Canadian dollar values.
The noon
rate of exchange on October 20, 2009 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the
conversion of Canadian dollars into United States dollars was Cdn$1.00 equals
$0.9524 and the conversion of United States dollars was $1.00 equals
Cdn$1.05.
NON-GAAP
FINANCIAL MEASURES
In this
prospectus supplement, the related prospectus or in the documents incorporated
herein by reference, we use the terms “cash operating costs,” “total cash
costs,” and “total production costs,” each of which are considered non-GAAP
financial measures as defined in the SEC Regulation S-K Item 10 and should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance
prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or
U.S. GAAP. These terms are used by management to assess performance of
individual operations and to compare our performance to other gold
producers.
The term
“cash operating costs” is used on a per ounce of gold basis. Cash operating
costs per ounce is equivalent to direct operating cost as found on the
Consolidated Statements of Operations, less production royalty expenses and
mining taxes but includes by-product credits for payable silver, lead and
zinc.
The term
“total cash costs” is equivalent to cash operating costs plus production
royalties and mining taxes.
The term
“total production costs” is equivalent to total cash costs plus non-cash costs
including depreciation and amortization.
These
measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from
operations as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in
Canada and the United States and may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures of other companies. See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and Item 2,
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2009 for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to our Statements of
Operations.
STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This
prospectus supplement, the related prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement and the related prospectus contain
forward-looking statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, with respect to our financial condition, results of
operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development
efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These
statements include comments regarding:
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·
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plans
for the further development of the Black Fox mine and mill including,
without limitation, the timing of the development of the underground mine
at Black Fox;
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estimates
of future production at Black Fox;
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our
ability to resolve the review event with the project finance banks in a
satisfactory manner or at all;
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our
ability to reschedule quarterly principal payments under the Black Fox
project finance facility;
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our
ability to meet our repayment obligations under the Black Fox project
facility;
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the
timing and completion of the technical review of the Black Fox project and
the project completion test under the project finance
facility;
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plans
for and our ability to finance exploration at our Huizopa, Pike River and
Grey Fox properties;
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our
ability to repay the convertible debentures issued to RAB Special
Situations (Master) Fund Limited due February 23,
2010;
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·
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the
future effect of recent issuances and registration for immediate resale of
a significant number of common share purchase warrants on our share
price;
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future
financing of projects, including the financing required for the M Pit
expansion at Montana Tunnels;
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costs
associated with placing the Montana Tunnels mine and mill on care and
maintenance and the decision to undertake the M Pit
expansion;
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liquidity
to support operations and debt
repayment;
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the
establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and
resources;
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daily
production, mineral recovery rates and mill throughput
rates;
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total
production costs;
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grade
of ore mined and milled from Black Fox and cash flows
therefrom;
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anticipated
expenditures for development, exploration, and corporate
overhead;
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timing
and issue of permits, including permits necessary to conduct phase II of
open pit mining at Black Fox;
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expansion
plans for existing properties;
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estimates
of closure costs;
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estimates
of environmental liabilities;
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our
ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated expenditure and capital
requirements;
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factors
impacting our results of operations;
and
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·
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the impact of adoption of new
accounting standards.
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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. Actual results,
performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated,
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated
by reference in this prospectus supplement or the related
prospectus. Disclosure of important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from our plans, intentions or expectations are
included under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the
related prospectus and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008.
Forward-looking
statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to:
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changes
in business and economic conditions, including the recent significant
deterioration in global financial and capital markets;
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significant
increases or decreases in gold and zinc
prices;
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changes
in interest and currency exchange rates including the LIBOR
rate;
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changes
in availability and cost of
financing;
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timing
and amount of production;
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unanticipated
ore grade changes;
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unanticipated
recovery or production problems;
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changes
in operating costs;
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operational
problems at our mining properties;
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metallurgy,
processing, access, availability of materials, equipment, supplies and
water;
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determination
of reserves;
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costs
and timing of development of new
reserves;
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results
of current and future exploration and development
activities;
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results
of future feasibility studies;
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joint
venture relationships;
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political
or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we
operate;
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local
and community impacts and issues;
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timing
of receipt of government approvals;
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accidents
and labor disputes;
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environmental
costs and risks;
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competitive
factors, including competition for property
acquisitions;
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availability
of external financing at reasonable rates or at all;
and
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·
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other
risks and uncertainties set forth below under the caption “Risk Factors”
in this prospectus supplement and in our periodic report filings with the
SEC.
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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 supplement or the related prospectus and in any documents
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. All
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. All subsequent
written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons
acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the
cautionary statements. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement.
THE
COMPANY
Overview
Our
earliest predecessor was incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario
in 1936. In May 2003, we reincorporated under the laws of the Yukon
Territory. We maintain our 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. We maintain our 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 supplement, the related prospectus or the
documents incorporated herein by reference.
We are
engaged in gold mining including extraction, processing, refining and the
production of by-product metals, as well as related activities including
exploration and development. We own the Black Fox project, an open
pit mine and mill located near the Township of Matheson in the Province of
Ontario, Canada. In addition, we are the operator of the Montana
Tunnels mine located near Helena, Montana, which is a 50% joint venture with
Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC. We placed the Montana Tunnels mine on care and
maintenance at the end of April 2009. We also own Mexican
subsidiaries which own concessions at the Huizopa exploration project, located
in the Sierra Madres in Chihuahua, Mexico. The Huizopa project is an
80% Apollo/20% Mineras Coronado joint venture.
Black
Fox
The Black
Fox project consists of mining operations located 7 miles east of Matheson and
the Black Fox mill complex located 12 miles west of Matheson, therefore
approximately 19 miles from the mine. Mining of ores at the open pit
mine began in March 2009 and milling operations commenced in April
2009. We also own exploration properties, which we refer to as Grey
Fox and the Pike River properties, each of which is located approximately 3.5
kilometers from our Black Fox mine.
On April
14, 2008, we filed a Canadian Instrument, NI 43-101 Technical
Report. The mineral reserves reflected in the table below are taken
from this report and were calculated based on a gold price of $650 per
ounce.
Black
Fox Probable Reserve Statement as of February 29, 2008
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Grade
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Open
Pit
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0.88 |
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4,350 |
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5.2 |
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730,000 |
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Underground
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3.0 |
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2,110 |
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8.8 |
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600,000 |
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Total
Probable Reserves
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1,330,000 |
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Black Fox
entered commercial production in May 2009 and, during May and June 2009, the
Black Fox mill processed 75,800 tonnes of ore (1,242 tonnes per day), at a grade
of 5.28 grams per tonne, achieving a recovery of 92.5%, for total gold
production of 11,840 ounces. Sales of gold produced at Black Fox
during the second quarter were 5,043 ounces at a total cash cost of $403 per
ounce. During the first week of July, we commissioned the new
crushing circuit which enabled us to increase mill throughput. During
the month of July 2009, 54,600 tonnes of ore (1,761 tonnes per day) were
processed at a grade of 3.6 grams per tonne achieving a recovery of 92.4% for
total gold production of 5,822 ounces. The mill has been processing ore at the
rate planned and recoveries have been satisfactory, however, the grade of ore
delivered to the mill has been lower than expected. As a result, for
the three-month period ended July 31, 2009, gold production was less than 80% of
the amount that we agreed to produce with Macquarie Bank Limited and RMB
Australia Holdings Limited, which we sometimes refer to as the project finance
banks, pursuant to the $70,000,000 Black Fox project finance facility that we
entered into with the project finance banks on February 20,
2009. This shortfall triggered a “review event” as defined in the
project finance facility agreement between us and the project finance
banks. A “review event” enables the project finance banks to review
the project facility and determine if they wish to continue with the
financing.
On
September 28, 2009, the project finance banks agreed, subject to the condition
that we provide a new resource model and life of mine plan to the project
finance banks prior to November 15, 2009, to defer (i) the first scheduled
repayment of $9,300,000 due on September 30, 2009 under project finance facility
and (ii) the requirement to fund the associated debt service reserve account
also due on September 30, 2009, which, in accordance with the terms of the
project finance facility, requires a reserve amount equal to, at all times after
initial funding, the greater of $5,000,000 or the aggregate repayment amount due
on the next repayment date. This deferral will enable the project
finance banks and our company to complete an ongoing technical review of the
Black Fox project with the objective of rescheduling the quarterly repayment
installments under the project finance facility. As a result of the
deferral, the payment of $9,300,000 and the reserve account funding obligation,
each originally due on September 30, 2009, now must be satisfied on the earlier
to occur of (i) the completion of the project finance bank’s technical review
process of the Black Fox mine and (ii) December 31, 2009. We expect
the technical review to be completed before December 31, 2009. In
addition, as part of the deferral, the project finance banks agreed to extend
the date by which the project completion test under the project finance facility
must be satisfied to March 31, 2010.
We have
continued to make progress at Black Fox since July
2009. Specifically, during the three months of July through September
2009, the Black Fox mill processed approximately 161,000 tonnes of ore at an
average grade of 4.1 grams of gold per tonne ore to produce an estimated 19,750
ounces of gold (recovery approximately 94%). The average mill
throughput rate was therefore approximately 1,750 tonnes per day during this
period.
As we
discuss below under the heading “Recent Events and Other Matters – Toll Milling
Arrangement,” we have an agreement with St Andrew Goldfields to toll mill
approximately 100,000 tonnes of our Black Fox mine ore at St Andrew Goldfields’
Holt mill facility. Accordingly, in addition to the gold production
from the Black Fox mill, we had additional gold production from ore from the
Black Fox mine that was milled at St Andrew Goldfields’ Holt mill facility,
located approximately 30 miles east of the Black Fox mine. As at
September 30, 2009, the Holt mill had processed approximately 62,000 tonnes of
Black Fox ore at an average grade of 1.9 grams of gold per tonne to produce an
estimated 3,500 ounces of gold (recovery approximately
92%). Therefore, total gold produced by us in the third quarter 2009
was an estimated 23,250 ounces.
Montana Tunnels
Mine
On
December 5, 2008, we ceased mining of ore from the Montana Tunnels open pit
operation as a result of exhausting the ore in our current “L Pit”
permit. In connection therewith, we issued 60 day notice of
terminations of employment to 87 employees in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, which
we refer to as the WARN Act. On February 3, 2009, 82 of these
employees were terminated. On February 27, 2009, we issued additional
WARN Act notices to all of the remaining 104 employees in anticipation of the
cessation of milling in April 2009. We ceased milling of stockpiled
ore on April 30, 2009 and, effective May 1, 2009, the mine and mill were placed
on care and maintenance. The current estimate of the reclamation
liability for the L Pit and the Montana Tunnels site is $18.5 million which is
covered by $15.3 million in cash in a trust account plus collateralized land
valued at $3.2 million (our share of the liability, cash in trust and
collateralized land is 50% of these amounts).
We
have received all necessary permits to expand the current pit, which
expansion plan we refer to as the M Pit project. The M Pit project
would involve a 12 month pre-stripping program that would cost approximately $70
million, during which time no ore would be produced. We are not
currently engaged in discussions with financing sources for our $35 million
share of the financing costs. The decision to proceed with the M Pit
project must be agreed to by both our company and Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC, our
joint venture partner at the mine. We and our joint venture partner
have not yet made a production decision on the M Pit project and such decision
will depend, among other things, on securing financing for the $70 million and
the prices of gold, silver, lead and zinc and available smelter
terms.
For the
month of May and June, the care and maintenance costs at Montana Tunnels were
$0.3 million and our share of these costs is 50%. During the month of
April 2009, when the Montana Tunnels mill was operational, the mill processed
343,400 tons of ore from stockpiled ore at an average throughput of 11,447 tons
per day. Payable production at Montana Tunnels during this period was
1,990 ounces of gold, 52,000 ounces of silver, and 928,000 pounds of lead and
270,000 pounds of zinc. Our share of this production is
50%.
Total
cash costs for the month of April 2009 on a by-product basis were $862 per ounce
of gold and on a co-product basis were $833 per ounce of gold, $12.17 per ounce
of silver, $0.67 per lb of lead and $0.69 per lb of zinc.
Huizopa
Project
On July
7, 2009, we filed a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 for the Huizopa project,
which was updated on August 15, 2009. This 43-101 more fully
describes the property and the drilling results from our 2008 drilling program,
but does not contain any resources or reserves.
RECENT
EVENTS AND OTHER MATTERS
Pike River
Property
On
September 9, 2009, we completed the acquisition of certain mineral properties,
which we sometimes refer to in this prospectus supplement as the Pike River
property, located in the Township of Hislop, Ontario, Canada, which are
contiguous to the south-east boundary of our Black Fox gold mine and the
northwest boundary of our Grey Fox property. The Pike River property
was acquired from Newmont Canada Corporation, which we sometimes refer to in
this prospectus supplement as Newmont, and consists of the surface and mineral
rights to approximately 1,145 acres consisting of parcels 1735 LC, 1726 LC,
23687 SEC, 23777 SEC, 3852 SEC and 11125 SEC. The purchase of the
Pike River property was made pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement, dated
March 12, 2009, between Newmont and our company, which we sometimes refer to in
this prospectus supplement as the Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to the
terms of the Purchase Agreement, in consideration for the Pike River property,
we paid Cdn$100,000 to Newmont and granted a perpetual 2.5% net smelter
production royalty to Newmont from the sale or other disposition of all
materials produced from the Pike River property pursuant to a royalty agreement,
dated March 25, 2009, between Newmont and our Company. In addition,
as further consideration, within 30 days following the earlier of (i) the date
that at least 500,000 ounces of gold equivalent minerals sufficient to be
reported pursuant to Canadian National Instrument 43-101 combined reserves
(proven and probable) and resources (measured, indicated and inferred) are
determined to exist within the Pike River property, or (ii) the commencement of
commercial production from any portion of the Pike River property, we shall pay
an additional sum of Cdn$1 million to Newmont. The royalty agreement
also contains a first right to negotiate in favor of Newmont pursuant to which,
if we wish to option, joint venture, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise
dispose of its rights or interests in and to our Black Fox property (but
excluding a corporate merger transaction), we must first notify Newmont of our
intentions so that Newmont may consider a possible acquisition from us of a
portion or all of our interest in our Black Fox property.
Toll Milling
Arrangement
On
September 9, 2009, we entered into an agreement, which we sometimes refer to in
this prospectus supplement as the Toll Milling Agreement, with St Andrew
Goldfields Ltd., which we sometimes refer to in this prospectus supplement St
Andrew, pursuant to which St Andrew agreed to mill 100,000 tonnes of ore from
our Black Fox mine. We commenced mining open pit gold ore from our
Black Fox mine in April 2009 and commenced milling of that ore at our Black Fox
mill in May 2009. To date, the Black Fox open pit mine has produced
two categories of ore: (1) higher grade ore (containing plus 3 grams of gold per
tonne) and (2) low grade ore (containing between 1 gram and 3 grams of gold per
tonne). The higher grade ores are being processed by our Black Fox
mill and the low grade ores have been stockpiled at the Black Fox
mine. As of September 8, 2009, there were approximately 120,000
tonnes of excess low grade ores stockpiled at the Black Fox mine site with an
estimated gold grade of approximately 2.0 grams per tonne. Pursuant
to the Toll Milling Agreement, these excess low grade ores will be trucked by a
contractor to St Andrew’s Holt Mill, which has a processing capacity of
approximately 3,000 tonnes per day. The Holt Mill is approximately
fifty kilometers from the Black Fox mine. The Toll Milling Agreement
is for an initial amount of 100,000 tonnes.
Private
Placement
On July
15, 2009, we completed a private placement of 12,221,640 common shares issued to
purchasers within and outside the United States at Cdn$0.45 per share and
13,889,390 common shares issued to Canadian purchasers at Cdn$0.54 per share on
a “flow through” basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) for
total gross proceeds equal to Cdn$13 million. To the extent we have
not already done so, we intend to use the proceeds from the sale of the flow
through shares (Cdn$7,500,270.60) for exploration activities at our Black Fox
project and our Grey Fox exploration property, located 3.5 km southeast of our
Black Fox mine. The costs associated with these exploration
activities will qualify as “Canadian Exploration Expenses” as defined in the
Income Tax Act (Canada)
and will be renounced in favor of the purchasers of the flow through
shares. We intend to use the proceeds from the sale of the common
shares (Cdn$5,499,738) for working capital and general corporate
purposes.
In
connection with the private placement, we entered into an underwriting agreement
with Haywood and Blackmont Capital Inc. Pursuant to the underwriting
agreement, Haywood and Blackmont Capital Inc., which we sometimes refer to in
this prospectus supplement as the underwriters, agreed to act as
underwriters/agents in respect of the private placement and, in consideration
therefor, we agreed to (i) pay the underwriters an aggregate cash underwriting
commission equal to the amount of Cdn$845,000.56, which represents 6.5% of the
total gross proceeds of the private placement, and (ii) issue to the
underwriters compensation options to purchase 1,566,662 common shares in the
aggregate (which is equal to 6% of the number of common shares and flow through
shares sold in the private placement). Each compensation option is
exercisable into one of our common shares at a price of Cdn$0.45 for a period of
24 months from the closing date of the private placement. In
addition, we paid all of the underwriters’ costs and expenses incidental to the
placement of the common shares and flow through shares. Pursuant to
the underwriting agreement, we also made customary representations, warranties
and covenants, including an agreement not to issue any of our equity securities
within 120 days of the closing of the private placement (subject to certain
exceptions relating to employee compensation, outstanding convertible
debentures, warrants or other derivative securities or in connection with the
acquisition of properties or settlement of claims).
The flow
through shares were offered and sold to eligible purchasers resident in Canada
in reliance on the exemption from registration contained in Regulation S of the
Securities Act. The common shares were offered and sold to eligible
purchasers resident in jurisdictions outside of the United States in reliance on
the exemption from registration contained in Regulation S of the Securities Act
and to eligible purchasers resident in the United States in reliance on the
exemption from registration contained in Regulation D under the Securities
Act.
Extension of Maturity Date
for February 2007 Convertible Debentures held by RAB Special Situations (Master)
Fund Limited
On
February 23, 2007, we concluded a private placement pursuant to which we sold
$8,580,000 aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures due February 23,
2009, which debentures we sometimes refer to in this prospectus supplement as
the February 2007 convertible debentures. Each $1,000 principal
amount of the February 2007 convertible debentures was convertible at the option
of the holder into 2,000 of our common shares, at any time until February 23,
2009. Additionally, each $1,000 principal amount of the February 2007
convertible debentures included 2,000 common share purchase warrants, which we
sometimes refer to herein as the accompanying warrants, entitling the holder to
purchase one of our common shares at an exercise price of $0.50 per share, with
such accompanying warrants expiring February 23, 2009. We filed a
Form 8-K with the SEC on February 26, 2007 disclosing the terms of the February
2007 convertible debentures, the warrants and the private placement pursuant to
which such securities were issued.
RAB
Special Situations (Master) Fund Limited, which we sometimes refer to in this
prospectus supplement as RAB, owns $4,290,000 principal amount of February 2007
convertible debentures (on which $772,200 of interest was accrued and unpaid on
the original maturity date of February 23, 2009) and 8,580,000 accompanying
warrants. On February 16, 2009, we and RAB agreed to extend the
original maturity date of the February 2007 convertible debentures owned by RAB
to February 23, 2010. Furthermore, RAB agreed that we shall have the
option to repay the $772,200 of accrued interest on RAB’s February 2007
convertible debentures in either our common shares or cash. If we
elected to pay the accrued interest in common shares, the number of shares
issued would be calculated by dividing the accrued interest owed by the volume
weighted average market price of our common shares as quoted on the Toronto
Stock Exchange during the five trading days ending February 23,
2009. We elected to exercise our right to pay the $772,200 of accrued
interest in our common shares and, in accordance with the foregoing formula,
issued 2,444,765 shares to RAB. In consideration for the foregoing,
we agreed to (i) issue 2,000,000 common shares to RAB, (ii) extend the
expiration date of the accompanying warrants issued to RAB to March 5, 2010 and
(iii) reduce the exercise price of the accompanying warrants issued to RAB from
$0.50 to $0.25. The terms and conditions of the $3,148,100 aggregate
principal amount of February 2007 convertible debentures and accompanying
warrants not owned by RAB were not amended and the principal amount and accrued
interest thereon was repaid to the holders thereof in cash on February 23,
2009. Consequently, 8,152,000 of the accompanying warrants not held
by RAB expired unexercised.
In
December 2008, we retained Haywood Securities Inc., which we sometimes refer to
in this prospectus supplement as Haywood, to provide financial and advisory
services, including in connection with the repayment or restructuring of the
February 2007 convertible debentures. In consideration for those
services, we agreed to issue 1,000,000 of our common shares to Haywood by
February 28, 2009. In addition, the Black Fox project facility
agreement constitutes an “alternative transaction” under the terms of our
agreement with Haywood and requires us to pay certain compensation to
Haywood. Specifically, we are obligated to compensate Haywood by
issuing to it 2,172,840 common shares and 2,567,901 common share purchase
warrants exercisable for a two year period at an exercise price of Cdn$0.256 per
share. The warrants issued to Haywood contain customary anti-dilution
provisions in the event of certain corporate reorganizations or issuances of
securities by us to all of our shareholders.
Black Fox
Financing
On
February 20, 2009, we entered into a project facility agreement with Macquarie
Bank Limited and RMB Australia Holdings Limited, which we sometimes refer to as
the project finance banks, to act as joint arrangers and underwriters for the
Black Fox project finance facility. The project facility agreement
refinanced the $15,000,000 bridge facility agreement that we had previously
entered into on December 10, 2008. As of June 2, 2009, we had drawn
down the full $70 million available under the project facility
agreement. The project facility agreement requires that we use
proceeds from the facility only for: (i) the funding of the development,
construction and operation of our Black Fox project; (ii) the funding of certain
fees and costs due under the project facility agreement and certain related
project agreements; (iii) corporate expenditures of up to $7,000,000 as approved
by the project finance banks in our corporate budget ($3,723,939 of which was
used to repay the February 2007 convertible debentures, and interest thereon,
not held by RAB); (iv) repayment of $15,341,345 under the bridge facility
agreement and (v) any other purpose that the project finance banks
approve.
The
project facility agreement was subject to an arrangement fee of $3,465,551,
which was paid upon the initial drawdown under the project facility agreement on
February 23, 2009, and a commitment fee equal to 1% per annum calculated on a
daily basis on the average monthly balance of the undrawn commitment, which is
payable in arrears on March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009. On March 31,
2009, we paid a commitment fee of $48,472. On June 30, 2009, we paid
a commitment fee of $26,208. Amounts borrowed under the project
facility agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus 7% per annum and the interest is
payable commencing March 31, 2009 and in accordance with the applicable interest
period (currently monthly but may be monthly, quarterly or such other period
agreed to by the project finance banks and us). The repayment
schedule of the $70 million principal amount was originally as
follows:
Repayment Date
|
|
Repayment Amount
|
|
September
30, 2009
|
|
$ |
9,300,000 |
|
December
31, 2009
|
|
$ |
6,000,000 |
|
March
31, 2010
|
|
$ |
4,400,000 |
|
June
30, 2010
|
|
$ |
4,000,000 |
|
September
30, 2010
|
|
$ |
3,200,000 |
|
December
31, 2010
|
|
$ |
2,200,000 |
|
March
31, 2011
|
|
$ |
1,800,000 |
|
June
30, 2011
|
|
$ |
2,700,000 |
|
September
30, 2011
|
|
$ |
2,800,000 |
|
December
31, 2011
|
|
$ |
2,900,000 |
|
March
31, 2012
|
|
$ |
4,900,000 |
|
June
30, 2012
|
|
$ |
6,800,000 |
|
September
30, 2012
|
|
$ |
9,000,000 |
|
December
31, 2012
|
|
$ |
3,800,000 |
|
March
31, 2013
|
|
$ |
6,200,000 |
|
However,
on September 28, 2009, the project finance banks agreed, subject to the
condition that we provide a new resource model and life of mine plan to the
project finance banks prior to November 15, 2009, to defer (i) the first
scheduled repayment of $9,300,000 due on September 30, 2009 under project
finance facility and (ii) the requirement to fund the associated debt service
reserve account also due on September 30, 2009, which, in accordance with the
terms of the project finance facility, requires a reserve amount equal to, at
all times after initial funding, the greater of $5,000,000 or the aggregate
repayment amount due on the next repayment date. This deferral will
enable the project finance banks and our company to complete an ongoing
technical review of the Black Fox project with the objective of rescheduling the
quarterly repayment installments under the project finance
facility. As a result of the deferral, the payment of $9,300,000 and
the reserve account funding obligation, each originally due on September 30,
2009, now must be satisfied on the earlier to occur of (i) the completion of the
project finance bank’s technical review process of the Black Fox mine and (ii)
December 31, 2009. For more information regarding the foregoing, see
“The Company – Black Fox” on page S-5 of this prospectus
supplement.
Under the
terms of the project facility agreement, all cash proceeds generated from the
Black Fox project must be deposited into a proceeds account and may only be
withdrawn and used by us in accordance with the terms set forth in the project
facility agreement.
In
connection with the project facility agreement, we issued 34,836,111 warrants to
the project finance banks (11,637,775 to RMB Australia Holdings Limited and
23,198,336 to Macquarie Bank Limited) as partial consideration for financing
services provided in connection with the project facility
agreement. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one of our
common shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
warrant. The warrants expire on February 20, 2013 and have an
exercise price of Cdn$0.252 per warrant share, subject to customary
anti-dilution adjustments. The warrants are in addition to the
42,614,254 warrants (21,307,127 to each project finance bank) issued to the
project finance banks in connection with the bridge facility
agreement. Following the issuance of the 34,836,111 warrants provided
in connection with the project facility agreement and assuming exercise by the
project finance banks of all warrants held by them, RMB Australia Holdings
Limited and Macquarie Bank Limited would beneficially own 11.30% and 14.78%,
respectively, of our issued and outstanding capital stock (on an otherwise
undiluted basis), and based on 261,422,222 shares outstanding as of October 1,
2009.
Borrowings
under the project facility agreement are secured by a first lien on
substantially all of our assets, including the Black Fox project, and the stock
of our subsidiaries.
The
project facility agreement contains various financial and operational covenants
that impose limitations on us. These include, among other things,
limitations and covenants regarding: (i) the conduct of the Black Fox
project and use of related assets; (ii) the completion of the Black Fox project;
(iii) the use of our funds; (iv) compliance with applicable laws and permits;
(v) mining rights at the Black Fox project; (vi) our corporate budget; (vii)
provision of information; (viii) maintenance of accounting records; (ix)
maintenance of corporate existence; (x) compliance with certain material
agreements; (xi) capital maintenance requirements; (xii) payment of indebtedness
and taxes; (xiii) amendments to existing agreements relating to the Black Fox
project or entry into any such agreements; (xiv) amendments to governing
documents; (xv) disposition of or encumbrance of certain assets; (xvi) engaging
in other lines of business; (xvii) incurrence of indebtedness; (xviii) related
party transactions; (xix) creation of new subsidiaries; (xx) dividends and other
distributions; (xxi) maintenance of the property securing the project facility
agreement; (xxii) insurance; (xxiii) subordination of intercompany claims;
(xxiv) tradeability of the warrant shares under Canadian securities laws; (xxv)
registration of the warrant shares under United States securities laws; (xxvi)
maintenance of listing status on the TSX and status as a reporting issuer under
Canadian securities laws; (xxvii) maintenance of certain financial coverage
ratios and minimum project reserves; (xxviii) satisfaction of a minimum tangible
net worth test; and (xxix) maintenance of the hedging arrangements described
below; and (xxx) the operation of the Black Fox project in compliance with an
agreed cash flow budgeting and operational model.
Subject
in certain cases to applicable notice provisions and cure periods, events of
default under the project facility agreement include, without limitation: (i)
failure to make payments when due; (ii) certain misrepresentations under the
project facility agreement and certain other documents; (iii) breach of
financial covenants in the project facility agreement; (iv) breach of other
covenants in the project facility agreement and certain other documents; (v)
loss of certain mineral rights; (vi) compulsory acquisition or expropriation of
certain secured property by a government agency; (vii) certain cross-defaults on
other indebtedness of our company; (viii) entry of certain judgments against us
that are not paid or satisfied; (ix) enforcement of encumbrances against our
material assets (or any such encumbrance becomes capable of being enforced); (x)
events of liquidation, receivership or insolvency of our company; (xi)
maintenance of listing status on the TSX or NYSE Amex exchange and status as a
reporting issuer under Canadian securities laws; or (xii) occurrence of any
event which has or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our
assets, business or operations, our ability to perform under the project
facility agreement and other transaction documents, the rights of the project
finance banks or the enforceability of a transaction document. The
project facility agreement provides that in the event of default, the project
finance banks may declare that the debts and monetary liabilities of our company
are immediately due and payable and/or cancel the credit facility.
As a part
of the project facility agreement, we and the project finance banks have entered
into a hedging program covering both gold sales and part of our Canadian dollar
operating costs. Specifically, we have entered into a 250,430 ounce
gold forward sales program which will be allocated across the four year term of
the project facility agreement. The weighted average price of the
sales program is $876 per ounce of gold. The foreign exchange hedge
program involves the purchase of Cdn$70.2 million for the equivalent of US$58
million, at an exchange rate of US$1.00 equals Cdn$1.21, over the four year term
of the project facility agreement.
RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. You
should consider the risk factors set forth below and the other information in
this prospectus supplement and related prospectus before purchasing any of our
common shares. In addition to historical information, the information
in this prospectus supplement 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 supplement. The risks below address some of the factors that may
affect our future operating results and financial performance.
A
“review event” has occurred under our Black Fox project facility, which could
result in the project finance banks requiring repayment of all amounts
outstanding thereunder.
Gold
production for the three-month period ended July 31, 2009 was less than 80% of
the amount projected to be produced in the “cash flow model” (as defined in the
Black Fox project facility) provided to the project finance banks under the
Black Fox project facility. As a result, a “review event” (as defined in the
Black Fox project facility) was triggered under the in the project facility and
we notified the project finance banks of such occurrence in July
2009. The occurrence of a review event triggers the ability of the
banks to review the project facility and determine if they wish to continue with
the project facility.
On
September 28, 2009, the project finance banks agreed, subject to the condition
that we provide a new resource model and life of mine plan to the project
finance banks prior to November 15, 2009, to defer (i) the first scheduled
repayment of $9,300,000 due on September 30, 2009 under project finance facility
and (ii) the requirement to fund the associated debt service reserve account
also due on September 30, 2009, which, in accordance with the terms of the
project finance facility, requires a reserve amount equal to, at all times after
initial funding, the greater of $5,000,000 or the aggregate repayment amount due
on the next repayment date. This deferral will enable the project
finance banks and our company to complete an ongoing technical review of the
Black Fox project with the objective of rescheduling the quarterly repayment
installments under the project finance facility. As a result of the
deferral, the payment of $9,300,000 and the reserve account funding obligation,
each originally due on September 30, 2009, now must be satisfied on the earlier
to occur of (i) the completion of the project finance bank’s technical review
process of the Black Fox mine and (ii) December 31, 2009.
There is
no guaranty that we will be able to (i) provide a new resource model and life of
mine plan to the project finance banks prior to November 15, 2009, (ii) repay
the deferred payment of $9,300,000 and the deferred reserve account funding
obligation, in each case originally due on September 30, 2009, within the
required timeframe described above or at all, (iii) successfully reschedule the
quarterly repayment installments under the project finance facility or (iv)
satisfactorily resolve the technical review currently being conducted by the
project finance banks with respect to Black Fox. If we are unable to
satisfactorily restructure our repayment obligations with the project finance
banks, we may not be able to meet our obligations under the project finance
facility which would result in a material default thereunder. Any
such default under the project finance facility may result in the project
facility banks foreclosing on our assets which could force us to seek protection
under applicable bankruptcy laws and, accordingly, would materially impair the
value of our common shares.
Our
substantial debt could adversely affect our financial condition; and our related
debt service obligations may adversely affect our cash flow and ability to
invest in and grow our businesses.
We now
have, and for the foreseeable future will continue to have, a significant amount
of indebtedness. As of September 28, 2009, we had an aggregate
principal amount of $70.0 million in indebtedness outstanding under the project
finance facility. While our $70 million project facility is
outstanding, we will have annual principal repayment obligations thereunder of
between approximately $6.2 million and $24.5 million. The interest
rate on this loan is floating based on the LIBOR rate plus 7 percent per annum;
accordingly, if the LIBOR rate is increased, interest expense will be
higher. The maturity date on this loan is March 31,
2013. We intend to fulfill our debt service obligations from cash
generated by our Black Fox project, which is expected to be our only source of
significant revenues. Because we anticipate that a substantial
portion of the cash generated by our operations will be used to service this
loan during its term, such funds will not be available to use in future
operations, or investing in our businesses. The foregoing may
adversely impact our ability to repay the $4,290,000 principal amount of
convertible debentures due February 23, 2010 owned by RAB, to finance the
development of the M Pit at Montana Tunnels and conduct all of our planned
exploration activities at our Huizopa, Pike River and Grey Fox properties or
pursue other corporate opportunities. In addition, we may not
generate sufficient cash from operations to repay our debt obligations or
satisfy any additional debt obligations when they become due and may have to
raise additional financing from the sale of equity or debt securities, enter
into commercial transactions or otherwise restructure our debt
obligations. There can be no assurance that any such financing or
restructuring will be available to us on commercially acceptable terms, or at
all, and our existing debt agreements prohibit us from incurring additional
indebtedness without the consent of the lenders thereunder. If we are
unable to restructure our obligations, we may be forced to seek protection under
applicable bankruptcy laws. Any corporate restructuring proceeding or
bankruptcy would materially impair the value of our common
shares.
Operational
problems and start-up issues may disrupt mining operations at Black Fox, which
commenced in March 2009, and impair the operation of and substantially reduce
gold production from milling operations at Black Fox, the commissioning of which
commenced in April 2009.
Mine
development projects, including our Black Fox project, inherently involve risks
and hazards. Although we commenced mining of the Black Fox open pit
in March 2009 and commenced the commissioning of the mill in April 2009, the
successful development of and any future production at our Black Fox project
could be prevented, delayed or disrupted by, among other things:
|
·
|
unanticipated
changes in grade and tonnage of material to be mined and
processed;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
adverse geotechnical conditions;
|
|
·
|
incorrect
data on which engineering assumptions are
made;
|
|
·
|
availability
and cost of labor and other supplies and
equipment;
|
|
·
|
availability
of economic sources of power;
|
|
·
|
adequacy
of water supply;
|
|
·
|
adequacy
of access to the site;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
transportation costs;
|
|
·
|
government
regulations (including regulations relating to prices, royalties, duties,
taxes, restrictions on production, quotas on exportation of minerals, as
well as the costs of protection of the environment and agricultural
lands);
|
|
·
|
lower
than expected ore grades;
|
|
·
|
the
physical or metallurgical characteristics of the ore being less amenable
to mining or treatment than
expected;
|
|
·
|
problems
with delivery and installation of equipment necessary to commence or
continue operations as planned;
or
|
|
·
|
failure
of our equipment, processes or facilities to operate properly or as
expected.
|
As noted
above in “The Company – Black Fox,” the Black Fox mine has produced lower than
expected ore grades. As a result, a “review event” was triggered
under the Black Fox project finance facility and we entered into the toll
milling agreement with St Andrew (see “Recent Events and Other Matters – Toll
Milling Arrangement”).
Production
delays or stoppages will adversely affect our sales and operating results, and
could prevent us from meeting our debt repayment obligations under the project
facility agreement.
Furthermore,
we cannot be certain that the Black Fox project will be developed at the
budgeted cost. Although we believe that we have obtained sufficient
funds to develop the Black Fox project, we cannot provide assurance of
this. If the actual cost to complete the Black Fox project is
significantly higher than currently expected, there can be no assurance that we
will have sufficient funds to cover these costs or that we will be able to
obtain alternative sources of financing to cover these costs.
We
placed our Montana Tunnels mine on care and maintenance on May 1,
2009.
On May 1,
2009, we placed the Montana Tunnels mine and mill on care and maintenance as a
result of exhausting the ore in our current L Pit permit. While we
have received all necessary permits to expand the current pit, which expansion
plan we refer to as the M Pit project, we estimated that the M Pit project would
cost approximately $70 million, and we and our joint venture partner have not
yet determined whether to proceed with the M Pit project. Such
decision will depend, among other things, on the ability to secure financing for
the estimated $70 million on acceptable terms and the prices of gold, silver,
lead and zinc and available smelter terms. If we choose to and are
able to pursue the M Pit project, we expect that the pre-stripping program will
take approximately 12 months.
The
Montana Tunnels mine has been our only source of revenue and cash flow in recent
years and, now that it has been placed on care and maintenance, it will no
longer generate revenue or cash flow for us.
We
do not currently have and may not be able to raise sufficient funds to explore
our Huizopa, Pike River and Grey Fox properties and commence the development of
the M Pit at Montana Tunnels.
We do not
currently have sufficient funds to undertake the M Pit expansion at the Montana
Tunnels mine and conduct all of our planned exploration activities at our
Huizopa and Grey Fox properties. The M Pit expansion and exploration
of Huizopa and Grey Fox will require significant capital
expenditures. Sources of external financing may include bank and
non-bank 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.
In
addition, in the past year, the U.S. stock market indexes experienced steep
declines and volatility and the availability of debt financing
tightened. In light of these developments, concerns by investors
regarding the stability of the U.S. financial system could result in less
favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs
and tighter operating covenants, thereby preventing us from obtaining the
financing required to develop the M Pit at Montana Tunnels and to conduct all of
our planned exploration activities at our Huizopa, Pike River and Grey Fox
properties.
The
existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares may impair our share
price and our ability to raise capital.
Approximately
129.9]million of our common shares are issuable on exercise of warrants, options
or other rights to purchase common shares at prices ranging from $0.176 to $2.24
and a weighted average price of $0.33. In addition, there are
8,580,000 common shares issuable upon the conversion of the $4,290,000
outstanding principal amount of convertible debentures due February 23, 2010
held by RAB, which are convertible at a price of $0.50 per
share. During the term of the warrants, options, convertible
debentures 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 equity
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, convertible
debentures 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 to us than those provided by the
outstanding rights.
Past
and future equity issuances could impair our share price.
If our
shareholders sell substantial amounts of our common shares, the market price of
our common shares could decrease. We have 261,422,222 common shares outstanding
as of October 20, 2009. In addition, we may sell additional common
shares in subsequent offerings and issue additional common shares to finance
future acquisitions or as compensation in financing transactions. In
the bridge facility financing completed on December 10, 2008 and the project
facility financing completed February 20, 2009, we issued warrants to purchase
77,450,365 common shares to the project finance banks (32,944,902 to RMB
Australia Holdings Limited and 44,505,463 to Macquarie Bank Limited),
representing approximately 29.6% of our outstanding common shares (on an
undiluted basis) as of October 1, 2009, as partial consideration for financing
services. In addition, we issued 2,567,901 common share purchase
warrants to Haywood Securities Inc. in consideration for financial advisory
services provided in connection with the restructuring of the February 2007
convertible debentures held by RAB and the project finance
facility. We registered the resale of the common shares underlying
the warrants issued to the project finance banks and Haywood with the
SEC.
We cannot
predict the size of future issuances of common shares or the effect, if any,
that future issuances and sales of common shares will have on the market price
of our common shares. Sales or issuances of large numbers of our common shares,
or the perception that such sales might occur, may adversely affect prevailing
market prices for our common shares. With any additional issuance of common
shares, investors will suffer dilution and we may experience dilution in our
earnings per share.
The
market price of our common shares has experienced volatility and could decline
significantly.
Our
common shares are listed on the NYSE Amex exchange and the Toronto Stock
Exchange. Our share price has declined significantly since 2004, and
over the last year the closing price of our common shares has fluctuated from a
low of $0.11 per share to a high of $0.59 per share. The stock
prices of virtually all companies have decreased since the fall of 2008 as
global economic issues have adversely affected public
markets. Furthermore, 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 global economic issues, as well as short-term changes in gold and
zinc prices or in our financial condition or 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.
We
have a history of losses.
With the
exception of fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, during which we had
a net income of $1,596,000 and $2,416,000, respectively, we have incurred
significant losses. Our net losses were $15,587,000 and $22,208,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. In addition, we
placed the Montana Tunnels mine, which has been our only source of revenue in
recent years, on care and maintenance on April 30, 2009 as a result of
exhausting the ore in our current L Pit permit. In addition, if we
choose and are able to pursue the M Pit expansion, we expect that the
pre-stripping program will take approximately 12 months during which we will
have no revenue or cash flow from the Montana Tunnels mine. However,
during this time we will have obligations under loan agreements and for the
development of the Black Fox project and therefore, we expect that there could
be significant losses until such time as we begin production from Black Fox and
there can be no assurance that we will achieve or sustain profitability in the
future.
Our
earnings may be affected by metals price volatility, specifically the volatility
of gold and zinc prices.
We
historically have derived all of our revenues from the sale of gold, silver,
lead and zinc, and our development and exploration activities are focused on
gold. As a result, our future earnings are directly related to the
price of gold. Since the beginning of 2008, the London P.M. or
afternoon fix gold spot price, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, has
fluctuated from a high of $1059.50/oz to a low of $712.50/oz and was
$1,050.50/oz on October 19, 2009. Changes in the price of gold
significantly affect our profitability and the trading price of our common
shares. Gold prices historically have fluctuated widely, based on
numerous industry factors including:
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industrial
and jewelry demand;
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central
bank lending, sales and purchases of
gold;
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forward
sales of gold by producers and
speculators;
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production
and cost levels in major gold-producing
regions; and
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rapid
short-term changes in supply and demand because of speculative or hedging
activities.
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Gold
prices are also affected by macroeconomic factors, including:
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confidence
in the global monetary system;
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expectations
of the future rate of inflation (if
any);
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the
strength of, and confidence in, the U.S. dollar (the currency in
which the price of gold is generally quoted) and other
currencies;
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global
or regional political or economic events, including but not limited to
acts of terrorism.
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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.
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, that will make
it more difficult to obtain financing for our projects, we will experience
additional losses and we could also be required to discontinue exploration,
development and/or mining at one or more of our properties.
Possible
hedging activities could expose us to losses.
As a part
of the project facility agreement, we and the project finance banks entered into
a hedging program covering both gold sales and part of our Canadian dollar
operating costs. Specifically, we have entered into a 250,430 ounce gold forward
sales program which will be allocated across the four year term of the project
facility agreement. The weighted average price of the sales program is $876 per
ounce of gold. The foreign exchange hedge program involves the
purchase of Cdn$70.2 million for the equivalent of US$58 million, at an exchange
rate of US$1.00 equals Cdn$1.21, over the four year term of the project facility
agreement.
In the
future, we may enter into currency and 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. 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. It is our intention to deliver
the quantity of gold required by our forward sales on a going forward basis;
however, we may cash settle these forward sale obligations if it is beneficial
to us. Any significant nonperformance could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Disruptions
in the supply of critical equipment and increases in prices of raw materials
could adversely impact our operations.
We are a
significant consumer of electricity, mining equipment, fuels and mining-related
raw materials, all of which we purchase from outside sources.
Increases in prices of electricity, equipment, fuel and raw materials could
adversely affect our operating expenses and
profitability. Furthermore, failure to receive raw materials in a
timely manner from third party suppliers could impair our ability to meet
production schedules or our contractual commitments and thus adversely impact
our revenues. From time to time, we obtain critical mining equipment
from outside North America. Factors that can cause delays in the
arrival of such equipment include weather, political unrest in countries from
which equipment is sourced or through which it is delivered, terrorist attacks
or related events in such countries or in the U.S., and work stoppages by
suppliers or shippers. Prolonged disruptions in the supply of any of
our equipment or other key raw materials, implementing use of replacement
equipment or new sources of supply, or a continuing increase in the prices of
raw materials and energy could have a material adverse effect on our operating
results, financial condition or cash flows.
Our
investments in auction rate securities are subject to risks which may cause
losses and affect the liquidity of these investments.
We
acquired auction rate securities in 2007 with a face value of $1.5
million. The securities were marketed by financial institutions with
auction reset dates at 28 day intervals to provide short-term
liquidity. All such auction rate securities were rated AAA when
purchased, pursuant to our investment policy. Beginning in August
2007, a number of auctions failed and there is no assurance that auctions for
the auction rate securities in our investment portfolio, which currently lack
liquidity, will succeed. An auction failure means that the parties
wishing to sell their securities could not do so as a result of a lack of buying
demand. As at June 30, 2009, our auction rate securities held an
adjusted cost basis and fair value of $1.1 million based on liquidity
impairments to these securities and, during the second quarter of 2008, were
downgraded to a AA rating. Uncertainties in the credit and capital
markets could lead to further downgrades of our auction rate securities holdings
and additional impairments. Furthermore, as a result of auction
failures, our ability to liquidate and fully recover the carrying value of our
auction rate securities in the near term may be limited or not
exist.
Substantially
all of our assets are pledged to secure our indebtedness.
Substantially
all of the Montana Tunnels assets and our Black Fox property are pledged to
secure indebtedness outstanding under the Facility Agreement, dated February 20,
2009, by and among Apollo Gold, Macquarie Bank Limited, RMB Australia Holdings
Limited and RMB Resources Inc. Default under our debt obligations
would entitle our lenders to foreclose on our assets. Since these
assets represent substantially all of our assets, our ability to raise
additional secured lending with other financial institutions is greatly
impaired. Furthermore, covenants in our borrowing agreement restrict
our ability to incur unsecured indebtedness. Consequently, in order
for us to raise additional funds prior to the maturity date of our project
facility, we may be limited to conducting unsecured debt and equity
offerings. These offerings may not provide the necessary capital to
fund our future growth, exploration activities or other development
plans.
Our
Huizopa exploration project is subject to political and regulatory
uncertainty.
Our
Huizopa exploration project is located in the northern part of the Sierra Madres
in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. There are numerous risks inherent in
conducting business in Mexico, including political and economic instability,
exposure to currency fluctuations, greater difficulties in accounts receivable
collection, difficulties in staffing and managing operations and potentially
adverse tax consequences. In addition, our ability to explore and develop our
Huizopa exploration project is subject to maintaining satisfactory relations
with the Ejido Huizopa, which is a group of local inhabitants who under Mexican
law are granted rights to conduct agricultural activities and control surface
access on the property. In 2006, we entered into an agreement with the Ejido
Huizopa pursuant to which we agreed to make annual payments to the Ejido Huizopa
in exchange for the right to use the land covering our mining concessions for
all activities necessary for the exploration, development and production of
potential ore deposits. There can be no assurances that the Ejido Huizopa will
continue to honor the agreement. If we are unable to successfully manage our
operations in Mexico or maintain satisfactory relations with the Ejido Huizopa,
our development of the Huizopa property could be hindered or terminated and, as
a result, our business and financial condition could be adversely
affected.
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.
Our
reserves are 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.
Reserve
estimates are calculated using assumptions regarding metals
prices. Our reserves at our Black Fox project were estimated using a
gold price of $650/oz. 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, and lead to a reduction in reserves. Any
material reduction in our reserves may lead to lower earnings or higher losses,
reduced cash flow, asset write-downs and other adverse effects on our results of
operations and financial condition, including difficulty in obtaining financing
and a decrease in our stock price. 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 Black Fox project. We
develop our estimates 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. In the past, our actual production from time to time has
been lower than our production estimates and this may be the case in the
future.
Each of
these factors also applies to future development properties not yet in
production and to the Montana Tunnels M Pit. In the case of mines we
may develop in the future, 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 financing contingencies, 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.
We are
engaged 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 the M
Pit expansion at Montana Tunnels and other future projects, such as our Huizopa,
Pike River and Grey Fox projects, are 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.
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 the Black Fox property that we are developing or any future M Pit
expansion at Montana Tunnels will be profitable.
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 adverse
environmental effects, technical difficulties due to unusual or unexpected
geologic formations, and pit wall failures as well as the associated risks of
underground mining.
Such
risks could result in personal injury, environmental damage, damage to and
destruction of production facilities, delays in mining and
liability. 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 remediating an environmental problem, we might be required to
suspend or significantly curtail operations or enter into other interim
compliance measures.
Mineral
exploration in general, and gold exploration in particular, are speculative and
are frequently unsuccessful.
Mineral
exploration 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. 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 and other 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
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. Over
this period, with the exception of the fiscal years 2008 and 2007, we have not
generated sufficient revenues to cover our expenses and costs.
The
titles to some of our properties may be uncertain or defective.
Certain
of our United States mineral rights of the Montana Tunnels mine 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 that supplement 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 unpatented mining claims located on
federal lands or impose fees on production from patented mining
claims. 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 or patented claims.
While we
have no reason to believe that our rights to mine on any of our properties are
in doubt, title to mining properties are subject to potential claims by third
parties claiming an interest in them and, in September 2006 some of our claims
associated with our Black Fox project were listed as reopened for staking on the
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) website. Five of
these claims totaling 185 acres were immediately staked by local
prospectors. None of our reserves or resources at our Black Fox
project are located on the properties related to these claims. All of
these overstaked claims have since been returned to us.
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, 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.
We
face substantial governmental regulation.
Canadian
Regulation. Our Black Fox mining operations and exploration
activities in the Province of Ontario are subject to various laws and
regulations governing the environment, agricultural zoning, prospecting,
development, production, exports, taxes, labor standards, occupational health,
waste disposal, toxic substances, mine safety and other matters. The Canadian
mining industry is subject to federal and provincial environmental protection
legislation. This legislation imposes high standards on the mining industry in
order to reduce or eliminate the effects of waste generated by extraction and
processing operations and subsequently emitted into the air or water.
Consequently, drilling, refining, extracting and milling are all subject to the
restrictions imposed by this legislation. In addition, the construction and
commercial operation of a mine typically entail compliance with applicable
environmental legislation and review processes, as well as the obtaining of
permits, particularly for the use of the land, permits for the use of water, and
similar authorizations from various government bodies. Canadian federal,
provincial, and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration for and
development, production and marketing of mineral production, as well as
environmental and safety matters have generally become more stringent in recent
years, often imposing greater liability on a larger number of potentially
responsible parties. Because the requirements imposed by such laws and
regulations are frequently changed, we are unable to predict the ultimate cost
of compliance with such requirements. There is no assurance that laws and
regulations enacted in the future will not adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations. We believe that it is in substantial
compliance with all current laws and regulations material to our activities.
However, changing government regulations may have an adverse effect on
us.
United States
Regulation. Our U.S. mining operation is 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.
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.
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 in Montana 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. MDEQ is also 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 granted 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. 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.
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 environmental compliance 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 any non-compliance with environmental laws 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 bonds 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, many of which have
greater financial resources than we do, we may be unable to acquire attractive
new mining properties.
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 Senior Vice
President-Exploration; and Melvyn Williams, our Chief Financial Officer and
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.
There
may be certain tax risks associated with investments in our
company.
U.S.
persons who are potential holders of our common shares, warrants or options to
purchase our common shares, or debentures convertible into our common shares,
which we sometimes refer to in this prospectus supplement as equity securities,
should be aware that we could constitute a “passive foreign investment company”
(or a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The tests for
determining PFIC status for a taxable year depend upon the relative values of
certain categories of assets and the relative amounts of certain kinds of
income. The application of these factors depends upon our financial
results for the year, which is beyond our ability to predict or control, and may
be subject to legal and factual uncertainties. While we do not expect
to be a PFIC in 2009, we are unable to predict whether we will be a PFIC in 2009
or in later years. We undertake no obligation to advise investors as
to our PFIC status for any year.
If we are
a PFIC for any year, any holder of our equity securities who is a U.S. person
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which we sometimes refer to in this
prospectus supplement as a U.S. holder, and whose holding period for the equity
securities includes any portion of a year in which we are a PFIC generally would
be subject to a special adverse tax regime in respect of “excess
distributions.” Excess distributions would include certain
distributions received with respect to our common shares. Gain
recognized by a U.S. holder on a sale or other transfer of our equity securities
also would be treated as an excess distribution. Under the PFIC
rules, excess distributions would be allocated ratably to a U.S. holder’s
holding period. For this purpose, the holding period of common shares
acquired through either an exercise of warrants or options or a conversion of
debentures includes the holder’s holding period in those warrants, options, or
convertible debentures.
The
portion of any excess distributions (including gains treated as excess
distributions) allocated to the current year would be includible as ordinary
income in the current year. In contrast, the portion of any excess
distributions allocated to prior years would be taxed at the highest marginal
rate applicable to ordinary income for each year (regardless of the taxpayer’s
actual marginal rate for that year and without reduction by any losses or loss
carryforwards) and would be subject to interest charges to reflect the value of
the U.S. federal income tax deferral.
Elections
may be available to mitigate the adverse tax rules that apply to PFICs (the
so-called “QEF” and “mark-to-market” elections), but these elections may
accelerate the recognition of taxable income and may result in the recognition
of ordinary income. The QEF and mark-to-market elections are not
available to U.S. holders with respect to warrants, options, or convertible
debentures. We have not decided whether we will provide the U.S.
Holders of our common shares with the annual information required to make a QEF
election.
Additional
special adverse rules could apply to our equity securities if we are a PFIC and
have a non-U.S. subsidiary that is also a PFIC. Finally, special
adverse rules that impact certain estate planning goals could apply to our
equity securities if we are a PFIC.
The PFIC
rules are extremely complex, and shareholders are urged to consult their own tax
advisers regarding the potential consequences to them of Apollo being classified
as a PFIC.
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. While our chief executive
officer is located in the United States, many of our assets are located outside
of the United States. Additionally, a number of our directors and the
experts named in this prospectus supplement are residents of
Canada. It might not be possible for investors in the United States
to collect judgments obtained in United States courts predicated on the civil
liability provisions of U.S. 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 identified in
this prospectus supplement, the related prospectus or documents incorporated by
reference herein, 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.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
The
1,168,174 common shares registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement are
issuable upon exercise from time to time of compensation warrants issued as
compensation for placement agent services rendered in connection with our
offering of 16,688,206 units at $0.30 per unit completed on November 9,
2006. In connection with the placement of the units, we entered into
an agency agreement with Shoreline Pacific, LLC on October 30, 2006.
Pursuant to the agency agreement, we paid Shoreline
Pacific, LLC a cash fee equal to seven percent of the gross proceeds
to us in the placement and granted Shoreline Pacific, LLC compensation
warrants to purchase 1,168,174 common shares. The compensation
warrants are exercisable until November 9, 2009 and entitle the holders thereof
to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.50
per share. Please see our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 1, 2006 for additional
information regarding our offering of units.
Pursuant
to the terms of our engagement letter with Shoreline Pacific, LLC in connection
with the November 2006 offering, we agreed to register the issuance of the
common shares issuable upon exercise of the compensation
warrants. This prospectus supplement satisfies this registration
obligation. At the request of Shoreline Pacific, LLC, the warrants to
which Shoreline Pacific, LLC was entitled as compensation for its placement
agent services were issued in the names of the Warrant Holders, each of whom is
an employee of Shoreline Pacific, LLC. Accordingly, the common shares
underlying the compensation warrants and offered hereby will be issued to the
Warrant Holders as follows: Harlan Kleiman (560,723 common shares), Paresh Patel
(233,635 common shares), John Slizza (175,226 common shares), Jeffrey Wright
(175,226 common shares) and Sally Smith (23,364 common shares).
Upon the
exercise of the compensation warrants by the Warrant Holders, we will receive
$0.50 per common share issued thereunder, or $584,087 in the
aggregate. However, there can be no assurance that the Warrant
Holders will exercise their compensation warrants in whole or in part and
therefore, that we will receive any proceeds. If any of the Warrant
Holders exercise their compensation warrants, we intend to use the net proceeds
from the exercise price of such compensation warrants for the exploration and
development of our properties and working capital and general corporate
purposes.
PRICE
RANGE OF OUR COMMON SHARES
Our
common shares are listed on the NYSE Amex LLC under the trading symbol “AGT” and
on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “APG.” As of
October 20, 2009, 261,422,222 common shares were outstanding, and we had
approximately 976 shareholders of record. On October 20, 2009, the
closing price for our common shares on the NYSE Amex LLC was $0.57 per share and
the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange was Cdn$0.60 per
share.
The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low
market closing prices per share of our common shares.
|
|
NYSE
Amex
LLC
|
|
|
Toronto
Stock
Exchange
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
|
($)
|
|
|
Cdn$
|
|
2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.47 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.55 |
|
|
|
0.38 |
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
Fourth
Quarter (through October 20, 2009)
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
2008:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
0.74 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
0.53 |
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
|
0.74 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
|
0.52 |
|
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
|
0.59 |
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
|
0.61 |
|
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
|
0.60 |
|
|
|
0.44 |
|
We have
not declared or paid cash dividends on our common shares since our
inception. Future dividend decisions will consider our then-current
business results, cash requirements and financial condition. The
Black Fox project facility agreement with the project finance banks currently
restricts our ability to pay dividends.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
The
1,168,174 common shares registered pursuant to this prospectus supplement are
issuable upon exercise from time to time of compensation warrants issued to the
Warrant Holders as compensation for placement agent services in connection with
an offering of units that we completed in November 2006. To the
extent that any of the common shares registered under this prospectus supplement
are issued to the Warrant Holders, such common shares will be issued directly to
the Warrant Holders, without the use of underwriters or agents.
The
common shares registered by this prospectus supplement will be listed on the
NYSE Amex LLC and Toronto Stock Exchange.
DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES
We are
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par
value. As of October 20, 2009, there were 261,422,222 of our common
shares outstanding. For a description of our common shares, see “Description of
Common Shares” on page 25 of the related prospectus.
TRANSFER
AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The
transfer agent and registrar for our common shares is CIBC Mellon Trust Company,
320 Bay Street, P. O. Box 1, Toronto, Ontario M5H 4A6,
Canada.
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to “incorporate by reference” our publicly filed reports into this
prospectus supplement, which means that information included in those reports is
considered part of this prospectus supplement. 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, other than
information in a report on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01
of Form 8-K and exhibits filed in connection with such information, until all of
the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement have been
sold:
|
1.
|
Our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008,
filed with the SEC on March 27,
2009;
|
|
2.
|
Our
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and
June 30, 2009, filed with the SEC on May 15, 2009 and August 14, 2009,
respectively;
|
|
3.
|
Our
Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 5, 2009,
February 13, 2009, February 19, 2009, February 24, 2009, February 25,
2009, March 25, 2009, June 4, 2009, June 26, 2009, July 20, 2009, July 30,
2009, September 15, 2009 (Items 1.01, 8.01 and 9.01 only) and October 2,
2009; and
|
|
4.
|
The
description of our capital stock set forth in our Registration Statement
on Form 10, filed June 23,
2003.
|
Any
statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this prospectus supplement shall be deemed modified, superseded or
replaced, as applicable, for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the
extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, or in any
subsequently filed document that also is deemed to be incorporated by reference
in this prospectus supplement, modifies, supersedes or replaces such
statement. Any statement so modified, superseded or replaced shall
not be deemed, except as so modified, superseded or replaced, to constitute a
part of this prospectus supplement. Subject to the foregoing, all
information appearing in this prospectus supplement is qualified in its entirety
by the information appearing in the documents incorporated by
reference.
Statements
contained in this prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or
other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance we refer you
to the copy of the contract or document filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement or the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus
supplement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such
reference.
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 that are not
specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any
requests for documents to the Chief Financial Officer, Apollo Gold Corporation,
5655 S. Yosemite Street, Suite 200, Greenwood Village, Colorado
80111-3220, telephone (720) 886-9656.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have
filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3, under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the securities offered by this
prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement, 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 our
securities.
We file
annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You
may read and copy the registration statement and any other document that we file
at the SEC’s public reference room located at Judiciary Plaza, 100 F Street,
N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also
available to you free of charge at the SEC’s web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
PROSPECTUS
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
$100,000,000
Debt Securities, Common Shares and Warrants
28,675,000
Shares of Common Shares Offered by the Selling Shareholder
Apollo
Gold Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo Gold,” “we,” “us,” or
“our company”) may use this prospectus to offer and sell from time to time our
debt securities, common shares or warrants, in one or more transactions up to a
total dollar amount of $100,000,000. The selling shareholder
identified on page 27 may also use this prospectus to offer and sell an
aggregate of up to 28,675,000 shares of our common shares. Apollo
Gold Corporation will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares being
sold by the selling shareholder.
This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may
offer. The accompanying prospectus supplement sets forth specific
information with regard to the particular securities being offered and may add,
update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should
read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, together with any
additional information which is incorporated by reference into this
prospectus.
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 April
21, 2008, the closing price for our common shares on the American Stock Exchange
was $0.68 per share and the closing price on the Toronto Stock Exchange was
Cdn$0.68 per share.
The
selling shareholder may sell the shares in transactions on the American Stock
Exchange or the Toronto Stock Exchange and by any other method permitted by
applicable law. The selling shareholder may sell the shares at prevailing market
prices or at prices negotiated with purchasers and will be responsible for any
commissions or discounts due to brokers or dealers. The amount of these
commissions or discounts cannot be known at this time because they will be
negotiated at the time of the sales. See “Plan of Distribution”
beginning on page 28.
References
in this prospectus to “$” are to United States dollars. Canadian
dollars are indicated by the symbol “Cdn$”.
This
prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by
the applicable prospectus supplement.
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 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 May 7, 2008.
|
|
Page
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT
NOTICE TO READERS
|
|
1
|
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
|
1
|
INCORPORATION
OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
|
|
2
|
STATEMENTS
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
|
|
2
|
OUR
BUSINESS
|
|
4
|
RISK
FACTORS
|
|
5
|
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
|
|
14
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
|
|
14
|
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
|
|
14
|
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
|
|
25
|
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
|
|
26
|
SELLING
SHAREHOLDER
|
|
27
|
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
|
|
28
|
LEGAL
MATTERS
|
|
29
|
EXPERTS
|
|
29
|
You
should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. Neither we nor the selling shareholder have authorized
anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or
incorporated in this prospectus.
Neither
we nor the selling shareholder are making an offer of these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offering is not permitted.
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.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE TO READERS
This
prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process on Form
S-3. Under the shelf registration, we may sell any combination of the
securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total
dollar amount of $100,000,000. In addition, St Andrew Goldfields may
from time to time offer and sell up to 28,675,000 shares of our common shares in
one or more underwritten offerings under this registration
statement.
This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we or
St Andrew Goldfields may offer. Each time that we or St Andrew
Goldfields sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will
contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The
prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in
this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement together with additional information incorporated by
reference in this prospectus before making an investment in our
securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more
information. We or St Andrew Goldfields may use this prospectus to
sell securities only if it is accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
The
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including the
exhibits to the registration statement, contains additional information about us
and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement
can be read at the SEC’s website, located at http://www.sec.gov, or at the SEC’s
offices referenced under the heading “Where You Can Find More
Information.”
You
should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying
prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as
of any date other than the date on its front cover.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are
subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (which we sometimes refer to in this prospectus as the “Exchange Act”),
and file annual, quarterly and periodic reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Unites States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we
sometimes refer to in this prospectus as 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,
2007;
|
|
2.
|
Our
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2008;
and
|
|
3.
|
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 that are not
specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any requests
for documents to the Chief Financial Officer, 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, as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to our financial condition, results
of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events, capital expenditure, and exploration and development
efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” and
similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These
statements include comments regarding:
|
·
|
future
timing and operational results and cash flows from the Montana Tunnels
mine;
|
|
·
|
the
establishment and estimates of mineral reserves and
resources;
|
|
·
|
the
timing of completion of a Black Fox feasibility
study;
|
|
·
|
production
and production costs;
|
|
·
|
daily
production and mill throughput
rates;
|
|
·
|
grade
of ore mined and milled;
|
|
·
|
grade
of concentrates produced;
|
|
·
|
anticipated
expenditures for development, exploration, and corporate
overhead;
|
|
·
|
timing
and issue of permits;
|
|
·
|
expansion
plans for existing properties;
|
|
·
|
plans
for Black Fox and Huizopa, including
drilling;
|
|
·
|
estimates
of closure costs;
|
|
·
|
future
financing of projects at Apollo;
|
|
·
|
estimates
of environmental liabilities;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to obtain financing to fund our estimated expenditure and capital
requirements;
|
|
·
|
factors
impacting our results of operations;
and
|
|
·
|
the
impact of adoption of new accounting
standards.
|
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 and zinc
prices;
|
|
·
|
changes
in interest and currency exchange
rates;
|
|
·
|
timing
and amount of production;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
grade changes;
|
|
·
|
unanticipated
recovery or production problems;
|
|
·
|
operational
problems at our mining property;
|
|
·
|
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.
APOLLO
GOLD CORPORATION
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.
Apollo is
engaged in gold mining including extraction, processing, refining and the
production of by-product metals, as well as related activities including
exploration and development. The Company is the operator of the
Montana Tunnels mine, which is a 50% joint venture with Elkhorn Tunnels,
LLC. The Mine is an open pit mine and mill producing gold doré and
lead-gold and zinc-gold concentrates.
Apollo
has a development project, the Black Fox Project, which is located near the
Township of Matheson in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Apollo also
owns Mexican subsidiaries which own concessions at the Huizopa exploration
project, located in the Sierra Madres in Chihuahua, Mexico. The
Huizopa project is subject to an 80% Apollo/20% Mineras Coronado joint venture
agreement.
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 historic 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.
We
have a history of losses.
With the
exception of the most recent fiscal year during which we had a net income of
$2,416,000, we have incurred significant losses. Our net losses were
$15,587,000 and $22,208,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005,
respectively. There can be no assurance that we will achieve or
sustain profitability in the future.
We
have experienced operational problems at our Montana Tunnels mine.
Since the
sale of our Florida Canyon and Standard mines in November 2005, all of our
revenues have been derived from our milling operations at the Montana Tunnels
mine, which is a low grade mine. Historically, the Montana Tunnels
mine has been unprofitable. During 2004, we experienced problems
related to the milling of low-grade ore at the Montana Tunnels mine, which
negatively affected our revenues and earnings. Throughout 2005, we
experienced operational problems, particularly in the open pit, leading to the
suspension of mining on October 21, 2005 for safety reasons due to increased
wall activity in the open pit. After the suspension of mining and
until May 12, 2006, we were able to continue to produce gold doré, lead-gold and
zinc-gold concentrates from milling low grade stockpiled
ore. However, on May 12, 2006, all operations ceased at the mine and
it was placed on care and maintenance. On July 28, 2006, we entered
into a joint venture agreement with Elkhorn Tunnels, LLC, in respect of the
Montana Tunnels mine pursuant to which Elkhorn Tunnels made financial
contributions in exchange for a fifty percent interest in the
mine. Mill operations recommenced in March 2007, however there can be
no assurances that we will not encounter additional operational problems at our
Montana Tunnels mine.
Our
earnings may be affected by metals price volatility, specifically the volatility
of gold and zinc prices.
We
historically have derived all of our revenues from the sale of gold, silver,
lead and zinc, and our development and exploration activities are focused on
gold. As a result, our future earnings are directly related to the price of
gold. 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 stock
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.
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.
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.
We do not
currently have sufficient funds to complete all of our planned development
activities at Black Fox and our planned exploration activities at Huizopa or to
develop a mine at Black Fox. The development of Black Fox and exploration of
Huizopa will require significant capital expenditures. Sources of external
financing may include bank and non-bank 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.
Substantially
all of our assets are pledged to secure our indebtedness.
Substantially
all of the Montana Tunnels assets and our Black Fox property are pledged to
secure indebtedness outstanding under the Facility Agreement, dated October 12,
2007, by and among Montana Tunnels Mining, Inc., Apollo, Apollo Gold, Inc., a
wholly owned subsidiary of Apollo, RMB Australia Holdings Limited and RMB
Resources Inc. Since these assets represent substantially all of our assets, we
will not have access to additional secured lending until this indebtedness is
repaid, which may require us to raise additional funds through unsecured debt
and equity offerings. Default under our debt obligations would entitle our
lenders to foreclose on our assets. The inability to raise additional working
capital or the foreclosure of our assets could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations.
Our Huizopa exploration
project is subject to political and regulatory uncertainty.
Our
Huizopa exploration project is located in the northern part of the Sierra Madres
in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. There are numerous risks inherent
in conducting business in Mexico, including political and economic instability,
exposure to currency fluctuations, greater difficulties in accounts receivable
collection, difficulties in staffing and managing operations and potentially
adverse tax consequences. In addition, our ability to explore and
develop our Huizopa exploration project is subject to maintaining satisfactory
relations with the Ejido Huizopa, which is a group of local inhabitants who
under Mexican law are granted rights to conduct agricultural activities and
control surface access on the property. In 2006, we entered into an
agreement with the Ejido Huizopa pursuant to which we agreed to make annual
payments to the Ejido Huizopa in exchange for the right to use the land covering
our mining concessions for all activities necessary for the exploration,
development and production of potential ore deposits. There can be no
assurances that the Ejido Huizopa will continue to honor the
agreement. If we are unable to successfully manage our operations in
Mexico or maintain satisfactory relations with the Ejido Huizopa, our
development of the Huizopa property could be hindered or terminated and, as a
result, our business and financial condition could be adversely
affected.
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.
Our
reserves are 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.
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, and lead to a reduction in reserves.
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, including difficulty in obtaining financing
and a decrease in our stock price. 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
estimates 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. In the
past, our actual production from time to time has been lower than our production
estimates and this may be the case in the future.
Each of
these factors also applies to future development properties not yet in
production and to the Montana Tunnels mine expansion. In the case of mines we
may develop in the future, 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.
We are
engaged 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 are 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.
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 the Black Fox property that we are developing will be
profitable.
Mineral
exploration in general, and gold exploration in particular, is speculative and
is 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. 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
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.
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. Our share price has declined significantly since 2004, and in 2007 the
price of our common shares fluctuated from a low of $0.36 per share to a high of
$0.78 per share. 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 and zinc prices or in our financial
condition or results of operations as reflected in our quarterly earnings
reports. 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.
The
existence of outstanding rights to purchase common shares may impair our share
price and our ability to raise capital.
As of
April 14, 2008, approximately 36.6 million of our common shares are issuable on
exercise of warrants, options or other rights to purchase common shares at
prices ranging from $0.20 to $2.24. In addition, there are approximately 15.3
million common shares issuable upon the conversion of the $7.7 million
outstanding principal amount of convertible debentures issued February 23, 2007
at the option of the holder at a conversion price of $0.50 per
share. During the term 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 equity 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.
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 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
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 that supplement 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 unpatented mining claims located on
federal lands or impose fees on production from patented mining
claims. 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 or patented claims.
While we
have no reason to believe that our rights to mine on any of our properties are
in doubt, title to mining properties are subject to potential claims by third
parties. In September 2006, five of our claims associated with our
Black Fox Project were listed as reopened for staking on the Ministry of
Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) website. These claims totaling
185 acres were immediately staked by local prospectors. None of our reserves are
located on these claims. Four of these overstaked claims have since
been returned to us. We are negotiating with the overstaker with
respect to the remaining claim; however, no guarantee can be made that such
negotiations will be successful. It is our opinion that these claims
were erroneously listed as open. We are working diligently to resolve
this matter.
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, 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.
We
face substantial governmental regulation.
Safety. Our U.S.
mining operation is 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.
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 in Montana 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. MDEQ is also 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 environmental compliance and the disposal of waste rock and
materials that 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 any non-compliance with environmental laws 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 bonds 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, most of which have
greater financial resources than we do, we may be unable to acquire attractive
new mining properties.
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 Senior Vice
President-Exploration; and Melvyn Williams, our Chief Financial Officer and
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.
There
may be certain tax risks associated with investments in our
company.
Potential
investors that are U.S. taxpayers should consider that we could be considered to
be a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Although we believe that we currently are not a PFIC, the tests for
determining PFIC status are dependent upon a number of factors, some of which
are beyond our ability to predict or control, and we can not assure you that we
are not currently a PFIC or that will not become a PFIC in the future. If we are
or become a PFIC, a U.S. taxpayer who disposes of (or is deemed to dispose of)
our common shares at a gain or who receives a so-called “excess distribution” on
our common shares generally would be subject to a special adverse tax regime.
Such gains and excess distributions would be allocated ratably to the U.S.
taxpayer’s holding period. The portion of any such gains and excess
distributions allocated to the current year would be includible as ordinary
income in the current year. Prior years’ allocations would be taxed at the
highest marginal rate applicable to ordinary income for each such year and would
be subject to interest charges to reflect the value of the U.S. income tax
deferral. Additional special adverse rules also apply to investors who are U.S.
taxpayers who own our common shares if we are a PFIC and have a non-U.S.
subsidiary that is also a PFIC. Special estate tax rules could be applicable to
our common shares if we are a PFIC.
Possible
hedging activities could expose us to losses.
In
connection with our $8.0 million borrowing with RMB Australia Holdings Limited
in October 2007, we were required to enter into hedges of approximately 65% and
40%, respectively, of our share of lead and zinc production from the Montana
Tunnels mine during the 12 months following the date of the
borrowing. In the future, we may enter into 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. 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.
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 adverse
environmental effects, technical difficulties due to unusual or unexpected
geologic formations, and pit wall failures.
Such
risks could result in personal injury, environmental damage, damage to and
destruction of production facilities, delays in mining and
liability. 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 remediating 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. While our principal executive
officer is located in the United States, many of our assets are located outside
of the United States. Additionally, a number of our directors are
residents of Canada. It might not be possible for investors in the
United States to collect judgments obtained in United States courts predicated
on the civil liability provisions of U.S. 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. Execution by United States courts of any judgment obtained
against us, or any of the directors, executive officers or experts identified in
this prospectus or documents incorporated by reference herein, 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.
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The
ratios of our earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated are as
follows:
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
Ratio
of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
|
|
1.2 |
x |
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
|
— |
(1) |
|
|
— |
(1) |
(1) Our
earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by the following amounts for
the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
12,560,000 |
|
|
$ |
13,428,000 |
|
|
$ |
27,043,000 |
|
|
$ |
15,585,000 |
|
The
computation of earnings to fixed charges is based on the applicable amounts for
us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. For purposes of
computing these ratios, earnings consist of operating income before income taxes
plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest charges which
include accretion on convertible debentures.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless
otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use
the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered under this prospectus
for the exploration and development of our properties, acquisition, exploration
and development of additional properties or interests, working capital and
general corporate purposes. Pending the
application of the net proceeds, we expect to invest the proceeds in short-term,
investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments, or other investment-grade
securities.
The
selling shareholder will receive all of the proceeds from the sales of the
shares of common shares offered by it. We will not receive any
proceeds from the sales of the common shares by the selling
shareholder.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may
issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. The
following description summarizes the general terms of the debt securities that
we may offer pursuant to this prospectus that are common to all
series. The particular terms of any series of our debt securities
will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to those debt
securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement
for the terms of the series of debt securities offered because the terms of
specific series of debt securities may differ from the general information that
we have provided below.
We
conduct substantially our operations in the United States and Mexico through
subsidiaries. As a result, claims of the holders of the debt
securities will generally have a junior position to claims of creditors of our
subsidiaries, except to the extent that we may be recognized as a creditor of
those subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of our subsidiaries other
than us may include substantial amounts of long-term debt, commercial paper and
other short-term borrowings.
As
required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly
offered, the debt securities will be governed by a document called an
“indenture.” An indenture is a contract between a financial
institution, acting on your behalf as trustee of the debt securities offered,
and us. The debt securities will be issued pursuant to an indenture
that we will enter into with a trustee, which we will select. When we
refer to the “indenture” in this prospectus, we are referring to the indenture
under which your debt securities are issued, as may be supplemented by any
supplemental indenture applicable to your debt securities. The
trustee has two main roles. First, subject to some limitations on the
extent to which the trustee can act on your behalf, the trustee can enforce your
rights against us if we default on our obligations under the
indenture. Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties
for us with respect to the debt securities.
A
prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any particular series
of debt securities, including any of the terms in this section that will not
apply to that series, and any special considerations, including tax
considerations, applicable to those debt securities. The prospectus supplement
relating to each series of debt securities that we offer using this prospectus
will be attached to the front of this prospectus. In some instances, certain of
the precise terms of debt securities you are offered may be described in a
further prospectus supplement. If information in a prospectus
supplement is inconsistent with the information in this prospectus, then the
information in the prospectus supplement will apply and, where applicable,
supersede the information in this prospectus.
The
following section is a summary of the principal terms and provisions that will
be included in the indenture, unless otherwise provided in any applicable
prospectus supplement. Because this section is a summary, it does not
describe every aspect of the debt securities or the indenture. We
urge you to read the indenture and any supplement thereto that are applicable to
you. The form of indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find
More Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the
indenture.
General
The
senior debt securities will have the same ranking as all of our other unsecured
and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be
unsecured and will be subordinated and junior to all senior
indebtedness.
The debt
securities may be issued in one or more separate series of senior debt
securities and/or subordinated debt securities. The prospectus
supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered
will specify the particular amounts, prices and terms of those debt
securities. These terms may include:
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the
title of the debt securities;
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any
limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities;
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the
date or dates, or the method of determining the dates, on which the debt
securities will mature;
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the
interest rate or rates of the debt securities, or the method of
determining those rates, the interest payment dates and, for registered
debt securities, the regular record
dates;
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if
a debt security is issued with original issue discount, the yield to
maturity;
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the
places where payments may be made on the debt
securities;
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any
mandatory or optional redemption provisions applicable to the debt
securities;
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any
sinking fund or analogous provisions applicable to the debt
securities;
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any
conversion or exchange provisions applicable to the debt
securities;
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any
terms for the attachment to the debt securities of warrants, options or
other rights to purchase or sell our
securities;
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the
portion of the principal amount of the debt security payable upon the
acceleration of maturity if other than the entire principal amount of the
debt securities;
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any
deletions of, or changes or additions to, the events of default or
covenants applicable to the debt
securities;
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if
other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which payments of
principal, premium and/or interest on the debt securities will be payable
and whether the holder may elect payment to be made in a different
currency;
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the
method of determining the amount of any payments on the debt securities
which are linked to an index;
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whether
the debt securities will be issued in fully registered form without
coupons or in bearer form, with or without coupons, or any combination of
these, and whether they will be issued in the form of one or more global
securities in temporary or definitive
form;
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any
terms relating to the delivery of the debt securities if they are to be
issued upon the exercise of
warrants;
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whether
and on what terms we will pay additional amounts to holders of the debt
securities that are not U.S. persons in respect of any tax, assessment or
governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether and on what
terms we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than
pay the additional amounts; and
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any
other specific terms of the debt
securities.
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Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, (1) the debt
securities will be registered debt securities and (2) debt securities
denominated in U.S. dollars will be issued, in the case of registered debt
securities, in denominations of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 and, in
the case of bearer debt securities, in denominations of $5,000. Debt
securities may bear legends required by U.S. federal tax law and
regulations.
If any of
the debt securities are sold for any foreign currency or currency unit or if any
payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency
unit, the prospectus supplement will contain any restrictions, elections, tax
consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to the debt
securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.
Some of
the debt securities may be issued as original issue discount debt securities.
Original issue discount securities bear no interest during all or a part of the
time that these debt securities are outstanding or bear interest at below-market
rates and will be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount at
maturity. The prospectus supplement will also contain special tax,
accounting or other information relating to original issue discount securities
or relating to other kinds of debt securities that may be offered, including
debt securities linked to an index or payable in currencies other than U.S.
dollars.
Exchange,
Registration and Transfer
Debt
securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate trust office of the
security registrar or at any other office or agency maintained by us for these
purposes, without the payment of any service charge, except for any tax or
governmental charges. The senior trustee initially will be the
designated security registrar in the United States for the senior debt
securities. The subordinated trustee initially will be the designated
security registrar in the United States for the subordinated debt
securities.
If debt
securities are issuable as both registered debt securities and bearer debt
securities, the bearer debt securities will be exchangeable for registered debt
securities. Except as provided below, bearer debt securities will
have outstanding coupons. If a bearer debt security with related
coupons is surrendered in exchange for a registered debt security between a
record date and the date set for the payment of interest, the bearer debt
security will be surrendered without the coupon relating to that interest
payment and that payment will be made only to the holder of the coupon when
due.
In the
event of any redemption in part of any class or series of debt securities, we
will not be required to:
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issue,
register the transfer of, or exchange, debt securities of any series
between the opening of business 15 days before any selection of debt
securities of that series to be redeemed and the close of
business:
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if
debt securities of the series are issuable only as registered debt
securities, the day of mailing of the relevant notice of redemption,
and
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if
debt securities of the series are issuable as bearer debt securities, the
day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if
debt securities of the series are also issuable as registered debt
securities and there is no publication, the day of mailing of the relevant
notice of redemption;
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register
the transfer, or exchange, of any registered debt security selected for
redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any
registered debt security being redeemed in part;
or
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exchange
any bearer debt security selected for redemption, except to exchange it
for a registered debt security which is simultaneously surrendered for
redemption.
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Payment
and Paying Agent
We will
pay principal, interest and any premium on fully registered securities in the
designated currency or currency unit at the office of a designated paying
agent. Payment of interest on fully registered securities may be made
at our option by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities
are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus
supplement.
We will
pay principal, interest and any premium on bearer securities in the designated
currency or currency unit at the office of a designated paying agent or agents
outside of the United States. Payments will be made at the offices of
the paying agent in the United States only if the designated currency is U.S.
dollars and payment outside of the United States is illegal or effectively
precluded. If any amount payable on any debt security or coupon
remains unclaimed at the end of two years after that amount became due and
payable, the paying agent will release any unclaimed amounts to us, and the
holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to us for
payment.
Global
Securities
A global
security represents one or any other number of individual debt
securities. Generally all debt securities represented by the same
global securities will have the same terms. Each debt security issued
in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with
and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we
select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is
called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable
prospectus supplement, The Depositary Trust Company, New York, New York, known
as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities that are issued in
book-entry form.
A global
security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other
than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations
arise. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its
nominee, will be the sole registered holder of all debt securities represented
by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial
interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by
means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in
turn has an account either with the depositary or with another institution that
has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security
is represented by a global security will not be registered holder of the debt
security, but an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global
security.
Temporary
Global Securities
All or
any portion of the debt securities of a series that are issuable as bearer debt
securities initially may be represented by one or more temporary global debt
securities, without interest coupons, to be deposited with the depositary for
credit to the accounts of the beneficial owners of the debt securities or to
other accounts as they may direct. On and after an exchange date
provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each temporary global debt
security will be exchangeable for definitive debt securities in bearer form,
registered form, definitive global bearer form or any combination of these
forms, as specified in the prospectus supplement. No bearer debt
security delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary global debt security
will be mailed or delivered to any location in the United States.
Interest
on a temporary global debt security will be paid to the depositary with respect
to the portion held for its account only after they deliver to the trustee a
certificate which states that the portion:
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is
not beneficially owned by a United States
person;
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has
not been acquired by or on behalf of a United States person or for offer
to resell or for resale to a United States person or any person inside the
United States; or
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if
a beneficial interest has been acquired by a United States person, that
the person is a financial institution, as defined in the Internal Revenue
Code, purchasing for its own account or has acquired the debt security
through a financial institution and that the debt securities are held by a
financial institution that has agreed in writing to comply with the
requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue
Code and the regulations to the Internal Revenue Code and that it did not
purchase for resale inside the United
States.
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The
certificate must be based on statements provided by the beneficial owners of
interests in the temporary global debt security. The depositary will
credit the interest received by it to the accounts of the beneficial owners of
the debt security or to other accounts as they may direct.
“United
States person” means a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or an estate or trust with income subject to United States federal
income taxation regardless of its source.
Definitive
Global Securities
Bearer
Securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe
the exchange provisions, if any, of debt securities issuable in definitive
global bearer form. We will not deliver any bearer debt securities
delivered in exchange for a portion of a definitive global debt security to any
location in the United States.
U.S. Book-Entry
Securities. Debt securities of a series represented by a
definitive global registered debt security and deposited with or on behalf of a
depositary in the United States will be represented by a definitive global debt
security registered in the name of the depositary or its
nominee. Upon the issuance of a global debt security and the deposit
of the global debt security with the depositary, the depositary will credit, on
its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal
amounts represented by that global debt security to the accounts of
participating institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its
nominee. The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the
underwriters or agents for the sale of U.S. book-entry debt securities or by our
company, if these debt securities are offered and sold directly by our
company.
Ownership
of U.S. book-entry debt securities will be limited to participants or persons
that may hold interests through participants. In addition, ownership
of U.S. book-entry debt securities will be evidenced only by, and the transfer
of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the
depositary or its nominee for the definitive global debt security or by
participants or persons that hold through participants.
So long
as the depositary or its nominee is the registered owner of a global debt
security, that depositary or nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or holder of the U.S. book-entry debt securities represented by that
global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Payment of
principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, U.S. book-entry debt
securities will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner
or the holder of the global debt security representing the U.S. book-entry debt
securities. Owners of U.S. book-entry debt securities:
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will
not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their
names;
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will
not be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in
definitive form; and
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will
not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the
indenture.
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The laws
of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical
delivery of securities in definitive form. These laws impair the
ability to purchase or transfer U.S. book-entry debt securities.
We expect
that the depositary for U.S. book-entry debt securities of a series, upon
receipt of any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, the
related definitive global debt security, will immediately credit participants’
accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the principal amount of the global debt security as shown on the
records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debt security held
through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the
responsibility of those participants.
Covenants
of the Company
We may,
without the consent of the holders of the debt securities, merge into or
consolidate with any other person, or convey or transfer all or substantially
all of our company’s properties and assets to another person provided
that:
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the
successor assumes on the same terms and conditions all the obligations
under the debt securities and the indentures;
and
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immediately
after giving effect to the transaction, there is no default under the
applicable indenture.
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The
remaining or acquiring person will be substituted for our company in the
indentures with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the
indenture. A prospectus supplement will describe any other
limitations on the ability of our company to merge into, consolidate with, or
convey or transfer all or substantially all or our properties and assets to,
another person.
Satisfaction
and Discharge; Defeasance
We may be
discharged from our obligations on the debt securities of any class or series
that have matured or will mature or be redeemed within one year if we deposit
with the trustee enough cash and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign
government securities, as the case may be, to pay all the principal, interest
and any premium due to the stated maturity or redemption date of the debt
securities and comply with the other conditions set forth in the applicable
indenture. The principal conditions that we must satisfy to discharge
our obligations on any debt securities are (1) pay all other sums payable with
respect to the applicable series of debt securities and (2) deliver to the
trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel which state that the
required conditions have been satisfied.
Each
indenture contains a provision that permits our company to elect to be
discharged from all of our obligations with respect to any class or series of
debt securities then outstanding. However, even if we effect a legal
defeasance, some of our obligations will continue, including obligations
to:
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maintain
and apply money in the defeasance
trust;
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register
the transfer or exchange of the debt
securities;
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replace
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities;
and
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maintain
a registrar and paying agent in respect of the debt
securities.
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Each
indenture also permits our company to elect to be released from our obligations
under specified covenants and from the consequences of an event of default
resulting from a breach of those covenants. To make either of the
above elections, we must deposit in trust with the trustee cash and/or U.S.
government obligations, if the debt securities are denominated in U.S. dollars,
and/or foreign government securities if the debt securities are denominated in a
foreign currency, which through the payment of principal and interest under
their terms will provide sufficient amounts, without reinvestment, to repay in
full those debt securities. As a condition to legal defeasance or
covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that
the holders of the debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and defeasance and
will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same amount and in the same
manner and times as would have been the case if the deposit and defeasance had
not occurred. In the case of a legal defeasance only, the opinion of
counsel must be based on a ruling of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or other
change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law.
The
indentures specify the types of U.S. government obligations and foreign
government securities that we may deposit.
Events
of Default, Notice and Waiver
Each
indenture defines an event of default with respect to any class or series of
debt securities as one or more of the following events:
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failure
to pay interest on any debt security of the class or series for 30 days
when due;
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failure
to pay the principal or any premium on any debt securities of the class or
series when due;
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failure
to make any sinking fund payment for 30 days when
due;
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failure
to perform any other covenant in the debt securities of the series or in
the applicable indenture with respect to debt securities of the series for
90 days after being given notice;
and
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occurrence
of an event of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization set forth in the
indenture.
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An event
of default for a particular class or series of debt securities does not
necessarily constitute an event of default for any other class or series of debt
securities issued under an indenture.
In the
case of an event of default arising from events of bankruptcy or insolvency set
forth in the indenture, all outstanding debt securities will become due and
payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other
event of default as to a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the
trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding debt securities of that series may declare all the debt securities
to be due and payable immediately.
The
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then
outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the
debt securities of that series waive any existing default or event of default
and its consequences under the applicable indenture except a continuing default
or event of default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the debt
securities of that series.
Each
indenture requires the trustee to, within 90 days after the occurrence of a
default known to it with respect to any outstanding series of debt securities,
give the holders of that class or series notice of the default if uncured or not
waived. However, the trustee may withhold this notice if it
determines in good faith that the withholding of this notice is in the interest
of those holders, except that the trustee may not withhold this notice in the
case of a payment default. The term “default” for the purpose of this
provision means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both
would become, an event of default with respect to debt securities of that
series.
Other
than the duty to act with the required standard of care during an event of
default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the applicable indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders
of debt securities, unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable
security and indemnity. Each indenture provides that the holders of a
majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or other power conferred on
the trustee if the direction would not conflict with any rule of law or with the
indenture. However, the trustee may take any other action that it
deems proper which is not inconsistent with any direction and may decline to
follow any direction if it in good faith determines that the directed action
would involve it in personal liability.
Each
indenture includes a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a
certificate of no default, or specifying any default that
exists.
Modification
of the Indentures
We and
the applicable trustee may modify an indenture without the consent of the
holders for limited purposes, including adding to our covenants or events of
default, establishing forms or terms of debt securities, curing ambiguities and
other purposes which do not adversely affect the holders in any material
respect.
We and
the applicable trustee may make modifications and amendments to an indenture
with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of all affected series. However, without
the consent of each affected holder, no modification may:
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change
the stated maturity of any debt
security;
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reduce
the principal, premium, if any, or rate of interest on any debt
security;
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change
any place of payment or the currency in which any debt security is
payable;
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impair
the right to enforce any payment after the stated maturity or redemption
date;
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adversely
affect the terms of any conversion
right;
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reduce
the percentage of holders of outstanding debt securities of any series
required to consent to any modification, amendment or waiver under the
indenture;
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change
any of our obligations, with respect to outstanding debt securities of a
series, to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes
specified in the indenture for the series;
or
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change
the provisions in the indenture that relate to its modification or
amendment other than to increase the percentage of outstanding debt
securities of any series required to consent to any modification or waiver
under the indenture.
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Meetings
The
indentures contain provisions for convening meetings of the holders of debt
securities of a series. A meeting may be called at any time by the
trustee and also, upon request, by our company or the holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series, in any case
upon notice given in accordance with “Notices” below. Persons holding
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series
will constitute a quorum at a meeting. A meeting called by our
company or the trustee that does not have a quorum may be adjourned for not less
than 10 days. If there is not a quorum at the adjourned meeting, the
meeting may be further adjourned for not less than 10 days. Any
resolution presented at a meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series, except for any consent which must be
given by the holders of each debt security affected by the modifications or
amendments of an indenture described above under “Modification of the
Indentures.” However, a resolution with respect to any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, or other action which may be
made, given, or taken by the holders of a specified percentage, which is equal
to or less than a majority, in principal amount of outstanding debt securities
of a series may be adopted at a meeting at which a quorum is present by the
affirmative vote of the holders of the specified percentage in principal amount
of the outstanding debt securities of that series. Any resolution
passed or decision taken at any meeting of holders of debt securities of any
series duly held in accordance with an indenture will be binding on all holders
of debt securities of that series and the related coupons. The
indentures provide that specified consents, waivers and other actions may be
given by the holders of a specified percentage of outstanding debt securities of
all series affected by the modification or amendment, acting as one
class. For purposes of these consents, waivers and actions, only the
principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series represented at a
meeting at which a quorum is present and voting in favor of the action will be
counted for purposes of calculating the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the modification or
amendment favoring the action.
Notices
In most
instances, notices to holders of bearer debt securities will be given by
publication at least once in a daily newspaper in New York, New York and in
London, England and in other cities as may be specified in the bearer debt
securities and will be mailed to those persons whose names and addresses were
previously filed with the applicable trustee, within the time prescribed for the
giving of the notice. Notice to holders of registered debt securities
will be given by mail to the addresses of those holders as they appear in the
security register.
Title
Title to
any bearer debt securities and any related coupons will pass by
delivery. We, the trustee, and any agent of ours or the trustee may
treat the holder of any bearer debt security or related coupon and, prior to due
presentment for registration of transfer, the registered owner of any registered
debt security as the absolute owner of that debt security for the purpose of
making payment and for all other purposes, regardless of whether or not that
debt security or coupon shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice to the
contrary.
Replacement
of Securities Coupons
Debt
securities or coupons that have been mutilated will be replaced by our company
at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the mutilated debt security or
coupon to the security registrar. Debt securities or coupons that
become destroyed, stolen, or lost will be replaced by our company at the expense
of the holder upon delivery to the security registrar of evidence of its
destruction, loss, or theft satisfactory to our company and the security
registrar. In the case of a destroyed, lost, or stolen debt security
or coupon, the holder of the debt security or coupon may be required to provide
reasonable security or indemnity to the trustee and our company before a
replacement debt security will be issued.
Governing
Law
The
indentures, the debt securities, and the coupons will be governed by, and
construed under, the laws of the State of New York without regard to the
principles of conflicts of laws.
Concerning
the Trustees
We may
from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking
relationships, with any of the trustees.
Senior
Debt Securities
The
senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our company’s other
unsecured and non-subordinated debt.
Certain
Covenants in the Senior Indenture
The
prospectus supplement relating to a series of senior debt securities will
describe any material covenants in respect of that series of senior debt
securities.
Subordinated
Debt Securities
The
subordinated debt securities will be unsecured. The subordinated debt
securities will be subordinate in right of payment to all senior
indebtedness. In addition, claims of creditors and preferred
shareholders of our subsidiaries generally will have priority with respect to
the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries over the claims of our creditors,
including holders of the subordinated debt securities, even though those
obligations may not constitute senior indebtedness. The subordinated
debt securities, therefore, will be effectively subordinated to creditors,
including trade creditors, and preferred shareholders of our subsidiaries, if
any, with regard to the assets of our subsidiaries. Creditors of our
subsidiaries include trade creditors, secured creditors and creditors holding
guarantees issued by our subsidiaries.
Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, senior indebtedness shall mean
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, all indebtedness for money
borrowed by our company and any deferrals, renewals, or extensions of any senior
indebtedness. Indebtedness for money borrowed by our company includes
all indebtedness of another person for money borrowed that we guarantee, other
than the subordinated debt securities, whether outstanding on the date of
execution of the subordinated indenture or created, assumed or incurred after
the date of the subordinated indenture. However, senior indebtedness
will not include any indebtedness that expressly states to have the same rank as
the subordinated debt securities or to rank junior to the subordinated debt
securities. Senior indebtedness will also not include:
|
·
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any
of our obligations to our subsidiaries;
and
|
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·
|
any
liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by our
company.
|
The
senior debt securities constitute senior indebtedness under the subordinated
indenture. A prospectus supplement will describe the relative ranking
among different series of subordinated debt securities.
Unless
otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we may not make any payment on
the subordinated debt securities and may not purchase, redeem, or retire any
subordinated debt securities if any senior indebtedness is not paid when due or
the maturity of any senior indebtedness is accelerated as a result of a default,
unless the default has been cured or waived and the acceleration has been
rescinded or the senior indebtedness has been paid in full. We may,
however, pay the subordinated debt securities without regard to these
limitations if the subordinated trustee and our company receive written notice
approving the payment from the representatives of the holders of senior
indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth above has
occurred and is continuing. Unless otherwise specified in a
prospectus supplement, during the continuance of any default with respect to any
designated senior indebtedness under which its maturity may be accelerated
immediately without further notice or the expiration of any applicable grace
periods, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities for 90 days after the
receipt by the subordinated trustee of written notice of a default from the
representatives of the holders of designated senior indebtedness. If
the holders of designated senior indebtedness or the representatives of those
holders have not accelerated the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness
at the end of the 90 day period, we may resume payments on the subordinated debt
securities. Only one notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day
period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to designated senior
indebtedness during that period.
In the
event that we pay or distribute our company’s assets to creditors upon a total
or partial liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of our company or our
company’s property, the holders of senior indebtedness will be entitled to
receive payment in full of the senior indebtedness before the holders of
subordinated debt securities are entitled to receive any
payment. Until the senior indebtedness is paid in full, any payment
or distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would be
entitled but for the subordination provisions of the subordinated indenture will
be made to holders of the senior indebtedness as their respective interests may
appear. However, holders of subordinated debt securities will be
permitted to receive distributions of shares and debt securities subordinated to
the senior indebtedness. If a distribution is made to holders of
subordinated debt securities that, due to the subordination provisions, should
not have been made to them, the holders of subordinated debt securities are
required to hold it in trust for the holders of senior indebtedness, and pay it
over to them as their interests may appear.
If
payment of the subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event
of default, either we or the subordinated trustee will promptly notify the
holders of senior indebtedness or the representatives of the holders of the
acceleration. We may not pay the subordinated debt securities until
five business days after the holders or the representatives of the senior
indebtedness receive notice of the acceleration. Afterwards, we may
pay the subordinated debt securities only if the subordination provisions of the
subordinated indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.
As a
result of the subordination provisions contained in the subordinated indenture,
in the event of insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior indebtedness
may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated debt
securities. In addition, our creditors who are not holders of senior
indebtedness may recover less, ratably, than holders of senior indebtedness and
may recover more, ratably, than the holders of subordinated
indebtedness.
The
prospectus supplement relating to a series of subordinated debt securities will
describe any material covenants in respect of any series of subordinated debt
securities.
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
We are
authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares, without par
value. As of April 14, 2008, there were 160,975,757 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 Incorporation. 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
Incorporation, 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, 320 Bay Street, P.O. Box 1, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H
4A6, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common shares.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
We may
issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, common shares or units
consisting of any combination of the foregoing securities. Each
series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant
agreement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the
terms of the warrants offered, including but not limited to the
following:
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(1)
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the
number of warrants offered;
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(2)
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the
price or prices at which the warrants will be
issued;
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(3)
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the
currency or currencies in which the prices of the warrants may be
payable;
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(4)
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the
securities for which the warrants are
exercisable;
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(5)
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whether
the warrants will be issued with any other securities and, if so, the
amount and terms of these
securities;
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(6)
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the
amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant and the
price at which and the currency or currencies in which the securities may
be purchased upon such
exercise;
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(7)
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the
events or conditions under which the amount of securities may be subject
to adjustment;
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(8)
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the
date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the
date on which such right shall
expire;
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(9)
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the
circumstances, if any, which will cause the warrants to be deemed to be
automatically exercised;
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(10)
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any
material risk factors relating to such
warrants;
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(11)
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if
applicable, the identity of the warrant agent;
and
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(12)
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any
other terms of such warrants.
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Prior to
the exercise of any warrants, holders of such warrants will not have any rights
of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right
to receive payments of dividends, or the right to vote such underlying
securities.
Prospective
purchasers of warrants should be aware that special United States federal income
tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such
as warrants. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe such
considerations, to the extent they are material, as they apply generally to
purchasers of such warrants.
SELLING
SHAREHOLDER
The
following table sets forth, as of April 14, 2008:
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·
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The
name of the selling shareholder;
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·
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The
number of shares and the percentage of shares beneficially owned by the
selling shareholder;
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·
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The
maximum number of shares that may be offered by the selling
shareholder;
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·
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The
number of shares and the percentage of shares to be beneficially owned by
the selling shareholder after the sale of all the
shares.
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The
selling shareholder may offer and sell, from time to time, some or all of the
shares covered by this prospectus. The actual number of shares, if
any, to be offered by the selling shareholder and the number of shares and the
percentage of shares to be beneficially owned by the selling shareholder
following such offering will be disclosed in an applicable prospectus
supplement. We have registered the shares covered by this prospectus
for offer and sale by the selling shareholder so that those shares may be freely
sold to the public by it. Registration of the shares covered by this
prospectus does not mean, however, that those shares necessarily will be offered
or sold.
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Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
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Common Shares
Offered Hereby
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Shares Beneficially
Owned After Sale of Common Shares
Offered Hereby
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Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
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Number
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Percentage (3)
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Number
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Number (2)
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Percentage
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St
Andrew Goldfields Ltd.
1540
Cornwall Road
Suite
212
Oakville,
Ontario
Canada
L6J 7W5
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28,675,000 |
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17.8 |
% |
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28,675,000 |
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-0- |
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0 |
% |
(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)
Assumes that all of the shares currently beneficially owned by the selling
shareholder and registered hereunder are sold and the selling shareholder
acquires no additional common shares before the completion of this
offering.
(3) The
percentage ownership for the selling shareholder is based on 160,975,757 common
shares outstanding as of April 14, 2008.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
We and
the selling shareholder may offer the securities directly to one or more
purchasers, through agents, or through underwriters or dealers designated from
time to time. We and the selling shareholder may distribute the securities from
time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices (which may
be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing at the times of sale,
at prices related to these prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We
and the selling shareholder may offer securities in the same offering, or we and
the selling shareholder may offer securities in separate offerings. The
applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the
securities, including:
the
offeror(s) of the securities;
the terms
of the securities to which the prospectus supplement relates;
the name
or names of any underwriters;
the
purchase price of the securities (if then known) and the proceeds to be received
from the sale;
any
underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
and
any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
If
underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or
more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be
either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by
managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of
the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to the conditions
precedent agreed to by the parties and the underwriters will be obligated to
purchase all the securities of a class or series if any are purchased. Any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
Securities
may be sold directly by our company or the selling shareholder or through agents
designated by our company or the selling shareholder from time to time. Any
agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this
prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by our
company or the selling shareholder to any agent will be set forth, in the
prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement,
any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its
appointment.
We or the
selling shareholder may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by
eligible institutions to purchase securities from our company or the selling
shareholder at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement
under delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a
specified date in the future. The conditions to these contracts and the
commissions payable for solicitation of these contracts will be set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Agents
and underwriters may be entitled to indemnification by our company or the
selling shareholder against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents
or underwriters may be required to make relating to these liabilities. Agents
and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform
services for, our company in the ordinary course of business.
In
addition, any securities covered by this prospectus that qualify for sale
pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be sold under
Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
Each
class or series of securities other than the common shares will be a new issue
of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriter may
make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may
discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No
assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any
securities.
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, 2007, have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Chartered
Accountants, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by
reference, which report expresses an unqualified opinion on the financial
statements and includes a separate report titled Comments by Independent
Registered Chartered Accountants on Canada - United States of America Reporting
Differences referring to changes in accounting principles and substantial doubt
on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority
as experts in accounting and auditing.
Our
reserves at December 31, 2007 incorporated in this prospectus by reference from
the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007,
were prepared by us and audited by SRK Consulting (US), Inc. All information
regarding reserves incorporated by reference herein is in reliance upon the
authority of that form as experts in such matters.
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
$100,000,000
Debt Securities, Common Shares and Warrants
28,675,000
Shares of Common Shares Offered by Selling Shareholder
PROSPECTUS