e424b2
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Prospectus Supplement
to Prospectus dated August 21, 2009
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-160504 |
4,250,000 Shares of Common Stock
URANERZ ENERGY CORPORATION
This prospectus supplement relates to: (i) up to 4,250,000 shares of common stock (which we
refer to as Warrant Shares) of Uranerz Energy Corporation (which we refer to as Uranerz, the
Company, we, or us) issuable from time to time upon the exercise of 4,250,000 whole common
share purchase warrants (which we refer to as the Warrants) expected to be issued by us on or
about October 27, 2009 as part of the Unit Offering (defined below); and (ii) such indeterminate
number of additional Warrant Shares that may be issuable by reason of the anti-dilution provisions
contained in the Warrant Indenture (as defined below) governing the Warrants.
On October 22, 2009, we filed a prospectus supplement (which we refer to as the Initial
Supplement) with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as
the SEC) and an MJDS prospectus supplement with the securities commission or similar regulatory
authority in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, relating to the offering (which we
refer to as the Unit Offering) by us to the public in Canada and the United States of units
(which we refer to as the Units) each consisting
of one Share of our common stock (the Shares) and one-half of one Warrant, each
whole Warrant exercisable to purchase one additional share of common stock of the Company at a
price of $3.00 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment and early termination, for a period
of 30 months following the closing of the Unit Offering. The Units will be sold at a negotiated
price of $2.00 per Unit. The Units will not be issued or certificated. The Shares and
Warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately. We do not intend to apply for
listing the Warrants on any securities exchange. The Unit Offering is expected to be completed on
or about October 27, 2009. The exercise price of the Warrants was determined by negotiation between
us and the placement agents.
Our shares of common stock are traded on the NYSE Amex LLC (which we refer to as the Amex)
and on the Toronto Stock Exchange (which we refer to as the TSX) under the symbol URZ, and on
the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol U9E. On October 23, 2009, the closing price of our
shares of common stock on the Amex was $1.79 per share of common stock, on the TSX was Cdn$1.90 per
share of common stock, and on the Frankfurt Exchange was 1.20 per share of common stock. Our
principal executive offices are located at 1701 East E Street, PO Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming
82605-0850, and our telephone number is 307-265-8900.
Investing in the Warrant Shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any Warrant
Shares, you should read the discussion of material risks of investing in our Warrant Shares in the
Risk Factors section beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the Risk Factors
and Uncertainties section beginning on page 7 of the accompanying base prospectus and in the
documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
Neither the United States Securities Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this
prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus supplement is October 27, 2009
You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus relating
to this offering. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with additional or
different information. If anyone provides you with additional or different 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. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference herein and therein is accurate only as of the respective dates of such
documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed
since those dates. Information in this prospectus supplement updates and modifies the information
in the accompanying base prospectus and information incorporated by reference herein and therein.
To the extent that any statement made in this prospectus supplement or any free writing prospectus
(unless otherwise specifically indicated therein) differs from those in the accompanying base
prospectus, the statements made in the accompanying base prospectus and the information
incorporated by reference herein and therein are deemed modified or superseded by the statements
made by this prospectus supplement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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S-1 |
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S-1 |
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S-1 |
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S-3 |
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S-4 |
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S-9 |
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S-11 |
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S-12 |
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S-13 |
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S-13 |
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S-13 |
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S-15 |
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S-20 |
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S-20 |
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S-20 |
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S-i
BASE PROSPECTUS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS |
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1 |
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SUMMARY |
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2 |
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RISK FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
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7 |
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE |
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS |
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS |
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USE OF PROCEEDS |
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES |
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DESCRIPTION OF COMMON SHARES |
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
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16 |
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS |
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27 |
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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS |
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29 |
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS |
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32 |
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
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33 |
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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
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34 |
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INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL |
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38 |
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EXPERTS |
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38 |
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
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S-ii
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement relates to a registration statement that we filed with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the SEC) utilizing a shelf
registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer, sell
and issue any of the securities or any combination of the securities described in the accompanying
base prospectus in one or more offerings. The accompanying base prospectus provides you with a
general description of the securities we may offer. This prospectus supplement contains specific
information about the terms of this offering of Warrant Shares by us. This prospectus supplement
and any free writing prospectus filed by us (unless otherwise specifically stated therein) may add,
update or change information contained in the accompanying base prospectus and the documents
incorporated by reference herein and therein. You should read this prospectus supplement, the
accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus filed by us together with the
information described under the sections entitled, Where to Find Additional Information and
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference in this prospectus supplement and any
additional information you may need to make your investment decision.
Prospective investors should be aware that the acquisition of the Warrant Shares described
herein upon the exercise of the Warrants may have tax consequences both in the United States and
Canada, as applicable. Such consequences for investors who are resident in, or citizens of, the
United States or Canada may not be described fully in this prospectus supplement or the
accompanying base prospectus. Investors should read the tax discussion in this prospectus
supplement under the section entitled Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this prospectus supplement are stated in United
States dollars. The financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived
therefrom included in this prospectus supplement, are presented in United States dollars.
References to $ are to U.S. dollars and references to Cdn$ are to Canadian dollars. The
financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
base prospectus, and the selected consolidated financial data derived therefrom included in this
prospectus supplement, have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles.
The registration statement that contains the accompanying base prospectus (SEC File
No. 333-160504) (including the exhibits filed with and the information incorporated by reference
into the registration statement) contains additional important business and financial information
about us and the Warrant Shares that is not presented or delivered with this prospectus supplement.
That registration statement, including the exhibits filed with the registration statement and the
information incorporated by reference into the registration statement, can be read at the SECs
website, www.sec.gov, or at the SEC office mentioned under the section of this prospectus
supplement entitled Where to Find Additional Information below.
WHERE TO FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the
SEC. You may read and copy materials we have filed with the SEC at the SECs public reference room
at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the operation of its public reference room. Our SEC filings also are available to
the public on the SECs Internet site at www.sec.gov. In addition, we maintain a website that
contains information about us, including our SEC filings, at www.uranerz.com. The information
contained on our website does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying
base prospectus, the Canadian Prospectus or any other report or documents we file with or furnish
to the SEC or with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated
herein and therein by reference contain forward-looking-statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements concern our
anticipated results and developments in our operations in future periods, planned exploration and,
if warranted, development of its properties, plans related to its business and other matters that
may occur in the future. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based
on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of
management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations,
beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but
not always, using words or phrases
S-1
such as expects or does not expect, is expected, anticipates or does not anticipate,
plans, estimates or intends, or stating that certain actions, events or results may,
could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of
historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a
variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events
or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including,
without limitation:
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risks related to our limited operating history; |
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risks related to the probability that our properties contain reserves; |
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risks related to our past losses and expected losses in the near future; |
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risks related to our need for qualified personnel for exploring for, starting and
operating a mine; |
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risks related to our lack of known reserves; |
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risks related to the fluctuation of uranium prices; |
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risks related to environmental laws and regulations and environmental risks; |
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risks related to using our in-situ recovery mining process; |
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risks related to exploration and, if warranted, development of our properties; |
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risks related to our ability to acquire necessary mining licenses or permits; |
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risks related to our ability to make property payment obligations; |
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risks related to the competitive nature of the mining industry; |
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risks related to our dependence on key personnel; |
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risks related to requirements for new personnel; |
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risks related to securities regulations; |
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risks related to stock price and volume volatility; |
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risks related to dilution; |
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risks related to our lack of dividends; |
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risks related to our ability to access capital markets; |
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risks related to recent market events; |
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risks related to our issuance of additional shares of common stock; |
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risks related to acquisition and integration issues; and |
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risks related to defects in title to our mineral properties. |
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements please see the
section entitled Risk Factors beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the section
entitled Risk Factors and Uncertainties beginning on page 7 of the accompanying base prospectus
and, to the extent applicable, the Risk Factors sections in our annual reports on Form 10-K and
our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC and the Canadian securities authorities
that are incorporated by reference herein. Although we have attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated,
estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate
as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the
statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investors should review our subsequent reports filed with the SEC and the Canadian securities
authorities on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and any amendments thereto. We qualify all forward-looking
statements by these cautionary statements.
S-2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
This prospectus supplement is deemed, as of the date hereof, to be incorporated by reference
into the accompanying base prospectus solely for the purpose of offering the Warrant Shares. Other
documents are also incorporated, or are deemed to be incorporated, by reference into the
accompanying base prospectus, and reference should be made to the accompanying base prospectus for
full particulars thereof.
The following documents which have been filed by us with the SEC, are also specifically
incorporated by reference into, and form an integral part of the accompanying base prospectus, as
supplemented by this prospectus supplement (excluding, unless otherwise provided therein or herein,
information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K):
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(a) |
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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which
report contains our audited financial statements and the notes thereto as at
December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the three years ended December 31, 2008, together
with the auditors report thereon, as filed on March 12, 2009; |
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(b) |
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our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated April 30, 2009, in connection with
our June 10, 2009 annual general meeting of stockholders, as filed on April 30, 2009; |
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(c) |
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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, which
report contains our unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto as at June 30,
2009 and for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, as filed on
August 10, 2009; |
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(d) |
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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, which
report contains our unaudited financial statements and the notes thereto as at
March 31, 2009 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, as filed
on May 11, 2009; |
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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 8, 2009, June 16, 2009, October
14, 2009, October 15, 2009 and October 22, 2009; |
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(f) |
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the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on
Form SB-2, as amended (No. 333-12633), as filed on March 15, 2002, including any
amendment or report filed for purposes of updating such description; and |
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(g) |
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all other documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S.
Exchange Act), after the date of this prospectus supplement but before the end of the
offering of the securities made by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base
prospectus. |
You may obtain copies of any of these documents by contacting us at the address and telephone
number indicated below or by contacting the SEC as described under the section entitled Where to
Find Additional Information. You may request a copy of these documents, and any exhibits that have
specifically been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus supplement forms a part, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning:
Uranerz Energy Corporation
1701 East E Street, PO Box 50850
Casper, Wyoming 82605-0850
Attention: Sandra R. MacKay, Corporate Secretary
(604) 689-1659
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus. You should
not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus,
any free writing prospectus or any document incorporated herein or therein, is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front cover of the applicable document.
S-3
SUMMARY
The following is a summary of the principal features of the offering and is not intended to be
complete. It should be read together with the more detailed information and financial data and
statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, any
free writing prospectus filed by us and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein,
including the sections entitled Risk Factors.
The Company
Uranerz Energy Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on May 26,
1999. On July 5, 2005, we changed our name from Carleton Ventures Corp. to Uranerz Energy
Corporation. Our executive offices are located at 1701 East E Street, PO Box 50850, Casper,
Wyoming 82605-0850, USA and our phone number there is 307-265-8900.
Our principal business office and our operations office is located at 1701 East E Street, PO
Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming 82605-0850 and our phone number there is 307-265-8900. We also maintain
an administrative office located at Suite 1410 800 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada V6C 2V6, and our telephone number there is 604-689-1659.
General
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of uranium
properties. Uranium used in this context refers to U3O8.
U3O8, also called yellowcake, is triuranium octoxide produced from uranium
ore and is the most actively traded uranium-related commodity.
We are principally focused on the exploration of our properties in the Powder River Basin area
of Wyoming. We are exploring these properties with the objective of assessing their viability for
commercial in-situ recovery (which we refer to as ISR) uranium mining projects. ISR is a low cost
mining process that uses a leaching solution to extract uranium from underground ore bodies. We
also own interests in properties in the Great Divide Basin area of Wyoming, in Texas and in
Saskatchewan, Canada.
We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our properties in the Powder River Basin
area of Wyoming that we feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being
developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines. These permits, if received, should allow
us to produce uranium yellowcake concentrate, which can be sold directly to utilities for fuel used
in nuclear electrical generating facilities.
Our Powder River Basin properties include:
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our 100% owned properties that totalled 30,945 acres as of October 26, 2009; |
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our 81% interest Arkose Mining Venture properties that totalled 88,128 acres as of
October 26, 2009; and |
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additional properties that we have acquired inside the Powder River Basin area. |
Our 100% owned properties are comprised of unpatented mineral lode claims, state leases and
fee (private) mineral leases, summarized as follows:
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Number of Claims/ |
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Acreage |
Property Composition |
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Ownership Interest(1) |
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Leases |
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(Approximate) |
Unpatented Lode
Mining Claims |
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100 |
% |
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1,096 |
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21,920 acres |
State Leases |
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100 |
% |
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7 |
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6,480 acres |
Fee
(private) Mineral Leases |
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100 |
% |
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23 |
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2,545 acres |
Total |
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30,945 acres |
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(1) |
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Subject to various royalties. |
These 100% owned properties in the Powder River Basin include the following property units:
S-4
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Acreage |
Property |
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No. Claims |
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(Approximate) |
Doughstick |
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22 |
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440 |
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Collins Draw |
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38 |
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760 |
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North Rolling
Pin |
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65 |
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1,300 |
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Hank |
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66 |
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1,320 |
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Nichols Ranch |
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36 |
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720 |
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C-Line |
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40 |
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800 |
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Willow Creek |
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11 |
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220 |
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West North-Butte |
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145 |
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2,900 |
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East Nichols |
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44 |
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880 |
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North Nichols |
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107 |
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2,140 |
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TOTAL |
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574 |
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11,480 |
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The Arkose Mining Venture properties are comprised of unpatented lode mining claims, state
leases and fee (private) mineral leases, summarized as follows:
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Number of Claims/ |
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Acreage |
Property Composition |
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Ownership Interest(1) |
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Leases |
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(Approximate) |
Unpatented Lode
Mining Claims |
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81 |
% |
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4,104 |
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67,141 acres |
State Leases |
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81 |
% |
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3 |
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2,080 acres |
Fee (private) Mineral
Leases |
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81 |
% |
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68 |
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18,907 acres |
Total |
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88,128 acres |
Through a combination of claim staking, purchasing, and leasing we have also acquired
interests in several projects that lie within the Powder River Basin but outside of the project
areas discussed above. These properties include the Verna Ann, Niles Ranch, North Reno Creek, and
South Reno Creek projects. These projects are located in sandstone basins of Tertiary age with
known uranium mineralization. However, due to our focus on other projects, we have not yet
initiated exploration work on these projects.
Our plan of operations is to carry out exploration of our Wyoming Powder River Basin
properties. Our Saskatchewan and Wyoming Great Divide Basin properties are under strategic review.
The information regarding the location and access for our Saskatchewan and Wyoming properties,
together with the history of operations, present condition and geology of each of our properties,
is presented in Item 2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 under
the heading Description of Properties, previously filed with the SEC on March 12, 2009.
We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our properties in the Powder River Basin
area of Wyoming that we feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of being
developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines. We plan to use the low cost mining
process of ISR. The leaching agent, which contains an oxidant such as oxygen with sodium
bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda), is added to the native groundwater and injected
through wells into the ore body in a sandstone aquifer to dissolve the uranium. This solution is
then pumped via other wells to the surface for processing resulting in a cost-efficient and,
relative to other common mining methods, a more environmentally-friendly mining process.
The ISR mining process differs dramatically from conventional mining techniques in that ISR
mining leaves the rock matrix in place. The ISR technique avoids the movement and milling of rock
and ore as well as mill tailing waste associated with more traditional mining methods.
S-5
Applications for a Permit to Mine and a Source Material License for the Nichols Ranch ISR
Uranium Project were submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land Quality
Division (which we refer to as WDEQ) and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (which
we refer to as NRC) in December of 2007. Both the NRC and WDEQ applications were deemed complete
for further technical and environmental review in April 2008 and August 2008, respectively. In the
fall of 2008, we received Requests for Additional Information (which we refer to as RAI) for the
technical review from the NRC. We submitted the response to this RAI, consisting of answers with
supporting data, to the NRC during March 2009. This return of information and data will allow the
NRC to progress with the review, which should ultimately lead to the issuance of the required
Source Materials License that allows us to receive, possess, use, transfer, and deliver radioactive
materials. We also received RAIs from the NRC for the environmental portion of the application
review on March 12, 2009. We submitted responses to the environmental RAIs in May 2009. The WDEQ is
currently conducting their detailed review of the Permit to Mine application, and both the NRC and
WDEQ applications are progressing through the regulatory review process. Approval of the permit
applications is expected to allow us to proceed with commercial advancement of the two properties.
The mine plan for the Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project includes a central processing facility
at our Nichols Ranch property and a satellite ion exchange facility at our Hank property. The
ultimate production level from these two properties is planned to be in the range of 600,000 to
800,000 pounds per year (as U3 08 ). The central processing facility is
planned for a licensed capacity of 2 million pounds per year of uranium (as U3
08) and it is intended that it will process uranium-bearing well-field solutions
from Nichols Ranch, as well as uranium-loaded resin transported from the Hank satellite facility,
plus uranium-loaded resin from any additional satellite deposits that may be developed on our other
Powder River Basin properties. We believe this centralized design enhances the economics of our
potential additional satellite projects by maximizing production capacity while minimizing further
capital expenditures on processing facilities. The project is progressing through detailed
engineering and design.
In anticipation of receiving all the approvals necessary to mine in 2010, we have commenced a
marketing program for conditional sales of uranium from our Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project. On
July 23, 2009, we announced that we entered into a sales agreement with Exelon Generation Company,
LLC for the sale of uranium over a five year period for defined pricing. On August 17, 2009 we
announced the second contract for the sale of uranium to a U.S. utility over five years, with a
pricing structure that contains references to both spot and long-term prices and includes a floor
and ceiling price.
During the winter of 2008/09, leach amenability studies were performed on sample cores
obtained from the Doughstick and South Doughstick properties. Standard ISR leach bottle roll
tests were conducted on the samples by Energy Laboratories in Casper, Wyoming. The leach
amenability studies intend to demonstrate that the uranium mineralization is capable of being
leached using conventional ISR chemistry. The leach solution was prepared using sodium bicarbonate
as the source of the carbonate complexing agent. Hydrogen peroxide was added as the uranium
oxidizing agent. The study is an indication of the ores reaction rate and the potential uranium
recovery. The test results showed the uranium recovery percentage for South Doughstick as 87.8%,
and the uranium recovery percentage for Doughstick as 77.1% . The 88% and 77% results are greater
than the 73% that Uranerz used in its Preliminary (Economic) Assessment of the Nichols Ranch
Uranium ISR Project. Doughstick and South Doughstick properties are located approximately two miles
south of Nichols Ranch.
Recent Developments
During August 2009, we decided to forfeit our interests in certain mining claims which we
determined, based on the review, analysis and recommendations of our geological staff, did not
merit further exploration and accordingly were no longer of strategic interest or value to the
Company. The claims, which were forfeited, effective September 1, 2009, when the annual renewal
fee would have become due, were comprised of: 285 claims in which we had held a 100% interest in
the Streeter, Collins Draw, East Nichols, North Nichols, Eagle and Cyclone Rim project areas and
132 claims in the Little Butte and South Collins project areas, in which we held an 81% interest
through the Arkose Mining Venture.
On October 13, 2009, we filed an amended and restated technical report entitled Technical
Report, South Doughstick Property, Campbell and Johnson Counties, Wyoming, U.S.A. prepared by
Douglass H. Graves, PE of TREC, Inc. and dated October 12, 2009. The technical report was amended
after we discovered that the Arkose Mining Venture does not control 100 percent of the fee mineral
interests on the west one half of Section 29 in the South Doughstick project area. We recently
discovered that the Arkose Mining Ventures interest is subject to a 50 percent interest for the
minerals on the west one half of Section 29. This has resulted in 50% decrease in the mineralized
material for that section (a decrease of approximately 18% of the mineralized material for the
total South Doughstick project) as reported in the previous technical report, dated August 11,
2009.
S-6
On October 23, 2009, we received notification that the Wyoming Department of Environmental
Quality (which we refer to as the WDEQ) Air Quality Division has approved and issued the air
quality permit for our Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project. The WDEQ Air Quality Division has
issued Permit No. CT-8644 in the form of a Permit to Construct the Nichols Ranch Uranium ISR
Project which includes the Nichols Ranch Central Processing facility and the Hank Satellite plant.
This is the first operational permit for the construction of the Nichols Ranch Uranium ISR Project
to be issued to us by the State of Wyoming. Receipt of the air quality permit demonstrates progress
in the environmental permitting process required for uranium production in Wyoming. The WDEQ Permit
to Mine and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Source Material License must also be obtained
prior to initiating construction activities on site.
S-7
The Offering
The following is a brief summary of certain terms of this offering and is not intended to be
complete. It does not contain all of the information that will be important to a holder of Warrant
Shares. For a more complete description of our shares of common stock, see the section entitled
Description of Common Stock in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus.
|
|
|
Issuer:
|
|
Uranerz Energy Corporation |
|
|
|
Offering:
|
|
Up to 4,250,000 Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise
of one whole Warrant. |
|
|
|
|
|
Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one
share of our common stock, subject to adjustment and
early termination, for a period of 30 months after the
closing of the Unit Offering at a price of $3.00.
In the event that our shares of common stock trade in
the United States at a closing price of greater than
$3.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading
days at any time following the closing of the Unit
Offering, we may accelerate the expiry date of the
Warrants by giving notice via a press release to the
holders thereof and in such case the Warrants will
expire on the 30th day after the date on
which such notice is given by us. See section
entitled Description of Warrants in this prospectus
supplement. |
|
|
|
Use of Proceeds:
|
|
Proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants, if any,
will be used for acquisitions and further development
of acquired properties, working capital requirements
and/or for other general corporate purposes. See the
section entitled Use of Proceeds in this prospectus
supplement. |
|
|
|
Risk Factors:
|
|
Investing in the Warrant Shares involves risks that
are described in the Risk Factors section beginning
on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and the
Risk Factors and Uncertainties section beginning on
page 7 of the accompanying base prospectus and, to the
extent applicable, the Risk Factors sections of our
annual reports on Form 10-K and our quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC. |
|
|
|
Tax Considerations:
|
|
Purchasing the Warrant Shares and exercising the
Warrants may have tax consequences in the United
States and Canada. This prospectus supplement and the
accompanying base prospectus may not describe these
consequences fully. Investors should read the tax
discussion in this prospectus supplement under the
section entitled Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations. |
|
|
|
Listing Symbol:
|
|
Our shares of common stock are listed for trading on
the Amex and the TSX, in each case under the symbol
URZ, and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol
U9E. |
S-8
RISK FACTORS
Investing in the Warrant Shares is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Prospective
investors should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained
in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents incorporated by
reference herein and therein before investing in the Warrant Shares. If any of the following risks
actually occurs, our business could be materially harmed. The risks and uncertainties described
below are not the only ones faced by us. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those of
which we are currently unaware or that are currently deemed immaterial, may also materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows, prospects and the price of our
common stock.
The following is a short description of the risks and uncertainties which are more fully
described under the section entitled Risk Factors and Uncertainties in the accompanying base
prospectus:
|
|
|
Our future performance is difficult to evaluate because we have a limited operating
history. |
|
|
|
|
Because the probability of an individual prospect having reserves is uncertain, our
properties may not contain any reserves, and any funds spent on exploration may be
lost; |
|
|
|
|
We have a limited operating history and have losses which we expect to continue into
the future. As a result, we may have to suspend or cease exploration activities; |
|
|
|
|
Because some of our officers and directors do not have technical training or
experience in exploring for, starting, and operating a mine, we may have to hire
qualified personnel. If we cant locate qualified personnel, we may have to suspend or
cease exploration activity which may result in the loss of your investment; |
|
|
|
|
We have no known reserves. Without reserves we may not be able to generate income
and if we cannot generate income we will have to cease exploration activities which
could result in the loss your investment; |
|
|
|
|
Our future profitability will be dependent on uranium prices; |
|
|
|
|
Our operations are subject to environmental regulation and environmental risks; |
|
|
|
|
We intend to extract uranium from our properties using the in-situ recovery mining
process which may not be successful; |
|
|
|
|
We face risks related to exploration and development, if warranted, on our
properties; |
|
|
|
|
Because we may be unable to meet property payment obligations or be able to acquire
necessary mining licenses, we may lose interests in our exploration properties; |
|
|
|
|
Because mineral exploration and development activities are inherently risky, we may
be exposed to environmental liabilities. If such an event were to occur it may result
in a loss of your investment; |
|
|
|
|
Because we have not put a mineral deposit into production before, we may have to
acquire outside expertise. If we are unable to acquire such expertise we may be unable
to put our properties into production and you may lose your investment; |
|
|
|
|
The mining industry is highly competitive; |
|
|
|
|
Our strategic success is dependent upon the ability of our key management employees
and our ability to attract and retain key management employees; |
|
|
|
|
Our growth will require new personnel, which we will be required to recruit, hire,
train and retain; |
|
|
|
|
New legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make it difficult for
us to retain or attract officers and directors; |
|
|
|
|
Stock market price and volume volatility; |
|
|
|
|
Dilution through the granting of options; |
|
|
|
|
You may lose your entire investment in our shares; |
S-9
|
|
|
In the event that your investment in our shares is for the purpose of deriving
dividend income or in expectation of an increase in market price of our shares from the
declaration and payment of dividends, your investment may be compromised because we do
not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future; |
|
|
|
|
We depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and financial markets.
Any inability to access the capital or financial markets may limit our ability to
execute our business plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future growth;
and |
|
|
|
|
Recent market events and conditions including disruptions in the U.S. and
international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of the
U.S. and global economic conditions, could, among other things, impede access to
capital or increase the cost of capital, which would have an adverse effect on our
ability to fund our working capital and other capital requirements. |
Additional Risk Factors
The issuance of additional shares of common stock may negatively impact the trading price of our
shares of common stock.
We have issued equity securities in the past and may continue to issue equity securities to
finance our activities in the future, including to finance future acquisitions, or as consideration
for acquisitions of businesses or assets. In addition, outstanding options and warrants to
purchase shares of common stock may be exercised, resulting in the issuance of additional shares of
common stock. The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock would result in dilution to
our stockholders, and even the perception that such an issuance may occur could have a negative
impact on the trading price of our shares of common stock.
There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the Warrants or that a
trading market for the Warrants will develop.
There is currently no public market through which the Warrants may be sold and we do not
intend to apply for the listing of the Warrants on any securities exchange. This may affect the
pricing of the Warrants in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading
prices, the liquidity of the Warrants, and the extent of issuer regulation.
Acquisitions and integration issues may expose us to additional risks which could have a material
adverse effect on our business.
Our business strategy includes making targeted acquisitions. Any acquisition that we
make may be of a significant size, may change the scale of our business and operations, and may
expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial and geological risks. The success of
our acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates,
negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition and integrate the acquired operations
successfully with our own. Any acquisitions would be accompanied by risks which could have a
material adverse effect on our business. For example, there may be significant decreases in
commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and have established the
purchase price or exchange ratio; a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; we may
have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired
companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of
the combined enterprise and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the
organization; the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business
and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and the acquired
business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. If we choose to use
equity securities as consideration for such an acquisition, existing stockholders may suffer
dilution. Alternatively, we may choose to finance any such acquisition with our existing resources.
There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other
problems encountered in connection with such acquisitions.
Our mineral properties may be subject to defects in title.
We own, lease, or have under option, unpatented and patented mining claims, mineral claims or
concessions and fee mineral leases which constitute our property holdings. The ownership and
validity or title of unpatented mining claims and concessions are often uncertain and may be
contested. We also may not have, or may not be able to obtain, all necessary surface rights to
develop a property. We have not conducted title research in relation to many of our mining claims
and concessions to ensure clean title. We cannot guarantee that title to our properties will not
be challenged. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and our ability to
S-10
ensure that we have obtained secure claim to individual mineral properties or mining concessions
may be severely constrained. Our mineral properties may be subject to prior unregistered
agreements, transfers or claims, and title may be affected by, among other things, undetected
defects. We may incur significant costs related to defending the title to our properties. A
successful claim contesting our title to a property may cause us to compensate other persons or
perhaps reduce our interest in the affected property or lose our rights to explore and, if
warranted, develop that property. This could result in us not being compensated for our prior
expenditures relating to the property. Also, in any such case, the investigation and resolution of
title issues would divert our managements time from ongoing exploration and development programs.
USE OF PROCEEDS
From time to time, when Warrants are exercised, we will receive proceeds equal to the
aggregate exercise price of such Warrants. Assuming that all of the Warrants are exercised prior
to the Expiry Time and that no adjustment based on the anti-dilution provisions contained in the
indenture governing the Warrants has taken place, the gross proceeds to us will be approximately
$12,750,000. The net proceeds from the exercise of Warrants are currently intended to be used for
acquisitions and further development of acquired properties, working capital requirements and/or
for other general corporate purposes. It is anticipated that we will invest funds that we do not
immediately require primarily in short-term bank guaranteed deposits or other substantially similar
secure deposits.
The actual amount that we spend in connection with each of the intended uses of proceeds may
vary significantly and will depend on a number of factors, including those listed under Risk
Factors in this prospectus supplement. Depending on opportunities, economic conditions and the
results of the activities described above we may use a portion of the use of proceeds allocated
above to invest in property acquisitions or complete other corporate activities designed to achieve
our corporate goals. Estimated costs and the scope of activities cannot be determined at this
time.
S-11
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial data in the table below has been selected in part, from our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United States
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The selected consolidated financial data is not intended
to replace the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2008 or in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter-ended June 30,
2009 which are incorporated by reference herein.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ended June, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30, 2009 |
Year Ended December 31 |
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
OPERATING DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Loss |
|
|
(4,257,423 |
) |
|
|
(36,783,869 |
) |
|
|
(14,947,046 |
) |
|
|
(7,105,220 |
) |
|
|
(4,891,392 |
) |
|
|
(20,096 |
) |
Total Other Income (Expense) |
|
|
113,994 |
|
|
|
610,408 |
|
|
|
754,036 |
|
|
|
578,063 |
|
|
|
(110,833 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations |
|
|
(4,143,429 |
) |
|
|
(36,173,461 |
) |
|
|
(14,193,010 |
) |
|
|
(6,527,157 |
) |
|
|
(5,002,225 |
) |
|
|
(20,096 |
) |
Gain (Loss) on discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
977,077 |
|
|
|
(4,356 |
) |
|
|
(21,744 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
|
(4,143,429 |
) |
|
|
(34,247,199 |
) |
|
|
(14,197,427 |
) |
|
|
(6,548,901 |
) |
|
|
(5,002,225 |
) |
|
|
(20,096 |
) |
Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
(0.66 |
) |
|
|
(0.37 |
) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
(0.38 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding |
|
|
55,464,000 |
|
|
|
52,263,000 |
|
|
|
38,438,000 |
|
|
|
29,738,000 |
|
|
|
12,995,000 |
|
|
|
5,640,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE SHEET DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
9,301,625 |
|
|
|
821,242 |
|
|
|
11,333,432 |
|
|
|
12,293,890 |
|
|
|
1,925,021 |
|
|
|
7,470 |
|
Marketable securities |
|
|
9,371,630 |
|
|
|
20,432,035 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts receivable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,269 |
|
|
|
92,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid Expenses and deposits |
|
|
316,128 |
|
|
|
641,215 |
|
|
|
323,677 |
|
|
|
64,870 |
|
|
|
20,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets of discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,305 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances to related party |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,358 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current Assets |
|
|
13,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
|
19,002,727 |
|
|
|
21,904,761 |
|
|
|
11,759,858 |
|
|
|
12,358,760 |
|
|
|
1,969,065 |
|
|
|
7,470 |
|
Mineral Property Reclamation Bonds |
|
|
318,783 |
|
|
|
318,404 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and Equipment |
|
|
588,009 |
|
|
|
642,572 |
|
|
|
406,288 |
|
|
|
123,236 |
|
|
|
9,278 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
|
19,909,519 |
|
|
|
22,865,737 |
|
|
|
12,216,146 |
|
|
|
12,491,996 |
|
|
|
1,978,343 |
|
|
|
7,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
|
207,480 |
|
|
|
186,872 |
|
|
|
138,188 |
|
|
|
169,688 |
|
|
|
27,699 |
|
|
|
14,278 |
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
445,240 |
|
|
|
228,800 |
|
|
|
4,950 |
|
|
|
9,074 |
|
|
|
22,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
Due to related parties |
|
|
51,688 |
|
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
471,115 |
|
|
|
200,047 |
|
|
|
143,700 |
|
|
|
50,823 |
|
Current portion of loan payable |
|
|
35,452 |
|
|
|
34,067 |
|
|
|
31,456 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
739,860 |
|
|
|
499,739 |
|
|
|
645,709 |
|
|
|
378,809 |
|
|
|
193,486 |
|
|
|
65,101 |
|
Loan Payable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,079 |
|
|
|
52,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities |
|
|
739,860 |
|
|
|
517,818 |
|
|
|
697,855 |
|
|
|
378,809 |
|
|
|
193,486 |
|
|
|
65,101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Uranerz Shareholders equity |
|
|
19,239,068 |
|
|
|
22,278,334 |
|
|
|
11,518,291 |
|
|
|
12,113,187 |
|
|
|
1,784,857 |
|
|
|
(57,631 |
) |
Non-controlling Interest |
|
|
(69,409 |
) |
|
|
69,585 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Equity |
|
|
19,169,659 |
|
|
|
22,347,919 |
|
|
|
11,518,291 |
|
|
|
12,113,187 |
|
|
|
1,784,857 |
|
|
|
(57,631 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Shareholders equity |
|
|
19,909,519 |
|
|
|
22,865,737 |
|
|
|
12,216,146 |
|
|
|
12,491,996 |
|
|
|
1,978,343 |
|
|
|
7,470 |
|
S-12
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have never declared or paid any dividends on our shares of common stock. We intend to
retain its earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business and do not
expect to pay dividends or to make any other distributions in the near future. Our board of
directors will review this policy from time to time having regard to our financing requirements,
financial condition and other factors considered to be relevant.
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
We are authorized to issue 200,000,000 shares of common stock of which, as of October 26,
2009, 55,694,887 shares of common stock are issued and outstanding. Our shares of common stock are
entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including
the election of directors. Except as otherwise required by law, the holders of our shares of common
stock will possess all voting power. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders must be
approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of directors, by a plurality) of the votes
entitled to be cast by all of our shares of common stock that is present in person or represented
by proxy. Holders of our shares of common stock representing 33 1/3% of our capital stock issued,
outstanding and entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a
quorum at any meeting of our stockholders. A vote by the holders of a majority of our outstanding
shares of common stock is required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes such as
liquidation, merger or an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation. Our Articles of Incorporation
do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The holders of our shares of common stock will be entitled to such cash dividends as may be
declared from time to time by our board of directors from funds available therefor.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our shares of common stock will be
entitled to receive pro rata all assets available for distribution to such holders.
In the event of any merger or consolidation with or into another company in connection with
which our shares of common stock are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other
securities or property (including cash), all holders of our shares of common stock will be entitled
to receive the same kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including
cash).
Holders of our shares of common stock have no pre-emptive rights or conversion rights and
there are no redemption provisions applicable to our shares of common stock.
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The Warrants will be issued in registered form under, and will be governed by, an indenture to
be dated as of the date of the closing of the Unit Offering (which we refer to as the Warrant
Indenture) between us, and Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. as warrant agent. Each whole Warrant
will entitle the holder to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $3.00,
subject to adjustment and early termination, as described below. If not exercised, the Warrants
will expire 30 months from the date of the closing of the Unit Offering. The shares of common
stock underlying the Warrants, when issued upon exercise of the Warrants, will be fully paid and
non-assessable, and we will pay any transfer tax incurred as a result of the issuance of the
underlying shares of common stock except for any tax payable in respect of any transfer in a name
other than the holders.
In the event that our shares of common stock trade in the United States at a closing price of
greater than $3.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days at any time following the
closing of the Unit Offering, we may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice
via a press release to the holders thereof and in such case the Warrants will expire on the
30th day after the date on which such notice is given by us.
The Warrants contain provisions for cashless exercise in certain limited circumstances, as
described below, and there is no minimum or maximum amount that may be exercised at any one time.
The Warrants may be transferred or assigned. We may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any taxes or governmental or other charges that may be imposed in connection with any registration
of transfer or exchange of a Warrant certificate.
The Warrant Indenture will provide for adjustment in the number of shares of common stock
issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants and/or the exercise price per share of common stock upon
the occurrence of certain events, including:
|
(a) |
|
the issuance of shares of common stock or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into shares of common stock at no additional cost to all or substantially
all of the holders of the shares of common stock by way of a stock dividend or other
distribution; |
S-13
|
(b) |
|
the subdivision, redivision or change of the shares of common stock into a
greater number of shares; |
|
|
(c) |
|
the reduction, combination or consolidation of the shares of common stock into
a lesser number of shares; |
|
|
(d) |
|
the issuance to all or substantially all of the holders of the shares of common
stock of rights, options or warrants under which such holders are entitled, during a
period expiring not more than 45 days after the record date for such issuance, to
subscribe for or purchase shares of common stock, or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into shares of common stock, at a price per share of common stock to the
holder (or at an exchange or conversion price per share of common stock) of less than
95% of the Current Market Price, as defined in the Warrant Indenture, for the shares
of common stock on such record date; and |
|
|
(e) |
|
the issuance or distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of
shares of common stock of securities of the Company (including securities exchangeable
for or convertible into shares of common stock), or other property or assets of the
Company. |
The Warrant Indenture will also provide for adjustment in the class and/or number of shares of
common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants and/or exercise price per share of common
stock in the event of the following additional events:
|
(a) |
|
re-classification of the shares of common stock (other than as described
above); |
|
|
(b) |
|
consolidation, amalgamations, arrangements or mergers of the Company with or
into any other corporation or other entity (other than consolidations, amalgamations,
arrangements or mergers which do not result in any reclassification of the outstanding
shares of common stock or a change of the shares of common stock into other shares); or |
|
|
(c) |
|
the transfer of the property or assets of the Company as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to another corporation or entity (other than transfers of
the property or assets of the Company which do not result in any reclassification of
the outstanding shares of common stock or a change of the shares of common stock into
other shares). |
No adjustment to the exercise price or the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon
the exercise of the Warrants will be required to be made unless the cumulative effect of such
adjustment or adjustments would result in a change of at least 1% in the prevailing exercise price
or a change in the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise by at least one
one-hundredth of a share of common stock, as the case may be.
We will also covenant in the Warrant Indenture that, during the period in which the Warrants
are exercisable, we will give notice to each registered holder of Warrants of certain stated
events, including events that would result in an adjustment to the exercise price for the Warrants
or the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, at least 14 days
prior to the record date or effective date, as the case may be, of such event.
We are not required to issue fractional shares upon the exercise of the Warrants (and are not
required to pay cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares). The holders of the Warrants
will not possess any rights as shareholders of the Company until such holders exercise the
Warrants.
For the life of the Warrants, subject to their terms, the holders of the Warrants have the
opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of the shares of common stock without
assuming the risk of ownership of the underlying shares of common stock. Furthermore, the terms on
which we obtain additional capital during the life of the Warrants may be adversely affected by the
existence of these Warrants.
From time to time, we and the warrant agent, without the consent of the holders of Warrants,
may amend or supplement the Warrant Indenture for certain purposes, including curing defects or
inconsistencies or making any change that, in the opinion of the warrant agent, does not prejudice
the rights of the warrant agent or the holders of the Warrants. In accordance with and subject to
the terms of the Warrant Indenture, amendments or supplements to the Warrant Indenture that so
prejudice the interests of the holders of the Warrants may only be made by extraordinary
resolution, which will be defined in the Warrant Indenture as a resolution either (i) passed at a
meeting of the holders of Warrants at which there are holders of Warrants present in person or
represented by proxy representing at least 25% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock
which may be acquired pursuant to all the then outstanding Warrants, and passed by the affirmative
vote of holders of Warrants representing not less than
S-14
66 2/3% of the votes cast upon such resolution; or (ii) adopted by an instrument in writing signed
by the holders of Warrants entitled to acquire not less than 66 2/3% of the aggregate number of
shares of common stock which may be acquired pursuant to all the then outstanding Warrants.
It is a condition of the closing of the Unit Offering that we file prior to the closing of the
Unit Offering with the SEC a prospectus supplement regarding the offering of shares of common stock
issuable from time to time upon the exercise of the Warrants. We have agreed to use our reasonable
best efforts to maintain the registration statement or another registration statement relating to
these shares of common stock effective until the earlier of the expiration date of the Warrants and
the date on which no Warrants remain outstanding (provided, however, that nothing shall prevent our
amalgamation, arrangement, merger or sale, including any take-over bid, and any associated
delisting or deregistration or ceasing to be a reporting issuer, provided that, so long as the
Warrants are still outstanding and represent a right to acquire securities of the acquiring
company, the acquiring company shall assume our obligations under the Warrant Indenture). If no
such registration statement is effective, no person holding Warrants will be permitted to exercise
Warrants, unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is
available. During any such period, any person holding Warrants may give notice to us of their
desire to exercise the Warrants, at which time we will, at our sole discretion, either (i) redeem
the Warrants held by them for a redemption price equal to the difference between the current market
price (as applicable) per share of common stock and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of
shares of common stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants or (ii) permit the
cashless exercise of the Warrants and issue such number of shares of common stock calculated
pursuant to the provisions of the Warrant Indenture, provided that such shares of common stock
shall not be subject to any transfer restrictions in the United States or Canada (provided,
however, that nothing shall prevent our amalgamation, arrangement, merger or sale, including any
take-over bid, and any associated delisting or deregistration or ceasing to be a reporting issuer,
provided that, so long as the Warrants are still outstanding and represent a right to acquire
securities of the acquiring company, the acquiring company shall assume our obligations under the
Warrant Indenture). If no such registration statement is effective, we will notify the warrant
agent in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Indenture.
There is no market through which the Warrants may be sold and purchasers may not be able to
resell the Warrants purchased in the Unit Offering. This may affect the pricing of the Warrants in
the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of such
Warrants, and the extent of issuer regulation.
All of the foregoing statements are subject to the more detailed provisions of the Warrant
Indenture. The Warrant Indenture will be included as an exhibit to our current report on Form 8-K
that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the consummation of the Unit Offering.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations arising
from and relating to the exercise of Warrants acquired as part of the Unit Offering and the
acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Warrant Shares.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete
analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares. In addition, this summary
does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may
affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such holder. Accordingly, this summary is not
intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with
respect to any holder. Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal,
state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences related to the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences
related to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares. This summary
is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different
from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury
Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published
administrative
S-15
positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect
and available, as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Any of the authorities on which this
summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change
could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary does not discuss the potential effects,
whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a
retroactive basis.
U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of Warrants and
Warrant Shares acquired pursuant to the Initial Supplement or this prospectus supplement that is
for U.S. federal income tax purposes: an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; a
corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) organized under the laws of the U.S., any
state thereof or the District of Columbia; an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source; or a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a
court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or
(2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S.
person.
Non-U.S. Holders
As used in this summary, the term Non-U.S. Holder means any beneficial owner of Warrants and
Warrant Shares acquired pursuant to the Initial Supplement and this prospectus supplement that is
neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Non-U.S. Holder should review the discussion under the
headings U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Exercise of the Warrants
and U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and
Disposition of Warrant Shares below for more information.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary deals only with persons or entities who hold our Warrants or Warrant Shares as a
capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for
investment purposes). This summary does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation
that may be applicable to holders in light of their particular circumstances or to holders subject
to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation): banks,
insurance companies, and other financial institutions; dealers in securities or foreign currencies;
regulated investment companies; traders in securities that mark to market; U.S. expatriates or
former long-term residents of the U.S.; persons holding Warrants or Warrant Shares as part of a
straddle, appreciated financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or
other integrated investment; persons holding Warrants or Warrant Shares as a result of a
constructive sale; persons holding Warrants or Warrant Shares whose functional currency is not the
U.S. dollar; or entities that acquire Warrants or Warrant Shares that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes and investors (i.e., partners) in such partnerships. Holders
that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including holders described immediately
above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local, and
non-U.S. tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition
of Warrants and Warrant Shares.
If an entity treated as a partnership holds our Warrants or Warrant Shares, the tax treatment
of the partners and the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding our Warrants or
Warrant Shares you should consult your own tax advisor.
Tax Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S.
federal alternative minimum tax, or non-U.S. tax consequences to holders of the acquisition,
ownership, and disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares. Each holder should consult its own tax
advisor regarding the U.S. state and local, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. federal alternative
minimum tax, and non-U.S. tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of
Warrants and Warrant Shares.
S-16
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of the Exercise of the Warrants
Exercise of Warrants
U.S. Holders should generally not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a Warrant and
related receipt of a Warrant Share. Such U.S. Holders initial tax basis in the Warrant Share
received on the exercise of a Warrant should be equal to the sum of (a) such U.S. Holders tax
basis in such Warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by such U.S. Holder on the exercise of such
Warrant. The holding period for the Warrant Share received by such U.S. Holder should begin on the
day following the date such Warrant is exercised.
In certain limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless
exercise of its Warrants into Warrant Shares. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless
exercise of Warrants into Warrant Shares is unclear. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of Warrants.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Warrant Shares
Distributions on Warrant Shares
Distributions made on our Warrant Shares generally will be included in a U.S. Holders income
as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits
(determined under U.S. federal income tax principles) as of the end of our taxable year in which
the distribution occurs. However, with respect to dividends received by certain non-corporate U.S.
Holders (including individuals), for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, such dividends
are generally taxed at the lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain holding
period and other requirements are satisfied. Distributions in excess of our current and
accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a U.S.
Holders adjusted tax basis in the Warrant Shares and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or
exchange of such Warrant Shares. Dividends received by a corporation may be eligible for a
dividends received deduction, subject to applicable limitations.
Sale, Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Warrant Shares
Upon the sale, certain qualifying redemptions, or other taxable disposition of our Warrant
Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between
(i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon such taxable
disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the Warrant Shares. Such capital gain
or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holders holding period in the Warrant
Shares is more than one year at the time of the taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains
recognized by certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) will generally be subject
to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15%, which rate is currently scheduled to increase to
20% for dispositions occurring during taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.
Deductions for capital losses are subject to complex limitations under the Code.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to U.S. Holders
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on our
Warrant Shares and to the proceeds of a sale of Warrants or Warrant Shares paid to a U.S. Holder
unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). A backup withholding tax
will apply to those payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer
identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if the U.S. Holder is notified by the
IRS that it has failed to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S.
Holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is furnished in a
timely manner to the IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Exercise of the Warrants
Exercise of Warrants
S-17
Non-U.S. Holders generally should not recognize gain or loss on the exercise of a Warrant and
related receipt of a Warrant Share. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Non-U.S. Holders
initial tax basis in the Warrant Share received on the exercise of a Warrant should be equal to the
sum of (a) such Non-U.S. Holders tax basis in such Warrant plus (b) the exercise price paid by
such Non-U.S. Holder on the exercise of such Warrant. The holding period for the Warrant Share
received by such Non-U.S. Holder should begin on day following the date such Warrant is exercised.
In certain limited circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder may be permitted to undertake a cashless
exercise of its Warrants into Warrant Shares. The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a cashless
exercise of Warrants into Warrant Shares is unclear. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax
advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of a cashless exercise of Warrants.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Warrant Shares
Distributions on Warrant Shares
Distributions on our Warrant Shares will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax
purposes to the extent paid from our current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined
under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and
accumulated earnings and profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a
Non-U.S. Holders basis in our Warrant Shares, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain
from the sale of stock, which will be taxable according to rules discussed under the heading Sale
or Other Taxable Disposition of Warrants or Warrant Shares, below. Any dividends paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder with respect to our Warrant Shares generally will be subject to withholding tax at
a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the Non-U.S.
Holder provides us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, unless the Non-U.S. Holder provides us
with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
U.S. and includible in the Non-U.S. Holders gross income are not subject to the withholding tax
(assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to U.S. federal income tax
on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively
connected income received by a non-U.S. corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to
an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be
specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A Non-U.S. Holder of Warrant Shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty
rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a
Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax
pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely
filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Warrants or Warrant Shares
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of Warrants and Warrant Shares will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such
Warrants and Warrant Shares, unless:
|
|
|
the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the
Non-U.S. Holder (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S.
permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder will be
subject to tax on the net gain from the sale at regular graduated U.S. federal income tax
rates, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation may be subject to the branch profits
tax, as described below; |
|
|
|
|
the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in
the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, in which case the
Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30% tax on the gain from the sale, which may be offset
by U.S. source capital losses; or |
S-18
|
|
|
the Company is or has been a U.S. real property holding corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the Non-U.S. Holders holding period
or the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares;
provided, that as long as our Warrant Shares are regularly traded on an established
securities market (the Regularly Traded Exception), a Non-U.S. Holder would not be
subject to taxation under this rule unless the Non-U.S. Holder has owned more than 5% of
our shares at any time during such 5-year or shorter period (a 5% Shareholder). Certain
attribution rules apply in determining ownership for this purpose. We believe that we are
currently, have been during one or more of the past 5 years and may be in one or more
future years, a U.S. real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Non-U.S. Holders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Warrant
Shares will meet the Regularly Traded Exception at the time a Non-U.S. Holder purchases
Warrants or sells, exchanges or otherwise disposes of Warrants and Warrant Shares.
Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the
consequences if we have been, are or will be a U.S. real property holding corporation. |
If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the first bullet point above, he or she
will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of
Warrants and Warrant Shares under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If a Non-U.S.
Holder is a non-U.S. corporation described in the first bullet point above, it will be subject to
tax on its net gain from such a sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner as
if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, it may be subject to the
branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits
for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable
income tax treaty. If a Non-U.S. Holder is an individual described in the second bullet point
above, such holder will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or subject to any exemption or lower
rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale or
other taxable disposition of Warrants and Warrant Shares even though such holder is not considered
a resident of the U.S. The amount of such gain may be offset by the Non-U.S. Holders U.S. source
capital losses. If we are a USRPHC, a Non-U.S. Holder will be taxed as if the gain or loss were
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business as described above in Distributions
on Warrant Shares in the event that (i) such holder is a 5% Shareholder, or (ii) the Regularly
Traded Exception is not satisfied during the relevant period.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to Non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends
paid on our Warrant Shares to Non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect
to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may
also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides
under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to
payments of dividends that we make, provided we receive a statement meeting certain requirements to
the effect that the Non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and we do not have actual knowledge or
reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt
recipient. The requirements for the statement will be met if (1) the Non-U.S. Holder provides its
name, address and U.S. taxpayer identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of
perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN) or (2) a
financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the Non-U.S. Holder certifies, under
penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes us or our paying
agent with a copy of the statement. In addition, a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information
reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the
proceeds of a sale of our Warrants or Warrant Shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain
U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and
we do not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under
the Code, that is not an exempt recipient, or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an
exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or
a credit against a Non-U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required
information is furnished in a timely manner to the IRS.
S-19
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus supplement relates to: (i) up to 4,250,000 Warrant Shares issuable from time
to time on exercise of 4,250,000 Warrants expected to be issued by the Company on or about October
27, 2009 as part of the Unit Offering; and (ii) such indeterminate number of additional Warrant
Shares that may be issuable by reason of the anti-dilution provisions contained in the Warrant
Indenture. Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of our common stock,
subject to adjustment and early termination, for a period of 30 months after the closing of the
Unit Offering at a price of $3.00.
In the event that our shares of common stock trade in the United States at a closing price of
greater than $3.50 per share for a period of 20 consecutive trading days at any time following the
closing of the Unit Offering, we may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice
via a press release to the holders thereof and in such case the Warrants will expire on the
30th day after the date on which such notice is given by us. See section entitled
Description of Warrants in this prospectus supplement.
On August 21, 2009, we filed the accompanying prospectus with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as part of a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-160504) as
amended, (the Registration Statement) with the SEC relating to the offering by us from time to
time of up to $50,000,000 of shares of common stock, debt securities, equity or debt warrants,
subscription receipts or equity or debt units. The Registration Statement was declared effective by
the SEC on August 20, 2009.
On October 22, 2009, we filed the Initial Supplement with the SEC relating to the
offering by us to the public in Canada and the United States of Units, each Unit consisting of one
Share and one-half of a Warrant. In connection with the Unit Offering, the Company entered
into a placement agency agreement dated October 22, 2009 with the placement agents, pursuant to
which we agreed to sell and the placement agents agreed to offer up to 10,000,000 Units, at a price of
$2.00 per Unit. The Unit Offering is expected to be completed on or about October 27, 2009. The
exercise price of the Warrants was determined by negotiation between us and the placement agents.
It is a condition of closing of the Unit Offering that we have filed with the SEC this prospectus
supplement registering the distribution of the Warrant Shares issuable from time to time upon the
exercise of the Warrants.
The Warrant Shares to which this prospectus supplement relates will be sold directly
by the Company to holders of Warrants on the exercise of such Warrants. No underwriters, dealers or
agents will be involved in these sales. No underwriter has been involved in the preparation of, or
has performed any review of, this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus
supplement will be passed upon for us by Lang Michener LLP, with respect to Canadian legal matters,
and Dorsey & Whitney LLP, with respect to United States legal matters.
INTEREST OF EXPERTS
Our consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated
statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders equity for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2008 and accumulated from May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December
31, 2008 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Manning Elliott
LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given upon the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
Information relating to our mineral properties in this prospectus supplement and the documents
incorporated by reference herein has been derived from reports, statements or opinions prepared or
certified by Douglas Beahm, Andrew Anderson, BRS Inc., Douglass Graves, Don R. Woody, Matthew
Yovich and Kurtis Brown and this information has been included in reliance on such companies and
persons expertise. Each of Douglas Beahm, Andrew Anderson, Douglass Graves, Don R. Woody, Matthew
Yovich and Kurtis Brown is a qualified person as such term is defined in NI 43-101.
None of Douglas Beahm, Andrew Anderson, BRS Inc., Douglass Graves, Don R. Woody, Matthew
Yovich and Kurtis Brown each being companies and persons who have prepared or certified the
preparation of reports, statements or opinions relating to our mineral properties, or any director,
officer, employee or partner thereof, as applicable, received or has received a direct or indirect
interest in our property or of any of our associates or affiliates.
S-20
URANERZ ENERGY
CORPORATION
$50,000,000
Common Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Subscription Receipts
Units
Uranerz Energy Corporation may offer and sell, from time to
time, up to $50,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of the
Companys common shares, par value $0.001 (Common
Shares), debt securities (Debt Securities),
warrants to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities
(Warrants), subscription receipts for Common Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof
(Subscription Receipts), or any combination of
Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or Subscription
Receipts (Units) (collectively, the Common Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Receipts, and Units are
referred to as the Securities) in one or more
transactions under this prospectus (the Prospectus).
This Prospectus provides you with a general description of the
Securities that the Company may offer. Each time the Company
offers Securities, it will provide you with a prospectus
supplement (the Prospectus Supplement) that
describes specific information about 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. This Prospectus may not be used to offer or
sell securities without the Prospectus Supplement which includes
a description of the method and terms of that offering.
The Company may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed
basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly
to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which the Company will
provide to you each time it offers Securities, will set forth
the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the
sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or
discount arrangements with them. For additional information on
the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled
Plan of Distribution in this Prospectus.
The Common Shares are traded on the NYSE Amex and on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol URZ and on the
Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol U9E. On
August 18, 2009, the last reported sale price of the Common
Shares on the NYSE Amex was $1.86 per share, on the Toronto
Stock Exchange was Cdn$1.99 per share and on the Frankfurt
Exchange was 1.30. There is currently no market through
which the Securities, other than the Common Shares, may be sold
and purchasers may not be able to resell the Securities
purchased under this Prospectus. This may affect the pricing of
the Securities, other than the Common Shares, in the secondary
market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the
liquidity of these Securities and the extent of issuer
regulation. See Risk Factors and Uncertainties.
Investing in the Securities involves risks. See Risk
Factors and Uncertainties on page 7.
These Securities have not been approved or disapproved by the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
or any state securities commission nor has the SEC or any state
securities commission passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of
this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 21, 2009.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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38
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38
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i
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This Prospectus is a part of a registration statement that the
Company filed with the SEC utilizing a shelf
registration process. Under this shelf registration process, the
Company may sell any combination of the Securities described in
this Prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar
amount of initial aggregate offering price of $50,000,000. This
Prospectus provides you with a general description of the
Securities that we may offer. The specific terms of the
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement and may
include, where applicable: (i) in the case of Common
Shares, the number of Common Shares offered, the offering price
and any other specific terms of the offering; (ii) in the
case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate
principal amount, currency or the currency unit for which such
Debt Securities may be purchased, maturity, interest provisions,
authorized denominations, offering price, covenants, events of
default, any redemption terms, any sinking fund provisions, any
exchange or conversion terms, whether payment on the Debt
Securities will be senior or subordinated to the Companys
other liabilities and obligations and any other specific terms;
(iii) in the case of Warrants, the designation, number and
terms of the Common Shares or Debt Securities purchasable upon
exercise of the Warrants, any procedures that will result in the
adjustment of those numbers, the exercise price, dates and
periods of exercise, and the currency or the currency unit in
which the exercise price must be paid and any other specific
terms; (iv) in the case of Subscription Receipts, the
designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants or
Debt Securities receivable upon satisfaction of certain release
conditions, any procedures that will result in the adjustment of
those numbers, any additional payments to be made to holders of
Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the release
conditions, the terms of the release conditions, terms governing
the escrow of all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the
sale of the Subscription Receipts, terms for the refund of all
or a portion of the purchase price for Subscription Receipts in
the event the release conditions are not met and any other
specific terms; and (v) in the case of Units, the
designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Warrants,
Debt Securities or Subscription Receipts comprising the Units. A
Prospectus Supplement may include specific variable terms
pertaining to the Securities that are not within the
alternatives and parameters set forth in this Prospectus.
In connection with any offering of the Securities (unless
otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement), the
underwriters or agents may over-allot or effect transactions
which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities
offered at a higher level than that which might exist in the
open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be interrupted
or discontinued at any time. See Plan of
Distribution.
Please carefully read both this Prospectus and any Prospectus
Supplement together with the documents incorporated herein by
reference under Documents Incorporated by Reference
and the additional information described below under Where
You Can Find More Information.
Owning securities may subject you to tax consequences in the
United States. This Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus
Supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You
should read the tax discussion in any Prospectus Supplement with
respect to a particular offering and consult your own tax
advisor with respect to your own particular circumstances.
References in this Prospectus to $ are to United
States dollars. Canadian dollars are indicated by the symbol
Cdn$.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
Prospectus. The Company has not authorized anyone to provide you
with information different from that contained in this
Prospectus. The distribution or possession of this Prospectus in
or from certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This
Prospectus is not an offer to sell these Securities and is not
soliciting an offer to buy these Securities in any jurisdiction
where the offer or sale is not permitted or where the person
making the offer or sale is not qualified to do so or to any
person to whom it is not permitted to make such offer or sale.
The information contained in this Prospectus is accurate only as
of the date of this Prospectus, regardless of the time of
delivery of this Prospectus or of any sale of the Securities.
The Companys business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
In this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, unless the
context otherwise requires, references to Uranerz
and the Company refer to Uranerz Energy Corporation.
1
SUMMARY
The
Company
Uranerz Energy Corporation was incorporated under the laws of
the State of Nevada on May 26, 1999. On July 5, 2005,
we changed our name from Carleton Ventures Corp. to Uranerz
Energy Corporation. Our executive offices are located at 1701
East E Street, PO Box 50850, Casper,
Wyoming
82605-0850,
USA and our phone number there is
307-265-8900.
Our principal business office and our operations office is
located at 1701 East E Street,
PO Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming
82605-0850,
USA and our phone number there is
307-265-8900.
We also maintain an administrative office located at
Suite 1410 800 West Pender Street,
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2V6, and our telephone
number there is
604-689-1659.
General
We are an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition,
exploration and, if warranted, development of uranium
properties. Uranium used in this context refers to
U3O8.
U3O8,
also called yellowcake, is triuranium octoxide produced from
uranium ore and is the most actively traded uranium-related
commodity.
We are principally focused on the exploration of our properties
in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming. We are exploring
these properties with the objective of assessing their viability
for commercial in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium mining
projects. We also own interests in properties in the Great
Divide Basin area of Wyoming, in Texas and in Saskatchewan,
Canada.
We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our
properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming that we
feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of
being developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines.
These permits should allow us to produce uranium yellowcake
concentrate which can be sold directly to utilities for fuel
used in nuclear electrical generating facilities.
Our Powder River Basin properties include:
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our 100% owned properties that totaled 34,076 acres as of
June 30, 2009;
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our 81% interest Arkose Mining Venture properties that totaled
90,210 acres as of June 30, 2009; and
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additional properties that we have acquired inside the Powder
River Basin area.
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Our 100% owned properties are comprised of unpatented mineral
lode claims, state leases and fee (private) mineral leases,
summarized as follows:
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Ownership
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Number of
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Acreage
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Property Composition
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Interest(1)
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Claims/Leases
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(Approximate)
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Unpatented Lode Mining Claims
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100
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%
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1,264
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25,049 acres
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State Leases
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100
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%
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9
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6,480 acres
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Fee (private) Mineral Leases
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100
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%
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16
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2,447 acres
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Total
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33,976 acres
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(1) |
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Subject to various royalties. |
These 100% owned properties in the Powder River Basin include
the following property units:
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No.
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Acreage
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Property
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Claims
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(Approximate)
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Doughstick
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22
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440
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Collins Draw
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58
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1,160
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2
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No.
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Acreage
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Property
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Claims
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(Approximate)
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State Lease
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NA
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640
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North Rolling Pin
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65
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1,300
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Hank
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63
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1,260
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Nichols Ranch
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35
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700
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C-Line
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40
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800
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Willow Creek
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11
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220
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West North-Butte
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145
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2,900
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East Nichols
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116
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2,320
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North Nichols
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143
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2,860
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TOTAL
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698
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14,600
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The Arkose Mining Venture properties are comprised of unpatented
lode mining claims, state leases and fee (private) mineral
leases, summarized as follows:
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Ownership
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Number of
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Acreage
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Property Composition
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Interest(1)
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Claims/Leases
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(Approximate)
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Unpatented Lode Mining Claims
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81
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%
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4,242
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69,383 acres
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State Leases
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81
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%
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3
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2,080 acres
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Fee (private) Mineral Leases
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81
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%
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67
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18,747 acres
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Total
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90,210 acres
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(1) |
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Subject to various royalties. |
Through a combination of claim staking, purchasing, and leasing
we have also acquired interests in several projects that lie
within the Powder River Basin but outside of the project areas
discussed above. These properties include the Verna Ann, Niles
Ranch, North Reno Creek, and South Reno Creek projects. These
projects are located in sandstone basins of Tertiary age with
known uranium mineralization. However, due to our focused
approach we have not yet initiated exploration work on these
projects.
Our plan of operations is to carry out exploration of our
Wyoming Powder River Basin properties while our joint venture
partner will be responsible for carrying out exploration of our
Wyoming Great Divide Basin properties. Our Saskatchewan
properties are under strategic review. The information regarding
the location and access for our Saskatchewan and Wyoming
properties, together with the history of operations, present
condition and geology of each of our properties, is presented in
Item 2 of our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 under the heading
Description of Properties, previously filed with the
SEC on March 11, 2009.
We have applied for mine operating permits on two of our
properties in the Powder River Basin area of Wyoming that we
feel have the potential, based on data in our possession, of
being developed into commercial in-situ recovery uranium mines.
We plan to use the low cost mining process of in-situ recovery
mining (which we refer to as ISR), a process that
uses a leaching solution to extract uranium from
underground ore bodies. The leaching agent, which
contains an oxidant such as oxygen with sodium bicarbonate
(commonly known as baking soda), is added to the native
groundwater and injected through wells into the ore body in a
sandstone aquifer to dissolve the uranium. This solution is then
pumped via other wells to the surface for processing
resulting in a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly
mining process.
The ISR mining process differs dramatically from conventional
mining techniques in that ISR mining leaves the rock matrix in
place. The ISR technique avoids the movement and milling of rock
and ore as well as mill tailing waste associated with more
traditional mining methods.
3
Applications for a Permit to Mine and a Source Material License
for the Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project were submitted to the
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Land
Quality Division (WDEQ) and the United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in December of
2007. Both the NRC and WDEQ applications were deemed complete
for further technical and environmental review in April 2008 and
August 2008, respectively. In the fall of 2008, Uranerz received
Requests for Additional Information (RAI) for the
technical review from the NRC. Uranerz submitted the response to
this RAI, consisting of answers with supporting data, to the NRC
during March 2009. This return of information and data will
allow the NRC to progress with the review, which should
ultimately lead to the issuance of the required Source Materials
License that allows Uranerz to receive, possess, use, transfer,
or deliver radioactive materials. Uranerz also received RAIs
from the NRC for the environmental portion of the application
review on March 12, 2009. Uranerz submitted responses to
the environmental RAIs in May 2009. The WDEQ is currently
conducting their detailed review of the Permit to Mine
application and both the NRC and WDEQ applications are
progressing through the regulatory review process. Approval of
the permit applications is expected to allow us to proceed with
commercial advancement of the two properties leading to
production of yellowcake using the ISR method of uranium mining.
The mine plan for the Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project includes
a central processing facility at our Nichols Ranch property and
a satellite ion exchange facility at our Hank property. The
ultimate production level from these two properties is planned
to be in the range of 600,000 to 800,000 pounds per year (as
U308).
The central processing facility is planned for a licensed
capacity of 2 million pounds per year of uranium (as
U308)
and it is intended that it will process uranium-bearing
well-field solutions from Nichols Ranch, as well as
uranium-loaded resin transported from the Hank satellite
facility, plus uranium-loaded resin from any additional
satellite deposits that may be developed on our other Powder
River Basin properties. This centralized design enhances the
economics of our potential additional satellite projects by
maximizing production capacity while minimizing further capital
expenditures on processing facilities. The project is
progressing through detailed engineering and design.
In anticipation of receiving all the approvals necessary to mine
in 2010, we have commenced a marketing program for conditional
sales of uranium from our Nichols Ranch ISR Uranium Project. On
July 23, 2009, we announced that we entered into a sales
agreement with Exelon Generation Company, LLC for the sale of
uranium over a five year period for defined pricing. On
August 17, 2009 we announced the second contract for the
sale of uranium to a U.S. utility over five years, with a
pricing structure that contains references to both spot and
long-term prices and includes a floor and ceiling price.
During the winter of 2008/09 leach amenability studies were
performed on sample cores obtained from the Doughstick and South
Doughstick properties. Standard ISR leach bottle
roll tests were conducted on the samples by Energy
Laboratories in Casper, Wyoming. The leach amenability studies
intend to demonstrate that the uranium mineralization is capable
of being leached using conventional ISR chemistry. The leach
solution was prepared using sodium bicarbonate as the source of
the carbonate complexing agent. Hydrogen peroxide was added as
the uranium oxidizing agent. The study is an indication of the
ores reaction rate and the potential uranium recovery. The
test results showed the uranium recovery percentage for South
Doughstick as 87.8%, and the uranium recovery percentage for
Doughstick as 77.1% . The 88 and 77 percent results are
greater than the 73 percent that Uranerz used in its
Preliminary (Economic) Assessment of the Nichols Ranch Uranium
ISR Project. Doughstick and South Doughstick properties are
located approximately 2 miles south of Nichols Ranch.
The
Securities Offered under this Prospectus
The Company may offer the Common Shares, Debt Securities,
Warrants, Subscription Receipts, or Units with a total value of
up to $50,000,000 from time to time under this Prospectus,
together with any applicable Prospectus Supplement and related
free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined
by market conditions at the time of offering. This Prospectus
provides you with a general description of the Securities the
Company may offer. Each time the Company offers Securities, it
will provide a Prospectus Supplement that will describe the
specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the
Securities, including, to the extent applicable:
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designation or classification;
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aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;
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maturity, if applicable;
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original issue discount, if any;
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rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;
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redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;
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conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if
applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the
conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or
other property receivable upon conversion or exchange;
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ranking;
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restrictive covenants, if any;
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voting or other rights, if any; and
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important United States federal income tax considerations.
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A Prospectus Supplement and any related free writing prospectus
that the Company may authorize to be provided to you may also
add, update or change information contained in this Prospectus
or in documents the Company has incorporated by reference.
However, no Prospectus Supplement or free writing prospectus
will offer a security that is not registered and described in
this Prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the
registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
The Company may sell the Securities on a continuous or delayed
basis to or through underwriters, dealers or agents or directly
to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement, which the Company will
provide to you each time it offers Securities, will set forth
the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents involved in the
sale of the Securities, and any applicable fee, commission or
discount arrangements with them.
Common
Shares
The Company may offer Common Shares. Holders of Common Shares
are entitled to one vote per Common Share on all matters that
require shareholder approval. Holders of our Common Shares are
entitled to dividends when and if declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company. Our Common Shares are described in
greater detail in this Prospectus under Description of
Common Shares.
Debt
Securities
The Company may offer Debt Securities from time to time, in one
or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as
senior or subordinated convertible debt. The Debt Securities
will be issued under one or more documents called indentures,
which are contracts between the Company and a trustee for the
holders of the Debt Securities. In this Prospectus, the Company
has summarized certain general features of the Debt Securities
under Description of Debt Securities. The Company
urges you, however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any
free writing prospectus that the Company may authorize to be
provided to you related to the series of Debt Securities being
offered, as well as the complete indentures that contain the
terms of the Debt Securities. A form of indenture has been filed
as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of
Debt Securities containing the terms of Debt Securities being
offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference
from a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC.
Warrants
The Company may offer Warrants for the purchase of Common Shares
or Debt Securities, in one or more series, from time to time.
The Company may issue Warrants independently or together with
Common Shares, Debt Securities, or Subscription Receipts, and
the Warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities.
The Warrants will be evidenced by warrant certificates and may
be issued under one or more warrant indentures, which are
contracts between the Company and a warrant trustee for the
holders of the Warrants. In this prospectus, the Company has
summarized certain general features of the Warrants under
Description of Warrants. The Company urges you,
however, to read any Prospectus Supplement and any free writing
prospectus that the Company may authorize to be provided to you
related to the series of Warrants being offered, as well as the
complete warrant indentures and warrant certificates that
contain the terms of the Warrants. Specific warrant indentures
will contain additional important terms and provisions and will
be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
Prospectus is a part, or incorporated by reference from a
current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC.
Subscription
Receipts
The Company may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle
holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release
conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof.
Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more
subscription receipt agreements,
5
each to be entered into between the Company and an escrow agent,
which will establish the terms and conditions of the
Subscription Receipts. Each escrow agent will be a financial
institution organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof or Canada or a province thereof and authorized to
carry on business as a trustee. A copy of the form of
subscription receipt agreement will be filed as an exhibit to
the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part,
or will be incorporated by reference from a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC.
Units
The Company may offer Units consisting of Common Shares, Debt
Securities, Warrants
and/or
Subscription Receipts to purchase any of such securities in one
or more series. In this Prospectus, we have summarized certain
general features of the Units under Description of
Units. The Company urges you, however, to read any
Prospectus Supplement and any free writing prospectus that the
Company may authorize to be provided to you related to the
series of Units being offered. The Company may evidence each
series of units by unit certificates that the Company will issue
under a separate unit agreement with a unit agent. The Company
will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which
this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from
a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC, the unit agreements that
describe the terms of the series of Units the Company is
offering before the issuance of the related series of Units.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO OFFER OR SELL ANY
SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
6
RISK
FACTORS AND UNCERTAINTIES
Investing in the Securities involves a high degree of risk.
Prospective investors in a particular offering of Securities
should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the
other information contained in this Prospectus, any applicable
Prospectus Supplement, and the documents incorporated by
reference herein before investing in the Securities. If any of
the following risks actually occurs, the Companys business
could be materially harmed. The risks and uncertainties
described below are not the only ones the Company faces.
Additional risks and uncertainties, including those of which the
Company is currently unaware or that the Company deems
immaterial, may also adversely affect the Companys
business.
Risks
Related to Our Business
Our
future performance is difficult to evaluate because we have a
limited operating history.
We were incorporated in 1999 and we began to implement our
current business strategy in the uranium industry in the
beginning of 2005. Our operating cash flow needs have been
financed primarily through issuances of our common stock. As a
result, we have little historical financial and operating
information available to help you evaluate our performance or an
investment in our common stock and warrants.
Because
the probability of an individual prospect having reserves is
uncertain, our properties may not contain any reserves, and any
funds spent on exploration may be lost.
We have no uranium producing properties and have never generated
any revenue from our operations. Because the probability of an
individual prospect having reserves is uncertain, our properties
may not contain any reserves, and any funds spent on exploration
may be lost. Notwithstanding our disclosures to Canadian
authorities under National Instrument
43-101, we
do not know with certainty that economically recoverable uranium
exists on any of our properties. We may never discover uranium
in commercially exploitable quantities and any identified
deposit may never qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable)
reserve. We will continue to attempt to acquire the surface and
mineral rights on lands that we think are geologically favorable
or where we have historical information in our possession that
indicates uranium mineralization might be present.
The exploration and development of mineral deposits involves
significant financial and other risks over an extended period of
time, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience
and knowledge may not eliminate. While discovery of a uranium,
precious or base metal deposit may result in substantial
rewards, few properties which are explored are ultimately
developed into producing mines. Major expenses are required to
establish reserves by drilling and to construct mining and
processing facilities at a site. Our uranium properties are all
at the exploration stage and do not contain any reserves at this
time. It is impossible to ensure that the current or proposed
exploration programs on properties in which the Company has an
interest will result in the delineation of mineral deposits or
in profitable commercial operations. Our operations are subject
to the hazards and risks normally incident to exploration,
development and production of uranium, precious and base metals,
any of which could result in damage to life or property,
environmental damage and possible legal liability for such
damage. While we may obtain insurance against certain risks, the
nature of these risks is such that liabilities could exceed
policy limits or could be excluded from coverage. There are also
risks against which we cannot insure or against which we may
elect not to insure. The potential costs which could be
associated with any liabilities not covered by insurance, or in
excess of insurance coverage, or compliance with applicable laws
and regulations may cause substantial delays and require
significant capital outlays, adversely affecting our future
earnings and competitive position and, potentially our financial
viability.
We
have a limited operating history and have losses which we expect
to continue into the future. As a result, we may have to suspend
or cease exploration activities.
We were incorporated in 1999 and are engaged in the business of
mineral exploration. We have not realized any revenue from our
operations. We have a relatively limited exploration history
upon which an evaluation of our future success or failure can be
made. We have incurred losses since inception. Our ability to
achieve and maintain profitability and positive cash flow is
dependent upon:
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our ability to locate a profitable mineral property;
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our ability to generate revenues;
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our ability to reduce exploration costs.
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7
Based upon current plans, we expect to incur operating losses in
future periods. This will happen because there are expenses
associated with the research and exploration of our mineral
properties plus development costs to produce saleable product.
We may not guarantee we will be successful in generating
revenues in the future. Failure to generate revenues may cause
us to go out of business.
Because
some of our officers and directors do not have technical
training or experience in exploring for, starting, and operating
a mine, we may have to hire qualified personnel. If we
cant locate qualified personnel, we may have to suspend or
cease exploration activity which may result in the loss of your
investment.
Some, but not all, of our officers and directors do have
experience with exploring for, starting, and operating a mine.
Because some of our officers and directors are inexperienced
with exploring for, starting, and operating a mine, we may have
to hire qualified persons to perform surveying, exploration, and
water management of our properties. Some of our officers and
directors have no direct training or experience in these areas
and as a result may not be fully aware of many of the specific
requirements related to working within the industry. Their
decisions and choices would typically take into account standard
engineering or managerial approaches mineral exploration
companies commonly use. However, our exploration activities,
earnings and ultimate financial success could suffer irreparable
harm due to certain of managements decisions. As a result
we may have to suspend or cease exploration activities, or any
future warranted development activities, which would likely
result in the loss of your investment.
We
have no known reserves. Without reserves we may not be able to
generate income and if we cannot generate income we will have to
cease exploration activities which result in the loss your
investment.
We have no known reserves. Without reserves, we may not be able
to generate income and if we cannot generate income we will have
to cease exploration activities which would likely result in the
loss of your investment. We have attempted to acquire the
surface and mineral rights on lands that we think are
geologically favorable or where we have exploration and
historical information in our possession that indicates uranium
mineralization might be present. It is not known with certainty
that economically recoverable uranium exists on any of our
properties.
Even in the event commercial quantities of uranium are
discovered, the mining properties might not be brought into a
state of commercial production. Estimates of mineral reserves
are inherently imprecise and depend to some extent on
statistical inferences drawn from limited methods, which may
prove unreliable. Fluctuations in the market prices of uranium
may render reserves and deposits containing relatively low
grades of uranium uneconomic. Whether a uranium, precious or
base metal deposit will be commercially viable depends on a
number of factors, some of which are: the particular attributes
of the deposit, such as its size and grade; costs and efficiency
of the recovery methods that can be employed; proximity to
infrastructure; financing costs; and governmental regulations,
including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties,
infrastructure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals
and environmental protection. The effect of these factors cannot
be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors
may result in us not receiving an adequate return on our
invested capital.
Our
future profitability will be dependent on uranium
prices
Because a significant portion of our anticipated revenues are
expected to be derived from the sale of uranium, our net
earnings, if any, can be affected by the long- and short-term
market price of
U3O8.
Uranium prices are subject to fluctuation. The price of uranium
has been and will continue to be affected by numerous factors
beyond our control. With respect to uranium, such factors
include the demand for nuclear power, political and economic
conditions in uranium producing and consuming countries, uranium
supply from secondary sources and uranium production levels and
costs of production. Spot prices for
U3O8
were at $20.00 per pound
U3O8
in December 2004, and then, to $35.25 per pound in December 2005
and $72.00 per pound in December 2006. During 2007 the spot
price reached a high of $138.00 per pound. The U.S. monthly
spot price of
U3O8
was approximately $90.00 per pound in December 2007. The spot
price declined during 2008, reaching a low of $44.00 per pound
in October. The U.S. monthly spot price of
U3O8
was approximately $52.00 per pound and the long term price was
approximately $70.00 per pound in December 2008. The spot price
again declined during the early part of 2009, reaching a low of
approximately $40 per pound, but the spot price was
approximately $54 per pound and the long term price was $65 per
pound in late June 2009.
Our
operations are subject to environmental regulation and
environmental risks.
We are required to comply with applicable environmental
protection laws and regulations and permitting requirements, and
we anticipate that we will be required to continue to do so in
the future. The material laws and regulations within the
U.S. that the Company must comply with are the Atomic
Energy Act, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978
(UMTRCA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water
Act, Federal Land Policy Management Act, National Park System
Mining Regulations Act, and the State Mined Land
8
Reclamation Acts or State Department of Environmental Quality
regulations, as applicable. We also are required to comply with
environmental protection laws in Canada. We are required to
comply with the Atomic Energy Act, as amended by UMTRCA, by
applying for and maintaining an operating license from the State
of Wyoming. Uranium operations must conform to the terms of such
licenses, which include provisions for protection of human
health and the environment from endangerment due to radioactive
materials. The licenses encompass protective measures consistent
with the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. We intend to
utilize specific employees and consultants in order to comply
with and maintain our compliance with the above laws and
regulations.
The uranium industry is subject not only to the worker health
and safety and environmental risks associated with all mining
businesses, but also to additional risks uniquely associated
with uranium mining and processing. The possibility of more
stringent regulations exists in the areas of worker health and
safety, the disposition of wastes, the decommissioning and
reclamation of exploration and in-situ sites, and other
environmental matters, each of which could have a material
adverse effect on the costs or the viability of a particular
project. We cannot predict what environmental legislation,
regulation or policy will be enacted or adopted in the future or
how future laws and regulations will be administered or
interpreted. The recent trend in environmental legislation and
regulation, generally, is toward stricter standards and this
trend is likely to continue in the future. This recent trend
includes, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to
air and water quality, mine reclamation, waste handling and
disposal, the protection of certain species and the preservation
of certain lands. These regulations may require the acquisition
of permits or other authorizations for certain activities. These
laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit activities on
certain lands. Compliance with more stringent laws and
regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement
policies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may
necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect
our results of operations and business, or may cause material
changes or delays in our intended activities.
Our operations may require additional analysis in the future
including environmental and social impact and other related
studies. Certain activities require the submission and approval
of environmental impact assessments. Environmental assessments
of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility
for companies and directors, officers, and employees. There can
be no assurance that we will be able to obtain or maintain all
necessary permits that may be required to continue its operation
or its exploration of its properties or, if feasible, to
commence development, construction or operation of mining
facilities at such properties on terms which enable operations
to be conducted at economically justifiable costs.
We
intend to extract uranium from our properties using the in-situ
recovery mining process which may not be
successful.
We intend to extract uranium from our properties using in-situ
recovery mining, which is suitable for extraction of certain
types of uranium deposits. This process requires in-situ
recovery mining equipment and trained personnel. Competition and
unforeseen limited sources of supplies in the industry could
result in occasional spot shortages of supplies, and certain
equipment such as drilling rigs and other equipment that we
might need to conduct exploration and, if warranted,
development. We will attempt to locate additional products,
equipment and materials as needed. If we cannot find the
products and equipment we need, we will have to suspend our
exploration and, if warranted, development plans until we do
find the products and equipment we need.
We
face risks related to exploration and development, if warranted,
on our properties.
Our level of profitability, if any, in future years will depend
to a great degree on uranium prices and whether any of our
exploration stage properties can be brought into production. The
exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves
significant risks. It is impossible to ensure that the current
and future exploration programs
and/or
feasibility studies on our existing properties will establish
reserves. Whether a uranium ore body will be commercially viable
depends on a number of factors, including, but not limited to:
the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade
and proximity to infrastructure; uranium prices, which cannot be
predicted and which have been highly volatile in the past;
mining, processing and transportation costs; perceived levels of
political risk and the willingness of lenders and investors to
provide project financing; labor costs and possible labor
strikes; and governmental regulations, including, without
limitation, regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties,
land tenure, land use, importing and exporting materials,
foreign exchange, environmental protection, employment, worker
safety, transportation, and reclamation and closure obligations.
We are subject to the risks normally encountered in the mining
industry, such as:
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unusual or unexpected geological formations;
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fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other
natural disasters;
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power outages and water shortages;
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water control and other similar mining hazards;
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labor disruptions and labor disputes;
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inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment,
or labor;
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liability for pollution or other hazards; and
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other known and unknown risks involved in the operation of mines
and the conduct of exploration.
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The development of mineral properties is affected by many
factors, including, but not limited to: the cost of operations,
variations in the grade of ore, fluctuations in metal markets,
costs of extraction and processing equipment, availability of
equipment and labor, labor costs and possible labor strikes, and
government regulations, including without limitation,
regulations relating to taxes, royalties, allowable production,
importing and exporting of minerals, foreign exchange,
employment, worker safety, transportation, and environmental
protection. Depending on the price of uranium, we may determine
that it is impractical to commence, or, if commenced, continue,
commercial production. Such a decision would negatively affect
our profits and may affect the value of your investment.
Because
we may be unable to meet property payment obligations or be able
to acquire necessary mining licenses, we may lose interests in
our exploration properties.
The agreements pursuant to which we acquired our interests in
some of our properties provide that we must make a series of
cash payments over certain time periods, expend certain minimum
amounts on the exploration of the properties or contribute our
share of ongoing expenditures. If we fail to make such payments
or expenditures in a timely fashion, we may lose our interest in
those properties. Further, even if we do complete exploration
activities, we may not be able to obtain the necessary licenses
to conduct mining operations on the properties, and thus would
realize no benefit from our exploration activities on the
properties.
Because
mineral exploration and development activities are inherently
risky, we may be exposed to environmental liabilities. If such
an event were to occur it may result in a loss of your
investment.
The business of mineral exploration and extraction involves a
high degree of risk. Few properties that are explored are
ultimately developed into production. At present, none of our
properties has a known body of commercial ore. Unusual or
unexpected formations, formation pressures, fires, power
outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions and the
inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or
labor are other risks involved in extraction operations and the
conduct of exploration programs. Although we intend to carry
liability insurance with respect to our mineral exploration
operations, we may become subject to liability for damage to
life and property, environmental damage or hazards against which
we cannot insure or against which we may elect not to insure.
Previous mining operations may have caused environmental damage
at certain of our properties. It may be difficult or impossible
to assess the extent to which such damage was caused by us or by
the activities of previous operators, in which case, any
indemnities and exemptions from liability may be ineffective. If
any of our properties is found to have commercial quantities of
ore, we would be subject to additional risks respecting any
development and production activities. Most exploration projects
do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable deposits
of ore.
Because
we have not put a mineral deposit into production before, we may
have to acquire outside expertise. If we are unable to acquire
such expertise we may be unable to put our properties into
production and you may lose your investment.
The board of directors includes six individuals, two of whom are
in operational management, that have technical or financial
experience in placing mining projects into production. However,
we will be dependent upon using the services of appropriately
experienced personnel or entering into agreements with other
companies that can provide such expertise. There can be no
assurance that we will have available to us the necessary
expertise when and if we place mineral deposit properties into
production.
The
mining industry is highly competitive.
The business of the acquisition, exploration, and development of
uranium properties is intensely competitive. We will be required
to compete, in the future, directly with other corporations that
may have better access to potential uranium resources, more
developed infrastructure, more available capital, better access
to necessary financing, and more knowledgeable and available
employees than us. We may encounter competition in acquiring
uranium
10
properties, hiring mining professionals, obtaining mining
resources, such as manpower, drill rigs, and other mining
equipment. Such competitors could outbid us for potential
projects or produce minerals at lower costs. Increased
competition could also affect our ability to attract necessary
capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or
prospects for uranium exploration in the future.
Risks
Related to Corporate and Financial Structure
Our
strategic success is dependent upon the ability of our key
management employees and our ability to attract and retain key
management employees.
The success of our operations will depend upon numerous factors,
many of which are beyond our control, including (i) our
ability to enter into strategic alliances through a combination
of one or more joint ventures, mergers or acquisition
transactions; and (ii) our ability to attract and retain
additional key personnel in sales, marketing, technical support
and finance. We currently depend upon our management employees
to seek out and form strategic alliances and find and retain
additional employees. There can be no assurance of success with
any or all of these factors on which our operations will depend.
We have relied and may continue to rely, upon consultants and
others for operating expertise.
Our
growth will require new personnel, which we will be required to
recruit, hire, train and retain.
We expect significant growth in the number of our employees if
we determine that a mine at any of our properties is
commercially feasible, we are able to raise sufficient funding
and we elect to develop the property. This growth will place
substantial demands on us and our management. Our ability to
assimilate new personnel will be critical to our performance. We
will be required to recruit additional personnel and to train,
motivate and manage employees. We will also have to adopt and
implement new systems in all aspects of our operations. This
will be particularly critical in the event we decide not to use
contract miners at any of our properties. We have no assurance
that we will be able to recruit the personnel required to
execute our programs or to manage these changes successfully.
New
legislation, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may make
it difficult for us to retain or attract officers and
directors.
We may be unable to attract and retain qualified officers,
directors and members of board committees required to provide
for our effective management as a result of the recent and
currently proposed changes in the rules and regulations which
govern publicly-held companies. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has
resulted in a series of rules and regulations by the Securities
and Exchange Commission that increase responsibilities and
liabilities of directors and executive officers. The perceived
increased personal risk associated with these recent changes may
deter qualified individuals from accepting these roles.
Stock
market price and volume volatility.
The market for our common shares may be highly volatile for
reasons both related to the performance of the Company or events
pertaining to the industry (for e.g.., mineral price
fluctuation/high production costs/accidents) as well as factors
unrelated to the Company or its industry. In particular, market
demand for uranium fluctuates from one business cycle to the
next, resulting in change of demand for the mineral and an
attendant change in the price for the mineral. Our common shares
can be expected to be subject to volatility in both price and
volume arising from market expectations, announcements and press
releases regarding our business, and changes in estimates and
evaluations by securities analysts or other events or factors.
In recent years, the securities markets in the United States
have experienced a high level of price and volume volatility,
and the market price of securities of many companies,
particularly small-capitalization companies, have experienced
wide fluctuations that have not necessarily been related to the
operations, performances, underlying asset values, or prospects
of such companies. For these reasons, the price of our common
shares can also be expected to be subject to volatility
resulting from purely market forces over which we will have no
control.
Dilution
through the granting of options.
Because the success of the Company is highly dependent upon its
employees, we may in the future grant to some or all of our key
employees, directors and consultants options to purchase our
common shares as non-cash incentives. Those options may be
granted at exercise prices equal to market prices at times when
the public market is depressed. To the extent that significant
numbers of such options may be granted and exercised, the
interests of the other stockholders of the Company may be
diluted.
11
You
may lose your entire investment in our shares.
An investment in our common stock is highly speculative and may
result in the loss of your entire investment. Only investors who
are experienced investors in high risk investments and who can
afford to lose their entire investment should consider an
investment in us.
In the
event that your investment in our shares is for the purpose of
deriving dividend income or in expectation of an increase in
market price of our shares from the declaration and payment of
dividends, your investment may be compromised because we do not
intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid a dividend to our shareholders, and we intend
to retain our cash for the continued development of our
business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common
stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, your return on
investment will be solely determined by your ability to sell
your shares in a secondary market.
We
depend on our ability to successfully access the capital and
financial markets. Any inability to access the capital or
financial markets may limit our ability to execute our business
plan or pursue investments that we may rely on for future
growth.
We rely on access to capital markets as a source of liquidity
for capital and operating requirements. If we are not able to
access financial markets at competitive rates, our ability to
implement our business plan and strategy may be affected.
Certain market disruptions may increase our cost of borrowing or
affect our ability to access one or more financial markets. Such
market disruptions could result from:
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adverse economic conditions;
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adverse general capital market conditions;
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poor performance and health of the uranium industry in general;
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bankruptcy or financial distress of unrelated uranium companies
or marketers;
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significant decrease in the demand for uranium;
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adverse regulatory actions that affect our exploration and
development plans; and
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terrorist attacks on our potential customers.
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Recent
market events and conditions, including disruptions in the U.S.
and international credit markets and other financial systems and
the deterioration of the U.S. and global economic conditions,
could, among other things, impede access to capital or increase
the cost of capital, which would have an adverse effect on our
ability to fund our working capital and other capital
requirements.
In 2007, 2008 and into 2009, the U.S. credit markets
experienced serious disruption due to a deterioration in
residential property values, defaults and delinquencies in the
residential mortgage market (particularly, subprime and
non-prime mortgages) and a decline in the credit quality of
mortgage backed securities. These problems led to a slow-down in
residential housing market transactions, declining housing
prices, delinquencies in non-mortgage consumer credit and a
general decline in consumer confidence. These conditions
continued and worsened in 2008, causing a loss of confidence in
the broader U.S. and global credit and financial markets
and resulting in the collapse of, and government intervention
in, major banks, financial institutions and insurers and
creating a climate of greater volatility, less liquidity,
widening of credit spreads, a lack of price transparency,
increased credit losses and tighter credit conditions.
Notwithstanding various actions by the U.S. and foreign
governments, concerns about the general condition of the capital
markets, financial instruments, banks, investment banks,
insurers and other financial institutions caused the broader
credit markets to further deteriorate and stock markets to
decline substantially. In addition, general economic indicators
have deteriorated, including declining consumer sentiment,
increased unemployment and declining economic growth and
uncertainty about corporate earnings.
These unprecedented disruptions in the current credit and
financial markets have had a significant material adverse impact
on a number of financial institutions and have limited access to
capital and credit for many companies. These disruptions could,
among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or
increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our
operations. Our access to additional capital may not be
available on terms acceptable to us or at all.
12
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERNCE
The SEC allows the Company to incorporate by
reference information it files with the SEC. This means
that the Company can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. Any information the Company
references in this manner is considered part of this Prospectus.
Information the Company files with the SEC after the date of
this Prospectus will automatically update and, to the extent
inconsistent, supersede the information contained in this
Prospectus. Copies of the documents incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus may be obtained on written or oral request
without charge from the Secretary of the Company at 1701 East
E Street, P.O. Box 50850, Casper, Wyoming
82605-0850
(telephone:
(307) 265-8900).
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and
future filings we make with the SEC pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)
(excluding, unless otherwise provided therein or herein,
information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and
Item 7.01 on any Current Report on
Form 8-K)
after the date of the initial filing of this registration
statement on
Form S-3
to which this Prospectus relates until the termination of the
offering under this Prospectus.
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(a) |
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the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008, which report contains
the audited financial statements of the Company and the notes
thereto as at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and for the three
years ended December 31, 2008, together with the
auditors report thereon, as filed on March 12, 2009; |
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(b) |
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the Companys Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated
April 30, 2009, in connection with the Companys
June 10, 2009 annual general meeting of shareholders, as
filed on April 30, 2009; |
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(c) |
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the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, which report contains
the unaudited financial statements of the Company and the notes
thereto as at June 30, 2009 and for the three and six month
periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, as filed on
August 10, 2009; |
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the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, which report contains
the unaudited financial statements of the Company and the notes
thereto as at March 31, 2009 and for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, as filed on
May 11, 2009; |
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(e) |
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the Companys Current Reports on
Form 8-K
filed January 8, 2009 and June 16, 2009; |
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(f) |
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the description of the Companys common stock contained in
its registration statement on
Form SB-2,
as amended
(No. 333-12633),
as filed on March 15, 2002, including any amendment or
report filed for purposes of updating such description; and |
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(g) |
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all other documents filed by us with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
after the date of this Prospectus but before the end of the
offering of the Securities pursuant to this Prospectus. |
13
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by
reference contain forward-looking-statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such forward-looking statements concern the Companys
anticipated results and developments in the Companys
operations in future periods, planned exploration and, if
warranted, development of its properties, plans related to its
business and other matters that may occur in the future. These
statements relate to analyses and other information that are
based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not
yet determinable and assumptions of management.
Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect
to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections,
objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often,
but not always, using words or phrases such as
expects or does not expect, is
expected, anticipates or does not
anticipate, plans, estimates or
intends, or stating that certain actions, events or
results may, could, would,
might or will be taken, occur or be
achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors which could cause actual events or results to
differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements, including, without limitation:
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risks related to our limited operating history;
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risks related to the probability that our properties contain
reserves;
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risks related to our past losses and expected losses in the near
future;
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risks related to our need for qualified personnel for exploring
for, starting and operating a mine;
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risks related to our lack of known reserves;
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risks related to the fluctuation of uranium prices;
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risks related to environmental laws and regulations;
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risks related to using our in-situ recovery mining process;
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risks related to exploration and, if warranted, development of
our properties;
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risks related to some of our officers having other commitments
for their time and attention;
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risks related to our ability to make property payment
obligations;
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risks related to the competitive nature of the mining
industry; and
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risks related to our securities.
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This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our
forward-looking statements. Some of the important risks and
uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements are
described further under the sections titled Risk Factors
and Uncertainties of this Prospectus. Should one or more
of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from those anticipated, believed, estimated or
expected. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any
such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
made. We disclaim any obligation subsequently to revise any
forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or
unanticipated events.
We
qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this
Prospectus by the foregoing cautionary statements.
14
RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS
Filing of
Canadian Prospectus
On July 9, 2009, the Company filed a prospectus pursuant to
the multi-jurisdictional disclosure system between the United
States and Canada with the securities regulatory authorities in
the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and
Prince Edward Island, which upon final receipt, will permit the
Company to offer and sell the Securities for gross proceeds of
up to $50,000,000. The Securities that may be sold in the
provinces and territories of Canada named above, together with
the Securities to be sold in the United States pursuant to this
Prospectus, will not exceed $50,000,000.
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of Securities will be
used by the Company for acquisitions, exploration and
development of existing or acquired mineral properties, working
capital requirements, to repay indebtedness outstanding from
time to time or for other general corporate purposes. The
Company may, from time to time, issue Common Shares or other
securities otherwise than through the offering of Securities
pursuant to this Prospectus.
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The Company did not have any fixed charges during the five
fiscal years ending December 31, 2008. Accordingly, we have
no ratio of earnings to fixed charges to illustrate for such
periods.
The Company has computed the ratio of earnings to fixed charges
by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose,
earnings consist of income/(loss) from operations
before income tax, minority interest adjustments and changes in
accounting principles and fixed charges, and fixed
charges consist of the interest portion of rental expense
and interest incurred.
DESCRIPTION
OF COMMON SHARES
Common
Shares
The Company is authorized to issue 200,000,000 common shares of
the Company of which, as of August 18, 2009, 55,539,887 are
issued and outstanding. The common shares of the Company are
entitled to one vote per common share of the Company on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the
election of directors. Except as otherwise required by law the
holders of common shares of the Company will possess all voting
power. Generally, all matters to be voted on by stockholders
must be approved by a majority (or, in the case of election of
directors, by a plurality) of the votes entitled to be cast by
all common shares of the Company that are present in person or
represented by proxy. Holders of common shares of the Company
representing
331/3%
of our capital stock issued, outstanding and entitled to vote,
represented in person or by proxy, are necessary to constitute a
quorum at any meeting of our stockholders. A vote by the holders
of a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company is
required to effectuate certain fundamental corporate changes
such as liquidation, merger or an amendment to our Articles of
Incorporation. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for
cumulative voting in the election of directors.
The holders of common shares of the Company will be entitled to
such cash dividends as may be declared from time to time by our
board of directors from funds available therefor.
Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of
common shares of the Company will be entitled to receive pro
rata all assets available for distribution to such holders.
In the event of any merger or consolidation with or into another
company in connection with which common shares of the Company
are converted into or exchangeable for shares of stock, other
securities or property (including cash), all holders of common
shares of the Company will be entitled to receive the same kind
and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property
(including cash).
Holders of common shares of the Company have no pre-emptive
rights or conversion rights and there are no redemption
provisions applicable to our common stock.
15
Preferred
Stock
The Company is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 of preferred
stock of which, as of August 18, 2009, none was issued and
outstanding. The preferred stock may be divided into and issued
in series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is
authorized to divide the authorized shares of preferred stock
into one or more series, each of which shall be so designated as
to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other
series and classes. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is
authorized, within the limitations prescribed by law and its
Articles of Incorporation, to fix and determine the
designations, rights, qualifications, preferences, limitations
and terms of the shares of any series of preferred stock.
We refer you to our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and the
applicable statutes of the State of Nevada for a more complete
description of the rights and liabilities of holders of our
securities.
Cash
dividends
As of the date of this Prospectus, we have not paid any cash
dividends to stockholders. The declaration of any future cash
dividend will be at the discretion of our board of directors and
will depend upon our earnings, if any, our capital requirements
and financial position, our general economic conditions, and
other pertinent conditions. It is our present intention not to
pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future, but rather to
reinvest earnings, if any, in our exploration activities.
Warrants
We have issued and do have outstanding 4,932,498 warrants to
purchase our shares of common stock as of August 18, 2009,
as follows:
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4,932,498 exercisable at $3.50, expiring April 15, 2010.
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DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Company may issue Debt Securities in one or more series
under an indenture (the Indenture), to be entered
into among the Company, Computershare Trust Company of
Canada as Canadian trustee, and Computershare
Trust Company, N.A., as U.S. trustee. The Indenture
will be subject to and governed by the United States
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
Trust Indenture Act). A copy of the form of the
Indenture will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this Prospectus forms a part and
will be filed on SEDAR. The following description sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities and
is not intended to be complete. For a more complete description,
prospective investors should refer to the Indenture and the
terms of the Debt Securities. If Debt Securities are issued, the
Company will describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
the particular terms and provisions of any series of the Debt
Securities and a description of how the general terms and
provisions described below may apply to that series of the Debt
Securities. Prospective investors should rely on information in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement and not on the following
information to the extent that the information in such
Prospectus Supplement is different from the following
information. The Company will file as exhibits to the
registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or
will incorporate by reference from a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC, any supplemental indenture
describing the terms and conditions of Debt Securities the
Company is offering before the issuance of such Debt Securities.
The Company may issue debt securities and incur additional
indebtedness other than through the offering of Debt Securities
pursuant to this Prospectus.
General
The Indenture will not limit the aggregate principal amount of
Debt Securities that the Company may issue under the Indenture
and will not limit the amount of other indebtedness that the
Company may incur. The Indenture will provide that the Company
may issue Debt Securities from time to time in one or more
series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars,
Canadian dollars or any foreign currency. Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Debt
Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company. The
Indenture will also permit the Company to increase the principal
amount of any series of the Debt Securities previously issued
and to issue that increased principal amount.
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The applicable Prospectus Supplement for any series of Debt
Securities that the Company offers will describe the specific
terms of the Debt Securities and may include, but is not limited
to, any of the following:
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the title of the Debt Securities;
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the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;
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the percentage of principal amount at which the Debt Securities
will be issued;
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whether payment on the Debt Securities will be senior or
subordinated to the Companys other liabilities or
obligations;
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whether payment of the Debt Securities will be guaranteed by any
other person;
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the date or dates, or the methods by which such dates will be
determined or extended, on which the Company may issue the Debt
Securities and the date or dates, or the methods by which such
dates will be determined or extended, on which the Company will
pay the principal and any premium on the Debt Securities and the
portion (if less than the principal amount) of Debt Securities
to be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity;
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whether the Debt Securities will bear interest, the interest
rate (whether fixed or variable) or the method of determining
the interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, the
dates on which the Company will pay interest and the record
dates for interest payments, or the methods by which such dates
will be determined or extended;
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the place or places the Company will pay principal, premium, if
any, and interest and the place or places where Debt Securities
can be presented for registration of transfer or exchange;
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whether and under what circumstances the Company will be
required to pay any additional amounts for withholding or
deduction for Canadian taxes with respect to the Debt
Securities, and whether and on what terms the Company will have
the option to redeem the Debt Securities rather than pay the
additional amounts;
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whether the Company will be obligated to redeem or repurchase
the Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking or purchase fund or
other provisions, or at the option of a holder and the terms and
conditions of such redemption;
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whether the Company may redeem the Debt Securities prior to
maturity and the terms and conditions of any such redemption;
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the denominations in which the Company will issue any registered
Debt Securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any
multiple of $l,000 and, if other than denominations of $5,000,
the denominations in which any unregistered debt security shall
be issuable;
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whether the Company will make payments on the Debt Securities in
a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars or by
delivery of the Companys common shares or other property;
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whether payments on the Debt Securities will be payable with
reference to any index, formula or other method;
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whether the Company will issue the Debt Securities as global
securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for the
global securities;
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whether the Company will issue the Debt Securities as
unregistered securities, registered securities or both;
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any changes or additions to events of default or covenants
whether or not such events of default or covenants are
consistent with the events of default or covenants in the
Indenture;
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the applicability of, and any changes or additions to, the
provisions for defeasance described under Defeasance
below;
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whether the holders of any series of Debt Securities have
special rights if specified events occur;
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the terms, if any, for any conversion or exchange of the Debt
Securities for any other securities;
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provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of any
rights or terms attaching to the Debt Securities; and
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any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or
limitations on such rights and preferences) including covenants
and events of default which apply solely to a particular series
of the Debt Securities being offered which do not apply
generally to other Debt Securities, or any covenants or events
of default generally applicable to the Debt Securities which do
not apply to a particular series of the Debt Securities.
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Unless stated otherwise in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
no holder of Debt Securities will have the right to require the
Company to repurchase the Debt Securities and there will be no
increase in the interest rate if the Company becomes involved in
a highly leveraged transaction or the Company has a change of
control.
The Company may issue Debt Securities bearing no interest or
interest at a rate below the prevailing market rate at the time
of issuance, and offer and sell the Debt Securities at a
discount below their stated principal amount. The Company may
also sell any of the Debt Securities for a foreign currency or
currency unit, and payments on the Debt Securities may be
payable in a foreign currency or currency unit. In any of these
cases, the Company will describe certain Canadian federal and
U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The Company may issue Debt Securities with terms different from
those of Debt Securities previously issued and, without the
consent of the holders thereof, the Company may reopen a
previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue
additional Debt Securities of such series (unless the reopening
was restricted when such series was created).
Ranking
and Other Indebtedness
Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations
and will rank equally with all of the Companys other
unsecured and other subordinated debt from time to time
outstanding and equally with other Debt Securities issued under
the Indenture. The Indenture will provide that the Debt
Securities will be subordinated to and junior in right of
payment to all present and future Senior Indebtedness.
Senior Indebtedness will be defined in the Indenture
as: (a) all indebtedness of the Company in respect of
borrowed money, other than: (i) indebtedness evidenced by
the Debt Securities; and (ii) indebtedness which, by the
terms of the instrument creating or evidencing it, is expressed
to rank in right of payment equally with or subordinate to the
indebtedness evidenced by the Debt Securities; (b) all
obligations of the Company for the reimbursement of amounts paid
pursuant to any letter of credit, bankers acceptance or
similar credit transaction; and (c) all obligations of the
type referred to in paragraphs (a) through (b) above
of other persons for the payment of which the Company is
responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise. For
greater certainty, Senior Indebtedness will include
all indebtedness of the Company for borrowed money which is
outstanding as at the date of the Indenture.
The Companys Board of Directors may establish the extent
and manner, if any, to which payment on or in respect of a
series of Debt Securities will be senior or will be subordinated
to the prior payment of the Companys other liabilities and
obligations, other than Senior Indebtedness, and whether the
payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any,
will be guaranteed by any other person and the nature and
priority of any security.
Debt
Securities in Global Form
The
Depositary and Book-Entry
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, a series of the Debt Securities may be issued in
whole or in part in global form as a global security
and will be registered in the name of or issued in bearer form
and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of
which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement
relating to that series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or
in part, for the Debt Securities in
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definitive registered form, a global security may not be
transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global
security to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the
depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the
depositary or by the depositary or any such nominee to a
successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to
any portion of a particular series of the Debt Securities to be
represented by a global security will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The
Company anticipates that the provisions described in this
section will apply to all depositary arrangements.
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary therefor
or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration
system, the respective principal amounts of the Debt Securities
represented by the global security to the accounts of such
persons, designated as participants, having accounts
with such depositary or its nominee. Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating
in the distribution of the Debt Securities or by the Company if
such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the
Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security
will be limited to participants or persons that may hold
beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of
beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and
the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the depositary therefor or its nominee
(with respect to interests of participants) or by participants
or persons that hold through participants (with respect to
interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some
states in the United States may require that certain purchasers
of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form.
So long as the depositary for a global security or its nominee
is the registered owner of the global security or holder of a
global security in bearer form, such depositary or such nominee,
as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder
of the Debt Securities represented by the global security for
all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below,
owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be
entitled to have a series of the Debt Securities represented by
the global security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such series of
the Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on global securities registered in the name of a depositary
or securities registrar will be made to the depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the
global security representing such Debt Securities. None of the
Company, any trustee or any paying agent for the Debt Securities
represented by the global securities will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of the global security or for maintaining, supervising
or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests.
The Company expects that the depositary for a global security or
its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium,
if any, or interest, if any, will credit participants
accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the
global security as shown on the records of such depositary or
its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global
security held through such participants will be governed by
standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the
case with securities held for the accounts of customers
registered in street name, and will be the
responsibility of such participants.
Discontinuance
of Depositarys Services
If a depositary for a global security representing a particular
series of the Debt Securities is at any time unwilling or unable
to continue as depositary or, if at any time the depositary for
such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing
under the Exchange Act, and a successor depositary is not
appointed by us within 90 days, the Company will issue such
series of the Debt Securities in definitive form in exchange for
a global security representing such series of the Debt
Securities. If an event of default under the Indenture has
occurred and is continuing, Debt Securities in definitive form
will be printed and delivered upon written request by the holder
to the appropriate trustee. In addition, the Company may at any
time and in the Companys sole discretion determine not to
have a series of the Debt Securities represented by a global
security and, in such event, will issue a series of the Debt
Securities in definitive form in exchange for all of the global
securities representing that series of Debt Securities.
Debt
Securities in Definitive Form
A series of the Debt Securities may be issued in definitive
form, solely as registered securities, solely as unregistered
securities or as both registered securities and unregistered
securities. Registered securities will be issuable in
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denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 and
unregistered securities will be issuable in denominations of
$5,000 and integral multiples of $5,000 or, in each case, in
such other denominations as may be set out in the terms of the
Debt Securities of any particular series. Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered
securities will have interest coupons attached.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest,
if any, on the Debt Securities (other than global securities)
will be made at the office or agency designated by the Company,
or at the Companys option the Company can pay principal,
interest, if any, and premium, if any, by cheque mailed or
delivered to the address of the person entitled at the address
appearing in the security register of the trustee or electronic
funds wire or other transmission to an account of persons who
meet certain thresholds set out in the Indenture who are
entitled to receive payments by wire transfer. Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment of
interest, if any, will be made to the persons in whose name the
Debt Securities are registered at the close of business on the
day or days specified by the Company.
At the option of the holder of Debt Securities, registered
securities of any series will be exchangeable for other
registered securities of the same series, of any authorized
denomination and of a like aggregate principal amount. If, but
only if, provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement,
unregistered securities (with all unmatured coupons, except as
provided below, and all matured coupons in default) of any
series may be exchanged for registered securities of the same
series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount and tenor. In such event, unregistered
securities surrendered in a permitted exchange for registered
securities between a regular record date or a special record
date and the relevant date for payment of interest shall be
surrendered without the coupon relating to such date for payment
of interest, and interest will not be payable on such date for
payment of interest in respect of the registered security issued
in exchange for such unregistered security, but will be payable
only to the holder of such coupon when due in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture. Unless otherwise specified in an
applicable Prospectus Supplement, unregistered securities will
not be issued in exchange for registered securities.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement may indicate the places to
register a transfer of the Debt Securities in definitive form.
Service charges may be payable by the holder for any
registration of transfer or exchange of the Debt Securities in
definitive form, and the Company may, in certain instances,
require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charges payable in connection with these transactions.
The Company shall not be required to:
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issue, register the transfer of or exchange any series of the
Debt Securities in definitive form during a period beginning at
the opening of 15 business days before any selection of
securities of that series of the Debt Securities to be redeemed
and ending on the relevant date of notice of such redemption, as
provided in the Indenture;
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register the transfer of or exchange any registered security in
definitive form, or portion thereof, called for redemption,
except the unredeemed portion of any registered security being
redeemed in part;
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exchange any unregistered security called for redemption except
to the extent that such unregistered security may be exchanged
for a registered security of that series and like tenor;
provided that such registered security will be simultaneously
surrendered for redemption with written instructions for payment
consistent with the provisions of the Indenture; or
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issue, register the transfer of or exchange any of the Debt
Securities in definitive form which have been surrendered for
repayment at the option of the holder, except the portion, if
any, of such Debt Securities not to be so repaid.
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Merger,
Amalgamation or Consolidation
The Indenture will provide that the Company may not amalgamate
or consolidate with, merge into or enter into any statutory
arrangement with any other person or, directly or indirectly,
convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the
Companys properties and assets to another person, unless
among other items:
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the resulting, surviving or transferee person is organized and
existing under the laws of Canada, or any province or territory
thereof, the United States, any state thereof or the District of
Columbia, or, if the amalgamation, merger, consolidation,
statutory arrangement or other transaction would not impair the
rights of holders, any other country;
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the resulting, surviving or transferee person, if other than the
Company, assumes all of the Companys obligations under the
Debt Securities and the Indenture; and
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immediately after the transaction, no default or event of
default under the Indenture shall have happened and be
continuing.
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When such a successor person assumes the Companys
obligations in such circumstances, subject to certain
exceptions, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations
and covenants under the Debt Securities and the Indenture.
Additional
Amounts
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, all payments made by or on behalf of the Company
under or with respect to the Debt Securities issued in Canada of
any series will be made free and clear of and without
withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or
future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other government
charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities
related thereto) imposed or levied by or on behalf of the
Government of Canada or of any province or territory thereof or
by any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to
tax (Canadian Taxes), unless the Company is required
to withhold or deduct Canadian Taxes by law or by the
interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant
government authority or agency.
If the Company is so required to withhold or deduct any amount
for or on account of Canadian Taxes from any payment made under
or with respect to the Debt Securities issued in Canada, the
Company will pay, unless otherwise specified, as additional
interest such additional amounts, (the Additional
Amounts), as may be necessary so that the net amount
received by a holder of the Debt Securities issued in Canada
after such withholding or deduction will not be less than the
amount such holder of the Debt Securities issued in Canada would
have received if such Canadian Taxes had not been withheld or
deducted (a similar payment will also be made to holders of the
Debt Securities issued in Canada, other than excluded holders
(as defined herein), that are exempt from withholding but
required to pay tax under Part XIII of the Income Tax
Act (Canada) (the Tax Act), directly on amounts
otherwise subject to withholding); provided, however, that no
additional amounts will be payable with respect to a payment
made to a holder (an excluded holder) if the Holder
of the Debt Securities issued in Canada or the beneficial owner
of some or all of the payment to the Holder:
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does not deal at arms length with the Company (for
purposes of the Tax Act) at the time of the making of such
payment;
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is subject to such Canadian Taxes by reason of the Debt
Securities holders failure to comply with any
certification, identification, information, documentation or
other reporting requirement if compliance is required by law,
regulation, administrative practice or an applicable treaty as a
precondition to exemption from, or a reduction in the rate of
deduction or withholding of, such Canadian Taxes;
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is subject to such Canadian Taxes by reason of the Debt
Securities holder being a resident, domicile or national of, or
engaged in business or maintaining a permanent establishment or
other physical presence in or otherwise having some connection
with Canada or any province or territory thereof otherwise than
by the mere holding of the Debt Securities or the receipt of
payments thereunder; or
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is subject to such Canadian Taxes because it is not entitled to
the benefit of an otherwise applicable tax treaty by reason of
the legal nature of such holder of the Debt Securities.
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The Company will make such withholding or deduction and remit
the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority
as and when required in accordance with applicable law. The
Company will pay all taxes, interest and other liabilities which
arise by virtue of any failure of the Company to withhold,
deduct and remit to the relevant authority on a timely basis the
full amounts required in accordance with applicable law. The
Company will furnish to the holder of the Debt Securities issued
in Canada, within 60 days after the date the payment of any
Canadian Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified
copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by the Company.
21
The foregoing obligations shall survive any termination,
defeasance or discharge of the Indenture.
Tax
Redemption
If and to the extent specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Debt Securities issued in Canada of a series
will be subject to redemption at any time, in whole but not in
part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount
thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date
fixed for redemption, upon the giving of a notice, if
(1) the Company determines that (a) as a result of any
change in or amendment to the laws (or any regulations or
rulings promulgated thereunder) of Canada or of any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein affecting
taxation, or any change in position regarding application or
interpretation of such laws, regulations or rulings (including a
holding by a court of competent jurisdiction), which change or
amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after a date
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement if any date is
so specified, the Company has or will become obligated to pay,
on the next succeeding date on which interest is due, Additional
Amounts with respect to any Debt Security issued in Canada of
such series or (b) on or after a date specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, any action has been taken by
any taxing authority of, or any decision has been rendered by a
court of competent jurisdiction in, Canada or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, including
any of those actions specified in (a) above, whether or not
such action was taken or decision was rendered with respect to
the Company, or any change, amendment, application or
interpretation shall be proposed, which, in any such case, in
the opinion of counsel to the Company, will result in the
Companys becoming obligated to pay, on the next succeeding
date on which interest is due, Additional Amounts with respect
to any Debt Security issued in Canada of such series and
(2) in any such case, the Company, in its business
judgment, determines that such obligation cannot be avoided by
the use of reasonable measures available to it; provided
however, that (i) no such notice of redemption may be given
earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which
the Company would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts
were a payment in respect of the Debt Securities issued in
Canada then due, and (ii) at the time such notice of
redemption is given, such obligation to pay such Additional
Amounts remains in effect.
In the event that the Company elects to redeem the Debt
Securities issued in Canada of such series pursuant to the
provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Company
shall deliver to the trustees a certificate, signed by an
authorized officer, stating that the Company is entitled to
redeem the Debt Securities issued in Canada of such series
pursuant to their terms.
Provision
of Financial Information
The Company will file with the trustees, within 20 days
after it files or furnishes them with the SEC, copies of the
Companys annual reports and of the information, documents
and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the
foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe)
which the Company is required to file or furnish with the SEC
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding that the Company may not remain subject to the
reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly
basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting
pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the
Company will continue to provide the trustees:
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within 20 days after the time periods required for the
filing or furnishing of such forms by the SEC, annual reports on
Form 10-K
or any successor form, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
or any successor form and current reports of
Form 8-K
or any successor form.
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Events of
Default
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement relating to a particular series of Debt Securities,
the following is a summary of events which will, with respect to
any series of the Debt Securities, constitute an event of
default under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities
of that series:
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the Company fails to pay principal of, or any premium on, or any
Additional Amounts in respect of, any Debt Security of that
series when it is due and payable;
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the Company fails to pay interest (including Additional Amounts)
payable on any Debt Security of that series when it becomes due
and payable, and such default continues for 30 days;
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the Company fails to make any required sinking fund or analogous
payment for that series of Debt Securities;
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the Company fails to observe or perform any of its covenants or
agreements in the Indenture that affect or are applicable to the
Debt Securities of that series for 90 days after written
notice to the Company by the trustees or to the Company and the
trustees by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of that series;
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a default (as defined in any indenture or instrument under which
the Company or one of the Companys subsidiaries has at the
date of the Indenture or will thereafter have outstanding any
indebtedness) has occurred and is continuing, or the Company or
any of its subsidiaries has failed to pay principal amounts with
respect to such indebtedness at maturity and such event of
default or failure to pay has resulted in such indebtedness
under such indenture or instrument being declared due, payable
or otherwise being accelerated, in either event so that an
amount in excess of the greater of $15,000,000 and 2% of the
Companys shareholders equity will be or become due,
payable and accelerated upon such declaration or prior to the
date on which the same would otherwise have become due, payable
and accelerated (the Accelerated Indebtedness), and
such acceleration will not be rescinded or annulled, or such
event of default or failure to pay under such indenture or
instrument will not be remedied or cured, whether by payment or
otherwise, or waived by the holders of such Accelerated
Indebtedness, then (i) if the Accelerated Indebtedness will
be as a result of an event of default which is not related to
the failure to pay principal or interest on the terms, at the
times, and on the conditions set out in any such indenture or
instrument, it will not be considered an event of default for
the purposes of the indenture governing the Debt Securities
until 30 days after such indebtedness has been accelerated,
or (ii) if the Accelerated Indebtedness will occur as a
result of such failure to pay principal or interest or as a
result of an event of default which is related to the failure to
pay principal or interest on the terms, at the times, and on the
conditions set out in any such indenture or instrument, then
(A) if such Accelerated Indebtedness is, by its terms,
non-recourse to the Company or its subsidiaries, it will be
considered an event of default for purposes of the Indenture
governing the Debt Securities; or (B) if such Accelerated
Indebtedness is recourse to the Company or its subsidiaries, any
requirement in connection with such failure to pay or event of
default for the giving of notice or the lapse of time or the
happening of any further condition, event or act under such
indenture or instrument in connection with such failure to pay
or event of default will be applicable together with an
additional seven days before being considered an event of
default for the purposes of the Indenture;
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certain events involving the Companys bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization; and
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any other event of default provided for in that series of Debt
Securities.
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A default under one series of Debt Securities will not
necessarily be a default under another series. A trustee may
withhold notice to the holders of the Debt Securities of any
default, except in the payment of principal or premium, if any,
or interest, if any, if in good faith it considers it in the
interests of the holders to do so and so advises the Company in
writing.
If an event of default (except for events involving the
Companys bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) for any
series of Debt Securities occurs and continues, a trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Debt Securities of that series may require the Company to repay
immediately:
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the entire principal and interest of the Debt Securities of the
series; or
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if the Debt Securities are discounted securities, that portion
of the principal as is described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.
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If an event of default relates to events involving the
Companys bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the
principal of all Debt Securities will become immediately due and
payable without any action by the trustee or any holder.
Subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the
affected series can rescind and annul an accelerated payment
requirement. If Debt Securities are discounted securities, the
applicable Prospectus Supplement will contain provisions
relating to the acceleration of maturity of a
23
portion of the principal amount of the discounted securities
upon the occurrence or continuance of an event of default.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not
obligated to exercise any of the rights or powers that it will
have under the Indenture at the request or direction of any
holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable
security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security
or indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of any series of Debt Securities may, subject to certain
limitations, direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to a trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon a trustee, for any series of
Debt Securities.
The Company will be required to furnish to the trustees a
statement annually as to its compliance with all conditions and
covenants under the Indenture and, if the Company is not in
compliance, the Company must specify any defaults. The Company
will also be required to notify the trustees as soon as
practicable upon becoming aware of any event of default.
No holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right
to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or
for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other
remedy, unless:
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the holder has previously given to the trustees written notice
of a continuing event of default with respect to the Debt
Securities of the affected series;
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the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected by an event
of default have made a written request, and the holders have
offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustees to institute a
proceeding as trustees; and
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the trustees have failed to institute a proceeding, and have not
received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of the series affected
by an event of default a direction inconsistent with the
request, within 60 days after receipt of the holders
notice, request and offer of indemnity.
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However, such above-mentioned limitations do not apply to a suit
instituted by the holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement
of payment of the principal of or any premium, if any, or
interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due
date specified in such Debt Security.
Defeasance
When the Company uses the term defeasance, it means
discharge from its obligations with respect to any Debt
Securities of or within a series under the Indenture. Unless
otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, if
the Company deposits with a trustee cash, government securities
or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal,
interest, if any, premium, if any, and any other sums due to the
stated maturity date or a redemption date of the Debt Securities
of a series, then at the Companys option:
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the Company will be discharged from the obligations with respect
to the Debt Securities of that series; or
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the Company will no longer be under any obligation to comply
with certain restrictive covenants under the Indenture and
certain events of default will no longer apply to the Company.
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If this happens, the holders of the Debt Securities of the
affected series will not be entitled to the benefits of the
Indenture except for registration of transfer and exchange of
Debt Securities and the replacement of lost, stolen, destroyed
or mutilated Debt Securities. These holders may look only to the
deposited fund for payment on their Debt Securities.
To exercise the defeasance option, the Company must deliver to
the trustees:
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an opinion of counsel in the United States to the effect that
the holders of the outstanding Debt Securities of the affected
series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal
income tax purposes as a result of a defeasance and will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if the defeasance had not occurred;
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an opinion of counsel in Canada or a ruling from the Canada
Revenue Agency to the effect that the holders of the outstanding
Debt Securities of the affected series will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Canadian federal, provincial or
territorial income or other tax purposes as a result of a
defeasance and will be subject to Canadian federal, provincial
or territorial income tax and other tax on the same amounts, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case had the defeasance not occurred; and
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a certificate of one of the Companys officers and an
opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
provided for relating to defeasance have been complied with.
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If the Company is to be discharged from its obligations with
respect to the Debt Securities, and not just from the
Companys covenants, the U.S. opinion must be based
upon a ruling from or published by the United States Internal
Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.
In addition to the delivery of the opinions described above, the
following conditions must be met before the Company may exercise
its defeasance option:
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no event of default or event that, with the passing of time or
the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an event of
default shall have occurred and be continuing for the Debt
Securities of the affected series;
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the Company is not an insolvent person within the
meaning of applicable bankruptcy and insolvency
legislation; and
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other customary conditions precedent are satisfied.
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Modification
and Waiver
Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the
Company and the trustees pursuant to one or more Supplemental
Indentures (a Supplemental Indenture) with the
consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of each series
affected by the modification. However, without the consent of
each holder affected, no such modification may:
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change the stated maturity of the principal of, premium, if any,
or any installment of interest, if any, on any Debt Security;
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reduce the principal, premium, if any, or rate of interest, if
any, or change any obligation of the Company to pay any
Additional Amounts;
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reduce the amount of principal of a debt security payable upon
acceleration of its maturity or the amount provable in
bankruptcy;
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change the place or currency of any payment;
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affect the holders right to require the Company to
repurchase the Debt Securities at the holders option;
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impair the right of the holders to institute a suit to enforce
their rights to payment;
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adversely affect any conversion or exchange right related to a
series of Debt Securities;
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reduce the percentage of Debt Securities required to modify the
Indenture or to waive compliance with certain provisions of the
Indenture; or
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reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding Debt
Securities necessary to take certain actions.
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The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding
Debt Securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of
all Debt Securities of that series waive, insofar as only that
series is concerned, past defaults under the Indenture and
compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions of
the Indenture. However, these holders may not waive a default in
any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any
Debt Security or compliance with a provision that cannot be
modified without the consent of each holder affected.
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The Company may modify the Indenture pursuant to a Supplemental
Indenture without the consent of any holders to:
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evidence its successor under the Indenture;
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add covenants or surrender any right or power for the benefit of
holders;
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add events of default;
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provide for unregistered securities to become registered
securities under the Indenture and make other such changes to
unregistered securities that in each case do not materially and
adversely affect the interests of holders of outstanding Debt
Securities;
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establish the forms of the Debt Securities;
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appoint a successor trustee under the Indenture;
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add provisions to permit or facilitate the defeasance and
discharge of the Debt Securities as long as there is no material
adverse effect on the holders;
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cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any defective or
inconsistent provision or make any other provisions in each case
that would not materially and adversely affect the interests of
holders of outstanding Debt Securities, if any;
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comply with any applicable laws of the United States and Canada
in order to effect and maintain the qualification of the
Indenture under such laws to the extent they do not conflict
with the applicable laws of the United States; or
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change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture where such
change takes effect when there are no Debt Securities
outstanding under the Indenture.
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Governing
Law
The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York,
except that discharge by the Canadian trustee of any of its
rights, powers, duties or responsibilities hereunder shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario
and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto.
The
Trustees
Any trustee under the Indenture or its affiliates may provide
other services to the Company in the ordinary course of their
business. If the trustee or any affiliate acquires any
conflicting interest and a default occurs with respect to the
Debt Securities, the trustee must eliminate the conflict or
resign.
Resignation
and Removal of Trustee
A trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more
series of the Debt Securities and a successor trustee may be
appointed to act with respect to such series.
Consent
to Service
In connection with the Indenture, the Company will irrevocably
designate and appoint CT Corporation System, 111 8th Avenue,
13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, as its authorized agent
upon which process may be served in any suit or proceeding
arising out of or relating to the Indenture or the Debt
Securities that may be instituted in any U.S. federal or
New York State court located in The Borough of Manhattan, in the
City of New York, or brought by the trustees (whether in
their individual capacity or in their capacity as trustees under
the Indenture), and will irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive
jurisdiction of such courts.
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Enforceability
of Judgments
Because all or substantially all of the Companys assets,
as well as the assets of most of the directors of the Company,
are within the United States, any judgment obtained in Canada
against the Company or certain of its directors, including
judgments with respect to the payment of principal on the Debt
Securities, may not be collectible within Canada.
The Company has been advised that there is doubt as to the
enforceability in the United States, by a court in original
actions or actions to enforce judgments of Canadian courts, of
civil liabilities predicated solely upon Canadian federal or
provincial securities laws.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional
information the Company may include in any applicable Prospectus
Supplements and free writing prospectuses, summarizes the
material terms and provisions of the Warrants that the Company
may offer under this Prospectus, which may consist of Warrants
to purchase Common Shares or Debt Securities and may be issued
in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or
together with Common Shares, Debt Securities or Subscription
Receipts offered by any Prospectus Supplement, and may be
attached to or separate from those Securities. While the terms
the Company has summarized below will apply generally to any
Warrants that it may offer under this Prospectus, the Company
will describe the particular terms of any series of Warrants
that it may offer in more detail in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms
of any Warrants offered under a Prospectus Supplement may differ
from the terms described below.
General
Warrants will be issued under and governed by the terms of one
or more warrant indentures (each a Warrant
Indenture) between the Company and a warrant trustee (the
Warrant Trustee) that the Company will name in the
relevant Prospectus Supplement. Each Warrant Trustee will be a
financial institution organized under the laws of Canada or any
province thereof and authorized to carry on business as a
trustee.
This summary of some of the provisions of the Warrants is not
complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any
Warrant Indenture and Warrants to be issued under this
Prospectus are summaries of certain anticipated provisions
thereof and do not purport to be complete and are subject to,
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all
provisions of the applicable Warrant Indenture. Prospective
investors should refer to the Warrant Indenture relating to the
specific Warrants being offered for the complete terms of the
Warrants. The Company will file as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this Prospectus is a part, or will
incorporate by reference from a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC, any Warrant Indenture
describing the terms and conditions of Warrants the Company is
offering before the issuance of such Warrants.
The applicable Prospectus Supplement relating to any Warrants
offered by the Company will describe the particular terms of
those Warrants and include specific terms relating to the
offering.
Equity
Warrants
The particular terms of each issue of equity warrants
(Equity Warrants) will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description will include,
where applicable:
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the designation and aggregate number of Equity Warrants;
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the price at which the Equity Warrants will be offered;
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the currency or currencies in which the Equity Warrants will be
offered;
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the date on which the right to exercise the Equity Warrants will
commence and the date on which the right will expire;
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the number of Common Shares that may be purchased upon exercise
of each Equity Warrant and the price at which and currency or
currencies in which the Common Shares may be purchased upon
exercise of each Equity Warrant;
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the designation and terms of any Securities with which the
Equity Warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the
Equity Warrants that will be offered with each Security;
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the date or dates, if any, on or after which the Equity Warrants
and the other Securities with which the Equity Warrants will be
offered will be transferable separately;
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whether the Equity Warrants will be subject to redemption and,
if so, the terms of such redemption provisions;
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whether the Company will issue the Equity Warrants as global
securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary of the
global securities;
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whether the Equity Warrants will be listed on any exchange;
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material United States and Canadian federal income tax
consequences of owning the Equity Warrants; and
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any other material terms or conditions of the Equity Warrants.
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Debt
Warrants
The particular terms of each issue of debt warrants (Debt
Warrants) will be described in the related Prospectus
Supplement. This description will include, where applicable:
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the designation and aggregate number of Debt Warrants;
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the price at which the Debt Warrants will be offered;
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the currency or currencies in which the Debt Warrants will be
offered;
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the date on which the right to exercise the Debt Warrants will
commence and the date on which the right will expire;
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the principal amount of Debt Securities that may be purchased
upon exercise of each Debt Warrant and the price at which and
currency or currencies in which that principal amount of Debt
Securities may be purchased upon exercise of each Debt Warrant;
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the designation and terms of any Securities with which the Debt
Warrants will be offered, if any, and the number of the Debt
Warrants that will be offered with each Security;
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the date or dates, if any, on or after which the Debt Warrants
and the other Securities with which the Debt Warrants will be
offered will be transferable separately;
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the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities issuable upon
the exercise of the Debt Warrants;
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the minimum or maximum amount of Debt Warrants that may be
exercised at any one time;
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whether the Debt Warrants will be subject to redemption, and, if
so, the terms of such redemption provisions;
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whether the Company will issue the Debt Warrants as global
securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary of the
global securities;
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whether the Debt Warrants will be listed on any exchange;
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material United States and Canadian federal income tax
consequences of owning the Debt Warrants; and
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any other material terms or conditions of the Debt Warrants.
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Rights of
Holders Prior to Exercise
Prior to the exercise of their Warrants, holders of Warrants
will not have any of the rights of holders of the Common Shares
or Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.
Exercise
of Warrants
Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the Securities
that the Company specifies in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement at the exercise price that the Company describes
therein. Unless the Company otherwise specifies in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of the Warrants may
exercise the Warrants at any time up to the specified time on
the expiration date that the Company sets forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. After the close of business on
the expiration date, unexercised Warrants will become void.
28
Holders of the Warrants may exercise the Warrants by delivering
the Warrant Certificate representing the Warrants to be
exercised together with specified information, and paying the
required amount to the Warrant Trustee in immediately available
funds, as provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The
Company will set forth on the Warrant Certificate and in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement the information that the holder
of the Warrant will be required to deliver to the Warrant
Trustee.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the Warrant Certificate
properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust
office of the Warrant Trustee or any other office indicated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company will issue and
deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer
than all of the Warrants represented by the Warrant Certificate
are exercised, then the Company will issue a new Warrant
Certificate for the remaining amount of Warrants. If the Company
so indicates in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, holders of
the Warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the
exercise price for Warrants.
Anti-Dilution
The Warrant Indenture will specify that upon the subdivision,
consolidation, reclassification or other material change of the
Common Shares or Debt Securities or any other reorganization,
amalgamation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the
Companys assets, the Warrants will thereafter evidence the
right of the holder to receive the securities, property or cash
deliverable in exchange for or on the conversion of or in
respect of the Common Shares or Debt Securities to which the
holder of a Common Share or Debt Security would have been
entitled immediately after such event. Similarly, any
distribution to all or substantially all of the holders of
Common Shares of rights, options, warrants, evidences of
indebtedness or assets will result in an adjustment in the
number of Common Shares to be issued to holders of Equity
Warrants.
Global
Securities
The Company may issue Warrants in whole or in part in the form
of one or more global securities, which will be registered in
the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee,
each of which will be identified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary or
permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will
describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights
and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global
security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the
exchange, registration and transfer rights relating to any
global security.
Modifications
The Warrant Indenture will provide for modifications and
alterations to the Warrants issued thereunder by way of a
resolution of holders of Warrants at a meeting of such holders
or a consent in writing from such holders. The number of holders
of Warrants required to pass such a resolution or execute such a
written consent will be specified in the Warrant Indenture.
The Company may amend any Warrant Indenture and the Warrants,
without the consent of the holders of the Warrants, to cure any
ambiguity, to cure, correct or supplement any defective or
inconsistent provision, or in any other manner that will not
materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of
outstanding Warrants.
DESCRIPTION
OF SUBSCRIPTION RECEIPTS
The Company may issue Subscription Receipts, which will entitle
holders to receive upon satisfaction of certain release
conditions and for no additional consideration, Common Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants or any combination thereof.
Subscription Receipts will be issued pursuant to one or more
subscription receipt agreements (each, a Subscription
Receipt Agreement), each to be entered into between the
Company and an escrow agent (the Escrow Agent),
which will establish the terms and conditions of the
Subscription Receipts. Each Escrow Agent will be a financial
institution organized under the laws of the United States or a
state thereof or Canada or a province thereof and authorized to
carry on business as a trustee. The Company will file as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this Prospectus
is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a current
report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC, any Subscription Receipt
Agreement describing the terms and conditions of Subscription
Receipts the Company is offering before the issuance of such
Subscription Receipts.
The following description sets forth certain general terms and
provisions of Subscription Receipts and is not intended to be
complete. The statements made in this Prospectus relating to any
Subscription Receipt Agreement and Subscription Receipts to be
issued thereunder are summaries of certain anticipated
provisions thereof and are
29
subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to,
all provisions of the applicable Subscription Receipt Agreement
and the Prospectus Supplement describing such Subscription
Receipt Agreement.
The Prospectus Supplement relating to any Subscription Receipts
the Company offers will describe the Subscription Receipts and
include specific terms relating to their offering. All such
terms will comply with the requirements of the Toronto Stock
Exchange and NYSE Amex relating to Subscription Receipts. If
underwriters or agents are used in the sale of Subscription
Receipts, one or more of such underwriters or agents may also be
parties to the Subscription Receipt Agreement governing the
Subscription Receipts sold to or through such underwriters or
agents.
General
The Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription Receipt Agreement
for any Subscription Receipts the Company offers will describe
the specific terms of the Subscription Receipts and may include,
but are not limited to, any of the following:
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the designation and aggregate number of Subscription Receipts
offered;
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the price at which the Subscription Receipts will be offered;
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the currency or currencies in which the Subscription Receipts
will be offered;
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the designation, number and terms of the Common Shares, Debt
Securities, Warrants or combination thereof to be received by
holders of Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the
release conditions, and the procedures that will result in the
adjustment of those numbers;
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the conditions (the Release Conditions) that must be
met in order for holders of Subscription Receipts to receive for
no additional consideration Common Shares, Debt Securities,
Warrants or a combination thereof;
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the procedures for the issuance and delivery of Common Shares,
Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination thereof to holders of
Subscription Receipts upon satisfaction of the Release
Conditions;
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whether any payments will be made to holders of Subscription
Receipts upon delivery of the Common Shares, Debt Securities,
Warrants or a combination thereof upon satisfaction of the
Release Conditions (e.g., an amount equal to dividends
declared on Common Shares by the Company to holders of record
during the period from the date of issuance of the Subscription
Receipts to the date of issuance of any Common Shares pursuant
to the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, or an amount
equal to interest payable by the Company in respect of Debt
Securities during the period from the date of issuance of the
Subscription Receipts to the date of issuance of the Debt
Securities pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Receipt
Agreement);
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the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will hold
all or a portion of the gross proceeds from the sale of
Subscription Receipts, together with interest and income earned
thereon (collectively, the Escrowed Funds), pending
satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
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the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Escrow Agent will
hold Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a combination
thereof pending satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
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the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent will
release all or a portion of the Escrowed Funds to the Company
upon satisfaction of the Release Conditions;
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if the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters
or agents, the terms and conditions under which the Escrow Agent
will release a portion of the Escrowed Funds to such
underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their
fees or commission in connection with the sale of the
Subscription Receipts;
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procedures for the refund by the Escrow Agent to holders of
Subscription Receipts of all or a portion of the subscription
price for their Subscription Receipts, plus any pro rata
entitlement to interest earned or income generated on such
amount, if the Release Conditions are not satisfied;
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any entitlement of the Company to purchase the Subscription
Receipts in the open market by private agreement or otherwise;
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whether the Company will issue the Subscription Receipts as
global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary for
the global securities;
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whether the Company will issue the Subscription Receipts as
bearer securities, registered securities or both;
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provisions as to modification, amendment or variation of the
Subscription Receipt Agreement or any rights or terms attaching
to the Subscription Receipts;
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the identity of the Escrow Agent;
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whether the Subscription Receipts will be listed on any exchange;
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material United States and Canadian federal tax consequences of
owning the Subscription Receipts; and
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any other terms of the Subscription Receipts.
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In addition, the Prospectus Supplement and the Subscription
Receipt Agreement for any Subscription Receipts the Company
offers will describe all contractual rights of rescission that
will be granted to initial purchasers of Subscription Receipts
in the event this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement under
which the Subscription Receipts are issued or any amendment
hereto or thereto contains a misrepresentation, as discussed
further under the
sub-paragraph
entitled Rescission below.
The holders of Subscription Receipts will not be shareholders
of the Company. Holders of Subscription Receipts are entitled
only to receive Common Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants or a
combination thereof on exchange of their Subscription Receipts,
plus any cash payments provided for under the Subscription
Receipt Agreement, if the Release Conditions are satisfied. If
the Release Conditions are not satisfied, the holders of
Subscription Receipts shall be entitled to a refund of all or a
portion of the subscription price therefor and all or a portion
of the pro rata share of interest earned or income
generated thereon, as provided in the Subscription Receipt
Agreement.
Escrow
The Escrowed Funds will be held in escrow by the Escrow Agent,
and such Escrowed Funds will be released to the Company (and, if
the Subscription Receipts are sold to or through underwriters or
agents, a portion of the Escrowed Funds may be released to such
underwriters or agents in payment of all or a portion of their
fees in connection with the sale of the Subscription Receipts)
at the time and under the terms specified by the Subscription
Receipt Agreement. If the Release Conditions are not satisfied,
holders of Subscription Receipts will receive a refund of all or
a portion of the subscription price for their Subscription
Receipts plus their pro rata entitlement to interest
earned or income generated on such amount, in accordance with
the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement. Common Shares,
Debt Securities or Warrants may be held in escrow by the Escrow
Agent, and will be released to the holders of Subscription
Receipts following satisfaction of the Release Conditions at the
time and under the terms specified in the Subscription Receipt
Agreement.
Anti-Dilution
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will specify that upon the
subdivision, consolidation, reclassification or other material
change of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants or any
other reorganization, amalgamation, merger or sale of all or
substantially all of the Companys assets, the Subscription
Receipts will thereafter evidence the right of the holder to
receive the securities, property or cash deliverable in exchange
for or on the conversion of or in respect of the Common Shares,
Debt Securities or Warrants to which the holder of a Common
Share, Debt Security or Warrant would have been entitled
immediately after such event. Similarly, any distribution to all
or substantially all of the holders of Common Shares of rights,
options, warrants, evidences of indebtedness or assets will
result in an adjustment in the number of Common Shares to be
issued to holders of Subscription Receipts whose Subscription
Receipts entitle the holders thereof to receive Common Shares.
Alternatively, such securities, evidences of indebtedness or
assets may, at the option of the Company, be issued to the
Escrow Agent and delivered to holders of Subscription Receipts
on exercise thereof. The Subscription Receipt Agreement will
also provide that if other actions of the Company affect the
Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants, which, in the
reasonable opinion of the directors of the Company, would
materially affect the rights of the holders of Subscription
Receipts
and/or the
rights attached to the Subscription Receipts, the number of
Common Shares, Debt Securities or Warrants which are to be
received pursuant to the Subscription Receipts shall be adjusted
in such manner, if any, and at such time as the directors of the
Company may in their discretion reasonably determine to be
equitable to the holders of Subscription Receipts in such
circumstances.
Rescission
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will also provide that any
misrepresentation in this Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement
under which the Subscription Receipts are offered, or any
amendment thereto, will entitle each initial purchaser of
Subscription Receipts to a contractual right of rescission
following the issuance of the Common Shares,
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Debt Securities or Warrants to such purchaser entitling such
purchaser to receive the amount paid for the Subscription
Receipts upon surrender of the Common Shares, Debt Securities or
Warrants, provided that such remedy for rescission is exercised
in the time stipulated in the Subscription Receipt Agreement.
This right of rescission does not extend to holders of
Subscription Receipts who acquire such Subscription Receipts
from an initial purchaser, on the open market or otherwise, or
to initial purchasers who acquire Subscription Receipts in the
United States.
Global
Securities
The Company may issue Subscription Receipts in whole or in part
in the form of one or more global securities, which will be
registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or
its nominee, each of which will be identified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The global securities may be in temporary
or permanent form. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will
describe the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights
and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global
security. The applicable Prospectus Supplement also will
describe the exchange, registration and transfer rights relating
to any global security.
Modifications
The Subscription Receipt Agreement will provide for
modifications and alterations to the Subscription Receipts
issued thereunder by way of a resolution of holders of
Subscription Receipts at a meeting of such holders or a consent
in writing from such holders. The number of holders of
Subscriptions Receipts required to pass such a resolution or
execute such a written consent will be specified in the
Subscription Receipt Agreement.
DESCRIPTION
OF UNITS
The following description, together with the additional
information the Company may include in any applicable Prospectus
Supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the
Units that the Company may offer under this Prospectus. While
the terms the Company has summarized below will apply generally
to any Units that the Company may offer under this Prospectus,
the Company will describe the particular terms of any series of
Units in more detail in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
The terms of any Units offered under a Prospectus Supplement may
differ from the terms described below.
The Company will file as exhibits to the registration statement
of which this Prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by
reference from a current report on
Form 8-K
that the Company files with the SEC, the form of unit agreement
(Unit Agreement) between the Company and a unit
agent (Unit Agent) that describes the terms and
conditions of the series of Units the Company is offering, and
any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related
series of Units. The following summaries of material terms and
provisions of the Units are subject to, and qualified in their
entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Unit
Agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a
particular series of Units. The Company urges you to read the
applicable Prospectus Supplements related to the particular
series of Units that the Company sells under this Prospectus, as
well as the complete Unit Agreement and any supplemental
agreements that contain the terms of the Units.
General
The Company may issue units comprising one or more of Common
Shares, Debt Securities, Warrants and Subscription Receipts in
any combination. Each Unit will be issued so that the holder of
the Unit is also the holder of each security included in the
Unit. Thus, the holder of a Unit will have the rights and
obligations of a holder of each included security. The Unit
Agreement under which a Unit is issued may provide that the
securities included in the Unit may not be held or transferred
separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
The Company will describe in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement the terms of the series of Units, including:
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the designation and terms of the Units and of the securities
comprising the Units, including whether and under what
circumstances those securities may be held or transferred
separately;
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any provisions of the governing Unit Agreement that differ from
those described below; and
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any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer
or exchange of the Units or of the securities comprising the
Units.
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The provisions described in this section, as well as those
described under Description of Common Shares,
Description of Debt Securities, Description of
Warrants, and Description of Subscription
Receipts will apply to each Unit and to any Common Share,
Debt Security, Warrant or Subscription Receipt included in each
Unit, respectively.
Issuance
in Series
The Company may issue Units in such amounts and in numerous
distinct series as the Company determines.
Enforceability
of Rights by Holders of Units
Each Unit Agent will act solely as our agent under the
applicable Unit Agreement and will not assume any obligation or
relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any Unit. A
single bank or trust company may act as Unit Agent for more than
one series of Units. A Unit Agent will have no duty or
responsibility in case of any default by the Company under the
applicable Unit Agreement or Unit, including any duty or
responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise,
or to make any demand upon the Company. Any holder of a Unit
may, without the consent of the related Unit Agent or the holder
of any other Unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its
rights as holder under any security included in the Unit.
The Company, the Unit Agents, and any of their agents may treat
the registered holder of any Unit Certificate as an absolute
owner of the Units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose
and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to
the Units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
General
The Company may offer and sell the Securities, separately or
together: (a) to one or more underwriters or dealers;
(b) through one or more agents; or (c) directly to one
or more other purchasers. The Securities offered pursuant to any
Prospectus Supplement may be sold from time to time in one or
more transactions at: (i) a fixed price or prices, which
may be changed from time to time; (ii) market prices
prevailing at the time of sale; (iii) prices related to
such prevailing market prices; or (iv) other negotiated
prices. The Company may only offer and sell the Securities
pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement during the period that this
Prospectus, including any amendments hereto, remains effective.
The Prospectus Supplement for any of the Securities being
offered thereby will set forth the terms of the offering of such
Securities, including the type of Security being offered, the
name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents, the
purchase price of such Securities, the proceeds to the Company
from such sale, any underwriting commissions or discounts and
other items constituting underwriters compensation and any
discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to
dealers. Only underwriters so named in the Prospectus Supplement
are deemed to be underwriters in connection with the Securities
offered thereby.
By
Underwriters
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. Unless otherwise
set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the
obligations of underwriters to purchase the Securities will be
subject to certain conditions, but the underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the Securities offered by the
Prospectus Supplement if any of such Securities are purchased.
The Company may offer the Securities to the public through
underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or
by underwriters without a syndicate. The Company may agree to
pay the underwriters a fee or commission for various services
relating to the offering of any Securities. Any such fee or
commission will be paid out of the general corporate funds of
the Company. The Company may use underwriters with whom it has a
material relationship. The Company will describe in the
Prospectus Supplement, naming the underwriter, the nature of any
such relationship.
By
Dealers
If dealers are used, and if so specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the Company will sell such Securities to
the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell such
Securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by
such dealers at the time of resale. Any public offering price
and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid
to dealers may be changed from time to time. The Company will
set forth the names of the dealers and the terms of the
transaction in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
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By
Agents
The Securities may also be sold through agents designated by the
Company. Any agent involved will be named, and any fees or
commissions payable by the Company to such agent will be set
forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Any such fees or
commissions will be paid out of the general corporate funds of
the Company. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for
the period of its appointment.
Direct
Sales
Securities may also be sold directly by the Company at such
prices and upon such terms as agreed to by the Company and the
purchaser. In this case, no underwriters, dealers or agents
would be involved in the offering.
General
Information
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the
distribution of the Securities offered by this Prospectus may be
deemed underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts
or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their
resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
Underwriters, dealers or agents who participate in the
distribution of Securities may be entitled under agreements to
be entered into with the Company to indemnification by the
Company against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
Canadian provincial and territorial and United States securities
legislation, or to contribution with respect to payments which
such underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make in
respect thereof. Such underwriters, dealers or agents may be
customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services
for, the Company in the ordinary course of business.
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or
sell securities not covered by this Prospectus to third parties
in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable
Prospectus Supplement indicates, in connection with those
derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by
this Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties
may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others
to settle those sales or to close out any related open
borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in
settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open
borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions
will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
One or more firms, referred to as remarketing firms,
may also offer or sell the Securities, if the Prospectus
Supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing
arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as
principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These
remarketing firms will offer or sell the Securities in
accordance with the terms of the Securities. The Prospectus
Supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of
its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing
firms compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be
underwriters in connection with the Securities they remarket.
In connection with any offering of Securities, underwriters may
over-allot or effect transactions which stabilize or maintain
the market price of the Securities offered at a level above that
which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such
transactions may be commenced, interrupted or discontinued at
any time.
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal
income tax considerations related to the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of Common Shares acquired pursuant to this
Prospectus.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does
not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all
potential United States federal income tax consequences related
to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common. In
addition, this summary does not take into account the individual
facts and circumstances of any particular holder that may affect
the United States federal income tax consequences to such
holder. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and
should not be construed as, legal or United States federal
income tax advice with respect to any holder. Each holder should
consult its own tax advisor regarding the United States federal,
state and local, and foreign tax consequences related to the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
No legal opinion from United States legal counsel or ruling from
the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) has been
requested, or will be obtained, regarding the United States
federal income tax consequences related to the
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acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This
summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded
from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to,
the positions taken in this summary.
Scope of
this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), Treasury Regulations (whether
final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS,
published administrative positions of the IRS, and United States
court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in
effect and available, as of the date of this Prospectus. Any of
the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed
in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such
change could be applied on a retroactive basis. This summary
does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or
beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could
be applied on a retroactive basis.
U.S.
Holders
As used in this summary, the term U.S. Holder
means a beneficial owner of Common Shares acquired pursuant to
this Prospectus that is for U.S. federal income tax
purposes: an individual who is a citizen or resident of the
U.S.; a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation)
organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; an estate whose income is subject to
U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or a
trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a
court within the U.S. and the control of one or more
U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has
a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
Non-U.S.
Holders
The term
Non-U.S. Holder
means any beneficial owner of Common Shares acquired pursuant to
this Prospectus that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a
partnership nor other entity or arrangement treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A
Non-U.S. Holder
should review the discussion under the heading
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to
Non-U.S. Holders
of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common
Shares below for more information.
U.S.
Holders Subject to Special United States Federal Income Tax
Rules Not Addressed
This summary deals only with persons or entities who hold our
Common Shares as a capital asset within the meaning of
Section 1221 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code). This summary does not
address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that
may be applicable to holders in light of their particular
circumstances or to holders subject to special treatment under
U.S. federal income tax law, such as (without limitation):
banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;
dealers in securities or foreign currencies; regulated
investment companies; traders in securities that mark to market;
U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.;
persons holding Common Shares as part of a straddle, appreciated
financial position, synthetic security, hedge, conversion
transaction or other integrated investment; persons holding
Common Shares as a result of a constructive sale; persons
holding Common Shares whose functional currency is not the
U.S. dollar; persons who directly, indirectly, or by
attribution own 10% or more of the Companys outstanding
equity interests; or entities that acquire Common Shares that
are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax
purposes and investors (i.e., partners) in such partnerships.
Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code,
including holders described immediately above, should consult
their own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state
and local, and foreign tax consequences arising from and
relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common
Shares.
If an entity treated as a partnership holds our Common Shares,
the tax treatment of the partners and the partnership generally
will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of
the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding
our Common Shares you should consult your own tax advisor.
Tax
Consequences Not Addressed
This summary does not address the United States state and local,
United States federal estate and gift, United States federal
alternative minimum tax, or foreign tax consequences to holders
of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of Common Shares.
Each holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the
United States state and local, United States federal estate and
gift, United States federal alternative minimum tax, and foreign
tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition
of Common Shares.
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U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders of the
Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common
Shares
Distributions
Distributions made on our Common Shares generally will be
included in a U.S. Holders income as ordinary
dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated
earnings and profits (determined under U.S. federal income
tax principles) as of the end of our taxable year in which the
distribution occurs. However, with respect to dividends received
by individuals, for taxable years beginning before
January 1, 2011, such dividends are generally taxed at the
lower applicable long-term capital gains rates, provided certain
holding period requirements are satisfied. Distributions in
excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will
be treated as a return of capital to the extent of a
U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the Common Shares
and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such
Common Shares. Dividends received by a corporation may be
eligible for a dividends received deduction, subject to
applicable limitations.
Sale,
Certain Redemptions or Other Taxable Dispositions of Common
Shares
Upon the sale, certain qualifying redemptions, or other taxable
disposition of our Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally
will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of
any property received upon such taxable disposition and
(ii) the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the
Common Shares. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term
capital gain or loss if a U.S. Holders holding period
in the Common Shares is more than one year at the time of the
taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains recognized by
certain non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals)
will generally be subject to a maximum U.S. federal income
tax rate of 15%, which maximum is currently scheduled to
increase to 20% for dispositions occurring during taxable years
beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations. A U.S. Holder who
sells Common Shares at a loss which, in the aggregate, exceeds
certain thresholds may be required to file a disclosure
statement with the IRS.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to
payments of dividends on our Common Shares and to the proceeds
of a sale of Common Shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the
U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation).
A backup withholding tax will apply to those payments if the
U.S. Holder fails to provide its correct taxpayer
identification number, or certification of exempt status, or if
the U.S. Holder is notified by the IRS that it has failed
to report in full payments of interest and dividend income. Any
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a refund or a credit against a
U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the required information is furnished in a timely
manner to the IRS.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences to
Non-U.S.
Holders of the Acquisition, Ownership and Disposition of Common
Shares
Dividends
Distributions on our Common Shares will constitute dividends for
U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from our current and
accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under
U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those
distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and
profits, they will constitute a return of capital and will first
reduce a
Non-U.S. Holders
basis in our Common Shares, but not below zero, and then will be
treated as gain from the sale of stock, which will be taxable
according to rules discussed under the heading Sale or
Exchange of Common Shares, below. Any dividends paid to a
Non-U.S. Holder
with respect to our Common Shares generally will be subject to
withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or
lower rate under an applicable treaty if the
Non-U.S. Holder
provides us with a properly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN,
unless the
Non-U.S. Holder
provides us with a properly executed IRS
Form W-8ECI
(or other applicable form) relating to income effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S.
Dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a
trade or business within the U.S. and includible in the
Non-U.S. Holders
gross income are not subject to the withholding tax (assuming
proper certification and disclosure), but instead are subject to
U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable
graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively
connected income received by a foreign corporation may, under
certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch
profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower
rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
A
Non-U.S. Holder
of Common Shares who wishes to claim the benefit of an
applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy
certain certification and other requirements. If a
Non-U.S. Holder
is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of
U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it
may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely
filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
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Sale
or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
In general, a
Non-U.S. Holder
of Common Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable
disposition of such Common Shares, unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or
business carried on by the
Non-U.S. Holder
(and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to
U.S. permanent establishment of the
Non-U.S. Holder),
in which case the
Non-U.S. Holder
will be subject to tax on the net gain from the sale at regular
graduated federal income tax rates, and if the
Non-U.S. Holder
is a corporation may be subject to branch profits tax, as
described below;
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the
Non-U.S. Holder
is an individual who is present in the U.S. for
183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and
certain other conditions are met, in which case the
Non-U.S. Holder
will be subject to a 30% tax on the gain from the sale, which
may be offset by U.S. source capital losses; or
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the Company is or has been a U.S. real property
holding corporation (USRPHC) for
U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the
shorter of the
Non-U.S. Holders
holding period or the
5-year
period ending on the date of disposition of Common Shares;
provided, that as long as our shares of Common Shares are
regularly traded on an established securities market (the
Regularly Traded Exception), a
Non-U.S. Holder
would not be subject to taxation under this rule if the
Non-U.S. Holder
has not owned more than 5% of our Common Shares at any time
during such
5-year or
shorter period. Certain attribution rules apply in determining
ownership for this purpose.
Non-U.S. Holders
should be aware that the Company has made no determination as to
whether the Company is or has been a USRPHC, and the Company can
provide no assurances that the Company is not and will not
become a USRPHC in the future. In addition, in the event that
the Company is or becomes a USRPHC,
Non-U.S. Holders
should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Common
Shares will meet the Regularly Traded Exception at the time a
Non-U.S. Holder
purchases Common Shares or sells, exchanges or otherwise
disposes of such Common Share.
Non-U.S. Holders
are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the
consequences if we have been, are or will be a USRPHC.
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If a
Non-U.S. Holder
is an individual described in the first bullet point above, he
or she will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the
sale or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares under
regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If a
Non-U.S. Holder
is a foreign corporation described in the first bullet point
above, it will be subject to tax on its net gain from such a
sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner
as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and,
in addition, it may be subject to the branch profits tax at a
gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings
and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or
lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax
treaty. If a
Non-U.S. Holder
is an individual described in the second bullet point above,
such holder will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or subject
to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale
or other taxable disposition of our Common Shares even though
such holder is not considered a resident of the U.S. The
amount of such gain may be offset by the
Non-U.S. Holders
U.S. source capital losses.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to
Non-U.S. Holders
the amount of dividends paid on our Common Shares to
Non-U.S. Holders
and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those
payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such
interest, dividends and withholding may also be made available
to the tax authorities in the country in which a
Non-U.S. Holder
resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a
Non-U.S. Holder
will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to
payments of dividends that we make, provided we receive a
statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the
Non-U.S. Holder
is not a U.S. person and we do not have actual knowledge or
reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined
under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient. The
requirements for the statement will be met if (1) the
Non-U.S. Holder
provides its name, address and U.S. taxpayer
identification number, if any, and certifies, under penalty of
perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification
may be made on IRS
Form W-8BEN)
or (2) a financial institution holding the instrument on
behalf of the
Non-U.S. Holder
certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has
been received by it and furnishes us or our paying agent with a
copy of the statement. In addition, a
Non-U.S. Holder
will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the
circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of
the proceeds of a sale of our Common Shares within the
U.S. or conducted through certain
U.S.-related
financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above
has been received, and we do not have actual knowledge or reason
to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under
the Code, that is not an exempt recipient, or the
Non-U.S. Holder
otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under
the
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backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit
against a
Non-U.S. Holders
U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required
information is furnished timely to the IRS.
INTERESTS
OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
None.
TRANSFER
AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Our registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is
Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc. located at 3200 Cherry Creek
Dr. South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The law firms of Lang Michener LLP and Dorsey &
Whitney LLP have acted as the Companys counsel by
providing an opinion on the validity of the securities offered
in this Prospectus and applicable Prospectus Supplements and
counsel named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will pass
upon legal matters for any underwriters, dealers or agents.
Certain legal matters related to the Securities offered by this
Prospectus will be passed upon on the Companys behalf by
Lang Michener LLP, with respect to matters of Nevada law, and
Dorsey & Whitney LLP, with respect to matters of New
York law.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated balance sheets as at December 31, 2008 and
2007 and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash
flows and stockholders equity for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2008 and accumulated from
May 26, 1999 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2008
have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the
report of Manning Elliott LLP, independent registered public
accounting firm, given upon the authority of that firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings
are available to the public over the Internet at the SECs
web site at
http://www.sec.gov.
This Prospectus is part of a registration statement and, as
permitted by SEC rules, does not contain all of the information
included in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is
made in this Prospectus to any of our contracts or other
documents, the reference may not be complete and, for a copy of
the contract or document, you should refer to the exhibits that
are part of the registration statement. You may call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for more information on the public reference rooms and their
copy charges. You may also read and copy any document we file
with the SEC at the SECs public reference rooms at:
100 F Street, N.E.
Room 1580
Washington, D.C. 20549
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