UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a–12

 

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
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SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 16101605

Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K4

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MONDAY,THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 202118, 2024

 

To the Shareholders of Silver Bull Resources, Inc.:

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Silver Bull Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Silver Bull”Bull or the “Company”Company), will be held at the Company’s offices at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K4, on Monday,Thursday, April 12, 202118, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local time for the purpose of considering and voting upon proposals to:

  1. Elect four (4) directors, each to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or until their successors are elected and qualified;
  2. Ratify and approve the appointment of Smythe LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021;2024;
  3. Ratify and approve the key persons retention agreement, dated as of October 13, 2023, by and between the Company and the persons named therein;
  4. Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers;
  5. Approve, and adopt amended and restated articleson a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency of incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock from 37.5 million to ● and to make certain non-substantive amendments (please see pages 5 and 6 of the enclosed proxy statement for important details regarding this proposal);future advisory votes on executive compensation; and
  6. Transact such other business as may lawfully come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on ●, 2021February 22, 2024 as the record date for determination of the Company’s shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. This Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and related proxy materials are being distributed or made available to shareholders beginning on or about ●, 2021.February [●], 2024.

Under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities rules, we have elected to use the Internet for delivery of our annual meeting materials to our shareholders, enabling us to provide them with the information they need, while lowering the costs of delivery and reducing the environmental impact associated with our annual meeting. Our proxy materials are available at www.proxyvote.com. We also post our proxy materials on our website at www.silverbullresources.com/investors/agm.

We cordially invite you to attend the annual meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Please refer to your proxy card or Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for more information on how to vote your shares at the meeting and return your voting instructions as promptly as possible.

Thank you for your support.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

 

BRIAN D. EDGAR, CHAIRMAN

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MONDAY,THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 202118, 2024

 

Our Notice of Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at

www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

 
 

20212024 PROXY STATEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING1
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT76
MANAGEMENT87
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS15
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE15
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS1718
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END24
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS2520
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION2725
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS2725
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE2827
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE2927
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS3028
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM3129
PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL OF THE KEY PERSONS RETENTION AGREEMENT30
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS3236
PROPOSAL 4: INCREASE THE NUMBER5: APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF AUTHORIZED SHARESthe FREQUENCY OF SILVER BULL COMMON STOCKFUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION3437
ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS3638
OTHER MATTERS3638
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS36
Annex A: AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATIONA-1
Annex B: MARKED VERSION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATIONB-138

ANNEX A: EVANS & EVANS, INC. REASONABLENESS LETTER

 

i

 
 

PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

 

Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 16101605

Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K4

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

MONDAY,THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 202118, 2024

 

ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”Proxy Statement) is furnished to shareholders (“Shareholders”) of Silver Bull Resources, Inc. (“Silver Bull,” the “Company,Company,“us,us,” or “we”we) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Silver Bull (the “Board”Board), on behalf of the Company, to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”Meeting). The Meeting will be held at the Company’s offices at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K4, on Monday,Thursday, April 12, 202118, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. local time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. The Meeting is being held for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The Meeting will be held observing all COVID-19 protocols, including mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing of at least two meters. No refreshments will be served and all attendees will disperse immediately after the meeting chair declares the Meeting adjourned.

We have elected to provide access to our proxy materials on the Internet under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”SEC) and Canadian securities regulators’ “notice and access” rules. Our proxy materials are available at www.proxyvote.com. We also post our proxy materials on our website at www.silverbullresources.com/investors/agm/. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and related proxy materials are being made available to shareholdersShareholders beginning on or about ●, 2021.February [●], 2024.

All references to currency in this Proxy Statement are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

On or about ●, 2021,February [●], 2024, we will furnish a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“Notice”Notice) to our shareholdersShareholders containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials and vote online. In addition, instructions on how to request a printed copy of these materials may be found on the Notice. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a paper copy of the proxy materials unless you request such materials by following the instructions contained on the Notice. Your vote is important regardless of the extent of your holdings.

Solicitation Costs

The cost of preparing and mailing the Notice, handling requests for proxy materials, and the cost of solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board will be borne by the Company. Proxies may be solicited personally or via mail, telephone or facsimile by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company, none of whom will receive any additional compensation for such solicitations. The Company has no present plans for the third-party solicitation of proxies for the Meeting.

 

Dissenters Rights

The proposed corporate actions on which the Company’s shareholdersShareholders are being asked to vote are not corporate actions for which shareholders of a Nevada corporation have the right to dissent under the Nevada Private Corporations Chapter of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Nev. Rev. Stat. 78.

What is the purpose of the Meeting?

At our Meeting, shareholdersShareholders will vote on the following items of business:

  1. Elect four (4) directors, each to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholdersShareholders of the Company or until their successors are elected and qualified;
  2. Ratify and approve the appointment of Smythe LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants (“Smythe”Smythe), as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2020;2024;
  3. Ratify and approve the key persons retention agreement, dated as of October 13, 2023, by and between the Company and the persons named therein (the “Key Persons Retention Agreement”);
  4. Approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement; and
  5. Approve, and adopt amended and restated articleson a non-binding advisory basis, the frequency of incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock from 37.5 million to ● and to make certain non-substantive amendments (the “A&R Articles”). Please see pages 5 and 6 for important details regarding this proposal.future advisory votes on executive compensation.

You will also vote on such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any postponement(s) or adjournment(s) thereof.

What are the Board’s recommendations?

The Board recommends that you vote:

1.FOR” the election of the four (4) nominated directors;
2.FOR” the ratificationproposal to ratify and approval ofapprove the appointment of Smythe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021;2024;
3.FOR” the approval,proposal to ratify and approve the Key Persons Retention Agreement;
4.FOR” the proposal to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers; and
4.5.FORFor the proposal to increaseapprove, on a non-binding advisory basis, the numberfrequency of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock by approving and adopting the A&R Articles.future advisory votes on executive compensation every “THREE YEARS.”

At this time, our management does not intend to present other items of business and knows of no items of business that are likely to be brought before the Meeting, except those described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by such proxy in accordance with their best judgment on the matters.

What shares are entitled to vote?

As of the close of business on ●, 2021,February 22, 2024, the record date for the Meeting (“Record Date”), we had [●] shares of Silver Bull common stock outstanding. Each share of Silver Bull common stock outstanding on the record dateRecord Date is entitled to one vote on all items being voted on at the Meeting. You can vote all of the shares that you owned on the record date.Record Date. These shares include (i) shares held directly in your name as the shareholderShareholders of record and (ii) shares held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank or other nominee.

What is required to approve each item and how will abstentions and “broker non-votes” be counted?

  1. For Proposal 1 (election of directors), four��four (4) candidates will be elected by a plurality vote, provided a quorum is present; however, pursuant to our Majority Voting Policy, any director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) “FOR”FOR such candidate is required to tender his written resignation to the Board. See “Majority Voting Policy” below. “Broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast “FOR”FOR or “WITHHELD”WITHHELD for such candidate and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
  2. For Proposal 2 (ratification and approval of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm), the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting is required for ratification and approval, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against this proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
  3. For Proposal 3 (ratification and approval of the Key Persons Retention Agreement), the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting by Shareholders other than Messrs. Timothy T. Barry, Brian D. Edgar, Christopher Richards, Juan Manuel Lopez Ramirez and David Xuan (together, the “Key Persons”) together with the associates and affiliates of the Key Persons as well as any other persons excluded from voting in accordance with Section 8.1(2) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) and Section 501(c) of the TSX Company Manual (together with the Key Persons, the “Excluded Shareholders”), provided a quorum is present. To the knowledge of the Company, the aggregate number of shares held by Excluded Shareholders and votes to be excluded is [●], assuming that all Excluded Shareholders cast the votes attaching to their common stock. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against this proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
  4. For Proposal 4 (advisory vote on executive compensation), the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting is required for approval, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against this proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Because your vote on this proposal is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board or the Company. However, the Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding executive compensation.
  5. For Proposal 4 (to approve and adopt5 (advisory vote on the A&R Articles)frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation), the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the outstanding shares of Silver Bull common stockMeeting is required for approval, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions with respect toand “broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against this proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Because your vote on this proposal is advisory, it will havenot be binding on the same effectBoard or the Company. However, the Board will review the voting results and take them into consideration when making future decisions regarding the frequency of a vote “AGAINST” the proposal.future advisory votes on executive compensation.

How do I vote my shares?

Each share of Silver Bull common stock that you own entitles you to one vote. Your Notice or proxy card shows the number of shares of Silver Bull common stock that you own. You may elect to vote in one of the following methods:

If your shares are held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice or proxy materials, as applicable, are being forwarded to you by that organization. The organization holding your account is considered the shareholder of record for purposes of voting at the Meeting.

Your Voting Instruction Form from Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”Broadridge) or your Notice provides information on how to vote your shares. Additionally, Silver Bull may utilize the Broadridge Quickvote service to assist eligible beneficial owners with voting their shares.

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name and do not provide the organization that holds your shares with specific voting instructions, the organization that holds your shares may generally vote on “routine” matters such as Proposal 2 (ratification and approval of appointment of independent registered public accounting firm), and Proposal 4 (to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock) but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters such as Proposal 1 (election of directors), Proposal 3 (ratification and approval of the Key Persons Retention Agreement), Proposal 4 (advisory vote on executive compensation), or Proposal 35 (advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation). Thus, if the organization that holds your shares does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a “non-routine” matter, that organization will inform the inspector of election that it does not have the authority to vote on such matter with respect to your shares. This is generally referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

Proxies submitted properly by one of the methods discussed above will be voted in accordance with the instructions contained therein. If the proxy is submitted but voting directions are not provided, the proxy will be voted “FOR”FOR” the election of each of the four (4) director nominees, “FOR”FOR the ratificationproposal to ratify and approval ofapprove the appointment of Smythe as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021, “FOR”2024, “FOR the approval,proposal to ratify and approve the Key Persons Retention Agreement, “FOR” the proposal to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, and “FOR”for the proposal to approve, and adopton a non-binding advisory basis, the A&R Articles,frequency of future advisory votes on executive compensation every “THREE YEARS,” and in such manner as the proxy holders named on the proxy, in their discretion, determine upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Who may attend the Meeting?

All shareholdersShareholders as of the record date,Record Date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Meeting. If you are not a shareholderShareholder of record but hold shares through a broker or bank (i.e., in street name), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date,Record Date, such as your most recent account statement as of ●, 2021,the Record Date, a copy of the voting instruction card provided by your broker, bank or other holder of record, or other similar evidence of ownership. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the Meeting.

How may I vote my shares in person at the Meeting?

Shares held in your name as the shareholder of record may be voted in person at the Meeting. Shares held beneficially in street name may be voted in person only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank or other holder of record that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instructions prior to the Meeting as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Meeting.

May I change my vote or revoke my proxy after I return my proxy card?

Yes. Even after you have submitted your proxy, you may change the votes you cast or revoke your proxy at any time before the votes are cast at the MeetingMeeting: (i) by delivering a written notice of your revocation to our principal executive office, if sent by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, P.O. Box 10427,10414, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, or, if sent other than by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada; or (ii) by executing and delivering a later-dated proxy. In addition, the powers of the proxy holders will be suspended if you attend the Meeting in person and so request, although attendance at the Meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no proxy will be counted unless it is received by the Company prior to the commencement of the Meeting.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence, in person or by proxy, of one-third5% of the shares of Silver Bull common stock outstanding as of the record dateRecord Date constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum or to approve any proposals at the time of the Meeting, the Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit further solicitation of proxies. The inspector of election will treat shares of Silver Bull common stock represented by a properly signed and returned proxy as present at the Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum, without regard to whether the proxy is marked as casting a vote or abstaining. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” as to particular matters are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting. A “broker non-vote” occurs when a nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner votes on one proposal but does not vote on another proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power and has not received instructions to do so from the beneficial owner.

What does it mean if I receive more than one proxy card?

If you receive more than one proxy card, it means that you hold shares registered in more than one name or brokerage account. You should sign and return all proxies for each proxy card that you receive in order to ensure that all of your shares are voted.

How may I vote on each of the proposals?

For the election of directors pursuant to Proposal 1, you may vote “FOR”FOR any nominee, or you may indicate that you wish to withhold authority to vote for one or more of the nominees being proposed.

For each of Proposals 2, 3 and 4, you may vote “FOR”FOR or “AGAINST”AGAINST the proposal, or you may indicate that you wish to “ABSTAIN”ABSTAIN” from voting on the proposal.

For Proposal 5, you may vote to hold such votes every “ONE YEAR,” “TWO YEARS,” or “THREE YEARS,” or you may indicate that you wish to “ABSTAIN from voting on the proposal.

Who will count the proxy votes?

We currently expect that Broadridge will tabulate the votes and that the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Christopher Richards, will serve as inspector of election for the Meeting.

How will voting on any other business be conducted?

We do not expect any matters to be presented for a vote at the Meeting other than the matters described in this Proxy Statement. If you grant a proxy, either of the officers named as proxy holder, Timothy T. Barry or Christopher Richards, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters that are properly presented for a vote at the Meeting.

Why is the Company seeking approval to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock?

As a result of the transactions contemplated by the previously disclosed option agreement (the “Copperbelt Option Agreement”), dated as of August 12, 2020, with Copperbelt AG, a corporation existing under the laws of Switzerland (“Copperbelt Parent”), and Dostyk LLP, an entity existing under the laws of Kazakhstan and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Copperbelt Parent (“Copperbelt Sub,” and together with Copperbelt Parent, “Copperbelt”), the Company is required, among other things, (i) to incur $15 million in cumulative exploration expenditures on the Beskauga property located in Kazakhstan by the fourth anniversary following the closing date in order to maintain the effectiveness of the option to acquire the Beskauga property (the “Copperbelt Option”), (ii) to pay Copperbelt up to $15 million in cash to exercise the Copperbelt Option, and (iii) to make up to $32 million in cumulative bonus payments to Copperbelt Parent if the Beskauga property is the subject of a bankable feasibility study in compliance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 indicating specified amounts of gold equivalent resources. We expect to finance substantially all of such costs through public and private issuances of common stock when we believe market conditions to be favorable.

Currently, we have 37,500,000 authorized shares of common stock. As of February 5, 2021, we had 33,713,931 shares of common stock outstanding. After taking into account the 3,505,664 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, we currently have a very limited number of shares available for issuance. For all practical purposes, the 37,500,000 authorized shares of our common stock have been fully utilized, restricting our ability to issue any more shares.

In December 2020, we solicited the approval of our shareholders to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 300 million; however, we did not receive the requisite shareholder approval. As the Company still requires future financing to fund its plans, it is proposing an increase in the number of Silver Bull authorized shares to ●, which would enable the Company, without further shareholder approval, to issue shares from time to time as may be required for various business purposes, including but not limited to raising additional capital to further the development of the Company’s assets. By increasing the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock, we will be able to act in a timely manner when the need to raise equity capital arises or when the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to take action, without the delay and expense that would be required at that time to obtain shareholder approval to increase our authorized shares. Virtually all junior exploration companies like Silver Bull remain as viable companies and conduct their mineral exploration activities by raising funds by issuing shares from time to time.

In the absence of an affirmative vote to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock, the Company will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise funds to fund its general corporate overhead or cover the costs associated with maintaining its interests in the Sierra Mojada project in Mexico or its potential mineral interests in Kazakhstan. The Company would also not have shares available to make equity incentive awards to current or potential management, the lack of which may impair our ability to incent or retain our executives.

For the sake of clarity, if this proposal is not approved by shareholders, the Company will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise funds to continue its operations, and management will need to immediately investigate all available options, including, but not limited to, seeking to dispose of the Company’s assets or engaging in a business combination. Any such transaction may not be on terms that are favorable to the Company. Continuing in business with virtually no shares available for issuance is not a sustainable path for the Company.

What are the non-substantive amendments that are included in the A&R Articles?

The two non-substantive amendments that are reflected in the A&R Articles are (i) including the name of the Company’s registered agent to comply with Nevada law and (ii) revising the description of the Company’s business purpose to simply provide that the Company is authorized to engage in any lawful activity permitted under Nevada law.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

On September 18, 2020, the Company completed a one-for-eight reverse stock split of the shares of Silver Bull common stock. All share and per share information in this Proxy Statement has been adjusted to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split.

Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners

The number of shares of Silver Bull common stock outstanding as of February 5, 20219, 2024 was 33,713,931.47,365,652. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Silver Bull common stock beneficially owned by (i) each person who owned of record, or was known to own beneficially, more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities, (ii) each of the Company’s directors, nominees and named executive officers, and the number of shares beneficially owned by(iii) all of the directors, nominees, and named executive officers as a group:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1)

Position

Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (2)

Percent of Common Stock

Brian D. EdgarChairman and Director 1,499,266(4)4.38%
Timothy T. BarryPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director 586,247(5)1.72%
Sean C. FallisFormer Chief Financial Officer (3) 439,312(6)1.29%
Daniel J. KunzDirector 341,864(7)1.01%
John A. McClintockDirector 122,739(8)*  
Christopher RichardsChief Financial Officer 24,000(9)*%
All directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group (6 persons) 3,013,428 8.55%
       

_________________________

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) Position Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (2)  Percent of Common Stock 
Timothy T. Barry President and Chief Executive Officer  3,145,298(3)  6.45%
Brian D. Edgar Chairman and Director  2,726,204(4)  5.63%
Christopher Richards Chief Financial Officer  1,006,172(5)  2.09%
David T. Underwood Director  221,500(6)  *%
William F. Matlack Director  1,350,005(7)  2.82%
All directors, nominees, and executive officers as a group (5 persons)    8,449,179   16.47%
_________________________

 

*The percentage of Silver Bull common stock beneficially owned is less than one percent (1%).
(1)The address of these persons is c/o Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1K4.
(2)Unless otherwise indicated, each person listed has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares listed. Pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”Exchange Act), beneficial ownership includes shares as to which the individual or entity has or shares voting power or investment power, and any shares that the individual or entity has the right to acquire within 60 days of February 5, 2020,9, 2024, including through the exercise of any option, warrant, or right. For each individual or entity that holds options, warrants or rights to acquire shares, the shares of Silver Bull common stock underlying those securities are treated as owned by that holder and as outstanding shares when that holder’s percentage ownership of Silver Bull common stock is calculated. That Silver Bull common stock is not treated as outstanding when the percentage ownership of any other holder is calculated.
(3)Mr. Fallis resigned from his position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 25, 2020.
(4)Consists of (i) 768,1641,720,298 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly,directly; (ii) 375,000 stock options, which are vested or will vest within 60 days, (iii) warrants to purchase 106,500450,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days,days; and (iii) stock options to purchase 975,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days. Excludes (a) 319,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock; and (b) warrants to purchase 159,500 shares of Silver Bull common stock, in each case that are owned by Mr. Barry’s spouse, and of which Mr. Barry disclaims beneficial ownership.
(4)Consists of (i) 845,102 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly; (ii) warrants to purchase 406,500 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days; (iii) stock options to purchase 625,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days; and (iv) 249,602849,602 shares of Silver Bull common stock owned by Tortuga Investments Corp., a company wholly owned by Mr. Edgar. Excludes (a) 425,000 shares of Silver Bull common stockstock; and (b) warrants to purchase 212,500 shares of Silver Bull common stock, in each case that are owned by 0893306 B.C. Ltd., a company wholly owned by Mr. Edgar’s spouse, and of which Mr. Edgar disclaims beneficial ownership.
(5)Consists of (i) 192,497289,839 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly anddirectly; (ii) 393,750 stock options, which are vested or will vest within 60 days. Excludes (a) 319,000warrants to purchase 8,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days; and (b) warrants(iii) stock options to purchase 159,500 shares of Silver Bull common stock, in each case that are owned by Mr. Barry’s spouse, and of which Mr. Barry disclaims beneficial ownership.
(6)Consists of (i) 64,312 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly and (ii) 375,000 stock options, which are vested or will vest within 60 days.

(7)Consists of (i) 174,364 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly, (ii) 87,500 stock options, which are vested or will vest within 60 days, and (iii) warrants to purchase 80,000708,333 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days.
(8)(6)Consists of (i) 27,239warrants to purchase 21,500 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly,that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days; and (ii) 87,500 stock options which are vested or will vest within 60 days, and (iii) warrants to purchase 8,000200,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days.
(9)(7)Consists of (i) 16,000800,005 shares of Silver Bull common stock held directly anddirectly; (ii) warrants to purchase 8,000400,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days; and (iii) stock options to purchase 150,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock that are exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

As of February 5, 2021, there is no person (other than the director nominees and executive officers of the Company) who owned of record, or was known to own beneficially, more than 5% of the outstanding voting shares of Silver Bull common stock.

MANAGEMENT

Identification of Directors and Executive Officers

The table below sets forth the names, titles, and ages of each of the nominees standing for election to the Board and the Company’s executive officers as of the record date.February 9, 2024. There are no family relationships among any of the directors, executive officers and/or director/nominees of the Company.

Except as described herein, there was no agreement or understanding between the Company and any director or executive officer pursuant to which he was selected as an officer or director, although certain of the Company’s executive officers have entered into employment agreements with the Company.

Name

Name

Current Position

Age

Year Initially Appointed as Officer or Director

 Current Position Age  Year Initially Appointed as Officer or Director 
Brian D. Edgar Chairman and Director 712010 Chairman and Director  74   2010 
Timothy T. Barry President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 452010 President, Chief Executive Officer and Director  48   2010 
Daniel J. Kunz Director 682011
John A. McClintock Director 692012
David T. Underwood Director  59   2022 
William F. Matlack Director  69   2023 
Christopher Richards Chief Financial Officer 432020 Chief Financial Officer  46   2020 

 

Brian D. Edgar. Mr. Edgar was appointed Chairman of the Board in April 2010. Mr. Edgar has broad experience working in junior and mid-size natural resource companies. He served as Dome’s President and Chief Executive Officer from February 2005 to April 2010, when Dome was acquired by Silver Bull. Further, Mr. Edgar served as a director of Dome (1998–2010), Lucara Diamond Corp. (2007–May 2020), BlackPearl Resources Inc. (2006–December 2018), and ShaMaran Petroleum Corp. (2007–June 2019). He has served as a director of Denison Mines Corp. (TSX: DML; NYSE: DNN) since 2005 and of Arras Minerals Corp. (“Arras”) (TSXV: ARK) since its inception on February 5, 2021 and of numerous other public resource companies over the last 30 years. Mr. Edgar practiced corporate/securities law in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for 16 years.

Timothy T. Barry. Mr. Barry was appointed as Vice President – Exploration of Silver Bull in August 2010. Since March 2011, he has served as a director, President andthe Chief Executive Officer and a director of Silver Bull. He also served as President of Silver Bull since March 2011. From August 2010 tofrom March 2011 heuntil October 1, 2021 and from April 21, 2023 to present. In addition, Mr. Barry has served as our Vicethe Chief Executive Officer and a director of Arras since February 5, 2021, and also served as President – Exploration.of Arras from February 5, 2021 to October 1, 2021. He is also currently a director of Torrent Gold Inc. (CSE: TGLD). Between 2006 and August 2010, Mr. Barry spent five years working as Chief Geologist in West and Central Africa for Dome.Dome Ventures Corp. (“Dome”). During this time, he managed all aspects of Dome’s exploration programs and oversaw corporate compliance for Dome’s various subsidiaries. Mr. Barry also served on Dome’s board of directors. In 2005, he worked as a project geologist in Mongolia for Entree Gold,Resources Ltd., a company that has a significant stake in the Oyu Tolgoi mine in Mongolia. Between 1998 and 2005, Mr. Barry worked as an exploration geologist for Ross River Minerals Inc. on its El Pulpo copper/gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico, for Canabrava Diamonds Corporation on its exploration programs in the James Bay lowlands in Ontario, Canada, and for Homestake Mining Company on its Plutonic Gold Mine in Western Australia. He has also worked as a mapping geologist for the Geological Survey of Canada in the Coast Mountains, and as a research assistant at the University of British Columbia, where he examined the potential of CO2sequestration in Canada using ultramafic rocks. Mr. Barry received a bachelorBachelor of scienceScience degree from the University of Otago in Dundein, New Zealand and is a Chartered Professional Geologist (CPAusIMM).

 

Daniel J. Kunz.David T. Underwood. Mr. KunzUnderwood has more than 3530 years of broad exploration experience in international mining, energy, engineeringAfrica and construction, includingother parts of the world acting in executive business development, management, accounting, finance and operations roles. In June 2020, he was appointed Presidentsenior technical roles for major and Chief Executive Officer of Prime Mining Corp., a mine development company.junior exploration and mining companies. Since 2014,January 2017, he has been the managing memberVice President of Daniel KunzExploration of Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV: OSI) in Namibia. He led the technical team that discovered the 3 million ounce Twin Hills gold deposit, under thick calcrete cover, in 2019. Mr. Underwood has also been a Technical Advisor for private company Lotus Gold in Egypt since 2020 and was appointed as Technical Director in August 2022. He was previously a co-founder and from 2014 to 2015 served as Vice President of Exploration of BHK Mining Corp. operating in Gabon. Mr. Underwood served in Business Development for Newmont Mining Corporation in Africa from January 2010 to December 2013 and as a lead gold consultant to Anglogold Ashanti Limited from 2008 to 2010. During this period he also consulted to numerous companies including Roxgold Inc. and prior to 2008, held several key management positions, including Managing Director of Anglo American in Kenya and Managing Director of Desert Minerals in Namibia. Mr. Underwood has a BSc (Hons) degree, is a Fellow of the Society of Economic Geology, and is a Registered Professional Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions.

William F. Matlack. Mr. Matlack is a veteran geologist over a 20-year career in the mining industry, working primarily with Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corp. (now Newmont Mining) and Gold Fields Limited. Mr. Matlack was involved in the exploration and development of several world-class gold discoveries in Nevada and California. Later, he was an equity research analyst in metals & Associates, LLC,mining with Citigroup and BMO Capital Markets, and an advisory and engineering services company focused on the natural resources sector.investment banker in metals & mining with Scarsdale Equities. From 20132012 to 2018, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gold Torrent, Inc., a mine development company. In addition, Mr. Kunz is the founder, and from 2003 until he retired in April 2013 was the President and Chief Executive Officerinterim CEO and a director of U.S. Geothermal, Inc., a renewable energy company that owns and operates geothermal power plantsKlondex Mines Limited during its transformation from an explorer to gold producer in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada and was sold to Ormat Technologies, Inc. in 2018.Nevada. Mr. Kunz was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. from 1997 to October 2000, and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director from November 2000 to March 2003. He was part of the team that discovered Oyu Tolgoi, one of the world’s largest copper-gold deposits. From March 2003 to March 2004, Mr. Kunz served as President and Chief Executive Officer of China Gold International Resources Corp. Ltd. and served as a director from March 2003 to October 2009. Mr. Kunz was a founder of MK Resources LLC, formerly known as the NASDAQ-listed company MK Gold Corporation, and directed the company’s 1993 initial public offering as the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director. For 17 years, he held executive positions with NYSE-listed Morrison Knudsen Corporation (including Vice President and Controller). Mr. Kunz holds a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science. He is currently a director of Raindrop Ventures Inc., Prime Mining Corp., Greenbriar Capital Corp., and Gunpoint Exploration Ltd.

John A. McClintock. Mr. McClintock has a significant amount of experience in all facets of the mineral exploration business, which has come from managing large exploration organizations. Since November 2005, he has served as the President of McClintock Geological Management, which provides ongoing management services to NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc., of which he served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director from October 2011 to September 2020. From February 2007 to November 2008, Mr. McClintock served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Savant Explorations Ltd., a publicly-traded company on the TSX Venture Exchange. From January 2006 to February 2007, he served as President and COO of Canarc Resources Corp., where he negotiated, among other things, a large land purchase in Mexico. From November 2004 to December 2005, Mr. McClintock served as an Exploration Manager for BHP Group plc, where he ensured that the $80 million exploration budget focused on areas and commodities with maximum potential for corporate growth. HeMatlack has served as a director of Blue Moon ZincTimberline Resources Corp. since May 2017 and as a director of NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. since October 2011. Mr. McClintock holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and an undergraduate degree in geology, with honors, from the University of British Columbia. He is a member of the Professional Engineers of British Columbia, the Prospectors and Developers Association of British Columbia, and the Association of Mineral Exploration of British Columbia.2019.

Christopher Richards. Mr. Richards was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 28, 2020. Since February 2021, he has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Arras. Mr. Richards most recentlypreviously served as the Vice President of Finance for Great Panther Mining Limited, a U.S. and Canadian dual-listed gold and silver producer, from June 2018 to February 2020. From January 2017 to May 2018, he was self-employed as a senior financial consultant, advising public and private companies in the mining and natural resources industries. Prior to that, Mr. Richards served as the Vice President of Finance and Corporate Secretary (December 2013–December 2016) and Group Controller (April 2009–November 2013) of Kyzyl Gold Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of London Stock Exchange-listed Polymetal International plc, engaged in the development of the Kyzyl Gold Mine located in Kazakhstan. From July 2015 to October 2016, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of TSX Venture Exchange-listed True North Gems Inc. Previously,Earlier in his career, Mr. Richards served as the Corporate Controller of U.S. and Canadian dual-listed NovaGold Resources Inc. and as a Senior Manager of Audit for KPMG LLP. He is a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant, British Columbia), CA, and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University in 2000 and a certificate in mining studies from the University of British Columbia in 2014.

Board Composition

Majority Voting Policy

The Board has adopted a Majority Voting Policy stipulating that shareholdersShareholders shall be entitled to vote in favor of, or withhold from voting for, each individual director nominee at a meeting of shareholders.Shareholders. If the number of shares “withheld”WITHHELD for any nominee exceeds the number of shares voted “FOR”FOR such nominee, then, notwithstanding that such director was duly elected as a matter of corporate law, he or she shall tender his or her written resignation to the chair of the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board (the “CorporateCorporate Governance and Nominating Committee”Committee) will consider such offer of resignation and will make a recommendation to the Board concerning the acceptance or rejection of the resignation after considering, among other things, the stated reasons, if any, why certain shareholders “withheld”Shareholders “WITHHELD votes for the director, the qualifications of the director and whether the director’s resignation from the Board would be in the best interests of the Company. The Board must take formal action on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s recommendation within 90 days and announce its decision by a press release.

According to the Majority Voting Policy, the affected director cannot participate in the deliberations of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee or the Board as to whether to consider his or her resignation. The Majority Voting Policy applies only in circumstances involving an uncontested election of directors, meaning an election in which the number of nominees is equal to the number of directors to be elected.

The Board seeks to ensure that it is composed of members whose particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills, when taken together, will allow the Board to satisfy its oversight obligations effectively. The Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is charged with identifying, screening and/or appointing persons to serve on the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates nominees recommended by the shareholdersShareholders using the same criteria it uses for other nominees. In identifying Board candidates, it is the Company’s goal to identify persons who it believes have appropriate expertise and experience to contribute to the oversight of a company of the Company’s nature while also reviewing other appropriate factors. The Board believes that the process in place to identify candidates and elect directors allows the most qualified candidates to be appointed independently.

The Company believes that each of the persons standing for election to the Board at the Meeting has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that, when taken as a whole, will enable the Board to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively. With regard to the Board nominees, the following factors were among those considered that led to the Board’s conclusion that each would make valuable contributions to the Board:

··Brian D. Edgar: The Board believes that Mr. Edgar is qualified to serve as a director of the Company because of his extensive experience working with junior and mid-size natural resource companies, as well as his experience with and general knowledge of the capital markets.
··Timothy T. Barry: The Board believes that Mr. Barry is qualified to serve as a director of the Company because of his geological education and background, and his significant experience with junior and mid-size natural resources companies, particularly early-stage natural resource companies.
·Daniel J. KunzDavid T. Underwood: The Board believes that Mr. Kunz is qualified to serve as a director of the Company because of his significant experience in international mining, engineering and construction projects, and his many years of senior management and director experience.
·John A. McClintock: The Board believes that Mr. McClintockUnderwood is qualified to serve as a director of the Company because of his significant experience in all facets of the mineral exploration business, which includes managing large exploration organizations, as well as his education and general knowledge of the exploration industry.

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·
William F. Matlack: The Board believes that Mr. Matlack is qualified serve as a director of the Company because he holds the Accredited Director designation, ICSA Canada, is financially literate by virtue of his background as a metals & mining equity research analyst, has extensive geological and management experience in mineral exploration companies, and has a background in gold exploration and development projects that enables him to provide operating and leadership insights to the Board.

Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings

During the past ten years, none of the director nominees or persons currently serving as executive officers and/or directors of the Company has been the subject matter of any of the following legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of SEC Regulation S-K, includingincluding: (a) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (b) any criminal convictions; (c) any order, judgment, or decree permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; (d) any finding by a court, the SEC or the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud; or (e) any sanction or order of any self-regulatory organization or registered entity or equivalent exchange, association or entity. Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental authorities against any director or executive officer.

Transactions with Related Persons

Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee of the Board (the “Audit Committee”Audit Committee) reviews and approves all related party transactions on an ongoing basis. With the exception of customary employment agreements between

Key Persons Retention Agreement

On October 13, 2023, the Company entered into the Key Persons Retention Agreement with the Key Persons in order to encourage their retention and its officers, which are described below undersupport the heading “Executive Compensation,ICSID Arbitration (as defined herein).

For additional information regarding the Key Persons Retention Agreement, please refer to “Proposal 3: Ratification and Approval of the Key Persons Retention Agreementand an independent contractor agreement, effective as ofin this Proxy Statement.

Private Placement

On October 1, 2020, between30, 2023, the Company and Nicholas Edgar, the sonentered into a series of Brian Edgar, the Company’s Chairman,substantially similar subscription agreements pursuant to which agreement Nicholas Edgar will provide certain consulting services for the Company’s exploration projects for CDN$400 per day, there were no related party transactions between the Company issued and its officers, directorssold to certain investors, in a private placement, units (the “Units”) of the Company at a price of C$0.11 per Unit (the “Private Placement”). Each Unit consisted of one share of Silver Bull common stock and significant shareholders duringone-half of one common stock purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a “Warrant”). Each Warrant entitles the fiscal years endedholder thereof to acquire one share of Silver Bull common stock at a price of C$0.13. The Private Placement included subscriptions from three members of the Board for an aggregate 2,100,000 Units (C$231,000). On October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019. On November 10, 2020,13, 2023, the Audit CommitteeBoard approved the independent contractor agreement with Nicholas Edgar.Private Placement.

Independence of the Board

The Board currently consists of Timothy T. Barry, Brian D. Edgar, Daniel KunzDavid Underwood and John McClintock. Messrs. Barry, Edgar, Kunz and McClintockWilliam Matlack. All of the current board members are being nominated by the Company for re-election at the Meeting. Messrs. KunzUnderwood and McClintockMatlack are considered “independent” as that term is defined in Section 311 of the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”)TSX Company Manual.

Board Leadership Structure

The Board does not have an express policy regarding the separation of the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, as the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company to make that determination based on the position and direction of the Company and the membership of the Board. Brian D. Edgar has been the Company’s Chairman of the Board since April 2010, while Timothy T. Barry has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since February 2011. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, as Mr. Edgar and Mr. Barry bring complimentarycomplementary skills to the Company’s business operations and strategic plans and generally are focused on somewhat different aspects of the Company’s operations. Mr. Barry, with his geological background and experience, has a greater depth of knowledge regarding the Company’s exploration activities, while Mr. Edgar has a significant amount of experience with mid-sized and junior level exploration and mining companies and with the capital markets.companies.

Although Mr. Edgar does not work full-time for the Company, he does devotehas previously devoted a significant portion of his time to the day-to-day affairs of, and playshas played a key policy-making role for, the Company. For this reason, the Company viewshas previously viewed Mr. Edgar as one of its executive officers. As of October 2021, Mr. Edgar’s role ceased to be full time and therefore, Mr. Edgar was no longer considered as an executive officer as of that date.

Also, the Board does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity when assessing directors and directorial candidates but considers diversity as part of its overall assessment of the Board’s functioning and needs.

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Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Company management is charged with the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces. However, the Board, directly and through its committees, is actively involved in the oversight of the Company’s risk management policies. The Audit Committee is charged with overseeing enterprise risk management generally and with reviewing and discussing with management the Company’s major risk exposures (whether financial, operating or otherwise) and the steps that management takes to monitor, control and manage these exposures, including the Company’s risk assessment and risk management guidelines and policies. The Audit Committee reports to the Board regarding the foregoing matters, and the Board ultimately approves any changes in corporate policies, including those pertaining to risk management. Additionally, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”) oversees the Company’s compensation policies generally, in part to determine whether they create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee correspond with, and report to, management and the Board.

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Meetings of the Board and Committees

Board of Directors

The Board held fifteenten meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, and five additional meetingshas held one meeting during the current fiscal year. Such meetings consisted of both actions taken by the unanimous written consent of the directors and live meetings at which the directors were present in person or by telephone. All of the Company’s directors attended at least 75% of the Board meetings conducted during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.2023 during the time of their tenure. The Company does not have a formal policy with regard to Board members’ attendance at annual meetings but encourages them to attend meetings of shareholders.Shareholders. Mr. Edgar and Mr. Barry attended last year’s annual meeting of shareholders.Shareholders.

Audit Committee

The Company has a separately designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The following persons currently serve on ourthe Company’s Audit Committee: Daniel KunzWilliam Matlack and John McClintock.David Underwood. Messrs. KunzMatlack and McClintockUnderwood are considered “independent” under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Mr. KunzMatlack is the “financial expert” for the Audit Committee. Mr. Matlack replaced Mr. Daniel Kunz on the Audit Committee on April 20, 2023, as Mr. Kunz did not stand for re-election to the Board at the annual meeting of Shareholders held on that date.

The Audit Committee held sevenfive meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, and has held threeone meeting during the current fiscal year. Such meetings consisted of both actions taken by the unanimous written consent of the Audit Committee members and live meetings at which the members were present in person or by telephone. Messrs. Kunz and McClintock attended allWhile serving as a member of the meetingsAudit Committee during fiscal 2023, Messrs. Matlack, Underwood and Kunz attended in person or by telephone.telephone all of meetings held by such committee. On May 1, 2006, the Board adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee, which was amended on February 14, 2012 and February 22, 2017. The Audit Committee charter is available on our website at www.silverbullresources.com. The composition of the Audit Committee following the Meeting will be determined by the Board after the Meeting, but it is anticipated that Messrs. KunzMatlack and McClintockUnderwood will continue to serve on the Audit Committee.

Compensation Committee

The Company’s Compensation Committee currently consists of John McClintockDavid Underwood, William Matlack, and Daniel Kunz, each of whom isBrian D. Edgar. Messrs. Underwood and Matlack are considered “independent” under Section 311 of the TSX Company Manual. The Compensation Committee held three meetings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 20202023, and has held one meeting during the current fiscal year. Such meetings consisted of both actions taken by the unanimous written consent of the Compensation Committee members and live meetings at which the members were present in person or by telephone. While serving as a member of the Compensation Committee during fiscal 2023, Messrs. Matlack, Underwood and Edgar attended in person or by telephone all of meetings held by such committee. The composition of the Compensation Committee following the Meeting will be determined by the Board after the Meeting, but it is anticipated that Messrs. McClintockMatlack, Edgar and KunzUnderwood will continue to serve on the Compensation Committee.

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Duties of the Compensation Committee include reviewing and making recommendations regarding compensation of executive officers and determining the need for and the appropriateness of employment agreements for senior executives. This includes the responsibility (i) to determine, review and approve on an annual basis the corporate goals and objectives with respect to compensation for the senior executives;executives and (ii) to evaluate at least once a year the performance of the senior executives in light of the established goals and objectives and, based upon these evaluations, to determine the annual compensation for each, including salary, bonus, incentive and equity compensation. The Compensation Committee has authority to retain such compensation consultants, outside counsel and other advisors as the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee may also invite the executive officers and other members of management to participate in its deliberations, or to provide information to the Compensation Committee for its consideration with respect to such deliberations, except that the Chief Executive Officer may not be present for the deliberation of or the voting on compensation for the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer may, however, be present for the deliberation of or the voting on compensation for any other officer.

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The Compensation Committee also has the authority and responsibilityresponsibility: (i) to review the fees paid to independent directors for service on the Board and its committees, and make recommendations to the Board with respect thereto (however, disinterested members of the Board ultimately determine the fees paid to the independent directors); and (ii) to review the Company’s incentive compensation and other stock-based plans and recommend changes in such plans to the Board as needed.

The Compensation Committee is authorized to delegate any of its responsibilities to a subcommittee as the Compensation Committee deems appropriate. The Compensation Committee’s charter was adopted by the Board on May 1, 2006 and amended on December 5, 2006, February 22, 2013, and February 22, 2017. The charter is available on our website at www.silverbullresources.com.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our Compensation Committee served as an employee of the Company during the fiscal year ended October 31, 20202023 (or subsequently). NoExcept for Mr. Edgar, no current member of our Compensation Committee formerlyhas served as an officer of the Company, and none of the current members of the Compensation Committee has entered into a transaction with the Company in which he had a direct or indirect interest that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of SEC Regulation S-K. During the past year, no executive officer of the Company served as a director or on the compensation committee of another entity whose executive officer also served on the Company’s Board or Compensation Committee.

Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee

The Company’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee currently consists of Daniel KunzDavid Underwood and John McClintock, each of whom isWilliam Matlack. Messrs. Underwood and Matlack are considered “independent” under Section 311 of the TSX Company Manual. The future composition of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will be determined after the Meeting, but it is anticipated that Messrs. KunzUnderwood and McClintockMatlack will continue to serve on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Duties of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee include oversight of the process by which individuals may be nominated to the Board. OurThe Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s charter was adopted by the Board on May 1, 2006 and amended on July 7, 2006, February 22, 2013, and February 22, 2017 and is available on our website at www.silverbullresources.com.

The functions performed by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee include identifying potential directors and making recommendations as to the size, functions and composition of the Board and its committees. In making nominations, our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is required to submit candidates who have the highest personal and professional integrity, who have demonstrated exceptional ability and judgment and who shall be most effective, in conjunction with the other nominees to the Board, in collectively serving the long-term interests of the Company’s shareholders.Shareholders. The Nominating Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity when identifying nominees for director but considers diversity as part of its overall assessment of the Board’s needs.

The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will consider nominees proposed by our shareholders.the Shareholders. To recommend a prospective nominee for the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s consideration, you may submit the candidate’s name by delivering notice in writing, if sent by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, P.O. Box 10427,10414, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, or, if sent other than by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

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A shareholderShareholder nomination submitted to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee must include at least the following information (and can include such other information the person submitting the recommendation desires to include), and must be submitted to the Company by the date mentioned in the proxy statement for the Company’s most recent annual meeting under the heading “Shareholder Proposals,”Proposals” in this Proxy Statement, as such date may be amended in cases where the annual meeting has been changed as contemplated in SEC Rule 14a-8(e), Question 5:

(i)The name, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the person submitting the recommendation.
(ii)The number of shares and description of the Company voting securities held by the person submitting the nomination and whether such person is holding the shares through a brokerage account (and if so, the name of the broker-dealer) or directly.
(iii)The name, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address of the person being recommended to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to stand for election at the next annual meeting (the “proposed nominee”proposed nominee) together with information regarding such person’s education (including degrees obtained and dates), business experience during the past ten years, professional affiliations during the past ten years and other relevant information.
(iv)Information regarding any family relationships of the proposed nominee as required by Item 401(d) of SEC Regulation S-K.
(v)Information whether the proposed nominee or the person submitting the recommendation has (within the ten years prior to the recommendation) been involved in legal proceedings of the type described in Item 401(f) of SEC Regulation S-K (and if so, provide the information regarding those legal proceedings required by Item 401(f) of SEC Regulation S-K).
(vi)Information regarding the share ownership of the proposed nominee required by Item 403 of SEC Regulation S-K.
(vii)Information regarding certain relationships and related party transactions of the proposed nominee as required by Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K.
(viii)The signed consent of the proposed nominee in which he or sheshe: (1) consents to being nominated as a director of the Company if selected by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; (2) states his or her willingness to serve as a director if elected for compensation not greater than that described in the most recent proxy statement; (3) states whether the proposed nominee is “independent” as defined by applicable laws; and (4) attests to the accuracy of the information submitted pursuant to paragraphs (i) through (vii) above.

Although the information may be submitted by fax, e-mail, mail or courier, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee must receive the proposed nominee’s signed consent, in original form, within ten days of the nomination having been made.

When the information required above has been received, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate the proposed nominee based on the criteria described below, with the principal criteria being the needs of the Company and the qualifications of such proposed nominee to fulfill those needs. No shareholderShareholder nominations were received in connection with the Meeting.

The process for evaluating a director nominee is the same whether a nominee is recommended by a shareholderShareholder or by an existing officer or director. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will:

(1)Establish criteria for selection of potential directors, taking into consideration the following attributes that are desirable for a member of the Board: leadership, independence, interpersonal skills, financial acumen, business experiences, industry knowledge and diversity of viewpoints. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will periodically assess the criteria to ensure that they are consistent with best practices and the goals of the Company;

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(2)Identify individuals who satisfy the criteria for selection to the Board and, after consultation with the Chairman of the Board, make recommendations to the Board on new candidates for Board membership; and
(3)Receive and evaluate nominations for Board membership that are recommended by existing directors, corporate officers or shareholdersShareholders in accordance with policies set by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and applicable laws.

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The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended October 31, 20202023 and has held one meeting during the current fiscal year. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has nominated Brian D. Edgar, Timothy T. Barry, John McClintockDavid Underwood and Daniel KunzWilliam Matlack to stand for re-election at the Meeting. The Company has not engaged the services of or paid a fee to any third party or parties to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees.

Shareholder Communication with the Board

The Company values the views of its shareholdersShareholders (current and future shareholders, employees and others). Accordingly, the Board established a system through its Audit Committee to receive, track and respond to communications from shareholdersShareholders addressed to the Board or to the Company’s non-management directors. Any shareholderShareholder who wishes to communicate with the Board or the Company’s non-management directors may write, if sent by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, P.O. Box 10427,10414, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Audit Committee Chair, or, if sent other than by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Audit Committee Chair.

The chair of the Audit Committee is the Board Communications Designee. He will review all communications and report on the communications to the chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the full Board or the Company’s non-management directors as appropriate. The Board Communications Designee will take additional action or respond to letters in accordance with instructions from the relevant Board source.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation and Other Benefits of Named Executive Officers

The following table sets out the compensation received for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 in respect to each of named executive officers.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

Fiscal Year

Salary ($) (1)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)

Stock Awards

($)

Option Awards

($) (2)

All Other Compensa-tion ($)

Total ($)

Current Named Executive Officers

Timothy T. Barry (3)

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

2020

2019

2018

206,487

208,967

175,582

26,280

25,963

52,828

108,668

232,767

234,930

337,078

Christopher Richards (4)

Chief Financial Officer

2020

2019

2018

18,932

11,263

30,195

Sean C. Fallis (5)

Former Chief Financial Officer

2020

2019

2018

152,956

170,973

145,526

3,754

22,163

44,023

103,234

21,804

178,504

193,136

292,783

Brian D. Edgar (6)

Chairman and Director

2020

2019

2018

67,578

68,389

68,483

20,000

103,234

67,578

68,389

191,717

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(1)All 2018, 2019, and 2020 CDN$ amounts have been converted to US$ using the CDN$/US$ exchange rate as of October 31, 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively.
(2)Amounts represent the calculated fair value of stock options granted to the named executive officers based on provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718-10, Stock Compensation. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 for a discussion regarding assumptions used to calculate fair value under the Black–Scholes valuation model.
(3)Mr. Barry was appointed as Vice President – Exploration on September 1, 2010, and then as our President and Chief Executive Officer on February 25, 2011. On February 26, 2013, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Barry that provides for an annual base salary of CDN$216,000 and that he is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. The agreement was amended on June 4, 2015 to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. On February 23, 2016, Mr. Barry’s employment agreement was amended to reduce his annual base salary by 30% to CDN$151,200 effective as of January 16, 2016. On June 24, 2016, Mr. Barry’s employment agreement was amended to increase his annual base salary to CDN$216,000 annually effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Barry’s employment was further amended (i) to increase his annual base salary to CDN$275,000 effective as of August 1, 2018, (ii) to make him eligible to receive an annual bonus upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board, and (iii) to revise the “Change of Control” definition to include transactions in which (A) the Company consummates a consolidation or merger in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own less than 80% of the outstanding voting power of the Company following the transaction, and (B) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer resigns or is terminated as a result of such transaction. For fiscal year 2020, Mr. Barry was paid or will be paid an aggregate bonus of $26,280, which includes a portion of the CDN$29,167 bonus paid for calendar year 2020 performance and a portion of the CDN$35,000 bonus paid for calendar year 2019 performance.
(4)Mr. Richards was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 28, 2020. On September 23, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Richards, pursuant to which agreement he receives an annual base salary of CDN$210,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of his employment agreement, Mr. Richards is eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board and (ii) to participate in the 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause between December 29, 2020 and September 27, 2021, then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to six months of his base salary. If the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause after September 28, 2021, then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to six months of his base salary plus one month of his base salary for each additional year of employment, subject to maximum lump-sum payment of 12 months of his base salary. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement, if (i) the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause or (ii) Mr. Richards resigns, in either case within three months following a Change of Control (as defined in the employment agreement), then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive his then-current base salary for a period of 24 months plus a lump-sum payment equal to his prior year’s bonus. For fiscal year 2020, Mr. Richards is to be paid an aggregate bonus of $11,263.
(5)Mr. Fallis resigned from his position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 25, 2020. Mr. Fallis’ salary reflected in the “Summary Compensation Table” above covered his employment with the Company from November 1, 2019 through September 25, 2020. Mr. Fallis was appointed as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on April 15, 2011. From February 7, 2011 to April 14, 2011, he served as the Vice President – Finance. On February 26, 2013, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Fallis that provided for an annual base salary effective as of March 1, 2013 of CDN$180,000 and that he was eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. The agreement was amended on February 26, 2015 and June 4, 2015 to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. The agreement was amended again on February 23, 2016 to reduce his annual base salary by 30% to CDN$126,000 effective as of January 16, 2016. On June 24, 2016, Mr. Fallis’ employment agreement was amended to increase his annual base salary to CDN$180,000 effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Fallis’ employment was further amended (i) to increase his annual base salary to CDN$225,000 effective as of August 1, 2018, (ii) to make him eligible to receive an annual bonus upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board, and (iii) to revise the “Change of Control” to expand the list of qualifying transactions, as described above. Because his resignation from the Company was voluntary, Mr. Fallis did not receive any severance payments upon his resignation. Mr. Fallis was paid a portion of the CDN$30,000 bonus for calendar year 2019 performance, and no bonus was paid for calendar year 2020 performance. At the time of his departure from the Company, Mr. Fallis was paid $21,804 in settlement of unused vacation pay.

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(6)On February 26, 2013, Silver Bull entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Edgar that provides for an annual base salary of CDN$90,000 and that he is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. The agreement was amended on June 4, 2015 to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. The agreement was amended again on February 23, 2016 to reduce his annual base salary by 30% to CDN$63,000 effective as of January 16, 2016. On June 24, 2016, Mr. Edgar’s employment agreement was amended to increase his annual base salary to CDN$90,000 effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Edgar’s employment was further amended to revise the “Change of Control” to expand the list of qualifying transactions, as described above.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

The following Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of compensation for the executive officers identified in the Summary Compensation Table contained abovebelow (collectively, the “namednamed executive officers”officers).

The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the total direct compensation packages for each of our executive officers.officers, evaluates executive performance and makes salary adjustments, discretionary bonus determinations and determines equity awards. Notably, the salary and other benefits payable to those persons who served as our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended October 31, 20202023 are set forth in employment and consulting agreements which are discussed below. Stock option grants as applicable to the named executive officers, as applicable, are reviewed by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board. TheOther than in connection with the reasonableness opinion for the Key Persons Retention Agreement, the Compensation Committee has not engaged the services of or paid a fee to any compensation consultant or other third party to evaluate or assist with the evaluation of the Company’s compensation arrangements.

The principle objectives that guide the Compensation Committee in its deliberations regarding executive compensation matters include:

··attracting and retaining highly qualified executives who share our Company values and commitment;
··providing executives a compensation package that is fair and competitive, with contractual terms that offer them reasonable security; and
··motivating executives to provide excellent leadership and achieve Company goals by linking short-term and long-term incentives to the achievement of business objectives, thereby aligning the interests of executives and shareholders.Shareholders.

The primary elements of compensation to our named executive officers are cash compensation and equity compensation in the form of stock option and stock grants, each of which is further described below.

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In April 2011,2017, our shareholdersShareholders recommended, in aan advisory, non-binding vote, that shareholderShareholder advisory votes on the compensation of our executive officers, commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote, be held every three years. Approximately 57% of the votes cast were voted in favor of a three-year frequency. Accordingly, the Board adopted the shareholders’ recommendation to hold the say-on-pay vote every three years. In April 2014, we held a shareholder advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, and our shareholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation of our named executive officers, with over 95% of shareholder votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay resolution. In April 2017, our shareholders recommended, in a non-binding say-on-pay frequency vote, that shareholder advisory votes on the compensation of our executive officers be held every year. Approximately 50% of the votes cast were voted in favor of a one-year frequency. Accordingly, the Board adopted the shareholders’Shareholders’ recommendation to hold the say-on-pay vote every year. In each of April 2018,2021, April 2019,2022, and April 2020,2023, we held a shareholderShareholder say-on-pay advisory vote in which our shareholdersShareholders approved the compensation of our named executive officers, with approximately 93%, 93%,94% and 63%94%, respectively, of shareholderShareholder votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay resolution.

As we evaluated our compensation practices for the calendar years 2020 and 2021,year 2023, we were mindful of the strong support our shareholdersShareholders expressed for our philosophy of linking compensation to our operating objectives and the enhancement of shareholderShareholder value. As a result, our Compensation Committee decided to retain our general approach to executive compensation, with an emphasis on short- and long-term incentive compensation that rewardswill reward our executives when they deliver value for our shareholders during 2021. WeShareholders on a successful outcome of the ICSID Arbitration. As such, the Compensation Committee developed and approved the Key Persons Retention Agreement that we are seeking to have approved by Shareholders as detailed in Proposal 3. Additionally, we are submitting the compensation of our named executive officers to an advisory vote this year as described more fully below under Proposal 3.4.

The Compensation Committee evaluates executive performance and makes salary adjustments, discretionary bonus determinations and equity awards. In February 2021,2024, the Board approved performance bonuses for calendar year 2023 to Messrs. Barry and Richards, in the amount of CDN$100,000 and CDN$50,000, respectively. These amounts are to be deferred, and only paid in the event the Company is successful in obtaining an award from the ICSID Arbitration case. The Compensation Committee approved bonus targets for our named executive officers.

For fiscal year 2020, a bonus of $4,380 was paid to Mr. Barry, which is a portion of the CDN$35,000 bonus paid for calendar year 2019 performance. Additionally, a bonus2024 for Messrs. Barry and Richards of $21,900 has been accrued but not yet paid to Mr. Barry in relation to his calendar year 2020 performance. The Compensation Committee approved a 2021 bonus target for Mr. Barry of CDN$●.CDN$100,000 and CDN$50,000, respectively. The amount of 2021 bonusthe 2024 bonuses to be awarded to Mr. Barry will be determined by the Compensation Committee in December 2021 or early 20222025 based on certain criteria for 2021calendar year 2024, as recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board.

For fiscal

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During the calendar year 2020,2023, the Company pivoted from its long-term corporate strategy of development of its Sierra Mojada project in Mexico due to an ongoing illegal blockade of the project and the failure of the Mexican government to uphold the law, preventing the Company from conducting lawful business in Mexico. Despite numerous demands and requests for action, Mexican authorities have allowed the illegal blockade to continue. As such, they failed to protect Silver Bull’s investment and, it is Silver Bull’s position that, they have breached several provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”).

On March 2, 2023, Silver Bull filed with the Mexican government a bonusNotice of $11,263Intent to initiate a legacy NAFTA claim under Annex 14-C of the USMCA to recover economic damages resulting from the illegal blockade of its Sierra Mojada project.

Silver Bull is seeking to recover damages that it has been accrued but not yet paid to Mr. Richards. The Compensation Committee approvedsuffered as a 2021 bonus target for Mr. Richardsresult of CDN$●. The amountMexico’s breach of 2021 bonusits NAFTA obligations, initially estimated to be awarded to Mr. Richards will be determined byUS$178 million.

To that end, the Compensation Committee in December 2021 or early 2022 based on certain performance criteria for 2021 recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board.

For fiscal year 2020, Mr. Fallis was paid a bonus of $3,754, which is a portionfocus of the CDN$30,000 bonus paid for calendar year 2019 performance. Mr. Fallis resigned from his position asCompany and its named executive officers shifted during 2023 to focus on securing funding and advancing the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 25, 2020 and was therefore not eligible for a bonus for calendar year 2020.

No 2021 bonus performance target was approved for Mr. Edgar. Any bonus for Mr. Edgar’s 2021 performance will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.ICSID Arbitration.

Cash Compensation Payable to our Named Executive Officers

Our named executive officers receive a base salary payable in accordance with our normal payroll practices. The base salaries of our executive officers are set forth in employment or consulting agreements between the Company and each officer. Based on the Compensation Committee’s knowledge of the industry and size and financial resources of the Company, the Compensation Committee believes that the base salaries of the Company’s executive officers are competitive with those that are received by comparable officers with comparable responsibilities in similar companies.

When the Compensation Committee considers total cash compensation for our named executive officers, it does so by evaluating their responsibilities, experience and the competitive marketplace. Specifically, the Compensation Committee considers the following factors:

··the executive’s leadership and operational performance and potential to enhance long-term value to the Company’s shareholders;Shareholders;
··the Company’s financial resources;
··performance compared to the financial, operational and strategic goals established for the Company;
··the nature, scope and level of the executive’s responsibilities;
··competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions, experience and performance levels; and
··the executive’s current salary, and the appropriate balance between incentives for long-term and short-term performance.

Historically, the Company has entered into employment agreements with its executive officers that provide for a base salary and other benefits.

Option Grants to our Named Executive Officers

Due to the lack of authorized shares available for issuance, we have notWe granted stock options to our named executive officers in fiscal 2020.January 2024 and February 2022. Historically, options werehave been granted to officers and directors on or about the time of their initial appointment. We also may make additional awards to our executive officers at the discretion of the Board. Options granted to our executive officers generally vest over a period of two years from the date of grant, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances, including upon a change of control. These option grants are intended to provide incentives to our officers who contribute to the success of the Company by offering them the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in it. We believe that option grants also help to align the interests of our management and employees with the interests of shareholders.Shareholders. Further, we believe that these option grants serve as additional incentive for our officers and that the achievement of these objectives will help our performance. The amount of the option grant to each executive officer is intended, in conjunction with cash salary and bonus amounts, and stock bonuses, to provide aggregate compensation that is competitive with amounts received by similarly experienced officers of comparable companies.

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Employment and Consulting Agreements with our Named Executive Officers

The Company has entered into employment and consulting agreements with its named executive officers. Each of our executive officers is paid a salary or consulting fee for his services and has been granted stock options in consideration for his services, except in the case of Mr. Richards, due to a lack of authorized shares available for issuance.services. When the Compensation Committee considers salaries and consulting fees for our executives, it does so by evaluating their responsibilities, experience, the competitive marketplace and our financial resources and projections. Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee reviews and approves the terms of the compensation granted and awarded to our named executive officers.

Timothy T. Barry

On February 26, 2013,17, 2022 (effective as of January 1, 2022), Silver Bull entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Barry (the “CEO Consulting Agreement”) pursuant to which agreement Mr. Barry continues to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the CEO Consulting Agreement, Mr. Barry received an annual fee of CDN$60,000 (the “CEO Consulting Fee”) and is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual bonus plans during the term of the CEO Consulting Agreement, with a bonus target of up to 50% of the annual fee, or a target determined by the Board. In addition, Mr. Barry is eligible to participate in the Management Retention Bonus Plan (as defined below). In the event that the CEO Consulting Agreement is terminated by the Company without cause or by Mr. Barry for “good reason” (as defined in the CEO Consulting Agreement), Mr. Barry is entitled to the following amounts, payable in a lump sum (the “CEO Severance Payments”): (A) 12 months of the CEO Consulting Fee; plus (B) one month of the CEO Consulting Fee for each additional year of service from January 1, 2022, up to a maximum of 24 months of the CEO Consulting Fee; plus (C) a payment equal to a pro-rated portion of the annual cash bonus. If the Company terminates the CEO Consulting Agreement without cause within three months following a “change of control” (as defined in the CEO Consulting Agreement), Mr. Barry is entitled to 24 months of the CEO Consulting Fee plus a lump-sum payment equal to two times the annual cash bonus (such payment, the “CEO Change of Control Payment”). In addition, Mr. Barry has the right to terminate the CEO Consulting Agreement for any reason within six months following a “change of control” and receive the CEO Change of Control Payment from the Company. In addition, upon any termination pursuant to which Mr. Barry receives any of the CEO Severance Payments or the CEO Change of Control Payments described above, Mr. Barry is further entitled to continued benefits provided under the Company’s insured standard benefit plan for a period of 12 months following such termination.

Effective September 1, 2023, the CEO Consulting Fee was revised to CDN$200,000, of which CDN$125,000 is to be paid, and the remaining CDN$75,000 is to be deferred, and only paid in the event the Company is successful in obtaining an award from the ICSID Arbitration case, or there is a change of control of the Company.

Christopher Richards

On February 17, 2022 (effective January 1, 2022), the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with the CompanyMr. Richards that providedprovides for aan annual base salary, of CDN$18,000 per month (CDN$216,000 per year) and that he beis eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. The agreement was amended on June 4, 2015 to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. On February 23, 2016,If Mr. Barry’s employment agreement was amended to reduce his salary by 30% to CDN$12,600 per month (CDN$151,200 per year) effective as of January 16, 2016. Mr. Barry’s employment agreement was again amended on June 24, 2016 to reinstate his base salary of CDN$18,000 per month (CDN$216,000 per year) effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Barry’s employment was further amended (i) to increase his annual base salary to CDN$275,000 effective as of August 1, 2018, (ii) to make him eligible to receive an annual bonus upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board, and (iii) to revise the “Change of Control” definition to include transactions in which (A) the Company consummates a consolidation or merger in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own less than 80% of the outstanding voting power of the Company following the transaction, and (B) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer resigns or is terminated as a result of such transaction. According to the severance terms of the employment agreement, upon termination of employment by the Company, Mr. Barry is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$275,000 if Mr. BarryRichards is terminated without cause. However, upon a change of control (which is defined in the employment agreement), Mr. Barry is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$550,000 plus the previous year’s bonus if Mr. Barry or the Company terminates his employment within three months of such change of control.

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Barry will also be subject to a non-compete provision for six (6) months following termination of his employment for any reason; provided, however, that the non-compete provision shall not apply if the Company terminates his employment following a change of control.

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Christopher Richards

On September 23, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Richards, pursuant to which agreementcause, he will receive an annual base salary of CDN$210,000. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of his employment agreement, Mr. Richards will be eligible (i) to receive an annual bonus based upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board and (ii) to participate in the Silver Bull Resources, Inc. 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan, with the award of any grants being at the discretion of the Board. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause between December 29, 2020 and September 27, 2021, then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to sixtwelve months of his Silver Bull base salary. salary and a pro-rata payment of the Silver Bull annual bonus. If the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause after September 28, 2021, then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal to six months of his base salary plus one month of his base salary for each additional year of employment, subject to maximum lump-sum payment of 12 months of his base salary. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement, if (i) the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause or (ii) Mr. Richards resigns, in either case within three months following a Change of Control (as defined in the employment agreement), then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive his then-current base salary for a period of 24 months plus a lump-sum payment equal to his prior year’s bonus.

Sean C. Fallis

On February 26, 2013, Mr. Fallis entered into an amended and restated employment agreement withwithout cause within three (3) months of a change of control or Mr. Richards resigns for good reason within six (6) months of a change of control of the Company, that increased histhe Company must pay Mr. Richards twenty-four (24) months of Silver Bull base salary plus a lump sum payment equal to two (2) Silver Bull annual bonuses, based upon the average of the past two previous year’s bonuses paid to Mr. Richards. Mr. Richards is entitled to the same termination payments from Arras.

Effective September 1, 2023, Mr. Richards’ annual base salary was revised to CDN$15,000 per month (CDN$180,000 per year) effective as339,000, of March 1, 2013 and that provided that he be eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. On February 26, 2015 and June 4, 2015, the agreement was amended to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. On February 23, 2016, Mr. Fallis’ employment agreement was further amended to reduce his salary by 30% to CDN$10,500 per month (CDN$126,000 per year) effective as of January 16, 2016. Mr. Fallis’ employment agreement was again amended on June 24, 2016 to reinstate his base salary of CDN$15,000 per month (CDN$180,000 per year) effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Fallis’ employment was last amended (i) to increase his annual base salary to CDN$225,000 effective as of August 1, 2018, (ii) to make him eligible to receive an annual bonus upon attaining certain performance criteria set by the Board, and (iii) to revise the “Change of Control” to expand the list of qualifying transactions, as described above. Under the employment agreement, Mr. Fallis was entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$225,000 if he were terminated without cause. Mr. Fallis resigned from his position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 25, 2020. Because his resignation was voluntary, he was not entitled to receive any severance payment. Mr. Fallis is subject to a non-compete provision for six (6) months following his resignation.

On September 26, 2020,which the Company entered into a one-year consulting agreement with Mr. Fallis. Subjectis responsible for CDN$150,000 (Arras is paying the remaining CDN$189,000). Of the CDN$150,000 the Company is responsible for, CDN$100,000 is to the terms and conditions of and in accordance with the Silver Bull Resources, Inc. 2010 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan, as amended (the “2010 Plan”), the award agreements issued to Mr. Fallis thereunder,be paid, and the consulting agreement, Mr. Fallis retained all stock options grantedremaining CDN$50,000 is to him underbe deferred, and only paid in the 2010 Plan, and noneevent the Company is successful in obtaining an award from the ICSID Arbitration case, or there is a change of such options terminated as a result of his transition from an employee to a consultantcontrol of the Company.

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Management Retention Bonus Plan

Brian D. Edgar

On February 26, 2013, Mr. Edgar entered into an amended and restated employment agreement withAs a result of the Company, pursuant to which he receives a base salarydefault of CDN$7,500 per month (CDN$90,000 per year). The agreement was amended on June 4, 2015 to modifyMexico under its NAFTA obligations, the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. On February 23, 2016, Mr. Edgar’s employment agreement was further amended to reduce his salary by 30% to CDN$5,250 per month (CDN$63,000 per year)Company’s previously adopted Management Retention Bonus Plan (the “Management Retention Bonus Plan”) effective as of January 16, 2016. Mr. Edgar’s employment agreement was againApril 15, 2021, and as amended on June 24, 2016February 17, 2022, was terminated by agreement of all participants upon the signing of the Key Persons Retention Plan in October 2023 (refer to reinstate his base salary of CDN$7,500 per month (CDN$90,000 per year) effective as of June 1, 2016. On August 28, 2018, Mr. Edgar’s employment was further amended to revise the “Change of Control” to expand the list of qualifying transactions, as described above. Mr. Edgar isProposal 3 for details). As such, our named executive officers will no longer eligible to receive an annual bonus for prior calendar year service atparticipate in the discretionManagement Retention Bonus Plan subject to the approval of the Board. Although Mr. Edgar holds the title of Chairman, because he dedicates a significant portion of his time to the day-to-day affairsKey Persons Retention Plan.

Certain executives of the Company, including Messrs. Barry, Edgar and continuesRichards, were to have a key roleparticipate in policy-makingthe Management Retention Bonus Plan, which provided for aggregate cash bonus to the participants, subject to the Company’s achievement of the applicable market capitalization targets within six years of the date of the Management Retention Bonus Plan: (i) CDN$2,500,000 if and when the Company’s market capitalization reaches at least CDN$250,000,000 for five consecutive trading days; (ii) CDN$2,500,000 if and when the Company’s market capitalization reaches at least CDN$500,000,000 for five consecutive trading days; and (iii) CDN$5,000,000 if and when the Company’s market capitalization reaches at least CDN$1,000,000,000 for five consecutive trading days. In the event that the Company the Company views Mr. Edgar as onewas to undergo a “change of its named executive officers.

According to the severance terms of the employment agreement, upon termination of employment by the Company without cause, Mr. Edgar is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$90,000. However, upon a change of control (which iscontrol” (as defined in the employment agreement),Management Retention Bonus Plan) and the Company’s market capitalization at any point prior to such a “change in control” equaled or exceeded CDN$250,000,000, the Company was to pay to the participant an aggregate bonus equal to 1.0% of the applicable bid price less any retention bonus previously paid to under the Management Retention Bonus Plan. Messrs. Barry, Edgar and Richards were entitled to the following portion of any amounts payable under the Management Retention Bonus Plan: 45% for Mr. Barry, 30% for Mr. Edgar is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$180,000 plus the previous year’s bonus ifand 15% for Mr. Edgar or the Company terminates his employment within three months of such change of control.Richards.

Under his employment agreement, Mr. Edgar will also be subject to a non-compete provision for six (6) months following termination of his employment for any reason; provided, however, that the non-compete provision shall not apply if the Company terminates his employment following a change of control.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of ControlSUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table showssets out the potential payments upon termination of employment of our executive officers as ofcompensation received for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020. For the purposes of this table, it is assumed that the terminated employee receives the maximum payment under his employment agreement with the Company,2023 and 2022 in the case of a change of control, thatrespect to each officer’s employment is terminated, either by the officer or by the Company, within three months following the change of control. For purposes of the officers’ employment agreements, “Change of Control” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events:named executive officer.

Name and
Principal Position
 Fiscal Year  Salary ($) (1)  Stock Awards ($) (2)  Option Awards ($) (3)  Total ($) 
Timothy T. Barry (4)
  2023   52,508   19,826   —     72,334 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director  2022   72,044   6,105   102,277   180,426 
Christopher Richards (5)
  2023   49,503   19,826   —     69,329 
Chief Financial Officer  2022   64,718   5,190   75,003   144,911 
Darren E. Klinck (6)
  2023   18,624   19,826   —     38,450 
Former President  2022   36,633   6,105   102,277   145,015 

(i)a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(ii)a consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person (or any other corporate reorganization) in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, own less than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting power of the surviving entity (or its parent) following the consolidation, merger or reorganization;
(iii)a transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the Company or an affiliate) acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors; or
(iv)a transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which (A) (i) any person, entity or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions (excluding any employee benefit plan, or related trust, sponsored or maintained by the Company or an affiliate) acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, or comparable successor rule) of securities of the Company representing at least twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors or securities of the Company that, upon conversion or exchange of such securities, would represent at least twenty percent (20%) of the combined voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors, or (ii) a consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person (or any other corporate reorganization) in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, own less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding voting power of the surviving entity (or its parent) following the consolidation, merger or reorganization and (B) in connection with or as a result of such transaction or series of transactions, either (i) one-half (or more) of the members of the Board resign or are replaced with nominees designated by such person, entity or group or (ii) the chief executive officer of the Company resigns or is terminated as a result of such transaction or series of transactions.

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Name Termination Event 

Cash Severance Payment

($) (1)

 

Accelerated Vesting

($)

 

Total

($)

Timothy T. Barry (2)  For Cause:   —     —     —   
  Without Cause:   206,487   —     206,487 
  Change of Control:   439,255   —     439,255 
Christopher Richards (3)  For Cause:   —     —     —   
  Without Cause:   78,841   —     78,841 
  Change of Control:   337,846   —     337,846 
Brian D. Edgar (4)  For Cause:   —     —     —   
  Without Cause:   67,578   —     67,578 
  Change of Control:   135,155   —     135,155 

(1)All 2023 and 2022 CDN$ amounts have been converted to US$ using the CDN$/US$ exchange rate as of October 31, 2020.2023 and 2022, respectively.
(2)For the year ended October 31, 2023, Messrs. Barry, Richards and Klinck each received CDN$27,500 in shares of common stock of the Company. For the year ended October 31, 2022, Mr. Barry received CDN$8,333 in shares of common stock of the Company; Mr. Richards received $CDN7,083 in shares of common stock of the Company; and Mr. Klinck received CDN$8,333 in shares of common stock of the Company. All shares were issued in accordance with the Company’s 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan.
(3)Amounts represent the calculated fair value of stock options granted to the named executive officers based on provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718-10, Stock Compensation. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 for a discussion regarding assumptions used to calculate fair value under the Black–Scholes valuation model. Options granted in 2022 were awarded by the Company.

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(2)

In February 2013,(4)

Effective January 1, 2022, Mr. Barry’s employmentannual base compensation was revised from CDN$290,000 to CDN$60,000 as a result of the separation of Arras from Silver Bull in late 2021, whereby Mr. Barry entered into a consulting agreement with the Company. Mr. Barry is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. As Mr. Barry also held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Arras, and no separate agreement was amendedin place with Arras until January 2022. For the year ended October 31, 2022, US$26,559 (CDN$36,250) of base compensation was allocated and billed to increaseArras for the amount payable uponperiod from November 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Effective September 1, 2023, Mr. Barry’s annual base compensation was revised to CDN$200,000, of which CDN$125,000 is to be paid, and the remaining CDN$75,000 is to be deferred, and only paid in the event the Company is successful in obtaining an award from the ICSID Arbitration (as defined below), or there is a change of control from CDN$216,000, plus prior year’s bonus, to CDN$432,000, plus prior year’s bonus. In August 2018, Mr. Barry’s employment agreement was further amended (i) to increaseof the amount payable upon a change of control from CDN$432,000, plus prior year’s bonus, to CDN$550,000, plus prior year’s bonus, and (ii) to increase the amount payable upon termination without cause from CDN$216,000 to CDN $275,000.

Company.
(3)(5)On September 23, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Richards pursuant to which agreement he will receivethat provided for an annual base salary of CDN$210,000. IfEffective February 15, 2021, Mr. Richards’ annual base salary was increased to CDN$230,000. Effective January 1, 2022, Mr. Richards entered into an amended and restated employment agreement jointly with Silver Bull and Arras, whereby Silver Bull is responsible for CDN$60,000 of his base salary, and he is eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. As Mr. Richards also held the position of Chief Financial Officer of Arras, and no separate agreement was in place with Arras until January 2022. For the year ended October 31, 2022, US$21,064 (CDN$28,750) of base salary was allocated and billed to Arras for the period from November 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Effective September 1, 2023, Mr. Richards’ annual base compensation was revised to CDN$150,000, of which CDN$100,000 is to be paid, and the remaining CDN$50,000 is to be deferred, and only paid in the event the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause between December 29, 2020 and September 27, 2021, then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receiveis successful in obtaining an award from the ICSID Arbitration case, or there is a lump-sum paymentchange of CDN$105,000. Ifcontrol of the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause afterCompany.
(6)On September 28, 2021, thenSilver Bull entered into a consulting agreement with Westcott, Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive a lump-sum payment equal toKlinck’s personal service corporation, that provided for an annual base fee of CDN$105,000 plus CDN$17,500 (one month of his base salary) for each additional year of employment, subject to maximum lump-sum payment of 12 months of his base salary.  If (i)50,000. Effective January 1, 2022, the Company terminates Mr. Richards without cause or (ii) Mr. Richards resigns, in either case within three months following a Change of Control (as defined in the employment agreement), then Mr. Richards will be entitled to receive CDN$420,000 (his base salary for a period of 24 months) plus a lump-sum payment equal to his prior year’s bonus.
(4)In February 2013, Mr. Edgar’s employmentconsulting agreement with Westcott was amended to increase the amount payable upon a changeannual base fee to CDN$60,000. Mr. Klinck was eligible to receive an annual bonus at the discretion of control from CDN$90,000, plus prior year’s bonus, to CDN$180,000, plus prior year’s bonus.
the Board. Mr. Klinck resigned as President of the Company effective April 21, 2023.

Stock Option, Stock Awards and Equity Incentive Plans

As of October 31, 2020, we hadthe date of this Proxy Statement, the Company has one formal equity compensation plan under which equity securities wereare authorized for issuance to ourits officers, directors, employees and consultants: the 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan (the “2019 Plan”which was adopted by the Board on February 22, 2019, approved by the Shareholders on April 18, 2019, and amendments to it were approved by Shareholders on April 19, 2022 (collectively, the “2019 Plan). Under the 2019 Plan, the lesser of (i) 3,750,000 shares or (ii)up to 10% of the total shares outstanding will beare reserved to be issued upon the exercise of options or the grant of stock bonuses. Asbonuses, with an overall limit of October 31, 2020. there were 3,316,59515,000,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan. As of October 31, 2020, optionsavailable to be issued under the 2010 Plan, were outstanding to acquire 2,043,750 shares of common stock. The term of the 2010 Plan expired on or around December 22, 2019. As of October 31, 2020, no additional shares remain available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.

as incentive stock options.

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Adoption and Approval

The 2019 Plan was adopted by the board of directors on February 22, 2019 and approved by the shareholders on April 18, 2019.

Eligibility and Reservation of Shares

Under the 2019 Plan, the Company may grant incentive options or stock bonuses to employees (including officers), consultants and directors (whether or not they are employees) of the Company or its present or future divisions, affiliates and subsidiaries (together, “Eligible Persons”).

Subject to certain limitations set forth under the 2019 Plan, options and bonuses may be granted to Eligible Persons, which Eligible Persons will be eligible to receive more than one grant of an option or bonus during the term of the 2019 Plan.

The maximum number of shares issuable upon exercise of options and pursuant to bonuses under the 2019 Plan will not exceed the lower of (i) 3,750,000 shares or (ii) 10% of the total shares outstanding, subject to adjustments as provided under the 2019 Plan.

Because the 2019 Plan does not have a fixed maximum number of securities issuable, pursuant to the rules and policies of the TSX, unallocated options, rights or other entitlements must be approved by shareholders every three years.

As of the date of the Proxy Statement, a total of 3,348,494 shares are issuable under the 2019 Plan representing 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. As of the date of the Proxy Statement, no options have been exercised or forfeited in cashless option exercises under the 2019 Plan. Therefore, as of the date of the Proxy Statement, a total of 3,348,494 shares remain available for issuance for awards under the 2019 Plan representing 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.

The 2019 Plan does not contain a limit on the percentage of securities available to insiders of the Company, nor the number of securities any one person or company is entitled to receive thereunder.

Exercise Price

Options granted under the 2019 Plan shall have an exercise price that will not be less than 100% of the “Fair Market Value” on the date of grant, which is defined as the last sale price of the Company’s shares as reported on the national securities exchange on which the stock is principally traded on the date of the grant, or if such date was not a trading date, on the trading date immediately preceding such date. Because the Company’s shares of Silver Bull common stock currently trade on the OTCQB marketplace, the TSX has advised that it will require the calculation of Fair Market Value to be determined solely on the basis of TSX trading data.

With respect to any incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than 10% of the total voting securities of the Company or certain related entities, the exercise price of such incentive stock options will be at a price of no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant.

If the optionee is a resident of Canada, the exercise price will be paid in cash. For optionees who are not residents of Canada, the exercise price will be paid in cash, in shares of the Company or other property having a Fair Market Value equal to such exercise price, or in a combination of cash, shares and property and, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee, may be effected in whole or in part with funds received from the Company at the time of exercise as a compensatory cash payment.

The exercise price will be paid in cash, in shares of the Company having a Fair Market Value equal to such exercise price or in property, or in a combination of cash, shares and property and, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee, may be effected in whole or in part with funds received from the Company at the time of exercise as a compensatory cash payment.

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Vesting and Term

Options that may be granted under the 2019 Plan will typically have a graded vesting schedule over approximately two years and have a contractual term of five years, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances, including upon a change of control.

Options that may be granted under the 2019 Plan will vest in accordance with such provisions as may be determined by the Board.

The exercise period of any option must not exceed 10 years from the date of the grant. For incentive stock options granted to a person owning more than 10% of the total voting securities of the Company, the term must not exceed five years.

Cessation of Entitlement

Unless otherwise provided in the option agreement between the Company and the optionee, if the optionee ceases to be an employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company, other than by reason of death or disability, all vested and unexercised options granted thereunder to such optionee will terminate three months following the date the optionee ceases to hold such office or directorship (but in all events not later than the originally scheduled term) and will terminate upon the date of termination of employment or other relationship if the optionee is discharged for cause. Vested options will be exercisable within one year after the date of death or disability of the optionee, or the end of the original terms if earlier. Unvested options expire immediately upon the date the optionee ceases to be an employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company, including by death or disability.

Assignment

Options granted pursuant to the 2019 Plan are not assignable other than by will or applicable laws of descent and distribution or, with respect to any non-qualified stock options as described under the 2019 Plan, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or the rules thereunder.

Stock Bonuses

A stock bonus is an award of shares of Silver Bull common stock issued pursuant to the terms of the 2019 Plan. The Company may grant stock bonuses under the 2019 Plan, up to a maximum of 5,000,000 shares of Silver Bull common stock on an annual basis. Stock bonuses granted under the 2019 Plan may have a vesting period of up to ten years and may be subject to such other restrictions as the Company deems appropriate. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee at the time of grant of a stock bonus, the recipient is considered a shareholder of the Company as to the bonus shares which have been issued at any time.

Change of Control

The treatment of any options or bonuses held by a recipient upon a Change of Control (as defined in the 2019 Plan) may be provided for in the applicable option agreement or other award document delivered to the recipient.

Amendment Provisions

Subject to the policies, rules and regulations of any lawful authority having jurisdiction, including any exchange with which the shares of the Company are listed for trading, the Board may at any time, without further action by the shareholders:

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(a)amend the 2019 Plan or any option granted thereunder in such respects as it may consider advisable and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it may do so to ensure that options granted thereunder will comply with any provisions respecting stock options in the income tax and other laws in force in any country or jurisdiction of which any option holders may from time to time be a resident or citizen; or
(b)terminate the 2019 Plan;

provided, however, that any such change that would be materially adverse to any outstanding award under the 2019 Plan shall not be effective unless approved by the recipient of such award. In addition, any amendment that would:

(a)materially increase the number of securities issuable under the 2019 Plan to persons who are subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act;
(b)grant eligibility to a class of persons who are subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and are not included within the terms of the 2019 Plan prior to the amendment;
(c)materially increase the benefits accruing to persons who are subject to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act under the 2019 Plan; or
(d)require shareholder approval under applicable state law, the rules and regulations of any national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities then may be listed, the Internal Revenue Code or any other applicable law

will be subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company.

Notwithstanding the above, any increase or modification that may result from certain adjustments authorized under the 2019 Plan or which are required for compliance with the Exchange Act, the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, their rules or other laws or judicial order, will not require shareholder approval.

The following table sets forth the outstanding equity awards for each named executive officer at October 31, 2020.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

  Underlying Unexercised Option Option
  Options Exercise Expiration
  Exercisable Unexercisable Price Date
Current Named Executive Officers                
Timothy T. Barry (1)  143,750   —    $0.48(2)  2/22/2021 
Chief Executive Officer, President  143,750   —    $0.72(3)  4/5/2022 
and Director  250,000   —    $0.80(4)  9/18/2023 
                 
Christopher Richards  —     —    $—     —   
Chief Financial Officer                
                 
Sean C. Fallis (1)(5)  137,500   —    $0.48(2)  2/22/2021 
Former Chief Financial Officer  137,500   —    $0.72(3)  4/5/2022 
   237,500   —    $0.80(4)  9/18/2023 
                 
Brian D. Edgar (1)  137,500   —    $0.48(2)  2/22/2021 
Chairman and Director  137,500   —    $0.72(3)  4/5/2022 
   237,500   —    $0.80(4)  9/18/2023 
  Underlying Unexercised  Option    
  Options (1) (2)  Exercise  Option 
Name  

Exercisable

   

Unexercisable

   

Price

(US$)

   

Expiration Date

 
Timothy T. Barry
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
  750,000   —    $0.23(3)  2/16/2027 
                 
Christopher Richards
Chief Financial Officer
  550,000   —    $0.23(3)  2/16/2027 
                 
Darren E. Klinck
Former President
  —     —    $—     —   

 

(1)Includes options granted under the 2019 Stock Option and Stock Bonus Plan.
(2)Options vestare fully vested as of October 31, 2023. Options vested in three equal installments: one-third on the grant date, one-third on the first anniversary of the grant date and one-third on the second anniversary of the grant date.
(2)(3)Exercise price of CDN$0.0750.32 was converted based on the foreign currency exchange rate as of February 23, 2016October 31, 2023 (CDN$1.00 = US$0.7277)0.7209).

Pay Versus Performance

As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the implementing rules under Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following pay versus performance disclosure.

Pay versus Performance Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our principal executive officer, or “PEO,” and the compensation of our other non-PEO NEOs, for each of the years ending October 31, 2022 and 2023, as such compensation relates to our financial performance for each year.

Year  Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO (1)  Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (2)  Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs (3)  Average Compensation Actually Paid for Non-PEO NEOs (4)  Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return (5)  Net (Loss) (thousands) (6) 
 (a)   (b)   (c)   (d)   (e)   (f)   (g) 
 2023  $72,334  $64,664  $53,980  $45,856  $17.54  $(1,251)
 2022  $180,426  $134,585  $144,963  $105,234  $29.82  $(3,168)

(1)The dollar amounts reported in column (b) are the amounts reported for the principal executive officer (“PEO”), Mr. Barry (the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer), for each corresponding year in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to “Executive Compensation — Executive Compensation Tables — Summary Compensation Table.”
(3)(2)Exercise priceThe dollar amounts reported in column (c) represent the amount of CDN$0.125 was converted based on the foreign currency exchange rate“compensation actually paid” to Mr. Barry, as of April 6, 2017 (CDN$1.00 = US$0.7458).
(4)Exercise price of CDN$0.130 was converted based on the foreign currency exchange rate as of September 19, 2018 (CDN$1.00 = US$0.7721).
(5)Mr. Fallis resigned from his position as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer effective as of September 25, 2020. On September 26, 2020, the Company entered into a one-year consulting agreement with Mr. Fallis. Subject to the terms and conditions of andcomputed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the 2010 Plan, the award agreements issuedactual amount of compensation earned by or paid to Mr. Fallis thereunder, andBarry during the consulting agreement,applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to Mr. Fallis retained all stock options grantedBarry’s total compensation for each year to him underdetermine the 2010 Plan, and none of such options terminated as a result of his transition from an employee to a consultant of the Company.compensation actually paid” which is reported above:

 

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20 
 

 

Year  Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO  Reported Value of Equity Awards (a)  Equity Award Adjustments (b)  Compensation Actual Paid to PEO 
 2023  $72,334  ($19,826) $12,156  $64,664 
 2022  $180,426  ($108,382) $62,541  $134,585 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(b)Represents the sum of:
i.for equity awards granted during the fiscal year:
·the fair value as at the vesting date of equity awards that vested;
·the fair value as of end of the fiscal year for equity awards that were unvested;
ii.for equity awards granted in previous fiscal years:
·change in fair value as of the end of the fiscal year compared to the fair value at the end of the previous fiscal year of equity awards that were unvested;
·change in fair value as of the vesting date compared to the fair value at the end of the previous fiscal year for equity awards that vested;
·deduct the fair value as of the end of the fiscal year for equity awards that failed to meet the vesting conditions during the year (i.e., cancelled or forfeited awards)

(in sum, the “Equity Award Adjustments”).

(3)The dollar amounts reported in column (d) represent the average of the amounts reported for the Company’s named executive officers (“NEOs”) as a group (excluding Mr. Barry, who has served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer) in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table in each applicable year. The names of each of the NEOs (excluding Mr. Barry) included for purposes of calculating the average amounts in each applicable year were Darren Klinck (the Company’s former President) and Christopher Richards (the Company’s CFO).
(4)The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Barry), as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual average amount of compensation earned by or paid to the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Barry) during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to average total compensation for the NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Barry) for each year to determine the “compensation actually paid,” using the same methodology described above in Note 2:

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Year  Average Reported Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs  Average Reported Value of Equity Awards (a)  Average Equity Award Adjustments (b)  Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs 
 2023  $53,890  ($19,826) $11,792  $45,856 
 2022  $144,963  ($94,287) $54,558  $105,234 

(a)The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” and “Option Awards” columns in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year.
(b)Represents the Equity Award Adjustments noted above.
(5)Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) represents the value as of the end of each relevant fiscal year of a hypothetical $100 investment in the Company’s common stock on October 31, 2021, assuming dividend reinvestment. No dividends were paid on stock or option awards in 2023, or 2022.
(6)The dollar amounts reported represent the net loss, as reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year.

Analysis of the Information Presented in the Pay versus Performance Table

No grantsThe Company’s executive compensation program reflects a variable pay-for-performance philosophy. While the Company utilizes several performance measures to align executive compensation with Company performance. None of awardsthose Company measures are presented in the Pay versus Performance table. Moreover, the Company generally seeks to ourincentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the Company’s performance measures with compensation that is actually paid (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year. In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the Company is providing the following descriptions of the relationships between the information presented in the Pay versus Performance table.

Compensation Actually Paid and Cumulative TSR

The following graph reflects the relationship between the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Barry and the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the Company’s NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Barry) with the Company’s cumulative TSR over the two years presented in the table. The Company does not use TSR as a performance measure in the overall executive officers were made duringcompensation program.

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Compensation Actually Paid and GAAP Net Loss

The following table reflects the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.relationship between the amount of “compensation actually paid” to Mr. Barry and the average amount of “compensation actually paid” to the Company’s NEOs as a group (excluding Mr. Barry) with the Company’s net loss, as reported under US GAAP, over the two years presented in the table. The Company does not use net loss as a performance measure in the overall executive compensation program.

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan

As of October 31, 2020,2023, we had one formal equity compensation plan under which equity securities were authorized for issuance to our officers, directors, employees and consultants: the 2019 Plan. Under the 2019 Plan, the lesser of (i) 3,750,000 shares or (ii) 10% of the total shares outstanding will beare reserved to be issued upon the exercise of options or the grant of stock bonuses. As of October 31, 2020.2023, there were 3,316,5952,300,000 options outstanding and 2,436,565 shares reservedavailable for issuance under the 2019 Plan. As of October 31, 2020, options issued under the 2010 Plan were outstanding to acquire 2,043,750 shares of common stock. The term of the 2010 Plan expired on or around December 22, 2019. As of October 31, 2020, no additional shares remain available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.

The following table gives information about ourSilver Bull common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under our compensation plans as of October 31, 2020.2023.

Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights Number of securities remaining available for future issuance
Plan category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights  Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights  Number of securities remaining available for future issuance 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  2,043,750(1) $0.72   3,316,595   (2)  2,300,000   0.22   2,436,565(1)
Total  2,043,750  $0.72   3,316,595       2,300,000   0.22   2,436,565 

 

(1)Includes options to acquire 2,043,750 shares of common stock under the 2010 Plan.

(2)       Includes 3,316,595 shares(1)       Shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2019 Plan.

Burn Rate

The annual burn rate for each security-based compensation arrangement for the three most recently completed financial years, expressed as a percentage and calculated by dividing the number of awards granted during the financial year by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the financial year, is set forth in the following table:

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, (1)

Plan

2020

2019

2018

2019 Plan0%0%N/A
   For the fiscal year ended October 31, (1) 
Plan  2023  2022  2021 
 2019 Plan   0%  9%  0%

 

(1)The annual burn rate is calculated as the number of securities granted under the arrangement during the applicable fiscal year divided by the weighted average number of securities outstanding for the applicable fiscal year.

Compensation of Directors

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, the following persons served on the Board:

Brian D. Edgar (Chairman) (1)

Timothy T. Barry (2)

Daniel J. Kunz (3)

John A. McClintockDavid T. Underwood (4)

William F. Matlack (5)

 

_________________________

 

(1)       Elected to the Board effective as of April 16, 2010.

(2)       Elected to the Board effective as of March 2, 2011.

(3)       Elected to the Board effective as of April 20, 2011. Resigned from the Board effective March 2, 2023.

(4)       ElectedAppointed to the Board effective as of February 22, 2012.March 3, 2022.

(5)       Appointed to the Board effective as of March 2, 2023.

 

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Independent Director Compensation Structure

In connection with their election at the Company’s last annual meeting of shareholders,Shareholders, the Board concluded that each of Messrs. McClintockMatlack and KunzUnderwood were independent. The Board evaluates the independence of its members on an as-needed basis throughout the year and has not changed that assessment. With respect to the nominees for election at the Meeting, the Board has concluded that each of Messrs. McClintockUnderwood and Kunz isMatlack are independent.

Each of the Company’s independent directors is compensated $20,000 per year, paid in quarterly installments, and issued additional stock option grants for histheir services. In addition, the person serving as the Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee receives an annual cash fee of $6,000 (payable in quarterly installments), and its Compensation Committee Chair and its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Chair each receive an annual cash fee of $3,000 (payable in the same manner), in each case in consideration for its respective service as the chairs of such committees.

Chairman Compensation Structure

Effective as of April 16, 2010, Brian D. Edgar began serving as the Company’s Executive Chairman. Effective as of September 2, 2011, the Company entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with Mr. Edgar. Mr. Edgar was being compensated at the rate of CDN$7,500 per month (CDN$90,000 per year) and was eligible for an annual bonus at the discretion of the Board. On February 26, 2013, Mr. Edgar entered into another amended and restated employment agreement, which was amended on June 4, 2015 to modify the severance amount payable in certain circumstances. On February 23, 2016, Mr. Edgar’s employment agreement was further amended to reduce his salary by 30% to CDN$5,250 per month (CDN$63,000 per year). His employment agreement was again amended on June 24, 2016 to reinstate his base salary of CDN$7,500 per month (CDN$90,000 per year). On August 28, 2018, Mr. Edgar’s employment was further amended to revise the “Change of Control” definition to include transactions in whichwhich: (i) the Company consummates a consolidation or merger in which the shareholdersShareholders of the Company immediately prior to the transaction own less than 80% of the outstanding voting power of the Company following the transaction,transaction; and (ii) the Company’s Chief Executive Officer resigns or is terminated as a result of such transaction. BecauseIn the past, the Company viewsviewed Mr. Edgar as an executive officer, and as such his compensation ishas been shown above in the Summary Compensation Table rather than in the Director Compensation table below. On January 9, 2012,2021, the Company changed Mr. Edgar’s title to Chairman.

AccordingChairman, and effective October 1, 2021, he was no longer viewed as an executive officer. Effective January 1, 2022, Mr. Edgar’s Chairman’s fee was revised to $35,000 per year. Effective September 1, 2023, the severance terms ofChairman’s fee was revised to CDN$90,000 per year, with CDN$45,000 to be paid, and the ofremaining CDN$45,000 to be deferred, and only paid in the employment agreement, upon termination of employment byevent the Company without cause, Mr. Edgar is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$90,000. Upon a change of control (which is definedsuccessful in obtaining an award from the employment agreement), Mr. Edgar is entitled to receive a lump-sum severance payment equal to CDN$180,000, plus the amount of the prior year’s bonus (if any) if Mr. Edgar or the Company terminates his employment within three (3) months of such change of control.

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ICSID Arbitration case.

Director Compensation – Fiscal Year 20202023

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, the Company compensated the following directors, who are not named executive officers, for their services as directors as follows:

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Name 

Fees earned or paid in cash

($)

 

Option awards

($)

 

Total

($)

 

Fees earned or paid in cash

($)

 

Option awards

($)(1)

 

Total

($)

 
Daniel J. Kunz (1)(2) $26,000   —    $26,000  $9,489   —    $9,489 
John A. McClintock (2) $26,000   —    $26,000 
David T. Underwood (3) $26,000   —    $26,000 
William F. Matlack (4)  16,511  $11,206  $27,717 
Brian D. Edgar (5) $35,000   —    $35,000 

_________________________

 

(1)Amounts represent the calculated fair value of stock options granted to the named directors based on provisions of ASC 718-10, Stock Compensation. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2023 for discussion regarding assumptions used to calculate fair value under the Black–Scholes valuation model.

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(2)Mr. Kunz was paid $9,489 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, which included $2,190 for serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Kunz ceased to be a director effective March 2, 2023.
(3)Mr. Underwood was paid $26,000 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, which includes $6,000 for serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee.
(2)Mr. McClintock was paid $26,000 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, which included $3,000 for serving as Chair of the Compensation Committee and $3,000 for serving as Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

Re-pricing of Options

In connection with the one-for-eight reverse stock split completed on September 18, 2020 and in accordance with the terms of the 2010 Plan, the option exercise price of all issued and outstanding options to purchase common stock was increased by a factor of eight.

(4)Mr. Matlack was paid $16,511 during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, which included $3,810 for serving as the Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Matlack joined the board effective March 2, 2023.
(5)Please see “Chairman Compensation Structure” above regarding Mr. Edgar’s compensation.

INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee has appointed and engaged Smythe to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2021,2023, and to perform other appropriate audit-related services. Smythe began serving as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company on February 16, 2016. We expect that a representative of Smythe will be present at the Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if it desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

Audit Fees

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, Smythe billed us aggregate fees and expenses in the amount of $50,137.$61,942. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019,2022, Smythe billed us aggregate fees and expenses in the amount of $51,925.$59,392. These aggregate fees include professional services for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and the review of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Registration Statements on Forms S-1 and S-8.

Audit-Related Fees

There were no audit-related fees billed by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.2023. There were no audit-related fees billed by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

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2022.

Tax Fees

There were no fees and expenses for tax services billed by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.2023. There were no fees and expenses for tax services billed by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.2022.

All Other Fees

There were no other services provided by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.2023. There were no other services provided by Smythe during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.2022.

Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Practice

Section 10A(i) of the Exchange Act prohibits our auditors from performing audit services for us as well as any services not considered to be “audit services” unless such services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee of the Board, or unless the services meet certain de minimis standards. The Audit Committee’s charter provides that the Audit Committee must:

··preapprove all audit services that the auditor may provide to us or any subsidiary (including, without limitation, providing comfort letters in connection with securities underwritings or statutory audits) as required by Section 10A(i)(1)(A) of the Exchange Act (as amended by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002); and
··preapprove all non-audit services (other than certain de minimis services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act (as amended by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)) that the auditors propose to provide to us or any of our subsidiaries.

The Audit Committee considers at each of its meetings whether to approve any audit services or non-audit services. In some cases, management may present the request; in other cases, the auditors may present the request.

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

To the Board of Directors of Silver Bull Resources, Inc.:

Management is responsible for our internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”PCAOB) and to issue an opinion on our consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to monitor and oversee those processes. We hereby report to the Board of Directors that, in connection with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, we have:

··reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements with management and the independent accountants;
··discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC; and
··received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and discussed with the independent accountants the accountants’ independence.

Based on the discussions and our review described above, we recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 20202023 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, which is being provided with this Proxy Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee of Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

Daniel J. Kunz,William F. Matlack, Chair

John A. McClintock

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David T. Underwood

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

To the Board of Directors of Silver Bull Resources, Inc.:

The Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this Report.

The Compensation Committee hereby reports to the Board of Directors that, in connection with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020,2023, and this Proxy Statement, we have:

Respectfully submitted,

The Compensation Committee of Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

John A. McClintock,David T. Underwood, Chair

Daniel J. KunzWilliam F. Matlack

Brian D. Edgar

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PROPOSAL 1:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board is nominating four (4) directors for election to serve until the next annual meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote the shares represented by such proxy for the re-electionelection of the four (4) nominees for director: Timothy T. Barry, Brian D. Edgar, Daniel KunzDavid Underwood, and John McClintock.William Matlack.

If, at the time of the Meeting, any of these nominees shall become unavailable for any reason, which event is not expected to occur, the persons entitled to vote the Proxy will vote for such substitute nominee or nominees, if any, as they determine in their sole discretion. If re-elected, each of the above named directors will each hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified at the next annual meeting of shareholdersShareholders or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.

Vote Required for Approval

Candidates will be elected by a plurality vote. However, pursuant to our Majority Voting Policy, any director who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) “FOR”FOR such candidate is required to tender his written resignation to the Board.

Board Recommendation

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the election of Timothy T. Barry, Brian D. Edgar, Daniel KunzDavid Underwood and John McClintock.William Matlack. Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed proxy will be voted “FOR” the election of the Board’s slate of nominees. Neither management nor the Board is aware of any reason which would cause any nominee to be unavailable to serve as a director.

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PROPOSAL 2:
RATIFICATION AND APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

On ●, 2021,[●], 2024, the Board directed by resolution that the Company submit the selection of Smythe as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for ratification and approval by our shareholdersShareholders at the Meeting.

Although the Company is not required to submit the selection of the independent registered public accountants for shareholderShareholder approval, if the shareholdersShareholders do not ratify and approve this selection, the Board may reconsider its selection of Smythe. The Board considers Smythe to be well qualified to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company; however, even if the selection is ratified and approved, the Board may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Audit Committee and Board determine that the change would be in our best interests.

Vote Required for Ratification and Approval

Ratification and approval of Proposal 2 will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting. Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed proxy will be voted “FOR” the ratificationproposal to ratify and approval ofapprove the appointment of Smythe as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Board Recommendation

The Board unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the ratification and approval of Proposal 2.

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PROPOSAL 3:
APPROVAL OF THE KEY PERSONS RETENTION AGREEMENT

Background

As previously disclosed, Silver Bull and Minera Metalin S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Minera Metalin” and together with Silver Bull, the “Claimants”), initiated arbitration proceedings (the “ICSID Arbitration”) under the rules of the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”) against Mexico pursuant to Annex 14-C of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) to recover economic damages resulting from a blockade of the Company’s Sierra Mojada property. While the Company’s primary objective has always been the development of the Sierra Mojada project in Mexico to operational status, the ICSID Arbitration has now become the central focus of the Company.

On September 6, 2023, the Company announced that it had entered into the litigation funding agreement (the “Litigation Funding Agreement”) with Bench Walk 23P L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Bench Walk”), for up to US$9.5 million to fund the Company’s ICSID Arbitration claims in relation to the investment dispute with the Mexican government that has arisen out of Mexico’s wrongful conduct and alleged breaches of the USMCA and NAFTA protections, including expropriation, breach of the fair and equitable treatment standard, discrimination, and other unlawful treatment in respect of the Sierra Mojada property. The Litigation Funding Agreement provides for monies to be progressively drawn down from the litigation funding facility to meet expenses associated with the ICSID Arbitration. The funding provided by Bench Walk is on a limited recourse basis and is repayable to Bench Walk in the event of a successful ICSID Arbitration or settlement of the dispute with Mexico. If there is no settlement or recovery of an award, then Bench Walk is not entitled to any repayment of the financing facility. In return for providing the financing facility, Bench Walk shall be entitled to receive repayment of any funds drawn plus up to 2.5x Bench Walk’s capital outlay (or, if greater, a return of 1.0x Bench Walk’s capital outlay plus 30% of the claim proceeds). The actual return to Bench Walk may be lower than the foregoing amounts depending on how quickly the claim is resolved.

It is anticipated that progressing the ICSID Arbitration will involve a significant amount of effort and contribution from the directors and management team through the various stages of the international arbitration proceedings which may extend over a number of years, and throughout the process, the Company’s available capital to adequately compensate such individuals may be limited. Accordingly, it is imperative that the Company be able to continue to retain the services of key directors and members of the Company’s management team who are important to the Company’s management and progress of the ICSID Arbitration and who have important historical information and knowledge to contribute towards the ICSID Arbitration. Additionally, given the value of the Management Retention Bonus Plan, which was envisioned as a key element of compensation, has now been fundamentally and significantly frustrated following the acts of the Mexican government to block any pathway to development of the Company’s Sierra Mojada project, as reflected by the Company’s pursuit of the ICSID Arbitration, the Company sought out alternative methods of retaining key personnel over the expected long duration of the ICSID Arbitration that would also both serve to conserve capital and reflect the risk associated with the indeterminate nature of the outcome of the ICSID Arbitration.

Throughout September 2023, the Company, the Board and the Compensation Committee of the Board all considered various compensation mechanisms in order to incentivize the continued participation and cooperation of the Key Persons in the ICSID Arbitration process. While a number of different mechanisms were considered, it was determined that most, if not all, of these compensation mechanisms would have been unfeasible due to the expected significant financial cost to maintain such programs and would have represented a significant ongoing capital expense to the Company without any assurance on or connection to the outcome of the ICSID Arbitration process.

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Accordingly after discussions internally, with outside advisors and counsel, and with other parties who have undertaken similar proceedings previously, and in light of the terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement and in consideration of the agreement of the Key Persons to accept below-market salaries from the Company and defer certain portions of such salaries, which deferred salaries will only be paid upon the issuance of a successful award under the ICSID Arbitration, the Company determined that the establishment of the long-term Key Persons Retention Agreement best aligned the interests of the Company and Key Persons while providing the Company with the necessary tools to pursue the ICSID Arbitration. The retention of the directors and members of the Company’s management team for the ICSID Arbitration through the Key Persons Retention Agreement will also assist the Company in its compliance with the terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement with Bench Walk. It is expected that the Key Persons Retention Agreement will serve to effectively replace the core purposes of the Management Retention Bonus Plan to retain the services of key personnel who will contribute to the ICSID Arbitration. Our named executive officers will no longer eligible to participate in the Management Retention Bonus Plan subject to the approval of the Key Persons Retention Agreement.

On October 13, 2023, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board, the Key Persons Retention Agreement was approved by the members of the Board (excluding Messrs. Brian D. Edgar and Timothy T. Barry, who are also Key Persons). The effectiveness of the Key Persons Retention Agreement is subject to certain conditions precedent, including that the Key Persons Retention Agreement shall have been approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) and that the Company shall have obtained the approval of the disinterested Shareholders of the Company in accordance with the TSX Company Manual and MI 61-101.

Subsequently, on October 13, 2023, as disclosed in the Company’s press release on that date, the Company entered into the Key Persons Retention Agreement with the Key Persons, and obtained the conditional approval of the TSX with respect thereto.

Key Terms of the Key Persons Retention Agreement

The Key Persons Retention Agreement provides that if the ICSID Arbitration is successful, 12.0% of any net proceeds awarded in the ICSID Arbitration to, and actually collected by, the Company, after the payment by the Claimants of all direct expenses in the matter, including but not limited to fees, expenses, disbursements and taxes of the Claimants’ legal counsel and experts, fees, expenses, disbursements and taxes of the arbitration tribunal, ICSID administrative fees, translation and interpretation costs, travel and accommodation costs of the Claimants and their experts and witnesses incurred in respect of arbitration preparation and attendance at hearings, and any other costs, fees, expenses, disbursements and taxes reasonably incurred by any party due and payable by the Claimants in connection with the ICSID Arbitration as may be determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion (“Management Entitlement Amount”) shall be distributed to the Key Persons as set out in the Key Persons Retention Agreement. The following table sets forth the proportion of the aggregate Management Entitlement Amount each Key Person is entitled to:

Name and

principal position

Percentage of any net proceeds awarded in the ICSID Arbitration

Timothy T. Barry

President and Chief Executive Officer

4.0%

Brian D. Edgar

Chairman

3.0%

Christopher Richards

Chief Financial Officer

2.0%

Juan Manuel Lopez Ramirez

Country Manager, Mexico

2.0%

David Xuan

Corporate Controller

1.0%
Total:12.0%

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, during the term of the ICSID Arbitration, the Board acting in good faith and in its sole and absolute discretion determines that any Key Person has failed to continuously and promptly provide all necessary support and/or assistance to the Company in connection with the ICSID Arbitration, the Board will be entitled to reduce or eliminate any portion of the Management Entitlement Amount due and payable to any Key Person at any time. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event any Key Person ceases to be engaged or retained by the Company on or before October 13, 2024, such Key Person’s entitlement to any portion of the Management Entitlement Amount will immediately terminate. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, in the event any Key Person ceases to be engaged or retained by the Company at any time following October 13, 2024 but prior to the issuance of a final award pursuant to the ICSID Arbitration, such Key Person’s entitlement to any portion of the Management Entitlement Amount will be reduced by 50% (or such greater or lesser amount as may be determined by the Board).

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In the event that the Company has not received a cash award pursuant to the ICSID Arbitration on or prior to October 13, 2029, or such later date as may be determined in writing by the Board, the Key Persons Retention Agreement, together with all obligations of the Company and the Key Persons thereunder, including the obligations of the Company to pay any Management Entitlement Amount, will immediately terminate without recourse.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Key Persons Retention Agreement.

Shareholders are reminded that any Management Entitlement Amount will only be received following a successful ICSID Arbitration, receipt of damages or settlement amount, and after distribution of litigation funders and enforcement costs. The consideration to be received by the Company is the value of the ongoing contribution of the key persons to the ICSID Arbitration proceedings and any benefit Shareholders will receive from a successful ICSID Arbitration. It is expected that the Key Persons will be required to devote a significant amount of time and effort in support of the ICSID Arbitration with no guarantee that any amounts will be ever received by the Company or the Key Persons pursuant to the Key Persons Retention Agreement. The Board, including each independent member of the Board, unanimously determined that the execution and implementation of the Key Persons Retention Agreement is in the best interest of the Company and the Shareholders and recommends that Shareholders vote to approve the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution (as defined below).

Consequences of not Ratifying or Approving the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution

Pursuant to the Litigation Funding Agreement, Silver Bull, its subsidiaries, and directors are required to cooperate fully and at all times throughout the ICSID Arbitration proceedings, including by providing assistance to the ICSID Arbitration lawyers as and when required. The length of the proceedings and the potential success of the ICSID Arbitration is unknown. The Key Persons have agreed to the terms and allocations under the Key Persons Retention Agreement in order to support the Company in the ICSID Arbitration process. If the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution is not ratified or approved, the Key Persons Retention Agreement may lapse or be amended, and the Key Persons may take the view that they are not appropriately retained or incentivized to contribute to possibly lengthy ICSID Arbitration proceedings. The Key Persons may take the view that their continued contribution to the ICSID Arbitration proceedings is unlikely to advance their careers or skill set in the same manner as expending that effort elsewhere. This is an opportunity cost that the Key Persons would have no particular incentive to bear unless otherwise compensated. Should they no longer contribute, the ability of the Company to fulfill the ICSID Arbitration lawyers’ requests, as and when required, may be compromised, particularly given the history of the Company and the ICSID Arbitration. The Company may also be required to adopt alternative mechanisms of compensation to incentivize the continued engagement of key personnel in the ICSID Arbitration process which may be on more unfavourable terms or result in the Company being required to expend greater resources as compared to the Key Persons Retention Agreement. In either case, this may jeopardize the standard of ICSID Arbitration or the continued willingness of Bench Walk to fund the ICSID Arbitration. The Company may then be required to seek alternate funding to progress any claim for damages. There is no guarantee that alternative sources of funding are available, or if available, are on acceptable terms to the Company. Even if alternate sources of funding are found, the favourability of the terms of any agreement, including the amount of loan funds, limited recourse terms, and the necessity for the contribution of the Company’s directors and key personnel, is unknown. If alternate sources of funding are not found, a claim for damages may not progress and all expenditure and value of Sierra Mojada to the Company may be lost.

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Advantages of Ratifying and Approving the Resolution

The Company retains historical and working knowledge of Sierra Mojada and ICSID Arbitration.
°Related parties, key persons and other management staff who have a historical and working knowledge of Sierra Mojada and the ICSID Arbitration have agreed to the Key Persons Retention Agreement terms and to continue to support the ICSID Arbitration lawyers for the duration of the ICSID Arbitration proceedings. This is likely to give the ICSID Arbitration proceedings an increased chance of success.
After payment of the Management Entitlement Amount, the Company will receive a minimum of 88% of any damages or settlement amount (net of amount due to Bench Walk and enforcement costs) awarded.
°The majority of any damages or settlement amount received following a successful ICSID Arbitration and payment of distribution to Bench Walk and enforcement costs will remain with the Company to cover damages resulting from the expropriation of the Sierra Mojada project.
°The Management Entitlement Amount is capped on a percentage basis and the Board is broadly empowered to reduce such allocation in the event any Key Person does not satisfy his obligations to support the ICSID Arbitration.
The Management Entitlement Amount will only be distributed from the damages or settlement amount following a successful claim, not from existing Company cash.
The Management Entitlement Amount will not be paid if any claim damages or settlement amount is less than ICSID Arbitration distributions and costs.
°In circumstances where any claim damages or settlement amount is less than or equal to the distributions to litigation funders and enforcement costs, the Company will not be required to pay the Management Entitlement Amount.
The Key Persons Retention Agreement is conditional.
°The key persons will not receive a benefit if the ICSID Arbitration is lost, the Board has determined they have not contributed to or fulfilled their obligations to support the ICSID Arbitration, or until after the Company has paid all ICSID Arbitration distributions and enforcement costs.
No shareholder dilution.
°The Key Persons Retention Agreement does not include the issue of the Company’s shares and therefore will not result in shareholder dilution or a change in control.

Reasonableness Opinion of Evans & Evans, Inc.

To assist the Shareholders with their consideration of the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution, on January 19, 2024, the Company engaged (the “Engagement”), on an arm’s length basis, Evans & Evans, Inc. (“Evans & Evans”), a third party financial advisory firm, to consider whether the Key Persons Retention Agreement and the Management Entitlement Amount is fair and reasonable, from a financial point of view, to the Shareholders (the “Reasonableness Letter”). A copy of the Reasonableness Letter is provided as Annex A to this Proxy Statement.

In connection with the preparation of the Reasonableness Letter, Evans & Evans met with members of management of the Company to understand the current status of the Company and plans going forward, reviewed, among other things, certain material documents regarding the Company including the Key Persons Retention Agreement, the Litigation Funding Agreement, the Company’s website and certain disclosure documents, the trading information of the Company’s common stock, certain information relating to companies that have undertaken similar claims as that undertaken by the Company and comparables for compensation disclosure, and assessed the determinations of the Company with respect to the expected benefits and drawbacks of the Key Persons Retention Agreement.

The terms of the Engagement provides that Evans & Evans shall be paid a fixed fee for its services and shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses in relation thereto, which such compensation is not contingent upon the conclusions of the Reasonableness Letter.

On February 9, 2024, the Company received a copy of the Reasonableness Letter. As set forth in the Reasonableness Letter and based upon the assumptions, considerations and terms therein, Evans & Evans, Inc. has concluded that in its view, the terms of the Key Persons Retention Agreement are fair and reasonable, from a financial standpoint, to the Shareholders of the Company.

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The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms of the Key Persons Retention Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Company filed on October 18, 2023

The Reasonableness Letter is not a formal valuation of the Key Persons Retention Agreement. As disclosed in the press release of the Company dated October 13, 2023, the Company is relying on the exemption from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation pursuant to section 5.5(g) of MI 61-101, which provides an exemption where the criteria set out therein are met. Each member of the Board, including each independent member of the Board, determined that all conditions to the use of the exemption provided in section 5.5(g) of MI 61-101 were fully met prior to the execution of the Key Persons Retention Agreement including that, due to the ICSID Arbitration and the status of the Company’s Sierra Mojada project and the availability of funding to the Company, the Company was in serious financial difficulty, due to the reduction and deferral of certain expected compensation payable to the Key Persons, the Key Persons Retention Agreement is designed to improve the financial position of the Company, the Company is not otherwise bankrupt or insolvent, and the terms of the Key Persons Retention Agreement are reasonable in the circumstances to the Company.

Ratification of Management’s Participation in the Key Persons Retention Agreement

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed appropriate, to ratify and approve, with or without variation, the following resolution (the “Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution”):

RESOLVED, that Shareholders ratify and approve the Company’s entry into and implementation of the Key Persons Retention Agreement with key Company personnel, which establishes an entitlement by such certain key Company personnel to certain proceeds from the Management Entitlement Amount on the terms and conditions as described in the Proxy Statement.

Vote Required for Ratification and Approval

The Key Persons Retention Agreement, insofar as it relates to such Key Persons who represent “related parties” (as such term is defined in MI 61-101) of the Company is considered a “related party transaction” within the meaning of MI 61-101, which, absent the use of an exemption, requires the Company to obtain minority Shareholder approval in accordance with Part 8 of MI 61-101. In addition, pursuant to Section 501(c) of the TSX Company Manual and the conditional approval of the TSX with respect to the Key Persons Retention Agreement, the Company is required to obtain disinterested Shareholder approval.

Accordingly, in order for the Key Persons Retention Agreement to be approved, the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution must be approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting by Shareholders other than Excluded Shareholders, provided a quorum is present. To the knowledge of the Company, the aggregate number of shares held by Excluded Shareholders and votes to be excluded is [●], assuming that all Excluded Shareholders cast the votes attaching to their common stock. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” are not counted for determining the number of votes cast for or against this proposal and therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. To the knowledge of the Company, the following table sets forth the shares of Company common stock held by Excluded Shareholders as of February 9, 2024 and expected to be excluded for the purposes of the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution:

Excluded Shareholder

Shares of Company common stock excluded

Timothy T. Barry1,720,298
Brian D. Edgar1,694,704
Christopher Richards289,839
Juan Manuel Lopez Ramirez8,139
0893306 B.C. Ltd. (affiliate of Mr. Edgar)425,000
Candice Barry (affiliate of Mr. Barry)319,000
Total:4,456,980

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Accordingly, the Company will disregard any votes cast on the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution by or on behalf of any Excluded Shareholders. However, an Excluded Shareholder may cast a vote on the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution if:

(a)it is cast as a proxy appointed by writing that specifies how the proxy is to vote on the resolution (i.e., such proxy does not confer discretionary authority on the proxyholder with respect to the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution); and
(b)it is not cast on behalf of the person or an associate of an Excluded Shareholder.

A vote on the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution must not be cast by a person appointed as a proxy, where that person is an Excluded Shareholder. However, a vote may be cast by an Excluded Shareholder if the vote is not cast on behalf of an Excluded Shareholder, and the person is appointed as a proxy and the appointment specifies how the proxy is to vote (i.e., such proxy does not confer discretionary authority on the proxyholder with respect to the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution).

Unless otherwise specified, the enclosed proxy will be voted “FOR” the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution.

Board Recommendation

The Board recommends that you vote “FOR” the Key Persons Retention Agreement Resolution in this Proposal 3.

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PROPOSAL 4:
APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION
OF THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, our shareholdersShareholders are entitled to vote on whether the advisory shareholderShareholder vote to approve executive compensation should occur every one, two or three years, and may also choose to abstain from voting. In 2017, approximately 50% of our shareholdersShareholders voted to approve executive compensation on an annual basis. After careful consideration of the results of this vote and other factors, the Board concluded that a vote on executive compensation every year, or an annual vote, is the most appropriate alternative for the Company. The next non-binding advisory vote regarding the frequency of future “say on pay” Shareholder votes will be held at the 2029 annual meeting of Shareholders, in accordance with SEC rules.

The Board recognizes that providing shareholdersShareholders with an advisory vote on executive compensation may produce useful information on shareholderShareholder sentiment with regard to the Company’s executive compensation structure. At the Meeting, shareholdersShareholders will have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, as described primarily under the heading “Executive Compensation” in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives shareholdersShareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our 20202024 executive compensation philosophy, programs, and policies and the compensation paid to the named executive officers. Shareholders are being asked to consider and approve the following proposal:

RESOLVED, that the shareholdersShareholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the named executive officers of Silver Bull Resources, Inc. as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (which includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related narrative discussion).

The Company recognizes that a framework that accounts for the Company’s financial resources and its business objectives is essential to an effective executive compensation program. The Company’s compensation framework and philosophy are established and overseen primarily by an independent Compensation Committee. The compensation structure of our executive officers is intended to help the Company attract, motivate, and retain executive-level persons with the background, skills and knowledge who will contribute to the Company’s long-term success. To that end, we strive to ensure that the compensation of our executives is in line with those of similarly situated junior-level exploration companies. The Board, in cooperation with the Compensation Committee, attempts to balance the compensation of our executive officers between near-term compensation (being the payment of competitive salaries) with providing compensation intended to reward executives for the Company’s long-term success (being equity-based compensation). Moreover, the equity-based compensation element is intended to further align the longer termlonger-term interests of our executive officers with that of our shareholders.Shareholders.

We believe that our executive compensation program implements our primary objectives of attracting and retaining qualified executive-level personnel; providing the executives with a compensation package that is fair and competitive, with reasonable contractual terms that offer some level of security; and motivating executive-level personnel with a balance between short-term incentives with longer term incentives aimed to help further align the interests of our executive officers with our shareholders.Shareholders. Shareholders are encouraged to read the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement for a more detailed discussion of the compensation structure and programs implemented by the Company during its 20202023 fiscal year, and that we expect to continue going forward.including the Key Persons Retention Agreement.

Vote Required for Approval

The advisory vote on the Company’s executive compensation structure and program as described in this Proxy Statement (including under the heading “Executive Compensation”) in this Proxy Statement) is non-binding, meaning that the Board will not be obligated to take any compensation actions, or to adjust our executive compensation programs or policies, as a result of the vote. Notwithstanding the advisory nature of the vote, the resolution will be considered passed with the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast (in person or by proxy) at the Meeting. Although the vote is non-binding, the Board and the Compensation Committee will review the voting results. The Board and the Compensation Committee intend to consider the feedback obtained through this process in making future decisions about executive compensation programs.

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Board Recommendation

The Board believes that the Company’s executive compensation program is appropriately structured and effective in achieving the Company’s core compensation objectives. Accordingly, although this vote is non-binding, the Board recommends that shareholdersShareholders vote “FOR” the proposal approvingto approve the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

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PROPOSAL 4:
INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF SILVER BULL COMMON STOCK

On ●, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution to amend and restate the articles of incorporation of the Company to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock from 37.5 million to ● and to make certain non-substantive amendments (the “A&R Articles”). The adoption of the resolution is subject to shareholder approval.

Currently, we have 37,500,000 authorized shares of common stock. As of February 5, 2021, we had 33,713,931 shares of common stock outstanding. After taking into account the 3,505,664 shares reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, we currently have a very limited number of shares available for issuance. For all practical purposes, the 37,500,000 authorized shares of our common stock have been fully utilized, restricting our ability to issue any more shares.

In December 2020, we solicited the approval of our shareholders to amend our articles of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock to 300 million; however, we did not receive the requisite shareholder approval. As the Company still requires future financing to fund its plans, it is proposing an increase in the number of Silver Bull authorized shares to ●, which would enable the Company, without further shareholder approval, to issue shares from time to time as may be required for various business purposes, including but not limited to raising additional capital to further the development of the Company’s assets. By increasing the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock, we will be able to act in a timely manner when the need to raise equity capital arises or when the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to take action, without the delay and expense that would be required at that time to obtain shareholder approval to increase our authorized shares. Virtually all junior exploration companies like Silver Bull remain as viable companies and conduct their mineral exploration activities by raising funds by issuing shares from time to time.

In the absence of an affirmative vote to increase the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock, the Company will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise funds to fund its general corporate overhead or cover the costs associated with maintaining its interests in the Sierra Mojada project in Mexico or its potential mineral interests in Kazakhstan. The Company would also not have shares available to make equity incentive awards to current or potential management, the lack of which may impair our ability to incent or retain our executives.

The proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock would not change the terms of Silver Bull common stock, and the additional shares of Silver Bull common stock would have rights identical to the currently outstanding Silver Bull common stock. The Company does not currently have any specific plans to issue additional shares of Silver Bull common stock but expects to continue to issue shares of Silver Bull common stock under its equity compensation plans from time to time. In addition, the Board will continue to assess opportunities to issue shares of Silver Bull common stock from time to time in potential offerings for capital-raising purposes. The Board has not proposed an increase in the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock with the intention of discouraging tender offers or takeover attempts relating to the Company.

The Board recognizes that the issuance of additional shares of Silver Bull common stock may dilute the existing holders of our common stock. However, the Board believes that these potential risks are outweighed by the necessity for financing of the Company’s plans at Sierra Mojada, Beskauga and future projects. The Board believes that retaining the ability to act quickly on future opportunities that may require or be facilitated by additional stock issuances will benefit existing shareholders.

By increasing to the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock to the proposed ● shares, we will be able to act in a timely manner when the need to raise equity capital arises or when the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders to take action, without the delay and expense that would be required at that time to obtain shareholder approval of such an increase.

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PROPOSAL 5:
APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF the FREQUENCY OF FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

In addition to the proposed increaseadvisory approval of our executive compensation program, we are also seeking a non-binding determination from our Shareholders as to the frequency with which Shareholders will have an opportunity to provide an advisory vote with respect to the compensation of our executive officers. Shareholders have the option of selecting a frequency of one, two or three years, or abstaining. For the reasons described below, we recommend that our Shareholders select a frequency of say-on-pay vote every three years, or a triennial vote.

The structure and terms of our executive compensation program is designed to balance the Company’s financial resources, while also supporting long-term value creation, and we believe a triennial vote will allow Shareholders to better judge our executive compensation program in relation to our long-term performance. As described in the number of authorized shares of Silver Bull common stock, the A&R Articles include the following two non-substantive amendments:

1.The A&R Articles have been revised to reflect an amendment to Article No. 2 to include the name of the Company’s registered agent.
2.Nevada law provides that subject to such limitations, if any, as may be containedCompensation Discussion and Analysis section included in a corporation’s articles of incorporation, every corporation has certain enumerated powers. The Board believes that the description of the purpose of the Company, as reflected in Article No. 3 of the Company’s articles of incorporation currently in effect, may be interpreted to unnecessarily limit the broad purpose of the Company that is otherwise provided for statutorily. As permitted under Nevada law, the A&R Articles reflect an amendment to Article No. 3 to allow the Company to engage in any lawful activity permitted under Nevada law. No change to the Company’s business strategy is being considered by the Board.

Clean and marked versions of the A&R Articles, noting the proposed changes to the current articles of incorporation of the Company in annotated footnotes and strikethrough and underlined text, as applicable, are attached to this Proxy Statement, as Annex Aone of the key objectives of the structure of our executive compensation is to attempt to ensure that management’s interests are aligned with our Shareholders’ interests to support long-term value creation.

The Company believes that triennial vote will provide us with the time to thoughtfully respond to Shareholders’ sentiments and Annex B, respectively,implement any necessary changes. We intend to review changes to our compensation arrangements in an effort to maintain the consistency and credibility of the program which is important in motivating and retaining our executive officers. We therefore believe that a triennial vote is an appropriate frequency to provide management and our Compensation Committee sufficient time to consider Shareholders’ input and to implement any appropriate changes to our executive compensation program.

In 2017, the last time our Shareholders cast a vote on frequency, approximately 50.4% of the votes cast were voted in favor of a one-year frequency. We intend to continue to consider input from our Shareholders during the period between Shareholder votes. We seek and are incorporated by reference herein.

If the A&R Articlesopen to input from our Shareholders regarding Board and governance matters, as well as our executive compensation program, and have made attempts to ensure there are approved, we intendavenues for our Shareholders to file with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada amended and restated articles of incorporation reflecting the amendments contemplated by this proposal. The amended and restated articles of incorporation will be effective immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. At any time prior to the filing of the amended and restated articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada, notwithstanding shareholder approval thereof and without further action by the shareholders, the Board, in its sole discretion, may abandon or delay the filing of the A&R Articles.

For the sake of clarity, if this proposal is not approved by shareholders, the Company will have virtually no shares available for issuance to raise funds to continue its operations, and management will need to immediately investigate all available options, including, but not limited to, seeking to dispose of the Company’s assets or engaging in a business combination. Any such transaction may not be on terms that are favorablesubmit comments to the Company. Continuing in business with virtually no shares availableWe believe our Shareholders’ ability to contact us to express specific views on executive compensation, and internal governance committees hold us accountable to Shareholders and reduce the need for issuance is not a sustainable path for the Company.

Basedand value of more frequent advisory votes on the foregoing, the Board deems it advisable and in the best interest of the Company that its shareholders approve the A&R Articles.

Appraisal Rights

Dissenting shareholders do not have appraisal rights under Nevada state law or under the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws in connection with the A&R Articles.

Effectiveness of A&R Articles

The A&R Articles will become effective once they are approved at the Meeting and, at the Board’s sole discretion, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada.

Vote Required for Approval

Approval of the A&R Articles will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Silver Bull common stock, provided a quorum is present.executive compensation.

Board Recommendation

TheWith respect to the frequency of the say-on-pay vote Shareholders may vote for—One Year, Two Years, Three Years, or Abstain—we request that our Shareholders select “THREE YEARS” when voting on the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation. Although the advisory vote is non-binding, our Board unanimously recommends that youwill review the results of the vote FORand take them into account in making a determination concerning the A&R Articles.

frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation.

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ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

Included with this Proxy Statement is the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.2023.

OTHER MATTERS

Management and the Board of the Company know of no matters to be brought before the Meeting other than as set forth herein. However, if any such other matters properly are presented to the Company’s shareholdersShareholders for action at the Meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, it is the intention of the proxy holders named in the enclosed proxy to vote in their discretion on all matters on which the shares represented by such proxy are entitled to vote.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

Shareholders may submit proposals or director nominations for inclusion by the Company in the proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting of shareholders.Shareholders. For your proposal or director nomination to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for next year’s annual meeting, your written proposal must be received by our corporate secretary at our principal executive office no later than 120 days before the anniversary of the release date of this Proxy Statement, unless the date of next year’s annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date of this year’s Meeting. After such date, any shareholderShareholder proposal will be considered untimely.

If we change the date of next year’s annual meeting by more than thirty (30) days from the date of this year’s Meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and distribute our proxy materials. You should also be aware that your proposal must comply with SEC regulations regarding inclusion of shareholderShareholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials, and with any provision in our Amended and Restated Bylaws regarding the same.

Silver Bull Resources, Inc. expects to hold its next annual meeting of shareholdersShareholders in April 2022.2025. Proposals from shareholdersShareholders intended to be present at the next annual meeting of shareholdersShareholders should be addressed, if sent by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, P.O. Box 10427,10414, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Corporate Secretary or, if sent other than by regular mail, to Silver Bull Resources, Inc., 777 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 1610,1605, Vancouver, British Columbia, V7Y 1K4, Canada, Attention: Corporate Secretary. We must receive the proposals by Tuesday,Wednesday, October 26, 2021.30, 2024. Upon receipt of any such proposal, we shall determine whether or not to include any such proposal in the Proxy Statement and proxy in accordance with applicable law. It is suggested that shareholdersShareholders forward such proposals by Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested. After Tuesday,Wednesday, October 26, 2021,30, 2024, any shareholderShareholder proposal will be considered to be untimely.

As to any proposal that a shareholderShareholder intends to present to shareholdersShareholders other than by inclusion in our proxy statement for our 20222025 annual meeting of shareholders,Shareholders, the proxies named in our proxy for that meeting will be entitled to exercise their discretionary voting authority on that proposal unless we receive notice of the matter to be proposed not later than Monday, January 10, 2022.13, 2025. Even if proper notice is received on or prior to that date, the proxies named in our proxy for that meeting may nevertheless exercise their discretionary authority with respect to such matter by advising shareholdersShareholders of that proposal and how they intend to exercise their discretion to vote on such matter, unless the shareholderShareholder making the proposal solicits proxies with respect to the proposal to the extent required by Rule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Exchange Act.

 

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

 

Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

 

Brian D. Edgar, Chairman

 

 

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ANNEX A:
A
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes §§ 78.390 and 78.403, the undersigned officer of Silver Bull Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation, does hereby certify as follows:

A.       The board of directors of the corporation has duly adopted resolutions proposing to amend and restate the articles of incorporation of the corporation as set forth below, declaring such amendment and restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of the corporation.

B.       The amendment and restatement of the articles of incorporation as set forth below has been approved by a majority of the voting power of the stockholders of the corporation, which is sufficient for approval thereof.

C.       This certificate sets forth the text of the articles of incorporation of the corporation as amended and restated in their entirety to this date as follows:

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

No. 1
NAME

The name of the corporation shall be: Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

No. 2
LOCATION

The name and address of the registered agent is:

Laughlin Associates, Inc.

9120 Double Diamond Parkway

Reno, Nevada 89521

No. 3
PURPOSE

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful activity permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes.

No. 4
CAPITALIZATION

The total authorized capital stock of this corporation shall be [● (●)] shares of COMMON STOCK, each of which shall have the par value of ONE CENT ($0.01).

 

EVANS & EVANS, INC. REASONABLENESS LETTER

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No. 5
GOVERNING BOARD

This Corporation shall be governed by at least three directors and not more than nine directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual meetings or any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, the holder of each share of stock of this corporation shall have one vote and a plurality of the votes cast at the election shall decide the persons to hold such directorships.

The Board of Directors during a term may decrease in number by the resignation or death of one or more members, but the maximum number of directors cannot be increased. The majority of the surviving directors, in the case of a vacancy by resignation or death, may appoint a person or persons to fill a vacancy or vacancies.

No. 6
ASSESSABILITY OF STOCK

The shares issued by this corporation, once the par value has been paid in full, shall not be assessable, and any shares issued for services, or property, or considerations other than cash, shall be deemed fully paid up and shall be forever nonassessable.

No. 7
TERM OF EXISTENCE

The term of existence of this corporation shall be perpetual.

No. 8
BY-LAWS

The directors shall have power to make such By-Laws as they may deem proper for the management of the affairs of said corporation according to the statute in such case made and provided.

No. 9
VOTING

Each stockholder will have one vote for each share registered in his or her name. Cumulative voting shall not be allowed.

No. 10
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

The stockholders of this corporation shall have no preferential right or rights to subscribe to any subsequent issues of the authorized shares of this corporation, unless certain rights or warrants for a specific issue are authorized by the Board of Directors or the Stockholders.

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The Company’s President has signed this Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation on the ___ day of April, 2021.

SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

By:

Timothy Barry, President

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ANNEX B:
MARKED VERSION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

CERTIFICATE OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF SILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Nevada Revised Statutes §§ 78.390 and 78.403, the undersigned officer of Silver Bull Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation, does hereby certify as follows:

A.       The board of directors of the corporation has duly adopted resolutions proposing to amend and restate the articles of incorporation of the corporation as set forth below, declaring such amendment and restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of the corporation.

B.       The amendment and restatement of the articles of incorporation as set forth below has been approved by a majority of the voting power of the stockholders of the corporation, which is sufficient for approval thereof.

C.       This certificate sets forth the text of the articles of incorporation of the corporation as amended and restated in their entirety to this date as follows:

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF METALLINE MINING CORPORATIONSILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

The following sets forth the Restated Articles of Incorporation for Metalline Mining Company (the “Corporation”), adopted by resolution of the Board of Directors on June 22, 2010, pursuant to N.R.S. §74.403. The President of the Corporation has been authorized to sign this certificate by resolution of the board of directors adopted on June 22, 2010. These Restated Articles of Incorporation correctly sets forth the text of the Articles of Incorporation as amended to the date hereof.

No. 1
NAME

The name of the corporation shall be: Silver Bull Resources, Inc.

No. 2
LOCATION

The name and address of the registered agent is:

Laughlin Associates, Inc.

9120 Double Diamond Parkway2533 North Carson Street

Reno, Nevada 89521Carson City, NV 89706

No. 3
PURPOSE

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful activity permitted under the Nevada Revised Statutes.The nature or object or purpose of the business of this corporation shall be:

(a) To engage in any lawful business activity.

(b) To borrow and/or lend money with or without security.

(c) To buy, or sell, or trade in commodities of every nature, including securities, notes, bonds, mortgages, agricultural products, mining products, minerals, metals, commodity futures contracts, titles to or equities in land, buildings, mining claims, oil properties, oil leases, royalty interests, and options to buy or sell any or all of the foregoing.

(d) To have and exercise all the rights, powers, and privileges which are now or which may hereafter be conferred upon corporations organized under the same statute as this corporation; and to have and exercise all such rights, powers and privileges as may be necessary, convenient or proper to effectuate and accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in this certificate, and said specified objectives and purposes shall not limit or restrict in any manner the powers of this corporation.

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No. 4
CAPITALIZATION

The total authorized capital stock of this corporation shall be THIRTY-SEVEN MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (37,500,000)[● (●)] shares of COMMON STOCK, each of which shall have the par value of ONE CENT ($0.01).

No. 5
GOVERNING BOARD

This Corporation shall be governed by at least three directors and not more than nine directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual meetings or any special meeting of the stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, the holder of each share of stock of this corporation shall have one vote and a plurality of the votes cast at the election shall decide the persons to hold such directorships.

The Board of Directors during a term may decrease in number by the resignation or death of one or more members, but the maximum number of directors cannot be increased. The majority of the surviving directors, in the case of a vacancy by resignation or death, may appoint a person or persons to fill a vacancy or vacancies.

No. 6
ASSESSABILITY OF STOCK

The shares issued by this corporation, once the par value has been paid in full, shall not be assessable, and any shares issued for services, or property, or considerations other than cash, shall be deemed fully paid up and shall be forever nonassessable.

No. 7
TERM OF EXISTENCE

The term of existence of this corporation shall be perpetual.

No. 8
BY-LAWS

The directors shall have power to make such By-Laws as they may deem proper for the management of the affairs of said corporation according to the statute in such case made and provided.

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No. 9
VOTING

Each stockholder will have one vote for each share registered in his or her name. Cumulative voting shall not be allowed.

No. 10
SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

The stockholders of this corporation shall have no preferential right or rights to subscribe to any subsequent issues of the authorized shares of this corporation, unless certain rights or warrants for a specific issue are authorized by the Board of Directors or the Stockholders.

B-3 
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The Company’s President has signed this Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation on the 22nd___ day of JuneApril, 20102021.

METALLINE MINING COMPANYSILVER BULL RESOURCES, INC.

By:

Timothy Barry, President

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