UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
¨ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR | |
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 | |
OR | |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ____ to ______ | |
OR | |
¨ | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report:
Commission file number: 333-130386
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Cayman Islands
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation of Organization)
1 First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 7070, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1E3, Canada
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)
Contact: Geoffrey G. Farr; Phone: (416) 366-2221; Fax: (416) 366-7722; Address: 1 First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 7070, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1E3, Canada
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile Number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
Common Shares
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of December 31, 2013:
62,753,840 common shares
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes ¨ No x
If this is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | Accelerated filer | Non-accelerated filer x |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP x | International Financial Reporting | Other ¨ | ||
Standards as issued by the International | ||||
Accounting Standards Board ¨ |
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
¨ Item 17 ¨ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes¨ No x
GENTOR RESOURCES INC. - FORM 20-F
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS | 1 |
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESOURCE ESTIMATES | 2 |
CURRENCY | 3 |
GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS | 3 |
ABBREVIATIONS | 6 |
PART 1 | |
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors | 8 |
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable | 8 |
Item 3. Key Information | 8 |
A. Selected Financial Data | 8 |
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness | 9 |
C. Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds | 9 |
D. Risk Factors | 9 |
Item 4. Information on the Company | 18 |
A. History and Development of the Company | 18 |
B. Business Overview | 21 |
C. Organizational Structure | 22 |
D. Property, Plants and Equipment | 23 |
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments | 45 |
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects | 45 |
A. Operating Results | 45 |
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources. | 46 |
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc. | 46 |
D. Trend Information | 46 |
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. | 46 |
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations | 46 |
G. Safe Harbor | 46 |
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees | 46 |
A. Directors and Senior Management | 46 |
B. Compensation | 49 |
C. Board Practices | 51 |
D. Employees | 52 |
E. Share Ownership | 53 |
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions | 57 |
A. Major Shareholders | 57 |
B. Related Party Transactions | 58 |
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel | 59 |
Item 8. Financial Information | 59 |
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information | 59 |
B. Significant Changes | 59 |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page | |
Item 9. The Offer and Listing | 59 |
A. Offer and Listing Details | 59 |
B. Plan of Distribution | 62 |
C. Markets | 62 |
D. Selling Shareholder | 62 |
E. Dilution | 62 |
F. Expenses of the Issue | 62 |
Item 10. Additional Information | 62 |
A. Share Capital | 62 |
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association | 62 |
C. Material Contracts | 64 |
D. Exchange Controls | 64 |
E. Certain United States and Canadian Income Tax Considerations | 64 |
F. Dividends and Paying Agents | 74 |
G. Statement By Experts | 74 |
H. Documents on Display | 74 |
I. Subsidiary Information | 75 |
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. | 75 |
Item 12. Descriptions of Securities Other than Equity Securities | 75 |
PART II | |
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies. | 75 |
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds. | 75 |
14.A.-D. Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders | 75 |
14.E. Use of Proceeds | 75 |
Item 15. Controls and Procedures. | 76 |
Item 16.A. Audit Committee Financial Expert | 77 |
Item 16.B. Code of Ethics. | 77 |
Item 16.C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services | 78 |
Item 16.D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees | 78 |
Item 16.E. Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers | 78 |
Item 16.F. Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant | 79 |
Item 16.G. Corporate Governance | 79 |
PART III | |
Item 17. Financial Statements | 79 |
Item 18. Financial Statements | 79 |
Item 19. Exhibits | 79 |
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 20-F and the documents incorporated by reference herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Actof 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws (such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. All statements, other than statements which are reporting results as well as statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that Gentor Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Gentor") believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the "Oman Sale" (as such term is defined in Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F under "Gentor’s Mineral Properties"), mineral resource estimates, drilling and other exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources, and the Company's exploration and development plans and objectives with respect to its projects) are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual events or results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual events or results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing in the future; risks related to the exploration stage of the Company's properties; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; the need to satisfy regulatory and legal requirements and other conditions to closing with respect to the Oman Sale; the possibility that the completion of the Oman Sale may be delayed or may not happen at all as a result of a failure to satisfy conditions to closing; failure to establish estimated mineral resources; fluctuations in copper prices and currency exchange rates; inflation; copper recoveries being less than those indicated by the metallurgical testwork carried out to date (there can be no assurance that copper recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production); changes in equity markets; political developments in Turkey or Oman; lack of infrastructure; failure to procure or maintain, or delays in procuring or maintaining, permits and approvals; lack of availability at a reasonable cost or at all, of plants, equipment or labour; inability to attract and retain key management and personnel; changes to regulations or policies affecting the Company's activities; the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data; the Company's history of losses and expectation of future losses; the Company's ability to acquire additional commercially mineable mineral rights; risks related to the integration of any new acquisitions into the Company's existing operations; increased competition in the mining industry; and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in this Form 20-F.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. In connection with the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 20-F, the Company has made certain assumptions about the Company’s business, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general, the Company’s continued exploration and/or development of its mineral properties (including its ability to fund same), the regulatory framework in Turkey and Oman with respect to, among other things, the Company’s ability to obtain, maintain, renew and/or extend required permits, licenses, authorizations and/or approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities and the Company’s ability to continue to obtain qualified staff and equipment in a timely and cost-efficient manner, and has also assumed no unusual geological or technical problems occur, equipment works as anticipated and no significant events occur outside of the Company’s normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.
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The mineral resource figures referred to in this Form 20-F are estimates and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of minerals will be produced. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While the Company believes that the resource estimates included in this Form 20-F are well established, by their nature, resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon statistical inferences which may ultimately prove unreliable. If such estimates are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
Due to the uncertainty that may be attached to inferred mineral resources, it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will be upgraded to an indicated or measured mineral resource as a result of continued exploration. Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to allow meaningful application of the technical and economic parameters to enable an evaluation of economic viability sufficient for public disclosure, except in certain limited circumstances. Inferred mineral resources are excluded from estimates forming the basis of a feasibility study.
Statements concerning actual mineral resource estimates are also deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the relevant project or property is developed. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that mineral resources can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration.
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING RESOURCE ESTIMATES
This Form 20-F, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Without limiting the foregoing, this Form 20-F, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, uses the terms "indicated" and "inferred" resources. U.S. investors are advised that, while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities laws, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") does not recognize them. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Further, "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of the "inferred resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Therefore, U.S. investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the inferred resources exist, or that they can be mined legally or economically. Disclosure of "contained ounces" is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations, however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources contained in this Form 20-F or in the documents incorporated by reference, may not be comparable to information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
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National Instrument 43-101 -Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects("NI 43-101") is a rule of the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource estimates contained in or incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Classification System. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and resource information contained herein and incorporated by reference herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. One consequence of these differences is that "reserves" calculated in accordance with Canadian standards may not be "reserves" under the SEC standards.
U.S. investors are urged to closely consider all of the disclosures in this Form 20-F and other reports filed pursuant to the United StatesSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which may be secured from the Company, or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
CURRENCY
Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, all references in this Form 20-F to "US$" are to United States dollars and all references in this Form 20-F to "Cdn$" are to Canadian dollars.
GLOSSARY OF MINING TERMS
Acidic | A volcanic rock containing very high silica content. Often referred to as felsic. | |
Andesite | An extrusive, volcanic rock of intermediate composition. It is a mix between mafic (basalt) and felsic (dunite) melts. | |
Basic | Rock that is rich in silica and commonly contains silicate minerals such as quartz and feldspar. Often referred to as mafic. | |
Bronze Age | The Bronze Age of a culture is the period when the most advanced metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use) in that culture used bronze. This could either have been based on the local smelting of copper and tin from ores, or trading for bronze from production areas elsewhere. | |
Conglomerate | Lithified sedimentary rock consisting of rounded fragments larger than 0.08 in. (2 mm) in diameter. It is commonly contrasted with breccia. Conglomerates are usually subdivided according to the average size of their constituent materials into pebble (fine), cobble (medium), and boulder (coarse). | |
Convergence | Locations where tectonic plates are moving towards each other. Convergence usually causes eventual collision of oceanic and continental or oceanic and oceanic crust. | |
Cretaceous | The Cretaceous is a period in the Mesozoic Era aged between 145.5Ma and 65.5Ma. It is divided into a Lower Series (145.5Ma and 99.6Ma) and Upper (99.6Ma to 65.5Ma). | |
Diabase | A fine-grained, mafic, volcanic rock that typically intrudes into the crust as dykes and other shallow intrusive bodies. | |
Dip | The angle that a structural surface, i.e. a bedding or fault plane, makes with the horizontal measured perpendicular to the strike of the structure. | |
Dunite | Dunite is a peridotite that has undergone continued partial melting until no pyroxene remains. It forms at a later stage than harzburgite. |
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Dyke | A sheet-like intrusion that cuts across pre-existing rock in narrow, elongated bodies of rock perpendicular to the ground surface. | |
Exploration | Prospecting, sampling, mapping, diamond drilling and other work involved in the search for mineralisation. | |
Extrusive | A magma which makes its way to the surface of the Earth and erupts as a lava. | |
Fault | The process of fracturing that produces a displacement. A fracture in earth materials, along which the opposite sides have been displaced parallel to the plane of movement. | |
Feasibility study | A definitive engineering estimate of all costs, revenues, equipment requirements and production levels likely to be achieved if a mine is developed. The study is used to define the economic viability of a project and to support the search for project financing. | |
Gossan | Gossan is intensely oxidized, weathered or decomposed rock, usually the upper and exposed part of an ore deposit or mineral vein. | |
Grade | The relative quality or percentage of ore metal content. | |
Harzburgite | Harzburgite is a variety of peridotite and is an ultramafic rock containing olivine and pyroxene. Harzburgite typically forms as a partial melt of pyroxene-rich peridotite. | |
Imbrication | Imbrication is the preferred orientation of clasts where they overlap one another in a consistent fashion. Imbrication is observed in conglomerates and some volcaniclastic deposits and is often formed by thrusting. | |
Intrusion | Molten rock moves through solid or brittle rock along fracture, faults or weaknesses. | |
Lens | A lens is a body of rock or a deposit that is thick in the middle and thin at the edges, resembling a convex lens in cross-section. | |
Mafic | Rock that is rich in magnesium and/or iron commonly containing olivine, pyroxene, amphibole and biotite. | |
Magma Chamber | A magma chamber is a large underground pool of molten rock. These chambers fill up with magma and build up pressure until an outlet can be found along faults or fractures. The magma may eventually cool down and freeze in place or erupt on the surface. | |
Mantle Diapir | A mantle diapir is a type of intrusion of ductile rock from the mantle that rises through brittle overlying crustal rocks. Diapirs usually move along fractures. | |
Massif | A Massif is an oceanic core complex consisting of basic to ultrabasic rocks including sheeted dykes, plutonic complexes and pillow lavas. Massifs are often host to ophiolites. | |
Melange | A melange is a large scale breccia, characterized by a lack of continuous bedding and the inclusion of fragments of rock of all sizes, contained in a fine-grained deformed matrix. Large-scale melanges formed in active continental margin settings generally consist of altered oceanic crustal material and blocks of continental slope sediments in a sheared mudstone matrix. | |
Mesozoic | A geological era aged 251Ma to 65.5Ma representing part of the recent Phanerozoic Eon. It is divided into 3 periods, namely the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. | |
Mineralisation | The presence of a target mineral in a mass of host rock. | |
Morphology | The form and shape of a geographical feature. | |
Ophiolite | An ophiolite is formed from oceanic crust, created by rifting or spreading in an ocean basin, such as at a mid-ocean ridge, that has been thrust onto a continent due to convergence. Ophiolites generally contain oceanic and upper mantle rocks including basalt and may contain VMS deposits. |
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Ore | A mixture of valuable and worthless minerals from which at least one of the minerals can be mined and processed at an economic profit. | |
Pelagic | Sediments that are deposited out of ocean water when particles settle out of suspension. Deposition can persist over a long period of time and the resulting pelagic sediments can form very thick deposits. | |
Peridotite | Dense, coarse-grained, ultramafic igneous rock from the upper mantle that produces layered mafic to ultramafic cumulates and intrusive rocks as magma in the overlying crust. | |
Proto-ocean | A proto-ocean is the often precursor to a major ocean. Proto-oceans are usually short lived and close up. Closure can be due to failed rifting or an ocean that is formed and closed during supercontinent formation and break up. | |
Pyrite | An iron sulfide with the formula FeS2. This mineral's metallic luster and pale-to-normal, brass-yellow hue have earned it the nickname fool's gold due to its resemblance to gold. | |
Refining | The final purification process of a metal or mineral. | |
Semail Ophiolite | The Semail Ophiolite has been radiometrically dated as between 97.9 and 93.5 million years (Mid- Cretaceous) and is therefore part of the wider Tethyan Orogen. It is believed to have formed in the Tethys “Proto-Ocean” located approximately where The Gulf and The Gulf of Oman are today. This Proto-Ocean formed in the Mid-Cretaceous but closed again in the Late Cretaceous (approximately 70-80 million years). As the Proto-Ocean closed, the Oceanic Crust which had formed at the same time as the Continental Crust parted, rather than being subducted beneath, was at least partly pushed up onto of the Arabian Plate to the west, to form the Semail Ophiolite. | |
Sheeted Dyke Complex | A sheeted dyke is a feeder zone for basalt that erupts on the surface of the ocean as pillow lava. Continued injection in this way leads to sea floor spreading. When the oceanic crust is thrust onto a continent in an ophiolite, Sheeted Dyke Complexes are a normal component of the ophiolite. | |
Smelting | The extraction of metal from ore by heating. | |
Stockwork zone | Stockwork zones are complex systems of structurally controlled or randomly oriented veins. Stockworks are common in many ore deposit types and usually form due to hydrothermal activity. | |
Stratigraphic | A term describing the sequence in time of bedded rocks which can be correlated between different localities. | |
Strike length | Horizontal distance along the direction that a structural surface takes as it intersects the horizontal. | |
Supercontinent | An assembly of numerous continents to form a large landmass. | |
Tectonised | Rock that has been highly deformed as a result of tectonic activity. | |
Tethyan Orogen | The Tethys Orogen is a larger scale orogeny that the Semail Ophiolite and includes ophiolite deposits in Cypres, Greece. It is the product of oceanic crust that was thrust onto continental crust rather than being subducted during the mid-cretaceous. | |
Tethys Ocean | An ancient ocean during the Mesozoic was a predecessor to the Atlantic Ocean, Meditteranean and Caribbean Sea. The Tethys Ocean opened and closed a number of times during the formation and breakup of the supercontinents Pangaea, Gondwana and Laurasia. |
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Tholeiite | Tholeiite is a type of basalt that contains little alkali. Tholeiites are produced by submarine volcanism at mid-ocean ridges and make up much of the oceanic crust on earth. | |
Thrust | Compressive force in the earth's crust produces folds and faults as it pushes crust up and over pre-existing rock. | |
Turonian | The Turonian is the second of six ages in the Upper Cretacious and is aged between 93.5Ma and 89.3Ma. | |
Ultramafic | Ultramafic rocks contain very little silica and are rich in magnesium and/or iron. The Earth's mantle is made up of ultramfica rocks. | |
Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide | Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides (VMS) are mineral deposits that are formed in a submarine environment through volcanic associated hydrothermal events. VMS deposits are predominantly stratiform accumulations of sulfide minerals that precipitate from hydrothermal fluids on or below the seafloor in a wide range geological settings (usually associated with mid-ocean ridge spreading zones). In modern oceans they are synonymous with sulfurous plumes called black smokers. VMS are also sometimes known as a volcanic hosted massive sulphide (VHMS). | |
Wadi | An Arabic term that traditionally refers to a valley or dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain. |
ABBREVIATIONS
AAPG | American Association of Petroleum Geologists | |
Ag | Silver | |
Amsl | Above Mean Sea Level | |
ASAIMM | Associate of the South African Institute for Mining & Metallurgy | |
Au | Gold | |
Bn | Billion | |
Co | Cobalt | |
Cu | Copper | |
FAusIMM | Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy | |
Fe | Iron | |
FGSSA | Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa | |
FSAIMM | Fellow of the South African Institute for Mining & Metallurgy | |
Ga | Giga annum (Billion years) | |
GIS | Geographic Information System | |
GPS | Global Positioning System | |
IP | Induced Polarisation | |
km | Kilometre | |
km2 | Square kilometre | |
M.Sc | Master of Science degree | |
m2 | Square metres | |
Ma | Mega annum (Million years) | |
mamsl | Meters above mean sea level | |
Mn | Manganese |
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Mt | Million tonnes | |
Ni | Nickel | |
oz | Ounce | |
PEM | Pulse Electromagnetic Survey | |
Pr.Sci.Nat | Professional Natural Scientist | |
Se | Selenium | |
t | metric tonnes | |
UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization | |
VMS | Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide | |
VTEM | Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic | |
Zn | Zinc |
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PART 1
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the United StatesSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "U.S. Exchange Act") and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
Item 3. Key Information
A. Selected Financial Data
The selected consolidated financial information set forth below, which is expressed in United States dollars (the Company prepares its financial statements in United States dollars), has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the financial years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The selected consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the discussion in Item 5 of this Form 20-F and the consolidated financial statements of the Company filed as part of this Form 20-F. Historical results from any prior period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any future period.
(in $000 except per share data)
Cumulative from | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | Inception to Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||||||
Net loss from operations | (20,122 | ) | (5,591 | ) | (5,694 | ) | (3,611 | ) | (529 | ) | (40,945 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss | (20,107 | ) | (5,271 | ) | (5,603 | ) | (3,610 | ) | (565 | ) | (41,617 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net loss per share | (0.32 | ) | (0.08 | ) | (0.09 | ) | (0.09 | ) | (0.03 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Current assets | 96 | 1,895 | 7,011 | 5,379 | 28 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mineral properties | 800 | 18,248 | 18,248 | 18,248 | - | |||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,028 | 20,410 | 25,527 | 24,013 | 386 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 1,106 | 571 | 999 | 1,519 | 2,379 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net assets | (78 | ) | 19,839 | 24,529 | 22,495 | (1,993 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Capital stock | 41,540 | 41,349 | 40,768 | 32,073 | 3,975 | |||||||||||||||||||
Shareholders' equity (deficiency) | (78 | ) | 19,839 | 24,529 | 22,495 | (1,993 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands) | 62,754 | 62,754 | 59,559 | 38,904 | 22,500 |
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Exchange Rates
On April 24, 2014, the noon rate of exchange as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of United States dollars into Canadian dollars was Cdn$1.00 = US$0.9069. The following table sets forth, for each of the years indicated, additional information with respect to the noon rate of exchange for Cdn$1.00. Such rates are set forth as U.S. dollars per Cdn$1.00 and are based upon the rates quoted by the Bank of Canada for 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for 2009 through 2011.
Rate | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||||
Average (1) | 0.9670 | 1.0008 | 1.0144 | 0.9659 | 0.8793 |
(1) The average rate means the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the year.
Canadian/United States Dollar Exchange Rates for the Previous Six Months
Rate | October 2013 | November 2013 | December 2013 | January 2014 | February 2014 | March 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||
High | 0.9724 | 0.9602 | 0.9454 | 0.9422 | 0.9130 | 0.9119 | ||||||||||||||||||
Low | 0.9564 | 0.9435 | 0.9348 | 0.8952 | 0.8977 | 0.8888 |
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
C. Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
D. Risk Factors
There are a number of risks that may have a material and adverse impact on the future operating and financial performance of Gentor and could cause the Company's operating and financial performance to differ materially from the estimates described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company. These include widespread risks associated with any form of business and specific risks associated with Gentor's business and its involvement in the mineral exploration industry.
An investment in the Company's common shares is considered speculative and involves a high degree of risk due to, among other things, the nature of Gentor's business (which is the exploration of mineral properties) and the present stage of its development. In addition to the other information presented in this Form 20-F, a prospective investor should carefully consider the risk factors set out below and the other information that Gentor files with the SEC and with Canadian securities regulators before investing in the Company's common shares. The Company has identified the following non-exhaustive list of inherent risks and uncertainties that it considers to be relevant to its operations and business plans. Such risk factors could materially affect the Company's future operating results and could cause actual events to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements relating to the Company. As well, additional risks that the Company is unaware of or that are currently believed to be immaterial may become important factors that affect the Company's business.
-9- |
The Company’s properties are in the exploration stage, and there can be no assurances that the Company’s exploration activities will result in discoveries that are commercially viable.
The Company's properties are in the exploration stage only and do not contain any "reserves", as that term is defined in SEC Industry Guide 7. The term "reserves" is defined in SEC Industry Guide 7 as "that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination". The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks that even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. While the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Major expenditures are required to locate and establish mineral reserves, to develop metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. Whether a mineral deposit, once discovered, will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, some of which are: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; metal prices which are highly cyclical; and government regulations, including regulations relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination of these factors may result in Gentor not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
There is no certainty that the expenditures made by Gentor towards the search for and evaluation of mineral deposits will result in discoveries that are commercially viable. In addition, in the case of a commercial ore-body, depending on the type of mining operation involved, several years can elapse from the initial phase of drilling until commercial operations are commenced.
Exploration, development and mining involve a high degree of risk.
Mining operations generally involve a high degree of risk. Such operations are subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration for, and development and production of copper and other precious or base metals, including unusual and unexpected geologic formations, seismic activity, rock bursts, fires, cave-ins, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material as well as industrial accidents, labour force disruptions, fall of ground accidents in underground operations, and force majeure factors, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to person or property, environmental damage, delays, increased production costs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Milling operations are subject to hazards such as equipment failure or failure of mining pit slopes and retaining dams around tailings disposal areas, which may result in environmental pollution and consequent liability. The Company may not be able to obtain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance against certain environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from production, is not generally available to the Company or to other companies within the mining industry. The Company may suffer a material adverse effect on its business if it incurs losses related to any significant events that are not covered by insurance policies.
There is no assurance that the Company will be able to raise sufficient funds to pursue its objectives, and any delays in raising such funds could result in indefinite postponement of planned activities and could have a material adverse effect upon the Company.
The Company’s current cash position is only expected to be sufficient to fund the Company’s proposed activities until the end of 2014. As a mineral exploration company, the Company does not generate cash flow from its activities and it must rely primarily on issuances of its securities or the borrowing of funds to finance its operations. The exploration and development of the Company's properties will require substantial funds and there is no assurance that such funds will be available to the Company on commercially reasonable terms or in sufficient amounts to allow the Company to continue to pursue its objectives.
-10- |
The inability of the Company to raise further funds, whether through additional equity issuances or by other means, could result in delays or the indefinite postponement of planned exploration or development activities or, in certain circumstances, the loss of some or all of its property interests or cessation of all exploration and development activities. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect upon the Company.
The auditors’ report with respect to the financial statements included in this Form 20-F contains an explanatory paragraph in respect of there being substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements included herein were prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern for the next twelve months. However, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had a net loss of US$20,106,911 (year ended December 31, 2012 - US$5,270,719, year ended December 31, 2011 - US$5,603,314) and an accumulated deficit of US$41,617,063 (December 31, 2012 – US$21,510,151). Therefore, as stated in the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, there is substantial doubt as to the Company’s ability to continue on a going concern basis. The Company cannot guarantee its ability to continue as a going concern, and if it were to cease to continue as such, the Company’s securities would have little or no value.
The Company may be adversely affected by fluctuations in metal prices.
The economic viability of any precious metal property in which Gentor may have an interest will be significantly affected by changes in the market price of precious metals. Precious metal prices fluctuate on a daily basis and are affected by numerous factors beyond Gentor's control. The level of interest rates, the rate of inflation, world supply of precious metals and stability of exchange rates can all cause significant fluctuations in precious metal prices. Such external economic factors are in turn influenced by changes in international investment patterns and monetary systems and political developments. The price of precious metals has historically fluctuated widely and such fluctuations could have a material adverse effect on Gentor's business and financial condition.
The Company expects to raise additional capital through equity financing in the future, which would cause dilution and loss of voting power with respect to the Company’s existing shareholders.
The Company expects to undertake in the future additional offerings of common shares of the Company or of securities convertible into common shares of the Company. The increase in the number of common shares issued and outstanding and the possibility of sales of such common shares may depress the price of the Company’s common shares. In addition, as a result of such additional common shares, the voting power and ownership interest of the Company's existing shareholders would be diluted.
Negative market perception of junior mineral exploration companies could adversely affect the Company.
Market perception of junior mineral exploration companies such as the Company may shift such that these companies are viewed less favourably. This factor could impact the value of investors' holdings and the ability of the Company to raise further funds, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and prospects.
-11- |
The Company's property interests in a foreign country are subject to risks from political and economic instability.
The Company's mineral properties are located in Turkey and Oman (however, in April 2014 Gentor entered into an agreement to sell its properties in Oman; reference is made to the disclosure under "Gentor’s Mineral Properties" in Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F for information in respect of this proposed sale). Oman is ruled as an absolute monarchy, or Sultanate, with the Sultan Qaboos having ruled since 1970 and his father before him. As the Company's mineral properties are located in Turkey and Oman, a substantial portion of the Company's business is exposed to various degrees of political, economic and other risks and uncertainties.
The Company's operations and investments may be affected by local political and economic developments, including expropriation, nationalisation, invalidation of government orders, permits or agreements pertaining to property rights, political unrest, labour disputes, limitations on repatriation of any earnings, limitations on mineral exports, limitations on foreign ownership, inability to obtain or delays in obtaining necessary permits, opposition to exploration or mining from local, environmental or other non-governmental organizations, government participation, royalties, duties, rates of exchange, high rates of inflation, price controls, exchange controls, currency fluctuations, taxation and changes in laws, regulations or policies. Some of the Company's current and potential operations are located in or near communities that may now, or in the future, regard such an operation as having a detrimental effect on their economic and social circumstances. Should this occur, it may have a material adverse impact on the viability of an operation. In addition, such an event may adversely affect the Company's ability to enter into new operations in the country.
There is uncertainty in the estimation of mineral resources.
The mineral resource figures referred to in this Form 20-F and in the Company's filings with the SEC and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, press releases and other public statements that may be made from time to time are estimates. These estimates are imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be unreliable. There can be no assurance that these estimates will be accurate or that this mineralization could be mined or processed profitably.
The Company has not commenced commercial production on any of its properties, and has not defined or delineated any proven or probable reserves on any of its properties. Mineralization estimates for the Company's properties may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon further exploration or development work or actual production experience. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale.
The resource estimates referred to in this Form 20-F have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in the market price for copper may render portions of the Company's mineralization uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralization. Any material reductions in estimates of mineralization, or of the Company's ability to extract this mineralization, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.
The Company has not established the presence of any proven or probable reserves at any of its properties. There can be no assurance that subsequent testing or future studies will establish proven and probable reserves on such properties. The failure to establish proven and probable reserves on such properties could severely restrict the Company's ability to successfully implement its strategies for long-term growth.
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There is uncertainty relating to inferred mineral resources.
There is a risk that the inferred mineral resources referred to in this Form 20-F cannot be converted into mineral reserves as the ability to assess geological continuity is not sufficient to demonstrate economic viability. Due to the uncertainty that may attach to inferred mineral resources, there is no assurance that inferred mineral resources will be upgraded to resources with sufficient geological continuity to constitute proven and probable mineral reserves as a result of continued exploration.
The Company’s corporate structure and potential limitations in transacting business among the Company and its subsidiaries could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial condition.
The Company is a foreign corporation and conducts operations through foreign subsidiaries and all of its mineral properties are held in these subsidiaries. Accordingly, any limitation on the transfer of cash or other assets between the Company and its subsidiaries, or among its subsidiaries, could restrict the Company's ability to fund its operations efficiently. Any such limitations, or the perception that such limitations may exist in the future, could have an adverse impact upon the Company's business and financial condition.
The title to mineral claims is often uncertain and there may be challenges to or problems with the Company's title to its mineral properties.
While the Company has investigated its rights to explore and develop its properties, no assurance can be given that such rights will not be revoked, or significantly altered, to the detriment of the Company. Other parties may dispute title to the exploration properties in which the Company has an interest. The properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or other claims and may be affected by undetected defects.
The Company’s activities are subject to various laws and government approvals and no assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in obtaining or maintaining such approvals or that it will successfully comply with all applicable laws.
Gentor's mineral exploration and planned development activities are subject to various laws governing prospecting, mining, development, production, taxes, labour standards and occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances, land use, water use, land claims of local people and other matters. Although Gentor's exploration activities are currently carried out in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, no assurance can be given that new rules and regulations will not be enacted or that existing rules and regulations will not be applied in a manner which could limit or curtail development.
Many of Gentor's mineral rights are subject to government approvals, licenses and permits. Such approvals, licenses and permits are, as a practical matter, subject to the discretion of the government. No assurance can be given that Gentor will be successful in maintaining any or all of the various approvals, licenses and permits in full force and effect without modification or revocation. To the extent such approvals are not maintained, Gentor may be delayed, curtailed or prohibited from continuing or proceeding with planned exploration or development of mineral properties.
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Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be delayed or curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in the exploration or development of mineral properties may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
Amendments to current laws and regulations governing operations or more stringent implementation thereof could have a substantial adverse impact on Gentor and cause increases in exploration expenses, capital expenditures or require abandonment or delays in development of mineral interests.
Various market factors, both related and unrelated to the Company’s performance, could cause the market price for the Company’s securities to fluctuate significantly and could have a material adverse effect on an investor’s investment in the Company.
There can be no assurance that an active market for the Company's securities will be attained or sustained. The market price of the Company's securities may fluctuate significantly based on a number of factors, some of which are unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the Company. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally, market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries, short-term changes in commodity prices, other precious metal prices, the attractiveness of alternative investments, currency exchange fluctuation, the political environment in Turkey or Oman and the Company's financial condition or results of operations as reflected in its financial statements. Other factors unrelated to the performance of the Company that may have an effect on the price of the securities of the Company include the following: the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning the business of the Company may be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not follow the Company's securities; lessening in trading volume and general market interest in the Company's securities may affect an investor's ability to trade significant numbers of securities of the Company; the size of the Company's public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in the Company's securities; the Company's operating performance and the performance of competitors and other similar companies; the public's reaction to the Company's press releases, other public announcements and the Company's filings with the various securities regulatory authorities; changes in estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track the Company's securities or the shares of other companies in the resource sector; the arrival or departure of key personnel; acquisitions, strategic alliances or joint ventures involving the Company or its competitors; and a substantial decline in the price of the securities of the Company that persists for a significant period of time could cause the Company's securities to be delisted from any exchange on which they are listed at that time, further reducing market liquidity. If there is no active market for the securities of the Company, the liquidity of an investor's investment may be limited and the price of the securities of the Company may decline. If such a market does not develop, investors may lose their entire investment in the Company's securities.
The Company expects that it will be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Company believes that it should be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and be subject to U.S. tax on its worldwide income. Treatment of the Company as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may have adverse tax consequences for non-U.S. shareholders. Holders of the Company’s common shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the Company’s common shares. This paragraph is only a brief summary of these tax rules and is qualified in its entirety by the section below entitled "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations".
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The Company has a history of losses and may never achieve revenues or profitability.
The Company has incurred losses since its inception and the Company expects to incur losses for the foreseeable future. The Company incurred the following net losses during each of the following periods:
· | US$20,106,911 for the year ended December 31, 2013; |
· | US$5,270,719 for the year ended December 31, 2012; |
· | US$5,603,314 for the year ended December 31, 2011; |
· | US$3,610,465 for the year ended December 31, 2010; and |
· | US$564,947 for the year ended December 31, 2009. |
The Company had an accumulated deficit of US$41,617,063 as of December 31, 2013.
The Company expects to continue to incur losses unless and until such time as one or more of its properties enter into commercial production and generate sufficient revenues to fund continuing operations. The development of the Company's properties will require the commitment of substantial financial resources. The amount and timing of expenditures will depend on a number of factors, including the progress of ongoing exploration and development, the results of consultants' analysis and recommendations, the rate at which operating losses are incurred, and the Company's acquisition of additional properties, some of which are beyond the Company's control. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever achieve profitability.
The Company is exposed to a heightened degree of risk due to the lack of property diversification.
The Company currently has mineral properties in Turkey and Oman only (as well, in April 2014 Gentor entered into an agreement to sell its properties in Oman; reference is made to the disclosure under "Gentor’s Mineral Properties" in Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F for information in respect of this proposed sale). The Company will as a consequence be exposed to some heightened degree of risk due to the lack of property diversification. Adverse changes or developments affecting such properties would have a material and adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The Company has no history of mining operations or profitability and is subject to all of the risk associated with establishing new mining operations and businesses.
The Company's properties are in the exploration stage only. The development of properties found to be economically feasible will require the construction and operation of mines, processing plants and related infrastructure. As a result, Gentor is subject to all of the risks associated with establishing new mining operations and business enterprises including: the timing and cost, which can be considerable, of the construction of mining and processing facilities; the availability and costs of skilled labour and mining equipment; the availability and costs of appropriate smelting and/or refining arrangements; the need to obtain necessary environmental and other governmental approvals and permits, and the timing of those approvals and permits; and, the availability of funds to finance construction and development activities. The costs, timing and complexities of mine construction and development are increased by the location of the Company's properties. It is common in new mining operations to experience unexpected problems and delays during construction, development, and mine start-up. In addition, delays in the commencement of mineral production often occur. Accordingly, there are no assurances that the Company's activities will result in profitable mining operations or that the Company will successfully establish mining operations or profitably produce copper (or other minerals) at any of its properties.
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Mineral exploration involves a high degree of risk against which the Company is not currently insured.
The Company's insurance does not cover all the potential risks associated with its operations, including industrial accidents, damages to equipment and facilities, labour disputes, pollution, unusual or unexpected geological conditions, rock bursts, ground or slope failures, cave-ins, fires, changes in the regulatory environment and natural phenomena such as inclement weather conditions, floods, earthquakes and other environmental occurrences. In addition, Gentor may elect not to obtain coverage against these risks because of premium costs or other reasons, and where coverage is maintained, losses may exceed policy limits. Losses from these events may cause Gentor to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon its financial performance and results of operations.
The Company’s operations may be adversely affected by environmental hazards on the properties and related environmental regulations.
All phases of Gentor's operations are subject to environmental regulation. These regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may require significant capital outlays on behalf of the Company and may cause material changes or delays in the Company's intended activities. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect Gentor's operations. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties on which Gentor holds interests which are unknown to Gentor at present and which have been caused by previous owners or operators of the properties. Reclamation costs are uncertain and planned expenditures may differ from the actual expenditures required.
The Company is a foreign corporation and the Company’s directors and officers except one director are outside the United States, which may make enforcement of civil liabilities difficult.
The Company is organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and its principal executive office is located in Toronto, Canada. All of the Company's directors and officers except one director, and all of the experts referred to in this Form 20-F, reside outside of the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets and the Company's assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors in the United States or otherwise outside of Canada to bring an action against directors, officers or experts who are not resident in the United States or in other jurisdictions outside Canada. It may also be difficult for an investor to enforce a judgment obtained in a United States court or a court of another jurisdiction of residence predicated upon the civil liability provisions of federal securities laws or other laws of the United States or any state thereof or the equivalent laws of other jurisdictions outside Canada against those persons or the Company.
The Company’s business depends on its ability to identify and acquire commercially mineable mineral rights, and there can be no assurances that it will be successful in such efforts.
Most exploration projects do not result in the discovery of commercially mineable ore deposits and no assurance can be given that any anticipated level of recovery of ore reserves will be realized or that any identified mineral deposit will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) ore body which can be legally and economically exploited. Estimates of reserves, resources, mineral deposits and production costs can also be affected by such factors as environmental permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. Material changes in ore reserves, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of any project.
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Gentor's future growth and productivity will depend, in part, on its ability to identify and acquire additional mineral rights that are ultimately commercially mineable, and on the costs and results of continued exploration and development programs. Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature and is frequently non-productive. Substantial expenditures are required to: establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques; determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore; and construct, renovate or expand mining and processing facilities.
In addition, if the Company discovers ore, it would take several years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible. During this time, the economic feasibility of production may change. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the Company will successfully acquire commercially mineable (or viable) mineral rights.
Litigation may adversely affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or the Company's project development operations.
The Company is subject to litigation risks. All industries, including the mining industry, are subject to legal claims, with and without merit. Defence and settlement costs of legal claims can be substantial, even with respect to claims that have no merit. Due to the inherent uncertainty of the litigation process, the resolution of any particular legal proceeding to which the Company is or may become subject could have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or the Company's project development operations.
Increased sales of the Company’s common shares by shareholders could lower the market price of the shares.
Sales of a large number of the Company's common shares in the public markets, or the potential for such sales, could decrease the trading price of such shares and could impair Gentor's ability to raise capital through future sales of common shares.
Fluctuations in currency could have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
The Company uses the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements by creating gains or losses. No currency hedge policies are in place or are presently contemplated.
The loss of key management personnel or the inability to recruit additional qualified personnel may adversely affect the Company’s business.
The success of the Company depends on the good faith, experience and judgment of the Company's management and advisors in supervising and providing for the effective management of the business and the operations of the Company. The Company is dependent on a small number of key personnel, the loss of any one of whom could have an adverse effect on the Company. The Company currently does not have key person insurance on these individuals. The Company may need to recruit additional qualified personnel to supplement existing management and there is no assurance that the Company will be able to attract such personnel.
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The Company may not be able to compete with current and potential exploration companies, some of whom have greater resources and technical facilities.
The mineral resource industry is very competitive in all of its phases. Significant competition exists for the acquisition of properties capable of producing metals. The Company competes with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities than itself. The Company may also encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in its efforts to hire experienced mining professionals. As well, there is competition for exploration resources at all levels, particularly affecting the availability of manpower, drill rigs and helicopters. Increased competition could also adversely affect the Company's ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
Directors and officers may be in a position of conflict of interest with respect to the Company due to their relationships with other resource companies.
Directors and officers of the Company also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies involved in the exploration and development of mineral resource properties. As a result, conflicts may arise between the obligations of these individuals to the Company and to such other companies.
The Company has never paid and does not intend to pay dividends.
The Company has not paid out any cash dividends to date and has no plans to do so in the immediate future. As a result, an investor’s return on investment in the Company’s common shares will be solely determined by his or her ability to sell such shares in the secondary market.
Item 4. Information on the Company
A. History and Development of the Company
Gentor Resources Inc. is a company continued under theCompanies Law (2011 Revision)of the Cayman Islands on February 28, 2012. The head office of the Company is located at 1 First Canadian Place, Suite 7070, 100 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1E3, Canada, and the telephone number of such office is (416) 366-2221. The registered office of the Company is located at Ogier Fiduciary Services (Cayman) Limited, 89 Nexus Way, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman, KY1-9007, Cayman Islands. The Company also has an office in Turkey located at Bulten Sokak 50/13, Kavaklidere, Ankara, 06700, Turkey.
In March 2010, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of APM Mining Limited (which has since changed its name to Gentor Resources Limited) ("Oman Holdco"), a British Virgin Islands company, in exchange for the issuance by the Company of a total of 10,362,000 common shares. In connection with this acquisition, the Company issued an additional 2,500,000 common shares pursuant to an amendment to the earn-in agreement between Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC and Oman Holdco (the "Block 5 Earn-In Agreement"), which increased from 50% to 65% the equity interest in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC that Oman Holdco had the right to earn. In July 2010, the Block 5 Earn-In Agreement was further amended to provide for the acquisition by Oman Holdco of an initial 40% equity interest in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC. Oman Holdco has since acquired the full 65% ownership in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC.
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As a result of the acquisition of Oman Holdco, the Company, through Oman Holdco, acquired the earn-in rights to the Block 5 and Block 6 properties in Oman (see "Oman" below). Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC holds the exploration licence for the Block 5 property. Pursuant to the Block 5 Earn-In Agreement, the Company, through Oman Holdco, acquired a 65% equity position in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC. Pursuant to an earn-in agreement between Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC and Oman Holdco, the Company, through Oman Holdco, has the right to earn up to a 70% equity position in Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC, which holds the exploration licence for the Block 6 property.
In connection with the acquisition of Oman Holdco, the Company reconstituted its board of directors and appointed new officers.
In April 2010, the Company completed a private placement financing involving the issue and sale of 4,000,000 units of the Company at a price of US$0.50 per unit for total gross proceeds to the Company of US$2,000,000. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company, with such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of US$0.75 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.
In July 2010, Gentor commenced an initial 3,000 metre drilling program on its Oman properties. The drilling program was designed to test a portion of the 56 targets which were identified by the airborne VTEM survey flown in March/April 2010. In November 2010, Gentor announced preliminary findings from its initial drilling program at its Oman properties.
During the last three months of 2010, the Company completed private placement financings involving the issue and sale of a total of 10,688,672 units of the Company at a price of US$0.75 per unit for total gross proceeds to the Company of US$8,016,505. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company, with such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of US$0.90 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance (the exercise period was subsequently extended by six months such that the exercise period became 18 months from the date of issuance of the warrant).
In January 2011, Gentor announced further findings from its initial drilling program at its Oman properties.
During the first three months of 2011, the Company completed private placement financings involving the issue and sale of a total of 6,516,668 units of the Company at a price of US$0.75 per unit for total gross proceeds to the Company of US$4,887,500. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company, with such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of US$0.90 for a period of 12 months from the date of issuance (the exercise period was subsequently extended by six months such that the exercise period became 18 months from the date of issuance of the warrant).
In May, July and November 2011 and January and April 2012, Gentor announced findings from its second drilling program at its Oman properties.
In November 2011, the Company’s common sharescommenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "GNT".
Also in November 2011, the Company completed a brokered private placement financing, pursuant to which the Company issued 2,163,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$1.00 per unit for total gross proceeds of Cdn$2,163,000. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one-half of one warrant of the Company, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$1.25 for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the warrant. GMP Securities L.P. acted as the Company’s agent in respect of this financing.
-19- |
The Company also announced in November 2011 that it had completed a non-brokered private placement financing, pursuant to which the Company issued 1,222,500 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$1.00 per unit for total gross proceeds of Cdn$1,222,500. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company, with each such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one-half of one common share of the Company for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the warrant, provided that a minimum of two such warrants were required to be exercised by the holder thereof at any one time in order that any such exercise thereof would result in the purchase of one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$1.25.
In February 2012, Gentor completed a corporate reorganization (the "Corporate Reorganization"), as a result of which Gentor’s corporate jurisdiction was moved from Florida to the Cayman Islands. The Corporate Reorganization was effected by a two-step process involving a merger of Gentor Resources, Inc. (the Florida company) with and into its wholly-owned Wyoming subsidiary, followed by a continuation of the surviving company into the Cayman Islands. Shareholders approved the Corporate Reorganization at the special meeting of shareholders held on February 24, 2012. Gentor believes that the change in its corporate jurisdiction to the Cayman Islands exposes the Company to business and financial advantages that may not otherwise have been as accessible to the Company. In particular, Gentor believes that the Corporate Reorganization resulted in simplification of the Company’s compliance with regulatory requirements and an enhanced ability to raise capital in Canadian, U.S. and international markets. As the Corporate Reorganization was effected solely to change the corporate jurisdiction of the Company, it did not result in any change in the Company’s daily business operations, management, location of the principal executive offices or its assets or liabilities.
As used in this document, the "Company" and "Gentor" refer to the existing Cayman Islands entity, Gentor Resources Inc., as well as the predecessor Florida entity, Gentor Resources, Inc. (incorporated on March 24, 2005).
In April 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with a Turkish company pursuant to which the Company was granted a 12 month option period (the "Hacimeter Option") for the purposes of funding and carrying out the exploration for copper and base metals on properties (the "Hacimeter Project") located in northeastern Turkey.
In August and September 2012, the Company announced drilling results from the Hacimeter Project. This drilling program outlined significant high-grade massive sulphide extensions to the shallow stringer type VMS system initially discovered at the Hacimeter Project.
In June 2012, the Company announced maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource estimates for the Mahab 4 and Maqail South prospects at the Company’s Block 5 property in Oman.
In October 2013, the Company announced that (a) the Company’s search for Cyprus-type volcanogenic massive sulphide ("VMS") deposits in Turkey has resulted in the identification in northern Turkey of several surface gossans in distal VMS settings and led to the signing by the Company’s local subsidiary in Turkey of two new joint venture option agreements with local Turkish groups, (b) having discovered further VMS mineralisation, but of insufficient size to eventually establish a commercial mining operation at the Hacimeter Project, Gentor has allowed the Hacimeter Option to expire without continuing to form a joint venture, and (c) in light of continued depressed market conditions, Gentor was proposing to undertake a strategic review of its Oman properties over the coming months.
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Gentor determined during fiscal 2013 that it would not continue with its molybdenum-tungsten project in east-central Idaho, U.S. and relinquished its rights in respect of this project. The Company had not carried out any exploration work at this project since fiscal 2008.
In January 2014, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 7,500,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.0525 per unit for proceeds to the Company of Cdn$393,750. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company, with each such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.07 for a period of two years. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this financing for exploration activities related to the Company’s Turkey properties and for general corporate purposes. Arnold T. Kondrat (a director and officer of the Company) was the purchaser of all of the said units. Taking into account the shares acquired under this financing, Mr. Kondrat now holds 21,697,500 (or 30.03%) of the outstanding common shares of the Company.
In February 2014, Mr. Kondrat was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company replacing Dr. Peter Ruxton (Mr. Kondrat was Executive Vice-President of the Company prior to this appointment), and two new directors, Richard J. Lachcik and William R. Wilson, were appointed to Gentor’s board of directors, replacing David Twist and Rudolph de Bruin. Dr. Ruxton has continued as a director on the board of directors of the Company.
Also inFebruary 2014, the Company completed a non-brokered arm’s length private placement of 2,000,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.075 per unit for proceeds to the Company of Cdn$150,000. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one-half of one warrant of the Company, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.10 for a period of two years. The Company intends to use the proceeds from this financing for exploration activities related to the Company’s Turkey properties and for general corporate purposes.
In April 2014, the Company announced that it has entered into an agreement with Savannah Resources plc (the "Purchaser") to sell all of Gentor’s properties in Oman to the Purchaser (the "Oman Sale"). The Oman Sale is being effected by way of the sale to the Purchaser of all of Gentor’s shares in Oman Holdco. The interests of Gentor in its properties in Oman are held through Oman Holdco. The Oman Sale reflects Gentor’s focus on its copper exploration properties in Turkey. The Oman Sale is expected to close in May 2014.
B. Business Overview
General
Gentor is a mineral exploration company focussed on the discovery and development of mineral resources. Gentor’s primary objective is currently to find and develop copper projects in Turkey, where it presently has two properties. The Company also has properties in Oman. In April 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell all of its properties in Oman. This sale is expected to close in May 2014.
In Turkey, following the identification by the Company of surface gossans in distal VMS settings, the Company has negotiated two joint venture option agreements with two local Turkish entities. The prime target in these areas in Turkey is copper; however there is a strong association with other base metals and gold. An initial 2,100 metre drilling program is planned at these properties for 2014. See "Turkey" under Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F for additional information in respect of the Company’s Turkey properties.
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Competitive Conditions
The mineral exploration and mining business is competitive in all phases of exploration, development and production of mineral properties. As a mineral exploration company, the Company may compete with a number of entities in the mineral exploration business in various aspects of the business including: (a) seeking out and acquiring mineral exploration properties; (b) obtaining the resources necessary to identify and evaluate mineral properties and to conduct exploration and development activities on such properties; and (c) raising the capital necessary to fund its operations.
The mining industry is competitive in all its phases, and the Company may compete with other companies that have greater financial resources and/or more advanced properties. The ability of Gentor to acquire properties depends, to a large part, on its success in exploring and developing its present properties and on its ability to select, acquire and bring to production suitable properties or prospects for mineral exploration and development. Gentor may compete with other exploration and mining companies for procurement of equipment and for the availability of skilled labour. Factors beyond the control of the Company may affect the marketability of minerals, if any, mined or discovered by the Company. See Item 3.D. of this Form 20-F, "Risk Factors".
Government Regulations
The Company's mineral properties are located in Turkey and Oman and, as such, Gentor's operations are exposed to various levels of regulatory, economic, political and other risks and uncertainties associated with operations in a foreign jurisdiction. See "Turkey" and "Oman" under Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F.
Social or Environmental Policies
Gentor has not yet adopted any specific social policies; however, Gentor is committed to conducting its business activities in a manner that promotes sustainable development and an improvement in the social welfare of the regions in which it operates. In addition, the Company aims to limit the impact of its activities on the natural environment and the surrounding communities. Gentor's fundamental policy is to conduct its business responsibly and in a manner designed to protect its representatives, the community and the environment. Gentor is committed to conducting its business in a manner that provides a safe and healthy workplace and environment for its employees.
C. Organizational Structure
The following diagram presents, as of the date of this Form 20-F, the names of the Company’s significant subsidiaries and the jurisdiction where they are incorporated, as well as the percentage of votes attaching to all voting securities of each such subsidiary beneficially owned, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, by the Company:
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(1) | In April 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to sell all of the outstanding shares of Gentor Resources Limited. As the Company’s interests in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC and Gentor Resources LLC are held through Gentor Resources Limited, as shown in the above diagram, such sale would also result in the disposition of these interests. This sale is expected to close in May 2014. See "Oman" under Item 4.D. of this Form 20-F for additional information in respect of this sale. |
(2) | Al Muta’aliq Mining, LLC, an Omani limited liability company, holds the other 30% of the share capital of Gentor Resources LLC. Although Gentor Resources Limited owns 70% of the share capital of Gentor Resources LLC, pursuant to the constitutive contract for Gentor Resources LLC, Gentor Resources Limited is entitled to 99.99% of the profits and losses of Gentor Resources LLC. |
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
The Company does not have any material tangible fixed assets.
Gentor’s Mineral Properties
Gentor’s mineral exploration activities are currently focused on its copper properties in Turkey. The Company’s properties are in the exploration stage and a substantial amount of capital will have to be spent on the properties before the Company will know whether they contain commercially viable mineral deposits. All of the properties in which the Company has an interest are without known reserves and the work being done by the Company is exploratory in nature.
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The Company also has mineral properties in Oman. However, the Company and Savannah Resources plc (the "Purchaser") have entered into a share purchase agreement dated April 10, 2014 (the "Share Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which the Purchaser has agreed to purchase, and the Company has agreed to sell, all of the outstanding shares of Gentor Resources Limited ("Oman Holdco"). Oman Holdco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands which holds the Company’s interests in all of the Company’s mineral properties in Oman (such that, upon closing this sale, the Company would no longer have any properties in Oman). In particular, Oman Holdco (a) is the holder of a 65% shareholding in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC, a company incorporated in Oman which owns the Block 5 project in Oman, (b) is a party to an earn-in agreement pursuant to which Oman Holdco can earn up to a 70% shareholding in Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC, a company incorporated in Oman which owns the Block 6 project in Oman, and (c) has a 70% shareholding in Gentor Resources LLC, a company incorporated in Oman. The Purchaser is an AIM-listed mineral exploration company. The press release issued by the Company announcing the entering into of the Share Purchase Agreement, together with a copy of the Share Purchase Agreement, have been filed on, and can be obtained from, EDGAR atwww.sec.gov and SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.
The proposed sale by the Company to the Purchaser of all of the outstanding shares of Oman Holdco pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement (the "Oman Sale") reflects Gentor’s focus on its copper exploration properties in Turkey.
The consideration for the Oman Sale is comprised of a cash payment of US$800,000 payable to the Company on the closing of the Oman Sale (the "Closing"), together with the following deferred consideration (the "Deferred Consideration"):
(a) | The sum of US$1,000,000, payable to the Company upon a formal final investment decision being made to proceed with the development of a mine at the Block 5 project in Oman. |
(b) | The sum of US$1,000,000, payable to the Company upon the production of the first saleable concentrate or saleable product from ore derived from the Block 5 project in Oman. |
(c) | The sum of US$1,000,000, payable to the Company within six months of the payment of the Deferred Consideration in (b) above. |
The Purchaser may elect to pay up to 50% of the above Deferred Consideration by the issue to the Company of ordinary shares of the Purchaser. Where the Purchaser’s shares are so issued in satisfaction of Deferred Consideration, the number of shares to be issued will be determined by reference to the volume weighted average price of the Purchaser’s ordinary shares as traded on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange plc for the 30 trading days prior to the date upon which the relevant Deferred Consideration is payable.
With respect to the US$800,000 cash payment payable to the Company on Closing (the "Closing Cash Payment"), the Company expects to use close to US$300,000 of the Closing Cash Payment to pay employee liabilities, mainly incurred in relation to the Company’s Omani projects. The Company expects to apply the balance of the Closing Cash Payment towards the drilling program proposed for the Company’s Turkey properties.
Closing of the Oman Sale is anticipated to occur in May 2014 and is subject to certain regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange(the "TSX-V"), as well as certain legal formalities. The TSX-V has advised the Company that it requires that the proposed Oman Sale be approved by the Company’s shareholders. The Company has therefore called a special meeting of shreholders for May 23, 2014 at which shareholders of the Company will be asked to approve the Oman Sale.
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Turkey
Joint Venture Option Agreements
The Company’s exploration activities in Turkey during fiscal year 2013 comprised detailed geological and more general terrain scale prioritization, target generation and opportunity identification in Central and Northern Turkey. The latter involved the development of a regional exploration database, desk top prospectively reviews, reconnaissance mapping projects in various districts and a number of visits to mineral properties of interest. This work resulted in the identification by the Company of several surface gossans in distal VMS settings, and led to the negotiation by the Company of joint venture option agreements with two local Turkish entities covering these properties. The Company believes these properties include several highly prospective VMS exploration targets, and a drilling program in respect of these properties is planned to be carried out by the Company in 2014. The details of the said two joint venture option agreements are as follows:
First JV Option Agreement
An option agreement was signed with the first local partner for a 50% share of three permits in the Boyabat area, with the following terms:
- | A US$60,000 cash payment on signature. |
- | A minimum expenditure of US$140,000, including at least 1,000 metres of drilling, within the option period. |
- | Gentor has the right to purchase the VMS rights on the permits for US$1,000,000 cash. |
- | On expiry of the option period on December 31, 2014, Gentor has the right to sole fund and earn a 75% interest by spending US$1.2 million or completing a bankable feasibility study. |
- | At 75% the local partner has the right to either contribute or dilute to 10% and subsequently convert to a 2% NSR royalty. |
Second JV Option Agreement
An option agreement was signed with a second local partner for a 50% interest in three additional permits in the Boyabat area, with the following terms:
- | A US$60,000 cash payment on signature. |
- | A minimum expenditure of US$140,000 over the option period. |
- | On expiry of the option period on May 15, 2014, Gentor has the right to sole fund and earn a 75% interest by spending US$1.2 million or completing a bankable feasibility study. |
- | At 75% the JV partner has the right to contribute or dilute to 10% on a formula. |
- | Below 10% the JV partner has the right to convert to a 2% NSR or be carried through the development stage with Gentor recovering all costs from first production plus a loan coupon. |
Karaburun Project
With respect to the properties covered by the first joint venture option agreement summarized above (referred to herein as the Karaburun project), Gentor has outlined a significant metasediment-hosted VMS system in forested terrain near Karaburun about 17 kilometres north-west of Boyabat in the Sinop District of the Central Pontide Region in northern Turkey (see Figure 1). The Karaburun gossans lie in the same stratigraphy as the longlife Kure Copper Mine and a newly discovered large copper resource at Honanu owed by Asya Mining, which lies 20 kilometres to the north-west. The identification of this prospect was made during systematic regional mapping initiated by Gentor along strike and in the same Bekirli Formation rocks as the Kure Mine and Honanu VMS deposits.
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Figure 1- Infrastructure and Copper Mines in Central Pontide Region
The gossans extend east-west over a strike length of 2.5 kilometres within a dominant greenschist volcaniclastic sequence over a stratigraphic thickness of at least 200 metres. While most of the gossans crop out in an area adjacent to the Gentor joint venture ground (see Figure 2, which shows Gossans No 1 & 2 on the Gentor joint venture ground), they all lie within 150 metres of the Gentor joint venture ground boundary and, importantly, dip 20 to 35 degrees to the south into the Gentor joint venture ground.
The Main part of the system exhibits heavily leached ironstone gossan up to 75 metres thick over a strike length of 600 metres and includes exposed massive sulphides and siliceous pyritic volcaniclastics over 300 metres at creek level in rugged terrain. Minor ancient workings for ironstone have exposed copper silicates in pyritic massive sulphides within the Main Zone.
Initial rock geochemical results at Karaburun have defined extensive Cu-Zn-Ag-Au and Co anomalism coincident with stacked stratigraphic mineralised gossan horizons dipping gently south into and within Gentor’s joint venture tenement (as shown in Figure 2). Rock chip results from predominately highly weathered gossan material yield up to 0.5% copper and up to 1.6g/t gold. These analyses were completed using XRF techniques at ALS Laboratories in Ankara, Turkey and applying normal laboratory verification procedures.
Given the size of the exposed system and its multiple stratabound lenticular nature - that is characteristic of Besshi style deposits worldwide - Gentor believes that the Karaburun VMS represents a significantly mineralised system. An initial 2,100 metre diamond drilling program is planned for 2014, after required forestry permit approvals are obtained.
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Figure 2- Rock chip copper values (>1,000 ppm copper results highlighted)
Gentor has established good working relations with its Turkish partners to promote local community acceptance and support for detailed exploration of the prospective sequence regionally as well as at Karaburun. Gentor believes that it is likely that further mineralised positions will be found in this previously poorly-explored Ophiolite melange terrain in the Kastamonu Region.
Gentor has also carried out geoligical mapping and soil sampling on the properties covered by the second joint venture option agreement. This work has revealed a one kilometre long gossan marked altered zone. This ground, like the Karaburun project ground, is considered suitable for VMS-style copper mineralisation with added possibilities for both gold and silver.
Hacimeter Prospect
In April 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with a Turkish company pursuant to which the Company was granted a 12 month option period (the "Hacimeter Option") for the purposes of funding and carrying out the exploration for copper and base metals on properties (the "Hacimeter Project") located in northeastern Turkey.
During fiscal 2012, an exploration program comprising geological mapping, soil sampling, trenching, ground EM and diamond drilling was completed by Gentor at Hacimeter. This work was designed to rapidly evaluate the likelihood of there being a critical resource mass which could feasibly lead to development. EM was considered to be the key tool in this regard, as it would efficiently indicate the presence or absence of a large massive sulphide body at depth in the vicinity of the known mineralisation.
Twenty seven line kilometres of moving loop TEM data were acquired at Hacimeter by GEM Geophysics, an Australian based geophysical contractor, during June 2012. The survey covered known mineralisation in the central project area at 100 metre line spacing, and surrounding areas to the east and west at 200 metre line spacing. Survey outcomes were generally disappointing – as no strongly conductive bodies of potentially economic size were identified.
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Gentor drilled eighteen diamond drill holes for 2,164.6 metres at Hacimeter during July – August 2012. The first six holes of the program confirmed the continuity and grade of mineralisation in the Northern Area tested by previous work (i.e. prior to Gentor’s involvement). The second part of the program was dedicated to drilling previously un-tested geophysical and geological targets to the south of the Hacimeter Main Fault that cuts off the shallow northern mineralization. This drilling led to the discovery of copper-gold rich semi-massive and massive mineralisation at depth in GA-H7 and GA-H8, and shallow, gold rich massive sulphide in GA-H16.
During fiscal 2012, reconnaissance mapping and stream sampling in the wider ophiolite hosting the Hacimeter Project was also undertaken. Five areas formed the focus of this work, and these target areas were identified on the basis of a regional prospectivity review by a consultant geologist based in Ankara. Each target area had defined drainage geochemical anomalism and was evaluated in terms of how likely it was to host Cyprus type VMS mineralisation. VMS prospectivity in the wider Sahvelet Ophiolite is limited by the paucity of permissive host lithologies; the ophiolite is dominated by ultramafic rock and ultramafic melange. Hacimeter and Yoncali, both on the southern flank of the ophiolite, are the only two areas known to host significant volumes of mafic volcanics.
In October 2013, the Company announced that having discovered further VMS mineralisation, but of insufficient size to eventually establish a commercial mining operation at the Hacimeter Project, Gentor has allowed the Hacimeter Option to expire without continuing to form a joint venture.
Outlook
From the Company’s base in Ankara, the Company continues its assessment of Turkish projects with a view to the possibility of further joint ventures or acquisition deals. The Company continues its regional evaluation and assessment in the search for VMS mineralisation, in particular. An initial 2,100 metre diamond drilling program is planned for 2014 for the Karaburun project, after required forestry permit approvals are obtained.
Oman
As discussed above under "Gentor’s Mineral Properties", the Company has entered into an agreement to sell all of its mineral properties in Oman (beng the Block 5 and Block 6 properties). The following disclosure relating to the Company’s Omani mineral properties is being provided given that, as of the date of this Form 20-F, the said sale has not closed (closing is anticipated to occur in May 2014), such that the Company still holds these properties as of the date of this Form 20-F.
Certain of the following disclosure relating to the Block 5 and Block 6 properties in Oman is derived from the technical report (the "Technical Report") dated June 29, 2012 and entitled "Technical Report on Mineral Resources at Mahab 4 and Maqail South and Exploration Potential of Block 5 and Block 6, Sultanate of Oman", prepared by H&S Consultants (Pty) Ltd. A copy of the Technical Report can be obtained from SEDAR atwww.sedar.com and EDGAR atwww.sec.gov.
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Property Description and Location
Figure 3 shows the regional location of the Block 5 and Block 6 properties. The Block 5 licence is 59,780 ha in area and is located 180 kilometres west of the capital city of Oman, Muscat as shown in the map in Figure 4. The centre of Block 5 lies approximately 40 kilometres south of the city of Sohar. The Block 6 licence is 27,290 ha in area. Figure 4 shows its location to the east-southeast of Block 5 approximately 140 kilometres west of Muscat and the centre of Block 6 lies approximately 80 kilometres southeast of Sohar.
The Block 5 and Block 6 licences share one common corner coordinate but are not contiguous as they are separated by the Ghuzayn Block held by Mawarid Mining. Exploration rights for the Block 5 and Block 6 licences were granted to Gentor through earn-in agreements between its wholly owned subsidiary Gentor Resources Limited ("Oman Holdco") and the property holders, Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC ("Al Fairuz") and Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC ("Al Zuhra"), respectively.
The Block 5 and Block 6 licences are valid for twelve months and are renewable annually for an extended period of 12 months. An economic feasibility study must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry before the expiry of the licence and a detailed environmental study must also be submitted before a mining project commences. According to the Oman legislation, the surface rights and the mineral rights pertaining to one property are not separated. Therefore, Gentor controls the licences to both the surface and mineral rights in the Block 5 and Block 6 licence areas.
Earn-in Agreements
The Block 5 licence was awarded to Al Fairuz on June 30, 2009. It provides Al Fairuz with the exclusive right to conduct exploration for a 12 month period, after which the licence can be renewed for further annual periods on condition that the renewal application is submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry within three months of the expiry date. The renewal of the Block 5 licence for the current period is presently pending. Gentor acquired, through Oman Holdco, the earn-in rights to the Block 5 licence in March 2010. Pursuant to the earn-in agreement between Al Fairuz and Oman Holdco, Oman Holdco was granted the right to earn up to a 65% equity position in Al Fairuz on completion of a BFS. Should Oman Holdco wish to develop the project further and commence mining operations, after all the reimbursements of costs to Oman Holdco, profit will be allocated according to the equity share between the two companies. Following subsequent agreements, Oman Holdco has acquired a 65% equity interest in Al Fairuz.
The Block 6 licence was granted to Al Zuhra on February 17, 2010. It provides Al Zuhra with the exclusive right to conduct exploration for a 12 month period, after which the licence can be renewed for further 12 month periods on condition that the renewal application is submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry within three months of the expiry date. The renewal of the Block 6 licence for the current period is presently pending. Legislation dictates that exploration licences remain valid after the renewal date until such time the Ministry responds to the renewal application. There is no known rejection of a copper licence renewal application.
Gentor acquired, through Oman Holdco, the earn-in rights to the Block 6 licence in March 2010. Pursuant to the earn-in agreement with Al Zuhra, Oman Holdco has the right to earn up to a 70% equity position in Al Zuhra. Should Oman Holdco wish to develop the project further and commence mining operations, profits will be allocated according to the equity share between the two companies after all the reimbursements of costs to Oman Holdco.
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Figure 3: Regional Location of the Block 5 and Block 6 Properties
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Figure 4: Location of the Block 5 and Block 6 Properties
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The Block 5 and Block 6 properties have not been legally surveyed. The location of known mineral deposits in Blocks 5 and 6 are shown in Figure 5. Gentor currently has no environmental liabilities for the Block 5 and Block 6 properties. At this phase of exploration, there has been minimal environmental impacts. Minor environmental impacts from drilling activities are limited to dust, noise and access tracks, much of the access has been gained via existing roads and tracks and Block 5 is sparsely populated with small villages scattered throughout. Gentor does not foresee any significant environmental expenditure during the exploration phases of the project.
Accessibility, Climate, Local Resources, Infrastructure and Physiography
The Block 5 and Block 6 licence areas are situated in northern Oman which is dominated by three physiographic zones. The long, narrow coastal plain known as Al Batinah stretches along the Gulf of Oman. Inland, the high, rugged Hajar Mountains extend southeastward, parallel to the Gulf coast. Much of the range reaches elevations above 4,800 feet (1,463 metres); Mount Al-Akhdar (“Green Mountain”), south of Muscat, at an elevation of 10,086 feet (3,074 metres), is the country’s highest point. The great central divide of Wadi Samāil separates different geological blocks comprising the wetern and eastern Hajar Ranges. The third physiographic zone is an inland plateau that falls away to the southwest of the Hajar Mountains into the great Rub al-Khali (“Empty Quarter”) desert, which the Sultanate shares with Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Vegetation is sparse in the region of the project area due to generally low precipitation all year round. Planted vegetation can be found in oases where there is irrigation by an ancient system of water channels known as aflāj (singular: falaj). Acacia trees form most of what little natural vegetation exists, and the soil is extremely rocky; plant species are protected in nature reserves.
A well-developed general road network and location of the towns and cities in the Block 5 and Block 6 licence areas are shown in Figure 4. Access to the area is primarily by a well maintained tarred road and secondary gravel roads which are connected to the main national highway between Muscat and Dubai in the UAE. The regional port, located in the city of Sohar, lies approximately 40 kilometres north of the center of Block 5 and 80 kilometres northwest of the center of Block 6.
Numerous small villages are located throughout the licence areas and these provide a readily available work force that is capable of supplying many of the labour-related jobs in exploration. The project area is also located close to the built up city of Sohar and approximately 200 kilometres from the capital city of Muscat, both of which can supply additional workforce and specialised skilled labourers. The primary mode of transport is by road, with a number of railroads being planned.
The climate is hot and dry in the interior and hot and humid along the coast. Summer temperatures in the capital of Muscat and other coastal locations often climb to 43 °C, with high humidity; winters are mild, with lows averaging about 17 °C. Temperatures are similar in the interior, although they are more moderate at higher elevations. Rainfall throughout the country is minimal, averaging only about four inches (100 mm) per year, although precipitation in the mountains is heavier. Exploration can take place throughout the year, with only limited breaks for periods of extreme temperatures.
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Figure5: Mineral Deposits inBlocks 5 and 6
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Power is available in the concession area by means of a high voltage power line along the northern boundary of the concessions. All the smaller villages and isolated government buildings are supplied with electricity connected to the national power grid. There are numerous permanent bodies of fresh water in the country, in the form of underground aquifers below seasonal wadis. These fossil underground aquifers have been a reliable source of water, not only for domestic purposes in the region, but for mining operations, including the Lasail smelter and refinery operation. Wadis are temporary rivers which result from seasonal storms and generally abate quickly. With the expanding industrial sector, the government has constructed desalination plants along the coast of Sohar, to treat water to a suitable quality for domestic consumption in the coastal settlements. Some effort has been made in recent years to construct dams in an effort to preserve runoff and control flooding. Because of the relatively subdued topography over the prospective northern part of the concessions, there are numerous areas that could be made available for tailings disposal and plant sites when exploration indicates the need for such facilities.
History
Reference is made to the Technical Report (a copy of which can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov) for information in respect of prior ownership of the Block 5 and Block 6 properties and previous exploration at the Block 5 and Block 6 properties prior to Gentor’s involvement.
Geologic Setting and Mineralisation
Regional Geology
The Semail Ophiolite is a 600 kilometres long, 100 to 150 kilometres wide and 5 to 10 kilometres thick ophiolitic nappe located along the northeast coast of Oman. The ophiolite comprises a complete sequence from mantle ultramafics at the base to upper crustal mafic volcanics and pelagic sediments at the top. The Semail Ophiolite is widely held to be one of the best preserved and exposed sections of oceanic crust in the world. It has been radiometrically dated as between 97.9 Ma and 93.5 Ma, and is therefore part of the Tethyan Orogen.
Although the Semail Ophiolite appears to have been obducted as a single coherent sheet, it was subsequently disrupted by a series of crustal scale strike-slip and normal faults. This has led to the division of the Semail Ophiolite into a number of structural domains or blocks, each of which typically contains the full stratigraphic sequence. Most of the mantle sequence in the Semail Ophiolite is composed of tectonised harzburgite, which represents the residual mantle from partial melting of primary spinel lherzolite. Early high-temperature orthopyroxene fabrics in the harzburgites probably represent mantle flow patterns that may map the presence of mantle diapirs below the spreading ridge. Melts generated in the upper mantle were formed in ridge-parallel linear magma chambers from which convecting magma was fed upward to form sheeted dykes. Tholeiitic picritic melts generated the crustal sequence, which comprises as much as 4 kilometres of layered mafic and ultramafic rocks of the cumulate sequence, overlain by isotropic gabbros, diorites and trondhjemites. The cumulate sequence layered peridotites and gabbros represent the floor of the magma chamber. The Semail Ophiolite is generally thought to represent a fast-spreading ridge with an open, continually replenished magma chamber.
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The upper part of the Semail Ophiolite comprises a 2 to 3 kilometre thick sequence of mafic to intermediate volcanics that have been subdivided into four key units in Oman. The basal lava unit, termed the Geotimes or V1-1 Unit, is up to 1.5 kilometres thick and consists of pillowed and massive basalts which directly overlie the ophiolitic sheeted dykes. Geochemically, this unit is transitional between mid-ocean-ridge basalt (MORB) and island arc-tholeiite - it is interpreted as having erupted close to a spreading axis in a marginal basin. The overlying lava unit, termed the Lasail or V1-2 Unit, is characterised by grey-green, small “bun” shaped pillows. In contrast to the Geotimes Unit, the Lasail Unit is laterally discontinuous - it forms a series of volcanic centres at approximate 30 to 40 kilometre centres along the strike of the Semail Ophiolite. This unit forms a basic to acidic fractionation series with swarms of andesitic cone-sheets emanating from volcanic centres. The more evolved products include felsite lavas and sub-volcanic sheets which formed discrete seamounts. The Lasail Unit is stratrigaphically overlain by the Alley, or V2 unit. This upper volcanic sequence was considered generally thinner (up to 500 metres thick) and more laterally persistent than the Lasail Unit particularly along the Batinah coast. However, in the northern Batinah particularly in the Shinas region the unit is at least 1-2 kilometres in a local volcanic centre, and its strong magnetic signature suggests it is a major mafic volcanic unit throughout the region. The Alley Unit also locally comprises basic to acid fractionated lavas related to specific plutonic centres and obsidian and rhyolite flows are aligned along NW-SE trending faults. The more fractionated, intermediate and acidic, extrusives in both the Lasail and the Alley volcanic units tend to occur together and have been interpreted as seamounts separated by other areas (inter-seamount) where only basaltic rocks are present as fissural eruptions.
Lastly, the highest extrusives, the Salahi Unit, are only exposed locally south of Lasail and, in contrast with those below, are of alkali composition. Volcanics of the Semail Ophiolite are interpreted to have formed at variable distances from a Late Cretaceous spreading axis and they show increasing subduction zone influence up-sequence. The latest alkalic lavas (Salahi Unit) are attributed to disruption of the ophiolite immediately prior to its regional emplacement over the Arabian margin.
A series of Late Cretaceous to early Turonian metalliferous and pelagic sediments (or umbers) are situated between, and to some extent within, the four lava units described above. These sediments are widely considered to reflect background pelagic seafloor sedimentation during periods of volcanic quiescence. Metalliferous-oxide and pelagic sediments are commonly well developed on the Geotimes-Lasail contact where they can form a layer up to 2 metres thick and represent the lowermost seafloor position in the volcanic pile. Significant umber development also occurs within the Lasail and Alley Units, where sediments can be several metres thick and outcrop over hundreds of metres. These sediment positions represent prime VMS exhalative stratigraphic targets. Similar sediments and pelagic chalks occur at the base of, and within, the alkalic Salahi extrusive lava unit, the stratigraphically highest lava unit.
Detailed structural mapping along the base of the Semail ophiolite has distinguished a distinct thrust sheet termed the Haybi complex, separating the imbricated Hawasina sedimentary rocks below from the Semail Ophiolite mantle sequence above. The rocks within the Haybi complex include amphibolite and greenschist facies rocks of the metamorphic sole, relatively unmetamorphosed alkalic and tholeiitic volcanic rocks of mainly Triassic age (Haybi volcanic group), Late Permian and Late Triassic Oman exotic limestone blocks and various sedimentary and tectonic melanges.
Geology of Block 5
The general geology of the Block 5 property is broadly similar to that described above in the regional geology section. Within Block 5, the ophiolitic stratigraphy typically strikes northwest – southeast with a moderate dip (20 to 40˚) towards the northeast. The mountainous western part of the licence area is dominated by harzburgites and related lithologies of the mantle portion of the ophiolite. Volcanics form a 2 to 3 kilometre wide NW trending strip through the central licence. Further east, the volcanics are covered by a sequence of Tertiary sediments and recent wadi gravel deposits.
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The volcanic portion of the Semail Ophiolite is very well exposed throughout the Block 5 licence area. The basal Geotimes unit is reasonably continuous along strike within much of the licence area. The Geotimes Unit is overlain to the east by the Lasail Unit, which is punctuated by a number of volcanic centres which tend to have a 10 to 15 kilometre strike periodicity. The important Lasail volcanic centres from north to south are centred on Suhayli West, Shebibat/Maqail South, Mahab, Smeidi and Sarami. Further eastward, the Lasail Unit is overlain by the Alley Unit which is usually the uppermost exposed part of the volcanic package. Notable Alley volcanic centres are present in the Suhayli area in the north of Block 5 and in the Shafan area in the south of Block 5.
A series of regional scale transform faults separate the Semail Ophiolite into a number of segments or tectonic blocks along its 600 kilometre strike length. Within the Block 5 property, these are manifested as strike perpendicular structures that delineate the Wadi Ahin, Hara Kilab-Mahab, Smeidi-Sarami and Doqal areas into individual structural blocks. These faults are interpreted to be obduction related and therefore to post-date mineralisation. Structural offset is typically in the order of 1 to 5 kilometres with an apparent strike-slip sense of motion. In addition to these transform structures, major obduction-related thrust faults oriented parallel/sub-parallel to the ophiolite stratigraphy have resulted in repetitions of the prospective stratigraphy in the Mahab, Smeidi and Doqal areas of Block 5. As an example, stacked thrust sheets in the Mahab structural block preserve two parallel belts of the crustal portion of the ophiolite.
Geology of Block 6
The general geology of the Block 6 property is broadly similar to that described above in the regional geology section. Within Block 6, the ophiolitic stratigraphy typically strikes northwest–southeast with a moderate dip (20 to 40˚) towards the northeast. The mountainous western part of the licence area is dominated by harzburgites and related lithologies of the mantle portion of the ophiolite. Volcanics form a 1 to 2 kilometre wide NW trending strip through the central licence area. Further east, the volcanics are covered by a sequence of Tertiary sediments mainly limestones and recent wadi gravel deposits. The lower volcanic portion of the Semail Ophiolite is poorly developed in the Block 6 licence area. In particular, very few exposures of the prospective Geotimes or Lasail Unit are known in the licence area. The Alley Unit is well developed and well exposed and it dominates the limited volcanic exposure within Block 6.
The post-mineral transform and thrust faults described for Block 5 also affect the distribution of volcanic lithologies in the Block 6 property. The crustal portion of the Semail Ophiolite exposed in Block 6 is offset 15-20 kilometres south-westward from similar rocks exposed in the Ghuzayn and Block 5 licence areas. It is unclear whether the stratigraphy exposed in the Block 6 property represents an offset equivalent of that in the Ghuzayn licence, or a much reduced set of volcanic rocks structurally preserved in a parallel thrust sheet. However, effectively the sequences in Block 6 appear to be less prospective than in Block 5.
Prospect Geology and Mineralisation
A large number of prospects in Blocks 5 and 6 including VTEM anomalies and historical prospects were originally defined by Gentor for initial evaluation during 2010-2011. Many of these prospects are of minor importance, are cultural in nature or not significantly mineralised and are therefore not considered of material importance to this evaluation. Many prospects are thus not discussed in detail. The section below provides data on the main prospects that have been subjected to detailed Gentor field evaluation, grid surveys and drilling to date. The geology and mineralisation within nine of these key prospects, including the two resource targets, at Mahab 4, Maqail South, Mahab 4 Extended, Maqail South Extended, Hara Kilab, Dahwa, Maqail, Mahab 3 and Mahab 2 are described. These prospects are all located in Block 5.
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Mahab 4
Mineralisation at Mahab 4 comprises a northward plunging high grade massive sulphide body underlain by semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer mineralisation. Massive sulphide, semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer mineralisation is broadly bound to the west and east by two north-south oriented west dipping faults, the Mahab 4 Main Fault to the west and Mahab 4 East Fault to the east. Mineralisation has a total strike length of 325 metres and is closed to the north and south, probably due to the convergence of the Mahab 4 Main Fault and Mahab 4 East Fault in these areas. The width of mineralisation is controlled by the distance between the Mahab 4 Main and East Faults, which varies but is typically 10 metres to 30 metres. Quartz vein stringer mineralisation has been defined to a depth of around 140 metres below surface, and remains open below this.
Massive sulphide mineralisation at Mahab 4 is developed on the Geotimes-Lasail seafloor, while semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer mineralisation is developed within the underlying Geotimes Unit footwall. The Geotimes and Lasail Unit dip 30 to 40 degrees towards the northeast at Mahab 4. Umbers are locally developed within the Lasail volcanics, but are not traceable along strike for more than 50 metres. An intrusive complex of intermediate composition (trondhjemite) outcrops 800 metres to the north. Massive sulphide mineralisation at Mahab 4 plunges towards the north and outcrops in the southern portion of deposit where gossanous subcrop is visible at surface. Drilling has defined supergene enriched copper massive sulphide below the oxide zone, typically at a depth of 10 to 20 metres below surface. The transition from supergene enriched to primary massive sulphide is usually located around 25 metres to 30 metres below surface.
The Mahab 4 Main Fault truncates the mineralised Geotimes-Lasail position at Mahab 4, it is therefore considered to have been active following the deposition of the Lasail Unit. The apparent sense of motion is up to the west, but it is not clear whether this movement was reverse or normal. Drill results indicate that massive sulphide mineralisation thickens towards this structure, perhaps indicating the Mahab Main Fault was a syn-mineralisation structure later reactivated following deposition of the Lasail Unit.
The Mahab 4 Eastern Fault offsets the mineralised Geotimes-Lasail seafloor position but not marker umber horizons in the Lasail Unit hanging wall. As such, the Mahab 4 Eastern Fault is considered to have been active during the massive sulphide deposition at Mahab 4. It probably controlled the formation of a half-graben in which massive sulphide was mostly deposited into.
Maqail South
Mineralisation at Maqail South comprises a flat-lying massive sulphide body locally underlain by a proximal weakly developed semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer mineralisation. Massive sulphide mineralisation has a total strike extent of about 100 metres and down-dip extent of about 80 metres and is closed in all directions where massive sulphide thins laterally into magnetite rich metalliferous sediments/umbers. Massive sulphide has a maximum thickness of around 13 metres in the central part of the seafloor mound, in the vicinity of GRB5D031. Massive sulphide is mostly situated 30 metres to 70 metres below surface and does not outcrop or is exposed. Quartz vein stringer mineralisation has been defined to a depth of 70 metres below surface, but it contains only patchy copper and becomes progressively weaker with depth.
Massive sulphide mineralisation at Maqail South is developed on the Geotimes-Lasail seafloor, while semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer mineralisation is developed within the underlying Geotimes Unit footwall. The Geotimes and Lasail Unit dip 10 to 30˚ towards the SE at Maqail South. Plutonic to sub-volcanic rocks, dykes and sills of intermediate composition (trondhjemite) intrude this sequence in the central and southwest parts of the prospect. Umbers at two key stratigraphic positions are developed within the Lasail Unit hanging wall, and are traceable along strike mainly to the north for around 750 metres.
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Mahab 4 Extended
Mahab 4 Extended is located in the area surrounding the Mahab 4 VMS discovery. The primary exploration target is the key Geotimes-Lasail stratigraphic position along strike to the north and southeast of the known mineralisation at Mahab 4, and also down-dip to the east of it.Mahab 4 Extended is dominated by moderately (30 to 40˚) northeast dipping Geotimes and Lasail pillow lavas with minor umbers. These units extend around 750 metres along strike to the north of Mahab 4, where they are truncated by trondhjemite, and about 1,500 metres along strike to the southeast of Mahab 4, where they are truncated by a major crustal scale E-W structure. North-south trending syn-mineral seafloor faults appear to control mineralisation at Mahab 4, and probably also in the prospective but untested sequence down-dip to the east. Strong footwall alteration is well developed alonge strike to the south of the deposit and gossanous umber situated on the Geotimes-Lasail seafloor is exposed in a small outcrop 500 metres to the southeast of Mahab 4. Much of this prospective sequence, particularly to the east of the Mahab 4 Main Fault, is mantled by 5 to 10 metres of wadi gravel and will require more geophysical and drilling evaulation.
Maqail South Extended
Maqail South Extended encompasses the area surrounding the Maqail South VMS discovery. The primary exploration target is the Geotimes-Lasail position along strike to the south and down-dip at depth to the east. Maqail South Extended is dominated by shallow (10 to 30˚) east dipping Geotimes and Lasail pillow lavas. These units are truncated immediately north of Maqail South by a major NNW trending structure which offsets the prospective stratigraphy 1.5 kilometres north-northwestward to the Shebibat North area. The prospective stratigraphy extends approximately 2 kilometres southward towards Hayl West, where it appears to terminate abruptly or is faulted against a large Alley Unit volcanic centre to the east. The Maqail South Extended target area contains a significant volume of trondhjemite and a large thickness of Lasail Unit volcanics, thus it is considered to be an important Lasail volcanic centre. To the east the structural zone cutting off the down dip part of Maqail South appears to comprise gossanous alteration zones related to both Lasail and Alley Units in the vicinity of Shebibat West.
Hara Kilab
Hara Kilab is located 6 kilometres northwest of the Mahab 4 VMS discovery and 900 metres east-southeast of a small village named Al Ghashnah. It was discovered by Prospection Ltd in the 1970s following the identification of a large gossanous exposure with associated slag dumps. Prospection Ltd drilled 18 diamond holes totaling 1,006 metres and defined a minor massive sulphide body located 20 metres to 40 metres below surface. Prospection Ltd recommended that further exploration be undertaken in the area, but this work was never carried out.
Hara Kilab is structurally preserved at the western most extent of the Mahab block stratigraphy, which also hosts the Mahab 4 and Mahab 3 VMS deposits. The Hara Kilab Gossan and surrounding Geotimes volcanics are bound to the north and south by two major thrust faults, both of which juxtapose Semail Ophiolite volcanics with younger sediments of the Batinah Olistostrome. The gossan itself covers approximately 170 metres x 60 metres and frequently contains copper oxide minerals.
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Mineralisation at Hara Kilab comprises a southwest dipping massive sulphide body and a well-developed QSV zone which outcrops at surface forming a gossan. The gossan has been worked historically and numerous slag dumps are present in the immediate area. Gentor drilling at Hara Kilab indicates that massive sulphide mineralisation at Hara Kilab is situated on the Geotimes-Lasail seafloor position and that the hanging wall Lasail Unit volcanics are located stratigraphically below massive sulphide thus implying an overturned stratigraphic sequence. The volcanics hosting massive sulphide are bound to the north and south by two major thrust faults which juxtapose younger sediments of the Batinah Olistostrome.
Massive sulphide at Hara Kilab has a maximum recorded thickness of around 12 metres and extends along strike for 130 metres, but it thins out laterally along strike into magnetite in the SE and into a mineralised thin metalliferous umber in both dip directions. Primary massive sulphide at Hara Kilab contains high copper grade with intersections reported by Prospection averaging 2.3% Cu over 11.89 metres in HK11-04 and 2.58% Cu over 8.69 metres in HK11-02, with maximum grades of 6% Cu. GRB5D0010 has similar grades with a maximum of 6.64% Cu and a best intersection of 5.54 metres @ 3.96% Cu and 0.33% Zn from 32.19 metres downhole in GRB5D0010.
Dahwa
Dahwa is located around 2 kilometres to the north of the Mahab 4 VMS discovery and 1 kilometre east-northeast and down dip of the Mahab 3 VMS deposit discovered by Prospection Ltd. Dahwa was identified by JICA following ground IP and EM surveys over the area during the late 1990s. This work delineated a 400 metre x 200 metre chargeability anomaly with a roughly coincident TEM response.
Dahwa is dominated by moderately east to northeast dipping Alley Unit volcanics at surface. Lasail Unit volcanics are exposed approximately 300 metres to the west of the prospect, but any seafloor separating the two units is not exposed at surface or in current drilling. The Alley Unit in the central part of the prospect is unaltered and strongly amygdaloidal with excellent pillow development. The northern, updip, part of the prospect contains significant areas of strong ferruginous alteration and gypsum development at surface, which may be associated with the Lasail-Alley Unit contact. The boundary between fresh and altered material is associated with a strong NW-SE oriented magnetic contrast trend and magnetic low zone.
Airborne VTEM data indicate that no significant conductive body is present at open-pittable depths at Dahwa. However, JICA and Gentor TEM surveys indicated a large deep conductor may be present and drilling has identified a large phyllic alteration zone with disseminated to stringer mineralisation that locally contains significant gold, copper and zinc grades. This alteration zone is mostly located 100 metres to 150 metres below surface and remains open in all directions. It appears to be associated with the Lasail-Alley Unit contact, which may be correlative with the stratigraphic position of the 8 Mt Mandoos deposit discovered by Mawarid Mining in Block 1.
Mahab 3
Mineralisation at Mahab 3 comprises a minor massive sulphide body dipping towards the ENE. Massive sulphide outcrops at surface to form a narrow linear gossan 120 metres in length which has been worked historically with numerous shallow pits and scrapes visible in the area and a large slag dump is also present 80 metres northeast of the gossan. East-northeast dipping Geotimes Unit volcanics form the footwall to the mineralisation to the west of the gossan, while a large intrusive of intermediate composition (trondhjemite) appears to truncate mineralisation down dip to the east. The true thickness of primary massive sulphide intersected at Mahab 3 is approximately 3 metres as indicated by four holes drilled by Gentor to confirm the Prospection results and also test a weak VTEM anomaly along strike. This work suggested the deposit was totally constrained at depth by the trondjemite intrusion.
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Primary massive sulphide at Mahab 3 is pyrite dominated, but also contains chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyhrrotite in varying amounts. Chalcopyrite typically forms minor blebs, whereas sphalerite is blebby to massive. Copper grade in primary massive sulphide is typically less than 1%, whereas zinc grade is strongly variable, ranging from detection limit to up to 20% where massive sphalerite is observed. The upper, oxidised portion of the massive sulphide body contains significant gold and several samples returned values between 1 and 4 g/t Au.
Maqail is located 4 kilometres northeast of the Maqail South close to the main Shebibat-Sohar highway. It was initially identified by Bishimetal who noted a number of massive sulphide boulders in a gossanous road exposure, and also reported the presence of massive sulphide boulders in historic water wells. Bishimetal and JICA completed prospect scale mapping, surface sampling and frequency domain IP during the 1990s but did not undertake any drilling as they considered the target was too weakly developed.
Maqail is dominated by fractured to strongly brecciated Alley Unit (V2) volcanics and associated umber horizons up to several metres thick that dip moderately towards the north. Several outcrops of gossanous breccia horizons up to 6 metres thick are visible in the northern part of the prospect particularly near the main road. Maqail is located immediately south of a regional scale thrust fault that juxtaposes highly conductive sedimentary and volcanic exotics of the Batinah Olistostrome against Alley Unit volcanics.
Mahab 2
Mineralisation at Mahab 2 comprises disseminated and stringer sulphide mineralisation with a large previously worked related oxide zone at surface. It is hosted by dolerites of the Sheeted Dyke Unit, which is structurally juxtaposed against a large ultramafic intrusive immediately to the northeast. Mineralisation appears to be controlled by a major northwest-southeast trending shear zone that can be mapped for several kilometres northwest and southeast of Mahab 2. It is unclear whether the structurally controlled mineralisation at Mahab 2 represents a feeder zone for a now eroded VMS deposit higher in the stratigraphy or is a later structural event. A large linear gossan up to 15 metres wide is mappable along 1 kilometre of strike at Mahab 2. Numerous shallow scrapes and small holes along with slag dumps provide evidence of significant historical artisanal mining in the area. Gossanous zones are sporadically visible for 1 kilometre along strike at Mahab 2. Limited drilling by Prospection and Gentor indicates that pyrite–chalcopyrite sulphide mineralisation is steep to moderately dipping and that it appears to be truncated at depth by ultramafic extrusives exposed at surface to the east. Gold and zinc grades are negligible.
Deposit Types
Cyprus-Type VMS Deposits
Gentor’s exploration was for Cyprus-type VMS mineralisation in the Cretaceous Semail Ophiolite of Oman. Cyprus-type VMS deposits are believed to form at active oceanic spreading centres where enhanced hydrothermal circulation leads to the formation of seafloor vents or “black smokers”. These vents inject a metal saturated solution into the water column, but the rapid drop in temperature leads to the rapid precipitation of metal onto the seafloor. This process commonly occurs simultaneously at a number of locations at the same time within a given hydrothermal field. Modern hydrothermal vents in mid-ocean ridge settings are often cited as a probable modern analogue for Cyprus-type deposits in ancient ophiolites, although there is some debate as to whether they represent mid-ocean ridges or supra-subduction settings in extensional back-arc basins. The origin of these deposits at submarine hot springs is widely accepted, and more than a decade of seafloor research at active hydrothermal vents has not significantly changed the genetic models for these mineral systems.
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Cyprus-type VMS deposits are important historical sources of copper and zinc and often also contain economic concentrations of Au and Ag. They occur on and below fossil seafloors, generally within mafic to intermediate volcanic rocks and lesser metalliferous sediments/umbers. Mineralisation is comprised of two key zones, a massive sulphide zone and an underlying stringer zone.
Massive sulphide forms on the seafloor and tends to develop a mound, lens or sheet-like geometry oriented parallel to the volcanic stratigraphy or bedding. Most Cyprus-type massive sulphide deposits consist of a single discrete body, although some include vertically-stacked mineralised bodies at a series of stratigraphic positions. The deposits are usually described as low-relief mounds, having a relatively flat hanging wall contact with the overlying sediments or pillow lavas. They commonly have a distinctive asymmetric shape which is attributed to the influence of syn-mineral seafloor growth faults or a related graben wall. In some instances, the upper portions of seafloor massive sulphide deposit is comprised of conglomeratic mineralisation which contains clasts and larger blocks of massive pyrite in a matrix of friable, sandy pyrite. This zone is generally underlain by massive sulphide mineralisation consisting of fine to coarse grained granoblastic pyrite and chalcopyrite, often with abundant vuggy cavities. Massive sulphide mineralisation is locally cut by late veins of colloform-banded pyrite and often becomes increasingly brecciated upward. In some cases, fossilised worm tubes have been recognised in the pyritic breccias and fragments of chimney structures are also observed. However, progressive brecciation of the massive sulphides and continuous hydrothermal recrystallisation means that these primary features are only rarely preserved in the massive sulphide lenses.
Massive sulphide mineralisation is typically underlain by a metres thick basal zone of quartz-pyrite breccia, which is in turn underlain by stockworkmineralisation representing the stringer zone. The transition between massive sulphide and quartz-pyrite breccia ores is generally interpreted to represent the top of the volcanic pile (i.e., seafloor) at the time of mineralisation. Stringer mineralisation develops in the volcanic footwall to the massive sulphide zone, and is often controlled by syn-volcanic structures which focus fluid flow from the wider hydrothermal system. Stringer zones have a characteristic pipe-like morphology in plan view, resulting in a distinctive funnel-shaped appearance in cross section. They are associated with broader zones of strong hydrothermal alteration – the key minerals include silica, chlorite, epidote and a variety of iron oxides. The alteration assemblages of the footwall alteration zone are, from core outwards:
· | Silica zone, found in the most intensely altered examples, resulting in complete silica replacement of the host rocks, and associated with chalcopyrite-pyrite stringer zones. |
· | Chlorite zone, found in nearly all examples, consisting of chlorite +/- sericite +/- silica. |
· | Sericite zone, found in nearly all examples, consisting of sericite +/- chlorite +/- silica |
· | Silicification zone, often gradational with background silica-albite metasomatism. |
Massive sulphide generally has significantly higher base metal and precious metal grades than the underlying stringer zone. Chalcopyrite is typically the key copper sulphide mineral – it locally fills open spaces in the conglomeratic massive ore, but is most abundant in quartz-pyrite veins that crosscut the earlier massive sulphide breccias. Sphalerite is reasonably common in Cyprus-type deposits, and is often zoned towards the upper and distal portions of the massive sulphide mound. Sphalerite was either deposited from late-stage, hydrothermal fluids or was remobilised from the underlying massive sulphides during successive hydrothermal events. Precious metal concentrations in primary Cyprus-type massive sulphide deposits range from 0.1 g/t Au to 2 g/t Au and from less than 5 g/t Ag up to 70 g/t Ag, however oxide zones derived from massive sulphide are commonly strongly enriched in gold and silver and may be economically exploited separately to the sulphide deposits.
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Cyprus-Type VMS Deposits in Oman
Among the best exposed and least-deformed examples of Cyprus-type VMS mineralisation in ancient ophiolites occur in the Troodos Massif of Cyprus and the Semail Ophiolite of Oman. Ophiolitic rocks in these two regions are preserved along a suture zone representing the final closure of the Tethys Ocean at the end of the Cretaceous. The morphology, mineralisation types, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Cyprus-type deposits in Cyprus and Oman are generally similar.
Approximately 50 VMS related copper occurrences are known along the 500 kilometre strike length of the Semail Ophiolite in Oman. Most known VMS deposits are clustered into “camps” with a strike spacing of around 25 kilometres to 50 kilometres. These clusters often consist of three to four individual mineralised bodies within a one to two kilometre radius - there is some suggestion that the clustering is related to enhanced hydrothermal circulation associated with the emplacement of Lasail Unit volcanic centres. The majority of the known Cyprus type-VMS deposits in Oman are associated with the key Geotimes-Lasail seafloor position, but other significant seafloor positions include inter-Alley Unit seafloors and possibly the Lasail Unit – Alley Unit seafloor.
Exploration
Gentor utilized a number of geological, geophysical and modelling techniques to generate drill targets in the Block 5 and Block 6 licence areas. The VTEM survey flown in early 2011 generated 46 anomalies in the Block 5 licence area and 13 anomalies in the Block 6 licence area. Prospectivity modelling, assessment of historical ground geophysical data, assessment of magnetic data acquired in tandem with the VTEM survey, geological mapping, surface grab sampling and ground geophysics led to the development of an additional 25 targets requiring field evaluation. All targets were ranked and prioritised by Gentor for subsequent drill testing. High priority drill targets generally comprised priority 1 VTEM anomalies in favourable stratigraphic settings or geological targets located near known VMS mineralisation. Low priority drill targets generally comprised priority 3 VTEM anomalies situated in relatively poorly prospective stratigraphic settings.
Reference is made to the Technical Report (a copy of which can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov) for additional information in respect of the exploration work carried out by Gentor at the Block 5 and Block 6 properties.
Drilling
Diamond Drilling
Diamond drilling by Gentor commenced in July 2010. As of March 31, 2012, 130 diamond holes had been drilled at 25 prospects for a total of 13,767.3 metres. 122 of these holes, totaling 13,124 metres, were drilled in the Block 5 licence area, with the remaining 8 holes, totaling 643.3 metres, in the Block 6 licence area. All resource drilling at Mahab 4 and Maqail South comprised diamond drilling carried out by a Muscat based contractor, Gulf Geotechnical Services and Material Testing LLC (Gulf Geotechnical) using Hanjin diamond drill rigs manufactured in Korea.
Reverse Circulation (RC) Drilling
Two campaigns of RC drilling were undertaken by Gentor in the Block 5 and Block 6 licence areas. RC drilling was restricted to investigating exploration targets. No RC holes have been drilled at Mahab 4 or Maqail South. All RC drilling was carried out by Mawarid Drilling, a commercial offshoot of Mawarid Mining and the current holders of the Block 1, 2 and Ghuzayn licences in Oman. As of March 31, 2012, a total of 32 RC holes had been drilled at 13 prospects for 3,670 metres. 25 of these holes were drilled, totaling 2,849 metres, in the Block 5 licence area, with the remaining 7 holes (for 821 metres) in the Block 6 licence area.
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Resource Drilling
Much of the drilling focus in the Block 5 licence area centred on evaluation work at Mahab 4 and Maqail South, which comprises 56% of all drilling in Block 5. In total 80 diamond drill holes totalling 8,837 metres have been completed in these deposits. No RC drilling was used on either Mahab 4 or Maqail South. A summary of the drill holes at Mahab 4 and Maqail South is given in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Number of drill holes drilled by Gentor at Mahab 4 and Maqail South.
Prospect | Diamond Drill holes | RC Drill holes | Metres | % | ||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | 50 | 6,169 | 39 | |||||||||||||
Maqail South | 30 | 2,668 | 17 |
Reference is made to the Technical Report (a copy of which can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov) for additional information in respect of the drilling carried out by Gentor at the Block 5 and Block 6 properties, including a summary of all drill results.
Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing
In October 2011 Gentor selected ten drill core samples of the main mineralisation types present at the Mahab 4 for preliminary froth flotation testwork. A total of 104kg of material comprising an average of 10 kg per sample involved three samples of stringer mineralisation, six samples of massive sulphide and semi-massive sulphide mineralisation (including one supergene enriched and one zinc rich sample) and one low copper grade pyritic massive sulphide sample. Gentor commissioned Wardell Armstrong International (WAI) based in Cornwall, UK to provide a programme of scoping flotation testwork initially on a composite sample of the high grade massive sulphide copper mineralisation using nominal parameters for Omanian massive sulphides derived from current operating practice and previous feasibility studies.
Test Work Results
Base case conditions applied to a combined massive sulphide-semi-massive sulphide sample grading 9.77% copper, producing a copper recovery of 85% to an acceptable 20.2% copper concentrate. Follow-up rougher tests using the base case but varying the initial conditions - produced a variety of higher grade concentrates with lower recoveries. However, finer grinding applied to allow 80% passing 40 microns released more copper tied up within pyrite grains to give a +90% copper recovery.
Subsequent cleaner tests have shown that it is possible to achieve either:
· | a circa 20.0% copper grade to 94% recovery from roughing alone, or, |
· | a circa 27.5% copper grade to 90% recovery from roughing + one stage of cleaning |
The concentrate contained 30-50% of the sulphide content depending on the copper grade. The efficiency of the cleaner process determined that regrinding options appear to add little benefit. This test work therefore suggests that a relatively simple beneficiation process using standard techniques and reagents is applicable for the Mahab 4 massive sulphides to produce a clean economic concentrate.
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It should be noted that the grade of the ‘base case condition’ sample investigated here, at almost 10% Cu, has a significantly higher grade than the average massive sulphide grade at Mahab 4. It may have an unrepresentatively high proportion of supergene mineralisation, enriched in copper, gold and lead and therefore H&S Consultants (Pty) Ltd does not consider it to be representative of the Mahab 4 massive sulphide resources reported here. At the time of the Technical Report Gentor had submitted a second set of samples for metallurgical test work. The results obtained by Gentor subsequent to the Technical Report were similar to the results reported above.
The metallurgical testing is still at an early stage and the results appear positive, however further work is required to achieve feasibility standard. Reference is made to the Technical Report (a copy of which can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov) for additional information in respect of metallurgical testing.
Mineral Resource Estimates
In June 2012, the Company announced maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource estimates for the Company’s Omani properties. The estimates at Mahab 4 are based on 50 drill holes totalling 6,169 metres of diamond core on 25 metre x 50 metre sections (with some 25 metre line in-fill lines), and at Maqail South on 30 drill holes totalling 2,668 metres of diamond core, completed to the end of April 2012. These mineral resource estimates were prepared by independent consultants H&S Consultants Pty Ltd (“H&SC”), and are set out in the following tables (the effective date of these estimates is June 29, 2012):
Table 2: Summary of all estimated SulphideResources at 0.30% Copper cut-offBy Resource Category
Tonnage | Cu | Au | Ag | Pb | Zn | |||||||||||||||||||||
Deposit | Category | (kt) | (%) | (g/t) | (g/t) | (%) | (%) | |||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Indicated | 916 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 8.5 | 0.080 | 0.54 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Inferred | 590 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 0.012 | 0.14 | |||||||||||||||||||
Maqail South | Inferred | 160 | 3.8 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 0.002 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Indicated | 916 | 2.8 | 0.2 | 8.5 | 0.080 | 0.54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Inferred | 750 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 2.5 | 0.010 | 0.12 |
Table 3: Summary of all estimated Sulphide Resources at 0.30% Copper cut-off By Zone & Resource Category
Tonnage | Cu | Au | Ag | Pb | Zn | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposit | Category | Zone | (kt) | (%) | (g/t) | (g/t) | (%) | (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Indicated | Zone 2 | 400 | 5.0 | 0.4 | 16.7 | 0.141 | 0.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Inferred | Zone 2 | 45 | 3.9 | 0.5 | 20.4 | 0.121 | 1.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Indicated | Zone 3 | 516 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 2.2 | 0.032 | 0.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mahab 4 | Inferred | Zone 3 | 545 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.003 | 0.06 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maqail South | Inferred | Zone 2 | 121 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 0.002 | 0.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Maqail South | Inferred | Zone 3 | 39 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 0.001 | 0.02 |
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Methodology
Prior to the resource estimation H&SC inspected the property, witnessed drilling activities, visited the site office in Sohar, talked with staff and observed and commented on sampling, QA/QC, geological logging, geotechnical data acquisition, density measurements and general data handling protocols. Data validation was carried out including checking drill core against logs and checking drill hole collar locations.
The wireframes used for estimation were constructed by H&SC and based on cross-sectional interpretations of the geology provided by Gentor. These interpretations are consistent with the available data and are considered to be a reasonable and realistic representation of the mineralisation. Three broad resource areas were categorised: Zone 1 for oxides, Zone 2 representing the seafloor massive sulphide, and Zone 3 for the lower-grade sub-seafloor semi-massive sulphide and quartz vein stringer material. An oxide zone (Zone 1) is present at Mahab 4 but absent at Maqail South.
Three dimensional block models were generated with blocks 5x10x5 metres (east, north and RL respectively) for Mahab 4 and blocks 10x5x10 metres (east, north, RL respectively) for Maqail South. A hard boundary was used for grade estimations within the wire-framed mineralised Zones 1 (oxide), 2 (massive sulphide) and 3 (stringer zone). Three search passes were used to populate blocks. The Mahab 4 resource estimates are limited to a depth of around 200 metres below surface. The Maqail South resource estimates are limited by interpreted mineralisation to a depth of around 80 metres below the surface. H&SC has assessed the elements required to categorise the estimates and has assigned the estimated resources at Mahab 4 to the Inferred and Indicated Resource categories and the resources at Maqail South to the Inferred Resource category in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines. H&SC considers there to be reasonable potential for expanding existing resources along strike to the south of Mahab 4 but resources are unlikely to be significantly expanded down dip due to decreasing grades.
Reference is made to the Technical Report (a copy of which can be obtained from SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov) for additional information in respect of the mineral resource estimates for the Company’s Omani properties.
Qualified Person
Dr. Peter A. Ruxton, who is a director of the Company and a "qualified person" (as such term is defined in NI 43-101), has reviewed and approved the technical information in this Form 20-F relating to the Company’s mineral properties.
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
See the management's discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit 15.1.
A. Operating Results
See the management's discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit 15.1.
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B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.
See the management's discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit 15.1.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
Not applicable.
D. Trend Information
None of the Company's assets are currently in production or generate revenue. However, the cyclical nature of the prices of metals, particularly the price of copper, is reasonably likely to have an effect on the Company's liquidity and capital resources. If the price of copper or the worldwide demand for copper decreases, there would likely be an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to raise additional funding and attract exploration partners for its properties. Recently, junior mineral exploration companies have experienced difficulties raising new money, and capital raising activities completed by such companies have often resulted in substantial dilution to existing shareholders.
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The Company does not have any contractual obligations (within the meaning of Form 20-F) requiring disclosure under this item.
G. Safe Harbor
Not applicable.
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A. Directors and Senior Management
The directors and senior management of the Company, their ages and term of continuous service are as follows:
Name | Age | Current Position(s) with the Company | Served Since | |||
Arnold T. Kondrat | 61 | President, Chief Executive Officer and a director | July 31, 2007 (director and officer) | |||
Dr. Omer Celenk | 69 | Country Manager - Turkey | January 1, 2012 | |||
Donat K. Madilo | 52 | Chief Financial Officer | March 8, 2010 | |||
Geoffrey G. Farr | 47 | General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | April 7, 2011 | |||
Richard J. Lachcik (1) | 56 | Director | February 13, 2014 | |||
Dr. Peter A. Ruxton (1) | 56 | Director | March 8, 2010 | |||
William R. Wilson (1) | 71 | Director | February 13, 2014 |
(1) | Member of the audit committee of the board of directors of the Company. |
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Arnold T. Kondrat - Mr. Kondrat is the Company's principal founder and has over 26 years of management experience in the resource exploration industry. During this time he has been an officer and director of a number of publicly-traded resource exploration companies, in both Canada and the United States. He has been a director of the Company since July 2007, was Executive Vice President of the Company from July 2007 to February 2014 and has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 2014. Mr. Kondrat is the principal founder, and Executive Vice President and a director, of Banro Corporation ("Banro") (a gold mining company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NYSE MKT LLC). He is also the principal founder, and Executive Vice President and a director, of Loncor Resources Inc. (a mineral exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange), a consultant to and director of Delrand Resources Limited (a mineral exploration company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the JSE) and President of Sterling Portfolio Securities Inc. (a private venture capital firm based in Toronto).
Dr. Omer Celenk – Dr. Celenk is a Turkish geologist with over 40 years of experience, specialising in Exploration Geochemistry. During his career he travelled widely in the Philippines, India, and Uganda as a Specialist Geochemist with the United Nations and Kenmare Resources. Dr. Celenk began his experience with the MTA (Geological Survey) of Turkey and has consulted widely to the Turkish mining industry, but more recently with Kefi Minerals plc. He has a Ph.D. in Exploration Geochemistry and a M.Sc. in Mining Geology & Mineral Exploration from the University of Leicester, England and a B.Sc. (Hons) from Birmingham University, England.
Donat K. Madilo – Mr. Madilo has over 24 years of experience in accounting, administration and finance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC") and North America. He is Chief Financial Officer of each of Banro and Loncor Resources Inc. and Treasurer of Delrand Resources Limited. Mr. Madilo’s previous experience includes director of finance of Coocec-ceaz (a credit union chain in the DRC) and senior advisor at Conseil Permanent de la Comptabilité au Congo, the accounting regulation board in the DRC. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Institut Supérieur de Commerce de Kinshasa, a B.Sc. (Licence) in Applied Economics from University of Kinshasa and a Masters of Science in Accounting (Honours) from Roosevelt University in Chicago.
Geoffrey G. Farr – From February 2011 to present, Mr. Farr has been Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Banro, and General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of each of Gentor, Loncor Resources Inc. and Delrand Resources Limited. He is also currently a director of Delrand Resources Limited. Prior to February 2011, Mr. Farr practised corporate and securities law in Toronto for 17 years, which included extensive experience in representing public companies. He holds a LL.B. from the University of Ottawa and a B.Comm. from Queen’s University.
Richard J. Lachcik - Mr. Lachcik is a partner of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright Canadallp, which acts as counsel to the Company. He has been practising corporate and securities law in Toronto, Canada for over 29 years. Mr. Lachcik has extensive experience in representing public companies and has also acted for a number of investment dealers. He has been an officer and director of a number of Canadian public resource companies.
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Dr. Peter A. Ruxton - Dr. Ruxton spent the first 15 years of his career in the mining industry, including 11 years with Billiton Australia, initially as an Exploration Geologist and later as Regional Exploration Manager: Northern Territory. He played a key role in the team that discovered the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine, north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Dr. Ruxton spent a further three years as Exploration Manager with Ross Mining N.L. of Australia, where he co-ordinated the Gold Ridge bankable feasibility study. The Gold Ridge Gold Mine commenced production in August 1998. Following the completion of his MBA in December 2000, Dr. Ruxton spent eight years as a Fund Manager, joining the Commonwealth Development Corporation as an Investment Manager in its Minerals, Oil & Gas team with a focus on Africa and Emerging Markets. Following the creation of Actis Capital LLP in 2004, he was employed initially as Investment Principal with promotion to the Partnership in 2006. Dr. Ruxton holds a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Geological Sciences and a Ph.D in Economic Geology from the University of Leeds, England. In 2000, he completed an MBA from the Institute for Financial Management (Manchester Business School & University of Wales). Dr. Ruxton completed his PhD on copper deposits and spent 18 months as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania studying volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits, similar to the copper deposits found in Oman. He was Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company from March 2010 to February 2014.
William R. Wilson – Mr. Wilson is Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ARNEVUT Resources, Inc., a private precious metals exploration company based in Colorado with properties in Nevada and Utah. He has created and managed 11 mining companies over 25 years with properties in the U.S., Canada, Russia, the DRC and Ukraine. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, the Canadian Institute of Mining and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration. He has a degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California. Mr. Wilson has been involved in the mining industry for 35 years. He has been a director and senior officer of a number of public companies in both Canada and the United States, and has been a member of the audit committee of several of these companies.
There are no family relationships among any of the Company's directors or senior management.
There is no arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or officer of the Company.
The following directors of the Company are presently directors of other issuers that are public companies:
Name of Director | Names of Other Issuers | |
Arnold T. Kondrat | Banro Corporation | |
Delrand Resources Limited | ||
Loncor Resources Inc. | ||
Richard J. Lachcik | Banro Corporation | |
Cerro Grande Mining Corporation | ||
Loncor Resources Inc. | ||
Peter A. Ruxton | Platmin Limited | |
William R. Wilson | Delrand Resources Limited | |
Loncor Resources Inc. |
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Other than the board of directors, the Company does not have an administrative, supervisory or management body.
B. Compensation
Executive Officers
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to compensation paid to the executive officers of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2013.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary (1) (US$) | Share-based awards (US$) | Option-based awards (2) (US$) | Non-equity incentive plan compensation - Annual Incentive Plan (US$) | All other Compensation (US$) | Total Compensation (US$) | |||||||||||||||
Peter A. Ruxton Chief Executive | 2013 | $ | 172,222 | N/A | Nil | Nil | $ | 4,290 | (3) | $ | 176,512 | |||||||||||
Donat K. Madilo Chief Financial Officer | 2013 | Nil | N/A | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |||||||||||||||
Arnold T. Kondrat Executive Vice President (4) | 2013 | Nil | N/A | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | |||||||||||||||
Geoffrey G. Farr General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | 2013 | $ | 100,000 | N/A | Nil | Nil | Nil | $ | 100,000 |
(1) | The salary for Dr. Ruxton was paid in United Kingdom pounds. The U.S. dollar amount set out in the above table for the salary of Dr. Ruxton was calculated using an average exchange rate for 2013 of US$1.00 = £1.5656. |
(2) | No stock options were granted by the Company in 2013. |
(3) | This amount represents life insurance premiums. |
(4) | In February 2014, Mr. Kondrat was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company replacing Dr. Ruxton (Mr. Kondrat was Executive Vice-President of the Company prior to this appointment). |
Incentive Plan Awards
The following table provides details regarding outstanding option and share-based awards held by the executive officers of the Company as at December 31, 2013:
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Outstanding share-based awards and option-based awards
Option-based Awards | Share-based Awards | |||||||||||||||||
Name | Option grant date | Number of securities underlying unexercised options (#) | Option exercise price | Option expiration date | Aggregate value of unexercised in-the- money options (3) (US$) | Number of shares or units that have not vested (#) | Market or payout value of share- based awards that have not vested ($) | |||||||||||
Peter A. Ruxton | August 30, 2010 | 300,000 | (1) | US$0.75 | August 30, 2015 | Nil | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
Peter A. Ruxton | February 15, 2012 | 200,000 | (1) | Cdn$1.09 (US$1.03)(2) | February 15, 2017 | Nil | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
Donat K. Madilo | N/A(4) | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||
Arnold T. Kondrat | N/A(4) | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||
Geoffrey G. Farr | December 14, 2011 | 100,000 | (1) | Cdn$1.24 (US$1.17)(2) | December 14, 2016 | Nil | N/A | N/A |
(1) | 1/4 of the stock options vest on each of the 6 month, 12 month, 18 month and 24 month anniversaries of the grant date. |
(2) | The exercise price of these stock options is in Canadian dollars. The U.S. dollar figure was calculated using the noon exchange rate on December 31, 2013 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars of Cdn$1.00 = US$0.9402. |
(3) | This is based on the last closing sale price per share of the Company’s common shares as at December 31, 2013 of Cdn$0.05 as reported by the TSX Venture Exchange, which is equivalent to US$0.047 using the noon exchange rate on December 31, 2013 as reported by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars of Cdn$1.00 = US$0.9402. |
(4) | Neither Mr. Madilo nor Mr. Kondrat held any stock options of the Company as at December 31, 2013. |
The following table provides details regarding outstanding option-based awards, share-based awards and non-equity incentive plan compensation held by the executive officers of the Company, which vested and/or were earned during the year ended December 31, 2013:
Incentive plan awards - value vested or earned during the year | ||||||
Name | Option-based awards - | Share-based awards – Value vested during the year (US$) | Non-equity incentive plan compensation – Value earned during the year (US$) | |||
Peter A. Ruxton | Nil | N/A | N/A | |||
Donat K. Madilo (2) | Nil | N/A | N/A | |||
Arnold T. Kondrat (2) | Nil | N/A | N/A | |||
Geoffrey G. Farr | Nil | N/A | N/A |
(1) | Identifies the aggregate dollar value that would have been realized by the executive officer if he had exercised all options exercisable under the option-based award on the vesting date(s) thereof. |
(2) | Neither Mr. Madilo nor Mr. Kondrat held any stock options of the Company during the year ended December 31, 2013. |
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Non-Executive Directors
None of the directors of the Company received any remuneration from the Company during the financial year ended December 31, 2013 for their services in their capacity as directors.
The Company's directors are eligible to receive stock option grants under the Corporation's stock option plan, as determined by the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"). The exercise price of such stock options is determined by the Board, but shall in no event be less than the last closing price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange prior to the date the stock options are granted. No stock options were granted by the Company to any of the directors of the Company during the financial year ended December 31, 2013.
As at December 31, 2013, no option or share-based award was held by any director of the Company other than Dr. Ruxton (see the first table under "Incentive Plan Awards" above with respect to Dr. Ruxton). During the financial year ended December 31, 2013, no option or share-based award or non-equity incentive plan compensation in respect of the directors of the Company vested or was earned.
All directors of the Company are entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to their attendance at meetings or other expenses incurred for Company purposes.
Other Information
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance for the benefit of directors and officers of the Company carrying coverage in the amount of Cdn$5,000,000 as an aggregate limit of liability in each policy year. The total annual premium payable by the Company (including commission) for the policy is Cdn$19,980 and the deductible is Cdn$75,000.
Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries provides pension, retirement or similar benefits.
C. Board Practices
Each director of the Company holds office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company following his election or appointment, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the articles of association of the Company. See Item 6.A. of this Form 20-F for the dates the directors of the Company were first elected or appointed to the Company's Board. No director of the Company has any service contract with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company providing for benefits upon termination of service. However, the terms of the Company’s stock option plan established in 2011 accelerate the vesting of stock options granted under such plan in the event of a take-over bid in respect of the Company (see "The New Plan" under Item 6.E. of this Form 20-F). As of the date of this Form 20-F, Dr. Ruxton is the only director of the Company who holds stock options granted under the New Plan.
The Board does not have any standing committees other than an audit committee (the "Audit Committee"). Given the size of the Company and the number of directors on the Board, the Board performs the functions of a compensation committee itself.
Employment Contracts with Executive Officers
None of Mr. Kondrat, Mr. Madilo or Mr. Farr has a written employment contract with the Company.
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Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee are Richard J. Lachcik, Dr. Peter A. Ruxton and William R. Wilson.
Summary of Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee must be comprised of at least three directors, each of whom must satisfy the independence, financial literacy and experience requirements of applicable corporate and securities laws and applicable stock exchange requirements and guidelines. The Audit Committee must (a) review the annual financial statements of the Company and the related management’s discussion and analysis before they are approved by the Board, and (b) review all interim financial statements of the Company and the related management’s discussion and analysis and, if thought fit, approve all interim financial statements and the related management’s discussion and analysis. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for:
· | making recommendations to the Board as to the appointment or re-appointment of the external auditor; |
· | pre-approving all non-audit services to be provided by the external auditor to the Company; |
· | overseeing the work of the external auditor in performing its audit or review services and overseeing the resolution of any disagreements between management and the external auditor; and |
· | having direct communication channels with the Company’s external auditors. |
The Audit Committee is empowered to retain independent counsel and other advisors as it determines necessary to carry out its duties.
D. Employees
The following sets out the number of employees which the Company and its subsidiaries had as at December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
Location | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |||||||||
Gentor head office in Toronto, Canada | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Oman (exploration project) | 3 | 12 | 9 | |||||||||
Turkey (exploration project) | 2 | 4 | - | |||||||||
Totals: | 10 | 21 | 14 |
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any unionized employees.
Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries employ a significant number of temporary employees.
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E. Share Ownership
The following table sets out the number of common shares held by the Company's directors and executive officers as of April 24, 2014 (including the percentage of the Company's outstanding common shares represented by such shares) and the number of stock options of the Company held by the Company's directors and executive officers as of April 24, 2014 (each stock option is exercisable for one common share of the Company).
Name | Number of Common Shares Owned | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares | Number of Stock Options Held | |||||||
Geoffrey Farr | Nil | Nil | 100,000 stock options exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.24 per share until December 14, 2016. | |||||||
Donat K. Madilo | Nil | Nil | Nil | |||||||
Arnold T. Kondrat | 21,697,500 | 30.03 | % | Nil | ||||||
Richard J. Lachcik | Nil | Nil | Nil | |||||||
Peter A. Ruxton | 100,000 | (1) | 0.14 | % | 300,000 stock options exercisable at a price of US$0.75 per share until August 30, 2015. 200,000 stock options exercisable at a price of Cdn$1.09 per share until February 15, 2017. | |||||
William R. Wilson | Nil | Nil | Nil |
(1) | These shares are held by an entity controlled by Dr. Ruxton. |
Equity Compensation Plans
The 2010 Plan
On July 23, 2010, the Board authorized and approved the adoption and implementation of the Company’s 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan (the "2010 Plan"). The 2010 Plan has not been approved by the Company’s shareholders. No awards in addition to the currently outstanding stock options under the 2010 Plan will be made under the 2010 Plan, and the 2010 Plan will be terminated effective upon the exercise, expiry, termination or cancellation of all of the currently outstanding stock options that were granted under the 2010 Plan. Certain terms of the 2010 Plan are summarized below.
Purpose of the Plan. The purpose of the 2010 Plan is to promote the interests of the Company, its subsidiaries and its shareholders by (i) attracting and retaining officers, employees and directors of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates; (ii) motivating such individuals by means of performance-related incentives to achieve long-range performance goals; (iii) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company; (iv) encouraging ownership of stock in the Company by such individuals; and (v) linking their compensation to the long-term interests of the Company and its shareholders.
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Administration of the Plan. The 2010 Plan is administered, construed and interpreted by the Committee (as such term is defined in the 2010 Plan) (the "Committee"); provided, however, with respect to awards to independent directors (if any), the Board will have the sole authority to administer the 2010 Plan. The Committee may delegate some or all of its authority with respect to the 2010 Plan to another committee of directors. The Committee has broad authority under the 2010 Plan with respect to award grants.
No Repricing. In no case (except due to an adjustment to reflect a stock split or similar event or any repricing that may be approved by shareholders) will any adjustment be made to any outstanding award under the 2010 Plan (by amendment, cancellation and re-grant, exchange or other means) that would constitute a repricing of the per share exercise or base price of the award.
Eligibility. Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2010 Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Authorized Shares. The aggregate number of common shares of the Company subject to stock options granted under the 2010 Plan is 4,000,000 shares (the "Share Limit"). The shares subject to the 2010 Plan may be either shares reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open market, or authorized but unissued shares. The 2010 Plan generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the 2010 Plan.
Types of Awards. The 2010 Plan authorizes stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common shares, as well as performance based awards, which may be denominated in cash or stock. The 2010 Plan retains flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be paid or settled in cash.
Change In Control. Prior to the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the 2010 Plan), the Committee has the discretion to determine the impact of any change in control on the awards outstanding under the 2010 Plan, other than performance awards. The Committee may (i) provide for the assumption or substitution of, or adjustment to, each outstanding award; (ii) accelerate the vesting of awards and terminate any restrictions on awards; and/or (iii) provide for the cancellation of awards for a cash payment per share/unit in an amount based on the fair market value of the award with reference to the change in control, which amount may be zero if applicable.
Transfer Restrictions. Awards under the 2010 Plan generally are not transferable by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or pursuant to domestic relations orders, and are generally exercisable, during the recipient’s lifetime, only by the recipient. Any amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an award generally will be paid only to the recipient or the recipient’s beneficiary or representative. The Committee has discretion, however, to establish written conditions and procedures for the transfer of awards to other persons or entities, provided that such transfers comply with applicable federal and state securities laws.
Adjustments. As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, the Share Limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2010 Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase prices of awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the shareholder.
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Nonexclusivity of the Plan. The adoption of the 2010 Plan shall not be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or individuals) as the Board in its discretion determines desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of stock options or stock appreciation rights other than under the 2010 Plan.
The New Plan
The Company established a new stock option plan in 2011 (the "New Plan"). As of April 24, 2014, there are outstanding under the New Plan 650,000 stock options. In establishing the New Plan, the Board also provided that no additional awards will be made under the 2010 Plan and terminated the 2010 Plan effective upon the exercise, expiry, termination or cancellation of all of the currently outstanding stock options that were granted under the 2010 Plan as set out below. The following is a summary of certain terms of the New Plan.
(a) | Stock options may be granted from time to time by the Board to such directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, and in such numbers, as are determined by the Board at the time of the granting of the stock options. |
(b) | The number of common shares of the Company reserved from time to time for issuance to optionees pursuant to stock options granted under the New Plan shall not exceed 11,000,000 common shares. |
(c) | The exercise price of each stock option shall be determined in the discretion of the Board at the time of the granting of the stock option, provided that the exercise price shall not be lower than the "Market Price". "Market Price" means the last closing price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange prior to the date the stock option is granted. |
(d) | At no time shall: |
(i) | the number of common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options granted to insiders of the Company exceed 10% of the outstanding common shares; |
(ii) | the number of stock options granted to insiders of the Company, within a 12 month period, exceed 10% of the outstanding common shares; |
(iii) | the number of common shares reserved for issuance pursuant to stock options or pursuant to any other stock purchase or option plans of the Company granted to any one optionee exceed 5% of the outstanding common shares; |
(iv) | the number of common shares issued pursuant to stock options to any one optionee, within a one-year period, exceed 5% of the outstanding common shares; |
(v) | the number of stock options granted to any one consultant in a 12 month period exceed 2% of the outstanding common shares; or |
(vi) | the aggregate number of stock options granted to persons employed in investor relations activities exceed 2% of the outstanding common shares in any 12 month period without the express consent of the TSX Venture Exchange. |
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(e) | In the event a "take-over bid" (as such term is defined under Ontario securities laws) is made in respect of the Company’s common shares, all unvested stock options shall become exercisable (subject to any necessary regulatory approval) so as to permit the holders of such stock options to tender the common shares received upon exercising such stock options pursuant to the take-over bid. |
(f) | All stock options shall be for a term determined in the discretion of the Board at the time of the granting of the stock options, provided that no stock option shall have a term exceeding five years and, unless the Board at any time makes a specific determination otherwise (but subject to the terms of the New Plan), a stock option and all rights to purchase common shares pursuant thereto shall expire and terminate immediately upon the optionee who holds such stock option ceasing to be at least one of a director, officer or employee of or consultant to the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be. |
(g) | Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of the granting of the stock options, one-quarter of the stock options granted to an optionee vest on each of the 6 month, 12 month, 18 month and 24 month anniversaries of the grant date. |
(h) | Except in limited circumstances in the case of the death of an optionee, stock options shall not be assignable or transferable. |
(i) | Disinterested shareholder approval is required prior to any reduction in the exercise price of a stock option if the optionee holding such stock option is an insider of the Company. |
(j) | The Company may amend from time to time the terms and conditions of the New Plan by resolution of the Board. Any amendments shall be subject to the prior consent of any applicable regulatory bodies, including the TSX Venture Exchange (to the extent such consent is required). |
(k) | The Board has full and final discretion to interpret the provisions of the New Plan, and all decisions and interpretations made by the Board shall be binding and conclusive upon the Company and all optionees, subject to shareholder approval if required by the TSX Venture Exchange. |
(l) | The New Plan does not provide for financial assistance by the Company to an optionee in connection with an option exercise. |
The following table reflects certain information about the number of securities issued and available under the 2010 Plan and the New Plan, all of which information is stated as of the date of this Form 20-F.
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Name of Plan | Number of common shares to be issued upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of the date of this Form 20-F | Exercise price of outstanding stock options per share | Number of common shares remaining available for future issuance (excluding outstanding awards) | |||||||
2010 Plan | 100,000 | (1) | US$0.90 | Nil | ||||||
600,000 | (2) | US$0.75 | ||||||||
New Plan | 100,000 | (3) | Cdn$1.24 | 10,350,000 common shares | ||||||
200,000 | (4) | Cdn$1.09 | ||||||||
150,000 | (5) | Cdn$0.85 | ||||||||
200,000 | (5) | Cdn$1.09 | ||||||||
Total: | 1,350,000 |
(1) | Each of these stock options was granted on April 1, 2011, expires on April 1, 2016 and vests at the rate of 25% every 6 months after the grant date. |
(2) | Each of these stock options was granted on August 30, 2010, expires on August 30, 2015 and vests at the rate of 25% every 6 months after the grant date. |
(3) | Each of these stock options was granted on December 14, 2011, expires on December 14, 2016 and vests at the rate of 25% every 6 months after the grant date. |
(4) | Each of these stock options was granted on January 20, 2012, expires on January 20, 2017 and vests at the rate of 25% every 6 months after the grant date. |
(5) | Each of these stock options was granted on February 15, 2012, expires on February 15, 2017 and vests at the rate of 25% every 6 months after the grant date. |
Copies of the 2010 Plan and the New Plan are incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibits 4.1 and 4.2, respectively.
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A. Major Shareholders
To the knowledge of management of the Company, based on a review of publicly available filings, the following are the only persons or companies who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of the Company.
Name of Shareholder | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (1) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares (1) | ||||||
Arnold T. Kondrat (2) | 21,697,500 | (3) | 30.03 | % | ||||
Arabian Peninsula Projects Ltd | 10,362,000 | (4) | 14.34 | % | ||||
Galena Special Situations Master Fund Limited | 6,838,667 | (5) | 9.46 | % |
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(1) | The information in these columns of the table is as at April 24, 2014. |
(2) | Mr. Kondrat is Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of the Company. |
(3) | With respect to the common shares of the Company currently held by Mr. Kondrat, 3,047,500 of such shares were acquired by Mr. Kondrat in 2012 and 7,500,000 of such shares were acquired by Mr. Kondrat in 2014. |
(4) | Arabian Peninsula Projects Ltd ("APP") was the sole shareholder of the company (APM Mining Limited) acquired by Gentor in March 2010 when it acquired the Oman properties (following the said acquisition, APM Mining Limited changed its name to Gentor Resources Limited). The 10,362,000 common shares of Gentor held by APP referred to in the above table, were issued by Gentor to APP as the consideration for the said acquisition. See Item 4.A. of this Form 20-F, "History and Development of the Company", for additional information with respect to this acquisition. The Company understands that the terms of the preference shares of APP provide that, on the happening of certain events, which occurred when the Company’s shares were listed on the TSX Venture Exchange in November 2011, the holders of such preference shares may exchange such shares for an equivalent number of the Company’s common shares held by APP. In the event that such holder does not exercise such exchange right, the board of directors of APP has the power to redeem the holder’s shares on the same basis, a right which the APP board of directors has advised the Company that it intends to exercise (but which has not occurred as of the date of this Form 20-F). |
(5) | Galena Special Situations Master Fund Limited acquired in 2010 6,666,667 of the common shares of the Company which it currently holds. |
None of the shareholders disclosed above have any voting rights with respect to their respective common shares of the Company that are different from any other holder of common shares of the Company.
As of April 24, 2014, based on the Company’s shareholders’ register, there were 21 shareholders of record of the Company’s common shares in the United States, holding 36.58% of the outstanding common shares of the Company.
Control by Foreign Government or Other Persons
To the best of the knowledge of management of the Company, the Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation, any foreign government, or any other natural or legal person, severally or jointly.
Change of Control
As of the date of this Form 20-F, there are no arrangements known to the Company which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Company.
B. Related Party Transactions
In January 2014, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 7,500,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.0525 per unit for proceeds to the Company of Cdn$393,750. Each such unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company ("Warrant"), with each such Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.07 for a period of two years. Arnold T. Kondrat was the purchaser of all of the said units. Taking into account the units acquired under this financing, Mr. Kondrat now holds 21,697,500 (or 30.03%) of the outstanding common shares of the Company and 7,500,000 Warrants. At the time of this financing, Mr. Kondrat was Executive Vice President and a director of the Company. He is currently Chief Executive Officer, President and a director of the Company.
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C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
Item 8. Financial Information
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of the Company are filed as part of this annual report under Item 18.
Legal or Arbitration Proceedings
The Company is not aware of any current or pending material legal or arbitration proceeding to which it is or is likely to be a party or of which any of its properties are or are likely to be the subject.
The Company is not aware of any material proceeding in which any director, member of senior management or affiliate of the Company is either a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Dividend Policy
The Company has not paid any dividend or made any other distribution in respect of its outstanding shares and management does not anticipate that the Company will pay dividends or make any other distribution in respect on its shares in the foreseeable future. The Company's Board, from time to time, and on the basis of any earnings and the Company's financial requirements or any other relevant factor, will determine the future dividend or distribution policy of the Company with respect to its shares.
B. Significant Changes
There have been no significant changes in the affairs of the Company since the date of the audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company as at and for the year ended December 31, 2013, other than as discussed in this Form 20-F.
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
A. Offer and Listing Details
The Company's common shares are listed for trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "GNT", and have been so listed since November 7, 2011. The Company’s common shares are also quoted in the United States on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "GNTOF", and have been so quoted since September 3, 2010. Prior to September 3, 2010, such shares were quoted in the United States on the OTC Bulletin Board. The OTCQB is an interdealer quotation system for broker-dealers to trade unlisted securities.
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TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V")
The following table discloses the annual high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for the common shares of the Company for the three most recent financial years of the Company as traded on the TSX-V. The Company's common shares commenced trading on the TSX-V on November 7, 2011.
Year | High (Cdn$) | Low (Cdn$) | ||||||
2013 | $ | 0.125 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
2012 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 0.055 | ||||
2011 | $ | 1.27 | $ | 0.90 |
The following table discloses the high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for the common shares of the Company for each quarterly period within the two most recent financial years of the Company, and for the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Company, all as traded on the TSX-V.
Quarter Ended | High (Cdn$) | Low (Cdn$) | ||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.055 | ||||
December 31, 2013 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
September 30, 2013 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 | ||||
June 30, 2013 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.035 | ||||
March 31, 2013 | $ | 0.125 | $ | 0.06 | ||||
December 31, 2012 | $ | 0.14 | $ | 0.055 | ||||
September 30, 2012 | $ | 0.345 | $ | 0.10 | ||||
June 30, 2012 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
March 31, 2012 | $ | 1.09 | $ | 0.75 |
The following table discloses the monthly high and low sales prices in Canadian dollars for the common shares of the Company for the most recent six months as traded on the TSX-V.
Month | High (Cdn$) | Low (Cdn$) | ||||||
April 2014 (to April 24) | $ | 0.155 | $ | 0.15 | ||||
March 2014 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.14 | ||||
February 2014 | $ | 0.17 | $ | 0.09 | ||||
January 2014 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.055 | ||||
December 2013 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
November 2013 | $ | 0.035 | $ | 0.02 | ||||
October 2013 | $ | 0.035 | $ | 0.035 |
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OTCQB and OTC Bulletin Board
The following table discloses the annual high and low market prices in United States dollars for the common shares of the Company for the five most recent financial years of the Company as traded on the OTCQB or the OTC Bulletin Board, as applicable.
Year | High (US$) | Low (US$) | ||||||
2013 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.0176 | ||||
2012 | $ | 1.01 | $ | 0.09 | ||||
2011 | $ | 2.00 | $ | 0.51 | ||||
2010 | $ | 1.80 | $ | 0.51 | ||||
2009 | $ | 1.75 | $ | 1.02 |
The following table discloses the high and low market prices in United States dollars for the common shares of the Company for each quarterly period within the two most recent financial years of the Company and the most recently completed fiscal quarter of the Company as traded on the OTCQB.
Quarter Ended | High (US$) | Low (US$) | ||||||
March 31, 2014 | $ | 0.223 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
December 31, 2013 | $ | 0.042 | $ | 0.0176 | ||||
September 30, 2013 | $ | 0.042 | $ | 0.023 | ||||
June 30, 2013 | $ | 0.059 | $ | 0.023 | ||||
March 31, 2013 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.10 | ||||
December 31, 2012 | $ | 0.16 | $ | 0.09 | ||||
September 30, 2012 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.15 | ||||
June 30, 2012 | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.22 | ||||
March 31, 2012 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 0.75 |
The following table discloses the monthly high and low market prices in United States dollars for the common shares of the Company for the most recent six months as traded on the OTCQB.
Month | High (US$) | Low (US$) | ||||||
April 2014 (to April 24) | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.18 | ||||
March 2014 | $ | 0.223 | $ | 0.13 | ||||
February 2014 | $ | 0.159 | $ | 0.076 | ||||
January 2014 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
December 2013 | $ | 0.0176 | $ | 0.0176 | ||||
November 2013 | $ | 0.042 | $ | 0.042 | ||||
October 2013 | $ | 0.042 | $ | 0.042 |
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B. Plan of Distribution
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
C. Markets
The Company's outstanding common shares are listed on the TSX-V and are also quoted in the United States on the OTCQB.
D. Selling Shareholder
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
Item 10. Additional Information
A. Share Capital
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
A copy of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company is incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit 1.1.
The Company is a corporation governed by theCompanies Law (2011 Revision)of the Cayman Islands (the "Companies Law") and is registered with the Registrar of Companies for the Cayman Islands under registration number 266618. Under the Companies Law, the memorandum of association of the Company may, by "special resolution" (see below for definition), be amended with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein. Under the Companies Law, "special resolution" means a resolution passed at a general meeting by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by the shareholders who are entitled to vote in respect of that resolution or, if so authorized by the Company’s articles of association, a resolution in writing signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on that resolution.
The Company’s memorandum of association provides that the Company’s objects are unrestricted.
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The Company's authorized share capital consists of US$50,000 divided into 500,000,000 common shares with a par value of US$0.0001 per share, of which 72,253,840 common shares were issued and outstanding as of April 24, 2014. The following is a summary of the material provisions attaching to the common shares:
The holders of the Company’s common shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend all meetings of the shareholders of the Company and shall have one vote for each common share held at all meetings of the shareholders of the Company, except for meetings at which only holders of another specified class or series of shares are entitled to vote separately as a class or series. Holders of the common shares are not entitled to preemptive rights, and the common shares are not subject to conversion rights, redemption provisions, or sinking fund provisions. Subject to the prior rights of any shares ranking senior to the common shares (of which there are also presently none), the holders of the common shares are entitled to (i) receive any dividends as and when declared by the Board, out of the assets of the Company properly applicable to the payment of dividends, in such amount and in such form as the Board may from time to time determine, and (ii) receive the remaining property of the Company in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company.
Under the Company's articles of association, a director of the Company may only be (a) a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is or may otherwise be interested, or (b) be interested in another corporation in which the Company is interested, if the director discloses the nature and extent of his interest to the other directors of the Company and such other directors resolve to approve the director’s interest. Such a director may vote on any resolution concerning a matter in which the director has an interest so long as the director disclosed such interest in accordance with the Company's articles of association.
Also under the Company's articles of association, the Company's directors may be paid such remuneration for their services as the Board may from time to time determine. The directors are also be entitled to be reimbursed for travelling and other expenses properly incurred by them in attending meetings of the Board or any committee thereof.
With respect to borrowing powers, the Company's articles of associationprovide that the directors of the Company may by resolution exercise all the powers of the Company to incur indebtedness, liabilities or obligations and to secure indebtedness, liabilities or obligations whether of the Company or of any third party.
A director of the Company need not be a shareholder of the Company.
The annual meeting of shareholders of the Company is held at such time in each year (but not later than 15 months after holding the last preceding annual meeting of shareholders) and at such place as the Board may from time to time determine. The Board has the power to call a special meeting of shareholders of the Company at any time.
The only persons entitled to be present at a meeting of shareholders are those entitled to vote thereat, the directors and, if the Company’s financial statements are to be presented, the auditor of the Company and others who, although not entitled to vote, are entitled or required under any provision of the Companies Law or the articles of association of the Company to be present at the meeting. Any other person may be admitted only on the invitation of the chairperson of the meeting or with the consent of the meeting.
A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders is two persons present in person or by proxy representing not less than 5% of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on resolutions to be considered at the meeting.
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Disclosure of Share Ownership
In general, under applicable securities regulation in Canada, a person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of an issuer or who exercises control or direction over voting securities of an issuer or a combination of both, carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to all the issuer's outstanding voting securities is an insider and must, within 10 days of becoming an insider, file a report in the required form effective the date on which the person became an insider. The report must disclose any direct or indirect beneficial ownership of, or control or direction over, securities of the reporting issuer. Additionally, securities regulation in Canada provides for the filing of a report by an insider of a reporting issuer whose holdings change, which report must be filed within five days from the day on which the change takes place.
The rules in the U.S. governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed are more stringent than those discussed above. Section 13 of the U.S. Exchange Act imposes reporting requirements on persons who acquire beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the U.S. Exchange Act) of more than 5% of a class of an equity security registered under Section 12 of the U.S. Exchange Act. In general, such persons must file, within 10 days after such acquisition, a report of beneficial ownership with the SEC containing the information prescribed by the regulations under Section 13 of the U.S. Exchange Act. This information is also required to be sent to the issuer of the securities and to each exchange where the securities are traded.
C. Material Contracts
Except for contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and other than as disclosed elsewhere in this Form 20-F, including the Share Purchase Agreement dated April 10, 2014 and described in greater detail in Item 4.D. under the heading "Gentor’s Mineral Properties", there are no material contracts to which the Company is currently a party that were entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries during the two years immediately preceding the date of this Form 20-F.
D. Exchange Controls
There are no governmental laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation, including foreign exchange controls, in Canada or the Cayman Islands which may affect the export or import of capital or that may affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of the Company's securities.
E. Certain United States and Canadian Income Tax Considerations
(1) Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a shareholder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares").
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This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a shareholder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular shareholder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such shareholder, including specific tax consequences to a shareholder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any shareholder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences to shareholders of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective shareholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Common Shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.
Scope of This Disclosure
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), U.S. Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this summary. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of Common Shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
(i) | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
(ii) | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
(iii) | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
(iv) | a trust that (A) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (B) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
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Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a "non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a U.S. Holder and is not treated as a partnership (or entity or arrangement classified as a partnership) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations to Company shareholders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including the following: (i) shareholders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (ii) shareholders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (iii) shareholders that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (iv) shareholders that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar; (v) shareholders that own Common Shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (vi) shareholders that acquired Common Shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (vii) shareholders that hold Common Shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (viii) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the United States; and (ix) shareholders that own or have owned, directly, indirectly, or by attribution, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of the outstanding Common Shares. Shareholders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including shareholders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local tax, and foreign tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or a "pass-through" entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Common Shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners of such partnership of the ownership and disposition of Common Shares generally will depend in part on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners. This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner or partnership. Partners of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
Treatment of the Company as a U.S. Corporation
The Company believes that it should be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code and be subject to U.S. tax on its worldwide income. The Company has not sought or obtained an opinion of legal counsel or a ruling from the IRS regarding the treatment of the Company as a U.S. domestic corporation. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the treatment of the Company as a U.S. domestic corporation or that the U.S. courts will uphold the status of the Company as a U.S. domestic corporation in the event of an IRS challenge. This summary assumes that the Company will be treated as a U.S. domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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General U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences Related to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares by U.S. Holders
Distributions on Common Shares
The Company does not intend to pay any dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future. In the event that the Company pays dividends on the Common Shares, a U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a Common Share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend to the extent of the current or accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares taxable as described under "Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares" below. Subject to applicable limitations and requirements, dividends received on the Common Shares generally should be eligible for the “dividends received deduction” available to corporate shareholders.
A dividend paid to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, estate or trust by the Company generally will be taxed at the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains if certain holding period and other requirements are met. The dividend rules are complex and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize a capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (ii) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares sold or otherwise disposed of. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the shares have been held for more than one year.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
Amounts paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency generally will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of such distribution based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt. A U.S. Holder that does not convert foreign currency received into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt generally will have a tax basis in such foreign currency equal to the U.S. dollar value of such foreign currency on the date of receipt. Such U.S. Holder generally will recognize ordinary income or loss on the subsequent sale or other taxable disposition of such foreign currency (including an exchange for U.S. dollars), which generally would be treated as U.S. source ordinary income for foreign tax credit purposes.
Additional Tax on Passive Income
Individuals, estates and certain trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on "net investment income" including, among other things, dividends and net gain from disposition of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of dividends on Common Shares and to the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares paid to a U.S. Holder unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a corporation). Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, Common Shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder (i) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (ii) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (iii) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (iv) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
General U.S. Tax Consequences Related to the Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares by Non-U.S. Holders
Distributions on Common Shares
The Company does not intend to pay any dividends on the Common Shares in the foreseeable future. In the event that the Company pays dividends on the Common Shares, a non-U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a Common Share will be required to treat such distribution as a dividend to the extent of the current or accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, such distribution will be treated (i) as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Shares and (ii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such shares.
Any amount treated as a dividend generally will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% gross rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate under an applicable treaty if the non-U.S. Holder provides the Company with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, unless the non-U.S. Holder instead supplies a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) relating to income effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. To the extent a distribution from the Company is treated as a dividend effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and includible in the non-U.S. Holder’s gross income, it will not be subject to the withholding tax (assuming proper certification and disclosure), but instead will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates. Any such effectively connected income received by a non-U.S. corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
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A non-U.S. Holder who wishes to claim the benefit of an applicable treaty rate or exemption is required to satisfy certain certification and other requirements. If a non-U.S. Holder is eligible for an exemption from or a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty, it may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Amounts taxable to a non-U.S. Holder as gain from the sale or exchange of Common Shares will be taxable as described under "Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares" below.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
In general, a non-U.S. Holder of Common Shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized from a sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of such shares, unless one of the circumstances described below exist.
If the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the non-U.S. Holder (and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to U.S. permanent establishment of the non-U.S. Holder), such holder will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares under regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates. If a non-U.S. Holder is a non-U.S. corporation, it will be subject to tax on its net gain from such a sale or other taxable disposition generally in the same manner as if it were a U.S. person as defined under the Code and, in addition, it may be subject to the branch profits tax at a gross rate equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year, subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
If a non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other conditions are met, such holder will be subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or subject to any exemption or lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale or other taxable disposition of Common Shares even though such holder is not considered a resident of the U.S. The amount of such gain may be offset by the non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. source capital losses.
If the Common Shares qualify as a "United States real property interest" ("USRPI"), gain from the sale or disposition of a non-U.S. Holder’s shares will be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules applicable to dispositions of U.S. real estate by foreign persons. If at any time during the shorter of the non-U.S. Holder’s holding period or the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition of the Common Shares, the Company (or a predecessor entity) qualifies as a "United States Real Property Holding Corporation" ("USRPHC"), a non-U.S. Holder will be treated as having disposed of a USRPI and, thus, will be subject to U.S. federal net income tax on gain from a sale of Common Shares at graduated rates as if the gain or loss were effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business unless an exception applies for shares of a USRPHC which are "regularly traded on an established securities market" within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code (the "Regularly Traded Exception"). A "USRPHC" is a U.S. domestic corporation whose trade or business and real property assets consist primarily of USRPIs. For purposes of these rules, a "USRPI" includes land, buildings and other improvements, growing crops and timber, and mines, wells and other natural deposits (including, oil and gas properties and mineral deposits) located in the United States as well as equity interests in a USRPHC.
Under the Regularly Traded Exception, a disposition of stock of a USRPHC that is regularly traded on an established securities market will only be subject to U.S. federal income taxation in the case of a person who, directly or constructively, at any time during the five year period ending on the date of the disposition of stock, held more than 5% of that class of stock. There can be no assurance that the Common Shares will satisfy the Regularly Traded Exception at any particular point in the future.
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The Company does not believe that it is currently a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, though it could become a USRPHC in the future. However, a predecessor to the Company was a USRPHC prior to March 8, 2010, and as a result, the Company may be treated as a USRPHC with respect to non-U.S. Holders who acquired shares in a predecessor company prior to March 8, 2010. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the consequences if the Company is, has been or will be a USRPHC.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Generally, the Company must report annually to the IRS and to non-U.S. Holders the amount of dividends paid to non-U.S. Holders and the amount of tax, if any, withheld with respect to those payments. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.
In general, a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends paid, provided the Company receives a statement meeting certain requirements to the effect that the non-U.S. Holder is not a U.S. person and that the Company does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, that is not an exempt recipient. The requirements for the statement will be met if (i) the non-U.S. Holder provides its name and address and certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person (which certification may be made on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E) or (ii) a financial institution holding the instrument on behalf of the non-U.S. Holder certifies, under penalty of perjury, that such statement has been received by it and furnishes the Company or its paying agent with a copy of the statement. In addition, a non-U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding with respect to payments of the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares within the U.S. or conducted through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the statement described above has been received, and the Company does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that a holder is a U.S. person, as defined under the Code, or that it is not an exempt recipient, or the non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is furnished timely to the IRS.
Generally, the Company will be required to withhold tax at a rate of 30% on dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, Common Shares held by or through certain foreign financial institutions (including investment funds) beginning after June 30, 2014, in the case of dividends, and beginning after December 31, 2016, in the case of such gross proceeds, unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Secretary of the Treasury to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to shares in the institution held by certain U.S. persons and by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly- or partially-owned by U.S. persons. Accordingly, the entity through which Common Shares are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, dividends in respect of, and gross proceeds from the sale of, Common Shares held by certain investors that are non-financial non-U.S. entities will be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, beginning after June 30, 2014, in the case of dividends, and beginning after December 31, 2016, in the case of such gross proceeds, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any "substantial U.S. owners" or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity's "substantial U.S. owners," which will in turn be provided to the Secretary of the Treasury. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of such withholding rules on their ownership and disposition of Common Shares.
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(2) Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary, as of the date hereof, of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under theIncome Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereunder, as amended (collectively, the "Tax Act"), generally applicable to a holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and at all relevant times, holds common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") as capital property and deals at arm’s length with, and is not affiliated with, the Company (a "Holder"). Common Shares will generally be considered to be capital property to a Holder unless the Holder holds such Common Shares in the course of carrying on a business of buying and selling securities or has acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.
This summary is not applicable to a Holder: (i) with respect to whom the Company is or will be a "foreign affiliate" within the meaning of the Tax Act, (ii) that is a "financial institution" for the purposes of the mark-to-market rules under the Tax Act, (iii) an interest in which is a "tax shelter" or a "tax shelter investment" as defined in the Tax Act, (iv) that is a "specified financial institution" as defined in the Tax Act, (v) who has made a "functional currency" election under section 261 of the Tax Act, or (vi) that has entered into, with respect to the Common Shares, a “derivative forward agreement” as that term is defined in the Tax Act. Any such Holder should consult its own tax advisor.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act and an understanding of the published administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the "CRA") released prior to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all proposed amendments to the Tax Act that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) ("Finance") prior to the date hereof (the "Proposed Amendments") and assumes that such Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed, although no assurance can be given that the Proposed Amendments will be enacted in their current form or at all. Except for the Proposed Amendments, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any other changes in law or any changes in the CRA’s administrative policies and assessing practices, whether by judicial, governmental or legislative action or decision, nor does it take into account other federal or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax legislation or considerations, which may differ from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein.
For purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of securities (including dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition) must generally be expressed in Canadian dollars. Amounts denominated in foreign currencies must be converted into Canadian dollars generally based on the exchange rate quoted by the Bank of Canada for noon on the date such amounts arise or such other rate of exchange as is acceptable to the Minister of National Revenue (Canada).
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Holder, and no representations are made with respect to the income tax considerations applicable to any particular Holder. Accordingly, prospective Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the specific tax consequences to them of acquiring, holding and disposing of Common Shares.
Residents of Canada
The following discussion applies to a Holder who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and any applicable income tax treaty or convention, and at all relevant times, is resident in Canada (a "Resident Holder").
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Dividends on Common Shares
A Resident Holder will be required to include in computing such Holder’s income for a taxation year the amount of dividends, if any, received on Common Shares. Dividends received on Common Shares by a Resident Holder who is an individual will not be subject to the gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Tax Act normally applicable to taxable dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations. A Resident Holder that is a corporation will not be entitled to deduct the amount of such dividends in computing its taxable income.
Disposition of Common Shares
A disposition or deemed disposition of Common Shares by a Resident Holder will generally result in a capital gain (or capital loss) to the extent that the proceeds of disposition, net of any reasonable costs of the disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base to the Resident Holder of the Common Shares immediately before the disposition. See "Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses" below.
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses
Generally, one-half of any capital gain (a "taxable capital gain") realized by a Resident Holder will be included in the Resident Holder’s income for the year of disposition. One-half of any capital loss (an "allowable capital loss") realized by a Resident Holder in a taxation year is required to be deducted by the Holder against taxable capital gains in that year (subject to, and in accordance with, the provisions of the Tax Act). Any excess of allowable capital losses over taxable capital gains of a Resident Holder realized in a taxation year may be carried back up to three taxation years or forward indefinitely and deducted against net taxable capital gains realized in such years, to the extent and under the circumstances provided in the Tax Act.
Capital gains realized by an individual or trust, other than certain specified trusts, may give rise to a liability for alternative minimum tax under the Tax Act.
Offshore Investment Fund Property Rules
The Tax Act contains provisions (the "OIF Rules") which, in certain circumstances, may require a Resident Holder to include an amount in income in each taxation year in respect of the acquisition and holding of Common Shares if (1) the value of such Common Shares may reasonably be considered to be derived, directly or indirectly, primarily from portfolio investments in: (i) shares of the capital stock of one or more corporations, (ii) indebtedness or annuities, (iii) interests in one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, organizations, funds or entities, (iv) commodities, (v) real estate, (vi) Canadian or foreign resource properties, (vii) currency of a country other than Canada, (viii) rights or options to acquire or dispose of any of the foregoing, or (ix) any combination of the foregoing (collectively, "Investment Assets"); and (2) it may reasonably be concluded that one of the main reasons for the Resident Holder acquiring, holding or having the Common Shares was to derive a benefit from portfolio investments in Investment Assets in such a manner that the taxes, if any, on the income, profits and gains from such Investment Assets for any particular year are significantly less than the tax that would have been applicable under Part I of the Tax Act if the income, profits and gains had been earned directly by the Resident Holder.
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In making this determination, the OIF Rules provide that regard must be had to all of the circumstances, including (i) the nature, organization and operation of any non-resident entity, including the Company, and the form of, and the terms and conditions governing, the Resident Holder’s interest in, or connection with, any such non-resident entity, (ii) the extent to which any income, profit and gains that may reasonably be considered to be earned or accrued, whether directly or indirectly, for the benefit of any such non-resident entity, including the Company, are subject to an income or profits tax that is significantly less than the income tax that would be applicable to such income, profits and gains if they were earned directly by the Resident Holder, and (iii) the extent to which any income, profits and gains of any such non-resident entity, including the Company, for any fiscal period are distributed in that or the immediately following fiscal period.
If applicable, the OIF Rules can result in a Resident Holder being required to include in its income for each taxation year in which such Resident Holder owns the Common Shares the amount, if any, by which (i) an imputed return based on the Resident Holder’s “designated cost” (as defined in the Tax Act) of the Common Shares exceeds (ii) any dividends or other amounts included in computing such Holder’s income for the year (other than a capital gain) in respect of the Common Shares determined without reference to the OIF Rules. Any amount required to be included in computing a Resident Holder’s income under these provisions will be added to the adjusted cost base of the Common Shares.
The OIF Rules are complex and their application will potentially depend, in part, on the reasons for a Resident Holder acquiring or holding Common Shares. Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application and consequences of the OIF Rules in their own particular circumstances.
Foreign Property Information Reporting
A Resident Holder that is a "specified Canadian entity" for a taxation year or a fiscal period and whose total cost amount of “specified foreign property” (as such terms are defined in the Tax Act), including Common Shares, at any time in the year or fiscal period exceeds Cdn$100,000 will be required to file an information return with the CRA for the year or period disclosing prescribed information in respect of such property. Substantial penalties may apply where a Resident Holder fails to file the required information return in respect of its specified foreign property on a timely basis in accordance with the Tax Act.
The reporting rules in the Tax Act are complex and this summary does not purport to address all circumstances in which reporting may be required by a Holder. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the reporting rules contained in the Tax Act.
Additional Refundable Tax
A Resident Holder that is, throughout the relevant taxation year, a "Canadian-controlled private corporation" (as defined in the Tax Act) may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 6 2⁄3% of its “aggregate investment income” (as defined in the Tax Act), including any taxable capital gains realized, or dividends received or deemed to be received by the Resident Holder (other than certain dividends or deemed dividends that are deductible in computing taxable income).
Shareholders Not Resident in Canada
The following discussion applies to a Holder who: (i) has not been, is not, and will not be resident or deemed to be resident in Canada for purposes of the Tax Act or any applicable tax treaty; and (ii) does not and will not use or hold, and is not and will not be deemed to use or hold, Common Shares in connection with, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada (a "Non-Resident Holder"). Special rules, which are not discussed in this summary, may apply to a Non-Resident Holder that is an insurer carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere. Such Non-Resident Holders should consult their own tax advisors.
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Dividends on Common Shares
Dividends paid in respect of Common Shares to a Non-Resident Holder will not be subject to Canadian withholding tax or other income tax under the Tax Act.
Disposition of Common Shares
A Non-Resident Holder who disposes or is deemed to dispose of Common Shares will not be subject to Canadian income tax in respect of any capital gain realized on the disposition unless such Common Shares constitute "taxable Canadian property" for the purposes of the Tax Act and no exemption is available under an applicable income tax convention between Canada and the jurisdiction in which the Non-Resident Holder is resident.
Generally, Common Shares will not be taxable Canadian property at a particular time to a Non-Resident Holder provided that the Common Shares are listed on a designated stock exchange (which includes the TSX-V)at that time, unless at any time during the sixty month period immediately preceding the disposition of the Common Shares by such Non-Resident Holder, the Non-Resident Holder, persons not dealing at arm’s length with such Non-Resident Holder, or the Non-Resident Holder together with all such persons, owned not less than 25% of the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of the Company and at that time more than 50% of the value of such shares was attributable to resource properties or real properties situated in Canada. The Company has advised that based on the historical and contemplated assets of the Company, the Common Shares should not be taxable Canadian property to a Non-Resident Holder.
F.Dividends and Paying Agents
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
G. Statement By Experts
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the U.S. Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
H. Documents on Display
The documents referred to and/or incorporated by reference in this Form 20-F can be viewed at the office of the Company at 1 First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 7070, Toronto, Ontario, M5X 1E3, Canada. The Company is required to file financial statements and other information with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, electronically through the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), which can be viewed atwww.sedar.com. The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act and files reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any of the Company’s reports and other information at, and obtain copies upon payment of prescribed fees from, the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C., U.S., 20549. In addition, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
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I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
See Note 12 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the financial years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 filed as part of this Form 20-F.
Item 12. Descriptions of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.
Not applicable.
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.
14.A.-B. Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders
In February 2012, the Company completed a corporate reorganization, as a result of which Gentor’s corporate jurisdiction was moved from Florida to the Cayman Islands. This corporate reorganization was carried out by a two-step process involving a merger of Gentor Resources, Inc. (the Florida company) with and into its wholly-owned Wyoming subsidiary, followed by a continuation of the surviving company into the Cayman Islands. Accordingly, the rights of the Company’s common shares became governed by its memorandum and articles of association and the laws of the Cayman Islands. The rights attaching to each common share remained substantially equivalent. For a detailed comparison of shareholder rights under the laws of Florida and under the laws of the Cayman Islands, you may refer to the section titled "Material Differences of the Rights of Our Shareholders After the Reorganization" in the Company’s Information Circular/Proxy Statement filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Form 8-K of the Company filed on January 11, 2012, which section is incorporated herein by reference.
14.C.
Not applicable.
14.D.
Not applicable.
14.E. Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
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Item 15. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the U.S. Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the U.S. Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms.
In addition, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have determined that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed under the U.S. Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the U.S. Exchange Act. The Company's management has employed a framework consistent with U.S. Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(c), to evaluate the Company's internal control over financial reporting described below. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013 and no material weaknesses were discovered.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This Form 20-F does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent auditors regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent auditors as the Company qualifies as a smaller reporting company and is exempt pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2013, that management believes have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Item 16.A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Company's Board has determined that William R. Wilson satisfies the requirements as an audit committee financial expert, in that he has an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial statements; is able to assess the general application of such principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and reserves; has experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements (or experience actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities); has an understanding of internal controls over financial reporting; and has an understanding of audit committee functions.
Mr. Wilson is also independent within the meaning of Section 803A of the NYSE MKT LLC Company Guide and Rule 10A-3 of the U.S. Exchange Act (although the Company’s common shares are not listed on the NYSE MKT LLC but are quoted on the OTCQB).
Item 16.B. Code of Ethics.
The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees (including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) (the "Code"). A copy of the Code is incorporated by reference into this Form 20-F as Exhibit 11.1. A copy of the Code may also be obtained from the Chief Financial Officer of the Company at (416) 366-2221 and is also available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com, EDGAR at www.sec.gov and the Company's website atwww.gentorresources.com. Each director, officer and employee of the Company is provided with a copy of the Code and is required to confirm annually that he or she has complied with the Code. Any observed breaches of the Code must be reported to the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
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No amendment was made to the Code during the Company's most recently completed financial year and no waiver from a provision of the Code was granted by the Company during the Company's most recently completed financial year.
In accordance with the articles of association of the Company, a director of the Company may only be (a) a party to, or otherwise interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is or may otherwise be interested, or (b) interested in another corporation in which the Company is interested, if the director discloses the nature and extent of his interest to the other directors of the Company and such other directors resolve to approve the director’s interest. In addition, in certain cases, an independent committee of the Company's Board may be formed to deliberate on such matters in the absence of the interested party.
The Company has also adopted a "whistleblower" policy which provides employees, consultants, officers and directors with the ability to report, on a confidential and anonymous basis, violations within the Company's organization including, (but not limited to), questionable accounting practices, disclosure of fraudulent or misleading financial information, instances of corporate fraud, or harassment. The Company believes that providing a forum for such individuals to raise concerns about ethical conduct and treating all complaints with the appropriate level of seriousness fosters a culture of ethical business conduct.
Item 16.C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following summarizes the total fees billed by the external auditors of the Company (Deloittellp) with respect to each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. All dollar amounts are exclusive of applicable taxes.
2013 | 2012 | |||||||
Audit Fees | US$ | 91,100 | US$ | 70,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | - | - | ||||||
Tax Fees | US$ | 1,560 | (1) | - | ||||
All Other Fees | - | - |
(1) The services comprising these fees related to tax compliance services in foreign jurisdictions in connection with international tax returns.
In accordance with existing Audit Committee policy and the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, all services to be provided Deloittellp are subject to pre-approval by the Audit Committee. This includes audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. In some cases, pre-approval is provided by the full Audit Committee for up to a year, and relates to a particular category or group of services and is subject to a specific budget. All of the fees listed above have been approved by the Audit Committee.
Item 16.D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Not applicable.
Item 16.E. Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The Company did not purchase any of its common shares during the financial year ended December 31, 2013.
-78- |
Item 16.F. Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
Not applicable.
Item 16.G. Corporate Governance
Not applicable.
Item 16.H. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 17. Financial Statements
Not applicable.
Item 18. Financial Statements
The financial statements appear on pages F-1 through F-23.
Item 19. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 20-F:
EXHIBIT NUMBER | DESCRIPTION | |
1.1 | Memorandum and articles of association of the Company (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K filed on March 9, 2012) | |
4.1 | Company's 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2010) | |
4.2 | Company's 2011 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 20-F filed on April 30, 2012) | |
4.3 | Stock Exchange Agreement regarding the acquisition of APM Mining (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed February 24, 2010) | |
4.4 | Earn-In Agreement dated October 27, 2009 with respect to the Block 5 property in Oman (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2010) | |
4.5 | Novation Agreement dated January 20, 2010 with respect to the Block 5 property in Oman (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2010) |
-79- |
4.6 | Amendment to the Earn-In Agreement dated February 25, 2010 with respect to the Block 5 property in Oman (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2010) | |
4.7 | Addendum to the Earn-In-Agreement with respect to the Block 5 property in Oman (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending June 30, 2011) | |
4.8 | Earn-In Agreement dated January 25, 2010 with respect to the Block 6 property in Oman (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2010) | |
4.9 | Share Purchase Agreement dated April 10, 2014 between the Company and Savannah Resources plc (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s Form 6-K filed April 18, 2014) | |
8.1 | List of subsidiaries | |
11.1 | Company's Business Conduct Policy (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2011) | |
11.2 | Whistleblower Policy (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2011) | |
12.1 | Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
12.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
13.1 | Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
13.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
15.1 | Management's discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2013 |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
-80- |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
Date: April 30, 2014
GENTOR RESOURCES INC. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By: | (signed) "Arnold T. Kondrat" | |
Arnold T. Kondrat | ||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
-81- |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company) | |
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 and 2012 |
F-1 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Gentor Resources Inc.
(An exploration stage corporation)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gentor Resources Inc. and subsidiaries (an exploration stage corporation) (the “Company”) as at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and for the period from March 24, 2005 (date of incorporation) to December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting.
Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and for the period from March 24, 2005 (date of incorporation) to December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 – Organization and Going Concern of the consolidated financial statements, the Company's recurring losses from operations and deficit accumulated during the exploration stage raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans concerning these matters are also discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Deloitte LLP | |
Chartered Professional Accountants, Chartered Accountants | |
Licensed Public Accountants | |
Toronto, Canada | |
April 30, 2014 |
F-2 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Stated in US dollars)
As at | December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current | ||||||||
Cash | $ | 30,709 | $ | 1,689,511 | ||||
Prepaids and advances (note 3) | 65,017 | 205,558 | ||||||
Total current assets | $ | 95,726 | $ | 1,895,069 | ||||
Long term deposit (note 4) | 10,000 | 10,000 | ||||||
Capital assets (note 6) | 122,229 | 257,139 | ||||||
Mineral properties (note 5) | 800,000 | 18,248,198 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 1,027,955 | $ | 20,410,406 | ||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Current | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 557,330 | $ | 390,349 | ||||
Accrued liabilities | 221,019 | 97,226 | ||||||
Due to related parties (note 7) | 327,138 | 83,744 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 1,105,487 | 571,319 | ||||||
Total liabilities | $ | 1,105,487 | $ | 571,319 | ||||
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Authorized | ||||||||
500,000,000 Common Shares, $0.0001 per share par value (note 9a) | ||||||||
Issued and outstanding | ||||||||
62,753,840 Common Shares (December 31, 2012 – 62,753,840)(note 9) | 6,275 | 6,275 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 41,533,256 | 41,342,964 | ||||||
Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage | (41,617,063 | ) | (21,510,152 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity | (77,532 | ) | 19,839,087 | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ (deficit) equity | $ | 1,027,955 | $ | 20,410,406 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-3 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the year ended December 31, 2013 | For the year ended December 31, 2012 | For the year ended December 31, 2011 | Cumulative from inception on March 24, 2005 to December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Field camps expenses | $ | 303,733 | $ | 368,466 | $ | 166,718 | $ | 1,335,460 | ||||||||
Surveying | - | 106,471 | 22,586 | 193,911 | ||||||||||||
Geophysics | 7,709 | 143,088 | 106,382 | 917,206 | ||||||||||||
Geochemistry | 4,591 | 59,854 | 70,726 | 319,179 | ||||||||||||
Geology | 112,033 | 452,582 | 538,383 | 1,695,059 | ||||||||||||
Drilling | - | 669,436 | 1,103,893 | 4,892,100 | ||||||||||||
Environmental testing | - | 10,741 | - | 38,951 | ||||||||||||
Mineral properties | - | - | 100,000 | 663,045 | ||||||||||||
Consulting fees – related parties | - | - | - | 12,400 | ||||||||||||
Consulting fees – others | - | - | 4,174 | 194,624 | ||||||||||||
Management fees | - | - | - | 2,000 | ||||||||||||
Professional fees | 184,191 | 499,872 | 1,100,807 | 2,980,536 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 2,010,986 | 3,111,081 | 2,431,515 | 9,617,093 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of capital assets | (42,292 | ) | (100 | ) | (111,470 | ) | (160,369 | ) | ||||||||
Impairment of mineral properties | 17,448,198 | - | - | 17,448,198 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 93,039 | 169,157 | 160,313 | 795,076 | ||||||||||||
Net operating loss | (20,122,188 | ) | (5,590,648 | ) | (5,694,027 | ) | (40,944,469 | ) | ||||||||
Interest income | 15,277 | 56,531 | 9,898 | 84,260 | ||||||||||||
Gain on Canadian dollar common share purchase warrants | - | 263,398 | 80,815 | 344,213 | ||||||||||||
Rental income | - | - | - | 6,720 | ||||||||||||
Warrant modification | - | - | - | (1,057,787 | ) | |||||||||||
Loss on deposit | - | - | - | (50,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Net loss and comprehensive loss | $ | (20,106,911 | ) | $ | (5,270,719 | ) | $ | (5,603,314 | ) | $ | (41,617,063 | ) | ||||
Basic and diluted loss per common share (note 9d) | $ | (0.32 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.09 | ) | |||||||
Weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding (note 9d) | 62,753,840 | 62,753,840 | 59,558,895 |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-4 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the year ended December 31, 2013 | For the year ended December 31, 2012 | For the year ended December 31, 2011 | Cumulative from inception on March 24, 2005 to December 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN): | ||||||||||||||||
Operating activities: | ||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (20,106,911 | ) | $ | (5,270,719 | ) | $ | (5,603,314 | ) | $ | (41,617,063 | ) | ||||
Adjustments required to reconcile net loss with net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
Impairment of mineral properties | 17,448,198 | - | - | 17,448,198 | ||||||||||||
Warrant modification | - | - | - | 1,057,787 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 93,039 | 169,157 | 160,313 | 795,076 | ||||||||||||
Gain on Canadian dollar common share purchase warrants | - | (263,398 | ) | (80,815 | ) | (344,213 | ) | |||||||||
Gain on sale of capital assets | (42,292 | ) | (100 | ) | (111,470 | ) | (160,369 | ) | ||||||||
Accrued interest included in notes payable | - | - | - | 95,115 | ||||||||||||
Stock based compensation – employees | 190,292 | 581,295 | 582,081 | 1,494,500 | ||||||||||||
Stock based compensation – consultants | - | - | - | 97,500 | ||||||||||||
Loss on deposit | - | - | - | 50,000 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for mineral properties | - | - | - | 100,000 | ||||||||||||
Shares issued for services | - | - | - | 180,000 | ||||||||||||
Change in non-cash working capital balances | ||||||||||||||||
Prepaids and advances | 140,541 | (129,659 | ) | (29,089 | ) | (112,644 | ) | |||||||||
Accounts payable | 166,981 | (162,028 | ) | 139,070 | 476,199 | |||||||||||
Accrued liabilities | 123,793 | 46,676 | 488 | 212,201 | ||||||||||||
Cash used in operating activities | (1,986,359 | ) | (5,028,776 | ) | (4,942,736 | ) | (20,227,713 | ) | ||||||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||||||||
Loan payable repayment | - | - | (74,196 | ) | (145,499 | ) | ||||||||||
Notes payable repayment | - | - | (769,733 | ) | (93,344 | ) | ||||||||||
Due to related parties | 243,394 | (48,496 | ) | (79,111 | ) | (204,016 | ) | |||||||||
Common shares and warrants issued (net of issuance costs) | - | - | 7,399,385 | 21,129,694 | ||||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 243,394 | (48,496 | ) | 6,476,345 | 20,686,835 | |||||||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||||||||
Purchase of capital assets | - | (168,329 | ) | (115,791 | ) | (790,093 | ) | |||||||||
Gentor Resources Limited acquisition | - | - | - | 255,889 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from disposal of capital assets | 84,163 | 100 | 185,278 | 284,791 | ||||||||||||
Purchase of a certificate of deposit | - | - | - | (10,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Mineral properties expenditures | - | - | - | (169,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 84,163 | (168,229 | ) | 69,487 | (428,413 | ) | ||||||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash | (1,658,802 | ) | (5,245,501 | ) | 1,603,096 | 30,709 | ||||||||||
Cash, beginning of the year | 1,689,511 | 6,935,012 | 5,331,916 | - | ||||||||||||
Cash, end of the year | $ | 30,709 | $ | 1,689,511 | $ | 6,935,012 | $ | 30,709 |
Supplemental cash flow information (note 10). See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-5 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012
(Stated in US dollars)
Number of common shares | Common shares amount | Additional paid- in capital | Accumulated deficit | Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency) | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued on March 24, 2005 at $0.004 per share | 12,500,000 | $ | 1,250 | $ | 48,750 | $ | - | $ | 50,000 | |||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (97,637 | ) | (97,637 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2005 | 12,500,000 | 1,250 | 48,750 | (97,637 | ) | (47,637 | ) | |||||||||||||
Shares issued on December 15, 2006 at $0.20 per share | 5,000,000 | 500 | 999,500 | - | 1,000,000 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (233,900 | ) | (233,900 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2006 | 17,500,000 | $ | 1,750 | $ | 1,048,250 | $ | (331,537 | ) | $ | 718,463 | ||||||||||
Shares issued on July 23, 2007 at $0.20 per share | 500,000 | $ | 50 | $ | 99,950 | $ | - | $ | 100,000 | |||||||||||
Shares issued on July 31, 2007 at $0.20 per share | 1,000,000 | 100 | 199,900 | - | 200,000 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued on November 20, 2007 at $0.25 per share | 1,000,000 | 100 | 249,900 | - | 250,000 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued on December 17, 2007 at $1.00 per share | 2,500,000 | 250 | 2,374,750 | - | 2,375,000 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | $ | (1,881,910 | ) | $ | (1,881,910 | ) | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2007 | 22,500,000 | $ | 2,250 | $ | 3,972,750 | $ | (2,213,447 | ) | $ | 1,761,553 | ||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | $ | (3,189,473 | ) | $ | (3,189,473 | ) | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2008 | 22,500,000 | $ | 2,250 | $ | 3,972,750 | $ | (5,402,920 | ) | $ | (1,427,920 | ) | |||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | $ | (564,947 | ) | $ | (564,947 | ) | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2009 | 22,500,000 | $ | 2,250 | $ | 3,972,750 | $ | (5,967,867 | ) | $ | (1,992,867 | ) | |||||||||
Shares issued on March 8, 2010 at $1.02 per share | 13,063,000 | 1,306 | 13,322,954 | - | 13,324,260 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $1.80 per share on April 28, 2010 | 2,600,000 | 260 | 4,679,740 | - | 4,680,000 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.50 per share on April 29, 2010 | 4,000,000 | 400 | 1,164,512 | - | 1,164,912 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on April 29, 2010 | - | - | 730,568 | - | 730,568 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on October 28, 2010 | 4,000,000 | 400 | 2,260,794 | - | 2,261,194 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on October 28, 2010 | - | - | 738,806 | - | 738,806 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on October 29, 2010 | 333,334 | 33 | 183,844 | - | 183,877 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on October 29, 2010 | - | - | 60,049 | - | 60,049 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on November 2, 2010 | 2,666,667 | 267 | 1,507,196 | - | 1,507,463 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on November 2, 2010 | - | - | 492,537 | - | 492,537 |
F-6 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
Number of Common Shares | Common Shares Amount | Additional paid- in capital | Accumulated deficit | Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency) | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on November 18, 2010 | 26,000 | 3 | 14,695 | - | 14,698 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on November 18, 2010 | - | - | 4,802 | - | 4,802 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on December 22, 2010 | 3,662,671 | 366 | 2,032,186 | - | 2,032,552 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on December 22, 2010 | - | - | 663,851 | - | 663,851 | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock options on August 30, 2010 | - | - | 238,334 | - | 238,334 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (3,610,465 | ) | (3,610,465 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2010 | 52,851,672 | $ | 5,285 | $ | 32,067,618 | $ | (9,578,332 | ) | $ | 22,494,571 | ||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on January 18, 2011 | 200,000 | 20 | 112,762 | - | 112,782 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on January 18, 2011 | - | - | 37,218 | - | 37,218 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on January 24, 2011 | 250,000 | 25 | 140,952 | - | 140,977 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on January 24, 2011 | - | - | 46,523 | - | 46,523 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on January 26, 2011 | 5,333,334 | 533 | 3,006,987 | - | 3,007,520 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on January 26, 2011 | - | - | 992,481 | - | 992,481 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on January 27, 2011 | 200,000 | 20 | 112,762 | - | 112,782 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on January 27, 2011 | - | - | 37,218 | - | 37,218 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on February 24, 2011 | 222,000 | 22 | 125,166 | - | 125,188 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on February 24, 2011 | - | - | 41,312 | - | 41,312 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on March 4, 2011 | 33,334 | 3 | 18,795 | - | 18,798 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on March 4, 2011 | - | - | 6,203 | - | 6,203 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on March 7, 2011 | 113,000 | 11 | 63,711 | - | 63,722 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on March 7, 2011 | - | - | 21,028 | - | 21,028 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at $0.75 per share on March 15, 2011 | 165,000 | 17 | 93,028 | - | 93,045 | |||||||||||||||
Warrants issued on March 15, 2011 | - | - | 30,705 | - | 30,705 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on August 09, 2011 | 35,000 | 3 | 31,763 | - | 31,766 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on August 17, 2011 | 5,000 | 1 | 4,577 | - | 4,578 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 1, 2011 | 25,000 | 3 | 22,919 | - | 22,922 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 12, 2011 | 255,000 | 25 | 224,968 | - | 224,993 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 16, 2011 | 750,000 | 75 | 661,428 | - | 661,503 |
F-7 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
Number of Common Shares | Common Shares Amount | Additional paid- in capital | Accumulated deficit | Total shareholders’ equity (deficiency) | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 19, 2011 | 41,500 | 4 | 36,162 | - | 36,166 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 20, 2011 | 5,000 | 1 | 4,335 | - | 4,336 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 26, 2011 | 1,000 | - | 837 | - | 837 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on September 27, 2011 | 5,000 | 1 | 4,339 | - | 4,340 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on October 12, 2011 | 100,000 | 10 | 88,785 | - | 88,795 | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued at Cdn $1.00 per share on November 2, 2011 | 2,163,000 | 216 | 1,943,297 | - | 1,943,513 | |||||||||||||||
Financing costs | - | - | (856,078 | ) | - | (856,078 | ) | |||||||||||||
Warrant modification | - | - | 1,057,787 | (1,057,787 | ) | - | ||||||||||||||
Stock based compensation expense | - | - | 582,081 | - | 582,081 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (5,603,314 | ) | (5,603,314 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2011 | 62,753,840 | $ | 6,275 | $ | 40,761,669 | $ | (16,239,433 | ) | $ | 24,528,511 | ||||||||||
Stock based compensation expense | - | - | 581,295 | - | 581,295 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (5,270,719 | ) | (5,270,719 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012 | 62,753,840 | $ | 6,275 | $ | 41,342,964 | $ | (21,510,152 | ) | $ | 19,839,087 | ||||||||||
Stock based compensation expense (note 9c) | - | - | 190,292 | - | 190,292 | |||||||||||||||
Net loss for the year | - | - | - | (20,106,911 | ) | (20,106,911 | ) | |||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 | 62,753,840 | $ | 6,275 | $ | 41,533,256 | $ | (41,617,063 | ) | $ | (77,532 | ) |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
F-8 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
1. | ORGANIZATION AND GOING CONCERN |
In February 2012, Gentor Resources Inc. (“the Company”) completed a corporate reorganization (the “Corporate Reorganization”), as a result of which the Company’s corporate jurisdiction was moved from Florida to the Cayman Islands. The Corporate Reorganization was affected by a two-step process involving a merger of Gentor Resources, Inc. (the Florida company which had been incorporated on March 24, 2005) with and into its wholly-owned Wyoming subsidiary, followed by a continuation of the surviving company into the Cayman Islands. The Company is an exploration stage corporation formed for the purpose of prospecting and developing mineral properties.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had a net loss of $20,106,911 (year ended December 31, 2012 - $5,270,719, year ended December 31, 2011 - $5,603,314) and an accumulated deficit of $41,617,063 (December 31, 2012 – $21,510,152), which raise substantial doubt on the Company’s ability to continue on a going concern basis.
The Company intends to fund operations through equity financing arrangements, which may be insufficient to fund its capital expenditure, working capital and other cash requirements. The Company’s continued existence is dependent upon it emerging from the exploration stage, obtaining additional financing to continue operations, exploring and developing the mineral properties and the discovery, development and sale of ore reserves. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the subsequent financings and the Oman sale to continue operations and exploration activity in 2014.
These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the possible inability of the Company to continue as a going concern.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
a) | BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION |
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (``US GAAP``).
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Gentor Resources Limited (formerly known as APM Mining Limited) and Gentor International Limited.
F-9 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
Gentor Resources Limited was incorporated on November 19, 2009 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands and changed its name from APM Mining Limited on April 30, 2010 following its acquisition by the Company on March 8, 2010. Gentor International Limited was incorporated on December 12, 2011 under the laws of the British Virgin Islands. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
b) | MINERAL PROPERTIES AND EXPLORATION COSTS |
Exploration costs pertaining to mineral properties with no proven reserves are charged to operations as incurred. When it is determined that mineral properties can be economically developed as a result of establishing proven and probable reserves, costs incurred to develop such properties are capitalized. Such costs will be depreciated using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the proven and probable reserves. The Company is in the exploration stage and has not yet realized any revenue from its planned operations.
c) | CAPITAL ASSETS |
Capital assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded as follows:
Vehicle | - Straight line over a range of two to four years |
Mining equipment | - Straight line over four years |
Office equipment | - Straight line over four years |
Furniture and fixtures | - 20% declining balance basis |
Building | - Straight line over five years |
d) | ASSET IMPAIRMENT |
The Company monitors events and changes in circumstances, which may require an assessment of the recoverability of its long-lived assets. If required, the Company would assess recoverability using estimated undiscounted future operating cash flows of the related asset or asset grouping. Assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. If the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized in operations, measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. As at December 31, 2013, an impairment of $17,448,198 was recorded against the carrying value of mineral properties. Please see note 5 for details.
e) | ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS |
The fair value of the liability of an asset retirement obligation is recorded when it is incurred and the corresponding increase to the asset is depreciated over the estimated life of the asset. The liability is periodically adjusted to reflect changes in the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to the estimates of either the timing or amount of the asset retirement obligation. The Company has not identified or recorded any asset retirement obligations on its balance sheets as at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
F-10 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
f) | STOCK BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company has a stock option plan, which is described in note 9(c). The Company uses the fair value method of accounting for stock options granted to directors, officers and employees whereby the fair value of options granted measured at the grant date is recorded as a compensation expense in the financial statements on a straight line basis over the requisite employee service period (usually the vesting period). Compensation expense on stock options granted to non-employees is measured at the earlier of the completion of performance and the date the options are vested using the fair value method and is recorded as an expense in the same period as if the Company had paid cash for the goods or services received. Any consideration paid by directors, officers, employees and consultants on exercise of stock options or purchase of shares is credited to capital stock. Shares are issued from treasury upon the exercise of stock options. The Company estimates that all options will vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
g) | CASH |
Cash consists of bank balances. The Company maintains cash in bank deposit accounts in Canada and the US that at times may exceed US and Canadian federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
h) | FOREIGN EXCHANGE |
The Company’s functional and reporting currency is United States dollars. The functional currency of the foreign operations is United States dollars and Omani, Turkish and Canadian amounts are translated as follows: monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the spot rates of exchange in effect at the end of the period; non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange rates in effect on the dates of the transactions. Revenues and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period, except for depreciation, which is translated at its corresponding historical rate. Realized and unrealized exchange gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations.
i) | USE OF ESTIMATES |
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from management's best estimates as additional information becomes available in the future. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience, current facts, and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Significant estimates and assumptions include those related to the recoverability of mineral properties and capital assets, estimation of future income taxes, useful lives of depreciable assets, and fair value estimates for stock options.
F-11 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
j) | FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS |
The Company follows ASC 820-10Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures for its financial assets and financial liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period.
Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points that are observable in the market such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity.
k) | INCOME TAXES |
Deferred income taxes are reported for temporary differences between items of income or expense reported in the financial statements and those reported for income tax purposes, which require the use of the asset/liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes and tax benefits are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for the tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for the estimated future tax effects attributable to deductible temporary differences and loss carryforwards when realization is more likely than not. The deferred taxes for the Company amount to nil at the balance sheet date.
Accounting Standards Codification 740, “Income Taxes” requires that the Company recognize the impact of a tax position in its financial statements if the position is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination and on the technical merits of the position. At December 31, 2013, the Company has no material unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not anticipate any material change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to occur within the next twelve months.
l) | LOSS PER SHARE |
Basic loss per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the treasury method. The treasury method assumes that outstanding stock options with an average exercise price below market price of the underlying shares are exercised and the assumed proceeds are used to repurchase common shares of the Company at the average market price of the common shares for the period. As the Company is incurring losses, basic and diluted loss per share are the same since including the exercise of outstanding stock options in the diluted loss per share calculation would be anti-dilutive.
F-12 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
m) | RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS |
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to report an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not anticipate material impacts on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this amendment in 2013 did not have a material effect on the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. | PREPAIDS AND ADVANCES |
The prepaids and advances primarily consist of $49,988 for employee and travel advances, $2,980 for prepaid rent and $8,930 for prepaid insurance as at December 31, 2013 (December 31, 2012 - $133,110 employee and travel advances, $54,296 prepaid rent and $17,633 for prepaid insurance). Other items included in the prepaids and advances total $3,119 (December 31, 2012 - $519).
F-13 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
4. | LONG TERM DEPOSIT |
The long-term deposit is a $10,000 certificate of deposit issued on March 11, 2013 and assigned to the United States Department of the Interiors, Bureau of Land Management, as a reclamation bond for the installation of a bridge crossing the Patterson creek in respect of the Company’s relinquished Idaho project.
This certificate of deposit bears an interest rate of 1.75% per annum and matures on March 11, 2014. It will automatically roll over to maintain the bond in good standing.
5. | MINERAL PROPERTIES |
Oman Project
On March 8, 2010, the Company acquired, through its wholly owned subsidiary Gentor Resources Limited, the earn-in rights to the Block 5 and Block 6 copper exploration projects located in Oman. Pursuant to the Earn-in Agreement between Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC and Gentor Resources Limited, which relates to the Block 5 project, the Company has earned a 65% equity position in Al Fairuz Mining Company, LLC. Pursuant to the Earn-in Agreement between Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC and Gentor Resources Limited, which relates to the Block 6 project, the Company has the right to earn up to a 70% equity position in Al Zuhra Mining Company, LLC.
On April 10, 2014, the Company signed a share purchase agreement to sell its Oman properties. This agreement provided an accurate basis for the Company’s impairment assessment. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $17,448,198 against mineral properties to bring the asset to its estimated fair value of $800,000. This amount represents the initial consideration the Company will receive at closing. See Subsequent Events, note 13.
Turkey Project
On April 30, 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with a Turkish company (the “Licence Holder”) pursuant to which the Company was granted a 12 month option period for the purposes of funding and carrying out the exploration for copper on properties (the “Project”) located in northeastern Turkey held by the Licence Holder. The Company paid the Licence Holder a $200,000 option fee under the said agreement (the option underlying said agreement, the “Option”). The Option provided the Company with the option to acquire a 70% interest in the Project, as to which a further $400,000 would have been payable by the Company to the Licence Holder, and the Company would fund exploration by completing a feasibility study within three years from the acquisition of the said 70% interest (the “Feasibility Period”). At the end of the second and third year of the Feasibility Period, the Company would have been required to pay annual sums of $300,000 to the Licence Holder. As at December 31, 2013, the Option has expired under its terms.
F-14 |
Following the identification by the Company of several surface gossans in distal VMS settings, the Company has negotiated joint venture option agreements with two local Turkish entities. The first option agreement was signed with the first local partner for a 50% share of three permits in the Boyabat area in northern Turkey and a second option agreement was signed with a second local partner for a 50% interest in three additional permits in the Boyabat area in northern Turkey.
Idaho Project
No exploration was undertaken at the Company’s molybdenum tungsten project in east central Idaho in the U.S. during the year ended December 31, 2013 and the Company has determined to not continue with the Idaho project and has relinquished its rights in respect of this project.
6. | CAPITAL ASSETS |
December 31, 2013
Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Net Book Value | ||||||||||
Vehicle | $ | 27,543 | $ | 8,902 | $ | 18,641 | ||||||
Mining Equipment | 102,830 | 55,609 | 47,221 | |||||||||
Office Equipment | 63,815 | 50,802 | 13,013 | |||||||||
Furniture and Fixtures | 3,097 | 891 | 2,206 | |||||||||
Building | 440,329 | 399,181 | 41,148 | |||||||||
$ | 637,614 | $ | 515,385 | $ | 122,229 |
December 31, 2012
Cost | Accumulated Depreciation | Net Book Value | ||||||||||
Vehicle | $ | 162,238 | $ | 88,357 | $ | 73,881 | ||||||
Mining Equipment | 110,188 | 44,033 | 66,155 | |||||||||
Office Equipment | 75,049 | 45,386 | 29,663 | |||||||||
Furniture and Fixtures | 15,876 | 5,387 | 10,489 | |||||||||
Building | 440,328 | 363,377 | 76,951 | |||||||||
$ | 803,679 | $ | 546,540 | $ | 257,139 |
F-15 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
7. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
As of December 31, 2013, a balance of $79,840 advanced to the Company from Lloyd J. Bardswich, (a former officer and director of the Company and currently the sole director and officer of Gentor Idaho, Inc.) was outstanding (December 31, 2012 - $79,840). This advance is unsecured, non-interest bearing and re-payable upon demand.
As of December 31, 2013, an amount of $93,001 (December 31, 2012 - $733) was due to Peter Ruxton, a director of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company reimbursed travel and other office expenses incurred on behalf of Dr. Ruxton in the amount of $8,840 (December 31, 2012 - $43,126).
As of December 31, 2013, an amount of $64,297 (December 31, 2012 - $3,171) representing common office expenses was due to Banro Corporation, a corporation with a common director.
As of December 31, 2013, an amount of $90,000 (December 31, 2012 - $nil) was advanced to the Company by Arnold Kondrat, a director and officer of the Company. This advance is unsecured, non-interest bearing and re-payable upon demand.
All related party transactions are in the normal course of operations and are measured at the exchange amount as determined by management.
8. | REPORTABLE SEGMENTS |
The Company operates in one reportable business segment: the exploration, mine development and extraction of precious metals in three geographic areas, the Sultanate of Oman, Turkey and the Canada.
As at | December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||
Oman – mineral properties | $ | 800,000 | $ | 18,248,198 | ||||
Oman – capital assets | 14,756 | 103,350 | ||||||
Turkey – capital assets | 59,013 | 64,290 | ||||||
Canada – capital assets | 48,460 | 89,499 | ||||||
Total | $ | 922,229 | $ | 18,505,337 |
F-16 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
9. | SHARE CAPITAL |
a) | Authorized Share Capital |
The authorized share capital of the Company consists of 500,000,000 common shares with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Each common share entitles the holder to one vote and no holder of the common shares shall be entitled to any right of cumulative voting.
b) | Issued Share Capital |
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding 62,753,840 (December 31, 2012 – 62,753,840) common shares.
c) | Stock Based Compensation |
On December 14, 2011, the Company established a new stock option plan (the “New Plan”). In establishing the New Plan, the Company’s board of directors also provided that no additional awards will be made under the Company’s 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) and terminated the 2010 Plan effective upon the exercise, expiry, termination or cancellation of all of the currently outstanding stock options that were granted under the 2010 Plan. Stock options may be granted under the New Plan from time to time by the board of directors of the Company to such directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, and in such numbers, as are determined by the board at the time of the granting of the stock options. The number of common shares of the Company reserved from time to time for issuance to optionees pursuant to stock options granted under the New Plan shall not exceed 11,000,000 common shares. The exercise price of each stock option granted under the New Plan shall be determined in the discretion of the board of directors of the Company at the time of the granting of the stock option, provided that the exercise price shall not be lower than the last closing
price of the Company’s common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange prior to the date the stock option is granted.
As at December 31, 2013, the Company had 1,425,000 (December 31, 2012 – 1,825,000) stock options outstanding to acquire common shares at a weighted average exercise price of $0.90. The remaining weighted average contractual life of outstanding options is 2.34 years. All of the stock
options granted are expected to vest. As of December 31, 2013, the forfeiture estimate of the outstanding options is 0%. The number of stock options forfeited, cancelled, expired and exercised during the year ended December 31, 2013 was 400,000. There were 1,287,500 stock options exercisable and 137,500 stock options unvested as at December 31, 2013. The weighted average fair value of options granted in 2013 is $0.00 (December 31, 2012 - $0.48). The weighted average fair value of options vested in 2013 is $0.52 (December 31, 2012 - $0.93). The weighted average exercise price of the options exercisable is $0.89 and options expected to vest is $0.90 with a remaining weighted average contractual lives of 2.26 years and 2.34 years, respectively. As at December 31, 2013, the intrinsic value of the outstanding options was $nil because all outstanding options were out of the money.
F-17 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized as stock based compensation expense (included in general and administrative expenses) in the consolidated statements of operations $190,292 (year ended December 31, 2012 - $581,295 and year ended December 31, 2011 - $582,081). This amount was credited accordingly to additional paid-in capital in the balance sheet. As at December 31, 2013 the unrecognized stock based compensation expense is $7,042 with a weighted average life of 2.34 years (December 31, 2012 - $217,650, 3.33 years).
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was used to estimate values of all stock options granted in 2012 (no options granted in 2013) based on the following assumptions:
(i) | Risk-free interest rate: nil%, which is based on the 3-5 year Bank of Canada marketable bonds average yield (December 31, 2012 – 0.81% - 0.91%). |
(ii) | Expected volatility: nil%, which is based on the Company’s historical stock price (December 31, 2012 – 67.11% - 67.33%). |
(iii) | Expected life: nil (December 31, 2012 – 5 years). |
(iv) | Expected dividends: $nil (December 31, 2012 - $nil). |
d) | Loss Per Share |
Loss per share was calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2013, amounting to 62,753,840 common shares (December 31, 2012 – 62,753,840, December 31, 2011 – 59,558,895).
Diluted loss per share was calculated using the treasury stock method. For the year ended December 31, 2013, stock options and warrants were not included in the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding as they were anti-dilutive.
10. | SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
For year ended | December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Interest | - | - | 46,699 | |||||||||
Income taxes | - | - | - |
F-18 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
11. | INCOME TAXES |
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax of 34% (2012 - 34% and 2011 – 40%) to the total provision is as follows (comparatives have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation):
Year ended December 31, | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||
Loss for the year | $ | 20,106,911 | $ | 5,270,719 | $ | 5,603,314 | ||||||
Recovery of income tax and statutory rates | 6,836,350 | 1,792,045 | 1,905,127 | |||||||||
Foreign tax rate differential | (3,522,620 | ) | (693,291 | ) | (814,927 | ) | ||||||
Income (losses) not subject to tax | (1,884,045 | ) | (302,741 | ) | (444,506 | ) | ||||||
Expenses not deductible for tax | (42,936 | ) | - | - | ||||||||
Other | 649,197 | 42,702 | - | |||||||||
Change in valuation allowance | (2,035,946 | ) | (838,714 | ) | (645,694 | ) | ||||||
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - |
The significant components of deferred income taxes consist of the following (comparatives have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation):
As at December 31, | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||
Deferred tax asset | ||||||||||||
Loss carryforwards | $ | 4,576,065 | $ | 3,710,922 | $ | 2,871,789 | ||||||
Investments | 960,957 | - | - | |||||||||
Capital assets | 10,101 | - | - | |||||||||
Others | 175,568 | - | - | |||||||||
Deferred tax liability | ||||||||||||
Capital assets | - | (24,177 | ) | (23,758 | ) | |||||||
Total: | 5,722,691 | 3,686,745 | 2,848,031 | |||||||||
Valuation allowance | (5,722,691 | ) | (3,686,745 | ) | (2,848,031 | ) | ||||||
$ | - | $ | - | $ | - |
F-19 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred net losses and, therefore, has no provision for income taxes. No income tax benefit has been recorded because it is more likely than not that the recoverability of such assets would not be realized through known future revenue sources. The net deferred tax asset generated by the loss carryforward has been fully reserved.
The U.S. net operating loss net of unrecognized tax benefit, available to be applied against future years’ taxable income is $10,776,331 at December 31, 2013. If not utilized, these U.S. income tax losses will expire as follows:
2025 | $ | 97,637 | ||
2026 | $ | 223,603 | ||
2027 | $ | 1,874,027 | ||
2028 | $ | 3,340,280 | ||
2029 | $ | 406,098 | ||
2030 | $ | 952,212 | ||
2031 | $ | 1,552,580 | ||
2032 | $ | 1,482,729 | ||
2033 | $ | 847,165 | ||
Total: | $ | 10,776,331 |
In Oman, the tax rate for foreign companies is 12%; however, there is a 5 year tax holiday from the start of production which has not commenced as of December 31, 2013. Turkish net operating loss carryforwards were $912,112 at December 31, 2013 ($121,696 at December 31, 2012). If unused, they will expire between 2017 and 2018.
The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefit - January 1 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period | 213,309 | - | - | |||||||||
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period | - | - | - | |||||||||
Gross increases - tax positions in current period | - | - | - | |||||||||
Settlement | - | - | - | |||||||||
Lapse of statute of limitation | - | - | - | |||||||||
Unrecognized tax benefit - December 31 | $ | 213,309 | $ | - | $ | - |
The Company would recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. Interest is not accrued on unrecognized tax benefit that can be offset with tax losses. The Company did not accrue penalties and interest historically or during 2013.
F-20 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
The Company is subject to taxation in the US and various foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2013 the Company’s tax years for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. With few exceptions, as of December 31, 2013, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.
12. | FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT |
a) | FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK |
Foreign currency risk is the risk that a variation in exchange rates between the United States dollar and other foreign currencies will affect the Company’s operations and financial results. A portion of the Company’s transactions are denominated in Omani rials, Canadian dollars, Turkish lira and British pounds. The Company is also exposed to the impact of currency fluctuations on its monetary assets and liabilities. Significant foreign currency gains or losses are reflected as a separate component in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company does not use derivatives instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk.
The following table indicates the impact of foreign currency risk on net working capital as at December 31, 2013. The table below also provides a sensitivity analysis of a 10 percent strengthening of the US dollar against the Omani rial, the Turkish lira, the Canadian dollar and the British pound as identified which would have increased (decreased) the Company’s net loss by the amounts shown in the table below. A 10 percent weakening of the US dollar against the Omani rial, the Turkish Lira, the Canadian dollar and the British pound would have had an equal but opposite effect as at December 31, 2013.
Omani Rial | Canadian Dollar | Turkish Lira | British Pound | |||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
Cash | 1,080 | 13,662 | 27,399 | - | ||||||||||||
Prepaids and advances | 1,150 | 4,162 | 108,333 | - | ||||||||||||
Accounts payable | - | (120,310 | ) | (7,498 | ) | (58,723 | ) | |||||||||
Accrued liabilities | (82,389 | ) | (1,500 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||
Total foreign currency working capital | (80,159 | ) | (103,986 | ) | 128,234 | (58,723 | ) | |||||||||
US$ exchange rate at December 31, 2013 | 2.5909 | 0.9402 | 0.4673 | 1.6573 | ||||||||||||
Total foreign currency net working capital in US$ | (207,684 | ) | (97,768 | ) | 59,924 | (97,322 | ) | |||||||||
Impact of a 10% strengthening of the US$ on net loss | (20,768 | ) | (9,777 | ) | 5,992 | (9,732 | ) |
F-21 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
b) | MARKET RISK |
Market risk is the potential for financial loss from adverse changes in underlying market factors, including foreign-exchange rates, commodity prices and stock based compensation costs.
c) | TITLE RISK |
Title to mineral properties involves certain inherent risks due to the difficulties of determining the validity of certain claims as well as the potential for problems arising from the frequently ambiguous conveyancing history characteristic of many mining properties. Although the Company has investigated title to all of its mineral properties for which it holds rights, the Company cannot give any assurance that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned and cannot be certain that it will have valid title to its mineral properties.
d) | DISCLOSURES OF FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES |
At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the carrying values of the Company’s cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value.
As at December 31, 2013, the Company noted impairment indicators relating to mineral properties including a reduced budget for our Oman project and decreasing commodity prices in the industry which has led to a decreased share price. An impairment assessment was completed and an impairment charge was recorded against the carrying value of mineral properties to accurately reflect the fair value of the asset as at December 31, 2013. The fair value of mineral properties was determined using the share purchase agreement signed by the Company.
The fair value of mineral properties would be included in the hierarchy as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using: | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Assets: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
Mineral properties | - | 800,000 | - | |||||||||
December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||
Assets: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||
- | - | - |
F-22 |
GENTOR RESOURCES INC.
(An Exploration Stage Company)
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Stated in US dollars)
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011
13. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
a) | On January 29, 2014 the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 7,500,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.0525 per unit for proceeds to the Company of Cdn$393,750. Each such unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one warrant of the Company with each such warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.07 for a period of two years. |
b) | On February 20, 2014, the Company closed a non-brokered private placement of 2,000,000 units of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.075 per unit for proceeds to the Company of Cdn$150,000. Each such unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one-half of one warrant of the Company, with each full warrant entitling the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of Cdn$0.10 for a period of two years. |
c) | On April 10, 2014 the Company entered into an agreement with Savannah Resources plc (the "Purchaser") to sell all of the Company’s properties in Oman to the Purchaser (the “Oman Sale”). The Purchaser is an AIM-listed mineral exploration company. The Oman Sale is being effected by way of the sale to the Purchaser of all of the Company's shares in the Company's wholly-owned British Virgin Islands subsidiary, Gentor Resources Limited. The interests of the Company in its properties in Oman are held through the said subsidiary. |
The consideration for the Oman Sale is as follows:
Initial Consideration: A cash payment of $800,000 payable to the Company on closing.
Deferred Consideration
(a) | The sum of $1,000,000, payable to the Company upon a formal final investment decision being made for the development of the Block 5 licence in Oman. |
(b) | The sum of $1,000,000, payable to the Company upon the production of the first saleable concentrate or saleable product from ore derived from the Block 5 licence in Oman. |
(c) | The sum of $1,000,000, payable to the Company within six months of the payment of the deferred consideration in (b) above. |
The Purchaser may elect to pay up to 50% of the above deferred consideration by the issue of shares of the Purchaser to the Company. Closing of the Oman Sale is anticipated to occur in May 2014.
F-23 |