EX-99.1 2 d924516dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

 

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (the “Meeting”) of the shareholders of Exeter Resource Corporation (the “Company”) will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2015 at 1660 – 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, at the hour of 1:00 p.m. (local time in Vancouver) at for the following purposes:

 

1.

To receive the annual financial statements of the Company for its financial year ended December 31, 2014 and the auditor’s report thereon;

 

2.

To determine the number of directors at five;

 

3.

To elect directors for the ensuing year; and

 

4.

To appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as the Company’s auditor for the ensuing financial year and to authorize the directors to set the auditor’s remuneration.

Accompanying this Notice of Meeting are: (1) an Information Circular, which provides additional information relating to the matters to be dealt with at the Meeting; (2) a form of proxy or voting instruction form (“VIF”) (including a financial statement request form for use by shareholders who wish to receive the Company’s future annual and/or interim financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis); and (3) a return envelope for use by the shareholders to send in their proxy or VIF.

Shareholders who cannot attend the Meeting in person may vote by proxy if a registered shareholder or provide voting instructions if a non-registered shareholder. If you are a registered shareholder of the Company and are unable to attend the Meeting in person, please complete, date and sign the accompanying form of proxy and deposit it with Computershare Investor Services Inc., 8th Floor, 100 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5J 2Y1 by 1:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 or at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time that the Meeting is to be reconvened after any adjournment of the Meeting.

If you are a non-registered shareholder and a non-objecting beneficial owner, and receive a VIF from Computershare, please complete and return the form in accordance with the instructions. If you do not complete and return the form in accordance with such instructions, you may lose your right to vote at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy.

If you are a non-registered shareholder and an objecting beneficial owner and receive these materials through your broker or through another intermediary, please complete and return the materials in accordance with the instructions provided to you by your broker or such other intermediary. If you do not complete and return the materials in accordance with such instructions, you may lose your right to vote at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy.

DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 4th day of May, 2015.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

“Yale R. Simpson”                     

Yale R. Simpson

Co-Chairman


INFORMATION CIRCULAR

for the

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

of

EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATION

to be held on

June 11, 2015


INFORMATION CIRCULAR

EXETER RESOURCE CORPORATION

Suite 1660, 999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada V6C 2W2

Website: http://www.exeterresource.com

(all information as at May 4, 2015 unless otherwise noted)

PERSONS MAKING THE SOLICITATION

This Information Circular is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies being made by the management of Exeter Resource Corporation (the “Company”) for use at the Annual General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders (the “Meeting”) to be held on June 11, 2015 at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. While it is expected that the solicitation will be made primarily by mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees of the Company at nominal cost. All costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company.

APPOINTMENT OF PROXIES

The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the “Proxy”) are directors or officers of the Company. A SHAREHOLDER WISHING TO APPOINT SOME OTHER PERSON OR COMPANY (WHO NEED NOT BE A SHAREHOLDER) TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR THE SHAREHOLDER AND ON THE SHAREHOLDER’S BEHALF AT THE MEETING, OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF, HAS THE RIGHT TO DO SO, EITHER BY INSERTING SUCH PERSON’S OR COMPANY’S NAME IN THE BLANK SPACE PROVIDED IN THE PROXY AND STRIKING OUT THE TWO PRINTED NAMES, OR BY COMPLETING ANOTHER PROXY. A Proxy will not be valid unless it is completed, dated, signed and delivered to Computershare Investor Services Inc. (“Computershare”), of 100 University Avenue, 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1 not less than 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time for holding the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

NON-REGISTERED HOLDERS

Only registered shareholders (“Registered Shareholders”) or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most shareholders of the Company are “non-registered” shareholders because the common shares they own are not registered in their names but are instead registered in the names of a brokerage firm, bank or other intermediary or in the name of a clearing agency. Shareholders who do not hold their shares in their own name (referred to herein as “Beneficial Shareholders”) should note that only Registered Shareholders (or duly appointed proxyholders) may complete a Proxy or vote at the Meeting in person. If common shares are listed in an account statement provided to a shareholder by a broker, then in almost all cases those common shares will not be registered in such shareholder’s name on the records of the Company. Such common shares will more likely be registered under the name of the shareholder’s broker or an agent of that broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. (the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which company acts as nominee for many Canadian brokerage firms). Common shares held by brokers (or their agents or nominees) on behalf of a broker’s client can only be voted (for or against resolutions) at the direction of the Beneficial Shareholder. Without specific instructions, brokers and their agents and nominees are prohibited from voting shares for the brokers’ clients.


 

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This Information Circular and accompanying materials are being sent to both Registered Shareholders and Beneficial Shareholders. Beneficial Shareholders fall into two categories – those who object to their identity being known to the issuers of securities which they own (“Objecting Beneficial Owners”, or “OBOs”) and those who do not object to their identity being made known to the issuers of the securities they own (“Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners”, or “NOBOs”). Subject to the provision of National Instrument 54-101 – Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of Reporting Issuers (“NI 54-101”), issuers may request and obtain a list of their NOBOs from intermediaries via their transfer agents and use this NOBO list for distribution of proxy-related materials directly to NOBOs.

The Company is taking advantage of those provisions of NI 54-101 that permit the Company to deliver proxy-related materials directly to the Company’s NOBOs who have not waived the right to receive them (and is not sending proxy-related materials using notice-and-access). As a result, NOBOs can expect to receive a Voting Instruction Form (“VIF”) together with the Notice of Meeting, this Information Circular and related documents from the Company’s transfer agent Computershare. These VIFs are to be completed and returned in accordance with the instructions provided. NOBOs should carefully follow the instructions provided, including those regarding when and where to return the completed VIFs.

Should a NOBO wish to attend and vote at the Meeting in person, the NOBO must insert the NOBO’s name (or such other person as the NOBO wishes to attend and vote on the NOBO’s behalf) in the blank space provided for that purpose on the VIF and return the completed VIF in line with the instructions provided, or the NOBO must submit to the Company any other document in writing that requests that the NOBO or a nominee of the NOBO be appointed as proxyholder. In such circumstances, with respect to proxies held by management in respect of securities owned by the NOBO so requesting, the Company must arrange, without expense to the NOBO, to appoint the NOBO or a nominee of the NOBO as a proxyholder in respect of those securities. Under NI 54-101, if the Company appoints a NOBO or a nominee of the NOBO as a proxyholder as aforesaid, the NOBO or nominee of the NOBO, as applicable, must be given the authority to attend, vote and otherwise act for and on behalf of management in respect of all matters that may come before the Meeting and any adjournment or continuance thereof, unless corporate law does not permit the giving of that authority. Pursuant to NI 54-101, if the Company appoints a NOBO or its nominee as proxyholder as aforesaid the Company must deposit the proxy within the timeframe specified above for the deposit of proxies if the Company obtains the instructions at least one (1) business day before the termination of that time. If a NOBO or a nominee of the NOBO is approved as a proxyholder pursuant to such request, the appointed proxyholder will need to attend the Meeting in person in order for their votes to be counted.

In accordance with the requirements of NI 54-101, we have distributed copies of the Notice of Meeting, this Information Circular and related documents (collectively, the “Meeting Materials”) to the clearing agencies and intermediaries for onward distribution to OBOs. Intermediaries are required to forward the Meeting Materials to OBOs unless in the case of certain proxy-related materials the OBO has waived the right to receive them. Very often, intermediaries will use service companies such as Broadridge to forward the Meeting Materials to OBOs. Together with the Meeting Materials, intermediaries or their service companies should provide OBOs with a “request for voting instruction form” which, when properly completed and signed by such OBO and returned to the intermediary or its service company, will constitute voting instructions which the intermediary must follow. The purpose of this procedure is to permit OBOs to direct the voting of the common shares that they beneficially own. The Company does not intend to pay for an intermediary to deliver to the Meeting Materials to OBOs and OBOs will not receive the Meeting Materials and voting instruction form unless their intermediary assumes the costs of delivery. OBOs should carefully follow the instructions of their intermediary, including those regarding when and where the completed request for voting instructions is to be delivered.


 

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Should an OBO wish to vote at the Meeting in person, the OBO must insert the OBO’s name (or such other person as the OBO wishes to attend and vote on the OBO’s behalf) in the blank space provided for that purpose on the request for voting instruction form and return the completed request for voting instruction form to the intermediary or its service provider or the OBO must submit, to their intermediary, any other document in writing that requests that the OBO or a nominee of the OBO be appointed as proxyholder. In such circumstances an intermediary who is the registered holder of, or holds a proxy in respect of, securities owned by an OBO is required under NI 54-101 to arrange, without expense to the OBO, to appoint the OBO or a nominee of the OBO as a proxyholder in respect of those securities. Under NI 54-101, if an intermediary appoints an OBO or the nominee of the OBO as a proxyholder as aforesaid, the OBO or nominee of the OBO, as applicable, must be given the authority to attend, vote and otherwise act for and on behalf of the intermediary, in respect of all matters that may come before the Meeting and any adjournment or continuance thereof, unless corporate law does not permit the giving of that authority. Pursuant to NI 54-101 an intermediary who appoints an OBO or its nominee as proxyholder as aforesaid is required under NI 54-101 to deposit the proxy within the timeframe specified above for the deposit of proxies if the intermediary obtains the instructions at least one (1) business day before the termination of that time. If the OBO or a nominee of the OBO is appointed a proxyholder pursuant to such request, the appointed proxyholder will need to attend the Meeting in person in order for their votes to be counted.

These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered owners and non-registered owners of the securities of the Company. If you are a non-registered owner, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding on your behalf.

By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.

All references to shareholders in this Information Circular, the accompanying Proxy and Notice of Meeting of shareholders are to Registered Shareholders of record unless specifically stated otherwise.

REVOCATION OF PROXIES

A Proxy given by a Registered Shareholder at the Meeting may be revoked in any manner permitted by law. A Registered Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke it by an instrument in writing executed by the shareholder or by the shareholder’s attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a corporation, by a duly authorized officer or attorney of the corporation, and delivered either to the registered office of the Company, at 2900 - 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6C 0A3, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or in any other manner provided by law. Only Registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a Proxy. Beneficial Shareholders who wish to change their vote must, sufficiently in advance of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, arrange for their respective intermediaries to change their vote and if necessary arrange for their respective intermediaries to revoke the Proxy on their behalf.

A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.

EXERCISE OF DISCRETION

If the instructions in a Proxy are certain, the shares represented thereby will be voted on any poll by the persons named in the Proxy, and, where a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon has been specified in the Proxy, the shares represented thereby will, on a poll, be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the specifications so made.


 

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Where no choice has been specified, or where both choices have been specified by the shareholder, such shares will, on a poll, be voted in favour in accordance with the notes to the Proxy.

If a Non-Registered Holder’s Intermediary is a member of the NYSE-MKT, that member Intermediary may vote the Non-Registered Holder’s Proxy at its discretion when it has: i) sent the proxy materials to the Non-Registered Holder at least fifteen days prior to the Meeting, and ii) not received voting instructions from the Non-Registered Holder at least ten days prior to the Meeting.

The enclosed Proxy, when properly completed and delivered and not revoked, confers discretionary authority upon the persons appointed proxyholders thereunder to vote with respect to any amendments or variations of matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and with respect to other matters which may properly come before the Meeting. If any amendments or variations to matters identified in the Notice of Meeting are properly brought before the Meeting or any further or other business is properly brought before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons designated in the enclosed Proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters or business. At the time of the printing of this Information Circular, management of the Company knows of no such amendment, variation or other matter which may be presented to the Meeting.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The board of directors (the “Board”) has fixed the record date of the Meeting at the close of business on May 4, 2015 (the “Record Date”). Shareholders of the Company of record as of that date are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

As at the Record Date, the Company had issued and outstanding 88,407,753 fully paid and non-assessable common shares without par value, each share carrying the right to one vote. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date who either personally attend the Meeting or who have completed and delivered a Proxy in the manner specified, and subject to the provisions described above, shall be entitled to vote or to have such shareholder’s shares voted at the Meeting.

On a show of hands, every individual who is present and is entitled to vote as a shareholder or as a representative of one or more corporate shareholders will have one vote, and on a poll every shareholder present in person or represented by a proxy and every person who is a representative of one or more corporate shareholders, will have one vote for each common share registered in that shareholder’s name on the list of shareholders as at the Record Date, which is available for inspection during normal business hours at Computershare and will be available at the Meeting.

To the best of the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, there are no persons who, or corporations which, beneficially own, or control or direct, directly or indirectly, shares carrying 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all outstanding shares of the Company.


 

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CURRENCY

Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts presented in this Information Circular are in Canadian currency.

STATEMENT OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

For the purposes of this Information Circular, “executive officer” of the Company means an individual who at any time during the year was the Chair, or a Co-Chair or President of the Company; any Vice-President in charge of a principal business unit, division or function including sales, finance or production; and any individual who performed a policy-making function in respect of the Company.

Set out below are particulars of compensation paid to the following persons (the “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”):

 

  (a)

a chief executive officer (“CEO”);

 

  (b)

a chief financial officer (“CFO”);

 

  (c)

each of the three most highly compensated executive officers, or the three most highly compensated individuals acting in a similar capacity, other than the CEO and CFO, at the end of the most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was, individually, more than $150,000 for that financial year; and

 

  (d)

any individual who would be a NEO under paragraph (c) but for the fact that the individual was neither an executive officer of the Company, nor acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.

As at December 31, 2014, the end of the most recently completed financial year of the Company, the Company had five Named Executive Officers, whose names and positions held within the Company are set out in the summary compensation table below.

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The Company does not have a formal compensation program. However, the Compensation Committee of the Board meets to discuss and determine the recommendations that it will make to the Board regarding management compensation, without reference to formal objectives, criteria or analysis. The general objectives of the Company’s compensation strategy are to (a) compensate management in a manner that encourages and rewards a high level of performance and outstanding results with a view to increasing long-term shareholder value; (b) align management’s interests with the long-term interests of shareholders; (c) provide a compensation package that is commensurate with other junior mineral exploration companies to enable the Company to attract and retain talent; and (d) ensure that the total compensation package is designed in a manner that takes into account the constraints that the Company is under by virtue of the fact that it is a junior mineral exploration company without a history of earnings.

The Compensation Committee is composed of Robert G. Reynolds, John C. Simmons and Julian Bavin, all of whom are independent directors, applying the definition set out in section 1.4 of National Instrument 52- 110 – Audit Committees (“NI 52-110”).

The Compensation Committee considers and evaluates executive compensation levels on an annual basis and where appropriate considers amongst other evidence, available information for “peer group” companies, which are principally comprised of “junior mineral exploration” companies, to ensure that the Company’s executive


 

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compensation levels are within the range of comparable norms. In selecting peer group companies, the Compensation Committee primarily looks for public companies that are comparable in terms of business and size. During 2013 the Compensation Committee reviewed executive compensation levels and determined that no changes were necessary, except for the CFO whose remuneration was increased and the former CEO whose remuneration was decreased to reflect his new role as Co-Chairman. In May 2014 the Compensation Committee reviewed the executive consulting agreements in place which were set to expire on August 31, 2014, and agreed to renew them for a further two years under the same terms and conditions.

Currently, the principal components of the Company’s executive compensation packages are base remuneration, long-term incentive in the form of stock options, and a discretionary annual incentive cash bonus. The Company targets base remuneration, bonuses, and option based awards towards an upper level relative to peer companies for similarly experienced executives performing similar duties. Generally, awards are made within this range, although compensation is awarded above or below in cases of exceptional or poor corporate and/or individual performance or other individual factors relating to a Named Executive Officer. The Company benchmarks against upper compensation levels to attract and retain executives, and provide an incentive for executives to strive for better than average performance to earn better than average compensation and helps the Company to manage the overall cost of management compensation.

While the Compensation Committee believes that it is important to use benchmarking data to assist it in determining appropriate ranges for executive compensation, it also considers other factors when awarding executive compensation, such as the overall financial strength of the Company, its exploration successes and equity financing success.

Base remuneration is used to provide the Named Executive Officers a set amount of money during the year with the expectation that each Named Executive Officer will perform his responsibilities to the best of his ability and in the best interests of the Company.

The granting of incentive stock options provides a link between management compensation and the Company’s share price. It also rewards management for achieving results that improve Company performance and thereby increase shareholder value. Stock options are generally awarded to executive officers at the commencement of employment and periodically thereafter. In making a determination as to whether a grant of long-term incentive stock options is appropriate, and if so, the number of options that should be granted, consideration is given to: the number and terms of outstanding incentive stock options held by the Named Executive Officer; current and expected future performance of the Named Executive Officer; the potential dilution to shareholders and the cost to the Company; general industry standards and the limits imposed by the terms of the Company’s stock option plan, as amended (the “Option Plan”) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”). The Company considers the granting of incentive stock options to be a particularly important element of compensation as it allows the Company to reward each Named Executive Officer’s efforts to increase value for shareholders without requiring the Company to use cash from its treasury. The terms and conditions of the Company’s stock option grants, including vesting provisions and exercise prices, are governed by the terms of the Option Plan, which are described under “Incentive Plan Awards” below.

Finally, the Compensation Committee will consider whether it is appropriate and in the best interests of the Company to award a discretionary cash bonus to the Named Executive Officers and if so, in what amount. A cash bonus may be awarded to reward extraordinary performance that has led to increased value for shareholders through strategic corporate transactions, property acquisitions or divestitures, the formation of new strategic or joint venture relationships and/or capital raising efforts. Demonstrations of extraordinary personal commitment to the Company’s interests, the community and the industry may also be rewarded through a cash bonus.


 

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The Compensation Committee considers the implications and risks of the Company’s compensation policies and practices as a factor in assisting the Board in approving and monitoring guidelines and practices regarding the compensation and benefits of officers. In particular, the committee considers the impact on NEOs and other senior executives to ensure that they do not take undue risks. The Compensation Committee has not identified any risks in the Company’s existing compensation policies and practices that it believes would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company does not have a formal policy prohibiting a NEO or director from purchasing financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation and held, directly or indirectly, by the NEO or director.

Performance Graph

The Company graduated from the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V) to the TSX on October 27, 2009. The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return for $100 invested in common shares of the Company from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 against the cumulative total shareholder return of the S&P/TSX for the same period, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends.

Cumulative Value of $100 Investment from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014

 

LOGO

 

         Jan. 1, 2010           Dec. 31, 2010           Dec. 31, 2011           Dec. 31, 2012           Dec. 31, 2013           Dec. 31, 2014    

Exeter Resource Corporation

  $100   $83.67   $36.03   $16.46   $7.83   $8.91

S&P/TSX

  $100   $114.45   $101.78   $105.85   $115.97   $124.57

The graph above, which compares “Total Common Shareholders’ Return” against the S&P / TSX over the last five years, reflects that the Company has not performed as well as the S&P / TSX over the last five years. The Company’s performance over the past five years has been negatively impacted by declining commodity prices


 

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which has had a similar impact on many junior resource stocks. Total cash compensation (salary and annual incentive plan) decreased for all NEOs annually since 2010, except the CFO whose remuneration increased in 2013, the new CEO engaged in 2013 and remuneration paid to the VP Development & Operations which is based upon time charged. The annual decrease follows the performance of the market price of the Company’s common shares. No cash bonuses were paid in 2012, 2013 or 2014, primarily due to challenging financial conditions in the mining industry. The increase in total compensation for all NEOs during the 2012 year compared to 2013 and 2014 is as a result of the value that is attributed to option based awards granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, these values do not represent actual amounts received by the NEOs as the gain, if any, will depend on the market value of the shares on the date that the option is exercised.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table is a summary of compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers for the three most recently completed financial years. For the information concerning compensation related to Named Executive Officers of previous years, please refer to the Company’s previous Management Proxy Circulars available at www.sedar.com.

 

Name and

Principal
Position

   Year    Salary ($)    Share-
based
awards
($)
   Option-
based
awards ($)(1)
   Non-equity incentive
plan compensation
   Pension
value
($)(3)
   All other
compensation
($)
   Total
compensation
($)
               Annual
incentive
plan(2)
   Long-
term
incentive
plan(2)
        
                   

Bryce G. Roxburgh,

Co-Chairman(4)

   2014
2013
2012
   $200,000(6)
$280,000(7)
$360,000 (8)
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
$339,900
$1,358,175
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   $200,000
$619,900
$1,718,175
                   

Yale R. Simpson,

Co-Chairman

   2014
2013
2012
   $120,000(9)
$120,000(9)
$160,000 (9)
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
$203,940
$981,939
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   $120,000
$323,940
$1,141,939
                   

Wendell M. Zerb,

President & Chief

Executive Officer (5)

   2014
2013
2012
   $350,000
$350,000
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
$1,115,400
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   $6,000
Nil
Nil
   $356,000
$1,465,400
Nil
                   

Cecil R. Bond,

Chief Financial

Officer

   2014
2013
2012
   $250,000(10)
$250,000(10)
$200,000 (11)
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
$203,940
$886,658
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   $250,000
$453,940
$1,086,658
                   

S. R. Jeremy Perkins,

VP Development &

Operations

   2014
2013
2012
   $249,141(12)
$212,389(12)
$288,508 (12)
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
$541,640
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   Nil
Nil
Nil
   $249,141
$212,389
$830,148

 

(1) 

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining the fair value of stock options issued at grant date. These values do not represent actual amounts received by the NEOs as the gain, if any, will depend on the market value of the shares on the date that the option is exercised.

(2) 

The Company does not currently have a formal annual incentive plan or long term incentive plan for any of its executive officers, including its Named Executive Officers, but may award discretionary bonus payments from time to time.

(3) 

The Company does not have any pension, retirement or deferred compensation plans, including defined contribution plans.

(4) 

Mr. Roxburgh transitioned from the role of President and Chief Executive Officer to the role of Co-Chairman, a position shared with Mr. Simpson, on February 28, 2013.

(5) 

Mr. Zerb was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer on February 28, 2013.

(6) 

The Company paid a fee of $16,667 per month during the financial year ended December 31, 2014 to Rowen Company Limited (“Rowen”) a company controlled by Mr. Roxburgh.

(7) 

The Company paid a fee of $30,000 per month for the first six months and $16,667 per month for the last six months of the financial year ended December 31, 2013 to Rowen.

(8) 

The Company paid a fee of $30,000 per month during the financial year ended December 31, 2012 to Rowen.


 

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(9) 

The Company paid a fee of $14,583 per month for the financial years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 to Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. (“Canaust”). Canaust is controlled by Mr. Simpson.

(10) 

The Company paid a fee of $20,833 per month for the financial years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to 667060 B.C. Ltd. (“667060”), a company controlled by Mr. Bond.

(11) 

The Company paid a fee of $16,667 per month for the financial year ended December 31, 2012 to 667060.

(12) 

Fees paid by the Company, based upon time charged, are paid to J Perkins & Associates Pty Ltd. (“JPA”), a company controlled by Mr. Perkins.

The Company entered into consulting agreements dated as of September 1, 2014 with Bryce Roxburgh (“Roxburgh”), Cecil Bond (“Bond”) and Yale Simpson (“Simpson”) and the companies through which their services are provided.

Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, Rowen of Hong Kong and Roxburgh, Rowen provides the services of Roxburgh to the Company, and provides for Roxburgh to serve as a director of the Company if elected and to hold office at the pleasure of the Board. Roxburgh is a beneficiary of Rowen. The Company pays Rowen a monthly consulting fee of $16,667 for Roxburgh’s services. The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement. See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.

Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, 667060 of British Columbia and Bond, 667060 provides the services of Bond to the Company, and provides for Bond to serve as CFO of the Company at the pleasure of the Board. 667060 is controlled by Bond. The Company pays 667060 a monthly consulting fee of $20,833 for Bond’s services. The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement. See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.

Pursuant to the consulting agreement between the Company, Canaust of British Columbia and Simpson, Canaust provides the services of Simpson to the Company, and provides for Simpson to serve as a director of the Company as elected and to hold the office of Chairman at the pleasure of the Board. Canaust is controlled by Simpson. The Company pays Canaust a monthly consulting fee of $14,583 for Simpson’s services. The agreement has a term of two years, and upon expiry, will automatically be extended for a further two years unless the Company gives 180 days’ notice that it will not extend the agreement. See “Termination and Change of Control Benefits” below.


 

- 10 -

Incentive Plan Awards

Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards - NEOs

The following table is a summary of all option-based awards and share-based awards to the Named Executive Officers that were outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year.

 

      Option based Awards    Share based Awards
Name    Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options
(#)
     Option exercise
price
($)
   Option expiration
date
   Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options
($)(1)
   Number of
shares or
units of
shares
that have
not vested
(#)
   Market or
payout value
of shares-
based awards
that have not
vested
($)
   Market or
payout value of
shares-based
awards not
paid out or
distributed
($)
               

Bryce G. Roxburgh

    
 
750,000
500,000
  
  
   $1.31

$1.20

   Nov. 16, 2017

Mar. 11, 2018

   Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil
               

Yale R. Simpson

    
 
385,000
300,000
  
  
   $1.31

$1.20

   Nov. 16, 2017

Mar. 11, 2018

   Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil
               

Wendell M. Zerb

     1,500,000       $1.22    Jan. 10, 2018    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil
               

Cecil R. Bond

    
 
585,000
300,000
  
  
   $1.31

$1.20

   Nov. 16, 2017

Mar. 11, 2018

   Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil
               

S. R. Jeremy Perkins

     250,000       $1.31    Nov. 16, 2017    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil

 

(13) 

In-the-money options are those where the market value of the underlying securities as at the most recent financial year end exceeds the option exercise price. This amount is calculated as the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the options on December 31, 2014, being the last trading day of the Company’s shares for the financial year, and the exercise price of the option. The closing market price of the Company’s shares as at December 31, 2014 was $0.66. These options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the market value of the underlying securities on the date of exercise.

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earning During The Year - NEOs

The following table is a summary of the value of awards vested or earned during the most recently completed financial year for the Named Executive Officers.

 

Name   

Option-based awards –

Value vested during the

year

($)(1)(2)

  

Share-based awards –

Value vested during the

year

($)

  

Non-equity incentive plan

compensation – Value

earned during the year

($)

Bryce G. Roxburgh

   Nil    Nil    Nil

Yale R. Simpson

   Nil    Nil    Nil

Wendell M. Zerb

   Nil    Nil    Nil

Cecil R. Bond

   Nil    Nil    Nil

S. R. Jeremy Perkins

   Nil    Nil    Nil

 

(1) 

Value vested during the year is calculated by subtracting the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested (being the closing price of the Company’s shares on the TSX on the last trading day prior to the vesting date) from the exercise price of the option.

(2) 

No options vested during the year, options vested immediately or the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested was equal to or lower than the exercise price of the option.


 

- 11 -

Stock Option Plan

The Company has adopted an incentive stock option plan (the “Option Plan”), the essential elements of which are as follows: On May 31, 2013, shareholders approved an amended Option Plan reducing the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable pursuant to options granted under the Option Plan, such that options granted under the Option Plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the option grant. As at December 31, 2014, the maximum number of options issuable under the Option Plan was 8,840,775. The Option Plan provides for a limit on insider participation such that the shares reserved for issuance to insiders does not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. Options granted under the Option Plan may have a maximum term of ten years, but options granted to date have had a life of 5 years. Unless subsequently amended, the exercise price of options granted under the Option Plan will not be less than the last closing market price of the Company’s shares immediately preceding the grant date. Options granted under the Option Plan may be subject to vesting at times as determined by the directors of the Company and the TSX.

Termination and Change of Control Benefits

The Company has entered into consulting agreements with each of Rowen and Bryce Roxburgh; 667060 and Cecil Bond; and Canaust and Yale Simpson as well as an employment agreement with Wendell Zerb. Pursuant to the terms of the consulting agreements, where termination notice is given by the Company, other than for certain specified reasons, the Company will pay Rowen, 667060 or Canaust, as applicable, a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement plus an amount equivalent to the highest annual bonus paid in the immediately preceding two years. Pursuant to the employment agreement, where termination notice is given by the Company, other than for certain specified reasons, the Company will pay Wendell Zerb, a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly salary under the agreement plus an amount equivalent to the highest annual bonus paid in the immediately preceding two years. If no such annual bonus has been paid then the deemed annual bonus will be fifty percent of the annual fee paid to the consultant or employee. Where termination notice is delivered by either party within the 90-day period following a Change of Control (as defined below), the Company will pay Rowen, 667060 or Canaust, as applicable, a lump sum equal to 30 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement, plus 2 times the annual bonus or deemed annual bonus. The Company will pay Wendell Zerb a lump sum equal to 24 times the monthly consulting fee under the agreement, plus 2 times the annual bonus or deemed annual bonus.

Change Of Control” is defined as:

 

  (i)

the sale, transfer or disposition of the Company’s assets in complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

  (ii)

the Company amalgamates, merges or enters into a plan of arrangement with another company at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates, other than an amalgamation, merger or plan of arrangement that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity outstanding immediately after such amalgamation, merger or plan of arrangement; or

 

  (iii)

any Person or combination of Persons at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the voting securities of the Company, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and outstanding voting securities, or of voting securities that have not been previously issued, or


 

- 12 -

 

any combination thereof, or any other transaction having a similar effect, and such person or combination of persons exercise(s) the voting power attached to such securities in a manner that causes the Incumbent Directors to cease to constitute a majority of the Board; or

 

  (iv)

any Person or combination of Persons at arm’s length to the Company and its affiliates acquires or becomes the beneficial owner of, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting securities of the Company, whether through the acquisition of previously issued and outstanding voting securities, or of voting securities that have not been previously issued, or any combination thereof, or any other transaction having a similar effect; or

 

  (v)

the removal, by extraordinary resolution to the shareholders of the Company, of more than 51% of the then Incumbent Directors of the Company, or the election of a majority of directors to the Board who were not nominees of the Incumbent Board at the time immediately preceding such election.

Incumbent Director” means any member of the Board who was a member of the Board prior to the occurrence of the transaction, transactions or elections giving rise to a Change of Control and any successor to an Incumbent Director who was recommended or elected or appointed to succeed an Incumbent Director by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board.

Person” means any individual, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, syndicate, sole proprietorship, company or corporation with or without share capital, unincorporated association, trust, trustee, executor, administrator or other legal personal representative, regulatory body or agency, government or governmental agency or entity however designated or constituted.

Had a notice of termination been given on December 31, 2014 in the circumstances described above, other than a Change of Control, Rowen would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $500,000; 667060 would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $625,000; Canaust would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $437,500 and Wendell Zerb would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $875,000.

Had a Change of Control occurred on December 31, 2014, and if such notice of termination was given under each of the consulting and employment agreements, Rowen would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $700,000; 667060 would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $875,000; Canaust would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $612,500 and Wendell Zerb would have been entitled to an immediate payment of approximately $1,050,000.

Director Compensation

Effective January 1, 2012, non-executive directors received fees totalling $50,000 per annum payable quarterly. The granting of incentive stock options provides a link between director compensation and the Company’s share price. Stock options are generally awarded to directors when they are first elected by the shareholders or appointed by the Board and periodically thereafter. In making a determination as to whether a grant of long-term incentive stock options is appropriate, and if so, the number of options that should be granted, consideration is given to: the number and terms of outstanding incentive stock options held by the director; current and expected future contribution of the director; the potential dilution to shareholders and the cost to the Company; general industry standards; and the limits imposed by the terms of the Option Plan and the TSX. The Company considers the granting of incentive stock options to be a particularly important element of compensation as it allows the Company to reward each director’s efforts to increase value for shareholders without requiring the Company to use cash from its treasury.


 

- 13 -

Director Compensation Table

The following table is a summary of all compensation provided to the directors of the Company for the most recently completed financial year.

 

Name(1)    Fees
earned
($)
   Share-
based
awards
($)
   Option-
based awards
($)(2)
   Non-equity
incentive plan
compensation
($)
   Pension
value
($)
   All other
compensation
($)
   Total
($)

Robert G. Reynolds

   $50,000    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    $50,000

Julian Bavin

   $50,000    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    $50,000

John C. Simmons

   $50,000    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil    $50,000

 

(1) 

For disclosure regarding compensation for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the “Summary Compensation Table” above. There was no compensation payable to these NEOs in their role as directors.

(2) 

The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model for determining the fair value of stock options issued at grant date. These amounts do not represent actual amounts received by the directors, as any gain, if any, will depend on the market value of the shares on the date that the option is exercised.

Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards

The following table is a summary of all option-based awards to the directors of the Company that were outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year. There were no share-based awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year.

 

      Option based Awards    Share based Awards
Name(1)   

Number of
Securities
underlying
unexercised
options

(#)

   Option
exercise price
($)
   Option
expiration
date
  

Value of
unexercised
in-the-money
options(2)

($)

  

Number of
shares or
units of
shares that
have not
vested

(#)

  

Market or
payout value
of shares-
based
awards that
have not
vested

(#)

   Market or
payout value
of shares-
based
awards not
paid out or
distributed
($)

Robert G. Reynolds

   285,000    $1.31    Nov. 16, 2017    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil

Julian Bavin

   285,000    $1.31    Nov. 16, 2017    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil

John C. Simmons

   285,000    $1.31    Nov. 16, 2017    Nil    Nil    Nil    Nil

 

(1) 

For disclosure regarding option-based awards outstanding at the end of the most recently completed financial year for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the “Outstanding Share-Based Awards and Option-Based Awards - NEOs” table above.

(2) 

In-the-money options are those where the market value of the underlying securities as at the most recent financial year end exceeds the option exercise price. This amount is calculated as the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the options on December 31, 2014, being the last trading day of the Company’s shares for the financial year, and the exercise price of the option. The closing market price of the Company’s shares as at December 31, 2014 was $0.66. These options have not been, and may never be, exercised and actual gains, if any, on exercise will depend on the market value of the underlying securities on the date of exercise.


 

- 14 -

Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During The Year

The following table is a summary of all value vested or earned during the most recently completed financial year for the directors of the Company.

 

Name(1)   

Option-based awards – Value
vested during the year(2)(3)

($)

  

Share-based awards – Value
vested during the year

($)

  

Non-equity incentive plan

compensation – Value earned

during the year

($)

Robert G. Reynolds

   Nil    Nil    Nil

Julian Bavin

   Nil    Nil    Nil

John C. Simmons

   Nil    Nil    Nil

 

(1) 

For disclosure regarding incentive plan awards for any directors whom are also NEOs, please refer to the “Incentive Plan Awards – Value Vested or Earned During The Year - NEOs” table above.

(2) 

Value vested during the year is calculated by subtracting the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested (being the closing price of the Company’s shares on the TSX on the last trading day prior to the vesting date) from the exercise price of the option.

(3) 

No options vested during the year, options vested immediately or the market price of the Company’s common shares on the date the option vested was lower than or equal to the exercise price of the option.

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

During the Company’s last completed financial year, no current or former executive officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company or associate of any director or executive officer of the Company or proposed nominee is or has been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or is or has been indebted to another entity where such indebtedness is or has been the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar arrangement or understanding provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than routine indebtedness.


 

- 15 -

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets out information as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed financial year with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.

 

Plan Category   

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

(a)

  

Weighted-average exercise

price of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

(b)

  

Number of securities

remaining available for

future issuances under equity
compensation plans

(excluding securities

reflected in column (a))

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders*    8,253,000    $1.26    587,775
Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders    N/A    N/A    N/A

Total

   8,253,000    $1.26    587,775

* On May 31, 2013, shareholders approved an amended plan reducing the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s capital stock issuable pursuant to options granted under the plan, such that options granted under the plan may not exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at the time of the option grant. As at December 31, 2014, the maximum number of options issuable under the Plan was 8,840,775.

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

Other than as set out elsewhere in this Information Circular, none of the directors or executive officers of the Company, a director or executive officer of a person or company that is itself an informed person or subsidiary of the Company, nor any shareholder beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, Common Shares of the Company, or exercising control or direction over Common Shares of the Company, or a combination of both, carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to the outstanding Common Shares of the Company, nor any proposed director, nor an associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons has had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction since January 1, 2014 (being the commencement of the Company’s last completed financial year) or in any proposed transaction that has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

For a description of management contracts, please see “Statement of Executive Compensation – Summary Compensation Table” above.

Except as noted above, management functions of the Company and its subsidiaries are substantially performed by directors or executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries and not, to any substantial degree, by any other person with whom the Company has contracted.


 

- 16 -

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Except as disclosed herein, no Person has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors or the appointment of auditors. For the purpose of this paragraph, a “Person” shall include each person or company: (a) who has been a director or executive officer of the Company at any time since the commencement of the Company’s last financial year; (b) who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company; or (c) who is an associate or affiliate of a person or company included in subparagraphs (a) or (b).

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

Management of the Company is seeking shareholder approval of an ordinary resolution determining the number of directors of the Company of five (5) for the ensuing year.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The term of office of each of the present directors expires at the Meeting. The persons named below will be presented for election at the Meeting as management’s nominees. Management does not contemplate that any of these nominees will be unable to serve as a director. Each director elected will hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company or until his or her successor is elected or appointed, unless his or her office is earlier vacated in accordance with the Articles of the Company or the provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (“Business Corporations Act”).

The Board of Directors has adopted a Majority Voting Policy that requires, in an uncontested election of directors, any nominee for election as a director who receives a greater number of votes “withheld” than votes “for” to tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board promptly following the shareholder’s meeting. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (“NCG Committee”) will consider the offer of resignation and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept it. In considering whether or not to recommend acceptance of the resignation, the NCG Committee will consider all factors deemed relevant by members of such Committee. The NCG Committee will be expected to recommend acceptance of the resignation except in situations where the consideration would warrant the applicable director continuing to serve on the Board. The Board will make its final decision and announce it in a news release within 90 days following the shareholders’ meeting. A director who tenders his resignation pursuant to this policy will not participate in any meeting of the Board or the NCG Committee at which the resignation is considered.

In order to be considered by the Company as a nominee for election to the Board, all nominees, including current directors, are required to confirm that they will abide by the Majority Voting Policy prior to becoming a management nominee. All nominees for election as a director herein have confirmed that they will abide by the Majority Voting Policy.


 

- 17 -

The following table sets out the names of the nominees for election as a director (a “proposed director”), the province or state and country in which each is ordinarily resident, the period or periods during which each has served as a director, the first and last positions held in the Company, their present principal occupations and the number of common shares of the Company or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned by each, or controlled or directed, directly or indirectly, as at the date hereof.

 

Name, Position(s) with the

Company(1) and Place of

Residence(3)

Principal Occupation(2)(3) Date(s) Served
as a Director
Since
Ownership or
Control Over
Voting Shares
Held(3)

Bryce G. Roxburgh

Co-Chairman of the Board and Director

Philippines

Co-Chairman of the Company since February 27, 2013; President and CEO of the Company from September 2003 to February 27, 2013; Chairman of Rugby Mining Limited since January 2007.

March 20, 2003 4,486,950(7)

Yale R. Simpson

Co-Chairman of the Board and Director

B.C. Canada

Co-Chairman of the Company since February 27, 2013; Chairman of the Company from September 11, 2003 to February 27, 2013; President of Canaust Resource Consultants Ltd. since 1992; Director of Independence Gold Corp. since December 2011, Adamera Minerals since February 2013 and Rugby Mining Limited since January 2007.

June 10, 2003 1,747,350

Robert G. Reynolds(4)(5)(6)

Director

N.S.W., Australia

Chartered Accountant; Director of Chesser Resources Limited from October 2012 to February 2015; Director of Rugby Mining Limited since January 24, 2007, Dacian Gold Limited since October 2012, Global Geoscience Limited since December 2007 and Convergent Minerals Limited since December 2011.

June 12, 2007 Nil

John C. Simmons(4)(5)(6)

Director

B.C. Canada

Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia. Partner with Simmons Johnson & Co. Chartered Accountants (now Nexia Court) from 1978 to 2012.

August 18, 2010 Nil

Julian Bavin(4)(5)(6)

Director

Santiago, Chile

Director of Pan Global Resources since June 2010 and CEO since December 2010; Director of Estrella Resources since March 2012 and Prism Resources since May 2012.

March 25, 2010 Nil

 

(1) 

For the purposes of disclosing positions held in the Company, “Company” includes the Company and any parent or subsidiary thereof.

(2) 

Unless otherwise stated above, any nominees named above not elected at the last annual general meeting have held the principal occupation or employment indicated for at least five years.

(3) 

The information as to province or state and country of residence, principal occupation and number of shares beneficially owned by the nominees (directly or indirectly or over which control or direction is exercised) is not within the knowledge of the management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees.

(4) 

Member of the Company’s Audit Committee.

(5) 

Member of the Company’s Compensation Committee

(6) 

Member of the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

(7) 

2,600,000 of these shares are registered in the name of Rowen and 58,000 shares are registered in the name of Joamel Holdings Pty. Limited (“Joamel”). Mr. Roxburgh is a beneficiary of Rowen and Joamel.


 

- 18 -

To the best knowledge of the Company, none of the proposed directors (or any of their personal holding companies) of the Company:

 

  (a)

is, as at the date of this Information Circular, or has been, within 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company, including the Company, that:

 

  (i)

was subject of a cease trade order or similar order or an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days while that person was acting in the capacity as director, executive officer or chief financial officer; or

 

  (ii)

was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the issuer access to any exemption under securities legislation in each case for a period of 30 consecutive days, that was issued after the person ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer in the company and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, executive officer or chief financial officer; or

 

  (b)

is as at the date of this Information Circular or has been within the 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, a director or executive officer of any company, including the Company, that while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or

 

  (c)

has, within the 10 years before the date of this Information Circular, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangements or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager as trustee appointed to hold the assets of that individual.

None of the proposed directors (or any of their personal holding companies) has been subject to:

 

  (a)

any penalties or sanctions imposed by a court relating to securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or has entered into a settlement agreement with a securities regulatory authority; or

 

  (b)

any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body that would likely be considered important to a reasonable securityholder in deciding whether to vote for a proposed director.

AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE

Under NI 52-110, companies are required to provide disclosure with respect to their audit committee including the text of the audit committee’s charter, composition of the audit committee and the fees paid to the external auditor. This information is provided in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2015 (the “AIF”) with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The AIF is available for review by the public on the SEDAR website located at www.sedar.com “Company Profiles – Exeter Resource Corporation” and may also be obtained free of charge by sending a written request to the Company at the Company’s head office located at #1660-999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2W2.


 

- 19 -

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE

National Instrument 58-101Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices requires each reporting issuer to disclose its corporate governance practices on an annual basis. The Company’s approach to corporate governance is set forth below.

The common shares of the Company are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange NYSE-MKT (“NYSE-MKT”). A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by U.S. domestic companies pursuant to NYSE-MKT standards is set forth below and is available on the Company’s website, www.exeterresource.com.

Board of Directors

NI 52-110 sets out the standard for director independence. Under NI 52-110, a director is independent if he or she has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A material relationship is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director’s independent judgment. NI 52-110 also sets out certain situations where a director will automatically be considered to have a material relationship with the Company.

Applying the definition set out in NI 52-110, a majority of the members of the Board are independent. The members who are independent are Robert G. Reynolds, John C. Simmons and Julian Bavin. Bryce G. Roxburgh and Yale R. Simpson are not independent by virtue of the fact that they are or have within the last three years been executive officers of the Company.

In addition to their positions on the Board, the following directors also serve as directors of the following reporting issuers or reporting issuer equivalent(s):

 

Name of Director Reporting Issuer(s) or Equivalent(s)
Bryce G. Roxburgh

Rugby Mining Limited

Yale R. Simpson

Independence Gold Corp.

Rugby Mining Limited

Adamera Minerals Corp.

Robert G. Reynolds

Rugby Mining Limited

Global Geoscience Limited

Dacian Gold Limited

Convergent Minerals Limited

John C. Simmons

None

Julian Bavin

Pan Global Resources Inc.

Estrella Resources Limited

Prism Resources

Mr. Yale Simpson and Mr. Bryce Roxburgh, Co-Chairmen of the Board are not independent, however the Board believes that it has strong, experienced independent directors. On occasions where it is considered advisable, the Company’s independent directors will hold meetings at which non-independent directors and members of management are not in attendance. Since the beginning of the Company’s most recently completed financial year, the independent directors held 3 meetings. The independent directors are able to exercise their responsibilities for independent oversight of management through their majority control of the Board and through the committees established by the Board which include the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee which are composed entirely of independent directors.


 

- 20 -

Position Description for the Chairman

The Board does not have a written position description for the Co-Chairmen, but considers the Co-Chairmen to be primarily responsible for carrying out all strategic plans and policies as established by the Board. The Co-Chairmen are executives and part of management and are the principal officers responsible for corporate communication as well as providing oversight to the functions of management and the Board.

The following table sets out the attendance of the directors at the seven Board meetings and 3 independent director meetings held since the beginning of the most recently completed financial year:

 

Director Board Meetings Independent Director Meeting Total Meetings Held

Bryce G. Roxburgh

7/7 N/A 7/7

Yale R. Simpson

7/7 N/A 7/7

Robert G. Reynolds

6/7 3/3 9/10

Julian Bavin

7/7 3/3 10/10

John C. Simmons

7/7 3/3 10/10

Board Mandate

The Board does not have a written mandate. However, it is required to supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and to act with a view to the best interests of the Company. The Board actively oversees the development, adoption and implementation of the Company’s strategies and plans. The Board’s responsibilities include:

 

   

to the extent feasible, satisfying itself as to the integrity of the CEO and other executive officers and that the executive officers create a culture of integrity throughout the Company,

 

   

the Company’s strategic planning process,

 

   

the identification of the principal risks of the Company’s business and ensuring the implementation of appropriate systems to manage risk,

 

   

the Company’s succession planning, including appointing, training and monitoring senior management,

 

   

the Company’s major business development initiatives,

 

   

the integrity of the Company’s internal control and management information systems,

 

   

the Company’s policies for communicating with shareholders and others, and

 

   

the general review of the Company’s results of operations.

The Board considers that certain decisions are sufficiently important that management should seek prior approval of the Board. Such decisions include:

 

   

approval of the annual capital budget and any material changes to the operating budget,


 

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approval of the Company’s business plan,

 

   

acquisition of, or investments in new business,

 

   

changes in the nature of the Company’s business,

 

   

changes in senior management, and

 

   

all matters as required under the Business Corporations Act, applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and exchange rules and regulations.

The Company has not adopted director term limits or other automatic mechanisms of board renewal. The NGC Committee has considered whether to propose that the Board adopt term limits for directors and has determined not to do so after consideration of a number of factors, including the significant advantages associated with the continued involvement of long-serving directors who have gained a deep understanding of the Company’s projects, operations and objectives during their tenure; the experience, corporate memory and perspective of such directors; the professional experience, areas of expertise and personal character of members of the Board; and the current needs and objectives of the Company.

Position Description for CEO

The Board does not have a written position description for the CEO, but considers the CEO to be primarily responsible for carrying out all strategic plans and policies as established by the Board. The CEO reports to the Board and advises and makes recommendations to the Board. The CEO facilitates communication between the Board and other members of management and employees, and between the Company and its shareholders.

Orientation and Continuing Education

Board turnover is relatively rare. As a result, the Board provides ad hoc orientation for new directors.

On occasions where it is considered advisable, the Board will provide directors with information regarding topics of general interest, such as fiduciary duties and continuous disclosure obligations. The Board also ensures that each director is up-to-date with current information regarding the business of the Company, the role the director is expected to fulfil and basic procedures and operations of the Board. Board members are also given access to management and other employees and advisors, who can answer any questions that may arise. Regular technical presentations are made to the Board members to keep them informed of the Company’s operations.

Ethical Business Conduct

The Board has adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) for its directors, officers and employees. The Company is committed to the highest standards of legal and ethical business conduct. This Code summarizes the legal, ethical and regulatory standards that the Company must follow and is a reminder to directors, officers and employees, of the seriousness of this commitment. Compliance with this Code and high standards of business conduct is mandatory for every director, officer and employee of the Company. The Code will help directors, officers and employees understand what is expected of them and to carry out their responsibilities.

The Code addresses such matters as confidentiality of corporate information, conflicts of interest and corporate opportunities, dealing with competitors, employees conducting business with the Company, the use


 

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of corporate assets, compliance with all rules and regulations applicable to the Company’s business, disclosure related matters, and reporting of violations. The Code is available at the Company’s web site, www.exeterresource.com, on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

The Board ensures the Company has implemented adequate internal controls and management information systems which ensure the effective discharge of its responsibilities and monitoring with respect to the Code, specifically the whistle blower function.

In addition to the requirements of the Code, directors are required to comply with the relevant provisions of the Business Corporations Act, applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws and exchange rules and regulations regarding conflicts of interest. If a director is in a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest as a result of a proposed contract, that director may not participate in or be permitted to hear the discussion of the matter at any meeting of directors except to disclose material facts and respond to questions. The director will not be counted in determining the presence of a quorum for purposes of the vote and will not vote on any resolution to approve the proposed contract or be present in the meeting room when the vote is taken. Compliance with the Code is a matter of discussion at the meeting of independent directors and is also a part of the Audit Committee oversight.

Nomination of Directors

The NCG Committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become new Board members and recommending to the Board new director nominees for the next annual meeting of the shareholders. Details regarding the NCG Committee are set out below, see “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”.

Compensation

The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving compensation and compensation programs applicable to the senior management of the Company, making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Company’s incentive compensation and equity based compensation and for recommending to the Board remuneration to be paid to directors. Details regarding the Compensation Committee are set out below, see “Compensation Committee”.

Board Committees

The Board has three committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the NCG Committee. The committees and their mandates and memberships are described below.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee meets with the CEO and CFO of the Company and the independent auditors to review and inquire into matters affecting financial reporting matters, the system of internal accounting and financial controls and procedures and the audit procedures and audit plans. The Audit Committee also recommends to the Board the independent registered public accounting firm to be appointed, subject to shareholder approval. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and recommends to the Board for approval the annual financial statements, the annual report and certain other documents required by regulatory authorities. As at the date hereof, the Audit Committee is composed of Robert G. Reynolds (Chairman), John C. Simmons and Julian Bavin, all of whom are “financially literate” and “independent” within the meaning of sections 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6 of NI 52-110, applicable U.S. securities laws and exchange rules and regulations.


 

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The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Audit Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the Audit Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the Audit Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee.

The Company’s AIF, which has been filed on SEDAR, contains additional disclosure regarding the Audit Committee. Please refer to the section of the AIF entitled “Audit Committee” and Appendix 1 to the AIF for further information.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The NCG Committee is composed of Julian Bavin, Robert G. Reynolds and John Simmons, all of whom are independent directors. The NCG Committee has no formal mandate; however, it oversees, monitors and reviews the quality and effectiveness of corporate governance best practices and disclosure policies. It reviews the composition of the Board members, on a periodic basis, makes recommendations regarding Board composition, analyzes the need for new nominees when vacancies arise and identifies and proposes new nominees who have the necessary competencies and characteristics to meet such needs.

When considering potential Board nominees, the NCG Committee takes into account a number of factors, which may include the current composition of the Board, the ability of the individual candidate to contribute on an overall basis, the ability of the individual to contribute sufficient time and resources to the Board, the current and future needs of the Company, the skills and competencies the Board has, and the skills and competencies the Board should have, the individual’s direct experience with public companies in general and mining companies in particular as well as the individual’s skills and knowledge and the skills and knowledge of existing members of the Board.

While the Company recognizes the value of and supports the principle of diversity, it has not adopted a written policy relating to the identification and nomination of women Directors. The Board does not believe that strict rules in the identification and nomination process necessarily ensure the selection of the best candidates. The NCG Committee’s identification and selection process is based on a variety of different criteria, including diversity of background and opinion, skills, experience and other relevant factors. As such, consideration of the level of women on the Board is one factor among many that plays a role in the NCG Committee’s decision-making process. The NCG Committee considers a multitude of factors, including the level of representation of women in executive officer positions. The Company has not adopted targets regarding women on the Company’s Board or in executive officer positions given the relatively small number of Directors and executive officers. Currently the Board does not have any female Directors and the Company has no female executive officers.

The Board appointed Julian Bavin as chair for the NCG Committee.

The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the NCG Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the NCG Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the NCG Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining minutes of the meetings of the NCG Committee.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee is responsible for discussing and determining the recommendations that it will make to the Board regarding the CEO’s compensation, with reference to the general objectives of the


 

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Company’s compensation strategy. The Compensation Committee also makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO officer and director compensation, incentive-compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee reviews executive compensation disclosure before the Company publicly discloses the information. Compensation matters may also be reviewed and approved by the entire Board.

The Compensation Committee is composed of John C. Simmons (Chairman), Robert G. Reynolds and Julian Bavin, all of whom are independent.

The Board has not developed a written position description for the Chairman of the Compensation Committee but considers the Chairman to be responsible for setting the tone for the committee work, ensuring that members have the information needed to do their jobs, overseeing the logistics of the Compensation Committee’s operations, reporting to the Board on the Compensation Committee’s decisions and recommendations, setting the agenda and running and maintaining the minutes of meeting of the Compensation Committee.

While the Compensation Committee has the authority to retain compensation consultants to advise the committee, no such consultants were retained since the beginning of the Company’s most recently completed financial year.

Assessment

The Company has not adopted a formal process for assessing the Board, its members and committees. Nevertheless, the entire Board does regularly assess the Board, its members and committees on an informal basis. The majority of the Board members serve as directors for other public companies and utilize that experience when assessing the Board, its members and committees.

APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF AUDITOR

Shareholders will be asked to approve the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditor of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the shareholders at a remuneration to be fixed by the directors. The auditor was first appointed on October 17, 2007.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to the Company is on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and EDGAR website at www.sec.gov under “Exeter Resource Corporation”. Financial information is provided in the Company’s comparative financial statements and MD&A for its most recently completed financial year. Shareholders may request copies of the Company’s financial statements and MD&A by contacting the Company’s CFO at the following address:

Exeter Resource Corporation

Suite 1660, 999 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 2W2

OTHER BUSINESS

Management is not aware of any matters to come before the Meeting other than those set forth in the Notice of Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the Proxy to vote the shares represented thereby in accordance with their best judgment on such matter.


 

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NYSE-MKT CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company’s common shares are listed on the NYSE-MKT. Section 110 of the NYSE-MKT Company Guide permits the NYSE-MKT to consider the laws, customs and practices of foreign issuers in relaxing certain listing criteria, and to grant exemptions from listing criteria based on these considerations. A company seeking relief under these provisions is required to provide written certification from independent local counsel that the non-complying practice is not prohibited by home country law. A description of the significant ways in which the Company’s governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies pursuant to standards is as follows:

Shareholder Meeting Quorum Requirement: The minimum requirement for a shareholder meeting is one-third of the outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, a company listed on the NYSE-MKT is required to state its quorum requirement in its bylaws. The Company’s quorum requirement is set forth in its Articles. A quorum for a meeting of shareholders of the Company is two persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 5% of the shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.

Proxy Delivery Requirement: The SEC requires the solicitation of proxies and delivery of proxy statements for all shareholder meetings, and requires that these proxies shall be solicited pursuant to a proxy statement that conforms to SEC proxy rules. The Company is a “foreign private issuer” as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, and the equity securities of the Company are accordingly exempt from the proxy rules set forth is Sections 14(a), 14(b), 14(c) and 14(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company solicits proxies in accordance with applicable rules and regulations in Canada.

Shareholder Approval for Issuance of Shares: Section 713 of the Company Guide requires shareholder approval as a prerequisite to approval of applications to list additional shares when the additional shares will be issued in connection with a transaction involving the sale or issuance by a company of common stock (or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock) equal to 20% or more of presently outstanding stock for less than the greater of book or market value of the stock. However, the issuance of common stock in an amount in excess of 20% of the presently outstanding stock for less than book or market value, without shareholder approval, is not prohibited under the rules of the TSX and does not constitute a default under the TSX rules or any applicable laws in Canada. For past transactions, the Company has followed the rules of the TSX and TSX-V, as applicable, and applicable laws in Canada and in future transactions, the Company may seek similar exemptions from the requirements of section 713 of the NYSE-MKT Company Guide.

The foregoing are consistent with the laws, customs and practices in Canada.