Athena Gold Corp S-4, filed Nov 22, 2024
Athena Gold Corp (AHNRF)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
1000
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
(707) 291-6198
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
John C. Power
2010 A Harbison Drive, #312
Vacaville, CA. 95687
Telephone: (707) 291-6198
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy of Communications
To:
Clifford L. Neuman, Esq.
Clifford L. Neuman, PC
6800 N. 79th Street, Suite 200
Niwot, Colorado 80503
(303) 449-2100
(303) 449-1045 (fax)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of this registration statement and the continuation described in this registration statement is approved by the stockholders of the registrant.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and " emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer ☐ | Accelerated filer ☐ |
| Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging Growth Company |
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:
| Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) | ☐ | ||
| Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) | ☐ |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
| The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. |
Subject to Completion, Dated December ___, 2024
Proxy Statement/Prospectus
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER **, 2024
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General and Special Meeting (the “Meeting”) of holders (“Shareholders”) of shares of common stock (the “Common Shares”) of Athena Gold Corporation (the “Corporation”) will be held as a virtual meeting held entirely over the Internet. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions online by visiting www.proxyvote.com and entering the 16-digit control number included in the notice containing instructions on how to access Annual Meeting materials, your proxy card (the “Proxy Card”), or the voting instructions that accompanied the proxy materials (the “Proxy Materials”). At the meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to vote upon the following matters:
| 1. | To approve the redomestication of the Corporation in the Province of British Columbia, Canada by merger into a British Columbia corporation (the “Continuation”) (Proposal No. 1 - “Redomestication of the Corporation”); | |
| 2. | To elect five (5) directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year (“Proposal No. 2- Election of Directors”); | |
| 3. | To appoint Davidson & Company LLP as the Corporation’s auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditors (“Proposal No. 3 – Appointment of Auditors”); | |
| 4. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution regarding the compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers as described in the Proxy statement/prospectus (“Proposal No. 4 – Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation”); | |
| 5. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution establishing the frequency of shareholders voting on the compensation of Named Executive Officers.(“Proposal 5 – Frequency of Say on Pay”) | |
| 6. | To transact such other business as many properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
We are pleased to take advantage of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules that allow us to furnish our Proxy Materials, consisting of the Notice of Annual and special Meeting, the Proxy statement/prospectus, and a Proxy Card, and our 2023 Annual Report via the Internet. On December __, 2024, we made available to stockholders as of the record date a notice with instructions on how to access our Annual and special Meeting materials and vote via the Internet, or by mail or telephone. The notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our Proxy Materials and our 2023 Annual Report. This process allows us to provide our stockholders with the information they need on a more timely basis, while reducing the environmental impact and lowering the costs of printing and distributing our Proxy Materials.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE NOMINEES TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR AND “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.
The Board of Directors of the Corporation has fixed a record date as of the close of business on December __, 2024, for the purpose of determining the Shareholders of record that will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share on each matter presented at the Meeting. Cumulative voting is not permitted.
Proxies are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. All shareholders who are record or beneficial owners of shares of common stock of the Corporation are invited to attend the Meeting virtually. Your vote is important. Only record or beneficial owners of the shares of common stock of the Corporation may participate in the Meeting virtually.
Dated as of December __, 2024
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“John C. Power”
John C. Power
President and Chief Executive Officer
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION CIRCULAR AND PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS
INFORMATION PROVIDED AS AT DECEMBER __ 2024 (unless
otherwise stated)
FOR THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER **, 2024
This Management Information Circular and Proxy statement/prospectus (the “Proxy statement/prospectus”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxied being made by or on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or “Board”) of Athena Gold Corporation (the “Corporation”) for use at the annual general and special meeting (the “Meeting”) of holders (the “Shareholders”) of the Corporation’s shares of common stock (the “Common Shares”) to be held virtually on ***, December ***, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (Mountain Daylight Time), for the following purposes, as set forth in the accompanying notice of meeting (the “Notice of Meeting”):
| 1. | To approve the redomestication of the Corporation in the Province of British Columbia, Canada by merger into a British Columbia corporation (the “Continuation”) (Proposal No. 1 - “Redomestication of the Corporation”); | |
| 2. | To elect five (5) directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year (“Proposal No. 2- Election of Directors”); | |
| 3. | To appoint Davidson & Company LLP as the Corporation’s auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditors (“Proposal No. 3 – Appointment of Auditors”); | |
| 4. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution regarding the compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers as described in the Proxy statement/prospectus (“Proposal No. 4 – Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation”); | |
| 5. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution establishing the frequency of shareholders voting on the compensation of Named Executive Officers (“Proposal No. 5”). | |
| 6. | To transact such other business as many properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON
DECEMBER __, 2024
Proxy materials for our 2024 Annual and special Meeting of Shareholders are available on the Internet. The Notice of the 2024 Annual and special meeting of Shareholders, Proxy statement/prospectus, Proxy Card and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“Proxy Materials”) can be accessed at the Company’s website:
www.proxyvote.com
On this site, you will be able to access these Proxy Materials and any amendments or supplements to these Proxy materials that are required to be furnished to stockholders. Information contained on or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus and should not be considered a part of this proxy statement/prospectus or any other filing that we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
In accordance with SEC rules, our shareholders of record at the close of business on December __, 2024 (“Record Date”) will be mailed the Notice of Availability of Proxy Materials on or about December __, 2024. The Notice contains instructions on how to access our Proxy Materials and vote.
ALTERNATIVE VOTING PROCEDURES
In addition to voting by Internet at the time of our Annual and special Meeting and mailing the attached Proxy Card to the Company, stockholders will also be able to vote by using the internet or by telephone.
To vote by Internet, log onto www.investorvote.com and follow steps outlined on the secure website.
To vote by telephone, call toll free 1-800-690-6903 and follow instructions provided by the recorded message.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus that we may provide to you in connection with this offering (this “Offering”). We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made in connection with this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus or that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after its date.
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GENERAL MATTERS
Why did I receive these proxy materials?
You received these proxy materials from us in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board to be voted at the annual meeting because you owned shares of our common stock as of December __, 2024. We refer to this date as the record date.
This proxy statement/prospectus contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote your shares at the annual meeting. Please read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully.
What is the purpose of the annual and special meeting?
At the annual and special meeting, our stockholders will act upon the matters outlined in the notice of meeting on the cover of this proxy statement/prospectus, including;
| 1. | To approve the redomestication of the Corporation in the Province of British Columbia, Canada (the “Continuation”) (Proposal No. 1 - “Redomestication of the Corporation”); | |
| 2. | To elect five (5) directors of the Corporation for the ensuing year (“Proposal No. 2- Election of Directors”); | |
| 3. | To appoint Davidson & Company LLP as the Corporation’s auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditors (“Proposal No. 3 – Appointment of Auditors”); | |
| 4. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution regarding the compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers as described in the Proxy statement/prospectus (“Proposal No. 4 – Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation”); | |
| 5. | To approve, on an advisory, non-binding basis, a resolution establishing the frequency of shareholders voting on the compensation of Named Executive Officers. (“Proposal No. 5”) | |
| 6. | To transact such other business as many properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
The stockholders of the Company have no appraisal rights in connection with any of the proposals described herein.
How many votes must be present to hold the annual and special meeting?
A quorum must be present at the annual and special meeting for any business to be conducted. A quorum is the presence at the annual and special meeting, by internet connection or by proxy, of the holders of at least one-third of the shares of common stock issued and outstanding on the record date. As of the record date, there were 185,723,633 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the annual and special meeting. Consequently, the presence at the annual and special meeting, by internet connection or by proxy, of the holders of at least 33% of our outstanding shares of common stock is required to establish a quorum for the annual and special meeting. Proxies that are voted “FOR ALL NOMINEES,” “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES,” “FOR ALL EXCEPT,” “FOR” or “AGAINST” on a matter are treated as being present at the annual and special meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum and are also treated as shares “represented and voting” at the annual and special meeting with respect to such matter.
Abstentions are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. Additionally, shares held by a broker, bank or other nominee for which the nominee has not received voting instructions from the record holder and does not have discretionary authority to vote the shares on certain proposals (which are considered “broker non-votes” with respect to such proposals) will be treated as shares present for quorum purposes. The effect of abstentions and broker non-votes on each proposal is set forth in more detail under “What vote is required to approve each proposal discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus, and how are my votes counted?”
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What is a proxy?
A proxy is your legal designation of another person to vote the shares that you own. That other person is called a proxy. If you designate someone as your proxy in a written document, that document is also called a proxy or a proxy card. Our Board has appointed John Power, referred to as the proxy holder, to serve as proxy for the annual and special meeting.
Who is participating in this proxy solicitation, and who will pay for its cost?
We will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to this solicitation, our directors, officers and other employees may solicit proxies by use of telephone, facsimile, electronic means, by Internet or otherwise. These persons will not receive any additional compensation for assisting in the solicitation, but may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the solicitation. We will also reimburse brokerage firms, nominees, fiduciaries, custodians and other agents for their expenses in distributing proxy material to the beneficial owners of our common stock.
Could other matters be decided at the annual meeting?
When this proxy statement/prospectus was filed as a Definitive Proxy statement/prospectus, we did not know of any matters to be raised at the annual and special meeting other than those referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus. For any other matter that properly comes before the annual and special meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by our Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial stockholder?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Endeavor Trust Corporation, you are a stockholder of record of these shares, and you are receiving these proxy materials directly from us. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to mail your proxy directly to us or to vote by Internet at the annual and special meeting.
Most of our stockholders hold their shares in a stock brokerage account or through a bank or other holder of record rather than directly in their own name. If your shares are held in a brokerage account, by a bank or other holder of record, commonly referred to as being held in “street name,” you are the beneficial owner of these shares and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that custodian. See “How do I vote my shares?” below for a discussion of the effect of holding shares of record and as a beneficial stockholder on non-discretionary and discretionary items.
How many votes do I have?
You are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock that you owned on the record date on all matters considered at the annual and special meeting.
Why did I receive a notice regarding the availability of proxy materials on the Internet?
Rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) allow us to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. All stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website at www.proxyvote.com. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice.
We also intend to mail the Proxy Materials to all stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual and special Meeting on or about December __, 2024.
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How do I attend the annual and special Meeting?
This year’s Annual and special Meeting will be held entirely online. You will not be able to attend the Annual and special Meeting in person. The meeting will be held virtually on December __, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time. via live audio-only webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/_________. To attend the meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. Online check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Time and you should allow ample time for the check-in procedures. The virtual meeting has been designed to provide the same rights to participate as you would have at an in-person meeting. Information on how to vote by Internet before and during the Annual Meeting is discussed below.
How do I ask questions at the virtual annual and special Meeting?
During the Annual and special Meeting, you may only submit questions in the question box provided at www.virtualshareholdermeeting./___________. We will respond to as many inquiries at the Annual and special Meeting as time allows.
What if during the check-in time or during the annual and special Meeting I have technical difficulties or trouble accessing the virtual meeting website?
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have accessing the virtual meeting website. If you encounter any difficulties accessing the virtual Annual and special Meeting audio-only webcast during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be posted on the Annual and special Meeting website log-in page.
What if I cannot virtually attend the annual and special Meeting?
You may vote your shares electronically before the meeting by Internet, by proxy or by telephone as described below. You do not need to access the Annual and special Meeting audio-only webcast to vote if you submitted your vote via proxy, by Internet or by telephone in advance of the Annual and special Meeting.
How do I vote?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may vote by Internet before or during the Annual and special Meeting, by telephone or by proxy. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we urge you to vote by proxy to ensure your vote is counted.
| · | To vote using the proxy card, simply complete, sign, date and return the proxy card pursuant to the instructions on the card. If you return your signed proxy card before the Annual and special Meeting, we will vote your shares as directed. | |
| · | To vote over the telephone, dial toll-free 800 690-6903 using a touch-tone phone and follow the recorded instructions. You will be asked to provide the company number and control number from the Notice. Your telephone vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on December __, 2024 to be counted. | |
| · | To vote through the Internet before the meeting, go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the on-screen instructions. Your Internet vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Mountain Time on December __, 2024 to be counted. | |
| · | To vote through the Internet during the meeting, please visit www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/_______2024 and have available the 16-digit control number included in your Notice, on your proxy card or on the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. |
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If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker or bank, you will receive a proxy card with this proxy statement/prospectus. Like shares held of record, you may virtually vote your shares held in street name by Internet at the annual and special meeting or by signing and dating the enclosed proxy card.
As a beneficial owner, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee. Whether your shares can be voted by such person depends on the type of item being considered for vote:
| · | Non-discretionary items. The election of directors, advisory vote on compensation and frequency of advisory vote, and the Redomestication by merger are non-discretionary items (each a “Non-Discretionary Item” and collectively “Non-Discretionary Items”) and may not be voted on by brokers, banks or other nominees who have not received specific voting instructions from beneficial owners. Thus, if you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your broker or bank how to vote on the Non-Discretionary Items, no votes will be cast on your behalf regarding these proposals. | |
| · | Discretionary items. The ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, is a discretionary item. |
Brokers, banks and other nominees that do not receive voting instructions from beneficial owners may vote on this proposal at their discretion.
If you vote by granting a proxy, the proxy holders will vote the shares of which you are the stockholder of record in accordance with your instructions. If you submit a proxy without giving specific voting instructions, the proxy holders will vote those shares as recommended by our Board.
Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?
Yes. Even after you have returned your proxy card, you may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by (i) submitting a written notice of revocation to John Power our Corporate Secretary by email to clneuman@neuman.com, (ii) emailing in a new proxy card bearing a later date or (iii) virtually attending the annual and special meeting and voting by Internet, which suspends the powers of the proxy holder.
What vote is required to approve each proposal discussed in this proxy statement/prospectus, and how are my votes counted?
Election of Directors. The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes of the shares represented at the annual and special meeting, by Internet or by proxy, and entitled to vote on the election of directors is required for the election of directors. In the vote on the election of three director nominees identified in this proxy statement/prospectus, you may vote:
| · | “FOR ALL” director nominees; | |
| · | “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL” director nominees; or | |
| · | “FOR ALL EXCEPT” either director nominee. |
Votes marked “WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL” and “FOR ALL EXCEPT” will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum but have no effect on the outcome of election of directors.
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Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the annual and special meeting, by Internet or by proxy, and entitled to vote on this proposal is required for approval. In the vote to ratify the appointment of Davidson & Company, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, you may vote:
| · | “FOR;” | |
| · | “AGAINST;” or | |
| · | “ABSTAIN.” |
Votes marked “ABSTAIN” will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum and will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. However, broker non-votes, which will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, will have no legal effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Compensation of the Company’s Principal Officers “SAY ON PAY”. In this non-binding advisory vote shareholders are asked to vote FOR or AGAINST the current compensation practices and policies as they apply to the Company’s Principal Officers, and as more fully described in the body of this document. The results of the vote will be taken under advisement by the Board in its future consideration and development of the Company’s compensation practices, you may vote:
| · | “FOR;” or | |
| · | “AGAINST;” |
Broker non-votes, which will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, will have no legal effect on the outcome of this proposal.
Frequency of “SAY ON PAY” votes. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, by Internet or by proxy, and entitled to vote on this proposal is required to set a one, two or three year interval between shareholder “SAY ON PAY” votes. You may vote:
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“FOR;” a one, two or three year interval; or | |
| · | “ABSTAIN” |
Ratification of Redomestication by Merger. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented at the annual meeting, by Internet or by proxy, and entitled to vote on this proposal is required for approval. In the vote to ratify the Redomestication and Plan of Merger, you may vote:
| · | “FOR;” | |
| · | “AGAINST;” or | |
| · | “ABSTAIN.” |
Votes marked “ABSTAIN” will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum and will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal. However, broker non-votes, which will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, will have no legal effect on the outcome of this proposal.
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May I propose actions for consideration at the next annual meeting of stockholders or nominate individuals to serve as directors?
You may submit proposals for consideration at future stockholder meetings, including director nominations. Please see “Submission of Stockholder Proposals and Other Deadlines for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders” for more details.
What is “householding,” and how does it affect me?
The SEC has implemented rules regarding the delivery of proxy materials to households. This method of delivery, often referred to as householding, permits us to send a single annual report and/or a single proxy statement/prospectus to any household at which two or more different stockholders reside where we believe the stockholders are members of the same family or otherwise share the same address or where one stockholder has multiple accounts. In each case, the stockholder(s) must consent to the householding process. Under the householding procedure, each stockholder continues to receive a separate notice of any meeting of stockholders and proxy card. Householding reduces the volume of duplicate information our stockholders receive and reduces our expenses. We may institute householding in the future and will notify our registered stockholders who will be affected by householding at that time.
Many brokers, banks and other holders of record have instituted householding. If you or your family has one or more street name accounts under which you beneficially own our common stock, you may have received householding information from your broker, bank or other holder of record in the past. Please contact the holder of record directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this proxy statement/prospectus or our 2023 annual report to stockholders or wish to revoke your decision to household and thereby receive multiple copies. You should also contact the holder of record if you wish to institute householding. These options are available to you at any time.
Where may I obtain additional information about the Company or about the annual and special meeting?
We refer you to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC, on March 31, 2024. The annual report is not part of the proxy solicitation material.
If you would like to receive any additional information, please contact our Corporate Secretary John Power c/o clneuman@neuman.com.
Record Date and Outstanding Shares:
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on December __, 2024, as the record date for the determination of holders of shares of outstanding capital stock entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. On December __, 2024, there were outstanding 185,723,633 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value held by stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting.
Voting Proxies:
A proxy card accompanies this Proxy statement/prospectus. All properly executed proxies that are not revoked will be voted at the Meeting, and any postponements or adjournments thereof, in accordance with the instructions contained therein. Proxies containing no instruction regarding the Proposals specified in the form of proxy will be voted for all nominees as directors and in favor of the Proposals. The Meeting may be adjourned and additional proxies solicited, if the vote necessary to approve a Proposal has not been obtained. Any adjournment of the Meeting will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares represented, whether by Internet or by proxy, at the Meeting (regardless of whether those shares constitute a quorum).
A stockholder who has executed and returned a proxy may revoke such proxy at any time before it is voted at the Meeting by executing and returning a proxy bearing a later date, by filing written notice of such revocation with the Secretary of the Company stating the proxy is revoked, or by attending the Meeting and voting by Internet. Mere attendance at the Meeting will not revoke a properly executed proxy.
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Quorum and Required Vote:
Quorum: The holders of one-third of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date and entitled to vote at the Meeting shall constitute a quorum of the transactions of business at the Meeting. Shares of Common Stock present by Internet or represented by proxy (including shares which abstain or do not vote with respect to one or more of the matters presented for stockholder approval) will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Meeting. Broker non-votes will not be considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.
Required Vote: At the Meeting, the holders of Common Stock on the Record Date will be entitled to one vote per share on each matter of business properly brought before the Meeting including one vote per share on each of the nominees for director and the Proposals.
Holders of Common Stock have the right to elect five (5) members of the Board of Directors, as proposed in the “Director Election Proposal.” Every holder of Common Stock on the Record Date shall have the right to vote, by Internet or by proxy, the number of shares of Common Stock owned, for as many persons as there are directors to be elected at that time. Cumulative voting in the election of directors is not permitted. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for the election of directors.
All other matters to be approved will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voted at the meeting.
Abstentions will have the legal effect of a withheld vote in the election of Directors; abstentions will have the legal effect of a vote against a Proposal on all other matters. Broker non-votes will not be counted as votes either “for” or “against” any matter coming before the Meeting.
Votes by Directors, Officers, and Affiliates: At the Record Date, directors, officers, and affiliates of the Company had the right to vote through proxy, beneficial ownership or otherwise of 14,505,810 shares of Common Stock, or 7.8% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock. The Company has been advised that the directors, officers, and affiliates of the Company intend to vote FOR all nominees for director and IN FAVOR of all other Proposals described in this Proxy statement/prospectus. All these directors, officers, and affiliates of the Company will have an interest in the election of directors.
Proxy Solicitation and Expenses:
The costs of filing and printing this Proxy statement/prospectus and the materials used in this solicitation will be borne by the Company. Solicitation of Proxies may be made by mail by directors, officers and employees of the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, facsimile, telegraph, and by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company, without special compensation; therefore, except that directors, officers and employees of the Company may be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses in connection with any solicitation of proxies. The Company will request banking institutions, brokerage firms, custodians, trustees, nominees, and fiduciaries to forward solicitation material to the beneficial holders or owners of Common Stock held of record by such persons, and the Company will reimburse reasonable forwarding expenses upon the request of such record holders.
Although the Company does not anticipate retaining a proxy solicitation firm to aid in solicitation of Proxies from its stockholders, if such a firm is retained, it would be paid customary fees and would be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses.
YOU SHOULD NOT SEND CERTIFICATES WITH YOUR PROXY CARD.
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NON-REGISTERED SHAREHOLDERS
Only registered Shareholders (“Registered Shareholders”) or duly appointed proxyholders are permitted to vote at the Meeting. Most Shareholders of the Corporation 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 Common Shares in their own name (referred to herein as “Beneficial Shareholders” or “Non-Registered 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 Corporation. 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 Common 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) or, in the United States, Common Shares registered in the name of “Cede & Co.”, the registration name of The Depository Trust Company of which the Intermediary is a participant. 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.
Proxy-related 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 Rule 14a-13 of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and 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 other intermediaries and use this NOBO list for distribution of proxy-related materials to NOBOs.
The provisions of Rule 14a-13(c) and National Instrument 54-101 permit the Corporation to deliver directly proxy-related materials to the Corporation’s NOBOs and OBOs who have not waived the right to receive them. The Corporation is not delivering proxy materials directly to NOBOs or OBOs (and is not sending proxy-related materials using notice- and-access). As a result, NOBOs and OBOs can expect to receive proxy-related materials, including a Voting Instruction Form (“VIF”) and related documents through your broker or through another intermediary. These VIFs are to be completed and returned in line with the instructions provided by your broker or other intermediary.
NOBOs and OBOs should carefully follow the instructions provided, including those regarding when and where to return the completed VIFs.
Should a NOBO or OBO wish to attend and vote at the Meeting in person, the NOBO or OBO must insert the NOBO’s or OBOs name (or such other person as the NOBO or OBO wishes to attend and vote on the NOBO’s or OBOs behalf) in the blank space provided for that purpose on the VIF and return the completed VIF in line with the instructions provided by your broker or other intermediary. If a NOBO or OBO or a nominee of the NOBO or OBO is appointed 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.
NOBOs or OBOs that wish to change their vote must contact their broker or other intermediary who provided the instructions to arrange to change their vote in sufficient time in advance of the Meeting.
Only Registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a Proxy. NOBOs and OBOs who wish to change their vote must, sufficiently in advance of the Meeting, arrange for their respective intermediaries to change their vote and if necessary revoke their Proxy in accordance with the revocation procedures set out below.
All references to Shareholders in this Proxy statement/prospectus, the accompanying Proxy Card, and the Notice of Meeting of Shareholders are to Registered Shareholders of record unless specifically stated otherwise.
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BROKER NON-VOTES
Brokers and other intermediaries, holding Common Shares in street name for non-Registered Holders, are required to vote the Common Shares in the manner directed by the non-Registered Holder (see discussion above). Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), brokers are prohibited from giving proxies to vote on non-routine matters (including, but not limited to, non-contested director elections, advisory votes on executive compensation, amendment of articles and approval of the Redomestication into British Columbia) unless the beneficial owner of such Common Shares has given voting instructions on the matter.
The absence of a vote on a matter where the broker has not received written voting instructions from a Non-Registered Holder is referred to as a “broker non-vote”. Any Common Shares represented at the Meeting but not voted (whether by abstention, broker non-vote or otherwise) will have no impact on the election of directors other than fewer votes being cast in favor of the nominees. A broker non-vote will not have any impact on the advisory vote on executive compensation. A broker non- vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the matter related to the approval of the Redomestication into British Columbia.
REVOCATION OF PROXIES
A Shareholder who has delivered a Proxy for use at the Meeting may revoke it by (a) going online and completing a new Proxy at www.eproxy.ca, (b) except to the extent otherwise noted on such later Proxy, signing a new Proxy bearing a later date and depositing it at the place and within the time required for the deposit of proxies as described below, (c) executing an instrument in writing 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 delivering it either (i) to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at Athena Gold Corporation, 2010-A Harbison Dr., PMB #312, Vacaville, California, 95687, USA, Attn: Corporate Secretary, at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or (ii) to the Chair of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof or (d) registering with the scrutineer at the Meeting as a registered Shareholder present in person, whereupon any Proxy executed and deposited by such registered Shareholder will be deemed to have been revoked. A revocation of a Proxy does not affect any matter on which a vote has been taken prior to the revocation.
VOTING OF PROXIES
The Common Shares represented by a properly executed Proxy in favor of the individuals designated as management proxyholders in the form of Proxy will:
| a. | be voted or withheld from voting in accordance with the instructions of the person appointing the management proxyholder on any ballot that may be called for; and | |
| b. | where a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon has been specified in the form of Proxy, be voted in accordance with the specification made in such Proxy. |
If, however, direction is not given in respect of any matter, the Proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board.
The form of Proxy, when properly completed and delivered and not revoked, confers discretionary authority upon the individuals appointed as management proxyholder thereunder to vote with respect to amendments or variations of matters identified in the Notice of the Meeting, and in respect of other matters which may properly come before the Meeting, except as limited by applicable law. In the event that 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 individuals designated by management as proxyholders in the enclosed form of Proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters or business. At the time of the printing of this Proxy statement/prospectus, the management of the Corporation knows of no such amendment, variation or other matter which may be presented to the Meeting.
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Return the Proxy:
| a. | by completing a Proxy at the following website www.eproxy.ca; | |
| b. | by executing and returning the paper Proxy Card that accompanied this Proxy statement/prospectus by mailing it or delivering it by hand in the appropriate enclosed return envelope addressed to Endeavor Trust Corporation, 702 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6Z 1S4 to be received by 10:00 am (Pacific Time) on July ***, 2024, or no later than 48 hours before any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting, or | |
| c. | by executing and returning the paper Proxy Card that accompanied this Proxy statement/prospectus by email to proxy@endeavortrust.com, to be received by 10:00 am (Pacific Time) on July ***, 2024, or no later than 48 hours before any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. |
VOTING SHARES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
The Board has fixed a record date as of the close of business on December __, 2024 (the “Record Date”) for the purpose of determining the Shareholders of record that will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
The Corporation’s authorized capital consists of (a) 250,000,000 Common Shares having a par value of $0.0001 each and (b) 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock having a par value of $0.0001 each. As of the Record Date, the Corporation has 185,723,633 Common Shares issued and outstanding, and no Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. Except as may otherwise be set forth herein, each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote for each share shown as registered in the holder’s name as of the Record Date. There is no cumulative voting permitted on any of the matters at the Meeting. Only Registered Shareholders at the close of business on the Record Date who either personally attend the Meeting or who have completed and delivered a form of Proxy in the manner and subject to the provisions described above shall be entitled to vote or to have their Common Shares voted at the Meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following tables indicate information as of the Record Date for the Meeting, regarding the beneficial ownership of the Corporation’s Common Shares for:
| • | the Corporation’s executive officers; | |
| • | each of the Corporation’s directors; and | |
| • | all of the Corporation’s executive officers and directors as a group; and | |
| • | each person or entity who, to the Corporation’s knowledge, beneficially owns more than 5% of its Common Shares. |
For the purposes of calculating percent ownership, as of the Record Date, the Corporation had 185,723,633 Common Shares issued and outstanding. For any individual who beneficially owns shares represented by options or warrants exercisable within sixty days of the Record Date, these shares are treated as if outstanding for that person, but not for any other person. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, and subject to community property laws where applicable, the following persons have sole voting and investment control with respect to the shares beneficially owned by them. In accordance with SEC rules, if a person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership of any Common Shares on or within 60 days, upon conversion or exercise of outstanding securities or otherwise, the shares are deemed beneficially owned by that person and are deemed to be outstanding solely for the purpose of determining the percentage of our shares that person beneficially owns. These shares are not included in the computations of percentage ownership for any other person. To our knowledge, except as noted in the table below, no person or entity is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the voting power of our Common Shares.
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|
Executive Officers and Directors
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned |
| John C. Power(1) Unit 4, 519 East Mendenhall Bozeman, Montana USA 59715 President, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director |
15,100,239 | 8.0% |
| Brian Power(2) 2010-A Harbison Dr., PMB #312 Vacaville, California USA 95687 Director |
2,457,142 | 1.3% |
| John E. Hiner(3) 9443 Axlund Road Lynden, Washington USA 98264 Director |
1,686,000 | 0.9% |
| Tyler Minnick(4) 359 Teegan Ct. Grand Junction, Colorado USA 81507 Chief Financial Officer |
675,000 | 0.4% |
| All executive officers and directors as a group (4 persons) | 19,918,381 | 10.4% |
|
Other 5% or Greater Shareholders
|
Shares Beneficially Owned |
Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned |
| John D. Gibbs(5) 807 Wood-N-Creek Road Ardmore, OK USA 73401 |
50,327,310 | 25.9% |
| Nubian Resources Ltd.(6) Suite 202, Yale Court Plaza, 2526 Yale Court Abbotsford, British Columbia V2S 8G9 |
60,000,000 | 31.5% |
| 2176423 Ontario Ltd.(7) 1106-7 King Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 3C5 (Private Company controlled by Eric Sprott) |
16,546,669 | 8.9% |
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| (1) | Includes 12,259,239 Common Shares held directly, 500,000 vested stock options and 2,341,000 share purchase warrants. | |
| (2) | Includes 1,278,571 Common Shares held directly, 1,000,000 vested stock options and 178,571 share purchase warrants. | |
| (3) | Includes 543,000 Common Shares, of which 400,000 are held directly and 143,000 indirectly through JE & MS Hiner Revocable Living Trust, of which Mr. Hiner exercises control and direction, 1,000,000 vested stock options held directly, and 143,000 share purchase warrants (held indirectly through JE & MS Hiner Revocable Living Trust). | |
| (4) | Includes 425,000 Common Shares held directly and 250,000 vested stock options. | |
| (5) | Includes 41,648,739 Common Shares, of which 35,493,239 are held directly, 500,000 indirectly through Redwood Microcap Fund Inc. and 5,655,000 indirectly through Tri Power Resources, Inc. (all of which Mr. Gibbs exercises control and direction), and 8,678,571 share purchase warrants. | |
| (6) | Includes 55,000,000 Common Shares held directly and 5,000,000 share purchase warrants. | |
| (7) | Includes 16,546,669 Common Shares held directly. |
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CHANGE IN CONTROL
The Corporation is not aware of any arrangement that might result in a change in control in the future. The Corporation has no knowledge of any arrangements, including any pledge by any person of our securities, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in the Corporation’s control.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Other than as set out herein, no person who has been a director or executive officer of the Corporation at any time since the beginning of the last financial year, nor any proposed nominee for election as a director of the Corporation, nor any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing, has any material interest directly or indirectly, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting. Refer to “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” below.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
In this proxy statement/prospectus, unless otherwise specified, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “Athena” and “Athena Delaware” mean Athena Gold Corporation., a Delaware corporation whose shares you currently own, and its consolidated subsidiaries Nubian Resources (USA) Ltd., a Delaware corporation and Nova Athena Gold Corporation, a British Columbia corporation. The term “you” means you, the reader and a stockholder of our company. The terms “Athena BC” and “Athena Amalco” mean Nova Athena Gold Corp., a British Columbia corporation whose shares you are expected to own after we change the corporate jurisdiction of our company from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia.
This proxy statement/prospectus relates, in part, to the redomestication of Athena from a Delaware corporation to a British Columbia corporation. The redomestication will be accomplished by Athena merging with and into Nova Athena Gold Corporation, a British Columbia corporation that Athena formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary. Following completion of the merger, Athena Gold Corporation will be “continued” under British Columbia law as Nova Athena Gold Corporation. Throughout this proxy statement/prospectus, the terms “Redomestication” and “Continuation” are used interchangeably to refer to this process.
All references to currency in this proxy statement/prospectus are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated and all financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Unless otherwise stated, conversion of Canadian dollars to United States dollars has been calculated at an exchange rate of CDN$1 equals US$0.75.
Please read this proxy statement/prospectus carefully. You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information provided by this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this proxy statement/prospectus.
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This section highlights selected information in this proxy statement/prospectus. The summary may not contain all of the information important to you. To understand the proposals to be voted upon at the special meeting, you should read this entire document carefully, including the schedules to this proxy statement/prospectus. See also “Where You Can Find More Information.” The plan of merger, a copy of which is attached as Schedule “A” to this proxy statement/prospectus, contains the terms and conditions of the continuation, including the proposed articles of Athena BC.
Our Business
About Our Company
The Company was incorporated and otherwise organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on December 23, 2003, under the name “Golden West Brewing Company.” In 2010, our name was changed to Athena Silver Corporation. On January 21, 2021, the Company changed its name to "Athena Gold Corporation". We are an exploration stage company, and our principal business is the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources. We have not presently determined whether the properties to which we have mining rights contain mineral reserves that are economically recoverable. Athena is engaged in the exploration of minerals at its principal project known as the Excelsior Springs exploration project (the “Project”) located in Esmeralda County, Nevada.
Our focus is on exploring and developing our Excelsior Springs gold exploration project located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. We recently acquired mineral rights including an option on the Laird Lake project in Red Lake Ontario and the Oneman Lake gold project located in Kenora, Ontario. None of our projects are in commercial production.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2010A Harbison Drive, PMB# 312, Vacaville, California 95687.
Our telephone number is (707) 291-6198, and our Internet website is www.athenagoldcorp.com.
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Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Prospectus. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
| · | our history of losses; | |
| · | our cash needs and the adequacy of our cash flows and earnings; | |
| · | our ability to access additional capital; | |
| · | our dependence upon our executive officers, founders and key employees; | |
| · | our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; | |
| · | our reliance on our technology systems, the impact of technological changes and cybersecurity risks; | |
| · | changes in applicable laws or regulations; | |
| · | fluctuations in precious metals prices; | |
| · | Increases in the cost to conduct mineral development activities; | |
| · | public health epidemics or outbreaks (such as the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19)) and our responses to such events could materially and adversely impact our business; and | |
| · | the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. |
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In addition, our management has concluded that our historical recurring losses from operations and negative cash flows from operations as well as our dependence on securing private equity and other financings raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern and our auditor has included an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern in its audit reports for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Summary of Financial Data
The following table presents our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are derived from the audited financial statements. The summary historical financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 are derived from our unaudited financial statements.
Historical results are included for illustrative and informational purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of results we expect in future periods, and results of interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
| Year Ended | Nine months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| (unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| Statement of Operations Data | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 783,592 | 1,299,774 | 419,536 | 677,660 | ||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (783,592 | ) | (1,299,774 | ) | (419,536 | ) | (677,660 | ) | ||||||||
| Total other income and expenses | 1,396,340 | 616,116 | (261,586 | ) | 1,215,899 | |||||||||||
| Loss before provision for taxes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax provisions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 612,748 | ($ | 683,658 | ) | ($ | 681,122 | ) | $ | 538,239 | ||||||
| Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | 0.00 | ($ | 0.01 | ) | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | |||||||
| Balance Sheet Data (at period end) | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,808 | $ | 15,075 | $ | 6,553 | $ | 37,261 | ||||||||
| Working capital (deficit) (1) | $ | (271,891 | ) | $ | (232,880 | ) | $ | (253,634 | ) | $ | (138,466 | ) | ||||
| Total assets | $ | 6,740,969 | $ | 6,243,389 | $ | 6,674,789 | $ | 6,279,375 | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | $ | 423,157 | $ | 1,279,975 | $ | 927,969 | $ | 221,727 | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | 6,317,812 | $ | 4,963,414 | $ | 5,746,820 | $ | 5,671,062 | ||||||||
| (1) | Working capital represents total current assets less total current liabilities. |
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Summary of the Continuation
On October 31, 2024, our board of directors determined that it would be in the best interest of our company to change our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada. We intend to change the corporate jurisdiction of Athena from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada by means of a process called a “merger” under the Delaware General Corporation Law and a “continuation” followed by an amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
If our stockholders approve the proposed continuation then we intend to file articles of merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware and a continuation application with the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia. Upon receipt of a certificate of continuation from the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia, we will be continued as a British Columbia corporation and will be governed by the laws of British Columbia. The assets and liabilities of the British Columbia corporation immediately after the continuation will be identical to the assets and liabilities of the Delaware corporation immediately prior to the continuation. The officers and directors of our company immediately before the continuation becomes effective will be the officers and directors of the British Columbia corporation. The change of our corporate jurisdiction will not result in any material change to our business and will not have any effect on the relative equity or voting interests of our stockholders. Each previously outstanding share of our common stock will become one common share of the British Columbia corporation.
The continuation and the plan of merger are also subject to approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock and the Canadian Securities Exchange.
Our board of directors approved the plan of merger as being in the best interest of our company and recommends that you vote “for” the approval of the plan of merger.
Reasons for the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
We believe that the change of our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada will more accurately reflect our operations, which operations are in Nevada and Ontario and will be headquartered in and managed from Canada. We also believe that changing our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada more accurately reflects the identity of our company because Canada is the country from which we have derived much of our financing, and our common stock is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange in Canada. Furthermore, many of our officers and directors will be located in Canada, and a large amount of our issued and outstanding stock is owned of record by persons not resident in the United States. We believe that the change of our corporate jurisdiction may also enable us to qualify as a “foreign private issuer” in the United States. As a foreign private issuer, we believe that our regulatory compliance costs may decrease and our ability to raise capital should improve because it should, under certain circumstances, enable us to issue securities in private placement offerings with a four-month hold period (for which we believe there is more demand than there is for securities issued in a private placement with a minimum hold period of six months, which is currently the case) without limiting our access to the U.S. capital markets.
Regulatory Approvals
In order for our company to carry out the continuation, it will be necessary for us to comply with the provisions of the corporate law of the State of Delaware and the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). Under the Delaware corporate law, a Delaware corporation is required to obtain approval from the holders of a majority of its voting power in order to carry out a merger. We are now seeking approval from the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
Our directors and executive officers, who currently hold approximately 10.4% of our outstanding common stock, have indicated that they intend to vote for the approval of the continuation.
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If our stockholders approve the continuation, then we intend to file articles of merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware. After that, we intend to submit a continuation application to the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia. Upon the filing of the continuation application and subsequent receipt of a certificate of continuation from the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia, we will be continued as a British Columbia corporation.
The continuation is subject to the approval from the Registrar of Companies and the Canadian Securities Exchange will grant approval for the listing of the resulting issuer.
Appraisal Rights
Under Delaware law, our stockholders are entitled, after complying with certain requirements of Delaware law, to dissent from approval of the continuation pursuant to section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and to be paid the “fair value” of their shares of our common stock exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the continuation, if the continuation is completed. Stockholders electing to exercise these appraisal rights must comply with the provisions of section 262 of the DGCL in order to perfect their rights. We will require strict compliance with the statutory procedures.
Please refer to the discussion of “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 43 of this proxy statement/prospectus for a more comprehensive discussion of appraisal rights and how to exercise them. A copy of section 262 of the DGCL is attached as Schedule “B” to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Certain Tax Consequences for Stockholders
The following is a brief summary of certain tax consequences the change of our corporate jurisdiction may have for our company and our stockholders. You should consult your own tax advisers with respect to your particular circumstances. A more detailed summary of the factors affecting the tax consequences for our company and our stockholders is set out under “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” and “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” on pages 51 and 55, respectively, of this proxy statement/prospectus.
We have not engaged and do not intend to engage a legal or tax expert to review the following summary for accuracy. Shareholders are advised to engage their own advisors if they desire assurances about the tax consequences of the Redomestication to them.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
Athena BC likely will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Athena BC, a non-U.S. corporation generally would be classified as a non-U.S. entity (and, therefore, non-U.S. tax residents) under general rules of U.S. federal income taxation. However, Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), contains rules that can result in a non-U.S. corporation being taxed as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless certain specific tests regarding the level of business activities are satisfied. Based on the anticipated level of business activities of Athena BC and its relevant affiliates, these tests likely will not be satisfied. Satisfaction of these tests will not be finally determined until after the time of the Change of Jurisdiction. If it were determined that Athena BC would be taxed as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Athena BC will be liable for both Canadian and U.S. taxes, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
On the other hand, if Athena BC is to be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could apply to a U.S. Holder if Athena BC were treated as a passive non-U.S. investment company (“PFIC”) for any taxable year during which the U.S. Holder holds Athena BC shares. Athena BC may be classified as a PFIC and there can be no assurance that Athena BC or any of its non-U.S. corporate subsidiaries would not be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year. If Athena BC were treated as a PFIC, U.S. Holders of Athena BC shares generally would be subject to certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences with respect to a gain realized on a taxable disposition of such shares, and certain distributions received on such shares. In addition, dividends received with respect to Athena BC shares or with respect to the relevant non-U.S. corporate subsidiary, as applicable, would not constitute qualified dividend income eligible for preferential tax rates if Athena BC or the relevant non-U.S. corporate subsidiary, as applicable, were treated as a PFIC for the taxable year of the distribution or for its preceding taxable year. Certain elections may be available to U.S. Holders to mitigate some of the adverse tax consequences resulting from PFIC treatment.
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Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences
As a result of the continuation, Athena will be considered to have disposed of its assets for proceeds of disposition equal to their fair market value and to have immediately reacquired those assets at a cost equal to their fair market value. Athena will be subject to Canadian federal income tax liabilities with respect to any gains realized as a result of the deemed disposition of all of its assets that constitute “taxable Canadian property” for the purposes of Canadian federal income tax.
The continuation will not cause a disposition or deemed disposition of the shares of Athena held by any stockholder, and therefore will not cause the realization of any capital gain or capital loss by the stockholder in respect of such shares. For a more detailed summary of the Canadian federal income tax consequences, please see “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” on page 55 of this proxy statement/prospectus.
The amalgamation will generally not result in the realization of a capital gain or capital loss by a stockholder, however a capital gain may be realized by stockholders who receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Athena, and by dissenting stockholders.
Our Authorized Capital after the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
The application for the continuation provides that our authorized capital after the change of our corporate jurisdiction will consist of an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value. Our current authorized capital stock consists of (i) 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share.
Accounting Treatment of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
For United States accounting purposes, the change of our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada by means of the continuation represents a non-substantive exchange to be accounted for in a manner consistent with a transaction between entities under common control. All assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses will be reflected in the accounts of Athena BC based on existing carrying values at the date of the exchange. The historical comparative figures of Athena BC will be those of Athena.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles but will begin to report our financial statements in accordance with IFRS after the consummation of the change of our corporate jurisdiction.
How the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction will Affect Your Rights as a Stockholder
You will continue to hold the same number of shares you now hold following the change of our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada. However, the rights of stockholders under Delaware law differ in certain substantive ways from the rights of stockholders under British Columbia law. Examples of some of the changes in stockholder rights which will result from the change of our corporate jurisdiction are described in the discussion of “Material Differences of the Rights of Our Stockholders After the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” beginning on page 45.
Exchange of Share Certificates
Upon the effectiveness of the continuation, Athena BC will mail a letter of transmittal with instructions to each holder of record of shares of Athena outstanding immediately before the effective time of the continuation for use in exchanging certificates formerly representing shares of Athena for certificates representing shares of Athena BC. Certificates should not be surrendered by the holder thereof until they have received the letter of transmittal from Athena BC. See page 45 for a more complete discussion regarding the exchange of share certificates.
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Reporting Obligations under Securities Laws
If we change our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, we will still have to comply with reporting requirements under both the United States and Canadian securities laws. However, these requirements should be reduced because we would no longer be a United States company.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We file our audited annual financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission on annual reports on Form 10-K and our unaudited interim financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission on quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Additionally, we are a reporting issuer in the Provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Upon completion of the continuation, we anticipate that we will meet the definition of a “foreign private issuer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a foreign private issuer, we anticipate that we will file an annual report on Form 20-F each year with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We will not be required to file interim quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, however we will be required to file our interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, in the form required by Canadian securities legislation, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K. We anticipate that we will prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS subsequent to the change of our corporate jurisdiction.
In addition, as a foreign private issuer, our directors, officers and stockholders owning more than 10% of our outstanding common stock will no longer be subject to the insider reporting requirements of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and we will no longer be subject to the proxy rules of Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, Regulation FD does not apply to non-United States companies and will not apply to us upon completion of the continuation.
Whether or not we change our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, we will remain subject to Canadian disclosure requirements including those requiring that we publish news releases, file reports about material changes to or for our company, send you information circulars with respect to meetings of our stockholders, file annual and quarterly financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis and those that require that our officers, directors and major shareholders file reports about trading in our shares.
Quotation on the OTCQB and Listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB Board under the symbol “AHNR” and our shares are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “ATHA”. We expect that immediately following the continuation, the common shares of Athena BC will continue to be quoted on the OTCQB under the new symbol “AHNR.F”, and listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the current symbol “ATHA” or such trading symbols as the OTCQB and CSE will consent to after completion of the merger.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves a number of very significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties in addition to other information in this proxy statement/prospectus in evaluating the proposed continuation, our company and our business. Our business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed as a result of the occurrence of any of the following risks. You could lose all or part of your investment due to any of these risks. You should invest in our common stock only if you can afford to lose your entire investment.
Risks Relating to the Continuation
We will likely still be treated as a U.S. corporation and taxed on our worldwide income after the continuation.
The continuation of our company from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada is considered a migration of our company from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada. Certain transactions whereby a U.S. corporation migrates to a foreign jurisdiction can be considered by the United States Congress to be an abuse of the U.S. tax rules because thereafter the foreign entity would not subject to U.S. tax on its worldwide income. Section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), was enacted in 2004 to address this potential abuse. Section 7874(b) of the Code provides generally that certain corporations that migrate from the U.S. will nonetheless remain subject to U.S. federal income tax on their worldwide income unless the migrating entity has substantial business activities in the foreign country to which it is migrating when compared to its total business activities.
If Section 7874(b) of the Code applies to the migration of our company from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, our company would continue to be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its world-wide income. Section 7874(b) of the Code would apply to our migration unless we have substantial business activities in Canada when compared to our total business activities.
If Athena Amalco is treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code, then Athena Amalco believes the Continuation into the Province of British Columbia, Canada would be treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code and the following U.S. federal income tax consequences generally would result for U.S. Holders:
| (a) | no gain or loss will be recognized by a U.S. Holder on the exchange of Athena Shares for Athena BC Shares pursuant to the Continuation and merger; | |
| (b) | the tax basis of a U.S. Holder in the Athena Amalco Shares acquired in exchange for Athena Shares pursuant to the Continuation and merger would be equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in Athena Shares exchanged; | |
| (c) | the holding period of a U.S. Holder with respect to the Athena Amalco Shares acquired in exchange for Athena Shares pursuant to the Continuation and merger will include such U.S. Holder’s holding period for Athena Shares; and | |
| (d) | U.S. Holders who exchange Athena Shares for Athena Amalco Shares pursuant to the Continuation and merger generally would be required to report certain information to the IRS on their U.S. federal income tax returns for the tax year in which the Continuation and merger occurs, and to retain certain records related to the Continuation and merger. |
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We may be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company as a result of the continuation.
Sections 1291 to 1298 of the Code contain the Passive Foreign Investment Company (“PFIC”) rules. These rules generally provide for punitive treatment to “U.S. holders” (as defined in the section titled “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences”) of PFICs. A foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC if more than 75% of its gross income is passive income or more than 50% of its assets produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. These rules would not apply if the Section 7874(b) rules, as noted above, deem Athena BC to be considered as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Because we expect that most of our assets after the continuation will be cash or cash equivalents and shares of our wholly-owned subsidiary, we likely will in the future be classified as a PFIC if Section 7874 is not applicable. If we are classified as a PFIC after migration, then the U.S. holders of our company may be subject to PFIC provisions which may impose U.S. taxes, in addition to those normally applicable, on the sale of their shares of our company or on distribution from our company.
If we complete the continuation and merger, we will no longer be required to file quarterly financial statements that have been reviewed by our independent auditors on Forms 10-Q, as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If we change our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, we will still have to comply with reporting requirements under United States securities laws. However, these requirements could be reduced because we will no longer be incorporated in a state of the United States.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We file our audited annual financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission with our annual reports on Form 10-K and we file our unaudited interim financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission with our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Upon completion of the continuation, we anticipate that we will meet the definition of a “foreign private issuer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As a foreign private issuer, we anticipate that we will be eligible to file our annual reports each year with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F. As a foreign private issuer filing annual reports on Form 20F, we would not be required to file quarterly reports on Forms 10-Q. Instead, we would file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on a quarterly basis interim financial statements that are not required to be reviewed by our auditors, together with management’s discussion and analysis in the form required under Canadian securities legislation. We anticipate that we will begin to prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS subsequent to the change of our corporate jurisdiction.
If we complete the continuation, insiders of our company will no longer be required to file insider reports under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and they will no longer be subject to the “short swing profit rule” of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
As a foreign private issuer, our directors, officers and stockholders owning more than 10% of our outstanding common stock will be subject to the insider filing requirements imposed by Canadian securities laws but they will be exempt from the insider requirements imposed by Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Canadian securities laws do not impose on insiders any equivalent of the “short swing profit rule” imposed by Section 16 and, after completion of the continuation, our insiders will not be subject to liability for profits realized from any “short swing” trading transactions, or a purchase and sale, or a sale and purchase, of our equity securities within less than six months. As a result, our stockholders may not enjoy the same degree of protection against insider trading as they would under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If we complete the continuation, our company will no longer be required to comply with Regulation FD.
Regulation FD, which was promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to prevent certain selective disclosure by reporting companies, does not apply to non-United States companies and will not apply to us upon completion of the continuation. As a result, our stockholders may not enjoy the same degree of protection against selective disclosure as they would under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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Your rights as a stockholder of our company will change as a result of the continuation.
Because of the differences between Delaware law and British Columbia law, your rights as a stockholder will change if the continuation is completed. For a detailed discussion of these differences, see “Material Differences of the Rights of Our Stockholders After the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction.” beginning at page 45 of this proxy statement/prospectus.
The market for shares of our company as a British Columbia corporation may differ from the market for shares of our company as a Delaware corporation.
Although we anticipate that our common shares will requalify to be quoted on the OTC Markets Group Inc.’s OTCQB and be listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange following the completion of the continuation, the market prices, trading volume and volatility of the shares of our company as a British Columbia corporation could be different from those of the shares of our company as a Delaware corporation. We cannot predict what effect, if any, the continuation will have on the market price prevailing from time to time or the liquidity of our common shares.
The exercise of dissent and appraisal rights by our shareholders may adversely impact Athena BC.
Pursuant to the Dissenters Rights Provisions of Delaware corporate law, if the merger and continuation is completed, former stockholders who did not vote in favor of the continuation may elect to have the company purchase their shares for a cash price that is equal to the “fair value” of such shares, as determined in a judicial proceeding. The fair value means the value of such shares immediately before the effectuation of the continuation excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the continuation, unless exclusion of any appreciation or depreciation would be inequitable. If sufficient shareholders elect to have us purchase their shares, the liability resulting from the fair value of those shares will adversely impact the financial condition of the company, cause significant volatility in the price of the our company’s common shares, or materially impair the ability of our company to execute its plan of operation.
Risks Related to our Business
Due to our history of operating losses our auditors are uncertain that we will be able to continue as a going concern.
Our financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. Due to our continuing operating losses and negative cash flows from our operations, the reports of our auditors issued in connection with our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, contain explanatory paragraphs indicating that the foregoing matters raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to continue as a going concern.
We have no history of and limited experience in mineral production.
We have no history of and limited experience in producing gold or other metals. In addition, our management has limited technical training and experience with exploring for, starting and/or operating a mine. Our management may not be fully aware of many of the specific requirements related to working within this industry. Their decisions and choices may not take into account standard engineering or managerial approaches mineral exploration companies commonly use. Our operations, earnings and ultimate financial success could suffer due to our management’s limited experience in this industry. As a result, we would be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing a new mining operation and business enterprise. We may never successfully establish mining operations, and any such operations may not achieve profitability.
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Our principal shareholders and control persons are also principal shareholders and control persons of other exploration companies, which could result in conflicts with the interests of minority stockholders.
Messrs. Gibbs and Power are control persons and principal shareholders of other exploration companies that are engaged in mineral exploration activities, although in different geographical regions. While the geographical focus of the companies is different, numerous conflicts could arise in the future. For example, Messrs. Gibbs and Power have provided the majority of working capital for all three companies to date, and in the likely event that these companies require additional capital in the future their resources may be inadequate to finance the activities of all. In addition, if new prospects become available, a conflict may exist with respect to which company to offer those opportunities. Messrs. Gibbs and Power have not developed a conflict of interest policy to mitigate the potential adverse effects of these conflicts and as a result these conflicts represent a significant risk to the shareholders of the Company. Conflicts for access to limited resources and opportunities cannot be eliminated completely, and investors should be aware of their potential.
We have no proven or probable reserves or mineral resources.
We are considered an exploration stage company under SEC criteria since we have not demonstrated the existence of proven or probable mineral reserves or mineral resources at any of our properties.
The SEC’s Final Rule 13-10570, Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants, became effective March 30, 2019, and rescinds SEC Industry Guide 7 following a two-year transition period.
Under the former Industry Guide 7, the SEC defined a “reserve” as that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Proven or probable mineral reserves were those reserves for which (a) quantity is computed and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are spaced so closely that the geologic character is defined and size, shape and depth of mineral content can be established (proven) or the sites are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced but high enough to assume continuity between observation points (probable). Mineral Reserves could not be considered proven or probable unless and until they are supported by a feasibility study, indicating that the mineral reserves have had the requisite geologic, technical and economic work performed and are economically and legally extractable.
The final rule’s amendments require disclosure of both mineral reserves and mineral resources. Under the final rule, a mineral reserve is defined as “an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project.” A mineral resource is defined as “a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction.” Under the SEC’s former disclosure requirements under Industry Guide 7, an assessment of the economic viability of mineral reserves must be supported by a final feasibility study. By contrast, the final rule’s amendments provide that a prefeasibility study, which is more limited in scope than a final feasibility study, will also be sufficient to support such an assessment. As for mineral resources, their disclosure is prohibited under former SEC guidance unless it is required under the regulations of another jurisdiction, such as Canada. Under the final rule’s amendments, however, mineral resources must be disclosed and categorized as “measured” (if the geological sampling is “conclusive”), “indicated” (if the geological sampling is “adequate”), or “inferred” (if the geological sampling is “limited”). Effectively, the categorization is based on the company’s confidence in its ability to develop the mineral resources, which depends on the sampling and testing that have been performed. The final rule’s amendments also require companies to disclose exploration results when such information would be material to investors. Further, the disclosures required under the final rule must be supported by the work of a qualified person, such as a mine engineer. When a company first reports mineral reserves or resources, or makes a material change to such disclosures, it must file a technical report summary supporting the disclosure. Developing this detailed disclosure information (e.g., by using an expert) and maintaining appropriate disclosure controls and procedures over it requires significant time, resources, and effort.
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The exploration of mineral properties is highly speculative in nature, involves substantial expenditures and is frequently non-productive.
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, | |
| · | design mining and processing facilities. |
If we discover ore at the Properties, we expect that it would be several additional years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible. During this time, the economic feasibility of production could change. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that our exploration programs will result in proven and probable reserves in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations.
Even if our exploration efforts at the Properties are successful, we may not be able to raise the funds necessary to develop the Properties.
If our exploration efforts at our prospects are successful, of which there can be no assurance, our current estimates indicate that we may be required to raise substantial external financing to develop and construct the mines. Sources of external financing could include bank borrowings and debt and equity offerings, but financing has become significantly more difficult to obtain in the current market environment. The failure to obtain financing would have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy and our results of operations and financial condition. We currently have no specific plan to obtain the necessary funding and there exist no agreements, commitments or arrangements to provide us with the financing that we may need. There can be no assurance that we will commence production at any of our Properties or generate sufficient revenues to meet our obligations as they become due or obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms, if at all, and we may not be able to secure the financing necessary to begin or sustain production at the Properties. Our failure to raise needed funding could also result in our inability to meet our future royalty and work commitments under our mineral leases, which could result in a forfeiture of our mineral interest altogether and a default under other financial commitments. In addition, should we incur significant losses in future periods, we may be unable to continue as a going concern, and we may not be able to realize our assets and settle our liabilities in the normal course of business at amounts reflected in our financial statements included or incorporated herein by reference.
We may not be able to obtain permits required for development of the Properties.
In the ordinary course of business, mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations. We will be required to obtain numerous permits for our Properties. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. Our efforts to develop the Properties may also be opposed by environmental groups. In addition, mining projects require the evaluation of environmental impacts for air, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural, historical, geological, geotechnical, geochemical, soil and socioeconomic conditions. An Environmental Impact Statement would be required before we could commence mine development or mining activities. Baseline environmental conditions are the basis on which direct and indirect impacts of the Properties are evaluated and based on which potential mitigation measures would be proposed. If the Properties were found to significantly adversely impact the baseline conditions, we could incur significant additional costs to avoid or mitigate the adverse impact, and delays in the development of Properties could result.
Permits would also be required for, among other things, storm-water discharge; air quality; wetland disturbance; dam safety (for water storage and/or tailing storage); septic and sewage; and water rights appropriation. In addition, compliance must be demonstrated with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historical Preservation Act.
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The mining industry is intensely competitive.
The mining industry is intensely competitive. We may be at a competitive disadvantage because we must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than we do. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future. We may also encounter increasing competition from other mining companies in our efforts to locate acquisition targets, hire experienced mining professionals and acquire exploration resources.
Our future success is subject to risks inherent in the mining industry.
Our future mining operations, if any, would be subject to all of the hazards and risks normally incident to developing and operating mining properties. These risks include:
| · | insufficient ore reserves; | |
| · | fluctuations in metal prices and increase in production costs that may make mining of reserves uneconomic; | |
| · | significant environmental and other regulatory restrictions; | |
| · | labor disputes; geological problems; | |
| · | failure of underground stopes and/or surface dams; | |
| · | force majeure events; and | |
| · | the risk of injury to persons, property or the environment. |
Our future profitability will be affected by changes in the prices of metals.
If we establish reserves, and complete development of a mine, our profitability and long-term viability will depend, in large part, on the market price of gold. The market prices for metals are volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:
| · | global or regional consumption patterns; | |
| · | supply of, and demand for, gold and other metals; | |
| · | speculative activities; | |
| · | expectations for inflation; and, | |
| · | political and economic conditions. |
The aggregate effect of these factors on metals prices is impossible for us to predict. Decreases in metals prices could adversely affect our ability to finance the exploration and development of our properties, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. There can be no assurance that metals prices will not decline.
The price of gold may decline in the future. If the price of gold and silver is depressed for a sustained period, we may be forced to suspend operations until the prices increase, and to record asset impairment write-downs. Any continued or increased net losses or asset impairments would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
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We are subject to significant governmental regulations.
Our operations and exploration and development activities are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing various matters, including:
| · | environmental protection; | |
| · | management and use of toxic substances and explosives; | |
| · | management of natural resources; | |
| · | exploration and development of mines, production and post-closure reclamation; | |
| · | taxation; | |
| · | labor standards and occupational health and safety, including mine safety; and | |
| · | historic and cultural preservation. |
Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions, any of which could result in us incurring significant expenditures. We may also be required to compensate private parties suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or a more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of any future operations and delays in the exploration of our properties.
Changes in mining or environmental laws could increase costs and impair our ability to develop our properties.
From time to time the U.S. and Canadian governments may determine to revise U.S. or Canadian mining and environmental laws. It remains unclear to what extent new legislation or regulations may affect existing mining claims or operations. The effect of any such revisions on our operations cannot be determined conclusively until such revision is enacted; however, such legislation could materially increase costs on properties located on federal lands, such as ours, and such revision could also impair our ability to develop the Properties and to explore and develop other mineral projects.
Mineral exploration and development inherently involves significant and irreducible financial risks. We may suffer from the failure to find and develop profitable mineral deposits.
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant financial risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Unprofitable efforts may result from the failure to discover mineral deposits. Even if mineral deposits are found, such deposits may be insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production, or it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Mining companies rely on consultants and others for exploration, development, construction and operating expertise.
Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
Once a mineral deposit is developed, whether it will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; government regulations including taxes, royalties and land tenure; land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection; and mineral prices. Factors that affect adequacy of infrastructure include: reliability of roads, bridges, power sources and water supply; unusual or infrequent weather phenomena; sabotage; and government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure. All of these factors are highly cyclical. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination may result in not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
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Significant investment risks and operational costs are associated with our exploration activities. These risks and costs may result in lower economic returns and may adversely affect our business.
Mineral exploration, particularly for gold, involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. If mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change.
Development projects may have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Development project items such as estimates of reserves, metal recoveries and cash operating costs are to a large extent based upon the interpretation of geologic data, obtained from a limited number of drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies. Estimates of cash operating costs are then derived based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, comparable facility and equipment costs, anticipated climate conditions and other factors. As a result, actual cash operating costs and economic returns of any and all development projects may materially differ from the costs and returns estimated, and accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected.
Our failure to satisfy the financial commitments under the agreements controlling our rights to explore on our current prospects could result in our loss of those potential opportunities.
We hold all of our mineral interests under agreements and commitments that require ongoing financial obligations, including work commitments. Our failure to satisfy those obligations could result in a loss of those interests. In such an event, we would be required to recognize an impairment of the assets currently reported in our financial statements.
We are required to obtain government permits to begin new operations. The acquisition of such permits can be materially impacted by third party litigation seeking to prevent the issuance of such permits. The costs and delays associated with such approvals could affect our operations, reduce our revenues, and negatively affect our business as a whole.
Mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for the commencement of new operations. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. The duration and success of permitting efforts are contingent on many factors that are out of our control. The governmental approval process may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted, and could cause us to not proceed with the development of a mine. Accordingly, this approval process could harm our results of operations.
Indigenous Land Claims
Our Canadian Properties may now or in the future be the subject of Indigenous land claims. The legal nature of Aboriginal land claims is a matter of considerable complexity. The impact of any such claim on the Company’s ownership interest in the Properties cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty and no assurance can be given that a broad recognition of Aboriginal rights in the area in which the Properties are located, by way of a negotiated settlement or judicial pronouncement, would not have an adverse effect on the Company’s activities. Even in the absence of such recognition, the Company may at some point be required to negotiate with and seek the approval of holders of Aboriginal interests in order to facilitate exploration and development work on the Properties, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to establish a practical working relationship with the Indigenous peoples in the area which would allow it to ultimately develop the Properties.
Any of our future acquisitions may result in significant risks, which may adversely affect our business.
An important element of our business strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of operating mines, properties and businesses or interests therein within our geographical area of interest. While it is our practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or interests therein we may acquire may not be developed profitably or, if profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, we may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. We cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on the price of our business or our Common Stock. Unprofitable acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may impact the price of our Common Stock and negatively affect our results of operations.
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Our ability to find and acquire new mineral properties is uncertain. Accordingly, our prospects are uncertain for the future growth of our business.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable ore reserves, we may seek to replace and expand our future ore reserves, if any. Identifying promising mining properties is difficult and speculative. Furthermore, we encounter strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing gold. Many of these companies have greater financial resources than we do. Consequently, we may be unable to replace and expand future ore reserves through the acquisition of new mining properties or interests therein on terms we consider acceptable. As a result, our future revenues from the sale of gold or other precious metals, if any, may decline, resulting in lower income and reduced growth.
Corporate and securities laws and regulations are likely to increase our costs.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”), which became law in July 2002, has impacted our corporate governance, securities disclosure and compliance practices. In response to the requirements of SOX, the SEC and major stock exchanges have promulgated rules and listing standards covering a variety of subjects. Compliance with these rules and listing standards are likely to increase our general and administrative costs, and we expect these to continue to increase in the future. In particular, we are required to include the management report on internal control as part of our annual reports pursuant to Section 404 of SOX. We have evaluated our internal control systems in order (i) to allow management to report on our internal controls, as required by these laws, rules and regulations, (ii) to provide reasonable assurance that our public disclosure will be accurate and complete, and (iii) to comply with the other provisions of Section 404 of SOX. We cannot be certain as to the timing of the completion of our evaluation, testing and remediation actions or the impact these may have on our operations. Furthermore, there is no precedent available by which to measure compliance adequacy. If we are not able to implement the requirements relating to internal controls and all other provisions of Section 404 in a timely fashion or achieve adequate compliance with these requirements or other requirements of SOX, we might become subject to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities such as the SEC or FINRA. Any such action may materially adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and the value of our securities, including our Common Stock. SOX and these other laws, rules and regulations have increased legal and financial compliance costs and have made our corporate governance activities more difficult, time-consuming and costly.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, this would harm our business and the trading price of our stock.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide financial reports or prevent fraud, our business reputation and operating results could be harmed. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our stock.
Delaware law and our by-laws protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits.
Delaware law provides that our directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors. Our by-laws require us to indemnify our directors and officers against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing shareholders from recovering damages against our directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.
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Opposition of the Company’s exploration, development and operational activities may adversely affect the Company’s reputation, its ability to receive mining rights or permits and its current or future activities.
Maintaining a positive relationship with the communities in which the Company operates is critical to continuing successful exploration and development. Community support for operations is a key component of a successful exploration or development project. Various international and national laws, codes, resolutions, conventions, guidelines and other materials relating to corporate social responsibility (including rights with respect to health and safety and the environment) may also require government consultation with communities on a variety of issues affecting local stakeholders, including the approval of mining rights or permits.
The Company may come under pressure in the jurisdictions in which it explores or develops to demonstrate that other stakeholders benefit and will continue to benefit from its commercial activities. Local stakeholders and other groups may oppose the Company’s current and future exploration, development and operational activities through legal or administrative proceedings, protests, roadblocks or other forms of public expression against the Company’s activities. Opposition by such groups may have a negative impact on the Company’s reputation and its ability to receive necessary mining rights or permits. Opposition may also require the Company to modify its exploration, development or operational plans or enter into agreements with local stakeholders or governments with respect to its projects, in some cases causing considerable project delays. Any of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and Common Share price.
The title to the Company’s properties could be challenged or impugned.
Although the Company has or will receive title opinions for any properties in which it has a material interest, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. The Company has not conducted surveys of the claims in which it holds direct or indirect interests and, therefore the precise area and location of the properties may be in doubt. The Company’s properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or native land claims and title may be affected by unidentified or unknown defects. Title insurance is generally not available for mineral properties and the Company’s ability to ensure that it has obtained secure claims to individual mineral properties or mining concessions may be constrained. A successful challenge to the Company’s title to a property or to the precise area and location of a property could cause delays or stoppages to the Company’s exploration, development or operating activities without reimbursement to the Company. Any such delays or stoppages could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Stock
Future issuances of our Common Stock could dilute current shareholders and adversely affect the market if it develops.
We have the authority to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of common stock and 5 million shares of preferred stock and to issue options and warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock, without shareholder approval. Future share issuances are likely due to our need to raise additional working capital in the future. Those future issuances will likely result in dilution to our shareholders. In addition, we could issue large blocks of our Common Stock to fend off unwanted tender offers or hostile takeovers without further shareholder approval, which would not only result in further dilution to investors in this offering but could also depress the market value of our Common Stock.
We may issue preferred stock that would have rights that are preferential to the rights of our Common Stock that could discourage potentially beneficial transactions to our common shareholders.
An issuance of shares of preferred stock could result in a class of outstanding securities that would have preferences with respect to voting rights and dividends and in liquidation over our Common Stock and could, upon conversion or otherwise, have all of the rights of our Common Stock. Our Board of Directors' authority to issue preferred stock could discourage potential takeover attempts or could delay or prevent a change in control through merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making these attempts more difficult or costly to achieve. The issuance of preferred stock could impair the voting, dividend and liquidation rights of common stockholders without their approval.
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There is currently an illiquid market for our common shares, and shareholders may be unable to sell their shares for an indefinite period of time.
There is presently an illiquid market for our common shares. There is no assurance that a liquid market for our common shares will ever develop in the United States or elsewhere, or that if such a market does develop that it will continue.
Over-the-counter stocks are subject to risks of high volatility and price fluctuation.
We have not applied to have our shares listed on any United States based stock exchange or on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and we do not plan to do so in the foreseeable future. The OTC market for securities has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations during certain periods. These broad market fluctuations and other factors, such as commodity prices and the investment markets generally, as well as economic conditions and quarterly variations in our results of operations, may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock and make it more difficult for investors to sell their shares.
Trading in our securities is on the OTCQB electronic bulletin board established for securities that do not meet NASDAQ listing requirements. We currently also have a secondary listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange. As a result, investors will find it substantially more difficult to dispose of our securities. Investors may also find it difficult to obtain accurate information and quotations as to the price of, our Common Stock.
Our stock price may be volatile and as a result, shareholders could lose all or part of their investment. The value of our shares could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors upon the market price of our Common Stock:
| · | failure to meet operating budget; | |
| · | decline in demand for our Common Stock; | |
| · | operating results failing to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in any quarter; | |
| · | downward revisions in securities analysts' estimates or changes in general market conditions; | |
| · | investor perception of the mining industry or our prospects; and | |
| · | general economic trends. |
In addition, stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations and the market prices of securities have been highly volatile. These fluctuations are often unrelated to operating performance and may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock.
Outstanding shares that are eligible for future sale could adversely impact a public trading market for our Common Stock.
In the future, we may offer and sell shares without registration under the Securities Act. All of such shares will be "restricted securities" as defined by Rule 144 ("Rule 144") under the Securities Act and cannot be resold without registration except in reliance on Rule 144 or another applicable exemption from registration. Under Rule 144, our non-affiliates (who have not been affiliates within the past 90 days) can sell restricted shares held for at least six months, subject only to the restriction that we made available public information as required by Rule 144 (which restriction is not applicable after the shares have been held by non-affiliates for at least 12 months). Our affiliates can sell restricted securities after they have been held for six months, subject to compliance with manner of sale, volume restrictions, Form 144 filing and current public information requirements.
No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future sales of restricted shares of common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, will have on the market price of our Common Stock prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of such common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the then prevailing market price of our Common Stock.
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Owners of our Common Stock are subject to the “penny stock” rules.
Since our shares are not listed on a national stock exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq Market within the United States, trading in our shares on the OTC market is subject, to the extent the market price for our shares is less than $5.00 per share, to a number of regulations known as the "penny stock rules". The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC, to provide the customer with additional information including current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction, monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account, and to make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the investor and receive the investor’s written agreement to the transaction. To the extent these requirements may be applicable they will reduce the level of trading activity in the secondary market for our shares and may severely and adversely affect the ability of broker-dealers to sell our shares, if a publicly traded market develops.
We do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on investment may be limited to the value of our stock.
We have never paid any cash dividends on any shares of our capital stock, and we do not anticipate that we will pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Our current business plan is to retain any future earnings to finance the expansion of our business. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant at that time. If we do not pay cash dividends, our stock may be less valuable because a return on your investment will only occur if our stock price appreciates.
Delaware law and our by-laws protect our directors from certain types of lawsuits.
Delaware law provides that our directors will not be liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for all but certain types of conduct as directors. Our by-laws require us to indemnify our directors and officers against all damages incurred in connection with our business to the fullest extent provided or allowed by law. The exculpation provisions may have the effect of preventing stockholders from recovering damages against our directors caused by their negligence, poor judgment or other circumstances. The indemnification provisions may require us to use our assets to defend our directors and officers against claims, including claims arising out of their negligence, poor judgment, or other circumstances.
Risks Related To This Offering
The existence of outstanding options and warrants may impair our ability to raise capital.
At December __, 2024, there were 37,200,303 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants at an average exercise price of CDN$0.14. During the life of the notes, options and warrants, the holders are given an opportunity to profit from a rise in the market price of our Common Stock with a resulting dilution in the interest of the other shareholders. Our ability to obtain additional financing during the period the notes, options, warrants are outstanding may be adversely affected and the existence of the notes, options and warrants may have an effect on the price of our Common Stock. The holders of the warrants may be expected to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital by a new offering of securities on terms more favorable than those provided by the warrants.
There are trading risks for low priced stocks.
Our Common Stock is currently traded on the OTCQB electronic quotation system maintained by the OTC Markets Group, Inc. and the Canadian Stock Exchange. As a consequence, an investor could find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate quotations as to the price of, our securities.
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The Securities Enforcement and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 requires additional disclosure, relating to the market for penny stocks, in connection with trades in any stock defined as a penny stock. The Commission recently adopted regulations that generally define a penny stock to be any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Such exceptions include any equity security listed on NASDAQ and any equity security issued by an issuer that has (i) net tangible assets of at least $2,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for three (3) years, (ii) net tangible assets of at least $5,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three (3) years, or (iii) average annual revenue of at least $6,000,000, if such issuer has been in continuous operation for less than three (3) years. Unless an exception is available, the regulations require the delivery, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated therewith.
If our securities are not quoted on NASDAQ, or we do not have $2,000,000 in net tangible assets, trading in our securities will be covered by Rules 15-g-1 through 15-g-6 promulgated under the Exchange Act for non-NASDAQ and nonexchange listed securities. Under such rules, broker-dealers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to this transaction. Securities are exempt from these rules if the market price of the Common Stock is at least $5.00 per share.
The market price of our securities could be adversely affected by sales of registered and restricted securities.
Actual sales or the prospect of future sales of shares of our Common Stock under Rule 144 may have a depressive effect upon the price of, and market for, our Common Stock. As of December __, 2024, 185,723,633 shares of our Common Stock were issued and outstanding 146,502,468 of these shares are "restricted securities " and under some circumstances may, in the future, be under a registration under the Securities Act or in compliance with Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act. In general, under Rule 144, a person who is not and has not been an affiliate for at least 90 days and has beneficially owned restricted shares of common stock for at least six months is entitled to sell the shares provided the Company is current in filing its reports with the SEC or has otherwise made available current public information as defined in the Rule; and after such person has held the shares for at least 12 months, is entitled to sell the shares without restriction. Persons who are affiliates of the Company or have been affiliates of the Company within the past 90 days may sell restricted securities, subject to satisfying other conditions, provided they have owned the shares for at least six months and provided further that within any three-month period, the number of shares may not exceed:
| · | The greater of one percent of the total number of outstanding shares of the same class; or | |
| · | If our Common Stock is quoted on Nasdaq or a stock exchange, the average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks immediately preceding the sale. |
We cannot predict what effect, if any, that sales of shares of common stock, or the availability of these shares for sale, will have on the market prices prevailing from time-to-time. Nevertheless, the possibility that substantial amounts of common stock may be sold in the public market may adversely effect prevailing prices for our Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise capital in the future through the sale of equity securities.
Our ability to issue additional securities without shareholder approval could have substantial dilutive and other adverse effects on existing stockholders and investors in this offering.
We have the authority to issue additional shares of common stock and to issue options and warrants to purchase shares of our Common Stock without shareholder approval. Future issuance of common stock could be at values substantially below the exercise price of the warrants, and therefore could represent further substantial dilution to you as an investor in this offering. In addition, we could issue large blocks of voting stock to fend off unwanted tender offers or hostile takeovers without further shareholder approval. As of December 1, 2024, we had issued options for 5,230,000 shares and with vested exercisable options to purchase up to 5,230,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $0.07 per share are currently vested, outstanding warrants exercisable to purchase up to 31,970,303_shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of CAD $0.11 per share. Exercise of these warrants and options could have a further dilutive effect on existing stockholders and you as an investor.
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The Company’s results of operations could be affected by natural events in the locations in which it operates.
The Company has operations in locations subject to natural occurrences such as severe weather and other geological events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, or flood that could disrupt operations. Any serious disruption at any of the Company’s sites due to a natural disaster could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and increase its costs and expenses. If there is a natural disaster or other serious disruption at any of the Company’s sites, it could impair its ability to adequately supply its customers, cause a significant disruption to its operations, cause the Company to incur significant costs to relocate or re-establish these functions and negatively impact its operating results. While the Company intends to seek insurance against certain business interruption risks, such insurance may not adequately compensate the Company for any losses incurred as a result of natural or other disasters. In addition, any natural disaster that results in a prolonged disruption to the operations of the Company’s customers may adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition.
The Company is subject to various laws relating to trade, export controls, and foreign corrupt practices, the violation of which could adversely affect its operations, reputation, business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.
We are subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the United States, including exposure to complex foreign and U.S. regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and other anti-corruption laws which generally prohibit U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Violations of the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal and civil sanctions and other penalties. It may be difficult to oversee the conduct of any contractors, third-party partners, representatives or agents who are not our employees, potentially exposing us to greater risk from their actions. If our employees or agents fail to comply with applicable laws or company policies governing our international operations, we may face legal proceedings and actions which could result in civil penalties, administration actions and criminal sanctions. Any determination that we have violated any anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse impact on our business. Changes in trade sanctions laws may restrict the Company’s business practices, including cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries or with sanctioned entities.
Violations of these laws and regulations could result in significant fines, criminal sanctions against the Company, its officers or its employees, requirements to obtain export licenses, disgorgement of profits, cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries, prohibitions on the conduct of its business and its inability to market and sell the Company’s products or services in one or more countries. Additionally, any such violations could materially damage the Company’s reputation, brand, international expansion efforts, ability to attract and retain employees and the Company’s business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.
We are subject to political, economic, and other risks and uncertainties in the foreign countries in which we operate.
Any international operations performed may expose us to greater risks than those associated with more developed markets. Due to our foreign operations, we are subject to the following issues and uncertainties that can adversely affect our operations in Bulgaria or other countries in which we may operate properties in the future:
| · | the risk of, and disruptions due to, expropriation, nationalization, war, revolution, election outcomes, economic instability, political instability, or border disputes; | |
| · | the uncertainty of local contractual terms, renegotiation or modification of existing contracts and enforcement of contractual terms in disputes before local courts; | |
| · | the risk of import, export and transportation regulations and tariffs, including boycotts and embargoes; | |
| · | the risk of not being able to procure residency and work permits for our expatriate personnel; | |
| · | the requirements or regulations imposed by local governments upon local suppliers or subcontractors, or being imposed in an unexpected and rapid manner; |
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| · | taxation and revenue policies, including royalty and tax increases, retroactive tax claims and the imposition of unexpected taxes or other payments on revenues; | |
| · | exchange controls, currency fluctuations and other uncertainties arising out of foreign government sovereignty over foreign operations; | |
| · | laws and policies of the United States and of the other countries in which we may operate affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment, including anti- bribery and anti-corruption laws; | |
| · | the possibility of being subjected to the exclusive jurisdiction of foreign courts in connection with legal disputes and the possible inability to subject foreign persons to the jurisdiction of courts in the United States; and | |
| · | the possibility of restrictions on repatriation of earnings or capital from foreign countries. |
There can be no assurance that changes in conditions or regulations in the future will not affect our profitability or ability to operate in such markets.
If we lose the services of our management and key consultants, then our plan of operations may be delayed.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the continued service of our executive management, directors and consultants. Losing the services of one or more key individuals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s prospective business until replacements are found.
Without additional financing to develop our business plan, our business may fail.
Because we have generated no revenue from our business and cannot anticipate when we will be able to generate meaningful revenue from our business, we will need to raise additional funds to conduct and grow our business. We do not currently have sufficient financial resources to completely fund the development of our business plan. We anticipate that we will need to raise further financing. We do not currently have any arrangements for financing and we can provide no assurance to investors that we will be able to find such financing if required. The most likely source of future funds presently available to us is through the sale of equity capital. Any sale of share capital will result in dilution to existing security-holders.
Conflicts of interest between our company and our directors and officers may result in a loss of business opportunity.
Our directors and officers are not obligated to commit their full time and attention to our business and, accordingly, they may encounter a conflict of interest in allocating their time between our future operations and those of other businesses. In the course of their other business activities, they may become aware of investment and business opportunities which may be appropriate for presentation to us as well as other entities to which they owe a fiduciary duty. As a result, they may have conflicts of interest in determining to which entity a particular business opportunity should be presented. They may also in the future become affiliated with entities, engaged in business activities similar to those we intend to conduct.
In general, officers and directors of a corporation are required to present business opportunities to a corporation if:
| · | The corporation could financially undertake the opportunity; | |
| · | The opportunity is within the corporation’s line of business; and | |
| · | It would be unfair to the corporation and its stockholders not to bring the opportunity to the attention of the corporation. |
We have adopted a code of ethics that obligates our directors, officers and employees to disclose potential conflicts of interest and prohibits those persons from engaging in such transactions without our consent. Despite our intentions, conflicts of interest may nevertheless arise which may deprive our company of a business opportunity, which may impede the successful development of our business and negatively impact the value of an investment in our company.
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Because some of our officers and directors are located outside of the United States, you may have no effective recourse against them for misconduct and you may not be able to enforce judgment and civil liabilities against them.
Some of our directors and officers are nationals and/or residents of countries other than the United States and all or a substantial portion of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for investors to enforce within the United States any judgments obtained against our officers or directors, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
Trading on the OCTQB and CSE may be volatile and sporadic, which could depress the market price of our common stock and make it difficult for our stockholders to resell their shares.
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB electronic quotation service operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. Trading in stock quoted on the OTCQB is often thin and characterized by wide fluctuations in trading prices, due to many factors that may have little to do with our operations or business prospects. This volatility could depress the market price of our common stock for reasons unrelated to operating performance. Moreover, the OTCQB is not a stock exchange, and trading of securities on the OTCQB is often more sporadic than the trading of securities listed on a quotation system like Nasdaq or a stock exchange like the NYSE. Accordingly, shareholders may have difficulty reselling any of the shares.
Our stock is a penny stock. Trading of our stock may be restricted by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s penny stock regulations which may limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
Our stock is a penny stock. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which generally defines “penny stock” to be any equity security that has a market price (as defined) less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. Our securities are covered by the penny stock rules, which impose additional sales practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell to persons other than established customers and “accredited investors”. The term “accredited investor” refers generally to institutions with assets in excess of $5,000,000 or individuals with a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or annual income exceeding $200,000 or $300,000 jointly with their spouse. The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document in a form prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission which provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in the transaction and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer’s account. The bid and offer quotations, and the broker-dealer and salesperson compensation information, must be given to the customer orally or in writing prior to effecting the transaction and must be given to the customer in writing before or with the customer’s confirmation. In addition, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser’s written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the stock that is subject to these penny stock rules. Consequently, these penny stock rules may affect the ability of broker-dealers to trade our securities. We believe that the penny stock rules discourage investor interest in and limit the marketability of our common stock.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, has adopted sales practice requirements which may also limit a stockholder’s ability to buy and sell our stock.
In addition to the “penny stock” rules described above, FINRA has adopted rules that require that in recommending an investment to a customer, a broker-dealer must have reasonable grounds for believing that the investment is suitable for that customer. Prior to recommending speculative low priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status, investment objectives and other information. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability that speculative low priced securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. FINRA requirements make it more difficult for broker-dealers to recommend that their customers buy our common stock, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our stock and have an adverse effect on the market for our shares.
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Because we do not intend to pay any dividends on our shares, investors seeking dividend income or liquidity should not purchase our shares.
We have not declared or paid any dividends on our shares since inception, and do not anticipate paying any such dividends for the foreseeable future. We presently do not anticipate that we will pay dividends on any of our common stock in the foreseeable future. If payment of dividends does occur at some point in the future, it would be contingent upon our revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, and general financial condition. The payment of any common stock dividends will be within the discretion of our Board of Directors. We presently intend to retain all earnings to implement our business plan; accordingly, we do not anticipate the declaration of any dividends for common stock in the foreseeable future.
Investors seeking dividend income or liquidity should not invest in our shares.
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Market for the Company’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters
The Common Stock was approved for quotation on the OTC Bulletin Board under the ticker symbol “AHNR” The Company’s shares are now quoted on the OTC.QB of the OTC Markets Group, Inc. In addition, since October, 2021 our Common Stock has been approved for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “ATHA”. The following sets forth the high and low trading prices on the OTC.QB for the periods shown:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||||||||||||
| First quarter ended March 31 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.06 | ||||||||||||
| Second quarter ended June 30 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||||||||
| Third quarter ended September 30 | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||||||||
| Fourth quarter ended December 31 | N/A | N/A | $ | 0.05 | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||
The closing price of the Company's common stock as of December __, 2024 was $(insert before filing), as reported on the OTC.QB. The OTC.QB prices are bid and ask prices which represent prices between broker-dealers and do not include retail mark-ups and mark-downs or any commissions to the broker-dealer. The prices do not reflect prices in actual transactions. As of December __, 2024, there were approximately 95 record owners of the Company's common stock.
The OTC.QB is a registered quotation service that displays real-time quotes, last sale prices and volume information in over-the-counter (OTC) securities. An OTC equity security generally is any equity that is not listed or traded on NASDAQ or a national securities exchange. The OTCQB is not an issuer listing service, market or exchange. Although the OTCQB does not have any listing requirements, per se, to be eligible for quotation on the OTCQB, issuers must remain current in their filings with the SEC or applicable regulatory authority.
Trading in our Common Stock is subject to rules adopted by the SEC regulating broker dealer practices in connection with transactions in "penny stocks." Those disclosure rules applicable to penny stocks require a broker dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document prepared by the SEC. That disclosure document advises an investor that investment in penny stocks can be very risky and that the investor's salesperson or broker is not an impartial advisor but rather paid to sell the shares. The disclosure contains further warnings for the investor to exercise caution in connection with an investment in penny stocks, to independently investigate the security, as well as the salesperson with whom the investor is working and to understand the risky nature of an investment in this security. The broker dealer must also provide the customer with certain other information and must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. Further, the rules require that, following the proposed transaction, the broker provide the customer with monthly account statements containing market information about the prices of the securities.
Rules Governing Low-Price Stocks that May Affect Our Shareholders' Ability to Resell Shares of Our Common Stock
Quotations on the OTC/QB reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not reflect actual transactions. The Common Stock may be subject to certain rules adopted by the SEC that regulate broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in “penny stocks”. Penny stocks generally are securities with a price of less than $5.00, other than securities registered on certain national exchanges or quoted on the Nasdaq system, provided that the exchange or system provides current price and volume information with respect to transaction in such securities. The additional sales practice and disclosure requirements imposed upon broker-dealers may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our shares which could severely limit the market liquidity of the shares and impede the sale of our shares in the secondary market.
The penny stock rules require broker-dealers, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to make a special suitability determination for the purchaser to receive the purchaser’s written consent to the transaction prior to sale, to deliver standardized risk disclosure documents prepared by the SEC that provides information about penny stocks and the nature and level of risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer must also provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock. In addition, the penny stock regulations require the broker-dealer to deliver, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prepared by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, unless the broker-dealer or the transaction is otherwise exempt. A broker-dealer is also required to disclose commissions payable to the broker-dealer and the registered representative and current quotations for the securities. Finally, a broker-dealer is required to send monthly statements disclosing recent price information with respect to the penny stock held in a customer's account and information with respect to the limited market in penny stocks.
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Holders
As of the date of this prospectus, we have approximately 95 shareholders of record of the Company’s common stock.
Rule 144 Shares
As of the date of this prospectus, we have TBD shares of common stock issued and outstanding that are available for resale by our shareholders to the public under Rule 144 of the Securities Act. However, in the future, we may issue shares without registration under the Securities Act in reliance upon exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, in which event those shares would be deemed “restricted securities” and may, in the future, become eligible for resale under Rule 144.
Effective February 15, 2008, the SEC amended Rule 144 as part of its efforts to facilitate public and private capital-raising and ease disclosure requirements, particularly for smaller companies but also for large public companies. Under Rule 144, as amended, a non-affiliate of an issuer is eligible to resell restricted securities after they have been owned for six months without regard to the former rules related to manner of sale, volume limitations and the requirement to file a Form 144 with the SEC. After a non-affiliate has owned restricted securities for one year, the amended Rule 144 eliminates the requirement that the issuer have current public information available.
Under the amended Rule 144, affiliates of an issuer may resell restricted securities after the applicable six month holding period but continue to be subject to the current public information, volume limitation, manner of sale and Form 144 filing requirements. However, the manner of sale has been amended to permit resales through “risk list principal transactions”, as well as “broker’s transactions”. The revised Rule 144 also eliminates the manner of sale requirements for resale of debt securities by affiliates and increases the volume limitations for resales of debt securities by affiliates to an amount not to exceed 10% of a particular tranche that such debt securities were issued under in any three-month period.
Dividends
As of the filing of this prospectus, we have not paid any dividends to our shareholders. There are no restrictions which would limit our ability to pay dividends on common equity or that are likely to do so in the future. Delaware law prohibits us from declaring dividends where, after giving effect to the distribution of the dividend, we would not be able to pay our debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or if our total assets would be less than the sum of our total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed to satisfy the rights of shareholders who have preferential rights superior to those receiving the distribution.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent and registrar for our common and preferred stock is Endeavor Trust Corporation, 702 – 777 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1S4
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This proxy statement/prospectus contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economic performance or management’s plans and objectives for future operations. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Examples of forward-looking statements made in this proxy statement/prospectus include statements about:
| · | Our future drilling activities and oil and gas property development, | |
| · | Our future capital expenditures, and | |
| · | Our future investments in and acquisitions of other companies or property interests. |
These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including:
| · | General economic and business conditions, | |
| · | Exposure to market risks in our financial instruments, | |
| · | Fluctuations in worldwide prices and demand for precious metals, | |
| · | Fluctuations in the levels of our development activities, | |
| · | Regulatory and environmental uncertainties and potential liabilities, | |
| · | Political changes in Canada and the United States, which could affect our operations there, and | |
| · | The risks in the section of this proxy statement/prospectus entitled “Risk Factors”, |
any of which may cause our company’s or our industry’s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.
While these forward-looking statements and any assumptions upon which they are based are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and Canada, we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
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PROPOSAL 1 – THE CONTINUATION
General Overview of the Continuation
On October 31, 2024, our board of directors determined that it would be in the best interest of our company to change our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada. We intend to change the corporate jurisdiction of Athena from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada by means of a process called a “merger” under the Delaware General Corporation Law and a “continuation” under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) followed by an amalgamation between our company and its wholly-owned subsidiary in British Columbia.
If our stockholders approve the proposed continuation then we intend to file articles of merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware and a continuation application with the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia. Upon receipt of a certificate of continuation from the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia, we will be continued as a British Columbia corporation and will be governed by the laws of British Columbia. The assets and liabilities of the British Columbia corporation immediately after the continuation will be identical to the assets and liabilities of the Delaware corporation immediately prior to the continuation. The officers and directors of Athena Delaware immediately before the continuation becomes effective will be the officers and directors of the British Columbia corporation. The change of our corporate jurisdiction will not result in any material change to our business and will not have any effect on the relative equity or voting interests of our stockholders. Each previously outstanding share of our common and preferred stock will become one common or preferred share, as the case may be, of the British Columbia corporation.
The continuation and the plan of merger are also subject to approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock and the Registrar of Companies in British Columbia. Listing of the resulting issuer’s common shares after the merger will be subject to the Canadian Securities Exchange.
The change of our corporate jurisdiction will result in changes in the rights and obligations of our current stockholders under applicable corporate laws. For an explanation of these differences see the discussion of “Material Differences of the Rights of Our Stockholders After the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” beginning on page 45 of this proxy statement/prospectus. In addition, the change of our corporate jurisdiction may have material tax consequences to stockholders which may or may not be adverse to any particular stockholder depending on the stockholder’s particular circumstances. For a more detailed explanation of the tax consequences, see “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” and “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” beginning on pages 51 and 55, respectively, of this proxy statement/prospectus.
Certain Terms of the Plan of Merger
A summary of the material terms of the plan of merger is set forth below. The full text of the plan of merger is attached as Schedule “A” to this proxy statement/prospectus.
Principal Terms of the Merger
The plan of merger provides that at the effective time of the merger, Athena will be converted into Athena Gold Corporation, a British Columbia corporation continued under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). At the effective time of the merger, the continuation application and articles of Athena BC, in the forms attached as Appendix “A” and Appendix “B”, respectively, of the plan of merger will replace the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Athena.
Effective Time of the Merger
The plan of merger provides that, as promptly as practicable after the approval of the plan of merger by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock of Athena, Athena will file the articles of merger with the Secretary of State of Delaware and a continuation application with the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia. The plan of merger provides that the effective date and time of the merger will be the date and time on and at which the continuation becomes effective under the laws of Delaware or the date and time on and at which the continuation becomes effective under the laws of British Columbia, whichever occurs later.
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Manner and Basis of Converting Shares of Common Stock
At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of Athena, with a par value of $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately before the effective time of the merger will, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable common share, without par value, of Athena BC.
Manner and Basis of Converting Options and Other Rights
At the effective time of the merger, each option, warrant or other right to acquire shares of common stock of Athena Delaware that is or was outstanding immediately before the effective time of the merger will, by virtue of the merger and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, be converted into and become an option, warrant or right, respectively, to acquire, upon the same terms and conditions, the number of common shares of Athena BC that such holder would have received had such holder exercised such option, warrant or right, respectively, in full immediately before the effective time of the merger (whether or not such option, warrant or right was then exercisable) and the exercise price per share under each such option, warrant or right, respectively will be equal to the exercise price per share thereof immediately before the effective time of the merger, unless otherwise provided in the instrument or agreement granting such option, warrant or right, respectively.
Effect of the Merger
At the effective time of the merger, Athena will cease to exist as a Delaware corporation, and the title to all real estate vested by deed or otherwise under the laws of any jurisdiction, and the title to all other property, real and personal, owned by Athena, and all debts due to Athena on whatever account, as well as all other things in action or belonging to Athena immediately before the merger, will be vested in Athena BC, without reservation or impairment. Athena BC will have all of the debts, liabilities and duties of Athena Delaware, and all rights of creditors accruing and all liens placed upon any property of Athena up to the effective time of the merger will be preserved unimpaired, and all debts, liabilities and duties of Athena immediately before the merger will attach to Athena BC and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if it had incurred or contracted such debts, liabilities and duties. Any proceeding pending against Athena may be continued as if the merger had not occurred or Athena BC may be substituted in the proceeding in place of Athena.
Amendment
The boards of directors of Athena may amend the plan of merger at any time before the effective time of merger, provided, however, that an amendment made subsequent to the approval of the merger by the stockholders of Athena must not (a) alter or change the manner or basis of exchanging a stockholder’s shares of Athena for a stockholder’s shares, rights to purchase a stockholder’s shares, or other securities of Athena BC, or for cash or other property in whole or in part or (b) alter or change any of the terms and conditions of the plan of merger in a manner that adversely affects the stockholders of Athena.
Termination
At any time before the effective time of the merger, the plan of merger may be terminated and the merger may be abandoned by the board of directors of Athena, notwithstanding approval of the plan of merger by the stockholders of Athena. We anticipate that the plan of merger will be terminated if the proposed merger is not approved by our stockholders at the special meeting.
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Appraisal Rights
Under Delaware law, pursuant to the section 262 (the “Dissenters Rights Provisions”) our stockholders are entitled, after complying with certain requirements of Delaware law, to dissent from approval of the continuation pursuant to section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and to be paid the “fair value” of their shares of our common stock exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the continuation, if the continuation is completed. Stockholders electing to exercise these appraisal rights must comply with the provisions of section 262 of the DGCL in order to perfect their rights. We will require strict compliance with the statutory procedures.
In the context of the continuation, the Dissenters’ Rights Provisions provides that the former stockholders may elect to have our company purchase their shares held by the former stockholders for a cash price that is equal to the “fair value” of such shares, as determined in a judicial proceeding in accordance with the Dissenters’ Rights Provisions. The fair value of the shares of any former stockholder means the value of such shares immediately before the effectuation of the continuation excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the continuation, unless exclusion of any appreciation or depreciation would be inequitable.
A copy of the Dissenters’ Rights Provisions is attached as Schedule “B” hereto. If you wish to exercise your dissenters’ rights or preserve the right to do so, you should carefully review Schedule “B” hereto. IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN THE DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS PROVISIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS. BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THOSE PROCEDURES, YOU SHOULD SEEK THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING EXERCISING YOUR DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS. Former stockholders who perfect their dissenters’ rights by complying with the procedures set forth in the Dissenters’ Rights Provisions will have the fair value of their Shares determined by a Delaware state district court and will be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to such fair value. Any such judicial determination of the fair value of shares could be based upon any valuation method or combination of methods the court deems appropriate. The value so determined could be more or less than the continuation to be paid in connection with the continuation. In addition, former stockholders who invoke dissenters’ rights may be entitled to receive payment of a fair rate of interest from the effective time of the continuation on the amount determined to be the fair value of their shares. If you do NOT plan to seek an appraisal of all of your shares, please execute (or, if you are not the record holder of such shares, to arrange for such record holder or such holder’s duly authorized representative to execute) and mail postage paid the enclosed Letter of Transmittal to the agent at the address set forth in the Letter of Transmittal. You should note that surrendering to Athena certificates for your shares will constitute a waiver of your appraisal rights under the DGCL.
All demands for appraisal should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary John Power at Athena Gold Corporation, c/o clneuman@neuman.com, before the vote on the continuation is taken at the special meeting, and should be executed by, or on behalf of, the record holder of the shares of the common stock. The demand must reasonably inform us of the identity of the stockholder and the intention of the stockholder to demand appraisal of his, her or its shares of our common stock.
In view of the complexity of the Dissenter’s Rights Provisions in section 262, stockholders desiring to dissent from the continuation and pursue appraisal rights should consult their legal advisers.
Reasons for the Continuation
We believe that the change of our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada will more accurately reflect our operations, which are located in Nevada, USA and Ontario, Canada but will be headquartered in and managed from Canada. We also believe that changing our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada more accurately reflects the identity of our company because Canada is the country from which we have derived much of our financing, and our common stock is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange in Canada. Furthermore, all of our officers and the majority of our directors are located in Canada, and a large amount of our issued and outstanding stock is owned of record by persons not resident in the United States. We believe that the change of our corporate jurisdiction may also enable us to qualify as a “foreign private issuer” in the United States. As a foreign private issuer, we believe that our regulatory compliance costs may decrease and our ability to raise capital should improve because it should, under certain circumstances, enable us to issue securities in private placement offerings with a four-month hold period (for which we believe there is more demand than there is for securities issued in a private placement with a minimum hold period of six-months, which is currently the case) without limiting our access to the U.S. capital markets.
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In addition to the potential benefits described above, the continuation will impose some moderate costs on our company and will expose us and our stockholders to some risk, including the risk of liability for taxation and the potential for greater impediments to enforcement of judgments and orders of United States courts and regulatory authorities against our company following the consummation of the continuation. Please see the section entitled “Risk Factors” commencing on page 21 for a more comprehensive discussion regarding the risk factors of the continuation. There are also differences between the laws of the State of Delaware and the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Please see the section entitled “Material Differences of the Rights of Our Stockholders After the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction” commencing on page 45 for a more comprehensive discussion of our stockholders’ rights before and after the proposed change of our corporate jurisdiction. Regardless of the risks and costs associated with the change of our corporate jurisdiction, our board of directors has determined that the potential advantages of the change of our corporate jurisdiction outweigh the risks and costs.
Although our board of directors evaluated variations in the basic structure of the continuation, our board of directors believes, based on advice from management and its professional advisors, that the proposed structure of our company as a British Columbia corporation is the best structure to provide the advantages which our company is seeking without substantial operational or financial risks. No assurance can be given, however, that the anticipated benefits of the continuation will be realized.
Corporate Law Requirements
In order for our company to carry out the continuation, it will be necessary for us to comply with the provisions of the corporate law of the State of Delaware and the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
The corporate law of the State of Delaware allows a corporation that is incorporated under the Delaware corporate law to merge into a foreign entity pursuant to a merger approved by the stockholders of the Delaware corporation. Pursuant to the Delaware corporate law, the board of directors of Athena has adopted the plan of merger attached as Schedule “A” to this proxy statement/prospectus, subject to approval by our stockholders.
If holders of a majority of the voting power of our stockholders vote to approve the plan of merger, we intend to file articles of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State. After we file the articles of merger and pay to the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware all prescribed fees, and we comply with all other requirements, the merger will become effective in accordance with the Delaware corporate law.
As we are proposing to continue into the jurisdiction of the Province of British Columbia, we must also comply with the applicable provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) in order to successfully complete the continuation.
A foreign corporation is permitted to continue from a foreign jurisdiction into British Columbia by filing with the Registrar of Companies of British Columbia a continuation application and providing to the Registrar of Companies certain records and information that the Registrar of Companies may require. We expect that the continuation of Athena into British Columbia will be effective on the date and time that the continuation application, the form of which is attached hereto as Appendix “A” of the plan of merger, is filed with the Registrar of Companies, assuming we provide the Registrar of Companies with any records and information it may require. After Athena Delaware is continued into British Columbia, the Registrar of Companies must issue a certificate of continuation showing the name of the continued company (expected to be “Athena Gold Corporation”) and the date and time on which it is continued into British Columbia as a continued company.
If the continuation is approved by our stockholders, we expect to file the articles of merger and the continuation application promptly.
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Exchange of Share Certificates
Upon the effectiveness of the continuation, Athena BC will mail a letter of transmittal with instructions to each holder of record of shares of common stock of Athena outstanding immediately before the effective time for use in exchanging certificates formerly representing shares of common stock of Athena for certificates representing shares of Athena BC. Certificates should not be surrendered by the holder thereof until they have received the letter of transmittal from Athena BC.
Description of Our Securities after the Continuation
Upon completion of the continuation, we will be authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value.
Common Shares
The holders of common shares of Athena BC will be entitled to dividends, if, as and when declared by the board of directors of Athena BC, entitled to one vote per share at meetings of shareholders or Athena BC and, upon dissolution, entitled to share equally in such assets of Athena BC as are distributable to the holders of common shares of Athena BC and subject to the rights of the holders of preferred shares.
Preferred Shares
Athena BC will be authorized to issue preferred shares in one or more series. Subject to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), the directors of Athena BC may, by resolution, if none of the shares of any particular series are issued, alter articles of Athena BC and authorize the alteration of the notice of articles of Athena BC, as the case may be, to do one or more of the following:
| · | determine the maximum number of shares of that series that Athena BC is authorized to issue, determine that there is no such maximum number, or alter any such determination; | |
| · | create an identifying name for the shares of that series, or alter any such identifying name; and | |
| · | attach special rights or restrictions to the shares of that series, or alter any such special rights or restrictions. |
The holders of preferred shares will be entitled, on the liquidation or dissolution of Athena BC, whether voluntary or involuntary, or on any other distribution of the assets of Athena BC among shareholders of Athena BC for the purpose of winding up its affairs, to receive, before any distribution is made to the holders of common shares of Athena BC or any other shares of Athena BC ranking junior to the preferred shares with respect to the repayment of capital on the liquidation or dissolution of Athena BC, whether voluntary or involuntary, or on any other distribution of the assets of Athena BC among shareholders of Athena BC for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the amount paid up with respect to each preferred share held by them, together with the fixed premium (if any) thereon, all accrued and unpaid cumulative dividends (if any and if preferential) thereon, which for such purpose will be calculated as if such dividends were accruing on a day-to-day basis up to the date of such distribution, whether or not earned or declared, and all declared and unpaid non-cumulative dividends (if any and if preferential) thereon. After payment to the holders of the preferred shares of the amounts so payable to them, they will not, as such, be entitled to share in any further distribution of the property or assets of Athena BC, except as specifically provided in the special rights and restrictions attached to any particular series. All assets remaining after payment to the holders of preferred shares as aforesaid will be distributed rateably among the holders of common shares of Athena BC.
Except for such rights relating to the election of directors on a default in payment of dividends as may be attached to any series of the preferred shares by the directors, holders of preferred shares will not be entitled, as such, to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any general meeting of shareholders of Athena BC.
Material Differences of the Rights of Our Stockholders After the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
After the continuation, our stockholders will become the holders of shares in the capital of a British Columbia corporation organized under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “BCBCA”). The Delaware General Corporation Law of Delaware (the “DGCL”) differs in many respects from the BCBCA. The following is a summary description of the principal differences that could affect the rights of our stockholders.
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Director Election
Under the BCBCA, shareholders of a corporation must, by ordinary resolution at each annual meeting at which an election of directors is required, elect directors to hold office. An ordinary resolution means a resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders by a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting. Under the BCBCA, public companies such as our company must have at least three directors. The proposed articles of Athena BC provide that changes in the number of directors must be approved by ordinary resolution. However, the proposed articles of Athena BC also provide that the directors of Athena BC may appoint up to one-third of the number of the directors at the time of the appointments (other than directors appointed by this method). Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors, but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
The DGCL requires that a corporation have a minimum of one director. The number of directors must be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change in the number of directors must be made only by amendment to the certificate, which requires stockholder approval. The number of directors may be changed by resolution of the board of directors if the certificate of incorporation or bylaws so provide. The certificate of incorporation of Athena provides that the board of directors of Athena must determine the number of directors, subject to the bylaws of Athena. The bylaws of Athena provide that the number of directors must be a minimum of 1unless and until otherwise determined by a vote of a majority of the board of directors of Athena. Within these limits, the number of directors must be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of directors or by the stockholders at a meeting. The bylaws of Athena provide that generally all elections must be decided by the vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Removal of Directors
Under the BCBCA, a company may remove a director before the expiration of the director’s term of office by a special resolution. The special resolution means a resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders by at least 2/3 of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting.
Under the DGCL, any director or the entire board of directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
Personal Liability of Directors and Derivative Actions
The BCBCA entitles a shareholder, including a beneficial owner of a share of a corporation, or a director of a corporation and any person whom the court considers an appropriate person to make application, with the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and in the name of the corporation, to commence legal proceedings to enforce a right, duty or obligation owed to the corporation that could be enforced by the corporation itself or to obtain damages for any breach of a right, duty or obligation whether the right, duty or obligation arises under the BCBCA or otherwise. Derivative actions, therefore, may be brought by shareholders on behalf of a corporation against the corporation’s directors for damages or to enforce rights or duties owed by the director to the corporation. With leave of the court, a complainant may, in the name of and on behalf of a corporation, defend a legal proceeding brought against the corporation. Under the BCBCA, there is no statutory limitation with respect to the monetary liability which may be imposed on directors.
Under the DGCL, a stockholder may bring a derivative action against officers and directors of a corporation for breach of their fiduciary duties to a corporation and its stockholders or for other fraudulent misconduct, so long as the stockholder was a stockholder of the corporation at the time of the transaction in question, or the stockholder obtained the stock thereafter solely by operation of law, and remained so through the duration of the suit; the plaintiff makes a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim unless the demand would be futile; and the plaintiff is an adequate representative of the other stockholders.
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The DGCL permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating the liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty of care, except under certain circumstances. The certificate of incorporation of Athena provides that no director of the corporation will be liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided, however, that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director
| · | from a breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; | |
| · | from acts or omissions not in good faith involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; | |
| · | from unlawfully paying a dividend or approving Delaware stock repurchases or redemptions; | |
| · | from a transaction where the director derived an improper personal benefit. |
Interested Shareholder Transactions and Anti-Takeover Provisions
Some powers granted to companies under the DGCL may allow a Delaware corporation to make itself potentially less vulnerable to hostile takeover attempts. These powers include the ability to:
| · | require that notice of nominations for directors be given to the corporation prior to a meeting where directors will be elected, which may give management an opportunity to make a greater effort to solicit its own proxies; | |
| · | only allow the board of directors to call a special meeting of stockholders, which may thwart a raider’s ability to call a meeting to make disruptive changes; | |
| · | provide that the power to determine the number of directors and to fill vacancies be vested solely in the board, so that the incumbent board, not a raider, would control vacant board positions; | |
| · | provide for supermajority voting in some circumstances, including mergers and certificate of incorporation amendments; |
There is no similar provision under the BCBCA.
Amendments to the Governing Documents
A BCBCA corporation may resolve to alter its articles:
| · | by the type of resolution specified by the BCBCA; | |
| · | if the BCBCA does not specify the type of resolution, by the type of resolution specified by the articles; | |
| · | if neither the BCBCA nor the articles specify the type of resolution, by a special resolution. |
The special resolution means a resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders by at least 2/3 of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting.
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According to the proposed articles of Athena BC, subject to the BCBCA, Athena BC may by resolution of the directors:
| · | create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares; | |
| · | increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that Athena BC is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that Athena BC is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established; | |
| · | if Athena BC is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value: |
| (i) | decrease the par value of those shares; | |
| (ii) | if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares; | |
| (iii) | subdivide all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares of smaller par value; or | |
| (iv) | consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares of larger par value; |
| · | subdivide all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares without par value; | |
| · | consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares without par value; | |
| · | subdivide all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares by way of a share dividend; | |
| · | change all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or all or any of its unissued shares without par value into shares with par value; | |
| · | alter the identifying name of any of its shares; or | |
| · | otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the BCBCA. |
According to the proposed articles of Athena BC, Athena BC may by resolution of the directors alter its notice of articles in order to change its name or adopt or change any transaction of that name. Also, if the BCBCA does not specify the type of resolution and the articles of Athena BC do not specify another type of resolution, Athena BC may by resolution of the directors alter the articles.
A BCBCA corporation may, by the type of shareholders’ resolution specified by the articles, or, if the articles do not specify the type of resolution, by a special resolution:
| · | create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued; | |
| · | vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, whether or not any or all of those shares have been issued. |
A right or special right attached to issued shares must not be prejudiced or interfered with under the BCBCA or under the memorandum, notice of articles or articles unless the shareholders holding the shares of the class or series of shares to which the right or special right is attached consent by a special separate resolution of those shareholders which, if passed at a meeting, requires the majority of the votes specified in the articles for a special separate resolution (or, failing which, a separate resolution) of that class or series. If the articles do not specify the majority required, then a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast is required. The special separate resolution is in addition to the resolution authorizing the alterations.
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The DGCL provide that the vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to alter, amend, change or repeal a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless otherwise specified in a corporation’s certification of incorporation or bylaws. In addition, if the amendment to the certificate of incorporation would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of a class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely, that class is entitled to vote separately on the amendment whether or not it is designated as voting stock. Furthermore, if the proposed amendment would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of one or more series of any class so as to affect them adversely, but will not so affect the entire class, then only the shares of the series so affected by the amendment will be considered a separate class for purposes of the class vote. The DGCL reserves the power to the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws unless the certificate of incorporation confers such power on the board of directors in addition to the stockholders. The certificate of incorporation of Athena provides that the board of directors of Athena is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal our bylaws.
Shareholder Quorum and Voting Requirements
Under the BCBCA, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders of a company may be established by the articles. The proposed articles of Athena BC provides that, generally, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is 2 persons who are, or who represent by proxy, shareholders who, in the aggregate, hold at least 1/20 of the issued shares entitled to be voted at the meeting.
Except where the BCBCA or the articles require approval by a special resolution or unanimous resolution, a simple majority of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting is required to approve any resolution properly brought before the stockholders.
Under the DGCL, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws may specify the number of shares necessary to constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that a quorum may not consist of less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. The bylaws of Athena provide that the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast at least one third of the shares entitled to vote at the meetings of stockholders constitutes a quorum.
The bylaws of Athena provide that generally all elections and questions must be decided by the vote of a majority in interest of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Special Meeting of Shareholders
The BCBCA provides that a board of directors or the holders of 5% of the issued shares of a corporation with a right to vote can call or requisition a special meeting.
Under the DGCL, a special meeting may be called by a board of directors or by any other person authorized to do so in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws. The bylaws of Athena provide that special meetings of the stockholders or of any class or series thereof entitled to vote may be called by the President or by the chairman of the board of directors, or at the request in writing by stockholders of record owning at least 20% percent of the issued and outstanding voting shares of common stock of Athena.
Votes Required for Extraordinary Transactions
Under the BCBCA, approvals of amalgamations (except amalgamations between a corporation and wholly owned subsidiaries), consolidations, and sales, leases, or exchanges of substantially all the property of a corporation, other than in the ordinary course of business of the corporation requires approval by the stockholders by a special resolution at a duly called meeting. The special resolution means a resolution passed at a meeting of shareholders by at least 2/3 of the votes cast by shareholders voting shares that carry the right to vote at a meeting.
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Under the DGCL, mergers or consolidations generally require the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote and stockholder approval is not required by a Delaware corporation:
| · | if it is the surviving corporation in a merger requiring the issuance of common stock not exceeding 20% of the corporation’s common stock outstanding immediately prior to the merger, the merger agreement does not amend in any respect the survivor’s certification of incorporation, and stockholder approval is not specifically mandated in the survivor’s certification of incorporation; | |
| · | if it is the surviving corporation in a merger with a subsidiary in which it ownership was 90% or greater. |
Unless a greater percentage is required by the certificate of incorporation, a sale, lease, or exchange of all or substantially all the property or assets of a Delaware corporation or an amendment to its certificate of incorporation also requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on the matter.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent (In Lieu of a Meeting)
Under the BCBCA, any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders by an ordinary resolution may be taken by a written resolution signed by a special majority of the stockholders entitled to vote on such resolution. The proposed articles of Athena BC provide that a special majority is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders by a special resolution may be taken by a written resolution signed by all the shareholders entitled to vote on such resolution.
Under the DGCL, stockholders may execute an action by written consent in lieu of a stockholder meeting, unless such right is eliminated in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, if holders of outstanding stock representing not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to take the action at an annual or special meeting execute a written consent providing for the action.
Rights of Dissent and Appraisal
Under the BCBCA, in certain circumstances, a registered shareholder who disagrees with a proposed corporate action can require the company to purchase his or her shares for their fair value. The actions giving rise to a right of dissent are as follows:
| · | an alteration in the articles of a company by altering the restrictions on the business carried on or to be carried on by the company, or in its powers; | |
| · | various forms of corporation reorganizations, amalgamation, or arrangements (where permitted); | |
| · | a proposed sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the corporation’s assets; or | |
| · | in respect of any resolution or court order or arrangement permitting dissent. |
Under the DGCL, stockholders have the right to dissent and exercise appraisal rights only with respect to forms of corporate mergers and consolidations and not in the case of other fundamental change such as the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation or amendments to the certification of incorporation, unless so provided in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation. Stockholders who have neither voted in favor of nor consented to the merger or consolidation have the right to seek appraisal of their shares by demanding payment in cash for their shares equal to the fair value of such shares. Fair value is determined by a court in an action timely brought by the stockholders who have properly demanded appraisal of their shares. In determining fair value, the court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the resulting or surviving corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the court proceedings. In addition, under the DGCL, appraisal rights are not available for any shares of the surviving corporation if the merger did not require the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation.
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Oppression Remedies
Under the BCBCA, a shareholder of a corporation has the right to apply to a court on the grounds that the corporation is acting or proposes to act in a way that is prejudicial to the shareholder. After the application is filed, the court may make any order as it sees fit, including an order to prohibit any act proposed by the corporation.
There are no equivalent statutory remedies under the DGCL; however, stockholders may be entitled to remedies for a violation of a director’s fiduciary duties under Delaware common law.
Inspection of Corporate Books and Records
Under the BCBCA, current shareholders of a corporation are entitled to inspect, without charge, all of the records the corporation is required to maintain under the BCBCA, except for minutes of directors’ meetings and directors’ consent resolutions (and those of committees of directors) and written dissents to resolutions of directors. However, shareholders have the right to inspect the portions of minutes of directors’ meetings, or of directors’ consent resolutions and other records that contain disclosures of conflicts of interest by directors and senior officers, and the right to inspect disclosures of certain financial assistance made by the corporation.
Under DGCL, stockholders have the right for any proper purpose to inspect, upon written demand under oath stating the purpose for such inspection, the corporation’s stock ledger, list of stockholders and its other books and records, and to make copies or extracts of the same. A proper purpose means a purpose reasonably related to a person’s interests as a stockholder.
Accounting Treatment of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
For United States accounting purposes, the change of our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada by means of the continuation represents a non-substantive exchange to be accounted for in a manner consistent with a transaction between entities under common control. All assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses will be reflected in the accounts of Athena BC based on existing carrying values at the date of the exchange. The historical comparative figures of Athena BC will be those of Athena.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with the United States generally accepted accounting principles and will begin to submit our financial statements in accordance with IFRS after the consummation of the change of our corporate jurisdiction.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to our company and our Shareholders resulting from the change of our corporate jurisdiction from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada by means of the continuation (the “Continuation”) and the ownership and disposition of Athena BC Shares.
This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a Shareholder. For example, it does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular Shareholder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such holder, nor does it address the state and local, federal estate and gift, federal alternative minimum tax or foreign tax consequences to a Shareholder relating to the Continuation and the ownership and disposition of Athena BC Shares acquired thereby. 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. Each Shareholder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the U. S. federal tax consequences which may apply as a result of the Continuation and the ownership and disposition of Athena and Athena BC shares.
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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 to Shareholders as a result of the of the Continuation. 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 are based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the positions taken in this summary.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court decisions that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this registration statement. 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.
As used in this summary, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Athena Shares (or, after the Continuation has been consummated, a beneficial owner of Athena BC Shares) that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| (a) | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; | |
| (b) | a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation that is created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia; | |
| (c) | an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such income; or | |
| (d) | a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or (ii) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons as described in the Code. |
For purposes of this summary, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of Athena Shares (or, after the Continuation, a beneficial owner of Athena BC Shares) that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership.
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the Continuation to Shareholders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including: (a) Shareholders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) Shareholders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) Shareholders that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) Shareholders that have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) Shareholders that own Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares) as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) Shareholders that acquired Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares) in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) Shareholders that hold Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares) other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); and (h) partnerships and other pass-through entities (and investors in such partnerships and entities).
This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Shareholders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been, are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Act”); (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares) in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares) constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Canadian Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. 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 alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the Continuation and the ownership and disposition of Athena BC Shares received pursuant to the Continuation.
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Finally, this summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences of transactions effected prior or subsequent to, or concurrently with the Continuation, including, without limitation: any vesting, conversion, assumption, disposition, exercise, exchange or other transaction involving any rights to acquire Athena Shares or Athena BC Shares, including any options or warrants of Athena; and any transaction, other than the Continuation, in which securities of Athena or Athena BC are acquired.
If an entity that is classified as a partnership (or “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds Athena Shares (or after the Continuation is consummated, Athena BC Shares), the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such partnership and the partners of such partnership of participating in the Continuation and the ownership of Athena BC Shares received pursuant to the Continuation generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners. Partners of entities 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 Continuation and the ownership and disposition of Athena BC Shares received thereby.
This discussion provides general information only and is not intended to be tax advice to any particular Shareholder. Any U.S. Federal, state, or local tax advice included in this discussion was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any Shareholder, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by any U.S. Federal, state or local governmental taxing authority or agency. This discussion was written solely to support the promotion or marketing of the transactions or matters addressed in this Memorandum. Investors should consult their own independent tax advisors in determining the application to them of the U.S. federal income tax consequences set forth below and any other U.S. federal, state, local foreign or other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Athena and Athena BC shares. Investors should note that no rulings have been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to any of the U.S. federal income tax consequences discussed below and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not take positions contrary to the conclusions stated below.
Tax Consequences of the Transaction to Athena and Athena BC
Neither Athena nor Athena BC will recognize a gain or loss in the Continuation.
The U.S. Anti-Inversion Rules
Athena BC will be incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. Generally, corporations incorporated outside of the United States are not treated as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, as described below, Section 7874 of the Code treats certain corporations incorporated outside the United States as U.S. corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Athena BC believes that it will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Continuation.
Under Section 7874 of the Code, a corporation created or organized outside the United States (i.e., a non-U.S. corporation) may nevertheless be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and, therefore, a U.S. tax resident and subject to U.S. federal income tax on its worldwide income) if each of the following three conditions are met: (i) the non-U.S. corporation acquires, directly or indirectly, or is treated as acquiring under applicable Treasury Regulations, substantially all of the assets held, directly or indirectly, by a U.S. corporation, (ii) after the acquisition, the former stockholders of the U.S. corporation hold at least 80% (by vote or value) of the shares of the non-U.S. corporation by reason of holding shares of the U.S. corporation, and (iii) after the acquisition, the non-U.S. corporation’s expanded affiliated group does not have substantial business activities in the non-U.S. corporation’s country of organization or incorporation when compared to the expanded affiliated group’s total business activities.
As a result of the Continuation, (i) Athena BC will be treated as indirectly acquiring all of the assets of Athena and (ii) after the Continuation, the former stockholders of Athena will own, in the aggregate, at least 80% (by vote and value) of Athena BC common shares by reason of their ownership of Athena common stock, (iii) Athena BC believes that it and its affiliated group does not have sufficient business activities in Canada, its country of incorporation, to satisfy the “substantial business activity” exception under applicable Section 7874 Treasury Regulations. Therefore, under current law, Athena BC should be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
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The remainder of this discussion assumes that Athena BC will be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning Athena BC shares would be materially different than those stated herein if, notwithstanding Athena BC’s expectation, Athena BC were to be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See the discussion above under “Risk Factors— We may be classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company…”
No ruling from the IRS or legal opinion concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Continuation has been obtained and none will be requested. Thus, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the qualification of the Continuation as a tax-deferred F reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code, or that, if challenged, a U.S. court would not agree with the IRS.
If the Continuation qualifies as an F reorganization and Athena BC is treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code, then the following U.S. federal income tax consequences generally would result for U.S. Holders:
| (a) | no gain or loss will be recognized by a U.S. Holder on the exchange of Athena Shares for Athena BC Shares pursuant to the Continuation; | |
| (b) | the tax basis of a U.S. Holder in the Athena BC Shares acquired in exchange for Athena Shares pursuant to the Continuation would be equal to such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in Athena Shares exchanged; | |
| (c) | the holding period of a U.S. Holder with respect to the Athena BC Shares acquired in exchange for Athena Shares pursuant to the Continuation will include such U.S. Holder’s holding period for Athena Shares; and | |
| (d) | U.S. Holders who exchange Athena Shares for Athena BC Shares pursuant to the Continuation generally would be required to report certain information to the IRS on their U.S. federal income tax returns for the tax year in which the Continuation occurs, and to retain certain records related to the Continuation. |
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the particular consequences of the exchange of Athena stock for Athena BC shares pursuant to the Continuation.
Distributions by Athena BC and Disposition of Athena BC-U.S. Holders
The gross amount of cash distributions on Athena BC shares would generally be taxable to U.S. Holders as dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of Athena BC as determined for U.S. federal income purposes.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds Athena BC’s earnings and profits, the distribution would generally first be treated as a tax-free return of capital (with a corresponding reduction in the adjusted tax basis of a U.S. holder’s Athena BC common shares), and thereafter would be taxed as a capital gain recognized on a taxable disposition.
Dividends paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income in a U.S. dollar amount based on the spot exchange rate in effect on the date of actual or constructive receipt, whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. The U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in such currency equal to such U.S. dollar amount, and any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or conversion of the foreign currency for a different U.S. dollar amount will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If the dividend were converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, a U.S. Holder generally should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income.
A U.S. Holder would generally recognize a taxable gain or loss on any sale or other taxable disposition of Athena BC shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized from such sale or other taxable disposition and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. Such recognized gain or loss generally would be a capital gain or loss. Capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at preferential rates if the U.S. Holder’s holding period of Athena BC shares (which would include such U.S. Holder’s holding period for Athena Shares) exceeds one year as of the date of the sale or other taxable disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale or other taxable disposition of Athena BC shares generally would be treated as U.S. source gain or loss.
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders
A non-U.S. Holder of Athena BC shares generally would not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the disposition of Athena BC shares unless:
| · | the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such non-U.S. Holder (or, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a United States “permanent establishment”); or | |
| · | such non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition, and certain other conditions are met. |
Gain recognized by a non-U.S. Holder of Athena BC shares described in the first bullet point above would generally be subject to tax under the rules described above as if it were a U.S. Holder of Athena BC shares. An individual non-U.S. Holder of Athena BC shares described in the second bullet point above would generally be subject to a 30% tax on the gain, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses realized in the same year, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States.
Additionally, non-U.S. Holders generally would be required to recognize gain and be liable for U.S. federal income and withholding tax with respect to a taxable sale, exchange or other disposition of Athena BC shares if Athena BC were treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation” (“USRPHC”). Subject to certain exceptions, Athena BC would generally be a USRPHC if at any point in the preceding 5 years the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests equaled or exceeded 50% of the sum of the fair market values of its worldwide real property interests and other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, all as determined under applicable Treasury Regulations. While not free from doubt, Athena BC believes that Athena BC has not been and will not be at the time of the Continuation a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisor about the consequences that could result if Athena BC were a USRPHC.
Assuming that Athena BC is to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a non-U.S. Holder generally would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on dividends received from Athena BC, and could be subject to U.S. federal income tax if the dividends were effectively connected with the non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, the dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business maintained by the non-U.S. Holder in the United States).
No Opinion of Tax Advisors
We have not obtained, and do not intend to obtain, the opinion of a tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax effects of the merger and continuation.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Change of Our Corporate Jurisdiction
The following summarizes certain Canadian federal income tax consequences under the Canadian Act applicable to our company and our stockholders resulting from the change of our corporate jurisdiction by means of the continuation, the amalgamation of Athena and Athena BC, and thereafter from holding and disposing of common shares in the capital of “Athena Amalco” (also referenced as Athena BC following the amalgamation)
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Comments on tax consequences to shareholders is restricted to shareholders (each in this summary a “Holder”) of our company each of whom is an individual (other than a trust) or corporation who or which, at all material times for the purposes of the Canadian Act, holds all of its common shares in the capital of Athena and, following the continuation and amalgamation, Athena Amalco solely as capital property, acts at arm’s length with Athena and Athena Amalco, and is not a “financial institution” to which the “mark to market” rules apply, a “specified financial institution”, nor a shareholder in respect of whom our company is a “foreign affiliate” under the Canadian Act. Comment is further restricted, in the case of any Holder who is not resident in Canada for Canadian federal income tax purposes (in this commentary, a “Non-resident Holder”), to Non-resident Holders whose common shares in the capital of Athena or Athena Amalco are not used in or in the course of carrying on a business in Canada, and will not constitute “taxable Canadian property” at any particular time after the change of our corporate jurisdiction followed by the amalgamation to form Athena Amalco. In general, a common share of Athena Amalco held by a Non-resident Holder will not constitute taxable Canadian property at any particular time after the change of our corporate jurisdiction provided that at that time the common shares of Athena Amalco are listed on a designated stock exchange for the purposes of the Canadian Act, which includes Tiers 1 and 2 of the Canadian Securities Exchange, unless at any particular time during the 60 month period that ends at that time either the Non-resident Holder, any one or more persons with whom the Non-resident Holder does not deal at arm’s length (“the Non-Arm’s Length Persons”), or partnerships in which the Non-resident Holder or the Non-Arm’s Length Persons alone or in any combination, held or had a right to acquire 25% or more of the issued shares of any class in the capital stock of Athena Amalco and more than 50% of the fair market value of the common shares of Athena Amalco was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination of real or immovable property situated in Canada, Canadian resource properties, timber resource properties, or options in respect of or interests in the foregoing. –
Comment is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Act and regulations, all amendments thereto publicly proposed by the Minister of Finance of Canada to the date hereof, and our Canadian tax advisor’s understanding of the published administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”). Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is assumed that all such amendments will be enacted substantially as currently proposed, and that there will be no other material change to any relevant law or administrative practice, although no assurances can be given in these respects. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided, this summary does not take into account any provincial, territorial or foreign tax law, nor any bilateral income tax treaty to which Canada is a party. Canadian income tax laws, regulations and the interpretation thereof are subject to change, which could materially alter the following summary. If there should be any change having retroactive effect in the Canadian Act, regulations or administrative practices of the CRA then there may also be material changes to the following summary.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not, and is not to be construed as, Canadian tax advice to any particular Holder. Each Holder is urged to obtain independent advice as to the legal and Canadian tax implications of the continuation and amalgamation, and thereafter of holding and disposing of common shares in the capital of Athena BC, applicable to the Holder’s particular circumstances.
Our Company
Continuation
As a result of the continuation, Athena BC will be deemed to have been incorporated in British Columbia from the time of the continuation and not to have been incorporated elsewhere, and will become a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Canadian Act. Athena BC will be deemed to have had a taxation year end immediately before the time of the continuation, and will be deemed to have commenced a new tax year at the time of the continuation. Athena BC will be able to choose a new fiscal year end falling within the 53 weeks following the date of the continuation.
As a result of the continuation, Athena will be deemed to have disposed of, and to have immediately thereafter reacquired, each property owned by Athena at its fair market value immediately before the time of the continuation. Athena will be subject to Canadian federal income tax liabilities with respect to any gains realized as a result of the deemed disposition of all of its assets that constitute “taxable Canadian property” for the purposes of the Canadian Act. Following the continuation, gains arising on the future disposition of property of Athena will be subject to tax in Canada. However, the effect of the deemed disposition and reacquisition is that any gains or losses that accrued to Athena before the continuation of Athena to Canada will generally not be taken into account in determining Athena’s liability for tax under the Canadian Act when Athena actually disposes of, or is deemed to dispose of, the property. The deemed disposition and reacquisition will be relevant not only for capital gains purposes but also in determining the cost of Athena’s property for capital cost allowance and inventory purposes.
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Athena BC will be deemed to have paid and Athena will be deemed to have received a dividend on the common shares of Athena BC immediately before the time of the continuation in an amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the common shares of Athena BC exceeds their paid-up capital, both measured at a time before the continuation. Canadian withholding tax will apply to the amount of such dividend at a rate of 25%, subject to reduction under the Canada-US Income Tax Convention. Such dividend is expected to be nil or nominal.
Athena is not expected to make a paid-up capital adjustment, if so eligible by virtue of becoming resident in Canada as a result of the continuation. Consequently, Athena is not expected to be deemed to have paid a dividend to a Holder of its common shares (See below).
Amalgamation
As a result of the Amalgamation, Athena and Athena BC will be deemed to have had a taxation year end immediately before the time of amalgamation, and Athena Amalco will be deemed to be a new corporation whose first tax year commenced at the time of amalgamation. Athena Amalco will be able to choose a new fiscal year end falling within the 53 weeks following the date of the amalgamation.
Athena will be deemed to dispose of its shares of Athena BC for proceeds of disposition equal to an amount determined by formula. Where the amount so determined exceeds Athena’s cost of its Athena BC shares, Athena will realize a capital gain. Such amount is expected to be nil or nominal.
Athena Amalco’s tax basis in the assets received from Athena and Athena BC on the amalgamation will be equal to their tax basis to Athena and Athena BC. Athena Amalco will inherit Athena and Athena BC’s Canadian tax attributes, if any.
Resident Holders (see below) and Non-resident Holders
Continuation
The continuation will not cause a disposition or deemed disposition of the shares of common stock of Athena held by any Holder, and therefore will not cause the realization of any capital gain or capital loss by the Holder in respect of such shares.
The paid-up capital of shares of common stock of Athena may be subject to adjustment because of the change in residency upon the continuation. Athena will be deemed to have disposed of all of its assets immediately before the continuation and to have reacquired them on the continuation at a cost equal to their fair market value. If the resulting tax cost of Athena’s assets, net of Athena’s outstanding liabilities at the time of the continuation (“Net Tax Cost”) is less than the aggregate paid-up capital of the common shares of Athena, the paid-up capital of the common shares of Athena will be reduced to an amount equal the Net Tax Cost. If the Net Tax Cost is greater than the aggregate paid-up capital of the common shares of Athena, Athena may elect within 90 days of the continuation to increase the paid-up capital of the common shares of Athena.
If Athena makes such an election, Athena will be deemed to have paid prior to the continuation, and the holders of the common shares of Athena will be deemed to have received pro rata, a dividend in respect of the common shares of Athena. It is intended that Athena will not make this election if available.
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Amalgamation
As a result of the Amalgamation, Holders who hold their Athena shares as capital property and who receive only shares of Athena Amalco on the amalgamation will be deemed to dispose of their Athena shares at their adjusted cost base, and to have acquired the shares of Athena Amalco received on the amalgamation at the same amount.
Administratively, the Canada Revenue Agency will not deny the foregoing treatment to shareholders who receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of Athena Amalco provided that the amount of cash received does not exceed $200. Any such shareholder must either report a gain or loss on the disposition of the fractional share, or reduce the adjusted cost basis of the their Athena Amalco shares by the amount of cash received.
Disposing of Common Shares
Canadian Resident Holders
The normal rules for the taxation of capital gains and losses applicable before the change of our corporate jurisdiction to Holders who are resident in Canada for the purposes of the Canadian Act (each a “Resident Holder”) will continue to apply to Resident Holders in respect of a disposition of common shares in the capital of Athena Amalco after the continuation and amalgamation.
In summary, these rules will provide that a Resident Holder who disposes of such a common share after the continuation and amalgamation will realize a capital gain (capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds received by the Resident Holder on the disposition exceed (are exceeded by) the adjusted cost base of the common share to the Resident Holder.
The Resident Holder will be required to include one half of any such capital gain (taxable capital gain) in income to be taxed at normal rates.
The Resident Holder may deduct one half of any such capital loss (allowable capital loss) from taxable capital gains realized in the taxation year of the Resident Holder in which the disposition occurs and, to the extent not so deductible, from taxable capital gains realized in any of the three preceding taxation years or any subsequent taxation year.
If the Resident Holder is a “Canadian-controlled private corporation” as defined for the purposes of the Canadian Act, such Resident Holder will be required to include any taxable capital gain so arising in its “aggregate investment income”. Of the tax payable, tax at the rate of 30.67% will be added to the Resident Holder’s pool of refundable dividend tax on hand (“RDTOH”) and the Resident Holder will be entitled to a refund of such RDTOH at the rate of 38 1/3% for every CDN$1 of taxable dividends that it subsequently pays.
Non-resident Holders
Generally, a Non-resident Holder who is a US resident for the purposes of the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention (“a US Resident”) who disposes of common shares in the capital of Athena Amalco after the change of our corporate jurisdiction will not incur any tax liability provided that at the time of disposition not more than 50% of the value of the common shares in the capital of Athena Amalco is derived from “real property” situated in Canada, as defined for the purposes of the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention (which includes among other things, any right to explore for or exploit mineral deposits and sources in Canada and other natural resources in Canada, or any right to an amount computed by reference to the production, including profit, from, or to the value of production from, mineral deposits and sources in Canada and other natural resources in Canada).
A Non-resident Holder who is not a US resident who disposes of common shares in the capital of Athena Amalco after the change of our corporate jurisdiction will not incur any liability for Canadian federal income tax in respect of any taxable capital gain so arising, nor be permitted to deduct any allowable capital loss so arising from taxable capital gains (if any) of the Non-resident Holder otherwise subject to Canadian federal income tax if at the time of disposition such common shares are not taxable Canadian property to the Non-resident Holder. The common shares of Athena Amalco are not expected to constitute taxable Canadian property of a Non-resident Holder.
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A Non-resident Holder will not be required to obtain a tax clearance certificate from CRA in respect of a disposition of their common shares
Regardless, any Non-resident Holder who is contemplating disposing of common shares in the capital of Athena Amalco after the change of our corporate jurisdiction should obtain Canadian tax advice as to whether the Non-resident Holder will be subject to Canadian tax, or be required to obtain a tax clearance certificate from CRA, in respect of the disposition.
Dividends on Common Shares
Canadian Resident Holders
A Resident Holder who is an individual will be required to include in income the amount of any dividend actually received or deemed to have been received on a common share in the capital of Athena Amalco, subject to the usual dividend gross-up and dividend tax credit rules applicable to dividends paid by a taxable Canadian corporation.
A Resident Holder that is a corporation will be required to include in income the amount of any dividend actually or deemed to have been received on a common share in the capital of Athena Amalco, but generally will be entitled to deduct an equivalent amount in computing its taxable income. The corporation, if it is a “private corporation” as defined for the purposes of the Canadian Act, or a corporation controlled by or for the benefit of an individual or any related group of individuals, may be liable for a 38 1/3% refundable tax (“Part IV Tax”) on any such dividend to the extent that the dividend was deductible in computing its taxable income, and will be entitled to a refund of such Part IV Tax at the rate of 38 1/3% of refund for every CDN$1 of taxable dividends that it subsequently pays.
Non-resident Holders
Each Non-resident Holder will be required to pay Canadian withholding tax on the amount of any dividend, including any stock dividend, paid or credited or deemed to be paid or credited by Athena Amalco to the Non-resident Holder on a common share. The rate of withholding tax is 25% of the gross amount of the dividend, or such lesser rate as may be available under an applicable income tax treaty. The rate of withholding tax under the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention, subject to the limitation of benefits article, applicable to a dividend paid to a Non-resident Holder who is a resident of the United States for the purposes of the Canada – U.S. Income Tax Convention is 5% if the Non-resident Holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the voting stock of Athena Amalco, and 15% in any other case, of the gross amount of the dividend. Athena Amalco will be required to withhold any such tax from the dividend, and remit the tax directly to CRA for the account of the Non-resident Holder.
Reporting Obligations under Securities Laws
If we change our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, we will still have to comply with reporting requirements under both the United States and Canadian securities laws. However, these requirements should be reduced because we would no longer be a United States company.
We currently prepare our financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). We file our audited annual financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission on annual reports on Form 10-K and our unaudited interim financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission on quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Additionally, we are a reporting issuer in the Provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. Upon completion of the continuation, we anticipate that we will meet the definition of a “foreign private issuer” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a foreign private issuer, we anticipate that we will file an annual report on Form 20-F each year with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We will not be required to file interim quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, however we will be required to file our interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, in the form required by Canadian securities legislation, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K. We anticipate that we will prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS subsequent to the change of our corporate jurisdiction.
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In addition, as a foreign private issuer, our directors, officers and stockholders owning more than 10% of our outstanding common stock will no longer be subject to the insider reporting requirements of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and we will no longer be subject to the proxy rules of Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, Regulation FD does not apply to non-United States companies and will not apply to us upon completion of the continuation.
Whether or not we change our corporate jurisdiction to the Province of British Columbia, Canada, we will remain subject to Canadian disclosure requirements including those requiring that we publish news releases, file reports about material changes to or for our company, send you information circulars with respect to meetings of our stockholders, file annual and quarterly financial statements and related management’s discussion and analysis and those that require that our officers, directors and major shareholders file reports about trading in our shares.
Quotation on the OTCQB and Listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange
Our common stock is quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “AHNR” and our shares are listed for trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “ATHA”. We expect that immediately following the merger and continuation, our common shares will requalify to be quoted on the OTCQB under the new symbol “AHNRF”, and seek continued listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol “ATHA” or other symbols approved by OTCQB and the CSE.
Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the continuation.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At the date of this Proxy statement/prospectus there are three directors of the Corporation. The present term of office for each of these three directors will expire immediately prior to the election of directors at the Meeting. The Board does not contemplate that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as directors. Each director will hold office until the next annual meeting of the Corporation or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.
At the Meeting, the individuals nominated for election as directors of the Corporation will be voted on individually and the voting results for each nominee will be publicly disclosed in a news release.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” EACH DIRECTOR NOMINEE TO THE BOARD.
Required Vote of Shareholders
DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED BY A PLURALITY OF THE VOTES REPRESENTED BY THE COMMON SHARES PRESENT AT THE MEETING IN PERSON OR BY PROXY. THIS MEANS THAT THE FIVE DIRECTOR NOMINEES WITH THE MOST AFFIRMATIVE VOTES WILL BE ELECTED. THE ALLOWABLE VOTES WITH RESPECT TO THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS ARE “FOR” AND “WITHHOLD”. DIRECTORS ARE ELECTED INDIVIDUALLY, AND CUMULATIVE VOTING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. BROKER NON-VOTES WILL HAVE NO EFFECT. WITHHELD VOTES WILL ALSO HAVE NO EFFECT.
UNLESS SUCH AUTHORITY IS WITHHELD BY A SHAREHOLDER, THE MANAGEMENT PROXYHOLDER NAMED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY OR VIF INTEND TO VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE NAMES ARE SET OUT BELOW.
Directors
The following table and notes thereto state the name of each person proposed to be nominated by management for election as a director of the Corporation, the country in which he or she is ordinarily resident of, all offices of the Corporation currently held by him or her, his or her principal occupation, the business or employments of each proposed director within the preceding five years, and, if applicable, the date he or she was first appointed as a director of the Corporation. Refer to Section entitled “Security Ownership Of Certain Beneficial Owners And Management – Executive Officers and Directors” above for the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by him or her, directly or indirectly, or over which he or she exercises control or direction, as at the Record Date.
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| Name of Proposed Director and Current Position with the Corporation and Location of Residence |
Principal Occupation, Business or Employment During the Past Five Years(1) | Date First Appointed as Director of the Corporation | ||
| John C. Power(1)(2) President, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director Bozeman, Montana |
Director, Athena Gold Corporation, December 2003 to present; President and Chief Executive Officer of Athena Gold Corporation, January 2009 to present; Corporate Secretary, Athena Gold Corporation, January 2007 to present; Co-managing member, Silver Saddle Resources, LLC, 2011 to present; Director, Magellan Gold Corporation, September 2010 to November 2020; Vice-President, Four Rivers Broadcasting, Inc., March 2005 to present; Vice-President and Director, The Tide Community Broadcasting, Inc., July 2012 to present. | December 23, 2003 | ||
| Brian Power(1) Director Vacaville, California |
Director, Athena Gold Corporation, December 23, 2003 to present; Director, Snuba, Incorporated, 1996 to December 2023; Founder and co-managing member, Ryan Air Exposition, LLC from March 2010 to present. | December 23, 2003 | ||
| John E. Hiner(1) Director Lynden, Washington |
Licensed geologist in the State of Washington and director of mineral exploration companies; Director, Athena Gold Corporation, March 2021 to present; Director, Golden Lake Exploration Inc., May 18, 2018 to present; Director, StraightUp Resources Inc., December 4, 2017 to March 22, 2021; Director, Gold Basin Resources Corporation, November 24, 2017 to September 9, 2021. | March 22, 2021 | ||
| Koby Kushner Nominee Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Licensed engineer. Mr. Kushner is CEO and director of Libra Lithium Corp and a director of La Imperial Resources. Mr. Kushner has been engaged as a financial analyst of mining ventures. | |||
| David Goodman Nominee Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Retired Investment Management. In the past Mr. Goodman was a member of the boards of DundeeWealth, Repadre Capital Corporation, Dundee Corporation, SickKids Foundation and a trustee of the Dundee REIT. Mr. Goodman was previously the head of Global Asset Management for a major Canadian bank and CEO of Dundee Corporation. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Goodman is the founder and CEO of Humour Me, an annual event whereby high-profile executives compete in stand-up comedy and has raised over $20 million to date for worthy causes. |
| (1) | Member of the Audit Committee. | |
| (2) | John Power was appointed to the Audit Committee effective November 29, 2023 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Markus Janser, a director of the Corporation. |
John C. Power, 62 (appointed December 23, 2003)
President, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director
John C. Power has served as a director of Athena since its inception in December 2003 and has served as Athena’s President from December 2005 to December 2007 and from January 2009 to the present and has served as Athena’s Secretary since January 2007. He has also served as director of Magellan Gold Corporation since its formation in September 2010 until November 2020 and as an officer of Magellan from its formation until August 2017 and from January 2018 until November 2020.
Mr. Power is also a co-managing member since 2011 of Silver Saddle Resources, LLC that owns mining claims in Nevada.
From March 2010 to present, Mr. Power has served as co-Managing Member of Ryan Air Exposition, LLC, a private California holding company that invests in antique airplanes. Mr. Power served as Co-Managing Member of Wyoming Resorts, LLC, which owned and operated an historic hotel in Thermopolis, Wyoming, from June 1997 until June 2017. Mr. Power has been a general partner of Power Vacaville, LP a real estate investment firm since January 2008. Mr. Power also serves as the vice-president and director of The Tide Community Broadcasting, Inc. since July 2012.
Mr. Power attended, but did not receive a degree from, Occidental College and University of California at Davis.
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Brian Power, 58 (appointed December 23, 2003)
Director
Brian Power has served as an officer/director of the Corporation since its inception in December 2003. He was CEO and President from December 2003 until December 2005 and currently serves as a director of the Corporation. Founder and co-managing member, Ryan Air Exposition, LLC from March 2010 to present. From October 1998 to 2005, he was a co-founder and managing member of Spirit of Adventure, LLC a company engaged in the development of deep ocean exploration technologies including the design/build of advanced manned submersibles. From 1996 through December 2023, he served on the board of directors of Snuba, Incorporated, a manufacturer and international licensor of proprietary ocean diving systems.
Mr. Power attended Solano Community College and the University of California at Davis.
John E. Hiner, 76 (appointed March 22, 2021)
Director
John E. Hiner is a director of the Corporation and provides his services on a part-time basis. He has served as a director of the Corporation since March 22, 2021, and will devote approximately 10% of his time to the affairs of the Corporation. As a director, he is responsible for directing and overseeing management of the Corporation.
Mr. Hiner is a licensed geologist in the State of Washington (2002) and SME registered member (2012) and he has an exploration history of over 45 years with several major mining companies exploring for geothermal energy, precious metals and industrial minerals. He has served as a director and/or officer of mineral exploration and mining development companies and works as an independent consulting geologist for mining companies. Previously, Mr. Hiner was an officer of Geocom Resources Inc. (from 2003 to 2013) and a director of Red Pine Petroleum Ltd. (from 2003 to 2013), StraightUp Resources Inc. (from 2017 to 2021) and Gold Basin Resources Corporation (from 2017 to 2021). Mr. Hiner is currently a director of Golden Lake Exploration Inc. (since 2018) and Aventura since April 2022.
Other Nominees
Koby Kushner, P.Eng., CFA, 32, director nominee, is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Libra Lithium Corp.. He has spent most of his career as a mining engineer and more recently, an equity research analyst. Prior to entering finance, Mr. Kushner worked at several mines in Ontario and Manitoba, including Hemlo (Barrick Gold), Detour, Rice Lake, and others. During this time, Mr. Kushner has seen projects advance through all stages of development, including exploration, production, and closure. He then moved into equity research at Red Cloud Securities, a mining-only investment bank, where he wrote on over 100 companies across various stages of development and a wide range of commodities, with a particular focus on precious and energy metals. He holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from Queen's University, is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario and is a CFA charterholder.
David Goodman, LLB, CFA, age 61, director nominee, is the Chairman of Libra Lithium Corp.. Mr. Goodman left an early career as a litigator in 1994 to become a Partner, Vice President and Portfolio Manager at the investment management firm behind Dynamic Funds. He became President and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Funds in 2001 and of DundeeWealth, Dynamic's public company parent, in 2007. Under Mr. Goodman's leadership, the firm became one of Canada's best performing and fastest growing investment managers, was recognized as Fund Company of the Year seven times at the Canadian Investment Awards while growing assets under management from $5 billion to approximately $50 billion, until its ultimate sale in 2011 to a Canadian bank. In the past Mr. Goodman was a member of the boards of DundeeWealth, Repadre Capital Corporation, Dundee Corporation, SickKids Foundation and a trustee of the Dundee REIT. Mr. Goodman was previously the head of Global Asset Management for a major Canadian bank and CEO of Dundee Corporation. In addition to his business interests, Mr. Goodman is the founder and CEO of Humour Me, an annual event whereby high-profile executives compete in stand-up comedy and has raised over $20 million to date for worthy causes.
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Non-Director Executive Officers
Tyler Minnick, CPA, 54 (appointed May 1, 2021)
Chief Financial Officer
Tyler Minnick has been the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer since May 1, 2021 and provides his services on a part-time basis. He has worked in the mining industry since 2011.
Since December 2018, Mr. Minnick has acted as a Certified Public Accountant (1993) with Grand Mesa CPAs, LLC. From 2011 he worked for Augusta Gold Corp. as a consultant, (formerly, Bullfrog Gold Corp.), and was its Chief Financial Officer until October 2020. Effective April 1, 2024 he was appointed interim Chief Financial Officer of Augusta Gold Corp. and Titan Mining Corporation. From May 2018 to September 2018, he was a financial reporting manager with Bowie Resources, LLC. From September 2014 to May 2018 Mr. Minnick acted as the Director of Finance and Administration of the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority.
Arrangements between Officers and Directors
Except as set forth above under “Change In Control”, to our knowledge, there is no arrangement or understanding between any of our directors or officers and any other person, including directors and officers, pursuant to which the director or officer was selected to serve as an officer.
Family Relationships
John C. Power and Brian Power are brothers. There do not exist any arrangements or understandings between any director and any other person pursuant to which any director was elected as such.
Cease Trade Orders and Bankruptcies
No proposed director of the Corporation is, as of the date of this Proxy statement/prospectus, or has been, within the ten years prior to the date hereof, a director or chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Corporation) that: (i) was subject to an order that was issued while the proposed director was acting as a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer; or (ii) was subject to an order that was issued after the proposed director ceased to be a director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive officer or chief financial officer. For the purposes hereof, “order” means: (i) a cease trade order; (ii) an order similar to a cease trade order; or (iii) an order that denied the relevant company access to any exemption under securities legislation that was in effect for a period of more than 30 consecutive days. No proposed director of the Corporation is, at the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, or has been within ten years before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, a director or executive officer of any company (including the Corporation) 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.
Penalties and Sanctions
No proposed director of the Corporation has been subject to 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 has been subject to 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.
Individual Bankruptcies
No proposed director of the Corporation has, within the ten years before the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the proposed director.
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Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Except as disclosed herein and in the Corporation’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, there have been no transactions or proposed transactions in which the amount involve exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year end for the last two completed fiscal years in which any of our directors, executive officers or affiliates, has had or will have any direct or material indirect interest:
Nubian Resources Ltd.
Pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement made as of December 27, 2021 Nubian Resources Ltd. (“Nubian”), a publicly listed company on the TSX Venture Exchange, was issued 45,000,000 common shares (5,000,000 previously held) in the capital of the Corporation, which shares were to be distributed to its shareholders, pro rata, pending completion of certain terms, including (i) approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (received), (b) Nubian’s shareholders (unanimous shareholder received March 31, 2022, and (c) filing with and approval from the SEC of a registration statement on Form S-1, covering the resale and distribution by Nubian to its shareholders of the 50,000,000 shares. Notwithstanding the fact that the Form S-1 has been declared effective by the SEC, Nubian elected not to distribute the shares as originally agreed. The Corporation has made demand on Nubian to fulfill this contractual obligation. Nubian has agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, or until such time as it owns less than 4.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Issuer, it will not vote against any matters that have been recommended by the Corporations's board of directors for approval by the Issuer’s shareholders at any meeting of the Corporation shareholders. Nubian currently owns in excess of 20% of the Corporation’s Common Shares.
Private Placement
On April 24, 2023 the Corporation closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $1,015,000 comprised of 14,500,000 units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of CAD $0.07 per Unit. Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a “Common Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of CAD $0.10 per Warrant for a period of two years from the date of issuance, subject to the following acceleration provision. If, at any time after the date that is 4 months and one day after the date of issuance of the Warrants, the average volume weighted trading price of the Corporation’s Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (or such other stock exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded from time to time) is at or above CAD $0.20 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the “Triggering Event”), the Corporation may at any time, after the Triggering Event, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving ten calendar days notice to the holders of the Warrants, by way of news release, and in such case the Warrants will expire on the first day that is 30 calendar days after the date on which such notice is given by the Corporation announcing the Triggering Event. Insiders of the Corporation purchased an aggregate of 7,221,142 Units for proceeds of CAD $505,479.94. The insiders were: John C. Power, the President and Chief Executive Officer (171,000 Units), John D. Gibbs, a 20% Shareholder (1,428,571 Units), Brian Power, a director (178,571 Units), and John E. Hiner, through JE & MS Hiner Revocable Trust (143,000 Units), Markus Janser, a director until his resignation on December 29, 2023 (300,000 Units), and Nubian Resources Ltd., a 20% shareholder (5,000,000 Units).
Acquisition of Shares
On December 29, 2023, Athena acquired beneficial ownership, direction and control of 10,000,000 Common Shares of Nubian Resources Ltd. pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated December 22, 2023, between 2176423 Ontario Ltd. (a corporation controlled by Eric Sprott) and the Corporation. As a result of the acquisition, the Corporation became an insider of Nubian Resources Ltd., having beneficial ownership over approximately 15.79% of Nubian’s Shares. In exchange for the 10,000,000 Common Shares of Nubian Resources Ltd., the Corporation issued 16,546,669 Common Shares from treasury to 2176423 Ontario Ltd., resulting in 2176423 Ontario Ltd. holding approximately 9.57% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding Common Shares as of that date. In 2024, Athena has sold 1,669,666 shares of Nubian in open market transactions yielding proceeds of approximately $70,000.
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Private Placement
On January 17, 2024 the Corporation closed a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of CAD $200,000 comprised of 5,000,000 units (each, a “Unit”) at a price of CAD $0.04 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Corporation (a “Common Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will be exercisable into one Common Share at a price of CAD $0.05 per Warrant for a period of twelve months from the date of issuance, subject to the following acceleration provision. If, at any time after the date that is 4 months and one day after the date of issuance of the Warrants, the average volume weighted trading price of the Corporation’s Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the “CSE”) (or such other stock exchange on which the Common Shares may be traded from time to time) is at or above CAD $0.10 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the “Triggering Event”), the Corporation may at any time, after the Triggering Event, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving ten calendar days notice to the holders of the Warrants, by way of news release, and in such case the Warrants will expire on the first day that is 30 calendar days after the date on which such notice is given by the Corporation announcing the Triggering Event. Insiders of the Corporation purchased an aggregate of 4,590,000 Unis for proceeds of CAD $229,500. The insiders were John C. Power, the President and Chief Executive Officer (590,000 Units) and John D. Gibbs, a 20% shareholder (4,000,000 Units).
Effective October 25, 2024, the Company completed the first tranche of a non-brokered private offering consisting of CAD$600,000 of its Units at a purchase price of CAD$0.05 per Unit for a total of 12,000,000 Units. Each Unit consisted of one (1) share of Common Stock and one-half (1/2) common stock purchase warrant (“Warrant”). Each whole Warrants exercisable for three years to purchase one additional share of Common Stock at a price of CAD$0.12 per share. The transaction is part of the Company’s unregistered private offering of up to CAD$1,000,000 in Units at a price of CAD$0.05 per Unit.
Related Person Transactions Policy and Procedure
The Corporation’s Code of Ethics states that our directors, employees and consultants should not be involved in any activity that creates or gives the appearance of a conflict of interest between their personal interests and the interests of the Corporation. In particular, without the specific permission of the Chairman of the Audit Committee, ethics officer or the Board (including contracts approved by our Board), no director, employee or consultant, or a member of his or her family shall, unless disclosed to the Corporation, engage in any conflicts of interest transactions as set forth in the Code of Ethics. The Corporation’s directors, employees and consultants must immediately notify the Chairman of the Audit Committee or the ethics officer of the existence of any actual or potential conflict of interest so that the circumstances can be reviewed for a decision on whether a conflict of interest is present, and if so, what course of action is to be taken.
The Audit Committee, pursuant to its written charter, is responsible for reviewing and approving related-party transactions to the extent the Corporation enters into such transactions. The Audit Committee will consider all relevant factors when determining whether to approve a related party transaction, including whether the related party transaction is on terms no less favorable to us than terms generally available from an unaffiliated third-party under the same or similar circumstances and the extent of the related party’s interest in the transaction.
Indebtedness of Directors, Executive Officers and Employees
None of our directors, executive officers, employees, former directors, former executive officers or former employees and none of their associates, is indebted to us or another entity whose indebtedness is the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar agreement or understanding provided by us.
Interests of Management and Others in Material Transactions
Other than as described elsewhere in this Proxy statement/prospectus, there are no material interests, direct or indirect, of any of our Directors or Executive Officers, any Shareholder that beneficially owns, or controls or directs (directly or indirectly), more than 10% of any class or series of our outstanding voting securities, or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing persons, in any transaction within the year ended December 31, 2023 that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect us or our subsidiaries.
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Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Corporation’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the Common Shares, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership of such securities with the SEC in the United States. Similarly, in Canada, National Instrument NI 55-104 requires the Corporation’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of the Common Shares, to file reports of ownership and changes of ownership with the securities commissions through The System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders (SEDI) on www.sedi.ca
Based solely on a review of the reports received by the SEC and SEDI, the Corporation believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Corporation’s officers, directors and greater than 10% owners timely filed in a timely fashion all reports they were required to file under Section 16(a) and NI 55-104.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DISCLOSURE
Corporate governance relates to activities of the Board of Directors, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the shareholders and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board of Directors and who are charged with the day- to-day management of the Corporation. The Board of Directors is committed to sound corporate governance practices which are both in the interest of its shareholders and contribute to effective and efficient decision making. Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act and National Instrument 58-101 – Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices requires all that each reporting company disclose its corporate governance practices on an annual basis. The Corporation’s approach to corporate governance is set out below.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is currently composed of three directors, namely, John C. Power, Brian Power, and John E. Hiner. Koby Kushner and David Goodman are proposed directors.
The Board is specifically responsible for approving long-term strategic plans and annual operating plans and budgets recommended by management. Board approval is also required for all material contracts, business transactions and all debt and equity financing proposals. The Board also takes responsibility for identifying the principal risks of the Corporation’s business and for ensuring these risks are effectively monitored and mitigated to the extent reasonably practicable. In keeping with its overall responsibility for the stewardship of the Corporation, the Board is responsible for the integrity of the Corporation’s internal control and management information systems and for the Corporation’s policies respecting corporate disclosure and communications.
The Board delegates to management, through the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, responsibility for meeting defined corporate objectives, implementing approved strategic and operating plans, carrying on the Corporation’s business in the ordinary course, managing the Corporation’s cash flow, evaluating new business opportunities, recruiting staff and complying with applicable regulatory requirements. The Board also looks to management to furnish recommendations respecting corporate objectives, long-term strategic plans and annual operating plans.
Independence
The Corporation’s Common Shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange in Canada and on the OTC Market Inc’s OTCQB electronic quotation systems in the United States.
In Canada, Section 1.4 of National Instrument 52-110 – Audit Committees (“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 Corporation. A material relationship is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board of Directors, 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 to the Corporation.
Applying the definition set out in section 1.4 of NI 52-110, three of the proposed five members of the Board of Directors (Brian Power, John E. Hiner and David Goodman) are independent. John C. Power and Koby Kushner are not independent in that they will be officers of the Corporation.
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In the United States, the OTC Market Inc’s OTCQB electronic quotation systems do not have director independent requirements. For purposes of determining director independence in the United States, the Corporation has applied the definition set forth in NASDAQ Rule 4200(a)(15). Pursuant to Rule 4200(a)(15) John C. Power and Koby Kushner would not be considered “independent. ” David Goodman, Brian Power, John E. Hiner are considered independent.
Other Directorships
As at the date of this Proxy Statement/prospectus, the Corporation’s directors were directors of other Canadian reporting issuers and were also directors of issuers with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act (or which otherwise are required to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act) as follows:
| Name of Director | Canadian reporting issuers | Issuers with a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act | ||
| John C. Power | Nil | N/A | ||
| Brian Power | Nil | N/A | ||
| John Hiner | Golden Lake Exploration Inc. | N/A | ||
| Nominee - Koby Kushner | N/A | |||
| Nominee - David Goodman | Nil | N/A |
Orientation and Continuing Education
The Corporation has not adopted a formal process of orientation for new members of the Board of Directors. Orientation of new directors is conducted on an ad hoc basis. Directors are kept informed as to matters impacting, or which may impact, the Corporation’s operations through reports and presentations at meetings of the Board of Directors. Directors are also provided with the opportunity to meet with senior management and other employees and advisors, who can answer questions that may arise.
Expectations of Management and Ethical Business Conduct
The Board expects management to operate the business of the Corporation in a manner that enhances shareholder value and is consistent with the highest level of integrity. Management is expected to execute the Corporation’s business plan and to meet performance goals and objectives. The Corporation has adopted a written Code of Ethics that applies to, among other persons, our Corporation’s principal executive Officer, as well as persons performing similar functions. As adopted, our Code of Ethics sets forth written guidelines to promote:
| · | Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; | |
| · | Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in all reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by us that are within the executive officer’s area of responsibility; | |
| · | Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; | |
| · | The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code; and | |
| · | Accountability for adherence to the Code. |
The Corporation’s Code of Ethics has been filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on April 14, 2007. The Corporation’s Code of Ethics has also been filed with the Canadian securities commissions and available for viewing through the internet on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedarplus.ca.
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Nominations and Assessment
The Board determines new nominees to the Board, although a formal process has not been adopted. The nominees are generally the result of recruitment efforts by the individual Board members, including both formal and informal discussions among Board members and the President. The current and proposed size of the Board is such that the entire Board takes responsibility for selecting new directors and assessing current directors. Proposed directors’ credentials are reviewed in advance of a Board Meeting with one or more members of the Board prior to the proposed director’s nomination.
The Board monitors but does not formally assess the performance of individual Board members and committee members. The Board does not, at present, have a formal process in place for assessing the effectiveness of the Board as a whole, its committees or individual directors, but will consider implementing one in the future should circumstances warrant. Based on the Corporation’s size, its stage of development and the limited number of individuals on the Board, the Board considers a formal assessment process to be inappropriate at this time. The Board plans to continue evaluating its own effectiveness on an ad hoc basis.
New directors are briefed on strategic plans, short, medium and long-term corporate objectives, business risks and mitigation strategies, corporate governance guidelines and existing company policies. However, there is no formal orientation for new members of the Board, and this is considered to be appropriate, given the Corporation’s size and current level of operations.
The skills and knowledge of the Board of Directors as a whole is such that no formal continuing education process is currently deemed required. The Board is comprised of individuals with varying backgrounds, who have, both collectively and individually, extensive experience in running and managing businesses. Board members are encouraged to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants to keep themselves current with industry trends and developments and changes in legislation, with management’s assistance. Board members have full access to the Corporation’s records. Reference is made to the table under the heading "Election of Directors" for a description of the current principal occupations of the members of the Corporation’s Board.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Shareholders may send communications to the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or one or more of the directors by using the contact information provided on the Corporation’s website. Shareholders may also send communications by letter addressed to the Corporate Secretary of the Corporation at 2010-A Harbison Dr., PMB #312, Vacaville, California, USA 95687. All communications addressed to the Corporate Secretary will be received and reviewed by that officer. The receipt of concerns about the Corporation’s accounting, internal controls, auditing matters or business practices will be reported to the Audit Committee.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Corporation currently does not have standing compensation or nomination committees of the Board of Directors. The Corporation proposes to form compensation and nominating committees when it is necessary to do so to comply with federal securities laws or to meet listing requirements of a stock exchange or the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Corporation has one standing committee – the Audit Committee. See the section below entitled “Audit Committee”.
Hedging Policy
The Corporation does not currently have a policy with respect to whether or not an executive officer or director is permitted to purchase financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds, that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by the executive officer or director.
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Director Attendance at Board Meetings
As Board members reside in many different geographic locations, a director is considered in attendance regardless of whether he or she attends by conference call or in person. Non-independent directors may be asked to attend committee meetings in order to benefit from presentations or discussions. The majority of the Board’s decisions during the year were passed by way of written consent resolutions following informal discussions amongst the directors and management.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, our Board held 12 meetings. The Audit Committee held five meetings. The table below provides the attendance record for our directors at the meetings held in the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Director | Attendance at Board Meetings | Attendance at Audit Committee Meetings | ||
| John C. Power | 12 of 12 | 2 of 2 | ||
| Brian Power | 12 of 12 | 5 of 5 | ||
| John C. Hiner | 12 of 12 | 5 of 5 | ||
| Markus Janser(1) | 10 of 10 | 3 of 3 |
| (1) | Markus Janser resigned as a director and member of the Audit Committee effective November 29, 2023. John C. Power, a director of the Corporation, was appointed to the Audit Committee in his stead. |
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Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert
Audit Committee
The Corporation has a standing Audit Committee and an Audit Committee Charter, which in the United States complies with Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee was established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee is composed of three directors, John C. Power, Brian Power and John E. Hines, of which John E. Hines is independent. Refer to Section “Corporate Governance Disclosure – Independence” above for details).
In Canada NI 52-110 requires the Corporation, as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its Management Information Circular or Proxy statement/prospectus certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and its relationship with its independent auditors, as set forth in the following:
No member of the Audit Committee has participated in the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation or any current subsidiary of the Corporation at any time during the past three years. The Audit Committee, under the guidance of the Audit Committee Charter approved by the Board, assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The directors are responsible for monitoring (i) the Corporation’s accounting and financial reporting processes; (ii) the integrity of the financial statements of the Corporation, (iii) compliance by the Corporation with legal and regulatory requirement; (iv) the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance; and (v) business practices and ethical standards of the Corporation.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Audit Committee held four meetings, of which all member of the Audit Committee attended.
Audit Committee Charter
The full text of the Audit Committee Charter is available on Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedarplus.ca.
Composition of Audit Committee
The members of the Audit Committee are set out below:
| John C. Power(1) | Not Independent(2) | Financially literate(2) | ||||||
| Brian Power | Independent(2) | Financially literate(2) | ||||||
| John E. Hiner (Chairperson) | Independent(2) | Financially literate(2) |
Notes:
| (1) | During the year ended December 31, 2023 Markus Janser, a director of the Corporation was a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Janser was deemed to be independent and financially literate pursuant to NI 52-110. John Power was appointed to the Audit Committee effective November 29, 2023 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Markus Janser. | |
| (2) | A member of an audit committee is independent if the member has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Corporation, which could, in the view of the Board of Directors, reasonably interfere with the exercise of a member's independent judgment. | |
| (3) | An individual is financially literate if he has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation's financial statements. |
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Relevant Education and Experience
Each member of the Corporation's present Audit Committee has adequate education and experience that is relevant to their performance as an Audit Committee member and, in particular, the requisite education and experience necessary to provide the member with:
(a) an understanding of the accounting principles used by the Corporation to prepare its financial statements and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves;
(b) the ability to assess the general application of such accounting principles in connection with the accounting for estimates, accruals and provisions;
(c) experience preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation's financial statements or experience actively supervising individuals engaged in such activities; and
(d) an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
John C. Power: John Power has served as a director and officer of the Corporation since inception in 2003. He has also served as director of Magellan Gold Corporation since its formation in September 2010 until November 2020 and as an officer of Magellan from its formation until August 2017 and from January 2018 until November 2020. See “Directors and Officers” above for details.
Brian Power: Mr. Power has served as a director or officer of the Corporation since 2003 and formally was a member of the board of directors of Snuba, Incorporated. Mr. Power has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the Corporation. Seer “Directors and Officers” above for further details.
Markus Janser (resigned November 29, 2023): Mr. Janser has numerous years of experience with mineral exploration and mining development companies and is familiar with the financial reporting requirements applicable to public companies in Canada. Mr. Janser is currently a member and the chairperson of the audit committee of Nubian Resources Ltd., a mining exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange.
John E. Hiner: Mr. Hiner is a licensed geologist in the State of Washington (2002) and SME registered member (2012), and has several years of experience with mineral exploration and mining development companies, including as a member of the audit committee of Straightup Resources Inc. and Gold Basin Resources Corporation. Mr. Hiner is familiar with the financial reporting requirements applicable to public companies in Canada. See "Directors and Officers" above for further details.
Audit Committee Oversight
The Audit Committee was established on May 5, 2021 and will, among other things, make recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate an external auditor. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Audit Committee has not made any such recommendations for the Board to consider.
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Reliance on Certain Exemptions
The Corporation has relied upon the exemption provided by section 6.1 of NI 52-110, which exempts a venture issuer from the requirement to comply with the restrictions on the composition of its Audit Committee and the disclosure requirements of its Audit Committee in an annual information form as prescribed by NI 52-110.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee is authorized by the Board of Directors to review the performance of the Corporation's external auditors and approve in advance the provision of services other than auditing and to consider the independence of the external auditors, including a review of the range of services provided in the context of all consulting services engaged by the Corporation. The Audit Committee is authorized to approve in writing any non-audit services or additional work which the Chairperson of the Audit Committee deems is necessary and the Chairperson will notify the other members of the Audit Committee of such non-audit or additional work and the reasons for such non-audit work for the Committee's consideration and, if thought fit, approval in writing.
External Auditor Service Fees
The following table sets out the aggregate fees billed by the Corporation's external auditor for each of the last two financial years are as follows:
| Fees Paid to Auditor In Year Ended | ||
| December 31, 2023 $ |
December 31, 2022 $ | |
| Audit Fees | 62,610 | 51,900 |
| Audit Related Fees | – | – |
| Tax Fees | 3,605 | 3,000 |
| All Other Fees | 5,635 | 14,000 |
| TOTAL: | 71,850 | 68,900 |
Notes:
| (1) | “Audit Fees” include fees necessary to perform the annual audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits. | |
| (2) | “Audit-Related Fees” include services that a traditionally performed by the auditor. These audit-related services include employee benefit audits, due diligence assistance, accounting consultations on proposed transactions, internal control reviews and audit or attest services not required by legislation or regulation. | |
| (3) | “Tax Fees” include fees for all tax services other than those included in “Audit Fees” and “Audit-Related Fees”. This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities. | |
| (4) | “All Other Fees” include all other non-audit services. |
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Audit Committee Report
The material in this report is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing by ESSA under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act.
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the Corporation’s financial reporting processes on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for the Corporation’s financial statements and reporting processes, including the Corporation’s systems of internal controls. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with management Athena’s audited financial statements and the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Davidson & Company LLP, the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed under applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with Davidson & Company LLP its independence, and received from Davidson & Company LLP the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB. Finally, the Audit Committee discussed with Davidson & Company LLP, with and without management present, the scope and results of Davidson & Company LLP’s audit of such financial statements.
Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that such audited financial statements be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024.
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors: John C. Power, Brian Power, John E. Hiner (Chair).
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
As an “emerging growth company,” we have opted to comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules applicable to “smaller reporting companies,” as such term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act.
This section provides an overview of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to each individual who served as our principal executive officers during our fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023. We refer to these individuals as our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”. During the financial years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2023, the Corporation had two “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”, namely John C. Power, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Tyler Minnick, Chief Financial Officer. The table below sets forth, for the last two fiscal years, the compensation earned by the Corporation’s named executive officers consisting of the Corporation’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
Summary Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Occupation | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards(1) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation | Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings | All Other Compensation | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
| John C. Power | 2023 | $30,000 | (2) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $7,500 | (3) | $37,500 | ||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | 2022 | $30,000 | (2) | $0 | $7,500 | $23,580 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $61,080 | |||||||||||||||||
| Tyler Minnick | 2023 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $28,033 | (4) | $28,033 | |||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | 2022 | $0 | $0 | $3,750 | $11,790 | $0 | $0 | $21,240 | (4) | $36,780 | |||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB 123. |
| (2) | Mr. Power receives a monthly fee of $2,500 for consulting services. |
| (3) | Three of the four directors of the Corporation received an annual fee of $7,500. |
| (4) | Pursuant to a consulting agreement dated May 6, 2021, Tyler Minnick is paid an hourly fee of $90 in connection with his services as Chief Financial Officer. |
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Employment/Consulting Agreements
John C Power
Effective March 1, 2021 the Corporation entered into a consulting agreement with John C. Power, the Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer, wherein Mr. Power agreed to provide services as an independent contractor, to act as an agent of the Corporation in connection with the Corporation’s daily operations, in return for compensation consisting of a monthly fee of $2,500. The agreement terminated on December 31, 2022. On January 1, 2023, the Corporation entered into a new consulting agreement wherein the Corporation retained the services of Mr. Power under the same terms and conditions. The agreement will automatically renew for successive one year periods thereafter unless either party provides written notice of their intention to terminate at least three months prior to expiration of the term of the agreement.
Tyler Minnick
Pursuant to a consulting agreement dated May 6, 2021 with Tyler J. Minnick, CPA LLC, the Corporation retained the services of Mr. Minnick to act as the Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Minnick is paid an hourly fee of $90 and provides his services on a part time basis.
The Corporation does not have any written employment agreements other than the above-referenced consulting agreements with any of its directors or executive officers; nor does it have or maintain key man life insurance on Mr. Power.
Outstanding Equity Awards At Year Ended December 31, 2023
The following table sets forth the stock options granted to the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2023. No stock appreciation rights have been awarded.
| Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||
| Name | Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options: (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options: (#) Unexercisable(1) | Option Exercise Price ($) | Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of
Stock that Have Not Vested (#) | ||||||||||
| John C. Power | 0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Brian Power | 0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| John Hiner | 0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Markus Janser | 0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Tyler Minnick | 0 | 0 | $0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
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Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
None of our NEOs exercised options during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and no stock options were granted.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The following table shows compensation paid to our directors (excluding compensation included under our Summary Compensation Table above) for service as directors during the year ended December 31, 2023.
| Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1) | Option Awards ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||
| Brian Power | 0 | 0 | $0 | 7,500 | 7,500 | |||||||||||||||
| John E. Hiner | 0 | 0 | $0 | 7,500 | 7,500 | |||||||||||||||
| Markus Janser(2) | 0 | 0 | $0 | 7,500 | 7,500 | |||||||||||||||
| (1) | Represents the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB 123. |
| (2) | Markus Janser resigned from the Board of Directors effective November 29, 2023. |
| (3) | Three of the four members of the Board of Directors each received $7,500 for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a total of $22,500. There were no director fees paid in 2022. |
Directors that were also executive officers received no monetary compensation for serving as a Director. Non-executive directors are granted non-qualified stock options as compensation. Such stock option awards are determined at the sole discretion of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following table sets forth equity compensation information as of December 2023.
| Plan Category | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (Column A) | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (Column B) | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in Column (a)) | |||
| Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | 39,391,053 (Warrants) | $0.12 | N/A | |||
| Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | 5,230,000 (Equity Incentive Plan) 300,000 (Deferred Compensation Plan) | $0.07 (Equity Incentive Plan) *** (Deferred Compensation Plan) | 4,770,000 (Equity Incentive Plan) |
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Equity Incentive Plan
The Corporation adopted its 2020 Equity Incentive Plan which became effective in January 2021 (the "Equity Incentive Plan"), which became effective in January 2021 for its officers, directors and other employees, plus outside consultants and advisors. Under the Equity Incentive Plan, the Corporation's employees, outside consultants and advisors may receive awards of non-qualified options and incentive options, stock appreciation rights or shares of stock. As required by Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the aggregate fair market value of the Common Shares underlying incentive stock options granted to an employee exercisable for the first time in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. The foregoing limitation does not apply to non-qualified options. The exercise price of an incentive option may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Shares on the date of grant. The same limitation does not apply to non- qualified options. An option is not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If the employment of an optionee terminates for any reason, (other than for cause, or by reason of death, disability or retirement), the optionee may exercise his options within a 90-day period following such termination to the extent he was entitled to exercise such options at the date of termination. A maximum of 10,000,000 Common Shares are subject to the Equity Incentive Plan. The purpose of the Equity Incentive Plan is to provide employees, including our officers, directors, and non-employee consultants and advisors with an increased incentive to make significant and extraordinary contributions to our long-term performance and growth, to join their interests with the interests of our shareholders, and to facilitate attracting and retaining employees of exceptional ability.
Pursuant to Section 6.5 - Security Based Compensation Arrangements of the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange a company may not grant stock options with an exercise price lower than the greater of CDN $0.05, and the closing market prices of the underlying securities on (a) the trading day prior to the date of grant of the stock options; and (b) the date of grant of the stock options. If the grant of stock options provides for the issuance of greater than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares at the time of adoption as applying to an individual, or 10% in total in the next 12 months, evidence of shareholder approval of grant of stock options and confirmation that it was adopted by the majority of Shareholders other than those excluded by law, Exchange requirements, or the Corporation’s constating documents. The terms of a stock option or award may not be amended once issued. If a stock option is cancelled prior to its expiry date, the Corporation shall not grant new stock options to the same Optionee until 30 days have elapsed from the date of cancellation.
The Equity Incentive Plan may be administered by the Board or in the Board's sole discretion, if the Corporation has a Compensation Committee, by the Compensation Committee of the Board or such other committee as may be specified by the Board to perform the functions and duties of the Committee under the Equity Incentive Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Equity Incentive Plan, the relevant committee and the Board shall determine, from those eligible to be participants in the Equity Incentive Plan, the persons to be granted stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock, the amount of stock or rights to be optioned or granted to each such person, and the terms and conditions of any stock option, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock.
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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Incentive Plan
Under the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan an aggregate of 10,000,000 Common Shares may be reserved for issuance. As of the Record Date, of the 10,000,000 Common Shares subject to the Equity Incentive Plan, an aggregate of 5,230,000 are issued and outstanding and 4,770,000 remain unallocated and available for grant. The following table sets out information about the options of Common Shares issued and outstanding pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan as of the date hereof:
| Name of Optionee | Designation of Securities Under Option | Number of Common Shares Under Option | Exercise Price Per Common Share | Expiry Date | ||||
| John C. Power | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.06 | October 12, 2032 | ||||
| President, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director | ||||||||
| Brian Power | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.09 | March 22, 2026 | ||||
| Director | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.06 | October 12, 2032 | ||||
| John E. Hiner | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.09 | March 22, 2026 | ||||
| Director | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.06 | October 12, 2032 | ||||
| Tyler Minnick | Common Shares | 250,000 | $0.06 | October 12, 2032 | ||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Markus Janser | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.09 | March 22, 2026 | ||||
| Former Director | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.06 | October 12, 2032 | ||||
| Consultants (3) | Common Shares | 500,000 | $0.09 | March 22, 2026 | ||||
| Common Shares | 250,000 | $0.0675 | January 16, 2028 | |||||
| Common Shares | 730,000 | $0.06 | August 24, 2032 | |||||
| 5,230,000 |
Deferred Compensation and Equity Award Plan
Effective March 10, 2021, the Corporation adopted a deferred compensation and equity award plan (the "Deferred Compensation Plan"). The purpose of the Deferred Compensation Plan is to enable officers, directors and key employees ("Eligible Persons") to defer receipt of compensation for their services on behalf of the Corporation and to enable the Corporation to provide part or all of the compensation for the service of Eligible Persons by agreeing to issue to such Eligible Persons Common Shares.
The Deferred Compensation Plan was established pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan, and all rights to acquire Common Shares and Common Shares issued pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan constitute awards granted and Common Shares issued under the Deferred Compensation Plan, see "Equity Incentive Plan" above. The Deferred Compensation Plan will be administered by the Board unless and until the Board delegates administration to a committee. The Board may, at any time and for any reason in its sole discretion, rescind all or any portion of such delegation. Restricted stock units awarded pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan shall vest in the manner determined by the Board with respect to such award. Restricted stock units have no voting rights, and no amount due or payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan or any interest in the Deferred Compensation Plan, shall be subject in any manner to alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, lien, levy or like encumbrance.
The Corporation issued 300,000 restricted stock units at a price of $0.09 per Common Share to a consultant. However, the Common Shares shall not be issued until such time as the individual either provides a written request or his termination date, whichever is sooner. The Common Shares shall have no voting rights until issued.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3 - APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
MaloneBailey, LLP, Certified General Accountants of Suite 600, 10370 Richmond Avenue, Houston, Texas, USA, 77042, served as the Corporation’s auditors since their appointment March 2, 2011. Effective December 12, 2023, MaloneBailey, LLP resigned at the request of the Corporation and Davidson & Company, LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, of Suite 1200, 609 Granville Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V7Y 1H4 were appointed auditors of the Corporation. In connection with the change of auditors, the Corporation provided a notice to each of MaloneBailey, LLP and Davidson & Company, LLP and obtained from each of them a response confirming that no “reportable event” within the meaning of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations occurred prior to or in connection with the change of auditors. A copy of that notice, together with the responses received (the “Reporting Package”) was filed with the Canadian securities commissions on December 13, 2023 through the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedarplus.ca. Pursuant to NI 51-102 a copy of the “Reporting Package” is attached to this Proxy statement/prospectus as Appendix A. Pursuant to Item 304(a)(1) of Regulation S-K, the Corporation filed a Form 8-K with the SEC on December 15, 2023.
The Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the Corporation propose Davidson & Company, LLP, the incumbent auditors, to the Shareholders for re- election as the Corporation’s auditors for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. Representatives of Davidson & Company, LLP are not expected to be present at the Meeting or be available to respond to questions from persons present at the Meeting. If representatives of Davidson & Company, LLP are present at the Meeting, the Chair of the Meeting will provide such representatives with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.
To approve the selection of Davidson & Company LLP as the Corporation’s independent auditors for the 2024 fiscal year, the proposal must receive an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes cast, either in person or by proxy, at the Meeting on this matter. Shareholders may vote “For”, “Against” or “Abstain” on this proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. Such proposal is a “routine” matter on which brokers and nominees can vote on behalf of their clients if clients do not furnish voting instructions.
Audit Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fees billed by MaloneBailey, LLP, the former auditors, for services rendered were $ 62,610 and $51,900 respectively, which included services for the audit of annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in the Corporation’s quarterly reports, services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings with the SEC and the Canadian securities commissions.
Effective December 12, 2023 the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee engaged the firm of Davidson & Company LLP as its independent registered certified accountants. Davidson & Company was paid an audit retainer of $10,122 in 2023.
Audit-Related Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no fees billed to the Corporation by MaloneBailey, LLP or Davidson & Company LLP for the audit or review of the financial statements that are not reported above under Audit Fees.
Tax Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, there were $3,605 and $3,000 billed to the Corporation by MaloneBailey, LLP, respectively, for tax fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
All Other Fees
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were $5,635 and $14,000 fees billed to the Corporation by MaloneBailey, LLP for services other than services described above.
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Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors
The policy of the Corporation’s Audit Committee is to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent auditors. These services may include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required to periodically report to the Board on the extent of services provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee approved all services that the independent auditors provided to the Corporation in the past two fiscal years.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP AS AUDITORS OF THE CORPORATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
Required Vote of Shareholders
THE APPROVAL OF THE SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTION REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP AS AUDITORS OF THE CORPORATION AND AUTHORIZING THE BOARD TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE REQUIRES AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY PROXY, AT THE MEETING ON THIS MATTER.
UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY THE SHAREHOLDER, THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE FORM OF PROXY SHALL VOTE THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY IN FAVOUR OF THE REAPPOINTMENT OF DAVIDSON & COMPANY, LLP, AS AUDITORS OF THE CORPORATION AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION THROUGH THE AUDIT COMMITTEE.
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PROPOSAL NO. 4 - ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) requires that Shareholders have the opportunity to cast a non-binding advisory vote regarding the approval of the compensation disclosed in this Proxy statement/prospectus of the Corporation’s Named Executive officers who are named above. The Corporation has disclosed the compensation of the Named Executive Officers pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC.
The Corporation believes that our compensation policies for the Named Executive Officers are designed to attract, motivate and retain talented executive officers and are aligned with the long-term interests of Shareholders. This advisory Shareholder vote (the “Say-on-Pay Resolution”), gives you as a Shareholder the opportunity to approve or not approve the compensation of the Named Executive Officers that is disclosed in this Proxy statement/prospectus by voting for or against the following resolution (or by abstaining with respect to the resolution):
RESOLVED, that the Shareholders of Athena Gold Corporation approve all of the compensation of the Corporation’s Named Executive Officers as such compensation is disclosed in the Corporation’s 2024 Proxy statement/prospectus pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, which disclosure includes the Proxy statement/prospectus’s Summary Compensation Table and other executive compensation tables and related narrative disclosures.
Because your vote is advisory, it will not be binding on either the Board of Directors or the Corporation. However, the Corporation’s Board of Directors will take into account the outcome of the Shareholder vote on this proposal at the Meeting when considering future executive compensation arrangements. In addition, your non- binding advisory votes described in this Proposal 3 will not be construed: (1) as overruling any decision by the Board of Directors, any Board committee or the Corporation relating to the compensation of the named executive officers, or (2) as creating or changing any fiduciary duties or other duties on the part of the Board of Directors, any Board committee or the Corporation.
The Corporation will hold its advisory say-on-pay for every year. It is expected that the next advisory say-on-pay vote will occur at the 2025 annual meeting of Shareholders.
Board Recommendation
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE SAY-ON-PAY RESOLUTION.
Required Vote of Shareholders
THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY, NON-BINDING BASIS, OF THE SHAREHOLDER RESOLUTION REGARDING THE COMPENSATION OF THE CORPORATION’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WILL BE GRANTED IF PASSED BY AN AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF A SIMPLE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY PROXY, AT THE MEETING ON THIS MATTER.
UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED BY THE SHAREHOLDER, THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE FORM OF PROXY SHALL VOTE THE COMMON SHARES REPRESENTED BY THE PROXY IN FAVOUR OF THE SAY-ON-PAY RESOLUTION.
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PROPOSAL 5. THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Act also enables the Company’s stockholders to vote, on a non-binding advisory basis, on the frequency with which they would prefer to cast a non-binding advisory vote on the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company is required at least every six years to hold an advisory vote to determine the frequency of the advisory stockholder vote on executive compensation.
The Board of Directors determined that an advisory vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on the compensation of our named executive officers will be conducted every two years. The next advisory vote on the executive compensation and on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation will take place at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.
After careful consideration of the frequency alternatives, the Board believes that conducting a non-binding, advisory vote on executive compensation every two (2) years is appropriate for the Company and its stockholders at this time because such timing for the advisory vote will ensure our stockholders are engaged in executive officer compensation decisions. The Company’s executive compensation programs are designed to promote a long-term connection between pay and performance. While the Board recognizes that awards to the Company’s Named Executive Officers are typically made annually, and improvements to compensation plans are often considered and adopted on an annual basis, the Board believes that holding an advisory vote every two (2) years is adequate to timely feedback on the Company’s compensation disclosures. The Company will continue to monitor developments in executive compensation practices and evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of seeking a say-on-frequency vote every other year, and the Company may change its recommendation on the desired frequency in the future.
The Board believes that a bi-annual advisory vote on executive compensation is consistent with the Company’s practice of seeking input and engaging in dialogue with its shareholders on corporate governance matters (including the practice of having all directors elected annually and annually providing stockholders the opportunity to ratify the Company’s selection of independent accounting firm) and the Company’s executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices. While the Board values the opinions of the Company’s stockholders and will consider the outcome of the advisory vote which occurs at our 2024 Annual Meetings of Shareholders on this say-on-frequency vote when making future decisions on the frequency with which to hold the advisory vote on executive compensation, this vote was and is advisory, which means that the vote on frequency is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee.
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INTEREST OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
No expert named in the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus forms a part as having prepared or certified any part thereof (or is named as having prepared or certified a report or valuation for use in connection with such registration statement) or counsel named in this proxy statement/prospectus as having given an opinion upon the validity of the securities being offered pursuant to this proxy statement/prospectus or upon other legal matters in connection with the registration or offering such securities was employed for such purpose on a contingency basis. Also at the time of such preparation, certification or opinion or at any time thereafter, through the date of effectiveness of such registration statement or that part of such registration statement to which such preparation, certification or opinion relates, no such person had, or is to receive, in connection with the offering, a substantial interest, direct or indirect, in our company or any of its parents or subsidiaries. Nor was any such person connected with our company or any of its parents or subsidiaries as a promoter, managing or principal underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or employee.
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DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Overview
We were incorporated on December 23, 2003, in Delaware and our principal business is the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources.
In January 2021, the company’s Board of Directors approved a name change from Athena Silver Corporation, to Athena Gold Corporation. Athena Gold Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “Athena”) is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources. We began our mining operations in 2010.
We entered into a Mining Lease and Option Agreement which granted us mining rights to the Langtry silver prospect located in San Bernardino County California. Due to the depressed commodities prices over the ensuing decade, we were never able to engage in meaningful exploration efforts. On April 28, 2020, Athena Silver Corporation entered into Agreement to Terminate Lease with Option to Buy dated March 10, 2016 with Bruce and Elizabeth Strachan, Trustees of the Bruce and Elizabeth Strachan Revocable Living Trust dated July 25, 2007, including any and all amendments thereto dated April 28, 2020 with respect to the Langtry Mine in California. As a result of this termination agreement, all scheduled lease option payments due in 2020 and beyond were considered terminated and void upon signing of the Agreement.
In December 2009, we formed and organized a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Athena Minerals, Inc. (“Athena Minerals”) which owned and operated our mining interests and properties in California. On December 31, 2020 we sold the subsidiary to John Gibbs and/or his affiliate, a related party, in a non-cash exchange to satisfy our more than $2 million debt to Mr. Gibbs.
Effective December 27, 2021 (“Effective Date”), the Company simultaneously executed and consummated a definitive Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Nubian Resources, Ltd. (“Nubian Resources”). The SPA was the result of a previously disclosed Option Agreement with Nubian Resources dated as of December 11, 2020, as amended by First Amendment to Option Agreement dated November 10, 2021 (the “Option”). While the Option granted the Company the right to acquire up to a 100% interest in the mining claims comprising the Excelsior Springs Prospect (the “Property”) located in Esmerelda County, Nevada, the Company and Nubian Resources agreed to restructure the transaction so that the Company purchased 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Nubian Resources (USA) Ltd (“Nubian USA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nubian Resources which held the Property. By purchasing 100% of Nubian USA, the Company effectively acquired the remaining 90% interest in the Property, the Company having previously acquired a 10% interest in the Property in December 2020 under the terms of the Option.
The following is a summary of the terms of the SPA, which summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the SPA:
| · | The consideration paid to Nubian for 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Nubian US consisted of: | ||
| An aggregate of 50 million shares of Athena Gold Corp. common stock, which number includes the 5 million shares of common stock previously issued to Nubian Resources under the Option; and | |||
| A 1% Net Smelter Royalty on all production from the Excelsior Springs Property. | |||
| · | The 50 million shares issued to Nubian Resources were issued as “restricted securities” under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”). The Company filed a registration statement on Form S-1 registering the distribution by Nubian of all 50 million shares to its shareholders, pro rata. Nubian Resources had undertaken to complete the distribution of all the shares once the S-1 registration statement has been declared effective. Notwithstanding the fact that the S-1 registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, Nubian Resources elected not to distribute the shares as originally agreed. Athena has made demand on Nubian Resources to fulfill this contractual obligation. | |
| · | For a period of 12 months following the Effective Date of the SPA, or until Nubian owns less than 4.9% of the Athena issued and outstanding shares, Nubian Resources has agreed to exercise its voting rights with respect to such shares in a manner to support the recommendations of the Athena Board of Directors except for (i) voting on any proposed change in control transaction or (ii) voting on any proposed sale of all or substantially all of the Excelsior Property, including a property included known as Palmetto. | |
| · | Nubian is entitled to nominate one representative to serve on the Athena Board of Directors. Nubian’s designated representative resigned in 2023. |
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Athena’s agreement with Nubian Resources includes 100% of the 140 unpatented claims at Excelsior Springs with two additional patented claims held under a lease option that were subject to a 2% net smelter returns royalty on gold production. Athena subsequently expanded the Excelsior Springs project by staking 51 additional claims with the BLM and purchasing the two patented claims and the underlying 2% royalty previously under a lease option agreement.
Nubian Resources Ltd (The “seller”) retained a 1% Net Smelter Returns Royalty (the "NSR Royalty") on the claims it sold to Athena. One-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by Athena for CAD $500,000 payable to Nubian Resources. An additional one-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by Athena at fair market value.
Excelsior Springs is our flagship project and completed a N.I. 43-101 Technical Report to support our secondary listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange that details past work and drill programs and highlight future exploration plans to advance the Property.
We have not presently determined whether our mineral properties contain mineral reserves that are economically recoverable.
Our primary focus going forward will be to continue evaluating our properties, as well as possible acquisitions of additional mineral rights and exploration, all of which will require additional capital.
Conflicts of Interest
Silver Saddle Resources, LLC (“Silver Saddle”) is a private company under common control. Mr. Power and Mr. Gibbs are significant investors and managing members of Silver Saddle.
Athena and Silver Saddle are exploration stage companies, and each is involved in the business of acquisition and exploration of mineral resources.
The existence of common ownership and common management could result in significantly different operating results or financial position from those that could have resulted had Athena and Silver Saddle been autonomous. In addition, the common ownership could result in significant conflicts of interest both in terms of the allocation of working capital as well as under the doctrine of corporate opportunity, since all three entities are engaged in mineral exploration in the United States. Messrs. Power and Gibbs have not adopted any policy or guidelines to mitigate the potential adverse effects of their conflicting interests between and among, Athena and Silver Saddle.
Investors in Athena should be cognizant that the interests of Athena may, in the future, be in conflict with the other activities of Athena’s control persons.
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS PROJECT
Excelsior Springs is Athena Gold’s flagship property, which is located in the southern portion of the Walker Lane. The Excelsior Springs project has been explored by a number of companies over the past 30 years. The target is a large tonnage, moderate grade gold deposit amenable to open pit mining. The Company was granted a drilling and exploration permit (the “Drill Permit”) by the BLM at the Excelsior Springs project in Esmeralda County, Nevada (the “Excelsior Springs Project”). A drilling contractor was engaged and a Phase One RC drill program consisting of 5,575 feet (11 holes) Reverse Circulation (“RC”) drilling program was completed in early April 2022. A Phase Two RC drill program consisting of 2,700 feet (9 holes) was completed in October 2022. A Phase Three RC drill program consisting of 3,740 feet (9 holes) was completed in June 2023. Additional drill programs are planned, subject to sufficient capital being raised.
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Location and Access:
The Excelsior Springs Property is located in the southeast part of unsurveyed Township 5 south, Range 39 and 40 east, MDBM, Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 45 miles southwest of Goldfield, Nevada. The Property is accessed by traveling 14.5 miles (23.2 km) south of Goldfield on US highway 95 and then turning west onto Nevada State Route 266 at Lida Junction and proceeding west for approximately 28.7 miles (45.9 km). Just past mile marker 12, a county-maintained gravel road turns north and leads five miles (8 km) to the Property. There is a locked gate at the southern edge of the patented claims. The Property lies on the moderately hilly south flank of the Palmetto Mountains at an elevation of 6,000 to 8,000 feet (1,829 – 2,439 m) with moderate to heavy juniper/pinion pine cover.
The Excelsior Springs Property comprises 191 unpatented mining claims and two patented mining claims. All of the claims are held by Nubian Resources USA (“Nubian”) and located on Federal Government land administered by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management ("BLM"). The Property when acquired consisted of 42 "EX" and 98 "ES" unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 2,800 acres (1,133 hectares) and two patented claims covering 40 acres (16.1 hct).
Athena staked 51 new BLM claims in September and October 2022 and the remaining 140 BLM claims were acquired as part of the original purchase of the project from Nubian Resources in December 2021. The two patented claims were leased to Nubian by the owner, Christian Bramwell, of Pahrump, Nevada until purchased in June 2022 as further described below. The patented claims, the Prout and Fortunatus (MS 4106), were located in 1873 and 1892, respectively, and were patented in 1912. The patented claims have both surface and mineral rights. Ownership of the unpatented claims gives the right to explore for and develop mineral resources but no surface rights.
Legal Ownership:
The acquisition of Nubian USA included a lease option on two patented mining claims known as Fortunatus and Prout that were subsequently purchased as described below:
On June 9, 2022, the Company entered into an Acquisition Agreement (the “Agreement”) to purchase an undivided 100% interest in the Fortunatus and Prout patented lode mining claims in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The Agreement was completed in July 2022 with the following terms:
| · | $25,000 settled in cash | |
| · | $35,000 of the purchase price settled by the issuance of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock; and | |
| · | $125,000 paid by the Company in quarterly installments of $25,000, beginning November 13, 2022, and continuing until October 13, 2023. | |
| All payments have been made with no balance remaining on the note payable. The underlying 2% NSR was retired as part of the purchase transaction. |
Effective June 1, 2024 Athena Gold Corporation (the “Company”) expanded its Excelsior Springs project by entering into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) with Silver Reserve Inc. to acquire an 100% interest in 11 unpatented BLM claims covering approximately 89 hectares (220 acres) known as the Blue Dick Mine and related mineral claims (“BD”), together with certain technical data relating to the mining claims (the “Purchased Assets”). Total consideration consists of an aggregate of US $45,000 in cash and a 3% NSR.
The Excelsior Springs project now consists of 202 BLM unpatented claims and 2 patented claims or approximately 4,080 acres.
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History:
The Buster Mine claim block was discovered in 1872 and has been through several periods of small-scale mining and exploration efforts. During the late 1800s and perhaps the early 1900s there was unconfirmed production from the Buster Mine of an estimated 18,000 tons at 1.2 oz Au/ton (37.3 g/T). Little else is known about work on the mine until Fernand Lemieux re-timbered the Buster shaft in 1964 at a reported cost of $50,000 (Grant, 1986). A visual inspection of the shaft indicated the ladders were still in good condition. Since 1964, the Property has been explored by a number of companies as described below:
| · | 1960s & 1970s – Efforts to re-timber the shafts and attempts at small scale mining | |
| · | 1986 – Great Pacific Resources (11 RC holes) | |
| · | 1988 – Lucky Hardrock JV (12 RC holes) | |
| · | 2005-2007 – Walker Lane Gold (22 RC holes) | |
| · | 2008 – Evolving Gold (8 RC holes) | |
| · | 2011-2014 – Global Geoscience and partner Osisko Mining (31 RC holes & Geophysics) |
Geology and Mineralization:
The project comprises 202 unpatented and two patented lode claims covering 4,080 acres (1562 hectares). The project has had some historic, high-grade gold production from silicified zones on the patented claims. These zones are contained in several, large, intensely altered, E-W-trending shear zones in Paleozoic siltstones and limestones. These shear zones host structurally and lithologically controlled gold mineralization within a 3 X 1 km area of intense clay alteration. The shear zones have been collectively named the Excelsior Springs Shear Zone, ESSZ, and form the core of the exploration targets on the property.
Geology and Mineralization. The Property lies within the Walker Lane, a regional-scale zone of northwest-trending, strike-slip faulting. The Walker Lane hosts a significant number of precious metal deposits including the Comstock Lode at Virginia City, Borealis, Aurora, Mineral Ridge, Paradise Peak, Rawhide, Tonopah, Goldfield and the Bullfrog District. These deposits are Tertiary in age, and all have a very strong structural control for the mineralization. However, the author has not verified information with respect to the abovementioned deposits, and information in this Report with respect to these deposits is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Excelsior Springs Property. The Excelsior Springs Property area contains a thick section of basal Precambrian-Cambrian sedimentary rocks that are complexly interlayered by thrust faults with the Ordovician Palmetto Formation. On the Property, there are a large number of prospect pits, small trenches and drill roads concentrated along the Excelsior Springs Property structural zone (“ESSZ”), a 1,000 foot-wide and 10,000 foot-long (304 m x 3,048 m), east-west-trending zone of shearing and alteration. Underground workings on the two patented claims have been the source of the Property’s unverified, historic production, reported to be 19,200 oz Au (18,000 tons containing 1.2 oz Au/ton (37.3 g Au/T)). Assay results for the 84 RC holes that have been drilled on the Property show that 51 of the holes (61 %) contain a 20-foot interval averaging 0.25 g Au/T, typical cut-off grade for Nevada open-pit gold mines. Forty of the holes (48 %) contain a 20-foot interval averaging 0.5 g Au/T, and 24 of the holes (29 %) contain a 20-foot interval averaging 1.0 g Au/T.
Property Geology. The Excelsior Springs Property area contains basal Precambrian-Cambrian sedimentary rocks complexly interlayered by thrust faults with the Ordovician Palmetto Formation, as seen in Figure 17 (McKee, 1985). Lithologic units shown on the map are listed below.
Qa - Alluvium, (Quaternary) - sand and gravel.
Tq - Quartz porphyry and alaskite dikes, (Miocene) - Light-colored, quartz-rich fine- grained intrusive rocks.
Opa - Palmetto Formation, (Ordovician) - Heterogeneous mixture of dark, thin-bedded chert, shale, limestone and quartzites, usually in thrust fault contact with older rocks.
Ce - Emigrant Formation, (Cambrian) - Gray- green limey siltstone with sandstone interbeds. Grades upward into platy, gray, aphanitic limestone with chert nodules, chert beds and intraformational limestone conglomerates.
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Ch - Harkless Formation, (Cambrian) - Interbedded fine-grained sandstone, siliceous siltstone and thin limestone.
Miocene rhyolite and hornblende diorite dikes (Tq) occur throughout the Property and are particularly abundant in the area east of the Excelsior Springs Property. Most of the dikes are aligned parallel to the east-west to east-northeast trends of the mineralization in the ESSZ. The quartz-rich rhyolite dikes appear to be more closely associated with alteration and gold mineralization than do the hornblende diorite dikes.
The 3,500 foot-thick (1,067 m), Cambrian-age (Ch) Harkless Formation seems to be the predominant host for the alteration and mineralization and is divided into a lower, greenish-gray quartz-rich siltstone member and an upper olive-gray siltstone member. Limestone layers, up to 100 feet-thick (30 m), occur in the lower member. The Cambrian-age (Ce) Emigrant Formation overlying the Harkless consists of a lower, multi-colored limestone-siltstone member, a middle, greenish-gray shale member and an upper, gray, cherty limestone member. The Emigrant Formation is about 1,300 feet-thick (396 m).
Mineralized Zones. The east-west trending ESSZ shows strong hydrothermal alteration over an area 1,000-1,800 feet-wide (305 – 549 m) and 10,000 feet-long (3,050 m) and appears to extend under Quaternary gravels to the west of the Buster and pit areas. In addition to the area around the Buster shaft, there are many other scattered zones of anomalous gold and base metal mineralization within the ESSZ. There are large, well developed, east-west-trending drainages to the north and south of the ESSZ. These drainages also contain outcrops of strongly altered rocks that have not been closely examined. Mineralization on the claims is hosted mostly in the Harkless Formation and the Emigrant Formation. Mineralization occurs almost entirely in shear zones which are characterized by brecciation, silicification and local mylonitization. The ESSZ contains well developed fractures striking east-west and well mineralized sets of north-, northeast- and northwest-striking fractures. There are several gold-bearing quartz veins containing galena and tetrahedrite in the shear zones that represent a post-deformation period of mineralization. Most of the mineralized zones do not contain visible sulfides.
Gold mineralization is localized by the structures and occurs as veinlets and veins. Gold also appears to occur in a disseminated form in favorable stratigraphic units. Brecciated quartz veins are common in the mineralized zones but frequently exhibit no direct correlation with higher gold values. Quartz-copper veins and pods of white quartz are also brecciated and locally re-cemented with fine-grained crystalline to chalcedonic silica. A strong correlation between visible copper and/ or zinc oxides and carbonates and higher-grade gold values has been noted. Cadmium and antimony values are anomalous but somewhat randomly distributed, and arsenic is strongly correlated with gold values greater than 8 ppm.
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EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES:
Summary
In 2022, Athena has begun an initial work program for the Excelsior Springs Property comprising the following:
| · | Data compilation and review; | |
| · | Geologic mapping and sampling of selected areas of the project; | |
| · | Acquisition and evaluation of hyperspectral satellite imagery for alteration studies; | |
| · | Refining the project’s structural model for mineralization; | |
| · | Developing a 3-D, computer generated model of the Buster area mineralization; | |
| · | Creating a new set of 1:1200 scale cross sections to include all drill holes. |
(a) Data Compilation. There is a large amount of historic data generated by previous exploration programs on the Property. Much of the earlier data is incomplete and weakly documented but still useful. A new compilation of all the drilling results including collar location, hole azimuth, dip, total depth and gold values has been completed and used to construct the three-dimensional model and new cross sections.
(b) Geologic Mapping and Sampling. Approximately 20 man-days have been spent mapping in selected areas of the project. Mapping was done on detailed color photos at a scale of 1:2,400 with a particular focus on alteration zones and structural features. This new work is being integrated into the existing geologic map and will be fully digital. The new geologic map has not been completed, but it will serve as a base layer for showing alteration, mineralization, structures, geophysical data and drill hole projections. In conjunction with the mapping of selected areas, the Company has collected and processed 100 surface rock chip samples. Custody of these samples was maintained by the geologists and then delivered to American Assay Labs in Sparks, Nevada. All samples were fire assayed for gold, and an ICP process was used for other elements. The assay process is described in Section 11.1 of this Report and duplicate, standard and blank samples were used.
(c) Hyperspectral Data. SpecTir Imagery of Reno, Nevada provided a suite of hyperspectral images covering the area around the project. The study shows the alteration mineralogy image generated by the SpecTIR data. The Buster zone clearly shows strong kaolinite and sodium-rich illite (paragonite) alteration. The strong clay alteration zone continues eastward to the Ridge zone (447300 E) and further east into the Excelsior Springs Property area (448000 E). Further east and west from the Buster zone the clay mineralogy becomes potassium-rich phengite along with muscovite.
(d) Refining the Structural Model. Ore deposits found within the Walker Lane and particularly mineralized zones in the ESSZ are both structurally and lithologically controlled.
(e) Three-Dimensional Model. Geo Vector Consultants and Mountain Goat Consulting has utilized the updated drill hole data base for the Property and has generated the 3-D model for the mineralized zones. There are multiple intercepts of potentially well mineralized material in many of the holes, but further infill drilling is needed to better confirm continuity of the zones between the holes.
| 89 |
(f) Cross Sections. Mine Development Associates ("MDA"), a division of RESPEC Inc., consultants in Reno, generated a complete set of 1:600 scale cross sections along with a topographic map showing all of the drill holes and mineralized intervals.
The Company was granted a drilling and exploration permit (the “Drill Permit”) by the BLM in December 2021 for its Excelsior Springs Project in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The permit was amended in 2022. Athena has posted the required reclamation bond with the BLM to secure the Drill Permit.
Athena entered into a contract with New Frontier Drilling and in April 2022 completed its maiden drill program with 11 RC holes on both the patented and unpatented claims totaling approximately 5,500 feet.
The Company updated its permit with the BLM with additional locations and completed a Phase 2 drill program with 9 RC holes on both the patented and unpatented claims totaling approximately 2,800 feet.
Athena submitted the samples from the drill program to an independent assay lab in Reno, Nevada for analysis.
Phase 1 RC Drilling Data and Results
| Hole | Intervals, Feet 2 | Azimuth | Decline | Gold 1 | Silver | Total | ||
| ID | From | To | Length | Degrees | Degrees | G/T | G/T | Depth, Ft |
| DB-24 | nsm | 0 | 50 | 400 | ||||
| DB-23 | 140 | 250 | 110 | 180 | 50 | 5.15 | 8.9 | 400 |
| includes | 140 | 195 | 55 | 10.03 | 17.3 | |||
| includes | 140 | 175 | 35 | 15.35 | 26.5 | |||
| DB-22 | 220 | 240 | 20 | 0 | 90 | 0.61 | 3.1 | 400 |
| " | 265 | 285 | 20 | 1.48 | 2.8 | |||
| " | 340 | 360 | 20 | 1.01 | 5.6 | |||
| DB-3 | 215 | 275 | 60 | 135 | 50 | 1.10 | 4.0 | 350 |
| BT-16 | * | 218 | 50 | 695 | ||||
| BT-15 | nsm | 38 | 50 | 825 | ||||
| BT-13 | nsm | 0 | 90 | 375 | ||||
| BT-12 | nsm | 180 | 50 | 350 | ||||
| BT-11 | * | 180 | 50 | 500 | ||||
| BT-7 | 110 | 130 | 20 | 135 | 50 | 1.11 | 4.0 | 380 |
| BT-6 | 510 | 530 | 20 | 120 | 50 | 0.22 | 16.9 | 900 |
| Total Drilling | 5,575 | |||||||
| nsm: no significant mineral | |
| * | assays not yet received |
| 1 | Nominal gold cut off: 0.20 g/t. |
| 2 | Minimum mineral interval of 20 feet. Minimum 20 feet waste between mineral intervals. |
| Maximum 20 feet waste within mineral intervals. As most spatial data is not yet available, drill intervals are not true mineral thicknesses. | |
| 90 |
Phase 2 Drilling Data and Results
| Hole | Intervals, Feet 2 | Intervals, Meters 2 | Azimuth | Decline | Au | Ag | Au Eq | Cu 4 | Pb4 | Zn4 | Hole Depth | Zone | |||||||
| ID | From | To | Length | From | To | Length | Degrees | Degrees | G/T | G/T | G/T 3 | % | % | % | Ft | M | 5 | ||
| 22-01 | 130 | 220 | 90 | 39.6 | 67.1 | 27.4 | 162 | 60 | 6.045 | 17.4 | 6.274 | 0.071 | 0.294 | 0.476 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | ||
| Includes | 130 | 165 | 35 | 39.6 | 50.3 | 10.7 | 10.200 | 30.8 | 10.605 | 0.170 | 0.644 | 1.140 | |||||||
| 255 | 300 | 45 | 77.7 | 91.4 | 13.7 | 4.970 | 14.40 | 5.159 | 0.070 | 0.821 | 1.003 | ||||||||
| 22-02 | 135 | 185 | 50 | 41.1 | 56.4 | 15.2 | 197 | 55 | 4.492 | 27.3 | 4.851 | 0.056 | 0.382 | 0.546 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | ||
| Includes | 145 | 175 | 30 | 44.2 | 53.3 | 9.1 | 7.293 | 44.2 | 7.874 | 0.091 | 0.621 | 0.873 | |||||||
| 225 | 250 | 25 | 68.6 | 76.2 | 7.6 | 1.195 | 7.7 | 1.296 | 0.023 | 0.227 | 0.220 | ||||||||
| 22-03 | NSM | 160 | 45 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | |||||||||||||
| 22-04 | 55 | 75 | 20 | 16.8 | 22.9 | 6.1 | 135 | 50 | 0.252 | 6.0 | 0.331 | 0.004 | 0.016 | 0.015 | 400 | 121.9 | MB | ||
| 22-05 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 0.0 | 15.2 | 15.2 | 135 | 60 | 0.395 | 3.30 | 0.438 | 0.009 | 0.117 | 0.179 | 200 | 61.0 | MB | ||
| 145 | 170 | 25 | 44.2 | 51.8 | 7.6 | 0.646 | 2.96 | 0.000 | 0.006 | 0.049 | 0.048 | ||||||||
| 22-06 | NSM | 135 | 50 | 300 | 91.4 | MB | |||||||||||||
| 22-07 | NSM | 135 | 60 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | |||||||||||||
| 22-08 | NSM | 135 | 59 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | |||||||||||||
| 22-12 | NSM | 135 | 55 | 300 | 91.4 | WS | |||||||||||||
| Total Drilling | 2,700 | 823.0 | |||||||||||||||||
| NSM: no significant mineral | |
| 1 | Nominal gold cut off: 0.20 g/t. |
| 2 | Minimum mineral interval of 20 feet. Minimum 20 feet waste between mineral intervals. |
| 3 | Based on prices of $1775/oz Au and $23/oz Ag |
| 4 | Geochemical analysis of anomalous base metals |
| 5 | WS: West Slope Zone MB: Main Buster Zone |
| Maximum 20 feet waste within mineral intervals. As most spatial data is not yet available, drill intervals are not true mineral thicknesses. | |
| 91 |
Phase 3 Drilling Data and Assay Results 1
| Hole | Intervals, Feet | Intervals, Meters | Az | Dip | Au | Ag | Cu 2 | Pb 2 | Zn 2 | Hole Depth | |||||||
| ID | From | To | Length | From | To | Length | 0 | 0 | G/T | G/T | % | % | % | Ft | M | ||
| 23-01 | 245 | 265 | 20 | 74.7 | 80.8 | 6.1 | 180 | 60 | 2.176 | 1.85 | 0.057 | 0.371 | 0.378 | 400 | 121.9 | ||
| 23-02 | nsm | 180 | 50 | 340 | 103.6 | ||||||||||||
| 23-03 | 95 | 265 | 170 | 29.0 | 80.8 | 51.8 | 180 | 60 | 1.021 | 8.20 | 0.02 | 2.117 | 2.712 | 400 | 121.9 | ||
| 23-04 | nsm | 180 | 50 | 300 | 91.4 | ||||||||||||
| 23-05 | nsm | 180 | 60 | 400 | 121.9 | ||||||||||||
| 23-06 | nsm | 180 | 45 | 300 | 91.4 | ||||||||||||
| 23-07 | nsm | 180 | 55 | 400 | 121.9 | ||||||||||||
| 23-08 | nsm | 180 | 55 | 400 | 121.9 | ||||||||||||
| 23-09 | nsm | 162 | 62 | 800 | 243.8 | ||||||||||||
| Total Drilling | 3,740 | 1,140.0 | |||||||||||||||
| nsm: no significant mineral | |
| 1 | Gold cut off: 0.20 g/t. Minimum mineral interval of 20 feet. Minimum 20 feet waste between mineral intervals. Maximum 20 feet waste within mineral intervals. |
| 2 | Analysis of anomalous base metals |
| Drill intervals are not mineral thicknesses. | |
Future exploration phases would be needed to precisely define depth, width, length, tonnage and value per ton of any deposit that has been identified and would involve:
| · |
RC and CORE drilling. A permit is in place with the BLM and a bond has been posted to allow for additional drilling.
Conduct a new gradient array IP survey that will provide data to a depth of approximately 900 feet (274 m) and better define the southwestern chargeability zone. | |
| · | conducting metallurgical testing; and | |
| · | Further geochemical and geophysical surveys and geologic mapping |
Depending upon the nature of the particular deposit, future exploration phases on the property could take one to five years or more and cost well in excess of $1 million.
| 92 |
EXCELSIOR SPRINGS PROJECT CLAIMS
The following map shows the location of the patented and unpatented mining claims that comprise the Excelsior Springs Project as of December 31, 2023:
| 93 |
Excelsior Springs Project – List of ES Claims
| Claim Name | NMC # | Claimant | Valid Until | |
| 1 | ES 1 | 1045871 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 2 | ES 3 | 1045873 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 3 | ES 5 | 1045875 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 4 | ES 7 | 1045877 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 5 | ES 9 | 1045879 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 6 | ES 11 | 1045881 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 7 | ES 13 | 1045883 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 8 | ES 15 | 1045885 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 9 | ES 17 | 1045887 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 10 | ES 19 | 1045889 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 11 | ES 21 | 1045891 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 12 | ES 23 | 1045893 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 13 | ES 25 | 1045895 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 14 | ES 27 | 1045897 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 15 | ES 29 | 1045899 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 16 | ES 31 | 1045901 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 17 | ES 33 | 1045903 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 18 | ES 35 | 1045905 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 19 | ES 37 | 1045907 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 20 | ES 39 | 1045909 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 21 | ES 40 | 1045910 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 22 | ES 41 | 1045911 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 23 | ES 42 | 1045912 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 24 | ES 43 | 1045913 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 25 | ES 44 | 1045914 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 26 | ES 45 | 1045915 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 27 | ES 46 | 1045916 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 28 | ES 47 | 1045917 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 29 | ES 48 | 1045918 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 30 | ES 49 | 1045919 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 31 | ES 50 | 1045920 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 32 | ES 51 | 1045921 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 33 | ES 52 | 1045922 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 34 | ES 53 | 1045923 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 35 | ES 54 | 1045924 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 36 | ES 55 | 1045925 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 37 | ES 56 | 1045926 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 94 |
| Claim Name | NMC # | Claimant | Valid Until | |
| 38 | ES 57 | 1045927 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 39 | ES 58 | 1045928 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 40 | ES 59 | 1045929 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 41 | ES 60 | 1045930 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 42 | ES 61 | 1045931 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 43 | ES 62 | 1045932 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 44 | ES 63 | 1045933 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 45 | ES 64 | 1045934 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 46 | ES 65 | 1045935 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 47 | ES 66 | 1045936 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 48 | ES 67 | 1045937 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 49 | ES 68 | 1045938 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 50 | ES 69 | 1045939 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 51 | ES 70 | 1045940 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 52 | ES 71 | 1045941 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 53 | ES 72 | 1045942 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 54 | ES 73 | 1045943 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 55 | ES 74 | 1045944 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 56 | ES 75 | 1045945 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 57 | ES 76 | 1045946 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 58 | ES 77 | 1045947 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 59 | ES 78 | 1045948 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 60 | ES 79 | 1045949 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 61 | ES 80 | 1045950 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 62 | ES 81 | 1045951 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 63 | ES 82 | 1045952 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 64 | ES 83 | 1045953 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 65 | ES 84 | 1045954 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 66 | ES 85 | 1045955 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 67 | ES 86 | 1045956 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 68 | ES 87 | 1045957 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 69 | ES 88 | 1045958 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 70 | ES 89 | 1045959 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 71 | ES 90 | 1045960 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 72 | ES 91 | 1045961 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 73 | ES 92 | 1045962 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 74 | ES 93 | 1045963 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 95 |
| Claim Name | NMC # | Claimant | Valid Until | |
| 75 | ES 94 | 1045964 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 76 | ES 95 | 1045965 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 77 | ES 96 | 1045966 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 78 | ES 97 | 1045967 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 79 | ES 98 | 1045968 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 80 | ES 99 | 1045969 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 81 | ES 100 | 1045970 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 82 | ES103 | 1057362 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 83 | ES105 | 1057364 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 84 | ES107 | 1057366 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 85 | ES109 | 1057368 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 86 | ES176 | 1057394 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 87 | ES179 | 1057395 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 88 | ES180 | 1057396 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 89 | ES245 | 1057460 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 90 | ES246 | 1057461 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 91 | ES247 | 1057462 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 92 | ES248 | 1057463 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 93 | ES249 | 1057464 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 94 | ES250 | 1057465 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 95 | ES251 | 1057466 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 96 | ES252 | 1057467 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 97 | ES253 | 1057468 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 98 | ES254 | 1057469 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 96 |
Excelsior Springs Project - List of EX Claims
| Claim Name | NMC # | Claimant | Valid Until | |
| 1 | EX 1 | 887756 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 2 | EX 2 | 887757 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 3 | EX 3 | 887758 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 4 | EX 4 | 887759 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 5 | EX 5 | 887760 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 6 | EX 6 | 887761 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 7 | EX 7 | 887762 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 8 | EX 8 | 887763 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 9 | EX 9 | 887764 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 10 | EX 10 | 887765 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 11 | EX 11 | 887766 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 12 | EX 12 | 887767 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 13 | EX 13 | 887768 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 14 | EX 14 | 887769 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 15 | EX 20 | 897986 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 16 | EX 21 | 897987 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 17 | EX 22 | 897988 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 18 | EX 23 | 897989 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 19 | EX 24 | 897990 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 20 | EX 25 | 897991 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 21 | EX 26 | 897992 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 22 | EX 27 | 897993 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 23 | EX 28 | 897994 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 24 | EX 29 | 897995 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 25 | EX 30 | 897996 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 26 | EX 31 | 897997 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 27 | EX 32 | 897998 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 28 | EX 33 | 897999 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 29 | EX 34 | 898000 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 30 | EX 35 | 898001 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 31 | EX 36 | 898002 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 32 | EX 37 | 898003 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 33 | EX 38 | 898004 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 34 | EX 39 | 898005 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 35 | EX 40 | 898006 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 36 | EX 41 | 898007 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 37 | EX 42 | 898008 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 38 | EX 43 | 898009 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 39 | EX 44 | 898010 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 40 | EX 45 | 898011 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 41 | EX 46 | 898012 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 42 | EX 47 | 898013 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 97 |
| Claim Name | Serial Number | Claimant | Valid Until | |
| 1 | BL 1 | NV105804872 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 2 | BL 2 | NV105804873 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 3 | BL 3 | NV105804874 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 4 | BL 4 | NV105804875 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 5 | BL 5 | NV105804876 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 6 | BL 6 | NV105804877 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 7 | BL 7 | NV105804878 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 8 | BL 8 | NV105804879 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 9 | BL 9 | NV105804880 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 10 | BL 10 | NV105804881 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 11 | BL 11 | NV105804882 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 12 | BL 12 | NV105804883 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 13 | BL 13 | NV105804884 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 14 | BL 14 | NV105804885 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 15 | BL 15 | NV105804886 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 16 | BL 16 | NV105804887 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 17 | BL 17 | NV105804888 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 18 | BL 18 | NV105804889 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 19 | BL 19 | NV105804890 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 20 | BL 20 | NV105804891 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 21 | BL 21 | NV105804892 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 22 | BL 22 | NV105804893 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 23 | BL 23 | NV105804894 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 24 | BL 24 | NV105804895 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 25 | BL 25 | NV105804896 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 26 | BL 26 | NV105804897 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 27 | BL 27 | NV105804898 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 28 | BL 28 | NV105804899 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 29 | BL 29 | NV105804900 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 30 | BL 30 | NV105804901 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 31 | BL 31 | NV105804902 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 32 | BL 32 | NV105804903 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 33 | ES 2R | NV105804904 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 34 | ES 4R | NV105804905 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 35 | ES 6R | NV105804906 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 36 | ES 8R | NV105804907 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 37 | ES 10R | NV105804908 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 38 | ES 12R | NV105804909 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 39 | ES 14R | NV105804910 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 40 | ES 16R | NV105804911 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 41 | ES 18R | NV105804912 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 42 | ES 20R | NV105804913 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 43 | ES 22R | NV105804914 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 44 | ES 24R | NV105804915 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 45 | ES 26R | NV105804916 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 46 | ES 28R | NV105804917 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 47 | ES 30R | NV105804918 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 48 | ES 32R | NV105804919 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 49 | ES 34R | NV105804920 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 50 | ES 36R | NV105804921 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
| 51 | ES 38R | NV105804922 | Nubian Resources USA Ltd. | 8/31/2025 |
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CROW SPRINGS PROJECT
Athena Gold Corporation entered into a memorandum of understanding in April 2022 with an independent geologist (“seller”) to acquire seven unpatented mining claims and subsequently staked ten additional unpatented mining claims for a total of 17 claims in the Crow Springs Mining District located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The terms of the agreement required Athena to pay for certain staking costs and the annual maintenance fees to the BLM and Esmeralda County. The seller also retained a 1% NSR royalty on the Crow Springs project. The agreement also requires Athena to spend $30,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to maintain the agreement. The 2023 work commitment was fulfilled through an IP survey that was completed in early 2024 as more fully described below. Athena is in full compliance with the agreement.
In early 2024, The Company successfully completed an Induced Polarization/Resistivity (the “Survey”) at its 100% owned Crow Springs Project (“Project”).
The survey was conducted by Zonge International and generated IP/Resistivity data on the two lines specified by Athena as depicted on Figure 3. The IP/Resistivity data was acquired using a dipole-length of 200 meters, in the 9- spread dipole-dipole configuration, providing continuous coverage. The survey was designed to define potential porphyry copper-gold targets to a depth of 1,200 feet or more.
Prior to the IP/Resistivity survey, a district-scale helicopter airborne magnetics radiometric survey was flown in September 2017 with 100-meter spaced N-S flight lines with 1000-meter tie lines flown E-W (see Figure 3). The survey indicates that a strong untested magnetic anomaly controlled by Athena underlies classic porphyry-associated potassic alteration noted in geologic mapping. The untested magnetic anomaly is suggestive of a possible porphyry copper-gold target of significant size. The IP-Resistivity survey was designed to further refine and delineate Cu-Mo-Au drill targets within or adjacent to the magnetic anomaly.
ONEMAN LAKE AND LAIRD LAKE PROJECTS
Effective October 1, 2024 , Athena entered into a definitive agreement to acquire two early exploration stage projects located in Ontario Canada under the following terms:
Terms of the Definitive Agreement:
Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, Athena Gold acquired up to a 100% interest in two mining properties, consisting of 218 mining claims covering approximately 4,736 hectares (the “Properties”). The Properties are comprised of two projects: one known as the Oneman Lake Project located near Kenora, Ontario and the other known as the Laird Lake Project in Red Lake, Ontario. Pursuant to an option agreement dated August 19, 2024, with Bounty Gold Corp. (“Bounty Gold”), The Properties were acquired from Libra Lithium Corp. which earned 100% ownership of the Oneman Lake Project and had the exclusive option to acquire the Laird Lake Project (the “Option”) subject to certain terms and conditions. Bounty Gold has consented to the transfer of the Properties from Libra Lithium Corp. to Athena Gold.
All parties to this transaction are arm’s length.
As consideration of the Properties, Athena Gold issued 43,865,217 common shares in the capital of Athena Gold’s wholly owned subsidiary, Nova Athena Gold Corp. to Libra, at a deemed value of CDN $0.05 per share. Following the completion of the Redomestication and Continuation, those shares of Nova Athena Gold Corp. issued to Libra will represent 19.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Nova Athena Gold Corp.
As soon as practical upon completion of the Redomestication and Continuation;
| a) | Koby Kushner will become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Purchaser; | |
| b) | David Goodman will become Chairman of the Board of the Purchaser; | |
| c) | John C. Power will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Purchaser, but remain as Secretary of the Purchaser with oversight over finance and legal reporting obligations and consultation of the Nevada projects; and |
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Athena Gold has assumed all obligations of the Option to Bounty Gold to acquire the Laird Lake Project in consideration of the following cash payments and share issuances over the course of five years (which may be accelerated at Athena Gold’s option):
| a) | payment of CDN $50,000 in cash on or before August 19, 2025, of which up to 50% of such payment may be made in the form of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold; |
| b) | payment of CDN $50,000 in cash on or before the August 19. 2026, of which up to 50% of such payment may be made in the form of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold; |
| c) | payment of CDN $50,000 in cash on or before August 19, 2027, of which up to 50% of such payment may be made in the form of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold; |
| d) | payment of CDN $50,000 in cash on or before August 19, 2028, of which up to 50% of such payment may be made in the form of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold; and |
| e) | payment of CDN $1,000,000 in cash on or before August 19, 2029, or alternatively |
| i) | payment of 75% in cash and the issuance of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold equal to 25% of the payment, for a total payment of CDN $1,250,000; |
| ii) | payment of 50% in cash and the issuance of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold equal to 50% of the payment, for a total payment of CDN $1,500,000; or |
| iii) | payment of 25% in cash and the issuance of common shares in the capital of Athena Gold equal to 75% of the payment, for a total payment of CDN $1,750,000. |
In the event that Athena Gold pays any of the payments to Bounty Gold in the form of both cash and common shares, the price per share will be determined with the number of shares being based on a per share deemed issue price equal to the 30-day VWAP of the shares for the period of any twenty (20) consecutive trading days on the Canadian Securities Exchange ending on the date that is three business days prior to the date of issuance of the additional common shares.
Upon completion of the above obligations by Athena Gold, Bounty Gold will retain a 2% NSR on the Properties, of which 1% may be purchased by Athena Gold for CDN $1,000,000 at any time.
Athena Gold has agreed to pay a finder’s fee to Castlewood Capital Corp. in connection with the Acquisition, through the issuance of 1,737,236 common shares in the capital of Nova Athena Gold Corp. The finder’s fee will be payable upon completion of the proposed Amalgamation of Athena Gold.
Laird Lake Property Report
Figure 1. Laird Lake Location Map.
Date Completed: September 2024
Primary commodity: Au
Secondary commodity:
Project size: 4,158 ha
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Claims Renewal Date: 2024/02/10
Ontario Claim holders must satisfy required annual units of assessment work to keep their claims in good standing. They must perform early exploration work and submit an assessment work report through the Mining Lands Administration System ( MLAS ). Current annual work commitment is CAD $74,800 per annum on the Laird Lake claims. Assessment work has been completed to maintain these claims until January 2027.
Project UTM Location (Center of Property): NAD83 Zone 15U 417485 E 5643648 N
Project Location Description: Laird Lake is located approximately 20km to the southwest of the town of Red Lake, Ontario. The property is accessible using trail roads that connect to the ON-618 Highway out of Red Lake. Red Lake is a full-service community with a population of ~4000 people and is a prolific gold mining town that is still seeing active gold production and exploration to-date.
Geology
Regional Geology (modified from Gelinas et al., 2024)
The Laird Lake property comprises part of the Red Lake Greenstone belt (RLGB), which lies within the Uchi domain of the North Caribou Terrane (NCT). The NCT is the largest Mesoarchean terrane in the Superior Province and is in the northwestern core of the Superior Craton. The NCT has been subdivided into three domains and a central core. The North Caribou Core (NCC) is situated in the west-central portion of the NCT and forms the nucleus to which the Island Lake, Oxford-Stull, and the Uchi domains were accreted to post 2.87 Ga. The Uchi domain forms a linear belt that is located on the southern margin of the NCT and extends the entire length of the northwestern Superior Province, and consists of 3.0-2.7 Ga volcanic, plutonic, and sedimentary packages. An unconformity between the Mesoarchean and Neoarchean assemblages within the Uchi domain represents a ~200-100 m.y. gap in geologic time and is known to be associated with gold mineralization in the Red Lake and Pickle Lake greenstone belts.
The RLGB is situated along the northern boundary of the Uchi domain with the NCT of the Superior Province and preserves a ~300 m.y. record of volcanism, sedimentation, plutonism, deformation, and gold mineralization ranging from Meso- to Neoarchean in age. Nine supracrustal assemblages are present within the belt and have been subdivided based on rock type, U-Pb geochronology, and geochemistry. All assemblages within the RLGB have undergone metamorphism, ranging from lower greenschist facies to upper amphibolite facies. The Laird Lake property comprises the Balmer and Confederation assemblages. D1 deformation (2.744-2.733 Ga) in the RLGB is characterized by north-trending, south plunging F1 folds and S1/L1 fabrics. D2 deformation is characterized by east- to northeast-trending structures that are associated with the Uchian phase of the Kenoran orogeny. Gold mineralization within the Uchi domain is most often related to D2 structures.
The Balmer assemblage is the oldest and most prominent unit in the RLGB, covering ~50% of the belt and is host to all the major gold camps in the area. It is most observed within the eastern and central portions of the belt but does crop out of the Killala-Baird batholith. The assemblage comprises Fe-tholeiitic basalts, komatiitic basalts, and komatiites with lesser 2.992-2.964 Ga felsic volcanic rocks, chert-magnetite iron formations, fine-grained clastic rocks, and mafic to ultramafic intrusions. The Balmer assemblage has been broken into lower, middle, and upper sequences based on trace element contents and TiO2.
The Confederation assemblage is predominantly observed on the central to southern margin of the RLGB but can also be found in other greenstone belts throughout the Uchi domain. The assemblage is separated into two volcanic packages based on age and geochemistry. The calc-alkalic McNeely package, dated at 2745-2742 Ma, is located in the center of the of the RLGB and comprises intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks, including intermediate tuff breccia, lapilli tuff, and feldspar-phyric amygdaloidal pillowed basalts. The second assemblage is known as the Heyson sequence, which is mainly tholeiitic and has been dated at 2739 Ma. The assemblage mainly consists of massive to pillowed basalt and basaltic andesites with feldspar phenocrysts, quartz-feldspar crystal tuff, and rhyolites.
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Figure 2. Regional geology map of the Red Lake Greenstone Belt showing the location of the Laird Lake property.
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Property Geology (from Gelinas et al., 2024)
The Balmer assemblage on the Laird Lake property crops out between the 2704 ± 1.5 Ma Killala–Baird batholith to the north and the Confederation assemblage to the south. The assemblage reaches a maximum thickness of 1.5 km in the western portion of the field area and thins towards the east where an inferred contact between the Killala–Baird batholith and Confederation assemblage is interpreted. The Balmer assemblage mainly consists of mafic volcanic rocks, with rare occurrences of ultramafic volcanic rocks and banded-iron formations (BIF). Ultramafic volcanic rocks are rarely exposed and mainly found by the water’s edge on Laird and Lee lakes. The unit is commonly fine-grained, yields high magnetic susceptibility readings, and exhibits complex relationships between flow breccias and massive flows/feeder dikes. The flow breccias are clast supported with up to 90% subrounded clasts from 20 to 1 cm in diameter, some of which contain unoriented spinifex needles up to 6 cm long. The massive flows/feeder dikes locally exhibit spinifex texture, measure between 20 cm and 15 m (possibly thicker) and display potential lava tubes. The contact between the breccias and massive portions of the unit are parallel, sharp to irregular with no chill margins observed. The mafic volcanic rocks are the most abundant rock type of the Balmer assemblage on the Laird Lake property, comprising roughly 95 vol.% of the assemblage. The mafic volcanic rocks are typically composed of fine-grained, aphyric massive flows, although primary features such as pillows, amygdule’s, and varioles are commonly well preserved on the northern shores of Laird and Lee lakes. Pillows commonly young towards the north to northeast but within higher strain zones, they can be observed flattened parallel to the east–west-trending foliation. Two chemical sedimentary horizons could be traced across the map area: one to the northwest of Lee Lake, and the other to the south of Laird Lake. Both are 1.5 m thick chert–magnetite BIF with magnetite-rich layers hosting variable amounts of hematite and pyrite. The horizon to the south of Laird Lake is interlayered with a 0.1–2 m thick carbonate-rich formation consisting of white calcite bands and dark green, very fine-grained pyrrhotite-bearing mafic layers.
The Confederation assemblage on the Laird Lake property is roughly 1 km wide to the east, thinning to less than 100 m on the western end of the map area and lies between the Balmer assemblage and the undated Medicine Stone pluton. Differential erosion between stratigraphic units has formed sets of ridges up to 600 m long that are inferred to be parallel to the primary volcanic layering and strike from 45◦ to 80◦ with local volcanic packages parallel to the contact with the Balmer assemblage and others at a 35◦ angle, implying an angular unconformity. Features such as trachytic alignment of phenocrysts within flows, primary bedding in tuffs, and lithological contacts viewed at the outcrop scale also reflect the primary volcanic stratigraphy observed at the map scale. The assemblage is mainly composed of thick mafic volcanic flows, separated by equally thick intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks, and zones of interlayered mafic to felsic volcanic packages a few metres thick. Three types of mafic flows are found throughout the area: aphyric flows, plagioclase–phyric flows, and amphibole poikiloblastic flows and are thinly intercalated within the interlayered package of mafic to intermediate volcanic rocks (±felsic volcanic rocks). The mafic flows with amphibole poikiloblasts have a fine-grained matrix with rounded dark greenish blue amphibole grains up to 5 mm in diameter and 30%–45% vol. The aphyric mafic volcanic flows are fine-grained but are not continuous at a large scale. The feldspar– phyric flows have a fine-grained matrix and host anhedral to euhedral white plagioclase crystals that range from 0.2 to 3 cm long and 1 to 7 mm thick and can comprise up to 40% of the rock but 5%–10% is more typical. Locally, the feldspars define a trachytic alignment that is typically parallel to the map-scale orientation of the volcanic packages. Intermediate and felsic volcanic rocks were grouped as one lithology due to the scale of the map. This unit is mainly composed of massive to weakly bedded volcaniclastic tuffs to lapilli tuffs, with no evidence of flows features such as flow lobes/domes or flow banding. Cryptic beds range from mm to cm scale in thickness. Lapilli size clasts average 4–6 cm long and contain anhedral feldspar grains. Quartz–feldspar porphyritic crystal tuffs consist of porphyritic rounded quartz and feldspar grains that comprise up to 20%–40% of the rock. Quartz grains are typically more abundant than feldspar grains and measure up to 1 cm, whereas feldspar grains measure up to 7 mm in length. This unit can rarely contain lapilli size clasts that range from 2 to 6.5 cm long and are mostly mafic to intermediate in composition with mm scale feldspar grains. A diorite on the southeastern shore of Lee Lake is strongly foliated, typically fine-grained with medium- to coarse-grained porphyroclasts of diopside recrystallized from carbonate vein material up to 15 cm long more commonly observed on the southern side of the intrusion.
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Figure 3. Detailed geology map of the Laird Lake property (from Gelinas, 2018).
Project Summary
The Laird Lake property has been heavily underexplored for gold relative to much of the surrounding Red Lake Greenstone Belt despite consisting of over ~10km strike length of the known gold-bearing contact between Balmer and Confederation Assemblage rocks, in addition to being nearby to several major gold production and exploration operations in the region; 34km to the Dixie Lake Project (Kinross – 2.7 Moz. Indicated and 3.9 Moz. Inferred), 11km to the Madsen Mine (West Red Lake Gold – 1.7 Moz. Indicated and 0.4 Moz. Inferred) and 28km to the Red Lake Mines (Evolution Mining – 7.6Moz. Indicated and 4.7 Moz. Inferred). The bulk of exploration work at Laird Lake has been accomplished by a combination of prospecting, trenching, and drilling completed by the landowner throughout recent years (Bounty Gold Corp.), academic studies (B. Gelinas, 2016), as well as drill campaigns by Black Cliff Mines in 1989 and Premier Gold in 2017. These exploration endeavors are described in greater detail below.
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Work by Black Cliff Mines (1989):
Black Cliff Mines completed a diamond drilling campaign at the Laird Lake property in 1989 that totaled six drill holes. These drill results were not filed with the MNDM, so total meterage for the drilling is unknown. However, two of the drill holes, LL-89-9 and LL-89-11, intersected some gold mineralization. Drillhole LL-89-9 intersected 6.38 g/t Au over 1.5m in the SPZ Zone, and LL-89-11 intersected 7.62 g/t Au over 1.3m in Zone 11. The drill core for these two holes is stored at a core library in Kenora and are available for re-logging. The drill core for the remaining four drillholes is stored on the Laird Lake property at the east end of the lake but its mostly unrecoverable due to crumbling boxes and missing tags.
Work by Bounty Gold Corp (2012 – present day):
The owner of the property, Bounty Gold Corp., has laid out most of the groundwork at Laird Lake that has resulted in a highly prospective gold exploration property that comprises 23 gold showings on surface and demonstrated high-grade mineralization (up to ~141 g/t Au in grab samples). Several trenches have been developed on the property as well by Bounty Gold Corp., with channel samples returning up to 4.64 g/t Au over 2.65m and 1.72 g/t Au over 4.95m. Much of the work by Bounty Gold Corp. has been focused on the east-central domain of the property whereas the western end remains largely unexplored.
Figure 4. Field photograph of a trench that has been channel sampled at the Laird Lake property. Channel samples results are highlighted and show 4.64 g/t Au over 2.65m and 1.72 g/t Au over 4.95m.
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Work by B. Gelinas (2016-2018):
A Geology Masters thesis completed by B. Gelinas in 2018 from Lakehead University generated a renewed understanding and compelling story for the Laird Lake property – this being the interpretation that the property hosts both Balmer and Confederation Assemblage rocks and that the contact between them is exposed for up to ~10km in strike length along the center of the property. This interpretation is strongly supported by geochemistry, and it is thought that the sequence of mafic and ultramafic rocks comprising the Laird Lake property has been structurally offset ~10km to the west of the main Red Lake Greenstone Belt by the Laird Lake fault. This is highly significant since most of the historic gold occurrences and mines in the Red Lake Greenstone Belt have occurred along or very proximal to this contact. Further to this, the presence of both Balmer and Confederation Assemblage rocks provides optionality for the style of potential gold mineralization on the property (i.e., traditional Red Lake-style in the Balmer Assemblage or Dixie-style mineralization in the Confederation assemblage). Additionally, new detailed lithology and alteration maps of the east-central region of the property as well as detailed trench maps were generated as part of this study.
Work by Paterson, Grant & Watson Ltd. (2017)
In 2017, Premier Gold optioned the Laird Lake property from Bounty Gold Corp. Premier subsequently commissioned Paterson, Grant & Watson Ltd. to complete a report on the processing and geological interpretation of the Laird Lake airborne geophysical survey that was simultaneously flown by SkyTEM over the property in March 2017.
Work by Premier Gold Mines (2017):
In 2017, Premier Gold optioned the Laird Lake property from Bounty Gold Corp. Premier commissioned Skytem to complete an airborne magnetic and EM survey of the Laird Lake property. Paterson, Grant & Watson were subsequently requested by Premier to provide quality control, process and interpret the data from the survey. Following this work, Premier initiated a small diamond drill program (6 drill holes totalling 3660m). The drilling was focused on the eastern domain of the property where most of the historic work had been completed and mineralization was most exposed on surface. Several of these drill holes were collared in Balmer assemblage mafic volcanic rocks that drilled to the north into more Balmer assemblage mafic and ultramafic rock. Gold mineralization in the Red Lake area is known to be hosted independently within the mafic/ultramafic rocks in the Balmer Assemblage in addition to being more directly associated with the contact between Balmer and Confederation Assemblage rocks. The drilling was successful resulting in several low-grade wide intervals within Balmer mafic and ultramafic rocks in multiple holes including 19m @ 0.15 g/t Au in 17-LD-003, 14m @ 0.23 g/t Au in 17-LD-001, and most significantly, 5m @ 0.75 g/t Au in 17-LD-002. Drill holes 17-LD-004, 005, and 006 were collared in Confederation Assemblage rocks and drilled north through the Balmer-Confederation contact into the Balmer mafic and ultramafic rocks. Although these holes did not intersect any significant mineralization, elevated gold grades (up to 0.4 g/t) do occur along the Balmer-Confederation contact in each of the three holes, and additional low-grade mineralization over broad intervals occurs within the Balmer mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Table 1. Significant Grab, Channel, and Drilling Assay Results at Laird Lake
| Zone | Sample Type | Au (g/t) | Length (m) |
| LLSZ | Grab | 17.19 | |
| Channel | 9.40 | 0.3 | |
| SPZ | Grab | 140.59 | |
| DDH | 6.38 | 1.5 | |
| GBZ | Grab | 84.09 | |
| Channel | 21.88 | 0.86 | |
| EGBZ | Grab | 74.68 | |
| Channel | 33.96 | 0.6 | |
| Zone 11 | Grab | 5.84 | |
| DDH | 7.62 | 1.3 | |
| RSPZ | Grab | 8.18 | |
| SHGZ | Grab | 7.74 | |
| Channel | 6.88 | 0.8 | |
| SHGX | Channel | 5.29 | 2.25 |
| Channel | 2.13 | 6.67 |
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Proposed Next Steps
The Laird Lake property is heavily underexplored compared to other properties containing Red Lake Greenstone Belt rocks in the area. As a result, there is strong exploration upside on the property. Next steps at Laird Lake will include a multi-phase approach that includes:
| · | ~2-3-week prospecting campaign of 4-6 people identifying new zones of potential mineralization in both the Balmer and Confederation Assemblage rocks in addition to spending time in the underexplored western part of the property |
| o | Trenching any newly discovered areas of interest |
| · | Structural review of the property with a particular focus on understanding the controls of mineralization in the highly strained and altered zones in mafic volcanic rocks along the Balmer-Confederation Assemblage contact | |
| · | Detailed chargeability/IP survey over the property | |
| · | Building a 3-D model using drilling data from 2017 and detailed surface mapping that will act as a foundation for future drilling |
There is a strong foundational model for gold mineralization on the property that has been established over the years, whereby the contact between the Balmer and Confederation assemblage remains a focus area for the concentration of gold (Fig. 5). However, there are other favourable zones for gold mineralization to occur on the property such as lithological contacts within the Balmer Assemblage (Fig. 5), as well as within Confederation Assemblage rocks, which would be analogous to the gold mineralization discovered at the Dixie Lake project nearby. Future drilling will rely on the success of the proposed work listed above and will reflect new targets generated from integrating these data sets and the historical understanding of gold mineralization in the broader Red Lake area.
Figure 5. Schematic geologic diagram from Gelinas (2018) depicting favourable locations for gold mineralization to occur at the Laird Lake property.
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Oneman Lake Property Report
Date Completed: September 2024
Primary commodity: Au-Zn
Secondary commodity: Cu-Pb
Project size: 578 ha
Claims Renewal Date: 2026/06/06
Project
UTM Location (Center of Property): NAD83 Zone |
 |
| Figure 1. Oneman Lake Location Map |
Project Location Description: The Oneman Lake property is located ~60km north of the town of Kenora, ON, which is a full-service historic mining and forestry town with a population of ~15,000 people (Fig. 1). The property is accessible by boat from Oneman Lake, which is connected to Kenora by the ON-525 and ON-596 Highways.
Geology
The Oneman Lake property is located in the Winnipeg River Subprovince
and is only ~5km west of the boundary with the English River Subprovince (Fig. 2). 
Figure 2. Project location and geology map of the Oneman Lake property. Area of gold-bearing sulfide breccia is shown on the map.
The main east-trending sulfide-bearing breccia zone on the property is hosted within amphibolites that likely represent the westernmost remnants of an attenuated major fold of the Separation Lake greenstone belt. Granitic and gneissic rock envelop the amphibolite unit, which is primarily composed of hornblende and biotite with lesser garnet. The sulfide-bearing breccia zone reaches up to ~100m in width, and contains several sulfide species including arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite sphalerite, as well as minor chalcopyrite and galena. Gold, silver, zinc, and weak copper mineralization is prevalent throughout the sulfide breccia zone. Additionally, the property is only located 6-7 km west along strike of Avalon Advanced Materials beryllium-tantalum-lithium bearing Rattler, Wolf and Glitter LCT pegmatites. This is significant considering that several intervals of pegmatite dykes have been recorded in the diamond drill hole logs from the property.
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Project Summary
The Oneman Lake property was initially discovered by A. Gauthier in 1930. Trenching and sampling were completed by A. Gauthier et al. in 1948. In 1969, additional sampling as well as a geophysical survey were carried out by Gauthier et al. In 1985, Sparton Resources Inc. completed an additional geophysical survey. Further trenching, sampling, and an airborne geophysical survey were completed in 1989 by Champion Bear Resources Ltd., who also completed 22 diamond drill holes totalling 2497.5m in 1990-1991. Limited work has been carried out on the property since then.
Historic pits on the breccia zone were sampled in the 1940’s:
Pit 1: 0.08 oz/t Au (2.48 gpt), 0.38 oz/t Ag (11.82 gpt) and 7.85% Zn, 0.04 oz/t Au
Pit 2: 0.05 oz/t Au (1.55 gpt)
Pit 3: 0.12 oz/t Au (3.73 gpt)
Pit 4: 0.08 oz/t Au (2.48 gpt)
Pit 5: 0.10 oz/t Au (3.1 gpt), 2.77% Zn
Pit 7: 0.06 oz/t Au (1.86 gpt)
Additionally, a sample collected by Blackburn and Young, 2000, returned 9620 ppm Zn, 460 ppm Cu, and 2.4 g/t Au.
Diamond drilling completed by Champion Bear Resource Ltd. in 1990-91 was successful in confirming gold mineralization at depth in the sulfide breccia zone. Highlights from the drilling include 5.12m @ 1.04 g/t Au in CB-012, and 9.57m @ 0.58 g/t Au in CB-001. Additional drill results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. 1990-1991 Champion Bear Diamond Drill Hole Results
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Proposed Next Steps
Next steps for the Oneman Lake property would include completing a detailed review of drill core and surface occurrences of the sulfide breccia and surrounding host rock with an emphasis on understanding the structure of the ore body. Considering the host amphibolite rock represents an attenuated major fold, there is likely a strong structural control on the distribution of the sulfide breccia. Understanding the geometry of the host rock should allow for better prediction of where wider, higher-grade intercepts of the sulfide breccia will occur. A subsequent drill program based on the results of the structural study could then be completed. Additionally, it would be pertinent to reevaluate the potential of lithium mineralization in the pegmatites that have been documented to occur in the diamond drill holes on the property considering the proximity to Avalon Advanced Materials beryllium-tantalum-lithium bearing Rattler, Wolf and Glitter LCT pegmatites.
No Proven or Probable Mineral Reserves/Exploration Stage Company
We are considered an exploration stage company under SEC criteria since we have not demonstrated the existence of proven or probable mineral reserves at any of our properties.
The SEC’s Final Rule 13-10570, Modernization of Property Disclosures for Mining Registrants, became effective March 30, 2019, and rescinds SEC Industry Guide 7 following a two-year transition period.
Under the former Industry Guide 7, the SEC defined a “reserve” as that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination. Proven or probable mineral reserves were those reserves for which (a) quantity is computed and (b) the sites for inspection, sampling, and measurement are spaced so closely that the geologic character is defined and size, shape and depth of mineral content can be established (proven) or the sites are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced but high enough to assume continuity between observation points (probable). Mineral Reserves could not be considered proven or probable unless and until they are supported by a feasibility study, indicating that the mineral reserves have had the requisite geologic, technical and economic work performed and are economically and legally extractable.
The final rule’s amendments require disclosure of both mineral reserves and mineral resources. Under the final rule, a mineral reserve is defined as “an estimate of tonnage and grade or quality of indicated and measured mineral resources that, in the opinion of the qualified person, can be the basis of an economically viable project.” A mineral resource is defined as “a concentration or occurrence of material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade or quality, and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for economic extraction.” Under the SEC’s former disclosure requirements under Industry Guide 7, an assessment of the economic viability of mineral reserves must be supported by a final feasibility study. By contrast, the final rule’s amendments provide that a prefeasibility study, which is more limited in scope than a final feasibility study, will also be sufficient to support such an assessment. As for mineral resources, their disclosure is prohibited under former SEC guidance unless it is required under the regulations of another jurisdiction, such as Canada. Under the final rule’s amendments, however, mineral resources must be disclosed and categorized as “measured” (if the geological sampling is “conclusive”), “indicated” (if the geological sampling is “adequate”), or “inferred” (if the geological sampling is “limited”). Effectively, the categorization is based on the company’s confidence in its ability to develop the mineral resources, which depends on the sampling and testing that have been performed. The final rule’s amendments also require companies to disclose exploration results when such information would be material to investors. Further, the disclosures required under the final rule must be supported by the work of a qualified person, such as a mine engineer. When a company first reports mineral reserves or resources, or makes a material change to such disclosures, it must file a technical report summary supporting the disclosure. Developing this detailed disclosure information (e.g., by using an expert) and maintaining appropriate disclosure controls and procedures over it requires significant time, resources, and effort.
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MARKETING
All of our mining operations, if successful, will produce gold in doré form or a concentrate that contains gold.
We plan to market our refined metal and doré to credit worthy bullion trading houses, market makers and members of the London Bullion Market Association, industrial companies and sound financial institutions. The refined metals will be sold to end users for use in electronic circuitry, jewelry, silverware, and the pharmaceutical and technology industries. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading counterparty would not adversely affect us due to the liquidity of the markets and the availability of alternative trading counterparties.
We plan to refine and market its precious metals doré and concentrates using a geographically diverse group of third party smelters and refiners. The loss of any one smelting and refining client may have a material adverse effect if alternate smelters and refiners are not available. We believe there is sufficient global capacity available to address the loss of any one smelter.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
General
Our activities are and will be subject to extensive federal, state and local laws governing the protection of the environment, prospecting, mine development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. The costs associated with compliance with such regulatory requirements are substantial and possible future legislation and regulations could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the development and continued operation of our properties, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In the context of environmental permitting, including the approval of reclamation plans, we must comply with known standards and regulations which may entail significant costs and delays. Although we are committed to environmental responsibility and believe we are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, amendments to current laws and regulations, more stringent implementation of these laws and regulations through judicial review or administrative action or the adoption of new laws could have a materially adverse effect upon our results of operations.
Federal Environmental Laws
Certain mining wastes from extraction and beneficiation of ores are currently exempt from the extensive set of Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste, although such wastes may be subject to regulation under state law as a solid or hazardous waste. The EPA has worked on a program to regulate these mining wastes pursuant to its solid waste management authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). Certain ore processing and other wastes are currently regulated as hazardous wastes by the EPA under RCRA. If our future mine wastes, if any, were treated as hazardous waste or such wastes resulted in operations being designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”) for cleanup, material expenditures would be required for the construction of additional waste disposal facilities or for other remediation expenditures. Under CERCLA, any present owner or operator of a Superfund site or an owner or operator at the time of its contamination generally may be held liable and may be forced to undertake remedial cleanup action or to pay for the government’s cleanup efforts. Such owner or operator may also be liable to governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which may be substantial. Additional regulations or requirements may also be imposed upon our future tailings and waste disposal, if any, in Nevada under the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and state law counterparts. We have reviewed and considered current federal legislation relating to climate change and we do not believe it to have a material effect on our operations. Additional regulation or requirements under any of these laws and regulations could have a materially adverse effect upon our results of operations.
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Unpatented Mining Claims: The Mining Law of 1872
Except for the Langtry Property, our mineral rights consist of leases covering "unpatented" mining claims created and maintained in accordance with the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872, or the “General Mining Law.” Unpatented mining claims are unique U.S. property interests, and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests because the validity of unpatented mining claims is often uncertain. The validity of an unpatented mining claim, in terms of both its location and its maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of federal and state statutory and decisional law that supplement the General Mining Law. Also, unpatented mining claims and related rights, including rights to use the surface, are subject to possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government. In addition, there are few public records that definitively control the issues of validity and ownership of unpatented mining claims. We have not filed a patent application for any of our unpatented mining claims that are located on federal public lands in the United States and, under possible future legislation to change the General Mining Law, patents may be difficult to obtain.
Location of mining claims under the General Mining Law, is a self-initiation system under which a person physically stakes an unpatented mining claim on public land that is open to location, posts a location notice and monuments the boundaries of the claim in compliance with federal laws and regulations and with state location laws, and files notice of that location in the county records and with the BLM. Mining claims can be located on land as to which the surface was patented into private ownership under the Stockraising Homestead Act of 1916, 43 U.S.C. §299, but the mining claimant cannot injure, damage or destroy the surface owner’s permanent improvements and must pay for damage to crops caused by prospecting. Discovery of a valuable mineral deposit, as defined under federal law, is essential to the validity of an unpatented mining claim and is required on each mining claim individually. The location is made as a lode claim for mineral deposits found as veins or rock in place, or as a placer claim for other deposits. While the maximum size and shape of lode claims and placer claims are established by statute, there are no limits on the number of claims one person may locate or own. The General Mining Law also contains provision for acquiring five-acre claims of non-mineral land for millsite purposes. A mining operation typically is comprised of many mining claims.
The holder of a valid unpatented mining claim has possessory title to the land covered thereby, which gives the claimant exclusive possession of the surface for mining purposes and the right to mine and remove minerals from the claim. Legal title to land encompassed by an unpatented mining claim remains in the United States, and the government can contest the validity of a mining claim. The General Mining Law requires the performance of annual assessment work for each claim, and subsequent to enactment of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. §1201 et seq., mining claims are invalidated if evidence of assessment work is not timely filed with BLM. However, in 1993 Congress enacted a provision requiring payment of $140 per year claim maintenance fee in lieu of performing assessment work, subject to an exception for small miners having less than 10 claims. No royalty is paid to the United States with respect to minerals mined and sold from a mining claim. The current annual maintenance fee is $200 per unpatented claim payable to the Bureau of Land Management.
The General Mining Law provides a procedure for a qualified claimant to obtain a mineral patent (i.e., fee simple title to the mining claim) under certain conditions. It has become much more difficult in recent years to obtain a patent. Beginning in 1994, Congress imposed a funding moratorium on the processing of mineral patent applications which had not reached a designated stage in the patent process at the time the moratorium went into effect. Additionally, Congress has considered several bills in recent years to repeal the General Mining Law or to amend it to provide for the payment of royalties to the United States and to eliminate or substantially limit the patent provisions of the law.
Mining claims are conveyed by deed, or leased by the claimant to the party seeking to develop the property. Such a deed or lease (or memorandum of it) needs to be recorded in the real property records of the county where the property is located, and evidence of such transfer needs to be filed with BLM. It is not unusual for the grantor or lessor to reserve a royalty, which as to precious metals often is expressed as a percentage of net smelter returns.
Patented Mining Claims
Patented mining claims, such as the two patented claims included in the Excelsior Springs project, are mining claims on federal lands that are held in fee simple by the owner. No maintenance fees or royalties are payable to the BLM; however, lease payments and royalties are payable under the operative leases.
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GOLD PRICES
Our operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver. We have no control over gold prices, which can fluctuate widely. The volatility of such prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the high and low London Fix prices of gold (as reported by www.kitco.com) per ounce during the periods indicated:
| Year | High | Low | ||||||
| 2019 | $ | 1,546 | $ | 1,270 | ||||
| 2020 | $ | 2,067 | $ | 1,474 | ||||
| 2021 | $ | 1,943 | $ | 1,684 | ||||
| 2022 | $ | 2,039 | $ | 1,628 | ||||
| 2023 | $ | 2,115 | $ | 1,811 | ||||
| 2024 | $ | 2,755 | $ | 1,950 | ||||
These historical prices are not indicative of future gold prices.
EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS
We have only one part-time employee, Mr. Power, who devotes approximately 25% of his time and attention to our business. We have agreed to pay Mr. Power $2,500 per month for his services.
We rely heavily on the services of consulting engineers and geologists.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We use the terms “Athena,” “we,” “our,” and “us” to refer to Athena Gold Corporation and its consolidated subsidiary, Athena Minerals, Inc (“AMI”).
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Report. The discussion of results, causes and trends should not be construed to imply any conclusion that these results or trends will necessarily continue into the future.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the information presented in this Form 10-K constitutes “forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that include terms such as “may,” “will,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “believe,” “plan,” or the like, as well as all statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Although we believe our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of our business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from expectations.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they are made.
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Results of Operations
Business Overview
Athena Gold Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “Athena”) is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources. We were incorporated in Delaware on December 23, 2003 and began our mining operations in 2010.
The Company’s properties do not have any reserves. The Company plans to conduct exploration programs on these properties with the objective of ascertaining whether any of its properties contain economic concentrations of precious and base metals that are prospective for mining.
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| 9/30/24 | 9/30/23 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Exploration, evaluation and project expenses | $ | 72,185 | $ | 122,826 | ||||
| General and administrative expenses | 80,311 | 89,180 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 152,496 | 212,006 | ||||||
| Net operating loss | (152,496 | ) | (212,006 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 0 | 2,598 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (1,529 | ) | 0 | |||||
| Realized loss on investment | (12,452 | ) | 0 | |||||
| Unrealized gain on investment | 46,239 | 0 | ||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | (43,930 | ) | 785,941 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (164,168 | ) | $ | 576,533 | |||
Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| 9/30/24 | 9/30/23 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Exploration, evaluation and project expenses | $ | 134,585 | $ | 327,023 | ||||
| General and administrative expenses | 284,951 | 350,637 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 419,536 | 677,660 | ||||||
| Net operating loss | (419,536 | ) | (677,660 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 0 | 2,598 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (1,907 | ) | 0 | |||||
| Realized loss on investment | (12,452 | ) | 0 | |||||
| Unrealized loss on investment | (11,585 | ) | 0 | |||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | (235,642 | ) | 1,213,301 | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (681,122 | ) | $ | 538,239 | |||
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Operating expenses:
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company decreased general and administrative expenses by approximately $9,000. The decrease was due to the following approximate year over year variances:
| Three months ending | 9/30/2024 | 9/30/2023 | Variance | |||||||||
| Legal and other professional fees | $ | 40,000 | $ | 66,000 | $ | (26,000 | ) | |||||
| Share based compensation | 0 | 2,000 | (2,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Stock exchange fees and related expenses | 26,000 | 13,000 | 13,000 | |||||||||
| Other general expenses | 14,000 | 8,000 | 6,000 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 80,000 | $ | 89,000 | $ | (9,000 | ) | |||||
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company decreased general and administrative expenses by approximately $66,000. The decrease was due to the following approximate year over year variances:
| Nine months ending | 9/30/2024 | 9/30/2023 | Variance | |||||||||
| Legal and other professional fees | $ | 188,000 | $ | 248,000 | $ | (60,000 | ) | |||||
| Share based compensation | 25,000 | 25,000 | 0 | |||||||||
| Stock exchange fees and related expenses | 53,000 | 48,000 | 5,000 | |||||||||
| Other general expenses | 19,000 | 30,000 | (11,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 285,000 | $ | 351,000 | $ | (66,000 | ) | |||||
| · | Legal and other professional fees decreased for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to prior year, due to $30,000 paid in director fees and $30,000 paid in marketing fees in 2023. |
| · |
The increase in share-based compensation is due to the following:
On March 22, 2021, the Company granted 2,000,000 options at a price of $0.09 to four individuals, three Directors of the Company, the other a consultant to the Company. The options vest 50% upon issuance, and 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date. The options were valued at $190,202 on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with 25% vesting one year from grant date and the remaining 25% vesting two years from grant date. SBC expense totaling $14,262 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
On January 16, 2023, the Company granted 250,000 options at a price of $0.0675 pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The options were issued to a consultant to the Company. The options were valued at $13,267 on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with the remaining 50% vesting one year from grant date. Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) expense totaling $555 and $9,396 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. All options issued are fully vested.
On June 7, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of 600,000 shares in the common stock of the Company to two independent directors and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company as compensation for their services resulting in SBC expense of $24,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. | |
| · | The increase in stock exchange fees and related expenses was a result of fees paid in 2024 for state franchise fees. | |
| · | The decrease in other general expenses is due to a decrease in travel expenses in 2024 when compared to 2023 for various investor meeting and other administrative expenses. |
During the nine months September 30, 2024, we incurred an increase of approximately $72,000, of exploration costs, which were costs associated with our geological surveys and mapping.
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Other income and expense:
The revaluation of warrant liability for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is based on the following warrants that were issued as part of the private placements as detailed in Note 3 to the financial statements.
| Warrant date | 9/30/2024 | 12/31/2023 | ||||||
| January 2024 | $ | 138,753 | $ | 0 | ||||
| April 2023 | 224,833 | 81,104 | ||||||
| October 2022 | 1,325 | 1,278 | ||||||
| September 2022 | 0 | 6,978 | ||||||
| August 2022 | 0 | 11,683 | ||||||
| April 2022 | 67,495 | 21,707 | ||||||
| September 2021 | 0 | 3,002 | ||||||
| May 2021 | 0 | 6,210 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 432,406 | $ | 131,962 | ||||
| January 2024 initial valuation | 68,774 | |||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | $ | (231,670 | ) | |||||
| Warrant date | 9/30/2023 | 12/31/2022 | ||||||
| April 2023 | $ | 261,746 | $ | 0 | ||||
| October 2022 | 3,449 | 21,266 | ||||||
| September 2022 | 16,544 | 115,000 | ||||||
| August 2022 | 23,492 | 229,418 | ||||||
| April 2022 | 64,955 | 293,698 | ||||||
| September 2021 | 5,410 | 115,122 | ||||||
| May 2021 | 10,990 | 225,316 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 386,586 | $ | 999,820 | ||||
| April 2023 initial valuation | 600,067 | |||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | $ | 1,213,301 | ||||||
During the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, the Company granted 3,333,333 options to purchase the Company’s investment in Nubian Resources Ltd at an exercise price of CAD$0.06, the options expire on January 31, 2025. The options had an initial valuation of $30,243. Outstanding warrants were revalued as of September 30, 2024, with various inputs using a Black Scholes model and had a valuation of $34,215, resulting in an adjustment of $3,972 for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
Liquidity and Capital Resources at September 30, 2024
The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company’s ongoing operations have been financed by the sale of its equity securities by way of public offerings, private placements and the exercise of incentive stock options and share purchase warrants. The Company believes that it will be able to secure additional private placements and public financings in the future, although it cannot predict the size or pricing of any such financings. This situation is unlikely to change until such time as the Company can develop a bankable feasibility study on one of its projects.
In January 2024 the Company completed a private placement in which we sold 5,000,000 units. We realized net proceeds of $148,341.
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Going Concern
Our financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that we will be able to meet our obligations and continue our operations during the next fiscal year. Asset realization values may be significantly different from carrying values as shown in our consolidated financial statements and do not give effect to adjustments that would be necessary to the carrying values of assets and liabilities should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
Liquidity
As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $7,000 of cash and a negative working capital of approximately $255,000. This compares to cash on hand of approximately $37,000 and negative working capital of approximately $138,000 as at September 30, 2023.
The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future and believes the current cash and cash equivalents and working capital will be sufficient for it to maintain its currently held properties, fund its planned exploration, and fund its currently anticipated general and administrative costs for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report.
However, the Company does expect that it will be required to raise additional funds through public or private equity financings in the future in order to continue in business in the future past the immediate 12-month period. Should such financing not be available in that timeframe, the Company will be required to reduce its activities and will not be able to carry out all of its presently planned exploration and, if warranted, development activities on its currently anticipated scheduling.
Capital Management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the development and exploration of its mineral properties and to maintain a flexible capital structure, which optimizes the costs of capital to an acceptable risk.
As of September 30, 2024, the capital structure of the Company consists of 173,723,633 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001. The Company manages the capital structure and adjusts it in response to changes in economic conditions, its expected funding requirements, and risk characteristics of the underlying assets. The Company’s funding requirements are based on cash forecasts. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new debt, new shares and/or consider strategic alliances. Management reviews its capital management approach on a regular basis. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have and never had any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements. The accounting positions described below are significantly affected by critical accounting estimates.
We believe that the significant estimates, assumptions and judgments used when accounting for items and matters such as capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, recoverability of assets, asset impairments, taxes, and other provisions were reasonable, based upon information available at the time they were made. Actual results could differ from these estimates, making it possible that a change in these estimates could occur in the near term.
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Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
A summary of our results from operations is as follows:
| Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
| 12/31/23 | 12/31/22 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Exploration, evaluation and project expenses | $ | 351,132 | $ | 617,262 | ||||
| General and administrative expenses | 432,460 | 682,512 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 783,592 | 1,299,774 | ||||||
| Net operating loss | (783,592 | ) | (1,299,774 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 2,598 | 0 | ||||||
| Interest expense | 0 | (463 | ) | |||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | 1,393,742 | 616,579 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 612,748 | $ | (683,658 | ) | |||
Operating expenses:
For the twelve months ending December 31, 2023, the Company decreased general and administrative expenses by approximately $250,000. The decrease was due to the following year over year variances:
| Twelve months ending | 12/31/2023 | 12/31/2022 | Variance | |||||||||
| Legal and other professional fees | $ | 316,000 | $ | 318,000 | $ | (2,000 | ) | |||||
| Share based compensation | 27,000 | 231,000 | (204,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Stock exchange fees and related expenses | 57,000 | 115,000 | (58,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Other general expenses | 32,000 | 19,000 | 13,000 | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 432,000 | $ | 683,000 | $ | (251,000 | ) | |||||
| · | The decrease in legal and professional fees increase is associated with the acquisition and maintenance of the Excelsior Springs project and our listing on the Canadian Stock Exchange (“CSE”) in 2021. | |
| · | The decrease in share-based compensation is due to the following: On October 12, 2022, the Company granted 2,250,000 options pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The Black Scholes option pricing model was used to estimate the aggregate fair value of the October 2022 options of $106,109 as stock-based compensation. In addition, 675,000 shares were issued to officers and directors with a fair value of $33,750. On August 24, 2022, the Company granted 730,000 options pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Stock Option Plan. The Black Scholes option pricing model was used to estimate the aggregate fair value of the August 2022 options of $43,456 as stock-based compensation. | |
| · | The decrease in stock exchange fees and related expenses was a result of fees paid in 2022 for assistance with private placements. | |
| · | The increase in other general expenses is due to an increase in travel expenses in 2023 when compared to 2022 for various investor meeting and other administrative expenses. |
For the year ended December 31, 2023, there was a variance of approximately $266,000 for the same period in 2022 in exploration and evaluation expenses. During 2022, the Company engaged in activities on our exploration programs, including drilling, mapping, permitting, consulting and assay testing which has resulted in additional exploration costs compared to 2023.
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Other income and expense:
The revaluation of warrant liability for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023, is based on the following warrants that were issued as part of the private placements as detailed in Note 3 to the financial statements.
| Warrant date | 12/31/2023 | 12/31/2022 | ||||||
| April 2023 | $ | 81,104 | $ | 0 | ||||
| October 2022 | 1,278 | 21,266 | ||||||
| September 2022 | 6,978 | 115,000 | ||||||
| August 2022 | 11,683 | 229,418 | ||||||
| April 2022 | 21,707 | 293,698 | ||||||
| September 2021 | 3,002 | 115,122 | ||||||
| May 2021 | 6,210 | 225,316 | ||||||
| Total | $ | 131,962 | $ | 999,820 | ||||
| April 2023 initial valuation | 525,884 | |||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | $ | 1,393,742 | ||||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources at December 31, 2023 and 2022
The Company has no revenue generating operations from which it can internally generate funds. To date, the Company’s ongoing operations have been financed by the sale of its equity securities by way of public offerings, private placements and the exercise of incentive stock options and share purchase warrants. The Company believes that it will be able to secure additional private placements and public financings in the future, although it cannot predict the size or pricing of any such financings. This situation is unlikely to change until such time as the Company can develop a bankable feasibility study on one of its projects.
In April 2023 the Company completed a private placement in which we sold 14,500,000 units. We realized total proceeds of $744,160 net of offering costs.
During August, September and October 2022, the Company completed the private placement of four tranches (August 12, 2022; August 31, 2022; September 14, 2022; October 28, 2022) in which we sold 8,807,700 units. We realized total proceeds of $529,908 net of offering costs.
In April 2022 the Company completed a private placement in which we sold 6,250,000 units. We realized total proceeds of $394,082 net of offering costs.
Going Concern
Our financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes that we will be able to meet our obligations and continue our operations during the next fiscal year. Asset realization values may be significantly different from carrying values as shown in our consolidated financial statements and do not give effect to adjustments that would be necessary to the carrying values of assets and liabilities should we be unable to continue as a going concern.
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Liquidity
As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $3,000 of cash and a negative working capital of approximately $272,000. This compares to cash on hand of approximately $15,000 and negative working capital of approximately $233,000 at December 31, 2022.
The Company expects that it will operate at a loss for the foreseeable future and believes the current cash and cash equivalents and working capital will be sufficient for it to maintain its currently held properties, fund its planned exploration, and fund its currently anticipated general and administrative costs for at least the next 12 months from the date of this report.
However, the Company does expect that it will be required to raise additional funds through public or private equity financings in the future in order to continue in business in the future past the immediate 12-month period. Should such financing not be available in that timeframe, the Company will be required to reduce its activities and will not be able to carry out all of its presently planned exploration and, if warranted, development activities on its currently anticipated scheduling.
Capital Management
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to pursue the development and exploration of its mineral properties and to maintain a flexible capital structure, which optimizes the costs of capital to an acceptable risk.
As of December 31, 2023, the capital structure of the Company consists of 167,138,069 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001. The Company manages the capital structure and adjusts it in response to changes in economic conditions, its expected funding requirements, and risk characteristics of the underlying assets. The Company’s funding requirements are based on cash forecasts. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue new debt, new shares and/or consider strategic alliances. Management reviews its capital management approach on a regular basis. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not engage in any activities involving variable interest entities or off-balance sheet arrangements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements. The accounting positions described below are significantly affected by accounting estimates.
We believe that the significant estimates, assumptions and judgments used when accounting for items and matters such as capitalized mineral rights, asset valuations, recoverability of assets, asset impairments, taxes, and other provisions were reasonable, based upon information available at the time they were made. Actual results could differ from these estimates, making it possible that a change in these estimates could occur in the near term.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Index to Financial Statements
Financial Statements for the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022
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ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
(unaudited)
| 9/30/24 | 12/31/23 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | $ | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Investment in securities | ||||||||
| Total current assets | ||||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Investment in securities | ||||||||
| Mineral rights | ||||||||
| Total other assets | ||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | ||||||
| Accounts payable - related party | ||||||||
| Advanced deposits | ||||||||
| Warrant and option liability | ||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ||||||||
| Long term liabilities | ||||||||
| Note payable and accrued interest - related party | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | ||||||||
| Total long term liabilities | ||||||||
| Total liabilities | ||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized, outstanding | ||||||||
| Common stock - $ par value; shares authorized, and issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid in capital | ||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
| F-1 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
(unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| 9/30/24 | 9/30/23 | 9/30/24 | 9/30/23 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Exploration, evaluation and project expenses | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||
| Net operating loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Realized loss on investment | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investment | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant and option liability | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted | ||||||||||||||||
| Income per common share – basic and diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
| F-2 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
(Unaudited)
| Additional | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid In | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Private placement, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Warrant liability | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 0 | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Private placement, net | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrant liability | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued to pay off debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued to pay off debt | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Option liability | 0 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss | 0 | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
| F-3 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
(unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||
| 9/30/24 | 9/30/23 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant and option liability | ( | ) | ||||||
| Realized loss on investments | ||||||||
| Unrealized loss on investments | ||||||||
| Share based compensation | ||||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expense | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable - related party | ||||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of mineral properties | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from sale of investments | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Loan from related parties | ||||||||
| Deposits for future private placement | ( | ) | ||||||
| Payments on notes payable | ( | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from private placement of stock, net | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | ||||||||
| Net decrease in cash | ||||||||
| Cash, beginning of period | ||||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | $ | ||||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Interest and taxes paid | $ | $ | ||||||
| Stock issued to pay off debt | $ | $ | ||||||
| Warrant and option liability recognition | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited financial statements.
| F-4 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Athena Gold Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “Athena”) is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources. We were incorporated in Delaware on December 23, 2003, and began our mining operations in 2010.
The Company’s properties do not have any reserves. The Company plans to conduct exploration programs on these properties with the objective of ascertaining whether any of its properties contain economic concentrations of precious and base metals that are prospective for mining.
Basis of Presentation and Statement of Compliance
The accompanying consolidated financial statements (the “consolidated financial statements”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Basis of Measurement
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, except for certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value as described herein.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Athena Gold Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Nubian Resources USA (“Nubian USA”) and Nova Athena Gold Corp (“Nova”). All significant inter-entity balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Subsidiaries are entities the Company controls when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement in the entity and can affect those returns through its power to direct the relevant activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the date of acquisition up to the date of disposition or loss of control. Nova was incorporated in British Columbia on September 24, 2024.
Going Concern and Management’s Plans
As at September 30, 2024, the Company has a working
capital deficiency of approximately $
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Concentration
The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with a maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial
institutions in the United States and Canada. On September 30, 2024, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $
| F-5 |
Critical Judgments and Estimation Uncertainties
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses. These estimates and judgments are subject to change based on experience and new information which could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities affecting future periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively.
Share-based compensation – The fair value of share-based compensation is calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The main assumptions used in the model include the estimated life of the option, the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, and the risk-free rate of interest. The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the option could receive in an arm’s-length transaction.
Impairment of mineral properties – Management applies significant judgment in its assessment of mineral properties and whether there are any indications of impairment. The Company considers both internal and external sources of information when making the impairment assessment. External sources of information considered are changes in the Company’s economic, legal and regulatory environment, which it does not control, but affects the recoverability of its mining assets. Internal sources of information the Company considers include the manner in which mining properties are expected to be used and indications of economic performance.
Warrant and option liability – The fair value of the warrant and option liability is calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The main assumptions used in the model include the estimated life of the warrant and option, the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, and the risk-free rate of interest. The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the warrant or option could receive in an arm’s-length transaction.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company is exposed to currency risk on transactions and balances in currencies other than the functional currency. The Company has not entered any contracts to manage foreign exchange risk.
These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”), which is the Company’s reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the US dollar; therefore, the Company is exposed to currency risk from financial assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company does not consider the currency risk to be material to the future operations of the Company and, as such, does not have a program to manage currency risk.
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in the functional currency at exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the period end exchange rates. Non-monetary items are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from translation are presented in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
| F-6 |
Mineral Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
Mineral property exploration costs are expensed as incurred until economic reserves are quantified. To date, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties. Costs of lease, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company has chosen to expense all mineral exploration costs as incurred given that it is still in the exploration stage. Once the Company has identified proven and probable reserves in its investigation of its properties and upon development of a plan for operating a mine, it would enter the development stage and capitalize future costs until production is established. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized over the estimated life of the probable-proven reserves. When the Company has capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value. To date, the Company has not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all exploration costs are being expensed. Costs of mineral property acquisitions are being capitalized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Valuation based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 - Valuation based on quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuation based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring management’s best estimate of what market participants would use as fair value.
The fair value of cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, advanced deposits, and note payable approximate their carrying values due to their short term to maturity. The investment in securities is recorded at the fair value through profit and loss using Level 1 inputs. The warrant liabilities are measured at fair value through profit and loss using level 3 inputs (Note 3).
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that the recoverability of the asset is unlikely to be recognized.
The Company reports a liability, if any, for unrecognized
tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. The Company has elected to
classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits, if and when required, as part of income tax expense in the
statement of operations.
| F-7 |
Long Lived Assets
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment and the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from projected undiscounted cash flows, the Company records an impairment charge. The Company measures any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the current business model. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether an indicator of impairment exists and in projecting cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation (“SBC”) is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). This ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
The estimated fair value of each stock option as of the date of grant was calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on Company stock price history. The Company determines the expected life based on the simplified method given that its own historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis for estimating expected term. The Company uses the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term approximately equal to the expected life of the award. The Company has never paid any cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The shares of common stock subject to the stock-based compensation plan shall consist of unissued shares, treasury shares or previously issued shares held by any subsidiary of the Company, and such number of shares of common stock are reserved for such purpose.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which requires additional disclosures about the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, how the derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how the derivative instruments and related hedging items affect the financial statements. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risk. Terms of convertible debt and equity instruments are reviewed to determine whether or not they contain embedded derivative instruments that are required under ASC 815 to be accounted for separately from the host contract and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities, if any, is required to be revalued at each reporting date, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in current period operating results. Pursuant to ASC 815, an evaluation of specifically identified conditions is made to determine whether the fair value of warrants and options issued is required to be classified as equity or as a derivative liability.
Certain warrants and options are treated as derivative financial liabilities. The estimated fair value, based on the Black-Scholes model, is adjusted on a quarterly basis with gains or losses recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. The Black-Scholes model is based on significant assumptions such as volatility, dividend yield, expected term and liquidity discounts.
Investment in securities
We have concluded that the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of its investee. The Company has elected to measure the investment at fair value less impairment.
| F-8 |
The following table shows basic and diluted earnings per share:
| Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| 9/30/2024 | 9/30/2023 | 9/30/2024 | 9/30/2023 | |||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||
| Basic weighted average shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Assumed conversion of dilutive shares | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming conversion of common stock equivalents | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
The options and warrants that were not included in the diluted weighted average shares calculation were excluded because they were “out-of-the money”. In periods when the Company has a net loss, all common stock equivalents are excluded as they would be anti-dilutive. The following details the dilutive and anti-dilutive shares:
| Schedule of anti-dilutive shares | ||||||||||||
| September 30, 2024 | Dilutive shares - In the money | Anti-dilutive shares - Out of the money | Total | |||||||||
| Options | ||||||||||||
| Warrants | ||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||
| September 30, 2023 | Dilutive shares - In the money | Anti-dilutive shares - Out of the money | Total | |||||||||
| Options | ||||||||||||
| Warrants | ||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||
Risks and Uncertainties
Since the formation of the Company, it has not generated any revenue. As an early-stage company, the Company is subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays inherent in a new business. Our business is dependent upon the implementation of our business plan. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to generate revenue or attain profitability.
Natural resource exploration, and exploring for gold, is a business that by its nature is very speculative. There is a strong possibility that we will not discover gold or any other mineralization which can be mined or extracted at a profit. Even if we do discover gold or other deposits, the deposit may not be of the quality or size necessary for us or a potential purchaser of the property to make a profit from mining it. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Unusual or unexpected geological formations, geological formation pressures, fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are just some of the many risks involved in mineral exploration programs and the subsequent development of gold deposits.
| F-9 |
The Company business is exploring for gold and other minerals. If the Company discovers commercially exploitable gold or other deposits, revenue from such discoveries will not be generated unless the gold or other minerals are mined.
Mining operations in the United States are subject to many different federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including stringent environmental, health and safety laws. In the event operational responsibility is assumed for mining our properties, the Company may be unable to comply with current or future laws and regulations, which can change at any time. Changes to these laws may adversely affect any of the Company potential mining operations. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays and require capital outlays greater than those the Company anticipates, adversely affecting any potential mining operations. Future mining operations, if any, may also be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damage. The Company may choose not to be insured against this risk because of high insurance costs or other reasons.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards have been published by the FASB and United States Securities and Exchange Commission but are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Company. The Company does not anticipate that any of these pronouncements will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 – Mineral Rights - Excelsior Springs
During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of Nubian USA from Nubian Resources Ltd. (the “Seller”). Nubian USA holds full ownership of the mining claims comprising the Excelsior Springs Prospect (the “Property”) located in Esmerelda County, Nevada.
The Seller retained a 1% Net Smelter Returns Royalty on the claims it sold to the Company. One-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by the Company for CAD $500,000 payable to the Seller. An additional one-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by the Company at fair market value.
On June 9, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement
to purchase an undivided 100% interest in the Fortunatus and Prout patented lode mining claims in Esmeralda County, Nevada as part of
the Excelsior Springs Project for consideration of $
On June 1, 2024 the Company entered into an Asset
Purchase Agreement with Silver Reserve Inc. to acquire an
Note 3 – Common Stock, Warrants and Options
On June 7, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of shares in the common stock of the Company to two independent directors and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company as compensation for their services.
On June 7, 2024, the Company issued common
stock to a vendor in settlement of an invoice for services totaling CAD$
In January 2024, the Company completed the sale
of an aggregate of CAD$
In January 2024, the Company issued common
stock to a vendor in settlement of invoices for services totaling CAD$
| F-10 |
The Company has issued warrants which have an exercise price in Canadian dollars while the Company’s functional currency is US dollars. Therefore, in accordance with ASU 815 - Derivatives and Hedging, the warrants have a derivative liability value. Outstanding subscription warrants were revalued as of September 30, 2024, with various inputs using a Black Scholes model. Broker warrants are valued at the time of issuance and not remeasured. The following is a summary of warrants issued and outstanding.
As of September 30, 2024:
| Schedule of warrants issued and outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Issue Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price (CAD) | Valuation | Volatility | Warrants Issued | |||||||||||
| Subscription Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Broker Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||
As of September 30, 2023:
| Issue Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price (CAD) | Valuation | Volatility | Warrants Issued | |||||||||||
| Subscription Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Broker Warrants | ||||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | % | |||||||||||||||
| $ | ||||||||||||||||
| F-11 |
The following is a summary of warrants exercised, issued and expired:
| Schedule of warrant exercised, issued and expired | ||||
| Total | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | ||||
| Exercised | ||||
| Issued | ||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | ||||
| Exercised | ||||
| Issued | ||||
| Expired | ( | ) | ||
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | ||||
| Weighted average exercise price | $ | |||
During the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, the Company granted options to purchase the Company’s investment in Nubian Resources Ltd at an exercise price of CAD$, the options expire on . The options had an initial valuation of $. Outstanding options were revalued as of September 30, 2024, with various inputs using a Black Scholes model and had a valuation of $, resulting in an adjustment of $ for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
The Company adopted its 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which became effective in January 2021. Under the Plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of common stock pursuant to grants and the exercise of rights under the Plan.
A summary of the stock options as of September 30, 2024, and changes during the periods are presented below:
| Schedule of stock options | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SBC Expense - 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price | Valuation | Volatility | Options Granted | Expected Life (Yrs) | 9/30/2024 | 9/30/2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| F-12 |
| Schedule of stock option activity | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
| Average | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Remaining | |||||||||||||||
| Average | Contractual | Aggregate | ||||||||||||||
| Number of | Exercise | Life | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||
| Options | Price | (Years) | Value | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Exercised | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Issued | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Canceled | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Issued | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Canceled | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| Options exercisable at September 30, 2024 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies
None.
Note 6 – Related Party Transactions
Management and Consulting Fees
The Company is subject
to a month-to-month management agreement with Mr. Power requiring a monthly payment of $2,500 as consideration for the day-to-day management
of Athena, $
The Company paid the
Chief Financial Officer for consulting services $
Director Fees
Director fees were paid
in stock, as discussed below, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 versus $
Stock based compensation
On June 7, 2024, the Company issued an aggregate of shares in the common stock of the Company to two independent directors and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company as compensation for their services resulting in SBC expense of $ for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
| F-13 |
On March 22, 2021, the Company granted options at a price of $ to three Directors of the Company. The options vest 50% upon issuance, and 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date. The options were valued at $ on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with 25% vesting one year from grant date and the remaining 25% vesting two years from grant date. SBC expense totaling $ and $ for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Advanced deposits and accounts payable
In December 2023, the
Company received an advanced deposit for investment into the January 2024 private placement from John Gibbs for $
Note Payable
On June 7, 2024, the
Company executed a promissory note with John Power, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer for $
In January 2023, the
Company executed a promissory note with John Gibbs for $
Note 7 – Segmented Information
All long-lived assets are in the United States of America.
Note 8 – Subsequent Events
Effective October 1, 2024, the Company executed a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the "PSA") dated September 30, 2024 with Libra Lithium Corp. ("Libra"), a privately-held company, to acquire up to a 100% right, title and interest in the Laird Lake and Oneman Lake gold projects in Ontario.
Under the terms of PSA Athena acquired Libra’s Laird Lake and Oneman Lake projects in Ontario through the issuance of 43,865,217 common shares from the Company’s British Columbia Canada subsidiary (Nova Athena Gold Corporation) to Libra.
Effective October 25, 2024, the Company completed the first tranche of CAD$600,000 of its Units at a purchase price of CAD$0.05 per Unit for a total of 12,000,000 Units. Each Unit consisted of one share of Common Stock and one-half common stock purchase warrant (“Warrant”). Each Warrant is exercisable for three years to purchase one share of Common Stock at a price of CAD$0.12 per share.
On October 31, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the agreement and plan of merger and amalgamation with Nova. The Company will merge with and into Nova, with Nova as the surviving corporation. The surviving corporation will change its name to Athena Gold Corporation. Each share of the Company’s common stock will be converted into one common share of Nova. The merger requires approval from the majority of the Company’s shareholders and various regulatory consents and filings.
| F-14 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Athena Gold Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Athena Gold Corporation and its subsidiary (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2022, and the related consolidated statement of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern Matter
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations and has a net capital deficiency that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2011.
Houston, Texas
March 15, 2023
| F-15 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Directors
of Athena Gold Corp.
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Athena Gold Corp. (the “Company”), as of December 31, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Athena Gold Corp. as of December 31, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Going Concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has as a working capital deficiency of approximately $270,000, which raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatements of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2023.
/s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Vancouver, Canada
March 28, 2024
| F-16 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
| Assets | 12/31/23 | 12/31/22 | ||||||
| Current assets | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 2,808 | $ | 15,075 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses | 45,647 | 32,200 | ||||||
| Total current assets | 48,455 | 47,275 | ||||||
| Other assets | ||||||||
| Investment in securities | 496,400 | – | ||||||
| Mineral rights | 6,196,114 | 6,196,114 | ||||||
| Total other assets | 6,692,514 | 6,196,114 | ||||||
| Total assets | $ | 6,740,969 | $ | 6,243,389 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 144,695 | $ | 143,939 | ||||
| Accounts payable - related party | 100,500 | 30,006 | ||||||
| Advanced deposits | 46,000 | – | ||||||
| Warrant liability | 29,151 | – | ||||||
| Note payable | – | 106,210 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities | 320,346 | 280,155 | ||||||
| Long term liabilities | ||||||||
| Warrant liability | 102,811 | 999,820 | ||||||
| Total long term liabilities | 102,811 | 999,820 | ||||||
| Total liabilities | 423,157 | 1,279,975 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding | – | – | ||||||
| Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized, 167,138,069 and 136,091,400 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 16,714 | 13,609 | ||||||
| Additional paid in capital | 17,391,148 | 16,652,603 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit | (11,090,050 | ) | (11,702,798 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 6,317,812 | 4,963,414 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 6,740,969 | $ | 6,243,389 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
| F-17 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
| Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
| 12/31/23 | 12/31/22 | |||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||
| Exploration, evaluation and project expenses | $ | 351,132 | $ | 617,262 | ||||
| General and administrative expenses | 432,460 | 682,512 | ||||||
| Total operating expenses | 783,592 | 1,299,774 | ||||||
| Net operating loss | (783,592 | ) | (1,299,774 | ) | ||||
| Interest income | 2,598 | – | ||||||
| Interest expense | – | (463 | ) | |||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | 1,393,742 | 616,579 | ||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 612,748 | $ | (683,658 | ) | |||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 146,153,300 | 127,608,629 | ||||||
| Income per common share – basic and diluted | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
| F-18 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
| Additional | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | Paid In | Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Capital | Deficit | Total | ||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2021 | 119,858,700 | $ | 11,986 | $ | 16,056,561 | $ | (11,019,140 | ) | $ | 5,049,407 | ||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | – | – | 197,116 | – | 197,116 | |||||||||||||||
| Shares issued for services | 675,000 | 67 | 33,683 | – | 33,750 | |||||||||||||||
| Private placement | 15,057,700 | 1,506 | 922,484 | – | 923,990 | |||||||||||||||
| Warrant liability | – | – | (592,191 | ) | – | (592,191 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for mineral property | 500,000 | 50 | 34,950 | – | 35,000 | |||||||||||||||
| Net loss | – | – | – | (683,658 | ) | (683,658 | ) | |||||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 136,091,400 | $ | 13,609 | $ | 16,652,603 | $ | (11,702,798 | ) | $ | 4,963,414 | ||||||||||
| December 31, 2022 | 136,091,400 | $ | 13,609 | $ | 16,652,603 | $ | (11,702,798 | ) | $ | 4,963,414 | ||||||||||
| Private placement, net | 14,500,000 | 1,450 | 742,710 | – | 744,160 | |||||||||||||||
| Warrant liability | – | – | (525,884 | ) | – | (525,884 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Stock based compensation | – | – | 26,974 | – | 26,974 | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for investment in securities | 16,546,669 | 1,655 | 494,745 | – | 496,400 | |||||||||||||||
| Net income | – | – | – | 612,748 | 612,748 | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2023 | 167,138,069 | $ | 16,714 | $ | 17,391,148 | $ | (11,090,050 | ) | $ | 6,317,812 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
| F-19 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)
| Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
| 12/31/23 | 12/31/22 | |||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 612,748 | $ | (683,658 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities | ||||||||
| Revaluation of warrant liability | (1,393,742 | ) | (616,579 | ) | ||||
| Shares issued for services | – | 33,750 | ||||||
| Share based compensation | 26,974 | 197,116 | ||||||
| Change in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
| Prepaid expense | (13,447 | ) | 18,966 | |||||
| Accounts payable | 756 | 93,566 | ||||||
| Accounts payable - related party | 70,494 | 30,006 | ||||||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (696,217 | ) | (926,833 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
| Purchase of mineral properties | – | (29,214 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | – | (29,214 | ) | |||||
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
| Loan from related parties | 25,000 | 101,100 | ||||||
| Deposits for future private placement | 46,000 | – | ||||||
| Payments on notes payable | (106,210 | ) | (25,690 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from private placement of stock, net | 719,160 | 822,890 | ||||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 683,950 | 898,300 | ||||||
| Net decrease in cash | (12,267 | ) | (57,747 | ) | ||||
| Cash, beginning of period | 15,075 | 72,822 | ||||||
| Cash, end of period | $ | 2,808 | $ | 15,075 | ||||
| Noncash investing and financing activities | ||||||||
| Interest and taxes paid | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
| Stock issued to payoff note payable | $ | 25,000 | $ | 101,100 | ||||
| Common stock issued for mineral properties | $ | – | $ | 35,000 | ||||
| Related party note payable for mineral property | $ | – | $ | 131,900 | ||||
| Warrant liability recognition | $ | 525,884 | $ | 592,191 | ||||
| Common stock issued for investment in securities | $ | 496,400 | $ | – | ||||
| Broker warrants issued | $ | 7,954 | $ | – | ||||
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
| F-20 |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 – Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Athena Gold Corporation (“we,” “our,” “us,” or “Athena”) is engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resources. We were incorporated in Delaware on December 23, 2003 and began our mining operations in 2010.
The Company’s properties do not have any reserves. The Company plans to conduct exploration programs on these properties with the objective of ascertaining whether any of its properties contain economic concentrations of precious and base metals that are prospective for mining.
Basis of Presentation and Statement of Compliance
The accompanying consolidated financial statements (the “consolidated financial statements”), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Basis of Measurement
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, under the historical cost convention, except for certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value as described herein.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Athena Gold Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Nubian USA. All significant inter-entity balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Subsidiaries are entities the Company controls when it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement in the entity and can affect those returns through its power to direct the relevant activities of the entity. Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the date of acquisition up to the date of disposition or loss of control.
Going Concern and Management’s Plans
As at December 31, 2023, the Company has a working capital deficiency of approximately $270,000. The ability of the Company to meet its obligations and continue operations is dependent on its ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Concentration
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions in the United States and Canada. On December 31, 2023, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $3,000. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institution, the Company will evaluate, as needed, the rating of the financial institution in which it holds deposits.
Critical Judgements and Estimation Uncertainties
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets, liabilities, and expenses. These estimates and judgements are subject to change based on experience and new information which could result in outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities affecting future periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized prospectively.
| F-21 |
Share-based compensation – The fair value of share-based compensation is calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The main assumptions used in the model include the estimated life of the option, the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, and the risk-free rate of interest. The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the option could receive in an arm’s-length transaction.
Warrant liability – The fair value of the warrant liability is calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The main assumptions used in the model include the estimated life of the warrant, the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, and the risk-free rate of interest. The resulting value calculated is not necessarily the value that the holder of the warrant could receive in an arm’s-length transaction.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company is exposed to currency risk on transactions and balances in currencies other than the functional currency. The Company has not entered into any contracts to manage foreign exchange risk.
These consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars (“USD”), which is the Company’s reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the US dollar; therefore, the Company is exposed to currency risk from financial assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company does not consider the currency risk to be material to the future operations of the Company and, as such, does not have a program to manage currency risk.
Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in the functional currency at exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. At the end of each reporting period, monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the period end exchange rates. Non-monetary items are translated at the exchange rates in effect on the date of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising on translation are presented in the consolidated statements of loss and comprehensive loss.
Mineral Property Acquisition and Exploration Costs
Mineral property exploration costs are expensed as incurred until economic reserves are quantified. To date, the Company has not established any proven or probable reserves on its mineral properties. Costs of lease, exploration, carrying and retaining unproven mineral lease properties are expensed as incurred. The Company has chosen to expense all mineral exploration costs as incurred given that it is still in the exploration stage. Once the Company has identified proven and probable reserves in its investigation of its properties and upon development of a plan for operating a mine, it would enter the development stage and capitalize future costs until production is established. When a property reaches the production stage, the related capitalized costs will be amortized over the estimated life of the probable-proven reserves. When the Company has capitalized mineral properties, these properties will be periodically assessed for impairment of value and any diminution in value. To date, the Company has not established the commercial feasibility of any exploration prospects; therefore, all exploration costs are being expensed. Costs of property and equipment acquisitions are being capitalized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Valuation based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 - Valuation based on quoted market prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 3 - Valuation based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring management’s best estimate of what market participants would use as fair value.
The fair value of cash, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, advanced deposits, and note payable approximate their carrying values due to their short term to maturity. The investment in securities is recorded at the fair value of the Company as of the closing date of the nonmonetary transaction, with subsequent valuation recorded at the fair value of Nubian Resources Ltd. The warrant liabilities are measured using level 3 inputs (Note 3).
| F-22 |
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that the recoverability of the asset is unlikely to be recognized.
The Company reports a liability, if any, for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. The Company has elected to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits, if and when required, as part of income tax expense in the statement of operations. No liability has been recorded for uncertain income tax positions, or related interest or penalties as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The periods ended December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are open to examination by taxing authorities.
Long Lived Assets
The Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment and the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from projected undiscounted cash flows, the Company records an impairment charge. The Company measures any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the current business model. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether an indicator of impairment exists and in projecting cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of the Share-Based Payment Topic of ASC 718 which requires recognition in the consolidated financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). This ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award.
The estimated fair value of each stock option as of the date of grant was calculated using the Black-Scholes pricing model. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on Company stock price history. The Company determines the expected life based on the simplified method given that its own historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis for estimating expected term. The Company uses the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term approximately equal to the expected life of the award. The Company has never paid any cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The shares of common stock subject to the stock-based compensation plan shall consist of unissued shares, treasury shares or previously issued shares held by any subsidiary of the Company, and such number of shares of common stock are reserved for such purpose.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which requires additional disclosures about the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, how the derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how the derivative instruments and related hedging items affect the financial statements. The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risk. Terms of convertible debt and equity instruments are reviewed to determine whether or not they contain embedded derivative instruments that are required under ASC 815 to be accounted for separately from the host contract and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities, if any, is required to be revalued at each reporting date, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in current period operating results. Pursuant to ASC 815, an evaluation of specifically identified conditions is made to determine whether the fair value of warrants issued is required to be classified as equity or as a derivative liability.
| F-23 |
Certain warrants are treated as derivative financial liabilities. The estimated fair value, based on the Black-Scholes model, is adjusted on a quarterly basis with gains or losses recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. The Black-Scholes model is based on significant assumptions such as volatility, dividend yield, expected term and liquidity discounts.
Investment in securities
We have concluded that the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of its investee. The Company has elected to measure the investment at fair value less impairment.
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
The following table shows basic and diluted earnings per share:
| Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
| 12/31/2023 | 12/31/2022 | |||||||
| Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share | ||||||||
| Earnings (loss) | $ | 654,495 | $ | (683,658 | ) | |||
| Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 146,153,300 | 127,608,629 | ||||||
| Assumed conversion of dilutive shares | – | – | ||||||
| Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming conversion of common stock equivalents | 146,153,300 | 127,608,629 | ||||||
| Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
| Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share | $ | 0.00 | $ | (0.01 | ) | |||
The options and warrants that were not included in the diluted weighted average shares calculation were excluded because they were “out-of-the money”. In periods when the Company has a net loss, all common stock equivalents are excluded as they would be anti-dilutive. The following details the dilutive and anti-dilutive shares:
| December 31, 2023 | Dilutive
shares – In the money |
Anti-dilutive
shares – Out of the money |
Total | ||
| Options | 0 | 5,230,000 | 5,230,000 | ||
| Warrants | 0 | 39,391,503 | 39,391,503 | ||
| Total | 0 | 44,621,503 | 44,621,503 |
| December 31, 2022 | Dilutive shares – In the money |
Anti-dilutive shares
– Out of the money |
Total | ||
| Options | 0 | 4,980,000 | 4,980,000 | ||
| Warrants | 0 | 24,935,560 | 24,935,560 | ||
| Total | 0 | 29,915,560 | 29,915,560 |
Risks and Uncertainties
Since the formation of the Company, it has not generated any revenue. As an early-stage company, the Company is subject to all the risks inherent in the initial organization, financing, expenditures, complications and delays inherent in a new business. Our business is dependent upon the implementation of our business plan. There can be no assurance that our efforts will be successful or that we will ultimately be able to generate revenue or attain profitability.
Natural resource exploration, and exploring for gold, is a business that by its nature is very speculative. There is a strong possibility that we will not discover gold or any other mineralization which can be mined or extracted at a profit. Even if we do discover gold or other deposits, the deposit may not be of the quality or size necessary for us or a potential purchaser of the property to make a profit from mining it. Few properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Unusual or unexpected geological formations, geological formation pressures, fires, power outages, labor disruptions, flooding, explosions, cave-ins, landslides, and the inability to obtain suitable or adequate machinery, equipment or labor are just some of the many risks involved in mineral exploration programs and the subsequent development of gold deposits.
The Company business is exploring for gold and other minerals. If the Company discovers commercially exploitable gold or other deposits, revenue from such discoveries will not be generated unless the gold or other minerals are mined.
| F-24 |
Mining operations in the United States are subject to many different federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including stringent environmental, health and safety laws. In the event operational responsibility is assumed for mining our properties, the Company may be unable to comply with current or future laws and regulations, which can change at any time. Changes to these laws may adversely affect any of the Company potential mining operations. Moreover, compliance with such laws may cause substantial delays and require capital outlays greater than those the Company anticipates, adversely affecting any potential mining operations. Future mining operations, if any, may also be subject to liability for pollution or other environmental damage. The Company may choose not to be insured against this risk because of high insurance costs or other reasons.
The Company’s exploration and development activities may be affected by existing or threatened medical pandemics, such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). A government may impose strict emergency measures in response to the threat or existence of an infectious disease, such as the emergency measures imposed by governments of many countries and states in response to the COVID-19 virus pandemic. As such, there are potentially significant economic and social impacts of infectious diseases, including but not limited to the inability of the Company to develop and operate as intended, shortage of skilled employees or labor unrest, inability to access sufficient healthcare, significant social upheavals or unrest, disruption to operations, supply chain shortages or delays, travel and trade restrictions, government or regulatory actions or inactions (including but not limited to, changes in taxation or policies, or delays in permitting or approvals, or mandated shut downs), declines in the price of precious metals, capital markets volatility, availability of credit, loss of investor confidence and impact on economic activity in affected countries or regions. In addition, such pandemics or diseases represent a serious threat to maintaining a skilled workforce in the mining industry and could be a major health-care challenge for the Company. There can be no assurance that the Company or the Company’s personnel will not be impacted by these pandemic diseases and the Company may ultimately see its workforce productivity reduced or incur increased medical costs/insurance premiums as a result of these health risks. COVID-19 is rapidly evolving and the effects on the mining industry and the Company are uncertain. The Company may not be able to accurately predict the impact of infectious disease, including COVID-19, or the quantum of such risks. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be impacted by adverse consequences that may be brought about by pandemics on global financial markets, which may reduce resources, share prices and financial liquidity, and may severely limit the financing capital available to the Company.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Certain new standards, amendments and interpretations, and improvements to existing standards have been published by the FASB and United States Securities and Exchange Commission but are not yet effective and have not been adopted early by the Company. The Company does not anticipate that any of these pronouncements will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 2 – Mineral Rights – Excelsior Springs
Effective December 27, 2021 (“Effective Date”), the Company simultaneously executed and consummated a definitive Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Nubian Resources, Ltd. (“Nubian”). The SPA was the result of a previously disclosed Option Agreement with Nubian dated as of December 11, 2020, as amended by First Amendment to Option Agreement dated November 10, 2021 (the “Option”). While the Option granted the Company the right to acquire up to a 100% interest in the mining claims comprising the Excelsior Springs Prospect (the “Property”) located in Esmerelda County, Nevada, the Company and Nubian agreed to restructure the transaction so that the Company purchased 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Nubian Resources USA, Ltd (“Nubian USA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nubian which held the Property. By purchasing 100% of Nubian USA, the Company effectively acquired the remaining 90% interest in the Property through the issuance of 45,000,000 shares, the Company having previously acquired a 10% interest in the Property in December 2020 with the issuance of 5,000,000 shares. The 50 million shares issued to Nubian were issued as “restricted securities” under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”).
Nubian Resources Ltd (The “seller”) retained a 1% Net Smelter Returns Royalty (the "NSR Royalty") on the claims it sold to Athena. One-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by Athena for CAD $500,000 payable to Nubian Resources. An additional one-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by Athena at fair market value.
| F-25 |
The mineral property was valued at the December 31, 2021, the closing date for the SPA with a stock price of $0.13, resulting in a fair value consideration of $5,850,000 for the 45,000,000 shares issued. The transaction does not constitute a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, which defines a business as an integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for the purposes of providing a return to investors or other participants and that a business consists of inputs and processes applied to those inputs that have the ability to contribute to the creation of outputs. Management has determined that the acquired assets do not contain processes sufficient to constitute a business in accordance with ASC 805. The transaction represents the acquisition of assets in exchange for the assumption of liabilities and the issuance of share-based payments.
On June 9, 2022, the Company entered into an Acquisition Agreement (the “Agreement”) to purchase an undivided 100% interest in the Fortunatus and Prout patented lode mining claims in Esmeralda County, Nevada as part of the Excelsior Springs Project. The Agreement was completed in July 2022 with the following terms:
| · | $25,000 settled in cash | |
| · | $35,000 of the purchase price settled by the issuance of 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock; and | |
| · | $125,000 settled by a loan, paid by the Company in quarterly installments of $25,000, beginning November 13, 2022, and continuing until October 13, 2023.
All payments have been made with no balance remaining on the note payable. |
Note 3 – Common Stock and Warrants
Effective December 29, 2023, the Company completed the sale of an aggregate of 16,546,699 shares of its Common Stock to a corporation incorporated under the laws of Ontario (“Vendor”) in consideration of the assignment by Vendor to the Company of an aggregate of 10 million shares of Common Stock of Nubian.
In April 2023 the Company completed a private placement in which we sold 14,500,000 units. Each unit was priced at C$0.07 and consisted of one share of the Company’s common stock and one stock purchase warrant granting the holder the right to purchase one additional share of common stock at a price of C$0.10. The warrants expire April 24, 2025. All securities issued in connection with the offering are subject to restrictions on resale in Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable securities laws and the policies of any applicable stock exchange. An additional 220,303 broker warrants were granted to a Canadian broker and C$7,921 as a placement fee. We realized total proceeds of $744,160 net of offering costs.
During January 2023, the Company executed a promissory note with John Gibbs, a related party discussed in Note 6, for $25,000. The Company issued 357,143 shares at C$0.07 per share as a part of the April 2023 private placement to settle this note payable.
During August, September and October 2022, the Company completed the private placement of four tranches (August 12, 2022; August 31, 2022; September 14, 2022; October 28, 2022) in which we sold 8,807,700 units. Each unit was priced at C$0.08 and consisted of one share of the Company’s common stock and one stock purchase warrant granting the holder the right to purchase one additional share of common stock at a price of C$0.12. The warrants expire 24 months from issue date. All securities issued in connection with the offering are subject to restrictions on resale in Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable securities laws and the policies of any applicable stock exchange. An additional 184,350 broker warrants were granted along with C$14,748 to brokers as a placement fee. We realized total proceeds of C$689,868 net of offering costs. In June 2022, the Company executed a promissory note with John Gibbs for $26,100 at 6% that is payable on demand as part payment for mineral property in escrow. In September 2022, the Company issued 443,110 shares of common stock as a part of the private placement offering to settle $26,100 of notes payable and $463 of accrued interest to Mr. Gibbs.
| F-26 |
In April 2022 the Company completed a private placement in which we sold 6,250,000 units. Each unit was priced at C$0.08 and consisted of one share of the Company’s common stock and one stock purchase warrant granting the holder the right to purchase one additional share of common stock at a price of C$0.15. The warrants expire April 13, 2025. All securities issued in connection with the offering are subject to restrictions on resale in Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable securities laws and the policies of any applicable stock exchange. An additional 70,000 broker warrants were granted to a Canadian broker as a placement fee. We realized total proceeds of $394,082 net of offering costs. During March 2022, the Company executed two promissory notes with John Gibbs for $50,000 and $25,000 at 6% that is payable on demand. In April 2022, the Company issued 1,181,250 shares out of 3,375,000 shares of common stock in April 2022 at C$0.08 per share as a part of the private placement offering to settle $75,000 of notes payable to Mr. Gibbs.
The warrants have an exercise price in Canadian dollars while the Company’s functional currency is US dollars. Therefore, in accordance with ASU 815 - Derivatives and Hedging, the warrants have a derivative liability value. Outstanding subscription warrants were valued as of December 31, 2023, with various inputs using a Black Scholes model. Broker warrants are valued at the time of issuance. The following is a summary of warrants issued and outstanding.
As of December 31, 2023:
| Issue Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price (CAD) | Valuation | Volatility | Warrants Issued |
| Subscription Warrants | |||||
| 5/25/2021 | 5/31/2024 | $0.15 | $6,210 | 140% | 6,250,000 |
| 9/30/2021 | 5/31/2024 | $0.15 | 3,002 | 136% | 3,108,700 |
| 4/14/2022 | 4/13/2025 | $0.15 | 21,707 | 107% | 6,250,000 |
| 8/12/2022 | 8/12/2024 | $0.12 | 6,501 | 120% | 3,247,500 |
| 8/31/2022 | 8/31/2024 | $0.12 | 5,182 | 119% | 2,300,000 |
| 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2024 | $0.12 | 6,978 | 119% | 2,760,200 |
| 10/24/2022 | 10/24/2024 | $0.12 | 1,278 | 111% | 500,000 |
| 4/24/2023 | 4/24/2025 | $0.10 | 81,104 | 108% | 14,500,000 |
| $131,962 | 38,916,400 | ||||
| Broker Warrants | |||||
| 4/14/2022 | 4/13/2024 | $0.15 | 1,344 | 138% | 70,000 |
| 8/31/2022 | 8/31/2024 | $0.12 | 6,312 | 132% | 104,250 |
| 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2024 | $0.12 | 2,921 | 134% | 80,100 |
| 4/24/2023 | 4/24/2025 | $0.10 | 7,954 | 117% | 220,303 |
| $18,531 | 474,653 |
As of December 31, 2022:
| Issue Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price (CAD) | Valuation | Volatility | Warrants Issued |
| Subscription Warrants | |||||
| 5/25/2021 | 5/31/2024 | $0.15 | $225,316 | 132% | 6,250,000 |
| 9/30/2021 | 5/31/2024 | $0.15 | 115,122 | 134% | 3,108,700 |
| 4/14/2022 | 4/13/2025 | $0.15 | 293,698 | 133% | 6,250,000 |
| 8/12/2022 | 8/12/2024 | $0.12 | 134,067 | 128% | 3,247,500 |
| 8/31/2022 | 8/31/2024 | $0.12 | 95,351 | 126% | 2,300,000 |
| 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2024 | $0.12 | 115,000 | 125% | 2,760,200 |
| 10/24/2022 | 10/24/2024 | $0.12 | 21,266 | 124% | 500,000 |
| $999,820 | 24,416,400 | ||||
| Broker Warrants | |||||
| 5/25/2021 | 5/31/2023 | $0.15 | 12,943 | 205% | 173,810 |
| 9/30/2021 | 9/30/2023 | $0.15 | 7,472 | 196% | 91,000 |
| 4/14/2022 | 4/13/2024 | $0.15 | 1,344 | 138% | 70,000 |
| 8/31/2022 | 8/31/2024 | $0.12 | 6,312 | 132% | 104,250 |
| 9/14/2022 | 9/14/2024 | $0.12 | 2,921 | 134% | 80,100 |
| $30,992 | 519,160 |
| F-27 |
The following is a summary of warrants exercised, issued and expired:
| Schedule of warrants exercised issued and expired | ||||
| Total | ||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | 9,623,510 | |||
| Exercised | 0 | |||
| Issued | 15,312,050 | |||
| Expired | 0 | |||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | 24,935,560 | |||
| Exercised | 0 | |||
| Issued | 14,720,303 | |||
| Expired | (264,810 | ) | ||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 39,391,053 | |||
| Weighted average exercise price | $ | 0.12 | ||
Note 4 – Share Based Compensation
The Company adopted its 2020 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which became effective in January 2021. Under the Plan, the Company is authorized to issue up to 10 million shares of common stock pursuant to grants and the exercise of rights under the Plan.
On January 16, 2023, the Company granted 250,000 options pursuant to the Company’s Plan at a price of $0.0675. The options were issued to a consultant to the Company. The options were valued at $13,267 on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with the remaining 50% vesting one year from grant date. Stock-Based Compensation (SBC) expense totaled $12,712 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023.
On October 12, 2022, the Company granted 2,250,000 options pursuant to the Company’s Plan, fully vested, at a price of $0.06. The options were issued to five individuals, the CEO, CFO, and three Directors of the Company. The SBC expense totaled $106,109 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2022.
On August 24, 2022, the Company granted 730,000 options pursuant to the Company’s Plan, fully vested, at a price of $0.06. The options were issued to a consultant to the Company. The SBC expense totaled $43,456 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2022.
On March 22, 2021, the Company granted 2,000,000 options pursuant to the Company’s Plan at a price of $0.09 to four individuals, three Directors of the Company, the other a consultant to the Company. The options vest 50% upon issuance, and 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date. The options were valued at $190,202 on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with 25% vesting one year from grant date and the remaining 25% vesting two years from grant date. SBC expense totaling $14,262 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023.
A summary of the stock options as of December 31, 2023, and changes during the periods are presented below:
| SBC Expense - 12 Months Ending | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grant Date | Expiration Date | Exercise Price | Valuation | Volatility | Options Granted | Expected Life (Yrs) | 12/31/2023 | 12/31/2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3/22/2021 | 3/22/2026 | $ | 0.0900 | $ | 190,202 | 211% | 2,000,000 | 3.4 | $ | 14,262 | $ | 47,551 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8/24/2022 | 8/24/2032 | $ | 0.0600 | $ | 43,456 | 178% | 730,000 | 5.5 | 0 | 43,456 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 10/12/2022 | 10/12/2032 | $ | 0.0600 | $ | 106,109 | 162% | 2,250,000 | 5.5 | 0 | 106,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1/16/2023 | 1/16/2028 | $ | 0.0675 | $ | 13,267 | 174% | 250,000 | 3.3 | 12,712 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 26,974 | $ | 197,116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| F-28 |
| Weighted | ||||||||||||||||
| Average | ||||||||||||||||
| Weighted | Remaining | |||||||||||||||
| Average | Contractual | Aggregate | ||||||||||||||
| Number of | Exercise | Life | Intrinsic | |||||||||||||
| Options | Price | (Years) | Value | |||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2021 | 2,000,000 | $ | 0.09 | 4.2 | $ | 80,000 | ||||||||||
| Exercised | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Issued | 2,980,000 | 0.06 | 10.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Canceled | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | 4,980,000 | 0.07 | 7.1 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Exercised | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Issued | 250,000 | 0.07 | 4.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Canceled | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 5,230,000 | 0.07 | 6.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Options exercisable at December 31, 2023 | 5,105,000 | 0.07 | 6.1 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies
None.
Note 6 – Related Party Transactions
Management and Consulting Fees
The Company is subject to a month-to-month management agreement with Mr. Power requiring a monthly payment of $2,500 as consideration for the day-to-day management of Athena, $30,000 was recorded as management fees and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
The Company paid the Chief Financial Officer for consulting services $28,033 and $21,240 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
Director Fees
The four members of the Board of Directors each received $7,500 for the year ended December 31, 2023 for a total of $30,000. There were no director fees paid in 2022.
Stock based compensation
On October 12, 2022, the Company granted 2,250,000 options, fully vested, at a price of $0.06. The options were issued to five individuals, the CEO, CFO, and three Directors of the Company. The SBC expense totaled $106,109 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2022.
On March 22, 2021, the Company granted 1,500,000 options at a price of $0.09 to three Directors of the Company. The options vest 50% upon issuance, and 25% on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date. The options were valued at $142,652 on the grant date and 50% vested on grant date with 25% vesting one year from grant date and the remaining 25% vesting two years from grant date. SBC expense totaling $10,989 and $35,663 for the twelve months ending December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
| F-29 |
Advanced deposits and accounts payable
In December 2023, the Company received an advanced deposit for future investment into a private placement from John Gibbs for $25,000 and from John Power for $21,000. In addition, John Power is due approximately $100,000 and $30,000 as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively for expense reports and other advances made to the Company.
Note Payable
In January 2023, the Company executed a promissory note with John Gibbs for $25,000 at 6% that is payable on demand (Note 3). The amount was converted into equity as part of the April 2023 private placement. There are no notes payable as of December 31, 2023.
During March 2022, the Company executed two promissory notes with John Gibbs for $50,000 and $25,000 at 6% that is payable on demand. In April 2022, the Company issued 1,181,250 shares out of 3,375,000 shares of common stock in April 2022 at C$.08 per share as a part of the private placement offering to settle $75,000 of notes payable to Mr. Gibbs, for total proceeds of C$234,675.
In June 2022, the Company executed a promissory note with John Gibbs for $26,100 at 6% that is payable on demand as part payment for mineral property in escrow. In September 2022, the Company issued 443,110 shares out of 860,200 shares of common stock in September 2022 at C$.08 per share as a part of the private placement offering to settle $26,100 of notes payable and $463 of accrued interest to Mr. Gibbs, for total proceeds of C$68,816.
Note 8 – Income Taxes
The Company is current on all its corporate tax filings. Tax year 2023 will be extended if not filed by its due date. Tax returns filed for the years 2019 through 2022 are open for examination from taxing authorities.
Due to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 2018, the corporate tax rate for those tax years beginning with 2018 has been reduced to 21%. Our reconciliation between the expected federal income tax benefit computed by applying the federal statutory rate to our net loss and the actual benefit for taxes on net loss for 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
| Reconciliation of income tax expense | ||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| Expected federal income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate | $ | 128,677 | $ | (224,568 | ) | |||
| Expected state income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate | 54,167 | (94,532 | ) | |||||
| Adjustment to prior years provision versus statutory tax returns | (158,826 | ) | – | |||||
| Change in valuation allowance | (24,018 | ) | 319,100 | |||||
| Income tax benefit | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
Our deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023, and 2022 are as follows:
| Schedule of deferred tax assets | ||||||||
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| Deferred tax assets: | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Net operating carryover | $ | 3,366,577 | $ | 2,982,751 | ||||
| Stock compensation | 124,202 | 116,153 | ||||||
| Warrant revaluation | (519,466 | ) | (103,574 | ) | ||||
| Total deferred tax asset | 2,971,313 | 2,995,330 | ||||||
| Less: valuation allowance | (2,971,313 | ) | (2,995,330 | ) | ||||
| Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance | $ | – | $ | – | ||||
The Company has approximately a $11,282,000 and $10,528,000 net operating loss carryover as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. The net operating loss may offset against taxable income, with $4,963,000 of the net operating loss carryover begins expiring in 2027 and $6,319,000 with no expiry date may be subject to U.S. Internal Revenue Code Section 382 limitations.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. We have provided a valuation allowance of 100% of our net deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty of generating future profits that would allow us to realize our deferred tax assets.
| F-30 |
Due to the change in ownership provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, net operating loss carryover for Federal income tax reporting purposes may be subject to annual limitations. Should a change in ownership occur, use of the net operating loss carryover could be limited in future years.
The Company and its subsidiary files annual US Federal income tax returns and annual income tax returns for the state of California. Income taxing authorities have conducted no formal examinations of past Federal or state income tax returns and supporting records.
Note 9 – Segmented Information
All long-lived assets are in the United States of America.
Note 10 – Subsequent Events
Effective January 17, 2024, the Company completed the sale of an aggregate of C$200,000 of its Units at a purchase price of C$0.04 per Unit for a total of 5,000,000 Units. Each Unit consisted of one share of Common Stock and one common stock purchase warrant exercisable for one year to purchase one additional share of Common Stock at a price of C$0.05 per share.
The Company settled debt to a creditor by issuing 685,564 common shares to the creditor in full discharge and complete satisfaction of the C$34,278 debt.
| F-31 |
COVID-19
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. While initially the outbreak was largely concentrated in China and caused significant disruptions to its economy, it has now spread to several other countries and infections have been reported globally.
Because COVID-19 infections have been reported throughout the world, certain governmental authorities have issued stay-at-home orders as well as proclamations and/or directives aimed at minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Additional, more restrictive proclamations and/or directives may be issued in the future. The outbreak and the related mitigation measures has had an adverse impact on global economic conditions as well as on the Company’s business activities. COVID-19 has caused a decrease in economic activity and oil and gas prices, due to reduced demand. The Company has implemented work from home measures for its employees in its offices in Canada and Turkey. The coronavirus has caused delay in realizing the Company’s funding efforts. The extent of which the coronavirus may impact the Company’s business activities in the future will depend on future developments, such as the ultimate geographic spread of the disease, vaccine approvals and effectiveness, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions, business disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken in Canada, Turkey, Bulgaria, and other countries to contain and treat the disease. These events are highly uncertain and as such, the Company cannot determine their financial impact at this time. While certain restrictions are presently in the process of being relaxed, it is unclear when the world will return to the previous normal, if ever. This may adversely impact the expected implementation of the Company’s plans moving forward. We continue to assess possible similar accommodations to our operations in light of the impact of COVID-19.
The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operations is unknown and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, and any additional preventative and protective actions that governments, or the Company, may direct, which may result in an extended period of continued business disruption, reduced customer traffic and reduced operations. Any resulting financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time but is anticipated to have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The measures taken to date adversely impacted the Company’s business during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and will potentially continue to impact the Company’s business. Oil and gas prices have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. Delays in permitting may occur as a result of the closure of government offices. We have incurred delays because of COVID-19 in developing new wells as planned. Management expects that all of its business segments, across all of its geographies, will be impacted to some degree, but the significance of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business and the duration for which it may have an impact cannot be determined at this time.
Stock Based Compensation
We have a stock-based compensation plan covering our employees, consultants, and directors. See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions and Director Independence
The following is a summary of transactions or proposed transactions in which the amount involved exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal years in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock, or any of their respective relatives, spouses, associates or affiliates, has had or will have any direct or material indirect interest.
| 122 |
Conflicts of Interests
Magellan Gold Corporation (“Magellan”) is a company under common control. Mr. John Power is a significant shareholder of both Athena and Magellan and an officer and director of Athena. Mr. John Gibbs is a significant shareholder in both Athena and Magellan. Athena and Magellan are both involved in the business of acquisition and exploration of mineral resources.
Silver Saddle Resources, LLC (“Silver Saddle”) is also a company under common control. Mr. Power and Mr. Gibbs are the owners and managing members of Silver Saddle. Athena and Silver Saddle are both involved in the business of acquisition and exploration of mineral resources.
There exists no arrangement or understanding with respect to the resolution of future conflicts of interest. The existence of common ownership and common management could result in significantly different operating results or financial position from those that could have resulted had Athena, Magellan and Silver Saddle been autonomous.
Management Fees – Related Parties
The Company is subject to a month-to-month management agreement with Mr. Power requiring a monthly payment of $2,500 as consideration for the day-to-day management of Athena. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, a total of $30,000 was recorded as management fees and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
On January 1, 2021, the Company agreed to convert the $96,500 balance of management fees due Mr. Power into 2,144,444 shares of common stock at a price of $0.045 per share.
Sales of Common Stock - Related Parties
On May 25, 2021 the Company sold 2,200,000 units in its private placement at a price of CAD$0.08 to Mr. Gibbs, realizing net proceeds of $144,848. During the same private placement, Mr. Power purchased 300,000 units realizing net proceeds of $19,752.
On January 15, 2021 the Company sold 250,000 shares of common stock at a price of $0.03 per share in a private placement to Mr. Gibbs, realizing total proceeds of $7,500.
In April 2022, the Company issued 1,181,250 shares out of 3,375,000 shares of common stock in April 2022 at C$.08 per share as a part of the private placement offering to settle $75,000 of notes payable to Mr. Gibbs, for total proceeds of C$234,675.
In September 2022, the Company issued 443,110 shares out of 860,200 shares of common stock in September 2022 at C$.08 per share as a part of the private placement offering to settle $26,100 of notes payable and $463 of accrued interest to Mr. Gibbs, for total proceeds of C$68,816.
On April 24, 2023 the Company sold shares of common stock at a price of CAD$0.07 per share in a private placement to the following related party:
| Name | Shares | Proceeds (CAD$) | |||
| John Gibbs | 1,428,571 | $ | 100,000 | ||
| John Hiner | 143,000 | $ | 10,010 | ||
| Markus Janser | 300,000 | $ | 21,000 | ||
| Brian Power | 178,571 | $ | 12,500 | ||
| John Power | 171,000 | $ | 11,970 | ||
In January 2024, the Company sold shares of common stock at a price of CAD$0.04 per share in a private placement to John Gibbs for CAD$75,000 for 1,875,000 and John Power for CAD$75,000 for 1,875,000 shares.
In October 2024, the Company sold shares of common stock at a price of CAD$0.05 per share in a private placement to John Gibbs for CAD$200,000 for 4,000,000 and John Power for CAD$29,500 for 590,000 shares.
| 123 |
Description of Securities
We are authorized to issue up to 250,000,000 shares of $.0001 par value common stock and 5,000,000 shares of $.0001 par value preferred stock. As of the date of this prospectus, 185,723,633 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding, and there were approximately 95 shareholders of record.
Common Stock
Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record. There is no right to cumulative voting of shares for the election of directors. The shares of common stock are not entitled to pre-emptive rights and are not subject to redemption or assessment. Each share of common stock is entitled to share ratably in distributions to shareholders and to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive, pro-rata, our assets which are legally available for distribution to shareholders.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of $.0001 par value preferred stock. Our preferred stock can be issued in one or more series as may be determined from time-to-time by our Board of Directors. In establishing a series our Board of Directors shall give to it a distinctive designation so as to distinguish it from the shares of all other series and classes, shall fix the number of shares in such series, and the preferences, rights and restrictions thereof. All shares of any one series shall be alike in every particular. Our Board of Directors has the authority, without shareholder approval, to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of any series of preferred stock including, without limitation:
| * | the rate of distribution, | |
| * | the price at and the terms and conditions on which shares shall be redeemed, | |
| * | the amount payable upon shares for distributions of any kind, | |
| * | sinking fund provisions for the redemption of shares, | |
| * | the terms and conditions on which shares may be converted if the shares of any series are issued with the privilege of conversion, and | |
| * | voting rights except as limited by law. |
We could authorize the issuance of additional series of preferred stock which would grant to holders preferred rights to our assets upon liquidation, the right to receive dividend coupons before dividends would be declared to common shareholders, and the right to the redemption of such shares, together with a premium, prior to the redemption to common stock. Our common shareholders have no redemption rights. In addition, our Board
| 124 |
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of our Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon by Clifford L. Neuman, PC. Mr. Neuman is the beneficial owner of an aggregate of 3,030,523 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Athena Gold Corporation as of December 31, 2022 and for the year then ended included in this registration statement have been so included in reliance on the report which contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern of MaloneBailey, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Athena Gold Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in this registration statement have been audited by Davidson & Co., LLP, Vancouver, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, and have been so included in reliance upon the report of said firm and their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
“HOUSEHOLDING” OF PROXY MATERIALS
The Securities and Exchange Commission permits companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements and annual reports with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or annual report, as applicable, addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding”, potentially provides extra conveniences for stockholders and cost savings for companies.
Although we do not intend to household for our stockholders of record, some brokers household our proxy materials and annual reports, delivering a single copy of proxy statement or annual report to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate copy of proxy statement or annual report, or if you are receiving multiple copies of either document and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address from their brokers and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their brokers.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to our next annual and special meeting of stockholders must be received no later than March 31, 2025. If we change the date of our next annual and special meeting of stockholders by more than 30 days from the date of the previous year’s annual and special meeting of stockholders, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials. All such proposals must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 of Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which sets forth specific requirements and limitations applicable to nominations and proposals at annual and special meetings of stockholders.
All stockholder proposals, notices and requests should be made in writing and sent via registered, certified or express mail, to Athena Gold Corporation, 2010A Harbison Drive, PMB #312, Vacaville, CA 95687, Attention: President.
With respect to business to be brought before our special meeting of stockholders to be held on December , 2024, we have received no notices from our stockholders that we were required to include in this proxy statement/prospectus.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are not required to deliver an annual report to our stockholders unless our directors are elected at a meeting of our stockholders or by written consents of our stockholders. If our directors are not elected in such manner, we are not required to deliver an annual report to our stockholders and will not voluntarily send an annual report.
We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subsequent to the consummation of the continuation, we anticipate that we will qualify as a foreign private issuer for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Upon our company qualifying as a foreign private issuer, we intend to file annual reports on Form 20-F and will no longer required to file quarterly reports, however we will be required to file our interim financial statements and management discussion and analysis that we prepare as a reporting issuer under Canadian securities legislation with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K. Such filings are available to the public over the internet at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the issuance of the common shares of Athena BC in connection with the continuation. This proxy statement/prospectus, which forms a part of that registration statement, does not contain all information included in the registration statement. Certain information is omitted and you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.
You may review a copy of the registration statement at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 on official business days during the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also read and copy any materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s public reference room. Our filings and the registration statement can also be reviewed by accessing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
We undertake, on your written request, to provide without charge a copy of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2024. Request should be made to our company at Athena Gold Corporation 2010A Harbison Drive, PMB #312, Vacaville, CA 95687.
OTHER MATTERS
Our board of directors does not intend to bring any other business before the special meeting, and so far as is known to our board of directors, no matters are to be brought before the special meeting except as specified in the notice of the special meeting. If any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, it is the intention of the persons named on the proxy to vote the shares represented by the proxy on such matters in accordance with their judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
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APPENDIX “A”
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND AMALGAMATION
(Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger)
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SCHEDULE A
Amalgamation Application
AMALGAMATION APPLICATION
FORM 13 – BC COMPANY
A. INITIAL INFORMATION - When the amalgamation is complete, your company will be a BC limited company.
What kind of company (ies) will be involved in this amalgamation ?
(Check all applicable boxes.)
| X | BC | Company |
| BC | unlimited liability company |
B. NAME OF COMPANY
The amalgamated company is to adopt, as its name, the name of one of the amalgamating companies.
The name of the amalgamating company being adopted is: ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
The incorporation number of that company is:
C. AMALGAMATION STATEMENT - Please indicate the statement applicable to this amalgamation
X Without Court Approval:
This amalgamation has been effected without court approval. A copy of all of the required affidavits under section 277(1) have been obtained and the affidavit obtained from each amalgamating company has been deposited in that company’s records office.
D. AMALGAMATION EFFECTIVE DATE - Choose one of the following:
X The amalgamation is to take effect at the time that this application is filed with the registrar.
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E. AMALGAMATING CORPORATIONS
Enter the name of each amalgamating corporation below. For each company, enter the incorporation number. If the amalgamating corporation is a foreign corporation, enter the foreign corporation’s jurisdiction and if registered in BC as an extraprovincial company, enter the extraprovincial company’s registration number. Attach an additional sheet if more space is required.
| NAME OF AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | BC INCORPORTION NUMBER OR EXTRAPROVINCIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER IN BC | FOREIGN CORPORATION’S JURISDICTION | ||
| ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION | BC1145384 | |||
| ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION | Delaware |
F. FORMALITIES TO AMALGAMATION
If any amalgamating corporation is a foreign corporation, section 275 (1)(b) requires an authorization for the amalgamation from the foreign corporation’s jurisdiction to be filed.
G. CERTIFIED CORRECT - I have read this form and found it to be correct.
This form must be signed by an authorized signing authority for each of the amalgamating companies as set out in Item E.
| NAME OF AUTHORIZED SIGNING AUTHORITY FOR THE AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNING AUTHORITY FOR THE AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | DATE SIGNED | ||
| John C. Power, President and Director of Athena Gold Corporation | ||||
| John C. Power, President and Director of Athena Gold Corporation |
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APPENDIX “B”
ARTICLES
Continuation No.
BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
ARTICLES
OF
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SCHEDULE “B”
The text of Section 262 of Title 8 of the DGCL reads as follows:
Ҥ 262. Appraisal rights.
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to § 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder’s shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word “stockholder” means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words “stock” and “share” mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the words “depository receipt” mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to § 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to § 251(g) of this title), § 252, § 254, § 257, § 258, § 263 or § 264 of this title:
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of § 251 of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to §§ 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders;
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this paragraph; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this paragraph.
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(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under § 253 of this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder’s shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or
(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to § 228 or § 253 of this title, then either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation or the surviving or resulting corporation within 10 days thereafter shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holder’s shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder’s shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder’s shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the notice is given.
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(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw such stockholder’s demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after such stockholder’s written request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted such stockholder’s certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court’s decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.
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(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder’s demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation. (8 Del. C. 1953, § 262; 56 Del. Laws, c. 50; 56 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 24; 57 Del. Laws, c. 148, §§ 27-29; 59 Del. Laws, c. 106, § 12; 60 Del. Laws, c. 371, §§ 3-12; 63 Del. Laws, c. 25, § 14; 63 Del. Laws, c. 152, §§ 1, 2; 64 Del. Laws, c. 112, §§ 46-54; 66 Del. Laws, c. 136, §§ 30-32; 66 Del. Laws, c. 352, § 9; 67 Del. Laws, c. 376, §§ 19, 20; 68 Del. Laws, c. 337, §§ 3, 4; 69 Del. Laws, c. 61, § 10; 69 Del. Laws, c. 262, §§ 1-9; 70 Del. Laws, c. 79, § 16; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 299, §§ 2, 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 349, § 22; 71 Del. Laws, c. 120, § 15; 71 Del. Laws, c. 339, §§ 49-52; 73 Del. Laws, c. 82, § 21.)”
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended from time to time, will provide that all of our directors, officers, employees and agents shall be entitled to be indemnified by us to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Section 145 of the DGCL concerning indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents is set forth below.
Section 145. Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents; insurance.
| (a) | A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. | |
| (b) | A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. | |
| (c) | To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. | |
| (d) | Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. |
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| (e) | Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former officers and directors or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. | |
| (f) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to such provision after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred. | |
| (g) | A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under this section. | |
| (h) | For purposes of this section, references to “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued. | |
| (i) | For purposes of this section, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this section. | |
| (j) | The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. | |
| (k) | The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or indemnification brought under this section or under any by law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of Chancery may summarily determine a corporation’s obligation to advance expenses (including attorneys’ fees). |
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) may be permitted to our directors, officers, and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to the court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, will provide that no director shall be personally liable to us or any of our stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors, except (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, as it may hereafter be amended from time to time, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived and improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, is to eliminate our rights and those of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except as provided above. However, this provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any stockholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.
If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors, then, in accordance with our certificate of incorporation, as amended, the liability of our directors to us or our stockholders will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended, and the certificate of incorporation, as amended. Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, limiting or eliminating the liability of directors, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to further limit or eliminate the liability of directors on a retroactive basis.
Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, will also provide that we will, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify our current and former officers and directors, as well as those persons who, while directors or officers of our corporation, are or were serving as directors, officers, employees or agents of another entity, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by any such person in connection with any such proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person eligible for indemnification pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, as amended, will be indemnified by us in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by our board of directors, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification.
The right to indemnification which will be conferred by our certificate of incorporation, as amended, is a contract right that includes the right to be paid by us the expenses incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding referenced above in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by our officer or director (solely in the capacity as an officer or director of our corporation) will be made only upon delivery to us of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such officer or director, to repay all amounts so advanced if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under our certificate of incorporation, as amended, or otherwise.
The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights which any person covered by our certificate of incorporation, as amended, may have or hereafter acquire under law, our certificate of incorporation, as amended, our bylaws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.
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Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our certificate of incorporation, as amended, affecting indemnification rights, whether by our stockholders or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision. Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, will also permit us, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other that those specifically covered by our certificate of incorporation, as amended.
Our bylaws include the provisions relating to advancement of expenses and indemnification rights consistent with those which will be set forth in our certificate of incorporation, as amended. In addition, our bylaws provide for a right of indemnity to bring a suit in the event a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses is not paid in full by us within a specified period of time. Our bylaws also permit us to purchase and maintain insurance, at our expense, to protect us and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of our corporation or another entity, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
Any repeal or amendment of provisions of our bylaws affecting indemnification rights, whether by our board of directors, stockholders or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provisions inconsistent therewith, will (unless otherwise required by law) be prospective only, except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits us to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis, and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing thereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.
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Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The following exhibits are filed as part of this registration statement.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| * | 2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger and Amalgamation dated December __, 2024 between Athena Gold Corporation and Nova Athena Gold Corp. |
| * | 3.1 | Articles of Incorporation dated September 24, 2024 |
| * | 3.2 | Incorporation Agreement dated September 24, 2024 |
| * | 4.1 | Specimen common stock certificate |
| * | 5.0 | Opinion of Clifford L. Neuman, P.C. |
| * | 21.0 | List of Subsidiaries |
| * | 23.1 | Consent of Clifford L. Neuman, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.0) |
| * | 23.2 | Consent of MaloneBailey, LLP |
| * | 23.3 | Consent of Davidson & Co.LLP |
| * | 107 | Filing Fees |
| ## | 101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document |
| ## | 101.SCH | Inline XBRL Schema Document |
| ## | 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document |
| ## | 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document |
| ## | 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document |
| ## | 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in IXBRL, and included in exhibit 101). |
__________________
* Filed herewith
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UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
i. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
ii. To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
iii. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;
4. That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use;
5. That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form;
6. That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (5) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
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7. To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement through the date of responding to the request; and
8. To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in this registration statement when it became effective.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Bozeman, Montana and Grand Junction, Colorado on November 22, 2024.
| ATHENA GOLD CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ John C. Power | |
| John C. Power | ||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | ||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
| By: | /s/ Ty Minnick | |
| Ty Minnick | ||
| Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | ||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John C. Power his or her true and lawful attorney in fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post effective amendments) to the Registration Statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| SIGNATURE | TITLE | DATE | ||
| /s/ John C. Power | Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | November 22, 2024 | ||
| John C. Power | ||||
| /s/ Ty Minnick | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | November 22, 2024 | ||
| Ty Minnick | ||||
| /s/ John Hiner | Director | November 22, 2024 | ||
| John Hiner | ||||
| /s/ Brian Power | Director | November 22, 2024 | ||
| Brian Power | ||||
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Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND AMALGAMATION
This Agreement and Plan of Merger and Amalgamation (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of ____________, 2024, by and among Athena Gold Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Athena Delaware”), and Nova Athena Gold Corp. a British Columbia, Canada company (“Athena BC”), a subsidiary of Athena Delaware.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. The board of directors of Athena Delaware (the “Board”) and the board of directors of Athena BC (the “BC Board”) have unanimously determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of their stockholders to reorganize the corporate structure of Athena Delaware pursuant to which Athena Delaware shall merge and amalgamate with and into Athena BC with Athena BC as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”).
B. The Board, and the BC Board have unanimously approved the Merger, this Agreement and, to the extent applicable to them, the other transactions described herein or contemplated hereby, pursuant to which Athena BC shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and whereby each outstanding share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Athena Delaware (“Common Stock”), other than those shares of Common Stock held by Athena Delaware in treasury or by any subsidiaries of Athena Delaware (but not any shares held for the benefit of any employee or director benefit plan), shall be converted into the right to receive one common share of Athena BC, without par value (collectively, the “Common Shares”), all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
C. Athena Delaware as the majority shareholder of Athena BC has approved the Merger, this Agreement and, to the extent applicable, the other transactions described herein or contemplated hereby.
D. The Merger requires, among other things, the adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.
E. Athena Delaware and Athena BC intend for the Merger to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”).
F. Athena Delaware and Athena BC further intend for this Agreement to constitute a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the foregoing, of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER AND AMALGAMTION
Section 1.1 The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), at the Effective Time Athena Delaware shall merge with and into Athena BC in accordance with this Agreement and the separate corporate existence of Athena Delaware shall thereupon cease. From and after the Effective Time and in accordance with the DGCL, Athena BC shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”). The Merger shall have the effects set forth in the DGCL.
Section 1.2 Filing Certificate of Merger; Effective Time. As soon as practicable following the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted by applicable law or this Agreement, waiver of the conditions set forth in Article V, and if this Agreement shall not have been terminated as provided in Section 6.1, Athena Delaware and Athena BC shall cause a certificate of merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) meeting the requirements of Section 258 of the DGCL to be properly executed and filed in accordance with such section and otherwise make all other filings or recordings as required by the DGCL in connection with the Merger. The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger (or such later date and time as the parties hereto shall agree, which shall be reflected in the Certificate of Merger) (the “Effective Time”).
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Section 1.3 The Amalgamation. Athena Delaware and Athena BC agree to amalgamate, pursuant to the provisions of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (the “Corporations Act”), and to continue as the Surviving Corporation effective as of the Effective Time, and shall file the Amalgamation Application attached hereto as Schedule “A”. The registered and records office address of the Surviving Corporation shall be located at ________________________________________________ unless changed in accordance with the Corporations Act. The Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares without par value, having attached thereto rights and restrictions. There shall be no restrictions on the business that the Surviving Corporation is authorized to carry on or on the powers the Surviving Corporation may exercise.
ARTICLE II
CHARTER DOCUMENTS;
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF SURVIVING CORPORATION
Section 2.1 Name of the Surviving Corporation. The name of the Surviving Corporation shall be “Athena Gold Corporation”
Section 2.2 Notice of Articles of Amalgamation of the Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, the Notice of Articles of Amalgamation of Athena BC in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Notice of Articles of Amalgamation of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended in accordance with its terms and applicable law.
Section 2.3 Articles of Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, the Articles of Athena BC in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Articles of the Surviving Corporation, until duly amended in accordance with their terms and applicable law.
Section 2.4 Directors of Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, the directors of Athena BC immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation, each such director to serve in such capacity until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal or until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed. The first directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be the persons whose names and addresses appear below:
| Full Name | Prescribed Address |
|
Koby Kushner David Goodman John C. Power Brian E. Power John E. Hiner |
|
Such directors shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Corporation or until their successors are elected or appointed.
Section 2.5 Officers of Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, the officers of Athena BC immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation, each such officer to serve in such capacity until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal or until his or her successor is duly elected or appointed. The full names and offices of the first officers of the Surviving Corporation are:
| Full Name | Officer |
| Koby Kushner | President and CEO |
| David Goodman | Chairman |
|
Ty Minnick John C. Power |
CFO Secretary |
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CANCELLATION AND CONVERSION OF STOCK
Section 3.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any Common Stock in Athena Delaware or the Athena Delaware shareholdings in Athena BC:
(a) Cancellation of Certain Common Stock. Each issued share of Common Stock that is owned or held by Athena Delaware (as a treasury share or otherwise) or by any subsidiaries of Athena Delaware (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Common Stock held in or for the benefit of any employee or director or otherwise held in trust, managed, custodial or nominee accounts and the like, including in respect of any employee or director benefit plans of Athena Delaware or its subsidiaries) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be delivered or deliverable hereunder in connection with such cancellation.
(b) Conversion of Remaining Common Stock. Subject to Section 3.2(m), each outstanding share of Common Stock (other than the issued shares of Common Stock referenced in Section 3.1(a)) shall be converted into and shall become the right to receive one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Common Share.
(c) Equity Incentive Plans. At the Effective Time, all outstanding options, awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units over Common Stock or other rights to purchase, acquire or receive shares of Common Stock (or the right to receive benefits or amounts by reference to those shares or their share price) under any of Athena Delaware’s equity incentive plans, compensation plans and other benefit plans, agreements, awards and other similar arrangements (“Equity Plans”) shall be converted into options, awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units over Common Shares or other rights to purchase, acquire or receive Common Shares (or the right to receive benefits or amounts by reference to Common Shares or their share price), as applicable, on a one-for-one basis, as further described in Article IV.
Section 3.2 Surrender and Exchange of Shares.
(a) Following the date of this Agreement and in any event prior to the Effective Time, Athena BC shall select a bank or trust company to act as exchange agent in connection with the Merger (including any successor and together with any other bank or trust company also selected by the Surviving Corporation, the “Exchange Agent”) for the purpose of delivering or causing to be delivered to each holder of Common Stock those Common Shares and any cash in lieu of fractional interests to which such holder shall become entitled to receive with respect to such holder’s shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Article III. The Exchange Agent shall act as agent for each holder of shares of Common Stock in connection therewith.
(b) The Exchange Agent shall act as the agent for each holder of shares of Common Stock to receive the Common Shares that such holder shall become entitled to receive with respect to such holder’s shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Article III.
(c) At or following the Effective Time, Athena BC shall cause the deposit with the Exchange Agent, from time to time, of (i) such number of Common Shares, in such denominations as the Exchange Agent shall specify, as are deliverable pursuant to Section 3.1 and which, unless Athena BC otherwise determines, shall be deposited with the Exchange Agent through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and (ii) such amount of cash that is payable pursuant to this Article III, in each case in respect of shares of Common Stock for which Certificates (as defined below) are expected to be properly delivered to the Exchange Agent.
(d) Except as the Surviving Corporation and Athena BC shall otherwise determine, all Common Shares and cash in lieu of fractional interests, if any, deliverable in respect of shares of Common Stock held of record (other than such shares held of record by Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC) shall not be delivered to such holders of record directly, but shall be delivered instead to a bank or trust company selected by the Surviving Corporation and Athena BC that is a participant in the facilities of DTC (the “Custodian”), which Custodian shall initially hold such shares for the benefit of such holders.
(e) Promptly after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each record holder of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, a letter of transmittal, which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to any Certificates held by such holder representing such shares of Common Stock shall pass, only upon actual and proper delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent.
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(f) Each holder of shares of Common Stock that are represented by certificates (“Certificates”) shall be entitled to receive in exchange for such holder’s shares of Common Stock that are represented by Certificates (excluding the holders of Dissenting Shares as defined herein), upon surrender to the Exchange Agent of one or more Certificates, together with a letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the number of whole Common Shares into which such holder’s shares of Common Stock represented by such holder’s properly surrendered Certificate(s) were converted in accordance with Section 3.1 and any cash dividends or other distributions that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article III.
(g) If delivery of Common Shares is to be made to a person other than the person in whose name a surrendered Certificate is registered, it shall be a condition of delivery that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or shall be otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such payment or delivery shall have (i) paid to the Exchange Agent any transfer and other taxes required by reason of the delivery of the Common Shares to a person other than the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered or (ii) shall have established to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax either has been paid or is not applicable. Until so surrendered, each Certificate shall, after the Effective Time, represent for all purposes only the right to receive upon such surrender the applicable Common Shares as contemplated by this Article III and any cash dividends or other distributions that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article III.
(h) At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of Athena Delaware shall be closed and thereafter there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding prior to the Effective Time. After the Effective Time, Certificates presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer shall be cancelled and exchanged for the consideration provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Article III.
(i) Any Common Shares to be delivered plus any cash dividend or other distribution that a former holder of shares of Common Stock has the right to receive pursuant to this Article III that remains unclaimed by any former holder of shares of Common Stock after the Effective Time shall be held by the Exchange Agent. Any portion of such securities or funds that remains undistributed to the former holders of shares of Common Stock on the anniversary of the Effective Time shall be delivered to Athena BC’s designee upon demand and any former holder of shares of Common Stock who has not theretofore complied with this Article III shall thereafter look only to Athena BC for payment of any consideration due to it hereunder. None of the Surviving Corporation, Athena BC, the Exchange Agent or any of their affiliates shall be liable to any former holder of shares of Common Stock for any securities properly delivered or any amount properly paid by the Exchange Agent or its nominee, as the case may be, to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property or escheat or similar law nine months after the Effective Time. If any Certificate has not been surrendered prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Time (or immediately prior to an earlier date on which the Common Shares in respect of the Certificate would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any governmental entity), any cash, share dividends and distributions otherwise payable in respect of the Certificate shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of Athena BC, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.
(j) No dividends or other distributions with respect to Common Shares deliverable with respect to the shares of Common Stock shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificates until after those Certificates are surrendered as provided in this Article III. After such surrender, there shall be delivered and/or paid to the holder of the Common Shares delivered in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of surrender, the dividends or other distributions payable with respect to those Common Shares with a record date on or after the date of the Effective Time and a payment date on or prior to the date of such surrender and not previously paid and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the dividends or other distributions payable with respect to those Common Shares with a record date on or after the date of the Effective Time, but with a payment date subsequent to surrender.
(k) No holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to exercise voting or other stockholder rights with respect to Common Shares deliverable with respect to such Common Stock until after such holder has surrendered the Certificates, if any, representing such Common Stock as provided in this Article III.
(l) In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the holder’s compliance with the replacement requirements established by the Exchange Agent, including, if necessary, the posting by the holder of a bond in customary amount as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to the Certificate, the Exchange Agent shall deliver in exchange for the lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the applicable Common Shares deliverable in respect of the shares of Common Stock represented by the Certificate pursuant to this Article III.
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(m) Each holder of shares of Common Stock otherwise entitled to receive a fractional interest in an Common Share pursuant to the terms of this Article III shall be entitled to receive, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2(m), a cash payment (without interest) in lieu of such fractional interest in an Common Share determined by multiplying the fractional interest in an Common Share to which such holder would otherwise be entitled by the closing price for Common Stock as reported on the OTC QB Tier operated by OTC Markets Inc. (“OTCQB”) on the last trading day prior to the date on which the Effective Time occurs. For purposes of this Section 3.2(m), all fractional interests to which a single holder would be entitled shall be aggregated and calculations shall be rounded to three decimal places. Any cash payment in lieu of a fractional interest shall be made in U.S. dollars and shall be rounded to the nearest cent.
(n) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable to any former holder of shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement any amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or under any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate taxing authority, the relevant party shall be treated as though it withheld an appropriate amount of the type of consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any former holder of shares of Common Stock, sold this consideration for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of the consideration at the time of the deemed sale and paid these cash proceeds to the appropriate taxing authority.
Section 3.3 Dissenters’ Rights. Each outstanding share of Common Stock, the holder of which has not approved the Merger transaction and demanded and perfected its demand for payment of the fair value of its shares in accordance with the DGCL applicable corporate laws (“Appraisal Rights”) and has not effectively withdrawn or lost its right to such payment (“Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into or represent a right to receive Common Shares pursuant to Section 3.2(f) hereof, and the holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by the Appraisal Rights. Each holder of Dissenting Shares who becomes entitled to payment for its shares of Common Stock pursuant to Appraisal Rights shall receive payment therefor from the Surviving Corporation (but only after the amount thereof shall have been agreed upon or finally determined pursuant to the Appraisal Rights).
ARTICLE IV
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND COMPENSATION PLANS AND AGREEMENTS
Section 4.1 Assignment and Assumption of Equity Plans.
(a) At the Effective Time, Athena Delaware shall assign to Athena BC, and Athena BC shall adopt and assume the rights and obligations of Athena Delaware under any Athena Delaware Stock Option or Incentive Plans, as amended (the “Incentive Plans”), including for purposes of Athena BC granting new equity awards after the Effective Time, and such other plans, if any, so authorized by the Board (the “Assumed Plans”).
(b) At the Effective Time, Athena Delaware shall assign to Athena BC and Athena BC shall assume all rights and obligations of Athena Delaware with respect to all outstanding equity awards granted under any Equity Plans, including outstanding awards granted under the Incentive Plans, as amended, prior to the Effective Time, unless otherwise determined by the Board or the BC Board.
(c) To the extent an Equity Plan provides for the award of incentive stock options pursuant to Section 422 of the Code, approval of such plan prior to the Effective Time by Athena Delaware, as shareholder of Athena BC, shall be deemed, as of the Effective Time, to constitute shareholder approval of such Equity Plan and the issuance or delivery of Common Shares under the share limitations set forth thereunder for purposes of Section 422(b) of the Code, to the extent such shareholder approval is required. To the extent an Equity Plan is amended for purposes of facilitating compliance with British Columbia law, the Canadian Securities Exchange or otherwise in connection with the Merger, including for purposes of compliance with the exemption applicable to employee share schemes under the Corporations Act from certain provisions contained in the Corporations Act, adoption of this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute shareholder approval of such amendments.
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Section 4.2 Application of Equity Plans to Common Shares. To the extent any Equity Plan provides for the grant, issuance, delivery or purchase of, or otherwise relates to, options, awards of restricted stock or restricted stock units or other rights to purchase, acquire or receive shares of Common Stock (or the right to receive benefits or amounts by reference to those shares or their share price), from and after the Effective Time, Athena BC (or Athena Delaware, if applicable) shall cause such Equity Plan to be amended to provide for the grant, issuance, delivery, acquisition or purchase of, or otherwise relate to Common Shares, as applicable, and all options or awards issued, or benefits available or based upon (including by reference to) the value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock, under such Equity Plans after the Effective Time shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase or receive, or receive payment based on (including by reference to), as applicable, an equal number of Common Shares in accordance with the terms of such Equity Plans. Except as provided in this Section 4.2 and for certain amendments to the Equity Plans to reflect the Merger and comply or facilitate compliance with applicable British Columbia and/or U.S. corporate, regulatory and tax law requirements, including (without limitation) amendments for purposes of compliance with the exemption applicable to employee share schemes under the Corporations Act from certain provisions contained in the Corporations Act, the outstanding options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards or other equity-based awards or benefits available under the terms of any Equity Plan at and following the Effective Time shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as under such Equity Plan and the agreements relating thereto immediately prior to the Effective Time (including, for greater certainty, having the same exercise or measurement price). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of Common Shares, as applicable, issuable or available upon the exercise, payment, issuance or availability of such option, award or benefit immediately after the Effective Time, and the exercise or measurement price of each such option, award or benefit, shall be subject to adjustment by Athena BC, (or Athena Delaware, if applicable) only to the extent necessary to comply with British Columbia and/or U.S. law. The foregoing adjustments shall be made in accordance with British Columbia and/or U.S. law (and administrative practice of applicable governmental authorities), including but not limited to (a) Section 409A of the Code and (b) the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent such provisions are applicable to an option, award, or benefit.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 5.1 Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of Each Party. The obligations of the respective parties hereto to effect the Merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver (if permitted by and subject to applicable law, unless otherwise indicated) of the following conditions:
(a) the adoption of this Agreement shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote thereon;
(b) Athena Delaware shall have obtained any required consents, amendments and/or waivers with respect to its material contracts, and (ii) any other material credit and debt arrangements to which Athena Delaware is a party, to the consummation of the Merger without triggering any acceleration or other material adverse consequences for Athena Delaware or Athena BC or other obligors thereunder;
(c) the Common Shares shall have been authorized for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance and satisfaction of other standard conditions;
(d) Davidson & Company LLP tax counsel to Athena Delaware and Athena BC, shall have delivered a tax opinion, as of the effective date of the Merger, in form and substance acceptable to Athena BC;
(e) the registration statement on Form S-4/A of F-4 (as applicable), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Athena BC in connection with the offer of the Common Shares to be delivered as consideration pursuant to the Merger (the “Registration Statement”), shall have become effective under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and no stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect;
(f) no decree, order or injunction shall have been in effect with respect to the Registration Statement;
(g) no law or order prohibiting or pending lawsuit seeking to prohibit the Merger shall have been issued or filed by any competent U.S., Canada or British Columbia governmental entity;
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(h) other than the filing of the Certificate of Merger provided for under Article I, all material consents and authorizations of, filings or registrations with, and notices to any governmental or regulatory authority required of Athena Delaware, Athena BC or any of their respective subsidiaries to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation any filings required under (i) applicable U.S. state securities and “Blue Sky” laws and (ii) applicable British Columbia securities laws, shall have been obtained or made;
(i) the Common Shares shall have been deemed eligible for deposit, book-entry and clearance services by DTC and its affiliates;
(j) Athena BC has at all times, is and shall be solvent (and this condition shall not be subject to waiver); and
(k) Not in excess of 2% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock shall constitute Dissenting Shares as at the Effective Time of the Merger.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
Section 6.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned by action of the Board at any time prior to or after approval of the adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of Athena Delaware, but before the Effective Time.
Section 6.2 Effect of Termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated as provided in Section 6.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability or obligation on the part of Athena Delaware, Athena BC or any of their affiliates.
Section 6.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time before or after the stockholders of Athena Delaware approve the adoption of this Agreement; provided, however, that after any such adoption by the Athena Delaware stockholders, this Agreement shall not be further amended without the approval of the Athena Delaware stockholders unless any such amendment shall not require the approval of such stockholders under applicable law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Section 6.4 Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the parties hereto may waive compliance with any of the agreements or covenants contained in this Agreement, or may (if permitted by and subject to applicable law) waive any of the conditions to the consummation of the Merger contained in this Agreement. Any agreement to any such waiver on behalf of a party hereto shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party. The failure of any party to this Agreement to assert any of its rights under this Agreement or otherwise shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS
Section 7.1 Rule 16b-3 Approval. Athena Delaware and Athena BC shall take, and cause their respective subsidiaries to take, all such steps as may reasonably be required to cause the transactions contemplated by Section 3.1 and any other dispositions of Athena Delaware equity securities (including derivative securities thereof) or acquisitions of Common Shares (including derivative securities thereof) in connection with this Agreement by each individual who (a) is a director or officer of Athena Delaware, or (b) at the Effective Time, is or shall become a director or officer of Athena BC, to be exempt under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 8.1 Assignment; Binding Effect; Benefit. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise), without the prior written consent of each of the other parties hereto. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
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Section 8.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any documents delivered by the parties hereto in connection (including any subscription agreement between one or more of the parties hereto) herewith constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with respect thereto.
Section 8.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its rules of conflict of laws that would apply any other law.
Section 8.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Each counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but together signed by each of the parties hereto.
Section 8.5 Headings. Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for the convenience of the parties hereto only and shall be given no substantive or interpretative effect whatsoever.
Section 8.6 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined by any court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent possible given the intent of the parties hereto. If such clause or provision cannot be so enforced, such provision shall be stricken from this Agreement and the remainder of this Agreement shall be enforced as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable clause or provision had (to the extent not enforceable) never been contained in this Agreement.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
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The parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date indicated in the first sentence of this Agreement.
| ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION | |
| By: | /s/ |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
| NOVA ATHENA GOLD CORP. | |
| By: | /s/ |
| Name: | |
| Title: | |
(Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger)
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SCHEDULE A
Amalgamation Application
AMALGAMATION APPLICATION
FORM 13 – BC COMPANY
A. INITIAL INFORMATION - When the amalgamation is complete, your company will be a BC limited company.
What kind of company (ies) will be involved in this amalgamation ?
(Check all applicable boxes.)
| X | BC | Company |
| BC | unlimited liability company |
B. NAME OF COMPANY
The amalgamated company is to adopt, as its name, the name of one of the amalgamating companies.
The name of the amalgamating company being adopted is: ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
The incorporation number of that company is:
C. AMALGAMATION STATEMENT – Please indicate the statement applicable to this amalgamation
X Without Court Approval:
This amalgamation has been effected without court approval. A copy of all of the required affidavits under section 277(1) have been obtained and the affidavit obtained from each amalgamating company has been deposited in that company’s records office.
D. AMALGAMATION EFFECTIVE DATE – Choose one of the following:
X The amalgamation is to take effect at the time that this application is filed with the registrar.
E. AMALGAMATING CORPORATIONS
Enter the name of each amalgamating corporation below. For each company, enter the incorporation number. If the amalgamating corporation is a foreign corporation, enter the foreign corporation’s jurisdiction and if registered in BC as an extraprovincial company, enter the extraprovincial company’s registration number. Attach an additional sheet if more space is required.
| NAME OF AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | BC INCORPORTION NUMBER OR EXTRAPROVINCIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER IN BC | FOREIGN CORPORATION’S JURISDICTION | ||
| NOVA ATHENA GOLD CORP. | BC 1503406 | |||
| ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION |
F. FORMALITIES TO AMALGAMATION
If any amalgamating corporation is a foreign corporation, section 275 (1)(b) requires an authorization for the amalgamation from the foreign corporation’s jurisdiction to be filed.
G. CERTIFIED CORRECT - I have read this form and found it to be correct.
This form must be signed by an authorized signing authority for each of the amalgamating companies as set out in Item E.
| NAME OF AUTHORIZED SIGNING AUTHORITY FOR THE AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED SIGNING AUTHORITY FOR THE AMALGAMATING CORPORATION | DATE SIGNED |
Exhibit 3.1
NOVA ATHENA GOLD CORP.
(the “Company”)
| Full Name and Signature of Each Incorporator | Date of signing |
|
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
By: _____________________________________________ Authorized Signatory: John C. Power Chief Executive Officer
|
September 24, 2024
|
Incorporation number: BC1503406
The Company has as its articles the following articles.
ARTICLES
| 1 | INTERPRETATION | 2 |
| 2 | SHARES AND SHARE CERTIFICATES | 2 |
| 3 | ISSUE OF SHARES | 4 |
| 4 | SHARE REGISTERS | 4 |
| 5 | SHARE TRANSFERS | 5 |
| 6 | TRANSMISSION OF SHARES | 6 |
| 7 | PURCHASE OF SHARES | 6 |
| 8 | BORROWING POWERS | 7 |
| 9 | ALTERATIONS | 7 |
| 10 | MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS | 8 |
| 11 | PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS | 10 |
| 12 | VOTES OF SHAREHOLDERS | 13 |
| 13 | DIRECTORS | 16 |
| 14 | ELECTION AND REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS | 18 |
| 15 | ALTERNATE DIRECTORS | 22 |
| 16 | POWERS AND DUTIES OF DIRECTORS | 23 |
| 17 | DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS | 24 |
| 18 | PROCEEDINGS OF DIRECTORS | 25 |
| 19 | EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMITTEES | 27 |
| 20 | OFFICERS | 28 |
| 21 | INDEMNIFICATION | 28 |
| 22 | DIVIDENDS | 29 |
| 23 | DOCUMENTS, RECORDS AND REPORTS | 31 |
| 24 | NOTICES | 31 |
| 25 | SEAL | 32 |
| 26 | PROHIBITIONS | 33 |
| 27 | CHANGE OF REGISTERED AND RECORDS OFFICE | 34 |
| 28 | SPECIAL RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS | 34 |
| 1. | Interpretation |
| 1.1 | Definitions |
In these Articles, unless the context otherwise requires:
| (1) | “appropriate person” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Transfer Act; |
| (2) | “board of directors”, “directors” and “board” mean the directors or sole director of the Company for the time being; |
| (3) | “Business Corporations Act” means the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act; |
| (4) | “Interpretation Act” means the Interpretation Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act; |
| (5) | “legal personal representative” means the personal or other legal representative of the shareholder; |
| (6) | “registered address” of a shareholder means the shareholder’s address as recorded in the central securities register; |
| (7) | “seal” means the seal of the Company, if any; |
| (8) | “Securities Transfer Act” means the Securities Transfer Act (British Columbia) from time to time in force and all amendments thereto and includes all regulations and amendments thereto made pursuant to that Act. |
| 1.2 | Business Corporations Act and Interpretation Act Definitions Applicable |
The definitions in the Business Corporations Act and the definitions and rules of construction in the Interpretation Act, with the necessary changes, so far as applicable, and unless the context requires otherwise, apply to these Articles as if they were an enactment. If there is a conflict between a definition in the Business Corporations Act and a definition or rule in the Interpretation Act relating to a term used in these Articles, the definition in the Business Corporations Act will prevail in relation to the use of the term in these Articles. If there is a conflict between these Articles and the Business Corporations Act, the Business Corporations Act will prevail.
| 2. | Shares and Share Certificates |
| 2.1 | Authorized Share Structure |
The authorized share structure of the Company consists of shares of the class or classes and series, if any, described in the Notice of Articles of the Company.
| 2.2 | Form of Share Certificate |
Each share certificate issued by the Company must comply with, and be signed as required by, the Business Corporations Act.
| 2.3 | Shareholder Entitled to Certificate or Acknowledgment |
Unless the shares of which the shareholder is the registered owner are uncertificated shares, each shareholder is entitled, without charge, to (a) one share certificate representing the shares of each class or series of shares registered in the shareholder’s name or (b) a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain such a share certificate, provided that in respect of a share held jointly by several persons, the Company is not bound to issue more than one share certificate and delivery of a share certificate for a share to one of several joint shareholders or to one of the shareholders’ duly authorized agents will be sufficient delivery to all. The Company or the transfer agent and registrar of the Company must send to a holder of an uncertificated share a written notice containing the information required by the Business Corporations Act within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of such share.
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| 2.4 | Delivery by Mail |
Any share certificate, non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate or written notice of the issue or transfer of an uncertificated share may be sent to the shareholder by mail at the shareholder’s registered address and neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is liable for any loss to the shareholder because the share certificate, acknowledgement or written notice is lost in the mail or stolen.
| 2.5 | Replacement of Worn Out or Defaced Certificate or Acknowledgement |
If the directors are satisfied that a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is worn out or defaced, they must, on production to them of the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, and on such other terms, if any, as they think fit:
| (1) | order the share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, to be cancelled; and |
| (2) | issue a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be. |
| 2.6 | Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificate or Acknowledgment |
If a share certificate or a non-transferable written acknowledgment of a shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement share certificate or acknowledgment, as the case may be, must be issued to the person entitled to that share certificate or acknowledgment, if the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and the Securities Transfer Act are satisfied, as the case may be, if the directors receive:
| (1) | proof satisfactory to them that the share certificate or acknowledgment is lost, stolen or destroyed; and |
| (2) | any indemnity the directors consider adequate. |
| 2.7 | Splitting Share Certificates |
If a shareholder surrenders a share certificate to the Company with a written request that the Company issue in the shareholder’s name two or more share certificates, each representing a specified number of shares and in the aggregate representing the same number of shares as the share certificate so surrendered, the Company must cancel the surrendered share certificate and issue replacement share certificates in accordance with that request.
| 2.8 | Certificate Fee |
There must be paid to the Company, in relation to the issue of any share certificate under Articles 2.5, 2.6 or 2.7, the amount, if any and which must not exceed the amount prescribed under the Business Corporations Act, determined by the directors.
| 2.9 | Recognition of Trusts |
Except as required by law or statute or these Articles, no person will be recognized by the Company as holding any share upon any trust, and the Company is not bound by or compelled in any way to recognize (even when having notice thereof) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any share or fraction of a share or (except as required by law or statute or these Articles or as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction) any other rights in respect of any share except an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the shareholder.
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| 3. | Issue of Shares |
| 3.1 | Directors Authorized |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act and the rights, if any, of the holders of issued shares of the Company, the Company may issue, allot, sell or otherwise dispose of the unissued shares, and issued shares held by the Company, at the times, to the persons, including directors, in the manner, on the terms and conditions and for the issue prices (including any premium at which shares with par value may be issued) that the directors may determine. The issue price for a share with par value must be equal to or greater than the par value of the share.
| 3.2 | Commissions and Discounts |
The Company may at any time, pay a reasonable commission or allow a reasonable discount to any person in consideration of that person purchasing or agreeing to purchase shares of the Company from the Company or any other person or procuring or agreeing to procure purchasers for shares of the Company.
| 3.3 | Brokerage |
The Company may pay such brokerage fee or other consideration as may be lawful for or in connection with the sale or placement of its securities.
| 3.4 | Conditions of Issue |
Except as provided for by the Business Corporations Act, no share may be issued until it is fully paid. A share is fully paid when:
| (1) | consideration is provided to the Company for the issue of the share by one or more of the following: |
| (a) | past services performed for the Company; |
| (b) | property; |
| (c) | money; and |
| (2) | the directors in their discretion have determined that the value of the consideration received by the Company equals or exceeds the issue price set for the share under Article 3.1. |
| 3.5 | Share Purchase Warrants and Rights |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may issue share purchase warrants, options, convertible debentures and rights upon such terms and conditions as the directors determine, which share purchase warrants, options, convertible debentures and rights may be issued alone or in conjunction with debentures, debenture stock, bonds, shares or any other securities issued or created by the Company from time to time.
| 4. | Share Registers |
| 4.1 | Central Securities Register |
As required by and subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must maintain a central securities register and may maintain a branch securities register. The directors may, subject to the Business Corporations Act, appoint an agent to maintain the central securities register or any branch securities register. The directors may also appoint one or more agents, including the agent which keeps the central securities register, as transfer agent for its shares or any class or series of its shares, as the case may be, and the same or another agent as registrar for its shares or such class or series of its shares, as the case may be. The directors may terminate such appointment of any agent at any time and may appoint another agent in its place.
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| 4.2 | Closing Register |
The Company must not at any time close its central securities register.
| 5. | Share Transfers |
| 5.1 | Registering Transfers |
A transfer of a share of the Company must not be registered unless:
| (1) | a duly signed instrument of transfer in respect of the share (which may be a separate document or endorsed on the share certificate for the shares transferred) made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person has been received by the Company; |
| (2) | if a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that share certificate has been surrendered to the Company; |
| (3) | if a non-transferable written acknowledgment of the shareholder’s right to obtain a share certificate has been issued by the Company in respect of the share to be transferred, that acknowledgment has been surrendered to the Company; |
| (4) | in the case of a share that is an uncertificated share, a written instrument of transfer that directs that the transfer of the share be registered, made by the shareholder or other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of that person has been received by the Company; and |
| (5) | such other evidence, if any, as the Company may require to prove the title of the transferor or the transferor’s right to transfer the share, the due signing of the instrument of transfer and the right of the transferee to have the transfer registered have been received by the Company. |
For the purpose of this Article, delivery or surrender to the transfer agent or registrar which maintains the Company's central securities register or a branch securities register, if applicable, will constitute receipt by or surrender to the Company.
| 5.2 | Form of Instrument of Transfer |
The instrument of transfer in respect of any share of the Company must be either in the form, if any, on the back of the Company’s share certificates or in any other form that may be approved by the directors, the transfer agent or registrar for those shares from time to time.
| 5.3 | Transferor Remains Shareholder |
Except to the extent that the Business Corporations Act otherwise provides, the transferor of shares is deemed to remain the holder of the shares until the name of the transferee is entered in a securities register of the Company in respect of the transfer.
| 5.4 | Signing of Instrument of Transfer |
If a shareholder, or his or her duly authorized attorney, signs an instrument of transfer in respect of shares registered in the name of the shareholder, the signed instrument of transfer constitutes a complete and sufficient authority to the Company and its directors, officers and agents to register the number of shares specified in the instrument of transfer or specified in any other manner, or, if no number is specified, all the shares represented by the share certificates or set out in the written acknowledgments deposited with the instrument of transfer, or if the shares are uncertificated shares, then all of the shares registered in the name of the shareholder on the central securities register:
| (1) | in the name of the person named as transferee in that instrument of transfer; or |
| (2) | if no person is named as transferee in that instrument of transfer, in the name of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered. |
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| 5.5 | Enquiry as to Title Not Required |
Neither the Company nor any director, officer or agent of the Company is bound to inquire into the title of the person named in the instrument of transfer as transferee or, if no person is named as transferee in the instrument of transfer, of the person on whose behalf the instrument is deposited for the purpose of having the transfer registered or is liable for any claim related to registering the transfer by the shareholder or by any intermediate owner or holder of the shares, of any interest in the shares, of any share certificate representing such shares or of any written acknowledgment of a right to obtain a share certificate for such shares.
| 5.6 | Transfer Fee |
There must be paid as a fee to the Company, in relation to the registration of any transfer, the amount, if any, to be determined by the directors.
| 6. | Transmission of Shares |
| 6.1 | Legal Personal Representative Recognized on Death |
In case of the death of a shareholder, the legal personal representative, or if the shareholder was a joint holder, the surviving joint holder, will be the only person recognized by the Company as having any title to the shareholder’s interest in the shares. Before recognizing a person as a legal personal representative of the shareholder, the directors may require a declaration of transmission made by the legal personal representative stating the particulars of the transmission, proof of appointment by a court of competent jurisdiction, a grant of letters probate, letters of administration or such other evidence or documents as the directors consider appropriate.
| 6.2 | Rights of Legal Personal Representative |
The legal personal representative of a shareholder has the same rights, privileges and obligations with respect to the shares as were held by the shareholder, including the right to transfer the shares in accordance with these Articles, if appropriate evidence of appointment or incumbency within the meaning of s. 87 of the Securities Transfer Act has been deposited with the Company. This Article 6.2 does not apply in the case of the death of a shareholder with respect to shares registered in the shareholder’s name and the name of another person in joint tenancy.
| 7. | Purchase of Shares |
| 7.1 | Company Authorized to Purchase Shares |
Subject to Article 7.2, the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may, if authorized by resolution of the directors, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares at the price and upon the terms specified in such resolution.
| 7.2 | Purchase When Insolvent |
The Company must not make a payment or provide any other consideration to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its shares if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
| (1) | the Company is insolvent; or |
| (2) | making the payment or providing the consideration would render the Company insolvent. |
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| 7.3 | Redemption of Shares |
If the Company proposes to redeem some but not all of the shares of any class, the directors may, subject to any special rights and restrictions attached to such class of shares, decide the manner in which the shares to be redeemed shall be selected.
| 7.4 | Sale and Voting of Purchased Shares |
If the Company retains a share redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired by it, the Company may sell, gift or otherwise dispose of the share, but, while such share is held by the Company, it:
| (1) | is not entitled to vote the share at a meeting of its shareholders; |
| (2) | must not pay a dividend in respect of the share; and |
| (3) | must not make any other distribution in respect of the share. |
| 8. | Borrowing Powers |
The Company, if authorized by the directors, may:
| (1) | borrow money in the manner and amount, on the security, from the sources and on the terms and conditions that they consider appropriate; |
| (2) | issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations either outright or as security for any liability or obligation of the Company or any other person and at such discounts or premiums and on such other terms as they consider appropriate; |
| (3) | guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person; and |
| (4) | mortgage, charge, whether by way of specific or floating charge, grant a security interest in, or give other security on, the whole or any part of the present and future assets and undertaking of the Company. |
| 8.2 | Bonds, Debentures, Debt |
Any bonds, debentures or other debt obligations of the Company may be issued at a discount, premium or otherwise, or with special privileges as to redemption, surrender, drawing, allotment of or conversion into or exchange for shares or other securities, attending and voting at general meetings of the Company, appointment of directors or otherwise and may, by their terms, be assignable free from any equities between the Company and the person to whom they were issued or any subsequent holder thereof, all as the directors may determine.
| 9. | Alterations |
| 9.1 | Alteration of Authorized Share Structure |
Subject to Article 9.2 and the Business Corporations Act, the Company may:
| (1) | by directors’ resolution or ordinary resolution, in each case as determined by the directors, to: |
| (a) | create one or more classes or series of shares or, if none of the shares of a class or series of shares are allotted or issued, eliminate that class or series of shares; |
| (b) | increase, reduce or eliminate the maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares or establish a maximum number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue out of any class or series of shares for which no maximum is established; |
| (c) | subdivide or consolidate all or any of its unissued, or fully paid issued, shares; |
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| (d) | if the Company is authorized to issue shares of a class of shares with par value: |
| (i) | decrease the par value of those shares; or |
| (ii) | if none of the shares of that class of shares are allotted or issued, increase the par value of those shares; |
| (e) | change all or any of its unissued shares, or fully paid issued, shares with par value into shares without par value or any of its unissued shares share without par value into shares with par value; and |
| (f) | alter the identifying name of any of its shares; and |
| (2) | by ordinary resolution otherwise alter its shares or authorized share structure when required or permitted to do so by the Business Corporations Act; |
and, if applicable, alter its Notice of Articles and, if applicable, alter its Articles accordingly.
| 9.2 | Special Rights and Restrictions |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company may:
| (1) | by director’s resolution or ordinary resolution, in each case as determined by the directors, create special rights or restrictions for, and attach those special rights or restrictions to, the shares of any class or series of shares, if none of those shares have been issued; or vary or delete any special rights or restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, if none of those shares have been issued; and |
| (2) | by special resolution of the shareholders of the class or series affected, do any of the acts in (1) above if any of the shares of the class or series of shares have been issued; |
and alter its Notice of Articles and Articles accordingly.
| 9.3 | Change of Name |
The Company may by resolution of its directors or by ordinary resolution, in each case as determined by the directors, authorize an alteration of its Notice of Articles in order to change its name and may, by directors’ resolution or ordinary resolution, in each case as determined by the directors, adopt or change any translation of that name.
| 9.4 | Other Alterations |
The Company, save as otherwise provided by these Articles and subject to the Business Corporations Act, may:
| (1) | by directors' resolution or by ordinary resolution, in each case as determined by the directors, authorize alterations to the Articles that are procedural or administrative in nature or are matters that pursuant to these Articles are solely within the directors' powers, control or authority; and |
| (2) | if the Business Corporations Act does not specify the type of resolution and these Articles do not specify another type of resolution, by ordinary resolution alter these Articles. |
| 10. | Meetings of Shareholders |
| 10.1 | Annual General Meetings |
Unless an annual general meeting is deferred or waived in accordance with the Business Corporations Act, the Company must hold its first annual general meeting within 18 months after the date on which it was incorporated or otherwise recognized, and after that must hold an annual general meeting at least once in each calendar year and not more than 15 months after the last annual reference date at such time and place as may be determined by the directors.
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| 10.2 | Resolution Instead of Annual General Meeting |
If all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting consent by a unanimous resolution under the Business Corporations Act to all of the business that is required to be transacted at that annual general meeting, the annual general meeting is deemed to have been held on the date of the unanimous resolution. The shareholders must, in any unanimous resolution passed under this Article 10.2, select as the Company’s annual reference date a date that would be appropriate for the holding of the applicable annual general meeting.
| 10.3 | Calling and Locations of Meetings of Shareholders |
The directors may, whenever they think fit, call a meeting of shareholders. A meeting of the Company may be held in the Province of British Columbia or at a location outside British Columbia if that location is:
| (1) | approved by resolution of the directors before the meeting is held; or |
| (2) | approved in writing by the Registrar of Companies before the meeting is held. |
| 10.4 | Notice for Meetings of Shareholders |
Subject to Article 10.2, the Company must send notice of the date, time and location of any meeting of shareholders, in the manner provided in these Articles, or in such other manner, if any, as may be prescribed by directors’ resolution (whether previous notice of the resolution has been given or not), to each shareholder entitled to attend the meeting, to each director and to the auditor of the Company, unless these Articles otherwise provide, at least the following number of days before the meeting:
| (1) | if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days; |
| (2) | otherwise, 10 days. |
| 10.5 | Record Date for Notice |
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is to be held by more than two months or, in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders under the Business Corporations Act, by more than four months. The record date must not precede the date on which the meeting is held by fewer than:
| (1) | if and for so long as the Company is a public company, 21 days; |
| (2) | otherwise, 10 days. |
If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the day immediately preceding the first date on which the notice is sent or, if no notice is sent, the beginning of the meeting.
| 10.6 | Failure to Give Notice and Waiver of Notice |
The accidental omission to send notice of any meeting of shareholders to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any of the persons entitled to notice does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting. Any person entitled to notice of a meeting of shareholders may, in writing or otherwise, waive that entitlement or may agree to reduce the period of notice of such meeting. Attendance of a person at a meeting of shareholders is a waiver of entitlement to notice of the meeting unless that person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
| 10.7 | Notice of Special Business at Meetings of Shareholders |
If a meeting of shareholders is to consider special business within the meaning of Article 11.1, the notice of meeting or a circular prepared in connection with the meeting must:
| (1) | state the general nature of the special business; and |
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| (2) | if the special business includes considering, approving, ratifying, adopting or authorizing any document or the signing of or giving of effect to any document, have attached to it a copy of the document or state that a copy of the document will be available for inspection by shareholders: |
| (a) | at the Company’s head office, or at such other reasonably accessible location in British Columbia as is specified in the notice; and |
| (b) | during statutory business hours on any one or more specified days before the day set for the holding of the meeting; |
or may provide that the document is available by request from the Company or accessible electronically or on a website as determined by the directors.
| 11. | Proceedings at Meetings of Shareholders |
| 11.1 | Special Business |
At a meeting of shareholders, the following business is special business:
| (1) | at a meeting of shareholders that is not an annual general meeting, all business is special business except business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting; |
| (2) | at an annual general meeting, all business is special business except for the following: |
| (a) | business relating to the conduct of or voting at the meeting; |
| (b) | consideration of any financial statements of the Company presented to the meeting; |
| (c) | consideration of any reports of the directors or auditor; |
| (d) | the setting or changing of the number of directors; |
| (e) | the election or appointment of directors; |
| (f) | the appointment of an auditor; |
| (g) | the setting of the remuneration of an auditor; |
| (h) | business arising out of a report of the directors not requiring the passing of a special resolution or an exceptional resolution; |
| (i) | any other business which, under these Articles or the Business Corporations Act, may be transacted at a meeting of shareholders without prior notice of the business being given to the shareholders. |
| 11.2 | Special Majority |
The majority of votes required for the Company to pass a special resolution (when such resolution is required by law) at a meeting of shareholders is two-thirds of the votes cast on the resolution.
| 11.3 | Quorum |
Subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the shares of any class or series of shares, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of shareholders is one shareholder present in person or represented by proxy.
| 11.4 | One Shareholder May Constitute Quorum |
If there is only one shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders:
| (1) | the quorum is one person who is, or who represents by proxy, that shareholder, and |
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| (2) | that shareholder, present in person or by proxy, may constitute the meeting. |
| 11.5 | Other Persons May Attend |
In addition to those persons who are entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders, the only other persons entitled to be present at the meeting are the directors, the president (if any), the secretary (if any), the assistant secretary (if any), any lawyer for the Company, the auditor of the Company and any other persons invited to be present at the meeting by the directors or by the chair of the meeting and any persons entitled or required under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be present at the meeting; but if any of those persons does attend a meeting of shareholders, that person is not to be counted in the quorum and is not entitled to vote at the meeting unless that person is a shareholder or proxy holder entitled to vote at the meeting.
| 11.6 | Requirement of Quorum |
No business, other than the election of a chair of the meeting and the adjournment of the meeting, may be transacted at any meeting of shareholders unless a quorum of shareholders entitled to vote is present at the commencement of the meeting, but such quorum need not be present throughout the meeting.
| 11.7 | Lack of Quorum |
If, within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of a meeting of shareholders, a quorum is not present:
| (1) | in the case of a general meeting requisitioned by shareholders, the meeting is dissolved, and |
| (2) | in the case of any other meeting of shareholders, the meeting stands adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place. |
| 11.8 | Lack of Quorum at Succeeding Meeting |
If, at the meeting to which the meeting referred to in Article 11.7(2) was adjourned, a quorum is not present within one-half hour from the time set for the holding of the meeting, the person or persons present and being, or representing by proxy, one or more shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting constitute a quorum.
| 11.9 | Chair |
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of shareholders:
| (1) | the chair of the board, if any; |
| (2) | if the chair of the board is absent or unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, the president, if any; or |
| (3) | a legal representative of the Company. |
| 11.10 | Selection of Alternate Chair |
If, at any meeting of shareholders, there is no chair of the board or president present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president are unwilling to act as chair of the meeting, or if the chair of the board and the president have advised the secretary, if any, or any director present at the meeting, that they will not be present at the meeting, the directors present must choose a director, officer or corporate counsel to be chair of the meeting or if all of the above persons present decline to take the chair or fail to so choose or if none of the above persons is present, the shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting who are present in person or by proxy may choose any person present at the meeting to chair the meeting.
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| 11.11 | Adjournments |
The chair of a meeting of shareholders may, and if so directed by the meeting must, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business may be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.
| 11.12 | Notice of Adjourned Meeting |
It is not necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted at an adjourned meeting of shareholders except that, when a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given as in the case of the original meeting.
| 11.13 | Decisions by Show of Hands or Poll |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, every motion put to a vote at a meeting of shareholders will be decided on a show of hands unless a poll, before or on the declaration of the result of the vote by show of hands, is directed by the chair or demanded by at least one shareholder entitled to vote who is present in person or by proxy.
| 11.14 | Declaration of Result |
The chair of a meeting of shareholders must declare to the meeting the decision on every question in accordance with the result of the show of hands or the poll, as the case may be, and that decision must be entered in the minutes of the meeting. A declaration of the chair that a resolution is carried by the necessary majority or is defeated is, unless a poll is directed by the chair or demanded under Article 11.13, conclusive evidence without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against the resolution.
| 11.15 | Motion Need Not be Seconded |
No motion proposed at a meeting of shareholders need be seconded unless the chair of the meeting rules otherwise, and the chair of any meeting of shareholders is entitled to propose or second a motion.
| 11.16 | Casting Vote |
In case of an equality of votes, the chair of a meeting of shareholders does not, either on a show of hands or on a poll, have a second or casting vote in addition to the vote or votes to which the chair may be entitled as a shareholder.
| 11.17 | Manner of Taking Poll |
Subject to Article 11.18, if a poll is duly demanded at a meeting of shareholders:
| (1) | the poll must be taken: |
| (a) | at the meeting, or within seven days after the date of the meeting, as the chair of the meeting directs; and |
| (b) | in the manner, at the time and at the place that the chair of the meeting directs; |
| (2) | the result of the poll is deemed to be the decision of the meeting at which the poll is demanded; and |
| (3) | the demand for the poll may be withdrawn by the person who demanded it. |
| 11.18 | Demand for Poll on Adjournment |
A poll demanded at a meeting of shareholders on a question of adjournment must be taken immediately at the meeting.
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| 11.19 | Chair Must Resolve Dispute |
In the case of any dispute as to the admission or rejection of a vote given on a poll, the chair of the meeting must determine the dispute, and his or her determination made in good faith is final and conclusive.
| 11.20 | Casting of Votes |
On a poll, a shareholder entitled to more than one vote need not cast all the votes in the same way.
| 11.21 | Demand for Poll |
No poll may be demanded in respect of the vote by which a chair of a meeting of shareholders is elected.
| 11.22 | Demand for Poll Not to Prevent Continuance of Meeting |
The demand for a poll at a meeting of shareholders does not, unless the chair of the meeting so rules, prevent the continuation of a meeting for the transaction of any business other than the question on which a poll has been demanded.
| 11.23 | Retention of Ballots and Proxies |
The Company must, for at least three months after a meeting of shareholders, keep each ballot cast on a poll and each proxy voted at the meeting, and, during that period, make them available for inspection during normal business hours by any shareholder or proxyholder entitled to vote at the meeting. At the end of such three-month period, the Company may destroy such ballots and proxies.
| 12. | Votes of Shareholders |
| 12.1 | Number of Votes by Shareholder or by Shares |
Subject to any special rights or restrictions attached to any shares and to the restrictions imposed on joint shareholders under Article 12.3:
| (1) | on a vote by show of hands, every person present who is a shareholder or proxy holder and entitled to vote on the matter has one vote; and |
| (2) | on a poll, every shareholder entitled to vote on the matter has one vote in respect of each share entitled to be voted on the matter and held by that shareholder and may exercise that vote either in person or by proxy. |
| 12.2 | Votes of Persons in Representative Capacity |
A person who is not a shareholder may vote at a meeting of shareholders, whether on a show of hands or on a poll, and may appoint a proxy holder to act at the meeting, if, before doing so, the person satisfies the chair of the meeting, or the directors, that the person is a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy for a shareholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting.
| 12.3 | Votes by Joint Holders |
If there are joint shareholders registered in respect of any share:
| (1) | any one of the joint shareholders may vote at any meeting, either personally or by proxy, in respect of the share as if that joint shareholder were solely entitled to it; or |
| (2) | if more than one of the joint shareholders is present at any meeting, personally or by proxy, and more than one of them votes in respect of that share, then only the vote of the joint shareholder present whose name stands first on the central securities register in respect of the share will be counted. |
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| 12.4 | Legal Personal Representatives as Joint Shareholders |
Two or more legal personal representatives of a shareholder in whose sole name any share is registered are, for the purposes of Article 12.3, deemed to be joint shareholders registered in respect of that share.
| 12.5 | Representative of a Corporate Shareholder |
If a corporation, that is not a subsidiary of the Company, is a shareholder, that corporation may appoint a person to act as its representative at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, and:
| (1) | for that purpose, the instrument appointing a representative must: |
| (a) | be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice for the receipt of proxies, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting; or |
| (b) | at the discretion of the chair, be provided, at the meeting, to the chair of the meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting; |
| (2) | if a representative is appointed under this Article 12.5: |
| (a) | the representative is entitled to exercise in respect of and at that meeting the same rights on behalf of the corporation that the representative represents as that corporation could exercise if it were a shareholder who is an individual, including, without limitation, the right to appoint a proxy holder; and |
| (b) | the representative, if present at the meeting, is to be counted for the purpose of forming a quorum and is deemed to be a shareholder present in person at the meeting. |
Evidence of the appointment of any such representative may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a corporation that is a shareholder may appoint a proxy holder.
| 12.6 | Proxy Provisions Do Not Apply to All Companies |
Articles 12.7 to 12.15 do not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company or a pre- existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of its Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.
| 12.7 | Appointment of Proxy Holders |
Every shareholder of the Company, including a corporation that is a shareholder but not a subsidiary of the Company, entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders may, by proxy, appoint up to two proxy holders to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the powers conferred by the proxy.
| 12.8 | Alternate Proxy Holders |
A shareholder may appoint one or more alternate proxy holders to act in the place of an absent proxy holder.
| 12.9 | When Proxy Holder Need Not Be Shareholder |
A person must not be appointed as a proxy holder unless the person is a shareholder, although a person who is not a shareholder may be appointed as a proxy holder if:
| (1) | the person appointing the proxy holder is a corporation or a representative of a corporation appointed under Article 12.5; |
| (2) | the Company has at the time of the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed only one shareholder entitled to vote at the meeting; or |
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| (3) | the shareholders present in person or by proxy at and entitled to vote at the meeting for which the proxy holder is to be appointed, by a resolution on which the proxy holder is not entitled to vote but in respect of which the proxy holder is to be counted in the quorum, permit the proxy holder to attend and vote at the meeting. |
| 12.10 | Deposit of Proxy |
A proxy for a meeting of shareholders must:
| (1) | be received at the registered office of the Company or at any other place specified, in the notice calling the meeting, for the receipt of proxies, at least the number of business days specified in the notice, or if no number of days is specified, two business days before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting; or |
| (2) | unless the notice provides otherwise, be provided, at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, to the chair of the meeting or any adjourned meeting or to a person designated by the chair of the meeting or any adjourned meeting. |
A proxy may be sent to the Company by written instrument, fax or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages.
| 12.11 | Validity of Proxy Vote |
A vote given in accordance with the terms of a proxy is valid notwithstanding the death or incapacity of the shareholder giving the proxy and despite the revocation of the proxy or the revocation of the authority under which the proxy is given, unless notice in writing of that death, incapacity or revocation is received:
| (1) | at the registered office of the Company, at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or |
| (2) | by the chair of the meeting or any adjourned meeting, before the vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken. |
| 12.12 | Form of Proxy |
A proxy, whether for a specified meeting or otherwise, must be either in the following form or in any other form approved by the directors or the chair of the meeting:
[name of company]
(the “Company”)
The undersigned, being a shareholder of the Company, hereby appoints [name] or, failing that person, [name], as proxy holder for the undersigned to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the undersigned at the meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on [month, day, year] and at any adjournment of that meeting.
Number of shares in respect of which this proxy is given (if no number is specified, then this proxy if given in respect of all shares registered in the name of the shareholder):
________________
Signed [month, day, year]
_____________________________________
[Signature of shareholder]
_____________________________________
[Name of shareholder—printed]
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| 12.13 | Revocation of Proxy |
Subject to Article 12.14, every proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing that is:
| (1) | received at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day before the day set for the holding of the meeting or any adjourned meeting at which the proxy is to be used; or |
| (2) | provided, at the meeting or any adjourned meeting, to the chair of the meeting or any adjourned meeting, before any vote in respect of which the proxy has been given has been taken. |
| 12.14 | Revocation of Proxy Must Be Signed |
An instrument referred to in Article 12.13 must be signed as follows:
| (1) | if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is an individual, the instrument must be signed by the shareholder or his or her legal personal representative or trustee in bankruptcy; |
| (2) | if the shareholder for whom the proxy holder is appointed is a corporation, the instrument must be signed by the corporation or by a representative appointed for the corporation under Article 12.5. |
| 12.15 | Production of Evidence of Authority to Vote |
The chair of any meeting of shareholders may, but need not, inquire into the authority of any person to vote at the meeting and may, but need not, demand from that person production of evidence as to the existence of the authority to vote.
| 12.16 | Electronic Meetings and Voting |
The directors may determine that a meeting of shareholders shall be held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility that permits all participants to communicate with each other during the meeting, and any vote at that meeting of shareholders shall be held entirely by means of that communication facility. A meeting of shareholders may also be held at which some, but not all, persons entitled to attend may participate and vote by means of such a communication facility, if the directors determine to make one available. A person participating in a meeting by such means is deemed to be present at the meeting. Any vote at a meeting of shareholders may be also held entirely by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility, if the directors determine to make one available, even if none of the persons entitled to attend otherwise participates in the meeting by means of a communication facility. For the purpose of voting, a communication facility that is made available by the Company must enable the votes to be gathered in a manner that adequately discloses the intentions of the shareholders and permits a proper tally of the votes to be presented to the Company. The instructing of proxy holders may be carried out by means of telephonic, electronic or other communication facility in addition to or in substitution for instructing proxy holders by mail.
| 13. | Directors |
| 13.1 | First Directors; Number of Directors |
The first directors are the persons designated as directors of the Company in the Notice of Articles that applies to the Company when it is recognized under the Business Corporations Act. The number of directors, excluding additional directors appointed under Article 14.8, is set at:
| (1) | subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the number of directors that is equal to the number of the Company’s first directors; |
| (2) | if the Company is a public company, the greater of three and the most recently set of: |
| (a) | the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and |
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| (b) | the number of directors set under Article 14.4; |
| (3) | if the Company is not a public company, the most recently set of: |
| (a) | the number of directors set by ordinary resolution (whether or not previous notice of the resolution was given); and |
| (b) | the number of directors set under Article 14.4. |
| 13.2 | Change in Number of Directors |
If the number of directors is set under Articles 13.1(2)(a) or 13.1(3)(a):
| (1) | the shareholders may elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number; |
| (2) | if the shareholders do not elect or appoint the directors needed to fill any vacancies in the board of directors up to that number contemporaneously with the setting of that number, then the directors, subject to Article 14.8, may appoint, or the shareholders may elect or appoint, directors to fill those vacancies. |
| 13.3 | Directors’ Acts Valid Despite Vacancy |
An act or proceeding of the directors is not invalid merely because fewer than the number of directors set or otherwise required under these Articles is in office.
| 13.4 | Qualifications of Directors |
A director is not required to hold a share in the capital of the Company as qualification for his or her office but must be qualified as required by the Business Corporations Act to become, act or continue to act as a director.
| 13.5 | Remuneration of Directors |
The directors are entitled to the remuneration for acting as directors, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the directors, if any, will be determined by the shareholders. That remuneration may be in addition to any salary or other remuneration paid to any officer or employee of the Company as such, who is also a director.
| 13.6 | Reimbursement of Expenses of Directors |
The Company must reimburse each director for the reasonable expenses that he or she may incur in and about the business of the Company.
| 13.7 | Special Remuneration for Directors |
If any director performs any professional or other services for the Company that in the opinion of the directors are outside the ordinary duties of a director, or if any director is otherwise specially occupied in or about the Company’s business, he or she may be paid remuneration fixed by the directors, or, at the option of that director, fixed by ordinary resolution, and such remuneration may be either in addition to, or in substitution for, any other remuneration that he or she may be entitled to receive.
| 13.8 | Gratuity, Pension or Allowance on Retirement of Director |
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, the directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any director who has held any salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his or her spouse or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.
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| 14. | Election and Removal of Directors |
| 14.1 | Election at Annual General Meeting |
At every annual general meeting and in every unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2:
| (1) | the shareholders entitled to vote at the annual general meeting for the election of directors must elect, or in the unanimous resolution appoint, a board of directors consisting of the number of directors for the time being set under these Articles; and |
| (2) | all the directors cease to hold office immediately before the election or appointment of directors under paragraph (1), but are eligible for re-election or re-appointment. |
| 14.2 | Consent to be a Director |
No election, appointment or designation of an individual as a director is valid unless:
| (1) | that individual consents to be a director in the manner provided for in the Business Corporations Act; |
| (2) | that individual is elected or appointed at a meeting at which the individual is present and the individual does not refuse, at the meeting, to be a director; or |
| (3) | with respect to first directors, the designation is otherwise valid under the Business Corporations Act. |
| 14.3 | Failure to Elect or Appoint Directors |
If:
| (1) | the Company fails to hold an annual general meeting, and all the shareholders who are entitled to vote at an annual general meeting fail to pass the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, on or before the date by which the annual general meeting is required to be held under the Business Corporations Act; or |
| (2) | the shareholders fail, at the annual general meeting or in the unanimous resolution contemplated by Article 10.2, to elect or appoint any directors; |
then each director then in office continues to hold office until the earlier of:
| (3) | the date on which his or her successor is elected or appointed; and |
| (4) | the date on which he or she otherwise ceases to hold office under the Business Corporations Act or these Articles. |
| 14.4 | Places of Retiring Directors Not Filled |
If, at any meeting of shareholders at which there should be an election of directors, the places of any of the retiring directors are not filled by that election, those retiring directors who are not re-elected and who are asked by the newly elected directors to continue in office will, if willing to do so, continue in office to complete the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles until further new directors are elected at a meeting of shareholders convened for that purpose. If any such election or continuance of directors does not result in the election or continuance of the number of directors for the time being set pursuant to these Articles, the number of directors of the Company is deemed to be set at the number of directors actually elected or continued in office.
| 14.5 | Directors May Fill Casual Vacancies |
Any casual vacancy occurring in the board of directors may be filled by the directors.
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| 14.6 | Remaining Directors Power to Act |
The directors may act notwithstanding any vacancy in the board of directors, but if the Company has fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the directors may only act for the purpose of appointing directors up to that number or of summoning a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of filling any vacancies on the board of directors or, subject to the Business Corporations Act, for any other purpose.
| 14.7 | Shareholders May Fill Vacancies |
If the Company has no directors or fewer directors in office than the number set pursuant to these Articles as the quorum of directors, the shareholders may elect or appoint directors to fill any vacancies on the board of directors.
| 14.8 | Additional Directors |
Notwithstanding Articles 13.1 and 13.2, between annual general meetings or unanimous resolutions contemplated by Article 10.2, the directors may appoint one or more additional directors, but the number of additional directors appointed under this Article 14.8 must not at any time exceed:
| (1) | one-third of the number of first directors, if, at the time of the appointments, one or more of the first directors have not yet completed their first term of office; or |
| (2) | in any other case, one-third of the number of the current directors who were elected or appointed as directors other than under this Article 14.8. |
Any director so appointed ceases to hold office immediately before the next election or appointment of directors under Article 14.1(1), but is eligible for re-election or re-appointment.
| 14.9 | Ceasing to be a Director |
A director ceases to be a director when:
| (1) | the term of office of the director expires; |
| (2) | the director dies; |
| (3) | the director resigns as a director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; or |
| (4) | the director is removed from office pursuant to Articles 14.10 or 14.11. |
| 14.10 | Removal of Director by Shareholders |
The Company may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office by special resolution. In that event, the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill the resulting vacancy. If the shareholders do not elect or appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy contemporaneously with the removal, then the directors may appoint or the shareholders may elect, or appoint by ordinary resolution, a director to fill that vacancy.
| 14.11 | Removal of Director by Directors |
The directors may remove any director before the expiration of his or her term of office if the director is convicted of an indictable offence, or if the director ceases to be qualified to act as a director of a company and does not promptly resign, and the directors may appoint a director to fill the resulting vacancy.
| 14.12 | Nomination of Director by Shareholders |
Shareholders may nominate individuals for election as a director of the Company at any meeting of shareholders only if notice of said nomination is delivered to the President of the Company at least 15 days prior to the meeting of shareholders.
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| 14.13 | Nominations of Directors |
Only persons who are eligible under the Business Corporations Act and who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Company:
| (1) | nominations of persons for election to the board may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders or at any special meeting of shareholders if one of the purposes for which the special meeting was called was the election of directors: |
| (a) | by or at the direction of the board, including pursuant to a notice of meeting; |
| (b) | by or at the direction or request of one or more shareholders pursuant to a proposal made in accordance with Division 7 of Part 5 of the Business Corporations Act, or a requisition of the shareholders made in accordance with section 167 the Business Corporations Act; or |
| (c) | by any person (a “Nominating Shareholder”): |
| (i) | who, at the close of business on the date of the giving by the Nominating Shareholder of the notice provided for below in this Article 14.13 and at the close of business on the record date for notice of such meeting, is entered in the Company’s securities register as a holder of one or more common shares carrying the right to vote at such meeting or who beneficially owns shares that are entitled to be voted at such meeting; and |
| (ii) | who complies with the notice procedures set forth below in this Article 14.13; |
| (2) | in addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a Nominating Shareholder, the Nominating Shareholder must have given timely (in accordance with paragraph (3) below) notice thereof in proper written form (in accordance with paragraph (4) below) to the Secretary of the Company at the head office of the Company; |
| (3) | to be timely, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Company must be made: |
| (a) | in the case of an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 30 nor more than 65 days prior to the date of the annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting of shareholders is to be held on a date that is less than 50 days after the date (the “Notice Date”) on which the first public announcement (as defined below) of the date of the annual meeting was made, notice by the Nominating Shareholder may be made not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the Notice Date; and |
| (b) | in the case of a special meeting (which is not also an annual meeting) of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors (whether or not called for other purposes), not later than the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) day following the day on which the first public announcement (as defined below) of the date of the special meeting of shareholders was made, |
the time periods for giving a Nominating Shareholder notice set forth above shall in all cases be determined based on the original date of the applicable annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders and, in no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a meeting of shareholders or the reconvening of any adjourned or postponed meeting of shareholders, or the announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a Nominating Shareholder's notice as described above;
| (4) | to be in proper written form, a Nominating Shareholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Company must set forth: |
| (a) | the effective date of the information in the Nominating Shareholder’s notice, which date shall be within 10 calendar days of the date of delivery of such notice to the Company; |
| (b) | as to each person whom the Nominating Shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director: |
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| (i) | the name, age, business address and residential address of the person; |
| (ii) | the present principal occupation, business or employment of the person within the preceding five years, as well as the name and principal business of any company in which such employment is carried on; |
| (iii) | the citizenship of such person; |
| (iv) | the class or series and number of shares in the capital of the Company which are controlled or which directly or indirectly controlled or directed or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person as of the record date for the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and as of the date of such notice; |
| (v) | the amount and material terms of any other securities, including any options, warrants or convertible securities, in the capital of the Company, which are controlled or which are owned beneficially or of record by the person as of the record date of the meeting of shareholders (if such date shall then have been made publicly available and shall have occurred) and also as of the date of such notice; |
| (vi) | confirmation that the person meets the qualifications of directors set out in the Business Corporations Act; |
| (vii) | a personal information form in the form prescribed by the principal stock exchange on which the shares of the Company then trade; and |
| (viii) | any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws (as defined below); |
| (c) | as to the Nominating Shareholder giving the notice, full particulars regarding any proxy, contract, agreement, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such Nominating Shareholder has a right to vote or direct the voting of any shares of the Company and any other information relating to such Nominating Shareholder that would be required to be included in a dissident’s proxy circular in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to the Business Corporations Act and Applicable Securities Laws (as defined below); |
| (5) | the Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Company or that would reasonably be expected to be material to a reasonable shareholder’s understanding of the independence and/or qualifications, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee; |
| (6) | no person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Article 14.13; provided, however, that nothing in this Article 14.13 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by a shareholder (as distinct from the nomination of directors) at a meeting of shareholders of any matter that is properly before such meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Business Corporations Act or at the discretion of the Chairman; and the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the foregoing provisions and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with such foregoing provisions, to declare that such defective nomination shall be disregarded; |
| (7) | for purposes of this Article 14.13: |
| (a) | “Applicable Securities Laws” means the applicable securities legislation of each relevant province and territory of Canada, as amended from time to time, the rules, regulations and forms made or promulgated under any such statute and the published national instruments, multilateral instruments, policies, bulletins and notices of the securities commission and similar regulatory authority of each province and territory of Canada; and |
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| (b) | “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service in Canada, or in a document publicly filed by the Company under its profile on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedarplus.ca; and |
| (8) | notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, notice given to the Secretary of the Company pursuant to this Article 14.13 may only be given by personal delivery, facsimile transmission or by email (at such email address as stipulated from time to time by the Secretary of the Company for purposes of this notice), and shall be deemed to have been given and made only at the time it is served by personal delivery, email (at the address as aforesaid) or sent by facsimile transmission (provided that receipt of confirmation of such transmission has been received) to the Secretary at the address of the head office of the Company; provided that if such delivery or electronic communication is made on a day which is a not a business day, or later than 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on a day which is a business day, then such delivery or electronic communication shall be deemed to have been made on the subsequent day that is a business day; and |
| (9) | notwithstanding the foregoing, the board may, in its sole discretion, waive any requirement in this Article 14.13. |
| 15. | Alternate Directors |
| 15.1 | Appointment of Alternate Director |
Any director (an “appointor”) may by notice in writing received by the Company appoint any person (an “appointee”) who is qualified to act as a director to be his or her alternate to act in his or her place at meetings of the directors or committees of the directors at which the appointor is not present unless (in the case of an appointee who is not a director) the directors have reasonably disapproved the appointment of such person as an alternate director and have given notice to that effect to his or her appointor within a reasonable time after the notice of appointment is received by the Company.
| 15.2 | Notice of Meetings |
Every alternate director so appointed is entitled to notice of meetings of the directors and of committees of the directors of which his or her appointor is a member and to attend and vote as a director at any such meetings at which his or her appointor is not present.
| 15.3 | Alternate for More Than One Director Attending Meetings |
A person may be appointed as an alternate director by more than one director, and an alternate director:
| (1) | will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of directors once for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, once more in that capacity; |
| (2) | has a separate vote at a meeting of directors for each of his or her appointors and, in the case of an appointee who is also a director, an additional vote in that capacity; |
| (3) | will be counted in determining the quorum for a meeting of a committee of directors once for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, once more in that capacity; |
| (4) | has a separate vote at a meeting of a committee of directors for each of his or her appointors who is a member of that committee and, in the case of an appointee who is also a member of that committee as a director, an additional vote in that capacity. |
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| 15.4 | Consent Resolutions |
Every alternate director, if authorized by the notice appointing him or her, may sign in place of his or her appointor any resolutions to be consented to in writing.
| 15.5 | Alternate Director Not an Agent |
Every alternate director is deemed not to be the agent of his or her appointor.
| 15.6 | Revocation of Appointment of Alternate Director |
An appointor may at any time, by notice in writing received by the Company, revoke the appointment of an alternate director appointed by him or her.
| 15.7 | Ceasing to be an Alternate Director |
The appointment of an alternate director ceases when:
| (1) | his or her appointor ceases to be a director and is not promptly re-elected or re-appointed; |
| (2) | the alternate director dies; |
| (3) | the alternate director resigns as an alternate director by notice in writing provided to the Company or a lawyer for the Company; |
| (4) | the alternate director ceases to be qualified to act as a director; or |
| (5) | his or her appointor revokes the appointment of the alternate director. |
| 15.8 | Remuneration and Expenses of Alternate Director |
The Company may reimburse an alternate director for the reasonable expenses that would be properly reimbursed if he or she were a director, and the alternate director is entitled to receive from the Company such proportion, if any, of the remuneration otherwise payable to the appointor as the appointor may from time to time direct.
| 16. | Powers and Duties of Directors |
| 16.1 | Powers of Management |
The directors must, subject to the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, manage or supervise the management of the business and affairs of the Company and have the authority to exercise all such powers of the Company as are not, by the Business Corporations Act or by these Articles, required to be exercised by the shareholders of the Company.
| 16.2 | Appointment of Attorney of Company |
The directors may from time to time, by power of attorney or other instrument, under seal if so required by law, appoint any person to be the attorney of the Company for such purposes, and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the directors under these Articles and excepting the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors, to remove a director, to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors, to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors and to declare dividends) and for such period, and with such remuneration and subject to such conditions as the directors may think fit. Any such power of attorney may contain such provisions for the protection or convenience of persons dealing with such attorney as the directors think fit. Any such attorney may be authorized by the directors to sub-delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions for the time being vested in him or her.
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| 17. | Disclosure of Interest of Directors AND OFFICERS |
| 17.1 | Obligation to Account for Profits |
A director or senior officer who holds a disclosable interest (as that term is used in the Business Corporations Act) in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is liable to account to the Company for any profit that accrues to the director or senior officer under or as a result of the contract or transaction only if and to the extent provided in the Business Corporations Act.
| 17.2 | Restrictions on Voting by Reason of Interest |
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter is not entitled to vote on any directors’ resolution to approve that contract or transaction, unless all the directors have a disclosable interest in that contract or transaction, in which case any or all of those directors may vote on such resolution.
| 17.3 | Interested Director Counted in Quorum |
A director who holds a disclosable interest in a contract or transaction into which the Company has entered or proposes to enter and who is present at the meeting of directors at which the contract or transaction is considered for approval may be counted in the quorum at the meeting whether or not the director votes on any or all of the resolutions considered at the meeting.
| 17.4 | Disclosure of Conflict of Interest or Property |
A director or senior officer who holds any office or possesses any property, right or interest that could result, directly or indirectly, in the creation of a duty or interest that materially conflicts with that individual’s duty or interest as a director or senior officer, must disclose the nature and extent of the conflict as required by the Business Corporations Act.
| 17.5 | Director Holding Other Office in the Company |
A director may hold any office or place of profit with the Company, other than the office of auditor of the Company, in addition to his or her office of director for the period and on the terms (as to remuneration or otherwise) that the directors may determine.
| 17.6 | No Disqualification |
No director or intended director is disqualified by his or her office from contracting with the Company either with regard to the holding of any office or place of profit the director holds with the Company or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, and no contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which a director is in any way interested is liable to be voided merely because:
| (1) | a director or senior officer of the company has an interest, direct or indirect, in the contract or transaction; |
| (2) | a director of senior officer of the company has not disclosed an interest he or she has in the contract or transaction; or |
| (3) | the directors or shareholders of the company have not approved the contract or transaction in which a director or senior officer of the company has an interest. |
| 17.7 | Professional Services by Director or Officer |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, a director or officer, or any person in which a director or officer has an interest, may act in a professional capacity for the Company, except as auditor of the Company, and the director or officer or such person is entitled to remuneration for professional services as if that director or officer were not a director or officer.
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| 17.8 | Director or Officer in Other Corporations |
A director or officer may be or become a director, officer or employee of, or otherwise interested in, any person in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder or otherwise, and, subject to the Business Corporations Act, the director or officer is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him or her as director, officer or employee of, or from his or her interest in, such other person.
| 18. | Proceedings of Directors |
| 18.1 | Meetings of Directors |
The directors may meet together for the conduct of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit, and meetings of the directors held at regular intervals may be held at the place, at the time and on the notice, if any, as the directors may from time to time determine.
| 18.2 | Voting at Meetings |
Questions arising at any meeting of directors are to be decided by a majority of votes and, in the case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote.
| 18.3 | Chair of Meetings |
The following individual is entitled to preside as chair at a meeting of directors:
| (1) | the chair of the board, if any; |
| (2) | in the absence of the chair of the board, the president, if any, if the president is a director; or |
| (3) | any other director chosen by the directors if: |
| (a) | neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is present at the meeting within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting; |
| (b) | neither the chair of the board nor the president, if a director, is willing to chair the meeting; or |
| (c) | the chair of the board and the president, if a director, have advised the secretary, if any, or any other director, that they will not be present at the meeting. |
| 18.4 | Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Medium |
A director may participate in a meeting of the directors or of any committee of the directors in person, by telephone or with the consent of all directors participating in the meeting, by other communications medium, if all directors participating in the meeting, whether in person or by telephone or other communications medium, are able to communicate with each other. A director who participates in a meeting in a manner contemplated by this Article 18.4 is deemed for all purposes of the Business Corporations Act and these Articles to be present at the meeting and to have agreed to participate in that manner.
| 18.5 | Calling of Meetings |
A director may, and the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company, if any, on the request of a director must, call a meeting of the directors at any time.
| 18.6 | Notice of Meetings |
Other than for meetings held at regular intervals as determined by the directors pursuant to Article 18.1, reasonable notice of each meeting of the directors, specifying the place, day and time of that meeting must be given to each of the directors and the alternate directors by any method set out in Article 24.1 or orally or by telephone.
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| 18.7 | When Notice Not Required |
It is not necessary to give notice of a meeting of the directors to a director or an alternate director if:
| (1) | the meeting is to be held immediately following a meeting of shareholders at which that director was elected or appointed, or is the meeting of the directors at which that director is appointed; or |
| (2) | the director or alternate director, as the case may be, has waived notice of the meeting. |
| 18.8 | Meeting Valid Despite Failure to Give Notice |
The accidental omission to give notice of any meeting of directors to, or the non-receipt of any notice by, any director or alternate director, does not invalidate any proceedings at that meeting.
| 18.9 | Waiver of Notice of Meetings |
Any director or alternate director may send to the Company a document signed by him or her waiving notice of any past, present or future meeting or meetings of the directors and may at any time withdraw that waiver with respect to meetings held after that withdrawal. After sending a waiver with respect to all future meetings and until that waiver is withdrawn, no notice of any meeting of the directors need be given to that director and, unless the director otherwise requires by notice in writing to the Company, to his or her alternate director, and all meetings of the directors so held are deemed not to be improperly called or constituted by reason of notice not having been given to such director or alternate director. Attendance of a director or alternate director at a meeting of directors is a waiver of notice of the meeting unless that director or alternate director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transfer of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully called.
| 18.10 | Quorum |
The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the directors may be set by the directors and, if not so set, is deemed to be set at two directors or, if the number of directors is set at one, is deemed to be set at one director, and that director may constitute a meeting.
| 18.11 | Validity of Acts Where Appointment Defective |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, an act of a director or officer is not invalid merely because of an irregularity in the election or appointment or a defect in the qualification of that director or officer.
| 18.12 | Consent Resolutions in Writing |
A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors may be passed without a meeting:
| (1) | in all cases, if each of the directors entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in writing; or |
| (2) | in the case of a resolution to approve a contract or transaction in respect of which a director has disclosed that he or she has or may have a disclosable interest, if each of the other directors who are entitled to vote on the resolution consents to it in writing. |
A consent in writing under this Article may be by signed document, fax, email or any other method of transmitting legibly recorded messages. A consent in writing may be in two or more counterparts which together are deemed to constitute one consent in writing. A resolution of the directors or of any committee of the directors passed in accordance with this Article 18.12 is effective on the date stated in the consent in writing or on the latest date stated on any counterpart and is deemed to be a proceeding at a meeting of directors or of the committee of the directors and to be as valid and effective as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors or of the committee of the directors that satisfies all the requirements of the Business Corporations Act and all the requirements of these Articles relating to meetings of the directors or of a committee of the directors.
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| 19. | Executive and Other Committees |
| 19.1 | Appointment and Powers of Executive Committee |
The directors may, by resolution, appoint an executive committee consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate, and this committee has, during the intervals between meetings of the board of directors, all of the directors’ powers, except:
| (1) | the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors; |
| (2) | the power to remove a director; |
| (3) | the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and |
| (4) | such other powers, if any, as may be set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution. |
| 19.2 | Appointment and Powers of Other Committees |
The directors may, by resolution:
| (1) | appoint one or more committees (other than the executive committee) consisting of the director or directors that they consider appropriate; |
| (2) | delegate to a committee appointed under paragraph (1) any of the directors’ powers, except: |
| (a) | the power to fill vacancies in the board of directors; |
| (b) | the power to remove a director; |
| (c) | the power to change the membership of, or fill vacancies in, any committee of the directors; and |
| (d) | the power to appoint or remove officers appointed by the directors; and |
| (3) | make any delegation referred to in paragraph (2) subject to the conditions set out in the resolution or any subsequent directors’ resolution. |
| 19.3 | Obligations of Committees |
Any committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2, in the exercise of the powers delegated to it, must:
| (1) | conform to any rules that may from time to time be imposed on it by the directors; and |
| (2) | report every act or thing done in exercise of those powers at such times and such manner and form as the directors may require. |
| 19.4 | Powers of Board |
The directors may, at any time, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:
| (1) | revoke or alter the authority given to the committee, or override a decision made by the committee, except as to acts done before such revocation, alteration or overriding; |
| (2) | terminate the appointment of, or change the membership of, the committee; and |
| (3) | fill vacancies in the committee. |
| 19.5 | Committee Meetings |
Subject to Article 19.3(1) and unless the directors otherwise provide in the resolution appointing the committee or in any subsequent resolution, with respect to a committee appointed under Articles 19.1 or 19.2:
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| (1) | the committee may meet and adjourn as it thinks proper; |
| (2) | the committee may elect a chair of its meetings but, if no chair of a meeting is elected, or if at a meeting the chair of the meeting is not present within 15 minutes after the time set for holding the meeting, the directors present who are members of the committee may choose one of their number to chair the meeting; |
| (3) | a majority of the members of the committee constitutes a quorum of the committee; and |
| (4) | questions arising at any meeting of the committee are determined by a majority of votes of the members present, and in case of an equality of votes, the chair of the meeting does not have a second or casting vote. |
| 20. | Officers |
| 20.1 | Directors May Appoint Officers |
The directors may, from time to time, appoint such officers, if any, as the directors determine and the directors may, at any time, terminate any such appointment.
| 20.2 | Functions, Duties and Powers of Officers |
The directors may, for each officer:
| (1) | determine the functions and duties of the officer; |
| (2) | entrust to and confer on the officer any of the powers exercisable by the directors on such terms and conditions and with such restrictions as the directors think fit; and |
| (3) | revoke, withdraw, alter or vary all or any of the functions, duties and powers of the officer. |
| 20.3 | Qualifications |
No officer may be appointed unless that officer is qualified in accordance with the Business Corporations Act. One person may hold more than one position as an officer of the Company. Any person appointed as the chair of the board or as the managing director must be a director. Any other officer need not be a director.
| 20.4 | Remuneration and Terms of Appointment |
All appointments of officers are to be made on the terms and conditions and at the remuneration (whether by way of salary, fee, commission, participation in profits or otherwise) that the directors thinks fit and are subject to termination at the pleasure of the directors, and an officer may in addition to such remuneration be entitled to receive, after he or she ceases to hold such office or leaves the employment of the Company, a pension or gratuity.
| 21. | Indemnification |
| 21.1 | Definitions |
In this Article 21:
(1) “expenses” has the meaning set out in the Business Corporations Act.
| 21.2 | Mandatory Indemnification of Directors and Former Directors |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the Company must indemnify (a) a director, former director or alternate director of the Company and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives, and (b) the Company’s legal representative acting as chair at any meeting of shareholders of the Company, to the greatest extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act, and the Company must pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding to the greatest extent permitted by the Business Corporations Act. Each director, alternate director and legal representative is deemed to have contracted with the Company on the terms of the indemnity contained in this Article 21.2.
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| 21.3 | Indemnification of Other Persons |
Subject to any restrictions in the Business Corporations Act and these Articles, the Company may indemnify any other person.
| 21.4 | Non-Compliance with Business Corporations Act |
The failure of a director, alternate director or officer of the Company to comply with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles or, of applicable, any former Companies Act or former Articles, does not invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under this Part.
| 21.5 | Company May Purchase Insurance |
The Company may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of any person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) who:
| (1) | is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of the Company; |
| (2) | is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation at a time when the corporation is or was an affiliate of the Company; |
| (3) | at the request of the Company, is or was a director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; |
| (4) | at the request of the Company, holds or held a position equivalent to that of a director, alternate director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity; |
against any liability incurred by him or her as such director, alternate director, officer, employee or agent or person who holds or held such equivalent position.
| 22. | Dividends |
| 22.1 | Payment of Dividends Subject to Special Rights |
The provisions of this Article 22 are subject to the rights, if any, of shareholders holding shares with special rights as to dividends.
| 22.2 | Declaration of Dividends |
Subject to the Business Corporations Act, the directors may from time to time declare and authorize payment of such dividends as they may deem advisable.
| 22.3 | No Notice Required |
The directors need not give notice to any shareholder of any declaration under Article 22.2.
| 22.4 | Record Date |
The directors may set a date as the record date for the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend. The record date must not precede the date on which the dividend is to be paid by more than two months. If no record date is set, the record date is 5 p.m. on the date on which the directors pass the resolution declaring the dividend.
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| 22.5 | Manner of Paying Dividend |
A resolution declaring a dividend may direct payment of the dividend wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets or of fully paid shares or of bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, or in any one or more of those ways.
| 22.6 | Settlement of Difficulties |
If any difficulty arises in regard to a distribution under Article 22.5, the directors may settle the difficulty as they deem advisable, and, in particular, may:
| (1) | set the value for distribution of specific assets; |
| (2) | determine that cash payments in substitution for all or any part of the specific assets to which any shareholders are entitled may be made to any shareholders on the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all parties; and |
| (3) | vest any such specific assets in trustees for the persons entitled to the dividend. |
| 22.7 | When Dividend Payable |
Any dividend may be made payable on such date as is fixed by the directors.
| 22.8 | Dividends to be Paid in Accordance with Number of Shares |
All dividends on shares of any class or series of shares must be declared and paid according to the number of such shares held.
| 22.9 | Receipt by Joint Shareholders |
If several persons are joint shareholders of any share, any one of them may give an effective receipt for any dividend, bonus or other money payable in respect of the share.
| 22.10 | Dividend Bears No Interest |
No dividend bears interest against the Company.
| 22.11 | Fractional Dividends |
If a dividend to which a shareholder is entitled includes a fraction of the smallest monetary unit of the currency of the dividend, that fraction may be disregarded in making payment of the dividend and that payment represents full payment of the dividend.
| 22.12 | Payment of Dividends |
Any dividend or other distribution payable in cash in respect of shares may be paid by cheque, made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent, and mailed to the address of the shareholder, or in the case of joint shareholders, to the address of the joint shareholder who is first named on the central securities register, or to the person and to the address the shareholder or joint shareholders may direct in writing. The mailing of such cheque will, to the extent of the sum represented by the cheque (plus the amount of the tax required by law to be deducted), discharge all liability for the dividend unless such cheque is not paid on presentation or the amount of tax so deducted is not paid to the appropriate taxing authority.
| 22.13 | Capitalization of Surplus |
Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles, the directors may from time to time capitalize any surplus of the Company and may from time to time issue, as fully paid, shares or any bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as a dividend representing the surplus or any part of the surplus.
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| 23. | Documents, Records and Reports |
| 23.1 | Recording of Financial Affairs |
The directors must cause adequate accounting records to be kept to record properly the financial affairs and condition of the Company and to comply with the Business Corporations Act.
| 23.2 | Inspection of Accounting Records |
Unless the directors determine otherwise, or unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, no shareholder of the Company is entitled to inspect or obtain a copy of any accounting records of the Company.
| 23.3 | Remuneration of Auditors |
The directors may set the remuneration of the auditors. If the directors so decide, the remuneration of the auditors will be determined by the shareholders.
| 24. | Notices |
| 24.1 | Method of Giving Notice |
Unless the Business Corporations Act or these Articles provides otherwise, a notice, statement, report or other record required or permitted by the Business Corporations Act or these Articles to be sent by or to a person may be sent by any one of the following methods:
| (1) | mail addressed to the person at the applicable address for that person as follows: |
| (a) | for a record mailed to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address; |
| (b) | for a record mailed to a director or officer, the prescribed address for mailing shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the mailing address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; |
| (c) | in any other case, the mailing address of the intended recipient; |
| (2) | delivery at the applicable address for that person as follows, addressed to the person: |
| (a) | for a record delivered to a shareholder, the shareholder’s registered address; |
| (b) | for a record delivered to a director or officer, the prescribed address for delivery shown for the director or officer in the records kept by the Company or the delivery address provided by the recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; |
| (c) | in any other case, the delivery address of the intended recipient; |
| (3) | sending the record by fax to the fax number provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; |
| (4) | sending the record by email to the email address provided by the intended recipient for the sending of that record or records of that class; |
| (5) | physical delivery to the intended recipient. |
| 24.2 | Deemed Receipt of Mailing |
A notice, statement, report or other record that is:
| (1) | mailed to a person by ordinary mail to the applicable address for that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was mailed on the day (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted) following the date of mailing; |
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| (2) | faxed to a person to the fax number provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was faxed on the day it was faxed; and |
| (3) | emailed to a person to the email address provided by that person referred to in Article 24.1 is deemed to be received by the person to whom it was emailed on the date it was emailed. |
| 24.3 | Certificate of Sending |
A certificate signed by the secretary, if any, or other officer of the Company or of any other corporation acting in that behalf for the Company stating that a notice, statement, report or other record was addressed as required by Article 24.1, prepaid and mailed or otherwise sent as permitted by Article 24.1 is conclusive evidence of that fact.
| 24.4 | Notice to Joint Shareholders |
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the joint shareholders of a share by providing the notice to the joint shareholder first named in the central securities register in respect of the share.
| 24.5 | Notice to Legal Personal Representatives and Trustees |
A notice, statement, report or other record may be provided by the Company to the persons entitled to a share in consequence of the death, bankruptcy or incapacity of a shareholder by:
| (1) | mailing the record, addressed to them: |
| (a) | by name, by the title of the legal personal representative of the deceased or incapacitated shareholder, by the title of trustee of the bankrupt shareholder or by any similar description; and |
| (b) | at the address, if any, supplied to the Company for that purpose by the persons claiming to be so entitled; or |
| (2) | if an address referred to in paragraph (1)(b) has not been supplied to the Company, by giving the notice in a manner in which it might have been given if the death, bankruptcy or incapacity had not occurred. |
| 24.6 | Undelivered Notices |
If on two consecutive occasions, a notice, statement, report or other record is sent to a shareholder pursuant to Article 24.1 and on each of those occasions any such record is returned because the shareholder cannot be located, the Company shall not be required to send any further records to the shareholder until the shareholder informs the Company in writing of his or her new address.
| 25. | SEAL |
| 25.1 | Who May Attest Seal |
Except as provided in Articles 25.2 and 25.3, the Company’s seal, if any, must not be impressed on any record except when that impression is attested by the signatures of:
| (1) | any two directors; |
| (2) | any officer, together with any director; |
| (3) | if the Company only has one director, that director; or |
| (4) | any one or more directors or officers or persons as may be determined by the directors. |
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| 25.2 | Sealing Copies |
For the purpose of certifying under seal a certificate of incumbency of the directors or officers of the Company or a true copy of any resolution or other document, despite Article 25.1, the impression of the seal may be attested by the signature of any director or officer or the signature of any person as may be determined by the directors.
| 25.3 | Mechanical Reproduction of Seal |
The directors may authorize the seal to be impressed by third parties on share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company as they may determine appropriate from time to time. To enable the seal to be impressed on any share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities of the Company, whether in definitive or interim form, on which facsimiles of any of the signatures of the directors or officers of the Company are, in accordance with the Business Corporations Act or these Articles, printed or otherwise mechanically reproduced, there may be delivered to the person employed to engrave, lithograph or print such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities one or more unmounted dies reproducing the seal and the chair of the board or any senior officer together with the secretary, treasurer, secretary-treasurer, an assistant secretary, an assistant treasurer or an assistant secretary-treasurer may in writing authorize such person to cause the seal to be impressed on such definitive or interim share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities by the use of such dies. Share certificates or bonds, debentures or other securities to which the seal has been so impressed are for all purposes deemed to be under and to bear the seal impressed on them.
| 26. | Prohibitions |
| 26.1 | Definitions |
In this Article 26:
| (1) | “designated security” means: |
| (a) | a voting security of the Company; |
| (b) | a security of the Company that is not a debt security and that carries a residual right to participate in the earnings of the Company or, on the liquidation or winding up of the Company, in its assets; or |
| (c) | a security of the Company convertible, directly or indirectly, into a security described in paragraph (a) or (b); |
| (2) | “security” has the meaning assigned in the Securities Act (British Columbia); |
| (3) | “voting security” means a security of the Company that: |
| (a) | is not a debt security, and |
| (b) | carries a voting right either under all circumstances or under some circumstances that have occurred and are continuing. |
| 26.2 | Application |
Article 26.3 does not apply to the Company if and for so long as it is a public company or a pre-existing reporting company which has the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions as part of its Articles or to which the Statutory Reporting Company Provisions apply.
| 26.3 | Consent Required for Transfer of Shares or Designated Securities |
No share or designated security may be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of without the consent of the directors and the directors are not required to give any reason for refusing to consent to any such sale, transfer or other disposition.
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| 27. | Change of Registered and Records Office |
The Company may appoint or change its registered and records offices, or either of them, and the agent responsible therefore, at any time by resolution of the directors. After the appointment of the first registered or records office agent, such agent may terminate its appointment by written notice to ay director or officer of the company sent to the last known address of such director or officer. The Company will then designate a new registered or records office or offices within ten (10) days of receipt or deemed receipt of such notice, failing which the agent shall be entitled on behalf of the Company (but not obliged) to execute and file a Notice to Change Officers with the Registrar of Companies, changing the registered and records office or offices to the last known address of the President of the Company.
| 28. | Special Rights and Restrictions |
| 28.1 | Special Rights and Restrictions to Preferred Shares |
The following special rights and restrictions shall be attached to the preferred shares with no par value:
| (1) | the preferred shares as a class shall have attached thereto the special rights and restrictions specified in this Article 28.1; |
| (2) | preferred shares may at any time and from time to time be issued in one or more series. The Directors may from time to time by resolution passed before the issue of any preferred shares of any particular series, alter the Notice of Articles of the Company to fix the number of preferred shares of any particular series, alter the Notice of Articles of the Company to fix the number of preferred shares in, and to determine the designation of the preferred shares of, that series and alter the Notice of Articles or the Articles to create, define and attach special rights and restrictions to the preferred shares of that series including, but without in any way limiting or restricting the generality of the foregoing, the rate or amount of dividends, whether cumulative, non-cumulative or partially cumulative, the dates, places and currencies of payment thereof, the consideration for, and the terms and conditions of, any purchase for cancellation or redemption thereof, including redemption after a fixed term or at a premium, conversion or exchange rights, the terms and conditions of any share purchase plan or sinking fund, and voting rights and restrictions; but no special right or restriction so created, defined or attached shall contravene the provisions of subclauses (3) and (4) of this Article 28.1; |
| (3) | holders of preferred shares shall be entitled, on the distribution of assets of the Company or on the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or on any other distribution of assets of the company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, to receive before any distribution shall be made to the holders of common shares or any other shares of the Company ranking junior to the preferred shares with respect to repayment of capital, the amount paid up with respect to each preferred share held by them, together with the fixed premium (if any) thereon, all accrued and unpaid cumulative dividends (if any and if preferential) thereon, and all declared and unpaid non-cumulative dividends (if any and if preferential) thereon. After payment to holders of preferred shares of the amounts so payable to them, such holders shall not be entitled to share in any further distribution of the property or assets of the Company except as specifically provided in the special rights and restrictions attached to any particular series of the preferred shares; and |
| (4) | except for such rights relating to the election of directors in the event of a default in payment of dividends as may be attached to any series of the preferred shares by the Directors, holders of preferred shares shall not be entitled as such to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any general meeting of shareholders of the Company. |
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Exhibit 3.2
INCORPORATION AGREEMENT
We propose to form a company under the Business Corporations Act (BC) under the name of
NOVA ATHENA GOLD CORP. (the “Company”)
We agree to take the number of shares in the Company set opposite our names:
| NAME OF INCORPORATOR | SIGNATURE OF INCORPORATOR | NUMBER OF SHARES |
DATE OF SIGNING YYYY / MM / DD |
|
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION |
ATHENA GOLD CORPORATION
By:
____________________ John C. Power Chief Executive Officer |
173,723,633 common shares |
2024/09/24 |
|
173,723,633 common shares
|
Exhibit 4.1
Exhibit 5.0
November 22, 2024
Athena Gold Corporation
2010A Harbison Drive, PMB #312
Vacaville, CA 95687
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Athena Gold Corporation., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with respect to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on December __, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”) relating to the registration for sale, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of 185,723,633 common shares of Athena Gold Corporation (the “Shares”) in connection with the Company’s proposed Plan of Merger to change its corporate domicile from the State of Delaware to the Province of British Columbia, Canada (the “Merger”).
In connection with this opinion letter, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, as currently in effect; and (iii) resolutions of the board of directors of the Company relating to, among other things, the approval of the Merger and issuance of the Shares. We have also examined such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below.
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance as fully-paid and non-assessable common shares of the Company.
The foregoing opinion is based upon and limited to the laws of the State of Delaware. We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, regulations or ordinances.
We understand that this opinion is to be used in connection with the Registration Statement, as it may be amended from time to time, and hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter with and as a part of the Registration Statement as so amended, and to the reference to our firm in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are included within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
It is understood that this opinion letter is to be used in connection with the resale of the Securities only while the Registration Statement is effective and as it may be amended from time to time as contemplated by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
CLIFFORD L. NEUMAN, P.C
/s/ Clifford L. Neuman
Clifford L. Neuman
Exhibit 21.0
List of Subsidiaries of Athena Gold Corporation
Nubian Resources (USA) Ltd., a Delaware corporation
Nova Athena Gold Corporation, a British Columbia corporation.
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the inclusion in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated March 15, 2023 with respect to the audited consolidated financial statements of Athena Gold Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our report contains an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.
/s/ MaloneBailey, LLP
www.malonebailey.com
Houston, Texas
November 22, 2024
Exhibit 23.3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated March 28, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Athena Gold Corp., which is part of this Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement.
| /s/ DAVIDSON & COMPANY LLP | |
| Vancouver, Canada | Chartered Professional Accountants |
November 22, 2024