UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
| Trading Symbol(s) |
| Name of each exchange on which registered |
|
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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. ☐
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Officer and Director Departure
Effective June 17, 2024, Warren Rehn resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of Golden Minerals Company (the “Company”), and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), effective immediately.
In connection with his resignation, and pursuant to the terms of a Separation Agreement entered into between the Company and Mr. Rehn (the “Separation Agreement”):
| (i) | the Company will issue 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“common stock”), in respect of 40,000 outstanding restricted stock units previously issued to Mr. Rehn pursuant to the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 20,000 had been previously vested and the remaining 20,000 vested upon Mr. Rehn’s separation from the Company; |
| (ii) | the Company will issue 150,000 shares of common stock in respect of 150,000 vested KELTIP units previously issued to Mr. Rehn under the Company’s 2013 Key Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan (“KELTIP”); |
| (iii) | the Company will make a one-time grant of 300,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) that will vest immediately, subject to the terms of the Plan; and |
| (iv) | the Company will make a one-time cash payment of $50,000, subject to normal tax withholdings. |
As a condition of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Rehn executed a release of claims in favor of the Company.
Contemporaneously with the signing of the Separation Agreement, Mr. Rehn also entered into a Consulting Agreement with the Company (the “Consulting Agreement”), effective as of June 17, 2024. Under the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Rehn will provide consulting services on exploration matters to the Company for a period of 18 months (the “Initial Period”). After the Initial Period, the Consulting Agreement will automatically renew on a month-to-month basis unless terminated earlier by either party upon delivery of a written notice of non-renewal at any time prior to the beginning of the next month. Additionally, following the Initial Period, the Company may temporarily suspend all or any part of the services under the Consulting Agreement for such period of time as may be determined by the Company to be necessary or desirable. The Company will compensate Mr. Rehn $14,000 per month for his consulting services, to be paid in monthly installments.
Mr. Rehn’s resignation from the Board is not the result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The descriptions above are a summary of the terms of the Separation Agreement and the Consulting Agreement and are qualified in their entirety by such agreements, which are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Officer and Director Appointment
On June 15, 2024, the Board of Directors appointed Pablo Castanos, the then-current Executive Vice President, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. The appointments were made at the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board.
In his new role as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Castanos’s compensation includes the following: (i) an annual base salary of $300,000, (ii) a grant of 400,000 shares of restricted stock units with 200,000 vesting on the first anniversary, and 200,000 vesting on the second anniversary. Please see the Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed by the Company on March 28, 2024, for Mr. Castanos’s biographical information, which biographical information is incorporated herein by reference.
2
There is no arrangement or understanding with a third-party by which this appointment was made. Mr. Castanos is not a party to any related-party transactions of the Company. There is no material plan, contract, or other arrangement to which Mr. Castanos is a party, or understandings between Mr. Castanos and any other person pursuant to which he was appointed to the positions described in this Current Report on Form 8-K, and Mr. Castanos is not a party to any transaction that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Second Amendment to the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
On June 18, 2024, the Board adopted the Second Amendment to the Company’s 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”). The shareholders of the Company previously approved the adoption of the 2023 Plan at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 26, 2023. The Second Amendment removed the 5% limitation on the total number of authorized common stock that may be granted pursuant to awards not subject to the minimum vesting schedule provided in the 2023 Plan.
The foregoing description of the Second Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Second Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure |
On June 18, 2024, the Company issued a press release announcing the foregoing updates. A copy of this press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing by the company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d)Exhibits.
Exhibit Number | Description |
10.1 | Separation Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2024, between Golden Minerals Company and Warren Rehn. * |
10.2 | |
10.3 | Second Amendment to the Golden Minerals Company 2023 Equity Incentive Plan. |
99.1 | Press release of Golden Minerals Company, dated June 18, 2024, announcing CEO retirement. |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document). |
* Schedules and exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
3
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 20, 2024
Golden Minerals Company | |||||
By: | /s/ Julie Z. Weedman | ||||
Name: Julie Z. Weedman | |||||
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
4
Exhibit 10.1
June 16, 2024
Warren Rehn
President and CEO
Golden Minerals Company
Dear Warren:
This letter summarizes our understanding regarding your transition from your position as President, CEO of Golden Minerals Company (the “Company”). We ask that you confirm your agreement as to these terms.
| 1. | You will retire on June 17, 2024 (the “Retirement Date”). Commencing on the Retirement Date, your service as an officer and employee of the Company will terminate. In addition, your service as an officer of any and all subsidiaries of the Company will terminate on the Retirement Date. |
We understand that you will execute various resignations required to effect these terminations. Notwithstanding these resignations, as a Consultant and Technical Advisor, you may continue to maintain your Golden Minerals email address if you wish.
| 2. | On the Retirement Date, you will be entitled to 40,000 shares of the Company’s common stock in respect of 40,000 outstanding restricted stock units previously issued pursuant to the Company’s 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. 20,000 restricted stock units have previously vested and the remaining 20,000 will vest on termination of your employment with the Company. |
| 3. | On the Retirement Date, you will be entitled to 150,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in respect of 150,000 KELTIP units previously issued to you under the Company’s 2013 Key Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan and previously vested. |
| 4. | The Company will make a one-time grant of Common Shares under its 2023 Equity Incentive Plan of 300,000 shares that will vest immediately, subject to the terms of the Plan. |
| 5. | The Company will make a one-time cash payment of $50,000 at the time of your retirement subject to normal tax withholdings. |
| 6. | All shares from the above grants have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”) and due to your continuing status for 90 days after retirement as an affiliate of the Company represent “control securities”. As such, during that period, the shares may be sold only in compliance with the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. If upon issuance the tax withholding exceeds $50,000 net of withholding, Company agrees to accept surrendered shares with a value sufficient to meet the balance of tax withholding required. |
| 7. | Unused vacation days will be paid on termination. |
| 8. | No cash payments or other benefits are due to you pursuant to the Company’s Severance Compensation Plan, 2009 and 2023 Equity Incentive Plans, or pursuant to the Change of Control Agreement between you and the Company dated as of February 13, 2012, as amended or replaced, which Change of Control Agreement is hereby terminated effective as of the Retirement Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Indemnification Agreement between you and the Company dated as of February 13, 2012, remains in effect in accordance with its terms. |
| 9. | The Company transfers to you, effective as of the Retirement Date, the following Company provided equipment you have used as an executive officer and employee of the Company: |
| ● | laptop |
| ● | printer |
| ● | iPhone |
| 10. | Subject to your agreement to the terms of this letter and non-revocation of the releases set forth below, you are eligible to provide consulting services to the Company after the Retirement Date pursuant to the attached Consulting Services Agreement. |
In consideration of the opportunity to provide consulting services and other consideration set forth in this letter to which you were not otherwise entitled, by signing below, you voluntarily and knowingly release and discharge the Company and each of its predecessors, successors, parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and assigns and each of their respective officers, directors, principals, shareholders, board members, committee members, managers, members, partners, insurers, employees, agents, and attorneys from any and all claims, actions, liabilities, demands, rights, damages, costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees of every kind and description arising up to the date you sign this letter (the “Released Claims”). The Released Claims include, without limitation, claims based on contract, common law, and all federal, state, and municipal statutes, ordinances, and regulations. The Released Claims do not include claims arising after the date you sign this letter.
The Released Claims include claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”). You are advised to consult with an attorney before signing this letter. In addition, you have at least twenty-one (21) days in which to consider the terms of this letter. If you elect to sign this letter in less time, your signature means that you understood that you had the full twenty-one (21) days if you so desired and that you were not pressured by the Company or any of its representatives or agents to take less time to consider this letter. In addition, with respect to claims under the ADEA, you may rescind your waiver and release within seven (7) calendar days of your execution of this letter. Any such rescission must be in writing and emailed and hand delivered to my attention at the Company’s office within the seven-day period.
I want to reiterate our appreciation for your service to the Company. Please indicate your agreement with the contents of this letter by signing below and returning the signed letter to me by July 7, 2024.
Sincerely,
/s/ Julie Weedman |
Julie Weedman
Chief Financial Officer
Golden Minerals Company
Accepted and agreed:
/s/ Warren M. Rehn |
Warren M. RehnDate: June 16, 2024
Exhibit 10.2
CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 17, 2024 (“Effective Date”), by and between Golden Minerals Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware (the “Company”) and Rehn Consulting LLC, an Oregon limited liability company (“Consultant”).
WITNESSETH:
The Company wishes to engage Consultant to provide consulting services and the Consultant wishes to accept such engagement on the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
(a)The Company shall provide security arrangements and safety equipment as reasonably necessary given the site or Project location, to and from the site or Project for Consultant personnel.
(b)The Company shall make available to Consultant all relevant information or data pertinent to the Services which is required by Consultant, including, but not limited to, historical or current data relevant to the Services, all regulatory, legal or other governmental conditions relating to the Services or work on Project sites and Projects. The Company shall inform Consultant of all reports or other materials that relate to Consultant’s work and furnish them to Consultant or otherwise assist Consultant to gain access to them.
8.Effective Date and Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the Effective Date and shall continue in force for 18 months and thereafter on a month to month basis until terminated pursuant to Section 13.
9.Expenses. Consultant is responsible for Consultant’s general business expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Consultant shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other approved expenses incurred in performing Services as described in Schedule B. All requests for reimbursements shall include a description of expenses, accompanied by copies of receipts as applicable, in such format as the Company shall reasonably request.
All concepts, products or processes, copyright, trademark, patent or other intellectual property (“IP”) contributed by Consultant or Company shall remain the property of the contributing party, and any IP produced by or resulting from the services rendered by Consultant in connection with the Services or which are otherwise developed or first reduced to practice by Consultant in the performance of its services shall be and remain the property of Company. At the Company’s written request, Consultant shall grant to the Company a non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty free, fully paid license to use any IP embodied in the Work Product as required to use, reproduce and distribute the Work Product, to the extent Consultant has the right to license the IP.
| a) | The Materials are provided to the Company as is, including features, as agreed upon by the parties; |
| b) | As applicable, the Company, its subsidiaries, or their clients retain all right, title and ownership of any data used to produce and/or incorporate into the Materials and which are assigned to the applicable entity; and |
| c) | As applicable, the Company, its subsidiaries, or their clients may use, modify and distribute the Materials while including appropriate acknowledgement. Upon modification Consultant is no longer responsible for the accuracy and functionality of the Materials. |
(a)The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Consultant and its officers, directors and employees (each a “Consultant Indemnified Party”), from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromises and settlements, as fines and penalties and reasonable attorney’s fees for
defending against any claim or alleged claim by any third party arising out of or in connection with (a) the acts or omissions of the Company in connection with the business of the Company, the Project, or in connection with the Services under this Agreement, or (b) any breach of this Agreement by the Company. This Section 21 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
Expenses incurred by a Consultant Indemnified Party in defense or settlement of any claim that may be subject to a right of indemnification under this Agreement will be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Consultant Indemnified Party to repay such amount to the extent that it is determined ultimately that such Consultant Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement.
(b)Consultant hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company and its officers, directors and employees (each a “Company Indemnified Party”), from and against all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromises and settlements, as fines and penalties and reasonable attorney’s fees for defending against any claim or alleged claim by any third party arising out of or in connection with (a) the acts or omission of the Consultant in performing the Services under this Agreement, (b) any breach of this Agreement by Consultant, (c) any taxes, insurance costs, damages, or other costs arising from or relating to claims that Consultant (or any of Consultant’s employees, subcontractors, or agents, hereinafter “representatives”) is an employee of the Company; (d) the failure by Consultant to obtain insurance coverage as set forth herein; or (e) any claim for workers’ compensation or unemployment compensation benefits.
(c)No Consultant Indemnified Party or Company Indemnified Party (each an “Indemnified Party”) shall be entitled to indemnification hereunder to the extent the claim arises from such Indemnified Party’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The termination of any proceeding by settlement, judgment, order, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that an Indemnified Party was grossly negligent or engaged in willful misconduct or bad faith. Any Indemnified Party entitled to indemnification hereunder shall obtain the written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) prior to entering into any agreement or settlement that would result in an obligation of the indemnifying party to indemnify such Indemnified Party.
(d) Promptly after receipt of notice of the threat or commencement of any action or proceeding in connection with any claim, an Indemnified Party shall give written notice thereof to the indemnifying party; provided that the failure of an Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by the failure to give notice.
In case any action or proceeding is commenced against any Indemnified Party which may be subject to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the indemnifying party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the Indemnified Party of the indemnifying party’s election to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will be liable for the expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof. The indemnifying party will not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term the giving to such Indemnified Party a release from all liability in respect of such claim.
If it is determined pursuant to subsequent judicial appeal that an Indemnified Party was not entitled to claim indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the indemnifying party promptly upon demand therefor for all expenses incurred or payment made by such indemnifying party in connection with such claim.
Authorization. Each individual executing this Agreement does thereby represent and warrant that he or she (a) has the authority to do so, (b) has the authority to bind the party on whose behalf he or she has signed to this Agreement, and (c) has read and fully understands all provisions of this Agreement, including the Schedules hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Consulting Services Agreement on the dates below.
Golden Minerals Company
By: | /s/ Pablo Castanos |
| Name: Pablo Castanos |
| Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signed before me this 17th day of June, 2024 by Pablo Castanos.
Witness my hand and official seal:
| /s/ Monica P. Smith |
| Notary Public |
My commission expires: | May 14, 2026 |
Rehn Consulting LLC
By: | /s/ Warren Rehn |
| Name: Warren Rehn |
| Title: Owner and Manager |
Signed before me this 17th day of June, 2024 by Warren Rehn.
Witness my hand and official seal:
| /s/ Monica P. Smith |
| Notary Public |
My commission expires: | May 14, 2026 |
Exhibit 10.3
GOLDEN MINERALS COMPANY
2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Amendment No. 2
THIS AMENDMENT No. 2 to the Golden Minerals Company Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is adopted as of June 18, 2024.
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Golden Minerals Company (the “Company”) has the general authority to amend the Plan pursuant to Section 10.5 of the Plan;
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Board desires to amend the Plan to allow the Board to approve immediate vesting for certain Awards granted under the Plan.
NOW THEREFORE, the Board hereby amends the Plan as follows:
| 1. | Minimum Vesting Schedule Restriction. Section 6.5 of the Plan is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: |
“6.5 Minimum Vesting Schedule. Except as provided below, all Awards granted under the Plan shall have a minimum one (1) year cliff vesting schedule meaning that no portion of any Award may be scheduled to vest prior to one (1) year after the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon Board approval, shares of Common Stock authorized by the Board and the stockholders for issuance under the Plan may be granted pursuant to Awards not subject to the minimum vesting schedule described in this Section 6.5.
| 2. | Effect on Plan. The Plan shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect except as otherwise set forth in this Amendment No. 2. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, by its duly authorized officer, has executed this Amendment No. 2 to the Plan as of the date first indicated above.
GOLDEN MINERALS COMPANY
A Delaware corporation
/s/ Julie Z. Weedman_________________________
Name: Julie Z. Weedman
Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 99.1
GOLDEN MINERALS ANNOUNCES CEO RETIREMENT AND REPLACEMENT AND BOARD CHANGES
GOLDEN, CO - /BUSINESS WIRE/ - June 18, 2024 – Golden Minerals Company (“Golden Minerals”, “Golden” or the “Company”) (NYSE American and TSX: AUMN) today announced the retirement of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Warren Rehn, effective immediately. Mr. Rehn joined the Company in 2012 as Vice President Exploration and was promoted to President in spring of 2015 and to CEO in September 2015. Mr. Rehn, age 69, has been contemplating retirement for some time. Mr. Rehn has also resigned his position as a Director of the Company. Mr. Rehn will continue to support the Company, advising on exploration and technical activities as a consultant.
Pablo Castaños, currently Executive Vice President, has been elected Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company and appointed to serve as a Director. Mr. Castaños joined the Company in July of 2023 and has been preparing for the role of President and CEO pending Mr. Rehn’s retirement. Mr. Castaños, a successful businessman, previously worked for Golden Minerals as vice president and director of corporate affairs from 2009 to 2013 before leaving to work for Goldcorp, Inc as director of environmental compliance and as vice president corporate social responsibility. Between 2016 and 2023 Mr. Castanos acted as a private investor in real estate development and construction.
Jeffrey Clevenger, Chairman of the Board, commented: “We wish to thank Warren for positioning the Company to move forward with a robust portfolio of exploration projects in Argentina, Mexico and Nevada. We are equally thankful that Warren has agreed to shepherd these projects on a consulting basis going forward. Pablo agreed to re-join the team last year with this appointment in mind. We welcome him back and will be supporting his work towards overhead cost reduction and value generation from our projects.”
About Golden Minerals
The Company is primarily focused on advancing its El Quevar silver property in Argentina, its Yoquivo gold-silver property in Mexico as well as acquiring and advancing selected mining properties in Mexico, Nevada and Argentina.
For additional information please visit http://www.goldenminerals.com/ or contact:
Golden Minerals Company
Karen Winkler, Director of Investor Relations
(303) 839-5060
SOURCE: Golden Minerals Company
Page 1 of 1
GOLDEN MINERALS COMPANY
350 Indiana Street – Suite 650 – Golden, Colorado 80401 – Telephone (303) 839-5060