UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ ] SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
Commission file number 0-49869
AMARC RESOURCES LTD.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
(Jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
15th Floor, 1040 West Georgia Street
Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, V6E 4H1
(Address of principal
executive offices)
Paul Mann, Chief Financial Officer
Facsimile No.:
604-684-8092
15th Floor, 1040 West Georgia
Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6E 4H1
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of
Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class: Not applicable Name of each exchange on which registered: Not applicable
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common shares with no par value
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:
138,724,061 common shares as of March 31, 2014
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
[ ] Yes [X] No
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
[ ] Yes [X] No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
[X] Yes [ ] No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
[ ] Yes [ ] No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large accelerated filer [ ] | Accelerated filer [ ] | Non-accelerated filer [X] |
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S.GAAP [ ] | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued | Other [ ] |
by the International Accounting Standards Board [X] |
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:
Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [ ]
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
[ ] Yes [X] No
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
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GENERAL
In this Annual Report on Form 20-F, all references to "we", "Amarc" or the "Company" refer to Amarc Resources Ltd.
The Company uses the Canadian Dollar as its reporting currency. All references in this document to "Dollars" or "$" are expressed in Canadian Dollars ("CAD", "C$"), unless otherwise indicated. See also Item 3 Key Information for more detailed currency and conversion information.
Except as noted, the information set forth in this Annual Report is as of July 11, 2014 and all information included in this document should only be considered correct as of such date.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Certain terms used herein are defined as follows:
Epithermal Deposit |
Gold, gold-silver or silver, some also include important base metals, occurring as narrow vein to large low grade disseminated deposits. |
Induced Polarization |
A geophysical survey used to identify a feature that appears to be different from the typical or background survey results when tested for levels of electro-conductivity; IP detects both chargeable, pyrite-bearing rock and non-conductive rock that has a high content of quartz. |
Mineral Reserve |
Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7 -
Description of Property by Issuers Engaged or to be Engaged in
Significant Mining Operations (under the United States
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) defines 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. Reserves
consist of: |
Mineral Reserve |
As a reporting issuer under the Securities Acts of British Columbia and Alberta, the Company is subject to National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7, as interpreted by Securities and Exchange Commission Staff, applies standards that are different from those prescribed by National Instrument 43-101 in order to classify mineralization as a reserve. Under the standards of the Securities and Exchange Commission, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. Among other things, all necessary permits would be required to be in hand or issued imminently in order to classify mineralized material as reserves under Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7. Accordingly, mineral reserve estimates established in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. The Company does not currently have any mineral deposits that have been classified as reserves. |
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Mineral Resource |
National Instrument 43-101 adopts definitions of the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. A "Mineral
Resource" is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic
interest (such as diamonds, base and precious metals, coal, and industrial
minerals) in or on the Earths crust in such form, grade or quality and
quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other
geological characteristics of a Mineral Resource are known, estimated or
interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge, including
sampling. Modifying Factors are considerations used to convert Mineral
Resources to Mineral Reserves and include, but are not restricted to,
mining, processing, metallurgical, infrastructure, economic, marketing,
legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. |
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Mineral Resource (continued) |
(1) An Inferred Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. (2) An Indicated Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics can be estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and reliable exploration and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. The nature, quality, quantity and distribution of data are such as to allow confident interpretation of the geological framework and to reasonably assume the continuity of mineralization. (3) A Measured Mineral Resource is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics can be estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application of Modifying Factors to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. Geological evidence is derived from adequately details and reliable exploration and testing and is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation. The nature, quality, quantity and distribution of data are such that the tonnage and grade or quality of the mineralization can be estimated to within close limits and that variation from the estimate would not significantly affect potential economic viability of the deposit. Industry Guide 7 Description of Property by Issuers Engaged or to be Engaged in Significant Mining Operations of the Securities and Exchange Commission does not define or recognize resources. In addition, disclosure of resources using "contained ounces" is permitted under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not qualify as a reserve as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. As used in this Form 20-F, "resources" are as defined in National Instrument 43-101. For the above reasons, information in the Company's publicly- available documents containing descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. |
Mineral Symbols |
As arsenic; Au gold; Ag silver; Cu copper; Fe iron; Hg mercury; Mo molybdenum; Na sodium; Ni nickel; O oxygen; Pd palladium; Pt platinum; Pb lead; S sulphur; Sb antimony; Zn zinc. |
Net Smelter Return (NSR) |
Monies received for concentrate delivered to a smelter net of metallurgical recovery losses, transportation costs, smelter treatment-refining charges and penalty charges. |
Porphyry Deposit |
Mineral deposit characterized by widespread disseminated or veinlet-hosted sulphide mineralization, characterized by large tonnage and moderate to low grade. |
Skarn Deposit |
Mineral deposit most commonly formed at the contact zone between granitic intrusions and carbonate sedimentary rocks. |
Sulphide |
A compound of sulphur with another element, typically a metallic element or compound. |
Vein |
A tabular or sheet-like mineral deposit with identifiable walls, often filling a fracture or fissure. |
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CURRENCY AND MEASUREMENT
All currency amounts in this Annual Report are stated in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise indicated. Approximate conversion of metric units into imperial equivalents is as follows:
Metric Units | Multiply by | Imperial Units |
hectares | 2.471 | = acres |
meters | 3.281 | = feet |
kilometers | 3281 | = feet |
kilometers | 0.621 | = miles |
grams | 0.032 | = ounces (troy) |
tonnes | 1.102 | = tons (short) (2,000 lbs) |
grams/tonne | 0.029 | = ounces (troy)/ton |
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 20-F contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Any statements that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of different places in this Annual Report and, in some cases, can be identified by words such as "anticipates", "estimates", "projects", "expects", "intends", "believes", "plans", or their negatives or other comparable words. The forward-looking statements, including the statements contained in Item 3.D "Risk Factors", Item 4.B "Business Overview", Item 5 "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" and Item 11 "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk", involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the outlook for the Company's future operations, plans and timing for the Company's exploration programs, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand conditions, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, the outcome of legal proceedings, and other expectations, intentions and plans that are not historical facts.
You are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include:
| general economic and business conditions, including changes in interest rates; |
| prices of natural resources, costs associated with mineral exploration and other economic conditions; |
| natural phenomena; |
| actions by government authorities, including changes in government regulation; |
| uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; |
| changes in the resources market; |
| future decisions by management in response to changing conditions; |
| the Company's ability to execute prospective business plans; and |
| misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements. |
The Company advises you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify, in their entirety, all forward-looking statements attributable to Amarc or persons acting on the Company's behalf. The Company assumes no obligation to update the Company's forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such statements. You should carefully review the cautionary statements and risk factors contained in this and other documents that the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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STATUS AS AN EMERGING GROWTH COMPANY
The Company is an "emerging growth company" as defined in section 3(a) of the Exchange Act, and the Company will continue to qualify as an "emerging growth company" until the earliest to occur of: (a) the last day of the fiscal year during which the Company has total annual gross revenues of US$1,000,000,000 (as such amount is indexed for inflation every 5 years by the SEC) or more; (b) the last day of the Company's fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; (c) the date on which the Company has, during the previous 3-year period, issued more than US$1,000,000,000 in non-convertible debt; or (d) the date on which the Company is deemed to be a "large accelerated filer", as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b2. Therefore, the Company expects to continue to be an emerging growth company for the foreseeable future.
Generally, a registrant that registers any class of its securities under section 12 of the Exchange Act is required to include in the second and all subsequent annual reports filed by it under the Exchange Act, a management report on internal control over financial reporting and, subject to an exemption available to registrants that are neither an "accelerated filer" or a "larger accelerated filer" (as those terms are defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2), an auditor attestation report on management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting. However, for so long as the Company continues to qualify as an emerging growth company, the Company will be exempt from the requirement to include an auditor attestation report in its annual reports filed under the Exchange Act, even if it were to qualify as an "accelerated filer" or a "larger accelerated filer". In addition, auditors of an emerging growth company are exempt from the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor's report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the registrant (auditor discussion and analysis).
The Company has irrevocably elected to comply with new or revised accounting standards even though it is an emerging growth company.
ITEM 1 IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Not applicable.
B. ADVISERS
Not applicable.
C. AUDITORS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2 OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable.
ITEM 3 KEY INFORMATION
A. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables summarize selected financial data for Amarc extracted from the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The data should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 included as an exhibit in this annual report.
The following table is derived from the financial statements of the Company which have been prepared in accordance with and using accounting policies in full compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and International Accounting Standards ("IAS") issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), and interpretations of the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC"), effective for the Company's fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
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The following selected financial data is presented in thousands of Canadian Dollars.
Statements of Financial Position Data
($ 000s) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||
Equipment, net | $ | | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 28 | ||||
Total assets | 5,306 | 7,644 | 18,176 | 9,550 | ||||||||
Total liabilities | 105 | 460 | 961 | 660 | ||||||||
Working capital | 4,840 | 5,633 | 16,224 | 7,520 | ||||||||
Share capital | 58,761 | 58,756 | 58,741 | 45,482 | ||||||||
Reserves | 5,103 | 4,937 | 4,558 | 1,918 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (58,664 | ) | (56,509 | ) | (46,083 | ) | (38,510 | ) | ||||
Net assets | 5,201 | 7,184 | 17,216 | 8,890 | ||||||||
Shareholders' equity | 5,201 | 7,184 | 17,216 | 8,890 |
Statements of Comprehensive Loss Data
($ 000s, except per share amounts and number of shares) | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||
Interest and other income | $ | (69 | ) | $ | (129 | ) | $ | (83 | ) | $ | (63 | ) |
General and administrative expenses | 1,306 | 1,823 | 1,752 | 1,273 | ||||||||
Exploration expenditures | 1,095 | 8,422 | 6,660 | 5,484 | ||||||||
Share-based payments | 103 | 434 | 800 | | ||||||||
Other | (280 | ) | 6 | (147 | ) | 47 | ||||||
Gain on sale of mineral property | | | (679 | ) | | |||||||
Flow-through shares premium | | (130 | ) | (730 | ) | (275 | ) | |||||
Net loss for the year | 2,155 | 10,426 | 7,573 | 6,466 | ||||||||
Other comprehensive loss (income) | (63 | ) | 55 | (15 | ) | (68 | ) | |||||
Total comprehensive loss | 2,092 | 10,481 | 7,558 | 6,398 | ||||||||
Basic and diluted net loss per share | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | ||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 138,644,883 | 138,602,746 | 102,759,226 | 89,132,492 |
Pursuant to SEC Release No. 33-8879 "Acceptance from Foreign Private Issuers of Financial Statements Prepared in Accordance with International Reporting Standards without Reconciliation to U.S. GAAP", the Company includes selected financial data prepared in compliance with IFRS without reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.
Currency and Exchange Rates
On July 11, 2014, the rate of exchange of the Canadian Dollar, based on the daily noon rate in Canada as published by the Bank of Canada, was US$1.00 = Canadian $1.072. Exchange rates published by the Bank of Canada are available on its website, www.bankofcanada.ca, are nominal quotations not buying or selling rates and are intended for statistical or analytical purposes.
The following tables set out the exchange rates, based on the daily noon rates in Canada as published by the Bank of Canada for the conversion of Canadian Dollars into U.S. Dollars.
For year ended March 31 | |||||||||||||||
(Canadian Dollar per U.S. Dollar) | |||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||
End of period | $ | 1.1053 | $ | 1.0156 | $ | 0.9991 | $ | 0.9718 | $ | 1.0156 | |||||
Average for the period | $ | 1.0533 | $ | 1.0013 | $ | 0.9930 | $ | 1.0197 | $ | 1.1240 | |||||
High for the period | $ | 1.1251 | $ | 1.0418 | $ | 1.0604 | $ | 1.0778 | $ | 1.2643 | |||||
Low for the period | $ | 1.0023 | $ | 0.9710 | $ | 0.9449 | $ | 0.9686 | $ | 1.0113 |
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Monthly High and Low Exchange Rate (Canadian Dollar per U.S. Dollar) | ||||||
High | Low | |||||
July 2014 (to July 11, 2014) | $ 1.0720 | $ 1.0634 | ||||
June 2014 | $ 1.0937 | $ 1.0676 | ||||
May 2014 | $ 1.0973 | $ 1.0837 | ||||
April 2014 | $ 1.1042 | $ 1.0903 | ||||
March 2014 | $ 1.1251 | $ 1.0966 |
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
Not applicable.
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
D. RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Company's common shares is highly speculative and subject to a number of risks. Only those persons who can bear the risk of the entire loss of their investment should participate. An investor should carefully consider the risks described below and the other information that the Company furnishes to, or files with, the Securities and Exchange Commission and with Canadian securities regulators before investing in the Company's common shares. The risks described below are not the only ones faced by the Company. Additional risks that management is aware of or that the Company currently believes are immaterial may indeed become important factors that affect the Company's business. If any of the following risks occur, or if others occur, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition could be seriously harmed and the investor may lose all of his investment.
The Company Does Not Currently Have Any Properties On Which Mineral Reserves Have Been Outlined.
All of the Company's mineral projects are in the exploration stage as opposed to the development stage, and have no known body of economic mineralization. The known mineralization at these projects has not been determined to be economic ore. There is no certainty that the expenditures to be made by Amarc in the exploration of the Company's mineral properties will result in discoveries of commercially recoverable quantities of ore. There can be no assurance that a commercially mineable ore body exists on any of the Company's properties.
The Exploration for and Development of Mineral Deposits Involves Significant Risks.
It is impossible to ensure that the current exploration programs planned by Amarc will result in a profitable commercial mining operation. Resource exploration is a speculative business and involves a high degree of risk. The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Although the discovery of an ore body may result in substantial rewards, few properties explored are ultimately developed into producing mines.
The commercial viability of any mineral deposit that is identified will be dependent upon a number of factors. These include deposit attributes such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, current and future metal prices (which can be cyclical), and government regulations, including those relating to prices, taxes, royalties, land tenure, land use, importing and exporting of minerals and necessary supplies, and environmental protection. The complete effect of these factors, either alone or in combination, cannot be entirely predicted, and their impact may result in Amarc not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
The Company may be subject to land claims by aboriginal groups. Some of Amarc's properties are located near First Nations communities, and the exploration and development of these properties may be subject to aboriginal rights and title, and opposition by First Nations communities.
If it is determined that First Nations have aboriginal rights in the area the Company would enter into consultation with them and potentially, agreements generally referred to as Impact Benefits Agreements ("IBA") would be negotiated if a project entered into the development stage.
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The Company may be required to enter into IBAs or other agreements with such First Nations in order to explore or develop properties, which may reduce expected earnings from future production.
Even If Exploration Efforts Are Successful, Significant Capital Investment Will Be Required To Achieve Commercial Production.
Significant expenditures may be required to locate and establish ore reserves, to develop metallurgical processes and to construct mining and processing facilities at a particular site. Therefore, even if exploration efforts are successful, significant capital investment will be required to achieve commercial production. Among other things, it will be necessary to complete final comprehensive feasibility studies and, possibly, further associated exploration and other work that concludes a potential mine is likely to be economically viable. In order to carry out exploration and development programs of any economic ore body and place it into commercial production, the Company will be required to raise substantial additional funding.
As the Company Does Not Have Revenues, the Company Will Be Dependent Upon Future Financings To Continue the Company's Plan of Operation.
Amarc has not generated any significant revenues since inception. The Company's plan of operations involves the completion of exploration programs on the Company's mineral properties. Even if commercially exploitable mineral deposits are discovered, the Company will require substantial additional financing in order to carry out the full exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties before the Company is able to achieve revenues from sales of any mineral resources that the Company is able to extract.
The Loss of Management or Other Key Personnel Could Harm the Company's Business.
The Company's success depends on its management and other key personnel. The loss of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. The Company's ability to execute its plan of operations, and hence its success, will depend in large part on the efforts of these individuals. The Company cannot be certain that it will be able to retain such personnel or attract a high caliber of personnel in the future.
The Company Has A History of Losses and No Foreseeable Earnings.
Amarc has a history of losses and expects to incur losses in the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that the Company will ever be profitable. The Company anticipates that the Company will retain any future earnings and other cash resources for the future operation and development of the Company's business. The Company has not paid dividends since incorporation and the Company does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Payment of any future dividends is at the discretion of the Company's board of directors after taking into account many factors including the Company's operating results, financial conditions and anticipated cash needs.
The Company's Financial Statements Have Been Prepared Assuming the Company Will Continue On A Going Concern Basis, But There Can Be No Assurance That the Company Will Continue As A Going Concern.
Although at March 31, 2014 the Company had working capital of approximately $4.8 million, the costs required to complete exploration and development of the Company's projects may be well in excess of this amount. Accordingly, unless additional funding is obtained, the going concern assumption may have to change. If Amarc is unable to obtain adequate additional financing, the Company will be required to curtail operations and exploration activities. Furthermore, failure to continue as a going concern would require that Amarc's assets and liabilities be restated on a liquidation basis which could differ significantly from the going concern basis.
A Substantial or Extended Decline In the Prices of the Minerals for Which the Company Explores Would Have A Material Adverse Effect On the Company's Business.
The Company's business is, to an extent, dependent on the prices of gold, copper, zinc, and other metals, which are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control. Factors tending to put downward pressure on the prices of these metals include:
| Sales or leasing of gold by governments and central banks; |
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|
A strong U.S. Dollar; |
|
Global and regional recession or reduced economic activity; |
|
Speculative trading; |
|
Decreased demand for industrial uses, use in jewellery or investment; |
|
High supply from production, disinvestment and scrap; |
|
Sales by producers in forward transactions and other hedging transactions; and |
|
Devaluing local currencies (relative to metal priced in U.S. Dollars) leading to lower production costs and higher production in certain regions. |
In addition, sustained low metal prices can:
|
Reduce revenues further through production cutbacks due to cessation of the mining of deposits or portions of deposits that have become uneconomic at the then-prevailing gold or copper price; |
|
Halt or delay the exploration or development of existing or new projects; |
|
Reduce funds available for exploration, with the result that depleted reserves are not replaced; or |
|
Reduce existing reserves, by removing ores from reserves that cannot be economically mined or treated at prevailing prices. |
Mining Operations Generally Involve A High Degree of Risk.
Amarc's current exploration activities are, and any future mining operations will be, subject to all the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of minerals. These include unusual and unexpected geological formations, rock falls, flooding and other conditions involved in the drilling and removal of material, any of which could result in damage to, or destruction of, mines and other producing facilities, damage to life or property, environmental damage and possible legal liability. Future mining operations will also be subject to hazards such as equipment failure or failure of retaining dams which may result in environmental pollution and consequent liability. Although precautions to minimize risk in accordance with industry standards will be taken, such hazards and risks cannot be completely eliminated. Such occurrences could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operation and financial condition.
The Company's Business Could Be Adversely Affected By Government Regulations Related To Mining.
Amarc's exploration activities are regulated in all countries in which the Company operates under various federal, state, provincial and local laws relating to the protection of the environment, which generally includes air and water quality, hazardous waste management and reclamation. Environmental hazards may exist on the properties in which the Company holds interests which are unknown to Amarc at present and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators of the properties. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. Delays in obtaining or failure to obtain government permits and approvals may adversely impact the Company's operations. The regulatory environment in which the Company operates could change in ways that would substantially increase costs to achieve compliance, or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations or financial position. In particular, the Company's operations and exploration activities in British Columbia are subject to national and provincial laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. There can be no certainty that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and operations at the Company's projects.
Although the Company Has No Reason To Believe That the Existence and Extent of Any of the Company's Properties Is In Doubt, Title To Mining Properties Is Subject To Potential Claims By Third Parties Claiming An Interest In Them.
Amarc's mineral properties may be subject to previous unregistered agreements or transfers, and title may be affected by undetected defects or changes in mineral tenure laws. The Company's mineral interests consist of mineral claims, which have not been surveyed, and therefore, the precise area and location of such claims or rights may be in doubt. The failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including the failure to pay taxes or to carry out and file assessment work, may invalidate title to portions of the properties where the Company's mineral rights are held.
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The Company Is Not Able To Obtain Insurance for Many of the Risks That the Company Faces.
In the course of exploration, development and production of mineral properties, several risks and, in particular, unexpected or unusual geological or operating conditions, may occur. It is not always possible to fully insure against such risks, and the Company may decide not to take out insurance against such risks as a result of high premiums or other reasons. Should such liabilities arise they could reduce or eliminate any future profitability and result in an increase in costs and a decline in value of the Company's securities.
The Company is not insured against environmental risks. Insurance against environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) has not been generally available to companies within the industry. The Company will periodically evaluate the cost and coverage of the insurance against certain environmental risks that is available to determine if it would be appropriate to obtain such insurance. Without such insurance, and if the Company becomes subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities would reduce or eliminate the Company's available funds or could exceed the funds the Company has to pay such liabilities and result in bankruptcy. Should the Company be unable to fund fully the remedial cost of an environmental problem, the Company might be required to enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy.
The Company May Be Dependent On Joint Venture Partners for the Development of Certain of the Company's Properties.
Amarc may choose to hold a portion of the Company's assets in the form of participation interests in joint ventures. The Company's interest in these projects is subject to the risks normally associated with the conduct of joint ventures. The existence or occurrence of one or more of the following circumstances and events could have a material adverse impact on the Company's profitability or the viability of the interests held through joint ventures, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial condition: (i) disagreement with joint venture partners on how to proceed with exploration programs and how to develop and operate mines efficiently; (ii) inability of joint venture partners to meet their obligations to the joint venture or third parties; and (iii) litigation between joint venture partners regarding joint venture matters.
The Industry In Which the Company Operates Is Highly Competitive.
The mineral exploration and mining business is competitive in all of its phases. The Company competes with numerous other companies and individuals, including competitors with greater financial, technical and other resources, in the search for and the acquisition of attractive mineral properties. Amarc's ability to acquire properties in the future will depend not only on the Company's ability to develop its present properties, but also on the Company's ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration. There is no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to compete successfully with its competitors in acquiring such properties or prospects.
The Company's Share Price Has Historically Been Volatile.
The market price of a publicly traded stock, especially a junior resource issuer like Amarc, is affected by many variables not directly related to the Company's exploration success, including the market for junior resource stocks, the strength of the economy generally, the availability and attractiveness of alternative investments, and the breadth of the public market for the stock. The effect of these and other factors on the market price of the common shares on the stock exchanges on which the Company trade, suggest the Company's shares will continue to be volatile.
Amarc's Directors and Officers Are Part-Time and Serve As Directors and Officers of Other Companies.
Some of the Company's directors and officers are engaged, and will continue to be engaged, in the search for additional business opportunities on their own behalf and on behalf of other companies, and situations may arise where these directors and officers will be in direct competition with us. Conflicts, if any, will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). In order to avoid the possible conflict of interest which may arise between the directors' duties to Amarc and their duties to the other companies on whose boards they serve, the Company's directors and officers have agreed that participation in other business ventures offered to them will be allocated between the various companies on the basis of prudent business judgment, and the relative financial abilities and needs of the companies to participate.
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There Is No Assurance That the Company Will Be Successful In Obtaining the Funding Required for the Company's Operations.
Amarc's operations consist almost exclusively of cash consuming activities given that the Company's main mineral projects are in the exploration stage. The further exploration and development of the various mineral properties in which the Company holds interests is dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain financing through debt financing, equity financing or other means - the availability of which, on terms acceptable to the Company, cannot be assured.
If the Company Raises Additional Funding Through Equity Financings, Then the Company's Current Shareholders Will Suffer Dilution.
The Company will require additional financing in order to complete full exploration of the Company's mineral properties. Management anticipates that the Company will have to sell additional equity securities including, but not limited to, its common stock, share purchase warrants or some form of convertible security. The effect of additional issuances of equity securities will result in the dilution of existing shareholders' percentage ownership interests.
Amarc's Status As a Passive Foreign Investment Company Has Consequences for U.S. Investors.
The Company believes it is likely a "passive foreign investment company" which may have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders.
U.S. shareholders should be aware that the Company believes it was classified as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") during the tax year ended March 31, 2014, and may be a PFIC in future tax years. If the Company is a PFIC for any year during a U.S. shareholder's holding period, then such U.S. shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, or any so-called "excess distribution" received on its common shares, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distributions, unless the shareholder makes a timely and effective "qualified electing fund" election ("QEF Election") or a "mark-to-market" election with respect to the common shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes a QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Company's net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to its shareholders. However, U.S. shareholders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund, or that the Company will supply U.S. shareholders with information that such U.S. shareholders require to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. shareholder wishes to make a QEF Election. Thus, U.S. shareholders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes the mark-to-market election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the taxpayer's basis therein. This paragraph is qualified in its entirety by the discussion below under the heading "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." Each U.S. shareholder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the PFIC rules and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
The Company's Shareholders Could Face Significant Potential Equity Dilution.
As of July 11, 2014, Amarc had approximately 5,144,800 million share purchase options outstanding. Amarc has a share purchase option plan which allows the management to issue options to its employees and non-employees based on the policies of the Company. If further options are issued, they will likely act as an upside damper on the trading range of the Company's shares. As a consequence of the passage of time since the date of their original sale and issuance, none of the Company's shares remain subject to any hold period restrictions in Canada or the United States. The unrestricted resale of outstanding shares from the exercise of dilutive securities may have a depressing effect on the market for the Company's shares.
Penny Stock Classification Could Affect the Marketability of the Company's Common Stock and Shareholders Could Find It Difficult To Sell Their Stock.
The penny stock rules in the United States 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 that 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.
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Further, the penny stock rules require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from such 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 additional broker-dealer practices and disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for the Company's common shares in the United States, and shareholders may find it more difficult to sell their shares.
ITEM 4 INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
Incorporation
Amarc Resources Ltd. was incorporated on February 2, 1993, pursuant to the Company Act (British Columbia, Canada) (the "BCCA"), as "Patriot Resources Ltd." and changed its name on January 26, 1994 to "Amarc Resources Ltd." The BCCA was replaced by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCA") in March 2004 and the Company is now governed by the BCA.
Amarc became a public company or "reporting issuer" in the Province of British Columbia on May 30, 1995. The common shares of Amarc were listed (symbol AHR) on the Vancouver Stock Exchange ("VSE") on August 4, 1995 and continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX Venture"), formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange, the successor stock exchange to the VSE.
Amarc commenced trading on the OTC Bulletin Board ("OTCBB") in the United States in June 2004 under the symbol AXREF.
Offices
The head office of Amarc is located at 15th Floor, 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4H1, telephone (604) 684-6365, facsimile (604) 684-8092. The Company's registered office is in care of its attorneys, McMillan LLP, 1500 Royal Centre P.O. Box 11117, 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4N7, telephone (604) 689-9111, fax (604) 685-7084.
Company Development
Amarc has been engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties since its incorporation. The Company is currently actively exploring a number of properties located in British Columbia, Canada. All of the Company's mineral properties are at the exploration stage.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Amarc is in the business of exploring and developing mineral properties. The Company's exploration activities are primarily focused in British Columbia, Canada, where it has assembled a portfolio of projects through ground staking and option agreements. Exploration on these properties is aimed at ascertaining whether the properties host commercially viable mineral deposits.
British Columbia Mineral Tenure
On January 12, 2005, the Province of British Columbia adopted an on-line mineral tenure system that includes mineral tenure acquisition and tenure maintenance procedures, as well as a method of converting previous format claims (legacy claims) to new format claims (cell claims). All of the Company's mineral tenures have been converted to cell claims resulting in new tenure numbers and marginally larger claim boundaries. The mineral claims are maintained through the completion of exploration activities referred to as "Assessment Work". The financial requirements related to this exploration work are stated as $5 per hectare per year during the first two years following location of the mineral claim, $10 per hectare per year during the third and fourth years, $15 per hectare per year during the fifth and sixth years, and $20 per hectare per year for subsequent years. If the Assessment Work is not completed, the mineral claims may be maintained by a cash payment, but if this payment is not made before the forfeiture date, the tenure is relinquished. The required payment to maintain a mineral claim for one year is double the value of the Assessment Work for the particular year.
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One other type of mineral tenure exists, called crown-granted mineral claims, on which the perimeter has been physically surveyed. Crown-granted mineral claims are maintained by paying taxes on an annual basis. Unlike mineral claims, the taxes can be paid late with penalties and interest. If the taxes remain unpaid after a specified period of time, the claims will revert to the Crown and will be subsequently made available for acquisition by normal procedures.
Environmental Matters
Environmental matters related to mineral exploration companies in British Columbia are administered by the Ministry of Energy and Mines. The Company files notice of its work programs with the Ministry, and a bond is determined that will set aside sufficient cash to reclaim the exploration sites to their pre-exploration land use. Typically, no bond is required for exploration activities such as surface geological and geochemical surveys. However, a bond is required for activities such as machine work including drilling and also for blasting. The required reclamation involves leaving the site in an environmentally stable condition and grooming the sites to prevent forest fire hazards.
Mineral Properties and Exploration Activities and Plans
Amarc has assembled a capable and experienced mineral exploration team to achieve its objective of discovering and developing British Columbias ("BC") next major metal mine. Through its property evaluation efforts the Company has acquired the prospective porphyry-style copper-molybdenum-silver Ike property, located in central BC. Amarcs exploration team continues to actively evaluate high potential mineral properties with a view to making additional value-adding project acquisitions.
At the Ike property limited historical drilling indicates the presence of a mineral system with characteristics that are favorable for the development of a viable bulk tonnage copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry deposit. Amarc plans to drill test the extent and grade of the porphyry system at Ike. Under the terms of the Option and Joint Venture agreement, Amarc can acquire an 80% ownership interest in Ike.
Amarc's prospective 100% owned Galileo claim package lies 16 kilometres west of New Gold's 8 million plus ounce Blackwater gold deposit. Extensive airborne and ground-based Induced Polarization ("IP") surveys have identified four high-quality anomalies that potentially represent important sulphide systems for drill testing.
At Amarcs 100% owned Newton discovery, gold mineralization is similar in age and geological characteristics to the mineralization at the Blackwater gold deposit. An initial mineral resource estimate completed on June 30, 2012 and based on 24,513 metres of core drilling in 78 holes confirmed that Newton is a significant bulk tonnage gold discovery that remains open to further expansion. At a 0.25 g/t gold cut-off, Inferred Mineral Resources comprise 111.5 million tonnes grading 0.44 g/t gold and 2.1 g/t silver, containing 1.6 million ounces of gold and 7.7 million ounces of silver (further details are provided in the property section below).
Amarcs focus with respect to its Newton and Galileo projects is to partner them out to further advance exploration.
Amarcs cost effective and efficient 2013 exploration program was focused in central and northern BC at its 100%-owned Silver Vista silver-copper property, and at the ZNT and Galaxie properties which were being explored under joint venture agreements with Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. ("Quartz Mountain"). No compelling drill targets were established and no work is planned on these properties. Amarc and Quartz Mountain have terminated the ZNT and Galaxie joint ventures by mutual agreement, and Amarc has not retained any interest in the ZNT and Galaxie properties.
Amarc is actively working to establish positive relationships with local First Nations and other communities in the areas of all its projects.
The Ike Property
Amarc has the right to acquire an 80% interest in the Ike property, which is located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Gold Bridge, in a region characterized by moderate topography. The limited historical drilling indicates the presence of a mineral system with characteristics that are highly favorable for the development of a viable copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry deposit. Of particular significance are three widely-spaced, historical drill holes (81-02, 891-01 and 891-02) which intercepted, from surface, long intervals of continuous, coarse grained chalcopyrite and molybdenum mineralization with encouraging grades. Examples of intersections from these holes are 250 metres of 0.36% copper equivalent (CuEQ)1 comprising 0.27% Cu, 0.018% Mo and 1.8 g/t Ag, including 58 metres of 0.53% CuEQ, comprising 0.39% Cu, 0.031% Mo and 1.9 g/t Ag; 247 metres of 0.32% CuEQ, comprising 0.22% Cu, 0.020% Mo and 2.3 g/t Ag, including 64 metres of 0.51% CuEQ, comprising 0.37% Cu, 0.024% Mo and 4.7 g/t Ag; and 183 metres of 0.38% CuEQ, comprising 0.25% Cu and 0.032% Mo (no Ag assays available), including 116 metres of 0.46% CuEQ, comprising 0.29% Cu and 0.043% Mo. All three holes ended in mineralization.
________________________________________________
1
Copper equivalent calculations use metal prices of Cu US$3.00/lb, Mo US$
12.00/lb, and Ag US$ 20.00/oz. Metallurgical recoveries and net smelter returns
are assumed to be 100%. Widths reported are drill widths, such that true
thicknesses are unknown.
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Amarc plans to drill test, under a pre-existing drill permit, the extent and grade of the porphyry system at Ike, which is open in all directions.
Amarc is actively working to establish positive relationships with First Nations with asserted traditional territories in the area of the drill permit.
Ike Property Agreement
In December 2013, the Company entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement (the "Ike Agreement") with Oxford Resources Inc. ("Oxford"), whereby the Company acquired the right to earn an 80% ownership interest in the Ike property by making cash payments totaling $125,000, issuing 300,000 shares and by completing approximately $1,860,000 in exploration expenditures on or before November 30, 2015.
On or before |
Cash payment |
Number of common shares to issue |
Exploration expenditures |
||||||
Exchange approval | $ | 25,000 | 100,000 | | |||||
June 6, 2014 | $ | 50,000 | 100,000 | | |||||
November 30, 2014 | | | $ | 855,697 | |||||
June 5, 2015 | $ | 50,000 | 100,000 | | |||||
November 30, 2015 | | | $ | 1,000,000 | |||||
Total | $ | 125,000 | 300,000 | $ | 1,855,697 |
The mineral claims are subject to an underlying 2% Net Smelter Returns royalty. Amarc has the right to purchase half of the royalty (1%) for $2 million (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) at any time prior to commercial production. In addition, Amarc has the right to purchase the remaining half of the royalty (1%) for $2 million (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) prior to December 31, 2018.
Minimum advance royalty payments of $25,000 (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) are due annually commencing December 31, 2015.
Upon exercise of the option by Amarc, Oxford and Amarc have agreed to form a joint venture to further develop the project. Amarc has agreed that upon completion of a positive feasibility study, Amarc will issue 500,000 common shares to the underlying owners of the property.
The Blackwater District Properties Galileo, Hubble, Franklin and Darwin
Amarc owns a 100% interest in the Galileo, Hubble, Franklin and Darwin properties, which are located within the Blackwater district, 75 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof, BC.
The Company has completed an approximately 5,120 line kilometres of helicopter-borne, magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical survey over its Blackwater properties, from which epithermal gold-silver and porphyry gold-copper-type targets were identified for ground evaluation. At Galileo the results of more than 230 line kilometres of Induced Polarization ("IP") ground geophysical surveys, combined with information from soil geochemical surveys and prospecting have identified four principle target areas with the potential to represent important sulphide systems for drill testing. Drill permits have been received.
The Galileo, Hubble, Franklin and Darwin properties are located approximately 17 to 35 kilometres from New Gold's Blackwater gold deposit (Proven and Probable Reserves of 344.4 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.74 g/t gold containing 8.2 million gold ounces, and 5.5 g/t silver containing 60.8 million silver ounces; New Gold news release December 12, 2013).
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We caution that although this information is considered by management to be of material importance to the Company and its land holdings in the area and is therefore included in the Companys Canadian public filings, we have no right to explore or mine New Golds properties. Mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not necessarily probative of the existence, nature or extent of mineral deposits on our properties. In addition, as described elsewhere in this annual report, while the terms "indicated resources" and "inferred resources" are recognized by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Further, "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. |
Amarc's Blackwater district properties lie approximately 135 kilometres southwest, of the town of Vanderhoof and 176 kilometres southwest of northern BC's regional hub city of Prince George. The area is characterized by subdued topography and is well served by existing transportation and power infrastructure and a skilled workforce, which supports an active exploration and mining industry.
Amarc is actively working to establish positive relationships with local First Nations and other communities in the area of its drill permits.
The Newton Property
Amarc made a drill discovery at its 100% owned Newton bulk-tonnage gold-silver project in late 2009 and subsequently conducted exploration and delineation drilling at the deposit until June 2012.
An initial mineral resource estimate announced in September 2012, based on 24,513 metres of core drilling in 78 holes completed up to June 30, 2012, confirms that Newton is a significant bulk tonnage gold discovery that remains open to further expansion. At a 0.25 g/t gold cut-off, Inferred Mineral Resources comprise 111.5 million tonnes grading 0.44 g/t gold and 2.1 g/t silver, containing 1.6 million ounces of gold and 7.7 million ounces of silver.
Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred Resources |
This section uses the term "inferred mineral resources". The Company advises investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize it. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of economic studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. |
Inferred Mineral Resources at various cut-off grades are summarized in the table below.
NEWTON GOLD PROJECT INFERRED MINERAL RESOURCES
Cut-Off Grade | Size | Grade | Contained Metal | ||
(g/t Au) | Tonnage (000 t) |
Gold (g/t) |
Silver (g/t) |
Gold (000 oz) |
Silver (000 oz) |
0.20 | 147,069 | 0.38 | 1.9 | 1,818 | 8,833 |
0.25 | 111,460 | 0.44 | 2.1 | 1,571 | 7,694 |
0.30 | 85,239 | 0.49 | 2.4 | 1,334 | 6,495 |
0.35 | 65,384 | 0.54 | 2.7 | 1,130 | 5,635 |
0.40 | 49,502 | 0.59 | 2.9 | 938 | 4,596 |
Notes:
1. |
CIM definitions were followed for this mineral resource estimate. An "Inferred Mineral Resource" is that part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. |
2. |
Inferred Mineral Resources were estimated using a long-term gold price of US$1,750 per ounce, a long-term silver price of US$25 per ounce, and a US$/C$ 1.00 exchange rate. |
3. |
Bulk density is 2.71 tonnes per cubic metre. |
4. |
Numbers may not add due to rounding. |
5. |
The Effective Date of the Mineral Resource is July 4, 2012; the Effective Date being defined as the date when Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. was in receipt of full data which informed the resource. |
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The Newton Inferred Mineral Resources was prepared using geostatistical methods by technical staff at Hunter Dickinson Inc. ("HDI") and audited by geological and mining consultants at Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. under the direction of Reno Pressacco, P. Geo., an independent Qualified Person. Sample preparation and analysis of drill core samples from Newton were completed at the ISO 9001:2008 accredited and ISO-IEC 17025:2005 accredited Acme Analytical Laboratories (Vancouver) Ltd. A technical report providing further details of the estimate has been filed on www.sedar.com.
The current Newton resource extends over an area of approximately 800 metres by 800 metres and to a depth of 560 metres, and is open to expansion to the northwest, west and to depth. It is located within the southeast segment of an extensive seven square kilometre sulphide system that is characterized by widespread gold enrichment indicating good potential for the development of substantial additional resources. This large, fertile mineral system extends well beyond the limits of the current resource and is largely concealed under shallow cover.
Newton exhibits key characteristics that typify significant hydrothermal gold deposits. The deposit lies within a large, gold-enriched epithermal system that formed approximately 72 million years ago contemporaneously with felsic volcanic and intrusive rocks, which were emplaced into a structurally-active graben environment. Gold, silver and associated base metal mineralization was precipitated with extensive zones of strong quartz-sericite alteration. The alteration types, metal associations and geological setting at Newton are nearly identical to those which characterize several major intrusion-related epithermal gold deposits in BC including the important Blackwater-Davidson, Brucejack and Snowfields deposits.
Exploration and resource expansion potential are clearly indicated at Newton by the large scale of the hydrothermal system, the structurally- and magmatically-active nature of the geological setting at the time of mineralization, the intensity of the hydrothermal alteration and the strong, widespread metal anomalies that have been confirmed by widely-spaced wildcat drilling. In addition, the Newton deposit occupies only one portion of an extensive IP geophysics chargeability anomaly. It is important to note that, beyond the currently delineated Newton resource, anomalous concentrations of metals have been intersected in almost all exploration holes drilled on the property. Large portions of the system remain untested or have been tested only by widely-spaced reconnaissance drilling.
Amarc's Newton property is located some 100 kilometres west of the City of Williams Lake, BC, in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and other characteristics favorable for project development. The district is well served by existing transportation and power infrastructure and a skilled workforce, which support a number of operating mines, as well as late-stage mineral development and exploration projects.
Amarc has undertaken significant consultation with local First Nations. All parties have worked together in a diligent manner in order to develop a positive work relationship.
Newton Property Agreement
As of May 2012 Amarc holds a 100% interest in the Newton Property. Subsequent to the termination of the Newton Joint Venture Agreement the participating interest of Newton Gold Corp. was converted to a 5% net profits interest. In addition, the mineral claims defined in an Underlying Agreement are subject to a 2% NSR, which royalty may be purchased by Amarc for $2,000,000 at any time. Advance royalty payments of $25,000 per annum commenced on January 1, 2011.
The Silver Vista Property
In July 2012, Amarc acquired a 100% interest in the approximately 30 square kilometre MR Zone on the Silver Vista property, located in west-central BC. Previous exploration at the MR Zone indicated the potential for a significant bulk tonnage silver-copper discovery. In addition, Amarc staked extensive mineral claims in the region to cover prospective host rocks.
Results from extensive geochemical surveys conducted in 2012 over the MR Zone defined a strong silver-in-soils anomaly extending over an area of approximately 1.2 kilometres by 1.4 kilometres for ground follow-up. This target area included a 600 metre-long zone of known mineralization defined by historical drilling, which remains open laterally and to depth. An efficient pitting and trenching program designed to test the MR Zone target was completed in 2013. Results suggest that silver-copper mineralization is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the historical drilling, and has limited the potential for a large-scale, bulk tonnage deposit.
Comprehensive surface exploration, including silt geochemical sampling, over the greater Silver Vista property in 2012 delineated copper-molybdenum and silver targets for ground follow-up. In August 2013, three prioritized targets were geologically mapped. In addition, 125 rock and 838 soil geochemical samples were collected. Two porphyry copper-molybdenum systems of limited dimensions were defined, however, no compelling drill targets were established.
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Amarc has actively worked to establish positive relationships with local First Nations and other communities in the area of its permitted activities on the Silver Vista Property.
Silver Vista (MR Zone) Property Agreement
In July 2012 Amarc acquired 100% interest in the 7 minerals claims comprising Silver Vista (MR Zone) property from Metal Mountain Resources Inc. for $800,000. The mineral claims purchased are subject to an underlying 2% net smelter return royalty ("NSR"), of which 1% can be acquired by Amarc for $1,000,000, and thereafter the remaining 1% NSR is subject to a Right of First Refusal.
Other Properties
ZNT Project
Amarc held a 60% joint venture interest in the ZNT property located in central BC. This exploration property was staked on the basis of significant zinc concentrations in regional till samples as reported by Geoscience BC. Target definition and assessment, which included a two-hole drill program did not encounter economic mineralization.
Amarc has terminated the joint venture and returned its earned interest to Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd.
Galaxie Project
Amarc held a 40% joint venture interest in the Galaxie project located in northern BC. Integrated field surveys defined a number of porphyry copper targets, however, no immediate drill targets were identified. Amarc has terminated the joint venture and returned its earned interest to Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd.
Babine North Property
In October 2012, the Company entered into an option agreement with an arm's length party, whereby the Company was granted an option (the "Babine North Option") to acquire a 100% interest in eight mineral claims internal and adjacent to its Silver Vista property.
In August 2013, the Babine North Option was terminated by mutual agreement, and Amarc has not retained any interest in the eight mineral claims that were subject to the option.
Blackwater South Property
In September 2011, Amarc entered into an option agreement with an arm's length individual, whereby the Company was granted an option (the "Blackwater South Option") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in the Blackwater South property adjacent to its Galileo property.
In October 2013, the Blackwater South Option was terminated by mutual agreement, and Amarc has not retained any interest in the Blackwater South property.
The Tulox Property
The Tulox property located in the Cariboo region was acquired by Amarc in 2005. In April 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Newlox Gold Ventures Corp. ("Newlox") (formerly named Sitec Ventures Corp. and Tulox Resources Inc.), and various subsequent amending agreements under the terms of which Newlox could acquire a 100% interest in the Tulox Property.
In November 2013, the Tulox Property Agreement was terminated and the mineral claims allowed to expire.
Location of Mineral Properties and Claim Information
All of the Company's active properties are located in British Columbia. The nature of the Company's interests in various mineral properties is described above. The locations of the currently active properties and details of mineral exploration claims within British Columbia are shown on the map and claim table respectively below.
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Location of the Ike, Newton, Galileo and Silver Vista Properties.
Claim Information for Amarc's BC Properties
Program | Claim Numbers | Size (sq km) |
Darwin | 997244, 997246, 997248, 997249, 997522, 997523, 997525, 997528 | 36 |
Newton | 208327, 414743, 507905, 507914, 511965, 511967, 514976, 514979, 514981, 606674, 606675, 606676, 606677, 606678, 606679, 606680, 606681, 606682, 606683, 606684, 606685, 606686, 606687, 606688, 606689, 606690, 606691, 606692, 606693, 606694, 606695, 606696, 606697, 606698, 606699, 606700, 606701, 606702, 606703, 606704, 606705, 606706, 606707, 606708, 606709, 606710, 606711, 606712, 606713, 606714, 606715, 606716, 606717, 615743, 615803, 615843, 615863, 616023, 681843, 681844, 681863, 681883, 681903, 681904, 681923, 681924, 681925, 681926, 681927, 681928, 681929, 681930, 681931, 681932, 681933, 681943, 681944, 681963, 681964, 681983, 682003, , 682004, 682024, 682025, 682043, 682044, 682063, 682065, 682089, 682094, 682095, 682098, 682100, 682104, 682106, 682107, 682111, 682112, 682114, 682116, 682123, 682124, 682143, 682144, 682163, 682164, 682183, 682184, 682185, 682203, 682204, 682205, 682206, 682207, 682208, 682209, 682210, 682212, 682213, 682214, 682223, 682225, 682226, 682227, 682228, 682229, 682230, 682232, 682233, 682234, 682235, 682236, 682243, 682244, 682245, 682246, 682263, 682283, 682284, 682285, 682286, 682287, 682288, 682289, 682290, 682291, 682303, 682304, 682305, 682306, 682307, 682308, 682309, 682310, 682311, 682312, 682315, 682317, 682319, 682320, 682324, 682327, 682330, 682332, 682334, 682335, 682336, 682337, 682338, 682343, 682344, 682345, 682346, 682347, 682348, 682349, 682350, 682351, 682352, 682353, 682354, 682363, 682364, 682365, 682366, 682367, 682368, 682369, 682370, 682371, 682372, 682373, 682374, 682375, 682376, 682377, 682384, 682404, 682406, 682407, 682414, 682417, 682423, 682424, 682426, 682428, 682444, 682464, 682484, 682503, 682506, 682511, 682514, 682515, 682520, 682604, 682610, 682611, 682615, 682616, 682621, 685683, 685684, 685685, 685686, 685687, 685703, 685704, 685705, 685706, 685707, 685708, 685709, 685723, 685724, 685743, 685763, 685764, 685765, 685767, 685783, 685784, 685785, 685786, 685803, 840950, 840951, 840952, 840953 | 1,238 |
Franklin | 937689, 980743 | 5 |
Galileo | 705129, 705131, 705132, 705134, 705135, 705136, 705137, 705138, 705139, 705140, 705142, 705143, 705144, 705145, 705146, 705147, 705148, 705149, 705150, 705151, 705962, 705963, 705964, 705965, 705966, 705967, 705968, 705969, 705970, 705971, 705972, 705973, 705974, 705975, 705976, 705977, 705978, 705979, 705980, 705981, 705982, 705983, 705985, 705986, 705987, 705988, 705989, 705990, 705991, 705992, 705993, 705994, 705995, 705996, 705997, 705998, 705999, 706001, 706002, 706003, 706004, 706005, 706006, 706007, 706008, 706009, 706010, 706012, 706013, 706014, 706015, 706016, 706017, 706018, 706019, 706020, 706021, 706022, 706023, 706024, 706025, 706026, 706027, 706028, 706029, 706030, 706031, 706032, 706033, 706034, 706036, 706038, 706039, 706040, 706041, 706042, 706043, 706045, 706046, 706047, 706048, 706049, 706050, 763162, 763202, 763222, 763242, 763262, 763282, 763302, 763322, 763342, 763362, 763382, 763402, 763422, 763442, 763462, 763482, 763502, 763522, 763542, 763562, 763582, 763602, 763622, 763642, 763662, 763682, 763702, 763722, 763742, 763762, 763782, 763802, 763822, 763842, 763862, 763882, 763902, 763922, 763942, 763962, | 1049 |
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Program | Claim Numbers | Size (sq km) |
763982, 764002, 764022, 764042, 764062, 764082, 764102, 764122, 764142, 764162, 764182, 765302, 765322, 765342, 765362, 765402, 765422, 765442, 765462, 765482, 765502, 765522, 924729, 979332, 979352, 979372, 979392, 979412, 979452, 979472, 979492, 979513, 979532, 979552, 979572, 979612, 979633, 979652, 979672, 979692, 979712, 979752, 979772, 979792, 979812, 979832, 992248, 992263, 995522, 995523, 995524, 995525, 995526, 995562, 995582, 995606, 1010854, 1010860, 1010866, 1010870, 1010875, 1010880, 1010881, 1010883, 1010884, 1010886, 1010889, 1011020 | ||
Hubble | 705779, 705780, 705781, 705782, 705783, 705784, 705785, 705786, 705787, 705788, 705789, 705790, 705822, 705823, 705824, 856077, 856079, 856080, 856082, 856083, 896504, 936603, 936604, 936605, 936606, 936607, 936608, 936609, 993663, 993664, 994802, 994803, 994807, 994811, 994812, 994816, 994818, 994819, 994820, 994822, 994824, 994825, 994826, 994842, 994843, 994844, 994862, 994863, 994883, 994902 | 249 |
Ike | 507495, 507507, 550905, 550907, 550908, 602343, 841974, 1028892, 1028891, 1028890, 1028889, 1028888 | 104 |
Pinchi Gold | 556348 | 1 |
Rapid | 580114, 580119, 580181, 580182, 580314 | 5 |
Silver Vista | 568283, 568284, 586385, 586388, 586512, 586514, 856772, 995324, 995325, 995326, 995327, 995328, 995329, 995330, 995331, 995332, 995333, 995334, 995335, 995342, 995362, 995382, 995383, 995384, 995385, 995386, 995387, 995388, 995389, 995390, 995391, 995392, 995393, 995394, 995395, 995396, 995397, 995398, 995399, 995400, 995401, 995402, 995403, 995404, 995405, 995406, 995407, 995408, 995409, 995410, 995411, 995412, 995413, 995414, 995415, 995416, 995417, 995418, 995419, 995420, 995421, 995422, 995423, 995424, 995425, 995426, 995427, 995428, 995429, 995430, 995431, 995432, 995433, 995434, 995435, 995436, 995437, 995438, 995439, 995440, 995441, 995442, 995443, 995444, 995445, 995446, 995447, 995448, 995449, 995450, 995451, 995452, 995453, 995454, 995455, 995456, 995457, 995458, 995459, 995460, 995461, 995462, 995463, 995464, 1011344, 1011447, 1011448, 1011461, 1011462, 1011463, 1011464, 1011465, 1011466, 1011467, 1011468, 1011471, 1011491, 1011492, 1011493, 1011494 1011495, 1012823, 1012824, 1012825, 1029183, 1029184, 1029186, 1029187, 1029188, 1029189 | 710 |
Sitlika | 544646, 544648, 544649, 545669, 545670, 545672, 574571, 546157, 546160, 544623, 542768, 542769 | 16 |
Others | 545760, 545762, 560228, 560236, 560238, 516565 | 18 |
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Company has no subsidiaries.
D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
None of the Companys properties have any material tangible fixed assets located thereon.
ITEM 4A UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 5 OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
OVERVIEW
Amarc is a mineral exploration company with a portfolio of active exploration projects located in British Columbia, Canada. The Company's business strategy is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. None of the Company's properties have any mineral reserves or have been proven to host mineralized material which can be said to be "ore" or feasibly economic at current metals prices. The Company incurs significant exploration expenditures as it carries out its business strategy. As Amarc is an exploration stage company, it does not have any revenues from its operations to offset its exploration expenditures. Accordingly, the Company's ability to continue exploration of its properties will be contingent upon the availability of additional financing.
Amarc's financial statements are prepared on the basis that it will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred losses since inception and the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern depends upon its ability to continue to raise adequate financing and to develop profitable operations. Amarc's financial statements do not reflect adjustments, which could be material, to the carrying values of assets and liabilities, which may be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.
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The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited annual financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related notes accompanying this Annual Report. The Company prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The Company includes selected financial data prepared in compliance with IFRS without reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's accounting policies are presented in note 2 of the accompanying audited annual financial statements for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to select accounting policies and make estimates, judgments and assumptions. Such estimates, judgments and assumptions may have a significant impact on the financial statements. These include but are not limited to:
| estimate of the accrual of Mineral Exploration Tax Credits ("METC"); |
| inputs used in accounting for share-based payments; |
| judgments used in determining the classification of the Companys joint arrangement; |
| the determination of categories of financial assets and financial liabilities; and |
| the carrying value and recoverability of the Company's marketable securities. |
Actual amounts could differ from the estimates used and, accordingly, affect the results of operation.
Mineral Exploration Tax Credits ("METC")
When the Company is entitled to receive METC and other government grants, this government assistance is recognized as a cost recovery within exploration expense when there is reasonable assurance of recovery.
Sharebased payment transactions
The share purchase option plan allows Company employees and consultants to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of share purchase options granted is recognized as an employee or consultant expense with a corresponding increase in the share-based payments reserve in equity. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes (direct employee) or provides services similar to those performed by a direct employee.
For employees, fair value is measured at the grant date and each tranche is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the share purchase options vest. The fair value of the share purchase options granted is measured using the BlackScholes option pricing model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the share purchase options were granted. At the end of each financial reporting period, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share purchase options that are expected to vest.
Sharebased payment transactions with non-employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received. However, if the fair value cannot be estimated reliably, the share-based payment transaction is measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted at the date the entity obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service.
Joint venture activities and joint controlled operations
Joint control is defined as the contractually agreed sharing of control over an economic activity, and exists only when the strategic, financial and operating decisions essential to the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. When the Company enters into agreements that provide for specific percentage interests in exploration properties, a portion of the Company's exploration activities is conducted jointly with others, without establishment of a corporation, partnership or other entity.
Under IFRS 11 "Joint Arrangements", this type of joint control of mineral assets and joint exploration and/or development activities is considered as a joint operation, which is defined as a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. In its financial statements, the Company recognizes the following in relation to its interest in a joint operation:
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| its assets, including its share of any assets held jointly; |
| its liabilities, including its share of any liabilities incurred jointly; |
| its revenue from the sale of its share of the output of the joint operation; and |
| its expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly |
Financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes party to the contracts that give rise to them. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition and, where allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates such classification at each financial year end. The Company does not have any derivative financial instruments.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issuance of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Marketable securities
The Company's investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") financial assets. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses and foreign currency differences on AFS monetary items, are recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. When an investment is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss in the investment revaluation reserve is transferred to profit or loss.
The fair value of AFS monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Changes in the fair value of AFS equity investments are recognized directly in equity.
A. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended March 31, 2014 ("2014") Versus Year Ended March 31, 2013 ("2013")
The Company recorded a net loss of $2,155,000 for the year ended March 31, 2014, compared to a net loss of $10,426,000 for the prior year. The decrease in net loss was mainly due to decreased exploration activity during 2014.
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Year ended March 31, |
| ||||||
| |||||||
2014 | 2013 |
| |||||
($ 000's) | ($ 000's) |
Discussion | |||||
| |||||||
Exploration expenses | 1,095 | 8,422 |
During 2013, the Company directed its exploration activities primarily towards the Blackwater, Galaxie, Newton, and Silver Vista properties. | ||||
| |||||||
Exploration activities were also carried out on these properties during 2014 along with the Ike and ZNT properties but to lesser extent as part of the Companys cash conservation efforts. | |||||||
| |||||||
Administration expenses | 1,306 | 1,823 |
During 2014, there was a decrease in administration costs as a result of the decline in exploration activity. | ||||
| |||||||
Share-based payments | 103 | 434 |
The variation in share-based payments expense was due to the timing of option grants. | ||||
| |||||||
Interest income | (69 | ) | (129 | ) |
The decrease during 2014 was due to lower average cash balances on hand compared to 2013. | ||
| |||||||
Gain on termination of Galaxie Joint Venture | (285 | ) | |
The Company recognized its proportionate share (40% ) of the gain realized upon termination of the Galaxie Joint Venture. Various assets and liabilities, primarily the $600,000 debenture, were transferred from the joint venture to Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd., which resulted in the gain. |
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Year Ended March 31, 2013 ("2013") Versus Year Ended March 31, 2012 ("2012")
The Company recorded a net loss of $10,426,000 for the year ended March 31, 2013, compared to a net loss of $7,573,000 for 2012.
During 2013, the Company incurred approximately $3 million in expenses for interests in mineral properties, including its 40% interests in the Galaxie and ZNT Projects (which have since been surrendered upon termination of the related joint venture agreement) and a 100% interest in the Silver Vista property. During 2012, the Company credited the majority of its flow-through share premium to income and recognized a gain on sale of a 20% interest in certain mineral claims to the Newton Joint Venture. These items were the primary contributors to the increase in net loss for 2013.
Year ended March 31, |
| ||||||
| |||||||
2013 | 2012 |
| |||||
($ 000's) | ($ 000's) |
Discussion | |||||
| |||||||
Exploration expenses | 8,422 | 6,660 |
Exploration and evaluation expenses were higher during 2013 mainly due to the Company incurring approximately $3 million in mineral property costs, namely, $2.26 million for Galaxie and ZNT, and $0.8 million for Silver Vista. | ||||
| |||||||
However, direct exploration activity was higher in 2012, during which time the Company worked primarily on the Newton and Blackwater properties. Although exploration activity at these properties remained high during 2013, the Company's exploration program was focused on more properties, particularly its Silver Vista property where the Company continued its work program to delineate and develop the property. | |||||||
| |||||||
Administration expenses | 1,823 | 1,752 |
The minor increase in administration expenses was mainly due to (1 ) an increase in administration and stewardship activities associated with maintaining and developing the Company's projects; and (2) an increase in corporate communications and business development activities. | ||||
| |||||||
Share-based payments | 434 | 800 |
During 2012, the Company granted stock options to its employees and directors. The decrease in share-based payments expense during 2013 was due to the fair value amortization of a fewer number of share purchase options compared to the 2012. | ||||
| |||||||
Interest income | (129 | ) | (83 | ) |
The increase was due to a higher average cash balance on hand during 2013. The Company completed an equity financing transaction in late fiscal 2012 and as a result, a larger portion of interest was earned on the funds during fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. |
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Year Ended March 31, 2012 ("2012") Versus Year Ended March 31, 2011 ("2011")
The Company recorded a net loss of $7,573,000 for the year ended March 31, 2012, compared to a net loss of $6,466,000 for 2011.
The increase in the loss for 2012 compared to 2011 was due primarily to increases in exploration expenses, administration expenses, and stock-based compensation, offset by a gain of $679,000 on the sale of a 20% interest in certain mineral claims to the Newton Joint Venture, and the recognition of $730,000 in flow-through share premium credited to operations.
Year ended March 31, | |||||||
2012 | 2011 | ||||||
($ 000's) | ($ 000's) | Discussion | |||||
Exploration expenses | 6,660 | 5,484 |
The increase was due to a higher level of exploration activities. | ||||
| |||||||
In 2012 the Company commenced an exploration program to delineate and develop the Newton properties. In addition, the exploration activities at the Galileo and Hubble projects also increased. The increase in exploration activities was caused by an increase in geophysical, diamond drilling and site expenses compared to the previous year. | |||||||
| |||||||
The Company earned a lower BC Mineral Exploration Tax Credit in 2012 than 2011 because much of the current year exploration program was funded by flow- through financing. | |||||||
| |||||||
Administration expenses | 1,752 | 1,273 |
The increase in administration expenses was mainly due to the generally increased activities of the Company. | ||||
| |||||||
Share-based payments | 800 | |
In 2012, the Company granted stock options to employees and directors, compared to nil during 2011. Stock-based compensation expense in 2012 was mainly due to the amortization of stock options. There was no stock-based compensation expense charged to operations during 2011. | ||||
| |||||||
Interest income | (83 | ) | (63 | ) |
The increase was due to higher cash balances on hand, as a result of the equity capital raised early in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. |
Year Ended March 31, 2011 ("2011") Versus Year Ended March 31, 2010 ("2010")
The net loss for the year ended March 31, 2011 increased to $6,466,000 compared to a net loss of $4,102,000 for the previous year. The increase in loss was mainly due to an increase in exploration expenditures in 2011 compared to 2010.
Exploration expenses, before METCBC, increased to $6,167,000 in 2011, compared to $3,447,000 in 2010. The major exploration expenditures during 2011 were geological (2011 $2,719,000; 2010 $1,755,000), drilling (2011 $1,256,000; 2010 $670,000), assay and analysis (2011 $597,000; 2010 $252,000), site activities (2011 $833,000; 2010 $255,000) and property fees and assessments (2011 $211,000; 2010 $75,000).
Administrative costs for 2011 also increased in line with the increase in exploration activities from 2010. The major administrative costs during 2011 were salaries and benefits (2011 $693,000; 2010 $312,000), office and administration (2011 $196,000; 2010 $154,000), shareholder communications (2011 $175,000; 2010 $104,000), legal, accounting and audit (2011 $82,000; 2010 $36,000) and conference and travel (2011 $77,000; 2010 $48,000).
The increase in office and administration is mainly due to an increase in insurance expenses to $90,000 from $78,000 and increased costs for information technology services and related maintenance expenses to $81,000 from $52,000.
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There was no stock-based compensation expense charged to operations during 2011, compared to $138,000 for 2010, as no options were granted during 2011.
During 2011, interest income increased to $63,000 from $24,000 in 2010, primarily due to higher average cash balances on hand.
B. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Historically, the Company's sole source of funding has been provided from the issuance of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements to sophisticated investors and institutions. The Company's access to financing is always uncertain. There can be no assurance of continued access to significant equity funding to finance the Company's ongoing operations.
As at March 31, 2014, the Company had working capital of $4.8 million compared to working capital of $5.6 million as at March 31, 2013. The decrease in working capital since March 31, 2013 was mainly due to the continued funding of the Company's exploration programs for its various properties as well as ongoing operating expenses, offset by refunds from the METC program. The Company's current working capital is sufficient to fund its known commitments due within the next twelve months.
The Company has no long-term debt, capital lease obligations, operating leases or any other long-term obligations.
The Company will continue to advance its exploration projects by finding the appropriate balance between advancing the projects and preserving its cash.
Development of any of the Company's mineral properties will require additional equity and possibly debt financing. As the Company is an exploration stage company, it does not have revenues from operations and, except for interest income from its cash and cash equivalents, the Company relies on equity funding for its continuing financial liquidity.
A summary of the Company's cash flows, expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars, is as follows:
Years ended March 31, | |||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |||||||
($ 000s) | ($ 000s) | ($ 000s) | |||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (1,191 | ) | $ | (9,735 | ) | $ | (6,804 | ) |
Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | 137 | $ | 129 | $ | 160 | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | (43 | ) | $ | | $ | 15,308 |
Operating activities: |
Cash used in operating activities was attributable primarily to the Company's ongoing exploration and administration activities. |
Investing activities: |
Investing activities relate primarily to the receipt of interest on funds held with financial institutions. The amount for fiscal year 2014 includes proceeds from the disposition of available-for-sale marketable securities. |
Financing activities: |
The amount for the 2014 fiscal year relates to the Companys portion of interest and principal payments made on a debenture obligation held by the Galaxie Joint Venture. The Company did not have any financing activities during the 2013 fiscal year. During the 2012 fiscal year, the Company completed a private placement of its common shares. |
Capital Resources
The Company has no lines of credit or other sources of financing which have been arranged or utilized. The Company has no "Purchase Obligations" defined as any agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the Company that specifies all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.
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Requirement of Financing
Historically, Amarc's sole source of funding has been provided from the sale of equity securities for cash, primarily through private placements to sophisticated investors and institutions. Like all exploration stage companies, Amarc will need to raise additional financing to meet its business objectives.
The Company presently does not have any material commitments for capital expenditures and accordingly, can remain somewhat flexible in directing its exploration activities to the availability of funds.
The Company has no lines of credit or other sources of financing which have been arranged but are as yet unused.
Financial Instruments
Amarc keeps its financial instruments primarily denominated in Canadian Dollars with a very small amount held in U.S. Dollars. The Company does not engage in any hedging operations with respect to currency or in-situ minerals. Funds which are excess to Amarc's current needs are invested in short-term near-cash investments.
Amarc does not have any material, legally enforceable obligations requiring it to make capital expenditures and accordingly, can remain relatively flexible in gearing its activities to the availability of funds.
C. RESEARCH EXPENDITURES
Amarc does not carry out any research or development activities. Please refer to Item 5.A and Item 5.B above for a discussion of the exploration expenditures that the Company has incurred in connection with the exploration of the Company's mineral properties.
D. TREND INFORMATION
As a natural resource exploration company, Amarc's activities reflect the traditional cyclical nature of metal prices. Consequently, Amarc's business is primarily an "event-driven" business based on exploration results.
Average annual prices for copper, gold and silver are shown in the table below:
Average metal price (US$) | |||
Calendar year | Copper | Gold | Silver |
2008 | 3.16/lb | 871/oz | 14.99/oz |
2009 | 2.34/lb | 974/oz | 14.67/oz |
2010 | 3.42/lb | 1,228/oz | 20.19/oz |
2011 | 4.00/lb | 1,572/oz | 35.12/oz |
2012 | 3.61/lb | 1,670/oz | 31.17/oz |
2013 | 3.34/lb | 1,397/oz | 23.82/oz |
2014 (to July 11, 2014) | 3.15/lb | 1,293/oz | 20.14/oz |
Copper prices declined in late 2008 as a result of the global economic downturn but began to recover in 2009. Copper prices generally increased from 2009 until the end of January 2012, with prices reaching as high as US$4.65/lb. Since then, copper prices have declined, trading within a range of approximately US$2.90/lb. and US$4.00/lb.
In response to the global economic uncertainty that began in mid-2008, gold prices increased in 2009 and generally continued to do so until August 2011, where prices reached as high as $1,912/oz. From August 2011 to September 2012, gold prices traded within a range of approximately US$1,500/oz. and US$1,900/oz. Since then, gold prices have declined, with the most significant decline occurring during 2013, with prices reaching as low as US$1,182/oz.
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Silver prices were impacted by economic volatility in 2008 and 2009. However, prices increased significantly from September 2010 to April 2011 as prices reached as high as approximately US$50/oz. Since then, prices have been volatile, declining from a high of approximately US$50/oz. to US$18/oz.
E. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Amarc has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
F. TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table lists the contractual obligations of the Company as at March 31, 2014:
Payment due by period | |||||
Type of Contractual Obligation | Total | Less than 1 Year |
1 - 3 Years | 3 - 5 Years | More than 5 Years |
Long-term Debt Obligations | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
Capital (Finance) Lease Obligations | | | | | |
Operating Lease Obligations (Office Lease) | | | | | |
Purchase Obligations | | | | | |
Other Long-term Liabilities Reflected on the Company's
Balance Sheet under IFRS |
| | | | |
Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ |
The Company had no long-term debt obligations, no capital (finance) lease obligations, no operating lease obligations, no purchase obligations, or other long-term liabilities.
G. SAFE HARBOR
The safe harbor provided in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act applies to forward-looking information provided pursuant to Item 5.E and Item 5.F above.
ITEM 6 DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Name |
Year born |
Position |
Director or Officer Since |
Rene G. Carrier | 1944 | Director | May 2008 |
Scott D. Cousens | 1964 | Director | September 1995 |
T. Barry Coughlan | 1945 | Director | February 2009 |
Robert A. Dickinson | 1948 | Chairman of the Board and Director | April 1993 |
Paul S. Mann | 1964 | Chief Financial Officer | July 2008 |
Jeffrey R. Mason | 1957 | Director | September 1995 |
Diane Nicolson | 1965 | Executive Vice President | February 2008 |
Ronald W. Thiessen | 1952 | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | September 1995 |
Trevor Thomas | 1967 | Secretary | February 2008 |
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(1) |
To the best of the Company's knowledge, none of such persons has any family relationship with any other and none were elected as a director or appointed as an officer as a result of an arrangement or understanding with a major shareholder, customer, supplier, or any other party. |
The following is biographical information on each of the persons listed above:
Rene Carrier Director
Mr. Carrier has been the President of Euro-American Capital Corporation, a private investment company, since May 1991. He served as Vice-President of Pacific International Securities Inc. where he worked for ten years until 1991. He served as Lead Director of International Royalty Corp. ("IRC") from 2003 to 2010. IRC was a global mineral royalty company engaged in the acquisition and creation of natural resource royalties which was acquired by Royal Gold Inc. for approximately $700 million in 2010. He also served as an independent director of Chartwell Technology Inc. from July 1991 to April 2007.
Mr. Carrier has been and is an officer and/or director of various public companies involved in the mining sector.
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | May 2008 | Present |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | February 2001 | April 2011 |
Curis Resources Ltd. | Director | November 2010 | Present |
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. | Director | November 2009 | Present |
International Royalty Corporation | Lead Director | June 2003 | February 2010 |
Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. | Director | January 2000 | December 2011 |
President | June 2005 | December 2011 | |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Director | March 2011 | Present |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Director | April 1993 | November 2008 |
Barry Coughlan Director
Barry Coughlan is a self-employed businessman and financier who over the past 23 years has been involved in the financing of publicly traded companies. His principal occupation is President and Director of TBC Investments Ltd., a private investment company.
Mr. Coughlan is, or was within the past five years, an officer and or a director of the following companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | February 2009 | Present |
Creso Exploration Inc. | Director | June 2010 | Present |
Farallon Mining Ltd. | Director | March 1998 | January 2011 |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | February 1998 | June 2013 |
ICN Resources Ltd. (formerly Icon Industries Ltd.) |
President, CEO and Director |
September 1991 | February 2010 |
Northcliff Resources Ltd. | Director | June 2011 | Present |
Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. | Director | January 2005 | December 2011 |
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Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Director | March 2011 | Present |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | February 2001 | Present |
Quadro Resources Ltd. | President and Director | June 1986 | Present |
Scott Cousens Director
Scott Cousens provides management, technical and financial services to a number of publicly traded companies. Mr. Cousens' focus since 1991 has been the development of relationships within the international investment community. Substantial financings and subsequent corporate success has established strong ties with North American, European and Asian investors. He is also a director of Hunter Dickinson Services Inc.
Mr. Cousens is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | June 1994 | April 2011 |
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. | Chairman and Director | November 2009 | Present |
Northcliff Resources Ltd. | Director | May 2012 | Present |
Director | June 2011 | February 2012 | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1996 | Present |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Director | June 2011 | Present |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | October 1992 | July 2014 |
Robert Dickinson, B.Sc., M.Sc. Chairman of the Board and Director
Robert Dickinson is an economic geologist who serves as a member of management of several mineral exploration companies, primarily those for whom Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. provides services. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Hons. Geology) and a Master of Science degree (Business Administration - Finance) from the University of British Columbia. Mr. Dickinson has been active in mineral exploration for over 40 years. He is a director of Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. He is also President and Director of United Mineral Services Ltd., a private resource company.
Mr. Dickinson is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | April 1993 | Present |
Chairman | April 2004 | Present | |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | June 2004 | April 2011 |
Curis Resources Ltd. | Director | November 2010 | November 2012 |
Chairman | November 2010 | December 2010 |
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Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. | Director | November | Present |
2009 | |||
Northcliff Resources Ltd. | Director | June 2011 | Present |
Chairman | June 2011 | January 2013 | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | June 1994 | Present |
Chairman | April 2004 | Present | |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Director & Chairman | March 2011 | December 2011 |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | January 1991 | Present |
Jeffrey Mason, B.Comm., CA Director
Jeffrey Mason holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation while specializing in the mining, forestry and transportation sectors at the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche. Following comptrollership positions at an international commodity mercantilist and Homestake Mining Group of companies including responsibility for North American Metals Corp. and the Eskay Creek Project, Mr. Mason has spent the last several years as a corporate officer and director to a number of publicly-traded mineral exploration companies. Until early 2008, Mr. Mason was employed as Chief Financial Officer of Hunter Dickinson Inc. and his principal occupation was the financial administration of the public companies to which Hunter Dickinson Inc. provided services.
Mr. Mason is, or was within the past five years, an officer and or director of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
Coastal Contacts Inc. | Director | October 2006 | April 2014 |
Prophecy Coal Corp. | Chief Financial Officer | November 2012 | September 2013 |
Wellgreen Platinum Ltd. (formerly Prophecy Platinum Corp). |
Chief Financial Officer | November 2012 | Present |
Red Eagle Mining Corporation | Director | June 2011 | Present |
Slater Mining Limited | Director | June 2008 | Present |
Ronald Thiessen, CA President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Ronald Thiessen is a Chartered Accountant with professional experience in finance, taxation, mergers, acquisitions and re-organizations. Since 1986, Mr. Thiessen has been involved in the acquisition and financing of mining and mineral exploration companies. Mr. Thiessen is a director of Hunter Dickinson Services Inc., a company providing management and administrative services to several publicly-traded companies and focuses on directing corporate development and financing activities.
Mr. Thiessen is, or was within the past five years, an officer and/or director of the following public companies:
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Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Director | September 1995 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
September 2000 | Present | |
Atlatsa Resources Corporation | Director | April 1996 | June 2011 |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Director | November 1995 | April 2011 |
Co-Chairman | January 2006 | April 2011 | |
Detour Gold Corporation | Director | July 2006 | May 2012 |
Farallon Mining Ltd. | Director | August 1994 | January 2011 |
Chairman | December 2005 | January 2011 | |
Great Basin Gold Ltd. | Director | October 1993 | June 2013 |
Chairman | November 2006 | June 2013 | |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Director | November 1995 | Present |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
November 2001 | Present | |
Taseko Mines Limited | Director | October 1993 | Present |
Chairman | May 2006 | Present |
Paul S. Mann, CA Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Mann is a Chartered Accountant, and also holds a BASc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia. He has served as Controller at Dayton Mining Corporation, De Beers Canada Mining Inc., Crew Gold and Eldorado Gold, and has international experience in South Africa, Chile, Mexico and China. Mr. Mann has served as Corporate Controller for many of the Hunter Dickinson affiliated companies since 2001 and is currently Executive Vice President, Finance and Reporting, for Hunter Dickinson Inc., where he oversees accounting, taxation, regulatory and public reporting for the group.
Mr. Mann is, or was within the past five years, an officer of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Chief Financial Officer | July 2008 | Present |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Chief Financial Officer | March 2011 | Present |
Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. | Principal Accounting Officer | February 2008 | November 2012 |
Diane Nicolson, PhD Executive Vice President
Diane Nicolson has a B.Sc. degree in geology from the University of London, a PhD in economic geology from the University of Wales and 20 years international experience in the exploration and mining industry. She has worked for both major and junior mining companies, including Rio Tinto, Minera Antamina, Noranda and Cambior. Over the past 10 years, she has been involved primarily with business development and new project assessment and acquisitions, with a particular focus on Latin America where she was based for 13 years.
Dr. Nicolson joined Hunter Dickinson in 2007 as a member of the global business development team. Dr. Nicolson was appointed Executive Vice President of Amarc in February 2008 and is responsible for management, strategic planning and new project development for Amarc Resources Ltd.
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Dr. Nicolson is, or was within the past five years, an officer of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | VP Corporate Development | January 2008 | September 2011 |
Executive VP Corporate Development | September 2011 | September 2012 | |
Executive Vice President | September 2012 | Present |
Trevor Thomas, LLB Secretary
Trevor Thomas has practiced in the areas of corporate commercial, corporate finance, securities and mining law since 1995, both in private practice environment as well as in-house positions and is currently in-house legal counsel for Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. Prior to joining Hunter Dickinson Services Inc., he served as in-house legal counsel with Placer Dome Inc.
Mr. Thomas is, or was within the past five years, an officer of the following public companies:
Company | Positions Held | From | To |
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. | Secretary | February 2008 | Present |
Amarc Resources Ltd. | Secretary | February 2008 | Present |
Anooraq Resources Corporation | Assistant Secretary | November 2007 | March 2011 |
Continental Minerals Corporation | Secretary | February 2008 | April 2011 |
Curis Resources Ltd. | Secretary | June 2013 | Present |
Farallon Mining Ltd. | Secretary | December 2007 | January 2011 |
Heatherdale Resources Ltd. | Secretary | November 2009 | September 2010 |
June 2013 | Present | ||
Northcliff Resources Ltd. | Secretary | June 2011 | Present |
Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. | Secretary | June 2013 | Present |
Rathdowney Resources Ltd. | Secretary | March 2011 | Present |
Rockwell Diamonds Inc. | Secretary | February 2008 | September 2012 |
Taseko Mines Limited | Secretary | July 2008 | Present |
B. COMPENSATION
During the Company's financial year ended March 31, 2014, the aggregate cash compensation paid or payable by the Company to its directors and senior officers was $476,877.
Ronald W. Thiessen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Mann, Chief Financial Officer, and Diane Nicolson, Executive Vice President are each a Named Executive Officer ("NEO") of the Company for the purposes of the following disclosure.
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The compensation paid to the NEOs during the Company's most recently completed financial year of March 31, 2014 is as set out below and expressed in Canadian Dollars:
Name
and principal position |
Year |
Salary ($) |
Share- based awards ($) |
Option- based awards ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Pension value ($) |
All other compen- sation ($) |
Total Compen- sation ($) | |
Annual incentive plans |
Long- term incentive plans | ||||||||
Ronald
Thiessen Chief Executive Officer |
2014 | 16,135 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 16,135 |
2013 | 124,290 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 124,290 | |
2012 | 104,430 | Nil | 64,800 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 169,230 | |
Paul
Mann Chief Financial Officer |
2014 | 51,126 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 51,126 |
2013 | 106,300 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 106,300 | |
2012 | 79,302 | Nil | 46,675 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 125,977 | |
Diane
Nicolson Executive Vice President |
2014 | 179,246 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 179,246 |
2013 | 209,663 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 209,663 | |
2012 | 96,868 | Nil | 93,350 | 15,000 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 205,218 |
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the above named NEOs did not serve the Company solely on a full-time basis, and their compensation from the Company is allocated based on the estimated amount of time spent providing services to the Company.
Pension Plan Benefits
The Company has no pension or deferred compensation plans for its directors, officers or employees.
Termination and Change of Control Benefits
There are no compensatory plan(s) or arrangement(s), with respect to the Named Executive Officer resulting from the resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment of the officer's employment or from a change of the Named Executive Officer's responsibilities following a change in control.
Director Compensation
The compensation provided to the directors, excluding a director who is already set out in disclosure for a NEO for the Company's most recently completed financial year of March 31, 2014 is as set out below:
Name |
Fees earned ($) |
Share- based awards ($) |
Option- based awards ($) |
Non-equity incentive plan compensation ($) |
Pension value ($) |
All other compensation ($) |
Total ($) |
Rene G. Carrier | 28,800 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 28,800 |
David Copeland (1) | 955 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 955 |
Barry Coughlan | 16,925 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 16,925 |
Scott Cousens (2) | 50,330 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 50,330 |
Robert Dickinson (2) | 116,435 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 116,435 |
Jeffrey Mason | 16,925 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | 16,925 |
Notes:
(1) |
Mr. Copeland ceased to be a director of the Company on December 12, 2013. Mr. Copeland provides services through CEC Engineering Ltd. The compensation amount shown is the amount paid to CEC Engineering Ltd. directly. |
(2) |
Pursuant to the Corporate Services Agreement with Hunter Dickinson Services Inc., compensation for Messrs. Cousens and Dickinson is allocated to the Company on the basis of time spent in respect of the Company's business. |
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C. BOARD PRACTICES
All of the Company's directors were elected at the annual general meeting of shareholders held on September 19, 2013. All directors have a term of office expiring at the next annual general meeting of the Company's shareholders. All officers have a term of office lasting until their removal or replacement by the board of directors (the "Board").
There were no arrangements, standard or otherwise, pursuant to which directors were compensated by Amarc or its subsidiaries for their services in their capacity as directors, or for committee participation, involvement in special assignments or for services as consultants or experts during the most recently completed financial year.
General
The Board believes that good corporate governance improves corporate performance and benefits all shareholders. The Canadian Securities Administrators (the "CSA") have adopted National Policy 58-201 Corporate Governance Guidelines, which provides non-prescriptive guidelines on corporate governance practices for reporting issuers such as the Company. In addition, the CSA have implemented National Instrument NI 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, which prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This section sets out the Company's approach to corporate governance and addresses the Company's compliance with NI 58-101.
1. Board of Directors
Directors are considered to be independent if they have no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Company's board of directors, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of a director's independent judgment.
The Board facilitates its independent supervision over management in a number of ways including: by holding regular meetings without the presence of management; by retaining independent consultants; and by reviewing corporate developments with larger shareholders, analysts and potential industry partners, where it deems necessary.
Messrs. Coughlan, Carrier and Mason are independent. Messrs., Cousens, Dickinson, and Thiessen are not independent. The Company is taking steps to ensure that the duties generally performed by independent directors are being performed by the current directors. The Board members have extensive experience as directors of public companies and are sensitive to the related corporate governance and financial reporting obligations associated with such positions. Thus, the Board members are well versed in the obligations of directors and the expectations of independence from management.
2. Other Directorships
The section entitled Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees in this Annual Report gives details of other reporting issuers of which each director is a director or officer.
3. Orientation and Continuing Education
The Company has traditionally retained experienced mining people as directors and hence the orientation needed is minimized. When new directors are appointed, they are acquainted with the Company's mineral project and the expectations of directors. Board meetings generally include presentations by the Company's senior management and project staff in order to give the directors full insight into the Company's operations.
4. Ethical Business Conduct
The Board has adopted an ethics policy which is available on the Company's website, www.amarcresources.com. The Board also understands that the fiduciary duties placed on individual directors by the Company's governing corporate legislation and the common law and the restrictions placed by applicable corporate legislation on an individual director's participation in decisions of the Board in which the director has an interest have been sufficient to ensure that the Board operates independently of management and in the best interests of the Company.
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5. Nomination of Directors
The Board considers its size each year when it considers the number of directors required, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board's duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience.
The Board does not have a nominating committee, and these functions are currently performed by the Board as a whole. However, if there is a change in the number of directors required by the Company, this policy will be reviewed.
6. Compensation
The Board determines the compensation for independent directors and executives.
7. Other Board Committees
The Board has no compensation or other committees, other than the audit committee.
8. Assessments
The Board monitors the adequacy of information given to directors, communication between the Board and management and the strategic direction and processes of the Board and its audit committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee's Charter
The audit committee has adopted a charter that sets out its mandate and responsibilities. A copy of the audit committee charter is available at www.sedar.com and the Company's website, www.amarcresources.com.
Composition of the Audit Committee
At July 11, 2014, the members of the audit committee were Rene Carrier, Barry Coughlan and Jeffrey Mason. All members are financially literate and all are independent.
Relevant Education and Experience
As a result of their education and experience, each member of the audit committee has familiarity with, an understanding of, or experience in:
|
the accounting principles used by the Company to prepare its financial statements, and the ability to assess the general application of those principles in connection with estimates, accruals and reserves; |
| |
|
reviewing 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 Company's financial statements, and |
| |
|
an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. |
Audit Committee Oversight
The audit committee has not made any recommendations to the Board to nominate or compensate any external auditor that was not adopted by the Board.
The Company's auditor De Visser Gray LLP has not provided any material non-audit services during the most recently completed fiscal year.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Company has procedures for the review and pre-approval of any services performed by its auditors. The procedures require that all proposed engagements of its auditors for audit and non-audit services be submitted to the audit committee for approval prior to the beginning of any such services. The audit committee considers such requests, and, if acceptable to a majority of the audit committee members, pre-approves such audit and non-audit services by a resolution authorizing management to engage the Company's auditors for such audit and non-audit services, with set maximum Dollar amounts for each itemized service. During such deliberations, the audit committee assesses, among other factors, whether the services requested would be considered "prohibited services" as contemplated by the regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and whether the services requested and the fees related to such services could impair the independence of the auditors.
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Exemptions From Certain Canadian Audit Committee Requirements
Pursuant to section 6.1 of National Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"), as adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators (including the British Columbia and Alberta Securities Commissions which have jurisdiction over the Company, the "CSA"), the Company is exempt from the requirements of Parts 3 and 5 of NI 52-110 for the year ended March 31, 2014, by virtue of the Company being a "venture issuer" (as defined in NI 52-110).
Part 3 of NI 52-110 prescribes certain requirements for the composition of audit committees of non-exempt companies that are reporting issuers under Canadian provincial securities legislation. Part 3 of NI 52-110 requires, among other things that an audit committee be comprised of at three directors, each of whom, is, subject to certain exceptions, independent and financially literate in accordance with the standards set forth in NI 52-110.
Part 5 of NI 52-110 requires an annual information form that is filed by a non-exempt reporting issuer under National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations, as adopted the CSA, to include certain disclosure about the issuer's audit committee, including, among other things: the text of the audit committee's charter; the name of each audit committee member and whether or not the member is independent and financially literate; whether a recommendation of the audit committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor was not adopted by the issuer's board of directors, and the reasons for the board's decision; a description of any policies and procedures adopted by the audit committee for the engagement of non-audit services; and disclosure of the fees billed by the issuer's external auditor in each of the last two fiscal years for audit, tax and other services.
D. EMPLOYEES
At March 31, 2014, Amarc did not have any direct employees.. Amarc's administrative and exploration functions are primarily administered through Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. (See Item 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions).
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
Security Holdings of Directors and Senior Management
As at March 31, 2014, the directors and officers of Amarc, and their respective affiliates, directly and indirectly, own or control as a group an aggregate of 21,531,870 common shares (15.52%), or 24,001,170 (17%) on a diluted basis.
As at March 31, 2014, the Company's directors and senior management beneficially own the following number of the Company's common shares and share purchase options:
Name of Insider |
Securities Beneficially Owned or Controlled (1) (2) |
As a % of the outstanding common shares |
Rene G. Carrier (4) | 275,000 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
0.20% |
Barry Coughlan (4) | 86,000 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
0.06% |
Scott D. Cousens | 148,300 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
0.11% |
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Name of Insider |
Securities Beneficially Owned or Controlled (1) (2) |
As a % of the
outstanding common shares |
Robert A. Dickinson (3) | 13,492,178 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
9.73% |
Ronald W. Thiessen | 2,609,392 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
1.88% |
Jeffrey R. Mason (4) | 2,878,500 common
shares 249,900 share purchase options |
2.08% |
Paul S. Mann | 75,000 common
shares 180,000 share purchase options |
0.05% |
Diane Nicolson | 588,000 common
shares 360,000 share purchase options |
0.42% |
Trevor Thomas | 130,000 common
shares 180,000 share purchase options |
0.09% |
Total | 21,531,870
common shares 2,469,300 share purchase options |
15.52% |
Notes:
(1) |
The information as to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned or controlled is not within the knowledge of management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees as filed on SEDI. Each nominee has held the same or a similar principal occupation with the organization indicated or a predecessor thereof for the last five years. |
(2) |
Options to purchase Common Shares at $0.32 per share expiring on September 23, 2016. |
(3) |
Certain of these common shares are beneficially owned through a private company controlled by Mr. Dickinson, and a Registered Retirement Saving Plan (RRSP) owned by Mr. Dickinson. |
(4) |
Member of the audit committee. |
Share Option Plan
At July 11, 2014, 5,144,800 options were outstanding pursuant to the Company's share option plan (the "Plan"), described below, and an aggregate of 13,882,406 common shares remained available for issuance pursuant to the Plan, described below.
Share Incentive Plan
In order to provide incentive to directors, officers, employees, management and others who provide services to the Company to act in the best interests of the Company, the Company has adopted a Share Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan is required to comply with the policies of the TSX Venture.
In order to increase the Company's flexibility and to bring the Company's share option incentive program in line with the current regulatory regime, the Board approved a new rolling share option plan (the "New Plan") on August 13, 2010 to replace the plan previously approved and confirmed by the shareholders on September 21, 2004 and September 29, 2009, respectively. The New Plan was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual general meeting (the "Meeting") held on September 15, 2010.
Subject to certain restrictions described below, the Plan is based on the maximum number of eligible shares equaling a rolling percentage of up to 10% of the Company's outstanding common shares, calculated from time to time. Pursuant to the Plan, if outstanding options are exercised, or expire, or the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company increases, the number of options available to grant under the Plan increases proportionately. At the date of approval of the New Plan, all outstanding options were rolled into and deemed to be granted under the New Plan.
The exercise price of each option is set by the board of directors at the time of grant based on the market price on the date preceding the date of grant. Options can have a maximum term of ten years and typically terminate ninety days following the termination of the optionee's employment or engagement, except in the case of retirement or death. Vesting of options is at the discretion of the board of directors at the time the options are granted.
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Eligible Optionees
Under the policies of the TSX Venture, to be eligible for the issuance of a stock option under the Plan an optionee must either be a director, officer or employee of the Company or its affiliates, or a consultant or an employee of a company providing management or other services to the Company, or its subsidiaries, at the time the option is granted.
Options may be granted only to an individual or to a company that is wholly-owned by individuals eligible for an option grant. If the option is granted to a non-individual, the company must provide the TSX Venture with an undertaking that it will not permit any transfer of its securities, nor issue further securities, to any other individual or entity as long as the incentive stock option remains in effect without the consent of the TSX Venture.
Insider Limitations
The aggregate number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under options granted to Insiders must not exceed ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares (in the event that the New Plan is amended to reserve for issuance more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares) unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval (as defined below) to do so; The number of optioned shares issued to Insiders in any twelve (12) month period must not exceed ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares (in the event that the New Plan is amended to reserve for issuance more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares) unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so; The exercise price of an option previously granted to an Insider must not be reduced, unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so.
Other Limitations
The Company must not grant an option to a director, employee, consultant, or consultant company (the "Service Provider") in any twelve (12) month period that exceeds five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares, unless the Company has obtained approval by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the Company eligible to vote at a shareholders' meeting, excluding votes attaching to shares beneficially owned by Insiders and their Associates (defined below) ("Disinterested Shareholder Approval");
The aggregate number of options granted to a Service Provider conducting Investor Relations Activities in any twelve (12) month period must not exceed two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares calculated at the date of the grant, without the prior consent of the TSX Venture;
The Company must not grant an option to a Consultant in any twelve (12) month period that exceeds two percent (2%) of the outstanding shares calculated at the date of the grant of the option; and
The issuance to any one Optionee within a twelve (12) month period of a number of Common Shares must not exceed five percent (5%) of outstanding Common Shares unless the Company has obtained Disinterested Shareholder Approval to do so.
Disinterested Shareholder Approval
"Disinterested Shareholder Approval" means the approval by a majority of the votes cast by all shareholders of the Company at the Meeting excluding votes attached to listed shares beneficially owned by insiders of the Company to whom the options have been granted under the existing plan and associates of those insiders.
ITEM 7 MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
Major Shareholders
Amarc is a publicly-held corporation, with its shares held by residents of Canada, the United States of America and other countries. To the best of Amarc's knowledge, other than as noted below, no person, corporation or other entity beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, or controls more than 5% of the common shares of Amarc, the only class of securities with voting rights. For these purposes, "beneficial ownership" means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose or direct the disposition of any security. Sun Valley Gold Master Fund Ltd. holds 14,615,384 shares representing ownership of 10.53% of the Company.
- 42 -
As at July 11, 2014, Amarc had authorized unlimited common shares without par value, of which 138,824,061 were issued and outstanding. Amarc's authorized share structure also includes a class of preferred shares without par value and without a maximum number. The preferred shares may be issued in series on such terms as determined by the Company's directors in accordance with the class rights and restrictions. No series of preferred shares has been designated by the board of directors, and no preferred shares are outstanding.
As at July 11, 2014, Robert Dickinson, together with companies controlled by him, held 13,492,178 common shares of Amarc, representing 9.72% of the common shares outstanding.
As at July 11, 2014, Jeffrey Mason held 2,878,500 common shares of Amarc, representing 2.07% of the common shares outstanding.
As at July 11, 2014, Ronald W. Thiessen held 2,609,392 common shares of Amarc, representing 1.88% of the common shares outstanding.
All of the common shares have the same voting rights.
Geographic Breakdown of Shareholders
As of July 11, 2014, Amarc's register of shareholders indicates that Amarc's common shares are held as follows:
Location |
Number of registered shareholders of record |
Number of shares |
Percentage of total shares |
Canada | 34 | 124,330,293 | 89.56% |
United States | 7 | 12,955,306 | 9.33% |
Other | 1 | 1,538,462 | 1.11% |
TOTALS | 42 | 138,824,061 | 100.00% |
Shares registered in intermediaries were assumed to be held by residents of the same country in which the clearing house was located.
Amarc's securities are recorded on the books of its transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., located at 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, Canada (604) 661-9400 in registered form. However, the majority of such shares are registered in the name of intermediaries such as brokerage houses and clearing houses (on behalf of their respective brokerage clients). Amarc does not have knowledge or access to the identities of the beneficial owners of such shares registered through intermediaries.
Control
Amarc is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other corporation, by any foreign government or by any other natural or legal person, severally or jointly, other than as noted above under Major Shareholders. There are no arrangements known to Amarc which, at a subsequent date, may result in a change in control of Amarc.
Insider Reports Under the Securities Acts of British Columbia and Alberta
Since the Company is a reporting issuer under the Securities Acts of British Columbia and Alberta, certain "insiders" of the Company (including its directors, certain executive officers, and persons who directly or indirectly beneficially own, control or direct more than 10% of its common shares) are generally required to file insider reports of changes in their ownership of Amarc's common shares five days following the trade under National Instrument 55-104 Insider Reporting Requirements and Exemptions, as adopted by the CSA. Copies of such reports are available for public inspection at the offices of the British Columbia Securities Commission, 9th Floor, 701 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1L2, (604) 899-6500 or at the British Columbia Securities Commission web site, www.bcsc.bc.ca. In British Columbia, all insider reports must be filed electronically five days following the date of the trade at www.sedi.ca. The public is able to access these reports at www.sedi.ca.
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B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Except as disclosed below, Amarc has not, since April 1, 2012, and does not at this time propose to:
(1) enter into any transactions which are material to Amarc or a related party or any transactions unusual in their nature or conditions involving goods, services or tangible or intangible assets to which Amarc or any of its former subsidiaries was a party;
(2) make any loans or guarantees directly or through any of its former subsidiaries to or for the benefit of any of the following persons:
(a) enterprises directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling or controlled by or under common control with Amarc;
(b) associates of Amarc (unconsolidated enterprises in which Amarc has significant influence or which has significant influence over Amarc) including shareholders beneficially owning 10% or more of the outstanding shares of Amarc;
(c) individuals owning, directly or indirectly, shares of Amarc that gives them significant influence over Amarc and close members of such individuals families;
(d) key management personnel (persons having authority in responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of Amarc including directors and senior management and close members of such directors and senior management); or
(e) enterprises in which a substantial voting interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by any person described in (c) or (d) or over which such a person is able to exercise significant influence.
Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. ("HDSI")
Much of the Company's management, technical, and administrative services are provided by Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. ("HDSI"). Pursuant to a Corporate Services Agreement dated July 2, 2010 with HDSI, HDSI provides services, including geological, engineering, corporate development, administrative, management and shareholder communication services (collectively the "Services") to the Company. HDSI is a private company with certain directors in common with the Company, namely Messrs. Cousens, Dickinson and Thiessen. HDSI provides the Services to several publicly traded companies (one of which is the Company), and is managed by persons who are directors in common with the Company.
HDSI has supervised or conducted mineral exploration projects in Canada (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec and the Yukon) and internationally in Brazil, Chile, China, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, and the United States (Nevada and Alaska). HDSI allocates the costs of staff input into projects based on time records of involved personnel. Costs of such personnel and third party contractors are billed to the participating public companies (inclusive of HDSI staff costs and overhead) for amounts that are considered by the Company's management to be competitive with arm'slength suppliers. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, Amarc paid approximately $1.7 million (2013 $3.3 million; 2012 $2.5 million), to HDSI for services pursuant to the management and administrative services agreement. Advances pursuant to this agreement were non-interest bearing and due on demand.
Management/Insiders
There were no transactions with management or insiders during the year ended March 31, 2014.
C. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
Not applicable.
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 18 of this Form 20-F contains Amarc's audited annual financial statements as at and for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB.
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Legal Proceedings
Amarc is not involved in any legal, arbitration or governmental proceedings and, to Amarc's knowledge, no material legal, arbitration or governmental proceedings involving Amarc are pending or contemplated against Amarc.
Dividend Policy
The Company has not paid any dividends on its outstanding common shares since its incorporation and does not anticipate that it will do so in the foreseeable future. All funds of Amarc are being retained for exploration of its projects.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
There have been no significant changes to Amarcs affairs as disclosed in the accompanying financial statements since March 31, 2014, except as disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
ITEM 9 THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. OFFER AND LISTING DETAILS
Trading Markets
Amarc's common shares have been listed in Canada on the TSX Venture (and its predecessors) since August 1995, under the symbol AHR.
The Company's common shares have been traded in the U.S. on OTCBB since June 2004, under the symbol AXREF.
The following tables set forth for the periods indicated the price history of the Company's common shares on the TSX Venture and on the OTCBB.
TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
Fiscal Year Ended | High | Low | High | Low |
March 31, | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
2014 | 0.12 | 0.04 | 0.08 | 0.02 |
2013 | 0.44 | 0.07 | 0.43 | 0.07 |
2012 | 0.56 | 0.29 | 0.55 | 0.28 |
2011 | 0.77 | 0.36 | 0.73 | 0.30 |
2010 | 0.72 | 0.16 | 0.75 | 0.12 |
TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
High | Low | High | Low | |
Fiscal Quarter | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
Q4 2014 | 0.12 | 0.04 | 0.08 | 0.03 |
Q3 2014 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.02 |
Q2 2014 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.04 |
Q1 2014 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.04 |
Q4 2013 | 0.17 | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.07 |
Q3 2013 | 0.15 | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.10 |
Q2 2013 | 0.22 | 0.13 | 0.22 | 0.13 |
Q1 2013 | 0.44 | 0.19 | 0.43 | 0.18 |
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TSX Venture Exchange | OTCBB | |||
High | Low | High | Low | |
Month | (Cdn$) | (Cdn$) | (US$) | (US$) |
July 2014 (to July 11) 2014) | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
June 2014 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.05 |
May 2014 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.05 |
April 2014 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 |
March 2014 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.05 |
February 2014 | 0.12 | 0.06 | 0.08 | 0.06 |
January 2014 | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.03 |
B. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Not applicable.
C. MARKETS
The shares of Amarc traded in Canada on the TSX Venture (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange and successor to the Vancouver Stock Exchange) since August 1995 under the trading symbol AHR. Amarc's shares have traded on the OTCBB under the symbol AXREF, since June 2004.
D. SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
Not applicable.
E. DILUTION
Not applicable.
F. EXPENSES OF THE ISSUE
Not applicable.
ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL
Not applicable.
B. MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
Amarc's original corporate constituting documents comprised of the Memorandum and Articles of Association were registered with the British Columbia Registrar of Companies under Corporation No. 436691. A copy of the Company's original Articles of Association was filed as an exhibit with Amarc's initial registration statement on Form 20-F.
In March 2004, the Company Act (British Columbia) (the "BCCA") was replaced by the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCA"). All companies incorporated under the BCCA were required to complete a transition application to the BCA by March 29, 2006. The directors of the Company authorized the Company to file a transition application with the Registrar of Companies and to comply with the BCA.
The Company subsequently filed a Notice of Articles with the Registrar of Companies on October 2, 2004. The Notice of Articles and the Articles constitute the constating documents of the Company, and have superseded the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Articles of a company, among other things, set out rules for the conduct of its business and affairs; they are no longer required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies, but are required to be kept as part of the company's corporate records.
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On October 22, 2004, the Company filed a Notice of Alteration with the Registrar of Companies to remove the former limitation on its authorized share capital of 100,000,000 common shares without par value. As a result, the Company's authorized share capital now consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value. The Registrar of Companies issued a Notice of Articles dated October 22, 2004 to reflect this change.
Under the BCA, every "pre-existing company' remained subject to certain "Pre-existing Company Provisions" contained in the BCCA unless such provisions were removed with the approval of the shareholders. In order to take full advantage of the flexibility offered by the BCA, the shareholders adopted a special resolution on October 12, 2005 authorizing the removal of the Pre-existing Company Provisions and the adoption by the Company of a new form of Articles that incorporates provisions permitted under the BCA. On January 31, 2006, the Company filed a Notice of Alteration with the Registrar of Companies to remove the Pre-Existing Company Provisions, and the Registrar of Companies issued a Notice of Articles to reflect this change.
As discussed in more detail below, on August 17, 2007, the Company filed a Notice of Alteration with the Registrar of Companies to create a new class of Preferred Shares, and the Registrar of Companies issued a Notice of Articles to reflect this change.
On January 7, 2009 and March 9, 2009, the Registrar of Companies issued new Notices of Articles in response to Notices of Change of Directors filed by the Company on those dates. The Notice of Articles dated March 9, 2009 constitute the current Notice of Articles of the Company.
Effective September 19, 2013 the Companys Articles were amended to include advance notice provisions relating to the nomination and the election of directors of the Company.
Set out below is a discussion of the principal changes effected by the adoption of the new Articles by the Company under the BCA, which took effect on January 31, 2006.
Borrowing Powers
Under the original Articles of Association, the Company could borrow money, issue bonds, debentures and other debt obligations and mortgage, charge, or give security on the undertaking, or on the whole or any part of the property and assets, of the Company (both present and future). Under the BCA, companies are also permitted, without restriction (other than general corporate governance principles), to guarantee repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person. This change reflected the modernization of corporate legislation to effectively respond to increasingly complex financial transactions that companies may enter into in the course of their business. As a result, the Company's Articles now provide that the Company may guarantee the repayment of money by any other person or the performance of any obligation of any other person.
Share Certificates
Under the original Articles of Association, a shareholder was entitled to a share certificate representing the number of shares of the Company held. Under the BCA, a shareholder is entitled to a share certificate representing the number of shares of the Company held or a written acknowledgement of the shareholder's right to obtain such a share certificate. As a result, the Articles now provide for this additional right. The addition of the ability to issue a written acknowledgement is very useful for public companies such as the Company, since it permits flexibility in corporate and securities transmissions.
On September 15, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Articles that enabled the Company to use uncertificated electronic shares and to use an electronic record keeping system.
Indemnity Provisions
Under the BCCA, the Company could only indemnify directors where it obtained prior court approval, except in certain limited circumstances. The original Articles of Association provided for the Company to indemnify directors, subject to the provisions of the BCCA. Under the BCA, the Company is permitted (and is, in some circumstances, required) to indemnify a past or present director or officer of the Company or an associated corporation without obtaining prior court approval in respect of an "eligible proceeding". An "eligible proceeding" includes any legal proceeding relating to the activities of the individual as a director or officer of the Company. However, under the BCA, the Company is prohibited from paying an indemnity if:
(a) the party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company;
(b) the proceeding was not a civil proceeding and the party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful; and
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(c) the proceeding is brought against the party by the Company or an associated corporation.
As a result, the Articles require the Company to indemnify directors, officers and other persons, subject to the limits imposed under the BCA.
Alternate Directors
The original Articles of Association permitted a director to appoint another director as his alternate. The Company's Articles now permit a director to appoint anyone as his alternate, as long as that person is qualified to act as a director.
Amendment of Articles and Notice of Articles
The Articles provide that the general authority required to amend all provisions of the Company's Articles and the Notice of Articles, other than as set out in the BCA as specifically requiring a special resolution, can be effected as an ordinary or by directors' resolution. The Company's Articles provide that the Company may amend provisions of the Articles and Notice of Articles relating to certain aspects of its Shares and authorized share structure by ordinary resolution. A share consolidation or a share split and name change of the Company can only be done by a resolution of the directors. The default provision under the BCA is a special resolution where the Articles are silent as to the type of resolution required.
The Articles also provide that the attachment, variation and deletion of special rights and restrictions to any class of shares may be authorized by ordinary resolution. If the amendment prejudices or interferes with the rights or special rights attached to any class of issued shares, by the provisions of the BCA, the consent of the holders of that class of shares by a "special separate resolution" is required.
All special resolutions of the Company must be adopted by a majority of two-thirds of votes cast; the Company's original Article of Association required special resolutions to be adopted by a majority of three-quarters of the votes cast.
Shareholders' Meetings
In addition to reflecting the present notice and other provisions of the BCA relating to shareholders' meetings, the Articles provide that shareholders' meetings may be held at such place as is determined by the directors.
The Articles permit the giving of notice to shareholders, directors and officers by fax or e-mail in addition to regular mail or personal delivery.
Officers
Under the original Articles of Association, the Company was required to have at least a President and Secretary as officers, and separate individuals were required to hold those positions. In addition, the Chairman and President were required to be directors. However, under the BCA, those requirements no longer exist, and as a result, the Articles do not provide for such restrictions.
Disclosure of Interest of Directors
The Articles refer to the provisions of the BCA relating to the disclosure of interest by directors, which superseded more the cumbersome and outdated provisions contained under the BCCA.
Creation of Preferred Shares
Under the original Articles of Association, the creation of a new class of shares required the approval of the shareholders of the Company by a special resolution adopted by a majority of three-quarters of votes cast. In contrast, the Articles now provide that the creation of a new class of shares requires the approval of the shareholders of the Company by an ordinary resolution.
On September 26, 2006, the shareholders adopted an ordinary resolution authorizing the creation of a new class of Preferred Shares without par value and without a maximum authorized number, issuable in series, on such terms as may be determined by the Company's directors for each such series. On August 17, 2007, the Company filed a Notice of Alteration with the Registrar of Companies to create the new class of Preferred Shares, and the Registrar of Companies issued a Notice of Articles to reflect this change.
As a result, the authorized share structure of the Company now includes, in addition to a class of common shares without par value and without a maximum number, a class of Preferred Shares without par value and without a maximum number. The Preferred Shares may be issued in series on such terms as determined by the Company's directors in accordance with the class rights and restrictions.
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The special rights and restrictions attaching to the Preferred Shares are set forth in Article 26 of the Articles, and effectively provide the directors with wide latitude to create a series of Preferred Shares which may be convertible into Common Shares, and have attached to them rights that rank ahead of Common Shares in respect of entitlement to assets and dividends.
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Amarc's only material contract as of July 11, 2014 is:
Corporate Services Agreement between Amarc and Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. dated July 2, 2010. See Item 7.B and Exhibit 4.1.
Other agreements are in the normal course of business.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
Amarc is incorporated pursuant to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada. There is no law or governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of Common Shares, other than withholding tax requirements. Any such remittances to United States residents are generally subject to withholding tax, however no such remittances are likely in the foreseeable future. See "Taxation", below.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the charter or other constituent documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote Common Shares of the Company. However, the Investment Canada Act (Canada) (the "Investment Act") has rules regarding certain acquisitions of shares by non-Canadians, along with other requirements under that legislation.
The following discussion summarizes the principal features of the Investment Act for a non-Canadian who proposes to acquire Common Shares of the Company. The discussion is general only; it is not a substitute for independent legal advice from an investor's own adviser; and, except where expressly noted, it does not anticipate statutory or regulatory amendments.
The Investment Act is a federal statute of broad application regulating the establishment and acquisition of Canadian businesses by non-Canadians, including individuals, governments or agencies thereof, corporations, partnerships, trusts or joint ventures, Investments by non-Canadians to acquire control over existing Canadian businesses or to establish new ones are either reviewable or notifiable under the Investment Act. If an investment by a non-Canadian to acquire control over an existing Canadian business is reviewable under the Investment Act, the Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of the investment unless, after review, the Minister of Industry (or the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages for investments in a Canadian business engaged in any of the activities of a "cultural business"), is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada.
A non-Canadian would acquire control of the Company for the purposes of the Investment Act through the acquisition of Common Shares if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of the Common Shares of the Company.
Further, the acquisition of less than a majority but one-third or more of the Common Shares of the Company would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of the Company unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, the Company was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership of Common Shares.
To determine whether an investment is reviewable under the Investment Act it is necessary to consider whether the investor (or the vendor) is a WTO investor (ie, controlled by persons who are citizens of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization ("WTO"); there are currently 160 WTO members); the book value of the assets of the Canadian business being acquired; and whether the Canadian business being acquired engages in cultural activities.
Where a WTO investor is involved, and if the Canadian business is being acquired directly and is not engaged in cultural activities, an investment will be reviewable only if the Canadian operating business being acquired has assets with a book value in excess of CAD$354 million for 2014. (Note: the threshold is typically increased in January of each year, and would be expected to increase in January 2015, unless pending amendments to the Investment Act increase this threshold before then. Such amendments are expected to both increase the threshold, and to change it from an assets test to an enterprise value test. Once the amendments come into force the initial threshold will be an enterprise value of CAD$600 million, increasing two years later to CAD$800 million, and after a further two years to CAD$1 billion. The new threshold will come into force on a date to be determined by regulation once the definition of enterprise value has been finalised.)
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If the acquisition by a WTO investor is indirect (i.e., the acquisition of shares of a foreign corporation that controls a Canadian business) the transaction is not reviewable. Where the Canadian business engages in any of the activities of a cultural business, or if neither the investor nor the vendor are WTO investors, the applicable thresholds for direct and indirect investments are assets with a book value of CAD$5 million or CAD$50 million, respectively. (The acquisition of a Canadian business that is a "cultural business" is subject to lower review thresholds under the Investment Act because of the perceived sensitivity of the cultural sector.) An acquisition of control of a Canadian business by a non-Canadian that falls below the thresholds for review under the Investment Act does not require the filing of an application for review. However, even where an investment falls below the thresholds, it must still be notified by way of a two-page form to the Investment Review Division of the Department of Industry (or the Department of Canadian Heritage for cultural cases). Notifications may be submitted by the investor any time before or up to 30 days after implementation of the investment.
In 2009, amendments were enacted to the Investment Act concerning investments that may be considered injurious to national security. If the Minister of Industry has reasonable grounds to believe that an investment by a non-Canadian "could be injurious to national security," the Minister of Industry may send the non-Canadian a notice indicating that an order for review of the investment may be made. The review of an investment on the grounds of national security may occur whether or not an investment is otherwise subject to review on the basis of net benefit to Canada or otherwise subject to notification under the Investment Canada Act. To date, there is neither legislation nor guidelines published, or anticipated to be published, on the meaning of "injurious to national security." Discussions with government officials suggest that very few investment proposals will cause a review under these new sections.
Certain transactions, except those to which the national security provisions of the Investment Act may apply, relating to Common Shares of the Company are exempt from the Investment Act, including
(a) acquisition of Common Shares of the Company by a person in the ordinary course of that person's business as a trader or dealer in securities,
(b) acquisition of control of the Company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions on the Investment Act, and
(c) acquisition of control of the Company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of the Company, through the ownership of Common Shares, remained unchanged.
E. TAXATION
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Information for United States Residents
The following summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the holding and disposition of common shares of the Company by a holder (a) who, for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) the ("Tax Act"), is not resident in Canada or deemed to be resident in Canada, deals at arm's length and is not affiliated with the Company, holds the common shares as capital property and does not use or hold the common shares in the course of carrying on, or otherwise in connection with, a business in Canada, and (b) who, for the purposes of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (the "Treaty"), is a resident of the United States, has never been a resident of Canada, has not held or used (and does not hold or use) common shares in connection with a permanent establishment or fixed base in Canada, and who qualifies for the full benefits of the Treaty. The Canada Revenue Agency has introduced special forms to be used in order to substantiate eligibility for Treaty benefits, and affected holders should consult with their own advisers with respect to these forms and all relevant compliance matters.
Holders who meet all such criteria in clauses (a) and (b) above are referred to herein as a "U.S. Holder" or "U.S. Holders", and this summary only addresses such U.S. Holders. The summary does not deal with special situations, such as particular circumstances of traders or dealers, limited liability companies, tax-exempt entities, insurers, financial institutions (including those to which the mark-to-market provisions of the Tax Act apply), or entities considered fiscally transparent under applicable law, or otherwise.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Tax Act and the regulations thereunder, all proposed amendments to the Tax Act and regulations publicly announced by the Minister of Finance (Canada) to the date hereof, the current provisions of the Treaty and our understanding of the current administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency. It has been assumed that all currently proposed amendments to the Tax Act and regulations will be enacted as proposed and that there will be no other relevant change in any governing law, the Treaty or administrative policy, although no assurance can be given in these respects. This summary does not take into account provincial, U.S. or other foreign income tax considerations, which may differ significantly from those discussed herein.
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This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian income tax consequences. It is not intended as legal or tax advice to any particular U.S. Holder and should not be so construed. The tax consequences to a U.S. Holder will depend on that U.S. Holder's particular circumstances. Accordingly, all U.S. Holders or prospective U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences applicable to them having regard to their own particular circumstances. The discussion below is qualified accordingly.
Dividend
Dividends paid or deemed to be paid or credited by the Company to a U.S. Holder are subject to Canadian withholding tax. Under the Treaty, the rate of withholding tax on dividends paid to a U.S. Holder is generally limited to 15% of the gross dividend (or 5% in the case of a U.S. holder that is a corporate shareholder owning at least 10% of the Company's voting shares), provided the U.S. Holder can establish entitlement to the benefits of the Treaty.
Disposition
A U.S. Holder is generally not subject to tax under the Tax Act in respect of a capital gain realized on the disposition of a common share in the open market, unless the share is "taxable Canadian property" to the holder thereof and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under the Treaty.
Provided that the Company's common shares are listed on a "designated stock exchange" for purposes of the Tax Act (which currently includes the TSX Venture) at the time of disposition, a common share will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property to a U.S. Holder unless, at any time during the 60 month period ending at the time of disposition, (i) the U.S. Holder or persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm's length (or the U.S. Holder together with such persons) owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the Company AND (ii) more than 50% of the fair market value of the share was derived directly or indirectly from certain types of assets, including real or immoveable property situated in Canada, Canadian resource properties or timber resource properties, and options, interests or rights in respect of any of the foregoing. Common shares may also be deemed to be taxable Canadian property under the Tax Act in certain specific circumstances. A U.S. Holder holding Common shares as taxable Canadian property should consult with the U.S. Holder's own tax advisers in advance of any disposition of Common shares or deemed disposition under the Tax Act in order to determine whether any relief from tax under the Tax Act may be available by virtue of the Treaty, and any related compliance procedures.
United States Federal Income Tax Consequences
The Company believes it is likely a "passive foreign investment company" which may have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. shareholders.
U.S. shareholders should be aware that the Company believes it was classified as a passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") during the tax year ended March 31, 2014, and may be a PFIC in future tax years. If the Company is a PFIC for any year during a U.S. shareholder's holding period, then such U.S. shareholder generally will be required to treat any gain realized upon a disposition of common shares, or any so-called "excess distribution" received on its common shares, as ordinary income, and to pay an interest charge on a portion of such gain or distributions, unless the shareholder makes a timely and effective "qualified electing fund" election ("QEF Election") or a "mark-to-market" election with respect to the common shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes a QEF Election generally must report on a current basis its share of the Company's net capital gain and ordinary earnings for any year in which the Company is a PFIC, whether or not the Company distributes any amounts to its shareholders. However, U.S. shareholders should be aware that there can be no assurance that the Company will satisfy record keeping requirements that apply to a qualified electing fund, or that the Company will supply U.S. shareholders with information that such U.S. shareholders require to report under the QEF Election rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC and a U.S. shareholder wishes to make a QEF Election. Thus, U.S. shareholders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares. A U.S. shareholder who makes the mark-to-market election generally must include as ordinary income each year the excess of the fair market value of the common shares over the taxpayer's basis therein. This paragraph is qualified in its entirety by the discussion below under the heading "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations." Each U.S. shareholder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the PFIC rules and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
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Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common 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 U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. Except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements. Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the authorities on which this summary is based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one or more of the conclusions described in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
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 document. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis which could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary. This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation that, if enacted, could be applied on a retroactive or prospective basis.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of common shares that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.; |
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the U.S., any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
Non-U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, a "non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of common shares that is not a U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. Holders arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. Accordingly, a non-U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser 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 (including the potential application of and operation of any income tax treaties) relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
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U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, the following: (a) U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies; (c) U.S. Holders that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (d) U.S. Holders that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. Dollar; (e) U.S. Holders that own common shares as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (f) U.S. Holders that acquired common shares in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) U.S. Holders that hold common shares other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); or (h) U.S. Holders that own or have owned (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company. This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders 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 "Tax Act"); (c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute "taxable Canadian property" under the Tax Act; or (e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified as a partnership (or other "pass-through" entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will depend on the activities of the entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such owner. Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as "pass-through" entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisers regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If the Company were to constitute a "passive foreign investment company" under the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code (a "PFIC", as defined below) for any year during a U.S. Holder's holding period, then certain potentially adverse rules will affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares. The Company believes that it was classified as a PFIC during the tax year ended March 31, 2014, and may be a PFIC in future tax years. The determination of whether any corporation was, or will be, a PFIC for a tax year depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules, which are subject to differing interpretations. In addition, whether any corporation will be a PFIC for any tax year depends on the assets and income of such corporation over the course of each such tax year and, as a result, cannot be predicted with certainty as of the date of this document. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any determination made by the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) concerning its PFIC status. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the PFIC status of the Company and any subsidiary of the Company.
In addition, in any year in which the Company is classified as a PFIC, such holder would be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the requirements of filing such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621.
PFIC Status of the Company
The Company generally will be a PFIC if, for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of the gross income of the Company is passive income (the "income test") or (b) 50% or more of the value of the Company's assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income, based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets (the "asset test"). "Gross income" generally includes all sales revenues less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and "passive income" generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities, and certain gains from commodities transactions.
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Active business gains arising from the sale of commodities generally are excluded from passive income if substantially all (85% or more) of a foreign corporation's commodities are stock in trade or inventory, depreciable property used in a trade or business, or supplies regularly used or consumed in a trade or business and certain other requirements are satisfied.
For purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, if the Company owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the total value of the outstanding shares of another corporation, the Company will be treated as if it (a) held a proportionate share of the assets of such other corporation and (b) received directly a proportionate share of the income of such other corporation. In addition, for purposes of the PFIC income test and asset test described above, and assuming certain other requirements are met, "passive income" does not include certain interest, dividends, rents, or royalties that are received or accrued by the Company from certain "related persons" (as defined in Section 954(d)(3) of the Code), to the extent such items are properly allocable to the income of such related person that is not passive income.
Under certain attribution rules, if the Company is a PFIC, U.S. Holders will generally be deemed to own their proportionate share of the Company's direct or indirect equity interest in any company that is also a PFIC (a ''Subsidiary PFIC''), and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their proportionate share of (a) any "excess distributions," as described below, on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC and (b) a disposition or deemed disposition of the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC by the Company or another Subsidiary PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holders directly held the shares of such Subsidiary PFIC. In addition, U.S. Holders may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any indirect gain realized on the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC on the sale or disposition of common shares. Accordingly, U.S. Holders should be aware that they could be subject to tax even if no distributions are received and no redemptions or other dispositions of common shares are made.
Default PFIC Rules Under Section 1291 of the Code
If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a U.S. Holder owns common shares, the U.S. federal income tax consequences to such U.S. Holder of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares will depend on whether and when such U.S. Holder makes an election to treat the Company and each Subsidiary PFIC, if any, as a "qualified electing fund" or "QEF" under Section 1295 of the Code (a "QEF Election") or makes a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the Code (a "Mark-to-Market Election"). A U.S. Holder that does not make either a QEF Election or a Mark-to-Market Election will be referred to in this summary as a "Non-Electing U.S. Holder."
A Non-Electing U.S. Holder will be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code (described below) with respect to (a) any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares and (b) any excess distribution received on the common shares. A distribution generally will be an "excess distribution" to the extent that such distribution (together with all other distributions received in the current tax year) exceeds 125% of the average distributions received during the three preceding tax years (or during a U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares, if shorter).
Under Section 1291 of the Code, any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares (including an indirect disposition of the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC), and any "excess distribution" received on common shares or with respect to the stock of a Subsidiary PFIC, must be ratably allocated to each day in a Non-Electing U.S. Holder's holding period for the respective common shares. The amount of any such gain or excess distribution allocated to the tax year of disposition or distribution of the excess distribution and to years before the entity became a PFIC, if any, would be taxed as ordinary income. The amounts allocated to any other tax year would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest tax rate applicable to ordinary income in each such year, and an interest charge would be imposed on the tax liability for each such year, calculated as if such tax liability had been due in each such year. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder that is not a corporation must treat any such interest paid as "personal interest," which is not deductible.
If the Company is a PFIC for any tax year during which a Non-Electing U.S. Holder holds common shares, the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such Non-Electing U.S. Holder, regardless of whether the Company ceases to be a PFIC in one or more subsequent tax years. A Non-Electing U.S. Holder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above), but not loss, as if such common shares were sold on the last day of the last tax year for which the Company was a PFIC.
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QEF Election
A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election for the first tax year in which its holding period of its common shares begins generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to its common shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such U.S. Holder's pro rata share of (a) the net capital gain of the Company, which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to such U.S. Holder, and (b) the ordinary earnings of the Company, which will be taxed as ordinary income to such U.S. Holder. Generally, "net capital gain" is the excess of (a) net long-term capital gain over (b) net short-term capital loss, and "ordinary earnings" are the excess of (a) "earnings and profits" over (b) net capital gain. A U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such amounts for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such amounts are actually distributed to such U.S. Holder by the Company. However, for any tax year in which the Company is a PFIC and has no net income or gain, U.S. Holders that have made a QEF Election would not have any income inclusions as a result of the QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder that made a QEF Election has an income inclusion, such a U.S. Holder may, subject to certain limitations, elect to defer payment of current U.S. federal income tax on such amounts, subject to an interest charge. If such U.S. Holder is not a corporation, any such interest paid will be treated as "personal interest," which is not deductible.
A U.S. Holder that makes a timely and effective QEF Election with respect to the Company generally (a) may receive a tax-free distribution from the Company to the extent that such distribution represents "earnings and profits" of the Company that were previously included in income by the U.S. Holder because of such QEF Election and (b) will adjust such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in income or allowed as a tax-free distribution because of such QEF Election. In addition, a U.S. Holder that makes a QEF Election generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares.
The procedure for making a QEF Election, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of making a QEF Election, will depend on whether such QEF Election is timely. A QEF Election will be treated as "timely" if such QEF Election is made for the first year in the U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares in which the Company was a PFIC. A U.S. Holder may make a timely QEF Election by filing the appropriate QEF Election documents at the time such U.S. Holder files a U.S. federal income tax return for such year. If a U.S. Holder does not make a timely and effective QEF Election for the first year in the U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares, the U.S. Holder may still be able to make a timely and effective QEF Election in a subsequent year if such U.S. Holder meets certain requirements and makes a "purging" election to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above) as if such common shares were sold for their fair market value on the day the QEF Election is effective. If a U.S. Holder owns PFIC stock indirectly through another PFIC, separate QEF Elections must be made for the PFIC in which the U.S. Holder is a direct shareholder and the Subsidiary PFIC for the QEF rules to apply to both PFICs.
A QEF Election will apply to the tax year for which such QEF Election is timely made and to all subsequent tax years, unless such QEF Election is invalidated or terminated or the IRS consents to revocation of such QEF Election. If a U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election and, in a subsequent tax year, the Company ceases to be a PFIC, the QEF Election will remain in effect (although it will not be applicable) during those tax years in which the Company is not a PFIC. Accordingly, if the Company becomes a PFIC in another subsequent tax year, the QEF Election will be effective and the U.S. Holder will be subject to the QEF rules described above during any subsequent tax year in which the Company qualifies as a PFIC.
U.S. Holders should be aware that there can be no assurances that the Company will satisfy the record keeping requirements that apply to a QEF, or that the Company will supply U.S. Holders with information that such U.S. Holders are required to report under the QEF rules, in the event that the Company is a PFIC. Thus, U.S. Holders may not be able to make a QEF Election with respect to their common shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a QEF Election.
A U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including a PFIC Annual Information Statement, to a timely filed United States federal income tax return. However, if the Company cannot provide the required information with regard to the Company or any of its Subsidiary PFICs, U.S. Holders will not be able to make a QEF Election for such entity and will continue to be subject to the rules discussed above that apply to Non-Electing U.S. Holders with respect to the taxation of gains and excess distributions.
Mark-to-Market Election
A U.S. Holder may make a Mark-to-Market Election only if the common shares are marketable stock. The common shares generally will be "marketable stock" if the common shares are regularly traded on (a) a national securities exchange that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (b) the national market system established pursuant to section 11A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or (c) a foreign securities exchange that is regulated or supervised by a governmental authority of the country in which the market is located, provided that (i) such foreign exchange has trading volume, listing, financial disclosure, and surveillance requirements, and meets other requirements and the laws of the country in which such foreign exchange is located, together with the rules of such foreign exchange, ensure that such requirements are actually enforced and (ii) the rules of such foreign exchange effectively promote active trading of listed stocks. If such stock is traded on such a qualified exchange or other market, such stock generally will be "regularly traded" for any calendar year during which such stock is traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter.
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A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to its common shares generally will not be subject to the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above with respect to such common shares. However, if a U.S. Holder does not make a Mark-to-Market Election beginning in the first tax year of such U.S. Holder's holding period for the common shares or such U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF Election, the rules of Section 1291 of the Code discussed above will apply to certain dispositions of, and distributions on, the common shares.
A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will include in ordinary income, for each tax year in which the Company is a PFIC, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of the common shares, as of the close of such tax year over (b) such U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares. A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will be allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the common shares, over (b) the fair market value of such common shares (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years).
A U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election generally also will adjust such U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares to reflect the amount included in gross income or allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election. In addition, upon a sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder that makes a Mark-to-Market Election will recognize ordinary income or ordinary loss (not to exceed the excess, if any, of (a) the amount included in ordinary income because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years over (b) the amount allowed as a deduction because of such Mark-to-Market Election for prior tax years). Losses that exceed this limitation are subject to the rules generally applicable to losses provided in the Code and Treasury Regulations.
A U.S. Holder makes a Mark-to-Market Election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621 to a timely filed United States federal income tax return. A Mark-to-Market Election applies to the tax year in which such Mark-to-Market Election is made and to each subsequent tax year, unless the common shares cease to be "marketable stock" or the IRS consents to revocation of such election. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the availability of, and procedure for making, a Mark-to-Market Election.
Although a U.S. Holder may be eligible to make a Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares, no such election may be made with respect to the stock of any Subsidiary PFIC that a U.S. Holder is treated as owning, because such stock is not marketable. Hence, the Mark-to-Market Election will not be effective to eliminate the application of the default rules of Section 1291 of the Code described above with respect to deemed dispositions of Subsidiary PFIC stock or excess distributions from a Subsidiary PFIC.
Other PFIC Rules
Under Section 1291(f) of the Code, the IRS has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that, subject to certain exceptions, would cause a U.S. Holder that had not made a timely QEF Election to recognize gain (but not loss) upon certain transfers of common shares that would otherwise be tax-deferred (e.g., gifts and exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations). However, the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder may vary based on the manner in which common shares are transferred.
Certain additional adverse rules may apply with respect to a U.S. Holder if the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether such U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. For example, under Section 1298(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Holder that uses common shares as security for a loan will, except as may be provided in Treasury Regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such common shares.
Special rules also apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to such special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign tax credit. The rules relating to distributions by a PFIC and their eligibility for the foreign tax credit are complicated, and a U.S. Holder should consult with its own tax adviser regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit with respect to distributions by a PFIC.
The PFIC rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the PFIC rules and how the PFIC rules may affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
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Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares
The following discussion is subject to the rules described above under the heading "Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules."
Distributions on Common Shares
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution, including a constructive distribution, with respect to a common share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any Canadian income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of the current or accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A dividend generally will be taxed to a U.S. Holder at ordinary income tax rates if the Company is a PFIC. To the extent that a distribution exceeds the current and accumulated "earnings and profits" of the Company, such distribution will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of such common shares. (See " Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of common shares" below). However, the Company may not maintain the calculations of earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder should therefore assume that any distribution by the Company with respect to the common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends received on common shares generally will not be eligible for the "dividends received deduction". In addition, the Company does not anticipate that its distributions will constitute qualified dividend income eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares
Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Dollar value of cash received plus the fair market value of any property received and such U.S. Holder's tax basis in such common shares sold or otherwise disposed of. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in common shares generally will be such holder's U.S. Dollar cost for such common shares. Gain or loss recognized on such sale or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of the sale or other disposition, the common shares have been held for more than one year.
Preferential tax rates currently apply to long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
Additional Tax on Passive Income
Certain individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds will be required to pay a 3.8% Medicare surtax on "net investment income" including, among other things, dividends and net gain from dispositions of property (other than property held in certain trades or businesses). U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisers regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership and disposition of common shares.
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S. Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S. Dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign currency is converted into U.S. Dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. Dollar value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method with respect to foreign currency received upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the common shares. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above, a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the common shares generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax. Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability on a Dollar-for-Dollar basis, whereas a deduction will reduce a U.S. Holder's income subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year.
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Complex limitations apply to the foreign tax credit, including the general limitation that the credit cannot exceed the proportionate share of a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability that such U.S. Holder's "foreign source" taxable income bears to such U.S. Holder's worldwide taxable income. In applying this limitation, a U.S. Holder's various items of income and deduction must be classified, under complex rules, as either "foreign source" or "U.S. source." Generally, dividends paid by a foreign corporation should be treated as foreign source for this purpose, and gains recognized on the sale of stock of a foreign corporation by a U.S. Holder should be treated as U.S. source for this purpose, except as otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty, and if an election is properly made under the Code. However, the amount of a distribution with respect to the common shares that is treated as a "dividend" may be lower for U.S. federal income tax purposes than it is for Canadian federal income tax purposes, resulting in a reduced foreign tax credit allowance to a U.S. Holder. In addition, this limitation is calculated separately with respect to specific categories of income. The foreign tax credit rules are complex, and each U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax adviser regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Under U.S. federal income tax law, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in, a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S. Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U.S. Holders may be subject to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisers regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.
Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, common shares will generally be subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 28%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S. Holder's correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain exempt persons generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information to the IRS in a timely manner. Each U.S. Holder should consult its own tax adviser regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
Not applicable.
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
Not applicable.
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
Exhibits attached to this Form 20-F are also available for viewing on EDGAR, or at the offices of Amarc, Suite 1500 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4H1 or on request of Amarc at 604-684-6365, attention: Corporate Secretary. Copies of Amarc's financial statements and other continuous disclosure documents required under the British Columbia Securities Act are available for viewing on the internet at www.sedar.com.
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I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
Not applicable.
ITEM 11 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A. TRANSACTION RISK AND CURRENCY RISK MANAGEMENT
Amarc's operations do not employ financial instruments or derivatives which are market sensitive and Amarc does not have financial market risks.
B. EXCHANGE RATE SENSITIVITY
Amarc's administrative operations are in Canada. The Company typically holds most of its funds in Canadian Dollars and typically acquires foreign currency on an as-needed basis and, hence, it is not significantly affected by exchange rate risk. The Company does, however, from time to time, invest in U.S. Dollars denominated short-term investments. The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk on such investments. However, such U.S. Dollars denominated investments have been minor and the foreign exchange risk has been immaterial.
The Company currently does not engage in foreign currency hedging.
C. INTEREST RATE RISK AND EQUITY PRICE RISK
Amarc is equity financed and does not have any long-term debt. Amarc's liabilities consist of routine accounts payable and balances due to related parties.
Some of the Company's marketable securities are subject to equity price risk as they relate to shares held in publicly-traded companies. Given the small value of the Company's marketable securities, equity price risk for the Company is nominal.
D. COMMODITY PRICE RISK
While the value of Amarc's resource properties can always be said to relate to the price of copper and gold metals and the outlook for same, Amarc does not have any operating mines and hence does not have any hedging or other commodity-based operational risks respecting its business activities.
ITEM 12 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 13 DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 14 MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
- 59 -
ITEM 15 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
At the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, an evaluation was carried out with the participation of the Company's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and the Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a 15(e) and 15d 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based on that evaluation, the President and CEO and the CFO have concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that: (i) information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits to the SEC under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (ii) material information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports filed under the Exchange Act was accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the President and CEO and the CFO, as appropriate, to allow for accurate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
MANAGEMENT'S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Company's management, including the President and CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
|
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; |
| |
|
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and |
| |
|
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
With the participation of the President and CEO and CFO, management conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2014, based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management concluded in its report that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2014.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules that permit the Company to provide only management's report in this annual report.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
During the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F, no changes occurred in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
LIMITATIONS OF CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company's management, including its President and CEO and CFO, does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.
- 60 -
Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
ITEM 16 [RESERVED]
ITEM 16A AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The members of the audit committee are Rene Carrier, Barry Coughlan and Jeffrey Mason. The board of directors has determined that Mr. Mason qualifies as a "financial expert" under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, based on his education and experience. Mr. Mason is independent, as the term is defined in section 803 of the NYSE/MKT Company Guide.
Each audit committee member is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements.
ITEM 16B CODE OF ETHICS
The Company's board of directors has adopted a Code of Ethics governing directors, officers, employees and contractors. The Code of Ethics sets forth written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
(a) |
honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
(b) |
full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Company files with, or submits to, securities regulators and in other public communications made by the Company; |
(c) |
compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; |
(d) |
the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code; and |
(e) |
accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics. |
The board of directors monitors compliance with the Code of Ethics by ensuring that all Company personnel have read and understood the Code of Ethics, and by charging management with bringing to the attention of the board of directors any issues that arise with respect to the Code of Ethics.
The Company's Code of Ethics was filed as Exhibit 11.1 of the Company's Form 20-F filed on October 7, 2008. The Company's Code of Ethics can be viewed at the Company's website. The Company will also provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any person without charge, upon request. Requests can be sent by mail to: 15th floor, 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 4H1 or on request of the Company at 604-684-6365, attention: Investor Relations Department.
During the most recently completed fiscal year, the Company has neither: (a) amended its Code of Ethics; nor (b) granted any waiver (including any implicit waiver) form any provision of its Code of Ethics.
ITEM 16C PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The following table discloses the aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the Company's audit firm, De Visser Gray LLP for various services.
- 61 -
Services: |
Year ended March 31, 2014 |
Year ended March 31, 2013 | |
Audit Fees | Includes fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company's 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. | $23,000 | $23,000 |
Audit-related Fees | Includes services that are 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. | Nil | Nil |
Tax Fees | Includes 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. | Nil | Nil |
All Other Fees | Includes all other non-audit services. | 4,000 | 4,000 |
Total | $27,000 | $27,000 |
From time to time, management of the Company recommends to and requests approval from the audit committee for non-audit services to be provided by the Company's auditors. The audit committee routinely considers such requests at committee meetings, and if acceptable to a majority of the audit committee members, pre-approves such non-audit services by a resolution authorizing management to engage the Company's auditors for such non-audit services, with set maximum Dollar amounts for each itemized service. During such deliberations, the audit committee assesses, among other factors, whether the services requested would be considered "prohibited services" as contemplated by the SEC, and whether the services requested and the fees related to such services could impair the independence of the auditors. No material non-audit services were provided by the Company's auditors during the year ended March 31, 2014.
ITEM 16D EXEMPTIONS FROM LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
In the year ended March 31, 2014, the Company did not purchase any of its issued and outstanding Common Shares pursuant to any repurchase program or otherwise.
ITEM 16F CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
None.
ITEM 16G CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Not applicable.
ITEM 16H MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
- 62 -
ITEM 17 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Not applicable. See Item 18 Financial Statements
ITEM 18 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following attached financial statements are incorporated herein:
Report of the Company's independent registered chartered accountants, De Visser Gray LLP, dated July 11, 2014;
Statements of financial position as at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013;
Statements of comprehensive loss for the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013;
Statements of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013;
Statements of changes in equity for the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013; and
Notes to annual financial statements
AMARC RESOURCES LTD.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED
MARCH 31, 2014 and 2013
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars)
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Amarc Resources Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Amarc Resources Ltd., which comprise the statements of financial position as at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 and the statements of comprehensive loss, changes in equity and cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Managements Responsibility for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entitys internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Amarc Resources Ltd. as at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
De Visser Gray LLP
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Vancouver, Canada
July 11, 2014
Amarc Resources
Ltd.
Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in
Canadian Dollars)
March 31, | March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | |||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (note 3) | $ | 4,772,772 | $ | 5,869,313 | ||
Amounts receivable and other assets (note 5) | 76,264 | 142,815 | ||||
Marketable securities (note 6) | 96,179 | 81,042 | ||||
4,945,215 | 6,093,170 | |||||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Restricted cash (note 4) | 232,666 | 266,802 | ||||
Amounts receivable (note 5) | 128,184 | 1,282,847 | ||||
Equipment | | 1,205 | ||||
Mineral property interests (note 7) | | 2 | ||||
360,850 | 1,550,856 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 5,306,065 | $ | 7,644,026 | ||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 8) | $ | 35,401 | $ | 32,909 | ||
Balances due to related parties (note 11(b)) | 69,939 | 166,953 | ||||
Quartz Mountain debenture obligation (note 9) | | 260,000 | ||||
105,340 | 459,862 | |||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Share capital (note 10) | 58,761,410 | 58,756,410 | ||||
Reserves | 5,103,263 | 4,936,897 | ||||
Accumulated deficit | (58,663,948 | ) | (56,509,143 | ) | ||
5,200,725 | 7,184,164 | |||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 5,306,065 | $ | 7,644,026 | ||
Nature and continuance of operations (note 1) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
/s/ Robert A. Dickinson | /s/ Rene G. Carrier |
Robert A. Dickinson | Rene G. Carrier |
Director | Director |
Amarc Resources
Ltd.
Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(Expressed in
Canadian Dollars, except for weighted average number of common shares
outstanding)
Year ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Expenses | |||||||
Exploration and evaluation (notes 11, 13) | $ | 1,094,601 | $ | 8,422,339 | |||
Assays and analysis | 54,362 | 769,804 | |||||
Drilling | | 859,034 | |||||
Equipment rental | 8,771 | 206,047 | |||||
Geological | 248,152 | 1,634,601 | |||||
Graphics | 3,787 | 12,068 | |||||
Property costs and assessments | 519,636 | 3,125,690 | |||||
Site activities | 95,731 | 1,185,192 | |||||
Socioeconomic | 74,956 | 367,133 | |||||
Transportation | 65,285 | 134,378 | |||||
Travel and accommodation | 23,921 | 128,392 | |||||
Administration (notes 11, 13) | 1,306,126 | 1,822,793 | |||||
Depreciation | 1,205 | 516 | |||||
Legal, accounting and audit | 44,626 | 56,010 | |||||
Office and administration | 1,103,733 | 1,451,737 | |||||
Shareholder communication | 102,129 | 225,822 | |||||
Travel and accommodation | 23,142 | 56,726 | |||||
Trust and filing | 31,291 | 31,982 | |||||
Share-based payments | 103,004 | 433,503 | |||||
Share-based payments - exploration-related | 41,071 | 172,086 | |||||
Share-based payments - administration-related | 61,933 | 261,417 | |||||
2,503,731 | 10,678,635 | ||||||
Other items | |||||||
Interest income | (68,759 | ) | (128,881 | ) | |||
Interest expense (note 9) | 23,136 | 5,129 | |||||
Flow-through share premium | | (130,000 | ) | ||||
Foreign exchange loss | 1,937 | 1,013 | |||||
Gain on termination of joint venture (note 7(f)) | (284,717 | ) | | ||||
Gain on disposal of AFS financial assets (note 6) | (68,750 | ) | | ||||
Impairment of AFS financial assets (note 6) | 48,225 | | |||||
Mineral property interests written off | 2 | | |||||
Loss for the year | 2,154,805 | 10,425,896 | |||||
Other comprehensive loss (income): | |||||||
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: | |||||||
Revaluation of AFS financial assets (note 6) | (25,012 | ) | 54,633 | ||||
Change in fair value of AFS financial assets transferred to profit or loss upon disposition (note 6) | 9,875 | | |||||
Impairment of AFS financial assets transferred to profit or loss (note 6) | (48,225 | ) | | ||||
Total other comprehensive loss (income) for the year | (63,362 | ) | 54,633 | ||||
Comprehensive loss for the year | $ | 2,091,443 | $ | 10,480,529 | |||
Basic and diluted loss per common share | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.08 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 138,644,883 | 138,602,746 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Amarc Resources Ltd.
Statements of Changes in Equity
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, except for share
information)
Share capital | Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based | Share | Investment | |||||||||||||||||||
Number | payments | warrants | revaluation | ||||||||||||||||||
of shares | Amount | reserve | reserve | reserve | Deficit | Total | |||||||||||||||
Balance at April 1, 2012 | 138,574,061 | $ | 58,740,910 | $ | 1,666,133 | $ | 2,811,220 | $ | 80,674 | $ | (46,083,247 | ) | $ | 17,215,690 | |||||||
Share-based payments | | | 433,503 | | | | 433,503 | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares pursuant to mineral property agreements (note 10(b)) | 50,000 | 15,500 | | | | | 15,500 | ||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive loss for the year | | | | | (54,633 | ) | | (54,633 | ) | ||||||||||||
Loss for the year | | | | | | (10,425,896 | ) | (10,425,896 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2013 | 138,624,061 | $ | 58,756,410 | $ | 2,099,636 | $ | 2,811,220 | $ | 26,041 | $ | (56,509,143 | ) | $ | 7,184,164 | |||||||
Balance at April 1, 2013 | 138,624,061 | $ | 58,756,410 | $ | 2,099,636 | $ | 2,811,220 | $ | 26,041 | $ | (56,509,143 | ) | $ | 7,184,164 | |||||||
Share-based payments | | | 103,004 | | | | 103,004 | ||||||||||||||
Issuance of common shares pursuant to mineral property agreements (note 10(b)) | 100,000 | 5,000 | | | | | 5,000 | ||||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income for the year | | | | | 63,362 | | 63,362 | ||||||||||||||
Loss for the year | | | | | | (2,154,805 | ) | (2,154,805 | ) | ||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2014 | 138,724,061 | $ | 58,761,410 | $ | 2,202,640 | $ | 2,811,220 | $ | 89,403 | $ | (58,663,948 | ) | $ | 5,200,725 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Amarc Resources
Ltd.
Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in Canadian
Dollars)
Year ended March 31, | ||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | 2014 | 2013 | ||||
Operating activities | ||||||
Loss for the year | $ | (2,154,805 | ) | $ | (10,425,896 | ) |
Adjustments for: | ||||||
Depreciation | 1,205 | 516 | ||||
Interest income | (68,759 | ) | (128,881 | ) | ||
Interest expense (note 9) | 23,136 | 5,129 | ||||
Debenture
obligation acquired as part of the acquisition of interest in Galaxie ZNT
project, included in exploration expenses (note 9) |
| 260,000 | ||||
Common shares issued, included in exploration expenses (note 10(b)) | 5,000 | 15,500 | ||||
Share-based payments | 103,004 | 433,503 | ||||
Gain on termination of joint venture (note 7(f)) | (284,717 | ) | | |||
Gain on disposal of AFS financial assets (note 6) | (68,750 | ) | | |||
Impairment of AFS financial assets (note 6) | 48,225 | | ||||
Flow-through share premium | | (130,000 | ) | |||
Mineral property interests written off | 2 | | ||||
Changes in working capital items | ||||||
Amounts receivable and other assets | 66,489 | 417,564 | ||||
Restricted cash | 34,136 | (20,660 | ) | |||
Amounts receivable - non-current | 1,154,663 | 474,524 | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 2,492 | (796,154 | ) | |||
Balances due to related parties | (52,235 | ) | 160,183 | |||
Net cash used in operating activities | (1,190,914 | ) | (9,734,672 | ) | ||
Investing activities | ||||||
Interest income | 68,759 | 128,881 | ||||
Proceeds from disposition of AFS financial assets (note 6) | 68,750 | | ||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 137,509 | 128,881 | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||
Interest paid on debenture | (23,136 | ) | | |||
Principal payment on debenture (note 9) | (20,000 | ) | | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | (43,136 | ) | | |||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (1,096,541 | ) | (9,605,791 | ) | ||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year | 5,869,313 | 15,475,104 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year (note 3) | $ | 4,772,772 | $ | 5,869,313 | ||
Supplementary cash flow information: | ||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||
Issuance of common shares pursuant to mineral property agreements (note 10(b)) | $ | 5,000 | $ | 15,500 | ||
Debenture obligation transferred upon termination of Galaxie Joint Venture (note 9) | $ | (240,000 | ) | $ | | |
Debenture obligation assumed on acquisition of interest in Galaxie Joint Venture (note 9) | $ | | $ | 260,000 | ||
Balance due to related party transferred upon termination of Galaxie Joint Venture (note 7(f)) | $ | (44,779 | ) | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
1. | NATURE AND CONTINUANCE OF OPERATIONS |
Amarc Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Amarc") is incorporated under the laws of the province of British Columbia, and its principal business activity is the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties. Its principal mineral property interests are located in British Columbia ("BC"). The address of the Company's corporate office is 15th Floor, 1040 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 4H1. |
|
These financial statements (the "Financial Statements") of the Company for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the discharge of liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred losses since inception and its ability to continue as a going concern depends upon its capacity to develop profitable operations and to continue to raise adequate financing. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be able to obtain additional financial resources or will achieve profitability or positive cash flows. Management believes that its current liquid assets are sufficient to meet all current obligations and to maintain its mineral rights in good standing in the foreseeable future. These Financial Statements do not include any adjustments to the amounts and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. |
|
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these Financial Statements are described below. These policies have been consistently applied for all years presented, unless otherwise stated. |
(a) | Statement of compliance |
These Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ("IFRIC"), effective for the Company's reporting year ended March 31, 2014. |
|
The Board of Directors of the Company authorized these Financial Statements on July 11, 2014 for issuance. |
|
(b) | Basis of presentation |
These Financial Statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments classified as available-for-sale which are stated at fair value. In addition, these Financial Statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting, except for cash flow information. |
|
Certain comparative amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
(c) | Significant accounting estimates and judgments |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The impact of such estimates is pervasive throughout the financial statements, and may require accounting adjustments based on future occurrences. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. These estimates are based on historical experience, current and future economic conditions and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Changes in the subjective inputs and assumptions can materially affect fair value estimates. |
|
Specific areas where significant estimates or judgements exist are: |
|
Estimates |
| estimate of the accrual of Mineral Exploration Tax Credit ("METC"). The METC initiative was introduced by the government of British Columbia to stimulate mineral exploration activity in the province and includes an enhanced credit for mineral exploration in areas affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation. The Company is eligible to receive refunds under this tax credit. However, the timing and amounts of refunds pursuant to the METC program are uncertain; and |
|
|
||
| inputs used in accounting for share-based payments. The Company uses the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model to calculate the fair value of share purchase options granted and of share purchase warrants issued. Inputs used in this model require highly subjective assumptions. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and therefore the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the Company's share purchase options and share purchase warrants. |
Judgements
| assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern; |
|
| the recoverability of the carrying value of the Company's mineral property interests and other long-lived assets and whether they exceed their recoverable amount. In particular, in view of recent volatility in stock markets, management has monitored its market capitalization to determine whether there is any indication that the carrying amount of these assets may exceed their recoverable amount. Management considers other technical and financial factors on a regular basis. However, there is inherent uncertainty surrounding the information used as a basis for its assessment and it is reasonably possible that new information may become available that suggests the recoverability of these assets may be unlikely; |
|
| the recognition of a deferred tax asset for the Company's accumulated tax losses and resource tax pool. A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized. Judgment is required in determining whether deferred tax assets are recognized, including judgment in assessing the likelihood of taxable earnings in future periods in order to utilize recognized deferred tax assets; |
|
| the determination of categories of financial assets and financial liabilities; and |
|
| the carrying value and recoverability of the Company's marketable securities. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
(d) | Foreign currency |
|
The functional and presentational currency of the Company is the Canadian Dollar. |
||
Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on dates of transactions. At each financial position reporting date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not re-translated. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in profit or loss for the year. |
||
(e) | Financial Instruments |
|
Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Company becomes party to the contracts that give rise to them. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets and liabilities at initial recognition and, where allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates such classification at each financial year end. The Company does not have any derivative financial instruments. |
||
Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issuance of financial assets and financial liabilities (other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss. |
||
Non-derivative financial assets |
||
The Company's non-derivative financial assets comprise of the following: |
||
(i) | Loans and receivables |
|
Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Such assets are initially recognized at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. |
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Loans and receivables comprise of cash and cash equivalents, amounts receivable and other assets, and restricted cash. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Cash and cash equivalents |
||
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position is comprised of cash and highly liquid investments held at major financial institutions, having maturity dates of three months or less from the date of purchase, which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. The Company's cash and cash equivalents are invested in business and savings accounts which are available on demand by the Company for its programs and as such, are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. |
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(ii) | Available-for-sale ("AFS") financial assets |
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The Company's investments in marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale financial assets. Subsequent to initial recognition, they are measured at fair value and changes therein, other than impairment losses and foreign currency differences on AFS monetary items, are recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. When an investment is derecognized, the cumulative gain or loss in the investment revaluation reserve is transferred to profit or loss. |
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The fair value of AFS monetary assets denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the end of the reporting period. Changes in the fair value of AFS equity investments are recognized directly in equity. |
Non-derivative financial liabilities
The Company classifies its non-derivative financial liabilities into the following category:
(i) | Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost |
|
Such financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value net of any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, these financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. |
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Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost comprise of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, balances due to related parties, and the Quartz Mountain debenture obligation. |
Impairment of financial assets
When an AFS financial asset is considered to be impaired, cumulative gains or losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income or loss are reclassified to profit or loss in the period. Financial assets are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been impacted. For shares classified as AFS, a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the security below its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment.
For all other financial assets objective evidence of impairment could include:
| significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or | |
| default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or | |
| it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organization |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
With the exception of AFS equity instruments, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized. In respect of AFS equity securities, impairment losses previously recognized through profit or loss are not reversed through profit or loss. Any increase in fair value of AFS equity securities subsequent to an impairment loss is recognized directly in equity. |
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(f) | Exploration and evaluation expenditures |
Exploration and evaluation costs are costs incurred to discover mineral resources, and to assess the technical feasibility and commercial viability of the mineral resources found. |
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Exploration and evaluation expenditures include: |
| the costs of acquiring licenses; | |
| costs associated with exploration and evaluation activity; and | |
| the acquisition costs of exploration and evaluation assets, including mineral properties. |
Exploration and evaluation expenditures until the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource has been determined, and a positive decision to proceed to development has been made, are generally expensed as incurred. However, if management concludes that future economic benefits are more likely than not to be realized, the costs of property, plant and equipment for use in exploration and evaluation of mineral resources are capitalized. |
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Costs incurred before the Company has obtained the legal rights to explore an area are expensed. Costs incurred after the technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a mineral resource has been determined and a positive decision to proceed to development has been made are considered development costs and are capitalized. |
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Costs applicable to established property interests where no further work is planned by the Company may, for presentation purposes only, be carried at nominal amounts. |
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(g) | Equipment |
Equipment is carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. |
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The cost of equipment consists of the purchase price, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for its intended use and an initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located. |
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Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to expense the cost of equipment, less its estimated residual value, using the declining balance method at various rates ranging from 20% to 30% per annum. |
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An item of equipment is derecognized upon disposal or when no material future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on disposal of the asset, determined as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, is recognized in profit or loss. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Where an item of equipment consists of major components with different useful lives, the components are accounted for as separate items of equipment. Expenditures incurred to replace a component of an item of equipment that is accounted for separately, including major inspection and overhaul expenditures, are capitalized. |
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Residual values and estimated useful lives are reviewed at least annually. As at March 31, 2014, all equipment has been fully depreciated. |
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(h) | Share capital |
Common shares are classified as equity. Transaction costs directly attributable to the issuance of common shares and share purchase options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects. When the Company issues common shares for consideration other than cash, the transaction is measured at fair value based on the quoted market price of the Companys common shares on the date of issuance. |
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Flowthrough shares |
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Canadian tax legislation permits mining entities to issue flowthrough shares to investors. Flowthrough shares are securities issued to investors whereby the deductions for tax purposes related to resource eligible Canadian exploration and evaluation expenditures ("CEE") may be claimed by investors instead of the entity, pursuant to a defined renunciation process. Renunciation may occur: |
| prospectively (namely, the flowthrough shares are issued, renunciation occurs and CEE are incurred subsequently); or |
|
| retrospectively (namely, the flowthrough shares are issued, CEE are then incurred and renunciation occurs subsequently) |
The Company finances a portion of its exploration expenditures through the issuance of flowthrough shares. |
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Flowthrough shares are recorded in share capital at the fair value of common shares on date of issue. When flowthrough shares are issued, the difference, if any, between the fair value of nonflowthrough common shares and the amount the investors pay for flowthrough shares is recorded as deferred liability called "flow through share premium". This deferred liability is credited to profit or loss when the eligible expenditures are incurred. |
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(i) | Loss per share |
Loss per share is computed by dividing losses attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted loss per share is determined by adjusting the losses attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares, such as options granted to employees. The dilutive effect of options assumes that the proceeds to be received on the exercise of share purchase options are applied to repurchase common shares at the average market price for the reporting period. Share purchase options are included in the calculation of dilutive earnings per share only to the extent that the market price of the common shares exceeds the exercise price of the share purchase options. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
The effect of antidilutive factors is not considered when computing diluted loss per share. |
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(j) | Sharebased payments |
The share purchase option plan allows Company employees and consultants to acquire shares of the Company. The fair value of share purchase options granted is recognized as an employee or consultant expense with a corresponding increase in share-based payments reserve in equity. An individual is classified as an employee when the individual is an employee for legal or tax purposes (direct employee) or provides services similar to those performed by a direct employee. |
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For employees, fair value is measured at the grant date and each tranche is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the share purchase options vest. The fair value of the share purchase options granted is measured using the BlackScholes option pricing model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the share purchase options were granted. At the end of each financial reporting period, the amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share purchase options that are expected to vest. |
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Sharebased payment transactions with non-employees are measured at the fair value of the goods or services received. However, if the fair value cannot be estimated reliably, the share-based payment transaction is measured at the fair value of the equity instruments granted at the date the entity obtains the goods or the counterparty renders the service. |
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(k) | Income taxes |
Income tax on the profit or loss for the years presented comprises of current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in profit or loss except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity, in which case it is recognized in equity. |
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Current tax expense is the expected tax payable on taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at year end, adjusted for amendments to tax payable with regards to previous years. Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. |
|
The following temporary differences are not provided for: |
| goodwill not deductible for tax purposes; |
|
| the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit; and |
|
| differences relating to investments in subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future. |
The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realization or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the financial position reporting date applicable to the period of expected realization or settlement.
A deferred tax asset is recognized only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the asset can be utilized.
Additional income taxes that arise from the distribution of dividends are recognized at the same time as the liability to pay the related dividend.
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. |
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(l) | Restoration, rehabilitation, and environmental obligations |
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An obligation to incur restoration, rehabilitation and environmental costs arises when environmental disturbance is caused by the exploration or development of a mineral property interest. Such costs arising from the decommissioning of plant and other site preparation work, discounted to their net present value, are provided for and capitalized at the start of each project to the carrying amount of the asset, along with a corresponding liability at the time the obligation to incur such costs arises. The timing of the actual rehabilitation expenditure is dependent on a number of factors such as the life and nature of the project or asset, the conditions imposed by the relevant permits and, when applicable, the jurisdiction in which the project or asset is located. |
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|
|
Discount rates using a pretax rate that reflects the time value of money are used to calculate the net present value, where applicable. These costs are charged against profit or loss over the economic life of the related asset, through amortization using either the unitofproduction or the straight-line method. The corresponding liability is progressively increased as the effect of discounting unwinds, creating an expense recognized in profit or loss. |
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The operations of the Company have been, and may in the future be, affected from time to time in varying degrees by changes in environmental regulations, including those for site restoration costs. Both the likelihood of new regulations and their overall effect upon the Company are not predictable. |
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The Company has no material restoration, rehabilitation and environmental obligations as at March 31, 2014. |
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(m) | Joint venture activities and joint controlled operations |
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Joint control is defined as the contractually agreed sharing of control over an economic activity, and exists only when the strategic, financial and operating decisions essential to the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. When the Company enters into agreements that provide for specific percentage interests in exploration properties, a portion of the Company's exploration activities is conducted jointly with others, without establishment of a corporation, partnership or other entity. |
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|
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Under IFRS 11 "Joint Arrangements", this type of joint control of mineral assets and joint exploration and/or development activities is considered as a joint operation, which is defined as a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. In these Financial Statements, the Company recognizes the following in relation to its interests in joint operations: |
| its assets, including its share of any assets held jointly; | |
| its liabilities, including its share of any liabilities incurred jointly; | |
| its revenue from the sale of its share of the output of the joint operation; and | |
| its expenses, including its share of any expenses incurred jointly |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
(n) | Operating segments |
The Company is operating in a single reportable segment the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. All non-current assets are held in Canada. |
|
(o) | Government assistance |
When the Company is entitled to receive METC and other government grants, this government assistance is recognized as a cost recovery within exploration expense when there is reasonable assurance of recovery. |
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(p) | Accounting standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards |
Accounting policies adopted during the current year |
|
Effective April 1, 2013, the Company has applied the following new accounting standards which were issued by the IASB: |
| Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income | |
| IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement | |
| IAS 19, Employee Benefits | |
| IFRIC 20, Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine |
The amendments to IAS 1 require separate presentation of items of other comprehensive income that are reclassified subsequently to profit or loss and those that are not reclassified to profit or loss. Other than change in presentation and disclosure, there was no material impact of the new and amended accounting standards adopted during the reporting period.
Accounting standards issued but not yet effective
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014
| Amendments to IAS 32, Financial Instruments: Presentation |
Effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014
| Amendments to IFRS 2, Share-based Payment | |
| Amendments to IFRS 3, Business Combinations | |
| Amendments to IFRS 8, Operating Segments | |
| Amendments to IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement | |
| Amendments to IAS 16, Property, plant and equipment | |
| Amendments to IAS 24, Related Party Disclosures |
Effective date to be finalized
| IFRS 9, Financial Instruments |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
The Company has not early adopted these new standards or amendments to existing standards and does not expect the impact of these standards on the Company's financial statements to be material. |
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3. | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
The Company's cash and cash equivalents are invested in business and savings accounts which are available on demand by the Company. |
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4. | RESTRICTED CASH |
Restricted cash represents guaranteed investment certificates held in support of exploration permits. The amounts are refundable subject to the consent of regulatory authorities, upon the completion of any required reclamation work on the related projects. |
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5. | AMOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER ASSETS |
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Current | |||||||
Value added taxes refundable | $ | 21,055 | $ | 85,451 | |||
Prepaid insurance | 55,209 | 52,801 | |||||
Other receivables | | 4,563 | |||||
Total current | $ | 76,264 | $ | 142,815 | |||
Non-current | |||||||
British Columbia Mineral Exploration Tax Credits (METC) | $ | 128,184 | $ | 1,282,847 |
6. | MARKETABLE SECURITIES |
As at March 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company held common shares in several public and private companies. These marketable securities are classified as availableforsale financial assets and are carried at fair value. |
|
During the current reporting period, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $48,225 on certain marketable securities, which reflects the decline in their respective trading prices below cost. Management considers the aggregate decline in fair value to be significant and prolonged, and accordingly, it has been recorded within current operations. |
|
During the current reporting period, pursuant to the terms of termination of the Tulox property-option agreement (note 7(e)), the Company disposed of certain marketable securities and recognized a gain of $68,750 on the disposition. The Company originally received these shares as a result of a spin-off transaction involving the investee; therefore, the gain of the disposition equaled the proceeds received. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
7. | MINERAL PROPERTY INTERESTS |
All of the Company's active exploration properties are located in British Columbia, Canada. The following is a summary of the Company's material properties. |
(a) | Ike Property |
The Ike Property is located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Gold Bridge, British Columbia. |
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Earn-in |
|
On December 10, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement (the Ike Option Agreement) with Oxford Resources Inc. (Oxford) in respect of the Ike Property, whereby Amarc has an option to acquire an 80% ownership interest in the property by satisfying the following earn-in requirements: |
Number of | Exploration | |||||||||
common shares to | expenditures | |||||||||
On or before | Cash payments | issue | to incur | |||||||
Exchange approval (completed) | $ | |||||||||
$ | 25,000 | 100,000 | | |||||||
June 6, 2014 (completed) | 50,000 | 100,000 | | |||||||
November 30, 2014(i) | | | 855,697 | |||||||
June 6, 2015 | 50,000 | 100,000 | | |||||||
November 30, 2015 | | | 1,000,000 | |||||||
Total | $ | 125,000 | 300,000 | $ | 1,855,697 |
(i) | To March 31, 2014, $157,414 in expenditures had been incurred |
Oxfords interest in the Ike Property is subject to an underlying option agreement with private third parties. Amarc and Oxford have also agreed that, upon completion of the earn-in requirements pursuant to the Ike Option Agreement, both parties will form a joint venture to further develop the project. Upon completion of a positive feasibility study on the Ike Property, Amarc has agreed to issue an aggregate of 500,000 of its common shares to the underlying owners of the property. |
|
Royalty |
|
The mineral claims are subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty (NSR). Amarc has the right to purchase half of the royalty (1%) for $2 million (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) at any time prior to commercial production. Amarc also has the right to purchase the remaining half of the royalty (1%) for $2 million (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) prior to December 31, 2018. |
|
Minimum advance royalty payments of $25,000 (payable in cash, Amarc common shares, or any such combination, at Amarc's discretion) are due annually commencing on December 31, 2015. |
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(b) | Silver Vista Property |
The Silver Vista Property is located approximately 55 kilometres northeast of Smithers, British Columbia. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
In July 2012, Amarc acquired a 100% interest in the approximately 30 square kilometre Silver Vista (MR Zone) Property for $800,000 cash. The mineral claims purchased are subject to an underlying 2% NSR, of which 1% can be acquired by Amarc for $1 million, and thereafter the remaining 1% NSR is subject to a right of first refusal. |
|
(c) | Newton Property |
The Company owns a 100% interest in the Newton Property, located approximately 100 kilometres west of Williams Lake, British Columbia. |
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Certain mineral claims are subject to a 2% NSR, which royalty may be purchased at any time by Amarc for $2 million. Advance royalty payments of $25,000 per annum commenced on January 1, 2011. |
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(d) | Blackwater District Properties |
The Blackwater District Properties are located approximately 75 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, and consist of properties named Galileo, Hubble, Franklin, and Darwin. |
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Amarc purchased the Hubble East exploration property in December 2011 for $50,000 cash and 80,000 common shares of Amarc, having an aggregate fair value of $35,600. Hubble East is included within the Hubble Property. |
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Amarc purchased the Franklin property in April 2012 for $10,000 cash and 10,000 common shares of Amarc with a fair value of $3,900. |
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The Galileo, Hubble, and Darwin properties were acquired by staking. |
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(e) | Tulox Property |
The Tulox Property (the "Tulox Property") is located in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, and was acquired by the Company in stages by staking between 2005 to 2007. |
|
Commencing in 2009, the Company entered into an option agreement with Tulox Resources Inc. ("Tulox") whereby Tulox could have acquired up to a 100% interest in the Property by making certain share issuances to Amarc and incurring certain exploration expenditures over a specified period of time. In 2011, Tulox assigned the option agreement to its subsidiary, Newlox Gold Ventures Corp. ("Newlox"), as part of a corporate reorganization. Further changes to the option agreement were made, pursuant to which the number of shares to be issued, and the exploration spending commitments and timing thereof were amended. To November 2013, Tulox and Newlox had issued 1,375,000 common shares to Amarc. In November 2013, Newlox terminated its option agreement on the Tulox Property. Amarc agreed to sell its 1,375,000 common shares of Newlox to Newlox for proceeds of $68,750 (note 6). |
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In November 2013, Amarc allowed the Tulox claims to lapse. |
|
(f) | Galaxie and ZNT Properties |
The Galaxie property is located approximately 8 kilometres south of Dease Lake, British Columbia and the ZNT property is located approximately 15 kilometres southeast of the town of Smithers, British Columbia. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
The Company entered into a letter agreement with Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. (Quartz Mountain) effective November 1, 2012 (the "Letter Agreement"), with respect to Quartz Mountain's 100%-owned Galaxie and ZNT properties (the "Properties"). Quartz Mountain is a publicly listed company with certain directors in common with the Company.
Amarc earned an initial 40% ownership interest in the Properties by making a cash payment of $1 million to Quartz Mountain, and by funding an additional $1 million in exploration expenditures incurred by Quartz Mountain relating to the Galaxie property by December 31, 2012. On December 31, 2012, a joint arrangement (the "Galaxie ZNT Project") was formed, in which Amarc held an initial interest of 40% and Quartz Mountain held an initial interest of 60%.
Quartz Mountain also transferred to the Galaxie ZNT Project its obligation under a debenture security (note 9).
In June 2013, the Company entered into an amendment agreement whereby:
(i) | the Galaxie ZNT Project was divided into two separate joint arrangements, named the "Galaxie Joint Venture" and the "ZNT Joint Venture"; and |
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(ii) | Amarc received an option to increase its interest in each joint arrangement from 40% to 60% by funding exploration programs of $235,000 and $210,000, respectively, on these projects prior to October 31, 2013. |
By October 31, 2013, Amarc had funded in excess of $210,000 on the ZNT Joint Venture, thereby increasing its interest in the joint venture to 60%, but had not funded the $235,000 required amount on Galaxie, and therefore its interest in the Galaxie Joint Venture remained at 40%.
On March 31, 2014, Amarc and Quartz Mountain agreed to terminate both the Galaxie Joint Venture and the ZNT Joint Venture. Pursuant to the terms of the termination of the joint ventures, Amarc was released from all obligations of the unincorporated entities and its interests in the underlying mineral assets reverted back to Quartz. The Company had previously expensed its $2 million initial investment and its portion of subsequent exploration costs incurred by the joint ventures in accordance with its accounting policy for such costs. Consequently, the Company recognized a gain of $284,717 in these Financial Statements, reflecting primarily the carrying amount of Amarcs proportion (40%) of the liabilities of the Galaxie Joint Venture as of the date of termination, as summarized below:
Gain on termination of Galaxie Joint Venture
Quartz Mountain debenture obligation (40% of $600,000) | $ | 240,000 | ||
Balances due to a related party (40% of $111,948) | 44,779 | |||
Cash (40% of $138) | (55 | ) | ||
Amounts receivable (40% of $17) | (7 | ) | ||
Total | $ | 284,717 |
No gain or loss was recognized upon termination of the ZNT Joint Venture as, at the date of termination of the agreement, the joint venture contained no assets or liabilities, other than mineral property interests in the ZNT properties for which no value had been recognized in the Companys financial statements.
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
8. | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 8,401 | $ | 4,523 | |||
Accrued liabilities | 27,000 | 23,257 | |||||
Accrued interest on Quartz Mountain debenture obligation | | 5,129 | |||||
Total | $ | 35,401 | $ | 32,909 |
9. | QUARTZ MOUNTAIN DEBENTURE OBLIGATION |
Balance, April 1, 2012 | $ | | ||
Amarc's proportionate share of debenture obligation acquired (40% of $650,000) | 260,000 | |||
Balance, March 31, 2013 | 260,000 | |||
Amarc's proportionate share of principal repayments during the year (40% of $50,000) | (20,000 | ) | ||
Amarcs proportionate share of debenture transferred to Quartz Mountain (40% of $600,000) (note 7(f)) | (240,000 | ) | ||
Balance, March 31, 2014 | $ | |
Quartz Mountain transferred to the Galaxie Joint Venture its obligation under a debenture security that Quartz Mountain had issued (note 7(f)), of which the Company recognized its proportionate share of 40%. |
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In July 2013, Quartz Mountain and the holder of the debenture entered into an agreement to amend the debenture, whereby among other things, a principal payment of $50,000 was made, the interest rate was increased to 10% per annum from 8% per annum, and the maturity date was extended to October 31, 2014 from October 31, 2013. |
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On March 31, 2014, upon termination of the Galaxie Joint Venture, Amarc derecognized its proportionate share of the obligation (note 7(f)). |
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10. | CAPITAL AND RESERVES |
(a) | Authorized share capital |
The Company's authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares. All issued common shares are fully paid. No preferred shares have been issued. |
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(b) | Issuance of common shares pursuant to acquisition of mineral property interests |
During the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company issued its common shares pursuant to several mineral property agreements as follows: |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Properties | Year ended March 31, | ||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
Number of | Fair | Number of | Fair | ||||||||||
shares | value | shares | value | ||||||||||
Ike Property (note 7(a)) | 100,000 | $ | 5,000 | | $ | | |||||||
Blackwater South Property (note 7(d)) | | | 40,000 | 11,600 | |||||||||
Franklin Property (note 7(d)) | | | 10,000 | 3,900 | |||||||||
Total | 100,000 | $ | 5,000 | 50,000 | $ | 15,500 |
(c) | Basic and diluted loss per share |
The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share for the year was based on the following: |
Year ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Loss attributable to common shareholders | $ | 2,154,805 | $ | 10,425,896 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 138,644,883 | 138,602,746 |
(d) | Share purchase option compensation plan |
The Company has a share purchase option compensation plan that allows it to grant up to 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company at any one time, subject to regulatory terms and approval, to its directors, employees, officers, consultants, and service providers. The vesting schedule is determined by the Board of Directors, but share purchase options typically vest over two years. The exercise price of each option may be set equal to or greater than the closing market price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange on the day prior to the date of the grant of the option, less any allowable discounts. Options can have a maximum term of ten years and typically terminate 90 days following the termination of the optionee's employment. |
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The following table summarizes the changes in the Company's share purchase options: |
Year ended | Year ended | ||||||||||||
Share purchase options | March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | |||||||||||
Number | Weighted | Number | Weighted | ||||||||||
of | average | of | average | ||||||||||
options | exercise price | options | exercise price | ||||||||||
$ | $ | ||||||||||||
Outstanding beginning of year | 5,438,600 | 0.32 | 5,658,700 | 0.33 | |||||||||
Forfeited | (282,700 | ) | $ | 0.33 | (100,100 | ) | $ | 0.32 | |||||
Expired | | $ | | (120,000 | ) | $ | 0.62 | ||||||
Outstanding end of year | 5,155,900 | $ | 0.32 | 5,438,600 | $ | 0.32 | |||||||
Exercisable end of year | 5,155,900 | $ | 0.32 | 3,630,400 | $ | 0.32 |
The weighted average remaining life of the share purchase options outstanding as at March 31, 2014 was 1.7 years (March 31, 2013 2.6 years). Awards typically vest in several tranches ranging from 6 months to 18 months.
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
The following table summarizes information on the Company's share purchase options outstanding as at March 31, 2014 and 2013:
March 31, 2014 | March 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||
Weighted | Weighted | ||||||||||||
Number of share | average | average | |||||||||||
purchase | remaining | Number of share | remaining | ||||||||||
options | contractual | purchase options | contractual | ||||||||||
Exercise price | outstanding | life (years) | outstanding | life (years) | |||||||||
$0.32 | 5,155,900 | 1.7 | 5,408,600 | 2.6 | |||||||||
$0.40 | | | 30,000 | 1.5 | |||||||||
5,155,900 | 1.7 | 5,438,600 | 2.6 |
(e) | Share purchase warrants |
On September 6, 2013, all outstanding share purchase warrants expired unexercised. |
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(f) | Reserves |
Share-based payments reserve |
|
The share-based payment reserve relates to share purchase options granted by the Company to its employees or consultants under its share purchase option compensation plan (note 10(d)). |
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Share warrants reserve |
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The share warrants reserve relates to share purchase warrants issued by the Company in connection with the private placement in March 2012 (note 10(e)). |
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Investment revaluation reserve |
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The investment revaluation reserve represents the cumulative gains and losses arising on the revaluation of AFS financial assets that have been recognized in other comprehensive income, net of amounts reclassified to profit or loss when those assets have been disposed of or are determined to be impaired. |
11. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
(a) | Transactions with key management personnel |
Key management personnel are those persons that have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Company, directly and indirectly, and by definition include the directors of the Company. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Transactions with key management personnel were as follows:
Remuneration for services rendered | Year ended March 31, | ||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Short-term employee benefits | $ | 379,914 | $ | 508,963 | |||
Share-based payments | 51,096 | 208,622 | |||||
Total | $ | 431,010 | $ | 717,585 |
Short-term employee benefits include salaries, directors fees and amounts paid to HDSI (note 11(b)(i)) for services provided to the Company by certain HDSI personnel who serve as executive directors and officers for the Company. |
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Certain key management personnel are paid through private companies controlled by such personnel. Included in the amount presented for "short-term employee benefits" are transactions with C.E.C Engineering Ltd., a private company controlled by a former director of the Company, that provides administrative and technical services to the Company at market rates. |
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(b) | Balances and transactions with related entities |
Balances due to related parties | March 31, | March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Balance due to entity with significant influence (i) | $ | 69,939 | $ | 46,953 | |||
Balance due to jointly controlled operations (ii) | | 120,000 | |||||
Balance due to related parties | $ | 69,939 | $ | 166,953 |
The following is a summary of transactions with related entities that occurred during the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
Transactions with related entities | Year ended March 31, | ||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Services received from HDSI (i): | |||||||
HDSI employee time charges, based on annually set rates | $ | 1,150,711 | $ | 3,091,387 | |||
Key management personnel fees | 314,800 | 461,200 | |||||
Information technology services and maintenance fees | 140,500 | 163,200 | |||||
$ | 1,606,011 | $ | 3,715,787 | ||||
Reimbursement of third party expenses to HDSI | $ | 61,599 | $ | 176,925 |
(i) Entity with significant influence over the Company
Management believes that Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. ("HDSI"), a private company, has power to participate in the financial or operating policies of the Company. The following directors and other key management personnel of HDSI, who are close business associates, are also key management personnel of the Company:
| Robert Dickinson Chairman of the Board | |
| David Copeland former Director |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
| Scott Cousens Director | |
| Ronald Thiessen President, Chief Executive Officer, Director | |
| Diane Nicolson Executive Vice President | |
| Paul Mann Chief Financial Officer | |
| Trevor Thomas Corporate Secretary |
Pursuant to certain management agreements between the Company and HDSI, the Company receives geological, engineering, corporate development, administrative, management and shareholder communication services from HDSI. HDSI also incurs third party costs on behalf of the Company. Of the total amount of services received from HDSI, approximately 43% relates to technical services provided to the Company, including support for geological, engineering and socio-economic activities of the Company. The remaining 57% relates to corporate and general administration activities of the Company. Third party expenses reimbursed to HDSI are primarily comprised of travel expenses directly attributable to the activities of the Company, insurance premiums attributable to the Companys personnel and assets, and costs for other shared services received by the Company. |
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(ii) Jointly controlled operations |
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During the reporting period, the Company had joint control over both the Galaxie Joint Venture and the ZNT Joint Venture. Both joint ventures were terminated on March 31, 2014 (note 7(f)). |
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12. | INCOME TAXES |
(a) | Provision for current tax |
No provision has been made for current income taxes, as the Company has no taxable income. |
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(b) | Provision for deferred tax |
As future taxable profits of the Company are uncertain, no deferred tax asset has been recognized. As at March 31, 2014, the Company had unused non-capital loss carry forwards of approximately $11.1 million (March 31, 2013 $9.2 million) in Canada. |
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As at March 31, 2014, the Company had resource tax pools of approximately $21.8 million (March 31, 2013 $21.2 million) available in Canada, which may be carried forward and utilized to reduce future taxes related to certain resource income. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Reconciliation of effective tax rate | March 31, | March 31, | |||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Loss for the year | $ | (2,154,805 | ) | $ | (10,425,896 | ) | |
Total income tax expense | | | |||||
Loss excluding income tax | $ | (2,154,805 | ) | $ | (10,425,896 | ) | |
Income tax recovery using the Company's domestic tax rate | (560,000 | ) | (2,606,000 | ) | |||
Nondeductible expenses and other | 291,000 | 201,000 | |||||
Change in deferred tax rates | (330,000 | ) | | ||||
Difference in statutory tax rates | | | |||||
Temporary difference booked to reserve | 2,000 | (7,000 | ) | ||||
Deferred income tax assets not recognized | 597,000 | 2,412,000 | |||||
$ | | $ | |
The Company's domestic tax rate was 26% (2013 25%) and its effective tax rate is nil (2013 nil).
As at March 31, 2014, the Company had the following deductible temporary differences for which no deferred tax asset was recognized:
Tax losses | Tax losses | ||||||||||||
Expiry | (capital) | (non-capital) | Resource pools | Other | |||||||||
Within one year | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
One to five years | | 314,000 | | 521,000 | |||||||||
After five years | | 10,736,000 | | 1,010,000 | |||||||||
No expiry date | 630,000 | | 21,787,000 | 56,000 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 630,000 | $ | 11,050,000 | $ | 21,787,000 | $ | 1,587,000 |
13. | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS EXPENSES |
Employees' salaries and benefits included in various expenses were as follows: |
Year ended March 31, | |||||||
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
Salaries and benefits included in: | |||||||
Exploration and evaluation | $ | 730,869 | $ | 2,582,714 | |||
Office and administration | 792,170 | 1,381,161 | |||||
Shareholder communication | 92,143 | 179,253 | |||||
Total | $ | 1,615,182 | $ | 4,143,128 |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
14. | FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT |
(a) | Capital management objectives |
The Company's primary objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders, and to have sufficient liquidity available to fund ongoing expenditures and suitable business opportunities as they arise. |
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The Company considers the components of shareholders' equity, as well as its cash and cash equivalents as capital. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may issue equity, sell assets, or return capital to shareholders as well as issue or repay debt. |
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The Company's investment policy is to invest its cash in highly liquid short–term interest–bearing investments having maturity dates of three months or less from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. |
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There were no changes to the Company's approach to capital management during the year ended March 31, 2014. |
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The Company is not subject to any externally imposed equity requirements. |
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(b) | Carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments |
The Company's marketable securities are carried at fair value, based on quoted prices in active markets (note 6). |
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As at March 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying values of the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities approximate their fair values. |
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(c) | Financial instrument risk exposure and risk management |
The Company is exposed in varying degrees to a variety of financial instrument related risks. The Board of Directors approves and monitors the risk management processes, inclusive of documented treasury policies, counterparty limits, controlling and reporting structures. The type of risk exposure and the way in which such exposure is managed is provided as follows: |
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Credit risk |
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Credit risk is the risk of potential loss to the Company if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to its liquid financial assets including cash and cash equivalents, and amounts receivable and other assets. The carrying value of these financial assets represent the maximum exposure to credit risk. |
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The Company limits the exposure to credit risk by only investing its cash and cash equivalents with high- credit quality financial institutions in business and savings accounts, which are available on demand by the Company for its programs. |
Amarc Resources Ltd. |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
For the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 |
(Expressed in Canadian Dollars, unless otherwise stated) |
Included in amounts receivable is the Company's claim for 2014 METC of $128,184.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or other financial assets.
The Company ensures that there is sufficient cash in order to meet its short-term business requirements, after taking into account the Company's holdings of cash and cash equivalents.
The Company has sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its commitments associated with its financial liabilities.
The carrying amounts of the Company's obligations, which approximate their contractual cash flows, are as follows:
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||
Due within 12 months | 2014 | 2013 | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 35,401 | $ | 32,909 | |||
Balances due to related parties | 69,939 | 166,953 | |||||
Quartz Mountain debenture obligation | | 260,000 | |||||
Total | $ | 105,340 | $ | 459,862 |
Price risk
Equity price risk is defined as the potential adverse impact on the Companys earnings due to movements in individual equity prices or general movements in the level of the stock market. The Company is subject to price risk in respect of its investments in marketable securities (note 6).
The objective of price risk management is to eliminate or limit emerging risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimizing return and meeting strategic goals.
As at March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Companys exposure to price risk was nominal.
- 63 -
ITEM 19 EXHIBITS
The following Exhibits have been filed with the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F in previous years:
Exhibit | Description of Exhibit |
Number | |
1.1 | Articles of Amarc Resources Ltd., as amended (1) |
4.1 | Amended Share Option Plan of Amarc Resources Ltd. dated for reference September 21, 2004 (2) |
4.2 |
Corporate Services Agreement between Amarc Resources Ltd. and Hunter Dickinson Services Inc. dated June 1, 2008 ,as superseded by the Services Agreement dated July 2, 2010. (2) |
4.3 | Certificate of Expert |
11.1 | Code of Ethics (2) |
(1) | Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2010, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 30, 2010. |
(2) | Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2008, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 7, 2008. |
The following exhibits are included with this Annual Report on Form 20-F:
Exhibit | Description of Exhibit |
Number | |
12.1 | |
12.2 | |
13.1 | |
13.2 |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
AMARC RESOURCES LTD.
/s/ Paul S Mann
Chief Financial Officer
DATED: July 11, 2014