DEF 14A 1 0001.txt UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO.) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14A-6(E)(2)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec.240.14a-12 PATAGONIA GOLD CORPORATION ---------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) N/A ----- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: Definitive Proxy Materials PATAGONIA GOLD CORPORATION 1505-1060 ALBERNI STREET VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA V6E 4K2 March 30, 2001 Dear Stockholder: It is our pleasure to invite you to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Patagonia Gold Corporation to be held on Friday May 4, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. at 1060 Alberni Street, Suite 1505, Vancouver, B.C. Canada V6E 4K2. Whether or not you plan to attend, and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares be represented at the meeting. You are accordingly urged to sign, date and return your proxy promptly in the enclosed envelope, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. We sincerely hope you will be able to join us at the meeting. The officers and directors of the Company look forward to seeing you at that time. Sincerely, /s/ A. Cameron Richardson ---------------------------- A. Cameron Richardson Secretary 2 Definitive Proxy Materials PATAGONIA GOLD CORPORATION 1505-1060 ALBERNI STREET VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA V6E 4K2 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS (MAY 4, 2001) The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Patagonia Gold Corporation (the "Company") will be held at 1060 Alberni Street, Suite 1505, Vancouver, B.C. Canada, V6E 4K2, on Friday May 4, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. for the following purposes: 1. To elect Directors of the Company for the ensuing year. 2. To ratify the appointment of Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. as independent accountants for the Company. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 8, 2001 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments thereof. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BE PRESENT PERSONALLY, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY WHICH IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. By Order of the Board of Directors /s/ A. Cameron Richardson ---------------------------- A. Cameron Richardson Secretary MARCH 30, 2001 3 Definitive Proxy Materials PATAGONIA GOLD CORPORATION 1505-1060 ALBERNI STREET VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA V6E 4K2 PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS (MAY 4, 2001) GENERAL INFORMATION The accompanying proxy is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of Patagonia Gold Corporation (the "Company") to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 1060 Alberni Street, Suite 1505, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6E 4K2, on Friday May 4, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. and any adjournments thereof. When the enclosed proxy is properly executed and returned, the shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value of $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock"), it represents will be voted at the meeting in accordance with any directions noted thereon and, if no direction is indicated, the shares it represents will be voted: (i) FOR the election of the nominees for Directors set forth below; (ii) FOR the ratification of the appointment of Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. as independent accountants for the Company; and (iii) in the discretion of the holders of the proxy with respect to any other business that may properly come before the meeting. Any stockholder signing and delivering a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a date later than the date of the proxy being revoked. Any stockholder attending the meeting in person may withdraw his or her proxy and vote his or her shares. The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. Solicitations will be made only by mail, provided, however, that officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone or telegram. Such persons will not be specially compensated for such services. The Company may reimburse brokers, banks, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries holding stock in their names or in the names of their nominees for their reasonable charges and expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of such stock. The approximate mailing date of this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy is April 9, 2001. VOTING RIGHTS Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2001 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On that date, there were 13,000,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding, the holders of which are entitled to one vote per share on each matter to come before the meeting. Voting rights are non-cumulative. A majority of the outstanding shares will constitute a quorum at the meeting and abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business. Directors are elected by plurality vote. The ratification of the appointment of Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Common Stock represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted in the election of directors or in determining whether such ratification has been given. 4 PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS The following table sets forth as of March 8, 2001, the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of each person known to the Company who owns more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock.
Name and Address of Shares of Common Approximate Beneficial Owner Stock Beneficially Owned(2) Percentage Owned -------------------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------- Carrington International Limited (1) 3,000,000 23.1% STE 2402, Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Road, Central Hong Kong Dorothea Schnura (1) 1,000,000 7.7% Robert Kock Street 6 67259 Bemdershein, Germany Gregorio Becerro (1) 800,000 6.2% Plaza Mayor 7 Salamanca, Spain Viabilite et Establissement a.r.l. (1) 800,000 6.2% Broadcasting House, Rouge Bouillon St. Channel Island Antonino Jaramillo (1) 700,000 5.4% Raimund F Villacerde 45 28003 Madrid Spain Fernpark Investments Limited (1) 650,000 5.0% PO Box N-8318 Nassau, Bahamas (1) NONE OF THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY ARE AFFILIATED WITH THESE COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS. (2) THE PERSONS/COMPANIES NAMED BELOW HAVE SOLE VOTING AND INVESTMENT POWER WITH RESPECT TO THE SHARES.
5 DIRECTORS PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the entire Board of Directors, consisting of three members, is to be elected. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the shares of Common Stock represented by a proxy delivered to the Board of Directors will be voted FOR the three nominees named below. Three of the nominees named below are presently serving as Directors of the Company and each is anticipated to be available for election and able to serve. However, if any such nominee should decline or become unable to serve as a Director for any reason, votes will be cast instead for a substitute nominee designated by the Board of Directors or, if none is so designated, will be cast according to the judgment in such matters of the person or persons voting the proxy. The tables below and the paragraphs that follow present certain information concerning the nominees for Director and the executive officers of the Company. Each elected Director will serve until next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been elected and qualified. Officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. None of the Company's Directors or executive officers has any family relationship with any other Director or executive officer.
NAME AGE POSITIONS EXECUTIVE SHARES OF COMMON PERCENT WITH COMPANY OFFICER/ STOCK BENEFICIALLY OF CLASS DIRECTOR OWNED AS OF MARCH SINCE 8, 2001 (7) NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS: Antonio G. Cacace 55 Director 6/97 - *% David E. Jenkins 47 President, 6/97 50,000 *% Director Cosme M. Beccar Varela 40 Director 6/97 25,000 *% EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS: Cameron Richardson 48 Controller and 1/99 - *% Secretary All Directors and executive officers as a group . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,000 *% __________________ * Less than 1%
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF NOMINEES Antonio G. Cacace, Director Director since June 1997. Director of Aurora Gold Corporation since October 1995. Engineer, Founder and current Managing Director of Stelax Industries in the United Kingdom. David E. Jenkins, President & Director President and Director since June 1997. President and Director of Aurora Gold Corporation since October 1995. Director of Aurora Metals (BVI) Limited since May 2000. Director of Eurasia Gold Fields, Inc. since 1997. Cosme M. Beccar Varela, Director 6 Director since June 1997. Mr. Cosme M. Beccar Varela is a principal in the Law firm of C&C Beccar Varela and has been employed with them since 1993. Cameron Richardson, Controller & Secretary Controller since October 1997, and Secretary since January 1999. Controller of Aurora Gold Corporation since October 1997, and Secretary since April 1998. Director of Aurora Metals (BVI) Limited since May 2000. 1981 to 1997 held accounting positions with various Canadian resource companies. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES The Company's Board of Directors does not have standing nominating committee or committee performing similar functions. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 the entire board of directors acted as the Company's compensation committee. The Compensation Committee reviews employee compensation and benefits, and the Audit Committee reviews the scope of the independent audit, the appropriateness of the accounting policies, the adequacy of internal controls, the Company's year-end financial statements and other such matters relating to the Company's financial affairs as its members deem appropriate. During 2000 the Compensation and Benefits Committee held one meeting by telephone conference call and the audit committee held three meetings by telephone conference call. During 2000 and the first quarter of 2001 the audit committee reviewed the fiscal 2000 interim unaudited financial statements and the yearend audited financial statements. The audit committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61. The audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standard Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant's independence. Based on the review and discussions, the audit committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB (17 CFR 249.310b) for the latest fiscal year for filing with the Commission. The audit committee consists of Messrs. Jenkins and Varela. The Board of Directors held four meetings by telephone conference call during 2000 and took action by unanimous written consent on one (1) occasions. 7 EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (A) Summary Compensation Table The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the named executive officers for each of the Company's last three completed fiscal years:
Annual Compensation Long-Term Compensation --------------------------- ------------------------------------------ Awards Payments ---------------------- ------------------ Securities Under- All Other Restricted Lying other Name And Annual Stock Options/ LTIP Compen- Principal Position Year Salary Bonuses Compen- Award(s) SARs Payouts sation ($) ($) sation ($) (=) ($) ($) (a) (b) (c) (d) ($) (f) (g) (h) (i) (e) ------------------- ----- ------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- -------- -------- David Jenkins 2000 -0- -0- -0- None None None -0- President and 1999 12,000 -0- -0- None None None -0- Director 1998 -0- -0- -0- None None None -0- ------------------- ----- ------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- -------- -------- Cameron Richardson 2000 6,748 -0- -0- None None None -0- Controller and 1999 7,727 -0- -0- None None None -0- Secretary 1998 8,577 -0- -0- None None None -0- ------------------- ----- ------- -------- -------- ----------- --------- -------- --------
None of the Company's officers or directors was party to an employment agreement with the Company. Directors and/or officers receive expense reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the Company. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 the entire board of directors acted as the Company's compensation committee. (B) Options/SAR Grants Table No options have been awarded to Antonino Cacace, David Jenkins, Cosme M. Beccar Varela or Cameron Richardson. (C) Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Value Table No options have been awarded to Antonino Cacace, David Jenkins, Cosme M. Beccar Varela or Cameron Richardson. (D) Long-Term Incentive Plans ("LTIP") Awards Table The Company does not have a Long-term Incentive Plan. DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION, EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS As of January 1, 2001, none of the Company's officers or directors was party to an employment agreement with the Company. 8 The aggregate compensation to all directors and officers in Fiscal year ended 2000 was approximately $6,748. It is anticipated that the aggregate compensation to all directors and officers in the fiscal year ending 2001 will not exceed $25,000. In addition, directors and officers will receive expense reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the Company. The Company does not pay a fee to its outside, non-officer directors. The Company reimburses its directors for reasonable expenses incurred by them in attending meetings of the Board of Directors. During fiscal 2000 non-officers directors received a total of $0 in consulting fees. The Company believes that consulting fees and reimbursement for operating expenses paid to corporations owned by directors are comparable to amounts that would have been paid at arms length to third party providers of such services. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The proposed business of the Company raises potential conflicts of interests between the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Certain of the directors of the Company are directors of other mineral resource companies and, to the extent that such other companies may participate in ventures in which the Company may participate, the directors of the Company may have a conflict of interest in negotiating and concluding terms regarding the extent of such participation. In the event that such a conflict of interest arises at a meeting of the directors of the Company, a director who has such a conflict will abstain from voting for or against the approval of such participation or such terms. In appropriate cases, the Company will establish a special committee of independent directors to review a matter in which several directors, or Management, may have a conflict. From time to time, several companies may participate in the acquisition, exploration and development of natural resource properties thereby allowing for their participation in larger programs, involvement in a greater number of programs and reduction of the financial exposure with respect to any one program. It may also occur that a particular company will assign all or a portion of its interest in a particular program to another of these companies due to the financial position of the company making the assignment. In determining whether the Company will participate in a particular program and the interest therein to be acquired by it, the directors will primarily consider the potential benefits to the Company, the degree of risk to which the Company may be exposed and its financial position at that time. Other than as indicated, the Company has no other procedures or mechanisms to deal with conflicts of interest. The Company is not aware of the existence of any conflict of interest as described herein. Included in accounts payable at December 31, 2000 is $0 (1999 - $0) due to directors in respect of salaries, consulting fees and reimbursement for operating expenses. The Company does not pay a fee to its outside, non-officer directors. The Company believes that consulting fees and reimbursement for operating expenses paid to corporations owned by directors are comparable to amounts that would have been paid to at arms length third party providers of such services. SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 all filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with. 9 ACCOUNTANTS PROPOSAL 2. SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Board of Directors recommends the ratification by the stockholders of the appointment of Moore Stephens, P.C. as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001. Effective February 7, 2000, Patagonia Gold Corporation ("Patagonia") dismissed its prior certifying accountants, BDO Dunwoody LLP ("BDO Dunwoody") and retained as its new certifying accountants Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. BDO Dunwoody's LLP report on Patagonia's financial statements during the most recent fiscal year contained no adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. The decision to change accountants was approved by Patagonia's Board of Directors. During the last three fiscal years and the subsequent interim period through March 31, 2001, there were no disagreements between Patagonia and BDO Dunwoody LLP on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of BDO Dunwoody LLP, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of disagreements in connection with its report. BDO Dunwoody LLP has served as independent auditors for the Corporation since 1997. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, the shares of Common Stock represented by a proxy delivered to the Board of Directors will be voted FOR the ratification of the appointment of Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. A representative of BDO Dunwoody LLP (Internationally BDO Binder) and Moore Stephens Ellis Foster Ltd. are not expected to be present. 10 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINEES FOR 2001 ANNUAL MEETING It is contemplated that the Company's 2002 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on or about May 3, 2002. Stockholders of the Company who intend to submit proposals or submit nominees for the election of Directors at the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposals to the Company not earlier than November 15, 2001 nor later than December 6, 2001. Stockholder proposals should be submitted to Patagonia Gold Corporation, 1060 Alberni Street, Suite 1505, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4K2, Attention: David Jenkins. ANNUAL REPORT The Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2000, including financial statements, is being mailed together with this Proxy Statement to the Company's stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2001. The Company will provide without charge to each person whose proxy is solicited by this proxy statement, a copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A Written request for a copy of such annual report on Form 10-KSB should be directed to Patagonia Gold Corporation, 1060 Alberni Street, Suite 1505, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6E 4K2, Attention: David Jenkins. OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Directors does not know of any other business to be presented to the meeting and does not intend to bring any other matters before the meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote thereon according to their best judgment in the interests of the Company. By Order of the Board of Directors /s/ A. Cameron Richardson ---------------------------- A. Cameron Richardson Secretary MARCH 30, 2001 STOCKHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE WILL BE HELPFUL, AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED. 11 Definitive Proxy Materials PATAGONIA GOLD CORPORATION 1505-1060 ALBERNI STREET VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA V6E 4K2 PROXY SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 4, 2001 The undersigned hereby appoints David E. Jenkins and A. Cameron Richardson or any of them, with full power of substitution, as proxies and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated below, all shares of Common Stock of Patagonia Gold Corporation held of record by the undersigned at the close of business on March 8, 2001 at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2001 and any adjournments thereof. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 and 3. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the proposals below. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS / / FOR all nominees listed (except / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote as marked to the contrary below) for all nominees listed below Antonio G. Cacace, David E. Jenkins, Cosme M. Beccar Varela (INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST ABOVE.) 2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF MOORE STEPHENS ELLIS FOSTER LTD. AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 3. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXY IS AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING AND ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF. / / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN 12 PLEASE DATE AND SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME APPEARS ON THIS PROXY. WHEN SHARES ARE HELD BY JOINT TENANTS, BOTH SHOULD SIGN. WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE, OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE FULL TITLE AS SUCH. IF A COMPANY, PLEASE SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY THE PRESIDENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY AN AUTHORIZED PERSON. PLEASE RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE. Dated: _____________ ____________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ Signature if held jointly ____________________________________ Please print name(s) 13