DEF 14A 1 formdef14a.htm FORM DEF 14A Lion Copper and Gold Corp.: Form DEF 14A - Filed by newsfilecorp.com

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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 Rule14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement

[   ] Definitive Additional Materials

[   ] Soliciting Material under Rule 14a-12

LION COPPER AND GOLD CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

__________________________________________________________________
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
[X] No fee required

[   ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[   ] Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11


NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TAKE NOTICE that the annual general meeting (the "Meeting") of the shareholders of Lion Copper and Gold Corp. (the "Company") will be held at Suite #1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on July 26, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (PST) for the following purposes:

1. to receive and consider the annual financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, together with the report of the auditor thereon;

2. to fix the number of directors of the Company at four (4);

3. to elect directors of the Company for the ensuing year;

4. to re-appoint MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor;

5. to approve the continuation of the Company's fixed 20% stock option plan, as more particularly described in the accompanying proxy statement and management information circular; and

6. to transact any other business which may properly come before the Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Accompanying this Notice is an Information Circular, a form of proxy (the "Proxy") or voting instruction form, and a request card for use by Shareholders who wish to receive the Company's interim and/or annual financial statements. The Information Circular provides additional information relating to the matters to be considered at the Meeting and forms part of this Notice.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on June 19, 2024 as the record date for determining the shareholders who are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A shareholder entitled to vote at the Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxyholder to attend and vote in his/her stead. If you are unable to attend the Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, in person, please date, execute, and return the enclosed Proxy in accordance with the instructions set out in the notes to the Proxy and any accompanying information from your intermediary.

DATED at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 19th day of June, 2024.

  ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
     
     
  By: "Steven Dischler"
    Chief Executive Officer

These securityholder materials are being sent to both registered and non-registered owners of the securities. If you are a non- registered owner, and the Company or its agent has sent these materials directly to you, your name and address and information about your holdings of securities, have been obtained in accordance with applicable securities regulatory requirements from the intermediary holding on your behalf. By choosing to send these materials to you directly, the Company (and not the intermediary holding on your behalf) has assumed responsibility for (i) delivering these materials to you, and (ii) executing your proper voting instructions. Please return your voting instructions as specified in the request for voting instructions.


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PROXY STATEMENT AND INFORMATION CIRCULAR

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JULY 26, 2024

In this Proxy Statement and Information Circular, all references to "$" are references to United States dollars and all references to "C$" are references to Canadian dollars. As at June 19, 2024, one Canadian dollar was equal to approximately $0.7294 in U.S. Currency.

GENERAL

The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Lion Copper and Gold Corp., a British Columbia corporation (the "Company" or "Lion"), for use at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of the Company to be held at 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on July 26, 2024, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed to our shareholders on or about June 27, 2024.

The cost of solicitation will be paid by the Company. The solicitation will be made primarily by mail. Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by certain of the Company's directors, officers and regular employees, who will not receive additional compensation, therefore. In addition, the Company will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners.

Our administrative offices are located at 143 S Nevada St, Yerington, Nevada, 89447.

In this Information Circular, references to "Common Shares" means common shares without par value in the capital of the Company. "Registered Shareholders" means Shareholders whose names appear on the records of the Company as the registered holders of Common Shares. "Non-Registered Shareholders" means Shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name. "Intermediaries" refers to brokers, investment firms, clearing houses and similar entities that own securities on behalf of Non-Registered Shareholders.

GENERAL PROXY INFORMATION

Solicitation of Proxies

The solicitation of proxies will be primarily by mail, but proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and regular employees of the Company. The Company will bear all costs of this solicitation. We have arranged to send meeting materials directly to Registered Shareholders, as well as Non-Registered Shareholders who have consented to their ownership information being disclosed by the Intermediary holding the Common Shares on their behalf (non- objecting beneficial owners). We have not arranged for Intermediaries to forward the meeting materials to Non-Registered Shareholders who have objected to their ownership information being disclosed by the Intermediary holding the Common Shares on their behalf (objecting beneficial owners). As a result, objecting beneficial owners will not receive the Information Circular and associated meeting materials unless their Intermediary assumes the costs of delivery.

Appointment and Revocation of Proxies

The individuals named in the accompanying form of proxy (the "Proxy") are officers of the Company or solicitors for the Company. If you are a Registered Shareholder, you have the right to attend the Meeting or vote by proxy and to appoint a person or company other than the person designated in the Proxy, who need not be a Shareholder, to attend and act for you and on your behalf at the Meeting. You may do so either by inserting the name of that other person in the blank space provided in the Proxy or by completing and delivering another suitable form of Proxy.

 


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If you are a Registered Shareholder and wish to have your shares voted at the Meeting, you will be required to submit your vote by proxy. Registered Shareholders electing to submit a proxy may do so by completing, dating and signing the enclosed form of Proxy and returning it to the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc. ("Computershare"), in accordance with the instructions on the Proxy. Alternatively, Registered Shareholders may vote their shares via the internet or by telephone as per the instructions provided on the Proxy.

In all cases you should ensure that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment or postponement thereof at which the Proxy is to be used.

Every Proxy may be revoked by an instrument in writing:

(i) executed by the Shareholder or by his/her attorney authorized in writing or, where the Shareholder is a company, by a duly authorized officer or attorney of the company; and

(ii) delivered either to the registered office of the Company at any time up to and including the last business day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, at which the Proxy is to be used, or to the chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof,

or in any other manner provided by law.

Only Registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a Proxy. Non-Registered Shareholders who wish to change their vote must, at least seven days before the Meeting, arrange for their respective Intermediaries to revoke the Proxy on their behalf. If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder, see "Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders" below for further information on how to vote your Common Shares.

Exercise of Discretion by Proxyholder

If you have the right to vote by proxy, the persons named in the Proxy will vote or withhold from voting the Common Shares represented thereby in accordance with your instructions. If you specify a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, your Common Shares will be voted accordingly. The Proxy confers discretionary authority on the persons named therein with respect to:

(i) each matter or group of matters identified therein for which a choice is not specified;

(ii) any amendment to or variation of any matter identified therein;

(iii) any other matter that properly comes before the Meeting; and

(iv) exercise of discretion of the proxyholder.

In respect of a matter for which a choice is not specified in the Proxy, the persons named in the Proxy will vote the Common Shares represented by the Proxy for the approval of such matter. Management is not currently aware of any other matters that could come before the Meeting.

Voting by Registered Shareholders

If you are a Registered Shareholder, you may wish to vote by proxy whether or not you are able to attend the Meeting in person. Registered Shareholders electing to submit a proxy may do so by completing, dating and signing the enclosed form of proxy and returning it to the Company's transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services Inc., in accordance with the instructions on the Proxy.

In all cases you should ensure that the Proxy is received at least 48 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the Meeting or the adjournment thereof at which the proxy is to be used. If completed Proxies are received after said deadline, they shall not be accepted for the purpose of voting at the Meeting unless authorized by the Chairman of the Meeting, in his or her sole discretion.


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Voting by Non-Registered Shareholders

The following information is of significant importance to Shareholders who do not hold Common Shares in their own name. Non-Registered Shareholders should note that the only Proxies that can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting are those deposited by Registered Shareholders.

If Common Shares are listed in an account statement provided to a Shareholder by an Intermediary, then in almost all cases those Common Shares will not be registered in the Shareholder's name on the records of the Company. Such Common Shares will more likely be registered under the name of the Shareholder's Intermediary or an agent of that Intermediary. In Canada, the vast majority of such Common Shares are registered under the name of CDS & Co. as nominee for The Canadian Depositary for Securities Limited (which acts as depositary for many Canadian brokerage firms and custodian banks), and in the United States, under the name of Cede & Co. as nominee for The Depository Trust Company (which acts as depositary for many United States brokerage firms and custodian banks).

If you have consented to disclosure of your ownership information, you will receive a request for voting instructions from the Company (through Computershare). If you have declined to disclose your ownership information, you may receive a request for voting instructions from your Intermediary if they have assumed the cost of delivering the Information Circular and associated meeting materials. Every Intermediary has its own mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions to clients. However, most Intermediaries now delegate responsibility for obtaining voting instructions from clients to Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge") in the United States and in Canada.

If you are a Non-Registered Shareholder, you should carefully follow the instructions on the voting instruction form received from Computershare or Broadridge in order to ensure that your Common Shares are voted at the Meeting. The voting instruction form supplied to you will be similar to the Proxy provided to the Registered Shareholders by the Company. However, its purpose is limited to instructing the Intermediary on how to vote on your behalf.

The voting instruction form sent by Computershare or Broadridge will name the same persons as the Company's proxy to represent you at the Meeting. Although as a Non-Registered Shareholder you may not be recognized directly at the Meeting for the purposes of voting Common Shares registered in the name of your Intermediary, you, or a person designated by you (who need not be a Shareholder), may attend at the Meeting as Proxyholder for your Intermediary and vote your Common Shares in that capacity. To exercise this right to attend the meeting or appoint a Proxyholder of your own choosing, you should insert your own name or the name of the desired representative in the blank space provided in the voting instruction form. Alternatively, you may provide other written instructions requesting that you or your desired representative attend the Meeting as Proxyholder for your Intermediary. The completed voting instruction form or other written instructions must then be returned in accordance with the instructions on the form.

If you receive a voting instruction form from Computershare or Broadridge, you cannot use it to vote Common Shares directly at the Meeting. The voting instruction form must be completed as described above and returned in accordance with its instructions well in advance of the Meeting in order to have the Common Shares voted.

VOTING PROCEDURE

A quorum for the transaction of business at the Meeting is, subject to the special rights and restrictions attached to the share of any class or series of shares, one person who is a shareholder, or who is otherwise permitted to vote shares of the Company at a meeting of shareholders pursuant to its articles, present in person or by proxy. Broker non-votes occur when a person holding shares through a bank or brokerage account does not provide instructions as to how his or her shares should be voted, and the broker does not exercise discretion to vote those shares on a particular matter. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in determining the presence of a quorum at the Meeting. However, an abstention or broker non-vote will not have any effect on the outcome for the election of directors.

Shares for which proxy cards are properly executed and returned will be voted at the Meeting in accordance with the directions noted thereon or, in the absence of directions, will be voted "FOR" fixing the number of directors at four (4), "FOR" the election of each of the nominees to the Board named in this Proxy Statement, "FOR" the appointment of MNP LLP, as independent auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 and to authorize the directors to fix their remuneration, and "FOR" the approval of the Company's 2023 20% fixed stock option plan. It is not expected that any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement will be brought before the Meeting. If, however, other matters are properly presented, the persons named as proxies will vote in accordance with their discretion with respect to such matters.


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To be effective, each matter which is submitted to a vote of shareholders, other than for the election of directors and the approval of auditors, must be approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders voting in person or by proxy at the Meeting. The ordinary resolutions requiring "disinterested" shareholder approval for the passing of same must be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast by disinterested shareholders voting in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

RECORD DATE AND QUORUM

The Board has fixed the record date for the Meeting as the close of business on June 19, 2024 (the "Record Date"). Shareholders of record as at the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting and to vote their Common Shares at the Meeting, except to the extent that any such Shareholder transfers any Common Shares after the Record Date and the transferee of those Common Shares establishes that the transferee owns the Common Shares and demands, not less than ten (10) days before the Meeting, that the transferee's name be included in the list of Shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case, only such transferee shall be entitled to vote such Common Shares at the Meeting.

Under the Articles of the Company, the quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of Shareholders is one person who is a shareholder, or who is otherwise permitted to vote shares of the Company at a meeting of shareholders pursuant to the Articles, present in person or by proxy

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES

The Company's authorized capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote on all matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. On the Record Date, there were 385,297,710 shares of common stock in the capital of the Company ("Common Stock") issued and outstanding, each share carrying the right to one vote. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to vote in person or by proxy at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

To the knowledge of the directors and executive officers of the Company, the beneficial owners or persons exercising control or direction over Company shares carrying more than 5% of the outstanding voting rights are:

Name and Address Number of Shares(1) Nature of Ownership Approximate % of Total
Issued and Outstanding
Tony Alford
Kernersville, NC, USA
106,076,307 Direct and Jointly with
Spouse
27.5%

Notes:

(1) The information relating to the above share ownership was obtained by the Company from insider reports and beneficial ownership reports on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC or available at www.sedi.ca, or from the shareholder.

(2) This figure does not include 15,234,794 shares registered to Mr. Alford's spouse, 24,788,445 common shares issuable pursuant to exercise of warrants, 14,302,713 common shares issuable pursuant to exercise of options, and 833,333 shares issuable upon conversion of convertible debentures.

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS OR COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

Except as disclosed herein, no Person has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in matters to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors and the appointment of auditors and as set out herein.

For the purpose of this paragraph, "Person" shall include each person: (a) who has been a director, senior officer or insider of the Company at any time since the commencement of the Company's last fiscal year; (b) who is a proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company; or (c) who is an associate or affiliate of a person included in subparagraphs (a) or (b).


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PARTICULARS OF MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

To the knowledge of the Company's directors, the only matters to be placed before the Meeting are those set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting and discussed below.

1. PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited annual financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended December 31, 2023, together with the auditor's report thereon, will be placed before the Meeting. The Company's financial statements are available on the System of Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) website at www.sedarplus.ca.

2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board proposes to fix the number of directors of the Company at four (4) and that the following four nominees be elected as directors at the Meeting, each of whom will hold office until the expiration of their term or until his or her successor shall have been duly appointed or elected and qualified: Dr. Thomas Patton, Tony Alford, Charles Travis Naugle and Steven Dischler.

Unless otherwise instructed, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies on the accompanying proxy card to vote shares represented by properly executed proxies for the election of such nominees. Although the Board anticipates that the four nominees will be available to serve as directors of the Company, if any of them should be unwilling or unable to serve, it is intended that the proxies will be voted for the election of such substitute nominee or nominees as may be designated by the Board.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" FIXING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT FOUR AND "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE FOUR NOMINEES.

The Company has adopted a Majority Voting Policy in its Corporate Governance Principles. Pursuant to this Policy, any nominee proposed for election as a director in an uncontested election who receives, from the shares voted at the Meeting in person or by proxy, a greater number of shares withheld than shares voted in favour of his or her election, must promptly tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board. Any such resignation shall take effect upon acceptance by the Board. The Compensation and Nomination Committee, if constituted, will expeditiously consider the director's offer to resign and, unless there are extraordinary circumstances, will recommend to the Board to accept such resignation. The Board will have 90 days to make a final decision and announce such decision, including any reasons for not accepting a resignation, by way of a press release. The applicable director will not participate in any Committee or Board deliberations after the resignation offer.

The following table sets out the names of the nominees, their positions and offices in the Company, principal occupations, the period of time that they have been directors of the Company, and the number of shares of the Company which each beneficially owns or over which control or direction is exercised.

Name, Residence and
Present Position within
the Company
Director Since Number of Common
Shares Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly or
Indirectly (1)
Principal Occupation(1)
Dr. Thomas Patton(2)
Maple Falls, WA, USA
Director and Co-
Chairman
November 6,
1998
10,097,110(3) Co-Chairman of the Company.
Tony Alford(2)
Kernersville, NC, USA
Director
September 13,
2021
106,076,307 (4) Founder and President of PBA Consultants
Inc., a firm specializing in tax savings and
cost reduction services.

 


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Name, Residence and
Present Position within
the Company
Director Since Number of Common
Shares Beneficially
Owned, or
Controlled or
Directed, Directly or
Indirectly (1)
Principal Occupation(1)
Charles Travis Naugle
Golden, CO, USA
Director and Co-
Chairman
June 18, 2021 2,166,667(5) Founder, director and advisor for various
enterprises in the natural resource sector.
Steven Dischler
Sun Prairie, WI, USA
CEO and Proposed
Director
Proposed
Director
7,104,475(6) Vice President of Environmental, Social
and Governance for the Company.

Notes:

(1) The information as to principal occupation, business or employment and Common Shares beneficially owned or controlled or directed is not within the knowledge of management of the Company and has been furnished by the respective nominees. Unless otherwise stated above, the nominees named above have held the principal occupation or employment indicated for at least the five preceding years.

(2) Member of the audit committee of the Company.

(3) Includes 6,889,348 Common Shares held indirectly through Thomas C. and Linda Sue Patton Trust.

(4) Mr. Alford holds 62,599,038 Common Shares directly, 43,477,269 Common Shares held jointly with his spouse. Does not include 15,234,794 Common Shares registered to his spouse.

(5) Includes 833,334 Common Shares held indirectly through Redhill Energy LLC.

(6) Includes 100,000 Common Shares held jointly with his spouse.

Dr. Thomas Patton - Mr. Patton is the former President and COO of Western Silver, and Senior VP Exploration and Business Development, Kennecott, and Managing Director of Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration, South America. Mr. Patton has worked as a resource exploration geologist for over 40 years. He notably headed the Western Silver team that discovered and delineated the world's largest silver reserve, Penasquito, and subsequently sold it to Glamis Gold (now Goldcorp) for $1.2 billion in 2006.

Tony Alford - Mr. Alford has a history of executive leadership, including serving as a director of Revett Minerals Inc. in 2009 and 2010, where he was part of the team that rang the bell on the NYSE Amex listing of the company. Mr. Alford is the founder and president of PBA Consultants Inc., a firm specializing in tax savings and cost reduction services, for many of the fortune 500 companies across the United States. In 1993, Mr. Alford founded Alford Investments focusing on real estate investment properties, pharmacy distribution, food-related and natural resource companies.

Charles Travis Naugle - Mr. Naugle is a seasoned executive and officer in gold, copper, and strategic & critical metals mining companies. He participated in the design, construction, and operation of mining projects in the U.S., Eurasia, Russia, and Asia. His track record includes a focus on environmental and sustainability initiatives in collaboration with local and indigenous peoples, numerous asset- and company-level transactions, negotiating international joint ventures, and securing a bilateral mining treaty between two sovereign nations. A licensed Professional Engineer, Mr. Naugle received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and holds a degree in mining engineering from Montana Tech.

Steven Dischler - Mr. Dischler has over 40 years of experience at the most senior levels in the natural resources sector with a focus on the environment, reclamation, permitting and stakeholder engagement. His recent experience includes over 13 years as a senior executive advancing legacy and new mining projects in the historic Yerington copper district. In addition, Mr. Dischler has an extensive record of working constructively with the local communities, including Native American tribes, governmental agencies and non-government organizations in the region. Mr. Dischler holds a BS and an MS in mining engineering. In his immediately previous role as Vice President of Environmental, Social and Governance with the Company, he has been instrumental in advancing the Yerington copper project pursuant to the terms of the joint venture with Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture.

 


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3. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

MNP LLP ("MNP"), was appointed as the Company's independent auditors in 2021. MNP served as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and has been appointed by the Board to continue as the Company's independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.

Representatives of MNP are not expected to be present at the Meeting, however if in attendance will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and be available to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

Although the appointment of MNP is not required to be submitted to a vote of shareholders, the Board believes it appropriate as a matter of policy to request that Shareholders approve the appointment of the independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. In the event a majority of the votes cast at the Meeting are not voted in favor of appointment, the adverse vote will be considered as a direction to the Board to select other auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

Section 10A(i) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prohibits the Company's independent auditor from performing audit services for the Company as well as any services not considered to be "audit services" unless such services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee of the Board, or unless the services meet certain de minimis standards.

Under the Company's Audit Committee Charter, all non-audit services to be performed by the Company's independent auditor must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPOINTMENT OF MNP LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024, AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE DIRECTORS TO FIX THEIR REMUNERATION.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote is required.

4. APPROVAL OF 20% FIXED STOCK OPTION PLAN

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to approve the continuation of the Company's 20% Fixed Stock Option Plan (the "Plan").

As at the date of this Circular, the Company has 385,297,710 Common Shares issued and outstanding. The number of options under the Plan is set at a maximum of 61,913,595. There are 59,029,020 options outstanding under the Plan, thereby leaving a maximum of 2,884,575 options available for grant.

The purpose of the Plan is to provide an incentive to directors, employees and consultants of the Company or its subsidiary to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company, to continue their participation in the affairs of the Company and to increase their efforts on behalf of the Company.

The Plan received conditional acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") on June 20, 2024, and is subject to TSX-V final acceptance.

Shareholders will be asked at the Meeting to approve, with or without variation, the following ordinary resolution:

"BE IT RESOLVED as an ordinary resolution of the Shareholders of the Company that:

1. the Company's 2023 20% Fixed Stock Option Plan (the "Fixed Option Plan"), under which the maximum number of common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") reserved for issuance is equal to not more than 20% of the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved, such number not to exceed 61,913,595;

 


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2. the Board of Directors of the Company be authorized in its absolute discretion to administer the Plan, and amend or modify the Plan in accordance with its terms and conditions and with applicable stock exchange policies; and

3. any one or more director(s) or officer(s) of the Company be authorized and directed to do all acts and things and to execute and deliver all documents required, as in the opinion of such director or officer may be necessary or appropriate in order to give effect to this resolution."

A copy of the Plan is available at the records office of the Company at Suite 1200 - 750 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada until the business day immediately preceding the date of the Meeting. A copy will also be made available at the Meeting.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE 20% FIXED STOCK OPTION PLAN.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote is required.

Proxies received in favour of management will be voted in favour of the approval of the Fixed Option Plan, unless the Shareholder has specified in their Proxy that their Common Shares are to be voted against such resolution.

OTHER MATTERS

As of the date of this Information Circular, management of the Company knows of no other matters that are likely to be brought before the Meeting. If, however, other matters not presently known or determined properly come before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed proxy card or their substitutes will vote such proxy in accordance with their discretion with respect to such matters.

PROPOSALS OF SHAREHOLDERS

The deadline has passed for any proposal that a Shareholder wished to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement and management proxy circular for our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders as it must have been mailed to the Company by December 1, 2024. Any shareholder proposal received after this date will be considered untimely.

Proposals which shareholders wish to be considered for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and proxy card for the Meeting of Shareholders to be held in 2025, including director nominees, must be received by the Secretary of the Company by January 25, 2025, and must comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, and Division 7 of Part 5 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). After this date, any shareholder proposal will be considered untimely. If the Company changes the date of next year's annual meeting by more than thirty days from the date of this year's meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and mail its proxy materials.

INVOLVEMENT IN CERTAIN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

During the past ten years, none of the persons currently serving as executive officers and/or directors of the Company has been the subject matter of any of the following legal proceedings that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K including: (a) any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; (b) any criminal convictions; (c) any order, judgment, or decree permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities, commodities, or banking activities; (d) any finding by a court, the SEC or the CFTC to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, any law or regulation respecting financial institutions or insurance companies, or any law or regulation prohibiting mail or wire fraud; (e) any sanction or order of any self-regulatory organization or registered entity or equivalent exchange, association or entity; or (f) any material proceedings in which such person is a party adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Further, no such legal proceedings are believed to be contemplated by governmental authorities against any director, executive officer or affiliate of the Company, any owner of record or beneficially of more than five percent of the Company's Common Stock, or any associate of such director, executive officer, affiliate of the Company, or security holder.

 


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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of June 19, 2024, by:

(i) each director of the Company;

(ii) each of the Named Executive Officers of the Company; and

(iii) all directors and executive officers as a group.

Except as noted below, the Company believes that the beneficial owners of the Common Stock listed below, based on information furnished by such owners, have sole voting and investment power with respect to such shares.

Name of
Beneficial Owner
Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)(2)(3)
Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Dr. Thomas Patton 10,097,110(4) 2.6%
Tony Alford 106,076,307 (5) 27.5%
Charles Travis Naugle 2,166,667(6) 0.6%
Steven Dischler 7,104,475 (7) 1.8%
Stephen Goodman 3,089,618 0.8%
Lei Wang Nil Nil
Dave Harvey Nil Nil
All officers and directors (5) persons 128,887,511 33.5%

Notes:

(1) These amounts exclude beneficial ownership of securities not currently outstanding, but which are reserved for immediate issuance on exercise of stock options as follows: 8,915,965 shares issuable to Charles Travis Naugle, 2,400,000 shares issuable to Thomas Patton, 14,302,713 shares issuable to Mr. Alford, 1,760,000 shares issuable to Mr. Dischler, and 1,000,000 shares issuable to Dave Harvey.

(2) These amounts exclude beneficial ownership of securities not currently outstanding, but which are reserved for immediate issuance on exercise of warrants as follows: 6,133,878 shares issuable to Charles Travis Naugle, 400,000 shares issuable to Thomas Patton, 24,788,445 shares issuable to Tony Alford, 2,101,922 shares issuable to Steven Dischler and 3,009,625 shares issuable to Stephen Goodman.

(3) These amounts exclude beneficial ownership of securities not currently outstanding, but which are reserved for immediate issuance on conversion of convertible debentures as follows: 5,300,544 shares issuable to Charles Travis Naugle, 833,333 shares issuable to Tony Alford and 83,333 shares issuable to Stephen Goodman.

(4) Includes 6,889,348 shares held indirectly through Thomas C. and Linda Sue Patton Trust.

(5) Includes 43,477,269 shares held jointly with his spouse. Mr. Alford indirectly holds 15,234,794 Shares that are registered to his spouse.

(6) Includes 833,334 shares held indirectly through Redhill Energy LLC.

(7) Includes 100,000 shares held jointly with Mr. Dischler's spouse.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Beginning on January 1, 2023, Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's directors, executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Directors, executive officers and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.

To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of Forms 3 and 4, as amended, furnished to it during its most recent fiscal year, and Form 5, as amended, furnished to it with respect to such year, the Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 2023, its directors, executive officers and greater than 10% shareholders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements of the Exchange Act.

 


10

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table contains information regarding the members and nominees of the Board and the Executive Officers of the Company as of the Record Date:

Name Age Position Position Held Since
Charles Travis Naugle 47 Director
Co-Chairman
June 18, 2021
November 1, 2022
Dr. Thomas Patton 80 Director
Co-Chairman
November 6, 1998
July 31, 2013
Stephen Goodman 53 Director
President
Chief Financial Officer
Secretary
September 13, 2021
May 13, 2021
September 15, 2021
August 5, 2021
Tony Alford 63 Director September 13, 2021
Steven A. Dischler 66 CEO
Vice President, ESG
(Environmental, Social and
Governance)
May 22, 2024
March 1, 2022
Lei Wang 56 CFO
Corporate Secretary
May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Dave Harvey 68 Vice President, Exploration November 3, 2021

All of the officers identified above serve at the discretion of the Board and have consented to act as officers of the Company.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

There are no family relationships among any of the existing directors or executive officers of the Company.

NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

For the purposes set out below, a "Named Executive Officer" or "NEO" means each of the following individuals:

(a) each individual who, during any part of the Company's most recently completed financial year, served as the Company's chief executive officer ("CEO"), including an individual performing functions similar to a chief executive officer;

(b) each individual who, during any part of the Company's most recently completed financial year, served as the Company's chief financial officer ("CFO"), including an individual performing functions similar to a chief financial officer;

(c) in respect of the Company and its subsidiaries, the most highly compensated executive officer, other than the

CEO and the CFO, at the end of the Company's most recently completed financial year whose total compensation was more than C$150,000 for that financial year; and

(d) each individual who would be a named executive officer under paragraph (c) above but for the fact that the individual was not an executive officer of the Company, and was not acting in a similar capacity, at the end of that financial year.

As at the end of the most recently completed financial year of the Company ended December 31, 2023, the Company had three NEOs, whose names and positions held within the Company are set out in the summary compensation table below.

A NEO or director of the Company is not permitted to purchase financial instruments, including, for greater certainty, prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, or units of exchange funds, that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly by the NEO or director.


11

Objectives of the Compensation Program

The general objectives of the Company's compensation strategy are to:

(a) compensate management in a manner that encourages and rewards a high level of performance and outstanding results with a view to increasing long term shareholder value;

(b) provide a compensation package that is competitive with other comparable mineral exploration companies to enable the Company to attract and retain talent; and

(c) ensure that the total compensation package is designed in a manner that takes into account the Company's present stage of development and its available financial resources. The Company's compensation packages have been designed to provide a non-cash stock option component in conjunction with a reasonable cash salary.

Salaries for the NEOs are set out in the NEOs' respective agreements, and are determined by evaluating the responsibilities inherent in the position held, and the individuals experience and past performance, as well as by reference to the competitive marketplace for management talent at other mineral exploration companies. On the annual review date as set out in the NEOs' respective agreements, the Board reviews actual performance for the Company and each of the NEOs for such year, including the quality and measured progress of the Company's exploration projects, raising of capital and similar achievements. See "Termination and Change of control Benefits" for details regarding the NEOs' agreements.

Elements of Compensation

During 2023, the Company's compensation program consisted of two elements (i) cash and (ii) incentive stock options administered under the Company's stock option plan. The Company does not presently have a long-term incentive plan. Pursuant to the the NEOs' respective agreements, the NEOs receive an annual base salary and are entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the Company's stock option plan on each annual review date based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the annual base salary as determined upon review by the Board. See "Termination and Change of control Benefits" for details regarding the NEOs' agreements.

Salary - Base salaries for the NEOs for any given year are reviewed by the Board. Increases or decreases in salary on a year over year basis are dependent on the Board's assessment of the performance of the Company and the particular NEO. When considering the base salaries of each of the Company's NEOs, the Board reviews the qualifications and performance of, and salaries paid to executives of similar companies engaged in mining exploration and development. Recommendations for executive salaries are made by the Board in consultation with the CEO.

Incentive Awards - The Board believes that a significant portion of each NEO's compensation should be in the form of equity awards. Equity awards are made to the NEOs pursuant to the Company's stock option plan and restricted share unit plan. The stock option plan provides for awards in the form of stock options and the restricted share unit plan provides for awards in the form of restricted share units ("RSUs"). Since the value of RSUs increase or decrease with the price of the Common Shares, RSUs achieve the compensation objective of aligning the interests of executives with those of Shareholders. In addition, RSUs have time-based vesting features, and can also have performance based vesting features, that can be used to better motivate executives and to encourage qualified and experienced executives to make long-term commitments to the Company. In addition, the Board has generally followed a practice of issuing stock options to its NEOs on an annual basis in June of each year. The Board retains the discretion to make additional awards to NEOs at other times, in connection with the initial hiring of a new executive, for retention purposes or otherwise. In determining the amount of stock options and RSUs to be issued, the Board considers qualifications, performance, and option/ RSU programs of similar companies. Pursuant to the NEOs' agreements, the amount of options that the NEOs are entitled to receive are based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the annual base salary of the NEOs as determined upon review by the Board.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits - The Company's NEOs are not generally entitled to significant perquisites. The Company offers health care benefits, but there are no other perquisites which account for a material portion of the overall compensation paid to any NEO.

 


12

The Board did not consider the implications of the risks associated with the Company's compensation policies and practices. None of the NEOs or directors are permitted to purchase financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of equity securities granted as compensation or held, directly or indirectly, by such NEOs or directors.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth all information concerning the total compensation of the Company's president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and the two other most highly compensated officers (the "Named Executive Officers") during the last two completed fiscal years for services rendered to the Company in all capacities.

Name and
Principal
Position
Year Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards(7)
($)
Option
Awards(1)
($)
Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
Non-
qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total ($)
Charles Travis
Naugle
Former CEO,
Co-Chairman
and Director(2)
2023 250,000 Nil (80,649) 294,643 N/A N/A N/A 463,994
2022 250,000 N/A 174,204 193,172 N/A N/A N/A 617,376
Stephen
Goodman
Former
President,
former CFO
and Director(3)
2023 200,000 Nil (80,649) 246,655 N/A N/A N/A 366,006
2022 200,000 N/A 80,884(4) 170,514 N/A N/A N/A 451,398
Steven Dischler
Vice President,
Environmental,
Social and
Governance(5)
2023 150,000 Nil Nil 27,353 N/A N/A N/A 177,353
2022 125,000 Nil Nil 24,558 N/A N/A N/A 149,558
Dave Harvey
Vice President,
Exploration
2023 156,000 Nil Nil 27,353 N/A N/A N/A 183,353
2022 156,000 Nil Nil 16,372 N/A N/A N/A 172,372

Notes:

(1) The determination of the value of option awards is based upon the Black-Scholes Option pricing model, details and assumptions of which are set out in Note 6 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

(2) Charles Travis Naugle was appointed as a director of the Company on June 18, 2021, the CEO of the Company on May 13, 2021 and Co-Chairman on November 1, 2022. He resigned as the CEO of the Company on May 22, 2024.

(3) Stephen Goodman was appointed as the President of the Company on May 13, 2021, the CFO of the Company on September 15, 2021, a director of the Company on September 13, 2021 and the Corporate Secretary of the Company on September 15, 2021. He ceased to act as an officer of the Company on May 22, 2024 and is not up for re-election as a director of the Company.

(4) This figure does not include 1,333,333 RSUs that were cancelled on June 2, 2022.

(5) Steven Dischler was appointed as the CEO of the Company on May 22, 2024.

(6) Lei Wang was appointed as the CFO and Corporate Secretary of the Company on May 22, 2024.

(7) 5,333,334 unvested RSU's was cancelled in 2023, and their respective share-based payments expense was reversed.

 


13

Pay Versus Performance

The following table provides information regarding compensation paid to the Principal Executive Officer, and the Company's other Named Executive Officers, the performance of the Company's common stock and the Company's net income.

Year Summary
compensation
table total for
PEO(1)
Compensation
actually paid to
PEO(2)
Average summary
compensation
table total for
non-PEO NEOs(3)
Average
compensation
actually paid to
non-PEO
NEOs(3)(4)
Value of
initial fixed
$100
investment
based on:
Net Income
(loss)
Total
shareholder
return(5)
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (h)
2023 $463,994 $463,994 $242,237 $242,237 C$67 ($5,911,000)
2022 $617,376 $544,643(6) $257,776 $269,643(7) C$48 ($1,928,000)

(1) The dollar amounts reported in columns (b) are the amounts of total compensation reported for the PEO for each corresponding year in the "Total" column of the Summary Compensation Table. Refer to "Summary Compensation Table".

(2) The dollar amounts reported in columns (c) represent the amount of "compensation actually paid" to the PEO, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

(3) Non-PEO NEOs include Stephen Goodman, Steven Dischler and Dave Harvey in each of 2023 and 2022.

(4) The dollar amounts reported in column (e) represent the average amount of "compensation actually paid" to the non-PEO NEOs, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

(5) The dollar amounts in column (f) represent the value of a C$100 investment made on the last trading day prior to 2022, as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

(6) Reflects the reversal of stock awards valued $80,649.

(7) Excludes the reversal of stock awards valued $80,649 granted to Stephen Goodman.

Description of Relationship between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Total Shareholder Return ("TSR")

The following table sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and the Company's cumulative TSR over the two most recently completed fiscal years.

Year Compensation Actually Paid
to PEO ($)
Average Compensation
Actually Paid to Non-PEO
NEOs ($)
Total Shareholder Return
2023 $463,994 $242,237 $67
2022 $544,643 $269,643 $48

Description of Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income

The following table sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our Net Income during the two most recently completed fiscal years.

Year Compensation Actually
Paid to PEO ($)
Average Compensation
Actually Paid to Non-PEO
NEOs ($)
Net Income (loss) ($)
2023 $463,994 $242,237 ($5,911,000)
2022 $544,643 $269,643 ($1,928,000)

 


14

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

During the financial year ended December 31, 2023, the Company paid Thomas Pressello C$21,000 in cash for director services.

Other than as disclosed herein, no cash compensation was paid to any director of the Company for the director's services as a director during the financial year ended December 31, 2023, other than the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

The Company has no standard arrangement pursuant to which directors are compensated by the Company for their services in their capacity as directors except for the granting from time to time of incentive stock options in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

During the most recently completed financial year, incentive stock options were granted to directors, including directors who are Named Executive Officers as follows:

Name Grant
Date
Estimated future
payouts under non-
equity incentive plan
awards
Estimated future payouts
under equity incentive
plan awards
All other
stock
awards:
Number
of shares
of stock
or units
(#)
All other
option
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
options (#)
Exercise
or base
price of
option
awards
($/Sh)
Grant
date fair
value of
stock and
option
awards
    Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
       
Charles
Travis
Naugle
July 21, 2023 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5,385,965 N/A C$0.08 C$389,276
Thomas
Patton
July 21, 2023 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,000,000 N/A C$0.08 C$72,276
Stephen
Goodman
July 21, 2023 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 4,508,772 N/A C$0.08 C$325,876
Tony
Alford
July 21, 2023 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5,600,000 N/A C$0.08 C$404,746
Thomas
Pressello
July 21, 2023 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,000,000 N/A C$0.08 C$72,276

Notes:

(1) Charles Travis Naugle resigned as the CEO of the Company on May 22, 2024.

(2) Stephen Goodman ceased to act as an officer of the Company on May 22, 2024.

(3) Thomas Pressello resigned as a director of the Company on July 28, 2023.

 


15

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT THE MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED FISCAL YEAR

As at the end of the most recently completed financial year, the following unexercised incentive stock options and equity incentive plan awards granted to directors, including directors who are Named Executive Officers, were outstanding:

Name Option awards Stock awards
  Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
exercisable
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
options (#)
unexercisable
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
securities
underlying
unexercised
unearned
options (#)
Option
exercise
price
($)
Option
expiration
date
Number of
shares or
units of
stock
that
have
not
vested
(#)
Market
value of
shares or
units of
stock
that
have
not
vested
(#)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Number of
unearned
shares,
units or
other
rights
that have
not
vested
(#)
Equity
incentive
plan
awards:
Market of
payout
value of
unearne
d shares,
units or
other
rights
that
have not
vested
($)
Charles
Travis
Naugle
500,000
1,500,000
2,530,000
5,385,965
Nil Nil C$0.245
C$0.11
C$0.085
C$0.08
2026-06-18
2026-09-17
2027-05-25
2028-07-21
Nil Nil Nil Nil
Thomas
Patton
200,000
300,000
200,000
700,000
1,000,000
Nil Nil C$0.065
C$0.08
C$0.245
C$0.085
C$0.08
2024-06-21
2025-06-30
2026-06-18
2027-05-25
2028-07-21
Nil Nil Nil Nil
Stephen
Goodman
500,000
1,500,000
2,170,000
4,508,772
1,430,000
Nil Nil C$0.245
C$0.11
C$0.085
C$0.08
C$0.07
2026-06-18
2026-09-17
2027-05-25
2028-07-21
2029-03-01
Nil Nil Nil Nil
Tony Alford 400,000
1,500,000
1,500,000
700,000
957,713
5,600,000
4,645,000
Nil Nil C$0.245
C$0.11
C$0.09
C$0.085
C$0.072
C$0.08
C$0.07
2026-06-18
2026-09-17
2026-10-21
2027-05-25
2025-08-18
2028-07-21
2029-03-01
Nil Nil Nil Nil

Notes:

(1) "Value of unexercised in-the-money options" is calculated by determining the difference between the market value of the securities underlying the options at the date referred to and the exercise price of the options and is not necessarily indicative of the value (i.e. loss or gain) that will actually be realized by the directors.

(2) "in-the-money options" means the excess of the market value of the Company's shares on December 31, 2023 over the exercise price of the options.

(3) Thomas Pressello resigned as a director of the Company on July 28, 2023.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

No stock options were exercised by the Named Executive Officers during the last completed fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

 


16

STOCK OPTION PLANS AND OTHER INCENTIVE PLANS

20% Fixed Stock Option Plan

The Company has in place the Plan that was last approved by the Shareholders at the annual general meeting held on June 20, 2023.

At the Meeting, Shareholders will be asked to approve the Company's Plan. See "Approval of 20% Fixed Stock Option Plan" above for a summary of the Plan. Shareholders may obtain copies of the Plan from the Company prior to the Meeting on written request.

SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The following table sets out information as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.

Plan Category Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of outstanding
options and warrants
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options and
warrants
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuances under
equity compensation
plan [excluding securities
reflected in column (a)]
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
49,239,020(1) $0.10(2) 12,674,575(3)
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders
Nil Nil Nil
Total: 49,239,020 $0.10 12,674,575

Notes:

(1) Comprised of 49,239,020 stock options.

(2) Weighted-average exercise price of 49,239,020 stock options.

(3) 12,674,575 shares available for issuance under the Company's stock option plan.

Pension Plan Benefits

The Company contributes to Charles Travis Naugle's retirement account.

Other than as disclosed herein, the Company does not have any pension plan benefit for any Named Executive Officer or executive officer, employee or former director, executive officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

In the absence of a formal compensation committee, the full Board participates in the deliberations concerning executive officer compensation. No executive officer of the Company has an interlocking relationship with any member of the Board, as described by item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K. The full Board has reviewed and considered the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, and has recommended its inclusion in this proxy statement.

Date: June 19, 2024

Tony Alford, Director

Tom Patton, Director

Stephen Goodman, Director

Charles Travis Naugle, Director

 


17

TERMINATION AND CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

The following contracts, agreements, plans, and arrangements provide for payments to the applicable Named Executive Officers following or in connection with any termination (whether voluntary, involuntary or constructive), resignation, retirement, a change in control of the company or a change in such Named Executive Officers' responsibilities:

Charles Travis Naugle - Mr. Naugle entered into an employment agreement with the Company and its subsidiary, Quaterra Alaska, Inc., dated effected May 1, 2021 and amended September 15, 2021 (the "Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company engaged Naugle as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and an officer of the subsidiary. The Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary of $250,000 (the "Annual Salary") effective September 15, 2021 in consideration for his services as an executive officer of the Company and Quaterra Alaska, Inc. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Naugle is also entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the Company's stock option plan of each of the companies on each annual review date based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the annual base salary as determined upon review by the Board. The Employment Agreement was further amended on November 1, 2022 such that 52% of the Annual Salary will be paid in shares of Falcon Butte Minerals Corp. (the "Falcon Butte Shares"). The deemed price of the Falcon Butte Shares will be equal to the fair market value of the Falcon Butte Shares ("FMV") at the time the Company transfers such shares to Mr. Naugle. The payment schedule for the Falcon Butte Shares is as follows: (i) as at November 1, 2022, US$32,500 of the Annual Salary shall be converted to Falcon Butte Shares; and (ii) as at February 1, 2023, US$32,500 of the Annual Salary shall be converted to Falcon Butte Shares. The payment terms for the Falcon Butte Shares are applicable for six months beginning on November 1, 2022 and these payment terms can be extended on a quarterly basis thereafter by mutual consent of the parties. For the purposes of the foregoing, the FMV will be the greater of $0.28 and the last cash issuance price per Falcon Butte Share (pursuant to a bona fide financing) as at the time of payment. In the event that either of the companies completes a change of control during the term of the agreement or within six months of the termination of the agreement, upon the completion of such change of control, the companies shall pay Mr. Naugle a payment equal to three times his annual compensation, calculated as at the earlier of the date of the change of control or the last day of his employment. The agreement is for a term expiring on May 1, 2024, unless extended or terminated earlier.

Stephen Goodman - Mr. Goodman, through his company 1327095 BC ULC (the "Consulting Company"), entered into a consulting agreement dated September 15, 2021 with the Company (the "Management Agreement"). Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Company agreed to pay the Consulting Company an annual fee of $200,000 payable monthly in consideration for the services of the Consulting Company, to be provided through Stephen Goodman, including for the performance of executive officer functions. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Consulting Company is entitled to receive an annual grant of options under the Company's stock option plan of each of the companies on each annual review date based on a minimum of 50% and maximum of 150% of the annual base salary as determined upon review by the Board. If the Company terminates the Management Agreement for any reason other than for cause or the death or disability of Mr. Goodman, the Consulting Company shall receive a payment equal to 75% of the annual grant of options under the stock option plan of the companies that was due to be paid on the next annual review date following such date of termination. In the event that the Company completes a change of control during the term of the Management Agreement or within six months of the termination of the Management Agreement, upon the completion of such change of control, the Company shall pay the Consulting Company a payment equal to three times the last annual compensation. The Management Agreement expired on May 1, 2024.

Other than the agreements described above, the Company and its subsidiaries are not parties to any contracts, and have not entered into any plans or arrangements which require compensation to be paid to any of the Named Executive Officers in the event of:

(a) resignation, retirement or any other termination of employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries;

(b) a change of control of the Company or one of its subsidiaries; or

(c) a change in the director, officer or employee's responsibilities following a change of control of the Company.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Board held one formal directors' meeting. All matters which required Board approval were consented to in writing by all of the Company's directors.

 


18

The Board has an audit committee (the "Audit Committee") composed of three directors, Tony Alford, Thomas Patton, and Stephen Goodman. All members of the Audit Committee are "financially literate", and Thomas Patton is "independent" as described and defined in Multilateral Instrument 52-110 Audit Committees ("NI 52-110"). The Audit Committee composition complies with the requirements for composition of Audit Committees in NI 52-110 as applicable to venture companies. The Audit Committee reviews all financial statements of the Company prior to their publication, reviews audits or communications, recommends the appointment of independent auditors, reviews and approves the professional services to be rendered by independent auditors and reviews fees for audit services. The Audit Committee meets both separately with auditors (without management present) as well as with management present. The meetings with the auditors discuss the various aspects of the Company's financial presentation in the areas of audit risk and US generally accepted accounting principles. Specifically, the Audit Committee has:

(a) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management;

(b) discussed with the independent accountant the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended; and

(c) received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding the independent accountant's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant's independence.

Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the audit committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements should be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Audit Committee of the Board has furnished the following report on its activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The report is not deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC or subject to the SEC's proxy rules or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing.

The Audit Committee oversees the financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial reporting process, principles and internal controls as well as preparation of the Company's financial statements. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the members of the Audit Committee were Tony Alford, Tom Patton and Stephen Goodman. Thomas Patton qualifies as an independent director as defined by the applicable SEC rules.

The Audit Committee met by electronic conference means and reviewed and discussed the Company's audited financial statements and the adequacy of the Company's internal controls. They discussed the independent auditor's audits and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting.

The Audit Committee monitored the independence and performance of the independent auditors. The Company's independent auditors provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditors' communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, which the Audit Committee has reviewed. The Audit Committee discussed any matters relating to auditor independence or the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards adopted by the PCAOB and codified as AS1301. Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, for filing with the SEC.

Date: June 19, 2024

Tony Alford, Member

Tom Patton, Member

Stephen Goodman, Member

 


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Audit Committee Financial Expert

Thomas Patton is the Chair of the Audit Committee and is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined under applicable SEC rules. He is an independent director.

MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS

The Company is not a party to a management contract with anyone other than directors or Named Executive Officers of the Company.

INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

None of the current or former directors, executive officers, employees, and proposed nominees for election as directors or their associates is or has since the beginning of the last completed financial year, been indebted to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or indebted to another entity where such indebtedness is or was the subject of a guarantee, support agreement, letter of credit or other similar instrument or understanding provided by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Charles Travis Naugle, Stephen Goodman, Tony Alford and Steven Dischler subscribed for an aggregate of $1,185,000 of unsecured convertible debentures in a financing. The debentures bear interest at a rate of 14% per annum and mature on November 2, 2024, and are convertible into shares of the Company at $0.07 ($0.095 CAD) per share until January 2, 2024, and thereafter at $0.074 ($0.10 CAD). In connection with the sale of the convertible debentures, the Company issued to the purchasers one detachable warrant for every $0.07 ($0.095 CAD) of principal amount of the debentures subscribed for.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Blue Copper LLC entered into an amendment to the property lease agreement with Charles Travis Naugle to extend the lease on a mineral property.

Except as disclosed herein, since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year, no informed person of the Company, nominee for director or any associate or affiliate of an informed person or nominee, had any material interest, direct or indirect, in any transaction or any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Related party transactions are reviewed by the Board as part of the transaction approval process and directors that have disclosed their interest in the transaction abstain from voting on any resolution to approve the transaction. Transactions are recorded in Board minutes or unanimous consent documentation.

An "informed person" means: (a) a director or executive officer of the Company; (b) a director or executive officer of a person or company that is itself an informed person or subsidiary of the Company; (c) any person or company who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, voting securities of the company or who exercises control or director over voting securities of the Company or a combination of both carrying more than 10% of the voting rights other than voting securities held by the person or company as underwriter in the course of a distribution; and (d) the Company itself, if and for so long as it has purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired any of its shares.

STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate governance relates to the activities of the Board, the members of which are elected by and are accountable to the Shareholders, and takes into account the role of the individual members of management who are appointed by the Board and charged with the day to day management of the Company. The Canadian Securities Administrators ("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 has implemented National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices ("NI 58-101"), which prescribes certain disclosure by the Company of its corporate governance practices. This disclosure is presented below.

 


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Board of Directors

The Board currently consists of four members, Dr. Thomas Patton, Charles Travis Naugle, Stephen Goodman, Tony Alford. It is proposed that the individuals, except for Stephen Goodman, be nominated at the Meeting. Steven Dischler will also be nominated at the Meeting.

Director Independence

The Board has concluded that one director, Tom Patton, is considered "independent" for purposes of membership on the Board, as provided in NI 58-101. Mr. Naugle, Mr. Alford and Mr. Dischler are not "independent" for the purposes of membership on the Board, as provided in NI 58-101. A director is independent for the purposes of membership on the Board on the basis that he or she has no direct or indirect "material relationship" with the Company, as provided in NI 58-101. A "material relationship" is a relationship which could, in the view of the Board, be reasonably expected to interfere with the exercise of the director's independent judgement.

Exchange Act rules require a separate determination of the independence of the Company's directors based on the definition of independence of a U.S. national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system which has requirements that a majority of the Board be independent. Because the Company's Common Stock is not currently listed on a national securities exchange, the Company currently uses the definition in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2) for determining director independence. Under that definition, Mr. Alford would be considered an independent director. Mr. Patton would also be considered an independent director under Rule 5605(c)(2)'s provisions relating to audit committee composition.

Other Directorships

The following table sets forth the current directors of the Company who are directors of other reporting issuers:

Name of Director Reporting Issuers
Charles Travis Naugle None
Thomas Patton Riley Gold Corp.
Stephen Goodman(1) None
Tony Alford None
Steven Dischler(2) None

(1) Not standing for re-election.

(2) Proposed director.

Orientation and Continuing Education

The Company does not currently have a formal orientation program for new directors. The Company also does not provide formal continuing education to its Board members, but does encourage them to communicate with management, auditors and technical consultants. Board members are also encouraged to participate in industry related conferences, meetings and educational events.

Ethical Business Conduct

The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code"). The Code addresses honesty and integrity, fair dealing, discrimination and harassment, safety and security, and honest and accurate record keeping. The Code also addresses Ethical Business Conduct for financial managers.

Insider Trading Policy

The Company has adopted a securities trading policy setting forth policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of the Company's securities by directors, officers and employees, or by the Company itself, that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to the Company. A copy of the policy has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the Company's most recent Form 10-K annual report.

 


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Nomination of Directors and Compensation

Based on the current size of the Board, the Company does not have a standing nominating committee. This policy will be reviewed as the number of directors increases. Directors are nominated by the Board, which considers individual director qualifications as a whole. While there are no specific criteria for Board membership, the Company attempts to attract and maintain directors with business acumen and a deep knowledge of mineral exploration and development or other areas such as finance which would assist in guiding the Company's officers in the performance of their roles.

The Board will consider its size each year when it considers the number of directors to recommend to the shareholders for election at the annual meeting of shareholders, taking into account the number required to carry out the Board duties effectively and to maintain a diversity of views and experience.

Management will conduct an annual review of the compensation of the Company's directors and executive officers and make recommendations to the Board. The Board determines compensation for the directors and executive officers.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The Board as a whole is responsible for risk oversight for the Company. The Company's executive officers address and discuss with the Board the Company's risks and the manner in which the Company manages or mitigates such risks. While the Board has the ultimate responsibility for the Company's risk oversight, the Board works in conjunction with the Audit Committee on certain aspects of its risk oversight responsibilities. In particular, the Audit Committee focuses on financial reporting risks and related controls and procedures. The Company does not currently have a compensation committee or a nominating committee, so the full Board evaluates the risks associated with the Company's compensation philosophy and programs and strives to create compensation practices that do not encourage excessive levels of risk taking that would be inconsistent with the Company's strategies and objectives, and it oversees risks associated with the Company's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

The Company's leadership structure is enhanced by having a Co-Chairman of the Board in addition to our CEO/Co- Chairman. The Company believes that such a structure allows for a more effective monitoring and objective evaluation of the performance of management.

Board Committees

The Board has no committees other than the audit committee.

Director Attendance at Shareholder Meetings

The Company does not have a policy regarding attendance of directors at shareholder meetings. The Company's last annual general meeting was held in person, and one director was in attendance by electronic means. All current directors have indicated that they intend to attend the Meeting by electronic means if not able to attend in person.

Assessments

The Board annually, and at such other times as it deems appropriate, reviews the performance and effectiveness of the Board, the directors and its committees to determine whether changes in size, personnel or responsibilities are warranted. To assist in its review, the Board conducts informal surveys of its directors and receives a report from the audit committee respecting its effectiveness. As part of the assessments, the Board or the audit committee may review their respective mandate or charter and conduct reviews of applicable corporate policies.

 


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AUDIT COMMITTEE

Audit Committee Disclosure

Pursuant to Section 224(2) of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act and National Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 52-110"), the Company is required to have an audit committee (the "Committee") composed of a minimum of three directors, a majority of whom are not officers, control persons or employees of the Company or an affiliate of the Company. NI 52-110 requires the Company as a venture issuer, to disclose annually in its information circular certain information concerning the constitution of its audit committee and its relationship with its independent auditor, as set forth below.

The primary function of the Committee is to assist the Board in fulfilling its financial oversight responsibilities by: (i) reviewing the financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to regulatory authorities and Shareholders; (ii) reviewing the systems for internal corporate controls which have been established by the Board and management; and (iii) overseeing the Company's financial reporting processes generally. In meeting these responsibilities the Committee monitors the financial reporting process and internal control system, reviews and appraises the work of external auditors and provides an avenue of communication between the external auditors, senior management and the Board. The Committee is also mandated to review and approve all material related party transactions.

The Audit Committee's Charter

The Company has adopted a Charter of the Committee, a copy of which is annexed hereto as Schedule "A".

Composition of the Audit Committee

The Committee is comprised of the following members: Tony Alford, Tom Patton and Stephen Goodman. Mr. Patton is considered to be independent. Each member of the Committee is considered to be financially literate as defined by NI 52-110 in that they have the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of the issues that can presumably be expected to be raised by the Company's financial statements.

The members of the Committee are elected by the Board at its first meeting following the annual Shareholders' meeting. Unless a chair is elected by the full Board, the members of the Committee designate a chair by a majority vote of the full Committee membership.

Relevant Education and Experience

Tony Alford - Mr. Alford has a history of executive leadership, including serving as a director of Revett Minerals Inc. in 2009 and 2010, where he was part of the team that rang the bell on the NYSE Amex listing of the company. Mr. Alford is the founder and president of PBA Consultants Inc., a firm specializing in tax savings and cost reduction services, for many of the fortune 500 companies across the United States. In 1993, Mr. Alford founded Alford Investments focusing on real estate investment properties, pharmacy distribution, food-related and natural resource companies.

Tom Patton - Dr. Patton (Ph.D., M.Sc., B.Sc., P. Geo.) has spent his entire career in the exploration industry as a field geologist, consultant, and executive at both junior and senior mining companies. He held senior positions at Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration and Kennecott, where he served as Senior Vice President of Exploration & Business Development, and he served as the President and COO of Western Silver Corp. He is a Member of the Society of Economic Geologists and the American Institute of Mining & Metallurgical Engineers. He graduated from the University of Washington with M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees.

Stephen Goodman - Mr. Goodman has been involved as a senior executive, director and investment banker in several hundred million dollars of acquisition, exploration and production financings for mining companies listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange. After several years at Canaccord Capital, he moved to New York to work as an investment banker working at firms including Casimir Capital, Knight Capital Group, KGS Alpha Capital Markets (now BMO) and StormHarbour Securities LP. Mr. Goodman is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, attained a master of business administration from the Institut des Hautes Etudes Economiques et Commerciales in France and attained a postgraduate diploma in Asia management from Capilano University.

 


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Audit Committee Oversight

Since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year, the Board has not failed to adopt a recommendation of the Committee to nominate or compensate an external auditor.

Reliance on Certain Exemptions

Since the commencement of the Company's most recently completed financial year, the Company has not relied on the exemptions in section 2.4 (De Minimis Non-Audit Services), subsection 6.1.1(4) (Circumstance Affecting the Business or Operations of the Venture Issuer), subsection 6.1.1(5) (Events Outside Control of Member), subsection 6.1.1(6) (Death, Incapacity or Resignation), or under Part 8 (Exemption) of NI 52-110.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Committee has not adopted specific policies and procedures for the engagement of non-audit services. Subject to the requirements of NI 52-110, the engagement of non-audit services is considered by the Board, and where applicable the Committee, on a case-by-case basis.

External Auditor Service Fees

In the following table, "audit fees" are fees billed by the Company's external auditor for services provided in auditing the Company's annual financial statements for the subject year. "Audit-related fees" are fees not included in audit fees that are billed by the auditor for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company's financial statements. "Tax fees" are fees billed by the auditor for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. "All other fees" are fees billed by the auditor for products and services not included in the foregoing categories.

MNP LLP has served as the Company's independent auditors since October 18, 2021, and will be appointed by the Board to continue as the Company's independent auditor for the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 202 4, and until the next annual general meeting of shareholders.

The fees for services provided by MNP LLP, to the Company in each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:

The fees paid by the Company to its auditor in each of the last two fiscal years, by category, are as follows:

Financial Year
Ending
Audit Fees Audit Related
Fees
Tax Fees All Other Fees Total
December 31, 2023 C$194,699 N/A N/A N/A C$194,699
December 31, 2022 C$126,988 N/A N/A N/A C$126,988

(1) "Audit Fees" include fees necessary to perform the annual audit and quarterly reviews of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Audit Fees include fees for review of tax provisions and for accounting consultations on matters reflected in the financial statements. Audit Fees also include audit or other attest services required by legislation or regulation, such as comfort letters, consents, reviews of securities filings and statutory audits.

(2) "Audit-Related Fees" include services that 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.

(3) "Tax Fees" include fees for all tax services other than those included in "Audit Fees" and "Audit-Related Fees". This category includes fees for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice. Tax planning and tax advice includes assistance with tax audits and appeals, tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions, and requests for rulings or technical advice from tax authorities.

(4) "All Other Fees" include all other non-audit services.

 


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All services to be performed by the Company's independent auditor must be approved in advance by the Audit Committee. Under the Company's Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the external auditors. Unless a type of service is to be provided by the external auditors receives general pre-approval, it requires specific pre-approval by the Company's Audit Committee.

Exemption

The Company is relying upon the exemption in section 6.1 of NI 52-110 which provides that the Company, as a venture issuer, is not required to comply with Part 3 (Composition of the Audit Committee) and Part 5 (Reporting Obligations) of NI 52-110.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

A copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 is available without charge upon written request to: Lion Copper and Gold Corp., 143 S Nevada St, Yerington, Nevada, 89447.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information relating to the Company is available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Financial information is provided in the Company's comparative financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for its most recently completed financial year, which will be available online at www.sedarplus.ca.

Dated at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 19th day of June, 2024.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                                           "Steven Dischler"                                             

Steven Dischler

Chief Executive Officer